Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	church_n	set_v	2,434	5	5.2643	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88695	The persecuted minister, in defence of the ministerie, the great ordinance of Jesus Christ. Setting forth the severall names of Apostles, prophets, &c. [brace] 1. That there is a ministerial office. 2. That the sacrament of baptisme by a lay-person is invalid. 3. That necessity is no plea. 4. That the long omission of the Lords Supper is unwarrantable. With many other things, plainly and methodically handled / by William Langley late of S. Maryes in the city of Lichfield, minister ...	Langley, William, b. 1609 or 10.	1656 (1656)	Wing L408; Thomason E860_4; ESTC R202682	143,990	208

allegorically as Origen some historically as Hierome some morally as Gregory the great some pathetically as Chrysostome some dogmatically as Augustine Thirdly the persons ordained some Apostles c. The Lord hath from time to time raised up instruments and taught the children of men the secrets of his kingdome by men of the like passions its true he can give wisdome without a Teacher maintain life without bread raise up children to Abraham of stones doe more by his absolute power than he will by his actuall But it is his will to make use ordinarily of means to teach Cornelius by Peter Lydia by Paul Paul by Ananias the Eunuch by Philip and every soule that is wise in the doctrine of salvation by Apostles Prophets c. Lat. Confes of Helvetia c. 18. God hath alwaies used his Ministers for the gathering or erecting of a Church to himself c. True it is God can by his power without any means take unto himself a Church amongst men but he had rather deal with men and the ministery of men The Lord useth no Angels in this great work of mans happinesse but men Consultissime autem sapientissime fieri à Deo intelligimus Zanch. confes Ch● relig de Eccl. Milt g●ber quod non per Angelos sed per homines doceat in Ecclesia Christus tam quia libentius sinimus nos à nostri similibus familiaritèr institui quam à longè dissimilis naturae spiritibus cum insolita majestate deceri c. We know saith he it was most wisely and advisedly done of God that Christ should teach in his Church not by Angels but by men both because we can more willingly suffer our selves to be informed familiarly of our equals than to be taught of spirits of a farre differing nature with an unacquainted Majestie and also because we might more easily be deceived of Sathan falsly faining himself to be sent of God and transforming himself to an Angel of light and those surely in our judgment are two not the least causes why the Son of God when he was to fulfill the Office of a Teacher in the Church would be made a man and our brother and familiar like unto us in all things sin onely excepted hence it is that in these last dayes he is said to speak unto us by his Son Nempe jam homine facto In cod loco familiariter in Ecclesia agente Namely being now made man and living familiarly in the Church Bucanus gives severall Reasons why the Lord doth not teach by Himself or by Angels but by Man First Buc. in 42 Com. pl. of the Ministery he provides for our infirmity in choosing such Interpreters Secondly to make triall of our obedience who speaks by such Thirdly that he may declare his favour towards us when he consecrates the mouthes and tongues of men to himself that in them his very voice may sound out unto us Fourthly lest without the outward Word we should expect the hidden Revelations of the Spirit or preaching of Angels Lastly this treasure is in earthly vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4.7 We shall considering the weight of every word in our Text handle the persons therein 1. Severally then Joyntly Apostles To be called by God to the office of Publick teaching and administring the Sacraments Zanch confes Chr. relig de Eccl. Milit. guber is two fold Extraordinary or Ordinary Extraordinary is that which is done by God himself or the Son of God immediatly without the work and Ministerie of man and this is done 3 waies First without using any mans service or suffrage Bucan 42. Com. pl. of the Ministerie but his own voice onely of this sort was the calling of Abraham Moses the Prophets John Baptist and the Apostles Secondly when God useth some but yet as Messengers only shewing the calling and commandment of God so Philip was called by the message of the Angel to baptize the Eunuch Ananias sent to comfort and baptize Paul the Apostle Thirdly by his inward inspiration Of this kinde was the journey of Philip to the City of Samaria Acts 8. Of this sort was the calling of those that preached the Gospel in Phenicia and Cyprus after the scattering of the Churches The 12 Apostles had the aforesaid extraordinary calling not from man or by man but immediately by Christ employed in the highest Ministery of the Church planters of the New Testament amongst the Nations founders of the future edifices of the Church whose doctrine is the canon and rule of all Christian Religion free from corruption of inerrable spirits impowered by the laying on of hands to give the Holy Ghost verst in all Languages else they could not be instrumentall to convert all Lands and having the gifts of miracles which doth ever accompany an extraordinary calling saith Mayer Mayer Jam 3. Doct. 3. else how should men know they were sent of God But Zanchy thinks Miracles not alwaies necessary to an extraordinary call Zanch rel●g Christi de Eccl. Mil. guber Neque enim credimus ad hujus generis Ministrorum vocationem Ministeriúmque confirmandum semper opus esse miraculis cum neque omnium Prophetarum c. We doe not believe that there is alwaies need of Miracles to confirm the calling and Ministerie of this kinde of Ministers sith we read not that the sending of all the Prophets was confirmed by miracles but onely by the Spirit of God and zeal of his glory wherewith they burned c. had the Apostles done no Miracles yet their very preaching was not without Miracle probatur Deus per Apostolos God was exceedingly glorified by such mean poor rude men and out of the mouthes of these babes and sucklings God ordained praise Leo serm 1. de pen. We may see Vbi Deus Magister est quàm citò discitur quod docetur Where God is the Tutour the lesson is soon taught such instruments as these God thought fit to lay the foundation by but employed ordinary ones for the building of the walls and of the roof Now this extraordinary calling singular endowments and miraculous actings of the Apostles are not patterns and presidents for us The Church of God is not now to make use of illiterate men unfit unqualified relying on Enthusiasms and Revelations for the same Christ that elected these by the pen of his Apostle in that excellent Epistle to Timothy which Hierom calleth Speculum Sacerdotii as the whole Scripture is Speculum Christianismi sets down some directions for the choice of a Pastor 1 Tim 3.2 he must be sober vigilant of good behaviour apt to teach it is not enough to be holy and well-learned and so climb into the Pulpit and preach but he must have an outward ordination by the imposition of hands 1 Tim. 4.14 God doth not in these daies so enthusiastically inspire men but sets them 1st to be Cisterns in the Universities

apply the Word of God to the benefit of the Church privately and publickly by praying exhorting reproving informing comforting and watching day and night for the salvation of the flock and Teachers are such as Catechumenos presertim instituere as you heard before as for Calvin Calv. in Eph. 4. I finde much modesty in his opinion who is not peremptory but concludes meo judicio Pastores ergo sunt meo judicio quibus cerei gregis cura commissa est quibus doctorum nomen attribui non displicet modo interim sciamus alterum esse Doctorum genus qui tam formandis Pastoribus quam erudiendae toti Ecclesiae praesunt non quin idem interdum Pastor esse queat qui Doctor est sed quia facultates sunt diversae Pastors saith Bucanus are such as are lawfully called 42. Com. lo. de Minis and placed over one flock or Church doe preach Gods Word and in preaching doe not simply explain it but by teaching admon●shing reproving correcting informing exhorting and comforting doe publickly and privately apply it to the use of the Church and besides doe labour in the administration of the Sacraments conceiving publick prayers and with their Consistory are watchfull to take away offences and to govern the Church Doctors are they who applied themselves to the faithfull and plain interpretation of the Scriptures and to rule Ecclesiastical Schools to the end that sincere doctrine might be kept in the Church or they who only explained the Word of God to deliver true doctrine and confute false Such were the Catechizers as Origen in the Church of Alexandria and Clemens and the like Ambrose saith Ambr●n Eph 4. ● that by Apostles are meant Bishops by Prophets Interpreters of the Scriptures and by Evangelists Deacons But to this Calvin answereth that in the Commentary of S. Ambrose Calv in loc there are many things Nimis puerilia indigna Ambrosio Childish and not becomming Ambrose Pastors and Teachers saith Theophylact are Presbyters and Deacons Theophil in loc Now as some make a difference betwixt these two so others conceive that there are divers names of one Office otherwise S. Paul would have distinguished as he did the rest some Pastors August Chrys Muse Whug Bull Piscator Hier. Lombard Anselme Ruth of Elders Epist praefix oper August aug de Giv 't lib ●8 cap 43. Hier advers Ruff. tom 2. sol 22. some Teachers and not joyn them together Pastors and Teachers Of this opinion is Augustine Chrysostome Musculus Whitgift in defence of his Answer to the Admonition fol. 234. Bullinger and Piscator in loc Hierome Lombard Anselme and why not It is granted that these Offices may meet in one person and he that is gifted for both may attend both Augustine was so wonderfully beautified with the gifts of the Spirit that Erasmus said all the good parts of a good Bishop were found in him Hierome was homo doctissimus omnium trium linguarum peritus Hilary for his eloquence was styled the Trumpet of the Latine Tongue Vincentius L●rinensis saith of Tertullian Cujus quot pene verba tot sententiae sunt Quot sensus tot victoriae What need I name the rest of the Fathers in their Age the salt of the earth and the light of the world See Magdeburg Cap 10. in every Century apud Magdeb cent 3. col 242. So Martin Luther Philip Melancthon Pet. Martyr Bishop Jewell and other true Prophets in our time were so much adorned with all kinde of knowledge that all the world not blinded by the Prince of darknesse might easily perceive they were sent and separated unto their calling by God Now in this variety of opinion it is too much boldnesse to determine as Zanchy in a like case so I may Quis obsecro ego sim qui tot tantisque doctoribus in tali hujus scripturae interpretatione quae neque vim facit contextui neque cum aliis scripturis neque analogia fidei pugnat neque ulla secum affert absurda contradicere audeam aut debeam Who I pray am that I should dare or that I ought to gainsay so many and so learned men in such an exposition of this Scripture which neither doth any whit wrest the text nor contradict any other Scripture nor is against the Analogie of faith nor bringeth with it any absurdity How doe Pastors and Doctors differ from Apostles Quest Prophets and Evangelists Nothing at all in respect of the Essential parts of the Ministery Answ which are the sincere preaching of the Word the administration of the Sacraments and correction of manners But in respect of things peculiar and personal which were given properly to the Apostles alone they differ much As Prophecie by singular Revelation discerning of Spirits the gift of Tongues and of doing of several Miracles and the like It may be here demanded whether these forementioned Offices are to continue in the Church Quest Some are of opinion as Calvin Beza and Zanchy Answ that by Apostles Prophets and Evangelists S Paul olds out an Extraordinary calling and temporary and by Pastors and Teachers that which is ordinary and continual Defence of his Answ to their Admonition fol 219. and must remain in the Church till the end of the World But I humbly conceive otherwise herein treading in the steps of that Rever●nd Father Archbishop Whitgift who writing against the Schismaticks of his Age proves out of this present Text that those degrees of Ministers must in some sort remain till the worlds end Some things in the Apostles were temporary and to remain for a time Proper to them alone as 1. Prophesie by singular Revelation 2. Discerning of Spirits 3. The gift of Tongues and working Miracles the giving of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands 4. The testimony of the Spirit that they should not erre 5. Their immediate calling and general Commission all which ceased with their cause and was not passed over to their heirs their successours but to preach the Gospel of Christ as they did and to administer the Sacraments was perpetual to their heirs The Ministers whose office is to preach and use all means possible for the good of the people 2 Cor. 8.23 their Office ceased not in regard of their Doctrine and Ministery to which the Church is perpetually obliged Men ordinarily called are Pastors of the Catholick Church but not Catholick Pastors of the Church as were the Apostles Secondly Prophets if taken in a strict sense for fore-telling things and prophecying of the Messias Their Office was temporary the Law and the Prophets was but untill John But if taken in a large sense for interpreting the Scriptures and unfolding the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 14.4 so it is perpetual and must remain for ever in the Church Thirdly for the Office of the Evangelists if taken for the writing of a Gospel it s ceased but if for preaching of the Gospel it is perpetual 2 Tim. 4.5 there must be a watering

their arms to strip them naked and bare to shew their own emptinesse and nothingness Oh! how many are there that preach Faction not Religion that cry up Michaël not Christ that study State-affairs not Gospel that catch at popular applause and rather hunt themselves into fame than souls into Heaven Se praedicantes non Christum Preaching themselves not Jesus Christ Divinity by too many is made a shift to dig they are too lazie to beg ashamed and therefore shark a living out of the Church This is not the end why God hath placed these Officers in the Church but to be faithful and powerfull in the discharge of their duty The onely thing that should be desired by a Pastor is the weal and benefit of his flock for if the mark whereat we look be but to make our commodity by the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherein doe we differ from thieves and robbers This is that whereof the Lord complains so grievously by his Prophets The Priests teach for hire the Prophets prophesie for money yet will they leane upon the Lord and say Is not the Lord among us And again these shepheards cannot understand they all look to their own way every one for his advantage and for his own purpose Moses blessing Levi before his death saith first They shall teach Jacob thy judgments and Israel thy Law they shall put incense before thy faece and then addeth Blesse O Lord his substance accept the work of his hands As if he should have said So long as Levi and his Sons doe not seek their own commodity but thy glory thou art righteous and canst not forget to provide in large manner both for them and theirs A third end is the edifying of the body of Christ this concerns such as are to be called and converted The gifts of the Spirit are given to every man to edifie withall 1 Cor. 12.7 Positi estis dispensatores sed in aedificationem non in destructionem aliter non fidelis dispensatio sed crudelis dissipatio saith Bernard Ye are placed for edification and not the destruction of any It is true the word proveth the savour of death to death but that is accidentally and not the proper work of it whilest we seek to win your soules to God give us the hearing otherwise it is not possible our doctrine should tend to edification Christ delivers to the people a parable of the Sower and of the seed Some fell by the way side and it was troden down some fell upon a rock and assoon as it was sprung up it withered away And so Luke 8. beginning at the 4th verse this Christ uttereth for their edification but observe the latter part of the 8th verse When he had said these things he cryed He that hath eares to hear let him hear he cryed not onely to manifest his affection but our dulnesse he is not said to cry above four or five times in all his life He cryed as he taught in the Temple John 7.38 He cryed when he raised Lazarus from the dead John 11.43 He cryed John 12.44 He cryed on the Crosse Mat. 27. at which time he delivered matter of great consequence So here this expression being upon a cry must not lightly be respected of us Men have 2 Feet but scarcely one to walke in the way of God 2 Eyes but scarcely one to see the things of God 2 Hands but scarcely one to work in his Vineyard 2 Ears but scarcely one to hear the word of God A good ear saith the Wiseman will hearken unto wisdome whence observe two things First that we hearken unto nothing but that which is good unto wisdome Secondly that we hearken unto it gladly with a great desire to learn for in Scripture phrase obaudire is obedire So Christ in the Gospel Luke 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me that is He that obeyeth you obeyeth me and He that despiseth you despiseth me If we would make our Election sure we must not begin à priori but à posteriori such as with a good heart hear the Word of God and keep it and bring forth fruit shall inherit the kingdome of God but it shall be taken away and be of no benefit to those that are carelesse and fruitlesse Now that you may edifie and profit hear Gods word frequent the publick Ordinances wait at the gates of wisdomes house Prov. 8.34 35. Lay your Noses open to the sweet savour of Life your Eyes unto the Day starre that is sprung from on high and your Ears unto the voice of the wise Charmer Doe not as some desire to know that they may onely know which is curiosity or that they might be known which is vanity but ro edifie and better your selves which is true wisdome Audiatis ut sciatis saith Bernard sciatis ut aedificemini hoc integritas est ut aedificetis hoc charitas est Hear to know know to edifie your selves this is integrity to edifie others this is charity Secondly that thou mayest edifie pray fervently that the Lord would shew thee his waies and teach thee his paths If any man saith the Apostle lack wisdome Jam. 1.5 let him aske c. Thirdly Read much and meditate the sacred Scriptures as the affections are most moved by hearing so the judgment is best informed by reading Reade meditate pray and contemplate reading enquireth meditation findeth prayer requesteth and contemplation tasteth Fourthly that thou mayest edifie lay aside prejudice and malice guile envy and heare the word as a new-born babe the smell possest with Rue cannot sent the Rose the tast infected with gall imagineth all morsels bitter It is a Rule in Philosophy Nothing receives any thing but which is empty of all other things of a contrary nature the Eare must be empty of all sounds the Tast of all savours the Eye of all colours before there can be entertainment given to a new object certainly he hath a most wicked heart that dares come into Gods presence and carp at his Word that cometh with an intention to lye at catch Keep thy foot when thou goest saith Solomon to the house of God and be more ready c. Eccles 5.1 By feet he means the affections there is Oris custodia Prov. 13.3 The mouth wants keeping David prayes God Psal 141. to set a watch before it There is Cordis custodia Prov. 4.23 the heart needs keeping too There is Manuum custodia Esa 56.2 The hands doe often what they should not All the parts of the body yea the powers of the soul are in the phrase of Scripture meant by the feet yea all our actions Take notice that that which cures thee doth not alwaies please thee thou nauseatest that Physick that would doe thee most good doe not sequester thy Pastor because he would sequester thee from thy hypocrisie doe not thrust him out of his vineyard because he bringeth thee sowre grapes and sharp wine of reproofs doe not cast upon him false imputations because

and speak proudly and presumptuously against the Messengers of God This is a common disease and plague of this Nation that in every Town and City the people are as they that rebuke the Priests That impudent and insolent claim is made ordinary in these daies With our tongues we will prevail for our lips are our own no calling or degree is free from such I shall conclude at this time That the disgraces of Gods Prophets be they in word or in deed are alwaies rewarded with Gods judgments The boyes of Bethel that scoffed at Elisha were rent in pieces with Bears 2 Kings 2. The mockers of his Messengers doe hale down on their own heads the wrath even the remedilesse wrath of the Lord 2 Chro. 36.16 The disgraces done to them the Lord accounts as done to himself Numb 16.8 What are we your murmurings are not against us but against the Lord. David accounted the abuse offered to his Messengers as a dishonour to himself 2 Sam. 10.5 And our Saviour saith He that desp seth you despiseth me c. Luke 10.16 They ought to be had in honour and estimation because of their message They bring the glad tydings of salvation and how beautifull are their feet c I speak this to the shame of such that have no more reckoning of their Ministers than the Aegyptians of their Sheepherds Gen. 46.34 Every Sheep-keeper was an abomination to the Aegyptians These like the Devil will smite Job's servants when he cannot smite Job himself The Jewes will scoffingly say Is not this the Carpenter's Son Many will make use of any thing that may disgrace them but not consider them in the worthinesse of their calling in the weight of their message or in any thing that may adde to their commendation I leave such as the mothes of a mans name and fame the Cankerworms of the Church the disturbers of peace and enemies of God and goodnesse who durst they would aswell shoot out their black tongues against God as against his servants CHAP. IV. 1 Cor. 4.1 Contains the Respect Ministers ought to be of amongst Christians which consists 1. in carefull attention and diligent hearkening to their doctrine 2. In the Reverend estimation of their persons 3. In their provision and maintenance 4. In standing by them and with them helping and encouraging them LEt a man so account of us as the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of c. The primitive Christians did cleave unto the Apostles and were greatly affected to them Gal. 4.14 Ye received me saith S. Paul as an Apostle of God even as Christ Jesus This is a duty the Scripture enjoyns as there is a duty from a Wife to Husband from Servant to Master from Subject to Superiour so from a People to their Minister 1 Thes 5.12 so 1 Tim. 5.17 The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour c. Many in all their life-time never make any reckoning of them till pain grief and sicknesse enforce them and then they must be sent for and entreated for counsel and advice direction and prayer and whom they never loved living they seem to have respect to dying thus the Athenians dealt with Themistocles they used him as he saith of himself like a tree in fair weather little regarded but in a storm fled to for shelter God did give honour to the builders of his material Tabernacle in calling them by name Exod 35.30 Barker and they doe dishonour the builders of his spiritual Temple in calling them out of their name You know that in respect of themselves they have a Commission from God and being commissionated they are not to be slighted though the person be mean of himself his Commission gives him worth And again in respect of themselves they are to be respected for were it not for the Ministery you would be debarred of the glad tydings of salvation be never shipt with Christ in Baptisme sayle with him in the pinnace of the Church nor anchor at the haven of happinesse When the Lord would brand the Israelites with a mark of the greatest reproach as I said before he saith Thy people are as they that rebuke the Priest Hos 4.4 They were grown so insolent and impudent in their sins that they durst defend them against their Reprovers and speak proudly and presumptuously against the Messengers of God and therefore the Lord sets down the greatnesse of their sin The people are as they that rebuke the Priest Now this reverence and esteem due to the Ministers of the Gospel consists in four things Reverence to the Minist consists in four things 1. In carefull attention and diligent hearkening to their doctrine with Ruth gleaning the ears of corn which the Labourers in Gods harvest let fall watching daily at Wisdomes gate and waiting at the posts of her door Prov. 8.34 accounting every precept promise every piece and parcel of Gods Word sweet and delightfull digesting the bitter pills of reproof and thunderings of the Law aswell as the cordials and calm voice of the Gospel Whatsoever precept they command and enjoyn obedience to whatsoever vice they reprove and would have forsaken whatsoever duty they exhort to and would have followed in all obey them and submit your selves for they watch for your souls Heb. 13.17 God Almighty sendeth Labourers into his vineyard some plough up the fallow ground and sow wheat in the Lords field some binde up the broken-hearted powre oyle into their wounds some pipe the harmonious musick of the Gospel and others mourn by the terrours of the Law yet none of these means can allure many to hearken and attend to the things of God You are to hear our voice not as the word of man but as indeed the Word of God 1 Thes 2.13 Christ said of the Pharisees Mat. 23.3 Quae dicunt facite doe as they say but not as they doe Dicunt enim quae Dei sunt faciunt quae sua sunt saith Saint Augustine they doe their own works but speak the Lords Word and therefore so long as the Preachers deliver the wholsome words of the Lord Jesus you must entertain them and their message as the Angels of God He that commeth into the publick place to entrap the Minister and carp at his word commeth to affront and abuse the King of Kings and Lord of Lords whose Servants they are and whose message they bear He that is of God saith Christ heareth Gods word Joh. 8.47 and you hear them not because ye are not of God you see the cause why they hear not because they are not of God As men and women they were of God his off-spring but as malitious and envious so of the Devil A like expression S. John hath 1 Joh. 4.6 He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us By this Rule saith Hemyngius examine thy self whether thou be Gods childe or the Devils servant he that with a good will and honest heart heareth Gods Word hath