Attestation of Many Learned Godly and Famous Divines, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. The testimonies of many particular late Writers, of bleſſed memorie, making for vsus in this matter.
BEGINNING therefore with the New Writers, I iudge it meet and convenient to alleage in the formoſt place the reſolut determination of Maiſter Beza, Beza.becauſe he of al others is thought by ſome vnadviſed perſons, to be moſt againſt vsus in this point. Now hee diſputing this queſtion at large in his Epiſt. 8…. ſetteth downe this concluſion; Populo invito nihil obtrudatur: Let nothing be impoſed on the people (or Congregation) ag…a…t their willes. Then the which verily we deſire no more: this is all in ſubſtance that we ſeek in our aſſertion. Againe, vnles it bee ſo, the Church-governement either is a Monarchie, or a verie Oligarchie. But Maiſter Beza expreſly condemneth both theſe: and the later namely on Math. ca. 18.17. Wherefore howſoever Maiſter Beza interpreteth ſome things otherwiſe then we do, & vſeth ſome times other phraſes then we perhaps do thinke ſo fit, or ſo frequently to be vſed, yet touching this point in queſtion, hee agreeth wholy with vsus in ſubſtance, and in effect. For let this which he in theſe wordes ſetteth downe be yeelded vntounto vsus, thē wee are ſatisfyed for the ſubſtance of Church-governemēt. To which purpoſe Maiſter Beza ſaith alſo in Confeſ. 5.35. The Apoſtles intended in the Churches which they planted, that no Paſtor ſhould bee obtruded on a flocke againſt their willes. Yet moreover I pray the Reader to note, that even hee alſo ſtrongly maintayneth this right of the people (in the affayres of their ſoules) many tymes in more free and large termes. As where he ſaith:“Confeſ. 5.34. I finde no where in any Chriſtian Church built vp that any is promoted either to the Ministerie of the word, or Deaconſhip, or Elderſhip, any other way, then by a publike and free election. And,†Sect 35. I repeat againe that which I ſaid before, It was never receaved in Chriſtian Churches eſtabliſhed, that any ſhould be admitted to an Eccleſiaſtscall function, but being freely and lawfully choſen of that Church which it concerneth. Againe,“ibid. Paſtors are not to be choſen without the conſent of the whole Church. Alſo,*ibid. They (whoſoever they are) bring Tyrannie into the Church, if they call any man to a publike function at their owne will, the conſent of the multitude being neglected. Againe,“ibid. Presbyters were choſen by the voyces, at leaſt, by the allowance of the whole aſſembly. VponUpon the Act. 14.23. he ſaith:See Oecumen. in hunc loc. Alſo Badei Commentar. The force of this word Chirotonein, is to be noted, that wee way know Paul and Barnabas did nothing by their private will, neither exerciſed any tyrannie in the Church. He meaneth, that they here made Miniſters by the peoples voyces, or free conſent, & not otherwiſe. And vponupon 1. Time. 5.22. All the authoriti… (of making Miniſters) was not in Timothie alone; but election being made by the conſent of the whole Church, then the Preſident of the aſſemblie did conſecrate him by laying on of handes. And on 2. Cor. 2.8. By the publike conſent of the Church declare that you embrace that penitent ſinner againe as a brother, even as by the publike iudgement of the Church he was caſt out. In all the which it is eaſie to ſee Maiſter Bezaes minde and reſolution in this queſtion to bee cleerely with vsus. As for that which D. Downame “Defenſ. 4. pag. 81.obiecteth out of him, where he calleth one Morellius †De…grad. Miniſtr. 6.23Fanaticall, becauſe he pleaded in like maner for the popular governement. The D. abuſeth Beza, and vsus all. Morellius pleaded for the popular governement in far vnlike maner. He ſought in Churches perfectly eſtabliſhed to bring all things in particular, and ordinarily to the peoples hearing, examining, iudging, and voice-giving. But neither Beza, nor we intend ſo. Wee acknowledge that the ordinarie ſway of all Eccleſiaſticall authoritie ought to bee in the true Biſhop, or Paſtour of the church: and we affirme that right wel ſo it may bee, although never anie thing be impoſed on the Church by him againſt their willes. Which thing D. Downame him ſelfe alſo acknowledgeth may be, and“Def. 4. p. 21 was heeretofore in a ſtate of the Church (*Rather about 420. about 400. yeres after Chriſt) which hee ſeemeth to allow of. Saving that he cunningly falſifyeth the wordes of the Councill which there he mentioneth: to wit, in ſaying the aſſent or connivence of the people, where the Councill ſaith,“Concil. Carth. 4. Can. 22. the aſſent and connivence. But to proceed: By this before alleaged, all men may ſee Maiſt. Bezaes iudgement in this cauſe to be (as I ſaid) cleerely with vsus. And ſo much concerning him.
In the ſecond place we will conſider Maiſter Calvin, 2. Calvin.a Paſtor and Guide of the Church of Geneva before Mai. Beza. Hee alſo every where in all his writings is a moſt earneſt patron of this point which heere we profeſſe. I will note certain of his ſentences to this purpoſe. Saith he:“Inſtit. 4.5.15. Eſt haec ex verbo Dei legitima Miniſtri vocatio, vhi ex populi conſenſu & approbatione creant qui viſi ſuerint idonei. Preeſſe autem Electioni debent alij Paſtores, nequid per levitatem, vel per malae ſtudia, vet per tumultum à multitudine peccetur This is the lawfull calling of a Miniſter by the word of God, where they which ſeeme fit, are created by the conſent and approbation of the people Indeed other Paſtors ought to moderate and order the Election, leaſt the multitude ſhould offend through lightues, or ill affection, or tumult. And a litle before, Videmus ipſum (Paulum) ex populi ſuffragijs Epiſcopos creare ſolitum. We ſee that Paul him ſelfe was wont to create Biſhops by the voyce giving of the people Againe, Falluntur qui putant vel Timotheum Epheſi, vei Titum in Creta regnum exercuiſſe, vt ſuo vterque arbi…rio omnia diſponeret. Praefuerunt enim tantum vt bonis & ſalutaribus conſilijs popul… praeirent: non vt ſoli excluſis alijs onnibus agerent quod placerēt. They are deceaved who thinke either that Timothie at Epheſus, or Titus in Crete did practiſe a kingdome, that either of them diſpoſed all at their owne will. Only they were over the people in going before them with good and holeſome countails; not that they alone did what pleaſed them, excluding all the reſt. And preſently hee ſheweth, they did no more but crave the voyces, & moderate the people in choſing. And affirmeth that this is, Commune ius & libertas Eccleſiae, the common right and libertie of the Church, and that, not to bee diminiſhed. And in another place hee ſaith,“Cap. 5.2. Etiamſi nihil aliud mali foret quitamen hoe excuſare poterunt quod it a ſpoliaverint ſuo iure Eccleſiam? Although there were no other evill, yet how can they excuſe this that they have ſo ſpoiled the Church of her right? And,†Sect. 3. Eſt impia Eccleſiae ſpoliatio, &c. It is a wicked robbing or ſpoyling of the Church, ſo often as a Biſhop is put vppon any people whom they have not deſired, or at leaſt have not approoved with a free voyce And, It it is a ly that they ſay, this is a remedy againſt the peoples tumultes. They had other wayes Eyther to prevent theſe faultes, or to correct them being committed But to ſay the truth, when the people began to be ſomewhat too negligēt in holding their Elections, & did give ouer this care to the Presbyters, as a thing not ſo beſeeming thē ſelves, they (the Preſ byters) abuſed this occaſion to take to thē ſelves a tyrannie, which afterward they cōfirmed with Canons. And vponupon the Acts thus hee writeth:“In Act. 3.…. Est tyranicum, &c. It is tyrannicall if any one man make Miniſters at his will. Therefore this is the lawfull way, that they be choſen by common voy… who are to exerciſe any publike office in the Church. And this is the meane betweene tyran… …e and confuſed libertie, that nothing in deed may bee done without the conſent and allowance of the people: and yet the Paſtors ſhould moderate them &c. Likewiſe rouching Eccleſiaſtical cenſure, and iudgement in generall, ſaith he:†Inſtit. 4.11.6. Contra ius & fas quod Eccleſiae datum erat, ſibi vni vendicavit Epiſcopus. The Biſhop againſt right and equitie, hath taken to him ſelfe alone, that which was given to the Church. And, Fuit facinus aimis improbum. &c. It was to wicked a fact, that one man, in tranſlating to him ſelfe the Common power, made way for tyrannous luſt, and tooke away that which was the Churches ow…e, and ſuppreſſed the Elderſhip ordayned by the Spirit of Chriſt. A game. Animadvertendum quod Paulus quam vis Apostolus forei, non pro ſua libidine excommunicavit ſolus, ſed conſilium cum Eccleſia participat, vt communi authoritate res agat ur. It is to be marked that Paul though an Apoſtle, yet he did not excommuni are alone after his owne will but did participat the matter with the Church, that it might bee do… by common authorttie. Thus plainly doth Calvin maintaine the peoples free conſent in the Church governement alwayes.
To theſe we will adde Maiſter Viret, 3. Viret.a rare light of the Goſpell, a pillar of the truth, and partner with Maiſt. Farell in planting the Church of Geneva before Calvin came there,“Dialog. 20. The Church (ſaieth hee) in reſpect of the gouernement which Ieſus Chriſt inſtituted, is a holy and free communaltie: which for the ſame cauſe is called a Communion of Saints, to the which generally (and not to any one perſon particularly) Ieſus Chriſt gave the whole power & authoritie to edification and not to deſtructiō. Queſt. But if you ſo take it, there ſeemeth to me no order at all, but rather great cōfuſion. Anſwer. That followeth not from that which I ſaid. For first, the Church is not Headles, having Ieſus Christ for a Head. Moreover, although the power and authoritie be given to the whole Communaltie of the faithfull, as it is in a Democratie; yet nothing letteth but the Church ſhould chooſe by her common conſent out of the body of this Communitie certain men to have the ſpeciall charge of exerciſing and adminiſtring the publike offices which are ordayned of God. &c. Queſtion. Your meaning then is, that all the authoritie and power of Eccleſiaſticall governement generally is given to the whole church. and therefore that it pertaineth to the ſame according to Gods word to chooſe them whom ſhee knoweth most worthie to exerciſe the publike Offices. &c. Anſwer. All that time wherein the Church was rightly governed according to Gods word, and not oppreſſed with tyrannie, ſhe vſed that order alwayes And therefore it is more then neceſſary, that ſhee ſhould alwayes keepe her right her power, & authoritie, which ſhe receyved of God, &c. Queſtion. And if they which execute ſpeciall charge in the Church, do tollerate one another in ill doing, & them ſelves do give matter of ſcādall & ſcattering, hath not thē the whole Church togeather power to correct them and to procure remedit to ſuch evills? Anſwer. Seeing the power whereof we ſpeake is by Chriſt Ieſus given to the whole church, who can take it from thē? Can they, to whō the church it ſelf hath given it? No truly, vnles they be tyrants &c. And againe.“Dialog. 21. The Miniſters ought not to give to thē ſelves alone the power which God gave to the whole church: vnles ſo as they execute their Office in the Name of the church, and after that her iudgement hath gone before. This is well to be noted that iniurie bee done to none, & that the Minister, exerciſe not tyrannie in the Church and that the governement ſerve not their affections. Thus plainly Maiſter Viret.
From theſe let vsus aſcend to the verie firſt Worthies who have brought vsus the light of the Goſpell in this latter age, Zuinglius and Luther. Zuinglius ſaith thus:“Zuinglius Aruc. 31. Explanat. Quid audio▪ What do I heare? Can a Biſhop alone excommunicate? I thought it had ben given to the Church Chriſt ſaith, Tell the Church. Doth the Biſhop or Abbot ſignifie the Church? Excommunication is not one mans part, whoſoever it be: but it is th… office of the Church. None therefore can excommunicate but that Church in wh… a … dwelleth who offendeth by his ſinne. The right of pronouncing againſt him is in t…e Church and the Paſtor of the Church It remayneth then, that Chriſt commaunde…h that the ſinner be ſhewed to the Church which we… call a Pariſh.
In another place likewiſe,“Ad Valentiu…m Compa …. Excommunicatio non in Epiſeoporum (in Synodo Congregatorum) ſed in vntuſcutuſque paroeciae poteſtate & arbitrio ſita eſt, eu…us… … eſt impudentius peccantem ab Eccleſiae communione excludere. S… Chriſts veroa quae Math. 18. habentur penitùs inſpiciamus, hune demum exc̄municatum eſſe deprehendere licebit quem communis Eccleſiae in qua quis habitat, conſ…nſus excluſit. Excommunication is not in the Biſhops (gathered together in a Synod) but it is in the power and free liking of every Pariſh, who only have power to exclude from the Churches communion the impudent ſinner. If wee looke thoroughly into the worde… which are in Math 18. we may finde him only to be excommunicate▪ whom the common conſent of that Church, where the man dwelleth, hath ſhut out.
Againe,“Epichirifis de Ganone Miſſae. Est particularis Eccleſia ea cu… preceptum est vt morbidum membrum reſecet, Math. 18. quales ea Corinthi ad quam ſeribit Paulus, & aliae quarum ſe curam gere… dicat, & quibus ſe pari modo docere aſſerit …nquiens, Sollicitudo omnium Eccleſiarū: & ſicut … omnibus Ecclesijs doceo. That is a parti ulat Church which is commanded to cut of the infected member Math. 18.Chap. …. Such as that of Corinth is, to which Paul writeth, and others which he ſaith be hath care of, and in which he affirmeth that he taught altogeather alike, ſaying, The care of all Churches, and, As I teach in all Churches. And concerning Calling to the Miniſterie, he ſaith:*Eccleſiaſte… † It ſeemeth that there is nothing ſo agreeable to the ordinance of God. and to the old inſtitution, as that all the whole Church of the faithfull amongſt a people, togeather with certain learned and godly Biſhops and other faithfull men having skill in things, ſhould chooſe a Paſtor. And after againe, Let therfore theſe proud Biſhops and fooliſh Abbots goe ſhake their …ares, For it is convenient that the right of the Election ſhould be in the power of the church of the faithfull inſtructed by the counſaill of learned mē. Moreover he writeth thus:“Ad Valent, Compar. Hee that with a Councill of Biſhops ſhall impoſe on Chriſtian people any law or obſervatiō at their own liking (he meaneth, without the peoples cō ſent) hic violento imperio ius Eccleſiae invadit. Hee invadeth the Churches right by a violent command And therefore ſuch Biſhops as thus doe, abſque Eccleſia, without the Churches conſent, ſtatuentes ſuâ libidine, Artic. 64.decreeing at their owne pleaſure, he ſaith, are nomine tenus Epiſcopi, reverà tyranni, in name Biſhops, but in deed tyrants.
And thus much out of this holy man of God and noble witnes of Chriſt, Maiſter Zuinglius.
Maiſter Luther another mightie andLuther. principal champion for Gods truth at the ſame time, wrote a ſpecial treatiſe which hath this title,*Tom. 2. pag. 374. Quod Eccleſia …us & potestatem habeat indicandi de quavis doctrinâ, item vocandi Ministros Evangelij;, aut ſi fideles eſſe deſierint, deponendi. That the“In this word he ſignifieth the Congregatiō of the people Church hath the right & power to iudge of any doctrine, alſo of calling the Miniſters of the Goſpell: or, if they ceaſe to be faithfull to depoſe them. What can be more for vsus then this is? In another place he ſaith:“Pag. 369. b. Chemnic. examp. part. 2.27. a. Claves ſunt totius Eccleſia. The Keyes belong to the whole Church. In his booke of the Privat Maſſe, hee ſpeaketh to the Biſhops of his time, thus: Spiritus Sanctus vui Civitats plures conſtituit Epiſcopos: Vos ſinguli (eſtis) pluribus. Quâ authoritate? Nonne ipſius Satanae &c? The holy Ghoſt appointed to one City many Biſhops, but you are one Biſhop to many Cities. By what authoritie? Is it not of Sathan him ſelfe, by you oppoſing againſt the authoritie of the Holy Ghoſt? We conclude therfore boldly, that you (according to the Scriptures & the H Ghoſts decree) are not ſo much as to be called Biſhops, but rather adverſaries and deſtroyers both of Biſhops, and of the Divine decree concerning the appointing of Biſhops. Againe in his booke againſt the falſly named Order of Biſhops, hee ſaith:†pag. 322. At citra iocum vides palam. &c. But without ieſt thou ſeeſt openly that the Apoſtle Paul calleth only them Biſhops, which do preach the Goſpell and Miniſter Sacraments to the people, as in our time the pariſh Miniſters and Preachers do. Therefore I beleeve without doubt, that they by fight poſſeſſe the title and name of Biſhops.
And in another treatiſe:“De Miniſt…. Eccleſ. inſtituend…, pag. 365. b. Donabo hoc ordmibus Papisticis, quod ſolius Epiſcopi autoritate inſtituuntur quos vocant Sacerdotes: conſenſu aut ſuffragio populi, cui preficiendi ſunt, neque requiſito nec obtento: cuius tamen cum ſint populus Dei maximè intererat, vt non ſine ſuffragijs ſuis quiſquā eis imponeretur. I will yield this (ſaith he) to the popiſh orders, that Prieſtes (as they call them) are inſtituted by the authoritie of the Biſhop alone: the c…nſent and voyce giving of the people over whō they are to bee ſet, neither ſought nor obt…yned: whoſe chiefe right nevertheles it was (ſeeing they are Gods people) that not any one ſhould be ſet over them without their voyce-giving. Thus teach theſe Pillars of the Goſpell Zuinglius and Luther.
To whom wee will ad our two great lightes that ſhined ſometyme in England, Maiſter Bucer, and P. Martyr. Bucer.Bucer hath theſe wordes:†In Math, 16.…9. Haec poteſtas penes omnem Eccleſiam eſt: authoritas modo Miniſterij penes Presbyteros & Epiſcopos. Ita vt Roma olim potestas populs fuit, authoritas Senatus. This power & ſway of the governement is in the whole Church: but the authoritie only of miniſtration therof is in the Preſbyters and Biſhops. So as in old time at Rome the power was in the people, but the authoritie or direction was in the Senat.
In an other place he ſaith“De regno Chr…. 1.…. The Apostle accuſeth the Corinthian… for that the whole church did not cast out of their company the inceſtuous perſon.
P. Martyr ſaith:7. P Martyr. †In …. Cor. 16.15.Fatemur claves Eccleſia vniverſae datas. We confeſſe the Keyes are given to the whole Church. By the Keyes he meaneth Governement, and Eccleſiaſticall power. Alſo hee ſaith:“verſ. 3. it is no mervaile that it is the Churches right to choſe Miniſters, ſeeing we ſee the Civill Lawes do give power to Townes to chooſe their Phyſicians and Scholemaiſters at their owne liking. In an other place thus he ſaith:“In cap. 5.11. Quoniam in Eccleſia de negotijs gravioribus. & quae ſunt maximi momenti, ad plebem …efertur (vt patet in Actis Apostolicis) ideò polit…ae rationem habet. Becauſe in the Church matters of waight are referred to the people to determine (as it is manifeſt in the Ac…es) therefore the Church hath a reſpect of the Popular governement, or Democracie. For ſo P. Martyr heere meaneth by politia, as wee may ſee if we look in the place. Alſo namely of Excommunication, hee ſaieth: Conſentiente vniverſa Eccſeſia Excommunicetur. Hoc debet ist ad iudicium antecedere. Let Excommunication be with the conſent of the whole Church This ought to go before that iudgement. And, Non abſque conſenſu Eccleſiae quiſpiam excommunicari potest. lus hoc ad Eccleſiam pertinet, neque ab illâ eripi poteſt. Witthout the conſent of the Church, not any one can bee excommunicated. This right belongeth to the Church, neither ought it to bee taken away from it. And, the conſent of the people is ſtill to be obſerved in Excommunication, both that tyrannie may be avoyded, & that it may be done with great…er fruit and gravitie.
The ſame worthy man greatly cō mendeth the pietie of a Biſhop at Troie in France, who about the yeare 1561. left his Popiſh ſtate and did betake him to a flocke of Chriſtians there,Epict. …. and taught them the word of God purely. But quia ei gravis ſcrupulus …iectus eſt de ſuâ vocatione quod in ed Eccleſis ac populi Elestionem ſeu Cenſirmationem u… is habuerit, ideò &c. Be…auſe he had a great ſcruple in his conſcience about his Cal…a…g, ſeeing hee had not therein the El…ction or Confirmation of the Church and people, Therefore hee ſent for the Elders of the reformed Church, and deſired thē that they would conſider godly and wiſely, whether they would choſe, confirme, and ha…e h…n for their Biſhop. Which if they thought good to do, hee would doe his indeavour that as hee began, ſo hee would go on as hee was able, by teaching and exhorting to edifi… and increaſe the Church committed to him But if they thought him not fit for ſo great an Off… they ſhould ſpeake it freely and openly, hee was …eadie to give place, &c. And hee deſired that they would ſpeedily de…berate with the Church about the matter. Which when it was done, hee was acknowledged …a… re…eaved of all with one conſent as a true Biſhop. Wherefore his authoritie and p…i… doth much profit the Church of Chri…t. God bee praiſed who governeth and g…ideth the kingdome of his Sonne in this manner.
O where ſhall wee ſee ſuch Biſhops in theſe dayes!
8. Muſculus.Muſculus alſo ſpeaketh and reaſoneth cleerely with vsus heerein. Hee ſaith:†Com. plac. Of Min. Elect. There is no doubt but the Apoſtles ke…t that maner of ordayning, viz. after the church had choſen. And, After faſting and praying (which was wont to be done in the Congregation of the faithful) They ordayned Elders which were firſt choſen of the faithfull. And this forme of Electing and ordayning Elders and Biſhops the Apoſtle commended vntounto his fellow workman Titus, and Timothie, ſaying:“Ti…. 1- 5. For this cauſe I left thee in Crete. &c. For who would beleeve that he ordained that Titus ſhould do otherwiſe, then both hee and the reſt of the Apoſtles were accuſtomed to do. Therefore both by example and ordinace of the Apoſtle, in the primitive church Elders, Paſtors, Biſhops and Deacons were in the Eccleſiaſticall Meetings, choſen of the people by lifting vp of handes. Alſo hee ſaith, The Forme of Election vſed in the Apoſtles times, is conformable to the libertie and priviledge of the Church whereof Cyprian made mention: and that forme of choiſe whereby men began to be thruſt vponupon the people of Chriſt beeing not choſen of it, doth agree to a Church which is not free, but ſubiect to bondage, And this forme of electiō by the peoples choiſe he calleth the Old, the Fitteſt, the Divine, the Apoſtolicall, and lawfull election: the other to come from the corrupt ſtate of the Church and Religion.
9. Bullinger.Bullinger aſſirmeth thus;“Deca…. 5.4. The Lord from the beginning gave authoritio to the Church to choſe and ordayne fit Miniſters. And, Thoſe which thinke that the Biſhop & Archbiſhop have power to make Miniſters, vſe theſe places of the Scripture,*Tit. 1. Therefore I left thee at Crete▪ that thou mighteſt appoint Elcers Towne by Towne: And againe,“1. Tim. 5. Take heed that thou lay not thy handes raſhly on anie. But we anſwer, that the Apoſtles did not vſe any tyranny in the Churches, nor themſelves alone to have don theſe thinges which pertayned either to Election or Ordination, other men in the Church ſhut out. For the Apoſtles and Elders did create Biſhops and Elders in the Church, but communicating their counſaill with the Churches, yea and with the conſent and approving of the people.
Yea of Miniſters that governe anic Church without or againſt their conſent, thus he ſaith:“In 1. Co…. 5.4. V…bem prodere di…untur Legati qui diverſum ab eo quod ab vrbe preſcriptum est, agunt. Thoſe embaſſadors are ſaid to betray the Citie, who do any thing divers from that which is preſcribed them by the Citie.
10. Gualter.Gualter likewiſe is as plaine as can be, Saith hee of the calling of Miniſters:†Ho…il. in Act 13.1. Divinitùs vocatos eſſe cenſebimus qu…ſcunque Dei ſpiritus donis neceſſarijs instruxerit, & legiti…s Eccleſiae ſuffragijs elegerit. Aliquas enim in hac cauſa partes Eccleſiae mandatas eſſe hi… locus perſpicuè tradit. Eccleſiae calculum ſpiritus requirit. We wil eſteeme them to have a calling from God, whomſoever Gods ſpirit hath …abled with neceſſarie giftes, and hath choſen by the Churches lawful givi…g of voyces. For this place plainly ſhewe…h that in this cauſe there are ſome partes committed to the Church The Spirit requireth the Churches iudg…ment Afterward he ſaith,“In Act. 14.…. Foedá tyran…ide Eccleſiarum ſlatus opprimitur. The ſtate of the Churches is oppreſſed by filthy tyrannie where at this day the Churches have not this libertie to give their free conſent at leaſt. For heere he reſpecteth that right and iuſt order according to the rule of the Goſpell which before he had deſcribed:†In Act. 1.… Miniſtrorum verbi & Eccleſiae Electiones atque ordinationes non occultè intra privatos parietes à paucis homini…us, ſed publicè ab Eccleſia & in totius Eccleſiae conſpectu fieri debent. Neque no… movet quod Paulus alibi vni Tito vel Tim… theo ius & potestatem Epiſcopo… eligendi tribuere videtur. Non enim illos privata auth… ritate qui…quam agere voluit, ſed pro antist… tum …fficio iubet curare vt Ministri digni & idones legittimè crdinentur. Nec veriſimile eſt, illis plus conceſſum fu iſſe quàm Apoſtolis ipſis, qui inconſulta Eccleſia nihil in hac cauſa vnquam ſtatuerunt. Nam & paulo poſt Diaconos coram Eccleſia publicè eligunt, & Paulus oum Barnabá collectis viritim ſuffiagijs Preſby…eres per Eccleſias ſingulas ordinaviſſe leguntur, Act. 6. & 3.4. The Elections and ordinations of the Miniſters of the word and of the Church, ought not to bee made ſecretly within privat walls by a few men, but publikly by the Church and in the face of the whole Church. Neither doth it moove vsus, that Paul inan other place ſeemeth to give right & power of chofing Biſhops to Titus alo…e, or to Timothie. For he would not that they ſhould do any thing by their privat author…tie: but he commaundeth them to take care that worthy and fit Miniſters bee ordayned, a…cording to the office of Guides and Overſeers. N…ither is it likely, that more was graunted to them then to the Apoſtles themſelves, who determined nothing in this cauſe at any time without the churches couſaill, or witbout taking the churches adviſe. For a little after they both choſe Deacons publikly in the presēce of the church, and Paul with Barnabas are read to have ordayned Presbyters throughout every Church, gathering the voyces of every mā. Act 6 & 3.4.
Arguitur exemple hoc corruptiſsimus idemque pernicioſiſsimus Miniſtros eligends mos, quem tam ſeculis aliquot hâc in cauſa imper… um obtinuiſſe conſtat. Quofit, vt non raro v…us aliquis in pluribus Ecclesijs privata authoritate Miniſtros & Eligat & Ordinet. Quaete potiſsimum ab Abbatibus, Epiſcopis, & Prapoſitis peccaiur. Nec meitùs rem adminiſtrant nonnulli inter eos qui Evangelij nomine gloriantur, & Eccleſiarum reformatores baberi volunt. Dum enim isis malè vſurpata poſſeſsione Monachos & Epiſcopos (vt par eſt) eijeiunt, Ecclesijstamen libertatem illorum tyrannide ereptam non restituunt: Sed pro ſu… arbitrio administrant quae olim ab Epiſcopis & Monachis administrari ſolebant. Quod malum, niſi brevi reprimatur, & Simoni…m & exitialem omnis Eccleſiasticae Diſciplina confuſionem nobis pariet. Atque omne bo… Romanis Pontificibus debetur, &c. Maximè Caliſto ſecundo: ex quo tempore Eccleſia libertas ceu lethali morbo contabeſcens tandem in vniverſum evanuit. Quam quicunque reſtitutam volunt, ſive illi verbi Ministri ſint, ſive Magistratus, huc incumbendum ſibi eſſe ſciant vt vetus Ministrorum eligendorum conſuetudo in ducatur. By this example is reproved that moſt corrupt, & alſo moſt pernicious manner of choſing Miniſters, which it is manifeſt, hath gottē Dominiō & Lordly rule in this affaire now theſe certaine ages. Whereby it is, that not ſeldome one both choſeth and ordayneth Miniſters in many Churches by his privat authoritie Wherein chieflic the Abbots,As in England. &c. Biſhops, and Rulers offende. Neither do divers others (among thoſe that glorie in the name of the Goſpell and would be counted Reformers of Churches) order this matter better. For while they put foorth the Monkes & Biſhops (as it is meete they ſhould) out of their poſſeſſion wickedly vſurped, yet the libertie which they tooke away from their tyrannie, they reſtore not to the Churches: but adminiſter thoſe thinges at their owne will, which in time paſt were wont to bee adminiſtred by the Biſhops and Monkes. Which evill, vnles it bee ſhortly repreſſed, it will bring foorth among vsus both Simonie and alſo a deadly confuſion of all Church D…ciplice. And all this wee have from the Biſhops of Rome, &c. Chieflie from Caliſtus the ſecond. Frō which time the Churches libertie as it were languiſhing with a deadly ſicknes, at laſt vaniſhed away wholy. Which whoſoever do deſire that it may be reſtored, whether they be Miniſters or Magiſtrates, let them know they muſt labour for this, that the old cuſtome of choſing Miniſters bee brought in againe.
11. Vrſimus.VntoUnto theſe we will adde Vrſinus who teacheth thus. Math. 18.17. If he refuſe to heare the Church,“Catech. pa. 799.800. Printed at Oxfor. An. 1589 let him be vntounto thee as a Heathen & a Publican: In theſe wordes Chriſt expreſly commaundeth all, whoſoever (beeing after this ſort admoniſhed by the Church) will not repent, to bee by the common conſent of the Church excommunicated vntill they repent. And whoſoever are excommunicated, they againe profeſsing and ſhewing in their actions amendment, are altogeather in lake ſort receaved into the Church as they were exiled from it, namely by the iudgement of the Elders, by the conſent of the Church, and the authoritie of Chriſt and the Scripture And that de…untiation whereby one is excommunicated, is not in the power of the Miniſter of the Church, but in the power of the Church, and is done in the name of the Church, becauſe this Commandment was given by Chriſt vntounto the church. For he ſaith expreſly, Tel the Church.
12. Danaus. In 1 Tim. 5.22Heere alſo Danaus is worthie to bee remembred: He ſaith, "Approbatio eligendi (Miniſtri) ad plebem & totum populum Eccleſia ſanè pertinet. The approbation of the Miniſter to bee choſen pertayneth truly to the whole people of the Church.
Againe, Plebem non eſſe ab ordinationib… vocandorum & preficiendorum muneribu; Eccleſiasticis exclud…ndam demonstant exampl… veteris Eccleſiae &c. That the people …ught not to bee excluded from the ordinations of Miniſters, the exam…les of the old Church do demonſtrat, in which without doubt the Election by voyces of the whole Church was vſed as it is eaſie to be ſhewed in Act 6. & 14. Therefore they do perfidiouſly deprive the Church of her right,Perfidie. who thruſt a Paſtor on a people without their knowledge and conſent. For they do the Church the greateſt iniurie, when they ſpoile her of her iudgement and voyce giving.Sacrilege, or Church robbing. Who therefore are truly to bee called Sacrilegious, or Church-robbers. Neither indeed is he a lawful Paſtor which is over a flocke being ignorant of his comming, or againſt their will or not conſenting. Which preſently after he ſticketh not to applie to the callings of the Miniſters in England, ſaying: Ex his omnibus apparet quam nulla ſit, vel non legitima corum verbi Ministrorum Vocatio &c. By all this it appeareth how that calling of Miniſters is none, or not lawfull, which is made by the authoritie letters, commaundement, and iudgement of the King alone, or Queene, or the Patrone, or Biſhop, or Archbiſhop, &c. veluti in mediâ Angliâ: as it is vſed in England. Id quod dolendum est, which I ſpeake with greefe.
Moreover concerning Excommunication he ſaith,“In vers. 1. Hac iuriſdictio est totu… quidem Eccleſia ratione poteſtatis: Prepoſitotum autem ratione exercitij & adminiſirationis. This iuriſdiction is the whole Chur…hes in reſpect of the power thereof: but it be…ongeth to the Guides of the Church in reſpect …f adminiſtring it, namely populo aſſentiente, with the peoples conſent: as hee addeth a …ittle after. And againe, Executioni pu…lica cenſura intervenire debet notitia & con…enſus Eccleſia. The knowledge and conſent of the Church ought to be in the execution of the publike cenſure.
13. Tilenus.Neither ſhall Tilenus teſtimonie bee vnremembred, who aunſwering the Co…nt Lavl, that required him to ſhew what calling Calvin had, ſaith:“Reſpons. ad Com Lavallium. queſt. 3 The people of Geneva profeſsing the Goſpel, did firſt call Farel to be their Paſtor, & then he & they called Calvin to be likewiſe. Applying Ciprians ſentence thervnto, who avoucheth,“Epiſt. 14. That the people moſt of all have power to choſe worthy Miniſters, and to refuſe their vnworthy ones. After which he ſheweth that the other churches els-where profeſſing the Goſpell & refuſing Poperie, did likewiſe. They who had a calling from the church of R…me renounced it, reſting on that which they have according to the rule of the Goſpell.
14. Iunius.Alſo Iunius ſaith,†Eccleſiaſtie. 3.1. Simpliciſsimam quidem probatiſsimam que Eligendi & Vocandi viam illam eſſe conſtat ex Scripturae Sacrae teſtimonijs, quam Apoſtoli in Ecclesijs tenuerunt olim, & priſca Eccleſia aliquamdiu eos imitata obſervavit. Eligebat tota Eccleſia, id eſt, corpus ex Presbyterio & populo ſeu plebe conſtitutum, equis & communihus ſuffragijs. Haec iuſta electionis ratio. It is manifeſt that that way of choſing and calling Miniſters is moſt ſimple and moſt approoved by the teſtimonies of holy Scripture, which the Apoſtles in old time did keepe in the Churches, and the ancient Church ſometime imitating them did obſerve. The whole Church did choſe, that is, the Body conſiſting of the Elderſhip and people or common ſort) by equal & common voyces. This is the iuſt manner of Choſing Miniſters. Afterward hee ſaith, This the old Church did obſerve very long, doneo res coeperunt (vt fit humanitus) in peius ruere, atque retrò ſublapſa referri. Vntill (as through mens corruption it comes to paſſs) things began to grow worſe, and to runne to ruine. And after that corruptiō in the Church government was come in, Yet (ſaith he) id ſemper obtinuit, vt Eccleſia actioni toti intereſſet, camque praſentiâ ſuâ haberet raetam. That alwayes was in force, that the Church was preſent at the whole action, and ratifyed it with their preſence. But neither this in England is ſeene anie where, neither will bee allowed. Alſo Iunius ſaith, Where the Church at any time doth no more (but ratifie matters by their preſence only) the Guid…t ought to certifie the Church, that if they can them ſelves take care for, & do their owne affaires, non fore pen…l…um Epiſcoporum Seniorumve coetum vt … ſi…i cum damno Eccleſia, iniuriae, & ignominâ arroget: It ſhall not be in the power of any aſ…ēbly of Biſhops or Elders to arrogat ſo much to them ſelves with the Churches dammage, iniurie, and ſhame. Where hee profeſſeth that this is the Church …s dāmage, iniurie, & ſhame, if (being vnderſtāding Chriſtians) they be only preſent at the choſing and ordayning of their Miniſters, if they do not alſo them ſelves choſe, or at leaſt freely & expreſly cō ſent to the choſing and ordayning of them. After, noting the tyrannie which was in this behalfe vnderunder the Pope, he ſaith: Iam de populo, quē Chriſtus redemit ſuo ſanguine & Eccleſiam ſibi ex eo compararet, verbum nullum: Now of the people there was not one word, whom Chriſt redeemed with his bloud, that they might be his Church. And he addeth, Hinc illa barbaries, hinc colluvies ſelelerum omnium, hinc illa fraudum & nundinationū ſentina exundavit. Hence came that barbarous ignorance in thoſe times, that heape of all ſinnes, that ſinke of deceit and ſelling of the ſoules of men. Thē ſpeaking of ſome Churches & Magiſtrates who have worthily freed themſelves from the Pope, yet hee leaveth this foule blot vponupon them; Ius illud Ecceſiasticum institutionis & ordimationis restitut non curant Ecclesijs: They care not to reſtore to the Churches this right of theirs, viz of making & ordaining of Miniſter. Finally he anſweceth ſome obiections.
At neſcit populus, dixerit quiſpiam. Doceatur, & ſciet. At neſcit vti. Imo neſciet vnquam, Siture ſuo non vtatur vnquam. At factioſus eſt plerumque, & in diverſas partes ſtudia que ſcinditur. Revocetur adpacē monitis ſalutaribus, & compeſcatur authoritate verbt, virorumque bonorum officijs, vt conciliatis & compoſitis animis faciant quod ſui turis eſt. But ſome will ſay, The people is ignorant of their duty and right heerein. Let them be taught, and they wil vnderſtand it. But they know not how to vſe this their right. They will not know it ever, if they vſe it never. But they are factious often, and are divided into partes. Let them be reduced to Peace by wholeſome counſaill, and let them be ruled by the authority of the word, and the indeavours of good men, that their mindes being ordered, they may do that which is their right to do.
15. Piſcator.About Excōmunicatiō Piſcator ſaith,“Obſerv. ex …. cap. 1. Cor. Excommunication ought to bee don by the Church, or by the Presbyterie iudging in the name of the Church. Where all mē may ſee his meaning to bee this, viz. that the Presbyterie may excōmunicat, howbeit alwayes with the Churches free conſent. For ſo he ſignifieth by theſe wordes, iudging in the name of the Church. It can not be that hee ſhould meane, that they may Excommunicate by their owne power and right onelyonly, or whether the Church will or no. After the ſame maner alſo (I doubt not) ſom, others do ſpeake concerning the making king of Miniſters. Whoſe ſenſe and meaning is to be taken altogeather to that purpoſe likewiſe. In the Churches …am…, that is, Executing the Churches …uthoritie and power, and doing that which they do with their free con…ent and approbation.
16. Chemnici….Chemnicius, a man moſt famous & of …are learning among the followers of Luther in the matter of the reall preſence, yet in our cauſe hee ſaith thus:“Exam. part. pag. 226. 227. 228. Non ſine conſenſu Eccleſiae Paulus & Bar…abas invitis obtruſerunt Presbyteros. Paul and Barnabas did not thruſt Miniſters on the Church being vnwilling, or without their …onſent. And, Exempla Apoſiolica biſtoria …are oftendunt, &c. The examples of the Apoſtles ſtorie do cleerely ſhew that Election or Vocation did belong to the whole church. And, Haec eſt Apoſtolicae, primitiva, & vete… Ecceſia ſententia de legitima Electione & Vocatione Miniſtrorum, &c. This is the iudgement and way of the Apoſtolike, primitive, and ancient Church concerning the lawful Election and Calling of Miniſters which iudgement and way hath place in thoſe Churches which are cōſtituted according to Gods word. And he addeth, In our Churches it is ſo: meaning in thoſe that follow Luther.
17. Whitake….Neither can I forget, that among …ur owne Country-men D. Whitaker …eacheth thus:“De Cone…. pag. 44. Quod omnes attingit▪ ab …bus approbari debet. That which toucheth all,Chap. 4. ought to be approved of all. Meaning that nothing ſhould bee obtruded vponupon any people (in Eccleſiaſticall and Spirituall regiment, no not by Synods) except the people conſent to it. And this conſent of the people (hitherto avouched) verily many other worthy Divines both among vsus, & abroad do maintaine likewiſe. But I forbeare to nominate any mo Knowing that to whom any thing will be enough, theſe are enough.