THE Spiritual Worship EXALTED OR A Treatise concerning the Worship and Service of God Shewing how uncapable men are in their natural and unconverted State of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably in this Gospel day And that it is the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ reveaved in men which doth Renew Fit Prepare and â—ualifie them for performing that Pure Spiritual and Acceptable Worship which was instituted by our Lord and practiced by his Disciples and Followers As also several other things here inserted worthy of observation By a Lover of Truth and Wel-wisher of the Souls of all men George Myers But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritualy discern'd 1 Cor. 2.14 But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4.23 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 Give unto the Lord the Glory due unto his Name Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness Psal 29.2 THE PREFACE TO THE Reader FOrasmuch as Divine Worship is the supream act of mans Life and a duty incumbent upon all for that thereby we answer the end of our Creation and pay those Respects and Acknowledgments which we owe to the Divine Majesty for all his Bounties and Favours towards us It greatly behoves all People to be very serious and weighty in that respect and truly to inform themselves what that Worship is which is acceptable unto God and how People ought to be qualified for performing the same the want of a right understanding upon these accounts has occasioned great Miscarriages and Defects among People in Religions matters and is one great reason why there are so many Jars and Divisions about the several Forms and Ways of Worship now extant in the World. The consideration of these things together with the drawings of Divine Love have induced me to the publication of this following Treatise wherein divers things relating to the Worship and Service of God are declared and held forth and whereby it is manifest that it is the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ revealed in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men that rightly Renews Fits Prepares and Qualifies them for Worshipping and Serving God acceptably and opens their Vnderstandings in Divine and Spiritual matters insomuch that in all acts of Worship and Service unto God the Holy Ghost is to have the Precedency so as to move act influence and assist the Persons exercised therein whether it be in publick Preaching Testimonies and Declarations for God and his Truth or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him And also that those who in their own Will and Time do go about to perform acts of Worship and Service unto God in their Natural and Vnconverted State whilst they are despising and dis-regarding the Counsel Drawings and Directions of the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves such Worshippers in that State and under those Circumstances may please themselves with such pretences but can no way perform that Divine and Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day Although I might have produced divers Testimonies both of Antient and Modern Authors in favour of this Discourse yet for several Reasons I rather chuse to keep close to the Holy Scriptures inasmuch as I conceive those who are inclined to be Religious will not dare to make exceptions against that which is concluded to proceed from the Divine Spirit Let none be Offended that I do not admit of human Learning and natural Arts and Sciences to be of such absolute necessity for the Qualification of a Gospel Minister as some would have them For by what is here Written I do no way intend to undervalue human Learning or lessen its esteem in the minds of such as are inclin'd to make a right use thereof for I do grant that it is good and serviceable in its place yea it is and may be serviceable upon many accounts to a Gospel Minister where it is reduc'd to a blessed Subordination and Conformity to the Spirit of Truth but then if People will attempt to exalt it above the teachings of the Divine Spirit and lay that stress upon it for opening the Mysteries of Truth which the Holy Ghost will not admit of in that case I found my self concern'd to bear a Testimony for the Truth and against the Vanity of such as would extol human Learning and natural Arts and Sciences above their proper use and service Albeit the consideration of those many Treatises which have been writ by other Hands upon these accounts did at first seem to divert me from this undertaking yet for clearing of my Conscience in the sight of God and in performance of that Duty and Service which I owe to him I thought fit to cast my Mite into the Treasury desiring that what I have here Written in Humility may be Read and Expounded in Charity and that God Almighty who is the Author of all our Blessings may by his Grace and Goodness make this small Treatise effectual for informing the minds of People upon these accounts and for reducing them into that pure and spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto him through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen So desireth and so prayeth thy Christian Friend George Myers THE CONTENTS § 1. COncerning the Worship that was Instituted by Jesus Christ and Practiced by his People pag. 1. § 2. Concerning Mans incapacity of Worshiping and Serving God acceptably in his natural and unconverted State. pag. 4. § 3. Concerning the necessity of receiving the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in order to quicken and renew to God and so to prepare and qualifie People for his Worship and Service pag. 10. § 4. Concerning the Gospel Church and Evangelical Temple pag. 15. § 5. Concerning silent waiting upon God for the help and concurrence of his holy Spirit in the performance of Divine Worship pag. 20. § 6. Concerning the Preparation Call and Ordination of Gospel Ministers pag. 25. § 7. Concerning Women Preaching pag. 34. § 8. Concerning the Rise of Gospel Performances the Qualifications of Gospel Ministers showing that they are not from Human Learning Worldly Wisdom and Natural Arts and Sciences but from the Divine Spirit pag. 43. § 9. Concerning outward Force and Violence in Religious matters and the unlawfulness of forceable resisting the temporal Magistracy p. 55. § 10. Concerning the Maintenance of Gospel Ministers pag. 63. § 11. Concerning Prayer pag. 75. § 12. Concerning Singing of Psalms and Artifical Musick pag. 88. The Conclusion pag. 98. THE Spiritual Worship EXALTED Section I. Concerning the Worship that was Instituted by Jesus Christ and Practiced by his People AFter the Lord God in his own appointed time saw meet to put an end to the Dispensation of the
Law which was delivered unto the Children of Israel by the Ministry of Moses it pleased him according to his determinate Will and everlasting Counsel to send his own Son the Lord Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea of whom Moses and the Prophets did write and whom John testified of to be the Lamb of God who taketh away the Sins of the World John 1.29 He perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Righteousness thereof and gave witness unto the Dispensation of the Gospel drawing Religion into the secret of the Heart he made it to consist in a higher state of Righteousness then that of the Law called Evangelical he also approved himself and the excellency of his Doctrine by many great and wonderful Signes and Miracles and sealed it with his Blood for that after he had preach't that heavenly Doctrine and wrought many Miracles among the Jews he was apprehended and by wicked hands was Crucified and Slain yet God raised him up again so that he triumphed over Death of which it was impossible for him to be held and after he was so raised up from the Dead he appeared to his Disciples and Followers who had believed in him comforting them with the hope and assurance of the pouring forth attendance of his Spirit by which he was to be with them unto the end of the World and by which they and all such as afterwards should come to believe in his holy Name might be rendered capable of bearing and holding forth a true certain and faithful Testimony for him whom God hath appointed for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth and also of performing that Worship and Service which was instituted by him which Worship is Spiritual and cannot be truly performed by the Art Strength Wisdom and Policy of men in their natural and unconverted state but only by those who are spiritually quickened and renewed unto God in some measure and whose Hearts and Souls are fitted and prepared by the Light Grace Spirit Power of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ That the Worship instituted by Christ is Spiritual is very plain from his own Words unto the Woman of Samaria John 4.21 22 23 24. Jesus said unto her Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews but the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth This is the chiefest and most ample Testimony that Christ gives of the Christian worship as different and contradistinguished from that under the Law he tyeth not his People to the Temple at Jerusalem nor unto any other place but plainly holds out that the season is now come wherein the worship must be in Spirit and in Truth he also gives the reason for it and excellently argues from the anology that ought to be betwixt the Object and the Worship directed thereunto viz. God is a Spirit therefore he must be worshipped in Spirit This Testimony of our Lord is so clear in the case that I need not enlarge much further upon it but only add the saying of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi We are the Circumcision that worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus having no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3.3 By which it appears that the Saints and People of God in those dayes were in the practice of that worship which was instituted by our Lord as aforesaid Section II. Concerning Mans incapacity of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably in his natural and unconverted State. THat Men in their natural and unconverted state are uncapable of performing this spiritual Worship is certainly true for that whilst they remain in that state they cannot do any thing that is really good and acceptable unto God being subject unto that depraved and ungodly Spirit which leads People into Iniquity and rules in all the Children of Disobedience it comes to pass that not only their Words and Deeds but also the Imaginations of their Hearts are evil continually their Thoughts Notions and Conceptions concerning Divine and Spiritual matters are unprofitable both to themselves and others which thing doth yet further appear from divers Testimonies in the Scriptures of Truth Moses said That God saw the Wickedness of man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of the thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually and that it repented the Lord that he had made man on the Earth and it grieved him at his Heart Gen. 6.5 6. David saith The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the Children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God and says They are all gone aside they are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one Psal 14.2 3. And again But unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy Mouth Psal 50.16 Jeremiah saith The Heart is deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17.9 Our Lord saith An evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things Matth. 12.35 Also the Apostle Paul alluding to the saying of David says Thero is none Righteous no not one there is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God they are all gone out of the way they are altogether become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one Rom. 3.10 11 12. Thus it is to be observed that what is thus spoken relates to men in their natural and unconverted State wherein their Souls are dead unto God and the things of his Kingdom and cannot live unto him nor do any such lively act as to serve him until they receive the Lord Jesus Christ and know the vertue and power of his Grace Spirit inwardly to quicken them unto God That so they may serve him in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 For alas it is not the bare performance of such things as are supposed to be religious duties that brings into acceptance with God unless the Heart Soul and Spirit of man be renewed fitted prepared and qualified by that which is holy and pure it s the rise of the performance that God looks at more then the outward act he that searches the Heart and tryes the Reins of men before whom all things are naked and bare looks not so much upon the external Fabrick as the internal frame of the Soul Vnto this man will I look saith the Lord even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Isa 66.2 We read that although the Jews were in the practice
to the Ephesians says And you hath he quickened who were dead in Trespasses and Sins yea God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in Sins hath quickned us together with Christ by Grace are ye saved and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephes 2.1 4 5 6. From whence it is very clear and plain that it is the Spirit of Christ that quickeneth the Souls of those who have been dead in Trespasses and Sins and that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and if he be none of Christs he is none of the true Church and consequently no true Worshipper Again he says That as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God and if Sons then Heirs and Members of the true Church who worship God in the Spirit Moreover as the Lord Jesus Christ by his divine Spirit and Power doth thus work upon the Hearts and Souls of those that receive him in order to cleanse from Sin and Iniquity and to raise up into newness of Life so also it is he only by his holy Light and Spirit that truly prepared and disposes the Hearts of People for the service of God and opens the Mysteries of Truth unto the Sons and Daughters of Men He it is that hath the Key of David that opens and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Rev. 3.9 And without him the vision of divine things are as a Book that is Sealed and hid from the wisdom of man in the Fall and no man is worthy to open the Seals thereof for which cause it seems John Wept as we read in the Revelation And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the Throne a Book written within and on the back-side sealed with seven Seals and I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seales thereof and no man in Heaven nor in Earth neither under the Earth was able to open the Book neither to look thereon and I wept much because none was found worthy to open the Book neither to look thereon and one of the Elders said unto me Weep not behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Rev. 5.1 2 3 4 5. By the Lion of the tribe of Juda is to be understood the Lord Jesus Christ who prevailed with the Father to open the Book of Truth and to loose the Seals thereof without whom no man is able to open the same be he never so Wise in worldly Wisdom and never so Learned in natural Arts and Sciences as may hereafter in its due and proper place more fully and at large appear Section IV. Concerning the Gospel Church and Evangelical Temple AS it is the Light Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ that truely quickens and renews People unto God and renders them capable of performing that Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto him so also it is by the vertue and influence of the same Spirit and Power that the Lords People have been and are stated in a joynt Fellowship and Communion and are drawn into an outward and visible Society and so come under the name of a Church yet for a better understanding of the word Church or what is meant thereby it may be considered in a two fold respect First As it comprehends all whatsoever of every Nation Kindred Tongue and People whom the Lord God by his universal Spirit and Power revealed and made manifest in and through our Lord Jesus Christ doth truly call and gather out of the Life and Spirit of the World and the Pollutions and Defilements thereof into that Pure Holy and Righteous State of Faith and Life wherein they are cccepted of God and owned by him as his Children and People which make up that one true Universal or Catholic Church out of which indeed there is no Salvation Secondly The word Chuch may be taken for a certain number of Persons who being Members of this Universal Church are gathered into an outward and visible Society and do Meet and Assemble themselves together really to wait upon and Worship the Living God and to bear a Testimony for the Truth against Error The Church in the first sence in Scripture terms is called The New Holy and Heavenly Jerusalem the general Assembly and Church of the First-Born the Lambs Bride and the City of the Living God Heb. 12.22 23. Rev. 19.7 and 21.2 9 10. The Church in the latter sence we have it often mentioned in the Scriptures as appears Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.2 1 Thes 1.1 also Rev. 1.4 John writteth to the seven Churches in Asia Thus it is not the outward House Frabrick or Building of Wood or Stone that is or can be truly term'd the Church or House of God in this Gospel day as some vainly do conceive and therefore do ascribe some imaginary Sanctity or Holiness thereunto but it is the Assembly of Believers in this sence gather'd together as aforesaid who are the Evangelical Temple Gospel Church and House of God the Ornaments whereof are not the Embroideries and Furnitures of wordly Art and Wealth but the Gifts and Graces of the holy Spirit Love Meekness Faith Patience Long-suffering Humility Self-denial and Charity with other Christian Vertues 'T is true the Jews under the old Covenant and Dispensation of the Law had an outward Temple where they were to Worship as in 1 Kings 9. and 2 Chron. 7. and because the Lord was pleased to Hollow it for his Name and honour it with his Presence as also to cause an outward Glory and Majesty to appear there by causing Fire from Heaven to consume their Sacrifices c. therefore it was called the House of God as is manifest in the writings of the old Testament And also the Lord Jesus before he was offered up gives it that Name Mat. 21.13 Joh. 2.16 But then after Christ was offered up and the pure spiritual Worship and Service came to be Exalted and born Testimony unto by the Apostles and Servants of Christ that outward Temple being left desolate of the Glory and Presence of God it came to Ruin according to the saying of the Lord Jesus and the true Ministers of the Gospel plainly testified That the most high dwelt not in Teinples made with Hands Acts 7.48 and 17.24 25. Neither was he Worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all Life and Breath and all things but he is Worshipped in Spirit John 4.24 His Tabernacle is with men he will dwell with them and they shall be his People Rev. 21.3 Therefore the Apostle thus writes to the Church at Corinth Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit
should Prophesie what not but he was speaking of that order and decency which such as Prophesie ought to observe he was treating of Spiritual Gifts and of Speaking and Praying in an unknown Tongue and of the method that such should use If any Man says he speak in an unknown Tongue let it be by two or at the most by three and that by course and let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himself and to God let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other judge and if any thing be revealed to him that sitteth by let the first hold his peace for ye may all Prophesie one by one c. then he adds Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the Law and if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church And so he goes on and concludes that Chapter with these Words Let all things be done decently and in order By all which it is very clear plain that the Apostles drift was to advise them unto a decent comely and orderly method in the Church and that he did not intend a general prohibition unto Women howsoever they were called or qualified for then had he not only opposed their approved Practice in the Church but even his own Testimony in the very same Epistle where he saith Every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head chap. 11.5 Thus he is so far from disallowing of Women Praying or Prophesing that he adviseth how they shall be covered and demean themselves in the performance of such Services and Devotions Again the Apostle says Ye may all Prophesie one by one and if All then Women as well as Men forasmuch as without any restriction he directs his Epistle to the Church of God at Corinth which no question consisted of Women as well as Men if then these words Ye may all Prophesie have relation unto them to whom the Apostle directed that Epistle as is certain then Women may Prophesie as well as Men provided they be truly called and qualified by the Spirit of God and that any thing be revealed and enjoyned upon them to declare and hold forth unto People from him who is and ought to be the sole orderer and disposer of the Hearts and Spirits of all his People And as for that saying of his unto Timothy it is much to the same purpose for he was speaking how Women should adorn themselves and how they should not adorn themselves then he subjoyns Let the Woman learn in silence with all subjection but I suffer not a Woman to Teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man but to be Silent 1 Tim. 2.9 10 11 12. There is no question but there were such Women at Ephesus where Timothy then was who had need of this care to be taken concerning them and at Corinth too such as were unlearned proud and tattling Women not come to the true silence and therefore he says Let the Women learn in silence with all subjection Again its probable there might be such as would be teaching and usurping authority over the Man such had need to be silent indeed that 's without dispute for if they were for usurping authority over the man they were very unfit to be Teachers of others But what of all this although Proud Vain Tattling Ignorant and Unlearned Women are not to be permitted to Speak in the Church nor to make disturbance there with their unseasonable and unlearned Questions and Discourses but are to learn in Silence with all Subjection and to be under Obedience as also saith the Law yet it does not therefore follow but that such Women as are become Meek Humble Sober Grave Temperate Wise and Discreet and keep their Place and Station in the blessed Truth and have been content to learn in silence with all subjection may do and perform such Services and Devotions in the Church of Christ as they may be called unto and have a necessity from the Lord laid upon them to be found in the practice of whether it be in publick Declarations and Testimonies for God and his Truth or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him The Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies that Women as well as Men have been concerned upon these accompts to pass by divers that might be mentioned whose Names are recorded in the writings of the Old Testament in whom the Spirit of the Lord has been so prevalent that they have appeared Zealous for the God of Israel we shall only speak of those mention'd in the writings of the New Testament who have been concerned in the Work and Service of the Gospel We Read that Anna the Daughter of Phanuel was a Prophetess and Preached to the People in the Temple at Jerusalem the Clorious Day of Israel's Redemption Luke 2.36 37 38. The next is the Woman of Samaria with whom Christ himself Conversed she was taught of Christ himself that he was the Messiah and then she went and Publish't the same in the City Sychar John 4.26.28 29. Again we find that ridings of Christs Resurrection was first publish't by a Woman viz. Mary Magdalen and that she was commanded by Christ himself to go to his Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God John 20.17 18. And also Philip the Evangelist who was one of the seven mentioned Acts 6.5 had four Daughters Virgins which did Prophesie Acts 21.8 9. Moreover the Apostle Paul himself was so far from discouraging Women upon these accounts that he mentions several being concerned with him in the Work and Service of Gospel he begins the 16 chapter to the Romnus thus I commend unto you Phebe our Sister which is a Servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea Again Greet Priscilla and Aquila my fellow helpers in Christ Jesus Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis which laboured much in the Lord Rom. 16.3 12. All these were Women except Aquila Also the same Apostle in his Epistle to the Philippians writeth thus And I intreat thee also true Yoke-Fellow help those Women that laboured with me in the Gospel with Clement also and other my fellow Labourers whose Names are written in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 Thus it is manifest that serious godly and wel-disposed Women whom the Lord by his Grace and Spirit stired up in former Ages to serve him and to bear a Testimony for his Name and Truth were owned by the Apostle in their Service and accepted of in the Church of Christ and indeed they ought to be so still wherein it is manifest that their Exercise and Service stands in the Truth and in the fellowship
Service that they are called unto as there is a true dependance upon him So that the very rise of their Services is not simply from human Abilities but from the divine Gift as the Apostle very well observed As every man hath received the Gift even so minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God if any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4.10 11. Again the Apostle Paul to the Romans writeth thus Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the proportion of Faith or Ministry les us wait on our Ministring or he that Teacheth on Teaching or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation Rom. 12.6 7 8. From whence it is yet further clearly manifest that the rise and foundation of true Gospel Performances stands not in worldly Wisdom or human Arts and Sciences but in the Gift and Grace of God revealed and manifested in Jesus Christ our Lord. Section IX Concerning outward Force and Violence in Religious matters and the unlawfulness of forceable resisting the temporal Magistracy AGain as those who do truly minister from this divine Gift endeavour not to fill Peoples Ears and Minds with strange uncertain and fore-prepared Arguments Loud Discourses Dark Suggestions Logical Terms Philosophical Notions and Conceptions about Divine and Spiritual matters Neither do they endeavour to force or enjoyn People to receive them and their Testimony whether they will or no but in all Christian Meekness Plainness Gentleness Forbearance and Sincerity they declare and hold forth the Truth of God as they have received it and do recommend their Testimony unto every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 which thing is agreeable to the practice of Jesus Christ his Apostles and Servants in the Primitive times We see with what plainness in Speech and familiar Similies and Parables our Lord did express himself to the People as appears in the writings of the Evangelists and how tenderly he invited People to come unto him and learn of him that was meek and low in Heart Mat. 11.28 29. promising they should find rest unto their Souls yea and when the Jews notwithstanding his great inclination to gather them did continue in hardness and rebellion against him and his heavenly Message yet he Wept over them as we read Luke 19.41 42. And when he was come near he beheld the City and Wept over it saying if thou hadst known even thou at the least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thy Eyes And yet as a further demonstration of the Love Meekness and Gentleness of his Spirit we have an account that when something of sharpness appeared in some of his Disciples against those Samaritanes who received them not we may perceive how suddenly he rebuked them saying Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of Luke 9.54 55 56. for the Son of Man is not come to destroy Mens Lifes but to save them It is also further manifest in the Scriptures that the Apostles and Servants of Christ did all along proceed upon Truth 's account in much plainness of Speech Gentleness Humility Self-denial and Christian Forbearance towards all People The which said Practice of theirs upon these accounts may sufficiently serve for a Confutation unto such as will needs pretend to the Christian Faith and to be Ministers Servants and Followers of Christ and are strangely Leavened and Infected with many Peevish Proud Stingy Insolent Covetous Unmortified Persecuting and Naughty Humors and Practices no way agreeable to the nature and tendency of the Gospel of Peace nor to that pure holy and undefiled Religion which was Instituted by our Lord and Practiced by his Disciples and Followers As outward Force Severity and Compulsion in Religious matters does no way seem to be consistent with Christianity so neither do we find any Precept or President for it in the writings of the New Testament That which some would alledge in vindication thereof is the saying of the Lord Jesus Luke 14.23 Go out into the High-Ways and Hedges and compel them to come in that my House may be filled But if this saying of his be rightly considered and compared with other Texts of Scripture there will no such thing appear as that he intended to propagate the Gospel of Peace by outward Force and Severity as for the words Compel and Constrain they are much what Synonymous and do not always import outward Force Violence or Compulsion but many times in the Scriptures friendly Invitations kind Intreaties undeniable and demonstrable Reasons and gentle Perswasions which are most agreeable to the meekness and gentleness of that Spirit by which the true Ministers and Servants of Christ have been are and ought to be acted in all their proceedings upon the Truths account We read that when Jesus appeared unto those two Disciples that were going to Emmaus When they drew nigh to the Village he made as though he would have gone further but they constrained him and he went in to tarry with them There is no question but this constraint was by fair meanes even by a kind entreaty as the Text expresseth Abide with Vs and reason was also urged for it because it was towards Evening and the Day was far spent Luke 24.28 29. Again it s said Jesus constrained his Disciples to get into a Ship Mat. 14.22 And we read that when Lydia's Heart was opened she constrained Paul and his Company to come into her House and abide there Acts 16.15 Also the Apostle Paul in his Speech to Peter says Why compellest thou the Gentiles to Live as do the Jews Gal. 2.14 All which said Expressions concerning Compulsion or Constraint do no way seem to hold out any thing of outward Force Violence or Severity But rather earnest Intreaty kind gentle or strong Perswasions of Reason Love c. And yet further if we consider the nature and tendency of that Discourse wherein the word Compel is made use of Luke 14.23 there will no such thing appear as that any outward Force or Violence was intened by that Expression the Parable is of a certain man that made a Supper and bad many Guests they urge excuses and come not the Master of the House being angry bids his Servant go out into the Streets and Lanes of the City and bring in the Poor the Maimed the Halt and the Blind that being done and still room for more the Master sends again saying Go out into the High-Ways and Hedges and compel them to come in that my House may be filled Now consider if we take the Parable literally as it is what manner of Force or Compulsion was either needful or proper to be used to such Persons as are
Name by which they have known Salvation As for artificial Musick although it was practized in the Jewish Church yet we do neither find any Precept or President for it in the writings of the new Testament We read that David had Singers and appointed men to make use of Musical Instruments yea sometimes made use thereof himself yet we have cause to believe that what he appointed to be done upon these accounts was not intended by him for gratifying vain foolish and wanton Minds but the more to influence and affect the People at that time with that Worship and Service of God and to sing Praises to his holy Name therefore says he Awake up my Glory awake Psaltery and Harp I my self will awake early I will praise thee O Lord among the People I will sing unto thee among the Nations Psal 57.8 9. Again Make a joyful noise unto God all ye Lands sing forth the honour of his Name make his Praise Glorious Psal 66.1 2. But then although David's intent might be good in making use of those Musical Instruments at that time yet we read that when Israel was departed from the Lord and the Counsel of his Spirit and made use of those things in a Formal and Customary way the Lord declared against them saying Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols Amos 5.23 And again Wo to them that are at ease in Sion and trust in the Mountain of Samaria That Chant to the sound of the Viol and invent to themselves Instruments of Musick like David That drink Wine in Bowles and anoint themselves with the chiefest Oyntments but they are not grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph Amos 6.1 5 6. From whence it is manifest That it was then so far from being acceptable unto God for Vain Wicked and Sinful men to Chant to the sound of the Viol and to invent unto themselves Instruments of Musick like David that the Lord declares he will not hear their melody and also pronounces a Wo against them that are in the practice of such things and inasmuch as it was so then that the Lord was pleased to declare and testifie against the Songs and Melody of the Jews under that Dispensation it certainly behoves those who are called Christians seriously to consider what ground there is in true Christianity for the use of artificial Musick upon any account whatsoever and especially in the performance of their Devotions to God Almighty for as hath been before observ'd we do no where find that either Christ or his Apostles did at any time either command or recommend any such thing to be used among Christians not does it in the least appear that the practice thereof is any way consistant with the Purity and Spirituality of that Religion and Worship which was Instituted by our blessed Lord and Practized by his Disciples and Followers in the primitive times The Conclusion SInce then it is clearly manifest by what hath been said that it is the Lord Jesus Christ by his Grace and Spirit that is and ought to be the chief and principal mover and actor in the Hearts and Souls of his People in order to call and gather them out of the Vanities and Pollutions of this present World and to fit prepare and qualife them for performing that pure and spiritual Worship and Service which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day whether it be in publick Preaching Testimonies and Declarations or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him and that all men in their natural and unconverted State notwithstanding human Abilities until they be converted to God and have the help all such undertakings shall certainly feel and witness the returns of Divine Love Life Peace and Satisfaction from the hand of the Lord unto their Immortal Souls and shall be secretly uphelp supplied and supported by the blessed and holy power of God in all Straits and Difficulties that shall attend them upon the account of their service to God and his Truth and shall also be enabled thereby to persever in Faith and Patience unto the end of their Course until such time as it shall please the Lord God of Eternal Glory to call gather and remove them hence into an heavenly Habitation of Rest and Peace with him forever So that when the Wicked and Rebellious shall be seized upon with perpetual Sorrow and Anguish those who have thus received the Lord Jesus Christ and by his blessed and powerful hand have been conducted to their Eternal Mansion shall together with all the Saints and Children of God that are gone before them Everlastingly Praise Magnifie and Adore the Divine Majesty who alone is worthy of all Honour Glory Praise Magnitude and Dominion at this time henceforth and for evermore Amen ERATA In the Title Page line 12. read revealed in men in the Preface page 2. line 4. for Religions read Religious p. 4. l. 3. f. anology r. anology p. 5. l. 13. f. saw the r. saw that the. p. 17. l. 14. f. hollow r. hallow p. 20. l. 2. f. meet r. met p. 38. l. 18. f. silent r. in silence p. 43. lines 3 4 5 6. not to be â—alick Letter p. 51. l. 2. dele unto p. 59. l. 18. f. intened r. intended p. 68. l. 16. f. feed r. fed l. 25. f. Christ r. Christ's p. 88. l. 11. f. God r. Gods. THE END
of that Divine Spirit and Power wherein there is neither Jew nor Greek Bond nor Free Male nor Female but all are one even in Christ Jesus Gal. 3 28. who by the operation of his free Spirit may exercise whom he pleases in Building up Strengthening and Confirming his Church and People as also in bearing a Testimony unto his Blessed and Holy Name amongst the Sons and Daughters of Men. And yet nevertheless as it hath been so it is and ought to be observ'd that such Women as are not truly called qualified for such Services in the Church ought not to presume to Speak and Teach there but to learn in Silence with all due Subjection and indeed it concerns all both Men and Women to be very careful in these respects and also to be cautious that under the pretence of divine motion they be not found going into foolish Whimsies and Extreams out of the Liberties and Confines of Christian Prudence Decency and Moderation but that all keep under the Guidance Conduct Government Order and Discipline of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ otherwise it may be said of Men as well as Women Let them keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted unto them to Speak in a spiritual unpreparedness and in dis-union with God and his People nor in any rule undecent or disorderly manner For our God is not the author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 Section VIII Concerning the Rise of Gospel Performances and the Qualifications of Gospel Ministers showing that they are not from Human Learning Worldly Wisdom and Natural Arts and Sciences but from the Divine Spirit FRom what hath been said concerning the Christian Ministry it is clearly manifest that the Vertue and Power of the Divine Spirit is absolutely necessary for the Qualifying Calling and Constituting of a Gospel Minister and that it is by the secret help motion and assistance thereof that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is to be acted and supplied in the performance of their Duties and Services otherwise it does no way appear that they can either be acceptable unto God or beneficial unto men inasmuch as man of himself in his natural and unrenewed State notwithstanding his outward abilities as to Human Learning is as it were a Stranger unto God and really anacquainted with the Mysteries of his Heavenly Kingdom for although School Learning Worldly Wisdom and Human Arts and Sciences are much look't upon and applauded in this our Age as Qualifications absolutely necessary for the Gospel Ministry yet we no where find any such â—ress laid upon the same in the Scriptures but on the contrary it rather appears from thence that the knowledge of Divine and Spiritual Mysteries are hid from the worldly Wise and is revealed unto those who by the vertue of the holy Spirit are born again and so are become Babes in Christ Unto this our Lord Jesus has given a very plain and ample Testimony Luke 10.21 22. In that hour Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes even so Father for it seconed good in thy sight All things are delivered to me of my Father and no mar knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Again its observable that although the Apostle Paul was learned sufficiently and brought up at Gamaliel's Feet yet all his Learning and Knowledge could not truly open his Understanding in Divine and Spriritual Matters for whilst he was acted by that Wisdom which was from below he was so blind that he ran on in a fierce career to Persecute the People of God Acts 11.29 and was exceedingly Mad against them yea he confesseth himself that he was a Blasphemer 1 Tim. 1.13 a Persecutor and injurious and says That beyond measure he Parsecuted the Church of God and wasted it Gal. 1.13 But after it pleased God to meet with him to call him by his Grace and to reveal his Son in him he came to learn an other Lesson he was so far from applauding and exalting worldly Wisdom and human Arts and Sciences as Qualifications of absolute necessity for a Gospel Minister that he rather seems to oppose the same saying Where is the Wise Where is the Scribe Where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made Foolish the Wisdom of this World For after that in the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.20 21 c. the World by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that Believe For the Jews require a Sign and the Greeks seek after Wisdom but we preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness but unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. And also he says verse the 27th But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the World and things that are dispised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no Flesh should glory in his Presence Thus we see the Apostle doth much endeavour to debase the Wisdom of the World and to exalt the Power and Wisdom of God as yet still further appears in the following Chapter where he begins to speak concerning himself and his manner of coming unto the Corinthians saying 1 Cor. 2. And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God for I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified and I was with you in Weakness and in Fear and in much Trembling and my Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing Words of Mans Wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that your Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God. From whence it is very plain and clear that the Apostle Paul was no way enclin'd to allow that place unto Worldly Wisdom which of right belongs unto Divine Wisdom nor yet to attribute that unto natural Arts and Sciences which is only peculiar unto the holy Spirit which thing is also further confirm'd in the sequel of the same Chapter where the Apostle saith Eye hath not seen chap. 2.9 10 11 14. nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man viz. man in the Fall the things which God hath prepared for them that Love him but God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the