the elect and beloved of God that know one another and in the Judgement of charity account one another such might love one another as brethren and that with a pure heart fervently See my ground for this 1 Pet. 1.22 2. That all that are in truth in the light might so walke in the light as to have fellowship one with another So as the blood of Jesus Christ might cleanse us from all sin See my ground for this 1 John 1.7 And the rather because that if we say that we have fellowship with God and walke in darknesse we lye and doe not the truth See vers 6 And if we walke in the light we have fellowship one with another c. So that we cannot demonstrate that we have fellowship with God and the Lord Jeâ—us Christ unlesse we also have fellowship one with another And therefore cannot say with the Apostle to wit And truly our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ See ver 3. Neither can we demonstrate that we are in the light nor that we love God unlesse we also love the brethren See Chap. 2 9 10 11. and Chap. 4.20 He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darknesse and walketh in darknesse and knoweth not whither he goeth And if a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen From which it appeareth that it is for want either of light or love or rather both if we have not fellowship one with another So that we cannot demonstrate that we are in the light nor that we love God nor that we love our brethren nor that God loveth us nor that we keep his commandements unlesse we so love our brethren as to have fellowship with them For this is his commandâ—ment that we love one another and that even so as Christ hath loved us for this is the manner and measure required as I shall further make to appear from the Law and Testimony 1. From the command of God Lev. 19.18 thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people but then shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe 2. It is also the command of our Lord Jesus Christ Mat. 22.19 Luke 10.27 28. where the command is expressed This doe and thou shalt live John 15.17 This I command you that ye love one another 3. And the measure of this love which is here commanded is not a sparing or scant measure But this is my commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you See ver 12. And see also John 13 34. A new commandement I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another From which it evidently appeareth that though this commandement is but the same in substance which was from the beginning Yet in this respect it is new and held forth to us under that notion in regard it is backed with such an example to wit the example of Christ who in his own person hath exemplified it to us and commandeth us to follow his steps and to love one another as he hath loved us binding us hereby to his example in what we are able and to make it all our marke to aime at as the marke of the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus So that in respect of the measure of our love we ought not to be content with any lesser attainement then to love one another as Christ hath loved us 4. It is also the message that we have heard from the beginning that we should love one another See 1 John 3 11. And this is his commandement that we should beleeve on the name of his son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandement 5. It is like unto that first and great commandement to wit Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy minde See Mat. 23.37 38 39 40. Deut. 6.5 6 7 8 9 c. For upon these two commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets 6. The end of the commandement is lâ—ve out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfained See 1 Tim. 1.5 From which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain janglings See ver 6. yea and that in these very dayes of ours 7. We are exhorted seriously to see that we love one another with a pure heart fervently See 1 Pet. 1.22 It must not be in word and in tongue onely but in deed and in truth 1 John 5.18 8. And the Apostle John seriously exhorteth us to it shewing us a strong reason to induce us to wit Beloved saith he let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God and he that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love Chap. 4.7 8. It is therefore styled the royal Law James 2.8 Because it cometh both expressely and essentially from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings Now in regard it is both the expresse command to love one another and the essentiall and efficient worke of the Spirit of God for it both cometh of God and God is love And in regard that the end of the commandement is love c. And that the whole Law to wit that respects our neighbour is fulfilled in this to wit Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self and that this is that second great commandement and so like the first as that he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen cannot love God whom he hath not seen Nor manifest himselfe to be his Disciple nor indeed a true Christian See 1 John 4.20 Ch. 3.14 15 16 17 18 19 c. Then it necessarily followeth that such who are Christians indeed and expect to be so accepted and accounted of either with God or men ought to account themselves most chiefly bound to this duty of love and that to all the brotherhood above all other duties commanded in the Law that concerns our neighbour And that in regard that all other dutyes are inferiour and lesser matters of the Law As tithing of Mint Annisse and Cumin was to the Jews which yet ought to be done provided that Judgement mercy and faith which are the greater matters be not thereby neglected nor secluded for this was in the Scribes and Pharisees a token of their hypocrisie and how can we possibly excuse our selves from the same charge if by our strivings and contests about inferiour outward circumstantiall matters and things of God as Sacramentall matters and wayes of government and ministration We neglect and hinder the growth of love and so of faith likewise which are the two essencialls and only infallible marks of our
callings are without repentance Rom. 11.29 And though he will oblitterate the names of such out of his book of life as he said unto Moses who sin against him Exod. 32.32 33. yet he will be mercifull unto his land and to his people And therefore he saith Rejoyce oh ye nations with his people for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries and will be mercifull to his land and people see Deut. 32.43 And of this we may be confident that he that hath begun will certainly make an end before he break off from us whom he hath owned as a peculiar people in a nationall way and that above any nation under heaven as once he did to Israel of old And will bring us to rest and settlement in spite of all opposers either forraine or domestick And he will give victory on the Lambs side together with them who are the called chosen and faithfull His heart is towards the governors of Israel who have jeoparded their lives to maintaine his cause upon the high places of the field with Zebulon and Napthali see Judges 5.9.18 for they offered themselves willingly amongst the people and have not loved their lives even unto the death Rev. 12.11 And therefore rejoyce ye heavens that is to say ye Churches militant and triumphant and ye that dwell in them but woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the Sea that is to the world for the Devill is come downe amongst you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time vers 12. to wit till he must be inclosed in the bottomlesse pit that he shall not deceive the nations any more till a thousand years shall be fulfilled see Rev. 20.1 2 3. Yea woe unto the world because of offences for though it must needs be that offences shall come yet woe to that man by whom the offence cometh see Mat. 18.7 Doubtlesse it hath ever been dangerous to give any offence either to Jew or Gentile or to the Church of God see 1 Cor. 10.32 but much more now in these latter dayes wherein the Lord hath begun to avenge his Elect who cry unto him day and night for now he hath begun he will certainly hold on and avenge them speedily as hath been proved before Luke 18.7 8. And therefore it is the advice of our blessed Saviour to take heed that we despise not one of those little ones yea one of the least of those little ones that beleeve in him and the reason is rendred because that in heaven there Angels doe alwayes behold the face of their Father which is in Heaven For they are all ministring spirits sent forth for the good of them who shall be heires of salvation and will readily accomplish what the will of God shall require them to doe For they alwayes behold his face to know his will concerning his servants that they might accomplish it concerning all his Elect over whom they have Charge see Matth. 18.10 Mark 9.42 Heb. 1.14 Psal 103.20 Now if it be so much danger to offend but one of the least of those little ones that beleeve in Christ as that it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were cast into the depth of the Sea c. How dangerous is it to offend his Embassadors that are sent unto us in the name of the Lord for the good of our souls Is it not said He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me And he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me But how few is there in these our dayes that regard these words or at least so regard them as to caution them as they ought in these respects Are not the words of men in authority as Magistrates and Officers and masters much more regarded then these words of Christ They that are under command under any authority either civill or millitary will quickly say we are so commanded and we must obey else it will be worse for us we shall be turned out of office or out of our service or places else or those our superiours will be offended with us and for such like reasons which in such cases are good and wise and but our duty but how few is there that are so wisely subservient to the commands of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ and to take his counsells and admonitions and lay them to heart and own them as a rule for regulation of all their wayes But if you please to read with seriousnesse of spirit but this little Treatise you will easily perceive how much we are short of obedience and subserviencie to the commands of Christ yea even the best of us all and so what need there is to make it our businesse to indeavour a redresse what in us lyeth in our places and callings and to provoke one another to love and good works which are so much wanting And for this end I have directed it to you who are in highest authority though I therein speak not to you only but to all that are or professe themselves to be christians indeed not in shew only that you all such might incourage and induce what in them lieth to a cordiall uniformity of hearts and affections in the wayes of God For though it is a thing that cannot possibly be compelled to by humane authority yet it much conduceth and helpeth forward when the eyes of authority are bent that wayes The incouragement of authority in well doing is a strong inducement to the doing of it And so is likewise their own example no lesse available with ingeneous spirits see 1 Pet. 2.14 The Lord grant that you may make it your businesse when you come to deale in matters of religion To accord our differences as much as may be and to settle peace both in Church and state what in you lyeth And in so doing the Lord will assist you and blesse your indeavours for the good of these nations to all posterities which is the earnest desire of Your Cordiall Subject Ellis Bradshaw I Desire the Reader to mend these Erratats following and to make the residue sence in the reading to wit Page 6. line 4. for on read or Page 8. line 30. for state read save Page 13. line 26 for smite them hand read smite them with the hand Page 31. line 4 for consecrate read consociate and line 26. for hear read heavens A CORDIAL-MEDIATOR FOR Accordance of Brethren that are of different Judgements and wayes of Administration in things that concern the Kingdom of God For repairing of the breach and restoring of the paths for many Generations as followeth to wit BELOVED brethren the end of this discourse I shall in few words first declare with the grounds thereof before I begin because I love not prolixity nor would not be mistaken to wit 1. That all
Spirit be in some good measure found to be in us we are not fit to rule or have the least authority committed to us for we are somuch under age but in the minority of Christianity we cannot be spoken to nor accounted strong men nor men at age nor as yet at years of descretion but as unto babes in Christ who must therefore be kept as under tutors and governours till the time appointed of the Father And though it is a promise which we do and ought to expect and to comfort one another with that the Kingdome of Christ shall come with power and that it is also justly to be expected to be neer at hand and is in some measure already present and some will needs be so forward as to take it by violence and beat down all before them that stands in their way yea will not much care to destroy their brethren in whom the King of Heaven is already in some measure and so cut off them from living to see it and enjoy it in the power who desire it also as much as themselves but cannot accord to fetch it in by force of humane authority save only defensive whiles it is increasing and growing within us by the force and power of the Spirit of God nor is it lawfull to say that this temper of spirit cometh of God it is not the perswasion of him that calleth us to goe about to inforce conformity to our own principles and to impose them by force upon our deare brethren that are contrary minded but this is certainly of that spirit of Antichrist which is long since come into the world and yet this very temper of Spirit if power should be put into our hands would be found in measure lesse or more in any party of us Let us therefore judge in our selves whether we are any of us yet come to yeares of discretion suitable for governement whiles we are so partiall in our own cause and principles shall he that hateth right govern saith the Scripture Nay if the power and Kingdome be already in the hand of Christ and he giveth it to whomsoever he pleaseth can we expect to have it whiles in such a temper of spirit Nay may we not rather expect that wise servants shall have the rule and government over such lewd sons that can never agree but are ready to bite and devoure one another at every advantage Oh brethren consider and let us lay it to heart and charge it home upon our consciences betimes for there it will fall heavy one day and if we judge not our selves we shall certainly be judged and chastened of the Lord that so we might not be condemned with the world But if our master cometh and findeth us smiting of our fellow-servants you know the place where we must have our portion And if we possibly do not nor dare not or cannot smite them hand or with the sword yet there is a smiting which is as bad to wit With the tongue for it is compared to a sword or a sharp rasor And this kinde of smiting is too too frequent and common amongst us and sheweth clearely that if power and commission were in our hands the other sword would follow Oh these things brethren we had need to repent and to humble our selves and watch over our hearts left he cometh and find us in such a posture of spirit the danger is great yea it is so much the greater as it is expected to be neer at hand And therefore let us be exhorted by the Apostle Speak not evil one of another brethren c. Nor think not to escape if we neglect so great salvation If we know these things and that they are no other but the truths of God Oh take heed that we let them not slip but keep them applyed to our soules and consciences till they reply to doe them Blessed is that servant whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing verily such a servant shall be Ruler over all his goods Read but Mat. 24. from 41. to the end and consider it seriously for it much concernes us in these latter dayes And take notice of one thing if we be indeed the people of God we shall never ride on prosperously but in the wayes of truth of meeknesse and of righteousnesse See Psal 45 for we must not prosper but in the same way and manner that Christ hath led us for this Psalme is a prophesie concerning Christ and his Kingdom who will not own us but in the same paths that he hath trod before us Read it and compare it with our wayes and we need no more conviction Oh how many is there in this generation that are pure in their own eyes that yet are not cleansed from this filthinesse Pro. 30.12.14 that is so farre contrary unto brotherly love and meeknesse and of truth and righteousnesse Oh how sad will it be with us if the Lord cometh and findeth us so doing and in our envy and strife and not in that wisdome that cometh from above which is pure indeed and word yea peaceable and gentle full of mercy and of good fruits without grudging without hypocrisie seeing the fruit of righteousnes is sown in peace of them that make peace James 3.17 18. see also Ch. 4.11 12. ver 5 6 7 8 9 10. And blessed are the peace-makers Mat. 5. See there and consider to what sorts of people those 9 sorts of blessings do properly belong and whether there be any of them proper for such kind of postures of spirit as many of us are found in this our generation of Christianity The Apostle James telleth us plainly Ch. 1.26 That if any man amongst us seeme to be religious and refraineth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans religion is vain And the same Apostle also Chap. 4.11 Speak not evill one of another brethren he that speaketh evill of his brother and judgeth his brother speaketh evill of the Law and judgeth the Law c. And the reason is manifest because the Law forbiddeth it and commandeth love which is quite contradicted and judged by us when we speake evill one of another And therefore let us lay it seriously to heart and but consider it how apt we have been in these deviding times to speake evill yea and even the worst that we can have any pretence for one of another how apt have we been to pick out the worst taking all in the worser part in the evil part and whispering it out to the desparagement one of another by reaches and jeeres and reproaches even running descant upon the faults or failings and weaknesses one of another most inharmoniously and maliciously making it the most part of our discourse and esteeming them best company who could cast forth the purest jeeres and reaches against our brethren of any contrary way And who hath not been guilty in these respects And how sad is it that we have so little regarded
promised his presence amongst us in case we follow his steps and walke in love as he hath loved us and so obey his commandement and love one another owning one another and having fellowship one with another and disowning none that are members of his body but receiving all his members even as he also hath received us to the glory of God the Father Then I say he will doubtlesse own us and be present with us and shed his lâ—ve abroad in our hearts aâ—d build us up in faith yea the whole body together till we come to be tall and strong so as to aske what we will with a joint consent and it shall be given us whereas whilest devided how can we expect that our prayers should be heard whiles we are not reconciled to our brethren which he hath bid us do first even as Joseph to his brethren Gen. 43 5. Ye shall not see my face except your brother be with you even so saith our Saviour Goe first and be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift and leave thy gift on the Alâ—ar till then as if he should have said doe not expect thy gift shall be accepted till you be agreed you are both my sons I cannot indure you should live at variance come not here doe not expect to see my face till you be agreed I will not own thee in such a posture of spirit thy brother hath something against thee that is contrary to love go and agree with thy brother as I have commanded thee and then thou art welcome Aske and ye shall receive seeke and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you and by this all men shall know that ye are my Disciples if you make it appear that ye love one another Whereas on the other part how can any man thinke you are my Disciples or have any love to me or I to you if ye cannot love and own and have fellowship together one with another as brethren ought and as love ingageth where it is cordiall and not in word and tongue only but indeed in tâ—uth Nay how easie is it for any man to prove and that from Scripture that whoever denyeth this Christian-fellowship with his Christian brethren is yet in darknâ—ss and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth See 1 John 1.6 7. Mat. 5.23 24 Mat. 7.7 Yeâ— Dililah could say to Sampson How canst thou say I love thee when thy heart is not with me See Judges 16.15 And this we may justly say to our selves how shall we say for shame or how can we think that we love God if we have not a care to keep his commandements And can we keep his commandements and not love our brethren or can we say we love them and cannot agree with them but fall out by the way Object But it will be objected such and such are our brethren but thâ—y will not goe our wayes we are in wayes that we know to be right and they are in by wayes and are bewildred and will not be perswaded and how can we help it we are forced to leave them Answ If they be our brethren and that we see them out through weaknesse and that we thinke our selves strong we ought rather to bear the infirmities of the weake then to please our selves lest our father be angry with us and say why did ye leave my little children and overrun them in the dark night whilest they cannot see but be bewildred and so send us back to fetch them home and not suffer us to rest or come within doors till we bring them with us and it may be whip us also for leaving them at all without a guide It will not serve to excuse us to say our brethren were wilfull and pettish and would go their own wayes or go none at all they being but children No a father will not loose his children and danger to have them cast away because they are weak and pettish but will rather say why did ye not rather turne back and bring them to me that I might have corrected them taught them better but you must leave them in danger and in an angry mood could ye not have spoke them faire and in a loving way perswaded them as children Beloved brethren Consider it seriously for there is no father can be so choice and tender hearted towards his little children as the Lord is choice and tender hearted towards his little ones as hath been shewed before and though he will not deny us to be his children but own us as such in an overly-way yet he will not welcome us nor lodge us in his bosome with such sweet embraces and kisses of love nor entertaine us familiarly so as to know his counsells and his mind and secrets till at least we have indeavoured what in us lyeth to perswade our brethren to come along with us and that in love and meeknesse as a nurse useth to doe with children And when we have used the means cannot do it yet let us never cease to pray to our father saying father perswade them thou art able to doe it though we cannot The Lord perswade Japheth to dwell in the tents of Shem. And then Canaan shall be his servant And doubtlesse it is already upon the hearts of many of the faithfull servants and messengers of God both to pray and preach for this Accordance though with little hopes of obtaining there desires because they see such stiffenesse in the hearts of the people and aversenesse to it and in some of their ministers which is sad and lamentable that the leaders of the people should cause them to erre and to remaine stiffe against the expresse commands both of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his holy Apostles and Prophets not to stoop at all nor submit theÌ„selves nor their wayes and judgments but as ascribing to theÌ„selves infalibillity of Spirit as if they could not erre See 1 Cor. 13.12 Consider I beseech you whence this stiffeness ariseth and whether it be not manifest that it springeth from the root of pride and self love and conceits of our own wisdome above others of our brethren that yet in account with others are as wise as we and it may be much wiser and that also in the sight of God But as I said before when the leaders of the people cause them to erre The case is lamentable and very dangerous lest they that are led of them be dâ—stroyed See Isa 9.13 14 15 16 17. And let me say to such stiffe spirited leaders of the people If they will but looke in the bottome of their hearts they shall certainly finde there a root of pride and selfe-love to be the originall fountain from whence this stiffenesse springeth and groweth up And they cannot but know who it was that called such like men blinde guides for straining out a gnat and swallowing a cammel and for omitting of