be expected Thirdly The holy things of God are hereby profained childrens bread given to dogs Pearls cast before swine the uncircumcised admitted no difference put between the precious and the vild giving the Lord just cause to deprive us of his Ordinances and to say as sometime he did of his Israel What hath my beloved to do in my house Jeremiah 11.15 Fourthly It will abundantly grieve and burthen the godly party even as putrified and rotten members grieve the whole body and as its death for a dead carcasse to be joyned to a living man and as in the best framed Fabrick although much of the materials are very sound and good yet one rotten pillar or beam may bring all about our ears And as no man will put an old peece into a new garment so is it not only unsutable but very unsafe nay destructive to admit men ignorant and scandalous to fellowship with the Saints what fellowship can light have with darknesse or God with Belial And for this cause was it the hand of God lay so heavy upon the Corinthians many of them visited with sicknesses and death for their unworthy participating the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 14. Consider that Apostolical injunction is binding to all Governours in Churches in this case 1 Cor. 5.11 If any that is called a Brother be a fornicator or covetuous or an Idolater or a rayler or a drunkard or an Extortioner with such a one eat not The Apostle prohibits not eating common bread with such for then we must go out of the world but Sacramentall bread And therefore appointed this remedy vers 13. Put away therefore from among you that wicked person 12. Ob. Methinks if they would Catechise the young people it would do well but for ancient men that have received the Sacrament twenty or thirty years together or more that have born all Offices in both Church and Parish to be now called to account like boyes This cannot be endured A. It s very good indeed for young people to be well catechised in the grounds and principles of Religion and in the Doctrine of the Sacrament that may become capable of those holy mysteries and if in publick the ancient loose nothing by it yet it s too too common for old men to be very ignorant of Jesus Christ and therefore have need enough of Examination and yet respect had to their yeers also neither Parliament or Eldership intending such a particular Catechistical account of ancient men as of the younger sort it being to pedagogicall but if the soules of the anciont be as precious as the souls of the young and if the blood of the ancient as well as the younger people will be required at their hands that willingly receive them into Sacramental communion that by unworthy participating become guilty of the body and blood of Jesus Christ then I say it is of as great necessity for the old as well as young people to render a reason of their faith to the Church Had not I pray you Nichodemus need enough of catechising an ancient man a Ruler of the Jewes yet utterly ignorant of the doctrine of Regeneration and as ignorant are many of our great and ancient men both of Regeneration and also of the work of Reformation doctrine of the Sacrament yet no doubt but all the respect that may be will be had both to age and sex the work being intended by all intrusted in it to be caried on with all humilitie love and Christian tendernesse laying aside all sinister respects or ambitious ends according to the exhortation of the Apostle 1 Pet. 5.23 speaking there to the Elders exhorts them to feed the flock of God which is among them and of whom they have oversight not by constraint or for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as being lords over Gods heritage but to be ensamples to the stock And for that some have received the Sacrament twenty or thirty years together the longer the worse with many for we know by wofull experience how promiscuously the Ordinances of God have been even hand over head dispensed to the great dishonour of God the shame of such as had power in the Church and much to be feared and lamented to the losse of many a poor soul and indeed this being one of the grand corruptions to be cast out of the Church ought not to be pleaded for in the least Old customs have begot old corruptions 13. Ob. But must all men be examined Certainly some men are as able to examine the Eldership as the Elders them What need is there to examine such A. Would to God all men were so and their conversations as sutable With Moses I wish all the Lords people were Prophets yet men never so well qualified must be examined before admitted yea and by men peradventure some of them of meaner abilities then those Examined For 1. The Ordinance of Parliament although made upon long and serious debate for that purpose exempts none 2. If men be never so able or honest if not known the duty may not be omitted 3. If they be known to be such yet to avoid exception and to encourage others although lesse paines need be taken it s not needlesse to render an account of the reason of our faith but according to Apostolical injunction Certainly when the Apostle enjoynes all to this duty he means not only men of weak abilities but even the strongest Christian 4. Although men be never so able yet they must obey them that are set over them in the Lord and who are lawfully called to that function and who have received authority from God abilities must not make men shake off obedience 5. Such men as are able and Godly doe seldom or never scruple this their hearts being most averse that have least knowledge of God ignorance and scandal being the grand reason of mens standing out were not men in the dark they would not stumble 14. Ob. But must women also be examined is there any rule for that in Scripture A. There is as much rule for Examination of women before their first admittance as there is for their coming to the Sacrament there being no possitive precept for it although very undeniable consequences from the Word Certainly women were conversant with Jesus Christ as well as men and although not recorded in holy Writ yet doubtlesse did participate the body and blood of Jesus Christ Sacramentally as well as men And if they have immortal soules and must live by faith as well as men and have no other way to salvation but Jesus Christ as well as men and if the guilt of their blood may by unworthy rushing upon the Ordinance of God be charged upon the Eldership as well as upon themselves certainly as much care had need to be taken how they be admitted and what right they have to the sacred and divine miresteries Peradventure shame-fac'dnesse and modesty subject to that Sex may at first a little bee
as equivalent to them as those times of the Church and the condition thereof could admit for in cases of controversie of doubt of error or injury c. we finde the particular Church appealing to an Assembly of Apostles and Disciples from whom they received directions decrees and in whose determinations the particular Churches acquiesce as in that great dissention that arose in the Church at Antioch about circumcision Paul and Barnabas are sent up to Jerusalem by the Church to receive the direction and determination of the Apostles and Elders there Act. 15.1.2 Having had much debate and dispute of the matter send down their determination by messengers from amongst themselves together with Paul and Barnabas viz. Barsabas and Sylas who carry them both by word and writing the effect whereof is in 28 29. verses For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burthen then these necessary things that ye abstain from meats offered to Idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye shall do well Farewell After the receiving of this determination we read of no more contending about circumcision but all was quiet So that we see here was something of like nature to a Synodicall Assembly although the constitution of the Church and State at that time neither had need of nor could possibly set up either Nationall Provinciall or Classicall Assemblies 1. They had lesse need then now by reason the Churches were not so numerous 2. There Pastors and Elders being endowed with a more infallible spirit lesse need of Apostles 2. Not possible 1. For that the Church being in its infancy they had not a competent number of Apostles Elders c. to make many Assemblies 2. And more especially they lived not under Christian Majestrates there was then no Nationall Church they neither had countenance nor encouragement from the civil Majestracy there was neither Nation Province or City that generally professed Christ they had a particular Church here and there and these lyable ever and anon to be dissipated by persecution c. Now there can be no Nationall Provinciall or Classicall Assemblies where the Nation Province or considerable part of the Kingdom do not professe Christ Now if there bee much corruption where so great provision is made to reforme how much more where there is no place of appeal Therefore I shall affirm this to the whole world that there is no other Government in the Church for the substantials of it held forth in the word of God then Presbyterian for the circumstancialls the State of the times and constitutions of our Kingdom cannot expect to finde recorded in all things conduceable to the well being of a Church in regard of union and order I would to God we had more wisdom then to quarrell about circumstances certainly would we promote the substantialls of Reformation wherein both Presbyterian and Independent agree other things would be easily reconciled but while we thus contend about that punctillo of appeal the work of Reformation is most sinfully and shamefully neglected for as I said formerly Independent Government is Presbyterian except in point of appeal nay Episcopacy regulated viz. when their Lordly usurped power their Diocesan Dominion their temporall civil and secular Jurisdictions is taken off is also Presbyterian a Scripture Bishop is a Pastor or Presbyter or Elder only every Pastor is an Elder but every Elder not a Pastor Some rule some labour in the word and doctrine so that Bishop Pastor Teacher Presbyter Elder will admit of one and the same interpretation Therefore let us cease contending about words that tend rather to strife then edifying let us not tythe Mint and Annis c. while we neglect Judgement Mercy and Fidelity c. while we quarrell in circumstances in the neglect of the substance of Gods worship Like a foolish builder we are convering the house before the foundation be well laid lie a Star-gazing while the ship is ready to sink under us we quarrell about Rosemary and Bayes while Church and State run both to ruine and our neighbouring nation wallows in its blood stand combing and triming our beards while our house is on fire over our heads Truly thus and far more ridiculous is our condition the Lord help us to see it and doubtlesse it were just with God to give us over to pursue shadows and lying vanities in the neglect of our own mercy for that we are so weded to promote the Circumstances in the retard and overthrow of the substantialls of Gods worship and the power of Godlinesse c. The Third and Fourth particular Concerning the Lawfullnesse and usefulnesse of Examination by the Eldership as followeth 11. Ob. But they say now none must come to the Sacrament without Examination by the Eldership which some hold to be no better then a point of Popery however it s very needlesse and ridiculous for ancient men that have born all offices in the Parish and Church too lived long under the meanes often formerly admitted now to be Catichised like boyes neither doe I beleeve there is any rule for it in the Word the Apostles saith Let every man examine himselfe and so let him eat c. 1 Cor. 11.28 A. It s very true that none are now to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords supper but who ought to be examined and that upon good ground neither is there the least punctillo of Popery in it or is it either needlesse or ridiculous but a very necessary duty and grounded both upon Scripture and good reason as well for ancient as young people and seeing this is the grand stumbling-block I shall endeavour its removall especially and for that indeed without Examination there can be no true Reformation 1. For that it s objected as tending to Popery whosoever thinks so it s not for want of ignorance for it is not intended either by Parliament or Synod or any particular Congregationall Eldership to expect auricular confession but onely an account of a reason of mens Faith which men may do and yet have little share in Jesus Christ True if a man render a competent account of his knowledge in the mysteries of God if nothing of scandall appear in the life he cannot be kept back from Sacramentall visible communion although as before a stranger from union with Christ therefore is it there is a twofold Examination requisite 1. Examination of a mans own heart whether he have the sinceritie Godly zeal knowledge faith repentance love c. with such graces as indeed give a man right not onely to the Elements but to Jesus Christ without which he can have no comfort in participating 2. Examination by the Pastor and Elders whereby he is known fit for visible communion for although a man may give the Eldership a fair account yet may he be an hypocrite a childe of the devil the principall part without which all is
Judicature trust in the Church ought and are first examined as 1. Tim. 3. After the Apostle had laid down what manner of men they ought to be that are to bear office in the Church in the 10. v. saith and let these also be rov'd implying that all admitted to Church communion ought to be proved but first such as are to rule and govern these also must be proved And this the Parliament and Synod have made good provision for in that Ordinance for setling the government of the Church that none be admitted to that trust but first to be proved by the triers who must be found men of unblameable Conversations and sound in the Faith And indeed there is great need that men that are to rule in the Church should be both grave and godly for if a man cannot tell how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the Church of God 1. Tim. 3.5 5. No man can possesse outward things but he must declare his title and upon all occasions produce his evidences and do we think the things of God are to be passed hand over head to such as are no way able to plead their proprietie Thinke it requisite to deal securely for the body and be so loose and carelesse of our immortall souls 6. Consider who is it will suffer if men unworthy be admitted as of necessitie they will if not examined shall not such a one reap his own ruine Nay and those that ought to have debarred him Inevitably incur the guilt of his bloud therefore it is farre better and more agreeable to the word of God more tending to the edification of the Church for men found unfit a while to be suspended till by the preaching of the VVord Prayer Christian admonition c. they become capable to participate to Gods glory and their own comfort 7. There is not so great cause of offence if any to any man if they confider it is but once at first admittance its needlesse when men are once sufficiently known to the Church if it were to be done as often as the Sacrament were administred there were more cause of exception 8. Consider Authority upon long and serious debate hath found it a duty of especiall concernment much conducing to the Reformation of abuses in the Church having had sufficient consult with the Assembly of Divines concerning the Legallity and necessity thereof and have found it a duty of Divine right and therefore have injoyned all in Authoritie that they admit none but first examine their aptnesse both in point of knowledge and conversation and this Ordinance will not only debar the ignorant and scandalous but also men of unsound and rotten judgements who are as dangerous in the Church and far more then scandalous livers Now if we ought to submit to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake let us submit to this especially wherein the glory of God and our own eternall good is so much concernd And certainly those that most pleaded for Conformity for obedience to Authority in the Bishops dayes should not now spurn so much at the Ordinances of the Church yet so it is that those formerly that were our greatest Conformists are in this point chief non-conformists And such men who I am sure cast an evill eye upon the separation for making rents and divisions in the Church by their spurning against the Ordinances of the Church running hither and thither to promiscuous dispensations lusting after their old onyons become arch Seperatists which disorder doubtlesse as the work of Reformation goes on and the government of the Church setled will easily be prevented 9. Consider it s the honour of a Christian to make profession of his Faith although before persecutours and tyrants and in midst of sufferings and wilt thou be ashamed to render a reason of thy Faith to thy fellow brethren and friends 10. Nothing is required of any particular member that both Pastor and Elders have not cherefully undergone and that in a more serious and strict nature 11. The turning our backs upon the Lords Supper rather then to passe thorow this doore of examination argues great sleighting of that sacred Ordinance and herein we neglect our own mercy and bewray aboundance of folly certainly every man would charge him with folly that is heire to a good estate and will rather loose it then plead his interest or bring forth his evidences And have we not as great reason to conclude him both ignorant and unworthy to participate the Lord Christ that rather then show his right or plead his propriety will loose his part in him Therefore by all means take heed of contemning this weighty Ordinance wherein our spiritual life nutriment consists And the more thy heart is avers to submit the more certainly conclude the Ordinance is of Divine Institution for naturally our hearts are averse to God and goodnes 12. By coming in we shall declare our selves friends to Reformation Promoters of the Peace of the Church Enemies to those that would gladly increase our confusion who with Sanballat and Tobiah cast their daily scoffs and reproches upon the wayes people and Ordinances of God besides it is farre better for men found uncapable by examination to be a while suspended then if promiscuously admitted in a croud to be cast out by excommunication 13. Consider the great mischiess that attend the admitting of all sorts of men to the Table of the Lord. First Hereby occasion is given to the weaker to dispise and dislike the Ordinances of God and to contemne our Religion this being the very reason why many now of the separation have forsaken our Assemblies and do at this day power so much reproach and contempt upon us although they are to be justly condemned in so doing Wo be to them that give occasion of offence but withall wo be to them that take offence hereat The sinne of Elies sonnes 1. Sam. 2.17 was great in making the Lords people to abhor the offerings of the Lord yet this was also called the transgression of the people so that they both sinned even so promiscuous dispensation of divine Ordinances gives occasion of offence to many especially to God therefore sinfull but yet it s their sin that turn their backs upon the Ordinances for that ground Secondly It s a grand cause of the growth of sinne hereby prophane men are incouraged to go on in their impieties by being admitted into Church priviledges as well as the best men and not discountenanced by casting out that that makes Gods Vineyard fruitfull as a reverend able Divine not long since well shewed is the fencing of it and casting out the stones thereof Esay 5.2 But if the fence be so broken down that swine and all manner of beasts break in and if the stones be not cast out to wit men ignorant and scandalous its impossible for the Church to edifie or bring forth fruit pleasing to God nothing but wild and sower grapes can