with all the fulness of God Feb. 2. 1657. J. FLOWRE Severall Questions concerning the Church of Jesus Christ upon earth Concerning the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ upon earth I find these Questions moved amongst others First WHether there be any such thing as a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth Secondly What is the Church of Jesus Christ Thirdly How do a people become a true visible Church of Jesus Christ at first Fourthly Whether the Churches of England vvere at first rightly constituted Fifthly What Government hath Jesus Christ Ordained in and for his Church Sixthly What manner of persons those ought to be that are in the judgement of Charity to be lookt upon as visible Members of the Church Seaventhly What are the duties of Church-Members towards Jesus Christ and one another Severall Queries concerning the Church of Christ Section I. Containing an Answer to the first Question IF there were not those that denied the Scriptures to be the word of God and Jesus Christ the Son of God it might then be admired that any should question Whether there be a Church of Jesus Christ a upon earth For to deny this is to deny an Article of the Christian Creed to accuse the holy Scriptures of folly and impertinences to defame our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ If there be no such thing as a Church of his upon earth what meant our Lord Jesus Christ when he said * Mat. 16.8 Vpon this Rock will I build my Church What meant St. Paul 1 Cor. 1.2 2 Cor. 1.1 when he directed his Epistle to the Church of God which is at Corinth Rev. 2. Why doth the Spirit write to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus of the Church in Smyrna Those therefore that deny a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth are not of so much worth as either to be named or disputed withall but they are to be rejected by all sober and judicious Christians as those that have together with their Faith made shiprack of their Reason also Section II. Containing an answer to the second Question What is the Church of Jesus Christ The word which in English is rendred a Church is in the Originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word is used in the Gospel to signifie a Church of Jesus Christ And this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Church doth signifie A company Called out from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to call out from among others And again this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we Translate a Church is sometimes used to signifie any assembly called together upon any occasion Act. 19.33 For the Assembly was confused the word then translated assembly is in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the same word is rendred an assembly Act. 19.39 41. But this word Ecclesia or Church we in our speech do use to signifie a sacred assembly or meeting or combination of Gods people Our English word Church signifies an assembly of Gods people or those that desire to fear the Lord For it is very probable that our word Church com's from the German word Kirch which is derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the flock or people of God We use the word Church also by a Metonymie for the place or house where the Church or the people of God meet 1 Cor. 11.18 Calling that a Church But to speak properly the Church of Jesus Christ is his people built of living and not of dead and sensless stones 1 Pet. 2.5 and this Church of Jesus Christ is a company of people * Joh. 15.19 Rev. 18 4. call'd out of the world serving Jesus Christ as their Lord and King * 1 Thes 4 7. Rom. 6.17 Act. 2.42 Living under and submitting unto all his holy ordinances A true visible Church of Jesus Christ is not a profane wicked assembly an assembly of Notorious Drunkards Whoremongers Swearers and the like But an holy assembly called out from among these * 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are Sanctified Not an assembly of such as only serve their own bellies lusts passions sin satan the times but an assembly of such as turn from these Idols to serve the living and true God Not an assembly refractory and disobedient to Gospel-Ordinances mockers scoffers of holy things and duties But such as do submit themselves to the Laws commands ordinances of Jesus Christ as their duty and but * Rom. 12.1 Reasonable service Section III. Containing an answer to the third question How do a people become a true visible church of Jesus Christ at first A People become a true visible Church of Jesus Christ by entering into an holy covenant with the Lord to take him for their God and King to be ruled and directed by his word and to submit unto all his holy ordinances Thus we finde in the Scripture when God did constitute Abraham's Family a church I mean receive them into a church-estate it was by entering them into such a * Gen. 17. covenant as before of which circumcision was a seale That which they covenanted with God was * Gen. 17.1 To walk before him and be perfect and God covenanted with them to * verse 7. be their God and the God of their feed and so they came into a church-estate This was the way of the Apostles in their constitution of Churches Those people whom the Apostles did receive into a church-estate it was by engaging them to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to submit to his holy ordinances This is plain if we read the 2. of the Acts v. 41. There were three thousand received into a church-estate which before neither were a church nor of the church of Jesus Christ And how came these to be a church why v. 41. v. 41. they gladly received the word preached to them according to that word v. 38. v. 38 they did evidence their repentance for Sin past which includes an engagement to serve God for the future and upon this they were baptized and became a church v. 41. So when the Apostles received particular persons into the Church which before were not of it these did covenant for to take the Lord for their God to own and serve him so they became added unto the church Acts 19. many became added unto the Church But we read that they were such as believed such as confessed their sins such as shewed their deeds such as burned their profane books Thus they covenanting to serve the Lord were received into the church Thus it is clear that a company of people do become a church by entering into an holy Covenant with the Lord their God to own him and serve him Therefore the church is called the * Cant 4.8 9 10. Spouse of Jesus Christ by which name the church could not properly be called had she not entred into an holy conjugall covenant
Country men may read in Mr. Fox 's Book of Acts and Monuments out of Gildas Tertullian Origen Beda Nicephorus which being so we cannot but conceive the Churches in England were rightly gathered and planted according to the rule of the Gospell And all the corruptions found in them since have sprung from Popish Apostacy in succeeding Ages and for want of thorough and perfect purging out of that Leaven in the late times of Reformation in the dayes of our Fathers Cottons way Churches New-England So that all the work now is not to make them Churches which were none before but to reduce and restore them to their Primitive Institution Thus Mr. Cotton And it being granted that the Churches in England were rightly constituted and gathered at first it will easily be proved that there hath continued a true Church in this Land unto this day though very corrupt and impure especially when subject to the Papall yoke Yet in those saddest times of corruption and persecution God had his Church and Ministery in England who witnessed to the Truth and appeared for a Reformation of such corruptions abuses in the Church though many of these by the power of a prevaling faction in suffered for such zeal and love to the Church the Truth I say the Church in England under the greatest Corruption was never without some Witnesses some Names which suppose they were but a few in comparison of the greater part that corrupted themselves and were made drunk with the wine of fornication spoken of Rev. 14.8 Yet will not God disown that to be a Church when these though but few names be found God own'd them to be a Church in * Rev. 3.1 * verse 4. Sardis and yet tells them they had but a few names which had not defiled their garments And though the Church in England might be reproved of corruption in Doctrine yet this did not unChurch her no more than it did the Church of Pergamus which God owned to be a Church though they held the Doctrine of Baalam Rev. 2.14 Though the Church in England might be justly reproved of corruption in manners and discipline yet this did not un-Church her no more than it did the Corinthians whom St. Paul calleth a Church of God though in the same Epistle he reproveth them both for their corruption in manners and discipline 1 Cor. 11.21 Though in the Church of England by the power of a prevalent factious party cha 3.1 2 3 chap. 5. many of the precious Saints of God were put to death yet this doth no more un-Church her than the same sin did the people of the Jews whom God al along own'd as his Church though a prevalent wicked factious party among them killed the * Mat. 23.37 Prophets and stoned the Messengers of the Lord that were sent unto them The Church in England since its first Institution unto this day cannot be justly charged to have made shipwrack of the faith of Jesus Christ by disowning or erring in any thing fundamentall to that Faith or necessary to the esse or being of a Church Therefore the Church in England continues to be a Church of God still As for her many and grievous corruptions both in Doctrine discipline and manners they are sadly to be bewailed and diligently to be reformed These blemish and disbeautify a Church and justly provoke God against it These are inconsistent as to the well being but not to the being of a Church And though the Church in England did joyne with and own the Church of Rome whilst the said Church held the fundamentals of Christian Religion and was sound in matters of Faith yet when the said Church of Rome did begin to faulter there to deny fundamental verities and make shipwrack of the faith which she hath done since the Councell of Trent at that very time did the Church in England refuse her the right hand of fellowship disown and separate from her and so continues unto this day After this manner also did the reformed Churches in Germany Suevia Denmark France separate themselves from that faction of Rome and likewise so continue at this day They that deny the Ministery and Churches in England to be a true Ministry and true Churches must of necessity also assert defend and affirm these to me most horrid and desperate Conclusions First Conc. 1 That the reformed Churches beyond the Seas are no true Churches but false and Antichristian Churches and Ministery The Reason is because the Church in England and these Reformed Churches reach out the right hand of fellowship to each other have the same Baptism the same Ordinances the same Ordination the same Discipline as to the substance of it Therefore if the one be false and Antichristian the other cannot be a true and Christian Church or Churches Secondly Conc. 2 That Luther Calvin and all those famous Lights and happy Reformers of the Churches beyond the Seas were false and Antichristian Ministers Thirdly Conc. 3 That Cranmer Ridley Latimer Tayler and many more who laboured much the Reformation of the Church in England from Romish superstition and were famous instruments as to that work and afterward sealed unto the truth with their blood and are now Triumphing in heaven that all these were limbs of Antichrist and no Ministers of Jesus Christ Fourthly Conc. 4 That there hath been no true Church nor Ministery of Jesus Christ for many hundreds of years upon earth For if neither in England nor beyond the Seas where then hath it been Now if Satan did so prevail against the Church as utterly to raze the very foundation of it how will this consist with that word of our Saviours * Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it If there hath ever ceased to be a true Ministery upon earth how will this again consist with that promise of our Lords * Mat. 28.2 Loe I will be with you unto the end of the world Fifthly Conc. 5 That there hath been no true conversion of Soules unto God for these many hundreds of years in England but that all have continued dead in sins and trespasses Children of wrath without Christ aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world This was the condition of the Ephesians whilst they were no Church Ephes 2. nor had a Gospel-Ministery amongst them And this hath been for many hundreds of years and still is the sad condition of England if without a Church and true Ministers of Jesus I cannot see how that ture conversion should be wrought by a false and Antichri-christian Ministery * Jer. 23.32 I sent them not nor commanded them there fore they shall not profit this people at all saith the Lord. Therefore by what Ministery a people profit are converted from sin and Satan to serve the Lord and fear
SEVERALL QUERIES concerning the CHVRCH of JESUS CHRIST upon Earth briefly explained and Resolved Wherein is shewed and proved 1. That there is a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth 2. What this Church is 3. How a People become a Visible Church 4. That the Churches in England were at first rightly Constituted 5. What manner of Government Jesus Christ hath ordained in and for his Church 6. What manner of Persons those ought to be that may be continued in or admitted into the Church 7. What is the duty of Church members towards Jesus Christ their head and one another By John Flowre M. A. Preacher at Staunton in the County of Nottingham London Printed by T. Mabb for Edward Thomas and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of the Adam and Eve in Little-brittain neer the Church 1658. TO THE Right Honourable EDVVARD Lord WHALEY Lievetenant Generall of the Army under his Highness OLIVER Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereto belonging Right Honourable THis which was at first conceived for the use and direction of my own Congregation I have at the desire of some private Friends suffered to be brought forth to a more publick view and I have also made bold to tender it to your Honour which though I confess unworthy either of your judgment or acceptance yet the countenance and many respects which I have received from you have heightned me to this presumption hoping you will please to pardon that confidence in me which your own favours and encouragements have begotten I hope I have not in this offended against the truth I am sure I have not willingly nor wittingly if I have through ignorance or mistake I shall willingly be rectified and be glad to see my errours Therefore in such caâ—e Let the righteous smite me Ps 141.5 and it shall be a kindnesse let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyle which shall not break my head In â—y preâ—enting this small piece to your honour my ambition is onely to make an honourable and thankfull mention of your name your deserts h ve merited a better monument than I am able to elect for them Your Noble and civill deportment towards all in the Counties more especially under your Command chiefly your countenancing and encouraging of the pious painfull Ministers of the Gospel hath justly gained you a good report of all men and of the truth it self which honour that you may alwayes have by still co tinuing stedfast and unmoveable and always abounding in the work the Lord is the prayer of Your Honours most obliged in all duty and service JOHN FLOWRE TO My much esteemed friends and neighbours the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Staunton in the County of Nottingham BY the providence of the most high Isa 7. Acts 17.26 that hath appointed the tit es that are comming and shall come an â—â—etermined the bounds of each one haâ—itation I am seated among you in this place Ps 16.6 and I hope I shall have no other cause but that I may say with the Psalmist the lines are fallen unto me in a good place I account not that so much a good place where there are good fields good corne good pasture But I account that a good place where there is a good people a people swift to hear willing to be reformed ready to submit to the Scepter and dominion of the Lord Jesus and not crying ouâ— like those Rebellious Jews Lu 7.19.14 we will not have this man reigne over us I account such a place a good place for it is not the fatnesse of the soile but the fear of the Lord that maketh rich I blesse God I have received no discouragment since I came amongst you I have not found you stubborne or perverse froward or refractory or resisters of the word of truth which hath been delivered to you but I have found you rather humble and meek and willing to imbrace the Gospel which as it is your praise so it is also my happinesse and joy For what is it that makes the life of a Minister of the Gospel comfortable I tell you if he be a man that truly fears God and is faithfull to his master it is not the greatnesse of his Living the fulness of his barnes But it is the obedience of his people to gospel-precepts their growing in grace their adding to faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance 2. Pet. 1.5 and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse charity their willingnesse to be reformed their readinesse to receive the truth with love their not being barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ O! The blessing of God upon his labours in Spiritualizing his people this refresheth him when he seeth dead people quickned enemies to Christ reconciled children of wrath become children of grace those that were afar off now made nigh strangers from the covenant now interested in the promise there is no greater joy to a sincere minister of the Gospel than this This was St. 3 Ioh. 1.4 Johns greatest comfort I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walke in the truth O what a rejoycing is this when a Minister can say of his people as St. Paul could of his Corinthians 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified and to the Romans to whom he preached Ye were the Servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart the forme of doctrine which was delivered unto you Ro. 6.17 But ah what woe is it to a faithfull minister that when he hath spent himself and his pains for many years yet is forced to complaine with the Prophet Lord who hath beleeved our report Isa 53.1 They were servants of sin and they are so still they have not obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to them They were thieves covetuous whoremongers drunkards Revilers Scorners and they are so still they are not washed they are not sanctified anâ— this is an heart-breaking to a sincere Minister of Jesus Christ and many such there are that with the Prophet Ier. 13.17 mourn in secret for this thing I must confesse I have what respects I can desire from you in relation to things temporal and my endeavours shall be to gratifie you with things that are spirituall which are of the greatest concernment in the world Our main businesse in this world should be to labor to make your calling and election sure To be diligent that at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment we may be found without spot and blameless men indeed make other businesse then this But alass That so little regarded saying of our Lord Jesus Christ will be proved true one day What will it profit a man to win the world and lose his soule While providence
shall continue me among you in this place my endeavour shall be by Gods assistance to set you in heaven-way to be plaine and faithfull to you in things of soul concernment To tell you that you are altogether such as ye ought to be all reall christians a visible Church such as have a right to the sacrament an interest in the promises I dare not sow such pillows under your armes if I should well might you suspect me of daubing I mean with untempred morter But I shall endeavour to shew you out of the Scriptures who are Christians indeed not only by a change of name but by a change of nature also who are a true visible Church of Jesus Christ what manner of persons they are and ought to be to whom Seals and Promises are given and if you be or become such then may I tell you without deceiving you that you are Christians indeed a Church indeed have a right to the Seals and promises of the Gospel indeed If a Parish or People be altogether profane atheisticall dead in sins and trespasses without any favour or taste of spirituall things To tell such a people that they are good Christians a visible Church have a right to the Sacrament is no other then to cheat them of the truth harden them in their sins and lead them blindfold to destruction A formall and generall Preacher that words and phrases out his own wisdom tickling the ears without touching the hearts or awaking the consciences of his hearers he may have the praise and applause of men but not the praise and peace of God give me the latter let who will take the former It will be worth all his pains and sufferings if a Minister drawing men to his latter end and ready to give up an account of his stewardship can appeale unto God and his Congregation as once Samuel ready to die did unto the people in another case 1 Sam. 12. Whose Oxe or whose Ass have I taken whom have I defrauded So when a Minister what soul have I beguiled What soul have I defrauded What soul have I hardened in sin by covering and not discovering the truth and danger of its estate to it What people have I deceived by telling them they were Christians when they were not a Church when they were not had a right to the Kingdome of heaven and the seals thereof when they had not to be able to say thus will be worth something one day O that all that take upon them the Ministry of the Gospel would consider this If plain dealing have outward disturbance yet it hath inward peace But indeed an ingenious people whose reason and understanding is not quite lost or infatuated will in time make good that saying of the wise mans Pro. 28.23 That he that rebuketh a man afterward shall finde more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue My endeavour therefore shall be to cause you to know your miserable estate by nature and the remedy thereof by grace To cause you to look into that great mystery the infinite love of God in Jesus Christ in that great work of your dedemption through him that ye may know the Lord Jesus the power of his Resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death That when I am called to give an account of my Stewardship amongst you I may do it with joy and not with griefe Ministers of all men had need to look about them for they must give account for more souls than their own and if any be lost through their default Ezek. 3.18 that blood will be required at their bands I would not at the day of judgement be found in the condition of a negligent idle Pastor that hath fleec'd and not fed his flock for ten thousand worlds Not in his condition 1 Cor. 2.4 that daubs with untemperd morter that speaks smooth things that preacheth not in the demonstration of the spirit and of power but with the inticing words of mans wisdome For fearefull will be the end of such a man when Jesus Christ and he shall reckon together for so many sheep lost through the earelesness of the shepheard It was the saying of one That of all men that should be saved Ministers should be the fewest Indeed they have the greatest charge and are subject to the sorest temptations and it is to be feared that many Ministers either for fear or love or some other worldly respect may offend too much against their commission which bids them cry aloud and spare not Isa 58.1 lift up thy voice like a trumpet shew my people their sinns and the house of Israel their transgressions and so hazard themselves too neere the pickes of Gods eternall vengeance and displeasure which thing of all other I most fear and therefore through grace shall labour to avoid which I cannot do unlesse I look strictly unto you over whom I set an Overseer therefore blame me not if I be plain and earnest with you to press you forward towards the mark of the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3 14. If I should be negligent herein your blood would be upon my head The Lord pardon my neglects past I had rather disturbe my own peace if it must be so and trouble the water to stir you out of the lees of carnall security than to have you curse me and accuse me before God at the day of judgement for the deceiver and betrayer of your soules I blesse God I can say through the grace given me that my destre is so farre as I know my own heart not to seek yours but you I had rather see you thrive in spirituals than my self in temporals and my greatest encouragement among you will be to see you walking in and obedient unto the truth If you will give up your names to Jesus Christ if you will obey the Gospel and not run with the wicked of the world into the same excess of riot you must look for many oppositions affronts scornes reproaches but passe thorough all these with patience looking unto the End Jesus the Author and Finisher of your Faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame Heb. 12.1 and is now set down at the right-hand of God and there if you run with patience the race that is set before you shall you sit down also For which things sake I shall alwayes bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might Ephes 3.14 by his Spirit in the inward man That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge That ye might be filled
nor Officers in any kinde of Government will be regarded Therefore for the carrying on of discipline and Government in his Church and that a better respect may be had to his Ordinances and Officers our Lord Jesus Christ hath Ordained a penalty to be inflicted upon all obstinate offenders in this case And this penalty is excommunication or a casting out of the Church any obstinate Offiender as a rotten and dead branch no more worthy now to be accounted a member of the Church This is a delivering up of such an Offender unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh â— Cor. 5.5 The power of excommunication our Lord Jesus delivered to the * Mat 18. Joh. 20.23 Church And how the Church should proceed against an offender as to the case of excommunication we have a Rule Mat. 18.15 16 17. Tit. 3.10 Thus is the Scripture sufficiently cleare and informing as to the way of Church-Government And that yet there is so much of difference and contention about this it is to be feard that the causes are rather carnall than consciencious arising as the Apostle saith from our Lusts and not from any insufficiency or Darknesse in the Scriptures as to this case Sect. VI. Containing an Answer to the sixth Question What manner of persons those ought to be that are in the judgment of charity to be look't upon as visible members of the Church TO this I Answer Sol. first negatively that no man as he is in his naturall condition without a change from that ought to be admitted as a member of the visible Church of Jesus Christ Res For man in his naturall condition is dead in Trespasses and Sins a child of wrath at enmity with God and to every good work reprobate and therefore as such he is not neither is to be accounted a member of the Church visible of Jesus Christ For indeed whilst he is such he is a visible member of the Synagogue of Satan Secondly I answer affirmitively that members of the Church of Jesus Christ ought according to the Scriptures in some manner and measure to be prepared and fitted for that building The Church of God is compared unto a building now when a house is to be built the stones and timber are fitted prepared by hewing and squaring before they are laid into the building Timber as it is rough in the tree and stone as it is in the Quarrie or Rock is not fit to build an house withall but these must be hew'n and saw'n and plain'd and polish't and squar'd and thus they become fit materials to build with all Man as he is in his Natural condition is like timber in the tree in the rough like a stone in the Rock unhew'n unsquar'd undrest and the fitting and preparing such for Gods house as Materialls to build withall is compared to a plaining and hewing of wood Hos 6.5 I have hew'n them by my Prophet So that there must be a Spiritual hewing and squaring and polishing men out of their rough and rocky condition before they be fitt materialls to build God an house withall What man is there that builds an house of trees never hew'n nor sawn nor squard of stones undrest unpolisht never such a thing was heard of But suppose we such a thing as this would it not be a most mishapen monstrous piece of building would not every one that passeth by shake his head at it And shall we build God an house Was the Church in the Apostls time so built a Church of such like materialls as these of men and women in their natural condition of Drunkards Whoremongers Prophane persons Scoffers Ignorant and the like to these persons in their rough and rocky condition without any hewing squaring polishing or fitting of them for such a structure Surely such a Church as these are a monstrous building a Congregation of evill * doers Ps 26.5 a confused Assembly a building that Jesus Christ is no Corner stone of nor will ever own as hiâ— The visible Church of Jesus Christ is so far from being a Congregation of evill doers of prophane and dissolute persons that indeed of right there ought to be none such in the Church but as they are found and known they ought to be weeded out by the sentence of * excommunication 1 Cor. 5. What workman in the building of an house layes one row of hewn and pollisht stones and another row of rough unsquared and unhewed stones would not this be a ridiculous piece of building Shall we then in Gods building for such is his Church lay the stones after such a sort Here a row of such as tremble at an oath here a row of others that prophane the holy name of God as often as they mention it and swear as commonly as they speak here a row of such as pray in their families and teach their children and servants the wayes and fear of the Lord here a row 〈◊〉 â—thers that never call upon God in their families all their lives but by their example teach their children and servants to be Atheists despisers of Gods Ordinances and to live without God in the world here a row of abstemious and sober persons that are afraid to abuse the mercies and creatures of God to ryot and excesse here a row of others that wholly give themselves to gluttony and drunkennesse whose Tables are as the Prophet complains Isa 28.8 Full of vomit and filthinesse so that there is no place clean Here a row of such as keep Gods Sabbaths and reverence his Ordinances here a row of others that are Ordinance despisers contemners and mockers of holy things and duties Sabbath breakers and murmurers that God should have this though but one day in seaven to himselfe of whom it may be too probably judg'd that as well as privately to sport and play and drink and the like They would also Hauk and Hunt and Plough and Cart upon those dayes had they not more fear to the Lawes of men than regard to the Law of God Here a row of such as have been Sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word here a row of others that are filthy still that mock and scoff at Sanctification professing all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and living unrighteously unholily in the world Will Jesus Christ say unto a Church built after this manner Cant. 8.9 Thou art beautifull as Terza comely as Jerusalem chap. 6. ver 4. Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse how much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thine oyntments than all spices Will not a workman one day have cause to be ashamed of such a building Nay shall he not be sorely reproved for it if he have not endeavoured a reformation Those persons the Apostles received into the Church as members of it were not prophane and lewd persons scandalous of evill report scoffers at Sanctification despisers of Gods Ordinances and holy duties Acts
Jesus Christ that by your coming in unto him would set you at liberty make you Free-men T is he that proclaims liberty to the captive the opening of the prison Isa 61.2 to them which are bound Jesus Christ would have you Free-men at liberty to be so much Lords over your selves and the creatures as to eat and drink and not to surfet or be drunken as to be merry and yet not in sin The Devill keeps men in slavery in slavery to their lusts in slavery to their passions in slavery to their meat drink apparell Oh! It is not liberty you contend for but bondage not freedome but slavery and you will see and understand this if ever your eyes be opened for they are now blinded 2 Cor. 44. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them I say if ever your eyes be opened you will cry out against your selves for being such willing slaves to Satan when you might long ago have been the Lords freemen Then may I say unto you as St. Paul to the enlightened Romanes What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6.21 And now to conclude all I say that Blessed are all they that so hear the good word of the Lord as to practise it Blessed are they that hearing that there is a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth how constituted what it is do labour and desire to adde and joyn themselves unto it and become true members of it Blessed are they that hearing what government our Lord Jesus Christ hath ordained in and for his Church think not his yoke uneasie nor his burden heavy but chearfully and willingly submit to all his holy just good and reasonable Commandements Blessed are they that hearing what manner of Person those ought to be that are to be received into or continued in the Church of Jesus Christ as visible members thereof do labour to purge and purifie themselves from all uncleannesse both of flesh and spirit that they may be thought worthy of admittance into such membership Blessed are all they that hearing the duty of the members of Jesus Christ towards him their head and one another as members do set about and practise the same Blessed are they that hearing the necessity of a reformation the acceptablenesse of it to God the profit and priviledges that follow it if practised The judgments and penalties that are unavoidable if this be slighted doe suddenly and seriously set about this work 1 By a full and free confession and a sad and sorrowfull lamentation of their sins before God 2 By a renewing of their Covenant with God entering into a new and sure engagement to serve him 3 By endeavouring to purge out from among them those obstinate and unruly persons that profane holy things bring a contempt upon Gods Ordinances If we that belong to this Congregation be not rebellious and refractory but obedient and willing to set about this work I dare affirm it that when we assemble our selves together the presence of our Lord Jesus shall be with us the blessing of the most high shal be upon us Then shall he crown our years with goodness and his paths drop fatness upon us then instead of having that dolefull message * Hos 2.2 Ye are not my Wife neither am I your Husband we shall heare this joyfull sound from heaven saying Ammi Ruhamah ye are my people ye have obtained mercy Soli Dei gloria