against Church-separation that Mr. Parker Mr. Paget Mr. Ball Mr. Brightman and others have left behind them large evidences of their zeale against separation from Parochial Church Assemblies It is more then strange that when the Apostles had by commission from Christ planted Churches and were to leave them to be propagated in future ages yet would wholly be silent of this separation but leave us by our dark imaginations to discover it In which we are in danger to set our threshold by Gods threshold of which hee sadly complains or rather Ezek. 43 8. justle out Gods threshold with ours § 4. Thirdly Others pretend that they separate from Parochial Church-communion for prophanenesse of the people and corruption in conversation But neither doth this admit of separation provided that Doctrine be such in which men may have communion for Edification If we look upon the people of Israel throughout the revolution of all times we may find high Titles given them even when they lived in all kind of sin and Disobedience They had Titles given them of singular glory by reason of priviledges Deut. 14.12 et 32.9 Zach. 2.9 Rom. 9.4 Deut. 9.6 et 32.6 Isa 1.4 et 48.4 Ezech. 32.16 which they enjoyed by their call into church-fellowship as children of God Gods peculiar ones his portion his heritage the apple of his eye and many the like Elogies In the mean time their Qualifications were as low as their Titles high their conversation no wayes answering their calling but branded to be stiff-necked of an Iron sinew an Adulterous a Sinful Nation a People foolish and unwise as Sodome and Gomorrah unto the Lord And yet the Prophets and righteous persons keep their residence among them held communion with them and saw no ground of separation from them It seemeth a great contradiction to some to name men at all believers Saints or Professours when their lives evidence an unsutablenesse to such a glory yet we know the churches to whom Epistles are directed in Scripture 1 Cor. 3.3 et 6.7 2 Cor. 12.20 Rev. 3.1.16 are so honoured as we may see in their frontispieces and the most upright hearted among them had communion with them when yet they did wrong and defraud one another when they profaned the Lords Table where Fornicators Idolaters Luke-warme c. And yet the Apostles did not leave them but made it their businesse to reclaim them The advice that was sometime given to a Maid that for Religions sake would retire her selfe to a solitary life she was told Aut de fatuis Virginibus es aut de prudentibus si de fatuis Congregatio tibi necessaria est si de prudentibus tu Congregationi If she were bad she need the city to better her if good the city needed her So we may say to the separatists from Parochial-Congregations either they stand in need of the Church or the necessities of the Church call for their help and assistance § 5. As for all other pretended causes of separation Learned Zanchius at length proveth Zanch. t. 7. part 2. col 74 c. that so great is the Authority of the Church visible whether Universal or Particular that none may with hope of impunity despise her Doctrine or Discipline much lesse separate from her Communion because to despise the Church is to despise Christ to divide the unity of the Church is to divide Christ and to crucifie him a fresh and to separate from the Church is to separate from Christ for extra Ecclesiam non est Salus out of the Church there is no salvation Lastly if any doe pretend the practice of forrain reformed Churches for Church separation I answer 1. That the piety and prudence of the Worthies of this Nation was much more admirably valiant for the Lord in establishing Lawes with Penalties against this profane licentiousnesse then the practice of the contrary can be imitable or warrantable Jer. 9.3 See Blond Honor. Reg. c. 2. Forrain Churches were never so sensible of nor had occasion to bewail this prophanenesse so much as we in these last seven or eight years wherein all the Ghosts of the miscreants of former ages have been let loose from hell in full swarmes to infest this Nation more then ever the locusts did the Land of Egypt 3. We ought to follow others no further then they are followers of Christ and his Gospel Non vivendum exemplit sed Legibus And therefore I will not say again what Orthodox Divines have in this point Seneca until our adversaries shall make it their taâ—k to prove some infirmity or insufficiency in that which they have written CHAP. XVI Serious and frequent Admonition ought to bee inculcated against this Errour § 1. IT is very true Nunquam sine quercla Sen. de Ira c 10. Salv. de G. D. l. 8 initio tanguntur aegra you can never touch the sore without the grief of the Patient All would be pleased Nulli grata reprehensio est saith Salvian None love reproof none but the wise Prov. 9.8 And that which is worse the most wicked cast-away would rather heare his own false praises then true reprehension and be deceived with jeering applause then saved by wholesome Admonition And yet Separatists from determined Congregations must no lesse be admonished then other sinners so long as there is any hope they will amend That charge given to the Prophet Isa 6.9 10. is six times alledged in the New Testament to warn them that if they turne not God will what his sword Psal 7.12 and be glorified in his justice upon them who made no account of his mercy And it is a just thing with God when men wilfully winke and shut their eyes against the light to strike them stark blind 2 King 6 18 Gen. 19.11 as he did the Assyrians and the Sodomites and Elymas the Sorcerer and to dash out their eyes Deut. 28.28 It is true Gods primary intention in sending his messengers Jer. 3.15 is for the good of his people for he giveth them Pastors according to his own heart which do feed them with knowlede and understanding yet in a secundary place it is for to leave the wicked inexcusable and to justifie his proceeding toward them See 2 Cor. 2.15 16. John 9.39 Thus the Pastor must do his duty and referre the issue or successe unto the Lord yea hee must deal plainly and roundly as the Lord himself doth Ezek. 2.3 c. Matth. 10.14 But chiefly with publick and common sins as this of Church-separation is lest he seem to allow of them and so become guilty of them by his allowance For § 2 Though Saul acted not in the murder and Martyrdome of Steven yet his consent spake him guilty of the same crime Act. 8.1 A mind to tolerate evil is sin in the seed which time bringeth forth Jam. 1.14 15. God esteemeth the evil we would do as done though we have not done it and
more leisure greater helps and endowments then their Brethren had more zeal to improve this liberty for the advantage of the Truth and to remember that it is wretched Tertull. de Cor. Mil. c 1 Ruff. Hist l. 2. c. 11. Sozom. l. 1. c. 14. Rev. 21.8 Rav. in voce Timidus Matth. 10.28 33 in time of peace to be fierce as Lyons but in the combate to be fearful like Harts Ambrose as well as St Paul had a great conflict for the Church of Christ Alexander Bishop of Alexandria was blamed by many for his too slow confuting Arius his Heresie The Fearful who are threatned to have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone are they Qui veritatem Evangelii agnitam abnegant aut profiteró nolunt metu mortis vel amittendarum facultatum saith Ravanel Who deny the known Truth of the Gospel or will not professe it Or who at any time do evil or omit good against the light of Conscience for fear of danger say our learned English Annotators The Authors of most of these Errors and Blasphemies which bewitch the souls of our people are but little more to be blamed then they that do professe the Truth being endowed with gifts and helps who suffer them to walk abroad without check or controule It is but a slender discharge of our Duty Mal. 2.1 2 Jude 3. Tit. 1.9 11 to cry out against Errors and Heresies and never to contend nor convince men what Truth and Error is § 2. Though I meddle with no Controversie but with great reluctancie and distaste Intellectus dominatur Appetitui Scot. in 3. d. 33. aed. 4. yet now I am in a manner constrained upon two considerations which may be my Apologie for the publication of this imperfect Piece First As mans Intellect naturally abhorreth Error and a sanctified man doth doubly abhor Errour in things Divine so doth hee most of all abhor the corruption of the Vitals and those Errors which have a potent influence upon the Heart and Life as this which I oppose most evidently hath Mistakes we all have and shall have but the more they stop the motions of the heart and hand the more dangerous are they The second is Doctrina est species Eleemosynae Camero p. 90. The common excuse or argument of the Times Necessity and Providence which how far they may justifie me I must leave to the Judge of all men being obliged as a Pastor as a Friend as a Christian to tender my best assistance for relief of the Truth Though the crudity and weaknesse of this writing be such then as should prohibit the publication yet it may he useful to Country People who most commonly are subject to this Error Had I writ it for the use of the Learned I would have tryed to make it fitter for their use and if I could not I would have suppressed it Conc. Melevit 2. cap. 24 25. anno 416 § 3. The Shepherds part and duty is to defend his Flock from Dogs Wolves Thieves which if he neglected to do he incurred the losse of his Office according to the publick and ancient Cannons of the Church Rev. 22.11 1 Cor. 14.38 But if the Flock despising their Shepherd do miscarry they must thank themselves for it Ezek. 3.27 When the beautiful Order of the Church is broken Zech. 11.10 then the Flock cannot but be endangered by Seducers who ever corrupt the purity of Doctrine and Dicipline and marre the beautiful face of the Church The words of the Lord. Ezech. 1.38 When I say unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity but his blood will I require at thine hand These words should seem to Pastor and People not so much words as thunderbolts Homer Iliad 2 and therefore unto the obstinate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Text will one day be terrible For the Lord applyeth this threatning not only to every particular impenitent person but every negligent Pastor in the person of Ezechiel that he may take to heart his duty and his danger The same charge is iterated Ezech. 33.6 Signifying that Separatists from Church-Communion in their proper and Parrochial Congregations in which they should take warning from their appointed Pastor shall not escape punishment though the Watchman be negligent but if the Watchman blow the trumpet and the Flock or Sinner will not then come and hear and obey he shall incurre double punishment The Watchman then must answer for his part for the blood of all that perish through his default and negligence to whom I say Homer Iliad 2. as he in the Poet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wretched man thou shouldst not fear to tel men of their evil doing and by consequence of their Church-separation § 4. Sinners are hardly brought to the sight and sense of their sins And therefore Pastors must bring the sins of their people upon the Stage Hos 4.2 1 Tim. 5.20 Hos 6.10 Heb. 10.31 that they cannot deny them as did the Prophets and Apostles Better so then for the people not knowing their sin that it is an horrible thing to find how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God A Christian Mat. 5.13 that hath not grace in him to reprove sinners is like Salt that hath lost his savour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is become foolish For the unsavourinesse of salt is as Euthymius saith Debilitas mordacitatis ipsius The weaknesse of its accrimony Wee have many examples of the Lords severe justice against them that swerve aside in the least things 2 Sam. 6.7 Levit. 10.1 Act. 5.4 c from the strict rule of his Word that concerne his Worship and follow their owne wills and inventions though they have never so good a pretence for it Tender hearts by judgements on others are brought the more to fear God lest the same Judgements should befall them and to discerne how failing about heavenly things chiefly in his Worship doth much incense Gods wrath CHAP. II. The late original of this Error Some mischiefs of it are indigitated A Motive to resist them § 1 FIrst it is to be understood That the judgment and practice of some men of special account in the Church of God hath been that Separatists are unworthy the honor of any set Conflict 1 Cor. 11.16 c. and publick Confutation But Saint Paul in many places knew Satans method better Satan seems somewhat shamefac'd at first asks but some small trifle give him but that he will be ready for greater points If hee win ground in the Ceremonies then he will abuse the Sacrament For when the Corinthians had sit covered at Prayer a while they grew even as unreverent at the Sacrament which the Apostle was fain to rebuke Then we are to reprove
hear as every one liketh in a distracted church-Separation contrary to the Ordinnances of God and good Magistrates Exceptions indeed may be taken at the overlarge extent and disordered situation of divers Parochial congregations But Parochial Assemblies not the name but the thing is the way that comes up to the Rule of Scripture Light of Reason and the Presidents of Primitive times Our congregational Bretheren will have the limit of a Particular Mr. Blakc Cov. Cap. 3. church to be within that number of persons that may congregate in one place for Ordinances If this be yeilded then it will easily be proved that Parish-congregations are of Divine Institution and then it will consequently be true that peoples Separation from Parochial Church-communion hath this Sinful Effect to be a Disorderly confusion contrary to Divine Institution For Contiguas pictas jussit habere domos Saints that made up a church were still Saints in cohabitation they were as in faith so in Habitation joyned together § 3. It were easie to relate the abundant fearful Effects and sinful consequents which this Practice of Church-Separation doth produce as the disorderly confusion which of necessity it doth occasion the weakning of the work of the Lord in the place where providence hath seated them Mr. Blake loco supra citato and conferred many Mercies upon them the depriving of Pastors of their Flock Spiritual Parents of their Children the animosity of Spirit that is wrought in those that withdraw themselves judging them whom they leave as scarce Ministers of Christ nor their congregations as churches of Christ withdrawing then and thence when and where Christ is pleased to reside I do only urge this that it is without all Scripture precept or president to depart from the solemn and publick worship of God to which his special providence hath bound us It was accounted dangerous not only to estimate one Apostle above another as Papists do Saint Peter contrary to the ancient practice and doctrine of the church in Tertullians time Ter. de praescrip c. 24. Non mihi tam bene est imo non mihi tam male est ut Apostolos inter se committam I am not so wise saith he nay I am not so foolish as to value one Apostle above another But it was thought dangerous also to esteem one Father or Teacher in the Greek or Latin church as if he had the mind of Christ above another 1 Cor. 2.16 as the Apostle speaketh The Greek Menologie mentions a Division like that among the Corinthians in the Greek church in the daies of the Emperour Alexius In which one preferred Basil An. 1103. another gloried in Nazianzone a third extolled Chrysostome until they heard this voice from heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are all one before God It is dangerous then to extol one of the servants of Christ who speaks according to the Spirit of Christ Doroth. Bilioth Patr. Tom. 2. above another lest as the Historian reporteth such Admirers become Miriones that is like to the man who first magnified Zosimus next Macarius then the Apostles Peter and Paul lastly the Blessed Trinity which also blinded through Inconstancy he renounced totally and finally This is our fear this is our complaint § 4. This Error of Indetermined church-communion was of old taken for a consequent yea a symptome of Luxury and Wantonness It was observed of the Corinthians that they were rich and luxurious and therefore proud and contentious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so on as Strabo describeth them Strab. Geor. l. 8. We should therefore beware of such Separation as a Mark of Spiritual Wantonnesse And we find in Hesychius that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is no better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus you may see the Genius or Inclination of what people is strongly bent unto this Sin And though it be true that Grace doth not only polish Nature Morality knoweth how to do that but even subdue it and change the very frame and constitution of it yet being that it is not wholly conquered in this life it is like it will shew it selfe most in some domineering corruptions Ball against Can. which generally reign among Christians This Error tendeth to the renting of the church the disgrace of Religion the advancement of pride Ignorance contention Offence of the Weak Grief of the Godly Hardning of the Wicked and rising againe of Antichristianisme For they that voluntarily depart from their determined congregations if in words they do not maintaine Antichrist really they do him more credit then his chief upholders Seeing of necessity they must confesse that in other churches which may be Antichristian for any thing they know the pure Faith may be entirely professed the Doctrine of Salvation plentifully preached the Seals of the Covenant rightly administred for substance and by the blessing of God upon his own Meanes Christian Soules ordinarily converted and nourished unto eternal Life Which is more then all the Factors for Antichrist shall ever be able to make good Upon this account it seemeth the Council held at Nantes decreed Conc. Nannat c. 1. et 2 Anno. 800. Grat. causa 9. qu. 2. Can In Dominicis that no Pastor should admit unto Divine Ordinances any man of another congregation that willingly despised the Dvine Exercise of his Ordinary Minister And Gratian reporteth that to the same effect and purpose one Canon was established in Concilio Meldensi § 5. Unto all these I could add Musculus his judgment who relateth five dangerous consequents of this Error 1. That it casteth the Soul into danger of its Salvation while as it departeth from communion with the appointed and approved Congregation Museu Loc. Comm. de â—â—…hismate 2. That it divideth as much as in it lyeth the whole and entire body of Christ 3. That it despiseth not one or two christians but the whole congregation which it forsaketh 4. That it doth not only despise but condemn that congregation as not genuine but adulterate 5. That it violates the bond of Peace which is charity in that it not only departeth but seduceth others to depart from their proper and peculiar congregation All which are confirmed and amplified by that Pious Divine How dangerous this Error is may further be declared by many testimonies of Judicious Calvin Calv. Instit l. 4. c. 1. per totum praesertim § § 4. 10. Who often telleth us that so highly doth the Lord regard the communion of his church that he counteth them Traitors and Fugitives who contumaciously separate from any Society or congregation which maintaineth the true Ministery of the Word and Sacraments And that so highly the Lord esteemeth his church That whosoever wrongeth her authority he judgeth it derogatory to his own Honor c. But I study brevity CHAP. XIII The causes which men pretend for Separation from Parochial Church-Communion are frivolous and invalid And First Indetermined Church-communion is no part but an Abuse
probanda sapientia no Religion should be undertaken without wisdom neither should any wisdome be allowed without Religion For all overdoing in Gods work is undoing as saith a late redoubted Warrier of the Lord Mr. Baxt. Direct 26. pag. 352. And whoever you meet with that would overdo suspect him either a subtil destroyer or one deluded by the destroyer Oh what a Tragedy could I here shew you of the divels acting And what a mysterie of the Hellish art of deceiving could I open By occasion of our present quarrels with hereticks the Old Serpent steps in and will needs be a spirit of zeale in causing many professours to separate from their appointed congregations and inducing them or rather seducing them to overdo O that God would open the eyes of his churches in England to see this Satanical stratageme § 3 Then let us not be too much bent on a thing Rom. 12.3 nor just in our own opinion but let us temper our zeal with godly wisdome advise with others lean not on our own understanding flatter not our selvs in any opinionative confidence of our own abilities to judg of all that is fit to be done but think soberly of our selves The more humble thou are the more wary and circumspect thou wilt be and the more wary the more safe Now for the avoiding of overdoing in the point in hand let us constantly practise these few Directions First Labour for knowledge and a sound understanding 2 Tim. 1.7 a sound Judgment is a most precious mercy and much conduceth to the soundnesse of Heart and Life Aug. de C. D. l. 5. c. 10. Male vivitur si de Deo non bene creditur A weak Judgment is easily corrupted And if it be once corrupted the will and conversation will quickly follow Our understandings are inlets of entrance to the whole soule The moral Philosopher hath well concluded Derodon disp 1. in Ethicis § 4 Omnis malus est ignorans solus ignorans malus est ignorance is virtually every errour Secondly Be sure you make conscience of the great duties you are to perform in your families Teach your children and servants the Knowledge and fear of God pray with them daily and fervently Read the Scriptures and good books to them Keep them from sin especially see that the Lords day be wholly spent in these exercises and not in sports or idlenesse Thirdly Remember alwaies that ye are bound to be followers of Peace and unity He that is not a son of peace is not the son of God All other sins destroy church-communion consequentially Dial cum Trapertit pag. 265. but division and separation demolish it directly Justin Martyr professeth that if a Jew should keep the ceremonial Law so hee did not perswade the Gentiles to it as necessary yet if he acknowledg Christ he judgeth that he may be saved and he would have communion with him as a brother And I professe that I believe that professors which disturb the peace of the church and separate from their brethren nay I fear lest they should prove a firebrand in hell for being a firebrand in the church Fourthly Keep the mastery over your flesh and senses Few fall from God but flesh-pleasing is the cause Remember who hath said If ye live after the flesh Rom. 8.5 6 7 13 14 ye shall die Think of this when ye are tempted not only to lust drunkenness worldliness c. but also when ye are tempted to seperate from your Parochial Assemblies for the Apostles hath pronounced such to be carnal You little think what a sin it is even to please your flesh further then it tends to help you in the service of God Seneca I. p. 14. Multis enim servict qui corpori servit He hath many masters that serves his flesh and after Honestum ei vile est cui corpus charum est Honestie is vile to him that endeareth his body Happy were many a Christian if they had learned this lesson which an infidel teacheth them then would they beware lest conscience lose its tendernesse then would they live in a constant readinesse and expectation of death having their conversation in heaven while they live upon earth Fifthly Look upon all present actions or conditions with a remembrance of their end Plutar. de Adulat Ambit Solon desired Croesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to behold the end Desire not a share in their prosperity who must pay as dear for it as the losse of their souls Be not ambitious of that honour which must end in confusion nor of the favour of those that God will call enemies Fear not that man that must shortly tremble before God whom all must fear Sixthly Deal faithfully with every truth you receive take heed of subjecting it to carnall interest If once you have affections that can master your understandings you understand not the Truth This changeth Christians into Males or Asses Soz l. 6. c. 5. as Antony the Hermite dreamed of the Arians For when you have a resolution to cast off any duty as Parochial Church-communion you will first believe it is not duty And when you must change you judgement for carnal advantages you wil make the change seem resonable and right And evil shall be proved good when you have a mind to follow it Lastly Apprehended and necessity and usefulnesse of Christs Officers Order and Ordinances for the prosperity of his Church Tell your Archippus that he fulfill his ministry Concil Milev 2. c. 24 25. Anno 416. as in abandoning all sin in conversation so all errors in doctrine otherwise by the ancient canons of the Church he hath forfeited his ministry Pastors must guide you not seduce you or lead you Jesuitically blindfolded caecâ obedientiâ Pray for you Minister that utterance may be given him Ephes 6.19 that he may open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel Watch carefully that no weaknesse of the Minister draw you to a disesteeme of the Ordinances of God nor any of the sad miscarriages of Professors should cause you to set lesse by Truth or Godlinesse Wrong not Christ more because other men have so wronged him Quarrel more with your owne unfitnesse and unworthiness in Ordinances then with other mens It is the frame of your own heart that doth more to help or hinder your edification then the quality of those whom you joine with § 4 But the sad experience of these times of separation from determined church-communion hath much abated the confidence of the godly that Antidotes wil prevail with the vulgar or ordinary Christian and caused them to have lower thoughts of mens docility and tractability then sometimes they have had and doe look on man as a distempered inconstant creature Arist Eth. lib. 7. c. 14. in sine of a natural mutability in his apprehensions and Affections though God who knowes the heart and knowes his owne decrees may know