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A53689 Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Syon. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.; Eschol. Owen, John, 1616-1683. 1648 (1648) Wing O746; ESTC R214583 29,667 144

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this rule the maine whereof and here cheifly intended is that of Admonition whereunto the first is previous and conducing the latter in some cases consequent and attending Christians conversation whether you consider the glory of God and the Gospel therein concerned or the bonds of relation with those mutnall endearments wherein they stand ingaged and obligations that are upon them for the generall good and spirituall edification one of another ought to be watched marked and considered by each other not that we should curiously prie into one anothers failings much lesse maliciously search into doubtfull unknown things for the trouble or disparagement of our brethren both which are contrary to that love which thinketh not evill but covereth a multitude of faults but only out of a sense of the glory of God the honour of the Gospel and care of each others soules to observe their walking that what is exemplary therein may be followed what faileth may be directed what is a misse may be reproved that in all things God may be glorified and Christ exalted Now admonition is two-fold 1. Authoritative by the way of power 2. Fraternal by the way of love The 1. again is two-fold 1. Doctrinall by the way of teaching 2. Disciplinary which belongeth to the whole Church Of these we do not treat The latter also is two-fold Hortatory to encourage unto good and Monitory to reprove that which is amisse It is this last which is peculiarly aimed at and intended in the rule This then we assert as the duty of every Church-member towards them with whom he walks in fellowship to admonish any from the Word whom they perceive not walking in any thing with a right foot as becommeth the Gospel thereby to recover his soule to the right way that much caution and wisdome tendernesse and moderation is required in the persons performing this duty for want whereof it often degenerates from a peaceable remedy of evill into fuell for strife and debate Let them then who are called to perform this duty diligently consider these things 1. That in the whole action he transgresse not that rule of charity which we have 1 Cor. 13. 7. Gal. 6. 2. 2. Let him have peace at home by an assurance of constant labouring to cast out all beams and moates from his own eye Mat. 7. 5. 3. Let him so perform it that it may evidently appear that he hath no other aime but the glory of God and the good of his brother reproved all envy and rejoycing in evill being farr away 4. Let him be sure to draw his admonitions from the Word that the authority of God may appear therein and without a Word let him not presume to speak 5. Let all circumstances attending time place persons the like be duly weighed that all provocation in the least manner may be fully avoided 6. Let it be considered as an ordinance whereunto Christ hath an especiall regard 7. Let him carefully distinguish between personall injuries unto himselfe whose mention must have farr more of forgivenesse then reproof and other offences tending to publick scandall Lastly Let self-examination concerning the same or the like miscarriage alwaies accompany the brotherly admonition These and the like things being duly weighed let every brother with Christian courage admonish from the Word every one whom he judgeth to walk disorderly in any particular whatsoever not to suffer sin upon him being ready to receive content and satisfaction upon just defence or promised amendment and without this in case of just offence a man cannot be freed from the guilt of other mens sins Let also the person admonished with all Christian patience accept of the admonition without any more regret of spirit then he would have against him who should break the weapon wherwith he was in danger to be slain Considering 1. The authoritie of him who hath appointed it 2. The priviledg and mercy he enjoyeth by such a spirituall prevention of such a danger or cur of such an evill which perhaps himself did not discern 3. The dreadfull judgements which are every where threatned to dispisers of reproofs Prov. 29 ● and so thankfully accept just admonition from the meanest in the Congregation For the last or repairing unto the Church in case of not prevailing by private admonition our Saviour hath so plainly laid down both the manner and end of proceeding in Matth. 18. that it needeth no explanation only I shall observe that by Church there ver. 17. cannot be understood the Elders of the Church alone but rather the whole Congregation for if the offended brother should take with him two or three of the Elders unto the offender as he may then were they the Church and the Church should be told of the offence before the reproof hath been managed by two or three which is contrary to the rule RULE XV EXemplary walking in all holinesse and godlinesse of conversation to the glory of the Gospel edification of the Church and conviction of them which are without Psal. 24. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord or who shal stand in his holy place He that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soule unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heaven ver. 20. For I say unto you except your righteousnesse shall exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdome of heaven Matth. 21. 19. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way he came to it and found nothing thereon but leaves only and said unto it let no fruit grow on thee hence forward for ever c. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God 2 Tim. 2. 19. And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Tit. 2. 11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodlynesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world ver. 14. Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Ephes. 4. 21 22 23. If so be that ye have heard him and have beene taugt him as the truth is in Jesus That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives While they behold your chast conversation coupled with feare Heb. 12. 14. Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord Ephes. 5. 15 16. See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise Redeeming the time because the dayes are evill 2 Sam. 12. 14. Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child also that is borne unto thee shall surely die EXPLIC. XV HOliness becometh the house of the Lord for ever without it none shall see God Christ died to wash his Church to present it before his Father without spot or blemish to purchase unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works It is the Kingdome of God within us and by which it appeareth unto all that we are the Children of the Kingdome Let this then this be the great discriminating of the Church from the world that they are a holy humble self-denying people Our Master is holy his Doctrine and Worship holy Let us strive that our hearts may also be holy This is our wisedome towards them that are without whereby they may be gained or convinced this is the meanes whereby we build up one another most effectually Examples are a sharper way of instruction then Precepts Loose walking causing the Name of God to be blaspemed the little ones of Christ to be offended and his enemies to rejoyce is attended with most dreadfull woe● bo●h that all who are called to an holy profession and do enjoy holy Ordinances did shine also in holynesse of conversation that those who accuse them as evill doers might have their mouths stopt and their hearts fil'd with shame to the glory of the Gospel To this generall head belongeth that wise walking in all patience meeknesse and long-suffering towards those that are without untill they evidently appear to be fighters against God when they are to be prayed for Hither also might be referred the patience of the Saints in all tribulations sufferings and persecutions for the Name of Christ Motives for the exercise of universall holinesse in acts internall and externall private and publick personall and of all relations are 1. The utter unsufficiency of the most precious Ordinances for any communion with God without it 2. The miserable issue of deceived soules with their barren emptie fruitlesse Faith 3. The glory of the Gospel when the power thereof hath an evident impression on the hearts thoughts words actions and lives of Professors 4. Scandall of the Gospel the advantage of its adversaries the shame of the Church and fierce wrath of God following the unsuteable walking of the professors 5. The sweet reward which the practice of holyness bringeth along with it even in this life with that eternall weight of glory whereunto it leadeth hereafter unto which the holy Son of God bring us all through the sprinkling of his most holy bloud And these are some of those Rules whose practice is required from the persons and adorneth the profession of those who have obtained this grace to walk together in Fellowship according to the Rule of the Gospel Towards others also ought they with severall limitations and in the full latitude towards the Brethren of the Congregations in commrnion with them FINIS Touching these cases see my Treatise of the Duty of Pastor and people distinguished
we enjoy a man will not contend unless he knows his title 2. An estimation of al the aspersions cast on and injuries done to the Church to be Christs and also our own Christ wounded through the sides of his servants and his wayes and if we are of his though the blow light not immediately on us we are not without pain all such reproaches and rebukes fall on us 3. Just vindication of the Church against calumnies and false imputations who can endure to hear his parents in the flesh falsly traduced And shall we be senseless of her reproaches who bears us unto Christ 4. Joynt refusall of subjection with all Gospel-opposition to any persons or things who contrary to or besides the word under what name soever do labour for power over the Church to the abridging of it of any of those liberties and priviledges which it claimeth as part of the purchase of Christ to them that would enthrall us we are not to give place no not for an houre RULE IV. SEdulous care and endeavouring for the preservation of Unity both in particular and in generall Philip 2 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies ver. 2. Fulfill ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind vers. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem others better then themselves Ephes. 4. 3. Indeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace vers. 4. There is one body and one spirit c. 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement 2 Cor. 13. 11. Be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with 〈◊〉 Rom. 14. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edifie another Rom. 15. 5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another c. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Is it so that there is not a wise man amongst you no not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren but brother goeth to law with brother Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you Acts 4. 32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soule EXPLIC. IV. VNnion is the main aime and most proper fruite of love neither is there any thing or duty of the Saints in the Gospel pressed with more earnestnesse and vehemency of exhortation then this Now Vnity is three-fold First purely spirituall by the participation of the same Spirit of Grace Communication in the same Christ one head to all This we have with all the Saints in the world in what condition soever they be yea with those that are departed Sitting down in the Kingdome of Heaven with Abraham Isaac and Jacob Secondly Ecclesiastical or Church-communion in the participation of Ordinances according to the order of the Gospel This is a fruit and branch of the former opposed to Schisme Divisions Rents evill surmisings self-practises causlesse differences in judgment in spirituall things concerning the Kingdome of Christ with whatsoever else goeth off from closenesse of affection onenesse of mind consent in judgement to the forme of wholesome words conformity of practise to the Rule and this is that which in the Churches and among them is so earnestly pressed commanded desired as the glory of Christ the honour of the Gospel the joy and Crown of the Saints Thirdly Civil Unity or an agreement in things of this life not contending with them nor about them every one seeking the wellfare of each other Striving is unseemly for Brethren why should they contend about the world who shall joyntly judge the world Motives to the preservation of both these are 1. The remarkable earnestnesse of Christ and his Apostles in their prayers for and precepts of this duty 2. The certain dishonour to the Lord Jesus scandall to the Gospel 〈…〉 he to the Churches shame and sorrow to the Saints that the neglect of it is accompanied withall Gal. ● 15. 3. The gracious issues and sweet heavenly consolation which attendeth a right observance of them 4. The many fearefull aggravations wherewith the sin of renting the Body of Christ is attended 5. The sad contempt and prophanation of Ordinances which want of this hath brought upon many Churches For a right performance of this duty we must 1. Labour by Prayer and Faith to have our hearts and spirits throughly seasoned with that affectionate love which our first Rule requireth 2. Carefully to observe in our selves or others the first beginnings of strife which are as the letting out of waters and if not prevented will make a breach like the Sea 3. Sedulously to apply our selves to the removall of the first appearance of divisions and in case of not prevailing to consult the Church 4. Dayly to strike at the root of all dissention by labouring for Universall conformity to Jesus Christ V. RULE SEparation and sequestration from the world and men of the world with alwayes of false worship untill we be apparently a people dwelling alone not wicked among the Nations Numb 23. 9. Loe the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations John 15. 19. Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness ver. 15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Tēple of the living God v. 17. Wherefore come out from among them saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you ver. 19. and will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almightie Eph. 5. 8. Walk as children of light v. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darknesse 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a forme of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away Hosea 4. 15. Though thou Israel play the harlot yet let not Judah offend and come not ye to Gilgal ueither go ye up to Beth-aven Revel. 18. 4. Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye partake not of her plagues Prov. 14. 7. Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge EXPLIC. V. SEparation generally heares ill in the world