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A12553 The differences of the churches of the seperation [sic] contayning a description of the leitourgie and ministerie of the visible church, annexed as a correction and supplement to a litle [sic] treatise lately published, bearing title, Principles and inferences, concerning the visible Church / published ... by Iohn Smyth. Smyth, John, d. 1612.; Smyth, John, d. 1612. Principles and inferences concerning the visible Church. 1608 (1608) STC 22876; ESTC S4092 36,426 42

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comming it was vnlawful to translate the Holy Originals from their ceremonial tong into any vulgar mother tong yet the partition wall being now broken downe translations are lawful that for these reasons Math. 28. Christ commaundeth to goe teach all nations therfor all nations may have the Holy Scriptures translated into their owne vernacular tong that therby they may learne the truth The Scriptures are a Creature or ordinance of God therfor as it is lawful to picture a man a byrd a fish a fowle an angel vertue or vice so is ir lawful to picture out or resemble the Hebrue Greek original Scriptures by any vulgar translation of any tong or Language whatsoever Againe as God sent the confusion of tongs as a curse Genes 11.6.7 so hath he sent the knowledg of the tongs as a blessing Act. 2.6.8 bicause the extraordinary knowledg of the tong is ceased the ordinary knowledg of them is left for our vse which can never be attayned vnto but by grammars dictionaryes whe●in the Hebrue words of the old Testament Greek of the new Testament are interpreted if it be lawfull to expresse in our owne tong al the Hebrue Greek words singly as in Grammars Dictionarves then it is lawful so to doe with thē al joyntly in syntaxe that is a translation whece it foloweth that translations of the holy scriptures are lawful necessary Further All the members of the Church cannot possiblie attayne the knowledg of the tongs which notwithstanding they must endevour to their vtmost 1 Cor. 14.1.5 seing the Holy Ghost hath commaunded al to try search read 1. Thes 5.21 Ioh. ● 39 Colos 4.16 all cannot trye search or read the originals they must needes have translations other Theological writings for their better help to the true vnderstanding of the original Scriptures Lastly these places of scripture compared together are sufficient warrant for the law fulnes of translations Mat. 1.23 Marc 5.41 1. Cor. 14 27. Now further wee have the translations of Holy Scripture in this account viz The translation agreable to the originals 1. Is a secondary Scripture yet much inferior to the originals 2. It may be read in the Church sung in times 3. It may be expounded in the Church 4. It may be so vsed as a meanes to prepare vs to spiritual worship 5. That the matter of the translation agreable to the originals is inspired but not the writing or character 6. That it may be made the ground of our fayth 7. That it may be made an instrument to trye doctryne by This wee hold affirmatively Negatively wee hold thus ● That reading the English translatinon is no part of the spiritual worship of the new Testament properly so called viz o● prayer prophesy singing of Psalmes ● That reading the English translation is no lawful meanes or help in tyme of Spiri●●al worship 3 That the worship of the New Testament must not beginne in the book or lettre outwardly but must proceed originally from the hart Spirit Al other publique private vses of translations wee allow Chap. 17. Concerning the vse of the translations for the hearers Hitherto aperteyneth another question whither the hearers may have their translations or the originals to read or search in tyme of prophesy The answer is Negative that it is not lawful for these reasons First the Prophets Apostles wrote bookes but did never devide their bookes int● chapters or verses Henry Stephen first made the verses of the new Testament Seing therfor that chapter verse were of mans invention hence it followeth before chapter verse came in the hearers could not turne to search their bookes in tyme of hearing Secondly the Apostles in quoting testimonyes of the Prophets doe not quote chapter verse but only say it is written by Zachary by Ieremy The Scripture saith The Holy Ghost saith c. Therby teaching vs that there is no vse of Chapter and verse for searching in tyme of hearing For no doubt they preached as they wrote Thirdly never was ther any mention made of any hearer that ever had his booke to search in tyme of hearing Fourthly Searching quotations hindereth attention for the mynd affections are distracted from hearing by seeking the places seing the mynd hart should follow ●he voyce of the speaker as in prayer so also in Prophefying Nehem. 8.3 Lastly manuscripts being few very deere large ther being yet no printing found out all could not have or bring their bookes but there is only one kind of true profitable hearing eyther all to have bookes and search or none to have them Seing therfor bringing bookes searching them in tyme of hearing was not from the beginning Therfor that also is a part of the mystery of iniquity in hearing the word Chap. 18. Of the nature of essence of Spiritual worship the essentiall causses kinds thereo Thus much concerning the helps of Spirituall wor●hip Now followeth to be considered the nature or essence thereof which may appeare in two particulars viz First in the essentiall causses of Spiritual worship Secondly in the proper kinds or parrs of the worship of the new Testament The essentiall causses of Spiritual worship are the matter and the so●●●● The matter of Gods worship is the holy Scriptu●es which cont●●neth the word o● God or the Gospel the subject whereof is Christ Iesus The forme or soule that quickeneth it is the Spirit Colos 3.16 compared with Eph. 5.18.19.20 This may be illustrated by the ceremoniall worship of the Old Testament the essentiall causses thereof The matter of the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament was the beasts incense Oyle fatt corne wine the like Creatures wherof the sacrifices offerings perfumes lampes bread were made with al the actions therto aperteyning Proportionable hereto is the matter of our spiritual worship Christ Iesus his merits the word of God conteyned in the Scriptures which offereth Christ Iesus vnto vs the seales of the covenant with all the actions therto aperteyning The form of the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament consisting in Sacrifices besides the manner of doing appeared in 4. things two wherof must be absent for the most part viz honey leaven two must alwayes be present fire salt Marc 9.49 compared with Leuit. 2.11.13 9.24 1. Cor. 5.6 -8. Proportionable herevnto the forme of our Spiritual worship consisteth in the fire of the Spirit working with the word Act. 2.3.4 Mat. 3.11 Luk. 12.49 50. 24.32 2. Tim. 2.6.7 Ierem. 23.29 In the salt of sound doctryne grace Mat. 5.13 Colos 4.6 In the vnleavened bread of synce●ity truth 1. Cor. 5.8 which was also signified by absence of honey which hath a faculty to leaven As the fire came downe from heaven whe●with the sacrifices were off●red Ievit 9.24 So the holy Ghost like fire came downe vppon the primitive Church to make their Spiritual sacrifices
law is called a similitude of an heavenly thing Heb. 9 19-23 Holy Scriptures or writings beganne with Moses Exob 24.4 31.18 Ioh. 1.17 2. Cor. 3.7 Before Moses holy men prophesyed out of their harts receaved kept the truth of doctryne by tradition from hand to hand 2. Pet. 2.5 Iude vers 14.15 Deut. 31.24 When Moses had written the lawe he caused it to be put by the arke in the most holy place as a witnesse against the people deut 31.26 therfor the Apostle calleth it the hand-writing in ordinances which was contrary to vs which Christ nayled to his crosse Col. 2.14 Eph. 2.15 Hence it followeth that the holy originals the Hebrue scriptures of the old testament are ceremonyes 2. Cor. 3.3.7 Nomb. 5.23.24 by necessary consequent The book or tables of stone typed vnto the Iewes their hard hart voyde of the true vnderstanding of the lawe 2. Cor. 3.3 Heb. 8.10 Ezech. 36.26.27 2. Cor. 3.14.15 The Inck wherewith the lettres were written signified the Spirit of God 2. Cor 3.3 Heb. 8.10 compared with Exod. 31.18 The lettres written or characters engraven signifieth the work of the Spirit who alone doth write the law in our harts by proportion also Deut 9.10 compared with Heb. 8.10 Reading the words of the law out of the book signifieth the vttering of the word of God out of the hart by proportion see also 2. Cor. 3.2.3.6 1. Cor. 12.7 The writings of the old Testament being ceremonial are therfor abolished by Christ only so far forth as they are ceremonial Col. 2.14 20. Gal. 4.9 The thing signified by the book viz the law of God the new testament remayneth 2 Cor. 3 11.7 Heb. 8.6.7.13 Chap. 9 How the Originalls or Holy Scriptures are to be vsed The Scriptures of the old Testament are commaunded to the Church 2. Pet. 1.19 ●0 2. Timoth. 3.16 as also the Scriptures of the new Testament 1. Thes 5.27 Col. 4.16 by proportion Heer consider these things 1. How the Scriptures are to be vsed 2. How they are not to be vsed The Holy Scriptures are the Fountayne of all truth Ioh. 17.17 compared with 2. Timoth. 3.16.17 They are the ground foundacion of our fayth Ephes 2.20 compared with Ioh. 5.39 17.3 By them all doctrynes every Spiritt is to be judged Esay 8.20 1. Ioh. 4.1 Act. 17.11 They are to be read in the Church to be interpeted Col. 4.16 compared with Luk. 24.27 1. Cor. 14 27. 12.10 by proportion 2. Pet. 3.16 Neverthelesse the Holy Scriptures are not reteyned as helps before the eye in tyme of Spirituall worship Reasons are these Chap. 10. Reasons proving the Originals not to be given as helps before the eye in worship 1. Bicause Christ vsed the book to fulfill all righteousnes Mat. 3.15 having by the vse of the book fulfilled the law of reading he shut the book in the Synagogue to signifie that that ceremony of bookworship or the ministerie of the lettre was now exspired finished Luk. 4.20 Ioh 19.30 3. Bicause reading wordes out of a book is the ministration of the lettre 2. Cor. 3.6 namely a part of the ministerie of the old Testament which is abolished Heb. 8.13 2 cor 3.11.13 the ministery of the new testament is the ministerie of the spirit 2. Cor. 3.6 3. Bicause vppon the day of Pentecost many yeeres after the churches of the new testament did vse no bookes in tyme of spiritual worship but prayed prophesyed sang Psalmes meerely out of their harts Act. 2.4.42 10 44-48 19.6 1. cor 14 15-17.26.37 4. Bicause no example of the Scripture can be shewed of any man ordinary or extraordinary that at or after the day of Pentecost vsed a book in praying prophesying sing●ng Psalmes if yea let it be done wee yeeld 5. Bicause none of the books of the new Testament were written many yeeres after the day of Pentecost at the least seaven yeeres the Churches all that tyme could not vse the books of the new Testament which they had not 6. Bicause the Churches of the Greekes had no bookes to vse that they might vse ●awfully for they vnderstood not Hebrue the Septuagints translation ought not to be vsed or made the Apostles made no Greek translation And if the Apostles read the Hebrue an vnknowne tong in the Greek Churches it could not be a lawfull worship bicause it edified not if they had the Hebrue before their eyes interpeted Greek let it be shewed when where wee yeeld vnto it 7. Bicause as in prayer the spirit only is our help ther is no outward help given of God for that kind of worship So also in prophesying singing 1. Cor. 11.4 14.16 8. Bicause it is against the nature of spiritual worship for when we read wee receave matter from the book into the hart when we pray prophesy or sing we utter matter out of the hart vnto the eare of the Church Ezech 2 8-19 3 1-4 Revel 10 8-11 9. Bicause vpon the day of Pentecost fyerie cloven tongs did appeare not fiery cloven bookes Ac● 2.3 alwaies ther must be a proportion betwixt the type and the thing typed vpon the day of Pentecost the fiery law was given in bookes Deut 33.2 Exo 24.4.12 vpon the day of Pentecost the fiery gospel was given in tonges Act 2.3 Mat 3 11. Act 1.5 the booke therefore was proper for them the tonge for vs _____ 10. Bicause as all the worship which Moses taught began in the letter outwardly so proceeded inwardly to the spirit of the faithfull so contrariwise all the worship of the new testament signified by that typicall worship of Moses must beginne at the Spirit not at the letter originally 2. Cor 3.6.8 1. Cor 12.7 or els the heavenly thinge is not answerable to the similitude thereof Therfor as in prayer the book is laid aside that by the confession of the auncient brethren of the seperation so must it be also in prophesying singing of Psalmes as we are perswaded 1. Cor. 11.4 14.15.16.26 Quere whither the Prophets of the Church may not in tyme of Spiritual worship take the originals interpret out of them a text then shut the book prophesy from that ground of holy Scripture so interpreted Luk. 4 16-20 Chap. 11. objections for book worship answered The first objection Reading in the old Testament was commaunded by Moses Deut. 31 9-13 was amplified by David 1. Chron. 16. 25. was practised by Iosiah 2. Chron. 34.30 by Ezra Nehemiah Nehem. 8.8 9.3 allowed by our Savior Christ Luk. 4.16 by the Apostles Act. 13.14.15 c reported as a thing of auncient approved continuance Act. 15.21 Answer to the first objection First the reading commaunded by Moses was only once every seaven yeere Deut. 31.10.11 therfor it was no part of ordinary worship ther is no commaundement in Moses given eyther to the Preists
or Levites for ordinary reading of the law in the Tabernacle Secondly Hence it followeth that reading in the old Testament was no part of the worship of the tabernacle or temple or of the service performed by the Priests therein for all the worship that was appointed by Moses for the Preists was limited to the holy place whither the people were not admitted Thirdly therfor reading was of another nature performed in the vtter court or Synagogue or els where eyther by the levites or any other learned men of what tribe seever Mat. 23.2 Luk. 4.16 Act. 13-15 compared with Act. 15-21 Deut. 31 9-11 1 Chron. 10.4.7.37.39 15 1-8 28.13.2 Chron. 34.14.30.31 Nehem. 8. 9. so no part of worship properly so called but only a ceremoniall ground or soundation of inward or outward spiritual worship common to the Churches of all ages Lastly it is not denyed but that reading now is to be vsed in the Church only we say it is not a part of spiritual worship or a lawful meanes in tyme of spiritual worship The second objection Reading is commaunded in the new testament Colos 4.16 1. Thes 5.27 and a blessing prom●sed thereto Revel 1.3 and the commaundement is that it be practised in the church therefore it is a part or meanes of the worship of the new testament Answer to the second objection Not euerie thinge performed in the church is a parte of spirituall worship forall the partes of publique administratiō of the Kingdome are done in the church and yet cannot be sayd to be partes of spirituall worship properly so called Chap 1. and 2. Moreover when he commaundeth his Epistles to be read in the Churches his meaning is not strictly literall that is that the very wordes which he wrote should be repeated verbatim out of the booke but his meaning is that the fense of the wordes or the meaning of the Apostle should be related to the brethrē whither by reading the verywordes by expounding the meaning by interpreting or translating For if his meaning be that the very wordes he wrote be literaly read thē the Greek wordes must be repeated out of the booke to all nations which is contrary to 1. Cor. 14.26 If his meaning be that the sense should be given any way by translating by reading the translation by interpreting his meaning in a paraphrase commentary c. then how will it follow that reading the Greek tong which is not vnderstood in the English Churches is a law full part of spirituall worship according to the literall signification of readings Further the Apostle wrote his Epistles to the Collossians Thessalonians the other Churches vppon particular occasions for partcular endes and the commaundement of reading then was speciall in those respects to them and the intent of the Apostle is not to enioyne the reading of them every day in tyme of Spiritual worship to al Churches yet wee do acknowledg the absolute necessity of reading searching the Scriptures Ioh. 5.39 Againe that reading is a lawful yea necessary meanes or help to further vs to Spiritual worship is not denyed but this is denyed that it is a lawful help in tyme of worship or a lawful part of Spiritual worship For it is confessed defended by the auncient brethrē of the seperation that the originals are no lawful help in tyme of prayer So say we they are no lawful help in tyme of prophesying singing Psalmes that by equal proportion for ther is the same reason of helps in all the parts of Spiritual worship during the tyme of performing the worship The third objection The Apostle 1. Tim. 4 13-16 commaundeth Timothie so all Elders to attend to reading wher reading is joyned with exhortation doctryne so importeth that it is to be vnderstood of the joyning of reading in tyme of Spiritual worship Answer to the third objection The circūstances of the place being ●●el considered w●● afoard that Paul speaketh no● of the execution of his office but of preparing himself to the execution of his office which is attayned by reading the Scriptures wherby men are fitted with matter fitt to teach exhort for by this meanes the gift o● prophecy was preserved in Timothie vs 14. by this meanes his proficiency should be manifested vs 15. by this meanes he should the better save mens soules vs 16. The fourth objection Let it be graunted that the Apostles Evangelists vsed no bookes being extraordinary men having the extraordinary direction of the spirit for they needed no such helps of bookes as wee doe Yet wee being men ordinary have need of bookes therefor they by the direction of the Spirit both have written bookes for our vse have commaunded vs to vse them Answer to the fourth objection This objection may aswell fit bringing of bookes into the tyme of prayer frō whēce they are justly banished for it may be sayd that the Apostles were extraordinary men needed no bookes for prayer but wee need books to help our infirmity why may not a man aswel say the Apostle commaundeth the reading of prayers promiseth a blessing to reading of prayers in tyme of prayer as otherwise Again though the holy Spirit be not given to vs in the same manner measure as to the Apostles yet we have the same Spirit to help vs as they had to the same ordinary purposes is he sent to vs by Christ as to them namely to help our infirmityes Rom. 8. 26. for the work of the ministery Eph. 4.12 to be our annoynting 1. Ioh. 2.27 to lead into all truth Ioh 16.13 to be our paraclete Ioh. 14.16 so by consequent to help vs to pray prophesy prayse God Againe this objection seemeth to establish two formes of prophesying one without bookes by the Apostles for many yeeres in the Church another with bookes afterward taught by the Apostles then it followeth that the Apostles gospell was yea nay who first taught practised one way afterward taught commaunded to practise another way Lastly The Apostles had the bookes of the Old Testament in the Hebrwe tong so might have vsed them before their eye in tyme of prophesying eyther to read out of them to the Hebrues or to translate and interprett out of them to the Greecians but they did neyther of these but only prophesyed out of their harts as the Holy Ghost gave them vtterance Act. 2.4 Yea taught the primitive Churches so to doe 1. Cor. 14.26 If it can be shewed that they did vse the bookes of the Old Testament in tyme of worship to read or interprete from them lett it be shewed wee yeeld if not thus wee hold practise for the present Here vppon it followeth that neyther reading the originals nor interpreting or translating out of the originals the book being before the eye is eyther a lawfull part or meanes of Spirituall worship Chap. 12. Of the writings of men Writings of
wee must all cast into the treasury all receave from the treasury againe as our necessityes are Quere whither they that are mayntayned by the treasury are to contribute into the treasury as the officers poore brethren Chap. 3. VVhat or how much is to be given to the treasury So much is to be given to the treasury as may serve for supplying the present necessityes of the Church Act. 2.45 4.34.35 In the necessityes of the Church the rick must sel their goods possessions for the help of the Church Act. 2.45 4.34.35 In the necessityes of the Church the brethren must contribute not only according to their ability but even beyond their ability their extreme poverty must abound to their rich liberality 2. Cor. 8.2.3 1. Pet. 4.11 A man is accepted of the Lord according to that which he hath not according to that he hath not in contributing if their be a willing mynd though only two mites be given 2. Cor. 8.12 Luk. 21.3 If in the necessityes of the Church the rich brethren do not releeve the poore by contributing to the treasury otherwise they are vnworthy members of the Church vn natural parts of the body are to be censured according to the rule Mat. 18 15-18.1 Timoth. 5.20 Deut. 15 7-11.1 Cor. 12.22.25.26 The rich that have frends that are needy of the Church must releeve thē themselves must not chardg the Church with them 1. Tim. 5.4.16 vnder nephewes widowes all poore frends are to be vnderstood by proportion Quere whither if a brother have wife children frends to releeve that are without The Church is bound to releeve him so far forth as he may also releeve them Chap. 4. Of what nature the treasury is The treasury is holy Act. 2.42 1. Chron. 26.20 compared with Mat. 27.6 2. Cor. 8.4 ● Hence therfor follow these two consectaryes 1. Every holy ordinance of God must be sanctified by prayer thanksgiving 1. Tim. 4.3 ● therfor Almes or contribution to the treasury must be sanctified by prayer thanksgiving see for this point 2. Cor. 9 12-15 vs 8-11 1 Chron. 29 10-20 2. Ther ought to be a seperation in almes contributiō to the treasury aswel as in other parts of our Spiritual communion Act. 4.32 5.13 2. Cor. 6.17 Act. 2.42 Heb. 13. ●6 2. Cor. 8.7 therfor they that are without if they give any thing must lay it a part seve●al from the treasury it must be imployed to common vse Mat. 27.6.7 The treasury is Holy in these respects 1. In regard of the persons that contribute who are Holy 2. In respect of the grace manifested in contribution which must be 1. Sympathy or ●ompassion 2. freenes or voluntary offering 3 liberality or bountifullnes Rom. 12.13 ●5 16 2. Cor. 9 5-7 3. In regard of the persons vses wherto it is imployed which are the Saynts their ●ecessityes 2. Cor. 8.4 9.12.1 4. In regard of the Lord himself it being a Sacrifice wherewith God is well pleased ●hilip 4.18 Heb. 13.16 And a memoriall of the Saynts before the Lord. Nomb. 31. ●0 54 Phil. 4.17 a testimony of the love of the brethren 2. Cor. 8.8.24 so con●ortable to the conscience Chap. 5. VVhen the treasury is to be collected The treasury is to be collected every first day of the week when the whole Church ●ommeth together to break bread Act. 20.7 compared with 1. Cor. 16.2 Reasons hereof are divers as followeth 1. Bicause the Lords Supper is weekly to be administred so from the Treasury ●eekly ther must a portion be imployed to the provision of bread wine other ne●ssaryes for the more seemly administration thereof Act. 20.7 compared with 1. ●or 16.2 2. Bicause the Elders are worthy of double honor which is yeelded them by weekly ●ayntenance according to their labor necessities 1. Tim. 5.17 18. Gal. 6.6 3. Bicause the poore of the Church are weekly to be releeved other necessities con●●ually supplyed Act 6.1 2.42 Hence it foloweth that when the greatest communion of the church is held the co●●niō of this grace also of ministring to the necessities of the saynts should be exercised Quere At what tyme of the Lords day after what manner the Treasury is to 〈◊〉 collected Chap. 6. How the Treasury is to be employed The Church Treasury is to be employed to these Speciall vses 1. Mayntenance of the Elders especially such among them as are most painful in the ●ro doctryne 1. Tim. 5.17.18 The Elders that are of hability ought not to require maintenance of the church but ought rather to contribute to the treasury Act. 20.35 The elders may sometyme vppon good grounds work with their hands for avoyding offence helping the Church Act. 20.34.35 2. Mayntenance of the widowes by consequent other officers that want mayntenance 1. Timoth. 5.3.4.16 Act. 6.1 3. Releef of the poor brethren also orphanes widows of brethren deceased Act 2.44 4.32 2. Cor. 8. 9. chap. that not only of the owne but of other true Churches especially of them from whom they receaved the faith Rom. 15.27 4. Provision for necessary vses as places vessels bread wine other implements so the common necessityes of the whole body Exod. 35 25-29 Nomb. 7 1. Chron. 29 1-● Quere whither it the chardg of bread wine be very great as it falleth out in som● countryes some yeeres the officers poore want mayntenance the Lords supp● may not be deferred not be administred every Lords day Chap. 13. At whose disposition the Treasury is Seing the Deacons are the hands of the Church as it were the servants of the b●d● in the bodyly necessityes therfor the delivering of the treasury so the custody of perteyneth to them 1. Chroh 26.20 The Eldership as they are to oversee the flock to enquire into the occasions 〈◊〉 faires of the whole body as they are officers for the whole body in the Church name therfor it apertey●●● vnto them for the Church to oversee the treasury take accouts of it to appoint the disposition of it 2. King 22.4 Act. 11.30 4.35 The Church is the owner primary possessor of the treasury the cheef Lord 〈◊〉 vnder Christ vnto the Church must the account be made finally Thus much concerning the Deacons office workes concerning the treasury 〈◊〉 the Church FINIS Certayne demaundes wherto wee desire direct found answer with proof from the Scriptures 1. Concerning the Kingdom Preisthood of Christ VVhither the Kingdom Preisthood of the old Testament were not distinct se●●rall both in person office actions VVhither the Kingdom Preisthood of the old Testament were not typical sha●● win● out the Kingdom Preisthood of Christ VVhither the Kingdom Preisthood of Christ are not distinct buth in office act● though vnited in one person VVhither as