able to beare Acts 15.10 Obj. Yea we can quickly prove it by Scripture but turne to Acts 15. and you shall finde that appeales were made to the Church of Jerusalem Answ. This is the Master-objection that can be brought against this Doctrine of gospel-Gospel-order which is so often and ablely answered I thinke by all that have penned on this subject as that I need not to answer any thing unto it yet seeing it is so propounded I pray you marke in that Chapter Appeals are not made to the Church of Jerusalem as if they had command over any Church to rule them or set them a Directory of Church-government how they should practise c. no but onely to advise and counsell them as a Sister-Church and as one of a sounder judgement and of longer and riper and safer experiences Secondly Besides the application made to Jerusalem was not about Church-government or for instructions from them on that account but it was about a difference that arose among some who were set for Circumcision after the manner of Moses whether that might be or no what they who were of more established and better-setled judgements thought of that matter which some held so needfull verse 1 2 4 5. Thirdly It appears in verse 2. in that they determined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is chose and approved of Paul and Barnabas upon that arrand it was not jure divin◠of absolute necessity to appeale or rather apply thither nor yet did they doe it as to an higher power as was answered in the first as if they had any Dominion over their faith but only as helpers of their joy 2 Cor. 1. ult Fourthly But should we grant it which wee will not as long as our Buckler holds whole but should wee they would bee but little the better for it for consider who they were were they not the Apostles men extraordinarily enabled and can any now say so and with such confidence as verse 28. for it seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and to us c. without high presumption But Fifthly This helps not one jot the Presbyterian or Prelacy nor adds an hairs breadth to their Discipline or Doctrine for wee finde in verse 22. It pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send c. the whole Church had the knowledge of it and their voting in it and the Apostles and Elders did not answer on their owne heads but the Church consented to it and concluded it which is contrary to the Presbyterian judgement and practises who will have the Elders alone to be a power and authority enough without the rest of the Church which is contrary to rule besides the ill consequences of it which I shall speake unto hereafter in the third Booke and which is a giving of an absolute power to such which makes them Lord it who are to have but a derivative power and are but servants at best But thus that objection is I hope sufficiently answered Another Object But is it so hath no one Church power over another why then how can a Church bee reformed that erres in doctrine or practise Answ. There must be spirituall helps against spiritual evills and the weapons of our warfare are not carnall here is no need of the worlds powers which I shall shew hereafter but we must make use of Christs-rules which are cleare in this case Consider in an erring Church either a part or the whole is corrupt and adulterate if onely a part then the sound part must admonish convince and reforme their erring brethren if they bee able but in case they cannot doe it then they may send for the assistance of a Sister-Church as Antioch did Act. 15.2 But if so bee it be the whole Church erres then looke how an equall brother in one body is to deale with another according to the same rule of Matth. 18.15 16 17. and by proportion is an equall Sister-Church to deale with another for although one Church is not subject or subordinate unto another neither is one brother to another yet one Church is co-ordinate and hath a like power with another and so hath one Brother with another so that as in brotherly-love and communion one brother admonishes reproves exhorts convinces another and if there be no helpe for it declares the brothers offence in publike and may in time and order according to rule withdraw from him as in 2 Thess. 3.6 thus may and must one Church in sisterly love and communion deale with another as to enquire into the nature of the errours or offence given by an erring Church unto her to know the Truth Deut. 13 14. and not to proceed upon bare reports Exod. 23.1 2. which yee shall not raise or not receive for it may be read both wayes then may the Church send Letters or Messengers to that erring-Church to admonish exhort reprove and convince if she hears they have gained their Sister-Church but if shee refuses to be reformed then that Church may take one or two Churches more to assist her But if she resist admonition and all means that bee used by prayers fastings intreatings perswasions reproofes and all then all the Churches about appoint to meet and by the word of God reprove the errours and if they finde her obstinate then all other Churches are to withdraw from her 2 Tim. 16 17. Tit. 3.10 11. and declare against those errours and no longer to hold them a Communion of Saints but to take away all right-hands of fellowship untill their repentance appeare to the satisfaction of the aforesaid offended Churches and a visible reformation and a publike renunciation of the aforesaid errours and sinnes Now if they be conscientious and gracious this punishment for so it is called 2 Cor. 2.6 will pierce to the very hearts of them and this will worke more upon them upon their consciences then all the prisons or punishments of the world For if the declaring against such a Church the withdrawing of all others from her their open protesting against her and abhorrence of her detestable errours and sinnes if they bee so and the disowning of her for a communion of Saints and their continually appeales unto God against her if these doe not deeply enter into her heart and strike their consciences that are in her and afflict their spirits what will For Joh. 5.22 All judgement is committed to the Sonne and I am sure if Christs wayes and the weapons of his make cannot prevaile then a formall jurisdiction Courts and commands of mens make will not But thus I have answered the objections of weight against this Point which hath been abundantly proved and pressed For pares omnes inter se juris essent sayes Whitaker all Power is alike in all Churches whether in Ephesus Corinth Rome Philippi or the like one not being one iota subject to
Hence are so many godless hardned sinners subjects in his dominion but the head of gold is of such a principle that none will serve him nor will he that any should worship him but the precious separate from the vile the pure from impure and visibly unholy Jer. 15.19 Isa. 60.21 Fourthly This head of brass which is black within though it shines without accepts of a meer outside appearance and verbal confession of Christ let him be as black as Hell within so his words be good and he look like Heaven without it is enough to answer his principle But this head of gold who is better within then without would have all his like himself all glorious within Psal. 45. as the curtains of Solomon Cant. 1.5 being born of God for what is of flesh is flesh and what is of Spirit is Spirit Joh. 3. Fifthly This head of brass hath members and officers of mettal like himself and of no better principle if so good for some are iron and clay who act according to their own natural principles or points c. But the head of gold hath members and officers qualified with his own Spirit and excellencies and filled with his own fulness Eph. 1.23 and partaking of his own divine nature 2 Pet. 1.4 Christ and his Spirit are the Officers in Christs Church and none other any further then Christ and his Spirit dwells in them and acts them so that then it is not they but Christ rules orders directs disposes or dispenses c. Sixthly This head of brass hath an ill-savor Joel 2.20 and all his doctrines traditions and discipline sent strongly of himself so that whosoever handles them their hands will smell of the brazen head therefore beware of their leaven c. But this head of gold and all his ordinances doctrines laws and discipline are of a most sweet and pretious savor Cant. 1.3 2 Cor. 2.14 15. Eph. 5.2 c. As oyntment poured out Seventhly This head of brass seen and observed by himself makes a rich rare and amiable show to most men but when he comes to be compared to the head of gold he falls and then looks like himself viz. dull dead black earthly filthy and unfit for to be a head or foot in Christs Church Thus in these days his doctrine and devices traditions and trumperies being brought into the light and compared with the truth can no longer triumph but must fall before this head of gold who excels him as far as light darkness good evil and as Heaven excels Earth although before this he fetcht in many to him from far and sat in glory and majesty exalting himself above all that is called God 2 Thes. 2.4 But now he is to be destroyed by the bright appearance of this head of gold 2 Thes. 2.8 that is he is to be rendred useless and uneffectual as before in the Septuag 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he shall weaken him or break his strength or glory he shall lessen his lustre and make him forlorn and loose his pride Nothinging him by his spiritual appearance and in the brightness of his presence Eighthly This head of brass is the work of mens hands and but of mans Creation and must be broken to shatters Psal. 29. this Image must fall Dan. 2.32 But for the head of gold the headship of Christ the gates of hell shall not prevail against him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the powers of hell the policies of hell the very strength and force of hell shall be set against him but to no purpose for of his government there shall be no end Thus I have cursorily set before you a vast difference between a false and true Church-state from the Heads the one being of mans make and the other of Gods appointment Psal. 2.6 All things are to be put under Christs feet and this head of gold shall wear a crown of gold for ever and ever Heb. 2.7 8. Therefore it is that Kings Crowns Kingdoms Councels Classes and Synods National Churches and States are shaken and shall be shaken that the Kingship of Christ which shall never be shaken Heb. 12.27 28. may remain for ever Thus you see how false Church-states are but the habitations of Antichrist built up by men but the true ones are built up by Christ Zach. 6.12 and the habitation for his presence and honor to dwell in Eph. 2.22 2 Cor. 6.16 Wherefore Friends beware beware of brazen faces that have the face to cry up that Head which you have heard of These are those that consult to cast Christ down from his excellency and delight in lies Psal. 62.4 Such brazen heads fall by thousands short yea by millions of myriades of the orders excellencies perfections plenitudes virtue of influence Government Sympathy health and soundness of this true Head of the Church viz. The head of gold But now who be such heads of brass First is that head of brass the brazen-faced Pope always brought up in Brazen-Nose Colledge he was the first that had the face to prefer himself general-master of the Church Lord Head and Law-giver There was no such thing from the beginning but by little and little and as ambition and base thirst of ruling began to rage the care of Christs Church began to asswage and then we shall finde first began to be given to one man the name of Bishop a name common to all Ministers of Christ Acts 20.28 who was chose by the rest of the Ministers and Elders to be as it were Consul in a Senate or as a speaker in the house and which was to be for the time being and present upon urgent occasions to sit as Chair-man And though he had the honor the name yet no more authority nor voice nor determination then any other he had no negative power or voice which all lordly spirits pretend unto The next step after this was by reason of the paucity and poorness of Ministers and Overseers and by reason of the rigor of hot persecutions the Church was neglected and Bishops so called or Ministers grew most ignorant and very few to be â—ound fit for Church-affairs as Overseers and of those very few most of them unlearned and very blinde and dumb and so idle that they regarded not the Church and let things go how they would Then began the care of one Church to be given up to one more then to any other and then did one take the most charge of Church-orders Ordinances and Discipline which occasioned him to hoise up his ambitious sails to be filled with honor And so it began to be a perpetual and continual course and office which was onely for a time at first and that upon necessity too in times of persecution conferred upon one and so all began to be guided and governed by one mans authority and no more by joynt consent concurrence and votes c. of the whole
hath a few Friends and tryed Subjects but such Craterus's are rare too wherefore let all the faithfull friends of Christ of what judgement soever that are under his Command and Lordship come and enter into these Gospel-wayes of Worship into Christs order and path ordinance and Discipline for the Lord of the Mannour I meane the God of this world will take up all wefts and straies that are out of this way and empound them wherefore for shame friends make haste Hye out of Babylon flye into Sion into the Fellowship and Church-way of the Gospel wherein Christ is King and Lord and where this Sunne is highest brightest and swiftest in his ascendent motions wherein Christ appeares in his richest perfection and fulnesse For as Nature who hath drawne with her Pencill a perfect Grasse-greene in the Emerald as Pliny sayes a skie-colour in the Saphire a fire colour in the Carbuncle a sanguine in the Rubie and a starry in the Diamond hath also drawne all these together in one viz. the Ophal so hath Christ by his Spirit in his Church for there is one gift and grace in one Saint another gift in another and other graces in others and blessings in the Gospell and power in the Word and sweetnesse in the Ordinances and all in one viz. the Church Some excell in one thing some in another but the Church is the summary of all all excellencies are there in one viz. in one Christ who is in every Church the fulnesse and perfection of all Christ sayes Bernard De advent serm 2. is the Bee which flew into the City of Nazareth which is interpreted Flower and there he alighted on the sweetest flower of Virginity that ever the earth bore and so doth Christ now in the Churches finde sweet flowers who hath Et mel aculeum sayes Doctor Rawlinjon on 's Mercy to a Beast p. 13. both Mercy and Judgement yea he is both Love and Law in all his Churches yea the Law of Love and the Lord grant we may finde it so in these dayes Heare O Ireland heare the Lord run into his Courts live in his Sanctuary for in a special manner I speake to you from the Lord for whose sake I dare not bury these truthes as dead or in silence which doe so much concerne you and seeing I am now with you I wish from my soule that most of your Professors prove not Moone-sicke I meane Lunaticks that sometimes fall or plunge into the water and sometimes into the fire of persecuting the Saints that wil not over head and eares with them in the waters yee know what I meane for I shrewdly feare this wherefore I say forsake not Aegypt to fall into Babylon nor Babylon to fall into the forme againe and to make a Church of forme meerly and to drive in or draw in poore hearts through ignorance and folly into a formall Discipline by urging the forme or tying others to such a judgement with you for this is clearly against God's designe and Christs Gospel-Discipline which is to be in the Spirit and in truth and therefore I have many precious and pregnant truthes to hand forth and handle to you as they are hearted in me from the Fathers bosome of light in this ensuing Treatise especially in Lib. 2. but in the meane time make haste into Sion into a pure orderly Gospel Spirituall way of Worship and the Lord be with you and speed you But if before I have done some doe say Why then we shall be persecuted by Presbyterians or some call'd Independants or the bitter ones of the Anabaptists or the like as well as by Malignants and open enemies I say that they shall be but like Sampsons Foxes who were themselves burnt amongst the Corne which they fired but the Land brought Corne againe and the ground was made the better by it and the fruitfullâ—r but the Foxes came up no more so be yee sure that such will by their persecutions burne up themselves but better the true Churches though it may be some members may suffer in the fire first yet take us the Foxes the little Foxes saith the Lord Cant. 1. he will not suffer them to escape scot-free Phil. 1.28 for it is to them a token of perdition sayes Paul but to you of salvation the true Churches shall maugre all their might and malice appeare again and triumph the more and be yet the more glorious and fruitful but these persecuting Foxes can never come up againe but must lye buried in the field which they have fired and so be the Authours of their owne end Wherefore feare not my Friends their frownes nor crownes but as Alexander was wont to say to his Souldiers when they were in danger or went on any designe Sed habebis Alexandrum my brave Blades you shall have Alexander with you so say I you shall have Christ with you in the midst of you and engaged for you feare not and then you shall no more be termed desolate or forsaken but be called the Lord's Hephzibah and Beulah but thus for the second chapter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Midbar CHAP. III. That the Churches full deliverance drawes nigh and is upon entrance at first gradually her Discipline shall be restored as at first First proved by parallel from the Wildernesse wherein she hath been long lost as to true Discipline and Doctrine TO proceed the Call continues to hast us out of Babylon It is Historied of Darius's Generall that when he had Orders from Darius his King to revenge the wrongs done him by the Athenians that he commanded his Servants every day at every dish of meat they brought in to the Table to say Sir remember the Athenians Now Christ hath sent to us and calls upon us every foote to Remember the ruine of Babylon and the rising of Sion for Babylon must fall and Sion must fill and grow up apace to perfection-ward but although this is graduall at first yet the restauration shall be universall at last In the interim we heare how long and how lamentably the poore despised Church hath been in the Wildernesse wofully bewayling but now followes what hopes we finde of her deliverance now Mr. Brightman the brightest man of his age that I have met with lends his Light to this Age out of Revel 12.14 where we read the Church was to continue in the Wildernesse for a time times and halfe a time besides the thousand two hundred and threescore dayes in ver 6. which is all one with that in Rev. 11.2 of forty and two months for at thirty dayes to the moneth it comes to one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes which if we account from Christ's time was to begin one thousand sixe hundred and ten dayes viz. three hundred and fifty and one thousand two hundred and sixty and the thirty three yeares that Christ lived makes it one
word is an adjunct separable and not a note essential and inseparable for certainly as sensitiva faculâ—as is in a man yet not the true note of a man because it is but a common adjunct and not proprium in quarto modo as wee say So preaching of the Gospel is in the Church but not the note of the Church as all the Popish and Antichristian Antagonists would have it because it is a common adjunct and others have it also But for the Sacraments as I said before they must be administred in due order and to due persons and in a due way of worship and Discipline otherwise without doubt Saints may and must remove and separate for Gods greater glory and their better and more spirituall edification as Psal. 55.6 And I said O that I had wings like a Dove for then would I flye away and be at rest I would hasten v. 8. my escape Why so would David separate so what is the reason see verse 11. Wickednesse is in the midst thereof Deceit and guile depart not from her streets Wherefore dearest Friends read with a resolution to submit and that yee may no more be separates from Christ nor Schismaticks to your owne poore soules the Father of our Lord Jesus fill your hearts with that Spirit which writes these things unto you Little Children Fathers and young men looke about you for wee live in these last dayes wherein we expect most Joel 2. plentifull out-powrings of that blessed Spirit which convinces the world of Truth Righteousnesse and Judgement Joh. 16.8 And to conclude thinke it not enough to have outward Ordinances in Parish-Churches though God knows they be but as Pharaohs lean kine eating up the Fat as the preaching the word the holy Sacraments c. why Sirs to let them loose and run ranging about without bit or bridle may be to your cost and it may be they may dash your brains out at last but it is Christ must curbe and correct and direct them that they may be administred in due order to you within his line and limitation and then they will be blessings It is upon record of Austin that he would not say his mother gave him milke but God by his mother so will God by these means and Ordinances feed and fatten your soules in Sion and in his particular Churches and Assemblies But alas a day how lamentably men live as to Christs order Ordinances so they be but rich and bear a religious outside as K. John once said of a Buck when he had opened it O it is fat and yet it never heard Masse So because many thrive and live in credit rich and accounted religious that are not of the Churches many make little of it but I hope the Lord will convince them by his light And so much for the first part of the Forme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zaba Chap. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Aguddah This shewes the second part of the second part of the Forme of Church-fellowship First that the Saints separate as before are to be knit gathered and united together into one Body THe first part of the Forme is well proved but it is likely not so well approved without the second doe second it viz. That the Saints separated from the worlds false-wayes and worships and from all Parochiall Churches unwarrantable Discipline and Directories doe forth-with set upon Christs owne way and worship Discipline and Doctrine delivered to the Saints for after they come out of Babylon they must hast away into Zion or else they will be lost in the Wildernesse For what is the cause of so much complaint all men with the Ministers make up and downe and deplorable out-cryes of many that are mixed and loud lamentations are heard out of the Wildernesse of many wooded wilder'd and wandring and at a most miserable losse And what is the reason of all this I pray that so many Professors that have been abundantly precise and strict in their practises and curious in their conversation and such free frequenters of the meanes daily and diligent followers of their Ministers and so exceedingly holy in times past have since their separating from Parishes and Popish Institutions and Injunctions forsaken all publicke Dispensations denied Ordinances followed Familisme and run on even to Rantisme And what is the reason of all this Indeed I am ready now to reprove those Ministers whom most imagine without reproofe though able and otherwise accounted eminently godly yet too too slack and remisse in setting forward the building of the Lords house that say it is time enough and what needs such hast whilst they themselves dwell in their seiled houses the Lords lyes waste and worne out of mind O sad Consider your wayes saith the Lord of Hoasts How can yee be content to sit at ease to hold good Livings and to feed upon the fat of the flock and yet so easily to neglect them as to let them stray in the Wildernesse Oh! are not such who make the sorest and saddest complaints of them they call Anabaptists Seekers Familists Ranters c. are not such very much the cause of their miscarriage For seeing Saints must separate from such false wayes and worships why doe they not lead them then into Christs owne wayes and worship according to Gospel-order but suffer the poore soules and out of honest zeale I am perswaded at first to be lost in strange and straying untrue and untrodden paths Truly truly in all my applications to some very learned godly and most eminent Preachers with all the pregnant and pressing Arguments I could provide for this purpose that I might prevaile with them for and perswade them unto this work of the Lord as Fellow-labourers with me therein I found their Answers they made me me thoughts ever to smell too much of the grease of great Livings or else of man-pleasing or else and for the most part of Tyth-oppressions they may thank themselves that so many run into erroneous wayes For besides a Segregation a visible aggregation to the Lord Christ in his wayes and worship with the Saints separate making up one body of Beleevers iâ— of an absolute and undeniable necessity and followes next which I now come to Such Saints as are separate from Parish-wayes and Popish worships c. being ashamed of them and of all the follies of those false Church-states are forth-with to see the forme and fashion of the Lords house and not before are they to enter in Ezek. 43.10 11. and this is the Lords Law ver 12. now to such I shall shew the forme which followes for in the formation of this new Creation Christian Beleevers are to become first one body secondly a body Independent as it is termed by most But to the first in this Chapter viz. That Saints separate as before from the multitude as Acts 19.9 it
evils that are taught in them Now judge sayes he whose cause is most suspicious and surreptitious ours who would have even the adversaries doctrines published in our Churches that we may overthrow them by the word or yours who reproach our doctrine before the simple people as hereticall yet by your good will neither suffering them to read it nor understand it nor yet so much as offering to overthrow it by the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Thus we see how secular powers are excluded from medling with matters that are spirituall or mentall and that the Word and Spirit are the Instruments appointed by God for the overthrow of errours and suppressing of heresies and blasphemies Object We finde the Reformers of the Church in the Old Testament that looked after the worship of God that they used their materiall sword and Civill powers as Kings and Rulers to cut off the Idolatrous Priests 2 King 16 5.20 and false Prophets c. Ans. 1 Such as were types of Christ both King Priest and Prophet did many things by extraordinary warrants and answer 1 many things they did in the letter which were to figurate the administrations of the Spirit which were to answer thereto as Num. 9.13 and 5.2 Levit. 10.2 Exod. 32.24.27 But these were in extraordinary cases such were the extraordinary persons of Eliah Samuel David Daniel c. who exercised both offices and as I may say both swords but this was extraordinary and for extraordinary ends Now Secondly Loe we may prove Priests and Prophets did execute in Civill offices too as Phineas in putting to death Zimri and Cosby Num. 25.7 8. Psal. 106.30 but our case being not the same proves no more that Civill Magistracy belongs to Ecclesiasticall men so called then that Ecclesiastical power and offices belong to Civil Magistrates as such But besides Thirdly It lyes evidently before us in the Old Testament that Ecclesiasticall Powers so called were ever distinguished from Magistraticall For the Priests and Levites had their distinct proper acts and places both in respect of order and jurisdiction so had Moses and Aaron one having charge of the State the other of the Church and not the one confounded with the other or confined by the other Yea theâ— stood at such a distance that as none of the Priesthood could meddle with State-matters or take that government upon him so none of the Royall-stocke or blood could meddle with the Priesthood Nor durst any as I know of by ordinary warrant untill King Vzziah puffed up with conceit and pride 2 Chron. 26.16 but he escaped not scot-free and it hangs upon record as a scare-crow to cautionate others of his temper neither doe we read of any Priest unlesse by extraordinary warrant as is said before that durst meddle with Civill-matters till Aristobulus most rashly after their returne from Babylon joyned and jumbled the Kingdome and Priesthood Mitre and Crowne together so sayes Euseb. 8. lib. of his Preparation to the Gospel And the New Testament and Gospel are as cleare against it as can be Christ the High-priest ever kept within his compasse refused to meddle with Caesars matters as to divide the heritage Luke 12. yea and to be a King Jo. 6.15 being a thing Civil and out of his sphere and so he forbids his Apostles over and over medling with such matters Mat. 20.26 and Mark 10.42 Luke 22.25 he tels them that though it befitted Kings Courts and Gentiles yet not them they being called into other and better offices and distinct from them the Apostles themselves disclaime it also 2 Cor. 1. ult yea they refused to meddle any longer with the charge of the Poore seeing there was no such necessity of it but bid them choose Deacons Act. 6. Much lesse would they meddle with matters meerly civill and worldly to take them off their Ministry and duty 1 Tim. 2.4 1 Cor. 24.25.26 Rom. 12.3 and yet ah how how ambitious have many been in all ages not content with their calling but still aspiring and usurping I find Mr. Cartwright in his Eccles. Discipline p. 80. speaking of the pride and ambition of Bishops complaining much of their meddling with Civill matters which sayes hee is contrary to their owne Cannons and to the old Cannons called the Apostles Cannons in 80. and 82. p. and contr Concil Carthag 3. Cannon 18 19 20. and which sayes he is most bitterly inveighed against by the Ancient Fathers but this came in at first he tels us thus When things were in controversie and estates lay at variance between parties there were not those hot and eager suits at Law then nor that fatting or feeding of English locusts I meane Lawyers as now is those things that were in controversie were wont by consent mutually from both parties to be given up to a Bishop or Bishops trusting to their consciences and looking upon them as more then other men for piety and conscience for they conceived this the best means and issue to end all controversies and so came in Lands called Bishops-lands in part Since which Kings and Princes partly out of good minds and out of earnest desires to adorne them and the Church though they were not wary enough in what they did and partly because they were themselves so continued in wars abroad which required their own persons therefore they in their owne absence and by reason of such like hindrances gave authority to Bishops to correct such with Civil censures mulcts and punishments as disturbed or troubled the Church which in little time they tooke so much likeing unto and were so ambitious of that no honourable office in Civil-state but they got into their hands by book or crook becomming Lords Treasurers Keepers Chiefe-Justices and of the Privy-Councel and upper house of Parliament and what not who desire a fuller account hereof may finde it in Dr. Willets Synopsis 5. Gen. Controv. 9.3 p 278. How at first the Priviledges and immunities were inlarged by the munificâ—nce of civill powers and Princes and with divine authority and so Marsilius Patavinus asserts it ex gratuita c. Praefat in Concil Senonens And that the revenues and lands of Bishopricks were some of them given by devout and religious persons Princes c. Cod. lib. 8. tit 54. l. 54. Justinian And their titles of honour being created Barons and made Lords of the Parliament house here in England were bestowed upon them by the bounty of Kings about foure hundred and twenty yeares agone Cod. lib. 2 tit 7. leg 14. but never by the word and warrant of God that they got these Civil honours places and imployments But wee shall finde many Lawes that were made to invest them into honour and pomp As Cod lib. 1. tit 6. leg 28. Anthemius made this Law that if a stranger dyed and left no Executor the Bishop of the place
as is required Phil. 1.27 Jude 3 Gal. 5.1 1 Cor. 7 23. Can. 6.4 til they be in communion as an Army with Banners and then they are terrible to their enemies being all under one Captaine Heb. 2.10 grant there be divers colours having all the same word Jer. 31.33 marching all in order and ranke Col. 2.5 making all one arme and strength against the same enemies and joyntly vindicating the truth joyntly praying and then out of their mouths comes fire to destroy their Adversaries Rom. 11.5 joyntly suffering for the truth 1 Cor. 11.26 Rom. 12.8 joyntly refusing traditions trumperies and whatsoever is contrary to Christs word joyntly disputing for and maintaining of their Liberties and Priviledges Gal. 5.1 Fifthly without this Fellowship together there is not that fellow-feeling or Saintly sympathy as ought to be 1 Cor. 12.25.26 Rom. 12.16 nor is there that bearing one anothers burthens Gal. 6.2 Heb. 13.3 nor forbearing one with anothers weaknesses as Eph. 4.32 Col. 3 12 13. in bowels of love pity patience and without censures Rom. 14.13 Rom. 13.1 2 c. Sixthly besides they are exceeding deficient in many other Christian duties who are not in Gospel-fellowship for how can they Prophesie in the Church 1 Cor. 14. or tell the Church as Mat. 18.17 if they are not members of a Church or obey them that are Elders Heb. 13.17 or vigilantly watch over one anothers conversation and admonish or reprove orderly Mat. 18.15 1 Thess. 5.14 and 4.18 2 Thess. 3.15 Rom. 15.14 c. But for this I refer to Mr. Bartlets Model But to the reason 4 Fourth Reason or Argument which is taken from the special priviledges which are proper to them that are in the way of Christ above all others which are abundance As first among them Christ doth most manifest his presence Psal. 36.2 in a more then ordinary measure the glory of God is seen in the face of Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Christ takes most delight in the midst of them to walke there Rev. 1.12 13. and 2 1. in his rich robes of righteousnesse to cloath or cover with the meanest Saints or member of his body i. e. with a garment downe to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle for himselfe as High-priest and his Saints as Priests The names of Temples house Kingdome Tabernacle yea and golden Candlesticks are given to Beleevers in Church-fellowship 2 Cor. 6.16 1 Cor. 3.16.17 Eph. 2.22 Heb. 3.6 Rev. 21.3 for this very reason not onely because he walks in them but there he lodges Psal. 132.13 14. lives and rests in a most remarkable manner there the Kingdome and King is seen in his beauty Isa. 33.17 And for this I referre to the object of the Church in Chap 9. Secondly In this Way of Christ the Saints have most singular refreshments and the sweetest and highest enjoyments of love and grace and powrings of the unction from on high upon them we shall finde how Christ yea and his Apostles after him did daily visit the Synagogues and publick Assemblies and amongst them he uttered so many gracious words and wrought so many mighty miracles and why so if not to foreshew by this how he would regard the Church-assemblies of his people and be their Prophet to declare excellent truths and to open the Fathers bosome to them above all for there hee feeds Cant. 1.7 and 6.2 3. and eats pleasant fruits i. e. of his owne planting Cant. 4.16 there the Lord is a place of broad rivers Isa. 33.21 and Christ is there and to them streams from Lebanon and a Fountaine in the middest of them Cant. 4.12 as in Florence and Naples where they have the most excellent Gardens they have in the midst a most excellent Spring a Fountaine from which with an Engine they can sprout out water and streams round about the Garden so alluding to this is Christ in the midst of such a Church-fellowship as we have spoken of a Fountaine and streams i. e. they are refreshed with streams in a more eminent manner then all in the world besides For the common-fields flowers and trees without have the benefit of the clouds and ordinaryâ— raine and showers but the particular Churches of Christ his bed of spices Cant. 6.2 are more watered then all others for besides the outward meanes of grace and preaching praying expounding and ordinary publick showers or refreshments they have a fountaine within that is never dry of purer and more Chrystall showers that cannot be taken away from them the Word and Spirit are as it were entailed to them in a most spirituall manner above all Exod. 20.24 Isa. 4.5.6 Isa. 25.6 7 8. Psal. 132.13 14 15 Isa. 56.7 Isa. 59.21 and are as it were seated there to sanctifie season counsell quicken comfort encourage and assist them in Church-fellowship above any other So that when there is a drought without and the Clouds are steril and the earth barren yet there is even there within a fountaine and streams for the Gardens So that though Ministers i. e. Clouds may be empty yet the Fountaine i. e. Christ cannot Thus Saints in fellowship are fed with fat things Isa. 25.6 7. with flaggons and apples Cant. 2.5 and full refreshments and that above all other the dwellings of Jacob and they bring forth fruits even in old age Psal. 92.13 14. Thirdly Christ is more free with them then with any others as a Husband with his Wife to impart his most intimate bosome-loves and secrets Cant. 7.12 2 Cor. 11.2 and to let out his very heart-loves into his wives arms and bosome Isa. 62.4 5 and Isa. 61.10 Psal. 36.8 Fourthly Such of all are under his protection and banner of love Cant. 2.4 Isa. 4.5 6. Joel 2.32 Isa. 54.17 and in the midst of them is salvation placed Isa. 46.13 Zach. 2.5 And in a word they have a heaven upon earth Rev. 12.1.12 O! it is good being here For these and many more the like Reasons hath this gospel-Gospel-order of Beleevers in fellowship been alwayes praised prized and indefatigably sought for and accounted of even as of necessity for beleevers in all ages For the Lord though hee loves all his Saints Deut. 33 3. yet he loves the gates of Zion more then all other the dwellings of Jacob Psal. 87.2 and so much the Saints have loved these Courts of the Lord that they have accounted a day better there then a thousand elsewhere Psal. 84.10 the Apostles longed after it and to see the brethren in it Rom. 1.11.12 1 Thes. 2.17 yea and esteemed them the Crown of their joy 1 Thes. 2.19.20 yea Christ himselfe as man exceedingly desired it and sought comfort by his Disciples prayers Mat. 26.40.43 Luke 22.46 and he exceedingly longed after a most speciall communion with them in fellowship with him before hee parted from them and was taken away to suffer See Luke 22.15 with desire
art subject to wandrings now and may be runnest in a full career without stop or stay warning or check besides you have not here without in your Parishes the benefit of many ordinances as exercising of gifts prophesying one by one and frequent communication and conference in the things of God Mal. 3.16 And such-like pretious benefits as are in this Church-way to be had at large for your edification 4. And lastly it is just with the Lord to leave thee to thy lusts to swear in his wrath thou shalt never enter into his rest never to make one motion more at thy soul by his spirit to enter into this way or once to encline thine heart thereunto If now now I say after so many clear calls thou doest resist the Holy Ghost Wherefore as Heb. 3 10 11 12 13. harden not your hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to dry up or wither do not snib or nip off those buds or blast those blooms which are in you and like to set so fair for fruit nor by the hardness of your hearts and unkindness and cruelties to the conceptions of Christ within you do not dry up those sweet sappy motions which are made in your heart by his spirit if you do you will prove but a barren branch a withered sear stick to be cut up for the fire John 15.16 Heb. 6.8 they are nigh the curse that do so in the deceitfulness of sin i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex à privat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 drawn out of the way of Christ by some fallacy or other who ever refuseth this way of Christ runs a desperater hazard then he is aware off wherefore then let him take heed take heed And let Ministers so called look about them too and beware for a greater alteration is yet to come and to befal them then ever hath been before O then Sirs that they would be busie about the Lords house and no longer delay it or do it by halves Numb 14.24 or by haltings between too Do they yet know what was the meaning of the last lightning and thunder the last year which grew so angry at their Morter-Churches and Parish-Temples what houses were burnt or beaten down to the ground but those Churches and on that day of worship too and in several Counties too and which is not without a Mystery but it shall be plain and made an History ere long in the interim it were well that Ministers and all would take warning and sin no more by dishonoring God in idolizing forms and humane inventions or in worshipping of Christ in Anti-christian ways and traditions least a worse thing happen unto them Was there ever any that hardned his heart against the Lord and prospered at last Job 9.4 But some it may be will say Sir You forget your self and so I would whilest you urge so much your Form of Discipline For we look for Zion more spiritually and for spiritual worshippers Answ. 1. It is not so much the Form as the Faith that I would urge I mean obedience to Christs positive commands as I told you before although some soar too high into the air that account the Practical Part of Worship a meer Form 2. I urge it not so much to be Church-members as Christs-members but first to have fellowship with the Son and then with the Saints as I said before but I say both these are enjoyned to be enjoyed Yet I say further whilest in the Form out of the Form and whilest under it yet above it and so are all Saints in the Church spiritual worshippers of God John 4.23 yea in spirit and in truth together Wherefore let none be so censorious as to say We are all for the form of Discipline when indeed we are least for it and would have all our Brethren to live above it in their Spirits with God and with Christ in the Temple and the Light of the New Jerusalem We live in them as Abraham lived in Tents and David in Tabernacles 3. We also look for Sion more spiritually but this is in order thereunto Before we can get into the City which is all glorious within we must pass through the gates as appears Psal. 87.2 3. His foundation is in the holy mountains The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God! There is first the foundation laid by the Lord himself and then secondly the particular Churches or the gates of Zion which the Lord so loves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And then thirdly the City its self which is so glorious But I say before we can come into the City we must enter through the gates which are these Churches gathered So that this is in the way to that City where Salvation is placed Isa. 46.13 This is the way to Zion as Jer. 50.5 They shall ask the way to Sion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves together c. We must ask first the way i. e. the Churches and when we are in the way then for Zion And thus the Saints come to Sion Jer. 3.14 Isa. 51.11 35.10 i. e. By this way and through these gates we must first live in Tents and then in the City Heb. 11.9.10 First in Tabernacles then in the Temple and that those that would live in Sion in her glory and full effusion of the Spirit must be in the Churches in order thereunto which appears plainly in Chap. 9. lib. 2. For the Lord will be known in her Gates Towers and Palaces Psal. 48.3 44.12 Quaere How we should groundedly know we are fitted for this Communion of Saints in Church-society as hath been pressed answer 1 Answ. 1. There must be clear satisfaction to your judgement and full perswasion in your brest Rom. 14. the whole Chapter especially Vers. 1 2 4 14. Acts 2. 19. 8. Saints ever first believed and were fully perswaded and then they entered 2. You must be exceedingly longing and desirous after it and then make ready for it be freely willing to it by the Spirit of Christ in you Psal. 110.3 Jer. 50.4 5. For all in Christs Kingdom are voluntiers 1 Thes. 1.6 7. Acts 4.32 2 Cor. 8.3 5. 3. Such are made free to follow Christ any where soever Revel 14.4 And as they come at his call Mark 1.18 so they are prepared to leave all and to take up the cross Mat. 19.27 accounting before hand what it will cost them so that they pass not a pin for storms and afflictions which they expect before hand as 1 Thes. 3.3 Phil. 1.27 28. but they will hold out to the end 4. What is the object ye look on in these overtures of your affections It is the King in his beauty O the sweet Soul-ravishing presence of
Isay 11.9 Hâ—bak 2.14 Zach. 12.18 Thus if we seriously perpend and weigh with the word of God these six Heads it will lye obvious to our understanding that the Church of Christ restored into Gospel-Primitive purity is the great promise of these later dayes as appears also in severall Prophesies wherein the Lord hath promised the repaire of Sion and to build up the desolate and waste places and Ierusalem that is broken down and such like Scriptures Ps. 102.15.16 that concern us in these latter dayes so is it in Ier. 31.4 I will build thee up again O Virgin of Israel ye that are holy and pure sanctified in Christ Iesus this Promise is made to you so in Ier. 33.7 I will build them as at first saith the Lord in order to this work is all the noise in the world for all the obstructions must be removed and the old must passe away as in the 2 Pet. 3.10 with a great noise see in Zach. 4.6.7 where the Prophesie which is for our dayes and from hence forward promises the removall of all lets to this work of the Lord though they be mountains that hinder yet he 'le make them all plains And also the Lord promises the progresse of his House and Temple viz. in these later dayes which he hath put into the hands of Christ the typified Zerubbabel v. 9. who hath already even in our dayes layd the foundation of it untill he hath finished it So that in order to this Church-worke and building up of Sion it will easily appeare that Gods designe in these latter daies is to throw downe mountains viz. the mightiest powers Princes Armies Monarchies or Kingdomes that oppose the Kingdome of Christ and hinder this work of the Lord in Zerubbabel's hands Job 9.45 Job 28.9 Isay 10.32.33 Isay 14 4.5.9.10 41.15.16 24.19.21.23 Hag. 2.6.7.21.22.23 he will throw them all into the dust that dare to appeare against Sion or the King of Sion Psal. 2.9 wo be to all the Powers Princes Nations on the Earth that take part with the Dragon or the Beast or Turk or Pope Rev. 19.19 God will make all these mounts be they never so great plaines by scattring them as dust Isay 41.16 Dan. 2.35 scourging them Isay 10.24.25.26 with furious blows Ezek. 25.16.17 by stilling them Exod. 15.16 Isay 11.6 Ps. 8.2 by ruining them Jer. 49.38 51.20 to the 27. Hag. 2.22 or else by converting of them Psal. 102.13.15 Isay 49.11.12 60.3.4 Rev. 21.24 O then let us not be afraid Luke 21.25.27.28 but lift up our heads for our day is nigh Psal. 46.2.3.4 but let all that would have Zion repaired rejoyce that the Mountains God is making Plaines the great work then of his Church is hard by for the head-stone i. e. the first Plantation stone according to the Primitive patterne and practise which Christ himselfe and after him his Apostles brought forth is already in some measure blessed be the Lord brought forth with shoutings crying grace grace unto it wherefore let us blesse God for that voyce of Rev. 19.17.18 which we have heard in our Land and thinke it not strange the world is an uproare for all this must be to make for Zion to make for the Gospel-order in Church-state before the Apostolicall primitive Church and order can be restored which is now hard by us and then the Churches shall flourish and rejoyce Isay 35.10 Joel 3.16.17 and remaine Heb. 12.27.28 Zach. 14.11 and their name shal be the Lord is there wherefore read in the Book of God when all this shal be Isay 34.16 The next part of this Consid. is that the glory of the Gospel Church is promised by many excellent Types ful Figures as the wise know the Old Test. testifies and not only the glory of Christs Church but the shame confusion and downfal or Antichrists Church in these latter dayes is by Types layd before us I might instance for the fall of false Churches under the Type of Aegypt Ezek. 31.18 Rev. 11.8 that kept Gods people in bondage and therefore must be plagued again and again Isay 10.26 after the manner of Aegypt and of Sodom too Rev. 11.8 whence the Lot's are calâ—'d out even into a little Zoar or handfull at first that they may be burnt up with brimstone Rev. 19.20 in the furious anger of the Lord Psal. 83.11.14 Isay 34.2.3 for their spirituall Whoredomes and Adulteries So also of Babylon whence all that can heare are called in our dayes for the voyce is now Rev. 18.4 to make haste out for Judgements are comming upon her the mother of Harlots Rev. 17.5 yea of a sudden in one houre Rev. 18.8.9.10 within these three years the smoake of her burning will begin to appeare and smell in the nostrils of the Churches and soon after Anno 1655. All that see it shall stand as far from her as they can for feare of her torments Rev. 18.10 though thousands that see it not will fall into it and feele it to their cost yet all the Saints Apostles Churches Prophets shall rejoyce for that Babylon shall be throwne downe with a mighty violence never to rise more Rev. 18.20.21 but to speak no more to this in a word he shall come to his end and none shall help him Dan. 11.45 and that this his ruine is nigh appears in the 44. verse because the tidings which he heares does already trouble him as the Expositors upon this place have foretold it to be fatally ominous and to foretell his eminent fall 1. For the signs are the falling away from him which will be more apparent within these three yeares as the Iewes did from Antiochus Epiphanes a picture of the Pope 2. His feare at the tydings of rumours abroad Dan. 11.44 the Iesuits Cardinals Pope yea Rome it selfe trembles to heare of England and at the troubles that are arising in all Europe 3. His passionate desire to do mischiefe and to Romanize as of old were he able all these fore-run his ruine as Polanus Brightman with many others noted now they tremble already as Antiochus the Type did a little before his end which End was with the plagues and judgements of God and after which neither he nor his Kingdome nor any of his posterity and temper did ever more rise but were extinct for ever and so will it be with the Pope Rome and all that take part with the beast Rev. 19.20 But to the Types that foretell the glory of Christs Church whieh are many and of long standing I might instance in the hill of Sion in Davids Tabernacles as they were Gods habitacles which were to be made after Gods appointment Exod. 25.9 and all that was brought to make them was to be Free-gift v. 2. and there was to be the Mercy-seat Arke and Testimony v. 21. and the Table with Shew-bread v. 30. none were to become there