A Trial of Church-Forsakers, Section 10
SECT. 10. Browniſts third exception againſt us about the head of our Church.
WEe having now done what the Browniſts do mean by a true church and the falſitie of it; and with the entrance into it: wee are now come unto their third exception, taken from the head of a true viſible church. They finde from time to time our kings to interpoſe their authority over every particular aſſembly in our church, for the keeping of them in pious, and peaceable wayes, according to the lawes of God and our church, and common-wealth: and becauſe they fanſie no viſible churches, but particular congregations, which muſt bee fully furniſhed from Chriſt, with power of governing themſelves: and they doe perceive withall that the ſupreame authority of a king over churches, doth (according to kingly duty) hinder their erecting of new waies, and tie them up to obſerve the laudable cuſtomes of the church: therefore (as if they willingly ſubſcribed to the ſpeech of Gallio, that wicked deputy of Achaia, Act 18.12, 13, 14, 15.If it were a matter of wrong, or wicked lewdneſſe, O yee Iewes, reaſon would that I ſhould beare with you, but if it be a question of words, and names, and of your law, looke yee to it, for I will be no judge of ſuch matters), they cry out, wee have no head but Chriſt: he ſhall rule over us: we will wait upon him onelyonly: but you have another head, and that is the king, whoſe lawes you follow for government of the church, and upon whom ye do depend for building, or pulling downe whatſoever Chriſts law ſaith.
Now, to pricke and open this bliſter, conſider,
1 That Chriſt is the head of the catholicke Church,
2 That Chriſt is the head of particular Churches.
3 That Chriſt is the head of our church.
4 That the headſhip of the king, doth not hinder but helpe this, and that according to Chriſts word.
That Chriſt is the head of the catholicke church, no chriſtian will deny,1 Chriſt is the head of the catholike Church, Eph. 1.22. Col. 1.18. Iohn 1 16. Col. 1 19 Eph 1.22. Eph. 9.6. 1 Iohn 2. Eph. 5.23. or if hee doe, he will bee convinced by ſcriptures, which teach him to bee the head of the body, even his church. He hath in him moſt perfectly, whatſoever may be for the life and ſalvation of his church. He hath all things ſubjected to him for the behoofe of his church. He takes up all debates, ſuites, quarrels, and controverſies betwixt God and his church, as a counſellour, advocate, yea, husband for his wife. Hee is the Prince of our ſalvation, the proper fountaine of all ſpiriruall life and governement. No head is ſuch an head as hee is: Politicall heads give the influence of civill favour; Oeconomicall heads of houſhold, and wedlocke favours: but this all-ſufficient ſpirituall head, of ſaying favours, ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly things. Eph 1.3.This therefore is certaine, that thouſands in this catholicke church doe runne into folly, rebellion, and blaſphemy. Into folly; becauſe they doe things without the generall, or particular direction of Chriſt: Chriſt is not in all their counſels. Into rebellion, becauſe they doe things againſt the direction of Chriſt: let Chriſt ſay what he will, they will do what they liſt. Into blaſphemy, becauſe they think not Chriſts counſel worth the while, ſ… long as they can ſhift without it: it is good when they are ſicke, but if well, it is but as Elias to Ahab, a troubler of Iſrael. 1 King. 1.18.Theſe may be in the catholicke church, they are not of it, becauſe Chriſt is not their head by infuſion of grace.
Secondly, it is true alſo, that he is the head of particular churches,2. Chriſt is the head of particular Churches▪ 1 Cor. 12.27. and viſible aſſemblies. Therefore the church of Corinth is called the body of Christ, and members in particular. This church (as any other particular church) may be conſidered two wayes: In it ſelfe, and ſo it was a body: with reference to other churches, and ſo it was a member of the catholick church. But conſider it both, or either of theſe wayes; if it bee the body of Chriſt, if a member of his body, or if both, Chriſt is the head of it:Apoc. 1. hee is in the midſt of the ſeven golden candleſtickes. Therefore alſo the church of Epheſus, 1 Tim. 3.15.is called the houſe of God: and as in an houſe there is an head, the husband is the wifes head; ſo, but more tranſcendently,1 Cor. 11. is Chriſt the head of every particular houſe or church. For God hath ſet his ſonne over his own houſe, Heb. 3 6. Heb. 10.and our high-prieſt is over the houſe of God. This is t…ue.
3. Chriſt is the head of our Church.But thirdly, ſay the Brownists, what is that to us? Chriſt is not our head. Yes, Chriſt is the head of our church of England. For doe but conſider
1 Wherein Chriſts headſhip ſtands?
2 How hee uſeth and exerciſeth it?
Chriſts headſhip doth ſtand in providing fit meanes for the gathering and enlarging of his viſible church, or churches, and making them effectuall. There is a foundation to bee layd, which properly is Chriſt, and for,1 Cor 3.10, 11. Eph. 2.20. 1 Pet. 2.7. 1 Cor. 3.10 and from him the Prophets, and Apoſtles. There are builders, yea maſter builders, as well as others, to bee provided. There are materials to be at hand, ſaints by calling ſome of which grow up to be lively ſtones, a ſpirituall houſe, 1 Cor. 1.2. 1 Pet. 2.5 1 Cor. 3 9.that they may be Gods building. Theſe faithfull ones muſt be laied and coupled together, as by joints, till they grow into an holy temple, Eph. 4.11.12.for the habitation of the Lord, by the ſpirit. Now, that this may be done, Chriſt is the principal agent, he adds unto his church, Acts 2.47. Iohn 14.6.that they may come to the father by him. And withall hee provides his word, that they might believe,Ioh. 10.31 1 Cor 3 5. Rom 6.4. 1 Cor. 10.16 and miniſters, by whom they may doe it: and the ſacraments, that they may bee baptized into his death, and have the communion of the bloud of Chriſt. Hee reſts not heere, but to make them effectual, in the uſe of theſe means, hee comes amongſt theſe citizens with the ſaints, Eph. 2.19and grants to thoſe that by grace receive the ſpirit which is of God,1 Cor. 2.12. Acts 11.18. Acts 15.11 Acts 2.47 Acts 11.20. to 26. repentance unto life, and faith to purifie their hearts: and ſo hee addeth to the church from day to day, a great number that believe and turne unto the Lord. But for thoſe that come in to the voyce of the word, and ſupper of the goſpel in word and ſacraments, and have Simon Magus, Iudas, Hymeneus, Alexander, and Demas his heart, if the conviction of themſelves, and the converſion of others, and their perſeverance doe them no good, he ſhewes ſometimes what they deſerve, by fearefull judgements, Acts 5.and the cenſures of the church,Mat. 16. Iohn 20. Mat. 13. but hee will ſhew it in full power when the great day of ſeparation comes.
Now looke, (in the feare of God) whether our ever bleſſed Ieſus Chriſt bee not thus our head. Have wee not (thorough grace) the word of God, gifts, miniſtery, and ſacraments from Chriſts rule? Say the Browniſts, ye have not all Chriſts ordinances,Obiect. yee want his diſcipline. To that I ſhall ſpeake in due place:Sol. in the meane time, put caſe it were true; yet were it a true viſible church, though not a perfect one. That is an ordinance for the comely and well being, not for the being of the church. But it lies upon them to prove that, what they ſay we want, are Chriſts ordinances, and branches or his kingdome. This they never can doe by the undoubted word of Chriſt.
Beſides, hath not Chriſt our head, in the uſe and exerciſe of theſe bleſſings manifeſted his effectuall power?Mic 7.19. How many iniquities are ſubdued, and ſinnes caſt into the depthes of the ſea? what place is there, where we ſhall not find the ſerpents head broken?Gen. 3.15 Some have beene in their ordinary buſineſſes, as the woman of Samaria, Iohn 4 7.and have come off with the bells of the horſes, pots in Ieruſalem, and Iudah?Zac. 14 20 2…. as well as pots in the Lords houſe, engraved with holineſſe unto the Lord. Some have been diſciplined with the miſery of the h…sks of ſwine, Luk. 15.57.and have beene tranſlated out of the kingdome of darkeneſſe, Col. 1.13into the kingdome of Gods deare ſonne. Some have heard and read good things to ſcoffe and cavill at them, but have been ſuddenly changed from glory, 2 Cor. 3 1…to glory, as by the ſpirit of the Lord. Some have breathed out the ſtinking breath of ſinne, as Saul, Acts 9.and others have ſeene the heates of perſecutions, and they have returned home to call upon the name of the Lord Ieſus, both theirs and ours. 1 Cor. 1.2.Yea, and ſome have ſeene others fall away from the faith of Chriſt, and by the preaching of Chriſt, have met with graffing in, the riches of the Gentiles, reconciling, and ſalvation. Rom. 11.… 12.15.19.And though with Chriſt they have had a ſword ſent, Mat. 10.34 Phil. 11.13 14yet bonds in Chriſt have beene famous, and the brethren in the Lord have waxed confident, and bold to ſpeake the word without feare. Thus hath it beene with our bleſſed church: the kingdome of heaven hath ſuffered violence,Mat. 11.22 and the violent have taken it by force. But the miniſtery of the Browniſts hath had no ſuch communion, and influence, with, and from Chriſt our head; one of a city, two of a tribe, heere a little, and there a little, doth not anſwer, in a continuall courſe from Chriſt hither, the power of Chriſts interceſſion,Pſal. 2. for the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermoſt part of the earth for his poſſeſsion.
But (ſay the Brownists) wee have other heads beſides Chriſt.Obiect. Sol. I ſay we have no other myſticall head beſide Chriſt;4 The headſhip of the King doth not hinder the headſhip of Chriſt. 1 Cor. 11. Eſa. 9.15. 1 Sam. 15 17. Exod. 18.25 but onelyonly politicall heads to keepe peace, and to ſee that every perſon, within their compaſſe, doe his duty religiouſly. Thus the husband is the wives head; the honorable man the head; Saul, the head of the Tribes; and Moſes choſe men of courage, and made them heads over the people.
But (ſay they) our King is our head, ſo as to rule in matters of religion. This is true: yet (fourthly) co…ſider that this headſhip of the King doth not hinder …ut helpe the advancement of Chriſts headſhip, and that according to the word of Chriſt. To cleare this, follow mee in two particulars.
1 That God hath given a power of governement to the Church for the well ordering of it ſelfe.
2 That Chriſt hath made Kings prime officers to advance it in their places.
1 The Church hath a power to governe it ſelfe under Chriſt. Mat. 22.23. Exod. 2.14As a man cannot well be without cloathes & good nourture: ſo neither can the Church well be without the walles of government. She muſt alſo bee able to hold up her head againſt her enemies that ſhall ſay, by what authority doſt thou theſe things, and who made thee a man of authority? Therefore hath Chriſt given the particular, or generall rules of the word, to give a commiſſion to the Church to governe it ſelfe both in matters of ſubſtance, and in matters of circumſtance. In matters of ſubſtance it hath power to governe it ſelfe, by ordering concerning the Word, Acts 2.41.42.Sacraments and Prayer, ſo as to make them moſt comfortable: concerning Church Offices from time to time,Acts 14.23. Tit. 1.5. Iam. 5.14.6.8. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. Gal 6.6. 2 Theſ. 3.6. 1 Cor. 11.20. and duties of charity: concerning the Churches cenſures, publike aſſemblies, and overſight that all theſe bee done to the honour of Chriſt, and advancement of religion. In matters of Circumſtances, it hath power to ordaine ſome outward rites and ceremonies for the outward carriage of Gods worſhip. In the Church of Antioch there was a queſtion aabout Circumciſion (an uſeleſſe, becauſe dying ceremony then.) The Apoſtles, Acts 15 1. 2Elders, and brethren at Ieruſalem (by their conſent and to encourage them in grace) conſulted about it, and delivered their judgement as a rule for the Church to follow.Ver. 10.24 28 They diſanulled the ceremony of Circumciſion in thoſe Churches troubled: and eſtabliſh others for a time,verſe 29. as abstaining from meate offered to Idoles and bloud: which yet in themſelves were but things indifferent. For meate commendeth us not to God: 1 Cor. 8.8.for neither if we eate, are we the better; neither if we eate not, are wee the worſe. Againe in the Church of Corinth, there was a cuſtome which grew to a publicke order in the Church, of covering and uncovering, 1 Cor 11▪ 4.5, &c.to ſignifie the headſhip and ſoveraignty of the man, and the ſubjection of the woman. This was countenanced by the Apoſtle for the peace of the Church,ver. 33 34 and other otders eſtabliſhed. Yea when he purpoſely treateth of acts of ordinary and extraordinary worſhip, hee gives them rules for the government and outward carriage of them,1 Cor. 14.26.46. let all things bee done to edyfyng, and let all things be done decently and in order. Thus in matters of ſubſtance hath Chriſt made his Church able to governe it ſelfe by particular rules, and in matters of circumſtance by generall rules of edification, order, and decency.
2 Kings are prime officers to advance government in Churches. Mat. 28. Mat. 16. Mat… 6 Rom. …2.8 1 Cor, 11.28. Rom. 13.5Secondly, he hath alſo made Kings prime officers to advance this governement in their places. That hee hath made them Church-officers muſt be thus taken up. Not ſtrictly, as Miniſters, who have the higheſt hand under Chriſt in the Word, Sacraments, and keyes of cenſures Eccleſiaſticall▪ but largely, as thoſe that are to care for good order about them. The offices of ruling and governing which Paul ſpeakes of, cannot be proved not to belong to them. They are Miniſters for our good: and our good is not chiefely civil (I hope) but ſpirituall. The Apoſtle would have us pray for them, that we may not onelyonly live in civill honeſty, but in Godlineſſe, to bee countenanced, and eſtabliſhed by them?1 Tim. 2.2. Surely being members of Church, they cannot but be chiefe ones too, as being Chriſts Lieftenants, who according to his promiſe are to bee nurſing fathers, Eſa. 49.23and their queenes nurcing mothers, who have their authority, breaſts and duggs to reach the neede of all under them, to cheriſh and feede the Church of Chriſt according to his rules. It is true, they are ſervants to the Church,Object. and all good Kings doe ſo acknowledge themſelves:Sol. but not to be equals, or ſubjects to the members of the Church; but to make their prime authority ſerviceable to the advancement of the Goſpel for the ſalvation of Chriſts people. Hence is it that God hath given them a ſword, Rom. …3.that when they overſee the waies of the Church within their reach, they may maintaine the rights of it, and by a coactive and coercive power ſuppreſſe the oppoſites: for without this they cannot be the miniſters of God for our good.
But (ſay the Browniſts) wherein ſtands this office of Kings in the Church,Object. and over the members of it? I anſwer,Sol. firſt, in calling of aſſemblies both civill and ſacred.Num. 10.1, 2. Ioſh 24.… ▪ 18. 1 Chro. 15. 2 Chro. 15.14. 2 Chro. 22.3. 2 Chro 20 2 Chro. 34 29 30 1 King. 15 12, 14, 14. 2 King. 23.2, 3. 2 Chro. 29.3, 4, 5. 2 Chro. … ▪ 14, …5 The two ſilver Trumpets wer given to Moſes the magiſtrate: and leaſt we ſhould looke upon him as ſome extraordinary perſon, we ſee that right maintained by Ioſhua, David, Solomon, Iehoſhaphat, Hezekiah, and Ioſiah. Secondly, in aboliſhing falſe worſhip, and eſtabliſhing true, as we ſee in Aſa, Ioſiah, Hezikiah. Thirdly, in looking to the miniſtry, both that it bee ſound and good (as Solomon, who thereupon depoſed Abiathar, and put Sadock in his roome, as hee performed other acts of juſtice by royall authority, and Iehoſaphat who ſent his princes to ſee that the Prieſts and Levites did teach the law of God in their cities:) and that the miniſtery bee maintained according to the honours that God hath beſtowed upon them,2 Chro. 29 4, & 31.4.16, 17. 2 Chro. 35 2. as Solomon, Hezekiah, Ioſiah, and Nehemiah. Fourthly, in cauſing the people to ſerve the Lord, as Hezekiah, Neh. 13.11.12. 2 Chro. 30 2 Chro. 34 2 Chro. 15and compelling all that were round in Iſrael (formerly profeſſing Gods religion) to ſeeke the Lord as Ioſiah and Aſa: Their people were in the houſe of God committed to their charge, and they will ſee them to live according to the order ſet by God. Laſtly, 2 Chro. 19 18.in appointing conſiſtories for the well ordering of the people; as Iehoſhaphat, who ſet over the Levites and Prieſts, and chiefe of the families of Iſrael, for the judgement and cauſe of the Lord at Ieruſalem.
Object.All this is true (ſay they) of the Jewiſh kings, who were types of Chriſt: but wee reade of no ſuch officers in the new teſtament.Sol. Theſe men are liberall in making types of Chriſts kingdome; but I wonder whence they will prove it, what word of Chriſt will they bring for it? It is true, that in ſome things, ſome of the kings of Iudah were types of Chriſt (as Salomon in his name and building the the temple, and David in his troubles, and victories, and as hee was a king, and a prophet): but that all the kings of Iudah were types in their governements over the church and ſtate, even Saul himſelfe, when God made him head of the tribes, cannot bee proved for Gods truth.1 Sam. 15.17. And whereas they talke of no ſuch officers in the new teſtament. Say it bee ſo: there were no chriſtian Magiſtrates while thoſe ſcriptures were in writing: and Chriſt knew them to be ſufficiently inſtructed in the old. This is a ſure rule, that what is warranted in the old teſtament, and not contradicted in the old or new, may (as the warrant goes, either by precept for things neceſſary, or paterne for things lawfull) goe for currant ſtill. But ſeeing the new teſtament ſaith, that wee muſt pray for kings, that by their authority wee may live in godlineſſe, 1 Tim. 2.2.as by thoſe that are over us for our good, ſpirituall and temporall, ſurely,3. Rom 13.5. they have warrant enough to uſe their power, over all their people to advance godlineſſe, and the good of religion as well as juſtice.
But (ſay they) it is for Chriſt,Obiect. not for kings, to appoint orders about his worſhip. This is true for ſubſtantiall orders;Sol. for theſe thas are in the will of Chriſt may not be altered: but for matters of circumſtance, which concerne time, place, and outward forme, not determined, kings are bound, as ſupreame members of the church, over which they are, to uſe chriſtian conſiſtories to order them, ſo as may agree to the condition of his church, as well as the maſter of a family may command his ſteward to order his whole family, that the private worſhip in his family be not diſhonoured. This ads both to the glory and ſtrength of a church: to the glory of it, when kings are nourcing fathers; and to the ſtrength of it, when the power of a king is the churches, for the ſuppreſſing of vice, and maintenance of vertue.
Obiect. Sol.But then (ſay they) they may enjoine their owne inventions in ſtead of Gods will. I anſwer, that the inventions of men are of two ſorts: of things contrary to the word of Chriſt, as worſhipping of images, invocation of ſaints, forbidding marriage and meats, as theſe things which directly pollute perſons, or times, or the like. Theſe are impious: and it theſe are enjoined, chriſtians muſt patiently ſuffer, and lovingly mourne, till in the day of Judgment God fanne away the chaffe. But there are others, which in their owne nature are indifferent, neither commanded nor forbidden by God; and of which Chriſt ſaith, hee that is not againſt us, is with us. Mar. 9.40In theſe the chriſtian magiſtrate hath a power for order, and uniformity. For if Godly perſons may bring up cuſtomes in the times of Gods worſhip,Heſt. 9. 1 Cor. 11. as the Jewes did their Purim: and if Chriſtians may order what garments women may weare when they come to church (which Paul after allowed) why▪ may not the chriſtian magiſtrate for the peace of his whole body?
Object.But then (ſay they) this makes things arbitrary, and indifferent to become neceſſary.Sol. This is true: but you muſt conceive that a thing may bee ſaid to bee neceſſary two waies; neceſſary in it ſelfe, and neceſſary in the outward ſubmiſsion to the uſe of it. In it ſelfe, a thing indifferent cannot bee made neceſſary. It is alwaies as it is by nature, and conſcience informed muſt ſo judge it, yet in the outward uſe, for the peace of the Church, it may upon command, become neceſſary. After the death of Chriſt, till the deſtruction of the temple,Acts 15.28. Acts 16.3. Acts 21.81 22, 23, 24▪ 25. abſtaining from things ſtrangled, and bloud, circumciſion, legall vowes, and purifyings were indifferent in themſelves, (for elſe the Apoſtles would not have uſed them ſo): yet for the peace of ſome churches they were judged neceſſary to be yeelded in love; and ſo may it bee in other things: yet the indifferent nature of things is not taken away, but the neceſſary uſe preſcribed, for the peace of the church, upon better grounds then that wee ſhould ſuffer our ſelves to be unſetled from royall power.
But againe (ſay they) then kings may require ſuch things as ſwarve from ſome holy patternes wee have in the ſcriptures;Obiect. and ſo by granting this governement, wee ſhall bee ill to helpe, I ſay, howſoever they uſe it, wee muſt grant what God hath given,Sol. as they are all the keepers of both the tables. Deut. 17.If they uſe it well, thou muſt obey in the Lord If ill, thy prayers and teares muſt be thy weapons, and thy body muſt ſuffer his penalties, and it is praiſe worthy for thee to ſuffer, not in a ſuppoſed good cauſe, but in a good cauſe without controverſie (which is not the caſe of ſufferers in theſe dayes of peace and the Goſpel ſo farre as I know) but for in…oynements, ſwar…ing from patternes.Exod. 12. I finde this in ſcriptures, that Godly men have ſwarved from patternes, not ſeconded by a perpetuall law, which might ſeeme to bind ſtron…ly. The Jewes ſate at the paſſover in Chriſts t…me (or rather lay leaning) though the firſt geſture was standing or walking:Mat. 26. and godly men and women communicate in the morning, and in a Church, though the firſt patterne was otherwiſe:Ioſh 5.5.6 7.9. Math. 12.3 5. 2 Chro. 7.7. 1 King. 8.64. 2 Chro. 30 2, 3, 17.18▪ &c. Object. Sol. Object. Pro. 2.20. Sol. yea th…s is plaine, that Gods ceremonies might in ſome caſes be diſpenſed withall without ſinne, much more may men bee unloſed from patternes which are not the examples of a law binding ſo.
I know it will be ſaid that the examples of Gods people (commended by the holy Ghoſt) are every whit of as great …orce as a command. It is true, if they be examples of a rule: otherwiſe they ſhew things lawfull, but not things neceſſary. Solomon indeede ſayes, walke in the way of good men, and keepe the waies of the righteous. But good men, and righteous men are ſo with reſpect to Gods law after which they walke; otherwiſe they are not ſo, though b…ng ſo good, they may give a patterne of that which is lawfull, but not neceſſary.
My concluſion is this, that the Chur…h hath power to governe it ſe…; by particular lawes in matters of ſubſtance, and by g… neral in the outward carriage of order, comlineſſe, and edification. And when a king, as head of governement under Chriſt, puts in …his authority and power for ſeeing things carried within the churches of his kingdome according to theſe rules, hee is a prime officer under Chriſt by Chriſts owne promiſe, and appointment, whatſoever Browniſts can ſay againſt it. If they wil ſtil ſtand againſt it (for few of them are found ſo humble as to ſearch, and yeeld) they cannot but know this, that in breaking the lawes of men that are not againſt Chriſt, Mar. 9.40. Rom 13.5.they ſinne againſt conſcience. And as magiſtrates are incouraged to bee great helps to religion by obedience, ſo, by the contrary, they are provoked to trouble. This therefore is a ſure rule, that a Chriſtian that will not ſtudy to be quiet, in reſpect of the laws of men, what poſſible he can, is a ſingular burthen to the Church in which he lives.