2. The Apostles words are not to be understood restrictively and exclusively. For he doth not say, Let a man examine himself only, But let a man Examine himself, that is, Let him especially examine himself. Take a parallel text, Rom. 14.12. So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God; which text is not to be understood exclusively; For it is certain, that Ministers must give an account to God, not only of themselves, but also for their people; And Parents and Masters, for their children, and servants; so it is here, Let a man examine himself: This doth not exclude the duty of a father, in examining his children; or of a Master, Minister, or Elder, in examining those under his Charge: But it teacheth us, That we must not rest in, nor trust to the Examination of our Father, Master, Minister, or Elders, but likewise examine our selves: If a childe, or servant should say unto his father, or master, when he is examined about his knowledge, or faith, The Scripture bids me examine my self, and therefore I will not be examined by you. Would not this be accounted a great affront, and an unnsufferable abuse to the holy Scriptures? and yet just so do they reason & argue, that from this Scripture, would exempt themselves from all examination by Minister & Elders. And so likewise when Christ saith, Matth, 7.1. Judge not, that you be not judged: He that should interpret that text exclusively, of all kind of judging; would overthrow all Magistracy. But it is to be understood only, as excluding private and rash judging, (when a man judgeth his Brother, and hath no calling to judge him, not a just cause:) so it is here; This text excludes all private Christians from examining others; but to say, that it excludes all men in office and place in the Church, and in the family, would at once destroy all Church-Government, and all family-government.
3. We might add, that those that are most ready to pretend, that it is needless to give an account before the Minister and Elders, because they are to examine themselves, it is to be feared, are as regardless of examining themselves, as unwilling to give an account to the Eldership.
Object. 7.
Doth not the Scripture also say, whosoever eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself? It is not said, to the Eldership.
Answ.
That text is not to be understood exclusively, unless it relate to close hypocrites: An hypocrite eats and drinks damnation to himself only, but if it relates to those that are grosly ignorant and scandalous, it cannot be understood exclusively. For when a man that is grosly ignorant and scandalous, receives the Sacrament, he not only eats and drinks judgment to himself, but the guilt of the sin lyeth upon all those that knew of it, and did not do their duty for the hindering of it, as we have formerly shewed.
Object. 8.
There are many Elders that are very ignorant, and fiter rather to be examined, then to examine; and that propound unbeseeming and absurd questions.
Answ.