Certain Observations, Section 8
SECTION VIII.
NOw leſt any ſhould think wee rob the Church of much good, and bring in confuſion with abolition of theſe Dioceſan Bi…hops, therfore …t ſhall be requ ſite in the next place to treat a l tt…e of theſe officers, which the Scriptures mention in the t…m… of the new Teſtament, which are chiefly the Elders, which are to aſſiſt the Miniſters in the guiding and governing of the Church.
They are called Elders in reſpect of their age, and office, which was to govern with the Miniſters, and perform all private duties for the good of the congregation, as neceſſity required, as to pray w…th the ſick, to admoniſh, reprou, and joyn with the Miniſter in excommunication, to ordain officers for the congregation, and to provide by all good means for the outward good of the Church. That theſe ought to be…n eve…y Congregation, we hold firmly aga…ſt the maintainers of this ſtrange and uncouth diſcipline. And it may appear firſt out of Math. 18, where Chriſts inſtitutes what is needfull for the Church, whereof this is one: ſecondly, the Church doth what it doth, not confuſedly, but by the miniſtry of ſome: thirdly, the promiſe is made …n binding and rooſing to two or three, which impoſts that though the right of the keyes bee in the whole Church, yet the Miniſtery therof is in ſome few ſelected and choſen out for that purpoſe: Our Saviour alludes to the cuſtome of the Iewiſh Synagogues wherein there were Eld…rs.
But howſoever this place may ſeem too weak, at firſt ſight to build the erection of this office upon, yet the practiſe of the Apoſtles withall compared, and the directions they hauehave left to the Church in this caſe, will put all out of doubt to him that wrangles not for himſelfe, and to pleaſe men.
To goe along therfore in the Scripture, and firſt the Acts of the Apoſtles, which conta ns a type and map of the prim…tiue times, and pureſt Chu…ches that ever were in the world, ment…on theſe, Acts 15.4, & 22, wh…ch place cannot be underſtood but of ſuch …u…ing Elders of the people as were amongſt the …ewes, not of teaching Elders. For the Apoſtles were as the Miniſte…s, and did perform all Miniſteriall duties, having none their Curats under th…m as Biſhops had afterward. For Evangeliſt, were to accompany the Apoſtles in planting Churches, neither …s there any mention of any ſuch here. 2 They are d…ſtinguiſhed here both from the Church called the brethren, and Apoſtles. Neither can this title be underſtood of Paſtors, becauſe the Apoſtles were wont to appoint them onelyonly when Churches were gathered, and they were to leaue them, as may appear, Acts 14.23, & Tit. 1.5. 3 Theſe here mentioned are as aſſiſtants to the Apoſtles, governing and ordering the Churches buſineſſe, as both here, and Acts 21, where they are preſent with the Apoſtles, and in none other office nor uſe imployed but onelyonly this. Laſtly, Paul and Barnabas, and ſome others, came up to Ieruſalem to the Apoſtles and Elders which had ca…e of the Diſcipline, and Religion with them.
The third place is Rom. 12.8, he that rules in or with dilligence; where firſt the Apoſtle diſtinguiſheth this ruling, both from the miniſtery of the Word, and from diſtributing and ſhewing mercy. Hence therfore there muſt be ſome to rule in the church. 2 Men are charged according to their callings and meaſure of gifts received, to exerciſe themſelues for the churches good: who ſees not plainly that the Regiment of the church is not in one Lord Biſhops hand, ſince Biſhops are not in each congregation where they rule? 2 That this ought to be where the Miniſtry of the Word is. 3 This diligence cannot be meant of a three yeares viſitation, nor yearly Synods, wherein preſentments are Rece ved: (what bold and impudent face once dare think ſo wickedly of the Apoſtles,) but of that continuall care and overſight which they ſhould ſhew towards the ſheep of Chriſt, which ever need ſome ſpirituall med…cine and Phiſick for their ſoules.
4 A fourth place is 1 Cor. 12.28, where the Apoſtle reckons up the ſeverall gifts and offices, which God himſelfe hath ſet and appointed in his church. Apoſtles are chiefe, then Prophets and Governments. There the Apoſtle diſtinguiſheth Governments from the Miniſtry of the word: 2 Being appointed by the Lord, none can remoue them but he againe: 3 The Lord giues extraordinary meanes for ſoule and body in extraordinary times when a church is to be planted, becauſe there want ordinary means: 2 to procure the more authority and reſpect to the church then, and ever he giues ſufficient. 4 The Lord hath ſ…t government in the church which the Magiſtrate cannot alter. 5 The church is a perfect body that hath members ſufficient to uphold and m…n…ſter to all its own neceſſities; neither is this to be neglected, that the holy Ghoſt both here, and Rom. 12, ſets Government after Deaconſhip, as though hee ſaw how ſome would ariſe and conjoyn things ſevered by the Lord, which to prevēt he ſhews theſe are not to be ſo conjoyned, as though the Miniſter ſhould hauehave all the government in his own hands, but ſome ſpeciall perſons are to be aſſi…n…d wh…ch may govern the Miniſter themſelues.
5, 1 Tim. 4.14, with impoſition of hands of the Presbytery; which is to be underſtood of the Colledge of Presbyters, contayning theſe amongſt others. For theſe had a ſpeciall hand in electing and ordaining all church-officers: 2 theſe joyned in making decrees for the government of the church, Act. 15, therfore much more in executing of them: 3 Timothy was called ordinarily at firſt, not to be an Evangeliſt as appears, Acts 16, Paul called him to that, after the Churches had witneſſed of him. 4 The Apoſtle Paul, Acts 20, ſpeaks to them amongſt others, that they …ould tend the Church, and they hav ng government in their hands were to ſuffer no wolues to come in.
But becauſe men of a contentious ſpirit, whoſe greateſt hopes depend upon the contrary diſcipline, will ha…dly yeeld t…ll plain force driue them (nay force of the word will not, till the ſword of the Magiſtrate compells) therfore the next place is, 1 Tim. 5.17, in deluding of which place many ſweat much in vaine: for the Apoſt…e being to giuegive direction to Timothy how to carry himſelfe in the Church of God, ſhews h m his duty towards every condition, as widdows in the beginning of th s chapter; next, Elders, and ſuch as rule well are worthy of double honour, eſpecially ſuch as labour in the word and doctrine, which firſt words implyes neceſſarily that there were then in the Church Elders that did govern the Churches, which did not labour in the word and doctrine: 2 Such ought to be had in ſpeciall account that doe rule well: 3 Such as labour in the word and doct…ine ought more to be reſpected then they that onelyonly governe. 4 That all M…n…ſters are to hauehave a ſpec…all hand in the governing of the Churches commuted to them.
I will not much inſiſt upon this place more, for I know ſome adverſaries need not ſo much conv…ct on as to hauehave their h…a…ts perſwaded. Pray thou that readeſt, that the Lord would perſwade them to dwell in the t…nts of Shem, and be content to ſuffer here with their brethren, that th…y may …a…gn with Chriſt hereafter. Many adverſaries will not ſet themſelues to learn the t…th, but being drunk with ſelfe-concert, th…nk nothing good wine, but what they draw then ſelues. But the Lord reveales himſelfe to the humble. There was never doctrine ſo vile but preferment and riches made …t finde favor…tes.
Th…s the pract…ce of the Church, and teſt mony of the ancient, witneſſeth Ciprian, Ambroſe, Tertullian, &c.
By all wh…ch may be underſtood, Hebr. 13.17, Where obedience to their leaders is injoyned; now theſe were Elders, preaching and lay, which had the government then of the Church: therfore Chriſtians are bound to ſubject to theſe. 2 That of Iam. 5.14, ſend for the Elders of the Church, may well be underſtood of this order of Elders, being to perform many private duties; ſpecially …f the Miniſters ſhould either be publiquely imployed, or neceſſarily hindred. 3 That Rev. 4.4, l…ving creatures having ſix wings full of eyes; wh…ch viſion is of the …b…e Church, and fitly expounded: For by wings are the helps meant, which are ſpoken of, 1 Cor. 12.28. and eyes that are within are the Elders, which are as eyes for the people to ſee by; and informing the Miniſter of their eſtate, they fit him the better to ſpeak unto the people, which place ſo expounded is far more forcible to per…wade for this diſcipline, then Apoc. 2, ſo expounded for Lordbiſhops: for that expoſition agrees not with the Scripture, it wants all proofe of holy Wr…t to uphold …t. It agrees not with the practiſe of the Apoſtles, who in Epheſus and Philippi ſet many that had the name and nature of Biſhops, as is plain both in Acts 20.28, and Phil 1.1. This agrees not with the word Angell, who in this place ſignifies all that labour in word and d…ſcipline, be…ng ſent of God to the churches, as the context proues in all the churches. And as this po…nt hath teſtimony of Scriptures, and of the Ancient, ſo may it appear in all ſound reaſon to be moſt fit for the church of Chriſt.
1 To omit that this was in uſe amongſt the Iewes in time of the old Teſtament, and no way ceremoniall nor jud…ciall but morall, which the light of nature taught the Gentils after a ſort in their civil government, who with their Conſuls had their Senate.
2 Becauſe the Apoſtles would not hauehave Miniſters hindred in their ſtudy, but to take heed to reading and med tat…on, that they may by ſearching the Scriptures be made w…ſe to ſalvation, and perfectly be furniſhed to every good work. Therfore it is fitting there ſhould be men of wiſedom, gravity, and reſpect choſen to overſee the people, and obſerue their manners, and doe leſſe buſineſſes in admonition and correctien.
3 This beſt benefits the ſimplicity of the Goſpell, and of the Church now in the time of the new Teſtament, where all outward pompe ceaſeth, which was uſed before in the Leviticall Prieſthood, to figure o…t Chriſts heavenly and wonderfull graces.
4 To hauehave Churches ſo combined and conſociated under one high Prieſt is meerly Iewiſh, which was to ſignifie all ought to be ſubject to Chriſt the great high Prieſt, who is come, and alike in all, if there be equall gifts. All congregations are equall, none having power one over an other; and therfore each is to hauehave its Governours?
5 Every congregation being a true church, and ſo a perfect body, ſhould and muſt hauehave power to preſeru it ſelfe, by expelling and removing the diſſolute, and electing n…w officers.
6 God hath given gifts unto men for this end, which being ſo imployed bring great good and benefit to men, further the Miniſtery, keep all in good order, and prevent dangers in the b…g nning.
7 The Queſtion being betwixt Lordbiſhops and theſe, the expulſion of them is the introduction of theſe.
8 There is no ſuch danger in this government of corrupt on, as where one man hath al in his hands: he may corrupt a whole D…oceſſe, nay Kingdom; but th…ſe, though evill, corrupt but their own congregations. 2 Here men are prone to be over-carried with antiquity, the place being ſo eminent, and the power ſo great: but experience teſtifieth, that where this government is uſed, there is a more ſpeciall bleſſing of God; more purity and beauty, in the face of theſe Churches, wicked men are ſooner found, and more terrified. But of this more hereafter.
Here one Queſtion may be propounded, that is, why is not the duty of theſe ſet down in the Scriptures, nor their names?
Anſw. A deſcription of the Biſhop and Presbyter, is a diſcription of theſe Elders that are Biſhops.
1 Overſeers of the flocks, for theſe places contain rather a deſcript on of their ſufficiency, and morall part, and holy converſation, which ought to be in theſe, though in a more excellent meaſure in the Paſtors and Teachers, then of the applying of them to theſe miniſteriall duties which are proper to the Paſtors. This is plaine to all that conſiderately peruſe the Texts: And this anſwer is grounded on that 1 Tim. 5.17, where the Apoſtle intimats the work is an excellent work of them that rule well, elſe why are they to hauehave double honour? 2 Cals them by the ſame name that Paſtors are ſtiled by, as in the former places of Scripture.
If it be ſaid their duty is not aſſigned: the Anſwer is plain, their office is to rule by the ſword of the Spirit, Word, and churches cenſures, reproofe and excommunication. The rule and lawes are the word, the manner is to be according to the practiſe of theſe duties in Scriptures, being admonition, reproof, and excōmunication of each, wherof we hauehave ſeverall and manifold examples.
Object. 2. This brings men into baſe ſubjection, which …s not fit, nor that men of ſtate ſhould be ſubject to ſuch mean officers. Anſw. 1, No Officer that Chriſt hath appointed, ought to be accounted mean or b…ſe. 2 It is not a ſubjection unto men, but to the ordinance of Chriſt. 3 Men are no more ſubject to theſe Elders, then they are to be to the Miniſtry of the Word. 4 It is nothing impairing the ſtate or dign…ty of any one whatſoever; for they are not to meddle w th theſe things, but as Phiſitians & Surgeons ſeek the curing of diſeaſes in the ſoules.
Ob. 3. If …t be ſaid now, men are petty Popes, there being none to over rule them. The anſwer is plain, here are many to rule, Paſtor, Teacher & Elder. 1 Theſe are bound ſtrictly to the rule of the Word. 2 Beſides, the Church may ſay to Archippus, Take heed, &c. Col. 4.17. 3 Other neighbour churches may & ought to admoniſh them, which if it take no place, they are altogether to declare their judgment touching ſuch a Congregation. 4 The civill Magiſtrate is and ought to puniſh every congregation (the leaders eſpecially into ſin and errour) according to the quality and degree of their offence, if they doe not conform to the right manner of worſhipping God.