2. It is profitable to excite and animate unto duty holinesse is supernaturall to mans heart and above his reach he must strain and stretch till tired that will work out his own salvation Nay it is contranatarall to corrupt man the naturall man is at an enmity with God He that walks with God walks up hill Roweth against tide and saileth against winde and cannot but be wearied and finde many times their very spirits faile but especially when under the storms of prospering providences to prophanesse and the discouragements of successefull sin the stoutest heart will finde work enough to keep his station and bear up against the weather it is indeed a lively faith that keeps the soul then fixed and hopes from fainting God as sensible of our flagging spirits hath left us Cordiall counsels and promises to encourage us and earnest cautions to quicken our faith Gal. 6.9 1 Thes 3.13 Rev. 2.15 as be not weary of wel doing ye shal reap if ye faint not Having begun in the spirit do not end in the flesh Hold fast that thou hast let no man take thy Crown the like Yet so dull are our hearts so drousie our spirits that the best of Christs Disciples may rejoyce in the compassion of their master which maketh him conclude when he findes them sleeping The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak even the stoutest David is ready to faint with waiting long on the Lord and to slack in holinesse and say as the wicked it is in vain to serve God when he considereth the proud are called happy they who tempt God are delivered but holy conference is an help to our weak and sainting spirits society is serviceable in heavens way They travel chearfully in the Communion of Saints who would be tyred alone Two are better then one saith the preacher they help one the other and they hearten one the other Eccles 4.10.11 If at any time we wax dull in duty and begin to draw heavily in the yoak of Christ the words of the wise are as Goads as nails to spur and quicken us if we grow faint and feeble that our spirits do begin to be drooping and despondent as ointment and perfume Rejoyce the heart So doth the sweetnesse of a mans friend by hearty councell Prov. 27.9 Cold hearts in hard times are warmed and heated by holy conference consider one another to provoke unto love and good works saith the Apostle Heb. 10.20 The Greek word is consider one another into a Taroxisme a violent heat as the fit of an Ague or burning of a Feaver to make each other earnest and vigorous in love and good works for the dullest spirit is sharpened by holy conference as an Edge-tool is sharpned by a whetstone as Iron sharpneth Iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend Prov. 27.17 by colloquie debates conference familiar disputes speaking one to another saith Merâ—er and Lavater on the text the heathen do much mention the quickning efficacy of conference Euripides makes it the mother of all arts and Cicero the means of all wisedome and councell the quickner of all diligence heating benummed members with rubbing and what force soever is in conference is the profit of the Saints when the conference is Christianized in the matter and manner of it for thereby we are encouraged in difficulties enlivened in deadnesse enlightned in darknesse as Gregory Nazianzen notes Christians sharpen each others spirits by their conference as Boars sharpen their tushes by rubbing them one against another 3. Holy conference is prositable to establish in the faith and fear of God professed by us faith is the first foundation of grace of the soul al our sanctity nay our very salvation is dependant on our faith holding fast the profession of our faith is the great duty of a Christian of all graces faith is most esteemed by the Lord it is found unto praise and honour and glory at the day of judgment 1 Pet. 1.7 And therefore our Saviour prayeth that our faith fail not Luke 22 32. And faith is most envied by the Devill all his temptations are to overthrow our faith this is the only errand of all the allurements of prospering prophanenesse and the threatâ— that are sounded out by successeful sin if at any time we make shipwrack of faith we loose salvation but holy conference is a means for confirmation making known common perswasion and by a friendly debate removing all scruples and doubts which arise in the soul the only errand of Pauls expedition to Rome was Conference and the only end of that conference the confirmation of the Saints in the faith of Christ I long to see you to the end I may impart to you some spirituall good that your faith may be established Rom. 1.11.12 The Lord Jesus whilest upon earth and before his death did not onely familiarly coÌ„fer with explain to his Disciples the misteries of salvation which he preached to others in parables unto the confirmation of their faith therein but also after his Resurrection he condescended to associate with the two Disciples as they walked to Emmaus Luke 24. and familiarly to conferre of his own sufferings and confirm them in the faith of his Resurrection Thus also he in a friendly manner did conferre with the two Maries and with the Eleven Disciples when they sate at meat and with the other Disciples when fishing So excellent advantagious is holy conference for confirmation in the faith that it is honoured by the exercise of the Authour and Finisher of our faith It is also enjoyned unto all the Saints for the support each of other in dayes of seduction and apostacy from the faith Jude 20. Builde up one another in your most holy faith Saints have the inspection of one another and must endeavour the establishments and edification one of another and there is no way within their capacity whereby they may perform it but holy conference We see then that if the godly have any care of divine direction and delight desire to declare the sincerity of their sanctity dilight in the expulsion of sin excitation one of another to duty and establishment each of other in their most holy faith they must in times of sins successe speak often one to another by prospering prophanesse be provoked to godly conference but I hasten unto the use and application of this doctrine which will be Reproof for the neglect of this duty exhortation unto the discharge thereof The first use I shall make of this doctrine is by way of Reproof seeing prospering prophanesse should provoke holy conference They are justly to be blamed who professing to the fear of God fall short in this duty and speak not one to another of the things of God conference is indeed common among men but it is seldom good Rarely holy most men are unacquainted with the language of Canaan and unskilled in heavenly discourse the most of men seem to
give me leave therefore to appoint the borders of your holy conference and that you may never hereafter pleade ignorance I will tell you what private Christians in their conferences may do and what uâ—der the pretence of conference private Christians may not meddle withall as they tender the edification of the Church advancement of Religion and salvation of their own souls First then there are seven pâ—si ive and speciall acts of conâ—erâ—â—ce and Communion of Saints which particular Christians and private brethren not onely lawfully may but in duty must discharge each with and towards other and they are briefly these 1. Private Christians may and must pray one for another in the behalf of themselves and the whole Church of God prayer is indeed an act of publick worship to be done in and by the Church whose mouth must be the Ministers of God Joel 2.17 But it is also a private and personall duty to be done by every child of God in secret and in society It is Required that every Christian do it and that believers do pray one for another James 5 16. And it is the promise of the covenant of grace that families and tribes shall every of them pray apart and in the times of the Churches perplexity even private Saints though there were no Ministers among them should go together and pray in Communion and by joynt supplication thus did the men that feared God in our Text and the many who were gathered into the house of Mary the mother of John and were praying in the day of Herods Rage acts â—2 12 Some have been angry at but never durst argue against the practice of Christians in private fasts and prayers no it is their duty and priviledge 2. Private Christians may and must confess their sins one unto another none but Papists will confine confession to a Priest or publick officer sin must indeed be sometimes confessed in and to the Church when she is become the object of offence and scandalized by the miscarriage and so the finner become the subject of her censure but private brethren may not onely confess their sins one unto another as they are the parties offended but as they are brethren and subjects of pity and of compâ—ssion who seeing his brother sin a sin not unto death will pray for him and it shall be forgiven him private brethren must not onely pray against the guilt but power also of each others lust and must not onely pray against sin but be serviceable by other means to the subduing the strength thereof and saving the soul from the error of his way and therefore it is commanded that common Saints do confesse their sin one unto another I presume I need not advise prudence in the choice of those brethren to whom we will commit such secrets 3 Private Christians may and must in their private conferences Check and Rebuke one anothers impieties and miscarriages fraternall correption is a duty beyond all exception commanded of God Thou shalt in any wise Rebuke thy brother and not suffer sin up on him Lev. 19.17 Appointed by Christ if thy brother offend tell him of his faults between thee and him as an hinderance to sin and help in temptation exhort by way of Rebuke one another least ye be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sin It is the provocation of Repentance balme of a wounded conscience desired by David Let the Righteous smite me it is the Restitution of a Relapsed soul Gal. 6.1 The private mans passage to glory and provision for honour covering a multitude of sins and converting the soul James 5.19.20 The end of mutuall confession is mutuall Reprehension these are the wounds of a friend more faithful then the kisses of an enemy Prov. 27.6 Where let it be Remembred that Reproof is the wound of a friend done in Charity not out of office with pitty and successefull by its truth and justice not with power prevailing by its Authority 4. Private Christians may and must counsell and quicken each others graces And so spur each others duties say come let us return unto the Lord let us joyn our selves to God in an everlasting covenant they must consider observe have an eye unto each others ways and walkings to warm the cold affections and provoke unto love and good works none but the slothfull in duty and slaves to prophanesse can be angry at or argue against the private Rebukes and exhortations of holy conference 5. Private Christians may and must comfort one another in their anguish and affliction sanctity supplanteth no act of society but sets us in a better capacity to perform to Reason much more religion leads friends to visit Job in his afflâ—ctâ—oâ— for to him that is afflicted pity must be shewed by his friend The not speaking consolation was the mistake of Jobs friends in all that long conference they had with him when our friends interr their dead we are directed to comfort each other 1 Thes 5.11 by conferring of the Resurrection of the body the speaking of promises and providences of God so as to prop up a sinking soul to strengthen the feeble hands is the work not onely of publick communion but also of private conference the consolations of God must not be concealed but imparted as occasion requireth unto the good of others 6. Private Christians may and must coÌ„plain of the evil of the times to affect each others hearts with sence of and sorrow for sin or Gods sad providences mens stout words against God must be matter of expostulation to them that fear God Jonathan David must into the field to confer of Sauls wickedness and cruelty Israels abomination must be made mention of among the mourners for it the dâ—eadfull dispensations of God at the death of Christ must be the matter of discourse to the Disciples as they waâ—k to Emmaus every soul must see Gods hand observe Gods providences and make the prosperity of prophaness and escapes impiety the matter of discourse unto his own and other mens discretion to a due demeanor and suitable conversation 7. Private Christians may must confer with each other of the things of faith and salvation none but Papists who lock up the knowledge of the truth from poor souls and the people of God and impose on their faith what the Church doth believe will make it heresie to enquire into and debate of the Articles of the Creed Obadiah may without any sin or disobedience expostulate the injunctions of the Prophets and it shall be a note of Nobility to the Bereans to enquire into the Scriptures to finde the verity of the Apostles doctrine This is no other then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Christian conference allowed and enforced by the ministers in jus divinum ministerii cap. 5. Pa. 81. of this City Nay and was honoured by our Saviour in joyning in society and debating with the Disciples that went to Emmaus the death and resurrection of himself those
not according to this rule there is no truth in him Oh let not Christian faith be founded on Turkish reason 2. Persevere in truth and piety Heresies must come that they who are sound may be made manifest Schisme must succeed that the fixed in Christ may be found sincere these must not onely come on the the stage but stand and succeed it may be unto persecution of the Orthodox and sound as did Arrianisme in the Grecian Empire Anabaptisme in Germany they are no other then tryalls of faith and patience be it your care to cleave to truth when disowned and disregarded and continue in the Church though disordered and discouraged let not the boysterous blasts of providence remove you from your stedfastness in the faith or union of the Church Catholick I know the design of some schismaticall neighbours by courting nay some of them by creeping into your town is to paganize you as they have done other places and set up their own schismaticall assemblies and I fear your over affectionate observation of the providential rising of some from you hath been as a snare of separation from the Churh unto more then naturall relations but however Church gatherers have gathered the power treasure of these Nations to themselves forsake not you the assembling of your selves together as the manner of som is and stand out against the sinful assembling of Church gatherers The glittering glory of particular Churches of selfe-constitution that way of Corah and selfe consecration that way of Jeroboam will prove nay I may say doth prove an ignis fatuus leading into the fools paradise of high expectations but leaving men in the wilderness of confusion They that feared God in Israel followed the despised and driven out Priests to Jerusalem let it be your prayer care not to follow the flocks of Christ his pretended companions I pray you recall to mind what instructions I gave you many years since from that Text Cant. 1.7 whilst you have power prevent Congregational foxes from spoiling your vines though you cannot keep them out of close corners you may from places of concourse and command them out of your common Hall and publick places of assemblie give them no countenance whose only errand is confusion you are now a Church of Christ become not the guilded Synagogue of Satan Will not reason tell you selfe-constitution is a sedition in the Common-wealth and schisme in the Church Is authority essentiall to a civill and not to a religious Corporation What superstructure can bee built on a sinfull schismatical foundation judge ye though it flourish flie from it it cannot but fall I say bee you stable in truth steady in the union of the Church constant to Gods covenant and continuing in prayer though God carry discouragingly towards his people for God laughs the Devill to scorn when Job serveth him for nought and the Saints constancy in holiness doth witness that there is a reward to the righteous when the prospering providences of the prophane do suggest it 's in vain to serve God 3. Prize and preserve among you a sound and zealous Ministry such you have enjoyed such you may by your own advantages which you above other Towns enjoy Pastors to feed witb knowledge and understanding are Gods promises and his peoples priviledge bread and water of affliction to be imbraced before their removeall let not the generall contempt providence poureth on Mâ—nistry deaden your affection to your Ministers but know them as over you in the Lord I am not a little grieved for your late differences with godly Ministers I wish you would seriously surveigh your souls see wether some spirit of pride passion prejudice or vain glory do not act and occasion them take heed you jar not with Ministers untill you wreak your quarrell on Ministry I wish some of you have not already proclaimed open warr I will not acquit your Ministers from their infirmities but desire you take heed to your selves in this day of discouraging providences to Gods Ministers true piety should prize prefer them so evill are the times that dis-satisfaction in a prophane Minister can scarcely pass without the censure of dis-respect to Ministry much less when fomented continued against a man who is a faithful painful and diligent and in the generall course of his life let malice say its worst a godly Minister my beloved let the office and person be distinguished and the dignity of the one will darken and cloud the infirmitie of the other and the authority of the one will awe duty denied to the weakness of the other Receive Ministers as they are indeed the messengers of the Lord of Hosts Embassadors of Jesus Christ and then despise them even in their distress if you can 4. Pursue your conference and mannage it with all prudence avoid the evills incident to it pursue the directions herein propounded you have heretofore been acquainted with them but have need to bee put in remembrance take heed of spirituall pride in conference least it prove an Audley conference that may plunge you into the precipice of Anabaptisme and other heresies my heart bleeds over those men with whom you know I have sometime past had sweet communion though they wil not now hear mee bee warned by their example Be carefull of and constant in these and other duties directed in the word what ever men say or cross providences seem to suggest Let Ecebolius whirl about with every wind of providence in the Empire untill hee proclaim the shame of his own unconstancy be you pillars of truth and Cedars of holiness standing in stormy days as indeed rooted and built up in Christ and resolved into divine revelation as your rule however disposed by providence as to your present outward condition whereunto that you may bee strengthened read these notes as helpfull and offered from the hearty affections and with the hearty prayer for Gods blessing of your Quondam Pastor yet zealously affectionate for the good of your souls ZAC CROFTON from my Study in Botolphs Algate Lon. Nov. 3. 1659. To the Reader Courteous Reader I Did many months since begin this discourse unto my own Congregation intending chiefly to instruct them in the too much neglected and abused duty of Godly conference but finding the words so connexed that I could not eonveniently come at my intended doctrine untill I had spoken to the condition which did constrain the godly their speaking one to another I divided the Text into three generall heads to be discussed and so intended them for particular instruction never to be made more publick but God who over-ruleth mens purposes hath otherwayes disposed In June last I being called to preach at the morning exercise in Magdalen Milk-street Church tooke some of these notes as next hand and did very briefly discuss the prosperoâ—s providences which do attend the prophane Such approbation it met with from many godly hearers that I was pursued with great importunity to
publish the same yet I resisted and resolved they shâ—uld never see the light in July following my Dâ—mestick affairs did câ—ll me down unto the since unhappy County of Chester in the City whereof I was by many friendly obligations and intreaties engâ—ged to preach one whole Lords day and did discourse this same subject as most fresh in memory because the very same on my thoughts in my ordinary course at home what advantage any that are in that City godly and zealous for religion have hence reaped they best know what occasion they have to improve these instructions we must shut our eyes if we wil not see shortly after my thus preaching did break out the late unhappy insurrection and did something retard my return home I being absenct in such a juncture of time was by malice to which I have been no little exposed reported as engâ—ged in the design and highly noysed to have preached before the body late in Arms in Westchester City And this report was carried with that height of impudence that it gained credit among friends and foes affrighted my poor family with proud threats exposed me to troublsome attendance on the late Committee for the Militia and Councill of State before the last of whom a member of themselves offered to produce a Leivetenant who heard mee preach and would on oath depose it was so and so circumstanced as envy did desire but when I demanded his appearance and testimony and could not obtain it I was brought under a promise of printing the sermons I did preach at Westchester And thus the providence of God hath constrained them from me I hope for good It is very probable the matter and season may expose the preaching and publishing these notes unto the censure of the Committee for discretion which if it do let mee bee rather blamed for indiscreet discovery of Gods mind then unfaithfull silence and dissembling divine truth darkning precepts by providences the sin of too many Prophets in our age and Nation yet true prudence speaks words pertinent to present providences wise men must oppose Gods word to mens wickedness and give counsell squared to condition nor should danger divert or dismay them Isaiah will cry aloud to tell Judah of her sin though for it he fall under the saw And Jeremiah will declare Gods mind though it cast him into the dungeon Michaiah must needs hâ—ve played the fool if he had followed providence to the flattery of Ahab as did all the other Prophets However evill times of hatred against him who rebuketh in the Gate and abhorrency of him that speaketh uprightly may make the prudent not bound by office to keep silence It must not do so to Gods Ministers whose office is to witness for God and piety when prospering prophaneness proclaimeth God to be as the wicked and that 't is in vain to serve God It is a mans prudence to do with vigor the duty of his place against all opposition shall the providences of God bee made the apologie of sin and so the stumbling block of the Saints and the Ministers of God not make known the method and order of them and the pleasure of the Lord that men cleave to his covenant though they be killed all the day long and walk with him in worst times that so the wicked may be convinced and the weak be strengthened the times of Gods silence are the times of his Ministers speaking when judgement is reprieved the malefactor must be reproved I could heartily wish guilt on mens consciences did not groundlesly charge indiscretion on Gods Ministers and impertinency on Gods Word had not our eyes seen treason rebellion regicide perfidie perjury pride hypocrisie and violence break out into sad and sinfull revolutions to the utter subversion of foundations violation of Laws invasion of interests destruction of liberties trampling on truth divastation of the Church blasphemy of God Christ and his Ordinances contempt of Gospell-Ministry letting loose the Devill by a boundless toleration and unparalleld wickedness and unspeakable confusion in Church and State and that against all declarations protestations imprecations solemne vows and Covenants oaths appeales to God and men even of all kind of civill or religious bonds and had not our ears heard these boastings of properity and succe sfull providences as undeniable demonstration of Gods good liking and approbation nay of Gods very appointment and designation of these horrid impieties as the good old cause of his sons kingdom and the proper work of his Saints conducing much to his glory blasphemously pleading providence against precepts provoking themselves to pursue and persist in their own lusts directly contrary to Gods Law and proudly censuring the poor holy humble upright men of God as ignorant in sensible of Gods hand proud obstinate Resisting providence peevish prophane disowning the very hand disposing such prosperity to the prophane and onely because they subscribe not to and go not along with their sinfull though successefull enterprises and consent not to pluck the fift command out of the decalogue to fling Gods word behind thei back and dance after providence into Jeroboam like changes in Church and State I say courteous reader had not our eyes seen and our ears heard this sad abuse of providence and mens conscience grown tickle and tender by reason of guilt a discou se of providence might have passed without the least charge of violence discontent peevishnesse or indiscretion but proper plaisters must be applied though the wounded patient brand the Chirurgion with Rashnesse and cruelty in provoking pain by searching and suitable applications Chrisostom ceased not Reprove drunkennesse for all the frettings of a drunken people untill they ceased to be drunk nor was Jehoiadah the Priest diverted from his just enterprice and duty by Athalia the usurper her onterie of Treason Treason Yet give me leave to tell thee that providence did suite the time to the Text I did not suite the Text to the time I had begun and made some progresse in this discourse before the late return of the republck and its successe against the disowners of it so that my choice is not so much to be blamed as Gods wisdom in directing my thoughts to be acknowledged Reader what ever fault may be charged on me I shall submissely bear knowing I am a man and have managed the discourse like a man of much weaknesse yet the matter I will averre is the minde of God meet for the Saints meditation and in our day most needfull to be studied Thou hast them in a plain dresse as they were preached and are most proper for thy capacitie and had the Authour enjoyed his minde thou hadst had them much sooner thou now hast them read with diligence and due consideration and that thou mayest profit by them shall be the constant prayer of ZAC CROF Foelix Scelus Querela Piorum Prospering Prophanenesse provoking holy conference and Gods attention First preached at Botolphs Algate Lond. and
language heavenly discourse godly conference the sweet breath of their sound hearts in an hypocriticall age the evidence of their hearts fullness of piety thus venting its abundance the expression of their care by the words of the wise to preserve knowledg whilst the evil communication of the prosperous prophane did corrupt good manners They that feared the Lord spak often one unto anthere whence we shall propound to your serious thoughts Doct. this observation or point of Doctrine The success of prophaneness must stir up the truly pious to speak often one to another Or thus Prospering prophaneness doth provoke the godly to frequent câ—nference Many are the exercises of piety enjoyned by the Lord to be duely performed by his people some are personal concerne only a particular soul but others are publick to be used unto the conviction of the wicked confirmatioÌ„ of the godly against all temptations that assault them and these are not only the administrations of word sacraments in and to the Church in general but also admonitions expostulations of particular Saints in more private and particular societies expressing the thoughts of their hearts by the help of the tongue and communicating their gifts and graces to each other by godly religions conference Godly conference and christian confabulation is an absolute duty and apparent act of the Communion of Saints Incumbent on all the members of Jesus Christ and brethren in the faith to be carefully performed by all that pray for and in their places propagate the perfection of the whole body by the supply of every particular Joynt This dutie is not indeed fixed unto time place and order as are some other acts of worship and dueties of religion but to be exercised as occasion calls for it and opportunitie doth enforce it no condition time or season is unsuitable for holy conference when ever good men have occasion of commerce and opportunity of serious communication yet some estates of the Church doth more enforce it and an enquirie of opportunitie to enjoy it then others when the tongues of the wicked do walke proudly through the earth the tongues of the godly must be tuned for Heaven when the prophane glutted with their prospering prouidences do speak pride and blasphemy and that in talking stoutly against God and and openly affirm it It is in vain to serve God it is no profit to walk mournfully before him all the day for that the proud are called happie Then above all times is it a time for them that feare the Lord to speak often one unto another though our words must be always seasoned with grace and our care must ever be to admonish one another yet more especially when assaulted with the temptation of prospering prophanenesse then our ordinary language and our often discourse must be holy conference This hath been the care and carriage of them that feared the Lord in all ages of the world you shall not find the old World filled with pride security and sensuallity but Noah the preacher of Righteousnesse will be speaking of and preparing for the approaching Flood Nor shall you read of the Captivity of Righteous Lot but also of Abrahams consultation with his chatechised servants for his rescue conference with Melchizedeck Israels oppression cannot increase by the pride of prosperous Egypt Gen. 14. but Moses Aron will confer of the mind of God concerning their deliverance and their own duty towards it Exod. 4.14.15 16. Sauls pride and blasphemies passe not without the serious conferences of Jonathan and David Sam. 18.19 Job is no sooner brought into distresse but his friends gather about him to conferre of the things of God though they make false conclusions yet they discoursed right â—eligious premises Ahab succeeds not in his idolatry but we shall finde the Prophet Elijah and Elisha and he and Obadiah in godly conference nor can Jesus Christ be crucified and blasphemed at Jerusalem Luk. 24.13 but his disciples will discourse as they walk to Emmans of the things that befell him nor shall the Roman Emperors in their prosperitie oppresse the Faith and afflict the Romane Christians but the Apostle Paul longs to see them to the end he may imparte unto them some spirituall good that they may be established we shall not read in sacred or Ecclesiastick storie of the successe of prophaneness which did not stir up the holy conference of the godly The fellowship of the Saints is never so visible as in the suffering seasons of the Church Arius prosperity unto persecution made the Orthordox resort one to another with frequencie Marian pride in the successe of Poperie made the Protestant reformers to confer with diligence the things of truth and of salvation the late prelaticall crueltie was the spur of the Puritans Conventicles as in derision their holy conferences were called for in such times as these if ever Communion of Saints is necessary profitable and comfortable for then they That feare the Lord speak often one to another By way of complaint of sin and sorrow the wickednesse of men and darke providences of God that the heart may be affected with both and they may as becomes them mourn for the abominations which abound and the blasphemies which are proudly belched against God his name truth Ordinances and people in this day of prospering prophanenesse and duly pray the diversion of these darke providences which are so dishonourable to God and discouraging to Godlinesse sin must not succeed in the World or sorrow seize on the Saints without their sensible observation and sad but serious expostulation with God and each with others by way of confirmation each of others spirit against the strong influence of so sore temptations we have before noted that the prosperity of the wicked is a very great stumbling stone to the godly at this David spurned and had almost slipt unto the condemning the generation of the iust Psal 7.3.7 and charging vanity on the course of piety On this Peter fell to the denyall of his Lord and Master making him with more then ordinary earnestnesse enquire his affection to him Peter lovest thou me Peter lovest thou me Peter lovest thou me It is strange if Ahabs insolency in his Idolatry make not all even the best of Israell to halt between two opinions and most to fall into flat and open Idolatry when the multitude do evill those few who will not follow them have need to cleave close together if ever the feâ—ble knees must be strengthened it must be when they stumble at the prosperity of prophanenesse If ever the godly will be armed against impiety it must be when it ascends the there and becomes the stirrop of authority and sole principle of preferment and if they will ever speakne couragingly of waiting on God and walking with him in holinesse it must be when most men discouragingly determine God hath forsaken the Earth doth not regarde the righteous It 's in
vain to serve him when the successe of prophanenesse is the soule object of sence and the darke providences of God the cloud of his truth and check of holinesse then must Godly conference awe conscience to duty and animate faith to dependance on a never failing God But not to stay long on the illustration of a duetie so positive and plaine even obvious to the common capacity of every sober christian seriously studious of Scripture or observant of the society of the Saints I shal briefly propound the reason of the point and so passe unto the application And the reasons why the prosperity of prophaneness must prouoke the godly to holy conference are reducible to these three heads It is Directed by and delighfull to the Lord. Declareth the sincerity of sanctitie Deriveth much profit advantage Of these in their order and first of the first The First reason why prospering prophanenesse should provoke holy conference is because holy conference is directed by and delightfull to the Lord the desire of the righteous is to do the pleasure of the Lord and his delight is not more in them that fear him then theirs is to make mention of his name Now holy conference is a duty by him directed who doth also dispose the time condition that doth specially reqvire the discharg there of fraternal correptioÌ„ friendly confabulation is not only a duty directed in the light of nature by the necessity of publick good and naturall enjoyment and improvement of humane society but also by positive prescription of scripture God enjoyning his people both in the old and new Testament times unto mutuall colloquie and reciprocall conferrence of and concerning his councell and their owne condition we shall find amongst other soule establishing meanes appointed to Israell that one was frequent and familiar conference of divine councell he must not only learn the law himself and Catechize his Family therein but also make it the matter of his or dinarie languag Thou shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest in thy way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Deuternomie 9.7 Family and friendly conference must be conversant about Gods Law let our companie be at home or abroad this must be our discourse for exciting the soule to duty and encouragment of the heart in difficultie and to the restraint of sin it is Gods own direction that we shal rebuke a brother by all brotherly argumentation discourse and conference with him concerning his impiety Levit. 19.17 He is by words to shew him what is right and what is wrong saith Ainsworth nor was this religious reasoning peculiar to the Jewes by whom it was in an Ordinany and familar way practised but it belongs to the whole household of faith and is more fully enjoined by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles in the New Testament who makes private conference with his brother the praecursor of publick complaint against a brother Mat. 11.15 16. and positively enjoins us in days of temptation unto sin to exhort one another daily whilst it is called to day Heb. 3.13 And consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Heb. 10.24 To admonish one another Rom 15.14 To comfort one another 1 Thes 5.11 Jude 20. All which is done by conference and friendly discourse and declare but the several parts thereof sometimes by complaint against sin warning the unruly sometimes by counsell unto duty exhorting and quickning the dull and discouraged somtimes by convincing arguments establishing in the faith such as are in danger of Apostasie and sometimes by consideration of mercie power justice and the like confirming the mind that waxeth feeble in affliction so that we must throw away our Bibles or wilfully shut our eyes if we see not holy conference be a duty directed by the Lord and especially to be discharged in evill times when we are under temptations to sin discouragements to holiness and despondency in affliction Nor is it onely directed by but also delightfull to the Lord it cannot but be pleasing to him because prescribed by him and indeed God doth signifie much delight in the discourses of the Godly their complaints he calls for Let me hear thy voice for it is pleasant Cant. 2.14 Their communication is his complacency Our Father loves to see his children distribute his sweet meats among their brethren he gives neither gifts nor graces to any for their sole private use but the publick edification of the body every one must distribute as he hath received if the Apostles be comforted it is that they may comfort others by the selfsame consolation with which they are comforted in themselves 2 Cor 1.5 and if the Romans be full of goodness and knowledge it is that they may admonish one another God will not that any of his servants hide their Talent and conceal his counsell they must indeed keep their places and administer the supply proper to such joints Private conference is distinct from publick preaching and the one as well as the other tends to the perfecting of the body of Christ Private conference in families and friendly societies and preaching to the Church in publick Ministry and each of these make sweet musick in Gods ear if not marred in the order the hand miscarrieth when it would become the eye and the foot when it would be the head Private conference is to bee contemned when it presseth upon publick Ministry and becomes provoking to God but of this I shall speak more in the applicatiâ—n otherwise it is exceeding pleasing to God so delightfull that David determines the talking of Gods righteousness as the pâ—easant holding of his songs of praise Psa 71.24 and cheering of his own drooping and desponding spirits as the help against diffidence hee will talke of all Gods doings Psal 77.12 he accounts it to bee the precious and pleasant fruit of all his instruction and eminently to be esteemed by the Lord he prays for that oyl that may make this Lamp ever burn make me to understand the wâ—y of thy precepts so shall I talk of all thy wondrous works Psal 119. 27. Gods esteem of the holy language and heavenly discourse of his people in prophane times is emphatically expressed in the text when they that feared the Lord spake one nnto another the Lord hearkened and heard and a book of remembrance was written for them and they shall be mine c. There are three expressions of Gods acceptance of his godly conference 1. He regards it he heareth and hearkeneth he listeneth and laieth his ear close as loath to loofe one syllable of this holy language 2. He records it as fearing it should be forgotten a book of remembrance is written and that not in the earth where it may be trampled out by prophane feet but before himself where it shal be coÌ„served with care and free from the least corruption as fit for his own contemplation 3. Rewards it and puts more
yet gifts and graces are only communicated to the members thereof in Colloquie Saints stand charged each with other and the joints must supply their places by mutuall conferences administring nourishment to the whole body lively and profitable Christians do in evill times enquire the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying one to another come and let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant And in evill times they say every one to his neighbour and every one to his brother what hath the Lord answered and what hath hee spoken they do stand charged with the souls each of other and are therefore bound to exhort rebuke admonish comfort edifie one another And if ever the life of grace must bee manifested by acts communication it must bee in evill times the hour of temptation which commeth on them in a day of generall defection and diligent seduction the Saints must edifie one another in their most holy faith and save one another with feaâ—e pulling them out of the fire if you are will ng to witnesse your selves stupid under Gods heavy judgments sencelesse of Gods glory and the welfare of Religion and livelesse uselesse members in the body you may with due shame stand at distance each from other and smother thoughts of God in your own brests for want of vent by holy conference but consider profession of the tongue is no lesse usefull to salvation then the perswasion of the heart and withholding counsell from the weak in evill times is wickednesse 3. You disgrace Religion and are condemned by the wicked of the World whilst you sinfully suggest that sanctity destroyeth society and maketh the ungodly conclude Religion a solitary condition in which communion is not to be enjoyed whereas indeed holinesse is a bond of union and ground of Communion which whilst it seperates us from the Tabernacles of the wicked seateth us in the Temple of God and doth not more divide us from the society of the prophane then drive us into the CoÌ„munion with the Saints the scope of sanctity is to turn the stream and direct mens thoughts and expressions into an holy channell which not being thus employed makes Religion look like the Ruine of charity and that which barrs all kind of counsell admonition or conference The men of this world are wiser in their generations then the children of the kingdom they are Reduced into no straits but they run together and counsel each other to escape and evade them they agitate no affairs in the world but by good counsell and ordinary conference men that seduce from the truth are diligent and dextrous in their discourses Chatechizing and conference the two great preserva ive of truth and Religion have been exercised as eminent means of seduction whilest neglected by such as should be established by them is it not ashame that the enemies of God should beat us at our own weapon Popery Arianisme Socincanisme Anabaptism and other heresies are propagated hy Catechising and conference whilest these edifying exercises are omitted and slighted by the professors of truth in the affairs of this world we are common in Counsels and mutuall Colloquies but mindlesse of the great concernments of salvation Let it therefore be our shame that we are so slack unto acts of Communion and so carelesse of this eminent means of confirmation and the rather for that the successe of sin should stir us up unto the frequent discharge thereof Lay your hands on your hearts and blush who are professors of the same faith and worshippers of the same God pretenders to the same covenant and priviledges and yet such strangers unto each other and so much unacquainted that you speak not unto the comfort confirmation one of another Repent your sinfull neglect of these sociable soul-edifying acts of conference or renounce your relation to the Saints who have gone before you of whose spirit you do not partake Nay renounce your relation to God and his people of and to whom you speak so little that you seem insensible of their estate and unprofitable to their souls The 2. Use that I shall make of this doctrine is of exhortation to stir up the godly to be frequent in holy conference to get together and speak often one to another This is the duty incumbent on you that fear the Lord and cannot but be discharged by you whose hearts are full of thoughts of Gods holy name if you are indeed in union maintain the Communion of Saints and whilst you sit joyntly under the same ministrations of grace fail not in your places and capacities to minister one to another Consider Christian brethren Scripture as well as nature doth teach us it is not good to be alone we are not born for our selves we are members one of another we must seek every man the good of his neighbour the things of others not our own things solitude is not more burdensome and dangerous to nature then to grace nor more unsuitable to man then to a Christian much hurt have the godly received by solitarinesse when David exilde from Israel did walk alone in the land of the Philistins he fell into diffidence and despondency and blasphemous conceits that God had forgotten to be gracious he had in vain washed his hands and cleansed his heart in innocency and when Peter wandered alone in the high Priests hall he was overcome with the temptation to deny his master Profit of holy conference is ever great but most in evil times by it we are established in holinesse kept from falling Restored when fallen strengthened in the day of temptation quickened when dead and dull in duty It is the very veins of the Church by which every joynt supplieth its place unto the edification of the body there is not more profit then priviledge in holy conference It is the Communion of Saints and fellowship of the Gospel the comunication of the gifts and graces of Gods holy spirits it gives counsell in doubts and straits comfort in despondencies and sorrows It is the vent of grief easeth our hearts of the burden of sad apprehensions by friendly coÌ„plaints it is the expression of zeal which would burn he uphold of the heart by the Common consent of good men and mutuall counsell each of other how is it then Christian souls that you are so much unacquainted and unaccustomed to holy conference for shame content not our selves to hear the word preached but conserre of what you have heard live not in the Church but in your places communicate each to others as lively members of the Church are not the times evill in which we live do not the proud prosper are not they who work wickednesse set up and see we not men that tempt God delivered are not truth blasphemed ordinances trampled on sincere sanctity slighted vilified and contemned is not perfidy perjury violation oâ— solemn oaths and covenants the way to preferment do not men court us by providences into wayes pinciples
and practiseâ— direct contrary to Scripture precepts and have not they who fear the Lord need to speak often one to another the Colloquies of the ungodly and conferences of the seducers and seduced from the faith do every where abound and shall the men who are sound in the faith zealous for true religion cleaving to the covenant of God with constancy be estranged one to another if ever you had need to strenghen one anothers hands and hearts now is your time there was not more need of Saints frequent conferences in times of Popish persecution and prelaticall restriction then in these dayes of sinfull liberty by shamefull Toleration of all impostors the less restraint is laid on you by the Church or state you should be more watchfull one of another and carefull to kâ—ep each other from the use of your prophanely allowed libertâ— know you that it is a saying beseeming a cursed Cain am I my brothers keeper have we not evills to complain of do not men speak stâ—ut words against God is not all possitive pâ—ety under a pretence of holinesse denied do not men say it is in vain to serve God if you have any sence of Gods honour any zeal for true Râ—ligion any feeling of the foâ—ce oâ— temptation any pity to your weake brethren any faiâ—hfulnesse to your own souls any fear of God be quicknâ—d to holy conference flock together seâ—k opportunities of mutuall Colloquie and having found them see you speak often one to another This duty of holy conference especially in evâ—ll times is in it selfe so evident and so excellent that none do or indeed can deny it I shall not therefore stand to enforce it with motives but referre you to the reasons of the Doctrine before urged which you will find to be quickning considerations thereunto I shall onely present you with some directions unto the right discharge and management of holy conference for it like other good duties doth mâ—ny times miscarry by the râ—sh and unadvised management thereof many I must confesse have been the mismischiefes which have redounded from the private conferences of the Godly especially in this City in so much that although the duty hath been allowed and enforced with thâ— publick authority of the ministry of this City in their jus divinum ministerii Cap 5. pag 78 â—9 90. Yet many par icuâ—ar Paâ—tors to some of their peculiar charge have seen cause in a way prudentiall to discountenance and almost disâ—â—low the conferences of pâ—ivâ—te Christians especially with their fixed circumstances that so the inconveniences accidently thence arising might bee avoided I would gladly divide between the duties and their discommodities I dare not debarre Christian-liberty though I would it mâ—y be wisely enjoyed nor interdict the posi ive duty but wil endeavour to instâ—uct you unto the due management and exercise thereâ—f that the evil and inconveniences thereof may be prevented herein I shâ—l prâ—â—eâ—â— yoâ— with some cautions and some directionâ— 1. Some Cautions of evill to bee avoided in holy conferences which must be carefully observed by â—uâ—h as will speak one unto another to edification not destruction and they are these viz. Caution 1 Separate not from the Church sleight not publique assemblies whilst in zeal you frequâ—nt private conferences it is a sin to be noted to our shame â—hat conferences of private Christians have given occasion to schisme and sinfull separation from publick assemblies justifying our late prelacy in their violent resistance of the private conventions of Christians as Conventicles opposite and destructive to Church assemblies we cannot on serious observation but see that the sinfull Schisme of Independency and shamefull separation of the Congregationallists was founded in and nourâ—shed by the fixed conferences of private Christians and how many are there at this day who leave the publick assemblies break from the Communion of the Church disown publick Ordinances and despise them only creep into private houses and spend thâ—ir Sabbath in Colloquiâ—s if not quaking soliloquies mutual discoursâ—s of the things of God and so not only withdraw from but set themselves against the Church and the publick assemblies of Gods people now although private conference is a duty yet the improvement of it to the neglect much more the contempt of the Church and publick assemblies is an horrid impiety This prophane fruit is not the naturall result of conference but is enforced fâ—om it by the câ—rruption of prophane hearts cloathed with the pretense of piety and drawing wicked conclusions from just premises the loose heart â—hinks private exercises to be sufficient and so makes them jostle with publick acts of Religion and the proud heart not enduring the subjection of disciples to be taught with authority in the name of Christ thinks it is better to abide in privâ—te Conference where he may play the part of a Teacher and proudly acts his supposed gifts and abilities for instruction or mans curious brain is so busily captious that it cannot be confined at any time to positive and convincing assertions of truth but must be conversant in that exercise in which he may captiâ—usly propound his criticisms and groundlesse scrupulosities or sceptical objections against plainest principles all which being to much to be allowed in private conferences doth make hearts not awed with divine pâ—escription of method and order of holinesse and not apprehensive of the consistency of publick and private duties nay the priority and preheminency the publick hath of all private means of edification to which the private must give place and not affected with the conscience-binding authority of publique administrations of instruction wherein God him self speaketh above the charitative admonitions of brethren wherein though the thing spoken be good and true yet it is but the advice of men and wants the authority of God to enforce it too much to cry it up and content themselves with it untill the devill taking at mans disposition doth tempt and prevail unto a neglect of publick ordinances a separation from the Church and sinfull withdrawing from the solemn assemblies and shamefull contempt of the publick Ministry prophanely pleading for and blasphemously defending their impiety urging gods words agâ—inst Gods worshâ—p and arguing wee must speak every man to his neighbour and enquire every man of his brother what hath the Lord answered we must teach one another saying know yee the Lord and shall not need any to teach us This forsaking the assemblies and separating â—rom the Church is an evill and inconvenience so dishonourable to Religion and dangerous to the soul and yet so incident unto the holy conferences of the people of God that the holy Ghost hath taken notice of it and bounded the command of private conference with this very caution concerning publick assemblies Heb. 10.24 25. Consider one another to provoke unto love and good works not for saking the assembling of your selves togâ—ther as the manner of some is but exhorting one another in which the duâ—y
Mans most serious attention is always expressed by a hearkning unto the Word of the Lord and Gods most speciall acceptance of his peoples desires is said to be hearking to their prayers Thus God hearkned to Leah and to Rachel Gen. 30 17.22 and he hearkned to Moses when he moved for Israel Deut. 9.19 10.10 Hearking is an act of regard and respect not onely to Attention but Auscultation they that hearken do obey yield assent admit of the thing hearkned as true good so that when the godly spake one unto another though to men it seemed to be in vain and they would not regard it yet the Lord heard and he had respect unto it nay he hearkned listned layed his ear unto their discourse with all diligence and delight assenting unto the truth and goodnesse of what they had spoken and admitting it to seize and settle upon his heart as that which must command the great Jehovah which he could not gain-say out would constrain him at the length to break his attention by an open asserting the verity of their discourse and the integrity of them that in so evill a time and under such a generall apostacy did feare him and think upon his name and zealously speak one to another But 2 degree of divine acceptance Secondly Gods acceptance of the Godly and their holy exercise is not onely to listen and regard but also to record and remember he doth hear and hearken with all pleasure and delight in so much that he hath a book of Remembrance written before him for them that fear him and think upon his name This Judge of the whole earth doth not only listen carefully to the language of his Advocates but lest any of their pleas should passe without pondering and due answer his Notaries are at work and enter in a book their discourse all their acts and arguments of holinesse least they should be forgotten note-books are notations of affection and care of recordation what we write we deem worth remembring Records are kept of matters of moment to be regarded and acts of loyalty and fidellity to be rewarded Catalogues and Calendars of eminent persons and service are prepared for Kings as the evidence of their respects and direction of the dignities they shal confer Chronicleâ— are written for the consideraon of most Royall Emperors as evidences of their esteem of things transacted and dictates of recompense for noble atchievements Tamerlane the great was so well pleased with the diligence faithfulnesse of his servants that he kept a Catalogue of their names and services which he daily read and the Chronicles of Persia were kept and consulted by the King Ahashuerosh that if his list or leasure could not confer a present recompense upon faithfull Mordecai for his good service an after opportunity may do it Now God is not forgetful as man nor needs he any record it must needs be in a distemper that David shall demand hath the Lord forgotten to be gracious Psal 77.9 Isaih 49.14 or Zion determine the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath fogotten me For the Butler may forget Joseph and Joseph may forget his former toyl and Fathers house nay a woman may forget her sucking child but God cannot forget hâ—â— people and therefore when God makes mention of a book of Remembrance it is but after the manner of men to manifest and make known his high esteem of his people and their holy exercises whose names he is said after the manner of noble Princes to enter in a book of of life and their diligence in duty for him and his name to register in a book of Remembrance that although their devotion bee disowned and despised by men and devoted to oblivion and their present estate suggest it disregarded by the Lord yet they may know it is observed and esteemed as an high act of holinesse it shall bee registred in his Chronicles books of acts and Monuments that they may not lose but hereafter reap their due Reward And therefore The third and last degree of Gods speciall acceptance of the Godly and their holy exercise is 3 degree of divine acceptance Recompence and reward thereof God regards unto Remembrance and remembreth unto recompence he doth not only hear and hearken but cause a book of Remembrance to be written before him nor is his Record uselesse and a bare rehearsall of the holinesse of his people in evill times But the Dictator of the reward to be conferrd on them for diligent adhaerence unto him under prospering prophaness they must not lose that leave all for God in a day of temptation He will soon resolve that enquiry Master what shall we have who have left all and followed thee With an assurance none that have left any thing for him shal be losers but shal reap their comfort an hundred fold and have eternall life in to the bargain Mark 10.29 None that are stedfast unmoveable abounding in the woak of the Lord shal labour invain the God that accepts will in his time approve the acceptance of their service He that hears and hearkens will remember and he that remembreth wil recompence so as that after all the contempts of men by reason of the cloudy providences that attend them a man shal say verily there is a reward to the Righteous verily there is a God that judgeth the earth Psal 58.11 And the acceptance of God wil appear to be the more speciall if we consider the quality of this reward they shall receive that speak one to another in evil times which consisteth in these two things viz. Their 1. Propriety and Peculiarity of relation to God They shall be mine when I make up my Jewels 2. The Paternal carriage of God towards them I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son which serveth him 1 Part of Righteous mens Recompence The first â—art of this reward is the propriety and peculiarity of their relation unto God they shal be mine in the day that I make up my jewels their propriety is unto God they are his the Lords people are his portion and Israell is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 This is the high honour of Israel to vouch God for their God and to have God to vouch them for his people Deut 26.17 18. The great Charter of all our priviledges even the very Covenant of grace concludes us but in a propriety to God I will be your God and you shall bee my people nor indeed need we any more for happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Psal 144.15 In the utmost of distress nay wâ—en drawing nigh unto death the holy heart desirâ— no more then to beable to determine this God is our God our God and he will bâ— our guide even unto death Psal 44.14 For what is there in Heaven but God and what can we desire in all the earth besides the Lord. Psal 73.15 To stand entitled to God is to enjoy Abrahams