the woman to whom our Saviour said It s not meet to cast the Childrens Bread to Dogs Truth Lord sayes she yet the Dogs eat the crums c. That being heartily considered will bring the into a better condition For God made him that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him And he came to seek and to save that which was lost Oh! That men were willing to know that unspeakable gift of God and the infinite grace of God in it to every man that would deliver them from this disorder and confusion in which instead of building on Christ that onely true foundation which God hath laid they seek to lay a foundation of their own and would build Christ and his things upon it 3 There is an order of regularness to be observed in the manner of our seeking And so to seek the Lord after the Due Order is to walk according to that rule in all our seeking which is already delivered as that is grounded upon and opened by the word of the beginning of Christ which is the vision of all the foundation of all ordinances of divine worship and the key of knowledge for opening them the particular precepts concerning them and not to have our fear towards God taught by the precepts of men which is an evil found with all those worshippers or seekers to whom the vision of all is a sealed book who perceive not their ground in that nor receive their instructions from thence unto all their fear and worship but make the word of the Lord to them precept upon precept line upon line c. Isa 29. 11 13 with chap. 28. 12 13. To seek him after the Due Order as under this consideration is 1 To seek him fear or worship him remember and acknowledge him in his wayes Isaiah 64. 5. not to chuse our own wayes Isaiah 66. 3. or to receive our conversation in that respect from the customes or traditions of men or to be determined by their precepts That will render our worship vain unacceptable and fruitless Matthew 15. 9. 1 Peter 1. 18. But in the instruction and direction of the Apostles main Doctrine the preaching of the Cross to observe all things whatsoever our Lord and Saviour commanded them and hath delivered to us by them to remember them in all things in their word and doctrine and so to keep the ordinances as they have delivered them to us to stand fast in the grace of the Gospel by and into which we are called and so to hold the traditions which they have in his name delivered to us Matthew 18. 20. 1 Corinthians 11. 2. 2 Thessalonians 2. 14 15. Alwayes acknowledging as the commandements of the Lord the things so delivered by them 1 Corinthians 14. 36 37 By whom the preaching was fully made known that all the Gentiles might hear 2 Timothy 4. 17. and in the instruction and incouragement of the word heard come into his house and rejoyce with his people that call on him in truth and so to acknowledge him to pray unto him to remember him and wait on him and wait on him in his house with his people where his name is truly acknowledged as opportunity is vouchsafed in his ordinances as by the Apostles in his name delivered Romans 15. 9 10 11. 1 Timothy 2 4 8. Proverbs 9. 1 5. Matthew 22. 4 10. Luke 14. 17 23. For they have delivered to us the commandements of the Lord Both what to hear Mark 2. 24. viz. That which we have already heard even from the beginning in the word of the truth of the Gospel as by them delivered Hebrews 2. 1. with ch 1. 1 3. c. 1 Joh. 2. 24 27. 1 Cor. 15. 1 3. 2 Pet. 2. 12. to the end with ch 3. 1 2. c. And also how to hear Luke 8. 18. For the trying of all things in those prophecyings which are not to be despised but respected and attended by us as well as also for the tryal of every doctrine or spirit that may come to us viz. so as retaining and holding fast that which is good Even the good word or doctrine of Christ as already come in the flesh and so as having finished the works the father gave him to do on the earth and being received up into glory in that body prepared for him in our nature in which he bore our sins on the tree as they have delivered the same unto us cleaving to and holding fast that as the Touch-stone and Rule of Tryal compare that Luke 8. 18. with 1 Thessalonians 5. 20 21. 2 Timothy 1. 13 14 c. 1 John 4. 1 6. Likewise in the same name and so by the Lord Jesus they have given us full instructions and commandements how we ought to walk in all our remembrances and acknowledgment of him and approaches to him in his ordinances 1 Thess 2. 11 12. and 4. 1 2. c. And in any thing where they have not limitted or circumscribed us to this or that thing or form we are not to fall under the judgment or become subject to the ordinances of men such as touch not taste not handle not Coll. 2. 16 20 21. Yea they have instructed us how and in what cases we are to behold Israel after the flesh for our helpfullness in the understanding and use of ordinances as well as for example and admonition to us 1 Corinthians 10. 1 18. 2 In the manner of our seeking remembring and acknowledging him in his wayes It is after the Due Order Alwayes first and chiefly to mind the greater or more weighty matters of the law of the things declared in the Apostles doctrine or instructed to thereby and so required in precepts and not to neglect the lighter matters as they are called in comparison of the greater though there is nothing in Gods law doctrine or requirings that is in it self light but to observe them according to the instruction of and in subserviency to the greater and more weighty Matthew 23. 23. Luke 11. 42. Hosea 6. 6. As 1 The end of all ordinances is the greater thing in them and more weighty then the circumstances in the manner of observance and so to be minded and preferred as the Apostle signifies both of the law as given by Moses and also of the commandement of the everlasting God in the Gospel of Christ and things instructed to therein from the end of which commandement he saith Some having swerved or not ayming at that have turned aside to vain jangling desiring to be teachers of the Law and so urging precept upon precept though without any certain ground foundation or rule of harmony not knowing what they say nor whereof they affirm The great things of his law being strange things to them Hosea 8. 12. with 1 Timothy 1. 5 6 7. Now the great end of all ordinances is to Preach or witness not our selves to our selves or to him or to others
But Jesus the Lord to testifie of him unto us and so to hold forth and witness repentance and remission of sins in his name and for us to remember acknowledge wait upon and seek unto him and not our selves in them Thus we read of Johns baptizing them with water as well as his verbal preaching That it was to manifest Christ to Israel not to manifest Israel to Christ or to themselves or one another but to manifest Christ to them as the Son of God the Saviour of the World John 1. 29 31. And so all the people that heard and the Publicans justified not themselves but God owned and acknowledged the truth of his testimony and grace in Christ in being baptized with the baptism of John Luke 7. 29. Likewise the Apostles baptizing the Nations of the Gentiles with their word or doctrine and also with water in his name it was in order to the discipling them unto Christ and to that purpose to witness repentance and remission of sins in his name to them not to witness themselves repentance and remission of sins in them or in their name or any other for them But in the name of thaâ— Jesus of Nazareth that was dead but is alive for evermore compâ—re Mat. 28. 18 19. with Luke 24. 46 47 48. And so the Supper of the Lord is a commemoration and shewing forth not of our graces and excellencies but of the Lords death till he come 1 Corinthians 11. 23 26. That we might therein acknowledge remember and be instructed and led into such a discerning of the Lords body as therein to examine and judge our selves as we have hinted upon that place before So likewise all our prayers to him and confessions of him are to this great end That we and others might be led into and filled with the knowledge of him that therein we may be strengthned with all might in the inner-man that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith that so we may be rooted and grounded in love and filled with all goodness and with all the fulness of God through the knowledge and faith of him All his ordinances as ordained and delivered by him testifie of him and lead to him and are given us that we might remember him in them as in all his wayes Now this being the end of all we are therefore directed to Gods testimony concerning Christ as to the vision of all visions and foundation and key of knowledge unto all ordinances for helping our understandings in and directing to the right observance and usefulness of the things required in them And therefore also for our understanding who they are that walk as they have the Apostles for an example we are instructed to consider not so much or firstly as a rule to know them by the outward appearance in the zealous observance of this or that circumstance but the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ The same even the mighty God and our Saviour Yesterday and to day and for ever In what he hath done and is become himself in his own body for us in which he is the Son of God the Saviour of the World of man-kind without difference or respect of persons as all are in themselves and as from Adam in a like consideration wholly sinful and miserable by nature And in what he is now doing as the great and powerful Mediator between God and men In which he is the living God the Saviour of all men that through him they might believe and be saved And especially the Saviour of them that through that grace to man-ward bringing salvation wherewith he prevents every man in due time do believe And in what he will do in his eternal judgment at his second and glorious appearing and kingdome In which he shall gloriously appear The mighty God and our Saviour the Savioâ—r to the utmost of all the Israel of God that through his love love him and wait for his appearing they shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation and shall not be confounded World without end when all that now are incensed against him shall be ashamed Thus is Jesus Christ in these three great things testified of him in the preaching of the Cross the ground and end of all ordinances and so the end of the conversation that is ordered aright The things principally minded and aimed at in all things Phillipians 3. 17 20 21. Hebrews 13. 7 8. 2 There are also some ordinances that are more weighty then others even of those that are of his appointment for us to remember and wait upon him in yet some are to be chiefly preferred for our exercise and earnestly to be attended to and striven for to be kept without spot viz such as more directly tend to the end of all and are more plainly discovering it and leading to it and are appointed as the more choice instruments and means thereto yea they are such as include others and in which the discovery of the ground and use of others is brought unto us as the ordinance of baptizing with water is included in the work or business of Preaching the Cross of Christ being an outward way or seal to be used for witnessing repentance and remission of sins in his name for and to them as verbally preached in the gospel And therfore also the ground end and use of that ordinance is discovered in the Doctrinal Preaching of the Cross whence also the Apostle prefers the Preaching of the Cross before that ordinance of baptizing with water and was glad he baptized no more himself least any should say he baptized in his own name and gives this as the reason why he was so indifferent how few he baptized with his own hands For saith he Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely nor so much to baptize the main business that he was sent especially to look too was the preaching of the Gospel Or thus He was not otherwise sent to baptize then as that is a thing included in the work or business of preaching the Gospel as a lighter thing in the work or service required of them to that purpose and therefore alwayes so to be used as may be subservient to the greater For saith he The preaching of the Cross That as distinguished from and in some sense opposed to the other ordinance as by it self considered as 1 Peter 3. 21. The baptism that saveth answerably to the figure there alluded to is not the putting away the filth of the flesh viz. the outward baptism But the answer of a good conscience towards God which stands in this that Christ hath dyed yea rather is risen again and is on the Right Hand of God making intercession for us and through him God justifieth the ungodly compare with that of Peter Romans 8. 32 33 34. with chap. 4. 5 2â— 25. and 5 1 Hebrews 9. 14 and 10. 19 22. So here not baptizing with water but the
that yet they may have space and opportunity to repent and seek him while he may be found and God shall give us life of sparing to a farther gracious end for them that sin not unto death compare 1 John 5. 14 16. with James 5. 15. 16. See also Luke 23. 34. Acts 7. 40. Romans 9. 1 2 and 10 1. with Psalm 35. 13 14. And for other things pertaining to this life concerning which we know not by the light of his testimony whether this or that may be best for us or for others or most conducing unto life and godliness Even so without carefulness earnestness or fervency for this or that to present our needs wants affliction case and matters to him and leave it with him waiting and seeking for his good will to be done and that however he deal with us he will not correct us in anger that we may earnestly beg of him as Psalm 38. 1. and 6. 1. Jeremiah 10. 24. And so committing our matters wholly to him without a will or fervent spirit for this or that of all such things as before that he may add and dispose to us what is good before him Phillippians 4. 5 6. Matthew 6. 32 33. with James 4. 13 15. 2 In the incouragement and strength of his name always retaining in the midst of the heart the believing remembrance and consideration of that which he hath already done for us in not sparing his own Son but delivering him up for us all when we were yet sinners enemies and without strength and of the plenteous redemption in him through his blood not forgetting all his benefits through that precious sacrifice of the body of Christ once for all and the powerful mediation of the sacrificeâ— who is the Great Apostle and High-Priest of our profession bestowed upon us But calling them to mind and considering how they lead into that good name and commend to us that unspeakable gift and the infinite grace in and through it there seeking our strength and incouragement and thereby ingaging our hearts to approach to him and seek his fâ—ce for such things and in such wise as is according to his will therein declared as afore-said And so waiting and staying on his name because it is good yea even when by any tryals or difficulties that befal us we are in darkness and see no light yet staying upon that and trusting in him according to it till he make that in every such case a light to us and give us to behold his righteousness according to it with hearty submission to his Government though sometimes he makes us to wait for that Alwayes relinquishing all other lights rejoycings and incouragements that may offer themselves from sparks of our own kindling or from any private grounds to come in that onely and as that ingageth and incourageth So in and unto all our seekings and striving for the faith of the Gospel standing fast in that one spirit that is in the testimony of Jesus seeking our strength in the Lord and in the power of his might even in the grace that is in Christ Jesus as revealed in the glorious Gospel and going in that strength of the Lord God making mention of his righteousness as our support incouragement and stay And of his onely Psalm 71. 16 and 4 1 and 50 14 15 and 52 9 and 95 1 7 and 100 and 103. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. 1 Tim. 2. 1 8. Isa 50. 10 11. with Mich. 7. 7 8 9. Isaiah 26. 3. with Philippians 4. 6. and 3. 3 Romans 5. 1 11. And so in the strength and incouragement of that grace and name of God in Christ to perswade others to be reconciled to God in the publishing his name because God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them and hath given us that word of reconciliation instructing moving and strengthning to such in deavouring the good of others in hope There seeking our strength and incouragement and not in any of our gifts parts or excellencies to the Discipling the Nations baptizing them in his name and going in that might according to our capacity because all power is given to him as Lord and Saviour and by him the word of his Grace made able especially in the faithfull ministration of it to give them repentance and the forgiveness of sins Likewise to suffer the little children to come to him and receive them in his name because of such is the Kingdome Mark 10. 14. with chap. 9. 37. And on that ground and in that encouragement instructing others according to their capacity to rejoyce with his people pray to him and seek him while he may be found and call on him while he is near observing what Christ commanded his Apostles Proverbs 9. 1 6. Isaiah 55. 1 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14 21. Matthew 28. 18 20. Rom. 15. 6 12. And whatever we do in word or in deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Col. 3. 17. 3 In and with a hearty confession and acknowledgement of his name and of the goodness and truth of it in all that it saith so as therein acknowledging our own vileness and sins and knowing every one the Plague of our own heart as by the light and instructions of his name discovered and reproved or by his corrections according to the instructions of his name witnessed against Confessing our faults to him and one to another as discovered and reproved that so he may be justified in his sayings and proceedings and glory given to his name by us as 1 Kings 8. 33 35 38 46 48. James 5. 16. Psal 32. 5 and 51 5. Jer. 13. 15 18. And in such wise seeking pardon and healing in his name willingly giving up to him and laying apart in the light and strength of his gracious reproofs what ever secret purpose idol or way of iniquity he discovers and reproves not secretly hiding it under our Tongue or in our Heart that we may still hold it and find pleasure in it even while yet we are praying to him for help and healing of the breaches or evils procured to us by it nor shunning the light least som secret deeds and wayes of our own heart which we love should be detected by it but coming to the light giving earnest heed to the instructions of his name and searching and trying our wayes thereby that we may yet be taught to see what we see not as Job 34. 31 32. Psalm 19. 11 12 c. and 139. 23 24. Lam. 3. 39 40 c. Jam. 1. 21 25. Our unwillingness to see and confess our fins our secret designs and purposes for vain things that cannot profit us our loathness to acknowledge or be made sensible of our idolatry let go our idols hinder us from knowing and proving what is the good and acceptable will of the Lord Romans 12. 1 2 3. from reaping the peaceable fruit of his righteousness
or other 3 Union of way for promoting this design working and walking together in the same work and way of the Lord speaking or doing nothing through strife or vain glory but truthing it in love so as seeking and striving to walk together in setting forth commending cleaving to and leading others unto the same one Lord and so the one faith and the one baptism that is of and by him and the glory of God as shined forth in his face unto and for all things and in teaching all things therewith Seeking I say to walk together in this way of understanding in their several gifts administrations operations c. studying and striving each of them and together in the light and strength of the Lord to speak the same thing and to be perfectly joyned together in one mind and one judgment that there be no divisions c. 1 Cor. 1. 10. and chap. 12. 6 12. with Ephes 4. 1. 15. And so 4 Union of accord and agreement such as in which all things by each one are sought to be done in charity and with the advice consent prayers and helpfulness of their brethren in the faith and patience of Jesus that they may be blessed out of the house of the Lord and grow by that which every joynt supplyeth and to that purpose the younger submitting to the elder and all of them one to another in the fear of God And so there is in it 5 An union of fellowship one wiâ—h another and that in personal society and companionship for fellowship in the Gospel and ordinances thereof for acquainting our selves with the joys and griefs of one another for stirring up and exhorting to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of themselvs together as the manner of some is who are sensual not retaining the spirit This of personal society with them that call on him out of a pure heart is to be prized and embraced as one of the choicest outward mercies and blessings of this life and of greatest advantage to the one thing needfull and to be striven for in all our seekings namely the faith of the Gospel and therefore the opportunities God gives for it with diligence to be apprehended and improved See Psalm 84. and 122. Acts 2. 42. 46. Hebrews 10. 23 24 25. with chapter 3. 12 13. And in communicating on with another by and diligent improving the helpfulness that we may enjoy from such persons as afore-said by that meanes when personal converse or society with them cannot be enjoyed Till I come saith the Apostle to Timothy give attention to reading c. Signisying That when the Apostle should be personally present with him it might be of more use and advantage to Timothy to apply himself to personal converse with him and to attend to what he might personally hear and receive from him But when opportunity for that is denyed the reading searching and studdy of the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles and so the reading and considering the writings of such as have that lap of knowledge fore-mentioned the Word of God and testimony of Jesus and searching the Scriptures of truth whether those things be so and in such wise attending to those helps to our understanding and usefulness of the Scriptures and great things of Gods love conâ—ained in them that we may injoy from such persons is in the next place of great advantage and usefulness to the promoting these our main affairs Onely here be we admonished by the words of the wise given forth from one Shepheard That as no man can gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figgs of Thistles so neither can we expect to reap any good fruit or advantage but loss and pollution to the corruping our minds and manners from evil communication or the communication about the things of God from evil persons or such as love not the Lord Jesus Christ nor have that lip of knowledge that word of reconciliation in their hearts or mouths or in some measure having it yet are not so subdued by it to let fall their imaginations and high thoughts of comprehending and making out those things of the testimony of God by the wisdome of man or of this World and by the words which mans wisdome teacheâ—h not willing to become Fooles in themselves that they may have all their wisdome and strength in that evidence and demonstration of the Spirit that is in the testimony of Jesus The discourses or writings of such even of such as the last though they the best and most to be respected of the several sorts mentioned because they have in some measure the testimony of God though not subdued by it they seek to comprehend and declare it by mans wisdome or words as 1 Corinthians 1. 17. and 2. 1. 4. and 3. 18 19 20. 1 Timothy 6. 21. which makes that even such helps of either sort are little helpfull to those that through Grace have believed or to the convincing the ignorant and gain-sayers because they make it not their business nor doth their excellency lye there plainly to shew and demonstrate by the Scriptures Jesus the Christ and so other things in that demonstration of him by the Scriptures and so leave it on mens Consciences as his word and in his name But rather to shew and demonstrate those things by strength of reason or excellency of wisdome and of words which mans wisdome teacheth Compare the fore-mentioned Scriptures with Acts 18. 27 28. Those seeming helps may occasion to us much bodily exercise and such kinde of study as is a wearisomness to the flesh but the profit gained by them is but little and for a little while And if time were spared from such discourses and readings as in which chiefly the excellency of wisdome and of words is shewed in declaring and for demonstrating and making out the testimony of God we might have more to spend better and in more free and diligent attention to those helps that might be indeed helps and profitable to us But how much more are we to go from the presence of such soolish men as have not the lip of knowledge so soon as we perceive it to cease to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge because not onely they are in themselves polluting but also that with more diligence and earnestness we may continue together in the Apostles Doctrine and sellowship striving together for the faith of the Gospel that in nothing we may be terrified by our adversaries When the wicked did gather together in bands and were therein more powerful to do mischief to rob and rend from David he then resolves to be a companion of all those that fear the Lord and of those that in their fear or worship keep his way his precepts as of great advantage to strengthen him against the bands of the wicked Psal 119. 61 63. So in the latter dayes when there are of those many sorts of walkers who are enemies to the Cross
11. 14 15. As also for a witness of peace and reconciliation Gen. 31. 45. 51 52. And for a manifestation of Gods presence with a people and for a guide to them Exodus 13. 21 22. And as the law was appointed to be written on several pillars as on the Posts of their house and on their Gates Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. So this House of God which is the Church of the living God is the pillar appointed of God to bear up and keep in remembrance even to the view of others the glorious grace of the first appearance of Christ even till his comming again and to keep and bear upon them the witness or manifestation of that peace or reconciliation with God for men which he hath made and is become through his blood while so continued preserved among a people they are a witness of his merciful presence with them his nighness and waiting that he may be gracious to them 2 Cor. 5. 18. 20. with chap. 6. 1 2. Isaiah 55. 5 6. and 50. 1 2. and 30. 18. 20 21. And set and preserved for a light and guide to be observed and followed Matthew 5. 13 14. Hebrews 1. 3. 7 8. Phil. 2. 15 16. And to that purpose to bear upon them and lift up to the sight and view of others and so to hold forth to them that all men may see The manifestation of the truth of God in all his former Oracles and witnesses in the tipes and shadowes of the law as now come forth in the personal body of Christ raised from the dead whose name they are so to bear as they may therein shew the end of the law in him and so the body of all the former shadowes and truth signified in them and so him the fountain of all grace and truth the treasury of all Wisdome and Knowledge c. as before is shewed And this House of God the Holy Nation are also in many societies as they are in several places and so many pillars And so may be included in the sense of those seven pillars Wisdome hath hewen out Proverbs 9. 1. Those Gates and Postes of his Doors Answering to Deut. 6. 9. and 11. 20. At which whoso watcheth dayly and waiteth hearing him there is blessed Proverbs 8. 34. See what is said of the manifold use of pillars and the allusion to them in this business in the explicit declaration of the testimony of Christ by Thomas Moor senior Pages 287. 290. And so they are the ground or Tables on which its written in some sense answering to that Habbacuk 2. 2. That others may read it as the Corinths were the Apostles Epistle for as much as they were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ the ground on which the minde and things of Christ are so written by the spirit of the living God evidencing and writing them in and through the Apostles Doctrine on the Tables of their hearts and fellowships that receive and abide in it that it may be seen and read of all men in their word and conversation in both which they are set to shine as lights in the World by retaining in them and bearing upon them that others may see and so holding forth the word of life even of Christ raised from the dead in a fair writing and faithful discovery of the tidings and patterns of it That others may behold all goodness and truth in it and so also in a subordinate sense instrumentally keeping maintaining and defending it and the goodness and truth of it amongst themselves and to the World against all adversaries striving together for the faith of the Gospel Philipians 1. 27. And so their work is with that word of righteousness The great things of his law as now come forth by Christ which are the main things to be kept looked to striven for and held forth by them in their whole Ministry for and unto all things I say with that to instruct reprove exhort comfort c. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 3. 11. 15. And as in all this they are instruments or vessels through whom he carryes the seed of his word and so conveyes his heavenly treasure to the hearts of others so their work instrumentally and through him is said to be to speak to the heart to be Ministers of Spirit to open the blinde eyes and turn men from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and inheritance with them that are sanctified by faith that is in Christ yea they are a sweet savour unto God in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one they are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life Isa 35. 3 4. and 40. 1 2. 2 Cor. 2. 14. 17. and 3. tot and 4. 1 2. Acts 26. 18. And to this purpose 2. To them is committed the keeping and charge of holy and devoted things 1. Of Gods Ordinances of Divine Worship that are appointed for bearing and shewing forth the Lords Body that was broken for us and through sufferings is entered into his glory and so for witnessing repentance and râ—mission of sins in his name unto and among the Nations as the Preaching of the Cross and therein the shewing the things of Christ out of the Scriptures in the exercise of those gifts of prophesie or teaching as every man hath received the gift this work is committed to them even to the whole body of the Saints each to serve in it according to his several ability and therefore the gifts tâ— fit for it onely given unto them and ditributed among them according to his pleasure Ephesians 4. 7. 11 12. And so the other Ordinances in which the same things are to be shewed and holden forth in the Church and to the World The management of those affaires the teaching the Nations to observe and how to observe with them what was given to the Apostles in commandement that so they the Gentiles may rejoyce with his people these things are committed and given in charge unto them But to the wicked or unreconciled persons that are not reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and so have not that word of reconciliation viz. That God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself c. And the love of Christ thence constraining to perswade men with it To them God saith What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth that hatest to be reformed by my law His Saints are to be gathered together to him to keep and look to this charge even those that have made or entered into covenant with him by the Sacrifice of his Son Psalm 50. 1 2. 5 6. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 14. 20. 2. Of persons that are given unto the Church in his name or also called to be holy and devoted first to the Lord and then to them according to the will of God It is contained in their
charge not onely to call others to Christ and into his house and to receive those that come as Christ received them to the glory of God Yea even to receive children in his name such as are brought by others under whose tuition they are as given from above not onely to their parents but also to the Church of Christ in his name as the price of his blood and part of his Kingdome and charge and so committed to them as part of their charge for no man can receive any thing in his name except it be so given them from above therefore the instruction to the servants to receive them in his name in their ministration implyes their being so given unto them But therefore also it is contained in their charge or service to take the care and over-sight of such as so come or are brought to them in his name or by Gods providence left and committed to their care and charge That they may be trained up and educated in the nurture and School of Christ as means and capacity thereto is afforded whence children given by Gods gracious providence to any of the Church are said to be holy Mark 9. 36 37. and 10. 13 14. with John 3. 27. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Yea they are in especial manner to watch for the soules of such as adhere or listen to the Apostles Doctrine with them as being seâ— as Watch-men and guides according to their fitness and ability given them of God over such in the Word of the Lord and as those that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief Ezâ—kiel 33. 7. Hebrews 13. 7. 17. For all such are in a sense devoted vessels committed to their charge to be so cared for born and watched over by them And so likewise more especially and as to the promoting of the fore-mentioned ends also to take heed to themselves and to the Doctrine that they continue therein that in so doing they may save themselves and others To keep themselves and so one another in the love of Christ unspotted from the world as Temples of the Holy Ghost vessels devoted to holy use building up themselves in their most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost looking for the mercy of God unto eternal life Jude 20. 21. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. and 6. 13. 20. And this brings us into the next consideration 3. How they ought to sanctifie themselves or be sanctified unâ—o and in this service 1. There is a previous Sanctification necessary to fit them to this service answering tô that separation and consecration of themselves to the Lord which was in that whole Tribe of Levy gathering themselves unto Moses to obey the word of the Lord and keep his covenant in which he said unto his Father and Mother I have not seen them neither did he acknowledge his brethren nor knew his own children of which we read Exodus 32. 26. 29. Deuteronomy 33. 9. Upon which they were blessed with that blessing They shall teach Jacob thy judgements and Israel thy law They shall put insence before thee and whole burnt Sacrifice upon thine Altar Deuteronomy 33. 10. As likewise answering to that separating or setting them apart unto the Lord and for his peculiar use and service in which the Lord separated that whole Tribe from the rest of their hrethren and took them to himself as a devoted thing instead of all the first-born of the children of Israel to be his and to draw near to him to bear the Ark of the covenant of the Lord and to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and to minister unto him and to bless in his name of which we read Numbers 1. 49 50. and 3. 6. c. with chap. 4. and 18. 2. 6. with chap. 19. 9 10. Deuteronomy 10. 8. It is such as also answers to that tipical Sanctification and in the flesh by tipical washings sacrifices and anointings wherewith Aaron and his Sons were sanctified and consecrated from the rest of their brethren unto the Priests office Of which we read Exodus 28. and 29. with Leviticus 8. tot And that also with which the whole Tribe of Levy were sanctified and consecrated from the rest of the children of Israel Of which we read Numbers 8. 5 6. 22. The sanctification of and in the truth answerably necessary to go before to consecrate and fit persons to this ministry in the manifestation of the truth is the same by or through which they are made of his Spiritual House and Holy Piiest-hood 1 Peter 2. 4 5. And may be thus expressed 1. As to the meanes by which it is effected It s the Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess 2. 13 1 Peter 1. 2. Even of that eternal Spirit of God by which Jesus Christ in our nature of the seed of David after the flesh was raised from the dead and through which he offered himself without spot to God Romans 1. 3. Hebr. 9. 14. As the same being now infinitely and immeasurably given to put and caused to rest upon him in that spotless body in which he bore our sins on the Tree is now by him poured forth from on high in and with the Testimony of himfelf the man Christ Jesus as through sufferings entered into his glory the office of which Spirit as so sent forth is to bear witness of the truth in Christ Jesus even of the true water or washing of regeneration cleansing and separation and of the true blood of sprinkling with which through faith in it the heart may be sprinkled from an evil Conscience and the whole man in all his powers motions and actings washed and so persons purified a peculiar people to him zealous of good works See Heb. 9. 12. 14. and 10. 19. 22. Tit. 3. 3. 4 5 6. It is such a sanctificaion and consecration as is effected through the righteousness of God our Saviour as now come forth and manifested in Christ crucified as already evidenced by the spirit with which he is anointed in the same body in which he bore our sins on the Tree and so brought to light through the Gospel his arme to save and sanctifie In and through which glorious Gospel the holy Spirit takes of the things of Christ the things that he hath done and finished in his own body on the earth and the things by vertue thereof treasured up in the same body for us in the name of the Father and in shewing them glorifies him renders him precious comely and excellent for the compleat sanctifying us and making us perfect to every good word and work therein shewing him to be that perfect and compleat righteousness in which we being found through faith in it shall be made acceptable to God and meet to stand before him to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Christ and so shall be profitable to men being filled and cloathed with the fruites of that righteousness to the praise
they were of the first witnesses and preachers of the resurrection of Christ the Evangelists tell us and that they may as any of them is through grace sitted thereto both pray and prophecy and that in the presence of others in some assemblys of believers is clearly fignified 1 Cor. 11. 5. and in other Scriptures but the sense of the saying in both parts together is this They ought not nor is it seemly for them otherwise to speak either in praying or prophecying as the mouth of others or in propounding questions nor otherwise to act no not in the Church or any the assemblys thereof then so as therein they be under obedience and in quiet silence and subjection to the man so as in the Lord and therein to the wise and holy order and disposition of God They then are not capable of any office of rule or oversight in the Church as Elders and Deacons but to be in subjection Yea farther I suppose That in any assemblys of believers where there are men in presence fitted for speaking in prayer or prophecy or in propounding and answering questions for the edification of others it may be convenient for the women there to be silent yea a shame for them to speak unlesse in some extraordinary cases or on some particular occasione and so as desired or appointed as to the order and time of such their speaking by such brethren in presence with them or that are also over them in the word of the Lord as they may judge it needfull and convenient for the man was first formed then the woman likewise the woman was first in the transgression neverthelesse neither is the man without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. But I forbear to urge my apprehensions of these things and leave what is said to correction by better judgement The women then for decency and ordersake observing such cautions as 1 Cor. 14. 33 34 35. 1 Timothy 2. 11 12. c. with 1 Cor. 11. 5 10. and so every one man or woman keeping their place and attending that place and service to which they are sitted and called The whole Church of unfeigned believers may all prophecy one by one as God hath dealt to them such a gift or exercise any other gift they have according to their severall abillity in this shift for the faith of the Gospell that all may learn and all may be comforted according as God hath dealt to every man For as there are many members in one body and all members have not the same office so we being many are one body in Christ and every one members one of another to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ he who hath set the members in the body as it hath pleased him divides to every man severally as he will for there are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and differences of administrations but the same Lord and diverfities of operations but it 's the same God which worketh all in all but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every one to profit withall according to his measure for to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisedom to another knowledge by the same Spirit to another faith c. And so these severall gifts were set in the Church Apostles Prophets Teachers rancked under five heads Ephes 4. 11. there were also other gifts added with these to the Church to accompany the first proclamation of the Gospell to the Gentiles by the first witnesses which gifts were not so set for continuance as the former unto which they were added and therefore not mentioned among those which were given to continue in the Church till it come to its perfect state compare 1 Cor. 12. 28. with Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Now the Apostles themselves as they were appointed and chosen to peculiar service that by them the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear so they were not onely immediately from the Lord but also peculiarly gifted with all spirituall gifts to fit them to that service they had all the scriptures of the Prophets so opened to them and their understandings so opened and strengthened to understand them and the revelation of the mystery even of the truth of all as fulfilled come forth and manifested in Christ raised from the dead so immediately and fully given them from the Lord himselfe and were so gifted with all wisedom knowledge and utterance that they was therein perfectly accomplished and therefore sent in his name to make known the mystery as now revealed and to make it known out of the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God for the obedience of the faith among all Nations for his name and so as wise Master-Builders to lay the foundation for others to the end of the world to build on and so their gift as it was peculiar to them is yet left us in the fruit of it in their word and doctrine confirmed and set in the Church And so also their gift even the gift of Apostles in a secondary and inferiour sense is still found in the prime degree of the gift of Prophecy as set in the Church which therefore is mentioned as the head or chief of the best gifts now to be coveted by believers by other believers since or besides the Apostles such as believe through their word 1 Cor. 12. 31. with câ— 14 1. of which gift there are degrees or diversity of measure and so of administrations and operations accordingly Whence it is expressed in that to the Ephesians under these two heads Prophets Evangelists The prime degree hath in it such an understanding of the Scriptures of the Prophets even as the Testimony of Christ witnessed by them as now manifested by the Apostles is confirmed in the heart As also such acquaintance with the Scriptures and such skill in the word of righteousnesse vide The vision of all the great things of the Law or doctrine delivered by the Prophets and Apostles and as the foundation of and key of knowledge for opening all other things namely the testimony of Jesus as in which they are furnished and apted to a plain and cleare opening the foundation as laid by the Apostles and that out of the Scriptures of the Prophets by the revelation of the mistery given by the Apostles And so to shew the things of Christ by the Scrriptures even the things already done in his owne body which the Prophets said should come to passe and the powerfull efficacy of them with the Father for men and in the name of the Father unto then Through his powerfull mediation betweene God and men as also therein to shew the things yet to come in his glorious appearing and Kingdome and with this word of righteousnesse so distinctly and convincingly to instruct teach exhort reprove c. By the Scriptures of the Prophets as opened by
the Apostles that they are therein mighty through God to the opening the eyes of the blind convincing the ignorant and gainsayers of the vanity and falsenesse of other foundations in the plaine demonstration of this in the evidence and demonstration of the spirit with power and to the helping them much who through grace believe Acts 18. 24 25 27 28. 1 Cor. 14. 1 3 4 20 24 25. There is also an inferiour degree of this gift of prophecy called in Eph. 4. 11. Evangelizing included in Prephets 1 Cor. 12. 28. In which though there may be wanting some of that abillity and skill forementioned yet there is so much of that nature as may render their feete beautifull to the alluting and drawing to Christ especially on the barren Mountaines where men are not so setled on other objects or where they are in any measure taken off from finding content rest and feeding in them Yea they that have not this gift that are much wanting and short in such understanding and acquaintance with the Scriptures and such skill in the word of righteousnesse the great things of his Law contained in them as might apt them so to open the foundation and shâ—w the great things of Christ by the Scriptures and therewith open the Scriptures of the Prophets by the Apostles shew things to come and thence and therewith to instruct c. as before Yet they may have some word of knowledge or of faith some feeding or teaching gift in which they may be fellow helpers to the truth by confessing his name as they have proved the goodnesse and truth of it and may be helped to expresse it by the Scriptures though not so to open interpret and give the sence of the Scriptures and shew the scope of them and instructions contained in them as others that have a more excellent gift that way Each might be profitable to themselves and others to their brethren and the world and comely and usefull in their generation were they content to keep their place and so to minister as they have received the gift and as God hath distributed to every one Every one might have joy and praise from God in a right exercise of his owne gift that God hath given him if he were not seeking to have the rejoycing use and praise of anothers gift which yet is not his owne which indeed springs from a desire of vaine glory whence those admonitions Rom. 12. 3. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. with such vehemency urged 2. There are some appointed of God to goe before others as guides rulers elders or leaders in the Word of the Lord to whom is especially committed the peculiar service of Preaching the Crosse of Christ of witnessing repentance and remission of sins in his name and so of shewing Jesus Christ and the things of him out of the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles compared And therewith interpreting and opening the Scriptures giving the sence of the manifold instructions judgements encouragements reproofes exhortations c. Contained therein and contending with opposers to them also is more peculiarly committed the whole charge of ordering and managing the affaires of the Gospell in the Church and to the world-ward according to their capacity and opportunity in the severall places where they are set And these according to the instructions of the Apostles given by the one Shephard with the advice prayers and help of their brethren in the faith as they may enjoy it are to commit to others their severall charges according to their fitnesse in first and second degrees They are to commit the chiefe worke of preaching and giving the sence of the Scriptures and shewing the things of Christ out of them and contending with adversaryes for the faith unto faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Seeing to them as they have opportunity that they teach no other doctrine instructing helping and going before them in their Ministry and seeking in a Gospell way to stop the mouths of unruly and vain talkers And to others that are faithfull though not so able nor gifted for the forementioned services as there is occasion and need they may commit the administration of the outward ordinance of Baptizeing in his Name which is mentioned by the Apostle as a lighter matter of the Law and not so peculiarly appropriated to choice instruments as also we have shewed before in 1 Cor. 1. 14-17 which likewise is signified in our Saviours committing that to his disciples before so sit to be sent forth to preach John 4. 2. And in Peters appointing that to be done by others when yet none of them but himselfe that we read of had preached the Gospell to that people Act. 10. 48. And so the testimoniall receiving in that ordinance the little children brought and presented to the Church As also some care and charge of them and of their parents that they may be kept and brought up in the Schoole of Christ and so in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Likewise according to their capacity some care and charge of other persons adheering to the Gospell with them and so also of one another Care of their souls in faithfull admonishing warning the unruly comforting and strengthening the weake exhorting one another bearing one anothers burtherns c. as 1 Thess 5. 14 15. c. Heb. 3. Gall. 6. 1-5 6. And so care of their bodyes also in visiting the sick having inspection into the wants of the needy and some more particularly as they have capacity and opportunity to see to what is needfull to the mannagement of the affaires of the Gospell as to the entertainment of strangers and otherwise helping forward the fellow-helpers to the truth and to these purposes to be ready themselves and to provoke and stir up others to love and good workes And some to receive and distribute as necessity and opportunity calls for it the liberallity of others to the reliefe of the needy as to other the forementioned purposes And those that are appointed or in any wise set apart as by way of office to such service for all that have believed in God ought to be carefull to maintaine good workes each acording to their capacity and are so to be charged by those over them in any sence in the Word of the Lord yea to stir up and provoke one another thereto Tit. 3. 8 14 1 Thess 5. 14 15. Heb. 10. 24 and 13. 1 2. 3 John 4. 5 6. But those that are in any wise set apart by way of office to such service as the takeing any oversight of their brethren in these things and mannaging these affaires in the Church and for the good of the world They especially are to be such as are knowne to be men sound in the faith honest and of good report and in some measure full of the holy Ghost and of wisedome that the name of God be not evill spoken of but gloryfied among the Gentiles and the designe of the
Gospell not hindered but farthered and promoted by each in their place Act. 6. 1-6 1 Tim. 3. 7-13 And therefore also the rich to be more vehemently charged not to be high-minded nor trust in uncertaine riches to doe good yea to be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate 1 Tim. 6. 17 18. Now those appointed of God in especiall manner to goe before others in the word of the Lord and in the ordering and mannagement of these affaires and more especially to commit to others their severall charges and burthens Who are also so to be knowne approved allowed and submitted to in the Lord by their brethren and to be prayed for and blessed out of the house of the Lord they are such as are furnished to such peculiar service and oversight of others and so also approved and appointed thereto by Jesus Christ the great Apostle and high Priest of our profession and so in and by the Apostles doctrin instructions and commandements given us by the Lord Jesus And they are such as are faithfull men upright fixed to seeke righteousnesse and strength in Christ holding fast the faithfull word wherein they have beene taught and not novices therin but elders in the faith in Christ the elders that are among them such as are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ yea such as are and have beene some time preserved blamelesse as 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. For though some mens sins rendring them unfit for such service are open going before-hand so as manifesting themselves to the judgement of others yet all doe not so but some follow after likewise also the good works or quallifications rendering meet for such service in some are manifest before-hand and may seem more then they are and they that are otherwise that is in any measure truly fitted and quallified to it and yet not so much or forward in appearance they cannot be hid but will in due time for their thrusting forth be manifested at least to the judgement of such as Timothy that should have a more speciall hand in knowing and thrusting forth such therefore Timothy was to lay hands suddenly on no man that so he might commit these things to faithfull men who should be able and fitly quallified to teach others also 1 Tim. 5. 21 22 24 25. 2 Tim. 2. 2. Such are the called to such peculiar service to such is the speciall charge of watching for others soules or keeping this whole commandement without spot unrebukeable untill the appearing of Jesus Christ Such others are admonished to know and esteeme very highly for their works sake especially such as labour most abundantly in the word and doctrine yea to obey them in the Lord and to be followers together of them as they are of Christ and so with them followers of him considering the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever 1 Thess 5. 12 13. 1 Tim. 5. 17. Phil. 3. 17 20 21. Heb. 13. 7 8 17. 3. They all the whole body of unfeigned believerâ— with their chiefe ones Pillars or guides of one degree or another are given as a gift to Christ to be to him a company of spirituall Priests an holy Nation and peculiar people Heb. 3. 1-6 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 9. All his Saints in thy hand they sat downe at thy fcete every one shall receive of thy words Deut. 33. 3. And so therein in some sence given to the Apostles the wise Master builders that they may stand before him and Minister unto him according to the commandments and instructions delivered from that one Shephard by them It is his peculiar work and reserved in his owne hand as the great Apostle and high Priest of our profession not as Aaron and his Sons in their vailed ministry to cover the things committed to the charge of others as the vessells committed to the Kâ—hathites and so commit them covered But to open the things committed in charge to his peculiar people and to commit them unto them as so opened yea the vaile or covering is already taken away in Christ and so in his Ministration Therefore also the Apostles have used all playnness of speech 2 Cor. 3. And given us to see within the vail into the truth of things as found in Christ and brought forth by him For the Law came by Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ as is shewed before Yea to him pertaineth the offerings of the Lord made by fire c. He hath fulfilled and brought forth the truth of all in that one offering of his own body once for all and appears now presenting himself that one perfect sacrifice in the presence of God for us yea the great Mediator Apostle and high Priest of our profession and therefore to him pertaineth the oyle for the lights and the anointing oyle he hath prepared and made it in himselfe for us and be gives it forth to him it pertaines to give us wisedome strength and fitnesse to all service and suffering and to make manifest the savour of his knowledge by us to give the encrease and he doth so doe and give by and through the knowledge of himselfe Yea his office it is not onely to Baptize with the holy Ghost but also with fire nor hath he or will he depute any in his place for this or either of these but he will doe it himselfe faithfully and seasonably unto his holy Priesthood and to others also that they may be brought in to them and with them to himselfe he will faithfully poure out his spirituall Baptizing the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost and so give his encrease even by and through them in their observance of his charge loe I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Math. 28. 19 20. 1 Cor. 3. 5 9. 2 Cor. 3. 1 Thess 4. 8. Yea this promise is to us in and through the Apostles doctrine to whom pertained the revelation of the Mistery formerly hid or not so manifested that for obedience to the faith among all Nations for his â—ame among whom we are also the called of Jesus Christ by their Gospell as Rom. 1. 5 6 7. 2 Thess 2. 13 14. He is the great Master of them and us who hath already given the word by them All we are brethen and to receive the Law from his mouth yet the Apostles as wise Master-builders in his name have laid the foundation we are to build on that good foundation as laid by them and as also they have instructed us to build on it 1 Cor. 3. 10 c. And so to be followers together of Christ and thereto and therein shall enjoy those great and precious promises sorementioned as 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. c. with Job 14. 21 23. He will dwell in them and walk in them as 2 Cor. 6. 16 18 c. Yea he will seasonblic follow with his fiery Baptisme more immediately