wherein of the resurrection of the body with an answer to some object against it p. 79 80. Of perfection p. 81. Whether it may be attained in this lise p. 81 82 83. Of Christs Judgement the Law by which he judgeth the Subjects whom he judgeth the sentence that is pronounced p. 83 84. wherein is shewed what Hel is p. 84. Whether the day of judgement be yet p. 85. Chap. 18. p. 86. Of Faith Prayer Feare and reverence Love and Praise of God p. 86 87. Of the true power and manner of worshipping God in the Spirit p. 87 88. Of the Visible Worship of God Chap. 1. p. 83. OF the Gospel that is to be preached to the World p. 89 90. Of the Ministers of this Gospel p. 91. That there are true Ministers of the Gospel in our daies p. 92. marks to know them p. 93. with an answer to severall objections against a visible Ministry in our daies wherein is handled the doctrine of Miracles p. 94 95 96 97. Of the manner how the Gospel must be Preached viz. infallibly in the name of God plainly and fully p. 97 98. The Subjects of which ministry of the Gospel are sinners as sinners p. 98. Chap 2. p. 98. Of Baptism of water of the Holy Ghost and fire of afflictions p. 98 99 100 101. Chap 2. p. 98. That Christ commanded baptism of water to be preached and practised and was performed p. 102. 105 106. That the command of Christ Go teach and Baptize is meant of water baptism p. 102 103 104. Chap. 3. p. 106 Chap. 4. p. 112 That Christ is the Author or Instituter of water Baptism p. 106 107. Of the unity and difference of Johns and Christs Baptisme of water p. 107 108 109. Of the excellent nature end and use of the Baptisme of water p. 109 110 111. Of the Administrator of Baptisme with an answer to severall obj against it p. 112 113 114. Of the true subjects of Baptism p. 114. Whether it be lawfull to Baptize infants p. 115. With an answer to the principall arguments for it p. 117 118 119 120. Chap. 5. Of the true manner of performing this Ordinance which is by dipping p. 120. proved 1. From the signification of the word 2. From the nature of the Ordinance p. 120 121. with an answer to some obj against it p. 121. 122. Of the true principle leading forth to baptize p. 122 123. Of the true power enabling to conform to it and whether a Saint may be said to be ever without power to do his duty p. 123 124 125. Chap. 6. p. 118. Of the continuance of water Baptisme which is till Christ comes again visibly to good and bad proved from severall Scriptures p. 118 119 120 129. Chap. 7. Containeth severall answers to twenty obj against the practise of the Baptisme of water in our dayes wherein those Scriptures which many pretend do speak the downfall of this doctrine are explained and mens mistakes made manifest p. 142. Chap. 8. That beleevers being baptized ought to be added to some particular congregation p. 143 144. What the visible Church of Christ is p. 144 145. with an answer to this Qu. viz. Whither there may not now be a true visible Church without Baptisme of water p. 147 148. Chap. 9. Of the nature of a true church p. 148. T is the city of God Christs body the Lords mountain Gods vineyard Christs garden c. p. 149 150. Of the power of this church in receiving of members p. 151. Of admonishing of members p. 152. what a private and what a publique offence is p. 152. the difference between admonishing reprooving and rebuking what p. 153. few directions to be observed in reprooving p. 135. Of the power of the church in determining controversies about civill and indifferent things p. 153 154. Of their power in casting out of members and what it is to be delivered to Sathan p. 154. and for what causes 155. what a heretick is ibid. the church may receive members when cast out upon repentance p. 155 156. Chap. 10. p. 156. Of the duty of members towards the church p. 156. Of members to the church and of the Church towards its members p. 157. Of the gifts of the Church a word of wisdome of knowledge discerning of Spirits and prophesies p. 158. Of the true power of prophesie and who may prophesie p. 158 159. whither women may speak in the church p. 159 160. how women should improve their gifts 160. the gifts of helps and Government what 161. Chap. 11. 162. Of the Ordinances of the Church viz. Prayer Prayse p. 162. Of singing Psalmes Fasting and charity 163. Whether all Saints are to have all things common p. 164. Of breaking bread of the subjects nature and duration of it p. 164 165. Of the order of the church 165 166. Of the ministry of this church p. 166. Of the churches communion with the Father ib. with each other with other churches in advice in supplying each others wants p. 167. An Alphabeticall Table of the chiefe heads contained in this Booke A. ADministrator of Baptisme who pag. 106. c. Affections of man Christs enemies 75 All the word explained 36 Anger of God what 44 Angels are Christs souldiers 77 Apostles their office 91 Ascension of Christ what and its virtue 60 B BAlaams knowledge what 67 Baptisme of afflictions what 101 Of the Holy Ghost and fire what 100 Of Water 98 c. Its nature 109 110. Its subjects 114. The manner how to be performed 120. It s continuance 126 to 130. Of the difference and unity of Iohns and Christs Baptisme 107 108 109 c. Bloud of Christ what 27 It justifies 46 Breaking bread Vide in Lords Supper C CHrist what he is anointed of God 19 20 23 c. 61 68 69 c. Chastisement for sin what its virtue 57 58 Charity what it is 163 Church of the Gospell what 143 144 Its subjects 144 to 147. It s nature 149 150. It s power 151. It s order and what it is 165 166. It may be without officers in it Ibid. Of its communion 166 167 Circumcision ended in Christs death 58 Is no ground for Infant Baptisme 117 118 119 Civill differences to bee ended by the Church 153 154 Common Whether all things ought to be common 164 Common salvation what 41 Communion of Churches what and wherein 167 Consecration of Christ what and how performed 23 24 Covenant no proofe of Infant Baptism 116 Creation shewes the Godhead 12 to 18 Curse of the law what and how freed from it 53 to 57 D DAy of judgment what and when 84 85 Death of Christ our sacrifice 26 27 28 Deyill conquered by Christs death 59 Discerning of spirits a gift what 158 E ENemies of Christ what 73 74 Evangelists their office 91 F FAther what he is 21 22 Faith what 86. We are justified by it 47 48 Fall of Adam what and how accomplished 43 Fasting what 163 Feare of God
built upon a mistake of their Epistles for they Sol. were not written to persons unbaptized but already baptized So that it was needlesse to urge Baptisme to them Yet we shall finde Paul in the Hebrewes telling them they had need to have the principles of the doctrine of Christ taught them againe of which Baptisme is one But if you looke into the Acts of the Apostles you will there finde Baptisme to be practised as much as any Ordinance for there are the travels of the Apostles and their doctrine to unbelievers registred where you shall finde thousands baptized Now Baptisme is part of the foundation in the house of God which must not be laid againe But yet some are ready further to object against Baptisme of water and say Object nothing enters into or hath a being in the Kingdome of God but that which abides for ever but water must perish therefore it cannot be in the Kingdome of God To which I answer if by the Kingdome of God you mean that Sol. invisible state of the spirit living with the Lord I shall shew you this is a mistake for is is said We are saved by hope which abides not alwaies for the thing hoped for being enjoyed hope ceaseth But if you mean the Visible Kingdome of heaven viz the Church of Christ behold you are much mistaken for tongues and prophesies were in the Church and shall not abide for ever for the Scripture saith Prophesies shall faile 1 Cor. 13. 8. But yet I say though that which is visible shall fade yet that which is represented by it viz the Fathers love in Christ Jesus shall never faile and our obedience shall ever be recorded with the Lord. That which you have said is true proves Saints may be baptized with Object water but yet it is an indifferent thing and so it is no great matter if it be left undone That which is neither commanded nor yet forbidden is left at Sol. a Saints liberty But know the commands of the Lord are not of so indifferent a nature the transgression of them or any of them is sinne Now to say Baptisme is such a thing makes void those Scriptures which command it to be preached and practised as I have proved from Math. 28. Marke the last with other Scriptures He that said to the Disciples Goe preach and baptize likewise saith to believers by the mouth of his Apostles Repent and be baptized So that I say againe whatever believer shall neglect this command sins against the great Lawgiver the Lord Jesus Thus have I endeavoured according to my talent to answer all those objections I have yet met withall of any moment hoping it will now appeare to thee that Baptisme of water is an Ordinance of the Lord Jesus and not to be so carnall as men suppose but a spirituall Ordinance whose author principle leading to it power enabling to performe it and true end of conformity to it are all spirituall which though in a sense viz as it is performed with water may be called externall or outward yet the spirit and life of it is like the Kings Daughter Psalme 45. All glorious within whose cloathing is of wrought gold And surely it is no more outward then charity which I suppose none but some old hard-hearted usurer will deny to have place in the Church of the first-borne and why may not Baptisme be admitted likewise into the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus Some say T is a yoake and they say true but it is Christs yoake whose yoake is easy and his burden is light others say if they should submit to it they shall be in bonds and not have that liberty they enjoyed before they say true they shall be bound but to nothing but Christs lawes and be infringed of no liberty that may be truly called Gospell-liberty true it is they are like to be more carefully and narrowly watcht over then formerly that so they may walk more conformable to the true nature of Christs flock whose inheritance is the Kingdome of the Father But this surely to an honest upright heart who feares the Lord will be accounted as his great priviledge and happinesse Chap. VIII Sheweth that believers being baptized ought to be added to the Church and what the true Gospell-Church is THE first thing being made manifest that all believers are to be baptized I come to the second thing I promised to discover to you which The Saints baptized are to be added to the Church was the command of Christ for those that were baptized to be added to to the Church By Church I here understand some particular visible Church which every believer ought to be a member of and adde himselfe to it T is not enough to be baptized which visibly enrights him into any Church but he must be taught to observe all things commanded whereof this is one to joine himselfe to some particular Church or Congregation Therefore is it said Acts 2. 42. They continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and prayers Marke it they were not onely baptized but walked in the visible fellowship of the Gospell And againe it is said verse 47. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved And againe Acts 17. 4. it is said Those that believed consorted to Paul and Silas they embodied themselves together and cleaved to the Apostles verse 34. That it is the duty of Saints thus to do I shall manifest by two Reasons 1. From the nature of the Saints they are all one in Christ Jesus they are Christs sheepe the nature of whom is to flocke togegether they are members one of another Now it behooveth the members to be fixed in their owne body they are the souldiers of the Lord who ought to be in continuall order But 2. It appeares from the nature of the doctrine of Christ which points at unity one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one Body whereof Christ is the Head God is one they are one the Gospell is one all which proclaimes it to be their duty to walke together as one in the Church which is Christs body But to make things appeare more plainly I shall shew you what the true Church of Christ is to which every believer being baptized ought to be added It is a company of people called out and separated from the What the true Church of Christ is world by the word of the Gospell to believe in Christ being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus walking together in mutuall agreement in the visible profession of the Gospell of the Lord Jesus Christ their Head and King I am not now treating of the Church of Christ as it is invisible consisting of all Saints in all ages making up one body but of a particular visible society or congregation of people who are that Church I have before described in which description there are these things observable 1. That Christs Church consists of people
2. That it consists of people called or separated from the world by the Gospell 3. They are a company of believers 4. They are believers baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus 5. That they are united together by consent in the fellowship of the Gospell all which I shall handle briefly First That Christs Church are onely people I minde this in That Christs Church are only people a way of opposition to that carnall apprehension of ignorant soules who esteeme Houses of stone or timber to be the Churches of Christ not considering that That the most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Acts 17. 24. But in the contrite and broken heart Though Heaven and Earth cannot containe him yet he dwels in men Which blind conceite hath begotten such superstition in their hearts that they esteeme such Houses to be Holy and so making an Idol of them they fall downe before them that is to say attribute that to them which is peculiar to the Saints Secondly The church of Christ consists of people called out of Christs Church is a people called out of the world the World wherein you may observe that the very same men and women who were in the world are the subjects of Christs Kingdome 't is not something added to man which is saved in man but the same man is the subject of salvation who before was in the the state or wrath 't is not something besides mens naturall soules and bodies which are the subjects of Christs church but their bodies and soules which before were in an old state of sin and death therefore called old men but now in a new state therefore called new creatures they are Christs members these I say are called or separated from the world the word Church in the Greeke signifies called out the church is called out or separate from the Kingdome of Sathan therefore saith Peter who hath called you out of darknesse 1 Peter 2. 9. and again Coloss 1. 13. Saints are said to be delivered from the power of darknesse and translated into another Kingdome Saints were once as others are but now are they separated from the world in a twofold consideration First From the wicked conversation of the world therefore are the Saints said to be redeemed from the vaine conversation of the They are separated from the vain conversation of the world world received by tradition from their fathers 1. Peter 1. 18. Therefore Paul saith we had our conversation amongst children of disobedience in times past in the lusts of our flesh but God who had mercy on us hath quickened us when we were dead in sins Eph. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. they are to be separated from all the abominations thereof for the church of Christ is or ought to be a pure Kingdome into which nothing that desilâ—th should enter they are called from the works of the flesh as lying stealing covetousnesse drunkennesse swearing blaspheming railing adulteries and the lusts of the flesh wherein formerly they were conversant as is evident 1 Cor. 6. 4. 10. no such persons that are known to be such are to be admitted into the Church which is the Kingdome of heaven upon earth 2. They are separated from the worship of the World now by the They are separated from the worship of the world worship of the World I meane that seeming worship which men performe to the Lord without a lawfull warrant from the Lord even all the commands of man in the things of God The world through the mighty operation of the man of sin who works in the children of disobedience hath set up a worship among men that hath the name of the service of God when indeed God never commanded them any such thing We are commanded to come forth of Babylon out of confusion and to touch no unclean thing therfore saith the Lord What an agreement hath the temple of the Lord with idols wherefore come out from amongst them and be yee separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. We are to separate from all assemblyes who say they are Churches and yet are not built upon the Rock Christ and the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the corner stone There is much adoe made about churches this day but there is but one true way of entring into a true Church fellowship therefore are we to separate from all those seeming Churches who never were admitted into the Church through the preaching of the Word and beleeving the doctrine of Christ being baptized into his name but were naturally borne into it as all those are who stand in a any Church by right of infant membership or infant Baptism Christs Church consists of a people visibly professing faith all in Christs Kingdome must be able to declare whose they are whom they professe whose subjects they be and to whose laws they conforme therefore we shall finde the Eunuch not to be admitted to baptisme Except he believed with all his heart But may some say many may professe faith and yet not be beleevers so that if Obj. faith be absolutely necessary for the fitting of a man to be a member of a church you will be able to prove few churches to be true because many may be hypocrites What I said before I say now again that visible appearances are Sol. Christs Church consists of people professing faith the true ground of visible administrations with the heart man beleeveth but with the mouth he confesseth unto salvation Had election or a reall interest in the love of Christ beene the only ground of receiving members into fellowship or of baptizing them as some may suppose the Apostles did very evill in baptizing Simon who was in the gall of bitternesse yea if that should be true Christ did very ill in suffering Judas to goe in and out so long with his disciples undiscovered when he knew he was a wicked man but yet Simon professing he beleeved ought not to be denied baptisme so that I say who ever shall say that he beleeveth in the Lord Iesus that is to say professe that he depends upon Christ for salvation and upon him alone and desires to be baptized in the name of Christ professing he beleeves it to be his duty except we know that he hath only a forme of Godlinesse and denyes the power thereof he ought to be baptized and be received a member with the Church I confesse there is a doctrine spread abroad that we must know mens hearts before we can walke visibly with them which truly never was nor shall be the ground of a visible fellowship neither ought we to examine mens spirits or principles so much as their doctrines The church of Christ consists of beleevers baptized in the name The members of Christs Church are baptized beleevers of the Lord Jesus therefore it is said They that gladly received the word were baptized and the same day there
were added viz. to the church about three thousand Act. â— 41. this was a doctrine to be preached commanded to be practised and was observed by the Saints of old But doe you thinke there may not be a visible church of Christ without baptisme of water surely all the churches in the Gospell were not baptized persons To this I plainly answer First the Scriptures no where hold Sol. forth any church to us without being baptized for this we find as soone as they beleeved they were commanded to be baptized with water Acts. 10. and to Paul himself beleeving was it said Arise why tarriest thou and be baptized If we looke into the Acts we shall find there very many examples for it and not one to prove or tolerate any other practise Secondly I say there can be no true visible Church without it hath its bottome or foundation from Christ but there is no church consisting of others then baptized persons approved on by Christ for Christ giving forth a rule of visible dispensations bids his disciples first Teach and Baptize them afterwards teach them to observe all that he had commanded them Marke last 19 20. Again if we consider the nature of the Ordinance of baptisme and of the church of Christ it will be evident for the nature of the Ordinance is a cleer manifestation of putting on Christ therfore saith the Apostle Know ye not that as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and the nature of a true Church is of a spirituall nature visibly holding forth that government Christ our head hath in us Again baptism is the first act visibly representing our union with Christ which gives us a visible right to all other Ordinances of Christ But if any shall yet say there may be a true visible church of the Gospel approved of by Christ without a submission to this Ordinance let them produce their grounds from the Scripture and I shall more throughly consider the matter in the mean time let this suffice us that while men walke in other wayes doubtfully without a rule for their practise we walk according to the Scriptures in being baptized and added to the church wheras they say many churches were planted without baptism it is an easy thing to say so but hard for to prove I am very confident all churches were baptized else the disciples of Christ had very ill observed their commands Goe teach and baptize Fiftly It is not enough that Saints be baptized but likewise The Church of Christ is an united company they ought to joyn themselves together first to the Lord then to one another therfore is it that we find it recorded that the Saints are a body compact together and that when many saw the judgement of God upon Ananias and Saphira they durst not joyn themselves to them Now this joyning after baptisme is nothing but the mutuall consent of each other giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another to watch over one another and walke before the Lord in his own wayes which of necessity must be done or else the Saints would be disabled from knowing each other watching over each other and admonishing or reproving each other thus did Paul joyn himself to the churches at Ierusalem but this will appear more plain if you consider what I shall say when I come to speake of the true nature and divine excellency of this church which I have already in a measure described unto you Chap. IX Sheweth the true nature of Christs Church and the power and authority thereof HAving thus described to you what the true church of Christ is I will now shew you its excellent priviledges and duty which I shall unfold to you in eight particulars 1. The nature of this Church 2. The power of this Church 3. The duty of this Church 4. The gifts of this Church 5. The Ordinances of this Church 6. The Order of this Church 7. The Ministry of this Church 8. The Communion and fellowship of the Church The nature of this church I shall first handle which I shall demonstrate The nature of Christs Church It is the house of God to you from the severall names that God hath given it in the Scriptures as first it is called the House of Christ or of the living God 1 Tim. 3. 15. Paul gave many instructions to Timothy how to behave himself in the house of God God dwelleth in the middest of the church the church is Gods houshold Mat. 24. 25. Herein may we see the nature of the church to be a compact and united body a house of living stones 1 Peter 2. 4. 't is not a company of unpolished stones lying scattered up and downe but a house built up whose foundation is Christ yea Christ is the corner stone thereof 't is a houshold whose master is Christ who is the Lord of that family which is called by his name the children of this houshold are Saints those that appear in their wedding garment the servants are the Ministers of the Gospell who are placed there to serve the family their food is the word of God the body and blood of Christ Jesus from whence al unprofitable and wicked servants are tobe cast forth 't is a houshold wherein every son and servant is enrolled by the bond of unity Secondly 't is the City of God Psalm 46. 4. in which city every It is the City of God member is a fellow citizen Eph. 2. 19. 't is a spirituall city that descends from heaven 't is a flourishing city whose inhabitants are made glad through that river whose streames flow from the fountain of life 't is a City walled with the almighty power of the Lord Jesus 't is a City defended with an innumerable company of Angels whose merchandise is not of gold and silver but of bread and water of life of glorious garments of needle worke the cloathing of whose inhabitants is wrought gold 't is the city of Sion of which 't is said Walke about Sion and goe round about her tell the towers thereof marke yee well her bulwarks consider her palaces that ye may tell it to the generation following Psal 48. 12 13. 't is a city incorporated whose citizens have one and the same Charter from heauen whose head is the Lord Jesus whose foundation and gate of entrance is Christ in which mercy and truth meet together righteousnesse and peace kisse each other Thirdly The church of Christ is Christs body Christ is the churches It is Christs body head yea he is the very life and soul of the church 't is his Spirit which quickens all 't is Christs body consisting of severall members every one is placed in the body for the service of the whole therefore saith Paul We being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another Rom. 12. 5. 't is a body fitly joyned together compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth
you Which doctrine is to be preached to believers Who may be considered under a two-fold consideration Either as added to the Church walking in visible or Church-fellowship Or as not yet added to the Church To both which sorts I shall endeavour to lay open their duty that so they may be conformable to their great Law-giver the Lord Jesus I shall speake of them in order But first to such as are not in a true visible Church fellowship The commands of Christ to them are these two in an especiall manner First That they should be baptized Secondly That being baptized they should be added or joined to the Church In the first of these I shall handle severall particulars 1. That Baptisme was commanded to be preached and practised 2. That Saints were baptized 3. The severall sorts of Baptisme spoken of in the Scriptures 4. That Baptisme of water was preached by the Disciples and commanded to be practised by the Saints 5. Who was the Author and Institutor of water Baptisme 6. What the true nature use and end of Baptisme with water is 7. Who was and is a true Administrator or Dispenser of it 8. Who be the true and proper subjects of water Baptisme 9. The true manner of the administration of it 10. The principle by which a Saint ought to be moved to subjection unto it 11. The power enabling to performe it or submit to it 12. How long the Ordinance of Baptisme was and is to continue I shall presume to be more large in this point of Baptisme then in others First Because this lyeth most hid and many Christians are enquiring after it Secondly Because this being cleared up the Controversies about Ordinances and Church visible fellowship would soone bee reconciled In this Chapter I shall speake of the first foure particulars 1. That Baptisme was commanded to be preached is evident Math. 28. 19 20. Where Christ saith Goe yee therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them teaching them to observe all things which I have Baptisme was commanded to be preached and practised commanded you Now Christ taught them to baptize and then to observe it as Christs command Againe saith Christ Marke 16. 15 16. Goe preach the Gospell to every Creature he that believeth and is baptized c. This was commanded to be preached Which commission the Apostle Peter executed faithfully Acts 2. 38. Commanding every one of them to repent and be baptized So Acts 10. 48. He declared it as their duty and commanded their subjection to it The truth of this is so unquestionable that I shall passe to the second That as it was commanded so it was practised is manifest Acts The Saints were baptized 2. 41. They that gladly received the word preached by Peter were baptized And many in Samaria which believed both men and women were baptized Acts 8. 12. The Eunuch the Gaoler Lydia Crispus and many Corinthians were baptized Acts 18. 8. I thinke it altogether needlesse to insist longer on this particular well knowing no man will deny this but he that denies the Scriptures likewise 3. The Scriptures speake of severall sorts of Baptisme which There are severall sorts of Baptisme spoen of in the Scriptures I shall unfold to you with their agreement and difference Now Baptisme in the Scriptures admits of a three-fold consideration First As it is a Baptisme of water Secondly As it is a Baptisme of the Spirit Thirdly As it is a Baptisme of afflictions 1. The Baptisme of water we finde mentioned in divers e Baptisme water places as John 1. 21. Acts 8. 38. Now this Baptisme of water was with materiall water 2. The Baptisme of the Scriptures prophesied of by John called e Baptisme the Holy â—â—st and 2. 28 29. The Baptisme of the Holy Ghost and fire Math. 3. 11. promised by God in Joel by Christ Acts 1. 5. Yee shall be baptized saith Christ with the Holy Ghost not many daies hence Which was fulfilled Acts 2. There appeared cloven tongues like as of fire and they sate upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance This Baptisme is called the Baptism of the spirit because it was the onely worke of the spirit with which they were filled called the Baptisme of fire because of the operation of the spirit which like fire was a light to them that sate in darknesse like fire because of its refining nature burning up that chaffe and drosse that was in them and making them more pure a Baptisme of fire in respect of its consuming nature destroying the man of sinne t is a fire that goeth out of the mouth of the Lord Jesus that burnes up consumes and destroyes the stubble and chaffe of Antichrist Yea of this Baptisme it is said There sate cloven tongues like fire upon the heads of the Apostles Which visibly demonstrated the power of the spirit in giving them the gift of tongues or languages whereby they could speake to all men in their severall languages wherein they were naturally borne Acts 2. 8. Now this was a visible glorious spirituall Baptisme the proper nature end and use of this was to crowne the doctrine of Jesus with a Crowne of glory to confirme spread abroad to all Nations and exalt the Gospell of Jesus and Christ in his Gospell This was that which amused the world yea to heare the Apostles speake with tongues they were confounded amazed and mervailed Acts 2. 6. 7. greatly 3. There is likewise a Baptisme of afflictions or sufferings A Baptism of affliction Therefore saith Christ I have a Baptisme to be baptized withall and how am I streigthned in my spirit till that be accomplished This was the Baptisme of his death into which death we are baptized Now this Baptisme holds forth to us our descending into misery as if wee were overwhelmed with misery and our ascending from it into glory Wee as Christ did when he was in the world must take up his Crosse and follow him in afflictions for We beare about in our bodies the dyings of the Lord Jesus I might here shew you the sweet unity consent and harmony that is in these Baptismes and wherein they differ but you will see this more fully if you consider what ensues But some may say T is true there is a Baptisme of water of the spirit and Qu. fire and of afflictions but is there not a Baptisme of the spirit besides that Baptisme of the Holy Ghost and fire which you say consists in new tongues and miraculous visible appearances of the spirit which Baptisme of the spirit is the worke of Gods spirit upon the heart in believing and the like according to that in Titus We are saved by the washing of regeneration c. Tit. 3. 4. To this I answer Yielding That we are saved by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost which hee Answ shed on
foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the Corner stone Now the Apostles and Prophets are the foundation of the whole building as in their daies so in our daies and now what have we to doe but to build on the same foundation Againe Consider what saith the Scripture Math. 16. 18. And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Now the Church of Christ were a company of Disciples baptized professing the doctrine of the Gospell as I shall shew more clearly afterwards Now against this Church the gates of hell should not prevaile because it was built upon a Rock Many thinke the meaning of that Rock to be Christ others judg it to be Peter but for my part I believe it to be meant of neither excluding the other but of both for Christ is the true foundation For no other foundation can any man lay then that which is already laid even the Lord Jesus Yet I say also Christ is not called a foundation but in reference to his doctrine given to Peter and the Apostles preached by them first who are also said to be the foundation they as instruments in Christs hand Christ as the fountaine and fulnesse that fils all in all so that however behold a Church built That the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it But may some say The gates of hell did prevaile against many Object Churches It is not said the gates of hell shall not prevaile against any Sol. Church in particular but against the Church that is to say the whole body of Christ in all ages And though wee cannot see a Church successively from the Apostles yet I shall prove there hath beene a Church in all ages Ephes 3. 21. Vnto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen Behold here a Church in all ages the Churches and so the Ordinances of the Churches were not to abide onely in the Apostles dayes but to the end of the world in all ages But yet to evince this more fully consider that the word preached by the Apostles is the onely word to be preached for faith and obedience in all generations therefore saith Christ Neither pray I for these onely but for them also which shall believe on me also through their word John 17. 20. The word of God preached by them and not their persons is expressed by Christ to be the ground of our faith that believe now to whom and to all that shall believe afterwards his prayer extends Againe saith Paul As we have said before so say I now againe If any man preach any other Gospell unto you then that we have preached and you have received though it be an Angell from heaven let him be accursed Galath 1. 8 9. Therefore is the Gospell called The everlasting Gospell Rev. 14. 6. Now the word that the Apostles preached is that which was given to them by Christ Goe preach the Gospell he that believeth and is baptized this is to be held forth as the word of God To the end of the world The time from Christ to the end of the world is The last daies wherein Christ himselfe hath spoken to us Heb. 1. 2. Who by this dispensation changed the old Priesthood and Law Heb. 7. 12. Now he did not destroy them as evill but changed them for the Priesthood of Aaron he established his own by death for the law of Ceremonies pointing out a Christ to come he established baptisme and breaking of bread to hold forth the establishment of his Priesthood in his death who is already come dead and risen againe Now as long as the Priesthood of Christ remaines so long must the Law remaine for there is no Priesthood without a Law The life of obedience is required till Christ coming therfore saith Christ Yee know not in what houre your Lord shall come therefore watchâ— But lest any should say the exhortation concernes not us Christ saith What I say unto you I say unto all Watch As Paul saith speaking of the judgments of God to Israel Now all these things hapned to them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10 11. So are they for our admonition and the Apostles doctrine our rule therefore he saith to Timothy And the things that thou hast heard of mee among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also 2 Tim. 2. 2. Let those that thinke the commands of the Apostles onely concerne that generation consider this Scripture Yea Baptisme is so farre from being ceased that it is called One of the first principles of Religion Heb. 6. 2. Now surely if you take away that you may as well take away Religion also and how you may wave that without bringing in another Religion with other Principles I understand not But if any say yet all this satisfies not then I shall demand what ground have any to prove its removall out of the way for this is certaine no dispensation given by Christ was ever removed but by the bringing in of some other And Christ hath now given out his lawes and will give out no other but it is high time to hear what is said against it which I shall willingly doe Chap. VII Answereth severall Objections SOme say John baptized with water but Christ with the Holy Ghost and Object fire So that John saith I must decrease but he must encrease from whence they conclude that water Baptisme must decrease and He viz. Christ and his Baptisme of the spirit must encrease Iohn 3. 30. This objection is grounded upon a meere mistake conceiving Sol. the Baptisme of water to be onely Johns and not Christs So that when John saith I must decrease they can understand nothing to be meant but water Baptisme when it is not Johns intention but John shewes his glory his honour and ministry must give way to and be swallowed up in Christ and decreased in this respect that he must dye and cease but Christ encreases by his death through which he gives new institutions I have already shewed the difference and agreement of Christs and Johns Baptisme wherein I have proved the Baptisme of water to be the Baptisme of Christ But Christ saith to the woman of Samaria Woman believe me the houre cometh when you shall neither in this mountaine nor yet at Jerusalem worship Object 2 the Father But the houre cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth which is an argument that Baptism of water is no part of the worship of God for that is outward and God will be worshipped in spirit Iohn 4. 22 23. In answer to this I desire you to minde that Christ doth not at Sol. all destroy the Baptisme of water but
takes her off from Jerusalem that Mountaine wherein they worshipped confining themselves to places therefore saith he Neither at Jerusalem nor at this Mountaine Now Christ doth not simply deny the worshipping of God at Jerusalem for we know the Churches worshipped God in their spirits at Jerusalem after Christs death but prophecyes of the abolishing of that legall and ceremoniall worship of the Jewes which was tyed to one place above another and indeed the worship of God under the Old Testament was in comparison of the worship of the Gospell fleshly or carnall not sinfull whereby they were tyed to many sacrifices and weary journies in going up to Jerusalem to worship But now there is great liberty and freedome wherein they professe God in ipirit So that to worship God in spirit and truth is to worship him after a spirituall manner from a spirituall principle in opposition to that legall state wherefore Paul cals himselfe a minister of the spirit and not of the letter Neither doth that place at all deny outward Baptisme for Christ saith The houre is already come when those that worship God worship him in spirit and truth When you will not deny Baptisme of water to be in use neither can a man truly worship God in any ordinance without he worship God in the spirit But Baptisme of water is a fleshly thing an outward thing which cannot be Object 3 admitted into the Kingdome of heaven for the Apostle saith the Kingdome of God is not meat and drinke but righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. Consider I pray thee the Apostle there meddles not with Baptisme Sol. but disswading them from offending one another in meate and drinke for some would eate flesh and some could not He tels them The Kingdome of God is not meate and drinke For those things were not commanded to be eaten or forbidded so that we should sinne if we doe or doe not eate But righteousnesse c. Now righteousnesse is the performance of all the commands of God to which Baptisme of water is a part as Christ saith Suffer me for thus it becometh me to fulfill all righteousnesse Christ did all things commanded and that as one of the commands of God So that this is no Argument at all except you can prove Baptisme of water to be the meate and drinke he there speakes of which can never be made manifest so that for thee to call Baptisme of water a fleshly thing it argues a carnall understanding of the commands of God But Paul cals it a fleshly thing for he saith We are the Circumcision Object which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh So that Paul relinquishes all outward things as Baptism and the like as fleshly worshipping God in the spirit Philip. 3. 3. This Objection is like the first where Paul points not at all at Sol. Baptisme but at his Jewish priviledges which he enumerates verse 5 and 6. Which very things he tels us be they which he meanes by flesh and hath not confidence in them Surely were we able to see how that we are commanded to glorifie God in soule body and spirit we should leave such carnall reasoning and not take Paulâ— arguing against Jewish outward Ceremonies abolished by Christs death as a ground against Baptisme of water which is grounded upon his death But water Baptisme ceased when spirit Baptisme came in and was not to Object continue after that for fire Baptisme devoures water Baptisme Behold into how great mistakes men run when they endeavour Sol. to vanquish the truth it selfe The Scripture expresly tels us Acts 10. That the Apostle Peter seeing Cornelius and those that were with him baptized with the Holy Ghost for the Holy Ghost fell on them as on the Apostles Acts 11. makes use of this as a ground to prove nothing could hinder him from being baptized with water Oh the subtilty of Antichrist who makes wise men even as it were mad to forge their owne reasons endeavouring to make that a ground of destroying water Baptisme which the Apostle used as an argument for the establishment of it But some say The Baptisme of water was onely used in the minority or infancy of the Church therefore when the Church grew higher in the knowledge of God they laid aside these things Therefore is it said in the Hebrewes We must leave the principles of the doctrines of Christ and go on unto perfection of which principles Baptisme is one which we ought now to leave Hebr. 6. 1. c. Whoever thou art that thus arguest against Baptisme by the same Sol. argument thou mayst leave faith toward Christ and the resurrection of the dead That I may clearly shew thee thy mistake of the Scripture consider the Apostle speaks to those who did owne those principles and reproved them not for owning them for Ch. 5. he tels them They had need to have them taught againe But for not encreasing in the knowledge of God Therefore he tels them For their time they had need to have beene teachers of others And so from these principles he drawes their thoughts higher into the mysteries of Christ So that the Apostle saith Leaving them we presse forward that is to say leaving now or at present to speake of them which yee know and owne already we will goe forward to speake of higher things which higher things destroy not the other which is evident if you consider the other to be the principles or beginnings of the doctrine of Christ Now the building destroyes not the foundation these beginnings and the other more perfect things are at perfect unity I but say some The Apostle saith He forgets those things that are behind Object and reached forth to those things that are before So that we must not onely leave them but forget them Phil. 3. 13. To which I answer The word forgetting is not to be taken Sol. for an absolute forgetfulnesse of all things he had before done for this Paul did not but in reference to the glory of perfection hee had in his eye he did as a man in a race running towards the prize he doth as it were forget all things behind him in respect of his continuall motion So in the things of God we ought day by day to presse forward till we come to the marke to the enjoyment of perfection So that there is no good ground for such an Objection for the Apostle James Commends them that are not forgetfull hearers but doers of the word But notwithstanding surely to be baptized is to know Christ after the Object flesh therefore saith Paul Though we have knowne Christ himselfe after the flesh yet henceforth know we no man after the flesh no not Christ himselfe 2 Cor. 5. 16. That we know not Christ after the flesh is true and yet it is as Sol. true that to be baptized is not to know Christ after the flesh this
after the flesh and the like I have answered them already in the doctrine of Baptisme of water I shall now speak a word or two to the Order of the Church Of the Order of the Church which is that sweet decent and due administration of every thing in its right season 1 Cor. 14. 40. this is that which directs how to speak when to speak and what to speak it forbids all confusion many may not speak at once this puts the administration of every Ordinance in its right place it first commands faith after that Baptisme then Church fellowship and breaking of bread it doth not turn things upside down and set the cart before the horse as we use to say as many men doe in matters of religion who will first break bread which is an Ordinance for their building up before they be baptized which visibly demonstrates their new birth This heavenly Order doth not first baptize and then preach conversion but baptizing those that are already converted this is that which the Apostle rejoyced to behold in the churches Col. 2. 5. I should now speak of the Ministry of this Church which is a Of the Ministry of the Church service committed by the Lord into the hands of some particular Members of the Church for the due and orderly edification thereof to whom he hath given the gifts before mentioned for discharge of their said trust which ministry first is evident in the brethren generally afterwards as occasion requires is committed especially by way of office to some particulars wherein I should shew you the true nature ground use and end of a ministry in the Church but I must now hasten a period to this discourse intending hereafter if the Lord affords opportunity to enlarge my selfe on it in the mean time know there may be a true Church without officers which I shall evidence by this demonstration If you search the Scriptures you shall find all officers of any particular Church are to be chosen out of the Church as is evident in the choice of the seven Deacons Acts 6. and so for Elders they were to be ordained in the churches Tit. 1. 5. which cleerly holds forth the Churches were to be before the officers for if the church was not first how could it be said officers must be chosen out of them or ordained in them The last thing I shall now handle is the communion of the The communion of the Church iswith the Father church and that is threefold First with the Father and the Son as saith John truly our fellowship is with the Father and the Son 1 Joh. 1. 3. viz. in prayer prayse breaking of bread and prophecy The cup of blessing that we blesse saith the Apostle is it not the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread that we break is not the communion of the body Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. Secondly Their communion is one with another which is in the With each other light and truth of the Father and the Son communicating light knowledge wisdome relief support succour and assistance each to other joying rejoycing and sorrowing each with other for they being many members are one bread for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10. 17. Thirdly and lastly the communion the church hath with other With other Churches churches all the churches of Christ have but one head and as members of that head receive influence from it and ought to seek the good and preservation each of other their visible communion appears in their union in the doctrine of Christ there are two things principally belonging to churches to communicate to each other First Advice in matters doubtfull as is evident Acts 14. 15. c. In advice the church of Antioch sent to the church of Jerusalem for their advice wherein we see a liberty for every brother till they were agreed to give their judgement now this we must not understand to be a dependency one upon another but only a sweet unity and agreement they have each with other Secondly In contributing each to others necessities as if one be over-burthened it is the duty of another church to contribute as In supplying each others wants is evident Rom. 15. 26 27. 2 Cor. 8. and 9. chap. Acts 11. 29 30. The glory of the church of Christ in all these gifts priviledges and spirituall immunities to which it is born by the word of God are innumerable many of them I might here unfold to you but of all which with our Apostle I must conclude saying I cannot now speak particularly Consider seriously what I have written and the Lord give us understandng in all things FINIS Errata Pag. 18. l. 23. for that r. for he that l. 40. for at r. as at p. 21. l. 25. for made r. he made p. 23. l. 12. for appearance r. appearances p. 6 l. 21. for sent you r. sent me unto you p. 25. l. 32. for nothing to r. nothing to p. 30. l. 22. for alone r. done p. 32. l. 1. for God dy r. God should dy l. 14. for nature by r. nature appeareth by p. 43. l. 1. for dow is r. dowes for thing r. things for was r. were p. 51. l. 10. for to give r. would give l. 12. for many r. may l. 25. for yet be r. yet he may be p. 55. l. 22. for to doe r. do p. 56. l. 35. for never r. ever p. 66. l. 1. for though r. thou l. 4. for it r. then l. 40 for copying r. coyning p. 70 l. 39. for chief r. Christs p. 74. l. 2. for heads l r. l. for these r. these heads p. 75. l. 20. for wils r. thus wils p. 76. l 19. for Adam sinned r. Adam been cut off as soon as he sinned p. 79. l. 14. for shall r. that shall p. 83. l. 31. for him r. them p. 90. l. 26. for to come r. to become p. 114 l. 6. for many r. man for their r. his l. 22. for God r. of God p. 116. l. 36. for some r. none p. 119. l. 10. for circumcision succeeds baptism r. bapt succeeds circumcision p. 121. l. 2. for most r. the most p. 132. l. 32. for forge r. forget
warning of the church or any member thereof from all evill shewing them the dangerous consequence of it therefore the Apostles in the first sense speaking to the Colossians bids them admonish one another with Psalmes c. In the last sense he writes to the whole church of the Thessalonians saying Now we exhort you brethren warn or admonish them that are unruly Now in the churches warning them that are unruly they ought to consider the nature of the offence for offences or sins are either private or publike What a private offence is a private offence is that which is committed against a particular person now this every Saints offended ought to reprove privately this is an offence that is not a publike scandall to the Gospel but What it is to sin openly publike sins are such as are open and manifest which in their own nature are of a publike scandall or offence these are to be rebuked admonished or â—reproved publikely as we see in the case of Peters dissembling Paul withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed yea he blamed or reproved him before them all Gal. 2. 11. 14. so that offences that are publikely known to the church the church should openly reprove them herein Pauls rule holds good them that sin rebuke before all that others may feare 1 Tim. 5. 20. or those sins which have been of a private concernment and the persons offending having been dealt withall according to Christs command saying If thy brother offend thee goe tell him of it between thee and him c. and if they who have committed the offence shall refuse to heare them they may bring it bring it before the church as Christ saith if he shall refuse to heare thee tell it to the Church then the Church may and ought to take notice of it and admonish him for it But is there no difference betweene admonition reproofe and rebuking in Qu. the Scriptures because you seeme to put no difference betweene them and the Scripture doth for Paul bids Timothy reprove and rebuke 2 Tim. 4. 2. Sometimes some one of these words being used alone comprehend the rest as in the case of Heretikes being cast forth after Sol. twice admonition The word Admonition includes rebuking or reproving but when we finde them distinguished t is after this manner to Admonish is to advise another or forewarne him of some danger to Reprove him is to blame him for some evill manifesting the nature of his evill and the greatnesse of his fault as Paul did blame Peter But to Rebuke signifies a more powerfull way of reproofe therefore he saith Rebuke them sharply so to rebuke them is to command them to desist their evil courses in the name of the Lord Jesus with great authority Therefore an Elder is not to be rebuked but entreated 1 Tim. 5. 1. This rebuking is for them who are unruly therfore when Christ cast out Devils he is said to rebuke them so if any shall make commotions in the Church and be unruly the Church must silence them stoppe their mouths command them to be silent for this the Church hath power to doe Now in reproving I shall give these few briefe directions 1. That it be done without partiality to the highest as well as to the meanest the richest as the poorest for we must not have the faith in respect of persons Husbands must not pleade for their Wives fleshly relations must not mingle themselves with spirituall affaires 2. Let it be done in love therefore is the Church commanded having noted a disorderly brother to admonish him as a brother so saith the Apostle Let all your things be done in love 3. Let it be done seasonably with good advice and caution minding alwaies the frame of his heart whom you reprove 4. Let it be done with all authority let none despise it Lastly The Church may choose whom shee please to declare her sense and minde this if the Church hath officers chosen is The Church may determine controversies about civill things most fit to be performed by them Thirdly The power of the Church appeares in determining all controversies in the Church in civill things if there should arise any difference in the Church betweene the members they ought not to goe to law especially before the unjust but to suffer the Church to determine it to whose determination they are bound to subscribe 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 3 4. How dare you saith Paul goe to Law before unbelievers It is utterly a fault so to doe it renders the Church to be exceeding weake and themselves exceeding carnall We ought rather to suffer wrong then goe to law But what if the Church should order any of them to give satisfaction to the Object other and he refuse it what should then be done If he should refuse to heare the Church he refuseth to heare the Sol. Lord from heaven and the Church may cast him forth and looke upon him as a Heathen and a Publican and so leave him to the world to be liable to the law of the Nation wherein he lives Secondly They have a power to determine matters of differences About indifferent things about indifferent things as suppose there should arise disputes about habits or meats or drinkes the Church hath power to end them God in his wisedome hath so ordered the matter that he hath given us many commands plainly and particularly but yet we have many occasions of dispute about things simply neither commanded nor forbidden Now the Church may determine these according to Pauls rule If there be any thing of good report virtuous praise-worthy thinke of these things The Church hath power to appoint their times of meeting their continuance when met of chusing their owne officers or servants as in the case of the seven Deacons is evident Acts 6. Fourthly They have power to cast out members to deliver The Church hath power of casting out members them to Satan as it appeares 1 Cor. 5. verse 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven that yee may be a new lumpe Now this was written by Paul to the whole Church Now his casting forth or delivering up to Satan is the returning of his person into the Kingdome from What it is to be delivered to Satan whence be came Wee while dead in sinne are in the Kingdome of Satan but being made to believe in Christ are translated into his Church the Kingdome of heaven Now when any declare their hearts not to be right but visibly to belong to the Kingdom of Satan they are to be put forth from the Church into their owne Kingdome viz. this world whose God Satan is This Ordinance is an Ordinance of Christ to be done in Christs name power and authority for the destruction of the flesh for the rooting out of corruptions it must be pronounced with love and yet with faithfulnesse But for what cause ought any member to be cast out of the Church Qu.
First For being a Heretike Now if any one aske me what a Heretike Ans is I answer he is one that preaches a doctrine which denies What a Heretike is the faith Of which sort were they that denied the resurrection Christ come in the flesh dying at Jerusalem for our sinnes and the like Secondly For open scandalous wickednesse as adultery idolatry theft lying drunkennesse swearing or the like Thirdly For refusing to heare the Church as Christ saith If any man refuse to heare the Church let him be to thee as a Heathen and a Publican And againe If any man among you walke disorderly have no company with him that he may be ashamed But what if there should any one fall into some open sinne and should manifest Qu. his repentance to the Church before he be cast out ought the Church to cast him forth No verily For if the Church can judge their repentance to bee Ans true they may not doe it for the end of the Ordinance is if the Lord see it good for their repentance Now if the Lord makes them repent without it to what purpose wilt thou doe it This appeares to me cleare from Pauls words 2 Cor. 12. 21. Who saith He is afraid he shall be humbled among the Corinths and bewaile them which have sinned already and have not repented of their uncleannesse and fornication which they have committed Which words I say intimate to me they ought to have repented of their evill deeds and if they had done so Paul need not have bewailed them but their not repenting made him to be afraid 5. They have power to receive in members who were cast out The Church may receive members who were cast out if they repent upon their repentance Consider 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8 9. Wee may there see Paul writing to them to forgive a wicked person lest he should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow and confirme their loves towards him Now if this repentance be true it causeth the soule to be humbled for his sinne to acknowledge it before the Church to mourne for it and to desire again to be received by them for if in truth he seeth his evill he will desire to be entertained againe by that people that cast him forth that they may have cause of joy in him as well as once they had of sorrow But this is not the whole Church that hath this power but the representative Church viz the Officers in the Church so that when Christ saith tell it to the Church he meanes the Elders To this I briefly answer That the Church viz the whole Church hath this power as is evident in the casting forth of the incestuous person Paul writes to the Church bids them Purge out the old leaven he doth not write to the officers of the Church only but to the whole Church So Acts 15. when the whole Church at Antioch sent to the Church at Jerusalem to advise concerning a difference The whole Church came together and gave their advise It is said The Apostles Elders and Brethren send greeting verse 23. Some bring this place to prove a Nationall Synod but if it should prove such a thing behold the whole Nation must be this Synod for the whole multitude were there viz of the Church with the Apostles and Elders where every brother had his liberty to speake But the Apostle Paul cast out Hymeneus and Alexander and delivered them Object to Satan so that excommunication is to be performed by an officer Behold a thing here considerable that which Paul did in his Sol. owne person by himselfe is likewise done by a Church with his consent therefore saith he I have judged already as though I were present concerning him that hath done this deed In the name of the Lord Jesus when you are gathered together and my spirit That you deliver such a one unto Satan 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. Pauls spirit is his will approbation or consent so that what the Apostle might doe in person they might do by the same power and spirit that was in him and them so that this is no argument at all to prove any such thing Now the end of this power given to the Church is not for destruction but edification Chap. X. Sheweth the duty and gifts of the Church HAving thus finished the nature and power of the Church I The duty of the Church come to shew them their duty and that under a three-fold consideration First Of members to members their duty is to watch over each Of members to members other Under the Law God placed watchmen over his people at whose hands the bloud of them that miscarried through the watchmens negligence was required Ezech. 33. 16. Christ hath set the Saints in one body to be carefull of each other to watch over their words and actions at home and abroad wherever they have opportunity They ought also to cover the infirmities one of another there is a great fault among Christians this day who delight to spread abroad the infirmities of their brethren If thy brother offend thee t is thy duty oh man to tell him of it first betweene thee and him if he heares thee thou hast gained him thou oughtest to forgive him If he refuses to heare thee take two or three more with thee and if he refuse to heare them and not before as thou expectest to be freed from the charge of a violater of the command of the Lord Jesus Tell it to the Church and if he refuse to heare them let him be unto thee as a Heathen and a Publican Yet further t is the duty of every member to assist exhort advise counsell and helpe his fellow member to relieve his necessities t is our duty to study to please one another in the Lord. This watch should be over one another in all things in all places at all times in all relations Secondly The duty of the Saints in the Church is to frequent Of the members duty to the Church their assemblyes not to leave them not to burthen or trouble or offend them to contribute their utmost assistance to them to help forward the building to warne the Church of any thing may endanger it Thirdly The duty of the whole is to looke to each member to The duty of the Church toward its members enquire how it is with them in soule and body to administer to their wants to reprove rebuke admonish receive in cast out this watch of theirs ought to have an eye into all relations many may live well in the Church but we must enquire after every one concerning their behaviour towards wives or husbands parents or children masters or servants for many may at home be passionate carelesse give ill examples be idle or the like which cannot be discerned in the Church but this ought we to looke after By vertue os what authority have you to do to meddle with one another in civill Object things By