X. Solid and Serious QVERIES: Concerning the power of Church Discipline pleaded by some of the Clergy to be in them Iure Divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ.
With a three-fold distinction of power; Humaine Rationall, and Divine, flowing from the Parliament, the consciences, and the Spirit of God, unto which all men are bound to submit.
Also an Admonition to the Par1iament to promote the Restitution of true Religion, and Reformation of Gods Church, to the Abandoning of all Popish Remnants, both in Ceremonies and Regiment, and also to bring in, and place in Gods Church, those things only wch the Lord himselfe Commandeth, with the platforme of a Church Reformed.
Composed by many Learned, Religious and godly Ministers, and proved out of Gods Word.
And a vew of Popish abuses remaining in the Prelacy with the Copies of some private Letters written; and sent to some of them worthy His Majesties consideration.
by R. Gualter. T. B. &. Ministers of Gods Word.
A wonderfull, and horrible thing is committed in the land, The Prophets prophesie falsly, and the Priests beare rule by their meanes, and My people love to have it so: and what will yee doe in the end thereof?
Yea that are neere acknowledge my might.
The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearefulnesse hath surprized the Hypocrites,
LONDON, Printed for Matthew Walbancke at Gras-Inne-Gate, 1646.
Ten Solid and serious Queries; Concerning the power of Chruch discipline, pleaded by some of the Clergy to be in them, jure Divino.
1. Quere. WHether those Clergy, and others do not fall into the same Error which Bellarmin did, (in his 5. book, and 7.Chapter,) who hold that because the Ecclesiasticall, and Civill power make but one body in a Common-wealth, therefore as the soule is not governed by the body, so are not matters of Church discipline to be ordered by the Par1iament, or by any lay Commissioners by them Authorized, but that resteth in the Clergy. Seeing that unto Princes, and Majestrates, is committed the Chiese care of Religion, and Gods worship, and to watch over Eeclesiastica1l Ministers, that they may lead a quiet, and a peaceable life. 1 Tim.2.3.
2. Quere] Whether, because Azariah the High Priest drove Vzziah the King out of the Temple, and caused him to, dwell a part. 1 Chron, 26. therefore is there now any Divine Right in the Clergy to assirme to themselves the sole power of suspention from the Lords Supper, seeing that Christ our high priest is come himselfe, now did they compell the King to go forth, till [Page 4] by the leoprosie that rise up in his face, they saw it plainly appeare to them that the Lord had smitten him. I Cor.26.20. and for this, they had their particular Instructions. Leviticus 13.46
3.Quere] Whether; they do well Alledge with Betlermin, what the erroniously teacheth, Capt.8. That because Jehoida depose Athallia 2. Kings II. Therefore they of the ecclesiasticall function have the solepower of Ecclesiastical disciplin given to them by God, when as though Johoida knew that Athalia was a wicked Tyrant yet of himsefe he would presume no hing (but declaratively by his owne power, and referred all to the Parliament,) viz. the Fathers and Princes of the Land, 2 Chron.23. verse 1.2 though the action was in it selfe, commanded by the word of God yet not for the Priests to act by their owne authority: now then to reach what was the minde of God therein.
4.Quere] Whether the Office of the Pastors be not to feed the Flocke of Christ, I Peter 5.2, who so are overseers to them for spirituall diversion, and the Civill Magistrates chiefe for administration of Justice; norwithsranding all that Boniface 8. alledgeth against it, in his decretall, extra commun. lib. 1.tit. 8.
5. Quere] whether there be a sword of power belonging to the Ecciesiasticall function, as to the Civill Majestrates, as Boneface would have it in the foresaid place, (agreeing with-the arrogancy of many now; because the Apostles said to Christ, Lord behold here are two swords, and Christ answered them it is enough, Luke 22.38. when as those were materiall swords, and Peter himselfe was reproved for handling one of them, ver, 20.
6. Quere] Whether, those who are not subject to the power of Parliament (though of the Ecclesiasticall function and in Church discipline for matter of sorme only) in resisting that power do not resist the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13.8.
7. Quere] Whether Pauls saying, That the spiritual man judgeth all things, I Cor. 2.15. gives power to the Clergie to bee Judges, seeing that the Apostle speakes of spirituall minds, and not of spirituall Ministers.
8. Quere] Whether those Ecclesiasticall men that assume to themselves a divine right of temporall jurisdiction to belong to them do not set up themselves above Christ; and assume a power [Page 5] not of right (seeing Christ himselfe tooke upon him no such thing, neither directly, nor indirectly, bee refused to bee a King, Iohn 6, Neither would be execute the office of a Judge Luk. 12:13. He payed Pole money, March 17. Hee submit to the judgment of Pilate and the Disciple is not above his Master.
9. Quere] Whether the Ministers of the Word; and by divine right to be Lords of the Church, and Judges of their Brethren, and may ingrosse all power of Church discipline into their hands without being called to accompt by the Parliament, when at the Apostle bids them, feed the flocke of Christ, not by constreint but willingly, not as Lords over the Lords inheritance, I pet. 5. 3. Contrary to the minds of those who would have power put into their hands to use all forsing, constraining; and Tyrannicall meanes; imprisoning, murdring, and devouring all those that shall not obey them. And whether those who seeke thus to tyranize over the Saints, are not lims of Antichrist.
10. Quere] Wnether it bee not a Vassadre to the Gentry of England to enslave themselves under those who (if advanced) would trample upon Emperors, Kings and Princes, Pope Alexander caused King Henry the second to doe penance for Beckets death. Innocent the third caused King Iohn to kisse the feet of the Bishop of Canterbury; Alexander the third did tread upon the Emperor Fredericks necke. Pope Innocens caused the Emperor Frederick the second to bee poysoned, and his sonne Convedus to bee beheaded, and in England, before the fitting of this Parliament, many Nobles and Worthy Gentlemen were curbed, and tyrannized ever by some base Clergiemen of meane parantage, not to be endured, who can but thinke of serious ambition, that rebuked Fredericke the first for holding his stirrop on the wrong side.
11. Quere] Whether the Clergy are not (without complaining) to observe that Church discipline which the Parliament doth prescribe, so long as it is consistant to the preaching of the Word of God, and dispenssion of the Sacrament according to the rule of Jesus Christ where as it was the custome of the Primitive Churches to submit to the seculer powers. August Exposit. Quer and Propos ex Epist ad Roman, Epist Leodiens contra Paschal Agathon; [Page 6] Eqist Synod.6. generall action, 4. Dist. 8. cap. 1. Dist. 10. cap.9. Distinct. 97. Clement. 5. exirav. Commun. lib. 5. tit. 7. cap, 2. Hierom, censur orient, eccles cap. 16. Agapetns to Justinian, num. 63 Agapitos, num. 68. Francisc. Titelman, deside and Religion. Aetheop. Harm. sect. II. pag. 374. Cansanns con, cord lib, 2, cap-7. Esponsaus, digres. 10. in tit. pag. 1567.
A three sould distinction of power, unto which all men are bound to submit.
Man is subject to three powers, the first Humaine, the second Rationall and the third Divine. The first is the Lawes of Nations, the second is the dictates of Reason, the third the word of God. In England the King and Parliament is the fountaine, of the humains Conscience, the fountaine of the Rationall, and goes on spirit the fountaine of the Divine.
1. The Parliament makes humaine Lawes, But they have their rise from a Divine power, and wbesoever resisteth the power, resisteth the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13.2
2. Conscience is the minde of God brought to mans Reason, teaching him how to put forth himselfe in acts of piety to God and love to man, and according to his owne actions to passe sentence on himselfe. This power is more spirituall then bumaine, but acts in both, in simplicity, and Godly sincerity, not with slesisly wisdome, but by the grace of God, having its conversation in the world, but more abundantly towards the Saints. 2 Corinth. 1. 12.
3. Gods holy spirit, makes divine Liwes, none else are jure divino, and the power there of tends all to love joy, peace, long-sussiring gentlenesse goodnesse, faith, mseknesse, Temperance, against such there is no law. Gallath. 5.22.23. And all statutes, and Acts of Parliament, all discipline and worship ought to submit to this Rule. All power which doth so or beyond the Law of God is a usurpation.
The Parliament have declared every Law, Ordinance, Priviledge. Custome or Prerogative which doth exalt it selfe above the Lawes of God reasons or peace, to be void, and what men for [Page 7] ever they be that will dare to presume a higher prerogative of power to themselves, are led by the spirit of pride, and Antechrist, and against all such the Parliament may exercise their power, because they will not submit to the powers that be ordained of God. Rom. 13.1.