After the Churches were established it took not effect; for then it must be showed where Christ committed the power of God, first to the Apostles, and after to the community of the faithful. But that is no where to be found in holy scripture.1 The Ministers and guides of the Church were immediately of Jesus Christ,2 from whom immediately they derive their power and authority,3 by whom they are set over their charge, in whose Name they must execute their office,4 whose Stewards, Legates and Ambassadors they are,5 and unto whom they must give an account. Yea, Pastorship is the gift of Christ no less then Apostleship, and that the more because it is perpetual in the Church; every Pastor is not immediately called, but the Office and order of Pastors, the calling, authority and jurisdiction is immediately from Christ,6 and not from the Church: The Steward is appointed of the Master of the family alone, and hath all his authority and jurisdiction from him: Every Ambassador in the cause of his embassy doth immediately depend upon him from whom he is sent. But if the function, order and authority of Pastors and Teachers, be immediately from Christ, then it is not received from the Church as the immediate receptacle. Thus Protestant Divines dispute against Papists.7 If Bishops receive their power and authority of exercising immediately from Christ, by mandate, mission, and commission from him, then they derive it not from the Pope. And if Presbyters receive their order jurisdiction and power of execution from Christ by his mandate and Commission, then they receive it not from the Bishop. And by the same reason, if the power of the keys be the immediate gift of Christ to his Ministers, then they derive not their power and authority from the people. It is usually objected that the Church cannot convey what she never had, but the people may Elect their Pastor. Whereunto the answer is direct and plain. Nothing can give that which it had not formally or virtually, unless it give it as an instrument ministering to one who hath it, but so it may give what it never had, nor is capable of. A Steward may give all the offices in his Masters house, as ministerially executing his Masters pleasure. Electors have not evermore authority over him whom they elect: but power and authority only to apply that power to him whom they choose.
After the Churches were established it tooke not effect; for then it must be shewed where Christ committed the power of God, first to the Apostles, and after to the communitie of the faithfull. But that is no where to be found in holy scripture.1 The Ministers and guides of the Church were immediately of Jesus Christ,2 from whom immediately they derive their power and authoritie,3 by whom they are set over their charge, in whose Name they must execute their office,4 whose Stewards, Legates and Ambassadors they are,5 and unto whom they must give an account. Yea, Pastorship is the gift of Christ no lesse then Apostleship, and that the more because it is perpetuall in the Church; every Pastor is not immediately called, but the Office and order of Pastors, the calling, authoritie and jurisdiction is immediately from Christ,6 and not from the Church: The Steward is appointed of the Master of the family alone, and hath all his authoritie and jurisdiction from him: Every Ambassador in the cause of his ambassage doth immediately depend upon him from whom he is sent. But if the function, order and authoritie of Pastors and Teachers, be immediately from Christ, then it is not received from the Church as the immediate receptacle. Thus Protestant Divines dispute against Papists.7 If Bishops receive their power and authority of exercising immediately from Christ, by mandate, mission, and commission from him, then they derive it not from the Pope. And if Presbyters receive their order jurisdiction and power of execution from Christ by his mandate and Commission, then they receive it not from the Bishop. And by the same reason, if the power of the keyes be the immediate gift of Christ to his Ministers, then they derive not their power and authoritie from the people. It is usually objected that the Church cannot convey what she never had, but the people may Elect their Pastor. Whereunto the answer is direct and plaine. Nothing can give that which it had not formally or virtually, unlesse it give it as an instrument ministring to one who hath it, but so it may give what it never had, nor is capable of. A Steward may give all the offices in his Masters house, as ministerially executing his Masters pleasure. Electors have not evermore authoritie over him whom they elect: but power and authoritie onely to apply that power to him whom they choose.
- 1Act. 20. 28.
- 2Eph. 4. 8. 11.
- 31 Co. 12. 28, 29
- 42 Co 5. 19, 20.
- 5Tit. 1. 7.
- 6Successor habet jurisdictionē ab eo a quo praedecessor, alioqui non verè succedit. But Pastors and Teachers are the Successors of the Apostles. Whit. de pont. q. 8. c. 3.Successor habet jurisdictionē ab eo a quo praedecessor, alioqui non verè succedit. But Pastors and Teachers are the Successors of the Apostles. Whit. de pont. q. 8. c. 3.
- 7Fr: Victor rel. 2. de potest Ecclesiae q. 2. Alphons. de Castr. li. 2. c. 24. de insta. haeret. Whit. de pont. q. 8. c. 1.
