with all the fulness of God Feb. 2. 1657. J. FLOWRE Severall Questions concerning the Church of Jesus Christ upon earth Concerning the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ upon earth I find these Questions moved amongst others First WHether there be any such thing as a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth Secondly What is the Church of Jesus Christ Thirdly How do a people become a true visible Church of Jesus Christ at first Fourthly Whether the Churches of England vvere at first rightly constituted Fifthly What Government hath Jesus Christ Ordained in and for his Church Sixthly What manner of persons those ought to be that are in the judgement of Charity to be lookt upon as visible Members of the Church Seaventhly What are the duties of Church-Members towards Jesus Christ and one another Severall Queries concerning the Church of Christ Section I. Containing an Answer to the first Question IF there were not those that denied the Scriptures to be the word of God and Jesus Christ the Son of God it might then be admired that any should question Whether there be a Church of Jesus Christ a upon earth For to deny this is to deny an Article of the Christian Creed to accuse the holy Scriptures of folly and impertinences to defame our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ If there be no such thing as a Church of his upon earth what meant our Lord Jesus Christ when he said * Mat. 16.8 Vpon this Rock will I build my Church What meant St. Paul 1 Cor. 1.2 2 Cor. 1.1 when he directed his Epistle to the Church of God which is at Corinth Rev. 2. Why doth the Spirit write to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus of the Church in Smyrna Those therefore that deny a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth are not of so much worth as either to be named or disputed withall but they are to be rejected by all sober and judicious Christians as those that have together with their Faith made shiprack of their Reason also Section II. Containing an answer to the second Question What is the Church of Jesus Christ The word which in English is rendred a Church is in the Originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word is used in the Gospel to signifie a Church of Jesus Christ And this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Church doth signifie A company Called out from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to call out from among others And again this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we Translate a Church is sometimes used to signifie any assembly called together upon any occasion Act. 19.33 For the Assembly was confused the word then translated assembly is in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so the same word is rendred an assembly Act. 19.39 41. But this word Ecclesia or Church we in our speech do use to signifie a sacred assembly or meeting or combination of Gods people Our English word Church signifies an assembly of Gods people or those that desire to fear the Lord For it is very probable that our word Church com's from the German word Kirch which is derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the flock or people of God We use the word Church also by a Metonymie for the place or house where the Church or the people of God meet 1 Cor. 11.18 Calling that a Church But to speak properly the Church of Jesus Christ is his people built of living and not of dead and sensless stones 1 Pet. 2.5 and this Church of Jesus Christ is a company of people * Joh. 15.19 Rev. 18 4. call'd out of the world serving Jesus Christ as their Lord and King * 1 Thes 4 7. Rom. 6.17 Act. 2.42 Living under and submitting unto all his holy ordinances A true visible Church of Jesus Christ is not a profane wicked assembly an assembly of Notorious Drunkards Whoremongers Swearers and the like But an holy assembly called out from among these * 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are Sanctified Not an assembly of such as only serve their own bellies lusts passions sin satan the times but an assembly of such as turn from these Idols to serve the living and true God Not an assembly refractory and disobedient to Gospel-Ordinances mockers scoffers of holy things and duties But such as do submit themselves to the Laws commands ordinances of Jesus Christ as their duty and but * Rom. 12.1 Reasonable service Section III. Containing an answer to the third question How do a people become a true visible church of Jesus Christ at first A People become a true visible Church of Jesus Christ by entering into an holy covenant with the Lord to take him for their God and King to be ruled and directed by his word and to submit unto all his holy ordinances Thus we finde in the Scripture when God did constitute Abraham's Family a church I mean receive them into a church-estate it was by entering them into such a * Gen. 17. covenant as before of which circumcision was a seale That which they covenanted with God was * Gen. 17.1 To walk before him and be perfect and God covenanted with them to * verse 7. be their God and the God of their feed and so they came into a church-estate This was the way of the Apostles in their constitution of Churches Those people whom the Apostles did receive into a church-estate it was by engaging them to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to submit to his holy ordinances This is plain if we read the 2. of the Acts v. 41. There were three thousand received into a church-estate which before neither were a church nor of the church of Jesus Christ And how came these to be a church why v. 41. v. 41. they gladly received the word preached to them according to that word v. 38. v. 38 they did evidence their repentance for Sin past which includes an engagement to serve God for the future and upon this they were baptized and became a church v. 41. So when the Apostles received particular persons into the Church which before were not of it these did covenant for to take the Lord for their God to own and serve him so they became added unto the church Acts 19. many became added unto the Church But we read that they were such as believed such as confessed their sins such as shewed their deeds such as burned their profane books Thus they covenanting to serve the Lord were received into the church Thus it is clear that a company of people do become a church by entering into an holy Covenant with the Lord their God to own him and serve him Therefore the church is called the * Cant 4.8 9 10. Spouse of Jesus Christ by which name the church could not properly be called had she not entred into an holy conjugall covenant
with Jesus Christ to be loyall and faithfull to him for this is essential to the relation of a Spouse or wife that she enter covenant with her husband to be loyall and faithfull to him And as the church is rightly called the Spouse of Jesus Christ by vertue of this her covenant so is the Lord also called the husband of his church or Spouse for he doth covenant with her Levit 26.12 Gen. 11 1. that he will be her God her sheild her exceeding great reward that he will never faile her nor forsake her The sum of the answer then to this third Question is this That a company of people become a church or under the relation of the wife and Spouse of Jesus Christ by entering into an holy covenant with him to take him for their Lord and God and to submit unto all his holy Ordinances without such a covenant their could be no such relation betwixt Jesus Christ and the Church as there is for all relations of that nature are founded upon Covenant Section IV. Containing the answer to the fourth question Whether the churches of England were at first rightly constituted IF the people of England were constituted a Church or gathered into a church-way in that way and after that manner that the Apostles did constitute a church or Churches or gather a people into a Church-way at first then the people of England were at first rightly constituted a Church or gathered into a Church-way But the people of England were at first constituted a Church or gathered into a Church-way in that way and after that manner that the Apostles did constitute a Church or Churches or gather a people into a Church-way Therefore the people of England were at first rightly constituted a church or gathered into a Church-way The major proposition is undeniable the minor I thus prove If the people of England were constituted a Church or gathered into a Church-way upon their receiving of the word forsaking of heathenish superstitions and idolatry and embracing the faith of Jesus Christ engaging to serve him Then they were constituted a Church or gathered into a church way Acts 2. chap. 19. in that way and after that manner that the Apostles did constitute a Church or Churches or gather a people into a Church way But the people of England were constituted a Church or gathered into a Church-way upon their receiving of the word forsaking of heathenish superstitions and Idolatry and embracing the faith of Jesus Christ and engaging to serve him Therefore they were constituted a Church or gathered into a Church-way in that way and after that manner that the Apostles did constitute a Church or Churches or gather a people into a Church way The sequel of the major proposition is undeniable The minor proposition is proved by all the histories relating to those times which declare that the Infidel Pagan people of England by the preaching of salvation through Jesus Christ were converted unto the faith forsaking heathenish superstition and Idolatry And indeed our own sence and reason must needs induce us to be perswaded of this for if this were not a truth how then came they our progenitors by the name and religion of Christians which we their successors do retaine to this day being derived from them to us The name of Christian by which they were called the exercise of Christian religion which they practis'd upon the preaching of the Gospel doth abundantly prove that relinquishing Paganisme and Idolatrous worship They did imbrace the faith of Jesus Christ And that they did also at that time covenant to take and own Jesus Christ as their Lord and only saviour by serving him and submitting to his holy ordinances the very act of their Baptisme is sufficient to informe and convince all intelligent and considerate persons For what Infidel or Infidels I mean such as were so brought up and so lived for many yeares were ever baptised before they had given evidence of their faith in Christ repentance and resolution to own Christ as their Lord and King for the time to come That the Apostles baptised none that were brought up in Paganism and Infidelity without such evidence and engagement as before is very clear in the Scriptures yea so evident that it is past doubt or question Shall we then think or dare to say that those who tooke upon them to be Ministers of Jesus Christ in those dayes when England was an Infidel Pagan Nation and were sent hither to preach the Gospel to this Nation then in such estate as before I say shall we dare to judge or think or speak that these baptis'd the people then of this Nation without evidences of faith repentance and engagements to own and serve Jesus Christ as their Lord and God I am sure if they did ever or could but read the Scriptures they could not be ignorant whom they ought to baptise and upon what evidence and far be it from me to judge or think that they would be wittingly and knowingly so injurious to the truth the Sacrament of Baptisme and practise of the Apostles as to baptise the then people of this Nation without some manifestations of their faith and repentance and resolutions to own and serve Jesus Christ for the time to come as their Lord and Saviour I can hardly believe that any man will censure the first converters Baptisers of our nation either to be men ignorant of or malitious against the truth one of which they must needs judge them to be if they say they baptised without such evidences of faith and repentance as before But if these first converters did by the preaching of Jesus Christ to the Pagans of England turn them from their Idols to embrace the said faith and upon the said evidences of faith repentance and resolutions to cleave to Jesus Christ as their only redeemer did admit them to be baptised then they did rightly constitute them a Church or gather them into a Church-way according to the manner and practice of the Apostles recorded in the Scriptures which that they thus did is both a probable and charitable judgment That they did not is a rash and unchristian like censure Ob. But the Church of England had its constitution from Rome therefore it was never rightly constituted neither is a true Church Sol. To this I answer that the antecedent is not altogether true possibly it may be grant it in relation to a part not in relation to the whole For ought I know or any one can disprove there might be a Church of Christ in England nere as soon as there was one in Rome The Scriptures do indeed declare that there was a Church in Rome in the Apostles times and therefore we may believe it The Scriptures do not deny that there was a Church of Christ in England in those dayes the Chronicles and Histories relating to those times affirme it and therefore I see not why it should be
nor Officers in any kinde of Government will be regarded Therefore for the carrying on of discipline and Government in his Church and that a better respect may be had to his Ordinances and Officers our Lord Jesus Christ hath Ordained a penalty to be inflicted upon all obstinate offenders in this case And this penalty is excommunication or a casting out of the Church any obstinate Offiender as a rotten and dead branch no more worthy now to be accounted a member of the Church This is a delivering up of such an Offender unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh â— Cor. 5.5 The power of excommunication our Lord Jesus delivered to the * Mat 18. Joh. 20.23 Church And how the Church should proceed against an offender as to the case of excommunication we have a Rule Mat. 18.15 16 17. Tit. 3.10 Thus is the Scripture sufficiently cleare and informing as to the way of Church-Government And that yet there is so much of difference and contention about this it is to be feard that the causes are rather carnall than consciencious arising as the Apostle saith from our Lusts and not from any insufficiency or Darknesse in the Scriptures as to this case Sect. VI. Containing an Answer to the sixth Question What manner of persons those ought to be that are in the judgment of charity to be look't upon as visible members of the Church TO this I Answer Sol. first negatively that no man as he is in his naturall condition without a change from that ought to be admitted as a member of the visible Church of Jesus Christ Res For man in his naturall condition is dead in Trespasses and Sins a child of wrath at enmity with God and to every good work reprobate and therefore as such he is not neither is to be accounted a member of the Church visible of Jesus Christ For indeed whilst he is such he is a visible member of the Synagogue of Satan Secondly I answer affirmitively that members of the Church of Jesus Christ ought according to the Scriptures in some manner and measure to be prepared and fitted for that building The Church of God is compared unto a building now when a house is to be built the stones and timber are fitted prepared by hewing and squaring before they are laid into the building Timber as it is rough in the tree and stone as it is in the Quarrie or Rock is not fit to build an house withall but these must be hew'n and saw'n and plain'd and polish't and squar'd and thus they become fit materials to build with all Man as he is in his Natural condition is like timber in the tree in the rough like a stone in the Rock unhew'n unsquar'd undrest and the fitting and preparing such for Gods house as Materialls to build withall is compared to a plaining and hewing of wood Hos 6.5 I have hew'n them by my Prophet So that there must be a Spiritual hewing and squaring and polishing men out of their rough and rocky condition before they be fitt materialls to build God an house withall What man is there that builds an house of trees never hew'n nor sawn nor squard of stones undrest unpolisht never such a thing was heard of But suppose we such a thing as this would it not be a most mishapen monstrous piece of building would not every one that passeth by shake his head at it And shall we build God an house Was the Church in the Apostls time so built a Church of such like materialls as these of men and women in their natural condition of Drunkards Whoremongers Prophane persons Scoffers Ignorant and the like to these persons in their rough and rocky condition without any hewing squaring polishing or fitting of them for such a structure Surely such a Church as these are a monstrous building a Congregation of evill * doers Ps 26.5 a confused Assembly a building that Jesus Christ is no Corner stone of nor will ever own as hiâ— The visible Church of Jesus Christ is so far from being a Congregation of evill doers of prophane and dissolute persons that indeed of right there ought to be none such in the Church but as they are found and known they ought to be weeded out by the sentence of * excommunication 1 Cor. 5. What workman in the building of an house layes one row of hewn and pollisht stones and another row of rough unsquared and unhewed stones would not this be a ridiculous piece of building Shall we then in Gods building for such is his Church lay the stones after such a sort Here a row of such as tremble at an oath here a row of others that prophane the holy name of God as often as they mention it and swear as commonly as they speak here a row of such as pray in their families and teach their children and servants the wayes and fear of the Lord here a row 〈◊〉 â—thers that never call upon God in their families all their lives but by their example teach their children and servants to be Atheists despisers of Gods Ordinances and to live without God in the world here a row of abstemious and sober persons that are afraid to abuse the mercies and creatures of God to ryot and excesse here a row of others that wholly give themselves to gluttony and drunkennesse whose Tables are as the Prophet complains Isa 28.8 Full of vomit and filthinesse so that there is no place clean Here a row of such as keep Gods Sabbaths and reverence his Ordinances here a row of others that are Ordinance despisers contemners and mockers of holy things and duties Sabbath breakers and murmurers that God should have this though but one day in seaven to himselfe of whom it may be too probably judg'd that as well as privately to sport and play and drink and the like They would also Hauk and Hunt and Plough and Cart upon those dayes had they not more fear to the Lawes of men than regard to the Law of God Here a row of such as have been Sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word here a row of others that are filthy still that mock and scoff at Sanctification professing all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and living unrighteously unholily in the world Will Jesus Christ say unto a Church built after this manner Cant. 8.9 Thou art beautifull as Terza comely as Jerusalem chap. 6. ver 4. Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse how much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thine oyntments than all spices Will not a workman one day have cause to be ashamed of such a building Nay shall he not be sorely reproved for it if he have not endeavoured a reformation Those persons the Apostles received into the Church as members of it were not prophane and lewd persons scandalous of evill report scoffers at Sanctification despisers of Gods Ordinances and holy duties Acts
2 47 4â—.49 But they were such as gladly received the Word as were pricked in their hearts at the sense of their sins such as continued in prayer and the exercise of other holy and Christian duties They were such as burnt their curious because prophane Books Acts 19.18 19. Such as confessed their sins and shewed their deeds Thus I Conclude in the first place that those which are received into the Church or continued in the same as members thereof ought to be such as at least wise in outward appearance abstain from evill as have a mark of Sanctification and holiness upon them Secondly Church-Members ought to be such as have some competent measure of knowledg I conceive they ought to be so instructed that they may be able in some measure to give an account of their hope and those fundamental truths that are necessary to be known for the praise and glory of Gods Grace and their own Salvation the Apostle would have all Christians be able to give a 1 Pet 3.15 reason of their hope Thirdly They that are received into or continued in the Church as its members ought to be such as are sound in the faith as hold fast the form * Tit. 2.2 of sound words that they make not a rent or Schisme in the Church therefore an Heretique saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 1.13 after the first and second admonition reject Sect. VII Containing an answer to the Seventh Question Quest What are the duties of Church-Members towards Jesus Christ and one another Sol. THe Church of Jesus Christ is call'd his body We are the body Mysticall Christ is our Head we are his Members Now the duty and office of the Members of this body Mysticall both towards their Head and one another may be more clearly seen into if we consider the office of the Members in the Body Natural from whence the Church which is called the body of Jesus Christ takes this sigurative denomination First The Members of the body Naturall have a very special care of the Head as of their principall and chief part without which they cannot subsist therefore the Members will endanger themselves to secure their head If a blow be made at the head the hand or arm will interpose it self and receive the blow or wound upon it self rather than it should fall upon the head So the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ ought to have a most speciall care of him their head Is Jesus Christ their head made at Do any go about to wound him by striking at his Person Natures Death Resurrection Ascension Justification by his blood O now it is time for all the Members to look about them to interpose betwixt their head and those that strike at him to vindicate his honour excellency person nature and the like as before against all his Enemies and Assailants that would wound him in any of these Though you may be in never so much danger of worldly loss or dammage by making such a defence yet care not where this blow lights so it be warded off your head It was a noble resolution of a French Martyr After many perswasions of worldly friends to recant his profession he considering how dishonorable this would be to Jesus Christ how his head would be wounded and grieved by such a revolt puts off all that perswaded him to so shamefull an action with this notable saying Vivat Christus pereat Servus Let Christ live let his Servant perish Every member of Jesus Christ ought to be so minded ready upon occasion at all times to say let me that am a poor and unworthy member of so honourable and excellent a head let me be cut off let me suffer in my name estate relations let me be imprison'd wounded bleed So my Lord Jesus Christ my head be not grieved o he live and be glorified by my bonds imprisonments scars bleedings reproaches rebukes let all these and a thousand more befall me Secondly The members of the body naturall are guided and govern'd and move by the direction of the head and follow it so the members of the body of Jesus Christ the Church they ought to observe the guidance motion and steps of their head to follow his example and tread in his paths to be heavenly in their discourse holy in their conversations as he hath given them an example every member of this body ought to walk the way of the * 1 Joh. 2.6 head Now as to the carriage and duty of Church members towards one another First The members of the body naturall they are united and at peace among themselves one arme doth not strike another one foot doth not spurne the other the eye doth not say to the hand I have no need of thee and so of the rest So the members of the body mystical the Church there ought to be a sweet harmony betwixt all and every member Envie Malice Hatred spurning at and reviling one another these things ought not to be heard of in the Church of Jesus Christ because they are all members of his body Secondly the members of the bodie natural if some be weak or wounded all the rest have a special care of the weak or wounded meÌ„ber the whole arme will bind up the broken one the strong leg will ease that that 's lame and feeble This mutuall respect there ought to be among the members of the body of Christ the Church the whole ought to binde up the broken the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak that they may not faile nor be discouraged nor faint in the way and service of Jesus Christ Thirdly The members of the body natural are ready to save and support one another in case of any apparent danger as if one leg trip or stumble the other will hast to relieve and support it so the members of the Church of Jesus Christ they ought to be watchfull one over another to be ready to save support one another in case of apparent danger as if one member do stumble or is ready to fall into errours of opinion or practise the other should be ready to catch at such a falling member to releive and strengthen and support to hold him up that he may recover and not utterly fall into such temptations Fourthly The Members of the body Natural are ready to supply according to their power to each particular member what it stands in need of So the Members of the body of Christ the Church these ought to be ready to the utmost of their ability to supply and relieve the wants of other fellow-fellow-Members whose necessities crave it As we are men we are commanded to do good to all this is humanity as we are Members of the Church of Christ we are enjoyned especially to succour and relieve those that are of the same houshold This is Christianity In the Church of Jesus Christ we should not every one look only at his own proper interest but
also at the welfare one of another If an Heathen could say very truly that Non solum nobis nati sumus We are not only born for our selves but for one another also I may surely then very confidently say that Non solum nobis renati sumus that we are not borne again for our selves but for one another also for the comfort and help and mutuall edification of all our fellow Members in Christ Jesus Lastly The Members of the body natural do all sympathise with one another if a finger do but ake all the Members condole it So in the Church of Jesus Christ all the Members should condole and sympathise with one aking or afflicted Member Christians Members of the same body should all sympathise and have a share together both in one anothers crosses and comforts Rom. 15.16 Rejoyce with those that rejoyce weap with those that weep be of the same mind one towards another The Lord Jesus Christ our head sympathises with all every of his poor members Isa 63.9 In all their afflictions he is afflicted Sect. VIII FRom what hath been said in relation to the Solution of the Fourth Question it appears that the first constitution or planting or gathering of the Churches in England was right and orderly according to the Scripture-rule and way of the Apostles in that case from whence I conclude with that Reverend Divine Mr. Cotton as before that the great work of the Ministers of Jesus Christ in England now is not to constitute and gather Churches anew as if there had never been any before But rather to labour to reform and purge and purifie those Churches which were at first founded and built upon the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chief Corner stone I say to reform purifie those from that dross and tin those many corruptions which time neglect of discipline hath contracted Therefore I shall declare what I conceive as to the way that every particular Church ought to take in this case That is what is now to be done by every particular Church in this land that desires to be a true reformed and refined Church of Jesus Christ It must needs by all be granted that we have even all the particular Churches and Congregations in this Land Rom. 3.13 I say that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God that our unfruitfulnesse under Ordinances our neglect of discipline our not sanctifying the Sabbath our carelesse and unchristianlike conversations might justly have provoked God to have sent us a bill of divorce to have sent his Messengers to us with a Loammi and a Loruhamah plead with your mother plead for she is not my wife Hos 2.12 neither am I her Husbend Therefore seeing we stand charged before God with so many high and heinous provocations it is surely high time for every particular congregation in England that is called by the name of a Church and desires truly to be such to meet God in the way with a peace-offering in their hands that the just indignation of the Lord may be turned away from them that they fall not by their iniquities and become as dung upon the earth We read of the * prodigall son after a long time of disobedience to his Father Luk. â—1 17 that when he came to himselfe he bethought him of this way to be reconciled to his Father again I will go saith he unto my Father and will say unto him Father I have sinned against heaven before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son Thus he humbling himself and confessing his fault his father welcomes him gladly This my son was dead and is alive was lost and is found Here is a patterne not onely for one prodigall sonne or daughter but for a prodigall assembly or Congregation also to be reconciled to God their Father Let a particular Church or congregation of people that by their turning of grace into wontonness and abuse of spirituall mercies have given God just occasion to disown them I say when these come to themselves to have a sight and sence of their own state and of the danger thereof that is of their not being reconciled to God and cleaving more close to him let them gathering themselves together First Humble themselves before God freely confessing their many provocations the want of love of zeal of holy walking according to the Statutes and Ordinances of the Lord Jesus their breach of Covenant with God which they made in Baptisme let them say Father we have sinned against heaven and before thee are not worthy the name of thy Church or to be called thy people let them confesse the sins of their forefathers the generations before them let them humble themselves for these and their own imitation of them Thus did the Church of the Jewes in the dayes of Nehemiah and Ezra being sensible of their Backslidings and Spiritual Fornications and the danger they were in by reason of these They assembled themselves they confest their sins and the sins of their fathers confessing God to be just in all that he brought upon them Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us Neh. c. 93 3 Ezek. 10.9 for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly Secondly Let every particular Church or Congregation renew their Covenant with God even that Covenant they made with him in Baptisme to forsake the world the flesh the Devil professing their sorrow and repentance for the breach of it and solemnly engaging to observe it better for the time to come in keeping a more strict watch over themselves and one another in forsaking all ungodliness and worldly lusts and living more soberly more godly more righteously in this present world as becometh Christians the professed Members of the Church of Jesus Christ Thus did also the Church of the Jewes you heard before that in relation to their better reformation and turning to God they assembled themselves together and humbled themselves before the Lord confessing their sins and the sins of their fathers and to this they added a solemn renewing of their * Covenant Nehe. 9 38. 9 2. or a new engaging to God to walk more orderly before him for the time to come Thirdly Let them separate themselves from Achans I mean let every particular Congregation of Gods people put out from amongst them all the openly scandalous ungodly and prophane for these are botches and boiles of a Church the dead and withered branches which ought to be cut off by the sentence of excommunication 1 Cor. 5.1 2. Rev. 18.4 Nehem. 9.38 Sect IX HAving spoken as to the way of refining and reforming a Church I shall now use a word of Exhortation in generall to all the Congregations of this Land called by the name of Churches especially to my own Congregation to stir up and encourage you to so great so good so necessary so
Jesus Christ that by your coming in unto him would set you at liberty make you Free-men T is he that proclaims liberty to the captive the opening of the prison Isa 61.2 to them which are bound Jesus Christ would have you Free-men at liberty to be so much Lords over your selves and the creatures as to eat and drink and not to surfet or be drunken as to be merry and yet not in sin The Devill keeps men in slavery in slavery to their lusts in slavery to their passions in slavery to their meat drink apparell Oh! It is not liberty you contend for but bondage not freedome but slavery and you will see and understand this if ever your eyes be opened for they are now blinded 2 Cor. 44. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them I say if ever your eyes be opened you will cry out against your selves for being such willing slaves to Satan when you might long ago have been the Lords freemen Then may I say unto you as St. Paul to the enlightened Romanes What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6.21 And now to conclude all I say that Blessed are all they that so hear the good word of the Lord as to practise it Blessed are they that hearing that there is a Church of Jesus Christ upon earth how constituted what it is do labour and desire to adde and joyn themselves unto it and become true members of it Blessed are they that hearing what government our Lord Jesus Christ hath ordained in and for his Church think not his yoke uneasie nor his burden heavy but chearfully and willingly submit to all his holy just good and reasonable Commandements Blessed are they that hearing what manner of Person those ought to be that are to be received into or continued in the Church of Jesus Christ as visible members thereof do labour to purge and purifie themselves from all uncleannesse both of flesh and spirit that they may be thought worthy of admittance into such membership Blessed are all they that hearing the duty of the members of Jesus Christ towards him their head and one another as members do set about and practise the same Blessed are they that hearing the necessity of a reformation the acceptablenesse of it to God the profit and priviledges that follow it if practised The judgments and penalties that are unavoidable if this be slighted doe suddenly and seriously set about this work 1 By a full and free confession and a sad and sorrowfull lamentation of their sins before God 2 By a renewing of their Covenant with God entering into a new and sure engagement to serve him 3 By endeavouring to purge out from among them those obstinate and unruly persons that profane holy things bring a contempt upon Gods Ordinances If we that belong to this Congregation be not rebellious and refractory but obedient and willing to set about this work I dare affirm it that when we assemble our selves together the presence of our Lord Jesus shall be with us the blessing of the most high shal be upon us Then shall he crown our years with goodness and his paths drop fatness upon us then instead of having that dolefull message * Hos 2.2 Ye are not my Wife neither am I your Husband we shall heare this joyfull sound from heaven saying Ammi Ruhamah ye are my people ye have obtained mercy Soli Dei gloria
contradicted T is true those Histories say not that the whol Nation of England did embrace the Faith of Christ when it was first preach'd unto them as is conceived either by some of the Apostles or Apostolicall then as Philip or Simon Zelotes or Joseph of Arimathea but part of the Nation did and were then gathered into a Church-way For about six hundred years after this when Augustine was sent from Rome by Gregory the then Bishop of Rome to endeavour the conversion of the whole Nation he found both a Ministery and Churches of Jesus Christ setled in the Land For at his first coming he as the History relates assembled together the Bishops and Doctors of Britaine to discourse and reason with them and to request their assistance for the conversion of the Pagan English So that we may say and that truly that Christianity was in England propagated but not at first planted by Rome But grant this that Augustine was the first that planted the Christian faith in England and that there were neither Ministery nor Church before ordained and gathered by him and his assistants what is this to the now unchurching of the Church in England or the wrong constitution of it at the time Obj. The ministry and churches of England were ordained and constituted by Augustine and his assistants who were sent from Rome Therefore the Ministery and Churches of England had no right constitution and Ordination Sol. I deny the consequence if any man will go about to prove it it will be necessary that he prove and make appeare that the Ministery and Church of Rome were at that time a false and Antichirstan Ministery and Church But I think it is a clear case that the Church of Rome was then though a corrupt yet a true Church so continued for many yeares after that time Yea it is the opinion of some Godly learned and judicious from whom I see no Reason to dissent that the Church of Rome did not quite fall off from Christ or turne utterly Antichristian untill the Councel of Trent at which time the said Church of Rome did by a publick Councel disowne and destroy the very fundamentalls of Christian religion which she never did before that time at which time these absurd antichristian and unchurching errors were decreed and published as the faith of the Church of Rome and all were accursed and excommumicated that assented not unto these abominations 1. Popes supremacy 2. Dividing the bread and wine in the Sacrament allowing the people no wine 3. Justification by works 4. Worshipping of images 5. That the people ought not to read the Scripturess 6. That Traditions ought to be believed as Scripture Now these abominations which make desolate I mean unchurch the Church of Rome were not set up by publick decree and consent in the said Church untill the said Councel of Trent 'T is true the Mystery of iniquity did work before and these abominations as before were creeping into that church but they were corrected exploded by several Councells The Councels of Calcedon Affrick Constantinople Milevi Basil decreed against the Popes Supremacy the Councel of Basil decreed communicating in both kinds The divine worshipping of Images was forbid by the second Nicene Councel the Councel of Nice decreed that no Christian should be without a Bible To believe Traditions to be equall with the Scriptures to hold justification by works was never decreed by any Councel nor held out as the Faith of that Church before the Councel of Trent So that I may say though the Mystery of iniquity was many hundreds of years a working yet the disease came not to its full height and state so as to destroy the body until that time I mean the Councel of Trent So that the Church of Rome not having declared a publick disowning of the Faith and Gospelfundamentalls untill the Councel of Trent I see no reason as yet why shee may not be called a true Church untill that time I say a true Church though a Church very corrupt As a man may be called a true man though never so sick and weak and diseased until by the extremity and height of the mallady he becomes dead so a Church may truly be called a Church though very sick diseas'd corrupt untill by making shipwrack of the Faith and erring in fundamentalls it expires Thus it is clear that grant it were so as it was not that the Ministery and Church of England as to the whole were ordained and constituted by Augustine and other assistants from Rome yet this concludes nothing at all against the right ordination and constitution of the Ministry and Churches of England because the Church of Rome was at that time though very corrupt yet a true Church Ob. But it is objected the churches of England were not rightly constituted because the people became Christians not by the ministry of the word but by the commands and edicts of their Kings who after they were converted commanded all their subjects and people to embrace the said faith and religion Sol. To this I answer that the matter of this objection is wholly false and Scandalous It is wholly false that the Pagan people of England became Christians after the conversion of their Kings by penal Laws and edicts of their said Soveraignes After Augustine had converted Ethelberg King of Kent to the Christian faith let any one if he can shew any such act or edict put forth by him to enjoyne all his subjects to embrace the said religion upon any penaltie or forfeiture If there were any such thing it would surely be upon record But we read the contrary of him we read of this King Ethelberg that after he was converted Innumerable others dayly came in Mr. Fox Acts Monuments 1. vol. page 1656. and were adjoyned to the Church of Christ whom the King did specially embrace but compelling none for so be had learned that the faith and service of Christ ought to be voluntary and not coact And so I read of the other Kings that then reigned in this Land that after they were converted to the Faith of Jesus Christ they encouraged Ministers to go into their Countries and preach to their Subjects and by this means became the Pagan people of England to be Christians a Church by the preaching of the Gospel to them and not by compulsatory Laws of their Kings And they that do gainsay this it will be easy to prove that they are either ignorant or perverse Mr. Cotton late of New-England a man of great learning and reverence though he fully assented not to the way of the Churches of England and therefore separated from them yet he never found fault with their constitution at first for as to this he declares himself thus The efficient instruments of their first plantation meaning the Churches of England which were neither Apostles or Apostolicall men whether Phillip or Joseph of Arimathea or Simon Zelotes as any of our
Country men may read in Mr. Fox 's Book of Acts and Monuments out of Gildas Tertullian Origen Beda Nicephorus which being so we cannot but conceive the Churches in England were rightly gathered and planted according to the rule of the Gospell And all the corruptions found in them since have sprung from Popish Apostacy in succeeding Ages and for want of thorough and perfect purging out of that Leaven in the late times of Reformation in the dayes of our Fathers Cottons way Churches New-England So that all the work now is not to make them Churches which were none before but to reduce and restore them to their Primitive Institution Thus Mr. Cotton And it being granted that the Churches in England were rightly constituted and gathered at first it will easily be proved that there hath continued a true Church in this Land unto this day though very corrupt and impure especially when subject to the Papall yoke Yet in those saddest times of corruption and persecution God had his Church and Ministery in England who witnessed to the Truth and appeared for a Reformation of such corruptions abuses in the Church though many of these by the power of a prevaling faction in suffered for such zeal and love to the Church the Truth I say the Church in England under the greatest Corruption was never without some Witnesses some Names which suppose they were but a few in comparison of the greater part that corrupted themselves and were made drunk with the wine of fornication spoken of Rev. 14.8 Yet will not God disown that to be a Church when these though but few names be found God own'd them to be a Church in * Rev. 3.1 * verse 4. Sardis and yet tells them they had but a few names which had not defiled their garments And though the Church in England might be reproved of corruption in Doctrine yet this did not unChurch her no more than it did the Church of Pergamus which God owned to be a Church though they held the Doctrine of Baalam Rev. 2.14 Though the Church in England might be justly reproved of corruption in manners and discipline yet this did not un-Church her no more than it did the Corinthians whom St. Paul calleth a Church of God though in the same Epistle he reproveth them both for their corruption in manners and discipline 1 Cor. 11.21 Though in the Church of England by the power of a prevalent factious party cha 3.1 2 3 chap. 5. many of the precious Saints of God were put to death yet this doth no more un-Church her than the same sin did the people of the Jews whom God al along own'd as his Church though a prevalent wicked factious party among them killed the * Mat. 23.37 Prophets and stoned the Messengers of the Lord that were sent unto them The Church in England since its first Institution unto this day cannot be justly charged to have made shipwrack of the faith of Jesus Christ by disowning or erring in any thing fundamentall to that Faith or necessary to the esse or being of a Church Therefore the Church in England continues to be a Church of God still As for her many and grievous corruptions both in Doctrine discipline and manners they are sadly to be bewailed and diligently to be reformed These blemish and disbeautify a Church and justly provoke God against it These are inconsistent as to the well being but not to the being of a Church And though the Church in England did joyne with and own the Church of Rome whilst the said Church held the fundamentals of Christian Religion and was sound in matters of Faith yet when the said Church of Rome did begin to faulter there to deny fundamental verities and make shipwrack of the faith which she hath done since the Councell of Trent at that very time did the Church in England refuse her the right hand of fellowship disown and separate from her and so continues unto this day After this manner also did the reformed Churches in Germany Suevia Denmark France separate themselves from that faction of Rome and likewise so continue at this day They that deny the Ministery and Churches in England to be a true Ministry and true Churches must of necessity also assert defend and affirm these to me most horrid and desperate Conclusions First Conc. 1 That the reformed Churches beyond the Seas are no true Churches but false and Antichristian Churches and Ministery The Reason is because the Church in England and these Reformed Churches reach out the right hand of fellowship to each other have the same Baptism the same Ordinances the same Ordination the same Discipline as to the substance of it Therefore if the one be false and Antichristian the other cannot be a true and Christian Church or Churches Secondly Conc. 2 That Luther Calvin and all those famous Lights and happy Reformers of the Churches beyond the Seas were false and Antichristian Ministers Thirdly Conc. 3 That Cranmer Ridley Latimer Tayler and many more who laboured much the Reformation of the Church in England from Romish superstition and were famous instruments as to that work and afterward sealed unto the truth with their blood and are now Triumphing in heaven that all these were limbs of Antichrist and no Ministers of Jesus Christ Fourthly Conc. 4 That there hath been no true Church nor Ministery of Jesus Christ for many hundreds of years upon earth For if neither in England nor beyond the Seas where then hath it been Now if Satan did so prevail against the Church as utterly to raze the very foundation of it how will this consist with that word of our Saviours * Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it If there hath ever ceased to be a true Ministery upon earth how will this again consist with that promise of our Lords * Mat. 28.2 Loe I will be with you unto the end of the world Fifthly Conc. 5 That there hath been no true conversion of Soules unto God for these many hundreds of years in England but that all have continued dead in sins and trespasses Children of wrath without Christ aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world This was the condition of the Ephesians whilst they were no Church Ephes 2. nor had a Gospel-Ministery amongst them And this hath been for many hundreds of years and still is the sad condition of England if without a Church and true Ministers of Jesus I cannot see how that ture conversion should be wrought by a false and Antichri-christian Ministery * Jer. 23.32 I sent them not nor commanded them there fore they shall not profit this people at all saith the Lord. Therefore by what Ministery a people profit are converted from sin and Satan to serve the Lord and fear
him from living profanely ungodly rudely to live soberly and righteously and godly in the world it is a sure signe that Ministery is from God owned and sent by him Therefore seeing by denying the Church and Ministry in England to be a true Church and Ministery such abhorred conclusions as before must also be asserted it seems to me not onely to be an error but a furor a phrensy in some men to run themselves upon such dreadfull Rocks as these Sect. V. Containing an Answer to the first Question What Government hath our Lord Jesus Christ ordained in and for his Church TO this I Answer That a Government and discipline in the Church is to be observed by divine right for God is the God of order and not of confusion without this the Church would rather seem a Babel than a Bethel and therefore we must of necessity conclude a Church-Government * 1 Cor. 12.28 by Divine right But although the thing it self be granted yet the manner how or way is much disputed by godly and learned men Now as the Scriptures do clearly hold out that there ought to be a Church-Government so they do also instruct us in the way and not altogether leave us in the dark in a thing of so great concernment as this Therefore let us search the Scriptures they are sufficient to informe us as to this case or else how can the Scriptures be truly said to be * Pâ—â—â— Tim. 3. â—15 perfect if they fall short and cannot informe in a case of so high concernment as this How can they be said to be sufficient to make a man * 2 Tim. 3.17 wise if they leave him ignorant in this so weighty a matter How can they be said to be sufficient to make the man of God * 1 Tim. 5.17 perfect thorowly to furnish him unto all good works if they informe him not as to the managing of church government which is a great and a good work and whosoever manage it well in St. Pauls esteeme are worthy of double honour Therefore let us hear the Scriptures speake as to the way of church-Government To a Government be it either Civil or Sacred are necessary these three things 1. Ordinances Ordinances to be submitted unto 2. Officers Officers to rule and see to submissions unto and observance of Gods Ordinances 3. Penalties Penalties to be inflicted on offenders These are all necessary to church-Government Prayer Singing of Psalms the Sacraments are Church-Ordinances 1. There must be church Ordinances to be submitted unto and observed and the Scripture tells us that these are First Prayer so 1 Tim. 2.1 Secondly Singing of Psalms Psal 9.11 Mat. 26.30 Acts 16.25 Thirdly Ministery of the word Rom. 10.15 Mark 16.15 Eph. 4.12 Fourthly The Sacraments of Baptisme Mat. 28.18 The Lords Supper Mat. 26.26 Luke 22.19 Thus for Church-Ordinances the Scripture declares clearly what they are that we ought to submit to and observe 2. There must be Church Officers too or else no Government Now as to Church Officers the Scriptures do usually call some by the name of Elders and do seem to make two Sorts of them First Elders that did both teach and rule Secondly Elders that rul'd but taught not Teaching Elders or Pastors and Teachers of the Church the Scriptures declare that these are to be in the Church as Officers Rulers Overseers for in the 4. of the Ephe. 8 9 10 11. We there read that besides other extraordinary Officers which were but pro tempore in the Church So Acts 20.17 28. 1 Cor 12.28 Pastors and Teachers are to be in the Church to the end And as the Scripture tells us there ought to be Pastours and Teachers in the Church as Church-Officers so it tells also first how these should be ordained to their Office Secondly How they should be qualified for their Office First How ordained to the Office that is by * Acts 13.3 1 Tim. 4.14 Prayer and Imposition of the hands of the Presbytery Secondly How they should be qualified for the Office First They should be men of gifts and parts * 2 Tim 3 2 1 Tim. 3.1 2 apt to Teach Secondly Men of Holy lives and conversations * 2 Tim 3 2 1 Tim. 3.1 2 not Scandalous A Second sort of Church Officers which the Scripture calls Elders also seem to be such as were not as we use to say in Ecclesiasticall Orders but some of the Church gravest and wisest of the Church who were chosen to help and assist the Teaching Elders in the Rule and Government of the Church That there were such Church-Officers as these in the Apostles times these Texts of Scripture seems to hold forth 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well especially who labour in the Word and Doctrine This place seems to speak of two distinct sorts of Elders the one Ruling onely the other both Ruling and Teaching also and here the Apostle bids honour both sorts but especially those Elders that Taught the Church as well as Rul'd it The word especially seems there to make this distinction of Elders for this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 especially is commonly used by St. Paul to distinguish persons or things in the same place spoken of so Gal. 6.10 Do good unto all especially to those that be of the houshold of Faith here the word especially signifies that there were some of the houshold of Faith some not we must do good unto all but especially to those of that houshold So 1 Tim. 5.17 The Elders that Rule well account worthy of double honour especially those that labour in the Word and Doctrine here the word especially seems to signify that some of those Elders did labour in the Word Doctrine some did not both were to be honoured if they ruled well but especially those Elders that both Ruled well and laboured in the Word and Doctrine also So in Rom. 2.6 7 8. Or Ministery let us wait on our Ministering or he that Teacheth on teaching or he that Exhorteth on exhortation he that Ruleth with diligence here seemeth to be an Officer that was not to wait upon teaching but onely upon ruling And we seem to retain these Elders or Officers still in the Church in England under the name of Church-Wardens the name signifies as much as Church-Guardians or Church-Rulers Another sort of Church-Officers that we finde mentioned in Scripture are called by the name of Deacons 1 Tim. 3.8 their office to gather the Churches contribution and to administer to the poor members of this Officer the Church will have alwayes need Mat. 26.11 The poor ye have alwayes with you These Officers we have in the Churches in England under the Name of Overseeres of the poor Thus the Scripture doth informe us what Officers are to be in the Church for the rule and better ordering of it 3. There must be Church penalties without a penalty to be inflicted upon obstinate Offenders neither Ordinances
acceptable a work to God as this It is true that by being a true reformed refined Church of Jesus Christ you become engaged into many Duties as you have heard * before But for your encouragement consider also you become invested into many priviledges a few of which I shall by Gods help give you an account of First If you be truly Members of the Church of Jesus Christ Priviledge of a true Church then you stand to him in the relation of a Spouse a Wife then your Maker is your Husband I have espoused you to one Husband saith the Apostle meaning Jesus Christ The Church is called Cant. 4.8 the Love the Spouse of Jesus Christ Now by being the Spouse of Jesus Christ by being married unto him by Grace and so forsaking all our Beloveds for his sake as the world sin with all the lusts and pleasures of it as a wife forsakes all Beloveds as Father Mother to follow her Husband I say in so doing you become in vested into and interested in all the priviledges that belong to a Spouse or wife by the marriage of her husband First First priviledge a Spouse or Wife hath interest in all the relations Friends kindred of her Husband his friends are her friends his kindred her kindred his servants are her servants his possessions her possessions then if you be espoused to Jesus Christ if he be your husband if this mysticall knot be ried betwixt him and you then all his is yours all Christs is yours his kindred your kindred his father your father his God your God My Father and your Father my God and your God Joh. 20.17 Now you need not stand afar off with the fearfull Publican but come in boldly and say my God my Father Then his friends are your friends even all the Saints and members of Jesus Christ upon earth whether Pauls or Apollos or Cephases all are yours all pray for you all rejoyce over you all his friends will be your friends Then his servants become your servants his attendants become your attendants his servants and attendants are the glorious Angels Mat. 4.11 and these think it no debasement to wait upon the Spouse of their master are they not called the Saints Angels Mat. 18.10 Their Angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Then his possession become your possession Heaven Gods right hand glory fullness of joy pleasure for evermore all these you have a right unto by the right of your husband Jesus Christ Secondly A second priviledge T is a great priviledg not to need to fear in the most dangerous of times and seasons this is your priviledge if members of the Church of Christ you need never fear or be discouraged be the times never so evill or dangerous when the times look lowring threaten war famine pestilence and then what fear and shaking is there among worldly men men uninterested in Christ whose help and hope is onely in this life how do they then run to and fro ever at their wits end Their hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth as our Lord Jesus speaks Luk. 27.25 26. Thus shall it be now in these last times But if you be true members of the Church of Jesus Christ you need not fear nor be dismayed at any troubles or changes that hang over the world though there be signes in the sun in the moon in the stars though there be in the earth distresse of nations with perplexity though the sea and the waves roar yea though the earth be moved and the hills leape one against another Yet our Lord Jesus saith unto his Church and every member of it Luke 12.33 Fear not little flock for it is your Fathers will to give you a Kingdome Though your father shake the kingdoms of the world yet your kingdome shall remaine unshaken Therefore David Heb. 12.28 The Lord is my salvation whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Ps 27.1 though an host should incamp against me my heart shall not fear though war arise against me in this will I be confident And again 't is the language of the Church professing her confidence in God Ps 46.2 We will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be carried into the midst of the sea though the waters thereof roar and be troubled though the mountains shake with the swellings thereof And again the Psalmist speaking of a member of Jesus Christ saith Ps 112.7 He shall not he afraid of evil tidings his heart is fixt trusting in the Lord. This is the priviledge of a Saint he needs fear no news he needs not be afraid of any tidings though they tell him the earth removes and the mountains shake yet he speaks not for his heart is fixt trusting in the Lord. Thirdly A third priviledge of a Saint If ye be true members of the Church of Jesus Christ youneed not fear the curse of the law you need not fear hell death judgment which is so terrible dreadfull to the wicked O what would not a wicked man give when he lieth upon his Death-bed and ready to give up the ghost terrified with approaching death and judgment I say what would not he give to be certaine of his freedome from condemnation that he might die the death of the righteous look death in the facewith boldness and comfort surely he would give a world if he had it for this priviledge which some have upon their death-beds confest All the true members of Jesus Christ though they may want worldly comforts and priviledges yet they have this priviledge which is worth a world fo all other they need not fear death or judgment their peace is made there is no Condemnation Rom. 1.8 to them therefore they cry O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 4.44 They look upon death with comfort and upon the grave without fear knowing that their Redeemer lives and that at the last day their bodies shall rise again to live for ever with the Lord. Fourthly A fourth priviledg If ye be true members of the Church of Jesus Christ you need not neither shall ye fear the greatest shaking that ever shall be I mean the shaking both of heaven and earth when Christ our Lord shall come to judgement yet once more and I shake not the earth but the heaven also Heb. 12.26 O when this last and great shaking shall be which to be neer at hand all these lesser shakings do portend when the earth shall burn as stubble under his feet and the Elements melt with fervent heat When there shall be a great earthquake and the Sun become black as sackcloth of hair and the moon become as blood and the stars fall from heaven and the heavens depart as a scrole when it is rouled together and every mountain and Iland
is much more in store for us than is as yet discoverable for eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entred into the thought of man what God hath prepared for them that love and fear him Seeing we shall escape such condemnation and judgment thorough grace in so reforming our selves as before Heb. 12.1 O let us then lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us Josh 24.15 Let us of this Congregation imitate Joshua let us chuse with him let us say unto all the people and congregations round about us chuse you whom ye will serve chuse ye whether ye will reforme or not reforme your ways chuse you whether you will own us or disown us applaud us or hiss at us countenance us or contemne us joyn with us or separate from us strengthen us or labour to make our hands feeble say we do well or say we do ill Speak friendly to us or scoff at us yet we are resolv'd what we will do that we will leave Ashterch Basaam That we will say what have we to do with Idols And reforme and repent and engage our selves afresh to serve the Lord. Which that we may do let us put in practice the rules before laid downe First Assembling our selves together let us solemnly and sorrowfully confesse and bewaile our own sins and the sins of our forefathers before God 〈◊〉 9.6 let us say our God we blush and are ashamed to lift up our faces unto thee for our iniquities are increased over our heads and our trespasse is grown up unto the very heavens And having thus humbled our selves before God let us Secondly Renew our covenant with God our Covenant made so long since in baptisme which all of us have broken and backslided from let us say truth Lord other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us the devil the world the lusts of the flesh have ruled over us thou O Lord maist justly charge us to have forgotten thee and to have dealt falsly with thee in thy covenant and therefore because of all this we make a sure Covenant with thee for the time to come that we will have no other Lord besides thee that we will walke in a more professed subjection to all thy holy ordinances more carefully watching over our selves and one another that being clensed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 we may perfect holiness in thy fear And having thus renued our covenant and engaged our selves unto the Lord to be his let us endeavour Thirdly to purge out from amongst us every thing that defileth and is unclean for a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump one Achan may distresse a whole Israel one incestuous person such as was in the Church at Corintb one adulterer drunkard or the like in a Church if countenanced and tollerated by the same and not reproved and dealt withall according to the rule of the Gospel may bring wrath and a judgment upon a whole congregation for by reason of such a tolleration and neglect of Gospel-discipline the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper may be profaned and abused as it was in the Church of Corinth for which cause the Lord punisht them with sicknesse and death for For this Cause saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.30 namely for the profanation of the Lords-Supper many are sick and weake among you and many sleep Therefore it much concernes every particular Church to purge out the old leaven that they may be a new lump and not to keep that feast with the old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness lest the Lord stretch out his hand against them Section XII BUt methinks I hear some say Ob. this Yoke is too straite this burden is too heavy these rules are too strict restraining us of all liberty and freedom we cannot drink and be merry but we must be reprov'd and To these I Answer Sol. First If the way be strait and strict 't is the more like to be Heaven way Mat. 7.14 for strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to everlasting life If the way propos'd were large and broad you might well suspect it the way to hell and death Mat. 7.13 for wide is that gate and broad is that way Secondly To such pleaders for unbounded liberty I say Rejoyce O yong men in your youth Eccl. 9.11 and let your hearts be merry Let the harpe and the violl and the tabret and the pipe and wine be in your feasts But for all this know you shall come to judgement Thirdly To such I say cursed is he that saith The yoke is strait that Christ Jesus hath said is easie that the burden is heavy that he hath said is light Cursed is he that discourageth the People of the Lord Mat. 11.30 and brings an evill report upon the land of Canaan let their carcases rot in the wildernesse and let them not see the salvation of the Lord. Fourthly I say that the wayes and rules of the Lord to which we are bound to submit are not grievous his commandments are not grievous These restrain not so 1 Joh. 5.3 but that we have liberty sufficient liberty to eat to drink to meet freinds with friends and to rejoyce together yea if we be such as are received into favour with God and justified by Jesus Christ there 's then cause enough for us to rejoyce and be chearfull the Scriptures then give and encourage us to this freedome * Eccles 9.1 Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart for the Lord now accepteth thy works Thus may it be said to any one that is truly a member of Jesus Christ The service of the Lord is not slavery but freedome But here is the madness and misery of men they account nothing liberty but what 's licencious they account it not liberty to eat and to drink unlesse they may eat to gluttony and drink to drunkennesse no liberty to be merry unlesse they may be prophane curse and swear But alass is this the liberty and freedome you so contend for Indeed this is hellish bondage hellish slavery Is this liberty to be overcome with wine and strong drink to have thy legs so bound thou canst not go thy tongue so tyed thou canst not speak Thy eyes so enflamed thou canst not see Thy reason and understanding so captivated and lost that t is hard to distinguish whether man or beast Is this liberty that thou canst not be merry but thou must mock God scoff at holinesse reproach the Saints O cursed liberty if this be it This is worse than that Egyptian bondage that made the Jews so sigh and cry under it and it would make thee also groan under it wer 't thou but in the least sensible of thy own condition T is the Lord