Judging the twelve tribes of Israel Then your enemies will be confounded and ashamed then they shall bow and bend to you Oh you that now suffer from your relations you shall then be perfectly delivered and separated from them it will not then grieve your hearts to see them rebellious your naturall affections shall then cease you will be then wholly swallowed up in glorifying the blessed God then all your teares shall be wiped away your sorrow shall flee away you shall be swallowed up of life Oh how welcome will you be to Saints Angells Oh then you will a dmire free Grace you will crie Grace Grace thon you shall have your hearts filled with love to God then all your prayers sighs groâ—ns and teares shall be answered then you shall rejoce without ceasing then you shall be crowned with Glory and Honour and you shall never be reproached any more Oh you beloved of Gods soule you shall never complaine of a dead heart any more Never crie out of a hard heart of a streightned narrow heart any more then your hearts shall be enlarged and you shall forever sing for joy of heart oh therefore be willing to follow Christ a litle while he that shall come to put you into the full possession of your promised happinesse will come and will not tarrie unspeakably blessed shall you be if your blessed Saviour should come and find you so doing which is the prayer of Your servant in the Gospell of Christ S. F. A short Preface touching the occasion of Printing-these following Rules WHen I saw that the blessed God had by the Preaching ing of the glorious Gospell turned the hearts of many sinners from sin unto himselfe from resting on their own Righteousnesse to an earnest enquiry after an interest in Christs Righteousnesse I was much pressed in Spirit to endeavour to bring the said Converts into Gospell order and accordingly shewed that it was their duty and Priviledge to enter into a Church state and as soon as they heard that it was their duty they wayted on God by fasting and prayer for wisedome and strength to walke in that way that God had appointed them to walke in and after they had spent many days in asking helpe of God the Lord so satisfyed their hearts as that they declared their desire to walke in that way that I had through grace made known unto them and desire to be farther instructed in their dutys in order thereunto and also of their dutys in a Church state whereupon I wrote these following Rules which I judge to be according to the revealed will of God and proposed them unto the said persons who freely gave their consent and resolved to endeavour to the utmost of their abillitys to walke by the said Rules Now the Saints in their place being many and all of them besides many of the Lords people that live in other places dâ—sired to have the said Rules by them many of them not being able to read any mans writing which could not be except their said Rules were printed where fore being also exceedingly importuned by the Church I thought good to have them printed which I hope will be offensive to none and prositable to many Certaine Scripture Rules which Iesus Christ hath given to his Churches to walke by which are approved of and consented to by all the Members of the Church of Christ walking in Gospell-fellowship in Chippin-Norton THE matter of a visible Church of Christ are Visible Saints such as in the Judgment of rationall Charity according to the revealed will of God appeare to be Saints Luke 22.14 Act. 1.15 16. Act. 2.37 to the end Act. 4.32 Act. 5.14 Act. 9.26 27. Act. 8.37 Act. 14.22 23. Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.4 Eph. 1.1 Phil. 1.1 Coll. 1.2 1 Thess 1.1 4. 2 Thess 1.1 2 3. To these Scriptures may be added the Judgements of many Godly and learned divines both Presbyterian and Independent the Assembly in their confession of Faith M. Hooker of new England M. Cotton M. Norton M. Ainsworth D. Owen D. Goodwin M. Jer. Burroughs M. Nye M. Bridges M. Greenhill M. Wellman M. William Bartlet M. Stuckly M. Châ—shull M. Palmer and the Ministers that joyned with him in Answering M Humphâ—ys Book for free Admission M. Robinson and many more mighâ— be added to these 2. The formall cause of a visible Church of Christ are Saints united in Gospell ordâ—r For a certaine number of true Beliâ—vers walking at a distance from each other and scattered up and down in a Towne or Parish living as strangers to each other doe not properly and formally make a visible Church but only such as walke together accoridng to Christs appointment so then that which gives being to a true visible Church of Christ is when seaven or more Believers do freely and voluntarily give up themselves to each other promising in the strength of God to walke together in the same individuall ordinances of Christ and in the practice of the same dutys according to the Gospell Deut. 29.1 9. 2 Cor. 8.5 Gal. 2 9. Nâ—h 9 38. Neb. 10.1 29. Josh 24.21.28 3. For the Fathers kniting of the hearts of all the members together in mutuall love which is the bond of perfectnesse among Saints also that they may performe all dutys the more freely to each other for many other reasons it is needfull that all that at first imbody together all that afterwards shall be added that they be satisfied in each others fitnesse to be Church members upon such grounds as Paul others in the primitive times did conclude mens Sainiship from they did not conclude that men were Saints because they were not prophane but upon such grounds as these that they did bring forth fruits of Righteousnessâ— Phil. 1.1 compared with v. 11. that they did trade for Heavenâ— Phil 3.20 from such notes of true conversion as they had in Act. 2.37 to the end such as David speakes of in Psal 15.1 2. and Paul Rom. 8.1 who walked after the Spirit and their Love unto and delighting in the Saints Eph. 1.15 Psal 15.4 also such grounds as we read of in 2 Cor. 7.10 11. and such as waited for the coming of Jesus Christ 1 Cor 1.7 which none but Saints can really do by their understanding of spirituall things Spiritually as such doe understand whom God loves 1 Cor. 2.9 10 14. being such as had made a publik profession of their subjection to Christ 2 Cor. 9.13 and also by their Sanctification and Holinesse 1 Cor. 6 11. by the fruits of their Faith they were known to be Saints as Paul calls them upon that ground 1 Coll. 1.6 1 Thess 1.3 now upon these and the like grounds we are to Judge charitably of men and to conclude that they are Saints though possibly some of them may be Hypocrites and to receive them into fellowship as brethren and to performe all offices of love towards them as members of Christ 4.
Visible Saints being thus united together by mutuall consent they are now a true visible Church of Christ according unto Christs institution such was the Church in Jerusalem Act. 1.4 14 15. Act. 2.42 to the end Act. 8.1 Act. 13.1 Act. 4.32 5. That the said Church hath sufficient power to choose the Officers that Christ hath appointed and ordained to teach and Rule the said Church for Jesus Christ hath appointed and given to his Church Pastors Teachers and other Officers for the well being of his Church the said Church may call the said Officers to teach and rule her without the Officers or members of other Churches Act. 6.3 Eph. 4.11 12 13. 1 Chron. 29.20 22. Act. 15.22 Act. 13.1 2. Act. 11.22 2 Cor. 8.19 Math. 16.18 6. That the Church should aske Councell of God by fasting and prayer to direct her in her choise and to direct and blesse the person or persons to be chosen to teach and rule her as also to have knowledge of his or their holinesse and abilities for such a worke before the said Church choose them to teach and rule her Act. 14.23 Act. 6.6 Act. 1.24 Act. 13. 7. The Officers that Jesus Christ hath appointed for and given to his Churches are a Pastor Teacher Ruling Elders Deacons Eph. 4.11 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 6.3 4 5 6. 1 Tim. 5. M. Hooker calls widdows Officers Survey part 2. pag. 4.32 M. Cotton calls them Assistants Way of the Churches pag. 39. 8. That a Pastor Teacher or any other of the said Officers have Authority and power from Christ and the choise and call of the Church and ordained according to the Gospell Rule to officiate in and to exercise the office of a Pastor c. in and over the said Church for Christ hath given them their power and the Church hath called them to exercise it in the said Church Eph. 4.11 12. Act. 20 28 1 Pet. 5.2 9. That a Pastor c. so Authorised and chosen by Christ and his Church hath power only to reach and officiate as Officers in the Church that hath chosen them although the said Pastors and Teachers may preach in other Churches and places aâ— gifted men Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 5. â— 10. That a Church so â—onstiruted according to the mind of Christ is not subject to any other church upon earth She hath no Lawgiver but Jesus Christ no head or Ruleâ— but Jesus Christ as a Church Maâ— 9.35 Mat. 16.18 11. That the said Church may desire the assistence of other Churches in difficult cases which cannot be determined by the Church and the Church should submit to their determinations if consonant to the minde of Christ Act. 15.1 to the 30. 12. That when any persons are desirous to joyn themselves to he Church the said persons should first make known their desires to the Pastor or Elders if the Church hath any and that the said persons do satisfie the Pastor some way or other of their fitnesse to be received into the said Church Act. 8.30 to 37. Math. 3.6 1 Pet. 3.15 13. That if the Pastor or Elder be satisfyed in the fitnesse and qualification of the said persons desiring admission that then the said Pastor or Elder is to propose the said persons to the Church at their next meeting 14. That all the members of the said Church that shall be present when a person is to be received into the Church are upon Scripture grounds to be satisfyed in the fitnesse and worthinesse of the person then to be admitted also to give their free consent to the persons admission and also in the censuring suspending and excommunicating of an offending member Act. 15 22 23 25. 1 Cor. 5.4 5. Act. 9.26 27. unlesse such as are unsatisfyed shall give convincing reasons why he ought not to be admitted in a short time the major part of the Church ought to admit the said person 15. That not a bare profession and forme of Godlinesse be adjudged a sufficient qualification for a Church member without the fruits of the power of Godlinesse Tâ—â— 1 16. 2 Tim 3.5 Math 3.7 8 9. Act 8.37 16. That in case any member of the Church be unsatisfied in the person proposed for admission that then the said member endeavour privately to be satlsfied as soon as possible but in case satisfaction cannot be obtained that then the said Member is to give the grounds and reasons of his non satisfaction to the Pastor or Elder and to no other person excepting him of whom he desires satisfaction or the Church shall call him so to doe least it should prove prejudiciall to the said person Math 18.15 17. 17. That ordinary and common infirmities incident both to weak and strong Saints are not to be sufficient grounds for to suspend any persons admission or to censure any member that shall be admitted provided that the said persons in the generall course of their lives walk as becomes the Gospell 1 Cor 5.1.11 Gal. 6.1 2. 18. That such persons as through modesty or want of the gift of utterance cannot by word of mouth declare the dealings of God with them to the satisfaction of the Church that then the said persons have Iberty to give satisfaction to the Church in writing or otherwise 19. That every member doe quietly and patiently submit to the judgement and determination of the Church if agreeable to the word of God in any case that shall be determined by the Church concerning any particular member thereof Heb. 13.17 Act. 15 1 Cor. 5. 20. That if upon due triall of Persons desiring admission the Church may gather by their words or works that they have the saving work of grace wrought in their hearts at least probably though but as a graine of Mustard seed if they have a competent measure of knowledge the said persons ought to be admitted notwithstanding they are but weake in grace in comparison of other men Rem 14.1 Rem 15.1 Act 2.37 to end 1 Cor 3.2 3. 21 That if the Persons that desire admission shall be found unworthy they should be desired to forbeare untill they shall be found worthy Math 3.7 8 9. Act 9.26 27. 22 That all such persons as are admitted members of the Church their Children also ought to be accounted and received members of the same Church and their Membership to be consirmed by Baptisme Act 2.38 39. 1 Cor. 7.17 Gen. 17.1 to 15. 23 That if any Member of the Church shall offend and persist in the practise of the sinne after reproofe first by one Member secondly by two or three that then the said offendor is to be brought before the Church and his sinne laid open to the Pastor by the persons that have dealt with him more privately and the Pastor is to acquaint the Church and the Church is to labour to convince him and to bring him to the sight of his sinne and if possible to repentance and it case he will not heare the Church and expresse his
repentance that then the said Member is to be suspended or cast out of the Church and that all the Members present should give their consent thereunto Math 18 17. Num. 15.30 31. Num. 19.13 20. Ezra 10.8 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 2 Cor. 2.6 but in case some few Members should refuse to give their consent to the suspending or excommunicating the said offendor without giving the Church convincâ—ng reasons for their refusall the major part may suspend or cast him out 24. That in case any person fearing God shall desire to joyne with the Church but through weaknesse of judgement and want of light in these things cannot be fully satisfied in some circumstance used and practised in the Church and yet the said person be willing to walk in Gospell Fellowship with them in all other things he ought to be admitted into the Church provided it may not apparently tond to make a breach in the said Church Rom. 14.1 2 3 4 5 6. Rom. 15. 1 Cor. 8. More Particular Practicall Rules For walking in Church fellowship THat all endeavour to the utmost of their power and abilities especially by their practice to set up and maintain all the ordinances of Christ that he hath given to his Church for his own Glory and his Churches edification and comfort Zach. 14.17 18. Jos 24.15 Deut. 6 7. Eph. 6. Geâ— 18 19. 1. Publique and Private prayer which are Gods holy appointments for to convey Grace into the hearts of his Saints Luke 21.36 Acts 1.24 Acts 4 41. Mark 6 6. 2. Preaâ—hing and hearing the word publiquely or privately these are Gods Ordinances Prov. 8.34 Act. 18 28 Act. 20.20 Isa 55.3 3. Singing of Psolmes and Hymes and Spirituall Songs Math. 26 30. Eph. 5.19 Coll. 3 16 Jam. 5.13 4. Conferences one with another is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.11 Heb. 10.24 25. Jude 20. 5. That Jesus Christ will have particular Churches untill his second coming and therefore 't is the duty of all Saints in their places and capacities to help to set up and uphold this Ordinance and appointment of Jesus Christ Rom. 16.4 16. 1 Cor. 7.17 1 Cor. 11.16 Gal. 1.2 Rev. 1.11 Rev. 2.7 Rev. 22.16 6. Baptisme and the Lords Supper are Gods Ordinances and they are appointed to be signes and Seales of the Covenant of Grace between God the Father Son and Believers Math. 28.19 1 Cor. 11.23 7. The Ministry is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ and to continue in the Church unto the end of the World and therefore all should endeavour to set up and to vindicate Christs Ministers and their Ministry as much as they can Eph. 4.11 12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13 17. as an ordinance of Christ 2. that all doe endeavour to grow in grace and to be spirituall Saints such as may worship God in Spirit and in Truth and walk spiritually before Saints and sinners that they may commend Religion unto others by their spirituality for God hath promised that such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish and goe from strength to strength in Sion Psal 92.13 Psal 84.7 you should labour to be spirituall in all places in all companies and in all businesses in your words and deportments Ioh. 4.24 1 Cor. 3.1 2.3 Gal. 6.2 3. It is the duty of all to labour and endeavour to obtain so much wisdome and spirituall understanding as is possible in spirituall things that so they may be able to serve God and worship him according unto his will that they may not be soon shaken in mind and tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine but that they may be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement in the truth Coll. 1.9 Eph. 4.12 13. Eph. 3 18.19 4. That all doe labour after a great measure of Faith that they may be able to trust God in times of triall and not dispond and be dejected at every providence that thwarts sense and reason but to be able to cast themselves on the free grace mercy faithfullnesse wisdome power and Love of God in Christ and to give him all the glory of his dispensations the contrary renders Religion odious and unpleasant 2 Pet. 3 18. Eph. 6.9 to 18 Eph. 4.15 5. That all the members of the said Church do endeavour faithfully according to their abilities and opportunities to performe such duties as they owe to each other in their relations whether as Saints and members of Christs body or aâ— Men and so as Parents or Children or Husbands c. Rom. 13.8 or as Offiâ—ers that teach or rule or as private members that are taught and ruled 1. A Pastâ—r is to attend upon Preaching the word in season and out of season and to administer the Sacraments to answer objections doubts and scruples to the study of the word to maintain and defend the Truths he Preaches to waiâ—h over the flock to protect them from wrong as much as he can all which he iâ— to doe as a Pastor of his own flock only and he is to manage matters in the Church that concernes the well ordering of it 1 Cor. 12.28 Rom 12.6 7 8 Luk 22. Act. 20.11 2 Cor. 1.4 Mal. 2.7 1 Tâ—m 4.13 14. 2 Tim. 2.15 T it 1.9 1 Pet. 5.2 2. The duâ—y of the Members to their Pastor first to provide for him for his subsistance and comfortable being that he may not be entangled with the affaires of this life but that he may wholly give up himselfe to the work of the Lord 1 Tim. 4.15 and discharge the trust committed to him Gal. 6 6 7 8. Rom 15.27 1 Cor. 9.7 to 15. 2. Not to receive an accusation against him under two or thre with nesses 1 Tim. 5.1 19. 3. To give him that Love and respect that is due to him and no more to be carefull not to give him that honour that is due only to God or to refuse to give him that which God commands them freely to give unto him 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Tim 5.17 Heb 13 17. 4. To attend upon his Ministry as they have opportunity both in private and publick Act 2.42 5. And in a speciall manner to pray for him that God may blesse him in his studies that God may direct him to Preach such truths as may by the blessing of God be most advantagious and profitable to Saints and sinners and that God may give him the door of utterance that he may speak the Word with boldnesse and clearnesse that he may give to every one his portion that he may be able to divide the word aright that he may be led into all truth that he may be very successefull in the turning of many sinners to God 1 Thes 5.25 Heb. 13.18 Act. 12.5 2 Cor. 1.11 Phil. 1.19 Rom. 15.30 Eph. 6.18 19. The duties of Members to each other and towards all men 6. The Members are commanded to Love each other truly and heartily without dissimulation in deed and in truth Eph. 5.2 1