1. We argue from that general exhortation of the Apostle, 1 Pet. 3.15. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Now if Christians are bound to give an account of their Faith and hope to every one that asketh them, yea even to heathen Persecutors: how much more ought they to do it to the Officers of the Church? especially at such a time, when they desire to be admitted to an Ordinance that is not common to all sorts of Christians, but peculiar to such as are indued with knowledg, and of an unblameable life and conversation.
2. From that power that Jesus Christ hath seated in his Church, of examining such as are by the Will of Christ to be excommunicated from the Sacrament. That there is a power of examining, in order to excommunication, appears from Matth. 18.16, 17. and from Revel. 2.2. where Christ commends [85]the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, because he could not bear them which were evill, and had tryed them who said, they were Apostles, and were not, and had found them lyars. This trying was not only charitative, and fraternall, but authoritative and judiciall. For it was an act of the Angel of the Church; which Angel is not to be understood individually, [86]but collectively, for all the Angels in Ephesus. And that there were more Angels then one in Ephesus, appears from Act. 20.17. (The like may be said of the Angel of the Church of Smyrna, Pergamus, Thyatira, &c. for Christ speaks unto each Angel in the plural number, Rev. 2.10, 13, 14.)
From hence we argue, If Iesus Christ hath given power Authoritatively, to examine such as are to be cast out from the Sacrament, then he hath also given power to examine such as are to be received in. For there is the same reason of both. And as the power of excommunication would be wholly useless and frustraneous, if there were not a power of examination precedent thereunto; so would the power of keeping such as are grosly ignorant or scandalous, from the Sacrament, be utterly in vain, and of no benefit to the Church of Christ, if the power of examination should be denyed unto it. And certainly, whosoever is an enemy to this power, must be forced to grant, that it is the Will of Iesus Christ, that all sorts of people, though never so wicked, though actually drunk, though fooles, though Turks, Iews, or Heathen, are to be admitted to the Sacrament, if they come unto it.
For if there be no divine right of Examination, or of rejection, how dare any Church or State assume a power of making rules for keeping any persons from the Sacrament? should they make rules for keeping ignorant and scandalous persons from the hearing of the Word, would it not be accounted a sin of an high nature? And is it not as great a sin to keep any from the Sacrament, if Christ hath left no power for the doing of it? is not this to be wise above what is written? And therefore let us either admit all sorts to the Sacrament, without any distinction of persons, and thereby become guilty of the body and blood of Christ, and accessary to the sins of those that come unworthily; (as hath been said, and formerly proved,) or else let us diligently and conscientiously examine all of all sorts, that desire to be made partakers of this distinguishing ordinance.
3. From the titles that are given to the Officers of the Church, and from the duty that God requires at their hands. The Officers of the Church are called Rulers and Governours, & such as are over their people in the Lord. And it is their duty to watch over the souls of their people, as such as must give an account for them into God. Now it is all the reason in the world, that they that must give an account to God for their people, should take an account of their people; and that they that watch over their souls, should know the state of their souls. And that they that are Governours, Rulers, and Overseers, should teach, instruct, try and examine those over whom they rule and govern.[87]
Quest.
But you will say, who are these Rulers and Governours, by whom we are to be examined?
Answ.
The Answer to this, will lead us to the third thing propounded; and that is to prove,