art subject to wandrings now and may be runnest in a full career without stop or stay warning or check besides you have not here without in your Parishes the benefit of many ordinances as exercising of gifts prophesying one by one and frequent communication and conference in the things of God Mal. 3.16 And such-like pretious benefits as are in this Church-way to be had at large for your edification 4. And lastly it is just with the Lord to leave thee to thy lusts to swear in his wrath thou shalt never enter into his rest never to make one motion more at thy soul by his spirit to enter into this way or once to encline thine heart thereunto If now now I say after so many clear calls thou doest resist the Holy Ghost Wherefore as Heb. 3 10 11 12 13. harden not your hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to dry up or wither do not snib or nip off those buds or blast those blooms which are in you and like to set so fair for fruit nor by the hardness of your hearts and unkindness and cruelties to the conceptions of Christ within you do not dry up those sweet sappy motions which are made in your heart by his spirit if you do you will prove but a barren branch a withered sear stick to be cut up for the fire John 15.16 Heb. 6.8 they are nigh the curse that do so in the deceitfulness of sin i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex à privat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drawn out of the way of Christ by some fallacy or other who ever refuseth this way of Christ runs a desperater hazard then he is aware off wherefore then let him take heed take heed And let Ministers so called look about them too and beware for a greater alteration is yet to come and to befal them then ever hath been before O then Sirs that they would be busie about the Lords house and no longer delay it or do it by halves Numb 14.24 or by haltings between too Do they yet know what was the meaning of the last lightning and thunder the last year which grew so angry at their Morter-Churches and Parish-Temples what houses were burnt or beaten down to the ground but those Churches and on that day of worship too and in several Counties too and which is not without a Mystery but it shall be plain and made an History ere long in the interim it were well that Ministers and all would take warning and sin no more by dishonoring God in idolizing forms and humane inventions or in worshipping of Christ in Anti-christian ways and traditions least a worse thing happen unto them Was there ever any that hardned his heart against the Lord and prospered at last Job 9.4 But some it may be will say Sir You forget your self and so I would whilest you urge so much your Form of Discipline For we look for Zion more spiritually and for spiritual worshippers Answ. 1. It is not so much the Form as the Faith that I would urge I mean obedience to Christs positive commands as I told you before although some soar too high into the air that account the Practical Part of Worship a meer Form 2. I urge it not so much to be Church-members as Christs-members but first to have fellowship with the Son and then with the Saints as I said before but I say both these are enjoyned to be enjoyed Yet I say further whilest in the Form out of the Form and whilest under it yet above it and so are all Saints in the Church spiritual worshippers of God John 4.23 yea in spirit and in truth together Wherefore let none be so censorious as to say We are all for the form of Discipline when indeed we are least for it and would have all our Brethren to live above it in their Spirits with God and with Christ in the Temple and the Light of the New Jerusalem We live in them as Abraham lived in Tents and David in Tabernacles 3. We also look for Sion more spiritually but this is in order thereunto Before we can get into the City which is all glorious within we must pass through the gates as appears Psal. 87.2 3. His foundation is in the holy mountains The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God! There is first the foundation laid by the Lord himself and then secondly the particular Churches or the gates of Zion which the Lord so loves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And then thirdly the City its self which is so glorious But I say before we can come into the City we must enter through the gates which are these Churches gathered So that this is in the way to that City where Salvation is placed Isa. 46.13 This is the way to Zion as Jer. 50.5 They shall ask the way to Sion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves together c. We must ask first the way i. e. the Churches and when we are in the way then for Zion And thus the Saints come to Sion Jer. 3.14 Isa. 51.11 35.10 i. e. By this way and through these gates we must first live in Tents and then in the City Heb. 11.9.10 First in Tabernacles then in the Temple and that those that would live in Sion in her glory and full effusion of the Spirit must be in the Churches in order thereunto which appears plainly in Chap. 9. lib. 2. For the Lord will be known in her Gates Towers and Palaces Psal. 48.3 44.12 Quaere How we should groundedly know we are fitted for this Communion of Saints in Church-society as hath been pressed answer 1 Answ. 1. There must be clear satisfaction to your judgement and full perswasion in your brest Rom. 14. the whole Chapter especially Vers. 1 2 4 14. Acts 2. 19. 8. Saints ever first believed and were fully perswaded and then they entered 2. You must be exceedingly longing and desirous after it and then make ready for it be freely willing to it by the Spirit of Christ in you Psal. 110.3 Jer. 50.4 5. For all in Christs Kingdom are voluntiers 1 Thes. 1.6 7. Acts 4.32 2 Cor. 8.3 5. 3. Such are made free to follow Christ any where soever Revel 14.4 And as they come at his call Mark 1.18 so they are prepared to leave all and to take up the cross Mat. 19.27 accounting before hand what it will cost them so that they pass not a pin for storms and afflictions which they expect before hand as 1 Thes. 3.3 Phil. 1.27 28. but they will hold out to the end 4. What is the object ye look on in these overtures of your affections It is the King in his beauty O the sweet Soul-ravishing presence of
him Pauls disciple in a book of his entituled Ecclesia hee mentions a vision which he had given him of the Church from that time to the last age what severall conditions shee should be in First he saw her like an Old woman sitting in a chaire The next alteration hee fore-saw in a second vision hee sayes of an Old woman onely having the countenance and face of a Young woman In the third shee had the shape of a Young woman but shee had the haires of an Old woman and undecent But in the fourth which is reserved for us and ready to be revealed these latter dayes shee was lively resembled in the forme of a Virgin and in the beauty of a Bride comming forth out of her Bride-chamber in great glory and setting forward to meet her beloved Bridegroome as being already set out and comming forward also in his great Majesty might and glory Many more I might produce that Prophesie of these dayes but doubtlesse the Scripture hath said enough had they said nothing to satisfie our soules and to set us forward afresh in this latter-dayes-disposition and grace of waiting yea though the vision stay yet to wait because it is for an appointed time Hab. 2.2 God doth alwayes and in every age stirre up in his Saints this disposition of waiting suitable to the blessings hee hath to give out and bestow upon the Saints So in this age wait in beleeving and beleeve in waiting for the time which they are to bee performed in is hard upon us Although alas how most men live most by sence what they see that they will beleeve but nothing without they see some signes as to their sense and reason of such dayes as are foretold of hence is there so much crying out of Taxes and complaining of troubles and of the times in the very streets tell them of blessed dayes it is to no purpose for they want faith to foresee them and poor creatures they cannot see that the Lords time is and his day comes when they least looke for him and before they be aware of it even then when men thinke he hath forgot his promises then is his time to come at the pinch to blow at the last sparke 2 Pet. 3.8 9. as when Abrahams hand was ready up to cut Isaaks throat at that moment of time the Lord made him stay and appeared to make good his promise then as that in Isaak all Nations should bee blessed c. yea then even then when Zion even the Saints may say the Lord hath forgotten me Isa. 49.14 then I say the Lord appeares even in the Mount when they are at the last and at the very top height pinch and point of all then the Lord appeares and then are they fittest for the enjoyments of those Promises O how welcome will they then bee to them Besides how many poore soules are lost in this because they cannot see light through darknesse good through evill peace through warres and blessings through combustions and confusions Nor doe they understand how God doth infatuate the wisdome of the world by working out greatest mercies through contrariest meanes and even then to be most of all making good of his Promises when he appeares most of all to work and walke in a point-blanke quite contrary-way When hee promises happinesse he sends us most unhappinesse when most truth is promised he sends in most errours when the Kingdome of Christ is to be most exalted he lets most enemies and oppositions to appeare against it so in all other maine mercies as when he promises most light for the accomplishing of the Promise he lets in most darknesse Zach. 14.7 So it may bee in a poore soule when hee is about the ruine of a lust he may suffer that lust the more to rage and even then when thou thinkest there is nothing more contrary to it it is in order to doe it Wherefore my deare friends beleeve and waite in hope even against hope though in your sence reason or wisdome you should see but small ground for it yet blessed be God! there is abundance of sound ground for faith safely to foot it upon but were it not so as to your sense yet God hath laid the earth upon nothing but the very ayre and yet makes the weake ayre a foundation and ground strong enough to support and beare the whole universe and globe And can hee not nay will he not raise up and lay the foundation of our hopes and happinesse in weak means in the day of small things poore and nothing beginnings that appeare to men no more then ayre and it may bee such as will vanish away Nay in and by contrary means that in mens wisdome will seem impossible to effect or to be a good foundation for such a frabricke of hopes or bee a suitable means for such a delight as seemes to bee set in a Diameter thereto and against the meanes although the meanes may produce that day and discovery yea and recovery of Zion which not onely seem contrary to that worke but which also the worke is contrary unto and will destroy Wherefore when the Sonne of man comes shall he finde faith on the earth to instance as clay and spittle are contrary meanes which opened the eyes of him that had faith Finde but faith and fire shall consume the waters and all contrary quenching meanes 1 King 18.38 and the waters shall not bee able to hinder the flaming of the fire So many Acts of Providence like Hebrew characters are to be read backward or else they cannot be read aright And so you may read many of Gods remarkable workes which he is about by contraries As the Fly on the wheele shee goes on though the wheele goes contrary so doe Gods workes goe on though the times and troubles warres and oppositions seeme to goe contrary wherefore by faith let us firmly expect the irresistable recovery of the primitive purity and piety in Doctrine and Discipline Doe Men or Devils what they can to hinder the brightnesse and beauty of Christs Churches in these latter dayes yet they will but set up the signe of the Labour in vaine to toule people in to them For Christ shall reigne though the Nations are angry at it and wrath shall come upon his enemies But the Temple of the Lord shall be set open for the Saints and the Arke of his Testament shall be seen therein yet I say not but lightnings and thunders earth-quakes and great hailstones we may yet meet with Rev. 11.17 18 19. But before I conclude this Chapter Let all the Churches remember that God will have his Gardens well-weeded and his houses well swept wherefore the Lord blesse you as the good old man Jacob did tangendo manu approbationis osculando instinctu inspirationis by his approbation and inspiration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erez
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ohel or Beth-shemesh A Tabernacle for the Sun OR IRENICVM EVANGELICVM An IDEA of Church-Discipline In the THEORICK and PRACTICK Parts Which come forth first into the World as Bridegroom and Bride hand in hand by whom you will have the totum essentiale of a true Gospel-Church state according to Christs Rules and Order left us when he Ascended In which you may finde the Hidden Mystery of whole Christ in Head Neck and Body Hidden in former Ages from the Sons of Men. Eph. 3.4 5. Published for the benefit of all Gathered Churches more especially in England Ireland and Scotland By JOHN ROGERS An unfeined Friend and Servant of the Bridegrooms and Brides and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ late at Purleigh in Essex now at Tho. Apostles Lond. Declared for the most part in Christ-Church Dublin in Ireland Imprimatur Joseph Caryl Psal. 19.4 5. Their line 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rule and structure is gone out thorough all the earth in them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Heb. To the Sun in altissimo gradu In that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is faln and build it as of old Amos 9.11 LONDON Printed for R. I. and G. and H. Eversden to be sold at the Grey-Hound in Pauls Church-yard 1653. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Channuccah A TABERNACLE For the SVN The first BOOK CHAP. I. That there is a visible Discipline or Politie of the Church under the Gospel ordained by Christ and what it is and how it differs from carnal Policy NOthing is more clear out of the word of God then that there is a Gospel-Discipline or Church-State for Saints of divine Institution and by divine instruction Prov. 1.3 To receive the instruction of Christ Wisdome Justice Judgement and Equity for Solomon who was a type of Christ teaches his Discipline in this Book of Proverbs which you have some call his Ethicks as relating to morall Precepts for Divinity is like some great Lady that is every day in a new dresse and Morality like to a handmaid that waiteth on her Christ the typified Solomon intends hereby to tell us of his Order and of the Discipline of Wisdomes house viz. his Church Prov. 8.1 2 3. and Chap. 9.1 2 3 4 5. he begins with this exhortation Prov. 1.8 My son hear the instruction or Discipline as many read it of thy Father viz. his spirituall documents and teachings and forsake not the Law of thy Mother that is of the Church Gal. 4.26 who bears and brings forth children to the Lord. So that it seems Christs Discipline which is of the Father and of the Mother consists in the Spirit and in the truth Joh. 4.23 24. not onely inwardly but it is also outwardly as to outward Orders Laws and Ordinances of the Church Thus the Lord opens the ear to Discipline sayes Elihu to Job chap. 36.10 and commands them from iniquity that is sayes Calvin he instructs them in his wayes and teaches them to amend This shews that Gods designe in giving us so good a Gospel-Discipline is thereby to make us good and Gospel Disciples both in knowledge and in practise and is therefore of great concernment to us in teaching us these three things 1 Subess◠2 Coesse 3 Praeesse First to be obedient to his Laws and Ordinances ut discipuli living together in Order Secondly to love one another and all Saints living together in unity ut socii Psal. 133.1 2. Thirdly to instruct one another and to strive together to excell in exhorting comforting and teaching to the edifying of one another 1 Cor. 14.12 ut Magistri as Masters of knowledge Psal. 119.98 99. and therefore it is that there is so great a need and notable a use of this good order and Gospel-Discipline amongst us which God hath of his goodnesse and in his wisdome provided for us So sayes old Bernard super Cant. Serm. 23. What abundant cause have we to blesse the Lord who was no wayes bound to us that of his free love should let down a Discipline out of his owne bosome as it was brought by Christ to us from the Father for us to dwell in because the School-men could say Disciplina non debetur ex debito quia inferiori non est aliquis obligatus in quantum est inferior Man is the inferiour therefore it is man that is obliged to the Lord his Superiour for making so much and so excellent soul-provision hence religio a religando Ma◠24 45. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who is a faithfull and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season So we see the Lord takes care for us and makes provision for poor souls for he hath appointed constituit being a compound word is as much as to say cum aliis statuit whom the Lord hath appointed joyntly with others as an Overseer super familitium suum over a remnant of his family Now woe bee to them that reject this Discipline of Gospel-institution Psal. 50.16 17. a meer Moralist will tell you there is a necessity of Discipline See but Tull in 's Offices lib. 8. 9. de invent ante finem libri and a meer Formalist will tell you that there is a necessity of Church-Discipline which is a principle own'd by all for a truth except Atheists bee they no more then meer pretenders or professours As for this Church-Discipline we shall finde it in the word and fetch it from the Fountaine freely flowing forth through many more Scriptures then I shall mention both out of Old and New Testament First in the Old Testament we finde many Prophesies and Promises filled with this as Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall bee willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holinesse which must bee meant of this visible Gospel-Church-state wherein Saints having communion with Christ and one with another do worship the Lord as appears Psa. 29.2 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holines this is the Lords house here is his worship due unto his name out of this Sion goes forth the Law and it is beautifull for scituation So in Isa. 2.2 3. It shall come to passe in the last dayes that the mountaine of the Lords house shall bee established in the top c. which foresees the singular fellowship of Saints in these last dayes wherein we live largely exalting Gods owne way of worship which he will bring forth with shoutings and withall an attractivum bonum a winning excellency will shew it selfe to the ravishing of the Saints and the re-edifying of their soules as in statu quo prius of old so that the very out-casts of Israel shall more fluminis by a spirituall instinct and from occult qualities flow freely and be fully satisfied unto
blamed but without any just blame might those Prelates be pictured out so half way in heaven for what they pretended and for the good they did but half in hel for what they intended and for the evill they did in afflicting the Saints accusing the brethren persecuting the Church and rendring the true Discipline of Gospel-fellowship odious and despicable to Magistrates Ministers people and all But furthermore the Antichristian Hierarchy and Discipline was so indulgently fostered up by Monarchy that King James could make it a maxime in which he proved a true Prophet No Bishop no King and it is clear to me out of many Scriptures Dan. 2.34 35. Rev. 17.12 and 18.3 that they both live and dye together like Hippocrates twins receiving both alike and at the same time power from and punishment with the Beast Wherefore let not the Prelates nor Papists thinke to hold long in any place for the day of the Lord his controversie for Zion shall finde them out neither need they to thinke their fall is by fortune for it is appointed of old and in these dayes wherein we are at suit with them let them not wonder if they all lose the day of us yea and the hot spirits violent Presbyterians too so called who agree too much with Popery and Prelacy as appears Ch. 9. lib. 2. at large and must meet with the like lamentable destiny and fate with you for as Mâ— Hooker sayes in his Preface before his Survey of Discipline There is no such thing as a Presbyteriall Church i.e. a Church made up of the Elders of many Congregations Classic-wise to govern c. in the New Testament wherefore let them not wonder if they also fall in the heat of this Suit seeing the Law and the Testimony is for us this Terme-time and therefore the Judge must be for us too and the day will be ours in despight of all the world because that yee have trusted to forged titles that will hold no water The Camel seeking hornes lost his ears and so have these Disciplinarians they will not heare what belongs to their peace In this Summers day of the Lord Jesus the Sun will shine hot and scorch yea melâ— violento aestu the waxen wings of all false-discipline and thereby throw down that Icarus-like loftinesse of High-Presbytery Popery and Prelacy in all Nations and then the whole bulke and massie body of Antichrist must beat his heels in the ayre and be found in the deeps and drowned in the Ocean of everlasting misery Rev. 19.19 they are already under the burnings of that day in the torrid horrid Zone and must shortly tumble into the tomb where the worme dyeth not This must bee for that they cannot bee converted into any other use for safety As the black cloath that will take no other Dye but must hold so and is most rotten uselesse and unserviceable for weare but the whit will take any other Dye so indeed will our Discipline of Gospel-institution which is in these latter dayes to bee restored into its Primitive purity as white precious spirituall Lilly-like and lovely this shall be capable of any Dye or administration and Dispensation to the end of the world any Dye it will take whereinto it is dipp'd by the hand of the Lord but the blacke base sooty and darke Discipline of Antichrist shall be but as a rotten ragge and good for nothing being in nothing capable of these latter dayes dyes which will be of divers sorts from one to another yeare after yeare and the best at last But furthermore the Dragon till these late dayes hath made use of earthly powers to oppose the Saints having no more place found for him in heaven but now it is that we heare the loud Voyce in heaven viz. his Church saying Now is come salvation strength and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the Accuser of our Brethren is cast down And now shall the earth viz. earthly powers help the Woman and swallow up the Dragons indignation though the remnant of her Seed must yet meet with Warres Conflicts and oppositions for a time It remaines now O England Ireland and Scotland that yee kisse the Sonne lest he be angry and yee perish Psal. 2.12 and that yee cast away your Popish and foppish trash and trumperies and those wicked traditions formes and ordinances of men which have made yee Captives and for many hundred yeares have inbondaged and endungeoned ye up in darknesse and deceit for as we can cousen little ignorant Children by giving them Counters and taking away Gold and those Counters too are only to quiet them so how easily can Antichrist cheat you which he hath done in our ignorance and infancy by giving us Copper for Gold and counterfeit Brazen-fac'd ordinances and tooke away Christ's telling us that they were better which he gave us and so quieting us for a long time but now alasse we are older and we must be wiser and not be so basely cheated out of our Ordinances Orders Doctrine and Discipline which Christ hath left us when he went from us but let us hold our owne and keep our Gold and to encourage us he hath promised us ere long to make another change in the Churches and to give them gold for brasse Isa. 60.17 the precious for the vile c. Wherefore it is O Friends that this true Religion Discipline and Gospel-worship of Christ's owne Coyne and Mint having his owne Image of his most precious Gold is offered you againe and once againe which hath often before been rigidly repulst and put off with disdaine and direfull reproach yet notwithstanding it is presented to you the third time and comes crowned with the twelve Starres and cloathed with the Sunne I meane with Christ the Super-intendent and sole Independent Lord and Law-giver yea and alone Light-giver to the Church and Saints This is especially the Honour and Ornament of this Discipline or Gospel-Politie viz. to be cloathed with light having Christ alone the Lord. Indeed hitherto hath many a sad soule sate and sigh'd yea and the Church in the Wildernesse too bewayl'd with Mary weeping Joh. 20.13 Oh! They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him Alexander used to say of his two Friends viz. Craterus and Hephestion that Hephestion loved Alexander but Craterus loved the King and yet the King and Alexander were both but one man and so Certes I may say of some in these dayes who professe to be Christ's friends they all love him as Christ Jesus our Saviour for his sweetnesse and excellency and lovelinesse and love which is better then wine and for his usefulnesse c. but how few of them that love him as the King to be commanded by him that are obedient to his Lawes and Ordinances unlesse they be in the Congregationall orderly Courches and there indeed Christ
hath a few Friends and tryed Subjects but such Craterus's are rare too wherefore let all the faithfull friends of Christ of what judgement soever that are under his Command and Lordship come and enter into these Gospel-wayes of Worship into Christs order and path ordinance and Discipline for the Lord of the Mannour I meane the God of this world will take up all wefts and straies that are out of this way and empound them wherefore for shame friends make haste Hye out of Babylon flye into Sion into the Fellowship and Church-way of the Gospel wherein Christ is King and Lord and where this Sunne is highest brightest and swiftest in his ascendent motions wherein Christ appeares in his richest perfection and fulnesse For as Nature who hath drawne with her Pencill a perfect Grasse-greene in the Emerald as Pliny sayes a skie-colour in the Saphire a fire colour in the Carbuncle a sanguine in the Rubie and a starry in the Diamond hath also drawne all these together in one viz. the Ophal so hath Christ by his Spirit in his Church for there is one gift and grace in one Saint another gift in another and other graces in others and blessings in the Gospell and power in the Word and sweetnesse in the Ordinances and all in one viz. the Church Some excell in one thing some in another but the Church is the summary of all all excellencies are there in one viz. in one Christ who is in every Church the fulnesse and perfection of all Christ sayes Bernard De advent serm 2. is the Bee which flew into the City of Nazareth which is interpreted Flower and there he alighted on the sweetest flower of Virginity that ever the earth bore and so doth Christ now in the Churches finde sweet flowers who hath Et mel aculeum sayes Doctor Rawlinjon on 's Mercy to a Beast p. 13. both Mercy and Judgement yea he is both Love and Law in all his Churches yea the Law of Love and the Lord grant we may finde it so in these dayes Heare O Ireland heare the Lord run into his Courts live in his Sanctuary for in a special manner I speake to you from the Lord for whose sake I dare not bury these truthes as dead or in silence which doe so much concerne you and seeing I am now with you I wish from my soule that most of your Professors prove not Moone-sicke I meane Lunaticks that sometimes fall or plunge into the water and sometimes into the fire of persecuting the Saints that wil not over head and eares with them in the waters yee know what I meane for I shrewdly feare this wherefore I say forsake not Aegypt to fall into Babylon nor Babylon to fall into the forme againe and to make a Church of forme meerly and to drive in or draw in poore hearts through ignorance and folly into a formall Discipline by urging the forme or tying others to such a judgement with you for this is clearly against God's designe and Christs Gospel-Discipline which is to be in the Spirit and in truth and therefore I have many precious and pregnant truthes to hand forth and handle to you as they are hearted in me from the Fathers bosome of light in this ensuing Treatise especially in Lib. 2. but in the meane time make haste into Sion into a pure orderly Gospel Spirituall way of Worship and the Lord be with you and speed you But if before I have done some doe say Why then we shall be persecuted by Presbyterians or some call'd Independants or the bitter ones of the Anabaptists or the like as well as by Malignants and open enemies I say that they shall be but like Sampsons Foxes who were themselves burnt amongst the Corne which they fired but the Land brought Corne againe and the ground was made the better by it and the fruitfullâ—r but the Foxes came up no more so be yee sure that such will by their persecutions burne up themselves but better the true Churches though it may be some members may suffer in the fire first yet take us the Foxes the little Foxes saith the Lord Cant. 1. he will not suffer them to escape scot-free Phil. 1.28 for it is to them a token of perdition sayes Paul but to you of salvation the true Churches shall maugre all their might and malice appeare again and triumph the more and be yet the more glorious and fruitful but these persecuting Foxes can never come up againe but must lye buried in the field which they have fired and so be the Authours of their owne end Wherefore feare not my Friends their frownes nor crownes but as Alexander was wont to say to his Souldiers when they were in danger or went on any designe Sed habebis Alexandrum my brave Blades you shall have Alexander with you so say I you shall have Christ with you in the midst of you and engaged for you feare not and then you shall no more be termed desolate or forsaken but be called the Lord's Hephzibah and Beulah but thus for the second chapter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Midbar CHAP. III. That the Churches full deliverance drawes nigh and is upon entrance at first gradually her Discipline shall be restored as at first First proved by parallel from the Wildernesse wherein she hath been long lost as to true Discipline and Doctrine TO proceed the Call continues to hast us out of Babylon It is Historied of Darius's Generall that when he had Orders from Darius his King to revenge the wrongs done him by the Athenians that he commanded his Servants every day at every dish of meat they brought in to the Table to say Sir remember the Athenians Now Christ hath sent to us and calls upon us every foote to Remember the ruine of Babylon and the rising of Sion for Babylon must fall and Sion must fill and grow up apace to perfection-ward but although this is graduall at first yet the restauration shall be universall at last In the interim we heare how long and how lamentably the poore despised Church hath been in the Wildernesse wofully bewayling but now followes what hopes we finde of her deliverance now Mr. Brightman the brightest man of his age that I have met with lends his Light to this Age out of Revel 12.14 where we read the Church was to continue in the Wildernesse for a time times and halfe a time besides the thousand two hundred and threescore dayes in ver 6. which is all one with that in Rev. 11.2 of forty and two months for at thirty dayes to the moneth it comes to one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes which if we account from Christ's time was to begin one thousand sixe hundred and ten dayes viz. three hundred and fifty and one thousand two hundred and sixty and the thirty three yeares that Christ lived makes it one
to surpasse all others without both for abundance and the goodnesse of the fruits As far exceeding such as the choysest Orchard or Garden-fruits excell common hedge-crabs or high-way fruits So sayes he Matth. 5.27 What doe yee more then others else it is a burning blushing shame to bee of the Garden and yet to let others bring forth as good fruits thus sayes Paul 1 Cor. 3.3 c. Are yee yet carnall as yee were before when yee were without Doe yee yet walke as men O fic what not now to live at a higher and holier rate then others when your heels ought to bee above their heads that are without Such Garden-Saints by Christ are to become so fruitfull above others by having from him fuller and freer influences then others For he is the Fountaine of Gardens and streams from Lebanon Thus saith he I will cause them that come out of Jacob to take root Isa. 27.6 Israel shall blossome and bud and fill the face of the world with fruits So in Hos. 14.5 6. I will bee as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon i. e. in abundance of streams and sweetest sap-roots to receive the soule of their soile and the heart of their dewes to reach out and runne farre for his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive tree and his smell as Lebanon then Thus they fructifie from Christ as in Joh. 15.4 5. Without him they can do nothing and are but as withered branches saplesse and fruitlesse wherefore blessed be they that blossome in the Spring now and are not nipped off againe by Borean blasts but be well sett for growing and ripening for in this Autumne-harvest which is now nigh us as the Sunne growes hot and high they shall bee gathered full ripe into the Fathers floore or Garner So be it Fifthly He hath them in his care constantly as a man hath his Garden and that most of all for that hee will not suffer Swine to set footing there but keeps them without amongst their bruitish brood So the Lord hath built a watch-tower to over-look all the Church So Isa. 27.3 I the Lord do keepe it and I will water it every moment lest any should hurt it I will keep it night and day By day and by night upon all her glory I will be her defence Isa. 4.5 Hee will not suffer one Saint to be hurt by the wilde Boars of the wood or the Foxes of the field for he sets traps to take them Cant. 2.15 Sixthly such a society of Saints are his Garden-delights his Darling-delights and he dearly loves to live and lodge there Cant. 7.11 12. to eat and drinke there Cant. 5.1 of his pleasantest fruits and sweetest Spices Cant. 4.16 of his beautifull beds and to gather fair Lillies Cant. 6.2 and there his presence is most eminent excellent free and frequent in the midst of his companions viz. the Saints Cant. 8.13 to the ravishing of their soules with his sweetest loves Cant. 7.12 there he loves to walke alife Psal. 132.13 14. and to shew to his Saints his beauty Isa. 33.17 Thus is the Church of Christ his choysest Garden and therein especially is his presence most excellent as the proper sphere and orbe wherein the Sunne moves to give his light to the world Wee know that nothing which is not what it is by nature can longer be so then the cause continues and the working of the cause which effects it to bee so as water which is not by nature hot will not bee hot longer then the fire makes it so but little by little it returnes to its naturall coldnesse againe so the ayre which is naturally darke is no longer lightsome then the Sunne makes it so but the Sunne with-drawne it will turne againe to darknesse and indeed Christ this Sunne as long as hee shines wee are light and shall be light but no longer Now he hath promised in speciall manner to be a light in the midst of us his Churches for there he delights most to bee O that it may be said of all Churches now as once Caesar Augustus said of Rome That though he found them bricke yet he left them Marble So though Christ hath found us a wildernesse yet hee hath made us an Eden or Gardens-inclosed fruitfull and faire pleasant and profitable to God and men But thus you may see in all and in more then all these respects that the Lord is now raising up the Saints and rearing up his Sion as he hath promised This blessing is already begun and in these dayes Christ calls us aloud as Cant. 4.8 Come with me from Lebanon i. e. out of the Forrest in the North 2 King 14.9 Isa. 29.17 where wild beasts were so out of mixed congregations and from wildernesse-companions c. O my Spouse come with me looke from the top of Amana i. e. interpretatur â—urbulentus that is from all wicked and turbulent spirits that oppose the truth yea a mount of Tyrants void of all goodnesse and great Persecutors of Gods people looke from them all and from the top of Shenir and Hermon Shenir interpretatur faetor from the Lions dens from the mountains of Leopards This is the call of Christ to us in these dayes to have us looke learne and live beyond this wildernesse-condition and all them without that are enemies to the Gospel and Garden-way of Christs Worship for now the Lord in order to the restauration of Doctrine and Discipline declares new things Isa. 42.9 before they spring forth he tels us of them Wherefore sing a new Song verse 11. Let the wildernesse rejoyce and all the Villages of Kedar Darknesse Let the inhabitants of the Rocke Christ and all that dwell in the clefts of the Rocke shout out from the tops of the Mountains Amen Finde no fault with these dayes then but wait Isa. 25.9 for the wine will be best at last and in the evening it shall bee light richest promises are reserved for us therefore called the most precious 2 Pet. 1.4 In these dayes shall the Branch of righteousnesse grow up Jer. 33.14.15 and our blessed Ahashuerus shall take in Esther The face of Church-discipline shall shine againe and the King shall delight in her beauty Psal. 45.10 11. Besides the abundance of Scripture-prophesies prooving of this I have seen many remarkable Prophesies of late largely foretelling these glorious times As of one Methodius in the yeare two hundred and fifty in a Treatise de Novissimis temporibus hee tells us how the Kingdome of Christ in these last dayes shall be lifted up above all mountains but first hee sayes That many mighty Ishmaelites must fall and then shall follow peace and joy to the Saints I have also met with Hermas whom wee read of Rom. 16.14 and Jerome calls
called the way of holinesse no Lion shall be there nor ravenous beast goe thereon meaning unclean and openly knowne sinners but the redeemed shall walke there And the ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs c. So in Isa. 52.1 From henceforth shall come into thee no more the uncircumcised and unclean So in Zach. 14.21 In that day there shall bee no more the Canaanite in the Lords house So in Joel 3.17 Yee shall know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion my holy Mountaine then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers passe through her any more So in Isa. 33.24 and in Rev. 21.27 In no wise shall enter into it any thing that defileth or that worketh abomination or that maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs Book of life It is not denied but there is sin in a Church but not a Church in sinne as one may be said to have drinke in him and yet not to be in drinke I meane sinne so seen and knowne and yet allowed of or at least not duely proceeded against by censure and reproof Now in this sense nothing that defileth doth enter the best Church may have spots on her but not in her i. e. tolerated as before no not in her worst estate Besides in all that was before mentioned as in the Law-time typical and so Prophetical in the Baptists dayes there was even then an apparent repentance and visible profession accounted necessary before admission as to baptisme Mat. 3.6 Luke 3.3 how much more must this be so before admission into Gospel-fellowship for as Aug. sayes in Tom. 4. de fide operibus the Pharises and Sadduces that came to his Baptisme were forced to swallow a refusall and a bitter reproofe to boot Matth. 3.7 for a generation of vipers he neither admitted of scandalous persons nor must wee into Christs-Church till there appeares a repentance and reformation But reason 3 3 Runnes from that most familiar relation which is between Christ and his Church God and his Saints in such a fellowship He is their Husband Eph. 5.23 Isa. 54.5 and married unto them Jer. 3.14 Rev. 19.7 Hos. 2.19 20. and they are presented unto him as a chaste Virgin to these Espousals 2 Cor. 11.2 Now he is not thus related to prophane and scandalous persons though the Ranters doe call him the friend of Publicans and Sinners such with whom Christ hath so inseparable and insuperable communion which are Saints called and such must the Church consist of i. e. of such and onely such as far as may be judged whose husband hee is But some will object Say not the Scriptures otherwise as that tares are amongst the wheat untill the harvest Matth. 13.25.38 39. and have you any Church in the Scripture all of Saints not having one Judas Ananias Demas Hymeneus Philetus nor Diotriphes nor others our owne experience is otherwise in all Churches where there be good and bad Lambs and Rams wheat and chaffe sound and unsound and yet Christ is called their Husband First for the Scripture alleadged it is allowed of if we give it its own weight without any other grain or the least addition to it for see v. 38. the field in which they are is the world and so wee say to the end of the world in the world will grow good and bad together but yet grant it with most to be meant the field of the Church visible which is rather a Garden yet this is not an Injunction but rather a Prediction of what will bee for without doubt wicked men will bee in the Church in all ages but that is not the point for this it is that wee say and say againe that such as are knowne openly to be such sinners or hypocrites are neither to bee taken in nor tolerated in the Church of Christ of which hee is the Husband And although our present experiences besides the primitive and past expresse much of this nature viz. that naughty corrupt and sinfull men have been and yet are in every Church yet we will beleeve such were not openly knowne to be such when they were admitted members of any true Church of Christ whether past present or to come yes say some Judas was knowne by Christ to be an hypocrite when admitted 1 But he was not so knowne unto the Church for all the rest of the Disciples did not so much as suspect him Ecclesia nâ—n judicat de occultis therefore they could not take cognizance thereof for hee seemed a very holy Disciple to the rest 2 The knowledge Christ had of him as one before hee appeared such a one was extraordinary but wee are speaking of an ordinary way of discovery as when sin breaks out and hypocrisie appears Besides 3 There was a speciall reason in it that he was received viz. to answer the will of God given out in Psal. 41.8 c. yet this is certaine neither he nor any else appeared hypocrites or wicked ones openly and so known to be when admitted either into that or any other society of Saints although there was is and will be in every particular Church of Christ some that ought not to be For if this fellowship of which Christ himselfe was Pastor and is for a Patterne and had but twelve a small number for the most are not alwaies the best had a Judas much more may others Even as Davids house which is set for a Patterne for future ages Zach. 12.10 was not without an Amnon an Absolon and others even Gods owne Arke may nourish Monsters as Noahs Arke did Cham yea and as some filthy Toadâ— might bee found to lye under the stones of the Temple so may some wicked dissembling Hypocrites sayes Dr. Hall and yet the Temple be the Lords for all that Furthermore the visible Church is called his Holy Temple 1 Cor. 3.16 17. which ought not to be defiled 2 Cor. 6.16 and therefore is made up of living stones 2 Pet. 2.5 that is of visible Saints Also it is called the Lords house and habitation Heb. 3.6 Eph. 2.22 23. 1 Pet. 2.5 wherein he walks and lives and takes his rest which holinesse becomes Psal. 93.5 for ever therefore the holiest are the fittest matter The Church is called his houshold Eph. 2.19 Now if David could not endure a wicked person within his doors Psal. 101.3 4.5 Much lesse will the Lord allow it But to bee briefe Lastly the Church is Christs body 1 Cor. 12.26 27. and Christ is the head of every particular Church gathered Col. 1.18 Eph. 5 23. c. Now such as are united to Jesus Christ by his Spirit 1 Joh. 1.3 7. and have speciall communion with him as their Head as to receive vertue and vitality from him are to be received as members of
Mal. 3.17 18. and to gather them up together not only from the â—rosse and out of the vile rubbish but also into one bundle by themselves and then sayes he shall yee discover and see an apparent and an undeniable difference or discerne between the righteous and the wicked him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Furthermore in Hosea 4.15 Though Israel play the Harlot yet let not Judah offend come not yee to Gilgal nor goe yee up to Beth-aven So in ver 17. Ephraim is ioyned to Idols let him alone their drink is sowre c. This kinde of with-drawing and gathering from is also mentioned in many other eminent Prophesies as in Ezek. 28.24 25 26. There shall be no more a pricking brier to Israel nor a grieving thorne of all that are round about them that despised them but when shall this be see the next verse 25. When I have gathered Israel out from the people among whom they are yet scattered and shall be sanctified in them in their Churches and Societies in the sight of the Heathen in the sight of all them without called Heathens often whilst the Saints under the Gospel are called and so in these Prophesies by the name of Israel Jacob Zion Jerusalem c. So Ezek. 34. the whole chapter and in vers 12 13. I will seek out my flock I will deliver my sheep out of all places where they have been scattered in the dark and cloudy day I will bring them out from the other peoples and gather them out from the Countries and will feed them on the mountaines of Israel by the rivers verse 16. And I will seek them that were lost and I will judge between cattell and cattell verse 17. and as for my flocke verse 19. They eate that which is trodden with your feet and they drinke that which is fouled with your feet I even I will judge vers 20. between the fat cattell and the leane And they vers 28. shall no more be a prey to the Heathen neither shall the beasts of the Land devour them but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid neither shall they beare the shame of the Heathen any more vers 29. So in Ezek. 36.24 For I will take you from among the Heathen and gather you out of all Countries and will bring you into your owne Land then will I sprinckle cleane water upon you from all your filthinesse and from all your Idols will I cleanse you Also Ezek. 37.21 Behold I will take the children of Israel from among the Heathen and will gather them on every side and bring them out into their owne Land verse 27. My Tabernacle also shall be with them yea I will be their God and they shall be my people And verse 28. The Heathen shall know that I the Lord doe sanctifie Israel when my Sanctuary shall be in the middest of them for evermore but before the Lords Tabernacle a Type of Gospel-order and Church-state and his Sanctuary be set up in the midst of them they are first a people called out and separate from them without who are called Heathens abroad as other Nations were in opposition to the Jewes so is that in Micha 4.6 7. In that day saith the Lord I will assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted And the Lord shall reigne over them in Mount Zion from hence-forth and for ever over them that are thus gathered out Hence also is that in Revel 18.4 Come out of her my people that yee be not partakers of her sinne and that yee receive not of her plagues c. By all these Propheticall Scriptures and by many more this truth triumphs and hath apparent testimony for it viz. That the Saints are a select number of Separates from the world and from all false wayes worships Doctrines and Discipline whatsoever Secondly Let us see what Precept there is for it in the first place he who is the wisdome of his Father would have us to separate from the company of fooles in Prov. 14.7 Prov. 9.6 Prov. 4.14 And in Ephes. 5.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Have no fellowship no commerce together nor concurrent communication or complyance to trade with with the fruitlesse workes of darknesse and in the Leviticall Law Levit. 20.25 26. a separation is required So in 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. for what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellowship or communion or what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sweet consent or harmony can light have with darknesse or beleevers with unbeleevers Saints with Sinners or Gods Temple whom yee are with Idols wherefore come out from the midst of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that are such and be yee separate saith the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. separate apart from them as such who are excellent and elect organs unto the Lord and touch no uncleane thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and yee shall be my Sonnes and my Daughters saith the Lord Almighty So 2 Tim. 3.5 such as have the forme though large Professors aged and of long standing yet denying the power from such turne away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Turne off draw off not onely to shun them that we may not shew them or bee like them but also so as to labour with them and to win them into the sound and good old way of Christ which is of longest standing for truth is older then error So in Acts 2.39 40. is there the like call with the promise annexed which is to as many as the Lord shall call the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both advocate avocare and evocare to call out and separate from so that in verse 40 it follows with many other words did he testifie and exhort saying Save your selves from i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doe yee set your selves free from get away and forsake or separate from this untoward generation or this generation of frowardnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from their abominable aberrations carnall customes depraved manners and from the crookednesse of this generation of perverse people which you are yet amongst Make haste out to save and separate your selves from them Now wee finde it follows those that believed did so and were a people separate from the rest Act. 19.9 by entring into fellowship with the Saints Verse 41 42. and verse 47. it appeares without the least exception For they that were thus called out from them without continued stedfastly in the fellowship and then were called the Church in breaking of bread from house to house praysing God and having favour with all the people that is with them without that they did separate from so sweet so good and Gospel-like was their conversations that they without could not condemn them but commend them at least if not be convinced
how can these rules requiring obedience bee practised but by such Saints as are embodied into a Church of Christ but this Mr. Bartlet I remember in his Model mentions a man I have made much use of and for whose sake I have sufficiently suffered from some in Dublin whom I feare fuller of heat then of Heaven having no more of his booke which the Lord will one day witnesse to their faces then I beare in my breast omnia mecum c. But to passe by such blowes and buffetings of Sathan I say the Saints so embodied are best provided for their duties one to another And as in a bundle of sticks one kindles another so doe they Comes facundus in via pro vehiculo est and as one helpe another so all together like Bees labour to bring in hony all into one hive So every one hath the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12.6 to bring into the stocke or common banke or to profit withall O then how sweet are they to God and men who are as so many flowers bound together in one nose-gay But Fifthly The sweet soule-ravishing and enamouring reason 5 issues which are the infallible sequell of Saints so embodied O the excellent priviledges Cant. 2 3 4 5. Cant. 5.1 Cant. 6.2 3. Cant. 7.10 11 12. Psal. 92.12 13.14 their precious promises Hos. 14.6 Isa. 59.22 the singular delights which the Lord takes amongst Saints so embodied Rev. 2.1 Psal. 132.13 14. Psal. 26.8 2 Cor. 6.16.18 Cant. 8.13 above all others Ps. 87.2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the other dwellings of Jacob More then all Now such as are not in body together are deprived of the life and excellency of these as I shall shew hereafter I hope convinceingly if the Lord please but onely this I adde That the speciall benefits which beleevers so embodied doe enjoy are laid like Tiles one over another every day till the whole roofe be covered and the raine kept out Sixtly Which I would not omit though I might more reason 6 fitly have found it before is hereby the Saints are abundantly better fortified both to defend and occasionally to offend for to instance against Enemies they have an united force and they need not to feare an Adversary no not an Army if they be but in one for they are indeed terrible then as an Army with Banners displayed Drums beating Trumpets blowing Guns playing and discharging and all in good order keeping Ranke and File Why they need not to feare for their enemies then must fall before them in Joel 2.7.8.10 They shall run like mighty men they shall climbe the wall like men of warre and they shall march every one on his wayes and they shall not breake their rankes neither shall one thrust against another the earth shall quake before them the Heavens shall tremble the Sunne and the Moone shall be darke and the Starres shall with-draw their shining thus are the Saints in their united strength a terrour to the world Well might the Queene of Scots say Shee feared more the prayers of that one man John Knox then shee did an Army of thirty thousand men For when Gog and Magog doe gather together to battle in Revel 20.8 9. as the sand of the Sea they compasse the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City But what successe have they Why fire comes downe from God out of heaven and destroyes them or eates them up that is out of the Churches according to Rev. 11.5 If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouthes and devoureth him If any man dare to wrong them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or to deale injuriously or unjustly with them he must in this manner be killed Now all the Saints and so the Churches are such witnesses and out of their mouthes by their prayers and powerfull breathings which will admit of no deniall they can conquer and consume their greatest adversaries Besides the enemy hath not that like advantage against us when we are linked as when we are alone As it is said that Siculus being on his Death-bed bid his Sons bring a Quiver of Arrowes and being brought would have them breake them altogether in the Quiver but they could not conquer them though they all tried then he bids them breake them asunder one by one which was soone done So sayes he my Sons if yee 'le breake asunder yee 'le be broken easily and throwne aside but if yee unite none can conquer you as long as yee live together in one yee will be too hard for every one So also in a Faggot of Wood there is no breaking the whole together but to take out stick after stick that wil make it easie to get the mastery of the whole Thus the Saints united together into one will be too hard for all the world but otherwise the world will have the advantage and they may be easily broken and scattered about with stormes so when they carrie on Gods cause with one shoulder and by one consent according to Zeph. 3.9 it goes on in post and against all oppositions For as Mathematicians say the strait line is alwayes weakest but the circle is the strongest and holds so the Saints in Fellowship are strongest and hold best because one is injoynted into another and thus the Saints ought unanimously and joyntly to contest together for the truth Jude ver 3. and joyntly to labour together in and for the Gospel 2 Cor. 6.1 and joyntly to put forth together for the purity priviledges orders and ordinances of Jesus Christ Gal. 5.1 and joyntly to receive together reproaches and wrongs Heb. 10.33 Gal. 6.2 2 Cor. 12.26 2 Tim. 1.16 and joyntly to refuse subjection to any persons principles or practises contrary to the word of truth and thus by their joynt powers opposers will be repulsed to their shame and losse and by their joynt-prayers heaven is taken by violence and the Lord is overcome Acts 12.5 by their joynt-praises and shoutings of joy the Heavens and Earth filled with ravishing melody and Musick Rev 14.2 As the many beames of the Sunne contracted into a little Burning-glasse doe glow and burne with abundance more light life and strength so Saints united doe Yea moreover as one Member or the Arme can act not only by its owne but also by the strength of the whole body to which it is united according to the bodies ability even so a Saint embodied may wrastle with God and against a sinne c. by the strength of the whole besides his owne as hereafter will appeare But thus much for the reasons though I might have added more Vse By all that hath been penned upon this point it appeares plainly that Parish-Churches have not the forme nor the face of a true Church of Christ according to Gospel-order for they have none of this union
her my people Come out of her and vers 4. which is the last word I have to speak upon this part of the Forme to intreat you all for the Lords sake and for your soules sake to separate from as before all Parochiall and Popish worship and wayes of Babylon and come hither harke how Christ beckens thee poore soule into Zion to dwell with him there in his Discipline and Tabernacles Psal. 67.2 there is beauty Isa. 52.1 2. there is power Isa. 40.29 there is his presence Isa. 4.5 there is deliverance Isa. 54.17 there is pleasure and joy Psal. 46.3 4. there is plenty Isa. 25.6 and peace Isa. 48.18 and blessednesse Psal. 56.4 and salvation Isa. 46.13 What can yee aske for more How can yee then acquiesce in such a carnall corrupt Church-state mingled with more visibly ungodly then visibly godly If wee mingle bright and rusty mettal together the rusty will not become bright but the bright rusty and thus a rusty companion saith Seneca rubbeth some of his rust upon a man that is honest and faire-conditioned civill and well-given but the honest man cannot make the other any better or brighter As a weake eye is not strengthned by looking on a strong eye but on the contrary a strong may water by looking on a watry eye the sound man may lose his health by lying with the sicke So I say it is dangerous and doubtlesse a provocation to the Lord and a tempting him in the Wildernesse to continue yet in communion with such mixed multitudes in Parish Churches whereby wee grow worse and worse As a good horse put into the Teame among a company of Jades doth but learne to shuttle and become heady and untoward and so such as will have communion with the multitudes learne many ill-favoured tricks and are made the more obstinate and untoward but for shame let us haste in to the Lords Sanctuary and enter into the communion of Saints The least small coale raked up in ashes will live long and so will the least Saint and the least grace bee kept up and nourished in the true Churches of Christ which will bee it is likely extinguished whilst they are out of them and not wrapped up and kept warme in them Wherefore it will bee our continuall comfort to enter into such communion for I can name some that have been in abundance of doubts troubles suspense and uncertainty till they were well informed and fully satisfied of this way by the word and spirit and ever since their soules have been swallowed up in divine solace As Archimedes that matchlesse Mathematician after he had hammered his braines about a difficult conclusion leaped and danced and cryed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have found it I have found it so as Mr. Hoskins hath it the Saints cry out We have found him We have found him Wee have found Christ in his Ordinances Christ in his Spirit Christ in his graces Christ in his Churches Christ in his Doctrine Christ in his Discipline Wee have found him Wee have found him but yet nothing to what is to come Thus far for the seventh Chapter CHAP. VIII 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cisse The third part of the second part of the Forme viz. Saints separate and gathered into one body as before are a true Church of Christ for matter and forme and every such particular Church hath as full compleat power as any without the least subordination power or authority of any Church whatsoever THrough the grace of Christ the Head and Husband of his Spouse his Church we have handled the Faire Forme of the true Church of Christ being very beautifull and faire having Doves eyes i. e. such as are the able discerning and directing members of the Church faire full clear as Num. 10.31 and chaste and ever as it were glazed with teares and having comely haire i. e. the ornament of her head who is Christ thus are all the Saints and sincere beleevers to their Lord Christ an ornament and a glory to him Isa 43.7 such as hang dependingly upon him their Head not else Col. 2.19 being nourished by him and growing from him and very smooth neat not rough rugged c. that appeare from Mount Gilead that is a pleasant and plenteous place Jer. 22.6 and signifies a witnesse or testimony and so I take it for then Saints appear loveliest liveliest longest smoothest and sweetest from Mount Gilead i. e. the Testimony of Christ the witnesse of the Spirit and the Word and Scriptures truth and Ordinances which do beare the Testimony of Christ when their soules are satisfied as in pleasant and plenteous places Gilead is mine Psal. 60.7 and Manasseh is mine c. Furthermore her Teeth are like a flocke of sheep that are even shorne which came up from the washing bearing Twins c. Cant. 4.2 Cant. 6.6 in the Chaldee it is thy Priests and Levites For Teeth are such as the Church eats with chews digests and divides by and receives for the use of the whole body and I beleeve her Ministers must be such who receive eat chew feed digest and divide the word of God and all that is hardest of digestion for the the rest of the people and Saints service to the capacities and for the concoction of all the body But they are even i. e. not one longer nor one shorter which would bee both uncomely and hurtfull but they must bee all even and equall and Brethren Matth. 20.25 26 27. not one higher nor one lower then another which would also be an hindrance to the bodies welfare for then they would be wanting or at least hindring in the use of feeding and chewing for the Church Away with Rabbies for yee are all brethren there is no superiority nor subordination to be suffered in Christs Church by way of Dominion which is the point I am now upon For they must bee all equall and even-shorne as come up from the washing that is white and lovely comely and cleane purged and purified and fairly washed never more need then now that the Sons of Levi be purged with Fullers Sope so that as some already have been rubbed hard over and over and are at last shorne and come up out of the washing bearing Twins being fruitfull and bringing forth as Ewes though with hazard and hardship and as Teeth even set in the gums doe give a good decorum and both rankes in each jaw full and faire are of excellent use and exceeding comely so ought they to bee in and to the Church of Christ that others beholding their good orders may rejoyce Col. 2.5 of all men also they must not bee harren but bearing-twins Besides her lips are like a thred of Scarlet Metonymically manifesting the excellency of the Doctrine of Christ which comes from her lips unto others Zeph. 3.9 which is described first from the matter most excellent first deeply dyed
of Christ according to all the Scriptures I have produced and hereafter shall vse 2 Vse 2. Let none say then we walk without rule seeing the pattern of our house is measured by this Reed as hath been proved and will be more vse 3 Vse 3. Let all Saints set themselves to observe Christs rule directly without adding to it or diminishing from it Revel 22.18 19. so far as they see even to a pin For in this Moses was accounted faithful Heb. 3.2 for that he had so exact a care according to the pattern in the building of the Tabernacle Heb. 8.5 I remember sweet Sibbs in his breathing after God Pag. 91. speaking of Gods house sayes House is taken for the persons orders and enjoyments in it and government of it all gods which is all to be according to Christs rule Let every Church of Christ keep close to the Revealed will Far be it from the Saints to run the riot with some refractory and unruly rugged ones so as to slight Christs rules and to account it a bondage to be measured thereby and ordered thereafter but I shall speak to them in the Third Book Yet Brightman on Rev. 12.1 sayes The Saints of Christ called into a Church must according to the Primitive pattern be clothed with the Sun Christ crowned with the light of the Twelve Apostles Twelve Sâ—ars and having the Moon i. e. the light borrowed from the Sun Christ to shine in her pathes to direct her feet in her discipline and worship It will never be well with the Church until gathered and ordered according to Christs rule and then her paths shall glister by the Beams of the Sun Let us therefore be thus minded c. as the Apostle says Phil. 2.15 and whereto we have attained in Ver. 16. Walk by the same rule The Lord Jesus Christ direct our way 1 Thes. 3.11 And as many as walk according to his rule peace be on them and mercy and all the Israel of God Gal. 6.16 Amen Thus we hear how requisite Christ's Rule is and indeed till then as the House will be built but ill-favoredly and unskilfully So the Ordinances of Christ will be there but as the Ark was among the Philistims rather prisoners then priviledges as Trap sayes And indeed I do fear they are so amongst some of your Formal Church-fellowships gathered and Houses built up by unskilful workmen who were not so spirited for the work as some will be shortly But as the House after it is built stands firm without the builder because he giveth the artificial order onely and not the substantial being to the building so indeed such Churches as are built by Gospel rule and order will stand firm though the Pastors or such whose Ministry was the means of making them so be no longer about them But the good order and rule of Christ will continue and keep them up whilst such as go to gather a people or to build without Christ's Rule do but lay the brands together without tongs and are sure to burn their own fingers at least at last CHAP. XI 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ammi-Nadib Every man or woman that enters into Church-fellowship must have a full free and clear consent and be throughly satisfied having a voluntary submission to all the Ordinances and Orders of Christ in that Church whereinto he or she is entring THus as we do absolutely disclaim such as fall short of and such as run beyond Christ's Rule in this Church-state on all sides and that do de novo take up any practise without precept from Christ So also we must see by what means Saints so qualified as before are to be embodied together which I shall more particularly pitch upon in Book 2. Chap. 2. But at present we shall prove none but such as are throughly satisfied of the way and as being convinced can freely and voluntarily consent are to enter into it For we shall finde the Prophecies clear in this Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power so in Isai. 2.2 3. they shall flow i. e. freely unconstrained by an instinct as the tydes do and of their own accord to the house of the Lord and say Come which signifies a freeness thereunto without compulsion So Jer. 50.4 5 c. wherein their willingness shall appear in that they go weep and run and seek and enquire and ask for the ways of Zion and say Come let us joyn our selves in a perpetual Covenant c. By all which it is clear all they do in ordine ad communionem Evangel is done by a voluntary consent and concurrence So Micah 4.12 so Zach. 2.11 so joyning themselves is in the Hebrew A mutually giving up themselves together with the knowledge and consent one of another And thus in the third Chapter of Zephaniah verse nine They shall all call upon the Name of the Lord and shall serve him with one consent Besides all these Wisdom Christ calls for this in Prov. 23.26 My son give me thy heart And thus it is intended in Barnabas's exhortation That with purpose of heart that is the decree of the will they should cleave unto the Lord. In this sence is mentioned so many comings of poor souls unto Christ and so many calls in Scriptures to come Matth. 11.27 Joh. 6.35 37. unto him and in Luke 9.23 If any man will come after me let him deny himself take up the Cross c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is as much as to say such as will come according to Christs call and command must come freely affectionately and with fervency of desire Importat simul affectionem affectationem acceptationem therefore they must deny themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. that is Let him not have ends to come for nor principles to come from off his own but let him have as it were no reason of his own for or from himself to induce him thereunto which is an hard saying to some For the word is an accurate compound noting more then an ordinary or single self-denial Abnegeâ— i. e. Omnino negeâ— Now none others come to Christ to follow him in fellowship with him according to his call and commands but such as were freely carried forth even from their own reasons if need require into a voluntary consent and coming into union and communion with the Saints Which also in all ages is proved by the Churches practise Shall we look a little into the Typical Tabernacles and it is a truth therein viz. All that then offered were to be free and to do it voluntarily i. e. not violently or constrained thereunto therefore Exod. 25.2 O! every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offerings And Vers. 8 9. Let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them according to all that I
and the end of it be bitter and not blessed Prov. 20 21. All things in the Creation as well as in the Re-creation have one and the same ultimate end which all Saints should have in all their practices purposes and proposals to themselves The end though last in the execution yet is first in the intention in omnibus agendis c. and this is an undoubted truth Now agere prudenter to do wisely is adhibito certo fine to have before us fixed an honorable end and answerable to the business we are about Now our end in all things must be the same with Gods end in all viz. The glory of God no other end is honorable enough for us to aim at Hence it is said He created every one for his glory Isa. 43.7 and in Prov. 16.4 The Lord made all for himself yea the wicked c. i. e. The final cause of the Creation was his praise and glory so is it of his gubernation our redemption and salvation and whatsoever we can say hath all the same end which we are to aim at viz. The setting forth the praises of God Hence in so many Psalmes especially in Psalme one hundred forty eight David doth invoke all things and all Creatures in heaven and earth to praise the Lord but above all he calls on the Saints which is as much as to say in especiall manner it must be their end in all and by all and to doe all to his praise and glory 1 Cor. 10.31 so that Gods Angels Saints and all men and all Creatures humane or heavenly as they are God's all have the same end and that end is the honour and glory of God Now Saints have most especially this finall cause commanding them unto and commending them into this Gospel-Church-state this being their maine end and mighty designe to set forth the praise and glory of God This truth triumphs in armour of proofe out of Prophecies Precepts and practises with others For first in Isa. 35.10 The ransomed of the Lord shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy Isa. 51.11 ver 3. joy and gladnesse shall be found therein thankes-giving and the voyce of melody and they shall mention the Lords loving kindnesses and the praises of the Lord c. Isa. 63.7 thus in Cant. 8.2 the Church gives her Beloved to drinke of her spiced cup i. e. praise composed of the spices or graces of his owne Spirit and here is also juyce of the Pomegranats running out like little Rivers most sweet and acceptable unto the Lord. So Cant. 7.12 13. and Cant. 4.16 the end of her request is for the spices to flow out and that the Beloved may eate of his pleasant fruits This promise is also in that Prophecie of Jeremy 15.19 to comfort the cast-downe Prophet in his affliction the Lord promises when the precious are taken from the vile they shall be as his mouth i. e. filled with Hallelujahs of praises and honours and glory unto God So in Jer. 30.17 19. This is Zion whom no man seeketh after shall set forth his praises ver 19. And out of them shall proceed thankesgiving and the voyce of them that make merry thus Zeph. 3.9 I will turne to the people a pure Language a lip and what then they shall call upon the name of the Lord often read they shall praise the Lord with one consent This is fore-told in many chapters of the Revelations chap. 11.15.17 chap. 14.2.3 and in Revel 21.11 This new Jerusalem which is now coming downe hath the glory of God to fill her and ver 23 c. you shall finde the Types both of the Arke Tabernacle and Temple to fore-tell this was to be the end of every Church under the Gospel in 2 Chron. 5.13 14. wherein they had Musicke and Melodies Trumpets and Singers all as one shouting out one sound of praises and thankesgiving to the Lord and then the house of the Lord was filled with his glory Now much more is this new Jerusalem and so are these Gospel-temples for the praises and glory of God Praise waites for thee in Zion Psal. 65.1 and to thee shall the vowes be performed i. e. to thee in Zion as if Zion only were for the same purpose and in Psal. 67.2 3. Let thy way be knowne upon earth and then followes Let the people praise thee O God So Psal. 70.4 Let all those that seeke the Lord rejoyce and be glad in thee and let such as love thy salvation say continually Let God be magnified Thus is that in 2 Thes. 1.11 12. We pray for you that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and yee in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ by all which it appeares Praises are expected and required from all the Saints in Zion So Hebr. 13.15 Let us offer praises continually with all the cohabitants in the Gates of Zion which hath been in all Ages being it is for that purpose they are enchurched as in 1 Pet. 2.9 yee are a chosen Generation a royal Priesthood a peculiar purchased people and why for what end That ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light c. So in Isai. 64.10 11. Zion our holy and beautiful house where our fathers praised thee c. So Matth. 11 25. Heb. 2.12 sayes Christ I will sing praise unto thee in the midst of the Church Eph. 3.21 Vnto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen So that by all these Scriptures appears the final cause of Gods calling out of darkness into light out of the world into the Kingdom of Christ out from them without to Saints so embodied as before within I say the supream and ultimate end is to the setting forth of the praises and glory of God as a peculiar people in a peculiar manner Although I deny not but we are to aim at the edifying one another in Christ furthering of one another in the things of salvation watching over comforting and counselling of delighting and rejoycing in one another and having fellowship with the Father and the Son 1 Joh. 1.3 enjoying his presence there more especially 1 Cor. 6.26 and provoking one another to love and good lives Heb. 10.24 1 Cor. 1 9. Yet this of glorifying of God is the main most and moving end and all other things we aim at are but in subordination unto this in ordine ad gloriam Dei and good reason for it as will hereafter appear for they have most cause for it being the Redeemed reason 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and openly and apparently the Ransomed ones as in Revel 5.9 And they are most capable of it too Psal. 33.1 3. 53.6 being they have most reason 2 understanding Psal. 47.7 and are most
unfeigned without flatteries Revel 14.5 having no guile or as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is no Hypocrisie falshood for mentiri is contra mentem ire reason 3 no defect of that nature Hebrew Mum Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is found in their mouths but it is found so in the multitudes Besides reason 4 because they are the Virgins that follow the Lamb Rev. 14.4 Virgins have the finâ—st and sweetest voices and tunes and songs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hid and unknown to them without that are but men so Saints are hidden ones or as in Hebrew Porah the fruitfullest and followers of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into all conditions Now they know best the notes of high and low conditions and dispensations and they onely keep the tune best according reason 5 to the times they live in Besides they have grace in their hearts and have Christ dwelling in them richly and abundantly Col. 3.16 Now such in their praises to God which is their hardest and highest duty of a Christian do return of his own fulness and commodities in kinde grace for grace Joh. 1.16 and glorifie God Psal. 50.23 Whilst mixt Congregations abundantly abase God and rob him of his honor and in their best services and sacrifices bringing him rather the ratlings or what they can spare then the fatlings of their lives every day or the calves of their lips lives and loves Vse 1. It appears then by the bright beams of our Sun use 1 which shines in the Scripture-Elements in this Hemisphere of his Church here below That Parishes in this point are far from true Churches They fall short of the final cause not considering what conduces most to Gods glory but what is most for their advantage and gain this is the godliness of most Parochially opinionated In your Parishes prophane ones all sorts of sinners swearers drunkards whoremasters c. are all suffered as of their Churches which ought not to keep in or if they creep in ought to be cast out of Christs-Church wherein God is most to be glorified I say in such a Church as consists of Saints separated as before and that will not willingly or knowingly admit of or keep in carnal and openly sinful men c. Or thus The Members of Christs Church are the fittest to set forth the praises of God but the Members of that Church which consists of Saints separated and qualified as before are the fittest to set forth his praises Ergo c. Parishes are excommunicated for such a rabble-rout as have and yet do rob God of his due honor and praise and glory But Use 2. Better is the End of a thing then the beginning Eccl. use 2 7.8 Wherefore come forth ye that fear the Lord from those Dungeons of darkness those Babylons of unbelievers and lewd livers and Synagogues of Satan what is the fruit of those things whereof we are now ashamed And dearest hearts whom I bear in my bosom before my Father are any of you fond of Zion see that your End be good and then that the means be conducing and answerable thereunto The End though first and principal in your intention yet is the last and ultimate in the execution yea this End viz. the glory and praise of God is to be the Alpha and Omega the first and last of all or else our best will be but frustra agere bad in our building Wherefore Friend consider what is it we promise or propose to our selves sayes our Saviour Christ Luke 14.28 30 c. Which of you intending to build a Tower sits not down first to count the cost If he can finish it Least he be mocked and it be said he began to build but could not finish it This is but ordinary wisdom to weigh the End first and whither you can accomplish it or not or are fit to go through stitch with it or not or else what a scandal will you bring to the Gospel and dishonor to him whose name you profess Consider the End of your conversation Heb. 13.7 that is Look wishfully upon it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consider what is the end of your ways walking c. is all for Gods honor and glory 2. This must be the principal End of your entring into the Church of Christ to honor him with the same honor wherewith the Son honored the Father and you shall receive the end of your faith viz. salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 To conclude Sing praises sing praises like the Nightingale who spends whole nights in her kinde to sing forth the praises of God as if the day were too short every Man must be a Preacher every Creature a Text every Occasion a Doctrine every Blessing a Reason every Providence a Proof every Thanksgiving an Use Men and Angels the Auditors and the whole Sermon is Gods honor and glory And yet how many like unwise Archers shoot and know not at what mark And others vile wretches praise with their mouths but they are like Samsons honey out of the mouth of a Beast or like the Quarester that sung Gloria Patri in the Church and Carmina Bâ—ccho in the Tavern others there be that would blazon our Christs Arms Herald like but it must be their own device But the best flower in these Gardens enclosed to make God a Garland with is the Coronation flower to lay all our crown and glory at his feet When Thales had learnt Mandrita the Philosopher an admirable invention of the motion of the Heavens Oh Sir sayes Mandrita how shall I requite you No way sayes Thales Milesius but by acknowledging you learnt it of me So the Lord requires of us to give him the glory of all we learn in his Churches by his Spirit of the motions of the Heavens CHAP. XIII 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alluph 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of the true Church rightly defined that Christ alone is the Master Builder Ruler Repairer Head of Gold Lord Law-giver without any other Partner Paramount Competitor or Corrival whatsoever THen the Reed which hath measured both the true and false Church state presents unto us as vaste a disproportion and difference in all particulars essential as is possible between Parishes and true Churches For from the Essential Material Formal Objective Organical and Final causes we finde the Church of Christ lies thus defined from the false Antichristian Church which also we shall define by the rule of contraries The true Church of Christ then is 1. A society of Believers sanctified in Christ Jesus 2. Separate from the world false-ways and worships united together into one Body Independent or having a plenary power within its self without the least subordination to any but Christ 3. having the special presence of God in the midst of her 4. and being gathered and ordered by Christs rule alone 5. all her Members freely
on his Saints Ordinances Worships Churches wee must give Christ his due there which is to be the alone Head and Law-giver amongst them But thus far for this Chapter CHAP. XIV 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tsur That Christ is the onely Rocke and sure Foundation for his Church to be built upon All other Foundations being false sandy and such as will fail A House without a foundation cannot stand and to have an unsound sandy foundation is little better then none at all if not sometimes worse as being more deceitfull and dangerous Great is the fall of such an house Luke 6.49 Matth. 7.27 But this spirituall house hath a sure foundation if it be of Christs building which Christ hath laid with his owne hands as Zach. 4.9 Isa. 14.32 other places are founded by the arme of flesh but this by the Power and Spirit of the Lord. Palestina must fall but Zion i. e. sayes Sasbout the spirituall Zion meant Christs Church under the Gospel shall never fall for the Lord hath founded it upon a Rocke too so Mat. 7.25 Mat. 6.18 Luke 6.48 and this Rocke is Christ as 1 Cor. 10.4 2 Sam. 23.3 so that Christ is also the foundation of the Church which the Church is built upon Eph. 2.20 1 Cor. 3.14 Christ is not the Head of that Church whereof he is not the foundation sayes Cotton Christ is King Priest Prophet Head Master Lord and Lawgiver Advocate Husband Brother Builder and yet the Foundation of his Church what is hee not unto his people in any condition he is man and Minister to himselfe as God so that as he may be both the Prophet and the Word the Advocate and yet the Argument the Law-giver and yet the Law the Master and yet the member the Priest and yet the sacrifice even so may he be by the same rule and order the Founder and yet the foundation For as he preaches himselfe and this testimony was true as he pleads himselfe and this argument is full as he gives out himself and this Law is life as hee offers himselfe and this Sacrifice is precious and effectuall Even so he layes himselfe low to be our Foundation that wee might bee fitly built upon him and this Foundation will never faile for he is a Rockie foundation First Because the Rock is a sure and firme foundation which will not sinke nor shrinke per saxum foederis firmitatem notabant antiqui Venning but soft or sandy stones will give way and endanger the whole structure Now God in Christ is a sure and most firme foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 2 Tim. 2.19 which cannot faile us our Salvation lyes upon him he cannot deceive us The Church is like Mount Sion which abides for ever and is immoveable because founded upon the Rocke of ages Si nos ruemus ruet Christus una said that loud-tongued and liveli-spirited Luther If we fall Christ shall fall too and malo cum Christo ruere quam cum Caesare stare I had rather sayes another ruine with Christ then run with Caesar I had rather fall with Christ then stand with Caesar such can never fall 1 Pet. 2.6 as long as Christ the foundation stands Secondly A Rocke is high whence we have pleasant prospects and see far round the Horizon and Hemisphere whence wee look with delight and have the least hindrances Num. 23.9 Christ is such a high Rocke Psal. 61.2 and the Saints foundation lyes in him who is higher then all Rocks and mountaines Psal. 87.1 or places Isa. 57.15 Psal. 91.14 From this high Rock i. e. Christ the Saints see far and faire and have most eminent discoveries and the sweetest Survey of Heaven and happinesse all other things being below them And they have the least hindrance in their prospects either up or downe or round about being filled with loveliest liveliest richest highest and heavenliest soul-ravishing Discoveries Thirdly A Rocke is a place of refuge of great strength and security thither people run for refuge and safety Isa. 2.21 1 Sam. 13.6 and 23.25 a Castle in a Rocke is accounted impregnable and cannon proof Such a Rocke is Christ to the Church and his Saints Deut. 32.31 Psal. 18.2 Psal. 31.2 a strong Rocke and Castle of defence Hence it is Saints are so safe in Christ that they cannot bee stormed or taken Saints are secure in him when all Devils in hell let flye upon them For as Tertullian sayes the desperatest Bullets and Darts that men or Devils can shoo◠at this impregnable and impenetrable Rocke are either returned with a powder or bounded backe upon the heads of them that shot them or else are fallen down dead and blunted without any more mischiefe The Gates of Hell shall not prevaile against them that is neither the power nor policy of Hell combined together no not though the Devill doth by himselfe or others plot with his seven-heads or push with his ten-hornes neither can all the fraudulent plots practises malices machinations policies powers or engines that Earth or Hell can bring forth bee enough to ruine the Church who is seated sure and safe upon a Rocke that is higher and mightier then they It is true they may batter but cannot conquer they may reach to her heel and peradventure bruise her heele but they cannot reach to the Head but they will break themselves a peeces They cannot make a breach in true Religion or a battery in this Rocke no though the Devill should discharge the Popes Cannons or the greatest Ordinances hee hath at them say they were as big as those two cast by Alphonsus the Duke of Ferrara the one of which he called the Earthquake the other the Grandiabolo or the Great-devill neither Earth nor Hell the Earthquake nor the greatest Devils can remove the Church founded upon this Rocke they may shake her but not shame her disturb her but not destroy her who may challenge the Venetian Motto Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur as Mat. 7.25 and Psal. 62.2 Hee onely is my rocke and my SALVATION he is my DEFENCE I shall not be greatly moved so vers 6 7. But to make haste Fourthly A Rocke keeps his place removes not and thus doth Christ who is the same yesterday to day and for ever hee alters not nor removes from being the foundation of his peoples principles graces happinesse joyes enjoyments and all he is ever in this place and therefore he is in Zion a sure foundation Isa. 28.26 and cannot bee removed Hebr. 12.28 immobile saxum Fifthly A Rocke is very lasting an Heiroglyphick of permanency durability and perpetuity so is Christ who can never decay or decrease but of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end Isa. 9.7 Sixthly A Rocke yeelds severall and singular Benefits it is a shade from the scorching heat
So the Church is dilated into many Congregations but every good Christian is the Church contracted and condensed into one Bosome being alike built upon the Rockie Foundation which will never faile CHAP. XV. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ahezachecha That all the children of Sion called home are bound to make haste and to enter into this Way of Christ among his Companions in the Gardens THe next newes is that wisdome stands in the streets and calls to all yea the simple and poore to eat of her bread and drinke of her wine to forsake the foolish and to goe in the way of understanding she cries at the gates at the entry of the City at the coming in at the doores Prov. 8.1 2 3. yea shee hath sent out her Maidens the Ministers to cry aloud by preaching her doctrine Prov. 9.4 and her Discipline Prov. 9.1 For wisdome hath laid the foundation and hewed out her pillars as you have heard before what follows why hearken unto me O yee children blessed are they that keep in my wayes blessed is the man that heareth mee watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors The gates of Zion are the particular Churches of Christ into which Christ calls all that have communion with him Arise and come away which as Ainsworth sayes Beleevers are bound to doe and must labour forthwith to enter in and being come in to abide there and to contend together for the faith Phil. 1.27 which was once DELIVERED to the Saints For this is foretold in Isa. 2.3 and he will teach us his wayes the very next step is this and we will walke in his pathes as soone as ever we know the way of Christ the Lawes Ordinances Institutions and Discipline of Christ wee must make no delay at all but put into practise and enter into his way It argues carnality to procrastinate and put off Christ and to delay our comming at the call of Christ when wee have clearly and distinctly heard it Luke 14.18 and alwayes observe that it is something or other of the world that is the let but as Micah 4.2 sayes and Jer. 50.4 They shall go and seek the Lord and aske the way to Zion saying Come and let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant Iâ—unt non subsistent ad vocationem Christi non moras trahent Oecolamp in loc So Psal 110.3 besides the Precepts Psal. 45.11 Mat. 28.20 and loud calls aâ— before the many menaces used in the Scriptures against Rebels and such disobedient subjects doe sufficiently testifie to this truth Psal. 2.12 Luke 19.23 1. Cor. 16.22 and the practises of the Saints in primitive times yea though times of hottest persecutions and fiery trials yet their then ready obedience to this order of Christ doth very much manifest the reality of this assertion viz. that Saints are bound by vertue of positive Precepts to joyn together somewhere in a Gospel-way and order as hath been before handled Act. 2.41 42. 1 Thes. 1 4 5 6 7. 2 Cor. 8.11.22 2 Cor. 8.5 Cum multis aliis Now is there not reason enough for it For First What other visible way for Beleevers to walke in together reason 1 and to worship in hath Christ brought out of his Fathers bosome and left behinde him when he ascended on high till his second coming but this see Eph. 4.11 12. Secondly What an apparent peece of disobedience and contempt of Christs Call and Command is this to live in Babylon streets or as Lot in Sodome notwithstanding the Angel of the Sunne is sent to cry aloud in our eares to come away into Sion and to make a habitation for the Lord to live in Isa. 52.11 Rev. 18.4 2 Cor. 6.16 17. Eph. 2.21.28 yea and the Spirit is to be our conduct Jo. 16.13 and 14.26 and knocks at our doors and tarries to know if we are ready and to put us in minde of making haste by many motions and instigations and instincts O then how roughly doe they resist the Holy Ghost and quench the motion of the Spirit that stirs in them and strives with them Act. 7.51 1 Thess. 5.19 which is a sinne of the saddest consequence if after they are convinced Mat. 12.31 Marke 3.28 29. Heb. 10.26.27 agnitam veritatem flagitiose insectari So Saul Julian Latomus of Loraine and many others sinned the sinne of death that is they madly and maliciously resisted the truth despised and despited the wayes of Christ notwithstanding their consciences checks and the Spirits motions and so did Stephen Gardiner Fox Act. and Mon. Fol. one thousand nine hundred and five and divers others O sad sad sinne to sinne against the office and operations of the good Spirit of grace which is more then to speake against his person in ignorance for so did the Sabellian Eunomian and Macedonian hereticks who yet found mercy Wherefore have a care how yee dare to live in the loathsome Babylonish wayes of confusion after yee are called out thence and convinced by the Spirit since of the gates of Sion whilst the Spirit moves in you to make haste into Church-fellowship he is doing his office in you look you to reason 3 yours Consider the abundance of ill consequences which must unavoydably follow this disobedience to Christ or this neglect or omission of these wayes of holinesse or Gospel-fellowship for First The worship of God or service to Christ Jesus which should be our joy and meat and drinke suffers by it which is more acceptably and orderly performed with joynt consent and in communion of Saints Rom. 15.16 1 Cor. 1.9 10. Zeph. 3.9 the Lambe is said to solemnize publick service upon Mount Sion with a hundred forty and foure thousand Saints there their voice is like the voice of many waters and mighty thunders Rev. 14.1 2 3. in the songs of praises and in their prayers but for this I refer to Ainsworths Communion Chap. 16. Secondly without this the Saints must needs fall short of that duty of edifying one another and of building up one another in the most holy faith but then they grow Jer. 23.3 4. Ezek. 34.14.16 and walke in light Isa. 60.3 1 Jo. 1.17 and love Eph. 5.2 1 Thess. 4.9 1 Pet. 1.22 and unity of the Spirit Phil. 2.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 13.11 Eph. 4.3 instructing and provoking one another to holinesse and good works Mal. 3.16 Jude 20. 1 Thess. 5.11 Heb. 10.24 therefore are they implanted together to flourish in the Lords Courts and to bring forth fruits Psal. 92.13 14. which will not faile for the waters run out of the Sanctuary Ezek. 47.1 Thirdly otherwise they have not that mutuall aid and assistance for the counsel and comfort of one another which they ought to have Rom. 12.3 1 Cor. 12.22.26 Fourthly nor is there that unanimous compliance or united force made against the opposers of the truth
as is required Phil. 1.27 Jude 3 Gal. 5.1 1 Cor. 7 23. Can. 6.4 til they be in communion as an Army with Banners and then they are terrible to their enemies being all under one Captaine Heb. 2.10 grant there be divers colours having all the same word Jer. 31.33 marching all in order and ranke Col. 2.5 making all one arme and strength against the same enemies and joyntly vindicating the truth joyntly praying and then out of their mouths comes fire to destroy their Adversaries Rom. 11.5 joyntly suffering for the truth 1 Cor. 11.26 Rom. 12.8 joyntly refusing traditions trumperies and whatsoever is contrary to Christs word joyntly disputing for and maintaining of their Liberties and Priviledges Gal. 5.1 Fifthly without this Fellowship together there is not that fellow-feeling or Saintly sympathy as ought to be 1 Cor. 12.25.26 Rom. 12.16 nor is there that bearing one anothers burthens Gal. 6.2 Heb. 13.3 nor forbearing one with anothers weaknesses as Eph. 4.32 Col. 3 12 13. in bowels of love pity patience and without censures Rom. 14.13 Rom. 13.1 2 c. Sixthly besides they are exceeding deficient in many other Christian duties who are not in Gospel-fellowship for how can they Prophesie in the Church 1 Cor. 14. or tell the Church as Mat. 18.17 if they are not members of a Church or obey them that are Elders Heb. 13.17 or vigilantly watch over one anothers conversation and admonish or reprove orderly Mat. 18.15 1 Thess. 5.14 and 4.18 2 Thess. 3.15 Rom. 15.14 c. But for this I refer to Mr. Bartlets Model But to the reason 4 Fourth Reason or Argument which is taken from the special priviledges which are proper to them that are in the way of Christ above all others which are abundance As first among them Christ doth most manifest his presence Psal. 36.2 in a more then ordinary measure the glory of God is seen in the face of Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Christ takes most delight in the midst of them to walke there Rev. 1.12 13. and 2 1. in his rich robes of righteousnesse to cloath or cover with the meanest Saints or member of his body i. e. with a garment downe to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle for himselfe as High-priest and his Saints as Priests The names of Temples house Kingdome Tabernacle yea and golden Candlesticks are given to Beleevers in Church-fellowship 2 Cor. 6.16 1 Cor. 3.16.17 Eph. 2.22 Heb. 3.6 Rev. 21.3 for this very reason not onely because he walks in them but there he lodges Psal. 132.13 14. lives and rests in a most remarkable manner there the Kingdome and King is seen in his beauty Isa. 33.17 And for this I referre to the object of the Church in Chap 9. Secondly In this Way of Christ the Saints have most singular refreshments and the sweetest and highest enjoyments of love and grace and powrings of the unction from on high upon them we shall finde how Christ yea and his Apostles after him did daily visit the Synagogues and publick Assemblies and amongst them he uttered so many gracious words and wrought so many mighty miracles and why so if not to foreshew by this how he would regard the Church-assemblies of his people and be their Prophet to declare excellent truths and to open the Fathers bosome to them above all for there hee feeds Cant. 1.7 and 6.2 3. and eats pleasant fruits i. e. of his owne planting Cant. 4.16 there the Lord is a place of broad rivers Isa. 33.21 and Christ is there and to them streams from Lebanon and a Fountaine in the middest of them Cant. 4.12 as in Florence and Naples where they have the most excellent Gardens they have in the midst a most excellent Spring a Fountaine from which with an Engine they can sprout out water and streams round about the Garden so alluding to this is Christ in the midst of such a Church-fellowship as we have spoken of a Fountaine and streams i. e. they are refreshed with streams in a more eminent manner then all in the world besides For the common-fields flowers and trees without have the benefit of the clouds and ordinaryâ— raine and showers but the particular Churches of Christ his bed of spices Cant. 6.2 are more watered then all others for besides the outward meanes of grace and preaching praying expounding and ordinary publick showers or refreshments they have a fountaine within that is never dry of purer and more Chrystall showers that cannot be taken away from them the Word and Spirit are as it were entailed to them in a most spirituall manner above all Exod. 20.24 Isa. 4.5.6 Isa. 25.6 7 8. Psal. 132.13 14 15 Isa. 56.7 Isa. 59.21 and are as it were seated there to sanctifie season counsell quicken comfort encourage and assist them in Church-fellowship above any other So that when there is a drought without and the Clouds are steril and the earth barren yet there is even there within a fountaine and streams for the Gardens So that though Ministers i. e. Clouds may be empty yet the Fountaine i. e. Christ cannot Thus Saints in fellowship are fed with fat things Isa. 25.6 7. with flaggons and apples Cant. 2.5 and full refreshments and that above all other the dwellings of Jacob and they bring forth fruits even in old age Psal. 92.13 14. Thirdly Christ is more free with them then with any others as a Husband with his Wife to impart his most intimate bosome-loves and secrets Cant. 7.12 2 Cor. 11.2 and to let out his very heart-loves into his wives arms and bosome Isa. 62.4 5 and Isa. 61.10 Psal. 36.8 Fourthly Such of all are under his protection and banner of love Cant. 2.4 Isa. 4.5 6. Joel 2.32 Isa. 54.17 and in the midst of them is salvation placed Isa. 46.13 Zach. 2.5 And in a word they have a heaven upon earth Rev. 12.1.12 O! it is good being here For these and many more the like Reasons hath this Gospel-order of Beleevers in fellowship been alwayes praised prized and indefatigably sought for and accounted of even as of necessity for beleevers in all ages For the Lord though hee loves all his Saints Deut. 33 3. yet he loves the gates of Zion more then all other the dwellings of Jacob Psal. 87.2 and so much the Saints have loved these Courts of the Lord that they have accounted a day better there then a thousand elsewhere Psal. 84.10 the Apostles longed after it and to see the brethren in it Rom. 1.11.12 1 Thes. 2.17 yea and esteemed them the Crown of their joy 1 Thes. 2.19.20 yea Christ himselfe as man exceedingly desired it and sought comfort by his Disciples prayers Mat. 26.40.43 Luke 22.46 and he exceedingly longed after a most speciall communion with them in fellowship with him before hee parted from them and was taken away to suffer See Luke 22.15 with desire
I have desired to eat with you before I suffer as if he should say I have most strong affections hereto for thereby I shall be abundantly stengthned and refreshed as well as you c. O then how dare any that follow the Lambe delay entring into these wayes of holinesse and love did not Christ his Apostles and primitive Saints goe before us into this Church-fellowship and Gospel-order what hinders us nay what is the reason wee doe not run into them for what a world of proofs precepts promises practises reasons arguments motives and priviledges are there to provoke us were they but duely weighed who durst either deny or delay comming or joyning The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saved Act. 2.47 wherefore make this use put forward apace for the wayes of Sion with the will wherein you must have in your hearts inclinations resolutions for and choosings of these Tabernacles above all other wayes if once you get into these Gates of Sion you will quickly be in Sion But some may say Object But learned able schollars and godly judicious men doe both print and preach against this way the Answer is easie Answ. First In all ages both learned and godly have been answer 1 opposers of Christ and his Church so were the Scribes and Pharisees the most learned and in appearance the most godly of the age and so Act. 13.50 were those that raised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a running and a most rigid persecution-against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts but this should never the more hinder us Secondly Though they be learned and godly yet they bee but men therefore subject to mistakes for judicium fit secundum vim intellectualis luminis they preach and print but according to their apprehension But Thirdly All are not learned nor godly that the world judges to be so they have a form of godlinesse denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3. and so they may have the letter of Learning but not the life of it whole Libraries in their heads but not a Catechisme nor Principle in their hearts Isa. 29.11 Isa. 50.4 I mean of the true Divinity which the Father learnes us Joh. 6.45 by his Spirit 1 Joh. 2.20.77 this none but the Redeemed have Rev. 14.3 and in this the Spirit is our Tutor and teaches us out of the Lambs booke Rev. 5.5 6. such have indeed the highest skill of Tongues and are most admirably conversant with the originall language of the Spirit here lyes the difference but for these their Learning comes from the heart Prov. 16.23 whilst the others comes but from the head But Fourthly They know but in part they will know more then now they doe Fifthly Doe not learned able and godly of all sorts print preach and pray this way of Christ by unanswerable arguments against all opposers whatsoever and answer the arguments and objections of the Adversaries Sixtly This opposition of theirs is necessary for the evincing of the truth and makes more for it then against it Act. 28.22 Act. 24.5.14 Object But when people enter into this way they run into errors presently answer 1 Answ. First Some it may bee that enter doe run into errour but this their uniting with the Saints in Gospel-order is not the cause of it nay Secondly There is no stricter enemy to error that can bee then this order of Christ which will not allow of the least appearance much lesse growth of error or sinne Rom. 16.17 18. 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Act. 20.29.31 Rev. 2.14.16 2 Jo◠10. though such as are conscientious have and are to have their liberty in things indifferent Rom. 14.1 2 5. Thirdly Nay to say the truth the neglect and omission of this duty to enter into fellowship according to Gospel-order makes so much disorder and so many runne into wayes of error as hath been hinted before in Chap. 7. but grant it to argue ex concessis then we say Fourthly Errors are usefull as well as truth and it is expedient they should be 1 Cor. 11.19 In Pope Clements the fifths time Frederick King of Sicily made this his master-objection against the Church viz. the errours and evill-orders which indeed he might well doe but he was answered and soon satisfied with this Scripture That offences must come and that there must be heresies amongst you that they which are approved may bee manifest by Arnoldus de nova villa This is much for the glory of truth too and therefore in Isa. 60.1 2. a glorious light and yet a grosse darknesse are both foretold for one time together should wee halfe so much prize the light and presse for it had we never a night nor darknesse but both together doth well and wisdome hath so ordained it I have heard of a Ruler who gave liberty to his subjects for certain dayes to do any manner of evill or mischiefe and they should not bee questioned for any wickednesse done in those dayes no though they murdered or did villany in the highest nature But this was in policy to indear government unto them and by giving his people a taste what it was to bee without it to make them the more prize it Obj. We are well enough as long as salvation may be had here in Parishes what need we enter into any other way Answ. 1. Yet ye are not well enough for ye live in disobedience answer 1 and in danger of Babylons plagues and in contempt of Christs commands which shall not go unpunished Heb. 10.20 And therefore if you love your own souls there is great need of getting into the gates of Sion 2. VVhat a carnal low degenerate base Spirit hast thou to be as well content with Egypt as with Canaan and with the Onions and Leeks as well as if ye had the Milk and Honey Thou doest fall foully short of the true Spirit of Christ in a Saint which is ever going forward and cannot be content with the husks no nor crums as long as there is bread enough in our Fathers house Besides how unkindly doest thou deal with Dear Christ who took care for thee and brought this way from Heaven out of his Fathers heart for thee and wilt thou now slight both him and it But 3. It is a question whether thy salvation may be had here in these Parochial ways and Discipline as long as thou art perswaded and convinced by Gods Word thou art in a false-way but how ever I tell thee from the Lord thou art an enemy to thy poor soul and as much as almost may be an hinderer of thy own salvation For thou dost rob thy soul of the rich benefit of being watched over admonished counselled comforted and maist lie in some sin which thou seest not and others might see which may be thy ruine thou
Eph. 4.4 We are one Body and have one Spirit that is As one Soul in the Body quickens moves governs comprehends all and every Member so doth one Spirit in the Church every Member Eye Ear Hand Head Foot c. It is one and the same Soul that acts in every one and all the Members though in a different way as the Eye to see with Ear to hear with Hand to work with Foot to walk with tongue to speak with Head to plot with c. And so many several ways the Soul works and yet is but one and the same so the Spirit works in divers ways and sundry manners 1 Cor. 12.4 in several Members some to prophecy some to teach some to exhort some to oversee some to direct and rule some to distribute c. Rom. 12.4 6 7 8. some to one thing some to another and yet it is but one and the same Spirit This one and the same Spirit rests upon every Member and we must by this one Spirit be brought into this Body of Christ which is his Church Thus I have done with the inward instrument of working in us and winning upon us to enter into Church-fellowship Now in this there is an apparent difference between Hypocrites and true Saints entring into this way A true Saint is made willing and spontaneous by a principle within but a Hypocrite or any other man is moved as the Automata are moved or things of artificial motion as Clocks Jacks or the like engines of ingenuity It is some weight without that poyseth them and puts them upon motion so something or other that is without swayeth and worketh and weigheth upon the hearts of Hypocrites to make them willing as we said before concerning Dublin and not an inward principle But thus we have done with the instrumental or organical reason 6 causes of carrying the will on in the way of Christ which is matter for a Reason of the necessity of a voluntary cause that is because the Word and Spirit are the two arms which the Lord hath appointed to pull them out of Babylon with and into Sion and no other instruments or means must do it until these hands of Jesus Christ do lead them out of their carnal corrupt or Antichristian condition they have no call to come and when they are thus called and convinced as before they come running by a voluntary instinct and consent flowing up more fluminis as the tide by a natural instinct and not by compulsion into the mountain where the Lords house is on the top of all mountains Isai. 2. But consider 7. Lastly That because the will of man is inclined and reason 7 carried on into the way of Christ as we said before ab interiori principio by an inward instinct and principle and all kinde of coaction or violent compulsion comes from without ab exteriori principio therefore it is a high absurdity a groundless and irregular opinion and positively repugnant even to the principles of one spiritualized and made willing by the power of Christ to call for compulsive powers to promote the ways of Christ or to bring in any man that way seeing violentia directe opponitur voluntario violentia causat involuntarium he must be a voluntier And this will serve as the seventh Reason to ratifie this truth That men must not be compelled but come in voluntarily for violence is inconsistent with the will Thus under several considerations hath this point been offered for a voluntariness to be wrought in us by the power of Christ before we venture or enter into his Church-way Now a man may be said to be voluntary two ways directly or indirectly 1. Directly Then the will is the agent of his willingliness having an inward principle even as the fire having the principle of heat is the agent of heat in the water But such a one as is 2. Indirectly voluntary is made so by some outward means promises or threatnings hopes or fears or the like and such a one will be a dangerous doubting and disturbing Member But such men and women as are directly voluntary by the means I have mentioned in this Chapter may come with welcome For they are called and invited and if there be first a willing minde saith the Apostle you are accepted 2 Cor. 8.12 For Christ will enjoy sayes one his Spouses love and person by a willing contract and not by a ravishment He is none of them he will have the heart to consent with all the heart O then let us say with the Apostle The love of Christ constraineth us and with Job 32.18 The Spirit constraineth us These are the best and sweetest compulsive powers But thus for this Chapter CHAP. III. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sagad Dur. or Pagad Dur. After this full perswasion and voluntary motion and concurrence comes in the communion of Saints by an orderly uniting and embodying together in a solemne order suitable to the solemnity of the Ordinance and that in some publike place MAny there be that in the time of the Churches tranquillity will intrude and pretend willingnesse with the Lords people to goe about the Lords work and build especially when earthly powers and Rulers look kindly upon us and allow us our liberty to go and build and when they as Patrons and protecting Fathers prove favourers and abetters of what we are about But let us have a care and say with Zerubbabel and the rest of the Fathers of Israel Ezra 4.2 3. It is not for you and us joyntly to build an house unto our God you have nothing to doe with us but we our selves together will build it unto the Lord God of Israel Remember that wee are a people that must be separate the cleane from the uncleane the holy from the prophane and by one free consent being fully convinced concurre together in this worke of the Lord without the unclean hands or helpâ— of them without who are adversaries to Sion Now because our Ruler is the God of order and not of confusion he would have all things done in decency and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is compositis moribus fitly for use and ornament to the Church which is a rule saies one of great request and inquest both for real and ritual decency which is to be observed and is of much concernment And for this Colosse was so largely commended Col. 2.5 and Christ himselfe our sweet Master intimates so much in setting downe the people on the grasse Matth. 14.18 and 15. and feeding them ranke by ranke as it were as they sat So his Churches are called beds of spices Cant. 6.2 that is as beds and borders orderly set out to sâ—ew us what delight he hath to live in an orderly and well set out society Order is Gods Ordinance Now to make up this order some things are
extra-essential and left to liberty according to what is requisite to the constitution and condition of the Church and other things are essential and positively relate as well to the being as well-being of the Church ita ordo dicitur respectu principii and may by no means be omitted but of this latter we have been large before and for the former respecting ritual decency and order we must grant that men must not be tyed to such things as of necessity but they are left free whether to observe them or change them as often as there is cause for the use and excellency of the Church I could not omit to premise thus much before I proceed and shall say with Luther What if any one Church will not imitate another in things indifferent and doubtfull outward and circumstantial ritual and formal Yet what need is there of compulsion by Powers Decrees of Councels or the like which are presently converted into snares and laws and as he saith to the Church at Wittembergs about the form of celebrating the Supper in quibus omnibus cavendum ne legem ex libertate faciamus c. Be sure that our liberty be not made a Law by men and a snare to souls such a warning I will give the Reader ere I go on that he confine not his light opinion judgement or perswasion to mine here or any other mans in those things which are left to liberty I am not about establishing a set Form of Discipline or making a Directory as necessary for others to walke by or to ensnare any soules or trouble any consciences but to set before you as is given me from above and that by measure the pattern of Gods house and as for this Form of embodying together by a solemn order which I am now treating of in this Chapter as we have promised else where you have our experiences of it and proofs for it and may follow it if you please it being in our judgement the most orderly and heavenly manner we have met with and most Scriptural and consonant to rule both of Reason and Religion Now premising thus much and promising this more that I shall heartily imbrace and willingly give way to the unction from on high in better teachings about this order and be ready to receive from any whatsoever shall be offered as more useful and profitable in this forme of uniting I shall proceed In order to a communion of Saints in a Gospel-Church-state those who are godly do often meet together as in Mal. 3.16.17 when all that feared the Lord and thought on his name and his worship conferred often together and this is a duty deeply incumbent to the Saints to do so first of all and to speak often together to pray together to make mention of the Lord with savoury speeches tending to edification Eph. 4.29 and 5.3 4. Heb. 3.13 Jude 20. Act. 18.23 and this as often as there is an opportunity and then you shall finde Mal. 3.17 after this the Lord promises to set upon gathering his people then saith the Lord will I make up my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peculium my jewels picked out and binde them up together And this day wherein I will doe this shall be a day of distinction and separation betwixt the precious and the vile the sheep and the goats the righteous and the wicked and then Verse 18. shall ye discerne between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Now I say in order to this the people of God must first meet and that often together to try and have knowledge and experience of one another to inquire after one another and all together by their joynt prayers and offerings to contribute their best towards the building up of this Tabernacle Then let all vaine communication be kept out Eph. 5.4 and let your words bee savoury and seasoned with that salt of the word that hath not lost its savour and be ready to answer any objection or question that shall be made Col. 4.6 exhorting and provoking one another to duty Heb. 3.13 and 10.24 25. and declaring to one another their clear satisfaction and full perswasion of the way of Christ and their manifesting of longing fond affections for these Courts of the Lord and to be in his amiable Tabernacles Psal. 84.1 2. saying one to another Come let us goe up to this mountaine of the Lord the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us his wayes and we will walke in his pathes Isa. 2.2 3. and asking the way to Zion with your faces thitherward saying Come and let us joyne our selves unto the Lord c. Now this is preparatory to the worke of embodying which follows and yet these godly are left to liberty to joyne in what society seems best to them and are not tyed to one place therefore did the Apostles gather people together in several Cities where they dwelt and so established many Churches in one County as the seven Churches in the lesser Asia Rev. 1.4.10 the Churches of Galatia Syria and Cilicia 1 Cor. 16.1 Act. 15.41 Corinth and yet Cenchrea Rom. 16.1 in the Suburbs of Corinth that the Saints might enter where was most convenient After this Those that are clearly convinced of the order and well satisfied with the worke it selfe and one with another as before being affectionately desirous to walke together in this way and having agreed it Amos 3.3 they doe write and give up their names together for that purpose which they propose as being the best way to intimate their desires and seeming most to be in practise in former times Act. 1.15 Nehem. 7.5.38 which thing they doe to one whom they appoint to receive them and to call them as occasion serves In the mean time they most unanimously desire and appoint a solemne day of humiliation or more to bee set apart and to seek the Lords presence and his promises of direction and guidance in so great a duty which else they dare not undertake Isa. 58.11 Jo. 14.26 and 15.26 and 16.13 on which day they lye low before the Lord and licke the dust Nehem. 1.11 and Nehem. 9.1 2. 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. Act. 14.23 this they doe by themselves separate from others Nehem. 9.2 and it is usually a most humbling heart-breaking day whilst they come before the Lord with feare and trembling wondring at his love to pitch upon them for so great a mercy to pick them out and leave so many behinde to visit them with light and refreshings from on high Act. 3. Oh! how doth a thousand of these considerations melt them before the Lord and yet make them with teares to lay hold on all the promises made to them in this case and pressing him with Moses Exod. 33.15.16 to be with them and to goe before them in this work for wherein say they shall it be knowne that we and
you must admit and receive and raâ—her abstaine from those things then as to him then render offence or cause him to stumble for though thou bevest this or that may be yet have thy faith to thy self Vers. 22. and not for another Thus you have the scope of the whole Chapter to ratifie this undeniable assertion laid downe at first for receiving of such as are weake though differing in opinion and this point lyes cleare in many other Scriptures besides both Prophesies and Precepts and practise of primitive Churches You have it prâ—phesied in Micah 4.5 This Chapter begins with the promised happinesse and eminency of the Church of Christ foretold these latter dayes and amongst other things this is one Promise made foretelling her eminency thereby and her exceeding glory above the glory of former ages for that all Nations shall come that is not meant sayes Gualter All of all Nations but many peoples of many languages under many wayes formes orders and dispensations shall come in to the Church of Christ Jew and Gentile bond and free of all sorts and opinions that are the Lords under the reigne of Christ shall come in though Jew and Gentile are at as much variance and distance for their different judgements one from another as may bee yet they must be one in one For there is but one Body of all beleevers of all judgements Eph. 4 4 5 6. in all ages under all forms of all degrees and measures of light and life Eph. 2.15 Col. 3.15 having all the same faith for quality in the same Christ and all live on Christ by faith not by forme Thus all of us will walke every one in the name of his God and we will walke also in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Every one according to his light and measure obeying God constantly and then saith the Lord I will assemble her that halteth between God and Baal 1 King 18 two opinions and make even her a remnant and a Congregation over whom I will reigne in Zion Besides Ezek. 36.37 38. you have the richest blessings reserved for the last dayes when Paradise shal be restored and the Church shall become the Lords Eden in vers 35. I will increase them saith the Lord with men like a flocke how is that i. e. thus in a flocke alluding to a shepherds flocke there be old and young Lambs and Ews Isa. 40.11 of several sorts sizes colours complexions yet all make but one flocke and it is not the difference of the fleece of the colour or outward appearance or tone or bleat or going or weaknesse or leannesse or raggednesse that makes it none of the flocke so long as it is a sheep still as long as none of these differences are such as make it no sheep So the Church of Christ shall consist of Saints though they differ in opinions so long as those opinions cannot make them no Saints that are under variety of dispensations administrations forms opinions and severall measures of grace and spirit And yet the Lords flocke a holy flocke Verse 38. all having one Master-Shepherd serving one and the same God as Zeph. 3.9 I will turne the peoples of all Nations to a pure language i. e. of the Spirit and then all under all formes orders languages whatsoever all shall serve the Lord with one consent all shall agree in one and consent in that to serve the Lord and to draw together with one shoulder as the simile runs from a yoake of Oxen drawing together yea the Leopard and the Kid the Lion and the Lamb shall lye down together See this also foretold by Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned together and Zach. 8.23 of all languages shall take hold of him that is a Jew saying We will goe with you for we have heard that God is with you that is Men enlightned that have found the Lord as in verses before and are united to him they shall now enter into the Church of Christ where the Lord is with them Though they be of all Languages Nations habits forms and appearances so they be but holy and seekers and servants of the Lord as before they must be received though there be as large a difference in things outward and formal as between other Nations and the Jews yet they must be all one and brought into one body God will gather all his people into one and every year he is hastning this designe to bring all into one But for further proofes see Phil. 3.15 16. If any be of another minde what then not put him by no but walk with him for God shall in time reveal it to him Neverthelesse whereunto we have already attained and are all of one minde and judgement let us all walke together as Phil. 1.27 and Phil. 2.1 2. by the same rule of Christ let us minde the same things that is of God the honour and glory of God the worship and service of God thus much to me lyes under the Commission Christ gave in Mat. 28. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep them charily whatsoever commanded and commended to them in Discipline and Doctrine now this was one in Mat. 19.14 to admit even of Infants in Christ of such who are as weake simple innocent and as unable as little ones to speak or expresse themselves c. yet such are to be by Christs Disciples Christs-Church received and admitted as well as others that are of a more manly growne and strong stature in Christ for of such as these little ones as well as of strong ones consists the Kingdome of heaven Moreover we might muster many Authors together to beare testimony to this truth but besides what was said before we shall finde the examples of all Churches in primitive times to take in all Saints though of different opinions if holy and beleevers in Corinth Rome Galatia Antioch c. where were Jews and Gentiles circumcised and uncircumcised and such as did exceedingly differ in opinions thus Rom. 14. Gal. 2.11 and 5.1 and Act. 15.1 2. and 1 Cor. 12 13. for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Gentiles bond or free so after the Apostles dayes as appears by Ecclesiastical Writers all that were godly in Christ Jesus without respect of persons or opinions were received their faith in Christ and love to all Saints was looked upon as necessary and enough as Mr. Fox observes till the hot contest between the Asians and the Romans about the observation of dayes An. 157. and then in Antoninus Pius's reigne was Polycarpus faine to goe to Rome to Anicetus then Bishop of Rome and though they two differed in opinion yet were they one in most sweet kinde and Christian communion and both avoided the breach of unity or peace
varietate unity in verity though in variety of formes and ceremonies yet true unity stood well with the differences and varieties of formes c. because it was in the Spirit Psal. 45.13 the Church was all glorious within though without her outward cloathing was wrought with variety and diversity of needle-work Thirdly One Faith in all therefore Vnity is urged seeing all Saints in all ages Moses David Daniel Apostles and we now and all that were are and are to come under all forms live in one and the same mystery and truth of Faith 2. Cor. 4.13 apprehending the same Christ applying the same Salvation so are all the Churches Independent Baptized c. in one Faith though not in one Forme they live not by forme whether you call it a Conformity with the Prelates or Vniformity with the Rhemists or either with the Presbyterians or neither with us but they live by faith Not on this or that forme or worship so as to think our selves therefore good and others evill this is contrary to our life of faith which is all on Christ. This onenesse of faith est una eadem totius Ecclesiae Zanch. which is one and the same in every particular Church and throughout the whole agrees very well with the diversity of gifts parts formes c. so in and through all one and the same Christ be apprehended Therefore Vnity may well stand with it in all the Churches Fourthly he calls for Vnity from all that are called into one hope of their calling all that are called by the inward and effectuall voice of God into one and the same hope All hope for the same thing none for better or greater then another Unit as consist it in hoc quod una eademque sit omnibus spes una eademque omnibus proposita haeraditas coelestis Zanch. For 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were all alike called into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. All the Churches doe a like expect the appearances of Christ the day of his comming the effusion of his spirit the restauration of Zion the reigne of Christ and the inheritance of the Saints Ergo Vnity for it is for such as differ in their hopes to differ in their love and waies Fifthly One Lord no more Lords but Jesus Christ nor no other Lawgiver in and to all the Churches therfore all should come under one Lord. For 't is divers Lords and masters that make divers Lawes and minds and wills and ends Hence a rise divisions indeed but one Lord and one Law one master and one mind should be in all the Churches Besides he is Lord to all alike as much to one as to another Ergo Vnity Sixthly One Baptisme with which all Churches are Baptized 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one spirit wee are all baptized into one body This is not the signe which hath beene often altered but the substance which will never be altered not the powring on of water but the powring on of the Holy Ghost in gifts and graces which is in all Christs Churches and the Baptisme of Christ indeed All that are thus Baptized with the spirit are Baptized into Vnity into one Body wherefore the Welsh Curat with his Welsh Crue would doe well to learne better English seeing he would insinuate that he is a Welshman of Cardiff yet is the Apostle of the English as he saith as Paul a Jew of Tarsus was yet the Apostle of the Gentiles then to asperse and despise those Churches of Christ that are under the administration and baptisme of the spirit He professes openly and in Print proclaims himselfe to have Pauls spirit he might have sayd Sauls spirit not to build up but to destroy so I thought the Churches For many of them are indeed such seducing dangerous spirits which cause division which I confesse I feare are many of them crept into some Churches Now as fiâ—e with fire and water with water agrees well enough so will all the Saints till there come in an Antipathy of spirit amongst them and as fire with water cannot agree together but make a â—â—ge nâ—yse quarrell and fight together and oppose one another violently with thundring threatnings till one destroy another unlesse one be thrown from the other So is it with such contrary spirits as are crept into the Churches till they be out againe fire with fire agrees because being of one and the same principle and spirit it addes to and edifies one another so the Saints with Saints c. but water and fire cannot because the water is of another principle and spirit and seeks to destroy the fire so it seems the Ranters spirits are Christ-Crucifying and Church destroying spirits by their owne confessions and in Antipathy to the Churches and Saints in fellowship that seek to build up and edifie one another and all in Christ but when this spirit comes the Welsh Curate tells us 't will doe all that may be to destroy us O that the Churches would then have a care in the admission Of such who as in Rev. 2.2 say they are Apostles but are not for they are Apostats And the Church of Ephesus was highly commended for their strict triall of them and for finding them liars seducers and false Teachers so let us doe and let us all march on to the Land of Promise under one and the same hope of our calling whereunto we are called and as baptized by one spirit into one body Seventhly Vnity is urged among all the Churches for that they have one God and Father of all One Father without respect of one more then another God and Father to all alike all alike deare to him 2. Cor. 6.17.18 who delights in all alike and walks in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks without respect more to one then to another as that one is better meâ—tall then another seeing all are alike borne of God and all alike in one Covenant and in one Jesus Christ Mediator and Head of the Covenant therefore he calls for Vnity for that we are all a Kingdome of Brethren Mal. 2.10 one God and Father of us all 2. Above all We are not one above another but one aequall with another but only our God and Father in Christ is above us all Mat. 23.8.9 we are all his children and all alike live in his Will he alone commands and blesseth us all alike therefore we should be all in unity Psal. 133.1 O sweet for Brethren to live together in unity 3. Through all All alike professe him possesse of his nature and he through all the Churches and Ordinances appeares abroad too Isay 2.3 Micah 4.2 Ergo unity amongst all 4. And in you all He dwels in all the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 6.16 Jo. 14.23 his presence is in this body of Christ mysticall as it was it was in Christs body when
cloathed with flesh Col. 2.9.10 Eph. 3.17.19 the same for quality though not yet for equality Ergo unity amongst all These are the bonds of unity to tye all the Churches together in one Sathan hath no better sport then to see them spit fire at one another and is never in more hopes then then When Cyrus came neare Babylon with his mighty Army and found the River about it over which he was to march with his huge Hoste impassable and unpossible it being so deep to transport his Army that way he was at a losse till he thought of a likely way which he as suddenly set upon he caused it to be divided many wayes into many Channels and severall Currents wherby the main River sunk and so on a sudden and with great facility he got over the River with his Army and tooke the City with ease Thus Sathan doth when he hath any designe against the Saints Churches he sets them into Divisions many wayes Therefore my Councell as from the Lord is to love one another as Christs Disciples be stedfast in one spirit Phil. 1.27.28 and then be in nothing terrified by your adversaries All the powers of Hell cannot hurt thee then It was the Councell Severus gave to his Souldiers in vobis pacem caeterâ—s dispicite be one among your selves and a Fig for your Enemies so ye will then be terrible to all Christs Enemies in the world for they shall know that out of Sion shall the destroyer come and they shall finde Jerusalem a burdensome stone Vis unita fortior as Mathematitians say of figures the strait figure or line is weakest but the circle is strongest of all others and the best and usefullest because one part hath fellowship with another and meets another and holds up one another so should Churches help to hold up one another and as one line runs into another so should they and such are strongest and best that are so united the Lord delights in them most too O my Dove my undefiled is one this unity delights his heart People seem much to eye the Churches now now they appear in publick and preposterous spirits are ready to judge the last news of the Fleet beaten and the Foraigne Nations preparing and threatning to be prodigious signes presaging ruine to the Churches which puts me in minde of Cicero's Oration and answer to the Southsaiers who upon newes of Earthquakes and such terrible signes foretold great calamities ready to come upon the State as our star gazers and sign-observers do now but saies the Orator fear not for the Gods will easily be reconciled to us if we be but reconciled one to another so I say to such our God will easily be at peace with us so we be but at peace one with another and then let them all the world if they will associate themselves together and they shall be broken a pieces yea in order to their breaking a pieces they must associate themselves together Isai. 8.9 and Gog and Magog from all parts of the world must be gathered together in battell in number like the sand of the sea and besiedge the Saints and circumviron the beloved City of God but fire shall come from God the spirit of God out of Heaven the Churches and Saints and shall devoure them and eat them up as in Rev. 20.8.9 Out of their mouths shall come fire and devoure their enemies Rev. 11.5 and whosoever hurts them must in this manner be killed so that there is no fear of all the foes in the world though they be as many as the sand of the sea But if any thing hurt us it will be want of Love if any thing will nothing us it will be want of unity Vnities severed make no number Letters divided make no syllable syllables divided make no word words divided make no speech members divided make no body stones divided make no wall so that without unity all stands for nothing as a Cypher I feare nothing so much as want of unity and love among Churches and Members for as Shepheards observe when sheep fall a butting one another a storme is nigh so may the Pastors that Christians contending and butting one against another and Churches justling one against another presages a sad day without mercy prevent wherefore to ease my heart and unburthen my spirit I am heartily possessed with three things that will produce unity indeed Which I shall hint to the Churches and so wipe my pen. 1. A short but sharp time to try the Churches that those that are approved may remaine which day shall be short for the Elects sake and is called but three dayes and a halfe Rev. 11 9 though in former years the time of persecution was long and hotter for now their bodies shall be above ground all this time of persecution in the sight of all Peoples and Nations till the spirit of life enter in afresh and in a fuller measure then ever before and the witnesses stand upon their feet again v. 11. Then woe woe be to the Nations to the purpose And this time will be so short that it is called the houre of temptation Rev. 3.10 and the hour of Judgement Rev 14.7 and for a little moment his indignation Isa. 26.20 1. Pet. 4.17 and then wil the Lord arâ—e to punish the inhabitants of the earth they must begin at Gods house 1 Pet. 4 17. but end in with the world Then sinners in Sion shal be afraid Isa. 33 14 terror trembling shal surprizâ— the Hypocrites that are in the Churches for they shall not be able to abide his comming like a refiners fire Mal. 3.2 3. nor can they indure to dwel with those devouring fires everlasting burnings which the upright in heart shall live in Yet this triall will be well for the faithfull ones for though two parts will be found drosse and left behinde in the houre of triall yet a third part shall remaine and be purified and shall call upon the Name of the Lord and he will heare them and will say this is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God Zach. 13.8.9 this houre will scatter Shepheards as well as sheep or Pastors as well as People But then shall the Churches be more in unity then ever and like gold run melting together out of the refiners fire for as a flock of sheep are loose about and scattered and every one for himselfe feeding and divided one from another till comes a dog amongst them and then they run together and keep close one to another and so are the Churches too much at a distance one from another and each one minding her selfe too much and her companions too little and too much divided and doubtless wil be till this time of triall comes and makes them keep together and closer in love and unity so in the Prelates times Oh what a
sweet unity love and harmony was among the Puritans and Professors when they were under persecution how they priz'd one another and so it will be again and much more Secondly This Vnity of the Churches will be honoured from Heaven with a large effusion and powring out of the spirit upon them for in that day they shall know the Lord to be their God and as one people they shall acknowledge and never be ashamed and then shall it come to passe that he wil powr out of his spirit upon all Joel 2.27.28 And by this they will bee yet more one then ever before as appears Act. 2.17 and 4.31.32 when those that were filled with the holy Ghost were of one heart and one mind and of one soule neither sayd any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own and then great Grace was upon them all Great grace then indeed Having favour with all people Act. 2.47 This blessed day is hard by us when Jerusalem shall be a praise in the whole Earth round about us but we must be purged first In Ezek. 37.7 as the bones there came together by the shaking bone to bone so will the Churches by the shaking before mentioned in the time of triall cling and come up closer together then ever before Church to Church and all as one Though they were before as the bones scattered so in their affections and far asunder they shall bee shaked together beleeve it and then they shall receive life and breath from God more then ever before v. 9.10 Yea they shall not only be shaked together but tied together with sinewes and cords and lawes of Love that shall never break and this is to be before the full winde from all 4. parts blow upon them and fill them with breath and life So I am assured from the Lord and the Churches shall find it that they must be united together with strong ties and lawes of Love even with the liveliest sinews and strength of affections before they shall enjoy that great and notable effusion of the spirit which is the winde that blowes where it lists in such a measure as from all parts in all gifts graces and admirable administrations as from all quarters to enliven them and multiply them for in that day they will be as an exceeding great army Eze. 37.10 Lastly consider the great and notable day of the Lord is then the next that comes upon us Ioel 2.31 and Zion shall be glorious In the mean time as the lines of a circumference the nigher they come to the center the more they are united and the nigher they are one to another So for certain Sirs the nigher we are to that time the more we are united and the nigher we are one to another So that we shall see every yeare the Churches more and more united and that in the spirit untill the dispensation of the fulnesse of times when all things shall be in one Ephes. 110. The Lord hasten these happy daies I was pressed in my spirit to acquaint the Churches thus much and to call upon them to unity that the enemies might not have such advantages against us as they doe take for our defect in this duty and that our unity consist not in formes but in the spirit as for practicall rules heerto I shall refer the Reader to the following book But thus I have shewn wherein the Presbyterians and Papists agree and are alike in Discipline Doctrine Ordinances and Practises In Discipline for the Church Catholike Head of the Church matter of it force of it foundation of it and in laying their foundation and about the Keyes and Synods and in Officers to all which we have declared our dissent and abhorrance and so for Doctrine and Practises in all in neere fifty particulars wherein I have clearly instanced the Lord make his people in England wise enough to avoyd such Popish tenets and doctrines and give our Brethren that power and will to cry Down with Antichrist Down with Babylon as we do that hear the voice lest pertaking of her sins they pertake of her plagues Rev 18.4 And let them not think me their enemy for telling them the Truth Gal. 4.16 But to the 3. Consid. The 3 Consideration to come to a Conclusion is that the consideration 3 Gospel Order in the Congregationall Church-way which wee have treated of restored to its primitive purity and beauty is one of the great promises of these latter dayes and the spirituall glory of it sparkles in sight of the saints out of many promises prophesies and varietie of the richest types and is to stand apparently distinct by its selfe from all other orders wayes worships or Churches whatsoever as the visible Kingdome of Jesus Christ for his subjects to walk in That it is one of the great promises to bee accomplished in these latter dayes appears Isa. 2.2.3 Micah 4.1 Isa. 35.1 8 9.10 Isa. 30.21 Psal. 110.3 Ps. 46.2.3.4.5 and 48. P. 3. Malach. 3.17.18 Isa. 51.3.4 Dan. 2.32.33.34 Act. 3.21 Dan. 8.3 The higher is last the best wine at last and the glory of the latter house shall be greater then the former Hag. 2.6.7.9.21.22.23 For further Explication though I have beene full in former Chapters yet to conclude this I shall name these 6. speciall Heads which ensue to prove this Generall Assertions without exception The Prophesies and mproises are full for Christs reigne as Head and alone Ruler in his Church especially and most visibly in these latter dayes He alone shall reign over them in Zion and for ever Micah 2 17. Psal. 99.1.2 Isai 9.2.7 and 22.23 Psa. 2.6 And is set up King in Sion He will be greatest in Zion· Rev. 2.26 Yea and rule the nations to Rev. 11.15.17.18 Zach. 14.9 Therefore all power is given him in heaven and earth Church and State Mat. 28.18 to rule all as being more excellent then the mountains of prey Ps. 76.4 till all be under him 1. Cor. 15.25 Thus he â—ides in our dayes conquering and to conquer But to speak to his Headship In his Zion his most speciall habitation and Kingdome Hee is the alone Head of whom all members aptly joyned receive life and growth And this he is to us as he is one with the Father Jo. 17.21 From whom we have life and grace In especiall maner hee is to bee manifested such a Head in these dayes of restauration Hosea 1.11 the children of Judah and Israel though they differ as to form as Independents and Anabaptists c. shall be gathered together and appoint to themselves one Head and come up out of the Land for great shall be the day of Jezreel So the Churches of Christ shall be all one as we said before in Vnity under one Head viz. Jesus Christ. For although the Churches have stood off hitherto one from another as the 10. Tribes did from Iudah and
Isay 11.9 Hâ—bak 2.14 Zach. 12.18 Thus if we seriously perpend and weigh with the word of God these six Heads it will lye obvious to our understanding that the Church of Christ restored into Gospel-Primitive purity is the great promise of these later dayes as appears also in severall Prophesies wherein the Lord hath promised the repaire of Sion and to build up the desolate and waste places and Ierusalem that is broken down and such like Scriptures Ps. 102.15.16 that concern us in these latter dayes so is it in Ier. 31.4 I will build thee up again O Virgin of Israel ye that are holy and pure sanctified in Christ Iesus this Promise is made to you so in Ier. 33.7 I will build them as at first saith the Lord in order to this work is all the noise in the world for all the obstructions must be removed and the old must passe away as in the 2 Pet. 3.10 with a great noise see in Zach. 4.6.7 where the Prophesie which is for our dayes and from hence forward promises the removall of all lets to this work of the Lord though they be mountains that hinder yet he 'le make them all plains And also the Lord promises the progresse of his House and Temple viz. in these later dayes which he hath put into the hands of Christ the typified Zerubbabel v. 9. who hath already even in our dayes layd the foundation of it untill he hath finished it So that in order to this Church-worke and building up of Sion it will easily appeare that Gods designe in these latter daies is to throw downe mountains viz. the mightiest powers Princes Armies Monarchies or Kingdomes that oppose the Kingdome of Christ and hinder this work of the Lord in Zerubbabel's hands Job 9.45 Job 28.9 Isay 10.32.33 Isay 14 4.5.9.10 41.15.16 24.19.21.23 Hag. 2.6.7.21.22.23 he will throw them all into the dust that dare to appeare against Sion or the King of Sion Psal. 2.9 wo be to all the Powers Princes Nations on the Earth that take part with the Dragon or the Beast or Turk or Pope Rev. 19.19 God will make all these mounts be they never so great plaines by scattring them as dust Isay 41.16 Dan. 2.35 scourging them Isay 10.24.25.26 with furious blows Ezek. 25.16.17 by stilling them Exod. 15.16 Isay 11.6 Ps. 8.2 by ruining them Jer. 49.38 51.20 to the 27. Hag. 2.22 or else by converting of them Psal. 102.13.15 Isay 49.11.12 60.3.4 Rev. 21.24 O then let us not be afraid Luke 21.25.27.28 but lift up our heads for our day is nigh Psal. 46.2.3.4 but let all that would have Zion repaired rejoyce that the Mountains God is making Plaines the great work then of his Church is hard by for the head-stone i. e. the first Plantation stone according to the Primitive patterne and practise which Christ himselfe and after him his Apostles brought forth is already in some measure blessed be the Lord brought forth with shoutings crying grace grace unto it wherefore let us blesse God for that voyce of Rev. 19.17.18 which we have heard in our Land and thinke it not strange the world is an uproare for all this must be to make for Zion to make for the Gospel-order in Church-state before the Apostolicall primitive Church and order can be restored which is now hard by us and then the Churches shall flourish and rejoyce Isay 35.10 Joel 3.16.17 and remaine Heb. 12.27.28 Zach. 14.11 and their name shal be the Lord is there wherefore read in the Book of God when all this shal be Isay 34.16 The next part of this Consid. is that the glory of the Gospel Church is promised by many excellent Types ful Figures as the wise know the Old Test. testifies and not only the glory of Christs Church but the shame confusion and downfal or Antichrists Church in these latter dayes is by Types layd before us I might instance for the fall of false Churches under the Type of Aegypt Ezek. 31.18 Rev. 11.8 that kept Gods people in bondage and therefore must be plagued again and again Isay 10.26 after the manner of Aegypt and of Sodom too Rev. 11.8 whence the Lot's are calâ—'d out even into a little Zoar or handfull at first that they may be burnt up with brimstone Rev. 19.20 in the furious anger of the Lord Psal. 83.11.14 Isay 34.2.3 for their spirituall Whoredomes and Adulteries So also of Babylon whence all that can heare are called in our dayes for the voyce is now Rev. 18.4 to make haste out for Judgements are comming upon her the mother of Harlots Rev. 17.5 yea of a sudden in one houre Rev. 18.8.9.10 within these three years the smoake of her burning will begin to appeare and smell in the nostrils of the Churches and soon after Anno 1655. All that see it shall stand as far from her as they can for feare of her torments Rev. 18.10 though thousands that see it not will fall into it and feele it to their cost yet all the Saints Apostles Churches Prophets shall rejoyce for that Babylon shall be throwne downe with a mighty violence never to rise more Rev. 18.20.21 but to speak no more to this in a word he shall come to his end and none shall help him Dan. 11.45 and that this his ruine is nigh appears in the 44. verse because the tidings which he heares does already trouble him as the Expositors upon this place have foretold it to be fatally ominous and to foretell his eminent fall 1. For the signs are the falling away from him which will be more apparent within these three yeares as the Iewes did from Antiochus Epiphanes a picture of the Pope 2. His feare at the tydings of rumours abroad Dan. 11.44 the Iesuits Cardinals Pope yea Rome it selfe trembles to heare of England and at the troubles that are arising in all Europe 3. His passionate desire to do mischiefe and to Romanize as of old were he able all these fore-run his ruine as Polanus Brightman with many others noted now they tremble already as Antiochus the Type did a little before his end which End was with the plagues and judgements of God and after which neither he nor his Kingdome nor any of his posterity and temper did ever more rise but were extinct for ever and so will it be with the Pope Rome and all that take part with the beast Rev. 19.20 But to the Types that foretell the glory of Christs Church whieh are many and of long standing I might instance in the hill of Sion in Davids Tabernacles as they were Gods habitacles which were to be made after Gods appointment Exod. 25.9 and all that was brought to make them was to be Free-gift v. 2. and there was to be the Mercy-seat Arke and Testimony v. 21. and the Table with Shew-bread v. 30. none were to become there
and Members and Ordinances of the Churches of Christ in the latter dayes which lies to me open out of Isay. 61.3 That they in Zion the Churches may be called trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord. So in Cant. 2.3 As the Apple tree among the trees of the Forrest so is my beloved Câ—rist among the Sons of God the Saints in fellowship So Ezek. 47.7.12 So Rev. 7.1 and 8.7 with Rev. 9.4 So Matt. 3.10 and 7.17 and 12.33 So in Psal. 92.12.13 Those trees that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish and Psal. 52.8 I am a green Olive-tree in the house of the Lord and in Psal. 13. Trees planted by rivers of water bringing forth fruits in due season Many other Scriptures prove this besides the ensuing Parallels but to the Particulars 1. That as every Tree in Paradise so shall every Member and Ordinance of the Church be grounded and rooted in Jesus Christ Ephes. 3.17.18 Col. 2.6 Job 8.17 and folded into and wrapped about Jesus Christ. 2. Every Tree in Paradise was of the Lords making so should every Ordinance and so should every Member of a Church of Christ being created a new thereto as the Lords Workmanship in Christ Jesus Ephes. 2.10 3. The Trees in Paradise the Lord caused to grow v. 9 Gen. 2. So the Lord by his Grace and giving of spirituall Sap and Life to the Members of the Churches makes them growing Christians spreading and flourishing Members of and Ornaments to his Garden inclosed 2 Pet. 3.18 and 2.2 Job 8.16.17 Psal. 80.9.10 and this is an especiall promise of ours for the Churches in Hosea 14.5.6 I sayes the Lord I by my Doctrine dropping as the rain Deut. 32.2 and by my spirit as the neather Springs and Streams from Lebanon Cant. 4.13 I will be as the dew unto Israell and he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots thick and threefold as Lebanon his branches shall spread 4. Most fruitfull trees of all the earth besides and this is expected of the Churches and their members to bring forth fruits not common fruits but Garden fruits not ordinary Garden fruits neither but Eden Garden fruits i. e. the fruits of the Lords own planting grafting growing the choysest fruits Jehovahs fruits of the spirit spirituall faith spirituall love spirituall holinesse spirituall obedience spirituall knowledge spirituall prayers preachings c. all of the spirits putting forth and blooming and setting increasing and ripening Jer. 17.8 then they 'le bring forth in a time of drought when all other trees are withered and burnt up as Rev. 8.7 and when the third part of the trees must be burnt up And why because they are so well rooted and the Lord causes them to grow Prov. 12.12 these bring forth the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse which are in Christ Phil. 1.11 so that ye shall know them by their fruits for 5. They are pleasant for sight Gen. 2.9 so must the Saints and all Church-members ev'n to the world and in the eies of them without and shine as lights and by their conversations attract them Acts 2.47 Zeph. 3.20 I will make you a name and praise among all people of the Earth this will be as I have said before when the Saints shall be a sweet savour to all 2 cor 2.14 15. and amiable in the eyes of all 6. And their fruits good for food Gen. 2.9 So will it be again they shall feed the strong and the weake with such fruits of love faith holinesse obedience graces gifts prayers prophesies interpretations and exhortations and such like day by day as shal administer grace to the hearers Ephes. 4.29 Col. 4.6 and be full of refreshings and juice and sap and sweetnesse yea as Apples both meat and drinke to many poor hungry soules O sweet dayes when these fruits shall be ripe and gathered and given out in due season So that it appears the Lord hath promised us in these restitution of times the most precious fruits of imparadised Saints suaves ad visum ad vescendum so excellent as shall satisfie all the senses delightfull to heare of sweet to smell of most admirable to feele of most pleasant to the sight and exceedingly sweet savory and soule-satisfying to the taste Lord hasten these happy dayes Then the day of Jezreel will be great indeed thâ—n the Churches shall be Paradise when their members bring forth such dainty and diversity of fruits and that for all sorts of people that such as will not taste them may touch them or such as will not touch them may scent them or such as will not scent resent nor smell the Spices they bring forth Cant. 4 16. may see them amiable in their eyes as such as will not see them may and so they shall heare of them O precious precious days Come running Lord like the Roe 7. In Gen. 2.9 the Lord made every sort of good trees to grow in Paradise and so will he in these latter dayes for there shall not be a confining of a Garden or Church to one sort of trees onely and no more unlesse here and there one by chance so to one sort of Judgements or Opinions or People O no! but of every sort of trees and fruits of Persons Professions and Opinions that the Lord makes to grow and to bring forth shall be in Paradise Oh then will there be a glorious day for Sion indeed and Eden shall be the Garden of the Lord and the Saints shall feed upon all those sorts of fruits judgements gifts graces or whatever they be 8. The tree of life shall stand in the midst of other trees Gen. 2.9 as also the tree of knowledge in every Church or Garden of the Lord. The tree of life may be understood two wayes 1. as living and then 2. as life giving and in this sence I take it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that it was to give life but what kinde of life I conceive that in Gen. it may bee life to the body as our food does by maintaining the natuâ—all heat radicall moysture and animall spirits c. but I thinke it most of all intends some quickning power and vital strength if I may so say which was given by this fruit to the Eater above all other that he could not be sicke nor wax oâ—â— nor weake nor infirme nor dye but should live in perpetuall health and strength and vigor of spririt But however as that tree of life stood in the midst of the rest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and was more worth then all the rest Cant. 2.3 So does Christ in the midst of his Saints in the midst Rev. 1.13 and 2.1 of the seven golden Candlesticks in the midst of his Brethren Hebr. 2.12 his fellow trees in the midst of the Brethren in the midst of the Church will I give praises sayes Christ so is his Promise to be in
the midst of them Mat. 18.20 so Psal. 46 5. Hosea 11.9 Joel 2.27 So Zeph. 3.5.15 the King of Israel in the midst of thee So hath the Lord promised us in Zach. 2 5. he will be our glory in the midst of us and so v. 10.11 sing rejoyce O daughters of Sion every particular Church and Assembly of Sion for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee and many Nations shal be joyn'd to the Lord in that day and shall be my joyn'd or gather'd people and I will dwell in the midst of thee Oh this is a singular happinesse for then one member and one Church and one tree and one Ordinance will be as neare to him as another and receive from him as well as another and all alike will fetch power and glory and grace and spirit and light and life and whatsoever else is communicable from him Some there be that make this tree a Symbole and the two trees the two Sacraments so far I agree with them as to say these speciall Ordinances are in the midst of the Churches and must not be dispensed without neither Baptisme nor the Lords Supper so call'd of breaking bread and they break the Command that dare to give them or receive them without for they are to be in the midst of the Churches and will be so ere long and kept there by the flaming sword from the sons of Adam that run greedily according to the Serpents insinuations 2 Cor. 11.3 to eat of the forbidden fruits But this tree of life which shal stand in the midst of the gatherd Churches in the restored Paradise is meant Christ and so hee shall stand as Rev. 22.2 and in the midst of the street of the holy City every Church that helps to make up the great City the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits c. Christ will be in the midst not onely to give fruits both meat and drinke for other trees the Saints and members will doe so too but he is there living and giving life 1 Cor. 15.45 a quickening i. e. life-giving spirit having twelve manner of fruits for twelve months of divers sorts for all sorts and conditions of souls and for as often as you will have of him and those that eat of him shall never dye Jo. 6.50 but grow livelier and lustier and stronger and healthfullier every day So that Christ hath promised to be a tree of life in the midst of the Churches to make them up an earthly Paradise which else cant be 9. Other trees and this tree of life were much alike for every tree hath the same wood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lignum and this foretels me how much the Saints the true Members of the Churches shall look like Christ and bring forth fruits like Saints and walk as he walked 1 John 4.17 And represent him as pertaking of divine and humane nature and being filled with the same spirit and we know when he shall appear we shall appear like him 1 Jo. 3.2 The second speciall priviledges of Paradise were in the River which watered the Garden and that this was also very significant as to these latter dayes will easily appear by the spirit which is promised to the Saints and Churches in these latter dayes as a River and the Graces as Streams and the Ordinances as Brooks c. Isay. 30.25 Isay. 33.21 Isay. 32.2 and Isay. 41.18 I will open rivers in high places and in the dry land springs of water and Isay. 43.19.20 Behold I will do a new thing and ye shall know it I will even make a Way in the Wildernesse and Rivers in the Desart I will give Rivers in the Desart to give drink to my people my chosen So Ezek 34.13.14 I will feed you upon the Mountains of Israel by the Rivers in fat pastures So Psal. 46.4 There is a River the streams whereof make glad the City of God So Psal. 65.9 Thou enrichest it with the River of God which is full of water Psal. 1.3 and besides many other Scriptures that in Rev. 22.1 He shewed me a pure River of water of life clear as Christall proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb i. e. the spirit powred cut in the latter dayes flowing from the Father and the Son but to some Particulars 1. Whence and whither the River flowed and 2. for what end See v. 10. A River went out of Eden to water the Garden and from thence it parted into four Heads 1. The River ran out of Eden Eden that lay in the East so that River ran from the East 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word is a currere perpetuo cursu the River ran continually Some say the Fountain was in the midst of Paradise but the Text sayes non Fontem sed Fluvium it came out of Eden from the East the East we sayd before was Christ and from him out of God this River of the spirit continually runs Rev. 22 1. and shall flow ere long with mighty streams in midst of the streets or Churches The East was sayd to have two parts as Zanchy notes the first is clear in the Scriptures which we read much off as of Arabia Babylonica Persiae Chaldea c. in this part was Mesopotamia and the Garden of Paradise but secondly the other part of the East lay obscure and hidden to us unknown and unshown in the Scriptures and from that part some say the River ran whether it be so or no in the Letter yet this is certain that so much of the Will of God in Christ as is revealed declares to us Eden the Garden of the Lord the Churches of Christ in the latter dayes will be large and the Scriptures speak much of it and show it clearly but that part of the Will of God which is secret and in mystery hidden and obscure this River runs from also into the Churches by which River the secret and hidden mysteries may and must be found out and that which is not yet discovered of God and Christ must be revealed and the whole Book of Revelation and whatsoever is as yet sealed up must be layd open and made common to the Churches This River it ran into Paradise partly by secret close occult conveyances and partly by open ordinary courses and flowings sayes Pliny lib. 5. c. 24. So does the spirit and so it will come flowing into the Churches to water them fill them as Waters fill the Sea Isay. 11. partly by Meanes Ordinances Promises Providences and such ordinary Passages and Currents of the spirit and partly by secret wayes under ground mysterious occult conveyances but what with one way and what with another the Gardens of the Lord the Churches will be well refreshed and filled with this River which arises out of the East And to finish this Particular this River ran as with one stream into the Garden but
from thence divided severall wayes abroad so will the spirit as with one mighty rushing Sea into the Churches and from them be divided about and spread abroad But Secondly for what end to water the Garden So the Churches will be abundantly more fructifying and fresh when this spirit is poured out than now they are Cant. 4.15 And they shall be like a watered Garden whose waters faile not Isay. 58.11 they can't faile Heb. 2.14 they are already green and growing and shall no more be like a parched Wildernesse Thirdly a word more about the Division of this River v. 10. From thence it parted into four Heads From thence inde Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de ibi it is a question among some where this Division is made whether before it came into the Garden and after it went out or in Paradise now it appears to me although it came into the Garden uno influxo as by one stream yet it went out by four in v. 10.11.12 13. c. So that the Division was within the Garden and by this Division every part of the Garden was watered So the spirit though it is one and the same as from Christ yet in the Church it flows severall wayes in severall Gifts Graces and Administrations 1 Cor. 12.4 So that every part of the Church may be watered and every one have according to his measure some more and some lesse And from the Church it flows abroad to the World and this foretels us the spirit shall come flowing in such an ample manner into the Churches in these last dayes and that it shall flow from them and out of them run out to others several wayes in severall streams yea four Heads into the four Parts of the World East West North and South and as the foure Heads encompassed and took in many Lands v. 11.12.13.14 as Arabia Syria Chaldea Chus Aethiopia Aegypt c. So shall the spirit that goes out of the Churches in that Great Day of the flowing of it in and pouring of it on them I say that spirit shall go out of the Churches round about severall wayes into all Parts of the World to fetch in and to compasse about and to gather up of many Nations and Tongues and Languages and Lands to the Lord and his Christ who is the East Yea and many pretious stones and gold of Havilah shall be fetched in too as fit matter for the Lords house in those his latter Golden Dayes So that the great and glorious Work that God hath to do by his spirit in these dayes is in the Churches and then by the Churches abroad many wayes in the world but thus far for the second speciall Priviledges of the Churches typified by Paradise in the Rivers that shall run in the midst of their streets and run from them to others See Zach. 14.8 And in that day shall living water go out of Jerusalem the halfe of them one way and the halfe another c. Now we come to the last Description of the Type which is so full for these latter dayes and which relates so eminently and evidently to the Churches and that is in ver 15.16.17 The Lord God tooke the Man and put him into the Garden c. 1. The Man to shew that it was no place for Beasts the Lord hath promised no ravenous beasts shall enter into this earthly Paradise that is to come in these last Ages Isay. 35 9.10 2. The Lord tooke him tulit Jehovah Elohim to shew that he came not thither by nature and was not born to it or created in it but translated into it by the spirit of the Lord the Lord put him in so none are to be in the Churches as Members that be in their meer naturall Condition or as if born to it or born in it O no! only such as are brought in by Grace whom the Lord hath brought in and fitted for Church-Communion by his spirit that must be Members such as the Lord adds and he adds none but such as shall be saved Acts 2.47 Too too many naturall carnall men have crept into the Churches and have added themselves or else others have added them but the Lord will out them and rout them ere long he hath not added them And therefore the fiery tryall will purge them off and over with a powder And that Day will burn up the third part of the trees Rev. 8.7 with Zach. 13.9 and after that there shall be no more the Cananite in the Lords house Zach. 14.21 3. The Paradise was of use in mans innocency as an Academy or the Vniversity sayes Pareus to which men from all Parts might resort to praise the Lord and to learn of him and to behold his most excellent workes and to feed of the best fruits And from thence others might be sent abroad as the Rivers went to give knowledge to the people and of such excellent use will the Churches of Christ be in these latter dayes for all sorts of Saints to resort to them to praise the Lord in them to be instructed by him to be acquainted with his most gracious workings in us and for us and to feed upon the best priviledges and choisest fruits of restored Paradise and to be sent out thence to go abroad all along with the Rivers I mean with the rich measures of the spirit to teach the World to instruct them without that are ignorant of the truth mysteries of the Gospel as they are revealed to the Saints in fellowship Such Churches wil prove the usefullest Vniversities in the World to stock and store the Nation with able Spiritual Teachers and such as shall speake the things they heare and see being all taught of the Lord by the Anointing from on high so to doe and this is promised at large in these latter Dayes Jerem. 32.40 Isay. 46.13 and 54.13.14 For his Law shall go forth from Zion Isay. 22. Micha 4.8 4. God would not have man no not in his innocency to live no not in Paradise without Law but he kept him under strict Law v. 16. the Lord God commanded the man praecepto singulari obstrinxit the Hebrew notes the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Proposition or Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signifie more then simply to command viz. to command with an Interdiction and Prohibition as follows in v. 17. thus is the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vajesau read in Scripture and this is very significant for God doth not promise us a lawlesse liberty or licentious dayes in these latter dayes but that we shall be under his Lawes and Ordinances which he hath appoynted in the Church The Saints shall be exact walkers up to the rule of perfect righteousnesse in Christ Jesus not destroying but fulfilling the Law and that in Love which is the bond of perfection only this obedience shal be
Knowledge Phil. 3.8 Jo. 7.3 and learning as the taught of God Isay. 29.11 and Isay. 50.4 John 6 45. Rev. 14 3. Rev. 5.5.6 and excelling all in the truest purest fullest sweetest and profitablest originall tongues and languages Dan. 1.17 Jo. 7.15 Viz. the language of Canaan the tongue of the spirit the purest originall Wherefore let not Sathan deceive us with his fair sides of Gifts and Parts so as to make us eat of them and chuse them before the tree of life And yet God forbid but that we should have gifts and parts and learning and languages in the Churches too for the service of the Church and to be under the spirit so that there is great reason that the tree of Knowledge should stand there though the Serpent do make it his Den and Tree of Temptation 10. It was the sixth day that man was put into Paradise by God and now a day is as a thousand years so that we live in the sixth day since the Creation and now God is restoring Paradise apace and he hath gathered some Churches his Garden is enclosed and he hath caused trees to grow there and the River to run there now it remaines that he by his own spirit do put man in we live in this day wherein he will do it as Ezek 36.33.35.36.37 Jer. 32.37 And I will gather them and I will bring them againe into this place Micah 7.9 He will bring me forth to light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Zach. 8.8 I will bring them and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and they shall be my People and I will be their God in truth and righteousnesse the Lord undertakes it himselfe by his owne hand to put men into his Churches and to bring in the sons of strangers and the outcasts of Israel Isay 56.6.7.8 and he will plant them Jerem 32.40.41 and bring all the good that he hath promised in his word upon them Jer. 32.42 and cause them to walk by Rivers of waters Jerem 31.9 Ezek. 34.13 c. 11. But to conclude the Type Paradise is the place wherein God did most familiarly appeare and acquaint himselfe to Man and manifest his love and glory Three wayes we read of by which God spake to men by dreams by visions or else face to face and in this manner whereby his Love and wherin his Glory did most appeare viz. face to face did the Lord manifest himselfe in Paradise although his face was seen but as in a Glasse 2 Cor. 3.18 under the similitude of an Angel or some other bodily appearance This signifies the singular appearances and presence of God which the Churches shall enjoy above all the world besides in these last dayes his presence is especially promised to appeare and his Love and Glory to be manifested in the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Such a speciall manifestation as is mentioned in John 14.21 which is promised in these last dayes shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the brightnesse of his glory Heb. 1.2.3 Jo. 2.11 Eph. 3.3.4 so is it in Psal. 102.16 when the Lord shall build up Zion then he shall appeare in his glory So Habak 2.14 Then shall they bee filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. So Zach. 2.5 Rev. 21.11.23 The glory of God shall lighten the New Jerusalem viz. the glorious presence of God in it Then the Saints in the Churches shall have the most familiar presence of God discourses with him discoveries of him walking in the Garden as Cant. 8.13 and Cant. 7.11 So Cant. 6.2 my beloved is gone down into his Garden to the beds of spices particular Churches to feed in the Gardens to gather lillies There is Christ most and best to be found So Cant. 4.16 and 5.1 c. Psal. 63.2 and Psal. 27.4 yea the Angel of his presence shall be there Isay 63.9 and the name of them from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah the Lord is there Ezek. 48.35 Thus we have done with these Types that foretell the happy state of Saints in Gospel-fellowship and the Glory of the Churches of Christ in these latter dayes sparkling through many more Types then I have mention'd but these are sufficient for present proofe though every day will bring forth more and more excellent matter of praises and rejoycings whilst the Church comes out of the Wildernesse leaning on her beloved persumed with mirrh and frankinsence and the Saints shal have beauty for ashes and be called trees of righteousnesse the Lords own planting that he might be glorified Isay 61.3 But lastly that the Churches of Christ are to stand apparantly distinct from all others we have already prov'd it Chap. 6. lib. 1. c. besides severall Prophesies and Types we might bring forth but that 't is time to conclude and rest me as Numb 239. Lo they shall not be reckoned among the Nations and Rev. 18.4 Johu 15.19 Hosea 4.15 and 14 8. Ephraim shall say what have I to do any more with Idols yea so as an apparent difference shall bee known and own'd betwixt them and others Mal. 3.16.17 Jer. 15.16 for the Lord hath made the difference as from the first s Gen. 1.4 God saw the light was good and therefore divided the light from darknesse to be distinct 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Sept. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. by an apparent difference to bee knowne by all and so will he make the Churches of Light distinct from them of darknesse so as it appeares in the Chaldee Paraphrase and tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so in the Samaritan tongue that God made a manifest and bounded separation between them And this distinct separation or division of Gods make must stand It is then no new thing to be distinct from Parishes and all false Antichristian Churches wherein there is a mixture 2 Cor. 6.1415 and is not so distinct a separation as is and ought to be in all true Churches from false wayes and worships We find this too typified by Israel separated from all others Numb 16.9 and they were not to joyn in Religion and worship with the other Nations 1 King 11.3 Joshua 2.3 Exod 23.16 Deut. 10.8 and 32.8 but separated from the mixed multitude Nehem. 13.3 Ezra 10.16 yea in Deut. 23.1 2.3 c. you will read who might and who might not enter into the Church which much concerns us now v. 1. not such as cannot retaine the seed of the word as it is in Heb. Shophcah which sheds and loses that precious seed how can they beget others to the faith that lose the seed such are not to be received into the Congregation of the Lord O precious promises which will produce and procreate a most excellent distinction in the latter dayes when the Lord shall adde to his Churches such as have a fulnesse of his seed 1 Pet. 1.23 1 Io. 3.9 remaining in them and then as v. 2.
universal Restitution 45. yeers hence at furthest Proph. In order to this God is making Mountains plains Who are the Mountaines Isa. 41.15 16.21.23 Hag. 2.6.21 22 Expos. Rev. 12.17 18 Rev 18. â— Pâ—al 83.11.12 Thâ—s work is also graduall at first And will bee universal Esa. 63.1 2 3 4. Psal. 8.2 Zach. 12 3 6. Wo to the enemies Ioy to Christs and the Churches friends Mat. 24. Expos. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sim. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 97.12.6 and 67.3 4. Isa. 22.22 23. Dan. 4.34 The Lord is at work hard in thâ—se dayes The richest blessings reserved for these dayes Like a Kid in Hebr. Rakad Rev. 18.4 How to Prophesie as to foretell what is to come Times of restitution Spring time is entered Winter time is over Yet storms Vid ch 9. lib. 2 Most precious Cordials Sim. To comfort us â—n the wildernesse Sim. Promises to anchor at in God A word to the Churches to fathom A good harbor Sim. Our harbour in these dayes i. e gathered Churches Sim. How we reckon one estate and make our accounts Sim. The blossomes and flowery promises that are upon us 1 By parallel from the wildernesse Iob 12.24 Gen. 21.14 1 The Church discipline over grown with traditâ—ons and trumperies Vitiis divitiis Ezek. 36.9 10. 1 The promise is to till her as his husbandry Pareus in loc Ier. 4.3 4. Rev. 15.2 Ezek 36.38 1 Cor. 3.8 9 Beza in loc Expos. Sim. The Churches are the Lord husbandry 2 Wilderness a fruitlesse barren place Sâ— hath Sion been But now shall be blooming and branching and fruit-bearing and flourishing Amos 9.13 14 15. Cant. 4.12 Isa. 61.11 Sim. Thirdly a wildernesse without a way The Church was so in it Ier. 9.13 14. Joh 14. Cant. 8.5 Promise is to bring her into the way The Lord will be her guide Io. 4. Expos. Isa. 30.22 Spirituall worshippers in Doctrine and Discipline 2 Cor. 4.3 Most in the forme least in the Spirit Sim. Sim. The Spirit guides into the way 4. A Wildâ—rnesse most dangerous Psal. 55.23 Psal. 26.9 The Church in such danger Mat. 3.7 Psal. 104.21 Psal. 58.4 Mat. 1â— 16 Prov. 29.10 Psal. 11.2 Expos. Prov. 12.10 How persecuted up and downe Promises of her deliverance Isa. 65.23 Wild Beasts shall have no power to hurt us Wild Beasts afraid of the wall of fire Mat. 4. 5. Wilderness of want Expos. The Church in such wofull wants of necessaries Expos. Vers. 13. Sim. O how sweet are the dayes that approach Sim. Sim. Sim. Good store of Manna Isa. 11.9 Isa. 35.2 Psal. 63.5 Isa. 25.6 7 Psal. 65.4 Saints shall have enough and no more want 6. With wildernesse creatures and companies Ezek. 22.26 2 Cor. 6 16 17 So the Church was in the wildernesse to this day Sim. Sim. And quite overturned into a stie of Beasts Precious promises of her deliverance Ier. 15.19 How many bewaile the fall of Babylon Sim. Sueton in Ner. And would have the Strumpet rule though she ruine us Sim. They will not be got out of the old pace Characters of Wildernesse-ones are 1 Their habitation and abode No content to us 2 Their food is wild fâ—uit Enough to choake us 3 Never lost We are soone lost and sensible of it Psal. 94 17 Psal. 55.22 Psal. 12.4 4 They agree together to seize on a stranger to their wayes 5 Best pleased with darknesse And hate the light But those that have a right to these latter daies promises love rejoyce at the light Expos. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cashaph People are bewitched why and how Sim. They give all up to Babel till they themselves be made a Babel or confusion But we are called our A call from the Spirit and the Bride to come Sim. But not for self-ends· Saints and hypocrites different entrance into Church-fellowship Why make haste into Church-fellowship Sim. Haste haste haste in England Ireland and Scotland more then all the world beside Sim. Sim. Every day remember the Church in Wildernesse till she be recovered Rom. 6.21 Ezek. 43.10 11 The happy change 1 Ioh. 1.3 Veniente perfecto evacuatur imperfectum Col. 2.22 23. Hos. 14.8 Christs Garden Isa. 51.3 Isa 35.2 Isa. 5.1 Mat. 21.23 Ier. 2.21 1 Taken out and separate distinct from the commons Num. 23.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Inclosed in themselves Mat. 21.33 Expos. By Gospel-fences and hedges Vide Sibs in Cant 4.12 Expos. 3 Christs own planting Vide lib. 2. ch 9 Mat. 15.13 Expos. 4 For fruitfulnesse Sim. Vide Paul Hobsons Garden inclosed All trees in his Garden are for fruits Sim. 1 Cor. 1.28 Sim. Surpassing all others for magnitude multitude and plenitude 2 Cor. 7.11 Eph. 3.19 Cant. 4.13.14 Expos. Cant. 4.12 Expos. Expos. Sim. 5 The Lords speciall care Mat. 21.33 Expos. Of least of his Garden plants 6 His choysest delights are his Gardens 2 Cor. 6.17 Rev. 2.1 Here is the Suns orbe to move in and to give light to others Sim. Sim. How long we are light Sim. This blessing is begun in our dayes A loud call from Christ to come Expos. And separate from them without Expos. Cant. 2.14 The last dayes best dayes Isa 64.4 Isa. 2.2 Zach. 14.7 Proph. Rev. 12.1 Prophesies of the Churches restauration in these latter dayes Methodius Hermes vision of the Churches restauration gradually 1 An old woman in a chair 2 An old woman with the face of a young woman 3 A young woman with old womans hairs in Q Eliz. and to these dayes 4 A fair Bride coming out to meet the Bridegroom so she is now The latter dayes disposition is to wait Isa. 25.9 Dan. 12.13 Micah 7.7 Iam. 5.7 Few can get beyond sense Sim. God appears to perform his promise at the last pinch Psal. 3.1.12 13.14 Prov. 22.18 Rom. 9.22.23 Gods strange wayes He works by contraries For his Churches For poor souls Beleeve and wait Rom. 4.18 19. Sim. When little grounds for faith and hope appears Contrary means effect that work which will destroy the means Sim. Many acts of Providence like Hebrew must be read backward Sim. Sim. A word to the Churches 2 Maccab. 1.20 21.22 We are to fetch out what hath been hid many hundreds of years First we must gather the wood together Latimer The Authors prayer is that like a light he may be spent to give others light Ainsw in loc 3.9 Expos. What the Church is viz. The typified Chariot of Salamon how and why It is a bed a Throne a Palace a Chamber of presence a secret Chamber A Couch The matter of this Gospel-Chariot Expos. Psal. 1.3 52.8 92.12 Ier. 17.8 Such as are sound faire tall fat upright strong and well rooted are fit for Church-Fellowship Such are to be alwayes a sweet savour Visible Saints only matter of the Church to be made up of Types of it 1 King 6. â— Sim. The Stones of the Temple hewen 2 Chron. 23.19 None entrâ—d into the Temple that were known unholy or unclean All the