IT is an olde saying , ( most noble prince ) vsed also of Aristotle , that there is nothing more beutifull in the whol frame of nature then comlinesse and good order . For what confused and disorderlye thing can be pleasant to the eye , Order how necessary . or delightsome vnto the minde of man ? verely nothing at al. And in deede if these things that either we looke vpon with the eies of our bodie , or consider with the faculties of our minde , seeme vnto vs neither to be orderly disposed , nor to cleaue together by any comodious situation : nor ordered by any decent and seemely maner , wee presently giue sentence , that they haue neither profit , nor delight in them . And wee doe noe lesse abhorre such vncomly sightes , then we delight to look vpon those things which are distinguished into their natural and proper parts . And this that I speake is verified to be true in kingdoms , in common wealthes , in townes , in vilages , in priuat houses , in gardens , in feildes , in wildernesses , and in whatsoeuer either nature bringeth forth , or mans wit and industrie inuenteth : as not only experience it selfe , but euen the common voice of al men , both godly & prophane doth witnesse . To be briefe , the world it selfe being the most beutifull worke of Gods owne hand , is of the Grecians called κοσμος for the order and comlinesse that is therein .

Whereby their opinion apeareth to be most detestable , Order or beauty . which not only delight them selues in disorder & confusion : but also ( by remouing of al good order ) do indeuor to turn euery thing vpside down , & to induce a generall mixture of al things both priuat & publick . The which sort of men , as being the monsters & common plagues of mankind , the Auncients were wont to cal vnruly and vnbrideled spirits . But concerning comlines and good order , this we are to thinke of it , that as the same is not onely profitable , but also most necessary euery where : soe especially ought it to haue place in the church of God , as the Apostle Paule by expresse commaundement doth teach vs . 1. Cor. 14.40 . For the church is the house of God , that great King of Kinges . Wherein therefore al things ought to be done circumspectly , seemly , and decently , & as Paul him selfe speketh , The dishonor of god ioyned with the disorder of the Church . honestly and according vnto good order , but nothing confusedly & disorderly , least the disorder of the house be a staine , and a dishonor vnto the Maiesty of the houshoulder him selfe , who is the great and the mightie God . And to this purpose he himselfe of his great mercie hath prescribed in his worde , not onely those things , which are necessarie to eternall life , and concearne the ground-worke and saluation of his Church : But also hath manifested those pointes which are behoofefull vnto the right gouernement and beautie of his Church , least there shuld be any thing appertaining to the right constitution of his house , whereof , we should not be fully and sufficiently instructed out of his owne mouth . And to the end that those rules which belong vnto the regiment of the church , should expresly , bee seuered and distinguished , from those pointes which containe the doctrine of iustifiyng faith , they are generally called of all men , Ecclesiasticall Discipline . by the name of Ecclesiasticall Discipline . For euen as that part of gods word , and the knowledge of his truth , which teacheth vs what we are to beleeue , concerning God the Father , concerning Christ , together with his natures and offices , concerning the holy Ghost , concerning the causes of our saluation , and concerning eternal life , doth containe the very bones and sinows , and as it were , the being and essence of the body of the church . So the same part of the word of God , which setteth downe the rules of Ecclesiasticall Discipline , doth make vp the ornamentes and iewels of the body of the church , whereby it is attired , and without which it is no other , then a body naked , and without cloathing . So that hereby we may see , what a nere conjunction and agreement there is betweene these two , to wit , betweene the doctrine and discipline of the Church . For except you joine ecclesiastical discipline , vnto the light & profession of the truth , an assembly of men , euen embrasing the purity of the word preached , shal be nothing , but a naked body bereaued and destitute of al attire , and ornaments . And therefore is this ecclesiastical discipline rightly tearmed by some of the Ancient fathers , to be the keeper of the doctrine of faith , the mother of vertue , the bond of honestie , and the very sinewe of christian society . The force whereof indeede , is so greate , that it alone bringeth vnto the church , whatsoeuer we account to be the comlinesse , beuty , brightnes , and ornament thereof , and it maketh the same so pleasant vnto the eies , that ( as Tertullian saith ) the heretickes ( which were alwaies the greatest and most deadly enemies thereof ) did spitefully cal ecclesiastical discipline , a baite to ensnare , and alure men to loue the church .

Ecclesiastical discipline when it began . Seeing therefore this discipline is a rule and a parte of that justice , whereby the outwarde order and the lawful gouernment of the whole church is contained : who are they that with any coulor can pretend , that ether the same is to be despised , or not to be labored for ? Whose institution began not first vnder the newe Testament , but was first ordained vnder the lawe by God himselfe , as that worthie professor of the Hebrue tongue , and my fellow laborer , Cornelius Bertram , hath long since very learnedly taught in his booke concerning the pollicy of the Iewes . For what els but the prescribing of ecclesiastical discipline doe the lawes of God meane , which distinguishe the tribe of Leuie from al other tribes , that out of it onely , the ministers of the temple shoulde be chosen , & within the same tribe , doe seuere the office of the priest from the Leuits , & set downe what was the authority both of the high priest , and of the rest of those that had to doe with the priesthood . And what els doe these lawes meane , which sette down , what rites and drinke offrings were required in euery kinde of sacrifice ? To conclude the whole ceremonial lawe appointed by the Lorde him selfe , what els I praye you is it , but a most ample and a most cleare description of ecclesiastical discipline ? And as the Lord was not sparing in the institution hereof , vnder the olde testament , soe hath hee as largely vnder the newe , instituted ( or rather restored it being fallen downe and decayed ) the same by his Apostles , as being a matter altogether most necessary for the right constitution , and gouernement of his Church . The which thing appeareth out of many places in the newe testament , and especially out of the Acts of the Apostles the first epistle of Paul to the Corin. the first to Timothie , and that to Titus . In al which , & the like places , whatsoeuer apertaines to the right and laweful gouernement of the Church is carefully , and largely set downe : Whether you regard the ordering of the whole Church in general , or the gouerning of some fewe in particular . In consideration whereof , I thinke it a wonderful & an absurde case , that afterwards so many cannons , so many decrees of synods , so many constitutions of churches , The Canons of generall and prouinciall Councels for the most part vaine and needles . both general and particular , were written and established for the ordering of Ecclesiastical gouernement . For what neede was there of this labour ? which only did arise from the greate contempt , and ignorance of these precepts , which the holy Ghost had set downe by the pen of the Apostles , and that because men despised the waies of God , that they might establish the inuentions of their owne braynes , and bring into the church their owne tradicions , which for the most part , were too absurde and childish , and alwaies mere contrary vnto the Discipline prescribed in the worde of God .

But here some man wil demaund , whether this discipline be so precisely set downe , Note . and prescribed in the newe testament , as nothing can be added vnto it , and apointed so strictly vnder paine of the Lords displeasure , as men may not swerue any whit at al from it ? In the answere of this question , I must be faine to vse a distinction . For there are many and sundry partes of Ecclesiastical discipline : whereof the one doth containe and describe only a general way and meane of placing , guiding , and ruling the Church , in whatsoeuer place and country of the world it doth remaine . As for example , that only the voice of our Lorde Iesus Christ is to be harde in the church , and no other . That the sacraments are only to be deliuered vnto the godly , and faythfull , and all other pointes that are of like kinde , which generally respect the conseruation of the Church . The other parte doth handle , and declare more particularly the rule of gouerning the same . This latter parte of Ecclesiastical discipline containeth 4. heades . First the election of these persons , which are called vnto some Ecclesiasticall office . Secondlye , a description of the offices and callings of the persons that are elected ? Thirdly , the way and maner of administring church censures , as wel publickly before the assembly of the elders , as otherwise . The fourth is concerning the receiuing into the Church , of them that are vnder the ecclesiasticall censures , either suspended , or excommunicated . When as the question is therfore , whether euery particular of these heades , be so set downe in the word , that nothing can be added thereunto . Some things essentiall , some things accidentarie in the regiment of the church I answere that in euery worke , cause , and action , there are some things essential , and some thinges accidental . Those thinges are essential , which contain the whol nature of the thing , or some parte thereof , as in this argument . If any man in the laweful calling of Pastors or other church officers , that are to be chosen shal deny , either that their life and doctrine are to be tryed : or that the approbation of the people , is to be had in their choise , he denieth those things which are essential vnto al laweful elections . In like sort , if any man shal say that this tryal is not to be had by the church , and that by many : but by one man alone , and shall teache that the Church is to stande in this case vnto the meare determination of one , he taketh away those things which are essential in election . But if a man shoulde reason , that this tryall by many is to bee done in this or that place , at this or that time , after this or that maner , he speaketh only of those things which are accidental . As for example , the ancient manner in times past of election , and tryal of Pastors was , that he shoulde be chosen by 3. Bishops , or Pastors that were next vnto him , togither with the Eldership , and church whereof hee was to be Pastor . And this was done onely in the metropolitan City , at a certaine and an apointed time , namely in the time of publicke fast : to bee short , he was chosen not by the bare consent , and voice of the people , but by the lifting vp of their hands which was called χεῖ̓ροτονία , al which things are to be accounted accidentarie , and not essential in election . This therefore wee conclude , that whatsoeuer by the word of God is commanded to be done and obserued in the gouernment of the church , whether it be concerning the election , or the offices of those that are called , or whatsoeuer head of ecclesiastical discipline it doth respect : we conclude I say , that to be altogether essential . But as for those thinges which are adjudged , and appointed in euery particular prouince , or Church , to be most commodious to effect , and practise the former points , we hold them to be but accidentary matters . As that the preaching of the word shold be at this hower , rather then at an other . That the church should rather haue this number of Elders and deacons , then that . Al which things are to be held accidentary , & in no wise essential vnto the gouerment of the Church .

Nowe therefore vnto the present question in hand , according vnto this distinction wee answer after this sorte , that wee vtterly holde it vnlawful , that such things as are essentiall vnto Church gouernment , should be either augmented or diminished , by the commandements & lawes of men . But as for the things that are accidental wee deny not , but they may be increased , diminished , qualified or augmented , not only by euery prouince , but euen by particular Churches , as they finde them conuenient , or incommodious vnto their state , and to speake in a word , as occasion of the circumstances of places , times , and persons , shall require .

And after the selfe same manner , wee answere vnto that other demaunde of some , which would know , whether the Church may swarue from that order of gouernement , which is set downe in the writings of the Apostles , and whether the one & the selfe same forme of Church regiment & discipline , ought to be established in al the churches that professe the Gospell ? For , if they speake of those thinges which are essential vnto the gouerment of the church , the answer is , that al churches are bound alike to obserue and keepe them inuiolable , as that the gouernement of the Church shoulde be Aristocratical , that is in the handes of many , and not monarchical , that is in the handes of one , and that euery congregation should haue in it a Senate or company of Elders , Al churches therefore are bound to be gouerned by the eldership . chose by the church , without whom , neither the Pastor , nor any man els , is to deale in the affairs of the church , and that in euery congregation , there bee some censuring of wickednes , and of vnruly manners , which censures are not to be administred , by the arbitriment of one man : but by the deliberation and judgment of the leaders , and gouerners , and as Ierom saith , of the Elders of the church . To be short , it is essential vnto ecclesiasticall discipline , that the sentence of excommunication bee giuen forth against the obstinat , and that it be pronounced , not according to the minde and judgement of ciuilians , and such as giue sentence according vnto the lawes of man : but by the direction of the officers of the church , which judge acording vnto the lawes of God , and that it be giuen forth , not in a corner by one man alone : but by the consent , and in the presence of the Church , the same being gathered together for that purpose . And therefore wee answere plainly and directly , that the substance , or essential partes of ecclesiastical discipline , ought to be the same , in al the churches that professe the Gospel , or cary the name of any reformation with them .

But if the question bee concerning outwarde things , which only are accidentary vnto this discipline , wherin onely the conuenience or discommodity standeth in the practise , or the omitting of some thinges indifferent , wee holde that those pointes may bee changeable : yea and that often times it is requisite they shoulde bee changed , in consideration of the respect , that is to be had , vnto the diuersitie of times , places & persons . So far are wee in this point , from requiring that euery countrey and region shoulde be tyed vnto the same forme of outwarde order . For it may fal out that these thinges which in this place , and in this countrey is wel and commodiously done . ( As for example , the lords supper is administred in France once euery quarter ) cannot bee so conueniently practised in other regions and countries . After this manner it is , that the sentence of excommunication in som places is red out of booke , which in other Churches is denounced by the Pastor , as the Lord directeth him to speake for the present time . Euen so also , the maner is in this Church of Geneua , that he who hath fallen to Idolatry , and desireth afterwardes to bee reconciled vnto the Church , maketh confession of his fault vpon the Lords day onely : whereas in other Churches , he might doe it at any other day , that the Churche thinketh conuenient . Here with vs the penitent readeth his confession , in other places he speaketh it , as he is moued for the present . Al these indifferent things then may haue a diuers forme , according to the diuersity of places & times , &c: so that alwaies the correction of manners , the acknoweledging of the fault , the seperation of the goates from the sheepe , be retained in the lordes house , & those thinges done , which God requireth to bee put in execution . And so this point be euermore practised , that the Church and house of God bee orderly gouerned , that it may appeare not to be a cadge of vncleane birdes , but the well gouerned familie of the liuing God .

The substance therefore and essential partes of discipline , ought to bee one and the selfe same , in al the Churches of God in what age or place soeuer they bee , but as for such thinges as are accidentary thereunto , they may bee changed . And therefore in this question , wee holde it needefull that men should learne alwaies to make a distinction betweene the accidentall and the essentiall partes of Church discipline . Furthermore , we account it meerely vnlaweful , that any man , yea the supreame Magistrate , or yet the vniuersal body of the true Church , should goe about to change , alter , remoue , diminish or augment any thing that is Essentiall in Ecclesiasticall Discipline . For although in ciuil causes the King , The gouernment of the church not to bee changed . or the chiefe magistrate , may by vertue of the authority graunted vnto him by the Lord , make newe lawes , and abrogate the olde : yet notwithstanding he hath not the like authoritie , either in abolishing and changing , the essential parts of ecclesiastical discipline , or yet in adding any thing of his own thereunto . The reason whereof is most manifest and cleare . For seeing the especial scope , and end of Ecclesiastical Discipline is : first , that the Pastors which take charge of Gods people , haue a laweful calling . Secondly that the consciences of men bee ruled , and by true conuersion and repentance , brought vnto the obedience of Gods wil : it must needs follow , that the ordaining & appointing of ecclesiastical discipline is only in the Lords hand : because that he alone is the Lord , king , ruler and lawgiuer of his Church , and hee alone , the onely true and lawful iudge , and gouernour of the consciences of men . And therefore hee alone , is both to prescribe the rules of the lawfull callings , of such as are to beare office in his house , and also to set downe the way , howe the consciences of men may bee mooued , and repentaunce wrought in them . In which two points ( as we haue sayd ) the chiefe force and drift of Ecclesiasticall discipline is contained . And concerning these matters , neither king , nor yet the whole body of the Church , haue authority to prescribe any other lawes then those , which Christ himselfe hath set downe . For the Church it selfe is no other then a seruaunt , to be ruled by the commaundements of God hir soueraigne Lorde , and not a Queene , or a Lady to prescribe vnto her selfe , what lawe she likes best , and as for Kings and Princes , they are members and not heads of the Church , members indeede , that are to be reuerenced aboue the rest , in respect of their calling , yet members in such sort , as in the gouerning of the Churche , they are not to commaund as they list : but their duety is onely to be carefull , that the commaundements of the Lord may bee put in execution , by , and amongest their subiectes . For out of all controuersie , the Lorde alone is to appoint and ordaine Ecclesiasticall vocations and callinges , as hee is the onely searcher and ruler of the soule and conscience . And therefore , seeing the ruling of the consciences of men , and the subduing of them vnto the obedience of God , is the end wherefore Ecclesiasticall Discipline is ordained : The way and the means , wherby that worke is to be effected , can be shewed by none , saue onely by the Lorde alone , because hee only made and formed the conscience and mind of man , he only knoweth how they may be ruled , turned and changed : and he onely is the Lord of them . Whence it is , that to seeke any where els ( especially from the mouth of natural man ) saue only at the word of God , the laws to rule and guide the conscience , is nothing els , but to hunt after errours and delusions , and to offer extreame injurie vnto the maiesty of God , which claimeth this authority vnto himselfe alone . We do not deny , but that kings and Princes together with their counsellours , and such as are well seene in matters of state may deuise and enact wholsome lawes for the maintaining of publicke peace among their subiects : but to inuent and ordaine newe lawes ( besides those that are prescribed in Gods word ) wherewith they would rule and binde the consciences of men , or to appoint & enact ordinances and constitutions , concerning the lawful callings of those that gouerne the Church , ( which is the house of God , and not the mansion of anie earthly Prince ) they haue no warrant nor authoritie at all . Yea , ( and as hath bene sayd ) the whole Church of God , gathered and assembled togeather in a generall Councell , hath no authoritie at all , to take any such worke in hand . In so much as , whatsoeuer generall Councels haue enacted and constituted different from , or contrary vnto the substance of Ecclesiasticall Discipline , prescribed in the worde of God , it was nothing els , but plaine tyrannie , and a most injurious vsurpation of the right which belongeth vnto the Lorde alone , although it cannot bee denied , but those Councels and assemblies perswaded themselues that they went about no such matter , but intended a farre better , and a more holie purpose . The confusion , and miserable ruine of the Church , folowed vpon their purposes , do manifestly shew the truth hereof . For if they had retained that discipline of the Apostles , and appointed no other , the Church of God had not fallen into that horrible disorder , wherewith , at the length , it was lamentably ouerthrowen .

Doe you then , will some men say , condemne all those Churches , that receiued the gospell , wherein , either no Ecclesiasticall discipline at all , or at the least , that ordained by the Apostles , is not obserued , but haue either corrupted the true Discipline , or substituted a false , in stead thereof . Vnto this odious question , wherewith we haue bene often cumbred , wee answere plainely , and yet louingly and modestly , that we indeed do not condemne those Churches and congregations , wher idolatry is banished , and the pure and true preaching of the Gospell retained , as not beeing the Churches of GOD : notwithstanding , that they want and in joy not the true gouerenment of the Church . For the fundamentall , and true , and infallible note of gods Church heere vpon earth , is onely one , namely , the word of God truly preached by a lawful Pastor , the which true preaching of the worde , wheresoeuer it bee , there men may boldly conclude , the Lordes flocke to bee a remnant , according to the saying of our sauior Christ , My sheepe heare my voyce : yea , and wee hould this flocke to bee the flocke of God , although it want both the administration of the sacraments , and the vse and practise of the true Discipline of the Church . And whereas these 2. last markes , to wit , the sacraments , and discipline , are by some thought necessary to point out the true Church , their meaning in this , is nothing els , but to shew what and how much is necessarily required , to the perfect and absolute constitution of the outward face of a Churche . But they are verye farre from thinking that those congregations cannot be at al accounted the Churches of God , which want ecclesiasticall discipline , so that the word of God be trulie and soundly preached in them . Those congregations and assemblies then , which want Discipline , are indeed the Churches of God , but yet lame , vnperfect and maimed Churches . As we cal him a man , though he haue both his arms cut off , so that hee be liuing & haue the vse of his reason . Notwithstanding , all those Countries , who ( hauing banished idolatry , and receiued the true and liuely word of God ) do as yet want this disciplin , ought to know , that this shuld be their chiefe care and continual endeuor , euen that they may without delay , joyne and adde vnto their Church this notable ornament , namely , Ecclesiasticall Discipline , as it is prescribed in the writinges of the Apostles , and so they shall not only haue the bones and sinowes , but inioy the bloud , colour , beauty , and retaine the absolute strength of a Church . And in this point , that speeche of the holy ghost , is carefully to be hearkned vnto , that we ought to make straight steps vnto our feet , least that which halteth , be at length clean turned out of the way . For if those things which are needful , be through carelesnesse neglected in the Church of God , it will come to passe , that in processe of time , the Church it selfe , wil be clean alienated from God . And in asmuch as this Discipline whereof wee speake , is set downe in the first Epistle of Tim. therfore I haue principally chosen it , in the expounding wherof , I thought good , briefly to set down my iudgement concerning this whole argument . Diuers & many , both new and olde writers , being indeed learned men , haue written vpon this Epistle : But amongst the rest , one Claudius Spensaeus , especially endeuoured to shew , how much he was able to write , concerning the Discipline of the Church . For besides a large commentarie that he hath written vpon the text it selfe , he hath also published no lesse then three tedious books of digressions ( as he calleth them ) vpon this verie same Epistle . But he is so farre in my iudgement , from being a helpe vnto any man by his bookes , that in my daies , I haue knowen nothing more obscure , then his verie commentary , and nothing more confused , and out of order , then are his intricate discourses . For these Schoolmen , of whose number this Spensaeus was on , are blinded by the iust iudgement of God , and so giuen to obscuritie , that in the most thinges they vnderstand not themselues , because their onely bringing vp is in darknes , and vaine iangling . Indeed , when I had lighted vpon these commentaries , and could profit my selfe nothing at all by them , the best course that I could take , was to betake me from his wandering digressions , vnto the right way it selfe , that is , vnto the text of the Apostle , and so as the olde prouerbe faith , I dranke , and hasted away . For my selfe , what I haue attained vnto by this my trauel , and howe much I haue manifested this cause , which otherwise , for want of practise , nowe these many yeares was growen out of vse , & the knowledge of men , let others iudge . Thus much I may bouldlye affirme , that I was not able to bring to light these olde rubushes of antiquitie without great labour , and paines . Howsoeuer it bee , I intreat the Lord God , that these my labours may be profitable vnto his Church : and acceptable vnto the godly .