there be many such prophane wretches that thrust themselves into the Assemblies yet the Lord hath his number of chosen ones that both professe and practise obedience to the Gospel for whose sake the Ordinances are continued and the presence of God in them so that the uneven walking of wicked men doth neither take away the benefit of the Ordinances from the godly nor give a nullity to the Church 5. This also is that that will leave them one day without excuse that they sinned in a Land of uprightnesse in the middest of so much light and of enjoyment of so much means and also aggravate their sin that they have presumptuously laid claime to the Ordinances of God and have beene negligent and carelesse to walke sutable hereby they in the Sacrament eate and drinke to their owne damnation and become guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord Christ in trampling his sacred bloud under their feete and crucifying to themselves the Lord of life Object The Church of the Jewes was a true Church and so the Church of Corinth and the rest named they were a people in Covenant with God rightly constituted and there was never a nationall Church since the Jewes were rejected Mr Balâ—â—â—â—â— â—rounds oâ— Sep pag. 1â—â— Ans Religion ever since the fal is all one in substance thogh different in the dispensation and the Church one and the same though different in its manner of government and measure of its gifts fitted to the severall ages thereof the mysteries are varied according to the times but the faith whereby we live is the same in all ages and as God is unchangeable so is the Covenant unchangeable that excepted which was peculiar to the manner of dispensation the confederates and members of the Church one and the same by Gods approbation and so the common nature and essence of all true Churches and essentiall constitution from the beginning to the end of the world In all ages of the Church the members thereof ought to be holy and Saints or they shall not be approved by God Psal 50.5.16 they are Saints who have made a Covenant with God by way of Sacrifice the wicked have nothing to doe with the Covenant the end of the calling of the Church is holinesse to the glory of God at all times and is true in all ages Gen 4.26 Luke 20.26 Mat. 5.16 1 Pet. 2.12 Acts 2.47 And they which are unanswerable to this end or cleane contrary affected they are not called into Covenant or communion with God if in one age of a Church the Scripture ascribe not holinesse to a people for some few sake if the rest be unholy and prophane it ascribes it not to them in any age If in one state of the Church uncleane persons doe pollute Lev. 14.46 4â— Hag. 2.12.13 14. 1 Cor. 5 6 7 and unhallow cleane persons and things as a little Leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe this must hold true in every age in its proportion And therefore if ignorant unwise impenitent uncircumcised in hearâ— and life rebellious and stiffenecked in course and conversation might be in externall Covenant with God and in that respect a separate and holy chosen people with whom the people of God might hold externall communion in the Ordinances of worship then it is lawfull for Christians to partake in the Ordinances of Gods worship though scandalous livers be admitted with whom in partaking we have onely externall communion for if the scandalous were in Covenant in the Jewish Church they may be so now if communion with the wicked defile now it defiled then Lev. 19.17 if the godly might communicate then because they could not cast them out even so may they now if the faithfull be bound now to reprove their delinquent brother and not suffer sinne to rest upon him the same duty concerned them in former times If the Sacraments be now available and of use according to Covenant and promise which God hath made to the faithfull and their seede and no otherwise Gen. 17 7.2â—.4 as indeed the Sacraments are all one in the common nature so are they in their use onely available to the children of the Covenant at all times If it be contrary to the maine ends for which the Lord calleth and gathereth a Church and preserveth it upon the earth that wicked and ungodly should be received into Covenant or permitted to continue in the externall society of the faithfull Jer. 5.31 Jer. 9.2.3 Esa 57.3 1.4 it was unlawfull in the Jewish Church as well as now in Christian Churches And therefore if the Church of the Jewes notwithstanding all that hath beene said were the true Church of God when it was corrupt in doctrine manners officers ordinances of worship when the teachers were dumb Dogges Jer. 11.14 Esa 50.1 Jer. 3.11.2.13.11 blinde guides the Prophets prophesied lies the Priests received gifts and the people rebellious adulterous oppressours an assembly of rebels when the Priesthood was bought and sold the Temple defiled the Law corrupted with false glosses and made voyde with sinfull Traditions when errour heresie idolatry oppression stubbornnesse and all manner of sinne was rise among them If for all this they continued the Lords visible flocke and the Lord owned them for his people and the Prophets and faithfull held externall communion with them in the Ordinances of God then the Covenant of God is not disanulled with his people nor the Church unchurched though ignorant profane persons are tolerated in the Assembly nor the godly defiled because scandalous persons are suffered to communicate Besides I would faine know what may be said of the Church of the Jewes in defence of it under the Law that may not in a more ample and large sense be spoken in justification of the Christian Assemblies under the Gospel First for the Covenant made betweene God and them chusing them from other nations to place his name among them and making Covenant with them to be their God and they his people all was upon condition of faith and obedience and this Covenant was made with them onely but the Covenant under the Gospel betweene God and his people is of a farre larger extent reaching to all Nations neither is his presence limited to any one particular place or people as then it was Esa 55.1.2 3 4 5.7 Joel 2.32 John 4.20 21 22 23 24. nor his worship consists of so many burdensome Rites and Ceremonies and legall performances the dispensation of the Covenants and of the worship of God differ but the condition is all one made and built upon faith and obedience as then it was though they by faith saw the Lord Christ yet to come in types figures and shadowes we behold him in his word by faith already come having finished the worke of our redemption and now abides in the Heavens to make intercession for his people God cals people now to him by the Word and by the Spirit
have no right to the Ordinances 3. Mourne for the abominations and corruptions in the Church and wrastle earnestly with godly prayers for reformation but desist not thy duty though Ministers be corrupt and many people prophane at the Sacrament doe thou prepare thy owne heart and receive to thy comfort for know thus much there never yet was any vâ—â—ible Church of God upon earth that was without its corruptions in Doctrine in manners in officers in members as hath beene sufficiently showed concerning the Church of the Jewes Corinth Galatia and the seven Churches of Asia yet I never read of any toleration to separate from them or that they ceased to be true Churches by reason of the corruptions in them 1. Our Saviour Christ departed not from the publike Assemblies of the Jewes Luke 2. for he was circumcised and so admitted a member of the Assemblies Luke 2 22. 2. His Mother was purified and he presented and an offering given for him as for other children Luke 2.40 3. When he came to age he was content to heare them he was found amongst them in the Temple where there was also prayer and preaching every Sabbath day Acts 16.13.14 4. He observed their Feast of Passeover and his Disciples eate it amongst them as Divines give it forth from the 26. Matth. 2.3 and John 2.23 however he observed it as they did 5. He was baptized among them publikely Matth. 3.13.15 Marke 1.9 6. He allowed his Disciples to doe as he had done Matth. 23.12 exhorting them to heare their Doctrine viz. the Scribes and Pharisees thogh they should not follow their practise because they had the Word of God taught among them though their lives were unanswerable so that he tolerates none to separate neither by his Doctrine or example Salvation saith he is of the Jewes John 4.24 that is the Word of salvation is with them or salvation is had among them by the meanes of grace with them So also see Pauls example Notwithstanding the Church of Corinth was so exceedingly corrupt both in Doctrine and Discipline as hath beene said formerly yet he gives no toleration to separate but rather showes in such cases what Gods people should doe out of whose power it was and is to reforme abuses in the Church viz. private Christians 1. Showes them their errour in admitting unworthy receivers 2. The danger of unworthy receiving and how farre it extended to their owne destruction and condemnation besides those temporall diseases and sicknesses brought also upon such disorderly Communicants 3. Showes them the right institution of it 4. The cure and remedy of this malady that it might not be hurtfull to the whole Church Let every man therefore examine himselfe looke to his owne heart and so let him eate c. not Let any one separate if that had beene the way surely he would have said there is an incestuous person not cast out there are schismes strifes and contentions there are drunkards c. in the Church men of strange opinions come not among them nor partake of the Sacrament with them lest you eate and drinke damnation to your soules no no such matter such there are among you saith he but every one of you examine your owne soules prove your selves that you be not of the number of them and so eate and so drinke to your comfort though the other eate and drinke damnation to themselves And further stirres them up to the duty 1. By showing them what he delivered to them he received from Christ 2. That it was their duty so to doe for thereby they kept a a continuall remembrance of Christ and shewed forth the death of the Lord till he come one of the maine ends of the institution of this Sacrament See the example of Gods people in former ages The sin of Elies sons was very great as great as any Ministers can be and as publike they were impudent lying with women before the doore of the Tabernacle they prophaned the Sacrifices yet the people of God came accustomarily to Shilo where they did administer to performe their duty notwithstanding the wickednesse of the Priests as Elkanah and Hannah at Jerusalem the Church was wonderfully corrupted both in Priest and people yet the faithfull in it that mourned not separated Ezek. 9 4. are taken speciall notice of so in our Saviours time he gives them no toleration to separate from the Church of the Jewes but to hear them joyn with them Mat. 23.12 and if any man can give me any example of any member either under the Law or in Christ or the Apostles time that did separate from the publike Assemblies of Gods worship oâ— had any warrant so to doe out of the word of God notwithstanding the great corruptions that hath beene proved to be in Churches in all ages then I should thinke they speake something to the purpose true indeed for Jewes to separate from Infidels and the Heathen Nations and Idolatrous practise and so for Christians under the Gospel so to doe is justifiable and both commanded by God and expected to be done but for one Jew to separate from the publike Assemblies of Gods worship from other Jewes or one Christian from the publike Ordinances and worship of God from the rest this I never read of But to speake more fully to this purpose I will 1. answer those Arguments given in to maintaine a separation from our publike Assemblies as they were given unto me in the controverting of this point 2. I will show the lawfulnesse of joyning in our mixt Assemblies 3. The unlawfulnesse to separate 4. Give satisfaction in some measure to those places of Scripture that are brought in defence of that opinion 5. Give caution to keepe off aspersion or prejudice that may be cast upon me or any of my judgement in this point Their first Argument is this They that see the Lord Christ crucified are guilty of the body and bloud of Christ but Gods people at the Sacrament see the Lord Christ crucified by wicked men therefore they are guilty of the body and bloud of Christ Answ This Argument is false in every part of it For 1. Men may see the Lord Christ crucified and not be guilty of the body and bloud of Christ for it is the very maine end and use of the Lords Supper to behold Christ crucified and to show the Lords death till he come in a speciall manner 2. If all that see Christ crucified should be guilty of his death and of his body and bloud then Mary the mother of Christ and his disciples and friends that saw him despightfully used by the Jewes when he was haled and nailed to the Crosse who were heartily grâ—eved at it and would if they could have prevented it were guilty oâ— the body and bloud of Christ and all that saw Judas betray Christ by the same reason were guilty of betraying him also even the Disciples themselves 3. Know no godly man can
be guilty of the body and bloud of Christ as every ungodly man is for no man in the state of grace and salvation c. yet they hold that Gods people can be guilty seeing Christ crucified by wicked men at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper are guilty c. Their Argument should therefore have runne thus They that either crucifie Christ or joyne with them that doe crucifie him are guilty of the body and bloud of Christ But wicked men at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper doe crucifie Christ and Gods people in comming to the Sacrament with them doe joyne with them therefore they are both guilty of the body and bloud of Christ This Argument for the major and minor 1 Cor. 11.27.29 may be granted with some caution but the assumption is false for grant that wicked men in the Sacrament doe crucifie the Lord Christ it is onely to themselves and they are themselves guilty of the body and bloud of Christ wee may grant also that those that joyne with them doe also crucifie Christ and so become guilty of c. but with this exception or caution following There is a twofold joyning with wicked men And both these wayes 1. With their persons 1. Voluntarily 2. Accidentally or Occasionally 2. In their actions 1. Voluntarily 2. Accidentally or Occasionally A man may come in the company of a wicked man and yet not joyne with him if accidentally a man by reason of his businesse in his generall or particular calling or the like nay a man may voluntarily be in the company of a wicked man being lawfully called to it as in common and publike meetings either concerning Church or Common-wealth and yet not guilty of his evill actions that which makes a man guilty of another mans actions is approving them consenting to them voluntary joyning in the action with them not every comming into their company and being with them accidentally or occasionally as for example a wicked man and a godly man come to heare the Word it is both their duties so to doe if the wicked man shall purposely come to insnare the Minister to cut a Purse to doe some other mischiefe if the godly man have no such end or intent if he show his dislike of it exhort him and reprove him for it and use all lawfull wayes and meanes to reclaime him How can he be guilty of joyning with him so in the Sacrament it is the duty of the godly man to receive the Sacrament upon due preparation if wicked men will thrust themselves in to that sacred Ordinance without preparation he that comes as he ought showing his dislike of this abuse labouring by seasonable exhortation or reproofe or information to reforme the abuse and in case authority doe not reforme it if he mourne for it and pray against it how can this man be said to joyne with that wicked man Nay the one eates and drinkes the body and bloud of Christ to salvation the other crucifies Christ afresh to his owne damnation therefore I conclude that Argument thus that which a man utterly dislikes condemnes is humbled for prayes against labours to reforme to the utmost of his ability cannot be accounted that mans guilt but Gods people c. doe utterly dislike c. the sinfull approachings of wicked men to the Lords Table mourne for it pray against it therefore c. the sinnes of another man must not make me decline my duty but it is my duty to prepare examine and receive the Sacrament therefore the sinnes of wicked men comming to it is no reason for me to decline or separate from it the principall part of the duty lies in selfe-examination 1 Cor. 11.28 not so much in examination of others Object Gods people doe not doe their duty herein true peradventure they pray against it and are humbled for it but they doe not their best indeavour by reproofe exhortation and information either to reclaime such or to have them cast out Answ So farre as they fall short of their duty herein they sinne but if they should totally neglect this duty of exhorting reproving praying against mourning for c. which it is impossible for any godly man to doe yet this would not warrant them to separate for this were but the adding one sinne to another Againe suppose the party offending be not capable of admonition or will not reforme then you will say we must tell it to the Church now suppose the guides Temporall and Ecclesiasticall to whom the matter must be brought be so corrupt that they would countenance the offendor and punish the complainant establish the disorder rather then redresse it What shall the innocent then doe must he complaine to his undoing or leave his standing in the Church as unlawfull because he cannot doe the duties which God calleth for at his hands the Shepheards of Israel were many times blinde ignorant vitious robbers hirelings vaine persons so the Scribes and Pharisees if the Disciples or the faithfull should have sought to them for Reformation of abuses in the Church what could have beene expected 1 Cor. 3.10 2 Cor. 11.13 Gal. 1.6 the Corinthian Pastors we know built hay and stubble upon the foundation Paul had laid amongst them were false Apostles deceitfull workers in Galatia the Pastors troubled the Church with corrupt Doctrine in the seven Churches of Asia all the Angels were reprehended and so our Bishops Ministers and Magistrates were all so corrupted that no man durst complaine of abuses in the Church nay nor himselfe with safety discharge his owne duty what should the faithfull doe depart from the Ordinances of grace while God is pleased to dwell among them or neglect the duty God hath called them to and so partake in other mens sinnes the Congregation it selfe divided or remisse the greatest part the worst so that the best cannot be held among them truth cannot take place such division and dissention was in the Church of Corinth that the house of Cloe was constrained to complaine to the Apostle most of them so puffed up in the case of the incestuous person that it had beene vaine for the better sort to have sought the casting him out had not the Apostle sharply reproved them their abusive comming to the Lords Table was generall so that the better sort might grieve at it but could not reforme it in this case the faithfull cannot tell the Church for that it is divided 1 Cor. 1.11 1 Cor. 5.1.2 and as in our times the greatest part holding the worst side depart they must not for the Lord is in the Church and Ordinances and they must not leave them till the Lord forsakes them what remaines then but that with mercifull affections they dislike reprove and correct as much as in them lieth what they finde amisse what they cannot amend indure and suffer patiently and in loving sort lament and bewaile till God doe correct and amend it or make way for their inlargement and
a true man and have a palsie hand Rom. 12.4 5. 1 Cor. 6.15 Ephes 5 30. or a rotten finger and the way to preserve life is to cut off the dead rotten member not to cut off the sound if there should be any of that other opinion I should as the proverbe saith count him a good Chirurgion but a very bad Physitian Mat. 13.24 25. Fifthly to a field wherein is Cockle as well as corne Tares as well as Wheate And though some hold that this parable hath relation to the whole world and by Kingdome of heaven is meant the Gospell of the kingdome yet it may as rightly be applyed to the condition of the visible Church which shall consist of Tares as well as Wheate to the end of the world Yet take it which way ye will see the Lord of the Harvest is very carefull to preserve the Wheate and therefore would not have the Tares medled withall till harvest not that I would so apply it as that prophane men in the Church should not be dealt withal but to this purpose to let men know the way to preserve a Church is not by plucking up the godly or the Wheate but rather to roote out the Tares the weedes the ungodly and let the good Corne stand and grow till harvest to be gathered into Gods barne Sixthly The Ordinances in the Church as the Word and Sacraments and Prayer are compared to the Wedding Feast to which a man should bring his wedding garment when in that Parable of the marriage of the Kings Sonne the King came in he never reproved them that satâ— at table that had on these Wedding garments but him that had none takes him and casts him out the rest were not shut from the table because they sate with him that had not on his garment nor reproved for it he sinned and he onely suffered so consequently the beleeving prepared Communicant shall not be blamed for the unbeleeving and impenitent but his sin shall be upon his owne head And as the sinnes of wicked men and their presence at the Sacrament cannot hinder the godly from eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ spiritually by faith so they can no way hinder the beleever from life and salvation Joh. 6.54 by this their spirituall feeding upon Christ Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood shall not perish but have everlasting life Tenthly It will appeare it is unlawfull to separate from our visible and publicke a semblies because the Lord continues his presence among us Let no man be more holy than God For so long as the Word and Sacraments are continued and the visible signes of Gods gracious presence making the meanes effectuall to convert and build up in the wayes of God as the Lord be praised wee have sufficient proofe dayly of we may conclude it is utterly unlawfull to separate They themselves that do separate do confesse they had their conversion in our assemblies and their beginnings of grace though some of them evade it and say not by the meanes in the Church of England but by reading and private conference and the like but we have daily sufficient and good testimony of the benefit received by the Ordinances and meanes of grace continued in our publique assemblies I hope every godly heart among us hath large testimony of the daily heate life and comfort that is found in them we finde that prophesie in the 42 of Isaiah and the 16. verse fulfilled to us and so Isaiah 29.18 where the Lord by the Prophet foretells what he would doe for his people under the Gospell he would bring the blinde by a way they knew not that he would make darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight so in that 29. Chapter In that day shall the deafe heare the words of the booke and the eyes of the blinde shall see out of obscurity and out of darkenesse c. And truely the proofe of the efficacy of the meanes of grace in our publique assemblies hath received the witnesse of many hundreds who have suffered persecution for it and have many of them sealed it with their dearest blood who doubtlesse are now enjoying the blessed fruites of their sufferings for the name profession and Gospel of Christ none of all which Martyrs did ever account in the Church of England the Ordinances of God Idolatrous or Antichristian or till it did wholly apostate and as it now stands it was in Kings Edwards time Iohn 9.25.32 What better witnesse can there be than experience or how is the tree knowne but by its fruites this perswaded the blinde man of the truth of Christs Doctrine even the miracle that he wrought upon him Surely saith he God heares not sinners and I am sure I once was blinde and I now see as I hope many of us in our assemblies can say whose eyes the Lord hath opened and whose hearts the Lord hath changed Let the Separation raile upon our Ordinances Ministers and Assemblies as much as the Scribes and Pharisees against Christ and his Apostles and Disciples and labour to seduce men as they would have done the blinde man whose eyes he had opened I say let them do what they will to reproach us we may truely say once we were blind and we now see and we are sure the Lord hath opened our Eyes by this contemptible meanes and as by vertue of Christs prayer the clay and spittle became effectuall so by vertue of the Spirit of God and the Intercession of Jesus Christ for his poore Saints the meanes of grace becomes effectuall both to convert and to confirme and establish to eternall life By workes Saint James saith faith is made manifest or perfect Jam. 2.22 and so our Saviour saith The workes which I doe testifie of me and as the miracles and great workes of Christ ought to have convinced the Jewes that he was Christ so the many yeares large and plenteous fruite reaped by the publique administrations of the Ordinances in our publique assemblies ought to be sufficient to convince all gainesayers that deny the truth and lawfulnesse of them for surely were not the presence and power of God in the Ordinances they would become dead and fruitlesse 11. If a man were desirous to separate and that it were lawfull where is the Word of God the Gospell of Jesus Christ more fully clearely truely and powerfully preached than in our publique assemblies and in many places the Sacraments as duely and reverently administred And I am confident there are as few false-hearted professors in the Church of England considering the proportion as in the most exact assembly of separation by Professors are meant not onely such as are in externall Communion but such as seem in a more speciall manner to performe godlinesse and of these for uprightnesse they may set forth to most exact assemblies c. of separation 12. Consider Salvation is to be had in the Church of England by the meanes of
any thing deare Christ an have fallen from my pen distastefull to the tender conscience I desire it may be imputed to my weaknesse and want of time to make things more cleare rather then want of affection to give satisfaction to such a soule for as the meditations are irretoricall and broken so are the peeces a d patches of time spent upon them as my calling would permit And to the end thou maiest profit I desire thou wouldest have patience to reade it first once thorow by reason it is not so methodicall as I could wish it and afterward with more deliberation consider Secondly that thou wouldest not receive prejudice at the meannesse of the Author who intends thy good And lastly I desire the Lord to adde such a blessing as may tend to his glory the peace of his Church and also thy particular satisfaction and edification and I shall be encouraged to ingage my poore Talent for the like furture benefit Thine in the Lord Jesus W. L. A briefe discourse touching participating in mixt Assemblies at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper wherein is most full and cleare satisfaction and resolution given to every weake and doubting Christian concerning these three Questions following to such places of Scripture as seeme to maintaine a Separation from our Church Assemblies COnsidering there are many in this Kingdome and in these dayes of division and distraction that question the truth of the Church and Church Assemblies in England or at least the truth of the Church of England I have thought good by way of Introduction to that which I mainely intend to wit the second Question Whether it be lawfull to participate in and among prophane and ungodly men at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to speake something to the first and onely so much as shall be requisite to make way to the second and third question which by Gods assistance I hope will satisfie the impartiall and indifferent Reader First then concerning the truth of our Church Assemblies that they are true Churches of Jesus Christ I lay downe this as an undeniable truth that that Church or Church Assembly wherein the fundamentall truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly taught the Sacraments and Ordinances of Christ dispense â—sufficient means offered to salvation obtained and had and a visible profession of obedience to the same that is a true visible Church of Christ notwithstanding there may be many corruptions in it both in Doctrine and Discipline and members thereof For the proofe hereof I propound the example of the Church of the Jewes the Apostolike Churches of Corinth Galatia and also the the 7. Churches of Asia spoken of by Saint John Revel cap. 1. vers 4. all which are confessed by all to be true Churches of Christ yet divers of them as corrupt as the Churches of England at this day both in Doctrine Discipline and members in one degree or other 1. For the Church of the Jewes Esa 56.10 Mat. 23.16 Mat. 23.3 Mat. 15.14 It was exceedingly corrupt in all three particulars their Priests were ignorant unlearned vicious and prophane blinde leaders of the blinde Christ therefore exhorts the people not to doe after their workes but after their sayings for they said and did not very hypocriticall binding heavy burthens upon others but not touching them themselves with their least fingers proud and ambitious loving the uppermost seates in the Synagogues and made broade their phylactaries all what they did was to be seene of men their callings was also corrupt for whereas the high Priest by the Law ought to have held his Office for his life Exod 29.5 Eâ—ek 22.26 they chose 〈◊〉 every yeare and according to our best expositors they bought and sold the Office for money they were also principall violaters of the Law of God Secondly the people were generally notorious and prophane for at Nazareth they were so evilly disposed and so inraged against Christ that they all rose up to throw him headlong downe the hill whereon the City was built Luk 4 28. See Caparnaum Corazin and Bethsaida how the Lord Christ was against them for their impiety and infidelity Mat. 11.21 22. notwithstanding the great workes Christ had done among them and as for Jerusalem Luke 19.41 Christ beheld the City and wept over it saying Oh that in this thy day thou hadst knowne the things that belong to thy peace See also how they made havocke of the Lords Prophets beating them stoning them c. and as for their affection to the Lord Christ Luke 23.19 they preferre Barrabas a thiefe and murtherer before him Marke 7.8.9 Mat. 21.2 Thirdly for their worship it was filled with superstitious Ceremonies and Traditions and these they preferred before the commands of God the Temple also was prophaned and made a denne of theeves they bought and sold Oxen and Doves and made it an exchange for coyne John 9.12 Mat. 15.4 Mat. 5.21 Mal. 1.8 Deut. 14.2.3 29.10.11 12. 7.6.7 Esa 1.2 3 4 10. Lam. 4.6.22 Ezek. 16.46.47 Also their Discipline was exceedingly corrupt for if any man confessed Jesus to be the Christ he was cast out of the Synogogue their Doctrine also depraved for they made the fifth Commandement of no effect a man might neglect his Parents by giving to the Temple they forbad murther and adultery in the act but allowed them in the heart their Sacrifices also corrupted offering the blinde and lame which were not onely forbidden but hatefull to God in a word the same people that the Lord cals his peculiar and chosen ones he calleth also a stiffe-necked unwise and rebellious people a sinfull Nation yet all having right to the externall Covenant and all joyne together in the externall worship ordinances and service of God yet the scandalous infected not the better part though they had fellowship in externall communion therefore from hence we see a Church may be exceedingly corrupt and yet be a true Church 2. The Church of Corinth was corrupt in Doctrine and Discipline 1. In Doctrine some of them erred in fundamentals 1 Cor. 15.12 1 Cor 7.16 2 Cor. 12.20 21. denying the Resurrection of the dead 2. They held the Doctrine of single life yea Paul himselfe 3. There were amongst them fornicators uncleane and contentious persons 4. Divers prophane persons came to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper some comming hungry some drunke and many of hereticall and schismaticall spirits and opinions which are more hurtfull in the Church of God then prophane men by reason one is an evill that every man knowes the other being an errour to seduce the judgement is more hurtfull and dangerous 2. Corrupt in Discipline 1. Their Discipline was not put in practise for there was fornication among them not onely unpunished but unsorrowed for 2. These Schismes and Heresies continued in the Church and no course taken for the casting them out 3. Consider what the Churches of Asia were 1. Ephesus had lost
power in the Church should know a man to be a grosse hypocrite they ought to be as shye and carefull to cast him out as a common drunkard or adulterer 2. It is necessarily implied and more By the example of all Apostolike Churches who had all of them corrupt members and corruptions in them in Doctrinein Discipline yet I never read of any that were beleeving that ever separated or had any toleration so to doe indeed the Apostle saith they went out from us because they were not of us 1 Joh. 2 1â— if they had beene of us they would have continued with us false hearted professors fell off and departed but no believer no Saint separated I speake now no more how they were corrupted both the Church of the Jewes Corinth Galatia and the seven Churches of Asia of that heretofore in Corinth there was that abuse that I never saw in our Assemblies the Sacrament given to a drunkard in his drunkennesse as we see the text is there plaine for it Some came hungry some drunke or drunkards have a little more shame though they be drunke weeke after weeke and day after day yet when they come to the Lords table they will be some body for shame they will not then be drunke if they were I thinke none would be so madde as to give the Sacrament to them The second thing considerable is to shew the lawfulnesse of joyning in mixt Assemblies the premises considered with those cautions formerly delivered and it will appeare lawfull if we consider these particulars ensuing First As I have said no place or part of Gods word doth forbid it for though some places of Scripture have some semblance that way yet when I come to that particular to answer them it will appeare otherwayes Secondly As we have proved we have Gods command for it as the former instance of Christ and the Apostle Paul Thirdly The example of Gods people in all ages see Elkanah and Hannah under the law See the Jewes also in the Prophets time none decline the publike assemblies of Gods worship ordinances and people though as hath beene largely proved both Priest and people were corrupt in Doctrine and Discipline yea also in their conversations See this also in the Apostolike Churches before alledged Fourthly It is our duty to come to the ordinances if we would have benefit by them Heb. 10.25 the Apostle exhorts to this duty and reproved them that did forsake the Assembly Fifthly The sinnes of others are not charged upon us if we come duly prepared and as we ought to doe Sixthly The errors of the governours of the Church are not made over to particular members no more then the sins of Elies sons was upon Elkanab and Hannah or the rest of Gods people Seventhly The uses ends and effects of the ordinances are obtained in mixt assemblies which are such as these following 1. To strengthen our faith and other graces 2. To renew our Covenant with God 3. To commemorate the death of our Lord Jesus Christ all which may be attained notwithstanding the presence of wicked men at the ordinances Eighthly We cannot as hath beene proved be said to joyne with wicked men in the ordinances though we be present with them the premises considered Ninthly My owne preparation and examination makes me worthy and capable of the ordinances the sinfullnesse and unpreparednesse of others makes me not uncapable To the pure all things are pure Tit. 1.15 but unto them that are defiled and unbeleeving nothing is pure but even their mindes and consciences are defiled Tenthly It is one thing for a man to joyne himselfe with a congregation of Idolaters in their Idolatrous worships and wages another thing for a prophane man to joyne himselfe nay rather thrust himselfe among Gods people exercised in and about the ordinances of God Eleventhly No example in Scripture of any that ever separated from the publike assemblies of Gods worship I stand not now to prove whether our assemblies are so because of that heretofore 12. That which sometimes and in some respect may be unlawfull in some other respect becomes lawfull 1 Cor. 5 9.10 11. 2 Thes 3.14 as Davids eating the shewbread in case of necessity So I am commanded not to eate with an inordinate brother but rather then I will starve for food I may eate with him I ought not to have to doe with wicked men at all if I could avoyd it but if my calling compell me I am permitted now if the necessity of the body alter the case and make things lawfull that are otherwayes unlawfull much more the necessity of the soule now we know there is a necessity laid upon Gods people either to partake in mixt assemblies at the Sacrament or they cannot enjoy the benefit of the ordinances Rom. 8.35 the food and nourishment of the Soule unlesse they will separate which they have no warrant for Eph. 3.17 Joh. 6.56 1 Joh. 4.13 13. Nothing can separate betweene Christ the head and the beleeving Christian Christ dwells in the beleever and the beleever in Christ therefore it is neither man nor devill death sinne nor hell can separate them much lesse the company of prophane men that thrust themselves amongst Gods people in the Sacrament 14. Had it beene unlawfull absolutely to participate in mixt assemblies either our Lord Christ or the Apostle would have laid a prohibition upon it for there is nothing of absolute necessity for a Christian man to know and practice tending to life and salvation but it is revealed in the word of God by precept or example nor no fundamentall error but it is also therein forbidden 15. Exek 18.14 God is just and he punishes not one man for the sinnes of another unlesse he make them his by consenting to them and liking or approving them which none of Gods people doe by the sinnes of wicked men in the Sacrament The soule that sinneth shall die 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 16. It is agreeable to the rule to cast out the offender but not for the innocent to cast out themselves there is no rule for that 1 Cor. 6.14 17. Unbeleevers thrusting in themselves gives them no fellowship with the Saints for they can have no fellowship with them 18. Errors in discipline nay in many points of doctrine take not away the use of fundamentalls nor the essentialls of a Church 19. He that is cast out of the Church is delivered up to Satan though he be cast out against his will what becomes then of those that cast out themselves consider truely unlesse God have more care to preserve them from the snares of Satan then they bewray herein they would become a very prey to the devill 20. That exposition of Scripture which is unreasonable is false but to say the Apostle would have us not at all to company with wicked men in the Sacrament or that we should deprive our selves of the meanes of life and salvation and of the
can be no warrant for Gods people to separate from the Ordinances of Christ If they shall yet say the corrupt managing and dispensation of them make the ordinances uncleane and Idolatrous I hope there is formerly spoken enough to give satisfaction to that where it is proved lawfull to joyne in mixt assemblies and the unlawfulnesse of separation Rev. 18 â— As for this portion of Scripture where it is said Come out of her my people that yee be not partakers of her sinnes and that yee receive not of her plagues We must understand what is meant by this word her and if we examine the 17. and 18. Chapter of this booke of Revelation wee shall plainely finde it to be the scarlet Whore the Pope of Rome so all expositors the whore of Babylon that mother of harlots and abomination of the earth Chap. 16.19 And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fiercenes of the wrath of God Chap. 17. Vers 1. Come hither saith the Angell to Saint John and I will shew thee the judgement of the great Whore that fits upon many waters with whom the Kings of the earth have committed fornication and read c. read I say the fourth fifth sixt seventh and so to the end of that Chapter Now in the eighteenth Chapter the Lord by St. John foretells the fall and destruction of this great whore of Babylon by reason of her great abominations and gives an exhortation for Gods people to come out of her such as have joyned with her in her sins lest they do also partake of her plagues What warrant this gives men to separate from the ordinances of God and the publique assemblies of Gods people exercised in and about the worship of God I know not we all know that Rome is the very seate of Idolatry both for the matter and manner of their worship their doctrine false in fundamentalls more corrupt then Heathens and Pagans there is no ordinance of Christ among them onely the Word is preached in an erroneous and false way to the people to seduce and betray them from Christ to Antichrist they have ordained Sacraments of their owne worships of their owne nay in a Scripture sense gods of their owne from the assemblies of these Idolaters Gods people must separate not from publique Congregations of Gods worship for as I have spoken at large with us are the ordinances of Jesus Christ the Word of God taught sufficiently to salvation in all that beleeve we observe no other ordinances but what Christ hath instituted and ordained but it is impossible for any man to come to life and salvation by their Idolatrous worships though the Lord may have his number amongst them which have not bowed the knee to Bâ—all yet these were never converted by the false worships ordinances and inventions but by some extraordinary or immediat blessing bestowed upon them from the reading of the Scriptures c. and inspiration of his Spirit c. for Satan never begets children to God Mat. 12.25 nor Antichrist convert men to Christ A kingdome divided against it selfe cannot stand And thus having very briefely spoken concerning those places of Scripture alledged by those that plead for a separation according as my weake talent and short time will permit I will shut up with the fifth and last thing I intended and promised to speake to which is onely to give a few words to avoyde mistakes for I earnestly desire not to offend the conscience of the weakest Christian or to bring upon my selfe that aspersion which some prejudicately would cast upon me For I call God to witnesse that according to that poore lâ—ght God hath given me I have not beene injâ—rious to any knowne place of Scripture or winked at any knowne truth in this discourse but have as earnestly desired and unpartially indeavoured to convince my owne heart of the truth of this point of so great concernement and that makes so great difference among Gods people as for the informing of any other to whom I am in some measure engaged by way of promise or private interest Therefore I desire to deliver my selfe plainely as I can that whatsoever I have spoken upon this subject is neither to dignifie my owne opinion nor to maintaine or pleade for any corruption or abuse in our Church assemblies or dispensation of the ordinances for while I say it is unlawfull to separate from such assemblies for reasons formerly given yet I say not it is lawfull for corrupt and prophane men to bee admitted to the Sacrament onely I have desired to informe my selfe and others how and in what manner they may safely joyne and frequent the ordinances of life and salvation to their comfort though those in authority be remisse in the exercise of discipline and so corrupt in their offices and trust reposed in them But I doe earnestly desire to perswade and stirre up my selfe and all Gods people in all our severall addressements to God in prayer wee would make this onâ— speciall part of our desires that God would purge the Church of all abuses both in doctrine and manners and settle the ordinances amongst us in their power and purity and I desire not only that Gods people should pray against these corruptions but mourne for the continuance of them and every one according to the bounds and limits of his place and calling to show his utter dislike of them in all lawfull wayes though not by separating which I hope sufficiently appeares to bee unlawfull the premises considered and truely this I have done for these reasons following First to satisfie my selfe and others that were doubtfull in this point of joyning in mixt assemblies lawfully Secondly to make up the breaches and avoyd dissention division which Satan is apt to make between not onely carnall men and godly mâ—n but betweene the godly themselves which is that that Saint Paul reprehends in the Corinthians 1 Cor. 3.3 and tells them plainely it was an evidence of their carnality and this also hee earnestly exhorts them to by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.10 that they would all speake the same thing and that there be no division among them but be perfectly joyned together in one and the same judgement and in Rom. 16.17 hee intreates them to marke such as cause division and to avoyd them have no unnecessary society with them Thirdly that the enemies mouthes may be stopped not onely the Papists who as I formerly said shoot this as their maine thunderbolt against our Religion the diversity of opinions but also our prophane loose Protestants nay even our civill honest men who take occasion from hence to reproach the wayes and people of God of which wee have too much wofull experience yea and it is a maine stumbling blocke in the wayes of many weake ones that might otherwise bee won to Christ even the devisions among Gods people Ephe.