And there is herewithal, such a Consociation of our Churches, as that not only a person joined unto any one of them, is admitted unto an Occasional Communion, at any time with any of them, in the Supper of the Lord; while in the mean time, the Differences between Independent & Presbyterian, are so swallowed-up, as that only the Substantials of Religion are become the Terms of our Communion: but also, upon Emergencies, we have our Synods, wherein the Messengers or Delegates of many Churches do together give that Advice, that Rarely, if Ever, sails of putting an Issue to any Controversies, which they meet upon. While I am thus pleasing my self, with a prospect of these justly Renowned, and yet basely Maligned Churches, methinks I nevertheless cannot advise them to say with Laodicea, We have need of Nothing! Besides what other Defects in our Constitution an Impartial Enquiry may convince us of, I cannot my self at this time forbear Enquiring, Why the Churches are no better furnished with RULING ELDERS throughout the Land? We have in our Platform ⟨p. 165⟩of Church Discipline delivered it as our principle, That We should have Ruling Elders to join with the Pastors and Teachers in those Acts of Church-Rule, which are distinct from the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments. But our practice is become so contrary thereunto, that few of our Churches are supplied with such Needful Officers. Whence comes this to pass? I doubt the Inconveniences which many worthy Preachers of the Gospel, have too often found that Office bringing with it, have been some thing of the prejudice; whereas, to Multiply those Officers would be a better way to Remedy the inconveniences than to Nullify them; instead of One, Let there at least be Two or Three Ruling Elders in every Church. But many among us, perhaps by some Antecedent prejudice disposed thereunto, have come to Question, yea, to Deny the Divine Warrant, for such an Office. They Object, What Order for Lay-Elders have we in the Word of God? I answer, To speak properly, The only Lay-Elders that are known to be in any Church, are the Chancellors in the Church of England; persons Entrusted with the Rule of the Church, and yet not Ordained unto any Office in it. But for persons to be Ordained in every Church, To watch over the Conversation of the Church▪ Members with Authority, is a thing which I suppose we may easily find a Divine Warrant for.
And there is herewithal, such a Consociation of our Churches, as that not only a person joined unto any one of them, is admitted unto an Occasional Communion, at any time with any of them, in the Supper of the Lord; while in the mean time, the Differences between Independent & Presbyterian, are so swallowed-up, as that only the Substantials of Religion are become the Terms of our Communion: but also, upon Emergencies, we have our Synods, wherein the Messengers or Delegates of many Churches do together give that Advice, that Rarely, if Ever, sails of putting an Issue to any Controversies, which they meet upon. While I am thus pleasing my self, with a prospect of these justly Renowned, and yet basely Maligned Churches, methinks I nevertheless cannot advise them to say with Laodicea, We have need of Nothing! Besides what other Defects in our Constitution an Impartial Enquiry may convince us of, I cannot my self at this time forbear Enq•iring, Why the Churches are no better furnished with RULING ELDERS throughout the Land? We have in our Platform ⟨p. 165⟩of Church Discipline delivered it as our principle, That We should have Ruling Elders to joyn with the Pastors and Teachers in those Acts of Church-Rule, which are distinct from the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments. But our practice is become so contrary thereunto, that few of our Churches are supply•d with such Needful Officers. Whence comes this to pass? I doubt the Inconveniencies which many worthy Preachers of the Gospel, have too often found that Office bringing with it, have been some thing of the prejudice; whereas, to Multiply those Officers would be a better way to Remedy the inconveniences than to Nullisy them; instead of One, Let there at least be Two or Three Ruling Elders in every Church. But many among us, perhaps by some Antecedent prejudice disposed thereunto, have come to Question, yea, to Deny the Divine Warrant, for such an Office. They Object, What Order for Lay-Elders have we in the Word of God? I answer, To speak properly, The only Lay-Elders that are known to be in any Church, are the Chancellors in the Church of England; persons Entrusted with the Rule of the Church, and yet not Ordained unto any Office in it. But for persons to be Ordained in every Church, To watch over the Conversation of the Church▪ Members with Authority, is a thing which I suppose we may easily find a Divine Warrant for.
