same for matter and substance made by all An Account of Faith as it was made and given in by word of Mouth on the Eighth day of the Eighth Moneth 1651. In a Publick Meeting-place at Dublin upon his entrance into Church-fellowship there By J. R. c. I Acknowledge and profess from my very heart before the Lord and you all here present That I do believe there is but one God who is omnipotent omniscient omni-present and an infinite and all-glorious Being and distinguished into three subsistences or if that word offend I will say into three personal proprieties and relations according to his several operations and administrations namely of the Father Son and Holy Ghost The Father is of himself the Son proceedeth from the Father and the Spirit from them both And although the Saints cannot take hold of God as God incomprehensible and inapprehensible yet they know him as a Father as a Son as a Spirit dwelling in them and so far as his several attributes makes him known to them First Concerning the first Person so called of the Trinity or God the Father that he is the great Creator and Governor of all things in Heaven and Earth eternally distinct as in himself from all Creatures as Creatures in his absolute Being and absolute Well-Being And that this God shall judge the World But Secondly Concerning the second in the Trinity the Son Jesus Christ of whom Moses the Prophets and the Apostles wrote and in whom all the Scriptures are and shall be fulfilled I believe him as he is both God and Man making a compleat Mediator and as God equal to the Father as Man of the tribe of Judah the line of David the seed of Abraham and born of Mary c. And as both the onely Mediator between God and Man And he was from everlasting and yet as Man from the Womb he was separated called appointed and anointed most fully with all gifts and graces necessary for all mankinde Concerning his Offices That he is King Priest and Prophet First As the Prophet he hath revealed his Fathers whole will so far as is necessary to Salvation in his Word and Ordinances and speaks it to his Church and Saints by his Word and Spirit Secondly As Priest being consecrated for us he hath appeared to put away sin and hath offered himself the sacrifice for the sins of the people once for all laying down his life for his sheep and he hath absolutely abolished all legal and Ceremonial rites and shadows and is now entred into the Holy of Holies and sits at the right hand of glory making intercession for us Thirdly As King in general all power is given him in Heaven and Earth and he doth exercise his power over men and Angels good and bad for the safety of his Saints and destruction of his enemies till he hath made them all his foot-stool In particular that Christ is King over his Church and shall reign on Earth spiritually in the hearts of his Saints and by his Word and Spirit he gathers all his peoples together from Idolatry Superstition Darkness c. into his own Spiritual way of worship and holiness and brings them to the Father and by his Spirit he makes them a peculiar people a royal Priesthood a holy generation and instructs and governs them by his Laws prepared for his Church and people Thirdly Concerning the Spirit the third of the Trinity that he is sent by the Father and the Son to make application of the whole work of Redemption to those whom the Father hath given to the Son by his decree and whom the Son hath brought to the Father by his blood according to the everlasting Covenant made between the Father and the Son which the Spirit carries on to us as the Covenant of Free-grace for our Salvation By the operation of this holy Spirit in me This Grace was begun first by and through the Law which awakned me so as that I saw I was lost and undone for ever and then by the Gospel whereby Christ was revealed to me and in me by his Spirit and his righteousness cleared up mine But of this hereafter This Spirit applyed Christ Jesus as far as I knew him manifested to and in me by which I was brought at length to close with Christ and that so unfainedly that I resolved to loose all before Christ. So such are First by Christs righteousness justified Secondly by his Spirit adopted sons Thirdly by his Grace sanctified and really changed to the piety and purity of Gods holy Image gradually and Fourthly Glorified and changed from misery to happiness which begins in the inward sence of Gods soul-melting love to them in Christ from whence is the hope of glory and assurance of salvation joy peace and happiness within c. Fifthly Concerning the Scriptures in Old and New Testament they are the Word of God as they were writ and indited by the holy Spirit and that they are the standing rule left us both for our knowledge and practise doctrine and Discipline here below Sixthly I believe that by the first Adams disobedience we all fell and that we are all by nature the children of wrath dead in sins and trespasses and that those who live and dye in their sins cannot be saved nor any without regeneration or new birth Seventhly Concerning the Church of Christ I know it is but one Body Universal and Catholick and that is of all Saints past present and to come invisible and visible yea spiritual and formal But this I also believe that God hath left a rule in his Word for Particular Congregational Churches here upon Earth as the visible to make up his one intire and universal Body Eighthly Now concerning Christs particular Churches I believe as I have preached and proved such a Church to be a Fellowship called out of the world and united to Christ As Members to the head and all one with another according to the Word for the worship of God and the edification one of another and that such must be separate from false ways worships Antichristian superstitions observancies c. and willingly joyn in Christian Communion and Covenant or resolution of cleaving close to the Lord in this his way with purpose of heart and by free confession of their Faith and subjection to the Gospel and therein especially I believe That the Ordinances of Christ are to be freely and frequently dispenced as preaching praying prophecying one by one Singing of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Sacraments Censures Offices and Officers and often and ordinary exercising of gifts And that there is a chusing of and setting apart Officers by the whole Body and that none doth orderly do the office of a Minister among them but such and besides to omit many other things and bring all up in this rear I do really believe that such orderly Churches have priviledges royal oracles and seals and
sad discords even among true brethren and then it is farre from uniting or true order and ought to be abhorr'd But lest some lofty brethren look angry at this assertion and language and should fill my ears with clamours by reason of concurrent contra-position of many eminent Ministers and others of this Nation and of New-England of the congregationall way I will but lead them to the Apology of New-England for the Covenant p. 32. 44. wherein they acknowledge an agreement or consent of Saints together or of this or that Christian to walk in Church-fellowship with this or that society and that this is sufficient and equivalent with the others So saith Mr. Peters in his Discourse of Covenant p. 21 22 23. T.G. I.G. But yet we grant that if this implicite Covenantings should produce such ill consequences as of contentions discords disorders c. which the explicite Covenant would remedy and appease that then there may be such a Covenant writ in the Church book and handed by the Church members for so long as good use peace and order are brought forth by it but yet with this Caution that it be allowed only as a thing prudentiall for a time whilest the use or end is good of it and not as a thing necessary for all time or as without alteration or cessation for then you should say â—ie upon it we will have none of it when it begins to assault and intrench upon Christian liberty Now in this sense and in such cases a Church-covenant is lawfull decent and expedient and in such an exigency and emergency of time this was put in execution by the Church at Dublin as a medium in prudence to compose diffâ—â—â—nces and it proved very effectual blessed be God to end the former and to prevent future disturbances but it was not to be urged upon any one contrary to Christian liberty And thus farre we can freely concurre with Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker Mr. Ainsworth and all other eminent ones that are so hot for an explicite covenanting though the implicite by your own confession carries the formalem rationem of the other which they so urge both being but adjuncts The forms of such Covenants are shorter or longer as the occasion requires I shall insert one or two for examples-sake 1. The Covenant of the English Church at Roterdam when Mr. H. P. was chosen Pastour WEE whose names are hereunder written having found by sad experience how uncomfortable it is to walk in an unsetled and disorder'd condition c. 1. We do renue our covenant in Baptisme and avouch God to be our God 2. We resolve to cleave to the true and pure worship of God opposing to our power all false waies 3. We will not allow our selves in any known sin buâ— will renounce it so soon as Gods word does manifest it so to be the Lord lending us power We resolve to carry our selves in our places of government and obedience with all good conscience knowing we must give an account to God Wee will labour for all further growth in grace by hearing reading praying meditation and all other wayes we can We mean not to over-burthen our hearts with earthly cares which are the bane of all holy duties the breach of the Sabbath and the other Commandements Wee will willingly and meekly submit to Christian Discipline without murmuring and shall labour so to continue and will endeavour to be more forward zealous loving faithfull and wise in admonishing others Wee will labour by all our abilities for the furtherance of the Gospel as occasion shall be offered to us We promise to have our children servants and all our charge taught the wayes of God We will strive to give no offence to our brethren by censuring them rashly by suspicions evill speakings or any other way Lastly We doe protest not onely against open and scandalous sins as drunkennesse swearing c. but also against evill company and all appearance of evill to the utmost of our power Per me F. H. I might make mention of others some of them very short and generall but others fuller and more particular But I shall trouble thee Reader but with one more which as thou heardst before was made use of as a remedy to end some disorders and disturbances and subscribed by all that were free thereto upon occasion of differences arising to which this much related II. The Covenant of the Church in Dublin collected out of the word of Christ according to the Order of the Gospel WEE whose Names are hereunder written do freely give up our hands and hearts to God the Father and his Son Christ Jesus our onely Lord and Law-giver and doe unanimously ingage in the fear of the Lord every one of us to our utmost powers through the gracious assistance of Gods holy Spirit That wee will walk together in one body with one minde in all sweetnesse of Spirit and Saint-like love each to other as the Disciples of Jesus Christ and all to the Church Joh. 15.12 13.34 Rom. 13.8 Ephes. 5.2 1 Thes. 3.12 1 Joh. 4.21 c. Jointly to contend and strive together in all good and lawfull wayes both by doing and by suffering for the purity of the Gospell the Truth of Christ his Ordinances and Orders the honour and liberty and priviledges of the Church against all opposers Jude 3. Gal. 5.1.13 c. With all care and conscience to study and labour to keepe up the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace both in the Church in generall and in particular between one another Phil. 2.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 1.10 Ephes. 4.3 2 Cor. 13.11 c. Carefully to avoid all causes and causers of Divisions as much as in us lies and to shun Seducers false-Teachers of errors or Heresies Rom. 16.17 18. 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. Tit. 9.3 v. g. 10. 2 Joh. 10. Rev. 2.14.18 Partaking and fellow-feeling to our power with one another in every condition bearing each other burdens Gal. 6.2 Heb. 13.3 1 Cor. 12.25 2 Tim. 1.16 c. To forbear and bear with one another weaknesses and infirmities in much pity tendernesse meeknesse and patience not ripping up the weaknesse of any one to any other without our Church nor yet to any within unlesse according to Christs rule and Gospel-order endeavouring all we may for the glory of the Gospel and the credit of his Church to hide and cover one anothers slippings and failings Ephes. 4.32 Rom. 14.13 Rom. 15.1 Col. 3.12 13. 1 Cor. 13.4.7 c. And that we will as the Lord our God shall enable us to our utmost cleave close one to another and every one to the Lord and chearfully undergoe the condition and lot the Lord shall lay upon this his Church whether in perseeution or in prosperity without any wilfull drawing back or falling away from the fellowship or Faith which wee professe together Heb. 10.24 25 26 c. to the end 2 Tim. 4.10.16 If any
power to justle aside superiority and that Popish usurpation of subordination and throw it into the dust or smoaking pit from whence it came And call up for a Co-ordinate and equall power to stand in the stead But because this is the mainest Doctrine of difference between the Presbyterian Discipline and ours I speake the more amply upon it and shall take my liberty in the ensuing Uses but must say in the mean time that God abhors that haughtinesse and ambition of spirit which mounts up like a Prelate whether in one or other And indeed it hath appeared in Popery Episcopacy Presbytery and so will that all Prelaticall Discipline is condemned of old and the higher it gets up the Ladder the nigher it is to its end and the likelier to bee turned off and into the darke world How many worthlesse men like Apes and Monkies will not bee quiet till they have got up to the top of the house and when they are there what doe they but make mowes and faces at Passengers fling off the Tiles and play such like ridiculous and mischievous feats And indeed I doe not know how to excuse them that are so covetous and ambitious to bee Pastors and Teachers in the Independent Churches and when they get in they are like little Lords and not as servants to all and I sadly feare it that more have sought for it then can performe it or then know what a Cure belongs to it How many have Caesars heart of pride and may have his end who said hee had rather bee first in the least Village then second in the greatest and how many like Psapâ—on teach the Birds that are at their beck to call them as they did him Magnus Deus rather Gods then Men and to have their persons in admiration and to make them follow them as Dogs follow their Masters for feare of being cast out of doores upon their anger O sad Sed altitudo non est valida sayes Chrysost. 20. in Epist. ad Rom. This cannot last long How many Townes Houses Cities have been burnt to ashes by such sooty exalted Chimnies wherein all the soot of the house may be found for the most part who like Lords must over-looke all the rest How many are they that like the Worm-wood stalke and Starre grow the bigger the bitterer I speake of such as would be highest and be like a Counter that in account lyes for a hundred at least when alas we should study to be lowest as the best Corne in the Fanne and the soundest lyes next the bosome and in the bottome but the Chaffe will be above But the Lord abhorres them and in the Law his Sacrifices were noâ— Lions but Lambs not Eagles use 1 but Doves and in the Gospel the first shall be last I remember the Cynick coming into the Kings Chamber of presence gloriously hung looking where to spit at last spit in the Kings face saying It was fit he should spit in the foulest place so will God one day spit on the face of Prided Presbytery and Prelacy Vse 1. But in the first place it is plaine then that your Parishes are false-Churches in this part of the Forme for their constitution consists in a dependency upon other Churches Cathedrall to them and they are by their Cannons and Institutions to be in subjection to an universall visible Nationall and Diocesan Church which blunt Zuinglius calls devillish proud and Popish arrogancy for any to claime any right rule power or superiority over any Church of Christ whatsoever Thus Keckerman and Aretius both cry out upon it and the latter in his Problemes produces Christ's prohibition of upper or superiour power to his Disciples and Apostles Mar. 10 86. Luke 22.25 c. and sayes none but Antichrist dares be so sawcy to usurpe it it being the Throne which is set up for Christ's selfe in his Church O then how dares the rigid Presbyterian be so red-hot for a Discipline as dangerous and destructive to Gospel-order as the other seeing Popery and Prelacie are termini convertibiles so nearly related to each other that if Prelacy thus live the Pope cannot dye and if nothing else yet such kinds of Church-discipline would keep him up in his Chaire For grant the Pope to be but holy Father and Rome the holy Mother-Church that may call her Daughter-Churches to account and give them Orders and Commands and will not this Doctrine keep up the Pope then let the wise judge and the selfe-same spirit of Prelacy had the Bishops to Lord it over their Brethren and to Canonize high Commission-Courts thereby to call others to account to lay their Commands and Lawes upon them or else to punish them being of the same nature though the name changed with the Popes power And now such a proud Prelacy would the bitter Presbyterians promote tooth and naile by setting up Classes that thither peoples might make their appeales and from them receive rules and orders or else plagues punishments fines or imprisonments and severall sorts of Classes they would set up that men might appeale from one and apply to another from the particular to the Provinciall from the Provinciall to the Nationall Classes which are also of the same nature with the others though their name be changed But all are an abomination to the Lord and what doe they but play petty Popes in their Convocations Synods Classes c. over Consciences by their tyrannies Antichrist thus exalts and boasts himselfe as God 2 Thes. 2.4 to take authority to rule to governe and have dominion over the Churches of Christ in his high and traiterous usurpation wherefore I say againe as long as this lives Popery cannot dye But this is sufficiently condemned and disproved by all the rules that relate to Gospel-order in Gods Booke being abundantly to be abominated by all Gospel-spirits for as good Master Burroughs against Edwards his Gangrena saith a little before he dyed we are freed from Jewish Paedagogies and Nationall Church-wayes and there is no Nationall Church Officers Offices wayes and worships as the Jewes had neither is it enough to be Members of the Church because borne of this or that Nation So Mr. Jacob in his reasons for Reformation pag. 6.7 and Cottons Keyes p. 31. makes it appeare to be altogether without a warrant from the Word But to what a monstrous height doth Ambition bring men unto shall we but see the eagernesse of Bishops before the Presbyterians so called though in a Scripture-sence we allow it how to be Civill Magistrates they waxed wanton and uncivill Ministers neglecting their duties and desirous of rule and power to be Justices of Peace to cast poore people into Prison to put them into Pillories and to kill them to be Judges of Courts to get the vaine Orders of the Garter to be honoured by men some of them titled most Honourable Princely and holy Grace when God
if that should bee received before that fundamental Ordinance by which we put on Christ and are ingrafted into Christ and planted into his death Now we say this is a prophanation of Gods Ordinances the Jewes might as well hâ—ve admitted such uncircumcised persons to eat of the Passeover but the very end of Church-fellowship is the observation of all Christs commands as the Commission holds forth but this your practise crosseth in that you agree to walk with such as have not nor practise the Ordinance of dipping Beleevers and by your communion with them in Church-administrations you are made guilty of their sin of disobedience you willingly having communion with them in Church-admininistrations for Beloved you may upon the same principal admit into fellowship one that will not receive the Lords Supper but pleads want of satisfaction of that to be his duty another that will not owne the Ordinance of preaching but conferre onely as some such we know and others that will not give almes or contribute to the necessity of the Saints and thus in a word upon the same ground that you admit one that walks in disobedience to the Ordinance of baptisme whether through ignorance or error you may admit all manner of disobedience into your Society upon the same ground which is a total destroying the end of Church-fellowship which is to bring up every member to a visible subjection to all the Lawes of Christ their King or else cast them out of that Society as old leaven Besides as we must not allow in our selves any known sinne unrepented of so must wee not allow it in any in the fellowship but when wee shall begin and constitute a Church-fellowship to walke in sin and disobedience this is a horrible impiety Besides in the fifth place there cannot be a true visible Church union without baptisme as appears Eph. 4. * and beginning where the Apostle pressing union brings all these things essentials that must be agreed in to make a people one and that he takes for granted the Ephesians did agree in the same which as he saith There is one hope one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one God and Father of all Now observe a true Church must of necessity agree in owning one and the same Lord secondly one and the same Spirit one and the same Baptisme one and the same Faith without which they cannot walk together in the Lord. Againe many of these unbaptised persons doe justifie that Idol of childrens baptisme and consequently the Church and Ministery from whence they had it And you having communion with them judge what you do bring your selves into communion with by entertaining persons into communion with you that are unbaptised Thus beseeching you to beware of by-pathes that our Lord and his Ministers have left no footsteps for but rather beloved meet together and lead one example of sweet communion distinct using all means to convent such as have any fear of God that they may come into you through the door and not at the window as Christ saith in another case And thus leaving you to God and the word of his grace that is able to build you up we remain in the name and in the behalfe of the Church Yours in the Lord Tho. Patient Wil. Burgis Ed. Hutchinson Ed. Marshal Rich. Sutton James Standish Swads Tho. Brenton Peter Row Wil. Leigh Geo. Cawdron Rich. Ladbrooke Edw. Roberts Dated at Waterford Janu. 14. 1651. This Letter was brought by Capt. Vernon and A.G.A. to some seven or eight of their judgement whom they withdrew from the Church into private meetings on the Lords dayes especially where they with them that were sent from Mr. Patience clandestinely consulted how to carry on their designe against us These and none else are their Saints BEleevers * and such baptised ones i. e. Anabaptists they put together as if none were beleevers but Anabaptists Some of that judgement that were in fellowship with us they write unto as to Beleevers and exclude others that differed from them in that point of Rebaptisme Besides they account them disorderly walkers that have so much as Christian communion with us unlesse we would be dipped They say without this wee fundamentally differ from the true state of a visible Church Let discerning men judge then the foundation and dangerous scituation of such Formalists Fellowships I who by their owne confession have laid their foundation in the Water and on the Sand not on Christ the Rocke of ages that is Christ himselfe laid in the Spirit c. Vide cap. 14. lib. 1. In this sense they ought to read that Scripture which they mention with too much wrong to it as they use to doe qui Scripturis auferunt non afferunt it is Amos 3.3 Can two walke together unlesse they be agreed The Prophet means not Can two walke together unlesse washed together or unlesse in one Forme judgement opinion or practise for as Arias Montanus observes this was their sin for which he threatens them in v. 2 4 5. viz. for their great agreement in false Formes to adore Images and make them Idols herein they were very harmonious and unanimous to their cost and calamity sayes Theodoret. But the Prophet means they must be one in the Spirit Eph. 4 3 4. Even as Two Travellors who have one and the same end of their journey vid. Diodate minde one and the same home heaven happinesse therefore the word is pariter Can they walke alike without they be of one spirit thus sayes honest Calvin too Est igitur arcana ita consensio Spiritus sancti and to apply this to the forme or judgement as that there must be an agreement in dipping else none in beleeving or that there must be agreement in the outward else none in the inward is to make Faith a forme Religion a fancy to take a meer outside appearance and opinion for the inward power and life of godlinesse which is an agreement in Idolatry but not in the true worship of God Spirit and Truth so that these Gentlemen mistake the Prophet and compel a construction as it is coyned in their own brains * The Commission is next let us see what they would force from those words in Matth. 28.19 20. All power is given me c. Goe therefore teach all Nations and baptise them c. This hath been their hold for many yeers out of which they have been hunted by hundreds of orthodox able Writers which save me a labour but onely this I say 1 The Praeface viz. v. 18. All power is given me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is jus agendâ— tells us that this Commission is to bee executed by Christs power i. e. by the Spirit vide Pareus in loc so that some affirm this was the baptisme of the Spirit which Christ speaks of her 1 Cor. 12.13 which the Aâ—ostles as Apostles had commission in to baptise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. into the name of the Father Son and Holy
though the Letter alters as the soule doth though the body be altered variante materia yet forma manet eadem But let these uncharitable Formalists and unkinde unchristian friends know that by this Letter and their suitable practises seeming to answer most cruell and unchristian principles that they have frighted many of their wel-wishers from them for Fishes will not be catched in a bloody net though some Commanders or great ones amongst them may drive many times some silly little ones in And indeed I fear that Religion which lyes so much in the Form or outside will doe but little service in the day of the Lord to shelter us from heat and storme yea I fear that the life and kernel of it is already perished when ear-wigs and vermine have eaten so into it and can finde a hole through the outside of it to go in and out as they list You know what I mean and be PATIENT In this Letter you find Reader how Dipping called their fundamental Ordinance without which they were to have no communion with us but either to draw us thereto or else to cast us out for old leaven and be distinct from us Now it appears not to me to be a fundamental Ordinance on which as on a foundation should lye the Church no though it bee taken in their owne sense for the true and right administration but rather it is an initiating Ordinance or entry through which we enter into the Church so that there is a great difference between a foundation and an entry or doore And for their calling us persons unbaptised and threatning them that have any communion with us as guilty of the sinne of disobedience We have proved that we have passed through the water and the fire and the Lord hath been with us and his Spirit rests upon us We have been under the element of water and the baptisme of the Spirit and if these satisfie not wee are to seek in a new way which they make their Foundation but it is of water and will not hold long whilst Christ is our Foundation who is a Rocke and standeth sure As for the particulars in that Letter they are easily answered and have been often over and over The Baptisme therein mentioned out of Eph. 4. which the Apostle indeed makes an argument of union is the one baptisme of the Spirit not the sign so often altered but the substance by which all beleevers in all ages under all forms and dispensations are and ever were all baptised into one body both before Christ and since 1 Cor. 12.13 this is Christs baptisme Mat. 3.11 Now the unity of the Spirit consists not in uniformity in that outward forme and element for men may and do differ for all that but in the baptisme of the Spirit which the Apostle plainly speaks of it is an unanimity not an uniformity as we shall find out hereafter wherfore let all wise sober spiritual discerning Christians yea even of that judgement which are without exception many of them but tell me First Doe not these lay too much upon the Letter to call it a Fundamental Ordinance without which they are to have no communion with us but to cast us out for old leaven and which in the very element they lay downe to be a putting on of Christ an ingrafting into Christ a planting into his death c. Now let any judge if this be not an Idolizing of a Forme which they cry downe so much in others is not this a worshipping of the Element to attribute so much to it as is true in no baptisme but of the Spirit Surely this must bee grownd to powder But Secondly Ought we to be so severely sentenced as to bee cast out for Dung old Leaven and uncircumcised ones because we could not nor can we find a word to warrant our consciences in the practise of this which is their opinion Oh! uniformity enforced sayes one is the very break-neck of peace and love we durst not have dealt so with them it is point-blank against our principles and practises Thirdly Ought any sober sound Christians to have sent any such Letters to make a breach in a Church and by secret and under-working instruments to doe the more mischiefe without any discourse or knowledge of us as from our selves that were not of that opinion and onely for one Form wherein neither the unity of the Spirit nor our communion with Christ Jesus can consist this I am sure was none of Christs doctrine nor device to sow such seeds of Divisions But I shall leave them to the Lord who loves not confusion nor I am sure can allow of such unchristian practises like carnal men to watch for our mischiefe and to lye in wait for our bâ—ltings and to render us odious to all as persons fit for excommunication and onely because wee could not turne againe to that low and beggarly element I mean so to us now that are in and under the unction from on high For Act. 11 15. when they were under the Holy Ghost which had fallen upon them then came to minde in Verse 16. John baptised with water indeed but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost that is far beyond the other of water And should wee be so foolish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or mad Gal. 3.3 having begun and thus far gone on in the Spirit to thinke or seek to be perfect by the flesh no! God forbid therefore our sufferings are sweet even as drops of Christ blood and draughts out of Christs cup for our consciences sake Well I could wish them to be more moderate lest haply they be found fighters against God Act. 5.39 that have been too rough to the poore harmlesse Saints at Dublin on this account And let them do all in peace and by love as becometh Christians and not by plottings power force or censures as the carnal Churches of Antichrist to this day and let them not busie themselves too much about empty things so as to presse and promote traditions for truths the letter for the Spirit the creature in the room of Christ and husks and shadows that are past away as to us or to passe away in the room of righteousnesse peace and joy in the Holy Ghost That although we differ in judgement yet wee may be all of one Body one Spirit one hope of our calling having one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one God and Father of all above all through all and in us all it is this that keeps the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace This leads me to the next Chapter CHAP. V. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Regneh In admitting none that are godly are to be put by though of different opinions but all Believers are to be received yea of all judgements WE have heard how the Word warrants all that are godly that are fully satisfied of the way and excludes all the wicked and
upon me wondred and asked me how I did I told them well at which they wondred more not thinking it possible but rather that I knew not what I said and telling them I was going forth though they thought me more mad then wise yet away I went to the Church who were yet praying and that hard blessed be the Lord that heard them and drew out their hearts on my behalfe My comming amongst them to tell the mercies of God was much like Peter in Act. 12. verse 16. at which they were astonished but as he Verse 17. Verse 13 14 16. So I did declare unto them how the Lord had brought me out of prison my bed my sicknesse so that this renewed pledge to us did throw us altogether upon praises and thankful returnes being so sweet and seasonable an experience that I hope it will never be forgot whereby the Church as it now is was exceedingly satisfied and ratified to this day that God was with us yet of a truth as much as before from which day as well as ever before I dare assuredly say the name of this Church may be The Lord is there Ezek. 48.35 as Mat 28.20 These things I have added to this fifth Reason whereby we were abundantly obliged for future to trust in the Lord so that experiences declared do much advantage others to relye upon him and to beleeve in him Ps. 37 40. and to plead with him the experience that others have had of him at such a time in such a need and extremity of trouble and sicknesse And as waters run strongest in narrowest passages so doth Gods Power and Providences appear most and greatest in greatest straits But thus for the second sort of Reasons Reason 3. Relates to themselves that doe declare their experiences for it is not enough to heare them but to have them as it is Joh. 4.42 First Hereby they try their owne satisfaction examine their assurance and plerophory by bringing all to light as the honest Draper doth his cloath to give any leave to object what they can against the goodnesse of it so Hall sayes in his Contemp. 4. part P. 120. Now a man that owes twenty shillings may as wel pay in silver as in gold and have as good a discharge given him but if he paies it in gold then it is discharged in one piece without telling or further trouble but if in silver then it is in many pieces and requires the pains to tell it over before he be sure that it be right so is it here the Saints have assurance of all discharged and payed and themselves set at large the Creditor reconciled the Law at an end c. and all this by the immediate testimony of the Spirit which is with more speed and lesse trouble as Eph. 4.30 or else by the markes and effects in many peeces which will aske much paines to examine and tell over And thus in the experiences by several peeces of good coine stamped with Gods image you have their assurance or pleonasmes of joy and love and light and all brought out so that they being openly attested and approved the Saints are thereby often advantaged for future attempts and troubles and suits in Law so that there is great reason the Assurance be brought out to light yet we must beware that mens applauding or approving of us or our assurance deceive us not wherefore let us a little call to account how a Saint knows that his assurance is real substantial and not shadowy counterfeit false To answer this we have Twin-testimonies and Single-testimonies to know it by the Twin-born testimonies are surest omni exceptione majores and such are infallible but the others are not so these are of two sorts The Spirit with our spirits bearing witnesse Rom. 8.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 co-witnesses so Rom. 9.1 so sayes Paul My conscience bearing witnesse by the Holy Ghost both goe together as honest Sibs hath it like a paire of Indentures one answers another and that the Holy Spirits witnesse is a clear testimony see 1 Joh. 3.24 he assures the soule by powerful application as Culverwel in his White stone well observes for the Father chuseth us and hath decreed it the Sonne executeth it to the full and the Spirit applies it and witnesses our interest in it and sets strong and vigorous apprehensions of love and mercy upon our heart they be sweet and secret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 soule-whisperings and spirit-breathing by which the soul and spirit converses together secret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and have silent entercourse one with another which is not an enthusiastical fancy or illusion but a reall truth which every Saint hath a taste of being inspirations then the Spirit assures or cleares by a pleasant irradiation or brightnesse beaming upon the soule whereby he sees the assurance reall and genuine see 1 Cor. 2 12. We have received the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given us of God So Verse 9.10 by this Divine light what a glorious glosse a rich orjency a lively lustre and an excelling Exposition is upon thy assurance so that although from the flesh thou doubtest from the Spirit thou seest and art assured For seeing is beleeving as we say and you know this witnesse from a fancy to be true by its own convincing nature and efficacy as you know light by light and so you know the Word by the Word and are able to judge all other words false and all other lights painted and all other Suns shadows So you know the Spirit by the Spirit Joh. 16.8 by its owne conviction which it carries with it as true fire carries its owne evidences to declare that it is fire but false fire painted does not doe so The light of a Ranting presumptuous Spirit is but like a blazing Comet presaging his preposterous spirit or preparing a venemous malign and pestilential influence and portending his ruine and the light of an Hypocrite is but a transcient coruscation and flash for a sudden and is put ou◠but the Spirit displayes himselfe to the soul and gives a glistering manifestation of his presence in that heart of his motion in that horoscope and horison and by his owne beams as the Sun is to be seen and paraphrased upon himself and witnesses to himself that he is there so that as one sayes a man may sooner take the glo-worm for the Sunne then an experienced Saint can take a false light and delusion for the light of the Spirit And who would be further satisfied may see Sibs his Fountain sealed Page 169.170 c. The other Twin-testimony is taken from the Word and the Spirit the Law and the Testimony together Isa. 8.20 Deut. 1◠18 Mat. 22.29 the Scripture and the power of God which are to goe both together to give assurance else yee
make them Now we all concur Schoolmen Ministers and all That where there is true grace experienced Saints know it sweeter then the drops from the honey comb and qui accipit gratiam per quandam experientiam dulcedinis novit se illam habere quam non experitur ille qui non accipit as we have amply before mentioned Such men must needs know the love of God is sweet who have tasted and digested it They can comfortably use Laban's words in Gen. 30.27 I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me Jehovah hath raised me and increased me I have experience of it by comparing my former condition with my present So the Saints do tell by experience how Jehovah hath helped them and blessed them even with spiritual blessings in heavenly places Some of which though not so perfectly as they were delivered yet as well as I can collect them out of the Notes which I took of them from their own mouths when they were admitted into the Church I shall present as a sweet posie of some of the chiefest flowers that I have met with this spring-time in the Garden of the Lord the Church of Christ which is growing apace up to an Eden from flowers to fruits from Plants to Trees of Righteousness planted by Rivers of Water Examples of Experiences OR Discourses and Discoveries of the dead hearing the voice of the Son of God and now living As they were delivered in Dublin by divers Members admitted into the Church Being a clear account to the judgement of charity of the work of Grace upon their hearts in divers ways and sundry manners converted some extraordinarily and some ordinarily When where and how with the effects But before I begin I shall premise this for the godly Readers sake that I must contract much their experiences as they were taken least they be too voluminous And although in the choicest and most extraordinary ones I shall gather the stalk longer least I hurt the beauty and hide the excellency of those flowers yet without hurt to the rest in those which are ordinary I shall be very short being prevented by others in that little Treatise of Experiences newly put out I shall gather out the flowers onely and give you the sum of what they said and so tie them up together for a conclusion of the whole matter The most of these are mens and some womens and a very great many more I might adde to them which I have met with in England Essex and London and in Ireland and at Chester Holly-Head in Wales and in my travels but that I say I am I hope seasonably though unexpectedly prevented although many more do lie prepared by me But to the business as coming last from Dublin to declare some of those precious ones and which are the greatest treasure that I brought with me from thence The savor of which I hope will be attractive and encourage others over into Ireland where the Lord hath his Garden enclosed and full of Spices with the Mandrakes laid up for the Beloved against his coming which is looked for every day there as well as here and there the â—ride saith O! come Lord Jesus come quickly The Testimony of Tho. Huggins Preacher of the Gospel given in at the publick place Octob. 8. 1651. of Brides in Dublin IT is my joy to see willingness in Gods people to walk together in fellowship with the Father and the Son and such I desire to have fellowship with where Christ the King in his beauty appears most I do acknowledge as you have heard that account of faith before made by our Brother R. and do experimentally know and therefore must acknowledge that glorious Being of one God in his three distinct relations of Father and Creator Son and Redeemer and Spirit and Sanctifier and I finde in me by his Spirit and the several operations of this his Agent these things I believe the Scriptures Old and New Testament to be the very minde of God and do heartily desire my soul may be turned into the nature of those truths therein declared but to that which is expected from me most I come viz. to my conversation I was but yong when I began to be warmed yea within being under a zealous Ministry and much put upon duty I did use to read the Scriptures every night and to repeat Sermons often and so spent the first scene of my youth till I came to be sent by my friends to London and there I lived for a year or two but in that time as often as I saw any Minister I could not but weep and always wished that I might be one to be able to preach too After this I was sent to one of the Vniversities there but being wilde with youthful company I was soon after sent hither to this Colledge of Dublin where I am well known and here I continued till the Rebellion brake out at which time I left it and went for England into the North-parts and about Liverpool where I preached till now I returned hither But all this while I was but formal and as the yong-man that said he had kept all these from his youth So was I from my youth religious well-given loving the means following of them and seeking to serve God But alas yet all this while was I in darkness and did not know it but afterwards I saw that I was blinde and but carnal For about the year 1645. I began to be in great doubts and troubles and very much clouded in my spirit and was exceedingly bound and tyed up for a time under the sence of my formal holiness and sins till the Lord was pleased to give me light Once as I was walking all alone sadly upon the Mountains he immediately powred his Spirit upon me and satisfied my soul in Jesus Christ and filled my heart with heavenly joy and peace and with most ravishing contemplations which continued without a cloud for six weeks together which gave me full assurance of Gods love and ever since I have lived in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus though I have met with many clouds and storms since yet such as have passed away and cannot hinder me as long as Christ mine is above them Being thus translated from the form into the power I do heartily propose my self to be one with the members of Christ in his Church And although before I was not free in England or elsewhere to joyn thus it being so in controversie and disputable yet now I am fully satisfied and do see God building up his Jerusalem apace and am confident of what he is doing to Nations yea I joy to see that you all seek to unite by one Spirit and all to be one in Spirit if not all in one Form and so do I not doubting but this Ministration will be most to edification A further Testimony added to the truth by the experience
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ohel or Beth-shemesh A Tabernacle for the Sun OR IRENICVM EVANGELICVM An IDEA of Church-Discipline In the THEORICK and PRACTICK Parts Which come forth first into the World as Bridegroom and Bride hand in hand by whom you will have the totum essentiale of a true Gospel-Church state according to Christs Rules and Order left us when he Ascended In which you may finde the Hidden Mystery of whole Christ in Head Neck and Body Hidden in former Ages from the Sons of Men. Eph. 3.4 5. Published for the benefit of all Gathered Churches more especially in England Ireland and Scotland By JOHN ROGERS An unfeined Friend and Servant of the Bridegrooms and Brides and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ late at Purleigh in Essex now at Tho. Apostles Lond. Declared for the most part in Christ-Church Dublin in Ireland Imprimatur Joseph Caryl Psal. 19.4 5. Their line 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rule and structure is gone out thorough all the earth in them hath he set a Tabernacle for the Sun c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Heb. To the Sun in altissimo gradu In that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is faln and build it as of old Amos 9.11 LONDON Printed for R. I. and G. and H. Eversden to be sold at the Grey-Hound in Pauls Church-yard 1653. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Channuccah A TABERNACLE For the SVN The first BOOK CHAP. I. That there is a visible Discipline or Politie of the Church under the Gospel ordained by Christ and what it is and how it differs from carnal Policy NOthing is more clear out of the word of God then that there is a Gospel-Discipline or Church-State for Saints of divine Institution and by divine instruction Prov. 1.3 To receive the instruction of Christ Wisdome Justice Judgement and Equity for Solomon who was a type of Christ teaches his Discipline in this Book of Proverbs which you have some call his Ethicks as relating to morall Precepts for Divinity is like some great Lady that is every day in a new dresse and Morality like to a handmaid that waiteth on her Christ the typified Solomon intends hereby to tell us of his Order and of the Discipline of Wisdomes house viz. his Church Prov. 8.1 2 3. and Chap. 9.1 2 3 4 5. he begins with this exhortation Prov. 1.8 My son hear the instruction or Discipline as many read it of thy Father viz. his spirituall documents and teachings and forsake not the Law of thy Mother that is of the Church Gal. 4.26 who bears and brings forth children to the Lord. So that it seems Christs Discipline which is of the Father and of the Mother consists in the Spirit and in the truth Joh. 4.23 24. not onely inwardly but it is also outwardly as to outward Orders Laws and Ordinances of the Church Thus the Lord opens the ear to Discipline sayes Elihu to Job chap. 36.10 and commands them from iniquity that is sayes Calvin he instructs them in his wayes and teaches them to amend This shews that Gods designe in giving us so good a Gospel-Discipline is thereby to make us good and Gospel Disciples both in knowledge and in practise and is therefore of great concernment to us in teaching us these three things 1 Subess◠2 Coesse 3 Praeesse First to be obedient to his Laws and Ordinances ut discipuli living together in Order Secondly to love one another and all Saints living together in unity ut socii Psal. 133.1 2. Thirdly to instruct one another and to strive together to excell in exhorting comforting and teaching to the edifying of one another 1 Cor. 14.12 ut Magistri as Masters of knowledge Psal. 119.98 99. and therefore it is that there is so great a need and notable a use of this good order and Gospel-Discipline amongst us which God hath of his goodnesse and in his wisdome provided for us So sayes old Bernard super Cant. Serm. 23. What abundant cause have we to blesse the Lord who was no wayes bound to us that of his free love should let down a Discipline out of his owne bosome as it was brought by Christ to us from the Father for us to dwell in because the School-men could say Disciplina non debetur ex debito quia inferiori non est aliquis obligatus in quantum est inferior Man is the inferiour therefore it is man that is obliged to the Lord his Superiour for making so much and so excellent soul-provision hence religio a religando Ma◠24 45. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who is a faithfull and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season So we see the Lord takes care for us and makes provision for poor souls for he hath appointed constituit being a compound word is as much as to say cum aliis statuit whom the Lord hath appointed joyntly with others as an Overseer super familitium suum over a remnant of his family Now woe bee to them that reject this Discipline of Gospel-institution Psal. 50.16 17. a meer Moralist will tell you there is a necessity of Discipline See but Tull in 's Offices lib. 8. 9. de invent ante finem libri and a meer Formalist will tell you that there is a necessity of Church-Discipline which is a principle own'd by all for a truth except Atheists bee they no more then meer pretenders or professours As for this Church-Discipline we shall finde it in the word and fetch it from the Fountaine freely flowing forth through many more Scriptures then I shall mention both out of Old and New Testament First in the Old Testament we finde many Prophesies and Promises filled with this as Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall bee willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holinesse which must bee meant of this visible Gospel-Church-state wherein Saints having communion with Christ and one with another do worship the Lord as appears Psa. 29.2 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holines this is the Lords house here is his worship due unto his name out of this Sion goes forth the Law and it is beautifull for scituation So in Isa. 2.2 3. It shall come to passe in the last dayes that the mountaine of the Lords house shall bee established in the top c. which foresees the singular fellowship of Saints in these last dayes wherein we live largely exalting Gods owne way of worship which he will bring forth with shoutings and withall an attractivum bonum a winning excellency will shew it selfe to the ravishing of the Saints and the re-edifying of their soules as in statu quo prius of old so that the very out-casts of Israel shall more fluminis by a spirituall instinct and from occult qualities flow freely and be fully satisfied unto
it yea up to it which is a greater wonder The glory of this latter house shall be abundantly greater then the former which notwithstanding was filled with his glory This house the Prophet also premonstrates in Ezek. 43.10 11 12. which looks to the Gospel-time and Temple Secondly in the New Testament this truth triumphantly appears for our Saviour testifies himself unto it in Mat. 16.18 19 and upon this rock will I build my Church in the Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but is not a copulate but Christ himselfe is this rocke that is pointed at for the Churches foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 or else is will fall And as the verb metaphorically concludes this Doctrin of Church-Discipline being taken from a building consisting of many particular parcels made up into one also of such a Society which are of neer relation and sweet consanguinity spiritually taken including the order of the house which is thus built up an habitation to the Lord through the Spirit So also the person and tense doe signally declare Christ is yet about this building who alone is the Carpenters Sonne the Son of Mary as afterward we shall shew For further proof see Mat. 18.17 18. the Church is not there ment a mixed company sayes Cameron in loc nor a mixed worship saith Vrsin but you have here commanded and commended unto you by Christ the good Gospel-order and Discipline thereof This the Apostles practised Act. 2.42 and 46 47. And in all the Epistles of Paul it is apparent Phil. 3.17 1 Thess. 1.7 2 Thess. 3.9 Cum multis aliis c. This the Apostle preached Act. 8.12 instructing others in it 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. 1 Cor. 14.12 and commending others for it 1 Cor. 11.2 Coloss. 2.5 1 Thess. 1.6 7. besides abundance of examples of all the Churches of Corinth Rome Phillippi Macedonia Antioch Samaria and the seven Churches of Asia So that we are encompassed about with a broad cloud of witnesses and cannot but concurre with all in this received Axiome or undeniable truth that there is a Gospel-Discipline for the Saints to submit unto and to walk under together in order and unity This many call Ecclesiastick Politie as Cartwright Hooker with many others because that so much skill and judgement is required for the ordering of the affaires of the true Church of Christ which we are here to treat of 1 Tim. 3.15 this same is by others called the Church visible consisting of beleevers in body together and under outward formes order Coloss. 2.5 and government and under the power of Christ King and Lawgiver committed to him by his Father Matth. 28.18 Joh. 5.22 Joh. 13.3 and delegated unto him and executed by him visibly and invisibly invisibly by his Spirit and word within which are as the Ruling Elders and Officers Joh. 14.16 17. Joh. 16.7 8. But visibly by his Ordinances and Officers in the Church without Ephes. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 29. yet none ought to be a visible Officer no nor member but such a one as is ruled directed enabled and qualified by Christ and his Spirit ordering within in their hearts So that the formall and spirituall outward and inward visible and invisible make but one Church But more of these things hereafter Onely this at present before I proceed I must acquaint you that there is a most dimense difference between this Discipline and Politie in severall particulars of which some I shall name and so haste First Politie of Nations or rather Policy whereby states are ruled is not one and the same in all places but as Physicke is administred according to the constitution and complexion of the body so is Policy and not in all places alike but according to the constitution and complexion of the people and place one Nation is ruled this way another that way but Christs Discipline of his Church is one and the same in all places to all people 1 Cor. 7.17 Secondly Politie also differs according to the times but this Gospel-Church-state doth not but is the same by rule in all ages and at all times be they what they will Ephes. 3.21 and Ephes. 4.11 12. Media cultus sunt immutabilia till the coming of Christ 1 Tim. 6.13 14. 1 Cor. 11.26 Isa. 9.6 7. Thirdly Politie alwayes drives on a Selfe-interest and seekes no further but this Discipline of Christ drives on an interest above selfe which is as having the Moone under her feet and is not therefore of this world Joh. 5.30 Joh. 7.16 17 18. Heb. 2.12 Fourthly Politie is ordered by certaine outward Lawes and rules left as a Gnomon or laid downe for the tranquillity of the State but this Church of Christ is govern'd by the Word without and the Spirit within as will appeare hereafter in power and hence it is that Directories are out of date the Cannons discharged and broken in peeces and Platformes of men no more minded then as they are the Word of God and till further light be given from above and till the Spirit lead us further into the truth Fifthly Politie and the Kingdomes of the world have many Kings Emperours and Rulers but the Church of Christ over all the world hath but one and the same head Ephes 1.22 and Ephes. 4.15 and Ephes. 5.23 1 Cor. 11.3 Coloss. 1.18 who is to rule them by Spirituall influences and outward Ordinances Sixthly Politie requires outward obedience and no more be the heart never so bad but this Church-way of Christ calls for spirituall worship Joh. 4.23 24. and the heart Psal. 27.8 Prov. 3.1 Psal. 66.18 Psal. 51.17 Acts 4.32 Act. 8.21 Act. 11.23 Seventhly In Politie men have power of pulling downe or setting up new Lawes by the Supreame authority of that Nation or State and their Lawes and Acts as those of the Parliament are binding and of force But in this Church of Christ there is no setting up new or pulling downe old and true Christs Lawes and word must stand without adding diminishing or altering Rev. 22.18 this Discipline is not a nose of wax nor as honest Cartwright sayes taken out of Cannons Lawes Decrees of men Popes Prelates or the like from which pit came all the Locusts and Scorpions the Romish Hierarchy the Arch-Bishops and Bishops and their Servants Surrogates Officials Commissaries and the rest of that trash and rubbish Eighthly Polity hath no higher principle then reason but this way of Christ is abundantly above and yet in nothing against pure reason Ninthly Polity is a great Fautor and abettor of Customes of long continuance whereby the people are embondaged but this way of Christ is very much an enemy to all customes and traditions of men that are not of the Word of God though of ever so long continuance and use Vide Vrsin de 2 praecepto Tenthly Polity hath Corporall punishments and power against opposers enemies
that grow there of thorns or thistles a dry desolate place Zeph. 2.13 where the trees are burnt up and the pastures most pitifully scorched up and made scarce by the hottest beams So a loud lamentation is made in Isa. 64.10 The holy Cities are a wildernesse Zion is a wildernesse Jerusalem a wildernesse and thus hath the Lord laid his complaint against his people for their fruitlessenesse formerly and what could he have said more grievous or sad But see O what sweet dayes do enter in and on us Gods precious ones shall be abundantly and now daily more blessed from above to make us blossoming bearing and branching yea his Saints shall so flourish in Isa. 35.2 by seeing the glory of the Lord and the excellency of their God The Church is barren and fruitlesse when ignorant and sightlesse of that fructifying presence which shall be in the midst of her and then Florens florebit exaltans exaltabit so in Isa. 55.12 13. All the trees of righteousnesse shall clap for joy and instead of the thorne shall come up the firre-tree and instead of the brier shall come up the mirtle-tree as in chap. 5. and it shall be to the Lord for a name and for an everlasting signe that shall not be cut off Good shall be in the roome of the bad and sweet of the sowre Cedars for shrubs serviceable and seed-bearing-trees for barren brambles and uselesse fruitlesse bushes and then the barren and desolate shall bring forth more children then she which hath an husband Gal. 4.27 These Promises are putting out and springing forth their bud as the Garden that causeth the things that are sowne to springe forth even so the Lord our God will cause righteousnesse and praise to springe forth before all Nations and in Zach. 9.17 Corne shall make the young-men cheerefull and fruitfull to grow and new wine the Maids thus shall the wildernesse be like the fruitfull vallies full of Lillies and of the loveliest Roses of Sharon and Carmel Thirdly a Wildernesse hath no ready roade nor beaten path nor noted marke but a man may be soone lost let him looke on this side or that side backward or forward he knowes not what to doe nor whither to goe for he can get no Guide Now in such a Wildernesse was the Church too she was at a losse and hath been above a thousand years the Saints poore Soules seeking up and downe hither and thither this way or that way but yet in a Wildernesse yea many Professors formerly have as the Lord hath said Jer. 14.10 They have loved to wander and they have not refrained their feet but have walked after the imaginations of their owne hearts and after the Baalim which their Fathers have taught them Oh! so so were we lost most miserably in mens imaginations and devices and Doctrines too too much I say to this day for matter of true Doctrine and true Discipline Well but what wil the Lord now doe for her deliverance out of all these false wayes and Wildernesse-worship why he will send his Spirit to be her guide into his holy truth as he hath promised and he himselfe Isa. 58.10 11. Will be her light in obscurity and her noon-day in darkenesse and will guide her continually and satisfie her soule in drought and make fat her bones and make her like a watered garden and springs of water never dry and in Isa. 30.21 the Saints shall beare the word saying This is the way walke in it and then they will cast away all false wayes and worships c. as a menstruous cloath saying get thee hence as to an excrement the word signifies Now the Father seekes for Spirituall worshippers to whom he will make out his minde in order to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Gospel which is hid to them that are lost and such as are most in the wildernesse least see it or seeke it but now the way is discovered to the Saints who desire of all others to walk therein For it is with a naturall man as it is with every thing else that desires naturally to goe to its owne center or place but regards not the way as the stone that falls naturally regards not which way and the fire that ascends naturally ascends any way and so all men naturally doe but God hath promised us his Spirit to lead us and his Grace to teach us the way wherein we must walke which is one and the same for all Saints though others regard it not But Fourthly a Wildernesse is a most dangerous place where a man is almost every moment like to be made a prey to the widest mouthes of the wildest mercilesse and bloudy Beasts that seeke to satisfie their never-satisfied hungers with such strangers In such a condition hath the Church been ready to be torne a peices every day by such unexorable enraged wild Beasts and bloud-suckers feeding upon the flesh of the Saints such as have inhabited in the dennes of Darknesse and cruelty the Villages of Kedar they are called in Scripture-language barbarous cruell mercilesse Beares Lions Tigers Leopards Adders Serpents and what not to delineate their dispositions against Gods people and innocent ones their feet are swife to shed bloud and they have hunted after the holy and upright ones and have laine in secret to set upon them see Psal. 74.19 20. O deliver not thy turtle Dove unto the multitude of the wicked for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty O let not the oppressed returne with shame let the poore and needy praise thy name c. The Church is this Turtle Dove in daily danger of being destroyed whilst she is in the Wildernesse amongst the multitudes of mercilesse and matchlesse Beasts of prey whose mercies are cruelties yea their tenderest gripes are terrible griefes unto the Saints whilst such say in their hearts ver 11. Come let us destroy them together the Saints are such harmlesse Doves weake poore timerous and mournfull but innocent loyall chast and faithfull to Christ their Mate and poore soules sadly opprest and persecuted up and downe from Country to Country by an accursed crew of cruell Kites c. Birds and Beasts of prey have so hated and hunted them up and downe that they durst not appeare openly till now of late but lye lamenting in some by-holes and corners from the cruelties and crafts of those Cannibals but the Promises which are pregnant and big-bellied for deliverance in these dayes are many and they are ready to be Midwived for the Churches freedome from this comfortlesse condition as in Isa. 11.5.6 7. for first the loynes of Christ and his lovely Body the Church shall be girded about by a girdle of righteousnesse and faithfulnesse the Saints are an ingirded and an inclosed company as after will appeare then the Wolves Leopards
by them aâ— 1 Pet. 2.12 and 1 Pet. 3.1 Mat. 5.16 But for further proof that Saints are to bee such Separates see Rom. 1.6 7. 1 Cor. 1.2.9 where they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence ecclesia comes such are called out and separate from the world and false wayes So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are said to be called out into the fellowship of Christ so that first there is a calling out a comming out a separating from Besides you see positive â— precepts for it Psal. 45.10 11. Rev. 18.4 with many other places but to the third sort of proofes 3 By the practise of all the primitive Saints in Church-societies in Christ's and his Apostles dayes and many yeares after It appears the Saints were Separates such as I speake of wherefore wee know no cause either that we should complaine against it or question it Jeremy although a Prophet yet he separates from Jerusalem Jer. 37.12 Then Jeremy went forth out of Jerusalem to goe unto the land of Benjamin to separate himselfe from them in the middest of the people for they would not obey the word of the Lord and therefore the Lords wrath was now ready to be revealed against them and Jeremy would withdraw seeing them so refractory from them in their sight so saies he in Jer. 9.2 Oh! O that I had in the wildernesse a lodging place of wayfaring men that I might leave my people and goe from them for they be all Adulterers an assembly of treacherous men But besides we know the Jewes that were the people of God in a peculiar manner were first called out of Egypt and so were separate from other Nations and so looked upon as a people by themselves in Exod. 19.5 Deut 7.6 So is it said Israel shall dwell alone in Deut. 33 28 29. and not be suffered to be mixed among them without as in Num. 33.52 to the end So Exod. 24.12.15 c. and it was a judgement that Jerusalem should be mixed Jer. 9.11 Now every Saint is a spiritual Jew as appeares in Zach. 8.23 Rom. 2.28 or one inwardly and Saints are his peculiar people and chosen ones 1 Pet. 2.9 the true children of Abraham Gal. 3.7 called out of Egypt the house of slavery into Zion as dwelling alone from them that are without Thus in Joh. 15.19 Yee are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you As soon as the people of Israel passed out of Egypt the Egyptians pursued them upon hot spur with Armies and hoasts of threatnings and injuries even so deals the world with the Saints called out and separate from them therefore no wonder wee must learne to take up the crosse and follow him before we can be Christs disciples for Christ called them first out of the world before he called them into the Church And in the Acts of the Apostles Act. 19.7 8 9. c. And in all the Epistles of the Apostles to the Churches the Saints are saluted as Separates or called out Now is there not a cause 1 For hath not the Lord laid it as a command upon Christians reason 1 so to doe how then dare we delight in a condition which he countermands besides Dear Sirs what comfort can you have in Babylons streets 2 If you are guilty of her sinnes yee are guilty of her sentence if that be true in Rev. 18.4 to partake of her courses is the way to partake of her curses So not to separate from any sinfull unwarranted wayes of worship or the like is but to run the hazâ—rd of her ruine and neither to seeke preservation from her wickednesse nor protection from her woes 3 Besides to have yet such fellowship with fools society or converse with unsavoury carnall or disorderly persons publishes a loud and lamentable spirit of disobedience and proclaimes exclaimingly a corrupt heart not halfe enough endeared to Jesus Christ for Christ is for his Ordinances in his owne order and doth delight in the purity of them who walks amongst the best mettals in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks with the seven stars in his band Rev. 2.1 the Saints separated are the golden Candlesticks Christ walkes so sweetly among or in the midst of How far reaches this Separation which you speake of First Negative Not from our duties in our Callings which none what ever ought to be without or to neglect our worke 1 Thess. 4.11 2 Thess. 3.10 11. which some slothfull Ranters would have 2 Nor yet from the duties of our Relations whether as Husband or Wife Eph. 5.22.25 1 Cor. 7 13. Parents and Children Eph. 6 1.4 Col. 3.20 21. Masters and servants Eph. 6.5.6.9 Col. 3.22 Col. 4.1 or Rulers and Subjects Rom. 13.1 2 3. Tit. 2.9.3.1 But to owne them in their respective relations for the Lords sake 3 Nor yet so to separate from them without as not to have civill converse with them 1 Cor. 5.10 in buying and selling or such necessary trading much lesse so as not to love them and lay out to doe them good and to seek their soules welfare 1 Tim. 2.1 Gal. 6.10 to be at peace with them Rom. 12.18 Heb. 12.14 and pious before them 1 Pet. 2.12 1 Pet. 3.1 Now in none of these sences are the Saints called Separates although they without may be separates from the Saints thus separating in their affections But answer 2 Secondly Affirmatively 1 To separate from all sinfull wayes and worship c. so as not to walke in them or with them after the manner of them that are without Christsâ—Church Eph. 4.17 1 Thess. 1.9 Rom. 12.2 Hos. 14.8 Isa. 30.21 22. c. 2 Cor. 6.16 17. 2 Cor. 5.16 Gal. 2.14 Eph. 2.2 c. 2 It is not to bee too familiar pleasant and delightfull with any that are at enmity and variance with the truth A man may passe through Aethiopia unchanged but he cannot dwel there but be discoloured so there may be civil commerce as we said before with the wicked and yet Saints keep their integrity but this cannot be if we have too much familiarity with them saies Hal. Men are as the Astronomers say of the star Mercury good or malignant according to their conjunction with others wherefore as Moses separated Israel from Corah saying Num. 16.26 Depart from the tents of those wicked men and touch nothing of theirs so must we separate from them that doe oppose Christs way or upbraid the Saints and so as to discover themselves ill-affected to Christs Kingdome or jurisdiction and be so far from familiarizing with them that weâ— must bring them hither saies Luke 19.27 and abhorre them Psal. 26.5 Psal. 119.115 For this is the Lords Law to bee at a distance from evill doers so sayes David Psal. 139 21 22. so Eph. 5.3 4.13 1 Cor. 5.12 Matth. â—4 49.50
word is an adjunct separable and not a note essential and inseparable for certainly as sensitiva faculâ—as is in a man yet not the true note of a man because it is but a common adjunct and not proprium in quarto modo as wee say So preaching of the Gospel is in the Church but not the note of the Church as all the Popish and Antichristian Antagonists would have it because it is a common adjunct and others have it also But for the Sacraments as I said before they must be administred in due order and to due persons and in a due way of worship and Discipline otherwise without doubt Saints may and must remove and separate for Gods greater glory and their better and more spirituall edification as Psal. 55.6 And I said O that I had wings like a Dove for then would I flye away and be at rest I would hasten v. 8. my escape Why so would David separate so what is the reason see verse 11. Wickednesse is in the midst thereof Deceit and guile depart not from her streets Wherefore dearest Friends read with a resolution to submit and that yee may no more be separates from Christ nor Schismaticks to your owne poore soules the Father of our Lord Jesus fill your hearts with that Spirit which writes these things unto you Little Children Fathers and young men looke about you for wee live in these last dayes wherein we expect most Joel 2. plentifull out-powrings of that blessed Spirit which convinces the world of Truth Righteousnesse and Judgement Joh. 16.8 And to conclude thinke it not enough to have outward Ordinances in Parish-Churches though God knows they be but as Pharaohs lean kine eating up the Fat as the preaching the word the holy Sacraments c. why Sirs to let them loose and run ranging about without bit or bridle may be to your cost and it may be they may dash your brains out at last but it is Christ must curbe and correct and direct them that they may be administred in due order to you within his line and limitation and then they will be blessings It is upon record of Austin that he would not say his mother gave him milke but God by his mother so will God by these means and Ordinances feed and fatten your soules in Sion and in his particular Churches and Assemblies But alas a day how lamentably men live as to Christs order Ordinances so they be but rich and bear a religious outside as K. John once said of a Buck when he had opened it O it is fat and yet it never heard Masse So because many thrive and live in credit rich and accounted religious that are not of the Churches many make little of it but I hope the Lord will convince them by his light And so much for the first part of the Forme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zaba Chap. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Aguddah This shewes the second part of the second part of the Forme of Church-fellowship First that the Saints separate as before are to be knit gathered and united together into one Body THe first part of the Forme is well proved but it is likely not so well approved without the second doe second it viz. That the Saints separated from the worlds false-wayes and worships and from all Parochiall Churches unwarrantable Discipline and Directories doe forth-with set upon Christs owne way and worship Discipline and Doctrine delivered to the Saints for after they come out of Babylon they must hast away into Zion or else they will be lost in the Wildernesse For what is the cause of so much complaint all men with the Ministers make up and downe and deplorable out-cryes of many that are mixed and loud lamentations are heard out of the Wildernesse of many wooded wilder'd and wandring and at a most miserable losse And what is the reason of all this I pray that so many Professors that have been abundantly precise and strict in their practises and curious in their conversation and such free frequenters of the meanes daily and diligent followers of their Ministers and so exceedingly holy in times past have since their separating from Parishes and Popish Institutions and Injunctions forsaken all publicke Dispensations denied Ordinances followed Familisme and run on even to Rantisme And what is the reason of all this Indeed I am ready now to reprove those Ministers whom most imagine without reproofe though able and otherwise accounted eminently godly yet too too slack and remisse in setting forward the building of the Lords house that say it is time enough and what needs such hast whilst they themselves dwell in their seiled houses the Lords lyes waste and worne out of mind O sad Consider your wayes saith the Lord of Hoasts How can yee be content to sit at ease to hold good Livings and to feed upon the fat of the flock and yet so easily to neglect them as to let them stray in the Wildernesse Oh! are not such who make the sorest and saddest complaints of them they call Anabaptists Seekers Familists Ranters c. are not such very much the cause of their miscarriage For seeing Saints must separate from such false wayes and worships why doe they not lead them then into Christs owne wayes and worship according to Gospel-order but suffer the poore soules and out of honest zeale I am perswaded at first to be lost in strange and straying untrue and untrodden paths Truly truly in all my applications to some very learned godly and most eminent Preachers with all the pregnant and pressing Arguments I could provide for this purpose that I might prevaile with them for and perswade them unto this work of the Lord as Fellow-labourers with me therein I found their Answers they made me me thoughts ever to smell too much of the grease of great Livings or else of man-pleasing or else and for the most part of Tyth-oppressions they may thank themselves that so many run into erroneous wayes For besides a Segregation a visible aggregation to the Lord Christ in his wayes and worship with the Saints separate making up one body of Beleevers iâ— of an absolute and undeniable necessity and followes next which I now come to Such Saints as are separate from Parish-wayes and Popish worships c. being ashamed of them and of all the follies of those false Church-states are forth-with to see the forme and fashion of the Lords house and not before are they to enter in Ezek. 43.10 11. and this is the Lords Law ver 12. now to such I shall shew the forme which followes for in the formation of this new Creation Christian Beleevers are to become first one body secondly a body Independent as it is termed by most But to the first in this Chapter viz. That Saints separate as before from the multitude as Acts 19.9 it
is said when divers were hardned and beleeved not but spake evill of the way before the multitude that the Disciples separated so I say such Saints are to make up one body together distinct from them without and all others and this is obvious to every eye out of the abundance of Scriptures and texts To begin with the Simile of a Body for Saints enchurched are so called the Body of Christ Rom. 14.4 5. 1 Cor. 12. ver 13.27 Ephes. 5.30.32 Col. 1.20 21. though members in particular 1 Cor. 12.14.20 now all the members are to make up one and but one body and so are the Saints every member of Christ 1 Cor. 6.15 to be united together into one body Hence it is as Mr. Bartlet observes in his Modell cap. 6. as I thinke for I have not his Booke that the blessed Spirit speakes so often of injoynting and putting Saints into ioynt Gal. 6.1.2 If a Brother a Member be slipt out of ioynt or bee overtaken in a fault either before he was aware of it or else read it with the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 although he be easily caught by a corruptiun and taken with too much delight in the Action for the Simile runs from the receiving and entertaining a friend with free affection and readinesse in delight welcoming him and with joy although he thus fall by a foul stumble as I rather read it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polye Lyser or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 minuit rem for a fault is a fall yet yee which are Spirituall restore such a one that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set such a one in joynt againe as Chirurgions deale with a broken bone or one out of joynt by handling the same sweetly lovingly tenderly so that thereby it may become as sure in as well-set and strong as ever it was so is it here put him into his proper place againe by which the Church is compared to a Body and a Brother to a Member Thus also in Ephes. 4.11 Christ left here behind Pastors and Teachers and why for the perfecting the Saints ver 12. the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the well-ordering Tit. 1.5 establishing and constituting of them according to order in a symmetry and suitable proportion of place and power Rom. 12.4 as is in a humane body There is a comly apt commensurate and marvellous wise and well appointed Location for every member joynt artery sinewes and veines and every one is to be content with his owne proper and therefore the only profitable place now if any one be out of his place the whole body is thereby put to paine so that the Simile holds here also for this is the beauty and perfection of the body when no member is amisse c. wherefore some read the text Ephes. 4 12. for injoynting of the Saints the worke of the Ministry c. but to the next Metaphor Christ's Church is compared to a Building so sayes he in Mat. 16.18 Vpon this rocke I will build my Church to build that is in unum corpus congregare to gather together many particular parcels out of the heapes without and rightly to order and dispose of them into one structure it is an apt and a convenient collection of the severall and sundry essentiall parts which make up the Integrum or of the which the whole is built up Now in this there must be a wise a suitable and proper ordering and disposing of every particular of which the whole consists so as that all may serve as I said before of the Body for the time use and place most answerable thereunto and fittest for the whole building Thus the Saints are called the Lords house Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 fitly framed together Ephes. 2.21 22. or compleatly orderly and in congruity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 built up together an habitation to the Lord through the Spirit So 1 Pet. 2.5 That is the Saints are so knit pinned united nailed and glewed one to another and all every one to the foundation Jesus Christ Ephes. 2.19 1 Cor. 3.11 that one would thinke they were no more many parcells but all one substance and out of one and so as they will not be parted asunder nor can they without the hazard of the whole Thus when Saul assayed to joyne himselfe to the Disciples Acts 9.26 is meant not only to injoynt alluding to that above of body but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to adjoyne cleave and be glued unto them relating to this Metaphor of the building where many things are carved as all things are cut framed and glewed together which were before at a distance and which then are not easily disjoyned but are faster then ever before But 3. The Church of Christ is compared to a City compacted together up to which the tribes of Israel goe Psal. 122.3 4. So Psal. 46.4 yea the holy City Rev. 21.2 and thence the Saints are called Fellow-Citizens in Ephes. 2.19 now as all the houses streetes trades corporations and societies persons and peoples though many in particulars yet make all but one City compact So is it in the Church of Christ all Saints Sexes Children Fathers and Young-men Callings and conditions make up one Body and are to make up but one holy City Besides there be sweet immunities enfranchisements promises and Priviledges Lawes and Ordinances which none have propriety unto or halfe so much profit from them as the Saint-Citizens have which shall be shewne if the Lord give leave hereafter and none are admitted to be Free-men of such a City but by their consent vote and acceptance and so much is made out in Zach. 2.11 Many shall be joyned to the Lord in that day and shall be my people joyned that is they shall mutually give up themselves to God i. e. that is with the concurrent knowledge and consent of each other in the Hebr. vid. Buxtorf so also is that in Jer. 50.5 Come let us joyne our selves to the Lord c. all this fairely delineates the Forme of Christs-Church-state and Gospel-Discipline 4 Furthermore his Church is called an Army with banners Cant. 6.4.10 and why but because all men bands companies regiments colours and Captaines are but to make up one Army though there may be many men to one Company and many Companies to one Regiment so all the Saints are but to make up one Church and Body together being united to make up the forme and then are they faire as the Moone cleare as the Sunne and not before But besides the Church is 5 Compared to a Kingdome Joh. 18.36 Heb. 12.28 c. Ma◠21.43 to show as all Families Villages Townes Cities Countries Shires doe make up but one Kingdome and are all under one rule law and power so all the Saints together gathered and
in the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 1.17 Secondly being most pure and high-prized Lev. 14.14 Thirdly Lively and lovely Cant. 5.16 Joh. 17.3 and for the Temples use Secondly from the Forme like a thread that is well woven strongly twisted and finely and freely spun out by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.4.12 being very fine thin subtle pure and of a most divine substance and also as the Churches haire-lace being to binde up the people of God to and about their Head viz. Jesus Christ And her speech is comely i. e. lovely gracious sweet and desirable as in Eccles. 12.9 10 11. Prov. 16.23 24. therefore in Hebrew Navah is being very amiable so are the Scriptures full of lovely mysteries lively histories triumphing truths comforting counsels and counselling comforts Her temples are like a peece of Pomegrannet The Temples are those between the eyes and ears which the Chaldee calls the Kings Governours and Keepers of Israel but I meane such as are high in Christ their Head through which runne many vitall veynes for and into the body and such ought all over-seeing and directing governing and guiding-Elders to bee like a peece of Pomegrannet i. e. frustum or fragmen a crust or fragment broken off which is over full and flowing over with juice sirrup and sweetnesse c. in the sight of all and besides this shews the benefit of this Church-Discipline and more then meer Ecclesiasticall politie that I speake of being abounding in juâ—cie sirrups and sweet savours to the meanest and most despised Saint for although there may bee an outward sharpnesse to the flesh yet there is an unspeakable inward sweetnesse and spirituall solaces to the soule to bee had here and to be got in this Government as will appeare hereafter but besides like the Pomegrannet which is full of sweet seed odoriferous graines well united together and gathered into one body every one in order pointing up to the Crown so is this Gospel-government full of sweet juyce and sappy seeds or Saints well-coloured and all in order pressing after the same perfection and verticall point of glory being gathered together into one distinct body But to delineate her beauty more at large Her necke is like the Tower of David sayes the Text builded for an Aâ—mory wherein hang the bucklers and shields of mighty men The Neck is that part between the head and body and united to both and is of necessity through which passes and repasses whatsoever is usefull for both to the nourishment of both and each in and by other Now I am of opinion the Ordinances doe thus and are as the necke between the Head and body between Christ and people to bring both into union and into unseparable fellowship as Heb. 8.10 by the Spirit so that both the head and body may be nourished through them they as conveyances of the vitals to the Animals and of the Animals to the vitals that the one may be refreshed by the other and all be by a mutuall and redamanâ—ine love which is the life of union so that through this Necke the body is abundantly nourished by the vital spirits from the Head I mean by the sanctifying and saving so called graces of the same Spirit in Christ our Head those then that despise Christs Ordinances doe as much as in them lyes behead the Church of Christ A cruell Act Have a care But then like the Tower Migdall great and strong of David Nehem 3.19.25 2 Sam. 5.8 9. an Armory the word is Thalpiioh of Thalah to hang and Piioh sharp two edged weapons to hang swords in the two edged sword of the Spirit hangs there often and the soules bucklers and shields of Defence are ordinarily found in this Armory of the Churches and Helmets and Head-peeces and Breast-plates and what not for every Souldier of Christs under his Banner and Command for the Church is to be in a bitter warfare continually and let a Saint but come hither bee he of what size soever hee may bee armed out of this Armory of the Churches yea the stoutest Champions that march against Christs enemies Furthermore for her two breasts they are like two young Roes twins which feed among the Lillies Her Breasts are both an Ornament as Ezek. 16.7 and for use necessary Isa. 66.11 and indeed to take the two Testaments so called they are both an Ornament and of necessary use to all the Churches of Christ though some for whom my heart akes I feare runne the folly and madnesse of that malicious Apostate who called the Bible a Bawble but hee proved a Babel The truth is these Breasts swell with sweet milke and consolations doe drop out againe even for the Babes that are weake Isa. 66.11 1 Pet. 2.2 they are full in deed of what is absolutely cherishing to the Churches Children and therein are many precious promises and sweet truths easily to be digested by such babes as doe eagerly hunger call and cry for them laying full hold on them drawing and sucking much sweetnesse out of them which are as Twins being both borne of one out of one spirit and for one end and from one God 2 Tim. 3.16 but I had rather read them the Word and Spirit feeding among Lillies For so are Saints white pure pleasant lovely living best in low vallies and well moystned at their root and such are fond to sucke from them as before and to entertaine them and as Moulin once said that in the times of Persecutions whilst they burnt us for reading of the Scriptures we burnt to be reading of them But thus I have beyond my intention examined this Epithalmion which is sung in specie and paints out Prophetically the picture of a true Church called into Gospel government and that upon the breaking of the morning Sunne and the day springing from on high ver 6. for then it followes thou art all faire my Love Now in this description her beauty being discovered so eminently from her most visible Members it needeth not to speake of more then such as are most conspicuous to the eyes of all at this present But to proceed to the second part of this part of the Forme which is That every particular Church of Christ gathered together into one Body according to Gospel-order as before hath as free as full and as compleat a Church-power and Authority to order all affaires within her owne body as any Church whatsoever excluding all sorts of Superiority that may be possibly claimed in point of Church-power and that par in parem non habet imperium equall Sisters have equall powers and priviledges will be proved an undeniable truth In the progresse of which I beleeve I shall much use Mr. Bartlets method as my memory wil admit me for I have no other Booke of his then my breast at present see in Rev. chap. 2. chap. 3. the seven Churches of Asia and
and voluntarily embodying without the least compulsion having communion with the Father and the Son 6. all seeking the same End viz. The honor and glory of God in his worship Herein though at length yet in strength have we as full a definition of Christs Church as I can collect and it is a compendium of what I have hitherto delivered in these Leaves Now on the other side An Antichristian Church is a mixed number of the multitudes of the world not allowing the difference between the holy and prophane being subordinate to a Prelatick power without the most spirituall presence of God being gathered and ordered by the Rules and Directories of men and maintained by Civill and Coercive powers not seeking the setting forth the praises of God as a peculiar people with one consent Now as Antichrist hath his Throne therein and sits and swayes as Lord and Lawgiver so in the Assembly of Saints Christ hath set his Throne and he alone is Lord Head and Law-giver of his Church which is the point I am now upon And all this and more then this I shall prove too by Prophesies Precepts and Practises in all Churches To begin with Isa. 9.6 And the government shall be upon his shoulders his name shall be called Wounderfull Counsellour the mighty God c. Verse 7. Of the encrease of Government shall be no end he shall sit upon his Throne and Kingdome to order it and to establish it c. Isa. 22.21 22. I will commit thy Government into his hand and he shall be a Father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulders so hee shall open and none shall shut and he shut and none open The Key to let into the Kingdome of Christ is the Spirit Rev. 3.7 8. and where the Spirit is there is Liberty 2 Cor. 3.16.18 and the Sonne makes free indeed Joh. 8. from hence it is Saints are all let into one body by one Spirit 1 Cor. 11.13 and through the Spirit are become an habitation to the Lord Eph. 2.22 so the Keyes mentioned in Matth. 16 19. to open and shut are declared Joh. 20.22 to be the Holy Ghost and thereupon whose sinnes they remit or the Church forgives are forgiven but whom yee doe not are not that is by the Holy Ghost being the Key the meaning is during the direction of the Spirit yee the Church have the Key to open and shut binde and loose which is laid upon the shoulder of Christ and acted by his Authority For he is the Ruler and Instituter thereof Hence also in Zach. 6.12.13 And hee shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall beare the glory and shall sit and rule upon his Throne c. None but Christ hath this Commission from the Father to rule here Matth. 11.27 Matth. 28.18 all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 authoritative power is his Hence it is we are called continually upon in order to positive Precept to submit to his Scepter acknowledge his Sovereignty and Zach. 9.9 Cant. chap. 3.11 Psal. 2.12 and royall Prerogative 1 Tim. 6.15 James 2.1 and onely Headship Col. 1.1.18 and 2.19 Eph. 1.22 and 5.23 which hath been the zeale of true Churches against all Opposers As the Apostles said Acts 5.29.31 to the Priests and others that commanded them to preach no more Christ We ought to obey God rather then men who hath exalted Christ to be a Prince and Saviour and we are his witnesses But this will appear by and by In the interim It is in all reason as well as in Religion that Christ alone rule as Head and Law-giver seeing none but Christ was able to institute this Gospel-Church-state therefore none but hee is to order it both which appears in the proofes above Now there is not a Man alive neither Moses David nor Sâ—lomon had understanding enough to undertake such a taske no nor Christ himselfe as man meerly in abstracto no nor all the Angels in heaven onely the Sonne of God that fetched it from the Fathers bosome First This typified Salomon his own self as I may say with his own hands Cant. 3.9 as with his own head builds this Chariot of Lebanon for were it left to mens wisdome or wills what a Chimaera or Monster must of necessity be set up in the sight of all Secondly And surely every man would abuse and beat his Brother and bring him into the hottest furnace that did not fall downe to his Image and bow down to that Babel which is in his breast Thirdly Besides ability would bee deficient in the best of men about such a worke so much rubbish is to be removed that men might breake their backs but doe no good of it for as in a house fallen to the ground before the foundation of it though it be good be found out for another superstructure or to build upon it a new the old heaps and confusions that hinder the comming at the foundation to build upon must bee removed and carried out of the way which will cost continuall labours and perplexable paines too and the longer these heaps have lay the more setled and the greater the toyl and the time will be to bring them off Now there is no building untill this for then the foundation and the building will be dis-united and the building being laid upon the rubbish cannot continue without Christ carry away the ruines and rubbish which have lay so long for above a thousand yeers of this fallen Church-estate of Christ I meane so to men we must say as Nehem. 4.10 We are not able to build O what abundance of false conceptions sinister thoughts harsh censures resolute carriages carnall reasons and what loud and large 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 10.4 5. and corrupt imaginations in most men must be removed before they can be built cleare upon Christ the Foundation Now it is not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord unlesse the Lord build the house they labour but in vaine that would build it Psal. 127.1.2 None but Christ by his Spirit can remove these ruinous Masses strong holds of carnal reasonings and corrupt resolutions against his Church-way which is according to the order and Discipline of the Gospel whence it is as before I am free to affirme that none else is fit to rule rectifie and order in his Church hee being Lord and Master and onely Head thereof he is owned as the Master Joh. 13.13 14. Ephes. 4.4 5 6. Matth. 10.24 Mat. 23.18 For First Masters may and must have the commands of or rather over their servants and will not suffer them to bee their owne Masters or to Lord it over others or to have more Masters in his service Thus the Saints have but one Lord Eph. 4.4 5. that is Jesus Christ who can command them as having
I have desired to eat with you before I suffer as if he should say I have most strong affections hereto for thereby I shall be abundantly stengthned and refreshed as well as you c. O then how dare any that follow the Lambe delay entring into these wayes of holinesse and love did not Christ his Apostles and primitive Saints goe before us into this Church-fellowship and Gospel-order what hinders us nay what is the reason wee doe not run into them for what a world of proofs precepts promises practises reasons arguments motives and priviledges are there to provoke us were they but duely weighed who durst either deny or delay comming or joyning The Lord added to the Church from day to day such as should be saved Act. 2.47 wherefore make this use put forward apace for the wayes of Sion with the will wherein you must have in your hearts inclinations resolutions for and choosings of these Tabernacles above all other wayes if once you get into these Gates of Sion you will quickly be in Sion But some may say Object But learned able schollars and godly judicious men doe both print and preach against this way the Answer is easie Answ. First In all ages both learned and godly have been answer 1 opposers of Christ and his Church so were the Scribes and Pharisees the most learned and in appearance the most godly of the age and so Act. 13.50 were those that raised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a running and a most rigid persecution-against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts but this should never the more hinder us Secondly Though they be learned and godly yet they bee but men therefore subject to mistakes for judicium fit secundum vim intellectualis luminis they preach and print but according to their apprehension But Thirdly All are not learned nor godly that the world judges to be so they have a form of godlinesse denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3. and so they may have the letter of Learning but not the life of it whole Libraries in their heads but not a Catechisme nor Principle in their hearts Isa. 29.11 Isa. 50.4 I mean of the true Divinity which the Father learnes us Joh. 6.45 by his Spirit 1 Joh. 2.20.77 this none but the Redeemed have Rev. 14.3 and in this the Spirit is our Tutor and teaches us out of the Lambs booke Rev. 5.5 6. such have indeed the highest skill of Tongues and are most admirably conversant with the originall language of the Spirit here lyes the difference but for these their Learning comes from the heart Prov. 16.23 whilst the others comes but from the head But Fourthly They know but in part they will know more then now they doe Fifthly Doe not learned able and godly of all sorts print preach and pray this way of Christ by unanswerable arguments against all opposers whatsoever and answer the arguments and objections of the Adversaries Sixtly This opposition of theirs is necessary for the evincing of the truth and makes more for it then against it Act. 28.22 Act. 24.5.14 Object But when people enter into this way they run into errors presently answer 1 Answ. First Some it may bee that enter doe run into errour but this their uniting with the Saints in Gospel-order is not the cause of it nay Secondly There is no stricter enemy to error that can bee then this order of Christ which will not allow of the least appearance much lesse growth of error or sinne Rom. 16.17 18. 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Act. 20.29.31 Rev. 2.14.16 2 Jo◠10. though such as are conscientious have and are to have their liberty in things indifferent Rom. 14.1 2 5. Thirdly Nay to say the truth the neglect and omission of this duty to enter into fellowship according to Gospel-order makes so much disorder and so many runne into wayes of error as hath been hinted before in Chap. 7. but grant it to argue ex concessis then we say Fourthly Errors are usefull as well as truth and it is expedient they should be 1 Cor. 11.19 In Pope Clements the fifths time Frederick King of Sicily made this his master-objection against the Church viz. the errours and evill-orders which indeed he might well doe but he was answered and soon satisfied with this Scripture That offences must come and that there must be heresies amongst you that they which are approved may bee manifest by Arnoldus de nova villa This is much for the glory of truth too and therefore in Isa. 60.1 2. a glorious light and yet a grosse darknesse are both foretold for one time together should wee halfe so much prize the light and presse for it had we never a night nor darknesse but both together doth well and wisdome hath so ordained it I have heard of a Ruler who gave liberty to his subjects for certain dayes to do any manner of evill or mischiefe and they should not bee questioned for any wickednesse done in those dayes no though they murdered or did villany in the highest nature But this was in policy to indear government unto them and by giving his people a taste what it was to bee without it to make them the more prize it Obj. We are well enough as long as salvation may be had here in Parishes what need we enter into any other way Answ. 1. Yet ye are not well enough for ye live in disobedience answer 1 and in danger of Babylons plagues and in contempt of Christs commands which shall not go unpunished Heb. 10.20 And therefore if you love your own souls there is great need of getting into the gates of Sion 2. VVhat a carnal low degenerate base Spirit hast thou to be as well content with Egypt as with Canaan and with the Onions and Leeks as well as if ye had the Milk and Honey Thou doest fall foully short of the true Spirit of Christ in a Saint which is ever going forward and cannot be content with the husks no nor crums as long as there is bread enough in our Fathers house Besides how unkindly doest thou deal with Dear Christ who took care for thee and brought this way from Heaven out of his Fathers heart for thee and wilt thou now slight both him and it But 3. It is a question whether thy salvation may be had here in these Parochial ways and Discipline as long as thou art perswaded and convinced by Gods Word thou art in a false-way but how ever I tell thee from the Lord thou art an enemy to thy poor soul and as much as almost may be an hinderer of thy own salvation For thou dost rob thy soul of the rich benefit of being watched over admonished counselled comforted and maist lie in some sin which thou seest not and others might see which may be thy ruine thou
God in Christ in grace and glory This makes these Tabernacles so amiable his goodness in these gardens is so desireable Psa. 87.2 3. Isa. 33.17 Psa 27.4 Act. 2.28 Ps. 84.1 2 7 10. 63.1 2. 2 Cor. 3.18 6.16 5. Have ye a clear discovery of your fellowship with the Father and his Son Then ye may from the same principle and by the same spirit have fellowship with the Saints 1 John 1.7 but be sure ye begin in Christ first or else the foundation is not laid else ye will fall out and down in the dust 1 John 2.19 ye cannot continue else and then will your ending be worse then your beginning 6. What is your end is it that as the chosen ones and those bought by Christs blood you may set forth the praises of him that called you out of darkness into light 1 Pet. 2.9 2 Thes. 1.11 12. and is it nothing else but in subordination to this why then these are good grounds But many there be that have base by sinister ends for which they creep into this Church-way who are or will be ere long a scandal to the Gospel and do bring a scorn upon the truth O! how often hath it been said in Dublin and that by such whose sincerity is without exception with bleeding hearts Look yee there is one that could not tell how to live but hath lost his trade and for some place is got in to be a member of such a Church and he is now preferred and made a Gentleman c. Nay some have been so bold as to boast of it among themselves as if nothing else byassed them into these ways but politick ends O sad such as these do bring the ways of holiness into contempt they grieve many that are in and keep out many that are not in they raise fractions within factions without they open the wide mouthes of the enemies to blaspheme and they side for lucres sake or lusts sake with the great rather then with the good Ah! alas and indeed though upon the naked knees of our souls we cannot be thankful enough for the liberty the truth hath and that holiness and Religion is so much advanced Yet I do verily believe never more Hypocrites then now who because they know none but honest men must be preferred into places or offices do dissemble with God and men get into Church-fellowships the name of a Church-member making them of note and exercise their gifts and get up into Pulpits which God forbid but they should orderly and change their words ways and works but not their hearts Gen. 4.3 Hosea 7.16 These are lights before men but darkness before God Matth. 6.2 5 16. Isa. 58.2 and though these do not the evil which they love in their hearts if they durst do it or could not be seen by men yet they will do the good which they love not to be seen by men Numb 14.2 4.40 O these these are the scandal of this age this Land this Reformation and of the Church of Christ whererefo beware ye be not byassed by such sinister carnal fleshly ends for the Hypocrites hope will come to nothing Job 8.13 Their flower will fade and their joy is but for a moment Job 20.5 When Religion is much in fashion it is much a fancy and then most men will swim with the stream Thus have I roughly offered a few directions and have lent my hand by a few helps to such as do seek the way to Sion but least they leap before they look they will do well to weigh them in the ballance of the sanctuary and because many Church-fellowships in my judgement given me by the Word and Spirit are in a doubtful state at present and which I think must be purged with the Refiners fire and Fullers soap I do therefore beseech you seriously to seek such a society as hath 1. The sweetest harmony and most love and to all alike 2. Which hath Christian liberty and no one is robbed by the Rulers of his or her right 3. Where they live more in the Spirit then on the Forms 4. Where holiness is highest and appears in most power 5. Where every Saint may walk according to his light so he be holy humble c. though he differ in some things from others 6. Where you see most self-denial humility of minde and ready serving one another 7. Where you see most order and Gospel-decency 8. Where appears most sympathy and bowels of love and pity 9. VVhere their unity consists not in the unity of the foâ—m but in the unity of the Spirit 10. VVhere you finde most readiness to meet together to instruct counsel comfort and build up one another in the most holy Faith and where there is not honor given or taken Joh. 5.44 after the manner of men or a having mens persons in admiration Many such things I might offer now but I shall take more liberty hereafter onely these things in brief I lay before you till the next Books And this I do the rather being induced thereunto by abundance of experience afforded me through Gods goodness from variety of observations which I have taken of many gathered Churches in England and Ireland as they now stand The Lord open your eyes to see and your ears to hear and lead you by his light and Spirit of truth into his holy tabernacles Psal. 43.3 Thus far for the first Part of this Platform wherein you have the totum essentiale of a true Church of Christ from The Efficient Causes The Material Causes The Formal Causes The Objective Causes The Instrumental Causes The And Final Causes All this is to shew what is requisit before embodying but the next part relates to what is to be done in and the last to what is to be done after embodying together The End of the First Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Challah The Heavenly Nymph OR THE BRIDE Rising up to Perfection and preparing for the coming of her Bridegroom Being the Second Book of Church-Discipline Wherein appears the BRIDES beauty in her Members and Complexions her submission and obedience to Christ her Modesty and her Chastity her Humility and her Loves with other Graces and Ornaments that appertain to her AS ALSO The BRIDEGROOMS great love to her more then to all other the dwellings of Jacob Psal. 87.2 his care of her his special Presence and abode with her his Royal maintenance to her and provisions for her according to his owne fulnesse and the riches of his Grace that filleth all in all Eph. 1.23 Or you have in this Book a sight of the Moon shining though under Clouds and thick darknesse as she receives her light and life from the Sun in the former Book Or Christ her Head coming in glory being big-bellied with the precious Promises and Prophesies and Types never before so opened and which are travelling to be delivered in these latter dayes
Fourthly A true and full perswasion in the way of Christ makes thee most ready to run into it but orderly and very obsequious Gal. 5.6 Heb. 11.8 Rom. 16.26 O then how readily desirous and thankfully observant art thou to do the will of God to please him in his way of worship and to be obedient to his command of coming out of Babel confusion into Zion Fifthly A true and full perswasion of the way of Christ makes thee see an emptinesse and a worthlesnesse in all other wayes and an excellency and usefulnâ—sse of this way which is Christs that all others fall short of Thus David seeing an amiablenesse in the Lords Tabernacles above all others had rather be there one day then a thousand in any other tents Psal. 84.1 2.10 and saith Psal. 86.8 There is none like thee No wayes like thy wayes c. Sixthly A true full perswasion makes thee exceedingly fond of and longing and labouring after these wayes of Sion O! how dost thou thirst to be in them Psal. 84 2. Psal 63.1.2 and enjoy the benefit of them Psal. 42.2 Cant. 8.1 Cant. 7.10 11. Rev. 22.20 and though he that beleeves makes not haste as before yet in this sense he hath fullest perswasions and most faith makes most haste of all and cannot but make haste but regularly Seventhly True and full perswasion makes thee very confident but with a holy confidence and bold but with an humble boldnesse having the testimony of a good conscience to bear thee out against all adversaries or oppositions whatsoever therefore in Heb. 10.22 Heb. 4.16 Eph. 3.12 It is not a sawcy impudent boldnesse which strangers that intrude may have and carry a boldnesse whilst their hearts tell them they goe beyond good manners but this is a sweet humble and friendly familiar boldnesse upon invitation and calls from Christ grounded upon Gods free love warranted by the word not swelling at all with selfe-confidence or conceit but alleadging meerly love and grace from above such a confidence in Christ makes them humbly bold and ready to approach his Court and Sanctuary audaces sunt promptiores Eighthly This full perswasion puts thee upon others to perswade them by the Word and Spirit that they may also participate with thee in this Church-way Cant. 6.1 Mal. 3.16 Eph. 4.29 Col. 4.5 6. Heb. 3.13 Thus Andrew called Peter in and Philip Nathaniel and Paul young Timothy and Titus and many others We cannot be idle to others then especially those whom we love those we would faine get in Prov. 11.30 By these few notes from the true rise and effects of the true and sound perswasion ye may examine before yee enter I have been the longer on this Point because many people run hudling on headlong in and they scarce know how nor care how so they get in but this may be had for a lamentation And poor souls what comfort can they finde in this way without faith who stagger through unbeleef and cannot tell being full of doubts whether they are right or no! alas for them the Ordinances are nothing to speak of sweet to them whilst they think to do this or to bee in this way which it may be they think pleases God and it may be it displeased him and this drives them often-times into despaire and alwayes into error This makes so many run into strange opinions and errors that run so rashly into this way of fellowship which is the Churches Threnodia and deep sorrow at this day O then that men would be more carefull for as the Sun saies Erasm. Roterod. in Simil. the more directly he bears upon us with his beams the lesse shadow he makes but the more obliquely the greater So a wise man that understands himselfe and is informed and fully perswaded by the divine light of the word the beams of Christ the Son of righteousnesse the more this Sonne hath shined upon him and he is satisfied with the truth the lesse fancy imagination or foolish opinions he hath and the lesse he runs into errours but the more obliquely he enters into the Lords way and the lesse he is by this divine light from above informed and fully perswaded the more he runs into errours and the longer shadows he makes But to conclude I beseech ye beware O beware how yee enter into this way of worship let serious and due consideration be had that yee come in due order otherwise yee will meet with a breach instead of a blessing 1 Chron. 15.23 and this Church-state instead of Peniel may be called Perez-uzza or Perez-nephesh i. e. the breach of thy soule so see Mat 22.12 13. what befel the friend that came in and not in a right order Besides the Lord doth not make them welcome Mal. 1.10 for they are a provocation to him in Numb 14.11 Psal. 78.21 22. and the Ordinances of Christ are not so effectual to them Heb. 4.12 13. this want of faith and full perswasion that they are in the Lords way in Christs Gospel Church-state doing the Lords will doth enervate enfeeble and deforce the efficacie and excellency vertue and operation and spirituall advantages which beleevers finde in it As thou hast believed so be it Matth. 8.13 and chap. 9.29 See Mark 6.5 6. one such a doubting member doth much mischiefe in a Church and is a great hindrance to it But dear friends if ye have faith and doubt not Mat. 21.21 and are but fully perswaded in your souls that this is the way of Christ you are entring into then welcome expect great blessings and mighty works and energy in the midst of you Eph. 1.19 CHAP. II. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nahar Sahhish Those that are thus satisfied and fully perswaded as before must by a voluntary consent unite and knit together in one body THis comes in order next of which in the former Booke Chap. 11. and 13. you may read at large but let this be brought into the ballance of the Sanctuary too and let every soule see to it how he enters into this way of Fellowship that it be by a voluntary and freeâ—motion without a coaction No earthly power can compell a man into this Church of Christ for the Father must draw him Joh. 6.44 that is with his spiritual armes the Word and the Spirit which are the Lords hands and his two armes reached out all the day long Rom. 10.21 None are to bee constrained into this communion unlesse it be by the Word and the Spirit thus the Lord is said to adde to the Church Act. 2.47 and by his power makes them a willing people Psal. 100.3 and so Cant. 6.12 when the will is set upon the Chariots or wheels a man must needs run Cant. 1.3 hence a man is often-times said to be according to his will a volunteer or not which is as the great Wheele that sets all others a going Now it should necessarily follow that such
hath been largely handled in the former leaves Chap. 11. and 13. which I shall adde now little to but this because as Luther sayes in the fore-cited Epistle Christians are all to be so spontaneously onely as they are perswaded by the Word of Christ convinced and lead by the Spirit of God Joh. 16.8 Rom. 8. So are they by the same means to bee brought in members of the Church of Christ Quae ergo insania est spontanee bonos urgere legibus malorum and yet there be some rough spirits abroad that spit nothing but fire and blood and speake of nothing but imprisonments and punishments for such as are not yet convinced inlightned or come up to their opinion Some imagine men must be brought in by the Magstrates sword and that the Gospel is to be promoted and propagated by weapons blows and cuffes It is true as Mr. Hooker in the third part of Church-discipline chap. 1. asserts That the Civil power may as a thing Civil require them to come under the tenders and call of Christ which is vox significativa but cannot compel their consciences and that Power is very uncivil that intermeddles with Church-matters but Magistrates must leave the Church to follow the rule of Christ in receiving such as have gladly received the Word and whom the Lord hath by his Word and Spirit perswaded and prevailed with and so whom the Lord addes unto the Church and not whom men Magistrates or any other by any indirect means soever shall adde It is known to many in Dublin that I durst not but bear testimony to this truth though to no little persecution of my self and others in name and persons as is well known to the Church-gathered with whom I walked for the time I was there who have also had their share of sufferings by some and also have added their testimony to mine I say although the reproof reached great persons that invited many in by indirect means more proper for Seducers then Saints whether by promising expressions of preferment or by commanding words to such as they had power over which were under their commands or by going to houses to make proselytes by their power or the like if their purposes might be good yet the effects were very bad I am sure for hereby many Hypocrites crept in amongst us being byassed with by-ends and who afterwards proved incendiaries and so disturbers of our peace they should have let the Lord alone to bring into his Church whom he pleased and the word alone to have perswaded them by the Spirit and not have sought the inlargement of the Church to get up to great numbers which men eye too much by any other means then the Word and Spirit When great men are Members of a Church that Church must have the greater care of receiving least any should enter or crowd in more out of love to or fear of those great ones or out of any ends of getting a benefit by having great men their Brethren or the like I say more then out of love to the Lords Courts and Assemblies as being inlightned by the Word and enlivened by the Spirit and fully perswaded in their own hearts that they must enter into these ways as the ways of holiness which the Lord hath left here for believers to walk in together wherefore our experiences produce this Caution to others for want of which we have sufficiently suffered to give others warning It was Boniface the third that I first read of that used his Volumus Mandamus Statuimus c. as the means of bringing in Members and ever since hath the Church wanted peace and been persecuted by such commanding powers for till Antichrists time we finde none Members of Christs Church but such as were made willing by the word and power of Christ. Christs words are works when his Word and Spirit go together Psal. 33.9 He spake and it was done In verbo Christi factiva est ratio He said Let there be light and it was light he said to the Damsel Tabitha cumi and she arose he bid Lazarus come forth and he did so John 11. there is so much vertue in his voice verbum Christi est expressivum operativum that it is called the power of God Rom. 1.10 And the arm of the Lord Isa. 53.1 To save assist deliver draw out and to gather into his fold This arm does all this and is the only outward instrument whereby Christ does draw them in and then they run after him Cant. 1.3 and leave Father Friends and all to follow him and his commands or call they stand not disputing it but immediately obey his call Matth 4.20 22. and come away Secondly The inward working Instrument is the Spirit of Christ whose work is to convince us of the truth John 16.8 and to lead us into the truth Joh. 16.13 14.17 26. or guide us that is not to drag us whether we will or no But it implies a willingness in us being informed by the Word that this is the way and that we must walk in it that we must follow the Spirit as a guide a skilful guide a counselling guide a comforting guide that will go before us and make way for us And if we be in suspence and hang off why then it is his work to convince us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were by undeniable Arguments and Reasons and so as that we shall not have a word to say but that we shall heartily and willingly yeeld to his motions and perswasions and finde him both a protection and direction Quest. How shall I know I have Christs Spirit Answ. By his efficacy and power in doing his office A painted fire will not warm nor a painted Sun give light now by their effectual operations you know which is the true fire and the true Sun Besides the true Sun will discover false painted suns and the true fire will burn up the false so will the true Spirit of Christ discover judge and condemn all other false spirits But Quest. How doth this Spirit of Christ convince and bring in and then keep in the way Answ. 1. Mouendo by inlightning our intellect informing our mindes with his counsel and admonitions he leads us with open eyes Psal. 32.8 And the wisemans eyes are in his head Christ This is the first work of the Spirits illumination Eph. 1.18 He makes us to see an amiableness in the Lords Tabernacles above all other tents Thus our understanding is filled with light Col. 1.9 So as that we see the object which moves the will and affections that we spake before of to be the attractivum bonum the best good and then 2. Movendo the Spirit inclines our hearts moves our wills and makes us resolved in this way of Christ before the Spirit took us up as upon Mount Pisgah that is by divine contemplation to
Eph. 4.4 We are one Body and have one Spirit that is As one Soul in the Body quickens moves governs comprehends all and every Member so doth one Spirit in the Church every Member Eye Ear Hand Head Foot c. It is one and the same Soul that acts in every one and all the Members though in a different way as the Eye to see with Ear to hear with Hand to work with Foot to walk with tongue to speak with Head to plot with c. And so many several ways the Soul works and yet is but one and the same so the Spirit works in divers ways and sundry manners 1 Cor. 12.4 in several Members some to prophecy some to teach some to exhort some to oversee some to direct and rule some to distribute c. Rom. 12.4 6 7 8. some to one thing some to another and yet it is but one and the same Spirit This one and the same Spirit rests upon every Member and we must by this one Spirit be brought into this Body of Christ which is his Church Thus I have done with the inward instrument of working in us and winning upon us to enter into Church-fellowship Now in this there is an apparent difference between Hypocrites and true Saints entring into this way A true Saint is made willing and spontaneous by a principle within but a Hypocrite or any other man is moved as the Automata are moved or things of artificial motion as Clocks Jacks or the like engines of ingenuity It is some weight without that poyseth them and puts them upon motion so something or other that is without swayeth and worketh and weigheth upon the hearts of Hypocrites to make them willing as we said before concerning Dublin and not an inward principle But thus we have done with the instrumental or organical reason 6 causes of carrying the will on in the way of Christ which is matter for a Reason of the necessity of a voluntary cause that is because the Word and Spirit are the two arms which the Lord hath appointed to pull them out of Babylon with and into Sion and no other instruments or means must do it until these hands of Jesus Christ do lead them out of their carnal corrupt or Antichristian condition they have no call to come and when they are thus called and convinced as before they come running by a voluntary instinct and consent flowing up more fluminis as the tide by a natural instinct and not by compulsion into the mountain where the Lords house is on the top of all mountains Isai. 2. But consider 7. Lastly That because the will of man is inclined and reason 7 carried on into the way of Christ as we said before ab interiori principio by an inward instinct and principle and all kinde of coaction or violent compulsion comes from without ab exteriori principio therefore it is a high absurdity a groundless and irregular opinion and positively repugnant even to the principles of one spiritualized and made willing by the power of Christ to call for compulsive powers to promote the ways of Christ or to bring in any man that way seeing violentia directe opponitur voluntario violentia causat involuntarium he must be a voluntier And this will serve as the seventh Reason to ratifie this truth That men must not be compelled but come in voluntarily for violence is inconsistent with the will Thus under several considerations hath this point been offered for a voluntariness to be wrought in us by the power of Christ before we venture or enter into his Church-way Now a man may be said to be voluntary two ways directly or indirectly 1. Directly Then the will is the agent of his willingliness having an inward principle even as the fire having the principle of heat is the agent of heat in the water But such a one as is 2. Indirectly voluntary is made so by some outward means promises or threatnings hopes or fears or the like and such a one will be a dangerous doubting and disturbing Member But such men and women as are directly voluntary by the means I have mentioned in this Chapter may come with welcome For they are called and invited and if there be first a willing minde saith the Apostle you are accepted 2 Cor. 8.12 For Christ will enjoy sayes one his Spouses love and person by a willing contract and not by a ravishment He is none of them he will have the heart to consent with all the heart O then let us say with the Apostle The love of Christ constraineth us and with Job 32.18 The Spirit constraineth us These are the best and sweetest compulsive powers But thus for this Chapter CHAP. III. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sagad Dur. or Pagad Dur. After this full perswasion and voluntary motion and concurrence comes in the communion of Saints by an orderly uniting and embodying together in a solemne order suitable to the solemnity of the Ordinance and that in some publike place MAny there be that in the time of the Churches tranquillity will intrude and pretend willingnesse with the Lords people to goe about the Lords work and build especially when earthly powers and Rulers look kindly upon us and allow us our liberty to go and build and when they as Patrons and protecting Fathers prove favourers and abetters of what we are about But let us have a care and say with Zerubbabel and the rest of the Fathers of Israel Ezra 4.2 3. It is not for you and us joyntly to build an house unto our God you have nothing to doe with us but we our selves together will build it unto the Lord God of Israel Remember that wee are a people that must be separate the cleane from the uncleane the holy from the prophane and by one free consent being fully convinced concurre together in this worke of the Lord without the unclean hands or helpâ— of them without who are adversaries to Sion Now because our Ruler is the God of order and not of confusion he would have all things done in decency and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is compositis moribus fitly for use and ornament to the Church which is a rule saies one of great request and inquest both for real and ritual decency which is to be observed and is of much concernment And for this Colosse was so largely commended Col. 2.5 and Christ himselfe our sweet Master intimates so much in setting downe the people on the grasse Matth. 14.18 and 15. and feeding them ranke by ranke as it were as they sat So his Churches are called beds of spices Cant. 6.2 that is as beds and borders orderly set out to sâ—ew us what delight he hath to live in an orderly and well set out society Order is Gods Ordinance Now to make up this order some things are
with them till a positive warrant for it in the word I say let them but consider this latter baptisme of theirs will be found guilty on the same grounds they charge ours viz. unlawfully administred or by an unlawfull administrator or one not lawfully called to it Some doe it as if they had extraordinary warrant for it whilst extraordinary officers had their Call and Commission immediately from heaven which they cannot prove but we can prove they are ceased Others doe it upon their own private motion and meer supposition that any gifted brother or ordinary disciple that by his gifts and instruction hath won any to this opinion hee may baptize him and so make him sure but if so why did Christ ordain officers and set them in his Church for this purpose and no man saith the Apostle taketh this honour to himselfe but he that is called of God Indeed I did much wonder at the boldnesse of one in Dublin to doe this and yet knowne to be a man of a most dissolute carriage and conversation for cursing and swearing and blaspheming saying A pox upon all Ordinances and Formes and he would downe with them and the Devil take prayers in such desperate wayes as would make an honest mans heart ake and a man of a most malicious spirit studying to doe mischiefe as indeed most of that judgement there are to all that are not over head and ears in with them in their opinion thereby they bring a very great scandal upon the Gospel and hereby they make many enemies to the way they are in as if it could not bee of God but these things are their shame the Lord humble them for it for in these things they exceed all others of that practise that ever I met with whilst many of that judgement here in London other places may be set for eminent examples both to them at Dublin and us here of sweetnesse patience humility obedience self-denial and love even to all Saints and indeed such in whom my soule much rejoyces and hath been much refreshed but I do not finde what lawfull call they have that do administer this Ordinance of Baptisme anew to any And it is not the purse of a True-man in the hands of a Thiefe that makes the Thiefe a True-man But In the last place to bring up the Reare and so all judgements into one that is in the Spirit Sure none can deny but those truly spirituallized in Christ Jesus have the efficacy of baptisme though they were baptised in their infancy which is a Spiritu sancto the inward worke with the outward washing the inward grace and baptisme of the Spirit within 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 3.6 an insition or incorporation into Christ himselfe Now what can we desire but this in any member that is to be admitted so that grant there were many failings in the outward administration as long as we see so good successe and such a blessing with it though much might be omitted in the outward order of it which might make us judge therefore the Ordinance the lesse useful and more uneffectual but I say as long as we finde the fruit and effect of baptisme to follow this Ordinance in a lively manner upon their soules we are satisfied This covers all former failings and the outward is swallowed up in the inward which is that that we account qualifies them and us and fits them and all for orderly admission and not the outward dipping which many make and call their fundamental Ordinance without which they say they must have no communion with us though wee bee ever so holy or godly Oh I fear such set up the Forme too much and make as meer an Idol of that as others doe or did of Infant-baptisme by attributing to that very empty signe nothing in its selfe Circumcision is nothing nor uncircumcision but a new creature in Christ Gal. 5. what is only to be attributed to Christs baptisme of the Spirit and to his power and powring out from on high And lest I should be thought to censure too severely I shall insert a Letter which was sent to some members of the Church at Dublin with whom I walked there to some few members that those of Waterford held private correspondence with on purpose to break us which they both threatned by the Captaine that brought it and endeavoured by instruments which they had a◠worke on purpose in private places with those members to whom they writ this Letter which was indeed of dangerous consequence and did much mischief in the body and made a sore rent at first from us by some whose judgement were blinded though blessed be our God that keeps us night and day the little Foxes were catched and could not root us up and all the effect was to draw that party from us a great mercy to us who were so rigid in judgement against us who did lamentably raile upon us and cruelly afflict and wrong us that would not run rashly with them into that way But as Paul said of Jannes and Jambres their madnesse is made to appear to all A Letter from Waterford The Church of Christ in Waterford walking in the faith and order of the Gospel do wish all grace and peace to the Saints in Dublin Beloved Friends WE hearing that there were many of you that do not onely beleeve but have professedly put on the Lord Jesus Christ by * Baptisme did think it our duty in the bowels of love to enquire of your estate and we hear that you doe not walke up orderly together but are joyned in fellowship with such as do fundamentally differ in judgement and practise to wit such as agree not with you about the true state of a visible Church nor the fundamental Ordinances thereof Now the Prophet saith Can two walk together except they are agreed but that we may manifest to you beloved that wee have a ground and occasion of griefe and offence at your so walking as we shall make appeare from cleare sight of Scripture Consider the Commission in that of Mat. 28 19.20.* where Christ layeth down an order that is binding which is this That they should teach all Nations baptising them teaching them to observe whatsoever he had commanded them ye see here is an orderly way commended to teach to the Nations secondly to baptise such as are taught and thirdly to teach such as are baptised to observe whatsoever Christ had commanded that is as we understand all the Laws of Gods house the baptised person is to submit unto and by the Ministers taught the observation of and this Order is binding And secondly It appears the Apostles did so understand the Commission because they taught and practised this Order and this onely to wit first preached to conversion then baptised Thirdly put them in the practical observation of what Christ had commanded in and to his Church Againe else the Ordinance of the Supper would be prophaned
you must admit and receive and raâ—her abstaine from those things then as to him then render offence or cause him to stumble for though thou bevest this or that may be yet have thy faith to thy self Vers. 22. and not for another Thus you have the scope of the whole Chapter to ratifie this undeniable assertion laid downe at first for receiving of such as are weake though differing in opinion and this point lyes cleare in many other Scriptures besides both Prophesies and Precepts and practise of primitive Churches You have it prâ—phesied in Micah 4.5 This Chapter begins with the promised happinesse and eminency of the Church of Christ foretold these latter dayes and amongst other things this is one Promise made foretelling her eminency thereby and her exceeding glory above the glory of former ages for that all Nations shall come that is not meant sayes Gualter All of all Nations but many peoples of many languages under many wayes formes orders and dispensations shall come in to the Church of Christ Jew and Gentile bond and free of all sorts and opinions that are the Lords under the reigne of Christ shall come in though Jew and Gentile are at as much variance and distance for their different judgements one from another as may bee yet they must be one in one For there is but one Body of all beleevers of all judgements Eph. 4 4 5 6. in all ages under all forms of all degrees and measures of light and life Eph. 2.15 Col. 3.15 having all the same faith for quality in the same Christ and all live on Christ by faith not by forme Thus all of us will walke every one in the name of his God and we will walke also in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Every one according to his light and measure obeying God constantly and then saith the Lord I will assemble her that halteth between God and Baal 1 King 18 two opinions and make even her a remnant and a Congregation over whom I will reigne in Zion Besides Ezek. 36.37 38. you have the richest blessings reserved for the last dayes when Paradise shal be restored and the Church shall become the Lords Eden in vers 35. I will increase them saith the Lord with men like a flocke how is that i. e. thus in a flocke alluding to a shepherds flocke there be old and young Lambs and Ews Isa. 40.11 of several sorts sizes colours complexions yet all make but one flocke and it is not the difference of the fleece of the colour or outward appearance or tone or bleat or going or weaknesse or leannesse or raggednesse that makes it none of the flocke so long as it is a sheep still as long as none of these differences are such as make it no sheep So the Church of Christ shall consist of Saints though they differ in opinions so long as those opinions cannot make them no Saints that are under variety of dispensations administrations forms opinions and severall measures of grace and spirit And yet the Lords flocke a holy flocke Verse 38. all having one Master-Shepherd serving one and the same God as Zeph. 3.9 I will turne the peoples of all Nations to a pure language i. e. of the Spirit and then all under all formes orders languages whatsoever all shall serve the Lord with one consent all shall agree in one and consent in that to serve the Lord and to draw together with one shoulder as the simile runs from a yoake of Oxen drawing together yea the Leopard and the Kid the Lion and the Lamb shall lye down together See this also foretold by Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned together and Zach. 8.23 of all languages shall take hold of him that is a Jew saying We will goe with you for we have heard that God is with you that is Men enlightned that have found the Lord as in verses before and are united to him they shall now enter into the Church of Christ where the Lord is with them Though they be of all Languages Nations habits forms and appearances so they be but holy and seekers and servants of the Lord as before they must be received though there be as large a difference in things outward and formal as between other Nations and the Jews yet they must be all one and brought into one body God will gather all his people into one and every year he is hastning this designe to bring all into one But for further proofes see Phil. 3.15 16. If any be of another minde what then not put him by no but walk with him for God shall in time reveal it to him Neverthelesse whereunto we have already attained and are all of one minde and judgement let us all walke together as Phil. 1.27 and Phil. 2.1 2. by the same rule of Christ let us minde the same things that is of God the honour and glory of God the worship and service of God thus much to me lyes under the Commission Christ gave in Mat. 28. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep them charily whatsoever commanded and commended to them in Discipline and Doctrine now this was one in Mat. 19.14 to admit even of Infants in Christ of such who are as weake simple innocent and as unable as little ones to speak or expresse themselves c. yet such are to be by Christs Disciples Christs-Church received and admitted as well as others that are of a more manly growne and strong stature in Christ for of such as these little ones as well as of strong ones consists the Kingdome of heaven Moreover we might muster many Authors together to beare testimony to this truth but besides what was said before we shall finde the examples of all Churches in primitive times to take in all Saints though of different opinions if holy and beleevers in Corinth Rome Galatia Antioch c. where were Jews and Gentiles circumcised and uncircumcised and such as did exceedingly differ in opinions thus Rom. 14. Gal. 2.11 and 5.1 and Act. 15.1 2. and 1 Cor. 12 13. for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether Jews or Gentiles bond or free so after the Apostles dayes as appears by Ecclesiastical Writers all that were godly in Christ Jesus without respect of persons or opinions were received their faith in Christ and love to all Saints was looked upon as necessary and enough as Mr. Fox observes till the hot contest between the Asians and the Romans about the observation of dayes An. 157. and then in Antoninus Pius's reigne was Polycarpus faine to goe to Rome to Anicetus then Bishop of Rome and though they two differed in opinion yet were they one in most sweet kinde and Christian communion and both avoided the breach of unity or peace
precious promises of Gods love presence and protection in a special mâ—nner more then all the world besides And although particular Churches be distinct and Independent Bodies even as Cities compact Temples Houses c. yet all Churches must walk by the same rule and have counsel and comfort and help from one another when need requires as being all Members of one Body of which Christ is the Head And to conclude I am fully perswaded in my very soul that at the day of judgement when the dead shall arise that I shall arise also and shall rejoyce in Jesus Christ my Saviour and reign with him for ever and sing Hallelujah for all Eternity in the Congregation of the first-born where the Spirits of just men are made perfect And this is my Faith fetched from my vâ—ry heart and presented in the hearing of a heart-searching God and all of you here present Thus after satisfaction is given to the Church of their sound faith I finde no other thing necessary for this fifth Chapter wherein I have been prolix but I hope profitably CHAP. VI. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chasid Every oâ—e to be ADMITTED gives out some EXPERMENTAL Eviâ—ences of the work of GRACE upon his SOUL for the Church to judge of whereby he or she is convinced that he is regenerate and received of God which is proved and approved by about forty examples of worth IT is said of Christ Mark. 7.24 That he could not be hid neither can grace nor the Spirit of Christ which is known vel per revelationem vel per operationem either First by Revelation as when God reveals it to a poor soule under extraordinary sad temptations and soule-miseries by extraordinary wayes many times in dreams and visions and voices c. all which you shall finde instanced by and by this way to some he takes to comfort them and recover them and to acquaint them as he did Paul 2 Cor. 12.9 that his grace was sufficient for them Or else secondly by the operation of the Spirit per aliqua signa in the wonder-working and changing effects of grace for then thou hatest those lusts that hinder thee of Christ and then thou longest vehemently after Christ and lovest the meanes of grace and livest in the workes of grace and findest a great change in thy judgement will and affections now and canst look up chearfully as to thy Father now being delivered from the bondage of feare and canst come with an humble boldnesse by the Spirit of adoption and say Father I want a new Coat I must have one viz. Christs garment and I must have a new Booke viz. the Book of life c. and thou canst finde a power in thee more then before for to resist sinne and temptation and a readinesse to obey Act. 2.41 and do any thing for God out of fondnes and sincerity of love to him yea thou contemnest worldly things and thinkest them below thee and eatest hidden manna Rev. 2.17 and hast the white stone and the new name which none knows but he that receives the sweetnesse of which thou tastest and canst tell it by experience which is by no others to be known And such kinde of experiences I could produce abundance and intended it but that I am this very week prevented by a little piece tituled Spiritual experiences of sundry Beleevers recommended by Mr. Powel yet how ever I shall instance in some of both these sorts of Experiences in such as are the most remarkable and picked out as they were given in at Dublin by such as were admitted the rather for that I finde not the like of some of them ever put forth for publick advantage and I beleeve they are some of the flowers of the Spring in these dayes But before this we must prove this practise warantable out of the word of God for I would not willingly offer any thing but what is Gods owne and in Gods order Now to a poore soule all such things as are in the soule are made known by experiences experience we say proves principles A mans principles are known and experienced by his actions as we know how the will stands by what it wills Homo pâ—r actus experitur principia intrinseca But to the thing it will appear by the word that the Saints are to hold out their experiences to others yea in the open Congregations and then we shall shew you the reasons and so to the examples to the proofes first by precept and practise by precept as Matth. 8.4 when Christ had cleansed the Leper he bid him â—oe and shew it for a testimony and Matth. 28.7 the Angels bid Mary Magdalen goe quickly and tell the Disciples that Christ whom yee seeke is risen Go tell them it and Verse 10. Christ meeting with the Maries renews the precept Goe tell them my brethren for all that I am risen yet they are my brethren Goe tell them c. for now yee know it and have seen me and can assuredly say that I am risen Joel 1.3 Tell your children and let their children tell your children and their children another generation And this is observed among the Jewes at this day out of Deut. 6.7 and to adde more solemnity to the commemoration of Gods Law and their deliverance from Aegypt c. they write it downe in a peece of Parchment and then rowling it up superscribe it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shaddai and fastened it to the wall or the post of the doore the right hand of the entrance and as often as thâ—y goe in and out they touch it and kisse it with great affection and devotion This also lyes commanded Psal. 34.8 Come taste and see that the Lord is good and 1 Thess. 5.11 Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as alâ—o ye doe This is excellent to edification and consolation to tell what God hath done for thy soul for hereby many receive benefit and may meet with the like and other comforts who have met with the like Besides there be abundance of Scriptures to prove the practise of this as in Psal. 26.6 7. I will tell of all thy wondrous works yea Psal. 66.19 Come and heare sayes he all yee that feare the Lord and I will declare what he hath done for my soule for Verse 19. Verily God hath heard me and hath not turned away his mercy from me So that it is no new thing to tell our experiences in publicke to the whole Church and in the society of Saints I wish it were more in practise for the rich discoveries of grace in Christ and many wonderfull various wayes of Gods working in these dayes in his Saints would thereby be laid open But see further Psal. 18 30. The way of God is perfect sayes David God is a rocke faithfull c. How knowest thou this David O sayes he I have tried it the word of the
saith he if it be appointed you shall dye the Physitian cannot helpe you if it be appointed you shall live you doe not need him but shall live without him Nay Sir answered hee but if I be appointed to live I will use the means which are also appointed thereunto for such an appointment to take effect Now I say there is a strict and inseparable connexion betwixt Election and Vocation and Vocation is a comment upon Election The letter sayes Culverwel in his White-stone was dated from Eternity but the Superscription was writ in time viz. Vocation now though the Letter be writ first yet the Superscription is read first and then the other is unsealed and read the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that was in Election well becomes saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Vocation Doctor Twisse on the point of Predestination telling us how God is not guided by second causes in any of his Decrees and how nothing in us was the cause of his Decree concerning us be it what it will yet sayes he in the execution of his Decree which is in time there is another order for to instance in the Decree it selfe from Eternity glory is first Salvation is first ordained which produces grace and sanctification but in the execution of the Decree in tempore grace is before glory and sanctification before salvation as was said before of the Letter the Superscription is first read though last writ Wherefore I say for to this end I speake it that it is altogether irregular and anomalous and out of our order for any to pry and pore and peek first out for Election and that would first look into the Decree Now would the Church know so far as they are able in charity for they cannot on certainty and wouldst thou know whether thou art an elect received of God decreed to be saved it is not to search the records in heaven first but the records in thy heart first for what is bound on earth is bound in heaven and loosed on earth is loosed in heaven how is it with thy heart art thou called yet changed yet art thou holy hast thou left off thy ill courses companies conditions c. for where there is fire there is heat and where there is true vocation there is inseparably sanctification and holy life would we know if the Sun shine why we shall not need to climbe up into the clouds to clamber to the skies no! but look upon the beams shining on the earth That Astrologer sayes one was sufficiently laughed at that looking so intensely upon the Stars and staring with so much amazement at their twinkling tumbled unawares over head and eares into the water whereas had it pleased him to have looked lower in the water he might have seen them lively represented in that Christal glasse so many doe but undo themselves and are over head and ears that look so high at first as to search the secret will which they shall easily see in sanctification and regeneration revealed And as a Father that resolves one son shal be his heir which shal be he amongst many he saith not but keeps that secret yet so far reveals his minde that it shall be he that observes him in obedience to his commands so God though he hath kept secret who they be that shall bee saved and whom he hath elected he locks this up in his own bosome yet he hath revealed it thus far that such shall bee holy obedient to his Gospel beleeve in Christ Jesus these effects Election brings forth and we are not able to judge of the cause but by the effects So that when poore soules powre out their experiences and tell the means and shew the effects of their Call we cannot but in the judgement of charity beleeve the cause of this their Call their faith their holinesse is the Decree of Election Eph. 2.10 2 Pet. 2.8 9 10. and that they shall attaine to the end viz. Salvation Now I say in the powring out Experiences they acquaint the Church with the means and the effects And you will finde both these in the examples that follow where they tell their preparation and qualification In their preparation 1 When they came to be taken off of sin selfe world lusts or the like some at one houre some at another some in the night some in the day some at home some abroad some when younger some when older but that is most seldome And secondly how some more violently the Lord came in the thunders stormes fire on Mount Sinai and in frightfull flashes of lightning like a Ghost a Destroyer a judge in flaming vengeance roaring like a Lion robbed of whelps to many In afflictions crosses losses dangers frights threatnings of Law terrors of Hell and the damned roaring in their ears in such dispensations as cut to the heart pierced to the quicke sharp and fetched blood from the soule wounded the conscience with a thousand stabs as Act. 2.37 such Sermons Mr. Rogers of Dedham Fenner preached c. But secondly others more gently were won in by love cheries promises warme tenders of the blood of Christ lively openings of a crucified Christ which melt their soules and make their hearts bleed and mourne to look up unto him whom they have pierced by such Sermons as Sibbs Crispe c. preached Thus they were brought low wounded in spirit broken in heart and with fresh bleeding wounds weep though some more some lesse for a Christ their Lord but they know not where he is laid Joh. 20.15 and know not where to look for him but sometimes are afraid and flye off and on and up and down and here and there under a thousand temptations being in a holy preparing desperation and utterly undone in their own sight and sense till by some Ordinance Promise or other Providence or other the Lord ministers comfort and by his secret Spirit whispers pardon and peace and joy abundantly and brings them to Jesus O then they say with Mary Rabboni My Lord have I found thee Oh what sweet claspings and closings and ravishing embracings and kisses of love and banquets and flaggons are betwixt Christ and such soules then none can expresse it O but it is best knowne by enjoying It is said in Samuelâ—f â—f many multitudes in Sauls Army that onely a few bankrupt undone beggars came to David in the Cave of Aâ—uâ—â—am and indeed it is true here none but a few undone soules poore beggars that have spent all lost all wounded Cripples broken-hearted Publicans troubled Hanna's weeping sobbing sighing and yet seeking Maries and sin-feeling soules that come to Christ and that are cast in upon him through meer misery and want and thus prepared for him are received of him Joh. 6.37 Mat. 12.20 Mark 5.26 and none can bee put by that thus come The second is Qualification In their
doctrine Why for they never yet tasted it and so Act. 17.19 they thinke it cannot be good and therefore doe not yet desire it till they taste it and then O how they prize the Ordinances Ministers means administrations and manifestations of the love of God! The horse that hath fed on Provender will look and neigh and with a wanton laughing eye turne about and about and long for it whilst the Jade that eats no oats but feeds onely on hay in the racke requires no more so such Saints as have fed upon the bread of life and tasted of the lâ—ve of God in Christ cannot but look after it and long for it and stir about and about till they enjoy more of it whilst such as never tasted it but onely heard of it are content with their common fare of hearing and formal worshipping according to what is before them in the racke and what the Parish Ministers appoint them and that is all when alas experienced Saints long for lustier food and provision A man it may be that should newly come out some deep dark Dungeon who never before saw the Sunne noâ— ever so much as heard of it when he sees the Sim go down set and gone is in a great perplexity and peradventure thinks it is quite lost but experience now teaches others otherwise and that it will the next day arise again and give us fresh light therefore they are content to wait for it and they wish it with expectation and so doe all experienced Saints with assured confidence call for more of Christ and more of grace and of the love of God which they have experienced and they wish for more with expectation of more as John that looked still for more visions and revelations yet the Saints prize them at their hearts that they have already So the Spouse Cant. 3.2 loses him but Verse 4. findes him again and then she holds him and would not let him go Seventhly Experiences declared doe oblige them that have them more in obedience to God for by them thou reason 7 knowest thou obeyest a dear a gracious God indeed and a Father Now you shall a finde a child if a stranger bid him do this or that he will not obey him but if a Father bids him then he obeys and runs strait so dost thou willingly and runing readily obey the Lord when thou knowest by experience hee is thy Father and lookest not on him as a stranger and then thy obedience is full of life and spirit indeed as Joh. 4.24 for thou canst not be dull in his service that art full of experience because thou art then full of love and life 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Joh 5.3 Exod. 21.5 Take a glasse and knock it with thy finger if it sound dull surely thou wilt say there is some flaw in it so a dull obedience is but cracked but a filial obedience which flows from love is shril sounds well and is full of spirit and life Phil. 1.11 it is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 9.7 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.23 Rom. 6.17 Now their experiences prompt them up to it Psal. 40.8 and are directory as well as consolatory in a time of darknesse and trouble even in the shadow of death as well as in a time of light and peace to serve the Lord so Phil. 2.8 even with a Daniel in the Den as well as with a David on the Throne See a man that is used to walk in the night as well as in the day fears no more one then the other and as some man can better finde the way in the darke to which he hath been used and which he knows by often going it then another that never went it it may be can do by the best instructions can be given him by others so such as have experiences have the best instructions and directions in their obedience and are better and more orderly walkers in the dark then others in the day in trouble then others in peace in afflictions then others in joyes in any manner of adversity then others in any manner of prosperity and they will keep within their bounds in obedience which others cannot and therefore are in greater danger then experienced Christians As the Dear that is leapt over the Pale and is gotten out of the Park is in greater danger then the rest and every dog is at his heels Such as have most experience of the love of God seek themselves least and therefore are the best in obedience to God But we see as the Hunter that crosseth the high-way and keeps it not is but following his own game all this while for the way is not there So the Hypocrite crosseth the high-way that you read off Isai. 40.3 and runs out of Gods road whilest the seeks his own game and serves himself more then God But the Saints of God are guided by the Spirit of God and have the Pillar of fire by night to direct them as well as a cloud by day And whither it be night or day adversity or prosperity still they can see to follow Christ and as Donn sayes in his Serm. in fol. p. 139. You shall see a man that is reading in the Evening he hath read a pretty while before all in one and the same Book and on the same Subject now night comes in twilight is on he can hardly see a Letter Yet let him alone he will see to read longer in that Book and on that Subject which he hath been on all the while then if he took a new book or new subject to read on So we that have been all the day-long doing Gods service and in the Sun-shine of peace and prosperity about our duties and obedience We I say shall the better do them that have been used to them and experienced in them Now darkness surprises us and adversity comes upon us and in a time of darkness when we see no light yet we shall obey the Lord and hear his voice having continual experiences to direct us Isai. 50.10 11. And yet we shall walk though in darkness without the immediate light of Gods love and countenance seen yea without the former evidences and comfort of graces in a stormy night without light or star Acts 27.20 But to be in doubt what will become of us and to be stumbling at all our comforts and to be filled with great fears and terrors yet I say we shall continue walking and serving God hearing and obeying his voice which is an argument of a stout experienced Christian indeed Experiences conducing very much hereto But thus for this and all the Reasons which I shall gather to ratifie this undeniable Truth We have sufficiently I suppose proved the assertion of the use of Experiences declared in the Church being much for the honor and glory of God the advantage of the Church and themselves that
declared in the same place at the same time by John Bywater Preacher of the Word BRethren I do declare here this day the desire of my heart which is to have fellowship with such a society as are built up by the Spirit to be one with all those that are one with Jesus Christ the Head knowing this That all rudimentary and elementary things do but point at a higher glory As for my Faith I acknowledge God one not three but as you have heard before c. As for my life I shall in short say thus When I was a little one going to School God began with me for once I swore one Oath as I was playing with my School-fellows but I was presently struck with horror for it and sence of it as if I were to go to Hell for it presently in which horror and great trouble I left my School-fellows playing but I could no longer being in this misery for that sin but away I went into the Church-Porch not far off and there I sat alone and wept bitterly to my self for some time but at length growing in some hopes I know not how of pardon I began to grow chearful and fearless until a little while after that I went to see some malefactors suffer and after I came home this sight ran so much in my minde and was for a long time set so before my eyes That my sins and the horrors of Hell came afresh upon me again so that I was exceedingly cast down and cryed out O what shall I do how shall I be saved which I had often in my mouth and in the hearing of my friends in which condition I could take no comfort from them till the Lord himself brought me out of it and gave me to be given up to Jesus Christ by the life of Faith which I now live notwithstanding I was under several temptations and oftentimes very thick but even then I resolved if that I were flung into Hell yet it should be holding on Christ for I will not let him go now and here I hold through mercy ever since So that I take Christ for my King Priest Prophet and do believe him to be a Propitiation for my sins And I believe that he will restore to us a pure language and that we shall all worship him in one Spirit and with one consent And my desire is to walk with you thus in union and love and by one and the same Spirit Another Testimony or Report made of the work of grace upon his heart at the same time in the same place by John Hewson Colonel and Governor of Dublin HAving an opportunity to speak something to you I shall do it without many words Time was that I was in a state of disobedience as to God a childe of wrath and lived in a wicked and profane family in London but yet I went often to hear a good man in London preach by which means I was brought to see sin and shown within me that I wanted Christ which when I saw I began to desire him and to long after him and still frequented the means and by the use of the means I was drawn nigher to himself but ever since I finde I have a corrupt heart and have much ado to keep it in therefore God brings me under many troubles and temptations more then many others And I though I am in places of power yet I account them nothing seeing an emptiness in all things and a fulness in none but in Christ. I confess I was sometime for the Presbyterians and very rigid and bitter against all others of the Independents till the Lord did shew me the Parish-Church was no true Church being a mixed Congregation and I was ignorant of this way which they call Independent But now I am clearly convinced of it and satisfied in this society and for matter of Faith I concur with the Brother that before spake and finde what he said to be true in me and do desire communion with you as you have with Christ Jesus The Testimonial of Raphael Swinfield or his experience as was taken out of his own mouth in Dublin in another publick place called Michaels I Do declare here what God hath done for me First in my youth my Father being a godly man brought up his children very religiously but for my part although I were well brought up and instructed yet I was very disobedient being yong and head-strong and hearkned not to my fathers advice which I had often but regarded it not which grieved me greatly afterward for I could not endure to be curbed or kept in but at length because of his continual and yet justly reproving me for my ill courses and ill company which I kept I resolved I would stay at home no longer but I would be gone into the Low-Countreys and we were put out to Sea but by contrary Winds and Seas were driven back again But I could not see this but still held on my purpose and having an opportunity I got away for all that into England and I was in England a while where my friends set upon me and perswaded me to turn home again telling me many things to move me but whilest I had my abode with my friends there for some time I began to be acquainted with some things for there I heard good men and Ministers often and there I was made to see my sin and wicked disobedience by one Master Evans and I was thereupon sadly affected and disconsolate and could have no quiet nor rest In this time my Father hearing of me where I was not knowing before what was become of me but that I might be dead or drowned now writ a Letter to me wherein I was admonished to beware of such as run headlong to perdition with many other good advices and he seemed as Iacob joyed to hear that his son was yet alive c. All which things struck me heavily to the heart and so I lay long under the fearful sentence of my sin and disobedience and could not take any comfort or content I prayed fasted heard the Word went to Ordinances yet had no satisfaction at all And thus I continued till my heart was ready to burst a peeces and then I began to make it known to my friends how I was afflicted who did a little comfort me but this lasted but a little while for I soon fell again into my old malady and grief as before being sadly diseased and so as I could finde no comfort at all by any means until that place in Isa. 50.10 came into me How he that sitteth in darkness and seeth no light should trust in the Name of the Lord and stay himself upon his God which did much fasten upon me and me upon God whereby I had abundance of comfort but yet never free from many temptations and fears and doubts and such sometimes as
thing of it and this is that which I writ down as I remembred it that I present to you under my own hand The Dream of John Cooper the 4. of Jan. 1651. as it was given in under his own hand WHich was this I thought I was in the company of Mr. Rogers Col. Hewson and my Lord of Clogher and that we were all going together upon a fine green way and did all travel together a long time and then I thought Mr. Rogers turned backe to us and said Brethren you may see what a great comfort it is to walke in the pathes of Righteousness For for all wee have travelled so long yet we are not any thing a weary c. And Brethren be assured that I will lead you to a place of great joy and comfort before it be long if you will but follow mee So then me thought we went a little further and we came to a very large and spacious place wherein there was a great gate and there Mr. Rogers made a prayer and as soon as he had concluded the Gate was opened and we entred therein and then me thought wee went into a great Garden and there was a very large paire of stairs where we went up and there I saw mee thought a great many of dead peoples bones which appeared to Mr. Rogers in full and perfect shape as ever any were as I conceive for at those bones he made a stand and said unto us all Look brethren and take good notice of the handy work of our great God for here you may see that they are in as perfect shapes as they were in the lower world So then me thought we went up a little further and there Mr. Rogers made another stand and said unto us Brethren Now shall I see whether you be strong in faith or not So then mee thought wee came to a place where we must needs goe over and it was in the likenesse of a small Pike laid over a deep pit and then mee thought Mr. Rogers said Come Brethren our journey is in vain without wee goe over this Pike for they that will see the Habitation of the Lord must goe through many dangers and I will by the grace of God be your Leader And so then me thought he went over with as much safety and ease as if he had gone on the earth The next that went over the Pike aforesaid was Col. Hewson and he went with as much ease also and after my Lord of Clogher The next it came to my turne which I seeing so great a downfall and the Pike did so bend and shake that I could not set one foot over it was afraid so then me thought Mr. Rogers cryed out and said O friend friend you have walked in the pathes of unrighteousnesse So then me thought he made a prayer to Almighty God that he would admit me to goe over And so then me thought he bowed three or four times and cryed out with a loud voyce and said O thou great God how much I am bound unto thee for all thy loves and manifestations towards me So then me thought he took me by the hand and bid me Come over and not to fear and then I walked over with as much safety as the rest so then me thought we went a little further and we came to a very faire Room and there was not any in it as I could see but Mr. Rogers and Col. Hewson and the Lord of Cloghâ—r They saw and spake with God as I conceived for after they had done speaking they gave many bows and thanks and then me thought Mr. Rogers said Come we will sing prayses unto the Lord for all his Promises and great Gifts to us And then me thought wee began to sing and I heard a multitude of voyces with rare Musicke and I could not see any but our selves so when Mr. Rogers had done giving God his glory in singing of praises he did rise up and saluted us and said well Brethren I have but a short time to stay here with you and for the Time I have been amongst you I have endeavoured to bring you the Right way to worship God And for the time I doe stay with you I shall by the helpe of the Lord make knowne unto you Greater things then I have done yet So I desire you to follow my counsel and it shall bee for your owne profits and so I waked or else I might have knowne more After this his Dream he was much confirmed in this way wherein we walked and the effects of it were of such influence that he said he could not rest nor be satisfied untill he had shewed it to the Church and proposed himselfe to walke with them at the time he was admitted he said more though not much that he was called home to God taken off of sinne and the lusts of the world and that he had found in him a great change though he were not able to expresse himselfe in words and was now desirous to please God to walke in his way longing after Christ and communion with his people being long before wrought upon by the word preached and prayer and that now hee had given himselfe up to God with such like expressions comming very brokenly from him in much appearance of humility and holinesse A fuller Testimony as it was taken from Elizabeth Avery out of her own mouth and declared by her self to the whole Church IN this society I see much of God and have a great desire to be one with you From my childhood I have lived under good education my Father was a godly man I was always tender and consciencious but my conversion was wonderful On one Sabbath-day I was playing but I was soon and soundly checked for it in my spirit and went home but I was a great while troubled and lay under bondage all along And I was much distracted and confused for sin a long time till about sixteen years of age and then I began to be very strict and so retired in my life that many wondered at it I had an entire love to the preaching of the Gospel O how I longed after it but alas we had then no good Preaching-Ministery to be had or heard about us and yet my heart longed a long time after it till I came to be married But alas I was yet under the Law and Works until God called me out of Egypt and I could not tell how I was once wrapt up in a light and hearing something spoken of Free-grace then I melted Yet for all these I had great afflictions and amongst others by the loss of my children Gods rod was laid heavy upon me insomuch That he struck three of them together and one childe above all a most sweet childe and one that I least thought of them all would have died was very ill and we were talking I my Husband and some Friends together of comfortable things and amongst
poor man did still doe all hee could to comfort me and to incourage me and told me that God would not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax and that I was in the way to have Christ a full satisfaction and bid me be of good comfort but I continued in these troubles and temptations as if Sathan had been let loose upon me yet this did something comfort me that other of Gods people were in the like condition with me but yet I was thus till I met with Mr. Bolton by whom I had much comfort and by other means together I became fully satisfied and assured of Gods love to me in Christ. Experience of Dorothy Emett MR. Owen was the first man by whose means and Ministry I became sensible of my condition I was much cast down and could have no rest within me and so I continued till his going away from us and at his going he bid me beleeve in Christ and be fervent in prayer but I said how should I do to beleeve I lay a long time in this trouble of minde untill in my sleep one night came to me a voyce I thought that said I am the Fountain of living water and when I awaked I was much refreshed for I had great thirstings after Christ and yet I was under some doubts untill I heard one at Cork-house upon that subject Rom. 8. The Spirit witnesseth with our spirits that we are the sons of God So that God satisfied me very much and I have had ever since a full assurance of Gods love to me in Christ. Experience of Anne Bishop I Have tasted much of God upon my spirit the first Sermon that I heard here so wrought upon me that for a year or two I was much tormented and could have no comfort at all or confidence to take Christ when he was offered for I had this objection continually that I was not fit to receive Christ but afterward bearing Christ freely offered without any fitnesse or qualification in us before-hand without any such conditions of worthinesse but with hungrings and thirstings and that hee must be taken thus barely as it were as from us and willingly so as to part with Father and Mother and all for him I was at last wrought upon to take him on these termes and yet I had abundance of temptations and trials both inward and outward which I hope to have time to tell hereafter but I durst not do any duty nor so much as pray before any apprehending that I was an hypocrite and once I sate down in great perplexities when it pleased God to come upon my spirit and to reveal to me that I must beleeve in him and cast my self upon him yet I was troubled and bid the Lord do what he would with me so I might but have him All this was before he made himselfe so known to me as he did afterwards for he made me first to see my selfe nothing and although before I rested on my workes and duties and so I did long yet now I could finde no rest there but thought all my former hopes were gone and Christ to be lost and I was destitute and comfortlesse but since I have found Christ to be mine and that I am his and the Lord hath appeared to be my righteousnesse and hath fully satisfied me so that I live barely upon him Experience of Tabitha Kelsall I Was determined once to have life by my owne actings and thus I was a long time in England I was of Paul Hobsons society and ere long all the Ordinances grew dead unto me and I knew not what to do I lay long under a sad condition and so as I could not read nor pray nor hear but found all unprofitable to me many wayes did God shake me sore and I lay under many trials and shakings long till the Lord came in by himselfe and setled that in my minde which is in Heb. 12.26 Yet once more I will shake not the earth onely but also heaven that those things which cannot be shaken may remaine For the Lord by his voice did thus comfort me that although heaven as wel as earth inward and outward man my spirit as well my flesh and all my works and righteousnesses were shaken yet it was to make way for what could never be shaken and yet after this I was lifted up to much by knowledge and withdrew from Ordinances but seeing how some that did so and denied Ordinances did live disorderly and walke wickedly I was much troubled at it and yet left in the Wildernesse a long time after untill God did discover by his word to me and declare clearly that I must not withdraw from the Ordinances nor deny communion with his people and then I made a Covenant with the Lord that I would not and that I would part with all for one smile and was glad at my heart that I was received again and brought under the means of grace and Ordinances of Christ Jesus Experience of Andr. Manwaring Major I Was brought up well by Parents accounted Puritans till about sixteen years of age after that I was Apprentice in London but ill company drew me away and I took but ill courses untill the three and twentieth or four and twentieth year of my age then I came into Ireland in the beginning of the Rebellion in the North of Ireland I passed through great dangers and many deaths as I may say for there my Father was killed my Wife was wounded and I my selfe with much danger escaped from the bloody Rebels after that at Tredah-fight I was when it was delivered and being laid in the field among the dead with fifteen wounds I was given up for one of the dead but after that recovering I went into Engl. and then returned into Ireland again at which time I began to looke about me to follow the Word to hear good men being sensible of my sinnes and former forgetfulnesse of God and goodnesse I heard one Mr. Owen here who did me much good and made me to see my misery in the want of Christ and so I continued till Mr. Rogers was sent over to us by whom I have received great comforts and assurance of Christ and now I doe verily beleeve I have fellowship with the Father and his Sonne Jesus Christ and finde a great change in me and I abhor ill company and courses and desire to walke in all well-pleasing to God and though I meet with temptations and hindrances yet I blesse God he carries me on in goodnesse and I can now pray and that by the Spirit and I love the Word and Ordinances and do earnestly long to have fellowship with the people of God to watch over me for I am yet weake Blessed be God for his free grace in Christ Jesus before I had any knowledge in Christ the Lord spoke to me by the means of an honest
to be quite cut off and parted asunder but afterward being hurried through with that headlong and furious force I had strength to stay a little beyond it and to perpend the perplexible perill which I was in I stood as one amazed or rather as one that knew not whether he were alive or dead I knew not how to beleeve my self lesse then a dead man and afterward at least mortally and deadly wounded if not desperately and deplorably eut in twain Oh! how I stood trembling and tumbling in my thoughts untill the vitall bloud which was fled for the hearts defence began to disperse again and to go quietly to their own homes and then I looked about and turned me to the gate-way but the appearance was pass'd away the sword gone and vanisht whilest I was left alone the rest running away in a labyrinth of fears without any wound without but deeply and wofully wounded within and never siâ—hence to the praise of Gods grace as I know of have I had such extravagant preposterous expressions passed from me But Good God! What was thy will herein Thou who art not tyed to means or order best orderest and disposest of all things for thine owne design and glory and so this was I am sure but what it was I know not yet it left a lasting impression upon me and the scar is yet to be seen in my heart though the wound be healed But alas How long and lamentable I lay afflicted and in continuall fears after this Every thunder and lightning I look'd upon as my fate and sent for me and then would I fall to my Prayers and saying my Creed and Commandements and to my Sermons as fast as might be that I might be found wel-doing at least if not as a charme to defend me or a challenge to God by virtue of them to keep and blesse me this I remember was my great comfort to consider some did not do thus but altogether slâ—ghted holinesse duties and did live wickedly and carnally in drunkennesse disobedience Sabbath-breaking and severall sins every day which I was so farre from grief at and weeping over that I in my heart rejoyced in it that I was in more hopes then they and as I fancyed my self better then they and should receive more favour But all this while like an Israelite in Egypt I work'd for life and my services were my Saviours and I would to my brothers sisters and School-fellowes and companions to take occasion to talk of heaven and hell and what a hard thing it was to be saved For some time after this is Malden where I was boarded and put to the Free-school I had a certain dream which by the consequence proved a praevision of what is now come to passe it was on a night about the time when the Spaniards and Hollanders had a scuffling and a kinde of Naumamachy upon the Downes for then some talking of that fight fill'd me full of fears and in the night my dream was that fire rain'd as I may say or rather powred down round about and looking where I was I thought it to be without the Coach-yard gate of my Fathers house and I was frighted to see nothing but fire looking upward and round about praying for deliverance none came nigh me round about by a good space but flaming else I thought in all places and I could see none exempted wherefore being afflicted for my Father and our family I fell on my knees for them and I thought I continued so long ere I could be heard but was at last bid to arise and look and then I thought the fire fell not so fast on my Fathers house as it did before but by little and little abated till I awaked Now although this dream had seised much upon my spirits yet I made no other account of it then of a fancy till five or six years after in the Isle of Ely meeting with Dr. Draiton D. D. he declared to me for severall reasons that this must be more then a meer dream as working of fancy and that something was to come which I should finde this to predemonstrate instancing in some of the like kinde which himself his wife and others had met with as warnings and predictions and therefore he wished me in no case to slight or contemn it for that he was confident it did shew some fiery and angry dispensation upon all our family and my father and the rest should lye under some trouble by the times or otherwise and my self should be set free and at this liberty to pray for them and that by degrees they should be recovered and brought out and the fire abate which interpretation more fully by farre from his own mouth is for the most part verified at this day But all this while I was labouring for life exceedingly formall and I did much covet to know the things of God and therefore wished oft I were but a Minister such a one as Mr. Fenner is or Mr. Marshall or Mr. Hooker or my Father or some other that was eminent that I might attain to their knowledge and then I thought I should do abundance more for God as if God were beholding to me for my obedience and I would then I thought be sure to get salvation as if I could then easily do it Thus a poor creature I continued for severall years together and if you knew but half what I have met with in that time you would say I was a poor creature indeed as any alive for I kept to my self many fast-daies and would eat nothing heard read sang Psalmes meditated used Soliloquies and prayed many times a day and what not and yet at last despaired even to the depth what by often thoughts of hell reading Drexellius upon eternity and then thinking of endlesse easlesse and remedilesse torments and what by frequent frights as before and what by my Father once preaching on the fool in the Gospel Luk. 10.20 Thou fool this night will I take away thy soul then whose shall those things be that thou hast provided Whence he handled a point of the folly of men to lay up here and forget heaven and shewing that heaven came not with ease on a down bed but many shall strive hard to enter and shall not be able and that except you exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 5.20 you shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heaven What with these and other things I was almost in the bottomelesse abysmes of torments I took the Bible to look these Scriptures read them over and over and over again but the more I read the more I roar'd in the black gulf of despair where I was cast so deep as to me and others I seemed sometimes past all recovery I prayed fasted mourn'd got into corners yea many times being I was ashamed to make my case known I have ran into barnes stables house-of
Scriptures is able to beget in us faith Rom. 10.17 Ergo the Spirit of God is to be our interpreter of the Scriptures wherefore if Pope Prelates Synods Classes Father Presbyter or any other give us the sense of Scripture and that thence our faith ariseth of the Scripture understood why then our faith must needs be built upon that Popes Prelates Synods Classes Fathers or Presbyters sense And another argument the Protestants fetch against the Papists which serves us is that the Scriptures cannot be interpreted but by the same Spirit wherewith they were written 1 Cor. 2.11 For who knoweth the minde of God save the Spirit of God And 1 Joh. 2.27 You have the anointing and you need not that any man teach you c. because as Augustine saith Magister est omnium qui habitat in nobis omnibus c. We are all fellow-scholars saies he we are not your teacher but he is teacher and master of us all who dwelleth in us all c. We further affirm with the former Protestants that the Scriptures are necessary to be known by all the people of God the reading hearing and understanding of them begetting faith and that it is not enough to hear the Minister preach for the Bereans searched the Scriptures Act. 17.11 Joh. 5.39 2 Tim. 3.15.17 Whereas some say it is enough to have what the Minister or Presbyter gives it puts me in minde of Mr. Bradford's answer to one Willerton Fox 1612. who told him that people ought to learn at the Priests hands Aye saith he why then saith he you will learn the people to preferre a Barabbas before Christ and to crucifie Christ for so the people learn'd it of the Priests Moreover we declare that all things necessary to the esse bene esse of a soul are expressed in the Scriptures or included in them and concluded out of them whether concerning faith or life and that nothing absolutely necessary is to be found besides the Scriptures Joh. 20.31 2. Tim. 3 16. whether for teaching improving correcting or instructing So that we overthrow the necessity of all traditions rites forms or the like here whether praeter or contra Scriptura For as Augustin hath it qui praetergreditur fidei regulam i. e. Scripturam non incedit in via sed recedit a via He that goeth beside the Scriptures goes not in but from the way this truth hath been attested and sealed to by the bloud of many Martyrs Dr. Taylor Fox p. 1522. col 2. Holy Bradford 1626. col 1. and that valiant souldier of Christ and stout Champion Mr. Hawkes Martyr p. 1586. col 2. saith Is not the Scripture sufficient for my salvation yea saies one of Bonners Chaplains but not for your instruction Ah! saith he then God send me the salvation and you the instruction Now let us not be mistaken though we say all necessary is in the Scriptures yet we deny not but there may be some use for orders sake of rites and formes but not to be forced knowing nothing necessary to salvation that is not in the Scripture Deut. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 Mat. 15.3 Act. 20.27 26.22 seeing the Scriptures are the rule and measure of faith they must not come short of the measured viz. faith for all things necessary to faith must needs be contained therein But Lastly the Scriptures are not so obscure and dark or undiscoverable as they would insinuate and urge upon poor people For as Prosper saith Parvuli magni fortes infirmi habent in Scripturis unde alantur satientur No age so young no wit so small which Scripture doth not fit There 's milk for babes and yet withall there 's meat for stronger wit So Prov. 9.35 yea the Revelation chap. 5.5 is a Book opened and as Augustine hath it De doctrin Christian. lib. 2. c. 9. In iis quae aperte in Scripturis posita sunt inveniuntur ea omnia quae fidem continent moresque vivendi in plain and easie places of Scripture all things necessary to faith and manners are manifest Nay the Councell of Toletan 5. c. 16. decreed the Apocalypse to be preached by every Minister from Easter to Whit-suntide so that they strictly enjoyning it accounted not this book of Revelation it seems so hard as men would perswade us to in our daies whereby they forbear to read preach or expound it but if it be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 It is sent especially to the Churches and is to be taken and opened by them But thus far for the first generall Doctrine wherein Papists and Presbyterians are too near one another and we are farre off from both even out of the sight almost 2. They are something alike in their Doctrine about Baptisme both with relation to the Ordinance the subjects forms and effects of it As first in imposing an absolute necessity upon it Papists say it is simply necessary to salvation Concil Triâ—dent sess 7 can 7. Bell. lib. 6. de Baptism cap. 4. such a necessity or nigh unto it do those hold who baptize the babes of all sorts put upon it and the very argument of the Rhemists on Joh. 3.5 and the Jesuites Bell. ibid. have they often urged to me viz. Vnlesse a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God And I have heard some of them severely inveigh against such as neglected to bring their children and to baptize them by such a time for fear a childe should die unbaptized and the Parents for their neglect be under the judgements and wrath of God But we differ from them whilest we decline that necessity of Baptisme to Children and whilest we affirm with such as were ever held orthodox in judgement amongst men vide Synops. 12. contro q. 3. that the Children of the faithfull that are holy are holy before they are baptized 1 Cor. 7.14 And this truth is attested by Richard Woodman a holy Martyr Fox p. 1994. who saith I read in Scripture he that beleeveth not shall be condemn'd but no Scâ—ipture saith he which is not baptized shall be damned neither dare I say so for all the goods under heaven In the Greek Church Nazianzen saies in sanctum laâ—acrum their usuall time of Baptisme were but in feast of Pasch. and Pentecost which would not have been so seldome if the want of Baptisme had been so dangerous to Infants We deny not the ordinance but that there is much Popery peeached up and pleaded for and practised in their ordinance of sprinkling Infants all discerning men see and are ashamed of and cry out upon it as unsufferable and too impudent and as having too much of the whores forehead in it Furthermore although the veriest Jesuite do grant the positive necessity of baptizing babes to be grounded upon tradition and not upon Scripture Bell. lib. 4. de Ver. and so to baptize
we differ from them in their cutting the bread and so in distributing it which destroyes the nature of an ordinance of breaking bread Acts 2.42 46. Acts 20.7 as it is properly called in Scripture seeing they who will have some of their humane inventions in it and will be medling though not mending doe slice or cut it ready to be given about but this ordinance of mans make and mixture I confesse the poore people have had and been gull'd with for many a year whilest they are kept and continued in ignorance as to the Ordinance of Christ to the Ordinance of breaking bread and scoffe at it not knowing what it is Thus the poore people as long as they are without are caged up under Antichristian darknesse and discipline 4. The Presbyterians and Papists agree much about their Doctrine of works which I shall instance in some particulars As first of the necessity of good workes The Papists say that good workes are necessary to Salvation not onely necessitate praesentiae but efficientiae as efficient causes together with faith of our salvation Bellarm lib 6. de justificat cap 7. The Presbyterians I mean the rigid amongst them have affirmed and yet doe the like necessity of good workes to qualifie us and prepare us for Christ viz repentance tears confession of sins c. But we dissent from both and say with Mr. Rogers in his Right way to be saved pag 54. there be no works of ours which prepare us for Christ and such as look for something to ground on in themselves mistake grossely and are lost Like one that does not set the young tree but lets it lye on the ground till he sees what fruits t will bear as we said before O no! but let it first be rooted and grounded and then you shall see what fruits so must you be grounded in Christ and then bring forth fruits and workes from Christ then your repentance is in Christ Acts 5.31 32. your faith in Christ Col 2.20 which is the work of God John 6. Fac Christi opera c. sayes Bernard in Paschal Serm 2. Doe Christ's workes good workes we grant but not as our owne but as Christs for as Augustine on John 15.5 sayes sive parum sive mullum sine illo fieri non potest in Tract 82. nothing little or much can be done without Christ for Phil 2.13 4.13 he worketh in you both to will and to doe Est deus in nobis agitante calescimus illo and I can doe all things through Christ that strengtheneth me sayes the Apostle and in this sense is that negative assertion of Dr. Twisse's quod homo nihil boni facit nisi deus in illo efficiat ut faciat Therefore we must not be puzzled and perplexed about works de nostro of our owne to fit us for Christ for whilest men think they must doe something themselves or else they cannot be justified and doe nothing for it or in it but onely believe and whilest they think God cannot but approve of their workes and accept of their services they run a great hazare with the Papists 1 Sam. 16.7 Psal. 62 9. and are with perplexible anxiety of spirit spying out for good works of their own make whilest the Apostle sayes Ephes 2.10 we are all his workmanship in Christ Jesus and tels us plainly our new works arise from this new creation for that no flesh might boast in his sight seeing Christ is not ours therefore salvation is not ours by any act of ours but of God in us and of grace teaching us Tim. 2.12 13. within hence is vocation 2 Tim. 1 â—9 Sanctification 2 Thes. 2.13 faith love repentance Rom. 2.4 every good woorke Ezek. 36.27 and everlasting life Rom. 6.23 all given by grace Therefore no good works of ours qualifie us for any of these thus sayes Mr. Perkins upon Galat. pag. 159. the Gospel offers and gives life freely without any condition of workes and requires nothing but receiving Object Yes on condition of faith Answ. Faith saith he is mentioned in the manner of a condition but it is of free grace and the meer gift of God as well as life eternall So that Faith brings forth workes but not workes faith for good workes sayes one followes Christ in us by faith as the fruits of the tree follow the growing and grounding of it a woman first is marryed then conceives then brings forth or else the children are illegitimate and so are those works illegitimate which flow not from the conjunction and conception of Christ in the heart but if they be before wee may blush at the sight of them and be ashamed of them and cannot boast of any credit or comfort of them Opera sunt secundum principium a quo sunt and till Christ be in us we say our best works are but dead workes two wayes 1. effectivè as sin 2. privativè without grace or the Spirit of Gods working But furthermore in the formal cause of justification the Papists affirm an inherent righteousnesse in us to make compleat the formality of justification Trident. concil sess 6. Can. 11. Rhemist Rom. 2. Sect. 4. Bel. lib. 2. de justif cap. 3. many Clergy men unguibus dentibus doe cry up an inherent righteousnesse too to make up compleat justification which we deny and abhor allowing the alone righteousnesse of Christ to justifie us before God and fully able to doe it without any addition of ours or any inherent qualification as to that See Rom. 8.2 Rom. 4.56 Rom. 5.24 2 Cor. 5 21· Phil. 3.9 for Christ's righteousnesse alone hath fulfilled the Law which is ours by imputation for our justification Rom. 8.4 being absolutely justified by that Christ's righteousnesse alone as our good workes doe not justifie us any thing so our evill workes doe not unjustifie us and so it is the weakest Saint is as absolutely righteous in the sight of God and as fully justified in the righteousnesse of another as the strongest And as most of the eminent Presbyterians are now come in to be one with us in this point so some of the Popish speciall Champions upon a parley have laid down their arms and doe join issue with us herein as Pighius de fide justifiâ— Cont 2. p. 45. who grants that we have no other righteousnesse to rest upon then that which Christus imputat nobis sine operibus nostris Christ imputes to us without works so Vatablus in Psalm 18.23 and the Author of Antididâ—g Coloniens as Bell. confesses c. besides aboundance of famous writers which prove it at large Now lest I should be misconstrued by Criticks know that we affirm an inherent righteousnesse wrought by the Spirit in all such as are justified by faith in Christ but we say that it is rather a sanctification or the fruit and effect of justification then any wayes to be accounted of
1. 3. and so Theodos. So in Augustines time the Christian Emperors took away many lands and dispossessed the Donatists And Aug. renders this reason for it Tractat. in Joan. 6. because it is by the law of a Prince King or Power of the Nation that Ministers are maintained by this or that maintenance in this or that way with these or those lands et secundum jus ipsius possides terram and according to this law or the Nations law do you take maintenance and enjoy your possessions Wherefore the State does great service for God to alter the Ministers maintenance if Tithes do keep up a carnall covetous Ministry and maintain pride idlenesse riot or excesse let them then fall for shame and the Dependents with them for so the Idle Preists will be spoyled but then be sure they be for better use and ends disposed of as belonging to the State though maintenance belongs to the Church Yet this withall I do not defend such as are so earnest to tumble down Tithes for their own ends and private gaines 2. We affirme a competent maintenance and comfortable allowance to all able Gospell Ministers who live soberly and godly to be of divine institution Therefore great care must be had that poor men the Ministers be not as much troubled disturbed disquieted in their spirits and forced to suites or wranglings for their Salaries or Stipends as they have been for their tithes rates or former maintenance but speciall care should be had in erecting their Stipends that the Ministers may be wholly given to their Ministry 1 Tim. 4.15 and that they may receive them without troubles 3. In as voluntary a way as may be which we assert most sutable to Gospell order our Saviour warrants his Disciples as Mr. Owen saies in 's Eshâ—ol to take and eat of those things that were had by their consent to whom they preached the Gospell Luke 10.8 so that the people ought to be free in the manner of payment or allowance In Augustines time vide in Psal. 146. there was no generall law or custome in the Church or nation as now is to pay Tithes For saies he Decimas vis c. will you pay Tithes the Pharisees did so sed tu vix millesimam das but you scarce give the thousandth part Tamen non reprehendo vel hoc fac sic sitio ut ad istas micas gaudeo here 's a good man indeed where is such a Minister as saies with him yet for all that I finde no fault do so still for I so thirst after your welfare that I refuse not your very Crums We see then in those dayes there was no forcing to pay Tithes for he was content with the very crums the ten hundredth part So in Concil Aurelianens cap. 17. Sicut in arbitrio dantis est ut tribueret quod voluerit c. the words are as it is the will of the giver to give what he pleaseth so if he finde him stubborn and obstinate and froward which receiveth it it is in his power to revoke the gift c. So that the word of God hath laid no necessity upon Tithes this lay apparent before the Councell for otherwise they would not have permitted such liberty and have made the maintenance free and voluntary Thus the Bohemians have long since professed their opinion artic 15. say they the Priests preach and say that men are bound to pay them their Tithes wherein they say falsly for they cannot prove by the new Testament that our Lord Christ did command it and his Disciples warned no man to do so neither did they themselves receive them So among the Muscovites the Ministers are maintained by certain free contributions and certain houses are assigned to them and they have no law for Tithes nor maintenance quoad determinationem quantitatis in respect of how much but thus far for Tithes till the next Book 4. Papists and Presbyters agree much in their Names of dayes which seemes nothing but is indeed very unsavory and unchristian as to name dayes after the Heathenish Idolaters and custome from the seven Planets the seven dayes Sunday from the Sun Munday from the Moon c. Rhemist Annot. Apoc. 1. Sect. 6. But we think with the Protestants against the Papists in Contro 9. Q. 8. this ought to be reformed and these dayes are better and more Scripturally as in Mr. Jesses Scripture Almanack termed the first day the second or third c. as the Jewes called their dayes from the Sabbath So other things and names must be reformed as of our months for March is called from Mars June from Juno July from Julius August from Augustus January from Janus c. So also the names of Christmas Michaelmas Candlemas c. must be altered and all such names and things as sprung from Popery 〈◊〉 Paganisme so said Fulke against the Rhem. and Hierom. in lib. de veste sacerdotal in Job Arcturum Orionem c. God forbid saies he that these names should be any longer in Christians mens mouthes Absit ut de ore Christiano sonet c. O then that we would reforme Let young students beware of Heathenish names and books but for this in the next under the head of Vniversities and let us learn our children in the language of Christ and his word and no longer in the language of the Dragon or the Beast I commend such as are to learn this to Mr. Jesse's Scripture Almanack 4. Their practise is much alike about the publick meeting-houses called both by the Papists and Presb. Churches Fro 1. As the Papists and Jesuites do eagerly maintain these meeting houses their Churches to be more holy then any other places Bell. lib. 3. cap. 4. de Sanctis So do most Ministers so cal'd and Presbyterians at this day hold what they can neither prove nor dare to them that discerne openly own viz. a specialty in their Churches as if holier then other places or at least as if God were more present and to be found there and therefore for a world will not allow of house preaching or the like From which we dissent whilest we affirme their Churches no better then then the streets or barnes in themselves and so say all the Orthodox Protestants against the Papists in Dr. Willet's Synopsis contro 9. Q. 6. answering all the Jewish objections which the Papists produce for proofe as that Solomons Temple was so c. But our Saviour saith under the Gospell there is no such difference of places to worship in Joh. 4.21 The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountaine nor in Jerusalem worship my Father but v. 24 in spirit and in trith Therefore his worship is not now tied or limited to places or Churches so cal'd As for Solomons Temple it was a type of Christ's body viz. his Church and Temple more holy then
varietate unity in verity though in variety of formes and ceremonies yet true unity stood well with the differences and varieties of formes c. because it was in the Spirit Psal. 45.13 the Church was all glorious within though without her outward cloathing was wrought with variety and diversity of needle-work Thirdly One Faith in all therefore Vnity is urged seeing all Saints in all ages Moses David Daniel Apostles and we now and all that were are and are to come under all forms live in one and the same mystery and truth of Faith 2. Cor. 4.13 apprehending the same Christ applying the same Salvation so are all the Churches Independent Baptized c. in one Faith though not in one Forme they live not by forme whether you call it a Conformity with the Prelates or Vniformity with the Rhemists or either with the Presbyterians or neither with us but they live by faith Not on this or that forme or worship so as to think our selves therefore good and others evill this is contrary to our life of faith which is all on Christ. This onenesse of faith est una eadem totius Ecclesiae Zanch. which is one and the same in every particular Church and throughout the whole agrees very well with the diversity of gifts parts formes c. so in and through all one and the same Christ be apprehended Therefore Vnity may well stand with it in all the Churches Fourthly he calls for Vnity from all that are called into one hope of their calling all that are called by the inward and effectuall voice of God into one and the same hope All hope for the same thing none for better or greater then another Unit as consist it in hoc quod una eademque sit omnibus spes una eademque omnibus proposita haeraditas coelestis Zanch. For 1. Cor. 1.9 God is faithfull by whom ye were all alike called into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. All the Churches doe a like expect the appearances of Christ the day of his comming the effusion of his spirit the restauration of Zion the reigne of Christ and the inheritance of the Saints Ergo Vnity for it is for such as differ in their hopes to differ in their love and waies Fifthly One Lord no more Lords but Jesus Christ nor no other Lawgiver in and to all the Churches therfore all should come under one Lord. For 't is divers Lords and masters that make divers Lawes and minds and wills and ends Hence a rise divisions indeed but one Lord and one Law one master and one mind should be in all the Churches Besides he is Lord to all alike as much to one as to another Ergo Vnity Sixthly One Baptisme with which all Churches are Baptized 1. Cor. 12.13 For by one spirit wee are all baptized into one body This is not the signe which hath beene often altered but the substance which will never be altered not the powring on of water but the powring on of the Holy Ghost in gifts and graces which is in all Christs Churches and the Baptisme of Christ indeed All that are thus Baptized with the spirit are Baptized into Vnity into one Body wherefore the Welsh Curat with his Welsh Crue would doe well to learne better English seeing he would insinuate that he is a Welshman of Cardiff yet is the Apostle of the English as he saith as Paul a Jew of Tarsus was yet the Apostle of the Gentiles then to asperse and despise those Churches of Christ that are under the administration and baptisme of the spirit He professes openly and in Print proclaims himselfe to have Pauls spirit he might have sayd Sauls spirit not to build up but to destroy so I thought the Churches For many of them are indeed such seducing dangerous spirits which cause division which I confesse I feare are many of them crept into some Churches Now as fiâ—e with fire and water with water agrees well enough so will all the Saints till there come in an Antipathy of spirit amongst them and as fire with water cannot agree together but make a â—â—ge nâ—yse quarrell and fight together and oppose one another violently with thundring threatnings till one destroy another unlesse one be thrown from the other So is it with such contrary spirits as are crept into the Churches till they be out againe fire with fire agrees because being of one and the same principle and spirit it addes to and edifies one another so the Saints with Saints c. but water and fire cannot because the water is of another principle and spirit and seeks to destroy the fire so it seems the Ranters spirits are Christ-Crucifying and Church destroying spirits by their owne confessions and in Antipathy to the Churches and Saints in fellowship that seek to build up and edifie one another and all in Christ but when this spirit comes the Welsh Curate tells us 't will doe all that may be to destroy us O that the Churches would then have a care in the admission Of such who as in Rev. 2.2 say they are Apostles but are not for they are Apostats And the Church of Ephesus was highly commended for their strict triall of them and for finding them liars seducers and false Teachers so let us doe and let us all march on to the Land of Promise under one and the same hope of our calling whereunto we are called and as baptized by one spirit into one body Seventhly Vnity is urged among all the Churches for that they have one God and Father of all One Father without respect of one more then another God and Father to all alike all alike deare to him 2. Cor. 6.17.18 who delights in all alike and walks in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks without respect more to one then to another as that one is better meâ—tall then another seeing all are alike borne of God and all alike in one Covenant and in one Jesus Christ Mediator and Head of the Covenant therefore he calls for Vnity for that we are all a Kingdome of Brethren Mal. 2.10 one God and Father of us all 2. Above all We are not one above another but one aequall with another but only our God and Father in Christ is above us all Mat. 23.8.9 we are all his children and all alike live in his Will he alone commands and blesseth us all alike therefore we should be all in unity Psal. 133.1 O sweet for Brethren to live together in unity 3. Through all All alike professe him possesse of his nature and he through all the Churches and Ordinances appeares abroad too Isay 2.3 Micah 4.2 Ergo unity amongst all 4. And in you all He dwels in all the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Cor. 6.16 Jo. 14.23 his presence is in this body of Christ mysticall as it was it was in Christs body when
l. 24. r. and oblit as and in marg against l. 30. r. not able p. 141. l. 36 mar r. force p. 152. r. â—ron sides p. 217. l. 20. r. Esau p 320. l. 3. r. that p. 253. l. 14. r. Sun p. 255. l. 13. oblit seu before motum and put in seu before mâ—veâ—tur l. 33. r. men p 261. l. 21. r. approbatione p. 264. l. 31. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 marg l. 24 r. Interior p. 268. l. 3. r. found no rest p. 304. l. 11. r. here p. 305. l. ult r. thou before that p. 308. l. 12 r. is called p. 301. l. 4 r. judgements p 316. l. 30. r. they p. 320. l. 12. r. be the cause of a pale p. 328 l. 3. r subscriptions p. 334. l. 32. r. Psal. 36.9 p. 336. l. 1. r. a tenondo p. 358. l. 14. r. they p. 319. l. 9 r. a poor wretch who sayes p 418. l. 38. r unrighteous ones p. 419 l 2. r. full of variety p. 739. marg r. dum sursum sursim p. 453. l. 22. r. those p. 457. l. 19. r. by ther p. 465. l. ult but one r. Act â—4 p. 466 l. 4 r. re-admitting of one l. 5 r. to hold off p. 482. l. 8. r. Intigrale marg against l. 20. r. no Diocesan 467 marg against l. 20. r. duobus locis p. 469. l 33. oblit the p 470. l. 16. r. 1 Cor. 5.13 p. 4â—0 l. 7. r. and as are p. 507. line 37. read Forms of it page 511. l. 35. oblit to be p. 519 l 26. r. an Amethyst p. 523. l. 17. r. presence p. 531. l. 5. r. autem p. 464. l. 31. r. Scriptures p. 468. l. 1. r. to be baptised p. 472. l. 9. his haâ—â— l. 25. r. bread p. 478. l. 34. r. grant it p. 484. l. 37 r that they 480. l. 1. r. about Civil powers p 442. l 5. r For c. Other faults I beleeve there be that have given me the slip but I am not at leasur◠〈◊〉 pursue them Wisdomes Politie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sim. Divinity and Morality Expos. From Faâ—her and Mother Spirit and Truth Expos. Gods design in setting up Gospel-Discipline To make us Gospel Disciples 1 For order 2 For unâ—ty 3 For edification of one anoâ—her Hereby appeâ—rs Gods great love to us Th. Aqu. 22. Q. 80.1.3 Expos. And his great care over us Expos. The necessity of it is undeniable This Discipline is proved 1 cut of Old Testament Expos. It is the beauty of holinesse Expos. The glory of the latter house greatest Proved in New Testament by Christ Expos. It is a building fitly compacted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not an openly mixâ—d congregation Expos. Ecclesiam esse miscâ—llaneam falsum oft dicere Cam. in loc quia confusis cultibus confunditur vâ—rus Deus cum Idolis Vrsin in secundo praecepto Proved by the Apostles and primitive Saints Examples Christs Church Discipline or Politie why and how called so Visibly and invisibly all one Church Sim. How it differs from carnall worldly Politâ—e 1 One and the sâ—me in all places Sim. 2 In all ages Cuncta temporum cursu mutantur 3. In the interest it drives 4. In the Lawes outward and inward Directories or Cannons are of no use therein 5. In the King and Governor 6. In obedience 7. In altering or adding to Lawes Whenâ—e came Pope Prelates Hierarchy 8. In principle 9. About customs of long continuance 10. In power of making obedient and punishing Offenders 11. In the nature of it 12. In the pomp and beauty of it 13. In respecting persons or opinions 14. In respect of gifts and abilities 15. In the Consequence of it It differs from Ecclesiasticall Polity in a sense Who more Politick then the Beast seven-headed most subtill-pated in his Ecclesiasticall Discipline Saints suspâ—â—ring yet aspiring in a strange Land Revel 9.2 Rev. 12.1 Expos. What a happy condition the Church was in in the Apostles dayes both for Doctrine and Discipline Mat 10.16 17 18. Anno 110. vid. Euseb. lib. 3. chap. 29. 2 Cor. 11.2 The Dâ—agon persecutes her Rev. 12.4 Anno 179. Anno 204. Anno 256. Anno 162. Euseb. lib. 7 c. 17. Images and Idols Cent. 2 cap. 7. Anno 267. Anno 306. Euseb. lib. 8. 9. Rev. 12.3 She was brought into the Wildernesse When and how Pareus in Apoc. 12. v. 6. By loosing her Discipline And how Euseb. l. 10. cap. 3. Socrates lib. i. cap 6. When meeting-places were made Churches When Crucifixes Reliques of Saints c. came up Socrates lib. 1. cap. 1â— cap. 9. c. 17. Monkes Priests Popish Discipline Swum in bloud There were hopes of the recovery of Gospel-Diâ—cipline in King Henry 8. and in Edw. 6. Litâ—le hopes left againe in Q. Maries dayes Great hopes of her restauration were in Q. Elizabeths dayes Cant. 1.6 But what hindred it Prelates falsly accused it to the Queen They falsely accused and abused the Saints that called for Discipline Papists and Prelates alike in Discipline and in opposing the truth Prelates Mungrels Sim. K. James No Bishop No King Both alike have been from and for the beâ—st and shall be punished with the beast Presbyterians too must lose their Discipline in these dayes Sim. Isa. 8.20 The Law is for us the day will be ours Sim. The heat of their Sun meltâ— their waxen wings Sim. Simile Black Discipline will not be better but bitter till it tumble Church Discipline is best at last Rev. 12.8.13 Exhortation to England Ireland and Scotland Sim. We have been cheated in our Child-hood with Copper and counterfeit Coyne But Christs true Discipline is offered in these dayes with the crown of twelve Starres and cloathed with the Sunne i. e. Christ the Churches Light and Lord. Sim. Sim. The Devil takes up straies Sim. Christ in the Churches their fulnesse Sim. There Law of Love A word and a warning to Ireland Sim. Of Persecutors for forme or judgement Sim. Proph. Persecutors Sampsons Foxes that burne up themselves and benefit us Christ in you and with you Sim. Feare not Isa. 43.3 Sim. Proph. Expos. When the Church was Promised to be delivered out of the Wildernesse The time Iunius Parcus in â—a 1643. The Authors judgement Of her graduall deliverance Expos. Mr. Brightmans Judgement 1650. One thousand six hundred and fifty as to us in England Ireland and Scotland begins her graduall recovery The Authors judgement of her universall deliverance thirty five yeares hence to begin Zach 4.6 7. Two times more set for her deliverance Expos. Proph. From Constantine To begin at Anno 1647. The second time reckoned from Julian the Apostate Proph. Anno 362. To begin An. 1652. Gradually to go on till 45. years longer How Antichrist is to be destroyed Not by worldly weapons But by the spirit killed and Tormentâ—d Our troubles begin to be over An. 1656. Sim. Yet forty yeers on the world whiles we are safe in the Ark viz. Châ—ists Churches Forty yeers hence Christ comes to reign visibly Then the
Israel a separate people So every Saint is a spirituall Jew So are the Disciples of Christ. Sim. Who are therefore haâ—â—d Châ—ists commands 2 Those that partake of her sins partake of her sorrows 3 It publishes disobedience not to be such and a corrupt heart plenis faucibus Quest. Answ. 1 None ought to be without Callings 2 None must separate from their duties 3 Nor to separate from civill â—onverse What it is to separate 1 From all false wayes and worship 2 From familiarity with the adversaries of the truth Sim. Sim. Sim. Have nothing to doe with them Gods anger is against such as do keep company with them Sim. Sim. 3 No fellowship with them in their orders and ordinances out of Christs way Expos. As Paul separated from Iewish Churches Discipline orders and ordinances Vse Parishes have not this part of the Forme Which is twisted up of a threefold cord to draw us out of Parishes into Churches All men are separates from Christ or separates for Châ—ist and which is best Object What Separatists are Schismaticks and what not A sin not to separate from false Antichristian Church-States And parishes as Churches are such Learned men many times most enemies to Christ and his true Churches Sim. Parish-Churches no Churches Churches gathered out of Churches Parish churches are Sathans Synagogues No Parish-rule conveyes a Church-right Sim. Parishioners opposite to Churches Sim. Object Answ. Word preached is no indelible nor undeceivable note of a truâ—â— Church Sim. But a commen adjunct Sacraments must be of right dispensed as Christs Ordinances in Christs order i. e. no where but in the true Church Expos. A word to all friends to submit to Christ. ☞ ☞ Sim. Outward Ordinances out of Christs order may do more hurt then good Sim. Carnall reason keeps many off Church-fellowship Sim. Secondly 2. Part of the forme is after separation from the fals conjunction in the true way Forth with hast into the Churches Else we shall be lost in the wildernesse One reason many Professors formerly strict turne Familists Seekers Ranters and such like In the Answer godly eminent Ministers so accounted must be reproved in the Countries Hag. 1.2.4 The Lord expostulates with them Ministers most complaine who are most the cause of their owne complaines What answers some of them have given the Author when he hath pressed upon them Gospel practise Why many Ministers are against Independency as they call it Expos. Whom the forme is to be showne to What it is 1. One Body 2. One body Independent 1. Christ's Church is his Body how and why All Members make up one and but one body Expos. Sim. If one member be amisse it must be restored into use and order againe for the good of the whole body which cannot misse that one member Sim. That is candidly with all sweetnesse of brotherly-like spirit and christianity Every member is to be in an apt place c of the body Sim. 1 Cor. 12.21.22 and to be content therewith Vide Zanch. de Eccles. 2. Christ his Church is his building Expos. The forme of his building What it is Sim. Rightly ordered to make all one The Lords house fitly framed together Expos. All one in another and every one on and in Christ the foundation v. chap. 14. Expos. 3. Christ's Church is a City compact Sim. All streets houses peoples c. make but one City Saints Citizens Sim. The immunities Priviledges lawes of this City which belong to the Freemen thereof None admitted free-men of this City but by the Citizens consent Expos. Buxtorph and Shâ—indler 4 This Church is his Army All men companies colours Captaines make up one Army 5 Christ's Church is his Kingdome For all Cities Shires countries c. make up but one Kingdome 6 Christs Church called heaven And why All Elements Firmaments Orbes Stars c make but one heaven All Saints in one are so Mr Jacob. Mr. Ursin. Sim. Because they have All one Father All one originall Law All in one Covenant All hewn from one Rock All bear one Image All lay in one womb All of one Seed All lead by one Spirit All called into one hope All one joy All one glory Christ prayed for this onenesse Apostles tooke great paines to preach it Unity and Entity convertibles The beauty and loveliness of Saints embodyed Sim. His Tabernacles amiable His Spouse fair 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such embâ—dâ—ed excel in beauty Informitas materiae duplex vel excludeâ—s formam vel formositatem Th. Aq. 1.66.1 â— Sim. Without form deforme Sim. But in one body their excellency appears In great confusion and disorder till then Sim. But in body in order and proper place Sim. Sim. Till thus embodied they do not their duties one to another Mr. Bartlet The Author abused for him in Dublin Sim. Expos. The soule-sweet issues of such a Gospel-order Priviledges Promises The Lords delight there above all Sim. The united strength of Saints in such Gospel society Vis â—nita fortiâ—â— Such Saints are the surest and the most successefull Souldiers A terrour to the world Expos. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fire proceeds out of the mouthes of Churches to destroy Gog and Magog Expos. By the Spirit of the Lord. Sim. Unity unconquerable Sed informitas infirmitas Sim. Sim. Saints united in one too hard for the whole world Sim. Their joynt powers and joint prayers able to conquâ—r heaven and earth And joynt-praises fill heaven and earth Sim. One member can act by his owne power and by the virtuall power and influence of the whole body Vse Parishes no Churches of Christ in this point of forme For we proved before with the Schoolâ—men Ubi partes non habent rationem materiae ibi totum non habet rationem formae So that they are neither matter nor forme The Devils black cloven foote is set in the midst of them all over England Why Parishes so devoyd of matter form and so full of sinne Expos. In Parishes what plagues arose from their constitution The worse wicked ill-favoured Kine eate up and destroy the others of the Neighbours that are better Exod. 7.12 and errours and sins doe swallow up truths Proph. Aegyptian Plagues must come upon them as in Isa. 10.24 26. Although as yet many like Dan do bite us behind or backbite Many an Adullamite we meet with in Parishes Parishes a Chaos Sim. Sim. Materia informis Expos. Parishes are stalls for beasts to lye down in Sim. Sim. Sim. Parish-Churches have their fatall blow Ezek. 16.36 37 Judg 9.15 The Bramble shall be burnt up in the day that burneth like an oven Mal. 4.1 Sim. Babylon falling Thâ—se that traded with her bewail her Vse A call into Zion into the Churches of Christ. Out of Babylon and Parish Churches Christ beckens to thee ☞ In his Tabernacles and Churches are beauty power his presence safety deliverance pleasure and joyes plenty peace blessednesse salvation all powerfull motives Great hurt to the godly to continue in Parish Churches
Because a volunteer hath the end for which he moves before him Res quae est ratio finis ratio finis Second consideration is from the rule of the will Sim. Which is twofold The Rule which certifies is divine Reason Expos. Volunteers have this Rules to order their will how Expos. Propositum est actus voluntatis deliberata c. ☞ Two Things must be 1 Knowledge 2 Desire ☞ Fourth consideration is From the object of the will which is good Good differs how Expos. ☜ Nam appetibile non movet appetitum nisi in quantum est apprehensum Because of the good in this way of Christ. Sim. The universal good that is God moves the will most Fifâ—h consideration from the operation of the will Because such labour most sweetly for the good Austin God is in us the principle to us the object and the end of all Sixth consideration from the instrumentall causes of this voluntarinesse 1 The word Christs sword and Scepter Expos. Ainsworth Mr. Dell. Luther Without addition of Doctors Fathers Councels ☞ And without the iron weapons of Secular powers Luther What Magistrates may do and what not Dublin Without any other indirect means Hypocrites by that means in abundance And such are all but the Word and Spirit Caution ☜ The Power of the Word The Word is the arm that gathers into the Fold and makes men â—un willingly 2. The Spirit makes willing the inferior instrument Expos. ☞ Christs Spirit known Quest. Answ. Sim. How he convinces it 1. By inlightning 2. By in livening 3. By preparing the way and making paths strait The Spirit carries thorough all calamities clearly Expos. 4 By ratifying In the way of Christ the spirit witnesses On his own knowledge as a witness in a Court. Sim. Expos. The Spirit seals An image of God confirms Sibs Distinguish es betwixt true and false Dr. Sibs Fountain sealed Sets a propriety Sim. Expos. Thus God seals And every Saint seals by the same Spirit 5. By resting on thee in the way Sim. This Dove rests in the Ark no where else The Church is the Ark. The Spirit is but one in all Sim. ☞ The difference betwixt Hypocrites and true Church-Members in the voluntary motions into this Church-state Sim. The Spirit is Gods other arm Till then on men come before called Violence is repugnant to voluntariness How voluntarily 1. Directe Sim. 2. Indirecte Virtus no lentium nulla est Trap in loc Many Intruders Caution Order in the Church 1 Cor. 14.33 Expos. Trap in loâ— Ordinationes in ecclesia faciendae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ordo formae Et materiae Ritual order and decency Left to liberty Luther ☞ Caution This is no sâ—â— form 1 Christians meet together often fiâ—st and why To prepare for the work Expos. Saints not tyed to one Church And secondly â—o give up their names together 3 Keep dayes of humiliation prayer Which habent quatuor 1 Invocationem Dei 2 Commemorationem beneficii Dei 3 Petitionem 4 Et obsâ—â—rationem All which must be 1 In elevatione mentis ad Deum 2 Fiducia impetrandi And unity 4 The day they are embodyed They appear in publike Powerful in prayer Nehem. 9.1 2. Exhortations Order of Christ opâ—ned and proved Account of faith made Experiences of the work of grace A declaration of full sâ—tisfaction from Gods word By the ablest in pâ—blick In his communion of Saints Chap. 17. Few at fiâ—st those that are without exception fittest and ablest Dan. 2. A Covenant Register Prayer And Resolution And Praises The Church admits when she is alone How rashly some embody Sad sign of a breach Expos. The most solemne Oâ—der must accompany the most solemne Ordinance Sim. Dike Why the first day in publike solemnity It is more to conviction Vide chap. 6. p. 98. c. Christ did so Expos. Jude v. 15 It would prevent many scandals Râ—x Plat. Expos. For the honour of the way Sim. Expos. ☜ Much honour is had by publick embodying Act. 2.24 Expos. ☜ Most consonant to Christs Law Expos. And to Christs practise To the way it self Sim. Frith In Fox Act. and Mon. fol. 1927. To stir up others into the way Expos. But see Hookers Survey of Church Discipline 3. part ch 1. Appear theâ— in publike Sim. Sim. Many wonder at this way of the Gospel till they know it ☜ Dublins experience teaches most of these things mentioned 1. The power is in the Body â—o admit Members Expos. Proved Expos. Mr. Perkins Dr. Ames Mr. Fenner It is nor in the Elders to admit Who are servants A warning 1 Cor. 3. * Vix plebi persuadeo ut tales patiantur admitti So Epist 11. Caeteros cumiâ—genti populi suffragio recipimus And cannot admit any 2. The persons admitted Men or Women 1. What must be done before they be admitted Their names to be taken Strict enquiry made of them By such whom the Church appoints therunto What is enough to keep him off of admission Mr. Hooker 2. What is done when they are to be admitted He is called into the Church Prayer first made Their testimony threefold 1. Negatively When none 〈◊〉 object Fenner 2. Affirmative First from others Affirmative Secondly from himself 1 Pet. 3.3 Experiences If weâ—k in utterance what then Ask them questâ—ons easie and according to the ability of the person Leeson of Dublin admitted Her broken yet broken-hearted speech Sim. Mr. Wil. Fenner ☞ Take heed none be put by for a form Mr. Dell. In outward forms and rites Caution Rules 2 Such as are weak are sent to for their inward testimony So was it at Dublin when Mrs. Amee Avery was admitted Receive the right hand of fellowship End with prayer for them and praises Why so strict to have a threefold testimony Mr. Rutherf Mr. Hooker Women may and must speak in the Church Members of other Churches taken in and how ☜ Church must take full satisfaction No baptising again Euseb. Perkins August Object Expos. The baptisme of Christ that he looks on is with the holy Ghost Baptisme of John and Christ differs Our baptisme before was true baptisme true ordâ—nance if not true order For matter and form Sim. Dipped how Not dived nor drowned under water Sprinkled and washed same with dipped The Holy Ghost is powred on us and falls on us as yet not we into it That which is most significant is best Ans. Sim. The latter baptisme dispensed disorderly and without an administrator lawfully called and sent out Anabaptists in Dublin not like the Christians Far differing from them in London The inward Baptisme the efficacy of the outward should satisfie us Dipping is not the fundamental ordinance of Church-fellowship though initiating What is a fundamental Ordinance Robinson Justif. pag. 230. sayes it is an error which some hold that Baptisme constitutes the visible Church Expos. Baptisme of the Spirit by which we enter into Christs body In baptismatâ— flaminis non fluminis 1 They attribute too much to the
Ghost which Water-baptisme could not doe Orig. An. 200. in Rom. but how ever it was to be executed by Christs Spirit 2 The command is Teach them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make them my schollars now little ones as well as great ones Infants as well as growne ones may be his schollars in his school to learne for a little childe that knowes not a letter in the book is a schollar as well as others that do so not onely the lowest boughes but the uppermost and least twigs partake of the nature of the root But What do they infer 1 That none must be admitted but such as are baptized we say so too but we deny they must be rebaptized And whereas they instance in the Apostles practise they would doe well to cleare up the difference of old betwixt adulti and catechumeni for qui bene distinguit bene docet otherwise they will but lead about the blinde and leave them in the ditch in darknesse 2 They say this is that fundamental Ordinance by which we put on Christ. Ans. To call the watry part of baptisme viz. in abstracto I say the element the fundamental Ordinance by which wee put on Christ and are ingrafted into Christ and planted into his death c. is to make no lesse if not more then an Idol of it and so it is to attribute to Dipping what is onely attributed to Christ himselfe for what is Idolatry but exhibere cultum Dei honorem Christi creaturae Th. Aq. 22. q. 94.10 to give the worship and service of God the glory and honour of Christ to a contemptible poore creature Is not this to say Lo here is Christ but beleeve them not O sad sad sinne of this age that Professors should fall down so to this Image which they imagine must doe all for them without which no salvation Were ever the Pontificians or Prelates more uncharitably rigid for it to Idolize it on Infants then they are to Idolize it on grown ones that then presently they are accounted Saints Beleevers Christians ingrafted into Christ c. as if Dipping did all Alas a day what could the Pool of Bethesda doe till the Spirit moved the waters there was no healing O this soule-dangerous and dreadfull glorifying the forme Idolatry is gravissimum peccatorum say the Schoolmen and makes the shortest cut to confusion The Lord help poor Ireland still the land of Idols and Ire 3 They say the Jewes might as well have admitted uncircumcised ones as they uâ— to have communion with them O charity where art thou that thou shouldest live longest and strongest of all O unchristian and uncomfortable tenet For 1 Their non-communion with such was by the command of God but yours is not with us 2 Jewish Church was national ours not 3 Jewish worship was in the forme but ours in Spirit and Truth 4 Jewish eating the Passeover was typical 5 Circumcised ones after the flesh was enough with Jewes but it is not with us 6 We have been baptized as you put it in the room of circumcision and more answerably unto it then you 7 The case being altered as it is now we finde that Jews and Gentiles circumcised and uncircumcised had sweet communion together Act. 15.5 Gal. 2.3.7 12. 1 Cor. 12.13 in severall Churches so that the outward forme was left to liberty Rom. 14.2.5 as a thing of nothing Gal. 6.15 as it is nâ—w to be 8 Their end and their beginning they make one viz. Dipping i. e. their all in all and indeed very indiscreetly and disorderly they lay that downe for the end which is the Rule by which they are brought into fellowship so that it is like enough Logicke is the language of the Beast to them that know not how to define Church fellowship Lastly Because I want room to write more They conclude that because of their great disobedience in joyning with us they must make amends by casting all of us that would not be dipped out of Church-fellowship for old leaven and accordingly the members of them sent from Mr. Patient with those of them that walked with us consulted often together conspired and plotted and laid snares in designes to break us in peeces but when that would not be they bruited abroad scurrilous and scandalous reports of many of us to represent us wicked and unworthy to the world and others after that they thought to have excommunicated us for old leaven but the Lord would not suffer it so that their plots and designs brought forth nothing but wind which became a blast to themselves at last But whereas they say they may as well admit all manner of wicked men as one that wil not be dipped do but observe their spirit in deifying Dipping and in vilifying the Spirit that without this though we be under Spirit-baptisme we must not have so much mercy shewn to us as to partake of Church-Priviledges is this doctrine of Christ or the Devil but I pray mark their ground for you may say they as well admit one that will not partake of the Lords Supper c. Ans. Suppose one should be admitted that were unsatisfied therein were that a sinne But Secondly we deny this their haire-brained assertion for that there is positive command for the Lords Supper Preaching Almes c. and so there is not for Dipping but all the Scripture is against Re-baptising as being but the Idol of the Braine and a brat that must be dashed a peeces Psal. 137.9 * The next thing to this Commission with their several forced and unworthy Inferences In the fifth place they would faine insinuate a necessity of Dipping out of Ephes. 4.4 5. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace he saith not the union of the Forme but of the Spirit which is preserved not by outward formes but by inward principles Then follows Verse 4.5 One Faith one Bapâ—isme c. all these must be to make up the Vnity of the Spirit and it is true that they all must owne one and the same Baptisme but what is that I pray not dipping but Christs Baptisme Matth. 3.11 We are all mark all Jewes and Gentiles before and since the Law before and since Christ all Saints of all ages members of one Body viz. the Church of Christ mystical and all this by one Baptisme 1 Cor. 12 13. For by one Spirit we are All baptised into one Body Now this cannot be as by this Letter they would faine have us beleeve by water for so all Saints in all Ages were not so baptized into one Body or Church for before the Law this was not the fundamental point which these men say we must hold so that they peel but the barke of the tree and the Goars may doe so but we feed upon the sap and substance This is a principle of spirituall union viz. the baptisme of the Spirit which all Saints of all judgements must doe and have enjoyed for the life remains