youth for now ther shal be no more curse but the throne of God of the Lamb that was slayn shal be in the city he wil be merciful vnto his land vnto his people The Angels saw this were glad for our salvation they sung at our Saviours birth Glory to God in the highest heavens and vpon earth peace towards men goodwill And when he was glorified the thowsand thowsands of them praysed him saying worthy is the Lamb that was killed to receiv power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and prayse The heavens rejoyced for that the Lord had done the lower parts of the earth showted the mountaynes forrests and every tree burst forth into prayses for that the Lord had redeemed Iaakob would be glorified in Israel and al creatures in heaven in earth vnder the earth and in the sea al that are in them gave Praise honour and glorie power vnto him that sitteth vpon the throne and vnto the Lamb for ever more Amen 14. This grace was the Wisedom of God in a mysterie the hidden wisedom which God had fore-determined before the world vnto our glorie but it was hid from the eyes of al the living hid from the fowls of the heaveÌ„ none of the Princes of this world knew it no ye had seen it nor ear heard it neyther came it into mans hart onely God vnderstood the Way thereof and from the beginning of the world it was kept secret and hid in him and stil he hideth it from the wise men of vnderstanding neyther can the natural perceiv it vntil he revele it vnto them by his spirit which spirit sercheth al things even the deep things of God and by it we know the things that are given to vs of God 15. And now he hath opened vnto vs the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in Christ he hath proclaymed vnto the ends of the world that the Saviour of the daughter Sion is come his wages with him and his work before him that we might cleerly see the fellowship of the mystery might be able to coÌ„prehend with al Saincts what is the bredth and length and depth and height to know the lov of Christ which passeth knowledge and might be filled with al fulnes of God who hath given vs bewty for ashes the oyl of ioy for mourning the garment of gladnes for the spirit of heavines because our ‡ warfare is accomplished and our iniquitie is pardoned For while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs and when wee were enemies we were reconciled to God by his death and now shal be saved by his life for the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed he hath washed vs from our syns in his blood and purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God and is gone vp into very heaven to appear now in the sight of God for vs and there to prepare vs a place that where he is we may be also From whence he wil shortly shew himself with his mightie Angels to be glorified in his Saincts and made marveilous in them that beleev who after that they have drunk of his cup been baptised into his death and buriall and walked with him in newnes of life in this vale of tears and fulfilled the rest of his afflictions in their flesh shal have their vile bodies changed fashioned like to his glorious bodie the dead being raysed vp incorruptible and such as live remayn being chaÌ„ged and caught vp with them also in the clowds to meet the Lord in the ayre and so shall they ever be with the Lord their faces shyning as the Sun in the kingdome of their Father 16. Although this mysterie of Christ was not opened vnto the sons of men in other ages as it was at last reveled vnto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the spirit yet was the effect and summe therof made known to all the Patriarchs from the beginning For Iesus Christ was yesterday is to day the same for ever Abraham saw his day and was glad Abel also by faith in him obteyned testimonie that he was righteous which faith he learned of his father Adam who heard of God the riches of this grace freely preached in paradise before the sentence of exile and death was pronounced vpon him namely that the womans seed should crush the Serpents head who also was shewed the way to be by death and sacrifice a shadow wherof he saw in the Lambs then slayn and sacrificed in the service of the Lord. The great afflictions of Christ and of his people wer foretold in the Serpents crushing of his â—eel and the enmitie between the womans seed that Serpents foreshewed also in the murder of Abel the iust by Cain his wicked brother To Christ gave all the Prophets witnes that through his name all that beleeved in him should receive remission of syns and the twelve tribes instantly serving God night day hoped to come vnto this promise So in this hope and exspectation of redemption by the Son of God the Fathers rested and comforted their fainting sowles by faith the evidence of things not seene by which faith they saw the promises a farr off were perswaded saluted them confessed that they were strangers and pilgroms vpon earth and so died having through their faith obteyned testimony but received not the promise God providing a better thing for vs that they without vs should not be made perfect but in patient hope passe out their dayes on earth after death wayt al the dayes of their appoynted time til their changing shall come and then stand vp in their lot with vs and al Saincts at the end of the dayes 17. But al this grace and riches of the glorious mysterie now manifested to the Saincts which is Christ in vs the hope of glory God did not communicate with al men neyther yet doeth save with some few chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world Which little flock have their election not by works but by him that caleth according to the good pleasure of his own wil who without any vnrighteousnes hath mercy on whom he wil and whom he will he hardneth having made as the clay-potter of one lump some men vessels of mercie prepared vnto glorie some vessels of wrath prepared to destruction which yet notwithstanding have many favours and benefits from God to draw them to repentance out of the snare of Satan but all in vayn for they despise the grace proffered vnto them and run headlong into the condemnation whereto they were of old ordeyned
THE COMMVNION of Saincts A treatise of the fellowship that the faithful have with God and his Angels and one with an other in this present life Gathered out of the holy Scriptures by H. A. Let thy hand help me Lord for I have chosen thy precepts Psal. 119. 173. Imprinted at Amsterdam by Giles Thorp 1607. To the Christian Reader Grace mercy and peace from God be multiplied THe communion of Christians with the Lord and among themselves is a doctrine good reader both needful and comfortable to be knowen for it is the stay and strength of the soule in many tentations and the meanes to conseâ—v the Church stedfast in faith and love And if in this point mens minds be setled aright vpon the ground of Gods word they wil be as the boards of the Tabernacle standing vpright with their tenons sastened in sockets of silver For what is sweeter to a troubled conscience then the assurance of salvation and what is better to stablish our weak fainting faith then when both flesh and hart do fayl to know feel that God is the rock of our hart and our portion for ever Againe how good is it how pleasant for brethren to dwel togither in vnity like the pretious ointment on Aarons head the dew on the mountains of Sion God hath appointed his holy son Iesus to be the head and governour of his people the author of eternal salvation to al the that obey him He hath set vp also the kingdome of Christ on earth which is his Church the pillar and ground of truth He is the light of the world whom al must folow that would have the light of life Ierusalem his spowse is made bright by his glory the people which ar saved shal walk in the light of it He is the Father this the mother of vs al. Of the Son it is said happy ar al that shrowd in him for he is our hiding place from the wind our refuge from the tempest of Gods wrath of Sion also it is said yâ— the poor of his people shal shrowd in it for there hath the Lord created a clowd by day and flaming fyre by night as when he brought his Israel out of Aegypt vpon al the glorie is a defence there is a shadow in the day for the heat a refuge shelter for the storm and for the rayn It is requisit therfore that al men come to Christ if they would have life and by him vnto the Father abide in communion with them both that they may be found in him and haue the justice which is of God through faith that they may know him and the vertue of his resurrection and the fellowship of his afflictions be made coÌ„formable vnto his death this is as the first and great commandement of the law the second is like vnto it that they seek the place which he hath chosen to put his name there love the place wher his honour dwelleth wher he feedeth causeth his flock to ly-down at noon that thither they bring their riches their glory honour that of every such one the Lord may count when he writeth the people He was born there that so being Christs and children of the free woman heyres by promise they may receiv forgivnes of syns and inheritance among theÌ„ which ar sanctified by faith in him for he hath sayd that his elect shal inherit his mountayn his servants shal dwel there But two things ther are which wil hinder our feet froÌ„ running this way if we beware not of them the one is too much liberty which many men take in the faith of the gospel and obedience of the same whiles they turn Gods grace into wantonnes and abuse his mercy to the fulfilling of their own lusts and licenciousnes wheras they should make an end of their salvation in fear and trembling knowing that even the righteous ar scarcely saved Whiles also they take boldnes to communicate in spiritual actions with any supposing that the syns of some or of the publick congregation cannot hurt them especially if in hart they disallow the evil and condemn the same Such men seem not to discern the nature of communion how far it reacheth or the contagioÌ„ of syn how far it infecteth They seem neyther to hav learned the Law which taught that a man by bearing or touching holy things was not himself made holy therby but a polluted person touching any of them made them vnclear nor the doctrine of the gospel which confirmeth that they which eat of the sacrifices ar par takers of the altar al they one bread one body which partake of one bread wher if ther be but a litle leaven it maketh sowr the whol lump And then look how farr they partake with other mens syns so farr ar they in daÌ„ger to receiv of their plagues The other impediment is over much straytnes which some men hav in their own bowels whiles their feeble consciences ar too much affected both with their own others infirmities Such had need to have their knowledg and faith increased their harts inlarged least by expecting a greater perfection in themselves and others then is to be found vpon earth they faint fall Let such look on the image of Christ as he is portrahed in the scriptures whiles the chastisemeÌ„â— of our peace was layd vpoÌ„ him so shal they find balme for their wounded consciences and healing for their sowles by his stripes and their shivered bones wil reioyce â—or of his cup must we al drinck our parts be baptised with his baptisme into his death before we can tast the sweetnes of his life be vnder the rigor of that schole-maister the Law like servants ere we can perceiv the adoption of sons libertie of his faith and Gospel And if he which knew no syn and had but our syns imputed vnto him felt such feares and sorowes in his pretious sowl and was so smittâ—n of God and humbled so despised and reiected of the world what shal we exspect in whose â—leâ—h ther dwelleth no good thing Let them also look vpon the estate of Christs church in all ages from the beginning how it hath been vexed with troubles terrors within without they shal find Sions case to be continually as a woman in travel whose payns infirmities are sometimes so great that the children come to the birth and ther is no strength to bring forth And when they hav viewed the many tribulations through which the Lord hath led his people how he hath suffred them to be buffeted of Satan persecuted by enemies without and molested w th hypocrites within for their trial humiliation they wil confesse that we must walk here by
fruitlesse lamentation in that second death and vtter darknes where the †worm shal not die nor the fyre be quenched for evermore This is the portion of the wicked from God and the reward of their sins from the hand of the Most High The wicked is kept vnto the day of destruction they shal be brought forth to th◠day of wrath Iob. 21. 30. CHAP. III. Of mans redemption the renewing of his peace by the grace of God in Iesus Christ. 1. God though he spared not the Angels which sinned of their own accord and maliciously drew man into their condemnation yet shewed he favor to Adam and his children when it was neyther deserved nor asked For of them he had chosen to be his before the foundations of the world prepared for them a kingdome which it was his pleasure to giv vnto them therfore could he not be hindered no wisdome nor vnderstanding nor counsel could prevail against him but his own counsel did stand for ever the thoughts of his hart throughout al ages he also is greater then al and none is able to take his sheep out of his hand therfore he sayd vnto them when they were polluted in their own blood ye shal live even when they wer in their blood he said vnto them ye shal live I wil redeem them from the power of the grave I wil deliver them from death 2. Yet because as his mercy should be magnified his justice also was to be satisfied and death inflicted for the transgression of his law now mans miserie weaknes was such as endure death he might but overcome it he could not nor deliver his sowl frō the hand of the grave therfore had God of his rich grace and incomprehensible love ordeyned his onely begotten Son which was in his bosome one with himself and in glorie with him before the world was by whom al things were created in heaven and in earth things visible invisible and in whom al things consist even this his own dear son had the Father ordeyned before the foundatiō of the world that he should save his people from their syns and deliver them from the wrath to come 3. And forasmuch as being in the form of God and very God himself who liveth and is blessed for ever he could not in that nature glorie wherin onely is immortalitie partake with mans wretchednes or tast of his death which yet by Gods grace he was to tast for al men therfore was it also ordeyned that the Word should be made flesh even the Son of God when hee came into the world should be made of a woman and of the seed of earthly man according to the flesh that he should take on him the form of a servant and be found in shape as a man partaker with his children of flesh and blood that he might suffer for their sake be touched with the feeling of their infirmities and in all things tempted in like sort yet without syn 4. This incarnation of the Lord wherby he should become our Emmanuel that is God with vs was not to be mans work or brought to passe by carnal generation but by the holy Ghost and power of the most high overshadowing a virgin whereby she should conceiv in her womb and bear a holy thing that should be caled the Son of God Who for the fulnes of the grace of the Godhed which was to dwel in him bodily the spirit wherewith he was to be anoynted should be named the Messiah and the Christ that is the Anoynted of God for the salvation of synners should be crowned with the title of Iesus that is the Saviour or Deliverer at whose name every knee should bow both of things in heaven things in earth things vnder the earth and everie tongue confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father who gave him to be his salvation to the end of the earth 5. For by this his Son the brightnes of his glory God would reconcile the world to himself not imputing but freely forgiving their syns vnto them and by this image of his owne invisible maiestie would renew the heavenly image in man which now was defaced giving him a new hart and a new spirit even putting his own spirit within him making him a new creature For wheras the first Adam was made but a living sowl and having lost his life by syn could not recover the same againe but death reigned over al this second Adam which was a live-making spirit should quicken them that wer dead in trespasses and syns and by his voyce should rayse them vp and give them life eternal that so the dead men might liv againe and they awake and sing that dwel in dust 6. The way to work out this wōdrous grace for mens redemption was appointed to be by great afflictiōs through which the Prince of their salvation was to be consecrate that many children might be brought vnto glory For this Son of God the Lord and heyr of all things was to †empty himself and take on him the form of a servant to become lesser then the Angels yea more deformed then the sons of Adam even a worm and not a man the shame of men and contempt of the people that when we should see him he should have neyther form nor bewtie that we should desire him though yet in himself he was much fayrer then the sons of Adam al his parts and features and countenance so excellent as he was wholly delectable 7. So when the first begotten of the Father was brought into the world though al the Angels of God did worship him the winds and seas obeyed him the Fish payed his tribute the wild beasts lived at peace with him and the very Divils confessed him and were afrayd yet wretched man would not acknowledge him his own received him not he was a stranger to his brethren an aliant to his Mothers sons despised he was we esteemed him not Yea God himself would break him make him subject to infirmities lay vpō him the iniquity of vsal for we made him to serve for our syns we wearied him with our iniquities so that innumerable troubles compassed him about our syns which now were his tooke such hold vpon him that he was not able to lookvp for which a cup was givē him of the Father to drink ful of sorow fear heavines agonie that made his sowl heavy even vnto the death he prayed his Father that if it had been possible it might hav passed from him offring vp his prayers with
is renewed and we lift vp the winges as the Eagles our flesh is as fresh as a childs strength is increased in our sowles and being now as widowes divorced froÌ„ our syns delivered from that law and returned to our Fathers howse like the Priests daughters we eat of our Fathers bread as we did in our youth we shal feel no more hunger nor thirst neyther shall the heat smite on vs nor the sun God wipeth al tears froÌ„ our eyes there is no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor payn for the first things are passed 10 Having thus after long seeking found him whom our sowlloveth we take hold vpon him and leav him â—ot til we hav brought him home vnto vs and after this nights wrastling with the Angel we wil not let him goe vntil he blesse vs and giv vnto weak Iaakob the new name of Israel for that by strong faith we have power with God prevaile having wept and prayed vnto him And now he putteth in our mouth a new song of prayse vnto our God our tongues sing joyfully of his justice our sowles do bless him which hath pardoned al our iniquities healed al our infirmities redemed our life from the pit and crowned vs with mercy and compassions And because we beleev therfore we speak and say We shal not die but live and declare the works of the Lord the Lord hath chastened vs sore but hath not delivered vs to death Wherfore after our agonies conflicts with death terrors within and fears round about we repose in Christ our redemer who hath taken away our syns vaÌ„quisht al our foes put Satan to flight renewed our peace and quieted our consciences and then we reioyce and say My soul return vnto thy rest for the Lord hath been bountiful vnto thee 11. Then giveth he vs to see how in all these troubles and torments we have most neer coÌ„munion with Christ and are by them made coÌ„formable vnto him for he was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities innumerable troubles compassed him the syns of the elect which by imputatioÌ„ were his took such hold vpon him that he was not able to look vp for the Lord layd vpon him the iniquitie of vs al though he had done no wickednes neyther was any deceyt in his mouth yet the Lord would break him and make him subject to infirmities so that he felt terrour and anguish and heavines in his sowl even vnto the death his sweat in his agonie was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground and his cry vnto his God was why hast thou forsaken me And we in our afflictions do but drink of his cup and are baptised but with his baptisme that after we have suffred with him we may also reign with him by many tribulations must we enter into his kingdome And he that was thus smitten of God humbled even to the death thus troubled in sowl and left of his Father for a seasoÌ„ fouÌ„d an yssue out of al tentations not for himself alone but for vs whose surety he was who therefore have this hope for an anker to our sowles that as we now suffer with him so shal we also reign with him notwithstanding that for the present we are brought into the dust of death 12. After this admiring the mercies of our God and the vnserchable depth of his counsels who worketh turneth al things even our own syns vnto our good who leadeth vs in such wayes and wildernesses wher fyrie serpents and scorpions are drought without water which maketh vs folow him when his way is in the sea and his pathes in the great waters and his footsteps ar not knowen in al which dangers he defendeth vs afterwards bringeth vs into his rest we say the Lord dwelleth in a dark clowd Verily thou ô God hidest thy self ô God the saviour of Israel how vnserchable ar thy judgements and thy wayes past finding out Then minding our frayl estate in this flesh how we are sold vnder syn do trespasse against God every day and cannot do the good that we would we abase our hornes vnto the dust and by repeÌ„tance do die dayly washing Christs feet with our tears knowing that notwithstanding the communion that wee have with him here by faith yet are we but strangers and pilgroms on earth and whiles we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord whiles our flesh is vpoÌ„ vs we shal be sorowful and whiles our soule is in vs it shal mourn Therefore strengthening our weak hands and comforting our feeble knees we make streight steps vnto our feet being careful circumspect least Satan further circumvent vs seeking to make an end of our salvation with fear trembling giving all diligence to ioyn vertue with our faith and to make our caling and election sure for behold the righteous have for their syns recompence in the earth and are scarcely saved where then shal the vngodly synner appear but we which beleev in Christ exspect with patience our ful redemtion as we have cast our burden on the Lord and coÌ„mitted our poor selves vnto him so we are perswaded that he is able to keep that which is coÌ„mitted vnto him against that day even to keep vs that we fall not and to present vs faultles before the presence of his glory with joy where we shall alwayes behold his face and being quite freed from our syns from al possibilitie of ever synning more shal perpetually serve and honour him with his Angels at his right hand where pleasures ar for evermore He that walketh in darknes hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord stay vpon his God Isa. 50. 10. CHAPT XV. Of the coÌ„munion that the Sainctes have in this life with Angels The name of Angel which is in English a MesseÌ„ger is in the scriptures attributed 1. to our Lord Christ 2. to the spiritual creatures in heaven 3. and to some certaine men on earth imployed in the message and service of God 2. Christ is the Angel whom God sent to bring Israel out of Aegipt in whome Gods name is and is therfore caled the Angel of his Face or Presence even the Face of God it self the Angel of the CovenaÌ„t whom the Israelites desired the Angel that delivered Iaakob from al evil the Angel that dwelt in the bush whiles it burned and was not consumed who was the God of Abraham Isaak Iaakob the Angel Iehovah who emboldned Gedeon to battel against the Madianits and was with him in the same the Angel with the golden censer that giveth many odours to the prayers of all Saincts and out of whose hand the odours with the prayers goe vp before God in his throne
strong crying and tears sweat like drops of blood trickling down to the ground the shadow of death being vpon his eyes But because it could not be but he must drink for therfore came he to that howr and the Lord God had opened his ear that he was not rebellious neyther turned back he willingly gave vp his body for a sacrifice bore the wrath of God due for our trespasses he which knew no sin was made sin for vs and powred out his sowle vnto death 8. Then came Satan the Prince of this world to see if he could hav conquered him but he had nothing in him yea his own time was now come now was he to be cast out Christ being lifted vp from the earth would draw all men to himself The serpent beset him with the snares of death and with floods of Belial to make him afraid but he sayd vnto death I wil be thy death and vnto the grave I will be thy destruction so he spoyled the Principalities and powers of that kingdom of darknes made a shew of them openly triumphed over them in the same crosse destroyed through death him that had the power of death that is the Divil 9. They for whom he suffred all these things regarded not the rock of their salvation but iudged him as plagued and smitten of God humbled He trode the winepresle alone and of all the people there was none with him his own disciples had all forsaken him and fled that he by himself might purge our syns He looked for some to have pitie on him but there was none for comforters but none he found there was not any that would know him al refuge fayled him none cared for his sowl His own people betrayed him and denyed in the presence of Pilat when he had iudged him to be delivered they denyed the holy one and the iust and desired a murtherer to be given them Then was the Lord of glorie misused suffred much speaking against of sinners they opened vpon him the mouth of deceyt and compassed him about with words of hatred they rewarded him evil for good and hatred for his friendship they spate on his face buffetted him they crowned him with thornes and scourged him he became a reproch vnto them they that looked vpon him shaked their heads yea rebuke did break his hart and he was ful of heavines for doggs did compasse him about the assemblie of the wicked inclosed him they peirced his hands and his feet and gored his side they slew hanged him on a tree so was he made a curse for vs for the curse of God was on him that was hanged 10. But in his trouble he caled vpon the Lord cried vnto his God why hast thow forsaken me thow art my hope my portion in the land of the living Deliver me out of the mire that I sink not let me be delivered frō them that hate me out of the deep waters let not the water flood drown me and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon me deliver my sowl fom the Sword my desolate sowl from the hand of the Dog In the end he commended his spirit into the hands of his Father confirmed the Testamēt by his death and vnto the dust of death he was brought his grave was with the wicked 11. But the sorowes of death were soon losed because it was vnpossible that the Lord of life should be holden of it for as he had power to lay down his life so had he power to take it again this commandmēt he had received of his Father who shewed him also the path of life and brought againe from the dead this great Shepheard of the sheep Wherfore the third day he rose vp alive he rose vp and his enemies wer scattred and they that hated him fled from before him now behold he is alive for evermore Amen and hath the keyes of hel and of death death hath no more dominion over him for it is swallowed vp in victorie 12. Thus Gods hand was with the man of his right hande with the son of man whom he made strong for himself the Lord heard him in the day of trouble and sent him help from his Sanctuarie remembred al his oblations and turned his burnt-offring into ashes gave him according to his hart fulfilled all his counsell that we might reioyce in his salvation and set vp banners in the name of our God when the Lord had performed al his petitions For he having thus through the eternal spirit offred himself without spott vnto God obteyned eternall redemption having drunk of the brook in the way he therfore lifted vp the head He ascended vp on high with triumph leading captivitie captive and approched vnto the Ancient of dayes who set him at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality power and might domination and every name that is named not in this world onely but also in that which is to come made al things subiect vnder his feet gave him dominion and honour and a kingdome that all peoples nations and languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shal never be taken away his kingdome shal never be corrupted and this is the name whereby we must cal him Iehovah our iustice 13. And now the gates of the heavenly Paradise wer opened to the sons of Adam and the tree of Life better then that from which the Cherubims sword had kept man was given him by Christ to eat of and live for ever Now felt men the effect of that heavenly oracle that came out of Caiaphas mouth It is expedient for vs that one man die for the people and the Whol nation perish not for loe the wrath of God kindled for mans syn was appeased by the death of this man Christ Iesus who gave himself a ransom for all men and bare our syns in his body on the tree being the suretie of the Testament It pleased the Father by him the Prince of peace to reconcile al things to himself to set at peace through the blood of his crosse both the thinges in earth and the things in heaven For it was his beloved son in whom he was wel pleased his chosen one in whom his sowl delighted that had given himself to be an offring and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God who smelled here a savour of rest sweeter then that in Noahs sacrifice which caused him to say in his hart that he would curse the ground no more for mans cause though the imaginatiō of mās hart wer evil frō his
spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Iesus whiles he remayneth in that impenitencie and excommunicate estate al Christians ar to avoyd him al communion with him as the Iewes avoyded hethens and publicans 4. The keeping of this rule causeth much peace in the communioÌ„ of the Saincts for by this orderly dealing with the partie all whispering Backbiting slandering and calumniating one of another are stayed syns which reign in deed among the profane work lings and hethens but ar not sufferable in the citie of the Lord. By this occasions of grief and contention ar cut off for as without wood the fyre is quenched so without a whisperer strife is silent By this eyther the synner is amended wherat men Angels doe rejoyce or the church atleast weise purged of the evil for he that hardneth his neck when he is often rebuked shal sodainly be broken off and can not be cured but the churches wound is cured hereby as an other proverb sayth Cast out the scorner and strife shal go out so contention reproch shal cease 5. But if the syn be openly coÌ„mitted then must the synner be rebuked openly that others also may fear or if it be of such a nature as tendeth to the seducing of men froÌ„ God though he that entiseth be neer and dear vnto vs we are forbidden to spare or keep him secret for so may many be defiled by his privy suggestions Or if any secret hypocritical practise be seen to impeach the truth of the Gospel or vpright walking therin such ought in publick to be reproved as Paul for the like fault blamed Peter before al meÌ„ Or if the crime be heighnous bloody daÌ„gerous to the life of others by treason or trecherie such mischief is both to be beâ—â—ed prevented and punished and bloodshed so defileth the land 〈◊〉 it cannot be clensed but by the blood of him that shed it such therefore sayth Solomon shal flee to 〈◊〉 grave let them not stay him 6. The foresayd censures of Christ for rebuke and excommunication ar to be inflicted vpon al the members of the church without †respect of persons as for other syns so specially for errors heresies contentions against the true faith For an heretick must be reiected after one and the second admonition they that teach or receiv doctrines which they ought not must be rebuked sharply that they may be sound in the faith they that cause divisions and offences contrarie to the doctrine learned must be diligently marked and avoyded and such disquieters of the church to be cut off Generally al synners al vnruly persons ar liable to the Saincts admonitions and if any lust to be contentious the churches of God have no such custome for the Lord is author of peace in them al neither may the wicked be suffred to remayn in the coÌ„munioÌ„ of his people but judgment must be execued in the morning neyther may any favour evil doers for he that iustifieth the wicked him sayth Solomon shall the peoples curse the nations shal abhorr him but to them that rebuke that be plesant 〈…〉 vpon them shal come the blessing of good 7. The causes why the Saincts must thus redresse the evils that arise among them are these First for the glorie of God who commanded this duty in his law playâ—y to rebuke our neighbour that so vpon warning and sight of his syn he might bring his sacrifice reconcile himself vnto the Lord wâ—â— he had offended which if he regâ—ded not but should doe oug 〈…〉 with a high hand he then was sayd to blaspheme the Lord and must be 〈…〉 off from among his people because 〈…〉 despised the word of the Lord 〈…〉 broke his coÌ„mandement God thâ— who is dishonoured by mens transgressions wil again be glorified among them eyther by their confession of or punishment for the same For his way is holy the polluted may not passe by it they defile his sanctuarie and holy things therefore they must sanctifie themselves that draw neer vnto him for holines becometh his howse for ever 8. Secondly for the good of the synner himself who by these admonitions rebukes and censures is often-tymes bettered especially if he be the Lords elect For a prudent man when he is reprooved wil vnderstand knowledge and a rebuke sinketh more into him then a hundred stripes into a fool the ceÌ„sures of the church ar for his huÌ„bling salvatioÌ„ of his spirit in the day of the Lord. We owe this therfore as a dutie of love vnto our brethren for their good seing love covereth a multitude of syns that is done when we convert the synner from going astray and save his sowl from death And hervpoÌ„ it was that God gave that Law of rebukes in these words Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy 〈◊〉 thou shalt plainly rebuke thy neighâ—â—â—â— suffer not syn vpon him For what greater hatred can ther be shewed then to see and suffer our brothers sowl to perish therfore Solomon was not afrayd to say that open rebuke was better then secret love And David minding this did desire thâ—â— the righteous might smite him fâ—â— it should be a benefit and r 〈…〉 him for it should be a precious 〈◊〉 which hewished might not fail◠〈…〉 being on his head How ever then the wicked esteem of this heavenly ordinance and hate those that rebuke them for which cause Christ forbad to cast these holy thingâ—â— pearles to dogs swine which would but rent the giver and Solomon to speak in the â—ares of a fool which would despise the wisdom of their words yet he sayth rebuke â— wise maÌ„ he wil love thâ—â— And an other prophet sheweth how men that by such wounds are drawen to amendment of life will acknowledg say thus was I wouÌ„ded in the howse of my friends To verifie the proverb which teacheth that howsoever the kisses of an enemy be pleasant the wounds of a lover are faithful 9. A third cause of these censures is the benefit of the church that it may be kept from the contagion corruptioÌ„ of synners which is great and dangerous For in asmuch as they ar al one body and brotherhood the fault of a few yea even of one may be a snare vnto the whol companie This Israel felt of old when for Achans syn the Lord chastised the whol congregation yea told them they were execrable and sayd he would be with them no more except they destroyed the excerable thing froÌ„ among them And that correctâ—â— was a warning to the church a good while after and made them for fear of the like again severely to look to their brethrens actions wheÌ„ they seemed evil in their eyes and to say