The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

TWO things follow on the supposition laid down.

1. THAT the Wisdom intended is not promised unto all the Members of the Church in General; nor are they required to seek for it by the ways and means of attaining it before laid down; but respect is had herein only unto the Officers of the Church. Hereon dependeth the equity of the obedience of the people unto their Rulers. For Wisdom for Rule is ⟨p. 42⟩peculiarly granted unto them, and their Duty it is to seek after it in a peculiar manner. Wherefore, those who on every occasion are ready to advance their own Wisdom and Understanding in the affairs and proceedings of the Church, against the Wisdom of the Officers of it, are proud and disorderly.

I speak not this to give any countenance unto the out-cries of some, that all sorts of Men will suppose themselves Wiser than their Rulers, and to know what belongs unto the Government of the Church better than they; whereas, the Government which they exercise belongs not at all unto the Rule of the Church, determined and limited in the Scripture, as the meanest Christian can easily discern; nor is it pretended by themselves so to do: For they say that the Lord Christ hath prescribed nothing herein, but left it unto the Will and Wisdom of the Church to order all things as they see necessary, which Church they are. Wherefore, if that will please them, it shall be granted, that in skill for the management of Ecclesiastical Affairs according to the Canon Law, with such other Rules of the same kind as they have framed, and in the legal proceedings of Ecclesiastical Courts, as they are called, there are none of the people that are equal unto them, or will contend with them.