A57969:694
The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the Church of Scotland ... by Samuel Rutherfurd ...
London: printed by E. Griffin for Richard Whittaker and Andrew Crook, 1644
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. There is no better consequence in this, to say, he speaketh of divers gifts; Ergo, he speaketh not of divers offices, then to say, he speaketh of divers faculties and abilities in the natural body, as of an ability of seeing, hearing; Ergo, he acknowledgeth not divers members with divers offices, as the Eye to see, the E•re to hear, yea the contrary is rather a good consequence; and the Text is clear that he speaketh of divers offices, v. 4. for as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. So we being many, are one body, in Christ, and every one members, one of another. Yea the Text holdeth forth these five to us to be distinctly considered. 1. That the Church is one body organical, having divers members. 2. That there be divers gifts of the spirit in this body, as is clear, Rom. 12. v. 3. 4, 5. (3) That there be divers offices, and places and functions in this body, which the Apostle excellently ⟨p. 157⟩divideth into two generals according to the necessities of the members of Christs body. Now in general this necessity is two fold, one respecting the soul, and for this, he hath ordained, [Greek or Hebrew] prophecy, and for the bodily necessity, [Greek or Hebrew]. Ministry and Service. v. 6. and v. 7. and these two having set down in abstracto, he cometh to divide them, in concreto, according to their several offices and functions, which
Answ. There is no better consequence in this, to say, he speaketh of divers gifts; Ergo, he speaketh not of divers offices, then to say, he speaketh of divers faculties and habilities in the naturall body, as of an hability of seeing, hearing; Ergo, hee acknowledgeth not divers members with divers offices, as the Eye to see, the E•re to heare, yea the contrary is rather a good consequence; and the Text is cleare that he speaketh of divers offices, v. 4. for as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. So we being many, are one body, in Christ, and every one members, one of another. Yea the Text holdeth forth these five to us to be distinctly considered. 1. That the Church is one body organicall, having divers members. 2. That there be divers gifts of the spirit in this body, as is cleare, Rom. 12. v. 3. 4, 5. (3) That there be divers offices, and places and functions in this body, which the Apostle excellently ⟨p. 157⟩divideth into two generalls according to the necessities of the members of Christs body. Now in generall this necessity is two fold, one respecting the soule, and for this, hee hath ordained, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 prophecy, and for the bodily necessity, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Ministery and Service. v. 6. and v. 7. and these two having set downe in abstracto, hee commeth to divide them, in concreto, according to their severall offices and functions, which
be four in the Text. | 1. The Teacher, or Doctor. v. 7. | 2. The Exhorter, or Pastor. v. 8. | 3. The ruler, or governing Elder. also •. 8. | 4. The Distributer, who is to show me •• on the poor, or the Deacon also. v. 8.
be foure in the Text. | 1. The Teacher, or Doctor. v. 7. | 2. The Exhorter, or Pastor. v. 8. | 3. The ruler, or governing Elder. also •. 8. | 4. The Distributer, who is to shew me •• on the poore, or the Deacon also. v. 8.
Then (4) the Apostle doth set down the several specific actions and operations of these offices, and that again
Then (4) the Apostle doth set downe the severall specifick actions and operations of these offices, and that againe
two ways. 1. in general. | 1. Prophesying. v. 6. | 2. Ministering. v. 7.
two wayes. 1. in generall. | 1. Prophecying. v. 6. | 2. Ministering. v. 7.
2. He setteth down the operations and specific actions of the
2. He setteth down the operations and specifick actions of the
four offices in particular, as | 1. Teaching, in the Doctor. v. 7. | 2. Exhorting, in the pastor. v. 8. | 3. Ruling in, the Elder. v. 8. | 4. Distributing, and showing mercy, in the Deacon. v. 8.
foure offices in particular, as | 1. Teaching, in the Doctor. v. 7. | 2. Exhorting, in the pastor. v. 8. | 3. Ruling in, the Elder. v. 8. | 4. Distributing, and shewing mercy, in the Deacon. v. 8.
Then (5) he setteth down the manner and holy qualification of these operations, and exercises of their offices; and that also two ways. 1. In general. 2. In the four particulars in
Then (5) he setteth downe the manner and holy qualification of these operations, and exercises of their offices; and that also two wayes. 1. In generall. 2. In the foure particulars in
general. | 1. In Prophesying; but how? according to the proportion of Faith v. 6. | 2. Ministering, and how? By being given or addicted to Ministering v. 7. 2. He setteth them down in four particulars, as | 1. The Doctor or Teacher, is to be in, or given to Teaching. v. 7. | 2. The pastor, is to be in Exhorting, Sedulous and painful. v. 8. | 3. The ruling Elder, to rule, [Greek or Hebrew] with diligence. v. 8. | 4. The Deacon is to distribute, and show mercy, on the Sick, poor, imprisoned, stranger, distracted, in simplicity, in Cheerfulness. v. 8.
generall. | 1. In Prophecying; but how? according to the proportion of Faith v. 6. | 2. Ministering, and how? By being given or addicted to Ministering v. 7. 2. He setteth them downe in foure particulars, as | 1. The Doctor or Teacher, is to be in, or given to Teaching. v. 7. | 2. The pastor, is to be in Exhorting, Sedulous and painefull. v. 8. | 3. The ruling Elder, to rule, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 with diligence. v. 8. | 4. The Deacon is to distribute, and shew mercy, on the Sick, poore, imprisoned, stranger, distracted, in simplicity, in Chearefulnesse. v. 8.
Also though it be true, that one and the same man may both teach and exhort, and the comparison of the natural body doth not in all things hold, for one member cannot both be the eye to see, and the ear to hear, but both are here a sort of eye to the Church; yet hath Christ made the Pastor and the Doctor different. (It is needless to dispute, if they differ in nature, and if it be a confounding of Christs order, that one be both, when Christ hath given gifts for both to one man) for first, the Word of God doth difference them; secondly, we know that many have gifts to teach, who are but dull and weak to persuade and work upon the affection, as is observed amongst the Fathers. Augustine excelled in teaching and disputing, Chrysostom in exhorting. Salmeron observeth, that there Thomas Aquinas was 1eminent in informing the understanding, and Bonaventura excellent for moving the affections. And many are fitted to work on the affections, as Pastors, who are not able to teach as Doctors in the Schools. So hath Chrysostom and Theodoret observed upon these words, Rom. 12. 7, 8.
Also though it be true, that one and the same man may both teach and exhort, and the comparison of the naturall body doth not in all things hold, for one member cannot both be the eye to see, and the eare to heare, but both are here a sort of eye to the Church; yet hath Christ made the Pastor and the Doctor different. (It is needlesse to dispute, if they differ in nature, and if it be a confounding of Christs order, that one be both, when Christ hath given gifts for both to one man) for first, the VVord of God doth difference them; secondly, we know that many have gifts to teach, who are but dull and weake to perswade and worke upon the affection, as is observed amongst the Fathers. Augustine excelled in teaching and disputing, Chryostome in exhorting. Salmeron observeth, that there Thomas Aquinas was 1eminent in informing the understanding, and Bonaventura excellent for moving the affections. And many are fitted to worke on the affections, as Pastors, who are not able to teach as Doctors in the Schools. So hath Chrysostome and Theodoret observed upon these words, Rom. 12. 7, 8.
Nor doth it move me much, that Paul speaketh twice in one verse of the Deacon, it is not unusual to the Spirit of God in divers Scriptures so to do, as Prov. 1. Prov. 2. Psal. 119.
Nor doth it move me much, that Paul speaketh twice in one verse of the Deacon, it is not unusuall to the Spirit of God in divers Scriptures so to doe, as Prov. 1. Prov. 2. Psal. 119.
How dangerous it is to affirm, that all the Officers are not set down in Gods Word, we may be taught by Papists, for Estius 1giveth a reason, why the Apostle setting down, 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Officers in Gods house, hath omitted the Pope; he answereth, the Apostle is not here setting down the degrees of the Hierarchical Order, for then he should have set down Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, which be parts of that Order, but only he setteth down some chief members of the Church, endued with rare gifts, and commenting on Ephes. 4. he saith, The Pope is set down under the name of Pastors and Doctors, because he sendeth Pastors and Doctors to all the world; and this was the reason why the Prelate was reputed a Pastor, and the only Pastor, because though it was too base for him to preach; yet he preached in and through poor Presbyters whom he sent. And Salmeron moveth the question, why 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Pope, Cardinals, and Patriarchs are omitted in this place; and we say, Why are Bishops, Archbishops, Primates, Metropolitans, Deans, Archdeacons, ⟨p. 159⟩Chancellors, Officials, &c. never once mentioned in the Word of God. But Salmeron answereth, 1. They are implicitly set down here, and under the name of helps, opitulations; Paul hath instituted Deans, Archdeans, and the four lesser orders. And what else do divers answer, who teach that government 1 Cor. 12. 28. is but a general; and the Church, in a prudential way, under this may substitute and introduce such and such species of governments as they shall find convenient, as ruling Elders, ruling Prelates, and such like. but I would gladly know why the Spirit of God hath particularly set down the last specified Officers, as 1 Cor. 12. 28. Apostles, under which are no species of Apostles, but only such individual persons, Matthias, Paul, &c. and hath also set down Pastors in specie, Doctors and Teachers in specie,
If Christ have set down the particulars of Pastors, Prophets, Apostles, according to their last specified nature, why hath his wisdom not been as express and particular in all other offices necessary for feeding and governing the flock of Christ? a Pope, a Prelate, a Cardinal, an Official, would take as small room in print, and in Christs Testament, as Apostle, Doctor, Pastor, though I grant they do take half so much more room in the State and Parliament.
If Christ have set downe the particulars of Pastors, Prophets, Apostles, according to their last specified nature, why hath his wisdome not beene as expresse and particular in all other offices necessary for feeding and governing the flocke of Christ? a Pope, a Prelate, a Cardinall, an Officiall, would take as small roome in print, and in Christs Testament, as Apostle, Doctor, Pastor, though I grant they doe take halfe so much more roome in the State and Parliament.
WE conceive, according to Gods Word Acts 6. that Deacons be of divine institution, because when some poor widows were neglected in the daily ministration, the Apostles appointed seven men of good report, and full of the holy Ghost, to take care of Tables and provide for the poor, that the Apostles might give themselves to the Word and Prayer.
WE conceive, according to Gods VVord Acts 6. that Deacons be of divine institution, because when some poore widowes were neglected in the dayly ministration, the Apostles appointed seven men of good report, and full of the holy Ghost, to take care of Tables and provide for the poore, that the Apostles might give themselves to the Word and Prayer.
How dangerous it is to affirme, that all the Officers are not set downe in Gods VVord, we may be taught by Papists, for Estius 1giveth a reason, why the Apostle setting downe, 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Officers in Gods house, hath omitted the Pope; he answereth, the Apostle is not here setting downe the degrees of the Hirarchicall Order, for then he should have set downe Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, which be parts of that Order, but onely he setteth downe some chiefe members of the Church, indued with rare gifts, and commenting on Ephes. 4. he saith, The Pope is set downe under the name of Pastors and Doctors, because he sendeth Pastors and Doctors to all the world; and this was the reason why the Prelate was reputed a Pastor, and the onely Pastor, because though it was too base for him to preach; yet he preached in and through poore Presbyters whom he sent. And Salmeron moveth the question, why 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Pope, Cardinals, and Patriarches are omitted in this place; and we say, Why are Bishops, Archbishops, Primates, Metropolitans, Deanes, Archdeacons, ⟨p. 159⟩Chancellours, Officials, &c. never once mentioned in the VVord of God. But Salmeron answereth, 1. They are implicitely set downe here, and under the name of helps, opitulations; Paul hath instituted Deans, Archdeans, and the foure lesser orders. And what else doe divers answer, who teach that government 1 Cor. 12. 28. is but a generall; and the Church, in a prudentiall way, under this may substitute and introduce such and such species of governments as they shall finde convenient, as ruling Elders, ruling Prelates, and such like. but I would gladly know why the Spirit of God hath particularly set downe the last specified Officers, as 1 Cor. 12. 28. Apostles, under which are no species of Apostles, but onely such individuall persons, Matthias, Paul, &c. and hath also set downe Pastors in specie, Doctors and Teachers in specie, Ephes. 4. 11. under which there be onely such individuall persons who are Pastors and Teachers, as John, Epaphroditus, Archippus, Thomas, &c. and there is no roome left for the Church to subdivide Pastors or Doctors into such and such new sp•cies, as Popes, Cardinals, &c. and yet under the generall of governments, many species and new kindes of governments in a prudentiall way may be brought in.
