wherby the eyes of our vnderstaÌ„ding are lightned and we know what is the hope of his caling and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is in the Saincts so he having opened our eyes we see the wonders of his law he causeth vs to vnderstaÌ„d the way of his precepts This is a special point of the happines of Gods people above al peoples of the earth that they hav both his Law for a light and himself for their instructer and so are all the taught of God and have an Oyntment from him that is holy wherby they know al things and need not that any man teach them but as the same anoynting teacheth theÌ„ all things Herevpon the Prophet sayd vnto God I have not declined from thy judgments because thou didst teach me and himself sayth vnto his people I am the Lord thy God which teach thee to profit and lead thee by the way that thou shouldest goe thine eares shal hear a word behinde thee saying This is the way walk ye in it wheÌ„ thou turnest to the right hand when thou turnest to the left Thus the secret of the Lord is reveled to them that fear him his covenant for to giv them knowledge he openeth their mind that they may vnderstand the scriptures he openeth vnto theÌ„ the mysterie of his will and ‡ filleth them with knowledge of the same in al wisdom and spiritual vnderstanding that so they may be partakers of his life as David sayth Give me vnderstanding and I shal live And that this grace proceedeth from his covenant and confirmeth the same himself sheweth when he sayth I will give them an hart to know me that I am the Lord and they shal be my people and I will be their God 9. An other of the gifts perâ—eyning vnto Life and godlines is Faith wherby our Fathers walked with God pleased him wrought many good works obteyned good report and in the end the salvation of their sowles This grace we have not of our selves it is the gift of God who openeth the dore thereof vnto his chosen people which therefore is caled the faith of Gods elect and wondrous is the force thereof in our sowles for by it all things are made possible to vs it is our brestplate it is our shield wherby we quench all the fyrie darts of the Divil it is the victorie whereby we overcome the world by it we walk whiles we are pilgroms here on earth and absent from the Lord by it we staÌ„d in the grace favour of God by it we Live by it our God doth purifie our harts and through it doth keep vs by his power vnto salvation 10. This Faith doth alwayes respect the word of God from whence it ariseth and by which it is wrought in vs through his Spirit which therfore is caled the word of faith and is no vayn word concerning vs but is our Life It looketh also vnto al Gods oracles teaching vs to beleev al things that are written in the law and prophets and in the gospel It causeth vs to apprehend Gods ancient mercies shewed to our fathers as belonging also to vs for so we learn of the Apostles to apply the promise of Gods presence and continued favour with Iosua his imputation of justice vnto Abraham the boldnes and courage of David vpon Gods assistance generally whatsoever things are writteÌ„ aforetyme as being written for our learning comfort and encrease of faith So also wee learne of the Prophets which spake of things done long before as if they had been seene and felt by themselves Hoseas sayth of Iakob God found him in Bethel and there he spake with vs the Psalmist singeth of Gods bringing Israel through the Sea Iarden He turned sea into drie land they passed through the river on foot there did we reioyce in him According to whose examples we that now live and beleev because we have received the same spirit of faith with the Patriarches and have obteyned a like-precious faith with the Apostles may also say with them my welbeloved is mine Iam his I know that my redemer liveth and I live by faith in him who hath loved me and given himself for me 11. The most excellent fruit that we reap of Faith is our IustificatioÌ„ in the sight of God by his grace in Christ Iesus For whereas two wayes of Life Iustice are set before vs in the scriptures the one by keeping the Law of the Lord even al his precepts of which it is sayd The man that doth them shall live by them and again This shal be our Iustice before the Lord our God if we take heed to keep all his commandements as he hath coÌ„manded vs the other by faith in Christ as it is written God so loved the world that he hath given his onely begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life the first of these wayes is such as no flesh can be justified by For though the Law coÌ„sisteth of Living oracles and every coÌ„mandement is holy and just and good yet by reason of syn that dwelleth in vs the same coÌ„mandement which was ordeyned vnto life is found to be vnto vs to death For syn taketh occasion by the commaÌ„demeÌ„t deceiveth vs therby killeth vs as when the Law sayth Thow shalt not lust syn worketh in vs al maner of lust so the Law is the life and strength ofsyn in vs that aâ— carnal and sold vnder syn and syn is made out of mesure synful by the commandement the Law entred that the offence might abound Therfore can it not giv vs Life neyther was it given to that end but was added vnto the promise of grace by Christ because of the transgressions and by it cometh the knowledge of syn it also condemneth and curseth al syn and synners and through it are we dead vnto it that we might live vnto God For the terrours therof tormenting our synful sowles we ar forced to seek refuge from Gods wrath in some other which we can not find in any but in Christ whom God hath proposed to be the reconciliation for al our syns whom we apprehend by faith vntil faith come ar kept fast and as it were locked vp vnder the Law wherof we have this excellent vse and benifit that it is a child-leader or scholemayster to bring vs vnto Christ. In whom the justice of God is satisfied for al our trespasses by his death on the tree wheron he was made a curse for vs and redemed vs from the curse of the Law And so our syns which were imputed vnto him shal no more be imputed vnto vs but forgiven for his
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
vnderstanding in the sight and mouthes of al peoples Wherfore David provokes them againe to prayse the Lord who had shewed his word vnto Iaakob his statutes and his judgments vnto Israel and had not dealt so with any nation Paul likewise magnifieth this people greatly because to them were committed the oracles of God to them were the covenants and the giving of the law the service and the promises And this grace was so peculiar to Gods people that the Law is called by the Holie Ghost the inheritance of the congregation of Iaakob as being their proper right given them of God as any other possessiō which they injoyed the Saincts againe taking his testimonies as an heritage for ever for they were the joy of their harts 11. The drift and scope of all Gods oracles was to cal and lead men vnto Christ and by him to the kingdome of heavē where we might glorifie God in our salvation and life eternal Our Fathers from Adam to Moses were quickened comforted with this promise And though Moses gave vs a law which was the ministery of death and condemnation by reason of syn that dwelleth in vs yet even he wrote also of Christ and foreshewed his crucifying and suffrings for our syns in the serpent sacrifices and manyfold services yea the law it self was our schoolmaister to bring vs to Christ that we might be made righteous by fayth in him in respect of whō the covenant was many yeares afore confirmed of God could not by the Law that came after be disanulled 12. The hope of salvation for all mankind was in the promised seed and as God by his word taught men more particularly from whose loynes he should spring so were they to exspect him if they would have life and keep cōmunion with such as should be his Fathers after the flesh When the woman Evahs sons were multiplied and many of them proved wicked the hope of the saving Seed was restrayned vnto Seth set in place of Abel whom the Serpents seed had murdred Then were all to look for the Saviour from him and if they sought him in Cains posteritie they perished for ever Among Noahs children Sem had the prerogative and into his tents must Iapheth though his elder brother come for to dwel and partake of his blessing Chams howse was condemned to bondage After that vnto Abraham was the Gospel preached that in him all nations should be blessed and to his Seed Christ were the promises made then who so beleeved after knowledg of this promise in a Saviour to come of any other man set vp an idol in his hart in sted of Christ. Among Abrahams ofspring Iudah was chosen governour and of him should Shiloh come therfore his fathers sons wer to bow down vnto him because of him should be the Prince Of the tribe of Iuda David was named to be the father of Christ according to the flesh then wer al to beleev in Davids son for redemption from syn and life eternall In fulnes of time the Messiah Iesus came and was born of Marie the virgin according to the promises vnto him now wer al people to repayr and so they did both Iewes Gentils so many as wer ordeyned vnto life And if Adam Noah Abraham the other fathers had now been on earth they must hav embraced this man for their Saviour and not hav sought nor wayted for any other Therfore the Iewes that rejected him died in their syns because they beleeved not that he was Hee and the word of God they had not abiding in them because whom he had sent him they beleeved not but many of the gentils trusted in him after that they heard the word of truth even the gospel of their salvation and by faith became the sons of Abraham and heyres by promise 13. And alwayes before if any of them hethens hearing of Gods great name would repayr vnto his people they there might freely injoy this heavenly blessing to hear the law and promises red taught being vnited with them in faith had one law for sacrifice alother services Yea many such strangers wer in Israel in the dayes of Moses that went with them out of Aegipt and afterwards dayly their number increased that in Salomons tyme they were counted and found a hundred fiftie three thowsand and six hundred persons Sometimes also the Lord sent his word in some mesure home to their own countries as by Ionah to the Ninevites though this was more rare til the Apostles dayes and then the partition wal being broken down God imparted again the glad tidings of his salvatiō to al peoples though the Iewes could not endure it 14. For Christ though he restreyned this grace a while saying to his disciples Goe not into the way of the Gentils into the cities of the Samaritans enterye not yet when he was risen from the dead he sayd they should be his witnesses both in Iudea Samaria to the vtmost of the earth And as he had willed them wher his word should be refused to shake off the dust of their feet against them and depart thence so the Apostles did and travayled from place to place til the people to whom God had not been spoken of did see they that had not heard did vnderstand 15. When thus ther was one sheepfold made both of Iewes and Gentils and their eyes wer opened to see the wonders of Gods law the glorious mysterie of mans redemption reveled and published amongal nations by the scriptures of the prophets they whose harts God opened received the word with al readines and serched the scriptures dayly taking heed to that most sure word of the prophets as to a light shining in a dark place til the day dawned and the day star arose in their harts And though for that word they found tribulation as others before them for whō Christ complayned to his father saying I hav given them thy word the world hath hated them yet received they that word †in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost accepting it not as the word of men but of God and holding it forth as the word of life which being graffed in them was able to save their sowles 16. For such is the grace and vertue of Gods word that it turneth the sowl reioyceth the hart giveth light to the eyes wisdō to the simple worketh faith in God quickeneth them that hear it comforteth the Saincts in their troubles strengthneth them in their tentations being the sword of the Spirit by help wherof they vanquish their enemies and Satan himself and their own corruptions are freed therby from the servitude of syn It is a soveraign preservative from al evils that might befal vs
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
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
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
life also and conversation he shewed all manner holynes without syn or spott For such an high priest it became vs to hav as is holy harmlesse vndefiled and separated from synners And he giveth holines and purity to his church for whose sake he sanctified himself and is therfore worthily intituled the holy one of God even the Holie of holies vnto whom the Seraphim doe sing as he sitteth on the high throne of his glorie within his temple Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts 3. The Angels are spirits holy by nature so created of God at the first and hauing kept their original are stablished by Gods election through Christ their head in their holy happy estate for ever therfore carie the title of Angels elect and holie Yet even these heavenly spirits being compared with God himself the bottomlesse fountaine of holines ar as impure in his sight hide their faces though through the grace of God by which they ar confirmed they alwayes doe behold his face 4. Holines in men by nature ther is not any for they ar sinners vnclean from the wombe children of wrath and rather to be reputed beasts then men having lost the holines wherin God at first created them as before is shewed But holines is restored againe to men by the Lord as it is written I The Lord sanctify you and againe Now the God of peace sanctify you throughout wherfore he caleth himself the Lord our Holy one 5. This our sanctification is ascribed vnto the Father according to the prayer of Christ Sanctify them with thy truth and in the epistle of â—ude to them that ar caled and sanctified of God the Father It is ascribed to the Son who loved the church and gav himself for it that he might sanctify it and of God is made vnto vs wisdome and justice sanctification redemption Also to the holy Ghost as it is written ye ar washed ye ar sanctified ye ar justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God 6. Our sanctification in Christ is two wayes First by imputation of that which himself wrought for vs when by the wil of God we wer sanctified by the offring of his body once and thus are we washed from our sins in his blood and God reconciled vs to himself in the body of his flesh through death to make vs Holy and vnblameable without fault in his sight SecoÌ„dly it is by his own gracious work in vs baptising vs with the holy spirit into his death burial resurrection that our old man being crucified with him the bodie of sin might be destroyed henceforth we should not serv sin but give our members servants vnto righteousnes in holynes and so being freed from sin and made servants vnto God may have our fruit in holines and the end everlasting life Both which wayes of our sanctification vvere shadowed out vnto Israel by blood and by oile 7. For when the body of that church was purged once a year the blood of the syn offring was sprinkled in the inmost holy place of the Sanctuary and vpon the altar without to â—ense and sanctify them from the sin and vncleannes of the sons of Israel When the priests were consecrate the blood of their sacrifice was put vpon their right eares thumbs toes and sprinckled vpon their bodies and garments that so they might be sanctified even as before at the making of the covenant the people had beÌ„ sprinckled with blood The holy Ghost thereby signifiing how by the blood of Christ much more our coÌ„sciences should be purged and therefore caleth it the blood of the testament wherwith we are sanctified 8. The precious oynting oyle made of principall spices and called holie did hallow and sanctifie the Tabernacle and al therin the brazen alter and all his instruments the Laver and his foot the Priests their garments on whom it was sprinckled together with the blood of their consecraion for their sanctification and figured out the graces of the Spirit and oyntment that wee have from him that is holy that Christ and his spirit being in vs the body may be dead because of syn and the Spirit life for righteousnes sake whiles the anoynting that we have received dwelleth in vs Christ as a bundle of myrrh lodgeth betweene our brests Thus are we made an acceptable sacrifice vnto God beeing sanctified by the holy Ghost 9. The outward means which God vseth for our sanctification is his truth or word as it is written Sanctifie them with thy truth thy Word is truth By this word fayth is wrought in vs which fayth purifieth the hart sanctifieth the beleevers and causeth them to sanctify the Lord as vnbeleef maketh men that they sanctify him not and therfore is worthily caled the most holy faith The seals of the covenant do also confirm and help forward our faith and sanctification yea even the chastisements of God vpon vs have this vse end that we might be partakers of his holines And we by prayer obteyn at Gods hand as other blessings so this sanctification both of our selves and of al his creatures to our vse Finally this grace is conveyghed both into our bodies into our spirits even into the whol man throughout so great is the Holy-one of Israel in the mids of vs. CHAPT VII How the word of God was communicated with Adam his children of the Saincts interest in the same Forasmuch as the word of God is the truth wherby we our selves ar sanctified and al his creatures vnto our vse even the immortal seed by which we ar begotten and born anew of Gods own wil that we should be as the first fruits of his creatures and the syncere milk without guile wherby we ar nourished grow in faith let vs take a view of this tresure and tree of life which is better to the Saincts then thowsands of gold and silver sweeter also then honey or the honey comb even sweetnes to the sowl and health to the bones which if a man keep he shal never see death 2. Three wayes ther are wherby God maketh himself knowen vnto meÌ„ The first is by his works for the invisible things of him that is his eternall power and Godhed ar seen by the creation of the world the heavens declare his glorie the firmament sheweth the work of his hands the beasts if they be asked wil teach man the fowles of the heaven wil tel him the earth wil shew him and the fishes of the sea wil declare vnto him for how manifold ar the works of
not to offer their offrings of blood nor make mention of their names with our lips not to frequent their assemblies nor eat of their sacrifices though they cal and invite vs thereto for even the word of God and all other holy things are polluted among them their prayers turned to syn and their sacrifices abomination to the Lord. 8. And not in hart and mynd alone are we to mislike eschew their idolatries other evil actions but to keep our bodies as wel as our spirits pure because Christ hath redeemed both with both we must glorify God We may not therfore swear by their idols nor make any other religious mention of them with our lips We may not kisse them nor bow the knee nor do any other signe of reverence vnto them We may not present our bodies at their holy feasts in their hallowed places nor suffer our mouthes to eat of their delicates much lesse repayr to any such places for the repast or feeding of our sowles We may not eyther at allurement of parents brethren or most dear friends or by the example or entisement of the multitude or by the commandment of the Magistrate do these or any of these evils but following the word of God to separate our selves touch no vnclean thing clense vs from all filthines of the flesh and spirit so grow vp vnto ful holines in the fear of God Finally we may not joyn our selves in mariage with any that are noâ— of the same faith and fellowship with vs in the Gospel of Christ. 9. The causes of this restraynt separation from the wicked are First the will glorie of God who to the end we might be his hath severed vs from other people and vpon this condition hath promised to accept vs marie vs vnto himsef in faith that we should giv our selves alone to him and to his service and not run a whoring after strangers And hath made this our refreyning from communion with the wicked one expresse special part of his covenaÌ„t with vs. Secondly it is for our own good least by familarity with the wicked we should learne their wayes receiv destruction to our sowls as others before vs by and for like cariage hav done Therfore aâ—â— we warned not to wander in their pathes nor let our hart decline to their wayes for they go down to the chambers of death and if we be partakers in their syns we shal receive also of their plagues Thirdly it is for the good of those wicked men themselves if such be the grace of God towards them or for their more certayn just condemnation that seeing vs to separate from them and thinking it strange that we run not with them vnto the same evils hearing our reproofs and witnes against them are eyther drawen to consider their wayes and turn their feet vnto Gods testimonies or els blaspheming persist and are hardned in their evill course vnto judgment Fourthly it is for the overthrow of Satans throne and kingdome which the words and works of the Saincts do beat down dayly discovering his errors and abominatioÌ„s keeping themselves and drawing others from his deceipts and snares whereas by coÌ„municating in those evils they should both honour and advance that enemy and strengthen the wickeds hands that they should not turne from their impietie 10. But though we may have no communion with the wicked in their religion nor any other evil action against either table of Gods Law yet in civill affayres we are taught of God to converse with them in peace As to eat and drink with them buy sell make covenants of peace shew kindnes to them pity their estate love them relieve their wants and receive from them for our relief pray for them labour by all gentle demeanure to convert them from their evil way and do any good we can to their sowles or bodies or any thing that is theirs And if we live in their policies and dominions we ought to be subject to al civil Magistrates high or low and that of conscience pay theÌ„ their tributes customes other like duties for their common wealth to bear their exactions oppressions persecutions patiently without rebellion or resistance and even pray for them that shal so misuse vs that thus as much as in vs lieth we may do good vnto have peace with al men in all things except syn be perfect as our father which is in heaven is perfect CHAP. X. How the Saincts are called out of themselves taught to forsake their owne wayes and works that they may have communion with God in Christ. FOrasmuch as al meÌ„ bear in their bosomes naturall corruptions bred with them in the womb brought vp with them from the cradle wherby they ar al alike children of wrath our separation from other wicked wil litle availe vs vnlesse we be also separated from our selves and learn to renounce the lusts and affections yea even the fayr-seeming works and wisdom of the flesh For what ar we the better for avoiding outward pollution by others if a fretting leprosy cleav to our flesh bones and our own clothes do make vs filthy 2 To draw vs therfore quite out of the miry pit of corruption the Lord hath caled vs from the love and liking of our selves also as being naturally both his enemies and our own teaching vs that our wits are vncapable of his heavenly mysteries our reason enmitie against him his Law our thoughts purposes evil our affectioÌ„s brutish our wisdom foolishnes al our glorious grace as the flour of grasse and that therfore we must be turned and become as litle children even born againe or els we cannot see the kingdom of God 3. In matters of religion we must not do what seemeth good in our own eyes nor choose our own wayes nor forge things out of our own harts nor make to our selves any similitude of things in heaven or earth nor walk in our own counsels for what is man that he should invent services of God or do any thing which the Lord requireth not at his hands The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God of him therfore we must learn his fear what he commandeth that onely must we doe we may not put to it nor take ought from it For when Israel set their own thresholds and posts by the Lords they defiled his holy name with their abominations 4. The mysteries of his faith we may not measure by carnall reason or our own shallow vnderstanding but learn with reverence to beleeve all his words knowing that the things which eye hath not seen neyther
into very heaven and obteyned eternal redemption So the Lord took away the iniquitie of his land in one day as he had promised for the ransom was most precious even of infinite value effect seeing by the vnion of the God head with the manhood in this our High-priests person it was the blood of God himself as the scripture speaketh wherewith we are purchased Thus Christ hath reconciled vs that were enimies vnto God by his death and hath put away syn by the sacrifice of himself for he was the ‡ Lamb of God that taketh away the syn of the world and the prophesie of Abraham was fulfilled God wil provide him a Lamb for a burnt offring my son 12. Touching Christs Intercession as he prayed for his church when he was on earth and his Father heard him alwayes so now being ascended and set at the right hand of God he stil maketh request for vs being therefore entred into very heaven to appear now in the sight of God for vs. Whose prayer as it is pure and perfect so prevaileth it with God and is of vnspeakable efficacie to make vs to be accepted For the Father loveth the Son and accepteth him better then he did his servant Iob when he prayed for the trespassers This is that Angel the Angel or messenger of the covenant that hath a golden censer much odours which he offreth with the prayers of all Saincts vpon the golden altar that is before the throne the smoke of which odours with the prayers of the Saincts goeth vp before God out of the Angels hand and vnto his requests which hee maketh for his afflicted people the Lord answereth good and comfortable words Thus our high sacrificer having the names of the whole Israel of God as it were graven vpon two precious stones and embossed in gold beareth vs vpon his two shoulders for a remembrance and presenteth vs pure holy just before the Lord. 13. The things towards vs which ar his Blessing and the fruits that folow he graciously communicateth as a merciful faithful high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmites being raysed vp vnto vs of God and sent to Blesse vs in turning every one of vs from our iniquities And as at the end of his ministery vpon earth he lifted vp his hands and blessed his disciples and then was taken from them into heaven so continewing stil a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek who met Abrahā blessed him he stil blesseth the children of Abraham giving and applying the promises of the Gospel vnto the harts and consciences of his people even the favour protection of God the light of his countenance and his peace So the blessing of Abraham cometh on vs through Christ Iesus who is that promised seed in whom al nations ar blessed and whom God hath set to be Blessings for ever Thus Christ by Sacrifice hath merited by Intercession obteyneth and by Blessing bestoweth and distributeth vnto vs the love graces of God his Father even all things perteyning to life and godlines that we being partakers of his peace may again blesse God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heavenly thinges in Christ as the Apostle sayth 14. The cōmunion of this Blessing is more particularly to be discerned in that honour of Priesthood which is given to al Christians the seales of Gods grace and love towards vs in Christ. For he hath made vs Priests vnto God even his Father and we as lively stones are made a spiritual howse a holy priesthood to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. For first applying him vnto our selves by Faith his suffrings death burial are ours his righteousnes resurrection and glorious victory over syn Satan Death and Hel ours so that we by the blood of Iesus may be bold to enter into the holy place though the Levitical Priests might not enter into the shadow thereof at al times by the new living way which hee hath prepared for vs through the veyl that is his flesh even boldly may we goe vnto the throne of grace that we may receiv mercy and finde grace to help in tyme of need Presenting vnto God his Father and ours this Lamb that was slayne for our syns who is our surety and our sacrifice by whose stripes wee are healed by whose death we are restored to life by whose body once offred we are sanctified vpon whose head wee have layd the burden of our syns and by whose curse we are made the heyres of blessing and of all the riches of Gods grace 15. We also giv vp our own bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable vnto God which is our reasonable serving of God so the heavenly Ierusalem is filled with the Flocks of men as the earthly once was with Flocks of holinesses or sacrifices external Our spirits being contrite our harts humbled and broken for our syns ar the sacrifices of God also which he wil not despise By Christ we offer the sacrifice of Praise alwayes to God that is the fruit or calves of our lips which confesse his name and magnify him with thanksgiving this also pleaseth the Lord better then oxe or heiffer that beareth hornes that parteth the hoof Our almes and offrings for relief of the poor especially the ministers of the Gospel of Christ are an odour that smelleth sweet a sacrifice acceptable pleasant to God Finally if we be powred out as a drink offring vpon the sacrifice service of the faith of Christs church do resist vnto blood striving against syn we have cause to rejoyce for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saincts the ‡ soules of such rest vnder the altar til the Lord holy and true doe avenge their blood on thē that dwel on the earth 16. This honour of Priesthood which no man can take to himself nor any other thing except it be given him frō heavē Christ giveth vnto vs of his rich grace by his word spirit For as by the preaching of the Gospel he is dayly described in our sight and among vs crucified so we by the ministerie of the Gospel are made an acceptable offring vnto the Lord being sāctified by the Holy Ghost His word is a sharp two edged sword and divideth a sunder the sowl and the spirit the joynts and the marow by it we are taught to mortify our members which are on earth his spirit is as fyre where with we being baptised doe also mortifie the deeds of the bodie that we may live give our selves vp vnto God for a living sacrifice The afflictions
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
and all the furniture for the service of God at the ordination and authorizing of the Priests and Levites at the first making and solemnizing of the covenant at the renewing of the same and at the repetitioÌ„ of al the Lawes ordinances of the Lord. Vnto al every of the Israelites was coÌ„mâ—nded the care and observation of all Gods statutes that neyther all nor any of them man nor woman nor familie nor tribe should forsake the Lord nor suffer among theÌ„ any root to bring forth gall and wormwood but playnly rebuke their neighbour when he synned in private or testifie against him in publick if they could and there were need to bewray execute judgment vpon open notorious malefactors even the leprous and vnclean though the trial of them apperteyned to the Priests yet al the children of Israel were to look that such were removed out of the host yea the care of the Priests purity in their administration apperteyned to all the people And long after both in counsels and in the redressing of publick evils trespasses all Israel indifferently had their hand and presence as the scripture sheweth Ezra 10. 1. 9. 12. c. 9. The churches in the Apostles dayes had also the like right libertie for the multitudes of beleevers wer both beholders actoâ— in the coÌ„mune affayres as at the choise ordinatioÌ„ of church-officers at the deciding of questioÌ„s controversies at the excommunication or casting out of impenitenâ— synners at the choise appointment of men to cary the grace or benevolence of the Saincts â— their needy brethren at the receving and reading of the Apostles Letters and generally in the publick communion and fellowship of the Apostles one of another They were also willed to exhort â— admonish ech other even the Officers of the churches to maâ— diligently and avoyd the causerâ— of division and offences to looâ— that †no root of bitternes sprung 〈◊〉 and troubled theÌ„ least therby many should be defiled 10. These the like privileges in the faith and practise of the Gospel ar permitted to al Saincts in al churches which they must vse in al sobrietie order and peace not presuming above their calling place or mesure of vnderstanding nor abusing their libertie to the trouble or annoyance of their brethren And therfore Elders or Governours ar set to rule the people and togither with the other Officers to weild the churches affaires By which means confusion is avoided order observed in the Assemblies as was in the primitive churches wher the Overseers and publick Ministers propounded discussed caried matters in seemlines and peace These guides ar to be heard reverenced and submitted vnto in the Lord they attend to the publick service of the church and are as the hand mouth eyes of the same by such God of old signified his wil to the people for the obteyning of that promised seed that should bruise the SerpeÌ„ts head and bring blessing vpon all families of the earth And vntil that seed which was Christ came our Fathers generally embraced that kind of life thought it a dishonour to die childlesse aâ—â— since that time it hath stil been kept in and sanctified vnto the church to such as saw good or had need so to live both for the avoiding of syn and for other help and coÌ„fort which that estate affordeth But they which have from God the gift to conteyn their vessels in holines and honour without mariage and which addicting themselves to the service of Christ find it best for avoyding the burdens cares of this life to keep theÌ„selves single in virginitie or widowhood are counselled by Christ and his Apostle so to rest Yet if any mary they syn not onely they must so â—ive as if they were not maried so vse al other worldly things as if they vsed them not because the fashion of this world passeth away And in their marying they must have care not to match themselves in an vnequal yoke with vnbeleevers for that hath alwaies been reproved but onely in the Lord though if they be maried to vnbeleevers before they are caled to the faith they must not then depart or put away 3. The faithful man woman thus fastned in wedlock are heyres togither of the grace of life and so ought to live in peace and love the wife being subject to her husbaÌ„d whose glory she is as vnto the Lord. Their fellowship as it is in spiritual duties so also in humane such as be living coÌ„versing togither educatioÌ„ of children governmeÌ„t offervants ordering of y familie joynt labour diligence for their livelihood and al other offices wherby their mutual love help and comfort may be mainteyned in this honorable state of life which to forbid any Christian 〈◊〉 a doctrine of Divils and whichâ— a shadow of that mystical hevenly communion between Christ his church whiles the man loveth cherisheth his wife as his own body the womaÌ„ again loveth feareth obeyeth her husband This societie endureth vntil death and can not be dissolved except for adulterie for which trespasse if the magistrate inflict not death according to Gods law the injuried person may lawfully divorce and put away the offender 4. The next in the family aâ— children which as they are the inheritance and wages of the Lord so must they be brought vp nourâ—ured in his fear for they are his holy froÌ„ the womb And because foolishnes is bound in the harts of children therfore the parents ar to governe correct but without provoking them to wrath least they be discouraged For them are parents also to store vp provide for their maintenance mariage and other necessities what in them â—ieth the children againe honouring and obeying their fathers and mothers in the Lord recompensing them if they can ther be need in their old age povertie And they that shal smite curse or blaspheme their parents o stubbornly refuse to obey them are for such vnnaturalnes to die the death 5 Servants ar the last in the familie inferior vnto children both in duraÌ„ce and fidelity yet as their fellowship may be in the faith for which their maisters should regard them above servaÌ„ts even brethren beloved so in civil societie they are notwithstanding to be in subjection to their maisters faithfull and pleasing them in all things Of these ther be two sorts 1. Free or hired servants 2. and BoÌ„dmen or Sclaves Of the first sort werâ— the poor Israelites which sold or hired out themselves for necessitie to their brethren or were chaffâ—ed by their