The True Form of Church Government, Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
NOne is to be admitted unto any publike office in the Church▪ untill he be thorowly examined by the Eldership, both concerning his state of Christianity, and ability to th… place whereto he is to be called, T.C. 1 book. page 38. Disci. Ecclesiast. fol. 46. They thinke one may doe it, as appeareth by the Booke of o…dering, &c. Whitgift, page 134. & 135. and their slight passing it over, thorow the Archdeacons hands▪
The former is proved, and the latter disproved thus.
1. Those that are to ordaine, must have particular knowledge of the parties to be ordained, (or else they breake the rule pr…scribed them, 1 Tim. 5.22.) which cannot be without examinat…on: But the Eldership is to ordaine every Church officer, a… shall appeare in the chapter of Ordination: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership to examine, &….
2. The matter of greatest importance in the government of the Church, must be done by the most able Governours of the same: The approving or disproving of Church officers▪ is the matter of greatest importance, because the consequence of ruling well is the best, or ill the worst: and the Eldership is the Senate of most able Governours in the Church, as shall appeare in the Chap. of Eldership: Therefore the Eldership is to examine, &c.
3 The way whereby a mans insufficiencie is best espied, and his ability discerned, is the fittest to examine them that are to be admitted: But by the Eldership (consisting of divers) his insufficiencie is best espied, and his ability best discerned, for the common proverb telleth us, that many eyes doe see more then one: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership, &c.
4 They are to examine Church Officers, that are least subject to be blinded with partiality: But the Eldership is least subject to partiality, both for that they be many, who are not so easily over-ruled by affection or favour, as one, as also (and that especially) for that it being the Lords owne ordinance (as shall appeare) we are to perswade our selves, that his spirit shall guide them: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership, &c.
5 The way that was used in the Apostles time in examining, is of us to be followed, unlesse some reason out of the word to perswade the conscience, can be alleadged to the contrary, which none have ever yet done: But many used in the Apostles tim… to examine, as appeareth in chosing out one to be in the place of Judas, Act 1.22.23. and fit men for Deacons, Act. 6.5. whereof the Governours especially were some, for that they were to ordaine upon knowledge, …s is said in the first reason: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership, &c.
6 They whose testimony the people may best credit, are to examine them that are to be admitted: But the people may best credit the judgement of a company of able and sufficient men, which the Eldership rightly established must needs be: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership, &c.
7 Examination belongeth unto them which may most perswade the people of his sufficiency, and so procure greatest reverence unto him in his place: But the examination by the Eldership is such: Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership &c.
Therefore if they that are to ordaine, must examine:The Conclusion. if it be a matter of greatest w…ight in the government of the Church, and they the most able to dispatch it; if by them his sufficiency or ins…fficiency be best found out; if they be hardliest ca…ied away with affection or partiality; if the examination was such in the Apostles time; if the people may (in reason) give most credit to the examination that is by such▪ if that kinde of examination p…rswade the people best of his sufficiency, and procure him greatest reverence in his place: then must it needs follow, that it per…aineth to the Eldership to examine those that are to be admitted to any office in the Church.
There is nothing objected against this, that hath any shew of …eason in it, and therefore it were needlesse to set any thing downe.