Consideration of Certain Controversies, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of an inſtitute viſible Church.
Queſtion.
VVHether no other externall viſible Church be deſcribed in Scripture, and acknowledged by the word of God, but a parochiall or particular Church: which is confined to ſuch limits, as that of neceſſity it muſt be ſuch as may be contained, and ought to meet, ordinarily in one place, for the celebrating of Gods publike worſhip, and all the Ordinances of God with mutuall edification: ſo that the conſtitution of ſuch a Church, which by reaſon of their multitude, or ſome other cauſe, cannot in all their members meet ordinarily in one place for the celebration of the worſhip of God and exerciſe of all Gods ordinances, is unlawfull and repugnant to the word of God and the Apoſtles inſtitutions concerning the conſtitution of a Church deſcribed in the holy Scripture?
Anſwer.
VVE judge an externall viſible particular Church, to be a Church duly and lawfully conſtituted according to the patterne of the Churches erected by the Apoſtles, which, when it may be, doth in one Place under the inſpection of one Paſtor and Elders adjoyned, frequent the ſervice of God for their mutuall edification. But when, by reaſon of the multitude which God daily addeth to the Church, or ſome other cauſe, it cannot meet in one place, but doth in ſeverall places exerciſe the divine worſhip of God and the work of the Miniſtery, under more Paſtors and Elders joyned into one Conſiſtory, Preſbytery, or Claſſis; the conſtitution of ſuch a Church, we ſay, doth very well agree with the word of God, and the Apoſtolicall inſtitution. And therefore wee alſo conceive that the viſible Church deſcribed in the holy Scripture, is not only a parochiall or particular Church, but that there is alſo a Nationall and Univerſall Church, diſperſed through a whole kingdome, yea through the whole world; which doth in Eccleſiaſticall communion make up one body Catholike. Yea we affirme that the name Church in Scripture is applyed to a company of Elders with Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction aſſembled together for tranſacting Church affaires.
Therefore concerning a viſible Church inſtituted by the word of God we defend theſe following poſitions.
1. That the conſtitution of ſuch a Church, which by reaſon of its multitude, or ſome other cauſe, cannot meet ordinarily in one place for celebrating Divine worſhip, and exerciſing the ordinances of God, is lawfull, and conſonant to the word of God and the Apoſtolicall inſtitution, though they exerciſe the worſhip of God and the work of the Miniſtry in diverſe places, under ſeverall Paſtors and Elders joyned into one Presbitery. This poſition is proved.
1. From the conſtitution of the Church of Jeruſalem inſtituted and erected by the Apoſtles, which could not meet in one place, but muſt by reaſon of their multitude meet diſtributively from houſe to houſe in divers places, under the inſpection of divers Paſtors: and yet was a viſible inſtituted Church, and is called in Scripture a Church in the ſingular number. For the number of that Church was ſo great, that three thouſand were added to it in one day, Act. 2. 41. and the number of thoſe that beleeved and were added to the Church grew up to the number of five thouſand men, Act. 4. 4. and the number of thoſe that believed increaſed daily more and more both of men and women. Act. 5. 14. Act. 2. 47. which yet daily met, and that in the time of perſecution, from houſe to houſe for performing the exerciſes of Divine worſhip. Act. 2. 46. and 5. 42.
2. The Church of Epheſus, duly conſtituted according to the word of God, was one Church. Revel. 2. 2. which yet was governed by divers Paſtors joyned in a common Presbitery for Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction, Acts 19. 8, 9. and 20. 17, 18. which did allſo very greatly abound in multitude of members, as appeareth Act. 19. 10, 17, 18, 19, 20. and 20. 20, 21. 1 Cor. 16. 8. Revel. 2. 2, 3. And yet met in ſome private houſe for celebrating the worſhip of God. Act. 19. 9, 10. and 20. 20. But that this whole multitude could in one ſchoole or houſe celebrate the worſhip of God, is impoſſible: It's certaine therefore to us that they met in divers places and at divers times under the inſpection of divers Paſtors.
3. The Church of Rome did not meet in one place for celebrating the worſhip of God, there were more holy aſſemblies there in divers places; there was a Church in the houſe of Aquila and Priſcilla, Rom. 16. 5. Paul when he was at Rome had holy Church Aſſemblies in his owne houſe, Acts 28. 23, 30, 31. which yet was not that whole (collectively taken) and famous Church of the believing Romans, whoſe faith was famous through the whole world. Rom. 1. 8. Other examples we meet with in the Scripture of Churches duly conſtituted according to Gods appointment, which met not in one place for exerciſing the worſhip of God, but did in divers places under a common Preſbytery of divers Paſtors performe holy duties. Hence allſo in our Belgick Churches in ſome greater townes, though there be more believers then can celebrate the holy worſhip of God, and exerciſe other ordinances of Chriſt, together in one place; yet they are not divided into ſeverall Churches, but do together make one viſible Church, under the common Preſbitery and government of divers Paſtors.
II. We affirme, that a viſible Church deſcribed in the holy Scripture, was not only parochiall or particular, but there was allſo a Nationall Church, of one nation or kingdome, which conſiſteth of many and divers parochiall Churches, joyned under one Eccleſiaſticall government, and knit together amongſt themſelves by a mutuall viſible communion and fellowſhip Eccleſiaſticall. We deny indeed that there can be any ſuch Typicall Nationall Church now under the New Teſtament, as the Jewiſh Church was; wherein all of that nation were bound to a publike and ſolemne Typicall worſhip to be performed, in one place choſen by God, under the inſpection of one viſible paſtor or prieſt, who in worſhip and Sacrifices did hold forth and repreſent the whole people or nation. For this vaniſhed away with the types and carnall precepts of the Old Teſtament. We reject allſo that Nationall, and Provinciall forme of a Church, introduced by men, in which many Churches are united and ſubjected to a Cathedrall Church, and depend upon one viſible Paſtor, who is Paſtor and Lord of all other paſtors and inferior particular Churches; wherin the inferior Churches injoy Gods holy ordinances, and Eccleſiaſticall power by derivation and commiſſion from the power and juriſdiction of that Cathedrall Church or that Nationall or Provinciall Paſtor and Biſhop. For theſe are the inventions of Antichriſt, which bring a tiranny into the Church, and overthrow the power granted by God to the Churches and paſtors. Yet ſuch a Nationall and provinciall Church we acknowledge, wherein many particular Churches are by one viſible Miniſtery and Churchgovernment joyned into one collective Eccleſiaſticall body viſible, for celebrating all thoſe ordinances of God which are neceſſary to the viſible miniſteriall government of thoſe Churches, and mutuall Eccleſiaſticall followſhip in it. This notion of a Church we deduce from Scripture by theſe arguments.
1. The Church of God under the Old Teſtament conſiſted of many particular Churches & Synagogues, which did in divers places celebrate the worſhip of God, and the exerciſes of Doctrine, Diſcipline and Church-Government; as appeareth, Act. 15. 21. Act. 13. 15, 16. Luk. 21. 12. Ioh. 12. 42. all which were yet conjoined into one national viſible Church which God had choſen out of every nation and people, Deut. 7. 7. and 32. 8. But the Churches of the New Teſtament are of the ſame nature and forme, in all effentialls which do conſtitute a Church; as having the ſame Faith, the ſame Covenant of grace, the ſame ſignes of that Covenant for ſubſtance, the ſame way of Salvation, the ſame Religiō, the ſame viſible profeſſion of Faith (which conſtitute a Church viſible) common to both, and differ only in accidentall typicall ceremonies, which change not the eſſence and forme of a Church. Hence Proteſtant writers obſerve, that the holy Scripture doth not refuſe to make uſe of the name Synagogue to denote a Chriſtian Church, Jam. 2. 2. 2 Theſ. 2. 1 Heb. 10. 25. For when as the Church of both Teſtaments is one and the ſame, for eſſence, there is no reaſon why both people may not be deſcribed by one and the ſame name, ſaith Tilenus in his Theſes. part. 2. diſput. 14. Theſ. 3. It was morall and perpetuall therfore, that thoſe many Synagogues, and parochiall or particular Churches, ſhould unite into one Church Nationall. Hence allſo the Jewiſh Churches brought to the faith of Chriſt under the New Teſtament, though diſperſed through divers Countries, were joyned into one Eccleſiaſticall body, ruled by the ſame law, government and Eccleſiaſtciall diſcipline. 1 Pet. 1. 1, 2. compared with chap. 5. 1, 2.
2. The Church of Galatia conſiſting of many ſeverall particular Churches, as appeareth Gal. 1. 2. and yet was united into one Eccleſiaſticall body of that nation, and united in a Church ſociety under one common Diſcipline and Government: Hence Gal. 5. 9. it's compared to a Lump which is eaſily corrupted by a little leaven; like as the united and compacted body of the Corinthian Church is ſet forth by the ſame ſimilitude, 1 Cor. 5. 6. He giveth cōmand to the Galathians cōcerning an uniformity of government in externall diſcipline and worſhip to be obſerved amongſt them, againſt the ſeducers & falſe teachers, Gal. 4. 10. &c. and 5. 9, 10. which intimates an united authority in Church government; whereby the falſe teachers might be removed out of all the particular Churches. The Church of Galathia therefore was Provinciall.
3. The particular Churches of one province or nation, which in the miniſteriall government, in Eccleſiaſticall fellowſhip and communion are conjoyned and united into one viſible Eccleſiaſticall body, for the exerciſing viſible acts of Church communion joyntly amongſt themſelves; thoſe conſtitute a Church Provinciall or Nationall. For the members which do in an Eccleſiaſticall manner mutually exerciſe amongſt themſelves viſible acts of Eccleſiaſticall communion, and doe together jointly participate in the ſame acts and priviledges of a Church, they make one viſible body of a Church. But the particular Churches of one Nation doe according to the Word of God, exerciſe amongſt themſelves ſuch viſible Eccleſiaſticall communion: for they doe by their particular members, by their Paſtours and Elders delegated, ſometimes heare the ſame Word, frequent the ſame divine Worſhip, partake of the ſame Sacraments; and doe ordinarily avoid and ſhut out from the Kingdome of Chriſt the ſame excommunicated perſon; exhort, reprove, comfort, and mutually edifie one another Eccleſiaſtically: and when one of them hath made defection from the Goſpell of Chriſt, others indeavour by Eccleſiaſticall Miniſtry and the Diſcipline of Chriſt to reduce it into the right way; and, if they refuſe to hearken to their Eccleſiaſticall admonition, they judge them as a company of heathens and publicans, avoid, and exclude them from their holy communion. Since then the Churches of one people or nation performe amongſt themſelves theſe ſpecificall exerciſes of Eccleſiaſticall communion and union; there is therefore a coalition of them into a Church Nationall. Hence alſo our Churches of the Netherlands in their Synodall Canons have ordained not only Eccleſiaſticall Aſſemblies, Conſiſtoriall, Preſbyteriall, and Claſſicall; but have alſo often decreed that Synods Provinciall and Nationall are to be called for the Eccleſiaſticall judging of the affaires of the Church. As appeares by the Synod at Emda, Anno 1571. art. 6, 7, 8, 9. at Dort, Anno 1578. art. 16, 17. at Middleburgh, Anno 1581. art. 20, 21. at the Hagh, Anno 1586. art. 26, 27. at Middleburgh, Anno 1591. art. 25, 26. at Dort, Anno 1619. art. 29, 30. where it is decreed, that there ſhall be foure ſorts of Church Aſſemblies held, to wit, Conſiſtories, Claſſes, Synods Provinciall and Nationall: wherein nothing but Eccleſiaſticall affaires may be handled, and that in an Eccleſiaſticall manner.
III. We affirme that there is deſcribed in Scripture an univerſall externall Church, diſperſed through the whole world, which in a viſible polity maketh one. Eccleſiaſticall organicall body, under which are contained all Particular, Claſſicall, Provinciall, and Nationall Churches, as parts of that whole. This aſſertion we thus prove from Scripture.
1. From 1 Cor. 12. 28. God hath ſet ſome in the Church, &c. where by the word Church is ſignified that one body of which there are many members, ſpoken of ver. 12. wherein is not deſcribed the Inviſible and myſticall Church of Chriſt, as ſuch; but the Church of Chriſt as Viſible and externall: as being that which is diſtinguiſhed by the viſible Sacrament or ſigne of Baptiſme, ver. 13. which conſiſteth of various and heterogeneous externall members and organs, ver. 15, 16, 17, 18. to which are given from God thoſe various and externall adminiſtrations for edification, ſpoken of ver. 28. which is ſubject to Schiſme and ſeparation, ver. 25. Nor is it any Particular Church that is there deſcribed, but the Univerſall and Catholike Church; wherein all, as well Jewes as Gentiles, are joyned into one body, ver. 13. which comprehends all that are baptized in one Spirit, ver. 13. to which are given from God, Apoſtles, Prophets, Teachers, Paſtours, the gifts of tongues and miracles, &c. ver. 28. which are not given to this or that particular, but to the Catholike Church viſible. There is therefore here deſcribed an Univerſall Church.
2. There is by the Word of God ſome fellowſhip and communion Eccleſiaſticall betweene all the viſible Churches of the whole world; and therefore we muſt acknowledge by the Inſtitution of Chriſt a univerſall body of the Church: For there is between them an internall fellowſhip and an obligation to mutuall duties of Chriſtianity, Eph. 4. 3, 4, 5, 6. which requireth alſo an externall Eccleſiaſticall fellowſhip and communion in exhorting, reproving, comforting and edifying of all, and bindeth us to offer prayers and thankſgivings to God in the Miniſtry of the Church, in behalfe of all the Churches of the whole world; to reduce Churches gone aſtray, &c. and that fellowſhip which the members of a particular Church hold amongſt themſelves, the ſame in a due proportion ought the Provinciall and Nationall Churches to hold amongſt themſelves, for the mutuall edification and increaſe of the body of Chriſt, by which Eccleſiaſticall communion all Nationall Churches doe make up one Univerſall Eccleſiaſticall body.
3. So alſo we ſee in Scripture Eccleſiaſticall meetings held, which repreſented the Church Catholike and Univerſall of the whole world; wherein buſineſſes were tranſacted which concerne the Univerſall Catholike Church of the whole world: as Act. 1. where an Eccleſiaſticall meeting is held by Preaching the Word, and exerciſes of Diſcipline or Church-Government, ver. 15, 16, 26. and that in the name of the Church Catholike: for there are the Paſtours of the Church Catholike, the Apoſtles (ſent into the whole world, Matth. 28. 19.) with the brethren out of Galilee and Jeruſalem ver. 15. and they tranſact a buſineſſe which concerneth the Church Univerſall, to wit, the Election of an Apoſtle to be a Paſtor of the Church Univerſall. And they who tranſact thoſe things which concern the rule, government, and overſight of the Church Univerſall, ought to repreſent the Church of the whole world. And All. 15. 22. that meeting of Apoſtles, Elders, and Brethren is called a Church, who by an ordinary power preſcribed Eccleſiaſticall decrees and canons to all the Churches of the Gentiles, and impoſed them in a way of Juriſdiction, which no Provinciall, or Nationall, much leſſe Parochiall Church might lawfully do; but is an act of the Catholike Church.
The Reformed Divines alſo acknowledge a Catholike viſible Church: ſee (amongſt others) Walaeus in his common places, loco de Eccleſia militante, pag. 458. of his works in folio; where, explaining the nature of the Church viſible, after the definition of it, he affirmes, that this Church viſible is conſidered two wayes; either Ʋ niverſally, for the Church which through the whole world is by the preaching of the Gospell called out of the world, which in ſome respect may be called alſo Catholike; or for a Particular company confined to one certain place. See alſo the Poſitions of the Profeſſours of Leyden, diſp. 40. theſ. 27. where they tell us, that the Church Viſible is by ſome conſounded with a Church Particular, and the Inviſible with the Ʋniverſall; But we, ſay they, ſaving alwayes better judgements, think… theſe members ought not to be confounded. And theſ. 33. thus they ſay, This Church viſible is conſidered two wayes, either as a certaine▪ company of one particular village, towne, or province, thoſe, to wit, who are knit together not only in a community of Faith and Sacraments, but alſo in the forme of externall Government and Eccleſiasticall rites: or as a certaine company Occumenicall and univerſall disperſed in divers places through the whole world, though in the very externall forme of Government and circumſtantiall rites, they doe often much differ amongſt themſelves, yet agreeing in the eſſentiall communitie of the Faith and Sacraments: whence alſo that is frequent in Cyprian, The Biſhoprick is one, whereof each ſeverally hold a part.
IIII. We affirme that a company of Preſbyters met together with Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction for tranſacting Church affaires, are a Church; to wit, a miniſteriall, or a governing and repreſentative Church, (as they call it;) and therefore called in Scripture by the name Church. We confeſſe that ſuch a company of Presbyters are not a Church Repreſentative properly ſo called; as if the Elders were the delegates of the beleevers, who in their name and their ſtead governe the Church, and judge of Church affaires; ſo as that the company of beleevers governe and judge by thoſe Elders as their inſtruments and deputies: like as the Kings deputy repreſents the King himſelfe. For the multitude of Beleevers in the Church hath not by the Word of God a power of ruling, and judging Church affaires by a ſpirituall juriſdiction, and therefore cannot delegate it to the Elders and Presbyters: But the Preſbyters doe themſelves immediately from Chriſt the King of the Church receive power of ruling, and Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction, 2 Cor. 5. 20. 1 Cor. 4. 1. In this ſenſe therefore we doe not acknowledge a repreſentative Church. Neither doe we acknowledge ſuch a Repreſentative Church, as by commiſſion from the multitude of beleevers, ſhould have abſolute power by their lawes and acts of juriſdiction to bind the multitude, and ſubject their faith and conſciences, ſo as without triall they ſhould receive and imbrace what ſoever ſhould be determined by this Church. For this is the Papiſts tyrannicall Antichriſtian repreſentative Church, in the Pope and his popiſh Biſhops, which by Reformed Churches is denied and caſt out: But this repreſentative Church we acknowledge out of the holy Scriptures, viz. a company of Preſbyters choſen by the multitude of the Church, which by authority and eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction received from Chriſt is ſet over and takes care of the Church, and rules it by ſpirituall juriſdiction, and decrees made conſonant to the Word of God; to whom the whole multitude of beleevers is bound to yeeld obedience, in all things which from the Word of God and by the power by Chriſt committed to them they decree. This governing miniſteriall or repreſentative Church is proved by theſe Arguments.
1. From Matth. 18, 17, 18. Tell the Church This is that Church which hath the power o… the keyes, the power of binding and looſing in heaven and earth. But now this power was not given to the whole multitude of beleevers, but to the Elders and Governours of the Church, who muſt be obeyed in the Lord under the penalty of Excommunication. For the Government of the Church is not a promiſcuous and popular Government, but is committed by God to the Presbyters and Elders, which are the foreign and foreign, the Rulers and Guides in the Church. This is that Church which is to receive and judge of the beleevers complaints brought before them, concerning the ſcandals and offences of the members of the Church: which is the office of the Paſtours and Presbyters, to whom the Holy Ghoſt hath preſcribed lawes and rules, according to which they ought to receive and judge of thoſe complaints, Tit. 1. 13. which to all the multitude of beleevers in the Church is not injoyned. This is that Church-which hath the power of remitting and retaining ſins; which was given to the Apoſtles and their Succeſſours, Matth. 16. 18, 19. Joh. 20. 21, 22. but no where to the whole multitude of beleevers. The ruling and miniſteriall Church of Presbyters is therefore here underſtood. Whence alſo ſaith Beza upon Matth. 16. 18. that in the Holy Scripture the word Church is ſometimes uſed for an Eccleſiaſticall Senate, as Matth. 18. 17. to wit, becauſe convened in the name of the whole Church over which they are ſet; it's elſewhere called by Paul a Preſbytery, 1 Tim. 4. 14. and that in this place by Church the Evangeliſt underſtands a Colledge of Elders he proveth from hence, that he doth after make mention of binding and looſing, which power and juriſdiction was allwayes in their power, who were therefore called foreign, rulers of the Synagogue. And Tremellius in his notes upon the New Teſtament tranſlated out of Syriack, To the Church, ſaith he, that is, to that Councell instituted by God and the congregation of his Saints, that the authority both of binding and looſing, according to God, ſhould be in their power, as appeares in this and the following verſe. Deodate in his notes on the Italian Bible upon this place expounds Church, to be a meeting of them that have the care of governing the Church amongst Christians, and the inſpection of the order, peace, and diſcipline thereof. 1 Cor. 5. 3, 4. & 2 Cor. 2. 6. according to the cuſtome of the Jewiſh Church, which allſo had their Conſiſtory for correction of manners. The Doctors and Profeſſors of Geneva in their notes on the French Bible, in this place do underſtand thoſe who have the care and ordinary calling of adminiſtring Doctrine and Diſcipline in the Church: as there had alwayes been uſe of it among Gods people, but was ſpecially renewed in the Eccleſiasticall Miniſtery under the Apoſtles. The Dutch interpreters in their notes on the new Dutch tranſlation upon this place expound Church, by Church Governors, who as it were repreſent the whole Church, 1 Cor. 12. 28. 2 Cor. 2. 6.
2. It's proved from 1 Cor. 5. where is an Eccleſiaſticall aſſembly deſcribed, which by a ſpirituall juriſdiction tranſacts the Church affairs, and repreſents the Church, to wit, the Presbytery taking care of the Church diſcipline, which is gathered together with Pauls miniſteriall ſpirit, and the power of the Lord Ieſus, that is, the power of the Keys, which Chriſt, as Lord of his Church, only hath, Revel. 3. 7. which therefore conſiſteth only of the Churches Miniſters, and Chriſts Embaſſadors, as being they who alone have the miniſteriall ſpirit of the Apoſtles, and the power of the Lord committed to them: which is allſo gathered together for this end, to deliver to Sathan an inceſtuous perſon, a Church member: which exerciſe is committed not to all the Churchmembers, but to the Miniſters and Paſtors. We muſt therefore acknowledge a governing and repreſentative Church.
We reject therefore theſe oppoſite opinions following.
1. That there is no other Church viſible deſcribed in Scripture, but a particular or parochiall Church, which might meet together in one place to celebrate the holy worſhip of God. For there is ſuch a viſible Church deſcribed in Scripture, which hath thoſe attributes given to it, which agree not to a particular Church, as ſuch: as that it's diſperſed through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Aſia and Bithinia. 1 Pet. 1. 1. compared with chap. 5. 1, 2. that all both Jewes and Greeks, whether bond or free make up one body thereof. 1 Cor. 12. 13.
2. That a particular viſible Church is by the Word of God limited to ſuch bounds, as that of neceſſity they may be ordinarily contained, and ought to meet in one place for performing the publike worſhip of God with mutuall edification. For we have ſhewed that the conſtitution of ſuch a Church, as by reaſon of their multitude or ſome other cauſe, cannot ordinarily meet in one place, doth well agree with the word of God and Apoſtolicall inſtitution. For the eſſence and lawfull conſtitutiō of a Church dependeth not on the outward circumſtance of place, but on a due Profeſſion of faith, and bond of holy communion. For, as Ames ſaith, that ſame in Profeſſion doth constitute a Church Viſible, which in Reality and it's internall nature conſtituteth the Church Mysticall, that is, Faith. Medull. lib. 1. cap. 32. theſ. 7.
3. That there is no viſible inſtituted Church, but that which is met together for the performance of all the Eccleſiaſticall ordinances of Chriſt, for preaching the word of God, and adminiſtration of the Sacraments, and the exerciſes of all the offices and ſpirituall gifts, in a conſtituted Church. But Chriſt ſpeaketh of a Church (Mat. 18. 17.) met together not for the word and Sacraments, but only for the exerciſe of Church Diſcipline. So likewiſe is that meeting called a Church, wherein the Apoſtles did not by way of Sermon preach the word, nor adminiſter the Sacraments, but only told what God had done among the Gentiles. Act. 14. 27. & 15. 4. or choſe ſome to carry their decrees to others. Act. 15. 22. which were acts of Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction. And therefore that meeting, which meeteth only for the exerciſe of diſcipline and Eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction, is allſo a Church, and ſo called in Scripture.