Five Disputations of Church Government, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Of General unfixed Bishops or Ministers.
§. 1. IT is but delusory dealing of them that make the world believe that the question between the Prelatical Divines and the rest of the Reformed Churches, is, Whether the Church should be Governed by Bishops? This is a thing that is commonly granted: But the controversie is about the Species of Episcopacy: Not whether Bishops, but what sort of Bishops should be the ordinary Governours of the Church of Christ?
§. 2. And therefore it is also very immethodical and unsatisfactory of most that ever I read for Episcopacy, that plead only for Episcopacy in General, but never once define that sort of Episcopacy which they plead for, but go away with it as smoothly when the question is unstated, as if they understood themselves, and others were capable of understanding them; and so they lose their Learned labours.
§. 3. I have already in the first Disputation told you among ten several sorts of Episcopacy, which they be that I think desirable, and which I judge tolerable, aad which intolerable. And I have there already given you the Reasons why I judge such a general unfixed Bishop to be of standing use to the Church and world, as here we are speaking of: and therefore I shall forbear here the repeating of what is said already.
§. 4. That the world and Church should still have such a General Itinerant unfixed Ministry, as that was of the Apostles, Evangelists and others, having there already proved, I have nothing to do more but to shew the use of it, and to answer the objections that some very learned Reverend Divines have used against it.
§. 5. The principal use of a general Ministry, is for the converting of the unconverted world, and Baptizing them when converted, and Congregating their Converts into Church order, and setling them under a fixed Government. And the next use of them is, to have a Care, according to the extent of their capacity and opporunities, of the Churches which they have thus Congregated and setled, and which are setled by other Ministers.
§. 6. Let it be remembred that we are not now disputing of the Name, but of the Thing: It is not whether such an Officer of Christ be to be called an Apostle or an Evangelist, or a Prophet, or a Bishop, or a Presbyter: But whether unfixed general Ministers, to gather Churches and settle them, and take the care of many, without a special Pastoral charge of any one above the rest, were appointed by Christ for continuance in his Church: This is it that I affirm, and have already proved.
§. 7. Nor yet is it any of our Question, Whether the difference between these general unfixed Ministers and ordinary fixed Presbyters, be in point of Authority or of exercise only. Whether they are two distinct Species of the Ministry, or but one of the same Office in Specie, variously exercised: I have given in my thoughts of this before, so far as I can yet reach: But if it be granted that some should ordinarily exercise their office generally and ambulatorily over many Churches, as others ordinarily must exercise it fixedly in one particular Church, I shall not contend whether they are to be called One Office or two: nor yet whether the fixed Minister may not extraordinarily upon a special reason, do the same work as the itinerant Minister in the same way. But Ministers there must be for both these work.
§. 8. And that some should make the general work before mentioned their ordinary business, and not take the pastoral Charge of any particular Church, I conceive (besides the former proofs) is further manifest, 1. In that the work of Converting Unbelievers, and bringing them into a fitness for Church Communion, is the work that is to go first, and is the greatest work: Its the greatest in weight (praecisively considered, and as to the terminus à quo of the change that it effects:) and it is the greatest in regard of opposing difficulties: the winning of a soul, which rejoyceth Angels, and rejoyceth Jesus Christ himself, will have so much of Satans malice to oppose it, and hath so much resistance in the heart of the sinner, that it requireth the whole work (in ordinary) of those Ministers that are specially called hereunto.
§. 9. And 2. Withall it commonly falls out, that there are far greater numbers to be converted, then to be Governed after Conversion: If it be not so in some Countries (where the face of God hath shined most effectually) yet in others, and in most it is: even in the far greatest part of the world. O how many millions of souls are there that perish for lack of knowledge, and know not for want of teaching; and never heard of Jesus Christ in any likely manner to prevail, in all their lives? Surely such multitudes of Miserable souls, yea Nations, require Ministers wholly set upon this work.
§. 10. And 3. It ordinarily falls out too, that the unconverted unbelieving part of the world do live at a great distance from the Churches of Christ: and therefore the same man that is Pastor of a Church hath not opportunity to speak to them. Or if they live in the same Country, they seldom meet in greatest numbers in the same Assemblies: And therefore when the Pastor is upon his own work, it is requisite that there be some to speak to the rest.
§. 11. And yet I doubt not but as there are hypocrites in most Churches, and among us many that by their ignorance, or impiety we have cause to judge to be yet no Christians, are our Ordinary hearers, so the Pastors of the Churches may and must endeavour their conversion, and much suit their preaching to the condition of such souls. But yet those millions that in other parts of the world (and perhaps in Ireland, Wales and the Highlands of Scotland, too many such may be found) that neither know what Christianity is, nor are the Ordinary hearers of a fixed Ministry, and live not within the reach of such, should have a Converting Itinerant Ministry for themselves.
§. 12. Moreover, 4. The Pastoral work is it self so great, and the charge that we take of particular Churches, and our obligation to them so strict, that it will usually it self take up the whole man, and will not allow a Pastor time for the other work on those at a distance yet uncalled, without neglecting the souls that he hath undertaken to oversee.
§. 13. And 5. For want of such general Ministers, the state of persons is in some places confounded, and the world and the Church are thrust together, as if there were no difference to be made. Because there are no Ministers known but Pastors, therefore there are no People known but as Christians, where yet the very knowledge of Christianity is too rare. Whereas if (where numbers and distance make it necessary) the preparing Ministry had first done their part, it would have prevented much dangerous confusion, and self-deceit that followeth hereupon in many places.
§. 14. And 6. By the mistaken supposition, that such generall or unfixed Ministers are ceased, men have been drawn to set Lay-men upon the greatest and noblest work of the Ministry: and a conceit is hence risen among some, that because this is not proper to the Pastors of a Church, therefore it is not a Ministerial work, but the work of gifted Brethren: And hereupon uncalled men are tempted to exercise it: and by laying aside the officers appointed hereunto by Christ, the burden is cast on the weakest men.
§. 15. Yea 7. By this means many Ministers themselves understanding not the Nature and extent of their own Office, when they do but preach to any that are not of the Church that they have charge of, imagine that they preach but as meer Lay-men; and if they preach for the Conversion of unbelievers, they profess it to be no act of their office: which is an act that hath more inconveniences then I shall now express.
§. 16. And 8. Which is worst of all, by supposing that no Ministers are now to be appointed for the Conversion of Infidels, and gathering and planting Churches, it is come to pass that the most necessary work in all the world is neglected, cast off, and almost quite unknown in the world: except Mr. Eliots and a few with him in New England, and some of the Jesuites and Fryars in the East-Indies and America, who have been sent, or have adventured themselves for the Converting of the Nations. Were it but known and considered, how much of the Will of Jesus Christ is to be fulfilled by this most blessed work, Princes would have studied it, and contributed their assistance; and many would have been ready to have offered themselves to God for the work, when now it is looked on as no part of our duty, not only because that sluggishness and cowardize calleth it impossible, and the adventure unreasonable; but also because we think it was a work that was proper to Apostles and Evangelists; and Ministers are now tyed to their proper flock. And thus the poor unbelieving world is left in their sin.
§. 17. And 9. I doubt by this mistake and neglect we forfeit the benefit of that special promise, in too great a measure. Mat. 28.20. and miss of that eminent assistance and presence of Christ with our Ministry, that otherwise we might expect. If we did go into the world, and preach the Gospel to the Nations (having used our industry first to learn their languages,) we might expect that Christ would alwayes be with us to the end of the world, in a way of assistance and owning of our Labours, answerable to our engagements for him, and service to him. Were we deeplier engaged for Christ, and did with Peter cast our selves into the Sea, or walk on the Waters at his Call, we should find Christ acting as if he were answerably engaged for our indemnity, or at least for our eminent encouragement and reward. If ever we might expect Miracles again, it would be upon our engagement in the antient work; though I know that even for this they are now no more necessary, nor I think, promised.
§. 18. And 10. We do hereby seem to accuse Christ unjustly of Mutability, supposing that he had setled one sort of Ministry and Government in his Church for one Age only, and then changed it for another, that is ever after to continue alone. I know the extraordinary work of that age (to plant Churches by new doctrine and Miracles, and reveal the new Articles of Faith and Practice in Scripture to the world) did require such enablements thereto, which ordinary works do not require: and therefore the Apostles, as immediatly sent, and as inditing Scriptures, and working Miracles, and Prophetically bringing new Revelations, have no Successors. But the Apostles as preaching to the Nations, and as planting Churches, and as setling them, and taking care of their prosperity after they had planted them, and as exercising their Ministry itinerantly, as not fixed to a special charge, thus they have Successors, the work being ordinary, and such as should be done now as well as then; and must continue while the necessity of it doth continue.
§. 19. There needeth no other proof of this, then by observing that it was not Apostles only, but all the Ministry at first, that was thus unfixed and itinerant; and that the Apostles assumed such to their assistance, and employed them all their dayes in this work.
§. 20. The seventy Disciples as well as the Apostles were at first by Christ sent forth in this Itinerant way, for the Conversion of the inhabitants of Iudaea. And thus Iohn the Baptist had preached before them. And after Christs Resurrection and Ascension, it was not only the Apostles, but it was they that were scattered abroad, that went everywhere preaching the Word, Act. 8.4. And who were these? [Act. 8.1. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the Apostles.] And the Evangelists of those times are confessed to have exercised this Itinerant Ministry: so did Barnabas, Silas, Mark, Epaphroditus, Tychicus, Trophimus, Timothy, Titus, Luke, and others ordinarily. It was the first and most ordinary way then of exercising the Ministry.
§. 21. And if we lived our selves in Heathen or Infidel Countreys, we should be soon taught by experience, that this must be still an ordinary work. For what else is to be done till persons be converted and brought into the Church? They must be made Disciples before they can be used as Disciples, and caught to observe all things that Christ hath commanded.
§. 22. But against this it is objected, 1. That the Apostles were extraordinary Officers, and therefore have no Successors. To which I answer, 1. That I have before shewed in what they were extraordinary, and in what not: in what they have no Successors, and in what they have. As Apostles sent immediatly by Christ to Reveal a new doctrine, and confirm it by Miracles, they have no Successors: but as general Ministers of Christ to convert souls, plant Churches, and take a care of many, they have Successors; call them by what name you please. 2. And what if the Apostles have no Successors? Had the seventy Disciples none? Had Apollo, Titus, Timothy, Silas, Barnabas, &c. none? Had all the Itinerant converting Ministers of those times none, that were not affixed as Pastors to a particular Church?
§. 23. Obj. 2. But at least in the extent of their charge the Apostles were extraordinary, in that they were to preach the Gospel to all Nations. I answer; in point of exercise, being furnished with tongues and Miracles for the work, they were obliged to go further, or to more Nations then most particular Ministers are now obliged to go: but that is not because we want Authority, if we had ability and opportunity, but because we want ability and opportunity to exercise our Office. The Apostles were not bound to go into every Nation of the world, inclusively; but to avoid none, but go to all, that is, to as many as they could. Otherwise they had sinned in not going to Mexico, Peru, Brasile, the Philippine or Molucc… Islands, to Iapon, China, &c. And it is our duty to extend our Ministry for the Conversion of as many as we have Ability and opportunity to do. That which was common to the planting and waetering Ministry in the Apostles dayes, was not proper to the Apostles: but to go up and down the world to Convert, and Baptize, and plant, and water Churches was then common to such (as Apollo, Silas, &c.) therefore, &c.
§. 24. Obj. 3. But (say others) the Apostles were not at last such unfixed Ministers as you imagine, but fixed Diocesan Bishops. Peter was Bishop of Antioch first, and of Rome after: Paul was Bishop of Rome: James of Jerusalem, &c. — Ans. That any Apostle was a fixed Bishop, taking on him durante vita the special Pastoral charge of one particular Church or Diocess, as his peculiar, is 1. Barely affirmed, and therefore not to be believed. 2. And is contrary both to the tenor of their Commission, and the History of their Ministrations. And 3. Is also contrary to Charity it self, and therefore is not worthy of any credit. The Apostles were not so lazy or uncharitable, as to affix themselves to Parishes or Diocesses, and leave the Nations of the world in their unbelief; and to cease the work that they were first sent out upon, before the necessity of it ceased. Peter and Paul were Bishops of Rome, as they were of other Churches which they planted and watered, and no more: even as Paul was Bishop of Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, &c. And Iames was either no Bishop of Ierusalem, or no Apostle (but as many think, another Iames.) Indeed pro tempore not only an Apostle, but other Itinerant Ministers were Bishops of the places where they came; that is, were Officers of Christ, that might exercise any act of their Office (Teaching, Governing, administring Sacraments, &c.) to any people that gave them a Call, or so far as opportunity and need required. And so I doubt not but every Minister now may do in any Church on earth. If he be invited to stay a day, or week, or month among them, and do the work of a Minister, yea or if he be invited but to preach a Sermon to them, he may do it, not as a private man, but as a Minister in general, and as their Teacher or Pastor pro tempore, & ad hoc, that give him the invitation. For though the first Call to the Ministry, separating us to the Gospel of God, do give us our Authority in general to perform any Ministerial act; yet I have before shewed that a further Call is neeedfull for the particular exercise of this power: and this is usually by the people: who may sometime call a man to be their stated Pastor, and sometime but to exercise some one Pastoral act, or else to exercise all but pro tempore, as there is need.
§. 25. And by this means it came to pass that the line of Succession in many Churches is drawn down from the Apostles, by Eusebius, Hierom, and other antient writers. Not because the Apostles were the stated fixed Bishops of those Churches, as the Successors were; but because they first planted and Governed them, and were their Bishops pro tempore till they had setled Bishops over them; and then went and did the like by other places: so that one Apostle, or Evangelist, or unfixed Minister, might be the root of Succession to many Churches, even as many as they first planted: but their Successors had but one Church.
§. 26. Object. 4. But what use is there among us for such Ministers as these, when all the Nations are Converted from Infidelity already? Answ. 1. If there were no use of such with us, we must not forget the lamentable necessity of them abroad in the world. 2. As I before said, experience of the ignorance and unbelief of many about us in the best Parishes, doth cause me easily to believe that in Ireland, and part of Scotland, and Wales, and other places where setled Ministers are few, such an Itinerant Ministry is of necessary use among us. 3. But yet where there are setled Teachers enough, they may be spared: for if we had Parishes that had not the knowledge of Christ, it is a greater work of mercy to such a Parish, to settle a converting Teacher among them to fit them for a Church-state, that so they may have frequent Teaching, then to send them but now and then a Sermon. But where Ministers are not so plentiful, it were a great sin for an able man to confine himself to one Town or Parish, and neglect the Countrey round about. 4. And also there is use for Itinerants to water and take care of the Churches which are planted, as the Apostles and others formerly did.
§. 27. Concerning these unfixed Ministers, I add these following Propositions. 1. That such Ministers may not deprive the fixed Pastors of any of their Power: they may not disable them from Governing their own Churches as fully as if there were no Itinerant Ministers. If they are admitted pro tempore to assist the Churches where they come, that will not enable them to hinder them, or assume a Lordship or a Rule over the Pastors of the Churches.
§. 28. 2. These Itinerant unfixed Ministers, are not so obliged to perpetual motion, but that they may reside for a considerable time in a place, either for the following on the work of Conversion, where they find a plenteous harvest, or for setling Churches, or surpressing heresies or disorders, or because of their own disability to travail. And thus Paul staid at and about Ephesus in Asia three years, Act. 20.31. Their stay must be prudentially apportioned to their work and opportunities.
§. 29. 3. No Itinerant Minister can (of himself) exclude another from his Province, and appropriate it to himself, and say, Here I will work alone, or here I have greater Authority then you: nay it was usual for these Ministers to go by companies, or more then one (as Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Silas, Paul and Timothy, Titus, &c.) so that it was no mans Province or Diocess where they came. For they that Convert Souls to Christ and not to themselves, and Baptize into his name and not in their own, do know the greatness of the work and burden, and therefore are glad of all the assistance they can get: when those that do nothing, are the men that thrust others out of the Vineyard, and say, This is my Diocess or Province; you have nothing to do to labour here.]
§. 30. 4. Yet may there lawfully and fitly be a Prudential distribution or division of their Provinces among such unfixed Converting Ministers: for to be all together and go one way, must needs be a neglecting of most of the world, and so not a wise or faithful performance of the work of Christ. And therefore some should go one way, and some another, a… may most promote the work.
§. 31. And ordinarily it is most convenient, that there go more then one to the same people, (and therefore they will not be like a fixed Diocesan Bishop) for they have many wayes need of mutual assistance: one would be oppressed with so great a work, and have many disadvantages in the performances. Pau… used not to go alone.
§. 32. The persons to be exercised in this ambulatory Ministration, may be determined of, and their Provinces distributed any of these three wayes, or all together. 1. By the Judgement and Consent of Pastors. If many shall choose out one, or two, or more, as …it for such a work, the persons chosen have reason to obey, unless they can prove, or know the Pastors to be mistaken, and to have been misguided in their choice. The Prophets and Teachers of the Church at Antioch must send or separate Saul and Barnabas, for the sp…cial work in which the Holy Ghost would imploy them, Act. 13.1, 2. which seems to me, to be but a secondary Call to some special exercise of their former Office, one way rather then another. Thus also by mutual agreement their Provinces may be allotted and divided.
§. 33. 2. By the Magistrates appointment and command also, may this be done. Though he make not Ministers, yet may he do much in assigning them their Provinces, Seats, and Stations: and it is our duty to obey his Commands in such cases if they be not plainly destructive to the Church: much more if they are beneficial to it.
§. 34. 3. Also by a Ministers own discerning of a fit opportunity to do good, either by the Magistrates bare permission, the peoples invitation, or their willingness, or not opposing; or though they do oppose, yet some other advantages for the work may be discerned, or Hopes at least. Now though the Call of Ordination must be from the Pastors of the Church, and neither Magistrates nor people can make us Ministers, yet the Call of Opportunity may be from the people and Magistrate, more commonly then any. And he that is already a Minister, needs not alwayes another Call for the exercising of his Ministry, save only this Call by Opportunity. He had his Authority by that Call that placed him in the Office; which was done at first, and must be done but once. But he hath his Opportunity and station for the exercise of that Authority by the people and Magistrates, and perhaps may receive it over and over many times.
§. 35. 5. This way of exercising the Ministry is not alike necessary in all times and places; but with great variety; it is exceeding necessary in some Countreys, and not in others, but useful in some degree in most as I conceive.
§. 36. If the Question be, whether such a Ministry be useful in these Dominions, or not? I have answered before, that in some darker and necessitous parts, where ignorance doth reign, and Ministers (or able ones at least) are scarce, there such a… exercise of the Ministry is necessary: but in other parts it is not of such necessity: yet much work there may be for such, or for those in the next Chapter mentioned, in most Countreys of them therefore I shall next speak.