worthily the Word of God 4. Suppress corrupt Discourse 5. Subdue their own Passions and follow the Spirit of the new Man 6. Decline impertinent Contentions 7. Be Meek to all and ready to give their Help 8. Be moderate in Reproving and Arguing Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a Child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee Wise unto Salvation thro' Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrin for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 3. 14. They are to be stedfast in Faith knowing in the Holy Scriptures make use of these for the Conduct of themselves for instructing correcting and leading others in Ways of Piety and Justice I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the Quick and the Dead at his appearing and his Kingdom Preach the Word be instant in Season out of Season reprove rebuke exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrin For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrin but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears And they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables But watch thou in all things endure Afflictions do the Work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry 2 Tim. 4. 1. They are to employ their Preaching Reproof Prayer Threats and Patience for the Salvation of their Flock They are to be Watchful bear patiently the Troubles of their Ministry and by discharging all Duties fully satisfie it For this Cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in Order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee If any be Blameless the Husband of one Wife having faithful Children not accused of Riot or Vnruly For a Bishop must be Blameless as the Steward of God not Self-willed not soon Angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to filthy Lucre but a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men Sober Just Holy Temperate holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrin both to exhort and to convince the Gainsayers Tit. 1. 5. Qualifications of such as undertake this Charge These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority Let no Man despise thee Tit. 2. 15. They are to exhort and reprove as having Authority Their Conduct ought to be such as to be despis'd by none Avoid foolish Questions and Genealogies and Contentions and Strivings about the Law for they are unprofitable and vain A Man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 9. They are to decline unprofitable Disputes and declar'd Hereticks The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the Oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Ensamples to the Flock And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall reeeive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1. The true Shepherds not for their own Interest but for the Good of the Flock watch over it they lead it without lording it and are themselves an Example to it Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die For I have not found thy Works perfect before God Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a Thief Revel 3. 2. Thus speaks the chief Shepherd to all those who under him have taken upon them the Care of his Flock and from whom should they learn the Obligations of their Charge but from him Happy they who give ear to him §. II. As to Teaching the Flock Jesus came and spake unto them saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 19. The Commission for teaching and preaching Christ must be from Christ and no other Confidence of teaching Truth but from him As ye go preach saying The Kingdom of heaven is at Hand Heal the Sick cleanse the Lepers raise the Dead cast out Devils freely ye have received freely give Mat. 10. 7. They are to be dis-interessed Do all good and not look for a Reward from Man but from God He that heareth you heareth me And he that despiseth you despiseth me And he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Christ speaks to his Flock by those whom he has set over it and appointed to teach Christ is injur'd in the contempt of them In the day-time he was teaching in the Temple and at night he went out and abode in the Mount that is called the Mount of Olives Luk. 21. 37. They who teach others are to have their time of frequent Retreat from the World I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive Jo. 14. 16. When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth Jo. 16. 13. No Security of Truth from Learning but from the Spirit of God What Gratitude due from the Flock to God whilst those who were to Teach it were to be led by this Spirit Then the Twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve Tables Act. 6. 2. To be engag'd in temporal Affairs is a hindrance to those who are to Teach When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small Dissension and Disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Act. 15. 2. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter V. 6. When Questions arise they are not determin'd by Paul and Barnabas but are referr'd to the Apostles and Elders of the Church who assemble and consider of it Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen Men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and
yet the Pastors of his Church are to teach This is the Ordinance of Christ and the Practice is confirm'd from Heaven And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do And the Lord said unto him Arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do Act. 9. 6. Christ calls upon Saul stops him in his evil way but for his Instruction he sends him to a Disciple If this be the Will of God who can pretend to serve God and yet make exceptions against doing his Will When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small Dissension and Disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Act. 15. 2. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter v. 6. Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders 22. Questions of Faith are referr'd to the Pastors of the Church S. Paul and Barnabas tho' great Apostles and particularly inspir'd pronounce not in this case but help to publish what the Pastors assembled had determin'd And as they went thro' the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordain'd of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem And so were the Churches established in the Faith and increased in number daily Act. 16. 4. The Faithful receive the Decrees of their Pastors and thus was the Faith establish'd and they perserv'd from the dangers of Novelty and Error Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Act. 20. 28. It is the Ordinance of God that the Flock be under the care of the Pastors by these it is to be fed and preserv'd from Error This Charge is given them by the Holy Ghost Who dare alter the Method They that stood by said Revilest thou God's High Priest Then said Paul I wist not Brethren that he was the High Priest For it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy people Act. 23. 5. Respect is due from the Flock to their Pastor they are not to revile him And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord and as many as were ordain'd to eternal Life believed Act. 13. 48. Those who are ordain'd to Salvation hear and believe the Apostles This was the way to Life Whosoever therefore resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Rom. 13. 2. Have the Pastors of the Church Power from God He gave some Apostles And some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting the Saints for the edifying of the Body of Christ That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 11. If thus God has declar'd the design of his Goodness in the Ordinance of Pastors then it must be the greatest duty and interest of the Flock to adhere to the Pastors of the Church For thus has God appointed for preserving it in Unity and Truth Now I beseech you Brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment 1 Cor. 1. 10. Thus is strictly enjoin'd the Flock then they must be careful in observing the Means which God has ordain'd for Unity He therefore that despiseth despiseth not Man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thes 4. 8. If the Flock despise the Doctrin of those whom God has appointed to teach it they despise not Man but God We beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes 5. 12. If these are to be esteem'd and lov'd this must be chiefly in their Instructions and Admonitions then no Contentions no setting up against them Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Gal. 6. 6. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 14. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the Ox that treadeth out the Corn and the labourer is worthy of his reward 1 Tim. 5. 17. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the Word of God Whose Faith follow considering the end of their Conversation Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves For they watch for your Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you v. 17. What Charge given by God to the Flock Remember Submit Obey Follow the Faith of those who have the Rule over you for these must gâ—ve account of your Souls But can they be any part in this account who refuse to obey He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error 1 Jo. 4. 6. Are these thus discern'd Then the Flock must here see the necessity of hearing those whom God has appointed to feed the Flock And now having gone thro' the Principal Duties of a Christian Life as likewise the Particular States in some of which every Christian must have a part and having seen in all these what is the Will of God as it is deliver'd in holy Writ what better Conclusion can I make than earnestly to recommend to all that they would frequently read seriously consider and with exactness attend to what the Spirit of God says to them It is the effect of an infinite Mercy that God has thus left his holy Will manifested to us that in this we might have a sure Guide And there is no other Way to Salvation but this alone of doing the Will of God Thus Christ has declar'd and what greater Interest then can a Christian have than in knowing the Will of God This is the best Study this the best Learning All other without this are vain and useless Ornaments but this alone without all others will make a Man Wise to Salvation If the World sets up for other Ways if it has Number and Custom to give Authority to them yet all this makes them not warrantable to the Christian he must consult his Rule and whatever he finds not allow'd there he must renounce as Antichristian for it is Christ and not the World is his Guide to Salvation How perversly blind then are all those Christians who make it their Business to study the World and esteeming this the best Education are at a great Expence in training up their Children to an early Knowledge of whatever it admires And when this is done what is the Effect but only to be skill'd in Vanity to be learned in those things which lead them out of the Way And in the mean time the only thing Necessary is neglected and they are Strangers to that Knowledge which can be their only Guide to that Life for which they were born Whereas the great Business of all that believe is to know the Will of God and by doing it to work out their Salvation If this be the Error of such as are blind Lovers of themselves and the World instead of God then such as follow the Light of Faith must follow another Business They must make it their general Study to know the Will of God they must strictly inform themselves what he commands what he forbids what he approves and disapproves and this being most expresly deliver'd in holy Writ they ought to esteem the particular Knowledge of this their only solid Accomplishment and not think they have any thing valuable in them whatever their natural or acquir'd Abilities be as long as they are Ignorant of this By this Method Christians will soon be qualified for making a true Judgment of all Things and Circumstances of human Life they will judge the World and all its Ways and not be in danger of being deluded by its Specious and most Authentic Snares This is the true Christian Wisdom and whosoever takes another Way tho' he may come to an eminent Degree of admir'd Knowledge yet he will never be Wise to Salvation FINIS
wrote Letters by them after this manner The Apostles and Elders and Brethren send greeting unto the Brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with Words subverting your Souls saying Ye must be Circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such Commandment It seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord to send chosen Men unto you For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things Act. 15. 22. The Apostles and Elders assembled having determin'd the Question propos'd to them send their Resolution to the Faithful and recommend it upon the Authority of the Holy Ghost and of themselves When they were dismissed they came to Antioch And when they had gathered the multitude together they delivered the Epistle which when they had read they rejoiced for the consolation Act. 15. 30. The Resolutions of the Apostles assembled are receiv'd by the Faithful and this with joy and comfort And as they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem And so were the Churches established in the Faith and encreased in number daily Act. 16. 4. The Decrees of the Apostles and Elders of the Church were deliver'd to the Faithful so were the Churches establish'd Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Therefore watch Act. 20. 28. The Pastors of the Church by the Ordinance of the H. Ghost are the Overseers of the Flock and are to Feed it and by their watchfulness is it to be secur'd from the Errors of perverse Men. Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia after what manner I have been with you at all Seasons serving the Lord with all Humility of Mind and with many Tears and Temptations which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly and from house to house Act. 20. 18. They that teach the Flock are to persevere in their Duty with Patience and Humility amidst the Difficulties of their Charge They are not to dissemble the Truth but give Instructions in Families as well as in Public Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the Blood of all Men For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the Counsel of God v. 26. The guilt of their Blood is upon Pastors who perish because they have not been put in mind of their Duty And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified I have coveted no Man's Silver or Gold or Apparel Yea you your selves know that these hands have ministred unto my necessities and to them that were with me Act. 20. 32. They who Teach ought to Pray for the Flock and be as little a Burthen to them as they possible can I am Debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians both to the wise and to the unwise Rom. 1. 14. They who Teach do well in offering their Labor to all Partiality ought not to be mixt with their Charity I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth v. 16. They ought not to be asham'd of the Truth Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel not with wisdom of words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect 1 Cor. 1. 17. Simplicity more becoming the Gospel than humane Eloquence And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified And my Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power 1 Cor. 2. 1. We are Laborers together with God 1 Cor. 3. 9. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 1. The Dignity of Preachers is very great their Fidelity ought to be so too But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you of Man's judgment 1 Cor. 4. 3. They are not to be Solicitous what Men say of them Who goeth to warfare any time at his own charges Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock Say I these things as a Man or saith not the Law the same also For it is written in the Law of Moses Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. Doth God take care for Oxen or saith he it altogether for our sakes For our sakes no doubt this is written That he that ploweth should plow in Hope and that he that thresheth in Hope should be Partaker of his Hope If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things If others be Partakers of this Power over you are not we rather Nevertheless we have not used this Power but suffer all things lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple And they which wait at the Altar are Partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel But I have used none of these things 1 Cor. 9. 7. It is allow'd Preachers to live by their Function but not to make a Trade of it S. Paul however made no use of this Allowance and this is more Perfect Though I be free from all Men yet have I made my self Servant unto all that I might gain the more To the Weak become I as Weak that I might gain the Weak I am made all things to all Men that I might by all means save some 1 Cor. 9. 19 22. A Condescendence of Charity proper for those that teach Now Brethren if I come unto you speaking with Tongues what shall I profit you 1 Cor. 14. 6. Preaching or Teaching in an unknown Tongue can do no good to the Hearers The Word of God
not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon who will commit to your Trust the true Riches Luk. 16. 9. Zacheus stood and said unto the Lord Behold Lord the half of my Goods I give to the Poor and if I have taken any thing from any Man by false Accusation I restore him four-fold And Jesus said unto him This Day is Salvation come to this House Luke 19. 8. There was a certain Man in Cesarea called Cornelius a Centurion of the Band called the Italian Band a devout Man and one that feared God with all his House which gave much Alms to the People and prayed to God alway He saw in a Vision an Angel of God and he said unto him Thy Prayers and thine Alms are come up for a memorial before God And now send Men to Joppa and call for one Simon whose Sirname is Peter He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do Act. 10. 1. There was at Joppa a certain Disciple named Tabitha which by Interpretation is called Dorcas This Woman was full of good Works and Almsdeeds which she did And it came to pass in those Days that she was sick and died Then Peter arose and went with them When he was come they brought him unto the upper Chamber and all the Widows stood by him weeping and shewing the Coats and Garments which Dorcas made while she was with them But Peter put them all forth and kneeled down and prayed and turning him to the Body said Tabitha arise And she opened her Eyes and when she saw Peter she sat up Act. 9. 36. Neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were Possessors of Lands or Houses sold them and brought the Prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the Apostle's Feet and distribution was made unto every Man according as he had need Act. 4. 34. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye Vpon the first Day of the Week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come 1 Cor. 16. 1. To their power I bear record yea and beyond their power they were willing of themselves praying us with much Entreaty that we would receive the Gift and take upon us the Fellowship of the ministring to the Saints Therefore as ye abound in every thing see that ye abound in this Grace also I speak not by Commandment but by the Occasion of the Forwardness of others and to prove the Sincerity of your Love 2 Cor. 8. 3. I thought it necessary to exhort the Brethren that they would go before unto you and make up before-hand your bounty and not as of Covetousness But this I say he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully Every Man according as he purposeth in his Heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity For God loveth a cheerful Giver 2 Cor. 9. 5. Charge them that are rich in this World that they be not High-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the Living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy That they do good that they be rich in good Works ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in Scorn for themselves a good Foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal Life 1 Tim. 6. 17. To do good and to communicate forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well-pleased Heb. 13. 16. Let the Brother of low Degree rejoice in that he is exalted but the rich in that he is made low Because as the Flower of the Grass he shall pass away For the Sun is no sooner risen with a burning Heat but it withereth the Grass and the Flower thereof falleth and the Grace of the fashion of it perisheth So also shall the rich Man fade away in his Ways Jam. 1. 9. Whoso hath this World's good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his Bowels of Compassion from him how dwelleth the Love of God in him My little Children let us not love in Word neither in Tongue but in Deed and in Truth And hereby we know that we are of the Truth 1 Jo. 3. 17. Tho' nothing can be said more fully yet it cannot be amiss to insert something out of the Old Testament that the Will of God may be yet more manifest in this point which is subject to so many Abuses When ye reap the Harvest of your Land thou shalt not wholly reap the Corners of thy Field neither shalt thou gather the Gleanings of thy Harvest And thou shalt not glean thy Vineyard neither shalt thou gather every Grape of thy Vineyard thou shalt leave them for the Poor and Stranger I am the Lord your God Levit. 19. 9. If thy Brother be waxen poor and fallen in decay with thee then thou shalt relieve him yea tho' he be a Stranger or a Sojourner that he may live with thee Take thou no Vsury of him or Encrease but fear thy God that thy Brother may live with thee Thou shalt not give him thy Money upon Vsury nor lend him thy Victuals for Encrease Lev. 25. 35. If there be among you a poor Man of one of thy Brethren within any of thy Gates in thy Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee thou shalt not harden thy Heart nor shut thine Hand from thy poor Brother But thou shalt open thine Hand wide unto him and shalt surely lend him Sufficient for his Need in that which he wanteth Thou shalt surely give him and thine Heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him Because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy Works and in all that thou puttest thine Hand unto For the Poor shall never cease out of the Land Therefore I command thee saying thou shalt open thine Hand wide unto thy Brother to thy Poor and to thy Needy in thy Land Deut. 15. 7. When thou cuttest down thine Harvest in thy Field and hast forgot a Sheaf in the Field thou shalt not go again to fetch it it shall be for the Stranger for the Fatherless and for the Widow that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the Work of thine Hands Deut. 24. 19. When the Ear heard me then it blessed me and when the Eye saw me it gave witness to me Because I delivered the Poor that cried and the Fatherless and him that had none to help him The Blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the Widow's Heart to sing for Joy I was Eyes to the Blind and Feet was I to the Lame I was a Father to the Poor and the Cause which I knew not I searched out Job 29. 11. If I have withheld the Poor from their desire or have caused the Eyes of the Widow to fail or have eaten my Morsel my self