Discipline Which Christ Hath Prescribed for the Government of His Church, Chapter 14
CHAP. 14.
THere ought to be in euerye congregation, an eldership, consisting of a pastor or pastors, doctor (if there be any) & elders, whose authoritie Christ hath ordayned to be perpetual in his church, to gouerne the same onelyonly by the rules of Gods word: T. C. 1. booke, page 175. Discip. Ecclesiast. 123. which containeth these 3. perticular propositions, defended by vsus, and gaine said by the BB. and their adherents.
1 The Eldership ought to be in eueryevery congregation.
2 The office of the Eldership is perpetuall.
3 The Church must be gouerned, onelyonly by the rules of Gods vvorde.
The first is denyed by them,The prose of the 1. propositio…. VVhitgift page 627. and by their practize, in tying the gouernment of many Churches to the BB. sea, it is thus prooued.
1 Whatsoeuer Christe hath ordayned, as a meanes, to keepe men in obedience to the gospell, that same must be in eueryevery congregation, for particuler men are in particuler congregations: But Christ hath ordayned the Eldership for that ende, as appeareth, Matth. 18. 15. &c. where Chrisost. expoundeth: Tell the Churche: that is sayth he, the gouernors of the Churche: Therefore the Eldershipp ought to be in eueryevery Church.
2 Where all sortes of Elders ought to bee, there must be also the ioyning of their offices in one, for the good of that congregation ouer which they are placed: But all sorts of Elders ought to be in eueryevery congregation, as is prooued in the 10. chap. for bishopps, the 12. for Elders, &c. Therefore there must be an Eldership in eueryevery congregation.
3 If no perticular congregation hauehave greater priuiledges giuen there vntounto by the word of God then others hauehave, then must there eyther be no Eldership at all (which is false, in that Elders are prooued to be by the worde of God in the Church) or els it must be in eueryevery congregation: But eueryevery congregation is of like priuiledge, which appeareth by this, that it is a perfect bodie of it selfe: Therefore there must be an Eldership in eueryevery congregation.
4 The same warrant that is in the worde of God, for to hauehave an Eldership in one place, is a warrant for it in all; for the word of God tyeth it, not to Churches in cities, but indefinitely to the church: But there is warraunt for it out of the worde to be some where, as appeareth by this, that the Apostles are sayd to establish it, & make mention of it: Therefore it must be in eueryevery congregation.
Therefore, if the Eldershipp be ordayned by Christ,The conclusion as a meanes to keepe men in obedience vntounto the Gospell; if all sorts of Elders must be in eueryevery Church; if eueryevery congregation be of equall priuiledges; lastly if there bee the lyke warraunt for it in eueryevery Church, that is in any: then must it needs followe, that there ought to be an Eldership in eueryevery congregation.
Whatsoeuer is obiected against this, that hath any shewe in it, is aunswered in the 12. chap. of Elders.
The office of the Eldershipp is ordayned by Christ to be perpetuall,The 2. proposition. and ordinarie for the gouernment of his church, T. C. 1. book 177 denied by them, VVhitgift 1. and by their practize in keeping it out: but the trueth of it appeareth by these reasons that do follow.
1 If the causes why Christe woulde hauehave an Eldershipp in his Churche be perpetuall, then must also the thing it selfe be perpetuall:See the answer… to D. Bridges page 132. But the causes are perpetuall, which be to gouerne the Church by the rules of his worde, and that ecclesiastically: Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall.
2 If Christ be the author of the Eldership, & left it by the Apostles to bee established in the Church, then it is perpetuall; for his commission giuen to the Apostles, is to be obserued vntounto the end of the world: But Christ is the author of it, as appereth both by his giuing of the gifts for the perticular members thereof, & the whole bodye of it; as also in that the Apostles did establish it in the Church, who went not frō their commission, 1. cor. 11. 12. Therfore the Eldership is perpetuall.
3 Whatsoeuer is the commaundement of God, once deliuered by him, is neuer repealed againe, and to be acknowledged of eueryevery spirituall man; that same is to bee receiued by the Churche of God to be perpetuall: But such is the gouernment of the Church by pastors, doctors and Elders, and so of the whole Eldership, as appeareth in that they are all mentioned in the writinges of S. Paule, which are so esteemed: 1. cor. 14. 37. Therefore the gouernment of the Church by an Eldership is perpetuall.
4 That whose seuerall parts is perpetuall, & which hath perpetuall gifts giuen, for the furnishing thereof for euer; that same must needs be perpetuall: But the seuerall parts of the Eldership, as pastour, doctour and Elders, be perpetuall, as is proued in the 10. & 12. chap. Therfore the Eldership is perpetuall.
5 Whatsoeuer is grounded vponupon the generall commaundements, and rules of the scriptures, that same is perpetuall: But the gouerning of the Church by the Eldership, is such, as hath partly bene prooued in election and ordination, and execution of the seuerall Churche offices, which is the greatest part of gouernement, and shall further appeare, in the censures of the Church hereafter: Therfore the gouernment of the Church by the Eldership, is perpetuall.
6 Whatsoeuer manner of gouernment hath sufficient power, and that from God, to begin, continue, and strengthen, both the gouernors of the Church in their callings, and the people in the course of obedience vntounto Christe; that same gouernment is to be perpetual: But such is the gouernment by the Eldershipp, as appeareth by this, that the Apostles vsed no other: Therefore the Eldership is to be perpetuall.
7 That gouernment which the 12. Apostles, and Paule, before they consulted together, did vniformly agree in, that same must needs be of God, and consequently perpetuall, vnlesse the repealing of it doe appeare: but suche is the gouernement by the Eldership, (for all the aduersaries therevnto, confesse that it was in the Apostles time:) Therefore it is perpetuall.
8 Whatsoeuer hath the same grounds, that the preaching of the word and ministration of the sacramentes hauehave, the same is perpetuall: But such is the gouernment of the Eldershipp, for it is grounded vponupon the commaundements of Christ, and practize of the Apostles: Therefore it is perpetuall.
9 That which hath the like groundes to bee perpetuall, that the Apostles, prophets, and Euangelists, had to be for a time, the same is perpetuall: But suche is the gouernement of the Church by an Eldershipp, which appeareth by this, that they are therefore ceased, because their gifts of imediate calling, &c. be gone, and the gifts of these, ioyntly and seuerally doe remaine: Therefore it is perpetuall.
10 Whatsoeuer is the perpetuall and ordinary remedie to cure diseases of the Church, & strengthen the health of the same, that same is perpetuall: But suche is the gouernement by the eldershipp, as appeareth by the necessitie, and profite of the seuerall offices thereof, and of this, that we are still to obserue in causes of extremities: Tell the Church, Matth. 18. 17. Therefore it is perpetuall.
11 That gouernement whiche was in the Church appoynted of God vnderunder the Law, and continued (in respect of the substance) by christ and his Apostles, and bettered (in respect of the accedents) by them, that same is perpetuall: But such is the gouernment by the Eldership, as appeareth in the 12. reason of the 1. chap: Therefore it is perpetuall.
12 If there be any reason why this gouernment should be alterable (being once set in the Church by Christ) it is eyther in respect of the extraordinary offices ceased, or the addition of the magistrate: But not of the former, because the Churche hath neuer had any neede of extraordinary giftes, but God hath giuen them, & so will hee euer: nor of the latter, for that the magistrates office is to defende the buylding of the Church by that order which Christe hath set downe, and not to alter any thing therein: Therefore it is perpetuall.
13 Eyther this gouernement is the best and perpetuall, or els there is none, and so Christe should be thought to hauehave left his Church with out a gouernement, which is disprooued in the 7. & 8. reasons in the 1. chap. for this was once established by Christ, and so was no other: But some gouernment must needes be the best and and perpetuall: Therefore this is perpetuall.
14 No man may iustly forbidd (speaking of the church gouernment) to returne to the old constitution of the churche of God,Confess. Heluet. Tigur. Bern. Geneua, Polonia, Hungaria, Scotland, cap. 18. and to receiue it before the custome of men.
15 Experience teacheth this order (speaking of the church gouernment) was not for on age,Caluin Institut. lib. 4. cap. 3. sect. 8. but necessary to all ages.
16 Though the common wealth change hir gouernement,P. Martyr vponupon Rom. 3. yet the church must keepe hirs still.
17 Lamenteth, that some were found among thē that are esteemed forwardest,Bucer de reg. Christ. 15. which would not hauehave the same discipline vsed now a dayes, that was in the Apostles times, obiecting the difference of times and men.
18 The Apostles hauehave written these lawes,M. Whitaker against Duraeus. (speaking of Discipline) not for a daye, or for the firste age, but to endure for all times to come; and therefore hauehave …atified them with a most earnest obtestation: 1. Tim. 6. 14. that these commandements should be kept vntill the day of the Lord.
Therefore,The Conclusion▪ if the causes of once or dayning an Eldership, be perpetuall; if Christ be the author of it, and left it in the Church by the Apostles; if it be Gods commandement, not yet repealed; if the parts of it, and gifts for it be perpetuall; if it bee grounded vppon the generall commandements and rules of the scriptures; if it hauehave sufficient power from God, to begin, continue and confirme a church; if it was agreed vponupon by the 12. Apostles, & Paule before they met together; if it hauehave the same grounds with the preaching of the worde; if it hauehave as good grounds to be perpetuall as the Apostles, &c. to be for a time; if it be the perpetuall remedie against all the diseases of the Church; if it was vnderunder the law, and inriched by Christe & his Apostles vnderunder the Gospell; if it be neyther alterable in respecte of the extraordinarie offices ceased, nor the magistrate added to the Churche; if it be the onelyonly gouernement, that challengeth authoritie from God; if no man may iustly forbidd it; if it be necessarye for all times; if the common wealth may chaunge hir gouernment, but not the Church; if the difference of times and men be nothing against it; lastly, if the rules that the Apostles gaue for it, be confirmed with a charge, to bee kept vntill the comming of Christ: then must it needs follow, that the gouernment of the Church by an Eldership, ought to be perpetuall.
They obiecte that many inconueniences would follow vponupon this gouernement,Obiections against the perpetuitie of the Eldership, & answers to the same. which are seuerally to be answered.
1 Obiection By this eueryevery parrish shal follow their Seniors, and then there will be so many Elderships, so many diuers fashions, seeing one may not meddle with another.
Ansvvere The gouernement desired is vniforme for euerye Churche, and admitteth no change, no not in outward ceremonies, without a synode of the choyce men of seuerall Elderships.
2 Obiection If they being al mean men, chuse an Earle, he may not refuse, but be at their beck and commandement.
Ansvvere No man that is chosen is compelled to an office against his will, but he that despiseth to consult with others in Gods matters, because they bee poore, reprocheth God that made them, Pro. 17. 5.
3 Obiection It ouerburdeneth the parrish, to prouide for the norishment of so many church officers.
Ansvvere It is not necessary that they should prouide for any moe of them, sauing those that are exercised in the ministery of the worde, vnvnlesse any of the rest may need the liberallity of the Church.
4 Obiection It bringeth in a newe popedome and tyrannie into the Church.
Ansvvere It is blasphemie to tearme the gouernment of Christe so, because we refuse the tyranny of the pope, shall we therfore doe what we list, and not yeelde obedience to the scepter of Christ.
5 Obiection It is a kind of Donatisme to challenge such authoritie ouer princes.
Ansvvere And it is flattery to suffer princes to doe what they liste; this is the obiection of Gualter, who is a professed enemy to discipline
6 Obiection It taketh away princes authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall.
Ansvvere No more then it did from Dauid in his time, nor so much as the Bb. do nowe, for the prince requireth but this, to see the church well ordered, which the Eldership aloweth and craueth.
7 Obiection It transformeth the state of the common wealth, into a meere popularitie, and will alter the gouernment thereof.
Ansvvere It neither transformeth nor altereth any thing in it, for let it be shewed what damage would come by this discipline to any magistracie, from the princes throne, to the office of the headborow.
8 Obiection It wil breed contention and partiallity in iudgement.
Ansvvere Where can be greater contention then the Bb. maintaine for their kingdome, or greater partiallitie then in them, to their kinsfolkes, seruants, Sycophants, &c.
9 Obiection It wil be contemned, and so good order neglected.
Aunsvvere None euer deserued more contempt, then the BB. and their officers doe, for all their pompe: but God whose ordinaunce it is, will procure sufficient awe vntounto it; marke how these obiections stand together, in the 4. it was tyrannie, and here it is too contemptible, these be contrary.
10 Obiection All alterations be dangerous.
Ansvvere Neuer (where we change from the obedience of Antichriste, to the seruice of the liuing God) was it euer dangerous to amende things amisse, by that course which is described of God: if it were, let the perticular of it appear, this might wel hauehave bin Steuen Gardiners reason for popery, in the time of king H. the eight.
The Church must be gouerned onelyonly by the rules of Gods word, this is in effect,The 3. proposition. the proposition of the first chap. wherevnto all those reasons there alleadged may be referred; there is aduouched generally, the certayne grounds of the whole discipline, against the imagined libertie left to the Church: here is affirmed the perticular direction of the Churche gouernement, by the authoritie of the Eldershipp, to proceed according to the rules of Gods reuealed will, and not by that cursed and monstrous cannon law, which is made manifest vntounto vsus by these reasons.
1 All gouernours are to execute their authoritie, by the same warrant from which they hauehave it: But the gouernours of the Church of God, hauehave their warrant to be gouernours only from the word, 1. Cor. 12. 28. Therefore they must gouerne the Church onelyonly by the word.
2 The Churche is to be gouerned by that which the ministers may teach vntounto the same, for they are taught to the ende that they may obey, and so be gouerned by the same: But the ministers may teach nothing but the worde of God, 1. Cor. 11. 23. Therefore the Church is to be gouerned onelyonly by the word of God.
3 That which maketh the Churche obedient vntounto Christ, must be the direction whereby it is to be gouerned: OnelyOnly the worde of God maketh the church obedient vntounto christ: Therfore it is to be gouerned by the rules of Gods worde.
4 EueryEvery kingdome or houshold, must be gouerned onelyonly by the lawes of the king, or orders of the housholder: The Churche is the kingdome and house of God, and his worde is the onelyonly law that he hath giuen for the same: Therefore it must bee gouerned onelyonly by the worde of God.
5 That which was ordayned to destroy the Churche of God, cannot be a good rule to gouerne the same by: But such is the cannon law, for it was ordained to strengthen the kingdom of Antichrist: Abstract. Therefore it cannot be a good rule to direct the church by, and consequently, it must be gouerned by the worde, for no other rule is offered vntounto vsus, but the one of these twaine.
6 That which was inuented by the dragon, that persecuteth the woman and her childe, that same cānot be good for the church, which is that woman: But such is the cannon law, for it was inuented by Antichriste, which is that dragon: Therefore it cannot bee good for the ruling of the church, and consequently, &c.
7 That which strengtheneth the power of darknes & ignorance, cannot be good to guide them, that must walke in light and knowledge: But the cannon lawe strengtheneth the power of darknes and ignorance, for it increaseth popery, as appeareth by this, that there is scarce an officer towardes it, in these dayes of knowledge, but he is a papist: Therfore it cannot be good to guide the church of God.
8 That which destroieth the church of God cannot be good to rule the same: But the cannon law destroieth it, for it crosseth eueryevery faithfull minister in the discharge of his dutie, and eueryevery good christian, walking in the wayes of godlines, and nippeth in the head eueryevery good action, as experience teacheth vsus: Therefore it cannot be a good rule to gouerne the churche by.
9 That which hath bred moe trayterous papists in England, then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes, that same cannot be good to gouerne the church of God: But such is the cannon lawe, for it hath kept cut discipline, nourished ignorance, and fostered superstition & popery, in all estates of people, that neuer came at those Seminaries: Therefore it cannot be a good rule to gouerne the church of God by.
10 That which nourisheth the hope of Antichriste to returne hither againe, cannot bee good to direct in the gouerment of the church: But such is the cannon lawe, for it keepeth the cages for those vncleane byrds; as Archb. and L. BB. seas, arches, cathedral churches, &c: therfore it cannot be a good rule for the direction of the Church.
11 That which all the Churches hauehave cast off, as vnfit for the gouernment of the Church, cannot be good for the same: But all the churches, that hauehave forsaken the pope (yea they that hauehave not receiued the discipline of Christ wholy) hauehave cast of the cannon lawe: Therefore it cannot be good for the same.
12 Yea, we our selues mislike it, as appereth by a statute made vnderunder Ed. 6.
Therefore,The Conclusion if gouernours are to rule by the same authoritie whereby they are gouernours; if the Church must be gouerned, by that which the ministers may teache; if the worde of God onelyonly, make the Church obedient vntounto Christ; if eueryevery kingdome must be ruled by the lawes of their king; and if the cannon lawe be ordained to destroy the Churche; if it was inuented to persecute the churche; if it strengthen the power of darkenesse and ignoraunce, if it kill the Churche of God; if it breede moe traiterous papistes, then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes; if it nowrishe the hope of Antichrists returne: lastly if all the Churches that hauehave forsaken the pope, hauehave cast it of also; yea if we our selues do mislike it: then must it needs follow, that the Church ought to be gouerned, onelyonly by that golden rule of Gods word, & not by that leaden lump of the cannon law.