Palæmon, or, The grand reconciler composing the great difference and disputes about church-government and discovering the primitive government of churches, built upon the Word of God, and the practice of the apostles / compiled by one who labours for the peace of the church.

SECT. X.

LAst of all, because this Apostolicall government by Bishops and Presbyters is chiefly exercised in Ordination & Penance, a question may arise, Whether it belongs to the Bishop alone,

without his Presbyters, to censure the offences (whether in do∣ctrine or manners) of those persons who have received holy or∣ders. Mr. Th. clearing first that place in 1 Tim. 5.19, 20. an∣swers the question,* 1.1 That without all doubt it was the practice of the primitive times for the Bishop with his Presbyters to take the examination of offending Ministers, whom, being con∣victed of their offence by the mouth, (i. e. the asseveration) of 2. or 3. witnesses, he in the presence of his Presbyters did rebuke before all in the sight and hearing of the congregation, that others thereby might be strucken with feare to offend God and his peo∣ple by their scandalous conversation. If this course had been ta∣ken formerly with Ministers and Deacons, it might have so plea∣sed God that the Church should not now have layen bleeding and gasping in this fatall ruine: Neither would there have beene gi∣ven to our enemies so just an occasion of relating sad truths in Gath and Askelon.

Thus following the method of that most learned Gentleman, I have cast his larger Modell into a lesser frame, that the cmmon people may hereby be better instructed and advised not to thinke of destroying Bishops, but rather labour and wish for the resto∣ring of their Presbyteries; which forme of government being set downe and delivered in the holy Scriptures, is commended and countenanced by the agreement of historicall Truth, and pri∣mitive practice, as of the Apostles and other succeeding ages. And seeing that the Bishops succeeded the Apostles in place and function, I cannot but wonder that those should endeavour to de∣stroy them, those who are Sons of the Apostles Faith and Do∣ctrine. S. Hierom of all Church Writers least favorable to the Or∣der of Bishops, is neverthelesse most large in acknowledging that without it the peace of particular Churches could not be preser∣ved. In witnesse whereof we may appeale to those many and happy dayes which our Church since the Reformation by means of it hath enjoyed, without such ruptures and factions which have happened in a neighbouring Church, whose people were alwayes observed to be of all others most daring, in matters of Religion, to innovate opinions, and break the bonds of peace, by which the good and welfare of Church and State is promoted. To re-establish which blessed peace (after which we groane in our prayers with panting desires) it could be wished that wee might see the Heads of our Church, the Bishops, stand (as Mr.

Th. expresses it well) in their right places, being set over Bodies or Colledges of Presbyteries, which should consist of men con∣forme to the Church both in Doctrine and Discipline. To the want of which government, although some have attributed those many inconvenciences wherewith the Church is cumbred, yet most of the Clergy-men that are versed in the affaires of the Church, wishing its prosperity and peace, doe acknowledge and confesse with a protestation against it, That there is one in con∣veniency now setled in the Church, which has done much mis∣chiefe, and cannot be redressed without a publique Act of Par∣liament: It is the committing of Jurisdiction at large (even that which by the power of the Keyes received from Christ is proper and essentiall to the Church) to Lay persons, as Chancel∣lors and Commissaries &c. who may still retaine that office and ranke they hold in regard of those other points of Jurisdi∣ction in charitable causes annexed by the favour of Princes and Lawes of Commonwealths to the Church,* 1.2 which is fittest to judge and determine in such cases, yet may be nonplust some∣times for want of knowledge in the Civill Law, and therefore may and must have need of such assistants; who, if they moved onely in the lower Sphere of the Law, and medled not with that Primum mobile, the great wheele of the Church, the discipline of penance, but did leave the execution of this to the Bishop and Presbyters. If this were once amended, and officers duly censured by the B^ps & their Presbyters openly in the Church, or in any pub∣like place of Justice: And besides the exercise of this discipline, if they enjoined their joint pains & parts in the tryall & examina∣tion of persons who come for Ordination, providing that none be ordained but those who are either Assistants of, and are presented to Cures (according to our Lawes) if this were faithfully done, and Ministers without connivence censured who should offend either in life or doctrine, then should we see Righteousnesse run downe like a streame in our streets, and Peace would flourish within our wals, and Plenty in our palaces.

This is my daily prayer, and it is the desire of all good Chri∣stians:

Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris. Give peace in our time O Lord. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Against an El∣der receive not an accusation but under 2. or 3. witnesses, &c.
• * 1.2

  As the probat of Wils, &c.