The Dying Mans Testament to the Church of Scotland, Part 4 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. The remedies of divisions, arising from misapplication of power in ordination of Ministers, and admitting to, or debarring from, communion.
THe fourth matter of controversie in reference to Government, is usually some misapplication of that power, or what is apprehended to be so in some particular acts. As, 1. Ordaining such as were not thought to be worthy. 2. Deposing others (as was thought) unjustly. 3. Admitting unto, or debarring from communion without ground respectively, and such like cases. Upon the first ground arose the great schism of the Donatists, because of the Ordination of Caecilianus, esteemed by them to be a Traditor. Of such sort also were the schisms frequently at Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, and other places, because some were ordained to the dissatisfaction of others. And sometimes the dissatisfaction was well grounded; because the persons ordained, were not worthy: Sometimes it was groundlesse; But often it tended to double Ordination, and Separation in theThe Ordination of a person worthy of the Ministery, ordained by Church-Officers, is not to be accounted null for some defects. close. These things had need to be prevented, so as there be no just ground of dissatisfaction given by the Ordination of an unworthy man in such a time, nor any opposit Ordination to fix a schism; because these things are more difficulty removed, as hath been said: Yet supposing them to be, these generals may be proposed for healing of the same. 1. We will not find an Ordination easily counted to be null, even though done in a schism, as all the instances do clear; yea, the Orthodox stood not to account the Bishops and Presbyters ordained amongst the Donatists, to be such, because they had the essentials of Ordination, and were ordained by Church-officers. 2. We suppose it needfull for peace, that there be no rigid sticking to have some particular Ordinations rectified, to the prejudice of the Church in general, especially, where the unfitnesse or unworthiness of the person is not easily demonstrable. 3. It seemeth right and just, that no Ordination of such a kind should establish one that is unworthy in the Ministery: for, that is not to be dispensed with; although it be not a valid ground to keep up a division, where the removall of such a person cannot be attained: and the most unquestionable Ordination for the form, cannot make one a worthy Minister, who otherwayes is not a worthy person. In the conferences with the Donatists, the Catholicks offered to quarrell the Ordination of none amongst them that otherwayes was worthy, nor to maintain any amongst themselves who were not worthy. 4. YetUnion would not be suspended on such tryals. union would not be suspended till this be done, but it is to be made up, that it may be done, as in the instance formerly given. Because, 1. this trial is the work of an united Kirk, and will require joynt strength and concurrence for the same. 2. Because union is a present duty, although there were defect in such a trial, and a defect in that, will not warrant a division. 3. It is not only a duty commanded, but it is a mids necessary for promoving the triall and censuring of unworthy Ministers, for times of division are ever times of liberty, and thereby Authority is weakened, men are discouraged to follow it, and are otherwayes diverted, &c. 4. Because division can never be looked upon as the mean to effectuate that tryall, but it strengthens the person who is to be tryed, and lesseneth the number of zealous pursuers of such a design, and incapacitates men for this duty, who otherwayes might be instrumental therein. 5. Beside, if the guilt be not so very palpable, as it may be demonstrated to be in persons, at such a time, it is safer to preserve certain peace in the Church, than to hunt for an uncertain crime, as hath been often said.
Fifthly, Where a persons being in a place, is the ground of contention, and things look not satisfyinglike in his way, even though grosnesse be not demonstrable, we think it not unbecoming the authority of Church-judicatories, which is given for edification, to appoint the removal of such a person from such a place, (as was formerly hinted) for, it looketh sad like, that a Minister's being in such a particular place, should be more obstructive to edification and to the Churches peace, than if he were not a Minister at all. And it becometh well that singlenesse that a Minister ought to have in seeking the edification of the Church, to yeeld to such an advice and appointment, or, of himself willingly to overture the same. For, Ministers are not to plead interest in a Congregation simply, as a man doth his particular right; because every thing of this kind ought to be done with respect to the edification of the body, the promoting whereof, ought to regulate both entries and removals. It's true, there would be warinesse here, lest dangerous precedents be given; yet considering, that a Minister who may somewhat peremptorily plead interest, and that jure in the Ministery, that yet cannot with that same strength of reason plead it in such and such a particular Congregation; and considering, that it is a publick good that is respected, and not the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of some in a particular Congregation, we conceive the former assertion cannot be simply denied.
Where contrair Ordinations are, it is more difficult; Yet it would be considered that all these things we speak of now, are but particular: and therefore although full satisfaction should not be obtained in them, yet ought they not to be stumbled upon to the prejudice of union in generall, in which the good of the Church is more eminently concerned, as hath been said; Yet where peace is intended, we suppose this difficulty may be win over, one of these wayes, which have been formerly in use in such cases. As, 1. Sometimes one person did willingly cede to another for the good of the Church; So did Basilius in a case formerly mentioned, for which his condescendency he is ever highly commended. Neither can this be thought to be a casting by of the care of such a people, but rather the contrary, it is more their good, that they should be united under one orthodox Minister, though the more weak man, than to continue a division with two that are more able. 2. Sometimes where two were, it was thought good to unite them in their meetings, and that the longest liver should alone be acknowledged, if no other occasion offered, and neither were unworthy of the place, as in a case at Antioch formerly mentioned. 3. Sometimes both have been laid aside, where neither have been worthy, or factions have been strong for either party, and so rooted prejudice of the adherers to the one side against the other. This overture is offered by Augustine to the Donatists, for composing that difference of opposit Ordinations, which was frequent amongst them, each city almost having two Bishops; And this way hath been followed in composing many schisms, even of late. 4. Sometimes the party offended and wronged by an opposit Ordination, hath keeped division down in some respect, by ceding, or withdrawing, or hiding their offence, till some probable or regular way hath occurred; rather choosing never to possesse such a place than to do it by wronging of the Church, in keeping up an irregular schism, when there was no accesse orderly to redresse it. Thus Eusebius being offended that Lucifer had ordained Paulinus a Bishop in Antioch to a party disclaiming him, who were called Eustachians▪ he moderated his carriage and withdrew, waiting to have had a lawful decision, and resolving to be submissive to that. Where men mind the good of the work, it is not like but some such way will compose these things; and if these fail, we will find also adjacent Bishops travelling to compose the same; Yea, sometimes men of authority coming from very far; And also some by civil Authority appointed to treat therein, as in the closing of that schism at Antioch; for, schisms, arising from such discontents, are not ordinarily by meer Authority removed, because there is often something both of affection and conscience in the businesse: there is need therefore of mutuall friendly conferring for giving and receiving of satisfaction therein.