not him Christ bids them not forbid him alledging that he which is not against us is with us Luke 9. 49 50. And so the Apostle would have every man perswaded in his own mind Rom. 14. 5. and I know no reason why ye should condemn any man for being in the dark because he sees not by your light Answ Christians ought to have charity one towards another and they who are true Christians have not only in name but in nature Charity and love which reacheth even to those who differ from them in judgement First by love they labour to instruct those Christians who are in error that if possible they might reclaim them from error by the force of the love and word of God but the spiritual striving and war on the true Christian's part is not against flesh and bloud but against that spirit of darkness which misguides the mind If the true Christian doth not hereby gain the false Christian to the way of life yet he should walk in all love and gentleness towards him not endeavouring by force and violence to destroy his body for the error of his mind or to cut off his life from the earth as the Papists and false Christians ever have done against those true Christians whose minds and consciences they could never overcome for which cruel persecution they have no example amongst the Ministers of Christ whose practice therein hath stained their Church with the guilt of bloud which hath and will cause a curse and infamy to come upon them which never shall be forgotten Secondly All men in the world are in the dark that in some measure sees not by the light of the Lamb in which we and all Nations of them that are saved must walk Rev. 21. 24. But it is not the practice of Christians who are grown in grace to condemn and judge others because they are not fully come up to their rule and degree of righteousnesse in every particular though some who are young in the truth and yet disciples may through weaknesse if not watchful and diligent to hearken unto their Lord and Master even erre in those things as the disciples of old were apt to do as I. B. hath already instanced Luke 9. 49 50. who forbid the man to cast out devils in the name of Christ because he followed them not and would have had fire to come down from heaven upon those Samaritans that did not presently receive him Luke 9. 54. 11. Query Whether it be not the duty of Christians to observe and set apart one day in seven for the more solemn service of God and 1. Whether God himself did not appoint and the people of God in all ages keep such a day Gen. 2. 2 3. Exod. 20. 8. 2. Whether the Sabbath was ever abrogated by Jesus Christ or only changed and another kept in the room of the first and 3. Whether the first day of the week be not the true Christian Sabbath We read that it was the custome of the Apostles chiefly to meet on this day John 20. 19. Acts 20. 7. and that they made collections for the poor on this day 1 Cor. 16. 2. and John was in the Spirit on the Lords day Rev. 1. 10. Answ Christians did set apart times to wait upon and worship the Lord in Spirit and truth and they did meet together to perform this solemn service and duty to God upon the first day of the week as the Scriptures testify which I. B. hath instanced and that on that day they made collections for charitable uses First But that they were commanded in the same manner to observe that day as the Jews were to observe the seventh day that I must deny and I also do deny that that day was set apart and brought in thâ— room of the seventh day to answer that end for which the seventh day Sabbath was given which was a sign of that happy restauration which should and is come to mankind by the glorious Gospel of Christ in whose day mans soul is redeemed from the bondage of corruption and recovered from under the fore travail and pain of the curse into the liberty of Gods children where all weights and burthens are cast off and the soul comes to be perfectly freed from its long captivity and sore bondage through which it returns into that spiritual rest which the outward day was but a shadow of and all who are come into this endlesse Sabbath or holy day of God their souls dwell at ease and they are in perfect rest so as to bear no burthen neither to travail under the load of sin and the curse any more and this is a small hint of that felicity and happy state which God in mercy figured out unto man while he was yet under the burthen by the outward Sabbath day or sign of rest as it is written I gave them my Sabbath for a sign between me and them Ezek. 20. 12. Col. 2. 16. Let no man judge you in meats or in drinks in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath day which are shadows of things to come but the body is of Christ Therefore I say the day of Christ being dawned and he the substance being come the outward figure must needs be abrogated and the shadow past away 12. Query Whether it be not lawful for Christians to swear if called thereunto for the attestation of some truth and 1. Whether Abraham did sin in making his servant to swear unto him Gen. 24. 3. Or 2. Whether swearing be not a ready way to put an end to all controversies as the Apostle saith Heb. 6. 16. Answ This is a point about which much hath been very fully and clearly written by several other hands therefore I need not say much to it only this I say 't is not lawfull for a Christian under the Gospel ministration to swear First though Abraham did not sin in causing his servant to swear and though those holy men did not sin who under the first covenant swore the Lord lived in truth righteous and judgement swearing and many other things being then lawfull for them to practice yet such things are not lawfull neither usefull for the Saints to practice under the Gospel this particular practice of swearing was not in the old Covenant forbidden Therefore our Saviour saith Mat. 5. it hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy self but performe thine oaths unto the Lord. But he gives his Disciples a new command quite contrary to what was practised herein by the people of God in the old time in that he saith unto them swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is Gods Throne nor by the Earth for it is his Footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither shalt thou swear by thine Head because thou can'st not make one hair white or black Mat. 5. 34 35 36. By this absolute command he not only forbids vain
that spiritual Feast which is kept amongst the children of God for whom Christ their Passover is sacrificed and by his power they purge out the old leaven and keep this spiritual Feast not with the old leaven neither with the leaven of malice but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 2 Cor. 5. 7. 8. for the bread of God which comes down from Heaven is that by which they keep this spiritual feast and the flesh and bloud of Christ is this bread which the holy people break and spiritually feed upon and the incomes of his love is that spirituall wine by which he doth wonderfully refresh their souls through which they come to grow into the endlesse life and in which they more abundantly partake of the everlasting consolation that is in Christ Jesus in which they spiritually eat and drink with him and he with them who are his lillies in his heavenly Kingdome And this is a small hint of that spiritual Passeover or feast which was and is kept by the Saints in this glorious gospel-Gospel-day through which the night is expelling and the shadowes vanishing away Glory glory be unto the Lord our God for ever But to return this practice of breaking of bread together was continued by the Apostles in the Churches as I. B. hath already instanced Acts 2. 46. And they brake bread from house to house and ate their meat with singleness of heart as is the practice of true Christians at this day and in which they ought to continue to the end that whether they eat they may eat unto the Lord or whether they drink they may do it unto him not making an idol of the creature or any Christian practice be it never so good in it self but may both eye and discern the Lord in all their practices and duties which was that good end for which the Apostle delivered unto the Church of Corinth the thing in question practised by Christ and his Apostles at the Passeover which many did soon abuse if not idolize even in his time for which he often reproved them 1 Cor. 10. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 20. where he saith When ye come together this is not to eat the Lords Supper for in eating every one takes before other his own supper and one is hungry and another drunken and tells them vers 25 26. As often as they break the bread and drink the cup they should do it in remembrance saying they that eat and drink unworthily eat and drink damnation to themselves not discerning the Lords body vers 29. Oh that all drunkards and gluttoners ignorant persons who make an idol of the creature in breaking the bread and drinking the cup unworthily Oh that they would seriously consider and lay these things to heart that they may not henceforth any more break the bread and drink the cup unworthily in the sinfull lust of the flesh the doing of which brings them to be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord in that they eat to and feed the same lusts of the world as was in them which slew him and none can be partakers of the table of the Lord while they thus feed at the table of Devils 1 Cor. 10. 21. But it may be the enemy will tell them it is no such thing for they neither are nor drank that day before they break that bread and drink that cup and call to natural memory with trembling and fear before they practice the thing before mentioned that Christs body was broken for them and his bloud shed for them the which I say all this thou maist do and yet be an idolatrous and unworthy eater in an unholy fear adoring the outward bread and the cup beyond what is meet even as there are too many that look upon it to be more then a sign and worship it as the thing signified and so in ignorance worship the bread and the cup as a God at sometime and at other times using it without that holy fear and remembrance in which Christs body is discerned and the heavenly virtues and fulnesse thereof enjoyed which fills all things and is that glorious and everlasting substance which lives and remains when all created excellencies come to an end and shadows are past away and is that eternal fountain which fills with spiritual grace and satisfaction all that in sincerity love him for ever and for evermore 6. Query Whether Christians are not bound to the performance of such religious duties as were practised by the people of God under the law and not abrogated by the Gospel 1. Whether Christians ought not to pray morning and evening as David very frequently did evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud and he shall hear my voice Psa 55. 17. Or 2. Is it not lawfull for Christians to appoint and set apart a convenient time and season for the performance of religious exercises as did Daniel who not withstanding the Kings command thought himself obliged not to omit his duty once but prayed three times a day Dan. 6. 10 13. Or 3. Are we only to pray when our own spirits move us and not at the motion of Gods Spirit which bids us to pray continually or te be always in a frame and frequent in the duty of prayer 1 Thes 5. 17. Or 4. Whether it be not a duty incumbent upon all Christians to exercise family duties as the people of God in former times did whether parents ought not to instruct their children masters their servants for which God so much commended Abraham because he would command his children his houshold after him Gen. 18. 17 18 19. 5. Whether it be the duty of all Christians frequently to read over confer about the holy Scriptures both in their families with others as the Lord commanded the children of Israel thou shalt teath them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down Deut. 6. 7. Nay 6. Whether is it not necessary for all Christians to beg Gods blessing with and return him thanks for every mercy they receive according to the practice of our blessee Saviour who when he fed so many thousands would first look up to heaven for a blessing upon what they enjoyed on earth Mat. 6. 41. And after his Resurrection he practised the same thing amongst his disciples Luke 24. 30. Whose blessed example the Apostle followed taking bread and giving thanks in the presence of them all Acts 27. 35. further recommending it to the practice of others that in every thing they would give thanks as the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning them 1 Thess 5. 18. Answ Christians are bound to the practice of many religious duties which was practised by the people of God under the Law for though the cerimonies types and shadws of the Law or first Covenant are abolished by the Gospel yet the weighty matters are
exhortations will become effectual to their children and servants not only to turn them from errour unto truth but to establish and build them up in the truth that they may serve the Lord in their day and herein all Christian parents and masters of families ought to follow the example of Abraham in commanding their housholds after them to walk in the holy commands of God and to serve him in their generation c. Fishly the Scriptures were written for our learning therefore it is necessary for Christians to read them and to confer about the heavenly things signified of in them all their life long as they are inclined thereunto by the life and Spirit that gave them forth for though eternal life cannot be found in the Scriptures yet they testify of Christ in whom it is to be found and the holy sayings contained therein which were given by the divine inspiration of God are profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 16. 17. Therefore all true Christians prizeth the Scriptures for unto such they are comfortable and bear true testimony of that living way and truth in and by which we have eternal redemption Sixthly it is necessary for Gods people to pray unto him and to beg his blessing with and upon those creaturely benefits which they receive from the hand of their heavenly Father and to return him thanks for his unspeakable mercies towards them which was the moving cause of that heavenly visitation by which the Lord God hath visited his people with the day spring from on high through which many that have sate in darknesse are now both come to see and walk in the light of life blessed be the Lord our God for evermore 7. Query Whether it be not lawfull for Christians to give a civil respect to the several degrees and relations in which persons may stand as 1. Whether the younger ought not to reverence the elder as saith the Scripture Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man Lev. 19. 32. and 2. Whether a Christian may not evidence his respect by some outward action or gesture of his body according to the custome of the Countrey he liveth in as Abraham bowed to the sons of Heth Gen. 23. 12. So did Nathan a Prophet to King David 1. King 1. 23. and 3. Is it not lawful for Christians to expresse their respects by giving to every man the titles belonging to him in reference to the several dignities or places they may be advanced to as Luke doth Theophilus calling him most excellent Luke 1. 3. So Paul to Felix calling him most noble Felix Acts 26. 25. and John to the elect Lady 2 John 1. Answ It is lawful for people to give civil respect to the several relations and degrees in which persons may stand First Christians ought to respect with subjection and obedience either actively by doing the commands of their magistrates or passively by suffering for not doing in case any thing should be imposed contrary to Gods law and a good conscience by the authority either set up or permitted by the Lord to be set up over them and in so doing they give the respect that is due to men thus related unto them as Superiours whose honour and respect consists not in putting off the hat and bowing the knee and body but in obeying their just commands for the respect by adoring or bowing to mens persons who wear the gay cloathing is forbidden and he that gives it transgresseth the law of God James 2. 9. Secondly the younger ought to reverence the elder by an inward love and respect The true reverence from children to their parents hath its beeing in the heart and is evidenced by outward obedience to their just and lawful commands and bodily actions of not despising them when their strength faileth but in lowlinesse and humility to help them in their old age not following the example of the Pharisees whom our Saviour reproved for making the commands of God void by their traditions which command was to honour father and mother for they said whosoever should say to his father or mother it is a gift by whatsoever thou might be profited by me and honours not his father or mother he shall go free and thus they broke the command by their traditions Mat. 15. 4 5 6 7. Neither following the example of Ham but the good example of Shem and Iaphet who covered their fathers nakednesse Gen. 9. 22 23. and in so doing the love and respect of children is demonstrated towards their parents and not by putting off the hat and bowing the knee according to the custome of the countrey and people where they dwell for both vain and idolatrous may the custome of the people be herein as in the dayes of old Ier. 10. 32. Though Abraham did bow to the sons of Heth and Nathan to King David in that ministration in which the types and shadows were in force and the seed not come to full dominion but he outwardly as a stranger in the land which God had promised to give to his seed after him for an inheritance I say Abraham's and Nathan's example herein is no more binding to Christians under the Gospel ministration then is their example of swearing outward circumcision with divers other things that they were commanded or permitted of God to doe in that ministration c. Thirdly it is lawfull for Christians to give unto every man those titles which of right belong unto him according to the place or office to which he may be advanced as to call a King King and a noble man noble man and a Judge Judge and a man that excells in reason and moderation may be called excellent c. In this wise a Christian may expresse his love and respect to persons advanced to the aforementioned dignities and not by worshipping and adoring their persons for that is a transgression of the law of God James 2. 9. 8. Query Whether Christians may not make use of and take delight in those creatures God affords us either for food or clothing And 1. whether at sometimes it be not lawful to feast and enjoy the creatures afforded for our use in a lawful mirth provided it be done in its proper season and with moderation Eccl. 3. 12 13. And 2. whether it be lawful for Christians to wear what apparel they shall think best in their own Christian prudence to be apparelled in if without excesse did not God command the children of Israel that they should borrow jewels of silver and jewels of gold of ths Egyptians Ex. 11. 2. And Abraham 's servant gave unto Rebecca bracelets for her hands which she also wore Gen. 24. 22 30. Answ Christians may make use of the creatures for through faith and the birth immortal they only of all people upon earth have right to
the creatures as it is written Rom. 4. 13. and 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. where the Apostle saith All things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours c. Yet in the creatures they must not so delight as to love and worship them more then their Creatour who is God blessed for ever Therefore if any who professeth himself a Christian so love and delight in the creatures as that his love and delight in the Lord is made lesse thereby such a one may professe himself a Christian in words but in works he denies Christ Therefore all Christian men had need to be watchfull against the temptations of that lustful spirit of the world which would lead them to abuse the creatures First its lawful to enjoy the creatures afforded for us in the joy and mirth which cometh of or is allowed by the Holy Ghost but not in the vain mirth and foolish pleasures of sinful worldly men who have their end in lamentation and wo for it is better as the wise man saith to go to the house of mourning then to the house of such mirth and feasting for that is the end of all men the living will lay it to heart Eccles 7. 2 3. But if a man doth eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labour in the covenant of God that is to the praise of God and to his spiritual and creaturely comfort in this fading world in which God fills his heart with content and satisfaction whether he hath much or little of the perishing things of this life Secondly its lawful for a true Christian who is guided by the Spirit of Christ to wear what apparel he by the wisdome and instruction of the Spirit shall see both to be lawful and expedient for him to wear that he in that as in all other things may give a good example not only to them that are weak but that also he may be a pattern of righteousnesse unto those that are without and may shine as a light in the world that they seeing his good works and example may be made to glorifie his Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16. Therefore the Apostle exhorted the Christian women to adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefastnesse and sobriety not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly array but which becometh women professing godlinesse with good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 9. Query Whether when Christians are met together for the worship and service of God they may then be silent and depart without any thing done for the edification of one another or 1. Whether they ought not rather to stir up and exhort one another to continue in the faith and practice of the Gospel as the Apostles of old did who when they met together spent the time in praying with and exhorting one another Acts 1. 13 14. Acts 12. 12. 2. Whether to speak in a strange tongue or to be wholly silent when the people of God are met together be not one and the same thing the former of which the Apostle forbids as no way tending to edification 1 Cor. 14. 4. to the 20. Answ When Christians are met together to worship God in Spirit they may be silent if nothing be given them from the Lord to say for God who is a Spirit may be as truly worshipped in Spirit and adored in the hearts of his people when there is no words as when there is words of God given them to speak to the edification one of another But if any should meet together with a resolution to be silent and not to wait for but to quench the motions of the Spirit if any thing should be given this would be worse then to speak in an unknown tongue First for if any thing be freely given Christians ought freely to speak what from God they have received to the edification one of another as the Saints of old did when they were met together 1 Cor. 14. 26 Whether by prophecy doctrine or prayer Secondly though people may sometimes meet in silence in the name and truth of Jesus yet it 's not one and the same thing with speaking in an unknown tongue for the unknown tongue may be so far from edifying in the truth that people may rather be led from the truth thereby But when Christians are met together in Christ's name though they be silent for a time yet God hath and will fulfill his promise by the manifestation of his presence amongst them by whose spirit they receive inward teaching both to comfort build up and instruct them so that many have gone away satisfied with the spiritual sence of the Lords heavenly presence which hath been seen and enjoyed in silence amonst them by the incomes of whose love his children are refreshed in preaching and without outward preaching glory unto his name for ever whose spirit cannot be limited that he shall not appear to the joy and comfort of his people either by or without outward preaching for it hath been the manner and practice of the Prophets and people of God to sit together in silence when nothing was given them of the Lord to say though it was day after day as saith the Prophet Ezek. 3. 15 16. then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib that dwelt by the river Chebar and sate where they sate and remained there astonished among them seven dayes and it came to pass at the end of seven dayes the word of the Lord came unto me saying so it seems they sate together in silence till the word of the Lord came to the Prophet although he was a Prophet and the hand of the Lord upon him yet must he not speak till it was given him from the Lord what he should say and all preachers and people who are not in but against this example in meetings together are such as come under the wo due to them which use their tongues and say he saith howbeit the Lord hath not spoken to them Jer. 23. 31. Therefore how much better were it for them to wait upon and worship God in silence when nothing is given them or revealed unto any of them from the Lord to speak then to use their tongues when he hath not spoken to them I shall leave to the sober minded to judge 10. Query Whether Christians that do not palpably contradict the practice of Godliness may not live with and have charity towards one another though different in judgements And 1. whether this hath not rendred the popish religion more odious because they have so little charity for any that differ from them who stile all to be hereticks that are not of their way Or 2. whether any of the Apostles or our Saviour himself did ever condemn others upon this account only but on the contrary when the Apostles told our Saviour they had seen one casting out Devils in his name yet followed