a man be born again of water and of the holy Ghost he cannot see the Kingdom of God and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (r) 1 Cor. 12 13. this administration under which we live is in a more peculiar manner the Spirits work then either Creation or Redemption were which are more frequently ascribed to the Father and the Sonne and some think one reason why the sin against the holy Ghost is not forgiven is because no other person works after him (s) 1 Mat. 12. 31 32. but the Spirit may be poured in as great a measure on the house of David and Inhabitants of Jerusalem as the Prophet speaks (t) Zach. 12 10 as on the house of Levi and the Sonnes of Aaron for it is not learning wit or eloquence that makes one able for this work but the endowments of the Spirit for what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man that is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God (u) 1 Cor. 2. 11 Sol. 1. It s granted that the holy Ghost is mainly active in Gospel administrations but not excluding the Father and the Sonne (w) Joh. 5. 17 for my Father worketh hitherto sayes Christ and I work and conversion is in a special manner ascribed to the Father (x) Joh. 6. 45 and though the Sonne in person be now gone into Heaven yet is he present where two or three are met together in his name (y) Mat. 18 20 yea with his Ministers unto the worlds end (z) Mat. 28. 20 nay even acteth and speaketh in them (a) 2 Cor. 13. 3 and by them unto others (b) 2 Cor. 5. 20 and so we may say who hath most of the Father and the Sonne is fittest for this work and Ministers have more of them (c) 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you (d) Gal. 4. 19. as many as have been baptized into Jesus Christ have put on Christ (e) Gal. 3. 27. where we finde the Minister intrusted with communicating Christ to others more then other men 2. None of the persons act Gospel-Administrations immediatly and without Instruments as we have shewed before but especially the Spirit for though it be true that the holy Ghost hath been apparent and visible in Gospel-Administrations as unto Christ at his admission unto his publick Office and imployment (f) Mat. 3. 16. and unto the Apostles when they were about to enter into the work (g) Act. 2. 3 4. yet hath it been but very sparingly and with ample evidence that it was he because it was easier for that lying Spirit as he is called (h) 1 King 22. 22. to imitate and counterfeit the holy Ghost then any other person the holy Ghost speaketh very frequently but it is in the Scriptures which are nothing but the dictates breathings of the Spirit (i) 2 Tim. 3. 16 2 Pet. 1. 21. wherein he speaketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or expresly as the Apostle speaks (k) 1 Tim. 4. 1. Paul saith that the holy Ghost did witnesse in every City that bonds and troubles did abide him (l) Act. 20. 23. but how did the Spirit do it but by he Prophets that he met with in the Cities through which he passed for what Agabus affirmed in Caesarea (m) Act. 21. 10 11. Heb. 2. 4. others had done in other places it is like where most of the apparent operations of the Spirit are there doubtlesse are the best endowments for the Ministry now such endowments are more evident in Ministers and their labours then in others 3. It will not follow one hath the Spirits work upon his soul in a sensible and saving manner therefore he is a Minister and publick Preacher and may administer the Sacraments for then all Gods people should be Preachers and Moses needed not have made that prayer (u) Numb 11. 29. it will follow then one is the Child of God for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God (o) Rom. 8. 14. God hath many Children that are not preachers or else that question had been improper (p) 1 Cor. 12. 29 30. if there were no sheep there would be no shepheards yea then it would follow that women might be preachers for their names some of them are in the Book of life (q) Phil. 4. 3. which would contradict the rule of the Apostle as we have shewed before 4. Therefore besides the spirit of grace and supplication whereby men are regenerate and born anew there must be the Spirit of gifts and revelation in the several endowments of the soul either in an extraordinary way as in the primitive times or ordinary as now (r) 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11. for those men Paul found at Ephesus had the Spirit of grace or else they had not been Disciples yet the Spirit of gifts and qualifications for the Ministry they had not so much as heard of until Paul had laid his hands upon them (s) Act. 19. 6. and when Paul inabled Timothy for to make Ministers he orders them to look for other qualifications then conversion and the Spirit of grace (t) 1 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. so unto Titus it was not sufficient that they were good men but must be also gifted men neither do our Brethren say that every Brother may preach but every gifted Brother CHAP. XXVI The fourth Objection and Answer WE grant that gifts are requisite as well as Obj. 4 grace in setled publick teachers men may be very intellectual and understanding and yet not able to expresse themselves and communicate their gifts as all such ought (u) 2 Tim. 2. 2. nam quo quisque ingeniosior eo difficilius docet he must therefore be apt to teach as well as to learn and understand as the Apostle doth expresly order (w) 1 Tim. 3. 2. but we say withall God can and sometimes doth inable common men with gifts not only of understanding and knowledge but of utterance also and elocution to the wonder and astonishment of those that hear as Eldad and Medad in the very Camp though they went not with the rest unto the Tabernacle (x) Numb 11 25 26 27 28 29. yet prophesied in the Camp to admiration the Spirit bloweth when and where it listeth not in the Universities or Temples only on the Doctors Students in Divinity but on the meanest Tradesman and mechanick if he please as the Apostle shews (y) 1 Cor. 12. 11. dividing to every man severally as he will Sol. 1. There is no doubt but God can tak◠what Instruments he pleaseth if he findes
that kind are now more plentifully bestowed as the Apostle from the Prophet shews (t) Heb. 8. 10 11. Sol. 1. Wise men are never forward to express themselves they know qui benè latuit benè vixit and qui benè tacuit benè dixit and when they must speak use as few words as may be for vir sapit qui pauca loquitur (u) Prov. 29. 1. 1. a fool uttereth all his minde but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards and therefore Solomon sayes (w) Eccles 5. 3 a fools voice is known by multitude of words stultitia loquitur is Erasmus introduction to his Encomium moriae we therefore think these wise men did not offer and obtrude themselves till they were really and plainly called to it Moses we think was a wise man (x) Act. 7. 12. for he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in word and in deed yet was not easily prevailed with to be a speaker nor would not undertake the service he was called to till Aaron was joyned in Commission with him (y) Exod. 4. 10 11 12 13 14. and therefore our Saviour sayes in the place before recited behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men for he knew men that were wise would not go on such an errand till they were sent and though our Saviour Christ began betimes yet not till he knew it was his Fathers businesse (z) Luk. 2. 29. 2. These wise men mentioned in Scripture had something in them extraordinary for the Prophet placeth them between the Priest and the Prophet * Jer. 18. 18 and our Saviour between the Prophet and the Scribe (a) Mat. 23. 34 King Solomon was one of these wise men and well might have a place among the extraordinary and rarest Preachers (b) Eccles 12. 9 10 11. and is therefore said by oâ—r Saviour to have allured auditors from far (c) Mat. 11. 42 If our opposing Brethren were such we would acknowledge and approve them Our Saviours extraordinary abilities in answering and asking questions made way among the Doctors for his allowance (d) Luk. 2. 47. and did the like appear in any now we should acknowledge God in them as we have said before 3. For these that are acknowledged upon this ground to be received Preachers we think the twelve were actual Apostles before Christs Resurrection because they are so called by the Spirit of God (d) Mat. 10. â— Luk. 22. 14. and had extraordinary gifts bestowed on them then for they were to heal the sick cleanse the Leapers raise the dead cast out Devils (e) v. 8. let our opponents do these things we shall expect no other power nor authority though we acknowledge their Commission was afterwards inlarged and corroborated as it might be for though we finde not that ever they were called Apostles Elect yet we think they were but young Apostles and were by our Saviours Company and care much mended and improved afterward as Paul was doubtless an Apostle at the first appearing of our Saviour to him as he shewes (f) 1 Cor. 9. 1. yet had he not his furniture and full instruction at the first for so Christ speaks unto him (g) Act. 26. 16 to make thee a Minister and Witnesse of those things which thou hast seen and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee And for the seventy besides their wisdom which Mr. Robinson thinks to be enough they had abilities to cast out Devils to tread on Serpents and Scorpions (h) Luk. 10. 17 18 19. and when our Brethren do such things we shall acknowledge them and for Paul and Barnabas though we acknowledge they were wise men yet they were sent out by the holy Ghost (i) Act. 13. 1. and had abilities proportionable unto such a call and service as appeared in the censure of that Jewish Conjurer (k) Act. 13. 9 10 11. and curing a man that was a Cripple from his Mothers wombe (l) Act. 14. 8 9 10. now when these evidences of the holy Ghost appear in men desirous of our Pulpits we shall surrender them 4. What priviledge soever wise men then had it was subjected to examination and approbation for Paul and Barnabas though as Mr. Robinson observes they went into the seat or Pew where such used to sit who were provided to speak unto the people as it is (m) Act. 13. 14 15. yet they opened not their mouths until the Rulers of the Synagogue were pleased to send unto them and request them for to speak unto the people and if our Brethren would not speak till the Governours and Rulers of our Assemblies sent unto them we should be quiet CHAP. XXIX The seaventh Objection and Answer WHat was done in the first Christian-Church Obj. 7 may now be done for primum in unoquoque genere est mensura regula reliquorum but private Christians were preachers in the first Church for we finde all the Church scattered except the Apostles (n) Act. 8. 1. and all they that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word not teaching and discoursing as private men may do but preaching 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and their preaching was assisted by the hand of God so that many were gained to the faith and its very like baptized and formed into a Church as appears (o) Act. 11. 19 20 21. for though there were some sent unto them from Jesalem yet they altered nothing nor added anything to what was done before but approved and incouraged Sol. 1. The Church from whence these Preachers went was under persecution and the places where they preached were unsetled as appears by sending of John and Peter to Samaria where Philip preached for to settle them (p) Act. 8. 14 15 16 17. and Barnabas to Antioch where others of them had converted many as appears (q) Act. 11. 22 23 24. now we must not argue from a persecuted unsetled Church unto a setled one for we undertake not to determine what may be done in times of trouble and persecution for in the stating of the question we say expresly that in every setled well-ordered Church some should attend and act in holy things 2. These were not ordinary if private Christians for they were of those that were believers when Stephen was put to death (r) Act. 11. 19. and so had an extraordinary measure of the holy Ghost bestowed upon them for the place was shaken where they were assembled and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and spake the word with boldnesse (s) Act. 4. 31. and we are sure that one of them namely Philip who went down to Samaria did many miracles for unclean spirits went out of many of them and many that had palsies and were lame were healed (t) Act. 8. 6 7. Now when our preaching Brethren can shew such miracles and wonders we shall receive them and acknowledge them and
longer we live the wiser and more knowing we may and ought to be yet withall considering the exactnesse and ambition of every age that thinks it needful to out-doe what ever went before we are as much to seek as those that went before us the Scripture-times made but a very little progress in dilating and expatiating of the truths proposed in the word of God and the next three ages after were wholly entertained and exercised in bearing witness to the truths propounded to us in the first The fourth was a laborious and learned age wherein those great lights shone unto the world Ambrose Austin Chrysostom Jerome the Gregories and Athanasius but were imployed and taken up for the most part in encountering and repelling of the Arrian Nestorian Eutichian and Pelagian Heresies their worth and piâ—h so buried in voluminous and vast replies unto those enemies that the succeeding ages from that unto the eleventh were wholly drowned in monastick contemplations and devotions in the eleventh the Schoolmen rose and put the Fathers sense and sayings into a method and body of divinity but that Text of Lumbards who began and was acknowledged their School-master was by his Scholars that succeeded so dilated beaten thin and wire-drawn that distinctionum minutiis senteniarum frangebant pondera by the subtilty and smallness of the thred they wrought with they buried the beauty of the work as one observes And though in these late Gospel glorious times Divinity is much recovered and restored unto its force and purity proportioned unâ—o the practices and lives of men made vulgar and familiar yet withall it s stretched by the eloquence and strains of Rhetorick in popular and common auditories unto such exactnesse height and bravery that it is not easie for to reach it nor safe to fall short of it so that if men be not helped by education art and industry they shall be sure to meet with scorn contempt and contumely if by their care and labour they make their Sermons strong and well wrought they are accounted Orators and over-doers if tune their Instruments unto the plain song of their Auditors that every body may conceive and carry all away they are accounted vulgar and contemptible and every Cobler Taylor Tinker thinks he can do as much and as well So as it was wont to be in Cambridge if a boy had been at Gog-Magog-hills he was esteemed a Rachel if he had not a fresh-man Yet all this art and excellency is not sufficient without a supernatural and efficacious influence of the holy Ghost upon the powers and parts of men (x) 1 Cor. 2. 14. for the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Now who can come by all these excellencies and accomplishments have wit and art and elocution and acumen enough for these things yet those will only speak him an able Orator a Tully or Tertullus make him facundus sed malo publico for if unto all these gifts he have not grace he is become as sounding brasse and as a tinkling Cymball as the Apostle speaks (y) 1 Cor. 13. 1. there is a wisdom which the holy Ghost teacheth a tincture and relish that is put upon it by the Spirit of God that makes it penetrate and prick as Peters Sermon when the holy Ghost was visible upon him (z) Act. 2. 37. Set all together and it will appear that the most able eloquent improved man is much below the work and business of a Gospel-Minister which was the third step or stayr in this enquiry but we proceed unto a fourth 4. That at every gate avenue entrance of the Temple or house of God there be established a solid rigid acurate exact enquiry scrutiny and examination of such as do attempt to go in and attend these holy things The Apostle hath restrained women and enacted a kind of Salick Law that this Scepter and the distâ—ff should not be coupled (a) 1 Tim. 2. 11. I suffer not a woman to teach but it s not enough to be a man for they mustal so be so qualified as God would have them not only men but work-men and not work-men only but work-men that need not be ashamed (b) 2 Tim. 2. 15. Hence it will follow that there must be Porters at the doors to whom the keyes must be committed as they were unto Peter for when Christ had told him that he would build his Church upon that Rock and the gates of hell should not prevail against it he adds and I will give unto thee the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven (c) Mat. 16. 18 19. for should the doors stand open there might get in so many enemies that would be able to prevail against it When the Theeves in China had resolved to besiege Peking the Metropolis or royal City their Captain sent before hand a great number of his Army and gave them mony to buy Commodities and so pretend occasions to continue as sojourners and strangers and when he had begirt and did assault it to make insurrections and disturbances within it whereby he mastered it with much more case then otherwise he should have done this hath been often acted in the Church (d) Gal. 2. 4 5. because of false Brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spie out our liberty that they might bring us into bondage To prevent these narrow Guards are to beplaced on all the entrances that such may be kept out nam durius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes it s easier to keep them then thrust them out All men are very fearful of Witches and very careful to keep them from their habitations and places of abode because of the mischief which they are able for to do false Teachers in the Apostles judgement are no better (e) Gal. â— 1. O foolish Galathians who hath bewitched you these venefici or Witches were wont to have their venom or hurting power in their eyes as in the Poet nescio quis teneros oculos mihi fascinat agnos but now it is faln down into their tongues and its all one to say your Child is bewitched and to say he is under an evil tongue and therefore we should be very careful to keep such out for he that enters ill will haâ—dly act well qui intravit ut vulpes regnabit ut leo as it was said of Hildebrand when the Apostle had suggested to them that Wolves would enter he bids them watch (f) Act. 20. 31 and the reason is given by our Saviour (g) Mat. 7. 15. becâ—use they come in the habits and garbs of sheep till they are in they do not nor will shew their teeth There was never any body or society of men that gave immunities and liberties but had some kinde of tryall and examination at their admission Plato writes on his Academy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no man might
better â—o have Mariners and Pilots in a Ship then only Mariners CHAP. VIII The second Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 2 Church that is most orderly for there is most of God in that who is not the Authour of confusion (w) 1 Cor. 14. 33. but orders and appoints all Creatures to their proper functions first lights a Candle in the dark world (x) Gen. 1. 3 4 and then works by it first furnished the earth with all accommodations and then brings man to be the Governour and Master of it It s really doubted whether 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying the world be derived ab ordine vel ab ornamento that is from order or from ornament because order is so proper and essential unto Ornament nihil ornatè quod non ordine The Apostle though absent is refreshed with the contemplation of it (y) Col. 2. 5. for though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and beholding your Order and therefore the Apostle spends many lines in setting their assemblies in order yet did not absolutely effect it but engaged to absolve it at his coming (z) 1 Cor. 11. 34. and in the interim doth enjoyne them to observe it as much as might be (a) 1 Cor. 14. 40. But it s more orderly that some should be engaged and set apart to attend and act in holy things then that it should be set at six and sevens that every body in the Assembly should know how and what and when and where to act and move then that the Assembly should be confused and the more part not know wherefore they came together (b) Act. 19 32. that the Officers and Souldiers should know their ranks and files then that they should be jumbled and thrust together immethodically that the Minister should know and keep his station then be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle calls it (c) 1 Pet. 4. 15 for its the rule of the Apostle (d) 1 Cor. 7. 24. that every man wherein he is called therein abides with God unlesse he be unfixed and may remove without the breach of order and agreement for who is sufficient for these things (e) 2 Cor. 2 16. but we think them binding and obliging unto others as well as we for no doubt it is as lawful and as easie for us to go down to another seat below us as for others to come up to us for a Minister to be a Justice as for a Justice to be a Minister that it is as far from Athens to Thebes as from Thebes to Athens facilis descensus it s easier to descend then ascend a man with manners may take the lowest seat when it may be pride to ascend and occupy the uppermost (f) Luk. 14. 10 it is as meet that we should leave the word of God and serve tables (g) Act. 6. 2 as that others should leave their shops and stables to administer the word of God and Sacraments CHAP. IX The third Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 3 Church that is the interest of it for interest is nothing else but the result and efficacy of the relations and accommodations of our present state and becomes a part of that possession and present good we do enjoy and so it hath alwayes been the care of prudent men to improve their interest by increasing their relations and correspondencies as Pharaoh when he had preferred Joseph and saw how useful he was like to be unto him gives him a wife to oblige and bind him the faster and the closer to him (h) Gen. 41. 45. so Paul makes use of that great interest of being a Citizen of Rome when he was in any great extremity (i) Act. 16. 37 Act. 22. 25. and if we be at any time disposed to make one feel us if you do but touch his interest you shall hear of him as Jonas when the Gourd was withered (k) Jon. 4. 9. Demetrius and the Craftsmen when their livelihood was undermined as they believed (lâ–ª Act. 19. â—4 25 26 27. this was the motive that much promoted the death and sufferings of the Saviour of the world because they thought his fame and actions would incense the Romans (m) Joh. 11. 48. and checked Pilate when he was about to free him from his envious and malicious accusation for they tell him plainly that if he let him go he was not Caesars friend for whosoever maketh himself a King speaketh against Caesar (n) Joh. 19. 12. sapienti dictum sat est he never considered our Saviours innocency after that but his relation unto Caesar and the soveraign Authority he lived under When William Duke of Normandy did land in Sussex he presently Commands his Navy to be burned that the Souldiers might see it was their interest as well as his to get the victory Yea those are mannaged and led by this that are uncapable of any other Oratory (o) Isa 1. 2. the Oxe knows his owner and the Asse his Masters cribb come to their food and rest without compulsion (p) Jer. 8. 7. yea the stork in the Heaven knoweth her appointed times and the Turtle and the Crane and the Swallow observe the times of their coming all Creatures have a naturall impression on them of that which is their proper and reall interest and move accordingly But it is the Churches interest to have some persons set apart to attend and act in holy things besides the endeavours of private well-affected Christians for those that are set a part have nothing else to trust to but the emolument and profit that ariseth from their attendance upon holy things as the Sons of Aaron had no inheritance among the other Tribes because they should be careful to continue and keep up the publick worship (q) Numb 18. 20. so that if they were not in an Office they could not eat a peece of bread (r) 1 Sam. 2. 36. as the interest of a Ship is that the Mariners must sink and swim with her and therefore when those would have gone into the Boat the Souldiers cut the Ropes and let her fall off (s) Act. 27. 32 so the Apostles were called from their fishing (t) Mat. 4. 18 19. and were appointed another way of living as they had another work appointed them (u) Mat. 10. 10. and it was not terminated in them alone or confined unto them but made an Ordinance for all succeeding Churches that as they that minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel (w) 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. God knew self-love was the most powerful engagement that men would keep that up which kept up them promote that which promoted them
own eyes then Christ was think he writes better then his Copy Christ hath set him presume to add or alter what he hath fixed and established we all pretend to Gospel-reformation and have ingaged our publick faith therein its good to eye our pattern and consider what was from the beginning as Christ doth in the question of divorce (c) Mat. 19 8. recalls them back to what was at the first established and so should we and not adventure upon alterations of our own imagination and invention CHAP. XVII The eleventh Argument THat ought to be in every setled and well-ordered Arg. 11 Church which God the Father hath appointed and bestowed upon them for the Church is Gods house or Family as we have shewed and the Fathers will is in the Family and ought to be the rule when he hath made his will ordered how things shall be no man disannuls or addeth any thing unto it as the Apostle speaks (d) Gal. 3. 15. in other Governments there have been alterations and debates but no man makes a doubt concerning that the Father is the Family-protector and disposer and therefore Paul makes his addresse in that case to the Father (e) Eph. 3. 14 15. But God the Father hath appointed some to attend and act in holy things in every setled and well-ordered Church some think that God the Father is understood in that place of the Apostle (f) 1 Cor. 12. 28. because its certain in other places the persons are distinctly spoken of in the same Chapter (g) 4 5 6. there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit there is the holy Ghost there are differences of administrations but the same Lord there is the Sonne and there are diversities of operations but the same God which worketh all in all there is the Father however we are sure he is included And it was God the Father that promised that great endowment of the Spirit as Christ shews (h) Luk. 24. 49 which in another place is called a baptizing with the holy Ghost (i) Act. 1. 4 5. and was performed in the day of Pentecost in a solemn and plentiful manner (k) Act. 2. 4 5. and this was done not only to the Apostles at this set solemn time but to others also afterwards as Peter witnesseth (l) Act. 1â— 15 16 17. whereby they were thus solemnly inaugurated and set apart to attend and act in holy things It was God the Father that sent John Baptist (m) Joh. 1. 6. for Christ and he were strangers to one annther (n) Joh. 1. 33. and it was not only God the Fathers will but also his wisdom they should be unknown to one another that they might not be thought to juggle and combine and therefore God the Father gave John warning that upon whomsoever he should see the Spirit descend and abide upon him that was Christ which was performed in a solemn manner at his Baptisme (o) Mat. 3. 16 17. so we are sure that God the Father sent Christ (p) Joh. 10. 36. put him in power and gave him full authority to order all things and upon that ground he disposeth of the dispensation of the word and Sacraments and ordereth the ministration of them into all the world (q) Mat. 28. 18 19 20. now what the Father orders and appoints the Son and holy Ghost do never alter or disappoint for though for more assurance and security they are divided in their testimonies or averments yet they never differ or dissent but are one in that at all times (r) Joh. 5. 7 8. CHAP. XVIII The twelfth Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg. 12 Church which Christ hath setled and estated on it for he is all one with the Father (s) Joh. 10. 30. and doth co-operate work together with him (t) Joh. 5. 17 18 19. but if we will conceive him different yet we must consider that he is his Son and only Child (u) Joh. 1. 18. by whom as by an Organ or Instrument he acts and moves (w) Heb. 1. 2. and though he was his Heire in known and common right as being all he hath yet God hath setled all upon him (x) Heb. 1. 2. and so they might well say this is the Heire (y) Mar 12. 6 7. now if the Father and the Sonne and Heire joyne in a settlement it cannot but be good especially if the sonne be come to age as Christ was (z) Luk. 3. 23. and have a quiet clear possession of it For indeed it was with Christ as many times it is with other Heirs that have indeed Estates bequeathed to them by their Parents but so incumbered and clog'd with debts and titles that he must have some trouble to redeem and settle it and the incumbrance here was able to have pusled any body else there are some persons that to save their Lands refuse to plead unto their charge and so endure a far more painful and oppressing death but cannot afterwards themselves enjoy it but Christ redeemed us from the curse of thâ— Law being made a curse for us (a) Gal. 3. 13. and yet lived to enjoy the benefit of that redemption and make Estates to others of it for when he had triumphed over all his enemies and was above their malice and contrivements (b) Eph. 4. 8. and was indeed become her head and Husband (c) Eph. 1. 22 23. Eph. 5. 23. he makes this over to his Church But Christ thus qualified hath setled upon evere Congregation some to attend and act in holy things now because this is the great wheel of the cause the common hinge on which the controversie turneth the carrying and convincing Argument we shall crave leave to be somewhat more punctual and particular in proving this and lest our plenty should seem to any body tedious we will digest this settlement into these several heads 1. By will we have seen before his power our next enquiry is of his will There is in all things three degrees of being posse velle esse the first is power the second will the third being that Christ had power to make a will we saw before now let us see his will choyce is an act of will and that he exercised in the twelve Apostles as we have seen before (d) Luk. 6. 13. and for Paul who was a special actor in holy things he doth expresly stoop unto the will of Christ for when he was informed of the errour of his way told that he kicked against the pricks he presently refers himself unto the will of Jesus Christ (e) Act. 9. 5 6. and as soon as that was cleared to him by Ananias ingageth in the service instantly It is not easie to be sure of instruments the Scribes and Pharisees had gotten one of Christs Disciples from him now Christ gets one of theirs from them and of a persecutor makes him
impeachment God will not be attended with every body he is as curious and squemish as any are The Officers and attendants of a Prince are the majesty and glory of his Court as it was of Solomons (b) 2 Chron. 9. 3 4. and he will not give away his glory unto any other when Nebuchadnezzar was about to form his Court he is exact and curious in the choice and qualities of those that are for to attend him (c) Dan. 1. 3 4 5. for its truly said noscitur ex comite qui non cognoscitur ex se Ministers are Messengers and Interpreters as they are called (d) Job 33. 23 such as Mercury by the Poets is feigned and supposed to be and ex quovis ligne non fit Mercurius When Princes Children are to be put to nurse Physicians are imployed not only to consider the constitutions and complexions of those that are commended to the service but also to weigh their breast-milk in a pair of skales that she whose milk is heaviest may be adjudged to the work Gods Children are Children of the greatest Prince that is (e) Mal. 1. 14. and his Ministers are called in the Scripture Nurses (f) 1 Thes 2. 7 its fit therefore their constitutions and complexions should be viewed and the milk they give should first be weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary before they be authorized to give these Children suck It is observed that those that sell milk have the greatest liberty for to corrupt and mingle it of any other and therefore the Apostle takes especiall care that those that need it and desire it may be well purged and prepared for nothing is more dangerous then milk received in to a filthy and infected stomack for though the milk be never so good yet if the stomack be not clean it will coagulate and curdle in it and then takes care that the milk be likewise as it ought to be (g) 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. There are two evils that milk is subject and obnoxious unto First to be weakened and impaired by putting water in to have no pith nor spirits sap nor savour in it and yet for to retain the colour and name of milk the Apostle to prevent this would have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rational and pithy that hath weight and substance (h) Tit. 2. 7 8. having strength and spirits in it that will carry and convince that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers as the Apostle speaks (i) Tit. 1. 9. not frothy empty light uncertain stuffed with whimsies and discomposed inconsistencies the other evil is fallacious sophistry which in another place the Apostle sayes is to corrupt the word (k) 2 Cor. 2. 17. for we are not as many which corrupt the word of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is corrupt and play the hucksters with it by blending it with worse as Vintners use to do their good wines the Apostle therefore to prevent this sayes it must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without deceit for many things seem to be that are not have a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility as the Apostle speaks (l) Col. 2. 23. yet have no substance in them And the danger is the greater where the people have been scanted and denied their allowance kept hungry and their appetites thereby inraged and exasperated for such will venture upon any carrion Jejunus stomachus rarò vulgaria temnit as the people by a needlesse and over-great restraint were occasioned to fly upon the spoile (m) 1 Sam. 14. 32. Our care is therefore that they may have wholsom food that in stead of being starved they be not poysoned It s two well known the people of this Land have been restrained confined to a diet that they did not like deprived of Preachers that they relished and longed for and fed with trash and husks we blesse God for it that the case is altered that our Preachers are not now as formerly removed into a corner but that our eyes do see our Preachers as the Prophet speaks (n) Esa 30. 20 but care must be that now they be not poysoned when people have been long restrained and kept hungry they must not presently be glutted and over-charged though with wholsom food but as they lost so they must recover their stomacks by degrees a little of that is good often is the best rule our businesse therefore now is to keep off these obtruders and deceivers that our people may not be in hucksters hands but nourished and fed sincerely that in Doctrine there may be uncorruptnesse gravity sincerity sound speech that cannot be condemned as it is (o) Tit. 2. 7 8. and that they be not overcharged with a surfeit of that whereby their souls ought to be nourished The people are indeed a weighty but unweldy body slow to remove from what they are accustomed unto The Irish will not be perswaded to put geeres and harnis on their horses but will have the Plough still tied to their tayles The men of China in their late great conflicts with the Tartars fought harder for their hair and habits then for their Empire and Dominions so powerful is usage and so sweet our present though perverse opinions and perswasions but if they be removed and forced or lifted from it they are very apt to swag unto the other side that as they say of women in femineo sexu nihil mediocre so we may of people neutrum modo mas modo vulgus they never settle in the middle gender but from one extream run to the other are in the Scriptures compared unto waters (p) Rev. 17. 19 quae difficulter continentur suis terminis sed facile alienis who could have barred and bounded that rowling and unruly Element if God himself had not said hither to shalt thou come and no further and here shall thy proud waves be stayed (q) Job 38. 11 and it must be the same almighty power that contains the people within due bounds and the holy Ghost is pleased thus to joyne them by the Psalmist (r) Psal 65. 7. which stilleth the noise of the Seas the noise of their waves and the tumults of the people Our people have been kept a long time hungry those Preachers silenced and laid aside that they affected and longed after and by long fasting have got caninum appetitum as Physicians call it an appetite too eager and adventurous for their weak stomacks and feeble powers and must for a while be dieted and looked well unto that they do not over-eat themselves that they do not over-charge their quesie stomacks the Devil if he cannot bar men and keep them back from God will thrust them forward and overcharge them and a man may eat too much of any thing (s) Prov. 25. 16. hast thou found hony eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith and vomit
down among them yet he sets bounds and makes a circle round about him that they might not passe (x) Exod. 19. 21 22. its true the Sons of Aaron came a little nearer but if any stranger were incouraged thereby to be uncivil he lost his life for it (y) Numb 18. 7. nay even Aarons sons if they presumed beyond their limits scaped not the first fault useth to be pardoned especially in young men that are by nature apt to make adventures yet Nadab and Abihu perish for their first fault (z) Numb 10. 1 2. and though God may be thought to be more facile now and easier of access in Gospel-times yet the Apostle doth assure us that our God is a consuming fire (a) Heb. 12. 29 it was no great fault that Ananias and his Wife committed yet both are strucken dead (b) Act. 5. 11. Vzzah thought no hurt when he toucht the Ark nor the men of Bethshemish when they looked in and yet there were fifty thousand of them smitten (c) 1 Sam. 6. 19 Scilicet in superis etiam furtiva luenda est Nec veniam laeso minime casus habet 2. It is and must be the work of man the attendance is not to supply and furnish God but to secure and save man we serve God in it but our selves more we serve him not because he wants men but because we want Masters God is attended with better Servants (d) Psal 103 20 21. blesse the Lord yea his Angels that excel in strength that do his Commandement hearkning to the voice of his words blesse the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure it is not therefore for want of Servants that men must be imployed but for his servants wants that cannot otherwise be relieved Great men take Physick when they need it because their servants cannot take it for them The greatest Queen must be in labour of her own Children the King writes Letters in behalf of Naaman but Naaman himself must wash seven times in Jordan if he will be clean (e) 2 King 5. 14. Man marr'd all and man must mend all for since by man came death by man came also the Resurrection of the dead (f) 1 Cor. 15. 21. that as in the fall it was homo homini lupus so in the rise it must be homo homini Deus the fall was such as could not be recovered but by God yet such as God could not recover but by man Christ therefore God-man was the restorer and reconciler of man to God (g) 2 Cor. 5. 19. for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself the Angels are imployed to carry tydings of a Saviour but the Savâ—our himself was God (h) Luk. 2. 11. our attendance therefore upon holy thingâ— is necessary non solum necessitate praecepti sed etiam medii not only in regard of Gods injuâ—ction Order and Command but also of our indigency If God were pleased now to speak to us from Heaven as he did unto the Jews yet we could not hear his stillest Rhetorick would be too loud for us as they profess that had experience of it (i) Deut. 5. 27 28. whereupon God promised to raise them up a Prophet like to Moses (k) Deut. 18. 15 16 7. which was made good to them in Jesus Christ aâ— a very good Interpreter expounds it (l) Act. 3. 22 â—3 and Christ hath ordered men unto this work until he come again (m) Joh 20. 21 22 23. as my Father sent me so I send you gives some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints the work of the Ministry and the edification of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ (n) Eph. 4. 11 12 13. and this is the second step that leads unto the Doctrine we designe and purpose to propose 3. That the accutest ablest and most accomplisht and improved man is much below this work I have seen sayes David an end of all perfection but thy Commandement is exceeding broad (o) Psal 119. 96. All other Arts may be comprised and brought within some bounds but Divinity is like the Authour of it infinite Hypocrates and Galen may be read and learned Justinian bound up in a volume but the Bible can never be fully understood what he said of another is only true of this ars longa vita brevis periculum anceps occasio praeceps c. No man did ever see so much but more was unseen to him and here it was truly verified that the greatest part of that we know is the least of that we know not let us instance but in one epitome or comprehensive short compendium and body of Divinity (p) 1 Tim. 3. 16. God was manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached to the Gentiles believed on in the world and received up into glory The Apostle had given Timothy in that Chapter a charge to trie such as intended ministerial imployments and he gives this reason for it that Divinity was a very large profound mysterious and abstruse abyss of matter whereof in those words he gives an instance and therefore we have seen the greatest Lamps for to have needed snuffers Moses a man made up of excellencies Sir Walter Rawley sayes he was the best Commander and leader of an Army that ever was yet that was not much taken notice of yet for his unadvised speaking was shut out of the Land of Canan (q) Psal 106. 32. Paul was a chosen Vessel (r) Act. 9. 15 yet was in Corinth in weakness and in fear and in much trembling (s) 1 Cor. 2. 3. therefore asks who is sufficient for these things (t) 2 Cor. 2. 16. some mens acumens are not sharp enough to enter and enucleate these difficult abstruse mysterious labyrinths The Apostles in their times had only that to argue and evince that Jesus Christ was the Messias and great Redeemer and Saviour of the world and to evince it had all the Creatures at command were able to controle and contradict the Lawes of nature give Rules and limits to the stoutest powers of the world (u) Mark 16. 17 18. these signes shall follow them that believe in my name they shall cast out Devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover we have no such powerfull omnipotent convincing Arguments what we say must be argued from meaner topicks and though its truly said that posterior Dies est prioris discipulus that day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge (w) Psal 19. 2. that the
into a common Pasture are alwayes branded that they may be known So much more when they are admitted into the Church and set over people should they be marked that they may be known from others that if wee think not fit to retain the old distinction that was wont to be among the Shepheards where some were Shepheards (q) Joh. 10. 2. some chief Shepheards (r) 1 Pet. 5. 4. yet the Shepheards mâ—y be still distinguished from the Sheep that the Minister or Pastor of the Church may be known as they say from a black Sheep yea from a white one also for if there be no distinction between Sheep and Shepheard the Wolf may sometimes be entertained and folded among the Sheep beware saith Christ of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly are ravening wolves (s) Matth. 7 15 16. A Wolf you see may come in the garb and habit of a Sheep but not of a Shepheard and though it be true that Christ saies ye shall know them by their fruits yet they may do a deal of hurt before their fruit discover them if a Wolf should be lodged one night with the Sheep what a deal of mischief might he do before morning When Vlysses and his men had bored Polyphemus eye and made him blinde yet he resolved to take them as they went out and be revenged on them for he thought a man could not be formed into the shape and habit of a Sheep but Vlysses tying his men under the bellies of those large and lusty Sheep escaped Scot free So if a Romish Wolf those grievous Wolves the Apostle speaks of (t) Act. 20. 29 30. should be tyed under the belly of a Preaching-Sheep what work might he make in the Fold before he were discovered Durius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes it is easier by Ordination to keep them out than by excommunication to remove them We have shewed before that Ordination is a Arg. 7 sacred and solemn dedication and devoting of a man to holy services that the solemnities are fervent and proper prayers unto God for the enabling and assisting of the person in his Work and therefore it ought to be continued in the Church for the work and service is of that great concernment unto our everlasting happiness that it ought to be attended with all assisting and enabling circumstances as when a young man is to go Factor beyond the Seas to Smyrna or Alâ—ppo or some other dangerous place he gets the prayers of some noted Congregations in London or other places for him and all acknowledge it a good assistance and security for the effectuall fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much (u) Jam. 5. 16. as the Apostle speaks or when some great engagement draweth nigh as when Israel in their journey were to fight with Amaleck (w) Exod. 17. 11 12. what steed was Moses prayer in Now a Minister engaging in this common service of the Saints and Church of Christ doth undertake a greater and hotter service than any other Warrior Ungodly men are not only compared unto thornes and briars as the Apostle speaks (x) Ezek. 2. 6. against which one must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear as he speaks (y) 2 Sam. 23. 6 7. but unto a Bear robbed of her Whelps as the wise man hath it (z) Pro. 17. 12 this the Apostle knew very well when he doth so seriously and pathetically begge their prayers (a) Rom. 15. 30 31. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from them that beleeve not in Judea and that my service which I have at Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints yet he was an old Souldier and had much experience of Gods in abling and assisting presence with him and this was but one particular and single act how much more ought those to beg and crave our prayers and assistance when they are launching out into this great and dangerous service when they are going to fetch away the Beares Whelps from her to turn men from darknesse unto light and from the power of Satan unto God (b) Act. 26. 17 18. There is no doubt but a man may pray the same thing twice as he may write the same thing again as we may find it in the practice of our Saviour Christ (c) Mark 34. 39. and the latter doth corroborate the former the heat and fervor of the Spirit is strengthened by repetitions and therefore our Saviour doth not prohibite repetitions simply but vain repetitions (d) Mat 6. 7. and accordingly we find the Holy Ghost giving order for a second Ordination of Paul and Barnabas when they were to be sent upon that dangerous and weighty Message (e) Act. 13. 2 3 4. the prayers of Gods people do fill their sailes and make them wings to fly with both on their prey off their danger as occasion is therefore if there were no other use of Ordination but the assisting and enabling of the ordained persons unto their work it were sufficient to argue the continuance at least in this time when grievous wolves are entred in already not sparing the flock and of our own selves do men rise up speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them (f) Act. 20. 29 30 31. Should one throw down his sword when an enemy is ready to invade him sleep on the guard when an assault is given how justly doe they call up Jonas to his prayers when the Ship was tossed and was ready to be broken (g) Jon. 1. 6. when the Church and Truth is many wayes invaded and endangered to leave the doors and gates open and remove the Porters Watchmen from their charges There is great care taken that none be approved or admitted unto Livings and Augmentations but only those that have upon them a work of Grace as well as Gifts that have their gifts and learning sanctified and sweetned by the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost upon them therefore we should be carefull of all those wayes and means whereby the Holy Ghost is gotten and given for the Holy Ghost is worth the asking and not attended ordinarily without it (h) Luk. 11. 13 If ye then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him they may contribute prayers that have nothing else to give and as multorum manibus so multorum precibus grande levatur onus as Peter when he was in Prison was let out by their prayers (i) Act. 12. 5. In all estates and ages of the world Church robbing Arg. 8 hath been odious and abominable Dionysius for his boldnesse in it was abhorred every where when that great uproar was made at