Apology of Certain Christians, Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII. Of the Ecclesiasticall Presbyterie.
VVE do so acknowledg, and approve of, as divinely instituted, the Presbyte…es of the particular churches, as with all we judg them sundrie wai…es defective. As first we require: that all receaved into the colledg,1 Tim. … 2. Tit. 1, 5, 7, 9 and company of Elders, even those which are called governers, should be apt to teach, and able to exhorte with sound doctrine, and convince g…nsayers, and that not onelyonly privately, or in the consistorie, but in the publick assemblie also, as the nature of their publique office requireth. I am not ignorant, what that learned man Gersom Bucer in his late treatise hath published about this matter,… gov. nam. p4. 32, 33, 44. neither do I unwillingly assent thereunto: provided onelyonly, that what he requires in those Elders, that they be able to performe publiquely, and in the church assembly, if not exactly, yet competently.
A second defect, which we wish supplyed is, that of annuall, o… tryennuall or temporarie, they might be perpetuall, and for l…fe, (except by some casualtie, or occurrence they be disabled) as the pastours themselvs. This terme of years for the Elders administration in the Reformed Churches,pag. 34. 35, 36. the forenamed author in the same place doth not so much defend, as excuse; but it seemeth raithe… needfull to have it reformed (which is also the desire of the said learned man) and that for these reasons.
1. The Apostle Paul calling unto him the Elders of the church of Ephesus to M…letum, Act. 20, 17, 28.doth pronounce of them all, as well the governers, as those that laboured in the word, that they were made Bishops or overseers of the same Church, by the holy Ghost. Now the authoritie of that the appo…nter ought to work in the appointed great conscience, not lightly to relinquish that charge, which by the disposition of the holy Ghost they had taken upon them.
2. The same Apostle doth in the same place admonish,…. 28, 29, 30, 31. and exhort the same Elders that they should take heed unto themselvs, and to all the fl…k, lest the same, after his departure should unhappily be damnified, either by wolves entering in among them, or such as should rise up from themselvs speaking perverse things. Now if the date of their Eldership, & charge were shortly to be out, they might well think with themselvs, that the Apostles admonition for after times did not much concern them, whose term of office should so shortly be expired, and were perhaps to follow the Apostles departure at the heeles.
3. It was sacriledg for the Levites being consecrated to the Lord, for the service of the Tabernacle and Temple, to retire from the office undertaken by them, although (age growing upon them) they were exempted from some the more labo…ous works of that ministration:Numb. 8. How then is it lawfull for the Elders, or Deacons (being now no more at their own disposing, but as the Levites of ould, the Lords sacred and consecrated ones) to withdraw so lightly from his speciall service? No man under the Law might change a beast, I…vi. 17, 9, 10.if clean, no not a better for a worse, if once hallowed to the Lord. How much lesse may the church then discharge her officers (or they themselvs) ministering faythfully, and as they ought?
Lastly,1 Tim. 5, 21. …nd 6, 14. 1 Corm. 14, 37. 1 Tim. 5, 11, …2. the Apostle Paul instructing the Church in Timothy to keep the commandement of Christ unrebukeable untill that his glorious appearing, doth not permit, no not to the widowes & D…aconesses to …elinquish the office once taken upon them: unto whom for that verie cause he forbids mariage it self, otherwise permitted to all, and to some injoyned. How much lesse lawfull is it for the Elders, or Deacons of the church (whose both condition, and ministerie is far more excellent) for far lighter causes, to look back, and relinquish their vocation, wherein Christ hath in such sort placed them?
A third thing there is, and that of most moment, viz. that the Elders do not administer their publique office publiquely, as they should, but onelyonly in their private consistorie. And first, the administrat on of everie office doth …n right follow the nature of the same; whether domesticall in the familie, or civill in the common wealth, or spirituall in the Church: the Elders office then being publique, requires answerable, and publique administrat on. Not that it is unlawfull for the Elders to convene, and meet apart from the bodie, and to deliberate of such things as concerns the same, and so to do sundrie things by vertue of their office, but because that is not sufficient,Colos. 4, 17. neither do they indeed fulfill their publique, and church-office, office, which in the Lord they have receaved, except as privately, and and in their consistorie, so also (and that specially) publiquely, and in the face of the congregation they exequute the same.
2. The Apostle beseecheth them of Thessalonica that they would in love highly esteem for their works sake, 1 Thes 5, 12, 13.not onelyonly them which laboured among them, to wit, in doctrine; but them also, which were over them in the Lord, and admonished them. 1 Tim. 5, 17.But of the work of their Elders which govern, the Reformed churches must needs be ignorant; neither doe, or can they know, whether they be good, or bad. Their pastours they do prosequute with due love, & honour, out of their own certain knowledg of them and their work, but their Elders onelyonly by hearsay.
Lastly,Act. 20, 17, 28. the same Apostle warneth the Elders of …phesus, that they attend & take heed to the whole flock, in which they were made Bishops. But it cannot be, that he should ministerially, as he ought, feed the whole church, whose voice the greatest part thereof never so much as once heareth. To lead, or receav a she…p now and then into the sheepfould, to confirm one that is weak, or correct one that strayeth, and that apart from the flock, is in no wise to feed the whole flock, as the Apostle requireth.
And that this point may be made the more plain, let us discend unto some such particulars, as in which the Elders office seemeth specially to consist. And they are, the admitting of members into the church, upon profession of faith made, and the reproving and censuring of obstinate offenders, whether sinning publiquely, or privately with scandall. As we willingly leave the exequut on, and administration of these things to the Elders alone in the setled, and well ordered state of the church, so do we deny plainly, that they are, or can be rightly, and orderly done, but with the peoples privat…e and consent.
For the first, Christ the Lord gave in charge to his Apostles to preach in his name remission of sins, and therewith life eternall: and that such Iewes, or Gentiles, as should beleiv, and repent, viz. professe holily faith and repentance, (for to judg of the heart is Gods prerogative) they should receav into the fellowship of the Church, and baptize. And that these all, and everie of them were publiquely, and in the face of the congregation to be administred, the Acts of the Apostles do plent…ously make known. And if Baptism, the consequent of the confession of faith, in them baptized, and the badg of our consociation with Christ and his Church, be to be celebrated publiquely, why is not the profession of saith proportionably (although by the formerly baptized through a kinde of unorderly anticipation) to be made publiquely also, and therewithall the consociation ecclesiasticall, as the former? The covenant privately made, and the s…al publiquely annexed are disproportionate.
I further add, that since persons admitted into the Church, are by the whole bodie, if not of enemies, at least of strangers become and are to be reputed b…ethren …n Christ most nearly joyned, and they with whom, they are to call upon one common Father publiquely to participate of one holy bread, and with whom they are to have all things, 1 Cor. 10, 17even bodily goods after a sort common, as everie one hath need, Act. 2, 44, 45.it seemeth most equall, that not onelyonly the Presbyters (the churches servants under Christ) but the whole commonaltie also should take knowledg in their persons, both of their holy profession of faith, and voluntarie submission made as unto Christ himself, so to his most holy institutions in his Church.
To come to the second head. And 1. those who sin, that is, with publique scandall, rebuke publiquely, 1 Tim. 5, 20.sayth the Apostle, that others also may fear. And if the Elders themselvs, of whom he speaketh, for whose credit the greatest care is to be taken much more any other, Beza in ann. on the place.as Beza rightly observeth. And that not for this cause alone, that when the punishment comes to one, the fear might reach unto many, which yet wise men in all publique exequutions would hauehave carefully provided for, but also that both he that so sinneth may be the more ashamed, and others both within, and without may withall take knowledg, how litle indulgent the Church is to her own dearest ones in their enormous sins.
2. With this also it well conforteth, that Christ the onelyonly Doctour of his Church would hauehave not onelyonly sins scandalous committed in publique, publiquely reproved,Math. 18, 15 1…, 17. and before the multitude, but even those which are private, obstinately persisted in, when he saith, Tell the Church, &c.
I am not ignorant how diversly divers men do interpret these words: whilst some by the Church do understand the civill come of the Magistrate; others the Hierarchicall Bishop, with his officials; others the senate of Elders excluding the people. And thus whilst these strive for the power, and name withall of the church amongst themselvs, the church indeed, and which Christ the Lord meaneth is well nigh stripped both of power, and name.
The first of these three interpretations I will not trouble my self with;Beza, Zanch…us, Parker, G Bucer, &c. as being almost of all, and that worthily expleded, and rejected; and aboundantly refuted by divers learned men: the two latter are to be aslau…t…d with almost the same weapons.
The former of these two, though it be in it self the more different from Christs meaning, yet comes it in this circumstance now in consideration, the nearer the truth in our judgment, considered in its exequution: since neither the Bishops, nor their officials, Chauncelours, Commisaries, or other Court-keepers do exclude the people from their consistories, and courts: but to offer themselvs in their publique judgments, and censures to the ve…w of all, who please to be present thereat. And I think … of either amongst Gentiles or Iewes, or Christians (be it spoken without offence) before this last age, that publique judgments and other acts of publique nature, as these are, should be privately exercised, and without the peoples privitie. It was not so in Israel of ould, where by Gods appointment the Elders were to sit, and judg in the gates of the cittie: nor in the synagogues themselvs, from which manie are of minde, how truly I will not say, that the Christian Eldership was derived, after the Roman tyrannie had confined into them the Iewes civill conventions, and judgments; nor in the primative church, no not in some ages after the Apostles, as might easily be proved out of Tertullian, Cyptian, and others, if I would trie the matter in that court:Aug…t of Ch…. … lib. 3. but it is much more safe, as Austin saith, to walke by the divine Scriptures.
And first the word foreign church, originally Greek, answering to the Hebrew foreign, doth primarily, and properly signifie a convention of citizens called from their houses by the publ…que c…yer, either to hear some publique sentence or charge given: but translated to religious use, denoteth an assemblie of persons called out of the state of corrupt nature into that of supernaturall grace, by the publishing of the gospell. Now the Elders, or presbyters (as such) are, and so are said to be, called, to wit, to their office of Eldership, but called out they are not, being themselvs to call out the church, and unto it to perform the cryers office. Neither do I think that the name Ecclesia, Church, hath been used by any Greek author, before the Apostles times, or in their daies, or in the age after them for the assemblie of sole governers in the act of their government, or indeed before the same governers had seazed into their own, & onelyonly hands the churches both name and power.
But you will say, as learned men use to do, that these Elders susteyn the person of the whole multitude, and supplie their room, for the avoiding of confusion; and so are …ightly, as commonly called The church representative.
I answer. First, no godly, no nor reasonable man will affirm, that this representation is to be extended to all the acts of religion, or indeed to others, then these, which are exercised in the governing of the Church. What is it then? The Elders in ruling, and governing the Church must represent the people, and ocupie their place. It should seem then, that it appe…teyns unto the people, unto the people primarily, and originally (under Christ) to rule and govern the church, that is, themselvs. But who will so say of a government not personall, but publique, and instituted, as the churches is?
2. If the Elders in their consistorie represent the church, then whatsoever they either decree, or do agreeing to the word of God whether respecting faith or manners, that also the church decreeth and doth, though absent, though ignorant both what the thing is, which is done, and upon what grounds it is done by the Elders: this being the nature of representations, that what the representing doth within the bounds of his commission, that the represented doth primarily, and much more, as but using the other for his instrument. Now how dissonant this is to true faith and pietie, how consonant unto the Papists implicit faith, no man can be ignorant: and I had raither wise men should consider, then I aggravate.
3. The constant, and universall practise of the Apostles & Apostolick churches do quite crosse this consistorian course. The Apostle Paul, well acquainted with the meaning of Christ, doth 1 Cor. 5. so reduce into practise, the rule and prescript of his maister Matth. 18. or to use the words of the Bishop of Chester,Bish of Winch…, ans… to Tertus pa. 43. There commaunds to bring into practise this power, In the name of Christ, with his spirit, as he seems to leav no place for doubting to him, who with diligence, and without prejudice, will compare together these two places, what the Lord meaneth, when he saith, Tell the Church, This our Apostle doth in that place reprove not the Elders or governers alone, but with them also the whole commonaltie and bodie, for tolerating the incestuous person amongst them. Which therefore accordingly, as his authoritie Apostolicall,2 Ge…in. 11, 28. and care for all the churches d…d require, he admonisheth, and directeth, that as mindefull both of the sinners repentance, and salvation, and therewith of their own puritie, they would exclude, by due order, that wicked man from their holy fellowship. And that by these words, (when ye are come together) the whole church is to be understood, manie, but heavie freinds to the peoples libertie, Iesuites, P…clatists, and others do graunt. But we will annex certain reasons for the further clearing of the thing.
1. They among whom the fornicatour was, who were puffed up, ver. 1, 2, 4, 7▪ 13.when they should have sorrowed, and out of the middest of whom, he was to be put, who had done that thing; they were to be gathered together in one, and to judg and excommunicate that incestuous person. But the fornicatour was not amongst the Elders alone, neither were they alone puffed up when they should have sorrowed, neither was that wicked man to be taken out of the midst of them, and still left in the midst of the people; and therefore not to be judged by them alone, but by the church with them, though governed by them.
2. It did not of ould apperteyn onelyonly to the Levites and Elders in Israel,v. 1. 7. to purge out of their houses the materiall leven, but to everie father of familie also: so by proportion to the whole church now to purge out the leven spirituall there spoken of: which also could not leven the whole lump, or church, in the Apostles meaning, except it had concerned the whole church to purge it out.
3. The Apostle wrote not to the Elders onelyonly, but with them to the whole bodie,i…s. 9. not to be commingled with fornicators, covet…us persons, or the like, called brethren: he therefore admonisheth them, as the other,11. to cast their stone at the incestuous man, for the taking him away from the Lords people.
Manie more Arguments, and the same verie clear, might be drawn to this end, out of the text it self; but for brevitie sake I will omit them, and annex this onelyonly one which followeth, from the second chapter of the second Epistle. The same Apostle writing to these same Corinthians about the same incestuous person, but now penitent, as before delinquent, seriously exhorts them, that look what severitie they had formerly shewed in censuring him for his sin, the like compassion they would now shew, in …eceaving him again upon his repentance: therein plainly insinuateing, that this busines was not in the hands of the Elders alone, except we will say, that they alone were made sad by the Apostles reproof, that they alone by their studie, defence, indignation, zeal, ch. 7, 9, 11. and 2, 7, 8.&c. testified, that they were pure in the thing, and except it belonged to them alone to pardon, and comfort the repentant sinner, and to confirm their love unto him.
And whereas some would inclose this whole power within the Apostles circuit; as if he alone, Bishop-like, had passed sentence judicia…ie upon the offender, and onelyonly committed the declaration, and publication of it in the church, to some his substitute, I deem it not lost labour breifly to …hew how erroneous this opinion is of externall monarchicall government, yea power also, which is more, in the church of Christ.
And, first, one alone, how great soever, cannot suffice to make the Church,See the Bishop of Church, answer to Tertus p. 41, 42. or a congregation, which Christ hath furnished with power of binding, and loosing Math. 18, 17, 18. both reason, and scripture teaching, that for an assembly, and congregation at least two or three are required. ver. 19. The Church (which name signifies a multitude, designeing by a new trope, one alone singular person, Whitakers of the authoritie of the Script. lib. 1.as saith D. Whitakers against Stapleton, going about to prove that the name of the church belongs to the Pastours, or Byshops, or Pope alone.
2. It is expresly affirmed 2 Cor. 2, 6. that the incestuous person was censured by many: which many or more, the Apostle opposeth to himself alone, as appeareth by the context; and not to all, as some erroneously think.
3. The Apostle plainly, and sharply reproveth the Corinthians for that before his writing they had not voyded that sinfull man, their holy fellowship, and so prevented the reporte by which such a crime, and the same unpunished came to his ears. This their power then the man of God doth not seaze into his own hands as forfeyt by their default in not using it, but vehemently (and as became a faithfull minister) exhorts and admonist…es them to use it, as they ought in the judging, purging out, and taking from among themselvs that wicked man, and so any other within, or called a brother, sinning in the like manner.
4. If the Apostle Paul being absent from Corinth had excommunicated this sinner, then had he judicially condemned,See … chap. 2. and judged a man unaccused, unconvicted, and unreproved (at least face to face, and before his judg): then which what more unjust can be imagined of, or ascribed unto the holy Apostle? I conclude therefore with Peter Martyr, The Apostle, as great as he was, Pet. Ma…. … 1 …or. ch. 5.doth not so far usurp to himself power, as that he one, and alone by himself should excommunicate: which yet the Pope, and ma…y Bishops (both Romish and English) dare do: Injudging he goes before others, as it is meet the cheif in the Church should do, that so the lesse skilfull multitude might be directed in judging by their voting before them.
Thus much of this place. The next followeth, which is Acts 1,Act. 1. When another was to succeed in the room of Iudas the traytour, not Peter alone, or the Apostles with him, but (that the ordination might be just and lawfull, being made with the knowledg of the people assistent, Cyprian l. 1. Epist. 4.and examined by the verdit, and judgment of all) the multitude of the disciples together did substitute two,ver. 15. whom they deemed most excellent, that of them the Lord, who knew the hearts of all men, might take unto himself the man, which he knew most fit. That which belonged unto God,Gal. 1, 1. namely, to designe an Apostle immediately, was left unto him: the disciples also in this work, rete…ing what might be their libertie:Calvin in Act. 1. which Calvin notes upon this place, to have been a kinde of middle temper.
The third place followeth,Act. 6. which is Act. 6. handling the choice of Deacons, and that by the same Church in Ierusalem, not now small, as before, but (which I wish may be marked to stop the passage, which some think lyes open for escape through smaller assemblies) now become great, and populous. In this busines the Apostles informe the church what kinde of men they ought to chuse: the multitude chuseth whom they judg fit, and meet accordingly; and the same present to the Apostles: upon whom so chosen by the people, the said Apostles impose hands as a solemn symbole of their consecration, joyning therewith common prayer. Now if the Deacons onelyonly betrusted with the churches monie were not to be made but by the peoples suffrage, and election, much lesse Pastors & Elders, unto whose fidelitie under Christ the same Church doth commit the incomparable treasure of their souls.
To the same purpose (in regarde of the matter in hand) serveth that,Act. 14. which we read Act. 14, 23. where Paul and Barnabas do ordeyn Elders in everie Church, by suffrages (not their own as some fancie, unto whom to lift up, & to lay on hands is all one) but the peoples; or by the lifting up of hands, by which signe, the Grecians, as appears in Demosthenes, and others, the peoples vote or voyce-giving in their popular assemblies was wonte to be made. I ad (which is especially to be observed) that the Apostles in doing their part in the ordination of Elders, did what they did, as it were, by the way: staying onelyonly, most like, two or three daies in a place: so as they could not possibly by their own experience take sufficient knowledg, what persons in the church were apt to teach or govern: who able to exhort with sound doctrine, 1 Tim. 3.& to convince the gainsayers: how unblamable they were, how watchfull, given to hospitalitie, temperate, Tit. 1.&c. and with these, how mannered wives, and children they had. These things onelyonly the bretheren which conversed with them publiquely, and privately, could sufficiently take knowledg, and experience of. VponUpon their electing them did the ordination conferred by the Apostles, as the hands of the Church, depend. By election the persons elected have right to their offices; into the actuall possession whereof they are solemnly admitted by ordination.
This troup of proofes, that known,Act 15. and notable place Act. 15. shall shut up: in which we have the peoples libertie in the churches both of Antioch, and Ierusalem plentifully confirmed and commended by Apostolick practise to ensueing churches, and times.
And first,See Whit k. of the author. of II. … lib. 1, ch. 5. sect. 1. it is evident, that in the church of Antioch together with the Elders (which it appears then it had Act. 14, 21, 23.) the brethren were admitted into the fellowship of the busines, and disquisition made about circumcision: Paul & Barnabas with the rest of the delegates then sent being brought on their journey by the church. ver. 3. the letters also being written back from Ierusalem to the brethren which were at Antioch, ver. 23. and which is specially to be noted, then, and not before, delivered when the multitude were come together. vers. 30. So in the church at Ierusalem the messengers from Antioch were receaved not onelyonly of the Apostles and Elders, but of the Church with them, vers. 4. And as the question was propounded so was it, discussed before the whole church by the Apostles, & Elders comming together to look unto that busines. ver. 6. yet not so as the brethren were wholly bound to silence, seeing that ver. 11. the whole multitude is said to have held their peace, that is, to have yeilded to Peters speach, and reasons. Lastly, as Silas and Iudas were sent with Paul and Barnabas, by the Apostles, and Elders with the whole Church unto Antioch, vers. 22. so were the letters written back in the name of them all to the brethren at Antioch. ver. 23. And although the decrees to be observed by the churches of the Gentiles, (whereof no one, excepting Antioch, had any delegates present) which were also part of the word of God, and holy Canon, could come from none other then the Apostles,See Iohan. Wolph. in 2 long. c. 23. immediately inspired by the H. Ghost, they notwithstanding in the publishing of the same, did not disdam the consenting suffrage of the brethren of that particular church of Ierusalem, where the assembly was.
And surely, if it ever did, or could apperteyn to any church officers or governers whatsoever to represent the church-assemblies, in elections, censures, and other Ecclesiasticall judgments, and occurrences; then without doubt unto the Apostles in an eminent, and peculiar manner (especially living in that rude, and childish state of the church) considering both how superlative their office was, and how admirable their gifts, and endowments of the holy Ghost, together with their incomparable both pietie, & prudence: by which they were both most able, and willing to promote the Christian faith in holynes. And although this constant, and uniform both practise, and institution of the Apostles unto divers (politick persons, swelling with pride of fleshly reason, dispising Apostolicall simplicitie, and who, as …eneus speaks, would be rectifiers of the Apostles, …. against Heres. …ib. 3. Theodor. dial. 1. Tertull. against Hermog.seem worthie of light regard, yet to us, who beleiv with Theodoret, that we ought to rest in the Apostolicall, and propheticall demonstrations, and who with Tertullian do adore the fulnes of the Scriptures, they seem of singular weight, and moment.
And whilst I consider with my self in the fear of God, how it was the Apostles duetie to teach the disciples of Christ to observ whatsoever he commanded them; Mat. 28, 20. … Cor. 14, 37 ch. 4. 1. a Cor. 5, 5.and how the Apostle Paul testifieth, that even the things, which he wrote touching order, and comlynes to be observed in the church-exercises, were the commandements of the Lord, as also how the same Apostle clearly professeth, that he and his fellow officers were onelyonly to be reputed as ministers and ambassadours of Christ, to whom therefore in the exequution of their office it was not permitted to do, or speak the least thing, which they had not in charge from him, it is unto me a matter of great scruple, and conscience, to depart one hair-breadth (extraordinarie accidents ever excepted) from their practise, & institution, in any thing truely ecclesiasticall, though never so small in it self: whatsoever, by whomsoever, and with what colour soever is invented, and imposed, touching the government of the church which is the house and tabernacle of the living God. … Tim. 3.And a partner in this faith I do hope to live, and die, and to appear before Iesus Christ, with bouldnes in that great and fearfull day of his coming.
I add, that seeing the Christian congregation as the spouse of Christ, free, and ingenuous, hath the church officers whosoever, as Christ Iesus her housbands, so also her servants for Iesus sake, 2 Cor. 4, 5. 1 Tim. 4, 16, ch. 5, 17, 18.whom under Christ she trusteth with her eternall salvation, and unto whom for their labour shee oweth wages for releif and maintenance; Considering also how much it makes both to whet on the diligence of the ministers, and to inforce the diligence of the people, whilst these on the one side consider with themselvs, how they have them set over them, whom above others themselvs have liked, and made choice of; and they on the other side, that they are set over those by whom they before others were made choice of, and elected: that which Cyprian hath, seemeth most equall, and of institution morall, and unchangeable, that the commonaltie fearing God & keeping his commaundements, Cypr. Epist. 4, li. 4, 1.should have the speciall hand either in chusing of worthie Preists, or ministers, or of rejecting the unworthie: which also, saith he, we see to be founded upon divine authoritie.
The same is to be held of excommunication. Seeing that it behooveth the Christian multitude to avoide the fellowship of the excommunicated not onelyonly in the course of religion, but even in common, and familiar conversation (the rights of nature, familie, and common wealth ever kept inviolated): and that whom yesterday I was to repute a brother near, and dear in Christ, to morrow I must hould as an Heathen, and Publican, and as,Math. 18. 1 Corinth. 5. for the destruction of the flesh, delivered to Sathan: who is so unequall a judg, as not to think it a most equall thing, that the multitude should clearly, and undoubtedly take knowledg both of the heynousnes of the crime, and incorrigeable contumacie of the person, after the use of all means, and remedies for reclayming him. This if it be not done, then doth not the church herein live by her own, but by her officers faith; neither are her governers to be reputed as servants, but Lords unto her; neither do they exercise their office popular…lie in the church as they ought, but tyrannicallie, as they ought not, by Chrisostoms verdit.Chrisost. in Epist. to Tit, His words are these. He who bears himself upon an externall and worldly power, because he rules legally, and that men must of necessitie obey him, doth oft times, and that not without cause, exercise authoritie against the will, and wel-liking of his subiects? But on the other side, he who will be over those, who voluntarily submit unto him, and can him thank, and yet will presume to do things as himself liketh, & as if he were to give account to none other thereof, that man raither exerciseth his author…tie tyrannically then popularly.
The Lord God put it into the hearts of those who bear greatest sway in the reformed churches, to indeavour the furnishing of the same with such Elders, as may both fully, and constantly, and popularly, discharge their place, for the peace of their own consc…ences before God, the edification of the Churches over which they are set, as also for the abateing, if not abolishing, of that contempt in which Prelat…sts, and supercilious persons use to hould these lay-Elders, as they call them.
But now lest any should take occasion, either by the things here spoken by us, or els where of us, to conceave, that we either exercise amongst our selvs, or would thrust upon others, any popular, or democraticall Church-government; may it please the Christian Reader to make estimate of both our judgment, and practise in this point, according to these three declarations following.
First, we beleev, that the externall Church-government under Christ the onelyonly mediatour,See Bodin of Commonu…. book 1. chap. last. and monarch thereof is plainly aristocraticall, and to be administred by some certain choice men, although the state, which manie unskilfully confound with the government, be after a sort popular, and democraticall. By this it apperteyns to the people freely to vote in elections and judgments of the church: in respect of the other we make account, it behoves the Elders to govern the people even in their voting in just libertie,1 Cor. 12. 28 1 Tim. 5, 17 Heb. 13, 17. given by Christ whatsoever. Let the Elders publiquely propound, and order all things in the church, & so give their sentence on them; let them reprove them that sin, convince the gain-sayers, comfort the repentant, and so administer all things according to the prescript of Gods word: Let the people of faith, give their assent to their Elders holy and lawfull administration: that so the ecclesiasticall elections, and censures may be ratified, and put into solemn exequution by the Elders, eyther in the ordination of officers after election, or excommunication of offenders after obstinacie in sin.
2. We doubt not but that the Elders both lawfully may, and necessarily ought, and that by vertue of their office,Act. 20, 18. to meet apart at times from the bodie of the Church, to deliberate of such things as concern her welfare, as for the preventing of things unnecessarie, so for the preparing (according to just order) of things necessarie, so as publiquely, and before the people, they may be prosequuted with most conveniencie, and least trouble that may be.
3. By the people whose libertie, and right in voteing we thus avow, and stand for; in matters truly publique and ecclesiasticall, we do not understand (as it hath pleased some contumeliously to upbraid us) women, and children; but onelyonly men, and them grown, and of discretion: making account,1 Cor. 14, 34, 35. 1 Tim. 2, 12. that as children by their nonage, so women by their sex are debarred of the use of authoritie in the Church.