The Divine Right of Church Government | Page 3

in Art. 1, to bend all our best endeavors to help
forward a reformation of religion according to the word of God, which
can never be effected without a due establishment of the
scripture-government and discipline in the Church of God. And to
make known what this government is from the law and testimony, by
preaching or writing, comes properly and peculiarly within the sphere
of our place and vocation.
2. A cloud of darkness and prejudice, in reference to this matter of
church government, too generally rests upon the judgments and
apprehensions of men (yea of God's own people) among us, either, 1st,
through the difficulty or uncommonness of this matter of church
government, (though ancient and familiar in other reformed churches,
yet new and strange to us;) or, 2d, through the strange
misrepresentations that are made hereof, by those that are small friends
to the true presbyterial government, or that are enemies to all church
government whatsoever; or, 3d, through the different opinions about
church government, which are to be found among pious people and
ministers: by all which the weak and unstable minds of many are cast
into a maze of many confused thoughts and irresolutions.
3. Though many learned treatises have been published, some whereof
have positively asserted, others have polemically vindicated divers
parts of church government, and the divine right thereof, yet hitherto no
treatise of this nature is extant, positively laying open the nature of a
divine right, what it is, and a system of that government, which is so,
and proving both by the Scriptures; without which, how shall the
judgments and consciences of men be satisfied, that this is that church
government, according to the word of God, which they have
covenanted to endeavor to promote, and whereto they are obliged to
submit? And since it is our lot to travel in an unbeaten path, we,
therefore, promise to ourselves, from all sober and judicious readers,
the greater candor and ingenuity in their measuring of our steps and
progress herein.

II. The advantage which may probably accrue hereupon, we hope shall
be manifold: For, 1. Who can tell but that some of them, that in some
things are misled and contrary-minded, may be convinced and regained?
and it will be no small reward of our labors if but one erring brother
may be brought back. 2. Some satisfaction may redound to such as are
of doubtful, unresolved minds, by removing of their doubts and
scruples, and ripening of their resolutions, to settle more safely in point
of church government. 3. Those that as yet are unseen in the matter of
church government, or that want money to buy, or leisure to read many
books upon this subject, may here have much in a little, and
competently inform themselves of the whole body of the government. 4.
Consequently upon the attaining of the former ends, the work of
reformation will be much facilitated and smoothed, the hearts of the
people being prepared for the Lord and his ordinances. 5. The present
attempt (if it reach not to that completeness and satisfactoriness which
is desired) may yet incite some of our brethren of more acute and
polished judgments to embark themselves in some further discoveries
for the public benefit of the Church. 6. But though it should fall out that
in all the former we should be utterly disappointed, we shall have this
peace and comfort upon our own spirits, that we have not hid our talent
in the earth, nor neglected to bear witness to this part of Christ's truth,
touching the government of his Church, by his kingly power, wherein
Christ was opposed so much in all ages, Psalm ii. 1, 2, 3; Luke xix. 14,
27; Acts iv., and for which Christ did suffer so much in a special and
immediate manner, as[1] some have observed. For this end Christ came
into the world, (and for this end we came into the ministerial calling,)
to bear witness to the truth.
III. Finally, the present opportunity of publishing a treatise on this
subject doth much incite and encourage us therein. For at this time we
are beginning, in this province of London, (and we hope the whole
kingdom will, with all convenient speed, and due caution, second us,)
to put that covenanted church government into actual execution, which
we have a long time intended in our deliberate resolutions. So that
generally we shall be engaged in the government one way or other,
either as acting in it as the church officers, or as submitting to it as
church members: now, how shall any truly conscientious person, either

act in it, or conform and submit unto it with faith, judgment, and
alacrity, till he be in some competent measure satisfied of the divine
right thereof?