your Ink be not mixed with gall though sometimes with vinegar let not the least of the poison of Aspes lie under your tongues a little thing will keep them from union that have walked abroad at large and have no mind to return It s the strangest thing and most dishonourable for such as we to disagree we see if Captains fall out their Souldiers will side right or wrong I wish it was not so in the Church Let us strive to keep as close as we can together to lay aside as much of our selves as we can however to walk so farre as we may safely together and wait till the Lord shall reveal the rest unto us Thus much concerning our selves one to another 2. In reference to the Church let the peace and union of others be deare to us to whom should it be precious if not to us who have charge over them in the Lord and for this end 1. Urge this Doctrine much on them in reference to our fellowship and the Articles of our Creed and a truth so much inculcated in Scripture 2. Be Catechizing much a duty much commended to us by the reverend Synod it s well if it were set up Do such as are well grounded in the faith backslide and divide from the Church very few most returne yet some there must be for example to them that stand for above 900 yeares after Christ this duty was much exercised and then neglected Vide Mr Torshel his Exercitat on Mal. joyned to Barlow p. 36.37 till the rising up of Luther and King James tells us that the reason why so many fell into Popery and errors was their ungroundednesse in the points of Catechisme and it was strictly enjoyned but loosely observed in the Church when over much rashnesse overspread this Kingdome The Minister that uses it shall find as much comfort in his people as they benefit by him The Apostle takes this course considering the weaknesse of his people ver 1 hujus Capitis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he fed them with milk or as it is in the Originall gave them milk to drink because of their carnall minds that is he instructed them in the plain foundations of Christianity such as contained enough to save them and very edifying and wholesome Truths he did as a good Schoolmaster layes a good foundation in Grammar for when they hoist them up into books higher then they can well digest they neither understand them nor any whit benefit but are confused ignorant proud and ordinarily run into Grammar Errors For the Apostle kept not strong meat from them to wrong them but because they were not fit for it and so might do them more hurt then good puffe them up and make them seem knowing Christians when they know nothing as they ought viz. what 's that judgement of method and understanding of sence as become solid and sober Christians and thus the Apostle deals with the Hebrewes he brings them back to the place in Christianity where they began and makes them Christian Abcedarians again beginning at the elements the rudiments or principles as the word signifies in the heathen Authors or affections of Christianity Heb. 5.12.13 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat For every one that useth milk is unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse for he is a babe This is a safe and sure way to lay a good foundation and make them fit for great proficiency in the School of Christ 3. Let them that receive members divided from others take the Apostles caveat 1 Cor. 3.10 * Monentur itaque doctores ut inter docendum respectum infirmorum habeant illis se in omnibus verbis doctrinae vitae moribus accommodent corum se captui attemperent ut ab elementis incipiant nec altius conseendant quam sequi possunt ut denique paulatim distillet doctrinam ne largius infusa superfluat ut eos omnes c. Marl. in 1 Cor. 1.2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elementa initii Par. Rudimenta quia sunt pro rudibus Primordia vel initia Christiani According to the grace of God which is given unto me as a wise master-builder I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon For as vers 9. They were labourers together with God and begun a good foundation for a glorious frame of grace now they come to you take heed build according to the good foundation laid and begun else you may spoil them in respect of what is already wrought and of what shall be wrought 4. Countenance them not in their foolish wrangling questions either in things beyond them or beside them especially in the unravelling of them there being no profitablenesse and let not acceptance and encouragement be given of thee to any that out of wantonnesse curiosity c. withdraw from an holy and conscionable ministry unto thy own unlesse it be upon extraordinary and unusuall occasions such as Christian liberty allows and wisdome may make use of without scandal Do not quarrell but check them for I know no minister but he desireth to be deare in the eyes of the godly and much in their thoughts and prayers onely he would have himself so set up in others that his love should not procure anothers hate his honour anothers shame his respect anothers slight no but would have a fellow-sharing with all in the hearts of all therefore he would give to all their share and not impropriate others hearers to be his followers and chiefly make them Christs so let every minister deny his own name and not gather any to cry up his name as John did in John 1.23 He said I am the voice of one crying in the wildernesse Make straight the way of the Lord. 5. If thou dost resolve their quaeries and niceties let them be according to the Apostles rule in the evident power and strength of spirituall reason and in the Authority of his ministry 6. Let him labour to preserve his own peace and unity among them over which the Lord hath set him for many corrupt men out of envy and dislike to such particular persons do divide from their Congregations and at the best if thou be at just difference with them thy exhortations to peace cannot be well taken where they see contrary actions men loving to have the double light of life and doctrine going before them and many being willing to find out stumbling blocks for themselves in the wayes of God Follow peace with all men if possible labour to preserve it avoid just occasions be apt to put up injuries flee suits and contentions Lord it not over them that they may see thy desire is after unity and peace thy actions being the reall proof and
done for Conscience sake Hereby the hypocrite the unclean person and weak brother may throw the reins off his neck and return to his vomit for such stand open to temptations Seldom a wanton head and heart being separable if we consider who are subject to this sad judgement even corrupt people 2 Tim. 3.6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts and what such doth naturally produce 2 Tim. 2.16 But shun prophaâ—e and vain bablings for they will increase unto more ungodliness and take them at the best I dare appeal to any true beleever whether since his division and striving he hath made any * Vbi adhuc refidet talis ambitio aut nullus est aut exiguus Evangelii profectus Marl. sensible increase in holiness nay whether he is not lessned in his love care and practice and it s seldom with such schismaticall * Non nos ab ill is sed illi à nobis recesserunt cum haereses schismata postmoduÌ„ nata sunt dum conventicula si bi diversa constituunt veritatis caput atque orignem reliquerunt Cypt. de unit Eccles p. 234. Volunteers but they lose the very Truth it self and let any judge how it should be otherwise for these meerly tend to confusion where there is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Division there will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no standing order or confusion and if any thing can make greater gaps in the hedge of the Vineyard for good to go forth and evill to enter if a wider gate can be set open for evils in judgement and life it must be the gates of Hell and this we may easily judge by what success it hath already had even amongst all parties and even such that meerly in tenderness of conscience or desire of greater perfection in holiness have parted from them Now if we look upon envyings strifes and dlvisions breaking first out from Satan by whom the whole world was and is set on fire and issuing freely from mans lapsed nature as to be made up by Christ and wrote against by the Gospel as maintained by reigning lusts and maintaining the reign of lusts it must needs prove thus at last that a people beginning and proceeding herein do betray a carnall minde if not totally carnall Cartwright Ball. Synod against Dissenting c. with many others And whereas there hath been much said in the justification of Separation and Division and much more against it I shall say little Polemically in this Discourse only hint an Objection or two briefly with their Answers Some from Matth. 18.22 gather the lawfulness of gathered Churches made up of members rent and divided from others The place makes against them For 1. That two or three hath reference to the Governours of a Church as appears clearly by the context to any intelligent and unbyassed Christian 2. Or if in generall it appertains to Christians yet it s spoken to such as are still of the same Church before spoken of and still preserve their unity to the whole notwithstanding their private assembling Two or three of you 3 Mark the manner of their meeting In my Name Nese quidem variâ interpretatione decipiant c. ostendens non multitudini sed unanimitati deprecantium plurimum tribui Cypr. ib. Can they be gathered in his Name that divide the Church and Truth it self Can they meet in his Fear that despise his Worship Can it be to his glory that labours against unity Let us not deceive our selves by false glossing the scriptures c. God hears not men of many mouthes but of one mouth and heart Others say That God commands them to depart out of Babylon True so you ought in respect of your spirituall and temporall safety Non laudamus errones qui vagantur ad nullam se Ecclesiam adjungunt quia nusquam inveniant talem ideam in quâ non desideretur aliquid in moribus aut disciplina sed quaeramus Ecclesiam in qua articuli sidei recte docentur errores non defenduntur adhaÌ„c nos adjungamus hanc docentem audiamus diligamus nostram invocationem confessionem ipsius precibus confessioni aggregemus Chem. part 3. de Eccles p. 279. and out of a Church that is Babylonish Idolatrical defiled in the very Fundamentals of Religion and corrupt in the materials of the Ordinances from such depart but not from Churches that every one calls Babylonish and especially such as call it so that they might set up another of their own and while you depart from Babylon so called take heed you do not really run into Babylon its damnable Errors c. But where doctrine is sound according to divine Writ discipline in general pure No such is Babylon from no such let us depart But the more refined takes offence at our mixed Congregations and so depart 1. Yea if they depart because mixed with some unsanctified professors as they judge and will not joyn with any mixed they must resolve to be of no constituted and particular Church in this world no not of Christs own if he and his Disciples and hearers were now present in this world 2. However thou taxest many of them to bee carnall and so not to be communicated withall in such high and spirituall mysteries which thou canst never prove But dost not thou shew thy self to be carnal in separating from the whole because of the corruption of one member Sicut ipsi nihil minus quam Dei ecclesia sunt sic corum improbitas Ecclesiam non tollit Ecclesia nomen delere non potest 1 John 2.19 Neque enim dissitemur quin nomine Ecclesia Hypocrita etiam qui in ca sunt comprehendantur dicente Domino c. Matth. 13. 25. Zanch. de Eccles page 535. lib. 8. and crying down this and setting up another 3. But doth the Congregation tolerate connive at brook a profane person an obstinate sinner an ignorant man to communicate with thee if so then more occasion to divide But our division is not schisme or our separation is not division nor proceeds from envying and strife Truly in a Grammatical sence division must bee schism and separation must be division but I know it not otherwise in your mystical sence and I am sure in a Scriptural and spiritual sence it shews a carnal minde and that it doth proceed from a spirit of the former temper even among you of this Citie I shall make it good in the Uses applying the Doctrine in this particular to the People of this Citie and in generall to all Christians But before we fall on the Application take with me these Cautions 1. I make not every differing brother a dividing brother Vide Zanch. de Eccles nor every difference a ground sufficient for strife or division and if divided yet neither Heretique nor Schismatique so long as the
in all oh therefore tolerate thy self not in the least evill 6. A last occasion and ground of division is a superlative liberty due unto Prerogative saints under which all heteroclitall judgements lies couched this hath been so much searchad into by others that I need to say nothing in reproof onely propose to every true conscientious professor these considerations 1. That none can divide from any Congregation upon hopes of obtaining more purity light and Christian liberty c. unlesse he be infallibly assured that he falls into a way more Scripturall and agreeing to the plain speaking Texts of Scripture he must else most precipitantly and ignorantly run from them if the way be not groundedly cleared to him before or make his liberty of Conscience a meer pretence for his division which is either to vex the Church or please his lusts 2. That our Christian liberty lies not loose neither under the definitive determination of any man but our Christian liberty either lies explained in Christs laws in things necessary or may paralel to some of his Laws in things indifferent and these Laws are to be easily known of all whereby the happy peace and unity of the Church is much setled Our liberty is a necessitous not an arbitrary liberty fixed not unbounded ordered not confused reall not imaginary explained not mysterious holy not licencious but wholly serving the Lord. 3. That there is no Christian liberty that destroys naturall affection civill bonds and interests that gives way to any ungratefull and unfaithfull treachery in civill matters but rather confirmes and rightly orders the contrary much lesse is destructive to the order decency peace and unity of a Church 4. That the use of all Christian liberty in things indifferent is allowed for the preservation of our Christian brother with whom we are commanded to bear as a weaker brother not to offend a little one to lay no stumbling blocks before him which weaker brother you judge to be the Church that you doe forsake and from whom you divide that Church dwelling as it were in a lower region and sitting in a more unknowing Classis then you do and therefore by the Gospel rule you ought to have a care that you offend them not and of them there be many thousands in the use of your Christian liberty 5. That all liberty ought to serve unto the Kingdome of Christ else the priviledges of his Kingdome would destroy the being of it and so by necessary consequence all liberty must serve to unity Unity being absolutely necessary to the well-being of his Church And that thou maist walk like a Christian in the use of thy liberty take these Directions Have not an overweening conceit of thy own judgement worth and excellency this will cause thee else to despise others to put thy self before others and in all actions and disputes to shew more ingenuity then conscience Such a minde is an enemy to the Spirit stands open to temptation especially to seductions and hath man more then God before his eyes Be sober minded and of a sober carriage for he that hath an intoxicated fancy and an inebriated brain knows not himself nor where he is he is sick of wholsome truths and reels too and fro in his minde from this opinion to that but adheres to none Bee you then babes not in knowledge but in actions bee yee little ones as in the eyes of the world so in your own such will be spirituall children children associating and uniting together such seldom fall from the truth and divide from the Church In a word let him that names the Lord Jesus Christ depart from iniquity separate betwixt himself and sin for its unmortified lusts in us that causeth us to divide let us be contentious against sin within us sin without us striving against the corruptions of nature temptations of Satan the oppositions and allurements of the world On these if a man spend his zeal the strength of strife the activity of division he shall find much brotherly concord and unity in the wayes of Christs Kingdom nor leisure to dispute unnecessaries nor will to divide for them I am now tedious to my self much more to you let me but set on these instructions and directions by a motive or two and so conclude 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à In conjugatione Piel significat dividere Therefore the Greeks called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leigh and Weems If I could perswade you that you were guilty of envy strife and division I should perswade you to leave it especially those actions wherein they appear I know you see it in your selves oh leave this Pharasaical this meerly Pharasaical way the Church of the Jews in their decaying age fell into several Sects the Sadduce the Pharisee the watching and the strict-living Pharisee the Essaeni and so the Church of Rome in their backsliding age fell into their Fryers and them of severall sorts c. Oh let this scandall passe from us and let us not be in a dying age when we should be reviving let us all study now how to make peace make it your business every one of you in your places and callings Masters Magistrates Ministers c. to put on this smooth skin this meek heart and to procure peace and unity in the Church of Christ and for this end consider How the Church of God stands towards Her self Christ her Head Her Enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated by the 70 evermore congregare or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 congregatio and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First concerning the Church as she is in her self not only many precious promises of peace and unity are made unto her but the Gospel the complement of promises holds out the same by way of direction love as a stream runs thorow the whole channel of Scriptures it s the great cry of all the Prophets and Apostles if it had been an Observation scattered in one or two places that had been sufficient but it s that silver string that is drawn thorow all the Epistles and tyed on a most compleat knot in St. Johns Epistles And as these commands are sent to the Church and all that is of her so mark under what Parables she is shadowed forth in Scripture to name but a few Shee is frequently compared to a vineyard and that must not lie common but be let forth to husbandmen to be fenced the trees pruned and watched the stones cast out the bryars plucked up and burnt the Foxes taken I cannot stand to comment upon all these passages Shee is again set forth to St. Peter under a sheet this sheet hath four corners which are the four parts of the world out of which the Church was to be called in these are all creatures and all these are common and mixed together in one sheet but as corn of several grains thrown into a sheet will soon be mingled so all people nations
rests thy mind Sure by these and the like queries thou mayest put to thy soul thou shalt find in truth that thy division from the Church of Christ was a division from Christ and since then he hath with-held the most sweet effectual and saving operations of the spirit from thee Thus if we consider the Church in it self would preserve it in its essence beauty and glory if we look upon her in reference to Christ how nearly joyned we must if we desire to belong unto Christ keep close to her unlesse thou expectest salvation out of Christ or Christ out of the Church Lastly we must now consider her as she stands in relation to them that are not of her even to her enemies And this with the rest might lay a great ingagement to seek her peace and unity If we consider her desiring To have them saved To be saved from them First As she desires to save them or to have them sav'd They cannot be sav'd out of the Church the dividers themselves confessing and we must or ought to endevour their salvation at least they are to have the tenders of salvation 1 Tim. 2.4 Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth Nay to have our utmost endevours Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved They are your brethren by nature and questionlesse many of them in grace too What have you to wo for you to invite them in unto you Peace a place of unity and rest every one desires What may they finde with you that are the Church of God If not with you then where Better it is will they say to keep a way I have received from my forefathers and of which I have some probable grounds then to undertake a new way where I shall find no certainty lose that little Religion I have and find none other unlesse it be in disputes doubts changes strifes divisions objections c. As once the distraction of the Church of Germany gave occasion to a Prince thereof thus to answer to those that perswaded him to turn Lutheran If I associate with you then I am censured of others if I associate with others Si me adjungo vobis tune condemnor ab aliis si me aliis adjungo à vobis condemnor quid fugiam vidco sed quid sequar noÌ„ habco Raul 2. l. c. 5. Sect. 2. p. 249. then I am censured of you What to decline I see but what to follow I find not 1. Then he will enquire for the Doctrine of salvation Is the name of God one on whom they call is the Creed one and onely one It s said Isa 2.2 And it shall come to passe in the last dayes that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills Can it be said so of us 2. Then for discipline hee would enjoy the truth with order * Christiani propter illas dissentiones sectas in theatris à Gentibus infidelibus derideri soliti fuerant sicut etiam nunc inter Turcas Judaeos eandem ob causam â—ridemur omnes Zanch. c. 8 p. 538. Is there no confusion disturbance rents Is there no envyings strifes c. Where is your beauty your amiablenesse but in this Psal 133.1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwel together in unity Christ Saith Let your light shine before all men and Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men Your division not onely drawes some weak souls after you but keeps back many a soul from coming into the Church loses and destroyes soules justly openning the mouths of wicked ones against you whose holy and peaceable conversation should stop them 2. You desire to save your selves then keep your walls in repair that as Sanballat and Tobiah said of Jerusalem their walls were so bad a fox might run over them and so truly of our Church these indeed invite the thief to enter when the walls are down and as you keep them in repair so your selves in unitie for your division weakens your selves for envy through divisions may arise so high that one partie may sit down to see the other destroyed though a worse come in their room whereas their unitie might preserve them both Experience reason and truth maintains this to what sad ruines it hath brought famous Cities Churches and Common-wealths for envie strife and division never cease till they be buried in ruines unlesse God reconcile their hearts As two posts leaning upon one another either stand by the strength or fall by the weakness one of another Nature Reason Historie Experience and Scripture fruitfully prove these things Considering all these if any thing be dear to you to you that should have the bowels of our Saviour if the spouse of Christ if your own unity with Christ the Head if the salvation of others and your own temporall preservation be valued of you lay aside these envyings strifes and divisions hold that one Faith in Unity be knit together as you would be to Christ as one man and where you see occasions of division refusalls of union drive and force upon men terms of unity this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to persecute one another with peace And even for Christs sake for his Churches sake for the strangers sake for your own sake I beseech you to lay to heart what hath been said help to make up breaches you have made and to honour the truth in your second return and re-union to the Church of Christ And so with the Apostles exhortation to these Corinthians 1 Cor. 1.10 we conclude Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that yee all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same minde and in the same judgment FINIS