Acts I will not contend but certainly take it how we will it imports an exceeding great number well nigh innumerable so I finde the word in two places translated Luk. 12. 1. it is said that there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people the word is the same {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} So againe Heb. 12. 22. we reade of an innumerable company of Angells {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} And such was the number of the believing Jewes which had joyned themselves to the Church of Jerusalem almost an innumerable company so as they could not possibly meet all together in one place to partake of the Ordinances To me it is no question they had severall Congregations Quest But were not these then severall Churches Answ. No Severall Congregations but one Church the Church of Jerusalem even as it is in a great City there may be severall Societies and companies according to severall trades and mysteries and those so many petty corporations who may have their severall Halls and their severall meetings and yet all making up but one Incorporation to which they are all subordinate because all under one and the same Government and Governours even thus may it be in the Church and in the Primitive state of it I conceive so it was In one City and the adjacent territories there may be many Congregations and yet but one Church inasmuch as they may be united by the same Lawes have communion in the same Ordinances and be linked together under the same spirituall Guides and Officers Surely in all probability thus it was at least in some of the Proto-Primitive Churches And why not now But not to wade too farre into this collaterall Controversie from which I have bound my selfe before however certainly to multiply Churches in one Towne one Citie especially to set up Churches in Churches the one extracted out of the other this hath no President no warrant no maintenance no countenance from any phrase of Scripture or practice of the Apostolicall times Object No it will be said What say we then to the Jewish Church Did not the Apostles set up Churches in that Church and those extracted out of it Answ. To this shadow of an Argument it is soon answered Here was not one Church set up in another but many set up upon the ruines of one so as the setting up of the one was the pulling down of the other Even as the Apostle saith of the two Covenants old and new The first was taken away that the second might be established Heb. 10. So was it with these two Churches that legall this Evangelicall As for the Jewish Church it was now like the Jewish legall covenant which the Apostle speaketh of Heb. 8. calling it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Antiquatum quid senesâ—ens a thing which was Antiquated and waxâ—â— old {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} nigh to vanishing ready to disappeare and come to nothing so as here was onely a new edifice to be erected upon those ruines a new Church to be set up in an Evangelicall way where that Legall Church had been Now I confesse had we to deale with rigid down-right Separatists who looke upon our Churches as no true Churches of Christ but Anti-christian Synagogues fit to be dissolved and pulled down saying of them in the Edomites language Rase them rase them even to the foundation thereof then might this Argument have some colour of strength in it But otherwise where our Churches are acknowledged as true Churches in this case to set up a Church in a Church and to extract the one out of the other I say it again and I wish it may be taken notice of it is a thing which Scripture will give no warrant no president for Quest But suppose a Church be defective or corrupted in this case what shall we doe Answ. Not presently think of pulling it down and setting up another Was it not the very case of the Church of Corinth and yet we doe not read of any that went about to set up a Church in that Church under pretence of walking in a purer way but rather endeavour by all meanes to purge and reforme it This will we doe by our houses if they be foule we will sweep them if decayed and impayred though it be in some of the principals we will not presently think of pulling them down and building others out of their timbers and materialls but repayre them And thus did King Jehoash for the house of his God the Temple finding it ruinous he gave order not to pull it down and build a new one but to repayre it O that we would all of us entertaine such thoughts concerning the Church or Churches of God in this Kingdom It is a thought which God hath already put into the heart of the state of this Kingdome and what progresse and procedure is already made in the work I shall not need to tell you I hope time ere long will declare it Herein then let all our hearts close and comply with theirs every one in our places doing what we may to further so pious an undertaking in the meane time taking heed of adventuring upon new wayes which we have neither precept nor president in Scripture for What way of gathering setting up of Churches the Scripture holdeth forth unto us you may see by what hath been already said Those which embraced the faith within such a circuit within the bounds of a Citie and the adjacent Territories they were all framed together into one Christian society or Church And hence is it that Cities and Churches in phrase of Scripture are as you see put the one for the other as elsewhere so here in the Text As they went through the Cities they delivered unto them c. Quest Delivered them But what Cities what Churches were these Answ. The Text layeth it downe in indefinite words carrying with them the force of an universall viz. what ever Cities they passed thorow where there were any Churches they delivered these Decrees unto them Quest Here a scruple may arise Why should the Apostles here deliver these Decrees alike unto all the Churches where they came when as all of them did not appeare at this Councell As for Hierusalem and Antioch and the Churches of Syria and Cilicia these Decrees were proper for them in as much as they had referred both the Question and cause to the determination of that Councell and had their Agents there to deale for them But so had not some other of the Churches How then could these Decrees be obligatory and and binding unto them which they had no hand in making of or â—ssâ—â—ting to Answ. To this it is answered that though these Decrees were not binding to them formally yet Morally and Vertually they were As for Jerusalem and Antioch and such other Churches as concurred with them in this Appeale they
Humane Politicall or Ecclesiasticall they are all made to be kept We have to deal with the latter Ecclesiasticall Decrees and Constitutions which being such as these here in the Text they both may and ought to be kept It is that which Paul praiseth his Corinthians for 1 Corinth 11. Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember in all things or as the Geneva readeth it according to the Originall all my things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them to you The Ordimâ—â—es {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Traditions So Paul calleth the Directions and Advices which he delivered to the Churches whether by mouth or by pen or by hand by mouth or word in his preaching by pen or writing in his Epistles by hand as here in the Text he delivered the Decrees of the Councell with his own hand to the Churches And these Ordinances these Traditions of his the Church of Corinth kept Quest But what Ordinances what Traditions were these Answ. To this it may be answered Pauls tradictions which he delivered to the Churches were of two sorts dogmaticall or rituall dogmaticall concerning faith and good works of these speaketh the Apostle in that 2 Thes. 2. 15. Now therefore brethren stand fast hold the traditions which yee have been taught whether by Word or by Epistle Rituall concerning rites and orders civill or religious which againe are distinguished into two sorts some perpetuall others temporary the former to be observed at all times in all places such are those orders which he delivereth to the Church of Corinth touching the administration of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. 23. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you The latter to be observed only for a time such were these decrees which here in the Text he maketh delivery of to the Churches they were ordinances to be observed but for a time not for ever for as Calvin well observeth Paul himself afterwards when the ground reason of these injunctions was ceased he set the Churches at liberty from the observation of them as you may see 1 Cor. 10. 25. where he giveth his Corinthians a generall licence touching meats Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for conscience sake Thus you see what Pauls traditions were and in these you may see what Ecclesiasticall Decrees may be viz. councells and constitutions both dogmaticall and rituall concerning faith and good works concerning rites and orders to be observed in the Churches Now all these being such as Pauls traditions were they are to be kept As for the two former I suppose there will be no difference about them Dogmaticall doctrines and perpetuall orders having the Word for their expresse and cleare warrant as they ought to have they challenge an absolute obedience The Question will be all about these last sort of Decrees Rituall ordinances or orders of temporary observation whether these being imposed should be kept or no Now to this case the Text cometh home Such were the Decrees as I have shown you which were here delivered and yet we see them here delivered to the Churches to keep and even such were these Ordinances these Traditions which Paul speaketh of to his Corinthians I praise you that you keep the Ordinances viz. those rituall Ordinances those Orders which he had prescribed them to observe in their Church-meetings so the place is universally understood by all Expositors that I meet with and these Orders that Church generally had observed however in some particulars they at least some of them affected an unapprovable and undecent singularity viz. the men prayed and prophesied with their heads covered whilest the women sate by with their heads and faces uncovered unvailed for which the Apostle reproveth them in the verses following yet generally they had a respect to all the orders prescribed by him they remembred all his things his orders and kept all his ordinances and that with a speciall observance so much the Word in the originall as Beza notes upon it imports {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} i. e. summo studio observatis they observed them very studiously and heedfully and that not only for matter but for manner and forme as the next clause expresseth it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} as I delivered them this did they And surely beloved where we meet with the like ordinances the like Ecclesiasticall Decrees Constitutions commended to uswith at least a generall warrant from the Word withall handed unto us by lawfull authority here we ought to yield a like obedience So much those generall Texts being rightly understood will extort from us submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2. yee must needs be subject not only for wrath but for conscience sake Rom. 13. Both which places however properly relating to civill yet by way of parity they may also be extended to Ecclesiasticall authority especially when backed with civill which now must be submitted to and that for conscience sake though not for conscience of the thing commanded yet of the power commanding the thing it self may be indifferent and yet our obedience necessary viz. in regard of the generall command and therefore saith the Apostle there {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} you must of necessity be subject To like purpose also is that Text to the Hebrewes however too rigidly pressed by Romanists to inforce or countenance a blind obedience Heb. 13. Obey them that are over you in the Lord {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ductoribus your Leaders your Rulers And submit your selves which is meant properly of Ecclesiasticall Guides and Governours who are to be hearkened to and obeyed in what they require from God and for God And with such an obedience let not any of us be unwilling We know not my brethren how soon some Decrees of the same nature with those in the Text may be brought unto us agreed upon recommended by a double Councell the one Ecclesiasticall the other civill Now take we heed how we take up reosolutions aforehand whether of opposing or not obeying Certainly however quiet and conscientious not obeying both may and ought to finde a very favourable and indulgent interpretation yet presumptuous disobeying justly subjects a man to the highest of censures Expresse for this purpose is that Judiciall Law which hath a great deale of Morality couched in it Deut. 17. The man that will do presumptuously will not hearken unto the Priest or to the Judge even that man shall dye and thou shalt put away the evill from Israel Take we heed then how we entertaine any thoughts that way but rather prepare our eares and hearts to hearken and heare what the Lord God will say to us what message he will send by the hands of those his servants who have
can be nothing more prejudiciall to the grâ—wth of them and of religion in them Their union settlement establishment maketh much for the encrease of both Applic. And doth it so Then let every of us be put in minde to seek this great blessing for the Church or Churches wherein we live Taking heed of being any wayes accessory to the unsetling hereof whether by hatching or brooding any new opinions or setting up any new wayes which have not cleare light and warrant from the word In these cases let that of the Apostle take place with us Hast thou faith have it to thy selfe Hast thou a strong apprehension and firm perswasion touching something which is not so fully and clearly revealed in Scripture as that others may see it have this faith to thy selfe enjoy thine own opinion and conscience but let it not break forth to the offence and scandall of others much lesse to the trouble and disquietment of the Church the settlement whereof ought to be exceeding precious in our eyes And so let it be Every of us seek it Seek it by Prayer Ye that are the Lords Remembrancers keep not silence give him no rest untill he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Seek it by all holy endeavours every one in our places private persons in theirs and publike persons in theirs all of us willingly embracing and carefully improving what ever advantages or opportunities God shall put into any of our hands for the effecting the furthering of so great so good a work So doth the Apostle here in the Text He receiveth the Decrees from the Councell and receiving them delivereth them whereever he commeth And what was his aime therein why that the Churches might be setled might be established Quest But what establishment was it that Paul here principally eyed and looked at A. The next word resolves it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} So were the Churches established in Faith i. e. in the Doctrine of Faith the true Religion of God So the word is frequently used in Scripture Faith put for the whole Religion of God Calvin gives a reason for it viz. because Faith in Christ is the foundation and ground-work of all And this it was that Pauls eye was here mainly upon not so much the setling of an externall Order in the Churches This indeed he endeavoured but as Calvin saith of it this was but veluti parergon accâ—ssâ—â—ium a thing which he undertook by the by as being conducible and subservient to his maine design which was the Establishment of the Churches in the Faith As for Externall Order indeed it is a thing of great concernment to the Churches without which they will never be throughly established Thence is it the Prophet Esay puts these two together Isa. 9. 7. To Order and to establish speaking of the Church But the Kingdome of God is above it Regnum Dei externo ordine altius est ac praestantius The Kingdom of God saith Calvin which conâ—isteth in the doctrine and practice o Faith and Holinesse it is a thing of a more transcendent and excellent nature then externall Order is Superioregradu locaâ—ur religio pietas So he goeth on Religion and true piety are to be looked on as things in a higher sphear to be far preferred before Order Discipline Reason And great Reason they should be so in as much as the one maketh only for the bene esse the other for the esse the one for the well-being the other for the being of the Church There may be a Church an Ecclesiasticall Church I and an Integrall one too without Order but not without Faith the Doctrine and Profession of the Faith wherein lyeth the Essentiall State of a Church Not to dwell upon it Applic. Learne we hence how to look upon these two faith and order viz. upon the one as the Mistresse the other as the hand-maid so they are and so let us account of them giving to each that respect which is due unto them not preferring the hand-maid before the Mistrisse not standing so much upon Order as that in the mean time we should seem to neglect the faith True it is both are to be stood upon and contended for but not with a like heate As for the faith we have an expresse warrant for that That yee contend earnestly for the faith Jud. 3. I do not finde the like for Order However take heed lest our over-eager contestations about the one which is but the accessory prove prejudiciall and detrimentall to the other which is the Principall Let our first and maine care be for the faith so was Pauls here in the Text he delivereth these Decrees for the regulating of the Churches in these externall observances wherefore why that they might be established in the faith this was the pearle in his eye the main thing which he aimed at The other was only in order in a way of subserviency unto this A pattern in speciall to the Ministers of the Gospell shewing them what should be their maine designe in the course of their Ministery viz. to propagate the faith to set up the true Religion of God true piety and godlinesse faith and holinesse in the hearts and lives of their people As for matters of order having just occasion they may and ought to deale with them that so they may approve themselves faithfull Stewards not detayning any part of the truth not sâ—unning to declare unto their people the whole Councell of God as Paul saith of himself Act. 20. But their maine and principall worke should be the establishing of the Churches in the faith this is the maine end of our Ministery so saith Paul of his Apostleship Rom. 1. 5. We have received grace and Apostleship i. e. the grace or gift of Apostleship for obedience to the faith among all Nations i. e. that by his Ministery the Gentiles might be brought to imbrace the faith the Doctrine of the Gospell The best service that the Ministers of Christ can do for their Lord and Master hereby is his name exalted hereby is his Scepter and Kingdome advanced hereby is he set upâ—n the Throne It is a mistake but too common in the times to think that the Kingdome of Christ should consist either wholly or chiefly in the Externall Politie and Government of the Church No our Saviour himself Lack 17. teacheth the Pharisees to entertaine higher thoughts and more sublime conceptions touching his Kingdome telling them first that the Kingdome of God commeth not with observation vers. 20. i. e. saith Beza it a ut observari possit so as it may be observed and taken notice of by any outward garbe that it hath or as others it doth not consist in externall observation Then that it is aliquid intus The Kingdome of God is within you i. e. as it is commonly expounded in your hearts and souls which
15. Of February 1644. Ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published Hen. Elsynge Cler. Parl. Dom. Com. THE Sacred and Soveraigne Church-Remedie OR The Primitive and Apostolicall way of composing Ecclesiasticall Differences and establishing the Churches of Christ Wherein the authority and utility of lawfull Councels and Synods is asserted and vindicated and divers of the sad-Controversies of the times modestly debated First preached in the Parish Church of great Yarmouth and now published for a preservative against the poyson of Anti-Synodall suggestions and a preparative to the receiving of what mercy God shall please to convey unto his Church in this Kingdome through the hands of the present reverend Assembly of Divines Conciliorum in Ecclesia saluberrima authoritas August Epist. 128. Quadâ—a multis queritur facilius invenitur Whittak contra Bellarm. Quest 5. cap. 6. By John Brinsley LONDON Printed by Moses Bell for Edward Brewster and are to be sold at his shop on Ludgate hill at the signe of the Bible neere Fleet-bridge 1645. Viris tam Eruditione quam Pietate conspicuis GULIELMO TWISSO S. T. D. Prolocutori ac Praesidi dignissimo reliquoque Theologorum choro in Synodali conventu Doctrinae Sanitati cultus Pâ—ritati politiae Eutaxiae Ecclesiaque Paci seriâ— sedulò operam navantibus Hasce Conciliorum Synodorumque vindicias caeterasque de deplorandis quibusdam praesentis aevi controversus candidas ac amicabiles disceptationes quales quales D. D. D. Joannes Brinsleius I Have perused diligently this Treatise called The Sacred and Soveraign Church-Remedie and finding it penned with much strength candor and modesty and desiring some healing plaister for our sad Divisions affix this Approbation and Imprimatur Ia. Cranford Ian. 16. 1644. THE SACRED AND SOVERAIGNE Church-Remedie ACTS 16. VERSE 4. 5. And as they went thorow the Cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained by the Apostles and Elders which were at Hierusalem And so were the Churches established in the faith and increased in number dayly WHatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning saith S. Paul for our instruction our direction for the informing of our judgements for the regulating of our practice And surely of such use is this portion of Scripture which I have now singled forth wherein we have set forth unto us The Soveraigne Church-Remedy or the Primitive and Apostolicall may of composing Ecclesiasticall differences and setling and establishing the divided distracted Churches of Christ viz. by delivering to them the Synodicall Decrees of a venerable Councell to keep So run the words of the Text As they went thorow the Cities they delivered them the decrees c. And who were they that delivered these decrees what decrees did they deliver to whom did they deliver them to what end did they deliver them what was the successe and fruit of this delivery Let these five serve for the parts of the Text all which I shall God willing passe over by way of Explication Observation Application with as much brevity and perspicuity as possibly I can Let your Attentions your eares and hearts goe along with me and that without either prejudice or partiality It shall be much against my will if in handling this subject I offer any violence to the Text doe any inâ—urie to the truth any dis-service to the Church or yet give any just offence to any whose faces are Sion-wards Begin with the first of which not much The Messengers who they were that undertooke and made deliverie of these decrees to the Churches viz Paul and Silas So much we may learne from the last verse but one of the Chapter foregoing Paul chose Silas and departed c. going through Syria and Cilicia as the last words have it confirming the Churches confirming them in the faith by their Doctrine withall having a speciall regard to their unity and Peace This the Apostle every where shewes himselfe very studious of and solicitous for earnestly wishing it Grace and Peace it is his constant salutation to the Churches Now the Lord of peace himselfe give you peâ—ce alwayes by all meanes it is his farewell to his Thessalonians In both meaning not onely though principally inward but also outward peace seriously exhorting to it finally brethren be of one minde live in peace 2 Cor. 13. Be at peace among your selves 1 Thes. 5. 13. Being zeâ—lous for their peace he is as jealous of their divisions receiving the intelligence of them not without great regreet and sorrow So much he intimates to his Corinthians It hath beene declared to me of you my brethren that there are divisions among you 1 Cor. 11. I Church-divisions when you come together in the Church I heare there are divisions among you {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} schismes This Paul taketh notice of not without a sad resentment which he expresseth by taxing and reproving them In this I praise you not saith he in the verse foregoing {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} There is a meiosis in the word lesse said more intended I praise you not i. e. I blame you dispraise you Reproving them he chargeth this upon them as an ill symptom an argument and evidence of their carnality Whereas there are amongst you envyings and strifes and divisions {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} factions as the margin reads it are ye not carnall i. e. in a greater measure such having more flesh then spirit more corruption then grace charging these divisions home upon them which gave way to them he chargeth them more home upon those who were the Authors and fomenters of them wishing them to be taken notice of and avoided as men infamous and dangerous Now I beseech you brethren marke them which cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them I to be cut off I would they were even cut off that trouble you saith he to the Galathians speaking of the false apostles who by introducing Circumcision and pressing it as a necessary Ordinance had troubled the consciences of weake Christians and disquieted the peace of the Church These he wisheth that they were cut off that the Church were freed of them one way or other So truly zealous was this blessed Apostle of the Churches peace and so jealous of their divisions that he was willing and ready to doe any thing which lay in his power to procure the one and to heale the other Upon this ground it was that he circumcised Timothy in the verse before the Text This he did not that he put any religion in or apprehended any necessity of that then dying Ceremony but onely to comply with the Jews so farre as safely he might in a thing then meerly indifferent He circumcised him saith the third verse because of the Jews viz. that he might take that scandall out of their way and so maintaine
fashion it is a gracefull prospect So is it in the Churches To see them not onely worshipping the same God but worshipping him after the same manner all worshipping before one Altvr as Hezekiah commanded all Judah and Jerusalem to doe And that not onely enjoyning the same Ordinances for substance but as much as may be the same administrations for circumstance certainly there is a beauty in this uniformity It was not for nothing that the ten bases in the temple the supporters to the great lavatorie the molten Sea were all alike all of them had one measure and one casting and one size This made them the more comly And so is it with the Ordinances of God when they are as it were cast into the same mould dispenced after the same manner it addeth an externall grace and beauty to them To these two I might yet adde two more and I shall not need to go far to seek for them I finde them both in the close of the Text This maketh much for the establishment and augmentation of the Churches 3. For their establishment And so were the Churches established viz. by and through the means of that unity and uniformity which were procured by the making and delivering of these Decrees 4. For their augmentation and increase So were the Churches increased A fruit saith Chrysostome cited by Lorinus upon the Text of Pauls condescention and compliance in circumcizing Timothy of which you reade in the verses foregoing This did he for the preserving of unity and concord to which end also he delivered these Decrees And behold the issue and fruit of both And so were the Churches increased Concordia res parvae Things small in their beginnings by concord and agreement rise oft-times to an envied height So it is with States and so it is with Churches And is it so why then let not any of us be backward or unwilling with what may be so advantagious to the Churches of God in these Kingdoms Surely it is not without reason that other Churches have had such an eye hereupon The Churches in France Low-Countries elsewhere none more then the Churches in New-England where we may see all the Churches within one and the same jurisdiction precisely put into the same posture the same way as for Doctrine and Worship so for Discipline and Government O let it be the joynt desire and endeavour of us and of all the Lords people amongst us that it may be so with the Churches of God in this and if it may be in the neighbour Kingdoms To set on this motion let me take up and make use of a double motive The former taken from the promise of God Gods promises are or ought to be our Directions and Encouragements shewing us both what we are to seek and what successe we may expect in seeking Now this is one thing amongst many which God hath promised to his people to his Churches under the Gospell a branch of the New-covenant that he will give them one heart and one way So you have it Jer. 32. 39. I will give them one Heart and one Way i. e. as the Geneva Glosse explains it one Consent and one Religion or Vnity and Vniformity Unity in Judgements and Affections I will give them one Heart Uniformity in Worship and haply in Discipline I will give them one way This promise for my own part I look upon as not yet having had the full accomplishment Certainly both these will God doe for his Church and that not only in the triumphant state of it in Heaven where there is and ever shall be a perfect Vnity and a perfect Vniformity No difference in Judgement no jar in Affections there Luther and Zwinglius agree well enough no difference in worship or practice All worship the same God after the same manner Nothing but a perfect harmonie but also in the militant or rather triumphant state of it upon earth Such a state I verily beleeve there shall be when the Church shall triumph over her conquered enemies Gâ—g and Magog And then shall there be a blessed harmony amongst the people of God themselves Then shall the wolfe dwell with the lambe and the leopard lye downe with the kid c. Christians though naturally of different tempers and dispositions yet their spirits shall close together There shall be no more such differences as now there are They shall think and speak one and the same thing there shall be but one lip and they shall walk in the same way As for those odious and opprobrious nicknames which have been and yet are not without some unkinde and unchristian heat cast in the faces one of another by such as professe the Name of Christ they shall then be taken away and forgotten There shall be no more mention of those differing and distinguishing titles whereby the severall opinions or wayes of the Churches are notified and signified unto us as of Lutheran Calvinian Diocesan Presbyterian Classicall Congregationall Independent c. Certainly there is a grave a digging for all these wherein they shall be buried in everlasting forgetfulnesse never to rise again which shall be after the destruction of Antichrist Then shall there be a sweet and heavenly consort and harmony amongst those who have overcome the beast They shall then all sing the same song even the song of Moses and song of the Lamb as you have it Rev. 15. 3. O blessed times which methinks all the Lords people should look at in some measure as Abraham is said to have done at the day of Christ the day of his Incarnation John 8. with desire and exultation or as the creatures are said to look at the time when the sons of God shall be manifested which some refer to the times I am now speaking of with an {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} an earnest expectation and looking out for earnestly desiring and longing to see what we beleeve that if it be the will of God we may yet reap some of the first fruits of the accomplishment of this promise even in our dayes Hereunto let all of us be stirred up to contribute as our prayers so our joint endeavours for the effecting of this great work this blessed unity and uniformity amongst the Churches particularly and specially among the Churches of God in this and the neighbour Kingdoms To which let this be a second motive we are bound by a speciall ingagement viz. by the late solemne Nationall Vow and Covenant wherein amongst other things we have promised this for one viz. to endeavour the bringing of all the Churches in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion confession of faith forme of Church-Government c. This is our Vow a solemn Vow from the obligation whereof no power under Heaven can absolve and discharge us In the feare of God then remember our Vow and set our selves to pay it In the meane time
been so long a time enquiring after his pleasure which being made known unto us resolve in what we may to submit and obey So did the Churches here to whom Paul and Sylas delivered these Decrees they delivered them to be kept by them and so they were For as it followeth in the next words And so were the Churches established viz. upon the delivering and observing of these Decrees Quest But what then are we to shew the like respect to all Ecclesiasticall Decrees now as the Churches did to these Answ. I answer as before where they are like unto these pious and profitable Ordinances grounded upon the Word immediately or mediately not imposed upon conscience not enjoying any thing as necessary not obtruding any thing as a part or meanes of worship but what the Word hath made so now they challenge a like respect as these Decrees did Quest But what then must we yeeld a blinde obedience submitting without discussing So it seemeth the Churches here did Answ. Neither so nor so as for the Churches they indeed received these Decrees and kept them accordingly as they were delivered But to imagine that either the Apostle in delivering or they in receiving required or yeelded a blinde obedience is fouly injurious to both Surely if Pauls Doctrine might be examined as it was by the Bereans and they highly commended for it much more might these Decrees be scanned by the Churches to whom they were brought they being not the immediate issues of an extraordinary inspiration as the other was as I have already shewn you and so may it and ought it to be with all Decrees of the like nature To think of yeelding a blinde obedience to them were as great a wrong and injury to them as to our selves Decrees being such as they ought to be they ever bring light with them whereby they may be discerned and discovered to be as they are And by this light Christians both may and ought to judge of them viz. judicio discretionis so it be done modestly and humbly bringing them to the Touch-stone to the Rule the rule of the Word and the rule of rectified and sanctified Reason This is the old way and it is an everlasting way To the Law an to the Testimony if they speake not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Shall we finde any Decrees of men to be uche not agreeable to the Word to the particular or generall rules of it but clearly contrary to it now the case is ruled It is better and safer to obey God then men Better now modestly and quietly not to obey men then presumptuously and knowingly to disobey God But finding them to be such as are not contrary to this word but consonant thereunto now look upon our pattern and doe likewise As they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep which accordingly they did So much appeares as I told you from the event and successe of this undertaking which is the fifth and last particular in the Text to which I now hasten VERSE 5. And so were the Churches established in the faith and increased in number daily SEE here the successe of this first Councell so managed so prosecuted as you have heard Successelesse it was not All Councells then are not so If any of them at any time prove so let it not be imputed to the Ordinance but to some accidentall personall miscarriage Otherwise the Ordinance it selfe is very promising very usefull and hopefull very profitable and advantagious to the Church So was this first Councell this Pattern of Councells the successe and event whereof as the Text informes us was double Hereupon there accrued unto the Churches a double blessing The one of Confirmation the other of Augmentation Confirmation they were established in the faith Augmentation they were increased in number daily Upon these two I shall look two wayes first severally and simply then joyntly and relatively viz. as they both stand in a joynt reference to that first particle in the verse So So were the Churches established and so were the Churches increased c. A word of each Beginning with the former the Churches Confirmation And so were the Churches established in the faith They were established and they were established in the faith so I break them in two 1. They were established {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} confirmabontur they were confirmed setled Setling presupposeth an unsetling And surely such was the state of these Churches before Paul brought these Decrees unto them they were unsetled shaken Behold the proper fruit of Divisions and Dissensions where they take place they unsettle they shake unsettle a State unsettle a Church shake both This David found true by experience in his Kingdome Heale the breaches thereof for it shaketh Psal. 60. Both Church and State were unsetled by reason of those Civill broyles those home-bred divisions in his Kingdome And I shall not need to tell you that wee have found the like in this Kingdome Was ever State was ever Church more unsetled then ours at this day And whence is this why this have our home-bred divisions dissensions done To hold to the Text the unsetling of the Church This will Divisions doe Divisions in judgement I and those sometimes sleight ones Such were at least some of those which had broke in upon these Churches sleight differences one would think whether they should eat such or such meates blood things strangled c. yet even these had an influence upon the Churches for the unsetling of them Appl. Let not sleight differences then be sleighted of us much lesse pertinaciously and obstinately maintained by us But do what we may all of us for the healing for the composing even of them So long as these continue and break forth there is little hope of the Churches establishment which is a thing that all the Lords people ought seriously both to desire and endeavour let that be a second Observation Church-establishment is a thing much to be desired and sought after It is the Lords promise to his Church under the Gospel Is 2. repeated Mic. 4. The mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the Mountains A blessing much to be desired for all particular Churches that they may be established setled in a quiet and steady way put into a solid and constant frame and temper as the word in the Text signifieth Such a frame and temper I shall not need to tell you what a blessing it is in the naturall body it is no lesse in the mysticall Reas. Not to use many Arguments and Reasons about it I finde one insinuated in the text Church-confirmation maketh much for Church-augmentation Mark the connexion of these two together So were the Churches established and increased The latter depends much upon the former Church-encrease upon Church-establishment where Churchâ—s are divided distracted unsetled there
exposition whether it be proper for that place or no I will not now contend But this I am sure to be a truth the Kingdome of God and of Christ is chiefly spirituall and inward a Government exercised in the hearts and souls of men where Christ setteth up his throne his scepter ruling there by his word and spirit subduing rebellious lusts bringing them under and keeping them under bringing every thought into obedience to the obedience of faith As for the externall Order and Discipline of the Church if it do belong properly to the Kingly Office of Christ yet it is one of the least parts of it So let Ministers And so let the people look upon is not spending all or the chief of their time about matters of Church-government Discipline studying this discoursing of nothing but this as if this were the Cardinall businesse the maine hinge upon which all Religion turned nor yet so overzealously affecting this that for want of what herein they would have they should renounce Church-Communion and distaste all other the Ordinances of God even those soul-saving Ordinances wherein the Doctrine of faith is held forth with power and efficacy Word and Sacraments No let your maine care my brethren be for the faith the Gospell of life and salvation that you may established in that growing up in that Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ saith St. Peter in the speculative and experimentall knowledge of Jesus Christ This is the knowledge which must and wilestablish you be yee therefore established in it that you may be as the same Apostle exhorts {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} steadfast in the faith not like children aâ— St. Paul prâ—sseth iâ— upon his Ephesians tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of Doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftinesse of them which lye in waite to deceive Thus is it with multitudes of well meaning souls at this day who being unstable ungrounded in the faith are carried away some with the Anabaptist others with the Antinomian a third with the Fâ—â—ilist c. That it may not be so with us labour we to be confirmed and established in the faith which we have received growing up in it Observ. This we are to do at all times but specially then when God affordeth us more speciall means of growth and establishment when God as it were soliciteth us hereunto by the labours and endeavours of his servants It is an observation hinted to me by Master Calvin upon the words upon Paul and Silas comming to the Churches and bestowing their labours upon them Now were they established in the faith where means of confirmation are wanting there weaknesse and unsetlednesse are the more pardonable rather to be pittyed then censured but where God doth send his servants able faithfull instruments who do put forth themselves in the use of all possible endeavours for the setling and establishing of a people in the faith here God expecteth from them growth and increase answerable Applic. Take this truth home to your selves and make Application of it as you shall see occasion I shall 〈…〉 to the second particular the second fruit of the Apostles indâ—avoâ—â—s and that is the Churches Augmentation And so were the Churches increased in number daily In 〈◊〉 it may be understood two waies with reference either to Persons 〈◊〉 Churches the number of persons was increased or the number of Churches was increased Each a good hearing so is the latter To hear that the number of Churches is increased But understand it rightly viz. If this increase be by way of addition not of division the latter is of sad consequence To heare of Churches multiplyed after the same manner as the leaves and fishes in the Gospell are said to have been 〈◊〉 frangendum multiplyed by breaking by dividing one Church broken into many â—nd that through Schismes and Divisions this is a sad multiplication The Lord keep his Churches from such increases True it is where a Church is grown over numerous or some of the members of it are upon occasion to be transplanted in this case Edâ—â—â—râ— Coâ—â—niâ—m to 〈◊〉 forth a Colonie a Congregation one or more to plant elsewhere as probably it was in the Church of Jerusalem it may be both warâ—antable and necessary But to multiply Churches by breakings by divisions this I say is a sad multiplication But having only touched this I leave it leave it to the Donatist and Separatist the first and last Authors of it The Text as I conceive confines me to the former They were increased in number i. e. the Churches already planted and constituted they were increased in number of members in number of persons joyning themselves to their Communion So the originall carries it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Exuberabant saith Beza Abundabant saith the vulgar they abounded in number like a tree which putteth forth young shootes and branches abundantly So was it with the Churches now even as it was with the Church of Jerusalem before the Church of the believing Jewes to which God made daily new additions and those some of them wonderfull ones The Lord added to the Church daily such aâ— should be saved Act. 2. The number of the Disciples multiplyed in Jerusalem greatly Acts 6. So was it now with the Churches of the Gentiles Upon Pauls comming to them they also were multiplyed and increased in number daily Observ. A good and a blessed hearing to heare of such a mâ—ltiplication such an increase It was the first blessing which God pronounced upon mankinde Cresâ—ite 〈◊〉 Increase and multiply a barren wombe in it self is a curse a fruitfull one a blessing and so is it with a barren and a fruitfull Church Where God giveth to a Church as the Prophet threatens that he would do to Israel a miscarrying or barren â—ombe and dry breasts so as there is no increase this is a sad and ominoâ—â— judgement whereas on the other hand to see the Churches fruitfull like the Sheep in the Ganticles whereof every one is said to beare twins and none to be barren amongst them all bringing forth children unto God encreasing in number daily it is one of the greatest blessings that Earth can receive from Heaven Applic. And is it so why then let all of us do what in us lyeth to further this increase taking heed of being any occasions of blâ—dering it whether by our scandalls or divisions both which oft times cause the Churches wombe to miscarry by bringing an evill report upon the good waies of God discouraging others from adventuring upon them who it may be had some eye towards them Taking heed of this of being any waies accessary to the Churches barrennesse do what we may to further her increase every one in our places Ministerâ— in their places endeavouring as spirituall fathers to beget sons and
dâ—ughters unto God by the incorruptible seed of the Word that so we may every of us be able to say at that great day as the Prophet Iâ—â—iah once did Behold Lord here am I and the children whom them hast given me Magistrates in their places shewing themselves nursing fathers and nursing mothers to the Church so as upon their kâ—â—es the Churches may beare children as Rachel once said of her self and her maid Bilhah Gen. 30. Parents and Masters of families in their places endeavouring to bring up their children and servants in the knowledge and feare of God that so they may be true living members of the Church not only like wooden legs or armes tyed on to the body having only an outward visible communion with the Church but like naturall members they may be knit both to the head and body by joints and ligaments so as the Church may be increased with the increase of God Private persons in their places not only joyning themselves to the true Churches of God bnt endeavouring what in them lyeth to winne and gain others specially by their holy and exemplary conversation and demeanour Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good works may glorifie your heavenly father Glorifie him as by other waies so by comming in and putting themselves under his government to which purpose there is scarce any one means more effectually availeable then for Christians to thrive and growe in grace So much Master Calvin collects out of the Text from the connexion of these two together the Churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily The growth and proficiency of those which were first called to the faith in these Churches was a speciall meanes to bring in others Old members in a Church it is a comparison which Caâ—on giveth me the hint of they are like old stands in a Coppice or like old Vines or Pâ—â—tars or the like trees which being once throughly rooted themselves they put forth many imps and young shootes from their roots So was it here in these Churches The first members of chose Churches being rooted and established in the faith the Churches were daily increased in number Aâ— sâ— propagiâ—e fides latius ad alios serperet saith my Author As if their faith being spread abroad had been a means to propagate itself unto others so it often commeth to passe It is that which Paul telleth his Câ—rinthiâ—ns concerning their forwardnesse in works of charity and mercy Your zeale saith he hath provoked verâ— many And so is it with faith and holinesse To be zealous in profession and consâ—ientious in practice it is a most effectuall incitement to provoke to draw to win others and in this way let all private Christians be active and forward that so they may do what in them lyeth to help forward this blessed Augmentation and Increase of the Churches And thus have I looked upon these two fruits of the Apostles endeavours severally and simply It remaines now that we put them together considering them joyntly and relatively as they stand in joint reference to that first particle in the Text So were the Churches established and So were the Churches increased So What meerly by the delivery of these Decrees Was this the proper and immediate cause of the Churches confirmation and multiplication Answ. Not so The Decrees here delivered were not matters of Faith but of Order and consequently not apt to produce such noble effects as these were to work such an establishment such an increase being but Decrees touching meates Now as the Apostle saith The heart must be established with grace not with meates The proper and immediate instrumentall cause of both these was Pauls preaching of the Gospel to the Churches Quest What influence then had these Decrees hereupon Answ. I answer they were though not properly Causa efficiens yet removens and promovens though not the immediate Efficient cause of both these yet the promoting and furthering cause facilitating the work and making way for it and that by removing obstacles and impediments and putting the Churches into such a posture such a state as they might be fit to be wrought upon by the preaching of the Word Even as it is with Physick however it self be not Nutritive yet by removing obstructions it putteth the body into such a state and temper as it may be apt to receive nourishment from such meanes as shall be applyed unto it proper for that purpose Even so was it here The Churches being distempered and out of course by reason of some jarres and differences which no question much obstructed and hindred the course of the Gospel the Apostle by applying and ministring of this Soveraign Remedy a Recipe of Synodicall Decrees he put them into such a temper as that his Ministery might take place with them both for their confirmation and increase And of such use Ecclesiasticall Decrees may be and often are though they be not meat yet they may be medicine making much for the propagation of the Gospel and that especially by composing Church differences which otherwise would be a maine obstruction and hinderance to it Of this latter we have had but too much experience How is the course of the Gospel at the present impedited and interrupted by these sad divisions which are broke in amongst us O that wee might but have the like proofe of the former of the Soveraign vertue of this Church-Remedy for the healing of these breaches and the composing of these differences as the Churches here had Then might we hope and expect the like successe that the Churches amongst us also should be established and increased Otherwise it is but in vaine to flatter our selves In an ordinary course this is the last Remedy Where this availes not there is little hope Where a Colledge of Physitians cannot master a disease it is commonly accounted desperate And therefore take we heed how we sleight much more oppose this way Take but this word of counsell and I have done In other matters I presume we would not be unwilling to be ordered by counsell especially by the counsell of a Councell In the multitude of Counsellors there is safety As in Military affaires by a Councell of warre in Maritime occasions by a Councell of Sea-men in a Law case by a Bench of Lawyers in a case of sicknesse by a Colledge of Physitians And why then shall we so farre leane unto our own understandings in matters of Ecclesiasticall concernment matters of Order as not to hearken to the consultations and determinations of a Religious and judicious Assembly Of all wayes for my owne part I must professe I know none so likely to heale our breaches to compose our differences as this and consequently to procure the Churches establishment Without Counsell purposes are disappointed but in the multitude of Counsellours they are established saith the wise man Thus were the Churches established