Rabbi is Teacher and usuall Joh. 1.38 Paul a father to the Corinthians 1. Cor. 4.15 Barnabas and Silas leaders Act. 15.22 terms and therefore doth not absolutely deny them but their use in the Pharisaicall humour which was to love them and to be proud of them that their party might overtop the Sadduces so faction here as in many other kinds is chief cause of the mischief 2. They which have these titles must acknowledge their Deputation from God and these terms due properly and indeed to him but lent to them for saith Christ ye have one Rabbi Father Doctor in heaven those in earth are but subordinate to him they must not require to be heard in their owne names but in Christs Thus saith the Lord must be their plea. 3. They must not do as the Kings of the earth the heathen Roman Lords then most in the Jews eye who 1. neither d Pilate said Knowest thou not that I have power c. ruled nor taught according to Gods Law but by humane reason and Laws of their own in many things very corrupt 2. they minded an earthly Empire e They would have no King but Caesar to rule all over the whole world and domineered therein over the Kings of the earth 3. promoted their f Who can war with the beast Apoc. 13 4. Soveraignty by the sword and violent means 4. made all their acquirements serve to the getting of g Who is like unto the beast ibid. same and glory to themselves 5. became gracious h See Luk. 3.1 Lords to their instruments and rewarded them with worldly honours and preferments and minded not at all the doing of their soules good and the obtaining a better life after this which are the maine ayme of Christs Deputies for ruling and teaching So then these obliquities being avoyded the titles of a Patriarch an Archbuilder an Archbishop are in themselves lawfull being moderatly managed for the service and good of Gods people God deales in like manner with kings for though he himself be The King of kings and the Lord of lords yet is Nebuchadnezzar by the Spirit of God stiled A King of kings And if so then a Christian King as Gods Deputy and having more then one Kingdome subject to him may be termed a King of kings and may substitute under him Viceroyes Nobles and Judges as helpers to bear the burden of governement under him as well as Archbuilders and Bishops for sacred matters Yet the practice of the Pope of Rome is not at all warranted or countenanced hereby but rather hence it may be argued that hee sins most highly 1. Because being an ecclesiasticall man he claimeth the secular and civill power also and would have both swords whereas every soule is bidden to be subject to the higher power and if every soule then both Pauls and Peters and much more the Popes 2. The Popes sins that being an ecclesiasticall person he claims superiority over Kings and Princes in all the world this extent of Soveraignty is Christs prerogative only 3. That hee too little esteemeth Gods Law and too highly advanceth his owne Constitutions and Canons and Doctrines many of them needlesse or false or contrary to Gods Lawes But his pride is abundantly manifest therefore I say no more Whereas his Orators plead in his behalf that he is as far above the Emperor or any King in dignity as the Sun before the Moon Heaven before the Earth and spirituall things before temporall and in regard that matters concerning the soul are of more esteem then matters of the body he is above all Kings States in the world I answer In these things they grosly flatter him and deceive themselves for God knowing the condition of humane nature to be frail and the necessities incident to our bodies very many appointed six dayes in speciall for provision for the body and but one in speciall for his service and the instruction of our souls and yet the soul is of far greater dignity and worth then the body And manifest it is that God set Moses David and Solomon in place above Aaron Abiathar and Zadock for though well and happy being is more excellent in it self then meer being yet seeing the care of being is in order progresse before well being and in the way necessary thereunto for man must have a being else he cannot have a well being therefore God hath given the first and chief place to the King that 1. We may live and enjoy a quiet and peaceable life and not one become a prey to another 2. Lead this life in all godlinesse and honesty by the Kings care who provides for both these by subordinate civill and ecclesiasticall persons And for this cause it was and is that though the duties of the Sabbath and service of God are more excellent in themselves then our food and care of our bodies yet God will have mercy rather then sacrifice and dispenseth with sacred duties for the saving of mens lives and necessary cure of diseases But on the other side some object The terme Bishop is attributed to a Presbyter Tit. 1.5 7. and elsewhere So that every Presbyter or Minister may bee truly called a Bishop and if so then why should there be an imparity maintained in this calling I answer The word Bishop in its owne nature signifieth an Overseer or Superintendent in any kinde as Pakid in Hebrew So God is The great Bishop of all Job 20.29 1 Pet. 2.25 * Euseb in vit Constant l. 4. Constantine termes himselfe Episcopon in one kind his ecclesiasticall chief Rulers in another Heathen Authors stile God Episcopon of all good and bad actions and give the title also to civill Magistrates In the like acception the 70. Interpreters use it 2 Kin. 11.15 and elsewhere It is also given to ecclesiasticall Officers as to Eleazar who though he was under Aaron yet was Captain of the Captains over the Levites Numb 4.16 So 't is to the Priests in office under Jehojadah 2 King 11.18 In the new Testament the 11. Apostles had the same Episcopen Bishoprick from which Judas fell and into which Matthias was chosen Act. 1.20 In the Church of Ephesus those which bee called Presbyters or Elders that is Ministers as by custome now wee call them are likewise called Bishops or Overseers over their flocks Now though the same terme be given to all these yet the matter it selfe and the very different degrees of the persons to whom it is given admit not a parity in any wise The like is evident in other termes Christ is Sar a Isa 9.6 Prince of peace and Michael the great Sar b Dan. 12.1 Prince The Kings of Persia and Grecia are each of them called Sar This very word is attributed to the c 1 Sam. 12.9 Captain of an army To the d 2 Chr. 18.25 Ruler of a City To the chief e 1 Chr. 27.22 Rulers of the Tribes To the f
opposition from the potent Romans and cruell Heathen and had much more to doe to keep off the violent hands of malicious persecutors then the New-Englanders to withstand the unarmed Salvages and to build and settle themselves in their neighbourhood If now in the Lands which have long entertained Christianity the goodnesse of God and the bounty of Christian Princes and worthy private men under them have as David and Solomon and their Nobles better provided for the Ecclesiasticall estate and endowed them with a propriety in a larger Revenue then the Apostles times enjoyed we have greater cause to blesse God for all and to sound forth his praise in sacred hymnes as David caused to be done That other Nations seeing the righteous flourish and abundance of peace made use of in due manner for Gods glory may rejoyce and say Happy are the people which are in such a state yea blessed are they which have the Lord for their God who upon a right seeking of his kingdome addes over and above temporall benefits Matth. 6.33 The Civill and Ecclesiasticall state have in all times endured affliction or prosperity alike and joyntly God extraordinarily provided for his People and Priests Manna and quailes in the barren wildernesse but in Canaan gave the People corne wine and oyle in plenty and the Priests tithes his own portion free will offerings and consecrate things of great worth given by David Solomon their worthies and other devout persons so God first provided for his Apostles Presbyters c. extraordinarily by the selling of the beleevers possessions but afterward by free gifts of bountifull persons conferred on them according to the plenty and peace of their times they were furnished with more plentifull meanes to live cheerfully and to undergoe their weighty charge with comfort and alacrity and as God gave more and more increase unto them to build and endow Colledges Schools and Hospitals If Abraham and Job and other religious sacrificers were not the slacker but more frequent in their sacred duties and instruction of their people why should plenty of meanes and outward estate be thought to dull and take off the edge of Ecclesiasticall persons from their sacred offices and performances The same might and sometimes did befall of old so prone is man to sin but Ecclesiasticall persons have and should make use of their religious knowledge to use temporall things aright if they doe not good Lawes established in a Christian Common-wealth are of force to prevent or cure that malady The Gospel by Gods great goodnesse as it hath brought unto us a better covenant and better promises so it hath bettered and enlarged the temporall meanes of all estates Is it fit here to make the Ecclesiasticall estate an exception from the generall Let that I pray you be duly considered God thankes be unto him for his gracious goodnesse hath now made roome enough for his people as for Israel in Canaan and what needs ships having sea roome at will to clash and fall foule one against another God is good unto all and can open the windowes of heaven and poure out a blessing on all estates Onely let the civill and spirituall estates as two strong pillars mutually conjoyne their forces and in Christian love support the whole frame of the building and so make each other the more steady and strong But further Is it fit that our ecclesiasticall persons should bee termed Lords Answer first It pleased God as above was shewed to vouchsafe titles of his owne to Civill and Ecclesiasticall persons as these to the ecclesiasticall Sar Prince Nasi Prelate Rosh head Architecton chiefe builder c. These as also the terme Adon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord are in the highest and most eminent sense due to God onely for hee is a Lord doing what ever hee pleaseth of his owne authority yet in an inferiour and subordinate sense Sara called Abraham Lord so did the Hittite Genesis 23. Abrahams servant is called Lord Genesis 24.18 So is any master of servants Exodus 21.5 Col. 4.7 and which comes home to this present objection one of the foure and twenty Presbyters Apoc. 7.14 is called Lord And if so then this terme is not denyable to Bishops Secondly as others in chiefe places subordinate to Princes are high and honourable Lords so may the chiefe Ecclesiasticall persons be venerable and reverend Lords because in all times from the worlds beginning untill Christs dayes Ecclesiasticall persons were of great esteeme in the primitive times they were chiefe governours of the Church under Christ and for their sacred imployments sake being men answerable to their calling ought doubtlesse to have a neer subordination to Christian Princes and if the kingdome of God by their vigilancy be first and chiefly sought all other matters of this world wil be the more prosperous Thirdly Though God in some sense as above doth deny certain titles to men yet he never was against words of due respect and observance to superiours nor indeed are such words blame worthy so that they be not a As Judas his Haile Master bare and meer complement and not cordiat or b As was Herods applause Acts 12.19 hyperbolicall to puffe up men with pride Yea I know not whether due titles bee not now more studiously and frequently fitted to mens persons Because 1. Some sects set themselves to vilifie them 2. Because 't is not amisse thereby to put some great ones in minde to be Lords defending the innocent as well as to have a title to rule over others in the Lord to be Lords providing for the welfare of all under them as well as to have a power commanding them God hath been bountifull to Ecclesiasticall persons many wayes and they who truely consider that will not be strict handed to them What hath been here spoken in their behalfe was occasioned by some who upon faulty arguments as I conceive judge amisse of their places and callings These have as Saint Paul in like case said compelled mee to speak what I by Gods word finde to bee truth in this point and submit whatsoever I have herein written to the religious grave and mature judgement of all who bee growne men in Christ and by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evill FINIS
heire that is not onely enjoy his substance but succeed him in the Priesthood and continue the knowledge of Godamong the rest of his retinue In the times next after Moses and Josuah's death it pleased God to let the Israelites know by experience the evill consequences of the want of a chiese Rulet to bee Deputy under God for thereupon it followed that f Judg. 2.11.12 21.25 every one did that which was good in his owne eyes This gave occasion to the people to neglect the Priests maintenance and to the Priests g Judg. 17.8 to become servile and matters both in civill and Ecclesiasticall State h Judg. 2.12 3.7 10.13 to be very corrupt and Idolatry to prevaile whereupon God punished them with forraigne enemies famine and civill warre When Samuel * 1 Sam. 3.19 20. was deputed Gods Prophet Priest and Judge he took speciall care of Gods worship and the observance of his Laws Upon Samuels religious performances and i 1 Sam. 7.3 the peoples repentance God himselfe supplyed the place of k 1 Sam. 12.12 their King or Ruler and all the time of Samuel before Sauls raigne plagued l 1 Sam. 7.13 14. the Israelites enemies and gave Israel repossession of the Lands which in time of the Judges they had lost by negligence of the Rulers and of the Priests at the corruptions of those times doe evince When God defending his people as their King was unthankfully rejected and Saul annoynted to rule over them who in many of his carriages proved an evill Deputy of God and trespassed so far that God rejected him Samuel and the Priests in place after him better observed and continued the Ecclefiasticall charge After David and Salomons time Jeroboam made Gods Deputy over ten Tribes set up Idolatry cast out Gods Priests made lewd Priests fitting his own humour and thus set up a wicked pattern which his successors imitated till God sent Israel captive to Assur Now also Rehoboam and some wicked Kings of Judah badly managed the deputation with which God entrusted them yet the Priests driven from their Cities in Israel were entertained by Rehoboam and setled their abode in Judah and Benjamin There were also in those times houses of the Prophets supplyed with Students in Bethel Gilgal and Jericho The m 2 Kin. 4.23 new moons and Sabbaths were by some observed first fruits paid to n 2 Kin. 4.41 the Prophets by some some o 2 Kin. 10.23 Priests servants of the Lord remained in Israel yea in the dayes of Athaliah's most wicked usurpation there were some p 2 King 11. religious Captains of hundreds and some Priests observant of their courses as wee see by one course of the Priests going out of their charge another part coming in on the Sabbath all of them at good Iehojadah's cōmand By these religious assistants help Iehojadah slue Athaliah and seated Ioash true heir to the Crown on the Throne as Gods Deputy In his later dayes and in the dayes of the bad Kings who succeeded him the deputation was corruptly managed and all good order exceedingly depraved so that God suffered Babel to overcome Judah and carry the Jewes away captive as Assur had done Israel After Malachies time when the neighbouring nations of Egypt and Syria and q 1 Mac. 1.11 some false brethren among the Jewes themselves caused great mischiefe to the people of God so that no King sate on Davids's throne to take care of the Civill and Ecclesiasticall government yet the b 1. Mac. 1.23 Sanctuary of God the golden Altar the Candlesticke the Table for the shew bread and the like remained untill Antiochus Epiphanes tooke them away The bookes of the Law the customes and rites the Sabbaths and feasts were kept untill this wicked tyrant sought to abolish them Notwithstanding all pressures and miseries befalling this people some c 1. Mac. 4.56 among them endevoured to live according to Gods Laws paid their d 1. Mac. 3 49. first fruits and tithes maintained their e 1. Mac. 3.55 Captains of thousands hundreds fifties tens And here when Egypts and Syria's power began by Romes rising to decline the Maccabees inflamed with a zeale to their Law and Nation and incouraged by the peoples applause were not content with their owne Ecclesiasticall charge and to blow the trumpets for stirring up their peoples valour valiantly to defend their liberty but tooke to themselves the places of Princes and Captaines 1. Mac. 5.3 6. and in their owne persons waged war against their enemies In Christs time the Pharisees sate in Moses chair and taught some things well but loved preheminence and badly managed it There were then some religious persons as Symeon Anna Joseph Mary Joseph of Arimathea and others These feparated not from the Jewish Church then much corrupted Zacharie ministred in the course of his family and departing to his owne dwelling place left the ministration to other Priests succeeding in their course And untill the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the slaughter or dispersion of this people the Rulers of the Jews in an obstinate presumption that the Messias was not then come and that yet he should come and be seene in that Temple and receive the kingdome of David strove to hold up the Lawes and Ordinances of Moses and David so far as the miseries and tyranny of those times would permit CHAP. III. Gods Deputation of the Government of the Church in and after Christs time and how for the chiefe passages thereof it was managed IN the fulnesse of time Jesus Christ came in his owne person did preach and instruct the Jewish Nation who were then very erroneous both for government and doctrine He found their Rulers to be unworthy husbandmen of Gods vineyard and that the people did persevere in the deviations of their factious leaders and blind Priests with extremity of obstinacy and would not admit him the Lord of the vineyard to rule over them Therefore forty and odde yeares before the desolation of the City and Temple that the Nation might have time to repent Christ began to builde the Christan Church by his owne gracious sermons and dying for the sins of the world rose again and sent his Apostles unto all Nations with the glad tidings of the Gospel and that the work might prosper by their ministration he sent down the Holy Ghost a comforter to his Church and Apostles to leade them into all truth and to furnish labourers with abilities for the building of the universall Church For effecting whereof a diversity a 1. Cor. 11.4 c. Rom. 12.4 c of gifts administrations and faculties were requisite Wherefore these were bestowed on the Apostles and others by one Lord one Spirit one God who worketh all in all and distributeth to every one severally according to his will that every one might profit and the members of Christs body by their severall offices as the
the tithes Gods portion for their maintenance and God now gives this rule that the b 1. Cor. 9.11 ministry sowing spirituall things should reape of the carnall things sowed by the Laity And in what proportion rather should that be then in that which was of old Gods portion namely a tenth part of the encrease of the ground and cattle And if we upon good ground of the equity of the Law give God and imploy in sacred duties every seventh day of our whole time as before was done in the Patriarchs time and under the Law hath not likewise our Church now well ordained that the Ecclesiastical estate should have the tithe of the increase of the earth and cattell as was done in the Patriarchs time and in the times under the Law The equity of both is alike Besides the generall Rule of mens bounty or duty in this kind shewing their thankfull acknowledgement to God was to make the extent thereof according c Deut. 16.17 Lev. 5.7 11. 14.21 Neh. 5.8 Acts 11.29 1. Cor. 16.2 2. Cor 8.12 to their ability and according to Gods blessing on their labours as God hath prospered their estate And what can bee more sutable thereunto then to render unto God a tenth ever in use untill Christs time when by Heathen tyranny it was interrupted For thus it will come to passe that each man shall have nine parts for his owne use and Ecclesiasticall persons receive a tenth and so partake in a fit proportion with the Laity in yeares of plenty and scarcity and condole in affliction or rejoyce in Gods bounty together with the Laity In the first times of the world the Kingly and Priestly offices were conjoyned in one person and must needs make him of more authority and require and move the people in their own hearts to shew the more reverentiall observance in civill and sacred duties But afterward when the burden and charge was become very great too heavy for one person to undergoe God appointed Mosem custodem utriusque tabulae to take the speciall charge of civill matters and Aaron of the Priestly calling And afterward untill Christs time the Priests tooke care of the sacred performances and were usually assistant unto the chiefe Rulers and Kings as Eleazer to Josua in dividing Canaan Zadock to Solomon in building the Temple Jehoiadah a preserver and instructor of Joash Jehosuah in commission with Zorobabel at the returne from Babel And as the chiefe Fathers and Princes of the severall Tribes assisted the King in civill matters so the Priests and Levites were subordinate to the high Priest in Ecclesiasticall businesses and he and they subject to the King so now when the Kingdomes and occasions of Christian Princes are much increased they have made use of Nobles being men of eminent parts for civill affaires and of Ecclestasiicall men being conspicuous for vertue religion prudence and learning in Ecclesiasticall performances And as the d Deut. 17.9.2 Chro. 19.6 8. Priests and Levites were in joynt commission with Judges for the judgement and cause of the Lord whose the Judgement is so have such Ecclesiasticall men as above been joyned in Judgement with prudent Lay-men in Courts where Christian Lawes subordinate to Gods Law and guided in many things by humane reason and by custome of the Nations well settled have bin the Rule determining controversies Furthermore As the Jews had one solemn place for Gods worship and service namely the Temple in Jerusalem where every day sacrifice was made and holy rites performed and prayers and praises offered up to God and had also many Synagogues in their Land for prayer and expounding the word so have not our forefathers under the Gospel being partakers of a better Covenant and enjoying better promises then they of old well shewed their thankfulnesse to God by building large and goodly Churches for prayer and praising God thrice every day and for frequent preaching in the great Cities of this Land and yet built in the lesse townes and villages ordinary and smaller Churches and Chappels for prayer and preaching at due times Where God affords more meanes he requires more duty according to mens ability so in regard that the great Cities have beene more able to build furnish and maintain Gods Churches and service they may seem religiously in this but to have done their duty Yet the equity of this will not extend so farre as Rome doth stretch it arrogating to her selfe a superintendency over all the world and desiring that all Churches on the earth should vaile to her and depend and be regulated by her as all Canaans Synagogues and Ecclesiasticall persons received their direction from Jerusalem For first in the time of the Law there was such a multiplicity of rites and ceremonies and performances that had not God made the King his Counfell and the chiefe Ecclesiasticall persons in Jerusalem to regulate all parts of the Land of Canaan unity and concord in all points could never have bin observed but in the Christian Church and in the worship and service of God therein Christ ordained few and easie Sacraments a plainer and more familiar doctrine of faith and practise so that it is very possible to keepe peace and unity and for Churches in Lands farre remote one from another to be of one accord and mind if they will rest in the simplicity of the Gospel much more for all the greater Churches in our Land to agree one with another in all performances and chief doctrines and necessary truths because they have the same plain direction from sacred Scripture and one King Parliament to regulate them Secondly whereas God foretold that many a Rev. 17.13 14 15 c. Kings should give power and authority to a tyrannous Beast and should submit themselves to the great City which then raigned and ever since desired to domineer over the Kings of the earth and yet should afterward when the Lamb of God Christ had overcome them re-assume to themselves their own power given them by Christ and should hate that great City called by the Spirit of God The Whore and make her desolate and naked This is in great part already come to passe and Kings and Queens have become nursing fathers and mothers to the Church and rightly hold and maintaine that they have supreme power in their owne Kingdoms next and immediately under Christ the head of the Church and are as independent of any forraine person whatsoever as David and Solomon in their times and therefore that they neither ought nor may be subordinate to the Roman Church which is now manifestly proved to have left her first love and to be The Whore whom the Kings of the earth should ruinate But to returne to the observances of old In the Law from which an equity being deduced is still of use in the Christian Church wee observe that there were in those times * This word is often answerable to the Hebrew for the courses of the