To all the MEMBERS of the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES at Westminster be grace and wisdom multiplyed, to the inabling you to the right understanding of all Truths.
IN discharge of the dispensation of the Gospel of God committed to my trust, I desire, that both you and I may comfortably meet together before the Lord Jesus Christ at his appearing, and be able to deliver up our accounts at last of our stewardship with joy, and not with sorrow at that day; and that we may keep our Covenant made with God and his People in making such a Reformation in the Church as shall be according to the Word of God. Now I beseech you leane to an examination of your Propositions proposed to the high Court of Parliament, and examine you them again, and what in them ye find not to be agreeable to the Word, I desire you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to correct for the truth, and for the Church sake, and for the comfort of your own souls.
First, I desire you to examine all those particulars concerning the Evangelist as stated in my Letter, dated Aug. 21. The Evangelist being the first ordinary Church Officer and Office.
In the Propositions the Evangelist is placed before the Prophet, which is indeed an extraordinary monster, and the other but an ordinary.
1. Which is contrary to the form of sound words, Ephes. 4.11. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors.
2. Against the expresse command of Christ, who commands us to hold fast the form of sound words: 2 Tim. 1.13. God requires we should be faithfull in little as well as in much.
3. It is ag [...]inst the expresse order and institution of Christ, to the subversion of the Gospel government; he having instituted Prophets to be second▪ Evangelist to be of the third, Who is now taken from his fellows, and placed above his betters. Luk. 14.8, 9, 10.
4. If you do it not, you will all lye lyable to be excepted against; [Page 3] nor shall we who have covenanted to make a Reformation according to the Word of God, keep our Covenant with God we have made with him, if I and you in our severall places indeavour it not, nor with Gods people.
2 Thing pertaining to the Evangelist considerable in the Propositions is, that they are ceased with the Apostles and Prophets, the Prophets and Apostles cease in their personall presence, but their ministery there spoken of ceaseth not in the Church, Ephes. 4.13. They are to be untill we all come to the unity of the faith which is to the end. For as the Jews had Moses and the Prophets in their Church, so have we the Apostles and the Prophets in our Church, Luke 16.29. compared with Ephes. 2.20. As for the Evangelist the Officer in question, hath been thrust out a long time out of the Church by Antichrist, hauing had no manner of ministery therein at all a long time, and so of these three onely and indeed ceaseth.
3 Thing is that the Evangelist is an extraordinary office, against which in my Letter was proposed, 1 Cor. 12.28. God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers.
That the whole Church Ministery is contained in these, I think is undenyable; yet lest it should be thought a conjecture onely, I desire you to see Calvin, whose judgement I know is highly esteemed of you, part of his words are these. Non recenset omnes species, ne (que) enim opu [...] fuit, tantum enim voluit exempla proponere quarto capite ad Ephesios plenior est enumeratio munerum quae ad perpetuae Ecclesiae regimen requiruntur. But to the text.
1. In that he saith, first Apostles, he sheweth that of this order or number none are to be lesse then Apostles; and among whom, none are to be greater or lesse then others.
2. Between the first and the second is no medium, and therefore no place for an Evangelist to be placed in. In which second order onely Prophets are placed, among which none are greater or lesse then other in the Church.
3. Between the second and the third is no medium, Middle number or place to place the Evangelist in, by which he may be greater then the Pastor or Teacher, though lesse then a Prophet; but he must be of the third order, that is, of the order of Teachers; among whom there is nothing extraordinary but an equality in office, as the Apostles were all equall in their Apostolicall office, though not in gifts equall.
Objection that can be made against this onely is, that the Evangelist is not named.
Resp. Nor is the Pastor named, yet no man will deny him to be understood, and comprehended here under.
2. He setting down the whole extraordinary Ministery above Teachers in the Apostles and Prophets, is it to be thought he setting down the Ministery God hath set up in the Church, he would leave out any of the ordinary? therefore surely comprehended them all under this word Teachers.
1. Shewing all Church Ministers besides Apostles and Prophets under the Gospel government are Teachers onely.
2. They are of one rank or order, to shew you that one had nothing more extraordinary in him then the other.
3. The word [...], he here speaking of every particular Churches Ministery, shews that there is, and ought to be, in every compleat Church more Teachers then one; and that it ought not to be governed or ministred unto by one onely man; God ordained not three for one to do it: Frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora. Thus far the Letter dated, Aug. 21.
Object. Have we not the Ministry of Evangelists as well as Apostles in the G [...]spels of Mark and Luke?
Resp. The title [...] I take to be humane onely. Luke cals his History [...] onely, and not [...].
2. Nor know I why it should be called G [...]spel more then Paul's Epistles: the Lord is as evangelically held out in them, as in the Histories; and the Apostle, Rom. 2.16. cals his Epistles, Gospel. So that Tertius, Rom. 16.22. was no lesse an Evangel [...]st in writing the Epistle to the Romanes, then Luke by his writing the H [...]story of our Lord.
3. No [...] was the Evangelists work, writing, but Teaching: Matthew and John were not Ev [...]ngelists by writing their Histories of Christ, but Historians, differing from Mark and Luke, in that they saw the things done. Luke wrote them from the twelve, or some of the seventy; which of them the Scripture relates not, onely saith they were faithfull witnesses.
4. Philip who wrote no Evangelicall Story, is called Evangelist, Act. 21.8. Luke that wrote it is not called an Evangelist, but a Phisitian: 2 Tim. 4.5. [...]. The Dutch, Doet dat werck eens Evangelishe [...] predikers.
Object. The former Treatise [...], therefore Luke making it, it made him an Evangelist. Act. 1.1.
Resp. All that he made of it is:
1. That whereas he received of severall men severall passages of the History of Christ, he p [...]t them in order the first part first, the last last. Luk. 1.1.2, 3.
2. The word [...], r [...]ects e [...]cially in a businesse, the manufactorship of th [...] whi [...] [...]re was w [...]ng onely.
I may exceed h [...] [...] having spoken more largely in a Tract called, The Smoak of the [...] c [...]red by the light of the Scriptures, printed, I forbear.
The second Generall w [...]e of to be communicated to the Assembly, was the Contents of a better [...]ated Sept. 5. 1648. concerning the Pastor, in the Pastors section; the thing questioned was the use and application made [...] Jam. 5.14, 15. Scrip. [...]. Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him. [...]ral per lui, Beza pro eo.
The words in the Propositions, the office of the Elder, that is, the Pastor is to [...]ay for the sick in private, to which a blessing is especiall, promised.
1. I commend to your consideration, if this be not a taking from the words of this book con [...]ied of God, Rev. 22.19. If any shall take away from the words of the book of this Prophe [...]e, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and [...] of the holy City, and from the things written in this b [...]k: yea in this is a taking away from the letter, and from the sence of the Scripture which is all the taking away there meant, as I conceive.
2. In this, all the Church Elders are reduced to one, That so we may set up a government in the Church of our own by one, and pull down Jesus Christs, which is by a combination of Church Ministery by Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers.
3. In particular, the Pasto [...] the El [...] you invest wholly and alone with this ministeriall office, [...] by the expresse words of the Scripture one Church Minister i [...] not more interessed in it then another, but all joyntly, and equally.
4. The work cannot [...]do [...] singly in a Gospel way; the sick is commanded to send for more then one, and more then one are commanded to pray for him.
The p [...]omise it annex [...] to a duty when done onely according to Gods w [...]y, and in obedience [...]o his command; if we fall, and that wil [...]ully of our part, we dep [...] o [...] selves wholly of the comfort of th [...] ordinance, and the grace o [...] God added thereunto, faith being [Page 6] not able to move an hair beyond the help it hath from the Word of God inabling him.
O [...]ject. We have but one Elder, that is, the Pastor.
Resp. Where is the Church then to which the sick are sent of God for this comfort, in which are to be Elders in a Church combination, Teaching the people in health, and praying for them in sicknes.
To this next is considerable that in the Propositions, it is said, that to the Pastors Prayer, especially is promised a blessing.
The Scripture saith, Let them pray: and after the prayer of faith shall save the sick, that is, their prayer made in faith. I think it to be beyond the power of man to make a blessing thus, promised to the whole Church Ministery, or many ordinarily to belong to one: nor do I think that ordinance as done by one, to be done in a Church way, or according to the rule of the Gospel in this place.
Object. We intend the Teacher also to be here meant, though the Pastor be onely named.
1. Resp. If that be granted, I suppose you yet come short of the truth; the word in the text for Elders, and the verb for let them pray, being both formed in the plurall, and not in the duall number, compared with the generall scope of the other Scriptures, proves a plurality of Elders to be in the Church, and not a duality.
2. If the Doctor had been understood by you to be interessed herein, you would have cited this Scripture of James in his Section as well as the Pastors, and applyed the duty to him, as you did, 1 Tit. 9. Eph. 4.11. quoted and applyed by you to both Pastor and Teacher in both Sect.
3. I suppose you would not have so particularly invested the Pastor with it as your expressions used imply you to have done, saying, the Elder, that is, the Pastor. And so the Pastor as if all but he had nothing to do with the duty, but were excluded.
The Conclusion of this second Epistle was this: God is my witnesse I write these things unto you onely as moved thereunto by love and fear; fear towards God, and love to you and the Gospel; and not of contention: for who am I that I should contend with the Learning, Ability, and Parts of the Assembly, but in obedience to Gods command. Levit. 19.17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him: and in what wi [...]e can it be more Christianly done then in private writing, which I desire may be as Christianly taken, that Christ Jesus [Page 7] in all may be glorified▪ and the truth come to be discovered, to the edifying of the Church in love; and I shall gladly wait to do you all the servi [...] I can in Christ: and rest,
We c [...]me [...] the third G [...]n [...]rall, and the Particulars of the third Letter.
1. I desire you to consider where Catech [...]ng, as by you applyed to Hebr. 5. [...]2. and placed [...] the Pa [...]ors Section, be not the Teachers proper ministeriall work, teaching the beginnings of Christ; which together with Baptisme I suppose is that proper work which solely doth constitute th [...] Teacher in the Church, he being the first and the beginner of the Ministery.
Catech [...]sing by Q [...]stion and Answer was exercised without the Church among the Catecumeni onely, but the preaching the beginnings of Christ in the Church to the [...]fants, as in this Hebr. 5.12. was onely the Dr. ministry.
1. This appears in the Scriptures holding out the whole Gospel Administrators, Ephes. 4.11. beginning with the Apostles he is last, beginning in the Minister [...] is first 2 Tim. 3.16. Scripture is profitable for doctrine, and reproof, &c. So that he begins with doctrine, and ends with perfection. As a man is first a childe, and after a man: so first the doctrine for children, and then for men.
2. Scripture 2 Col. 7. rooted built up in him, and established in these, are held out the divers of the Spirit: 1 Cor. 12.4. there is a diversity of gifts, there is the spirits part. In this again is intimated the diversity of ministrings, ver. 5. which the Lord Christ instituted in the Church; and then the diversity of operations which God by these severall Ministers worketh, v. 6. The first of which is Rooting, which is done by preaching fu [...]dament [...] children in grace, and not age onely. Much more may be p [...]secuted you concerning this.
But tha [...] of Rom. 2.20. clear [...] it, where the Apostle cals the Teacher [...], which is understood onely and done in a carnall manner [...]ng us, and not according [...]o Christ.
For Anti [...]uity, I now on [...]ly trouble you with that of Ambrose on Ephes 1.1 who appreh [...]ing a necessity, [...]o have all the Gospel Ministry in [...] Church, [...]ould have in some way though never so corrup [...], which cannot be by [...] means done [...]y us: saith of the Doctor. Magis [...] [...] ist [...] qi [...] [...]o [...] [...] [...]mpos [...]nt, & verberant inqui [...] which is, [...] Teach [...] [...]re Exorcists, because they quiet [...] [...]ye [...] But after to be [...] purpose.
Sive hi qui lectionibus imbuendi infantes solebant imbuere sicut mos Judeorum est quorum traditio transitum fecit ad nos quae per negligentiam obsolevit. Or those (saith he) who were wont to initiate children initiated by reading, as the custome of the Jews is, whose tradition he hath caused to be passed over to us Gentiles, which by negligence is grown out of use.
1. This could not be meant of the Catechist, that was not out of use in his time, nor after.
2. If the Doctors Ministry in Ambrose time were antiquated, who can shew in whose time since it was restored to the Church again?
4. Passing by the other lesser things in your Propositions, I shall now onely trouble you with two generall Positions of yours, contained in the Doctors Section. In which you say,
1. That the differing gifs may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by one and the same Minister.
2. That where is but one Minister in a particular congregation, he is to perform as he is able the whole Ministry.
All which are onely to hold up Parochiall Congregations against the way of God; and I dare affirm, that while they stand, the way of God can never be set up among us according to the Gospel of God, nor to edification.
1. I desire you to try if ever any Apostle singly and ordinarily in any one Church whatsoever, did the whole work of the Ministry alone: Which if they had done it by an extraordinary call, were no warrant for us without some expresse command.
2. Where the Scriptures naming fellow-labourers, co-workers, and the like, with the Apostles joyning of others with them in their Epistles prove not the contrary.
3. The Apostles, as in Peter, Act. 10.48. he commanded them to be baptised; which shews the Apostles did not baptise when a Doctor was present that ordinarily wrought with him in the ministry of the Gospel: and if at any time he should have done it in the presence of his fellow helpers, it would be now that the holy Ghost fell on them, and that it was to baptise the first converted Gentiles, but all these move him not to do irregularly in the Church. This appears in Paul also, 1 Cor. 1.14.17. v. 14. I baptised none of you but Crispus and Gaius.
1. The Apostle was at Corinth the time of gathering that Church.
2. In the gathering of it he baptised few onely of that famous Church: now without Baptisme they could not be of the Church, which clearly proves Paul had some other ministring with him to the constituting of the Church there, [Page 9] unlesse we say [...]e were baptise [...] [...] these [...] or three families in that City.
3. Ver. 17. [...]ewe Paul had his ministry there, but plainly tels us it was not bapt [...]ng but evangelizin [...], as a work distinct from it.
4. Should not we now in [...]ing all, do [...]ore then ever any Apostle did do in the C [...]urch ordinarily; Are we more able then they? shall we exceed our pattern? or [...]o [...] we walk by an other rule then the Gospel? And if so, it were good to c [...]sider whose R [...]le we walk by, and what warrant we have for it.
Compare 2 Cor. 1.19. 2 Cor. 2.15, 16. the Son of God Jesus Christ who was preached amongst you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, [...], we [...] to God a sweet savour, ver. 16. [...]
1. It may be applyed to a particular man, what one man is fit for these things which we three do: is there any dares do that alone that Paul himself dares not? But I rather do conceive the Apostle means of every particular ministry no man is fit for it, or else the aggravation were not so considerable.
Conclusion hence is, that [...] [...]n since the Apostles had any call to officiate all the severall Church offices together; and therefore none do or may officiate them by any warrant from the Gospel.
We come to the Scriptures set down in the Doctors Section, brought to prove a single ministry, &c. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. twice quoted. 1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 6. Ephes. 4.11. 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Pet. 4.10. These Scriptures make clear against your single Ministry, as after all I shall, the Lord assisting me, shew you how. Others there are set down which seem to prove it, but I suppose rightly understood, prove nothing lesse.
1. Scrip. 1 Tit. [...]0 Holding fast the faithfull word as he hath been taught, that he may be abl [...] [...]y sou [...] doctrine both to exhort, and convince the gainsayers.
This text twice cited in this Section, and proves little, it respects not the ministry as exercised in the Church among beleevers, but shews what sufficiency is required to be in a Minister, having to do with adversari [...] of the truth [...]ith [...] [...] that he must hold the truth against those [...]ould take i [...] [...]rom him, and be able, maintain it against those gainsay it be sound doctrine, that is, by the Word, or sound and [...]ndeny able conclus [...] [...]y n [...] there from, by which he may be able to convince [...] opp [...] [...] truth.
2. Scripture is 1 Tim. 6. [...]. In this Epistle I suppose Timothy was wrote t [...] as to a [...]ea [...] onely; which place [...]e supplyed ministring [Page 10] to the Thessalonians, Paul, Silvanus, Timothy working tog [...]ther. 1 Thes. 1.1. compared with 2 cap. 1. ye know our entrance in unto you.
1 Tim. 6.2. And they that have beleeving masters, l [...] them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, [...]e [...] they are faithfull, and beloved, partakers of the benefit: These things [...] and [...]hort.
That that is brought hence to prove a single Ministry is this, that it is said, These things teach and exhort; and that Teach [...]g, the Doctors office, and Exhorting, the Pastors ministry, are joyned both together, and are injoyned one man.
Resp. 1. Here is exhortation indeed added to teaching, but is commanded onely in a particular case.
2. It is limited to these things, and proves it was not proper to the Teacher in other cases and things to usurp the Pastors office, in using the publick ministeriall exhortation of the Pastor. A particularibus non datur conclusio. So that if in a particular case as this we conclude with the Philosopher, we must conclude against the Proposition.
3. It was not such as the Pastors exhortation was; the Pastors was to exhort good men to be better, as 2 Pet. 1.4.8. to a growth and increase of godlinesse; this was to take men from evill to good; and consisted in matter of morality, and so rightly fitted the Doctors ministery, it pertaining to work repentance from dead works, Heb. 6.
4. The defect was in the Teachers society, and may be God stirred him up to this, who thought it the Pastors duty onely to exhort in this as in all other cases.
3. Scripture brought to prove a single Ministery, 2. Tim. 4.2. twice quoted: Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all or in all long-suffering and doctrine.
1. This Epistle I suppose to be written to him as Pastor, who, I suppose, ministred that part of ministery with Paul at Ephesus, Act. 19.22. which was another time then that, 1 Tim. 1.3. speaks of there Paul bids him stay here, he sends him forth; and its clear was the last Epistle be wrote, and immediatly going before his death.
2. Tim [...]thy himself had not exercised the full Ministery, for ver. 5. following, Timothy is bid do the work of an Evangelist, and bear the full ministery. Now it is to be observed, that the Pastor assuming the Evangelists place of ministery, the Doctor was chosen Pastor, and the Evangelist did no more the work of a Pastor.
3. He then exercised the Pastors part of the Ministery onely, the [Page 11] words before are but an exh [...]rtation [...]r preaching an ordinary word given, all publi [...] [...]xercise [...] bounded and [...]imited by that which followeth, wh [...] sh [...]ws wh [...] is to preach, [...]proof [...]xhort [...].
T [...] [...] words followin [...] prescribe the manner of doing it, as in the sig [...] [...]ve with all [...] [...]ffer [...]g and doctrine: doctrine here sh [...] [...]is [...]pro [...] [...]d [...]hortation shoul [...] be taken from the Word onely that it may av [...]l.
Lastly, preach was to distinguish private reproof from publick and pastorall.
The onely Scripture you have set down to prove it by, is that of 1 Cor. 14.3. [...]e that [...]hefieth, speaketh to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. In which ind [...]d are all the distinct operations of the Ministery. But,
1. The Ministery though consisting of severall parts, is spoken of as one in the Scripture, though the ministery of Apostles differ from that of Prophe [...] that of Prophets from that of Evangelists, &c. yet Act. 6.4. We will give our selves continually to prayer, and the ministery of the word: he [...]e the ministery of the word is spoken of as one particular work onely, when the Apos [...] [...]d at severall times and places all the parts [...] ministery.
2. As the ministery, so the Ministers are said to be one: 1 Cor. 3.6.8. v [...]. I [...]ve planted, Apollo watered: ver. 8. Now he that planteth, and he that watereth, [...] now, they are o [...], that [...], Ʋnum minister [...]m sed duo ministri.
3. [...] in this place is conjunctio completi [...], and is put for pr [...]inde, signifying and then the being thus to be read, He that prophesieth doth it to edifie ation, and then to exhortations and after it hath effected its w [...]k sufficiently, then to consolation.
4 Ver. 6. following expounds it clearly, s [...]th the Apostle, What shall I profit you except I speak by revelation as a Prophet, by knowledge as an Evangelist, by prophesie as a Pastor, by doctrine as a Teacher in an extraordinary [...]e having a call to exercis [...] all.
1. Hence he joyns revelation an extraordinary with the ordinary.
2. To shew [...]one by [...] ordin [...]y call may da [...]e to do them, unlesse he could do [...] extraordinary also as he could, or this is no pattern for any.
5. This is held o [...] cle [...] [...] [...]tion, v. 7. And even things without life giving sc [...]d, whet [...] [...] except they give a distinction in th [...] [...], how sh [...]ll be [...] [...]hat i [...] piped or harped: v. 8 [...] if the [...] an u [...]rtain found, who shall prepare him, &c.
[Page 12]1. Here are three Instruments signifying this threefold Ministery, Pipe, Harp, Trump.
2. They must have sounds. Rom. 10.18.
3. They must have distinct differing sounds according to their differing Ministery; as now the Ministery is exercised, it is [...]t [...]own what is piped or harped.
6. To say one may do all, is to confound the whol [...] frame of that discipline Christ hath set up in his Church; and is against the many Scriptures which clearly hold out the differing ministeries, and sets Scripture against Scripture.
For Antiquity, I onely commend now unto you that of Tertullian, in his book, de exhortatione castitatis, a man that knew better the Gospel discipline then any now living, he being about the yeer 200. when the Church had some purity in it: his words are these.
Differentiam inter ordinem & plebem constituit Ecclesia authorit [...], & honor per ordinis cons [...]ssum sanctificatus; adeo ubi non est Ecclesiastici [...]dinis consessus, & Offers, & Tinguis, & Sacerdos es tibi solus: sed ubi tres, Ecclesia est licet Laici unusquis (que) sua fide vivit, necest personarum accepti [...] apud Deum quoniam non auditores legis justificantur à Deo sed factores, s [...]cundum quod Apostolus dicit. Igitur si babes jus sacerdotis in temetipso, ubi necesse [...] habeas etiam [...]portet disciplinam Sacerdotis, Digamus, Tinguis, Diga [...] Offers, quanto magis Laico digamo Capitale est agere pro Sacerdote, cum ipsi Sacerdoti digamo facto auferatur agere Sacerdotem.
Object. Sed necessitati indulgetur inquis.
Resp. Nulla necessitas excusatur quae potest non esse.
For the understanding of this (1.) the cause of it was from Gods forbidding the Priest under the Leviticall Priesthood of having two wives; which he spiritually applyeth to the Ministers of the Gospel.
2. The tearms are obsolet of Offers for the Evangelist, Tinguis the Teacher, Sacerdos the Pastor.
3. That in Tertullians time, Lay-men did usurp the Minist [...]y, [...]s he complains, De praescrip. Haeret. and so here.
The sence of Tertullian I apprehend to be this.
The Authority of the Church makes the difference between the Mini [...]ery and the People; and the honour is sanctified by the Confession of the ministery; so as that where there is not a Conf [...]ssion of Ecclesiasticall order, the Evangelist, and Teacher, and Pastor thou art by thy self alone (that is, thou art not in, nor of any tru [...] Ch [...]rch society) but where these three are, there is a Church, though each [Page 13] Laick lives by his own faith: nor with God is there any respect of persons; for not the hearers of the Law are justified before God, but the doers, as the Apostle saith. If thou hast therefore the right of a Pastor in thy self (that is by calling) as it is necessary, it behoves thee also to have the discipline of a Pastor, and doing any thing of the Evangelist or Teachers ministery, thou art become the Priest having two wives: how much more capitall is it for a Laick to exercise severall parts of the ministery, seeing it is capitall to the Priest himself, being for the like fact deprived of Pastorship.
Obj. But thou wilt say, it should be yeelded to necessitie.
Resp. No necessity is excused by that which cannot be.
Conclusion. Reverend and beloved Brethren, I the more earnestly seek these things of you, because the way of God clearly known and held out, will unite the spirits of Saints now strangely divided, and procure the assistance of God to defend us and his truth, and give men incouragement to fight the Lords battels against the Enemies of truth, and comfort them against sufferings; when otherway many may think they fight for the truth, and fight against it: much of all which lyeth in your hands to help. Which help, I, and our Lord Christ by me with the Saints call on you; for in doing whereof, you shall make your name a praise on the earth, and be called, The Restorers of the Lords paths to walk in, and the blessing of the Nation shall fall on you. Of which, and greater then all which, God make you fit for in your faithfull doing the work of the Lord ye sit to do.
But to the discovery of the mystery that it may appear plain, to the ending of farther debates about this one main, and of all other most weighty work, by which the rest are upheld.
The words of the Propositions. The Lord having given divers gifts, and divers exercises according to those gifts in the ministery of the Word, though these differing gi [...]ts may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by one, and the same Minister.
The question is what is here understood by gifts: Here now that we may not be mistaken, we will make use of the Propositions themselves, who allow of but two ordinary Ministe [...]s, the Pastor and Teacher.
[Page 14]1. The gifts of the Teacher is, when he is more excelling in exposition of Scriptures, in teaching sound doctrine, and convincing gainsayers, then in application; then he hath the Teachers gift.
2. He that is more excelling in Application then in Exposition, Teaching, &c. he is the Pastor: in this kinde every man will find gifts in himself for all the ministery, if he may profit by it.
Here lyeth the grand mistake of all, Gods minde is of another thing then the world dreams of.
1. The gifts onely are indeed the differing ministeries of the Word themselves, Ephes. 4.8 [...]. ver. 11. [...], Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers.
Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. [...]: Having therefore gifts differing according to the grace given to us, whether prophesie, ministery, teaching, exhortation.
1. The text is clear, these gifts were not proper for one man to exercise: for the text saith, given divers gifts to us.
2. The Lord injoyns a waiting on each particular gift, whether it be teaching or exhortation.
3. Here are two things in the text expressed, and to be diligently weighed; the gift, and the grace.
1. The gift which is the ministery we are called to by the Church.
2. The gift is to be according to the grace which is given us of God.
3. We are not to minister by the grace without the gift. 1 Tim. 4.14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by proph [...]sie, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery.
1. The gift was given by laying on of hands, which was the Teachers office.
2. Not by laying on of hands of extraordinary Elders onely, but of ordinary; and to be ordinarily used in the Church to the end forgiving the gift.
3. It was given him (by prophesie) that is, by experience had of his parts in preaching before ordination.
4. By laying on of hands they gave but one gift at once, which was either the Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher, after approbation had of his graces.
5. To that gift thus given him he was to give himself unto [Page 15] onely, and take care of, and not others.
Object. It is said, the gift in thee, and therefore grace is meant onely.
1. Resp. The word is [...], with that Rom. 12.6. 1 Pet. 4.10.
2. Before ordination the gift of the ministery is in the Church, after it is in the Minister, and in that sence the Apostle saith it is in thee; and so Tertullian before: Si habes jus Sacerdotis in temetipso.
Now in my judgement the Reasons why each ministery is called a gift in the Scripture are two. 1. In respect of Christs giving them to the Church. Ephes. 4.11. 2ly, The Church by election and Presbytery by ordination give it again to particular persons, as a Church gift for the continuance of the publick ministery: which must be either the gift of Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher onely: the Lord gave no other for the Church; nor can the Church give but that Christ gave her to give.
3 Scripture quoted in the Doctors Section: 1 Pet. 4.10. As every man hath received the gift, so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1. The grace of God is manifold.
2. To this manifold grace are of the Lord appointed [...], stewards of the Lords house proper to the publick ministery; who must be [...], fair.
3. These stewards come to have their stewardship by gift, they usurp it not.
4. This gift they receive from the Church by the hands of the Presbytery.
5. One man hath but one gift to minister onely, which he is bound unto to minister and wait on.
6. Gf that gift he hath received onely; he is steward as well as Minister.
7. The word [...] clearly confirms the combination of this ministery, in which every one (and so more then one) hath his proper gift, and is onely injoyned the ministery thereof.
8. Most sweetly one Minister must minister to another, not in teaching themselves, but the ministery without the Church ministers to the Doctor, the Doctor to the Pastor, he to the Evangelist, that is, fitting people by degrees for perfection; the childe under the Doctor is to grow under that ministery to his youth, to be under the Pastor, &c.
[Page 16]1. Ap. This cannot be done by a single ministery (as now) this is no Church ministery.
2. Nor by the Gospel may a Minister use more then one gift.
3. Nor can the Church give at one time to one man more then one to use at once in the Church.
4. By grace a man may have some degree of fitnesse for any part or all the ministery; but God allows no man to make use of more then one Church gift, and that gift must be onely that he hath received: The men that lived in the Apostles times had as much grace as we, yet exercised but one gift. 1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 6. Eph. 4.8.11, 12.
Compare 1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 6. Ephes. 4.8.11, 12.
1. Both begin with the gifts of the spirit, without which is no ministery to be exercised.
2. The ministery that is divers (as the gifts are) which Christ gave to the Church.
3. These differings gifts and ministery, are given for divers operations to be wrought by them in the Church: which operations are clearly set down what they are: Ephes. 4.12. and may be particularly applyed thus.
1. For edifying the body, which is the Doctor; called the edifying ministery.
2. Unto the work of ministery, or the working ministery, by which the understandings of men are exercised to work in them an experimentall knowledge, and understanding of spirituall things: Hebr. 5.14. their sences are exercised for the discerning things that differ.
3. Is the Evangelists ministery, called the perfecting ministery; being for the perfecting of the Saints.
In conclusion, I beseech you in the name of God, my Brethren of the Assembly, according to 1 Pet. 3.15. to give your reply hereto; & I desire you to do it as such a thing ought to be done in the spirit of love and meeknesse: and do it plainly, not equivocally. Not using your parts to keep under the truth by fighting them against God, as 2. Tim. 3.8. But let us all make it our honour to be overcome of tru [...]h, by which means we may come to serve God truly, and cause all contentions to fall quietly and quickly in the Land, which should be the study of you, and me, and all. But for us to strive against God, by setting up in Gods house what he hath not set up, will be quickly cast down like another [Page 17] Dagon. I farther commend these following heads to clear the truth; which being cleared, the other parts of the Propositions fall to the ground, and come to nothing.
1. That all extraordinary officers are contained in Apostles and Prophets. 1 Cor. 12.28.
2. That all extraordinary are contained in the word Teachers, which are the rest of the officers mentioned, Ephes 4.1.
3. If all but Apostles and Prophets are Teachers, then all but they are ordinary Ministers: for all Teachers of the Word are to be in the Church ordinarily to the end, and there is the same need of, and of them, as of the other. Ephes. 4.13. Each Teacher fulfils his ministery by teaching one as well as the other, without which is no Church.
4. If Antichrist be not called the abomination of desolation, because he did make desolate the wall, separated the Church from the world, making them one, pulling down the distinct societies of Saints, and there differing ministery making all one and common.
5. Where the Church be not in that desolate estate, untill the wall be rebuilded, the Saints mansions and differing ministeries erected and set up in the Church again, which are not yet.
6. The Apostles and Prophets in their names, gifts and works, made clear their extraordinarinesse.
7. The other ministery of Teachers had nothing extraordinary in names, gifts, call, or work they did in the Church, or were to do.
Timothy [...]n eminent Evangelist of an ordinary one, as ever was or shall be, had nothing extraordinary in him. 1. He had his knowledge by the ordinary way of hearing, as all have: 2 Tim. 1.13. The Epistles are written to him to direct him his life and ministery, as to other ordinary Ministers. 2ly, He had his call as the least ordinary Church Minister is to have it, and yet he is to be accounted an extraordinary officer: 1 Tim. 4.14. 3ly, Nor did he do any thing extraordinary in word or deed, or did he leave a line of his to the Church, which proves the Evangelist to be no more extraordinary then the Teacher is.
I cannot passe by Mark and Luke. 1. They were not Apostles, nor Prophets. 2ly, Nor were they in the writing their Histories any of the Church Teachers. I would God would cleanse our [Page 18] eyes of this Popish mist; this could not be an act of Teaching, though it conduceth to Teaching; they onely were Historians: such an Act as that Timothy the Evangelist and Church Teacher never did yet as an Evangelist, as teaching onely, the giving denomination to all the ordinary ministery.
8. The Evangelist ceaseth not, unless [...] any will presume to [...]aintain, that Teachers cease in the Church: if not, then no [...]ore the Evangelist then the Pastor.
The Gospel Churches were by these set up and governed.
1. (Jerusalem) by James, Peter, and John: Galat. 2.9. (Rome) by Paul, Aristarchus, Marcus, and Jesus, called Justus. Colos. 4.10. Paul an extraordinary officer may by the Gospel pattern assume three helpers to himself. (Thessalonica) Ep. 1. cap. 1. ver. 1. compared cap. 2. ver. 1. Paul, Silvanus, Timothy taught the Gospel together there at first. (Ephesus) Paul, Timothy and Erastus ministred, Act. 19.22. compared with cap. 15.40. cap. 16.36. (Colossus) I suppose Paul planted not; he saith onely he heard of their faith, Cap. 1. ver. 7. he saies, Epaphroditus had taught them the Gospel: Cap. 2.1. he speaks as if he had not seen their face; nor doth the History of Acts mention his being there, which would not have been left out, had he been there, Epaphroditus was Teacher, cap. 1.7. Onesimus, cap 4.9. Archippus, cap. 4.17. (Philippi) was founded by Paul, Silas, Timothy, Ast. 16.12. compared with cap. 17.1.4. compared with Philip. 2.22. cap. 4.3. they have Clement when the Epistle was written, and other fellow-labourers of the Apostle with them.
Antioch, Act. 13.1. are left to teach when Barnabas and Saul were sent forth, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Tit. 1.5. ministring Elders were to be ordained in every City: & lest this should be thought onely proper to City Churches, Act. 14.23. they ordained Elders in every Church, not in Cities onely.
I dare boldly affirm, there is no precept nor pattern in all the Gospel for a single Church ministery; therfore I hope Magistrates and Ministers will take heed what they do in setting it up in Gods house: I beleeve we sh [...]ll never see peace untill the way of God be set up, and wayes of error cast down. The Lord therefore stir you up to quit you like men in the work of the Lord, and prosper ye. So prayeth a poore unworthy Gospel Minister,