An Answer to Two Treatises of John Can, Chapter 1 · Section 1
SEC. I.
TO Communicate in a falſe Miniſterie, CAN. Neceſ. of Separat ca. 1. S. 3 pag. 26, 27. The Church acts of Antichriſtian Miniſters, are Idolatious. Id. Stay. ſect. 1. pag. 5. & ſ. 4. p. 28. Id. Stay. Anſw ſ. 5 pag. 66. Mat. 24.5.24. Hoſ. 4 17. See Jun. on the the place. See Stay againſt ſtraying ſ. 13. p. 124. 125. Iere. 23.6. Prov. 5.3. Mat. 7.15. Ioh 104, 5. Phil. 3 2. See Stay againſt, Sect. 12. pag. 116, 117, 118, 119. & ſ …. p. 112, 113 Ioh 4.23. Rom. 12.12. Numb. 16. Iſal. 50.18. 1 Tim. 5.22. … againſt Stray. ſect 6 pag. 81.82. & ſect. 13. pag. 89. Matth. 28.19, 20. Luk. 10.16. … The… 2.2, 3, 4. Revel. 13 & 14 9 12. & 18.4.is certainly a breach of the Second Commandement; For what doe they, but indeed ſet up an Idoll, yea and bow downe unto it, who ſerve God in, and by a deviſed and uſurped Ministery. In Song 1.7, 8. The faithfull entreat Christ to be ſhewed where he by his Miniſtery, with his Spirit, Word, Seales, Cenſures, &c. feedeth his Flock, that there they might place themſelves for Inſtruction and Government, and not turn aſide to the flocks of his companions, that is, the congregations of falſe Christs, and falſe Prophets, which came in his Name, ſaying, I am Chriſt, and deceive many. Againe, Ephraim is joyned to Idolls; What were they? among others, they were Prieſts which Jeroboam ordained for the high Places: What follows? let him alone, that is, have no communion with him, either in his falſe Miniſtery, or other Idolatry. Often doe the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, forbid men to heare thoſe, which thruſt themſelves into miniſteriall offices, not being ſent of God, and from the Church. To communicate in a falſe miniſterie, is to doe a vaine worſhip; and therefore unacceptable altogether unto the Lord. In this men doe abet the party in his ſin, and ſo make it their owne by imputation, and inwrap themſelves in the ſame guilt with the offender. God hath promiſed no bleſſing to his Word, but in his own Ordinance, though I confeſſe he may, yea, and doth grant oft times that, through his infinite Godneſſe, which no man can challenge by an ordinary promiſe. To doe otherwiſe, is to rebell grievouſly against the Lord, and to uphold, what in us lyeth, that which the Lord will conſume: therefore, as no good Subject ſhould aſſiſt or communicate with any perſon in the adminiſtration of civill juſtice to the Kings Subjects (no although he administer the ſame never ſo legally, juſtly, impartially) except the ſame perſon had a commiſſion from the King ſo to doe: ſo neither ought the Subjects of Chriſts Kingdome, A dumb M… ſter…e being unlawfull and falſe is to be ſeparated from, their Miniſters for the greateſt part, are dumb Miniſters C… Neceſſ. of Separ. pag. 42.to partake with any perſon whatſoever in the dispenſation of any Spirituall ordinance (though in it ſelfe never ſo holy) without ſufficient warrant and commiſſion from the moſt abſolute and Soveraigne King of his Church, Chriſt Jeſus. Such as have spirituall communion in a falſe Miniſtery, doe embrace the boſome of a ſtranger, and ſo commit ſpirituall whoredome against the Lord. Chriſt ſetteth it downe as a propertie of his ſheep to be obſerved, that they follow not ſtrangers, but flie from them, for that they know not their voice.
ANSWER.
THis Reaſon is grounded upon the complaint which Nonconformiſts make of ſome great abuſes in the Miniſtery: but in them it is not to be underſtood of all Miniſters, Where are the words, or what be they, that condemne all the Miniſters for ſome? that ſay all Miniſters are unlawfully admitted, for ſome? or that there is none good, becauſe ſome are bad? If there be no words, that carry with them any ſuch ſenſe, then you do wrong to your brethren. The Lord bleſſe and encreaſe an hundred fold the godly, wiſe, learned, grave Miniſters of this Church. T. C. repl. 1. pag. 25. And ſo others in their complaints, are to be underſtood. Nolo autem … quis exiſtimet per ea, quae eccleſiaſticorum permiſſa ſunt, me omnes prorſus eccleſiaſticos, nullo excepto, compreh…ndere velle. Nic. Clem. Specul. Eccleſ.nor to inferre a nullitie of the Miniſtery. It is nor to be underſtood of all Miniſters, for amongſt them there be many learned, wiſe, godly and painfull, as the truth is, and they acknowledge, duly called and approved, whoſe Miniſterie God hath ſealed, and bleſſed. It doth not inferre, a nullitie of the Miniſterie of others: for even the idle, unlearned, ſcandalous, being in the roome of Miniſters, are Miniſters to others, though not to themſelves, and their Miniſtery, ſo long as they Miniſter the things of God, is effectuall to the people of God. If then your meaning be, that the whole Miniſtery of the Church of England is falſe, impure, unlawfull, according to the principles, and complaints of the Nonconformiſts, it is notorious: If that the Miniſterie of the Church of England in generall is a nullitie, by reaſon of ſome maims and defects found therein, which they deſire might be redreſſed, in that alſo you doe them apparant wrong.
In the Propoſition, as it is ſet down, that we may underſtand the ſenſe thereof, two things are to be conſidered. 1. What is meant by a falſe Miniſterie. 2. What it is to communicate in a falſe Miniſterie.
In plaine and diſtinct dealing, a falſe Miniſtery is not to be confounded with a maymed, defective, or impure Miniſtery, for as the Goſpel may be preached truly when it is taught impurely, ſo may the Miniſtery be true for ſubſtance, when it is impure in ſome reſpects. But ſeeing in your language, every unlearned, ſcandalous, negligent Miniſter, is a falſe Miniſter, and the Miniſterie which he executeth, is a falſe Miniſtery; therefore to omit further conteſtation about the word, It muſt be noted, That a falſe Miniſtery is twofold. 1. Abſolute, viz. ſuch as is no wayes appointed of God, in reſpect of the ſubſtance of the office, whereunto he is ſet apart, as if a Miniſter be called to preach pernicious and damnable doctrine, or to offer Sacrifice propitiatory for quick and dead, and this Miniſtery is a meere nullitie. 2 Comparative, or in ſome reſpect, as that which is maymed in the qualities, or care of the party choſen; or deſigned, as if a man unlearned, ſcandalous, idle be choſen; if he feed not the flock, or teach without power and authoritie. And this Miniſtery is defective, but of force and efficacy to the people of God: for ſubſtance, it is of God, for the good of his flock, and what is done in the adminiſtration is done by the authoritie of God, but the perſons themſelves, if in no meaſure qualified, are not allowed and approved of God.
The ſecond phraſe, To communicate in the falſe Miniſtery, may import two things. Firſt, to communicate in the ſinnes of the Miniſtery, Iniqua lex eſt quae ſe exammari non patuur. Tert. in A…ol. Non tam vi cogere homines ad obſequium, quam ratione perſuadere debenteae leges, quae ſcribuntur a pio nomotheta. Dan polit. Chriſt. lib. 5. cap. 3. Courſe of confor. pag. 149. Gratian. Decr. 1. diſt. 12. cap. 1. Bilſon Chriſt. Subject. par. 2. p. 353. 354. Quomodo vero diſcedimus ab impi…s hominibus? Morum diſſimilitudine. Si ab ipſis corpore divelli poſſumus, & nos ad meliores conferre, onmino debemus: ſed ſaep… fit, ut velis nolis, in medio imp…orum…e ve…ſari oporteat: caveas igilur ab eorum stud…is & operibus, ut Deus tecum loquatur. Lavat. in Eack. cap. 3. Hom. 11.and this is altogether unlawfull. For Gods people, when the matter commeth to their practice, muſt have the judgement of diſcretion (and further they crave not) the judgement, I ſay, of diſcretion to try the Spirits, whether they be of God or not. And in caſe the Church, whether of ignorance or contention, or a man-pleaſing humour, determine in doctrine againſt the Word, or in ceremonie againſt the generall Rules, their duty is to obey God, rather than man. But the ſinnes of the Miniſter, or other part of the Congregation, ſhall not be imputed to him, who doth only communicate in the ordinances of worſhip. 2 To communicate in a falſe Miniſterie, may import, to communicate in the ordinances of worſhip with them, whoſe calling is not in every reſpect approved of God: and this is lawfull.
If then the ſenſe of this reaſon be, That our Miniſterie is abſolutely falſe, or a meere nullitie, it cannot be made good by Scripture grounds, or Non-conformiſts principles, but the contrary is moſt evident. And he that ſhall undertake to prove ſuch a deſperate Propoſition, muſt grant that there was neither Church or Sacrament, nor Miniſterie in the world for many hundred yeers paſt, if he finde not juſt cauſe to queſtion his owne Chriſtendome. But if the meaning be, that it is not lawfull to communicate in the worſhip of God, with Miniſters not fitly qualified, diſorderly called, or careleſly executing their office and function, then it is directly croſſe to the Word of truth, ſound reaſon, and conſent of all the learned.
If you demand, as you doe of your Piſtoler, Where I pray you, doe you read in the Scriptures of two kinds of Antichriſtian churches? ſpeak out man: ſhew us the place, the chapte… and the verſe: ingenuous dealing requires it. Stay, ſect. 3. pag 20. Iſa. 56 10 11.12. Jer. 8 8.9, 10.11 M…c 3.11. Mal. 2.8. Ezek 44.7, 8, 9, 10. See Iun. annot in loc. L water ibid. M.c. 3.11. Jerem. 5.31. 1 Sam. 2.12, 15, 16, 17, 25. 1 Sam. 1.1, 2, 3 I…h. 2 16. See Conſtant. Emperor Com…in Miſnwhere wee read in Scripture of theſe two kinds of falſe Miniſters, and communicating with either in the ordinances of worſhip, we will ſhew you the place, the chapter and the verſe.
When the Prieſts were dumb dogs, that could not bark, and greedy dogs, that could never have enough, was their Miniſterie true or falſe, were they qualified, as becomes the Miniſters of the Lord of hoaſts or no? The ſtrangers and uncircumciſed, which were ſet to take the charge of the Lords Sanctuary; were they true Miniſters, or falſe? When the Prieſts taught for hire, and the Prophets propheſied for money; when the …rophets propheſied lies, and the Prieſts bare rule by their means; Was their Miniſtery true or falſe? Were the Sonnes of Eli true or falſe Miniſters? qualifyed as becommeth the ſervants of God, they were not, but the function which they executed, was of God. When the Prieſts bought and ſold Doves in the Temple, or took upon them to provide Doves, or ſuch like things for them that were to offer, was their Miniſterie, true or falſe? Did they that whereunto they were appointed of God or noe? Matth 5.20.21 22. &c. Matth. 15.3, 4, 5. Matth. 23.13.15.When the Scribes and Phariſees corrupted the Law by falſe gloſſes, taught for doctrines mens precepts, made the Commandement of God of none effect by their traditions, ſhut up the Kingdome of heaven before men, neither going in themſelves, nor ſuffering them that would, making thoſe of their profeſſion twofold more the children of hell than themſelves: When they taught Juſtification by works, and perfect obedience to the whole law, and denied in Chriſt, both the Perſon and office of the Meſſiah, blaſpheming him in his doctrine, as a deceiver of the people; Matth. 12.24. Luk 7 30. Joh. 7.32. Matth. 21.45, 36.in his life, as a glutton and wine-drinker; in his glorious miracles, as one that wrought them by the Devill; and when they hated to be reformed, was their Miniſterie true or falſe? were they called of God, or did they thruſt in themſelves before they were ſent? If their Miniſterie was true, then an ignorant, Idoll, profane, idle Miniſterie, which deſpiſeth knowledge, oppoſeth Godlineſſe, prophaneth the holy things of God, corrupteth the Law, polluteth the worſhip, ſtrengtheneth the hands of the wicked, and leadeth the blinde out of the way, may be a true and lawfull Miniſterie of God.
It is beſides the marke here to anſwer, that the Scribes and Phariſees did neither minister to any but the Lords people, nor in an unlawful place, nor by an unlawful entrance: For the Queſtion now is of their Miniſterie, & the qualification of their perſons to the office, which they took upon them, Whether ſuch a Miniſterie as theirs was to be approved of God, and ſuch Perſons to be choſen, or continued in their ſtanding. For be their outward calling what it will, and the people to whom they adminiſter, as they may; if the Miniſterie be not of God, if the perſons be not qualified as God requireth, if they execute not their office for God, according to his will revealed, and the good of his people, but againſt God; according to their owne corrupt immaginations, and to the griefe of the godly, their ſtanding in that place and roome, without queſtion, is not of Gods approbation, nor their calling lawfull. It might be added, Num 8 9, 10. L…. 8.3.that though the tribe of Levi onelyonly was uſed to the Miniſterie, yet all that tribe was not applyed that wayes, nor thoſe at all adventure, but by choice, according to their abilities. And therefore, if the Phariſees were not fitted in ſome meaſure for their office, the choice was not by approbation from God, nor their entrance lawfull.
If then their Miniſterie was falſe, either it was unlawfull to communicate with them in the ordinances of worſhip, Matth. 8.4. Luk. 17.14. Io. 18.20. Luk. 22.53.which is directly croſſe to Scripture, the examples of the Prophets, our Saviour, his Apoſtles, and all the faithfull; or to communicate with, or in a falſe Miniſterie, is not a breach of the ſecond Commandement.
They that preached Chriſt of envie, Phil. 1.15. St Paul. to the Philip. is glad that the Goſpel is preached although it be not purely, but he would never have been glad, if it ſhould have been preached falſly, or not truly, &c. the want of a good calling, may give occaſion to ſay, that the Word of God is not ſincerely taught, becauſe there is not a lawfull & ordinary calling: l. C. repl. 1 pag. 28.to adde affliction to Pauls bands, were they true Miniſters or falſe? What ſoever you will ſay, to heare them preach Chriſt, was no breach of the ſecond Commandement. If in ſome reſpects they were true and falſe both, then the Miniſterie is not abſolutely falſe, which in ſome conſiderations is not pure, as it ought, and is to be deſired; then the Miniſterie may be true in one reſpect, and falſe in another; then alſo it is no ſinne to communicate with, or in a falſe Miniſterie, ſo far, to wit, as it hath truth, and doth carry the ſtampe of God, ſo farre as the faithfull are allowed to deſire, and they have authoritie (though not approbation) from God, to diſpence his ordinances.
An ignorant Miniſter is an Idoll, having eyes when he ſeeth not, and ſo is a ſcandalous idle Miniſter, yea an Hypocrite, and hollow-hearted Miniſter, having only the outſide of a Miniſter, but wanting the life and ſoule, the approbation and allowance of God. But the faithfull doe neither bow downe unto an Jdoll, nor ſet up an Idoll to themſelves, who ſeeke and deſire the ordinances of grace from their hands, unto whom God in his Providence hath committed the diſpenſation of holy things, for the good of his people, though not for the profit of themſelves. Who is blinde, but my ſervant? to wit, Jſrael, which ſhould have moſt light, becauſe of my law: or deafe as my Meſſenger that I ſent? The Prieſts and Levites whom I ſent to teach the people. The Idoll Shepheard, the Lord calleth his Shepheard, Iſa 42.19, 20. Sept. foreign. See J…n… annot. in loc: P…ſc. ſchol. ibid. Zach. 11.17. Tarnov: in loc. Rutgerſ: …: Metaph. ca…de B…n…t: pag. 175.not becauſe he doth the will of the Lord, but he is ſent of God to the people, who by juſt means doth revenge the impietie of men. He entereth ſinfully, that is never ſo well able to teach, if either he live profanely, or teach corruptly, or be altogether remiſſe in his office; when yet to heare him once being in office, and well gifted, was never deemed an humane invention. Somtimes it doth ſo fall out, that to avoide ſome great hurt or danger, or for ſome other end, ſome things may lawfully and ordinarily be intended, which without ſuch peculiar circumſtances, whereby evill is ſeparated from them, would be unlawfull. And though it be unlawfull to chooſe ſuch a Miniſter, or to have private familiar ſocietie with ſuch a ſcandalous perſon, yet it is lawfull to joyne in the ordinances of grace, becauſe God hath called us thereunto, and ſo ordained.
An ignorant or ſcandalous Miniſter is given in judgement, So Tyrants reigne by Gods Providence, but not by his approbation. Hoſ. 8.4. Tert. apol cap. 30. & ad Scapul. cap: 5. Orig. in lab. Ind. hom. 4 Cyp. epiſt 55. & 68. Hoſ 13.11. See Deodat. annot. Itali ia loc. Origen Hom 4, in Iud. Aug. contr. epiſt. Parm. lib. 2. cap. 4. Chryſoſt. Hom. poſt. in Hebr. Steut ergo …lum pia crant ſacrifica ſecund. legem, quimvis ab impus ſacerdoribus celeb ata, Ier. 3.14. Si pia res eſt imperium, quamvis ab impio teneatur. Grot. de jure belli & pacit. l. 1. ca. 2. Gratia… decret. par. 3 de conſec. d…ſt. 4. cap. 25.26, 27. 39. Hoſ. 4.5, 6 T. Crepi. 3. pag. 13. Admonit. pag 47. CAN. ne eſſit. of Sepa…a…. pag. 41. Z…ch in Hoſ 4.6. Rivet. in Hoſ. 4.6. Etſi ab hommib es non repellantur, ne ſacerdotis extrinſe us in Eccleſia ſungantur.but ſo, as God remembreth mercy for his, which he will reach forth by them. If God ſet Tyrants over a people in wrath, may not the Righteous ſeek protection under them, or receive right by their government. God takes no pleaſure in an ungodly Miniſter, but he is pleaſed to place them here and there, that the children of bleſſing might receive by their Miniſterie, what the Lord hath promiſed, and knoweth to be expedient for them. The Church-acts of ungodly Miniſters, are to themſelves unprofitable, and in them ſinfull, abominable, but to the Congregation, they may be profitable, effectuall, acceptable, as they are done for them, not without ſome calling, by Providence of God, and authoritie from God.
The Paſtors according to Gods owne heart, whom he gives, of his matrimoniall love, and ſpeciall favour, are furniſhed with the gifts of knowledge and holineſſe: but others are called of God, not without his over-ruling ſtroke in that which is done by men. The Lord threatens to reject them, who despiſe knowledge, that they ſhall be no Prieſts unto him: But this threatning is not a preſent degradation, or turning them out of office, diſinabling them in that they could doe, and making all their acts void, but a menace of future evill in Gods time, for that they ought to have done, but did not. And even from this cōmination it will follow, That if Miniſters who deſpiſe knowledge and underſtanding, be permitted, by ſuch as have power to caſt them out, but doe not; they retaine their power and authoritie ſtill, for the good of the faithfull, untill God be pleaſed to caſt them off, and turne them out of office, though their function be not pleaſing unto God.
Ephraim (ſaith the Prophet) is joyned to Idols; that is, Hoſ. 4.17. Sept. foreign. …un. Conjunctus…, id est, tra…fuget a Deo vero ad falſos: River. foreign adhaerens, affixus eſt Idolis, conjunctus aut alligatus eſt. Sept. foreign. lun. ſine illum, …. c. ti… o Ichuda … cum illo … ne cito, Riv. 1. nihi t…ke cum illo comu… ne…ta. Tarnov. Nihil quiequam tibi cum … ſit commer. j. Ab… Ne argu… eu… quiſpiam. Hoſ. 4.15. Sept. foreign. Al. foreign. Aqui. foreign, Sym. foreign. Hoca. Aq. & Sym. Interpretati ſunt foreign. i. e. domum inutilem, ut Hier. abſerva. Com. in Hoſ. ca. 4. ac ipſe tis aſſentiens, adjungit Bethel appellatam eſſe Bethaven, i. e. domum inutilem, ut quae nihil proſi…, ſive domum Idol, ob vitulos in ea poſitos. Rainold. de Idolat. lib. 2. ca. 4. §. 5. Ier. 13.1. Song. 1.7.8. The word may be read, as one that covereth her ſelf as an harlot. Gen. 38.14, 15. M…er. or in Cant. 1.7. Or as one that covereth her ſelf in mournin… …v. 13.4, 5. Mic. 3.7. Bright in Lo…. Sept. foreign Sym. foreign.hath left the true God, and followeth falſe Gods, or Idols; he is glued, and ſticketh faſt unto them, that he will not be pulled away: Let him alone, that is, Have no fellowſhip or communion with him in his Idolatrie. But that which is truly alledged againſt communion with Idolaters in their Idolatry, or falſe worſhip, is unjuſtly wreſted againſt communion with a true Chriſtian Church, in the holy things of God. The faithfull muſt not enter into Gilgal, nor goe up to Bethaven, though the Prieſts that there ſacrificed, were of the Tribe of Levi, becauſe Idolatry was there committed, the Office or Service there performed, was directly contrary to Gods Commandement. But they were bound to goe up to Ieruſalem, though the Prieſts there Miniſtering had entred unlawfully, and executed their Offices corruptly: becauſe God had appointed they ſhould appeare before him in that place, and the Service there tendred was of the Lord, and by his appointment, though the Prieſts were ignorant, proud, profane, covetous, or the like.
The Faithfull entreate Chriſt, To ſhew them where he feedeth his flock; that they might not turne aſide (if the words will beare that interpretation) to the flocks of his companions, that is, the Congregations of falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets. That which you adde, by his Ministerie with his Spirit, Word, Seales, and Cenſures: And that there they might place themſelves for instruction and government, is not found in the Text, and may be received or refuſed, as it is underſtood. If your meaning be, that Chriſt by theſe means doth feed or rule his Flock, it will eaſily be granted. If it be this, That no Chriſtian may lawfully ſit downe in any congregation, where any one of theſe is wanting, or not executed in all points as it ought; you ſpeak of your ſelfe, and not by the warrant of Gods Word. For where Chriſt doth feed his flock, there may the Saints of God communicate, in the ordinances of Grace and Religion, though ſome be wanting, or not ſo purely performed in all points as they ought; though the Miniſter in ſome particular enter not as he ought, or be not qualified as the Word requireth.
It is one thing to ſacrifice at Bethel, Deut. 12.5. Ho. 4.15. …o. 4.4. & 5.5. 2 Cron 15.3. & 11 12, 14, 15, 16. & 13.9, 10.11, 12.which God hath ſtraitly forbidden, where is neither God, Prieſt nor Law; another to worſhip God according to his owne appointment, though the Miniſter be not ſuch as he ought. I wonder, if men doe not tremble thus to abuſe and miſalledge the holy Scripture.
Often doe the Prophets, Jere. 23.9. Matth 7.15.Chriſt, and his Apostles (you ſay) forbid men to heare thoſe which thruſt themſelves into miniſteriall offices, not being ſent of God, and from the Church. This laſt clauſe, And from the Church, is your gloſſe, but not found in the Texts of Scripture quoted by you. Perhaps you would cunningly inſinuate, That all Miniſters not called by the Church or particular Congregation, where they are to adminiſter, be falſe Prophets. But this is to begge what you ſhall never be able to prove, not to make proofe of that which is queſtioned. Bilſon. Christ. Subject. part … p. 367. The Lord when he ſaith, Beware of falſe Prophets, noteth there ſhall be Prophets by their calling, which ſhall be found falſe by their reaching, as S Peter alſo witneſſeth. Pet. 2.1, 2. diſtinguiſhed from Godly Teachers, not by office, but by doctrine. Ier. 21.14. v 26 Iere. 11.14, 15. v. 21. Iere 6 14 & 8.11. Ier. 23.25 v. 26. v. 32. Ezek. 13.2, 3.6, 7. 2 Pet. 2.1, 2.Moſt certaine it is, the Prophets, Chriſt and his Apoſtles doe all warne us to beware of falſe Prophets? But who are falſe Prophets? They who are not choſen, called and ordained by the communitie of the faithfull, where they are to Adminiſter? No; or they whoſe outward calling in the Church, is ſomewhat defective and diſordered, nay corrupt and ſinfull? Not ſo neither. But they are falſe Prophets, who walke with falſhood, and ſtrengthen the hands of the wicked, that they might not returne from their wickedneſſe, who ſpeak the viſion of their owne hearts, not from the mouth of the Lord. Who ſay to them that despiſe the Lord, yee ſhall have peace, who run when they were not ſent, and propheſied when God ſpake not unto them. Who propheſie falſe things in the Name of the Lord, the deceit of their heart, and thinke to make the people forget the Name of the Lord, and ſeduce the people with their lies: Who propheſie out of their owne hearts, and follow their owne spirit. The Apoſtle deſcribes them to be falſe Prophets, who bring in damnable doctrines, contrary to the doctrine of ſalvation, which we have received, and denying the Lord that bought them. But this cannot be applied to them, who preach the Truth of the Goſpel intirely, Of falſe B…e thren, ſee Gal. 2.4. 2 Cor. 11.26 With Hereticks and Apoſtates, be they Princes or p…ivate men, no Ch…iſtian Paſtor or people may Communicate. Bilſon Chriſt. Subj. part. 3 p. 78. Infidells be without the Church, of their owne accord, and Hereticks be put out. Idem. 79. Matth 7.15. Bevvare of falſe Prophets. Aſsentior Chryſoſtomo qui poshemam vo…em non de haereti is ſed de iit acripit qui vulge foreign no…lne dicebantur Tales autem eſ…è ut, qui corrup…am vitam specie vi … & larva …eg…. Lucas ni ſallor eoſdem a…t inn…es foreign, l…k 20.20. Herſ. re… ſa…. …. … ….diſpence the holy things of God, according as they have received authoritie from God, and labour to winne men from ſinne unto God, though in the entrance into their office, or in the execution thereof, there be ſomewhat erroneous, faulty and of men. Conſider then how looſely the Premiſes of the Scripture, and your concluſion hang together: Wee muſt not joyne our ſelves to Congregations or Aſſemblies that are without Chriſt, ſo the Scripture: We muſt forſake Churches, and Congregations of Chriſt: this is your concluſion. They muſt be forſaken that refuſe the Covenant, and worſhip ſtrange Gods, ſo the Scriptures: Wee muſt forſake them who have received the Covenant, and worſhip the true God in the mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe they obſerve it imperfectly, thus you muſt conclude, or you fay nothing to the purpoſe.
If Prophets in the Old Teſtament had an ordinary outward calling, the falſe Prophets might have a lawfull externall calling, as well as the true, and then God ſaith, He ſent them not, becauſe they preached the viſion of their own heart, lying and deceitfull words, to ſtrengthen the hands of the wicked, and not the words of Truth, to turne men from ſinne. They were not called of God, becauſe the work they went about, was not the Lords, but their owne. But this reacheth not to godly Miniſters, who preach the Faith of Chriſt intirely, and labour to draw men unto God; nor yet unto them, who in ſome ſort are called of God, according to his Will (but not in favour, or becauſe he is pleaſed with their Adminiſtration) to doe his worke, though they be neither qualified as hee requires, nor diſpence the holy things of God ſincerely and purely as they ought. When you tell us we muſt beware of falſe Prophets, you ſpeake the words of Scripture: but in your application of it to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and Congregations in England, you robbe and ſpoile the ſenſe of Scripture, which is not the leaſt degree of theft.
The Prieſts many times, were no better than the falſe Prophets: ut the people is never forbidden to communicate with the… in the ordinances of preſcribed Worſhip, though they muſt take heed to their ſoules, M…. 15.16. M…. 5.20.that they be not deceived by them. The Scribes and Phariſees were blinde guides, who did neither teach the way of life, nor walke therein, and yet our Saviour forbad not the faithfull to heare or communicate with them in the Worſhip of God. He charged his Diſciples to beware of their leaven, M…th. 16.12. & 23.16. Luk. 12.1. Amſw in Song. cap. 1. v. 6.and let them alone, becauſe they were blinde leaders of the blinde: but ſo long as they preached the truth, and woſhipped God aright, he never prohibited them to heare and communicate in the ordinances.
To beware of falſe Prophets then, is not evermore in body to ſeparate from them, A Deo …ocati itque conſtitutt ſunt, ut leg…n Moſes in Sy… gugis populo prae…gant, &c. Quale …unque … ſunt, … eſt recipl…a…, ſi ve…o … conſ…n a…, i… …lenda …. Piſe it. in Matth. 23.2, 3. Aug. in Ioh. … 46. … …cr… nolite aud…c, …olite faec…e. span…, que …. Viſin. de L… Baptarg. deſen. pag. 1691. P…. 5.3.7. Aug. cp. 2…. … vo…abub, … diſtern…t quotidiana, …, quodeſt inimicumnom ni Chriſti… conſ…cure. Ly… expounds this place of the falſe Church. T…nt. 2. p. 314. CAN S…y. §. 4. p. 61.but not to receive their doctrine, or hearken to the deviſes of their owne hearts. For of falſe prophets that teach corrupt things, and mangle the Word of life, ſome have ſtanding in the houſe of God, and doe performe the office of teachers, and diſpencers of holy myſteries, whoſe deviſes we muſt ſo reject, as that we depart not from the ordinances, nor caſt off that which is of God. Others ſet up a ſtrange worſhip, which is not of God, teach their owne dreames, and not the Truth of God, be ſet apart for reall idolatry, or have no ſtanding at all in the Church of God, and with theſe, we are not to communicate, becauſe theſe things are not of God, nor to be performed by any calling or authoritie from God whatſoever. But whiles you ſpeake of falſe Prophets without any diſtinction, you faine a new forme of ſpeech, and bring in a new doctrine.
Solomon exhorteth to attend unto wiſedome, and keep underſtanding, becauſe otherwiſe, he may be deceived by the lips of the a dulterous woman, which drop as the hony combe. But with what face or conſcience can this be applyed to them who preach the faith of Chriſt intirely, and adminiſter the ſeale of the Covenant for ſubſtance according to the pleaſure of the Inſtitutor? Or to them that be not rightly qualified, who yet are ſet apart to teach the truth, read the Scriptures, & diſpence the Sacraments in ſocieties, profeſſing the true faith, and doctrine of ſalvation? It will be ſaid, Falſe teachers are Adultereſſes. In ſome reſemblance and ſimilitude they may be ſo called, but Metaphoricall ſpeeches muſt not be over-retched. And who are thoſe falſe Teachers? Not every man who is not rightly qualified for the Miniſtery, enters diſorderly, Ainſw. in S…ng, c. 2.15. The taking of theſe Foxes, is the diſcovering and refuting of …eir errours, …e judging, cenſuring and c…ſting them out of the Church. 1 Tim. 1.3.18, 19, 20. or wording them, if th…, be none of the Church. 2 Ioh. 10. Qui … de… que improvat… atque dammat…, …coquc… poſti… eſt Rolioc. in 1 Theol. 5.21. C…fehill …re…t of one Croſſ…. pag. 25. Stay. againſt. Sect. 1. p. 2. Pl. pag. 22. Hen. Amſw. Firſt Anſvv. &c p. 26. Now ſeeing ſuch vveeds flouriſhed ſhortly after in the garden of th… Lord, is it not more Life for us (thinke you to keep that foundation of the Apoſtles and Prophets, on which Chriſts Church is builded, th…n to build upon the boggs ….executeth his office remiſſely: nor every one that now and then mingles his owne deviſes with the Truth of God. For any one, or all theſe may be found in him, who ſupplieth the place, and ſtandeth in the roome of a true Teacher, with whom the people of God may and ought to communicate, not in his ſin, but in the true Worſhip of God. Sufficient hath been ſaid of this matter before, from the example of the Prieſts, Scribes and Phariſees: To which this one thing may be added. That if all muſt goe for ſuch falſe Prophets, and Adultereſſes, with whom it is not lawfull to communicate, againſt whom any exception may be taken, in reſpect of entrance, execution, doctrine and adminiſtration, I feare there will ſcarce be found a Church or Miniſterie ſince the Apoſtles times, wherewith the Faithfull might lawfully hold Communion.
It is well knowne, many errours and ſuperſtitions crept into the Church, immediately after the Apoſtles death, and the Paſtors had their hands deep in the maintenance of them. What one ſaith of Chryſoſtome (as you cite him) may be ſaid of others before and after him. He was not without his faults, His golden mouth, wherein he paſſed others, ſometime had leaden words, which yeelded to the errour and abuſe of others. I am not ignorant, that in his daies many evill cuſtomes were crept into the Church, which in his workes he reproveth not. And ſo much the aforeſaid Author had expreſſed a little before; There is not any of them (ſaith hee) that the world doth moſt wonder at, but have had their affections, nor I thinke, that you (adverſaries to us and to the Truth) will in every reſpect admit, all that any one of the Fathers wrote. My ſelfe were able from the very firſt after the Apostles times, to run them over all, and ſtraitly examining their words and aſſertions finde imperfections in all: and thus farre the Authour.
What then, muſt the Faithfull diſclaime them all as falſe Prophets, and Adultereſſes, and ſhun all Communion and fellowſhip with them in the worſhip of God? If boyſterous zeal did not blinde mens eyes, I ſhould wonder, if you be not aſtoniſhed at your abuſe of Scripture in this matter: And when you cite Scripture allegorically in this manner, you may doe well to call to remembrance, what your ſelfe have noted out of Mr. CAN. Stay. §. 15. p. 135.Knewſtubs againſt the Hereſies of N. N. pag. 61. To uphold the hereſies of N. N. this is one speciall and principall practice, that the hiſtorie, and native ſenſe of the Word of God is altogether neglected of him, and in ſtead thereof, is entertained an allegoricall and bastardly conſtruction, fooliſh and fond distinctions, which thing utterly defaceth the certaintie of the ſacred Scripture, and maketh no other thing of it, than a noſe of waxe.
The Apoſtle giveth charge to beware of dogs. Phil 32. Deodat. Ital. Bible. That is, profane and impure; thus he calleth falſe Prophets, who taught that the righteouſneſſe and ſalvation of man did conſiſt in part in the works of the Law, and impoſed a neceſſi…e to obſerve the Moſaicall ceremonies. Act. 15.1. Zanch. in Ph. 3.2. Sect. de Ca…e…dis falſis Doctor. Bern. ſup. Cant. ſerm. 33. A rotten contagion creepeth at this day through the who… body of the Church the …, the de perater, the more inward, the more deadly, &c. Ye be called Paſtors, when indeed ye be ſpoilers, and would God the milke and fleece …d ſuffice you, ye thriſt for blood. The Arch Prieſt viſiteth his charge to fill his purſe, he betrayethen …ocent blood, he filleth murders, adultenes, inceſts, fornications, &c. Hok… in ſap. lib. lect. 1…2. The Prieſts or our age are like the Prieſts of Baal, they are wicked Angels: they reſemble the Prieſts of D…g…n, they are prieſts of Prinpus, and Angels of Heb. … 123. D…v … have been brought us againſt Clerkes, … Biſhops, th… … not their lives according to the …cred Ca…, which ſhould be a …at the …, ….But who are dogs? Falſe Teachers, who did barke againſt the doctrine of ſalvation by Chriſt, preſſed Circumciſion, as neceſſarie to ſalvation, were returned to their old vomite, and being formerly of Jews made Chriſtians, were fallen back to Judaiſme. And is there any Queſtion, but we muſt take heed of theſe, and all others of the ſame kinde? And this is that which Zanchy confirmeth, by many other Texts of Scripture, Viz. That not onelyonly the Teachers, but the Faithfull must learne to know and beware of ravening wolves, blinde guides, who bring not the doctrine of Christ, denie all the Articles of Faith, or ſome at leaſt ſpeake perverſe things, and draw Diſciples after them. But what is become of ſhame and honeſtie, when men apply this againſt them that preach Chriſt truely and intirely, and adminiſter the holy things of God purely, by authority received from God? Or againſt communicating with them in the Ordinances of God, who profeſſe the faith, are called to diſpence the ordinances of Religion, becauſe in ſome particular, their calling was not orderly, as it ought, or the perſons endued with gifts, as God requireth. Further anſwere may be taken out of that which hath been ſpoken, to the former paſſages, for one anſwer will fit them all.
To communicate in the true Worſhip of God, with Miniſters no better than ignorant, idle, proud, cruell, covetous and profane Prieſts, no better than Scribes and Phariſees, is neither a vaine worſhip, nor an abetting of the party in his ſinne, nor to rebell againſt the Lord, nor to commit spirituall whoredome, or to embrace the boſome of an harlot. Theſe are great words to affright, but they are of no force to hurt, if a man will not cowardly yeeld without any combate. No, to communicate with ſuch, when God called us thereunto, is to worſhip God aright, to reverence his ordinances, to rely on his grace, to hearken unto his voice, and ſubmit unto his good pleaſure. To ſuch communicating he hath promiſed and vouchſafed his bleſſing, their ſervice is acceptable unto God, becauſe commanded by him, and they have found him graciouſly preſent to cheere and refreſh them. It is without queſtion, the Prophets, our Saviour, the Apoſtles, the Faithfull in all ages have communicated with ſuch in Gods Ordinances, but not in their ſinne: And what man well adviſed will ſay of that practice, that it was either Rebellion againſt God, or ſpirituall whoredom, or vaine worſhip? The Faithfull muſt not communicate with thoſe ſocieties in mind or body, where Chriſt is not at all preſent with the preſence of his grace and love, nor in thoſe polluted Congregations, Rev. 18.4.where reall Idolatrie is ſo practiſed, that they cannot be preſent, but they muſt partake therein: We have forſaken the Strumpet that made drunke the inhabitants of the earth with the wine of her fornication, and are gone out of her, leſt wee ſhould be partakers in her ſinnes, and receive of her plagues, otherwiſe wee have divided our ſelves neither from God nor his Church. Bilſon Chriſt an. part 3. pag 19.They muſt not communicate with falſe Prophets in things of their owne deviſing, and which they bring meerly upon their owne braine, and not at all from God: but if ignorant, ſcandalous, corrupt men, who neither pleaſe God, nor are approved of him in their Office and Miniſtration, in a ſocietie profeſſing the intire Faith of Chriſt, doe by authoritie diſpenſe the Ordinances of God, the Faithfull may and ought to communicate with them, if they want power to redreſſe and amend things out of order. They muſt not Communicate in ſin, but they may and ought to hold Communion in the exerciſes of Religion, with the true Church of Chriſt.
The ſheep of Chriſt heare his voice, but will not heare the voice of a ſtranger? Joh. 10.5.But who is that ſtranger whom the ſheep will not heare? From whom they flie both in minde and body, with whom they must hold no Communion, CAN. Stay. §. 11 p. 112, 113.inward or outward? Thus farre you extend the words of our Saviour, and unleſſe they be ſo meant, they conclude not what you purpoſe. Is every unlawfull Miniſter this ſtranger? Deodat. Ita…. Joh. 10.1. Thieves and robbers are the falſe Doctors, vvho thruſt in themſelves without a lawfull calling, with falſe doctrine, and an evil…n ind. The true ſhepheard is onelyonly Chriſt, the reſt are his ſervants, and not the owners of the ſheep: The ſheep muſt not rule their ſhepheards, but they have leave to diſcerne ſtrangers, and flie from thieves and murderers. Cyp. lib. 1. Ep…ſt. 4. Therefore the flock, or people obeying the Lords P…cepts, and fearing God, ought to ſeparate themſelves from a ſinful Biſhop. Bilſon … part. 3. page. 301. 353. CAN Stay. § 3. p. 26. Jer. 23.14, 15. Acts 20.25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.Is every unlearned, ſcandalous, corrupt Miniſter this ſtranger? Is every one whom Chriſt calleth a thiefe and a robber, who enters not in by the dore, but climbes up ſome other way, this ſtranger? Is every one that ſmiteth, but feedeth not the flock; that maketh ſad the heart of the Godly, ſtrengtheneth the hands of the wicked, mingleth the Truth of God with his owne dreames, this ſtranger? If theſe be not ſtrangers meant by Chriſt, much leſſe the painfull, godly, ſincere Paſtor, who feedeth the flock with ſound and wholſome foode, and leadeth them unto the waters of life? And then this paſſage is impertinently alledged. But all theſe cannot be meant according to your interpretation, for then abſolutely, all communicating with them in the Ordinances of God is not forbidden, but to receive their doctrine, embrace their errours, or follow their manners, which was evermore unlawfull.
The Godly and Faithfull among the Jews, might not refuſe to heare the Scribes and Phariſees, when they had no power to caſt them out, and yet they were thieves and robbers, who corrupted the Law, and without queſtion ſpake moſt reproachfull things againſt the way and worſhip of God. The godly could not be ſure that the Phariſees would not deliver ſuch things, neither did they offend in being preſent at the worſhip of God: and yet it will not follow, that a man may heare any one, or any where. Thieves and murderers in the Church of the Jewes, ſprung up with them, and continued amongſt them, and neither departed themſelves, nor were caſt out by others that had authoritie. In the Chriſtian Church divers falſe Teachers, ravening Wolves, Antichriſts roſe up, 1 Joh. 2.19. Tit. 3.10. 1 Tim 1.20. 2 Theſ. 2.3, 4. Phil. 1.15.not from among the heathen, or Jews, but in and from themſelves, whereof ſome went out from the Church, and ſeparated themſelves, others were caſt out by excommunication, and delivered up to Satan, that they might learne not to blaſpheme. Others were tolerated in the Church, either becauſe their hereſies were not ſo pernicious at the firſt, or the better ſide had not power to caſt them out, or they preached the fundamentall Truths, but of evill mindes. Theſe in reſpect of outward order, were lawfully elected or called, but falſe Prophets diſcovered by their doctrine, not by their calling, When the Apoſtle exhorteth Timothy, not to partake in other men… ſins, doth he not intimate that unfit, unable, unworthy Miniſters might be ordained in the Churches, though unlawfully?and ſome of them continuing in the Church, the Faithfull are not forbidden to partake of the Ordinances of God, becauſe they are preſent, but to beware of their errours, that they be not infected by them. But, if by ſtrangers we underſtand onelyonly ſuch as did ariſe from without, and brought blaſphemous doctrine, directly contrary to the foundation of the Faith, or ſuch as are juſtly caſt out by the Church, that they might learne not to blaſpheme, then the Faithfull might neither communicate with them in publike, nor receive them unto houſe, but flie from them both in minde and body. But thieves, who lead not in by the doore, Chriſt, who have ſtrange voices, which the ſheep acknowledge not, who bring another foundation beſides Jeſus Chriſt, Atha. ad ſolitariam vita agentes, complaineth againſt Conſtantius, That whereas the Biſhops in thoſe daies were wont to be lawfully choſen by the people of the place, and ſufficiently examined, and allowed by other Biſhops, ad joyning, and openly created in the Church, Conſtantius in ſtead of the Church, would have his …alace ſucceed, and for the multitude of people, and right Aſſemblies (to elect) he commanded three Eu…uches to be preſent, and three of his Spies (or Prolers) for you cannot call them Biſhops; that they ſixe in his palace, might create one Felix a Biſhop. And noti…g what manner the Emperor and his Eunuches made, he ſaith, In illorum locum juvenes libidinoſos, e hnieos, ne catechiſmo quiaem imbutos, ne… non & bigamos, & maximis crimin bus male and entes, modo aurum darent, veſ…i emptorese for… ad Epiſcopatu ſummiſerere. Bilſon Christian Subj part 2. pag 255.theſe are not to be enrolled with ſuch as teach the doctrine of Faith truly: for they are not ſtrangers either in reſpect of Sect, Religion, or Lawes, they are of the houſhold of God, they ſerve the Lord as he hath preſcribed, and walke according to his Law. And what is it to wreſt the Scripture, if this be not, when that which is ſpoken againſt utter enemies of our Saviour Chriſt, who refuſed to be ſhepheards under him, and his Enſigne, is applied to them who are furniſhed with ſingular knowledge, wiſedome and utterance, teach the truth of the Goſpell intirely, and leade the ſheep of Chriſt to the waters of life, whoſe labours God hath bleſſed, whoſe voice the ſheep heare and receive, in whoſe meſſage they rejoyce, and whom they follow as they teach Chriſt. You pretend the teſtimony of the learned in this matter, but let the places be examined, and they will be found, either to make directly againſt you, or nothing for you, as I ſhall have occaſion to ſhew in the next Section, and ſhall be done more fully, when you ſhall ſet downe the words of the Authors, whereupon you build, and attempt from them to make good your concluſion. In the meane ſpace I will forbeare tediouſly to repeat over and over again, that ſuch and ſuch make nothing for you, and ſuch and ſuch are groſſely abuſed and falſifyed.
Now let us lay the Principles and Inference together, and ſee if they cloſe.
The Nonconformiſts complain of many groſſe abuſes in the Miniſterie, in the Election, Ordination, Qualities of the Perſon admitted, and execution of the function; as, that ignorant, negligent, profane men are ſet over the flock; and Non-reſidents, Pluraliſts, men of corrupt mindes, who diſcourage the godly, and hearten the profane. But this complaint they put not up againſt all, but many in the Miniſtery. The Inference you would make upon their ground is, That it is unlawfull to communicate, not onelyonly with theſe men, in the Ordinances of Gods Worſhip, but even with the moſt learned, godly and painfull, who teach the Truth, live holily, diſpence the Myſteries of Godlineſſe purely, be approved of the Congregations, and bleſſed of the moſt high.
If I took pleaſure in your veine (call it as you pleaſe) I could ſay, CAN. Stay. §. 11. p. 114.I ſuspect my ſight, and I aske of my ſelfe againe and againe, could the Treat. write ſo unskilfully: For if this be not a Non ſequitur, then Fooles cannot speake Non-ſenſe. You may take it home, For I know not to whom it can be ſo fitly applyed as to your ſelfe. When this Inference is made good by Scripture, Reaſon, or Learned Author, I ſhall ſuſpect that the Non-conformiſts doe not walke according to their Principles; But till then, there is juſt ground to think, that in making ſuch Inferences, you abuſe both your ſelfe and others. That which you adde concerning the dumbe Miniſters out of M. Penry, CAN. Neceſ. of Sep. p. 43. Id. Neceſ. of Sep. Epiſt. to the Reader.is beſides the point, for he was no Non-conformiſt, but a Separatiſt, by your confeſſion; and if no man of pietie will pleade for them, yet men of piety, learning, and judgement doe, and muſt pleade (for it is a truth) that there is not an abſolute Nullitie of their Miniſterie: and this I preſume upon better advice, you will not denie, or if you doe, you muſt not ſtay in the Separation, which you have made.