and yet there is a separation suitable to the mind of God he that will not separate from world and false-worship is a Separate from Christ Now the separation here commanded from any persons is not in respect of naturall affections nor spirituall care of the good of their souls Rom 9. 3. nor yet in respect of duties of Relation 1 Cor. 7. 13. nor yet in offices of love and civill converse 1 Cor. 5. 10. 1 Thess. 4. 12. much less in not seeking their good and prosperity 1 Tim. 2. 1. or not communicating good things unto them Gal. 6. 10. or living profitably and peaceably with them Rom. 12. 18. but in 1. Manner of walking and conversation Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 4. 17 18 19. 2. Delightfull converse and familiarity where enmity and opposition appears Ephes. 5. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. 3. In way of worship and ordinances of fellowship Rev. 18. 4. not running out into the same compass of excess and riot with them in anything for these 3. and the like commands and discoveries of the wil of God are most express as in the places annexed to the Rule necessity abundantly urgent spirituall profit and edification no less requiring it causeless separation from established Churches walking according to the order of the Gospel though perhaps failing in the practise of some things of small concernment is no small sin but separation from the sinfull practises and disorderly walkings and false unwarranted wayes of worship in any is to fulfill the precept of not partaking in other mens sins to delight in the company fellowship society and converse of unsavory disorderly persons proclaimes a spirit not indeared to Christ Let Motives hereunto be 1. Gods command 2. Our own preservation from sin and protection from punishment that with others we be not infected and plagued 3. Christs delight in the purity of his ordinances 4. His distinguishing love to his Saints provided that in the practise of this Rule abundance of meekness patience gentleness wisdome and tenderness be exercised let no offence be given justly to any RULE VI FRequent spiritual communication for edification according to gifts received Mal 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name Job 2. 11. Now when Jobs three friends heard al of this evil that was come upon him they â—ame every one from his owne place for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him Ephes. 4. 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may administer grace to the hearers Col. 4. 6. Let your speech be alwayes with grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man Eph. 5. 4. Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks 1 Thess. 5. 11. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another as also ye doe Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily whilest it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Jude 20. Building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost Heb. 10. 24 25. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together us is the manner of some but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching Acts 18. 23. Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly 1 Cor. 12. 9. For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall EXPLIC. VI THat men not solemnly called and set apart to the office of publick teaching may yet be endued with usefull gifts for edification was before declared the not using of such gifts in an orderly way according to the rule and custome of the Churches is to napkin up the talent given to trade and profit withall that every man ought to labour that he may walk and dwell in knowledge in his family none doubts that we should also labour to do so in the Church or Family of God is no lesse apparent This the Scriptutes annexed to the rule declared which in an especial manner hold out prayer exhortation instruction from the Word and consolation now the performance of this duty of mutuall edification is incumbent to the Saints divers wayes 1. Ordinarily Ephes. 4. 29. chap. 5. 3 4. Heb. 3. 13. believers in their ordinary daily converse ought to be continually making mention of the Lord with savoury discourses tending to edification and not upon foolish light frothy speeches that are not convenient 2. Occasionally Luke 24. 14. Mal. 3. 1. 6. if any thing of weight and concernment to the Church be brought forth by providence a spiritual improvement of it by a due consideration amongst believers is required 3. By assembling of more together by appointment for prayer and instruction from the Word Acts 18. 23. Acts 12. 12. Job 2. 11. Ephes. 5. 19. James 5. 16. Jude 20. 1 Thess. 15. 14. This being a speciall ordinance and appointment of God for the increasing of knowledge love charity experience and the improving of gifts received every one contributing to the building of the Tabernacle let then all vain communication be farr away The time is short and the daies are evill let it suffice us that we have neglected so many precious opportunities of growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and doing good to one another let the remainder of our few and evill dayes be spent in living to him who dyed for us be not conformed to this world nor the men thereof RULE VII MUtually to bear with each others infirmities weaknesse tendernesse failings in meeknesse patience pity and with assistance Eph. 4. 32. Be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Matth. 18. 21. Then came Peter to him and said how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him 22. Jesus said unto him I say not unto thee seven times but untill seventy times seven Mark 11. 25. And when you stand praying forgive if you have ought against any that your Father which is also in Heaven may forgive youy our trespasses v. 26. And if you do not forgive neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive you your trespasses Rom. 14. 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way seever 3. 4. Rom. 15. 1. We then that are strong ought to beare the infirmities of the weak and not to please our selves v. 2. let every one please his neighbor for the
is written in the Law of Moses Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne doth God take care for Oxen vers. 10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes for our sakes no doubt this is written that he that ploweth should plowe in hope and he which thresheth in hope should be made partaker of his hope vers. 11. If we have sowen unto you spirituall things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnall things vers. 13. Do not you know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they that wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar vers. 14. Even so hath the Lord appointed that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Matth. 10. 9 10. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brasse in your purses Nor scrip for your journey neither two coats neither shoes nor yet staves for the Workman is worthy of his meat Add to these and the like places the Analogie of the Primitive allowance in the Church of the Jews EXPLIC. V. IT is a promise to the Church under the Gospel that Kings should be her nursing Fathers and Queens her nursing Mothers Isa. 49. 23. To such it belongs principally to provide food and protection for those committed to them the fruit of this promise the Churches in many ages enjoyed Laws by supream and Kingly power have been enacted giving portions and granting priviledges to Churches and their Pastors It is so in many places in the dayes wherein we live on this ground where equitable and righteous Laws have allowed a supportment in earthly things to the Pastors of Churches arising from such as may receive spirituall benefit by their labor in the Gospel it is thankfully to be accepted and embraced as an issue of Gods providence for the good of his Besides our Saviour warranteth his Disciples to take and eat of their things by their consent to whomsoever the word is preached Luk 10. 8. But it is not alwaies thus these things may sometimes fail wherefore the continuall care and frequently the burden or rather labor of love in providing for the Pastors lies as in the Rule upon the Churches themselves which they are to do in such a manner as is suitable to the condition wherein they are and the increase given them of God This the whole in generall and each Member in particular is obliged unto for which they have as Motives 1. Gods appointment as in the Text cited 2. The necessity of it how shall he go on warfare if he be troubled about the necessities of this life They are to give themselves wholly to the Work of the Ministry 1 Tim. 4. 15. Other works had need to be done for them 3 The equity of the duty our Saviour and the Apostles plead it out from grounds of equity and justice Matth. 10. 10. 1 Cor. 9. 10. Allowing proportionable rectitude in the way of recompence to the wages of the Laborer which to detain is a crying sinn Iam. 5. 4. RULE VI ADhering to him and abiding by him in all trials and persecutions for the Word 2 Tim. 4. 16. At my first answer no man stood with me but all men forsooke me I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge 2 Tim. 1. 16. The Lord shew mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he oft refreshed me was not ashamed of my chains V. 17. But when he was in Rome he sought me out very diligently and found me V. 18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy in that day and in how many things he ministred to me at Ephesus thou knowest very well EXPLIC. VI A Common cause should be carried on by common assistance that which concerneth all should be supported by all when persecution ariseth for the words sake generally it begins with the leaders the common way to scatter the sheep is by smiting the shepheards The best of them is but a brier and who will leave their Pastor in such briers It is for the Churches sake he is reviled and persecuted and therefore it is the Churches duty to share with him and help bear his burthen All the fault in scattering Congregations hath not been in Ministers The people stood not by them in their triall the Lord lay it not to their charge The Captain is betrayed and forced to mean conditions with his Enemy who going on with assurance of being followed by his Souldiers looking back in the entrance of danger he finds them all run away in England usually no sooner had Episcopall persecution laid hold of a Minister but the people willingly received another perhaps a Wolf instead of a Shepheard should â— wife forsake her husband because he is come in trouble for her sake Would not such a thing be called villany Is the crime of a back-slider in spirituall things less Surely whilest a Pastor lives if he suffer for the truth the Church cannot desert him nor cease the performance of all required duties without horrid Apostacy RULE VII GAthering together in the Assembly upon his appointment with theirs joyned with him Acts 14. 27. When they were come and had gathered the Church together These are the Heads wherein the Churches duty consisteth towards him or them that are set over it in the Lord by all means giving them encouragement to the work saying also unto them take heed to the Ministry you have received that you fulfill it in the Lord Col. 4. 17. For what concerneth other Officers may easily be deduced hence by analogie and proportion Rules to be observed by those who walk in fellowship and considered to stirre-up their remembrance in things of mutuall duty one towards another which consisteth in RULE I. AFfectionate love in all things to one another like that which Christ bare to his Church Jo. 15. 12. This is my commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you Jo 13. 34. A new Commandement I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another V. 35. By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Rom. 13. 8. Owe nothing to any man but to love one another he that loveth another fulfilleth the law Eph. 5. 2. Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us 1 Thes. 3. 12. The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another 1 Thess. 4. 9. Your selves are taught of God to love one another 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing ye have purified your soules in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfaigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Jo 4. 21. And this commandement we have from him that he who loveth God do love his brother also Rom. 12. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love EXPLIC. I. LOve is the fountain of all duties the substance
we enjoy a man will not contend unless he knows his title 2. An estimation of al the aspersions cast on and injuries done to the Church to be Christs and also our own Christ wounded through the sides of his servants and his wayes and if we are of his though the blow light not immediately on us we are not without pain all such reproaches and rebukes fall on us 3. Just vindication of the Church against calumnies and false imputations who can endure to hear his parents in the flesh falsly traduced And shall we be senseless of her reproaches who bears us unto Christ 4. Joynt refusall of subjection with all Gospel-opposition to any persons or things who contrary to or besides the word under what name soever do labour for power over the Church to the abridging of it of any of those liberties and priviledges which it claimeth as part of the purchase of Christ to them that would enthrall us we are not to give place no not for an houre RULE IV. SEdulous care and endeavouring for the preservation of Unity both in particular and in generall Philip 2 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies ver. 2. Fulfill ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind vers. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem others better then themselves Ephes. 4. 3. Indeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace vers. 4. There is one body and one spirit c. 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement 2 Cor. 13. 11. Be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with 〈◊〉 Rom. 14. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edifie another Rom. 15. 5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another c. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Is it so that there is not a wise man amongst you no not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren but brother goeth to law with brother Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you Acts 4. 32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soule EXPLIC. IV. VNnion is the main aime and most proper fruite of love neither is there any thing or duty of the Saints in the Gospel pressed with more earnestnesse and vehemency of exhortation then this Now Vnity is three-fold First purely spirituall by the participation of the same Spirit of Grace Communication in the same Christ one head to all This we have with all the Saints in the world in what condition soever they be yea with those that are departed Sitting down in the Kingdome of Heaven with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Secondly Ecclesiastical or Church-communion in the participation of Ordinances according to the order of the Gospel This is a fruit and branch of the former opposed to Schisme Divisions Rents evill surmisings self-practises causlesse differences in judgment in spirituall things concerning the Kingdome of Christ with whatsoever else goeth off from closenesse of affection onenesse of mind consent in judgement to the forme of wholesome words conformity of practise to the Rule and this is that which in the Churches and among them is so earnestly pressed commanded desired as the glory of Christ the honour of the Gospel the joy and Crown of the Saints Thirdly Civil Unity or an agreement in things of this life not contending with them nor about them every one seeking the wellfare of each other Striving is unseemly for Brethren why should they contend about the world who shall joyntly judge the world Motives to the preservation of both these are 1. The remarkable earnestnesse of Christ and his Apostles in their prayers for and precepts of this duty 2. The certain dishonour to the Lord Jesus scandall to the Gospel 〈…〉 he to the Churches shame and sorrow to the Saints that the neglect of it is accompanied withall Gal. ◠15. 3. The gracious issues and sweet heavenly consolation which attendeth a right observance of them 4. The many fearefull aggravations wherewith the sin of renting the Body of Christ is attended 5. The sad contempt and prophanation of Ordinances which want of this hath brought upon many Churches For a right performance of this duty we must 1. Labour by Prayer and Faith to have our hearts and spirits throughly seasoned with that affectionate love which our first Rule requireth 2. Carefully to observe in our selves or others the first beginnings of strife which are as the letting out of waters and if not prevented will make a breach like the Sea 3. Sedulously to apply our selves to the removall of the first appearance of divisions and in case of not prevailing to consult the Church 4. Dayly to strike at the root of all dissention by labouring for Universall conformity to Jesus Christ V. RULE SEparation and sequestration from the world and men of the world with alwayes of false worship untill we be apparently a people dwelling alone not wicked among the Nations Numb 23. 9. Loe the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations John 15. 19. Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness ver. 15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Tēple of the living God v. 17. Wherefore come out from among them saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you ver. 19. and will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almightie Eph. 5. 8. Walk as children of light v. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darknesse 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a forme of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away Hosea 4. 15. Though thou Israel play the harlot yet let not Judah offend and come not ye to Gilgal ueither go ye up to Beth-aven Revel. 18. 4. Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye partake not of her plagues Prov. 14. 7. Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge EXPLIC. V. SEparation generally heares ill in the world
never assure themselves that they are united to the head of those Saints now to a right performance of this duty and in the discharge of it are required 1. A due valuation strong desire and high esteem of the Churches prosperity in every member of it Psal. 122. 6. 2. Bowels of compassion as a fruit of love to be sensible of and intimately moved for the severall burthens of the Saints Col. 3. 19. 3. Courage and boldness to own them without shame in all conditions 2 Tim. 1. 16 17. 4. Personall visitations in sicknesses troubles and restraints to advise comfort and refresh them Matth. 25. 36. 5. Sutable supportment by administration of spirituall or temporall assistances to the condition wherein they are The Motives are the same as to the former rule RULE IX FRee contribution and communication of temporall things to them that are poore indeed sutable to their necessities wants and afflictions 1 John 3. 17. Who so hath the worlds goods and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him V. 18. My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye Vpon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him 2 Cor. 9. 5 6. Let your gift be ready as a matter of bounty not covetousnesse he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly ver. 7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerfull giver so the whole 8 9. chap. of this Epistle Rom. 12. 13. Distributing to the necessity of the Saints given to hospitality Gal. 6. 10. As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith 1 Tim. 6. 17. Charge them that be rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us all things richly to enjoy ver. 18. That they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate ver. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Heb. 13. 16. To do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Levit. 25. 35. And if thy Brother be waxen poor or fallen into decay with thee then thou shalt receive him Matth. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world vers. 35. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat thirstie and ye gave me drinke I was a stranger and ye took me in vers. 36. Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me vers. 40. Verily I say unto you inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me EXPLIC. IX THE having of poor alwayes amongst us and of us according to our Saviours prediction Matth. 26. 11 and the promise of God Deut. 15. 11. serves for the triall of themselves and others of their own content with Christ alone with submission to the all-disposing Soveraignty of God of others how freely they can part for Christs sake with those things wherewith their hand is filled when God gave Manna for food unto his people every one had an equall share Exod. 16. 18. and he that gathered much had had nothing over and he that gathered little had no lack 2 Cor. 8. 15. This distribution in equality was again for the necessity of the Church reduced into practise in the dayes of the Apostles Acts 14. 35. of the totall summe of the possessions of believers distribution was made to every man according to his need That every man by the ordinance and appointment of God hath a peculiar right to the use and disposall of the earthly things wherewith he is in particular intrusted is unquestionable The very precept for free distribution and communication are enough to prove it but that these things are altogether given to men for themselves and their own use is denyed friends are to be made of Mammon Christ needs in some what he bestowes on others if he hath given thee thine own and thy brothers portion also to keep wilt thou be false to thy trust and defraud thy Brother Christ being rich became poor for our sakes if he make us rich it is that we my feed the poor for his sake neither doth this duty lie only though chiefly on those who are greatly increased those who have nothing but their labour should spare out of that for those who cannot work Eph. 4. 28. The two Mites are required as well as accepted Now the reliefe of the poore Brethren in the Church hath a two-fold Rule First Their necessity Secondly Others abilities Unto these two must assistance be proportioned provided that those which are poore walk suitably to their condition 2 Thess. 3. 10 11. And as we ought to relieve men in their poverty so we ought by all lawfull means to prevent their being poor to keep a man from falling is an equall mercie to the helping of him up when he is down Motives to this duty are 1. The love of God unto us 1 John 3. 14. 2. The glory of the Gospel exceedingly exalted thereby Titus 3. 8. 15. Matth. 5. 6. 3. The Union whereunto we are brought in Christ with the common inheritance promised to us all 4. The testimony of the Lord Jesus witnessing what is done in this kind to be done unto himself Matth. 25. 35 36 37. 5. The promise annexed to it Eccles. 11. 1. Prov. 19. 17. Deut. 15. 10. Ma. 10 4. 2. The way whereby it is to be done is by appointing some Acts 6. to take what is voluntarily distributed by the brethren according as God hath blessed them on the first day of the weeke 1 Cor. 16. 1. and to distribute to the necessity of the Saints according to the advice of the Church RULE X. TO mark diligently and avoid carefully all causes and Causers of Divisions especially to shunn Seducers false-Teachers and Brochers of Heresies and Errors contrary to the forme of wholsome words Rom. 16. 17 18. Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Matth. 24. 4. Jesus said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you vers. 5. For many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many vers. 23. Then if any man shall