Samaritan Woman in k Nam de abrogatione cessatione tam Iudaici quam Samaritani deinde de inductione veri siuceri cultus mulierculam instruxit Musc in loc John 4.22 23 24. doe not very much hold forth the truth hereof as also the scope of the Epistle to the Hebrewes in that the Apostle makes it a great part of his work to disswade the Jewes from their former Legall Ordinances and Services and to stirre them up to embrace the Ordinances of the Gospel shewing how the government of Christ in his Church under the Gospel is l The government of Christs Church under the Gospel in respect of externall Worship and Ordinances is said to be a better Testament in a threefold respect 1. In respect of their use because they present Christ to the soule more lively and clearly more feelingly and spiritually more fully and abundantly 2. In respect of their end because they are to end in heaven at the comming of Christ to glory whereas those of the Law had their period in the grave of Christ 3. In respect of themselves for this is a more perfect testimony the rites being fewer the questions and controversies are not so many as did arise concerning the Legall ceremonies Sedgw. Script A perfect Rule for Church government p. 14. a better Testament and Covenant then that of the Law And whether the visible Churches of Christ under the Gospel be not every way m As the Jewes had circumcision for them and their seed under the Law so now Beleevers in right constituted Churches have Baptisme for them and their seed As the Iewes had the Passover so Beleevert now have the Supper of the Lord. As the Iewes had Officers to lead them so Beleevers now have Pastors and Teachers c. As the Iewes had the ministery of the Law read and preached so Beleevers now have the ministery of the Gospel As the Iewes had a Temple and an Altar so now Beleevers have Iesus Christ and the Saints in fellowship which are living Temples And as the Iewes had sacrifices so now Beleevers have the spirituall sacrifices of Prayer and Praises which they offer to God by Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 as compleat in point of Ordinances as the Nationall Church of the Jewes was under the Law according to Coloss 2.10 6. Whether Jesus Christ the alone Head and King of this visible Church-state and Kingdome did not n Nova Ecclesia sonare debere ca quae Christus credenda servanda praecepit Discipulis Facessere igitur debent traditiones humanae neque misceri cum Evangelio Christi Idem in Matth. 28.20 Himselfe institute and ordain those Holy Ordinances of Worship for Beleevers to make use of in all Ages till his comming again Ephes 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 11. o Non dicit Ego enim vester Apostolus Apostolica vobis authoritate sic tradidi sed ego enim accopt à Domino quod tradidi vobis Ad eandem nobis respiciendum est hodie videndum que ne à uorma illius quolibet deelinemus Non sunt audiendi qui praetexunt Patres Concilia Magisterium spiritus potestatem Ecclesiae Catholicam confuetudinem c. omnia haec posterius sunt inducta Nobis regula veritatis esse dobet quae veniat à Christo per illius Apostolos transmissa Mâ—â—c in loc 23 24 25 26. 1 Cor. 12.28 Mat. 28.18 19 20. And whether these Ordinances of worship being Jure Divino it be in the p What is made a Law no authority can pull down but that which sets it up power of any publique or privat person on earth to eause an alteration or cessation of them 7. Whether Jesus Christ and his Apostles who I suppose without controversie lived more highly in God then any now doe or can did not in their first ordaining and gathering of this visible Church-state and Kingdome make use of Gospel-ordinances of worship q Our Lord Iesus himselfe did not only institute holy ordinances and duties of worship for his Churches to observe but was in the use of them himself He made use of Baptisme of the Lords Supper of publishing and preaching the Gospel of Prayer of singing Hymnes or Psalmes of private conserence of giving thankes before meat of praying amongst and for the wicked of society with the Disciples and that after his resurrection in their meeting together at times of worship c. And thus it was with the Apostles also as is evident to such as are but meanly acquainted with the Histories in the Scriptures themselves and intend that the Saints that followed them should do so also yea whether they did not by their own use and practise of these Gospel-ordinances of Worship leave to the Saints in succeeding ages a pretious r There are three sorts of workes which Christ wrought 1. Some Qua Deus i. as he was God as working of miracles pardoning of sinnes c. In these we cannot imitate him 2. Some Qua mediator Dei hominum i as he was mediator between God and Man and satisfying Gods justice for our sinnes and reconciling the world to God And in these neither can we imitate him 3. Some Qua homo privatus i. as he was a private person and these are all such duties as God required in his word to be performed And herein Christ hath given us an example to follow and imitate him Vide Zanch. in 1 John 2.6 Apostolos Domini habemus authores qui nec ipsi quicquam ex suo arbitrio quod inducerent eligerunt sed acceptam à Christo disciplinam fideliter Nationtbus adsignaverunt Tertul. de praescript advers Haeres c. 6. example and ground of encouragement to walk in the same way of practising and using joyntly or apart those ordinances of worship according to their conditions and relations private or publique 1 John 2.6 1 Cor 11.1 And whether the practise of the primitive Saints and Churches be not also a pattern and copie for beleevers now to write after Rom. 15.4 Å¿ Non vult ergo ut quosvis temerè imitemur sed qui sunt fimiles Apostotis Nequc etiam Apostolis simpliciter sed quatenus Christum imitantur Zanch. in loc Phil. 3.17 18 19. 4.9 8. Whether the things of Christs Church and Kingdome which we call Gospel-ordinances and divine Institutions of visible worship under the new Testament as the preaching of the Gospel administration of the Seales finging of Psalmes or Hymnes Prayer Conference c. bee not in their nature and use spirituall t The Church is called a spirituall House 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in 1 Pet. 2.5 The worship called spirituall Sacrifices 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.16 The worshipers called holy and Spirituall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 3.3 2 Pet. 2. â— So Christ the substance of the Ordinances is called spirituall meat and drinke 1 Cor. 12.3.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We may read the nature of many things in their offects All the Ordinances of worship bear this Inscription Holinesse to the LORD and are appointed to work holinesse in man Caryls duty and endeavour of the Saints p. 28. 1 Pet. 2.5 Col. 3.16 c. And whether there may not bee abundance of sweet delight and soule-satisfying comfort and content found if holy and spirituall hearts meet with them and are acted on Christ in the use of them 9. Whether those Divine and Spirituall Offices Officers and Ordinances instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ are not his u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rota Chariots using to run on wheeles Chariot in which he rides gloriously in his Church and Kingdome and by which through his Spirit he not onely subdues his enemies and conquers the hearts of Sinners to himselfe that his father hath given to him from all eternity but more and more workes over the hearts of the Saints themselves to a further degree of subjection to his Scepter Cant. w Ainsworth by this Chariot understands more especially the Church and Ministers of the Gospel holding forth the word of Truth and Christ in the midst of them sitting teaching governing and triumphing So Merc. in loc 3.9 10. Psal 45.4 Rev. 6.2 And I saw and behold a x By white Horse Paraens on the place understands the Church puritate doctrinae disciplinae nitidam and by him that sate on it Christ who is carried or born as it were in the Ordinances with great triumph according to Acts 9.15 white horse and hee that sate on him had a Bow and a Crown was given to him and hee went forth conquering and to conquer 10. Whether there be not many singular choyce y 1. Promises of salvation to worship in generall Rom. 10.12 13. 2. Promises in particular and so 1. to the duty of prayer 1. Of Preparation and assistance Psa 10.17 Rom. 8.26 2. Of Acceptation Esa 60.7 Ezek. 43 17. 1 Pet. 2.5 3. Of consolation Esa 56.7 4. Of answering and recompensing Psal 86.5 145.18 Ephes 6.8 Matth. 6.6 Jam. 5.15 16. Joh. 14.13 15.16 16.23 2. To preaching and hearing of theword and administring the Seales Matth. 28.20 Prov. 8.34 35. Esa 55.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 10.16 Esa 25.6 Psal 36.8 Cant. 2.3 4. 5. 1. Esa 12.3 3. To conference Mal. 3.16 17. 4 To sanctifying the Sabbath or Lords day Esa 58.13 14. Esa 56.2.5 6 7. Jer. 17.24 25. 5. To praising of God Psal 50 23. Psal 7.5 6. 6. To the Assemblies and Church-meetings of the Saints to worship God 1. Of Christs presence with it Mat. 18.20 2. Protection over it Mat. 16.18 Psal 84.11 Esa 33.20 21. Esa 4.5 3 Blessings of all sorts upon it Temporall spirituall eternall Psa 84.11 1 2.15.128.56.92.13 14. and 94.14.65.4 Promises made by Christ to beleevers whiles they abide and continue in the right pure use of those Ordinances and duties of Worship and many sad and direfull threatnings and comminations to those that neglect leave and forsake the use and practise of them Psalm 97.7 Ier. 10.25 Heb. 10.38 39. Luke 10 11 12. Heb. 12.25 11. Whether to cast off the use of Gospel-ordinances to pretend onely to live in God be not to make Christ and his Spirit to act contrary to their own Sacred Lawes Institutions and Injunctions of Worship given to beleevers in the Scriptures to follow and when or where it was or is to be found in all the Scriptures that Jesus Christ hath or doth so lead the Saints out of or take them * Vid. Quaest 39. off from the duties of his worship and bid them to cease calling upon the Name of the Lord seeing the Scriptures hold forth the contrary 1 Thess 5.17 Pray without ceasing 12. Whether a beleevers living in God or in the Spirit and bosome of the Father and using of Gospel-ordinances may not very well stand z The nearer we are to God the more in love we shall be with spirituall exercises and with all meanes to draw nigh to him as Bookes Sermons good company c. Dr Sibbs in his Saints Happinesse p. 65. together And whether the right use of those a Therefore the Lord converghes himselfe to the poore soule by an ordinance which is such a thing as consists of a spiritual and yet an external and sensible nature An Ordinance is the subject by which God communicateth himselfe and his goodnesse with a power of his Spirit to carry them to the soule as by preaching of the word to the care through the sound of a mortall voyce by prayer consisting outwardly of sentences and order by the Sacrament also standing of outward weak Elements The Lord carries to the soule by these most inward and spirituall things Rog. Treat de Sacram. p. 247. Ordinances which Christ hath commanded will not very much further and advance a persons living in the God of those Ordinances considering that through the presence of Christ with them and the blessing of Christ upon them the heart of a beleever is made the more spirituall and heavenly 13. Whether the Scriptures doe not joyn the greatest enjoyments of God with the greatest performance of duty towards God and the greatest faith with the greatest obedience and the greatest sense of love with the greatest care of service as Psal 119.32 2 Cor. 5.15 1 Thess 5.16 17 18 19 20. Luke 12.48 b The Apostles meaning is that we not onely try approve and practise those things which possibly may be pleasing to God in some low degree such things as set us a step beyond his displeasure but we must search and doe those things which give him highest content and carry us furthest into his favour Things which come up to the exactest Rule and beare truest proportion to the standards of Truth and Holinesse Car. present duty and endeavours of the Saints p. 9. Eph. 5.10 Luke 7.47 14. Whether to live in God and neglect the use of Ordinances be not a dividing between the end and the meanes Christ having sanctified Ordinances as pretious c Experience teacheth that the fellowship of the Word Prayer and the like is the life strength blood and marrow of communion Hence it is that they are called the Banners Ensignes Standards of Christ and the Ministers the hearers thereof For as Souldiers flock to the Standard and Ensigne so doe the Doves of Christ to these windowes c. Rog. pract Chat. p. â—01 helps and furtherances to the Saints in their fellowship with God and one another 1 Ioh. 1.3 4. Acts 20.32 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Pet. 2.2 And whether to divide between the end and the meanes which God hath decreed and Christ instituted bee not to make in this respect the will and minde of God and Jesus Christ voyd and of none effect 15. Whether those that are true beleevers should in the least refuse to own and to act
prophane Esau Id. ibid. despise prophesying cease praying and to forsake the Assemblies of the Saints that meet together to worship the King the Lord of Hosts 1 Thess 5 17 18 19 20. 37. Whether the Father hath not commanded us to honour the Sonne as we are to honour himselfe as in Iohn 5.22 23. And whether a person may be said truly to honour the Father that r Quia ut una est essentia sapientia potentia voluntas utriusque ita etiam honor idem est utriusque adeo ut qui alterum non honorat aut ignominia â—fficit is alterum non bonoret aut ignomiuia afficiat cum propter identitatem essentiae omnia ipsis sint communia adeo ut qui video filium videat patrem Ioh. 14.9 qui confitetur aut negat filium consiteatur aut neget non habe at patrem 1 Ioh. 2.23 Tarnov in loc neglects the honour of Christ the Sonne And whether the casting off those duties and ordinances of Worship Christ hath instituted and ordained yea commanded to be made use of as King of his Church be not rather a dishonouring then an honouring of him 38. Whether there be any such way for Beleevers ordinarily to promote the honour and glory of Jesus Christ and proclaime and beare out his Name before the world then this their holy and conscientious observing the duties of his Worship at all times and on all occasions especially in times of persecution And whether Jesus Christ hath not taken it well at the hands of his Churches when they have done so as Rev. 2.9 10 13. 39. Whether the Saints in the most purest Gospel times that are yet to come when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shal be brought in and the Iewes called shall not then make use of Ordinances and duties of Worship Å¿ In most or all these places of Scripture is mention made of visible worship officers and ordinances and they are understood by the most godliest Interpreters of the purity of those Gospel dayes and times which shall succeed the overthrow of Antichrist and the calling of the Iewes as could easily be shewed and doubtlesse some of those Texts if not all of them are yet to be fulfilled So that the purest Gospel times shall not null or make void the use of Divine Ordinances Ezek. 37.21 to the end of the chap. Jer. 3.15 16 17. Esay 2.2 3 Esa 66 18. to the end of the Chap. Mich. 41 2. Zeph. 3.9 10. to the end Zech. 8.11 22. Mal. 3.4 with many more And whether the overthrow of Antichrist and discovery and removing of all false Worship at this day in the world shall not be in order to the introducing and erecting or setting up the true worship of Christ in this Kingdome among the Saints 40. Whether at this present juncture of time when God is appearing in his glory and setting up his King the Lord Jesus Christ upon his holy Hill of Syon as he hath promised and purposed of old to doe Psal 2.6 there be any thing more obstructive if not destructive to the carrying on of this blessed work according as men may judge to outward appearance then for those that presend to so much of God in them openly to contest against the use of Divine Ordinances and Institutions of worship wherein a principall part of Christs Kingdome on earth confisteth And whether many of those that thus reject and despise the holy Institutions and Commands of Jesus Christ laid forth in the Scriptures for all beleevers to observe in the worshipping of God after they have known and profest the same be not like to prove the fittest instruments in the hands of Satan and Antichrist if the Lord of glory prevent not to trouble the peace of the Churches of Christ afresh after the raging waves of the late tribulations be a little more asswaged 41. Whether the Scriptures when they speake of the Saints drawing nigh to God be not meant of performing the duties of his worship and drawing nigh to him in Ordinances as in that of t Every Ordinance brings us neare to God Levit. 10. The originall is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in propinquis mels The Priests under the ceremoniall worship had the speciall honour of that Title to be called Gods nigh ones Numb 16.9 he caused them to come neere him in holy services Now all the Saints are a holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices 1 Pet. 2.5 Caryl Serm. in Iames 4. See abundance more to this purpose in that pretious Sermon If any desire further and fuller satisfaction in this particular let him diligently peruse that excellent Treatise of that late eminent and pretious servant of Christ Mr. Jer. Bur. called Gospel-worship Levit. 10.3 Psal 73. ult Iames 4.8 42. Whether those that now cast off Ordinances and contend against the use of them doe not goe against the judgement practice and profession of all the true Churches of Christ that ever were or are from the beginning of the world to this day and not only since but before the defection of Antichrist And whether those that did first lead the dance in this unhappy course of denying the use of Ordinances were not tainted and corrupted with the foulest Errors and greatest Apostasie from the Truth that may be denying the authority of the Scriptures denying the Trinity denying the Divinity of Christ of the Holy Ghost denying the Resurrection the Being of Sin or else making God the author of it c. in whose dreadfull steps many of late begin to tread that cast off the use of Gods worship and ordinances as lamentable experience witnesseth 43. Whether such as wilfully cast away the use of Ordinances and duties of worship and contend against them have not just cause to question the truth of their Spirituall estates and to doubt whether ever Jesus Christ were rightly formed in their hearts seeing the truth of the work depends ordinarily upon the same means to build and perfect it that first of all instrumentally begat it which is the publique ordinance of the Ministery of the Gospel as 1. of Pet. 2.2 compared with Iames 1.18 Acts 20.21 Acts 26.18 44. Whether departing from the ordinances of God be not one of those u These are times wherein a spirit of error is gone out into the world That prophesie of Christ seems in a great measure to be fulfilled in our dayes Matth. 24 c. Vide Car. Present Duty and Endeavour of the Saints p 36 37. deceivable wayes that false Prophets and false Christs shall make use of in these latter dayes of the world that are come upon us to deceive if it were possible the very elect as Christ himselfe hath forewarned and fore-told Matth. 24.24 And whether an elect person may not possibly be carried away with the error of the wicked against which the Apostle Peter exhorts 2 Pet 3.17 for some time Esay 29.24 And whether such may not come to see their error
this way of leaving Ordinances and casting off duties before they are out of this world especially on their Death-beds when they may bewaile it with teares of blood if it were possible so sad may their condition be as I heard a gracious woman in London once to speake of one of her Sex whom she knew well that was brought into such a dreadfull condition when she was on her Death-bed for her wilfull slighting and casting off Ordinances and Duties of Gods worship and pretending onely to Christs doing of all for her and she to do nothing but look to him x Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum that she was brought to the very gates of hell and desperation Those happy are that others harmes Against like evils strongly armes 45. Whether Apostasie and falling away of Professors from the holy wayes of Gods worship which once they profest and practised be not a grievous judgement in it selfe that God justly inflicts upon persons for their unthankfulnesse and for unfruitfulnesse under Gospel-dispensations and Administration receiving not the truth in the love of it 2 Thess 2.11 12. And whether this evill be not a cause of many other evils to the Kingdome provoking the Lord to lengthen out the miseries of this Nation 46. Whether Anarchy or the rejecting of all Civill government in a State be not eminently destructive to that State and Common-wealth where it once prevails And whether rejecting of Christs spirituall Government Ordinances and Lawes of worship be not to introduce a spirituall Anarchy into his Church-state and Kingdome which he hath in the world and is daily more and more advancing and consequently an endeavouring according to what lies in the power of creatures to subvert and overthrow the glorious Kingdome of Jesus Christ and to lay his honour in the dust And whether those that shall persist and persevere in such ondeavours deserve not to be branded for enemies to the glory and dignity of him whom the Eternall God hath exalted to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and to whom whosoever shall refuse to yeeld subjection be he Prince or Peasant shall be broken in peeces as a Potters vessell according as the mouth of the Lord hath spoken Psal 2.9 10 11 12. 47. Lastly to adde no more Whether the Kingdom of Glory hereafter to be enjoyed in Heaven be not the proper State in which God hath appointed the Saints to live immediatly in Himselfe without the use of Ordinances and not the Kingdome of Grace here on earth in which the Saints are imperfect and see the Lord for the most part through a glasse darkly knowing but in part and prophesying but in part till that which is perfect be come according to 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. and the Apostles owne judgement of himselfe Phil 3.13 14. And whether to hold the contrary be not to confound those two States of Grace and Glory which the Scriptures doe distinguish so that the casting off the use of Divine Institutions and Gospel-ordinances and Duties of Worship appointed for beleevers to walk in the practise of till the Lord Jesus Christs comming again must of necessity be lookt upon as having no bottome on the sacred Scriptures but a vision of mens own brains and deceitfull hearts directly contrary to the Faith once delivered to the Saints Epist Jude v. 3 4. and therefore of all those that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity justly to be condemned and exploded AN APPENDIX By way of Post-script To all those whom the former Considerations doe more especially concerne SIRS YOU have seen or may see what that Balm is which I have as a weak instrument in the hands of Christ the great Physitian of Souls endeavoured to powre forth in the former Considerations for the healing of your wounded soules And you have also seen or may see in my Epistle to the Reader what my grounds and ends have been in so doing so that I doubt not but you will look upon me as one that hath had nothing in my eye but the honour of Christ and welfare of your soules If the busines I have undertaken had not been of great importance and concernment I had not I assure you put pen to paper but when I saw the sad effects were like to attend this opinion and practice of yours by introducing a spirituall Anarchy and Confusion in the Kingdome of Christ and threatning Ruine to all the true and right constituted Churches in the world I could not but a Principiis obsta serò medicina paratur Cum mala per longa◠convaluere moras make haste according to the b Ephes 4.7 measure of the gift of Christ vouchsafed to me towards the preventing of them If I have spoken or written none other then the words of Truth and Sobernesse I shall desire you in the name of him who is Truth it selfe our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to subscribe thereunto If otherwise I trust by the same grace received I shall be ready to see it and acknowledge it whensoever it shall be made out unto me onely I shall desire that the same c Apud Ecclesiae Alumnos non ad humanas rationes cogitationes dirigendae sunt res divinae sed ad sensum voluntatem doctrinae spiritus oratio interpretatioque accommodanda Just Mart. Neque te quoque disserentem sustinuissemus nisi cuncta ad seripturas refcrres inde enim demonstrationes adducere studio tibi est id ibid. Dial. cum Triphon medium viz. the holy Scriptures of God contained in the old and new Testament which I have endeavoured to use in the former considerations may be used by such as shall attempt such a work But because I may save that labour in order to your further and greater satisfaction I have thought it requisite to doe something by way of answering those objections or removing those grounds upon which I suppose all of you or at least many of you doe build your practice of renouncing and casting off the use of Ordinances and religious Duties Now I suppose the grounds upon which you build the casting off the use of Ordinances may be reduced to these eight Heads 1. That a person may doe well enough and comfortably enjoy himselfe without the use of Ordinances as hearing the Word Prayer breaking of bread in a communion of Saints c. 2. That the successe of things doth not depend upon the performance of Duties and Ordinances but on Gods eternall purpose and decree 3. That God knowes our wants and stands not in need of any of our performances to move him to the helping and satisfying of us 4. That many have used Ordinances and performed Duties but to small purpose and those that doe use them are little the better 5. That Ordinances are but poore low Dispensations and not so consistent with a Beleevers living in God that is altogether above Ordinances and that God doth use to lead his people from Gospel-formes
all grace 1 Pet. 5. â—0 who hath called us into his glory by Christ Jesus who after yee have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you In whom I desire and trust for ever to be found Your and the Churches unfained Friend and Servant W. BARTLET March 1. 1648 Courteous Reader you are desired in respect of the Authors absence and great distance from the Presse to mend with your Pen or in love to passe by such faults as these which have escaped For the Title Balm for the Bruised read A Soveraigne Balsome for the wounded Pag. 2. marg d r. observandum P. 3. marg n r. in nova Ecclesia c. p. 4. marg s for Apostolis r. Apostolos p. 9. margh for Mr. r. Mistresse Avery p. 9. marg for Id. ibid. r. Musc in loc p. 9. l 17. r. inexpressible p. 33. mar for worship r. walking BALM for the BRVISED Quaerie I. LET it be considered in the feare of God whether the sacred Scriptures commonly called the Word of God consisting of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles in the old and new Testament that were holy men of God and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vulg red iuspirati vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed Graecum propriè sig acti impulsi Spiritus sanctus erat Scriba Prophetae erant ejus calami quibus Spir. S. scribenda dictabat Cypr. Ergo Script sac est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ac infallibile Dei verbum Gro. inspired infallibly by the Holy Ghost in the composing of them 2 Pet. 1.20 21. be not the onely visible Rule and b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken from Architects who in building Houses doe use a Rule or Square by which all the parts are carried ou with a due proportion so those that Christ imployeth to build his Church are to measure all matters of doctrine and worship by the Rule and Square of the Scriptures Canon so called Gal. 6.16 by which persons professing the knowledge of God and faith in Christ are to square and regulate themselves in all matters of Doctrine and Worship and whether the best and next way to come to the right knowledge of the minde of Christ in these things be not to c Nihil in Ecclesia sonare debet nisi eloquia Dei juxta 1 Pet. 4.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vid. Ger. in loc Omne quod loquimur debemus affirmare de sacris Scripturis Hier. in Psal 98. Necesse est nobis Scripturas sacras in testimonium vocare sensus enim nostri enarrationes sine iis non habent fidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Justin Martyr in Dial. cum Tryphone Sancta Scriptura sic fidei nosirae fundamenta proponit doctrinae nostrae regulam figit ut fides Christianorum iis solum revelationibus nitatur quae in Canonicis libris continentur Dar. de fratcrna Comm. inter Eccles Evang. p. 76. Sicut verbum Dei scriptum in practicis vitae Christianae unicae est rectitudinis norma sic idem verbume seu scriptura sacra unica est veritatis norma in Theoreticis fidei Christianae See Par. in Gal. 5. keep close to this sacred and unerring Rule and Canon of the Scriptures 1 Pet. 4.11 2 Pet. 1.19 2 Tim. 3.15.16 Esay 8.20 Prov. 6.23 30.5.6 2. Whether among many other pretious truths which the Scriptures hold forth unto us this be not a speciall one viz. That Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour who having purged away our sinnes and is sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on High Heb. 1.30 hath a spiritual Kingdom or Church-state d Observanum est quod Christus non dicit Regnum meum non est in hoc mundo sed non est de hoc mundo Et infra non dieit Regmon meum non est HIC sed non est HINC Nam Regnum sc Christi est hic in hoc mundo Coetus credentium c. vide Heming Aret. Musc in loc distinct from all the Kingdomes of the world Iohn 18.36 Iesus answered My kingdome is not of this world 'T is in this world but not of this world 3. Whether this Kingdome of Christ here on earth so distinct from the World is not usually distingnished into e Ecclesiae visibilis invisibilis distinctio fundatur in scripturis Pareus in c. 2. ad Rom The Church is visible or invisible A distinction not of Genus into severall species but of the subject into severall adjuncts For the same Church may be and is visible and invisible Sedg Script a perfect Rule for Church Government Irvifibilis autem nominatur non quod homines ad eam pertinentes non videantur qua homines sed quod non cernantur qua electi solus euim Deus novit qui sunt sui Wolleb Compend Theolog. vid. Tilen Syntag. de Eccles Ellis vind Cathol p. 4. c. 2. Visible and Invisible Mysticall and Ministeriall or Politicall considered as the object of Faith or of sight and sense consisting of all the elect dispersed through the whole world called by some the Universall Church or of particular Churches collected and gathered together of visible Beleevers in this or that place Towne Citie Countrey or Kingdome Ephes 3.15 Heb. 12.23 Mat. 22.14 Gal. 1.2 1 Cor. 16.19 2 Cor. 8.1 1 Thess 2.14 4. Whether the visible Kingdome of Christ consisting of such particular Churches and Congregations of Beleevers gathered together according to the order of the Gospel f Vid. My Model of the Primitive Congregationall wayes hath not a visible Government Order and Ordinances of visible Worship necessarily belonging and appertaining thereunto according to g Functiones quas enumerat omnes sunt Ecclesiasticae quibus tunc Apostolica authoritate sic distinctis Ministerium Ecclesiae constabat quae nunc etiam in Ecclesiis constitutis vigere debent Par. in loc ad Rom. c. 12. Rom. 12.6 7 8. 1 Cor. 5. 11 12 14. Chapters Ephes 4.11 12. Matth. 28.19 5. Whether this Government and externall ordinances of Worship appertaining to this visible Church state and Kingdome of Christ under the new Testament doe not by Gods order and appointment succeed and come in the roome of those Ordinances and Lawes of Worship which the Jewes did enjoy under the old Testament according to the prophesie of the Prophet Malachi chap. 1. verse 11. For from the rising of the Sun to c. my i By the Name of GOD is meant his worship as appears from verse 6. and verse 12. of the same chapter and so it 's often used in the Scriptures Vid. Bernard Thesaur Biblic and Flac. Illir cla Som. Name is great or shall be great among the Geniiles and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name and a pure offering for my Name is or shall be great among the Heathen And whether the words of Christ to the
as Psal 14.4 Job 27.10 b Est emm hoc mortalium animis insitum ut Deo offerendū c. Musc in Joh. the law of Nature teaching men to worship and serve that God whom they acknowledge as we see in the practice of the meere Heathens Rom. 1. and 2. chap. and the law of Grace teaching men to delight in that God and his worship whom they so draw nigh unto by faith in Jesus Christ Psal 119.97.103 1 John 5.3 Acts 2 46 47. And whether that place in c This is evident from the Apostles quoting this Text in Acts 4.25 26 27. against the Rulers Elders Scribes c that sate in counsell against them and made open opposition against Christ in them refusing to bow to his Scepter and Government held forth both in the Doctrine and practice of the Apostles And to this agree Expositors generally Psal 2.1 2 3. be not meant of those wicked men more especially that cast off all Divine Ordinances and Lawes of Christs Kingdome and Government under the Gospel 27. Whether the Face of Christ in which the Glory of God the Father doth shine forth d Non loquitur autem de corporea Christi facie sed de ea quae salutis nostrae dispensationem spectandam proponit Musc in loc 2 Cor. 4.6 be not to be understood of Gospel-ordinances and Institutions Christ himselfe personally being now sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 In which Face or Ministery and Ordinances of Christ the admirable and illustrious beauty of the eternall God his infinite wisdome power and love which is hid from the world doth so shine forth oftentimes through the Spirit of Christ to the hearts of the Saints that they seem to be out of the body and in heaven before they are in heaven and in glory on this side glory as it was with Paul 2 Cor. 12.1 2. And whether a Beleever be not bound to be in the use of these Gospel-ordinances and administrations where he may * Psal 27.4 behold this beauty and glory of the Lord it being the Lords own way he hath appointed to reveale himselfe by and not trust to other wayes of our own making for the sight of this glory having not a warrant for it in the Scriptures 28. Whether a Beleever in this life whiles he is cloathed with his earthly Tabernacle can see Spirituall things especially God Himselfe who is an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit so as to have fellowship and communion with him and to live in him otherwise then by an eye of faith in the e We cannot see Divine things othewise then in a glasse that sight of God which wee shall have immediatly in heaven without the Word and Sacraments is of a higher nature when we shall be perfect but while we live here we cannot see God but in Christ and we cannot see Christ but in the Word and Sacraments such is the imperfection of our fight Dr. Sibs Excel of the Gospel above the Law p. 280 281 286 287 c. glasse of Gospel-ordinances as the works of God and the word of God but especially Iesus Christ who is God incarnate God manifest in the flesh and this Jesus in the mystery of the Gospel and Seales according to 2 Cor. 3. ult And whether the Lord doth not as a great testimony of his love to us in Christ very much condescend and stoop to the weake and imperfect condition of his people while they are here below to make known the glory of his Wisdome Mercy Power and Love to their soules by his Spirit in the Ordinances 29. Whether the Commandements of Christ so much spoken of and mentioned in the Scriptures doe not extend to the obedience of the outward man as well as the inward and to the externals of worship as well as the internals of faith And whether a person can upon Iust grounds number himselfe among the friends of Christ that doth not make conscience of f Nota igitur verae amicitiae est observantia voluntatis amicivoluntas Christi est in illius praeceptis illis obedtre est voluntati Christi este conformem Amici Christi non sunt qui Christi praecepta susque deque facientes doctrinis mandatis hominum subjiciuntur Musc in loc keeping those commandements of Christ according to that of our Saviour Iohn 15.14 Yea whether any one can say upon just grounds that he loves or knowes Christ that doth not keep his commandements seeing the Scriptures speak directly against it and renders such for lyers that pretend to know Christ and love him but yet keep not his commandements g Necessario igitur consequi quicunque jactant sidem sen studium pietatis et interim studium servandae legis Dei negligunt eos impudentissimc mentiri Zanch in loc 1 Iohn 3 4. Iohn 14 15. 30. Whether the end of Christs comming into the world were not rather to fulfill and confirme then to disanull and make void the law of God ingraven in our hearts and revealed in the Scriptures whereby he calls for the obedience of the whole man inward and outward in the service of Christ And whether such as break the least of these lawes and shall teach others to doe so likewise doe not bring themselves under that penalty of Matth. 5.15 to be counted h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e minimi fiet imò nihili fiet vult enim dicere illos exclusum iri è regno coelorum Piscat in loc least in the Kingdome of heaven that is to have no part nor portion in the Church of Christ here on earth or the Kingdome of glory hereafter 31. Whether those that enter on the actions and workes of their particular callings or upon the use of the creature especially at the accustomed times of refreshing Nature as at Dinner Supper c. without seeking to God by prayer for praises through faith in Christ can expect a blessing upon them or a sanctified and comfortable use of them And whether they doe not transgresse the revealed will of God expresly manisested herein and discover a loose i Let us never come to the table without calling upon Gods name let us never rise from the table without giving thāks for it is certain that all they that eat so and doe not pray to God are for the most part worse then bruit beasts Calv Serm. in 1 Tim. 4.3 4. brutish and prophane frame of Spirit herein Phil. 4.6 Be carefull for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving let your requests bee made knowne to God So 1 Thess 5.17 Pray without ceasing and the 18. verse In every thing give thankes for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you So 1 Tim. 4.3 4.5 speaking of meats that seducing Teachers should in the latter times endeavour in a k As on Fridayes in Lent in Embring dayes and fasting dayes c. Calv. Id
of God never dictates any thing but what is agreeable unto may be resolved into the Scriptures or t written word of God but the other not e.g. When a man is perswaded that Christ is not God as well as Man that there is no resurrection of the body nor reward nor punishment after this life that sin and grace are both equally of God c. with a thousand such like abominations how shall a person discern that the perswasions he hath of these things are not from the Spirit of God but from Satan and his owne wicked heart but this because they are directly against what is revealed to us in the Scriptures l the Spirit of God never per swading any to such things as he hath himself spoken against in the Word written 5. Moreover to what purpose did the holy Ghost make use of those holy men of God as the Prophets and Apostles are stiled to be his Amanuenses or Scribes to write down and commit to paper what the minde of the eternall God was which he would have made known to the children of men concerning their faith and obedience if the Scriptures are of no more use to beleevers Doubtlesse the workes of God are not in vain he made the two great lights in Heaven the Sunne and Moon the one to rule the Day and the other the Night now would it not be a weake if nota wicked thing for any to say what need we any more the use of the Sunne or Moone is not God himselfe sufficient so here is it not as weake if not as wicked a thing to soy What need is there of the Scriptures when wee have the Spirit himselfe to teach us Besides doth not the Apostle affirme in the first to Timothy that the Scriptures are exceeding usefull and profitable for Doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good workes 2 Tim. 3.16 17. And then to the Romans That whatsoever is written is written for our instruction that we through patience and comfore of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 And doth not Christ himself say that one chiefe cause why men erre from the truth is because they are ignorant of the Scriptures Matth. 22.29 And doth he not also requite men to search the Scriptures upon this ground because they testifie of him Mark that well They testifie not simply the Spirit but the Scriptures also they beare witnesse to Christs being the true and onely Messiah that should come into the world with many other pretious ends and uses to which the sacred Scriptures are usefull and profitable as were easie to produce if need were 7. But lastly to say no more how doth this open a doore to all manner of abominations both in opinion and practice for if every man must be left to the private teachings of the Spirit and have no recourse at all any longer to the sacred Canon of the Scriptures what abominations will men and women stick to admit of and beare off all with this The Spirit leads me hereunto I am taught by the Spirit and perswaded by the Spirit so that if a man should be stirred up to lay violent hands upon his neighbour as I have heard a drunkard once did on one that was of this opinion and basted him to some tune and being demanded by the party why he did so he answered him in his own language hee could not help it the Spirit moved him thereunto and take away his purse or his life from him or a vile wretch should attempt the deflouring of a virgin or committing of any other abomination and put all off with this that the Spirit dictates such things to him he is under no law but that of the Spirit would not this be dreadfull both to God and Man and so for any damnable errors in judgement that the Scriptures condemne to the pit of hell and warn us to take heed of as we defire to escape damnation doth not this opinion make way to the entertaining of them when people shall be perswaded there is no use of the Scriptures to bee as a Rule to them to walk by but they are to trust onely to the inward dictates of the Spirit Besides if this should be allowed of that the Scriptures are of no luse but we must trust to the Spirit in all what certainty then can there be in any point of Religion and faith for every one will beleeve as the Spint dictates to him and as many men so there will be almost as many mindes Nay further what bottome will men and women have to build the foundnesse of their opinions upon and that it 's not their meere fancie if they cast away the Scriptures seeing what they conceive to day to be the right to morrow they may be perswaded to be otherwise if they trust to what is spoken and dictated secretly to them and where will your soules end and fix a period in matters of opinion when they once begin to take this course of casting off the Scriptures Doubtlesse they cannot tell themselves there being a fathomlesse depth in the pit of error out of which poore creatures can never extricate themselves being once shut up in it Blessed are those soules that are so taught of God in the Ministery of his Word and Spirit as to feare comming nigh the brink of that pit THus Sirs I have dispatcht the Answers to the forementioned grounds what remaineth in the close of all leaving the successe and issue of all to the Lord Jesus but that I adde one word to perswade you in the bowels of Christ to consider from whence you are fallen and repent and doe your first workes Rev. 2.4 before the Lord Jesus be revealed from heaven against you I cannot but apprehend your condition as very sad not only in respect of your sin but of your sorrow that is like to overtake you For as sure as the Lord liveth all those that refuse to kisse the Sonne and will not have him to rule over them but doe what in them lies to break his * By bonds and cords is meant the discipline and government of Christ in his Church kingdome as the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signify Psal 2.3 Now the lawes and ordinances of Christ or his discipliue and government are called bonds cords not that they are so in themselves but because the wicked so judge of them looking upon them as so many fetters manacles that keep them from the enjoyment of their lusts and carnall liberty which is the main cause of their enmitie against them and rejecting of them bonds and cast his cords from them shall perish in the way of their rebellion Psal 2.12 and be brought forth and slain before him Luke 19.27 You cannot be ignorant how jealous the eternall God is of the honour of his Christ and that he is