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IT is well said, minimus error in principio, erit max∣imus in fine, a line distant but a very little, in the centre, at the circumference, will be a great way off: and therefore in foundations, men must be very wary how they erre: when the doubt or question is not stated well, there is muc•• ••rang∣ling to little purpose: the Apostle seem•• to make
that the ground of their vain jangling, that they un∣derstood not whereof they did affirm, (h) that is, did not state the question well, whereabout they wrangled, and moved doubts; that we therefore, may not erre this errour, nor lose our way in setting out; we desire our sense, may be conceived, and taken in this ensuing thesis, proposition, apho∣risme.
That in every setled, well-ordered Church, there ought to be some persons set a part, to attend and act in holy things, with more assurance and Authority then others; besides the labours and en∣deavours of godly, well-affected, private Christi∣ans.
1. We say, Church; that is, assembly and so∣ciety of Christians, for spiritual and religious ends; for though the word may signifie, any call∣ed or assembled Company, though for externall ci∣vil ends: as that meeting is called: (i) yet we use it here, in an ecclesiastical and spiritual sense, for religious meetings and Assemblies, as the Apostle doth, (k) to shew, that we intend not civil meet∣ings; but confine our selves to those that are di∣vine and spiritual: but we take it in the utmost Ecclesiastical, and spiritual latitude; for we think, what we affirm and set down, is true, of the Ca∣tholick Church of Christ, and of every Member, division, and sub-division of it, from universal to particular, from national to provincial, and from thence to parochial, and congregational; for in eve∣ry one of these, there ought to be some set a part.
2. We say, setled: that is, grown up, and come
to some maturity and ripenesse; for though a rude unpolisht company of two or three, may in some sense be called a Church: (l) as an Embrio con∣ceived, but not fashioned in the womb, may be called a man, as the Psalmist seems to intimate: (m) yet we mean not, such a young unformed Compa∣ny, as the Church in Adams and the Patriarks Fa∣milies: or if grown up, yet in distemper, or un∣setled, by some external accidents, as the Church yet in the Wildernesse, (n) and as it was in that confusion, which the Prophet doth allude to; (o) but we mean, a Church enjoying some external quiet, and communion with her self and others: as that was, after Saul was turned preacher, (p) and of a Lion was become a Lamb, though it be not eve∣ry way accomplisht, and accomodated, though it be liable to troubles and persecutions.
3. Well ordered, we acknowledge, this might be implied, in setled, yet think it good for plain∣nesse, to expresse it; for a thing may be setled ill, or out of order, as all materialls belonging to an house, may be comported, and brought together, and layd down on an heap, and so far setled: yet is not property an house, till it be coupled, and joyn∣ed together fitly; and so stuffe, and all necessaries to make a Garment: so there may be a rude, pro∣miscuous unpolished Company that may be setled, that is, resolved to live and act together: yet un∣distinguished, and placed unjoynted and unor∣dered, as they ought to be, and must be, before they can do businesse, and encounter difficulties; for action supposeth and requireth order, a broken
tooth, and foot out of joynt, may not be trusted to, nor any stresse laid on them, as the wise man speaks: (q) We mean therefore, a body joynted as it should be, having Head and Members, orderly distinguisht and complying, by the nerves and si∣nues, with one another, as the Apostle speaks, (r) not that we think it needful and essential, to the being of a Church, that this order be exact and per∣fect here, but that we think it should be aimed at, and laboured for, and some degrees attained; as a Ship must have some tackle, and accomodations, before it can be put to Sea, and make a voyage; for though it be not necessary to the being, yet it is to the beauty and well-being, (s) joyning and behold∣ing your Order: and though he could not order all things, in the Church of Corinth, when he was with them, yet he promised to do it at his return. (t)
4. We say, some; for the Church is a body, that hath dissimilar, and heterogeneal parts, is integrum as well as totum, and hath offices distinct, and divers from one another; (u) for as we have many Members in one body, and all Members have not the same Office; so we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. A body is not a lump of flesh, unorganized and undistinguished; but orderly accomodated with Members, answerable unto the functions needful for it; (w) for the body is not one Member but many: some therefore must be set a part, not all, its t••ue, all should be Saints, at least in shew and in profession; (x) but all the Saints should not be Governours and Rulers in the Church, (y) salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the Saints:
Gods people in the old administration, under Mo∣ses, had as fair a title unto Saint-ship, as ever any people in the world had: (z) ye shall be a peculiar theasure unto me, above all people; for all the earth is mine, and ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests, and an holy Nation. So that they were not without book, when they said, that all the Congregation were holy, every one of them, and the Lord was among them: (a) yet Aarons Priesthood was asserted against those oppo∣sites. Men may be holy, and yet not high; graced with favours, and endearements of great concern∣ment, yet no•• set up in Mose•• Chair, nor beautified with Arons Ornaments: all are not overseers in a Congregation, nor Captains and Commanders in a Company: so God hath set some in the Church, first A∣postles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers; (b) and therefore might well ask, are all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? if all were Teach∣ers, who should be taught? if all Shepheards, who should be sheep? where all are set apart, none are set apart, eadem est nimia, & nulla divisio.
5. Set apart, that is, designed and devoted to the work betimes, as Aarons Sonnes were, (c) and Sa∣muel, whilst yet an Infant, (d) that so they may be trained up and educated, answerably; for if that great King would have none about him, to attend and wait upon him till they were qualified, and fit∣ted for it: (e) how much more may the great God, require a training up, and education answerable to the place and service they are intended for; its true, Gods spirit and the graces of it, are the main endowments that are required, that they be holy,
godly men, that they be full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, as Stephen was; (f) for they will ne∣ver do the work of God well, that have not first Gods work done on them: will hardly labour and endeavour seriously▪ to make their hearers and Scholars better then themselves; but that's not all, they must have fitnesse for the service, which all Gods people have not: in former ages, when God did more immediately endow and qualifie for that great work: yet, education and instruction was required, how to discern those visions and appari∣tions which they had, God called Samuel, (g) but he runs unto Eli, & thought it had been he: so God sends a Prophet unto Jeroboam & bids him come away & not accept of any entertainment that should be offered him: & upon this ground, he doth refuse the Kings; (h) but another Prophet comes unto him, and pre∣tends a Message from an Angel, for his going back: (i) the young Prophet obayes the old Prophet, and believed the latter order did supercede the former: yet for this his weaknes & mistake, for this credulity & inability for to distinguish, calls & orders, a Lion meets with him in his return, and kills him: (k) therefore in those times, there were not only Pro∣phets, but Prophets Sonnes, that had distinct and proper education, that dwell together in one place, (l) and had one over them, for to instruct and guide them in the knowledge and cariage of those great affairs: (m) that as the Priests Sons had their Fathers and Brothers to instruct and bring them up, in the knowledge of what they were to be im∣ployed in, when they were men, so the Prophets had Fathers also, designed and appointed unto
them: (n) by whom they were directed and in∣structed, how to understand and answer those ce∣lestiall influences; which shews that holiness and sanctifying grace was not enough.
So much more now, when there is more requi∣red from those Servants and attendants, and lesse bestowed; for in the Apostles times, there was not only required sanctifying grace, but also many o∣ther qualifications and endowments, to inable god∣ly men for Offices, and publick administrations, as the Apostle shews at large: (o) which, if godli∣nesse had bin enough, might have all bin spared, nam frustrâ fit per plura, quod fieri potest per panciora: as he said, when they were debating an Embassa∣dors instructions, mitte prudentem, & nihil dicito: so Paul might have said, see they be godly men, and care for nothing else. The Apostles were not only holy, godly men, but had also their breeding and educa∣tion under Jesus Christ, for some years, yea had been used & accustomed unto the work, yet when they were to go alone, to encounter with the great and common enemy, they are commanded to tarry at Jerusalem, until they were endued with power from on high. (p)
6. Set apart, that is, examined and tried, by men inabled and appointed thereunto; for they are not to be the Judges of their own abilities; for all are partiall to themselves, and apt to think their own Geese Swans, Ante omnia videndum, ne suprà vires quid aggrediamur, quia ferè plus nobis videmur posse, quàm possumus: (q) who is Shechem, that we should serve him, and would this people were under my hand,
then would I remove Abimelech: yet he found it not so easie, when he came to act it: every body can rule a shrew but he that hath her: its fit, mens for∣ces should be considered, before they be intrusted with great adventures: when David offered him∣self to go against Goliath, Saul takes a good account of him, upon what grounds he durst adventure, upon such a duel: and puts him not on, till he had given satisfaction: (r) the very Deacons must be proved, before they be admitted Officers, (s) much more the Ministers: Timothy was dedicated and de∣voted to the work of God, by education under a godly Grandmother and Mother, (t) and by pro∣phecy, (u) and by the hand of Paul: (w) yet all this would not serve, but he must have hands im∣posed by the Presbytery: (x) and accordingly, he was to charge others, that they should teach no o∣ther Doctrine, (y) nor lay hands on no man sud∣denly, (z) and Titus was left in Creet for the same reason: (a) both of them being able and confi∣ding persons: of whose fidelity and skill, the A∣postle had had much experience, as he speaks of Timothy. (b)
7. To attend: God sayes, he is a great King, (c) and must be waited on accordingly, as Solomon, that great King was: (d) never did God appear, without a great train and retinue: (e) his Mini∣sters must be attendants on him, not come and go, when they see cause; but fixed and annexed to their Office, as the Apostle speaks, (f) God will not have his work done by any body, that can do it, but by those that are designed and ap∣pointed, as that man called his own Servants
to distribute and give his goods unto, (g) and they must not be out of the way when they are called, but attend continually, as the Apostle speaks, (h) can∣not depute and substitute another in their stead; as the Keepers of the Great Seale, at every sealing must be present; so the Officers and Priests of God were to attend, and if a Stranger offered to come neere, though in good will, he was to be put to death, (i) and if they were more slack and negli∣gent, in putting this severe decree and rule in exe∣cution, God did it for them, as in the case of Ʋzzah, (k) not that God intended they should be drudges, and harass out themselves, till they were spiritlesse, and fit for nothing; for we see, he succoured and relieved Moses, when he did complain, (l) accor∣ding to the good advice, that Jethro his Father in law, had given to him, (m) and though the Priests were to attend, and wait upon the service in their courses, as Solomon, by Davids direction, had ap∣pointed, (n) and Zacharias doth accordingly attend: (o) yet there were four and twenty courses, (p) so that it came unto their lot to attend, but one moneth in two years: and therefore Paul enjoyn∣eth Timothy, to give himself wholly up to that at∣tendance, (q) and as now the case is with Mini∣sters, & those that are to wait upon the holy things of God, all is too little: so much work to be done, so few to do it, so many lets within us, and without us: so few encouragements, that we may well say, with the Apostle, (r) who is sufficient for it, though he do nothing else.
8. And act: the Church without her Officers,
is like the hulk and body of a Ship without her Tackle, Marriners, and Sea-men, and cannot move nor act no more then that can. The Church in Christs time was pretty wel equipped and accomo∣dated, could move and saile within view of the Shore, and so were ordered to do, (s.) Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any City of the Sama∣ritans enter ye not; they were not fit for bustles and encounters yet, and therefore when their Pilot was departing and going from them, he bids them tarry at Jerusalem, till he provided them a better and a fitter equipage: (t) one sayes a Ship is avis lignea, a wooden Bird, and a Bird we know cannot flye swiftly, except her wings and feathers be dry and smooth. God therefore, that he might inable the Church, his Arke, or wooden Bird, to fly the better, and encounter difficulties; sends down according to his promise, wind and fire, both for to dry her moystened and ruffled feathers, and beare her up above the scornes and calumnies of popular and vulgar breath; (u) And suddenly there came from hea∣ven a sound, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting; and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them: and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. Fire is the most active element, and therefore was predominant in this accommodati∣on, to shew that Ministers ought to be active, are often in the Scripture called Angels, (w) the seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches, and we know what's said of them, (x) who maketh his Angels spirits, and his Ministers a flaming fire; its true, God is to be
attended with more then are to be imployed; (y) the charets of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels, so (z) ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, yet all of them are to be Agents, able and apt to act what shall be ordered and appointed to them; so that if he say unto one go, he goes; to ano∣ther come, and he comes; and to his servant, do this and he doeth it. (a) They say the Russian Emperour, when any solemn entertainment is to be made, hath ma∣ny Citizens, mechanick persons arrayed and set out, to stand as Mutes in the solemnitie, and looke on; but God will have all his servants and atten∣dants to be vowells, will have no blemishes that disable unto action, will have no Idolls in the Church his holy Temple; that have mouthes and speak not, eyes and see not, they have hands and handle not, feet have they and walk not, as the Psalmist speaks, (b) and therefore that is especially put in, that he be apt to teach, (c) and an unfitnes here, begets a nul∣lity, as it doth in a knife that is not apt to cut, in an instrument that is not apt to sound; as Aristotle sayes, perforatus calix, non est mutilus, sed nullus: an hole in an earthen vessell, destroyes not onely the beauty, but the being of it.
9. In holy things, that is the things of God, such as the Temple and Altar were among the Jewes; (d) and such as the word Prayer, Sacramnt••s, and Censures, are among the Christians; for as there were Guides and Overseers in the Temple, to at∣tend and order at Administrations, & the stranger that came nigh was to be put to death; (e) so in the Gospell Administrations, some must be specially
provided and devo••ed unto these attendances and administrations; the Church of God is compared unto, and called the house of God, (f) as therefore in a settled well-ordered house, there alwayes is and must be, some body to oversee and act in all do∣mestick administrations; so in the Church, the A∣postle makes the parralel, (g) One that ruleth well his owne house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take cart of the Church of God? The Ministers of the Gospel are and ought to be Masters of the Assemblies, as the wise man speaks, (h) that the meeting may not be confused, and the more part know not wherefore they come together, as it is said of that confused company; (f) for though the Scriptures (i) be the Word of God, and able to make us wise unto salvation, as the Apostle speaks, (k) yet without a guide all cannot understand them; (l) there is eternal life involved and bound up in that Book, but they must be searched before that can be found, (m) they must be opened and divided by a Work-man, (n) that every Son and Servant in the house may have his portion, and allowance in convenient time, (o) that there be no plaistering and daubing over with untempe∣red morter, as the Prophets speaks; (p) that is, because with lies they make the hearts of the righteous sad, whom the Lord hath not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life. (q)
So for the Sacraments, Gods Great Seales, as Cir∣cumcision is expresly called; (r) and by a reall and just proportion, the other may be: that they be not set unto a Blank or to a Patent, that is not
warrantable and authentick; and therefore may be confided in the hands of such as God hath or∣dered and autberized to be keepers of them: (s) and so for Prayer, another great part of ministeriall of∣fice, (t) that it be offered up to God, by one that is an Advocate in Office, in the stead of Christ, (u) Gods mouth unto the people, as the Prophet is expresly cal∣led, (w) and th•• People likewise unto God, as Moses is expresly said to be; (x) not that we think a private godly Christian may not pray, no, we acknow∣ledge that he may and must; (y) but we thinke there is a Publique Service, or Sacrifice of Prayer, that must not be offered up without an Officer, (z) representing Jesus Christ, who is our onely effectual authentick Advocate and Intercessor to his Hea∣venly Father. (a) For as the Judges of the Courts at Westminster, will not have ignorant unskilfull persons plead before them, because the Termes a••e short, and Causes many. So God loves those should pray to him that doe speake sence and come unto the point; and therefore our Saviour Christ hath expresly said, (b) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, use not vain repetitions as the Heathen do; and especially Baltus a Poet, infamous for his empty and unseem∣ly repetition••; one may say much in few words, and little in many, if he be not carefull and intent on what he speaks; as Tacitus, Drusum paucioribus lau∣da••nt, sed intentiori, & fida oratione.
And for the Censures, no doubt a Rod in School, is not more needfull then in the Church; for its as true of Gods Servants as of ours, that they will not be corrected with words, for though they understand, they will not answer; (c) but the extreames are very hard
to be avoided, Paul had it ready, and lets them know so much, (d) offers them which they would; a good Physician is not willing for to lance and burn, but is some times forced by his Patients inordinatenesse, intemperans aeger crudelem facit medicum, makes him do that which if not forced to it, would be accoun∣ted cruelty. God loves his Children as well a•• we do ours, but dotes not on them, non ut mater, sed ut pater, diligit Deus; and so if they provoke him, and put him to it, can and will correct and chasten them, (e) but it should be in the Church, as it is in many Grammar-Schooles; many devices and in∣ventions found out to keep off whipping, that the commonness of it bring it not into contempt, and blunt the edge of it; for if the shame and terror of the censure be grown familiar, the shame and terror of it will abate, as he said well, videbis ea saepius committi, quae saepe puniuntur, the spur oft used will make the Horse neglect the use of it; our prea∣ching therefore should rebuke our hearers, as the Apostle orders, (f) and private admonition should succeed, and second that, as our Saviour hath direct∣ed, (g) and the cutting off, should be reserved for extream necessity.
10. We say, with more assurance, he that ad∣ventures on those dangerous and great attempts, that is, to turn men from darknesse, unto light; from the power of Satan, unto God, as the Apostle speakes, (h) had need be very well assured of his Call, his Missi∣on, and Commission; its well said, ad pauca re∣spicientes, facile pronunciant, they leap easily that look but a little way before them; its an easie mat∣ter
to ingage and undertake, but not to execute and come off. The Duke of Savoies Fool chanced to be present at a Debate about invading Switzerland, and on a sudden fell into a great laughter; and be∣ing asked why hee laughed, told them, because every body advised how to go in, but no body con∣sidered how they should come out, in case the enter prise succeeded not: we like those Leaders in an Army, that consider how they shall escape in case they should be worsted; our Saviour therefore doth inculcate, ever and anon, and reiterate, and mind them of their call; they had his promise and assu∣rance in it, that they should catch men as now they did fish; (i) yet he calls them over again, and gives them more assurance of their being Officers, (k) and they found his presence with them in a speciall manner in the execution of their office, which was a great assurance and security; (l) yet after he was risen from the dead, he gives another mission and assurance, (m) and as if that still were little and de∣fective, and did not sufficiently assure and settle them, against those great encounters they were to undergo; he bids them tarry at Jerusalem untill they had a greater power afforded to them, (n) and because Paul was to encounter with more enemies then any of them, and had not his Commission sealed so soon as they; he had successive promises at his conversi∣on, (o) delivering thee from the people, and from the Gen∣tiles unto whom now I send thee, and when he was come to Jerusalem, and the disciples were all afraid of him, yet he was by Barnabas commended to them, and re∣ceived, (p) yet when he had preached fourteen years among the Gentiles, he is received by James, Cephas,
and John, who gave to him & Barnabas, the right hand of fellowship, (q) which was another confirmation, so a man would think he was sufficiently assured and encouraged; yet when he was at Corinth, the Lord himselfe again appeared to him, and assured him that he was with him in the work; (r) so that he had warm cloathes continually brought to him, to encourage and support him: So when he writes to Timothy of the great Apostacie, and falling off, that was like to follow in the last dayes; he settles him upon this ground, that he was well assured of what he was instructed in, (s) continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, know∣ing of whom thou hast learned them. It is as danger∣ous to b••ing men home to God, as to rob a Beare of her Whelps, and he that goes to fetch the Beares Whelps from her, had need be very well assured of his Call. (t) When stormes at sea indanger all, their comfort and assurance is, the lawfulnesse and good assurance of their Call; but if a man should put him∣selfe into a vessel for wantonness and curiosity, and should be driven suddenly into the sea, & seized by Pyrats, it would be sad to beare that cruell bondage upon so slender an account; yet here the danger is greater, because they do transgresse the bounds which God himself hath set, and seldom is their punishment without some mark of terrour and asto∣nishment, as Corahs was, and his Associates. (u)
11. We say, with more authority then others, assurance and authority establish one another; for if one be assured of his Call, he hath authority: when Christ sent out his Twelve Apostles, its said ex∣presly,
(w) that he gave them authority over all Devils, as if before, some Devils were at liberty: as that kind, that came not forth, but by fasting and prayer; (x) but after they had this Commission, none stood before them, and a very full authority it was, they had, and therefore he assures them before, that he had a plenipotency: (y) all power in Heaven and Earth; and what his Father gave him, he gave them, as far as they were capable, and could receive and en∣tertain it, (z) and what was needful to their Of∣fice, they did and could receive, not for them only; but also for their successors, unto the worlds end; for he closeth his Commission, with this assertion, and assurance, that he would be with them, unto the worlds end. (a) It falls out often here in this world, that many promise fair, whilst they are in pursuit, of some enjoyment and satisfaction, that is in their eye; but when they have atchieved and attained, what they prosecuted, forget their promises; as Pharoahs Butler, did his promise and engagement un∣to Joseph; (b) but Christ forgets not what he pro∣mised his Servants, but when he had attained what he aimed at, was setled and possessed of his King∣dom, ascended up on high, was out of danger, now himself: had led captivity captive, had all his enemies his foot-stoole, as the Psalmist speaks, (c) yet he gives gifts to men, some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evan∣gelists, some Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, the work of the Ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ, (d) that is, till we be come to Heaven, and
are past faith and hope, all Acts and Ordinances, that help us in the way, and suppose infirmity and imperfection: and this Authority, Paul and the rest, not only exercised and used themselves; but give directions unto others also, for to use, as unto Titus, (e) these things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all au∣thority: let no man despise thee. And because Timothy was but a young man, and wanted that authority, which age and gray hairs give, he gives direction to make that up by conversation, which course of years gave not, (f) let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. These graces he was sure would purchase and beget authority a little sooner then the ordinary time and course of years, would bring it: and it was not ordinary to admit of young men, an Elder and a Minister, be∣ing in the Scripture of the new Testament, of great affinity, because their very years procured some authority to what they said; and it is as needful and as useful now, as ever, that a Minister should be a man of gravity and seniority, that they may, by that means, have some authority annexed unto what they say, which an ordinary person, that hath never been abroad, that was never from the place of his nativity, can hardly have: whereas those that have spent their younger years in study, and have been out of sight, have by their very absence and distance, gotten some opinion and reputation; nam major reverentia, è longinquo, they would not entertain our Saviours Doctrine, because he was their Neighbour, and bred among them; (g) but when a man hath been abroad, hath been in some great fa∣mous
University, annum jam audientem Cratippum, id{que} Athenis, and then is sifted and examined, and afterwards admitted, and made a Minister, it carries reputation with it, and more authority then ano∣ther can have, though of equal parts and gifts: as the same words, to a prisoner, by one that is a Judge, and hath Commission of Oyer and Terminer, have more authority and influence, then if spoken to him, by one not in office. Though the private person, be the abler Orator, and have more dexte∣rity, in expressing of himself: Women can speak well many times, and their affections make them eloquent and apt to speak, yet the Apostle calls it usurpation, to exercise this faculty of theirs, in pub∣lick meetings of Gods people, (h) because they could not do it, in the hearing and sight of men, with that authority that was required.
12. We say, that all this ought to be in every setled, well ordered Church, beside the labours and endeavours of godly, well-affected, private Christians: these are diversa, but not opposita: di∣vers, but not dissenting or opposing one another: Church-work, is for the most part slow, and many hands may be imployed, provided that they be sub∣ordinate to one another, that the Master-builders be allowed to give directions: as in an Army many hands may, yea must be imployed; but ranks and files must be observed: the Officers must give out Orders and Commands, and the common Souldi∣ers execute: as in the body there are many Mem∣bers, yet all subordinate unto the head: in a Ship there are many Marriners and Souldiers, yet all un∣der
one Generall, and duly distributed into diffe∣rent, distinct, and several subordinations: so in the Church, good people may have use enough, of all their parts and gifts, of all their faculties and gra∣ces, and yet need Ministers, to guide and lead them to teach in publick, and with more authority then they; for the Church consisteth, and is made up of many small societies and bodies; and every little body hath ability to govern and direct it self: yet in subordination to the whole. In a Grammar-School, the upper forms, can order and direct the lower, yet there is use of, and need of Masters: in a Town there be some that have good medicines for the stone and tooth-ach, yet there must be Physiti∣ans: in a Ship, there be many that can steere, and understand the Card and Compasse, yet there is use of Pilots: so in a setled and well-ordered Church, there may be many that can speak of good things, that can instruct and catechise their families, that can admonish one another, and exhort and com∣fort, as there is occasion offered and afforded: yet for all this, in those very places some should be set apart, to attend and act in holy things, beside the labours and endeavours of these godly, well-af∣fected, private Christians.
1 Tim. 1. 6, 7.
Act. 19. 52.
1 Cor. 14. 23.
Mat. 18. 20.
Psal. 139. 16.
Act. 7. 38.
2 Chron. 15. 3.
Act. 9. 31.
Prov. 25. 19.
Col. 2. 19. Eph. 4. 12, 13.
Col. 2. 5.
1 Cor. 11. 34.
Rom. 12. 4, 5.
1 Cor. 12. 14.
Eph. 4. 12
Heb. 13. 24
Exod. 19. 5, 6.
Numb. 16. 3.
1 Cor. 1••. 28, 29.
Exod. 28. 1.
1 Sa. 1. 11.
Dan. 1. 3, 4, 5.
Act. 6. 3.
1 Sam. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
1 King. 13. 8, 9.
v. 18, 19.
v. 24.
2 King. 2. 3. 5.
1 Sam. 19. 20.
1 Sam. 10. 12.
1 Tim. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Tit. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9.
Luk. 24. 4.
Judg. 9. 28. 29.
1 Sam. 17. 33, 34, 35, 36.
1 Tim. 3. 10
2 Tim. 2. 1. 5.
1 Tim. 1. 18.
2 Tim. 1. 6
1 Tim▪ 4. 14.
1 Tim. 1. 3.
1 Tim. 5. 22.
Tit. 1. 5.
Phil. 2. 22.
Mal. 1. 14
1 King. 10. 5.
Isa. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. Dan. 7. 9, 10.
Rom. 12. 7.
Mat. 25. 14
Rom. 13. 6.
Num. 1. 51.
2 Sam. 6▪ 6, 7.
Num. 11. 16 17.
Exod. 18. 19, 20.
2 Chron. 8 14.
Luk. 1. 8, 9
1 Chron. 24. 18.
1 Tim. 4. 13, 15.
2 Cor. 2. 16
Mat. 10. 5.
Luk. 24. 49
Act. 2. 2, 3, 4.
Rev. 1. 20.
Psal. 104. 4
Psal. 68. 17, 18.
Dan. 7. 10.
Luk. 7. 8.
Psa. 115. 5, 6, 7.
1 Tim. 3. 2.
1 Cor. 9. 13
Num. 3. 38
1 Tim. 3. 15.
1 Tim. 3. 4, 5.
Eccl. 12. 11.
Act. 19. 32
2 Tim. 3. 15.
Act. 8. 30. 31.
Joh. 5. 39.
2. Tim. 2. 15.
Luk. 12. 42
Ezek. 13. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
Vers. 22.
Rom. 4. 11.
Mat. ••8. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11 23.
Acts 6. 4.
2 Cor. 5. 20
Jer. 15. 9.
Deut. 5. 27▪ Exod. 19. 8, 9.
1 Thess. 5. 17.
Jam. 5. 14, 15.
Heb. 7. 25.
Mat. 6. 7, 8.
Pro. 29▪ 19
1 Cor. 4 21
Heb. 12. 6, 7
2 Tim. 4. 2.
Mat. 18 15, 16.
Act. 26. 18.
Mat. 4. 19. Luk. 5. 10.
Mat. 10. 1, 2. Luk. 6. 13.
Luk. 10. 17.
Mat. 28. 19 20. Joh. 20. 21, 22, 23.
Luk. 24. 49.
Act. 26. 17.
Act. 9. 26. 27, 28.
Gal. 2. 9, 10
Act. 18. 9, 10.
2 Tim. 3. 14
Pro. 17. 12.
Num. 16.
Luk. 9. 1.
Mar. 9. 29
Mat. 28. 18
Joh. 17. 22.
Mat. 28. 20
Gen. 40. 23.
Psal. 110. 1.
Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13.
Tit. 2. 15.
1 Tim. 4. 12
Mat. 13. 54, 55, 56, 57.
1 Tim. 2. 12.