al the parts so serviceable needful comfortable ech to other that they cannot without paine losse and deformity be pulled asunder even so the Saincts of God ar as the Apostle sayth one body in Christ every one one anothers members being by one spirit al baptised into one body which is caled Christs Church or Congregation because we ar gathered and joyned togither vnto him our head by whom al the body being coupled and knit togither by every joynt for the furniture therof according to the effectual power which is in the mesure of every part receiveth increase of the body vnto the edifying of it self in love 4. The strength virtue of this vnion of the Saincts procedeth from the vnitie of their Faith and spirit For faith is the doore by which we hav entry accesse both vnto God and into his Church or assembly which thervpon is caled the multitude of the faithful or beleevers even the howshold of faith And as by it we eÌ„ter into this societie so being entred we there build vp our selves in our most holy faith by it we * live by it we stand by it we al ar the sons of God the seed of Abraham consequently heyrs by promise of the blessed inheritance and so doe enter into his rest Which faith because it is one as the Lord is one and is by his holy spirit communicated with al the Saincts it is therfore caled the commune faith from which the communion of faith that is of al Christian duties do flow and especially is seen in our conversing togither for the better performance of them For as Christ prayed that they which should belev in him might al be one as the Father He were one in and with another so the effect of that his prayer appeareth in the vnion communion of the first beleevers which were of one haâ—â— of one sowl and continued dayly with one accord their meetings and fellowships for duties both spiritual humane Of which happy day the Lord did foretell by his prophets saying I wil giv them one hart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the wealth of them and of their children after them and I wâ—â— make them one people in the land vpon the mouÌ„tains of Israel one king shal be king to theÌ„ al they shal be no more two peoples nor divided any more henceforth into two kingdoms This fellowship ought al men to labour that they may come vnto and being come there to abide endevouring to keep the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace and to continew in one spirit in one minde fighting togither through the faith of the Gospel 5. The causes why God requireth this gathering and knitting togither of our selves are these First for the better service of his Majestie which he most esteemeth when it is done of vs with joynt consent and agreement that we with one minde one mouth prayse God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and as the prophet sayth serve him with one shoulder And for this cause at the first constitution of the Church of Israel he coÌ„maunded that at their solemn feasts they should all the males three times in the yere appear before the Lord Iehovah besides their vsual meetings on the Sabbaths which fests were called holy assemblies or convocations and had special dayes for calling and assembling the people wherein Gods word was read expounded vnto them his name magnified with songs prayses the people answering Amen bowing down and worshiping sacrifices were offred for the whol congregation feasts were celebrated with relief of the poor and the people received a blessing in the name of the Lord. Which open solemne service as it was pleasing to the Lord who there required the service offrings al the holy things of al his people so the neglect and omission hereof was a forsaking of him and a procuring of his wrath Wherefore the godly magistrates wer careful to establish mainteyn that publick worship appoynting the Priests Levites for the burnt offrings and peace offrings to minister and to give thanks and to prayse in the gates of the tents of the Lord and the faithful vsed to frequent that place and those solemnities that they might prayse God in the midds of the congregatioÌ„ among much people there declare with the voice of thanksgiving and set forth all his wonderous works pay their vowes vnto him in the presence of al the folke within the courts of his howse which he had chosen for his rest for ever loved there to dwel and delighted therein They vsed also to call the people vnto the mountain there to offer the sacrifices of righteousnes to stir vp and exhort one another to blesse God in the Assemblies and exalt him in the congregation of the people The like publick worship the Lamb solemnizeth vnto his Father whiles he standeth vpoÌ„ Mount Sion with his 144. thousand wher the voyce of the heavenly congregation is heard like the sound of many waters and of a great thunder and like harpers harping with their harps singing a new soÌ„g before the throne And there Christs prayse is of God in the great assemblie his vowes he performeth before them that fear him he declareth Gods justice and mercy his truth and his salvation Whose prayse therfore is heard in the CoÌ„gregation of Saincts Israel joying in his maker and the sons of Sion rejoycing in their king saying Halelu-jah salvation and glory honour power vnto the Lord our God Halelu-jah for the Lord God almighty reigneth 6. An other cause of the joyning togither of the Saincts is their edification in the knowledge and fear of God For although they have his word privatly to meditate therin day night which also he blesseth vnto them yet in his church or assemblie he more plentifully powreth out his blessings as he promised by Moses In every place wher I shal put the remembrance of my name I wil come vnto thee blesse thee And as his name was in his howse and Temple so there he appointed ministers to reherse or make mention of the same to teach Iaakob his judgements and Israel his lawes Which Law when he first gav vnto them he sayd vnto Moses Gather me the people togither I will cause them to hear my words and when afterwards it was solemnly repeted every Sabbath yere by like commaundment the people were to be gathered togither men women children and strangers to hear and learn the same Yea every Sabbath day the people assembled in their synagogues throughout all their cities for the same purpose And in these last dayes it was foretold how
their very hart when they remembred how they had gone with the multitude into Gods howse with voyce of song prayse and solemnity for which now their sowles longed and even faynted in theÌ„ Yea the very wayes of Sion lamented when no man came to the solemne feasts Israel mourned when the Lord had destroyed his congregation caused the feasts and Sabbathes to be forgotten in Sion and forsaken his altar their hart was heavy their eyes dimm because the mountaine of Sion was desolate And so comfortable was the fellowship of Gods children vnto the Apostles themselves though they were the pillers foundations of the church needed this help lesse then others that they often longed to see the brethren for their comfort through their mutual faith and earnestly intreated the help of their prayers even as they againe prayed for them had great joy consolation in their love and holy walking in the truth yea esteemed them the crown of their rejoycing their glory their joy Even Christ himself in the heavines of his hart sought comfort by the prayers of his disciples to teach vs how to esteme the fellowship of the faithful 10. Of al these and many moe blessings are those deprived that refuse or neglect to vnite them selves with Christ in his Church or doe with draw separate themselves therefrom to live alone as in the desert or to frequent the company of the wicked They waÌ„t the benefit and comfort of Gods graces in his childreÌ„ they want the help strengthning and incouragement in time of trouble and the labour of such foolish ones doâ—â— weary them because they knoâ— not to goe into the Citie they aâ— exposed to many perils like waâ— dring sheep vpon the mountayâ— ready to be devoured of the w 〈…〉 beasts and made a prey vnto S 〈…〉 tan If they erre ther is none to 〈…〉 duce them into the right way 〈…〉 they be wounded or broken theâ— is none to bind them vp if they 〈◊〉 in misery and want ther is none 〈…〉 give theÌ„ so much as huskes to â—â—t if they fal woe vnto them 〈◊〉 ther is not a second to lift them 〈…〉 What remayneth then but seing Wisdome hath built her howse fuâ— nished her table and invited t 〈…〉 poor and simple vnto her fest th 〈…〉 al repayr thither without excu 〈…〉 or delay there to eat that whi 〈…〉 is good and let their fowl deligâ—â— in fatnes remeÌ„bring how it is wri 〈…〉 ten the Lord added to the church from day to day such as should be saved And if any know not the place of their repast or fold of Christ let them beseech him whoÌ„ their sowl loveth to shew them wher he feedeth maketh his flock to lie down at noon least they turne a side to the flocks of his companions or remayn still in dispersion For behold how good how pleasant it is brethren to dwel even togither for there the Lord hath coÌ„manded the blessing life everlasting Send thy light thy truth ô God let them lead me let theÌ„ bring me to thy holy mountaynâ— to thy tabernacles Psal. 43. 3. CHAP. XVII How the Saincts gather into communioÌ„ grow vp vnto a body or church The caling of the Saincts into communion we hav seen to coÌ„sist of two branches 1. A separation from the wicked of the world 2. and a collection or gathering togither of themselves in the faith love of Christ. Which two things were also implied in the first caling of our father Abraham when he was willed 1. to get him out from his countrey kinred and fathers howse which were idolaters 2 and to come to the place which God would shew him wher he his posteritie might serv obey the Lord. It remayneth yet further to be spoken of the covenant and communion that the Saincts enter into keep among themselves 2. This congregation of Saincts when it is at the greatest is but a litle flock and smal remnant being compared with the multitudes of the world but the beginnings hereof are marvelously weak smal and coÌ„temptible like the grain of mustard-seed which is the least of all seeds and as Israel which were the fewest of al peoples For God taking them one of a citie two of a tribe and these the foolish weak and vile of the world the poor the maymed the halt the blinde whose dwelling is by the highwayes and hedges he brings theÌ„ neyther by an army nor strength but by his own spirit into his howse and kingdome where though ther be but two or three gathered togither in his name he is in the mids of them These being once borne of God begotten by the immortal seed of his word vnto the faith of the Gospel know also that there is a Ierusalem from above which is the mother of vs al that of Sion it shal be sayd Man man that is many men are borne in her the Lord wil count when he writeth the people He was borne there therfore they seek to enter into this estate and happie coÌ„munion they ask the way to Sion with their faces thitherward saying Come and ioyn to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shal not be forgotten 3. This covenant which they make togither standeth vpon two pillers 1. to keep their faith in God by Iesus Christ 2. to observe his lawes in love In both these are they to build vp and help forward one another saying al peoples wil walk every one in the name of his God and we wil walk in the name of Iehovah our God for ever and ever Herevpon follow their assembling or gathering togither for the instruction one of an other their mutual ex hortations to continew in the faith grounded stablished to stand fast therin their prayers one with and for another that Christ may dwel in their harts by faith their rebuking such as teach vnwholsome doctrine that so they may be hayl or sound in the faith of which if any make shipwrack they ar to be thrust out of the communion of the Saincts and delivered vnto Satan And for their conversation they set vp the Lord in that day to be their God and to walk in his wayes and to keep his ordinances and his commaundements and his lawes to hearken vnto his voice they promise to walk in the pathes of God as he shal teach them from whence arise both publickly and privatly their mutual love care ech of other provoking vnto love good works walking worthy of their caling wherevnto they are caled their admonitions and reproofs one of another when they syn seeking to restore them with the spirit of meeknes but withdrawing from the disobedient putting away such as
sowles so wondrously saved in the water as by a Baptisme the Serpent had his seed stil which in processe of time was discovered in the person of Cham his posteritie and by the Patriarch Noah was accursed Which wicked brood to get themselves a name went about to build a tower vp to heaven in the land of Shinar the place and habitation of Wickednes wher God confounded their lips scattred them from thence stayed their proud building and Babel or Confusion is their monument to this day And when not onely Chams cursed progeny but also the seed of blessed Sem even â—erah the father of Abram and Nachor fel to idolatrie and they served other Gods or rather in deed Divils as the scripture also nameth them then God caled Abram from his countrie kinred and fathers house to go into the land which he would shew him vnto which caling he by faith obeyed and departed not knowing wither he went 8. The Lord who was the caller and redemer of Abram gav him two gracious promises to confirm his faith as 1. that he should inherit the land of Canaan to which he brought him 2. that he should hav heyres of his own seed to inherit it after him even a great nation and one seed specially which was Christ in whom al families of the earth should be blessed With these promises and blessing and ronoume adioyned to them the Lord perswaded him to forsake his idolatrous countrie and communion with idols and to walk before him who was God the Alsufficient and to be vpright and gav him the covnant of circumcision the seal of the righteousnes of the faith which he had he gav him also two sons Ismael of Hagar a servant born after the flesh and Isaak of Sarah a free woman born by promise 9. But he that was born after the flesh fel to profanenes became a mocker and persecutor of the true and promised seed wherfore he was cast out of the church the howse of Abraham and lost the honor of being reputed his seed or heyr with Isaak the freeborne and child of promise 10. Againe vnto Isaak wer born Esau and Iakob but God loved Iakob and hated Esau and he also degenerated and became profane sold his birth-right and lost his blessing and was separated from his brother Iaakob vnto whom alone the blessing of Abraham was derived 11. Iaakob whose name was Israel being willed of God to build him an altar at Bethel before he would do it had a care to purge his howshold of the false Gods wherwith they wer defiled who giving him both their Idols idolatrous jewels he hid them vnder an oke at Sichem for he knew that the worship of God of Idols could not stand togither Afterwards he went with his family by the word of the Lord from Canaan into Aegypt was a sojourner in the land of Cham wher God multiplied his church exceedingly as he had promised to Abraham his freind There when the Israelites forgate the Lord their God and defiled themselves with the Idols of Aegypt he recaled them by his word from those abominations had almost destroyed them for their disobedience But respecting his own name and glory he ceased not to visit them first by his punishments then by his promises miracles til he had won them againe vnto his faith and service 12. Then bringing them forth from that both spiritual and corporal bondage executing judgments vpon the Aegyptians and vpon their Gods he certified Israel of his end and purpose herin which was to bring them to himself that they might hear his voyce and keep his covenant and be his chief treasure above al people though al the earth wer his Charging them not to do after the doings of the land of Aegipt wherin they dwelt neyther to do after the manner of the land of Canaan whither he would bring them nor walk in their ordinances but to do after his judgements and keep his ordinaÌ„ces to walk in them for he was the Lord their God and to this end had separated them from other people even from among al people of the earth did he separate them vnto himself for an inheritance Wherfore he commaunded them vtterly to destroy those cursed nations to make no covenant with them nor hav compassion on them nor make mariages with them for they would cause them to turne from him and serv other Gods which would be to their destruction willed to ‡ abolish al their idolatrie with the names monuments of the same for that they wer an holy people vnto him 13. Iosua treating with Israel of serving the Lord in vprightnes truth exhorted them to put away the Gods which their fathers had served in Mesopotamia and in Aegypt so to serv the Lord whoÌ„ he caleth holy and gealous that would not pardon their iniquity or their syns if they should forsake him serv strange Gods And when the people made choise of the Lord to serv him he required them agayn to put away the strange Gods that wer among them teaching them and vs therby that Gods true worship the service of Idoles cannot be joyned togither but the one wil expell the other Which law when they kept not but worshiped the Gods of the peoples round about them and so forsooke the Lord his wrath was hot against them and he delivered them into the hands of spoylers that spoiled them and they could no longer stand before their enimies yea the Lord would no more cast out before them any of the nations which Ioshua left when he died Againe when Samuel reconciled them vnto the Lord he in like manner first procured them to put away their false religion which was the cause of their calamitie and to direct their harts vnto the Lord and serve him onely 14. Neyther did this warning of idolatrie respect the idols of Canaan onely but the false religions of all other peoples neer or far off for any other God besides or with Iehovah they might not have or serve Therfore though they had no commission to root out any idols save those in Canaan because that should be their possession yet were they to avoyd communion with all other idolaters which when they did not but coupled themselves with Baalpeor the God of the Moabites and separated themselves vnto that Shame and did eat the sacrifices of the dead the plague of God brake out vpon them and there fell of the Israelites in one day four twentie thowsand even everie man that followed Baal-peor the Lord destroyed him from among his people 15. And in no better account were the idols and voluntarie services of the Israelites themselves for God by his
we shal be the sons and daughters of the Lord Almightie 2. This grace God signified to our fathers when he had freed them from the bondage of Aegipt saying ye have seen what I did to the Aegiptians and how I caried yow vpon eagles wings and hav brought yow vnto me now therfore if ye wil hear my voice in deed and keep my covenant then shal ye be my chief tresure above al peoples though al the earth be mine ye shal be vnto me also a kingdom of priests and a holy nation 3. The manifestation and assurance of this grace is to be seen in that eternal Covenant and Oth which he maketh with vs and wherby he stablisheth vs for a people vnto himself and wil be vnto vs a God as he also sware vnto our fathers Abraham Isaak and Iaakob Who were themselves joyned in league with the Lord that had stablished this everlasting covenant with Abraham and his posterity to be God vnto him and to his seed after him but hath now fully and finally ratified in Christ and by that new Testamental bond confirmed in his blood wherby he hath covenanted that he wil be our God and we shal be his people whervpon it followeth that he being ours and we his assured hereof by faith in his gospel we have communion with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ to the prayse of the glory of his grace our eternal happines Whiles he being our God applieth his wisdoÌ„ strength grace and al other goodnes vnto vs for good causeth vs agayn to apply our bodies our minds with all the faculties of them to the honour and service of his majestie and this with such mutuall love and neer conjunction as God is sayd to dwelin vs and we in him and with such peace as passeth al vnderstanding that not without cause doth the Psalmist sing Blessed is the people whese God Iehovah is 4. The persons whom God admitteth into this gracious coÌ„munion are al sorts of people without respect of persons Iewes Gentiles bond men and free male female kings of the earth and al peoples Princes and al judges of the world yong men maydens old men and children wise men and fooles even as many as the Lord our God shal cal The riches of which grace Moses also manifested vnto Israel when he sayd Ye stand this day every one of yow before the Lord your God your heads of your tribes your elders and your officers al the men of Israel your children your wives and thy stranger that is in thy camp from the hewer of thy wood vnto the drawer of thy water that thou shouldest passe into the covenant of the Lord thy God into his oth which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day c. This ample mercy God shewed even then but hath much inlarged since by the sending of his SoÌ„ that it might be seen how he is good to al and his mercies over al his works and that * al flesh might blesse his holy name for ever and ever 5 The original of this grace to the Saincts cometh froÌ„ the electioÌ„ of God who having set his delight in them to love theÌ„ choseth them their seed to be a precious people to himself above al peoples vpon the earth and as he sayth by the Prophet I hav loved thee with an everlasting love therfore with mercy I hav drawn thee From which furder grace proceedeth for they being thus drawen doe run after him and chose him again to be their God and to serv him they chose the way of faith they chose his precepts So is ther a willing joyful covenant made between God and them by mutual agreement vpon most holy and happy conditions which Moses briefly describeth thus Thow hast made the Lord to say this day that is thou hast taken promise of conditioned with and consequently hast chosen him to be to thee for a God and to walk in his wayes and to keep his statutes his commaundements and his iudgements and to hearken vnto his voice And the Lord hath made thee to say this day hath conditioned with chosen thee to be vnto him for a peculiar people even as he spake vnto thee and to keep al his commandments and to set thee high above al nations which he hath made in prayse and in name in glory and that â—hou shouldest be an holy people to the Lord thy God even as he hath spoken 6. The good things communicated with vs of God by that covenant of his grace the Apostle summeth vp when he sayth that his divine power hath given vs al things that perteyn to Life godlines For as he is himself the Living God giver of life vnto al things so is he not the God of the Dead but of the Living To the end therfore that we which wer dead in trespasses and syns and strangers from the Life of God through the ignorance that was in vs and in that estate were not his people might be the sons of the Living God and heyres of the grace of Life it was needful that we should receive from him this grace which els we could not have from any other because with him is the well of life and in his light shall we see light he is our Life and the length of our dayes his precepts and his promises do quickeÌ„ vs and by al that proceedeth out of his mouth doth a man live as that good king Hezekiah confessed vpon his recoverie from death O Lord by them men live and by all of them is the life of my spirit and thou hast caused me to sleep and hast given life vnto me 7. And when we are made partakers of the life of God then feel we the fellowship and coÌ„munion spoken of and as our life encreaseth so doth our joy by the perceiving of our happines we give our selves vnto God as they that are alive from the dead walking before him in the light of the living God also himself walketh with vs leading vs by the rivers of waters in a straight way wherein we shall not stumble and our sowl shal be as a watered garden we shal have no more sorow but shal be satisfied with the goodnes of the Lord our hart shal live for ever To the end therefore that we may in some sort discern this incomprehensible grace let vs consider some principal of the many good things that God doth give vs perteyning vnto Life and godlines 8. And first for that VnderstaÌ„ding is a welspring of Life vnto them that have it the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of glory giveth vnto vs the Spirit of wisdome and revelation through the knowledge of him
sake and that blessednes cometh on vs which is written Blessed ar they whose iniquities ar forgiven and whose syns ar covered blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not syn Yea God â—as he imputeth not but pardoneth syn so doth he impute justice or righteousnes to vs without works of ours because Christ fulfilled al righteousnes for vs that beleev and we shal be found in him not having our owne justice which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ even the justice which is of God through Faith To teach vs this the first man whom Moses mentioneth to have beleeved the Lord he presently adorneth with this grace that God imputed that to him for iustice And he being made the Father of al beleevers that is written for vs also vnto whom Beleef shal be imputed for Iustice in like weise Thus are we justified by Faith without the works of the Law yea Faith is come in place of al good works as Christ hath sayd This is the work of God that ye beleev in him whom he hath sent this also is his commandement that we beleev in the name of his Son Iesus Christ whom he that hath hath Life he that hath not the son of God hath not Life but who so trusteth to his own righteousnes and committeth iniquity shal surely die as sayth the prophet Thus live we by faith in Christ and that heavenly oracle is fulfilled The iust shallive by his faith 12. This Life and grace is one condition of that everlasting covenant which our God hath made with vs and sayd I wil be merciful to their vnrighteousnes and wil remember their syns and their iniquities no more And being thus justified by faith we have peace towards God through our Lord Iesus Christ whom he hath given to be our covenant and our light he hideth his face from our syns and wipeth away al our iniquities and sayth deliver them that they goe not down into the pit for I have found a ransom Yea now he seeth no iniquitie in Iaakob nor transgressioÌ„ in Israel the Lord his God is with him and the joyful showt of a king is among them though the syns of Iudah be sought for they shal be no more found for the Lord is merciful to them whom he reserveth he hath washed the filthines of the daughters of Sion their transgressions are put away as aclowd and like a mist their syns ar al cast into the bottom of the sea For this the Saincts doe triumph and say who shal lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen it is God that justifieth who shal condemn we wil goe forward in the streÌ„gth of the Lord God we wil make mention of thy Iustice even of thyne onely And thus is fulfilled the saying of the prophet The whole seed of Israel shal be Iustified and glory in the Lord. 13. Yet is their also further grace perteyning to life and godlines given vs of God even our Sanctification whervnto he hath caled vs and which we attayn vnto by fayth in Christ. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation vnto al men and hath appeared doth teach vs that we should deny vngodlynes worldly lusts and that we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world and not continew still in syn that grace may abound VVe are the people of Gods holynes and he wil be halowed among vs he the Lord doth sanctify vs he powreth clean water vpon vs that we may be clean sprinkled in our harts from an evil conscience and washed in our bodies with pure water he taketh away the stony hart out of our body and giveth vs an hart of flesh he putteth his spirit within vs and causeth vs to walk in his statutes to keep his judgements and doe them that we be polluted no more with our abominations nor any of our transgressions and saith vnto vs ye shal be holy for I the Lord your God am holy And this is an other condition of his gracious covenant with vs as it is written I wil put my lawes in their minde and in their hart I wil write them I wil be their God and they shal be my peaple 14. Of this Sanctification ther be two parts which they that long after Life and to see good dayes must seek 1 to eschew evil 2 to doe good The way to attayn these is by the death burial of the old man the corruption of nature and the resurrection of the new that so being dead vnto syn we may be alive vnto God in Iesus Christ our Lord. The old man or body of syn is the whole man sowl and body as he is born by nature even al flesh al the grace and glory therof which the Spirit of the Lord must blow vpon and cause to fade as the flower of grasse that the man may be born again and made a new creature even born of God To work this wondrous change in vs the Lord giveth two special graces the 1 Fear 2 Love of his name by the one to restreyn vs from evil and by the other to allure vs vnto good 15. The Fear of the Lord as it is the beginning of wisdom so did Davids for fear of the Lord and we being afrayd of his judgements His mercies also are shewed vs to this end as it is written Mercy is with thee that thou mayst be feared This grace God giveth to his Saincts to humble them that they be not high-minded but may walk in reverence before him and their harts be in his fear continually that it may go wel with them and with their children for ever for he that feareth the commandement shal be rewarded By this grace hav his people commuinon with him and feel his goodnes for the eye of the Lord is vpon them that fear him trust in his mercy he delighteth in them he wil fulfil the desire of them and nothing shal be wanting vnto them as he hath promised by his prophet their sowles shal dwel in good their seed shal inherit the land and the secret of the Lord and his covenant shal be revealed vnto them Wherfore vnto man he sayth Behold the Fear of the Lord is wisdome and to depart from evil is vnderstanding the reward of humility and the fear of God is riches and glory Life Vnto this therfore let vs take heed for in it is an assured strength by it we shal come out of al extremities that are either too much or too litle and to fear God and keep his commandements is the whole man this leadeth him vnto Life and being filled therwith he shal continew and not be visited with
have fellowship with the Lord in spirit who having thus decked vs with the garments of bewtie and glorie with mercy and salvation through faith in his name doth then seal vs with that holy spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntil the redemption of the possession purchased the ful redemption of al Saincts vnto the prayse of his glory For as he hath chosen vs in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love so having effectually caled justified and sanctified vs of his vnspeakable grace he giveth vs also certainty and assurance of our election that we shal never fal from nor be forsaken of him For the seed wherwith we are born anew is an immortal seed which can never die this seed remayneth in vs to keep vs from syn and if we syn we have an advocate with the Father even Iesus Christ the just who maketh intercession and prayeth for vs that our faith fail not he also giveth vs repentance vnto Life and worketh in vs godly sorow for our misdeeds so we ar renewed by repentance dayly and revived by faith knowing that God hath stablished to himself his people Israel to be his people for ever he is their God his gifts and caling are without repentance he that hath begun his good work in vs wil perform it vnto the day of Iesus Christ for he hath made an everlasting covenant with vs that he wil never turn away from vs to doe vs good and hath put his fear in our harts that we shal never depart from him and hath sayd concerning vs by his prophet My people shal never be ashamed Thus the hope of salvation is for an helmet vpon our heads for that God hath not appointed vs vnto wrath but to obteyn salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ and we rejoyce with joy vnspeakable glorious being perswaded that neyther death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things presēt nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate vs fiō the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 23. Our God it is which thus stablisheth vs in Christ hath anoynted vs and also sealed vs and given vs the earnest of his spirit in our hartes even the spirit of adoption whereby we crie vnto him Abba Father and of vs he sayth This people have I formed for my self they shal shew forth my prayse And being thus furnished with his graces we find feel the sweetnes of that fellowship and communion that we hav with him in Christ Iesus and by his Spirit 24. This communion the scripture setteth down by similitude of walking and dwelling together For God hath promised I will walk among you and I wil be your God ye shal be my people and for his habitation although he filleth heavens and earth the heavens of heavens ar not able to cōteyn him being cōsidered in his infinite majestye yet abaseth he himself to converse with vs that dwel in houses of clay as he sayth by the Prophet I dwel in the high holy place with him also that is of a contrite humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to give life to them that are of a contrite hart Which grace that all the Saincts might take knowledge of the voice is written which was heard out of heaven to say Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shal be his people and God himself will bee their God with them This Tabernacle is the bodies and sowles of the Saincts as the Apostle sayth Ye are the Temple of the Living God even as God hath sayd I will dwell in thē walk with them your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost On the other side wee are sayd to walk with God as did Enoch Noah and as the Lord requireth of every man that he humble himself to walk with his God we dwel in his tabernacle for ever our trust is vnder the covering of his wings as the Apostle Iohn sayth He that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him 25. This grace is so heavenly and supernatural as it cannot be comprehended by the carnal man nor embraced walked in with comfort by synners hypocrites The naturall man thinketh the dwelling of God is not with flesh the vnbeleeving among the Saincts in day of their distresse do say Is the Lord among vs or no The synners and hypocrites 〈…〉 Sion are afrayd saying who among vs shal dwel with the devouring syre who amōg us shal dwel with the everlasting burnings And indeed the throne of iniquitie hath no fellowship with him but the pure of hart edure as seing him who is invisible they sing The Lord of hosts is with vs the God of Iaakob is our refuge they serve him and see his face his name is on their foreheads they say It is good for vs to draw neer vnto God Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs. 26 This conversing of the Saints with God is spiritual and mystical we walk by faith and not by sight faith which is the evidence of things not seen He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit sayth the Apostle Again Gods walking with vs is strange and vncouth to the world for he bringeth vs into many tribulations his way is in the sea his paths in the great waters and his footsteps ar not knowen he leadeth vs through the wildernes through a desert and wast land and by the shadow of death where fyry serpents are and scorpions and drought without water to humble vs and to prove vs to know what is in our hart that he may doe vs good in the latter end he bringeth vs through the fyre and fineth vs as the silver is fined and trieth vs as gold is tried yet he sayth It is my people we do say The Lord is our God 27. And hence ariseth the comfort of our harts that alwayes we behold God with vs yea feel him within vs and answer Amen by faith to al his promises He sayth Fear not for I am with thee be not afrayd for I am thy God we say again Though I should walk through the vally of the shadow of death I will fear no evill because thou art with me He sayth of every of his Saincts I wil be with him in trouble I wil deliver him and glorify him they testify say I beheld the Lord alwayes before me for he is at my right hand that I should not be shaken gather together on heaps ô ye people and ye
shal be broken in peeces take counsel togither yet shall it be brought to naught pronounce a decree yet shall it not stand for God is with vs. The Patriarchs moved with envie sold Ioseph into Aegypt but God was with him sayth the scripture and delivered him out of al his afflictions To Iakob God sayd turne again to the land of thy fathers to thy kinred I â—ilbe with thee in his return he was in daÌ„ger prayed ô God of my father AbrahaÌ„ c Lord which sayd est vnto me return to thy countrie and kinred and I wil do thee good Thus alwayes the Saincts assure theÌ„selves of good by Gods presence with theÌ„ and of shelter froÌ„ evil count them selves naked and helplesse when he withdrawes his face as when in displeasure he had moved his Tabernacle farr off from the host of Israel and seemed as if he would have walked no further with them then Moses sayd If thy presence go not with vs cary vs not hence wherin now shall it be known that I and thy people have found favour in thy sight shal it not be when thou goest with vs so I and thy people shal have preeminence before all people that are on the earth Finally as the Saincts encourage themselves against their foeâ— with this their shadow is departed from them the Lord is with vs fear them not so God foretold that when many tribulations should come vpon his people they then would say Are not these troubles come vpon me because my God is not with me 28 For the presence of God communion of his graces so saveth his Saincts out of al adversities that no wisdome counsel or strength of any enimy can hurt no creature can hinder them froÌ„ their happines the Lord their God who goeth before them he fighteth for them and rideth vpon the heavens for their help the eternal God is their refuge vnder his armes they are for ever he casteth out the enemy before them and sayth Destroy so as wax melteth froÌ„ the presence of the fyre the wicked perish from the presence of God But his people he vpholdeth in their integritie and doth set them before his face for ever both they and their seed shal stand fast in his sight for they ar his portion or inheritance and they shal walk in the light of his countenance he leadeth them with his own glorious arm dividing the waters before them to make himself an everlasting name he sayth prepare the way take vp the stumbling blocks out of the way of my people so causeth he them to goe vpright giving strength vnto him that fainteth multiplying might to him that hath no power and they renew strength they lift vp the wings as the eagles they run are not wearie they walk faint not He supplie 〈…〉 their waÌ„ts filling the hungry sowl with good satisfying the soule that thirsteth after righteousnes for righteousnes goeth before him setteth her steps in the way he bringeth neer his justice it is not farr off and his salvation shal not tarie for he giveth it in Sion and his glory vnto Israel 29. And they again being a people in whose hart is his law knowing that two cannot walk togither as sayth the prophet except they be agreed labour by faith to hav peace with him aud to walk before him in vprightnes to walk worthy of him and please him in al things being fruitful in al good works and increasing in the knowledge of God For this they hav promised vnto him when they entred into his covenant therfore are their sowles delivered from death that they may walk before the Lord in the land of the living And because to walk before God is to walk in his Law as the scripture teacheth therfore love they the law of the Lord it is their meditation continually and it is written vpon the table of their hart their delight is in his commandements which they have loved their hands also doe they lift vp vnto them their mouth talketh of them their feet run in them their soule keepeth them and they wil never forget them al their members are given vp as instruments of righteousnes to serve and please the Lord they apply their hart to fulfil his statutes alwaies even vnto the end Thus their righteousnes goeth before them and the glory of the Lord embraceth theÌ„ he strengthneth theÌ„ in the Lord they walk in his name their harts being stable and vnblameable in holynes before him and there is no condemnation vnto them for that they are in Christ Iesus and walk not after the flesh but after the spirit 30. And now they eat their bread with joy and drink their wine with a cheerful hart because God accepteth their works the words of their mouthes the meditation of their harts They please him and have his blessing even in their civil affayres and handy labours the world and al earthly creatures are subdued vnto them and they vse them for their service and comfort in the Lord if they eat it is to the Lord if they eat not it is to him also giving God thaÌ„ks and doing al things that they doe vnto his glorie So though they be in the world yet are they not of the world and though they walk in the flesh yet warr they not neyther walk they after the flesh but being on earth their conversation is in heaven and the way of Life is on high vnto them to avoyd from hel beneath They seek the Lord and his strength they seek his face continually and with the joy of his face he maketh them glad and in the secret therof he hideth them from the pride of men he keepeth them as the apple of his eye He sayth vnto them Hear my law o my people incline your ears to the words of my mouth obey my voyce and do al things which I command yow so shal ye be my people and I wil be your God they answer al peoples wil walke every one in the name of his God and we wil walke in the name of our God for ever and ever teach vs thy way o Lord and we wil walk in thy truth knit our harts to thee that we may fear thy name Thus hoping for his glory which is to be reveled they purge themselves as he is pure and walk in the light as he is in the light having fellowship one with another the blood of Iesus Christ his Son clensing them from al syn And the Lord giveth strength vnto his people the Lord blesseth his people with peace he is as the dew vnto theÌ„ they grow as lilies and fasten
He is no created Angel but the creator of Angels and all other thinges in heaven and earth therefore is he the Archangel the head of al principalitie and power the first of the chief Princes even Michael our prince whom al the Angels of God do worship Of him and our communion with him is before spoken 3. The ministers of God though mē on the earth yet for the service wherein they be imployed ar caled Angels or Messengers Such were the priests in the tyme of the Law as Malachie intitleth them such was Iohn Baptist such ar Christs ordinarie ministers the Angels of the Churches Of whom it remaineth to be spoken otherwhere 4. The blessed spirits which are about the throne of God where thousand thowsands minister vnto him and ten thowsand thowsands stand before him these heavenly creatures being often sent forth into this world on Gods message are therfore most properly vsually caled Angels Of thē do we treat in this place These ar wise excel in strength and in al ready and swift performance of the wil of God They ar Thrones Dominions principalities powers they ar the chief princes above al the princes of the earth and the title of Gods is given vnto them God imparteth to them his counsels and vseth their ministerie in the government of the world 5. These heavenly creatures ar parties in the communion of the Saincts as is before touched for they we hav al one head which is Christ are al elect to be partakers of the glorie of God for ever But because they are spirits and hav not flesh and blood as we therfore the fellowship between them and vs is spiritual to be learned out of the scriptures and discerned by faith not by ey-sight Again God hath in ages past before the incarnatiō of Christ more imployed them outwardly in reveling his will vnto men then in these last dayes he doeth since he hath opened vnto vs the whole mysterie of his counsel by his Son Yet as at the giving of the Law when the Lord came from mount Sinai rose vp from Seir vnto his people he came with ten thowsands of the Saincts so in the time of the Gospel when his feet stood on the mount of Olives the Lord our God came and al the Saincts with him to do him worship and minister vnto him to guard his throne church to be sēt forth in ministery for their sakes which shal be heyres of salvation 6. Somtimes the Angels appeared in visible formes of men and for a while so conversed with men eating and drinking and talking familiarly of the matters wherabout they were sent as in the historie of Abrahā Lot is to be seen Somtimes they appeared in more glorious shapes like winged creatures and so would treat with men about their affayres vocally but their celestial majestie then much daunted the sons of Adam Sometimes they appeared but spake not againe somtime they spake whē no mention is made of their appearing 7. The causes also and effects of their appearing were many and weightie For by them Abrahā was told of the birth of Isaak the destruction of Sodom Manoah his wife of the birth of Sāson Zecharie of the birth of Iohn Baptist Mary of the cōceptiō the shepheards of y◠birth of our Lord Christ the womē of his resurrectiō the Apostles of his second coming at the last day By them Zecharie was certified of the restauration of Ierusalem Daniel was informed of the state of the church from his time to Christ and Iohn of the * estate therof frō his dayes to the worlds end By them Lot was delivered from the burning of Sodom Shadrach Meshach Abednego from the fyrie fornace Daniel from the Lions mouthes Peter out of Herods prison By them Abrahams servant was guided in his journey Philip was directed to goe and preach to the Eunuch Paul to the Macedonians Iaakob was encouraged in his going towards retourning from Mesopotomia Eliah was refreshed with food in his flight frō Iezebel Ioseph was counselled to flee with Christ from Herods persecution and Paul was comforted against peril of shipwrack Their ministery was vsed at the giving of the fyrie law on mount Sinai their melodie was heard at the birth of the Lamb that reigneth on mount Sion and they stil sing loud his praises about Gods throne and they shal be the harvestmen to reap the earth and to sever the bad from among the just at the end of this world 8. They ar Gods powrful instruments as for smiting the wicked with sore diseases so for the help and healing of our sicknesses when it pleaseth God so to imploy them as appeareth by that famous miracle often wrought in the pool at Ierusalem whose waters were at certaine times troubled by an Angel after which stirring who so first stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had In memory of which heavenly grace the place was caled Beth-esda that is the house of bountifulnes or mercy 9. And although now a dayes they appear not visibly nor afford vs such outward help yet are these heavenly messengers stil secretly imployed for the safeguard and benefit of the Saincts For who so dwelleth in the secret of the Most high and lodgeth in the shadow of the Almighty over him as the Psalmist sayth God giveth his Angels charge to keep him in all his wayes yea even vnto little children doth their care extend as the embroydred Cherubims environed the Tabernacle so doe those heavenly soldjers cōpasse and guard Gods true tabernacle the Church And whereas we are in danger two manner wise 1. by our own infirmitie 2. and our enemies might subtiltie these watchmen and guardians of our salvation do succour vs in both For as the mother carieth in her armes the child which cannot wel goe so these do bear-vs-vp in their hands that we hurt not our foot against a stone and when we are besieged by our foes these pitch roūd about vs and deliver vs being as a bulwark betwixt the fiends even all our enemies and vs. So that if God gave vs to see with the eye as we are taught to beleev by faith we might behold with Elishaes servant the mountaines to be ful of horses charets of fyre round about vs and would say with Iaakob This is Gods host Neyther do they only save vs from peril but as heavenly warriours that excel in strength they fight against our enemies pursuing and scattering them as chaff before the wind like as at Hezekiahs prayer an Angel came and killed 185. thowsand of his foes And as they
of mount Sion the church vnder the Gospel vpon the assemblies thereof a clowd smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fyre by night that al ChristiaÌ„ churches have froÌ„ him their directioÌ„ protectioÌ„ whiles in the ministerie of his word spirit he speaks vnto theÌ„ as in the clowdy pillar is their shelter against the teÌ„pest their shadow against the heat For which grace praise ye God in the Assemblies even the Lord ye that are of the fountain of Israel 13. Thus every Church is like mount Sion fair in situation the joy of the whol earth the citie of the great king in the pallaces wherof God is knowen for a refuge which he wil stablish for ever and where his people wait for his mercie in the mids of his temple And as the howse of Iaakob walketh in the light of the Lord which shineth in the face of Christ in which light they beleev that they may be the children of the light so also they even al nations and people which are saved walk in the light of the church which it hath fi oÌ„ the Lord who is her light everlasting her sun shield in whose light she seeth light This is yâ— citie of truth the mount of holines the secret and congregatioÌ„ of the righteous which looketh forth as the Morning fair as the Moon pure as the Sun terrible as an armie with banners It is the howse of the living God the gate of heaven the pillar ground of truth al the limits therof rouÌ„d about ar most holy the Lord hath stablished it the poor of his people wil shrowd theÌ„selves in it the glorie and honour of the nations shal be brought vnto it vpon al the glorie shal be a defence it shal be a quiet habitation a tabernacle that cannot be removed a kingdome that cannot be shakeÌ„ and the nation or kingdome that wil not serve it shal perish but the people that dwel therein shal have their iniquitie forgiven and from the day that this citie is builded the name thereof is THE LORD IS THERE The Lord blesse thee ô habitation of 〈…〉 holy mountaine Ier. 31. 23. CHAP. XVIII Of the coÌ„munion that the Saincts in al Churches have in things spiritual NOW as the faithful are thus coÌ„pact like living and precious stones in one holy Temple and meÌ„bers of one bodie so havethey fellowship togither in all Christian offices spiritual and humane ech with other do willingly coÌ„municate the manifold graces of God Their spiritual communion may be considered in three things First in al duties from themselves towards God as be prayses thaÌ„ksgivings prayers supplications c. which they powr out one with for an other Secondly in all graces given them of God as are the words of his covenant the coÌ„forts and seales of the same opened and applied for the helping forward and assurance of their salvation Thirdly in al duties among themselves one towards an other as counsels deliberations exhortations consolations admonitions rebukes censures and such like al which for the honour of God and their mutual good they carefully togither doe keep execute 2. Their coÌ„munion in the Worship of God is when at time and place appointed they al come togither to serve confesse and prayse the Lord and cal vpon his name For which as Israel of old had their assemblies wher the ministers of God publickly and solemnly vttered his prayses discoursing of al his wonderful works and giving vnto him the glory of his name made also their requests vnto God for their wants vnto al which al the people sayd Amen and praysed the Lord so also in the Apostles dayes Gods people had still their places of prayer for which holy exercise the Christians assembled in which they continued with one accord both men women Where the ministers of Christ gav themselves vnto this busines that minding the publick state of the church they might for with the same make requests giv thaÌ„ks in the eares vnderstaÌ„ding of the people which thervnto answered Amen These now ar not the praiers or praises-of him alone that speaketh but of the whol asseÌ„blie which atteÌ„d w th their ears asseÌ„t with their harts seal with their lips that part of publick administratioÌ„ coÌ„firming it also by signes and gestures beseeming such an action In these whither ordinarie or extraordinarie with fasting and humiliatioÌ„ of sowl vpoÌ„ special occasioÌ„s ther is a coÌ„munioÌ„ harmonie among the Saincts that with one mind one mouth doe praise God and their prayer cometh vp vnto heaven to his holy habitatioÌ„ And as the publick assemblies of the whol church so the more private meetings in families or of other friends for special causes is both comfortable to themselves and acceptable to the Lord for he had promised that wher ther is a syâ—phonie or agreemeÌ„t but of two oâ— his togither in earth to desire anything it shal be given them so much he respecteth the fellowship vnâ—nimitie of his people and theâ— gathering togither in his name 3. But when through distance of place or other just occasion they cannot or doe not come togither as also in their private prayers which they powr out before the Lord eyther some few togither oâ— ech one apart the faithful hav yet spiritual communion and benefit by praying one for an other while they remember and make mention of their brethren vnto God rejoycing and giving thanks for his blessings vpon theÌ„ desiring things that may benefit comfort them praying for deliverance from baÌ„ds or other afflictions for strength stabilitie in the truth for remission of syns or for other graces as the necessities of the Saincts do require for al whoÌ„ we are exhorted to pray with al manner prayer and supplication in the spirit and for special persons to make more earnest suit to strive or wrastle togither with them by prayers to God for them This fellowship is comfortable to all that know the vse of prayer how much it prevaileth with God if it be ferveÌ„t Wherfore the Apostles did not only performe this dutie for others in their absence but themselves so earnestly desired it at the hands of al and trusted for help by it Also the Saincts that were before theÌ„ knew well and nourished this communion whiles they requested their brethren to pray vnto God for theÌ„ especially the prophets whose petitions were exceeding beneficial not onely to the church mem bers therof whom they sometime saved from death by this means but also for strangers so effectual with the Lord is the prayer of the Saincts and the odour therof as sweet incense before him and a token it was of
kings of the earth and wonder of the world as having the Sun for her clothing the moon for her footstool and the twelve starres for a crown vpon her head whiles by faith and holines she hath put on Christ the Sun of righteousnes that is risen vnto her as she hath learned him of his Apostles and is herby advanced to heavenly dignity that even her conversation is in heaven so as she loveth no more this world of which she her self is not and the fashion wherof passeth away yet forasmuch as she hath both in her own body paines of childbirth whiles she is in travail to bring forth Christ which by the preaching of the Gospel is formed in her and without her self Satan for his fiercenes a dragon persecuting her in wrath warring with the remnant of her seed gathering his soldjers which are as the sand of the sea to compasse about the tents of the Saincts the beloved citie it shal be therfore good that we take a view of these troubles and assaults learn of God the end and vse of them and how we may either escape or overcome them least we be offended our faith fayl 2. That old crooked serpēt the enemy of mans salvatiō perceiving the vniting communion of the Saincts to be a great help furtherāce of their happines a prayse to their God a daunting to the world a comfort to themselves doth therfore bend his vtmost might and malice against this brotherhood that he may dissolve the same He stirreth vp the wicked multitudes like the raging waves of the sea that some out myre durt to bely and blaspheme the truth and witnesses of Christ accusing them of noveltie heresie sedition treason and rebellion He further kindleth this fyre by his false Prophets that cease not to inveigh against and calumniate this little flock and by their abused wit and learning to prove perswade that they are as bad or worse then they be reported of both for their faith towards God and loyaltie to the princes of the earth which princes also for like malice in themselves or for that they fear the losse or impeachment of their honour and dignities or because they loath the bonds and yoke of the gospel or for to gratifie their people and subjects are readie to turn the dint of their sword wherwith they should conserv the truth and peace of Christian religion against the Saincts and especially their cōmuniō assemblies which seem most dangerous and are indeed terrible to the world as an armie with banners 3. Herevpō they think to work wisely if any way they can hinder the propagation and increase of the church whither by privy oppressiō or open persecution though the wisdom of God hath sayd Sure◠it is not good to condemne the iust 〈◊〉 that princes should smite for equitie Especially the men-children the teachers guides and principal of Christs flock are most maligned exposed to their tyrannie though sōtime neyther women nor infants can be exempted from their rage and crueltie For which these civil polities with the heads and governours of thē vnto whom erewhile it was sayd ye ar Gods ye al are children of the most high ar now become more base then any men and are caled in holy scripture Liōs Wolves bears Libbards wild-bores and foxes even pourtrahed out by mōstrous savage and deformed bestes for such their barbarous havock and misusage of the Saincts 4. For loe in their malignant harts they fret against the people of God and against the holy covenant with their mouthes they speak evil even marveilous and presumptuous things blaspheming Gods name and tabernacle them that dwel in heaven with their hands and hornes they smite and push the poor flock of Christ spoyling them of their goods banishing them out of their dominions casting them into prisons and dungeons feeding thē with bread of adversitie and water of afflictiō devising all cruel and exquisite torments to make their death miserable racking stoning hāging hewing in peeces burning in fyre casting to wild beasts and many moe horrible tortures as the lambs of Christ have felt in all ages whiles children have been brought from the womb to their martirdom women with child ript vp in their vnnatural crueltie 5. By this meanes the cōmunion of the Saincts is oft times dissolved and scattred their shepheards and watchmen apprehended and killed the whol flock pursued as sheep appointed to the slaughter Some for fear deny and forsake the faith and are compelled to blaspheme Some by flatterie are caused to syn and wickedly break the holy covenant and to be the betrayers of their brethren Such as escape these evils somtime wander vp and down in sheeps skins and goat-skins destitute afflicted and tormented in desarts and mountaines in dennes and caves of the earth Thus waters of a full cup ar wrung out vnto them and now the wayes of Sion lament because no man cometh to the solemn fests for the dayly sacrifice whereby they were wont publickly to worship God is taken away and abominable desolation put in the place The sanctuarie synagogues of God are burned Ierusalem broken vp made a ruinous heap the stones therof layd in dust and the dead bodies of the Saincts cast to the fowles bestes of the earth Then the faithful mourn because God hath destroyed his congregation caused the sabbaths to be forgottē forsaken his sanctuarie and given into the enemies hand the walls of her palaces their eyes fayl with teares their bowels swel their liver is powred vpon the earth they cry out with the Prophet O Lord God spare we beseech thee who shal raise vp Iaakob for he is smal 6. Thus God who hath his fyre in Siō fornace in Ierusalē melteth his metall trieth fineth his people as silver purifieth thē as gold by the spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning draweth them to repentance by chastening them for their syns and making judgement to begin at his own howse cōsuming the drosse making known them that ar approved that the trial of their faith being much more precious thē gold that perisheth though it be tried with fyre may be found vnto prayse honour glorie at the appearing of Iesus Christ. For not withstanding al the rage of the persecutors God wil preserv to himself a litle flock vnto whom he wil be a litle Sanctuarie in al places wher they ar dispersed who in this their desolation yet pray with their faces towards Ierusalem doe convene and meet togither secretly for fear of their foes and cease not to performe al holy duties vnto God and one to an other to the vtmost of their power and in al their
power of God by the armour of righteousnes on the right hand and on the left coÌ„maunding meÌ„ to teach no other doctrine nor give heed thereto but keep the true pattern of wholsome words in faith love which is in Christ Iesus exhorting therevnto improving and convincing them that spoke against it stopping their mouthes rebuking them sharply that they might be sound in the faith Those againe like Iannes Iambres resisting the truth with prophane vayn bablings disputations and oppositions of science falsly so caled prating against them with malicious words and seeking to disgrace them And wel was it with the churches then whiles those circumspect carefull watchmen the Apostles and Evangelists lived among them took those foxes which destroyed the Lords vines but after their departure ther entred greivous wolves not sparing the flock as by the innumerable heresies and lamentable decay of churches since their time doth appear 5. As for doctrine so about many other things also contention hath often risen through mens infirmities malice and pride that by errors in faith corruptions in maÌ„ners as by a double chain of iniquitie many sowles hav been fettered afflicted For some moved with envie hav sold their brethren to aliants sought for tokil them some through ambition would clime above their caling intrude into higher offices presuming vpoÌ„ their own holines seeking to disgrace others And as the church of Israel was infamous al Moses dayes for their idolatries rebellions many murmurings for which thei carkesses fell in the wildernes strife blood-shed came among them so after that they were seated in the land of Canaan they continewed not long in peace togither but tribe with tribe made warr and rent themselves asunder to the great reproch of Gods true religion giving advantage to the commune adversarie to invade and dispossesse them of their land Yea even in families betweeÌ„ brethren parents and children most bitter bloody strife brake forth as the stories of Abimelech Amnon and Absalom Absalom and David sundry others do declare Also how they were divided when Christ lived among theÌ„ into Sects factions Pharisees Saducees other like the historie of the Gospel every where sheweth Neyther were the Christian Churches which the Apostles had planted free of this â—even but contentions among theÌ„ grew vnto schismes and factions whiles sundry men folowed and re 〈…〉 ed vpon sundry Teachers in their publick meetings also dissentions were among them Some ministers would of strife and envie preach Christ to the people some loving the praeeminence would tyrannyze over the flock forbidding to receiv brethren sent by the Apostles and thrusting them out of the Church And amoÌ„gst Gods elect most faithful servants and loving friends Satan did his vtmost to kindle the coles of emulation dissention and strife as between Abraham and Lot Moses Aaron Peter and Paul Paul and Barnabas and among the Apostles generally when there was contention who should be greatest till they had learned better of their maister Christ. 6. The poyson of syn hath spred it self exceeding farr in churches corrupted the manners actioÌ„s of al degrees For Magistrats leaving the love cherishing of the people loved gifts and followed after rewards judged not the fatherles neyther did the widowes cause come before them they pluckt off their skins from them and their flesh from their bones did eat their flesh and break their bones and chop them in peeces as for the pot Againe the subjects despised and spake evil of their rulers rose vp rebelled against them The rich were vnmerciful and cruel to the poor Among the people and brethren of the church was bitter envying strife sedition reproch every man hunted his brother with a net that they could not trust in any friend but must beware even of her that lay in their bosome The teachers were vayn talkers and deceivers of minds subverting whole howses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre sake the priests wrested the law the Prophets were like foxes in the wast places and from them wickednes went forth into al the land Thus judgement was turned into wormwood faith into heresie Gods grace into wantonnes the libertie of his Gospel made a cloak of maliciousnes and in sted of the gracious ornaments of his spirit ther was wretchednes miserie povertie blindnes nakednes they had a name to be alive but wer dead Nor this alone for they hated such as rebuked them and would not admit of reproof but made their faces harder then a stone they killed the prophets and stoned those that were sent vnto them even when Christ himself came among them they would not receiv him but sayd this is the heir come let vs kil him and the inheritance shal be ours 7. These and many moe like evils have crept into the Churches of God wherby they have been troubled distracted and rent in peeces much pople hav been defiled corrupted the Saincts hav had cause to complayn Thou hast multiplied the nation but hast not increased their ioy Against these the ministers and witnesses of the Lord hav cried out in their several ages being sent rising early to recal the synners into the right way Who wer threatned that Sion for their sakes should be plowed as a field and IerusaleÌ„ made a ruinous heap her habitation left vnto her desolate that Christ would warr against theÌ„ with the sword of his mouth and remove the candlestick out of the place except they amended And such as hearkned to the voice of their God turned vnto him had their iniquities forgiven and their crimsin syns made white as snow but such as obeyed not wer devoured of the sword and woe was vnto their sowles for they rewarded evil vnto theÌ„selves and wer caled reprobate silver because the Lord reiected them 8. Thus cometh it to passe through Satans malice and mens corruption that the citie of God of which so glorious things are spoken in the scriptures seemeth more vile and contemptible then any other place the spowse of Christ appeareth black which was named the fayrest among women her foes which feared and marveyled at her do hisse say Is this the citie that men cal The perfection of bewty the ioy of the whole earth her children to whom much peace was promised do mourn and crie for the many abominations that ar done in the middes of her from the daughter Zion al her bewtie is departed being thus persecuted by the Dragon hated reproched of the world molested and forsaken of her own children misvsed and wounded of her watchmen to the grief affliction of her
woes a more wholsom and pleasant balm theÌ„ the sweet words of theÌ„ that crie peace peace when ther is no peace for the blownes of the â—â—â—nd serveth somtimes to purge the evil the stripes within the bowels of the beâ—y By such means the Saincts ar brought to a sight of their syns which they doe away with tears and sacrifice they fear the Lord and pray befor him he repenteth of the plague pronounced against them Therfore ought al Gods servants to love his rebukes and censures sent by the hands of their brethren to hear counsel receiv instruction that they may be wise in their later end to be more carefull to bury the doung syn of their sowles in the grave of Christ by repeÌ„tance theÌ„ the Israelits in their caÌ„p to cover their excrements for offending the Lord to judge themselves worthy to hav beeÌ„ destroyed for their iniquities to crie with the Leper I am vnclean I am vnclean to acknowledge their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed for mercy is promised to them that confesse and forsake their syns and is to be pronounced vnto them in the name of the Lord they ar to be forgiven of their brethren and coÌ„forted least they be swallowed vp with overmuch heavines Thus the ear that hearkneth to the correction of life shal lodge among the wise but he that hardneth his neck when he is rebuked shall sodainly be destroyed cannot be cured Such therefore must more roughly be intreated and judgements denounced against them if they convert not as in their traÌ„sgression is their snare and they are holden with the cords of their own syn so must they also by their brethren be bound and their syns reteyned and God in heaven wil confirm this censure against them Then are they till they repent and humble themselves put away and separated from among Godâ— people excluded the heavenly IerusaleÌ„ regarded as strangers froÌ„ the coÌ„mune wealth of Israel as hethens and publicans for despising correction are almost brought into al evil in the midds of the congregation and assemblie And if they coÌ„tinew stil to hate correction they shal die such judgments hath the Lord appointed for scorners and stripes for the back of fooles By this meanes the body of Christ is disburdened of noysom rotten members the fruitlesse branches are taken away from the vine the woman wickednes pressed down in her bushel is lifted vp and caried away from Ierusalem to Babylon in the land of Shinar her own proper place the old leven being purged out the congregation joyntly is a sweet new lump as the members severally ar vnlevened and keep a holy and joyful feast vnto the Lord who now is turned froÌ„ his fierce wrath which was kindled for the transgressors Then he that is left in Sion and remayneth in Ierusalem may be caled holy every one written vnto life in Ierusalem when the Lord hath washed the filthines of the daughters of Sion and purged the blood of â—e rusalem out of the midds thereof by the spirit of judgement by the spirit of burning The waies of the Lord ar righteoâ—â— the 〈◊〉 shal walk in them but the wicked shall fâ—l therâ—n Hos. 14 10. CHAPTER XXIII How farr the Saincts may hold walk in communion togither if offences be not removed IT falleth often out through the default and neglect of churches that the foresayd law power of Christ is not duly practised but synners suffred and wincked at yea sometimes justified and vpheld by reason wherof al kind of iniquitie wexeth aboundeth to the dishonour of God the reproch and grief of men The duties therfore of the Saincts what then they are to doe themselves what to bear in others is needful to be considered for their covenant with the church perswadeth them to peace and concord and not to schisme or rent away from the fellowship again their covenaÌ„t with God bindeth theÌ„ to the obedience keeping of al his coÌ„mandements with reproof of and departure from al evil 2. In this straight regard is to be given first vnto the cause thing it self which is done or suffred amisse secondly vnto the handling therof dealing about the same For the cause it self that in questions and disputable controversies the Saincts bear one with anothers infirmities diversitie of judgement especially for the present til the truth be tried out eyther among themselues or by the help of other churches which was the practise in th' Apostles dayes as also in Moses law for hard and doubtful matters the people dispersed through their cities tribes had ayd of the Senate in Ierusalem In this case therfore al ChristiaÌ„s should mind that couÌ„sel of Gods wisdome not to be wise in theÌ„selves if they be otherwise minded God shal revele even the same vnto them they know not perfectly but in part Or if it be a personal controyersie that as much as they may they fulfil Christs law to bear their brothers burden procure their own glorie bypassing by an offence rather to suffer wrong susteyn harm then by strife and contention to cause reproch remembring his counsel which sayd be not iust overmuch But if the doctrine be erroneous and pernitious for the infecting of mens sowles and withdrawing them from the faith if the practise be wicked superstitious or idolatrous violating Gods covenant injuring their brethren or defiling themselves to the slander of the Gospel then al the Saincts must neyther suffer so far as is in their power nor partake at al in any such evil Yet before they make any breach or departure from the Church they are to vse al meanes in holy meek peaceable and orderly manner for their redresse as is before shewed 3. That transgressions may not be suffred in churches the reasons in the former chapter alleged doe prove and may further be confirmed by the reproof that Christ sent to the Angels and Churches of Pergamus Thyatira for having and suffring false teachers among theÌ„ that drew the people into syn of this fault they were willed to repent or els he would fight against them with the sword of his mouth and kil their children with death And such as had kept themselves from these corruptions were willed to hold first that which they had vnto the end On the other haÌ„d he pâ—â—vsâ—d the Ephesians that they could not bear with theÌ„ which wer evil but had tried found out false Apostles And this mâ—rke Solomon set on them that keep the law that they wil set themselves against the wicked 4. And that the Saincts may not for fellowship with the church or any members therof doe any evil thing eyther