A RULE FOR Ministers and People Whereby they may see how they are engaged One towards Another by Gods Word And as in a Glass Herein may be seen when any fail and when one or both are faithful By N. C. a servant of Christ and of his Church assembled at Orpington in Kent Galat. 6.16 As many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the black Spread-Eagle neer the West-end of Pauls 1654. Courteous Reader HOw good is it to know Gods minde and do it I have here presented in this small Treatise some part of his will to the end you should know and do and be blest and give up your account with joy My requests are that you would be faithful to God and your own soul which should be your all-endeavours and highest reach and know I am Yours to serve you wherein you serve the most high God N. C. To all the Churches in England constituted and congregated in Gospel-order Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father in his Son our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Dear and Christian Friends TAking notice of many pretious lines that have been to the view of all which have made for the honour of God and good of his people yet having not read any as yet speaking of that I speak to in this Treatise even the duties of Ministers and People one towards another but have heard much complaining one speaking hardly of the other whereby God hath been dishonoured on both parties which was one great motive to this work wherein you may see how Pastors ought to be and what they ought to do and how people ought to behave themselves towards their Ministers in words and actions according to the minde of God revealed in the Scriptures so that they might not accuse one another wrongfully and bring the anger of the great God on them for so doing My whole end and aim and hearty desire is That both Ministers and People may walk so as to discharge a good conscience towards God and one another that all may be found blameless and presented spotless unto God the Father at the last day when there will be no respector of persons which is and shall be the Prayers of me Your brother and fellow-servant in the work of the Gospel N. C. THe first duty I shall minde is that they are to feed the flock of God as you shall finde a Rule for so doing even a Command in Acts 20.28 29 30. where it is thus said Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over which the holy Spirit hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood And the reason why they ought to be so careful in taking heed he sheweth in the following verses For saith he I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them And for this very cause he layeth a more strict charge on them to watch leaving himself as an example in these words Watch therefore and remember that by the space of three yeers I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears O now consider To be warned beforehand is as much as can be desired and now if they that are Ministers or Elders do not watch they are left inexcusable Therefore let these considerations move all they that are intrusted in so good a work as to feed the flock of God to be diligent in so doing 1. Because God hath made them Overseers and set them as Watchmen over a people 2. Because he hath such a love to them that he hath purchased them with his own blood 3. Because there will be such that will come into the Church as will not spare the flock 4. Because there shall arise such out from among the Church And 5. Because the Apostle hath left such an example and hath spoken of those things so plainly as in the words fore-mentioned as also in many other places God also pronouncing a wo against them that are not faithful as you may see plainly Jer. 23.1 2. where he reproves and threatens in these words Wo be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture saith the Lord therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people You have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not visited them Behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings saith the Lord. Oh then what great care ought those to have that are Elders for it is a fearful thing to have the Lord against one for when the day is come that he will execute vengeance who shall be able to stand Rev. 6.15 16 17. Seeing these things are so what maner of persons ought such to be 2 Pet. 3.10 11 12. Seeing we have so many Woes pronounced by God against the shepherds that do not feed the flock what care and faithfulness You may be pleased to take notice of another Scripture Ezek. 34. from vers 2. to 11. in these words Prophesie against the shepherds of Israel and say unto them Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds Wo be unto them that do feed themselves should not the shepherds feed the flock And sheweth the reason why the flock was scattered there was no shepherd to look after them as will appear in vers 8. they feed themselves and not the flock And in the tenth verse he saith he is against them so as they shall not feed themselves nor the flock What will become of such as God is against and do his work deceitfully Of all men they shall be cursed for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken Jer. 48.10 And seeing you that are Elders are called to the work of the Lord do not dare to leave your station for a more gainful place do not idolize any thing so as to set it up in your hearts more then the Church of God which Christ died for Consider that saying of the Lord in the Prophecie of Zechariah chap. 11. vers 17. Wo to the idol-shepherd that leaveth the flock the sword shall be upon his arm and upon his right eye his arm shall be clean dried up and his right eye shall be utterly dâ—rkned Oh then take care of the flock and as commanded feed doing of it willingly not having a by-end in so doing as those that are hirelings They are also to behave themselves humbly 1 Pet. 5.2 3. he that exhorts them being an Elder the words being thus Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as being Lords over Gods heritage but being ensamples to the flock And further consider Heb. 13.17 What a charge
doth he also lay on Timothy 2 Tim. 4.1 2.3 4 5. I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom preach the Word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine And sheweth the reason why because of the aversness of some that should be in the Church of Christ For saith he in vers 3. the time will come they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers having itching ears And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables But watch thou in all things endure afflictions do the work of an evangelist make full proof of thy ministery For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Here is excellent instruction and a worthy patern was this Apostle And he did give as good instruction to Titus which is worthy of due consideration And as hath been already shewed they ought not who are Shepherds to leave the Church of Christ no more then a woman her husband though a woman cannot be kept by him Nay further she ought not to be at a distance from him without leave If for poverty or loving another she would leave her husband then you may say she is under a temptation and leaving of him that would be the part of an harlot Oh then I pray consider of this and see if it would not be so if one that is made choice of by a Church a people rightly stated owning the Ordinances of God to be an Elder and Overseer to watch over them if he should for some great gain leave his people then may one conclude he is not onely under a temptation but therein commits whoredom It argues no real love in such a man to desert a people in the love of God and in the strength that God hath given them keep the commandments of God and such shall abide in his love Joh. 15.10 By this you may see how shepherds ought to feed their flock And let us further consider the duty of Elders Secondly they must visit the sick when sent for as will appear Jam. 5.14 Is any sick amongst you let him call for the elders of the Chuâ—ch and let them pray over the sick anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. So that it is the duty of Elders to sympathize with the sicknesses of his people and if not see how blamed Mat. 25.41 Then shall he say to them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels for I was hungry and ye gave me not to eat athirst and ye gave me not to drink c. And they shall answer When saw we thee so his answer being Inasmuch as you did it not to one of these little ones you did it not unto me They that are Shepherds ought to imitate their Master who when he saw any hungry he had compassion on them Hospitality is that an Elder ought to be given to 1 Tim. 3.2 Rom. 12.13 Such are to endure hardness as good souldiers as Paul exhorts Timothy to 2 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Tim. 4.5 Such must give attendance to reading that they may be able to divide the Word of truth aright to convince all gainsayers or at least to maintain Truth against them and this cannot be except a searching of the Scriptures which are able to make the man of God perfect and therefore Paul chargeth Timothy to give attendance to reading as 1 Tim. 4.13 And in the following verses he sheweth him the benefit of so doing for saith he in so doing thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee vers 16. Compare this with 2 Tim. 3.16 where he saith All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good works Take notice of this I pray you That this is the onely means and that which is very beneficial and so such that are Elders will come to be such workmen as need not to be ashamed otherwise there may be an erring Of all actions do not omit searching the Scriptures How shall men be able to appear before God that cause the blinde to go out of the way He shall be cursed and fall with them that fall Deut. 27.18 Cursed be he that maketh the blinde to wander out of the way And the people shall say Amen If God did pronounce all those cursed that did but direct any that were naturally blinde out of the way how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy of that shall lead any to the eternal destruction As our Lord said They shall both fall Mat. 15.14 where the Lord speaketh plainly of the spiritual blinde our Lord therein prophetically speaks of the downfal of those that slighted the commands of God and did observe the traditions of men and all was for want of searching the Scriptures or at least for want of giving heed unto them O then let all them that are the true servants of Christ and Elders of the Church of Christ be warned and moved to search the Scriptures and in searching the Scriptures they shall come to understand one duty more and that is how they that are Elders ought to be patterns and ensamples to their flocks that they may say Follow us Therefore my exhortation is once more as Paul to Timothy 1 Tim. 4.12 But be thou an example of the believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And so walking they will be meet instruments to take care of those that go astray but if of a corrupt conversation then not fit for so good a work to tell others of their faults when faulty which will but dishonour head and members and what just cause of stumbling will be given thereby Such must not allow of pride dissimulation covetousness pleasures noâ—â—onours in this present evil world In a word they musâ— noâ— do that themselâ—es that they reprove in others and if lamelesly they walk they will be able to restore those that wander and dâ—â—s one that hath a hundred sheep and one of them goetâ—â—â—tray he leaveth the ninety and nine in the wilderness and goeth after the one that went astray So must careful shepherds do when any sheep go astray in drunkenness in pride or any other sin and also they ought to know that he that restoreth the soul saveth the soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Jam. 5.19 20. Nevertheless he that goeth to deal with one that is in errour must be gentle meekly instructing them as will appear 2 Tim. 2.24 25 26. for the reason is
shewed That they might be like their Master who reviled not when reviled In patience ought they to follow their Master therein And Christ further saith He that humbleth himself shall be exalted Also Shepherds ought to be zealous their Master Christ was zealous and it was prophesied of him that the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up zealous in warning them Rev. 3.2 14 15. If people much more shepherds Ezek. 3.17 where it is said Son of man I have made thee a watchman over the house of Israel therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me And sheweth the danger in the following words I say unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life The same wicked man shall die in his iniquity but his blood I will require at thy hand And if thou warn him and he doth not turn from his wickedness nor wicked way he shall die in his iniquity but thou hast delivered thy soul O cry aloud and spare not saith God by his servant Isaiah chap. 58.1 and shew the people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins as if he should have said In so doing thou shalt deliver thy own soul And they ought to do without partiality Jam. 3.17 there it is said that the wisdom that is from above by one thing it will be known by is by being without partiality 1 Tim. 5.20 21. I charge thee before God and the elect angels that thou observe these things without perferring one before another doing nothing by partiality Chap. 6.17 18. where it is said Charge them that are rich that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjâ—◠〈…〉 they do good that they be rich in good works ready t◠〈…〉 willing to communicate laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life It was Timothy's duty an Elder therefore all Elders duty Oh that they were printed in the hearts of all Elders and in performing Oh what true peace Such that are Shepherds are not to hold false doctrines Rev. 2.14 15. I have a few things against thee because thou hast them that hold the doctrine of Balaam And in vers 15. such that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate saith God How men arise speaking perverse things It is the duty of Elders to use all care in suffering any to teach know they should their judgements and if they hold not the doctrine of Christ they should not be received 2 Joh. v. 10. Heb. 13.9 They should not be carried about with strange doctrines nor suffer their flocks Paul writing to Titus chap. 2.1 bid him speak the things that become sound doctrine Chap. 1.9 holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers Lastly they should work with their hands as much as in them lies Acts 20.34 Yea your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities and to them that were with me I have shewed them all things that in labouring you ought to support the weak and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus how he said It is more blessed to give then to receive O that Elders would stop the mouths of enemies in so doing and have no by-end in preaching All that love God in sincerity will not be burdensome to any and if they can get a livelihood by their own lawful endeavours they will say with the servants of God Having food and rayment let us therewith be contented It is the minde of the true Ministers of the Gospel so to enjoy earthly things as not to see their brethren want and not supply How many of the so called Ministers of the nation have so done Not of the minde have they been of the servants of God in old times that would not be chargeable How will such stand before God 2 Thess 3.8 9 10 11 12. And whoever walk by this Rule peace be unto them from God the Father in Jesus Christ Now that they that have begun in this work may prosper and not be weary great afflictions have attended the servants of God must be confessed as Paul saith 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6. O how did the servants and Ministers of Christ approve themselves not in word onely but in deed in bitter afflictions in perils and stripes and the like Heb. 11.36 37. If I should speak of others it would be too tedious None did suffer so as Paul and none did so encourage But for the encouragement of true shepherds their sufferings are not to be compared to the glory that shall be imposed on them 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Paul also encourageth Timothy chap. 4.8 A crown of righteousness not onely for him but for all that love his appearing Consider O shepherds what the Lord saith to you Heb. 10.35 36 37. Take encouragement from the last words Yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 12.2 3. Consider the practice of your Master and consider what is also said Phil. 2.8 9. Shepherd keep what is committed to you and in so doing you shall have great reward Psa 19.11 Be of Moses's minde Heb. 11.25 26. Chuse rather to suffer affliction with the Lords people then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Rev. 22.12 Do not look for reward here lest it should be said as it was to the Scribes and Pharisees doing what they did to be seen of men they had here their reward Matth. 6.2 There is enough in God look up all true Ministers to him If a great rich man on earth will not let the favor and kindness of his childe go unrewarded what will Jesus Christ do in whom dwells all bowels Be not idle but up and doing lest you be cut asunder A glorious crown a house not made with hands will be the portion of those that are faithful to the death Let not pleasures nor preferments either by sea or land draw away your hearts and cause you to leave the flocks of Christ so much the more because he hath counted you worthy to know his minde and to feed his flock Joh. 21.15 16. Consider also that Scripture 1 Pet. 5.4 which is spoken by way of encouragement Doing their duties being instruments in the hands of the eternal Spirit to convert they shall shine at the stars in heaven Dan. 12.3 Jam. 5.19 20. Mat. 13.43 Many more Arguments I hope I need not use there being others I judge in their brests and what hath been said calling upon God for a blessing will ever engage true shepherds to be true to their Master King Lord and Saviour and his people beloved of the Father Having spoke without partiality to the duty of Ministers
I shall now shew you the duty of people to their Elders as first 1 Cor. 9.7 and so on where it is said Who goeth a warfare at any time of his own charge who planteth a vineyard and eateth not the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock Say I these things as a man saith not the Law the same also For it is written in the law of Moses Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn Doth God take care for oxen or saith he it altogether for our sakes For our sakes no doubt this is written that he that ploweth should plow in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things If others be partakers of this power over you are not we rather nevertheless we have not used this power but suffer all things lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ. Do you not know that they that minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and they that wait at the altar are partakers with the altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel But I have not used these things saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 5.18 Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things You see it is the duty of those that are taught to support those that teach They are counted task-masters that will have work done and will not allow of wherewithal And all that do not do as hath been spoken to will neglect an Ordinance of God and be found blame-worthy God hath ordained that those that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel but how shall they live if they that are taught do not hand forth to them Is it not to binde heavie burdens and lay them on shoulders that they that lay them on will not touch with one of their fingers Is not this like Pharaoh's Egyptian bondage command to make bricks but allow not straw If any do groan under the burden thereof crying to the Lord deliverance will be sent but those will not have peace that do not supply Will not their gold and silver witness against them who will not spare of their substance notwithstanding their brethrens wants when there are those that spend their strength and what they get in the service of God O that these things might take impression upon the hearts of all those that profess they love God Although the Lord is angry with all idol-shepherds that regard themselves and not the flock yet he will have all those that teach his Word in truth and do onely aim at his honour and not at their own ease and profit to be honoured respected and obeyed so far as they speak and walk in truth according to the will and minde of God and it is not the Lords minde any should slight them and speak evil of them as some do for want of having their understandings opened Look and consider for the proof of the last 1 Thess 5.12 13. And we beseech you brethren to know them that labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake and be at peace among your selves 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine Heb. 13.7 17. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken to you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your seâ—ves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you O that all would lay these words to heart then they would be more careful of their words and actions then many times they are and would do that which they should do and that would be well-pleasing and it would tend to the honour of the great God and their everlasting peace joy and well-being There is one thing more you are to take heed of how you receive an information against those that are Elders although they as well as other men are subject to many infirmities and do that which is not warrantable in the sight of God yet Elders shall ha e many a false aspersion cast on them undeservingly to the end that they that do hearken to what truth they hold forth may be discouraged to go on in the practise of any Ordinances of God Consider the rule 1 Tim. 5.19 Against an elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses For those that are instrumental in bringing honour to God shall have many accusers as Joseph's Mistress accused him falsly and wrongfully Gen. 39.17 and Elijah one that was said to trouble Israel You shall finde how men made Laws on purpose to entangle the innocent as they did concerning Daniel chap. 6. to vers 18. O what need have all those that love God to manifest love to such that are so hated without cause by those that hate holiness seeing those that hate holiness and they that love righteousness are so few Besides all this they shall meet with many abuses amongst false brethren 1 Kin. 18.17 18. Paul also was said to be a teacher of sedition Abuses amongst false brethren as Paul and Jeremiah Without the great support of God those that are Gods Ministers would be discouraged and ready to faint considering the wickedness of some amongst them notwithstanding all that care and pains that is taken amongst them in reproving instructing admonishing and labouring to bring them out of the snare of the devil whereby they are taken by him at his will as some following pride covetousness drunkenness uncleanness and what not such that make a shew of godliness for which the souls of true Watchmen do mourn in secret and undergo heavie burdens and few lay it to heart but God will comfort them in good time when others ashamed shall be It is no new thing to be reproached Christ the great Master of talents was reproached for they said he was a friend of Publicanes and sinners a wine-bibber and called his followers deceivers Jer. 18.18 Let us smite him with the tongue and let us not give heed to any of his words But take notice how God dealt with such slighting Moses smiting one with a leprosie and causing the earth to open its mouth and swallow up those that did rebel against him Num. 16.32 33. Some may say Those were wicked men and God destroyed them for their rebellion against him and no for their rebellion against Moses Minde Numb 12. from vers 1. to 12. None should speak against those that with a single heart reprove men of sin nothing justly can be laid to their charge yet revile People ought not to rebuke an Elder but intreat him as a father 1 Tim. 5.1 Rebuke not an elder but intreat him as a father Others ought to be rebuked by him as vers 20. of the same Chapter 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Tim. 4.2 Tit. 1.13 Chap. 2 15. Prov. 9.8 No better rule to walk by then the Scriptures which are able to make the man of God wise to salvation Let all make it their chiefest work even their chiefest work to search the Scriptures as opportunity is that they may well understand this Treatise and they will be counted noble in so doing Acts 17.11 and in so doing you may be able to minde those that are Ministers of their failings when they fail and also to caution them Col. 4.17 And say to Archippus Take heed to the ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it So that you may see men are to be minded what their duties are especially those that are chosen and called to the Ministery such are men of failings as well as others to be minded lest they should dishonour God in leading them a wrong way and this may be laid to the peoples charge as well as to the Ministers This will teach you not to give to Ministers except they preach the minde of God in the Word of Truth Jam. 5.17 Be not discouraged when you see failings in those that are Ministers Those that are true Ministers of Jesus Christ will take it kindly to be shewed their failings A servant cannot do his work without wherewithal to strengthen him how can others The People coming short of their duty discourage the Ministers in the performing of theirs Wherefore doth the Lord intrust a people with the talents of good things but to be bountiful And if not improved God is so just that he taketh away that he hath given and giveth to them that will improve it in his strength to his glory Other duties are included and not plainly expressed As shepherds are to feed the flock and to watch over it then the flocks are to be at Assemblies appointed to be fed there and watched over and not to be sheep going or rather gone astray And this is not so considered as it ought to be Consider that Acts 2.41 42. Heb. 10.25 In these things let all both Elders and People look up to the Lord to be blest that they may so answer the righteous will of their God that he may take pleasure to dwell with them That it may be so shall be the earnest request of Your brother in Christ N. C. FINIS