Vindication of the Government of New England Churches 2, Book extract
The following is an Extract from a Book intituled, New-England's LAMENTATIONS, wrote by the Reverend Mr. JOHN WHITE, late Paſtor of the firſt Church in Glouceſter; to which is ſubjoined a Letter by another Hand, ſhewing Reaſons for adhering to our PLATFORM, as a Rule of Church-Government, and Objections againſt Ruling Elders anſwered: Which extract and Letter are here inſerted at the Requeſt of a Number of the Subſcribers to Mr. WISE's two Publications.
"THE preſent weak and ſhattered ſtate of our CHURCHES, on the account of their Order, Government, and Diſcipline, (ſays Mr. White) is matter of LAMENTATION. This is evident to every perſon of obſervation. Hence particular churches run into confuſion. Many are aggrieved, and abide year after year in their ſorrowful circumſtances. And a farther evidence thereof, is the ineffectualneſs of councils to … lieve the aggrieved, and to make peace. As alſo anti-councils, whereby contrary reſults are given on the ſame caſe, to the great reproach of councils, and blemiſh of our church government, and diſcouragement of the aggrieved, who are ready to lie under their troubles as remedileſs. Hence it is that ſome councils have perſwaded the church and aggrieved, to promiſe to acquieſce in the determination of the council, before they heard the caſe, by which their conſciences have been enſnared, and the council turned into a ſolemn Arbitration. This therefore is matter of juſt Lamentation.
I come to enquire,
1. Into the MEANS, which have brought us under theſe lamentable circumſtances. In a word, 'tis our being prejudiced againſt, and not attending to the rules and principles of congregational churches, as laid down in our platform. To go from the rule is arbitrary; and to go againſt profeſſed principles, making our wills the rule, is tyranny. And when a people fairly poſſeſſed of liberties and privileges, are thus dealt with, this leads directly to contention and confuſion.
1. Theſe churches have not attended the rule, as to the compleat organization of churches. 'Tis the privilege of a church to chuſe its own officers; as, platform, chap. 10. ſect. 5. viz. The power granted by Chriſt unto the body of the church and brotherhood, is a prerogative and privilege which the church exerciſeth, in chuſing their own officers, whether elders or deacons, &c. So ch. 6. ſect. 4. Of elders ſome attend chiefly to the miniſtry of the word, as paſtors and teachers; ſome attend eſpecially unto rule, who are therefore called ruling-elders. Now the want of theſe officers expoſes churches to arbitrarineſs, contentions and confuſions. As alſo it renders the government of the church, in ſome caſes impracticable. An inſtance of all theſe great inconveniencies, we have lately had in a neighbour church; where all poſſible endeavors have been uſed by the aggrieved (a very great and valuable part of the church) to have a church-meeting, and when there was great occaſion for it; and yet it could not be obtained: They had not a church-meeting for about 14 years: Whereas if they had been furniſhed with a full ſupply of officers, they might have eaſily obtained it, and … that means put an end to a long and very threatning …tention. Beſides, had the paſtor called the church together at their requeſt, there being but one elder, viz. a teaching one, and he the (ſuppoſed) offending party, it was not poſſible according to congregational principles, to have proceeded to judge and cenſure in that caſe. For miniſters are under no eccleſiaſtic government, but in the church, where they are members as well as miniſters. Now 'tis a rule in the congregational government, as in platform, chap. 10. ſect. 11. No church-act can be conſummated or perfected, without the conſent of both; that is, the elderſhip and brethren. Now tis not at all proper, that an accuſed and faulty elder ſhould be a judge in his own caſe; therefore when he is the peccant party and no ruling elders to join the brethren in an …act of diſcipline and cenſure, there cannot be a valid act. And ſo it is alſo when a miniſter is the accuſer. Thus by the diſuſe of ruling elders (ſo neceſſary in our conſtitution) the government is rendered weak; yea, in ſome caſes impracticable. Therefore it was that when the ſynod convened, Oct. 15, 1679, to enquire what wanted reformation in the land, and to propoſe expedients therefor; in the 5th place they ſay, Tis requiſite that the utmoſt endeavors ſhould be uſed, in order for a full ſupply of officers in the churches, according to Chriſt's inſtitution; the defect of theſe churches on this account is very lamentable, there being in moſt of the churches only one teaching officer for the burthen of the whole church to lie upon. The Lord Chriſt would not have inſtituted paſtors, teachers, ruling elders, (nor the apoſtles ordained elders in every church) Acts 4.23. Tit. 1.5. if he had not ſeen there was need of them for the good of his people; therefore for men to think they can do well enough without them, is to break the ſecond commandment, and to reflect upon the wiſdom of Chriſt, as if he did appoint unneceſſary officers in his church. Experience hath evinced, that perſonal inſtruction and diſcipline have been happy means to reform degenerate congregations; yea, and owned by the Lord for the converſion of many ſouls. But where there are great congregations, it is impoſſible for one man beſides his public labours, fully to attend thoſe other things of great importance, and neceſſary to be done, in order to an effectual reformation of families and congregations. Thus the ſynod.
2. Again, theſe churches have reduced their church-ſtate to great darkneſs, by not attending the rule of our conſtitution in councils. It has been the practice of councils convened according to the ſecond way of communion in our platform, who are only to hold forth light, and give advice, to uſurp the power of judgment in matters of fact, as alſo the power of admonition, in caſe of offence. Which to do is proper to the third way of communion; and ſuppoſes that a church wants correction for an offence, and not merely light and counſel. And by this means the third way of communion has been ſhut out, and not practiced. This thing I am bold to ſay, has been the occaſion of all our anti-councils, as well as the contentions and confuſions churches have been left in, after all endeavors uſed by neighbor churches, by way of councils.
2. I come to the other thing remaining, and that is, the METHODS of our relief.
And here I would ſay,
1. Let our churches be adviſed to get compleatly furniſhed with church-officers according to the platform. By this time I hope ye ſee the neceſſity of it. Ariſe, for this matter belongs to you; and tis juſt matter of offence if you neglect it any longer.
Remember, it is neceſſary in a congregational church: And the miniſters and members of theſe churches would do well to get reconciled to every part, and branch of the conſtitution. Prejudices againſt, averſions and diſaffections to the ſame, have greatly threatened the utter diſſolution of theſe churches. Our government is firm and ſtrong; but if ſuch as ſhould keep it in good repair, do weaken it, it is in danger of falling to pieces. A brick houſe (be it never ſo firm) if every tenant takes out a brick, in time it will be weak, and ſhatter to pieces. But ſome objections offer, which it may be needful to remove.
1. Obj. Our reverend paſtors are againſt it, and think that the office is not of divine right.
Anſ. 1. Miniſters ſhould reconcile themſelves to the congregational government before they accept of the paſtoral office in ſuch a church.
2. There are eſpecially three ſcriptures, which may ſatisfy the ſcrupulous, as to the divine right of ruling elders; as, Rom. 12.8. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Cor. 12.28. God has ſet in his church, governments. Theſe are church governors and diſtinct from teachers; who elſe can they be but ruling elders? Let ſuch as have any conſciencious ſcruples in this affair, weigh in the ballance of the ſanctuary, the arguments brought for the divine right of ruling elders, in a book entitled, Jus Divinum Regiminis Eccleſiaſtici; as alſo a ſheet not long ſince publiſhed, entitled, The Divine Right of Ruling Elders; as alſo, a rational and nervous letter lately publiſhed on this argument. Enough is ſaid in theſe to ſatisfy an unprejudiced mind as to their divine right.
3. 'Tis the right and privilege of the brethren to chuſe their officers; and therefore if they be clear in the matter, they ſhould not be diſcouraged or obſtructed in the uſe of their juſt liberties.
4. If the paſtors will be ſo arbitrary, as utterly to refuſe to call the church together to chuſe theſe officers; I ſuppoſe, the church may look upon themſelves in that caſe, and ſo far, to be without a ruler; and may conve…e for this purpoſe, as when they have no miniſter to chuſe one. It muſt be a great abuſe of a miniſter's power, to obſtruct the church in the exerciſe of that power or privilege, Chriſt has given them, for the preſervation of their peace and purity. Engliſhmen can't patiently ſubmit to arbitrary meaſures. Two kings, within our memory, have ſmarted for attempting it. One loſt his head, the other his empire. And will Engliſh Chriſtians tamely ſubmit thereto? Can they be eaſy, when thoſe, who by divine appointment are to miniſter to them for their ſpiritual edification, Lord it over them who are God's heritage? 'Tis unreaſonable for any to deſire or expect it, and baſe for chriſtians to ſubmit to it.
Obj. 2. We would proceed to chuſe ruling elders, if there were any men in the church fit for it.
Anſ. 'Tis God's work to fit men for offices in church or ſtate. 'Tis your duty to chuſe ſuch as are beſt qualified, and depend upon God farther and more fully to fit them. I remember, as introductory to our election of ruling elders, near thirty years ago, I preached from thoſe words, Num. 11.25. And the Lord came down in a cloud, and ſpake unto him, (that is to Moſes) and took of the ſpirit that was upon him, and gave it to the ſeventy elders.— There is the reſidue of the ſpirit to furniſh for every office of truſt, to which one and another is choſen. And in that the getting ruling elders was oppoſed by many in town and church, I preached another ſermon from thoſe words in 2 Tim. 2.25. In meekneſs inſtructing thoſe that oppoſe themſelves. Reformations are commonly attended with great oppoſitions. Lay aſide then I pray, your objecting, and attend your duty.
2. Let diſcipline be prudently, ſtrictly, and impartially exerciſed in particular churches. Negligence and partiality herein is very hurtful to the peace, purity, and growth of churches.
3. Let councils move in their proper ſphere: Let them act agreable to their nature, and the rules laid down in the platform. Let ſuch as are called to give advice, and to hold forth light, do that; and proceed no further.
4. Come into the practice of the third way of communion, as laid down in the platform. When a church is rent with diviſion among themſelves, and lie under any open ſcandal, and yet refuſe to conſult with other churches for healing and removing the ſame, this is matter of offence; and the aggrieved making a complaint hereof to a particular church, this church is in a chriſtian manner to make enquiry, and demand an account of the other church, in order to their conviction and admonition, if faulty; or in order to their vindication, if innocent: as in platform, chap. 15. There has been in times paſt, great oppoſition to the practice of this rule. But the late venerable council held at Salem, ſaw cauſe to countenance the practice of that way of the communion of churches, and adviſed the aggrieved there, in caſe they receive not ſpeedy ſatisfaction from the reverend paſtor, purſuant to the reſult and advice of ſaid council, to apply to a particular church in the neighbourhood for help, as directed in the third way of communion. Which thing I humbly apprehend will prove of greater ſervice toward the eſtabliſhing theſe churches, than any thing done for ſcores of years. For,
1. 'Tis that rule, and the wiſe practiſing it, that wipes off the raproach of independency from congregational churches. They are unaccountable, unleſs in this way.
2. 'Tis this rule that preſerves churches pure in their communion one with another. For if a church gives offence, & continues obſtinate in any ſinful way, and other churches held communion with ſuch diſorderly church, & dont uſe all poſſible means to reclaim her, they are partakers of her ſin. But there is no other regular way to enquire into her adminiſtrations, to convince her, and admoniſh her, and ſeparate her from their communion, but this. Altho' one church has not authority over another, yet churches have power to preſerve the… purity, and to put a church obſtinately offending out of their communion; or elſe they muſt hold fellowſhip with her in a ſinful way.
3. This rule is neceſſary to the peace of particular churches, as it will effectually relieve perſons aggrieved. There can't much peace be expected where a great part of a church, are gauled by arbitrary meaſures. But in this way they muſt give ſatisfaction, or ſuſtain the ſentence of non-communion. And this opens a door for all aggrieved ones, to reſettle in an orderly way, in ſtated fellowſhip in ſome neighbour church, as tho' they had been diſmiſſed.
4. This rule doth effectually hinder anti-councils, or having councils againſt councils; of which there have been too many inſtances, to the great reproach and confuſion of theſe churches. For if aggrieved perſons are allowed to call councils, the church has power and liberty to call them; and by this means, anti-councils come upon the ſtage. But if the aggrieved make complaint to a particular church, there is no poſſibility of anti-councils. Tis therefore mu…h to be wondered at, that ſuch mighty oppoſition has been made againſt introducing this rule into practice in theſe churches. And tis matter of thankfulneſs that the way is prepared by the foreſaid council at Salem, for the practice thereof.
Obj. It may be objected, this rule was not put in practice in the early days of theſe churches.
Anſ. 1. Our fathers were but men, and had their defects. Hence, though they in the ſynod declared ſo fully for the full ſupply of officers in the church; and this reſult of the ſynod was approved by the general court, recommending the ſame to the ſerious conſideration of all the churches; yet how ſhamefully has this expedient for reformation been diſregarded by moſt of our churches!
2. I ſuppoſe the true reaſon why the third way of communion was not practiſed in our early days, was becauſe then there was little or no occaſion for it; churches were more tender and willing to receive light, when offered by councils called in the ſecond way of communion: And when it is thus, there is no room for the practice of this rule.
I ſhall add the following moving conſiderations.
1. Our church-government is too good to be ſlighted and thrown away. I am perſuaded 'tis nearer …he ſcripture and better warranted and ſupported by it, than any church government in the world.
As to the church of England, there is no ſcripture foundation for their hierarchy, as, arch-biſhops, lord-biſhops▪ arch-deacons, officials, chancellors, &c. Of late, by one and another maſterly hand, the following truth has been ſet in ſo clear a light, that none but the wilfully ignorant can reſiſt it, viz. That the ſcripture biſhop, is no other than the paſtor of a particular church. And it is an innovation and uſurpation, that they are dignified as they are in the church of England. Beſides, to take out of the hands of the preſbyters or paſtors all rule in the church, is unſcriptural; for what is more plain, than that they who watch for ſouls, are to rule over them alſo? as Heb. 13.17. Their taking away from churches the liberty of chuſing their own officers, is an intollerable invaſion of the right of churches, as well as their introducing many unſcriptural ceremonies into divine worſhip.
Again, the preſbyterian government, I grant, has been accompanied with eminent holineſs; as witneſs the church of Scotland, Geneva, and many other reformed churches. And I acknowledge there is but little difference between them and us; eſpecially, if we have ruling elders, and practiſe the third way of communion. Yet wherein we differ, I am humbly of opinion we have the ſcripture on our ſide. Let any if they can, give a genuine interpretation of the 1 Cor. 5 chap. and ex…lude the brethren from having any hand in church diſcipline and cenſures. Beſides what is written, Mat. 18. Tell it to the church; that is ſay they, to the miniſters. This is to put the ſcripture upon the rack, to make it ſpeak what we would have it. Let us then be thankful for our conſtitution; ſtrictly adhere to and practiſe it.
2. Our church-government, if ſtrictly adhered to, will effectu…lly anſwer all the intentions of government. There is no member in a church, no church in the whole conſociation of churches, tho' never ſo ſtubborn and obſtinate, but muſt ſubmit, or ſuſtain the dreadful ſentence of non-communion: which methinks no good miniſter and chriſtian can make light of.
I ſhall conclude the whole with a few words further by way of advice or counſel.
1. Let us be very thankful to God, who has hitherto ſecured for us our civil and ſacred privileges; notwithſtanding our great barrenneſs and unprofitableneſs, yea, and our many and great provocations. God is ſlow unto anger, and abundant in goodneſs and kindneſs. We have for an 100 years enjoyed the diſpenſation of the glorious goſpel, in its power and purity, and free from perſecution. What could God have done for this his vineyard, which he has not done, in order to our fruitfulneſs?
2. Let us be warned againſt withdrawing from the fellowſhip of theſe churches, until we find more pure churches and worſhip; and of a more ſcriptural faith and order. Such as break with, and break off from theſe churches, becauſe their ſtubborn wills will not ſubmit to the juſt and regular cenſures of the church to which they belong; or becauſe they cant have their will, as to the place of their worſhip; theſe deſerve the character of heady and high-minded. And if their unreaſonable deſires are reſtrained by the civil government, then they will turn churchmen. Surely ſuch church-men are guilty of will-worſhip with a witneſs. Theſe converts are worthy to be called children of Belial, who riſe up againſt lawful authority, and take ſanctuary in the church. The church of England doth too much honor our churches, when they account thoſe worthy of their fellowſhip, who are worthy to be rejected by us. I would wiſper in the ears of theſe thoughtleſs and unnatural converts, not to ſay apoſtates; will you raſhly, and to have your wills in leſſer matters, return to a ſtate of bondage, when you enjoy matchleſs liberties and privileges? Will you take upon you a yoke which your gracious predeceſſors could not bear? Will you bring a burd…en upon poſterity, which is intollerable, to humour and eaſe yourſelves? Know, when the yoke is once on your necks, you muſt pay the tythe, the tenth part of which you are apt now to think is too much for you to give, or your miniſter to receive. And do you think the vaſt arrearages will not be recovered, one way or other? I mean the vaſt ſums expended for the propagation of the goſpel; that is, for the bringing over our churches to the mother church.
3. Be kind to your miniſters; and dont give them any juſt provocation to deſert you, or to endeavor to reconcile themſelves to the diſcipline and ceremonies of the church. The diſcount of the bills of credit has inſenſibly and exceedingly hurt them in times paſt; and it is well if it be not ſo to this day with ſome. I am fully perſuaded that miniſters ſalaries ought in juſtice to be raiſed nearly in proportion to the depreciation of the bills of credit; for the price of the neceſſaries of life riſe in proportion. By no means diſcourage the hearts, or weaken the hands of your faithful miniſters, who are willing to ſpend and be ſpent, in the ſervice of your precious ſouls. Eſpecially be cautious at this juncture, when ſo great temptations are laid before them to deſert you, and go home and take orders.
4thly, and finally, Study the principles of your faith and order; be heartily reconciled to, and be zealous in the defence and practice of them. And as often as any of our holy churches do want a paſtor, I would adviſe them when treating with any candidate in order to ſettlement, to know his mind with reſpect to the profeſſed faith and order of theſe churches; and proceed not to election; until he has given his aſſent to the one, and his promiſe to practiſe according to the other. This indeed is implicitly done by his acceptance of the invitation of a congregational church; but the more explicit, the better. And when the elders and meſſengers of neighbour-churches are (upon invitation) convened, to aſſiſt in the ſolemn ſeparation of a paſtor to the ſacred work of the goſpel-miniſtry, in his ordination; they would doubtleſs do well to ſatisfy themſelves in theſe things, leſt they be found to lay their hands too ſuddenly upon his head.
To conclude, Let us then ſtand faſt in the liberties wherewith Chriſt hath made us free, Gal. 5.1. Our country thinks it worth while to ſpend many thouſands, in defence of their civil privileges, ſettled upon us by charter; and are not theſe ſacred privileges of equal, yea of greatter worth and value? O then let us contend earneſtly for the faith and order of the goſpel, leſt we be found to deſpiſe our birth-right, and to deſtroy ourſelves."
JOHN WHITE.
The following Reverend Gentleman recommended the foregoing, as well worthy the peruſal of the Public.
PETER THACHER,
JOSEPH SEWALL,
THOMAS PRINCE,
JOHN WEBB,
WILLIAM COOPER,
THOMAS FOXCROFT.
Boſton, Jan. 25, 1733-4.