opposed and imprisoned and banished and if hang'd it were good enough for them and if they were even cut off that troubled the Presbyterians it were but righteous in their account So little of the Spirit of God appeared in them and so little Love had they to all that differed from them and so ill thoughts did they harbour of them And on the other hand it hath been a frequent thing for the Baptised the Quakers and Independants to judge the Presbyterians to be Antichristian and to be in Babylon in an Antichristian Way as being such as the Lord would never own And yet it is to be hoped that by this time they are convinced on all hands in a good measure that they did eâ—e in so judging and speaking one of another For the Baptised People and the rest do now see that there is a spirit of Integrity and of the true Fear of the Lord among them that are called Presbyterians and that they cannot by the Temptations of this World nor yet by the Threats of it be drawn to comply with things against their Light to keep their Beâ—â—â—ces as they judged they would for many of those that had hard thoughts of the Presbyterians judged that those that were Preachers among the Presbyterians preached onely for Hire and for Reward and that if their far Benefices were taken away their work would be ended But they do now see that it is not so but that they can and do preach though there be no Tythes nor Rates put into their mouths and that they can be content as weâ—l as Independant and Baptised Preachers and Quakers to do their Lords Work and trust him to engage the Hearts of their Hearers to administer to them supplies for their Livelihoods And though it be not so much as formerly yet it may be it doth them more good and is more comfortable to them then their former Incomes were that were by Tythes c. And it may be seen also that those Impositions that came from Rome even from the Babylonian Crew are not submitted to by the Presbyterians but that they desire such a Reformation in all things as is most agreeable to the Word of God and not according to the Decrees Canons and Constitutions of Men. I say these things the Baptised Independants and Quakers can now see in the Presbyterians and can bless the Lord for it Again on the other hand The Presbyterians do now see that it is not a great Error for the Lords People to meet in private Houses thereto worship God and preach and hear the Word as the Primitive Saints did seeing that liberty of Worshiping God accoâ—ding to the Enlightâ—ings of their Understandings and Consciences is not to be had in the Parish Steeplehouses which some do call Churches And by this time they are all convinced that they all believe in and worship one God the Father of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and that they are all made Partakeâ—s of the same Spirit â— Cor. 8. 6. of Truth that dispenseth his Gifts and Graces and Teachings to them all variously dispensing to every one severally as he will and that his Wind bloweth where it listeth John 3. 8. And they can rejoyce in the Grace of God that is dispensed to them all inabling them or any particular person of them to bear witness unto the Truth Some by suffering Imprisonments or Confiscations and deprivements of outward things or Banishments or Death And they can all rejoyce in that Christ is exalted by any who do preach up and witness to this Truth That Jesus Christ is the onely Lawgiver in his Church and the onely â—ph 1. 22. Isa 33. 22 Ezek. 43. 8. Rom. 14 -5 King and Head of his Church and that his Laws and Rules onely are to be obeyed and practised in his Church and that no men ought to set up their posts by his Posts and that every Servant of the Lord ought to worship him so as they are perswaded in theiâ— own mind is most agreeable to his Word and his Rules and not according to the Understandings and Prescriptions of others but according to that direction Rom. 14. 15 23. Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind Perswaded of what Even that the Way in which he worships God is according to his Word and Laws and not according to the Words and Laws of men as knowing that whatsoever is not of Faith is sin And they all can rejoyce in this That that one Spirit in them all preâ—seth all to Holiness and Purity of Heart and Life so that out of doubt theâ—e are many of all these that now can lie down at the Feet one of another to do one another good though in some things they diffeâ— in their Understandings as much now as ever they did And they have now lâ—arned to be more afraid of Judging and Censuring and Condemning one another lest they shoulâ— be judged of Christ for so doing But though we may hope that it is thus now with many of the Lords People yet it is most undeniable that the generality of the Lords People have greatly sinned against him in their sinful Deportments one towards another â— Tim. 6. 4 in â—aking up evil surmises one of another and endeavouring to compel one another to their own Understandings and also manifesting such an unworthy spirit as that if any one party had prevailed to have absoluâ—e Dominion over all the rest it was more then pâ—obable they would have used some severity to conâ—â—â—ain the rest to conâ—orm to their Understandings This was known to be that which the Presbyterians did greatly seek for And it was too manifest by the words and actions of the Baptised Quakers and Independants thaâ— they would have gone far in the same Path †Though not to that height as the Presbyterians desired to do which was a very unworthy disposition in whomsoever it was for if it be a very grievous thiâ—g a veâ—y injurious thing for any to compel the Presbyterians to do that which is against their Conscâ—ences in the Worship of God it is the same in any other But this hath greatly displeased the Lord that any should be compelled and constrained to do any thing in his Service or Woâ—ship which they saw not his Word and Rule for He is thy Lord and worship thou him He is not thy Lord if thou observe Psal 45. 11. Mat. 15. 9. not his Rules and his Commands and Directions but the Commands and the Rules of Men. In vain do ye worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of men But in that the Lords People have a Disposion to impose their own Understandings one upon another and in that though they have not had that full power so to do which they desiâ—ed yet have they manifested a persecuting spirit one against another meerly and onely for differences in Understanding by reproachful speeches which they have given
of thy Children for thy great end in chastising thy Children is to make them partakers of thy Holinesse And O Righteous Father be pleased therefore if I yet see not mine own particular Iniquities to shew them me either by this published Declaration of the Transgressions of thy People or by any other means thou pleasest and leave me not until thou hast accomplished thy great designs upon my Spirit and grant the same Grace unto all thy People in general and leave us not until Sion become the Praise of the whole Earth I say not doubting but that such as these will be the Supplications of the many thousands of Israel that are Israelites indeed I shall leave Ingenious Reader the following Discourse unto thy most serious and most diligent consideration as that which eminently and evidently concerns thy Peace in this thy Day And the God of Israel shower down his Holy Spirit upon thee and upon whole Sion in an abundant manner and measure To the Praise of his most Blessed and most Glorious Name Amen April 30. 1667. Holy David the Man that was after Gods * own heart said My 1 Sam 13 14. Psal 119. 129. †flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy Judgements And Proverbs 28. 14. It is said Happy is the man that feareth alway But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief And now even NOW in an especial manner what great reason have we to be afraid because of Gods Judgements Considering what dreadful judgements have already come upon us in these Nations and what terrible and astonishing Judgements seem to be hanging over our heads but as it were by a fine spun thread and may come suddenly with dreadful thunderings down upon us so as none may be able to resist It therefore greatly concerns all Persons vvhatsoever to be afraid of nourishing any Evils vvhatsoever in their bosoms lest they prove as so much Gunpovvder vvithin them that vvhen the fiery Indignation comes dovvn upon them may tear †Psal 50 22. them in pieces and there be none to deliver them But it is a sad sign when persons are grown Preaching Proof and Printing Proof and Judgement Proof A gracious Soul when it hears a convincing Sermon desires as those Acts 13. 42. that those words may be Preached to them again the next Saboth or wishes they might have it in Writing or have it in Print or if they meet with persons that deal plainly with them they desire more of that kindness from them But hardened Souls care little for such company and regard not any reproofs Prov. 13. 1. A Scorner heareth not rebuke Prov. 12. 1. Who so loveth Instruction loveth Knowledge but he that hateth reproof is bruitish Prov. 1. 20 23. Wisdom cryeth without she uttereth her Voice in the Streets Turn you at my reproof Behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my Words unto you ERRATA REaders though there be some small Errors in the Printing that have escaped the Press by reason of the Authors being some time absent yet there is but one considerable word which you are desired to amend with you Pen it is page 78. line 29. where for unreasonableness write unanswerableness A Voice lifted up like a Trumpet With a Loud and Full Sound Declaring without Flattery or Partiality to all that fear and love the Lord small and great in England Scotland and Ireland that truly are of the House of Jacob whether they are Presbyterians so called by way of distinction or Independants Anabaptists or Quakers or any other that pretend to have Interest in or Relation to the Lord JESUS CHRIST what their Sins are To the end they may wash their Hearts from Wickedness that they may be saved Beloved and honoured if You fear the Lord Ps 15. 4. THe Lion hath roared who will not fear The great and Amos 3 8 glorious Lord of Heaven and Earth hath discovered his great displeasure against us who will not tremble Our Num. 12. 14. Amos 3. 8 Isa 58. 1. Father hath spit in our Faces should we not be ashamed The Lord God hath spoken who can but prophesie The Lord hath said to his Prophet Cry aloud spare not lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet and shew my People their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins O House of Jacob come ye and let us walk in the light of Isa 2. 5. 2 Chron. 20 20. the Lord Believe in the Lord your God so shall you be established believe his Prophets so shâ—ll you prosper Believe all the words of the Lord all the words of Truth and of the Prophets of the Lord that are written in this Book shewing you YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS discovering YOUR SINS which if you hide you shall not prosper but if you confess and forsake you Prov. 28. 13. shall surely find mercy and be establisâ—ed Your Sins O House of Jacob have been manifold and great you have been great Sinners and you have greatly given occasion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme and you have greatly provoked the Eyes of his Glory And O House of Jacob that your Sins have been very great is clear by that Voice of the Lord by his Prophet Isa 42. 24 25. Who gave Jacob to the spoil and Israel to the robbers Did not the Lord he against whom we have sinned For they would not walk in his ways neither were they obedient unto his Law therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger and the strength of battel and it hath set him on fiâ—e round about yet he knew it not and it burned him yet he laid it not to heart Did the Prophet Isaiah prophesie and declare this for the People of the Lord that were in his own time or days onely Doth not this Prophecy concern all the House of Jacob in all times to whom it may be as fully applicable as unto them Was it not written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the World are come If so then O House of Jacob KNOW YE that the Lord against whom you have sinned hath given his Jacob to the spoil and his Israel to the Robbers and it is of the Lord you are given to them For your sins you are a People Isa 42. 22 robbed and spoiled and snared in holes and hid in Prison-Houses and ye are for a prey and none delivereth and for a spoil and none saith Restore And he hath poured upon you the fury of his anger and the strength of battel and added to this that sore Judgement of the Pestilence that walketh in darkness and the Destruction that wasteth at noon day Because ye would not walk in his ways neither were obedient to his Law But if you should say We have walked in his Ways and we have been obedient Isa 42. 24 unto his Law in some measure We have frequented the Assemblies of his Saints we have gone to the
Spirit in whom any sin did appear or any carriage or conversation not becoming the Gospel according to the Rules laid down in the blessed Word of Truth both in the Law and Gospel as Lev. 19. 17. Mat. 8. 15 16. Gal. 6. 1. 6. That great Duty of a constant frequenting the Assemblies of the Saints and the practise of the publick Ordinances of Christ which he taught all his Constant and diligent attending the Assemblies of Saints publickly to worship the Lord. 1 Pet. 4. 14 Disciples to observe wherein there is a more publick owning and honouring the Lord in the Eyes of all the World Which well becomes the Saints diligently and solemnly to attend whatever Persecution they suffer for it for happy are they if they suffer for well doing the Spirit of God and of Glory reâ—leth upon them which was the blessed Practice of the Saints of old as Psal 22 22. 107. 32. 149. 1. 122. 1 2. 27. 4. Heb. 10. 25. 1 Cor. 11. 18. 14. 23. 1 Cor. 5. 4. Now I say That there hath been a very great Omission of all these great Duties by the generality of Professors is too well known to themselves and others But I may not spare to tell them of it more particularly and to sâ—ew them tâ—e hainousness of those Sins As first That great Duty of solemn and constant Prayer in Families being neglected is to be charged upon many even of the Baptized Congregations whose looseness therein hath been very lamentable and not onely the people but some of the Elders and Teachers of those people also have greatly offended in this thing and whatsoever their zeal hath been in other things and in things never so excellent yet in this they have been a shame and a dishonour to the high profession of the Gospel which they have made my Soul is grieved to think of it It having proceeded meerly from a careless carnal sluggish frame of Spirit not from Opinion or Judgement that it ought to be so or that it were against a Rule to pray and praise the Lord in their Families or to exhort or instruct their Families though that were very bad in them if they did it from Opinion but it hath not been so for sometimes they have been practising that duty in their Families at their own leisure and when their own turns were served O sinful people that have thus provoked the Lord to perform duties to God either not at all all the day long or else when it s done sleeping by most present bringing the blind the halt to the Lord and as these so more private and Closet performances have been very rare and seldom as those that have lived in their Families and observed their looseness and remisness can witness and their own Consciences will testifie to their faces And as the Professors of the Baptized Churches so those of the Independant and Presbyterian understandings many of them have been as guiâ—ty of the omission or slight or seldom performances of these duties as they But for the people that are termed Quakers by way of distinction from oâ—hers they have been wretchedly guilty of the omission of these Family and Closet Duties it being their general way never to pray in their Families though many of their Families have been made up of all such as have been called Quakets all such as have approved one of another and could have no pretence why they should not joyn together in Prayer and praises why they should not worship the Lord together in their Families as well as in the greater Congregations but onely a careless carnal vain heart that is the occasion of the remisness of all Professors that are remiss in this Duty But they have a pretence that they may not pray but when they have a strong impulse of Spirit thereunto and if that be the case and that People may not pray that they may be quickened by the quickening Spirit nor pray for more of the Spirit when they have but a little very little in them then why do they pray at all in their Meetings or joyn in Prayer with those that do But it may be those that pray not all the week before in their Families will pray when they come to a Meeting And had not the devil a great design in hindring all sorts of Professors from Prayer they would not so easily upon such slight and insufficient grounds be hindred from Prayer as they generally are But that subtile Adversary knoweth that their Hearts shall live that seek the Lord and that there are no Souls so thâ—iving as the truly spiritual praying Souls that are most in Prayer and Supplication day and Ps 22. 26. 69. 32. night which none are whatever they pretend but those that spend much time therein both in their Families where they fear the Lord and in their Closets When thou prayest retire thy self set time apart for that purpose enter into thy Closet and pray to thy Father in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly But some may say I may pray in Mat. 6 6. secret when I neither enter into my Closet nor none in my House observeth me But let me tell such That if they be observed as they may be when they little think of it to spend their day from morning to night in being implunged in some worldly business or other or to be in company with some or other talking of this or that News or this and that Trade or business or eating and drinking and walking and talking and so fill up their whole day and no time set apart nor no retirement or being retired from the world and the affairs thereof they are sorry Prayers that such make Our dear Lord went into Desarts and Mountains to pray set time apart for that great and solemn Work and frequently continued all night in Prayer to God It was not a little and slight setting apart of time And therefore let not any dare to deceive and delude themselves and others with deceitful pretences But I have a little digrest though necessarily from my work in hand to show the Lords People their Transgressions But I must proceed to shew his People among the Quakers that this hath been their great Sin that they have been very grosly and in higher degrees then others guilty of the omission of these holy Duties of Family and Closet-Praying and Praising and Worshipping the Lord which is of so great concernment to the increase of all spiritual Grace and that is the reason that they grow so little but are come to a stint and do not adde to their Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowlenge c. but in the posture they were seven years ago they are still many of them and are rather declined in the purity of their conversations though they stick to their shells and outsides of needless words and gestures in the which there is no savour to
Who art thou that judgest another mans servant For to his own Master he standeth or falleth yea he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand Yet they have taken upon them to be Judges of the Spirits and Ways of the Lords Servants in that wherein they have differed from them and have taken upon them some of them to censure one another to be the Devils Servants But herein viz. in censuring one another for things in dispute among them have the Servants of the Lord boldly violated these blessed Rules given us by our Lord Christ himself and by his Spirit in Paul and have peremptorily taken upon them to judge the Servants of their Lord who takes it as a high indignity offered to himself that any poor Worm of the Children of Men who must all appear before the â—udgment Seat of Christ and every one give an account of himself to God should take upon them to judge before the time they have given an account of themselves For what poor dark ignorant foolish insufficient Creatures are we to do that before the time that Christ both died and rose and revived that he might obtain viz. To be Lord and Judge of all both Quick and Dead Can we search the Heart and try the Reins Can we say we are of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord and are able to Isa 1â— 3. judge not after the sight of the Eye neither reprove after the hearing of the Ears but with Righteousness c. How presumptuous are they then that judge their Lords Servants How gross an affront do they offer him in it Will they say that such and such an one that differs from them is in such an Error as is the path of Destruction when it is said He shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand stand firmly upon the Rock of Ages though he differ from them in many particulars How greatly therefore doth it concern us with blessed Paul to say Let us not therefore judge one another any more Seeing this Precept is so often inculcated in the blessed Scriptures of truth the Wisdom of God fore-seeing our aptness to sin against Christ herein Though we have sinned gâ—ievously against him in so doing in time past yet henceforth let us not judge one another any more But further Let it be known to the House of Jacob That they have rebelled against the Lord Christ in that though he say This is my Commandment That ye love one another that ye may be thereby known to be my Disciples and Let Brotherly Love continue and Be kindly affectioned one to another with Brotherly Love And though this Precept be also in many more Scriptures again and again inculcated yet they have not loved one another but they have been very unkind one towards another and have had many heart-risings one against another and they have not in hoâ—our preferred one another but slighted and despised one another and spoken reproachfully one of another And though the Spirit of Christ in Paul hath said Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind yet they have been ready to â—ompel men to their understandings whether they have been perswaded in their own minds or not And though it is said in the Scriptures of Truth That whatever is not of Faith is Sin yet they have been ready to constrain others to conform to their way whether they have had Faith to believe it is the Lords mind or not And though our Lord say Why beholdest thou the moâ—e that is in thy Brothers Eye and considerest not the Beam that is in thine own Eye Yet they have been Eagle-ey'd to behold the mote that â—s is in some oâ—heâ—s which it may be hath been real Errors in them and it may be not but have not considered the great Beam of Errors and Miscarriages that are in themselves which may have been as much greater then the miscarriages of otheâ—s as a Beam is greater then a Mote And thus the Lords People have manifested a very great disobedience unto aâ—l the blessed Instructions of the Spirit of Châ—ist of this kind And of tâ—is very many both of the Baptised Churches the Presbyterians the Independants and Quakers have been very guilty as is too well known The Lord make all his People sensible of it and set them all unanimously a waiting and a praying that all the Lords People may have a pure Language turned to them that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to â—erve him with one * Or â—houlder consent All the mists and darkness that came from the bottomless Pit that are yer among them being dispâ—lled by the clear Light of the Gospel shining more and more unto the perfect Day And in the mean time loving and approving whatsoever good thing they see one in another and rejoycing in the Grace of God communicated unto any Soul whatsoever though they differ in many things from those that see it No more hating or despising but pitying and compassionating one another in any thing that they judge is Darkness or Error And being desirous more to have their Eyes upon the lovely part one of another then upon the naked part but covering that with the Garmeâ—t of Love for Love is not willing to entertain any evil thoughts of those it loves Love delights to look upon the lovely parts of the Saints very much but to hide and cover from its Eye that which is uncomely at least so far as not to condemn them and to conclude them none of the Lords No Love will not think such evil thoughts but still hopeth well and judgeth well of the Persons though not of the Infirmities or Evils And though it rejoyces not in Iniquity but pities and compassionates the Soâ—ls in whom any Iniquity is founâ— yet it rejoyceth in the Truth and in all that walk in the Truth notwithstanding the weaknesses that may be in any of them So let henceforth all the Disciples of Christ demean themselves one to another Amen VIII Another great Evil in very many of the Lords People is the Sin VIII â—egâ—ect â— Mediâ—on on â—e Word â—ard of the neglect of a due and constant setting apart time to call to mind the Word of the Lord after they have heard it And this may be aptly and fitly called The Sin of Indigestion or of NOT CHEWING THE CUD The general coldness of Love to God by reason as hath been said of other Lovers interposing haâ—ing been such as they have so little and do so little â—egard his Word as that some persons do not afford any pains or time to recollect what they hear sometimes not once in a month nor sometimes once in a quarter of a year But they go to hear the Word for customs sake and to pacifie Conscience aâ—d content themselves with â—aâ—e so doing not considering that the Apostle â—aies That he that is not a forgetful Hearer but a James 1
and injuriousness For these praâ—lers and taâ—lers do either speak something they have heard from other tatlers or tale-bearers or something which they conjecture or imagine from such and such circumstances or from seeming grounds or from mistakes or misâ—pprehensâ—ons which they have in themselves or have â—eceived from others in which they think they have very strong grounds for what they repoâ—t All which being examined may be no grounds for such reports And so in all these things the Talebearer that â—peaks any thing that tends to the defaming of a person not present is oftentimes a great lyar and slanderer and is very unrighteous and unjust and is a sower of discord and is very injurious for it is very frequent for persons that tell tales or reports of things which they have heard from others to make additions and alterations either through badness of memory or delight in many words or both for some cannot remember things exactly and they speak at â—andom and others love many words and have a faculty to stretch things beyond what they are and most are subject to mistake words and when one word is taken for another or a sentence is taken to have another meaning then was intended it much alters the caâ—e and on these accounts many mâ—schiefs and evils have attended this kind of Talebearing also when persons out of a desire to praâ—tle and for want of better discourse do take that sinful liberty to speak things which tend to the defaming and undervaluing of others wherein they have been guilty of much evil and have greatly wronged their own Souls And so also when through a disposition to vaunt and boast and â—ender â— mans self to be excelling in Parts or in Virtue or Zeal or Courage c. and to render another more mean or low and despicable or unworthy and to lessen the esleem that others have of them or of any work or worth of tâ—eirs herein also such a Backbiter is many times a haiâ—ous and grievous sinner in the forementioned particulars and doth prove to be also a proud boaster and evil doer in a high degree And by this time it doth in part appear that the sin of Backbiting is a hainous crime and it is no wonder that it is ranked amongst the worst of sins But Thirdly As the Scripture declares the sin of Talebearing to be against the express command of the Lord and as it ranks it amongst the woâ—st of sins So thirdly The Scriptures declare the words of Talebearers to be as wounds and as the bitings of a Serpent as Prov. 18. 8. The words of a Tale-bearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the Belly and Eccles 10. 11. Surely the Serpent will bite without inchantment and a Babler is no better And how unworthy a thing is it for the Servants of our Lord Jesus Christ to wound one another and to bite one another like the bitings of a Serpent And how greatly unbecoming the Gospel that requires such great degrees of love to brethâ—en Our Lord Christ gives this as the great Character whereby all men may know who are his Disciples viz. Their love one to another By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have John 13. 35. 1 John 3. 14. love one to another And the beloved Apostle John declares that this is the great evidence which Saints have in their own Souls that they are passed from Death to Life because they love the Brethren Now when a man doth wound and cut his Brother yea wound and gash his very inward parts as the Scripture declares that the words of a Tale-bearer do and when a man bites his brother like the bitings of a Serpent as the Scripture sayes the words of a Tale-bearer are no better I say When a man doth thus wound and bite his Brother What proof doth he give to others of his being a Disciple of Christ Or what comfortable evidence can he have in his own Soul that he is passed from Death to Life And yet these are the hateful and odious qualities of a Tale-bearer as the Scripture declares them And Fourthly The Scripture declares that a Whisperer or Tale-bearer is one that maketh divisions among Brethren as Prov. 16. 18. A Whisperer separateth chief Friends It is a very blessed thing for men and women to be alwayes studying and striving to be Peace-makers when there is any contention among Brethren Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called Mat. 5. 9. the Children of God God is stiled the God of Peace and the Peace-makers shall be called his Children it is a mark of a Child of God that is a Peace-maker And great are the blessings that attend Brethrens dwelling together in Peace in Love having dear and true and cordial affections one toward another And as Peter phrases it having love unfeigned and loving one another with a pure heart fervently And assuredly some of the Lords Servants do so love one another they are very dear one to another beholding 1 Pet. 1. 32. the Image of the Lord Christ one in another they are very lovely one in anothers Eye and the trouble or grief that comes upon one cuts the heart of another and the joy of one is the joy and comfort of another and so they dwell together in unity having one heart in dear love one to another and this may be though in some things they may differ in their judgements Now where this dwelling together in amity and unity is the Scripture declares it to be a very lovely and a very pleasant thing and tells us that there the Lord commands the Blessing even life for evermore and such are surely passed from Death to Life Psâ—â— 133 1 2 3. But a Whisperer doth that contrary that sinful that hateful work that tends to separating of chief Friends not onely of common and ordinary Friends but such as were chief Friends such as had a preference more then ordinary in the hearts and affections one of another And this hath commonly been done by Tale-bearers For the words of Tale-bearers which they have spoken behind a mans back have sometimes had such a deep influence upon the minds of men as to race a friend out of the affections that before was very dear to them and thence hath come an estrangedness and distance which hath never been made up And this hath been many times when there hath been no cause at all for it if all things had been examined in a sober Spirit face to face But the Tale-bearers words having been received and taken for truths without examination they have made a great distance between those that were before intimate Friends Fifthly The Scriptures declare that a Tale-bearer revealeth secret which is an unworthy thing in any for there are things which ought to be kept secret if we love the wellfare or the peace or the credit one of another and being concealed and kept
thorowly effectual to that blessed desired and longed-for end Now from the whole Premises these following Positions may be clearly laid down First That those Professors of the fear of the Lord that have been so polluted Position I as is declared and that do continue in those Evils whether of Commission or Omission are very unworthy and very unmeet to be accounted Members of his House and though they may be at present Members of several Congregations yet they are such as shall be cut off from the City of the Lord if they repent not when he shall come thorowly to puâ—ge his Mat. 3. 11. Floor and gather his Wheat into his Garner Secondly That is the great duty of those that are gifted and gracious spirited Position II men and men that have obtained mercy to be faithfull that are in the several Congregations and Societies of them that profess the fear of the Lord whether they are Officers among them or †For some Officers may be â—â— guilty of these Evils as some others any others that are so qual fied to do these three things First To promote and press with all earnesâ—ness and â—ervency of Spirit the work of unseigned Humiliation before the Lord and of true Repentance for all or any of these Evils that are found among any of them all yea to be lying at the Feet of the Lord continually and to give him no resâ— until he pour our such a poâ—tion of his Spirit upon them as may truly â—nable them to be ashamed of all the Evils they have done and to loath themselves in Truth for all their abominations I say To give the Lord no rest until Duty I he do these things for them and not to content themselves with keeping a day of Fasting and to think when that is done all is well but to be impoâ—tunate seckers of the Lord for such a truly broken and penitenâ— Spiâ—it as God will not despise that they may be truly as it is â—aiâ— Ezek. 7. 16. of them that shall escape from the Sword without and thâ—â—â—estilence and Famine within like Doves of the Valâ—eys 〈◊〉 of them 〈◊〉 every one for his Iniquity even for his and her partâ—cular Inâ—quiâ—y most especially and also for all the abomiâ—ations of others also that they may have that special Mark chap. 9. 4. And Secondly It is the Duty also of such faithful Serâ—ants of the Lord Duty II in the several Congregations to declare unto the Members of each Society that are guilty of such Evils and live in them That they ought not to be admitted to be paâ—takeâ—s of the great Ordinance of the Lords Supper unless they repent so as to reform and thorowly amend their wayes it being a very dangerous thing to approach to the Table of the Lord in these pollutions and deformities and not having on their beautiful Garments viz. The Royal Robes of Righâ—eousness the Blessed Ornament of a meek and Isa 51. 10 1 Pet. 3. 4 1 Pet. 5. 5 Rev. 15. Psal 45. quiet Spirit and the precious cloathing of Humility even all those white Robes and Golden Girdles and Cloathings of Wrought Gold that do signifie all the Fruits and gracious Operations of the Holy Spirit And that it is dangerous appears 1 Cor. 11. 26 27 to 30. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords Death until he come Wherefore whosoever shall eat this Bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eâ—teth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords Body For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many are fallen asleep Where it is clear that it is a very dangerous thing for a man to draw near to the Table of the Lord without examination of himself whether there be any iniquity that he lives in whether he be a Vestâ—â— on whom holiness to the Lord is visibly written or not It is very dangerous to rush unto the Table of the Lord without any fear or dread of coming unworthily not considering that such as have so done are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and that such as have so done have for this cause been sick and weak and have fallen asleep And it is most certain That It is a dangerous thing to come to that Table without the Spirit of Love that ingages the Soul to true and uâ—feigned love to all Saints as Members of the same Body so as to communicate freely and liberally as God hath blessed as to Members of our own Body not like a Churâ— It is a dangerous thing to come to that Table with hearts full of Adultery Mystical Adultery hearts given up unto other Lovers and not to the Lord. It is dangerous coming to that Table with froward hearts contentious spirits having any heart rising against any person or persons Or which is somwhat less It is a dangerous thing to come to that Table with slightings of any others that are members of Christ as truly as we for the Corinthians coming together and some having a fulness of outward things did eat and drink when others that were poor in this world had not and were hungry The Apostle calls these Actions in them that were full a despising of the Church of God the poor Members aâ— truly making up the Church of God as those that were rich and a shaming of them that have not The poorer sort it may be seeing their fulness having their Bottles of Wine and costly Cakes and dainty Viands being made ashamed that had it not Now their thus â—lighting the poor which Evil James also reproves as hath been shewed and shaming of them in that particular is the sin the Apostle here reproves and advises them rather to eat and drink in their own Houses then They it may be would tarry for the rich to grieve and shame the Poor and not to slight the Poor but to tarry one for another for sayes he verses 20 21. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper for in eating every one taketh before another his own Supper and one is hunâ—ry and another is drunken that is Hath drunk sufficiently and fed sufficiently And vers 33 34. Wherefore my Brethren when ye come together to eat tarry one for another and if any man hunger let him eat at Home that ye come not together unto condemnation It is a dangerous thing to come to that Table with a proud Heart Psal 101. 5. Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer Such shall not be welcome to his Table In a word He that is guilty of and continueth in any Evil whether of Omission or Commission whether of the Evils that have been declared