The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

I refer the Reader to Bi••on for full proof.

But here again I must first crave the patience ⟨p. 288⟩of those that love not error better than information; and desire them not to be too angry with me for telling them what I confidently hold, though it diff•• from the opinions of many whom I greatly reverence and honour; while I profess withal that I do it not in a Magisterial imposing way, nor as slighting the persons from whom I differ, but as offering my brethren that Light which I think needful to their own and to the Churches cure: And I will thank them if they will do the like by me, if I be guilty of any superstitious error.

But here again I must first crave the patience ⟨p. 288⟩of those that love not errour better than information; and desire them not to be too angry with me for telling them what I confidently hold, though it diff•• from the opinions of many whom I greatly reverence and honour; while I profess withall that I do it not in a Magisterial imposing way, nor as slighting the persons from whom I differ, but as offering my brethren that Light which I think needful to their own and to the Churches cure: And I will thank them if they will do the like by me, if I be guilty of any superstitious errour.

First, the Scripture telleth us of no Church-Elders but what were ordained; and of none but such as were of the same Office with the preaching Pastors or Elders: of none that had not authority to baptize and administer the Lords supper: Nor doth Church-history tell us of any other as a Divine office. But when one Assembly had many Elders or Pastors, those that were best gifted for public Sermons did preach; and the rest did help to rule the Church, and to catechize, and instruct and visit particular families and persons, and other parts of the office, as there was cause. But now we have concluded that there is a distinct office of Ruling-Elders, who need not be ordained, and who have no power to baptize or to administer the Lords Supper. This I think is a superstition: For we feign God to have made a Church-office which he never made. And though we must honour and hold Communion with the Churches which have this blemish; yet still it cannot be freed from superstition.