THese two Epistles of Timo­thy, and the next to Titus; what are they, but Paul's Directory for the regu­lar continuance, and re­verend carriage of the Gospel-Ministry? Two things he infi­sle [...]h upon principally: The investitu [...]e [Page 2]of some with the Office of Ministers, the imployment of such in this Office. How and on whom Timothy and Titus shall confer it, and how themselves and those should carry themselves in it: what was their part for delegating men to the Ministry, and what must be their own and others part and demeanour in the Ministry. These things are very accu­rately and abundantly interspersed.

Lo, it is not enough (without further preface) that Timothy in these, and Titus in the next Epistle look how they do comport themselvs, but they must com­mit this sacred trust to others; the ne­cessity of the Ministry is so eminent: and this with the best-sighted caution, and most studious circumspection, the nature of the Ministry is likewise so excellent. This, this beloved & much reverenced; which is the end of your present conven­tion, is Paul's charge, and must be Timo­thie's care in this verse. The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou, &c.

Four things wust be here briefly enqui­red into. 1. The matters or things which are to bee committed. 2. The manner [Page 3]how? 3. The man by whom. 4. The men to whom these things are to bee committed.

First, what are the things which Timothy must commit? Paul tells him, The things that thou hast heard of me, the same com­mit thou. But whether those which hee had heard from Paul publickly and o­penly in his preaching, or more particu­larly those at his own ordination, when hee was put into the Ministry by Paul, 2 Tim. 1.6. together with the Presbytery, 1 Tim. 4.14. be the chief or only things in our Apostles eye, it is not expressed: The ensuing words bespeak the last (at least partly, if not) principally intended. Ti­mothy it is plain, is not only charged in these Epistles with teaching others, but with or­daining teachers: And no doubt, but with committing unto others the Office to teach, he is to commit such Gospel-truths by teaching, as shall be of best, and most inser­viency, to their holy and happy conduct, throughout the difficulties, and discharge of their office of Teachers. A point of easie observation, and eminent use, which could not probably be omitted at the Apostles Or­dination of Timothy, that hath obtained [Page 2] [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 2] [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 4]well-nigh an universall concurrence, at eve­ry Ordination since.

Secondly, but how must Timothy com­mit these things? [...]. It would be little other than a wast of precious time, and of your patience, to produce the se­verall Scriptures in which, or purposes to which, this word is used. There are but two senses (I humbly conceive) that can with any probability bee tendered here: viz. Either that Timothy commit these things to others in way of doctrine only, by teaching and opening these things to them; or in way of delegation also; and speciall trust, as the word is often used; 1 Tim. 1 18. cum 2 Tim. 1.14. Lu. 12 48. [...]. The ophyla­ctus hoc discrimen constituit in verbis [...]. Illud accipit de miraculorū doni, boc verò de Mi­nillerio. vi de [...]plura a­pud Bezam ad loc. & Leigh. Crit. sac. ad ver­bum. trusting these things with them as Officers, who are to teach others, and must therefore be a deposito­ry and treasure-house of divine truths for others. This latter sense, which emi­nently taketh in the committing of the Of­fice to teach, is that which to me seems, most especially in our Apostles design and purpose, for these two reasons. Be­cause, 1. This most openly corresponds, not only to the subject in hand, but to the scope of the whole: both Epistles being to direct Timothy, especially about [Page 5]publick Ordinances and Officers: how he shall Ordain Officers, and how these and himself shall order the affairs of their Office. 2. This hath the most ob­vious, if not the only countenance from the Characters given us, of the men to whom Timothy is to commit these things which are immediately subjoined. For if Timothy were to commit these things to them only, in way of doctrinal teach­ing; what need or use was there, of so severe a restriction, or of such speciall qualifications, as we read added? faith­full men, able to teach others also: which Gillespy in his Miscellany Questions, Col­lins in his Vindiciae, and the London Mi­nisters in their Jus Divinum Ministerii Evangelici, do very well observe. No doubt, but as to the doctrinall teaching of these things, Timothy was no less a debtor, than was Paul to the Barbarian, as well as Greek; to the unlearned, as well as learned; both to the wise, and to the unwise, Rom. 1.14. So that Timo­thy is to cōmit these things, more than in way, of doctrine only: He is to com­mit them in way of delegation also, un­to such faithfull men, as shall be able to [Page 6]teach others: which cannot rationally be understood, of other than publick and authoritative teaching; if either 1. the quality of the men, or 2. the contents and aim of these Epistles, which concern publick tranfactions in the Church, especially publick teachers: or if 3. the command it self be duly weighed: fo [...] such as are to teach but privately, an [...] from grounds of charity only, need n [...] such commitment of these things t [...] them; nor needs it that there be such choyce of men: this being every ma [...] and womans duty, Heb 5.12. Nor ca [...] any thing be justly impleaded, from the Apo­stles use of the future tense, [who shall b [...] able to teach others also] for though tha [...] they shal be able to teachothers, be necessari [...] antecedent to the commitment of the Office [...] sensu physico, i. e. that they shal have abi [...] lities to teach: yet it followeth, the commit­ment of the Office, sensu morali, i. e. tha [...] they shall use such abilities ordinarily, or b [...] able to teach others, acceptably, and lawful­ly: remembring still that old, honest, an [...] veceived principle. Illud tantum possumu [...] quod jure possumus. We are able to do n [...] more, than we are able in Law, or may [...] [Page 7]lawfully. And thus our text aptly corre­sponds to that of the same Apostle, Rom. 10. vers. 15. How shall they preach except they be sent? i. e. how shall they preach warrantably? Abilities they must have before sending, but sending vests them with authority. So that the words speak as much in effect as this; Doth Timothy know such as are faithfull and fit, or a­ble to teach others; he must commit these things to them, as Trustees for others. Doth he find any so qualified for the Of­fice to teach, hee must leave them Com­missioned to this Office: Are they quali­fied with fidelity and ability, Timothy must commit to them a furniture of au­thoriy.

Thirdly, but how must Timothy com­mit these things, this Office to them? What! he only? he, and none but hee? No, we never find the Ministry commit­ted to any, by a single person; but still it is done by severall in society. We al­ways read of more than one concurring to it, and never remember less than two: And those are no less than were Paul & Barna­bas, Act. 14.23. The Twelve are associates in it, Acts 6.2, 3, 6. and it is the joint act [Page 8]of how many teachers and Prophets? Act. 13.1, 2, 3. The seat and subject of this power, is not a Presbyter; but the Presbytery, 1 Tim. 4.14. Can we ratio­nally think, that Paul doth require Ti­mothy to commit the Ministry to others, so as recedes from, and hath no consi­stency with the practice of Paul in the same case, upon Timothy himself? Well, and who of us doth not remember, that Timothy received his Commission, no ton­ly by the laying on of Paul's hands, but of the Presbytery likewise? 2 Tim. 1, 6. and 1 Tim. 4.14. True 'tis, that Titus is to Ordain Elders, [...], City by City, where the Churches were planted, and their condition called for it; but with this proviso, as Paul had appointed him. Tit. 1.5. And who can think, that Paul's appointments, and Paul's actions should so little accord, or so much inter­fere? that Paul should order either Titus there, or Timothy here, to do that singly by himself, which Paul an Apostle never did (if I may not say, never durst) but in society? It is granted, that this com­mand did concern Timothy eminently, and signally above others; but not ex­clusively, [Page 9]so as to shut out all others. It must be done by others likewise, though it be directed to, and is to be directed by him especially, as one that had an emi­nent and speciall trust, about the orde­ring of this and all other Church affairs being by office an Evangelist. 2 Tim. 4.5.

Fourthly. Yet once more; to whom must Timothy commit this trust, these things in way of office? What? to all the Congregation? No: There must be some to be taught, as well as others sent forth to teach. What then? to any of whatever qualification? Nor this. They must be at least men of a good life, faith­full men; yea, and men of good learning too, that shall be able to teach others also.

The text thus opened, the truth is ob­vious, which I shall at this time take up, or observe from it.

Observ. Those that are authorita­tively from Christ, in his Church, to teach others, must have that Office com­mitted to them, as well as bee qualified for that Office.

How orient (me thinks) is this obser­vation in all its truths from the text! Lo, 1. Some there must be in the Church, [Page 10]who are authoritatively from Christ to teach others. But then 2. That there may be such in the Church who are from Christ to teach authoritatively, they must have the Office committed to them by some Timothy. Yet 3. Timothy may not give Commission to this Office, un­lesse he find qualifications for this Office. Timothy may not dare to confer authori­ty on any, without due cognizance first had, both of their fidelity and ability. Well, 4. Hath God qualified any with fidelity and ability; yet though they are able to teach others, they may not acceptably teach others in the sense mentioned, (unlesse for proof of those abilities) untill Timothy hath from God committed to them authority likewise.

But to lead you further abroad. Give me leave to open and offer to you, these five things, and thereto lend me I beseech you, your most strict and serious atten­tion. 1. There must bee some in the Church who are by Office from Christ authoritatively to teach others. 2. They must be qualified for this Office. 3. They must have this Office cōmitted to them. 4. How it must be cōmitted. And 5. Why [Page 11]it must be committed to them.

First, there are to be some in the Church, who are by Office authoritative­ly from Christ to teach others. I say by Office; but this not civil, but spiritual. Officers wee are, not in the Common­wealth, but in the Church, to which Christ hath promised. I will also make thy Officers peace, Isa. 60.17. Thus bre­thren and beloved, we may with Paul magnifie our Office. Rom. 11.13. An Office the Mi­nistry is, 1 Tim. 3.1. Yea, such is the Deaconship, ver. 10.13. and therefore this much more, which as to your want, and its worth doth so much transcend that, as the Apostles intimate Act. 6.2. What lesse than this? [that it is an Of­fice] doth Paul assert of his own Mini­stry? Rom. 11.13. or assure the Saints of ours? when he tells them, Rom. 12.4. That as we have many members in one body naturall, and all members have not the same Office; so 'tis in the body mysti­call too, ver. 5.6. wherein Deacons, Pa­stors, Teachers, and Rulers be in distinct Office, as the 7. and 8. verses import. So that Preachers are by Office distinct from and dignified above the people. Are [Page 12]all Teachers saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 12.29. It is no more possible that all be Mi­nisters or Teachers in the body spiritual, than that all be Magistrates in the body civill; or that all be Officers in the body military; or that all the members be eye or tongue, in the body naturall: If all may be Teachers, where are the others to be taught? of whom this Text tells us. Need I mention the practice under the Law, the Prophecies then touching the Gospel, or the precedents left us in the times of the Gospel? He that runs may read, a constant discretion between the Priests and people then, between Pastor and people now, between the members of the Church, and the Ministers of the Church in both. To the Law and to the Testimony. And here how eminent a difference hath the Holy Ghost made! Ministers of the Church are to be overseers, members of the Church to be overseen, Acts 20.28. These are set under, those said to be over them in the Lord, 1 Thes. 5.12. These are to submit, those to preside and rule, Heb. 13.7, 17. Briefly, these to bee taught, the other to teach, Galat. 6. ver. 6.

Yea, teach we must not only with assi­duity, but with authority. With authority I say, not magisterial indeed, as if we were Lords over the Church; 1 Pet. 5.3. That is interdicted: Mar. 10.42. but Mini­stertall, as over the Church in the Lord; 1 Thes. 5.12. this is incouraged. Heb. 13.17. Far! far be it, that we should preach up such an authority, as if we had dominion over your faith! 2 Cor. 1.24. No, all the authority which we plead for, is the dispensation (not domination) committed to us, for the good of the faith­full. 1 Cor. 9.17. The authority which the Lord hath given us, is for your edifi­cation, and not for your destruction, 2 Cor. 10.8. And with this restriction, and un­der this respect, let me tell you; that we are to teach, and exhort, and rebuke, not only with authority, but with all authority, Tit. 2.15. and there is not that holy Minister, but may speak wi [...]h holy Mi­cah, according to his measure: Truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, & of judgment, and of might to declare un­to Jacob his transgression, & unto Israel his sin Mic. 3.8. True it is, that all Church­members ought to be teachers of others. [Page 14] Heb. 5.12. But this private and chari­tative: Christ hath therefore over and above, appointed in his Church such tea­ing likewise, as may be publick and autho­ritative. i.e. that there be such teachers, who are by power and authority derived from him to them, publickly to open and apply the Scriptures, for the conversion and edificati­on of souls; as in his stead, and not only in private, 'Where yet, such in teaching are properly enough said to preach, though it be in a private house. Act. 5.42. or but to one particular person; Act. 8.35. it being not simply an act of 'charity in them, but an act of authori­ty, which it cannot be said to be in o­thers. Charitative teaching which should be every mans work, too soon be­cometh no mans work. And therefore, Christ hath ordained, that there be pe­culiar officers for authoritative teaching, who are to give themselvs wholly to it, 1 Tim. 4.15. and must not only be able to teach, as the Text speaks; but must be apt to teach, 2 Tim. 2.24. and abide in teaching. 1 Tim. 4.16. And unto these teachers, all people are bound to attend, as those that teach not only by a­bility, [Page 15]but by authority derived from Jesus Christ. Luke 12.16. Indeed, how shall they hear without a preacher sent? Rō. 10.14, 15

Think you, that such teachers are now ceased; and that this office was of no longer continuance, than the first age or century of the Church? Oh! Where are your considerations of the everlasting Kingdome of Christ? Is. 9.6.7. Lu. 1.33. of the Chur­ches perpetual existencies? Mat. 16.18. Heb. 12.27, 28. and of her continued pressing exigencies? Rom. 10.14. Eph. 4.12.13, 14. or of our dearest Christs ends by, and enga­gements to the Ministry? Mat. 28.19, 20. Lu. 24.46, 47. Did a Kingdom ever stand without Officers? Did the Church ever subsist without a Ministry and Ordinances? Or hath Christ said that she ever should, on this side glo­ry? Nay hath he not rather told us, that the word of the Lord endureth for ever? and that this is the word, which by the Gospell is preached to you? 1 Pet. 1.24.25. Beloved, did not Christ assure his Christian Churches by prophecy un­der the Old Testament, of giving them teachers by office, without limiting it to this, or that Century or age? Jer. 3.15 Nay rather, letting us understand, that he will have such continued, even after [Page 16]the Jews are called, if you compare that vers with the 14, 16, 17. ver. Or Jer. 23.3.4. &c. or Isa. 66.20, 21. Besides, When Christ had actually sent forth first the Twelve, Mat. 10.1. and after that the Seventy, Luk. 10.1. and again enlarged their Commission, Mat. 28.19. doth not he ascertain his presence with them, e're he parted from the earth, alway, to the end of the world, ver. 20. which could not intend themselves onely, but must in­clude their successors, Quamvis quoad mo­dum & gradum ex­traordinarii Ministri nullos habent succes­sores, quoad ipsam ta­men essentiam admi­nistrationis, eodem of­ficio funguntur Mini­stri Ordinarii versus Ecclesiam, quo extra­ordinarii olim funge­bantur Ames. Medu. Theol. lib. 1. ca. 35. n. 4. who-e­ver are, according to his ordi­nance, bid go teach and bap­tize: For the Disciples, where are they and the Apostles? do they live for ever? Again, be­ing ascended up on high, did not our Lord Christ give gifts unto men? and thus, not only some Apostles, and some Pro­phets, and some Evangelists; but som Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edi­fying of the Body of Christ: ends of con­tinued and constant observation, need, and use. But till when, shall these Pastors [Page 17]and teachers endure? and how long shal the Church enjoy them? Till wee are all come in, or into [...] quod scitè expo­suit Syrus interpres, quasi Scrip­tum sit, [...] B [...]z [...] An­not. maj. ad. Loc. the unity of the faith, and of the knowledg of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the mea­sure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, Eph. 4 8, 11, 12, 13. Shall I add to all this? how Christ hath particularly di­rected, for the investiture of fit and faith­full men with this Office, in his severall Churches, in these two Epistles to Timo­thy, and in the next to Titus; and how hee will have these Commandments, inviolably and impartially kept until his appearing, 1 Tim. 5.21, 22. chap 6.14. Readers, if you can believe, that there is no more need of labourers for husbandry, [1 Cor. 3.9.] or of seedsmen, or reapers for harvest, [2 Cor. 9.11. Luk. 10.2.] or of builders for houses, [1 Cor. 3.9, 10.] "or of some to plant and water for gar­dens and orchards; [1 Cor. 3.6.] then, and not till then, may you be­lieve that the Church shall have no more need of Ministers by office: for thus the Scriptures mentioned, express our necessities of them to us. Sure I am, if Church-members may be still called [Page 18]the Sons and Daughters of God, 2 Cor. 6.16. Such Ministers may be likewise called the Spirituall Fathers, that be­get them, 1 Cor. 4.15. the spirituall nurses that feed and nourish them, 1 Thes. 2.7. 1 Cor. 3.2. and are the stewards, that when grown up, are to give them their portion of meat in due season, Luk. 12.42. In a word, if men had need still to be believers, they have still need of Ministers, by whom ye be­lieved, 1 Cor. 3 6. and if ye are still Pil­grims and strangers, 1 Pet 2.11. how ye can want such Officers as are called guides, Heb. 13.7. and the light of the Word, Mat 5.14. I must profess, I see not; farewell the Office-Ministers of Christ in England, and farewell the chariots and horsmen of England, 2 Kings 2.12.

Sect. 2 Secondly, those that are by Office au­thoritatively from Christ to teach o­thers, must be qualified for this Office, before they have it committed to them. This is a true saying indeed, if a man de­sire the Office of a Bishop; (which term in Scripture phrase, bespeaketh no more then a Presbyter or Minister Tit. 1.5. with 7. Phil. 1.1. Act. 20.17. with 28. [...] a word e­very where else rēder­ed Bishop by our translators. many of [Page 19]our English Bishops i. e. Prelates them­selves being judges A.B. Whitgift against Cartwright, p. 383. An­selm in 1 Tim. 3. B. Bridges of the Princes Supremacy p. 255. B. Bilson against Semi­naries lib. 1. p. 318. see B. Jewel against Har­ding Def of the Apo­log. par. 2. ch. 3. divis. & chap 9. divis. 1. & B. Morton Cathol A­pol. par. 1. ch. 33. he de­sireth a good work, 1 Tim. 3. ver. 1. But must not this bee acknowledged a true saying likewise, that who and what the man is that desireth it; [how able? how apt &c?] should be first considered, be­fore he be Commissioned, or set apart unto it? Else what mean those numerous chara­cters, which Timothy hath given him in charge, that are continued to the eight verse, and whereof Titus is re-minded likewise, by the same Apostle, when he appoints him to ordain Elders in every City, at least of Creet, Tit. 1.5. ad 13. Or what means else that notable and no less dreadfull charge? 1 Tim. 5. ver. 21.22. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens sins, keep thy self pure. Ah my brethren! Church-work is chary [Page 20]work. Lay we on hands suddenly, and we lay them on sinfully. And to be sure, we shall partake of other mens sins, if we shall so little prize their, our own, & other mens souls, which any thing below the blood of him that was God, Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 1.18.19. is too smal to pur­chase? Come sirs, who is the faithful and wise steward? him shall the Lord make ruler over his houshold, Luk. 12.42. And shall we, who are the Lords by Office, and must account to the Lord for our Office; shall we make them rulers, who will manifestly ruine more than rule the houshold of Faith? Can wee keep our selves pure, and yet be careless of confer­ring such a power, such an honour, as the Ministry is? it hath a power to bind to, & loos from hell; A power to open and shut heaven, Mat. 16.19. and an honour abstractly so called, Heb. 5.4. that doth not onely speak us to be Embassadours for Christ, 2 Cor. 5.20. but Angels rather than men, Rev. 1. C. 2. O beloved! who is sufficient for these things? Surely none are in regard of adequation, and alas! how few in regard of acceptation? But what though we can­not find men equall to the Office, shal we forget, that men should bee able for the [Page 21]Office? See more use 2 sect 1 Surely, the bold precipitancies of men uncalled upon this Office, and the bloo­dy preceleratings of men unqualified into this Office, are abominations never enough to be bewailed before the Lord.

Thirdly, Those that are authorita­tively from Christ to teach others in his Church, must not only be quallified for this Office, but must have the Office com­mitted to them. Hear the Apostle; How shall they preach except they be sent? Rom. 10.15. How shall they saith he? Nay they do; and this how often! how open! and God sent them not, say the godly: Yea I have not sent these Prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesi­ed, saith God himself. Jer. 23.21. True, they do it wickedly; but how shall they do it warrantably? How shal they preach except they be sent? i.e. with the appro­bation of God's Law; they may easily ad­venture upon it from their own lust, How shall they preach either with success and countenance from him? or without sin­full and sawcy presumption in them? How dareth he perform the Heralds Of­fice, to proclaim war and peace in the conscience, who was never put into the [Page 22]Office, nor can produce an Herald's pa­tent? This is the Metaphor, [...] How shall they preach as God's Herald's? Lo Christians! beside meetness for the Office, an Herald of God, a Minister, must have mission: suitableness to the Office is not enough without sending. Nay, are you not told, in the same strains of reason and Rhetorick; that there is as great a necessity of sending, that we bee preach­ers, as was and is of preachers, that you be hearers? or of hearing, that you bee believers? or of believing, if you expect an answer to, and the acceptation of your prayers? So high our Apostle car­rieth it, if you look back upon the 13, and 14. verses. Such an holy concatena­tion maketh he of all these. 'So that you cannot bear us in hand, with the blas­phemous Socinian, that there remains no more a necessity of such sending, since the Apostles ceased: for that (say they) Ostorod in Instit. c. 42. Th. Nicholaid. in desens. Tract. so cui de Eccl. c. 1. Schmaltz. in resert. Thes. D Frantz. per. 2. dis­put. 4. these were to preach a new doctrine, which we now are not. For with what faithfulness can this be said, in regard ei­ther of hearers, the interrogations all running in so clear and constant a stream? 'Tis as much said, How shall [Page 23] they hear without a Preacher? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? &c as how shal they preach except they be sent? Or in regard of the holy Apostles? who assure us, that they preached no other things, thā those which Moses and the Prophets did say should come. Act. 26.22. Chap. 24.14. Chap. 28.23. And not only, as they passed to and fro, did they ordain Elders in every Church, Act. 14.23. but pre­scribed a constant course for Ordinati­on likewise, as the Epistles to Timothy, and Titus witnesse. Nor can you say, that they are sent of God, who are on­ly gifted. For as it is not said; how shall they preach except they be gifted? but, except they be sent; and that as watch­men and messengers, as the next words import out of the Prophet Isaiah 52.7.8. So, the Scripture never saith that gif­ting is sending, but supposeth that or­dinarily before this; & distinctly speaks of [...] and [...] i. e. of the abilities to preach or prophecy, and authority to preach or prophecy,of mens suita­ble qualifications for it, and sending forth with commissions for it. Witness Ezek. 2.2, [Page 24]3. Isai. 6.7.8, 9. Jer. 1.7, 9. Joh. 20.21, 22. And what though it be true; that sending imports many times, Gods commmanding men to go forth to the work of the Ministry? yet, as no gif­ted brother can shew us any such com­mand from God, so it's observable; that the Scripture never mentions any as sent forth to preach or prophesie, but the same persons were always, either mediately or immediately, appointed of God unto the Office. Witnesse Isai. 1 8, 9. Jer. 1.5, 7. Ezek. 2.4. Mat. 10, 1, 5, 16. Mar. 3, 14. Joh. 1.6 Mat. 11.10, &c. An immediate missiō & appoint­ment to this Office there are no pious men will boast they have; or if they did, there are no prudent men will be­lieve they have, till, they see it attested with a power of miracles; Nor is there any promise whereupon any should hope for it. So that I cannot but con­clude upon the whole: That no man can now preach Ordinarily and orderly, without Ordination, or being sent forth of God me­diately. He sins in preaching that is not thus sent forth with power.

But to draw the proof of this propo­sition out into more pa [...]ticulars. Bee [Page 25]pleased to observe the expresse precepts, eminent precedents, and evident pre­scriptions, wherewith God hath counte­nanced it, and the elegant properties & titles wherewith Ministers are clothed, which bespeak it.

Sect. 1. See the expresse precepts of God for it (to wave the implicit only. 1 Tim. 5.22. Rom. 10.15. Heb. 5.4.) Behold as they ministred to the Lord; and fasted, Act. 13.2. the holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And accordingly, the Prophets and teachers, mentioned ver. 1. When they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands onthem, they sent them away, ver. 3. Observe, Christians. God had suited them to the work. God had supplied them with fit­nesse, yet these must separate them to the work, and send them forth. And why this separating, think we, of such extra­ordinary officers; if not to sanctifie, as it were, and seall an Imprimatur upon the ordinary rule? It is granted, that Pauls Apostleship was not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from the dead, Gal. 1.1. That he was first immediately de­signed hereunto by Jesus Christ, as it [Page 26]was declared to Ananias, Act. 9.15. B [...] if the holy Ghost will have one so mira­culously & immediately called, to pass thi [...] common road, before the ordinary exe­cution of his office among the Gentiles; who of us then, may plead immunity from it, or proudly take another by­path? Though God had every way quali­fied Paul and Barnabas for the ministery, though God had eminently called them to the ministry, yet that these Prophets and Teachers do externally commission, or se­parate them to the Ministry likewise, i [...] evidently the command of the Holy Ghost▪ Let me present you next with that pre­cept of God by Paul to Titus, Ch. 1.5.—And ordain Elders in every City, as I had appointed thee. What Elders meaneth he? By age? No, time, as one saith, Collins vindic. Minist, Evang. qu. 2. [...]&c. not Titus must make these. What Elders then? Flders by Office, as the words ensuing clear it; and those, not in the state, but among and over the Saints: Bishops, or overseeers, who are to hold fast the faithfull word, verse 7, 9. Now thus, there is somewhat supposed in these words, that there should be Elders in eve­ry City, where the Churches were [Page 27]established; and somwhat proposed how the Churches must be supplyed with El­ders. How so? Titus must ordain them, Ordain Elders in every City. They are not Elders by Office then, till Ordination. But what is this? must Titus qualifie them for this Office? and is this all, which is intended by it? No; this was God's part, and is to be presupposed on their part, e're Titus may put forth any such act to­wards them, as Ordination is; if you consult the following verses 6. ad 10. Titus may discuss and ventilate their gifts and qualifications, but God onely can derive and furnish. Is. 1.17. 1 Cor. 12.6 That which Titus hath in charge is to Ordain, to confer the Office of Elders, [...]: and in that notion is the word used, not only by profane Authors frequently, Sic apud Demosthe­nē, Xenoph. & Herodiā occurrunt, [...] & similiter but by the Apostles, Act. 6.3. [...], &c. whom we may appoint over this business, as our translators render it: This how did they? but by prayer, and laying their hands on them, ver. 6. and so putting them into the Office of Dea­cons? besides if gifts, if qualifications could have made them Elders, of what need or use was there of such an order [Page 28]from Paul? or of Ordination by Titu [...] for thus they had been Elders already before and without either; if but [...] charactered, as the next verses do de­scribe. And if so, how is Titus require [...] to Ordain such? and why restrained to Ordain such onely? So obvious is i [...] that beside a competency of ability of their part, there must be [...], an ap­pointment or Ordination on Titus's par [...] likewise; or they are not to be acknow­ledged Elders. So express are the precepts of God for it.

Sect. 4. And what eminent precedents find we among the godly for it? Surely no man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is called of God, Heb 5.4. True, many a man doth de facto, but not any man doth (i. e. ought) de jure. Not Aaron un­der the Law, nor any of the Priests after his order: 'They were separated from among the children of Israel to their Office; Nū. 8.14 & 2.6. & 1 50. Exo. 28.1. 2 Chro. 29.11. which was not only to offer sa­crifice unto God, but to open the statutes of God, & teach in Israel, Deut. 33 10 Levit. 10.11. 2 Chr. 17.18.9. the work now of every Gospel Minister. So, nor did the Apostle and high-Priest of our pro­fession Christ Jesus; He also glorified not [Page 29]himself to be made an high-Priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my son, to day have I begotten thee, Heb. 5.5. What, did he glorifie himself to be made a Pro­phet then? Neither. The Spirit of the Lord God (saith he) is upon mee, and hath anointed mee to preach good tidings, &c. Isa. 61.1. i.e. anointed me not on­ly with abilities, but with authority. Hee was a Prophet of the Lord's raising up, Act. 3.22. If I honour my self (saith hee in his Ministry) my honour is nothing; it is my Father that honoureth me, Joh. 8.54. It was the Father sanctified and sent him into the world, about his Ministeriall concernments, Joh. 10.36. and sealed him his Commission, Joh. 6.27. And be­hold, as my Father sent me, even so send I you; saith he to his Disciples, Joh. 20.21. Ah beloved! Self-Ministers then are none of our Saviours Ministers. His Mini­sters can say; he made us, and not wee our selves. And with Paul, 1 Tim. 1.12. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath ena­bled me, for that he counted mee faithfull, putting me into the Ministry. Observe, He doth not thank him onely for his ena­blings for the Ministry, but for his inve­stiture [Page 30]with the Ministry; not onely [...] his promptness for it, but for putting him i [...] it. So distinct a notion did the holy A­postles and Prophets keep, of their qua [...] fications for the Ministry, which made the [...] apt to teach; and of their commission t [...] be Ministers which gave them authority [...] teach. Lo, as they were allowed of God [...] be put in trust with the Gospel, (so they te [...] us) they spake 1 Thes. 2.4. and accor­ding as the glorious Gospel of God wa [...] committed to them, 1 Tim. 1.11. Did these holy men of God think it enough, tha [...] they were able to preach? Nay, but this was it they chose rather to insist upon, that they were (as Paul saith of himself) appointed preachers, 2 Tim. 1.11. True it is, they durst not but manifest his word through preaching, but then it was committed to them according to the commandment of God our Saviour, Tit. 1.3. And therefore how often have wee them, both in the Prophesies of the Old Testament, Jer. 1.5, 7, 17. Ezek. 1.3. & 2.3, 7, 8. Hos. 1.1, 2, &c. and in the Prefaces to most of the Epistles Rom. 1.1. 1 Cor. 1.1. Jam. 1.1. 1 Pet. 1.1. &c. in the New Testament, insisting upon, and justifying of their callings to bee Prophets and Apostles? Beloved, hear [Page 31]you any of them pleading, that qualifications are a sufficient Com­mission? or for a freedome of Pro­phesying by un-officed Prophets? (pardon the in congruence of the ex­pression) or, because God hath fitted a man with parts and abilities, that hee needs no other furniture of power or authority, to exercise and exert them? Rather; do you not hear and read them, distinctly propounding, and directly proving their Commission, over and above their qualifications? Assu­ring you, that God did not onely bring them gifts, but bid them go, Isai. Chap. 6. verse. 9. Amos Chap. 7. verse 15. Jeremiah Chap. 1. verse 7. Ezekiel Chap. 3. verse 1, 4, 11. That God sanctified them for, that GOD sent them forth to, and God set them in their Ministeriall work and Office, Jeremiah Chap. 1. verse 5.7.10. Ezek. Chap. 2. verse 3.4. &c. Not onely had they dispositions and gifts for com­municating the Gospel, but a dispen­sation of the Gospel was committed to them, 1 Corinth. Chap. 9. ver. 17. Gal. 2.7. O my brethren! are we compassed about [Page 32]with so great a cloud of witnesses, an [...] shall wee yet think the commitment [...] the Ministry needlesse or uselesse? ' [...] can wee suffer our selves to bee put o [...] with so poor a pretext as this? That a [...] these instances from the Apostles an [...] Prophets do not arise to the Ord [...]nati­on now practised, by the interventio [...] of men, and imposition of the hands o [...] the Presbytery. For who seeth not, tha [...] they fully reach to evince the necessity [...] a commissioning to the Office, beside quali­fications for the Office of Ministers; which is the point now before us? And it be­ing more then manifest, that the imme­diate ways of committing men to the Mi­nistry are now ceased, and a mediate way from God instead thereof, commanded which is written as with a Sun beam, in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus: unless you will break with God, and these pre­cedents among the godly, by putting your selves into the Ministry, whereas they were put into it of God, 1 Tim. 1.12. These in­stances will in effect and virtue bind you to the Ordination now practised; if it be the only way now prescribed, and lest us of Jesus Christ: Of which hereafter.

Sect. 3. Thirdly, see yet further the e­vident prescriptions, which are given forth for putting men into Ministry, by our Lord Jesus? and these how numerous; that they fill up a good part of three E­pistles. Beloved, consider I beseech you. Why should the conferring of the Ministry be so pressingly directed to Timothy and Ti­tus? why should the call of men to, and their qualifications for the Ministry be so plainly differenced? Why should the committers, and they committed to it, be so particularly distinguished? If gifts, with a desire to ex­ercise them, were sufficient? or the so­lemn committing of this Office, were but super-erogatory and superfluous? Would the blessed Spirit of wisedom have spentit self in superfluites, think we? Is there no more set before us, but who are to be Ministers? and how they are to act in their Ministry? Hath not the same spirit set before us, their appointment and putting into the Ministry likewise? Ay; and this how articulately! By what men? in what manner? after what matters previous? and by what means present? Who are to be Ordainers? who, and how they are to be Ordained? what is pre re­quired [Page 34]to it? what to be performed in it? and what the product and issue of it? Read else but 1 Tim. 3. Chap and 1 Chap. of Titus. Sirs, why this wast, i [...] more were no other ordination to the Office of Mi­nisters, but what gi [...]s, and our own, or others desires to u [...]e them make? O you▪ that stand in the way and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way that we may walk therein, must you not say of this? This is it, wherein God hath been alway wont to meet, and give mis­sion to his servants: either immediately by investiture of them with the Office from himself, as our Lord was pleased to send forth first the Twelve, Luk. 9.1. and af­ter the seventy, Luk 10 1. Or else mediately, by the interposition of his own Officers, as T [...]mothy is directed to do in this verse. We: doth Matthias Apostolize? not till Christ appoints him, Act. 1. Do Paul and Barnabas? not [...]ll our Saviour authorize them, Act. 9.17. Chap. 13.2. Hath every Church its Elders, that la­bour in the word and doctrine? Bu [...] Paul and Barnabas first Ordain them, Act. 14.23. Is it the order of Christ that there be Elders in every City? but withall [Page 35]that Titus Ordain them, Tit. 1.5. Hath Timothy the gift or Office of an Evange­list? but not without the laying on of Pauls hands, and of the Presbytery like­wise? 2 Tim. 1.6. 1 Tim. 4.4. There must be such who are by calling to teach others? but Timothy must commit this trust to them for others, as in the Text. Belo­ved, why are these things written? and for whom think we? Are they not for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come? Doubtlesse, whatsoever things were written aforetime, were writtē for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom. 15.4. Ah Sirs! may we dare to reject this word of Christ? or re­move to another way of our own or o­thers contriving? either frame new ways of committing the Ministry (I mean)? or else frowardly deny the continuance of the Ministry, as too many do? Nay can you so forget the Commandment of Christ, and his Covenant with his Ministers, which hee calls upon us so affectionately to re­member, as a thing of most happy re­marke, Mat. 28.19.20 Go teach, &c. [Page 36]Lo, I am with you alway, [...] all days, [...] to the end of the world. Which cannot bee restrained to the end of that age; as the pregnancy and propriety of this phrase, See it learnedly Vindicated & opened Jus divin. Mini. Evā. par. 1. c. 2. p. 27. ad 31 [...] and the parallel usage of it by this same Evangelist, Mat. 13.40. (m) Chap. 24.3. (n) (besides the precedent passage which is not all your days, but all days) do plentifully evince. Or have you so for­gotten that command by Paul to Timo­thy? I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickneth all things, and be­fore Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pi­late witnessed a good confession: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, untill the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. What commandment intends he? I humbly conceive, with Beza and others Chrysost. Homil 18. Ambr. Lyra Gorrā. Cor­nel à Lavi­de. Diodat. & Engl. Annotat. ad ver. 1 [...]. this complex command­ment contained in, and carried along thorow the whole Epistle; unto which the Apo­stle quickens him with six arguments. Dickson ad loc. And thus it eminently taketh in that (well-nigh) paralell charge, Chap. 5. ver. 21.22. which includeth the confer­ring of the Ministeriall Office, as doth [Page 37]the third Chapter. And what though this Commandment could not bee fulfilled till the coming of Christ by Timothy himself? yet might it bee by Timothie's successors: 'Who are clearly concerned to attend this charge of the Apostle, as addressed to them in Timothy; the im­port and intent of the Scriptures being not only for the present men and times, but for all that succeed or follow Rō 15. [...] Psa. 119.152. Lu. 16.16, 17. Rev. 22.19 And verily, 1. if there shall still be till his coming, both sinners to be begotten un­to Christ; and to be brought into his Church; and if there be Saints to bee brought forward, and to bee built up in communion with Christ and his Church; and if there be souls to bee sanctified and saved, until the time of his appearance. (which who doubts that believes any thing?) And 2. if our Lord Christ hath onely ordinarily annexed and ap­pointed, to bestow these great blessings by a Ministery sent, as it is cleer he hath, Rom. Chap. 10. verse, 14, 15. Ephesians Chapt. 4. verse 11, 12, 13. Having by this onely (usually) brought about the addition of sinners to his Church and to himself, Acts the second Chapter, and the 41. and 47. verses, and Chap. 11. [Page 38]vers. 24. the conversion of souls to, and their confirmation in and with himself, Acts Chap. 26.18.15.32. The remissi­on of sins, and regeneration of sinners, Acts 26. Chapter 18. ver. and 1 Corin. Chap. 4. vers. 15. The new birth of souls, and to believe in himself, James Chap. 1. verse 18. and 1 Corinth. Chap. 3 vers. 5. The subduing of sin and Satan, and the salvation of Saints, 2 Corinth. Chap. 10. verse 4.5. and 1 Corinth. Chap. 1. verse 21. And 3. If our Lord Christ doth not now extra­ordinarily send forth any, as it's plain hee doth not: neither immediately design­ing out any persons, nor delivering to any a power of miracles. I say, if so; then of necessity, the ordinary way of com­mitting this Office, and of sending out such Officers, which was given in charge to Timothy and Titus, are of a continuing obligation, and of consant observation in the Chur­ches of Jesus Christ.

Sect. 4. Let me put you in mind but of one thing more, and this is, the Elegant titles that are given to Ministers, which do all bespeak a necessity, not onely of [Page 39]being qua [...]ified for this Office, but of having the Office committed to them. Are not Ministers c [...]lled the Angels of the Churches, Revelations Chap. 1. verse 20. the overseers of the Church? Acts Chap. 20. ver. 28. the rulers of the Church? Hebrews Chap. 13. ver. 7. Yea, and such rulers they are in, and so over the Church, as are to be counted worthy of double honour, 1 Timothy Chap. 5. ver. 17. and 1 Thes. Chap. 5. vers. 12.13. Are they not the Stewards of Christ? 1 Corinht 4.1. The Heralds of Christ, [...]? Romans 10. vers. 14. Yea, and the [...]mb [...]ssadours of Christ, 2 Cor. 5. ver. 20. Are they not termed watchmen? Heb. 13.17. builders? 1 Cor. 3.10. and souldiers? 2 Tim. 2.3, &c. Now what lesse do any of these apart, or can all these together intimate? than that Mi­nisters should be furnished with authori­ty, as well as fitted with ability? and must bee able to shew a commission, as well as speak of qualifications? In a word, that they must have a deligation from our Saviour to this employment, as wel as a disposition in their spirits to this employ­ment.

Sect. 4. Fourthly, how is this Office of being Teachers in the Church to bee committed unto such, as are duly qua­lified? You will easily observe, that we are not enquiring about committing the Office to extraordinary teachers; such as are by immediate deligation from Christ immediate I mean, not only ratione vir­tutis, sed suppositi in regard of power, but of person. This case falls not within our compasse; when such immediate furni­tures (as were herewith given) for the Ministry, and therefore such immediate ve­stitures with the Ministery, have no place. But our enquiry is about the commit­ting of this office to Ordinary teachers, by mediate deligation from Christ i. e. by his Officers, who in his name, and accor­ding to his Ordinance, are to separate them to this service of his, in his Church. Hujus, Ministerij jus per ho­mines Com­municare sol [...]t, at (que) i [...]â ratione vocatio ordinarii Ministri est media­ta. Hoc au­tem sic est intellgen­dum, ut authoritas administrandi res divinas à Deo immediatè communicetur ministris omnibus legitimis, & designatio perso­narum in quas confertur fiat per Ecclesiam. Ames. Medul. The­ol. l. 1. c. 35. n. 5. & 6. And thus briefly, this Office is to bee committed to men duly qualified, 1 by the Presbytery. 2 after proof. 3 with prayer and fasting. 4. and with putting on of their hands.

Sect. 1. By the Prebytery i. e. by presbyters in Office; whose part it was in the Ordination of Timothy. 1 Tim. 4.14. Their common care and charge it was, and not Pauls only. 2 Tim. 1.6. We never read Paul to have practiced in, or to have pretended to a sole power of Or­dination; or to so much as a negative voice in that particular, though (no doubt) he had a greater latitude of authority, than any can now lay claim to, as be­ing an Apostle, not of, or by man, but by Jesus Christ: Yet Paul was neither ordained nor did Ordain, without the concurrence of some other Act. 13.1, 2, 3. ch. 14.23. 'If any will yet implead ordination by a presbytery, because without a Prelate; 1 he ought to produce the divine instituti­on of a Prelate distinct from a dignified be­yond a Presbyter or Minister. Certain we are, the Apostles have left no such one, up­on their list of Church Officers; Eph. 4 11. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 12.28. and clear it is, that a Bishop and Presbyter are all one in the language of the Scripture, See sect. 2. Tit. 1.10. vid. Hieronym. ad Loc. Idem est ergo Pres­byter, qui Episcopus &c. 1 Tim. 3.1, 2. Post Episcopum Diaconi ordinationem subjicit. Quare? ist quia Episcopi & Presbyteri una ordinatio est? uter (que) exim sa­eerdos est. Ambros. ad Loc. &c. having [Page 42]the same office, the same ordination, the same characters given to, and qualitier 'required in them, and the same work being committed to them. And as clear 'tis that a Presbyter or ordinary Minister is vested with a power of government or rule. 1 Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13.7, 17. 1 Thes. 5.12. Act. 20.17, 28. 2. Hee ought to prove the divine investiture of pre­lates with Ordination ard imposition of hands different from presbyters, whereof 'we read not one word in all the Scriptures, but of the laying on of the hands of the pres­bytery in fair and open characters, 1 Tim. 4.14. True 'tis that we read of Ordination by Timothy and Titus 'Evan­gelists, by Paul and Barnabas Apostles, but this neither directly serveth the cause of the Prelates, they being nei­ther Apostles nor Evangelists, nor in­directly, unlesse they can prove them­selves to be a distinct order or dignity of Ministers, by the divine appointment of Jesus Christ, & in that sence can put in a plea of being their successors which a Presbyter in a fair construction may, 1 Pet. 5.1, 2. Though a Prelate without a forced construction cannot. Where doth [Page 43] 'the Scripture prescribe that there should be any ordination of Prelates different from, or over and above their former ordination as Presbyters? Or that there should be any Ordination by prelates as distinct from Presbyters? When it is a ruled case, that a Bishop or Prelate or­dained per saltum (i. e. who never had the Ordination of a Presbyter himself, but only of a Bishop) can neither con­secrate and administer the Sacrament of the Lords body, nor ordain a Pres­byter: of the Church. l. 3. ch. 39. by which it appeareth, that a Bishop doth not excell a Presbyter by a di­stinct and higher order or power of order; 'for which Doctor Field hath produced the acknowledgment of the most lear­ned among the Papists. Aquin. Bonavent. Dominic, à Soto. Ar­macanus. Camerar. & Contare­nus. (e) The in­stance of Timothy and Titus, as if Bi­shops of Ephesus and Crete, will be a covering too narrow. For as we never read the Spirit of God calling them Bishops in Scripture, (the Post-script to those Epistles being disowned from being any part of the Canon by many Papists, even by Baronius and the Rhe­mists; and are so disproved by severall Protestants, vide Be­za Anot. maj. ad 1 Tim. 6.22. ad 2 Tim. 4.23. ad Tit. 3.14. So, Timothy is expresly [Page 44]enough called an Evangelist. 2 Tim. 4.5. 'Nor could their frequent removes, see them described Jus Divin. Min. Evan. par. 2. p. 69. Smectimnu­us sect. 13. after the mention of their being at E­phesus and Crete, have any consistence 'with the charge or Office of a Bishop, which obligeth to a fixed residence a­mong his flock? (to passe other rea­sons see Jus Di vin. Minist. Evang. par. 2. c. 5. throughout against their diocesan Episcopacy) 'Their frequent diversions and journeys, and various dispatches to and fro, at the desire of the Apostles, and as might best subserve the design and welfare of the generall visible Church, do loudly e­nough proclaim them to be Evangelists I know there are on the other hand that vest the people with this power and pri­viledge of Ordination, beyond what was ever possessed by the Prelates. But with no countenance that I know from Christ, yea, or conveniency to Christians; while it is little other than a seed-plot of dis­sentions among them, and of divisions into parties; and while beside their di­stance from the power of ruling, whose place it is to be ruled; such are their dis­abilities & disproportion to make proof of mens ready instruction to the kingdom of God, either in cleering the difficulties of the Gospel, or in e [...]vi [...]cing gainsayers. [Page 45]'Tis true; We read (whatsome ingenious­ly observe before us London Minist [...]e in their Jns div. min. evan. par. 3. c. 13. of Ordaining El­ders in every Church, but we never read of Ordaining Elders by any Church. They Ordained them Elders in every Church, Act. 14.23. Who Ordained them? Paul and Barnabas for the people, not the people for themselves. That every Church should Ordain them Elders in every Church, grates too much upon common sense and truth. Nor will the word [...] help it out, for what ever bee the import of [...] i.e. To stretch out the hand; which is still done in Or­dination, with imposition of hands. Nor can there much more be evinced by the usage of this word in this place, if there be any worth in that obser­vation of learned Stepha­nus, that it signifieth not to give suffrage, but to create, ordain, &c. when it governs an accusarive case, as here it doth. [...] Steph. Thesaur Ling. graec. ad verbum [...]. manifest enough it is, both from what is antece­dent to this expression, and what is after it, that Paul and Barnabas were the [...], to whom [they] must necessarily bee under­stood to relate nine times be­sides, in the narrative or re­lation which is herewith made, ver. 21. ad finem. Far be it from mee, to divest the Churches of Jesus from any part of those priviledges, which are given them by [Page 46]his charter? Let it be granted them for me, that the people may choose; and look out men, and set them before the Presbytery, as they did for Deacons be­fore the Apostles, still observing their li­mies, Act. 6.3, 5, 6. But the Presbytery 'tis, that commit the Ministry, appoint and send forth the men, as then did the Apostles, ver. 3.6. Peruse I beseech you the primitive practise, the records of all those Ordinations, which you finde in the Acts of the Apostles, 1.6.13.14. Chapt. & what prints read you, or the ob­scurest trace of the peoples putting men into the Office of Ministers? Peruse to these, the Epistles that most particularly treat of, and purposely take up this sub­ject or argument, those to Timothy and Titus: and yet tell us where may wee finde the smallest track or footstep? 'Las! if the peoples suffrage had been enough to set men in Office, what need such pressing arguments from Paul to Timothy and Titus? and such particular instru­ments of them with this business, that they Ordain Elders in Crete and Ephesus? Doth he write at this rate, in any one of all the Epistles he sendeth to the Chur­ches? [Page 47]or in either of these Epistles sent to these Officers, that the Churches see to the Ordaining of Elders, &c. Again, if so; what need or right had Paul to in­teress himself or Barnabas so far, as to Ordain Elders in every Church, at Ly­stra, Icontum, and Antioch, &c. Act. 14.19.23 Would they have so abused their own power, or the peoples priviledges, as by this to have been arraigned for bu­sie-bodies in other mens matters? which they might have been, had Ordination been in the power and right of the Churches. 'Tis true, we may be proper­ly enough called the Ministers and Mes­sengers of the Churches, so far as I know. But how? Not as if they were the originall, but are the object of our authoritative mission and messages; not as if we were sent from, and by them into this Office, but as sent to and for them for their obedience and joy of faith: unless men may be said to send messengers to themselves,

Sect. 2 The Ministry is not to bee committed till after probation or triall made. Oh that dreadfull charge! I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, [Page 48]and the Elect Angels—lay hands sudden­ly on no man, 1 Tim. 5.21.22. Timothy must not, for so much as the Office of a Deacon, therefore surely not for the Office of a Bishop or Minister. Let these also first bee proved; then let them use the Office of a Deacon, 1 Tim. 3.10. 'Tis an abuse then to put men into the Office of the Ministry, before or without proof made. Nor may this proof bee slight and overly, but must bee diligent and distinctive. [...] est prop [...]è explorare qualis in se res sit, & a diversis aut contrariis discernere inquit Pa­reus. Nec solummodo probare, sed approbare signisicat, ut po [...] perspectum, sic apud Luc. 14.19. & 1 Pet. 1.7. & Phil. 1.10. & 1 Thes. 2.4 & apud Plutarc. de Instit. liber. [...]. Proved they should bee, in their spirituall and inward call to the Ministry, and in their suitable qualifications for the Ministry. What they are for life? what for learning▪ and what they are like to be for labour? What are their purposes by it? what i [...] their proportion to it? and what will bee their perseverance in it? In a word; what of God and grace is to be found in them? and what of forwardness and zeal there is and will be for God?

Thirdly, With prayer and fasting. Such was the primitive practise, Acts 6.6. & 13.3. & 14.23. and stands upon record as our pattern. Whether these enter the essence of Ordination, I say not: but sure I am, that they are of eminent and excellent observation and use. Is our Lord himself therefore about to choose, and authoritatively to send abroad Apo­stles? He continueth all night before it in prayer to God, and when it was day he called unto him his Disciples, and of them hee chose Twelve whom also he named Apostles, Luk. 6.12, 13. Ah sirs! pray, pray, you that want and would have Pastors. Fa­sting prayers, will make fervent preachers. We beseech you brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that yee will strive together with us in your prayers to God, Rom. 15.30. this day. Oh the weaknesses of our persons▪ the work we are to perform! the worth and weight of God's presence! and our want of your prayers, which if earnest, will be sure to be effectuall prayers [...]ā. 5.16.! Pray ye there­fore, the Lord of the Harvest, that he wil send forth these expectants, Labourers into his Harvest Mat. 9.38..

Sect. 4. With imposition of hands. Thus Timothy was Ordained, 1 Tim. 4.14. and was to Ordain, 1 Tim 5.22. What though Papists have placed it among the Sacraments? must wee therefore pluck it from among the Saints? although Paul preserveth it among the principles of the do­ctrine of Christ, Heb. 6 1, 2. (under what notion, or to what purpose, I shall not dispute) Surely their dotage on it, will be a poor Apologie for our deniall or de­spising of it, upon whom the true light hath shined: especially when the whole solemnity of Ordination is once and again set forth by this one Ceremony; 1 Tim. 4.14. and 5.22. 2 Tim. 1.6. and you hear none of us pleading for it as a Sacrament; though we would not be put by from any solemn right; especially if an inseparable adjunct to an Ordinance of Christ. Is Timothy enjoyned to lay hands suddenly on no man? 1 Tim. 5.22. what less can be implyed, than that he lay hands so­lemnly upon some, at least after mature scrutiny? I shall not expatiate, but if (beside the concurrent profession and practice of the reformed Churches See a brief view of thei [...] cō ­currence herein of­fered you by Dr. Seaman in his [...], at the beginning Pro­p [...]f [...]ion 3. if [Page 51] Paul, so pretious a Saint, and so profound a Scholar, did thus accept it in his own Ordination to the Ministry, as hee did, Act. 13.3. and did thus act and assist in the Ordination of others, as hee did, 2 Tim. 1.6. God forbid! that I, or any other should so much listen to pride, pre­judice, or what ever else it bee, as to he­sitate it causlesly! or to harden my self a­gainst it contem trously. 'Paul's prescri­ption and precedent me thinks will be enough to acquit and answer for us, though we had nothing else to render in account, why we retain this ancient rite: by which, yet publick offices have been wont to be conveighed, Numb. 27.18, 23. and 8.10. Act. 6.6. and this partacularly, 1 Tim. 4.14. 'Tis true, when Paul enjoins Titus to Ordain El­ders in every City, Titus 1.5. hee doth not prescribe expresly, imposition of hands. Nor doth he prohibit it; but ra­ther points it out, not obscurely, by two things (though the common practice thereof in those times might have been intimation enough to him, and a justi­fication for it, against this exception.) 1. By leading him back to former in­structions [Page 52][as I had appointed thee] wherein if wee may make judgment, from what Paul practised, Act. 14.23 2 Tim. 1.6. to what Paul prescribed, this could not but make one particular, especially, if the affir­ma [...]ive included in that precept to Ti­mothy, 1 Chap. 5.22. bee put with it in­to the same scale. 2. By the light of the Word [...] (rendered here by ord [...]in and in Acts 6.3. by appoint) which the Apostles practice had alrea­dy interpreted, to import the laying on of hands, Acts 6.6. as one particular requisite to that publick and solemn work. I know it is pretended that the Holy Ghost was miraculously given by imposition of hands in Ordination, and thence it is pleaded, that the mira­cle now ceasing, so doth the mystery too. But how is the former proved and justified? And if; yet how the latter is therefrom pleaded or inferred I see not; unless we shall upon the same ground now relinquish prayer, because it's no more effectuall to heal the sick, or rai [...]e the dead, as it was formerly. Act. 9.37, 40, 41. Jam. 5.14, 15. We hear the Apo­stles requiring them to look out seven [Page 53]men full of the Holy Ghost, that they may lay hands upon them, Acts 6.3. cum 6. but never hear them relating so much as one that had received the Holy Ghost, be­cause they had layd their hands upon him, in his Ordination. I say in his Ordination: for it is granted that the Holy Ghost was given, by the laying on of hands, in the other cases, Act. 8.17.18. and 19.6. Why must Timothy and Titus (think we) receive satisfaction touch­ing mens gifts before Ordination? 1 Tim. 3. and Tit. 1. And why must they till then retard and stave off their Ordination, 1 Tim. 5.22. If laying on of hands would have conferred that spirit upon men, from whom all gifts come? 1 Cor. 12.8. ad 12. True it is, we read of Timothie's gift by the laying on of Paul's hands, and of the Presbyte­ry; 2 Tim. 1.6. 1 Tim. 4.14. But not of the Holy Ghosts being given him hereby. It is rather the gift of the Mini­stry that is intended in these Scriptures, than gifts for the Ministry, and perhaps, may bee therefore mentioned in both places not plurally, but singularly [the gift.] That offices are called [Page 54]gifts, and particularly the Ministry, compare Ep. 4 8, 11. between which the 9 and 10 verles, fall as within a Paren­thesis: the 11 vers. giving us th [...]e expli­cation in particulars of what had been expressed at the 8 ver. ingeneral: Isti duo versus (sc. 9.10) per parea­th [...]sin l [...]guntur, nam mox ve [...]su 11. r [...]dit ad supe [...]iora, hoc est, ad explicanda dona ali­quo [...] de qu b [...]s dixerat in genere, dedit dona hominibus Zanch. ad Ephes. 4.10 And so is an appofite answer to every one that asks this question; what are those gifts, when Christ ascended up on high, which he received for Psal. 68.18. and give unto men? He gave som Apo­stles, and som Prophets, and som Evang­lists, and som Pastors and Teachers.

Sect. 5 Fi [...]thly one thing is yet behind. Why must those that are authoritatively from Christ to teach others in the Church, have the Office committed to them, as well as be qualified for that office? Why? It is for the honour of Christ, for the happinesse of the Church, and for the hope and heartning of such teachers themselves.

Sect. 1. It is for the honour of Christ. Which is the great design, that grace hath to carry on, by all the various me­thods [Page 55]and ministrations of it, by all Of­ficers, and by all Ordinances. Had he thrown the reyns of his Church, King­dom and cause loose, to the liberty, or rather lusts of men, take hee that will: teach he that will: who could have then read such his accurate prudence? such his absolute power? and such his affluence of perfections, as are now made legible in treating his own affairs; by those only that are of his own appointment, and can shew his royall patent? Alas! what conveniency would this at all bear to his transcendant dignity, and most ta­king glory, whereof the greatest royalties are but poor resemblances? Wil men call him the wonderfull Counsellor, the Prince of peace, Is. 9.6.7the King of kings, and Lord of Lords? Rev. 19.16. that either hath never a Secre­tary, Herald, Embassadour, or so much as a Steward by office, by whom the grand importances of his Court and Crown may be transacted on the one hand? or is so little tender of these great trusts, and his own transactions on the other; that whosoever hath but will and skill, fore­head and fitness enough, may without further leave from him or his, lay hold [Page 56]upon these offices, and leap into the highest honour? Need I remind you, that such are the offices, such is the ho­nour to be a Minister of Jesus? Is it spi­ritually? Well; the more spirituall the office and honour is, the more need in a just sense, of his putting them into a security, from the fleshly presumptions and forward pretensions of vain men, who are but too desirous of being teach­ers of others, even before they under­stand what they say, or whereof they affirm themselves, 1 Tim. 1.7. or at least of heaping unto themselves teach­ers, having itching ears, 2 Tim. 4.3. It is true, I acknowledge, that pious Ministers are so far from being accounted ordina­rily to the honour of Christ; that wee are made rather with Paul, the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4.13. But what saith Paul? God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 4.6. and if our brethren be enquired of (saith he) they are the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 8. ver. 23. And no marvail, for besides the [Page 57] expressions to his glory by them, such are the ampressions of his glory upon them, not onely in their Ministeriall gifts and graces, which bespeak them qualified for this Office by Christ, but in the Ministe­riall authority and administrations, which bespeak them Commissioned to this Of­fice from Christ. And indeed, what other are his Ministers, Pastors, and Teachers among us; but the speaking gifts, and standing pledges of Christ's glorious ascen­sion for us? and of his gracious and great affections to us, Ephes. 4.8, 11. compa­red.

Sect. 2. It is for the happiness of the Church likewise, which is next to his Fa­thers honour, in the aym and heart of Christ. It is for her enlargement, edifica­tion, and establishment, as the Apostle at large instanceth and illustrateth in the same, Ephes. 4.12, 13, 14, 15. verses. For the perfecting of the Saints, &c. Throw open but this door once, that gifts, and a desire to exercise them make a Minister, and you may (too late) per­ceive well-nigh, all that is dear to the Church going out, and whatsoever is divi­ding and destructive coming in, by the same [Page 58]door, both speedily and irremediably. What Corah and his complices will not tell Aaron and Moses too? Ye take too much upon you; seeing all the Congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is a­mong them: wherefore then lift you up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord, Numb. 163 Nor could I ever yet hear of any thing more eminent among them, than is error and confusion, who have taken qualifications to give Commission. Alas! this must needs break the unity, and blast the purity of the Churches quickly.

N, 1. It must needs break the unity of the Chu [...]ches, (a blessing how desirable in it self? and how dear to our Saviour) if nothing but fitness and forwardness bee requisite to make an Officer or Minister. Wo to the Common-wealth of this Israel! If every one that had ability, had therefore authority too; If every one that probably is, or presumeth himself to be fit for such or such an Office, were thereby put into it, and must be so obey­ed; or if every one, who is qualified for, must bee therefore counted a Judge, Ju­stice, yea, or but a Constable. Hath God [Page 59]provided against such intrusions upon civill Offices? and will he permit it in sacred? Taken such care in order to the accord and quiet of the Common wealth? and hath he thrown it by with respect to his Church, which is so much dearer to him than are all the Societies in the world beside? Who would be ruled, if but to presume our selvs qualified, would make us rulers, ei­ther in Church or State? Surely this would make the militant Church, like that military body, where qualifications to command were a commission for a Company: The Church should have all Officers and no Souldiers quickly; and if it did not run with such an army into blood and confusion, yet would soon and surely run with it into bitternesse and contentions. 'He that can secure me the peace and unity of that Kingdome, where every one that is fit, may be there­by supreme; or of that County, whe [...] every one that is fit, may be thereby Sheriffe; or but of that Corporation, where every one that is fit, may be thereby Major, shall be (with me) a none-such among men, and may per­swade, if any, that the beauty and har­mony [Page 60]of the Churches of Jesus may be preserved too, wherein every one that judgeth himself fit, is thereby made a Minister and Officer. Let me add [...]his, if Ministers are not Officers,* the Church hath none: For who else can shew me so clear evidences? And if men may bee bold with this Office in the Church, to invest themselves with it, and to execute at pleasure, why they should be back­ward to, or baulk any other Office, I know not: For this of all others is most sacred and most circumscribed. And if all Offices lye in common where shall we look for the Churches Concord? Ah Sirs! have wee read the 12 to the Romans from the the 3 to the 9, or the 1 Cor. 12? And can we think our blessed head and Master, in whom are hid all the trea­sures of wisdome and kindnesse, so remisse about conferring Offices? and so regardlesse of the Churches concord as this amounts to? What! are there so many unities? and all with respect had to the Church? One body, and one spirit, even as they are called in one hope of their calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and [Page 61]Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in them all? Eph. 4.5, 6. Lo, therefore Christ hath given Pastours and Teachers (names of Office) verse 8, 11. that they may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. verse 3. and that till we all come in the unity of the faith &c. ver. 13.

N. 2. This will blast the purity of the Churches too, and let in (what not?) that is destructive to verity, and the power of Godlinesse. If our sti [...]ring times have not given sufficient testi­monie to this sad truth, I know not what times ever did or shall. What through uncalled Preachers, and uncate­chised hearers, Oh! the havock and convulsions that are made in the Churches of Jesus! And ind [...]ed, who can expect; but that those, who will vainly or violently enter upon the Ministery without Ordi­nation, shall likewise venturously em­ploy themselves in it, without obser­vation? Witnesse those false teachers whereof Peter tells vs. 2 Peter, Chap­ter 2. and Jude, from the fourth to the twentieth verse. Who may, or how can wee expect [Page 62]other, than unsetlednesse in the love of the Gospell? and unsoundnesse in the life of godlinesse from that man, or men, who shake off the order of the Gospell? Surely, they that heap to themselvs teachers, walk but after their own lusts therein, and have it ch­ing ears, turned from the truth, and unto fa­bles. 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. And therefore whe­ther they that make themselvs teachers are like to walk in the law of God, and to lead you in the ways of that truth which is according to godlinesse, judg ye? What lesse can be said than this? That measuring themselvs by themselves, and comparing themselvs among themselvs, they are not wise: and if the premisses be considered, how wicked!

Sect. 3. It's for the beartning and comfort of such teachers, that beside qua­lifications, they shall have the Office committed to them: their comfortable incouragement much conducing to the credit and interesse of that King Jesus, whose Embassadours they are. Sirs! the duties, difficulties, and discourage­ments of Ministers, how various are they? how involved! And alas! what sorry things are our best qualifications [Page 63]to support us, without the strong aid of that grace, which sets before us the bene­fit of our Commission, to stay and cheer our hearts. Who of us, my brethren, but must confess with Paul, that wee are not sufficient of our selvs, so much as to think any thing as of our selvs? Where then is our sufficiencie? and what is our support? Our sufficiency is of God, who also hath made us able Ministers of the New Testa­ment, 2 Cor, 3.5, 6. That God, who hath made us Ministors, is the spring head of our sufficiencies in the discharge and exer­cise of our Ministry; and that God hath made us Ministers, is the stay and basis of our hopes in all the difficult emergencies of our Ministry. See 2 Tim. 1.11, 12. That our God hath sent us, is the stablishing consideration, a­gainst all despondencies and discourage­ments, that he will supply, strengthen, secure, and work all our works in us and for us. And Lo, by this it is, that God would have us to chide down our fears, and to keep up our faith. I sanctified thee, saith he to Jeremie, and I ordained thee a Prophet unto the Nations. Doth Jeremie say? A [...] Lord God! I am a child, behold I cannot speak. Ay, but hear what the [Page 64]Lord saith unto Jeremy: say not [...] am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I com­mand thee thou shalt speak: Be not af­fraid of their faces; for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord; Behold, I have made thee a defenced City, &c. Jer. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19. An beloved, God doth therefore Commission us, to corroborate and comfort our hearts, and to confirm us you see against hardships. 'Oh the tears and tentations, that every man of God is subject to! without are fightings, within are fears: And in the midd'st of so many inward distractions, and out­ward distresses; while such is the diffi­culty of our province, such the d [...]bi [...]ity of our persons, such the deceitfulness of sin, such the deiusions of Satan, such the desperate stubborness of the world, such the depths and heights of the Word, and such the danger and worth of immortall souls, for which we must give an account; In the midd'st of all this, how would our hearts gather asto­nishment! and our hopes go down into de­spair, did not the sense of this truth, and the sweet fruits that grow upon it so­lace [Page 65]our souls: If God hath sent. God will second me; if God hath put me into the Ministry, he will prosper me in the Ministry; if he hath given me a Com­mission, he will not deny me his conour­rence; he that appointed me to this Office, will accomplish his ends by and upon me in this Office: These, these are the comforts of a Commissioned, if conscienti­ous Minister. Be the success what it wil, if he be sincere and sent, he is to God a sweet savour, though in them that pe­rish 2 Cor. 2.15, 16. and God is his strength and reward; though he hath spent his own strength to no purpose, Isa. 49.4, 5.

A stranger, an unofficed preacher hath not to intermeddle with this joy. But Oh the sweet Cordiall! and com [...]orta­ble savour, of our investitu [...]e with the Office both unto us and you! when both you and we shall call to mind; that we are not barely the servants, but the stewards of Christ; or onely the subjects, but the Embassadours of Christ, and so whatsoever we bind or loose, beseech or charge, rebuke or comfort, it's as if God did it; as though God did beseech you [Page 66]by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, 2 Cor. 5.20. Christ hath bid us go teach, bap­tize, &c. Lo, I am with you, Mat. 28.19, 20. But the unofficed preacher hath neither part nor lot in this promise; for be it supposed, that Christ hath given him feet, bestowed abilities; yet hath he not bid him go, granted him authori­ty: and who can hope, that Christ will go with him, that goeth before Christ, or rather steals away before he sent him? Will hee be with the Prophets that run, and he not sent them? Nay, I am against these Pro­phets, saith the Lord, Jeremi. 23.21.30.31, 32.

Soli Deo sit gloria, Amen.