The Ministry of the Church of England, Section 6
¶Mr. H. his letter▪ Section, 6.
THe second part of the reason is this, But all the ministers in England work vponupon the consciences of men by vertue of an Antichristian office and calling. Hovv is this proved? First, they have no other office in the Church then that which the lawes of the land allow: and they allow none but the Prela…p, Priesthood, and …eaconry, which are all Antichristia… offices. Secondly▪ they all enter vponupon theyr office, by the Ordinary the Bishop, whose office is also Antichristian.
To the first of these reasons I aunsvver, that although the name of Priests belong not to the true ministers of the Gospell, because it hath ben generally in our language given to the popish Sacrificers: and although there be sundry circumstances and ceremonyes appoynted by the lavv to be vsed at they ordination vvhichwhich I cannot iustify, and many of those good orders neglected vvhichwhich the Scripture prescribeth in this case: yet is that office vvhichwhich the lavves of our land call the office of the Priesthood, the very same in substance vvith the Pastors office described in the vvord: and the maner of outvvard calling vntounto that office vvhichwhich the Lavv allovveth, is the very same in substance vvith that vvhichwhich is sett dovvn in the vvord.
Aunswer to Section, 6.
THis is Mr H. his generall aunswer to the secōd part of the reason: which is needfull first to be considered, before we come to the particulars which follow, that so both the strēgth of the truth ād the subtilty of his aunswer may better appeare.
First he yeeldeth (as needs he must) that they have no other office in the Church, then that which the Lawes of the land allow: For this is alledged in the proof of the second part of the reason, and is not at all gaynesayed by him. Yet most of them which are of the better sort among them, when they are somewhat pressed about theyr ministery, disclayme their offices and callings receyved from and by the Prelates (which onelyonly are allowed by the Lawes of the land) and fly to I know not what office and calling receyved from some of theyr forward Ministers and people: as himself also doth in this his writing*Section, 10 afterward, where he saith, that many ministers in the land have, and all may, if they will have, these substantiall parts of a true calling, examination of theyr gifts by the godly and learned, choyse of the people, and a right ordination: for I would aske, why he saith many (and not all the) Ministers in the Land have these, if it be not because he would fly from the calling by the Prelates to that other devised calling by theyr Ministers and people. Otherwise if he affirme these things, of the calling and ordination by the Prelates, then all (and not onelyonly many) of theyr Ministers have and must have it, seing the lawes of the Land allow no other: And then also should he have shewed these particulars to be had in that calling of the Prelates: which cannot be done, as will more appeare hereafter. Thus is he driven to fight not onelyonly against other of his fellowes, but even against himself, whilest he fighteth against the truth: for which I am sory on his behalf.
Secondly, it is to be noted that he yeeldeth (as also needs he must) that the lawes of the land allow no other office in the Church but the Prelacy, Priesthood, and Deaconry: of which it was and is still affirmed, that they are all Antichristian offices. Which if he would have taken away, then should he have proved that they are not such, but are by Christ in his Testament appoynted to his Church. But seing this neyther is neyther can be avowched by the word of GOD, we must needs account of them as they be in deed, even the brood of Antichrist, never knowen nor heard of in the Church of Iesus Christ.
Thirdly, it is to be observed that whereas theyr Prelacy, Priesthood ād Deaconry were all and every of them charged to be Antichristian: he speaketh onelyonly in behalf of theyr Priesthood, and helpeth not the Prelacy or Deaconry at all no not so much as with any show of defence, but leaveth them on the playne field to shift for themselves aswell as they may. It seemeth theyr cause is very bad, that is so quite forsaken when it is so deeply charged, and that fyndeth no succor at his hands who hath himself bē Deacon after theyr maner, and receyved from that (Prelacy which thus he forsaketh) that office of Priesthood which yet he retayneth.
Fourthly, it can but seem straunge that he should by this meanes graunt the Prelacy and Deconry to be Antichristian, ād yet plead for the Priesthood, as if it were not of the same nature: when as it is no other office but such as is derived from the Prelacy, and wherevnto theyr Deaconry is a step. As if we couldpIob. 14. 4. bring a cleane thing out of filthynes? Or as if we couldqMat. 7. 16. gather grapes of thornes, or figs of thistles? Eyther therefore (as ChristrMa…. 12. … sayd) make the tree good and his fruite good, or els make the tree evill and his fruit evill. Eyther let them prove theyr Prelacy and Deaconry to be good according to the Testament of Christ, or els they cannot plead for the Priesthood which ariseth from them: Or if they confesse the Prelacy and Deaconry to be evill and Antichristian, then must they also acknowledg the same of the priesthood which yssueth from them.
Fiftly, it is to be marked likewise, that Mr. H. graunteth the name of Priests doth not belong to the true Ministers of the Gospell. wherevpon I would aske, whether the office of Priests belong vntounto them any more then the name. If he aunswer, no, as in deed he must: then will follow, that seing neyther the Name nor office of Priests belongeth to the true Ministers of the Gospell, and yet himself with the rest of them all have the name and office of Priests, and by vertue thereof preach ād administer the Sacraments, therefore they are not true Ministers of the Gospell. Now whereas he assigneth this to be the reason why the name of Priests belongeth not to the Ministers of the Gospell, because it hath ben generally in our language given to the popish sacrificers: this semeth not to be the reason, but rather these which follow: First, becausesHeb. 7. 11 &c. the Leviticall priesthood being ceased, Christ hath not now instituted any office of Priests for ministery vntounto his Church, but remayneth himself a priest for ever after the order of. Mel…hisedec, having a priesthood that can not passe from one vntounto another. Secondly, because in all the New Testament it is not read that the name of Priest doth note out any of those offices which Christ hath instituted for the instruction and government of his Church vnderunder the Gospell. Otherwise if Christ had eyther ordeyned an office of Priests for the ministery of his Gospell, or if the name Priest were vsed in the new Testamēt to note out the Ministers of Christ vnderunder the Gospell: it were no sufficient cause why the name might and ought not still belong vntounto them, because it hath ben generally in our language given to the popish sacrificers. The name of Bisshops, Deacons, Baptisme, Eu…harist, Excommunication, and such like have ben and are generally in our language given to the false offices, sacraments, and censures of the Church of Antichrist: Yet do they notwithstanding belong to the true offices, Sacraments, and censures of the Church of Christ: Even as in the tyme of the Law the name of Priests, Altars, sacrifices, feasts, and such like did still belong vntounto and were retayned in the true Church of the Iewes, notwithstanding t1 King. 12. 31. 32. 33. 2 Chron. 1…. 9. 10. Amos. 4. 4 5 and …. 10. …those names were generally in theyr language given at that tyme to the Priests, Altars, sacrifices, and feasts of the Heathen, and of Israel also in her defection. But the case standeth otherwise now for attributing the name of Priests to the Ministers of the Gospell: as hath ben showed before, and is agayn vponupon other occasion more to be towched hereafter.
Sixtly, it is here to be noted that he sayth there be sundry circumstances and ceremonyes appoynted by the Law to be vsed at theyr ordination of Priests vvhichwhich he cannot justify, Yea and that many of those good orders be neglected vvhichwhich the Scripture prescribeth in this case: and yet bothvSection. 10. afterward toward the end of his writing he confesseth he… sought and receyved his calling from the Prelates, andvvSection, 3. Pag. 17. before in the aunswer of the first part of the reason he acknowledged that the least part of Christs ordināces cannot be neglected without grievous sinne. Now lay together these things, which this writing of his and theyr continuall practise witnesseth of themselves: and then see in what wofull case they stand, and mourne for theyr misery. Theyr sinne is grievous in theyr own eyes, yet by theyr own confession they do wittingly seek after it and persist in it. They know aforehand that the Prelates ordering them will commit grievous sinne and so provoke the Lords wrath, yet do they seek to be ordeyned by them, and plead in defence thereof what they can. Is not this toxEsa. 6. 9. 10. have eyes, and not to see? or (to make the best of it) is it not yRom. 3. 8.to do evill, that good may come thereon? of whom the Apostle sayth, the damnation of such is just. Suerly thezTit. 11. 12. vvith Ephes. 5. 11. grace that bringeth salvation teacheth otherwise, even to deny all vngodlynes, and not to have any fellowship with the vnfruitfull works of darknes but to reprove them rather. So the Apostlea1 Tim. 5. 22. chargeth Timothy and in him all Ministers, to keep themselves pure and not to communicate with other mens sinnes. And the Lord from heaven hathbRev. 18. 4. commaunded all his servants to go out of Babylon, and not to partake in her sinnes, that they receyv not of her plagues. Howsoever therefore Mr. H. ād the rest of them account of this theyr dealing, sure we are that before GOd it is grievous transgression: ād therefore to be shunned of all such as have care to keep faith and a good conscience, and the contrary to be witnessed in testimony of the truth of Iesus Christ whose servants we are.
Finally, it is here to be observed how they would beare the world in hand, that they fayle but in circumstances and ceremonyes, not in the substance, of the ministery. Where we may first consider, how these forward preachers are now driven to the same shift, wherevnto they drove the Prelates and Formalists heretofore. ThecAdmon. to Parl. T. C. his replyes. forward preachers proved this Ministery ād worship to be Antichristian: ThedVVhitg. B…idges. Some etc. Prelates and theyr Proctors pleaded that they fayled but in circumstance, and not in substance. Secondly it is to be noted how they would vnderunder the name of ceremonyes and circumstances subtilly hide that fowle heap of abominations, which they have taken out of the whores cup of Babylō: many particulars whereof haveePag. 19. 30. 77. before divers tymes ben handled, and therefore need not here agayn be mentioned. Thirdly, if it were so that they fayled but in circumstances and ceremonyes, yet they should remember that thefLevit. 10 1. 2. 1 Chrō. 13. 9. 10. iudgment of God overtook Nadab, Abihu, Uzziah and others recorded in the Scripture, for transgressing in matters of ceremony and circumstance. And what priviledge have they now above others to stand in knowen and grievous sinne against the Lord Iesus and his ordinances? Or are theyg1 Cor. 1…. 22. stronger then God, that they will thus still provoke him to anger? Fourthly, it is to be knowen, and they should do well to sett down, what they account the substance of the Ministery. Mr. H.hSection, 10. afterward speaking of the entrance into the Ministery, setteth down three substantiall parts thereof, as he calleth them: first a due tryall: secondly, the choyse of the people (it seemeth he meaneth a true visible Church, els he speaketh not to the purpose): thirdly, a right ordinatiō. Of which three seing in his own vnderstanding (as appeareth afterward) he can not himself deny but most of theyr Ministers want all, and all theyr Ministers want some (to witt, the choyse of a true visible Church, ād a right ordination) it is evident by his own graunt they want the substance of a true calling to the Ministery, and therefore fayle not onelyonly in circumstance as he would pretend.
But that we may the better try out the truth in this poynt, I will here sett down what I take to be substantiall in the ministery. And that is, first that it be a true and lawfull office of ministery which is receyved ād, executed, that is, that it be such as Christ in his Testament hath given to his Church for the work of his ministery: secondly, that there be a lawfull calling and entrāce into such office as is aforesaid: thirdly, that the administration thereof be according to the Testament of Christ. Other things there be also which are of great waight towthing the ministery: but these three specially I take to be such as are substantiall vntounto it: Insomuch as none of these can be wanting to the execution of a true ministery.
For towching the first, that is a true and lawfull office prescribed by Christ, if it might be wanting in a true ministery, to what end were it that Christ hathiEph. 4. 11 12. 13. given to his Church certayne and distinct offices for the work of the ministery to the end of the world? Or how should it be true in this case, which the Apostlek1 Cor. 12 5. 28. saith of all the offices appoynted by Christ, that God hath sett them in his Church: and agayne, that there are diver…ityes of ministeryes, but the same Lord? Otherwise also what a wide doore would be opened to thelTim. 4. 3. vvith Exod. 20. 4. 5. Num. 15. 39. receyving ād executing in the Church of any false offices whatsoever, even for men after theyr own lusts to get them an heap of teachers, and so to go a whoring after theyr own inventio…s in the worship of God? Finally, how should men for conscience sakem1 Thes. 5. 12. 13. Heb 13. 17. honour obey and submitt vntounto them which have the oversight of the Church, if they be not over them in the Lord and consequently in true and lawfull offices ordeyned by Christ?
For the second, that is a true and lavvfull calling and entrance into theyr office, if it might be wanting in a true ministery, why saith thenHeb. 5. 4. 5. Scripture, No man taketh this honour vntounto himself but …e that is called of God, as was Aaron: Yea that Christ did not attribute this honour to himself to be made the high Priest, but was called of him that said vntounto him Thou art my sonne, this day begat … thee. Why also doth Christ account them foroIoh. 10. 1. 5. stra…ngers, thieves, and robbers, which enter not in by the doore into the sheepfold, but clymbe vp another way? Or to what end should it be that Christ so earnestly pIoh. 13. 20. Luk. 10. 16.said, Verily, Verily I say vntounto you, If I send any, he that receyveth him receyveth me, and he that receyveth me receyveth him that sent me: ād agayn, He that despiseth him despiseth me, and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Or why hath God by theqIer. 23. 21. Prophet Ieremy complayned against and reiected the false Prophets in this respect, saying, I have not sent these Prophets, yet they ranne: I have not spoken vntounto them, yet they prophecy. Lastly, if a true and lawfull calling were not substantiall and necessary to the execution of a true ministery, then why might not men devise new kinds of entrance, or intrude themselves into the ministery at theyr pleasure? Both which are vnlawfull.
For the third, that is a lavvfull administration according to the Testament of Christ, that it also cannot be wanting the Scripture showeth many tymes and sundry wayes. First in that the Apostle chargeth Timothy tor2 Tim. 1. 13. keep the true patterne of wholsome words delivered by the Apostles: and that if anys1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. 20. and 1. 3. 4. and 4. 7. vvith Gal. 1. 8. 9. Rom. 16. 17. 2 Ioh. 10. teach othervvise and condiscend not to the wholsome words of our Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlynes, they should be separated from ād holden to be accursed. Secondly, in that the Apostle saith that fort1 Tim. 3 14. 15. this very cause he wrote vntounto Timothy, and in him tov2 Tim. 2. 2. all the ministers of the Gospell in ages following, that they might know how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of truth. And herevpon therefore giveth mostvv1 Tim. 5. 21. and 6. 13. 14. 15. 10. strait charge before God and the Lord I Esus Christ and the elect Angels, to keep that commaundment without spott and blameles vntill the appearing of our Lord Iesus. Thirdly, in that he teacheth that evenx2 Tim. … 16. 17. to this end the whole Scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable to teach to improve to correct and to instruct in righteousnes, that the man of God may be absolute being fully furnished to every good work. Fourthly, in that the Apostles themselves did account it substantiall and of necessity in theyry2 Pet. …. 16. 1 Cor. 11 23. Gal. 1. 10 11. 12. own administration, not to follow subtill and cunning fables, but to deliver that they receyved of the Lord: Neyther toz2 Cor. 1. 24. have dominion over the Saints, but to be helpers of theyr ioy. Even as Peter likewise a1 Pet. 4. 11. and 5. 1▪ 2. 3.requireth of all others, that they speak the words of God, and that they feed the flock which dependeth vponupon them caring for it not by constraint but willingly▪ not for filthy lu…re but of a ready mynd, not as though they were Lords over Gods heritage but as ensamples to the flock. Fiftly, Christ himself the Lord of his Church hath taught this both by practise and commaundement. By his practise, when concerning his own ministration hebIoh. 1…. 49. 50. saith, I have not spoken of my self, but the Father which sent me gave me a commaundement what I should say and what I should speak: and I know that his commaundement is life everlasting: the things therefore that I speak, I speak so as the Father said vntounto me. By commaundement, when hecMat. 2…. 20. charged his Apostles they should teach to observ vvhatsoever he had commaunded them, promising to be with such vntounto the end of the world. And finally, if it might be otherwise, what end would there be in the Church ofdEsa. 29. 13. Ma…. 15. 9 …ev. 10. 1. 2. Col. 2. 18. 22. 23. mens precepts, vayne inventions, new ministrations, false doctrines, straunge worship, voluntary Religions, counterfett holynes, vsurped tyranny, Antichris…ian Lordlynes, and such like?
Thus then appeareth that in a true and lawfull ministery it is substantiall and necessary, there be first a true and lawfull office, that is, such as Christ hath in his Testament given to his Church: secondly, a lawfull calling and entrance therevnto: thirdly, a lawfull administratiō thereof according to the said Testament of Iesus Christ. So as to prove that they have the substance of a true ministery, Mr. H. should have showed out of the Scripture, theyr offices, entrance, and administration: theyr offices (I say) of Archbishops, Lordbishops, Deanes, Prebendaryes, Archdeacons, Parsons, Uicars, Stipendaryes, and all other sorts of Priests and Deacons among them: theyr entrance likewise by the Lordbishops, according to theyr popish pontificall, that is, according to theyr book of cō secrating Archbishops and Bishops and of ordering Priests and Deacons, together with theyr Patrones presentations, theyr institutions, inductions, othes of Canonicall obedience to the Prelates, and such like: finally, theyr administration of the word, Sacraments, and Censures, by vertue of the offices afore said, and according to theyr popish book, canons, ād constitutions, together with the performance of such actions as belong not at all to the dutyes of the ministery, such as be the Churching of women, the solemnization of mariage, praying over the dead at burial, ād the like. These (I say) he should have showed by the Scriptures, if he would prove vntounto vsus that they have the substance of the ministery of the Gospell. Which because it neyther is neyther cā be done by the word of God: therefore can we in no wise be perswaded that they have the substance of a true ministery and fayle but in circumstance, as he would here beare vsus in hand. Yet because he pretendeth as if he could prove that which he saith, let vsus see what stuffe he bringeth to this purpose. It followeth therefore in his writing for proof of his former assertion, in this wise.