A iustification of separation from the Church of England Against Mr Richard Bernard his invective, intituled; The separatists schisme. By Iohn Robinson.

Your last argument to prove the officers the Church Math. 18.* 1.1 and directly to disprove our supposed popularity is, that it is against the dignity, and office of the Ministers, who represent Christs person vnto* 1.2 the Congregation, 1 Cor. 4. 1. having authority from him to preach, admini∣ster the sacraments, vse the censures, which none but such as represent him can give them, (which the body of the people do not by office) nor take from them &c.* 1.3

This indeed is the thing: the dignity of Preisthood is it, which goes nearest you: and that you keep last as Iacob did Beniamin, whom of all his sonnes he was loathest to part with, Gen. 42. 4. & 43. 14. But first if your meaning be, that the Ministers by their office represent Christ in his office, it is little lesse then blasphemy; for Christ is the husband, and mediatour of his Church, by his of∣fice, and herein not to be represented by any other man, or an∣gel. The ministers in publishing the gospell, and word of reconci∣liation are in * 1.4 Christs stead, and therein to be obeyed as himself; but what if they speak the vision of their own hart, and publish he∣resy,

& false doctrine, or lead a scandalous, and prophane life? their office is no dispensation for them, neyther are they now any longer in the stead of Christ, but of the Divel whom they resemble, as children their father, and are so to be reputed.

Besides, there is no force in your argument: bycause the bo∣dy of the Church represents not Christ by office, as the Ministers do, therefore it is no way equall with the Ministers, nor may me∣dle with them, but the contrary. May not a man as well ar∣gue thus? Bycause the wife no way represents her housband in of∣fice, (for she is in no office (the same may be sayd of the children) a•• the steward, and the bayliffe doe, therefore the wife is no way superiour vnto them, she may not reprove, or displace them in her husband•• absence, what evil soever they doe in their office, or persons, but on the contrary they may rebuke her, and turne her out of doores (and her children with her) if there be cause. For they represent the maister in office she not. Now wee know well “ 1.5 the Church is the wife, and spouse of Christ, & † 1.6 the Ministers stewards.

Thus having cleared the way of such obiections, as wherewith Mr Bernard would stumble the reader, I come in the next place (as I have formerly ordered my course) to declare that the Church, Math. 18. 17. is not the officers, but the whole body meeting to∣gether for the publique worship of God, and that 1 Cor. 5. proves the same by practise, which is in the former place enjoyned by rule.

Onely I must needs, by the way, make a step into his 2. book amongst his score of reasons there against popularity, and so re∣move, as it were with my foot, such of them, as are tumbled in by him to make rough the playn wayes of the Lord. And they are as the authour numbers them the 7. 12. 13. 17. 18.

Notes

• * 1.1

  IX.
• * 1.2

  Mr B.
• * 1.3

  Answ.
• * 1.4

  2 Cor. 4. 2••.
• “ 1.5

  Cant. ••. 9 ••0. Ephe. ••▪ 29. 30. 32.
• † 1.6

  1 Cor. 4. 1 2.