his Church with such entire and ardent love that he gave himselfe for his Church But because I will not stay upon conjugall duties in briefe I say that no husband ever nay if the excellency of all the most melting affectionatenesse and other chiefe vertues could be drawne out of all mankind that have beene are or shal be and infused into some Angelicall body yet could not this imagined excellent husband love with such a sincere and perpetuall love cleave so closely and compactedly unto give such honor or due benevolence unto consolate with such ravishing comforts graunt more willingly the honest and reasonable requests governe guide and direct more prudently a wife lovely beyond imagination as Christ Iesus doth the Church or true believers Saints or faithfull Christians his Spouse That all true believers are the Spouse of Christ is perspicuously transparent Rev. 19. 7 8. 21. 9. 22. 27. Iohn 3. 29. And in this that they owe the selfesame duties to Christ Iesus which wives do owe to their husbands sc Subjection reverence obedience c. Therefore all true believers have fellowship with Iesus Christ c. All those which are ingrafted and inoculated into Iesus Christ have fellowshippe with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God But all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians are ingrafted or inoculated into Iesus Christ Therefore all true believers c. have fellowship with Iesus Christ the c. The latter Proposition I prove out of Ioh. 15. 1 2. 1. There is a husbandman who is the Father justly called the husbandman for 1. He hath a rightfull interest unto and an absolute Soveraigne authority over his spirituall vine vineyard and branches his is the right not by Law but by nature not from any superiour but from himselfe and he may do with it what he will 2. In regard of affection the affection that he beares to this vine vineyard and branches is transcendent he loves them tenderly and delights in them wonderfully 3. In regard of his actions for 1. He doth plant i. e. joyne the elect taken out of the rotten stocke of old Adam unto Christ and his Church by the spirit Psal 92. 13. Rom. 6. 5. 2. He doth water with the true doctrine of his Word the holy spirit and saving graces Ezek 36. 15. 3. He doth expect as earnestly fruit from his vineyard as the husbandman doth from his Isa 5. 2. 4. He doth prune and purge out blindnesse by the word of Knowledge errour by the Word of Confutation desperation by the word of Consolation c. and he preserves c. and on the contrary he rejects the fruitlesse branches that so they may wither and be burned Iohn 15. 2. 4. 6. 2. There is also a Vine and there are branches abiding in that vine Iohn 15. 4. Christ is a vine giving life of grace to all his members as a vine gives juyce and life to all its branches he ministreth to Christians the sappe of his grace and spirit whereby they live grow and bring forth good workes even as a vine doth minister to the branches moysture sappe and juyce whereby they live flourish and beare fruit In this vine the roote is Christ his God-head the stemme his Manhood the sâ—ppe his graces the branches true beleevers and the grapes good workes Neither is this contradicted where the Church is called a vine Psal 80. 9. 14. Isa 5. 1. 2. 3. A vine it is whose sense is Gods protection whose preachers are its watchmen their doctrines and exhortations as a winepresse to wring out good duties as sweet iuyce and whose grapes are good workes as pleasant fruite Nor where Christ is called a branch as he oftentimes is Ier. 33. 15. Zach. 3. 8. 6. 12. for when Christ is a branch his Church is the vine himselfe the Head or chiefe branch his Saints inferiour twigs his graces sappe blossome bud and grapes When the Church is a vine Christ wholy is the roote and stock true beleevers the branches whose obedience is the fruits or pleasant grapes which way soever they are ingrafted into Christ Therefore have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God Those who being knit together by the spirit are laid as living stones upon Christ the foundation or head corner stone to be an habitation of God have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God because they are stones of that building whereof he is the foundation But all true beleevers are built together or laid upon Christ Iesus the foundation c. Ephes 2. 20 21 22. 1. Pet. 2. 5. 6 7. Therefore Christ Iesus is 1. That stone in Daniel 2. 43. cut out of the mountaines without hands being not set up by man but sent by God 2. A stone of offence 1. Pet. 2. 8. to unbeleevers and misbeleevers they perishing by refusing to be laid upon this stone 3. A pretious stone 1. Pet. 2. 6. hee being of exceeding great value more worth then millions of worlds 4. A living stone 1. Pet. 2. 4. preserving the faithfull in the life of grace to the life of glory 5. A stone with seaven eyes Zach. 4. 10. in regard Gods providence watcheth graciously over all such who are built upon this stone 6. Yea the foundation of his Church and chosen 1. Cor. 3. 10 11. Other foundation can no man lay then that is layd which is Iesus Christ Ephes 2. 20. Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone 1. Pet. 2. 6. True it is that the decree of Gods election grounded upon his everlasting love is a foundation 2. Tim. 2. 19. because the godly are stayed upon this as a house upon the foundation 2. Christian doctrine is a foundation also Heb. 6. 1. It being a meanes to build men upon Christ the foundation 3. Christian princes and Magistrates are thus stiled Psal 82. 5. because the quiet of the Church doth rest upon them as a house on the foundation 4. The Apostles and Prophets Ephes 2. 20. Not onely Peter those who make Peter the foundation whereon the Church is built 1. Falsifye the Text which is not Vpon thee Peter but Vpon this Rocke 2. Deale reprochfully with Christ lifting Peter into the roome of his Master 3. Injuriously with the Church building it upon so weake a rocke which so often failed but the Apostles and Prophets all of them as well as he are foundations viz. second and subordinate because by their doctrien they lay the elect upon Christ the true foundation which is the true foundation of the Church in regard of his person and office 1. Hee being the corner stone or firme foundation whereon his Church is built 2. He supporting and bearing it Vp as a foundation against the gates of hell that they cannot prevaile against it As Christ is the foundation so Gods faithfull Ministers are the builders 1. Cor. 3. 10. laying the Elect upon Christ as builders doe one stone upon another and all upon the foundation And the Saints are the stones 1. Called lively 1. Pet.
he parts with his treasure the servant of God dies his gaines follow him Rev. 14. 13. His treasure was laid up in heaven departing hence therefore he followes his treasure goes to his gaine Perhaps he forgoes a materiall building and layes downe an earthly tabernacle but he finds a building given of God not made with hands eternall in the heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. He leaves behind him some worldly substance but gets in heaven a better and enduring substance Heb. 10. 34. Peradventure he may part with some corruptible inheritance to take possession of an inheritance incorruptible reserved in heaven 1 Pet. 1. 4. Where he hath so much that he is ever satisfied and so much to come that he is never glutted where there is infinite abundance of all things and yet infinite more to come 3. Most delightfull David had an honourable service ascending from keeping sheepe to be sonne in law to a King Iacob a gainefull growing from alone man and a staffe into a populous family and certaine droves but neither had much delight in his service But as there is honour and profit in this service so there is plenitude of delight and consolation For 1. Our Master is no churlish Nabal to whom a man could not speake 1 Sam. 25. 17. No unkind Laban but a God most mercifull and pitifull gracious and favourable patient and long suffering He termes his servants friends Isa 41. 8. Yea sonnes Exod. 4. 23. He layes upon us no burdensome yoke but such which is easie and light Math. 11. 28. Not grievous 1 Ioh. 5. 3. But the rejoycing of our hearts Psal 119. 111. I need not go from my Point in hand to fetch this threefold cord which is not easily broken Those who truly serve the Lord have fellowship with the Father then which what more honourable gainfull or delightfull Good servants 1. obey their Masters precepts 2. Spend the chiefe of their time in their Masters businesse 3. Delight to please them 4. Have no intimate society with their Masters professed enemies 5. Cannot endure to see or heare them abused 6. And feare to offend them Be we such good servants 1. Obeying the will and Word of God 2. Spending the day of our time in his service walking Enoch-like with God Gen. 5. 24. 3. Ioy in pleasing our so good and gracious Master 4. Avoiding intimate familiarity with his enemies 5. Not enduring to heare or see him dishonoured 6. And fearing to offend him Thus let us serve him this serving being a duty we owe if we have or meanes to obtaine if we want fellowship with the Father OF THE SOCIETIE OF THE SAINTS the fourth Booke NOW I come to the fourth and last part of the true goodfellowship consisting betwixt the Head and members And with his Sonne Iesus Christ This part of the true goodfellowship is not the least although the last For by fellowship with Christ we have fellowship with the Saints and without Christ Iesus there is no fellowship for man with God I will now forbeare to speake of these three titles his Sonne Iesus Christ It only sufficeth for the present to tell you that Christ is Gods Sonne 1. By Nature According to his Divine nature he and he onely is the Sonne of God being begotten of the same substance of the Father by an everlasting generation Math. 17. 5. 2. By Grace of personall union the manhood of Christ being unseparably united to the person of the Sonne of God Luke 1. 35. The Saints are Gods Sonnes by Adoption Rom. 8. 17. Yea all professours without practice are Gods Sonnes although by profession onely Gen. 6. 1. The creatures may be termed Gods Sonnes commonly Saints are Gods Sonnes specially But Christ is Gods Sonne singularly CHAP. I. The Saints have fellowship with Christ Doct. 4 ALL true believers Saints or faithfull Christians have societie fellowship or communion with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God With his Son Iesus Christ Ioh. 15. 1 2 3 4. I am the true vine ye are the branches 17. 23. 26. 21. I in them c. Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith Gal. 2. 20. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me Reason 1 All those who are Christ his fellowes have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God But all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians are Christ his fellowes for Christ hath taken them into fellowship of himselfe and his merits Psal 45. 7. Therefore all true believers Saints c. Have fellowship with Iesus Christ the Sonne of God That they are Christ his fellowes I prove thus Those who are fellow-servants of the same Master brethren of the same father fellow-members of the same body c. are fellowes But all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians are 1. Fellow-servants with Christ of the same Master Phil. 2. 7. 2. Fellow-brethren of the same Father Math. 12. 50. Heb. 2. 11. 3. Fellow-members of the same body Eph. 4. 13. 15. 16. 4. Fellow-souldiers against Sathan 2 Tim. 2. 3 4. 5. Fellow-sufferers Rom. 8. 17. 6. Fellow-Conquerours Rom. 8. 17. 7. Fellow-Kings Priests and Prophets Rev. 1. 5. 8. Fellow-heires of the same Kingdome Rom. 8. 17. Fellowes they are not by nature it is of grace not by desert it is of free gift or donation not by excellency or aequality it is onely by estimation 2. Those who are linkt and conglutinated in the firmest connexion of the Matrimoniall knot and conjugall yoke have fellowship each with other But Christ Iesus and all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians are linkt and conglutinated in the firmest connexion of the Matrimoniall knot and conjugall yoke therefore have fellowship each with other The first Proposition is cleare I prove the second or minor thus Those who are bride and bridegroome husband and wife are linkt and conglutinated in the firmest connexion of the Matrimoniall knot and Conjugall yoke But Christ Iesus is the Bridegroome or Husband all true belieuers Saints c. are the bride Therefore Christ and Christians are linkt and conglutinated c. That Christ is the Husband to true believers I thus prove He who doth wooe contract himselfe unto consummate the match made with and performe all duties of a husband to all true believers Saints or faithfull Christians is their husband But Christ Iesus doth all these to all true believers As for example 1. He wooeth beseeching us by his Ministers 2 Cor. 5. 20. 2. He contracts himselfe unto the Church by a firme and free promise of mariage with his Church with the consent of his Father 3. He will consummate the mariage at the end of the world Rev. 19. 7. 4. He promiseth all duties of a husband to all true believers For instance Husbands ought entirely to love their wives Col. 3. 19. Eph. 5. 22. Love them they ought for they are good things Prov. 18. 22. For they are their companions Mal. 2. 14. And their owne flesh Eph. 5. 28. Christ Iesus loved
the sphericall Zones Could he not onely wish for with Alexander but also obtaine other worlds as an immeasurable addition to his former inheritance yet is there no more comparison betwixt this onely imagined soveraignty and the reall inheritance of Gods children then there is betwixt corruption and incorruption pollution and perfit purity lasting eternity and a fading moment heavenly treasure and earthly trash 1. Pet. 1. 4. To an inheritance incorruptible undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in the heavens 6. Parents provide marriages for theit children Even so 6. Marriage the Lord of heaven hath provided such an husbād for his children That if all the renowned excellencies of all mankind from Adam to the dreadfull day of judgement and of all angelicall beings which are and have bene were confer'd upon on men His comely feature should be hatefull deformity his amiable beauty loathsome ilfavourdnesse his quick-witted understanding blockish ignorance his angeliall eloquence rude barbarisme and his other perfections meere frailties in respect of those extraordinary transcendencies of Christ Iesus the husband of Gods children Rev. 19. 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Duty 1. Saints must love God IF God he our father we ought to love him Not onely Duty 1. doth Religion command children to love their parents but also nature it selfe requireth this duty some therefore derive Pilius of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifying a sonne of a greeke word which signifieth a lover And I verily thinke this being so much talked off and practised in conceipted ostentation few which heare me this day thinke I need tell them they ought to love God nor perswade them to put the same in practise The simplest here present beeing ready to say though they come to the Church for fashion sake as their neighbours doe although they are not very bookish although they give little eare to the Word of God preached yet they know as much as the best preacher can tell them they knowing that they must love God above all and their neighbour as themselves and this they doe or else it is pittie they should live Loath I am to have you spend time to no purpose much lesse at a Sermon for if all words should be gracious much more of a Minister in publique to a congregation as from God And therefore did I not thinke it more then needfull to perswade you to love God Did I not heare painted sepulchers satanicall lyars and other cursed impes of that damned Apostata say theylove God Did I see him lou'd in deed as well as in word in truth as in tongue in practise as in profession I would willingly have spent my paines about some filiall duty lesse thought upon then on this so much talked of yet little practised For if we but inquire at the oracle of this our father we shall find recorded in indelible characters that such who truly love God Hate that which is evill Psal 97. 10. Signes 1. 2. Keepe Gods commandements Exod. 20. 6. Ioh. 15. 10. sc sincerely although imperfectly desiring and endeavouring to performe things commanded Behave themselves conscionably in their calling Ioh. 21. 15. Conforme themselves to God 1. Ioh. 4. 17. being followers of him as deare children Love not the world 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Love truely Gods children 1. Ioh. 4. 20. Often thinke upon God as their chiefest treasure Mat. 6. 21. And love Christs appearing or comming to judgement 2. Tim 4. 8. Iam. 1. 12. And then having surveyed-with a carefull inquisitive view the carriages and conditions of most men I much feare after a diligent scrutiny 1. We having compared such who detest sinne because its a breach of Gods law and therefore eschue and flie from it as from a serpent With those who thirst after impiety as greedily as the chased deare after the water brookes or the gaping earth after the dew of heaven and solace themselues with as great delectation in silthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse as Leviathan in the restlesse Ocean 2. Such who keepe Gods commandements with sincerity of heart they to the vtmost of their power leaving undone all evill forbidden and doing all good duties commanded not for any sinister aime or by-respect but for the Lords sake because he hath commanded these and forbidden those and being universall in this their obedience neither appliable like the starre Mercury to every adjacent nor the turning weather cocke hurried about with every blast of contrary winde remaining the same in all companies places and at all times like the greene ivi◠keeping the same colour in the sharpest winter that it hath in the pleasant summer With those who no whit regard those sacred lawes written with the finger of the worlds creator and those who unequally and unjustly share their obedience betwixt the Lord and his grand enemie the devill such who have their changeable suites sometimes seeming to observe Gods commandements for sinister respects otherwhiles namely in secret and amidst their villanous complices no whit regarding those divine and more then angelicall direction 3. Compare we those who walke conscionably in their callings being carefull to have the soules of their children and servants deck'd with the invaluable robes of Christs Righteousnesse nourished and strengthened with the food of eternall life With that carelesse company which regard no more so that they be of comely feature neately trimd finely fedde of liberall education and richly provided for and those vilest of men who by their wicked examples staine their purest times with the blackest dye of hellish impieties Sathans cognisance feeding their immortall soules with the damned art of swearing lying cursing and such like venome and poyson of Aspes 4. Those who conforme themselves to the glorious example of our heavenly father doing their vtmost devoir that they may be holy pure perfect and mercifull as their father in heaven is With that degenerating company of men which will doe the lusts of the divell Could we segregate those which are crucified to the world and have it crucified to them and although they love the good creatures and gifts of God yet it is neither preposterously irreligiously nor unequally but in order sc first God then godlinesse then good men enemies then profit then pleasure 6 Those whose hearts are fast glued to the Lord Iehouah and his crownes of immortality as their only treasure 7. Those who love with all entirenesse of affection the sonnes of God And Those who love the appearing of our blessed Saviour having a comfortable assurance of his love and a sincere care to please him in all things From those which love the world servilely sensually preposterously immoderatly disorderly and undiscreetly Those whose chiefest treasure is on earth Those who are inraged with implacable malice against the children of God and their sincerity And from such who love the Lords appearing no more then villanous malefactours the comming of a just and righteous Iudge And it will manifestly appeare I much feare that few onely
left undone 2. In respect of his will he having a desire which is accepted 3. In regard of endeavour striving to frame his life according to the Commandements of God 4. Comparatively in respect of others 5. In regard of integrity of heart to one commandement as to another to all and euery one at all times as saith Mr. Bernard Besides although they cannot fulfill any of them yet they are carefull to follow all of them though they cannot keepe them throughly yet they desire and endeauour to keepe them truly Although they cannot attaine to the perfection of obedience yet they strive for some proportion and measure of obedience And so they keepe the law of God First by imputation 2. Cor. 5. 21. Secondly by inchoation Rom. 15. 14. Thirdly by acceptation 2. Cor. 8. 12. God accepting the desire for the deed the will for the worke the purpose for the performance and part for the whole 4. Is it because you can enter covenant elsewhere more for your advancement and preferment If so where and with whom If you thinke with the world you are pitifully deceaved and mistaken It 's but vanity therfore seeming that it is not shewing that it hath not soone passing away It is but vanity therefore light unprofitable deceitfull and transitory If with sinne how are you deluded it oppresseth it damneth If with Sathan do you deale wisely What good can he give you who hath none himselfe What favours will he bestow who seekes your vtter ruine and destruction Relinquish therefore and extirpate such diabolicall charmes enter into covenant you cannot with any more honourable then our God more powerfull to defend you then the Lord of Lords more rich to reward you mercifull to blesse wife to direct you and more just to performe all his promises Those who keepe covenant with our God shall be graciously Protected comfortably directed plentifully rewarded triumphantly crowned and immortally glorified Never did any man gaine by breaking nor loose by keeping covenant with God Oâ—t did the ancient Israelites breake covenant with God but their guerdon was not gratefull Iudg. 2. 20. 2. King 18. 11 12. and no marvaile for not to keepe covenant with God is disobedience to breake it wilfully is rebellion Psal 78. 10. breach of covenant with man is a great offence Rom. 1. 31. therefore with God a grand impiety Abraham left his native countrey and fathers house he went with an intent to sacrifice his sonne upon mount Moriah Moses left the courtly pleasures of Egypt Matthew forsooke the receipt of Custome to follow Christ they refused not Gods designement because of those many perillous obstacles and dangerous difficulties they were to encounter with and they were no loosers It is no losse to leave a fathers house for a kingdome carnall kindred to be father of the faithfull the pleasures of a corrupt idolatrous court to guide Gods people the gathering of tolle or taxe to gather Saints into Gods Kingdome There is nothing better then to be in league with God Had you such a comely proportion starre-like beauty matchlesse validity undaunted valour nimble agility perfect sanity which is not attainable by nature Could you dive into deeper profundities and discourse more profoundly of matters Ethicall Politicall Physicall and Metaphysicall then all Philosophers that ever breathed Had you worldly honours wealth and delight even to content which is not possible yet all those are but as drosse in respect of being in Covenant with God For by vertue hereof 1. The Lord is our God not onely by creation and conservation as he is to all But by election redemption covenant possession affection and adoption 2. And we are his people not onely by vocation and profession but his peculiar people holy nation his people by election conversion perswasion and practice By vertue of which it is that the Lord is our strength shield salvation righteousnesse King Father Redeemer hope helpe fortresse and Deliverer Hence it is that we have interest in earthly favours remission of sinnes imputation of righteousnesse and donation of Gods Spirit Hence it is that we shall have a joyfull resurrection immortall glory and consummation of blisse Hence comes our spirituall power and authority honour and dignity sonne ship and adoption Isa 56. 5. Hence comes our right and title to the use of the creatures happy guard of Angels beatificall blissefull promises and that unparalel'd matchlesse crowne of immortality And to conclude Hence it is that we have fellowship with the Father Ioyne we therefore our selves in covenant with the Lord. 1. Inwardly by faith and perswasion 2. Outwardly by vocation and profession 3. Both wayes joyntly by perswasion profession and practice of piety and true godlinesse that wanting we may obtaine having we may declare that truly our fellowship is with the Father CHAP. XV. The tenth Meanes and Duty is Cleaving to God HAve we fellowship with the Father Cleave we then unto 10. Meanes Duty the Lord The prodigall a servant cleaved to his Master Luke 15. 15. The conjugall knot makes leave father c. and cleave to his wife Math. 19. 5. The friendly society twâ—xt Ionathan and David knits the soule of Ionathan to David 1 Sam. 18. 1. Where there is firme communion there To cleave to the Lord is to be knit to him in heart without purpose of any 〈…〉 ration ever is a cleaving together Those therefore who have fellowship with the Father must cleave to him as a wife unto her husband as a servant unto his Master as a friend unto a friend as a girdle to a mans loines for so saith the Lord Ier. 13. 11 For as a girdle cleaveth unto the loines of a man so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel c. Draw wâ— therefore neare to the Lord walke with him continue in the Lord depend upon him sticke fast to him or in a word cleave we to the Lord. 1. Vniversally in all things Deut. 11. 22. 2. Totally in soule and body both Ios 22. 5. 3. Spiritually and sincerely Acts 11. 23. 4. Vnseperably and continually Ios 23. 8. We cleave unto the Lord 1. Inwardly 1. By faith Heb. 11. 6. He that draweth neare to God must c. 2. By feare Deut. 10. 20. Feare the to cleave unto him 3. By love Ios 23. 11 12. Love unites it selfe asmuch as may be to the thing loved it makes a man desire and seeke above all things this fellowship when wanting 1. In those meanes he hath appointed to communicate himselfe unto us 2. Doth communicate it selfe to God in things in which he wil be loved of us And 3. It will make us accomplish the will of God Cleave we therefore thus unto the Lord For why should we not 1. Trust in him who is both true and faithfull mighty and able to helpe 2. Feare him who is both just and terrible also able to destroy both soule and body 3. And love him which is so mercifull gracious
Secondly and you of the last sort who have not the Spirit of Christ abiding in you and therefore have no interest in this incorporation forget not your miserable condition and let me entice and allure you to remedie the same by endeavouring to get this Spirit which is most of all and first of all to be sought Luc. 11. 13. How give his Spirit And is obtained 1. By fervent and faithfull prayer unto God Luc. 11. 13. 2. By carefull and conscionable hearing the Word of God Gal. 3. 2. Received faith preached Acts 10. 44. While Peter Holy Ghost fell c. 3. By true and unfained repentance Acts 2. 38. 4. By pious and sincere obedience Acts 5. 32. Do you therefore renounce and abdicate those loathsome deeds of darknesse wherein you have hitherto walked Do not rest contented in your hollow livelesse and spiritlesse performances of good actions and endeavour that by sincere and hearty prayer hearing repentance and obedience you may have the Spirit of God abiding in you that so you also may have fellowship with Gods Sonne Iesus Christ which will give you 1. More joy then children which barren women aske 2. More comfort then health which sicke folke desire 3. More benefit then strength desired of the weake 4. More profit then sight which the blind desire CHAP. XI Such who have fellowship with Christ be must be his sheepe braunches spouse members and stones built on him Their duties from the particulars TO these I might have joyned many other necessary duties certaine tokens of such which enjoy and availeable meanes for such to use who desire to enjoy this happy community and discoursed largely of them But purposing now to end I will onely nominate some without any large dilating upon them 1. Christ is the Shepheard these are the sheepe 2. Christ is the Vine these are the braunches 3. Christ is the Husband these are the spouse 4. Christ is the Head these are the members 5. Christ is the Foundation these are the stones Therefore such who partake of this Divine Society as they owe of duty so they testifie their incorporation into this connexion and they which desire ingredience into this peerelesse communion must seeke the same by endeavouring to paralell these resemblances so farre forth as sacred Writ doth enjoyne and warrant e. g. 1. They are sheepe therefore as sheepe are harmlesse profitable in regard of fleece fell carkasse and dung very fruitfull and increaseable notwithstanding many are killed and many die So these are innocent suffering wrongs but recompencing to none evill for evill very commodious to all about them Gen. 18. 10. And marvellous increaseable although persecuted and abused They are the sheepe of Christ therefore they heare they know they believe and follow him Ioh. 10. 3 4 5. 26. 27. 2. They are braunches of Christ the Vine Ioh. 15. 1 2 3. Therefore as 1. They grow exceedingly more then other trees 2. Have plenty of sappe within when they seeme withered and drie 3. Beare fruit which is sweet in it selfe pleasant to the user and profitable to the owner 4. Yea such which are conjoyned and well accord together both in the cluster and in the wine Even so these ought and do grow in grace from vertue to vertue 2 Pet. 1. 5 6. 2. Are replenished with the sappe of saving graces even in affliction when they seeme withered away and dried up 3. Have fruits and graces comfortable to themselves profitable to others and pleasing to God 4. Yea and are conjoyned in Christ the Vine and also among themselves one with another 3. These are the spouse of Christ therefore they ought to love reverence and feare him heare his voice and receive his instructions obey his commandements and be clad with his mariage garments sc the gifts and graces of his Spirit 4. These are the members therefore are knit to Christ the head as his members by a lively faith submitting themselves to him their head and assuring themselves that he as their head will care for their safety and well-being 5. These are the stones built upon him the foundation therefore submit themselves to the hammer of the Word and the Lords Builders to be fitted for the Lords building they are therefore knit together by the Spirit and laid upon Christ the Head-Stone to be an habitation of God and are supported by Christ Iesus their Foundation against the gates of hell CHAP. XII The Conclusion shewing the drift of all BY that which I have spoken at sundry times from this place concerning this subject of true goodfellowship shewing from sacred Writ who and what goodfellowes are wiping away many foule and filthy aspersions wherewith the world doth falsely blemish them and declaring their duties and dignity First I hope you see the errour and injustice of this erroneous world depriving Gods Saints of this their rightfull denomination and conferring it upon the most stigmaticall sonnes of Belial Is he a goodfellow truly and onely who hath fellowship with the Saints the Lord of heaven and earth and his Sonne Iesus Christ And are they which strive to imitate the Saints endeavour to please God and labour to have interest in Christ Iesus base companions insociable persons and unworthy the name of goodfellowes because they preferre this excellent communion before the beastly and Diabolicall society with the fruitlesse workes and unhappy workers if darknesse And shall such which make open profession of the Devills service are at open defiance with all manner of goodnesse be stiled and esteemed goodfellowes because with shamelesse foreheads and flinty hearts they wallow in all manner of wickednesse because they sweare and swagger roare and revell scorne and scoffe at goodnesse and good men consume wastfully their patrimonies and possessions in pipes and pots in Tavernes and Tap-houses in drunkennesse and other damnable courses Yet this is the usuall and common dealing of the most although impious and ungodly for what right have Sathans imps and agents to this holy title of goodfellow Heare our Church speake which saith If we lacke Iesus Christ that is to say the Saviour of our soules and bodies we shall not finde him in the market place or in the Guilde Hall much lesse in the Ale-house or Taverne amongst goodfellowes as they call them c. Hom. of right use of the Church Fol. 6. Let drunken beasts and pot-companions Let infatuated prodigals and riotous spend-thrifts Let swashing swaggerers who sport themselves at the godly simplicity of honest men and all other of the same kind assume to themselves and give to their companions their owne proper titles sc fooles beasts sonnes of Belial c. And not incroach upon this title which is properly due to none but such who have fellowship with the Saints the Father and his Sonne Iesus Christ. Secondly I hope that you understand sufficiently by the foregoing discourses the admirable and unspeakable priviledges of all goodfellowes or true believers being combined by the most astrictive ties in
fellowship with the Lord of glory his blessed Sonne and gracious Saints and Servants As also the wretched and miserable condition of all other associations who have indeed a fellowship but most abominable and base with the fruitlesse works of darknesse Ephes 5. 11. As also most dangerous and dreadfull Prov. 13. 20. Acompanion of fooles shal be destroyed Thirdly I hope also that you of the wiser sort of those who as yet are without having any well-wishes unto your selves are perswaded to flee amaine seeking an hasty escape from all those unfruitfull fellowships with the deeds and doers of darknesse as Lot from Sodome so full of villany so neare destruction and to hasten speedily as the creatures into Noahs Arke to be firmely knit and inseparably incorporated into this society abounding with such felicities and contentments 4. And I doubt not but that you which have already admittance into and acquaintance in this goodfellowshippe by the former particulars are animated and encouraged to cleave more closely unto and to proceed more comfortably and couragiously in the same it abounding with such variety of excelling priviledges and transcendent prerogatives maugre Sathans subtill and hellish temptations and the worlds despightfull usage and injurious calumniations Of which hopes if I doe not faile I have that I labour for I having declared these things unto you 1. That you also which as yet are strangers from this heavenly communion may have fellowshippe with us which you need not either dread or shame for truly our fellowshippe is with the Father and his Sonne Iesus Christ 2. And that you which are infranchised into this Society may walke forward comfortably and couragiously through the many crossing oppositions you meet withall in he holy path Or to end with the Apostles words that your joy may be full FINIS An Alphabeticall Table A. ADmiration vaine to be shunned and why 76. Adoption what its excellencie why God adopted us 235. Afflictions should not discontent 42. They are the lot of the righteous 210. They benefit them 211 Why God afflicteth them and how 45. Christ is to be imitated in his sufferings why and how 256. Anabaptists confuted concerning swearing 80. Antinomists taxed and confuted 182 c 192 c. 243. c. Apostasie dangerous 95. Apparell what should content 107 Pride in apparell 260. c. Christians best apparell 44. B BEauty and lovelinesse of Christ and Christians 218 c. Beggers how to be relieved how not why 25 their vilenesse 104. Body is to honor God 73 Christ and Christians one body 207. 276 Brethren all Christians are brethren 3. C CAlling what lawfull 103. Changing of callings through discontent taxed 189. Labour in the same See labour Certaintie of salvation 118 c. Whence 270 c. Charity See relieve Christ is Christians fellow and how 202. Husband 203. Vine 204. Foundation 206. Head 207. A stone and what 206. His power 209. Love and nearenesse to Christians 209 c. Christs poverty what and why he was poore 222. Christians Christs fellowes 202. Spouse 203. Duties therefore 176. And branches 204. Duties therefore 277. Stones built on him 206. Duties therefore 277. And members 207. Duties therefore 277. Resemblances betwixt Christ and Christians and their nearenesse 208 214 c. Church a Vine 205. Its foundations what how many 206. A fold field c 208. Choosers we should be of what and why 177 c. Civill honest men in what they are defective 272 273. Cleane how Saints are cleane how not 240. See pure and perfect Cleaving to God a necessary duty what it is How we cleave to God motives therunto 189 c. Conference see tongue for the Lords Day 167 c. How delightfull Conscience what it is how it is bound to obey the Morall Law 245 c. See Law Conscience testimonie Consolation of Saints see Ioy. Whence 270 Contentation what Why we should be content 98. c. 106. With what 107 c. 118. Continuance crowned 95. Continuance of Saints See certainty Corrections and crosses See afflictions Covenant with God Its foundation frame kinds the same now with that of the iustified Iewes formerly It must be kept How why 178 c. Coveteousnesse its root and fruit 101. Puritanes how covetous how not 69. Riotous spend thrifts are covetous 66. Creation for Gods honour 71. God is derided in the derision of the creatures 80. Man an excellent creature 86. D DEath not to be feared 124. It s meditation ioyfull to the Saints 174. Dependance on Gods providence 65. Motives thereto 69 c. 123. Depopulatours hurtfull 67 98 99. Discontent fruitlesse 106. Disparity betwixt Saints and sinners 67. Drunkennesse a vile sinne 92. Hurtfull to the Commonwealth 67. E ENemies not to be feared 122. Envy a hateful and hurtfull sinne 38. Exercises for the Lords Day See sports Exile should not discontent 109. Not to be feared 124. F FAlling from grace how Saints may fall how they cannot 118 c. Family provided for without covetousnes 68. Lesse regarded by some then beasts 90. Father God is to al especially Saints 41. His fatherly love their filiall duties 41 c. Some fathers preferre their beasts before their children 90. Faith how all is like how not 4. Honoureth God 74. Takes hold of Gods Covenant 182. How it iustifieth how not 233. True faith described its fruits and properties who faulty concerning faith 265 266. Fashion following reproved 101 108 260. Feare honoureth God 74. Cleaves to God 150. It s excellencie 194 c. What to be feared what not 124 230. What feare is bad what good Obiections answered 194. Fellowship Saints have each with other Duties thence 3 c. With the Father 115. Motives meanes and duties 129 c. With Christ 202. It s nearenesse 213 c. Motives to ioyne in it 218. Who have fellowship with Christ 253 254. Obiections against the fellowship of Saints answered 113 c. Fellowship of wicked base 125 135 c To be shunned and why 6 c. 125 c. What wicked mens societie to be shunned 8. Food what should content 105. Spirituall the best 43. Fooles who sc What fooles wicked men are 128. Forgivenesse of our brethren necessary How Magistrates Ministers and private persons may and must forgive 37 c. Who must forgive whom when what how and why 38. Motives to forgive Obiections answered 39 c. Forgivenesse of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 234. God onely forgives sinne 37. Foundation of the Church what how many 206. Flesh an evill master disswasives from its service 196. G GAine of Saints is great 199. Garments of Christs righteousnesse the best 44. See apparell God the Saints Father 41. How a Husbandman 204 c. Good must be done aswell as evill avoided 82 91. Goodfellowship what 1 c. Of wicked naught See fellowship Wicked are falsely called goodfellowes 278. Name goodfellow to whom due 278 279. Glory how like 5. Gods glory See honor Glory of Saints
fellowship 219 c. Grace how like 4. Its spreading nature and excellencie 19 c How it may be lost how not 118 c. We must labour to worke it in others and why 19 c. We must grow in grace if we wil be like Christ 262 263. H HAte sinners and how 10. Sinne and why 39 Hearing of Gods Word needfull and excellent 142 c. Obiections against it answered 143 How to heare and faulty hearers 14â— c. How we must heare and why 172. 181. Heaven hoped for in vaine by many 88. Holinesse See sanctification How the Saints are holy Honour due to God How God is honoured Why with soule and body both Why with the soule especially How with the tongue and life 72 c. Motives to honour God 84 c. Honour of the Saints 198. And of their communion See glory Hope of Saints its excellency 236. Hosts are Gods 122. Husbands duty 203. Saints husband transcendent 46 203. Hypocrites how hurtfull 26 55. I IGnorance hurtfull its fruits 97 273. Inheritance of Saints unparalel'd 45. Inhabitation in Christ See Christ Whence it is 270 271. Ingrossers of corne censured 67. Imitation of God wherein 138 c. Of Christ wherein and why 257. Of men wherein 262. Imprecations to be shunned though Saints have imprecated and why 76. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 235. Ioy of the Saints 129 192 224. Why they reioyce 239. Iustice of God by whom abused Obiections against it answered 77. Iustification handled with its causes and fruits 233 c. Whence it is how it differs from sanctification 237. How once iustified are alwayes 240. K KNowledge saving honoureth God 73. It is needfull to do Gods will 97. and necessary to enioy Gods Spirit 272. L LAbour in lawfull callings commendable 24. When not to be taxed of covetousnesse 68 103. Labour on the Lords Day See workes Lords Day why so called 150. Duties of the Lords Day See Sabbath Law how it is kept by the Saints 187. It binds How Christians are under the Law how not 184 192. How free from the Law 243 c. Liberalitie See mercy It s excellency 224. Liberty of Christians frees not them from Gods service 192. Not from authority gives not liberty to sinne Frees not from sinne 243. Not from the obedience of the Morall Law 243 c. Wherein Christian liberty consists and its excellency 248 c. Life godly honoureth God 83. Love of God to us how great Gods lovelinesse 49 c. We ought to love God Who truly love him 46 c. Their paucity 47 c. Love to God greatly rewarded the first and great commandement and how 49 c. It honoureth God 74. By it we cleave to God 190 The rule of love 194 c. What the Saints do love 239. Motives to love God 49 c. Love all men why and how all Saints and how 9 c. Love of Saints whence M MAn an excellent creature 85. Serves himselfe sinfully served sinfully how Disswasives Meditation for the Lords Day 165. Delightfull meditations 173. See thoughts Mercy of God what 79 60. To whom it belongs no incouragement to sinne 60 79. By whom it is abused 79. Mercifull workes of diverse sorts Their excellency 170 c. Who must give when how much of what how 13 c. N NEw creatures How Saints have all parts new 238 c. O OAths haÌ„dled by creatures 81. Rashnes Disswasives 81. Excuses answered 82. See swearing Obedience to Gods Law part of the Covenant of mans part 182. P PEace of Saints excellent with them necessary 34 c. What we must yeeld to for peace 36. It s excellency 235. Wicked have no peace 226 c Perfection how Saints perfect how not 139 242. Obiections answered 55. Persecutors of good men wofull 126 c. 209 c. Pharisees what who like them in these dayes 56. Piety a cause of persecution 212. Please God what pleaseth God that is to be chosen 177. Poore of two sorts 68. They must depend upon God 68. Be content 109. Poverty not to be feared 123. Christs poverty 222. Prayerlesse persons woefull 140. What prayers are fruitlesse 140. What kind of prayer is prevailing 141. It is a duty for the Lords Day 170. Yea delightfull 172. It is part of the covenant 182. Needfull 272. Whence it is 270. To pray for earthly things lawfull 103. Preachers are builders 207. Their faults may not keepe us from hearing 143 c. Priviledges of the Saints 218 c. Prophanest people usually the greatest persecutours 212 Profession is good though some Professors are bad 29 c. Providence good and lawfull 68 103. See depend on Gods providence Pure how Saints are pure 141 242. Puritanes what meant 29 212 No Pharisees 56. Not covetous 69. Not of wicked life 214. Scarce any of them begge 70. Or come to the gallowes 113. R REading Scripture and good Bookes a Sabbath duty and how to read 169. Recreation for the Lords Day 171. What is unlawfull 160. Redemption for Gods honour 80 86. It s excellency 86. Regeneration whence 270. It s necessity Danger of its want â— 72. Reliefe See mercy Remission of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 224. See forgivenesse Repentance late very dangerous 61 c. Reproofs how to be used who faulty Why we should reprove 32 c. Restitution 17 39. Riotous persons usually covetous 66. Revenge a great sinne 39. Reproches for Christ should not discontent 110. Not to be feared 123. Riches uncertainty 105. Vanity 106. Of the Saints 222 c. S SAbbath Day to be kept holy the name is Morall it s many names Motives to keep it holy and what then lawfull and unlawfull 149 c. Sacraments of the Iewes and ours how the same how differ Excellency of ours 181 c. Saints fellowship See fellowship Their excellency 127. Their portion to be afflicted 126 210 Sanctification handled with its fruits how it differs from iustification 237 c. It is necessary 272. Whence it is 270. Sathan not to be feared 124. His obiections against perseverance answered 119. Scripture though alledged by Hereticks decides controversies 2â—6 Seeking of God a needfull duty what it is manner and meanes of seeking and motives to seeke God 146 c. Servants of God who who not Services of God and of others How to serve God and why bad Masters hindering this service of God 191 c. Sicke persons duty 170 Visiting them a Sabbath duty 170. How to visit who faulty in visiting 170. Sincerity needfull 92 272. Its signes 93. 〈…〉 a Sabbath 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 Sinnes 〈◊〉 be concealed 23. And why 28. Sinne 〈◊〉 shunned 53. Yea secret sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 57 9â— Least degrees of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sinne and why sweet sinner 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sins of Saints and wicked men 57 c. How good men sinne ibid. What they do having sinned 59. How they are free from sinne 124 245. Their sinnes no incouragements to sin 62 c. 〈◊〉 encouragements answered 60 c. Disswasives from sinne 63 136 c. Sinne must be shunned if we imitate Christ 262. How sinne is infinite 78. God no author of sinne 77. It is an evill master by whom it is served disswasives from serving it 198. Sinnes of former times â—s great as now 254 255. Why seeme greater now 255. Sheepe of Christ their duty 276. Sonnes of God who 201. Their duty See Father Society See fellowship Soule is to honour God and first 73. Sparing how commendable 25. Spirit of God dwels in Saints Its fruits in them their miserie who want and scorne this co-habitation 270 271. Who falsly boast of the Spirit Who have who want the Spirit 272 273. Duties of both 274. How the Spirit is grieved how quenched how gotten how kept 275. Sports whether lawfull on the Lords Day Reasons Disswasives 160 c. Strength Spirituall whence 207. Swearing now an honour to God 80 Anabaptists confuted Disswasives from all evill kinds of swearing 80 c. Excuses answered 81 c. Sorrow of Saints 239. Sufferings See afflictions T TOngue is to honour God 74. Many wayes 74 c. Thoughts unlawfull on Gods Day 164. Time-serving hurtfull 93. V VIsiting the sicke a Sabbath duty How who faulty 170 Vsury a filthy sinne 92 100. W VVAnts temporall how supplied to the Saints 123. Will of God must be done 88. It s reward 88. It must be done totally 90 Faithfully 92. Timely 93. Continually 95. Meanes motives let removed 96 c. Mans will contrary to Gods 97. Word of God a Word of faith grace salvation reconciliation life 142. It s excellency 75 172. It is to be talked of 74. Not to be iested with 75. No to defend vice nor disâ—hearten vertue 75. Not to be used in charmes 76. Words not fit for the Lords Day 163. What then commendable 167 c. Workes of God for his glory mans good 165. Workes unlawfull for the Lords Day with disswasives 157. World by whom served disswasives from serving it 197. Wrath a great sinne 39. Wicked men are fooles 128. Their society to be shunned and why 6 c. 135 c. Y YOung people should do Gods will and why 93.