to it but the Name of Mass and to call it the Sacrifice of the Mass there are many Promises in the Scripture that there shall be much light in the last dayes Knowledge shall abound 7. A particular Church is a company of visible Saints that join themselves voluntarily together to enjoy the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus among themselves and to build up one another in their most holy faith this appears by the Epistles to the Church of Rome Corinth Ephesus the rest where they are called Saints faithful Brethren sanctified in Christ Jesus such as the Lord had begun a good work in Phil. 1.6,7 The Apostle saith it was meet to think so of every member of that Church yea he calleth the members of the Church of the Thessalonians Elect 1 Thes 1.4 and giveth the Reason ver 5. because that the Gospel came to them not in word only but with power and the Holy Ghost and much assurance not but that in those Churches there might be some that in the sight of God might be unbelievers but when they were taken into to those Churches they had such knowledge and Grace that so far as the Church could judge they could own them to be effectually called Many shifrs may be found out to withstand the Truth but if the Epistles to the Churches be weighed and the practice of the Apostles in the first Churches they are of no weight 8. Whatsoever corruption crept into the Church of Corinth other Churches doth no way alter the case for they were all visible Saints when they were first gathered and the Incestuous person and such were to be Excommunicated 1 Cor 5. else their Church-state would soon have been destroyed for such leaven would soon have leavened the whole lump and though that incestuous person was suffered a while yet upon the Apostles writing to them he was cast out and God so blessed that dreadful Ordinance of Excommunication to him that he repented and was taken in again And for their disorders at the Lords Supper they so repented and reformed upon the writing of that Epistle that the Apostle charges them not with those disorders in his second Epistle to them yea the Apostle in his second Epistle to the Corinthians giveth them great commendations as Ch. 7.12,13,14 Ch. 9.14 he speaks of the exceeding Grace of God in them 9. The more evidence of Grace and satisfaction in every member the purer the Church is at its first gathering 10. Most people amongst us make not so much as an outward profession of Religion how many either hold fundamental Errors or are grosly ignorant or are prophane and scoffers at the Spirit of God and power of godliness yet the Apostle giveth a direction to Timothy to teach the Church what they should do in case of profession that if men have a Form of godliness and deny the power of it declare themselves plainly by their conversations to have no Grace in their hearts he bids us from such to turn away 2 Tim. 3.5 11. The creeping in of corrupt members into Churches the best Churches is so far from being an Argument to lay aside all Rules and care of the Church in admitting members that its a strong Argument to put them upon all Christian care if so many enemies get into the Garrison when every man that cometh in is questioned what will there be when there is no watch nor care at all because that Believers after all their watching praying and believing have some sinful weaknesses should they neglect all care and duty this were a strange Argument Nay but therefore watch and pray and strive and believe for power against corruption 12. The way to come out of confusion into Church order is by godly mens joyning together as a Church of Christ upon good satisfaction of one anothers Grace and so to chuse their Officers that are to be their Overseers in the Lord the choice of whom by the Church is part of their liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free that society of people is no longer fit to be called a Church that must have their Officers imposed on them 13. In the common way there is little like Church-fellowship instead of watching over one another to keep one another up there is watching for one anothers halting rejoycing in them instead of Heavenly Discourse swearing and cursing 14. Though the generality of people amongst us do not in words deny Christ and the Doctrine of the Gospel but in words agree to it as it is the Religion of their country commonly here professed yet they no otherwise profess it then they would do any other Religion if it should be publiquely commanded as the main Body in King Henry the eighths time and Edward the sixt Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth turned four times in twelve years therefore let not wise and gracious men lay weight upon such a sandy verbal Profession of men that hath no signs accompanying it of Grace and sincerity in their hearts 15. When Believers enter into Church-fellowship what can be said against a Holy Covenant thereby professing and declaring the full purposes of their hearts to walk in all the Ordinances of Christ and in the fellowship of that Church as God shall give them light assistance and opportunity such engagements in all Politique Bodies have their use 16. Although living together be convenient for those that joyn in Church-fellowship especially some of them for to manage Church Affairs that they may be alwayes present yet rather then to live without the Ordinances all our dayes in a way satisfying to our own consciences we may joyn to the nearest Churches till God open a door of opportunity for us at home 17. The Church is not the Officers but the Body of the Saints Acts 15.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church and of the Apostles and Elders so that the Apostles and Elders were not counted the Church and ver 22. then it pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church so the Apostle in his Epistles to Rome Corinth and the rest calleth the Body of the Saints the Church I know not how any Officers of the Churches can be the Church Representative as some phrase it except they be Deputed and appointed by a Church to be their Messengers to transact any business for them and in their stead and of Messengers of the Churches in that sense we read in the Scripture 18. If that one thing were done among the godly in the Nation that visible Saints embodied together and chose their Officers to go out before them in the Lord all other differences about the power of particular congregations and the jurisdiction of Synods and the like would either by light or love among the Churches be sweetly composed but while many godly Ministers stand so stiff upon their former ordination that will look for no solemn Call from those Churches they count themselves Pastors of and observe no way of
admission of members to maintain purity and will manage all by themselves as it were without either presence or consent of the Church it may be a great inconvenience and hinder communion of their and other Churches which might else more comfortably own one anothers Church state notwithstanding other differences those things are urged by the New England men with many Arguments and that of the holiness of those that are to be admitted into Churches is excellently defended by Mr. Cotton in that Book of his called The Holiness of Church members in which he answers all that is usually brought against it so that he that would with small expence either of money or time see that point cleared that may get that Book 19. To say that there hath been true Churches in England heretofore no way proveth that there is a true Church in every Parish for though there might be true Churches in some Parishes it doth not follow that therefore there was in all and because that there was a Church in such a place a hundred years ago it doth not follow that therefore there is now for God giveth Churches a bill of divorce many times what is become of the Churches of Asia the Church of Rome Hath not the Lord taken away their Church-state yet Rome still holdeth Christ that died at Jerusalem to be the true Christ the denial only of which some conceive will only unchurch a people and not their prophaness and wickedness otherwayes be it never so great a very strange notion it is but the Lord threatens to unchurch the Church of Ephesus for other grounds besides such gross Infidelity as was intimated yea though they had many excellent things in them yet Revel 2,4,5 I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy Candlestick out of its place except thou repent where we may observe to our present purpose 1. That God doth sometimes remove a peoples Church state for so I think all acknowledge that by Candlestick is meant their Church-state for the seven Candlesticks were the seven Churches Revel 1.20 2. It shews us plainly that though a people do not deny Christ that died at Jerusalem to be the true Christ but outwardly acknowledge and own him yet if the Church generally leave their first love and grow formal and carnal that there is to be seen no difference between them and unregenerate men God will unchurch them will own them no more after some time of his patience and waiting for their Repentance to be a Church and house of his 3 That God doth not use to stay generations before he unchurch a people that fall off from him for he saith in this place he will come quickly to remove his Candlestick except they repent God will not have Churches now look for such for bearance as the Church of the Jews which was an extraordinary thing and not to be paralleld but saith he I come quickly not to wait now many hundred years as I did upon the people of Israel 20 Although the Officers of Churches have a power of order yet they have not all Church-power for the Church of Corinth were to consent to put forth that Church act of excommunicating the incestuous person 1 Cor. 5.4 Though some officer for order-sake be the mouth of the Church in the managing of it they are by most allowed to choose their own officers without which they should fall short of the priviledge of most societies and relations in the world and this is some act of power that most grant is seated in the Church and thus was an Apostle chosen Act. 1. and the Deacons Act. 6.3 and Elders Act. 14.23 In that Synod they were not chose neither by Magistrates or by the Officers of the Churches only but by the body of the Church Act. 15.2,3 and so when any great affairs are to be transacted with another Church the persons commonly called the Messengers of the Churches are sent not only by the Officers but by the whole Church Act. 15.23 2 Cor. 8.19 and these do represent the Church indeed from which they are sent therefore he saith in that place verse 24. shew ye to them and before the Churches the proof of your love to shew that what is done before them when they are thus delegated and appointed by the Churches is done before these Churches and the Church must say to Archippus Take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received of the Lord and fulfill it Col. 4.17 but for a man to come only by a Patron into a place that he looks upon as a Church and is not solemnly chosen by them and then will take all Church-power to himself is far from being according to Rule 21 Believers may join together in Church-fellowship though they do not agree in every thing if they agree in the main Churches gathered upon rigid Principles of uniformity in every thing makes way for breaches if men be sound in the faith and not of turbulent but peaceable Spirits some mistakes about lesser matters may be born with until God shall reveal these things unto them 22 It s observable that godly Ministers in most parts of the nation begin more and more to be unsatisfied with the common way of taking all to the Lords Table though yet they differ what is the way of Reformation but this serveth not only to countenance the peaceable and sober separation that is practised by some but promiseth much that God will reveal these truths of discipline more fully then hitherto we know that the godly in the Bishops times first began to scruple one Ceremony and then another and so light came in by degrees it is a good thing to see that men cannot bear such prophaning of Gods Ordinances as hath been amongst us and that they labor for purity of ordinances though they do not presently come into Gospel-order in every thing 22 The Pastors of the Churches must be godly It is a greater mischief then many are aware of that many that are publique Preachers and count themselves Pastors of Churches are not gracious men yea by those that put them into that work and those that sit under their Ministry it is not regarded whether they be godly only that they have some learning and parts 1 John 21.15,16,17 Christ saith to Peter Lovest thou me then feed my Lambs Christ doth not send others to seed his Lambs that neither love him nor them 2 Mind the description of a Pastor or Bishop which are all one 1 Tim. 3. He must be sober no drunkard apt to teach from some gifts of knowledge and utterance that God hath bestowed upon him he saith he must not be greedy of filthy Lucre Oh how many have entred upon the ministry meerly for filthy Lucre to get a living he saith he must not be a Novice 〈◊〉
against the Infections of the times or a Faithful Watch-word from Mount-Sion to prevent the ruin of souls whereby some special considerations are presented to sinners Admonition to Saints and Invitation to Backsliders published for the good of all by the Elders and Messengers of several Churches in Wales A Warning Piece for the â—lumbring Virgins or an Alarm to the friends of the Bridegroom being some awakning Meditations upon Christs own Watch-word Mat. 26.41 by Ge. Scortrech Preacher of the Gospel in Lincoln recommended to the Reader by Joseph Caryl William Greenhill Geo. Griffith Books against the Quakers A Faithfull Discovery of a treacherous Design of Mystical Antichrist displaying Christs Banners but attempting to lay waste Scriptures Churches Christ Faith Hope c. and establish Paganism in England being an Examination of the Doctrines of the people called Quakers by Joseph Kellet John Pomroy Paul Glisson A Confutation of the Quakers being an Answer to ninteen Quaeries propounded by them and answered by S. Eaton Minister of the Gospel in Cheshire A Testimony to the true Jesus and the faith of him wherein the way of the people called Quakers is examined and weighed being an Answer to James Nailors Book called Love to the Lost by T. Higgenson A Looking-Glass for the Quakers by T. Collier The Conviction of James Nailer and his black Spirit demonstrated by Lieutenant Ellis Bradshaw Books printed in the Welch Language VIZ. The Bible with singing Psalms The New-testament alone The Practice of Piety The sincere Convert Some part of the Works of Mr. Rees Prichard sometimes Vicar of Landyfre in the County of Carmarthen Some Catechisms together with several other Books in Welch Sold at the three Bibles in Pauls-Church-yard near the West end CHAP. I. The wicked and miserable estate of man by Nature BY Nature our heart which should be the best part of us is the worst a deep and bottomless pit of sin God saw the imaginaton of the heart of man was only evil continually Gen. 5.5 God seeth it whose eyes are so piercing like a flaming fire but few of us see it all our dayes never until God anoint our eyes with his eye-salve then we cry out we are unclean we are unclean God many times begins in the conversion of a sinner with this to shew him the sin of his nature how desperately wicked his nature and heart is beyond all the sin that hath broke out in his practice that there is a great fire of sin upon the hearth of the heart from whence all those sparks fly out of the chimney of the life and practice O we are by nature full of sin as the Toad is full of poyson and that poyson we spit out is but little to what is within this Root of sin is of a spreading nature it grows faster in wicked mens hearts then Grace doth in the Godly that we grow worse and worse and though by education afflictions terrors of conscience the branches may be lopt off yet the Root of sin in the heart doth spread daily O wretched men that we are that our heart which should be the Presence Chamber for the King of Heaven that this is a cage of unclean Birds and when we want opportunities of Uncleanness Theft Murder Voluptuousness outward pomp and applause then our wicked hearts will act over these things in a speculative way delighting our selves in the thoughts of them Therefore it is that the Scripture sets out conversion by A new heart Ezek. 36. Washing the heart from wickedness Jerem. 4.14 and forsaking our thoughts Esay 55. because our hearts are so opposite to God by nature and so contrary to the heart that God puts into us when he makes us new Creatures and therefore it is that when our eyes are opened we grow sick of our own hearts and cry out Lord deliver me from this proud worldly unclean deceitful unbelieving vain hard heart There is no cozening and cheating tricks in the world but our hearts have them that if there were no Devil to delude us yet our own hearts would everlaftingly cheat us Our hearts by nature are like a rotten stinking Fen from whence arise continual fogs mists and vapors which are a stench in the nostrils of God Satan hath a mighty power over us that maâ—icious subtile strong man armed he ruleth in the â—hildren of disobedience Eph. 2.2 Adam by his â—all hearkening and yielding to Satan chose â—im for his God the Devil cals us his House Matth. 12.44 there he is at bed and board â—e keeps the keyes and bolts and locks all the â—oors against Christ and unless Christ that is â—…ronger then he bursts them open he dwels â—here for ever O consider this all ye that are 〈◊〉 your natural condition that Satan hath posâ—…ssion of you that you are possest with the Devil though not in a bodily way as in Christs â—…me the Devil possessed many yet he hath posâ—…ssion of the heart Satan fortifies the hearts â—f men makes them strong Garrisons against â—…e Lord Jesus Now we are in a faln estate and liable to Gods everlasting wrath and there is such inâ—itations to come to Christ that we may be deâ—…vered from the wrath and Hell to come we have such cursed perverse hearts that we will not come to Christ that we may have Life but rather die in our sins we say as those Luke 19.27 that Christ shall never raign over us as soon as ever we hear Christ knock and call at the door of our hearts we run and bolt the door against him and unless he please by an Almighty and irresistible power to change our wills we never believe on him O how through unbelief we refuse great Salvation and do as it were bid God shoot all his Arrows at us we stand in the dreadful storm of Gods wrath and will not come to Christ the shelter and covertâ— from the storm we open our naked brests and bid God strike with the sharp sword The way of our wretched hearts is that if God never look after us we never look after him if we should live never so many thousand years in the world after we are converted we seek him iâ— some poor measure we seek the Lord and hiâ— strength and Grace and Spirit but before wâ— look not after him but if he come near to uâ— in afflictions in the Ministry of his Word oâ— common Reproofs and convictions of his spirit we say unto God Depart from us we desiâ—… not thy Christ thy Spirit and the knowledge oâ— thy wayes We cannot do any thing that God will accept of though we be never so serious stricâ— as doubtless many Papists and others are Aristotle and others of the Heathens that could write so many Books of Philosophy yet could not tell how to make one acceptable prayer to God all their vertues were but as a Toad painted over with fair colours or as a Silken stocking upon a wooden Leg a man by nature wants faith hath
your troubled soul found rest and peace from his Blood yea the soul saith truly This I have felt in some measure why here is true Faith and Assurance and yet many a poor soul not considering that this is the saving work but seeing that it comes short in many things doth question whether it be in Christ or no whereas open and unravel but the work of Grace and say Have you gone this step and the other step and it can say truly that These things God hath wrought in me How much means is used to many and yet they can find no comfort and peace of conscience The Covenant of Grace is clearly opened to them servent prayers are put up to God for them the experiences of other Saints are made known to them but all will not do it for indeed the Lord only can speak peace to the soul he is the God of peace But let those that have peace of conscience and Assurance be thankful for it as a great mercy for all Saints have it not indeed it is a great mercy it yields much present refreshment to the soul what will make us glad if the light of Gods Countenance will not And so doth Assurance of Gods Love stand us in great stead in time of Afflictions it keeps the soul from sinking in great Afflictions it keeps Satan from many advantages yea when we come to die and look that King of Terrours in the face Assurance of Gods Love makes grim Death look smilingly in our Eye CHAP. X. The Ministry of Angels and their serviceableness to the Church THough curious and unscriptural Notions about the Angels are to be avoided yet these things that the Scriptures reveal of them and their Ministry are very profitable to be known The Angels are called spirits and a flame of fire Heb. 1.7 They are active and quick at the Lords work they are as a flame of fire not only for their terribleness but for their quikness how quick fire goes out of a Gun and how quick is a flash of lightning The Angels were very forward to perform their service to the Lord Jesus an Angel brought news to Mary that she should be the mother of our Lord Luke 1.27.28 An Angel at Christs birth told the Shepherds the glad tidings of Christs coming into the world and a multitude of them praised God saying Glory be to God in the Highest on earth peace and good will to men Luke 2.9,13,14 They had command to worship the Lord Jesus Heb. 1.6 When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him but why must all the Angels of God worship Christ when he came into this world and was made flesh 1. To own and acknowledge Christ to be God now in that mean estate the form of a servant that he had put himself into for worship only belongs to him that is God 2 To acknowledge the benefit of confirmation that they have by the Lord Jesus by whom they are made immutably happy 3. To shew an example unto men to worship and honor Christ when as the Angels that are more excellent creatures do it 4. To shew their admiration of that glorious and wonderful way of Salvation by Jesus Christ And then at Christs death the Angels came and ministred unto him and strengthened him And as the Angels were forward to do service to Christ so they are to minister to the Saints for the Lord hath made them ministring spirits to them that shall be Heirs of Salvation The Lord makes use of them to keep his people out of many dangers Psalm 21.11,12 He hath given his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy wayes they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou shouldst dash thy foot against a stone indeed God is so careful of his people that he would not trust all the Angels in heaven wholly with the safety of his people but hath given them unto Christ to be their Leader and Commander and bring them unto Glory who will lose none of all that the father hath given him who hath Infinite Power and Wisdom to manage all their concernments but the Angels are Ministers under Christ to be helpful to the Saints as the Pastors of Churches are Overseers and have the charge of the flock under him also And so the Angels lift up the Saints many times as Nurses do little children that they don't dash their feet against a stone whom every little thing would throw down They have their Orders from Christ whose Ministers they are to do his pleasure therefore Christ is said to sit between the Cherubins Psal 99.1 to shew how he hath the Angels fit to send upon his Designs and how often doth he send them to encamp round about the Saints in their dangers and deliver them and because of the Angels serviceableness to the Saints they are called their Angels Matth. 18.10 The Lord giveth them great Power for to perform this service and Ministry to the Saints we see that the Angel Act. 20.7,10 that was sent to fetch Peter out of prison he did but touch him and his chains fell off and when they came to the Iron gate it presently opened the Lord giveth the Angels power over the fiercest creatures that when Daniel was thrown into the Lions Den the Lord sent an Angel and shut the Lions mouthes that they should not hurt him Dan. 6.32 And as they serve the Saints in other things so in destroying of their enemies as an Angel smote Herod with death Act. 10.23 Yea 1 Kings 19.35 in that great strait that Hezekiah and the people of God were in when that huge Army of the Assyrians came against them the Lord the text saith sent an Angel that smote in one night on kundred fourscore and five thousand of them whom they left all dead corpses It s a wonderful Execution When Lazarus died he was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16. As they do rejoyce in the conversion of a soul so in the finishing of our course and are joyful to bring us home to our Fathers house yea the Scripture tels us that the Lord will send the Angels at the last day to gather his people together from the four Winds who will know them all in the utmost corners of the earth having been ministring spirits unto them may be stirring affections and freedom of speech from the apprehension of popular applause in some Auditories but gracious men know a difference between those inlargements and the soul-humbling assistance of Gods spirit 10 Gods Spirit gives to his servants many times a more then ordinary assistance in their labors amongst the Saints for their sakes for their quickning comforting strengthning and edification whose building up was one great end of the ordinance of the Ministry Eph. 4.10,11,12 11 Gods Spirit gives his servants affections in preaching as Zeal Compassion to souls and the like but though something of this may