to him for his love and grace to us to hold and enjoy Communion with him to grow in grace and to be filled with all the fulness of God to be warm lively and strong in our duties and performances and for such holy ends as God requires Thus you see that all Gods people are bound in duty to joyn themselves to and walk in spiritual fellowship with the Churches of Christ as also for what ends and to what purpose they should do so CHAP. XI Shewing how Church-members ought to walk and what Sins and Temptations they are obnoxious to in their Church-state with Rules and cautions against them Arguments and motives to perswade to practice the one and avoid the other Quest HOw ought Believers to walk in Church-fellowship Answ I have shewed already what their duties are and how they should carry themselves towards their Officers and towards one another in a Church-state and therefore shall not mention them here but shall answer the question in these following particulars First Church-members must walk exemplarily they should be like so many Stars in the Firmament of the Church They of all persons in the world ought to be burning and shining lights Their graces gifts words deeds and carriages should shine so clear and bright so gloriously and conspicuously as that they should have the force and prevalency of Laws on the minds of beholders so as that they may safely securely imitate follow them The Churches of Christ in the world are as so many Sea-marks Pilots Guides to Men they live more in the glory of Heaven as the Church is called in Rev. 13.6 in the beams of the glorious Son of Righteousness than others do and therefore they should give better and clearer light than others can They are much more eyed minded and observed than others are and men expect and look for more good in and choice fruits from them than they do from other men They do or may converse more with Christ and Christ with them than other men do and they are partakers of greater things from him than other men are and therefore they must be a singular People in all manner of holy Conversation and Godliness Church-members are highly dignified and greatly priviledged their holy Profession gives out bespeaks them to be a peculiar Treasure unto God and therefore they must declare before all men that they are such indeed and not in pretence only Their frames of heart words deeds and deportments must speak for them manifest them to be the same in Truth which they pretend to be Church-members words works and carriages must praise them in the Gate 1. They should be shining lights in Humility and Meekness Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God humbleness of mind meekness 1 Pet. 5.5 and be Cloathed with Humility Phil. 2.3 But in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Matth. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart Church-members must not be high proud and lofty they may not think highly of themselves Rom. 12.3 nor cloath and deck themselves as others do They may not carry themselves strangely or disdainfully towards men but be meek and humble towards their Brethren and all men in their Apparel Words Deeds and Carriages for if this part of Christ's Image do not appear in some good measure on them they cannot have any at all A meek spirit carriage and deportment is one of their Ornaments It is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3. 2. They must shine in Zeal Fervency of spirit this holy fire should burn among them They must not be of dull stupid heavy and lumpish spirits worship God appear before him and hold Communion one with another indifferently coldly dully regardlesly and heavily as if they were rather driven to their work and duty against their wills than with their choyce love and desire but they must be fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 for which some of the Corinthians were commended 2 Cor. 7.11 and Phinchas Numb 25.11.13 and David Psal 69.9 To this they are redeemed and for it they are purchased Tit. 2.14 not only to do good works but to be Zealous in and for them The Lord Jesus charges his Churches to be Zealous Churches Rev. 3.19 in imitation of himself whose Zeal to God did eat him up Joh. 2.17 Much holy Zeal governed and guided by much spiritual Wisdom makes a man an excellent shining useful acceptable and desirable man indeed This should be another of the Churches beauties and comely Ornaments wherewith they should still be cloathed decked and adorned in this world If this Diamond do not shine if they are not adorned with this rare Jewel what are they worth and what are they good for They will be like fire without heat and light as to their duty work and usefulness They will be like Drones or like Bees without stings namely of no considerable use in the world All that they do for God Men and their own Souls will be of little or no esteem and account 3. They must shine in Love and Charity too Love is the bond of perfectness Col. 3.14 the ligament and sinew the cord and instrument that tyes us fast to God and to one another See that ye love one another with pure hearts fervently 1 Pet. 122. and let Love be without dissimulation Rom. 12.9 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart soul and strength Matth. 22.37 The internal motive or moving cause of all obedience and service to God must be love to him and our duty Joh. 14.15 1 Joh. 5.3 It is true that men cannot certainly discern this Love to God in one another but God and our own Consciences may and must Churches of Christ must be Churches of Love they should be acted and animated drawn and constrained to every good work by Love 2 Cor. 5.14 All the ways and workings of Jesus Christ to us all that he doth to or for us is Love Doth he instruct us or doth he correct us it is all in and from love Love to us is the bottom spring and cause of all his dispensations towards us His anger is provoked Love Love should knit our hearts fast to our God and Head to our duties and services and to one another in Church-fellowship But of this already else-where 4. Churches must shine in that great work and duty of Self-denyal when need requires He that will be my Disciple saith Christ must deny himself Mark 8.34 Matth. 16.24 Luk. 9.26 They should be eminent and singular in Self-denyal or in denying themselves of many things for Christ for their Brethren and for their own souls sakes Their Lord Jesus is the great copy pattern and examplar of Self-denyal and that for them to serve them and promote their happiness Phil. 2.5 6 7 8. Acts 20.28 and without this we cannot be his Disciples If we will not deny our selves
power 2. Pray for me Heb. 13.18 and that with all possible importunity and constancy For the more you do so pray to God for me the more profitable he will make my labours to your Souls Pray for me in your Closets and wrestle with God for me for you especially you who walk with God may do much for me in your Closets I do remember you in mine Oh! let me be remembred by you in our Closets also For a stock of Prayers of hearty believing fervent Prayers kept a-running one for another will bring in a great Revenue of grace from Heaven to us You cannot expect that I should Preach warmly profitably and powerfully to you unless you so Pray for me Therefore in obedience to the will of God and for your own profit do you continue in fervent Prayer unto God for me Entreat him to pour out much of the Spirit of grace and the grace of the Spirit upon me fill me with Ministerial gifts and make me an able Minister of the New Testament That God may give me the door of utterance and enable me to speak as I ought to speak Eph. 6.20 That God may work in me whatever is wel-pleasing in his sight Heb. 13.21 fulfill in me all the good Counsel of his will and the work of faith with power 2 Thes 1.11 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in me and by me Oh! Pray for me that I may be kept faithful to Christ and you that I may labour and not faint run and not be weary that I may be able to bear up under all Burdens and Temptations and be able to overcome and conquer them all That I may rightly divide the word of Truth and administer the holy Ordinances of Christ according to his will so as that he may be magnified and your Souls profited That my heart may stand clear off the World and that I may not be taken and entangled with any snares and that I may perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 and for whatever else you may rationally judge I may stand in need of as your Minister 3. I do request you that if at any time you do certainly see and undoubtedly know any failing or miscarriage in or by me that you will speedily seriously meekly humbly and as you ought to do enform me of it It is your duty to do so if you do it as you ought and may do it I shall through grace assisting receive it thank you and bless God for it and account it my mercy But I shall desire you to take heed and beware of these three evils towards me in this matter 1 That you do not fancy and make evils or miscarriages for me and then charge them on me as mine when in truth they are not so It is a very dangerous thing to condemn the Righteous and justifie the wicked as you know Prov. 17.15 and it is most dangerous and abominable in the sight of the Righteous God to condemn or falsly to charge his Embassadours because they stand in his stead bear his Image of Authority and do his Ministerial work in his Churches And yet how common is this evil among Professors as I can testifie 2 Do not take up a Report from others against me and take it for granted because you hear some Professors of the good wayes of God tell you so For the World yea and the Churches also are too full of slanderous and back biting Tongues They are not aware of this evil but hug and embrace it in their bosoms practise it without fear and commit this abomination with both hands as the Prophet speaks Remember that Jesus Christ hath strictly charged you in 1 Tim. 5.19 that you do not so much as receive an Accusation against an Elder under two or three witnesses and that on their certain knowledge of the Fact not upon their conjectures and feigned Circumstances For God is very curious and tender of their good Names Credit and Reputations and he knows and all wise and holy men do know that they are more obnoxious to the Envy and that they lye more open to the wrath and hatred of men than other men do Therefore I say God hath set a higher mound about their good Name for their security than about others 3 Do not take up my real or supposed miscarriages and spread them before others Oh! my Brethren let not this filthy devilish wickedness be found in you let not others hear of my faults before I do my self be not you Back-biters and Whisperers against him who loves you so much as that he could spend and be spent in the service of your Souls and who seeks your good all he can Requite not his love to you with such mischief and wickedness against him for the Lord's sake You may do him much wrong thereby but you will much more wrong Christ and your own Souls And let none of you think that Jesus Christ is an idle Spectator of what you do herein that he observes you not or that because you imagine you intend him no hurt in what you say of him that therefore he will hold you guiltless No no be not deceived for God will not be mocked what a man soweth that shall he reap Gal. 6.7 God doth not say you may speak evil of his Ministers or other men if you intend not to hurt them thereby no but he deth expresly forbid you to back bite or speak of their evils though real at all behind their backs until they prove incorrigible and have rejected your reproofs and endeavours to convince and convert them Levit. 19.16 17. Jam. 4.11 Tit. 3.2 Rom. 1.30 31. Psal 15.3 2 Cor. 12.20 But in truth this excuse or pretence is but a carnal blind and diabolical delusion to shut the eyes of men and harden their hearts against the evils of it that they may commit it with the more peace and satisfaction that neither men nor their own Consciences may reprove or controul them and cry shame on them for their sins and that they may not be obstructed or any way impeded in their doing of that wherein they find pleasure Neither indeed can they prove that they do not hate them or intend their hurt For it is infallibly certain that they do not really love such and that they are prejudiced against them and do not in truth seek their good For can I perswade any reasonable man by the rules of Reason that I love him and seek his good in the dark as to him by doing or speaking that which experience shews will inevitably tend to his hurt to his shame and reproach and to the alienating of others affections from him Well then tell me of my real faults to my face that I may mend and do so no more for that is the Will of Christ Matth. 18.15 4. I do request you to Visit me and let me have your good Company as often as conveniently you can and
no more Strangers and Forreigners but fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord In whom you also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit OUr Apostle having shewed the believing Ephesians what they were before their Regeneration and Conversion to Christ in the 1 2 3 5 11 12. verses he proceeds to shew them their present state and condition with the efficient meritorious and instrumental causes thereof And first he shews them what they are not vers 19. Now therefore ye are no more as once you were Strangers and Forreigners 2ly What they now were in what state and condition 1. You are saith he fellow-Citizens and that with the Saints 2. And of the houshold or family of God 3. You are in a happy and secure state for you are not built says he upon your own sandy foundation but upon the Rock of Ages namely 1. The Covenant of Grace the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets 2. On Jesus Christ the chief Corner-Stone vers 20. The only foundation laid by God the Father and God the Son which by Them was laid before the world was 1. Cor. 3.11 Math. 16.18 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.2 and which is sufficiently able to uphold support and secure all that build and bear themselves upon it In the Text you have an account of the matter and form of a temple habitation or a particular Church of God together with the maker and builder thereof First The matter or materials wherewith God builds him a house to dwell in 1. They are quickened and enlivened persons vers 5. 2. They are Gods workmanship recreated or regenerated in Christ Jesus unto good works vers 10. 3. They are brought nigh to God by Christ his blood vers 13. 4. They are built upon Christ Jesus and the Covenant of Grace vers 20. 5. They are fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God that is of the Invisible Catholick Church of Christ vers 19. Secondly The form 1. They are said to be fitly â—ramed or formed together vers 21. That is these materials are joyned or glewed together into a house or body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In quo totum aedisicium congruenter coagmentatum Beza you are congruously and rightly laid into the building and so become an excellent and comely fabrick or house of God 2. They are said to be builded for a Habitation viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. You have an account of the Former and builder or the Agent imployed in the work of building a holy Temple or Church of God and that is the Holy Ghost vers 21. Now this he doth 1. By fitting and preparing materials It is not the work of men or Angels to make men fit matter for a Church or Temple of God but it is the work of the omnipotent Spirit It is his work and in the power of his hand only to quicken the dead to enlighten the blind to translate men out of the kingdom of Satan and bring them into Christ's 2. He doth it by shewing them their duty and the way to it by making their hearts willing and leading them in the way wherein they should go 3. By giving them Laws and Rules to walk by 4. By stirring up his Ministers hearts and tongues to move and perswade them to it 4thly We have here one of the great ends of the Spirit his building of Churches and that is for a habitation for God to dwell in As God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6.16 Psal 132.14 Rev. 2.1 And as these things are here expressed so there are many things implyed and included which are not exprest as the Laws orders and ordinances of a house of God the duty of all Believers to joyn themselves to some Church of Christ as they have opportunity and their duties there as likewise the profit and advantage that will accrue to them in that state and the priviledge and honour of it and the glory and honour of Christ and several things that I shall discourse on in my proceedures God doth not set up Churches to stand empty and Idle only to have a name and to be gazed on but he hath instituted appointed and erected them for his Name Honour and Glory in the world and for the Soul-profit and benefit of his people that they should walk with him and He with them that they should obey and honour him and he supply and enrich them with his grace and for other glorious ends and purposes which shall be discoursed of the Lord assisting CHAP. I. Of an Instituted Gospel-Church and the Extent thereof MY purpose and design is to discourse only of a particular instituted Gospel-Church and in my proceedures I shall not concern my self with any Mens conceptions of a Church in any other sense but keep clôss to the subject or Church under consideration without medling with the controversies that are amongst learned men in their different apprehensions of Churches and their concernments For as I desire and hope I may without offending any to have liberty to declare and practise my own light faith and perswasion in these things so I think it most reasonable to leave others to their own perswasions expressions and practice in these matters without any Reflexions It is the profit of such as I am concern'd withall that I aim at and I judge my self obliged in duty to make known the whole will of God to those I have the oversight of according to my Light Abilities and Opportunities and that by all the regular ways and means I can find out and obtain the knowledge of And it is for them that I chiefly intend these Lines although they may probably fall into other mens hands Therefore waving the thoughts of men I shall proceed to acquaint you who shall read this discourse with the will of God in this matter so far as I know believe and as may be profitable for you which I shall do by way of Question and Answer 1. Quest What is a true Instituted Gospel-Church Answ A true Instituted Gospel-Church is a Society or Congregation of persons called out of the world or their state of death blindness and unbelief by the Word and Spirit of Christ to the knowledge of Christ and his will and unto the Obedience of faith or A company of Believers united together in a holy Band by special and voluntary agreement who by the grace and power of Christ in their hearts under the conviction of their duty do give up themselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God to live and walk together as Saints in love peace and in the constant celebration and practice of all the Laws and worship of Christ and in the observation of all
his Gospel-Ordinances in Obedience to his Holy Will for his Glory and their own Spiritual profit Rom. 1.5 6. 2 Cor. 8.5 Heb. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22. 2 Cor. 4.6 1 Pet. 2.9 Eph. 2.1.5 Col. 2.6 2 Thes 1.5 This Church so united and built is called a Church a House a Temple Habitation of God and Jesus Christ and they own it as their own call it by their own Names and confirm it with their Presence in it And as such a Church it is the proper seat and subject of all the Gospel-worship and ordinances of Christ in the world as will appear in the other Chapters and therefore I shall not insist on it here Onely take these sew hints of this Church along with you 1. It is an Instituted Church of Jesus Christ namely a Church of his own appointment and erection of his own making and forming according to his own will and pleasure by his own Authority and Approbation 2. The materials or persons constituting this Church are said to be holy persons called out of their old worldly state of death blindness and unbelief unto the knowledg that is the saving knowledg of Christ and his will and unto the Obedience of Faith 3. The Instruments that call them and work them for this state and that is the Word and Spirit of Christ 4. The form of this Church namely their own free special and voluntary agreement among themselves giving themselves to the Lord before each other and then to one another by the will of God entering into a holy band or Engagement to live and walk together through divine assistance in Love peace and in the celebration and practice of all the Laws worship and ordinances of Christ in the Church in obedience to his holy Will 5. The ends of their so doing namely the Glory of Christ and their own spiritual profit These are some of the chiefest things to be observed in this definition of an Instituted Gospel-Church All which I shall through God's help prove and demonstrate hereafter under several heads 2. Quest Of what Extent should an Instituted Gospel-Church be or how many persons should it consist of Answ It should be formed of so many persons as may capacitate them to perform all necessary-Church Acts in pursuance of Christ's Laws and Rules by which the Society ought to walk Mat. 18.15 16 17. and of no more than may conveniently meet together in one place for the celebration of all Gospel-Ordinances and the Edification of the whole Church Now How many persons precisely are requisite to make and constitute such a formal Church I cannot determine but undoubtedly there ought to be such a number as may orderly and regularly deal with and proceed against a delinquent-member according to that Rule in Mat. 18. And as the Church should consist of so many so it should have no more persons in it then as was said may comfortably and conveniently meet or assemble together for the worship of God and profit of the whole Church in one place and that 1. because they are one congregation by their own consent and agreement and so ought not to devide and separate themselves one from another in the worship and ordinances of God but there at the same times with one heart and one mouth glorify God Rom. 15.6 2 Because the whole Church is bound at all times excepting extraordinary cases to wait and attend on the administration of their own Officers by virtue of Christs Law Heb. 13.17 enjoyning them so to do and also by virtue of their own engagement and relation they stand in to them 3 For their own comfort and edification in the Church and ordinances of God This is one of the great ends of Churches and the worship and ordinances of God there namely the profit and edification of all 1 Cor. 14.3 31. But how can it be unless they can all hear and joyn one with another in the ordinances 4 Because a Church ought to observe ordinances and worship God as a Church and not as or under the notion of single and individual Believers but as an united Body and society they must all at once and in the same numerical duties and ordinances in one place joyn together as with one Heart Mouth Mind and Judgment designing aiming at and carrying on the same holy Ends in all the worship of God Therefore a Church of Christ may not exceed such a number of members as may conveniently meet altogether in one place 1 Cor. 5.4 But I shall not enlarge on this head CHAP. II. Shewing that a particular Church of Believers is of divine Institution 3. QUestion Whether particular Churches of Believers be of divine Institution or whether they be of God Answ They are appointed and Instituted of God by Jesus Christ which will appear in or by these particulars First The Scripture tells us that the Spirit is the former and builder of them The Text is clear for it in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit vers 22. These are the words of Christ by Paul unto the particular congregational Church of the believing Ephesians as is clear in the 20 Chapter of the Acts 27 28. Rev. 2.1 Where the Lord Jesus calls them a distinct Houshold Church or Body of Saints gathered or joyned together in his name for his glory the celebration of his worship ordinances and appointments I say Christ stiles them a Church and speaks to them as a Church and distinct Body or house of Saints from all other persons or Churches whatsoever and this Church was not formed and built by man but by the will power light and direction of the holy Ghost therefore the particular congregational Church of Ephesus is called the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 and the Church of the living God in the same vers and the distinct particular Churches are called the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11.16 2 Thes 1.4 2 Cor. 1.1 and the Churches of Christ Rom. 16.16 Act. 20.28 And the Lord added to the particular Church at Jerusalem such as should be saved Act. 2. vlt. The holy Spirit by the appointment and with the consent and Authority of God the Father and Christ his Son who is also God blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 prepares materials for a Church and then he joyns them together and makes them a holy and glorious Temple or Church of God Eph. 2.21 22. and Chap. 5.27 So that we have enough to confirm this Truth viz. that particular Churches of Believers are of God in this one particular namely Because God himself is the former and builder of them Mat. 16.18 Isa 43.21 Secondly It further appears by the Lord 's owning of them promising and vouchsafing his presence with them which he would never do if they were not of his Institution and appointment But now the Lord declares his owning of and promises his presence and abode with them as his Churches Jesus Christ doth not only by
Church over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad pascendam Ecclesiam Dei to feed the Church of God And in Eph. 4.11 he that is Christ vers 10. gave Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry vers 11. And as they are given authorized and sent of God or set by him in the Churches so he hath allotted and appointed them their several distinct works and businesses there and charged them to take heed and see they do it as he appoints Acts 20.17 18. Rom. 12.7 8. Heb. 13.17 1 Tim. 5.17 and takes special care about their qualifications for their work 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. yea he gives and bestows Gifts and abilities himself on them for the Churches sakes that they may be able ministers of the New-Testament not of the letter only but of the Spirit and promises to be with them himself in all their endeavours to discharge their Trust and perform their works Eph. 4. Rom. 12. Mat. 28. vlt. and will bless and prosper their labours to his Glory and the Churches benefit Now assuredly God would never have made such provisions for Churches of humane Invention and setting up he would never so far own the works of mens hands without his mind Authority appointment and therefore seeing God hath provided and set Officers in them appointed them their works qualified fitted them by his Spirit promised to be with them particular Churches of Believers must be of divine Institution of God not of men Sixthly This further appears by the order and discipline Christ hath appointed and required to be observed and practised in his Churches He hath appointed and given Officers unto them as before-said and to them hath he committed the use exercise and power of the Keys to open and shut his door to execute his Laws and to manage his concernments and houshold-affairs therein namely in his Name and by the Authority he hath given them for that end and purpose and he hath charged the Churches to Obey and submit themselves to them in the Lord in the exercising of their power and Authority in his name to his Glory and the Churches profit according to his direction Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Thes 5.12 These Officers or Elders have the power and Authority of Christ in their hands to correct offenders to instruct admonish and reprove and in case of obstinacy to cast them out or remove them from their membership in the Churches which the Churche's suffrage and upon Repentance to receive them in again Mat. 16.18 19. 1 Cor. 5.4 5.7 12 13. 2 Cor. 2. The neglect of which Christ reproves the Churches of Asia for Rev. 2.14 20. And as the Churches have by their Elders the orders and discipline of Christ with power and Authority to use and exercise the same so each particular Church hath power to chuse and appoint Officers for themselves namely such as they judge the Lord Jesus hath appointed and fitted for them such as he offers and presents to them and gives a place and interest in their hearts Acts 14.23 Acts. 6.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quumque ipis per susfragia creassent per singulas Ecclesias Beza a Church may Authoritatively do that which Believers cannot so do in a single and individual capacity as Believers but they may as a congregated Body and as an incorporated society who have voluntarily given up themselves and engaged to one another to Jesus Christ by the Will of God to submit to walk together by the same Laws and Rules of the Society or Corporation These have not singly but joyntly as a Corporation the power and exercise of discipline When ye are come together deliver such a one to Satan in the Name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 5.4 and if he will not hear thee tell it to the Church c. Mat. 16. So then if Christ hath given Rules laws and power of order and discipline to particular congregated Churches of Believers then they are of divine Institution And indeed spiritual discipline cannot elsewhere be rightly exercised Seventhly This Truth is further confirmed by their names and honourable Titles God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son calls them by their own names and so owns them for their own Churches 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are So 2 Cor. 6.16 And as Jesus Christ honours them with the high stile and Title of his holy Temple so also his Habitation Eph. 2.22 and his Houshold Eph. 2.19 as also the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And further he intitles them his Churches or the Churches of God and Christ and golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor. 11.16 2 Thes 1.4 And that in allusion to the old Temple and Candlesticks thereof which were of his own appointment Moreover a particular congregated Church of Believers is called the House of God 1 Tim. 3.5.15 Heb. 3.5 6. and Christ his Walks Rev. 2.1 These were particular Congregational Churches that he thus owns and honours with such Titles viz the particular Churches of Ephesus Corinthians Thessalonians Eightly Believers as inchurched or incorporoted Bodies are spoken to by name the great dis overies made of Gods purposes and intended works in the latter daies are directed and given to them by the Spirit Hence it is often said in the Revelations he that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches which were distinct incorporated Bodies and Societies of Believers Rev 2.7 17 29. Rev. 3.6 13 22. The Holy Ghost reveals to them the rice name nature and works of Antichrist what he should be and what he should do from whence he should come what he should do to the Churches Temple and beloved City of God and what his end should be There he describes the New Jerusalem and Church-state of Gods People and what he would do with and for them There they are shewed largely and abundantly the care and Love of Christ to his People of the warr and conflicts that shall be between the Dragon Beasts Whore false Prophet and Jesus Christ and his followers as also the Issue of all as you may find in that book of the Revelations All which shews that particular Churches of Believers are of God For the Holy Spirit would never own the Inventions of men so farr as to make known to them such great things as he there declares unto the Churches Ninthly If particular congregational Churches had not been of divine Institution but of mens devising then surely Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would have sharply reproved them for their setting up their posts by God posts as he did the Jews Ezek. 43.8 and as he reproved them for their miscarriages in their Church-state Rev. 2.3 and the Corinthians and Galatians c. But we never find them reproved or
20. And there are many Reasons for it I will but name a few 1 Because the work they have to do is the Lords not their own and what have they to do to medle with it until their Lord calls sends them otherwise he may say unto them friends what do you here in my Vineyard about my work and concernments did I call or send you hither or rather did you not come upon your own will and pleasure 2 Because the Churches in which they work are the Lords and he will have his own appointed and designed servants in his own families and housholds and none else he alots and appoints the several works of his servants and the places where they shall work and leaves it not to their own wills choice but as directed and guided moved and carried forth by him As God sent Paul to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews so doth God now send such a man to such a Church and another to another Church to administer there and if the great Lord and Master should find such a Servant here as he did intend for an other place how will he answer his being out of his own place 3 Because their going forth and labouring in the Vineyard must be obediential Acts. They must do it not because it is their own will and choice but the Lords and that in obedience unto him And how can they do that except they have some good assurance that the Lord hath sent and called them How can they obey the voice of the Lord when they are not well satisfied that they have heard and felt the Lord speaking to their hearts in answer unto prayers 4 Because they must go forth and labour in dependence on and expectation of him to be with them to help and assist them to blesse and prosper them to crown and succeed their endeavours and to provide for them Now how can they do so unlesse they know that God hath sent and imployed them in his work 5 They must go forth and labour in hope and expectation of divine acceptance also For God hath promised to accept the commanded work and service of his people in obedience to his holy will Therefore they must know that they are doing of or about to do their Lords work when and where he would have them 6 Because they are promised a reward and they ought to believe and look for it onely in the way of their duty and no where else And how can any expect a reward for doing that which for ought they know is not their duty at such a time in such a place in such a way 7 Because they ought to blesse thank and praise God for imploying them in his so great work and service 1 Tim. 1.12 which they cannot do unlesse they are sufficiently satisfied of the Lords calling them to it Tenthly As they should be satisfied in their own Souls of the Lords calling and sending them into his Vineyard so the Church to which they are sent should be satisfied of the same likewise and they should find great and real acceptance in each others hearts The Church should own and receive them as sent by and from Jesus Christ unto them to do his work and administer his holy Laws and Ordinances to them and that as great and promised mercies and blessings for their good Their union communion and Spiritual Relation must be founded in Love and strong affections one to another and grounded upon real satisfaction in and cordial acceptance one of an another as married together by Jesus Christ and so make one intire body and Temple These are no light and insignificant matters but very great and weighty matters indeed They put themselves into each others hands and become one anothers in the Lord in which state and condition they must abide and live together until the Lord shall separate them by some extraordinary providence For till then they cannot part one from another nor leave each other no not with mutual consents at their own will and pleasure because they were joyned together by the will of God as the chief and principal doer of it and therefore no lower will and power can dissolve the knot then that which at first did knit it These Ministers must go and take up with the Church as sent to them by Jesus Christ and the Church must own and receive them as Christs choice and gracious gift unto them And therefore they should be fully satisfied in each other and find deep real Love cordial acceptance and room in one anothers hearts resolving to live walk and continue together in Love and Faithfulness and in the constant practice of all duties to God and one another before they do unite and engage together in a Church-Relation For if they do not become one Holy Church and Communion upon the account of Jesus Christ his joyning them or calling them to own accept and chuse one another in that Relation If they be not congregated and united together by and upon the principle of Gospel-Love and Affection and if they enter not into and continue in that state and Relation Union and Communion together in pursuance of the will and call of Christ and in obedience to his command they are never likely to continue long together in peace and comfort to have God dwell in and walk with them or to thrive and prosper They may be able to make a comfortable Judgment of the Lords calling and joyning them together in love and mercy thus or by these things First if the Glory of the Lord Jesus their own Spiritual profit and edification lay deep in their hearts and are their great and only ends in their uniting and joyning together 2. If they have unfainedly and importunately asked counsel and conduct of God committed the whole to his choice and disposal to make up or hinder the match between them as he pleased and did indeed resign up their wills and concernments wholly unto his Wisdome and Sovereign pleasure to order and determine them and for them as he should think fit in order to the said ends and in their Prayers together and apart have stood in an even ballance waiting and expecting what the Lord would say and do in the case to and for them 3. And if after they have so done they find their hearts more and more enclined and knit one to another though still with a free and holy submission to the Will of God and they find providence working for them without by removeing obstructions and making the way plain for them I think they may comfortably conclude that God hath sent and called them to joyn themselves together and become a holy Temple in the Lord. For when all these things do concurr and fall in as it were together undoubtedly it is of God and by his special ordering and direction It was God that set up those holy ends and designs in their hearts It was God that stirred up and moved
14 15 16. Ministers of the Gospel are given for and commanded to be examples to their Flocks 1 Tim. 4.12 1 Pet. 5.3 They are indispensibly bound to imitate their Master and to teach lead and conduct them in holiness to Heaven as well by their walkings and Conversations as by their Ministry that they may safely and comfortably follow them Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ 1 Cor. 11.1 1 Cor. 4.16 2 Thes 3.7 Surely such as Christ hath set in his Churches to feed nourish comfort strengthen instruct and build up his people to conduct lead and guide them in the way of Gospel-holiness to everlasting happiness should be singular in practical Godliness themselves They should be singular in knowledge faith patience self-denyal Goodness meekness charity humility tenden-heartedness faithfulness and usefulness in the World They ought to live out their own Doctrine and confirm it by conforming their carriages words and actions thereunto They must be clear of all Vices and eminent in all Vertues that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things and encourage men to follow their steps For they are not set in the Churches only to teach and verbally to Minister to them but to be Patterns of Piety also Tit. 2.7 They must carry themselves gravely soberly wisely seriously and holily towards and before all men that those who seek occasion against them may find none but on the contrary they may be convinced of and report that God his fear love faith and spirit is in them of a Truth 1 Cor. 14.25 And as they must seriously mind and practice the matter of their work and duty or what they are to do and set in the Churches for so they must carefully mind the manner of it too 1 In all their Ministrations and Walkings they must regard and have their eye on their Lords will and appointment Teaching them to observe what ever I command you Math. 28. ult They must not impose their own Wills and Dictates and thereby make themselves Lords over God's Heritage 1 Pet. 5.3 They are the Servants and Stewards of Christ not to make Laws for and impose them on his Houshold but to acquaint them with their Master's Laws exhort and perswade them to keep and observe them as he commands and to execute them on Offenders 2 They must be diligent and constant in their Work They must not be Loyterers but Labourers be examples to their Flocks by shewing all diligence and faithfulness in their work Act. 18.25 1 Tim. 5.17 Prov. 27.23 3 They should attend too and perform their work readily willingly and chearfully not grudgingly 1 Pet. 5.1 2. 1 Cor. 9.17 They must be apt to Teach â— Tim. 3.2 and willing to Communicate If all Believers should so perform all their works much more should Ministers They should account their Ministerial work their priviledge not their burden and carry themselves accordingly in it 4 They must alwayes have in their eye the ends of their work and office and prosecute intend and design them with all Gospel sincerity They must not take their office on them nor do their work for filthy Lucre 1 Tim. 3.8 1 Pet. 5.2 nor to honour and exalt themselves but to honour please and serve Christ their Lord and to profit and edifie his people and that with all possible integrity and uprightness of heart 2 Cor. 2. ult For if these ends be not upper-most in their eyes and hearts in their desires choice aimes and intentions in their Ministrations it is certain they are not called of Christ nor qualified for Church-work and they shall not prosper in it be owned and blessed by him nor profit his people Thus briefly of the work and duty of teaching Elders or Pastors to the Churches over which the Holy Ghost makes them Overseers Now I shall briefly shew you the work and duty of Churches to their Pastors or Elders who faithfully and diligently labour in the word and Doctrine among them CHAP. VI. Wherein the Duties of Church-Members to their Pastours or teaching Elders are clearly opened and declared from Scripture Q. HOw ought Church-Members to behave themselves towards their Pastours or teaching Elders or what are their works and duties towards them Answ It is the will and appointment of the Lord Jesus the King head of his Churches that they should carry and behave themselves towards them in heart and practise as to his Ministers and Embassadors who come to them in his name by his Mission Authority and Commission with his Gifts and Grace upon his Errand and Business as also for their Souls profit They bear his Image wear his Livery do his work and serve his Interests in the Churches And therefore he that slighteth or despiseth them slights and despiseth him and his Father too Luk. 10.16 and he or they that receive them that love honour carry it well to them because they are his sent of him Commissioned and qualified by him to serve and honour him in the Churches they do thereby receive honour and love Christ himself Gal. 4.14 They receive honour and love Jesus Christ in and by receiving honouring and loving them as such and whatever good they do them or whatever respect they shew them as such the Lord Jesus takes it as done to himself Matth. 10. ult Matth. 25. Therefore all Church-members ought to carry and behave themselves well towards them and amongst other things in these particulars 1. They ought to love them I say to love them and that with all cordial tender affection They must not love them as they do other Saints of God only but they must have singular love for and shew special love unto them as Christs Embassadors and their Ministers 1 Thes 5.12 13. And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem very highly in love for their works sake They must be loved on several accounts 1. As good men and living Members of Christ and so we are to love them as fellow-Brethren as we do other private Members 2. It is the will and appointment of Christ that they be loved as his Embassadors and Commissioners as his Stewards and Officers gifted and sent forth by him about his concerns in his Churches to do his work and business and as representing him by officiating in his Name by his Authority and doing his Message 3. They ought to be loved as your Ministers Guides Feeders and Overseers as sent unto you from Christ and dispensing the bread of life and the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to you declaring the Counsel of God and administring his holy appointments to you for your present comfort establishment and growth in grace and for your eternal happiness hereafter esteem them very highly in love for their works sake These are some of the Reasons why they should be loved more than any other Believers namely because
they are sent Authorized Graced Gifted and qualified by Christ do his work represent him stand in his stead 2 Cor. 5.20 and as they are his Ministers for good to you Well then mind your duty and the will of Christ in this matter and love them sincerely and heartily strongly and fervently fruitfully and constantly for they love you study pray and labour to do you good And know that if you do not love them you do not love Christ whose they are whom they represent and serve And if you hate slight and despise them you do hate slight and despise Christ himself in them Secondly It is the will and appointment of Christ your duty to honour and respect to reverence and esteem them in their faithful diligent discharge of their Trust and performance of their work amongst you They are the Embassadors and Commissioners of your great Lord and King and sent by him from Heaven to you as was shewed 2 Cor. 5.20 Eph. 4. and that about most high and honourable work yea the highest work and service that Creatures are capable of in this World They come from and are sent to you by the King of Kings from Heaven and therefore they must be honoured They are his Embassadors and Commissioners and therefore you must honour them They are sent and come to you as with his Image of Authority so of Grace Gifts and Holiness and therefore you must honour them They are sent by Christ to you on and for the service of your Souls and therefore you must honour them and they represent Christ and stand in his stead to you and therefore you must honour them They do give up themselves to be your servants and thereby do honour you 2 Cor. 4.5 and they chearfully serve the interest of your Souls as your spiritual servants and therefore you must honour them Christ requires you to esteem them and that is not all but to esteem them highly yea very highly too 1 Thes 5.13 and therefore you must do it Christ will not suffer you to slight or despise them no more than Kings will endure that any should slight or despise their Embassadors If you have low base thoughts of them in your hearts you slight and despise them If you slight and despise their labours and administrations you despise them If you villifie and speak slightingly of them behind their backs and devulge their supposed or real weaknesses you despise them If you carry your selves saucily and imperiously before their face in words deeds or deportments you slight and despise them and if you controul them and disregard their Judgments Censures Admonitions or Reproofs you slight and despise them when you turn a deaf ear to their Counsels Instructions and Exhortations you slight and despise them and when you disregard their power Authority and their exercise thereof in the name of Christ you slight and despise them In these and many other wayes and instances Church-Members do not only neglect their indispensible duty of honouring their Teaching-Elders but they do slight and despise them also And they do not only slight and despise them but as was said the Lord Jesus his Laws Image work and Authority also For he that despiseth you despiseth me says Christ Luk. 10.16 And by these and such like slighting and contemptible words and carriages towards them they do greatly provoke and discourage them they weaken their hands and distract their minds and so hinder them in their work They are honoured by Christ and honourable in his eye and he strictly charges and commands his Churches to esteem them most or very highly and to give them double honour 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine Give says the Apostle to every man his due fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13.7 It is their due by the Law of Christ and he expects you should give it to them not as they are such or such men but as his Embassadors Ministers c. Thirdly It is the will and appointment of Christ that Churches should pray for their Pastours or Teaching Elders and that in a more than ordinary manner and measure I mean more than they do or are bound to do for others 1 Thes 5.25 Heb. 13.18 Rom. 15.30 you must be earnest and importunate wrestlers with God at the Throne of Grace for them that God would pour out abundance of his holy spirit on them and by his teachings quicknings and anointings make them able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter only but of the spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 That they may open their mouths boldly have the gift of utterance and speak the Truth sincerely clearly impartially and constantly make known the mystery of the Gospel Eph. 6.18 19. Col. 4.3 That they may be kept from Snares and Temptations or be enabled to encounter them and with the Sword of the spirit to overcome and conquer them and that they may be eminent shining lights in the world That they may be able to divide the word aright diligent in and faithful to their Trust That they may be wise zealous and glorious Patterns of Piety all Godliness and be kept unspotted of the world and that they may abound in all grace gifts works of holiness and righteousness That they may Preach powerfully and profitably and in all their wayes words and carriages adorn the Gospel of Christ Tit. 2.10 That they may be found in the faith of the Gospel and hold fast the profession of the faith without wavering Preach sound Doctrine clearly plainly and closely Tit. 2.1 and in all things approving themselves the true Ministers of Christ That God would give them the spirit of Discipline and Government for the order and well being of the Churches and the orderly management of their concerns and that they may in all things walk by their Lords Rules and aim at design and uprightly intend his glory and the profit of his people and all others that hear them There are many reasons inforcing this duty on them to your Pastours I le name a few 1. Because it is the will of God that you should do so as the aforesaid Scriptures shew 2. Because they stand in need of your earnest prayers If the Apostles themselves did stand in need of the Churches prayers much more must ordinary Teachers need them Their work is hard and difficult who is sufficient for it 2 Cor. 2.16 Their discouragements are many and great and their Temptations many strong and powerful They have mysteries to unfold continually and they have stronger Temptations to grapple with all than others have therefore they should have your strongest and most importunate prayers Little do Churches know what they see feel and experience in their work and therefore are apt to imagine that their Teachers have an easie and sweet life of it and stand in little need of their assistance But surely they
are mistaken for there is no work in the world so full of care and trouble as a consciencious Minister is nor any that requires more diligence circumspection watchfulness and faithfulness than his They work and labour in Divine Mysteries and they work for Christ and Souls Their matters lye above the reach of carnal and meer rational understandings above the reaches of humane Arts and Sciences and they are alwayes consulting and conversant about new matters and things Oh what need have they of the Churches prayers 3. Because the Churches profit and Souls benefit is much concerned in their Teachers Administrations For God ordinarily speaks to the Churches hearts through or by their hearts as well as by their mouths The more they have of Christ Grace Truth and the Spirit of Christ the more powerful spiritual and profitable they will be in prayer Preaching and in all other Ministrations unto them Act. 14.1 Fourthly It is the will of Christ and their indispensible duty to know obey and submit themselves to their Teaching Elders or Pastours Authority Teaching Government and to all their regular and orderly Ministrations in the Lord. The Church owes them subjection and obedience and that as they are set over them by Christ and by him made their Teachers and Rulers and sent by him to take the charge and oversight of them and to Administer his holy Ordinances to them in his name for their good Heb. 13.7 17. Remember them that have the Rule over you or are Guides unto you as the words also signifie Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Without Government and Governours power and Authority Laws and Orders and without subjection and obedience in and of the Members of all sorts of Corporations and Societies of men in the world whether civil or Ecclesiastical they will be but confused Routs and Babels There will be can be nothing but confusion and every evil work as James speaks Chap. 3.16 If they are Rulers and have Authority from the Lord Jesus to appoint order and command as 't is clear they have or they are but shadows or cyphers 2 Thes 3.4 6. 1 Tim. 4.11 Tit. 2. ult then they may yea they ought to appoint order and command as they see occasion for the profit and well being of the Church in pursuance of their work and trust And if so then the Church and all the Members thereof are indispensibly bound to yield all free hearty willing and chearful subjection and obedience to them without grudging quarrelling or irregular gain-saying that is they are to eye the will and authority of Christ in and expressed by them and so to conform to it as it is Christs not theirs They must obey them not as gifted men but as the Embassadours Ministers and Officers of Christ and it is Christ and his will and Authority in them that must be the object of their obedience and subjection The neglect whereof is when through carelesness or wilfulness no less than disobedience too yea Rebellion against the Lord Christ himself Luk. 10.16 17. Col. 3.23 24. Great was the love and care of Christ as the head and King of his Churches in providing Lawes Rules and Orders as also in Authorizing and sending some to execute them for their spiritual good and his glory And therefore when Church-Members do slight neglect disobey and practically despise them they do thereby slight contemn and despise the love care and Authority of Christ and Christ accounts it so although those teaching Rulers are not Apostles but ordinary Officers as Luk. 10.16 17. shews when the Lord Jesus went to Heaven he gave gifts to men viz. Ministers and Ministerial abilities to them for the work of the Ministry for the perfecting of the Saints c. Eph. 4.10 11 12. Then he delegated his Ministerial power to men promised to provide such for his Saints and to furnish them with his own gifts yea to be with them himself unto the end of the world Math. 28.18 19 20. Wherefore then the Churches of Christ should receive submit to and obey them in a sense even as Christ himself as they are Authorized gifted granted and sent by him in and about his message work and service in all their lawful commands and appointments and regular Ministrations in and for the Churches He that receiveth you receiveth me says Christ of the 70. Disciples he sent to Preach Luk. 10.16 Math. 10.40 And Paul commends the Galatians for receiving him as an Angel of God even as Christ himself Gal. 4.14 15. and the same Apostle charges Titus to speak and act in the Church with all Authority charging all the Members also not to despise or slight him for or in his so doing Tit. 2.15 If not to despise or slight him then to honour submit to and obey him as Christs and their Minister Well then do the Elders or Pastours of Churches carefully mind and diligently labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5.17 then all the Members of Churches are bound to obey them to submit to and wait on their Ministry and not despise them and it by deserting and withdrawing from it in whole or in part But more of this anon 2. Do they appoint meetings or call their Churches to assemble together for the celebration of any Ordinance of God or to consult about the matters and concernments of the Church for their profit and Christs glory they are bound in duty to do so excepting in extraordinary cases that hinder them as they will answer the contrary contempt to Christ at their peril They must not look on their practical conformity to it as an indifferent matter and stay at home or come at their own will and pleasure but actually obey such a call or summons as Christ's not dispute it but obey it not in the pride of their hearts disdain it but readily and chearfully subject to it Obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your Souls Heb. 13.17 and be sure when they appoint such meetings it is for the Churches advantage 3. Do they appoint or require speech or silence in the Church or any good Orders and Rules to be observed and kept in the name of Christ and by his Authority they are bound to obey them without loading them and obstructing their proceedings with Jangling disputes and oppositions And as in these so in all other matters wherein the honour of Christ the profit of the Church or any Members thereof consists Rulers must see that they command and appoint order and rule wisely and faithfully and keep close to their Commission design and carry on Christ's holy ends in all and as they must rule well so all the Members ruled by them must obey well too And when both do their duties in their places the Lord Christ is
honoured and pleased and all the Church are or may be profited and edified and peace and truth promoted But on the contrary all confusion disorder and disturbances will necessarily follow as sad experience hath abundantly proved in this Land It is a clear and certain truth obvious to all men that if some must rule others must obey And if some are appointed and commanded by the Great and absolute Soveraign to Rule and Govern well then it must of necessity be the indispensible duty of others to submit and obey well All according and in obedience to the Authority and Soveraign will of their Great Law giver the Lord Jesus Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves is as indispensible a duty as any you have to do which I could abundantly confirm by many Scripture Reasons had I room in this Discourse to enlarge on it Fifthly It is the will of Christ and the Churches indispensible duty to simpathize with their Teachers to help and encourage them to strengthen their hands and comfort their hearts and to do all they can to forward them in their work that they may fulfil their Ministry and do their whole duty with joy and not with grief â—ol 4.17 Heb. 13.17 For whatever you do for or against them you do it for or against Christ himself whose Embassadours and Officers they are to you 2 Cor. 5.20 They have his Image of Authority stampt on them and are sent to you by himself about and employed in his work amongst you They labour toyl and sweat to serve and promote the interests and concernments of your Souls and they make it their business to do you all the good they can yea your happiness and welfare is much wrapt up in theirs And therefore when you burden and discourage them you hinder your selves of profit and when you comfort help and encourage them in their Ministerial work you further your own happiness thereby This is clearly intimated by the Apostle in Heb. 13.17 before mentioned Obey them that have the Rule over you for they watch for your Souls that they may do it with joy and not with grief Now mark his Reason why because that will be unprofitable for you The meaning is the better you carry it towards your Teachers who watch for your Souls and the more profitable you are to them the more profitable they will be to you the more useful and comfortable you are to them the more useful and comfortable they will be to you We say it is encouragement that makes a good Oratour and much more doth encouragement from Christians make in a sense good Ministers There is a great deal of difference between working under discouragement and encouragement discouragements from Christians do as it were unhinge Ministers and cause them to Travel in pain like Porters with pressing heavy burdens on their backs Their unkindnesses do greatly cumber and distract them trouble and perplex them discompose and deject them they exceedingly weaken their hands and sadden their hearts and even make their lives a burden to them And that because the true Ministers of Christ do so intirely and heartily love their people as that had they encouragement from them they could freely spend and be spent for them 2 Cor. 12.15 and they do expect a great deal of hearty love and kindness from them again as well they may for that Christ requires it of them towards their Ministers and they spend their time and strength in their service and concernments yea and when they called them to take the oversight of them they engaged so to do But now being disappointed of their so reasonable expectation they cannot but lay it to heart and cry out of wrong as Paul and Jeremy did To prevent which the Lord Jesus charges and strictly enjoyns all his people to see they carry themselves well towards his and their Ministers 1. By avoiding whatever may grieve or trouble them 2. By giving them all possible encouragements 1. Would you encourage and strengthen your Teachers in their work then attend on their Ministry and Ministrations seriously dutifully conscienciously and constantly The neglect of your so doing doth greatly discourage them sadden their hearts and weaken their hands The liberty some take which Christ never gave them to withdraw as they please from their Ministers and rambling up and down here and there as they please either from their prejudice pride ignorance or giddiness of spirit or from a wanton lavish vain spirit from their itching cars as Paul speaks 2 Tim. 4.3 or from the Devil is exceedingly hurtful to them as well as to the Souls of such Transgressors So likewise when they come to their Administrations unseasonably or untimely and do there carry and demean themselves carelesly indifferently and unreverently they cast a stumbling block before them and cause great offence to them Therefore you must attend on their Ministry as on Christs and your own Ministry seriously timely conscientiously diligently freely dutifully and constantly when they Preach and Administer for that is your duty and the contrary is your sin which in time will find you out For you by your so doing walk disorderly scandalously irregularly and contrary to the charge given you Heb. 10.24.25 not forsaking the Assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is You walk out of your folds and prodigally run out of the place where the providence of God hath set you and commanded you to abide and worship him in until he do by some extraordinary dispensation call you off you expose your selves to great danger and tempt the holy Spirit to withdraw his Divine influences from you and I dare peremptorily affirm that while any do so they are back-sliding from God and God is going off from them that they shall never thrive nor prosper in Grace nor have any Ordinances blessed to them and though their wanton disorderly wayes seem right unto them yet they lead to death Prov. 14.12 Moreover such neglects in Church-Members tends directly to the breaking of the Churches of Christ and all good Order Peace and prosperity in them and to the bringing in of all irregularities and confusion to the great scandal of the Gospel dishonour of Christ offence of the faithful and to the breaking of their Ministers hearts Which certainly will have bitterness in the end although it may be pleasing to the offenders a while Oh! how grievous must such courses of Church-Members needs be unto their Pastours who have prayed studied and laboured to make good provision for them to comfort and build up their souls in Christ and that in hopes of finding them there in a readiness to receive it when they come to hand it out to them and then shall either find them gone or else there in an irreverent and careless manner This pierces their hearts and deeply wounds their poor Souls But on the contrary when they see their flocks seriously reverently seasonably and constantly keep their
well as they Let your love to them and esteem of them be seen in this as well as in other expressions of them For it is your duty so to do as it is your duty to forbear whatever may discourage them and do all you can to encourage and forward them in their work But be sure that your visits be not in vain but to spiritual profit And that they are indeed the fruits of your cordial love to and esteem of them or else they are no better than painted Images and whited Sepulchres and you will appear to be no better than Ezekiels hearers were to him who with their mouths did shew much love but their hearts were of another mould Ezek. 33.30 ult 4. Stand by them and help to bear their burdens when you know them and they require your assistance Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ Gal. 6.2 If you know them fall into or under any Sin or Temptation set your hand to lift them up again If they fall under afflictions help to bear them for them Be like the good Samaritan in this matter Luk. 10. and not like the cruel Priest and Levite who saw the wounded man lay weltring in his blood and crying out of his wounds and left him to shift for himself 31.32 verses no but shew your selves good Samaritans who simpathized with and actually helped him in his distress according to his need If your Ministers must simpathize with you and help you in your needs then you must do the same to them Shew bowels of love and pity to them and set your hands and shoulders too to help them under their Sins Temptations and other Tryals and Afflictions and if possible to lift them out of them Are they reproached help to bear their burdens Are they persecuted by men help to bear their burdens And do the like in all other weighty cases for them Oh! how many are there who pretend highly for Heaven but care not what becomes of their painful Ministers Who can hear of their troubles and sorrowes and Galio like care for none of these things nor seriously mind whether they sink or swim but like Pauls pretended friends who when they saw him in deadly danger forsook him 2 Tim. 4.16 and left him to stand or fall by himself 5. Blame not their Ministry to one another especially behind their backs neither slight and undervalue their gifts graces or any of their endeavours and labours in and for the Church although they may not in all things suit or please your humours thoughts or opinions For they are bound in their Administrations to please Christ and follow their own light and judgments their perswasions and consciences in all things for the Churches edification and not to walk according to the judgments will and pleasure of their Church-Members either in their Doctrine or Discipline And those Churches that will impose their own apprehensions and opinions on their Pastors or Elders and load them with burdens of work and duty which the Lord Jesus never commanded them are in their so doing no less than Tyrannical-Usurpers over them For if Elders may not impose any thing or matter on the Churches but the yoke and will of Christ much less may the Churches impose their own opinions on their Elders We say that it is too hard a matter for any man to please all men and experience shews that it is as hard a matter for any Elders of Churches to please all their Members but that one or other will be offended at this another at that and then divulge their dislike of this or that in them unto others and endeavour to bring them into dislike of it also And then to make it their business to tattle and talk of it one to another until they have run themselves into further mischiefs Therefore Ministers may no further seek to please their Churches then in and by their so doing they may please Christ their Lord. And what that is I should think that their Elders should understand as well if not better than they Paul sought not to please men but God in his Ministry Gal. 1.10 Some Professors do delight themselves in this evil work namely in seeking matters and making faults against their Elders and then possess others with their own inventions and if they do not gratifie and please them in all things they shall be sure to please them in nothing All their works are blame-worthy in their account But as this shews that they are acted by a Spirit of Pride and prejudice against their Elders so they do thereby declare their own folly and lay open their own nakedness with a witness yea they dishonour Christ hinder the profit of their own and others Souls by their so contemning his and their Ministry and greatly grieve and stumble their Teachers and cause them to walk up and down with sad hearts Therefore do you take heed and beware of this evil for the Devil will tempt you to it that he may hurt your Souls afflict your Teachers and hinder the Gospel you should commend and esteem whatever is their vertue whatever you may see lovely in them and if you see any defects or unavoidable weaknesses in them to cast a mantle of love over them and by all means endeavour to keep up in each others hearts a due esteem of and respect unto them and their Ministry that the Gospel be not hindred but furthred and encouraged by your means 6. Joyn with your Teachers and that by affording them your Concurrence and utmost assistance in their endeavours to promote good things in for the good of the Church and do not hinder or load such overtures designs and endeavours of your Ministers by your absence groundless disputes or by your sullen silence there When they propound any matter to you for your profit and the welfare of your Souls the peace and prosperity of the Church or the benefit of others then weigh and ponder well the reasons which they give for what they do or desire should be done or omitted by themselves or the Church or altogether and if you cannot null and answer them or bring better for the contrary then you should quietly thankfully and peaceably accept of theirs acquiesce in them and encourage them in their design and not put difficulties in the way by some singular notions of your own Do as Nathan did when David propounded a case to him and told him that it was meet God should have a house built for his Name and Worship and gives him some reason for his proposition Nathan replyes Go do all that is in thy heart 2 Sam. 7. He saw it a most reasonable and useful an undertaking and freely complyed with David and encouraged him to go on and proceed WHy should not you comply with your Teachers when they design and propound some good work to be carried on for the glory of Christ and benefit of his Church or other men and
why should not their reasons be soberly and humbly considred of by you and oblige you to practise unless you can null them and with peace and meekness propound better to them for their satisfaction It is sad when Members of Churches shall be so highly conceited of themselves and their own Notions as that they shall despise and turn as it were a deaf ear to all the reasons of their Elders and delight in being singular from them and their fellow-Brethren in Church-matters and in contending for Victory rather than for Truth This ought not to be For it makes Church-work tedious spoyls the beauty and loveliness of it yea it marrs the Harmony of Church order And this is dishonourable to Christ and the Church and exceedingly grievous to your Teachers who do unfeignedly seek and aim at your good in all and dare not do otherwise for fear of offending Christ their Lord. 7. Encourage them with your Purses also For it is the will of Christ that you should do so They labour for your Souls and spend their time and strength to do you all possible service in their places and capacities and therefore it is most reasonable that you should labour and provide for their bodies They spend for you and therefore you should spend for them They are Shepherds do watch over and wait on you their Flocks And I appeal to any indifferent Judgment if it be not a most reasonable thing that they should live by the milk of their Flocks surely Paul yea the Holy Ghost thought so 1 Cor. 9.7 8. and therefore have declared it for our Learning and practise It was Gods Ordinance under the old Testament and it is ratified and confirmed to men under and by the new Testament also namely that Ministers should be honourably and comfortably maintained by their Congregations The Great God took special care about it and made provisions for their maintenance assoon as he had ordained and set them up and appointed and set them out their work And God strictly-charged his people to see that they did not at any time forget or neglect the Levite but pay them all that he had set out and appointed for them and that then when by reason of Age or other impediments they could not Minister to them and for them as well as when they did Numb 3.6 to the 14. vers Numb 16.9 10. Deut. 26.2.15 vers Deut. 10.8 9. Numb 7.1 2 3 4 5. Deut. 12.19 Deut. 14.26 27 28 29. Deut. 18.1 9. Now Gods care of and goodness to his Embassadours did not dye with the Ceremonial Law but he hath continued it under the Gospel and therein straitly charged his people to provide for them according to their abilities God commands his people to communicate to their Teachers in all good things Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that Teacheth in all good things And in 1 Cor. 9.14 The Apostle assures us that it is not of men but a real and unchangeable Ordinance of God now by and under the Gospel For says he so hath God ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Mark it is ordained God hath made it a Statute Law that cannot be altred neither may it be transgressed under pain of Gods high displeasure And the Apostle argues by the Spirit the justness and the undoubted reasonableness and righteousness of mens so doing and that the evidence of meer Reason and the Dictates of natural Conscience without either written Law or Gospel will abundantly prove and undeniably conclude this Truth against all opposition whatsoever 7.10 verses And proves that it is not matter of gift or charity as it is to give to men in distress to whom we are not endebted nor related but that it is debt and justice or a due debt in strict Justice and that by a threefold Law viz. The Law of Nature the written Law of God in the old Testament and the new Law or Gospel as in this 1 Cor. 9. from the 5. to the 15. vers he evinces so in Gal. 6.6 and Rom. 15.27 And says the Apostle in 1 Cor. 9.11 v. If we have sowen to you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things As if he had said alass These are but light small and low matters that you give us for our pains and labours in comparison of what we do for and dispense to you Your carnal things that you impart to us for our bodies are not comparable to our labour pains and care to impart spiritual Riches to your Souls And therefore if you grudge at your parting with yours to us know that you grudge us small and very inconsiderable things in comparison of what we distribute to you This is another of your works and duties to your Teachers You must therefore do it and that 1. Chearfully and willingly not grudgingly heartily not hypocritically and indifferently dutifully and in obedience to the will of Christ not as an arbitrary thing that you may or may not do at your own will and pleasure Constantly and perseveringly not for some time onely And see that your ends be right in it namely to encourage your Ministers propagate the Gospel to profit Souls to serve please and honour the Lord Jesus and that in the right performance of your duty to Christ his Ministers you may enjoy the good of the promises and the blessings of all Christs Ordinances administred by them But that I may a little more inforce this on your Consciences be pleased to consider First That your Ministers are appointed commanded and they do wholly attend on Christ and the service of your Souls They are said to wait at the Altar 1 Cor. 9.13 and commanded to give themselves wholly to their work of Teaching Ruling Reading Meditation Study and Exhortation that their profiting may appear to all that they may rightly divide the word of Truth and that by so doing they may both save themselves and them that hear them 1 Tim. 4.13 14 15 16. 2 Tim. 2.15 They must Preach the word in season and out of season c. 2 Tim. 1.2 Feed their Flocks and take the care and oversight of them Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 5.1 2. And therefore you must take care of their bodies on whom they attend For you see that they may not cannot follow other Employments to get Bread because they are commanded to do other work for you the greatness difficulty of their own proper work necessitates them to wait on and attend to it with all diligence Therefore you ought to provide for them all suitable supplyes because they cannot may not do it themselves 2. Consider that you are plainly and peremptorily commanded and charged to Communicate to them in and of all your carnal things as you heard before And therefore you are by Christs Authority and revealed will indispensibly bound to do it and that without grudging or gain-saying For a plainer
evil of it whence it is And they should assist and help them with their company Advice and Counsel when desired and need requires it Moreover they ought to do all they can to make the Ministry of their Teachers acceptable unto the Church and to see that all do their Duties to them That they defraud not their Teachers of convenient and due maintenance nor carry themselves rudely and disrespectfully unto them or towards their Ministry and that they warn and exhort them to do their Duty to them as Christ hath commanded That they constantly seasonably and reverently attend to and wait on their Ministry and to make holy earnings and improvements of it 9. They ought to project and prepare good orders and matters for the profit of the Church to help forward and promote any good things presented to them by their Teachers and help to carry them on unto perfection But in an especial manner they should concur with them in promoting Holiness and the power of godliness in the Church and that by Counsel Instruction and Exhortation For that is the Churches Ornament Beauty and Glory Psal 93. ult They should labour to promote Gospel-light life zeal humility meekness and good works They should labour to promote Godliness in the Churches Families in their hearts and conversations among t men and in their Meetings and Assemblies to the utmost of their power and not leave all to their Pastors to do They are indeed indispensibly bound to promote it all they can by their Preaching and walking and that publickly and privately and Ruling-Elders are to do it privately and particularly And because the frequent Meetings of Christians for Prayer and Discourse is a Duty exceeding profitable and beneficial unto their Souls when rightly improved wisely and spiritually managed the Elders should encourage it set it forward and endeavour to maintain and uphold such good VVorks and Duties amongst all the Members of the Church For such Meetings will greatly promote Godliness and keep a Savour of Christ on the heart Now who should promote and further this good work so much as the Elders who may and ought authoritatively to do it This is another of their works and businesses in the Church Therefore see you do it in good earnest who are Elders 10. Lastly Ruling-Elders as well as Teaching have another great work to do in and for the Church and that is to be singularly exemplary in their words deeds and carriages Be thou an example sayes the Apostle to Timothy 1 Epistle 4.12 to the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity for without these things all the rest is worth nothing at all Elders and their VVives and Children as well as the Deacons should be examples and encourageing Patterns of Meekness and humility to others in their Garbs or cloathings Elders should be singular in wisdom zeal seriousness and gravity in love sweetness diligence faithfulness spirituallity Heavenly mindedness and in all good works Shew thy self sayes Paul a Pattern of good works in all things Tit. 2.7 They must so walk as that others may safely follow their steps and be excited and encouraged so to do by their examples They are indispensibly bound to be good examples out of and in the Congregation or Church when assembled together to worship God Then should the Elders shew good examples to the whole Church by their timely coming there and by their holy serious and reverent carriages and deportments in the worship of God For when they neglect their place and duty there or come unseasonably carry themselves carelesly and unreverently they tempt others to do so too For as they are Elders over the Church and have a Name among them so they eye them much and expect great things of and from them Therefore Elders must take heed to their wayes and see that they walk circumspectly or exactly Eph. 5.15 For if they do not believe it they will do more hurt than good in the Church Thus we see that Ruling Elders have work enough to do in the Church and that there is need and use enough of them And surely they might be of great use in the Church and prove a great blessing indeed to her would they but know mind attend to and do their own proper work and business and really concern themselves with Christ's and the Churches concernments with all their hearts and souls as they ought to do And oh that such as are called to that Office and Dignity would seriously consider and lay to heart their wayes and doings wherefore they are set in the Church and invested with Power and Authority and whether they do indeed intend and in good earnest set to their work and unfeignedly design and prosecute those ends Quest How should Ruling-Elders perform their work in the Church Answ First with wisdom or wisely They should wisely observe the matters they have to concern themselves about and to manage in the Church 2. The times and scasons for the doing of them to whom and when 3. The manner how they should or ought to do them Much light knowledge and spiritual wisdom is required in Church Government and Governours And therefore they have great need to pray read and study much for Divine wisdom and Spiritual understanding in these things That they may discern the will of Christ their Lord and Law-giver and not mistake their way and work nor the times seasons and occasions thereof nor stumble at any stumbling-stone or walk in the dark in so great and importunate matters 2. The revealed will of Christ in his New Testament is to be their great and only Rule and Guide in Church-matters No other voice must be heard there but his nor any other Authority Law or Rule to be observed followed and obeyed but his It is given to him to be the Head over all things to his Church Eph. 1.22 23. And therefore they ought to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded them and nothing else Math. 28.20 in the exercise of their Authority in or for the Church This they must carefully and continually mind and have in their eye that they do not their own wills and walk by their own Rules but Christs For in so doing he will bless and prosper them help and assist them and in the end he will reward all their conformity and obedience to his holy will But otherwise he will say who required these things of you Therefore when any cases or works are offered to you you must consider them and the Laws or Rules by which you ought to proceed in what you are called to do and then proceed and manage your work accordingly Be you sure to steer your course aright by Divine light and Laws look up to and own Christ and his Authority in all your proceedures For you act not as civil Magistrates in a state but as the Spiritual Magistrates of Christ in his Church And therefore I say it is his Will
and Authority only that you must observe and walk by 3. Diligently you must exercise your power with all possible diligence Rom. 12.8 He that Ruleth with diligence That is he must frequently attend to his Ruling-work and what he doth therein he must do with all his abilities He must be earnest and fervent in it and set himself to it as to his work and business He must not be slothful negligent or careless in it as if it were an indifferent thing no but he ought to be diligent and fervent in Spirit serving the Lord in what he doth Rom. 12.11 The negligent servant shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12 47. They should be diligent to know the state of their Flocks Prov. 27.23 For although they I mean the Church are not the Ruling Elders Flock as they are the Teaching Ruling Elders yet they are in a sense their Flock and charge to watch over them and inspect their manners and walkings 4. Readily willingly and chearfully They should be like the Teaching-Elders in this also 1 Pet. 5.2 Taking the oversight of the Flock not by constraint but willingly not as Lords over Gods Heritage but examples to the Flock It is sad indeed when they look not after them nor mind their work and Office in the Church but when they are constrained and as it were forced to it by their Teachers and cannot for shame but do something then but somewhat unwillingly coldly and indifferently as if it were a small thing or a matter by the by and which they would not trouble themselves about could they handsomely evade and pass it by They grudge at it and account it their burden not their delight But surely it should be their delight to serve Christ and his Church and they should most readily willingly and chearfully do it 5. Conscientiously and Dutifully The will of Christ and their duty their work and opportunity to do good should lye deep in their hearts and powerful on their Consciences and what they do in the Church in pursuance of their Trust and Office-power for the Lord Jesus and his Church they are bound to do it upon Choice conscientiously and dutifully and that because it is their place work and duty by virtue of Christ's Authority who hath for these ends set them in the Church appointed and enjoyned them such work and service there for his glory and their good They must not only bear Rule but they must Rule well too for those ends or else they are of no use and service there Now how can they be said to Rule well as commanded unless they use and exercise their Office-power so namely wisely diligently readily and willingly chearfully conscientiously and dutifully according to the Laws and Rules of Christ their Lord 6. They ought to exercise their Authority and use their power in the Church with much love tenderness meekness impartiality and sometimes as need requires with severity too They must not exalt themselves and carry it in a Lordly manner towards their Brethren because they have Authority over and may command them But they must see that they temper their power and the exercise and use of it with love tenderness humility and meekness They should so carry themselves in all things as that on the one hand they be not slighted and despised and on the other hand envied for their haughtiness They should so behave themselves in the house of God as that they may give occasion to all to think that they love them and respect their good in all they do So likewise they ought to be just and impartial in their proceedures towards all and not respect persons in Judgment but the merit of the cause And in case of necessity when they have to do with stubborn and obstinate persons they may and ought to be severe in dealing with them when they cannot otherwise prevail on them to convince humble and reform them Jude 22.23 7. And in all their endeavours ways and practises in the Church they should intend design and aim at the union peace holinesse comfort and prosperity of the Church the honour of Religion encouragement of the Gospel and the Glory of Christ All which blessed ends they should wisely zealously sincerely seriously industrously and faithfully prosecute and with all their might strive and labour to obtain and by all means and that with much patience and perseverance in the use of them hope and pray seek and wait to accomplish in the Lords time They must not make one or two attempts to reconcile differences rectify disorders disswade from Sin perswade to Duty to heal wounds and encourage to Repentance and so leave it without looking after the Issue and the success of their labours but they must follow on their work until the ends be obtained They as well as their teaching Elders must look well to their herds Prov. 27.23 They must see that they rule well and with diligence 1 Tim. 5.17 Rom. 12.8 and that they approve themselves faithfull Stewards to Christ and his Church in all their proceedings and make full proof thereof Quest What are the qualifications of ruling Elders or how should they be qualifyed for so high and honourable work and office in the Church Ans I shall briefly name some of their necessary qualifications and but some of them and such as are indeed necessary for them without which they cannot will not rule well nor be profitable to the Church First They must be qualified with Spiritual Gifts and special Graces with a considerable measure of divine Wisdome and Spiritual understanding They should be not only real Saints but eminent Saints too They must not only have peculiar Grace but be strong in Grace also Surely they ought to be well furnished with the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit that they may go in and out and walk in the Church as shining Lights be able to judge and discern cases and persons and make a sound and true Judgment of the things and matters they may be called to judge and determine They must not be Novices in the knowledge of Christ his Law Gospel the Rules by which they must walk but they must have the Word of Christ to dwell in them richly in all Wisdom Col. 3.16 to help them in their work They cannot rule well unlesse they do understand and can speak well nor unlesse they are well acquainted with their Office Work and the Rules thereof They ought to be sober grave and serious Persons and not of vain light and frothy behaviour in their spirits carriages They should be of prompt ready minds and spirits for their work and not of dull lumpish and heavy Tempers For if they are such they will not act upon choice freely but by constraint and that will render them unprofitable and undesirable to the Church They should be men of blamelesse lives and spotlesse conversations and they should be men of warm and lively affections abounding in Love zeal and fervour of
Church-State only but to and for one another too You are commanded to remember them that are in Bonds as being bound with them Heb. 13.3 and them that suffer Adversity as being your selves in the body You are strictly commanded and charged by the Great God to rejoyce with them that rejoyce and weep with them that weep and be of the same mind one towards another Rom. 12.15 16. And look not every man at his own things but every man also on the things of others Phil 2.4 And let no man seek his own but every man anothers Wealth 1 Cor. 10.24 Bear ye one anothers burden and so fulfil the Law of Christ You must make and account your Brethrens Crosses Losses Temptations and Afflictions your own and when they want and call for your helping hand to support or lift them up being fallen you must give it them freely readily and chearfully and not turn a deaf ear to or hide your eyes from them and their cryes For this was one of Gods holy and Gracious ends in appointing Churches and bringing you into Church-fellowship and so into acquaintance one with another namely that you might be fellow-mutual-helpers and comforters one of another For if you are cruel to or careless of one another in Affliction the Lord Jesus will require it at your hands and take it as done to himself Therefore seeing it is the will of Christ and our indispensible Duty to one another let us put on Bowels of Mercies and kindnesses Col. 3.12 and be tender hearted Eph. 4. ult And as Peter speaks be pitiful and courteous to each other 1 Pet. 3.8 Let the same mind be in us and let us shew the same affection to one another in measure that Christ Jesus hath shewed and still doth express to us We know that he is full of loving kindnesses pity simpathy and bowels of mercy and compassion to us Psal 103.13 14. Phil. 2.1 2. to shew his Members how they should be and carry themselves towards one an other and to oblige and provoke them to do so too Oh! my Brethren we should much abound in this grace also Fifthly Exhort and comfort one another For so is the will of God concerning you This is not only your Teachers Duty and Work but yours also to each other Heb. 10.24 25. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works but exhorting one another This Work and Duty must be diligently and frequently done Heb. 3.13 But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin 1 Thes 5.11 Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do vers 14. Now we beseech you Brethren warn them that are unruly comfort the feeble minded support the weak My Brothren you stand in continual need of one anothers Exhortations and Consolations and if you mind and manage this work well you may be very useful and profitable one to another greatly oblige and knit your hearts to each other and occasion many thanksgivings unto God thereby We are exceeding apt and prone to fall backward and therefore need each others hand to draw us forward To grow cold and dead hearted and therefore need each others help to warm and quicken us We are apt and ready to stand still and lye down a Napping and therefore do greatly need one anothers awakenings and holy provocations When this duty was frequently and conscientiously practised by the Saints they did thrive and prosper but since it hath been so wofully neglected the contrary is apparent in the lives and carriages of the Saints Well then do you revive this work all you can Set it forward with all your might and improve all your opportunities to the profit of each others Souls for you see that it is your indispensible Duty Sixthly It is the will of your Head the Lord Jesus that you should be each others Keepers That you should watch one over another Admonish and Reprove one another as need requires I do not mean that you should prye into one anothers secrets or be busie-bodies in other mens matters No for that is hateful and abominable and God hath forbidden you to do so 1 Thes 3.11 1 Pet. 4.15 1 Tim. 5.13 But my meaning is this namely that you watch over one anothers Walkings and Conversations That if they do well you may encourage them If ill you may by Counsel Reproofs Admonitions Instructions and Exhortations labour to mend them and do all you can to convince and bring them to the real sight and sense of their miscarriages as also to unfeigned Repentance By which good work you will do them the Church yea Christ himself good and acceptable service You should carefully mind and observe if all do keep close to their Duty in the Church or are remiss and negligent If they carry themselves holily righteously and soberly in their Conversations or on the contrary they are frothy vain proud extravagant loose unjust idle careless or any way scandalous You should strictly mind and observe if there be any Tatlers Back-biters or sowers of Discord or such as speak contemptibly and slightingly of their Brethren especially of their Elders and their Administrations As also such as combine together and make parties or factions in the Church or endeavour to load or obstruct any good work which their Elders are promoting of for the Glory of Christ and the good of the Church and deal with them accordingly You must mind and carefully observe if any be fallen under Sin or Temptation in any case and not let them alone but presently set your hand to help them to succour and restore them Gal. 6.1 Brethren if any man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one with the Spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be Tempted Take heed of that Cain like Spirit who when God asked him where his Brother Abel was Replyes am I my Brothers keeper Gen. 4. You will be Tempted to this evil towards your Brethren namely to imagine that you are little or nothing concerned with them and that if they do otherwise than they should the guilt will only lie at their doors but you shall be blameless But my Brethren it is not so You are not to be indifferent in this matter For assuredly you are appointed to be keepers of one another You are bound to prevent and put a stop to sin in one another or else your Brethrens sins which you do or may know if you will and the wrong they do to themselves thereby yea and the Reproach and scandal that may come to the Church thereby will lie at your Doors and be cast on your Souls because you neglected your Duty and did not in season prevent it as you might have done if you would Look not every man on his own things but on the things of others also Phil. 2.4 And seek not your own but every one
evil spoken of 13. Be sure to make good and perform all your peremptory promises to men and take heed and beware of breaking them or failing and disappointing men of their just expectations from you for that also will be scandalous and offensive 14. Take heed of taking into a marriage-bond such as are apparently in an unbelieving and carnal state and condition For that also is very offensive to holy serious men although some make light of it 15. Take heed of idleness and slothfulness in your Callings For that will prove a pernitious and scandalous sin to others and your own souls too 16. Take not up a Report against one another that is scandalous nor give an ear unto Tatlers and busie-bodies nor be you busie-bodies in other mens matters your selves For if you do you will give great offence These are some and but some of the scandalous evils that you must carefully avoid as a duty that you owe to God to your Brethren and to your own souls I could have named many more but I find these the most common amongst Professors Now as you must avoid these and other evils mind and practise the said Duties as Church-Members one to another so you must seriously mind the manner reasons and ends of doing them also The reason of your so doing must be the will of Christ your Head and King because he hath so commanded you And the principle of all you do must be love to him and to the souls of your Brethren The ends must be to please honour and exalt the Lord Jesus and to profit and benefit your Brethrens souls and maintain the Credit and Reputation of the Church and the Worship and Ordinances of God therein and to preserve Peace and Purity among your selves The manner must be thus namely wisely dutifully chearfully obediently freely willingly humbly holily seriously diligently sincerely and perseveringly For you should be as careful of doing your Duties to men in a right manner as you are of performing your Duties immediately to God so I can but mention these things because I have exceeded my intentions in others The Lord God bless them to you all CHAP. VIII Of the Ordinances and Worship of God in a Gospel-Church Quest WHat Ordinances of Divine Worship hath God given to and appointed for a Gospel-Church to be observed by them Answ First walking together in constant Cordial Communion and Gospel Order in a Church-state in Brotherly love peace and oneness of spirit in the frequent and joynt Celebration of all the worship and appointments of Christ is certainly an Ordinance of Christ and their Indispensâ—ble Duty as hath been already shewed Believers may not enter their names among Christ's Disciples and then take liberty to do what they please omit or neglect their place and duty there when and how they will and content themselves with having their names enrolled in a Church come among them and go from them at their own will and pleasure No but it is the will and Ordinance of our Lord Jesus that they should constantly and conscientiously in obedience to his holy will abide and continue there holding Communion or Fellowship together as a united and entire body or spiritual Corporation and joyntly with one mind heart and soul observe and celebrate his Ordinances and Worship Heb. 10.24 25. Acts 2.42 44 46 47. Rom. 15.6 1 Cor. 1.10 Secondly Preaching and hearing the Gospel It is true that this is not a special Church-Ordinance or an Ordinance appointed for and given to Churches or to Believers exclusive of all others For it is the great Ordinance of God for the converting quickning and bringing sinners to Christ Rom 1.16 1 Thes 1.5 By this Ordinance God conveys his special Grace and the spirit of Grace into sinners hearts By it he opens blind eyes unstops deaf cars enlivens dead Souls and convinces carnal men of sin Righteousness and Judgments Acts 26.18 Joh. 5.25 Joh. 16.7 8. And by it he turns them from the power of Satan unto God and works them to and for his own use makes them Vessels of Honour and translates them out of the Kingdom of darkness and the Devil into his own Kingdom Col. 1.13 The great Ordinance of Preaching and hearing the Law and Gospel is given and appointed to make fit and prepare sinful men for Membership with Christ his holy Gospel-Churches For until they are moulded and qualified by the word and spirit they are no way capable of either considering what condition all men are in by sinful nature namely dead blind filthy vile hateful enemies to God Children of Satan under the Law the curse and wrath of God strangers to and ignorant of God Christ Grace Duty and Gospel-holiness But although hearing and preaching the word of God be an Ordinance of God to others namely such as are not en-Churched to prepare them for that State and the Duties and Priviledges thereof yet I think it may be called a Church-Ordinance also For the Lord Jesus hath by his soveraign Authority set this Ordinance in his Gospel-Churches and committed the Preaching of it unto men there namely to such as he is said to impower and send to give unto and set among them for the work of the Ministry 1 Cor. 12.28 Acts 20.28 Eph. 4.10 18. Act. 14.23 1 Tim. 5.17 The Ministry of their Pastors and Teachers is their own Ministry and these Officers being given to them by Christ and set in his Churches for their sakes they may call the Ordinance their Ordinance such Officers theirs and their Ministry theirs as having a peculiar Relation to them which is one of the Churches peculiar priviledges and which they ought highly to prize and bless God for Now as some men are gifted impowered and sent out by Christ to convert and turn men to Christ who may not have any Relation to Churches as their Pastors or Teachers so there is the special and peculiar Ministry of Pastors and Teachers given to and set in the Churches whose work and business lyes there and but occasionally else-where to other men Take heed sayes the Apostle to the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God Act. 20.28 The ends of these Officers and their Ministry in the Church is not intended for the calling and regenerating of Church-Members for as was shewed they must be effectually called and regenerated before they can be meet Members of a Holy Temple of God but to build up and carry on the work of Grace in their hearts holiness and fruitfulness in their lives and walkings towards God and men To confirm and establish them in the Truth and Faith of Christ which they have received and to instruct and enlighten them further in all Christ's and their own souls concernments This Ordinance of God is intended and designed by the Lord Jesus and it should be so used and managed by all Teachers and Hearers continually to carry on the work of Grace to convey
them in some good measure And for your satisfaction therein I refer you unto the third Chapter of this Book beginning at page the 47th and ending at page the 55. where you will find ten qualifications requisite for Church-membership and helps to make a judgment of your selves if they be in you Therefore read them and try your selves by them and know that if you are so qualified or if you can find these signs of grace in you that then you are in a meet condition for Church membership and to partake of all the Ordinances of God's House what ever else you may want 2. But there is another sort of Neglecters of Church-fellowship and they are such whose neglects arise from their carelesness indifferency cold-heartedness stupidity and woful insensibility and not from scruples of Conscience or fears of their unworthiness They see not feel not their need of God's means and spiritual provisions they know not the worth neither do they see any transcendent excellency in them wherefore they should desire them And hence it is that they regard and desire them not they have back-slidden from God and He is departed from them shines not on their souls to keep them soft and tender nor waters them with Divine dews to make them compliant with his Will So that when they are called upon to consider their ways put themselves under all the Ordinances of Gods House and joyn in the nearest band of Communion with his People they turn a deaf ear to all that is said unto them and yet these will pretend strange things for their neglects also They will have their scruples and objections too and they cannot do so because of such and such things in the Churches They have their weaknesses miscarriages and defects and therefore they cannot joyn with them They have the sight of Beams or they see great Faults among such Congregations as otherwise they would congregate withal but they see none at home or at best but some little Motes in themselves They are too good for such Churches and the Churches are too bad for their Communion They see all the faults abroad none or very few at home in themselves and they think that this will excuse their Neglects but they are mistaken for if themselves are so good and faultless and the Churches faulty in this or that they should the rather joyn with them and by their goodness and abilities endeavour to better and mend them by their wise Counsels and holy Conversations as knowing that all Churches as Churches have their Buts as well as particular Believers their own personal Buts This is the careless Generation of Men who have lost their God and hearts in Earthly things and buried themselves and graces under the clods of worldly cares profits and pleasures and so are regardless of their own souls and indifferent what becomes of them This together with carnal self-love and sond affections to the good things of this world eager desires after the getting and keeping them and indulged fears of losing them lays at the bottom of all their neglects although other pretences there are or other obstructions are pretended for them to set a fair face on a foul matter This Conscience will tell them if they will hearken to it and give it leave to speak out all it hath to say in the cases against them Let me then exhort you in the Prophet's words Hag. 1.5.7 Lam. 3.40 Consider your ways and search and try your ways Ask the question in good earnest and put it home to your own Consciences and desire them to speak out plainly and tell you clearly what obstructions or matters they are that keep you from helping to build the Lord's House or Houses that hinder you from going up to the Mountain of the Lord's House from appearing before God in Zion and paying your Vows in the Mountain of his Holiness And see if that doth not hinder you which did hinder the Jews in Haggai's days what their hinderances were you may read in that Book at large And are they not the evils that hinder you from joyning your selves to the Churches of Christ and celebrating his worship and partaking of his holy Ordinances there Are not the greatest lets and impediments within you and some from a worldly concern without you Do you not consult flesh and blood and the will of the flesh in the case and not the will of God and do you not find a contest somtimes in you between Conscience and Self Conscience and the World Doth not Conscience somtimes bid you go and joyn your selves to the People and Ordinances of God and then you think of doing so and then appears Self and the World and forbids you calls you back again and puts you into another mood because you hearken to their voyce and not to Conscience which spake to you from God for God and your own Souls Well then do not stand any longer in your Neglects on vain and groundless objections and pretended scruples but stick to your duty Give your selves to the Lord and to his People by the will of God 2 Cor. 8.5 Acts 2.41 42 43. ult Fifthly You ought to joyn your selves to God's People and walk in the fellowship of the Gospel with them in the celebration of divine Ordinances of worship for the Lord Jesus Christ his sake for his Name Authority Interest and Glory's sake for that his Honour and Glory is concerned in your so doing as well as your own good You heard before that Gospel-Churches are his Temples Walks Palaces Delights and Habitations that they are his Golden Candlesticks the Seats and Subjects of his Gospel-Institutions the Beauties of his Holiness and that they are his great and living Witnesses in the World Now as a stately and well-built House affords much more honour and renown to a great man than ten thousand times as many materials whereof the said House is built whilst they lay scattered up and down in the world so a company of holy persons formed up into a holy Temple by the Word and Spirit do more honour and glorifie the Lord Christ than ten thousands of Saints can do whilst they walk up and down as scattered stones among others Christ accounts himself much exalted by his People when they do it together with one heare and mouth Rom. 15.6 We ought to cause our light to shine as clearly as possible before the World that they may see our good works adâ— glorifie God Matth. 5.16 The world knows not what to make of Professors whilst they wall promiscuously and confusedly in and with the world They cannot so well discern them from other men neither know they what to think of them and conclude them to be what they are who they are for and what they intend when they are as so many individuals as when they are knit together in fixed Congregations and walk live and converse worship God and serve one another together as a Family and Houshold of God As
that comes in to see his Guests and that bids them be merry yea and to eat and drink abundantly with an O Beloved Cant. 5.1 In the last verse of the 4th chapter the Church importunatly invites and sollicites the Lord Jesus to come into his Garden and eat his pleasant fruits namely when they were congregated together and waiting on and for him The Lord Jesus comes and tells them so Chap. 5.1 I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered my myrrh with my Spice then he chears them up and bids them welcome be merry and eat and drink not sparingly but freely and abundantly O Beloved His holy Temples and this heavenly Feast are appointed and ordained for his Reception and Entertainments with his Beloved Rev. 2.1 2 Cor. 6.16 There are theâ— most joyful meetings and there do they hold and enjoy the most comfortable and heart-satisfying communion together as holy hearts can and do often experience For this end hath he instituted and for this end should all Church-members receive this Ordinance 4. As it is appointed for Communion between Christ and his inchurched-members so likewise for their Communion among themselves 1 Cor. 10.16 17. Good men have heart-dividing and love-separating lusts self-Interests world and Devil and therefore they need all proper means to unite and knit their hearts together in Brotherly Love Communion Col. 2.2 The Lord Jesus hath commanded and strictly charged his people to love one another as he hath loved them Joh. 13.34 Joh. 15.12 15. and that they love one another with pure hearts fervently 1 Pet. 1.22 That they walk in love and endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace Eph. 4.1 2 3. Eph. 5.1 2. Now in order to the obtainment of it and that Believers may be encouraged to mind and do his will herein the Lord Jesus hath by his own Laws and Authority formed them up into holy Temples and united them into spiritual Societies and given them occasion and opportunity to meet together and feast themselves at his Table at his cost and charges and that as Guests of his own bidding There they may often meet sit down and feed together of his dainties There they see and taste feel and smell and there they may speak of hear him and of his grace and love There they may see that they are all bought with the same price and redeemed with the same blood There they may see that they are members together of the same head and body that they are all Plants of his planting Trees of his watering Subjects of the same Grace and Spirit and the same objects of his care and protection There they may see that they are all bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh and that he hath fellowship and communion with them all That they are heirs together of the grace of life 1 Pet. 3.7 and that they are all entitled to an eternal inheritance There they may see that they are all partakers of the same life and that the Lord Jesus hath made the same provisions for the everlasting happiness of all their Souls There they may see that they have the same faith and hope and that the covenant and promises belong to them all That there is a mutual Interest amongst them and that they are concerned in and with each other That they are engaged in one common cause with Christ and that they are not their own but one anothers All which things and considerations are of great use towards the knitting and endearing of their hearts one to another in spiritual love holy peace and Brotherly affection For by their sitting down altogether as one body at one Table of the Lord eating and drinking the same Bread and Wine and by faith the same body and blood of the Lord by beholding and believing their mutual interest in Christ and in all the benefits of his death and that they are all alike invited to the feast and all alike welcomb'd and entertained by their Lord and King they are much induced thereby to love one another to seek desire and rejoyce in the good of each other and to walk together as Heirs of the Kingdom of Glory keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace And likewise in joyning hearts and hands together as one body in celebrating the worship and in magnifying the name and glory of Christ 5. An other great use and end of this Ordinance is to knit and endear the heart to Christ himself And it is a powerful means to effect it He is a most full and glorious Object of Love a most lovely Object indeed He is the fairest of Ten thousands and altogether lovely or altogether loves Cant. 5.10 ult He hath all glorious excellencies in him and is the perfection of beauty Psal 50.2 All ye glories of the Heavens and the Earth of Angels and men are but dark shadows unto this Son of Righteousness The Lord Jesus is most lovely glorious and beautiful in his love and grace to us in his obedience and death for us and in all his Laws and Promises to us But especially his Person is most beautiful glorious and lovely Psal 45. 1 Cor. 2.8 his most transcendant and glorious excellencies will be the eternal wonderment of Saints and Angels and they shall be for ever employed in adoring and praising him He is an Object too high for us now to reach and a Sun too bright and glorious for our dim eyes to behold only some Raies and Beams of his Glory he causes to shine on us and enables us to take them in in some degree Psal 63.1 2. But of all means the Lord's Supper is the most full and proper for the opening and representing unto us unto our faith the beauty glory and loveliness of Christ in his love and grace in his death and sufferings There we may read wonderful Stories and see glorious Mysteries indeed There we may read and see his love and grace to us streaming forth by his heart blood and there we may see the greatness freeness profitableness purity sweetness and the transcendant excellency of his love and loveliness There we may see the eternal Fountain of love and the inexhaustible-Treasures of his heart of his grace and kindness opened and running down to us and there we may see a bottomless Sea of mercies and affections discovered There we may read Christ loving us and giving himself for us unto an accursed death Gal. 2.20 Gal. 3.13 And Oh! my Brethren what an attracting Soul drawing heart-knitting object of love is the Lord Jesus represented to be to us in that Ordinance It is a Glass that represents and shews us nothing else but love and Christs loveliness It is an Ordinance that Preaches and Seals love to Believers and thereby provokes enflames and drawes out their love to him Love will be drawn and not driven and what drawes it into warm and strong Acts but lovely persons
may know in measure how dearly He loved us and how dear we have cost There we may see our sins Pardoned persons Accepted God Reconciled and Well-pleased there we may hear him saying Deliver them out of Prison for I have found and accepted a Ransom Surely there is not a more powerful means in the World to produce and provoke to Repentance yea pure Gospel-Repentance in Believers than the Lord's Supper is For here are presented to us all the greatest and strongest Gospel-motives to unfained Spiritual and Gospel-Repentance to melt soften the heart It is Love Grace the hopes of Pardon and Acceptance and of being sanctified and saved that provokes and produces Repentance unto Life not Fear and Dread of Divine Wrath and Vengeance Not the bare sight and Conviction of Sin and the Apprehension of future punishment no but 't is the sense or hope at least of our persons being loved and accepted into favour with God and of our being acquitted and justified through the blood of the Covenant that doth it 9. To stir us up to Admire Adore and Praise the great and free Love and Grace of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. They do in and by this Ordinance set off and commend their free eternal and distinguishing Love and Grace unto Believers and thereby give them occasion of Praising Admiring and Adoring it These are some of God's Holy and Gracious Ends in appointing this Ordinance for and giving it unto them and these and what-ever other uses and ends there are of it should be diligently sought out and understood by all Believers And being sound out they should be carefully diligently and faithfully aimed at and pursued by them Well then do you joyn Issues with God aim at and carry on the holy Ends of Jesus Christ in this Gospel Ordinance and by your so doing you will please and honour him and greatly profit your own Souls Quest What are the necessary qualifications and preparations of all worthy Receivers of the Lords Supper or what is required of and ought to be found in them Ans There qualifications and preparations are two-fold 1. A State qualification or worthiness 2. A habitual and practical or actual fitness 1. A State-worthiness or qualification which in brief is this or consists of these two things 1. Regeneration 2. Vnion with Christ by Faith 1. Regeneration or a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 This is absolutely necessary as to Salvation Joh. 3.3 5. so to fit and qualifie men to and for every good work Without Regeneration or being Born again we cannot Believe Repent or Obey the Gospel in a right and acceptable manner Without this change of Nature we cannot love God nor fear God we cannot know him rightly nor worship him Spiritually Joh. 4.23 24. Phil. 3.3 for we cannot Worship him with Reverence and Godly fear until we are partakers of the Divine Nature and of his special Grace to do it withal 2 Pet. 1.4 Heb. 12 28. In our Unregenerate States we are blind and dark Eph. 5.8 Dead in sins Eph. 2.1.5 Enemies to God and Strangers to the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5.10 Eph. 2.12 We are Carnal and Vain Hard-hearted and Impenitent Sinners and are shut up in Unbelief Yea we are Haters of God and the power of Godliness and excessive Lovers of Sin and the World and altogether voyd of the Love of God and of real love and pitty to our own Souls Now then it is absolutely necessary that we be Regenerated and Created in Christ Jesus unto good Works Eph. 2.10 for till then we are utterly uncapable of doing them according to the Will of God How then can we receive and partake of the Lords Supper worthily until we are Regenerated and made New Creatures How can we discern the Lords Body 1 Cor. 11.29 and how can we understand the mystery and take in the profit of Christ his Death to our Souls until we are taught of God How can we receive it in Faith and in Obedience to his Will until the Grace of Faith be formed in our hearts and until our hearts are bowed and melted by Grace into the Holy Will of God How can we Worship God and Celebrate this Ordinance with lively hearts whilst we are dead in sins And how can we apply the Seal to that Grace which we have not Therefore I say it is absolutely necessary that all that receive this holy Seal be Regenerated and made New Creatures For how can that Ordinance feed and nourish that which is not in Being namely the New Creature 2. They must be Vnited to Jesus Christ by Faith also They must be in him and have relation to him as living Members to their Head 2 Cor. 5.17 Col. 2.6 Christ must be theirs and they must be his by Faith or they cannot claim him as theirs nor receive any benefit by his Death for else how can they joyn with Christ in his saying Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you 1 Cor. 11.23 24. But I must hasten 2. They must have an habitual worthiness or meetness for the right Receiving and due Celebration of this Ordinance likewise I mean a holy and spiritual ready and accurate frame and disposition of heart to for it they must have their Sight Faith and Love ready in act and exercise or they are not cannot be meet partakers of the Lord's Table It is not only necessary that they be in a State of Justification and Regeneration but they must be also in or qualified with a habitual frame posture and disposition of heart to receive and celebrate it to the Glory of Christ and profit of their own Souls Tit. 3.1 Their Hearts and Graces must be ready fixed and tuned for the work that they be not to seek of them or at a loss concerning them when they should honour Christ with and get the Seal of the Spirit to them Psal 57.7 Psal 108.1 Psal 112.7 This habitual meetness or worthiness qualification or preparation call it which you will is a matter of great weight and moment especially in this matter and therefore you must labour all you can to obtain it 2. There is a practical and actual meetness and preparedness for the worthy and acceptable receiving of the Lords Supper also That is there is something more than ordinary to be done by them in order to their worthy participating of it This practical preparation I shall briefly present to you in some particulars 1. You must examine your selves 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the Bread and drink of the Cup. And here 1. You must examine your States and try if you be in the Faith or no If you are indeed at least in a well grounded hope and perswasion in a justified and regenerate state and condition 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Pet. 1.10 and to know whether the Lord Jesus and his special Grace be formed in your hearts Gal. 4.19 This must be effectually done
proffered to joyn with them unless they had any just cause to deny them and what they did therein was by Apostolical direction 3. By refusing to accept them into Communion speedily without just cause they do greatly wrong and injure them and grieve such as the Lord would not have grieved 1. They keep them out of their Right and detain from them their just dues they deprive them of their Priviledges which Christ hath bought for them And 2 Lay them under many and great Temptations to sin and despond 4. They rob God of his Honour and Glory which he might receive from them in their Church-duties 5. They discourage persons from coming to and joyning with them and so expose themselves to ruine For the Churches cannot long subsist without continual additions of new Members because death is still fetching away and pulling out of the old 6. They do expose themselves to reproach and just censure by such wilful neglects towards them 7. Ordinarily they may be either received or rejected in one week as well as in three months did all mind and attend to their duty in their place in the Churches Take heed that this evil be not found in or among you for assuredly it is a foul Iniquity to rob God wrong Souls and injure the Church to grieve the hearts of the Godly and tempt them to sin which Iniquity you are guilty of who by your negligence or prejudice do keep them from Church Ordinances who desire to partake of them with you longer than of necessity Quest May not Pastors leave their Churches upon any account whatsoever Ans Doubtless God may and somtimes he doth providentially call them off and they ought to follow it For 1. There is not any Precept of Christ enjoyning them to stay with them all their days 2. Christ tells them that if they be persecuted in one City they may fly to another Matth. 10.23 But they may not leave them no not with the Churches consent and approbation but upon some extraordinary Providences and Calls of God For as Christ their Master sent them there and they were setled there by him as the great Agent and Doer of it to do his work and minister in his Name and by his Authority with his Gifts Blessing so the Churches have nothing to do to dismiss and give them liberty to depart without the good leave and consent of Christ himself who sent and set them in and among them And therefore their leaving of the Churches and the Churche dismissing of them is not their own act but in and by the order and commission of Christ What they do therein must be only in from and by the Will and Pleasure of their Head and King and not from their own For without Warrant from him the Churches have no power to leave their Pastors nor their Pastors them Quest When or upon what accounts may Pastors leave their Churches A s First when they are severely persecuted and their Enemies level their fiery Darts and shoot their Arrows of malice against their Persons and Families and persist in their so doing so as that there is no probable way to escape them but in all probability they shall be devoured by them In this case the Lord Jesus the Apostles and the Elders at Jerusalem fled and went their way and hereby the Lord doth often call off Pastors now 2. In case the Churches leave them and will not stand by them 3. In case their Churches fall into Rents Schisms and they grow so head-strong and unruly as that they can do no good upon them as somtimes it falls out 4. In case they cannot live and subsist with and by them but in a miserable and distressed condition For if the Churches provide not for them and they have not otherwise a subsistance they are not bound to provide for their Churches For God hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.14 and they must live by Bread and provide for their Families or they deny the Faith and are worse than Infidels 1 Tim. 5.8 5. In case the Lord doth open a door for their Ministry else-where which is always to be observed in this matter If Providence invite them else-where to minister to a People that they knew not of and sought not after but the hand of Providence presented it to them as it were accidentally and are by that strange people as to them desired to preach to and take the care of them and so they lay not down their work but follow it in those other places where in all probability they may do Christ and Souls greater Service and not expose themselves thereby to those Straits and Temptations to sin they were in before I say take in this case with any of the other I am satisfied their Call is clear to leave their Churches Quest May Church-members leave their Churches at their own will and pleasure and go else-where when they please Ans No they may not They must not leave them unless by some extraordinary hand of Providence the Lord calls them off to walk with another people If by Persecution or by Poverty or by the command of their Parents Husbands or Masters or other Superiours they are called off they may go with the Churches consent as likewise in other weighty cases But they may not go from them at their own will and pleasure to gratifie their Pride Prejudice and to please their own fickle minds and itching ears or upon any ordinary account whatsoever and that for these reasons 1. The Lord charges them not to forsake their Churches nor holding Communion and Fellowship with them in the Ordinances and Worship of God Heb. 10.24 25. 2. He brands them and sets a black mark of Ignonimy on all wilful and causeless Deserters of Churches 1 Joh. 2.19 Heb. 10.25 26. as the manner of some is which is a contemptuous expression of them who forsake their Church-membership and their places work and duty there 3. Deserters of their Church-membership at their own will and pleasure do make the Churches thereby to be like Inns or Ale-houses where persons go in and out at their own will and pleasure Such as do so in Families and civil Societies are accounted vile lawless and extravagant persons because they live not under good Laws nor walk by the good Rules and Orders of the Society How much more vile and lawless are Church-members who have given up themselves in a professed subjection to Christ 2 Cor. 9.13 and engaged to walk as Church-members and yet shall walk act and go in and out as lawless persons who owe no subjection to Christ nor to his Laws and Authority in the Church 4. Wilful Deserters of Churches are notorious Covenant-breakers also When they gave the right hand of Fellowship and were received into the Church they solemnly promised to walk with God in the Church hold Communion with it subject unto and live under the Government
and according to the Laws thereof until God should by some extraordinary Providence call them off Yet notwithstanding they call off themselves and they do thereby practically contemn and trample on their solemn Engagement as well as on the Laws Orders and Government of Christ 5 Their causeless and wilful departure from and leaving of a Church to which they were joyned is very reproachful and scandalous to the Church For by their so forsaking of it they declare that they are too good and the Church is too bad for their Communion They cast dirt on the Church and the Ministry of Christ therein with a witness and manifest that either themselves or the Church and the Ministry there are very vile and wicked Or else why did they leave and forsake them It was either for their Goodness or Wickedness Not for their Goodness in their account for should they pretend to leave them for their Goodness they will thereby lay open their own Hypocrysie and Profaness to all men and be sure that they will not do in words at least Why then what follows but that the cause of their departure is the Churches and their Ministers Wickedness or Unworthiness Thus they will do and care not what mischief they do unto the Church so they may but save stakes and gratifie their own Lusts 6 Such Deserters of Churches are Church-destroyers they fight against God and pull down that which he builds up God puts in and fastens stones and they pull them out He sets up and forms holy Temples for himself to dwell in 2 Cor. 6.16 Eph. 2. ult and they break them down or deface and marr them at least What Churches can stand in order from and beauty if the Members of them may do what they please and go in and out when they will 7 By such departures from their Churches they cut off and cast out themselves from the People of God his Worship and Ordinances and put themselves into the Devils Kingdom again For they may not ought not to be accepted or received into any of the Churches of Christ elsewhere because they are disorderly walkers and are under the blot of scanda ous persons of lawless and disobedient Members 8 They may not depart because of the just occasion of Offence Grief and Trouble that they will give the Church thereby excepting in extraordinary cases or are necessitated by staying and holding Communion with the Church to partake with them in Sin And it is remarkable how God hath declared his abhorrence of such departures by the Judgments that have followed such as have been guilty of it Finally my Brethren let us all mind and follow the things that make for peace and things wherewith one may edifie another Rom. 14.19 Let us in all our doings and procedures consult and endeavour to know the will of God walk by his Laws conform to be ruled by and practise the holy and perfect will of our glorious Head soveraign Lord and King Joh. 14.15 Joh. 15.10 Rom. 12.1 2. Eph. 6.6 Joh. 14.21 23. 1 Joh. 5.2 3. Let us never adventure on any actions or things until we have a Divine Warrant for it and when we have that in our eye let us proceed with all our might doing that which is the Will of God and that because it is his Will For then we may and shall be able to do our works comfortably Then we shall do them as the holy Will of God in obedience to his Command and Authority Then shall we please and honour our Head and King and by Faith and Hope look for and expect his free and gracious Acceptance and his promised Assistance as also a great Reward in this life and that which is to come Then you may confidently expect and chearfully look for Fellowship and Communion with God in all your ways and Duties when in your places and stations you are really observing and doing the holy and perfect Will of God and not your own FINIS
careful and mindful of them for his own honour and glory and their good Believers in living on and walking with God in a Church-state are of all persons in the best and safest condition They are under the greatest security from Seductions and Satanical Delusions from back-sliding and Apostacies from the Spirit of Error and Heresies from spiritual decays and witherings from hardness of heart or from being hardened and stupified through the deceitfulness and ensnaring allurements of this world Heb. 3.13 For they have greater and more constant means and provisions for their preservation and security than others have They have more promises of being secured by their Lord and King Esa 27.2 3. Sing ye unto her a Vineyard of red Wine I the Lord do keep it I will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day They have the Lords presence and glory his love grace and benefits frequently before their eyes to warn quicken and keep them awake and watchful diligent and faithful and they have fresh springs often flowing in upon their hearts They are much in the eye of Christ and he is much in their eye which keeps an awe on them and the frequent views of his glorious person love grace Laws and Ordinances are of great use towards their safety So also is the watchfulness help and assistance they have from one another in a Church-state Believers walking irregularly and disorderly as they do when not joyned to some true Church of Christ they are as common fields that lye open to all sorts of Beasts and as Souldiers walking and stragling without the Camp ready to become a prey unto their Enemies But in a Church-state and walking with God therein they are as a Garden walled in as a Castle and City with â—ates and Barrs and as a Houshold of persons shut in with doors and locks They are hedged in with Christ his Discipline and secured with his watchful eye and protection so as that the Gates of Hell cannot so easily prevail against them as they may against others Seventhly Gospel-Churches are very honourable Societies and Corporations They are exalted and dignified so by Christ and that they are the most high excellent as honourable Houses and Cities in the World They are the Houses and Housholds of the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 Psal 48.1 2 3. Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. A House built up fitly framed and artificially formed of hewen stones and Timber is much more honourable and glorious than the materials whereof it was builded were before they were so formed up One holy Temple fitly framed consisting of a hundred meet and well qualified persons hath more beauty glory excellency honour and renown on it than ten thousand such materials have whilst they lye scattred up and down among the Rubbish of the World And as they do more as it were adorn and beautifie Christ in the World so he doth more adorn beautifie them They are said to be beautiful for Situation Psal 48.2 and Gods holy Temples Eph. 2.21 They are honoured with more of his honourable and glorious presence with more of his holy and sweet Laws and Ordinances and with more of his promises power gifts and graces Their honour fame and renown is farr above my reach and farr beyond what I can declare They are made the keepers and upholders of his Truths Name and Interests Churches in their orderly and holy walkings are terrible as an Army with Banners Cant. 6.4 10. and glorious things are spoken of this City of God Psal 87.3 As God said of Job namely that there were none like him in the earth Job 8 1. So he saith of his New-Testament Churches that there are not any Societies like them in the earth For what other Corporations and Societies of men are so qualified that have God with them as they have that have such a head and King such Ordinances Laws and Law-giver as such Churches have where are those Societies to be found that God speaks so honourably of and gives such honourable Titles to as he doth to them They are or ought to be all stones of Gold and precious Jewels they are Kings and Priests and made up of Royal Diadems Esa 62.3 Rev. 2.1 Mal. 3.17 They have the Lords name written on them and they are called by his name They are called the Churches of God and of Christ What other Societies of men are there governed by such Laws ruled by such Rulers animated by such a Spirit and fed with such Heavenly bread and spiritual provisions as they are They are the lights and glories of or in the World and by their joynt prayers and interest in Heaven they are the supporters of the world These are a few of the special priviledges of inchurched Saints which have been dearly purchased for them with the blood of Christ and conferred upon them by the holy Ghost which they are bound to take special notice of affect their hearts with them rejoyce greatly with them and in the Authour of them be very thankful for and faithfully improve them to the glory of Christ and to their own peace comfort incouragement in holiness and to their growth in grace You that are Churches and Church-Members are bound to consider and lay to heart your great singular and invaluable priviledges your unworthiness of them the price they have cost your head and King the ends for which they are given you to walk worthy of them in your Church-state and Relation and see that you walk and carry your selves honourably in all your ways towards God and men And remember that God gives you all these and other priviledges and injoyments that you should be rich in good works yea that you might abound in the work of the Lord 1 Tim. 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 15. ult Your priviledges are singular and glorious Oh! so let your words carriages deeds and performances be also God hath dignified you do you see that you exalt him God hath done great things for you do you do great things for him you shall reap the benefit and he the glory CHAP. X. That it is the indispensible duty of all Believers to joyn themselves unto some rightly constituted Church of Christ if they can together with the Reasons and ends of their so doing Quest OVght not all true Believers to joyn themselves unto and walk in fellowâ— ship with some holy and well-constituted Church of Jesus Christ where they may enjoy and partake of his Gospel-Ordinance Ans It is their undoubted and indispensible duty so to do if they have the conveniency and opportunity of doing it They may not wilfully or carelesly neglect to do it one day after they have opportunities offered them they are not cannot be dispensed withal in their Omissions for their wilful or careless neglects are their sins They are by such neglects guilty of disobedience and contempt They disobey the Royal will and pleasure of their Soveraign
King and Lawgiver the Lord Christ and they do by such neglects slight and despise his Love and Grace his Care and Kindness He hath provided holy Temples and spiritual Houses for them to dwell in and Heavenly provisions are made ready in them for their entertainment The doors are set open to let in such Guests and the Servants of the great King are gone forth to bid them come away and invite them to enter in There stands also the Master of the Feast even at the door waiting for them the King of glory attends there to welcome them when they come Luk. 14.16 17. Rev. 3.20 He gets there before them and abides there in expectation of the presence and company of all his Saints Psal 11.4 Isa 30.18 He declares that it is his good pleasure they should come there and eat of his dainties that he hath bought and prepared for them Cant. 5.1 Prov. 9.1 2 3 4 5. Now that they ought to joyn themselves to and become holy living and spiritual Members of some particular Congregational Church of Christ if possibly they can will further appear by these following Reasons and Considerations First The Lord Christ hath erected instituted and appointed Churches for this end among others namely that his called and sanctified people might be the matter of them that they might joyn and walk together in them and that they might be the materials of them This state and condition is not ordained and appointed for other persons but only for the Holy Seed for God will not keep House with unregenerate and unholy persons but with his chosen Generation and Royal Priesthood he will That particular Congregational Churches are of divine Institution hath been already proved and if so then it will follow that God's people should joyn to and walk with them or else to what purpose are they appointed instituted and ordained by Jesus Christ If none are bound in duty yea if all God's people that can are not bound in duty and compliance with the Lords ends to become Churches joyn to and walk in and with them then this Order and Institution of Christ is in vain he hath appointed and instituted that which none are or will be advantaged by which surely was far from the gracious thoughts and intentions of the Lord Jesus the Wisdom and Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 For the Lord hath made all things for himself and ordained them for his own Glory and the profit of his people He hath made nothing in vain It is far below him to do it and below reasonable Creatures to imagine it And 2. It will follow that whoever joyn themselves to such Churches they do it not as duty to God and their own souls but as an act of their own will and pleasure without any respect to or regard had of the Will of God and their own spiritual good so are guilty of Superstition and Will-worship which God loaths and abhors The very Institution proves it sufficiently to be our duty to joyn with and become Members of some particular Churches of Christ Secondly The unanimous and universal Votes of all the Primitive Saints do prove this Truth Those good men that were converted to Christ by the Apostles Preaching with and amongst whom they lived and convers'd and such as they planted fed and watered 1 Cor. 3. and these both Jews and Gentiles they do all of them by their constant practice witness to and confirm what I say Look where you will in the Stories of the Acts where you read of the Apostles Preaching and Men Converted there or in Pauls Epistles and the Revelation you shall find the young Converts giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another by the Will of God 2 Cor. 8.5 We find them by and by inchurched and walking in a Church-state and relation So in Acts 2.41 42. ult Acts 5.14 And were not all Pauls Epistles that to Philemon only excepted which was written upon a particular occasion wrote and sent to the Churches or to and for Believers as inchurched and imbodied together that they might know how to behave themselves in the House or Houses of God towards God their Elders and one another They are expresly called Churches the Churches of God and of Christ as was shewed before Now all Believers are charged and exhorted to follow their examples and practice Heb. 6.12 That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through Faith and Patience Inherit the Promises that is see and mark them in their walkings observe how they lived and practised and do you so likewise Paul indeed could not abide with the Church at Jerusalem to which he was joyned as a Member Acts 9.26 27 28. because he was sent to Preach the Gospel to the Gentiles But as oft as he could he joyned and walked with the Churches as you may often find in reading the Acts of the Apostles Now says he to the Church at Philippi chap. 3.17 Brethren be followers together of me and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an ensample This Commandement is for you who are in Christ that you walk as Paul and other Primitive Saints walked If it was their duty and practise as you see it was for they gave themselves to the Lord and to one another by the Will of God that is they Congregated and inchurched themselves not by or according to their own wills but by and according to the Will of God then I say it is the duty of all other Saints and it ought to be their practise likewise For whatsoever was written aforetime namely of the Saints duty and approved practise was written for our Learning that we who succeed them in their Faith and Priviledges in their Hope and Profession might follow them in practise also If we look for and expect the same Covenant-mercies and blessings that they had we must practise the same duties and walk as they did The Primitive Saints were commended and renowned for their orderly walking in a Church-state Rev. 2 3. Chapters and often else-where Luk. 1.6 1 Cor. 11.1 2. Thirdly All Believers ought to walk in Church-fellowship by virtue of their Marriage-Covenant When by the power of Grace and the Spirits operations in their hearts they were perswaded to make Christ their choice and took received and embraced him on his own terms they solemnly engaged themselves to be his chose his Laws and Ordinances for theirs and bound themselves to him to walk with him and be obedient unto him in all things to keep and observe to love and practise all his Laws and to conform in heart and practise unto all his Ordinances and Institutions as David Zachary Elizabeth and other Saints of God had done before them Thus in effect do all truly-convinced and sincere-hearted Believers do when contracted or married unto Christ by Faith Psal 119.106 Hos 3.3 Jer. 30.21 2 Cor. 8.5 Col. 2.6 Now then being thus bound or having thus bound and obliged themselves