The Due Right of Presbyteries, Chapter 1

The Due Right of Presbyteries · Chapter 1

p. 1CHAP. 1. SECT. 1. PROP. 1.

THe Church which Christ in his Gospell hath instituted, The way of the Churches.and to which he hath committed the keys of his Kingdome, the power of binding and loosing, the Tables and Scales of the Covenant, the Officers and Consures of his Church, the Administration of all his publick worship and Ordinances, is, coetus fidelium, a company of Believers, p. 2meeting in one place, every Lords day, for the administration of the holy ordinances of God to publick edification. 1 Cor. 14. 23. 1 Because it was a company whereof Peter confessing and believing was one, and built on a rock, Mat. 16. 18. a Such as unto whom any offended brother might complaine, Mat. 18. 17. 3 Such as is, to cast out the incestuous▪ Corinthian, 1 Cor. 5. Which cannot agree to any diocesian, provinciall, or Nationall assemblie.

Ans. From these we question.

Quest. 1. If a company of believers and saints builded by faith, upon the rock Christ, and united in a Church-Covenant, be the only instituted visible Church of the New Testament, to the which Christ hath given the keys:

Let these considerations be weighed.

1. Dist. The matter of an instituted visible Church is one thing, and the instituted visible Church is another, as there be ods betwixt stones and timber, and an house made of stones and timber.

2 Dist. It is one thing to govern the actions of the Church and another thing to governe the Church, the Moderator of any Synod, doth govern the actions of the Synod, but he is not for that a Governour, Ruler, and Pastor of the Synod. Or, ordering actions, and governing men are diverse things.

3. Dist. A thing hath first its constituted and accomplished being in matter, forme, efficient and finall causes, before it can performe these operations and actions that flow from that being so constituted, a Church must be a Church, before any Ministeriall Church actions can be performed by it.

4. Dist. It is one thing for a company to performe the actions of a Church mysticall and redeemed of Christ, and another thing to performe actions ministeriall of a Church instituted and ministeriall.

1. Concl. A company of believers professing the truth is the matter of the Church, though they be saints by calling and builded on the rock, yet are they but to the Church instituted, Trelcat. loc. 16. a…t. …. Tylen. Syntag. disp. 14. de Eccl.as stones to the house. 2. Because they cannot performe the actions of a constituted Church, till they be a constituted Church. 3. Our Divines call men externally called, p. 3the matter of the visible Church, so Trelcatius, Tilenu…, professors dis. 1. Thes. 19. Profess. leyd. synop pur. Theol. dis. 4. thes. 34. 35 Piscator dis. 23. n. 15, 16. Bucan. loc. 41. quest. 7. s. 5.of Leyden; Piscator, Bucanus, so say our brethern.

2. Concil. Ordination of Pastors, and election of Officers, administration of the seales of grace, and acts of Church censures, are holden by Gods Word, and by all our Divines, actions of a ministeriall and an instituted visible Church, and if so, according to our third distinction.

It is a wonder how a company of Believers united in Church-Covenant, cannot performe all these, for they are Answer to Quest. 2.united, and so a perfect Church, and yet cannot administrate the Sacraments: for though they be so united, they may want Pastors, who onelyonly can performe these actions, as this Way of the Church. Ch. Sect, compare with. chap. 2. Robins. Iustifie. pag. 106. Confess. Separ. art. 37.Treatise sayth, and Robinson and the Confession. And it is no lesse wonder that Officers and Rulers who are to feed, and governe the Flock, are but only accidents and not parts, not integrall members of a constituted Church: no perfect Corporation maketh its owne integrall parts or members, a perfect living man doth not make his owne Hands, Feete, or Eyes, the man is not a perfect one in all his members, if all the members be not made with him; but Officers by preaching make Church-members.

3. Concl. The visible Church which Christ instituted in the Gospel is not formally a company of believers meeting, for publick edification, by common and joynt consent, as this Author sayth. 1. The instituted Church of the New Testament is an organicall body of diverse members, of eyes, eares, feete, hands, of Elders governing, and a people governed. 1 Cor. 12. 14, 15. Rom. 12. 4, 5, 6. Act. 20. 28.

But a company of believers, meeting for publick edification by common consent, are not formally such a body; for they are a body not Organicall, but all of one and the same nature, all believers and saints by calling, and are not a body of Officers governing, and people governed; for they are, as they are a visible Church, a single uncompounded body, wanting Officers, and are as yet to choose their Officers: and all thus combined are not Officers, Rom. 10. 14. How shall they preach except they be sent? 1 Cor. 12. 29. Are all Apostles? are all Prophets? we justly p. 4censure the Papists, and amongst them, Bellarmine, who will scarce admit an essentiall Church of believers, but acknowledgeth other three Churches beside, to wit, a representative Church of their Clergy onelyonly, excluding the Laickes Bell de Eccl. li. 3 cap. 2.Sir 51:3(as they call them) 2 A consistoriall Church of Cardinalls. 3. A virtuall Church, the Pope who hath plenitude of all power in himselfe, against which our writers Calvin, Beza, Tilenus, Iunius, Bucanus, professors of Leyden, Whittaker, willet doe dispute; so the other extremity can hardly be maintained, that there is an instituted, visible, ministeriall Church to which Christ hath given the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven, exercising Church actions, as to ordaine, and make and un-make Officers and Rulers without any officer at all. The major of our proposition is grantted by our brethren, who cite, 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 12. Acts 20. 28. To prove a single Congregation to be the onelyonly visible Church instituted in the New Testament. Nothing can be said against this, but a Church of Governours and People governed is an instituted visible Church; but there is an instituted visible Church before there be Governours, but such an instituted Church we cannot read of in Gods Word, which doth and may exercise Church acts of government without any Officers at all.

2. That company cannot be the Church ministeriall instituted by Christ in the New Testament, which cannot meete all of them, every Lords day, as the Church of Corinth did for administration of the holy Ordinances of God, and all his Ordinances to publick edification; for so this Author describeth a visible instituted Church, 1 Cor. 14. 23. But a company of believers meeting for publick edification, by joynt and common consent cannot meete for the publick administration of all the Ordinances of God, 1. They cannot administer the seales of the Covenant being destitute of the Officers, as the Scripture, and their confession saith, 2. They cannot have the power of publick edification, being destitute of Pastors, because the end cannot be attained without the 1 Cor. 11. 23. Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 1. 17. Confess. art. 37.1 Cor 11:23Matt 28:191 Cor 1:17meanes appointed of Christ. But Christ for publick edification and Church edification hath given Pastors, Teacher… p. 5and other Officers to his Church Eph. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 17. I… is not enough to say, that such a company meeting hath power of Pastorall preaching and administration of the Seales of grace, because they may ordaine and elect Officers, for such publick edification, but 1. we prove, that that which our brethren call the onelyonly instituted visible Church of the New Testament, hath not power to administrate all the Ordinances of Christ, and how then are they a Church? can we call him a perfect living man, who cannot exercise all the vitall actions, which flow from the nature and essence of a living man? 2. If this be a good reason that such a company should be the only instituted Church in the New Testament having power of all the Ordinances, because they may appoint Officers, who have such a power; then any ten believers, who have never sworne the Church-Covenant, meeting in private to exhort one another is also the only instituted Church ministeriall, in the New Testament, for they have power to make such Officers, and may invest themselves in right, to all the Ordinances of Christ, by our brothers Doctrine, 3. All the places cited by the Author, speake of a Church visible made up of, Officers governing, and people governed & as Mat. 16. Mat 18. cannot exclude Pastors who binde on Earth, and in heaven, or Pastors who are stewards, and beare the keyes, as hereafter, I shall prove. Also the Church of Corinth did meete for the administration of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 20. and so were a Church of Officers and governed people, they met with Pauls spirit, and the authority of Pastors. 1 Cor. 5. 4. another Church that exercised Discipline, as Collosse Col. 2. 8. was a Church of Officers and people Col. 4. 17. Philippi consisted of Saints, Bishops, and Deacons. Phil. 1. 1. 2. Ephesus of a flocke, and an eldership, Acts 20. 28. so the visible ministeriall Church that the word of God speaketh of, as all the seven Churches of Asia and their Angels, had in them Officers to governe, and people governed, and therefore they were not a number of sole. believers united in a Church-covenant, which in very deed i… but stones and timber, not an house builded of God; for in the ministeriall Church of the New Testament, there is e…e… p. 6a relation betwixt the Elders and the flock: wee desire to to see a Copy of our brethrens instituted visible Church, to the which Elders are neither essentiall, nor integrall parts, for their instituted visible Church hath its compleat being and all its Church-operations, as binding, loosing, ordeining of Officers, before there bee an Edldership in it, and also when the Eldership is ordained, they are not Eyes and Eares to the instituted Church, nor watchmen, because it is a body in essence and operation compleat without officers. 2. the officers are not Governors, for as I trust to prove, they have no act of ministeriall authority of governing; over the people by our brethrens Doctrine, 2. all their governing is to Rule and moderate the actions of the whole governing Church, which maketh them no wayes to be governours, nor over the believers in the Lord, nor overseers, nor watchmen: as a Preses who moderateth a Judicatorie, a moderator in a Church-meeting, a Prolocutor in a convocation, is not over the Judicatorie, Synod, or meeting, or Convocation. 3. The Eldership are called by them, the adjuncts, the Church, the subject: the subject hath its perfect essence without its accidents and common adjuncts.

2 Quest. Whether or not Christ hath committed the Keys of the Quest. 2.Kingdom of Heaven, to the Church of Believers, which as yet wanteth all Officers, Pastors, Doctors, &c.

The Author sayth, this company of believers and Church which wanteth Officers, and (as we have heard) is compleat without them, is the corporation to which Christ hath given the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven; which deserveth our brotherly censure: for wee then aske a Scripture for the Lords giving of the keys to Pastors and Elders; if the keys be given to Peter, Mat. 16. as a professing believer, by what Word of God are they given to Peter, as to an Apostle and Pastor, it would seem the Pastors have not the keys jure Divino; for by this argument our Divines prove the Bishop not to bee an Office of power and jurisdiction above a Pastor and Presbyter, because the keys were not given to Peter as to the Archbishop, but as to a Pastor of the Church, and indeed this would conclude that Pastors are not Officers p. 7of authority and power of jurisdiction, jure Divino.

Hence the question is, if it can be concluded that the keyes of of the Kingdom of Heaven, Mat. 16. Mat. 18. were given to Peter, as he represented all professing believers, or if they were given for the good of professing believers, but to Peter as carrying the person of Apostles, Pastors, and Church-guides?

1. Distinction, There is one question of the power of the keyes, and to whom they are committed, and another of the exercise of them, and toucheth the government of the Church, if it be popular and democraticall or not?

2. Dist. It is not inconvenient, but necessary that Christ should give to his Church, gifts, Pastors and Teachers, of the which gifts the Church is not capable, as a subject as if the Church might exercise the Pastor and Doctors place: and yet the Church is capable of these gifts, as the object, and end, because the fruit and effect of these gifts redoundeth to the good of the Church, see aaParker de po…it. Eccl. l. 3. c. 8.Sir 50:3Parker, see the bbC…hol. Paris. pag. 8.Parisian schoole and ccPaul Baynes docesart tyrall. 3. q. concl. 3. pa. 83.Bayner.

3. Distinct. There is a formall ordinary power, and there is a vertuall or extraordinary power.

1. Concl. Christ Iesus hath immediatly himselfe without the intervening power of the Church or men, appointed offices and Officers in his house, and the office of a pastor, and Elder is no lesse immediately From Christ (for men as Christs Vicars and Instruments can appoint no new Office in the Church) then the office of the Apostles, Eph. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Mat. 28. 19. The Offices are all given to the Church immediatly, and so absolutely, and so the power of the keys, is given to the Church the same way. But the Officers, and key bearers now are given mediatly, and conditionally, by the intervening mediation of the ruling and ministeriall Church, that she shall call such and such, as have the conditions required to the office by Gods Word, 1. Tim. 3. 12, 3. Hence we see no reason, why the keys can be said to be given to believers, any other wayes, then that they are given for their good.

2. Concl. I deny not, but there is a power virtuall, not formall in the Church of believers, to supply the want of ordination of pastors, or some other acts of the keyes simply necessary, hic & nunc; this power is virtuall, not formall, p. 8and extraordinary not ordinary, not officiall, not properly authoritative, as in a Church in an Iland, where the pastors are dead, or taken away by pest or otherwayes, the people may ordaine Pastors or rather doe that which may supply the defect of ordination, as David without immediate Revelation, from Heaven to direct him, by only the Law of nature, did eate shewbread; so is the case here, so answer the casuistes and the schoolemen, that a positive Law may yield in case of necessity, to the good of the Church; so aaThom. 22. q. 28. art 10 ad 2.Thomas bbMolina tom. 6 tract. 5. dis. 57. n. 6.Molina ccSuarez. Tom. de legib. lib. 2. cap 15.Suarez ddVasq. 12. dis. 129. cap. 2.Vasquez eeViguertus in institut Theol. cap. 15. s. 1.Vigverius, ffSotus de instit li. 2. q. 3. art. 8.Sotus ggScotus 3. dist. 37. quest. 1.Scotus hhAltisiodore. l. 3 sum tract. 7. cap. 1. Qu. 5.Altisiodorensis iiDurandus 1.Durand kkGabriel. 3. dist. 37. q. 1. Art. 1. Concl. 2.Gabriel, and consider what the learned llVoetius des. causa. pap. li. 2. c. ca. 21. sect. 3. 6.Voetius sayth in this. What if in an extreame case of necessity, a private man, endued with gifts and zeale should teach publickly, after the example of the faithfull at Samosaten. Yea and Flavianus and Diodorus preached in Antioch, as mmTheodo. l. 4. ca. 14. c. 24.Theodoret sayth; yea, saith Voetius, an ordinary ministery might be imposed on a Laick, or private person by the Church, though the presbytery consent not, in case of necessity. God (sayth nnGerson par. 2. Sermon Rhen. dom. 2. postpashatGerson) may make an immediate intermission of a calling by Bishops; yea (sayth ooAnton. 3. l. 3. c. 83.Anton. speaking of necessities Law) The Pope may commit power of Excommunication, quia est de jure positive, pure Laico & mulieri, to one meere Laicke, or a woman; though we justifie not this, yet it is hence concluded that God hath not tied himselfe to one set rule of ordinary, positive Lawes: a captive woman (as Socrates saith) preached the Gospell to the King and Queen of Iberranes, and they to the people of the Land.

3. Concl. The Author in the foresaid first proposition, will have no instituted visible Church, in the New Testament, but a Congregationall or Parishionall Church, that meeteth together ordinarily, in one place, for the hearing of the Word. But we thinke, as a reasonable man is the first, immediate and principall subject of aptitude to laugh, and the mediate and secondary Subjects are, Peter, Iohn and particular men, so that it is the intention of nature to give these and the like properties, principally and immediately, to the speci…e, and common nature, and not immediately to this p. 9or that man; so are the blessings of the promises, as to bee builded on a Rock; victory over hell, and such, given principally and immediately to the Catholick and invisible Church, as to the first and principall subject; and no wayes to a visible Congregation consisting of 30 or 40. professing the Faith of Christ: but onelyonly to them, not as Professors, but to them as they are parts and living members of the true Catholick Church. For sound professors, though united in a Church-covenant, are indeed the mysticall Church, but not as professors, but as sound believers, and therefore these of whom Christ speaketh, Mat. 16. Are builded on a Rock, as true believers; but the keys are given not to them, but for them, and for their good, as professors making Peters confession, and in Gods purpose to gather them into Christ. But the Text evinceth that these keys are given to Peter, as representing the Church-guides especially, though not excluding believers, giving to them popular consent, and not to Believers, as united in a company of persons in Church-covenant, excluding the Elders.

1. To that Church are the keys given, which is builded on the rock as a house, the house of wisdome, Prov. 9. 1. The house of God, 1 Tim. 3. 15. Heb. 3. 4. By the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, by Doctors and Teachers, whom Christ hath given, for the building of his house, Eph. 4. 11. But this house is not a company of professing believers united by a Church-covenant and destitute of Pastors and Teachers, but a Church edified by the Word, Seales, and Discipline: Ergo such a Church is not heere understood. The propofition is granted by the Author. I prove the assumption. The Church of believers combined in Church-covenant, but wanting their Pastors and Teachers, is not wisdomes house, nor builded by pastors and Doctors given to edifie and gather the body, but they are only the materialls of the house: yea wanting the pastors, they want Ministeriall power, for pastorall preaching and administrating the Seales, and for that, they want the power of edifying the body of Christ, which is required in a visible Church Eph. 4. 11. Though the building of this Church on the Rock Christ may well be thought to be the inward building of the p. 10Catholick and invisible Church in the Faith of Christ, yet as it is promised to the Church, to the which Christ promiseth the keys of the Kingdome of Heaven, it can be no other beside external and Ministeriall building by a publick Ministery.

2. Arg. To these are the keys here promised, who are stewards of the mysteries of God, 1 Cor. 4. 1. And servants of the house by office, 2 Cor. 4. 5. And are by office to open the doores and behave themselves aright in Gods house, 1 Tim. 3. 16. and to divide to these of the house their portion in due season, Mat. 24. 45. and to cut the word, 2 Tim. 2. 15. But a company of professing believers joyned together in a Church-covenant, and destitute of officers, are not stewards by office, nor servants over the house, &c.

Ergo, to such a company the keyes are not here given.

The proposition especially is to be proved (for the assumption is granted by our brethren and evidently true) but it is sure by the phrase of Scripture, Esai. 22. 22. And I will lay upon his shouldier the key of the house of David.

foreign Clavis a foreign apperuit, proveth this. aaShindler in Lexico.Shindlerus in Lexico, metonymicè significatur, Authoritas, Facultas, potestas omnis gubernationis, iubendo, ac vetando, expediendo ac coercendo, power of government bbMuscul. com. in Is. 22. 22. Insigne acceptae potestatis, Occonoms & Praeposito domûs commendantur claves, quibus potestatem suam administret.Isa 22:22Musculus, so ccCalvin comment ib. Gualter Homil. 114. Claves symbolum potestatis, regibus Claves offeruntCalvin: these who are made masters of housholds receive keys, whereby they open and shut, it is a token of power given to Kings ddIunius. Plenam administrationemIunius, it noteth a full government, by this borrowed speech, sayth eeBeza in. Ma. aunot. Potestas Ministrorum, in Mat. 16.Matt 16Beza, is signified the power of Ministers, Isai. 22. Mat. 16. ffPareus. domus meae faciam te aeconomumPareus. I shall make the steward of my house, ggHieron. Clavis, potestas excellentiaeHierom the key is a power of excellency, and hhChrysostom. Homil. 55. in Mat. Magnam potestatemChrysostom, iiAugust. de civit. de lib. 20. ca. 9. potestatem pastorisAugustine, kkBeda in Iohan. Clavis est potestas ligandi & solvendi.Beda sayth the same.

aali. de fide ad Pet.Fulgentius calleth this the power of binding and loosing given to the Apostles; so other Scriptures expound the keyes to be a power of office, as Esa. 9. 6. And the government shall be upon his shoulder, Interpreters say, Davids keys are given here, Rev. 3. 7. These things (saith he) that hath the key of David, p. 11who open…h and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, Rev. 1. 18. I have the keys of hell and death, Rev. 9. 1. And to him was given the key of the bottomlesse pit; so bbStephan. in thesaur. ling. Graecae.Stephanus on the word, foreign, Clavis. ccWhittakee tom. 2. contr. 4. c…. 5.Whittaker, it signifieth a power of office given to some, and not to all; as ddCalvin. ib. dissert. de Apostolatu Petri.Calvin here (saith he) Christ speaketh of Peters publick office, that is, of his Apostleship eeBullinger ib.so, Bullinger, ffErasm. Para.Erasm. ggZwinglius.Zwinglius hhMarlorat com.Marlorat, iiPareus. ib.Pareus on the same place. I think, while of late, never interpreter dreamed, that in the Text, Mat. 16. the keys of the Kingdome of Heaven are given to all believers, but only to the stewards of the house builded upon the Rock.

3. Arg. To these in this Text doth Christ give the keys, to whom he giveth warrant, for the actuall exercise of the keys, to wit, to bind and loose on Earth, and so open and shut the doores of the Kingdome. But this warrant and officiall authority of binding and loosing, Christ giveth to Peter onelyonly as representing Apostles, Teachers and Elders, and not to the Church of believers convened Covenant-wayes, and destitute of Officers; Ergo, the proportion is cleare in the Text; to the same person, to whom the promiseth the power or keys, to the same he promiseth Officiall warrant to exercise the speciall acts of the keys, but to Peter is the promise of both made 19. and if Christ allude to the place, Is. 22. 22. Then (I say) these to whom Christ gave the keys, doe by Office represent him who hath the keys of Davids house and the Government on his shoulder, And I will give to thee the Keys of the Kingdome of Heaven, there is the power and authority granted; And whatsoever thou shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven: there is a warrant, for the exercise of the acts of the power given also to Peter; Now if the keys be not given to Peter as to a Pastor; Peter and pastors, by this place, as pastors, neither have the keys, nor officiall warrant to preach, and to remit, or retaine sinnes; and if by this place, they have it not, we desire to see a warrant from Christ, before he went to heaven, for pastorall preaching aaBeza. Ministerii Ecclesiastici, authorit… caelestis.Beza in his marginall notes in this Text, sayth, here is the Heavenly authority of the Church Ministery; also binding and loosing is all one, with opening and shutting Heaven Gates, and with remitting and retaining sinnes, Ioh. 20. Papists, I know, deny p. 12that the Apostles were made priests judicially to remit sinnes before Christs Resurrection, Ioh, 2. so bbTolet comment in Joan. in loc. an. 21.the Cardinall Tolet, and ccMaldonat. Harm. in loc.Maldonat ddCajetan. com. in Ioh. 20. 23. ideo hoc in loco instituitur & promulgatur sacramentum paenitentiae.John 20:23Cajetanus; but the Truth is, what is given here Mat. 16. Is but repeated and enlarged Joh 20. And they are now sent to the whole World, whereas before they were to preach to Iudea only, but this Ioh, 20. eeRolloc. ib…cpetita & reiterata potestas.(sayth Rollocus) is but a reiterated power, it was given before his Resurrection, and ffBeza in ani. mad. in Mat. 16. sicut Ioannes iuterpretatur in sra. c. 21.Matt 16Beza sayth the same, and ggBulling. Mat. 16.Matt 16Bullinger sayth, the promise is made here and fulfilled Ioh. 2 c. and hhPareus. Quicquid solveris, id est, Joh. 20. quorum peccata remiseritis.John 20Pareus expoundeth (what thou shalt loose) here by these words Ioh. 20. So iiCalv. instit. 4. ca. 6.Calvin kkWhittaker. tom. 2. contr. 4. q. 2. ca. 5.VVhittaker llZwinglius com.Zwinglius mmAsuscul. in Joh. 21.John 21Musculus, Now this same nnWay of the Church of n. E. ca. 2. sect. 9Author acknowledgeth that Ioh. 20. Christ gave pastorall power to all the Apostles to forgive sins.

2. To bind and to loose, are act. s of officiall power, and of Princes, Rulers, and Feeders, Ergo they are not given to the Church destitute of Feeders and Governors. I prove the antecedent. 1. To bind and loose, by all Interpreters, Augustine, Cyrill, Chrysost. C…prian, Euthymius, Hyeromi, Basilus, Ambrose, Sedulius, Primasius, and by our owne Calvin, Musculus, Gualther, Pareus, Beza, Zwinglius, Rolloc, VVhittaker, and the evidence of Scripture, i…, by publick and pastorall preaching, to re…nit and retaine sins, to believers or unbelievers; and ooBulling. in loc. Mat. 16. Bullinger comment, Mat.Matt 16Bullinger saith it is taken from the Scripture Isa. 52. 49 v. 9. where Christ is said to loose the prisoners, and so ppMuscul. ibidMusculus qqBeza an.Beza, and rrCalvin commentCalvin will have them to be words signifying the …fficiall authority of Princes, Ambassadours, to set at liberty prisoners, or to cast malefactors in bands and prison, as Magistrates and Rulers doe, so binding in Scripture ssPsa. 105. 27 Judg. 15. 10. Psal. 149. 8. Mat. 22. 13. Acts 21. 11. Acts 22. 4. Mark. 3. 37.Ps 105:27Judg 15:10Ps 149:8Matt 22:13Acts 21:11Acts 22:4Mark 3:37is an authoritative act of Princes, Superiors, Governors and Rulers. And so is lo…sing a judiciall and authoritative act of Rulers and Overseers llLevit. 14. 7. Psal. 102. 20. Jer. 40. 4. Ps. 105. 20. Act. 2. 24. Rom. 7. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 27. Rev. 20. 3. Rev. 9. 15. Job. 12. 18.Lev 14:7Ps 102:20Jer 40:4Ps 105:20Acts 2:24Rom 7:21 Cor 7:27Rev 20:3Rev 9:15Job 12:18as Scripture teacheth us. But the Church of believers wanting their Officers, watchmen, and Overseers, though combined in a Church Covenant, is not a company of Overseers and Rulers, or judiciall and authoritative binders and loosers exercising power over themselves.

p. 134. Arg. If Christ doe not say in this place, nor in Mat. 18. that the keys and the actes of the keys, to wit, binding and loosing, are given to the Church of believers, without their Officers; then neither places prove, that the keyes are given to such a Church.

But Christ doth not say it; Ergo, the Text cannot beare it: the assumption I prove. Christ, Mat. 16. 18. speaking of the Church builded on a Rock, sayth not, I will give to the Church so builded, the keys; but he turneth the speech to Peter, when he promiseth the keys V. 19. And I will give to thee, (Peter, not to the Church) the keys of the Kingdome of Heaven, surely none needeth to teach our Lord to speak. This change of the persons to whom the keys are promised, wanteth not a reason. Our brethren say, the promise is made to Peter, because he gave a confession of Christ in the name of all believers, and because the keys are given to believers, as the Spouse of Christ, and as his body united to him: but this author, granteth every company of believers, because they are believers, are not an instituted visible Church, but they must be a company of believers professing Covenant-wayes Faith in Christ, and Church-communion. But, 1. then the keys are not given to believers because they are believers, and the Spouse of Christ, but because they are such professors, so and so combined in a Church-covenant. But yet I aske, whether true or false profession be the neerest intervening cause of these, to whom the keyes are given. If a true profession, then. 1. Unbelieving Pastors are not Pastors; for their profession is not true. And children baptized by them are as not-baptized, or as baptized by Women, 2. If one shall be excommunicated by seven (for such aaCap. 3. Sect. 1.a number this Author requireth to make a visible Church) even, clave non errante, and most deservedly, he is not bound in Heaven, and excommunicated, in foro Dei, before God: for the profession of these seven may be false, and so the Church actes performed by them, are a non habentibus potestatem, and null, if they be no Church, 3. We can prove by Scripture bbMat. 10. 2. Joh 6. 70. Acts 17. 20. 21.Matt 10Acts 17:20Acts 17:21that Iudas though the child of perdition, was a called Apostle. But if a false profession be sufficient to make persons a true visible Church, the…. 1. The keys are not given to believers, because they are believers, and united p. 14to Christ, as his body and Spouse, but. 2. This Author sayth amisse, That the Church instituted by Christ is a company of believers, and faithfull and godly men, whereof Peter was one; for a company of hypocrites are not such. 2. Our brethren prove the keys, to be a part of the liberty of the redeemed ones, but counterfeit professors are not redeemed ones, nor have they that liberty purchased to them in Christ. 4 It shall follow, that our brethren widely mistake a supposed difference which they devise, betwixt the Iewish and Christian Church, to wit, that to make men members of the Iewish Church, externall holinesse, as to be borne Jewes, was sufficient, and to be circumcised, and not a bastard, not descended within three or foure Generations of a Moabite, or Ammonite, but that the visible Church of the Gentiles after Christ must be the bride of Christ, and by true Faith united to him. Whereas the members of a Christian visible Church are and may be hypocrites, though not known to be such, as were the members of the Iewish Church. Also Mat. 18 18, 19. Christ changeth the persons, v. 17. after he hath spoken of the Church v. 17. he sheweth v. 18. of what Church he speaketh, and directeth his speech to these to whom he spake v. 1. to the Disciples who were Pastors, verily I say unto you, What soever yee shall bind on Earth, shall be hond in Heaven, and therefore none can make an argument from, Mat. 16. to wit thus, to as many are the keys promised, as are builded on the Rock, but all the faithfull are builded on the Rock, Ergo to all the faithfull are the keys promised. 1. The proposition is not in the Text either expressely, or by consequent. 2. The proposition is false, for the Catholick invisible Church is builded on the rock, but by our Brethrens confession the keys are not given to the Catholick invisible Church, but only to such a company of professing believers, as make a Parishionall Congregation. 4. That Christ speaketh to Peter as to one representing the Apostles, and not as to one representing all believers, is cleare. 1. Because by the confession of our Brethren binding and loosing are denyed to many that make Peters confession, thou art Jesus the Son of the living God, as to believing Women and children; and many out of Church. state. 2. If believers as giving Peters confession, and as builded upon the rock, Christ, p. 15by this place made a ministeriall Church, by Christ, and gifted with the power of the keys, then the Ministery & officiall power of preaching and binding and loosing should be made as stable and firme from defection, as the Church of elect believers, against whom the gates of hell cannot prevaile: now besides that this is most untrue since, visible Churches doe fall away, as these seven Churches in Asia, the Church of Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Thessalonica may prove, when as it is impossible that the elect Believers in Christ can fall away, it shall also give good warrant to Papists, to make such use of this place, as they doe, that the Church may erre in points of conversation and life, but cannot fall from the rock, nor be overcome by the powers of Hell in the definition of Articles of Faith. So aaGretser de in Augnr Doctor Luther. p. …9.Gretser bbBel…. de cöcli. vut. l. 2, ca. 2.Bellarmine ccSuarez de trip. virt…dis. 9. de Eccl. Sec. 7. n. 7.Suarez. ddGreg de Valent tom. 3. dis. 1. q. 1. punct. 7.Gregor. de Valent. eeHosius in confess. Polmiea.Cardi. Hosius ffJoan. de Turre cremat. de Gal. l. 1. ca. 24, 25, 26.Turrecremata, reason from this place; and the connexion must be good, if the Ministeriall power not only be given to the Church as to the Object, that is, for the good and salvation of the Church, but also to the Church as to the Subject, who hath all the power of the Keys, and may use it also, because they are believers and builded upon the rock Christ; nothing hindereth, but Ministeriall power should be as stable and free from being overcome with the ports of Hell, as the Christian state of perseverance in grace. Now we see, these who have Ministeriall power, abuse it, and fall from the rock and perish eternally; which we cannot say of these, who by Faith are builded upon the Rock Christ Iesus. 3. These to whom Christ giveth the Keys, doe represent the person of Christ, and who despiseth them despiseth Christ, and he that honoureth them, honoureth Christ, which is evidently spoken of the Ministers of Christ, Matthew 10. 40. And is said here Matthew, 16. 19. Whatsoever then yee shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven, &c. Thus Christ bindeth and looseth in Heaven, when these to whom the Keys are given, binde and loose; and so they are to be looked unto as co-workers with God. Now Scripture never maketh all believers Ambassadours in Christs roome. Where doe we reade that the despising of all believers commanding in Christs Name, is a despising of Christ, and that in obeying them, we obey Christ? Nor are all Ambassadors, p. 16Pastores, &c. 5. These to whom the Keys are given doe authoritatively forgive and retaine sins, and their acts of forgiveing and retaining are valid in Heaven, according as the party repenteth and believeth, or according as they remain impenitent, as our Divines teach against the Papists, in their Doctrine of Sacramentall absolution. But the Church, or company of believers wanting their Officers, by no Scripture can authoritatively forgive, and retaine si…s. Robinson, Smith and others answer, that believers out of Office may forgive, as Mat. 18. 21. Peter said, How oft shall my brother offend me, and I forgive him? Lu. 17. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 2. 10.

But I answer, the place, 2 Cor. 2. 10. is controverted, and we doubt not, but of that same nature, with the power of Excommunicating. 1 Cor. 5. 4. But for private forgiving, it is not the Church-forgiving here meant, because 1. The private forgiving is a duty of charity commanded in the Law of Nature to all, even out of Church-state, and obligeth the Excommunicate, who, though they be cast out of the Church, are not exempted from the Law, that bindeth all, Mat. 6. 12. 14, 15. Mat. 5. 44. 45. but the Church-forgiving is an Act of obedience to a positive Church-Law of Christ, 2. private Christians are to forgive their Enemies whether they repent, or not, even as Christ forgave those who crucified him, Col 3. 13. Luk. 23. 34. and when the party repenteth not, this forgivenesse is not ratified in Heaven, yet are we obliged to forgive, and to commit vengeance to God; but the authoritative forgiveing is a thing that the Church, is not obliged unto, absoiutely; nor may they, or can they forgive, except the Offender repent: and if they see that he repenteth not, they cannot lawfully forgive; but, being in Gods roome, must take vengeance on all disobedience, and their retaining of sin and forgiveing, is valid in Heaven, because they are in Gods place. Now any forgiving or retaining of sin but these two, together with Gods forgiving and retaining, we know not. But Peters forgiving his offending brother seventy times seven times, is common to all private Christians, even out of Church-state, and so the instance given is not to the purpose, 6. To these only are the Keys given, who having Pauls pastorall spirit, may p. 17convene and deliver to Sathan, but the Church of believers without Officers, not having Pauls pastorall spirit which is a spirit officiall, and authoritative to preach, excommunicate, and administrate the seales of the Covenant, may not convene and doe this; Ergo, &c. indeed aaFran. Iohnson art. 5. in M. Clisions booke. p. 29.Francis Johnson sayth it is holden now by some of the Separation, that people out of Office may execute all the workes and duties of the ministery, in Baptisme, the Lords Supper, censures, &c. which I thinke followeth from the grounds of our brethren, to wit, that believers without Office are a compleat Church, having the whole power of the Keys: if administration of the Sacraments be not a speciall part of the Keys, and the opening of Heaven and forgiving of sins, we know not what belongeth to the power of binding and loosing; yea this is not only contrary to Scripture bbMat. 18. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23. 1 Cor. 1. 17. Joh. 4. 12.Matt 18:191 Cor 11:231 Cor 1:17John 4:12but also to their ccConsess. art. 27.own confession, and ddRemonst. conf. 21. & apol. cons. ib.is the Doctrine of Arminians eeSocin. tract. de Eccl c. 1. n. 140. Gatechis. Raccoviens. c. 11. n. 305.Eccl 1and Socinians ffCartwright ans. to the adm… nit. tract. 18. c. 1… div. 5. p 663.Cartwright sayth the Sanedrin, Mat. 18. to these who have skill in the Rabbines, especially in the Iewes Talm…d, was a selected Judicatory, and that to this Christ alludeth Mat. 18. ggBeza an. in Mat. 17.Matt 17learned Beza, sayth much from Scripture for this, that the Church here signifieth not the multitude, hhPareus, Apostolis dict manisestum est, quicquid vos Apostoli ligaveritis, ut supra Petro dixerat Christus, Mat. 16. 19.Matt 16:19Parcus also is most cleare on this place iiCalvin com. ib.Calvin hath reason to say, he alludeth to Iewish Synedrie, kkJoh. Weemes vol. 3. expos. of the judiciall Law. c. 16.see also VVeems. I… it needlesse to cite Iunius, Zanchius, Peter Martyr, VVillet, Whittaker, Tilen, Becan, and all our Divines of the reformed Churches; for when he hath spoken of the Church representative, Mat. 18. 16, 17. and speaketh to these, to whom the Sermon was made, v. 1. at the same time came the Disciples to Jesus (they were then Apostles in Office and called to preach and Baptize, though not yet sent to the whole world) saying who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Now to these Christ sayth, 18. to the Apostles, Verily I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind on Earth; and this place is to be expounded by Mat. 16. 19. Where the Keys are given in a more restricted manner to Peter only, though as representing the whole Apostles and Church-rulers, and we have better reason to expound this place, Mat. 18. by the place foregoing, Mat. 16. then they have to expound the place, Mat. 16. by this place, Mat. 18. because these …am… Keys that binde and loose in the one place, remit and retaine finnes, in the p. 18other; and we find the keys given to Officers and Stewards only. And here is no Church, Mat. 18. or yet Mat. 16. without Pastors, except they say, that Christ Mat. 18. 18. speaketh not to the Disciples, but to the multitude of the Jewes, which is a great crossing of the Text. And to say, that Christ speaketh to the Apostles, not as to Apostles, but as to the Church of believers, is only a bare affertion, and cannot be proved, and all they can say, hangeth upon this one place, and this is the most. The power of binding and loosing is given to the Church, which is to be obeyed and heard in the place of God. But this Church, is never in the VVord of God (say they) taken for a company of Officers, Pastors, and Elders only; it signifieth alwayes the Body of Christ, his Spouse, his Saints by calling, partakers of the most holy Faith. To which I answer, The body, Spouse of Christ, and Saints by calling, as they are such, is the invisible Church, and the keys and Seales aaWay of the Church of n. E. c. 4. sec. 5.sayth this Author) are not to be dispensed to all the faithfull as such, but as they arè confederate or joyned together in some particular visible Church, that is, sayth he) as they are members of a visible Church; Ergo, &c. the body and Spouse of Christ, as such, is not the Church here meant of, but the visible Congregation. Now the essence of a visible Church of which Christ speaketh here, is saved in ten, who are only visible professors, and not a Church of sound Believers, not the true body mysticall and Spouse of Christ: and yet, by this place, the Keys are given to such a Church; now wee desire againe, a place, in all Gods Word, for a Church in this sense, and a Body of Christ and his Spouse in this meaning: for certainly, professors this way confederate, as professiors, are no more a Church of Christ, redeemed ones, and his Spouse, then an Assembly of Elders onelyonly can be called such a Church of Believers; for both Churches are, and may be; where no believers are at all, at least for a time, and even while they exercise this power of Binding and Loosing, and so th… place, Matthew 18. is as much against our brethren, as against us.

And Lastly our Doctrine is acknowledged, by all our Divines, against the Papists, proving that Mat. 16. the Keyes were p. 19given to Peter as representing the Apostles, and his successors in the pastorall charge, not as representing all believers.Irenaus i… qui in Ecclesia sunt, Presbyteris obed… oportet, iis qui successionem habent ab Apostolis: qui cum Episcopatus successione, charisma veritatis certum, secundum beneplacitumpatris, acceperunt. Nazianzen. o… at. 21. de laud. Bas. ejusdem throni particeps est Petrus, cum reliquis Apostolis, in illa verba, dabo tibi Claves Cyprian de unita Ecclesia, Christus eandem dedit omnibus Apostolis potestatem, & hoc erant utique & caeteri Apostoli, quod, Pe…us suit, pari consortto praediti & honoris & potestatis, he should have said, Hoc erant utique & caeteri credentes in Christum, quod Petrus suit; also Basil de vita solitar. c. 21. Omnibus pastoribus & Doctoribvs candem potestatem tribuit, cu…us signum est, quod omnes, exaequo & ligant & solvunt. He should have said, Omnibus credentibus in Christum eandem potestatem tribuit. Ambros. in Ps. 38. & in Luc. 10. Ser. 66. Quod hic dictum est, Apostolis omnibus dictum; non ait, omnibus credentibus dictum. The p…ilact. in Mat. 6. Quamvis soli Petro dictum, tamen omnibus Apostolis concessae sunt (Claves.) Cyrill… in Joh. 4. l. 4. Responsionem illi Christus committebat, qui ordine primus, omnibus Apostolis: non ait, omnibus credentibus. Euthymius in Mat. ca. tibi dabo claves, atqui donum hoc ceterorum fuit Apostolorum. Hugo de sanct. victor Tom. 2. institut sanct. monaster. Quamvis potestas solvendi & ligandi soli Petro data videatur, tamen caeteris Apostolis data est, Haymo. Homil in festo Petri & Pauli. Quod Petro dixit, in Petro, caeteris Apostolis dixit. Cardin Cusan. concord. Cathol. 2. c. 13. Nih l dictum a… …ctrum, quod alits Apostolis n…n di…tum. Glossa ordinaria, Pet…us tanquam principa is inter alios (Apostolos) non inter alios creientes, pro aliis dat respensionem. Cyrill in Es. 4. orat 2. sancti Apostoli & Evangelist…e fundamenta. Hyeron li. 1 cont. Iovian, Omnes Apostoli acceperunt claves, non solus Petrus. Anselm in Mat. 16. Habent eandem judiciariam potestatem al…i Apostoli. Anastasius in quest. sac. script q. 79. in 6. Tom Biblioth. Potestatem clavium non soli Petro, sed aliis etiam Apostolis, & toti Ecclesie in Episcopis & Presbyteris datam. August. tract. in Joh 50. & lib. de ag…d. Christi c. 30. Beda, homil. in Mat. 16. Chry…ostom Homil. 70. ad popul. Hilarius ae trinit l. 6. Euscbius histor. Eccl. lib 2. c. 14. Leo Serm. 10. de assumpt. & citat Bellar. de Pont. lib. 1. c. 14. Petro hoc singulariter creditur, quia cunct is rectoribus Petri formâ proponitur, Lyra in Mat. 16. durand 4 dis: 18. q 2. Pro omnibus Apostolis dictum. Thom. 4. d. 24. q. 3. Scot. 4. d. 24. q. 3. Adrian 6. in. 4. d. q. 2. Synod Coloniens. sub. Adulph c. 1. med. 6. Hugo Cardinal. in Matthew 16. concilum aqu…sgranens. cap. 9.Ps 38Luke 10Matt 6John 4Isa 4Matt 16

Also the Fathers Irenaeus, Nazianz…nus, Cyprianus, Basilius, Ambrosius, Theophilactus, Cyrillus, Euthymius, Hyeronimus, Augustine, Beda, Chrysostomus. And ordinaria glossa, Hugo de sanct. Victor. Haymo. Cardinalis Cusanus. Anastasius, Leo, Durandus, Thomas, Adrianus, Scotus, making a comparison between Peter and the rest of the Apostles, say, the keys were given to all the Apostles, when they were given to Peter: and Peter received them in the name and person of the rest of the Apostles, wherby, they declare, it was never their mind that Peter received the keys in name of all believers.

Also the learned, as aaAugustine de trinit. lib. 2. cap. 6 & in Psalm. 60.Ps 60Augustine bbBeda in Joh. 21.John 21Beda ccGregor. li. 3. c. 33.Gregorius, expound the Church builded upon the rock to be the Catholick Church, and not a particular visible Church. And p. 20ddGerard. loc. com…tom. 5. de Eccl. c. 6. n. 50.Eccl 6Gerardus giveth a good reason, why this Church, Mat. 16. cannot be a particular visible Church, because the gates of hell prevaileth against many joyned to the visible Church in externall society, eeWiclefus tract. cont. monach. c. 39.and VVicklif writing against the Monkes resureth that error of the Papists, that any members of the true Church can be damned; and ffWhittaker cont. 4. q. 2. c. 3.Whittaker sayth, Augustin ggAugust. cont. Petilian. l. 2. c. ult.against Petilian sayth, the Church builded on the rock is the Church of the Elect, not the visible Church.