and yet there is a separation suitable to the mind of God he that will not separate from world and false-worship is a Separate from Christ Now the separation here commanded from any persons is not in respect of naturall affections nor spirituall care of the good of their souls Rom 9. 3. nor yet in respect of duties of Relation 1 Cor. 7. 13. nor yet in offices of love and civill converse 1 Cor. 5. 10. 1 Thess. 4. 12. much less in not seeking their good and prosperity 1 Tim. 2. 1. or not communicating good things unto them Gal. 6. 10. or living profitably and peaceably with them Rom. 12. 18. but in 1. Manner of walking and conversation Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 4. 17 18 19. 2. Delightfull converse and familiarity where enmity and opposition appears Ephes. 5. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. 3. In way of worship and ordinances of fellowship Rev. 18. 4. not running out into the same compass of excess and riot with them in anything for these 3. and the like commands and discoveries of the wil of God are most express as in the places annexed to the Rule necessity abundantly urgent spirituall profit and edification no less requiring it causeless separation from established Churches walking according to the order of the Gospel though perhaps failing in the practise of some things of small concernment is no small sin but separation from the sinfull practises and disorderly walkings and false unwarranted wayes of worship in any is to fulfill the precept of not partaking in other mens sins to delight in the company fellowship society and converse of unsavory disorderly persons proclaimes a spirit not indeared to Christ Let Motives hereunto be 1. Gods command 2. Our own preservation from sin and protection from punishment that with others we be not infected and plagued 3. Christs delight in the purity of his ordinances 4. His distinguishing love to his Saints provided that in the practise of this Rule abundance of meekness patience gentleness wisdome and tenderness be exercised let no offence be given justly to any RULE VI FRequent spiritual communication for edification according to gifts received Mal 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name Job 2. 11. Now when Jobs three friends heard al of this evil that was come upon him they â—ame every one from his owne place for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him Ephes. 4. 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may administer grace to the hearers Col. 4. 6. Let your speech be alwayes with grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man Eph. 5. 4. Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks 1 Thess. 5. 11. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another as also ye doe Heb. 3. 13. Exhort one another daily whilest it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Jude 20. Building up your selves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost Heb. 10. 24 25. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together us is the manner of some but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching Acts 18. 23. Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly 1 Cor. 12. 9. For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall EXPLIC. VI THat men not solemnly called and set apart to the office of publick teaching may yet be endued with usefull gifts for edification was before declared the not using of such gifts in an orderly way according to the rule and custome of the Churches is to napkin up the talent given to trade and profit withall that every man ought to labour that he may walk and dwell in knowledge in his family none doubts that we should also labour to do so in the Church or Family of God is no lesse apparent This the Scriptutes annexed to the rule declared which in an especial manner hold out prayer exhortation instruction from the Word and consolation now the performance of this duty of mutuall edification is incumbent to the Saints divers wayes 1. Ordinarily Ephes. 4. 29. chap. 5. 3 4. Heb. 3. 13. believers in their ordinary daily converse ought to be continually making mention of the Lord with savoury discourses tending to edification and not upon foolish light frothy speeches that are not convenient 2. Occasionally Luke 24. 14. Mal. 3. 1. 6. if any thing of weight and concernment to the Church be brought forth by providence a spiritual improvement of it by a due consideration amongst believers is required 3. By assembling of more together by appointment for prayer and instruction from the Word Acts 18. 23. Acts 12. 12. Job 2. 11. Ephes. 5. 19. James 5. 16. Jude 20. 1 Thess. 15. 14. This being a speciall ordinance and appointment of God for the increasing of knowledge love charity experience and the improving of gifts received every one contributing to the building of the Tabernacle let then all vain communication be farr away The time is short and the daies are evill let it suffice us that we have neglected so many precious opportunities of growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and doing good to one another let the remainder of our few and evill dayes be spent in living to him who dyed for us be not conformed to this world nor the men thereof RULE VII MUtually to bear with each others infirmities weaknesse tendernesse failings in meeknesse patience pity and with assistance Eph. 4. 32. Be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Matth. 18. 21. Then came Peter to him and said how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him 22. Jesus said unto him I say not unto thee seven times but untill seventy times seven Mark 11. 25. And when you stand praying forgive if you have ought against any that your Father which is also in Heaven may forgive youy our trespasses v. 26. And if you do not forgive neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive you your trespasses Rom. 14. 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way seever 3. 4. Rom. 15. 1. We then that are strong ought to beare the infirmities of the weak and not to please our selves v. 2. let every one please his neighbor for the
Eshcol A Cluster of the fruit of Canaan brought to the Borders for the encouragement of the Saints travelling thitherward with their faces towards Syon OR Rules of direction for the walking of the Saints in Fellowship according to the order of the Gospel Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall By John Owen their Pastor For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. LONDON Printed for Philemon Stephens and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the gilded Lyon in S. Pauls Church-yard 1648. An advertisement to the Reader THERE are Christian Reader certaine principles in Church affairs generally consented unto by all men aiming at reformation however diversified among themselves by singular perswasions or distinguished by imposed and assumed names and Titles Some of these though not here mentioned are the bottome and foundation of this following collection of rules for our walking in the fellowship of the Gospel amongst which these foure are the principall First That particular Congregations or Assemblies of believers gathered into one body for a participation of the ordinances of Jesus Christ under officers of their own are of Divine institution Secondly That every faithfull person is bound by vertue of positive precepts to joyn himself to some such single Congregation having the notes and marks whereby a true Church may be knowne and discerned Thirdly That every man 's own voluntary consent and submission to the ordinances of Christ in that Church whereunto he is joyned is required for his union therewith and fellowship therein Fourthly That all believers of one place are bound to joyn themselves in one Congregation unlesse through their being too numerous they are by common consent distinguished into more which order cannot be disturbed without the guilt of Schisme These principles evident in the Scripture cleer in themselves and own'd in the main by all pretending to regular Church-reformation were supposed and taken for granted at the collection of these ensuing rules The Apostolicall direction and precept in such cases is that whereunto we have attained we should walk according to the same rule unto whose performance the promise annexed is that if any one be otherwise minded God will also reveale that unto him The remaining differences about Church Order and Discipline are for continuance so Ancient and by the disputes of men made so involved and intricate the parties at variance so prejudiced and engaged that although all things of concernment appeare to me as to others both consenting with me and dissenting from me cleer in the Scriptures yet I have little hopes of the accomplishment of the promise in revelation of the truth as yet contested about in men differently minded untill the obedience of walking sutably and answerably to the same rules agreed on be more sincerely accomplished This perswasion is the more firmly fixed on me every day because I see men for the most part to spend their strength and time more in the opposing of those things wherein others differ from them then in the practice of those which by themselves and others are owned as of the most necessary concernment so that though the Lord hath inabled me with some pains and difficulty to compose an Irenicum in the Theory of Ecclesiasticall Discipline yet perswaded by my own judgment I willingly lay it aside lest it should provewith others a wandring Raven and choose rather to send forth this Dove to direct the poor of the flock in the practice of those Christian duties which are answerable to the rules by all agreed upon ayming in the first place at the edification of the flock committed to my own care and in the next to allure all lovers of Christ in sincerity to walk in those wayes which are attended with mercy and peace not wanting a promise of the revelation of hidden truths and in this I am fully resolved that the practice of any one duty here mentioned by any one soul before neglected shall be an abundant recompence for the publishing my name with these papers savouring so little of those ornaments of Art or Learning which in things that come to publick view men desire to hold out Imprimatur Ja Cranford Decemb. 30. 1647. Rules of walking in fellowship with reference to Pastor RULE I. THe word and all ordinances dispensed in the administration to him committed by vertue of Ministeriall authority are to be submitted unto with ready obedience in the Lord 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God 2 Cor. 5. 18 20. God hath committed unto us the Ministery of reconciliation now then we are Embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us See 2 Cor. 6. 1. Gal. 4. 14. You received me as an Angell of God even as Jesus Christ 2 Thess. 3. 14. and if any man obey not our words note that man and have no company with him Heb 13. 7. Remember them that have the rule over you who have spoken to you the word of God V. 13. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you EXPLICATION I. THere is a two-fold power for the dispensing of the Word 1. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or ability 2. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} authority the first with the attending qualifications mentioned and recounted 1 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. Tit. 1. 6 7 8. and many other places is required to be previously in those as bestowed on them who are to be called to office of ministration and may be in severall degrees and measures in such as are never set apart thereunto who thereby are warranted to declare the Gospel 1 In cases of necessity 2 Occasionally 3 Desired by the Church and not otherwise solemnly The second or authority proper to them who orderly are set apart thereunto ariseth from 1. Christs institution of the office Eph. 4. 11. 2. Gods designation of the person Mat. 9. 38. 3. The Churches acceptation election submission Gal. 4. 14. Acts 14. 23. 1 Thess. 5. 12 13. which doth not give them dominion over the faith of believers 2 Cor. 1. 24. nor make them Lords over Gods heritage 1 Pet. 5. 3. but entrusts them with a stewardly power in the house of God 1 Cor. 4. 12. that is the peculiar flock over which in particular they are made overseers Acts 20. 28. of whom the Word is to be received 1 As the truth of God as also from all others speaking according to Gospel-order in his name 2 As the truth held out with
this rule the maine whereof and here cheifly intended is that of Admonition whereunto the first is previous and conducing the latter in some cases consequent and attending Christians conversation whether you consider the glory of God and the Gospel therein concerned or the bonds of relation with those mutnall endearments wherein they stand ingaged and obligations that are upon them for the generall good and spirituall edification one of another ought to be watched marked and considered by each other not that we should curiously prie into one anothers failings much lesse maliciously search into doubtfull unknown things for the trouble or disparagement of our brethren both which are contrary to that love which thinketh not evill but covereth a multitude of faults but only out of a sense of the glory of God the honour of the Gospel and care of each others soules to observe their walking that what is exemplary therein may be followed what faileth may be directed what is a misse may be reproved that in all things God may be glorified and Christ exalted Now admonition is two-fold 1. Authoritative by the way of power 2. Fraternal by the way of love The 1. again is two-fold 1. Doctrinall by the way of teaching 2. Disciplinary which belongeth to the whole Church Of these we do not treat The latter also is two-fold Hortatory to encourage unto good and Monitory to reprove that which is amisse It is this last which is peculiarly aimed at and intended in the rule This then we assert as the duty of every Church-member towards them with whom he walks in fellowship to admonish any from the Word whom they perceive not walking in any thing with a right foot as becommeth the Gospel thereby to recover his soule to the right way that much caution and wisdome tendernesse and moderation is required in the persons performing this duty for want whereof it often degenerates from a peaceable remedy of evill into fuell for strife and debate Let them then who are called to perform this duty diligently consider these things 1. That in the whole action he transgresse not that rule of charity which we have 1 Cor. 13. 7. Gal. 6. 2. 2. Let him have peace at home by an assurance of constant labouring to cast out all beams and moates from his own eye Mat. 7. 5. 3. Let him so perform it that it may evidently appear that he hath no other aime but the glory of God and the good of his brother reproved all envy and rejoycing in evill being farr away 4. Let him be sure to draw his admonitions from the Word that the authority of God may appear therein and without a Word let him not presume to speak 5. Let all circumstances attending time place persons the like be duly weighed that all provocation in the least manner may be fully avoided 6. Let it be considered as an ordinance whereunto Christ hath an especiall regard 7. Let him carefully distinguish between personall injuries unto himselfe whose mention must have farr more of forgivenesse then reproof and other offences tending to publick scandall Lastly Let self-examination concerning the same or the like miscarriage alwaies accompany the brotherly admonition These and the like things being duly weighed let every brother with Christian courage admonish from the Word every one whom he judgeth to walk disorderly in any particular whatsoever not to suffer sin upon him being ready to receive content and satisfaction upon just defence or promised amendment and without this in case of just offence a man cannot be freed from the guilt of other mens sins Let also the person admonished with all Christian patience accept of the admonition without any more regret of spirit then he would have against him who should break the weapon wherwith he was in danger to be slain Considering 1. The authoritie of him who hath appointed it 2. The priviledg and mercy he enjoyeth by such a spirituall prevention of such a danger or cur of such an evill which perhaps himself did not discern 3. The dreadfull judgements which are every where threatned to dispisers of reproofs Prov. 29 â— and so thankfully accept just admonition from the meanest in the Congregation For the last or repairing unto the Church in case of not prevailing by private admonition our Saviour hath so plainly laid down both the manner and end of proceeding in Matth. 18. that it needeth no explanation only I shall observe that by Church there ver. 17. cannot be understood the Elders of the Church alone but rather the whole Congregation for if the offended brother should take with him two or three of the Elders unto the offender as he may then were they the Church and the Church should be told of the offence before the reproof hath been managed by two or three which is contrary to the rule RULE XV EXemplary walking in all holinesse and godlinesse of conversation to the glory of the Gospel edification of the Church and conviction of them which are without Psal. 24. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord or who shal stand in his holy place He that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soule unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in heaven ver. 20. For I say unto you except your righteousnesse shall exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdome of heaven Matth. 21. 19. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way he came to it and found nothing thereon but leaves only and said unto it let no fruit grow on thee hence forward for ever c. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God 2 Tim. 2. 19. And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Tit. 2. 11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodlynesse and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world ver. 14. Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Ephes. 4. 21 22 23. If so be that ye have heard him and have beene taugt him as the truth is in Jesus That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your mind 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives While they behold your chast conversation coupled with feare Heb. 12. 14. Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord Ephes. 5. 15 16. See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise Redeeming the time because the dayes are evill 2 Sam. 12. 14. Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child also that is borne unto thee shall surely die EXPLIC. XV HOliness becometh the house of the Lord for ever without it none shall see God Christ died to wash his Church to present it before his Father without spot or blemish to purchase unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works It is the Kingdome of God within us and by which it appeareth unto all that we are the Children of the Kingdome Let this then this be the great discriminating of the Church from the world that they are a holy humble self-denying people Our Master is holy his Doctrine and Worship holy Let us strive that our hearts may also be holy This is our wisedome towards them that are without whereby they may be gained or convinced this is the meanes whereby we build up one another most effectually Examples are a sharper way of instruction then Precepts Loose walking causing the Name of God to be blaspemed the little ones of Christ to be offended and his enemies to rejoyce is attended with most dreadfull woeâ— boâ—h that all who are called to an holy profession and do enjoy holy Ordinances did shine also in holynesse of conversation that those who accuse them as evill doers might have their mouths stopt and their hearts fil'd with shame to the glory of the Gospel To this generall head belongeth that wise walking in all patience meeknesse and long-suffering towards those that are without untill they evidently appear to be fighters against God when they are to be prayed for Hither also might be referred the patience of the Saints in all tribulations sufferings and persecutions for the Name of Christ Motives for the exercise of universall holinesse in acts internall and externall private and publick personall and of all relations are 1. The utter unsufficiency of the most precious Ordinances for any communion with God without it 2. The miserable issue of deceived soules with their barren emptie fruitlesse Faith 3. The glory of the Gospel when the power thereof hath an evident impression on the hearts thoughts words actions and lives of Professors 4. Scandall of the Gospel the advantage of its adversaries the shame of the Church and fierce wrath of God following the unsuteable walking of the professors 5. The sweet reward which the practice of holyness bringeth along with it even in this life with that eternall weight of glory whereunto it leadeth hereafter unto which the holy Son of God bring us all through the sprinkling of his most holy bloud And these are some of those Rules whose practice is required from the persons and adorneth the profession of those who have obtained this grace to walk together in Fellowship according to the Rule of the Gospel Towards others also ought they with severall limitations and in the full latitude towards the Brethren of the Congregations in commrnion with them FINIS Touching these cases see my Treatise of the Duty of Pastor and people distinguished
26. is quite laid aside 6. To walk orderly not attending to the doctrine of any not known to and approved by the Churches 7. To remove farr away all delight in novelties disputes janglings contentions about words not tending to godlinesse which usually are beginnings of fearfull apostacies Tit. 3. 9. 2 Tim. 4. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 3 4 5. RULE XI CHeerfully to undergo the lot and portion of the whole Church in prosperity and affliction and not to draw back upon any occasion whatever Math. 13. 20. But he thta receiveth the seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the Word and anon with joy receiveth it ver. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is offended Heb. 10. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promiseth ver. 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works v. 25. Not forsaking the assembling our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching ver. 32. But call to remembrance the former dayes in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of affliction v. 33. Partly while ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so used ver. 34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in in your selves that ye have in Heaven an enduring substance ver. 35. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward ver. 36 For ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promises ver. 37. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry ver. 38. Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back my soule shall have no pleasure in him ver. 39. But we are not of them which draw back to perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the fonte 2 Tim. 4. 10. For Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world ver. 16. At my first answer no man stood with me but all men forsook me I pray God that it be not laid unto their charge EXPLIC. XI BAck-sliding from the practise of any way of Christ or use of any ordinances taken up upon conviction of his Institution is in no small degree an Apostacy from Christ himselfe Apostacie in what degree soever is attended with all that aggravation which a renuntiation of a tasted sweetnesse and goodnesse from God for transitory things can lay upon it seldome it is that back-sliders are without pretences commonly of what they forsake in respect of what they pretend to reteine they say as Lot of Zoar is it not a little one But yet we see without exception that such things universally tend to more ungodlinesse Every unrecovered step backward from any way of Christ maketh a discoverie of falsenesse in the heart what ever former pretences have been They who for Motives of any sort from things that are seen which are but temporall will seek for or imbrace being presented colours or pretences for declining from any Gospel-duty will not want them for the residue if they should be called thereunto The beginnings of great evils are to be resisted that the neglect of the duty whereof we treat which is alwayes accompanied with contempt of the communion of Saints hath been a main cause of the great dishonour confusion whereunto most Churches in the world are fallen was in part touched before it being a righteous thing with God to suffer the sons of men to waxe vain in their imaginations in whom neither the love of Christ nor terror of the Lord can prevaile against the feare of men Let this then with the danger and abomination of back-sliding take such an impression on the hearts of the Saints that with full purpose of heart they might cleave unto the Lord follow hard after him in all his ordinances that if persecution arise they may cheerfully follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes and by their close adhering one to another receive such mutuall assistance and supportment as that their joynt praisers may prevail with the goodnesse of God and their joynt sufferings overcome the wickednesse of men Now to a close adhering to the Church wherein we walk in fellowship in all conditions whatsoever without dismission attain'd upon just equitable grounds for the imbracing of Communion in some other Churches Motives are First The eminency and excellencie of the ordinances enjoyed Secondly The danger of back-sliding and evidence of unsoundnesse in every degree thereof Thirdly The scandall confusion and disorder of the Churches by neglect thereof RULE XII IN Church affaires to make no difference of persons but to condiscend to the meanest persons and services for the use of the Brethren James 2. 1. My Brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons ver. 2. For if there come one unto your assemblies a man with a gold ring in goodly apparrell and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment ver. 3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing and say unto him sit thou here in a good place and say to the poore man stand thou there or sit here under my foot-stoole ver. 4. Are ye not then partiall in your selves and are become Judges of evill thoughts ver. 5. Hearken my beloved Brethren Hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that love him ver. 6. But ye have despised the poore c. Matth. 20. 26. But it shall not be so amongst you but whosoever will be great amongst you let him be your Minister vers. 27. And whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant Rom. 12. 16. Be of the same mind one towards another mind not high things but condiscend to men of low estate be not wise in your own conceits John 13. 12. So after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and was set down again he said unto them Know ye what I have done to you vers. 13. Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well For so I am vers. 14. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet ye ought also to wash one anothers feet vers. 15. For I have given you an example that ye should do even as I have done vers. 16. Verily verily I say unto you The servant is not greater then his Lord neither he that is sent greater then him that sent him EXPLIC. XII VVHere the Lord hath not distinguished neither ought we in Jesus Christ there is neither rich nor poor high nor
low but a new creature generally God hath chosen the poore of this world to confound the mighty Experience shewes us that not many great not many wise not many mighty after the flesh are partakers of the heavenly calling not that the Gospel of Christ doth any way oppose or sever those many differences and distinctions among the sons of men caused by power authority relation enjoyment of earthly blessings gifts age or any other emminency whatsoever according to the institution and appointment of God with all that respect reverence duty obedience and subjection due unto persons in those distinctions much lesse pull up the ancient bounds of proprietie and interest in earthly things but only declares that in things purely spirituall these outward things which for the most part happen alike unto all are of no value or esteem men in the Church are considered as Saints and not as great or rich all are equall all are naked before God Free-Grace is the only distinguisher all being Brethren in the same Family Servants of the same Master imployed about the same work acted by the same precious Faith enjoying the same purchased Priviledges expecting the same recompence of Reward and eternall abode Whence should any difference arise Let then the Greatest account it their greatest honour to performe the meanest necessary service to the meanest of the Saints a community in all spirituall advantages should give equality in spirituall affaires Not he that is richest not he that is poorest but he that is humblest is excepted before the Lord Motives hereunto are 1. Christs example 2. Scripture-precepts 3. Gods not accepting persons 4. Joynt participation of the same common Faith Hope c. 5. The unprofitablenesse of all causes of outward differences in things of God RULE XIII IF any be in distresse persecution or affliction the whole Church is to be humbled and to be earnest in prayer in their behalf Acts 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayers was made withont ceasing unto God for him vers. 7. And behold the Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the prison and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up saying Arise up quickly And his chains fell off from his hands vers. 12. And when he had considered the thing he came to the house of Mary the Mother of John whose surname was Mark where many were gathered together praying Rom. 12. 15. Rejoce with them that do rejoyce and weep with them that weep 1 Cor. 12. 26. And whether one Member suffer all the Members suffer with it or one Member be honored all the Members rejoyce with it vers. 27. Now ye are the Body of Christ and Members in particular 2 Thes. 3 2. Pray for us Brethren that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men EXPLIC. XIII THis duty being in generall made out from and included in other former rules we shall need to speak the lesse into it especially seeing that upon consideration and supposition of our fellow-Member-ship it is no more then very Nature requireth and calleth for God delighteth as in the thankfull prraises so in the fervent prayers of his Churches Therfore he variously calleth them by severall dispensations to the performance of these duties Now this oft-times to spare the whole Church he doth by the afflictions of some one or other of the Members thereof Knowing that that neer relation which by his institution and Spirit is between them will make the distresse common and their prayers closely combined Spirituall union is more noble and excellent then naturall And yet in this it were monstrous that either any Member in particular or the whole in generall should not both snffer with and care for the distresse of every part and Member That Member is rotten and to be cut off for feare of infecting the body which feels not the pain of its associates If then any Member of the Church do lie under the immediate afflicting hand of God or the persecuting rage of man it is the duty of every fellow-Member and of the Church in generall to be sensible of and account themselves so sharers therein as to be instant with God by earnest supplication and helpfull to them by sutable assistance that their spirituall concernment in that affliction may be apparent and that because First the will of God is thereby fulfill'd Secondly The glory of the Gospel is thereby exalted Thirdly preservation and deliverance to the whole Church procured Fourthly conformitie with Christs sufferings in his Saints attained Fiftly an inestimable benefit of Church-fellowship injoyed c. RULE XIV VIgilant watchfulnesse over each others conversation attended with mutuall admonition in case of disorderly walking with rendring an account to the Church if the party offending be not prevailed with Matth. 18. 15. If thy Brother shall trespasse against thee goe and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall heare thee thou hast gained thy Brother ver. 16. But if he will not heare then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established ver. 17. and if he shall neglect to heare them tell it unto the Church 1 Thess. 5. 14. Now we exhort you brethren warne them who are unruly Heb. 3. 12. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evill heart of unbeliefe in departing from the living God ver. 13. But exhort one another daily whilest it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sin Heb. 10. 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good workes exhorting one another and so much the more because you see the day approaching Heb. 12. 13. Make strait paths for your feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but rather let it be healed ver. 15. Looking diligently lest any man faile of the grace of God lest any root of bitternesse springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled ver. 17. Lest there be any fornicator or prophane person among you like Esau who for one morsell of bread sold his birth-rigbt Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him 2 Thess. 3. 15. Yet account him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother Rom. 15. 14. And I my selfe also am perswaded of you my brethren that ye also are full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge able also to admonish one another James 5. 19. Brethren if any of you doe erre from the faith and one convert him let him know that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved stiffeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy EXPLIC. XIV THere is a three-fold dutie included in