the righteous God hath not only admonished us to do our duty but hath given us a method by his late example to proceed against iniquity 1. He counsells and instructs by many instruments much tenderness and oft entreaties 2. He doth admonish and wait to be gracious and that with long-suffering and much patience 3. He warns alarms by particular presidents of his anger sad accidents and threatens by fearfull sights and apparitions 4. If yet they reform not he sends as we see his rod and sword and cuts off many persons and makes great desolations Thus saith Micah the Prophet The Lord hath shewed thee O man what is good which being done with an eye to the present condition might prove a soveraign means to prevent or remove future tribulation But Christian Reader for my own part and partern I look at the example of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian-Congregation when he saw their disorder and impiety their affliction and calamity he magnifies his authority and discharges his duty observing the Lords own method after counsell and warning he seems to threaten with his rod and presses the Church to purge themselves by punishing evil doers and reforming their abuses And lest the Church should question their power and priviledge in the execution of judgement and justice he convinces them the Saints shall judge the world and Angels much more then those smaller matters and that they should judge upon life and death much more things that pertain to this present life And that he might put it out of all disputation he saith set them to judge in the Church who are of the least estimation and further he saith 't is a shame for Christians to go out of the Church to try their Causes so that I have both an occasion and a pattern to write thus to Christs Congregation That which is most called for is right discipline and that thing is the most of all wanting by which our Borders and Churches should be cleansed of all defilements and pollutions These things considered 1. May be forceable Arguments to induce Christians to exercise a more searching doctrine and to execute a more severe discipline and that in every place and Congregation 2. My observation of the Gospell-Churches Some are careless in matters of doctrine some faulty in cases of conversation but more generally remiss in the true order of Governing 3. Some looking upon Church-Government to be little less than tyranny and their submission to it little less than slavery 4. Others looking upon it as if it had no name being or place or as if it stood for no purpose and use 5. Because such neglects and generall omissions open a door to let in many disorders and divisions And because I do not remember that any Friend hath writ much upon this Subject before are the motives of my enlarging upon this Work I confess this Subject is too high and too worthy to be handled by one so unworthy and of so mean ability yet I would open a door to let some other in to view this Subject even to lend their help to supply my defects and make it more perfect even one that hath faith in the honesty of my intention and to cover my failings by a charitable construction And so I commit it to the use of Edification and also present it for the benefit of Christs Congregation A TREATISE Setting forth The Gospel's Honour AND The Churches Ornament IN all Nations Provinces and in every Society there are two principal Causes of Peace and common Prosperity where Superiours freely exercise right Government and Inferiours are truly subject and obedient Even when Vertue and well-doers are sutably praised and constantly protected and all Vice and evill-doers truly restrained and duly punished When the People are in reall submission to Authority and the Rulers in humble submission to the Power of those Laws they ought to rule by Even when Government is prosecuted without knowing of Faces and Justice executed without regard to Causes or respects of Persons And as the most High and Mighty God is the Worlds Creator so Government is his Royall Act and Excellent Creature and for it's Eminency 't is as antient as the World for Antiquity For when the Lord had devided the Darkness from the Light He made the Sun to rule by Day and the Moon by Night So when the Most Gracious Lord hath called and devided the Children of Light from the Children of this World and Translated them out of the Kingdome of Darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son and so they become his Spiritual Subjects and He their Immortal King Thus am I directed into my way and cast upon my designed Subject which is my reall Purpose and resolved Intent even to treat touching Christ's Princely Authority and Ecclesiastical Government which I call The Gospel's Honour and The Churches Ornament And for my better prosecution of this Matter I will observe this following Method and Order 1. To shew the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government 2. The Definition The several Parts and particular Acts of it 3. The several Reasons for it and great Necessity of it 4. Declaring the Use and great Benefit that comes by it 5. Some Rules tendred directing how to Effect and Accomplish it 6. The true Order and right Manner of the Execution of it 7. And Lastly Some Directions given how to uphold and support it 1. Of the First Touching the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government THe Excellency Antiquity and Dignity of all Power and Authority conferred upon the Gospel-Church descends from the Christ of God who is the Original Author and from whom it receives it's prime Honour We may say in this case as 't is said by the Wise Man For what can the man do that cometh after the King Even that which hath been already done who now under the New Testament is the only Law-giver and chief Establisher of Ecclesiastical Government all Power in Heaven and Earth is given him and all Justice and Judgement is committed to him and all subordinate Power is derived from him His Personal Excellencies and Princely Vertues are not to be compared but admired I have not words to expresse his Royall Majesty and to set forth his Excellent Glory He is exalted far above all Principalities and far surpasseth all Names and Dignities for the God-Head dwels in him bodily and he is more than worthy of all Duty and Glory His Love unparalel'd his Wisdome matchless his Power boundlesse his Justice unquestionable his Innocency admirable his Treasures inestimable his Fidelity inexpressable Imanuel God with us and who is Exalted above and triumphs over all his Enemies The most High and Mighty Prince upon whom he fals he grinds to powder and crushes his Adversaries by his Power and breaks them in pieces like Potters vessels who acted so eminently for the Glory of the Creator and so happily for the happinesse of the Creature that Divine Justice might be compleatly
be avoided and Shipwrack prevented all Pirats defeated and the Ship and her Treasure secured This also adds and confirms that the weighty Concerns of a Church had need to be well Manned and to have skilfull men appointed and to have all things well ordered and governed having all means of safety that can be had and all Instrumental helps that may be afforded 7. That a Congregation of Christians may be compared to so many Patients Jer. 8.21 22. who are always liable to spiritual diseases to be taken with several Distempers and to fal into divers Temptations Heb. 12.12 13. sometimes into desperate Consumptive diseases either Luke-warmnesse Coldness Remisness Unfruitfulness or unthankfulness and the like and are also subject to be infected with the Contagious Plague of sin and to be corrupted with the leaven of unsound Doctrine Now Christ's Ministers are or ought to be like good Physitians First to know the Nature of the Patient's distemper then sort and prepare the Medicines and so apply the means with respect to the Tempers Capacities and Conditions of the Patients and to give sutable Receits for all Diseases for preventing curing to give Potions and Cordials for Purging Preserving and Comforting them and for want of Skilfulness and Faithfulnesse in Soul-Physitians so many poor Christian Patients fall into dangerous Relapses and spirituall Consumptions and for want of good Discipline and carefull Governours so many Societies run into such sad Divisions and great Disorders Thus I have offered these several particulars in Argument to manifest the Reasons for and the Necessity of Church Government 4. The good use and great benefit that comes by Right Government 1. IT is or ought to be the First and Prime Design of every Christian Professor to contrive and consult the advancement of Christs Honour which way Mat. 6.33 Col. 1.18 and by what means they may best and most exalt the Dignity and hold forth the Excellency of his Name and by what Instrumental helps they may Principally Represent his Princely Fame in other Duties we perform to him but in Matters of Government and Discipline we more properly Act for him Represent him and help him and bring home the most Praise and Glory to him For we can in nothing more promote his Honour then in the true execution of Government among such as professe the Gospell It returns the Lord increase of Glory and renders him his own with Usury It encourages and praises Well-doers to be more Zealous and Fruitfull in their Actual Obedience and it punishes Evill-doers and so the Lord reaps the Honour of his Justice and by this way and means the Lord will receive his Honour from all Persons Actually by the godly Professor and Passively by evill Transgressor And this is to rule for God being always consonant to the Rule and Circumstance of his Word 2. As the true Exercise of Ecclesiastical Government is Christ's advancement so 't is The Gospels Honour Tit. 2.10 1 Pet. 3.45 the Churches Ornament It requires all Persons to their duties in their several and respective places and admonishes all Christians to a more Orderly Reverent and Serious Deportment in Gods holy Worship and Service It sets all things in their right places and puts all things to their proper uses to be done Decently and in Order according to the true manner and direct Methods of Matter Form and Circumstance required in Gods Service and things thus performed in Christs Congregation promotes the Truths Credit and the Believers Reputation and having their own true form they carry a Beauty with them and like the order in Solomon's House it will invite strangers to see it and affect such as behold it One Argument is why many inquiring souls stand off at such distances Because they see no affecting beauty in Christs Churches 3. As Right Government casts out Disorders and disorderly walkers so it rejoyceth godly Professors Col. 2.5 and preserves Believers Rights and Priviledges and ministers just ground of joy more especially to such as labour in the Ministry to behold the peoples order and fidelity and as a grave and holy life credits the Christian Profession so true Discipline honours the Gospel-Doctrine and the constant Exercise thereof is of such eminent tendency that good people rejoyce when Just men are in Authority Pro. 29.2 For a Rulers Insufficiency proves the Nocents Incouragement and the Innocents calamity For St. Paul reckons himself Renowned in the Churches stedfast and orderly walkings he rejoyces to behold it in the Collossians and takes occasion to commend it and to praise them for it and counts it his Joy Honour and Crown 4. Order and Right Governing stands in direct opposition to all disorder and confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 'T is like Light opposed to Darknesse Strength opposed to Weakness Beauty opposed to Deformity It reforms Disorders and orders Duties It exalts any People and establishes Churches and stands as it were always furnisht and ready armed against the body of Sin and the deeds of the Old man even the destructive enemy that would disturb the Saints peace and inslave their souls in misery It 's natural to Justice to oppose and suppress Impiety 1 Cor. 5.7 and 't is it's proper work to praise Godlinesse and disperse iniquity It cleanses Tabernacles it purges Congregations preserves Priviledges removes Reproaches it justifies the Innocent it condemns the Guilty it corrects the Offender and punishes the Oppressor relieves the Distressed and sets free the oppressed and is a soveraign Remedy to acquit our selves of other mens Iniquity 5. As the exercise of Government is destructive to iniquity and impurity 1 Cor. 5.5 so it is a Protection to Godlinesse and Piety It gives opportunity and liberty for the free exercise of Gifts and Graces and the improvement of spiritual Abilities 1 Cor. 14.31 and maintains a constant Entercourse of Heavenly Traffick Commerce within the Borders of their Dominion 1 Pet. 4.10 to the intent things may thrive and flourish within the Holy Nation Government is a defence to tender Plants in Christs Congregation It gives countenance and a guarding presence to the Seeds and Roots of Grace and Piety and gives protection to the increase of godlinesse and defence and security to the growth of Christianity Therefore the Lord hath honored his Ministers with some of his own Appellations that they should imitate and honour him in their several Offices and respective places that they should endeavour under him to preserve his People in all their freedomes and liberties and to demean themselves in his absence with all tenderness and kindnesse to the least of his Servants Not quenching the smoaking Flax nor breaking the bruised Reed but cherishing and nourishing the Babes in Christ giving a Guard to every weak faith being alwayes free to direct them and a ready assistance in all matters of Faith and Conscience 6. I say 't is weighty upon the Churches Concernment to maintain good Order
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
rather Steward over He is likewise to set in order to discharge his place and Steward ship faithfully that he may have peace when he is called to dye To dispose and divide his wordly goods and earthly possessions timely and equally agreeable to the Righteous rules of Religion and the best principles of Equity and Reason both to Yoke-fellow and Posterity or for any other for whom he may be intrusted or obliged either to widdows or to fatherlerlesse and both towards God men to discharge a good conscience 4. To consider and ponder well to settle all things so straight and just between them that may prevent all future strife discord among them that none may justly say when he is gone he is the man that did or caused this or that wrong this being Religiously observ'd many injuries quarrells would be prevented and so peace and love may be preserved 5. If any one shall be like to depart this present life possest of this Worlds goods and hath no natural Heirs or near Relations let him not forget but remember to communicate to the poor Christians let them make the Deacons of the Churches their Overseers and the poor Saints their Executors Let all remember but such in a speciall manner Or else to bequeath his Wealth and Treasures to some pious and publick services in so doing they will honour their Profession and lay up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Some may think I am out of the way in leaving the Churches and turning into Families and treating with particular persons Let them know I have been in the Churches service attending and instructing Church-members apart in their own houses and to instruct them in their Family-duties and church-Church-Orders Inciting them and exhorting them to prepare their Children and Servants for members to people the Churches 6. The true Order and right manner of the Execution of Church Government IUstice and Judgement are the substantial parts of Church government Justice is a great word and the action is a shoulder work Isai 9.7 and being in it's Execution carries a great commendation It advanceth Christs Honour promotes Truths Credit renowns Christs Churches It breaks Sathans designs promotes good Causes prevents and disturbs evill instruments and rejoyces Christs innocent servants In my further prosecution of this matter I would observe this following order 1. What Justice and Discipline is in it self 2. What or who are the offenders upon whom it is to be executed 3. What is to be understood and observed in it's prosecution 4. What priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation 5. What disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed 6. Some branches of Injustice and oppression to be avoided 7 How the Execution it self should be rightly performed First What Justice is it consists of these general parts an Offender an Executioner a Law and a penalty Justice in it's Execution is when a faithfull power shall inflict punishment upon a convicted Offender consonant to the true intent of the Law in that case provided and the Execution performed without delay or partiality 2. What are the Offenders and offences against whom Justice is to be executed First There are private faults and offences that are committed between Brother and Brother in which case the injured or offended brother is to tell his brother offending Mat. 15. of his fault betwixt them alone If he hear not take one or two more If he neglect to hear them tell it to the Church if he neglect to hear them then let the Church do their duty and purge themselves of iniquity For as a man will hasten to purge poyson out of his body corporal much more ought Christians to purge sin out of the body spiritual But if thy brother hears thee and repents of the evill heartily thou oughtest to forgive him freely fully and perpetually But if it shall happen that any two persons shall oppose each other Josh 7.18 in and about a matter and fault committed and have no other witnesse but themselves and there can be neither punctual nor circumstantial proof made to decide the controversie then doubtlesse 't is the Churches duty and liberty to make their humble appeal to the God of Heaven by casting lots Prov. 8.18 Prov. 16.13 Acts 1.26 and making serious supplications tohim that he would be pleased to order and dispose of the lot for their direction to shew which of those two was the guilty person and when the Lord hath discovered him let the Church do their duty that concerns them Concerning RESTITUTION IF an Offender do confesse his fault and promise an amendment let him make Restitution for that wrong he hath done Exod. 22.12 For as it is a great part of Justice so 't is a very necessary part of Repentance for it repayes a just recompence for injuries done and 't is a very great destruction to sin How can a man expect his sin should be pardoned Jud. 1.7 before the wrong he hath done be repaired or that be restored which he hath unjustly took and wrongfully detained Doubtlesse if a man injure his brother in body goods or good name he stands bound in Justice to make him reasonable Restitution and this is congruous with Gods righteous Law of Retaliation For oftimes Justice requits and inflicts punishment in the same Act in which a man hath sinned Mat. 7.2 This also concurs with the Law Christ hath given which saith In effect what measure a man measures to another in sin the same shall be measured to him in punishment back again Concerning Hereticks An Heretick after the first and second admonition reject or cast away because one corrupted person may corrupt the whole body Tit. 3.10 11. being one that is perverted or willingly turned aside from the Truth an Actor of Sexts or maintainer of a false belief and hath subverted or overthrown himself rejecting the true Religion and so becomes an instrument of his own condemnation Concerning dealing with publick Offenders Such as sin openly are to be rebuked publickly and the Church is to withdraw from every one that walks disorderly 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Thes 3.6.14 that he may be ashamed of his Iniquity and that every particular admonition and publick withdrawing may put others in fear and be as a general warning Now touching such sinners mentioned in the Fifth of the Corinthians There is some small distance between some faithfull Christians Whether such offenders there noted may be received into Communion if they be penitent some judging if they repent they may be received others judging although they do confesse their sin yet the Church ought to withdraw from them I confesse they plead reason on both sides One alledging thus That if that end be already accomplisht for which the Ordinance of Excommunication was appointed what need or reason is there the person should be excluded Others reply If the sinner be not speedily sentenced the Church will
be freely and generally voted that no members may complain of being dispriviledged and good reason for it because they are to be as Fathers to educate and feed them and to provide their souls food in order to their spirituall interest and everlasting good Fourthly 'T is doubtless the Brethrens Priviledge to have the knowledge of recieving or excluding any member or members into or out of communion with them especially in doubtfull or difficult Cases because they are to be or not to be members of the same body 1 Cor. 5.4 5. and to have fellowship with them in the same holy mystery and if there be any sin contracted either in denying recieving detaining or excluding any person the evil may reflect upon the whole Congregation Fifthly Another Priviledge is If any Brother hath any injury offered him or wrong done him he ought to bring it legally to the Church and there claim his Priviledge to be heard and relieved and to call for justice to be executed Then 't is the Churches duty to proceed and do them equity consonant to that good ancient Rule of doing as a man would be done by Mat. 8.7 and that without delay and partiallity that while we are complaining for want of justice from others we may not neglect to do justice in the Churches Sixthly Such among the Lords People as are justly poor being of the body have a right to be relieved in their outward necessity for as there is a right of propriety Heb. 13.3 so there is a right of charity 't is the Lords Rent-charge the Poors due and the Churches duty There are some unjustly poor who are either idle persons or led through their lusts into poverty others by mans oppression are brought into penury there are some impotent poor so naturally and there are the Lords poor who become so through the consequences of Christianity Seventhly There is another Priviledge that belongs to Christians That if any Person or Party in a Congregation should verily judge and absolutely believe they were oppressed and over-ruled by the rest of the Congregation in any case or controversie that it amounts to high contention and disputation Deut. 17.8 9 10. after all christian and serious means used he or they may make their humble appeal to some other Church in the same Faith and if the case be very weighty then to have recourse to some generall Assembly Acts 15.2 that by all means schisme may be prevented and peace and concord preserved To conclude these things There are other Rights Immunities and Priviledges that of right appertain to Church-Members that if any have a gift in Prayer 1 Pet. 4.10 or by way of Exhortation to have his seasonable time of liberty for the exercise of his gift and to have encouragement in so good a work Moreover if any are under temptation as wounding of spirit sickness of body or any other afflictions he may and ought to have recourse to the Ministers and to ask counsell and assistance of the Elders Jam. 5.14 or to call for them to be their visitants and the Elders ought to attend them in waiting upon their duties by Prayers Instruction or any other services wherein Christs Ministers are obliged and become concerned as they are spirituall guides and Gospel-Physitians Thus we may both learn and discern the great Priviledges that pertain to such as belong to Gospel-Churches to have interest in such provisions and advantages and all within themselves under Christs government and dominion and within their own limits and jurisdiction where all rights and proprieties are equally to be distributed their souls duely nourished their temptations considered burdens removed their bodies healed their poverty supplied their injuries redressed and their priviledges maintained and their causes heard and contentions determined Thus ought Christians to have things common in the spirituall Commonwealth and holy Nation and to maintain a free fellowship and communion both in priviledges and sufferings The truth is the charge of these things chiefly respects Officers to whom the Church hath committed her power and upon whom they have cast the burden of their care who ought as instruments in the name of Christ with the Churches consent to exercise the severall parts and offices of Government and as they are intrusted by God so they ought to act faithfull according to his Word and as they ought not to exercise lordship to usurp authority so they ought not to deface and diminish ought of Christs or his Churches power and dignity For if our Lord died to enter the government and our liberties and priviledges were purchased at so dear a rate and now committed to the care of the Churches there is a great obligation lyes upon the Congregation to see that these things be carefully maintained and constantly preserved and especially such as are in publick trust to improve their places and discharge good consciences to be a just defence to all persons in their spirituall rights and immunities that there may be no just cause of complaints in all our streets or borders Fifthly What Disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed AS when duties are put into the best form they appear with the most beauty so when the branches of impiety are set in order they appear in their ugly shape of deformity I will set some before you which I believe are sometimes found amongst you which are a dishonour to Christians and are great disturbances to the peace of the Churches and these evils are both of omission and commission First 'T is found too much neglected by teachers and leaders that the People are not taught but are very ignorant in the orders and principles of true discipline and right government Secondly When a man doth not prize and tender the unity and Peace of the Church as he ought but shall inconsiderately and indiscreetly publish and possibly endeavour to enforce a Principle upon the People or a Practice upon a Person before they themselves have sufficiently tried and proved it or the People or Person are prepared to bear it Ioh. 16.12 or made fit and capale to receive it and so oft-times a disturbance attends it Thirdly Another Disorder which doth mostly respect the Elders That is when disorderly walkers who are known to live and continue in sin and the Church neglects her Duty in Discipline not remembring all the time this sin is unpunished 1 Cor. 5.2 God is dishonoured their Duty neglected the Truth reproached the most religious grieved and scorners at Religion rejoyced Gods appointed Ordinance to destroy the flesh omitted and the proper means neglected by which the sinner should be restored Fourthly Another Disorder is when the members of one Congregation shall receive a member or members from another Congregation without their knowledge or consent or a letter of Recommendation from them to whom he or they did belong except in any case extraordinary by which disorders follow bad consequences Rom. 16.1 2.
called to high Offices honored with great Endowments and obliged in publick services and therefore I do honor them in their respective places Even those Elders whom the Lord hath commissionated upon a more general account who hath inlarged their missions into the Nations and betrusted them with the care of the Churches I will not presume to teach them because I have more need to be taught by them yet I would humbly take leave to be their Remembrancer and to intreat them as Fathers to observe their Gospell-lessons as they are directed to them by their several Appellations First they are sometimes called Angells to hold forth Innocency and Purity Secondly Ambassadors in Christ stead to personate his Majesty and hold forth his glory in the World sent to treat with sinners and to state the terms of Reconciliation to engage their souls in affection with all bowels of Christian compassion to beseech them to be reconciled to God Thirdly Messengers sent out by the Churches upon the Lords message 2 Cor. 8.23 24. even upon the grand errand of publishing glad tidings That matchlesse and welcome news to poor sinners Phil. 2.25 even to publish and proclaim a free tender of a crucified Christ unto a perishing and lost World that Lamb of God that cleanses souls by his precious bloud These are Instruments in Commission from Christ to unite strangers to affect sinners to prepare members to people the Churches Fourthly They are called Bishops to shew they have a charge and are Overseers of the souls of such as are Gospell-professors and are to feed Christs flock and to rule the Church of God which he hath dearly purchased with his own blood 5. Ye are Ministers to shew ye ought not to have dominion over the peoples Faith neither to be Lords over Gods heritage but to be faithfull servants to Christ and the Churches 6. Ye are called Rulers to regulate Ecclesiastical Affairs and to set in order things that are wanting in the Churches to ordain them Elders and reform disorders in the several Congregations 7. Ye are called Stewards placed over the Lords Houshold to make provisions and to give them their spiritual portion of meat in due seasons which Office presupposeth a high trust and ye must expect to give a faithfull and just account at last Now that you may be guided aright to rule for God I can do lesse but pray and wish that the blessing of Heaven may be upon you and in you even the blessings of soul and body health and prosperity but more especially in the holy and high concerns of Eternity That ye may have all increase of grace fulnesse of of peace and at last your portion in the everlasting state of perfection and in the mean time I freely wish ye may be all sanctified and richly furnished with all spiritual gifts and heavenly treasures and plentifully accommodated with the fulnesse of the Holy Ghost that ye may hold forth the Image of God and the glory of Christ in dignity mercy purity and severity To prize and praise the Godly and Pious to disclaim and condemn the Irreligious and that ye may be duly directed and constantly protected by the goodness and providence of God in and about the most sacred acts of Religion and in that serious and ponderous imployment of the Ministry that the same Lord that hath commanded your service and given you authority would be pleased to attend you with his presence and give you security and that you may lay sure foundations and build aright Gods holy habitations that ye may be Pious Examples to the believers both in Doctrine and Conversation and worthy patterns of Government in every Congregation leaving behind you solemn and solid precidents of humility fidelity and gravity with harmlesse and discreet demeanors accompanied with holy policy cincerity and purity that you may both constitute and consolate Churches unite Christians repair breaches and establish the Congregations Even to perfect faith and conduct souls to the everlasting habitations 2. Concerning Elders appointed over particular Churches I Now direct my speech to the Elders charged with particular Congregations My well-beloved Brethren Considering my relation with you Acts 14.23 and the great charge committed to you and the great account that 's required of you I could not well omit to advise exhort and entreat you not so much to instruct you as to remember you Tit. 1.5 to ponder the worthiness of your places and the weightiness of your obligations That ye are to serve Christ under his three fold Offices in subordination to him under the Offices of Prophet Priest and King And 1. In order and honour to his Propheticall to teach the people whatsoever God hath commanded you and to with-hold nothing that is profitable for them instructing them publickly privately and from house to house declaring all the counsell of God that ye may be pure from every mans bloud and seasonably faithfully and constantly opening and preaching the wholesome words and found doctrine as ye have received it from the Apostles according to the holy Scriptures which was sealed by God and confirmed to them by miracles In Christs name to teach and perswade and in much affection to exhort to duty and by good instruction and a good pattern to lead and guide the believers in acts and orders of Religion and a well ordered conversation observing seasons and dispensations having an eye to the peoples estate and conditions discovering to every one their duty with the benefits that attend it and also acquainting them with the danger upon the neglects and contempts of it 2 Under his Priestly Office ye are to enquire of God for them and to intercede him in their behalf that they may have an evidence of their interest in Christs sacrifice and assurance of the remission of sin through him That the Lord would please to encrease their graces and that the bloud of Christ might purge them from all corruptions and upon every occasion and in every condition to commend them to God by supplication and that they may be supported and comforted in the inner man to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving unto God for them for all benefits and benedictions freely received from him Moreover to instruct and acquaint them with the great blessings that are presented and conveyed by Christs Death and Passion and to principle them in the great priviledge of his Intercession and oft to celebrate the commemoration of that memorable act that so evidently preaches a crucified Christ to teach them to discern the Lords Body and to direct them how to communicate worthily then to call them to the Lords Supper and endeavour to feast them with the Lords dainties being communicants at the Lords Table craving a blessing in every administration and a sanctified use of every priviledge and blessing rejoycing with them and offering thanksgiving for them for all benefits bestowed upon them 3. Under his Kingly Office ye are to make known
outward supplies and according to the justness of their necessity and equallness of their poverty to relieve them and prepare portions for them sutable to their conditions even to feed the hungry cloath the naked visit the sick house the harbourless This hath the repute of pure Religion even to visit the fatherless and widdows in their affliction Let all be done according to those good laws of piety equity and charity and of doing as a man would be done by And as the burden of the Office is cast upon you see that you discharge your trust faithfully And in all this the Deacons are to be assisted and enabled by the Churches collections distributions and communications Now what power and order there ought to be among Officers themselves what power the Messengers have over the Elders what power the Elders have over the Deacons what power the Deacons have over the Members which doubtless there is some order and that among such as have power even among Governours as well as in Governments But I shall refer this difficult point to some abler head and more skilfull hand to determine it But thus I will conclude to wish That as God hath called you to places of order and honour here so you may be rewarded and crowned with dignities and honour hereafter To end this point I desire that both Officers and Members may learn a lecture for government and orders from the Firmaments and by the Sun Moon and Stars They be like the Sun for light and heat like the Moon for declaring seasons and constancy in circuit and like the Stars for holding on their course and keeping order and place Now if you think these few lines especially spoken to Officers be worthy of acceptation and may deserve the place of counsell and direction consider of them and the Lord encrease all your wisdome and understanding 4. Concerning the duties of Church-members to their Officers MEmbers of Churches as they stand in relation to their Officers it concerns them to acquaint themselves with Scripture-obligations what is required of them in submission to Officers laws and orders that they may clearly know and chearfully do what respect them on their part to preserve true order and support right government First 'T is the mind and also command of God that Christians should obey such overseers as are set over them in the Lord and whosoever refuses to be obedient resist Gods appointment alwayes provided they exercise rule according to the direction of his Word not to their persons as they are men but as they are the Embassadors and Stewards of Christ for they act by vertue of the Lords Commissions and 't is written the holy Ghost appoints overseers and 't is the Lords message they are upon Heb. 13.17 and the Lords work they labour in and God is a God of order and not of confusion who hath ordained government and required your subjection Officers rule for him therefore members ought to submit to them for the Lords sake for conscience sake for the Gospels sake and your own souls sake That they which watch for your souls may give an account with joy 1 Pet. 5 5. and not with grief for that will be unprofitable for you for indeed your obedience is not to man but to God My dearly beloved Brethren I beseech you beware in this weighty matter for there is no fin in the world which the Lord hath punished with greater severity than he hath disobedience to Authority neither was it ever heard that the earth opened her mouth wide to swallow up man as it did Corah Dathan and Abiram for their resistance and contempt to Moses and Aaron The Apostle Peter and St. Jude do both aggravate this crime as a grand transgression for To speak evil of dignities and to despise dominion St. Peter one of our ancient Fathers in his Epistle to the scattered Christians he is a very full Author and that to this very matter who pleads for submission to Authority both in Nation Church and Family first to honour God and to obey such as are appointed by him to submit to supreme Governours and such as are sent by them wives are to be in subjection to their own husbands servants are to be subject to their masters not only to the courteous and good but also to the discourteous and froward and this obedience must be for the Lords sake alwayes to make true distinctions betwixt spirituall and temporall services to give to man their dues and duties and to God his honour and praises 5. And as the Lord hath required submission to his Ministers so he hath enjoyned his people to honour them that rule over them 1 Thes 5.12 13. and to know such as labour among them and admonish them and to count such worthy of high respect for their works sake Phil. 2.29 because God himself hath dignified them and hath commanded the Saints highly to esteem them St. Paul gives this high commendations of the faithfull and painfull Elder that he deserves the priviledge of double honour and because their work is labourious and dangerous the people ought to countenance them by being courteous The meanest instrument imployed by the Lord in his service the Saints ought to receive and accept with readiness and chearfulness Doubtless he that loves God his truth order and ordinances will naturally respect such as act in them as instruments I speak not of needless customes or idolizing persons but to honour God in them and to honour God by them and to reverence them because the image of God is upon them for God was angry with the Jews because they despised his messengers and it mounted their sins untill there was no more remedies And to some the Lord saith in the Lamentations He would divide them and no more regard them because they respected not their Teachers nor reverenced the face of the Elders For what kindnesses or injuries are done to them the Lord takes it as done to him and Christians are to hold such in repute and to endeavour as much as they may to preserve their credit for Gospel-reputation is the life of spirituall trading Therefore none are to receive an accusation against an Elder under two or three witnesses because in defaming an Elder the truth suffers treble damages but the same and eminency of Christs Ministers is a glory to Christ and an honour to his Churches 6. 'T is a duty incumbent and a matter of high concernment to present humble and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospel-governours that they may rule for God agreeable to his counsell contained in his Word with all justice and righteousness towards all degrees of persons and to pray being earnest that God would send more faithfull labourers into his harvest Mat. 9.38 that the ignorant world may be converted and that there might be daily added unto the Church of God such as should be saved And as for those instruments the Lord
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
true Discipline 2 Cor. 2.7 8 9 10 11. and Right Government It is the most effectual means and soveraign help under God against the grand Enemy of our Souls who hath fiery darts and makes desperate Attempts and sets his Ambushments and with policy and cruelty designs against the Saints to betray them by secret insinuation or to fright them out of their Faith and Profession and to weaken their hands for Christian Resolution to break their bands of Union and Charity and to cut the cords of Love and Unity Prov. 6.19 endeavouring to disorder them by sowing Discord among them First to divide them to make way for an advantage to destroy them Now Order is the Life and Strength of any Cause and the most advantage to any People for when a People are freely united and well Disciplined it is the greatest offence and dread to the enemy So 't is when Christians have faith in Gods promises and keep order in his Services it tends to their safety and security When the Souldiers are disordered the Victory is hazarded and he 's no good Christian-souldier that observes not Place and Order 7. Right Government which consist Principally in the execution of Justice and Judgement Isa 32.1 Isa 6.7 It may have the same commendation as was once given to Circumcision for 't is usefull and beneficial every way and when Persons shall see it in it's Beauty and how it brings in profit and themselves being partakers of the benefit of it It will ingage and oblige the hearts of those that live under it peaceably and chearfully to conform themselves to it and not only to approve of it but in their several Duties and Respective Places with Freedome and Affection help to preserve and support it For God himself is the Author of it the Holy Ghost appoints overseer of it God dwels with it and will certainly blesse it for in truth Order duly kept and Government truly ordered is of that Fame Glory it would invite strangers out of the Country As once the Order and Fame of Solomon's House invited the Queen of Sheba If our Spiritual Solomon's House were but wisely governed and the things therein rightly ordered and all Matters and Mannors prudently managed and all Discipline truly executed Strangers would be more invited dissenting friends and differing perswasions would be more ingaged and Christs Church more Renowned Thus I have shewed in part the benefit that comes to Christ's Church by means of Ecclesiastical Government 5. Some Rules tendred how to Effect and Accomplish a right Government THe First thing that I shall propound unto the Church in order to this great end is Their choise of Officers and herein to bespeak and exhort them that they neglect not their duty and care and so the blame to lye at their door None of the Saints and Brotherhood ought to consult for private Interest but for a general and publick good that whosoever among them the Lord hath suitably gifted and fitly qualifi'd for the conversion of sinners the constituting of Churches and the well being and better governing of Christ's Congregations they stand bound in duty legally to elect and orderly to appoint such to the work of the Ministry Acts 13.3 even to Separate and Ordain them according to their several Parts and Abilities to more general and particular places even to follow the Lord to put them into such places as he hath gifted for that purpose Even such who come orderly into and are tutered and brought up in the School of Christs Church and learning there untill they come to good degrees of Knowledge rightly qualified and considerably gifted by Gods Spirit amongst such some are to be freely Elected by the Church and Ordained by Fasting and Prayer and laying on of hands by the Eldership such so Ordained and abiding Faithful we own as Ministers of the Gospell and let them first be proved whether they have such qualifications as the holy Scriptures gives directions This being a principall case towards the obtaining right Government Take therefore advice of both old and New Testament ye may please so far to view Moses Counsel in the Old Testament as to see what kind of Persons was then chosen to be Rulers Provide saith he Wise men Understanding men and known men in your Tribes Men of courage men fearing God men of truth and hating Coveteousness I offer this of Moses not so much for Rule as for the good agreement it bears with the Rules of the New Testament But give heed to St. Pauls Counsell in the general qualifications mentioned Recorded for our directions 1 Tim. 3.8 Tit. 1. c. which the Apostle sets down both Negative and affirmative First What they must not be Not soon angry not given to Wine no striker not self-willed not a brawler not covetous not a Novice Secondly What they must be Blamelesse one that rules well his own house apt to teach a lover of good men sober just temperate holding fast the faithfull Word as he hath been taught that they may improve and convince Gain-sayers and if it can be obtained let them have the Principles of Order and spirit of Government in and about this great Office and Duty We are to look at a mans personal sufficiency the Gravity of his Yoke-fellow the Fidelity of his Posterity and also the good report of his Neighbour-hood and Country For if we would have Church-Government rightly ordered there must be suitable Governours and fit Instruments to accomplish it These Rules that follow touching this point are chiefly imposed upon the Eldership By Election Direction Protection Supplication and Exclusion 2. By Election As there is a great charge lies upon Churches concerning the Election of Officers Mat. 3.8 So there is a special care lies upon Officers touching the receiving and admitting Members into the Congregation To see some Fruits of Repentance Regeneration renewed in the spirit of the mind born again for ye know Churches under the Gospell are not gathered by Generation but by Regeneration Joh. 3.3.5 6. Except a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven For if they have not the birth of New Creatures how can we expect the life of well ordered Christians 2 Cor. 5.17 that they should naturally learn the true Doctrine and really observe and duly submit to the true methods of Discipline which so much concerns and adorneth every Gospel Congregation Every one had need understand Gods Ordinances and their own Duties and to be able to demonstrate something of the authority Matter Manner and End of every Principle and practice For Ignorance is the Mother of much mischief for some by their behaviours discover and also their Actions determine that they never past the new birth Neither is their descent from Heaven for they act and walk as not becoming the Royall Family and such as pertain to the Heavenly Posterity For many act so unnatural towards the Lord as if
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
pollute many others that ye may keep Discipline within your Familie Dominion there is for this a good example of David Psal 101.6 7. who saith Men of Faithfulnesse and Integrity shall dwell with me and serve me But he would not keep a Lyar about him nor he that worketh deceit should neither dwell in his House nor tarry in his sight Thus every man within his own Jurisdiction may exercise Family Discipline both to teach intercede and govern and by diligence and prudence may be an Instrument to bring his House in order in Gods Service 7. Let all these things be put into due execution without which the knowledge of them comes to nothing Every man to exercise himself in his place faithfully to instruct and govern his Family consonant to to the Rules of Piety and Principles of Charity and to act by the Law of Equity to all under them as men in some sence obliged to give an account of them These things considered and calling to remembrance my place of trust in Gods House and our special Obligations each to other as we are Chistians I can do no lesse than advise warn exhort and intreat you according to the relation I stand with you and inteterest I have in you to put your duties into practices and remove out of your Families all offences and disorders Deut. 13.8 1 Tim. 5.21 for ye know we ought not to bear with sin to regard Causes or respect Persons although they be our near relations but to do Justice with Equity and that without delay or partiality for we may not harbour evils nor suffer disorder in our Families and that we have no just complaining in our streets 'T is true we cannot expect members of Families should be free from all Infirmities where then would be the use of bearings and forbearings Beware of Upbraiding and Retorting Languages which oft-times creates discontents and raises disturbances in Families There ought rather to be found among Christians a condescention to each others dispositions concerning their deformities bearing one anothers weaknesses and if it may be to determine Family-failings within the compasse of Family Jurisdictions and to endeavour to bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ To sympathize with each other in temptations and afflictions that ye may not make your lives a burden to your selves and a trouble and grief to others for consider that miscarriages among Christians are attended with high aggravations First a dishonour to God a discredit to the truth a disparagement to Professors a grief to Relations a sorrow to well-wishers a bondage to themselves and a rejoycing to their Enemies My advise is therefore for the time past wherein any of you have offended each other to repent it and wherein others have trespassed against you upon their submission pardon it let all former things be laid dead and buried in the grave of Oblivion no more to be remembred or have any more Resurrection to disquiet your peace here or to evidence against you hereafter And for the time to come my Counsel Exhortation is to set the fear of the Lord before you observe one anothers tempers consider each others frailties and when ye have any thing to say remember to take suitable seasons endeavouring to remove Jelousies avoid all occasions that may tend to provocations and if possible let all be swallowed up in dear affections which best becomes such near Relations and most adorns professing Christians But yet a few words more particularly that respects every House and Family to divide their Duties to each other and that severally 1. HUsbands ought to love their Wives as Christ loved the Church and as they love themselves and to rule over them with much Tendernesse Eph. 5.25.28 and to govern with discretion and commend their submission by the power of a free and constant affection to imitate the Lords Pattern who loved his Spouse better than himself covering deformities bearing Infirmities taking part with them in their Distresses attending them with necessary Accommodations and suitable conveniences at all times and in all conditions remembring both are but one flesh and that a mans wife is half himself considering she is a Building of the greater Admiration and being brought to man holds forth the Order Honour and Perfection of Gods Creation Likewise Husbands are to dwell with their Wives according to Knowledge having respect to their weaknesses and to honour them as the weaker Vessels For the Woman is the glory of the Man and yet under his Authority to teach her subjection and to shew him he is her protection 2. Wives ought to submit themselves to their own Husbands as unto the Lord Ephes 5.25 Remembring 't is Gods own Institution That man should Rule and have the Dominion and Woman should obey and be in Subjection and God hath Ordained and Honored men to be Heads and Superiours Gen. 3.16 and as the Church is subject to Christ so ought Wives to be to their own Husbands and that Gods own Order and Ordinance might be owned and adorned Let them imitate Sarah who obeyed Abraham and called him Lord. Thus in old time the holy Women put on the Ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which well becomes every Christian and is much set by in the sight of God and man Let Wives then give that Reverence and freely yield that due submission to their Husbands which God hath required of them alwayes endeavouring to approve themselves suitable assistants and meet helps according as they were first created and appointed to be a comfortable Nurse and Yoak-fellow to rejoyce them and to be a constant succour and comfort to them 3. Parents ought to educate and bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and by good Counsel and sound instruction to discharge their duties to them in matters of Faith and Religion Eph. 9.4 and as God hath blessed you with Children so perswade your Children to be Instruments of Glory to him and to make known to them their natural affection according to the neernesse of their Relation avoyding temptations and occasions of their provocations Let every man exercise his fatherly care with Providence and Moderation to make a comfortable provision for them endeavouring to match and prefer them to such as truly fear the Lord and act and walk consonant to the Rule and Circumstance of his Word 4. Children ought to obey their Parents in the Lord and to honour Father and Mother Eph. 6.1 this is Gods Precept for so saith the Word acknowledging them duty and obedience and rendring them their due in Reverence confessing their propriety in them and their authority over them to command them and dispose of them freely to observe their instructions patiently submit to their corrections knowing that children which are Inferiours being disobedient to Parents their Superiours in so neer a Relation is an offence with a high aggravation First 't is a
sin against God the Author of Family-Government 'T is a sin against man which God hath appointed as his Vicegerent 'T is against their own father and so 't is unnatural and contrary to the light of Nature But let children humbly obey their Parents and see that they do their duties so may they expect in due time to inherit Gods promised blessings 5. Masters which also stand in the place of Superiours and may do much for God in their places and by that power and command they have under God and over their Servants by restraining them from vice and vanity and by giving liberty and incouragement in acts of Vertue and Piety Masters are to give unto their Servants that which is equall and just knowing they have a Master in Heaven Col. 4.1.9 who respects not Persons but just and equall dealings They also are to forbear Threatnings and oppressings because whatsoever is measured to another by any man the same measure shall be measured to him back again 6. Servants ought to obey and submit to their Masters in all things as unto the Lord not only to the gentle and good but to such also of them as are froward not with eye service as men-pleasers but with singleness of heart as the Servants of Christ acknowledging their power by obeying their precepts striving toplease them wel in all things not answering again Tit. 2.9 10. nor purloyning walking in all honesty and shewing all Fidelity that in all services and by all means they may adorn the Doctrine of Christ in all things 7. And Lastly Let every one do their duties in their several Obligations whether Superiours or Inferiours I may adde to the rest Land-lords and Tenants who ought to deal faithfully each to other as unto the Lord. Land-lords are in such places and have great advantages to do good services if they do improve themselves for the Lord and give good Councel to their Tenants according to his Holy Word Let them remember although they are Landlords to men yet they are but Tenants and Stewards to the God of Heaven Who hath the disposing of all things who can increase and diminish at pleasure and gives and takesaway as he pleaseth as they expect Obedience Dues and Just accounts of their Tenants So the Lord the great Land-lord expects his Obedience Dues and just accounts as we stand his Tenants and Servants Let Tenants also deal faithfully and do equally in Justice Mat. 7.2.12 agreeable to the good Rule of doing as a man would be done by acting according to the laws of Righteousnesse towards God and the Principles of Uprightness towards men For whosoever shall make a breach upon the Rules of equity and equal dealing the Lord will requite them in Justice answerable to the Law of Retalliation But let Superiours know the limits of their Commands which is over Bodies and not Consciences Some Rules concerning private and personal Government EVery particular person is charged with a souls protection and it being a weighty imployment to be charged with a Souls Concernment Joh. 2.8 it being of a greater value than can be reckoned the gain and losse of it being more than the gain and losse of the whole World Let the former Rules be taken upon once again in order to personal Regulation For there we ought to begin the Foundation for the better accomplishing of the great work of Church-Reformation for although this come last 't is none of the least works to be done and that which pertains to every Christian man to set and keep things in order at home in this little World and more private Jurisdiction For 't is the greatest piece of Knowledge for a man to know the depth of himself and the highest Conquest for a man to overcome himself and the most excellent part of Government when a man can rightly order his own heart govern his own life and rule well his own spirit Prov. 16.32 'T is not only reported but experienced that Heart-work is the most difficult work to which we had need use all the means that may be allowed and to make use of all the helps that can be obtained 1. By Election As the Universal Lord hath set too great Lights to rule in the Universall World and hath appointed Guides and Overseers to enlighten and govern the Church of God so hath he been graciously pleased to make Heavenly provision to order and rule the Inner man and as the Lord in his matchless love hath freely sent his Son to ransome us from everlasting slavery so he hath freely given his Spirit to conductous towards eternal felicity Acts 5.32 Let every one then choose imbrace that means God hath Ordained for the obtaining and receiving Gods holy Spirit which with Reverence I may truly call The prime Overseer over the Soul he is the great Teacher Leader and Conducter of the Saints and whose Office may be fitly compared to the Office of an Overseer or Ruler He is the Christians guide to enlighten and direct them to sanctifie and comfort them to strengthen and confirm them to improve and quicken them to duties and likewise he helps our infirmities interprets our groans and presents our supplications and makes requests for Saints according to the will of God The bodies of Saints are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and the Tabernacle of God where he dwels and governs according to his word he helps us to mortifie our sins and is grieved at our Transgressions Thus is the Kingdome of Heaven within you agreeable as the Scripture hath exprest which consists of Righteousnesse Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost He also convinceth the World of Sin strives and waits upon man to correct and conform them the Gospel Order and holy Profession Jo. 16.13 and so guides the saints into all truth and shews them things to come Secondly Conscience may be called an Overseer in a more subordinate and limited sence which the Lord hath set in man which is the Epitome and Breviate of the World which will act for God and assist for the Souls spiritual good serving to rule and order the whole man even to regulate and Record every word and action The Office of Conscience is to oppose sin reprove sin condemn for sin and if the sinner be impenitent it terrifies and torments the sinner and like a faithfull friend first tell him of his fault secretly if he amends 't is forgiven by God freely but if not Conscience either discovers it to be judged here Rom. 2.15 or else bears witnesse against them at the Bar of Judgement hereafter But Conscience will do Justice in it's Office for it will excuse if guiltlesse and bear testimony to a mans simplicity and godly sincerity and upon every pious action it ministers joy to the Inner-man I may adde the light of Nature which I may call a help in this personal Government 1 Cor. 11.14 which in morall things will give information and
and fervent prayer of a Righteous man availeth much being mixed with Faith obtaineth Vertue and Power from God to assist and us to order and govern our selves according to his Word Isa 5.16 and that he would be graciously pleased to enable and quicken us to our duties to teach us to number our days to improve us by his Spirit supply us with his grace relieve us by his power protect us by his providence to furnish us with Might in the Inner-man to know our selves to rule our own houses to command our own spirits that we may be patterns of Order and Government to other believers and that he would be intreated to learn us spiritual Art and holy Skill to defend and secure our selves our souls and Soul-Treasures against all the wiles and policies of our grand enemies that having the Rule over our own spirit we may be as him that hath taken a City and obtained the Conquest over the great Adversary and so by Gods grace we may be safely conducted through all Combats and Temptations and at last received into Everlasting Mansions 6. By Exclusion To exclude all false Counsels foolish conceits and vain imaginations from the heart Ephes 4.31 22. and to banish all lurking lusts and absurd pretences from the Court of the Inner-man But in order to the Executing and Effecting this good Work let every soul apart call and keep a private and particular Court within the limits of his own personal dominion and let this judgement be holden as Gods spirit hath given Charge and Commission and so to exercise the power of a just and righteous government and to bring every word and action into judgement and because the heart is deceitfull and will oft-times disguise it self and evade the truth and is full of windings and turnings Pro. 19.21 and false pleadings Let every one take an exact and legall way of tryall and a strict and formal way of Judgement and so proceed to Examination Probation Pro. 28.26 Condemnation and Execution and let all be done according to Law and Truth For a man may do Injustice upon himself Let Conscience sit as Judge for Conscience will side with the Lord and judge for God and for the souls good Let the pure Law of God conteined in his Word be the Rule to proceed by let the knowing and understanding part be the witnesses to give in the testimony to every action and against every Circumstance of evill doing let all the faculties of Soul and body be as Jurors and call in every miscariage to make up the clearnesse of the Evidence which is the ground and guide of Justice Let the Law and the Offence be equally compared and neither bosome nor secret sins be respected that the Old man with his deeds may be cast and condemned and the body of sin executed and destroyed and buried in the grave of Oblivion never to have any more Resurrection Either to disquiet our peace here or to evidence against us hereafter knowing the terrour of the Lord moves me to be earnest to perswade 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged of the Lord neither condemned with the World Let us therefore beware and sin no more for behold the great Judge stands before the door 7. By Execution To put personal Discipline into due Execution without which all is nothing for practice is the life of the Law for if the practick part be neglected the blessing will not be obtained and that because the condition is unperformed Let all persons learn to command and rule themselves and especially Superiours who should command and rule others For if a man knows not how to command himself how should he command Inferiours and as the Apostle speaks If a man knows not how to rule his own house how should he take care of the Church of God According to the old saying If every man would rightly order and govern one 't is the ready way to reform the whole Congregation I hope the words I have written touching personal Regulation will not be thought so Impertinent but that they being timely applyed sutably improved may tend to the furthering and establishing a Righteous Government And as I have been speaking of some particulars touching the governing a mans life so I would adde a few words by way of Remembrance what is to be set in order at or before a mans death I will ground my speech upon the words of the Prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah Isai 38.1 who was commanded to set his House in order because he should not live but dye we being all under the sentence of Mortality become concerned to set our houses in order speedily Doubtlesse as Hezekiah was a King he was under a great care to set and leave things in order within his dominion and as he was head of a Family to set things in order within his Family-Jurisdiction and as he was a servant and child of God to set his accounts in order according to his Will and Word so is every Christian concerned within the compasse of his place and power as he may have the charge of a Congregation or the charge of a Family and the charge of his own soul to discharge our trust and do our duty and so set our house in order before we dye Hezekiah's pattern is a good precedent for every mans direction to prepare our reckoning to form and present our accounts Mark well what he saith in Verse the third Isa 38.3 in giving up his Accounts to the Lord saying 1. I have walked before thee in truth 2. And have done that with a perfect heart Thirdly And that which is good in thy sight This is but a brief and short breviate but it contains an excellent and full account 1. I have not talked but I have walked not before others but before thee not in Error but in Truth 2. Not in shew but in heart not with a double and impure heart but with a upright and perfect heart 3. He doth not say he would and will do but I have done not that which is vain but that which is good not in the sight of men but in the sight of God To be short let these words be laid to heart For God is exact and will view every mans Account 2 Cor. 5.10 for we must all appear at the Judgement Seat See that ye have prepared a good account to present in the day of Accounts 2. As every Christian is to set things in order to account with God Rom. 14.12 so he is to leave behind him some examples of Piety to the World that his orderly life zeal for godlinesse and his acts of charity when he is no more may perfume his memory and be like Abels Sacrifice to speak after he dyes and may be worthy of Imication to Church-family and Neighbour-hood Nation 3. As touching temporal substance that the Lord hath made a man Master of or
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-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
Act. 18.27 for some persons that think Christs Discipline too straight judging it little lesse than tyranny and their subjection to it little lesse than slavery when they are under reproof for some misdemeanors will be shifting places and removing themselves into Communion with other Churches Fifthly Another disorder is when one member hath committed a trespasse against another The brother offended which ought to treat with his brother offending betwixt them alone and to have endeavored to restore his brother again neither hath affection to regard his brother offending or faithfulnesse to respect the rule directing 2 Cor. 12.20 but takes his own irregular course and whispers the matter till it comes to a breach and so possibly at last becomes a general disturbance in the Church and endangers the division of the Congregation Sixthly Another disorder is when the Congregation shall receive a matter between brother and brother into hearing and not inquire of the orderly bringing it to the Congregation If the matter be brought disorderly to them they by receiving it become guilty of disorder with them whereas they ought rather to reprove them and send them back to the Rule to do their duty and refuse to receive it before 't is brought legally If this was but duly observed many disorders and breaches would be prevented and the Churches peace better preserved Seventhly Another disorder is when the Church deals with any person or persons for Misdemeanor either in matter of Doctrine or for evill in conversation or Heresie or Schisme or the like 1 Cor. 3.3 4. Oft-times other members for private ends either for Interest or Relation will countenance associate or side with them and incourage them and so many times make a distruction if not a division such are enemies to peace and contemners of Government such ought to be speedily noted as disturbers timely restrained and duly punished Eightly Another disorder touching the Church assembling upon the Lords day some as it were forsaking others neglecting and give no cause of their ablenting others come late which doubtlesse ought to be there at the Churches prayers made in order to their Preparation Sanctification and Direction concerning the work of the Day Heb. 10.20 Some come when the Lords Market is half over others with drowsiness and fleepinesse as if they intended to make the Meeting-house their sleeping place and that time they pretend to improve in Gods service they sinfully and wastfully spend in the satisfying of the desires of the flesh Ninthly Another disorder is when the Brethren absent from Church-Communion in the Lords Supper upon their own private Opinion conceit or imagination to the offence of the Congregation not giving any Cause or Reason to any for their so doing makeing no account either to Church or Elder whether the cause be in themselves or in another not considering their losse and dammage in their neglects or their error in not committing their Case to censure Tenthly Another disorder is when the Church have discharged her duty against others that have committed Iniquity Many such offenders will be their own Judges Deut. 17.12 and that in their own Causes and refuse to submit if not contemn the Churches censures not considering that they do presumptuously and dangerously and do as much as in them lyes to dis-office Christ dis-priviledge the Church and not discerning that they refused to be judged by the Law but will be Judges themselves and that of the Law Eleventhly Another disorder is when one Brother shall believe a report against against another brother and that before he knows the truth of the matter and possibly proceeds upon Rumors Conjectures or Imaginations to passe sentence of condemnation and that before any legall Trial or hearing and so becomes guilty himself of the wrong that 's done Prov. 8.13 in crediting such reports against his brothers reputation and to judge a matter before 't is heard is a fault of which a Christian ought to be ashamed Twelfthly Another disorder or grievance is when there is not an equall compliance together in matter of expence and publick charges either touching the poor members or any other necessary disbursements but 2 Cor. 8.13 14. one is burthened and another is eased some neglecting their duties others not answerable to their abilities and so the affairs and needfull occasions of the Churches are not carried on by Equality according to ability and to answer to Rules of Equity Thirteenthly Another disorder is to receive an occasion against an Elder and not under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. 5.19 which is a disorder in many places not observing the Rule in that case provided but upon every suspition or light occasion disaffected persons will bring their Ministers repute into question Fourthteenthly Another disorder is when the Officers with the members appoint dayes of meeting upon necessary occasions which concern all and for the good of the whole as days of Instruction Discipline Humiliation or Thansgiving or the like and then Brethren shall upon every temporall indifferent and small occasion neglect such appointments and usefull meetings to their own losses and the discouragement of others To conclude these things God is not the Authour of such confusions but a God of Order and the Authour of peace in all the Churches But 't is the Prince of mis-rule who by his subtill wiles stirs up such instruments to make breaches and to break the Churches and as I have drawn you a little Map to shew you the path of his designs In like manner I would present to you as in a glasse the nature of your adversary by his Names 1. He is called the god of this World who blinds the minds of such as believe not lest the light of the Gospell should shine unto them 2. He is called the Prince of the Air that worketh and ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience 3. Satan who opposeth the Lord in his designs and to pervert the Saints in their paths 4. Devill one that deviseth mischiefs and by his wiles and darts to get advantages to over-rule and destroy the Saints 5. Serpent to shew his great policy craft and subtilties in beguiling and betraying innocent souls 6. He is compared to a Lyon and a Dragon to shew his strength violence and cruelty to fear scatter and devour the Saints 7. Belial I may adde Tyrant to draw persons into Infidelity and Apostacie a Tyrant over them he takes captive an oppressor cruell and mercylesse that Tyranizes over soul and conscience Thus I have given you the naming of the Titles of your Adversary some hold forth his great policy and some his great cruelty I have done it to alarum you to take to your armour to keep your watches to defeat your enemy and secure your souls 6. Some branches of Injustice and Opppression to be avoyded in the punishment of Sin 1. THe punishing of sin is our great design 1. What is sin 'T is the transgression of Gods Righteous Laws and these
his Laws and in his name to instruct them in the order and government of his house and learn them to know how to behave themselves in the Church of God that when they trespass they may not plead ignorance and so oft-times matters are disputed in the mean time duties lye unperformed but let Rulers require obediences according to Scripture directions with authority and yet in humility to act and govern for the Lord as men that are governed by the Lord and so to rule and judge in all the Saints affairs as them that must give an account to God themselves to counsell warn reprove cast out the impenitent and obstinate to restore the fallen to strengthen the weak to embrace the humble to absolve the truly penitent not to bear the spirituall sword in vain even to do justice and to shew mercy alwayes designing to save the sinners but to destroy their iniquity Let the exercise of discipline be well mixed with patience and compassion teach them to have a filiall fear and to stand in dread of him who threatens to slay such as will not have him raign over them I will also set your Titles before you and for my self I pray and wish all sutable blessing may attend you in the discharge of the great work ye have to do These are your Names Bishops Elders Pastors Rulers Shepherds Stewards and Ministers all which speak out the burden of your trust and charge ye have of souls If one soul be of more value than the whole world what an obligation hath he that hath the oversight and must give an account of many souls Look upon your Offices and feel the weight of your burdens Take good heed to your selves to your doctrine to your discipline and to your conversation and to all the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed and rule the Church of God which he hath purchased dearly by his own bloud taking care of them not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind not as though ye were lords over Gods heritage but ensamples to the flock As Elders to go before and direct them as Rulers to command and govern them as Pastors to feed and nourish them Ministers not as lords but to be servants to them as Stewards to make provision for them and give an account of them and as Shepherds to watch over them My dearly beloved relations in the Lord look upon that word of the Prophet Isaiah for your learning and take it for your pattern Chap. 40. Vers 11. To feed the flock like a shepherd to gather the lambs in the arms of tenderness and into the bosome of your affections and gently to entreat and guide such as are with young To lead them into green and sound pastures and to water them in the springs of pure and wholsome waters and faithfully to exercise all the parts of the office of a good shepherd and as the wise man saith To look well to the Flocks even to take the number of them the charge of them to feed them to assemble them to rule them to defend them from men-Wolves and seducers that design to deceive and destroy their souls To conclude to act in all godly simplicity fidelity and gravity towards them as men alwayes obliged to give an account for them 3. Concerning the Deacons in Christs Congregation DEacons are Ministers in Christs Churches and are to be men of wisdome full of faith and of a good report sound in the holy mysteries and men of pure consciences whose quallifications are to be sutable to the Elders 1 Tim. 3.8 even to be grave and sober not greedy of filthy lucre likewise must their wives be grave sober and faithfull in all things to have well-ordered children and well-governed families Phil. 1.1 they are the poor Saints overseers and are betrusted with the Churches treasures ye are Gods eminent servants and are to be appointed and ordained by election prayer and laying on of hands your place is of weighty concernment and doubtless ye ought to be helps and assistants in government and as instruments in offices to sulfill Gods gracious promises In a sence to be fathers to the fatherless and busbands to widdows and as it were to be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame and as advocates for the poor saints And as Elders are set over the Lords people more directly and properly in spirituall things and soul-matters so Deacons are to wait and serve at the Lords Tables and to make due provisions for the poors externall and bodily concernments in respect of their Deaconship and yet may be usefull to souls as they may be gifted disciples In this we may behold Gods wonderfull providence and goodness in appointing Offices and Officers to make sutable provisions for his peoples souls and bodies and that at all times and in all conditions And as this is an Office of eminency and necessity so 't is accompanied with great care and much difficulty to carry an even hand and a faithfull heart between the Churches poverty and the poors necessity And doubtless as Elders are to admonish and reprove in neglects touching duties of Religion and Piety which are more spirituall in like manner it doth concern Deacons to exhort and reprove in matters that respect the poors ou ward necessity temporall Let them remember they are instruments by the Lords order to take the care and over-sight of the Lords poor for where there is an Office without doubt there 's power to admonish that things may be done by equallity according to every mans state and abillity not one burthened and another eased And having so good a cause to plead in the behalf of the poor and needy it well becomes you to take boldness to blame such as detain from the poor their right of charity My well beloved Brethren I wish and pray ye may be blessed from heaven with sutable graces and spirituall accommodations in discharge of your duties and great obligations that as the Lord hath honoured you with a trust in your Offices so you may faithfully endeavour to honour God in your respective places acting in all fidelity confonant to the prime Rules of justice and equall dealings as men obliged to give an account to God and the Churches 1. Let them be to the poor as fathers in respect of compassion as men naturally sympathizing with them in their low condition 2. Give them good advice and counsell to be industrious in their callings and provident in their expences that they may not bring any unnecessary charges and unjust burdens upon the Congregations 3. If they be able and refuse to work then to admonish them The Apostle is sharp in this case and saith If any would not work in their common imployments neither should he cat of the Churches charges Lastly They are in the place of fathers to enquire into their conditions lest any lye under temptations for want of
eternall preferment 4. The necessity of it In the former buildings some laid the foundations other were overseers of the work and some to bear burdens There is a necessity the Gospell should be preached and the foundations of Gods spirituall house laid and overseers appointed and the work preserved and others to help to bear the burdens 1 Cor. 9.16 For if the Gospell be neglected there is a woe pronounced so that in this Gospell-work there are instruments and assistants Then let all ponder and seriously consider that are become concerned and are obliged in this weighty matter for some betake themselves to farming that are appointed to publick preaching and cannot go out upon the work of the Ministry because of the pressing cares of family-necessity when as the Apostle saith No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life 2 Tim. 2.4 And if the Apostles thought it not reason and meet to leave the Word and Prayer to serve tables an office in the Churches much more is it unreasonable for Gospel Preachers to leave the work to follow worldly occasions I may say some have robbed their own families to spend their time in the Churches services for much is already known and much more is feared and foreseen of the great inconveniencies that attend this business as naturall consequences 5. The bad and sad effects that accompany the neglect of it 'T is to be feared that some that have been eminent in the Ministry have declined the way of truth and verity being under temptations for want of supplyes necessary In the former dispensation when the people detained the Lords servants right the Lord charged them that they robbed him and for that he would come as a swift witness against them Mal. 8.3 If the Scripture saith 't is even so in the duty we may justly fear it may be even so in the penalty If the keeping back the labourers wages Jam. 5.4 cryes in the ears of the Lord of Sabbath shall not we fear if we neglect such as faithfully and painfully labour in the Word and Ministry My dearly beloved Brethren let these things be pondered I do not charge you but warn you and in discharge of my own duty and to give you notice to escape the danger of the penalty for there is a neglect and it will be charged somewhere let every man do his duty according to his measure This then is the great strait that either the work of the Lord must be neglected or that which properly belongs to wife and children must be wasted 'T is not the mind neither is it for Gods honour that one servant should be oppressed and another eased and whether the Lord may not reckon for estates decayed bodies wasted spirits and bloud spent and not regarded as well as consciences opprest and bodies destroyed This is the strait betwixt two either to neglect the worthy work of the Gospell or else to be in danger of being reputed worse than an Infidell Moreover besides all this 't is more than hard to obtain a succession of Ministers because 't is foreseen and known the Church makes no provisions And these things I have not only by intelligence but by sad and known experience 6. There are some circumstances to consider touching and relating to this matter Let none be mistaken or deceived as to think that I plead for particular persons Phil. 4.17 or private interest not that I desire a gift or that it should be so done to me For I thought I might speak the more freely because I have not been chargeable to any no otherwise than in common entertainments nay if need be I can give testimony that I have refused when it hath been tendred me But I can assign more publick and better ends as the preaching the Gospell the conversion of sinners Tit. 1.9 the constituting and confirming of Churches the convincing and improving gainsayers the uniting Christians the repairing breaches and the establishing and setting in order the Congregations and moreover that fruit might abound upon the Lords peoples account There may be times and occasions that a man may abate of his due and remit of his right Some circumstances may require it where the people have not ability and when the Lords people may be in distress and necessity whose conditions may call for more than ordinary supplyes Such circumstances ought to be observed notwithstanding it be a duty commanded I speak not this that the Lords people should be burdened nor any particular mans desire answered but that every mans duty and conscience may be discharged the Gospell preached Ministers encouraged and the work of God furthered and advanced 7. An Exhortation to discharge your duties in these weighty businesses God is not mocked what a man sowes that he shall reap Let not me be thought tedious neither let this work be counted weariness There is such great need the Gospell should be spread and such great complaints for instruments moves and presses me to be earnest to perswade to answer their expectations and the Lords requirements 1. Let the Lords Ministers see there be no default and neglect in them 2 Pet. 5.2 neither to have a covetous desire after gain and filthy lucre but freely to go out in the Lords name upon the Lords work and chearfully cast themselves upon the Lords promises and providences for their success and security And let the Churches see that they neglect not their duty as helps and assistants to them in the Ministry for coyn and treasure is the sinews of warfare Let every one help as he hath received not one eased and another over-burdened 2 Cor. 3.13 14. Let this law be the rule and order as you would have another do to you do you in like manner to another And whose heart the Lord hath enlarged towards this needfull work let it be done chearfully and in charity agreeable to principles of equallity answerable to ability and consonant to rules of equity for all receits must be accounted for we are but Stewards of that we are possest for the earth is the Lords and all things therein for we our selves are not our own neither is any of our substance or coyn bodies goods and spirits are to glorifie him for we are but tenants to the immortall and universall Lord when he calls for our selves or substance to serve him we ought to render up all to him for every Christian man the Lord hath made stewards of a worldly possession stands obliged with this Rent-charge by vertue of Religion besides those of his family to communicate to the poor saints and such as labour in the Ministry Beloved brethren I can do no less but caution you against covetousness Col. 3.5 which is so destructive to piety and which the Apostle calls Idolatry which especially consists of two generall parts either an unlawfull getting and possessing or an unjust with-holding and detaining that from another of which he is the
maintained and the poor relieved The Lord is pleased to define the sin and calls it robbery and injustice he repayes the evill with a curse of penury And as all Scripture is recorded for our learning and instruction so these presidents of miscarriages and punishments are become our premonitions and warnings that by preventing the sins we may clearly escape the punishments Thus much be spoken touching the Caution and Admonition Lastly A word of Encouragement and so I have done I am of St. Peters perswasion to put you in remembrance of these things although ye know them and be established in them but to observe the speciall notice the Lord takes and countenance he manifests to such as are just and righteous as Noah Lot and Phineas Caleb Joshua and many others who for their integrity fidelity and singularity are blest with speciall security that while others fall under judgement and misery as a demonstration the Lord records their names commends their actions secures their persons and comprehends in the blessing their posterities and families The Prophet Jeremiah speaking in commendations of Josiah King of Judah said thus of him Jer. 22.15 16. that he did execute judgement and justice and then it was well with him this is rightly to know God Was not this to know me saith the Lord. These that were men of justice and faithfulness the Lord counts it unto them for righteousness John the Baptist was a righteous man and faithfull and just in reproving sin and so obtained this commendation to be called a just and holy man Also the Lord was pleased greatly to honour Abraham in making him privy to his design of justice upon Sodom and admits him to parle touching their destruction the Lord gives this character of him that he will command his children and his houshold after him Gen. 18.19 and like a man of government to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement The Lord doth so highly account and so much delight in truth and judgement that if there were but one man found in the City Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 to seek for it and in the execution of it notwithstanding a wicked City he would pardon it The Lord takes such pleasure in justice that he prefers it above other sacrifice for it is the habitation of his holiness Finally The benefits that attend such as give Christs servants their due encouragements If I may take leave once again to look back into the Old Testament Mapp recorded in the Prophesie of Malaechy I will shew you a three-fold blessing that attends this duty 1. The Lord invites and tempts them to do their duty 2. He is pleased to promise upon doing their duty he will pour out blessings and that abundantly for their sakes 3. He will remove the curse stop the destroyer reprove the consumer and rebuke the devourer 4. The Lord will so raise their fame and commendations that they shall be called a blessed people and that by all Nations In my making use of Old Testament Scriptures 't is not to make it our rule but to make use of their concurrences and assistances for they may in some measure help us as mapps and glasses to discover our duties and to see our dangers For as in the Gospell dayes duties are more richly and rarely blessed so new testaments neglects Heb. 10.28 29. and contempts are more sorely and dreadfully punisht Thus I have as it were set some Land-marks to guide you in the way to felicity and also discovered some Sea-marks to avoid the rocks of misery and having thus born my testimony I commend you all to God and wish you eternall mansions of glory FINIS POSTSCRIPT NOw if any Brother or Well-wisher shall conscientiously doubt or be dis-satisfied touching any particular Point contained in this Treatise because of my speaking to many things in a little room And if he or they shall be serious in so doing and will be-friend me so far and do me that courtesie to send to me before they condemn me and let me know their scruples in a few words of writing I shall look upon my self obliged both in affection and reason to endeavour to give them full satisfaction FINIS A Table of the principall Matters contained in this Book CHAP. I. THe Causes of peace and prosperity in the Churches of Jesus Christ page 1 2. The antiquity and dignity of Church-Government p. 3. The personall and princely Excellencies in Christ as the head of his Church p. 6. Chap. 2. Shewing the definition of Church-Government in New Testament dayes viz. in not inflicting bodily punishment upon offenders but spiritually executing Laws without knowing faces respecting persons wresting causes either for favour or prejudice to any persons p. 9. A true Ministers most speciall work and duty to the flock under all circumstances laid down p. 11 12. Chap. 3. Shewing the necessity of and reasons for Church-Governours and Governments p. 12 13. Chap. 4. Shewing the good use and great benefit that comes by right Government p. 19. Right Government is destructive to iniquity and a protection to piety p. 22 23. Chap. 5. Rules tendred to accomplish a right Government and the manner how to choose their Officers p. 26. 27. The work of the Officers when chosen p. 28 29 30. Chap. 6. Shewing the duty of Christians as they stand related to civill Magistrates requiring civill subjection not only for wrath but for conscience sake p. 38. Chap. 7. Treating of Family duties Superiours to Inferiours and Inferiours to Superiours with Directions to a religious choice in Yoke-fellows p. 40 41 c. Chap. 8. Treating particularly of Family duties p. 51. Chap. 9. Treating of private and personall Government p. 56. Cautions not to grieve Gods Spirit nor offend Conscience p. 61. Rules for the heart mouth eyes and ears p. 65 c. Chap. 10. Shewing the true order and right manner of executing Church-Government in seven Rules p. 73 74. Chap. 11. Treating of restitution to be made by an offender p. 76. Concerning dealing with Hereticks and other offenders p. 77 78. Chap. 12. Rules of Discipline how to treat an offender in orderlyest wayes how to restore him p. 80. Rules of better observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath p. 83. Rules for Admonition of penitent persons after Excommunication p. 87. Chap. 13. Shewing what Priviledges are to be maintained to Officers and Members in Christs Congregation p. 88 c. Chap. 14. Shewing what Disorders ought to be prevented corrected or removed p. 95. Rules how the offended ought to treat the offending Brother p. 97 c. Seven Descriptions of the nature of the Devil the Churches adversary by his names p. 102. Chap. 15. Shewing what Branches of injustice and oppression are to be avoided in the punishment of sin p. 103. Chap. 16. Shewing the true order and the execution of Discipline and Justice p. 105. Rules to set out the ugly nature of sin in its aggravations to the thorow humbling the offender p. 109. Usefull Directions for the promoting and preserving unity and peace in the Churches of Christ p. 112 113 c. Chap. 17. Giving Directions how to uphold and preserve Church-Government p. 115 c. Chap. 18. Shewing the duty of particular Elders over particular Churches p. 119. to 124. Chap. 19. Shewing the Office and Duty of Deacons in Christs Congregations p. 124. to 129. Chap. 20. Shewing the Duty of Church-members to their Officers p. 129 130 c. A Duty incumbent and of high concern for Churches to present humble frequent and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospell-Governours that they may rule for God in justice and righteousness and for the encrease of faithfull Labourers in his harvest p. 132 to 135. Chap. 21. Shewing what God hath ordained respecting his Ministers Maintenance p. 135 136 c. The Necessity of making carefull and sutable provision for the Ministry with the sad effects that accompany the contrary p. 139 140 c. Encouragements to this work shewing the advantages that attend the due performance of it p. 143 144 c. Counsell to forwardness in assisting the Ministry with our worldly possessions Also a Caution against Covetonsness describing what it is p. 145 146. Objections against this needfull work answered p. 148. A generall resolution in all difficult and doubtfull Cases p. 149. The dreadfull consequences in Minister and People to do the work of the Lord negligently with comfortable Encouragements to constant diligence p. 150 151 152 c.