A Just Defense of Hearing the Sermons, Answer to preface · Section 22 – Section 26
Sect. 22. The solemn deputation of Ministers, is not the peculiar priviledge of Saints.
6. Saith our Author, whether the priviledges of Saints, be not every way as great and extensive under the Gospel, as those under the Law? If so, then whether the solemn deputation of men, signally pointed out by the Lord, for the administration of Holy things in his house, by the body of his Church, be not now (as then) their peculiar priviledge?
Answer, The people of Israel were a holy people to God, and conceived to be meant by the Saints of the most High, Dan. 7.27. But, that the solemn deputation of men, signally pointed out by the Lord, for the administration of Holy things in his house by the body of that Church was their peculiar priviledge, is not proved, but the contrary is manifest, that the Priests and Levites were by Gods own choice set a-part as is before said Sect. 7. Saints now are either real, or in appearance only. The former as such are invisible, and it is granted, that they have priviledges in spiritual blessings in Heavenly things in Christ, every way as great and extensive under the Gospel, as those under the Law; yea in some degree greater, to wit in the clearer revelation of the mystery of Gods counsel, and accomplishment of Gods promises by the Prophets, and gift of his Spirit. Saints in appearance only or the visible Church of the Jews had in some things greater priviledges, such as those mentioned, Rom. 9.4, 5. Rom. 3.1, 2. Gods revealing his minde by Urim and Thummim, extraordinary Prophets and many more, than Christians now, and therefore no good inference can be made from the priviledge of the Saints then in the solemn deputation of Ministers of holy things (if it had been such as this Author supposeth) unto the same priviledg to the Saints now. The solemn deputation of Apostles and other Ministers of the Gospel, we finde not to have been the peculiar priviledg of the body of the Church in any part of the New Testament. Their ordination is no where mentioned as done by the Saints or brethren, which were not Officers, nor is there any plain proof of their election by all or the major part of the members of each Church in the Scripture, And though ther… be in antiquity in the first ages relations of their election, yet withall such stories of the tumults, frayes and other disorders, as necessitated an a teration of that course, are related. Considering how unquiet, in judicious, deceitful, factious, divided those are that usurp the name of Saints, and perhaps are, I see not how safe it were to commit the solemn deputation of Ministers to them without much regulation of them, and ability of discerning of Spirits, which is not a gift continued to the Churches, who oft are as easily deceived by hypocrites and seducers, as others, and if it were the peculiar priviledg of Saints, it were not to be denied to women, contrary to the Apostles rule, 1 Cor. 14.33, 34. 1 Tim. 2.11, 12. If it were such a peculiar priviledg to Saints, to ordain or choose their Ministers, so as they were not to own any, but whom they choose, then the lesser part of a Congregation were not bound to take him for their Minister, who is not chos…n by themselves, though chosen by the most, each person might choose his Minister, and withdraw for his Ministry at pleasure, if not chosen by him, and refuse to contribute to his maintenance, which, w…th many inconveniences, too often exemplified in Churches gathered in the Congregational way, cause such Churches to be often dissolved, or to be multiplied into so many parties as make them unfit for any good order or use.
Sect. 23. Corruptions in non-fundamentals un-church not.
The Quaerist adds 7. Whether any Church in the world (we speak of a visible instituted Church) hath greater security against Apostacy from God, and that sore judgment of having its Candlestick removed (and being unchurched) than that people of the Jews had? if not, then whether, supposing a national Church to be of the institution of Christ, it may not so come to pass that it may be so overspread with corruptions, that it may lose the essence of a Church, and justly be disrobed of that appellation.
Answer, I grant that no particular Church visible, whether National, Provincial, Classical, Parochial, or Congregational hath greater security of Apostacy from God than the Jewish, and that any such Church may be so overspread with corruptions, that it may lose the essence of a Church, and justly be disrobed of that appellation, we justly plead against the Church of Rome, pleading [that they are the Church built on Peter, against which the Gates of Hell shall not prevail Mat. 16.18.] that the promise is not to that or any other particular visible Church, but to the invisible Church of Gods elect, and we alledg that St. Paul writing to the Church at Rome, tells them, Rom. 11.20, 21. well, because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith: be not high minded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. But we add, that not every, nor many corruptions of some kinde do unchurch, there being many in faith, worship, and conversation in the Churches of Corinth, and some of the seven Churches of Asia, who yet were Golden Candlesticks, amidst whom Christ did walk. But such general, avowed, unrepented of errors in faith, as overthrow the foundation of Christian faith, to wit, Christ the only mediator between God and man, and salvation by him, corruptions of worship by Idolatry, in life by evil manners, as are utterly inconsistent with Christianity, till which in whole or in part they are not unchurched.
Sect. 24. Every error makes not a false Prophet.
Our quaerist proceeds, Eighthly, whether the Ecclesiastick and spiritual rulers, Governours and Officers of such a collapsed Church, may not righteously, as of old, be accounted and esteemed as false Prophets, that go about to cause the people to forget the name of the Lord (or his pure worship) by their Lies (or unscriptural traditions, innovations, and ceremonious Pageantries.)
Answer, St. Peter foretold, 2 Pet. 2.1. There were false Prophets among the people, even as there shall be false Teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, Jude 4. ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into Lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 John 4.1. Many false Prophets are gone out into the World, 2 John 7. Many deceivers are entred into the World, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist, 1 John 2.22. who is a lier but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. If any Ecclesiastick and spiritual rulers, Governours and Officers of a collapsed Church do in this manner, go about to cause the people to forget the name of the Lord (or his pure worship) they are righteously, as of old, to be accounted and esteemed as false Prophets. But if they hold the foundation, that is Jesus Christ, and teach the worship of God in the name of Christ, without Idolat…y in their worship, or heresie in their Doctrine, though they build upon the foundation layd by the Apostle hay, and stubble, 1 Cor. 3.12. that is some errours of their own, and some additions to the worship of God from unwritten traditions, or other supposed power about ceremonies, they are not righteously, as of old the Prophets of Baal and Balaam, and other seducers, to be accounted and esteemed as false Prophets, that go about to cause the people to forget the name of the Lord (or his pure worship.) I add that if the addition of some humane ceremonies to the pure instituted worship of God, and some errours to the sound Doctrin of faith, do make the Teachers or Rulers of a Church false Prophets, in te ipsum haec cudetur faba, neither this Author, nor any of the Pastors or Teachers of the Congregational Churches, but may be judged false Prophets.
Sect. 25. Separation by reason of some corruptions unwarrantable.
It is added, 9. Whether separation from such a Collapsed Church in respect of its worship, Ministers and Ministry, be not only justifiable, but, as of old, the duty of the Lords faithfull Remnant, that desire to worship him according to his appointments?
Answer, Separation from a Church somewhat erroneous or corrupt in worship or conversation, yet neither Idolatrous in worship nor Heretical in Doctrin, nor requiring that to their communion which would be sinful, especially if it be total from all parts of worship, all attending on Ministers and Ministry at all times is unjustifiable, utterly dissonant from any of the rules or examples which either of old the Prophets, or holy men, or Christ and his Apostles have prescribed, is for the most part the fruit of pride, or bitter zeal, and tends to strife, and confusion and every evil work, James, 3.16.
Sect. 26. It is prudence to joyn in worship, and hearing where some errours and corruptions remain.
Yet once more saith the Quaerist, Yea 10. whether, supposing a Church (so called) thus dreadfully as aforesaid, departed from the pure institutions of Christ, never to be according to truth, a visible instituted Church of Christ, and the Lords poor people living in the Nation, never by their free consent members thereof, as it is on the pretended Churches part, most unheard-of-cruelty to compel them, so it be not on the part of the free born Children of God, most stupendious folly and disvaluation of the institutions of Christ, and ingratitude to God, for the light and liberty from the yokes of men, received, imaginable, to joyn affinity with it in worship, or attend upon the self invented Ministry that appertains thereunto? Many more questions of the like nature and importance might be added.
Answer, Compulsion of men may be cruelty. But it is neither pendious folly, nor disvaluation of the institutions of Christ, nor ingratitude to God, but true Christian prudence warranted by the Counsel of St. James and the Elders at Jerusalem, by the yielding and practice of St. Paul, Acts 21.18, &c. Acts 16.3. 1 Cor. 9.19, 20, 21. by Christs example, Mat. 17.27. for persons living in a Nation for their peace to joyn in affinity with such a Church, which hath some humane inventions in worship, and to attend upon that Ministry, which appertains to it, when they preach the Gospel for the main, though not without some mixture of errours, and neither require them to practice that which is in it self evil, nor binde them to assent unto that which is erroneous. What more Questions of the like nature and importance, this Quaerist might add I know not: I thought it necessary to answer these as being praelusory to the main Question, and tending to forestall the reader with unmeer prejudice. Having removed these stumbling blocks out of the way, I proceed to examine the rest of the writing.