Apostles with power from on high sent them to teach al nations to observ al things whatsoever he had commauned them and he had made known to them al things that he had heard of his Father and they faithfully performed their charge keeping nothing back but shewing meÌ„ al the counsel of God for Christ spake in them so that now we have the mind of Christ and the word is neer vs even in our mouth and in our hart neyther may we admitt of any other doctriÌ„e though it should be taught by Angels from heaven but that which we have we must hold fast til he come And Christ it is that hath alwayes reveled Gods wil vnto the world synce the begiÌ„ning He it was that preached in Spirit to those that were disobedient in the dayes of Noe he sent Esaiaâ— to preach vnto Israel and furnished him with giftes graces for that work and stil he sendeth his messengers dayly for the gathering together of the Saincts the work of the ministery and edification of his body til the worlds end they are his glorie Finally the heavenly Spirits ar also his messengers for this end and purpose when he seeth meet so to imploy them as it is written I Iesus have sent my Angel to testify vnto you these things in the churches Thus opening vnto vs by al means the secrets of his Gospel our souls ar comforted for he bringeth vs into his wine celler and Love is his â—anner over vs. 6 To assure the world that he was both the wisdome and power of God he confirmed his doctrine â—y signes and wonders doing such works as no other man did even as his words were such as never man spake his enimies being judges He gave also of this power to such as beleeved in his name and wer his witnesses himself working with them confirming the word with signes that followed 7. Vnto this outward administration Christ annexeth his inward grace by divine power making even the Dead to heare his voice and live for he hath the words of eternal life he openeth the harts and causeth attention he openeth the mindes and causeth men to vnderstand the scriptures he giveth them also a mouth and wisdome which al their adversaries are not able to speak against nor resist 8. Now all this life and grace doth Christ coÌ„municate with the Saincts being their Head they his members For first the Ministers of the word how great gifts or authority soever they have they al are ours and we Christs and Christ Gods we are to trye their doctrine by the scriptures for they have not dominion over our faith but are helpers of our joy and in declaration of the truth are to approve themselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God Secondly the Word it self even al the scriptures are given vnto vs and written for our learning and comfort this not onely to know for our selves but to teach exhort and edifie one another Therefore is the word sayd to be graffed in vs and what by it we do beleeve we also may boldly speak and freely practise even all that Christ hath coÌ„manded that as he is a faithful and true witnes so we also that are the Lords witnesses with him his chosen servant as sayth the Prophet may bear a good testimonie vnto the truth having his word dwelling in vs plenteously in all wisdome may thereby our selves vnderstand righteousnes judgement and equitie and every good path and be preserved from the evil way and vnto others may impart the honey and milk of Gods graces that are vnder our tongue and having the high-acts of God in our mouth and the two-edged sword of his word in our hands may execute vengeance on the hethen corrections among the people binding their kings in chaines and their nobles with fetters of yron this honour is to al his Saincts who holding forth the word of life do shine as lights in the world Christ illuminating them with his glory continually and making his Church by his Prophesie the vallie of Vision as of old it was named 9. Touching his Priesthood and our communion therewith two things ar to be considered First What of his grace in his own person he hath wrought and worketh for vs to weet the things perteyning to God as the Apostle speaketh which are the Offring of a sacrifice to make reconciliation for our syns and Intercession which as our Advocate he maketh with the Father for vs. Secondly what by his mighty power he graciously worketh in vs and applieth vnto vs whiles he maketh vs also Priests vnto God his Father and communicateth with vs his obedience death burial resurrection ascension so causing the Blessing of God to come vpon vs as he is that seed in whom al families of the earth shal be blessed and giving vs comfort and peace Vnder these two heads are all thinges comprehended that perteyn to our Iustification Sanctification in the sight of God 10. These three things of Reconciliation Intercession and Blessing the Priests of Moses law in shadow figure of him performed of old for Israel The first whiles at the brazen altar they offred Burnt offrings and For-syn made attonement obteyned forgivnes at the hands of God for the synners but chiefly when the high-prest sanctified the Most holie place with blood of the Sacrifice made an attonement for the children of Israel for al their syns once a yere The secoÌ„d whiles at the golden altar he burned sweet incense every morning and evening and once a yere also made recoÌ„ciliatioÌ„ vpon the hornes therof with the blood of yâ— Syn-offring entred with in the veil putting incense on the fyre in the ceÌ„ser before the Lord that the clowd of the incense covered the Mercy-seat The third when having finished his ministerie the Sacrificer lifted vp his haÌ„d towards the people and Blessed them as he was separated of God to blesse in his name for ever and to put his name vpon the childreÌ„ of Israel that he might blesse them as he had promised 11. The truth of these three are fully performed by the Apostle and Highpriest of our profession Christ Iesus For that he might reconcile vs vnto God because it was vnpossible that the blood of buls and goats should take away syns neyther would his Father accept other sacrifice or offring then the body which he had ordeyned his Son therefore through the eternal Spirit he offred himself without spot vnto God and gave his sowle for the ransom of many bare our syns in his body on the tree and by his own blood entred in once vnto the holy place not the holy places made with hands but
al the parts so serviceable needful comfortable ech to other that they cannot without paine losse and deformity be pulled asunder even so the Saincts of God ar as the Apostle sayth one body in Christ every one one anothers members being by one spirit al baptised into one body which is caled Christs Church or Congregation because we ar gathered and joyned togither vnto him our head by whom al the body being coupled and knit togither by every joynt for the furniture therof according to the effectual power which is in the mesure of every part receiveth increase of the body vnto the edifying of it self in love 4. The strength virtue of this vnion of the Saincts procedeth from the vnitie of their Faith and spirit For faith is the doore by which we hav entry accesse both vnto God and into his Church or assembly which thervpon is caled the multitude of the faithful or beleevers even the howshold of faith And as by it we eÌ„ter into this societie so being entred we there build vp our selves in our most holy faith by it we * live by it we stand by it we al ar the sons of God the seed of Abraham consequently heyrs by promise of the blessed inheritance and so doe enter into his rest Which faith because it is one as the Lord is one and is by his holy spirit communicated with al the Saincts it is therfore caled the commune faith from which the communion of faith that is of al Christian duties do flow and especially is seen in our conversing togither for the better performance of them For as Christ prayed that they which should belev in him might al be one as the Father He were one in and with another so the effect of that his prayer appeareth in the vnion communion of the first beleevers which were of one haâ—â— of one sowl and continued dayly with one accord their meetings and fellowships for duties both spiritual humane Of which happy day the Lord did foretell by his prophets saying I wil giv them one hart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the wealth of them and of their children after them and I wâ—â— make them one people in the land vpon the mouÌ„tains of Israel one king shal be king to theÌ„ al they shal be no more two peoples nor divided any more henceforth into two kingdoms This fellowship ought al men to labour that they may come vnto and being come there to abide endevouring to keep the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace and to continew in one spirit in one minde fighting togither through the faith of the Gospel 5. The causes why God requireth this gathering and knitting togither of our selves are these First for the better service of his Majestie which he most esteemeth when it is done of vs with joynt consent and agreement that we with one minde one mouth prayse God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and as the prophet sayth serve him with one shoulder And for this cause at the first constitution of the Church of Israel he coÌ„maunded that at their solemn feasts they should all the males three times in the yere appear before the Lord Iehovah besides their vsual meetings on the Sabbaths which fests were called holy assemblies or convocations and had special dayes for calling and assembling the people wherein Gods word was read expounded vnto them his name magnified with songs prayses the people answering Amen bowing down and worshiping sacrifices were offred for the whol congregation feasts were celebrated with relief of the poor and the people received a blessing in the name of the Lord. Which open solemne service as it was pleasing to the Lord who there required the service offrings al the holy things of al his people so the neglect and omission hereof was a forsaking of him and a procuring of his wrath Wherefore the godly magistrates wer careful to establish mainteyn that publick worship appoynting the Priests Levites for the burnt offrings and peace offrings to minister and to give thanks and to prayse in the gates of the tents of the Lord and the faithful vsed to frequent that place and those solemnities that they might prayse God in the midds of the congregatioÌ„ among much people there declare with the voice of thanksgiving and set forth all his wonderous works pay their vowes vnto him in the presence of al the folke within the courts of his howse which he had chosen for his rest for ever loved there to dwel and delighted therein They vsed also to call the people vnto the mountain there to offer the sacrifices of righteousnes to stir vp and exhort one another to blesse God in the Assemblies and exalt him in the congregation of the people The like publick worship the Lamb solemnizeth vnto his Father whiles he standeth vpoÌ„ Mount Sion with his 144. thousand wher the voyce of the heavenly congregation is heard like the sound of many waters and of a great thunder and like harpers harping with their harps singing a new soÌ„g before the throne And there Christs prayse is of God in the great assemblie his vowes he performeth before them that fear him he declareth Gods justice and mercy his truth and his salvation Whose prayse therfore is heard in the CoÌ„gregation of Saincts Israel joying in his maker and the sons of Sion rejoycing in their king saying Halelu-jah salvation and glory honour power vnto the Lord our God Halelu-jah for the Lord God almighty reigneth 6. An other cause of the joyning togither of the Saincts is their edification in the knowledge and fear of God For although they have his word privatly to meditate therin day night which also he blesseth vnto them yet in his church or assemblie he more plentifully powreth out his blessings as he promised by Moses In every place wher I shal put the remembrance of my name I wil come vnto thee blesse thee And as his name was in his howse and Temple so there he appointed ministers to reherse or make mention of the same to teach Iaakob his judgements and Israel his lawes Which Law when he first gav vnto them he sayd vnto Moses Gather me the people togither I will cause them to hear my words and when afterwards it was solemnly repeted every Sabbath yere by like commaundment the people were to be gathered togither men women children and strangers to hear and learn the same Yea every Sabbath day the people assembled in their synagogues throughout all their cities for the same purpose And in these last dayes it was foretold how
woes a more wholsom and pleasant balm theÌ„ the sweet words of theÌ„ that crie peace peace when ther is no peace for the blownes of the â—â—â—nd serveth somtimes to purge the evil the stripes within the bowels of the beâ—y By such means the Saincts ar brought to a sight of their syns which they doe away with tears and sacrifice they fear the Lord and pray befor him he repenteth of the plague pronounced against them Therfore ought al Gods servants to love his rebukes and censures sent by the hands of their brethren to hear counsel receiv instruction that they may be wise in their later end to be more carefull to bury the doung syn of their sowles in the grave of Christ by repeÌ„tance theÌ„ the Israelits in their caÌ„p to cover their excrements for offending the Lord to judge themselves worthy to hav beeÌ„ destroyed for their iniquities to crie with the Leper I am vnclean I am vnclean to acknowledge their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed for mercy is promised to them that confesse and forsake their syns and is to be pronounced vnto them in the name of the Lord they ar to be forgiven of their brethren and coÌ„forted least they be swallowed vp with overmuch heavines Thus the ear that hearkneth to the correction of life shal lodge among the wise but he that hardneth his neck when he is rebuked shall sodainly be destroyed cannot be cured Such therefore must more roughly be intreated and judgements denounced against them if they convert not as in their traÌ„sgression is their snare and they are holden with the cords of their own syn so must they also by their brethren be bound and their syns reteyned and God in heaven wil confirm this censure against them Then are they till they repent and humble themselves put away and separated from among Godâ— people excluded the heavenly IerusaleÌ„ regarded as strangers froÌ„ the coÌ„mune wealth of Israel as hethens and publicans for despising correction are almost brought into al evil in the midds of the congregation and assemblie And if they coÌ„tinew stil to hate correction they shal die such judgments hath the Lord appointed for scorners and stripes for the back of fooles By this meanes the body of Christ is disburdened of noysom rotten members the fruitlesse branches are taken away from the vine the woman wickednes pressed down in her bushel is lifted vp and caried away from Ierusalem to Babylon in the land of Shinar her own proper place the old leven being purged out the congregation joyntly is a sweet new lump as the members severally ar vnlevened and keep a holy and joyful feast vnto the Lord who now is turned froÌ„ his fierce wrath which was kindled for the transgressors Then he that is left in Sion and remayneth in Ierusalem may be caled holy every one written vnto life in Ierusalem when the Lord hath washed the filthines of the daughters of Sion and purged the blood of â—e rusalem out of the midds thereof by the spirit of judgement by the spirit of burning The waies of the Lord ar righteoâ—â— the 〈◊〉 shal walk in them but the wicked shall fâ—l therâ—n Hos. 14 10. CHAPTER XXIII How farr the Saincts may hold walk in communion togither if offences be not removed IT falleth often out through the default and neglect of churches that the foresayd law power of Christ is not duly practised but synners suffred and wincked at yea sometimes justified and vpheld by reason wherof al kind of iniquitie wexeth aboundeth to the dishonour of God the reproch and grief of men The duties therfore of the Saincts what then they are to doe themselves what to bear in others is needful to be considered for their covenant with the church perswadeth them to peace and concord and not to schisme or rent away from the fellowship again their covenaÌ„t with God bindeth theÌ„ to the obedience keeping of al his coÌ„mandements with reproof of and departure from al evil 2. In this straight regard is to be given first vnto the cause thing it self which is done or suffred amisse secondly vnto the handling therof dealing about the same For the cause it self that in questions and disputable controversies the Saincts bear one with anothers infirmities diversitie of judgement especially for the present til the truth be tried out eyther among themselues or by the help of other churches which was the practise in th' Apostles dayes as also in Moses law for hard and doubtful matters the people dispersed through their cities tribes had ayd of the Senate in Ierusalem In this case therfore al ChristiaÌ„s should mind that couÌ„sel of Gods wisdome not to be wise in theÌ„selves if they be otherwise minded God shal revele even the same vnto them they know not perfectly but in part Or if it be a personal controyersie that as much as they may they fulfil Christs law to bear their brothers burden procure their own glorie bypassing by an offence rather to suffer wrong susteyn harm then by strife and contention to cause reproch remembring his counsel which sayd be not iust overmuch But if the doctrine be erroneous and pernitious for the infecting of mens sowles and withdrawing them from the faith if the practise be wicked superstitious or idolatrous violating Gods covenant injuring their brethren or defiling themselves to the slander of the Gospel then al the Saincts must neyther suffer so far as is in their power nor partake at al in any such evil Yet before they make any breach or departure from the Church they are to vse al meanes in holy meek peaceable and orderly manner for their redresse as is before shewed 3. That transgressions may not be suffred in churches the reasons in the former chapter alleged doe prove and may further be confirmed by the reproof that Christ sent to the Angels and Churches of Pergamus Thyatira for having and suffring false teachers among theÌ„ that drew the people into syn of this fault they were willed to repent or els he would fight against them with the sword of his mouth and kil their children with death And such as had kept themselves from these corruptions were willed to hold first that which they had vnto the end On the other haÌ„d he pâ—â—vsâ—d the Ephesians that they could not bear with theÌ„ which wer evil but had tried found out false Apostles And this mâ—rke Solomon set on them that keep the law that they wil set themselves against the wicked 4. And that the Saincts may not for fellowship with the church or any members therof doe any evil thing eyther