faith and Baptisme and so a powerlesse people call a giftlesse Ministerie p 17 18 who wanting gift study arts fullfilling Es 28 7 8 till that enlightening be Rev. 18 1 14 6 In the meane while believers make not hast Es 24.28 16 37.32 I Answer first doth Christ give call to the Ministery a first a second and a third way then they that are called the first way only or second or third way only are notwithstanding rightly called and if there be a fourth or fifth way then such as are called thereto the fourth or fift way though not the first second or third are notwithstanding rightly called and so the present Ministery may be rightly called though not called either of the three first wayes But Phillip and others scattered ones Act. 8. 11. which were not Ministers of the Word before were called to the ministery of the word and Baptisme 1. Not by Christ immediatly 2. Nor by Apostles with Churches election 3. Nor by the Church but 4ly By a providence being scattered there is therefore a providentiall call 5. The Evangelist Titus was left in Creta to redress what was wanting and ordain Elders in every City only minding that they be rightly quallified 6. Paul bad Timothy not to hinder any that should desire this Office in case they that desire it are suitably qualified this is a sixt way So then if the present Ministery be thereto called neither of the three first wayes yet are they rightly called if by either of the three last wayes Providentiall Evangelicall or desirable if they be suitably qualyfied 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. But is their call neither of the three first waies 1. To Disciples Christ gave his commission they have authority given them and they have given call to this Ministery 2. The Apostles Ministery I mean the Scripture calleth those that are suitably qualified thereto 3. Christ immediatly hath inwardly called and sterd them up thereto which is authoritive for the practise of a precept already given out as Hagg. 1.14 thus for our call 2dly Our Churches being in the right faith and order Col. 2.5 I meane in the main and consisting of Discples they are not powerlesse as in chap. 2. is shewn and if our Ministers do instrumentally convert and edefie and be indude with extraordinary vertuousnesse as if they be blameless the Husband of one Wife having children not accused of riot nor unrulie if he be not selfe willed not soon angry â—ot given to wiâ—e nor filthy lukar no striker but a lover of Hosptality and of good men being sober Just Holy Temperate able to convince then is he sutably gifted Tit. 1.5 6 7 8 9. 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3. any man that is thus qualified is sutably gifted Therefore saith Paul to Timothy if any desire the office c and to Titus bidding ordain Elders he addeth if any be blamelesse the Husband of one wife c. Shewing plainly that these are the sutable gifts 2 Though Timothy had a gift conveyed we read not so of all neither is it minded as a requisite to a right call 3. Neither was it conveyed by vertue of his call but by laying on of hands 4. Neither was it the gift of Miracles for he might by stirring it up inlarge it And the signes to wit Miracles that did follow or accompany the word Mark 16 are not minded as a Ministers Caracter neither can it so be for some Ministers of Christ wanted these and some false Ministers have them as John 10 41. with Dutr. 13 1 2 3. and Mat. 24. And they that were bid wait for power Act 1 were not bid not to Preach or Baptise till then but to bide at Jerusalem and not to go to the Nations to teach them till then and so this power is not authority but ability to teach Nations which they had not till with the gift of Tongues they were impowred And if studiousness in the Scripture be the art he saith we have instead of gifts I am sure Paul bid gifted Timothy do this 1 Tim. 4 13 14 15 3. They called Messengers of the Churches 2 Cor. 8 23 Ph. 2 25 are such as were with some Message sent from one Church to another 4 The enlightning he speaks of is but a clearer discovery of received truths for who so teacheth otherwise is to be accursed Gal 8 and the best way to know is to practise what we do know John 7 17. 8 31 5. Without all dispute Believers do make hast to keep Christs commands Psal 119 59 6â— Act 2 41 16 33 and so much to the substance of this Book The second part THough his Answer to Objections hangs on these hinges and what hath been spoken might serve as answer to what follows if seriously weighed yet to cleare the truth the better to the weaker sort I shall also wave his Objections and his Answers to them The first Objection propounded and answered by him is for substance thus 1 Ob. Commission to Preach and Baptize was given to Disciples as Disciples Mat. 28 and Disciples while disciples so did John 3 22 24 Mat. 4 21. He Answerth Christ was then with them but when he left them he deligated to them the power that after his resurrection was given him Mat. 28. John 17 18 now they are in Christs stead then Disciples now Master-builders their Ministery is Apostleship not Discipleship Act 1.2 2 41. I Reply Though Christ be not present now as then he was yet are his commands as forcible now as they were then he will destroy at his next â—omming such as disobey him in the time of his abâ—â—nce Luke 19 14 17. 2. The same men then Disciples now master-builders are imployed in the same work now that they were then 3. And must teach Disciples now to do what he then taught them as minded chap. 2. 4. If Christ had not power given him till after his resurrection as he saith then their preaching and baptizing is his presence was as powerless as ours in his absence To the second branch of the question he answers 1 They might be Apostles before Johns imprisonment though mentioned after I reply not so for it is said they baptized in Jordan and Iohn in Enon for Iohn was not yet in prison 2. He answereth if they were only Disciples yet Baptisme was not theirs but Christs authoritatively he did it but he that hath authority can judge of the fitness of those he baptizeth as did John Philip and Peter Mat. 3. Acts 8 38. 10.40 I reply was their Ministry Christs authoritatively so is ours for we as Disciples do those things that they were bid in Mat. 28. to teach Disciples to do 2 They could not judge infallibly of the fitness of those they baptized witness the unfitness of many that they did baptize Also John confest that he that came after him was he that had his fan in his hand and which would throughly purge his floore 3 Before he
that deny the forme Thirdly the power specified Thes 1.5 is not as he would have it visible gifts as tongues and miracles but it is what he by that place opposeth to wit reall and visible obedience Fourthly the power promised and waited for Luk 24.45 49. is not as he would have it the power of authority but of abillity Authority to pray preach chuse Officers and the like was given when that commission Math. 28 was given these they might do and did do while they waited therefore was their waiting for the power of ability to teach all Nations which they had not til tongues fell on them they had authority to Disciplise the Nations when the Commission so to do was given them but they must abide at Jerusalem til ability be also given He whose heart is Godward having abillity and oportunity wanteth not authority for as was shewn authority hath its residence among Disciples and so in this that he most glorieth in he mainly mistakes Quest Were not miracles rather to confirme the word then to witnesse persons being sent Heb. 2.4 He ans as to confirme the word Mar. 16 20 so also to witnesse persons being sent Christs works testified that the Father sent him Io. 5 36 11 42 20 21 and as the Father sent forth him so he sent forth them Jo. 17 18 Act 413 14 â—6 therefore their works testifie their being sent of Christ the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you 2 Cor 12 12. I Answer the people oposing Christ he tells them of severall that bore witnesse of him as first Iohn chap. 5. v 33. 2dly his works v 36 Thirdly the Father v 37. Fourthly the Scripture v 39 all these were witnesses of his being the Messiah that so by coming to him they might have life v 40 That miracles was among others one witnesse that Christ is the Messiah is true but that they were also appointed to witnesse who are the witnesses of Christ is false for Iohn who did bear witnesse of Christ wrought none Ioh. 10 41 also some that opose the truths of God have wrought miracles and shall againe Deuter. 13 1 2 3 Rev. 13 1â— Ob. As he was sent so he sent them into be World Iohn 17 18. I answer though in some things these be sent as he was yet not in every thing not with miracles to witnesse that they are Messiahs as he was sent with miracles to witnesse himself to be the Messiah but as he was sent to bear witnesse to the truth so were they and so was Iohn who wrought not miracles as Christ did Secondly those sent by Christ into the world as he was sent into the World are not Apostles only â—or only miracle workers but other Saints those that were given him out of the World which received and kept his word which knew him to be sent of God as verse 6 7 8 even such as are not of the World as he is not of the world are the very persons that he sendeth into the world as he was sent into the world as v 14 16 17 18. Obj. But the signes of an Apostle were wrought among you I answer that miracles are not the Caracter of an Apostle was lately shewn Secondly this place would have proved it if the folâ—owing words were not added with signes wonders and mighty deeds these signes and mighty deeds are an overplus to the signs of an Apostle Thirdly the same Apostle doth to the same people declare other things to be the signes of an Apostle as his having seen Christ and his having brought them into the direct wayes of Christ so in 1 Cor. 9.1.2 Am not I an Apostle am not I free have not I seen Jesus Christ our Lord are not ye my work in the Lord if I be not an Apostle to others yet doubtlesse I am to you for ye are the seal of mine Apostleship in the Lord here are Apostles Charactorized indeed even by the Apostle himself minded as â—â—aractors without doubt Therefore would professed Christians trye again whether they have share in the Apostles ministery let them not try it by the miracles that the instruments of their good have wrought but whether the Doctrine taught them and the wayes they are brought into be indeed the truths and wayes of Christ as 2 Cor 13 verse 5. Question Gifts are to be improved for edification and how can it be orderly done out of a Church state He answers as the gift is so must be the improvement and where these are the Church is so glorious they need not take care how to improve them out of a Church Be it wisdome knowledge faith miracles healing prophesie c. or be it joy hope love and the like the spirit is not wanting to teach improvement p. 50. I reply by this rule exhortations and dehortations be in vain in vaine saith Paul stirre the gift that is in thee 2 Tim. 1 6 in vaine saith Peter let every man as he hath received the gift so administer 1 Pet. 4 10. in vain saith John these things I write to you that your joy might be full He answers further what was ever written is for our learning they in the Templestate and wildernesse are our types 1 Cor. 10 11 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 11 8. but some worship was to be in the Temple only Duter 12. but prayer private or publick should be in the land of their Captivity p. 50.51 1 King 1 44.50 51. c. 4 5 16 to teach us that now something is peculiar to a Church as binding and loosing c. I answer it hath been shewn first that we are a Church and that preaching and baptizing hath been by John out of a visible Church state though binding and loosing hath not He addeth some say we have truth others say we have builders and stones are at odds If the true ministery were on foot would this confusion be is not might therefore your vision and a rent your Girdle but God hath given us hope if we cry mightily I reply this declares it so with some but not withall when Michah and others contended the word of the Lord came to me saith one t is not so saith tother but Michah had the word of the Lord and night was not his vision Also that famous Gospell Church at Antioch contended about Circumcisition Act. 15. some had truth on their side but the Church could not distinguish and yet a Church of Christ still and as they had recourse to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem so may we to the Apostles writings and if need be to other Churches Ob. but saith he the builders and stones are at odds I reply So it was with Paul the Corinthians though he had beg it builded espoused them they questioned the truth of his Apostleship 1 Cor. 9.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 11 4 5 6 13.3 yet Paul a true an Apostle they a true Church and had the true ministery Obj. How shall
48 49. and so much to this His second affirmation is in p. 8 that the said Ministry is exprest Eph 4 12 13 for number names â—nd and duration all these are set in the Church â—â—s institutions to abide 1 Cor 12 28. p. 9 to perfect 〈◊〉 edifie some in the world to precede the Church â—â—me placed in it to edifie p. 10 Must Saints be â—â—rfected and edified not by one but by all these p. 11. then is Christs ministerie breeding and feeding one prepares gathereth the other buildeth further both are one ministerie fruits of one purchase both needfull one to convert and enlighten the other to edifie and strengthen therefore to continue together the latter hath not been without the former he thinks as p. 12 I Answ Is conversion by the first part of this ministery and edification by the latter then the first must be now or no conversion now and the latter now or no edification now and then well may he opose a Feeding ministrie that hath not pertak't of the breeding ministery Secondly The denying this ministery now to be is the belying that place Eph. 4. for that as he said declareth not only the number names end but also the duration of Gospel-ministerie and that till all the saints meet to a perfect man It is to perfect till all are perfected converted as he saith by this it appeareth now to be except conversion be past Thirdly Persons ministring are Ministers that about which they minister is the ministrie the breeding and feeding ministrie is where conversion and edifying is The Jews had Moses and the Profits when they had their writings in the same sence now have we the Apostles and Prophets which is a ministrie both breeding and feeding t is breeding Joh. 20.30 31. Many other signes he did which are not written in this book but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that in believing ye might have life through his name And feeding 1 Jo. 5.13 These things have I written unto you that beleeve in the name of the Son of God that ye may know ye have eternall life and may beleeve on the name of the Son of GOD. Yet these writings neither beget nor feed if God assist not neither did Pauls personall planting nor Apollos watering except God gave the encrease Fourthly let us honour the Ministerie above Ministers God begets by his word Jam 1.18 somtime through the mouth of one unbegot himselfe as we see Esa 42 19 20 His opening of Perfecting Edifying I oppose not CHAP. IIII. HIs third affirmation is Scripture doth not clear Church gathering without Ministerie and Baptisme preceding p 12 I Answer true and we by the aforesaid ministery were converted and were also baptized before we congregated He addeth some say believers may consent to be a Church c. as a visible church appoint one to baptize c. I answer none but self-seekers will so say who being before leaders would be so still and so found out this by way others after baptisme by consent became a Church But this he opposeth also as if we now err from our first principles for saith he we now take not one in though he consent till the Church as in Christs name Judge him fit but saith he p 13 who at first declared in Christs name to us that Christ accepted of us as a Church but some were disigned thereto saith he a preceding ministerie converting and espousing them p 14 1 Cor 4 15 2 Cor 5 25. 11.2 8 5. I answer as now the whole Church Judgeth of the fitnesse of such as would be added so at first every particular was approved of by the whole and so we swerve not from our first practise And that some were designed to judge whether Christ would accept of a people c. is false and against the Gospell for as touching believing who ever cometh to Christ he will in no wiâ—e cast off Joh. 6. so also in obedience if the mind be willing he accepteth according to what we have 2. Cor. 8.12 he dispiseth not the day of small things He respecteth tender Grapes Cant. 2.14 15. and so he designeth some to strengthen weak hands to confirme feeble knees to say to the fearfull in heart be ye strong c. Esa 35.3.4 he designeth none to tell people though they set themselves to serve the Lord yet it is questionable whether he will accept of their so doing and his quotations prove no such thing Paul in one telleth the Cor. that he was their Father he had begot them through the Gospell in another he saith that he in Christs stead intreated them to be reconciled in the third place he saith he had espoused them to a Husband and in the last place speaking of the Macedonians saith they gave themselves up first to the Lord then to us by the will of God here note first their voluntary act they gave up themselves 2dly to whom first to the Lord then to us saith he 3dly by whose appointment by the will of God Had the Apostles been designed to judge whether peoples submission would be accepted off then should they have first given up themselves to them and then to the Lord if the Apostles had judged them fit Se how opposite his quotations are to him and he to them T is one thing to beget people by the word to intreat people to be reconciled and to be as judge to judge whether such as are begotten on are reconciled shall be accepted off is another thing to espouse that is to perswade them to accept of Christs espousalls by declaring his readinesse to accept of any that give themselves up to him is one thing to judge whether though people do so Christ will accept of it is another thing some were by Christ designed to the first but not the latter This Speech of his therefore tendeth to eclips Gods grace to sadden his people to bolster up people in disobedience to their own hurt and Gods dishonour who is glorified by peoples being Christs Disciples Joh. 15.8 Luk. 7.29.30 and so much to the third particuler CHAP V. HIs last affirmation is that the present Ministrie is not Christs his being p. 15. called immediatly Mat. 10.1 28.16 Gaâ— 1.12 with sutable gifts Mar. 1.15 Act. 1.4 8. these are Ministers of Christ 1. Cor. 4.1 Or called mediatly that is hereto impoured by Apostles for the Church and with their suffrag and election p. 16. Act. 6. Tit. 1.5 these are the Churches Messengers 2 Cor. 8 23. Phil. 2.25 these must be called by Apostles or Apostolicall Ministerie Act. 14.14.23 or by the Bride into whose Custodie administrations were left 1. Cor. 11.2 who convey gifts on them 2 Tim. 1 6 But the call of the present Ministery was not immediate nor by Apostles nor by a true constituted Church espoused by some hereto designed as 1. Cor. 11 2 according to the establish't order
Ministry to this purpose is page 32 33 34 35 36 37. but the number of Saints being not yet perfected we may expect enlightning if we cry mightily page 38. 39. 40. I reply What he in 8 or 9 pages goeth to prove I grant to wit that this promise is conditional and so need not to wave such proofs but being so 1 Let us perform the condition and then expect the fullfilling of the promise 2 This is that condition that God hath engaged himself to work in his people he will teach the humble his way Psal 25.9 therefore though Gods foundation be sure yet we may question our being in this foundation if God teach us not his way 3 Because we are not so enlightned as we may be we should therefore walk by rule so far as we have attained Phil. 3.16 and though we come short of what we should do or hereafter may do yet heartily endeavouring God accepteth according to what we have Haggai 2.4.5 4. The best way for more light is to practice what we have John 7.17 and 8.31 which if we do not what we have will be lost though we cry we shall not be heard Prov. 1.28 5. Obj. We may not expect more Apostles for the last have been 1 Cor. 4.9 He answers 1. that the same word in Luke 14.9 is lowest 2 Be it last it is the last that hath been not that shall be for by whom shall Israel be gathered or Gentiles converted Jer. 32.37 38. and 22.3 Mark 13.10 Mat. 24.14 p. 41. I reply why not the last that shall be fore if Paul and others that Christ as you say else where singled out be the lowest who are the chiefest and if they be the last to wit that had been who were before them and so the first and if these as he saith be Church presceders and part of the foundation Christ being the chiefe Corner stone then the last that shall be for no other foundation may be laid nor this laid again who ever bringeth another Gospell then what hath beene brought is to be accursed Gal. 1. 1 Cor. 3. And others beside such personall Apostles have been imployed in gathering Jew and Gentile into the true fold Mat. 10. Act. 8. 11. why not again Obj. 6. Apostles writings may be called Apostls He ans In a figure they may Esay was a Prophet to the Eunuch into whose hands his prophecy came but he needed a guid and so do we and God that sent him one may send us one if he see our need c. I reply as he granteth we have the Apostles in their writings so I grant we need a guid but a guide directeth in wayes we know not and is uselesse in known wayes he knew not of whom the Prophet spake and so needed guiding but we know this and much more We know we should believe in Christ should pray should be baptized should assemble should teach heare break bread c. as God giveth ability and oportunity Secondly God himself will guide the meek in judgement he will teach the humble his way Psa 25.9 Obj. 7. Paul took care for Churches taught Timothy how to behave himself in the Church did also bid him teach the same things to faithfull men who might teach others also 2 Tim. 2.2 He ans True but Paul foretold a falling from it I reply and therefore he bids the truly Godly to contend earnestly for the faith that was once given them Obj. 8. May not the Saints being Kings by Christ restore worship as King Josiah did 2 2 King 22. He ans Such Lawes God gave Prince Moses Ex. 39 32.42.43 and Josuah types of Christ and David had a pattern of the Temple 1 Cor. 28. the Kings built and restored but the people though a royall priesthood Exo. 19.6 and kingly people 1 Cor. 16.12 went not to repaire without their King therefore the first builders should be restorers Christ administred once by himself then by Appostles but never by the people c. but by chosen men p 4â— 45 Eph. 4.11 12. 1 Cor 12.29 Act. 10.41 furnisht with such a power and presence of Christ as declared them to be sent I reply as Christ hath administred by himself and his Apostles so also by the people to wit Disciples for first as hath been shown those to whom that generall and durable commission Mat. 28. was given were bid teach the Disciplised Nations or peoples to do the same things that themselves were taught to do and the Apostle Paul bids the people to follow him as he did Christ 1 Cor. 11. to the people he saith ye ought so to walk as you have us us Apostles for an example and Christ commends the people for trying and so finding them lyers which said they were Jews and were not Rev. 2. and who cast lots for an Apostle in Judas roome namely the people the men and brethren the Disciples Act. 1. yea to the Church or people Paul saith what soever you have heard and seen and learned and received of me those things do and the God of peace shall be with you Phil. 4.9 and so for restoring the people must contend earnestly for the faith streight wayes as Act. 13. that was once given Jud. 3. Christ bids the people repent and do their first work Rev 2.5 thus we see Christ hath not only administred by Apostles but also and equally by other Disciples and they when need is ought to restore worship and therefore when they do so they do it not without their King And though some of his quotations declare what Officers be in Christs universall Church as before minded yet not one saith he never administred by the people to wit Disciples Quest Is not the Apostles ministery as efficacious to possesse people of liberty and put them on their duty now as formerly sith they should teach Nations to observe what ever was commanded them Mat. 28. 2 Tim. 2.2 He premiseth that their Ministery was in word only or power 1 Thes 1.5 the power is outward or inward Act. 19.6 Rom. 15.18.19 Heb. 2.4 be it outward inward or both obedience is answerable Mat. 7.22 Luk 10.17 Gal. 5.22.23.26 2 Cor. 2.4 Then his answer is we are by their Ministery so far put on duty as it commeth with power 1 Cor. 1.5 2 Cor. 3.6 4.5 and though believers had the spirits demonstration yet are they not furnisht to obedience without power Luk 24 45.49 Act. 1 2 4 10.38 both ability to say thus saith Christ and authority so to say Act. 4.7 Mat. 9.6.8 I reply First it is in word only to them that obey it not and in power to those in whom it produceth obedience Secondly outward power of conformity may be without the inward but the inward is not without the outward If Gods Law be in the heart the tongue speaks to edifying the feet shun slyding Psa 37.31 Though some have the forme of Godlinesse that deny the power none have the power
Gods name be great among the Gentiles Mat. 1.11 He answers God will provide he can bring it about Mich. 2.7 10 3 5 6 7 4 Esa 22 7 Rom. 10 15. I reply Though God can and will bring his work about yet it shall not be to our honour or comfort if we refuse to help yea though he want not might yet such as come not forth to help the Lord are cursed bitterly Judg. 4 8 9 5. 23 24. Secondly in the time of Captivity som dwelt in fieled houses when Gods house lay waste they said the time is not come but God sharply reproveth them and giveth them to know they should have gained time for his as well as for their own Obj. No ministery no believing how can they believe on him of whom they have not heard or hear without a preacher Rom. 10.14 He answer by they is ment the Jewes p. 55. 56 they must have a preacher ere they believe they have heard and rejected and so are blinded till the time come for the dispersed to come to Zion I reply that by they is ment the Jewes I fully grant and yet he answers not the Objection for the Apostle draweth their particular from the generall faith cometh sayth he by hearing and hearing by the Word preacht so that no preaching no hearing no hearing no believing how then can they the Jewes believe except they heare or heare without a preacher He addeth not but that some Jewes and Gentiles may hear of God and Christ and believe to salvation without a speciall sending to preach but the Nation shall not The Samaritans and Cornelius believed without authoritive preaching some may by a Godly life some by the scattered ones declaring who were so far from being sent that they were sent after p. 58 59. Therefore though faith come by hearing yet may some believe that have not so heard and this adds strength to the mourners of Zion and to free them from the Bull not to question the present ministery lest also they question their own believing c. I reply If some Jewes though not the Nation may believe without preaching then may some gentiles also and it is but some that now do belive and obey 2dly If some may believe without preaching why may not more do so also 3dly If some believe without so hearing then was the Apostle out in saying faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word preacht 4thly If Paul speak truth in saying faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word preacht then surely where believing is hath been preaching though we say otherwise 5thly It is where the word hath been declared that holy life tends to conversion it convens not without but joyntly with the word 1 Pet. 3.1 6ly Were those scattered far from being sent and yet declared and baptized then may Disciples also do so now though no more sent then they were 7thly They that were sent as he saith after the scantered ones were not sent to declare null nor yet to mend what they had done but to do what they could not do to lay 〈◊〉 hands and convey the spirit 8ly The bâ—ll he speaketh of hath not been so much among the Churches as among the non-Church ones they have not only questioned the present ministery but their own believing also for want of miracles c. 9ly Though there doth arise comfort not only to the Churches but to such as have not light therein if their conscience can truly witnesse that they have a willing minde then God accepteth according to what we have and so it was with the Eunuch and Cornelius c. but if our not being of a Church and in Christs way be not through want of light but want of love thereto then is our case very dangerous and the true hearted shall not abide long ignorant hereof as was shewn and so it was with the Eunuch and Cornelius and others And therefore hinder not the work of Christ as ye will answer it before the Apostle and high Priest of our profession at the great day of his appearing who will reward every one according to what he did in the flesh whether good or bad â— Minde further these ten Notes I Apostles practice is Disciples pattern Phil. 3 1 Thes 3 6 7. II When people set up God for their God or when God sets up any for his precious people they are engaged to walk in his wayes to keep his Ordinances his commands lawes Deut. 26.17 18. III The worshipping God as he appoints is walking in his way Levit. 26 3. IIII Such as see themselves in wrong wayes ought to enquire for the good old way and to walke therein Ier. 6.16 V God is by promise engaged to teach all that are humble and inquisitive the knowledge of himself and his wayes Prov. 5.1 2 3 4 5. Psa 25 9. VI The Scripture is a guide to finde out Gods wayes and commands to the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word there is no light in them Esa 8 20 the Iewes by reading Scripture found dwelling in Boothes a Law for them to observe and so betook themselves to the practise of it with great joy for they had been so long without it that they know it not to be a Law til they found it so to VII be by reading Scripture And as this being given to Israelites Israelites might obey it so Gospel commands were given by Christ to disciples and therefore Disciples may set to the practise of them Matth. 28 19 20 Binde up the testimony among my Disciples Esa 8 16 VIII They whose hearts are now as free to obey Christ as once they were to ferve sin are Christs Disciples or servants Rom. 6.19 IX Miracles do not declare who are Disciples or who have authority to practise Christs commands for 1 False Prophets shall in latter daies work miraâ—les 2 Thes 2 9 2 To believe and obey without seeing miracles is commendable and the contrary reproveable John 4.48 20 29 1 Pet. 1 8. 3 The miracles that in Scripture we read of are in all ages usefull Iohn 20 30 31. 4 Signes are for such as believe not 1 Cor. 14. 5 Miracles seekers are by Christ termed adultereus Mat. 12 39. X Church meetings is Disciples duty also for 1 One main end of the ministery is the gathering Saints together Eph. 4. 2 To such as gather together in Christs name hath he promised his presence i.e. acceptance Math. 18. 3 The most necessary duties cannot be observed without Church-meetings we are to break bread in remembrance ef Christ but this cannot be done without Church assembling Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11. We need oft to exhort each other which cannot be except we assemble Heb. 3 10 25 neither can publike prayer be without Church meeting Act. 1 4 We are to love brotherly fellowship 1 Pe. 2.17 Page 29 line 17 for on read no. FINIS