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
sin against God the Author of Family-Government 'T is a sin against man which God hath appointed as his Vicegerent 'T is against their own father and so 't is unnatural and contrary to the light of Nature But let children humbly obey their Parents and see that they do their duties so may they expect in due time to inherit Gods promised blessings 5. Masters which also stand in the place of Superiours and may do much for God in their places and by that power and command they have under God and over their Servants by restraining them from vice and vanity and by giving liberty and incouragement in acts of Vertue and Piety Masters are to give unto their Servants that which is equall and just knowing they have a Master in Heaven Col. 4.1.9 who respects not Persons but just and equall dealings They also are to forbear Threatnings and oppressings because whatsoever is measured to another by any man the same measure shall be measured to him back again 6. Servants ought to obey and submit to their Masters in all things as unto the Lord not only to the gentle and good but to such also of them as are froward not with eye service as men-pleasers but with singleness of heart as the Servants of Christ acknowledging their power by obeying their precepts striving toplease them wel in all things not answering again Tit. 2.9 10. nor purloyning walking in all honesty and shewing all Fidelity that in all services and by all means they may adorn the Doctrine of Christ in all things 7. And Lastly Let every one do their duties in their several Obligations whether Superiours or Inferiours I may adde to the rest Land-lords and Tenants who ought to deal faithfully each to other as unto the Lord. Land-lords are in such places and have great advantages to do good services if they do improve themselves for the Lord and give good Councel to their Tenants according to his Holy Word Let them remember although they are Landlords to men yet they are but Tenants and Stewards to the God of Heaven Who hath the disposing of all things who can increase and diminish at pleasure and gives and takesaway as he pleaseth as they expect Obedience Dues and Just accounts of their Tenants So the Lord the great Land-lord expects his Obedience Dues and just accounts as we stand his Tenants and Servants Let Tenants also deal faithfully and do equally in Justice Mat. 7.2.12 agreeable to the good Rule of doing as a man would be done by acting according to the laws of Righteousnesse towards God and the Principles of Uprightness towards men For whosoever shall make a breach upon the Rules of equity and equal dealing the Lord will requite them in Justice answerable to the Law of Retalliation But let Superiours know the limits of their Commands which is over Bodies and not Consciences Some Rules concerning private and personal Government EVery particular person is charged with a souls protection and it being a weighty imployment to be charged with a Souls Concernment Joh. 2.8 it being of a greater value than can be reckoned the gain and losse of it being more than the gain and losse of the whole World Let the former Rules be taken upon once again in order to personal Regulation For there we ought to begin the Foundation for the better accomplishing of the great work of Church-Reformation for although this come last 't is none of the least works to be done and that which pertains to every Christian man to set and keep things in order at home in this little World and more private Jurisdiction For 't is the greatest piece of Knowledge for a man to know the depth of himself and the highest Conquest for a man to overcome himself and the most excellent part of Government when a man can rightly order his own heart govern his own life and rule well his own spirit Prov. 16.32 'T is not only reported but experienced that Heart-work is the most difficult work to which we had need use all the means that may be allowed and to make use of all the helps that can be obtained 1. By Election As the Universal Lord hath set too great Lights to rule in the Universall World and hath appointed Guides and Overseers to enlighten and govern the Church of God so hath he been graciously pleased to make Heavenly provision to order and rule the Inner man and as the Lord in his matchless love hath freely sent his Son to ransome us from everlasting slavery so he hath freely given his Spirit to conductous towards eternal felicity Acts 5.32 Let every one then choose imbrace that means God hath Ordained for the obtaining and receiving Gods holy Spirit which with Reverence I may truly call The prime Overseer over the Soul he is the great Teacher Leader and Conducter of the Saints and whose Office may be fitly compared to the Office of an Overseer or Ruler He is the Christians guide to enlighten and direct them to sanctifie and comfort them to strengthen and confirm them to improve and quicken them to duties and likewise he helps our infirmities interprets our groans and presents our supplications and makes requests for Saints according to the will of God The bodies of Saints are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and the Tabernacle of God where he dwels and governs according to his word he helps us to mortifie our sins and is grieved at our Transgressions Thus is the Kingdome of Heaven within you agreeable as the Scripture hath exprest which consists of Righteousnesse Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost He also convinceth the World of Sin strives and waits upon man to correct and conform them the Gospel Order and holy Profession Jo. 16.13 and so guides the saints into all truth and shews them things to come Secondly Conscience may be called an Overseer in a more subordinate and limited sence which the Lord hath set in man which is the Epitome and Breviate of the World which will act for God and assist for the Souls spiritual good serving to rule and order the whole man even to regulate and Record every word and action The Office of Conscience is to oppose sin reprove sin condemn for sin and if the sinner be impenitent it terrifies and torments the sinner and like a faithfull friend first tell him of his fault secretly if he amends 't is forgiven by God freely but if not Conscience either discovers it to be judged here Rom. 2.15 or else bears witnesse against them at the Bar of Judgement hereafter But Conscience will do Justice in it's Office for it will excuse if guiltlesse and bear testimony to a mans simplicity and godly sincerity and upon every pious action it ministers joy to the Inner-man I may adde the light of Nature which I may call a help in this personal Government 1 Cor. 11.14 which in morall things will give information and
Christianity indeed OR The well-disciplin'd Christian the Delight of Christ SHEWING How Believers in Christ ought to go in and out each before other in Gospel-Order Governing and being Governed as the children of one Father By Fr. Stanley Phil. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report If there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Chap. 1.27 Onely let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ c. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-bar To the most worthy my well beloved and dear Relations in the Lord of the Congregational Churches both Officers and Members whom I humbly crave to Patronize this small and mean Treatise for whose sake I chiefly formed it and for whose benefit I now present it For whom I can do no less but wish all increase of Grace and fulness of Peace and as a further Duty and Obligation to pray and intercede for your Perfection My Beloved and Christian Friends IT is the holy Scriptures commendation That it 's written for every Mans Instruction and as there is a mystery of Godliness and Piety so there is a mystery of Sin and Iniquity and as there are Mines of Heavenly Treasure so there are Minerals of Tin and Clay Now Many are so wrapt in darkness in the depth of Impiety and others busied labouring in the Earth for Clay that they have not hitherto discovered the Celestial and hidden Mysteries nor found out the Spiritual Mines of Divine Treasures which precious things cannot be obtained unless by Gods holy Spirit a Man be inspired for by Divine light a Man must come to discern everlasting Mines and Mysteries and by the eternal Spirit which searcheth the hidden and most secret things And as these are not Matters of Indifferency or Temporary so they are to be sought with more than ordinary diligence and industry and for our better guidance and more sure direction we must make use of the helps of Divine Inspiration I can do no lesse but call upon all Christian Professors to betake themselves to the Canonical Books of the holy Scriptures For among all other Benefits and Benedictions we are to bless God for those holy Writings for they are the best helps that are helps in the best things And as a Mapp directs both to Town and Country so doth holy Writ discover the Borders and Treasures of the Heavenly and Holy City indeed they are like a light to our feet and a lanthorn to our paths to guide us aright in all Gods pure and holy wayes and to the finding out of the most choyce and invaluable Riches far better to the Saints than Pearls and Jewels for they are more than a Library for Instruction like a Store-house for Soul-provision and like a Spiritual Armorie for Munition where is to be found all manner of heavenly Food for Nutriment and all kinde of holy Garments for Ornament I may say 't is like an Apotheries shop for Receipts and Remedies even the most soveraign helps against all in troubles and diseases such Minerals will make Potions for Soul-sick Patients which being skilfully compounded and carefully applied may prove effectual Means and powerfull Remedies to expel and drive away most dangerous Distempers From hence Christians may be directed and provided with Skill and right Judgement and principled and furnished with Rules for all Order Discipline and Government whether it be within the Dominion of Congregational Personal or Family Jurisdiction Besides this a Man may collect and form an Evidence in order to the claiming an Interest to the everlasting Inheritance To be be short here is all variety of Soul-concernment and Contentment towards the fitting a Mans self clearing his Assurance for his Eternal Preferment We may say of the Holy Scriptures in Resolution as once was said in answer to Circumcision That they are profitable every way even to such as order their Lives according to them have both the promise of this life and that which is to come Now as the Sun goes his course and gives light in his place and every Star in his order gives some light in his course So ought every Christian to be a light in his day with respect to order and place and as a Member of the Mystical Body I would cast a Mite into the Publick Treasurie and as one of the unworthy Successors of our antient Fathers who sent their Epistles to the Believing Churches I have now an Occasion as well as a Pattern to present something to Christs Congregation Or any Well-wishers who see any thing worth of acceptation that may deserve the place of Counsel or Direction wherein they may see themselves concerned in Conscience and ingaged in Duties to conform thereunto according to Scripture-obligations Now because a Paper-direction may be received where a Mans Person will be refused and a Matter printed may be imbraced where a Sermon cannot be preached and because the greatest things have the smallest beginnings and the Lord hath ordained strength out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings are moving Causes of my entering upon this Work and so I commit this small Labour to be perused and proved consonant to the prime Rules of Christianity and the pure Principles of Charity and so to receive its approbation or correction Now if this little Mite be by any accepted and imbraced if any by it be instructed and profited the Author hath his End and is well recompenced and satisfied Brethren This is the first of my looking towards the Press I hope I shall have an Allowance from you more or less where I have failed in Method or Circumstance I hope you will blot it out of your Remembrance THE Preface or Premonition presented to the Readers serious Consideration or Meditation Christian Courteous and Impartial Reader AS the worth and loss of Heaven can neither be imagined or valued so the dreadfull and perpetuall torments of Hell can neither be measured nor reported To design the obtaining of the one and to endeavour to escape the other is the great task and speciall care of every Gospell-professor and in order to these things as it is the Christian mans wisdome to ask counsell of God and his holy writings so 't is also his discretion to have an eye to his present dispensations 1 Chron. 12.32 We have lived to be eye and ear-witnesses to hear and behold Gods eminent hand both in respect of judgements and mercies wherein his fatherly care hath been famously and affectionately discovered by the soul-provisions he hath made for us and his princely respect hath been eminently demonstrated by the constant protection and speciall security he hath given us who hath also attended and alarmed us by loud calls by happy instruments miraculous mercies and admonished us by fearfull apparitions particular accidents and dreadfull judgements
be leavened and that for such publick and scandalous sins by which God is so highly dishonored and the Church so greatly reproached The Church cannot be purged untill the guilty person be punished Christian Reader As touching this matter I will presume to take the place of a Moderator for I have heard the question debated among able men who in the main agree and design the self same thing there 's only a form of words betwixt them both agree the sinner shall be called into question The one admonishes him for his evill in the Name of the Lord The other passeth a sentence against him by the power of the same Lord both rebuke the person for the wickednesse done both bear their testimony against the crime in order to clear the Church of his Transgression both dis-priviledge the Transgressor of Communion untill he appears a truly humbled person and gives the Congregation full satisfaction so that in truth upon the whole matter there is no material substance that 's worthy to bear the name of a difference so that for my own part for peace sake I could consent either wayes provided the best care be taken by all that are concerned That Gods Honour be preserved all scandall be removed the Truths Innocency delivered and the Churches Reputation vindicated 3. What is to be understood and observed in the prrosecution of Discipline FIrst There is steps and Circumstances to be observed in reproving 1. Timely 2. Affectionately 3. A private fault privately 4. To design the restoring the sinner from iniquity Concerning Excommunication let this order be observed 1. Let it be done in Christs Name and Authority 2. See that sinner be convicted legally 3. Let the Counsell and Blessing of God be sought fervently 4. To the end the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit saved in the day of the Lord. Repentance consists of four parts 1. Contrition of the heart 2. Confession of the mouth 3. Reformation of the life 4. Restitution for the wrong done An order in forgiveness 1. It must be groundedly 2. Freely 3. Fully 4. Perpetually There is a method to be observed in Prayer as our Lord hath taught us saying when we pray pray after this manner When Duties want their Order and Circumstance they are oft-times rejected instead of being accepted for 't is evident God requires equal submission to order as he doth to the duty it self The Wise man Solomon saith He would put his Proverbs in order Eccles 12.9 In all Gods former services about the Ark Alter and Sanctuary the Lord precisely required all persons to attend respectively their Offices and places and that all things should exactly be set in order and appointed to their several uses and for the breach in Order 1 Chr. 19.13 the Lord in his anger caused some deeply to suffer The Apostle Paul speaking of Churchassembling and about Prophesying and touching the Lords Supper he sums up all with this charge Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 The same Apostle beholds rejoyceth commends and praises the order of the Colossians Doubtless there ought to be some method in Preaching 'T is great pitty that divine and pure matter should want its beauty and ornament of form and order St. Paul commands Timothy to study to shew himself a workman rightly dividing the Word of truth There is a Rule to be observed in hearing 1. Preparation to hear 2. Attention in hearing 3. Meditation after hearing 4. Supplication before and after a blessing There are steps and degrees in believing 1. The faith of credence 2. The faith of adherence 3. The faith of endurance 4. Of stedfast reliance A Rule to be observed in suffering 1. To have a good cause 2. A right call 3. A good conscience 4. A pure end To be short there ought to be an order in all obedience in respect of matter manner end and circumstance for the righteous God as truely-punishes for the breach of order as he doth for neglect of services As order is the ornament of profession so I may call it the master-piece of Religion for both Gods precepts for it and punishments upon the neglect of it witness the same There ought to be a strict order in the commemoration of the Lords Supper even to hold and keep it with such observation 1 Cor. 11.28 as may answer to the first institution and in presuming to come to such holy Mysteries there ought to be great heart-preparations and self examinations 1. In unity of heart judgement and affection 2. In purity of life and conversation 3. Reverently as being at the Table and in the presence of the God of Heaven Psal 86.11 4 Having an eye to the end which is the victory Christ hath obtained for every Christian 5. To act in charity and freely because love was the first cause of our felicity 6. Rejoycingly as men having interest in the spirituall conquest over our souls adversary and as men purchased from everlasting misery 7. Thankfully humbly accepting reverently and chearfully embracing and with thankfulness partaking of those soul-benefits conveyed and received in that Administration SABBATH SOme brief Rules for the better order and observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath Or if I may not call it a Sabbath I know no reason Deut. 5.15 Col. 1.12 13. But if the Jews were obliged to keep a Sabbath in remembrance of a temporall deliverance from temporall bondage Christians should be much more bound to observe a day as strict as a Sabbath in memoriall and remembrance of their spirituall and eternall deliverance from spirituall and eternall bondage For doubtless Christians are at great losses because of so much remisness and want of strictness in the First Dayes service First Then let the Lords People be stirring betimes upon the Lords Day called so by way of Eminency having a greater work to do than on other days a work attended either with greater blessings if religiously performed or with greater damages if neglected or misimproved Secondly Let them make serious preparation remembring whose service it is and into whose presence they come considering well what they go about and how nearly it respects their eternall Estate Eccles 5.1 Thirdly When they come into the Church Assembly let them attend diligently and behave themselves reverently and that before the Lord with due and humble respect to the administration and Majesty of the Word Fourthly Let them with all watchfulness and holy indignation strive to avoid those unseemly and uncomely behaviours tempers and gestures of lukewarmness coldness drowsie heavy and dull and sleepy carriages in Gods Divine services which is dishonourable to their persons and also unprofitable to their souls Fifthly Let them Meditate upon what they have heard For although the Lords People of the Congregationall way are necessitated to take the most pains to hear the Word in respect of distance of place yet they have one priviledge being improved may yeeld
be freely and generally voted that no members may complain of being dispriviledged and good reason for it because they are to be as Fathers to educate and feed them and to provide their souls food in order to their spirituall interest and everlasting good Fourthly 'T is doubtless the Brethrens Priviledge to have the knowledge of recieving or excluding any member or members into or out of communion with them especially in doubtfull or difficult Cases because they are to be or not to be members of the same body 1 Cor. 5.4 5. and to have fellowship with them in the same holy mystery and if there be any sin contracted either in denying recieving detaining or excluding any person the evil may reflect upon the whole Congregation Fifthly Another Priviledge is If any Brother hath any injury offered him or wrong done him he ought to bring it legally to the Church and there claim his Priviledge to be heard and relieved and to call for justice to be executed Then 't is the Churches duty to proceed and do them equity consonant to that good ancient Rule of doing as a man would be done by Mat. 8.7 and that without delay and partiallity that while we are complaining for want of justice from others we may not neglect to do justice in the Churches Sixthly Such among the Lords People as are justly poor being of the body have a right to be relieved in their outward necessity for as there is a right of propriety Heb. 13.3 so there is a right of charity 't is the Lords Rent-charge the Poors due and the Churches duty There are some unjustly poor who are either idle persons or led through their lusts into poverty others by mans oppression are brought into penury there are some impotent poor so naturally and there are the Lords poor who become so through the consequences of Christianity Seventhly There is another Priviledge that belongs to Christians That if any Person or Party in a Congregation should verily judge and absolutely believe they were oppressed and over-ruled by the rest of the Congregation in any case or controversie that it amounts to high contention and disputation Deut. 17.8 9 10. after all christian and serious means used he or they may make their humble appeal to some other Church in the same Faith and if the case be very weighty then to have recourse to some generall Assembly Acts 15.2 that by all means schisme may be prevented and peace and concord preserved To conclude these things There are other Rights Immunities and Priviledges that of right appertain to Church-Members that if any have a gift in Prayer 1 Pet. 4.10 or by way of Exhortation to have his seasonable time of liberty for the exercise of his gift and to have encouragement in so good a work Moreover if any are under temptation as wounding of spirit sickness of body or any other afflictions he may and ought to have recourse to the Ministers and to ask counsell and assistance of the Elders Jam. 5.14 or to call for them to be their visitants and the Elders ought to attend them in waiting upon their duties by Prayers Instruction or any other services wherein Christs Ministers are obliged and become concerned as they are spirituall guides and Gospel-Physitians Thus we may both learn and discern the great Priviledges that pertain to such as belong to Gospel-Churches to have interest in such provisions and advantages and all within themselves under Christs government and dominion and within their own limits and jurisdiction where all rights and proprieties are equally to be distributed their souls duely nourished their temptations considered burdens removed their bodies healed their poverty supplied their injuries redressed and their priviledges maintained and their causes heard and contentions determined Thus ought Christians to have things common in the spirituall Commonwealth and holy Nation and to maintain a free fellowship and communion both in priviledges and sufferings The truth is the charge of these things chiefly respects Officers to whom the Church hath committed her power and upon whom they have cast the burden of their care who ought as instruments in the name of Christ with the Churches consent to exercise the severall parts and offices of Government and as they are intrusted by God so they ought to act faithfull according to his Word and as they ought not to exercise lordship to usurp authority so they ought not to deface and diminish ought of Christs or his Churches power and dignity For if our Lord died to enter the government and our liberties and priviledges were purchased at so dear a rate and now committed to the care of the Churches there is a great obligation lyes upon the Congregation to see that these things be carefully maintained and constantly preserved and especially such as are in publick trust to improve their places and discharge good consciences to be a just defence to all persons in their spirituall rights and immunities that there may be no just cause of complaints in all our streets or borders Fifthly What Disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed AS when duties are put into the best form they appear with the most beauty so when the branches of impiety are set in order they appear in their ugly shape of deformity I will set some before you which I believe are sometimes found amongst you which are a dishonour to Christians and are great disturbances to the peace of the Churches and these evils are both of omission and commission First 'T is found too much neglected by teachers and leaders that the People are not taught but are very ignorant in the orders and principles of true discipline and right government Secondly When a man doth not prize and tender the unity and Peace of the Church as he ought but shall inconsiderately and indiscreetly publish and possibly endeavour to enforce a Principle upon the People or a Practice upon a Person before they themselves have sufficiently tried and proved it or the People or Person are prepared to bear it Ioh. 16.12 or made fit and capale to receive it and so oft-times a disturbance attends it Thirdly Another Disorder which doth mostly respect the Elders That is when disorderly walkers who are known to live and continue in sin and the Church neglects her Duty in Discipline not remembring all the time this sin is unpunished 1 Cor. 5.2 God is dishonoured their Duty neglected the Truth reproached the most religious grieved and scorners at Religion rejoyced Gods appointed Ordinance to destroy the flesh omitted and the proper means neglected by which the sinner should be restored Fourthly Another Disorder is when the members of one Congregation shall receive a member or members from another Congregation without their knowledge or consent or a letter of Recommendation from them to whom he or they did belong except in any case extraordinary by which disorders follow bad consequences Rom. 16.1 2.
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
outward supplies and according to the justness of their necessity and equallness of their poverty to relieve them and prepare portions for them sutable to their conditions even to feed the hungry cloath the naked visit the sick house the harbourless This hath the repute of pure Religion even to visit the fatherless and widdows in their affliction Let all be done according to those good laws of piety equity and charity and of doing as a man would be done by And as the burden of the Office is cast upon you see that you discharge your trust faithfully And in all this the Deacons are to be assisted and enabled by the Churches collections distributions and communications Now what power and order there ought to be among Officers themselves what power the Messengers have over the Elders what power the Elders have over the Deacons what power the Deacons have over the Members which doubtless there is some order and that among such as have power even among Governours as well as in Governments But I shall refer this difficult point to some abler head and more skilfull hand to determine it But thus I will conclude to wish That as God hath called you to places of order and honour here so you may be rewarded and crowned with dignities and honour hereafter To end this point I desire that both Officers and Members may learn a lecture for government and orders from the Firmaments and by the Sun Moon and Stars They be like the Sun for light and heat like the Moon for declaring seasons and constancy in circuit and like the Stars for holding on their course and keeping order and place Now if you think these few lines especially spoken to Officers be worthy of acceptation and may deserve the place of counsell and direction consider of them and the Lord encrease all your wisdome and understanding 4. Concerning the duties of Church-members to their Officers MEmbers of Churches as they stand in relation to their Officers it concerns them to acquaint themselves with Scripture-obligations what is required of them in submission to Officers laws and orders that they may clearly know and chearfully do what respect them on their part to preserve true order and support right government First 'T is the mind and also command of God that Christians should obey such overseers as are set over them in the Lord and whosoever refuses to be obedient resist Gods appointment alwayes provided they exercise rule according to the direction of his Word not to their persons as they are men but as they are the Embassadors and Stewards of Christ for they act by vertue of the Lords Commissions and 't is written the holy Ghost appoints overseers and 't is the Lords message they are upon Heb. 13.17 and the Lords work they labour in and God is a God of order and not of confusion who hath ordained government and required your subjection Officers rule for him therefore members ought to submit to them for the Lords sake for conscience sake for the Gospels sake and your own souls sake That they which watch for your souls may give an account with joy 1 Pet. 5 5. and not with grief for that will be unprofitable for you for indeed your obedience is not to man but to God My dearly beloved Brethren I beseech you beware in this weighty matter for there is no fin in the world which the Lord hath punished with greater severity than he hath disobedience to Authority neither was it ever heard that the earth opened her mouth wide to swallow up man as it did Corah Dathan and Abiram for their resistance and contempt to Moses and Aaron The Apostle Peter and St. Jude do both aggravate this crime as a grand transgression for To speak evil of dignities and to despise dominion St. Peter one of our ancient Fathers in his Epistle to the scattered Christians he is a very full Author and that to this very matter who pleads for submission to Authority both in Nation Church and Family first to honour God and to obey such as are appointed by him to submit to supreme Governours and such as are sent by them wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands servants are to be subject to their masters not only to the courteous and good but also to the discourteous and froward and this obedience must be for the Lords sake alwayes to make true distinctions betwixt spirituall and temporall services to give to man their dues and duties and to God his honour and praises 5. And as the Lord hath required submission to his Ministers so he hath enjoyned his people to honour them that rule over them 1 Thes 5.12 13. and to know such as labour among them and admonish them and to count such worthy of high respect for their works sake Phil. 2.29 because God himself hath dignified them and hath commanded the Saints highly to esteem them St. Paul gives this high commendations of the faithfull and painfull Elder that he deserves the priviledge of double honour and because their work is labourious and dangerous the people ought to countenance them by being courteous The meanest instrument imployed by the Lord in his service the Saints ought to receive and accept with readiness and chearfulness Doubtless he that loves God his truth order and ordinances will naturally respect such as act in them as instruments I speak not of needless customes or idolizing persons but to honour God in them and to honour God by them and to reverence them because the image of God is upon them for God was angry with the Jews because they despised his messengers and it mounted their sins untill there was no more remedies And to some the Lord saith in the Lamentations He would divide them and no more regard them because they respected not their Teachers nor reverenced the face of the Elders For what kindnesses or injuries are done to them the Lord takes it as done to him and Christians are to hold such in repute and to endeavour as much as they may to preserve their credit for Gospel-reputation is the life of spirituall trading Therefore none are to receive an accusation against an Elder under two or three witnesses because in defaming an Elder the truth suffers treble damages but the same and eminency of Christs Ministers is a glory to Christ and an honour to his Churches 6. 'T is a duty incumbent and a matter of high concernment to present humble and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospel-governours that they may rule for God agreeable to his counsell contained in his Word with all justice and righteousness towards all degrees of persons and to pray being earnest that God would send more faithfull labourers into his harvest Mat. 9.38 that the ignorant world may be converted and that there might be daily added unto the Church of God such as should be saved And as for those instruments the Lord