Elders says unto them Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords ever Gods Heritage but being ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. By all which recited Passages it is plainly manifest that the Apostles had a great eate not to be burdensome to any and that the Gospel of Christ might be preserved without Charge they were so far from compelling or forcing a Maintenance from such as did not own nor receive them that they forbore to make use of that Power which Christ allowed them even among such as did receive them It seems the Apostle Paul wrought with his Hands when he had an oportunity and exhorted the Brethren to be followers of him and mark them that walk so as they had them for an ensample Phil. 3.17 and there is small question but the rest of the Apostles were like-minded with him We see that Peter is so far from allowing the Elders to act by Constraint or to insist upon great Wages and Revenues for their Service that he quite opposes it in these words Not by Constraint not for filthy Lucre observe the Epithite that he bestowes upon Lucre nothing less then Filthy It seems he look't upon it as a filthy thing for such as were to Feed and Nourish the Flock of God and to take the oversight thereof that their Hearts and Minds should be so bent upon worldly Preferments and exercised in covetous Practices as to do what they did for filthy Lucre sake therefore he doth with much sharpness enlarge upon that matter in his second Chapter of his second Epistle as may be there seen at large Thus as it was the way of the Ministers and Servants of Christ in the primitive times to act according to the Precepts and Directions of our blessed Lord and to advise and exhort others thereunto and also to bear ' Testimony against such as tranfgress upon these accounts so also it highly concerns all those who pretend to be Ministers of Christ in this our day to search and try their ways and in the Light of Christ seriously to weigh and examine the matter whether they be truly called qualified and acted by the Spirit of Christ yea or nay if they be no question but they will manifest the same in Humility Meekness Self-denial Christian-forbearance Charity and Doctrine as also in acting according to the Directions of Christ and Practice of his People But on the contrary if any under that pretence be found in a Proud Lordly Covetous and Persecuting Spirit walking in the steps of those whom the true Prophets and Servants of Christ have always testified against it greatly behoves all People to beware of them according to the directions of our blessed Lord Mat. 7.15 16. Beware of false Prophets which come to you in Sheeps clothing but inwardly they are â—â—â—â—ning Wolves ye shall know them by their â—â—uits Forasmuch as they have a shew of Christianity and so thereby are clothed with Sheeps clothing but being inwardly departed from the pure holy meek and peaceable Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ they endeavour to Persecute Tear and Devour them that are not willing to Feed and Relieve them and so therein they are ravening Wolves I do not hereby place any particular charge upon any but leave every one to see and know by their Fruits desiring that all those who are under those Circumstances and Qualities may come to Repentance and amendment of Life whilst the day of their Visitation lasteth otherwise all their pretences to Christianity or the ministerial Function will not rescue them in that day when the Righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth doth recompence every one according to their Deeds Section XI Concerning PRAYER THat now which yet further remains to be considered is those other Duties and Services which are to be done and performed by true Believers either in private or in their publick Assemblies and upon this account shall mention that of Prayer which is very necessary for the People of God to be found in the practice of being a duty incumbent upon us and frequently commanded and exhorted unto in the holy Scriptures and as it is necessary for all those who are concerned in the Church of Christ in publick Testimonies and Declarations to be supplied and assisted in those Services by the Grace and Spirit of Christ even so also it is by the help and influence of the same Spirit that the People of God are enabled to pray acceptably unto him and without the help thereof in some degree or other true Prayer cannot be performed That the Spirit of Christ is absolutely necessary upon this account is clear even from the words of Christ Without me ye can do nothing Also the Apostle Paul saith The Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what me should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Sighs Groans that cannot be uttered and he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because be maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. Again Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and Supplication for all Saints Ephes 6.18 And also in his Epistle to the Corinthians I will pray with the Spirit and with the Vnderstanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 From whence several things are observable First That Gods People can do nothing that 's acceptable unto him without Christ and the help of his Spirit Secondly That of themselves they know not what to pray for as they ought Thirdly That it is the Spirit which helpeth such Infirmities and maketh Intercession unto God for his People Fourthly The way and manner of the Spirits Intercession with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered Fifthly That God graciously receives the Prayers of such as are offered and presented unto him by the Spirit forasmuch as Intercession is thereby made for them according to the will of God. Sixthly The Apostle being sensible of the acceptance and prevalency of such Prayers doth exhort the Ephesians to pray always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and to watch thereunto withall Perseverance Seventhly He gives an account how he himself will pray saying I will pray with the Spirit and with the Vnderstanding also Thus then as the Prayers of such who wait for and receive Divine Assistance do obtain Divine Acceptance so on the contrary the Prayers of wicked and ungodly men who receive not nor expect any such spiritual help but are acted by the Spirit of Error and Vanity can no way be acceptable unto God nor beneficial to themselves The Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies to this purpose David says If I regard Iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear me Psal 66.18 Solomon says The Sacrifice of the Wicked
of the legal forms of Worship Sacrifice and Oblations which were by Gods appointment yet because their Hearts were defiled and polluted with Sin and Iniquity and that they presented not their Offerings and Sacrifices in a right frame of Spirit nor under that disposition of Soul that was required therefore they incurred the wrath and displeasure of God against themselves and with great aggravation he declared against them and terribly renounced their Worship as appears in Isa 1. and 66.3 Amos 5.21 22 23. If it was so then that the Jews under that Dispensation displeased the Lord in appearing before him with Offerings and Sacrifices whilst their Hearts were polluted and unprepared as aforesaid it may be a caution unto all those that make profession of the pure and undefiled Religion of our Lord Jesus Christ and of that Worship which was instituted by him that they be not found attempting the performance thereof in a spiriritual unpreparedness and whilst their Hearts and Souls are polluted with Sin and Iniquity lest it be said unto them as it was unto the Jews Who hath required this at your Hands to tread my Courts Isa 1.12 Again if the Jewish Sacrifices in the time of the Law were Sprinkled before they were offered and the People were Consecrated that offered them before they presented themselves before the Lord and that the touching of a dead or nuclear Beas then made People unfit for the Temple or Sacrifice yea society with the Clean until they were first Sprinkled and Sanctified as the Scriptures hold out Numb 8. and chap. 19 2 Chron. 29.36 and 30. 16 17. How car any think so meanly of the worship instituted by Christ in Gospel times as that it should admit of unprepared and unsanctified Offerings or allow that those who are spiritually defiled with Sin and Iniquity and in Words or Deeds do daily touch that which is unclean can in that state well and acceptably worship the pure God until their Consciences be sprinkled from dead works by the blood of Jesus and that they be inwardly prepared and consecrated by his divine Spirit and Power in order to serve him It is also observable that when the Temple at Jerusalem was built before the glory of the Lord descended to fill the same it was purified and cleansed and all polluted stuff removed out of it yea and the place for the Tabernacle was overlaid with Gold the most pretious clean and purest of Mettals 1 Kings 6 7 8 chapters So also before God be truly worshipped in the inward Temple of the Heart it must also be purged of the filth and pollutions that are therein that so it may be fit to receive the Spirit of God so as to be acted by it And yet further let it be considered how it can be available to the High and Lofty in Mind and Spirit the Rich and Full in the Pomp and Grandure of the World the Proud Covetous and Self-conceited and such as go on in a road of Unrighteousness Ungodliness and Vanity to utter a multitude of unseasoned Words before the Almighty God or to cry Lord Lord whilst they have neither received nor are subject unto that Blessed Spirit which has right to call him so 1 Cor. 12.3 Or how any can rationally suppose that he who is clothed with divine Honour and Majesty who covers himself with Light as with a Garment who stretches forth the Heavens like a Curtain and walks upon the Wings of the Wind who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of Fire and is of purer Eyes then to behold Iniquity can be truly and acceptably Served and Worshipped by such as do not only resist and rebel against that which brings into acceptance with God but also remain and delight in that which is an abomination unto him Section III. Concerning the necessity of receiving the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in order to quicken and renew to God and so to prepare and qualifie People for his Worship and Service SInce then it appears that the Worship instituted by Christ is spiritual and that no man in his natural and unconverted state is capable of performing the same acceptably we may conclude and that upon sure grounds that the preparation of the holy Spirit is that which is absolutely necessary for men to know in the first place before they go about to perform their Devotions before the Lord Such as desire to worship God acceptably must believe in him whom God hath sent to redeem lost man unto him self viz. the Lord Jesus Christ who by his Light Grace and Spirit doth manifest Sir and Evil in the Hearts and Souls of People and reproveth for the same and also lead them that truly own and receive him unto Repentance and converteth them unto God he by his Power revealed in man doth Crucifie the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts he cleanses from Sin and Iniquity and quickens the Soul unto God raising up the same unto newness of Life so that those who in their natural and unconverted state have been Aliens unto God and Strangers to the Covenant of Promise through Faith in Christ and the work of his Grace and Spirit in their Hearts such come to be delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Gods dear and wel-beloved Son to be made Heirs of Glory Fellow-Citizens with the Saints of the Houshold of God Col. 1.13 Ephes 2.19 and so are rendered capable of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably according to divine institution Being born again as the Apostle said not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever 1 Pet. 1.23 As to the quickening and renewing Vertue of this divine Spirit and Light of Christ the Saints and Children of God have not only a living and blessed Experience thereof in this our day but also the Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies concerning the same Jesus saith As the Father raiseth up the Dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickeneth whom he will John 5.21 Again It is the Spirit that quickeneth the Flesh profiteth nothing John 6.63 And also the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ he in you the Body is Dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness but if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you therefore Brethren we are Debtors not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall Dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall Live for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8.9 10 11 12 13 14. And again the same Apostle in his Epistle
and Service of God doth not thus only appear to be agreeable to Scripture Testimony but also is answerable even to Reason natural Experience in other things for he that would learn of a Master any Art or Science ought not to fall on speaking or acting immediately of his own Mind and Will so continue unquiet but rather should be silent for a season to hear his Master instruct him what and how he shall door say and then proceed So also he that undertakes to serve a Master should not run hastily on to do things in his own Time and Will nor yet to deaffen his Master with Discourse though it were in Praises of him but he ought rather to wait to hear his Master speak and inform him what and how to do and then proceed to act according to his Directions Even so those that desire to be taught of God and instructed by him in Righteousness ought not to keep themselves continually busied with their own Imaginations and Inventions but patiently to wait upon God that so he by his Grace and Spirit may Teach and Instruct them and also those that desire to serve God in this Gospel day ought not to run hastily about the same in their own corrupt forward and unrenewed Wills and Minds but diligently to attend upon God to feel the Strength and Counsel of his Spirit in such undertakings Section VI. Concerning the Preparation Call and Ordination of Gospel Ministers AS it is the duty of every Christian to wait upon God for the help and strength of his holy Spirit in order to sit prepare qualifie them for the Worship Service of God so it is by the Power and Vertue of the Divine Spirit that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is ordained prepared and supplied in the work of the Ministry otherwise he cannot be truly said to be a Minster of the Spirit for as none could be Ministers of the Letter who had thence no ground of their Call nor directions therefrom how when nor after what manner they should Minister neither can any be reall Ministers of the Spirit who are not called ordained fitted and prepared by it nor are acquainted with the motions and directions thereof in order to draw move act influence assist and go before them in the Work and Service of the Gospel As for the Service of the Jews under the Dispensation of the Law there was a certain Tribe allotted for the Ministry which was the Tribe of Levi so that then People needed not to question who should be Priests and Ministers of holy things for that the Lord God by his Servant Moses did set apart divers of the aforesaid Tribe for the Priestood and other Offices as also he did direct how and after what manner their Worship and Service was to be performed as may be seen at large in the writings of Moses And besides that it pleased God at divers times under that Dispensation by the immediate Testimony of his holy Spirit to raise up several Persons to Teach Instruct and Reprove the People as Samuel Nathan Elias Elisha Jeremiah Amos and others of the Prophets but now under the new Covenant and Dispensation of the Gospel there is no such Tribe of People allotted set a part particularly for the Ministry as was under the Law neither is the Worship and Service of Christians Celebrated after the manner of the Jews in divers respects nor is it attended with those outward Ceremonies and shadowing Performances as was that of the Jews for the Christian Worship Service is performed in Spirit in Truth as hath been before and still yet may be further observed and therein it greatly Excelleth and far Transcended that under the Law being under the administration of Life and Glory wherein the Lord Jesus Christ is alone exalted as high Priest and Prophet of his People who being the Lord of true Divinity doth spiritually Call Ordain Constitute and Qualifie the Ministers of the new Testament and Instruct them in the Spiritual Law which is the delight of Gods People That the Apostles and Servants of Christ in the Primitive times were called and qualified by the Divine Spirit to and for the Work of the Ministry is so plain and clear that none need question it unless it be such who at this day would assume and arrogate unto themselves the name and title of Gospel Ministers by Virtue of some outward Ordination without the call help and influence of the holy Spirit unto such I say it greatly behoves them to consider how and when the Lord Jesus Christ did transfer that power unto man which is only peculiar unto himself I know that those who despise the motion and diclares of the Grace of God in themselves and yet would be esteemed Ministers are apt to deny that the Power and Influence of the holy Spirit is of absolute necessity for the Call and Qualification of a Gospel Minister and therefore do wholly betake themselves to an outward Ordination for a refuge otherwise such would have nothing to stand upon in that respect for what they pretend to 'T is certain and always granted that those whom God is pleased to Call and Qualifie by his Grace and Spirit to and for the Work and Service of the Gospel are to be owned and approved of by his Church and People but then it does not therefore follow that any who have only attained unto some degree of humane Learning Knowledg in Arts Sciences can be thereby fitted for the Gospel Ministry or that such Person under those Circumstances can be rightly qualified for that Work Service by the Power of man without the call help influence and assistance of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ wherein the true power of Ordination stands and not in men as men but in the Spirit of Christ which ought to have the supream Government in the hearts of men and those who are truly called ordained and qualified by the divine Spirit for the Work and Service of the Gospel are accepted of God and approved of by his Church and People as the Apostle said He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of Men Rom. 14.18 Also we read that the Apostle Paul when he took his leave of the Elders of the Church of Ephesus he thus expressed himself Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Acts 20.28 And again the holy Ghost said unto the Prophets Teachers which were in the Church at Antioch Seperate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them and when they had Fasted and Prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so it s said they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Soleucia and from thence they sailed to Cyprus and
is abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 And again He that turneth his Ear from the Law even his Prayer shall be abomination Also the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah saith to the People of Israel that had forsaken the Lord and rebelled against his Spirit and so become a sinful Nation 〈◊〉 2 3.13 When ye spread forth your Hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when you make many Prayers I will not hear your Hands are full of Blood. Again we read John 9.31 We know that God heareth not Sinners but of any be a worshipper of God and doth his will him heareth And also 1. Pet. 3.12 The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous and his Ears are open to their Prayers but the Face of the Lord is against 〈◊〉 that do Evil. Thus it is plain that the Prayers and Sacrifices of Wicked and Sinful men have not been acceptable unto God which they remain'd in that state but rather an abomination unto him being not offered in sincerity of Heart nor under a right disposition of Soul and Spirit The Jews of old thought it sufficient for them if they did but pay their daily Sacrifices and offer their customary Oblations c. from thence concluding all was well but it prov'd not so for the Lord by the Prophet asks them To what purpose was the multitude of their Sacrifices and bids them bring no more vain Oblations Incense says he is an abomination unto me the new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies is Iniquity even the solemn Meeting And again by the Prophet Amos he says Though you offer me Burnt Offerings and Meat Offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace Offerings of your fat Beasts And what was the reason of all this dislike Even because the People were Wicked and Sinful Therefore he says Wash ye make ye Clean put away the evil of your doings from before my Eyes cease to do Evil learn to do Well seek Judgment relieve the Oppressed judge the Fatherless and plead for the Widow And then no question but they might be accepted As it was with the Jews in that state so its probable the case may be with many of those call'd Christians now who think is sufficient for them to be present at the reading over of Morning and Evening Prayers c. according to the common Form and Custom and yet do not rightly consider that their Hearts are polluted and deiled with Sin and Iniquity which no question will block up their way from Divine acceptance as well as it did unto Israel of old As for Sin it is a thing that cannot be Christen'd neither will the Righteous God own it in any let their pretence be what it will. It has always been the cause of mans Wo and Misery and of his Separation from God in all Ages and it s the same now where People remain in it and continue Impenitent and in Rebellion against the Reproofs and Counsel of the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you that he will not hear Isa 59.2 They shall call upon me saith Wisdom but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1.28 It is not simply the calling upon God or making mention of his blessed Name that gains acceptance with him or draws down his blessings upon men but it is a calling upon him in Faith and in a rightly ordered and well-disposed Mind and Spirit For unto this mâ—n will I look saith the Lord even to him 〈◊〉 is Poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Isa 66.2 Again The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them the Lord preserveth all them that Love him but the Wicked will he Destroy Psal 145 18 19 20. Howbeit still although the Prayers of Wicked and Sinfull Men whilst they remain in Impenitency and Rebellion against God are not acceptable unto him yet nevertheless such as are polluted with Sin and Iniquity and do come to be secretly touch awaken'd by the Light and Spirit of Christ and are bowed down under the sence of their own Sinfulness unworthiness Misery Weakness for Inability such looking up to God and inwardly breathing forth secret Desires and Aspirations or uttering Words in Prayer and Supplication unto him for help and deliverance from under the bondage of Sin and Corruption the Lord God in his own due time will undoubtedly hear and answer the desires of such But still this does no way admit that wicked and ungodly men are capable of praying acceptably any otherwise then as they are toucht awakened and helpt by the Spirit of Christ and being truly bowed down under the sence of God goodness and their own unworthness are led to Repentance and so by the grace of God are drawn to supplicate his Name for Help and Deliverance We read that when the Apostle Peter exhorted Simon the Sorcerer unto Prayer hâ—â— places Repentance before it saying Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee Acts 8.22 Again Repent ye therefore and be Converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19 From whence it is observable That as Repentance doth go before Prayer so also doth Repentance and Conversion go before blotting out of Sin. Now as to the Prayers of those who are high and lofty in Mind and Spirit and take delight in Sin and Ungodliness and to spend their precious time in Vanity Folly and Madness and also of those who may seem outwardly to be more demure yet spiritually rest in the gall of Bitterness against the Truth and in the bond of Iniquity there may seem to be little defference of their Devotions in the ground as to Divine acceptance so long as both sorts of People remain in Impenitency for the first can turn out of their vain Conversation or however suspend the outward act thereof for a little season and the other their worldly Discourse and so fall to repeat some few words of Prayer in a formal and customary way and immediately again even as soon as ever the words to God are out of their Mouths without any true regard to the Greatness and Majesty of him to whom they have even been making Supplication they 'l fall on again upon their former Discourse and many times as hath been observ'd upon Vain Idle and Prophane Talk so that without any distinction or waiting for divine help to perform their Duties to God they appear to be acted by one and the same Spirit upon both accounts Certainly If there be any such thing as vain Oblations and Prayers that God regardeth not
as no question but there is those Prayers and Devotions which are thus begun carried on and concluded in mans own natural Will Strength and Wisdom without the help and influence of the Grace and Spirit of Christ are of that number Object It s probable some may alledge That our Lord taught his Disciples to Pray and gave them a Form of Prayer Answ In answer whereunto I say That although he did so yet they were in some sort Disciples before he taught them not worldly men and his teaching them at that time is not an argument that every one in their own will and time can say that Prayer acceptably but we may rather infer from thence That as they then were not to pray as the Hypocrites and Heathen did but according as he taught them being then outwardly present with them even so his People are not to pray now as the Hypocrites and Heathen do but according as he teaches them being spiritually presents with them yet nevertheless that Prayer which he taught them as it was then so it is now very good and useful unto such as can express those Words there set forth in Truth and Righteousness Those who have received the adoption of Sons by vertue of the holy Spirit have right to call God Father and may say in Truth Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done 〈◊〉 Earth as it is in Heaven c. But on the contrary How can those who are Children of Wrath and subject to the power of Darkness truly call God Father How can they who are altogether unholy hallow the Name of God What will it avan such to tell of the coming of Gods Kingdom who daily rebel against that which would give an entrance thereunto How can those do the will of God in Earth who neither regard that which would enable them thereunto nor will believe that any such thing an be done Thus al tho wicke ungodly men may tell of Prayer yet in that state they are quite out of order and utterly uncapable of performing it acceptably until they have received the Spirit and have the help and influence thereof in some degree or other which thing yet leads me to this further observation If no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost as the Apostle positively affirms 1. Cor. 12.3 Then how can any truly call God Father but as they are in some measure acted by the Spirit of the Son. Howbeit I would have none to suspect that I do in the least intend hereby to discourage People in being diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God Almighty but I would Caution and Exhort them in the Light of Christ to wait for the help and influence of his Grace and Spirit in such undertakings that so they may be enabled to perform those Duties acceptably before words be uttered unto the Lord let it first be considered how the Heart is prepared and from what root the words do proceed for it is not simply the words but the rise thereof that the Lord looks at in all our Services and Devotions before him And as those that fail in the Foundation do hazard the Superstructure even so where People fall wrong in the very ground of their Devotions their further proceedings therein will be in danger to prove Insignificant and Unsuccessful I do not say but that God who is rich in Mercy and waits to be gracious unto People doth and will pass by many Weaknesses and Imperfections upon these accounts yet none ought so to presume thereon as to make the particular acts of Gods Love and Condescension unto some and upon some accounts to be a general rule for all or to be an excuse or cover unto any for Disobedience and Rebellion it is certainly the duty of all to be diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God and I cannot but exhort all People thereunto but then it does not follow that any shall attempt such performances or go about the same being unprepared by the Spirit of God for that thereby if they have been negligent in Prayer before they will be so far from mending the matter that they will incur a fresh censure therefore let it be the care of every one that goes about to perform the duty of Prayer to watch and wait upon God diligently for the help and concurrence of his blessed and holy Spirit in all such undertakings and also when they feel and witness themselves to be rightly disposed in Spirit for approaching before the Lord in Prayer and Supplication unto him let them consider themselves in his presence and be careful to appear in an humble and reverent posture of Body as well as Soul that is in a decent orderly and comely manner as much as well can be with bowed Knees Ephe. 3.12 1 Cor. 11.4 and men with uncovered Heads according to the Practice and Direction of the Apostle in those cases thereby shewing forth that holy Submission Reverence and Respect every way which we all owe to the Divine Majestly unto whom all Honour Glory and Praise is due world without end Section XII Concerning Singing of Pssalms and Artisscial Musick THe next thing to be considered is Singing of Pssalmes which is confest to be a part of Gods Worship and very acceptable as it proceeds from a true sence of God Love in the Heart and arises from the influence of the holy Spirit whereby the Lords People are led to breath forth unto God in a sweet and spiritual Harmony or in Words sutable to their present Condition but then on the contrary when vain minded People do go about to 〈◊〉 in their own will and time 〈◊〉 a forâ—al seigned and customary way 〈◊〉 having the knowledge of the motion and concurrence of the Divine Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart such Singing can no way be acceptable unto God nor beneficial unto those that use it for as it was in the case of Preaching and Praying so it is in this of Singing the holy Spirit is to be the chief and principal Author Mover and Actor in these respect Which thing will yet further appear if we consider the Words of the Apostle Paul upon this account Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody unto the Lord Ephes 5. 18 19. And again Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord Col. 3.16 From whence it is manifest That those Songs and that Melody which the Saints and Children of God are to be sound in the practice of are to spring and arise from that which is pure and holy therefore it is to be observ'd that he tells them of being filled with the Spirit and of the Word of Christ dwelling richly
Name by which they have known Salvation As for artificial Musick although it was practized in the Jewish Church yet we do neither find any Precept or President for it in the writings of the new Testament We read that David had Singers and appointed men to make use of Musical Instruments yea sometimes made use thereof himself yet we have cause to believe that what he appointed to be done upon these accounts was not intended by him for gratifying vain foolish and wanton Minds but the more to influence and affect the People at that time with that Worship and Service of God and to sing Praises to his holy Name therefore says he Awake up my Glory awake Psaltery and Harp I my self will awake early I will praise thee O Lord among the People I will sing unto thee among the Nations Psal 57.8 9. Again Make a joyful noise unto God all ye Lands sing forth the honour of his Name make his Praise Glorious Psal 66.1 2. But then although David's intent might be good in making use of those Musical Instruments at that time yet we read that when Israel was departed from the Lord and the Counsel of his Spirit and made use of those things in a Formal and Customary way the Lord declared against them saying Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols Amos 5.23 And again Wo to them that are at ease in Sion and trust in the Mountain of Samaria That Chant to the sound of the Viol and invent to themselves Instruments of Musick like David That drink Wine in Bowles and anoint themselves with the chiefest Oyntments but they are not grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph Amos 6.1 5 6. From whence it is manifest That it was then so far from being acceptable unto God for Vain Wicked and Sinful men to Chant to the sound of the Viol and to invent unto themselves Instruments of Musick like David that the Lord declares he will not hear their melody and also pronounces a Wo against them that are in the practice of such things and inasmuch as it was so then that the Lord was pleased to declare and testifie against the Songs and Melody of the Jews under that Dispensation it certainly behoves those who are called Christians seriously to consider what ground there is in true Christianity for the use of artificial Musick upon any account whatsoever and especially in the performance of their Devotions to God Almighty for as hath been before observ'd we do no where find that either Christ or his Apostles did at any time either command or recommend any such thing to be used among Christians not does it in the least appear that the practice thereof is any way consistant with the Purity and Spirituality of that Religion and Worship which was Instituted by our blessed Lord and Practized by his Disciples and Followers in the primitive times The Conclusion SInce then it is clearly manifest by what hath been said that it is the Lord Jesus Christ by his Grace and Spirit that is and ought to be the chief and principal mover and actor in the Hearts and Souls of his People in order to call and gather them out of the Vanities and Pollutions of this present World and to fit prepare and qualife them for performing that pure and spiritual Worship and Service which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day whether it be in publick Preaching Testimonies and Declarations or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him and that all men in their natural and unconverted State notwithstanding human Abilities until they be converted to God and have the help all such undertakings shall certainly feel and witness the returns of Divine Love Life Peace and Satisfaction from the hand of the Lord unto their Immortal Souls and shall be secretly uphelp supplied and supported by the blessed and holy power of God in all Straits and Difficulties that shall attend them upon the account of their service to God and his Truth and shall also be enabled thereby to persever in Faith and Patience unto the end of their Course until such time as it shall please the Lord God of Eternal Glory to call gather and remove them hence into an heavenly Habitation of Rest and Peace with him forever So that when the Wicked and Rebellious shall be seized upon with perpetual Sorrow and Anguish those who have thus received the Lord Jesus Christ and by his blessed and powerful hand have been conducted to their Eternal Mansion shall together with all the Saints and Children of God that are gone before them Everlastingly Praise Magnifie and Adore the Divine Majesty who alone is worthy of all Honour Glory Praise Magnitude and Dominion at this time henceforth and for evermore Amen ERATA In the Title Page line 12. read revealed in men in the Preface page 2. line 4. for Religions read Religious p. 4. l. 3. f. anology r. anology p. 5. l. 13. f. saw the r. saw that the. p. 17. l. 14. f. hollow r. hallow p. 20. l. 2. f. meet r. met p. 38. l. 18. f. silent r. in silence p. 43. lines 3 4 5 6. not to be â—alick Letter p. 51. l. 2. dele unto p. 59. l. 18. f. intened r. intended p. 68. l. 16. f. feed r. fed l. 25. f. Christ r. Christ's p. 88. l. 11. f. God r. Gods. THE END