Part 1

Transcriber's Note

The text includes a large number of marginal notes that are printed in small font and are sometimes unclear. They have been converted into footnotes or (if they comprise general descriptions of a passage) into sidenotes. A footnote may refer to the following, rather than preceding, word or phrase. If so the footnote anchor has been positioned accordingly.

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Apparent typographical errors, and inconsistencies in hyphenation, have been corrected. Superscripts and one word in spaced-out text have been rendered in ordinary font. Small capitals have been converted to ordinary capitals. Italics are indicated by _underscores_.

Greek accents are often unclear and (apart from rough-breathing marks) have been omitted.

The error noted at the end of the text has been incorporated.

A VINDICATION OF THE

Presbyteriall-Government,

AND MINISTRY:

TOGETHER,

With an Exhortation, to all the Ministers, Elders, and People, within the Bounds of the Province of LONDON, whether joyning with Us, or separating from Us.

_Published, By the Ministers, and Elders, met together in a Provinciall Assembly_, Novemb. 2d. 1649.

Wherein, amongst other things, these ensuing particulars are contained:

1. _That there is a Church-Government, by_ Divine Right. 2. _That the_ Magistrate, _is not the_ Fountain _of_ Church-Government. 3. _That the_ Presbyterial-Government, _is by_ Divine Right. 4. _The_ Inconveniencies _of the_ Congregationall-_way_. 5. _That the_ Ruling-Elder _is by_ Divine Right. 6. _That it is the will of_ Jesus Christ, _that all sorts of persons should give an account of their_ Faith, _to the_ Minister, _and_ Elders, _before admission to the_ Lords Supper; _together with_ Answers, _to the usuall_ Objections _made against it_. 7. Directions _to the_ Elders _for the right managing of their_ Office. 8. Directions _to such as are admitted to the_ Lords Supper, _for the right sanctifying of_ Gods Name, _in that_ Ordinance, & _for their carriage one towards another_. 9. Rules _to preserve_ People, _from the_ Errours _of these_ Times. 10. _That_ Separation _from our_ Churches, _is justly charged with_ Schisme. 11. _That_ Ministers _formerly ordained by_ Bishops, _need no new_ Ordination. 12. _The Necessity and usefulness of_ Catechizing.

Licensed, Entred, and Printed according to Order.

_London_, Printed for _C. Meredith_, at the _Crane_ in _Pauls_ Church-yard, 1650.

_It hath been the chief stratagem of the adversaries of the Church, in all Ages, to erect a_ throne _for themselves, in the hearts of people, by casting reproaches and slanders upon the_ Doctrine, Government, _and_ Godly Ministers _of_ Jesus Christ. _In the old Testament, when the Jewes came first out of_ Babylon, _and began to build the second Temple of_ Jerusalem, _their enemies most falsly, and maliciously, suggested to King_ Artaxerxes, [1]That the City of Jerusalem, was a rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings and Provinces, and that they had moved sedition within the same, of old time, _&c._ _And thereby caused the work of the house of God, to cease for many years. And in the New Testament, when the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven in a most miraculous manner, for the_ solemn inauguration of Christian Religion; _and when the Apostles were filled with the_ Holy Spirit, _even then, they were charged to be_ full of new wine. _And in after-times, the slanderous accusations of the_ Heathen _Idolaters against the_ Christians, _are observed to have been one of the chiefest causes of the_ ten bloudy Persecutions, _raised up against them by the_ Romane Emperours. _And this was that which forced the Godly-learned of those days, to write_ Apologies, _in defence of_ Christians, and Christian Religion.[2]

_To come neerer to our own times; when the Protestant Religion began to be re-established (after the bloudy times of Queen_ Mary) _it was loaded with so many infamous lyes, and malicious falsities, That_ Reverend and learned Jewell, _was compelled to write an_ Apologie[3] _for it; for which, he will be famous in the Churches, to all Posterity. And even in our dayes, when it pleased God, out of his infinite goodness, to lay a_ foundation _of a glorious_ Reformation in Church-Discipline, _in this Kingdom, and to raise up the hearts of many_ Godly Ministers, _and others, to contribute their utmost help for the perfecting of it, Then did a Generation of men rise up, who made it their great design to pour out flouds of reproaches, and calumnies, upon both Government, and Ministers. First, they represent the Government unto the people, as_ absolutely destructive _unto the_ civill State, _to the_ liberties _both of their soules and bodies, and as unsufferable in a_ free Kingdom. _And then the_ Ministers _that assert it, as men that seek to ingross_ all power _into their own hands, as the chief_ Incendiaries _of Church and State, and as the causes of all the miseries, that have of late years come upon the three Kingdoms._

_And therefore, We,_ Ministers and Elders _met together, by the Authority of Parliament, in the Provincial Assembly of the Province of_ London, _considering with our selves, what way we might be serviceable in this great work of_ Reformation, _have thought it our duties to wipe off those_ foul aspersions, _that are cast upon it, and upon those who have been active for it; and to dispel the mists and fogs, which have so long darkened the glorious Sun-shine of this blessed Reformation._

_And because we also find, that there are many, who doubt, whether there be any particular_ Church-government _prescribed in the Word; and if so, whether it be the_ Presbyterial, _or_ Congregationall. _And others that question the lawfulness of_ Ruling-Elders, _and of their joynt power, with the_ Minister, _to examine those that are admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; Therefore, we have also thought it most necessary for us to search into the Word, and to deliver our judgments in all these particulars._

_And further, because we observe with grief of heart, that sin and iniquity abounds, and many separate from our Congregations, and run head-long into heretical, and soul-damning opinions; And those that do joyn with us in the_ Presbyteriall Government, _both Ministers, Elders, and People, meet with many discouragements, and may (possibly) grow faint, and weary and neglective of their duties: Therefore, We have also thought our selves obliged, to our_ Vindication, _to adde an_ Exhortation, _unto all Ministers, Elders, and People, within the bounds of our Province, whether joyning with us, or separating from us_.

_The work (we acknowledge) is very weighty, and difficult; and the times wherein we live, are very perillous, in which men are made_ Offenders for a word; _Provincial Assemblies (as now constituted) are new, and strange with us, weak in power, and of no repute with many; suspected by some, as likely to prove prejudiciall to the Kingdom; and by others, to the liberty of Congregations. And the judgments and consciences of most people, are so prepossessed with prejudices and self-interest, as that we cannot but expect, that this_ our first expression of our selves, _will meet with much opposition, and contradiction. Some will not vouchsafe to read it; Others will read it, and contemn it; Others will mock and scoff at it. But our comfort is, the Testimony of our Consciences. That the grounds of this our present undertaking, are neither_ pragmaticalness of spirit, _nor to_ vent _our own_ spleen, _in aspersing others; nor_ affectation of domination _over others; nor to blow the Trumpet to new troubles. But our ends and ayms, herein, sincerely are_, That the truths of Christ may be vindicated, the Government of the Lord Jesus advanced, the power of Godliness exalted, the credit of the Godly Ministry repaired, the unity of the Spirit gained, and kept in the bond of peace, That our Congregations may be purged, purity of Ordinances promoted, divisions healed, breaches made up, stumbling blocks removed; That those who stand may be established, the weak & feeble strengthened, the seduced may be converted from the errour of their wayes and repent, to the acknowledgment of the truth; That languishing gifts and graces, may be quickened and increased; That a through Reformation (according to our solemn Covenant) may be really endeavoured; That no means of edification, may by Us be neglected; That we may keep our selves pure from the bloud of all men: That the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour may be inlarged, and God in all things glorified.

_We confess, it is hardly possible, to wipe off the dirt cast upon us, but some of it will necessarily light upon those that cast it; (and it is fit, that they, that unjustly besmear others, should have their own filthiness impartially discovered) yet notwithstanding, we have purposely avoided, as much as may be, all personall reflections, and have waved the answering of some objections made against us, lest in answering to them, we should give occasion, to those that seek occasion. And we doubt not (however others may be transported with passion, or prejudice) but this endeavour of ours, which so much concerns the preservation of Religion, Truth, Godliness, and Ministry from ruine and destruction, will be acceptable, to all sober, and unbyassed Christians._

_We shall begin with our_ Vindication, _and therein first assert Church-Government, by Divine Right; and then clear up the_ Presbyteriall Government, _and_ Ministry; _and represent them unto you, in their native colours; and afterwards proceed to our_ Exhortation.

The VINDICATION.

The externall Government and Discipline of _Christ_, (though it be not necessary to the being, yet it) is absolutely necessary to the well-being of a Church: So necessary, as that we cannot but be deeply affected with grief and sorrow, when we consider how long the through setling of it hath been delayed, (notwithstanding the Covenant we have taken, with hands lifted up to heaven, to endeavor a reformation in point of Discipline) and cannot but conceive it to be one chief reason of all the miseries that are now upon us; because those that have been in Authority amongst us, have laboured to build their own houses, and have suffered the house of God to lye waste. If _Nehemiah_ sate down and wept, and mourned certain days, because the _wall of Jerusalem was broken down_, &c. Much more have we cause to mourn, that the _wall of Zion is not yet reared up_; for as a _City without walls_, _a Sea without banks_, _a vineyard without a hedge_, so is a Church without Discipline, and he that shall consider the multitude of Heresies and Blasphemies, the abundance of iniquities and abominations, that have crowded into the Church, whilest this wall hath been unbuilt, and this hedge unmade; cannot but take up the lamentation of _David_[4], though with a little difference,----_Why hast thou suffered thy Vineyard to be without a hedge, so that all they which do passe by pluck her. The Boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild Beasts of the field devour it. Return, we beseech thee, O Lord of Hosts; look down from Heaven, and behold and visit this Vine, and the Vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thy self_, &c. And likewise to pray the prayer of the same Prophet in another place[5], _Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion, and build thou the walls of Jerusalem_.

The differences, we confess, about this wall, are very many, and so many, as that it would require a large Volume to treat of them; and it cannot be denyed, but these differences have been the great apple of strife for these many years: And although it be our design (as we have said) to heal and make up the breaches of this wofully divided Church, and not to widen and increase them; yet notwithstanding, we cannot without prejudice to the truth, to our selves, and to our respective Congregations, but give the world some short account of _two opinions_ about Church-Government.

There are some, that although they have taken a _Covenant_, to endeavour the Reformation of the _Church_ in Discipline, according to the _Word_, yet are not afraid to say; That there is _no particular Church-Government_ set down in the _Word_; that the _Christian Magistrate_ is the _Fountain_ of all _Church-power_, and that to assert a _jus divinum_ of _Church-Government_, is _destructive_ to all political Government. Now though this Opinion prevail much with _State-Divines_, and with Christians that study _worldly-policy_, more then _Scripture simplicity_; And though it be likely (if God prevent not) to swallow up in a short time, all other Opinions about _Church Government_: And though the asserting of a _jus divinum_ in _Church-Discipline_, be with some men, _the only heresie not to be tolerated_, and more hated, then the _abomination of desolation_, standing in the holy place, was by the Jews; yet notwithstanding, we hold it our duties, especially in these times, to make it known to all our respective Congregations.

1. _That Jesus Christ, as King and Head of his Church, hath appointed a particular Government in his Church._

2. _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the originall of Church Government._ Which two particulars, we shall endeavour with great brevity and perspicuity, to make out unto all unprejudiced Christians. And first.

1. _That there is a particular Church-Government by divine right_: not that we think, that every _circumstance_ in _Church Government_ is set down precisely in the _Word_, or is of _divine right_ in a strict sence: But this we say, That the _substantials and essentials_, are recorded particularly in the Word by Christ, the King of his Church, and are unalterable by any State whatsoever; And that the _circumstantials_ are set down under generall rules, sufficient for the ordering of them; and that therefore, even they also in a large sence may be said to be of a _divine right_. Now this we shall endeavour to prove by these ensuing Arguments.

1. _From the fulness, and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures._ The _Apostle Paul_ saith, that his first Epistle to _Timothy_[6], was written, _To teach him how to behave himself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth_. And in his second Epistle[7] he tels us; _That the holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works_. Now to know how to govern the Church, is one of the great works that belong to the Minister: And therefore, to say, that this is not recorded in Scripture, is to make the holy Scripture a rule _defective, and ineffectuall for the end for which it was written_, and to cast a very great _reproach and dishonour upon it_. And surely, if some substantiall parts of Church-Government, are exprest in the Word (as few will deny) then (as we conceive) all of them of necessity must be expressed, or else the Word should not be able to attain its end; which to affirm, is no small errour: And for our parts, we cannot conceive any reason to induce us to believe, that the _Holy Ghost_ should set down in the Word, some of the _substantials of Church-Goverment_, as binding and unalterable unto the end of the World, and leave other things as _substantiall_ as they, _arbitrary and alterable_, according to the will and pleasure of the _Christian Magistrate_.

2. _From the excellency of the Kingly Office of Jesus Christ_; For _Christ Jesus_ is the only _King_ of his Church, governing it not only inwardly, and invisibly, by the working of his Spirit; but outwardly also, and visibly, as it is a visible, politicall, and ministeriall body, in which he hath appointed his own proper [8]_Ambassadors_, [9]_Assemblies_, [10]_Lawes_, [11]_Ordinances_, and [12]_Censures_, to be administred in his name, and according to his own way. As a King of this politicall and ministeriall Church, he _breathed on his Disciples, and said, Receive the Holy Ghost, whose sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose sins ye retain, they are retained_. As a King of this visible Church, he said unto his Apostles, _All power is given to me in Heaven, and in Earth; Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world_. As a King of the same Church, he gave gifts to men, when he ascended up to heaven, [13]_some to be Apostles, some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers_. As a King, he now sits at Gods right hand, and is made Head over all things to his Church; which Church is called the house of God; and who should appoint Orders for the Government of the House, but the _Lord of the house_? And to say, that he hath not ordained how his house should be governed, is [14]to make the Master less faithfull in his own house, then his Servant _Moses_ was; which Church is _Christs Vineyard_, _Christs Garden_, and can we think Christ so negligent, as not to appoint a hedge to fence his Vineyard, and a wall to preserve his Garden? which Church is a spirituall _Republique_. And shall we deny that to _Christ_ in the Government of his Kingdome, which we grant unto all Earthly _Monarchs_? Shall we say, That Christ hath ordained no Laws, by which his Kingdome shall be governed; no Censures, by which his rebellious subjects shall be punished; no Officers to dispence those censures? This is a high defamation to Jesus Christ, and his _Kingly Office_.

3. _From the immediate, and proper end of Church Government_, which is not only matter of order and decency, but spiritual and supernatural, being appointed for the [15]_Edification of the body of Christ in grace unto glory_; and more particularly, for the _gaining of an offending brother unto repentance, and for the saving of his soul in the day of the Lord Jesus_. Now this is a certain rule, _whatsoever hath a spiritual efficacy, must of necessity have a divine originall_; _humane institutions_ can but produce humane effects: And therefore, seeing Church Government is designed for divine and supernaturall ends, it must of necessity, plead its originall from God himself.

4. We argue from an enumeration of the substantials of Church-Government. The Word of God declares unto us, That there are _Church-officers_, and who they are, _viz._, [16]_Pastors and Teachers_, [17]_Ruling-Elders, and_ [18]_Deacons_; And how they are to be [19]_qualified_ for, and [20]_externally called_ unto their respective Offices, together with all the Ministerial duties in those Offices, by them to be performed respectively; as [21]_publike prayer_, the _Ministry of the Word_, [22]_by reading and_ [23]_preaching_, the [24]blessing of the people in the name of the Lord, [25]_Administration of the Sacraments_, [26]_Censures_ and [27]distribution of Alms. The Scripture also tells us of a [28]Church, consisting of no more then can conveniently meet in one place to partake in all the Ordinances of publike Worship: and of [29]a Church consisting of divers congregations. The Scripture also speaks of [30]Synods, with Ecclesiasticall Authority, together with the [31]subordination of the lesser, to the greater, and appeals thereunto. Now all these are the substantials of Church Government, and are sufficiently set down in the Word, as may partly appear by the quotations in the Margent, and shall further appear by what we shall say afterwards. And more then these, and such as are necessarily included in these, are not (as we humbly conceive) substantials in the outward Government of the Church. The rest are circumstantialls, for which Christ hath given general rules sufficient to direct the Church in the ordering of them, and from which therefore she may not depart. These rules are set down, 1 Cor. 14.26, 40. _Let all things be done unto edifying, decently and in order_, 1 Cor. 10.31, 32. _Do all to the glory of God_, &c. Rom. 14.19. _Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace_, &c.

The second thing, which with the like brevity and perspicuity, we shall endeavour to evidence unto you, is, _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the Fountain and Origin of Church-Government_. The former assertion, gave unto _God_, the things which were _Gods_; and this doth not at all take away from _Cæsar_, the things that are _Cæsars_: For we freely acknowledg, that _Magistracy_ is an _Ordinance of God_, appointed for the great good of mankind; so that, whoever are enemies to _Magistracy_, are enemies to _mankind_, and [32]to the _revealed Will of God_. We desire to hold up the honour and greatness, the power and authority of lawful Magistracy, against Papists, Anabaptists, and all others, that despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. We say, that the Magistrate is, in a civil notion, the supream Governor in all causes Ecclesiastical; the [33]keeper of both tables; [34]the nursing father of the Church: [35]that it belongs to him, by his Political power, to reform the Church, when corrupted; to preserve it, when reformed; to suppresse blasphemy, idolatry, heresie, schisme, and prophanenesse, and whatsoever is contrary to godlinesse and sound doctrine; that the people under him, may lead a quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty. [36]That he is sent of God for the punishment of evil doers (amongst which, are heretiques, as well as others, and therefore called evil workers; and heresies, evil deeds, _Phil._ 3.2. 2 ep. _Joh._ ver. 11.) and for the praise of them that do well. That he is the [37]_Bishop of those things that are without the Church; as_ Constantine _stiled himself_. That to him belongs to punish Church-Officers, with civil punishments, when they abuse their power; and to give protection to the publique exercise of Church-Government, within his dominions.

But yet, notwithstanding all this, we affirm, That though the Magistrate be a _nursing father_ of the _Church_, yet he is not the _begetting father_; That the _Magistrate_, as a _Magistrate_, is no _Church-Officer_, neither are the keyes of the Kingdom of heaven committed unto him. Neither did Christ ever say to the _Kings of the Earth; whose sins you remit, shall be remitted; and whose sins you retain, shall be retained; and whatsoever you shall binde on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven._ Neither is the offended brother directed to tell the civil Magistrate, but to tell the Church. Neither doth it belong to him to preach the Word, or to administer the Sacraments. Neither is he, as a Magistrate, seated by Christ in his Church, but is to be subject to the Church in all spiritual things, as a member thereof. Neither is it in his power to appoint what Government he please in the Church; no more then what Religion he please. And this we prove:

1. Because _Jesus Christ_ (as hath been already shewed) hath appointed a _particular Church-Government in his Word_, to be observed by all Kingdoms and States immutably, and unalterably, for the substantials of it.