going before Exo. 19. and chap. 34.1.10 The second giving is here intended for so it cometh after faith which first receiveth the proclamation of forgiveness hence we are said to do this righteousness in the joy and peace of the holy Ghost Now he that in these things serveth Christ is accepted of God and approved of men For who is he that can justly find fault with him that fullfilleth the royal Law from a principle of Faith and Love If ye fullfill the royal Law according to the Scriptures Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well ye are approved of men Again he that hath loved another hath fullfilled the Law for love is the fulfilling of the Law He then that serveth Christ according to the royal Law from faith and love going before he is a fit person for Church-communion God accepteth him Men approve him Now that the royal Law is the moral precept read the place James 2.8 9 10 11 12. It is also called the law of liberty because the bondage is taken away by forgiveness going before and this is it by which we are judged as is said meet or unmeet for Church-communion e. Therefore I say the rule by which we receive Church-members it is the word of the Faith of Christ and of the moral precept Evangelized as I said before I am under the Law to Christ saith Paul So when he forbideth us communion with men they be such as are destitute of the Faith of Christ and live in the transgression of a moral precept I haue written unto you saith he not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetous or an Idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such an one no not to eat He saith not if any man be not Baptized have not hands laid on him or joyne with the unbaptized these are fictions scriptureless notions For this Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not Kill Thou shalt not Steal Thou shalt not bear false witness Thou shalt not Covet And if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self Love thinketh no ill to his Neighbour therefore Love is the fullfilling of the Law Rom. 13.9 10. The word of Faith and the moral precept is that which Paul injoyns the Galathians and Philippians still avoiding outward circumstances hence therefore when he had to the Galathians treated of Faith he falls point blank upon moral duties For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new creature And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Gal. 6 15 16. As many as walk according to this rule What rule The rule by which men are proved new creatures The word of Faith and the moral precept Wherefore Paul exhorteth the Ephesians not to walk as other Gentiles in the vanity of their mind seeing they had received Christ and had heard him and had been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus that they would put off the old man what is that Why the former conversation which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts Lying Anger Sin giving place to the Divel corrupt communication all bitterness wrath clamor evil speaking with all malice and that they would put on the new man What is that That which is created in righteousness and true holyness A being renewed in the spirit of their mind and a putting away all these things Eph. 4 For in Christ Jesus these words are put in of purpose to shew us the nature of new Testament administrations And how they differ from the old In Moses an outward conformity to an outward and carnal ordinance was sufficient to give they subjecting themselves thereto a being of membership with the Jews But in Christ â—esus it is not so of Abrahams flesh was the national Jewish congregation but it is Abrahams Faith that makes new testament Churches They that are of Faith are the children of faithfull Abraham They that are of Faith the same are the children of Abraham So then the seed being now spiritual the rule must needs be spiritual also viz. the word of Faith and holyness This is the Gospel concision knife sharper then any two edged sword and that by which new testament Saints are circumcised in heart ears and lips For in Christ Jesus no outward and circumstantial thing but the new creature none subjects of the visible Kingdom of Christ but visible Saints by calling Now that which manifesteth a person to be a visible Saint must be conformity to the word of Faith and Holyness And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Hearken how delightfully Paul handleth the point The new creatures are the Israel of God The new creature hath a rule by himself to walk by And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Paul to the Philippians commandeth as much where treating of his own practice in the doctrine of Faith and Holyness requireth them to walk by the same rule to mind the same thing I desire to be found in Christ saith he I reach forward toward the things that are before my conversation is in heaven and flatly opposite to them whose God is their belly who glory in their shame and who mind earthly things Brethren saith he be ye followers together with me and mark them that walk so Mark them For what For persons that are to be received into fellowship and the choycest communion of Saints And indeed this is the safest way to judge of the meetness of persons by For take away the confession of Faith and holyness and what can distinguish a Christian from a Turk He that indeed receiveth faith and that squareth his life by the royal perfect moral precept and that walketh there in the joy and peace of the holy Ghost no man can reject him he cannot be a man if he object against against him not a man in Christ not a man in understanding The Law is not made for a righteous man neither to debar him the communion of Saints if he desire it nor to cast him out if he were in But for the Lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and for sinners for unholy and prophane For murtherers of fathers and for murtherers of mothers for man-slayers for whoremongers for them that defile themselves with mankind for manstealers for prejured persons and if there be any other thing contrary to sound doctrine according to the glorious Gospell which is committtd to my trust 1 Tim 1.9 10 11. Paul also wen he would leave an everlasting conviction upon the Ephesians concerning his Faith and Holyness treating first of the sufficiency of Christs blood and the grace of God to save us he adds I have coveted no mans Silver or Gold or Apparell
his mouth Act. 22.14 True Sauls call was out of the ordinary way but yet as to the matter and truth of the work t was no other then all the chosen have viz. 1. An effectual awakening about the evil of sin and especially of unbelief Joh. 16.9 And therefore when the Lord God called Adam he also made unto him an effectual discovery of sin insomuch that he stript him of all his righteousness Gen. 3. Thus he also served the Gealer Yea it is such an awakening as by it he sees he was without Christ without hope and a stranger to the common-wealth of Israel and without God in the word Act. 16.29 30. Eph 2.12 Oh the dread and amazement that the guilt of sin brings with it when t is revealed by the God of heaven and like to it is the sight of mercy when it pleaseth God who calleth us by his grace to reveal his son in us 2. In effectual calling there is great awakenings about the world to some and the glory of unseen things The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement The salvation that God hath prepared for them that love him with the blessedness that will attend us and be upon us at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ are great things in the soul that is under the awakening calls of God And hence we are said to be called to Glory to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes 2.12 2 Thes. 2.13 14. 3. In effectual calling there is also a sanctifying vertue And hence we are said to be called with an holy calling with an heavenly calling Called to glory and vertue But ye are a chosen Generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that you should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Heb. 3.1 1 Thes. 4 7. 1 Pet. 1.8 9. Yea effectual calling hath annexed to it as its unseparable companion the promise of through sanctification Faithfull is he that hath called you who also will do it 1 Thes. 5 22 23 24. 2. I believe that effectual calling doth therefore produce 1. Faith and therefore it is said that faith cometh by hearing by hearing the word that calleth us unto the grace of Christ. For by the word that calleth us is Jesus Christ held forth to us and offered to be our righteousness and therefore the Apostle saith again that God hath called us unto the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ that is to be made partakers of the riches of grace and the righteousness that is in him Rom. 10.17 Gal. 1.6 1 Cor. 1.9 2. It produceth hope It giveth a ground to hope and therefore hope is said to be the hope of our calling And again Even us you are called in one hope of your calling Eph. 1.18 19. chap. 4 4. Now the Godly wise know whoso misseth of effectual calling misseth of eternal life because God justifyeth none but them whom he calleth and glorifyes none but those whom he justifyes And therefore it is that Peter said before Make your calling and so your election sure make it sure that is prove your calling right by the word of God For whoso staggereth at the certainty of his calling cannot comfortably hope for a share in eternal life Remember the word unto thy servant whereon thou hast caused me to hope My soul fainted for thy salvation but I hope in thy word Psa. 119.49.81 3. It produceth repentance For when a man hath heaven and hell before his eyes as he will have if he be under the power of effectual calling or when a man hath a revelation of the mercy and justice of God with an heart-drawing invitation to lay hold on the tender forgiveness of sins and being made also to behold the goodly beauty of holiness it must needs be that repentance appears and puts forth it self unto self-revenging acts for all its wickedness which in the dayes of ignorance it delighted in And hence is that saying I came not to call the righteous but sinners to Repentance For the effecting of which the preaching of the word of the Kingdom is most proper Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand Mar. 2.17 chap. 1.10 1. Repentane is a turning the heart to God in Christ a turning of it from sin and the Divel and darkness to the goodness and grace and holyness that is in him Wherefore they that of old are said to repent are said to loath and abhor themselves for all their abominations I abhor my self said Iob and repent in dust and ashes Ezek. 6.9 chap 2.43 chap. 36.31 Job 42.5 6. Ezek. 16. v. last 2. Godly repentance doth not onely affect the soul with the loathsome nature of sin that is past but filleth the heart with godly hatred of sins that yet may come When Moses feared that through his being overburthened with the care of the children of Israel some unruly or sinfull passions might shew themselves in him what saith he I beseech thee kill me out of hand if I have found grace in thy sight and let me not see my wretchedness Num. 14.13 14 15. See also how that that Paul calleth godly repentance wrought in the upright Corinthians Behold saith he this self same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you what clearing of your selves yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge In all things you have approved your selves to be clear in this matter 2 Cor. 7.9 10 11. 4. It produceth also Love Wherefore Paul when he had put the church in remembrance that they were called of God addes That concerning brotherly Love they had no need that he should write unto them 1 Thes. 4.17.19 As who should say If God be so kind to us to forgive us our sins to save our souls and to give us the kingdom of heaven let these be motives beyond all other to provoke us to love again Farther If we that are thus beloved of God are made members of one mans body all partakers of his grace clothed all with his glorious righteousness and are together appointed to be the children of the next world why should we not love one another Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another 1 Joh 4.11 And truly so we shall if the true grace of God be upon us because we also see them to be the called of Jesus Travellers that are of the same countrey love and take pleasure one in another when they meet in a strange Land why we sojourn here in a strange countrey with them that are heirs together with us of the promised kingdom and glory Heb. 11.9 Now as I said this holy love worketh by love Mark Love in God and Christ when discovered constraineth us to love 2 Cor. 5.14 The name therefore and word and truth of God in Christ together with the sincerity of Grace of
is not a visible Saint Now he that is visibly or openly prophane cannot be then a visible Saint for he that is a visible Saint must profess faith and repentance and consequently holyness of life And with none else dare I communicate First Because God himself hath so strictly put the difference both by word and deed For from the beginning he did not only put a difference between the Seed of the woman and the children of the wicked onely the instinct of grace and change of the mind as his own but did cast out from his presence the father of all the ungodly even cursed Cain when he shewed himself open prophane and banished him to go into the Land of the Runnagate or Vagabond where from Gods face and so the priviledges of the communion of Saints he was ever after hid Gen. 3.15 chap. 4 9 10.14 15 16. Besides when after this through the policy of Satan the children of Cain and the seed of Seth did commix themselves in worship and by that means had corrupted the way of God what followed but first God judged it wickedness raised up Noah to preach against it and after that because they would not be reclaimed he brought the floud upon the whole world of these ungodly and saved onely Noah alive because he had kept himself righteous Gen. 6.1 2 v. 3.11 1â— 13. Here I could inlarge abundantly and add many more instances of alike nature but I am here onely for a truth upon things Secondly Because it is so often commanded in the Scriptures That all the congregation should be holy I am the Lord your God ye shall therefore sanctifie your selves and ye shall be holy for I am holy Ye shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy Sanctifie your selves therefore and be ye holy for I am the Lord your God Besides 1. The Gates of the temple were to be shut against all other Open ye the gates that the righteous nation that keepeth the truth may enter in This Gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter Thus saith the Lord no stranger uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh shall enter into my sanctuary of any stranger which is amongst the children of Israel 2. Because the things of worship are holy Be ye holy that bear the vessels of the Lord. 3. Because all the limits and bounds of communion are holy This is the law of the house upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof shall be most holy Behold this is the Law of the house Lev. 11.44 chap. 19.2 chap. 20.7 1 Pet. 1.15 16. Esa. 26.2 Psa. 128.20 Eze. 43.12 chap. 44.9 Esa. 52.11 Thirdly I dare not have communion with them Because the example of new testament churches before us have been a community of visible Saints Paul to the Romanes writes thus To all that are at Rome beloved of God called to be Saints And to the rest of the Churches thus Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints To the Saints that are at Ephesus and to the faithfull in Christ Jesus To all the Saints that are at Philippi with the Bishops and Deacons To the Saints and faithfull brethren which are at Colosse To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in our Lord Jesus Christ c. Thus you see under what denomination those persons went of old who were counted worthy to be members of a visible Church of Christ. Rom. 1 7. 1 Cor. 1 2. Eph. 1.1 Col. 1.2 Phil 1.1 1 Thes. 1.1 Besides the members of such Churches go under such characters as these 1. The called of Christ Jesus Rom. 1.6 2. Men that have drank into the spirit of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 12.13 3. Persons in whom was God the Father Eph. 4 6. 4. They were all made partakers of the joy of the Gospell Phil. 1 7. 5. Persons that were circumcised inwardly Col. 2.11 6. Persons that turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God 1 Thes. 1.4 7. Those that were the body of Christ and members in particulars that is those that were visibly such because they made profession of faith of holyness of repentance of love to Christ and of self denyal at their receiving into fellowship Fourthly I dare not hold communion with the open prophane 1. Because it is promised to the Church that she shall dwell by her self that is as she is a Church and spiritual Lo the people shall dwell a-alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations Num. 23 9. 2. Because this is their priviledge But ye are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 1.9 10 3. Because this is the fruit of the death of Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem as from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 3.14 4. Because this is the Commandment Save your selves from the untoward generation Act 2 40 5. Because with such it is not possible we should have true and spiritual communion Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness And what communion hath light with darkness And what concord hath Christ with Belial Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidell Or what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols For ye are the temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Wherefore Come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and I will be a Father unto you saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6 14 18. Fifthly I dare not hold communion with the open prophane 1. Because this would be plowing with on Ox and an Ass together heavenly things suit best for communion in heavenly matters Deut 22.10 2. It subjecteth not the nature of our discipline which is not forced but free in a professed subjection to the will and commandment of Christ others being excluded by God's own prohibition Levit. 1.3 Rom. 6.17 2 Cor. 8 12. chap. 9 7.13 chap. 8.5 Paul also when he exhorteth Timothy to follow after righteousness Faith Charity Peace c. which are the bowels of Church communion he saith do it with those that call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart 2 Tim. 2 22. Sithly In a word to hold communion with the open prophane is most pernicious and destructive 1 'T was the wicked multitude that fell a lusting and that tempted Christ in the desert Num. 11.4 2 It was the prophane heathen of whom Israel learned to worship Idols They were mingled among the heathen and learned their works
that were with him but for the Priests onely or have ye not read in the Law how that on the Sabbath-day the Priests in the Temple prophaned the Sabbath and were blameless Why blameless Because they did it in order to the edification of the people Mat. 12 1. â—6 If Laws and ordinances of old have been broken and the breach of them born with when yet the observance of outward things was more strictly commanded then now when the profit and edification of the people came in competition how much more may not we have communion Church-communion no Law where is transgressed thereby Seventhly Therefore I am for holding communion thus because Love which above all things we are commanded to put on is of much more worth then to break about Baptism Love is also more discovered when it receiveth for the sake of Christ and grace then when it refuseth for want of Water And observe it as I have also said before this exhortation to Love is grounded upon the putting on of the new creature which new creature hath swallowed up all distinctions that have before been common among the Churches As I am a Jew you are a Greek I am circumcicised you are not I am free you are bound Because Christ was all in all these Put on therefore saith he as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercyes kindness humbleness of mind long suffering that is with reference to the infirmities of the weak forbearing one another and forgiving one another If any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye And above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness Col 3.8 9 10 11 12 13 14. Which forbearing and forgiving respecteth not onely private and personal injuries but also errours in judgment about inclinations and destinctions tending to divisions and separating upon the grounds laid down in v. 1â—th which how little soever they now seem to us who are beyond them were strong and of weight to them who in that day were intangled with them Some Saints then were not free to preach to any but the Jews denying the word of Life to the Gentiles and contending with them who preferred it to them which was a greater error then this of Baptism Act. 11.1 2 3 19. But what should we do with such kind of Saints Why love them still forgive them bear with them and maintain Church-communion with them Why Because they are new creatures because they are Christs For these swallow up all distinctions Farther because they are elect and beloved of God Divisions and distinctions are of shorter date then election let not them therefore that are but momentary and hatcht in darkness break that bond that is from everlasting It is Love not Baptism that discovereth us to the world to be Christs Disciples It is Love that is the undoubted character of our interest in and sonship with God I mean when we Love as Saints and desire communion with others because they have fellowship one with another in their fellowship with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. 1 Joh. 1.2 And now though the truth and sincerity of our Love to God be then discovered when we keep his commandments in love to his name yet we should remember again that the two head and chief Commandments are Faith in Jesus and Love to the brethren 1 Joh 3.23 So then he that pretendeth to Love and yet seeks not the profit of his Brother in chief he Loveth but they are his own opinions and froward notions Jam. 4.11 Rom. 14.21 Love is the fulfilling of the Law but he fulfills it not who judgeth and setteth at nouâ—ht his Brother that stumbleth offendeth and maketh weak his Brother and all for the sake of a circumstance that to which he cannot consent except he sin against his own Soul or Papist like live by an implicite Faith Love therefore is sometimes more seen and shewed in forbearing to urge and press what we know then in publishing and imposing I could not saith Paul Love would not let me speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal even as unto Babes in Christ I have fed you with Milk and not with strong meat for hitherto you have not been able to bear it neither yet now are you able 1 Cor. 3.1 2. The Apostle considered not onely the knowledge that he had in the mysteries of Christ but the temper the growth and strength of the Churches and accordingly kept back or communicated to them what might be for their profit Act 20.18 19 20. So Christ I have many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now It may be some will count these old and threadbare texts but such must know that the word of the Lord must stand for ever Isa. 40.8 And I should dare to say to such if the best of thy new shifts be to slight and abuse old Scriptures It shewes thou art more fond of thy unwarrantable opinion then swift to hear and ready to yield to the authority that is unfallible But to conclude this when we attempt to force our Brother beyond his light or to break his heart with grief to thrust him beyond his Faith or to bar him from his priviledge how can we say I love What shall I say To have fellowship one with another for the sake of an outward circumstance or to make that the door to fellowship which God hath not yea to make that the including excluding charter The bounds bar and rule of Communion when by the word of the everlasting testament there is no warrant for it to speak charitably If it be not for want of Love it is for want of knowledge in the mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ. Strange Take two Christans equal in all points but this nay let one go beyond the other far for grace and holyness yet this circumstance of Water shall drown and sweep away all his excellencies not counting him worthy of that reception that with hand and heart shall be given a novice in religion because he consents to Water Eighthly But for Gods people to divide into parties or to shut each other from Church communion though from greater points and upon higher pretences then this of Water-baptism hath heretofore been counted carnal and the actors herein babish Christians Paul and Apollo Cephas and Christ were doubtless higher things then those about which we contend yet when they made divisions for them how sharply are they rebuked Are ye not Carnall Carnall Carnall For whereas there are among you envyings strife divisions or factions are you not carnall 1 Cor. 1.11 12. chap. 3.1 2 3 4. While one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo are you not carnall See therefore from whence arise all thy indeavours zeal and labour to accomplish divisions among the Godly Let Paul or Cephas or Christ himself be the burthen of thy song yet the heart from whence they
faith and holyness in us are the delightfull objects of this love Psa. 119.47 127.159 Psa. 5 11 and 69.36 and 1â—9 132 and 101.6 For it imbraceth with delight and complacency but as it discerneth the image of God and of Christ in the Soul his presence in the ministery and a suitableness in our worship to the word and mind of Christ. Psa. 26.8 and 27.4 and 84.1 4. 1 Thes. 5.13 Phil. 1.3 7. Eph. 4.32 Love also hath a blessed faculty and heavenly in bearing and suffering afflictions putting up wrongs overlooking the infirmities of the brethren and in serving in all Christian offices the necessities of the Saints Charity suffereth long and is kind charity envyeth not charity vaunteth not it self is not puffed up doth not behave it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth heareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things charity never faileth 1 Cor 13. 1 Pet. 4.8 Gal. 5.13 In a word it designeth a holy conversation in this world that God and Christ and the word of may be glorified thereby 2 Cor. 11.10 11 12 1 Pet. 1.12 chap. 3.16 Of the Scriptures TOuching which word of God I thus believe and confess 1. That all the holy scriptures are the words of God All scriptures is given by inspiration of God For the prophecy of the scripture came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God speak as they were moved by the holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3 16. 2 Pet. 1.21 2 I believe that the holy scriptures of themselves without the addition of humane inventions are able to make the man of God perfect in all things and throughly to furnish him unto all good works They are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and to thee in all other things that either respect the worship of God or thy walking before all men 2 Tim. 3.14.17 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. 3. I believe the great end why God committed the Scriptures to writing was that we might be instructed to Christ taught how to believe encouraged to patience and hope for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ also that we might understand what is sin and how to avoid the commission thereof Joh. 20.31 1 Joh. 5 13. Rom. 15.4 Concerning the works of men said David by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the pathes of the destroyer Through thy precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way I have hid thy word in my heart that I might not sin against thee Psa. 17.4 and 119.104 v. 11. 4. I believe that they cannot be broken but will certainly be fulfilled in all the prophecies threatnings and promises either to the salvation or damnation of men They are like that flying roll that will go over all the earth to cut off and curse In them is contained also the blessing they preach to us also the way of salvation Take heed therefore lest that come upon you which is written in the prophets Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish For I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Gal 3.8 Acts 13.40 41. Joh. 10 35. chap. 12.37.41 chap. 3.17 18 19. Zach. 5.2.3 4. 5. I believe Jesus Christ by the word of the scriptures will judge all men at the day of doom For that is the book of the Law of the Lord according to Pauls Gospel Joh. 12.41 49. Rom 2.16 6 I believe that this God made the world and all things that are therein for in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is also that after the time of the making thereof be disposed of it to the children of men with a preserve thereof for the children of God that should in all ages be born thereunto When the most high divided to the nations their inheritance when he separated the Sons of Adam he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel for as he made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell upon the face of the earth so he hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation Acts 17 24 Exo 24 19 Deu 32 8 Acts 17 26. Of Magistracy I believe that Magistracy is Gods ordinance which he hath appointed for the government of the whole world And that it is a judgment of God to be without those ministers of God which he hath ordained to put wickedness to shame Judg 18.7 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation For rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil Wilt thou not then be afraid of the power do that which is Good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the minister of God to thee for good But if thou do that which is evill be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain For he is the minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil Wherefore ye must needs be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake For this cause pay ye tribute also for they are Gods ministers attending continually unto this very thing Rom. 13. Many are the mercyes we receive by a well qualified Magistrate and if any shall at any time be otherwise inclined let us shew ovr christianity in a patient suffering for well doing what it shall please God to inflict by them A reason of my Practise in Worship HAving thus made confession of my Faith I now come to shew you my practise in Worship with the reasons thereof The which I shall have occasion to touch under two distinct heads 1 With whom I dare not hold communion 2. With whom I dare Only first Note that by the word Communion I mean fellowship in the things of the Kingdom of Christ or that which is commonly called Church communion the Communion of Saints For in civil affairs and in things of this World that are honest I am not altogether tyed up from the fornicators thereof Cor. 5 9 10 Wherefore in my following discourse understand me in the first sense Now Then I dare not have communion with them that profess not faith and holiness or that are not visible Saints by calling but note that by this assertion I meddle not with the elect but as he is a visible Saint by calling neither do I exclude the secret Hypocrite if he be hid from me by visible Saint ship Wherefore I dare not have communion with men from a single supposition that they may be elect neither dare I exclude the other from a single supposing that he may be a secret Hypocrite I meddle not here with these things I onely exclude him that