The Divine Right of Church Government Part 14

i. 18, and iii. 7, and ix. 1, and xx. 1. So that _keys_, &c., are metaphorically the ordinances which Christ hath inst.i.tuted, to be dispensed in his church, preaching the word, administrations of the seals and censures: for it is not said _key_, but _keys_, which comprehendeth them all: by the right use of which both the gates of the Church here, and of heaven hereafter, are opened or shut to believers or unbelievers; and Christ promising or giving these _keys_ to Peter and the apostles, and their successors _to the end of the world_, Matt.

xxviii. 20, doth intrust and invest them with power and authority of dispensing these ordinances for this end, and so makes them _stewards_ in his house _of the mysteries of G.o.d_, 1 Cor. iv. 1, so that we may conclude:

_Conclusion_. Therefore the church guides are the immediate subject and receptacle of that ecclesiastical power, and of the exercise thereof.

_Argum_. II. Jesus Christ our Mediator did inst.i.tute ecclesiastical offices for church government under the New Testament before any Christian Church under the New Testament was gathered or const.i.tuted.

Therefore those persons that were intrusted with those offices must needs be the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the power of the keys. Thus we may argue:

_Major_. All those whose ecclesiastical offices for church government, under the New Testament, were inst.i.tuted by Christ, before any formal visible Christian Church was gathered or const.i.tuted, are the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the power of the keys from Jesus Christ.

_Minor_. But the ecclesiastical offices of Christ's own officers for governing of the Church, now under the New Testament, were inst.i.tuted by Christ before any formal visible Christian Church was gathered or const.i.tuted.

_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers for governing of the Church now under the New Testament are the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the keys from Jesus Christ.

The major proposition cannot reasonably be denied, and may be further cleared by these considerations, viz: 1. That the Church offices for church government under the New Testament are in their own nature intrinsically offices of power. The apostle styles it _power_, or _authority_, which is _given_ to these officers by _the Lord_, 2 Cor. x.

8, and xiii. 10. _The keys of the kingdom of heaven_ are committed to them, Matt. xvi. 19, and _keys_ import a stewardly power: compare Matt.

xvi. 19, and xviii. 18, John xx. 21, 23, with Isa. xxii. 21, 22.

Materially, the acts and exercise of these officers are acts of power, as _binding, loosing_, &c., Matt, xviii. 18; not only _preaching_, &c., but _excommunicating_, is an act of power, 1 Cor. v. 4. Absolving the penitent, and confirming him again in the Church's love, is an act of power:--_to confirm love unto him_, i.e. authoritatively to confirm, &c., as the word signifies, 2 Cor. ii. 8. Formally, these acts are to be done as acts of power, in Christ's name, and by his authority, Matt.

xxviii. 19; 1 Cor. v. 4. Now if these offices be in their own nature offices of power, consequently they that have such offices conferred upon them by Christ, before the Christian Church had being or existence, they must needs be the first and immediate recipient subject of the power of the keys from Christ. 2. Either those church officers, whose offices were inst.i.tuted before the Christian Church was const.i.tuted, must be the first subject of the power, &c., or some others. If any other, then, 1. Either heathens, or heathen magistrates, who are out of the Church: but both these were absurd to grant; for then they that are not so much as church members should be church governors, and the Church be ecclesiastically judged by them that are without. 2. Or the first subject of this power was the Christian Church itself before it had existence; but that were notoriously absurd; and besides these, no other can be imagined, but the church officers; therefore they must needs be the first subject of the power of the keys.

The minor proposition (viz. But the ecclesiastical offices of Christ's own officers for governing of the Church now under the New Testament, were inst.i.tuted by Christ before any formal visible Christian Church was gathered or const.i.tuted) is so evident in the current of the New Testament, that it needs little confirmation. For, 1. The church offices under the New Testament, as apostleship, pastorship, &c., were inst.i.tuted by Christ either before his death--compare these places together, Mark iii. 13, 14, &c.; Luke ix. 1, &c., and x. 1, 2, &c.; John xx. 21-23; Matt, xxviii. 18-20--or presently upon his ascension, Eph.

iv. 8, 11, 12, &c.; Acts ii.; 1 Cor. xiii. 28. Now no formal Christian Church was const.i.tuted and gathered till the feast of Pentecost and afterwards. Then, after the apostles had received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, &c., Acts ii., great mult.i.tudes of Jews and Gentiles were converted to Christ, and being converted, incorporated and a.s.sociated themselves into churches, as the history of the Acts, chap, ii., and forward, evidenceth abundantly. 2. Church officers, under the New Testament, are for the calling and gathering men unto Christ, and to his body mystical; and for admitting of those that believe into that one body, Matt, xxviii. 18, 19; 1 Cor. xii. 28. And is not he that calleth, before them that are called by them; they that baptize, before the baptized; and they that gather the churches, before those churches which they gather? May we not hence conclude, _Therefore_, &c.

_Argum_. III. The names, t.i.tles, and other denominations purposely and peculiarly given to the church guides in Scripture, generally do bear power and authority engraven upon their foreheads. _Therefore_, they are the proper, immediate, and only subjects of ecclesiastical power. Thus we may argue:

_Major_. All those persons in the Church, that have such names, t.i.tles, or denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the Church, are the immediate and only proper subjects of ecclesiastical power.

_Minor_. But Christ's officers in the Church have such names, t.i.tles, or denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the Church.

_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers in the Church are the proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical power.

This major proposition must be granted. For, 1. Is not this the Holy Ghost's familiar and ordinary manner in Scripture, to give t.i.tles and denominations, which are apt, pertinent, significative and instructing both to others and themselves that have such denominations conferred upon them? As in the family, the husband is called _the head of the wife_, 1 Cor. xi., because he is to govern, she is to be subject: the wife is called _an help-meet_, &c., Gen. ii.: to teach the wife her duty, to help his good and comfort every way, to hinder it no way. So in the commonwealth, magistrates are called _heirs of restraint, to put men to shame_, Judges xviii. 7, because they are to restrain disorders, shame evil-doers: higher powers, to teach others subjection to them, Rom. xiii. 1. "An ordinance of man or human creation," 1 Pet. ii. 13: because, though magistracy in general be an ordinance of G.o.d, yet this or that special kind of magistracy, whether monarchical, aristocratical, &c., is of man. Thus in the Church: the Church is called _Christ's body_, Ephes. iv. 12, to show Christ's headship, the Church's subjection to Christ, and their near union to one another. Christians are called _members_, Rom. xii.; 1 Cor. xii., to teach them mutual love, care, and serviceableness to one another. Ministers are called _amba.s.sadors of Christ_, 2 Cor. v. _Angels of the churches_, Rev. ii., to teach them to be faithful in their offices, and others to respect them for their offices. _Salt of the earth_, Matt. v. 13, because they are to season others spiritually. _Stars_, Rev. i., because they are to shine forth for the enlightening and guiding of others, &c. 2. If this proposition be denied, then to what end are such names and denominations, importing authority, generally given by the Spirit of G.o.d to some sort of persons only, and not to others? Is it for no end? That would be a dangerous charge upon the Spirit of Christ. Is it for any end? Then what other can be imagined, than to signify, hold forth, and instruct both themselves and others in their duties, and to distinguish them that are vested with authority in the Church, from them that are not?

The _major proposition_ (viz. But Christ's own officers in the Church have such names, t.i.tles, or denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the Church) may be evinced, 1.

By induction of particular names attributed to Christ's officers. 2. By a denial of them, or the like, to any other members of the Church.

1. By induction of particular t.i.tles or denominations attributed to Christ's officers, which generally have power and authority palpably engraven upon them: (yea, the self-same names are given to them, by which not only heathen writers, but also the Greek version of the Old Testament by the Septuagint, and the very original of the New Testament are wont to give to political officers, to express their political authority, power, and government,) as, for instance:

1. _Presbyter or elder_, is ascribed often to Christ's church officers, as in Acts xiv. 23, and xv. 2, 4, and xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; t.i.t. v.; 1 Pet. v. 1. This same word is ascribed to _rulers political_, to _elders in the gate_, by the Septuagint, in Judges viii. 14; Ruth iv. 2, 3; 2 Sam. v. 3; 1 Chron. vi. 3.

2. _Overseer_ or _bishop_, noting authority and power in having the charge and oversight of the flock, is ascribed to church officers in Acts xx. 28; Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; t.i.t. i. 7. This same word is used by the Septuagint, to denote the power of the civil magistrate, to whom the care and oversight of the commonwealth is committed, Numb.

x.x.xi. 14; Judges ix. 28; 2 Kings xi. 15.

3. _Guide, leader, conductor, captain, governor_, signifies them all, and is given to church officers, as contradistinct from the _church_ and _saints_, Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 24. It is also attributed to civil rulers to set forth their power, in Deut. i. 13; Micah iii. 9, 11; 2 Chron. v. 1; Ezek. xliv. 3, and xlv. 7; Dan. iii. 2; Acts vii. 10. This very word _governor_, is attributed to Christ himself, _out of thee shall come forth a governor, that shall rule_ (or _feed_) _my people Israel_, Matt.

ii. 6.

4. _Steward, dispenser_. "Stewards of the mysteries of G.o.d," is the t.i.tle given to ministers, 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. "Steward of G.o.d," t.i.t. i. 7.

"That faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household," &c., Luke xii. 42. This also is a t.i.tle of power given to them that are set over families, as Gal. iv. 2, "he is under tutors and stewards." And to them that are set over cities--as Rom. xvi. 23, "Erastus the steward" (or as we render it, _the chamberlain_) "of the city saluteth you."

5. _Pastor_ is ascribed to Christ's officers; Eph. iv. 11, "and some pastors and teachers." They govern the Church as the shepherd his flock, feeding, ruling them as well with the shepherd's staff, as with food.

This term is sometimes given to civil magistrates, Isa. xliv. 28; Micah v. 5: sometimes to Christ the great shepherd of the sheep, 1 Pet. v. 4; noting his authority, Matt. xxvi. 31; John x. 2, 11, 14, 16; Heb. xiii.

20; 1 Pet. ii. 25: sometimes to G.o.d himself the supreme Ruler of the world, Ps. lx.x.x. 1.

6. _Governments_, a denomination given to _ruling elders_, 1 Cor. xii.

28, as hath been proved Sect. 1 of this Chapter. A metaphor from mariners or pilots, that steer and govern the ship: translated thence, to signify the power and authority of church governors, spiritual pilots, steering the ship or ark of Christ's Church. This word is used also by heathen authors, to signify political governors.[94]

_Ruler_. 1 Tim. v. 17, "Let the elders that rule well"--and,

"He that ruleth," Rom. xii. 8, and "Your rulers in the Lord," 1 Thes.

v. 12, viz. not only in the fear of the Lord,[95] nor only in those things that appertain to G.o.d's worship,[96] but also in the Lord; i.e.

who are over you, to rule according to the will of the Lord,[97] even by the Lord Christ's power and authority derived to them. Now these names are among heathen authors ascribed to rulers of cities, armies, and kingdoms.[98]

By these among other t.i.tles given to Christ's officers in Scripture, he that runs may read a plain authority and power enstamped on them in reference to the Church; and consequently on them that are thus denominated, unless they be applied to them improperly, unfitly, abusively; which we suppose no sober intelligent reader dare affirm.

2. By a denial of these and like t.i.tles to the whole Church of Christ, or to any other members of the Church whatsoever, besides church officers. For where can it be showed in all the book of G.o.d, that in this sense, either the whole Church or any members thereof besides officers, are ever styled _presbyters, bishops, governors, stewards of G.o.d, or of the mysteries of G.o.d, pastors, governments, or rulers_? The greatest factors for popular government must let this alone forever.

Thus, from all that hath been said, we need not fear to conclude:

_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers in the Church are the proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical power.

_Argum_. IV. The relations which Christ's officers have unto his Church, imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power in reference to the Church, and therefore they are the proper subjects of ecclesiastical power. Thus we reason:

_Major_. Whosoever they are that peculiarly stand in such relations to the Church of Christ, as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for governing of the Church, they are the only subject of ecclesiastical power.

This proposition is evident; for, otherwise, to what end are those peculiar relations to the Church which comprehend government in them, unless such as are so peculiarly related be the only subjects of government? Shall all those relations be mere names and shadows? or shall others in the church be counted the subject of this authority and power for church government, that have no such relations to the Church at all implying any such power?

_Minor_. But the officers of Christ peculiarly stand in such relations to the Church of Christ as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for the government of the church.

This a.s.sumption or minor proposition will be evident by a due induction of some of their particular relations that have such power enstamped on them; as for instance, Christ's officers stand in these relations of power to the Church and people of G.o.d.

1. _They are pastors_, Eph. iv. 11. The church is the _flock_, John x.

16; 1 Cor. ix. 7; _flock_, Acts xx. 28, 29; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. Hath not the _pastor_ power to rule and govern his _flock_?

2. They are _stewards_. "Who is that faithful and wise steward?" Luke xii. 42. "Stewards of the mysteries of G.o.d," 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. "Stewards of G.o.d," t.i.t. i. 7. The Church and people of G.o.d are the Lord's _household_, over which these stewards are set, &c., Luke xii. 42.

_G.o.d's house_, 1 Tim. iii. 15; Heb. iii. 6. Have not stewards power to govern and order those _families_ over which they are set, and wherewith they are intrusted? Gal. iv. 1.

3. They are _bishops_ or _overseers_, Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; t.i.t. i.

7. The Church and people of G.o.d are that _charge_ which the Lord hath committed to their inspection. "Over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers," Acts xx. 28. Have not _overseers_ power over that which is _committed to their inspection_?

4. They are _catechizers_ and _teachers_, Rom. xii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 11.

The Church and people are _catechized_, Gal. vi. 6; _taught_. Hath not he that _catechizeth_ power for government of him that is _catechized_?

He that _teacheth_ of him that is _taught_?

5. They are _co-workers_ with G.o.d, 1 Cor. iii. 9; 2 Cor. vi. 1.

_Architects, builders_, &c., 1 Cor. iii. 10; some of them _laying the foundation, others building thereupon_. The Church and people of G.o.d are G.o.d's building. "Ye are G.o.d's building," 1 Cor. iii. 9. Have not _builders_ power of disposing and ordering affairs appertaining to the _building_?

6. Finally, to add no more, the officers of Christ in the Church are not only as _nurses_; "We _were_ gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children," 1 Thess. ii. 7: and as _mothers_; "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again," Gal. iv. 19: but also as _fathers_, 1 Thess. ii. 11; 1 Cor. iv. 15, spiritual fathers in Christ: and the Church and people of G.o.d, they are the _sons_ and _daughters_, the spiritual _babes_ and _children_, begotten, brought forth, and nursed up by them, 1 Thess. ii. 7, 11; Gal. iv. 19: and have fathers no authority nor power of government over their children? See Eph. vi. 1-3; 1 Tim. iii. 4.

Thus Christ's officers stand in such relation to the Church as do evidently carry power of government along with them; but where are any other members of the church besides officers, stated in such relation of _pastors, stewards, overseers, catechizers, builders, husbandmen, nurses, mothers_, and _fathers_ to the Church of G.o.d and members of Christ, that can be evidenced by the Scriptures? Why may we not then clearly conclude,

_Conclusion_. Therefore the officers of Christ are the only subjects of ecclesiastical power.