be leavened and that for such publick and scandalous sins by which God is so highly dishonored and the Church so greatly reproached The Church cannot be purged untill the guilty person be punished Christian Reader As touching this matter I will presume to take the place of a Moderator for I have heard the question debated among able men who in the main agree and design the self same thing there 's only a form of words betwixt them both agree the sinner shall be called into question The one admonishes him for his evill in the Name of the Lord The other passeth a sentence against him by the power of the same Lord both rebuke the person for the wickednesse done both bear their testimony against the crime in order to clear the Church of his Transgression both dis-priviledge the Transgressor of Communion untill he appears a truly humbled person and gives the Congregation full satisfaction so that in truth upon the whole matter there is no material substance that 's worthy to bear the name of a difference so that for my own part for peace sake I could consent either wayes provided the best care be taken by all that are concerned That Gods Honour be preserved all scandall be removed the Truths Innocency delivered and the Churches Reputation vindicated 3. What is to be understood and observed in the prrosecution of Discipline FIrst There is steps and Circumstances to be observed in reproving 1. Timely 2. Affectionately 3. A private fault privately 4. To design the restoring the sinner from iniquity Concerning Excommunication let this order be observed 1. Let it be done in Christs Name and Authority 2. See that sinner be convicted legally 3. Let the Counsell and Blessing of God be sought fervently 4. To the end the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit saved in the day of the Lord. Repentance consists of four parts 1. Contrition of the heart 2. Confession of the mouth 3. Reformation of the life 4. Restitution for the wrong done An order in forgiveness 1. It must be groundedly 2. Freely 3. Fully 4. Perpetually There is a method to be observed in Prayer as our Lord hath taught us saying when we pray pray after this manner When Duties want their Order and Circumstance they are oft-times rejected instead of being accepted for 't is evident God requires equal submission to order as he doth to the duty it self The Wise man Solomon saith He would put his Proverbs in order Eccles 12.9 In all Gods former services about the Ark Alter and Sanctuary the Lord precisely required all persons to attend respectively their Offices and places and that all things should exactly be set in order and appointed to their several uses and for the breach in Order 1 Chr. 19.13 the Lord in his anger caused some deeply to suffer The Apostle Paul speaking of Churchassembling and about Prophesying and touching the Lords Supper he sums up all with this charge Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 The same Apostle beholds rejoyceth commends and praises the order of the Colossians Doubtless there ought to be some method in Preaching 'T is great pitty that divine and pure matter should want its beauty and ornament of form and order St. Paul commands Timothy to study to shew himself a workman rightly dividing the Word of truth There is a Rule to be observed in hearing 1. Preparation to hear 2. Attention in hearing 3. Meditation after hearing 4. Supplication before and after a blessing There are steps and degrees in believing 1. The faith of credence 2. The faith of adherence 3. The faith of endurance 4. Of stedfast reliance A Rule to be observed in suffering 1. To have a good cause 2. A right call 3. A good conscience 4. A pure end To be short there ought to be an order in all obedience in respect of matter manner end and circumstance for the righteous God as truely-punishes for the breach of order as he doth for neglect of services As order is the ornament of profession so I may call it the master-piece of Religion for both Gods precepts for it and punishments upon the neglect of it witness the same There ought to be a strict order in the commemoration of the Lords Supper even to hold and keep it with such observation 1 Cor. 11.28 as may answer to the first institution and in presuming to come to such holy Mysteries there ought to be great heart-preparations and self examinations 1. In unity of heart judgement and affection 2. In purity of life and conversation 3. Reverently as being at the Table and in the presence of the God of Heaven Psal 86.11 4 Having an eye to the end which is the victory Christ hath obtained for every Christian 5. To act in charity and freely because love was the first cause of our felicity 6. Rejoycingly as men having interest in the spirituall conquest over our souls adversary and as men purchased from everlasting misery 7. Thankfully humbly accepting reverently and chearfully embracing and with thankfulness partaking of those soul-benefits conveyed and received in that Administration SABBATH SOme brief Rules for the better order and observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath Or if I may not call it a Sabbath I know no reason Deut. 5.15 Col. 1.12 13. But if the Jews were obliged to keep a Sabbath in remembrance of a temporall deliverance from temporall bondage Christians should be much more bound to observe a day as strict as a Sabbath in memoriall and remembrance of their spirituall and eternall deliverance from spirituall and eternall bondage For doubtless Christians are at great losses because of so much remisness and want of strictness in the First Dayes service First Then let the Lords People be stirring betimes upon the Lords Day called so by way of Eminency having a greater work to do than on other days a work attended either with greater blessings if religiously performed or with greater damages if neglected or misimproved Secondly Let them make serious preparation remembring whose service it is and into whose presence they come considering well what they go about and how nearly it respects their eternall Estate Eccles 5.1 Thirdly When they come into the Church Assembly let them attend diligently and behave themselves reverently and that before the Lord with due and humble respect to the administration and Majesty of the Word Fourthly Let them with all watchfulness and holy indignation strive to avoid those unseemly and uncomely behaviours tempers and gestures of lukewarmness coldness drowsie heavy and dull and sleepy carriages in Gods Divine services which is dishonourable to their persons and also unprofitable to their souls Fifthly Let them Meditate upon what they have heard For although the Lords People of the Congregationall way are necessitated to take the most pains to hear the Word in respect of distance of place yet they have one priviledge being improved may yeeld
some advantage having a fit opportunity to meditate as they go asunder or to make repetition as they walk together Sixthly To pray that the Preachers heart may be inlarged and his tongue unloosed to speak that which is sound profitable and seasonable for their conditions and when they have heard to pray that the precious Word may be blessed and sanctified to their souls that by it they may be benefited and profited Seventhly To stir up each other to a better zeal even to their first love and to do their first works and in a more strict sence and exact manner more religiously to regard to keep and sanctifie a Day to the Lord by improving the whole Day in holy Exercise either in Praying Reading Hearing Conferring or Meditating and to lay aside all such talk and occasions as either respect State Matters or any Secular Concernments and keep your selves that Day to Works of Piety Mercy Charity and Necessity If these Circumstances were but religiously regarded and carefully observed 1. Gods Honour would be more advanced the Lords Day better improved the peoples souls more edified truth and profession more credited much needless discourse prevented Satans design more weakened their endeavours would be more certainly blessed and their dayes work more fully rewarded There is an order to be observed in debates and discourses which being discreetly managed may tend to profit and benefit But beware of anger which I may call the souls feaver and causes the tongue to make digression and to exceed the bounds of moderation Let this Rule be taken to speak one by one short materiall and plain Jam. 1.26 as He that bridles not his tongue his Religion is vain So the well governing of the tongue is a good degree of Religion and deserves the honour of a good commendation One by one to preserve order materiall to have the weight of reason plain to help the understanding short to help the memory I have observed a distinction a man may have wit and yet want wisdome Knowledge is the treasure of the mind but discretion is the key I may call the tongue the hearts messenger and as oft as it speaks without meditation goes without its errand if not without reason Some are so improvident in their words and so extravagant of their understanding that they can neither conceal it nor know well to improve it but inconsiderately lay it out that it returns them damage and not profit Prov. 17.28 Every one hath a double lesson to learn one to know how to speak another to know when to hold his tongue If such Rules were put into practices it would cause men to speak to purpose or else spare their speeches For a word spoken in its season and order Prov. 25.11 is like apples of gold in pictures of silver Lastly Under your correction I would tender my private opinion touching the re-admission of penitent persons that have been under Excommunication I have thought there is some observation to be taken Luk. 15.24 from the Lords receiving of the prodigal son that some solemnity and form of speech may be used to declare it and to have as publick a consent to his absolution as there was at his exclusion and as the Parable speaks to imbrace them and to rejoyce with them because they were lost but now found and wandered from the Lord but are now returned And as the Apostle speaks concerning the Incestuous Corinthian 2 Cor. 2.7 8. he exhorts the Congregation to consider his remorse and contrition to forgive him comfort him and confirm their love to him And there is good reason they should give thanks to God for them for hearing their prayers for them for blessing the Ordinance executed against them for recovering the finners out of the kingdome of Satan and re-entering them into the priviledges of his Congregation Fourthly What Priviledges are to be maintained in Christs Congregation FIrst We may say in this Case of Priviledges as Solomon speaks in his Proverbs Let none remove the Land-marks which our Forefathers or Elders have set concerning Churches Rights and Priviledges which we are to preserve as a matter of moment which is part of Gospell-Order and Church-Government 1. Touching Elders and Superiors they are honoured and priviledged with the Offices of Ministers and Stewards acknowledged by the Lord to be over his Family and Houshold 2. They have the priviledge to forbear working with their hands especially such as labour in the publick Ministery who are to give themselves wholly unto such things 3. They have the priviledge to command others 1 Tim. 4.15 and others are commanded to obey them provided all things be done according to Christs Laws given them 4. They ought not to be rebuked as others but have the priviledge to be entreated as Fathers 5. For their works sake and Gospell-labour they ought to be much respected in love and counted worthy of double honour 6. The Church ought not to receive an accusation against them under two or three witnesses doubtless because the truth is so much concerned in their reputations and repute and credit being the life of spirituall imployments 7. 'T is also their priviledge to be highly esteemed encouraged and rewarded according as the Lord hath given direction and commanded Secondly The Priviledges of the members 1. As members ought to acknowledge Officers in their Priviledges so Officers ought in their places to preserve and secure the Priviledges of the members The people of God have a common right and equall propriety in the wisdome gifts 1 Cor. 3.21 22. and graces which the Lord hath given to his Ministers For as Paul Apollo and Cephas are reckoned within the Saints Inventory they are become obliged freely to disburse spirituall Treasures By vertue of an interest the Saints may claim it as their right and legacies In this Case the People are proprietors Rom. 1.14 and their Ministers as debtors For as the Lord hath been pleased to furnish his Ministers with heavenly riches and graces so he hath commanded his Ministering Servants to bestow and improve such gifts for the benefit of the Churches Secondly Another Priviledge as belongs of right to Church-members is to have their part and equall share in all Gospel-advantages and holy mysteries even in that solemn and sacred administration of participating and having communion together in the Lords Supper in the serious commemoration of the Lords Death and Passion 1 Cor. 11.28 But let all that presume to be Communicants at the Lords Table examine themselves and make judgement first whether they discern the Lords Body and so come worthily understanding his Reall Mysticall and Representative Body Thirdly 'T is the members Right and Priviledge to have their voice in electing their Overseers and Officers that are to be set over them Acts 6.3 5. and also in the degrading or excluding any person in Office among them upon which solemn occasions they ought to be acquainted that the matter may
the righteous God hath not only admonished us to do our duty but hath given us a method by his late example to proceed against iniquity 1. He counsells and instructs by many instruments much tenderness and oft entreaties 2. He doth admonish and wait to be gracious and that with long-suffering and much patience 3. He warns alarms by particular presidents of his anger sad accidents and threatens by fearfull sights and apparitions 4. If yet they reform not he sends as we see his rod and sword and cuts off many persons and makes great desolations Thus saith Micah the Prophet The Lord hath shewed thee O man what is good which being done with an eye to the present condition might prove a soveraign means to prevent or remove future tribulation But Christian Reader for my own part and partern I look at the example of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian-Congregation when he saw their disorder and impiety their affliction and calamity he magnifies his authority and discharges his duty observing the Lords own method after counsell and warning he seems to threaten with his rod and presses the Church to purge themselves by punishing evil doers and reforming their abuses And lest the Church should question their power and priviledge in the execution of judgement and justice he convinces them the Saints shall judge the world and Angels much more then those smaller matters and that they should judge upon life and death much more things that pertain to this present life And that he might put it out of all disputation he saith set them to judge in the Church who are of the least estimation and further he saith 't is a shame for Christians to go out of the Church to try their Causes so that I have both an occasion and a pattern to write thus to Christs Congregation That which is most called for is right discipline and that thing is the most of all wanting by which our Borders and Churches should be cleansed of all defilements and pollutions These things considered 1. May be forceable Arguments to induce Christians to exercise a more searching doctrine and to execute a more severe discipline and that in every place and Congregation 2. My observation of the Gospell-Churches Some are careless in matters of doctrine some faulty in cases of conversation but more generally remiss in the true order of Governing 3. Some looking upon Church-Government to be little less than tyranny and their submission to it little less than slavery 4. Others looking upon it as if it had no name being or place or as if it stood for no purpose and use 5. Because such neglects and generall omissions open a door to let in many disorders and divisions And because I do not remember that any Friend hath writ much upon this Subject before are the motives of my enlarging upon this Work I confess this Subject is too high and too worthy to be handled by one so unworthy and of so mean ability yet I would open a door to let some other in to view this Subject even to lend their help to supply my defects and make it more perfect even one that hath faith in the honesty of my intention and to cover my failings by a charitable construction And so I commit it to the use of Edification and also present it for the benefit of Christs Congregation A TREATISE Setting forth The Gospel's Honour AND The Churches Ornament IN all Nations Provinces and in every Society there are two principal Causes of Peace and common Prosperity where Superiours freely exercise right Government and Inferiours are truly subject and obedient Even when Vertue and well-doers are sutably praised and constantly protected and all Vice and evill-doers truly restrained and duly punished When the People are in reall submission to Authority and the Rulers in humble submission to the Power of those Laws they ought to rule by Even when Government is prosecuted without knowing of Faces and Justice executed without regard to Causes or respects of Persons And as the most High and Mighty God is the Worlds Creator so Government is his Royall Act and Excellent Creature and for it's Eminency 't is as antient as the World for Antiquity For when the Lord had devided the Darkness from the Light He made the Sun to rule by Day and the Moon by Night So when the Most Gracious Lord hath called and devided the Children of Light from the Children of this World and Translated them out of the Kingdome of Darknesse into the Kingdome of his dear Son and so they become his Spiritual Subjects and He their Immortal King Thus am I directed into my way and cast upon my designed Subject which is my reall Purpose and resolved Intent even to treat touching Christ's Princely Authority and Ecclesiastical Government which I call The Gospel's Honour and The Churches Ornament And for my better prosecution of this Matter I will observe this following Method and Order 1. To shew the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government 2. The Definition The several Parts and particular Acts of it 3. The several Reasons for it and great Necessity of it 4. Declaring the Use and great Benefit that comes by it 5. Some Rules tendred directing how to Effect and Accomplish it 6. The true Order and right Manner of the Execution of it 7. And Lastly Some Directions given how to uphold and support it 1. Of the First Touching the Antiquity and Dignity of Ecclesiastical Government THe Excellency Antiquity and Dignity of all Power and Authority conferred upon the Gospel-Church descends from the Christ of God who is the Original Author and from whom it receives it's prime Honour We may say in this case as 't is said by the Wise Man For what can the man do that cometh after the King Even that which hath been already done who now under the New Testament is the only Law-giver and chief Establisher of Ecclesiastical Government all Power in Heaven and Earth is given him and all Justice and Judgement is committed to him and all subordinate Power is derived from him His Personal Excellencies and Princely Vertues are not to be compared but admired I have not words to expresse his Royall Majesty and to set forth his Excellent Glory He is exalted far above all Principalities and far surpasseth all Names and Dignities for the God-Head dwels in him bodily and he is more than worthy of all Duty and Glory His Love unparalel'd his Wisdome matchless his Power boundlesse his Justice unquestionable his Innocency admirable his Treasures inestimable his Fidelity inexpressable Imanuel God with us and who is Exalted above and triumphs over all his Enemies The most High and Mighty Prince upon whom he fals he grinds to powder and crushes his Adversaries by his Power and breaks them in pieces like Potters vessels who acted so eminently for the Glory of the Creator and so happily for the happinesse of the Creature that Divine Justice might be compleatly
Act. 18.27 for some persons that think Christs Discipline too straight judging it little lesse than tyranny and their subjection to it little lesse than slavery when they are under reproof for some misdemeanors will be shifting places and removing themselves into Communion with other Churches Fifthly Another disorder is when one member hath committed a trespasse against another The brother offended which ought to treat with his brother offending betwixt them alone and to have endeavored to restore his brother again neither hath affection to regard his brother offending or faithfulnesse to respect the rule directing 2 Cor. 12.20 but takes his own irregular course and whispers the matter till it comes to a breach and so possibly at last becomes a general disturbance in the Church and endangers the division of the Congregation Sixthly Another disorder is when the Congregation shall receive a matter between brother and brother into hearing and not inquire of the orderly bringing it to the Congregation If the matter be brought disorderly to them they by receiving it become guilty of disorder with them whereas they ought rather to reprove them and send them back to the Rule to do their duty and refuse to receive it before 't is brought legally If this was but duly observed many disorders and breaches would be prevented and the Churches peace better preserved Seventhly Another disorder is when the Church deals with any person or persons for Misdemeanor either in matter of Doctrine or for evill in conversation or Heresie or Schisme or the like 1 Cor. 3.3 4. Oft-times other members for private ends either for Interest or Relation will countenance associate or side with them and incourage them and so many times make a distruction if not a division such are enemies to peace and contemners of Government such ought to be speedily noted as disturbers timely restrained and duly punished Eightly Another disorder touching the Church assembling upon the Lords day some as it were forsaking others neglecting and give no cause of their ablenting others come late which doubtlesse ought to be there at the Churches prayers made in order to their Preparation Sanctification and Direction concerning the work of the Day Heb. 10.20 Some come when the Lords Market is half over others with drowsiness and fleepinesse as if they intended to make the Meeting-house their sleeping place and that time they pretend to improve in Gods service they sinfully and wastfully spend in the satisfying of the desires of the flesh Ninthly Another disorder is when the Brethren absent from Church-Communion in the Lords Supper upon their own private Opinion conceit or imagination to the offence of the Congregation not giving any Cause or Reason to any for their so doing makeing no account either to Church or Elder whether the cause be in themselves or in another not considering their losse and dammage in their neglects or their error in not committing their Case to censure Tenthly Another disorder is when the Church have discharged her duty against others that have committed Iniquity Many such offenders will be their own Judges Deut. 17.12 and that in their own Causes and refuse to submit if not contemn the Churches censures not considering that they do presumptuously and dangerously and do as much as in them lyes to dis-office Christ dis-priviledge the Church and not discerning that they refused to be judged by the Law but will be Judges themselves and that of the Law Eleventhly Another disorder is when one Brother shall believe a report against against another brother and that before he knows the truth of the matter and possibly proceeds upon Rumors Conjectures or Imaginations to passe sentence of condemnation and that before any legall Trial or hearing and so becomes guilty himself of the wrong that 's done Prov. 8.13 in crediting such reports against his brothers reputation and to judge a matter before 't is heard is a fault of which a Christian ought to be ashamed Twelfthly Another disorder or grievance is when there is not an equall compliance together in matter of expence and publick charges either touching the poor members or any other necessary disbursements but 2 Cor. 8.13 14. one is burthened and another is eased some neglecting their duties others not answerable to their abilities and so the affairs and needfull occasions of the Churches are not carried on by Equality according to ability and to answer to Rules of Equity Thirteenthly Another disorder is to receive an occasion against an Elder and not under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. 5.19 which is a disorder in many places not observing the Rule in that case provided but upon every suspition or light occasion disaffected persons will bring their Ministers repute into question Fourthteenthly Another disorder is when the Officers with the members appoint dayes of meeting upon necessary occasions which concern all and for the good of the whole as days of Instruction Discipline Humiliation or Thansgiving or the like and then Brethren shall upon every temporall indifferent and small occasion neglect such appointments and usefull meetings to their own losses and the discouragement of others To conclude these things God is not the Authour of such confusions but a God of Order and the Authour of peace in all the Churches But 't is the Prince of mis-rule who by his subtill wiles stirs up such instruments to make breaches and to break the Churches and as I have drawn you a little Map to shew you the path of his designs In like manner I would present to you as in a glasse the nature of your adversary by his Names 1. He is called the god of this World who blinds the minds of such as believe not lest the light of the Gospell should shine unto them 2. He is called the Prince of the Air that worketh and ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience 3. Satan who opposeth the Lord in his designs and to pervert the Saints in their paths 4. Devill one that deviseth mischiefs and by his wiles and darts to get advantages to over-rule and destroy the Saints 5. Serpent to shew his great policy craft and subtilties in beguiling and betraying innocent souls 6. He is compared to a Lyon and a Dragon to shew his strength violence and cruelty to fear scatter and devour the Saints 7. Belial I may adde Tyrant to draw persons into Infidelity and Apostacie a Tyrant over them he takes captive an oppressor cruell and mercylesse that Tyranizes over soul and conscience Thus I have given you the naming of the Titles of your Adversary some hold forth his great policy and some his great cruelty I have done it to alarum you to take to your armour to keep your watches to defeat your enemy and secure your souls 6. Some branches of Injustice and Opppression to be avoyded in the punishment of Sin 1. THe punishing of sin is our great design 1. What is sin 'T is the transgression of Gods Righteous Laws and these
eternall preferment 4. The necessity of it In the former buildings some laid the foundations other were overseers of the work and some to bear burdens There is a necessity the Gospell should be preached and the foundations of Gods spirituall house laid and overseers appointed and the work preserved and others to help to bear the burdens 1 Cor. 9.16 For if the Gospell be neglected there is a woe pronounced so that in this Gospell-work there are instruments and assistants Then let all ponder and seriously consider that are become concerned and are obliged in this weighty matter for some betake themselves to farming that are appointed to publick preaching and cannot go out upon the work of the Ministry because of the pressing cares of family-necessity when as the Apostle saith No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life 2 Tim. 2.4 And if the Apostles thought it not reason and meet to leave the Word and Prayer to serve tables an office in the Churches much more is it unreasonable for Gospel Preachers to leave the work to follow worldly occasions I may say some have robbed their own families to spend their time in the Churches services for much is already known and much more is feared and foreseen of the great inconveniencies that attend this business as naturall consequences 5. The bad and sad effects that accompany the neglect of it 'T is to be feared that some that have been eminent in the Ministry have declined the way of truth and verity being under temptations for want of supplyes necessary In the former dispensation when the people detained the Lords servants right the Lord charged them that they robbed him and for that he would come as a swift witness against them Mal. 8.3 If the Scripture saith 't is even so in the duty we may justly fear it may be even so in the penalty If the keeping back the labourers wages Jam. 5.4 cryes in the ears of the Lord of Sabbath shall not we fear if we neglect such as faithfully and painfully labour in the Word and Ministry My dearly beloved Brethren let these things be pondered I do not charge you but warn you and in discharge of my own duty and to give you notice to escape the danger of the penalty for there is a neglect and it will be charged somewhere let every man do his duty according to his measure This then is the great strait that either the work of the Lord must be neglected or that which properly belongs to wife and children must be wasted 'T is not the mind neither is it for Gods honour that one servant should be oppressed and another eased and whether the Lord may not reckon for estates decayed bodies wasted spirits and bloud spent and not regarded as well as consciences opprest and bodies destroyed This is the strait betwixt two either to neglect the worthy work of the Gospell or else to be in danger of being reputed worse than an Infidell Moreover besides all this 't is more than hard to obtain a succession of Ministers because 't is foreseen and known the Church makes no provisions And these things I have not only by intelligence but by sad and known experience 6. There are some circumstances to consider touching and relating to this matter Let none be mistaken or deceived as to think that I plead for particular persons Phil. 4.17 or private interest not that I desire a gift or that it should be so done to me For I thought I might speak the more freely because I have not been chargeable to any no otherwise than in common entertainments nay if need be I can give testimony that I have refused when it hath been tendred me But I can assign more publick and better ends as the preaching the Gospell the conversion of sinners Tit. 1.9 the constituting and confirming of Churches the convincing and improving gainsayers the uniting Christians the repairing breaches and the establishing and setting in order the Congregations and moreover that fruit might abound upon the Lords peoples account There may be times and occasions that a man may abate of his due and remit of his right Some circumstances may require it where the people have not ability and when the Lords people may be in distress and necessity whose conditions may call for more than ordinary supplyes Such circumstances ought to be observed notwithstanding it be a duty commanded I speak not this that the Lords people should be burdened nor any particular mans desire answered but that every mans duty and conscience may be discharged the Gospell preached Ministers encouraged and the work of God furthered and advanced 7. An Exhortation to discharge your duties in these weighty businesses God is not mocked what a man sowes that he shall reap Let not me be thought tedious neither let this work be counted weariness There is such great need the Gospell should be spread and such great complaints for instruments moves and presses me to be earnest to perswade to answer their expectations and the Lords requirements 1. Let the Lords Ministers see there be no default and neglect in them 2 Pet. 5.2 neither to have a covetous desire after gain and filthy lucre but freely to go out in the Lords name upon the Lords work and chearfully cast themselves upon the Lords promises and providences for their success and security And let the Churches see that they neglect not their duty as helps and assistants to them in the Ministry for coyn and treasure is the sinews of warfare Let every one help as he hath received not one eased and another over-burdened 2 Cor. 3.13 14. Let this law be the rule and order as you would have another do to you do you in like manner to another And whose heart the Lord hath enlarged towards this needfull work let it be done chearfully and in charity agreeable to principles of equallity answerable to ability and consonant to rules of equity for all receits must be accounted for we are but Stewards of that we are possest for the earth is the Lords and all things therein for we our selves are not our own neither is any of our substance or coyn bodies goods and spirits are to glorifie him for we are but tenants to the immortall and universall Lord when he calls for our selves or substance to serve him we ought to render up all to him for every Christian man the Lord hath made stewards of a worldly possession stands obliged with this Rent-charge by vertue of Religion besides those of his family to communicate to the poor saints and such as labour in the Ministry Beloved brethren I can do no less but caution you against covetousness Col. 3.5 which is so destructive to piety and which the Apostle calls Idolatry which especially consists of two generall parts either an unlawfull getting and possessing or an unjust with-holding and detaining that from another of which he is the
maintained and the poor relieved The Lord is pleased to define the sin and calls it robbery and injustice he repayes the evill with a curse of penury And as all Scripture is recorded for our learning and instruction so these presidents of miscarriages and punishments are become our premonitions and warnings that by preventing the sins we may clearly escape the punishments Thus much be spoken touching the Caution and Admonition Lastly A word of Encouragement and so I have done I am of St. Peters perswasion to put you in remembrance of these things although ye know them and be established in them but to observe the speciall notice the Lord takes and countenance he manifests to such as are just and righteous as Noah Lot and Phineas Caleb Joshua and many others who for their integrity fidelity and singularity are blest with speciall security that while others fall under judgement and misery as a demonstration the Lord records their names commends their actions secures their persons and comprehends in the blessing their posterities and families The Prophet Jeremiah speaking in commendations of Josiah King of Judah said thus of him Jer. 22.15 16. that he did execute judgement and justice and then it was well with him this is rightly to know God Was not this to know me saith the Lord. These that were men of justice and faithfulness the Lord counts it unto them for righteousness John the Baptist was a righteous man and faithfull and just in reproving sin and so obtained this commendation to be called a just and holy man Also the Lord was pleased greatly to honour Abraham in making him privy to his design of justice upon Sodom and admits him to parle touching their destruction the Lord gives this character of him that he will command his children and his houshold after him Gen. 18.19 and like a man of government to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement The Lord doth so highly account and so much delight in truth and judgement that if there were but one man found in the City Jerusalem Jer. 5.1 to seek for it and in the execution of it notwithstanding a wicked City he would pardon it The Lord takes such pleasure in justice that he prefers it above other sacrifice for it is the habitation of his holiness Finally The benefits that attend such as give Christs servants their due encouragements If I may take leave once again to look back into the Old Testament Mapp recorded in the Prophesie of Malaechy I will shew you a three-fold blessing that attends this duty 1. The Lord invites and tempts them to do their duty 2. He is pleased to promise upon doing their duty he will pour out blessings and that abundantly for their sakes 3. He will remove the curse stop the destroyer reprove the consumer and rebuke the devourer 4. The Lord will so raise their fame and commendations that they shall be called a blessed people and that by all Nations In my making use of Old Testament Scriptures 't is not to make it our rule but to make use of their concurrences and assistances for they may in some measure help us as mapps and glasses to discover our duties and to see our dangers For as in the Gospell dayes duties are more richly and rarely blessed so new testaments neglects Heb. 10.28 29. and contempts are more sorely and dreadfully punisht Thus I have as it were set some Land-marks to guide you in the way to felicity and also discovered some Sea-marks to avoid the rocks of misery and having thus born my testimony I commend you all to God and wish you eternall mansions of glory FINIS POSTSCRIPT NOw if any Brother or Well-wisher shall conscientiously doubt or be dis-satisfied touching any particular Point contained in this Treatise because of my speaking to many things in a little room And if he or they shall be serious in so doing and will be-friend me so far and do me that courtesie to send to me before they condemn me and let me know their scruples in a few words of writing I shall look upon my self obliged both in affection and reason to endeavour to give them full satisfaction FINIS A Table of the principall Matters contained in this Book CHAP. I. THe Causes of peace and prosperity in the Churches of Jesus Christ page 1 2. The antiquity and dignity of Church-Government p. 3. The personall and princely Excellencies in Christ as the head of his Church p. 6. Chap. 2. Shewing the definition of Church-Government in New Testament dayes viz. in not inflicting bodily punishment upon offenders but spiritually executing Laws without knowing faces respecting persons wresting causes either for favour or prejudice to any persons p. 9. A true Ministers most speciall work and duty to the flock under all circumstances laid down p. 11 12. Chap. 3. Shewing the necessity of and reasons for Church-Governours and Governments p. 12 13. Chap. 4. Shewing the good use and great benefit that comes by right Government p. 19. Right Government is destructive to iniquity and a protection to piety p. 22 23. Chap. 5. Rules tendred to accomplish a right Government and the manner how to choose their Officers p. 26. 27. The work of the Officers when chosen p. 28 29 30. Chap. 6. Shewing the duty of Christians as they stand related to civill Magistrates requiring civill subjection not only for wrath but for conscience sake p. 38. Chap. 7. Treating of Family duties Superiours to Inferiours and Inferiours to Superiours with Directions to a religious choice in Yoke-fellows p. 40 41 c. Chap. 8. Treating particularly of Family duties p. 51. Chap. 9. Treating of private and personall Government p. 56. Cautions not to grieve Gods Spirit nor offend Conscience p. 61. Rules for the heart mouth eyes and ears p. 65 c. Chap. 10. Shewing the true order and right manner of executing Church-Government in seven Rules p. 73 74. Chap. 11. Treating of restitution to be made by an offender p. 76. Concerning dealing with Hereticks and other offenders p. 77 78. Chap. 12. Rules of Discipline how to treat an offender in orderlyest wayes how to restore him p. 80. Rules of better observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath p. 83. Rules for Admonition of penitent persons after Excommunication p. 87. Chap. 13. Shewing what Priviledges are to be maintained to Officers and Members in Christs Congregation p. 88 c. Chap. 14. Shewing what Disorders ought to be prevented corrected or removed p. 95. Rules how the offended ought to treat the offending Brother p. 97 c. Seven Descriptions of the nature of the Devil the Churches adversary by his names p. 102. Chap. 15. Shewing what Branches of injustice and oppression are to be avoided in the punishment of sin p. 103. Chap. 16. Shewing the true order and the execution of Discipline and Justice p. 105. Rules to set out the ugly nature of sin in its aggravations to the thorow humbling the offender p. 109. Usefull Directions for the promoting and preserving unity and peace in the Churches of Christ p. 112 113 c. Chap. 17. Giving Directions how to uphold and preserve Church-Government p. 115 c. Chap. 18. Shewing the duty of particular Elders over particular Churches p. 119. to 124. Chap. 19. Shewing the Office and Duty of Deacons in Christs Congregations p. 124. to 129. Chap. 20. Shewing the Duty of Church-members to their Officers p. 129 130 c. A Duty incumbent and of high concern for Churches to present humble frequent and fervent prayers for such as are called to be Gospell-Governours that they may rule for God in justice and righteousness and for the encrease of faithfull Labourers in his harvest p. 132 to 135. Chap. 21. Shewing what God hath ordained respecting his Ministers Maintenance p. 135 136 c. The Necessity of making carefull and sutable provision for the Ministry with the sad effects that accompany the contrary p. 139 140 c. Encouragements to this work shewing the advantages that attend the due performance of it p. 143 144 c. Counsell to forwardness in assisting the Ministry with our worldly possessions Also a Caution against Covetonsness describing what it is p. 145 146. Objections against this needfull work answered p. 148. A generall resolution in all difficult and doubtfull Cases p. 149. The dreadfull consequences in Minister and People to do the work of the Lord negligently with comfortable Encouragements to constant diligence p. 150 151 152 c.