we find the effects and operations of them the binding and loosing given to them (k) Joh. 20. 22 23. and this is that the Apostles mean by constituting and appointing (l) Act. 16. 3. whom we may appoint over this business for though the persons may be dedicated and designed by other means as those Elders were (m) Numb 11. 24 25. yet were they not impowered till the Spirit rested on them so the Deacons named (n) Act. 6. 5. were not impowered till they had laid their hands upon them (o) v. 6. so Paul enjoyneth Titus to ordain and constitute such as were fit by this investiture (p) Tit. 1. 5. though otherwise expressed 3 Sacred We have said before it is not civil and therefore must be sacred and indeed a person thus devoted and set apart is ipso facto sacred a field or house if dedicated unto pious uses was therefore sanctified as appears (q) Lev. 27. 14 15 16 17. thus the Levites were said to be offered up by Aaron unto the Lord (r) Numb 8. 11 and every offering was sacred and because the Priests came nearer unto God they had a more exact and speciall consecration (s) Exod. 29. 35. and thus shalt thou do to Aaron and his Sons according to all things which I have commanded thee seven dayes shalt thou consecrate them which things are there at large expressed in the Chapter The business of a Minister as we have shewed is to attend and act in holy things and holy persons are most suitable to such attendance and therefore Ordination hath alwayes been attended and accompanied with prayer for though we find not that Christ our Saviour did ordain by solemn invocation and calling on the name of God yet we find he spent the whole night before he chose and setled his Apostles in prayer unto God (t) Luk. 6. 12. 13 14 15 16. that God would please to give a blessing to his labours and to that design so the Apostles when they did ordain the Deacons used prayer (u) Act. 6. 6. and though no question Paul and Barnabas were in Commission and ordained before for they are called Prophets and Teachers (w) Act 31. 1. which in a set and solemn way they could not be without this Ordination yet when they are again devoted and sent abroad unto the Gentiles they pray again (x) v. 2. that it might appear the work was totally and altogether holy for though the Deputies and actors in this work be never so careful to examine and exhort yet if God help not and assist much may escape that should not in the Act. 4 Solemn There is something of solemnity in holy actions how secret and retired soever they may seem to be for they are done to God who is a great King and his name is dreadful among the Gentiles (y) Mal. 1. 14. yet there is more solemnity in some then others of them the Passe-over was a solemn feâ—st unto the Lord for seven dayes but yet the first and last dayes were more solemn (z) Lev. 23. 4 5 6 7 8. all holy things are solemn but Ordination more solemn then the rest there were set times for many ages in the Church observed which in your Almanacks were called the ember weâ—ks in which times fasting and prayer were especially enjoyned for Gods blessing upon Ordination which then was wont for to be celebrated When the Levites were to be ordained it was made a very solemn business as appears (a) Numb 8. 6 7 8 c. so when Barnabas and Saul were to be sent abroad unto the Gentiles the Lord appoints it on a very solemn day as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have appointed them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hards on them they sent them away (b) Act. 13. 2 3 there are 2 things in the words that argue great solemnity fiâ—st fasting Prayer we acknowledge is a solemn duty but when fasting is annexed it is more solemn when the King of Niniveh ariseth from his Throne and layes aside his Robes and enjoyneth man and beast to fast and cry it was a solemn business (c) Jonah 3. 6 7 8. so when God calls the Nation to fast and pray they knew it was a solemn business as it is likewise called (d) Joel 2. 15. a fast was never ordered and appointed by the Lord but it was made a very solemn business The second thing observed in the words was that they laid their hands upon them which ever argued solemnitie in that grand Character given out upon their going into all the world imposition or laying on of hands is put in (e) Mark 16. 18. a solemn Ceremony to be no doubt retained in the Church for ever for otherwise we see not why it should be ranked and numbred among those lâ—sting and solemn duties and points of Doctrine of repentance from dead works and faith towards God the Doctrine of Baptisme and laying on of handâ— and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal Judgement (f) Heb. 6. 1 6. some use there will be therefore of laying on of hands until the day of Judgement and other use of it now we do not know but only this of Ordination for that of doing it unto the sick was extraordinary and is ceased long since and was left out of the direction by the Apostle before it ceased (g) Jam. 5. 14 15. but in this of Ordination commanded and used to the last Timothy was a man of very rare endowments yet Paul layes hands upon him for an augmentation of his gifts (h) 2 Tim. 1. â— and again the whole Assembly and Colledge of the Presbyters neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given there by Prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery (i) 1 Tim. 4. 14 yea Paul makes such account of this peece or parcel of solemnity in ordination that he puts it for the whole act (k) 1 Tim. â— 2. lay hands on no man suddenly that is ordain not any till he be tried and examined for his fitness unto that great work And seeing Ordination is a kind of dedication and investiture there should be somewhat ceremonial and complemental in it something that leaves a Character and an impression on the person thus ordained for though Ceremonies are circumstantialls and come not within the essence or being of the thing they are annexed to yet they be fostering and saving Circumstances to lift up hands in prayer is but a Circumstance yet had that influence in Moses Prayer that when it ceased the enemy prevailed (l) Exod. 17. 11 12. to wash seven times in Jordan was but a circumstance yet healing was annexed to it in the case of Naaman (m) 1 King 5. 10. the bark upon the Tree is but a
Church that is assembly and society of Christians for spiritual and religious ends for though the word may signifie any called or assembled Company though for externall civil ends as that meeting is called (i) Act. 19. 52. yet we use it here in an ecclesiastical and spiritual sense for religious meetings and Assemblies as the Apostle doth (k) 1 Cor. 14. 23. to shew that we intend not civil meetings but confine our selves to those that are divine and spiritual but we take it in the utmost Ecclesiastical and spiritual latitude for we think what we affirm and set down is true of the Catholick Church of Christ and of every Member division and sub-division of it from universal to particular from national to provincial and from thence to parochial and congregational for in every one of these there ought to be some set a part 2. We say setled that is grown up and come to some maturity and ripenesse for though a rude unpolisht company of two or three may in some sense be called a Church (l) Mat. 18. 20. as an Embrio conceived but not fashioned in the womb may be called a man as the Psalmist seems to intimate (m) Psal 139. 16. yet we mean not such a young unformed Company as the Church in Adams and the Patriarks Families or if grown up yet in distemper or unsetled by some external accidents as the Church yet in the Wildernesse (n) Act. 7. 38. and as it was in that confusion which the Prophet doth allude to (o) 2 Chron. 15. 3. but we mean a Church enjoying some external quiet and communion with her self and others as that was after Saul was turned preacher (p) Act. 9. 31. and of a Lion was become a Lamb though it be not every way accomplisht and accomodated though it be liable to troubles and persecutions 3. Well ordered we acknowledge this might be implied in setled yet think it good for plainnesse to expresse it for a thing may be setled ill or out of order as all materialls belonging to an house may be comported and brought together and layd down on an heap and so far setled yet is not property an house till it be coupled and joyned together fitly and so stuffe and all necessaries to make a Garment so there may be a rude promiscuous unpolished Company that may be setled that is resolved to live and act together yet undistinguished and placed unjoynted and unordered as they ought to be and must be before they can do businesse and encounter difficulties for action supposeth and requireth order a broken tooth and foot out of joynt may not be trusted to nor any stresse laid on them as the wise man speaks (q) Prov. 25. 19. We mean therefore a body joynted as it should be having Head and Members orderly distinguisht and complying by the nerves and sinues with one another as the Apostle speaks (r) Col. 2. 19. Eph. 4. 12 13. not that we think it needful and essential to the being of a Church that this order be exact and perfect here but that we think it should be aimed at and laboured for and some degrees attained as a Ship must have some tackle and accomodations before it can be put to Sea and make a voyage for though it be not necessary to the being yet it is to the beauty and well-being (s) Col. 2. 5. joyning and beholding your Order and though he could not order all things in the Church of Corinth when he was with them yet he promised to do it at his return (t) 1 Cor. 11. 34. 4. We say some for the Church is a body that hath dissimilar and heterogeneal parts is integrum as well as totum and hath offices distinct and divers from one another (u) Rom. 12. 4 5. for as we have many Members in one body and all Members have not the same Office so we being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another A body is not a lump of flesh unorganized and undistinguished but orderly accomodated with Members answerable unto the functions needful for it (w) 1 Cor. 12. 14. for the body is not one Member but many some therefore must be set a part not all its tâ—ue all should be Saints at least in shew and in profession (x) Eph. 4. 12 but all the Saints should not be Governours and Rulers in the Church (y) Heb. 13. 24 salute all them that have the rule over you and all the Saints Gods people in the old administration under Moses had as fair a title unto Saint-ship as ever any people in the world had (z) Exod. 19. 5 6. ye shall be a peculiar theasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine and ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests and an holy Nation So that they were not without book when they said that all the Congregation were holy every one of them and the Lord was among them (a) Numb 16. 3. yet Aarons Priesthood was asserted against those opposites Men may be holy and yet not high graced with favours and endearements of great concernment yet noâ— set up in Moseâ— Chair nor beautified with Arons Ornaments all are not overseers in a Congregation nor Captains and Commanders in a Company so God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers (b) 1 Cor. 1â— 28 29. and therefore might well ask are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers if all were Teachers who should be taught if all Shepheards who should be sheep where all are set apart none are set apart eadem est nimia nulla divisio 5. Set apart that is designed and devoted to the work betimes as Aarons Sonnes were (c) Exod. 28. 1. and Samuel whilst yet an Infant (d) 1 Sa. 1. 11. that so they may be trained up and educated answerably for if that great King would have none about him to attend and wait upon him till they were qualified and fitted for it (e) Dan. 1. 3 4 5. how much more may the great God require a training up and education answerable to the place and service they are intended for its true Gods spirit and the graces of it are the main endowments that are required that they be holy godly men that they be full of faith and of the Holy Ghost as Stephen was (f) Act. 6. 3. for they will never do the work of God well that have not first Gods work done on them will hardly labour and endeavour seriously to make their hearers and Scholars better then themselves but that 's not all they must have fitnesse for the service which all Gods people have not in former ages when God did more immediately endow and qualifie for that great work yet education and instruction was required how to discern those visions and apparitions which they had God called Samuel (g) 1
repine and take it ill to be reduced to their English Rules seeing they are willing to be reputed Scholars as well as Teachers here is a very proper and plain example for according to the English the verb must be ordained and the nominative case that comes before it they for if one aske them who ordained they must say they now who these they were must be determined by finding out the antecedent unto they and for that they need not go far to find it for they have Paul (e) Act. 14. 19 20. in the nineteenth verse and Barnabas goes with him to Derbe in the twentieth and to these two all the theyes must be referred that go before for when they had preached the Gospel to that City and had taught many they returned again to Lystra c. and then it followes when they had ordained them Elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they recommended them to the Lord on whom they believed (f) V. 21. 23. the people had not preached to that City nor returned unto Lystra c. confirming the souls of the Disciples and exhorting therefore the people did not ordain them Elders in every Church and if they will appeal unto the Greek wherein ordained is a participle and must be read and ordaining them Elders it will be all one for they must be the substantive unto ordaining and so it will return to Paul and Barnabas and leave the people out 2. Though it be truly observed by those reverend men Calvin and Beza that the word is taken from the custom of giving voices in the popular states and Common-wealths of Greece by lifting up their hands yet it s not confined unto that Grecian Custom for it s acknowledged that Luke was a good Grecian yet useth the same word (g) Act. 10. 41. for such an act of God as could not be performed by lifting up of hands as it is taken properly and it s not improper to use it for ordaining Ministers where imposition of hands is alwayes used for they cannot lay their hands upon a tall mans head unless they do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 extend stretch them out and if this word was born drew its first breath in Athens or else where where Thucidides doth use it yet certain we are it died not nor was not buried there but used in those Canons that for their reverend and great antiquity are called the Apostles Canons and that not for any action of the people but for Ordination as it was performed by the Bishops and that use of it is justified by Balsamon in his notes upon that Canon who was afterward the Patriarch of Antioch where it was used by Paul and Barnabas and could not be unskilfull in his Mother tongue 3 For Calvin and Bezas translation and exposition of the word we must consider that they were newly come out from Popery and laboured what they could for to oppose the papal Tyranny who used to impose what Ministers they pleased upon the people against not only their consent but safety authorising the Monks and Friers to invade mens Pulpits and to preach unto them what they pleased yet both of them acknowledge that the word is used for laying on of hands in Ordination scriptores tamen Ecclesiastici nomen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alio sensu usurpant nempe pro solemni Ordinationis ritu qui in scripturis vocatur manuum impositio So Calvin and Beza to the same purpose quidam hoc referre malunt ad manuum impositionem quae ipsasit prorsus necessaria That is some had rather refer this unto imposition of hands which it self is altogether necessary 4 But we grant that people ought to have an hand in Ordination for it is not done but in the presence of the people as we have shewed and with fasting and prayer where they may stretch out their hands to God as that good man (h) Psal 88. 9 Lord I have called daily upon thee I have stretched out my hands unto thee and we know how powerful the stretching out of Moses hands and holding of them up was (i) Exod. 17. 11 12. Gods people therefore may and ought in this kind to lift up pure or holy hands as we shewed before and likewise they may and ought to say amen to what is said or done if they approve of it which is the proper business of the unlearned or private man in solemn meetings and Assemblies as the Apostle shews (k) 1 Cor. 14. 16. and in very solemn meetings that usually was done with lifting up of hands as we find it in the practice of that great Assembly (l) Neh. 8. 6. and Ezra blessed the Lord the great God and all the people answered amen amen with lifting up of their hands And in this sense we willingly allow Gods people though they be not Officers to have an hand in Ordination but they must have not only holy but also humble hands for if they lift them up too high they may offend be transgressors in an high degrâ—e Poor Vzzah did but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (m) 2 Sam. 6. 6 7. put forth his hand to the Ark of God and took hold of it for the Oxen shook it and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah and God smote him there for his errour and there he died by the Ark of God We may lift up our hand too high Jeroboam was the greatest sinner one of them that ever was for it became an addition and title to him that he made Israel to sin (n) 2 King 10. 31. which was never said of any body else yet he began with lifting up his hand (o) 1 King 11 26 27. When a Shoomaker takes measure of a pair of shooes his hand must not be lift above the ankle ne sutor ultra crepidam as in the Proverb so good people in taking measure of a Minister if they keep not strictly to the bounds and limits set unto them may have too high an hand in chusing of their Ministers for as their ears will still be itching after new sounds so their fingers after new Teachers till they have heaped them up unto themselves as the Apostle speaks (p) 2 Tim. 4. 3. they must therefore be knockt off in time CHAP V. Shewing what Ordination is IN the former Chapters we have endeavoured to shew what Ordination is not We come now to shew you what it is for howsoever negatives may clear the way unto a truth yet they do not teach it when men are in the dark as the Disciples at the Resurrection were it s something to be told as they were (q) Mat. 28. 6. he is not here the first matter and the first mover were very dark enquiries among the ancient and it was long before they got any positive and fixed notions of them could say of the matter that it was nec quid nec quale nec quantum nec
hee may live though Turk and Pope may graze upon the goodliest pastures of Asia Europe though God gave unto the Heathen raine from Heaven and fruitfull seasons filling their hearts with food and gladnesse (a) Act. 14. 17 Though Egypt a fruitfull Countrey be given unto Nebuch adnezzar as wages for his service against Tyre (b) Ezek. 29. 18 19 20. yea though no man knoweth either lone or hatred kindnesse or unkindnesse favour or frownes by all that is before him as the wise man speakes (f) Eccles 9 1. yet we think that the Gospel never is removed from a Place or Nation but the People of the Place are made to feele the want of it both Peace and Plenty commonly go with it The Sword comes commonly to revenge the quarrel of Gods Covevant (g) Levit. 26. 25. When Israel had been a long season without the true God and without a teaching Priest and without Law there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the Countries Nations was destroyd of Nation and City of City for God did vex them with all adversity (h) 2 Chron. 15. 3 5 6. When Jerehoam for politick and worldly ends had altered and new modelled the Temple-Worship and set up wayes of Worship that should be subject to and serve his carnall interests (i) 1 King 12. 26 27 28. and had forced the â—riests and Levites to forsake their Suburbs and made him Priests of the lowest and meanest of the people (k) 2 Chron. 13. 9. there quickly followed desolation and destruction as the story plainly tells (l) 2 Kings 17. 7 8 and that without recovery or restitution unto this day and howsoever Juda lasted somewhat longer yet when they also mâ—cked the Messengers of God and despised his Word and misused his Prophets the wrath of the Lord brake out against his people and there was no remedy (m) 2 Chro 36. 16. And though the Gospel was once more offered them in the Ministry of John the Baptist yet withall the ax was laid unto the root of the tree that if it bear not fruit then it might be cut downe and cast into the fire (n) Mat 3. 10 and though the execution of that sentence were for a time deferred and put off yet at the last it came upon them to the uttermost as the Apostle speakes (o) 1 Thes 2 16. 29. and the Gospell was translated to the Gentiles (p) Acts 13. 46 47. and though with them the Gospell went on conquering and to conquer for a long time (q) Rev. 6. â— yea when they also waxed wanton began to play and trifle with the holy things of God when spirituall and powerfull Preaching was laid aside and tales and stories told the people in the stead of it When the ordinary and saving Gospel truths grew cheap and lay dispersed and neglected every where and Revelations Visions and Apparitions of the dead began to be received admired and entertained when publique Meetings and Assemblies began to be neglected and grow thin and rare Separation Monkery and Monastick-living to be exalted and cryed up as it did about six hundred yeares after our Saviours comming in the Flesh The Saracens in the East and the barbarous Northern Nations in the West brake in and rooted up and ruined all before them when the guard and fence which God had set about his Church was plucked up the Boare out of the wood did wast it and the wilde beast of the field devouâ—e it as the Psalmist hath it (r) Psal 80. 13 When God is in a place its good to keep him he never comes nor staies alone but if he be offended and departs he does not smile when the King in progresse came unto a place he brought rich furniture and hangings with him but when he went away they tooke them down again and carried them away Certain it is the Church and Truths of Christ and of the Gospel shall continue in the world untill the end of it (Å¿) Mat. 28. 2. the gates of hell the plots and powers of the Devil shall not prevail against it (t) Mat. 16. 18 his house is built on such a Rock and ground as winds and tempests cannot overthrowe but that it shall continue in this Island alwayes we cannot warrant and assure The Starres in Christs right hand no man can put out (u) Rev. 2. 1. but he may go with them into another Clymate and Country of the world the Sun it self the most illustrious and glorious Starre doth set and rise the Kingdom of God hath been taken from the Jews Gods darling and beloved Nation (w) Mat. 21. 43. and why it may not be from us we cannot tell We have as many pawns and hostages as other men and as little reason to desire confusion and calamity are like our selves to be the first that suffer and have retinues and dependencies as well as any but do not know what Patent and Commission England hath to be unruly and rebellious no more then others why she by the Prophet may not be sent to Shiloh as well as Judah was to see what God hath done to that place (x) Jer. 7. 12. why England should be born with and indulged to mock the Messengers of God to despise his word and to misuse his Prophets and not the wrath of the Lord arise against them until there be no remedy (y) 2 Chron. 36. 16. though it may be truly said of England as it was of Ephesus (z) Rev. 2. 3. that she hath born and had patience and for his names sake hath labored and hath not fainted yet if God have any thing against her as no doubt he hath yea that very thing namely that she hath lost her first love a we know no reason why he may not come against her Vers 4 5 6. quickly and remove her Candlestick unlesse she repent and do her first works Let no man therefore blame and censure our godly jealousie when we see no Porters at the Temple Gates to examine and observe who goeth in or cometh out as there was among the Jews (b) 1 Cron. 15. 18. whâ—n there is nothing setled in the affairs and things of God when Congregations and Assemblies are continued to pray and preach down the Ministry and maintenance of this state and Church as Antichristian carnal and unlawful when no provision or preparation to so great a work is thought convenient or necessary but a si quis passed upon every Church-dore that whosoever will may come and consecrate himself (c) 2 Cron. 13. 9. officiate and exercise his gifts though it may be â—e he is a Romish Priest or Jesuite yea when we are told it ought to be so and that no man ought to interpose or oppose but all be left unto the will of God and working of his spirit in the
were drowned in the common practice of the Countries where they lived for we find them charged with Idolatry and the Worshipping and Serving other Gods Whilest Sem the sonne of Noah was yet alive (h) Jos 24. 2. Your Fathers dwelt on the other side of the Flood in old time even Terah the Father of Abraham and they served other Gods and some of the Rabbins say that Terah got his living by making selling of Imageâ— yet they had some that acted and attended in holy things for the Caldeans became in after times an order and degree of Priest-hood and attendance as appears (i) Dan. 2. â— 10 And for Japhets issue that went further off to seek their habitations among whom the Isles of the Gentiles among which were reckoned also these Western Nations of France and Germany and Spain and Italy were at the first divided as Moses shews (k) Gen. 10. 5 as also the Provinces of the lesser Asia as Pontus Galathia Cappadocia Lycaonia Bithinia there is no doubt made by any but that they soon forgot the pure Religion of their Patriarch and Father Noah and fell into Idolatry yet had they Priests that did attend and act in holy things for when Paul and Barnabas were come down unto Lystra a Citie within the confines of Lycaonia and had healed a Cripple there the people cryd out in the speech of Lycaonia that the Gods were come down to them in the likenesse of men and the Priests of Jupiter which before the gates of the City brought Oxen and Garlands unto the gates and would have done sacrifice with the people (l) Act. 14. 11 12 13. and for the other more Western European Nations it s well known that they had their Pithias Flamins Druids Bards attending on their holy things and had in great account among them And because our Argument is à minore we will close it with some instances derived from the worst of Heathens and those were Chams posterity which were accursed for their Fathers fault (m) Gen. 9. 25 for they inhabited the Land of Egypt which is often in the Scripture called the Land of Ham (n) Psa 105. 23. and his son Mitzraim who succeeded in the Government is acknowledged to be that famous Osyris that setled the Government of all those parts yet here the Priests were in such reputation and respect that when all the other Natives were by the Famine made the Tenants and Farmers of the King only the Priests were free (o) Gen. 47. 22 and not only among those of Miâ—zraim that planted there but those also that went up higher towards the North-West and inhabited the Sea-Coasts of the Land of Canaan (p) Gen. 10. 13 14. for when the Ark of God was taken Captive (q) â— Sam. 5. 1 2. and had been carried round about from one place to another and was too hot for every place the Priests are called for and give directions for the sending of it back again unto Judea (r) 1 Sam. 6. 2 3. which shews that in all these Countries of the Sons of Cham the most ungracious of all that came out of the Ark some persons yet were set apart to attend and act in holy things But Chams posterity possâ—ssed other Countries as well as Egypt and the Sea-Coasts of the Land of Canaan for Cush his eldest Son (s) Gen. 10. 6. took up his Quarters in Arabia between the two Gulphs of Persia and Arabia now called the Red-sea from the stony and desart part whereof those came that robbed Job and took away his Cattle (t) Job 1. 14 15. and those Wise men that were guided by a starre unto our Saviour Christ at his Nativity are thouâ—ht to come from these parts (u) Mat. 2. 1 2 and no question were persons set a part to attend and act in holy things for Magi was a common name of the Divines and Priests of those Eastern Countries for we find in after times when that Cyrus King of Persia had gotten any notable and signall Victory that the Magi or Priests were alwayes sent for to pick out of the spoiles what they thought fit to adorn the Temples and Sacrifice unto their Gods as Xenophon shewes in many places of his story of the education and acts of Cyrus wherein he did no more then God himself expresly ordered in that great victory against the Midianites (w) Numb 31. 28 29 30 now if the worst of Heathens had some persons set apart to attend and act in holy things shall we be worse then they our Saviour counted it a very grievous punishment to be as heathen (x) Mat. 18. 17. and it will be unhandsome to be worse if the men of Ninive shall rise in judgement against Juda and condemn it because they repented at Jonahs preaching (y) Mat 12. 41 42. what shall they do to those that will not own the Office and Authority of Jonah for if he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven be greater then John Baptist (z) Mat. 11. 11. then those that slight them will have as much to answer for as they that slighted him CHAP. XIII The seventh Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 7 Church which God hath setled and estated on it for the Church is Gods house (a) 1 Tim. 3. 15. and it is an unrepealed Law that every man bear rule in his own house (b) Esth 1. 22. that is give Lawes and Rules of Government (c) Psal 101. per totum order and oversee the execution of them (d) 1 Tim. 3. 4 one that ruleth well his own house having Children in subjection dispose of places preferment in it (e) Luk. 12. 42 43 44. who is that faithful and wise Steward whom his Lord shall make ruler over his Houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season by house is not here meant so much the fabrick building and materials of it as the Family and members of it as they speak of Ruth the Moabitess (f) Ruth 4. 11. the Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel like Leah which two did build up the house of Israel not the material houses and fabricks which they had but the persons and members of it But God hath setled and appointed some to attend and act in holy things whilest the Church was but a sojourner and wanderer in the world as in the Patriarchs times (g) Heb. 11. 13 the First born were appointed as we have shewed before but when they were embodied and began to settle there was a fixed and solid provision made It is well said by the Psalmist (h) Ps 103. 14 that he knoweth our frame he remembereth that we are dust homo est terrae filius nihili nepos as Austin the Son of the earth the Grandson of nothing and so retaineth a pronenesse and proclivity to sink and totter into
pathetical and serious exhortation given Timothy (a) 2 Tim. 4. 1 2. and that the Prophet meant these times appears in that place where the same is iterated and repeated though in something other words (b) Jer. 23. 3 4 5 6. In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousnesse what can more plainly point out Gospel-times for though the Levitical administration of the Covenant was to expire or to be disannulled as the Apostle speaks (c) Heb. 7. 18 19. yet the Covenant was not but was even then an everlrsting Covenant (d) Jer. 32. 40 and Aarons Priesthood however in some sense it was to be determined and cease yet was indeed in some sense an everlasting Priesthood as it is expresly promised to Phineas (e) Numb 25. 12 13. that is the Office and attendance upon holy things was everlasting to be continued in Aarons Priesthood for a time and afterwards to be translated into the Tribe of Judah and Order of Melchizedeck as God hath not only said but sworn (f) Heb. 7. 20 21. where now it is and shall be to the worlds end in the Pastors and Teachers of Gospel-times The Prophet Isaiah sayes (g) Isa 44. 3. I will poure water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will power my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine off-spring and the Prophet Joel (h) Joe 2. 28 29. I will poure out my Spirit upon all flesh now when and where were these great floods and inundations of the Spirit poured out the Apostle Peter tells you that the greatest and most observed inundation was in the day of Pentecost upon the Apostles that were then assembled in the Temple (i) Act. 2. 2 3 4. though there were dewes and lesser showers upon others afterwards (k) Act. 11. 15 and that not only in an extraordinary but ordinary manner (l) 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11. yet in the Prophets these are promised in the reverend and known denominations and Titles of Priests and Levites for when the Jews and Gentiles shall be gathered out of all the Nations and bound up together in one volume and presented in Jerusalem unto the Lord God promiseth that he will take of them for Priests and for Levites (m) Isa 66. 20. 21. properly and litterally they could not be for the promise is to gather all tongues and all Nations Tarshish and Pul and Lud Javan and Tuball are expresly named (n) v. 18. 19. that is the Gentiles as they are called verse the ninteenth for the Priests and Levits properly so called were only Jews and of the Tribe of Levi and Spiritual Priests and Levits they could not be for it is said (o) v. 21. I will take of them not them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex istis as Junius Montanus and others that is ex istis gentibus quae in munus oblatae fuerint domino as in their note now who ever is converted and washed in the blood of Christ is made a spiritual Priest and there is no distinguishing and picking out of some from others of them (p) Rev. 1. 5 6 for all have great dignity and there is no culling out CHAP. XV. The ninth Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 9 Church which God hath promised not only in words but also in Figures Types and modelled Representatives where the eye doth give in evidence as well as the eare when God doth not only say but shew not rehearse only but also represent and pourtray paint and engraven to be exposed to the view as well as hearing When God was serious that Jerusalem should be besieged and would have the people be assured of it hee commands the Prophet to expresse it in a picture (q) Ezek. 4. 1 2 3. for God knows that words are but windywinged Creatures that stay not when they have done their errand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Poet often calls them nocte volat caeli medio terraeque per umbras as another sayes of Fame a flying report Curse not the King no not in thy thought and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber for the bird of the aire shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter (r) Eccles 10. 20. that is some rumor or report will fly abroad and Kings have long eares as well as hands Christ told the Apostles often of his dying at Jerusalem but his words flew away before they understood them (s) Luk. 18. 31 32 33 34. and therefore when he was to dye indeed and resolv'd they should remember it he closeth those expressions in the amulets and earings of the holy Sacrament that might hang as pendents at their eares continually (t) 1 Cor 11. 23 24 25 26. we confesse one way of chayning and confining words unto there proper office and employment of serving and securing of the memory is to record and write them down some think the reason of that great Apostacy and irreligion that was among the Sons of Noah after the Flood was want of writing for tradition was very easie and apt to be corrupted and therefore Moses was enabled and commanded to write all down and God himself began unto him in the Tables of the Law (u) Deut. 9. 10. but this was not enough to see the Characters and Letters but Portraitures and Pictures were annexed and written also and imprinted because they made a deeper and more palpable impression on the senses when you have a story or fable not onely written but also pictured and drawn in lively representatives before you as all the Prophecies of the succeding times are unto John from the fourth Chapter of his Revelation unto the end But God hath promised a Gospel-Ministry some to attend and act in holy things not onely in words but in visible and reall Types Delineations and Representations for when the City and Temple at Jerusalem were smitten as the Prophet speaks (w) Ezek 40. ◠those graceless Jews were apt to think God had forgotten all Religion as Gardiner that bloody Bishop told Henry the eighth when he had pull'd down the Monasteries and seized their Lands unto his own use that now he would be thought the most Atheisticall and irreligious King in all the world and that would have an evill influence upon his discontented Subjects whereby he wrought him to a willingness to enact and execute those six Statutes whereby so many conscientious persons of both Religions were destroyed So the Jews now began to whisper that God now cared not nor looked after any thing but had forsaken all (x) Ezek. 8. 12 and so fell to the worship of other Gods the Lord therefore was now engaged to make it known and certain unto all men that the Jews had not stumbled that