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A survey of the summe of church-discipline. Wherein the vvay of the churches of New-England is warranted out of the vvord, and all exceptions of weight, which are made against it, answered : whereby also it will appear to the judicious reader, that something more must be said, then yet hath been, before their principles can be shaken, or they should be unsetled in their practice.
Hooker, Thomas, 1586-1647.
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Argument 4.

That which laies a burthen upon teaching Elders, which God ne∣ver laid, nor are they ever able to discharge, that is not sutable to Gods will and Word.

But this Classical course doth so.

The Assumption, which only can be questioned, is proved by M. R. his words, who imposeth an office-care upon one over ma∣ny flocks, when as one is sufficient to improve all abilities of the most able Minister on earth: And therefore the Apostle appoint∣ed Elders in every Church, and charged them to attend the flock, not flocks.

Besides, I had thought the loathsomenesse of pluralities had been not only hissed out of the world, but abhorred of all consci∣entious men.

M.R. that he might remove the loathsome distaste, wherewith this reason loads the cause, he labours, Clavum clavo pellere.

And therefore would bear the world in hand, That the way of watching over sister-churches, and other Christians of other Con∣gregations (which we and all the world allow, as that which piety and Christianity, the law of Religion and Reason require) to be as dreadfull, for onerous, carefull, laborious watchfulnesse in way of conscience as to be bound thereunto by way of office.

To which I say, GOD FORBID.

His Reasons are mainly two.

1.

We have a divine command, that we be our brothers keeper, and this watch cals for like onerous, laborious care, as if we were in office.

2.

We make the ground and foundation of governing a classical Church, to be that bond of love and union of one body of Christ, and this bond of lovely and brotherly consociation commands, and ties us to doe no more in governing and helping other sister-churches, then if we had no further warrant to promote their edification, then the alone relation of brotherly consociation.

The sentence is somewhat imperfect, and that it may reach his purpose, I think it must be thus expressed. The bond of brother∣ly Page  112 consociation tieth us to doe as much, as if we had no further warrant then this: for to say, that brotherly consociation tieth us to doe no more, in governing sister churches, then brotherly consociation can doe, is true, but wholly impertinent, and of no proof to the point in hand; and wholly misseth M. R. his scope, w•ich is to compare the bond and burthen betwixt brotherly consociation and office-imposition, as if that there were a parity be∣twixt them.

For REPLY, we shall examine, 1. the truth of the Assertion, And 2. give answer to the reasons alledged for it.

1. Touching his Assertion it self, we shall oppose one that is pro∣fessedly contradictory thereunto.

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