all doubtless to provoke to duty and that we might have a childs part in the present mercy to escape the present severity to avoid the future misery and to preserve and conduct us to the haven of Eternity The Lords princely favours and acts of indempuity and compassion have been marvelously commended to us in his great patience long-suffering and forbearance of us yet preserving our priviledges enlarging our liberties augmenting our graces and that while others have fallen by calamities Nay have not many cause the whole term of their lives to remember how eminently they have been preserved from the sword pestilence and as brands pulled out of the fire It becomes us as obedient Children and concerns us as loyall Subjects to give ear and humbly submit to the Lords voice whether by mercies or threatnings warning or corrections Christian Reader we are admonished by this dispensation to hear the rod of correction Amos 3.6 and to consider who appoints it Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it 't is more than prophesied for many have already both known and felt what it is for a jealous God to come down out of his place and to shew his angry face in his hot displeasure For proof let the Citizens especially remember who live in the Metropolitan City whom I might call to witness if need did require to tell their experience of Gods late Method in the pestilence and fire and if we needed any further testimony to ask the Sea-men concerning the sword devouring in the Sea It doth therefore properly and more than ordinarily concern every Christian to be strict in attention and speedy in observation and study to learn what the Lord speaks to us in this present dispensation before the Lord pour out the remainder of his wrath upon the children of men For among whom is there such a reformation that might give us just ground to believe the righteous God will stay his hand of destroying only he is long-suffering surely to see what use will be made of the last Visitation Let us therefore study the point and state the question what sutable sacrifice we should prepare for and present to the God of Heaven that might be as fruit in its season from us and acceptably received and resented by him for certainly our trespasses are aggravated by not improving our mercies we have enjoyed Doubtless the abuse of mercies is the door that lets in all our miseries There is therefore nothing more incumbent upon us than thankfully to improve our blessings and remove far from us that which procures Gods displeasures and to prize our unexpected and undeserved favours and freedomes and sensibly to acknowledge our precious immunities and benefits in the use of them that we may never know their price and loss in the want of them for sins commited against benefits received and that in the midst of calamities which for season and circumstance are no less than miracles and wonders which being not prized thankfully we may expect severity to take place in the room of mercy For truly such have been the eminent appearances of God the nature number and measure of our priviledges who hath by his most admirable and remarkable acts of power and his more invisible and secret way of providence defended and secured his poor heritage not only when the multitude have stood for us but since they have turned their force against us So that he that turned aside as Moses may see a great sight to be admired to see as it were the Bush to burn and yet not consumed ingratitude for such experiences without doubt will return in great severities Let us therefore consult our knowledge and recollect our memories cast up accounts render unto the Lord his due in returning praises and chearfully acknowledge our debts and speedily pay our vows that we may be counted worthy to be the Lords Tenants that we may still hold our benefits and possess our priviledges For if in these things Christians are found in neglects and security they may expect to find the Lord in wrath and fury For the Lord hath made our famous City the beauty and glory of our Nation to be as a Beacon to alarm the Countrey and to give them warning He might have made us presidents of warning to others but 't is our priviledge to make others examples of warning to us Let not us he like some who cry out of certain persons sad accidents and complain of bad times and yet put the cause of all these things from themselves not pondering nor reflecting upon the matter that 't is our deserts we deserve no better There is no sort or sect of men the righteous God hath spared in this sad Visitation then which is the people that are to be exempted in the reformation Now that our mercy may not be turned into miseries and our chastisements into judgements Reader let it be the next question what the Lord requires in duty to be done the resolution may be taken out of that short Breviate of Micah the Prophet Mic. 6.9 the summe of which duty consists in justice mercy and humility for this is to bear the rod to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with God For indeed this is the work of our day and these are the weightier matters of Gods Law and as Ecclesiasticall Government and true discipline is a prime part of Religion so 't is a proper work to purge Christs Congregation and because our holy God hath a quick and strict eye upon his own people and his jealousie is hottest about the Altar Ark and Sanctuary witness the severity of his justice upon Nadah and Abihu Lev. 10.2 Corah Uzzah and Ely Also remember the state of the Church of the Corinthians which may be a Mapp and glass for Christians in these late times Numb 16.32 wherein we may discover our misdemeanours the nature of our calamities and a method for our remedies who suffered because the Church was not purged and because they presumed to be Communicants at the Lords Table and did not discern the Lords Body but came unworthily and kept their Communions irreverently and disorderly insomuch for this cause the Lord in flicts upon them weakness sickness 1 Cor. 11.30 and mortality So that it first and most concerns the Church of God to set afoot this materiall duty even the exercise of justice mercy and humility and impartially to judge our selves that we may not be judged of the Lord nor condemned with the world but hasten to put judgement into execution to cleanse our Camps purge our Tabernacles and Churches both from our own and other mens sins both Nationall Congregationall Family and Personall crimes for true Government hath this commendation by its execution it orders purges and establishes Christs Congregation Thus runs the duty of a Christian fervently to serve the Lord applying themselves to the time and occasion And further Christian Reader
and Doctrine waiting with patience the restoring offenders Not to keep company but refuse to associate with such persons which are Excommunicate alwayes observing the Tempers of Persons the nature of Offences and seasonable times some save with fear and some with compassion some with softnesse and others with sharpnesse let all be done in Justice and Charity without demurs delays or partiality let all be done freely and in order without exercising Lordship or having respect to Lucre but to adde to their performance of duty themselves patterns of Order Humility and Piety Thus I have shewed in part what that Ancient Spiritual Apostolical Government is which being rightly ordered and truely executed will answer to my first Intent and amount to the aforesard Account even to hold forth Christ's Glory the Gospel's Honour and the Churches Ornament 3. The Reasons for and necessity of Church Governors and Governments 1. BEcause Christ's Congregation is a Spiritual Common-wealth and holy Nation where Spiritual Traffique is free Ephes 2.12 1 Pet. 2.9 where Gifts Graces and Priviledges are common It consists of Spiritual Fathers Children Young men and strong men and hath many Cities much Treasures and many Enemies Now Order and Government is the strength of a Nation and as walls to a City to preserve heavenly Treasure from the Spiritual Enemy all which bespeak the need the Church hath of Officers and Governors for indeed what is a Church Family or Nation without Government but disorder and confusion If the glorious Sun should retire his light and stay his course and the Moon and Stars forbear their shining in the way of their Circuit and place which the Lord hath appointed Rulers over day and night Times and Seasons Light and Darknesse would fall together then all would be in a disorderly confused mixture So in truth take away Governours and Government from the Church of Christ and ye take away the Prop and Pillar of this Spiritual Structure and lay aside it 's Instrumental Defence and Security and so lay it open to be taken and carried Captive by the Spiritual Adversary In all which appears the Reason and Necessity 2. The Church of Christ is an Ecclesiastical Court or Spiritual Chancery where all proceedings are to be Consonant to the prime Rules of Justice Psal 65.4 Psal 84.2 and 10. and pure Principles of Equity and Charity where all offences and injuries committed and all Offices and Duties neglected are to be examined and determined according to that ancient Law Of doing as man would be done by Now how can Matters in a Court be Regulated and Executed without Orders and Officers Therefore our Soveraign Lord hath Commissionated his Ministers to be as Judgers and Stewards impowered by him to Act for him in his stead and absence to hold forth the Majesty of his Presence by Personating him Representing his Authority and holding forth his Glory in respect of Dignity Mercy Purity and Severity precisely to look to his Rights and Priviledges Dues and Duties and to inflict due punishments upon all Offenders and against all Offences To have an eye to his Spiritual Rolls and Holy Writings and in the exercise of Government to produce Commissions from the Lord and give some charge according as Gods Spirit hath given charge in the Word and so all things to be done justly without partiality 3. Christ's Church is a Church Militant and must manage a Warfare with the Prince of this World the Old Serpent who is the most grand Politician 1 Tim. 1.18 Ephes 6.11 13. and cruell Enemy whose design is chiefly against the Spiritual Generation and Holy City who joyns in league with the World the lusts of the flesh and all wicked Instruments is furnished with fiery darts strong snares subtill wiles and secret policy to invade the borders and betray the souls of such as professe Christianity indeavouring to divide them from the Armour and Weapons of the Word and to disarm them of their defence by the spiritual sword sometimes in fury storming the Castle of our bodies to rob us of the Treasure of our souls even to steal away our spiritual Evidence to deprive us of our everlasting Inheritance Is not here Reason enough to shew the necessity of being provided with all Spirituall Artillery and to exercise all Christian policy to put our selves into best Postures and holy Orders furnished with all Officers and the exactest Discipline and Formality with courage and constancy to maintain the cause of Religion and Piety with diligence and sobriety and with great watchfulnesse and fidelity 4. The Church of God is fitly compared to a Vineyard which is to be separated from other ground Mat. 20.1 1 Cor. 9.7 which is to be choisely Planted timely Watered duly Pruned and well Fenced Now Christ's Ministers are Planters Waterers and Pruners and Government is as the Fence to the Churches It 's good to see the Vine when it flourishes but let it alone and in a short time it will ruine it self by superfluous Branches Even so for want of Spiritual Vine-dressers Decays and Ruines suddenly befall flourishing Churches The Lord hath therefore appointed Labourers in his Vineyard to dresse it and secure it This similitude teacheth us that things will soon be at a loss in Christ's Vineyard unless there be some Governour to over-see it order and preserve it which shewes the Reason for it and Necessity of it 5. The People of God are compared to a Flock of Sheep and Lambs and wicked men to Foxes and devouring Wolves Now Christians are too much like sheep Acts 20.28 29. Joh. 21.15.16 in respect of careless feeding and without fear of devouring sheep will feed in such unwholsome Pastures without guides that instead of feeding they infect themselves to the loss of their lives besides where there is no Shepheard to lead and defend them then comes the Wolves and Foxes and scatters and worries them We may say by sad experience we have known the same among Christians all which Conditions and Expressions manifest clearly there is a Necessity of Pastors and Shepherds in Christ's Congregation to watch over them feed them govern them and defend them from all such destructive Creatures as seek to devour them 6. Because the Saints are fitly compared to Merchant-men and the Voyage of Christianity to a Ship passing through the Sea Mat. 13.45 their Traffick and Merchandice is the Treasures of Knowledge Gifts and Graces 1 Tim. 1.19 Isa 51.20 Themselves are like Merchant-Venturers the Wicked like the troubled-Sea the Saints hope an Anchor the broken in Faith to Shipwrack Now how should the Ships be guided in the Seas without Pilats and Governors because of the force of Storms and Tempest the violence of the Waves and roughnesse of the Waters and the great difficulty of getting to Harbours Now a good Minister and Governour is like a skilfull Pilot that takes the shortest and safest Course who foresees Dangers and so orders his Affairs that Rocks may
he was never their Father and so untaught in his word and Oracles that they are no whit like his Disciples and Scholars neither respecting Principles nor Orders and some are already departed being never well grounded nor really and truly converted 3. By Direction By a due and seasonable instructing and directing such as are admitted into Membership 2 Tim. 4.2 to acquaint and educate them in the knowledge of God and the Affairs of the Gospel to learn them to know the Principles of Order true Forms of Government which are to be exercis'd under the New Testament to keep close to the direct Rules of Discipline and right orders of Governing and to beget in them a Respect and Honour to the Truth with all it's Oracles and it 's due Circumstances and to second and seal this with a holy and well ordered and a right governed Conversation admonishing them to observe the true Methods of proceedings towards all differing dissenting weak faln and offending Brerhren Mat. 18.15 To admonish the offending Brother timely before sin hath hardened him Secondly If it be a private Offence to tell him of it privately between thee and him alone which is the ready way to gain him Thirdly To do it in Charity wherein a man most resembles the God of Piety Fourthly the end must be to restore the sinner but to destroy his iniquity alwayes remembring them to perform duty that relates to each other with Compassion and Piety as children of the Father of Mercy Even consonant to their Heavenly Parentage Spiritual Pedegree of the Select number chosen Generation Royall Priest hood peculiar People holy Nation like men of the new Creation such as are redeem'd from a vain Conversation being as dead men to sin buried with Christ in Baptisme risen with him to Newness of life so to exercise a spiritual Dominion and give no place or subjection unto Sathan but to endeavor to raign over the body of flesh and sin But alas how oft is this general and known Rule abused and broken wanting Charity to the person offending or Fidelity to the Rule directing The truth is much of the Churches grief and care breaks in among them at this door but let Christs Ministers lead and guide the Members into Rules of Piety and Orders of Decency and to second their Exhortation by going before them as a pattern and by good Counsel and by good Example to establish the Believers in Doctrine Discipline and other Gospell orders 4. By impartial Admonition and due Correction for as the Scripture saith in another case in a Church-sence we may say in this that Christ's Rulers bear not the spiritual sword in vain but to turn the edge of the Word against all vice iniquity 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 5.12 and to be a defence to all acts of Vertue and Piety waiting all approaches watching all designs of Sathan and all motions and appearances of the flesh For many times the greatest disturbances are brought about by the least beginnings for 't is Sathans policy to carry on his designs by entring them in by the smallest appearances Gal. 5.20 Beware therefore of the works of the Flesh as Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies and the like which war against the Soul which actings cause breaches and disorders unto which Officers and Over-seers are to have a fore-sight of preventing and a ready hand of suppressing such things as disturb the peace of the Churches and break orders without regard to Causes or respect to Person by a diligent and severe hand against all Tale-bearers Evill surmisers Back-biters Rule-breakers Devision-makers secret Censurers and private Judges of others who in their Court of Confusion condemn their Brethren and cast them upon their Reputation These and such like are all Disquieters of Churches Wounders and Underminers of Governments and for the better discovering and removing all-such disturbances let all diligence be exercised all Circumstances of Reprehension and Correction be truly observed and all such offenders timely restrained and duly punished 5. By Countenancing and Protecting good orders and giving incouragement to orderly Walkers Psal 15.4 To look with a sowre face upon evill doers and a severe countenance against Evill workers but to honour the Pious and to praise the truly Religious to cherish them in their Duties and incourage them in Gods services Now Gospel-order is not only Beautiful and Honourable but acceptable to God and profitable to men for the Lord himself is Author of it and his Peoples experience prove the great benefit by it Let the Lords Overseers approve themselves prevalent instruments to effect and keep 1 Cor. 14. good Government by good Exhortation and Provocation study to maintain good order For the Lord strictly charges precisely enjoyns Order in all his Services and Sacrifices Typical and Ceremonial more especially then in the Worship and Service of the Gospel where Duties are more rarely blessed and Defaults more sorely punished Let Rulers know their places and do their Offices even cherish good people promote good Causes to assist good Consciences and to endeavour to preserve Christiansin their Liberties and Priviledges suitng and sorting their Counsels and Instructions observing and taking advantages of seasons and the Peoples conditions improving all abilities and the best faculties to defend them from deceivers giving timely admonition to Church-disturbers Succour the Tempted incourage the Faint-hearted to take off yoaks and remove oppressions that may lye upon mens consciences watching diligently over them carefully to govern them gently leading such as be with young to keep them from decaying to support them from fainting to restore them from erring and like good Shepherds to feed and rule them to defend and secure them from all those Poxes and Wolves that seek to scatter them and endeavour to destroy them 6. By sincere and fervent Supplication and Prayer because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer a duty never out of date 1 Tim. 4.5 Phi. 4.6 1 Thes 5.17 but in season and more especially upon such weighty Concernments and eminent occasions as the elections of Officers the admission of Members and in the great duties of Direction Correction Protection and Exclusion To acknowledge Gods grace to be the efficient Cause in all such Matters and to beg his Blessing upon all endeavours without which all labour is nothing pray to be directed aright to use the means and then pray that the means may be sanctified may be successeful and effectual praying and waiting upon the great Counsellor the prime Director and God of Order that he would be graciously pleased to give Governing Principles to right gathered Churches and he would please so far to own and honour them as to bestow upon them the precious gifts of Discerning Discretion and Moderation towards all Persons upon all occasions and in all conditions and more particular for the Spirit of Judgement and the spirit of
Government to order establish and govern the Lords own People and Congregation and to be found in the Faithfull discharge of their great duty of exercising Justice Mercy and Humility and to adorn the Churches with Just and Righteous Proceedings That the Lords Name may be honoured the Church rightly governed the Truth renowned that the fame of true Order may be more Proclaimed and further spread that Strangers to it may be invited Well-wishers may be engaged Enemies may be prevented and the Lords Faithfull Servants may ever be encouraged and resolved 7. By Exclusion according to the Rule of Purging putting out cutting off or Excommunication Not always bearing for bearing such as are common and impenitent Trespassers 1 Cor. 5.13 Gal. 5.12 after prayers made and other Christian means Religiously and indifferently used and improved and a considerable time and space hath been waited and delayed and yet all Counsells and Reproofs are refused and rejected Then to proceed gradually according to the Rule in that case provided and to see that Discipline be rightly performed and Justice duly executed without knowing of Faces or regarding Causes For sin is infectious and a disease very dangerous and contagious If humane Wisedome teacheth us to separate our selves from infected bodies places and garments for the safety of the outward man much more doth spiritual discretion admonish us and bespeak us to separate our selves from spirituall corruptions and to exclude from us corrupted professors defiled polluted impenitent Persons which so nearly relate to Soul matters and so muchrespects Immortal things For a little Leaven Jos 7.11 leaveneth the whole lump The whole Camp of Israel stand charged for one Achan and the Church of Corinth for one Incestuous person Cor. 5.2 Though Justice be shoulder-work and a hard duty yet 't is better cut off a member then destroy the body Let all such proceeding be attended with the face of Authority the garments of Humility and with arms of Mercy with Patience and Compassion designing to save the sinner by endeavouring to destroy his transgression So let the Church purge themselves of their own and other mens sins by calling offendors into question and putting Christ's laws into execution Thus I have tendred my judgement in order to obtain Right Government Concerning Christians as they stand related to civil Magistrates NOw no man can be a good Governour unlesse he first knows the place and service of an Inferiour 'T is therefore needfull for us to know our standing and relation and what 's required of us in respect of subjection as we are men and members of a Nation and to be truly informed how we become concerned in duty as we are placed in a politick body We are taught by the holy Scriptures to know that there is no power but of God Rom. 13.12.3 4 5. and whosoever resists the power resists the Ordinance of God From thence we are instructed what the Magistrates Office is even to punish evill doers and to be a praise to them that do well So also by the authority of the same Scriptures and holy writings we are commanded and injoyned to be subject to civill powers in civill things and that under the penalty of condign punishments not only for wrath but for conscience sake and we ought to obey not for fear of vengeance but because of a good conscience 'T is also matter of conscience to obey good and profitable laws wherein our submission may tend to the civill peace of our Country and Nation Mat. 22.21 and to give to Caesar that which is Caesars and to God that which is Gods 'T is therefore our burthen to hear our selves misreported as if we were no well wishers to National Government when as we look upon good Governours and good Government to be as great an external Priviledge and Blessing as any other in the World and whereas the Lord knows we look upon our selves directed by the holy Scriptures and obliged by Gospel Rules to be in subjection to the higher Powers 1 Pet. 2.13 to obey Magistrates and to submit our selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake in the sence aforesaid and not to revile them or speak evill of them or to imagine evill in our hearts against them For there is a tongue heart-murderer as well as an eye and heart-Adulterer but to study to know our Places Duties as we are Inferiours 1 Tim. 2.11 and therein to discharge our consciences as we are Christians even to yield submission to them and to pray for them that we may lead a peaceable and godly life under them believing there ought to be Civil Magistrates in all Nations and always rendring unto our Governours their due in tribute and alwayes reserving and rendring unto God his due in worship Concerning some Rules that respect and relate to Christian Families THe Rules which I have already tendered and freely offered to Christ's Congregation may be usefull in every Family and to every Christian which method is by Election Direction Correction Protection Supplication Exclusion and Execution And because I will take in that which may be a good Second and a special Assistant to this prime part of Religion even Ecclesiasticall Government I will humbly tender the aforesaid Rules to believing Families but especially to the Heads and Overseers to look upon their several Obligations Gen. 3.16 that respect their several duties and respective places For when the Lord had created Man and Woman he was pleased to appoint Order and Government betwixt them I would therefore urge the Argument of the Prophet Isaiah Set thy House in order because of Mortality Isa 38.1 that ye may be prepared when ye are called to dye 1. By Election In making choise and placing your affections upon Vertuous and Religious Yoak-fellows in the Conjugall bond of Wives and Husbands That may be suitable and meet helps not only in respect of the concerns of the World but more especially in the matters of God for such are the best helps that are helps in the best things Num. 36.6 1 Cor. 7.39 Let them therefore that are or may be in that capacity first look for Piety Gravity and Fidelity for such bring good portions and great blessings with them into a Family I could be severe against some Professors who offend in this case and give such great offences to others who for Worldly Interest run into such unequal and unmeet Marriages and others that rather covet to be equal or above in respect of Temporal portion than to be united in one in matters of Faith and Religion Let Masters make choise of such Servants as truly fear the Lord Ps 101.6 for how should a man expect Gods Service should be promoted and good order observed when a man shall take such persons into his Family as are strangers to the Rule of Truth and Verity 2. By Direction By instructing and directing them in the knowledge of the way and
fear of the Lord teaching his Laws and Oracles unto them Deut. 6.7 begetting in them an affection and Reverence to his Will and Word acquainting them with the blessings promised upon the believing and obeying Gods Requirements and the dangers threatned against neglectors and the dreadfull Judgements that fall upon despisers of Gods worship and orders Let the Heads and Governours of this little Church or Kingdome as I may call it exercise the Office in an humble sence of Prophet Priest and King to teach them to offer Sacrifice for them and to govern them Let believing Parents give their children Gospel-breeding and spiritual Education that they may know how to behave themselves in the Houshold of God as becomes the Family of so Princely a Posterity and to learn the carriage of holy manners and precisely to prove all things like the Baereans who by so doing may be reputed truly Noble and well bred Christians I would respectively impose upon superiors to take the place of Tutors and their houses to be as Nurceries of Learning there to be instructed and prepared even to fit them to Degrees of Piety and Religion Prov. 22.6 and for this take the Counsell of Solomon who saith Train up a Child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he is old Mark he saith he will not depart Mind what Saint Paul saith Eph. 6.4 Bring up your Children in the Lords nurture and admonition and so to endeavour by good Counsel and good example to incline their hearts and conform their minds to sound Doctrine Gospel-order and a holy conversation and so come to be made capable of spiritual Priviledges and Church-Communion 3. By Correction By discountenancing Correcting Preventing and Restraining of sin to prevent and reform them from vanity and vice by the reproof of a severe countenance and angry face Prov. 23.13 Prov. 13.14 and to stop their growing into folly and the bringing forth evill action by rectifying all disorders in their conversation and this to be done timely and in due season agreeable to the best Rules of discretion have a respect to their disposition some to gain by fear and some by favour Let the Circumstances observed in Correction give evidence for a mans self his end is good in Correcting I have heard at the common place of Execution some complaining of Fathers and others of Masters because they did not restrain them from vain Courses saying if they had it might have been a prevention of their ever coming to that shamefull Execution And indeed God hath set Fathers and Masters as Rulers and to have dominion within the borders of their Family Jurisdiction and doubtlesse of their places they must give an account Therefore they have great reason to discharge their trust to their Inferiours and to make use of their power and advantages which are many they having so much opportunity to discern into their actions and to discover their lives and to know their designs and having so near a relation to them and so great a command over them might be much instrumental by Gods blessing to do much for God and for their souls benefit and eternal good 4. By Protection By Countenancing and Cherishing the budding of grace nourishing every appearance of God in the soul 1 Cor. 11.2 giving timely incouragement and a seasonable assistance to the matters of Faith and Conscience and to be a guarding presence to the small beginning not to quench the smoaking Flax and bruised Reed to mind them of spiritual Traffick and to bring them up in the knowledge of spiritual Husbandry protecting in them the heads of Grace and plants of Piety using much diligence waiting with tendernesse their growth and increase 1 Thes 2.7 For as the School-men say The greatest Matters have the smallest Beginnings The Seeds and Roots of Grace and Piety are like the tender Herbs and Plants that have need to be tenderly preserved to be often watered and weeded and well fenced and secured For a man is a Prince in his own Family to protect Order and Piety and to banish Sin and Iniquity and having cast out the things that offend and well prepared the ground the next thing is to put things into some Method Form and Order And here the Christian professor may learn a Lesson of the Gardener who in his Plantation and Garden having gotten the choisest Hearbs and Plants he devises his form and sets them according to rule and order both for profit and also to delight the owner So Christians when they have prepared Matter they are to place them in the Lords Vineyard and that in a Gospel manner that they may be fruitfull for their Lord and Master and also to invite and delight the beholder to take them with Orders beauty for it was the Order of Solomons Family that astonisht the Queen of Sheba 5. By Supplication For Family and Children always remembering the Lord is the Donor and Bestower of all Gifts and Graces and that we are but poor begging Instruments at the Throne of Grace and Door of Mercy for our selves and Families praying humbly and heartily that the Lord would please to Sanctifie all means and Crown all endeavours with his own benedictions Joh. 15.5 without which all other labours are nothing for without him we can do nothing fervently petitioning the Lord that our Families might be his Family that he would direct and bless us in our Election Direction Correction Protection Exclusion And that our Children might be his Children and our Servants his Servants that the Lord would please to season their hearts with his Grace enlighten their understanding by his Spirit to ingage their affections by his Love and so to prepare them and conform them to his Will and Word That with Joshua We and our Houses may serve the Lord Jos 24.15 That as they grow in years and strength so they may increase in Knowledge and Goodnesse that they might be Plants in his House and placed in his Family and so be fruitfull Instruments of his Glory and humbly to offer Sacrifice for them and to intercede the Lord that they might orderly obey his Doctrine and cheerfully submit to his Discipline and to intreat his favour to guide them by his Counsell here and receive them into his Kingdome hereafter 6. By Exclusion Yet here I do not intend in the least to meddle with Wife and Children no more than to purge sin out of them Deut. 19.16 but in this case I mind only Servants Busie-bodies and Tale-bearers which are oft-times Instruments of Disorder and Disturbance in many Families And as the Wise man saith Prov. 26.20 Where there is no wood the Fire goeth out So where there is no Tale-bearer Strife ceaseth And for Servants that are vain disorderly may in time infect and corrupt the rest in a Family Now 't is better to remove and exclude such persons than that they should defile and
some advantage having a fit opportunity to meditate as they go asunder or to make repetition as they walk together Sixthly To pray that the Preachers heart may be inlarged and his tongue unloosed to speak that which is sound profitable and seasonable for their conditions and when they have heard to pray that the precious Word may be blessed and sanctified to their souls that by it they may be benefited and profited Seventhly To stir up each other to a better zeal even to their first love and to do their first works and in a more strict sence and exact manner more religiously to regard to keep and sanctifie a Day to the Lord by improving the whole Day in holy Exercise either in Praying Reading Hearing Conferring or Meditating and to lay aside all such talk and occasions as either respect State Matters or any Secular Concernments and keep your selves that Day to Works of Piety Mercy Charity and Necessity If these Circumstances were but religiously regarded and carefully observed 1. Gods Honour would be more advanced the Lords Day better improved the peoples souls more edified truth and profession more credited much needless discourse prevented Satans design more weakened their endeavours would be more certainly blessed and their dayes work more fully rewarded There is an order to be observed in debates and discourses which being discreetly managed may tend to profit and benefit But beware of anger which I may call the souls feaver and causes the tongue to make digression and to exceed the bounds of moderation Let this Rule be taken to speak one by one short materiall and plain Jam. 1.26 as He that bridles not his tongue his Religion is vain So the well governing of the tongue is a good degree of Religion and deserves the honour of a good commendation One by one to preserve order materiall to have the weight of reason plain to help the understanding short to help the memory I have observed a distinction a man may have wit and yet want wisdome Knowledge is the treasure of the mind but discretion is the key I may call the tongue the hearts messenger and as oft as it speaks without meditation goes without its errand if not without reason Some are so improvident in their words and so extravagant of their understanding that they can neither conceal it nor know well to improve it but inconsiderately lay it out that it returns them damage and not profit Prov. 17.28 Every one hath a double lesson to learn one to know how to speak another to know when to hold his tongue If such Rules were put into practices it would cause men to speak to purpose or else spare their speeches For a word spoken in its season and order Prov. 25.11 is like apples of gold in pictures of silver Lastly Under your correction I would tender my private opinion touching the re-admission of penitent persons that have been under Excommunication I have thought there is some observation to be taken Luk. 15.24 from the Lords receiving of the prodigal son that some solemnity and form of speech may be used to declare it and to have as publick a consent to his absolution as there was at his exclusion and as the Parable speaks to imbrace them and to rejoyce with them because they were lost but now found and wandered from the Lord but are now returned And as the Apostle speaks concerning the Incestuous Corinthian 2 Cor. 2.7 8. he exhorts the Congregation to consider his remorse and contrition to forgive him comfort him and confirm their love to him And there is good reason they should give thanks to God for them for hearing their prayers for them for blessing the Ordinance executed against them for recovering the finners out of the kingdome of Satan and re-entering them into the priviledges of his Congregation Fourthly What Priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation FIrst We may say in this Case of Priviledges as Solomon speaks in his Proverbs Let none remove the Land-marks which our Forefathers or Elders have set concerning Churches Rights and Priviledges which we are to preserve as a matter of moment which is part of Gospell-Order and Church-Government 1. Touching Elders and Superiors they are honoured and priviledged with the Offices of Ministers and Stewards acknowledged by the Lord to be over his Family and Houshold 2. They have the priviledge to forbear working with their hands especially such as labour in the publick Ministery who are to give themselves wholly unto such things 3. They have the priviledge to command others 1 Tim. 4.15 and others are commanded to obey them provided all things be done according to Christs Laws given them 4. They ought not to be rebuked as others but have the priviledge to be entreated as Fathers 5. For their works sake and Gospell-labour they ought to be much respected in love and counted worthy of double honour 6. The Church ought not to receive an accusation against them under two or three witnesses doubtless because the truth is so much concerned in their reputations and repute and credit being the life of spirituall imployments 7. 'T is also their priviledge to be highly esteemed encouraged and rewarded according as the Lord hath given direction and commanded Secondly The Priviledges of the members 1. As members ought to acknowledge Officers in their Priviledges so Officers ought in their places to preserve and secure the Priviledges of the members The people of God have a common right and equall propriety in the wisdome gifts 1 Cor. 3.21 22. and graces which the Lord hath given to his Ministers For as Paul Apollo and Cephas are reckoned within the Saints Inventory they are become obliged freely to disburse spirituall Treasures By vertue of an interest the Saints may claim it as their right and legacies In this Case the People are proprietors Rom. 1.14 and their Ministers as debtors For as the Lord hath been pleased to furnish his Ministers with heavenly riches and graces so he hath commanded his Ministering Servants to bestow and improve such gifts for the benefit of the Churches Secondly Another Priviledge as belongs of right to Church-members is to have their part and equall share in all Gospel-advantages and holy mysteries even in that solemn and sacred administration of participating and having communion together in the Lords Supper in the serious commemoration of the Lords Death and Passion 1 Cor. 11.28 But let all that presume to be Communicants at the Lords Table examine themselves and make judgement first whether they discern the Lords Body and so come worthily understanding his Reall Mysticall and Representative Body Thirdly 'T is the members Right and Priviledge to have their voice in electing their Overseers and Officers that are to be set over them Acts 6.3 5. and also in the degrading or excluding any person in Office among them upon which solemn occasions they ought to be acquainted that the matter may
true owner especially when his necessity calls for it speedily Beware then of detaining any dues from the Lord when he calls for it even that which he hath reserved and excepted for the poor Saints and his ministring servants which belongs to them as given from the Lord and proved to be their right by his Word My dearly beloved brethren let not me be thought the worse although I present you with this discourse I hope you will excuse and pardon my boldness and plainness because 't is a publick good and an universall cause even a design to advance the honour of God and for poor souls spiritual and eternall good Let every man help as he hath received and as he stands obliged whether it be in respect of spiritualls or temporalls The wise man with his wisdome the gifted man by exhortation the rich man with his treasures all help together by their hearty and fervent prayers He that giveth let him do it with singleness he that ruleth with diligence and he that sheweth mercy with chearfullness for the Lord loves a chearfull giver Rom. 12.8 Take one reason more When many shoulders are set to bear a heavy weight it causes each mans burden to become very light and as Gospell Preachers ought to be tender in being chargeable to the Churches so ought Churches not to make the Gospell burdensome to the Preachers Let Christians comply and agree together as Joab and Abishai did to maintain a temporall warre Joab said to his brother If the enemy be too strong for me thou shalt help me if he be too strong for thee I will help thee So ought brethren to do who are engaged in the cause of Christ to assist each other in all spirituall combats and to help to bear one anothers burdens Gal. 6.2 for this is to fulfill the royall Law of Christ But to be short and plain my brethren I am not without my fear lest we should provoke the Lords displeasure even to blast our blessings and dispossess us of our freedomes because he hath done so much for us and we have done so little for others being subject to forget we ought to be lights to the world Mat. 5.13 14. and salt to the earth and because we have not such sympathizing dispositions and compassionate hearts to pitty the dark condition of the world and ignorant estate of poor sinners even while we hear them calling upon us in severall places as it were complaining for want and calling out for help and asking relief for their poor souls Let Churches therefore set out their lights and every one add their helps some as actuall instruments others as instrumentall assistants that the Gospell may be published unregenerate persons converted and hungry and thirsty souls may be supplyed and refreshed I will take leave to adde one thing more which I have observed That our Christian relations come short of some other perswasions who when they depart this world possest of temporall wealth bequeath part to some pious and publick services and this part of their charity as it were perfumes their memory and like Abels faith and sacrifice will speak and in a sence preach after a man dyes If ye believe this concerns you consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things Object But we are unable and cannot give because of our families and many other expences payments and charges Answ The husbandman that laboureth must first be partaker and receive of the fruits Ought not Christians first to advance the kingdome of God 2 Tim. 2.6 and pay their first fruits to their supreme Lord. Let the Objection be thus resolved that the interest of Christ and the cause of souls shall be first preferred If you cannot give talents yet cast in your mites into the common treasury for it will be accepted according to what a man hath if it be done chearfully Take heed my brethren of distrusting or murmuring at free disbursing to Gospell-Preaching he that thus expends his treasure lends to the Lord Heb. 6.10 and the Lord will not forget but requite them an hundred fold Who knows but the Lord intends to tempt you to prove him as in the Prophet Malachies time when he said If you will bring meat into my store-house see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings without measure that there shall not be room enough to receive it Who knows but that for a little expended there may be much received But I leave it to the wise for them to apply and Gospellize Heb. 13.16 To do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased and the sacrificer shall be well rewarded And if in this small Tract any thing that pertains to this present Subject hath either slipt my memory or hath been above my capacity that hath or may arise as a question in Christs Congregation I not knowing what particular thing I will give this generall resolution That when two things or two wayes shall arise in debate and one of them is doubtfull and the other is safe then in such a case to chuse the way that is safe alwayes designing and pursuing after the things that make for peace Rom. 14.19 Thus I have briefly declared and freely tendered my judgement and opinion in my own plain stile and according to my own understanding It hath also been my care to avoid occasions of offences and grounds of disputations and withall I have endeavoured to free my self from detraction and derogation of any mans person office or perswasion it being much contrary to my disposition yet this I know what of truth I have written bears its opposition to all that oppose it whether they speak evill of it or come short of it or act contrary to it or depart from it it stands in its own defence If yet notwithstanding my respect to dissenting and differing brethren and tenderness to others any man shall carp and be contentious 1 Cor. 11.16 their end will be the better discovered let them know we have no such custome nor the Churches of God To conclude all I give this Admonition Caution and Encouragement touching the exercise of right discipline and righteous government that ye call to memory the danger of the curse chreatned against such as do the work of the Lord negligently or deceitfully and sloathfully witness old Ely for reproving too lightly and Saul for executing judgement deceitfully and that wicked sloathfull person who neglected to improve his talent faithfully for his negligence and remisness is sencenced to be bound hand and foot and cast into utter darkness Mat. 25.26 30. Moreover Judas for deceit and treachery and Demas for turning from the truth to idolatry Besides in the time of the Prophet Malachy the Lord blames the people for dealing deceitfully detaining from his servants their right of propriety by which his service should be performed his servants
Christianity indeed OR The well-disciplin'd Christian the Delight of Christ SHEWING How Believers in Christ ought to go in and out each before other in Gospel-Order Governing and being Governed as the children of one Father By Fr. Stanley Phil. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report If there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Chap. 1.27 Onely let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ c. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-bar To the most worthy my well beloved and dear Relations in the Lord of the Congregational Churches both Officers and Members whom I humbly crave to Patronize this small and mean Treatise for whose sake I chiefly formed it and for whose benefit I now present it For whom I can do no less but wish all increase of Grace and fulness of Peace and as a further Duty and Obligation to pray and intercede for your Perfection My Beloved and Christian Friends IT is the holy Scriptures commendation That it 's written for every Mans Instruction and as there is a mystery of Godliness and Piety so there is a mystery of Sin and Iniquity and as there are Mines of Heavenly Treasure so there are Minerals of Tin and Clay Now Many are so wrapt in darkness in the depth of Impiety and others busied labouring in the Earth for Clay that they have not hitherto discovered the Celestial and hidden Mysteries nor found out the Spiritual Mines of Divine Treasures which precious things cannot be obtained unless by Gods holy Spirit a Man be inspired for by Divine light a Man must come to discern everlasting Mines and Mysteries and by the eternal Spirit which searcheth the hidden and most secret things And as these are not Matters of Indifferency or Temporary so they are to be sought with more than ordinary diligence and industry and for our better guidance and more sure direction we must make use of the helps of Divine Inspiration I can do no lesse but call upon all Christian Professors to betake themselves to the Canonical Books of the holy Scriptures For among all other Benefits and Benedictions we are to bless God for those holy Writings for they are the best helps that are helps in the best things And as a Mapp directs both to Town and Country so doth holy Writ discover the Borders and Treasures of the Heavenly and Holy City indeed they are like a light to our feet and a lanthorn to our paths to guide us aright in all Gods pure and holy wayes and to the finding out of the most choyce and invaluable Riches far better to the Saints than Pearls and Jewels for they are more than a Library for Instruction like a Store-house for Soul-provision and like a Spiritual Armorie for Munition where is to be found all manner of heavenly Food for Nutriment and all kinde of holy Garments for Ornament I may say 't is like an Apotheries shop for Receipts and Remedies even the most soveraign helps against all in troubles and diseases such Minerals will make Potions for Soul-sick Patients which being skilfully compounded and carefully applied may prove effectual Means and powerfull Remedies to expel and drive away most dangerous Distempers From hence Christians may be directed and provided with Skill and right Judgement and principled and furnished with Rules for all Order Discipline and Government whether it be within the Dominion of Congregational Personal or Family Jurisdiction Besides this a Man may collect and form an Evidence in order to the claiming an Interest to the everlasting Inheritance To be be short here is all variety of Soul-concernment and Contentment towards the fitting a Mans self clearing his Assurance for his Eternal Preferment We may say of the Holy Scriptures in Resolution as once was said in answer to Circumcision That they are profitable every way even to such as order their Lives according to them have both the promise of this life and that which is to come Now as the Sun goes his course and gives light in his place and every Star in his order gives some light in his course So ought every Christian to be a light in his day with respect to order and place and as a Member of the Mystical Body I would cast a Mite into the Publick Treasurie and as one of the unworthy Successors of our antient Fathers who sent their Epistles to the Believing Churches I have now an Occasion as well as a Pattern to present something to Christs Congregation Or any Well-wishers who see any thing worth of acceptation that may deserve the place of Counsel or Direction wherein they may see themselves concerned in Conscience and ingaged in Duties to conform thereunto according to Scripture-obligations Now because a Paper-direction may be received where a Mans Person will be refused and a Matter printed may be imbraced where a Sermon cannot be preached and because the greatest things have the smallest beginnings and the Lord hath ordained strength out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings are moving Causes of my entering upon this Work and so I commit this small Labour to be perused and proved consonant to the prime Rules of Christianity and the pure Principles of Charity and so to receive its approbation or correction Now if this little Mite be by any accepted and imbraced if any by it be instructed and profited the Author hath his End and is well recompenced and satisfied Brethren This is the first of my looking towards the Press I hope I shall have an Allowance from you more or less where I have failed in Method or Circumstance I hope you will blot it out of your Remembrance THE Preface or Premonition presented to the Readers serious Consideration or Meditation Christian Courteous and Impartial Reader AS the worth and loss of Heaven can neither be imagined or valued so the dreadfull and perpetuall torments of Hell can neither be measured nor reported To design the obtaining of the one and to endeavour to escape the other is the great task and speciall care of every Gospell-professor and in order to these things as it is the Christian mans wisdome to ask counsell of God and his holy writings so 't is also his discretion to have an eye to his present dispensations 1 Chron. 12.32 We have lived to be eye and ear-witnesses to hear and behold Gods eminent hand both in respect of judgements and mercies wherein his fatherly care hath been famously and affectionately discovered by the soul-provisions he hath made for us and his princely respect hath been eminently demonstrated by the constant protection and speciall security he hath given us who hath also attended and alarmed us by loud calls by happy instruments miraculous mercies and admonished us by fearfull apparitions particular accidents and dreadfull judgements