them Pro. 17. 5. 3 Obiection It ouerburdeneth the parrish to prouide for the norishment of so many church officers Ansvvere It is not necessary that they should prouide for any moe of them sauing those that are exercised in the ministery of the worde vn-vnlesse any of the rest may need the liberallity of the Church 4 Obiection It bringeth in a newe popedome and tyrannie into the Church Ansvvere It is blasphemie to tearme the gouernment of Christe so because we refuse the tyranny of the pope shall we therfore doe what we list and not yeelde obedience to the scepter of Christ. 5 Obiection It is a kind of Donatisme to challenge such authoritie ouer princes Ansvvere And it is flattery to suffer princes to doe what they liste this is the obiection of Gualter who is a professed enemy to discipline 6 Obiection It taketh away princes authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall Ansvvere No more then it did from Dauid in his time nor so much as the Bb. do nowe for the prince requireth but this to see the church well ordered which the Eldership aloweth and craueth 7 Obiection It transformeth the state of the common wealth into a meere popularitie and will alter the gouernment thereof Ansvvere It neither transformeth nor altereth any thing in it for let it be shewed what damage would come by this discipline to any magistracie from the princes throne to the office of the headborow 8 Obiection It wil breed contention and partiallity in iudgement Ansvvere Where can be greater contention then the Bb. maintaine for their kingdome or greater partiallitie then in them to their kinsfolkes seruants Sycophants c. 9 Obiection It wil be contemned and so good order neglected Aunsvvere None euer deserued more contempt then the BB. and their officers doe for all their pompe but God whose ordinaunce it is will procure sufficient awe vnto it marke how these obiections stand together in the 4. it was tyrannie and here it is too contemptible these be contrary 10 Obiection All alterations be dangerous Ansvvere Neuer where we change from the obedience of Antichriste to the seruice of the liuing God was it euer dangerous to amende things amisse by that course which is described of God if it were let the perticular of it appear this might wel haue bin Steuen Gardiners reason for popery in the time of king H. the eight The Church must be gouerned onely by the rules of Gods word this is in effect the proposition of the first chap. wherevnto all those reasons there alleadged may be referred there is aduouched generally the certayne grounds of the whole discipline against the imagined libertie left to the Church here is affirmed the perticular direction of the Churche gouernement by the authoritie of the Eldershipp to proceed according to the rules of Gods reuealed will and not by that cursed and monstrous cannon law which is made manifest vnto vs by these reasons 1 All gouernours are to execute their authoritie by the same warrant from which they haue it But the gouernours of the Church of God haue their warrant to be gouernours only from the word 1. Cor. 12. 28. Therefore they must gouerne the Church onely by the word 2 The Churche is to be gouerned by that which the ministers may teach vnto the same for they are taught to the ende that they may obey and so be gouerned by the same But the ministers may teach nothing but the worde of God 1. Cor. 11. 23. Therefore the Church is to be gouerned onely by the word of God 3 That which maketh the Churche obedient vnto Christ must be the direction whereby it is to be gouerned Onely the worde of God maketh the church obedient vnto christ Therfore it is to be gouerned by the rules of Gods worde 4 Euery kingdome or houshold must be gouerned onely by the lawes of the king or orders of the housholder The Churche is the kingdome and house of God and his worde is the onely law that he hath giuen for the same Therefore it must bee gouerned onely by the worde of God 5 That which was ordayned to destroy the Churche of God cannot be a good rule to gouerne the same by But such is the cannon law for it was ordained to strengthen the kingdom of Antichrist Abstract Therefore it cannot be a good rule to direct the church by and consequently it must be gouerned by the worde for no other rule is offered vnto vs but the one of these twaine 6 That which was inuented by the dragon that persecuteth the woman and her childe that same cānot be good for the church which is that woman But such is the cannon law for it was inuented by Antichriste which is that dragon Therefore it cannot bee good for the ruling of the church and consequently c. 7 That which strengtheneth the power of darknes ignorance cannot be good to guide them that must walke in light and knowledge But the cannon lawe strengtheneth the power of darknes and ignorance for it increaseth popery as appeareth by this that there is scarce an officer towardes it in these dayes of knowledge but he is a papist Therfore it cannot be good to guide the church of God 8 That which destroieth the church of God cannot be good to rule the same But the cannon law destroieth it for it crosseth euery faithfull minister in the discharge of his dutie and euery good christian walking in the wayes of godlines and nippeth in the head euery good action as experience teacheth vs Therefore it cannot be a good rule to gouerne the churche by 9 That which hath bred moe trayterous papists in England then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes that same cannot be good to gouerne the church of God But such is the cannon lawe for it hath kept cut discipline nourished ignorance and fostered superstition popery in all estates of people that neuer came at those Seminaries Therefore it cannot be a good rule to gouerne the church of God by 10 That which nourisheth the hope of Antichriste to returne hither againe cannot bee good to direct in the gouerment of the church But such is the cannon lawe for it keepeth the cages for those vncleane byrds as Archb. and L. BB. seas arches cathedral churches c therfore it cannot be a good rule for the direction of the Church 11 That which all the Churches haue cast off as vnfit for the gouernment of the Church cannot be good for the same But all the churches that haue forsaken the pope yea they that haue not receiued the discipline of Christ wholy haue cast of the cannon lawe Therefore it cannot be good for the same 12 Yea we our selues mislike it as appereth by a statute made vnder Ed. 6. Therefore if gouernours are to rule by the same authoritie whereby they are gouernours if the Church must be gouerned by that which the ministers may teache if the worde of God onely make the Church obedient
Churche one is intituled let him there remaine 8 He complaineth that ministers were ordayned being chosen by no Churche and so went here and there hauing no certaine place 9 That action which neuer is read to be practized but by idolators is vnlawfull To haue wandring officers is onely found to be in idolaters as appeareth Iudg. 17. 8. Therefore it is vnlawfull Therefore if the Apostles ordayned not Mathias vntill the place was voide if in planting of Churches they euer alotted officers to their proper places if minister and ministery be of one beginning continuance and ending if it be with a minister and his ministery as with a shepheard and his flocke that he cannot be the one but in respect of hauing the other if it be vnlawfull to transgresse the precepts and practize of the Apostles if no minister in the Church be ordained at randone if the ordination that is without a title be voyde if Ierome complayned of it as a great faulte in his time if no example be founde of it but in Idolaters then must it needs follow that to ordayne any Church officer vntill there be such a place voyd as he is fit for is vtterly vnlawfull so the Bb. making of many ministers at once and licencing of wandring preachers is contrary to the word of God They will haue some thing to saye for euery action they doe be it neuer so shamefull that which they alleage for this is that Paule and Barnabas did wander The Apostles office and so the Euangelistes as assistants vnto them was to prech the word and plant Churches in euery part of the world but the order that they left is a president for vs which is that euery Church haue their proper officers and that there be no other elsewhere to be found CHAP. 3. EVery Church-officer ought to execute the office committed vnto him with all faythfull diligence and consequently be continually resident vppon his charge T. C. booke 1. page 65. They deny not the proposition but the consequent that is inferred vpon it as appeareth by their writinges VVhitgist page 246. and by their dayly practize in giuing diâ—pensations for many benefices The reasons we alleadge to prooue the necessitie of perpetuall residence and the vnlawfulnes of nonresidence be these that follow 1 A shepheard hath a flocke to the ende to feed it continually The minister is a shepherd and his charge a flocke Therefore he ought to feede it continually and consequently to be perpetually resident for how can he feed them from whom he is absent 2 Where God doth place anye man there his continuall trauaile is needfull for God is most wise in disposing euery thing But God placeth euery right minister ouer that people which is his charge Therefore his continuall trauaile is needfull there and consequently he may not discontinue 3 Flockes that are in danger are by carefull shepeards watched night and day Luk. 2. 8. Euery congregation is a flocke in daunger for the enemie goeth about like a roaring lyon 1. Pet. 5. 8. and soweth tares whilest men sleepe Math. 13. 25. Therefore euery congregation is to bee watched night and day by the minister therof and consenquently he may not be non-resident 4 If his dutie to them requireth so muche trauayle as may continually set him on worâ—â— then may he not be nonresident But it is euident that it doth so to all them that eyther know by the worde of God what studie prayer doctrine exhortation c. be required of him or maketh anye conscience of giuing account for the souls committed to their charge Therfore may not they be nonresident 5 If the minister cannot apply himself fruitfully to the capacitie of his people vnlesse hee haue particular knowledge of their disposition and capacitie then is it not lawfull for him to be nonresident for by continuall residence among them he may knowe them and not else But the former is true as the small knowledge that the people get by generall teaching doth euidently declare Therfore it is not lawful for him to be nonresident 6 If the ministers of the Gospell be as narrowly tyed to their charges as the priests vnder the law then may they not be nonresident For they were alwayes readie in the Temple to answere the doubts 1. Sam. 1. 9 But it is clear that they are because men are now as hardly trayned vnto godlines and the enemie is as wrathfull as he was then Therefore they may not be nonresident 7 If the minister must be an example to his people then must he be daily present with theÌ„ that they may beholde him But the former is true 1. Tim. 4. 12. Therfore is the latter true also 8 He whom the sheepe are to follow in and out and must knowe by the voyce ought to bee continually among them A good minister of the worde is such a one Iohn 10. 4. Therefore he must be resident among them 9 None can be alwayes readie to feede his flocke that is absent from it Euerye minister must be alwayes readie to feede his flocke because it dependeth vpon him 1. Pet. 5. 2. Therefore euery minister is to bee resident with his flocke 10 Hee that must take heede to his flocke watch ouer it and feed it must be resident continually with it Euery minister must do so Act. 20. 28. Therefore c. 11 If Satan be the cause of nonresidence theÌ„ is it vtterly vnlawfull But Satan is the cause of it 1. thes 2. 17. 18. Therfore it is vtterly vnlawful 12 That which abridgeth the loue of God to his people and comfort to the minister that same is vnlawfull But not to be resident doth both Therefore it is vnlawfull 13 That which hindreth the louing familiarity that shoulde be betwixt the minister and his people that same is vnlawfull But nonresidence doth so for it maketh them strange one to another and argueth small loue in him towards them Therefore it is vnlawfull 14 To be absent from them that haue interest in vs and continuall need of vs is vnlawful which we can see to be true in our seruants c But the congregation hath an interest in the minister and continuall neede of him Therefore it is vnlawfull for him to bee absent from them 15 If the priests might not dwell farre from the temple then may not ministers be nonresident But the former is true as appeareth by this that they had houses buylded close to the Temple 1. Chron. 28. 13. Therefore the latter is true also seeing the residence of the one is as needfull as the other as appeareth in the sixt reason 16 Let no Clarke be placed in two charges for it is filthie merchaundize and no man can serue two masters and euerye one must tary in that place wherevnto he is called 17 Damasâ—us compareth them that set ouer their charges to others to harlots that put out their children that they may giue themselues
the execution of any discipline and therefore of this poynt belongeth vnto the Eldership which point is prooued in the seuerall chapters going before so that I need not saye any thing of this sauing with a reason or twayne to shewe the necessitie and benefit of it in the Church of God 1 That whiche priuate men offended are commaunded to seeke vnto for the redresse of the offender is a necessarie an ordinary way for the amendment of them that doe offend in the Church of God But such is the admonition of those that are in authoritie and cary the name of the Church Matth. 18. 15. see chap. 14. and the 1. proposition of the same Therefore admonition in such cases by the Eldership is a necessary and ordinary way for their amendment that do offend 2 That which is more auaylable to bring the offender to repentance then priuate admonition eyther by one or moe that same is verye profitable necessarie in the Church of God But such is the publike admonition by the gouernours of the Church as appeareth by this that Christe maketh it a remedy when the other two will not preuaile Mat. 18. 15. Therfore it is very profitable and necessary in the church of God 3 That which maketh men more afraide to offend then any admonition that priuate men can giue is profitable necessary in the church of God But such is the Eldership before whom men know they shal be brought if they doe not amend Therefore it is very profitable and necessary in the Church of God 4 That which hath a greater promise to do good then priuate admonition is very necessary in the Church of God But such is the admonition that is giuen by the Eldership because it preuayleth when the former doth not Therefore it is profitable in the Church of God 5 That without which all duties of charity cannot be exercised towards sinners is needful to be in the Church of God But without admonition by the Eldershipp all duties of charitie cannot be exercised towards sinners Therfore it is needfull to be in the Church of God 6 That which woulde bridle the outragious sinnes of some and keepe in the derision and mockery that priuate admonitions do receiue is needful to be in the Church of God But this would admonition by the Eldershipp doe for if men knewe that they should answere vnto the Churche for their ill demeanour to them that rebuke them for sinning they woulde refraine at least for feare from such kinde of outrage Therefore it is needful to be in the Churche of God Therefore seeing publike admonition before the Eldership is to be sought by those that are offended and cannot be satisfied seeing it is more auayleable then priuate admonition seeing it maketh men more afraid to offend seing it hath a greater promise seeing without it all duties of charity cannot be exercized towards the sinner lastly seeing it would bridle the outragious sinnes of many Therfore it must needs followe that it is very profitable and necessary to be in the Church of God CHAP. 18. THose that be not reclaimed from their faultes by admonition are by the Eldership to be suspended frō the Lords supper or being officers of the church from the execution of their office vntil they do eyther giue good testimony of their amendment or iust cause to be further proceeded against Neyther is there any controuersie betwixt them and vs about this poynt sauing that as in the former they will denie it to appertaine to the Eldership which is prooued before I will therefore for their vnderstanding that desire direction in the trueth firste shewe that it is a course that hath warrant in the scriptures secondly that it is of very profitable vse in the Church of God the first is thus proued 1 Whatsoeuer is enioyned as a duetie to be done by euery christian if he leaue it vndone he is to be compelled by the gouernours of the Church to doe it Luke 14. 17. 23. But if a mans brother haue any thing against him he make no conscience to leaue his gifte there be first reconciled Matth. 5. 24. he is to be compelled to do it Therefore separation from the Lordes supper is warranted by the word 2 If that commandement of Christe Matth. 7. 6. giue not that which is holy vnto doggs can neyther be properly vnderstood of them that were neuer of the Churche nor them that be excommunicated then is it a warraunt for such separation of the vnworthy and consequently that separation is warranted in the word But the former is true as appeareth by this that the meanest of the Iewes did knowe that holy things belonged to neyther of them and so the commandement had beene needlesse Therefore suspention is warranted by the word 3 If there be sinners that are not to be excōmunicated and yet it were offensiue to giue thē the Lords supper then is this course warranted by the word for els should Christ haue left his Church destitute of direction in common and vsuall difficulties which is prooued in the first chap. to be otherwise But such sinners there are as the notorious sinner repenting men mainly suspected of notorious transgressions c. Therfore suspention hath his warrant in the worde 4 The course that God prescribed in the shadow for corporal purifyings must in the body in respect of the substaunce be obserued in the spirituall clensing of euery member of the Church But many were separated from the publike sacrifices for a season by reason of their corporall vncleanes who yet were not worthy to be excommunicated Therefore must also some be kept from the Lordes supper for a season who yet appeare not so haynously to haue sinned as to deserue excommunication 5 The church cannot without great offence suffer one that hath fallen into some open sin or that is vehemently suspected to haue haynously offended continue in the administration of any publike function But the Churche cannot iustly displace suche a man at the first making shew of repentaunce or standing vpon his purgation Therefore he must be separated for a time 6 That which was commaunded vnder the law to be done to the priest that was vncleane in body or suspected to be a leaper that same must much more vnder the Gospell be done vnto the minister or other Church officer that hath sinned or is suspected to haue committed a great sinne But such a priest was to be separated from offring of sacrifices for a certaine time Therefore much more must the like be done to a Church officer in the like case Therefore if the Churche bee to compell a priuate man to doe his duetie if giue not holy things to doggs be vnderstood of them within the church if there be sinners that cannot with out offence be admitted to the Lords supper yet deserue not excommunication if for corporall vncleannes vnder the law they were to abstaine a certaine time and if