maintained and the poor relieved The Lord is pleased to define the sin and calls it robbery and injustice he repayes the evill with a curse of penury And as all Scripture is recorded for our learning and instruction so these presidents of miscarriages and punishments are become our premonitions and warnings that by preventing the sins we may clearly escape the punishments Thus much be spoken touching the Caution and Admonition Lastly A word of Encouragement and so I have done I am of St. Peters perswasion to put you in remembrance of these things although ye know them and be established in them but to observe the speciall notice the Lord takes and countenance he manifests to such as are just and righteous as Noah Lot and Phineas Caleb Joshua and many others who for their integrity fidelity and singularity are blest with speciall security that while others fall under judgement and misery as a demonstration the Lord records their names commends their actions secures their persons and comprehends in the blessing their posterities and families The Prophet Jeremiah speaking in commendations of Josiah King of Judah said thus of him Jer. 22.15 16. that he did execute judgement and justice and then it was well with him this is rightly to know God Was not this to know me saith the Lord. These that were men of justice and faithfulness the Lord counts it unto them for righteousness John the Baptist was a righteous man and faithfull and just in reproving sin and so obtained this commendation to be called a just and holy man Also the Lord was pleased greatly to honour Abraham in making him privy to his design of justice upon Sodom and admits him to parle touching their destruction the Lord gives this character of him that he will command his children and his houshold after him Gen. 18.19 and like a man of government to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement The Lord doth so highly account and so much delight in truth and judgement that if there were but one man found in the City Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 to seek for it and in the execution of it notwithstanding a wicked City he would pardon it The Lord takes such pleasure in justice that he prefers it above other sacrifice for it is the habitation of his holiness Finally The benefits that attend such as give Christs servants their due encouragements If I may take leave once again to look back into the Old Testament Mapp recorded in the Prophesie of Malaechy I will shew you a three-fold blessing that attends this duty 1. The Lord invites and tempts them to do their duty 2. He is pleased to promise upon doing their duty he will pour out blessings and that abundantly for their sakes 3. He will remove the curse stop the destroyer reprove the consumer and rebuke the devourer 4. The Lord will so raise their fame and commendations that they shall be called a blessed people and that by all Nations In my making use of Old Testament Scriptures 't is not to make it our rule but to make use of their concurrences and assistances for they may in some measure help us as mapps and glasses to discover our duties and to see our dangers For as in the Gospell dayes duties are more richly and rarely blessed so new testaments neglects Heb. 10.28 29. and contempts are more sorely and dreadfully punisht Thus I have as it were set some Land-marks to guide you in the way to felicity and also discovered some Sea-marks to avoid the rocks of misery and having thus born my testimony I commend you all to God and wish you eternall mansions of glory FINIS POSTSCRIPT NOw if any Brother or Well-wisher shall conscientiously doubt or be dis-satisfied touching any particular Point contained in this Treatise because of my speaking to many things in a little room And if he or they shall be serious in so doing and will be-friend me so far and do me that courtesie to send to me before they condemn me and let me know their scruples in a few words of writing I shall look upon my self obliged both in affection and reason to endeavour to give them full satisfaction FINIS A Table of the principall Matters contained in this Book CHAP. I. THe Causes of peace and prosperity in the Churches of Jesus Christ page 1 2. The antiquity and dignity of Church-Government p. 3. The personall and princely Excellencies in Christ as the head of his Church p. 6. Chap. 2. Shewing the definition of Church-Government in New Testament dayes viz. in not inflicting bodily punishment upon offenders but spiritually executing Laws without knowing faces respecting persons wresting causes either for favour or prejudice to any persons p. 9. A true Ministers most speciall work and duty to the flock under all circumstances laid down p. 11 12. Chap. 3. Shewing the necessity of and reasons for Church-Governours and Governments p. 12 13. Chap. 4. Shewing the good use and great benefit that comes by right Government p. 19. Right Government is destructive to iniquity and a protection to piety p. 22 23. Chap. 5. Rules tendred to accomplish a right Government and the manner how to choose their Officers p. 26. 27. The work of the Officers when chosen p. 28 29 30. Chap. 6. Shewing the duty of Christians as they stand related to civill Magistrates requiring civill subjection not only for wrath but for conscience sake p. 38. Chap. 7. Treating of Family duties Superiours to Inferiours and Inferiours to Superiours with Directions to a religious choice in Yoke-fellows p. 40 41 c. Chap. 8. Treating particularly of Family duties p. 51. Chap. 9. Treating of private and personall Government p. 56. Cautions not to grieve Gods Spirit nor offend Conscience p. 61. Rules for the heart mouth eyes and ears p. 65 c. Chap. 10. Shewing the true order and right manner of executing Church-Government in seven Rules p. 73 74. Chap. 11. Treating of restitution to be made by an offender p. 76. Concerning dealing with Hereticks and other offenders p. 77 78. Chap. 12. Rules of Discipline how to treat an offender in orderlyest wayes how to restore him p. 80. Rules of better observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath p. 83. Rules for Admonition of penitent persons after Excommunication p. 87. Chap. 13. Shewing what Priviledges are to be maintained to Officers and Members in Christs Congregation p. 88 c. Chap. 14. Shewing what Disorders ought to be prevented corrected or removed p. 95. Rules how the offended ought to treat the offending Brother p. 97 c. Seven Descriptions of the nature of the Devil the Churches adversary by his names p. 102. Chap. 15. Shewing what Branches of injustice and oppression are to be avoided in the punishment of sin p. 103. Chap. 16. Shewing the true order and the execution of Discipline and Justice p. 105. Rules to set out the ugly nature of sin in its aggravations to the thorow humbling the offender p. 109. Usefull Directions for the promoting and preserving unity and peace in the Churches of Christ p. 112 113 c. Chap. 17. Giving Directions how to uphold and preserve Church-Government p. 115 c. Chap. 18. Shewing the duty of particular Elders over particular Churches p. 119. to 124. Chap. 19. Shewing the Office and Duty of Deacons in Christs Congregations p. 124. to 129. Chap. 20. Shewing the Duty of Church-members to their Officers p. 129 130 c. A Duty incumbent and of high concern for Churches to present humble frequent and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospell-Governours that they may rule for God in justice and righteousness and for the encrease of faithfull Labourers in his harvest p. 132 to 135. Chap. 21. Shewing what God hath ordained respecting his Ministers Maintenance p. 135 136 c. The Necessity of making carefull and sutable provision for the Ministry with the sad effects that accompany the contrary p. 139 140 c. Encouragements to this work shewing the advantages that attend the due performance of it p. 143 144 c. Counsell to forwardness in assisting the Ministry with our worldly possessions Also a Caution against Covetonsness describing what it is p. 145 146. Objections against this needfull work answered p. 148. A generall resolution in all difficult and doubtfull Cases p. 149. The dreadfull consequences in Minister and People to do the work of the Lord negligently with comfortable Encouragements to constant diligence p. 150 151 152 c.
satisfied and Mercy towards man admirably advanced He that thought it no Robbery to be equal with God hath freely humbled himself to death to drink of a bitter Cup and to bear the Creatures burdens Even he shall have the Government upon his shoulders The Glory that attends him further appears by those Excellent Appellations attributed to him His Name shall be called the wonderfull Counsellor the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace by whom Princes Reign and Judges decree fustice who upholds all things by the word of his Power and is able to destroy all things in his wrath and anger He is the great Judge of quick and dead both of this New and the Old World and shall pronounce the last and eternal Sentence of the everlasting Absolution and eternal Condemnation and that Consonant to every mans known and secret action who hath overcome the World and the power of the Devill having the victory keeps the Keys of Death and Hell who is all-sufficient to protect and secure such as worship him and to restrain and destroy such as fight against him from Sea to Sea is his Dominion the utmost parts of the Earth is his possession The absolute Soveraign of all Nations the Universal Governour over all Persons and Countries he is the Alpha and Omega all people are commanded and bound to honour him every knee shall bow and every tongue confesse him his Laws are Spiritual Righteous and Mercifull all his requirements are perfect and pure and all his promises are security certain and sure This is the Immortal King of Saints who in his times will shew who is the blessed and only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords I say he is the chiefest among Ten Thousands First In respect of Personal Beauty for he is altogether lovely Secondly In respect of Purity without either blemish or spot of Iniquity Thirdly In respect of Charity casting his love upon a lost World found in Impurity Fourthly In respect of Policy who knows the most secret Conspiracy and catcheth the wise in their own subtilty Fifthly In respect of Propriety who makes many Poor Rich out of his full Treasury Sixthly In respect of Soveraignty who in the most eminent dangers can hide and keep securely Seventhly In respect of Perpetuity who can bestow Rewards of never ending Glory The same is head over all things to his Church and Lord over all to the Conscience We must all appear before him be judged by him and every one must give an account of himself to him he only can prescribe Rules for the Soul and Conscience who gives life and grace and none but he can take it away who keeps the keys of these privities and opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens He only knows the inward affections the omissions and submissions of the heart to his Requirements Heart-Iniquity is out of mans view to take notice and out of the reach of mortal man to punish The Lord only can reward with everlasting Preferment and none but he can inflict eternal punishment This is the Saints great Prophet High Priest and Eternal King who hath of his own free will and donation bequeathed a subordinate power to his People and Congregation committing to them a great trust and conferring upon them a great honour saying Whatsoever ye bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven Whose sins ye remit shall be remitted and whose sins ye retain shall be retained and as a further Demonstration of dignifying them he hath been pleased to impart some of his Communicable Titles to them and that they of his Eldership in his absence should serve under him and act for him in the Offices of Prophet Priest and King in a far inferiour and subordinate sence and low degree acting by his Authority and yet with an humble respect and great humility in his service who ought to be honourably attended with all holy obedience in all humbleness and with all due Reverence and Thankfulnesse Representing his Person Acting all in his Name by vertue of the Power and Commission committed to them Thus he lends them his Names sets them in his Room gives them the keys of the Kingdome puts his Image upon them and hath committed the charge of his People the care of his Laws and the exercise of Government to them and when the last day Judgement shall be called the Saints shall be returned as Jurors upon Life and Death to judge the World And as Prayer and Preaching holds forth his Prophetical and Priestly Office so right Government holds forth his Princely Office and Dignity of his Place 2. True Church Government defined and the several Parts and particular Acts distinguished NOw right Church Government under the Power of Christ according to the Rules of the New Testament inflicts no bodily punishment but is a just exercising and due executing of all his Righteous and Spirituall Laws in being consonant to his Council and direction given without knowing Interest delay of Justice respect to persons wresting Causes either for favor or prejudice to any degree of persons for we have but one Law for the same Offence which knows no face nor regards no Circumstance 2. Church Government consists of these several parts viz. Governours Inferiours Laws and Execution Or thus A People truly called and rightly gathered Officers fitly qualifi'd and orderly Ordained Christ's Laws exactly minded and carefully preserved every man's Cause timely heard and Justice duly executed The true constitution and right governing of Christ's Congregation may be further inlarged and demonstrated thus 1. Where the People are really converted 2. Where they are legally and wholly separated 3. Who for Truths sake suffer if persecuted 4. Where the Word is truly preached 5. Where the People are truly formed and Duties orderly observed 6. Where the Ordinances and Sacraments are purely administred 7. And true Discipline duly ordered 3. The more particular Acts of Ecclesiastical Government according to the Primitive pattern and Christ's appointment is That the Minister or Governour is ingaged and stands obliged to watch over each Member in love duely instructing them going before them praying for them to be an example to them in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith Purity To teach the Ignorant to strengthen the Weak to comfort the Feeble minded succour the Tempted incourage the Faint-hearted restore the Fallen admonish the Negligent visit the Sick defend them from Deceivers seek up the Wanderers and Strayers reprove idle and busie bodies warn the Unruly correct Tale-bearers and Back-biters sharply reprove Disturbers and Division-makers openly rebuke publick Offenders imbrace penitent Persons reject Hereticks exclude Contemners and obstinate Persons absolve the truly humbled Trespassors hear the Causes of Complainers examine Witnesses hear the defence of the Defendants respecting the Poor mans Cause as well as the Rich admonishing with compassion re-admonishing and reproving with Long-suffering
all doubtless to provoke to duty and that we might have a childs part in the present mercy to escape the present severity to avoid the future misery and to preserve and conduct us to the haven of Eternity The Lords princely favours and acts of indempuity and compassion have been marvelously commended to us in his great patience long-suffering and forbearance of us yet preserving our priviledges enlarging our liberties augmenting our graces and that while others have fallen by calamities Nay have not many cause the whole term of their lives to remember how eminently they have been preserved from the sword pestilence and as brands pulled out of the fire It becomes us as obedient Children and concerns us as loyall Subjects to give ear and humbly submit to the Lords voice whether by mercies or threatnings warning or corrections Christian Reader we are admonished by this dispensation to hear the rod of correction Amos 3.6 and to consider who appoints it Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it 't is more than prophesied for many have already both known and felt what it is for a jealous God to come down out of his place and to shew his angry face in his hot displeasure For proof let the Citizens especially remember who live in the Metropolitan City whom I might call to witness if need did require to tell their experience of Gods late Method in the pestilence and fire and if we needed any further testimony to ask the Sea-men concerning the sword devouring in the Sea It doth therefore properly and more than ordinarily concern every Christian to be strict in attention and speedy in observation and study to learn what the Lord speaks to us in this present dispensation before the Lord pour out the remainder of his wrath upon the children of men For among whom is there such a reformation that might give us just ground to believe the righteous God will stay his hand of destroying only he is long-suffering surely to see what use will be made of the last Visitation Let us therefore study the point and state the question what sutable sacrifice we should prepare for and present to the God of Heaven that might be as fruit in its season from us and acceptably received and resented by him for certainly our trespasses are aggravated by not improving our mercies we have enjoyed Doubtless the abuse of mercies is the door that lets in all our miseries There is therefore nothing more incumbent upon us than thankfully to improve our blessings and remove far from us that which procures Gods displeasures and to prize our unexpected and undeserved favours and freedomes and sensibly to acknowledge our precious immunities and benefits in the use of them that we may never know their price and loss in the want of them for sins commited against benefits received and that in the midst of calamities which for season and circumstance are no less than miracles and wonders which being not prized thankfully we may expect severity to take place in the room of mercy For truly such have been the eminent appearances of God the nature number and measure of our priviledges who hath by his most admirable and remarkable acts of power and his more invisible and secret way of providence defended and secured his poor heritage not only when the multitude have stood for us but since they have turned their force against us So that he that turned aside as Moses may see a great sight to be admired to see as it were the Bush to burn and yet not consumed ingratitude for such experiences without doubt will return in great severities Let us therefore consult our knowledge and recollect our memories cast up accounts render unto the Lord his due in returning praises and chearfully acknowledge our debts and speedily pay our vows that we may be counted worthy to be the Lords Tenants that we may still hold our benefits and possess our priviledges For if in these things Christians are found in neglects and security they may expect to find the Lord in wrath and fury For the Lord hath made our famous City the beauty and glory of our Nation to be as a Beacon to alarm the Countrey and to give them warning He might have made us presidents of warning to others but 't is our priviledge to make others examples of warning to us Let not us he like some who cry out of certain persons sad accidents and complain of bad times and yet put the cause of all these things from themselves not pondering nor reflecting upon the matter that 't is our deserts we deserve no better There is no sort or sect of men the righteous God hath spared in this sad Visitation then which is the people that are to be exempted in the reformation Now that our mercy may not be turned into miseries and our chastisements into judgements Reader let it be the next question what the Lord requires in duty to be done the resolution may be taken out of that short Breviate of Micah the Prophet Mic. 6.9 the summe of which duty consists in justice mercy and humility for this is to bear the rod to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with God For indeed this is the work of our day and these are the weightier matters of Gods Law and as Ecclesiasticall Government and true discipline is a prime part of Religion so 't is a proper work to purge Christs Congregation and because our holy God hath a quick and strict eye upon his own people and his jealousie is hottest about the Altar Ark and Sanctuary witness the severity of his justice upon Nadah and Abihu Lev. 10.2 Corah Uzzah and Ely Also remember the state of the Church of the Corinthians which may be a Mapp and glass for Christians in these late times Numb 16.32 wherein we may discover our misdemeanours the nature of our calamities and a method for our remedies who suffered because the Church was not purged and because they presumed to be Communicants at the Lords Table and did not discern the Lords Body but came unworthily and kept their Communions irreverently and disorderly insomuch for this cause the Lord in flicts upon them weakness sickness 1 Cor. 11.30 and mortality So that it first and most concerns the Church of God to set afoot this materiall duty even the exercise of justice mercy and humility and impartially to judge our selves that we may not be judged of the Lord nor condemned with the world but hasten to put judgement into execution to cleanse our Camps purge our Tabernacles and Churches both from our own and other mens sins both Nationall Congregationall Family and Personall crimes for true Government hath this commendation by its execution it orders purges and establishes Christs Congregation Thus runs the duty of a Christian fervently to serve the Lord applying themselves to the time and occasion And further Christian Reader
the righteous God hath not only admonished us to do our duty but hath given us a method by his late example to proceed against iniquity 1. He counsells and instructs by many instruments much tenderness and oft entreaties 2. He doth admonish and wait to be gracious and that with long-suffering and much patience 3. He warns alarms by particular presidents of his anger sad accidents and threatens by fearfull sights and apparitions 4. If yet they reform not he sends as we see his rod and sword and cuts off many persons and makes great desolations Thus saith Micah the Prophet The Lord hath shewed thee O man what is good which being done with an eye to the present condition might prove a soveraign means to prevent or remove future tribulation But Christian Reader for my own part and partern I look at the example of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian-Congregation when he saw their disorder and impiety their affliction and calamity he magnifies his authority and discharges his duty observing the Lords own method after counsell and warning he seems to threaten with his rod and presses the Church to purge themselves by punishing evil doers and reforming their abuses And lest the Church should question their power and priviledge in the execution of judgement and justice he convinces them the Saints shall judge the world and Angels much more then those smaller matters and that they should judge upon life and death much more things that pertain to this present life And that he might put it out of all disputation he saith set them to judge in the Church who are of the least estimation and further he saith 't is a shame for Christians to go out of the Church to try their Causes so that I have both an occasion and a pattern to write thus to Christs Congregation That which is most called for is right discipline and that thing is the most of all wanting by which our Borders and Churches should be cleansed of all defilements and pollutions These things considered 1. May be forceable Arguments to induce Christians to exercise a more searching doctrine and to execute a more severe discipline and that in every place and Congregation 2. My observation of the Gospell-Churches Some are careless in matters of doctrine some faulty in cases of conversation but more generally remiss in the true order of Governing 3. Some looking upon Church-Government to be little less than tyranny and their submission to it little less than slavery 4. Others looking upon it as if it had no name being or place or as if it stood for no purpose and use 5. Because such neglects and generall omissions open a door to let in many disorders and divisions And because I do not remember that any Friend hath writ much upon this Subject before are the motives of my enlarging upon this Work I confess this Subject is too high and too worthy to be handled by one so unworthy and of so mean ability yet I would open a door to let some other in to view this Subject even to lend their help to supply my defects and make it more perfect even one that hath faith in the honesty of my intention and to cover my failings by a charitable construction And so I commit it to the use of Edification and also present it for the benefit of Christs Congregation A TREATISE Setting forth The Gospel's Honour AND The Churches Ornament IN all Nations Provinces and in every Society there are two principal Causes of Peace and common Prosperity where Superiours freely exercise right Government and Inferiours are truly subject and obedient Even when Vertue and well-doers are sutably praised and constantly protected and all Vice and evill-doers truly restrained and duly punished When the People are in reall submission to Authority and the Rulers in humble submission to the Power of those Laws they ought to rule by Even when Government is prosecuted without knowing of Faces and Justice executed without regard to Causes or respects of Persons And as the most High and Mighty God is the Worlds Creator so Government is his Royall Act and Excellent Creature and for it's Eminency 't is as antient as the World for Antiquity For when the Lord had devided the Darkness from the Light He made the Sun to rule by Day and the Moon by Night So when the Most Gracious Lord hath called and devided the Children of Light from the Children of this World and Translated them out of the Kingdome of Darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son and so they become his Spiritual Subjects and He their Immortal King Thus am I directed into my way and cast upon my designed Subject which is my reall Purpose and resolved Intent even to treat touching Christ's Princely Authority and Ecclesiastical Government which I call The Gospel's Honour and The Churches Ornament And for my better prosecution of this Matter I will observe this following Method and Order 1. To shew the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government 2. The Definition The several Parts and particular Acts of it 3. The several Reasons for it and great Necessity of it 4. Declaring the Use and great Benefit that comes by it 5. Some Rules tendred directing how to Effect and Accomplish it 6. The true Order and right Manner of the Execution of it 7. And Lastly Some Directions given how to uphold and support it 1. Of the First Touching the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government THe Excellency Antiquity and Dignity of all Power and Authority conferred upon the Gospel-Church descends from the Christ of God who is the Original Author and from whom it receives it's prime Honour We may say in this case as 't is said by the Wise Man For what can the man do that cometh after the King Even that which hath been already done who now under the New Testament is the only Law-giver and chief Establisher of Ecclesiastical Government all Power in Heaven and Earth is given him and all Justice and Judgement is committed to him and all subordinate Power is derived from him His Personal Excellencies and Princely Vertues are not to be compared but admired I have not words to expresse his Royall Majesty and to set forth his Excellent Glory He is exalted far above all Principalities and far surpasseth all Names and Dignities for the God-Head dwels in him bodily and he is more than worthy of all Duty and Glory His Love unparalel'd his Wisdome matchless his Power boundlesse his Justice unquestionable his Innocency admirable his Treasures inestimable his Fidelity inexpressable Imanuel God with us and who is Exalted above and triumphs over all his Enemies The most High and Mighty Prince upon whom he fals he grinds to powder and crushes his Adversaries by his Power and breaks them in pieces like Potters vessels who acted so eminently for the Glory of the Creator and so happily for the happinesse of the Creature that Divine Justice might be compleatly
he was never their Father and so untaught in his word and Oracles that they are no whit like his Disciples and Scholars neither respecting Principles nor Orders and some are already departed being never well grounded nor really and truly converted 3. By Direction By a due and seasonable instructing and directing such as are admitted into Membership 2 Tim. 4.2 to acquaint and educate them in the knowledge of God and the Affairs of the Gospel to learn them to know the Principles of Order true Forms of Government which are to be exercis'd under the New Testament to keep close to the direct Rules of Discipline and right orders of Governing and to beget in them a Respect and Honour to the Truth with all it's Oracles and it 's due Circumstances and to second and seal this with a holy and well ordered and a right governed Conversation admonishing them to observe the true Methods of proceedings towards all differing dissenting weak faln and offending Brerhren Mat. 18.15 To admonish the offending Brother timely before sin hath hardened him Secondly If it be a private Offence to tell him of it privately between thee and him alone which is the ready way to gain him Thirdly To do it in Charity wherein a man most resembles the God of Piety Fourthly the end must be to restore the sinner but to destroy his iniquity alwayes remembring them to perform duty that relates to each other with Compassion and Piety as children of the Father of Mercy Even consonant to their Heavenly Parentage Spiritual Pedegree of the Select number chosen Generation Royall Priest hood peculiar People holy Nation like men of the new Creation such as are redeem'd from a vain Conversation being as dead men to sin buried with Christ in Baptisme risen with him to Newness of life so to exercise a spiritual Dominion and give no place or subjection unto Sathan but to endeavor to raign over the body of flesh and sin But alas how oft is this general and known Rule abused and broken wanting Charity to the person offending or Fidelity to the Rule directing The truth is much of the Churches grief and care breaks in among them at this door but let Christs Ministers lead and guide the Members into Rules of Piety and Orders of Decency and to second their Exhortation by going before them as a pattern and by good Counsel and by good Example to establish the Believers in Doctrine Discipline and other Gospell orders 4. By impartial Admonition and due Correction for as the Scripture saith in another case in a Church-sence we may say in this that Christ's Rulers bear not the spiritual sword in vain but to turn the edge of the Word against all vice iniquity 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 5.12 and to be a defence to all acts of Vertue and Piety waiting all approaches watching all designs of Sathan and all motions and appearances of the flesh For many times the greatest disturbances are brought about by the least beginnings for 't is Sathans policy to carry on his designs by entring them in by the smallest appearances Gal. 5.20 Beware therefore of the works of the Flesh as Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies and the like which war against the Soul which actings cause breaches and disorders unto which Officers and Over-seers are to have a fore-sight of preventing and a ready hand of suppressing such things as disturb the peace of the Churches and break orders without regard to Causes or respect to Person by a diligent and severe hand against all Tale-bearers Evill surmisers Back-biters Rule-breakers Devision-makers secret Censurers and private Judges of others who in their Court of Confusion condemn their Brethren and cast them upon their Reputation These and such like are all Disquieters of Churches Wounders and Underminers of Governments and for the better discovering and removing all-such disturbances let all diligence be exercised all Circumstances of Reprehension and Correction be truly observed and all such offenders timely restrained and duly punished 5. By Countenancing and Protecting good orders and giving incouragement to orderly Walkers Psal 15.4 To look with a sowre face upon evill doers and a severe countenance against Evill workers but to honour the Pious and to praise the truly Religious to cherish them in their Duties and incourage them in Gods services Now Gospel-order is not only Beautiful and Honourable but acceptable to God and profitable to men for the Lord himself is Author of it and his Peoples experience prove the great benefit by it Let the Lords Overseers approve themselves prevalent instruments to effect and keep 1 Cor. 14. good Government by good Exhortation and Provocation study to maintain good order For the Lord strictly charges precisely enjoyns Order in all his Services and Sacrifices Typical and Ceremonial more especially then in the Worship and Service of the Gospel where Duties are more rarely blessed and Defaults more sorely punished Let Rulers know their places and do their Offices even cherish good people promote good Causes to assist good Consciences and to endeavour to preserve Christiansin their Liberties and Priviledges suitng and sorting their Counsels and Instructions observing and taking advantages of seasons and the Peoples conditions improving all abilities and the best faculties to defend them from deceivers giving timely admonition to Church-disturbers Succour the Tempted incourage the Faint-hearted to take off yoaks and remove oppressions that may lye upon mens consciences watching diligently over them carefully to govern them gently leading such as be with young to keep them from decaying to support them from fainting to restore them from erring and like good Shepherds to feed and rule them to defend and secure them from all those Poxes and Wolves that seek to scatter them and endeavour to destroy them 6. By sincere and fervent Supplication and Prayer because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer a duty never out of date 1 Tim. 4.5 Phi. 4.6 1 Thes 5.17 but in season and more especially upon such weighty Concernments and eminent occasions as the elections of Officers the admission of Members and in the great duties of Direction Correction Protection and Exclusion To acknowledge Gods grace to be the efficient Cause in all such Matters and to beg his Blessing upon all endeavours without which all labour is nothing pray to be directed aright to use the means and then pray that the means may be sanctified may be successeful and effectual praying and waiting upon the great Counsellor the prime Director and God of Order that he would be graciously pleased to give Governing Principles to right gathered Churches and he would please so far to own and honour them as to bestow upon them the precious gifts of Discerning Discretion and Moderation towards all Persons upon all occasions and in all conditions and more particular for the Spirit of Judgement and the spirit of
pollute many others that ye may keep Discipline within your Familie Dominion there is for this a good example of David Psal 101.6 7. who saith Men of Faithfulnesse and Integrity shall dwell with me and serve me But he would not keep a Lyar about him nor he that worketh deceit should neither dwell in his House nor tarry in his sight Thus every man within his own Jurisdiction may exercise Family Discipline both to teach intercede and govern and by diligence and prudence may be an Instrument to bring his House in order in Gods Service 7. Let all these things be put into due execution without which the knowledge of them comes to nothing Every man to exercise himself in his place faithfully to instruct and govern his Family consonant to to the Rules of Piety and Principles of Charity and to act by the Law of Equity to all under them as men in some sence obliged to give an account of them These things considered and calling to remembrance my place of trust in Gods House and our special Obligations each to other as we are Chistians I can do no lesse than advise warn exhort and intreat you according to the relation I stand with you and inteterest I have in you to put your duties into practices and remove out of your Families all offences and disorders Deut. 13.8 1 Tim. 5.21 for ye know we ought not to bear with sin to regard Causes or respect Persons although they be our near relations but to do Justice with Equity and that without delay or partiality for we may not harbour evils nor suffer disorder in our Families and that we have no just complaining in our streets 'T is true we cannot expect members of Families should be free from all Infirmities where then would be the use of bearings and forbearings Beware of Upbraiding and Retorting Languages which oft-times creates discontents and raises disturbances in Families There ought rather to be found among Christians a condescention to each others dispositions concerning their deformities bearing one anothers weaknesses and if it may be to determine Family-failings within the compasse of Family Jurisdictions and to endeavour to bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ To sympathize with each other in temptations and afflictions that ye may not make your lives a burden to your selves and a trouble and grief to others for consider that miscarriages among Christians are attended with high aggravations First a dishonour to God a discredit to the truth a disparagement to Professors a grief to Relations a sorrow to well-wishers a bondage to themselves and a rejoycing to their Enemies My advise is therefore for the time past wherein any of you have offended each other to repent it and wherein others have trespassed against you upon their submission pardon it let all former things be laid dead and buried in the grave of Oblivion no more to be remembred or have any more Resurrection to disquiet your peace here or to evidence against you hereafter And for the time to come my Counsel Exhortation is to set the fear of the Lord before you observe one anothers tempers consider each others frailties and when ye have any thing to say remember to take suitable seasons endeavouring to remove Jelousies avoid all occasions that may tend to provocations and if possible let all be swallowed up in dear affections which best becomes such near Relations and most adorns professing Christians But yet a few words more particularly that respects every House and Family to divide their Duties to each other and that severally 1. HUsbands ought to love their Wives as Christ loved the Church and as they love themselves and to rule over them with much Tendernesse Eph. 5.25.28 and to govern with discretion and commend their submission by the power of a free and constant affection to imitate the Lords Pattern who loved his Spouse better than himself covering deformities bearing Infirmities taking part with them in their Distresses attending them with necessary Accommodations and suitable conveniences at all times and in all conditions remembring both are but one flesh and that a mans wife is half himself considering she is a Building of the greater Admiration and being brought to man holds forth the Order Honour and Perfection of Gods Creation Likewise Husbands are to dwell with their Wives according to Knowledge having respect to their weaknesses and to honour them as the weaker Vessels For the Woman is the glory of the Man and yet under his Authority to teach her subjection and to shew him he is her protection 2. Wives ought to submit themselves to their own Husbands as unto the Lord Ephes 5.25 Remembring 't is Gods own Institution That man should Rule and have the Dominion and Woman should obey and be in Subjection and God hath Ordained and Honored men to be Heads and Superiours Gen. 3.16 and as the Church is subject to Christ so ought Wives to be to their own Husbands and that Gods own Order and Ordinance might be owned and adorned Let them imitate Sarah who obeyed Abraham and called him Lord. Thus in old time the holy Women put on the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which well becomes every Christian and is much set by in the sight of God and man Let Wives then give that Reverence and freely yield that due submission to their Husbands which God hath required of them alwayes endeavouring to approve themselves suitable assistants and meet helps according as they were first created and appointed to be a comfortable Nurse and Yoak-fellow to rejoyce them and to be a constant succour and comfort to them 3. Parents ought to educate and bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and by good Counsel and sound instruction to discharge their duties to them in matters of Faith and Religion Eph. 9.4 and as God hath blessed you with Children so perswade your Children to be Instruments of Glory to him and to make known to them their natural affection according to the neernesse of their Relation avoyding temptations and occasions of their provocations Let every man exercise his fatherly care with Providence and Moderation to make a comfortable provision for them endeavouring to match and prefer them to such as truly fear the Lord and act and walk consonant to the Rule and Circumstance of his Word 4. Children ought to obey their Parents in the Lord and to honour Father and Mother Eph. 6.1 this is Gods Precept for so saith the Word acknowledging them duty and obedience and rendring them their due in Reverence confessing their propriety in them and their authority over them to command them and dispose of them freely to observe their instructions patiently submit to their corrections knowing that children which are Inferiours being disobedient to Parents their Superiours in so neer a Relation is an offence with a high aggravation First 't is a
rather Steward over He is likewise to set in order to discharge his place and Steward ship faithfully that he may have peace when he is called to dye To dispose and divide his wordly goods and earthly possessions timely and equally agreeable to the Righteous rules of Religion and the best principles of Equity and Reason both to Yoke-fellow and Posterity or for any other for whom he may be intrusted or obliged either to widdows or to fatherlerlesse and both towards God men to discharge a good conscience 4. To consider and ponder well to settle all things so straight and just between them that may prevent all future strife discord among them that none may justly say when he is gone he is the man that did or caused this or that wrong this being Religiously observ'd many injuries quarrells would be prevented and so peace and love may be preserved 5. If any one shall be like to depart this present life possest of this Worlds goods and hath no natural Heirs or near Relations let him not forget but remember to communicate to the poor Christians let them make the Deacons of the Churches their Overseers and the poor Saints their Executors Let all remember but such in a speciall manner Or else to bequeath his Wealth and Treasures to some pious and publick services in so doing they will honour their Profession and lay up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Some may think I am out of the way in leaving the Churches and turning into Families and treating with particular persons Let them know I have been in the Churches service attending and instructing Church-members apart in their own houses and to instruct them in their Family-duties and Church-Orders Inciting them and exhorting them to prepare their Children and Servants for members to people the Churches 6. The true Order and right manner of the Execution of Church Government IUstice and Judgement are the substantial parts of Church government Justice is a great word and the action is a shoulder work Isai 9.7 and being in it's Execution carries a great commendation It advanceth Christs Honour promotes Truths Credit renowns Christs Churches It breaks Sathans designs promotes good Causes prevents and disturbs evill instruments and rejoyces Christs innocent servants In my further prosecution of this matter I would observe this following order 1. What Justice and Discipline is in it self 2. What or who are the offenders upon whom it is to be executed 3. What is to be understood and observed in it's prosecution 4. What priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation 5. What disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed 6. Some branches of Injustice and oppression to be avoided 7 How the Execution it self should be rightly performed First What Justice is it consists of these general parts an Offender an Executioner a Law and a penalty Justice in it's Execution is when a faithfull power shall inflict punishment upon a convicted Offender consonant to the true intent of the Law in that case provided and the Execution performed without delay or partiality 2. What are the Offenders and offences against whom Justice is to be executed First There are private faults and offences that are committed between Brother and Brother in which case the injured or offended brother is to tell his brother offending Mat. 15. of his fault betwixt them alone If he hear not take one or two more If he neglect to hear them tell it to the Church if he neglect to hear them then let the Church do their duty and purge themselves of iniquity For as a man will hasten to purge poyson out of his body corporal much more ought Christians to purge sin out of the body spiritual But if thy brother hears thee and repents of the evill heartily thou oughtest to forgive him freely fully and perpetually But if it shall happen that any two persons shall oppose each other Josh 7.18 in and about a matter and fault committed and have no other witnesse but themselves and there can be neither punctual nor circumstantial proof made to decide the controversie then doubtlesse 't is the Churches duty and liberty to make their humble appeal to the God of Heaven by casting lots Prov. 8.18 Prov. 16.13 Acts 1.26 and making serious supplications tohim that he would be pleased to order and dispose of the lot for their direction to shew which of those two was the guilty person and when the Lord hath discovered him let the Church do their duty that concerns them Concerning RESTITUTION IF an Offender do confesse his fault and promise an amendment let him make Restitution for that wrong he hath done Exod. 22.12 For as it is a great part of Justice so 't is a very necessary part of Repentance for it repayes a just recompence for injuries done and 't is a very great destruction to sin How can a man expect his sin should be pardoned Jud. 1.7 before the wrong he hath done be repaired or that be restored which he hath unjustly took and wrongfully detained Doubtlesse if a man injure his brother in body goods or good name he stands bound in Justice to make him reasonable Restitution and this is congruous with Gods righteous Law of Retaliation For oftimes Justice requits and inflicts punishment in the same Act in which a man hath sinned Mat. 7.2 This also concurs with the Law Christ hath given which saith In effect what measure a man measures to another in sin the same shall be measured to him in punishment back again Concerning Hereticks An Heretick after the first and second admonition reject or cast away because one corrupted person may corrupt the whole body Tit. 3.10 11. being one that is perverted or willingly turned aside from the Truth an Actor of Sexts or maintainer of a false belief and hath subverted or overthrown himself rejecting the true Religion and so becomes an instrument of his own condemnation Concerning dealing with publick Offenders Such as sin openly are to be rebuked publickly and the Church is to withdraw from every one that walks disorderly 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Thes 3.6.14 that he may be ashamed of his Iniquity and that every particular admonition and publick withdrawing may put others in fear and be as a general warning Now touching such sinners mentioned in the Fifth of the Corinthians There is some small distance between some faithfull Christians Whether such offenders there noted may be received into Communion if they be penitent some judging if they repent they may be received others judging although they do confesse their sin yet the Church ought to withdraw from them I confesse they plead reason on both sides One alledging thus That if that end be already accomplisht for which the Ordinance of Excommunication was appointed what need or reason is there the person should be excluded Others reply If the sinner be not speedily sentenced the Church will
Act. 18.27 for some persons that think Christs Discipline too straight judging it little lesse than tyranny and their subjection to it little lesse than slavery when they are under reproof for some misdemeanors will be shifting places and removing themselves into Communion with other Churches Fifthly Another disorder is when one member hath committed a trespasse against another The brother offended which ought to treat with his brother offending betwixt them alone and to have endeavored to restore his brother again neither hath affection to regard his brother offending or faithfulnesse to respect the rule directing 2 Cor. 12.20 but takes his own irregular course and whispers the matter till it comes to a breach and so possibly at last becomes a general disturbance in the Church and endangers the division of the Congregation Sixthly Another disorder is when the Congregation shall receive a matter between brother and brother into hearing and not inquire of the orderly bringing it to the Congregation If the matter be brought disorderly to them they by receiving it become guilty of disorder with them whereas they ought rather to reprove them and send them back to the Rule to do their duty and refuse to receive it before 't is brought legally If this was but duly observed many disorders and breaches would be prevented and the Churches peace better preserved Seventhly Another disorder is when the Church deals with any person or persons for Misdemeanor either in matter of Doctrine or for evill in conversation or Heresie or Schisme or the like 1 Cor. 3.3 4. Oft-times other members for private ends either for Interest or Relation will countenance associate or side with them and incourage them and so many times make a distruction if not a division such are enemies to peace and contemners of Government such ought to be speedily noted as disturbers timely restrained and duly punished Eightly Another disorder touching the Church assembling upon the Lords day some as it were forsaking others neglecting and give no cause of their ablenting others come late which doubtlesse ought to be there at the Churches prayers made in order to their Preparation Sanctification and Direction concerning the work of the Day Heb. 10.20 Some come when the Lords Market is half over others with drowsiness and fleepinesse as if they intended to make the Meeting-house their sleeping place and that time they pretend to improve in Gods service they sinfully and wastfully spend in the satisfying of the desires of the flesh Ninthly Another disorder is when the Brethren absent from Church-Communion in the Lords Supper upon their own private Opinion conceit or imagination to the offence of the Congregation not giving any Cause or Reason to any for their so doing makeing no account either to Church or Elder whether the cause be in themselves or in another not considering their losse and dammage in their neglects or their error in not committing their Case to censure Tenthly Another disorder is when the Church have discharged her duty against others that have committed Iniquity Many such offenders will be their own Judges Deut. 17.12 and that in their own Causes and refuse to submit if not contemn the Churches censures not considering that they do presumptuously and dangerously and do as much as in them lyes to dis-office Christ dis-priviledge the Church and not discerning that they refused to be judged by the Law but will be Judges themselves and that of the Law Eleventhly Another disorder is when one Brother shall believe a report against against another brother and that before he knows the truth of the matter and possibly proceeds upon Rumors Conjectures or Imaginations to passe sentence of condemnation and that before any legall Trial or hearing and so becomes guilty himself of the wrong that 's done Prov. 8.13 in crediting such reports against his brothers reputation and to judge a matter before 't is heard is a fault of which a Christian ought to be ashamed Twelfthly Another disorder or grievance is when there is not an equall compliance together in matter of expence and publick charges either touching the poor members or any other necessary disbursements but 2 Cor. 8.13 14. one is burthened and another is eased some neglecting their duties others not answerable to their abilities and so the affairs and needfull occasions of the Churches are not carried on by Equality according to ability and to answer to Rules of Equity Thirteenthly Another disorder is to receive an occasion against an Elder and not under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. 5.19 which is a disorder in many places not observing the Rule in that case provided but upon every suspition or light occasion disaffected persons will bring their Ministers repute into question Fourthteenthly Another disorder is when the Officers with the members appoint dayes of meeting upon necessary occasions which concern all and for the good of the whole as days of Instruction Discipline Humiliation or Thansgiving or the like and then Brethren shall upon every temporall indifferent and small occasion neglect such appointments and usefull meetings to their own losses and the discouragement of others To conclude these things God is not the Authour of such confusions but a God of Order and the Authour of peace in all the Churches But 't is the Prince of mis-rule who by his subtill wiles stirs up such instruments to make breaches and to break the Churches and as I have drawn you a little Map to shew you the path of his designs In like manner I would present to you as in a glasse the nature of your adversary by his Names 1. He is called the god of this World who blinds the minds of such as believe not lest the light of the Gospell should shine unto them 2. He is called the Prince of the Air that worketh and ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience 3. Satan who opposeth the Lord in his designs and to pervert the Saints in their paths 4. Devill one that deviseth mischiefs and by his wiles and darts to get advantages to over-rule and destroy the Saints 5. Serpent to shew his great policy craft and subtilties in beguiling and betraying innocent souls 6. He is compared to a Lyon and a Dragon to shew his strength violence and cruelty to fear scatter and devour the Saints 7. Belial I may adde Tyrant to draw persons into Infidelity and Apostacie a Tyrant over them he takes captive an oppressor cruell and mercylesse that Tyranizes over soul and conscience Thus I have given you the naming of the Titles of your Adversary some hold forth his great policy and some his great cruelty I have done it to alarum you to take to your armour to keep your watches to defeat your enemy and secure your souls 6. Some branches of Injustice and Opppression to be avoyded in the punishment of Sin 1. THe punishing of sin is our great design 1. What is sin 'T is the transgression of Gods Righteous Laws and these