the spirits of many the Arch Enemies of Church and Kingdom are not subdued yet their rage and mallice is so limited that although like the surging untamed waves they would again break out if not bounded and their power so broken that the mightiest Leviathans are now held by the Hooke of God That God hath also in this breath of time put into the heart of Parliament and Synod to settle a Government in the Church having laid a good foundation of Reformation of corruptions in and about the Ordinances Officers and Administrations thereof And for that the spirits of men are wonderfully averse to this so necessary a work that although it have cost so much time treasure and blood to bring to this maturitie yet glad they would be to bring religion to a very hotch-potch as appears by those many vain and needless scruples and Stumbling-blocks which Satan and such men are every day casting in to obstruct I have thought good as in duty every Christian is bound as much as in them lies to help the Lord against the mighty and that no man that truly desires satisfaction may misse of it I have endeavoured to enumerate all such objections as have any shadow of reason that the ignorant may be informed the wilfull convinced and the weak Christian satisfied that so the Church may be edified and God glorified And that I may not be tedious I shall without more adoe lay down these following Truths which by Gods grace I shall vindicate against all opposers That Reformation of corruptions in the Church of God is of absolute necessity although not to the being yet to the well being thereof and that as well in Discipline as Doctrine That the Government of the Church by Pastors Teachers and Elders is of Divine institution That although all men ought to hear the word yet neither the ignorant nor prophane ought to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper That self examination although a duty of absolute necessitie in every Communicant yet it s not all required And that Examination by the Eldership is both grounded upon Scripture and good reason For the First That Reformation of corruptions in the Church of God is of absolute necessitie c. is granted of all therefore needs no dispute only 1. Q. What is meant by Reformation A. The bringing of the Church and worship of God to as neer a conformitie to the minde and will of God and to the primative Institution as may be both by casting out corruptions and by supply of defects in and about the Ordinances Administrations Officers and Members thereof 2. Object Was not the government of the Church by Bishops c. according to the Word of God they were Protestants and we enjoyed far more peace in the Church then now men enjoyed then the Ordinances without interruption and doubtlesse many thousands went to heaven by Gods blessing upon means then in use A. I shall nor need now to spend time about that Argument of the Government by Bishops and their Substitutes abundance of satisfaction having by divers been given to that point True it is they were Protestant Bishops in point of Doctrine if we look upon the Doctrine of the Church generally owned but their standing was not of Divine Right both Parliament and Synod having long since condemned that Hyrarchy without doubt that Lordly Prelacy over Gods heritage being quite contrary to the word of God 1 Pet. 5.3 Neither being as Lords over Gods heritage but being examples to the flock It s true we enjoyed much Peace because the strong man kept possession none daring to question their proceedings though never so impious but when the Lord called them to account for their oppression and tyranny and that Satan saw his Kingdom begin to shake he mustered up all his servants to his support which hath made our times so troublesome And although many by Gods blessing upon means and Ordinances then in use were saved this we must attribute to the work of Gods spirit and to God owning his own Ordinances in the midst of much corruption This therefore makes not at all against casting out abuses crept into the Church neither can we expect so great a work as the turning of Church and State up-side down can be done without much combustion especially considering how most men are apt to be led by custom though never so corrupt and its a special mercy considering how many grand Enemies we have had to do withall that God hath put so timely a period to our old troubles I pray God our corrupt hearts and causelesse contentions provoke him not to punish us yet seven times more 3. Object But are there not some that create Churches to themselves what think ye of them A. I think if they deny our Congregations to be true Churches they are erronious and if they do not their separation the more unlawfull And I think as there is many gon from us because they were not of us so many are joyned to other assemblies because our Government was so long before setled being too impatient to wait Gods leisure Such men surely forgot the Israelites were forty years together without the Passeover all the while they were in the Journy to Canaan had they but well eyed the Church they might have seen it some years together in a wildernesse of distraction but still no way to Reformation and therefore ought rather to have waited till God had brought them into the desired Land then to turn their backs upon that work which fares the worse for their departure many thousands are gone that would had they continued have much added to the visible beauty of the Church who are justly to be blamed God and man looking for Reformation not Separation And it s no marvell God so much confounds their Language who will be building Babels to themselves For the Second That Pastors Teachers Elders c. 4. Object Can you make it dppear that the Government of the Church by Pastors Teachers Elders c. is of Divine Institution by the Word of God A. Yea By divers places of Scripture as 1 Tim. 4.14 the Apostle there saith neglect not the gift that is in you which was given with the laying on of the hands of the Tresbytery Again 1 Cor. 12. and God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secundarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healing helps in Government c. viz. men fitted with severall gifts suitable to the severall ages of the Church Again 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine Likewise 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders that are among you I exhort who also am an Elder and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ So also Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having gifts differing c. by all which places its apparent That the government of the Church by Pastors Teachers Elders c. is according
to God that their Offices are also distinct the Scriptures are so plaine they need no interpretation some rule some labour in the word and doctrine 5. Object But what Elders are those spoken of in those Scriptures are they lay Elders or Ecclesiasticall A. The word of God makes no such distinction I do not read in any place of Scripture of either Lay or Ecclesiastique but Elders they were endowed extraoadinarily with severall gifts some to labour in the word and doctrine although in that fence we take Lay viz. for Tradesmen I beleeve such for the most part if not all were the Elders in the Church of Christ in those times And therefore it is that the separate Churches rather question our Ecclesiastique Elders then the Lay to be of Divine Right On the otherside by reason our Churches have been governed by men devoted and set apart to the Ministery many think there ought to be no other but Ecclesiasticall I shall adhere with neither of them but say with all Reformed Churches that let men be gifted by God whether by ordinary or extraordinary means let them have a lawfull call to the function whether Lay or Ecclesiastique they are of Divine institution only we must not expect all to be alike qualified some gifted for the Ministery others for Discipline Order Government and others Church Administrations 6. Object What is the Office of a ruling Elder A. According to their severall titles in Scripture so is their Office and imployment they are called Governours Rulers Overseers Stewards Watchmen c. and their Office is 1. To govern and direct persons and things in the Church and therefore the Apostle reproves those that despise Government in that 2 Pet. 2.10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse and dispise Government and indeed who are there dispise Government more then dissolute vain persons 1 Cor. 12.28 They are called Helps in Government viz. such as together with the Pastor govern the Church therefore 1 Tim. 5.17 Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour 2. As Stewards and Overseers they are to see the Lawes of their Masters house observed Luk. 1â— 41 1 Pet. 4.10 to whom they must give account and give each his portion 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of as as Stewards c. or dispensors vers 2. Moreover it s required of a Steward that he be found just and faithfull so also Heb 13.17 Obey them that have the oversight of you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with griefe for that is unprofitable for you 3. Their duty or office is to edifie the body of Christ viz. the Church and this is the end why the Lord gave severall gifts to those that had the Charge of the Church committed to them Ephes 4.12 So also 1 Cor. 14.12 4. They ought to keep the Doctrine Discipline and Ordinances of the Church from corruption the Church as much as in them lies from scandall 1 Cor. 11.2 Now I pray you brethren that you remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I deliver them to you The Apostle speaks here to those that had power in the Church and commends them for keeping the Ordinances and dispensations of the Church pure Again 1 Cor. 5.7 Purge out therefore the old leven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened 5. Their Office is to redresse abules in the Church ordering the affairs thereof decently as in the 1 Cor. 14.33 for God is not the Author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints implying all the Churches of the Saints are kept in good order vers 40. Let all things be done decently and in order 6. They are to end controversies and to make peace to help the weake to restore the penitent and to encorage every one in the wayes of peace and righteousnesse As in the 1 Cor. 6.5 I speak it to your shame is it so that there is not a wise man among you no not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren but a brother goeth to Law with a brother c. 1 Cor. 10.32 Give no offence neither to the Jew nor to the Gentile nor to the Church of God Philip. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of minde Let each esteem others better then himselfe It was the sin of the shepheards of Israel to neglect their duty Ezek. 34.4 the diseased have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick neither have ye bound up that which was broken neither have ye brought again that which was driven away neither have ye sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them And indeed this was the greatsin of our Episcopal Hyrarchy and of too too many of our idle shepherds under them the Lord reform it in succeding times 7. Their duty is to visite the sick especially when sent for and to pray for them and give comfort to them James 5.14 If any be sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with oyle in the Name of the Lord and although this unction be now out of use yet with subjection I may say the Apostle intends that Prayer ought not to goe alone without applying lawfull means which indeed ought to be sanctifyed by the Word and Prayer 8. Their office is to admit such as are sit and to suspend the unworthy from the Sacrament of the Lords supper 1 Cor. 5.5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus vers 11. If any that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetuous or a drunkard or an Extortioner with such a one eat not vers 13. Therefore put away from you that wicked person 9. They ought to admit or dismisse Officers in the Church as occasion is offered and these joyntly Act. 6.6 And when they had prayed they laid their hands upon them c. verse 2. Look ye out seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this businesse So that by all that hath been said it sufficiently appears that Pastors Teachers and Elders their Titles Offices and Imployment in and about Church Administrations are of Divine Institution and that they had need to be Godly and discreet 7. Object But where I pray you will men be found fit for such weighty Imployments A. Indeed there are none sufficient for these things the best of men in all ages have been short of what they ought to be we cannot expect perfection in this life the most precious subject to manifold infirmities all may say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 Who is sufficient for these things Yet
The Sacramental STVMBLING-BLOCK Removed Or a brief discourse concerning Examination by the Congregational Eldership before admittance to the Sacrament Wherein all contrary scruples are silenced the Equity and Necessity of that duty vindicated both by Scripture and undenyable Arguments Set forth for 1. The Satisfaction of the Weake 2. The Information of the Ignorant 3. The Conviction of the Obstinate 4. The Edification of the Church of God by W. L. Cast ye up Cast ye up prepare the way take up the Stumbling-block out of the way of my people Isa 57.14 Obey them that have rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with griefe for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13.7 But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready alwaies to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 LONDON Printed by James and Joseph Moxon for Henry Overton and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Alley 1648. To the CHRISTIAN READER Christian Reader THe grand confusion and distraction of the Church the great opposition that that so needfull and desirable work of Reformation now meets with together with the great pressures now lying upon the spirits of such as beare good will to the Peace and Prosperitie thereof hath compelled me to the Presse And although the unfittest of ten thousands yet by drawing this Bush in the Gappe I may by Gods blessing not onely prevent that Devastation that for ought I see is like to follow if not timely prevented But also encourage some Master-builder to repaire the Breaches with better Materialls and more skilfull hand I call God to witnesse Nothing more moves me then the love I beare to the Peace of the Church of Christ and its Reformation so much endeavoured both by Parliament and Synod so much desired by the Saints so much oppugned and oppossed by Satan and his Instruments and if by this contemptible clay the Cure be in any good measure effected I have my aime and desire thee with my selfe to give the Glory to Jesus Christ In whom I am thine W. I. A CATALOGVE of such QVERIES and SCRVPLES as are resolved in the ensuing Discourse 1. Obiect WHat is meant by Reformation Pag. 2. 2. Object Was not the goverment of the Church by Bishops c. according to the Word of God they were Protestants and we enjoyed far more peace in the Church then now men enjoyed then the Ordinances without interruption and doubtlesse many thousands went to heaven by Gods blessing upon means then in use Pag. 3. 3. Ob. But are there not some that create Churches to themselves what think ye of them Pag. 3. 4. Object Can you make it appear that the Government of the Church by Pastors Teachers Elders c. is of Divine Institution by the Word of God Pag. 4. 5. Object But what Elders are those spoken of in those Scriptures are they lay Elders or Ecclesiasticall Pag. 5. 6. Object What is the Office of a ruling Elder Pag. 5. 7. Object But where I pray you will men be found fit for such weighty Imployments Pag. 8. 8. Object But why do they choose such young men as in many places they have and some of the meaner sort me thinks they should chuse the most ancient and able men in the Parish who would better become both the title and office of Elders Pag. 9. 9. Object Me thinks the Pastors and Elders in Presbyterian Congregations are neither rightly called nor fitly qualified Pag. 12. 10. Object Q. But why must wee appeale to Classes Have they any power to determine differences and to reforme abuses in particular Congregations Pag. 13. 11. Object But they say now none must come to the Sacrament without Examination by the Eldership which some hold to bee no better then a point of Popery however it s very needlesse and ridiculous for ancient men that have born all Offices in the Parish and Church too lived long under the meanes often formerly admitted now to be catechised like boyes neither do I beleeve there is any rule for it in the Word the Apostle saith Let every man examine himselfe and so let him eat c. 1 Cor. 11.28 Pag. 17. 12. Object Methinks if they would catechise the young people it would do well but for ancient men that have received the Sacrament twenty or thirty years together or more that have born all Offices in both Church and Parish to be now called to account like boyes this cannot be endured Pag. 25. 13. Ob. But must all men be examined Certainly some men are as able to examine the Eldership as the Elders them What need is there to examine such Pag. 26. 14. Ob. But must women also be examined is there any rule for that in Scripture Pag. 27. 15. Ob. Were it only to be examined by the Minister it were not so much but for a man or woman to come before so many dashes them out of Countenance Pag. 28. 16. Ob. Methinks it were sufficient to suspend the scandalous Is there any such need to keep off the ignorant Is not the Sacrament a converting Ordinance Pag. 29. 17. Ob. But do you what you can yet many corrupt men will be admitted Pag. 29. 18. Ob. Surely were it a good work and according to God good Ministers would promote it but there are divers good Preachers about London and in other parts of the Kingdom that act little or nothing at all this way Pag. 30. 19. Ob. But what if the King come home think ye this Government will stand Pag. 32. 20. Ob. Do ye not see how Parishes are divided about this businesse in divers places they are altogether by the ears Pag. 33. 21. Ob. But what 's the reason so many Elders are chosen in divers places and so few hold not halfe in some places Pag. 34. 22. Ob. But is it meet all men should come before the Eldership to be examined before admittance Methinks they should go to the houses of some men of best rank and converse with them there Pag. 35. 23. Ob. But if men and women must both be examined it may fall out a man may be found unfit and his wife may be received some-time the man received and his wife unfit what a kind of confusion will this be doth not the Apostle Paul lay the unbeleeving woman is sanct fied by the beleeving man and the unbeleeving man by the beleeving woman 1 Cor. 7.14 Pag. 36. 24. Ob. What are the principal points that will be enquired of by the Eldership what time men come before them Pag. 39. 25. Ob. What are the crimes that make unapable of admittance in point of scandal Pag. 41. THE SACRAMENTALL STVMBLING-BLOCK Removed FOrasmuch as the Lord by unexpected and unspeakable providence hath so composed the grand quarrell of the Kingdom that notwithstanding
blessed be God we have to do with him that is willing to passe by the weaknesses of his servants and is also able to furnish all such whom he calls to his work with sutable abilities and qualifications And herein the servants of God have found much comfort and with the Apostle have had occasion to say and that truly that they are able to do all things through Christ that strengthens them And although none call'd to the work can be in every degree fit or peradventure many call'd may have meaner parts then some others not called and notwithstanding all chosen are not alike quallified yet where the Call is good the heart upright to the work there will not want a competent supply from him that gives to all liberally and severally qualities for the good of his Church and indeed those that are most able if they think themselves sufficient know nothing Therefore it becomes the best to see and say with the Apostle c. 2. Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Neither would I have men too much stumble at their own insufficiency so as to dispair either of supply or successe if rightly call'd and of upright hearts but in midst of all discouragements sincerely endeavour to improve the small talent received resting upon God for he that hath said 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient Hath also said I will never fail thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 2. We have experience that through mercy many able and honest men are called to this work and have lovingly accepted the Trust who I doubt not but will receive sufficient testimony of Gods presence with them by their dayly improvement 3. There is this remedy if men unfit or unable be chosen they are to passe thorow examination and if found unfit are in a competent time to be excepted against whether it be for ignorance or scandall they are to be remedied and sitter chosen 8. Object But why doe they choose such young men as in many places they have and some of the meaner sort me thinks they should chuse the most ancient and able men in the Parish who would better become both the title and office of Elders A. They are not called Elders with respect to their age but office and although it were very comendable if men could every where be got both Grave and Godly to deal in so weighty affaires and no doubt but in all places care is and will be not to neglect such as are well grounded in Religion sound in faith and of good understanding yet if it so fall out that young men are chosen if thus qualified we must take heed of stumbling at their youth Timothy was a very young man but Paul gives command that no man should dispise his youth 1 Tim. 4.12 It s not age but honesty and understanding makes men fit for such imployment and we know it s not only possible but very ordinary for men of 30. or 40. years to out-step many twice their age both in grace and wisdom Neither should men stumble if here and there men of ordinary ranke be chosen if well quallified although blessed be God our times afford as many that are both great and good as any age since the world began and many very able for estate as otherwaies are chosen yet it s not to be questioned but men of a lower ranke in the world may be and have been very serviceable to the Church and therefore none ought to be offended thereat For 1. We know men ordinaryly wise for the world are not wisest to God-ward the Lord having hid the secrets of his Kingdom from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes Mat. 11.25 Luk. 10.21 2. When the Lord Christ who knew best whom to make choice of would pick and chuse men out of the whole world to advance his cause and Kingdom he counted it no policy to entertain the greatest men but a company of poor Fisher-men against whom the world might as easily be offended it being as easie with him to have called great and rich men and have enabled them for his work as those despicable ones yet he chose the poor Iam. 2.5 Hath not God chose the poor in this world rich in faith So 1 Cor. 1.26 Not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called c. And truly as not many such men are effectually called to God in Christ so very few are fit to be imployed in Church dispensations for rich and men great in the world will not take upon them care and trouble which brings no outward advantage they cry out Who will shew us any good Psal 4. Alas they have their Farmes to see their Oxen to prove their wives to marry c. when they have nothing else to do they 'l come to Christ looking all their life with Felix for a more convenient time Act. 24.25 till time be no more 3. Mean men in the worlds accompt as before are ordinarily wisest to God-ward and we were better have no Governours at all in the Church though never so aged or rich if ignorant of God and in those things about which they are especially conversant certainly if ignorance and scandall make men incapable of Sacramentall communion much more of judicature in divine mysteries yet as I said before it s not unpossible for rich men and great men to be good and I doubt not we have our Abrahams Lots Noahs Jobs Davids Daniels c. men both great in the world and rich in grace but these are rare as they were in their times 4. Although in civil things men are to be distinguished and respected for their age and other outward accomodations yet Religion makes no such difference but before God and good men an honest understanding Christian is esteemed above men great in the world desolute of saving grace This worldly partiallity the Apostle Iames utterly condemns Iames 2.1.2 My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons read the 2.3 and 4. verses Besides in point of policie if we would not befoole our selves and misse of heaven we should be very carefull to intrust those that are pious and prudent with the things of God though never so meane outwardly Certainly a skilfull Pilot with a homely handkerchief about his neck will better conduct a ship to his right Port then the Lord Major with his chain of Gold Riches avail not in the day of wrath Friends it s not a Ruff-band a Beaver hat a Gelding a Gray beard or thousands per Annum can do thy soul good thou mayest perish for all that I beleeve he that 's diseased in his body or hath a limb out of joynt will rather listen to a skilfull Physitian or Chirurgion in a thred-bare coat then to an unskilfull Quack-salver in a Velvet suit and certainly it will be our shame to
be wiser for the body then for the soule which is more worth then the whole world 5. Although men be never so rich and great in the world yet if they be called and quallified for this work they must become fooles children and servants or else not fit 1 Tim. 5.17 either for the Kingdom of heaven or to be imployed in the Church of God And this is one obsticle in the way of great men who if they had eyes to see they might know that the service of God and his Church is not only the greatest freedom 1 Cor. 4.20 but the highest honour 6. It s an Argument of an ignorant and carnall heart and of such as are utterly unacquainted with Iesus Christ thus to stumble at his crosse was it not the ignorance and impietie of the Scribes and Pharisees thus to do did not they say of the Lord Christ Is not this the Carpenters sonne are not his brethren with us c. Do any of the Rulers beleeve in him c. Who is it that counts the wisdom of God foolishnesse but men worldly wise And are not we apt to say What is such or such a one do not we know them well enough taking exceptions at men excellently quallisied if not so great in the world as our selves 7. Know this is only a block cast in the way by Satan that men may stumble without cause and fall Notwithstanding men of abilicie and known fidelitie be in most places chosen yet it s ordinary with the devil and his instruments to obstruct therefore if he cannot quarrell with the Ordinances then with dispensations if no cause there then with the Instruments and if with none of those then with Christ with Truth it selfe For he knows the settlement of the discipline of the Church will exceedingly obstruct the increase of his Kingdom when corruptions are cast out and persons ignorant and scandalous debarred that Ordinance which makes them ten fold more the children of the devil by unworthy participating For it s all one to him either to make men rush hand overhead upon the Ordinance to their ruine or to raise a prejudice against the duty and Instruments imployed to deprive them of that mercy which by Gods blessing might be very Instrumentall to their salvation 8. If they be Legally chosen have past the tryall and the time of exception not made use of blame your selves Neverthelesse if they be unfit there is place of appeal and remedy 9. Ob. Me thinks the Pastors and Elders in Presbyterian Congregations are neither rightly called nor fitly qualified A I. Although I doubt not but many yea the most of them are as well qualified as we can expect for that as we cannot expect perfection here nor in a Legall sence any fitly qualified yet Evangelically considered although none are sufficient the Lord looks upon them with approbation and acceptance 2. Notwithstanding there is also sufficient provision made for the removall of such whether Pastor or Elder as are uncapable either by ignorance or scandall It s not here as in Independent Churches where if the people injure their Pastor or Elders c. or the Officers injure the people without redresse but if either party be found faulty they are responsible and satisfaction is given to the suffering party according to the demerit and doubtlesse corruption will creep especially into Churches where provision is not made to keepe it out 3. Although I would not plead for the unsutablenesse or incapacitie of any cal'd to the meanest office in the Church of God yet I would have them looked upon as men subject to infirmities not as Angels and if we would not have such we must ascend higher to look for Pastors Elders c. then either God or man ordained or expects And yet ordinarily those that stumble most at the inablities of Church-Officers are men most incapable of Church Communion Secondly For the Calling of Church-Officers If Pastors Teachers Elders c. be chosen according to those directions laid down in the Ordinance and have past thorow the door of tryall accordingly as in most places they have or otherwaies men disaffected to the Government would quickly have let them know it There can be no just exception especially if the time limited for exception be more then past abundantly unlesse you deny the publique Congregations in England to be true Churches which hath been and is generally attested not only by the National Synod now sitting the Godly Learned in generall whether Episcopall or Presbyterian but all the reformed Churches nay the most pious and prudent of the Independent judgement also have publiquely positively and affirmatively declared them to be true Churches of Iesus Christ however confessed on all sides to be full of corruptiâ—ns or else we should have no need of Reformation many Godly and learned Divines having taken much pains in publique to defend the Truth against all opposers and indeed the satisfaction of such weak Christians as stumbled hereat together with that other scruple of participating the Sacrament in mixt Assemblies was the chief cause of my own undertaking that Subject published for common benefit in the Book called the Bramble berry wherein there is full satisfaction given to that point therefore not willing now to insist further I refer such as yet scruple thither 10. Q. But why must we appeal to Classes have they any power to determine differences and to reform abuses in particular Congregations A. Yea and that for very good reason for 1. Besides the appointment by Parliament and Assembly they are our own Trustees or Representatives such as are chosen by particular Congregations to hear and determine differences and reform such abuses as in case of error or injury they themselves cannot for were it not for Classis the Pastors Elders c might injure the Congregation or the people injure the Pastor c. and remain remedilesse Classis therefore are as Committees chosen out or made up of pastors and Elders out of particular Churches and although they have appointment by Authoritie of Parliament and Assembly so they are approved and chosen by particular Churches as their Trustees so that every particular Church hath like interest and so receive like redresse in point of appeal And that these may not be oppressive or injurous they are responsible to the Provincialls which are also made up of so many delegates as are thought fit out of the severall Classis as their Representatives and those also responsible to a National Synod and they likewise to a Parliament so that as much provision as may be is made to keep out Arbitrary proceeds and tyranny and to redresse all abuses and that neither Pastor or other Officer be wronged by the people or the people by the Pastor c. or joyntly fall into errors without remedy 2. Although its true wee read of no such power in the Church as Classis Provincialls Nationalls c. in the Scripture yet we finde something
vain is to set things to rights between God and the soule in secret which being the greater work the Apostle urges that only not intending to exclude Examination by the Church as needlesse and is it not for this purpose the Apostle Peter laies down that Apostolicall injunction 1. Pet. 3.15 Be ready alwaies to give answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear First saith he Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts that is be sure the heart be upright with God and then be ready alwaies to render account c. If a man must be alwayes ready and to all men to give account surely especially to the Church of God And although Christians ought not to be ashamed to confesse Jesus Christ and to make profession of their faith even to heathens or persecutors if called to it yet it s mainly intended that none should refuse to render a reason of their faith to the Church of God yea and that Scripture holds forth that they must be both knowing and faithfull that render account as well as men ignorant or scandalous Now that Examination by the Eldership is very requisite will appear by these and such like ensuing Arguments it being already sufficiently proved that Pastors Teachers Elders their Offices titles and imployments are of Divine institution and also that their titles are sutable to their imployments they are in scripture called Rulers Governours Overseers Stewards Watchmen c. and their Office as hath been largely proved is to order out the administrations of the Church decently to admit or suspend from the Sacrament according to mens severall capacities c. and therefore Examination must inevitably follow For Argum. 1 They that are bound to give account to God concerning the Church and the particular members thereof ought to be acquainted with their spiritual condition But Pastors Teachers and Elders of particular Congregations are bound to give account to God of the particular members of their Churches Therefore ought to be well acquainted with their spirituall condition Argum. 2 Those to whom we are bound to submit and obey in the Church to them we ought to render account of our faith if called to it Examination being an Ordinance of the Church But we are bound to submit to and to obey the Pastors and Elders of the Church in all Church ordinances Therefore we ought to obey them in this ordinance of Examination Argum. 3 If none but men sit to participate the Sacrament are to bee admitted and that the unfit are to be kept back by the Eldership it s of necessitie they should know who are fit and who are not which cannot be done without Examination But the worthy are to be admitted and the unworthy to be suspended by the Eldership neither can they know mens severall capacities or conditions without Examination Therefore Examination by the Eldership is of necessity without which they cannot separate between the precious and the vile as their duty is Jer. 15..19 Many Arguments might more be offered but the matter is so plain that to any reasonable man there can remain no seruple neither do I quotescriptures to those Arguments by reason they are grounded upon the former scriptures alledged for the proof of the Eldership to be of Divine right I shall only propound this one text which will answer all Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with grief for that is not profitable for you Heb. 13.17 In which scripture all may clearly see that the foregoing Arguments and many more is strongly held forth there beeing contained in the words these following Truths 1. That subjection and obedience is to be given to those that rule and governe in the Church 2. That the reason why men must obey those that rule in the Church is for that they are set over their soules as watchmen and must give account to God concerning those committed to their Charge 3. That its an occasion of Joy to Governours in the Church when people are obedient to the ordinances thereof and of grief when they disobey 4. That the hurt that follows upon the peoples non obedience and the good that attends their obedience redounds to themselves 5. That its the sinne of particular members of the Church not to obey them that in the Lord are set over them in the Church Certainly the consideration of their office and the ends of their appointments to them is Argument enough doubtlesse he is not fit to be a Steward nor can possibly give account that knows not the state of his Charge neither is he fit to be a Shepherd that knows not the state of his flock And if Elders must reprove rebuke exhort admonish and encourage as occasion is How shall they do this without Examining those with whom they have to do 2 Tim. 4.2 Notwithstanding by reason of that generall aversenesse to this necessary duty I add these ensuing considerations being willing to satisfie all 1. Consider if publique profession and confession were requisite in men grown to maturitie before they could be baptized much more requisite is it before admittance to this ordinance The Eunuch although a man of great authoritie and well instructed by Philip and although coming to Jerusalem to worship yet could not be baptized till he made profession of his faith and was first well Catechised concerning Christ Act. 8.37 If thou beleevest with all thy heart thou maiest and he answered and said I beleeve c. and although the Jewes were circumcised and were of the Nationall Church of God yet were none of them received into the particular Congregations and Churches of Jesus Christ without profession of their faith and confession of sins out of which we may gather that our baptisme gives us no right at all to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unlesse we be sutably quallified we may eat and drink our own damnation 2. Consider there is in every Christian required not onely a believing heart but a verball profession of Faith in Christ Rom. 10.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made to salvation 3. Although every man ought to examine himself that comes to the Table of the Lord yet the Officers of the Church must also examine else how shall they know who is able to examine himself And I fear they that plead most against examination by the Eldership are both least capable and most carelesse of that especiall duty of self examination besides self examination is all that is required of any man after first admittance Those the Apostle speaks to 1. Cor. 11.28 were members of the Church who had before admittance made profession of their faith in Christ 4. Methinks particular men should not stumble at examination seeing those that are in place of