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
Christianity indeed OR The well-disciplin'd Christian the Delight of Christ SHEWING How Believers in Christ ought to go in and out each before other in Gospel-Order Governing and being Governed as the children of one Father By Fr. Stanley Phil. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report If there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Chap. 1.27 Onely let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ c. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-bar To the most worthy my well beloved and dear Relations in the Lord of the Congregational Churches both Officers and Members whom I humbly crave to Patronize this small and mean Treatise for whose sake I chiefly formed it and for whose benefit I now present it For whom I can do no less but wish all increase of Grace and fulness of Peace and as a further Duty and Obligation to pray and intercede for your Perfection My Beloved and Christian Friends IT is the holy Scriptures commendation That it 's written for every Mans Instruction and as there is a mystery of Godliness and Piety so there is a mystery of Sin and Iniquity and as there are Mines of Heavenly Treasure so there are Minerals of Tin and Clay Now Many are so wrapt in darkness in the depth of Impiety and others busied labouring in the Earth for Clay that they have not hitherto discovered the Celestial and hidden Mysteries nor found out the Spiritual Mines of Divine Treasures which precious things cannot be obtained unless by Gods holy Spirit a Man be inspired for by Divine light a Man must come to discern everlasting Mines and Mysteries and by the eternal Spirit which searcheth the hidden and most secret things And as these are not Matters of Indifferency or Temporary so they are to be sought with more than ordinary diligence and industry and for our better guidance and more sure direction we must make use of the helps of Divine Inspiration I can do no lesse but call upon all Christian Professors to betake themselves to the Canonical Books of the holy Scriptures For among all other Benefits and Benedictions we are to bless God for those holy Writings for they are the best helps that are helps in the best things And as a Mapp directs both to Town and Country so doth holy Writ discover the Borders and Treasures of the Heavenly and Holy City indeed they are like a light to our feet and a lanthorn to our paths to guide us aright in all Gods pure and holy wayes and to the finding out of the most choyce and invaluable Riches far better to the Saints than Pearls and Jewels for they are more than a Library for Instruction like a Store-house for Soul-provision and like a Spiritual Armorie for Munition where is to be found all manner of heavenly Food for Nutriment and all kinde of holy Garments for Ornament I may say 't is like an Apotheries shop for Receipts and Remedies even the most soveraign helps against all in troubles and diseases such Minerals will make Potions for Soul-sick Patients which being skilfully compounded and carefully applied may prove effectual Means and powerfull Remedies to expel and drive away most dangerous Distempers From hence Christians may be directed and provided with Skill and right Judgement and principled and furnished with Rules for all Order Discipline and Government whether it be within the Dominion of Congregational Personal or Family Jurisdiction Besides this a Man may collect and form an Evidence in order to the claiming an Interest to the everlasting Inheritance To be be short here is all variety of Soul-concernment and Contentment towards the fitting a Mans self clearing his Assurance for his Eternal Preferment We may say of the Holy Scriptures in Resolution as once was said in answer to Circumcision That they are profitable every way even to such as order their Lives according to them have both the promise of this life and that which is to come Now as the Sun goes his course and gives light in his place and every Star in his order gives some light in his course So ought every Christian to be a light in his day with respect to order and place and as a Member of the Mystical Body I would cast a Mite into the Publick Treasurie and as one of the unworthy Successors of our antient Fathers who sent their Epistles to the Believing Churches I have now an Occasion as well as a Pattern to present something to Christs Congregation Or any Well-wishers who see any thing worth of acceptation that may deserve the place of Counsel or Direction wherein they may see themselves concerned in Conscience and ingaged in Duties to conform thereunto according to Scripture-obligations Now because a Paper-direction may be received where a Mans Person will be refused and a Matter printed may be imbraced where a Sermon cannot be preached and because the greatest things have the smallest beginnings and the Lord hath ordained strength out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings are moving Causes of my entering upon this Work and so I commit this small Labour to be perused and proved consonant to the prime Rules of Christianity and the pure Principles of Charity and so to receive its approbation or correction Now if this little Mite be by any accepted and imbraced if any by it be instructed and profited the Author hath his End and is well recompenced and satisfied Brethren This is the first of my looking towards the Press I hope I shall have an Allowance from you more or less where I have failed in Method or Circumstance I hope you will blot it out of your Remembrance THE Preface or Premonition presented to the Readers serious Consideration or Meditation Christian Courteous and Impartial Reader AS the worth and loss of Heaven can neither be imagined or valued so the dreadfull and perpetuall torments of Hell can neither be measured nor reported To design the obtaining of the one and to endeavour to escape the other is the great task and speciall care of every Gospell-professor and in order to these things as it is the Christian mans wisdome to ask counsell of God and his holy writings so 't is also his discretion to have an eye to his present dispensations 1 Chron. 12.32 We have lived to be eye and ear-witnesses to hear and behold Gods eminent hand both in respect of judgements and mercies wherein his fatherly care hath been famously and affectionately discovered by the soul-provisions he hath made for us and his princely respect hath been eminently demonstrated by the constant protection and speciall security he hath given us who hath also attended and alarmed us by loud calls by happy instruments miraculous mercies and admonished us by fearfull apparitions particular accidents and dreadfull judgements
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
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
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
evills are both of Omission and Commission In the execution of Discipline we are to endeavour the destruction of all sin and for our better knowledge and prosecution of this design we may enquire how many wayes a man may sin A man may sin severall ways in the Commission of sin and several wayes touching the punishment of sin 1. In the commission of sin a man may actually sin in his own person 2. A man may sin by counselling and abetting with another in sin 3. A man may sin by countenancing and incouraging one that hath sinned 4. A man may sin by not restoring his brother that 's overtaken in sin 5. A man may hate his brother and have fellowship with sin by not reproving his sin 6. In a compact body all are guilty of another mans sin that refuse to joyn in the punishment of a sinner 7. And the Church may contract iniquity in doing Justice and not doing it throughly 2. How may a man be guilty and sin in punishing of sin Answ In the branches of in justice and Oppression 1. To punish a man as an offender without the breach of some Law is Injustice and Oppression 2. To neglect to punish an Offender that transgresses the Law is a branch of Injustice 3. To wrest Judgement out of it's true Channell and to turn Justice out of it's legall course is another branch of Injustice 4. To respect Persons and regard Causes so as to condemn the innocent and clear the guilty 't is Oppession In juffice and an abomination 5. To impose a lesse penalty upon an offender then his offence deserves is another branch of Injustice 6. To inffict a greater punishment upon a Trespasser than the Law requires is another branch of Injustice and Oppession 7. Not timely to relieve the Oppressed and duly to acquit and discharge the Innocent man is another high branch of Injustice and Oppression To conclude this point in question this shews us what Justice is by the rule of a contrary observation To execute Justice timely impartially and thoroughly is true Justice according to Gods Law having thus sorted our materials and made our division I proceed to Justice it self in it's Execution 7. Tho true Order of the Execution of Justice and Discipline EXecution is the life of Governing when Laws and Rules lye unexecuted 't is like Ingagements unperformed Right Discipline in it's execution carrieth a good Reputation It beats down evill designs it gives Countenance to the best things it disturbs the Nocent and rejoyceth the innocent It displeaseth the Righteous God when such as are placed and be trusted Prov. 17.15 with the weighty imployment of Church-Government and shall either not judge at all or else in judgement are unjust and partial To punish the Innocent that ought to be cleared or to clear the Guilty that ought to be punished A man had need be just in discharging Conscience in punishing sins lest he be found guilty of the bloud of perishing souls and when the Church of God shall assemble themselves upon this solemn occasion 1. Let the Word be sounded like a Trumpet that the people may be warned and informed into whose all-seeing presence they come and that God is present with them and judgeth among them to beget the people in an awfull fear and holy reverence of his sacred Majesty and Presence To remember the people by improving some words by way of charge and to produce Commissions from Gods holy writing and to let the people know they are properly concerned legally returned and solemnly ingaged to take their places and humbly to attend upon Gods services and to tell them the Lord hath betrusted us with Offices and Priviledges and furnished us with such authority that we should act like a holy Nation and spiritual Court in all Justice and Fidelity 2. Because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer let humble and fervent supplications be made to the God of Heaven to be counsell for you and to prepare sanctifie and direct you in that serious matter undertaken by you and that your part may be so done and performed on earth That whatsoever ye bind or loose may be done and confirmed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 and as in all other Religious services there ought to be good advice taken sufficient tryal made before the exercise of action much more in this case wherein we act for God and must give an account to God in this matter there had need to precede a Judgement of preparation before the judgement of Execution 1. To consider we must act in Christs Name and by vertue of his Authority and that this action ought as it were to type out the last judgement and to hold forth Christs Righteous Government 2. To examine whether the matter be brought orderly and the parties have proceeded legally 3. To consider the capacity of the person offending whether a member or a Officer for although the Lord respects not Persons yet he allows some priviledge to Offices 4. To enquire of the nature of the Offence whether more directly against God or man whether publick or private 5. To examine what provocations the offender had to it and what design he had in it whether ignorantly or wilfully Seventhly Having found out the nature of the sin then to have recourse to the law that makes it a transgression Let the Law and the Offence be equally compared and the penalty justly imposed 7. Let all proceedings be mixed with compassion that it may answer to the design of Heaven the end to destroy the flesh and to restore the offender out of transgression Having thus made preparation proceed to probation and to the act of Execution also remembring God is with you and Judges of the judgement passed by you Psal 83.1 and that in a subordinate humble sence ye ought to hold forth the glory of his Presence and that with all justnesse humblenesse and gravity representing his dignity mercy purity and severity and so to passe sentence according as in Justice ye shall see cause without delay or partiality purged of all favour prejudice and hypocrisie without regard to causes knowing faces or repecting persons as acting for God uprightly Deut. 1.17 that it may be received and approved in the Court of Eternity Secondly Some further circumstances to be observed in the prosecution of Church-Discipline let be done and executed speedily not to suffer sin to lye upon thy brother Lev. 19.17 or to infect the spiritual body A green sore is soonest healed a disease taken new is easiest cured in like manner trespasses or contentions amongst Church-members taken timely are best purged appeased and reconciled Thirdly Them that are Judges of others in the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction are to be Counsellors to the offenders especially if they be ignorant persons not to daunt or surprize them or take quick advantages against them but as we ought to act in the Lords Name so to act in the Lords fear towards
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
true owner especially when his necessity calls for it speedily Beware then of detaining any dues from the Lord when he calls for it even that which he hath reserved and excepted for the poor Saints and his ministring servants which belongs to them as given from the Lord and proved to be their right by his Word My dearly beloved brethren let not me be thought the worse although I present you with this discourse I hope you will excuse and pardon my boldness and plainness because 't is a publick good and an universall cause even a design to advance the honour of God and for poor souls spiritual and eternall good Let every man help as he hath received and as he stands obliged whether it be in respect of spiritualls or temporalls The wise man with his wisdome the gifted man by exhortation the rich man with his treasures all help together by their hearty and fervent prayers He that giveth let him do it with singleness he that ruleth with diligence and he that sheweth mercy with chearfullness for the Lord loves a chearfull giver Rom. 12.8 Take one reason more When many shoulders are set to bear a heavy weight it causes each mans burden to become very light and as Gospell Preachers ought to be tender in being chargeable to the Churches so ought Churches not to make the Gospell burdensome to the Preachers Let Christians comply and agree together as Joab and Abishai did to maintain a temporall warre Joab said to his brother If the enemy be too strong for me thou shalt help me if he be too strong for thee I will help thee So ought brethren to do who are engaged in the cause of Christ to assist each other in all spirituall combats and to help to bear one anothers burdens Gal. 6.2 for this is to fulfill the royall Law of Christ But to be short and plain my brethren I am not without my fear lest we should provoke the Lords displeasure even to blast our blessings and dispossess us of our freedomes because he hath done so much for us and we have done so little for others being subject to forget we ought to be lights to the world Mat. 5.13 14. and salt to the earth and because we have not such sympathizing dispositions and compassionate hearts to pitty the dark condition of the world and ignorant estate of poor sinners even while we hear them calling upon us in severall places as it were complaining for want and calling out for help and asking relief for their poor souls Let Churches therefore set out their lights and every one add their helps some as actuall instruments others as instrumentall assistants that the Gospell may be published unregenerate persons converted and hungry and thirsty souls may be supplyed and refreshed I will take leave to adde one thing more which I have observed That our Christian relations come short of some other perswasions who when they depart this world possest of temporall wealth bequeath part to some pious and publick services and this part of their charity as it were perfumes their memory and like Abels faith and sacrifice will speak and in a sence preach after a man dyes If ye believe this concerns you consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things Object But we are unable and cannot give because of our families and many other expences payments and charges Answ The husbandman that laboureth must first be partaker and receive of the fruits Ought not Christians first to advance the kingdome of God 2 Tim. 2.6 and pay their first fruits to their supreme Lord. Let the Objection be thus resolved that the interest of Christ and the cause of souls shall be first preferred If you cannot give talents yet cast in your mites into the common treasury for it will be accepted according to what a man hath if it be done chearfully Take heed my brethren of distrusting or murmuring at free disbursing to Gospell-Preaching he that thus expends his treasure lends to the Lord Heb. 6.10 and the Lord will not forget but requite them an hundred fold Who knows but the Lord intends to tempt you to prove him as in the Prophet Malachies time when he said If you will bring meat into my store-house see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings without measure that there shall not be room enough to receive it Who knows but that for a little expended there may be much received But I leave it to the wise for them to apply and Gospellize Heb. 13.16 To do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased and the sacrificer shall be well rewarded And if in this small Tract any thing that pertains to this present Subject hath either slipt my memory or hath been above my capacity that hath or may arise as a question in Christs Congregation I not knowing what particular thing I will give this generall resolution That when two things or two wayes shall arise in debate and one of them is doubtfull and the other is safe then in such a case to chuse the way that is safe alwayes designing and pursuing after the things that make for peace Rom. 14.19 Thus I have briefly declared and freely tendered my judgement and opinion in my own plain stile and according to my own understanding It hath also been my care to avoid occasions of offences and grounds of disputations and withall I have endeavoured to free my self from detraction and derogation of any mans person office or perswasion it being much contrary to my disposition yet this I know what of truth I have written bears its opposition to all that oppose it whether they speak evill of it or come short of it or act contrary to it or depart from it it stands in its own defence If yet notwithstanding my respect to dissenting and differing brethren and tenderness to others any man shall carp and be contentious 1 Cor. 11.16 their end will be the better discovered let them know we have no such custome nor the Churches of God To conclude all I give this Admonition Caution and Encouragement touching the exercise of right discipline and righteous government that ye call to memory the danger of the curse chreatned against such as do the work of the Lord negligently or deceitfully and sloathfully witness old Ely for reproving too lightly and Saul for executing judgement deceitfully and that wicked sloathfull person who neglected to improve his talent faithfully for his negligence and remisness is sencenced to be bound hand and foot and cast into utter darkness Mat. 25.26 30. Moreover Judas for deceit and treachery and Demas for turning from the truth to idolatry Besides in the time of the Prophet Malachy the Lord blames the people for dealing deceitfully detaining from his servants their right of propriety by which his service should be performed his servants