But whatever be the immediate imposing Power, we have direction as to our duty in the last Injunction of our blessed Saviour to his Apostle, Matth, 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded. In things which concern the Worship of God, the commanding Power is Christ; and his Command the adequate Rule and Measure of our Obedience. The Teaching, Commanding, and enjoining of others to do and observe those Commands, is the duty of those entrusted with Christs Authority under him. Their Commission to Teach and Enjoin, and our Duty to Do and Observe, have the same Rules, the same Measure, Bounds, and Limits. What they teach and enjoin beyond what Christ hath Commanded, they do it not by virtue of any Commission from him; what we do beyond what he hath Commanded, we do it not in obedience to him; what they so teach, they do it in their own Name, not his; what we so do, we do in our own strength, not his; nor to his Glory. The Answer of Bellarmine to that Argument of the Protestant Divines from this place, against the Impositions of his Church, is the most weak and frivolous, that I think ever any Learned man was forced to make use of; and yet where to find better will not easily occur. Our Lord Jesus Christ saith, Go and teach men to do and observe whatever I have commanded you, and so I am with you; To which he subjoins, It is true; but yet we are bound also to obey them that are set over us, that is our Church Guides; and so leaves the Argument as sufficiently discharged. Now the whole Question is concerning what those Church Guides may teach and enjoy•, whereunto we are to give Obedience, which is here expressly restrained to the thing• Commanded ⟨p. 54⟩by Christ; to which the Cardinal offers not one word. The things our Saviour treats about, are principally the Agenda of the Gospel, things to be done and observed in the Worship of God. Of these, as was said, he makes his own Command the adequate Rule and Measure. Teach men to observe [Greek or Hebrew], all whatsoever I command; in their so doing alone, doth he promise his Presence with them; that is, to enable them unto the discharge of their duty. He commands, I say, all that shall to the end of the World, be called to serve him in the Work of the Gospel, to teach. In that Expression he compriseth their whole duty; as their whole Authority is given them in this Commission.
But whatever be the immediate imposing Power, we have direction as to our duty in the last Injunction of our blessed Saviour to his Apostle, Matth, 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded. In things which concern the Worship of God, the commanding Power is Christ; and his Command the adaequate Rule and Measure of our Obedience. The Teaching, Commanding, and enjoyn•ng of others to do and observe those Commands, is the duty of those entrusted with Christs Authority under him. Their Commission to Teach and Enjoyn, and our Duty to Do and Observe, have the same Rules, the same Measure, Bounds, and Limits. What they teach and enjoyn beyond what Christ hath Commanded, they do it not by vertue of any Commission from him; what we do beyond what he hath Commanded, we do it not in obedience to him; what they so teach, they do it in their own Name, not his; what we so do, we do in our own strength, not his; nor to his Glory. The Answer of Bellarmine to that Argument of the Protestant Divines from this place, against the Impositions of his Church, is the most weak and frivolous, that I think ever any Learned man was forced to make use of; and yet where to find better will not easily occurre. Our Lord Jesus Christ saith, Go and teach men to do and observe whatever I have commanded you, and so I am with you; To which he subjoynes, It is true; but yet we are bound also to obey them that are set over us, that is our Church Guides; and so leaves the Argument as sufficiently discharged. Now the whole Question is concerning what those Church Guides may teach and enjoy•, whereunto we are to give Obedience, which is here ••presly restrained to the thing• Commanded ⟨p. 54⟩by Christ; to which the Cardinal offers not one word. The things our Saviour treats about, are principally the Agenda of the Gospel, things to be done and observed in the Worship of God. Of these, as was said, he makes his own Command the adaequate Rule and Measure. Teach men to observe 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, all whatsoever I command; in their so doing alone, doth he promise his Presence with them; that is, to enable them unto the discharge of their duty. He commands, I say, all that shall to the end of the World, be called to serve him in the Work of the Gospel, to teach. In that Expression he compriseth their whole duty; as their whole Authority is given them in this Commission.
