evills are both of Omission and Commission In the execution of Discipline we are to endeavour the destruction of all sin and for our better knowledge and prosecution of this design we may enquire how many wayes a man may sin A man may sin severall ways in the Commission of sin and several wayes touching the punishment of sin 1. In the commission of sin a man may actually sin in his own person 2. A man may sin by counselling and abetting with another in sin 3. A man may sin by countenancing and incouraging one that hath sinned 4. A man may sin by not restoring his brother that 's overtaken in sin 5. A man may hate his brother and have fellowship with sin by not reproving his sin 6. In a compact body all are guilty of another mans sin that refuse to joyn in the punishment of a sinner 7. And the Church may contract iniquity in doing Justice and not doing it throughly 2. How may a man be guilty and sin in punishing of sin Answ In the branches of in justice and Oppression 1. To punish a man as an offender without the breach of some Law is Injustice and Oppression 2. To neglect to punish an Offender that transgresses the Law is a branch of Injustice 3. To wrest Judgement out of it's true Channell and to turn Justice out of it's legall course is another branch of Injustice 4. To respect Persons and regard Causes so as to condemn the innocent and clear the guilty 't is Oppession In juffice and an abomination 5. To impose a lesse penalty upon an offender then his offence deserves is another branch of Injustice 6. To inffict a greater punishment upon a Trespasser than the Law requires is another branch of Injustice and Oppession 7. Not timely to relieve the Oppressed and duly to acquit and discharge the Innocent man is another high branch of Injustice and Oppression To conclude this point in question this shews us what Justice is by the rule of a contrary observation To execute Justice timely impartially and thoroughly is true Justice according to Gods Law having thus sorted our materials and made our division I proceed to Justice it self in it's Execution 7. Tho true Order of the Execution of Justice and Discipline EXecution is the life of Governing when Laws and Rules lye unexecuted 't is like Ingagements unperformed Right Discipline in it's execution carrieth a good Reputation It beats down evill designs it gives Countenance to the best things it disturbs the Nocent and rejoyceth the innocent It displeaseth the Righteous God when such as are placed and be trusted Prov. 17.15 with the weighty imployment of Church-Government and shall either not judge at all or else in judgement are unjust and partial To punish the Innocent that ought to be cleared or to clear the Guilty that ought to be punished A man had need be just in discharging Conscience in punishing sins lest he be found guilty of the bloud of perishing souls and when the Church of God shall assemble themselves upon this solemn occasion 1. Let the Word be sounded like a Trumpet that the people may be warned and informed into whose all-seeing presence they come and that God is present with them and judgeth among them to beget the people in an awfull fear and holy reverence of his sacred Majesty and Presence To remember the people by improving some words by way of charge and to produce Commissions from Gods holy writing and to let the people know they are properly concerned legally returned and solemnly ingaged to take their places and humbly to attend upon Gods services and to tell them the Lord hath betrusted us with Offices and Priviledges and furnished us with such authority that we should act like a holy Nation and spiritual Court in all Justice and Fidelity 2. Because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer let humble and fervent supplications be made to the God of Heaven to be counsell for you and to prepare sanctifie and direct you in that serious matter undertaken by you and that your part may be so done and performed on earth That whatsoever ye bind or loose may be done and confirmed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 and as in all other Religious services there ought to be good advice taken sufficient tryal made before the exercise of action much more in this case wherein we act for God and must give an account to God in this matter there had need to precede a Judgement of preparation before the judgement of Execution 1. To consider we must act in Christs Name and by vertue of his Authority and that this action ought as it were to type out the last judgement and to hold forth Christs Righteous Government 2. To examine whether the matter be brought orderly and the parties have proceeded legally 3. To consider the capacity of the person offending whether a member or a Officer for although the Lord respects not Persons yet he allows some priviledge to Offices 4. To enquire of the nature of the Offence whether more directly against God or man whether publick or private 5. To examine what provocations the offender had to it and what design he had in it whether ignorantly or wilfully Seventhly Having found out the nature of the sin then to have recourse to the law that makes it a transgression Let the Law and the Offence be equally compared and the penalty justly imposed 7. Let all proceedings be mixed with compassion that it may answer to the design of Heaven the end to destroy the flesh and to restore the offender out of transgression Having thus made preparation proceed to probation and to the act of Execution also remembring God is with you and Judges of the judgement passed by you Psal 83.1 and that in a subordinate humble sence ye ought to hold forth the glory of his Presence and that with all justnesse humblenesse and gravity representing his dignity mercy purity and severity and so to passe sentence according as in Justice ye shall see cause without delay or partiality purged of all favour prejudice and hypocrisie without regard to causes knowing faces or repecting persons as acting for God uprightly Deut. 1.17 that it may be received and approved in the Court of Eternity Secondly Some further circumstances to be observed in the prosecution of Church-Discipline let be done and executed speedily not to suffer sin to lye upon thy brother Lev. 19.17 or to infect the spiritual body A green sore is soonest healed a disease taken new is easiest cured in like manner trespasses or contentions amongst Church-members taken timely are best purged appeased and reconciled Thirdly Them that are Judges of others in the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction are to be Counsellors to the offenders especially if they be ignorant persons not to daunt or surprize them or take quick advantages against them but as we ought to act in the Lords Name so to act in the Lords fear towards
rather Steward over He is likewise to set in order to discharge his place and Steward ship faithfully that he may have peace when he is called to dye To dispose and divide his wordly goods and earthly possessions timely and equally agreeable to the Righteous rules of Religion and the best principles of Equity and Reason both to Yoke-fellow and Posterity or for any other for whom he may be intrusted or obliged either to widdows or to fatherlerlesse and both towards God men to discharge a good conscience 4. To consider and ponder well to settle all things so straight and just between them that may prevent all future strife discord among them that none may justly say when he is gone he is the man that did or caused this or that wrong this being Religiously observ'd many injuries quarrells would be prevented and so peace and love may be preserved 5. If any one shall be like to depart this present life possest of this Worlds goods and hath no natural Heirs or near Relations let him not forget but remember to communicate to the poor Christians let them make the Deacons of the Churches their Overseers and the poor Saints their Executors Let all remember but such in a speciall manner Or else to bequeath his Wealth and Treasures to some pious and publick services in so doing they will honour their Profession and lay up for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Some may think I am out of the way in leaving the Churches and turning into Families and treating with particular persons Let them know I have been in the Churches service attending and instructing Church-members apart in their own houses and to instruct them in their Family-duties and Church-Orders Inciting them and exhorting them to prepare their Children and Servants for members to people the Churches 6. The true Order and right manner of the Execution of Church Government IUstice and Judgement are the substantial parts of Church government Justice is a great word and the action is a shoulder work Isai 9.7 and being in it's Execution carries a great commendation It advanceth Christs Honour promotes Truths Credit renowns Christs Churches It breaks Sathans designs promotes good Causes prevents and disturbs evill instruments and rejoyces Christs innocent servants In my further prosecution of this matter I would observe this following order 1. What Justice and Discipline is in it self 2. What or who are the offenders upon whom it is to be executed 3. What is to be understood and observed in it's prosecution 4. What priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation 5. What disorders are to be prevented corrected and removed 6. Some branches of Injustice and oppression to be avoided 7 How the Execution it self should be rightly performed First What Justice is it consists of these general parts an Offender an Executioner a Law and a penalty Justice in it's Execution is when a faithfull power shall inflict punishment upon a convicted Offender consonant to the true intent of the Law in that case provided and the Execution performed without delay or partiality 2. What are the Offenders and offences against whom Justice is to be executed First There are private faults and offences that are committed between Brother and Brother in which case the injured or offended brother is to tell his brother offending Mat. 15. of his fault betwixt them alone If he hear not take one or two more If he neglect to hear them tell it to the Church if he neglect to hear them then let the Church do their duty and purge themselves of iniquity For as a man will hasten to purge poyson out of his body corporal much more ought Christians to purge sin out of the body spiritual But if thy brother hears thee and repents of the evill heartily thou oughtest to forgive him freely fully and perpetually But if it shall happen that any two persons shall oppose each other Josh 7.18 in and about a matter and fault committed and have no other witnesse but themselves and there can be neither punctual nor circumstantial proof made to decide the controversie then doubtlesse 't is the Churches duty and liberty to make their humble appeal to the God of Heaven by casting lots Prov. 8.18 Prov. 16.13 Acts 1.26 and making serious supplications tohim that he would be pleased to order and dispose of the lot for their direction to shew which of those two was the guilty person and when the Lord hath discovered him let the Church do their duty that concerns them Concerning RESTITUTION IF an Offender do confesse his fault and promise an amendment let him make Restitution for that wrong he hath done Exod. 22.12 For as it is a great part of Justice so 't is a very necessary part of Repentance for it repayes a just recompence for injuries done and 't is a very great destruction to sin How can a man expect his sin should be pardoned Jud. 1.7 before the wrong he hath done be repaired or that be restored which he hath unjustly took and wrongfully detained Doubtlesse if a man injure his brother in body goods or good name he stands bound in Justice to make him reasonable Restitution and this is congruous with Gods righteous Law of Retaliation For oftimes Justice requits and inflicts punishment in the same Act in which a man hath sinned Mat. 7.2 This also concurs with the Law Christ hath given which saith In effect what measure a man measures to another in sin the same shall be measured to him in punishment back again Concerning Hereticks An Heretick after the first and second admonition reject or cast away because one corrupted person may corrupt the whole body Tit. 3.10 11. being one that is perverted or willingly turned aside from the Truth an Actor of Sexts or maintainer of a false belief and hath subverted or overthrown himself rejecting the true Religion and so becomes an instrument of his own condemnation Concerning dealing with publick Offenders Such as sin openly are to be rebuked publickly and the Church is to withdraw from every one that walks disorderly 1 Tim. 5.20 2 Thes 3.6.14 that he may be ashamed of his Iniquity and that every particular admonition and publick withdrawing may put others in fear and be as a general warning Now touching such sinners mentioned in the Fifth of the Corinthians There is some small distance between some faithfull Christians Whether such offenders there noted may be received into Communion if they be penitent some judging if they repent they may be received others judging although they do confesse their sin yet the Church ought to withdraw from them I confesse they plead reason on both sides One alledging thus That if that end be already accomplisht for which the Ordinance of Excommunication was appointed what need or reason is there the person should be excluded Others reply If the sinner be not speedily sentenced the Church will
all doubtless to provoke to duty and that we might have a childs part in the present mercy to escape the present severity to avoid the future misery and to preserve and conduct us to the haven of Eternity The Lords princely favours and acts of indempuity and compassion have been marvelously commended to us in his great patience long-suffering and forbearance of us yet preserving our priviledges enlarging our liberties augmenting our graces and that while others have fallen by calamities Nay have not many cause the whole term of their lives to remember how eminently they have been preserved from the sword pestilence and as brands pulled out of the fire It becomes us as obedient Children and concerns us as loyall Subjects to give ear and humbly submit to the Lords voice whether by mercies or threatnings warning or corrections Christian Reader we are admonished by this dispensation to hear the rod of correction Amos 3.6 and to consider who appoints it Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it 't is more than prophesied for many have already both known and felt what it is for a jealous God to come down out of his place and to shew his angry face in his hot displeasure For proof let the Citizens especially remember who live in the Metropolitan City whom I might call to witness if need did require to tell their experience of Gods late Method in the pestilence and fire and if we needed any further testimony to ask the Sea-men concerning the sword devouring in the Sea It doth therefore properly and more than ordinarily concern every Christian to be strict in attention and speedy in observation and study to learn what the Lord speaks to us in this present dispensation before the Lord pour out the remainder of his wrath upon the children of men For among whom is there such a reformation that might give us just ground to believe the righteous God will stay his hand of destroying only he is long-suffering surely to see what use will be made of the last Visitation Let us therefore study the point and state the question what sutable sacrifice we should prepare for and present to the God of Heaven that might be as fruit in its season from us and acceptably received and resented by him for certainly our trespasses are aggravated by not improving our mercies we have enjoyed Doubtless the abuse of mercies is the door that lets in all our miseries There is therefore nothing more incumbent upon us than thankfully to improve our blessings and remove far from us that which procures Gods displeasures and to prize our unexpected and undeserved favours and freedomes and sensibly to acknowledge our precious immunities and benefits in the use of them that we may never know their price and loss in the want of them for sins commited against benefits received and that in the midst of calamities which for season and circumstance are no less than miracles and wonders which being not prized thankfully we may expect severity to take place in the room of mercy For truly such have been the eminent appearances of God the nature number and measure of our priviledges who hath by his most admirable and remarkable acts of power and his more invisible and secret way of providence defended and secured his poor heritage not only when the multitude have stood for us but since they have turned their force against us So that he that turned aside as Moses may see a great sight to be admired to see as it were the Bush to burn and yet not consumed ingratitude for such experiences without doubt will return in great severities Let us therefore consult our knowledge and recollect our memories cast up accounts render unto the Lord his due in returning praises and chearfully acknowledge our debts and speedily pay our vows that we may be counted worthy to be the Lords Tenants that we may still hold our benefits and possess our priviledges For if in these things Christians are found in neglects and security they may expect to find the Lord in wrath and fury For the Lord hath made our famous City the beauty and glory of our Nation to be as a Beacon to alarm the Countrey and to give them warning He might have made us presidents of warning to others but 't is our priviledge to make others examples of warning to us Let not us he like some who cry out of certain persons sad accidents and complain of bad times and yet put the cause of all these things from themselves not pondering nor reflecting upon the matter that 't is our deserts we deserve no better There is no sort or sect of men the righteous God hath spared in this sad Visitation then which is the people that are to be exempted in the reformation Now that our mercy may not be turned into miseries and our chastisements into judgements Reader let it be the next question what the Lord requires in duty to be done the resolution may be taken out of that short Breviate of Micah the Prophet Mic. 6.9 the summe of which duty consists in justice mercy and humility for this is to bear the rod to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with God For indeed this is the work of our day and these are the weightier matters of Gods Law and as Ecclesiasticall Government and true discipline is a prime part of Religion so 't is a proper work to purge Christs Congregation and because our holy God hath a quick and strict eye upon his own people and his jealousie is hottest about the Altar Ark and Sanctuary witness the severity of his justice upon Nadah and Abihu Lev. 10.2 Corah Uzzah and Ely Also remember the state of the Church of the Corinthians which may be a Mapp and glass for Christians in these late times Numb 16.32 wherein we may discover our misdemeanours the nature of our calamities and a method for our remedies who suffered because the Church was not purged and because they presumed to be Communicants at the Lords Table and did not discern the Lords Body but came unworthily and kept their Communions irreverently and disorderly insomuch for this cause the Lord in flicts upon them weakness sickness 1 Cor. 11.30 and mortality So that it first and most concerns the Church of God to set afoot this materiall duty even the exercise of justice mercy and humility and impartially to judge our selves that we may not be judged of the Lord nor condemned with the world but hasten to put judgement into execution to cleanse our Camps purge our Tabernacles and Churches both from our own and other mens sins both Nationall Congregationall Family and Personall crimes for true Government hath this commendation by its execution it orders purges and establishes Christs Congregation Thus runs the duty of a Christian fervently to serve the Lord applying themselves to the time and occasion And further Christian Reader
the righteous God hath not only admonished us to do our duty but hath given us a method by his late example to proceed against iniquity 1. He counsells and instructs by many instruments much tenderness and oft entreaties 2. He doth admonish and wait to be gracious and that with long-suffering and much patience 3. He warns alarms by particular presidents of his anger sad accidents and threatens by fearfull sights and apparitions 4. If yet they reform not he sends as we see his rod and sword and cuts off many persons and makes great desolations Thus saith Micah the Prophet The Lord hath shewed thee O man what is good which being done with an eye to the present condition might prove a soveraign means to prevent or remove future tribulation But Christian Reader for my own part and partern I look at the example of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian-Congregation when he saw their disorder and impiety their affliction and calamity he magnifies his authority and discharges his duty observing the Lords own method after counsell and warning he seems to threaten with his rod and presses the Church to purge themselves by punishing evil doers and reforming their abuses And lest the Church should question their power and priviledge in the execution of judgement and justice he convinces them the Saints shall judge the world and Angels much more then those smaller matters and that they should judge upon life and death much more things that pertain to this present life And that he might put it out of all disputation he saith set them to judge in the Church who are of the least estimation and further he saith 't is a shame for Christians to go out of the Church to try their Causes so that I have both an occasion and a pattern to write thus to Christs Congregation That which is most called for is right discipline and that thing is the most of all wanting by which our Borders and Churches should be cleansed of all defilements and pollutions These things considered 1. May be forceable Arguments to induce Christians to exercise a more searching doctrine and to execute a more severe discipline and that in every place and Congregation 2. My observation of the Gospell-Churches Some are careless in matters of doctrine some faulty in cases of conversation but more generally remiss in the true order of Governing 3. Some looking upon Church-Government to be little less than tyranny and their submission to it little less than slavery 4. Others looking upon it as if it had no name being or place or as if it stood for no purpose and use 5. Because such neglects and generall omissions open a door to let in many disorders and divisions And because I do not remember that any Friend hath writ much upon this Subject before are the motives of my enlarging upon this Work I confess this Subject is too high and too worthy to be handled by one so unworthy and of so mean ability yet I would open a door to let some other in to view this Subject even to lend their help to supply my defects and make it more perfect even one that hath faith in the honesty of my intention and to cover my failings by a charitable construction And so I commit it to the use of Edification and also present it for the benefit of Christs Congregation A TREATISE Setting forth The Gospel's Honour AND The Churches Ornament IN all Nations Provinces and in every Society there are two principal Causes of Peace and common Prosperity where Superiours freely exercise right Government and Inferiours are truly subject and obedient Even when Vertue and well-doers are sutably praised and constantly protected and all Vice and evill-doers truly restrained and duly punished When the People are in reall submission to Authority and the Rulers in humble submission to the Power of those Laws they ought to rule by Even when Government is prosecuted without knowing of Faces and Justice executed without regard to Causes or respects of Persons And as the most High and Mighty God is the Worlds Creator so Government is his Royall Act and Excellent Creature and for it's Eminency 't is as antient as the World for Antiquity For when the Lord had devided the Darkness from the Light He made the Sun to rule by Day and the Moon by Night So when the Most Gracious Lord hath called and devided the Children of Light from the Children of this World and Translated them out of the Kingdome of Darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son and so they become his Spiritual Subjects and He their Immortal King Thus am I directed into my way and cast upon my designed Subject which is my reall Purpose and resolved Intent even to treat touching Christ's Princely Authority and Ecclesiastical Government which I call The Gospel's Honour and The Churches Ornament And for my better prosecution of this Matter I will observe this following Method and Order 1. To shew the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government 2. The Definition The several Parts and particular Acts of it 3. The several Reasons for it and great Necessity of it 4. Declaring the Use and great Benefit that comes by it 5. Some Rules tendred directing how to Effect and Accomplish it 6. The true Order and right Manner of the Execution of it 7. And Lastly Some Directions given how to uphold and support it 1. Of the First Touching the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government THe Excellency Antiquity and Dignity of all Power and Authority conferred upon the Gospel-Church descends from the Christ of God who is the Original Author and from whom it receives it's prime Honour We may say in this case as 't is said by the Wise Man For what can the man do that cometh after the King Even that which hath been already done who now under the New Testament is the only Law-giver and chief Establisher of Ecclesiastical Government all Power in Heaven and Earth is given him and all Justice and Judgement is committed to him and all subordinate Power is derived from him His Personal Excellencies and Princely Vertues are not to be compared but admired I have not words to expresse his Royall Majesty and to set forth his Excellent Glory He is exalted far above all Principalities and far surpasseth all Names and Dignities for the God-Head dwels in him bodily and he is more than worthy of all Duty and Glory His Love unparalel'd his Wisdome matchless his Power boundlesse his Justice unquestionable his Innocency admirable his Treasures inestimable his Fidelity inexpressable Imanuel God with us and who is Exalted above and triumphs over all his Enemies The most High and Mighty Prince upon whom he fals he grinds to powder and crushes his Adversaries by his Power and breaks them in pieces like Potters vessels who acted so eminently for the Glory of the Creator and so happily for the happinesse of the Creature that Divine Justice might be compleatly
be avoided and Shipwrack prevented all Pirats defeated and the Ship and her Treasure secured This also adds and confirms that the weighty Concerns of a Church had need to be well Manned and to have skilfull men appointed and to have all things well ordered and governed having all means of safety that can be had and all Instrumental helps that may be afforded 7. That a Congregation of Christians may be compared to so many Patients Jer. 8.21 22. who are always liable to spiritual diseases to be taken with several Distempers and to fal into divers Temptations Heb. 12.12 13. sometimes into desperate Consumptive diseases either Luke-warmnesse Coldness Remisness Unfruitfulness or unthankfulness and the like and are also subject to be infected with the Contagious Plague of sin and to be corrupted with the leaven of unsound Doctrine Now Christ's Ministers are or ought to be like good Physitians First to know the Nature of the Patient's distemper then sort and prepare the Medicines and so apply the means with respect to the Tempers Capacities and Conditions of the Patients and to give sutable Receits for all Diseases for preventing curing to give Potions and Cordials for Purging Preserving and Comforting them and for want of Skilfulness and Faithfulnesse in Soul-Physitians so many poor Christian Patients fall into dangerous Relapses and spirituall Consumptions and for want of good Discipline and carefull Governours so many Societies run into such sad Divisions and great Disorders Thus I have offered these several particulars in Argument to manifest the Reasons for and the Necessity of Church Government 4. The good use and great benefit that comes by Right Government 1. IT is or ought to be the First and Prime Design of every Christian Professor to contrive and consult the advancement of Christs Honour which way Mat. 6.33 Col. 1.18 and by what means they may best and most exalt the Dignity and hold forth the Excellency of his Name and by what Instrumental helps they may Principally Represent his Princely Fame in other Duties we perform to him but in Matters of Government and Discipline we more properly Act for him Represent him and help him and bring home the most Praise and Glory to him For we can in nothing more promote his Honour then in the true execution of Government among such as professe the Gospell It returns the Lord increase of Glory and renders him his own with Usury It encourages and praises Well-doers to be more Zealous and Fruitfull in their Actual Obedience and it punishes Evill-doers and so the Lord reaps the Honour of his Justice and by this way and means the Lord will receive his Honour from all Persons Actually by the godly Professor and Passively by evill Transgressor And this is to rule for God being always consonant to the Rule and Circumstance of his Word 2. As the true Exercise of Ecclesiastical Government is Christ's advancement so 't is The Gospels Honour Tit. 2.10 1 Pet. 3.45 the Churches Ornament It requires all Persons to their duties in their several and respective places and admonishes all Christians to a more Orderly Reverent and Serious Deportment in Gods holy Worship and Service It sets all things in their right places and puts all things to their proper uses to be done Decently and in Order according to the true manner and direct Methods of Matter Form and Circumstance required in Gods Service and things thus performed in Christs Congregation promotes the Truths Credit and the Believers Reputation and having their own true form they carry a Beauty with them and like the order in Solomon's House it will invite strangers to see it and affect such as behold it One Argument is why many inquiring souls stand off at such distances Because they see no affecting beauty in Christs Churches 3. As Right Government casts out Disorders and disorderly walkers so it rejoyceth godly Professors Col. 2.5 and preserves Believers Rights and Priviledges and ministers just ground of joy more especially to such as labour in the Ministry to behold the peoples order and fidelity and as a grave and holy life credits the Christian Profession so true Discipline honours the Gospel-Doctrine and the constant Exercise thereof is of such eminent tendency that good people rejoyce when Just men are in Authority Pro. 29.2 For a Rulers Insufficiency proves the Nocents Incouragement and the Innocents calamity For St. Paul reckons himself Renowned in the Churches stedfast and orderly walkings he rejoyces to behold it in the Collossians and takes occasion to commend it and to praise them for it and counts it his Joy Honour and Crown 4. Order and Right Governing stands in direct opposition to all disorder and confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 'T is like Light opposed to Darknesse Strength opposed to Weakness Beauty opposed to Deformity It reforms Disorders and orders Duties It exalts any People and establishes Churches and stands as it were always furnisht and ready armed against the body of Sin and the deeds of the Old man even the destructive enemy that would disturb the Saints peace and inslave their souls in misery It 's natural to Justice to oppose and suppress Impiety 1 Cor. 5.7 and 't is it's proper work to praise Godlinesse and disperse iniquity It cleanses Tabernacles it purges Congregations preserves Priviledges removes Reproaches it justifies the Innocent it condemns the Guilty it corrects the Offender and punishes the Oppressor relieves the Distressed and sets free the oppressed and is a soveraign Remedy to acquit our selves of other mens Iniquity 5. As the exercise of Government is destructive to iniquity and impurity 1 Cor. 5.5 so it is a Protection to Godlinesse and Piety It gives opportunity and liberty for the free exercise of Gifts and Graces and the improvement of spiritual Abilities 1 Cor. 14.31 and maintains a constant Entercourse of Heavenly Traffick Commerce within the Borders of their Dominion 1 Pet. 4.10 to the intent things may thrive and flourish within the Holy Nation Government is a defence to tender Plants in Christs Congregation It gives countenance and a guarding presence to the Seeds and Roots of Grace and Piety and gives protection to the increase of godlinesse and defence and security to the growth of Christianity Therefore the Lord hath honored his Ministers with some of his own Appellations that they should imitate and honour him in their several Offices and respective places that they should endeavour under him to preserve his People in all their freedomes and liberties and to demean themselves in his absence with all tenderness and kindnesse to the least of his Servants Not quenching the smoaking Flax nor breaking the bruised Reed but cherishing and nourishing the Babes in Christ giving a Guard to every weak faith being alwayes free to direct them and a ready assistance in all matters of Faith and Conscience 6. I say 't is weighty upon the Churches Concernment to maintain good Order
Government to order establish and govern the Lords own People and Congregation and to be found in the Faithfull discharge of their great duty of exercising Justice Mercy and Humility and to adorn the Churches with Just and Righteous Proceedings That the Lords Name may be honoured the Church rightly governed the Truth renowned that the fame of true Order may be more Proclaimed and further spread that Strangers to it may be invited Well-wishers may be engaged Enemies may be prevented and the Lords Faithfull Servants may ever be encouraged and resolved 7. By Exclusion according to the Rule of Purging putting out cutting off or Excommunication Not always bearing for bearing such as are common and impenitent Trespassers 1 Cor. 5.13 Gal. 5.12 after prayers made and other Christian means Religiously and indifferently used and improved and a considerable time and space hath been waited and delayed and yet all Counsells and Reproofs are refused and rejected Then to proceed gradually according to the Rule in that case provided and to see that Discipline be rightly performed and Justice duly executed without knowing of Faces or regarding Causes For sin is infectious and a disease very dangerous and contagious If humane Wisedome teacheth us to separate our selves from infected bodies places and garments for the safety of the outward man much more doth spiritual discretion admonish us and bespeak us to separate our selves from spirituall corruptions and to exclude from us corrupted professors defiled polluted impenitent Persons which so nearly relate to Soul matters and so muchrespects Immortal things For a little Leaven Jos 7.11 leaveneth the whole lump The whole Camp of Israel stand charged for one Achan and the Church of Corinth for one Incestuous person Cor. 5.2 Though Justice be shoulder-work and a hard duty yet 't is better cut off a member then destroy the body Let all such proceeding be attended with the face of Authority the garments of Humility and with arms of Mercy with Patience and Compassion designing to save the sinner by endeavouring to destroy his transgression So let the Church purge themselves of their own and other mens sins by calling offendors into question and putting Christ's laws into execution Thus I have tendred my judgement in order to obtain Right Government Concerning Christians as they stand related to civil Magistrates NOw no man can be a good Governour unlesse he first knows the place and service of an Inferiour 'T is therefore needfull for us to know our standing and relation and what 's required of us in respect of subjection as we are men and members of a Nation and to be truly informed how we become concerned in duty as we are placed in a politick body We are taught by the holy Scriptures to know that there is no power but of God Rom. 13.12.3 4 5. and whosoever resists the power resists the Ordinance of God From thence we are instructed what the Magistrates Office is even to punish evill doers and to be a praise to them that do well So also by the authority of the same Scriptures and holy writings we are commanded and injoyned to be subject to civill powers in civill things and that under the penalty of condign punishments not only for wrath but for conscience sake and we ought to obey not for fear of vengeance but because of a good conscience 'T is also matter of conscience to obey good and profitable laws wherein our submission may tend to the civill peace of our Country and Nation Mat. 22.21 and to give to Caesar that which is Caesars and to God that which is Gods 'T is therefore our burthen to hear our selves misreported as if we were no well wishers to National Government when as we look upon good Governours and good Government to be as great an external Priviledge and Blessing as any other in the World and whereas the Lord knows we look upon our selves directed by the holy Scriptures and obliged by Gospel Rules to be in subjection to the higher Powers 1 Pet. 2.13 to obey Magistrates and to submit our selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake in the sence aforesaid and not to revile them or speak evill of them or to imagine evill in our hearts against them For there is a tongue heart-murderer as well as an eye and heart-Adulterer but to study to know our Places Duties as we are Inferiours 1 Tim. 2.11 and therein to discharge our consciences as we are Christians even to yield submission to them and to pray for them that we may lead a peaceable and godly life under them believing there ought to be Civil Magistrates in all Nations and always rendring unto our Governours their due in tribute and alwayes reserving and rendring unto God his due in worship Concerning some Rules that respect and relate to Christian Families THe Rules which I have already tendered and freely offered to Christ's Congregation may be usefull in every Family and to every Christian which method is by Election Direction Correction Protection Supplication Exclusion and Execution And because I will take in that which may be a good Second and a special Assistant to this prime part of Religion even Ecclesiasticall Government I will humbly tender the aforesaid Rules to believing Families but especially to the Heads and Overseers to look upon their several Obligations Gen. 3.16 that respect their several duties and respective places For when the Lord had created Man and Woman he was pleased to appoint Order and Government betwixt them I would therefore urge the Argument of the Prophet Isaiah Set thy House in order because of Mortality Isa 38.1 that ye may be prepared when ye are called to dye 1. By Election In making choise and placing your affections upon Vertuous and Religious Yoak-fellows in the Conjugall bond of Wives and Husbands That may be suitable and meet helps not only in respect of the concerns of the World but more especially in the matters of God for such are the best helps that are helps in the best things Num. 36.6 1 Cor. 7.39 Let them therefore that are or may be in that capacity first look for Piety Gravity and Fidelity for such bring good portions and great blessings with them into a Family I could be severe against some Professors who offend in this case and give such great offences to others who for Worldly Interest run into such unequal and unmeet Marriages and others that rather covet to be equal or above in respect of Temporal portion than to be united in one in matters of Faith and Religion Let Masters make choise of such Servants as truly fear the Lord Ps 101.6 for how should a man expect Gods Service should be promoted and good order observed when a man shall take such persons into his Family as are strangers to the Rule of Truth and Verity 2. By Direction By instructing and directing them in the knowledge of the way and
and fervent prayer of a Righteous man availeth much being mixed with Faith obtaineth Vertue and Power from God to assist and us to order and govern our selves according to his Word Isa 5.16 and that he would be graciously pleased to enable and quicken us to our duties to teach us to number our days to improve us by his Spirit supply us with his grace relieve us by his power protect us by his providence to furnish us with Might in the Inner-man to know our selves to rule our own houses to command our own spirits that we may be patterns of Order and Government to other believers and that he would be intreated to learn us spiritual Art and holy Skill to defend and secure our selves our souls and Soul-Treasures against all the wiles and policies of our grand enemies that having the Rule over our own spirit we may be as him that hath taken a City and obtained the Conquest over the great Adversary and so by Gods grace we may be safely conducted through all Combats and Temptations and at last received into Everlasting Mansions 6. By Exclusion To exclude all false Counsels foolish conceits and vain imaginations from the heart Ephes 4.31 22. and to banish all lurking lusts and absurd pretences from the Court of the Inner-man But in order to the Executing and Effecting this good Work let every soul apart call and keep a private and particular Court within the limits of his own personal dominion and let this judgement be holden as Gods spirit hath given Charge and Commission and so to exercise the power of a just and righteous government and to bring every word and action into judgement and because the heart is deceitfull and will oft-times disguise it self and evade the truth and is full of windings and turnings Pro. 19.21 and false pleadings Let every one take an exact and legall way of tryall and a strict and formal way of Judgement and so proceed to Examination Probation Pro. 28.26 Condemnation and Execution and let all be done according to Law and Truth For a man may do Injustice upon himself Let Conscience sit as Judge for Conscience will side with the Lord and judge for God and for the souls good Let the pure Law of God conteined in his Word be the Rule to proceed by let the knowing and understanding part be the witnesses to give in the testimony to every action and against every Circumstance of evill doing let all the faculties of Soul and body be as Jurors and call in every miscariage to make up the clearnesse of the Evidence which is the ground and guide of Justice Let the Law and the Offence be equally compared and neither bosome nor secret sins be respected that the Old man with his deeds may be cast and condemned and the body of sin executed and destroyed and buried in the grave of Oblivion never to have any more Resurrection Either to disquiet our peace here or to evidence against us hereafter knowing the terrour of the Lord moves me to be earnest to perswade 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged of the Lord neither condemned with the World Let us therefore beware and sin no more for behold the great Judge stands before the door 7. By Execution To put personal Discipline into due Execution without which all is nothing for practice is the life of the Law for if the practick part be neglected the blessing will not be obtained and that because the condition is unperformed Let all persons learn to command and rule themselves and especially Superiours who should command and rule others For if a man knows not how to command himself how should he command Inferiours and as the Apostle speaks If a man knows not how to rule his own house how should he take care of the Church of God According to the old saying If every man would rightly order and govern one 't is the ready way to reform the whole Congregation I hope the words I have written touching personal Regulation will not be thought so Impertinent but that they being timely applyed sutably improved may tend to the furthering and establishing a Righteous Government And as I have been speaking of some particulars touching the governing a mans life so I would adde a few words by way of Remembrance what is to be set in order at or before a mans death I will ground my speech upon the words of the Prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah Isai 38.1 who was commanded to set his House in order because he should not live but dye we being all under the sentence of Mortality become concerned to set our houses in order speedily Doubtlesse as Hezekiah was a King he was under a great care to set and leave things in order within his dominion and as he was head of a Family to set things in order within his Family-Jurisdiction and as he was a servant and child of God to set his accounts in order according to his Will and Word so is every Christian concerned within the compasse of his place and power as he may have the charge of a Congregation or the charge of a Family and the charge of his own soul to discharge our trust and do our duty and so set our house in order before we dye Hezekiah's pattern is a good precedent for every mans direction to prepare our reckoning to form and present our accounts Mark well what he saith in Verse the third Isa 38.3 in giving up his Accounts to the Lord saying 1. I have walked before thee in truth 2. And have done that with a perfect heart Thirdly And that which is good in thy sight This is but a brief and short breviate but it contains an excellent and full account 1. I have not talked but I have walked not before others but before thee not in Error but in Truth 2. Not in shew but in heart not with a double and impure heart but with a upright and perfect heart 3. He doth not say he would and will do but I have done not that which is vain but that which is good not in the sight of men but in the sight of God To be short let these words be laid to heart For God is exact and will view every mans Account 2 Cor. 5.10 for we must all appear at the Judgement Seat See that ye have prepared a good account to present in the day of Accounts 2. As every Christian is to set things in order to account with God Rom. 14.12 so he is to leave behind him some examples of Piety to the World that his orderly life zeal for godlinesse and his acts of charity when he is no more may perfume his memory and be like Abels Sacrifice to speak after he dyes and may be worthy of Imication to Church-family and Neighbour-hood Nation 3. As touching temporal substance that the Lord hath made a man Master of or
maintained and the poor relieved The Lord is pleased to define the sin and calls it robbery and injustice he repayes the evill with a curse of penury And as all Scripture is recorded for our learning and instruction so these presidents of miscarriages and punishments are become our premonitions and warnings that by preventing the sins we may clearly escape the punishments Thus much be spoken touching the Caution and Admonition Lastly A word of Encouragement and so I have done I am of St. Peters perswasion to put you in remembrance of these things although ye know them and be established in them but to observe the speciall notice the Lord takes and countenance he manifests to such as are just and righteous as Noah Lot and Phineas Caleb Joshua and many others who for their integrity fidelity and singularity are blest with speciall security that while others fall under judgement and misery as a demonstration the Lord records their names commends their actions secures their persons and comprehends in the blessing their posterities and families The Prophet Jeremiah speaking in commendations of Josiah King of Judah said thus of him Jer. 22.15 16. that he did execute judgement and justice and then it was well with him this is rightly to know God Was not this to know me saith the Lord. These that were men of justice and faithfulness the Lord counts it unto them for righteousness John the Baptist was a righteous man and faithfull and just in reproving sin and so obtained this commendation to be called a just and holy man Also the Lord was pleased greatly to honour Abraham in making him privy to his design of justice upon Sodom and admits him to parle touching their destruction the Lord gives this character of him that he will command his children and his houshold after him Gen. 18.19 and like a man of government to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement The Lord doth so highly account and so much delight in truth and judgement that if there were but one man found in the City Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 to seek for it and in the execution of it notwithstanding a wicked City he would pardon it The Lord takes such pleasure in justice that he prefers it above other sacrifice for it is the habitation of his holiness Finally The benefits that attend such as give Christs servants their due encouragements If I may take leave once again to look back into the Old Testament Mapp recorded in the Prophesie of Malaechy I will shew you a three-fold blessing that attends this duty 1. The Lord invites and tempts them to do their duty 2. He is pleased to promise upon doing their duty he will pour out blessings and that abundantly for their sakes 3. He will remove the curse stop the destroyer reprove the consumer and rebuke the devourer 4. The Lord will so raise their fame and commendations that they shall be called a blessed people and that by all Nations In my making use of Old Testament Scriptures 't is not to make it our rule but to make use of their concurrences and assistances for they may in some measure help us as mapps and glasses to discover our duties and to see our dangers For as in the Gospell dayes duties are more richly and rarely blessed so new testaments neglects Heb. 10.28 29. and contempts are more sorely and dreadfully punisht Thus I have as it were set some Land-marks to guide you in the way to felicity and also discovered some Sea-marks to avoid the rocks of misery and having thus born my testimony I commend you all to God and wish you eternall mansions of glory FINIS POSTSCRIPT NOw if any Brother or Well-wisher shall conscientiously doubt or be dis-satisfied touching any particular Point contained in this Treatise because of my speaking to many things in a little room And if he or they shall be serious in so doing and will be-friend me so far and do me that courtesie to send to me before they condemn me and let me know their scruples in a few words of writing I shall look upon my self obliged both in affection and reason to endeavour to give them full satisfaction FINIS A Table of the principall Matters contained in this Book CHAP. I. THe Causes of peace and prosperity in the Churches of Jesus Christ page 1 2. The antiquity and dignity of Church-Government p. 3. The personall and princely Excellencies in Christ as the head of his Church p. 6. Chap. 2. Shewing the definition of Church-Government in New Testament dayes viz. in not inflicting bodily punishment upon offenders but spiritually executing Laws without knowing faces respecting persons wresting causes either for favour or prejudice to any persons p. 9. A true Ministers most speciall work and duty to the flock under all circumstances laid down p. 11 12. Chap. 3. Shewing the necessity of and reasons for Church-Governours and Governments p. 12 13. Chap. 4. Shewing the good use and great benefit that comes by right Government p. 19. Right Government is destructive to iniquity and a protection to piety p. 22 23. Chap. 5. Rules tendred to accomplish a right Government and the manner how to choose their Officers p. 26. 27. The work of the Officers when chosen p. 28 29 30. Chap. 6. Shewing the duty of Christians as they stand related to civill Magistrates requiring civill subjection not only for wrath but for conscience sake p. 38. Chap. 7. Treating of Family duties Superiours to Inferiours and Inferiours to Superiours with Directions to a religious choice in Yoke-fellows p. 40 41 c. Chap. 8. Treating particularly of Family duties p. 51. Chap. 9. Treating of private and personall Government p. 56. Cautions not to grieve Gods Spirit nor offend Conscience p. 61. Rules for the heart mouth eyes and ears p. 65 c. Chap. 10. Shewing the true order and right manner of executing Church-Government in seven Rules p. 73 74. Chap. 11. Treating of restitution to be made by an offender p. 76. Concerning dealing with Hereticks and other offenders p. 77 78. Chap. 12. Rules of Discipline how to treat an offender in orderlyest wayes how to restore him p. 80. Rules of better observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath p. 83. Rules for Admonition of penitent persons after Excommunication p. 87. Chap. 13. Shewing what Priviledges are to be maintained to Officers and Members in Christs Congregation p. 88 c. Chap. 14. Shewing what Disorders ought to be prevented corrected or removed p. 95. Rules how the offended ought to treat the offending Brother p. 97 c. Seven Descriptions of the nature of the Devil the Churches adversary by his names p. 102. Chap. 15. Shewing what Branches of injustice and oppression are to be avoided in the punishment of sin p. 103. Chap. 16. Shewing the true order and the execution of Discipline and Justice p. 105. Rules to set out the ugly nature of sin in its aggravations to the thorow humbling the offender p. 109. Usefull Directions for the promoting and preserving unity and peace in the Churches of Christ p. 112 113 c. Chap. 17. Giving Directions how to uphold and preserve Church-Government p. 115 c. Chap. 18. Shewing the duty of particular Elders over particular Churches p. 119. to 124. Chap. 19. Shewing the Office and Duty of Deacons in Christs Congregations p. 124. to 129. Chap. 20. Shewing the Duty of Church-members to their Officers p. 129 130 c. A Duty incumbent and of high concern for Churches to present humble frequent and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospell-Governours that they may rule for God in justice and righteousness and for the encrease of faithfull Labourers in his harvest p. 132 to 135. Chap. 21. Shewing what God hath ordained respecting his Ministers Maintenance p. 135 136 c. The Necessity of making carefull and sutable provision for the Ministry with the sad effects that accompany the contrary p. 139 140 c. Encouragements to this work shewing the advantages that attend the due performance of it p. 143 144 c. Counsell to forwardness in assisting the Ministry with our worldly possessions Also a Caution against Covetonsness describing what it is p. 145 146. Objections against this needfull work answered p. 148. A generall resolution in all difficult and doubtfull Cases p. 149. The dreadfull consequences in Minister and People to do the work of the Lord negligently with comfortable Encouragements to constant diligence p. 150 151 152 c.