the church of Corinth is called the body of Christ and members in particular This church as any other particular church may be considered two wayes In it selfe and so it was a body with reference to other churches and so it was a member of the catholick church But consider it both or either of these wayes if it bee the body of Christ if a member of his body or if both Christ is the head of it hee is in the midst of the seven golden candlestickes Therefore also the church of Ephesus is called the house of God and as in an house there is an head the husband is the wifes head so but more transcendently is Christ the head of every particular house or church For God hath set his sonne over his own house and our high-priest is over the house of God This is tâ—ue But thirdly say the Brownists what is that to us Christ is not our head Yes Christ is the head of our church of England For doe but consider 1 Wherein Christs headship stands 2 How hee useth and exerciseth it Christs headship doth stand in providing fit meanes for the gathering and enlarging of his visible church or churches and making them effectuall There is a foundation to bee layd which properly is Christ and for and from him the Prophets and Apostles There are builders yea master builders as well as others to bee provided There are materials to be at hand saints by calling some of which grow up to be lively stones a spirituall house that they may be Gods building These faithfull ones must be laied and coupled together as by joints till they grow into an holy temple for the habitation of the Lord by the spirit Now that this may be done Christ is the principal agent he adds unto his church that they may come to the father by him And withall hee provides his word that they might believe and ministers by whom they may doe it and the sacraments that they may bee baptized into his death and have the communion of the bloud of Christ Hee rests not heere but to make them effectual in the use of these means hee comes amongst these citizens with the saints and grants to those that by grace receive the spirit which is of God repentance unto life and faith to purifie their hearts and so hee addeth to the church from day to day a great number that believe and turne unto the Lord. But for those that come in to the voyce of the word and supper of the gospel in word and sacraments and have Simon Magus Iudas Hymeneus Alexander and Demas his heart if the conviction of themselves and the conversion of others and their perseverance doe them no good he shewes sometimes what they deserve by fearefull judgements and the censures of the church but hee will shew it in full power when the great day of separation comes Now looke in the feare of God whether our ever blessed Iesus Christ bee not thus our head Have wee not thorough grace the word of God gifts ministery and sacraments from Christs rule Say the Brownists ye have not all Christs ordinances yee want his discipline To that I shall speake in due place in the meane time put case it were true yet were it a true visible church though not a perfect one That is an ordinance for the comely and well being not for the being of the church But it lies upon them to prove that what they say we want are Christs ordinances and branches or his kingdome This they never can doe by the undoubted word of Christ Besides hath not Christ our head in the use and exercise of these blessings manifested his effectuall power How many iniquities are subdued and sinnes cast into the depthes of the sea what place is there where we shall not find the serpents head broken Some have beene in their ordinary businesses as the woman of Samaria and have come off with the bells of the horses pots in Ierusalem and Iudah as well as pots in the Lords house engraved with holinesse unto the Lord. Some have been disciplined with the misery of the hâ—sks of swine and have beene translated out of the kingdome of darkenesse into the kingdome of Gods deare sonne Some have heard and read good things to scoffe and cavill at them but have been suddenly changed from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. Some have breathed out the stinking breath of sinne as Saul and others have seene the heates of persecutions and they have returned home to call upon the name of the Lord Iesus both theirs and ours Yea and some have seene others fall away from the faith of Christ and by the preaching of Christ have met with graffing in the riches of the Gentiles reconciling and salvation And though with Christ they have had a sword sent yet bonds in Christ have beene famous and the brethren in the Lord have waxed confident and bold to speake the word without feare Thus hath it beene with our blessed church the kingdome of heaven hath suffered violence and the violent have taken it by force But the ministery of the Brownists hath had no such communion and influence with and from Christ our head one of a city two of a tribe heere a little and there a little doth not answer in a continuall course from Christ hither the power of Christs intercession for the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost part of the earth for his possession But say the Brownists wee have other heads besides Christ I say we have no other mysticall head beside Christ but onely politicall heads to keepe peace and to see that every person within their compasse doe his duty religiously Thus the husband is the wives head the honorable man the head Saul the head of the Tribes and Moses chose men of courage and made them heads over the people But say they our King is our head so as to rule in matters of religion This is true yet fourthly coâ—sider that this headship of the King doth not hinder â—ut helpe the advancement of Christs headship and that according to the word of Christ To cleare this follow mee in two particulars 1 That God hath given a power of governement to the Church for the well ordering of it selfe 2 That Christ hath made Kings prime officers to advance it in their places As a man cannot well be without cloathes good nourture so neither can the Church well be without the walles of government She must also bee able to hold up her head against her enemies that shall say by what authority dost thou these things and who made thee a man of authority Therefore hath Christ given the particular or generall rules of the word to give a commission to the Church to governe it selfe both in matters
have now done and commend you all to the word of Gods grace which is able to save your soules though no Bownist nor Anabaptist had ever beene hatched Live in peace and the God of peace shall bee with you Give not way to any opinion whereby the unity of spirit and the bond of love may be broken Play the men be strong and of a good courage Have prepared hearts to dye for Christs cause but to bee sticklers in such poore quarrels as can neither bring peace to the Church nor comfort to you at last abhorre Wee must all appeare before the Iudgement seate of God where colours shall doe us no good because we shall be iudged naked where pretences shall doe us no good because the bookes shall bee opened and where no authors or favourers of Sects or Schismes shall shelter us because we must stand before the man Christ Iesus to whom I ever leave you and in whose name ye shall have the prayers of Yours to be used in the service of the Gospel ROBERT ABBOT The Contents of this Meditation is thus summed up In Section 1. The state of Christians and their care to keepe it Section 2. The way to keepe a Christian state is publick communion in assemblies Section 3. The vice of those that forsake publick communion and first of the prophane Section 4. The forsakers of our assemblies that would be accounted holy and first of their name of Iustice Brownists which is due to them Section 5. Of that name they would have Separatists and how unjustly it is expected and assumed by them Section 6. Of the Brownists opinions upon which they forsake our Church and first whether we be a true Church Section 7. Of their first exception against us about the nature of a visible Church Section 8. Of their second exception against us about our enterance into a true Church where of their covenant Section 9. A question by the way because some of them question it about baptizing of Bastards of impenitent Christians Section 10. Of their third exception against us about the head of our Church Christ and the King under him Section 11. Of their fourth exception against us about the members of our Church where is debated of wicked professors comming to the Lords table Section 12. Of their last exception against our Church about the government of it and first of the power of Governement whether in the whole assembly Section 13. Of their exceptions against the persons governing Bishops and the exercise of their goverment in ordination excommunication imposing oathes Section 14. Of their second opinion upon which they separate from us because wee have not a true ministery where of ordeyners titles callings infirmities and maintenance Section 15. Of their last opinion upon which they separate from us because wee have not a true worship where of Ceremonies of order and significant and of stinted prayers Section 16. Of their maine exception in their former argument to witt our common prayer booke where of the order of divine service and their exceptions against kneeling Crosse and responses or answers in Baptisme Section 17. Of the use that is to bee made of all good assemblies to learne consideration and exhortation because the day is approaching which is applied to our foasakers A Postscript GOod Reader there are two texts of scripture whereupon the Brownists do build their frame besides many other in particular questions These thou shalt finde cleared as I judge in conscience in most Sections as thou goest along These are 1 Cor. 6.17 whereupon they ground their separation and Mat. 18.15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5. whereupon they ground the new Parish discipline Thou shalt finde these cleared Section 5. and 12. But before thou readest I would intreate thee to correct the errours of the presse printed at the latter end of the booke and then learne with me or learne me A TRIALL OF OVR CHVRCH FORSAKERS OR A meditation to still the passions of unquiet Brownists upon Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as yee see the day approaching SECTION I. The estate of Christians and their care to keepe it THe better our estate is the more wee must labour to keepe it A poore man takes no great thought for iron bolts and barres a wooden latch a pin serves his turne and yet hee sleepes securely A rich man whose treasure is great and whose heart is nailed to it hath lockes bolts and barres of strongest assurance Thus must it be with a Christian He is not now in a beggerly estate he is crowned with loving kindnesses and tender mercies unspeakable He hath liberty to enter into heaven hee hath a way made to leade him thither and he hath an able guide for his conduct The holiest is set before him His liberty to enter is purchased by the bloud of Iesus His way thither is Christs flesh consecrated by the fulnesse of the God-head dwelling in him bodily His guide is the high-priest over the house of God Christ the Lord Christ alone purchased this liberty he alone is this way by the marriage of our flesh hee alone is this guide who hath authority over the house of God and cannot bee defeated His liberty is of the surest tenure by purchase with the bloud of the sonne of God His way is of the firmest sooting surest foundation and best making by Christ himself And his guide is truth it selfe one that cannot deceive even our Iesus Christ who is all and in all What therefore should hee now doe Let them get an estate in meanes offered which may present to God this coate oâ— armes A field of heavenly truth and sincerity the royallest in Gods eies charged with a cleane washed body opened for all the world to looke upon In the midst an heart sprinckled from an ill conscience breathing out by degrees a full assurance of faith And because he is a souldier and many enemies will assault his colours to win them that he may never give them againe let him not only have such christian armes but hold fast the profession of his faith without wavering that he doe not loose his crowne and honour with Christ But Lord how hard is this The Christian is weak and his enemies many mighty It is true therefore let him be strong in the Lord and run to such meanes as God hath appointed who knowes best how to give and how to guard all his graces given And what meanes are they The publike and private communion of Saints mentioned in these words The publicke is not to forsake the assembling of our selves together The private is upon due consideration of our selves to exhort one another These will make the christian keepe his ground not loose his colours not quit the field but overcome in living and bee more then Conquerours in dying
those rams-hornes of old when we are in publicke worship There yee have not onely the spirit promised which will lead you into all saving truth convince convert and comfort you till yee are of full stature in Christ but yee have many hands to help you in confession supplication deprecation intercession and giving of thankes There ye have many encouragements to hold on in the way of Christ There is the word to promise sacraments to confirme prayer to procure and many of Gods people to give you the right hand of fellowship till you come to your journeyes end The first step to apostacy is the neglect of publick assemblies As a man that hath an inclination to take wicked courses withdrawes himselfe from good company as Iudas when he went out from Christ and his disciples and yoaked with the high-priest and elders so if a man encline to warp hee declines the assemblies of Gods people as one wearie of such a course But if hee stick unto them his hands are strengthened to hold God fast by the word of precept promise and correction by the sacraments wherein a bargaine is strook betweene God and us by the prayers of our selves and others which bring God neere to helpe and by the examples of others which have a compelling vertue to good as well as ill When therefore yee consider this bundle of profit yee cannot wonder that Gods people have so constantly tyed themselves to watch at the gate and wait at the postes of the doores where publicke worship hath beene prepared Oh that all Gods people that ate good and would be better would lay these things to heart and not forsake our assembling together God workes by these meanes and if wee forsake them wee forsake the hands of the God of strength which are in them stirred up to come and help us Forsake church assemblies and yee turne your backes upon Gods face angels saints and comforting acts of worship Forsake church assemblies and ye sad the hearts of Gods people strengthen the hands of wickednesse and shew no reverence to worship Forsake church-assemblies and yee let loose thousand of temptations upon you against faith and manners the Devill will take you upon his owne ground You wil say happily that great presence and profit is talked of but ye see none nor feele any upon you It maybe so yet without the fault of our assemblies and with the fault of none but your unworthy selves Take therfore this advice in Gods feare and speed better hereafter First come with prepared hearts that is hearts unloaded of the guilt of wilfull sins hearts standing in awe of Gods presence and worshipping in feare and hearts sincerely purposing to bee better Yee know Gods advice lay apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse and receive with meeknesse the ingraffed word which is able to save your souls Ye know Peters proposition now are we all here present before God to heare all things that are commanded thee of God and Daevids practise In thy feare wil I worship towards thy holy temple Ye know the prophecy that went of you of old and Davids resolution to keepe the law yea to observe it with his whole heart according to grace given Do but you thus and yee shall find presence and profit Secondly bring an humble soule along with you to God house If God doe meete with you in our assemblies hee acknowledgeth a Publican before a Pharisee hee calls no man Benjamin the sonne of his right hand but those whom their owne hearts call Benoni in their humility hee salutes them not Naomi beautifull who doe not humbly feele themselves Marah bitter The humble God wil teach and the humbled God will lift up for he fills the hungry with good things Bring but such senses and yee shall see presence and profit But if yee bee swift to heare and not slow to speak slow to wrath God sends such rich ones emptie away and casts such mighty ones from their thrones Thirdly carry your hearts along thorough the whole service Loose your hearts and loose your comforts in any thing ye do It was sweetly sung of old rejoyce the soule of thy servant for unto thee doe I lift up my soule Let that plummet runne downe to the ground and the wheeles of your actions will not runne to your content Therefore do but you come with prepared hearts humbled soules and binde your hearts for hearty service in the whole and then the presence in our assemblies shall bee for you and the profit for you too as well as for others who are thus vertuous as not to forsake our assemblings together SECT 3. The vice of those that forsake publick Communion 1 of the prophane ALl that can be said will not prevaile with all There are so many vices to overwhelm that as it was of old so is it stil it is the manner of some to forsake our assemblings together The Apostle saw it of old and laboured against it as an enemy to perseverance in the unity of faith and manners we see it stil and must labour against this act of many vices I le speake thorough Gods helpe but of two sorts of persons too neere unto us who give themselves unto this fault the first are prophane the second would be accounted truely religious The prophane shew themselves by foure degrees of forsaking our assemblies The first is coming to our assemmblies like those that are unwilling These that doe so are not altogether withdrawn in body but in heart are too farre from us The godly say let us go speedily and pray before the Lord they are like the Isles that wait for the law because they are willing people But they come as if they were in fetters and bolts like Zachariahs women pressed into an Epha with a talent of lead Lord how slow is their pace as if it were to the jaile or Bridewel The second is loving to be any where rather then in the assembly Surely when any act this though sometimes they come yet they forsake apace Gods people cannot rejoyce in such commers when God told Ezekiel that hee should goe to a rebellious people that were unwilling to submit hee went in bitternesse and indignation of spirit Such needes must be the movings of the heart of the assembly about such commers These thinke not that they should come to doe homage to God as David presseth give give unto the Lord glory strength worship due unto his name They thinke not that hee that despiseth the ministery done in assemblies despiseth not man but Christ therefore they love any meetings rather then them They account church-assemblies rather matters of complement then necessitie They need no soule reparations so their bodies bee fat and well-liking Wee read of one Victorinus of old who would bee a Christian but frequented not christian assemblies But godly Simplicianus met him
the synagogue The Corinthians had the womens vaile in the congregation to signifie subjection and the kisse of peace to signifie love Other Christians had Agapae at the sacrament in the roome whereof the Christians offertory was brought in for pious uses to signifie that love they should have one to another So wee have standing at the beliefe to signifie that it is not a prayer and that wee are ready to confesse our faith kneeling at the commandements to signifie the honour we have to that God that gave it and that wee must be ready to dart up prayer for our obedience and kneeling at the sacrament to signifie an humble acknowledgement of Gods love for so great a benefit And doe wee and all these saints before us set up images to our selves in these ceremonies for religious uâ—e God forbid The practise of these saints when the lawes of God were purely taught and kept teach us that though we my not set up an image to worship God by or in yet may we set up some edifying signes to put us in minde of those duties wee owe to God The Patriarchs may build altars give their children proper names to be admonishing signes of their duties to God and we may set all our sences on work that way We may set up a poste in a darke and dangerous passage that when I goe that way and touch it it may signifie my danger and I may avoide it I may set a watch-man in a towre to give a sound when the enemy comes that he may signifie my enemies approach and I may avoid him I may set up a Sea marke to signifie a Rocke neere that I split not upon it And may not we be as wise for our soules as for our bodies God forbid I am sure he hath no where forbidden it therefore it is not against Christ If it be not against him it is for him saith our Saviour Why then say they have we cast out all the significant ceremonies of Popery Not for their significancy barely but for their weight and measure They are not to them onely as outward garnishments of worship but as proper worship efficacious and meritorious their number stifles devotion and fills it with shewes without substance A cup of water refreshes but an whole Well of water choakes Yea an hundred Sermons weekly would not edifie they would eate out our conscience in our particular callings much more would an hundred ceremonies eate out the substance of our generall callings when a few may much refresh and profit if judgement over-power fancie and affection Yea but say they our significant ceremonies were taken from Idolaters and limbs of Antichrist who have abused them Were this true yet take the drosse from the silver and make a vessel for the finer but it is false Though they have had such as ours and have still yet ours are our owne and were never theirs in speciall Fire and water are contrary yet they agree in their kind they are both elements so ours are ceremonies and so are theirs but otherwise they differ as fire and water they scorne therefore ours and we deride theirs We read of sacrifices offered to Devils yet some of this was sold in shambles and some the Heathens made feasts of It was all the same flesh in kind but not in use The christians did damnably if they went to it when it was sacrificed yea and if they went to their Idol feasts when they blessed an idol it was idolatry but if they bought part of that flesh in the Shambles and eate it or went to their private feasts when they eate of it for ought they knew without reference to the Idol then saith Paul Eate making no question for conscience sake So say we of our crosse Surplice kneeling they were ordinances before Idolators abused them If they take them and blesse an Idol with them be it upon their own pates but if we be invited to them in a better use and not know nor have just cause to suspect any lurking Idolatry why should wee make so many needlesse questions about the use of them Put case such as they are pertained to Idolaters So did Goliahs sword yet David laid it up in an holy place for better use So did bowing belong to Baal prostrating the whole body to Idols kissing to the Calves kissing the hand to the hoste of heaven lifting up the eies stretching forth both hands showting for joy sitting or lying along upon the ground or on a carpet to idols yet all these we may use in the worship of the true God So for our ceremonies such as they are pertained to idolaters but were not idolatrous of themselves The crosse was used as a signe of profession before idolatrie prevailed The white garment was ordained as a cover-sloven in the poverty of the Church kneeling was used as an act of reverence before the breaden God was hatcht And may not we lawfully use them now to shew that we are in communion and fellowship with that blessed and persecuted Church without such noises and schismes Yea but in our worship there is say they as bad as all behinde wee have a stinted worship by that foule idol the common prayer booke and so we worship not in spirit and truth Doe we not worship in spirit when the spirit moves towards heaven as well as the flesh Doe wee not worship in truth when our petitions are true petitions uttered with a true tongue according to the truth of our hearts Doe wee not worship in spirit and truth when with such petitions heart and tongue we seek to God in all places not trusting in any Certainely wee doe and should doe farre better were it not for them who disgrace our common-prayer booke and draw the hearts of Gods people from it Yet those that know the vanity of their words and trust them not know also that they even when they use that booke to send their prayers tâ— heaven by doe pray in spirit and truth God bearing them witnesse by the holy Ghost How can they pray in spirit say they when they use him not what Is there no spirit but our owne Surely there is a publicke spirit and a private spirit The first hath wrought in the holy saints and army of martyrs who have laied up stocks of praier for us generations that follow them and by the blessed providence of God they are come into our hands There wee see how they prayed for us before we were There we learne to pray of them of whom the world was not worthy This spirit we use as well as our owne and it is pitty that any Christian that can pray to God by his owne dexterity of spirit should yet contemne the workings and helpings of the publicke spirit without whom the world had never had such a benefit But alasse say they our spirits are quite stinted when they are fettered with words
appointed Surely the freedome of spirit stands not so much in freedome of words and in intention of zeale As a servant that delivers his masters message in his masters words may doe it with a free spirit So may a man pray when he takes to himselfe words and not coines them himself The best prayers are those that are delivered in Gods words and are our spirits stinted because we tye our selves to Gods words As Gods Spirit is not stinted when it speakes unto us by the Scriptures read so nor our spirits when wee speake feelingly to God by read Prayers Put case one man pray with a thousand that have large spirits will they say that their spirits are stinted because they are tyed up for the time being to his spirit so nor when wee pray with others Prayers Have wee a spirit better than the Disciples of Christ and doe wee know what will stint them better than Christ yet Christ gave them the Lords Prayer not onely to say after that manner when hee taught the Doctrine of Prayer but also to say when hee taught them the practice of Prayer But say they hath not God given every good Christian a spirit of supplication by which they have a faculty and power to pray The Disciples I hope were good Christians yet they say to Christ teach us to pray Yet know that there is a double power to pray An inward power by which the heart moves and goes out of it selfe after God Christ grace and salvation This power all good Christians have by the spirit of adoption whereby they cry Abba Father An outward power whereby they are able distinctly and judiciously to expresse the motions and desires of their hearts This power all have not and therefore have neede still to have further helpe and direction as our Saviour did helpe his Disciples But surely they may say the Lords Prayer is not a forme of Prayer taught his Disciples or us It is short and imperfect it hath no such glory in it as some other I may thinkâ— it though Christs word be say and none are tyed to this forme of Prayer alone Let all this stand till it be removed It is true it is short and in that is seene the glorious wisdome of Christ but it is most perfect We must pray all manner of Prayers Supplications intercessions and giving of thankes yet all these are comprehended in it Againe there is infinitely more glory in it then in all Prayers made by men If all Prayers be made they have their graynes of weight from hence It briefly comprehends them all and hath the best authority in the world The wisdome of God the son of God the beloved of God made it and expressed it with his tongue in such blessed order as men Angels cannot devise the like It is true that Christ saith say it but there is a saying with the mind and heart as well as with the tongue For there are two parts of Prayer the soule of Prayer when it is presented with understanding heart and spirit and the body of Prayer to helpe our fervencie as when we bowe our knees lift up our hearts with our hands and our eyes are lift up to God and our bones say Lord who is like unto thee and our tongues are the pennes of ready writers Yet hath not Christ tyed us unto this prayer only Christ himselfe hath other prayers beside this and the Apostles many together with the Church and godly particulars Yet by reason of the perfection of it both in matter order and words by reason of the sufficiency of it to supply all wants and by reason of our forgetfulnesse to aske all or halfe it is a sure and comforting way what ever wee pray to use it alwaies with judgement and understanding But say some of them it is of so large extent that wee cannot comprehend it It is true that it is of large extent and therefore we must labor for strength of judgmeÌ„t and memory to put it up from the heart that we may not tumble it over as the manner of some is as if it burnt their tongues But Christs lookes not that we should conceive of every thing in it every time wee use it As there are few prayers wee can make but are of larger extent then wee presently conceive as when we say the Lord sanâ—tifie your sickenesse unto you the Lord blesse you the Lord give you grace there are more things comprehended then presently meantâ— so in the Lords prayer and therefore wee must have docible hearts to understaÌ„d it better better and we must have wisedom according to our apprehension to apply it to severall occasions But say they this or any other stinted prayer are the very cut-throates of devotion and coolers of affections Indeed they are so to wicked hearts Children must bee pleased with novelties and wicked men loath Gods continued favours though it bee Mannah from heaven but if set prayers wrought so of themselves would Christ ever have given a set forme to his disciples Certainely they will be no enemies to devotion if Christians bee zealous and carefull in using them For the constant practise of the saints in scriptures commends them unto us in prescribed Psalmes and formes of blessing And such is the inequalitie of gifts dispensed by Christ unto his people that to some a prescribed forme is necessary when he hath not given them gifts of knowledge and utterance to expresse their desires in any comely way To others necessary too who are able fitly and fully to doe it in private yet are not so faced and tongued that they can doe it with confidence in publicke to all it is excellently usefull that they may not onely have helpe of their owne spirits but of the publick spirit of God working in his church to advance them forward to heaven It is a world of pittie that men that have some great gifts as they thinke should contemn them that have them not though haply they have others better then they To have a gift of expressing our desires in fit order matter and words is a comely ornament yet may it and doth often fall upon an hypocrite it is not of the essence of a saveable Christianâ— but to say wee know not what to pray for as we ought but the spirit helpes me publickly and privately with groanes and sighes that cannot be expressed to say thus I say and to feele the truth of it too is a note of a good Christian and can fall upon none but a childe of the kingdome of heaven But say they put case that others may be helped by set formes of prayer yet is there no reason that a Minister or Presbyter that hath gifts should bee tied to a forme of words Neither is he alwaies but that he should bee tied to common solemne praier as with us there is
That little strength wee have is apt to false us by faith wee stand and still there is something lacking to our faith And thus it comes that wee hardly keepe our feete steady Wee are also too much in love with that way that hath most danger in it The spirit is willing but the flesh is weake and is ready to eate poyson for wholesome foode sometimes out of custome sometimes out of curiositie and sometimes out of an ill appetite wee have got to unwholesome things But if wee doe wisely consider these things in one another wee will bee full of compassion And as they that consider not are full of fierce and fiery censure as Iudah to Tamar bring her forth and let her be burnt not considering his owne guilt so they that doe it are led by the contrary spirit As when wee consider a man aloft who totters is apt to fall and unable to keepe his feete in a setled posture our bowels yearne our flesh drops feare and wee are out of our selves with sudden apprehension so is it with a man that considers his brother hee puts him on by fellow feeling Yea then wee will prudently deale one with another to keep up As wee see dispositions gifts vertues or faults wee wisely fore-thinke how to maintaine the best and prevent the worst Besides this considering brings us to Pauls rule If a brother fall by infirmity not by pride and selfe conceit restore him with the spirit of meekenesse with a tender heart and hand set him in joynt againe For want of this consideration too many Christians are ready to faile The frailety of the flesh the opposition of grace is little considered and so there is neither wisedome compassion or meeknesse to heale Men difference not stubborne faylers for whom there is a rod of iron and weake failers for whom there is a Spirit of meekenesse Men discerne not sinners of custome who are as blacke-moores and sinners overtaken who with stripes must not bee driven quite away and so doe more hurt than good But bee more wise to consider hereafter than before This moved Paul to say Hee that stands let him take heed lest hee fall This moved Iohn to say little children keepe your selves from Idols Yea this mooved CHRIST to say When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren Out of such consideration I have laboured to give this revalsion and Antidote And if our forsakers had had it too it might have saved mee a labour and they might with it have had more wisdome meeknesse and compassion and lesse heart-dividing censures The Apostle would have us also make such use of publike assemblies that wee may exhort one another Hee knowes that it is a great worke to continue in love to God his truth and Saints and in good workes Pride is one of the last sinnes that dye It is like a man of a strong heart which hardly yeelds his heart is more in compasse than another mans It will worke it selfe out of lesse sinne and more grace and where pride is there is contention and so lesse truth and love Againe superfluity of maliciousnesse drownes the whole nature of man Even when the head floates with Christ the heart is too much drencht in this It is crossed and will crosse againe like the devils cocke to spurre all opposites and hence also comes losse of truth and love Againe the spirit of a man lusteth after envy This makes the eye evill because God is good It desires to bee in the uppermost forme like the two sonnes of Zebedeus Therefore Ioseph the reformed Prodigall and the last workers in the Vineyard are grumbled at and hence also is lesse truth and love Lastly truth and love enter at a narrow passage and Christ comes not with all his mighty power at first As the Sea is not sifted thorow the narrow crevises of the earth at once so is it with truth and love And as a Conquerour that leaves most of his Armie behinde him subdues not presently so it is with Christ and us Wee are not able to receive his truth and love together neither stands it with his dispensation wee being not extraordinary but ordinary servants who must attaine by industry Hence therefore men dreaming that they have attained when there is much behind doe ill use what truth and love they have and so faile foulely Neither is it lesse difficult to continue in good workes The fountaine is apt to be dry that is a good heart If out of the belly doe not flow rivers of waters of life no waters will runne to the living How soon is this streame dryed up because men live not with Christ the spring-head Besides men are not altogether for gathering this worlds goods to spend it upon their lusts They forget that there is a time to scatter and then they cast not their bread upon the waters they beleeve not that they shall finde it so Lastly men have three bad thoughts that keepe them from good workes They thinke that no man is more worthy to have then themselves Some are wicked and not worthy some are good yet themselves are better some are idle and will live upon the spoile and some are painefull and therefore the better able to provide for themselves still selfe is thought to be the onely man to have They thinke themselves againe the absolute owners of what they have It is their owne as Nabal said why should they give it to others This they willingly thinke not that they are stewards and so are kept backe Lastly they thinke this worlds goods the onely commanders of men and things and therefore they will not put themselves out of them that they may rule all Now because it is so difficult a work not only to continue in good works but in truth and love which must make them excellent therefore the Apostle would have us so improve our selves by the fellowship of publike assemblies that we may be able to exhort one another Such is the inconstancie of nature in all good courses that it is easily apt to change from good to worse Moses was but a while gone and Israel fell to idolatry Paul wondred that the Galathians were so soone turned to another Gospel Yea such is our slownesse in good that we had need be spurred continually Ephesus forsakes her first love Yea and when Christs hearers heard they must be exhorted to heare and when the Thessalonians did edifie one another they must bee exhorted to doe it Men are in a dead sleepe and they are loth to be awaked as the sluggard they thinke themselves able to exhort themselves they love not many masters they see not how frozen they are till their owne hearts smite them as Davids till God raise up some adversary to reproach them or till God take them in hand himselfe by some heavie visitation Therefore saith Paul
exhort one another Oh that wee could alwayes walk in the presence of this duty and suffer the words of exhortation too The wicked will call one upon another to goe to hell why should not we to get one another towards heaven But how our forsakers will answer it to God I know not who cast themselves out of our assemblies in folly before they are cast out in justice and forgoe this whetstone of exhortation for a blunt sticke of their owne devising This I am sure they might be exhorted with us and learne to exhort others better from us then they doe to leade poore soules into the wayes of discord distraction and strife I have but one thing to thinke upon this text more and that is Pauls motive and inforcement so much the more because ye see the day approaching men complaine much of dayes and times but I am sure the worse they are the more had they neede to keepe the communion of Saints both publicke and private Evill dayes will come fast enough no man had neede to pull them upon himselfe If hee doe there is the day comming which will pay to the purpose without a pardon for all his sinnes and indiscretions All other dayes are our dayes in which wee eate drinke marrie give in marriage work play pray and heare and the like but this is the day with GODS marke upon it when all shall bee awaked and gathered before their JUDGE The thought of this day should sharpen us to love assemblies and call others to them because they are the ordinances of CHRIST the JUDGE On this day there will bee fulnesse of feares and terrours Fearefull sights of an universall fire throne and JUDGE fearefull yellings and cryings of desperate men fearefull accusations from heaven earth and consciences and the fearefullest sentence that ever yet passed Goe yee cursed Therefore had wee neede all our lives to get something to comfort us against that time for it is an evill time to the wicked On that day will there bee an expectation of comfort or discomfort for ever and ever upon all that wee have done either in our assemblies or out of them On that day wee shall heare such accounts as wee have never heard as how wee have willfully sinned in every secret In the secret of our understanding will affections judgements consciences corners woods and denns How many assemblies wee have neglected How many wee have prophaned in being no better How many in our power wee have not exhorted How many have exhorted us and wee have not answered and followed On that day shall I bee judged if I have taught you to acknowledge our CHURCH a true CHURCH our MINISTERY a true MINISTERY and our WORSHIP a true WORSHIP against my judgement and conscience according to the rule of CHRIST so farre as I am come yea and I shall bee cast also And on that day shall our forsakers escape scotfree shall they not passe a strickt triall and examination Have yee had a care to keepe a Christian state to CHRISTS honour Have yee loved publicke assemblies to that end and use Have yee not forsaken the assemblies of CHRISTS people for no just cause Is not that a true church which professeth the name of Christ according to his word whereto it submits as the rule of the religion it hath Is not that a true Church which enters covenant with mee as all the Christians in the World by entring into my schoole by Baptisme Is not that a true Church which acknowledgeth mee onely head for supreame rule and under mee my liefetenants and chiefe officers to governe according to my lawes general and speciall Is not that a true Church which rejoyceth in good members yet dare not forbid wicked hypocrites from the outward priviledges of my feast because I have commanded her that good and bad should bee called Is not that a true Church which hath the power of governement in best and wisest when I never commanded that whole assemblies should ever have an independent power to doe according to voyces which cannot but bee the authour of schisme Is not that a true Church which doth exercise governement according to my patternes and rules insâ—rting things in order ordaining teachers and casting out unworthy beasts as information and conviction could bee justly had Have you forsaken such a Church to set up a Church of your owne devising which hath never beene from my time downeward to ordaine Pastours and Doctours that are not able to divide the word of God aright to cast out or keepe in according to the voyces of two or three men or women which may out of selfe-conceit and pretence of my word presume to bee a Church contrary to my will What Ministery have you forsaken A ministery that hath beene honoured by the bloud of blessed martyrs that are no wooden Priests but whose breath hath blowne away Romish tyranny idolatrie superstitions and falsities which dishonoured mee and my offices a ministery that hath gained soules from heathenisme and prophanenesse in their turnes and moved by my blessing effectually to serve the living and true God even to thousands and millions What worship have you forsaken a worship of praying and receiving of Sacraments with my word with petitions supplications intercessions and giving of thankes to my father in my name Have yee forsaken such a worship and all because every one that goe before in worship have not their tongues at liberty to say what they list but are helped by the publicke spirit of my Church so as they may with one heart and mouth at one time when I have no where commanded the contrary Oh let this Terrour of the Lord perswade men A thousand yeares with Christ are but as one day for the Iudge standeth at the doore and when hee doth come thinke what praise and honour ye shall get by disturbing a Church where is a true Ministery and worship by disheartning of Gods tender people from his service under pretence of his word when for none of your fancies you can produce one precept of Christ The most you pretend are obscure places which by the diligentest searchers of scriptures have beene and are diversly expounded and therefore no sure footing or some obscure examples without lawes which yet if they were never so pregnant prove but the lawfulnesse not the necessitie of such practises And will you hazard the peace of a Christian Church the comfort of your consciences the liberty of your goods and bodies upon so sandy a foundation Oh thinke upon that day and take wiser mens advice then your selves that have not beene carried with rashnesse puffed with pride in love with a conceit of selfe-government or pricked with envies emulations jealousies just punishments and see whether such men will warrant your courses upon the price of their soules in that day And if all candor bee not banished if hatred to an English Priest a Bishops creature as some body is termed