A Little Stone Found to be Counterfeit, Treatise · Part 2 · Section 3
SECTION III. Mr. Lockiers 5th Argument proſecuted, from SECT. 6. to SECT. 11. incluſive diſcuſſed.
section 1 FIfthly (ſaith he SECT. 6.) in theſe weighty things forementioned, Cenſures, Ordina…ions, &c. The Scripture is expreſſe, that the whole Church ſhould be joyntly authoritative about them, and not the Preſbytery or Eld…ſhip of the Church alone. Hitherto we have had ſome Theologicall reaſons (ſuch as they are) brought by the Author for his Aſſertion: How he has acquite himſelf in theſe for his intended purpoſe, we leave it to all impartiall Readers to judge. Yet what ever weakneſſe be in theſe, if he can bring us expreſſe Scripture for his Aſſert…on, if one expreſſe Scripture, we are ready to yeeld. See then now how he makes good this undertaking, only Reader take notice here, what it is for which he undertakes to bring expreſſe Scripture: That the whole Church ſhould be joyntly authoritative, &c. if the whole Church, then Women and Children, are no part of the Church, or they alſo muſt be joyntly authoritative in theſe maters of Government. Either here is an haſty unadviſed expreſſion: Or an uncouth undertaking, that no ſober man, I believe, will joyn in with him, to bring expreſſe Scripture for Women and Childrens joynt authoritative concurrence in the maters of Church-Government, which in effect, is as much as to undertake to bring expreſſe Scripture contradicting it ſelf. But come w… to ſee how this undertaking is made good in theſe ſeverall particulars, that Scripture is expreſſe that the whole Church (w…ether men of age, women and children all together, or men alone) ought to be joyntly authoritative in theſe actings.
section 2 As for cenſures the command of Chriſt is that we tell the Church, Mat. 18. 17. which word, I judge, doth mean the whole Church, and not the Elderſhip only, unleſſe I could find, the Church thus uſed in Scripture for the Preſbytery only. If it ſhould be ſaid that Church here meaneth the Jewiſh Synedrion, and ſo by prop…rtion the Elderſhip of the Goſpel Church. To this he Anſwereth two things. 1. That the Synedrion was inſtituted for civill affairs, Numb. 11. 17. and then takes ſome pains to clear that theſe Officers mentioned in that place, we…e only Civill Officers, notwithſtanding that they are ſaid to have received a Spirit whereby they Propheſied, and then concludes, that to make a proportion between a Civill ſtation to an Eccleſiaſtick, is not regular. 2. I ſee no reaſon (ſaith he) from the context, why it ſhould be thought, that the Jewiſh Repreſentative, of …ne kinde or other, ſhould be meant their conven… judicum, or their conventus Eccleſiaſtici, &c. Anſ. 1. Mr. Lockiers judgement concerning the meaning of the word Church (I judge ſaith he) may have its own due reſpect, as the judgement of one man: But, … muſt give us leave to have re… …oo, … judgement of the many, Ancient and Modern, … for the … part, except of late, untill Morellius, … and … …oſe, have underſtood by the Church, … the Elders and Rulers of the Church. … Mr. Rutherf …oa…gable plea, cap. 8. p. 88. to who… we might …de many moe. 2. If ſo be that the word Church be of ſuch ſignification, as that it has been ordinarly… uſed to ſignifie a …dge of Rulers and ſo mig… be applyed to ſignifie a Colledge … …rgument to ſay, the word … elſe … Scripture is uſed for the Preſbytery or Elderſhip only: Ergo, neither is it ſo uſed here in this place: By a … conſequence one might ſay▪ when it is ſaid, 1 Cor. 11, 10▪ … ought to have power on her head, the word power cannot mean, a covering as a ſign… of ſubjection to the power of the … a double me… …, of the thing ſignified for the… … one Correlatum for another) becauſe the word pow… … found other where in Scripture uſed in this meaning. Sure if that conſequence be good, the genuine true meaning of many places of Scripture (wherein words are found taken in ſuch meaning, as they ar… not to be found taken in elſe where) ſhould be overturned. If a word in ſome particular paſſage of Scripture, may, in cong…uity of ſpeech, bear ſuch a particular ſenſe, and to take it in that particular ſenſe in that particular place, is not contrary to the Analogie of faith, nor puts a ſenſe upon the paſſage contrary to any truth otherwhere delivered in Scripture, may conſiſt with the purpoſe of Antecedents and Conſequents in the context; It may well be Int…ret in ſuch a particular ſignification, in that particular place, th… it could not be found in that ſame ſignification, in any other place of Scripture: Much more if the purpoſe intended in the Text and ſome circumſtances to be found in the context, be ſuch as requires it to be taken in ſuch a ſignification. Now to the preſ… purpoſe in hand. 1. The genuine grammaticall ſignification of the word Church, foreign, is ſuch as may well be applyed to ſignifie a co…tion or Colledge of Rulers, and certain it is, that the Hebrew word foreign is oftener then once in Scripture uſed for the convention … Colledge of Judges or Rulers, as Pſal. 82. …. 1. 2. To take the word in ſuch a ſenſe here for the Colledge of Church Rulers the Elderſhip, puts no ſenſe upon the place, contrary to the Analogie of fa…or any truth otherwhere delivered in Scripture, l…t Mr. Lockier ſhew us any thing of this kind. What is brought by him a little after from 1 Cor. 5. 4. ſhall be conſidered in its place. 3. …here is nothing in the antecedents or conſequents, or in the context of the place inconſiſtent with it. Yea 4. The purpoſe ſpoken of in the Text and circumſtan… are ſuch as ſeeme to requ… it to be taken in ſuch a ſignification. …y, I will …ot ſay that the purpoſe or circumſtances will force us to take the name of the Church, here, in a different ſignification from that whereby it ſignifies the viſible ſociety of Chriſtians, as well, privat profeſſours as Rulers: Yet this I will ſay, that ſuch is the purpoſe and ſuch circumſtances are in the context, as permits not all and every one Univerſally, who are coprehended under …ſignification otherwiſe, to be taken in as the definit perſons to whom that dilation of offences, and inflicting of cenſure ſpoken of there, doth belong; but that muſt be the Rulers alone. I like well the judicious obſervation of Cameron in his praelect. on the place, pag. 26. Edit. Salmur. in 4. where after that he has ſaid ſundry things before, upon the uſe of the word Eccleſia, at laſt has theſe words, which I think ſpeaks the moſt genuine meaning of the place. A… haec omnia & illud accedit, &c. to all (ſaith he) that hath been ſpoken this may be added, that theſe things may be ſaid, to be told to the Church, which are told to theſe, who are with authority over the Church for as the body is ſaid to ſee, when as only the eyes do ſee; ſo the Church is ſaid to hear, that which theſe only hear, who are as it were the eyes of the Church, no… that the Rulers, are vicarii, or ſubſtitutes of the Church, as the eyes are not vicarii, or ſubſtitutes of the hands and feet: But as the body is a certain who…e whereof the ſeverall members have their ſeverall functions, in the very like manner, the Church is a… body that conſiſts of the compaction of more members, to each of which belongeth their proper functions; ſo that when one preſents an object to be ſeen by the eye, he is ſaid to preſent it to the body, ſo he that dila…eth a matter to the Colledge of Presbyters he ſeemeth to dilate it to the Church whereof that Colledge is a part: ſo far he judiciouſly.
section 3 Now take the name of the Church in that ſenſe that is competent to the whole body of Chriſtian Profeſſours: yet that all and every one of the body ſignified by that name cannot be taken as the definite perſon to whom theſe actions ſpoken of here belongs, as formally concu…ing therein, I prove 1. becauſe the actions here ſpoken of, as belonging to the Church, are Acts of Government and Authority, yea Acts of higheſt authority and power, receiving of publick judiciall delations, judging upon them, authoritative commanding amendement of the offence, inflicting of publick, even the higheſt cenſure of Excommunication upon diſobedience: But cleat it is from Scripture that not to all and every one, members of the Viſible Church, for example women and children, are Acts of Government and Authority, formally competent: and therefore theſe things aſcribed here to the Church cannot be underſtood to be aſcribed to the whole Church; Therefore I think Mr. Lockier muſt either ſay one of theſe two, that of the whole Church, women and children are no parts, or that women and children muſt have an hand and concurrence formally, in receiving publick judiciall delations, &c. or elſe he muſt correct that, Which word (Church, Math. 18. 17.) I judge doth mean the whole Church, and expound it of all men of age in the Church, Profeſſours as well as Elders: and then give us leave to ask him, where he can finde the Church, ſo uſed for only men of age profeſſing, excluding women and children? And, to uſe his own Argument, if he cannot finde it ſo uſed otherwhere in Scripture, how can he judge it to mean ſo here? But 2. that the perſons here deſigned cannot be all and every one of the Church, that are men of age, but muſt be the Rulers or Elderſhip only. I prove 1. by an Argument ad hominem, upon a ground acknowledged, confeſſed and practized by theſe of the Independent way themſelves, well obſerved by worthy Mr. Baillie, Diſſwaſive from Err. par. 1. c. 9. p. 192. they to whom offences are to be told immediately, after the two or three witneſſes in a private way are not heard, are intended and meant here, when Chriſt ſaith, tell the Church; But the Elders alone without the people concurring with them, are theſe to whom offences are to be told and delated immediately, &c. Ergo. the Major or firſt Propoſition is clear in the Text: The Minor or Aſſumption is their own confeſſion and practice. See Hooker Surv. Part 3. c. 3. p. 36. maters are firſt brought to the Elders, they muſt judge whether the maters be of weight or worth, examine the cauſe, call witneſſes, take depoſitions, yea and at laſt ere ever the people give any vote, propound the ſentence dogmatically, which the people are oblidged to obey in the ſame way, that they are oblidged to obey their preaching of the Goſpel; So then either our Brethren muſt acknowledge that under the name of the Church here, Tell the Church, are intended the Elders alone, or their doctrine and practice of bringing ſcandals firſt to the Elderſhip thus as we have ſeen, muſt of neceſſity be not only groundleſſe, beſide Scripture warrand, but directly contrair to the Scripture in hand. And here it is remarkable that the learned and godly Mr. Parker, albeit he be of a judgment contrary to us touching the firſt ſubject of the power of the Keyes, yet is forced to acknowledge with us that in theſe words, Mat. 18. 17. Tell the Church, in the beginning of the Verſe is meant the Elderſhip onelyonly: De Pol…. lib. 3. c. 15. [Eccleſiam primo loco conſideratam in his verbis, Praeciſè partem Ariſtocraticam, id eſt Preſbyterium, ſignificare exiſtimamus] Tho in the next immediately following words, If he will not hear the Church, he will have the people, as concurring with the Presbytery, to be underſtood, which is exceeding ſtrange to me. But 2ly. that which we have affirmed, That it is only the Elderſhip whom Chriſt definitely intends under the name of the Church there, and not the people as to concurre authoritatively with them in the acts ſpoken of in the place, beſides that Argument ad hominem, there be many other ſolide reaſons both from the circumſtances in the place, and from the nature of the purpoſe ſpoken of in it, comparing it with other places of Scripture ſpeaking of the ſame purpoſe to demonſtrate that Aſſertion. Being reſolved to be as ſhort as we can conveniently in this part of our Examination, in regard the purpoſe herein treated, is ſo learnedly and largely handled already by others, we ſpare inſerting of theſe reaſons here, and refer the Reader, for ſatisfaction in the point in hand, to Mr. Rutherfurds peaceable Plea, C. 8. deſiring alſo Mr. Lockier, if he think fit, to aſſay an anſwer to his Arguments there for that which we have aſſerted.
As for Mr. Lockeirs inſiſting ſo much to refut… theſe who ſay that Chriſt in that direction, tell the Church, and if he will not hear the Church, &c. meant the Jewiſh Synedrion or Judicatory then ſtanding, the it were granted which he intends, that Chriſt meant not that, yet it gives …o advantage to his cauſe, that not the Elders alon… of the Chriſtian Church, but the whole people muſt be underſtand by it. Certaine it is, that Chriſt in giving theſe directions concerning Eccleſiaſtick proceeding in the mater of publick ſcandals and c…nſures in the Chriſtian Chur… at leaſt allud… to the maner and o…er of proceeding in th… …ewiſh Church abo… maters of judgement and cenſures, and to their Syn…ry or conſiſtory with which his hearers were well acquainted, that ſo they might the better underſtand his mind concerning the order he was now apoin… in the Chriſtian Church, and that is ſufficient fo… our purpoſe: For certain it is that in the Jewiſh Church, maters of judgement and cenſures, were never authoritatively managed by the people, but onelyonly by their Rulers and Elders. Now Chriſt ſpeaking to his hearers in a form of ſpeach known to them, and alluding to that way of Judicature in uſe amongſt them hitherto, what elſe could they underſtand, by tell the Church, but, tell the Elders of the Congregation, ſee Bez. great annot. on the place. So we need not inſiſt upon examination of his two Replyes to theſe who ſay that by the name of the Church here is meant firſt the Jewiſh Synedrion, and then by proportion the Elderſhip of the Chriſtian Church which was to be afterward. Yet this much I may ſay, that Mr. Lockier has but weakly refuted theſe: Therefore a brief word to each part of his reply to them.
section 5 To the firſt, viz. that the Synedrion was inſtituted for Civill Affaires between man and man, Mr. Lockier might known that theſe men he ſpeaks againſt here, could anſwer that beſide the Synedrion inſtituted for Civill Affaires, there was another Eccleſiaſtick, diſtinct from that Civill, for things Eccleſiaſtick, and conſidering that ſo many *See theſe cited by learned Gilleſpy, A…rons Rod, book 1. c. 3.learned men, much ſtudied and acquainted in the Jewiſh antiquities, have aſſerted this Eccleſiaſtick San…hedrin diſtinct from the Civill, and given ſo many conſiderable reaſons for it. I wonder much that Mr. Lockier could come forth with a naked. Aſſertion of the contra…e without the leaſt ſhaddow of proof: As for that he ſpeake for clearing of Numb. 11. that theſe Officers mentioned there, were Civill, is not …o purpoſe … theſe Authors; Becauſe they grant theſe ſpok… of there … Civill Rulers, but they bring other places fo… th… …her Eccleſiaſtick Court. If Mr. Lockier would make it out, that there … no …nhedrim amongſt the Jews bu… for Civill Affairs, he … well to take into conſideration and ſolidely anſwer what … for the con…rate by that … Aaro… R…d, book 1. c. 3. throug… … muſt pu… … in mind, that he will find a … Godwyn, B. D. not only aſſ…ing upon the like grounds … Gilleſpy… that diſtinct Eccleſiaſtick Cou…, …n his Moſes and A…ron, l…. 5. c. 1. but alſo expreſly affir…ing, that this of our … the Church, was ſpoken with relation to it. His wor… are …emarkable, and worth the inſer… …ag. 199. The Office (ſaith he) of the Eccleſiaſtick Court was …o put a difference between things Holy and unholy, and between clean …d …, Lev. 10. 10. and to determine appeals in controverſ… of difficultie. It was a repreſentative Church, … Eccleſiae, Matth. 18. 17. Becauſe unto them belong… … of Excommunication: belike this Learned man has not been of Thomas Goodwin, B. D. his mind touching Eccleſiaſtick Government; For ſure I am that which he ſayeth here is as contrary unto the Independent way, as one part of a contradiction to another.
section 6 As for the other part of his reply, SECT. 7. I will not contend for it poſitively that Chriſt meant the Jewiſh Eccleſiaſtick Court: It is enough for him that he ſpeaks of the order of Judicature to be in the Goſpel Church with alluſion to that of the Jewiſh, and ſo as proportionall to it. But me thinks. Mr. Lockier reaſons but weakly againſt them that ſayes it is directly meant. There is (ſaith he) nothing foregoing or following that gives any leaning langwage this way: But much to … and ſignifie that he ſpeaks of that Church which ſhould spee… …ake place, to wit, the order of the Gospel Church. Anſ. 1. Mr. Lockier ſo ſpeaks here, as if theſe who Interpret that tell the Church of the Jewiſh Eccleſiaſtick Court, did ſo underſtand it of this, as to exclude the …der of the Goſpel Church from the meaning of it. This is a miſtake or a miſrepreſentation of their mind, for they comprehend both under it as is known, a… ſo Interprets the direction, as for the preſent time relating to the Court of the J…wiſh Church, which was then in preſent being, and enjoyning the ſame courſe by Analogy to be taken by Chriſtian then they ſhould have Churches ſet up. 2. Tho I will not ſay … …ere is ground in the words to prove demonſtratively that … ſaying … the Church, meant it of the order of the Jewiſh Church directly, and ſo was …cting his preſent hearers in caſe of ſuc… offences mentioned there, to have recourſe to their Eccleſiaſtick Court: Yet I cannot judge ſo baſely of learned Divines, that have underſtood ſo, as to think they would of meer will, without any expreſſion in the words ſeeming to incline, or leaning that way, and indeed there are in the context two things eſpecially which ſeems not improbably to lean that way. 1. Not only ſpeaks he to his heare …s in the preſent …ſe… if thy brother offend thee, go and tell him, tell the Church, but alſo is ſpeaking of a caſe that might have in that preſent time fallen out, and which falling out, it was neceſſary for them to know, and be informed, what courſe they ſhould follow f…edreſſe of it. Hudſon vindic. of the Eſſence and Ʋnity of, &c c. 1. p. 3.2. It inclines not a little to underſtand a Church that was in preſent being among the Jews, becauſe he applyes his preſent ſpeech to the capacity of the Jews: Let him be to thee as an Heathen and Publican, who might not have communion with Heathens, and would not with Publicans. But Chriſtians might eat and drink with both: I ſay not theſe are demonſtrative grounds; Yet they may ſeem to lean that way. But ſee we what the Author brings from the Text that the order of the Goſpel Church, and it only (for ſo he muſt be underſtood) is meant.
section 7 His firſt Ground is this, He (Chriſt) ſpeaks in the verſe foregoing of little ones, which he explaines to be true beleevers and converted ones, v. 6. & v. 3. & this is made the qualification of the viſible members of the New Church in the Chapter foregoing, Mat. 16. 17. Anſ. 1. That true ſaving faith and converſion is the qualification (viz. in the externall Eccleſiaſtick Court) of Viſible Church members, is a dream; and that it is taught, Matth. 16, 17. is another dream; and that another kind of qualification (as to ſubſtance) is requiſite in viſible members of the Church under the N. T. then was under the Old is a third, as many of his own ſide will confeſſe, who uſually, in that Queſtion, bring Arguments from the conſtitution of the Church under the Old Teſt. 2. What neceſſity of conſequence is here. Chriſt in the foregoing▪ v. 14. of Matth. 18. ſpeaks of little ones true beleevers, and true faith is, the qualification of members of the New or Goſpel Church: …rgo, when v. 17. he bids a Brother, if he cannot get an offending …rother reclaimed by privat admonition, tell the Church, he is to be underſtood to ſpeak only of the order to be kept in ſuch offences, in the Goſpel Church that was to be afterward; I confeſſe, if this conſequent can be clearly deduced and proven from that ante…den… per decimam nonam conſequentiam I am deceived, certainly, the conſequence of it is not immediatly evident, let the Author aſſay to make it out.
section 8 2. Ground, Then (ſaith he) the very words of cenſure in caſe the Church be diſobeyed, are the ſame he uſeth to Peter when he gave the Keyes to him upon his faith, Whatſoever ye bind on earth, &c. Mat. 18. 18. and juſt this he ſaith to Peter, c. 16. 19. And I will give unto thee the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Whatſoever thou ſhalt bind on earth, &c. ſo that the one explains the other; That by Church is not meant the Preſbytery or Elderſhip of one ſort or other but the Gospel Church the Congregation of beleevers, theſe conjunctim have the power to cenſure—Anſw. I confeſſe, I cannot well (ſuch is, may be, my dullneſſe) conceive what is the order and forme of this Argument in relation to prove that which he undertook a little before, viz. that in that, tell the Church, is not meant the Jewiſh Elderſhip whether Civill or Eccleſiaſtick. 1. If he would reaſon thus, the words of cenſure here uſed are the ſame with theſe, Mat. 16. 19. when the power of the Keyes were given to Peter upon his faith, and theſe are words expreſſing the order of the Goſpel Church. Therefore by the name of the Church uſed here cannot be meant the Jewiſh Elderſhip. I Anſwer, then the Author conſiders not, that the firſt words of cenſure are ſuch as are relative to the order of the Jewiſh Church, let him be to thee as a Heathen man and a Publican. Or, 2. If his purpoſe be to reaſon only thus. The power of cenſure ſpoken of here, being the ſame with that ſpoken of, Mat. 16. theſe to whom it is aſcribed here, and given to there, are the ſame▪ the one pla… explains the other: But there, Mat. 16. it is given … Peter is a beleever, and ſo in him, to the Church of beleevers the Goſpel Church, Ergo, here muſt be underſtood, not the … of …e and or other, J…wiſh or Chriſtian, Anſw. Its … …ver yet proven, not ever will be, that the power of the …yer; of binding and looſing were, Mat. 16. given to Peter, as a beleever, … to the … Church of beleevers.
section 9 He adds for …, Theſe … have the power to cenſure and caſt out, according to that, Corn. 5. 4. When you are gath…ed together, &c. to deliver ſuch a one to Satan, &c. and by the ſame power …ved in again, that as his puniſhment was by many, ſo his conſolatio… … reception might be by many alſo, as 'tis 2 Cor. 2. …. that Sat… might take no advantage, which is enough to ſhew, how that admiſſion of members ſhould be by a joint act of the Church, as well as excommunication of Members. ANSW. The Author contemns his Read… very much, when as he thinks it enough, to cite controverted Pa…ges of Scripture, and affirm they ſpeak enough for his …, without the leaſt eſſay to bring any argument or ground to prove and clear that to be their meaning which he affirmeth. They are too too credulous that will be moved by ſuch kinde of dictating, rather then diſputing. We deny that the place, 1 Cor. 5. 4. doth import that the power to cenſure and excommunicate doth belong to the whole Congregation of believers, as Judges and formall authoritative Actors therein. And we deny in like maner, that, 2 Cor. 2. 6. doth import that the reception of the cenſured or excōmunicated, is by the whole Congregation acting therein authoritatively. When Mr. Lockier ſhall be pleaſed to preſent us ſome reaſons for what he ſaith, we ſhall take them into conſideration. In the mean while, he muſt give us leave not to be moved by his naked Aſſertions, and withall we refer the Reader, for further ſatisfaction concerning theſe Paſſages, to Cameron. praelect. in Mat. 18. 15. p. 19, …0. Edit. Salmur, in 40. Rutherfurd. due right of Preſ…. c. 2. pag. 36, 37. and c. 10. pag. …48, 349, 35…, 351, 352. Jus Divin. of Church Government, par. 2. c. 10. pag. 97. and humbly deſires Mr. Lockier to conſider what they have ſaid on the places.
section 10 What followeth ſaid by the Author in his 7th. SECT, the contrary to this underſtanding, &c. to the end: Is nothing elſe but a bitter railing, which I think the judicious godly men of his way will not own, and account unworthy the defi…ng Paper with tranſcribing it, onelyonly briefly to it. 1. Whether …e Independent way or the Preſ…yterian way of Government be liker and nearer to Prelaticall or Papall tyranny, …et all indifferent men judge: When as we put the authoritative and judicall Power of cenſures in the hands of the Elderſhip or Rulers of the Church onelyonly, we make not people meer ſpectators or witneſſes of what is done; But give unto them a rational obediential conſent, ſo that they are not oblidged to give their obedientiall conſent and concurrence to the Elderſhips acts, if they find the… not agreeable to the Word of God: And your own moſt judicious and beſt adviſed, make the dogmaticall determination of cenſure, which they aſcribe to the ſole Elderſhip, as obligatory upon the people for their obedience, as we do the Preſbyteries ſentence, and as their Preaching of the Word of God …: … 2. whereas in the Presbyterian way, inferior Elderſhips are countable for their proceedings to Superior, more ample and larger Elderſhips, and incaſe of grievance by the ſentence of an inferior, appeal and recourſe may be had to a Superior more ample (which is far from the Prelaticall or Papall way, wherein the procedure is from moe to fewer till you come to one: A Lord Metrapolitan or an univerſall Pope) but in your way three Elders giving a dogmatical determination with four or five private brethren concurring with them (as they are obliged to obey their determination, as much as their Preaching of the Goſpell) may Excommunicate a man and are accountable to none on earth in a Church way, to recognoſce or …edreſſe, if they do amiſſe, and if they ſhould deliver ſouls enough to Satan unjuſtly, there is none on earth that can autho…itatively call them to an account in a Church way to ſay to them; What do you. Now let the World judge whether of theſe two be neareſt a *See a ſad inſtance of this related by M. Caudrey vindic. vind. Epiſtle to the diſſ.Papall power, three Elders with ſome few private brethren having ſupreame Power on earth to Excommunicate perſons, unaccountable, uncorrigible by any Superiour on earth: Or ſome Preſbyters acting in ſubordination to a larger Presbytery, to whom recourſe may be had for recognoſcing their proceedings and ſentence, and rectifying it, if amiſſe; and if theſe haply fail, then recourſe may be had yet to a Synode▪ may be, conſiſting of a hundred Miniſters, and as many or more choiſe Elders of all the Churches of a whole Province: Yea and if haply th… … a failing there, recourſe may be had to a Synode of ſevera… …undreds of the choice Miniſters and Elders of all the Churches of a whole Nation. I ſay again …et all indifferent men judge whether of theſe wayes be neareſt to the Papall Power. 2. Its a foul miſrepr…ſentation that our Interpretation of the place, 1 Cor. 5. 4. is the very Doctrine of Ieſuits of Rhe…s. We confeſſe, we ſay as they (becauſe therein they ſay with the truth) that authority of giving ſentence was not in the whole multitude of the Church, and that the Power of binding and looſing was not given to the who…e Church, at the ſubject; but for their good as the end, and in this they ſay righter then they that ſay the contrare (which they falſly aſcribe to all Proteſtant Divines) But the Rhemiſts Jeſuites puts that power in the hands of the ſole Prelates, Office… that were never of Gods appointing, excluding all other Miniſters of Chriſt, we with the Word of God, diſclaiming all Prelates, maintain it to be in all the Miniſters and Elders of the Church, to …e exerciſed by them conjunctim: Rhemiſts with other Papiſts, make their Prelaticall power and authority lordly, ſoveraigne, dictatorian: tyrannicall, oblidging the people to abſolute blind obedience. We give no power to Elders but Miniſteriall, the actings and determinations whereof, ought not to be received by people in a way of blind obedience; but may and ought by them, be tryed and proven in the judgement of private diſcretion whether they …e agreeable to their rule, the Word of God, or not. 3. When as Mr. Lockier ſayeth that Gods people are deprived of their beſt liberties, when they have not joint authoritative concurrence and vote in the Acts of Government, but theſe are only in the hands of the Elderſhip, and that is a bondage to them, and that 'tis little oddes under whom they have this bondage; one Prelate or many Presbyters. 1. I think upon more ſerious advice and deliberation he will take up that word againe, where hee calls, liberty of judiciall authoritative voteing in Acts of Government the beſt liberties of the people of God, I think he will find they have liberties much better then that. But, 2. does Mr. Lock…r indeed account it a depriving of people of their Liberties, and a bondage to be under the Government of Rulers, with whom they may not all and every one of them; joyn … …tively in the Acts of Government? Certainly this princip… …s under his words here, and beleeve tho it may pleaſe Levellers well (for it is juſt their language) yet it will not …elliſh very well to ſuch as have the preſent Government in their hand. … When he ſayeth that Preſbyters take power to themſelves without the word (viz. in acting in Government without joynt authoritative concurrence of the people) and therefore may juſtly have the ſame title with other uſurpers, &c. we ſay the Author bu… begs the Queſtion (that they take that power without the …) which he has not yet proven, nor ever will; The Word of God being clear for it, that they are Rulers ſet over the Church to govern them, and people commanded to give obedience unto them in that relation; …nd therefore to call them, as …, whom Jeſus Chriſt never appointed to be Rulers over his Church, uſurpers, is nothing elſe but to call good, evill, and light darkneſſe.
section 11 The Authors ſecond inſtance to make out his generall Aſſertion undertaken, SECT. 6. is taken from the proceedings of the Synod of Jeruſalem, Acts 15. Where the Apoſtles themſelves were preſent and diverſe Elders with them, the matters being of great conſequence, as well for faith as practice; Yet nothing was done in the beginning, carrying on, or ending of the ſame, but with intereſſing the Congregation and the Brethren, their names being to the Letters, they ſpeaking in the Aſſembly, they having ſatisfaction by Argument, and not overborn by Authority, and theſe joining their aſſent, in ſending back choſen Meſſengers from amongſt them, as Judas and Silas, to other Churches; they were the Apoſtles, Elders with the whole Church that joyned in it, Acts 15. 22, 23. If at any time the Church might been left out, it might have been at ſuch a time a… this, when the inſpired Apoſtles were preſent and in matters of this nature—yet would they not leave ſuch an example, to future Churches of ſuch a way. Anſ. Were Mr. Lockiers cauſe he pleadeth for, never ſo good, yet I muſt crave leave to ſay, it is ill managed in this inſtance, If I have not ground to ſay ſo, I …ave to impartiall men to judge by theſe things following. …. Let the maters handled and concluded in this Synod be, objec…ly, of never ſo …ca… conſequence; Yet by Mr. Lockiers … proſecution of his … Aſſertion, namely, SECT. 30. and … The Synods Act and determination thereupon, was meer counſell, and no authoritative juri…dictionall decree. Nor could they do any more but counſell and …, by the Independent Doctrine, (which … truth) But from this ad hominem. If … with Apoſtles and Elders, in a mater of meer counſell and adviſe; What is that to the purpoſe now in controverſie? Becauſe privat Chriſtians may joyntly concur with …ders in Acts of counſell, does it follow that they muſt alſo joynt … …thoritatively concur with them in authoritative juridicall Acts of Government? …. When he ſaith that nothing was done, in the b…ginning, carrying on, or ending of theſe maters but with intereſſing the Congregation and the Brethren. 1. Why does he here uſe ſo ambiguous a word as, intereſ…ing the Congregation: and … not plainly and ſpeci…icall… but with joynt authorit…tive concurrence of &c. may the… not be a intereſſing of perſons, in the managing of ſuch a publick procedure, and yet without their authoritative concurrence? viz. to be witneſſes of the juſtneſſe of the procedure, that they may have the more clear ſatisfaction in their conſciences in giving their obedientiall concurrence, to have their conſultative advice upon the buſineſſe, to have their privat, tho not authoritative approbation? Mr. Lockier in all this Section does not once mention their joynt authoritative concurrence, becauſe as I conceive, he thought the act of the whole Synod to be no authoritative juridicall act. 2. Whom means he by the Congregation, without whoſe intereſſing in the whole buſineſſe nothing was done? Whether the Congregation of Jeruſalem alone, or alſo the Congregations and Brethren of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia? The latter cannot be ſaid, as is evident: and to ſay the former. Firſt is nothing to make out his purpoſe: Becauſe theſe other Churches, being as much if not more concerned in the maters that were to be concluded in the Synod, if nothing could be done without the intereſſing or joynt concurrence of the Congregation and the Brethren of Jeruſalem, with the Elders, theſe other Congregations and Brethren, ought as much and more to have been intereſſed, and joyntly to have concurred. Again, nor yet can it be that all th… Congregation or Church of …ruſalem could …e ſo … to concur jointly in acting and voting that buſineſſe in … with the Apoſtles and Elders (which yet M…. Lockie… … ſay) firſt the beleevers in …eruſalem were ſo numerous that they could not all conveen with the Apoſtles and … one … and in one place to act and vote in the …. The… could not all meet together at once, in one place, for ordinary acts o… Worſhip, and ſo were indeed a Presbyteriall Church, as is demonſtrat irrefragably, by ſundrie, Mr. Rutherfurd. The Aſſembly in their Anſwers to the Diſſenting Brethren. Jus. Divi… … Church Government, and others: And therefore the whole Church mentioned, v. 22. muſt not be underſtood of the whole Church of Beleevers in Jeruſalem, but of the whole caetus Synodious, the Synodicall multitude, the Synodicall Church.
section 12 But to anſwer directly, we acknowledge and maintain that not only this meeting was a proper Synod, but alſo the determination thereof was authoritative and juridicall, and as to that which Mr. Lockier intendeth here that the Congregation, privat Brethren, jointly concurred with the Apoſtles and Elders in the determination. Granting that the Brethren mentioned, were privat Chriſtians out of office. 1. Theſe were not the whole Churches concerned in the buſineſſe that was determined (which yet he muſt ſay, if he would ſay any thing to his purpoſe intended in his firſt Aſſertion) as has been ſhown, yea, nor all the Church of Jeruſalem as hath been alſo ſhown. 2. We deny that theſe privat Brethren concurred with the Apoſtles and Elders authoritatively in the determination of the ſentence. They gave at moſt but their privat aſſent and approbation, which we grant may be given unto privat Chriſtians in any Synod. That they had not authoritative definitive vote, ſeemeth clear from ſomewhat expreſſed in the hiſtory it ſelf of …at Synod obſerved by Mr. Rutherfurd peace. plea. c. 14. p. 213, Firſt theſe only had definitive vote who met together Synodically to conſider of the Queſtion. But theſe were only Apoſtles and Elders. c. 15. v. 7. Non dicit Lucas conveniſſe totam Eccleſiam; Sed eos qui ratione officij erant legittimi judices. Calv. com. in loc. again the Canons of the Synod are denominated foreign, decrees which were ordai…d by the Apoſtles and … Jeruſalem, c. 16. 4. & 21. 25. the particulars reckoned up … Mr▪ …ckier proves not the country. 1. That their names wa… in th… …yhodicall Letters (rather the Letter… were in their name generally: For we read …thing of their particular ſubſcriptions) Firſt this is no act of authority in it ſelf. Secondly, Nor doth it nec…ſſarily imp… their author…tative concurrence in the determination co…luded in the ſentence …f the Synod, and intimate by the Letters to the Churches. For as Letters being Writen to a multitude conſiſting of perſons of diverſe capacities, ſome publick and in office, ſome privat without office, may contain ſome things peculi…r to the one, ſome things belonging to the other, yea may recommend one buſineſſe to both, but to be acted by them according to their different capacities and ſtations. So Letters as ſent from ſuch a compoſed company, in name of all, may contain ſome things as common acts of all in whoſe name they are written, and ſome things as proper acts of a part of them, or ſomethings as proceeding from all but in a different way according to their ſeverall capacities, as proceeding from ſome authoritatively, and from others, a… giving their privat conſent thereunto which may adde more weight to the authoritative determination amongſt others. 2. For their ſpeaking in the Aſſemb. 1… It is not ſaid in the Text that they did ſpeak: The ſpeech and Diſputation that was in the Aſſemb. for ought appears, was amongſt the Apoſtles and Elders before the Brethren; Not by the Brethren: what is ſaid v. 12. that all the multitude kept ſilence foreign, proves not that they diſputed before; the word (as Mr. Caudrey well obſerveth, vindic. clav. pag. 54.) ſignifies no more but this, that they were quiet or held their peace from noiſe or murmuring, uſuall with multitudes, they hearkned attentively. 2. Suppoſe they did ſpeak, propoſe, and reaſon upon the matter (as we grant that privat Chriſtians may in a Synod, in an orderly way, ſo the 2. Book of Diſcipline of the Kirk of Scotland, c. 7.) that proves not …t they did vote authoritatively and definitively in the determination, that they received ſatisfaction by reaſon, proves it not neither: That may be neceſſary and given to clear mens conſciences in concurring by privat approbation and rationall obedience. 3. That they joined their aſſent we ſhall not deny, but the Queſtion is, what ſort of aſſent, whether authoritative and definitive… … is not proven, nor can be proven from the Text. Their …urring in ſending Meſſengers prove… it not.
section 13 As to what followes of Mr. Lockiers words in this 8. SECT. yet would they not leave, &c. 1. What he means by Presbyters Primats, and theſe introduceing ſuperintendents bringing in generall coercive Aſſem. I confeſſe I underſtand not, ſure I am, Presbyterians acknowledges no presbyters Primats, nor ſuperintendants either, but that their way is very contrary to both. 2. I confeſſe the Apoſtles in their practice in this Synod left no example introducing of a Pope, but withall I think …hey left an example for a Synod (generall or particular) wherein Church Rulers may juridically determine controverſies in Religion according to the Word of God, oblidging people to obedience under hazard of Eccleſiaſtick cenſure (as ſhall be more cleared hereafter) and that this does not ſuperſede any power of people or particular Aſſemb. of Saints (privat beleevers) that is competent to them by the grant and appointment of Jeſus Chriſt. I cloſe this purpoſe of this Section with the words of the Learned Profeſſours of Leiden Synop. Pur. Theol. Diſp. 49. de Concil. Theſ. 29. Si ex. Laicis cujuſcunque ſtatus & conditionis ſunt viri, pietate, ſacrarum rerum intelligentiâ, ſapientiâ & prudentiâ, modeſtiâ, pacis ſtudio & manſuetudine inſignes, admitti & accedere poſſunt, ſed vocati, ſeu ab Eccleſiâ ſelecti & miſſi, iique ſuo ordine & modo rogati, ſententiam dicere:—verumtamen ab illis in publicâ hâc actione, conſilium & arbitrium potius quàm ſuffragium requiritur. Adfuiſſe ſanè plebem conſilio, & Apoſtolis Preſbyteriſque adſtitiſſe, ut auditores, & teſtes, & ſilentio ſaltem ſuo, ſi non voce approbatores fuiſſe, conſenſumque praebuiſſe, videre eſt, Act. 15. Atque id etiam comprobat primarum & probatarum Synodorum praxis & uſus ut in Concilio Carthaginenſi ſub Cypriano liq…et. Interea tamen & populo Chriſti mane… h…c ſuum ex divino Verbo judicium ſed privatum, …e humana placita pro divinis accipiat, Math. 7. 19.
section 14 For h… 3. inſtance conce…ning elections of Officers, we grant that election of Officers is to be done by the …. But election is no … (which was one of the th… weighty things mentioned in … …ſſe…ion, and repeated a…ai… SECT. 6. wherein he under…k … …hat the Elder … to exert power without the … authoritative … of the people) not … i… formally give the office power, … ſignes the perſon to be inveſted … the pow… by … be not one already ordained as … …he … of th…ſ… … to be Deacons, Acts 6.) or applye… … to exerciſe his … in this particular charge, if ordained and in office …. Nor is it any authoritative act of Government. Ordination is done only by the Preſbyters and Officers, as th… Deacons elected by the people were ordained, not by them, b…t by the Apoſtles.
section 15 His 4th inſtance is of ordination of Elders. This we acknowledge to be a poteſtative act of Eccleſiaſtick authority, and affirme that in Churches conſtitute and in the ordinary way of calling, by Chriſts appointment in the Words belongs only to theſe who have Eccleſiaſtick Authority, the Presbytery or Elderſhip. Let's ſee how Mr. Lockier ſh…weth us expreſſe Scripture, that the people muſt joyntly conc…r …uthoritatively therein. His firſt Scripture is, Acts 1. foreign Communibus calculis, ſimul ſuffragijs electus eſt: By joynt voice was Matthias ordained to his place; After the Lord had pointed out which of the two ſhould be ſucceſſor to Judas, one would have thought that the Lord pointing out the man, had been enough to formalize the mater; And y…t leſt this might prove a means to juſtle out the priviledge of the whole Church in matters of eſſentiall concernment, after the Lords deſignation which was proper to him, they joyntly take this deſignation, and enſtate him amongſt them, not by the ſuffrages of ſome, but by the ſuffrages of the whole Church by preparing and drawing out of the whole to this particular work by the Apoſtle Peter, who ſtood up in the midſt of the Diſciples, the number being about an hundred and twenty, and ſpeaks of this mater joyntly to a…. Anſw. 1. Granting that by that word foreign, were ſignified an act of ordination performed upon Matthias formally conſtituting him an Apoſtle: Yet there can be nothing brought out of the Text to prove that all the Church preſent concurred formally in that authoritative act▪ Mr. Rutherfurds reaſoning from the Text to the contrary, to ſhew that it was only the Apoſtles, is very conſiderable, Due righ… of Preſbytery, c. 8. pag. 1…0. …eed not tranſcribe his groun… …e… Mr. Lockier anſw… … ▪ What he brings is either … and … ſufficient to prove his point o… an addition unto, or rather a corrupting of the Text, or a begging of …he Queſtion. 1. That the who…e hundred and twentie were drawn out to this Work, and Peter ſpa…e … them all …bout the mater and told them that one amongſt them muſt beg…en; …s a poor Argument to prove that all were to act formally in the authoritative act of the ordination of the man. They might all be called out to the Work, and Peter might ſpeak to them all and yet not all of them be there in one and the ſame capacity as to …at Work; But ſome as witneſſes and conſenters, ſome as formall actors. 2. That Peter in his ſpeach ſaid to all, that one of them, might be choſen by them. i. e. all of them. This is a plain addition unto or corrupting of the Text, wherein there is no ſuch thing. Peter ſayeth, of theſe men that hath companied with us—muſt one be ordained to be a witneſſe, he ſayeth not muſt be ordained by you. 3. When he ſayeth they appointed, they gave forth their lo… they numbered, meaning as he doth, they all, the hundred and twenty, he begs the thing in Queſtion. But 2. I confeſſe I never thought that in this place was held forth an ordination performed by men, at all, People or Apoſtles. I find learned Mr. Caudry of the ſame judgement Vindic. Clav. pag. 28, 29. whoſe ſolide conſiderations I preſent here. That place Act. 1. was not an ordinary caſe, wherein the people had little or no hand. I adde the Apoſtles themſelves had little or no hand, For 1. they were confined to ſome ſort of men that had converſed with our Saviour. 2. They propounded two, it was not in their power ſo much as to nominate the particular man. 3. The Lord himſelf determined it, and not the Apoſtles, much leſſe the People; As for that word foreign ſtood upon (as Maſter Lockier alſo ſtands upon it) it cannot be properly taken, as if they by their votes or ſuffrages had conſtituted or ordained Matthias to be an Apoſtle, but barely thus: Seeing God had choſen and ordained him they accepted him by orderly ſubjection to the revealed will of Chriſt. With this Interpretation agre… that of the learned Nedder Dutch Interpreters, in their Annotation upon the place. All this … election they did acknowledge and accept for good. And is it … …mmonly by Divines made one of the Characters and Proper… … of Apoſtles, … the …ad their calling to that function, not by the ordinarie … Miniſtry of men; Bu… extraordinarly and immediately from Chriſt himſelf; As Paul alledges for himſelf …o prove his Apoſtleſhip. G…. 1. 1. Paul an Aoſtle not of men (this is common to all Miniſters) nor by men, (i. e. the inter…ening Miniſtry of men) but by Jeſus Chriſt. But one word more here: That of Mr. Lockiers, one would think that the Lords pointing out the man had been enough—but leaſt this might prove a mean… …o juſtle out the priviledge of the whole Church—ſeemeth to me, to ſay no more, very inconſiderately ſaid▪ What more could the Lords full conſtituting Matthias an Apoſtle, without any interveening Act of the Church, prove a means, to juſtle out the priviledge of the Church in maters eſſentiall, than his ſole immediate both electing and ordaining all the reſt of the Apoſtles, Mark 3. 13, 14.
section 16 His ſecond Scripture for the peoples formall concurrence in ordination is Acts 14. 23. …nd when they had ordained them Elders in every Church. On which the Author for his purpoſe commenteth thus. 1. On the Margent he rejecteth the opinion of ſome, tho learned men, that ſayeth here was no ordination but onelyonly an election, and giveth a reaſon why there behoved to be ordination, becauſe there was Faſting and Prayer joined with the action. 2. Then in the body, ſayeth he, foreign. From foreign, a hand, and foreign, Attollo, to *Not attollo but tendere, extendere, i. e. to ſtretch forth.lift up. Which ſheweth what this ordination was in the formality of it; That the Apoſtles in and with every Church of Beleevers where they came, did make ſuffrage who ſhould undergo this great Office of Elderſhip in ſuch Churches, and ſo joyntly with each Church, and not by diſtinct exempted power above them was this work done, according to *In that place is no patern for ordinary ordination of ordinary Elders, ſee before.the firſt paterne, Acts 1. for to apply this only to the Apoſtles, in number▪ but two, is improper to the nature of the word, for two to lift up their hands; Suffrage is not a thing to be managed by two, as fencing cannot be done by one. Anſw. I grant that here was ordination, though I think Lockiers Argument brought to prove it is but weak, viz. becauſe Prayer and Faſting was joyned, Why? may not Faſting and Prayer, be joined with other actions beſides ordination, with election? the nature of the buſineſſe it ſelf affords a … …oncludent Argument: It was a calling of men to a Miniſteriall …ffice in the Church of Chriſt, and this cannot be done, ordinarly, without ordination. 2. The Author gives us ſuch a deſcription of ordina…on of Elders as confounds and makes it …uſt all one with election, viz. did make ſuffrage who ſhall undergoe the office. What is this but election? Yet in theſe two Sections he diſtinguiſhes election and ordination, and brings them as two diſtinct inſtances of Eccleſiaſtick maters, wherein he will have the Church of Beleevers to have authoritative concurrence. But 3. more di…ctly to the point in hand, the whole ſtrength of the Authors reaſon here to prove that the private Beleevers in theſe Churches concurred formally with the Apoſtles in the ordination of theſe Elders, lyes upon the grammatication of the word foreign, which ſignifies to give ſuffrages by ſtreaching forth or lifting up of the hand, and ſo muſt here be underſtood that the Elders were ordained by ſuffrages: And ſuffrage is not a mater competent to two; which was the number of the Apoſtles imployed in this buſineſſe, to which. 1. Let that force of the word be taken in here, and the place rendered, when they had by ſuffrages ordained or conſtituted, yet as Mr. Gilleſpy well obſerveth Miſcell. c. 4. p. 57. out of Calvin. inſtit. lib. 4. c. 3. § 15. *Calvins words pondering the ſame ſignification are clear that the act of ordination was onelyonly by Paul and Barnabas Creabant ergo, ipſi duo: Sed tota multitudo, ut mos Graecorum in electionibus …rat, manibus ſublatis declarabat quem habere vel &.the ſenſe may be this, Paul and Barnabas did make and ordain Elders, according to the ſuffrages of the Churches themſelves, that is, they ordained ſuch as the Churches by their ſuffrages elected and deſired. So here are involved two acts. 1. Election, (which is the only act performable by lifting up of the hand in ſuffrage) and in that we grant the people concurred. 2. Ordaining and conſtituting, which was not done by lifting up of the hand in ſuffrage: But laying on of the hands, as a ſigne of ſeparating the perſon to the Office. And this we ſay was done only by Paul and Barnabas. But, 2ly Albeit that former anſwer does ſufficiently overturn all Mr. Lockiers reaſoning from this place; Yet I confeſſe I ſee no neceſſity of re…dering the word here thus made by ſuffrages. For how ever it be true that the uſe of this word foreign, ariſes from that manner of ſuffrage …ed amongſt the Grecians, either in chooſing of perſons or …aking o… Laws, and it be ofte… … …ſed to ſignifie expreſly the … o… ſuffrages in ſuch matters, … i… is …nown to any that has an… knowledge in the Greek Language, that ſometimes it is uſed to ſignifie ſimply the a… of con…tuting or making, and … …e…her of a Law, o… perſon in an Office, not expreſly … the manner or way o… doing, by ſuffrages, or lifting up o… the … And thus ſimply the Old Latine …erpreter …enders i… …n this place, & c…m conſtituiſſent illis per ſingulas Eccleſias Preſbyteros, &c. and I think hardly can it with congruity of ſpeech be otherwaye… rendered here. For certainly the ſubſtantive to the participle foreign, in the …t, is Paul and Barnabas, and can be no other, can be none of the people or privat Diſciples, as is moſt evident to any man looking upon the Text, and therefore by this word muſt here be underſtood an act done by the two alone; which cannot be formally ſuffrageing (for as Mr. Lockier ſayeth well, that can not be done by two) but another, unleſſe ye will Interpret the word in ſuch a figurative ſenſe, as I doubt much it ſhall be found in the like an… otherwhere in the world, viz. thus, and when they (Paul … Barnabas) had by ſuffrages made to them (i. e. the Diſciples) Elders, that is, when they had cauſed them to make by ſuffrages to themſelves Elders. Now let any man judge if the Author has brought us expreſſe Scripture for private Believers formall and authoritative concurrence in the act of ordination of Elders. And whereas he addes in the cloſe of his Section. By theſe two firſt examples are other Scriptures which speak of ordination, as if they did attribute it to the Elders onelyonly, to be Interpret, if other anſwers proper to ſuch places cannot be found out. I Anſw. If he find not out more proper anſwers for theſe places then to expone them by theſe two examples, it may eaſily be perceived by what has been ſaid, that he is at a weak paſſe in maintaining his point undertaken. And I pray, tell us why ſuch places of Scripture as plainly attributes the act of ordination to Presbyteries onelyonly, ſhould be expounded to take in the people with Elders, by theſe two examples, wherein yet their is no demonſtrative ground brought to evidence that the people had formall hand in ordination of the Officers mentioned in them: And not rather theſe two examples or practiſe… (ſeeing it is not expreſly ſaid in them that the people concurred in the ordination) be expounded by ſuch places wherein the acts of ordination is expreſly attributed … Elderſhip alone? I v…rily …hink that to any underſtanding man, the latter of theſe two will ſeem moſt rationall. As for Arguments proving that, …ot the people, but only the Officers of the Chu…h …ve the power of ordination, See theſe Authors often mentioned.
section 17 To cloſe up this induc…ion of particulars, Finally (ſaith he SECT. ….) I might inſtance in lower matters, which would ſtrengthen th… Argument; for if in leſſe things the Elderſhip may not act alone, ſurely not in greater. Anſw. 1. If Elders may not in leſſer maters act without joint concurrence of the people, what needeth that reſtriction in the Aſſertion firſt propounded, not in moſt weighty things? 2. It is a very weak Conſequence, In leſſe maters they may not act alone, Ergo not in greater. Some perſons may have the managing of great maters laid upon them by ſpeciall commiſſion from ſuch as have ſupream authority to commiſſionate in theſe maters, and yet have no ſpeciall commiſſion laid upon them to manage leſſe maters. Mens capacity to act alone, or not alone, but with others, in ſuch maters, ariſeth not from … …uantity or weight of the maters, but from Commiſſion and wa… …nd granted by him that hath ſupreme power and authority over thoſe things. But let's briefly ſee theſe particular inſtances of leſſe things alledged by him here.
section 18 As in Letters recommendatory (ſaith he) they were not directed to the Elderſhip of ſuch a Church, but to the whole Church, of which they were to be received: So Paul recommended Phebe to the Church of Corinth ('twas to the Church of Rome, Rom. 16. 1, 2.) So John wrote to the Church, concerning certain brethren, that were to be received by them; on… Diotrephes the Elder, which ſtood upon his ſole authority in this and ſuch like things, and uſed the Keyes at his own pleaſure, to keep out, and caſt out as he would, is noted with this mark not to be of God, but of Satan, for this very thing, and one that had not ſeen God. Anſw. What poor ſtuffe is here to the purpoſ… in hand? 1. Directing of Letters commendatory to perſons▪ Elderſhip or Church▪ is not their actings, but the actings of ſome others that … the Letters, and I may ſay their paſſion. But if it … recommendator… … not be at all directed… …to… … …ceived by the Elderſh… …, but the whole Church: … …feſſe this is a ſtrange Aſſertio… …nd he that will beleeve … of… is too too credulous. 3. The mat…er that Paul▪ recommend P…eb… for to the …oman Chriſtians, was a duty of common Chriſtian love, to intertain her kindly as a Chriſtian, to aſſiſt her as they could in her affairs at Rome, a duty jure naturali incumbent to all Chriſtians both conjunctly and ſeverally. And ſo the recommendation fo… that on her behalf, might well be directed to all, Elders and people. But intereſt of concurring in actings of Church Government, being not juris naturalis but juris poſitivi, perſons muſt be ſure of ſpeciall warrant and vocation for concurring in them. So that 'tis but a very ſick conſequence, if Letters of recommendation for ſuch purpoſe, as theſe for Phebe, may be (or if ye will, ought to be) directed to the whole Church, then ought the whole Church alſo to concur in actings of Church Government and ju…iſdiction: He muſt have a good head that will make it out. 4. As to the inſtance of Diotrephes, Mr. Lockier is, I conceive, in a miſtake when he ſuppoſes, that …ving of theſe Brethren, for which Iohn did write to the Church, was to receive them into the ſtate of Church memberſhip (they needed not that, they were Church members, yea it ſeems Miniſters, before) and an act of the Keyes: It was a receiving of them into duties of Chriſtian kindlineſſe and charity, v. 5, 6, 7. but what is all this of Diotrephes to the purpoſe. Becauſe Diotrephes, one Elder, uſurped ſole authority to himſelf alone in the Church, made peremptor acts inhibiting the members to receive, unto duties of Chriſtian charity, ſtranger-Chriſtians, did tyrannically at his own pleaſure Excommunicat-perſons, and that for diſobeying his unjuſt acts, if he for this was marked, not to be of God, but of Satan, not to have ſeen God, muſt the ſame mark be put upon the Colledge of Elders in the Church, if they all jointly and equally act authoritatively in matters of Eccleſiaſtick Government and juriſdiction, without the authoritative concurrence of the whole Congregatiō, yet not according to their own pleaſure, but according to the Rules of Gods Word, nor yet preſſing upon the people blind and abſolute obedience, but reſerving to them the liberty of their judgement of diſcretion; muſt they for this be Claſſed with D…otreph…s? 'Tis evident Mr. Lock… …liquely reaches this blow at Preſbyterians: but they need no… … it. I will ſpare what I might ſay to this. Only this much … …e give better proof then yet we have ſeen, for popular concurrence in Acts of Eccleſiaſtick Government, I can judge no otherwiſe of ſu… bitter hints as theſe, then as is ſaid of Diotrephes words, verſ. 10. of that Epiſtle.