blocks and offences that are on our parts and the Lord will blesse us and hear our prayers and reward our worke and labour of love that we have shewed to his name and for ought we know he may turne their hearts to be otherwise minded then we expect It may be our stiffenesse hath been a cause of theirs and theirs of ours And so likewise may our yeelding and holding forth of love and condescention provoke them to doe the like And therefore let no excuses reâ—ard or hinder our speedy indeavours for mutuall Accordance But let us make iâ— our â—usinesse and that as a matter of greatest importance and concernement to us yea as a matter of life and death lest the Lord cometh and findeth us smiting our fellow servants c. And give me leave a little to inculcate and beat it home to our very consciences Consider it seriously did not the Lord himself inculcate this command upon his holy Disciples and that over and over again with argument after argument and command after command and shall we think it needlesse in this frozen age Nay Did he make it his businesse when he was ready to leave them and to give it forth chiefely as his will and testament and shall not we think it worthy to be made as our businesse and that of greatest concernement in this our age and generation because the love of many waxeth cold already However in this treatise I study brevity expecting that men better able will make it their businesse And yet if I seem to repeat and fall on againe with the same Scriptures it is to presse them further Consider therefore thus saith the Lord A new commandement I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 13.34 Consider it I say It is the commandement of Christ to all such as are and would be accounted and knowne by all men to be his Disciples which is the promise annexed vers 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Now the measure of this love is expressed in the latter part of the 34. ver to wit As I have loved you that ye also love one another And this measure of love is further explained as to the latitude and extent thereof in reference to the same command to wit John 15.12 13. This is my commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you And how is that See vers 15. Greater love hath no man then this that a man lay downe his life for his friends And that this is the true and proper meaning of Christ without any misticall dark sence See how the same Apostle that loving Disciple who is therefore truly called the beloved Disciple or the Disciple whom Jesus loved as though in comparison he had loved none 〈◊〉 him And certainâ— it is that though he loveâ— them all yet he loved John with a more peculiar transcendent affection then any of tâ—e rest and chiefly because that his doctrine of lovâ— and his commands thereof took more impression in him then the other Disciples and the love of God and the love of the brethren tooke more place in his heart as so it is manifest in his Epistles and Gospel by his treating more and more fully of love then all the other Disciples 1 Con. From whence I may gather by the way That they that love most are the most beloved and the most bent to the pressing and inculcating and communication of the doctrine of love unto their brethren 2 Con. And that they whomsoever that cannot cordially embrace and receive this doctrine are not cordially embraced and received of Christ and that in respect of the measure of our cordiallity 3 Con. Look how much more cordially we embrace and receive his doctrine of love by so much the more cordially we shall be and are embraced yea loved and received of the Lord Jesus Christ And thus much by the way Now for the proper extent of the manner and measure of this duty of love See 1 John 3.16 to wit Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren It is not sufficient to love in word and in tâ—ngue only but it must be in deed and in truth vers 18. especially if we would know that we are of the truth and that the love of God dwelleth in us and would have our hearts assured before him See ver 17.19 we must not shut up our bowels of compassion if we have this worlds good and see our brother hath need for in such case there is no appearance or manifestation that the love of God abideth in us No he that loveth not his brother abideth in death And whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer and we know that no murtherer hath eternall life abiding in him See vers 14.15 Read this Chapter throughout and Ch. 4. wherein it is so evident that the Apostle presseth this duty of love as the great and chiefest duty and command of Christ and that without which we cannot possibly be assured that we are yet passed from death unto life nor that God loveth us and we him nor that we keep his commandements and doe those things that please him nor that we know God or dwell in him and he in us nor that we shall have boldnesse in the day of judgment neither can our feare that hath torment in it be cast out nor can we prove our selves to be true men but lyars because it is impossible that he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seene should love God whom he hath not seen And this commandement have we from him that he who loveth God should love his brother also See Chap. 4. And this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning that we should love one another Chap. 3.11 See also 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the commandement is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfained And why is this called the end of the coÌ„mandement but because that he that hath loved another hath fulfilled the Law for no man can love his brother but he loveth God nor any man love God but he will also love his brother and upon this hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets to wit To love God above all and our neighbours as our selves And againe Because if this love be in us in perfection as it ought the naturall product of it will be suitable both in respect of our duties to God and to our neighbours for love worketh no evill against our neighbours much lesse against God See 1 Cor. 13. Now this main duty of love and the measures and necessity of it being sufficiently proved and that from such authority as no Christian can for shame gainsay it or oppose it in the least I shall proceed to answer some Queries
callings are without repentance Rom. 11.29 And though he will oblitterate the names of such out of his book of life as he said unto Moses who sin against him Exod. 32.32 33. yet he will be mercifull unto his land and to his people And therefore he saith Rejoyce oh ye nations with his people for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be mercifull to his land and people see Deut. 32.43 And of this we may be confident that he that hath begun will certainly make an end before he break off from us whom he hath owned as a peculiar people in a nationall way and that above any nation under heaven as once he did to Israel of old And will bring us to rest and settlement in spite of all opposers either forraine or domestick And he will give victory on the Lambs side together with them who are the called chosen and faithfull His heart is towards the governors of Israel who have jeoparded their lives to maintaine his cause upon the high places of the field with Zebulon and Napthali see Judges 5.9.18 for they offered themselves willingly amongst the people and have not loved their lives even unto the death Rev. 12.11 And therefore rejoyce ye heavens that is to say ye Churches militant and triumphant and ye that dwell in them but woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the Sea that is to the world for the Devill is come downe amongst you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time vers 12. to wit till he must be inclosed in the bottomlesse pit that he shall not deceive the nations any more till a thousand years shall be fulfilled see Rev. 20.1 2 3. Yea woe unto the world because of offences for though it must needs be that offences shall come yet woe to that man by whom the offence cometh see Mat. 18.7 Doubtlesse it hath ever been dangerous to give any offence either to Jew or Gentile or to the Church of God see 1 Cor. 10.32 but much more now in these latter dayes wherein the Lord hath begun to avenge his Elect who cry unto him day and night for now he hath begun he will certainly hold on and avenge them speedily as hath been proved before Luke 18.7 8. And therefore it is the advice of our blessed Saviour to take heed that we despise not one of those little ones yea one of the least of those little ones that beleeve in him and the reason is rendred because that in heaven there Angels doe alwayes behold the face of their Father which is in Heaven For they are all ministring spirits sent forth for the good of them who shall be heires of salvation and will readily accomplish what the will of God shall require them to doe For they alwayes behold his face to know his will concerning his servants that they might accomplish it concerning all his Elect over whom they have Charge see Matth. 18.10 Mark 9.42 Heb. 1.14 Psal 103.20 Now if it be so much danger to offend but one of the least of those little ones that beleeve in Christ as that it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were cast into the depth of the Sea c. How dangerous is it to offend his Embassadors that are sent unto us in the name of the Lord for the good of our souls Is it not said He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me And he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me But how few is there in these our dayes that regard these words or at least so regard them as to caution them as they ought in these respects Are not the words of men in authority as Magistrates and Officers and masters much more regarded then these words of Christ They that are under command under any authority either civill or millitary will quickly say we are so commanded and we must obey else it will be worse for us we shall be turned out of office or out of our service or places else or those our superiours will be offended with us and for such like reasons which in such cases are good and wise and but our duty but how few is there that are so wisely subservient to the commands of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ and to take his counsells and admonitions and lay them to heart and own them as a rule for regulation of all their wayes But if you please to read with seriousnesse of spirit but this little Treatise you will easily perceive how much we are short of obedience and subserviencie to the commands of Christ yea even the best of us all and so what need there is to make it our businesse to indeavour a redresse what in us lyeth in our places and callings and to provoke one another to love and good works which are so much wanting And for this end I have directed it to you who are in highest authority though I therein speak not to you only but to all that are or professe themselves to be christians indeed not in shew only that you all such might incourage and induce what in them lieth to a cordiall uniformity of hearts and affections in the wayes of God For though it is a thing that cannot possibly be compelled to by humane authority yet it much conduceth and helpeth forward when the eyes of authority are bent that wayes The incouragement of authority in well doing is a strong inducement to the doing of it And so is likewise their own example no lesse available with ingeneous spirits see 1 Pet. 2.14 The Lord grant that you may make it your businesse when you come to deale in matters of religion To accord our differences as much as may be and to settle peace both in Church and state what in you lyeth And in so doing the Lord will assist you and blesse your indeavours for the good of these nations to all posterities which is the earnest desire of Your Cordiall Subject Ellis Bradshaw I Desire the Reader to mend these Erratats following and to make the residue sence in the reading to wit Page 6. line 4. for on read or Page 8. line 30. for state read save Page 13. line 26 for smite them hand read smite them with the hand Page 31. line 4 for consecrate read consociate and line 26. for hear read heavens A CORDIAL-MEDIATOR FOR Accordance of Brethren that are of different Judgements and wayes of Administration in things that concern the Kingdom of God For repairing of the breach and restoring of the paths for many Generations as followeth to wit BELOVED brethren the end of this discourse I shall in few words first declare with the grounds thereof before I begin because I love not prolixity nor would not be mistaken to wit 1. That all
the danger of these things I mean of despising one of the least of those little ones that beleeve in Christ See Mat. 18.10 11. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in heaven their Angells doe alwayes behold the face of my father which is in heaven For the son of man is come to save that which was lost By which it is evident that every one of those little ones that beleeve in Christ hath an Angell of God as it were standing before God in a continuall readinesse to execute his commands in their behalfe so that it were better for a man that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea c. And therefore woe unto the world because of offences c. See ver 6 7 8 9. And it is certaine that Christ hath an eye upon them who came on purpose to save that which was lost and therefore will certainly save them and hath his Angels ready and will avenge them speedily if they cry unto him See Luke 18.7 8. Beloved brethren I include my selfe as well as others under this guilt and have been rebuked and chastened of the Lord for such things and therefore dare not Justifiâ— my self and condemn others nor expect any other but that whoever continue in such practices shall smart for it one time or other be they who they can if they doe not repent Will a father suffer his children to wrong and bite and devoure one another nay his little ones especially and not whip them for it And as a father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that feare him Psal 103.13 Object But it will be objected that this is so maine a cause of the differences amongst us that it will hardly ever be ascented to by any party in regard that all their principles are quite contradiory to the receiving of any to communicate with them in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unles they be known to be of their owne way and especially strangers who ordinarily get letters of recommendations for this very purpose or else they are not admitted And if every Minister or member of a Church might bring in a stranger meerly upon his own knowledge and acquaintance with him and that without satisfying of the rest of the Church it would soon grow to that that there could be no restraint nor discipline at all exercised in the Church but all would be admitted that had any friend a member of a Church in the old promiscuous manner Answ 1. To this I answer Let it be considered That the cause of the differences are not because that any at all that are knowne to be Godly are admitted to the Sacrament nor the doores of fellowship straitned on purpose to keepe any of them out from any ordinance but to keep out those who are scandalous or ignorant and that chiefly for their own good 2. I answer That I doe not propose it that any should be admitted either because they are Presbitterians and so known to be nor because they are Independants or Anabaptists but because they are known to be Godly for there may be such of any party crept in who are not Godly but turne the grace of God into wantonnesse and laciviousnesse and denying the onely Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ See Jude 4. I doe not move to the receiving of any but that are known to be Godly of what ever forme or Church or way 3. I doe not move that every one might have liberty to invite another but those that are knowne and approved to be Godly and judicious For the younger sort of professors cannot be thought able to discerne being but beginners But such are not fit to be accounted Ministers nor beare the office of Elders or Deacons that may not be trusted in such a case Object But it will be objected that the wisest may be deceived whereas a whole Church might be more discerning and some or other may know them unfit Answ I answer if it so falleth out it is the fault and will be the desparadgement of him that bringeth him in upon his owne Judgement and it is nothing at all to the rest of the Church And if he have no ground so to judge of him and yet â—dmitteth him let him bear the blame as may be thought fit the Church is guiltlesse Object But it will be objected that it is a main principle in Church-pollicy to admit none that are not polliticially incorporated into some Church or other and that are willing to submit and ingage to the discipline thereof Answ 1. I answer It is true that it is an old and maine principle in Church pollicy but I for my part could never learn from what Scripture ground it could be proved lawfull Answ 2. But am and allwayes have been against it in my Judgement since I first knew it to be their principle and practise but shall be glad if any will inform me how it can be lawfull considering the precedent grounds of this discourse and most especially that command of the Apostle Receive ye one another even as Jesus Christ hath received you to the glory of God the Father see Rom. 15.7 Now if we doe not receive one another to the outward ordinances and Christian communion which are all the glory that we can received and admit them too how doe we follow Christ who hath received us to the glory of God the Father which is the highest and greatest glory that he himselfe can have And this his love to us hath ingaged him to when as yet we were sinners And it alwayes looked so like to the practise of Diotrephes who loved to have the preheminence and received not the Apostle John nor the brethren c. Insomuch that these principles in my opinion ingaged in a great measure to the very same practise for if the Apostle John yea or Christ himselfe should come amongst us as so he doth sometimes in his members he could not be received till he first conforme himselfe both in judgement and practise or professe so at least and also ingage to submit to the discipline and so be under those who are all under him else he must not communicate But this I dare affirme and have alwayes so accounted it as a dangerous thing for any Church or any part or member of a Church neither to receive the brethren nor suffer them that would See 3 John 9 10 11. especially considering there is no ground that I yet know of in all the Scripture for such a policy but is meerly invented to ingage or inforce men to their own principles and practises whether their judgements be convinced of the lawfulnesse thereof yea or no the which is not Christian it is not doing by our brethren as we would that they should doe unto us in the like case Object But it will be said if they be not incorporated with us