A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry

by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly

Object. 5.

Though some Ministers rigidly keep all from the Sacrament, that will not come before the Eldership; yet there are others that are Presbyterians, and have Elders chosen, that examine without them, and will receive us to the Sacrament, without coming before them.

In answer to this,

Answ.

1. We doubt whether there be any Ministers of the Presbyterian judgment, that do thus practise.

2. If there be any such, we conceive that herein they act not only contrary to an Ordinance of Parliament, but to an Ordinance of Christ, who hath given the power of Discipline, not to one Minister, (as we have said) but to an united company of Presbyters And for one Minister to assume this power unto himself, is (as we have also declared) to make himself the whole Church; It is to build up what he hath destroyed, and to usurp the Prelaticall power of sole jurisdiction, in his Congregation. For he doth not only assume a Pastoral power of instructing those that are to come to the Sacrament, but an Authoritative power of admitting to, & keeping from the Sacrament; which is to take to himself an authority that Christ hath never given him. And we desire these Ministers to consider what we have formerly delivered, That it is as warrantable by the Word of God for one Minister to assume the whole power of suspending persons from the Sacrament, who have been duly admitted thereunto, as it is to assume the whole power of admitting to the Sacrament, &c. And further we beseech and intreat them (if there be any such,) to consider what an offence they give in this particular, to all their Brethren in the Ministry; and what an argument they put into the mouthes of those that are disaffected to the government; and in the fear of God to forsake this way and course, lest while they think to build with us, they be found to be destroyers, both of the Presbyterian Government and Ministry, and to open a wide door to Sacramental Prophanation.

Object. 6.

Doth not the Scripture say, Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat? &c. but it no where saith, Let a man be examined by the Minister and Elders.

Answ.

1. The text speaks of those that were formerly admited in a due way to the Sacrament; and of such it is only required, that they should examine themselves: For the Examining of those amongst us that have formerly bin admitted, is occasioned by the great Church deformation that hath been amongst us; which being once healed, there will not be again that need afterwards of Church-Examination.