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 nr<a^«rt;«.Y- wilt; rfc^wa'iv^-e jsx^lystsi'w C3>Atyov^s'xU,T<«v^<^'^''^ 
 
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 ^ . . . L H . { lirxi c a ) 
 
 
To atf the Saiiit^j'siuid Servants of f ejus 
 
 Chnjl yfczncvcd up ahd down in the King- 
 dome oi BngUndj2ind throughout the woilci, 
 thithithfrto havtb^cnePiungtrs to the paths of* 
 .y/#», and have net worrhippcd God accor> 
 ding to the right order of the Gofjifeil, ' 
 
 Dcarcly beloved in the Lord, ^ 
 
 T J II better frovifiSfl come^ In all humilitllherefr^ 
 Jentyou as (rem ]{.[\xsQhn^^(tht HedJafid* King 4 /SatnUV ?^ 
 of Saints) with this flam Treatise Jtr whofe Jakes it ^VxT"!?. j. 
 is compfcd^ and [em abroad int» the world. ThefabjeCf matter 
 tf/'//, Uooking direiftly to the glory ofChrift,and the 
 , <5P^cltare ofyour foules j is ft excellent y that I tngenuoujty ♦ j,^ ^. ^o^ 
 profejfey it cats for tl;_;^^ichefi annoimin^s from on hiqh^ to de- jcndio's walls 
 llar^.-dLoiajv^th the beauty and lnjlre thereof : And had 1 ^^^l^l^^'^lc 
 nH froved by experience, that the gloriem Cod ordaimth Rani horncs. 
 firengthmofthe mouthes of Babes, Pfal. 8. 2«^»^'^^^^^f/'^;n^jf,fi' 
 Jpoflle faithy i Cor^ i . a 7, 2%,chdofetb thefo»tijh^hi t^eak^ ^ooitlb'^ih^l 
 the bafe things of the mrid^ and things that art del} i fed, yea siing and a / 
 things that are not^ to be injlrumentall for hispraifiy Ijhould t^^i^^/s! ' 
 have been altogether difcouragedfrom [etting about it. Sut ih the Churcji a 
 regard the* weaknes of the tnpument ^exceedingly A^vanceth f °°cJhedf?*thc* 
 - » hi glo/y J/Oth (if the mfd(n»e and potver of God-J was the more mouncakics co 
 encouraged to undertake it ^ Aom hecaufe ^f ^'^^^''^^f*Sfh'mcip\e^ 
 thegenerall gipdof beliivers^andprofitin^the meanefiyinpub- of chrfft takca 
 lifhingthisTreatife : I have propounded to my felfc^^ things outofFimcr- 
 in the carrying of it on. * Srwcnne^ 
 
 1 7he manner And rvay of ordering and dif^ojing it. then preaching 
 
 2 . the grounds and arguments that divinely moved mi ^^^^^ & n^*, 
 
 A Z ^^ [ions 10 ChriQ;, 
 
ThcEpIftlc 
 
 ity dndrvere as afire in Wj bofome^ notfttjfering me to reft. 
 
 2. The end and (cope thit I had before me^ and at which I 
 aimed : of all rv hieh 1 [hall briefly ^^i've pu an account. 
 
 As for the fir ft of thefe, I have endeavoured three things, 
 
 1 , That the method be plain andeafte,bj way sf Propofition^ 
 And Deductions er inferences from them-^ according tothemoft 
 ufaal a/id ordinary way cf preaching obfcrvedin the Ktngdome, 
 10 which people have been accu/tomed^ whereby the truth is net 
 only cleared and defended^ but that which u contrary there^ 
 unto,andunfound^is dif covered^ and weakened, 
 
 2 . That theftyte be not lofty ^ with an afteCfedftrainey fea- 
 ring above the capacity and reach of the ignorant, (a diftemper 
 thatfticks too chfe the tongues and Pennes of many men, for- 
 getting that of the Apoftle^ i Cor. 14. 15?. That in the 
 Church he had rather Ipeakc five words withundcr- 
 ftanding, that he might teach others, then ten thoufand 
 words m an unknown tongue ) but low and familiar ^d' 
 ^voiding tot he utterm0fl( according to f he f4me Apoftle^i Cor. 
 2.4.) thccntifiag words of mans wildom'e, in" uarid- 
 ling the facred myftcries ot the Gofpcll : neither can this 
 be ani prejudice ifuppofe tofuchai are learned^ confidering thai 
 they ( ejpecialiy if they have learned Chrift ) dajudgeofBfioks 
 father hy the matter then the ftyle. That great Oratour (Dt^ 
 mo(knesj himfelfe could fay, thdn Che riches of Grr^^^did 
 not cpnfift in words. 
 
 3, That the matter itfetfe propounded and difcuffedin this 
 Treatife^ be not fo much an argumentative aspofitive way held 
 forth from the authority of the Scripture chiefly-^ and found reA' 
 fen cmfonant thereunto^ which are thofe (pirituaU weapons ^that 
 are mighty through God, to the cafting down thofe 
 ftrong holds in the hearts ot rncn, th»t exalt thcmfelves 
 againft the knowledge of God, 2 Gor. 10. 4, y. As for 
 the judgemnts of the moft minem^ harned, and godly men 
 
 which 
 
I Dedicatory ~ 
 
 which I have here ar.d there ^throughout the frcatife produced ^ 
 J hnvc not done it in the leaji^ to dij^^rdge the authcrity of the 
 Scriptures Jorwitheutcontrover fie xhc word of God is avci- . ^ , ., , 
 tcr * then all the tcftimonics of mcHjm mj to fansfyfuch -mary Doftoi« 
 asareweake^ and cenceive that thofeof the Ccn^regationalP^y^^'^^''''''^^'^^'^ 
 wajjarefinguUr 4md contrary to all men, ^^th tn their judg- . .^[^^^^.^^^^l 
 TKtnt andfra6life. to iciip-.urc, 
 
 a. Touching the grounds andreafons that prevailed with me p^'L''ir^^l°^ 
 to the Jetting upon this worke^thej tvere fuch as thefe following, ther then * 
 
 I . The ardent and burning dejire of my [oulCf after the lif ^^"^^- "''^• 
 ting up of Jcius Chridi^ honour^ and furthering Sions ml- fusion '/X 
 fare, both xvhich at this pre fent time^ do not a little [ujfer/rom ^^'^^tn Feri. 
 the tongues and fennes »j multitudes in this Kingdom:^ ando- b" j ^^^ ^^^ 
 ther parts of the world. vcr fo learned 
 
 1 . The flopping infome meafure (if it be fopble) the mouthes ^{"^ ^^^^ ^^°- 
 ofoppofers^ and giving fatisfa^itn to other more moderate^ v^ori-% wkhoi^c 
 that enquire after the truth of the Congregationallway^accor- Gods wo- d are 
 ding to the Scripiures, and vindicating of it alfo, from thofe rit "?7/7ilii 
 foule afperfiom that have been^andareflil cajl upon it^ir thofe And this he a' 
 that walke in it : many men not fearing inthefe dafes of ini- ^l^f'^^h pw- 
 
 L J r 1 „ ^ ^ -ti r I , vcth from anci." 
 
 ffutties abounding^tojpeake all manner of evtU^ of the tvayes & cnr Fadicis tnd 
 fervantsofchrtft^ that willrrot, dare not comply with them^ Schoolmen, as 
 in their Jin full way es : as was thepraUtfe of many in the pri- reml'MTbrlfe 
 mitivetimes, i Pet. 4. 4. Wherein they thinke it ftrangc Angufiint,cyrU 
 that you runnc not with them to the fame cxccflc ThiiXi.%'^* 
 of ryor, * f A^trf b^ftw, blajpheming, orfpeaking evill of you, mlfc. Bruno, 
 3, The bleeding condition of the true Churches of Chrtji^^'^f^'^'^^^^' 
 through the violent out- rage of divers men, that of late dreoihcfs%^^c 
 prejudiced againfi them, and that right order oftheGoJpelthey Trettife. 
 tpalk in : So that the feet of many weak [oules begin to Jlide, lerefk'^ld 
 and the feeble Lambes ofchriji, that of late have been folded and with the ' 
 
 learned in that 
 t»nguc, a bUffhemer » one Uuc wk«I\away OlC famc.crcd«.or good name of another ;&oni 
 
The Epiftle I 
 
 and brought in to the beauties of hoUmffe^ are thereby irt dan^ 
 ger to be turned out of the way, 
 
 4. The great danger of Reformations inifcarrying, that of 
 
 late yeeres Wits (0 happily begun^ there being rjot cn.ly an ob- 
 
 firuciing thereof at prefent, but a great and tnArvcUous appea^ 
 
 ranee alfo of recidivation^and returning to the old and former \ 
 
 fvaycs of formality^ juperftitton^ andtyranmCj in many pUces ' 
 
 » Its preaily of the Kingdome. 
 
 Ibarchl's qa:- 5« ^^ /^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^ have propofedto my felfe in the pub- 
 
 ftion were Itjhing this Treatifey they have beenfuch as thefe. 
 
 throughly de- ^ ^ ^^^ ^^ increafe andmden^ fchc Lord knowcs j but t9 ". 
 
 ,0«.' Wecthct he ale and ah ate the prefent differences that are netv on fwt 
 
 the Churcfi of i^^ij^ Kingdome ^about the Sacr. dand Divine' Ordinances and 
 
 NafioiuU^coiv Jn^ituttms ofchrifl, touching the right WAy and order of the 
 
 fifting of io Saints in the vifiblc tvorfhip of God. The truth is ^l have not a 
 
 pSc^lhi""^ Uttle juffcrcd from the tongues of men, as a renc maker, and 
 
 31c as iiianciKs peacc- brcakci' , for my endeavours to bring the Saints (in 
 
 a id in.mb-rs of ffj^pi^^^ where Provldence cafl me) into the order of the Go- 
 
 hive no 'p/'^^'' if^^i ^^^ whether juflly^ I doubt not but my Lord and Mafler 
 
 of government ^^Hj^ due time make evident » In the interim^ this is my com'- 
 
 kic^ftTuI un- fo^^-i ^f^^i ^^ fufferings in this or any other kind , being far 
 
 dcran abCo'-utc righreoulneffc; lake , f]ull infinitely advantage my internall 
 
 ^' ciTSilal I '^^^ iter nail peace and w el- fare, h§wevcr it fhall goe with my 
 
 power wiihoat exttmail Condition in this world. 
 
 them ro rule & ^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ c&ndtmne^ or contemne in the leafl, the per- 
 fnl'hcmnr'- fonall gifts and graces of the ftrvants ofchrifi^ that yet re* 
 t rs 'oi G.ds jna'fic in their prefent queflionable Church-fiate^ but onely {as 
 ^xllc^^x■&ii'i^ duty binds me towards Chrifi and them) to dtfcover.fiow vain 
 iiiacttiaod athingft is for them to expe^ a right Gofpel- Reformation 
 {onwi ^accot- ^-^ ^ ,j^^ ^^^ QJ viftble rvorjhip throughout the Kingdome ^fo long 
 Sc'rf^Lyre,'>art4-.^^/-'c^ \rcn^wne unckr a falfe , axifibl^., Natimall Church- 
 d\yiH ^r^'^^'^'fldte^ and order of worfhip ; hccaufc^ as long as tfu right order 
 ty*m. '-^' cfJhe Gof^eH^' inflUuted by jejiis Chrijl, for the Saints to 
 V ., * walke 
 
Dedicatory. 
 
 walke, attdtvorfhip Gcdi/t, u Jli^kted and njcSfit/jht 6lefiH^ . 
 tfchift on cur crtdcdvours, offer a fcnnd and through Refor-^ 
 mAtion in the Kingdome Cdnnot be expected : the old leaven 
 ofafalfeand Anttchrijlian confittittion mttf jirfibe caJI cut^ 
 as the Afojile reajons with the Corincuians in the feint of 
 their church follution^ i Cor. 5. 6, 7. before there can 
 be a new lump, that is ^a found church fi Ate according to di- 
 vine injiitut ion. 
 We cannot be ignorant^ hew the whole ^f «« ( or frame of Eng- 
 lands vifible church flate^ and order of worjlup and govern- 
 merit hath been unfound^from the very firfl day that the Lord 
 was f leafed to beginne the freedome of this Ktngdomefrom 
 Antichriflian bondage and thraldome : Andthough the Re- 
 formation in do^irine and matters of faith (as being theprin- 
 cipallj was carefully looked aft er, (for which we andourpofle- 
 rity after us have great caufe to ble([e God)* yet in reffe^ of the * Though mat- 
 vifble frame and conptution of the Churchy and order of ^^^^"^-r'^^^^.^ 
 worjlip andgovernmetitffo there was little or no Reformation^ parts of Chrifts 
 .mrfeiarAtionfrom Rome; Allthe feparation /'» England wiil,&roo*^fcf 
 from Aniichn ft formerly ^was more in refpeCiofpurityofdo- mattmTfei- 
 ifrine^ then worfhtp •, and the reformation that is now on foete tcmaii worihip 
 is more in refpeii of government in the Church of Fngland, l^^^^^^^^^^f^ 
 then of the church flateof England itfdfe : which I dcfire commanded, & 
 may be marked, /(?r the fame Nationall forme and frame of (^ "*' '"^"'"f: 
 Church Jtite continues jtti^ and u alloweaof^as tt was former faid to the 
 ly^ btforeever there w.is a renouncing of the power and autho Sc ibcs & Pha- 
 rity of the Popr.in H 8. and Ed.b.dayes. The change hitherto cafe'^j^^lt^ 
 u onlfin point of governmern ythe con^WiuCxon fill the fame, 13. and roc«/. 
 And therefore Tfny one chief e end t have had in publifhmg P'^-^^'j- M. 
 thisplaine Treanje, is not to defpife the godly that yet rcmaine othcn'juJgL 
 in their old Nationall church- flate^or in the leafi to give a 
 check to the pArliaments proceedings hitherto , who doubt leffe 
 
The Epiftle 
 
 (0f charttj binds mt to believe) have froccededACCording t9 thit 
 
 light they have received ^but only to holdf orth in a brief e man^ 
 
 ner^ACCsrdingits it hath been defired, what the true vidblc 
 
 Church-ftate is,ot Chrifts appointment under the New 
 
 Tcftamcnr, and horv proper it is to him only to infiitute it^ (jr 
 
 what neccfity lyes upon all thoje that profejje the doBrine of 
 
 the Go^ ell to embrace it ^ and fnbmit unto it, and to come off 
 
 from all other church Jiates that are of humane conflitutiony 
 
 (as I undcrftand a Nationall politicall Church ftate to 
 
 ht) if rve will expiB J cius Chri^to dwell amongfi m^and 
 
 take pleafure in us for the future, 
 
 3 . Another endpropojed to mjfelfe in compofing this Trea^ 
 tife^ was not to dtjcover or lay open before the world ^ the na- 
 kednes of any of my brethren, that either rvalke contrary to the 
 rule of the word, and heftdes it, in the matters ofworfhip^ or 
 that through the wiles ofSathan^& cunning craf tines ofmen, 
 as the Apoflle (j^eakes^ Ephef. 4. 1 5 . have been carried away 
 from their former (ledfaflnes in the u[eof thofepureCoJpell 
 ordinances and inflitutions^ and now live and walke up 
 an^ downe the world, as iffefm Chrifi were Chnrch'lejje, o* 
 the Saints Chrifl'lefje-^ jea, as if the barrel of Chrifis Meale, 
 and Crufe of his oyle, {lockt up in his jfirituaU ordinances 
 and adminiftrations,) were altogether drawn dry and ex haa- 
 Jed: but that I might be a poor e inflrument in the hands of 
 chrifi to deliver fuch from their falfe wayes, that are yet in 
 Egyptian darknes,c^ reduce thofeto the Tents of the Shcp- 
 hcrds,/^4^<ir^ gone from them-^wherethey may again (as for* 
 Cant. I .'7.8. ^^^h^ enjoy their beloved, and be built up to a further enjoy- 
 ment of his glory. 
 
 And thus ( beloved in the Lord) you have a briefe dif- 
 eovery of what* I have propounded to myfelfe, touching the 
 method^ grounds and enas of this Treatije. J have only a few 
 
 things 
 
Dedicatoric. 
 things tfi requeft At J6ur hands ^ undthcn I (hdll difmlffe ydu 
 totJje Trcdtifc It {clfe, and commend Icth it and you tothf^ 
 hkf/ng ofchrtji. Now that xvhich I have to requ^Ji o/yott 
 U this, 
 
 1 . That you tvould not receive with the left hand^ what 
 U offered to you xv'tth the right ^ hut endeavour tofutacAndid 
 And f aire conffru^ion C as tn Qhxrity you are bound) rd the weak 
 endeavours of him ^ that had nothing m hiieye^ i>ut Chnjis ho - 
 nour and your and the whole Kingdom es welfare, 
 
 2 . In the reading of the (oUowing Trcatife^ to take with you 
 thchclpeotthc Spirit ot truth, who alone it^vclKth the 
 dccpc things of God, i Cor. 2, 10. and can enable us 
 to judge of ^irituall things jfiritually : If we plough with 
 Chrifts heifer ^we jhad underftand hu Kiddlest,whereas, if wee 
 conjult withflefh and bloody in the things of God^ and meafure 
 divine myflcnesy by the wifdome ofthu world^ wefhillbefo 
 farrefrom having our expe^ationanfwered^asthatwefliaU 
 fiumbU^and be offended At them, i Cor. i, 18, to 26. and 
 
 2. 14. 
 
 3. when you meet with an any Scriptures and Arguments 
 that are brought to clear e and confirme any point ^ that you 
 would vouchjafe to take in the whole, and confider them 
 together , andnotafartjbe caufewhat may be wanting infome^ 
 may be made up in the refl. For if there be but one or two^ 4- 
 smongjifix or ten Texts of Scriptures, or Arguments that are 
 produced to prove the truth of any one pointy that arefubflan- 
 tiallandtothepurpofe^its fufficient^ though the refl Are not fo 
 Jlrong : as if ten men were to lift a burthen together, though 
 the one halfe of them were but weake in comparison of the other, 
 jet if the worke be done, tis fufficient, we looke after n§ 
 more. 
 
 • 4. where Scriptures Allead^ed, do rnQX^xcdy^Andhfi mA^ 
 
 (bz) nj 
 
ThcEpiftle 
 
 pf words Jpeake out the truth of that they drefrsducedfor.yei 
 to remember^ ifthiy do it by a found and good confeciuence ^ then 
 that isfufjicient, as we mayje^ tn thepra^ife of our Saviour^ 
 \vh2n he rvould prove the truth of the refurre^itonto the Saddu' 
 ces^ he doth it mt by a Scripture that jpeakes exprejly, but only 
 by foundconfequence-^as Maz» 11, ^i, ^1. M-iik. \z. 26,17. 
 5 ,Not to take offence ^at thefhort if brief pafing through par- 
 ticulars ^becaufe 1 undertooke at firjt to give a draught or plat- 
 forme only, (according to the Title of the Booke) of the vifible 
 Church ftatc rvhtch fefus chrift hath infittuted for the 
 Sa 1 NT s f<? obferve in the dayesofthe New Tcftament.iVtfiv 
 in a bufmes of thts nature, underfiandtng men mil confeffe^ 
 that bare pointing at truths is fufficient, and therefore I 
 purpofely avoided the tranfcribing of mojl of the Scripture 
 proofes that are cited in this Treattfe, 
 
 6. That where fover I have been necefitatedtojpeake (in a- 
 ny oft he inferences drawn from the Propofitions) againfl tbofc 
 rvayesandpra^ifes which dovary from what i4 Utd' down as 
 thetruth^ ^rvhetheritbetheway ofabfolute and highclaf- 
 (icall Prcsbytcrie, over the particular Churches and 
 Congregations of believcrs-or the way of re- baptizing; 
 or the way which is ( only for dift'ndion fake ) ftylcd 
 The rigid Separation; or way of living altogether without 
 vifible ordinances and worjhipy becaufe of the det-edtivc- 
 ncsisinthcadminiftrators,or above them in the Spirit, 
 as thoic that look upon the divine inftirutions of Chrift, 
 but as fhadowes, or things indifferent- or the way of 
 fafliioning the facrcd orders and ordinances of Chrifts 
 Church, to the government of civill States and Com- 
 mon-wealths, ^r4»^tf^^^r»;^;?f/^;i;f^ in t he following Trea- 
 tife) it hath not been in the lea/l^ out ofajpirit of contention </- 
 gainfi'thofe that walk in thofe different wayes ynor to diffaragc 
 
 or 
 
Dedicatorie. 
 #y undewdke their gifts (^ graces with n? hich they are endorv - 
 r^5 cr to infringe their chrtjitan liberty^ by bringing t heir per- 
 fons into treuble-.but in the cdjcharge of my duty towards 
 Chrifl^ and the giving occafion for a mere clear e djjcevery of 
 the truth, ^rofe/fng myfelfe ( ^s in the fight of God ) alrvayes 
 ready to performe any chriflian duty er office of love^ towards 
 anyofthem^ whenfoever I fbaH by providence be ca/ied there- 
 unto. 
 
 y-Laff/y^ ifanyfhall attempt the anfwering ofity I fh all in the 
 Spirit of lover equeft him tha( he would f.rft of all fit downe and 
 confider wtthbtmftlf feriouflyjhat whtles he thinks toflrtkt at 
 an errour^he may do what in him Ijes^to wound the truth ^ andfo 
 make workc for repentance : Tts not for me to boafi in the leafl 
 of what IS publifhed bjfo weake an inflrument as m) (elfe-j but 
 fomuch I huve feen and obfervcd from the fir fl day of the 
 Lords putting me upon it, to the time of its publtfhing^ {be fides 
 what I have found m thepralhfe of it) that I cannot but expe^ 
 the truth therein heldforth^for the fubftancc oi'ii fhal fh and ^ 
 andtakeplacCy notwithflanding all the Batteryes and blafis of 
 cppefers thatfhall come againft it . / k>iow the age I am cafl up - 
 on to bear e wttnes to thofe truths of Chrijl I have publifhed ^ 
 cannot eaftly digefi what is fet before them-^ andfo I (hall be ex ■ 
 pofed to the deepefi cenfures that men of evil and perverfe fpi- 
 rits^ ( who have only a forme of Godlines, but deny the power 
 of it tn their walking } can lay upon me : but {through infinite 
 riches of mercy) I have learnt infome meafure to looke above 
 them ally and to cafl my felfe and the worke I have publif}Hd^ 
 on him ^ who is that Aljuffictent God, and faithfull Creator ^ 
 that is every ^ay able to keepe that is committed to his charge in t pet 4. 1 9 . 
 weldoing, and to bring about his glorious ends, by weake and 
 contemptible meanes. 
 
 Thus having premifidthefe few things, iforUare troubling 
 
 you 
 
ThcEpiftle 
 
 yoa 4f7y further h this f Use, having refervedd vford ofexhor' 
 mioniojeUfin the end of the Treat ife-, only defiring the Fa- 
 ther of mercies tand God of aU confeUtim^ to makcthefoUomitg 
 Treatife effectually for the bringing over of your hearts to the 
 heautifuilfvayes of Sion, andaccomfltfhing all thofe other gra- 
 eiOHs ends, for which it is intended, which is the confl Ant pray- 
 er of him whofegreatefi ambition is to be infirumentall for Jc- 
 hovahs glory ^ and his Saints happinejfe. 
 
 Wi L. Bart L K T. 
 
 March i. 
 
i^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 A T A B L E to find out the principall matters 
 
 contained ia the following 
 
 TREATISE. 
 
 A. 
 
 ACts I 5. ATo yff*trrant for CUJJi- 
 cat axei Sjnodical rn/ing pcrver 
 4ver purticftlar churches ^hut makes 
 for I he frivilcdge of f articular con- 
 gregations, P- 133' 134. 135 
 
 Accidc:'nrals of the ^fiblechnrch-flate, 
 imfiittttedb] Chriji, pnly lofi under 
 Afttichri^^nttthee^tntials. p. 80. 
 
 Adininiftrttion $f Seaies andcenfures 
 uetc^trmonandfrtmifcMOfi^^htttor- 
 Ainaritj limited to^f^ btnnded with - 
 ineachfarticttlar Church, p.di. to 
 6%. Inf^arccs brought to the contrary j 
 flje-wtdto he invalid. p. 68, 6g, 
 
 ApoiMes pra^tfed and declared a vft- 
 ilechurch jiuxe of divine infiiiuttcu 
 t9 be obfervcd by the Saints, p. 5 . 
 
 The rtxt igc after ^ the Apoftlcs ob- 
 ferved this vijible church-fiate of 
 Chrtfisinfiituting. p. 5. 
 
 Apoilles ne heads ef^ but Aiinlfltrs Qr 
 fervants to the churches ofChriJ}. 2 i 
 
 DoEtor hmt%f«r the power ef particu- 
 lar churches within tbemfelves^rvith 
 eutfub ordination to 9thtrs, p. 43 . 
 
 6' Arpuaacnts to pr»ve the being #/4 
 
 vifhlt church-Jlate under the Gejpel, 
 
 p. 6, 7, 8, p. 
 
 1 1 . Arguments or motives to prevaile 
 vfith the Godly in the Kingdeme^ t9 
 fubmit unto tt. p. 88, /o I o i . 
 
 p. Arguments to prove the power of gt- 
 vernment in particular c^ngregati- 
 ons. p. 48, 4p. 
 
 Aflertors pfthe congregaticnall yvay^or 
 Primitive order of the GcfpeBtfrii 
 from thefoule ajperjions of Schifmf, 
 errour.herefte^ifr blafphemyjaidto 
 theircharge. p. 28, 61. 
 
 /l/.Ainfworth/flr the ptwer of parti' 
 cular Churches rvithin thtrnfelvti.^"^ 
 
 B. 
 
 J'/.Bayr>es/«rrA* porter of particular 
 churches within themfelves. 5 8 
 
 B jptifme adminiflred out of particular 
 churches ttnlairfu^.dpjo. Repeated, 
 or fallen up again de novo, vnthont 
 any warrant, amd altogether unlajif' 
 full. 7071 ,7 2. Once adminifired, 
 though corrupt ly^tm f hi rcitcr4tidi 
 
 when 
 
The Tabic. 
 
 wken the Saints enter into chnrch- 
 fcUowjfnp. 105 
 
 Bcleevers gifts and graces notfowei 
 « xerci fed finglj and apart asj»yntly^ 
 united together in ehhrch-fe/ioW' 
 Jhip.y, 8. hund to fnbmit them- 
 fclves to that order of the Gojpel 
 Chriji hath infiituted, and no *ther. 
 i8,ip.&88/oloi 
 
 M. Brightman for the former of parti- 
 cttlar churches within themfelves.'^Z 
 
 ^W.Ciryl againfl fuppreffing of errors 
 by external violence andcompulfon, 
 
 129,130 
 
 Af.Ctrtwr. for the power of particH' 
 lar churches within themf elves , 3 p 
 
 fffible Church-ftate under the Gofpell, 
 Chrift the folc Author of it, p.t© 1 8 
 
 Chrift was qualified with power from 
 his Fath(r,ferchurch-work^aboveaU 
 other, fcven way es. 9,10,11 
 
 Divers things proper to Chrift the 
 Head of the Church which are not 
 communicable to any creature. 1 1 
 
 Sacred vifiblc Ch\Mct\ fiate #f Chrifts 
 inftitHting under the Gojpcl. confifls 
 of fx farts ^ viz . matter, for me, end, 
 rule, (quantity or extent^ andprero- 
 gative, 30 
 
 Pari/h ChurchiS in England , found 
 faulty in all thefe, and their confii- 
 tut ion difcoveredto be meetly eivill 
 and humane, 5 5 .to 6 1 
 
 Right vifible particularQ)mic\i^ have 
 power 9j government rolthin them' 
 f elves ^ proved by Scripture, tefiimo- 
 ny of the chaicefefi Englifh fVriters, 
 &reafon, 35'^* 4^ 
 
 Church- ftate of(lorifis infiituting pro- 
 ved to be without alteration, orcef- 
 fation. jS.to 82 
 
 Ch^c-aAway of governing churches 
 not a plant of Gods planting, /hewed 
 to be not only unfcriptu all, but un- 
 reafonable alfo, andjinfull in many 
 relpeUs. 52,55,54. ^^^72, 73,74. 
 
 CouBpulfion */Confcirnca proved to 
 be unlawful many wayes , both in 
 Magifirates & Minifi. 1 2 8 . :oi 3 3 
 
 Comaitnclracnts •/ Chrift not to be 
 negletleel, for want of mens counte- 
 nance, 135,136 
 
 Congifgatiocall Churches doe not 
 fwerve from, but come near eft to the 
 pra^ice of the Primitive Churches, 
 6 1 . No loftrs by oppofition. 115, 
 116. No caufe of errors or licenti" 
 ou/nejfe. 111. Vindicated in their 
 admiffton of members, and not com- 
 mingintepulflique.'y') l^^TI' f<^ve 
 O/i much power agair,^ errors and 
 hofeneffe as the CUfficah way^ ant^ 
 better, and as free from errors. 124 
 feparuto ontly where Chrifi com-' 
 mands them,not from found doCirine 
 andchrifiian fellowjhip , but from 4 
 falfe Church- fi ate, and order ofai- 
 m'tnifiring the holy things of God in 
 England, ill, 111, doe not fin in re- 
 fufing to adm'mifler the feales to 
 thofe are not in the right order oftht 
 Gcfpslt-jOf. Their wjiy, proved to be 
 according to the Scriptures e^ found 
 reafon. ^3^,iS9 
 
 D. 
 
 Dgnyscs ofDWim Infiitutions for the 
 right worfbippiug of God inafacred 
 
 vijfble 
 
The Tabic. 
 
 viftbU Chnrch fiste^ under a great 
 Jiftne. I P. 20 
 
 Diifidcri htween Chrifi audthecred- 
 imrtyin ordering and appointing tht 
 Q)iritttAll ardinances of Gods koufe^ 
 hew abfnrd and injuriota alfo to 
 Chrifi, 20,11,22 
 
 DaUts of church members one toward 
 another fet forth in fifteen particu- 
 lars. Ho, III 
 E 
 Saints are to ffmbody, and what an- 
 ctmts their pr a Bije therein. loi. 
 
 lOd 
 
 Ends of C^rijis injlitutittg a i/ifible 
 
 Church P ate under the Cojpd 31,34, 
 
 99 
 
 Churehjwhat. 32,33 34 
 
 Friends of Cbriji , cannot weU flight 
 
 thefacredififiitutions ofChrt/. 20 
 D. Fulke for the power of particular 
 
 churches withm thimf elves. 45 
 
 Eight forts of fruit that grow on the 
 
 loft^ tree of high Prethitery. 5 2, j 3 , 
 
 G. 
 
 Glory, beauty, &fxceUency ofChrifs 
 injlituied Chur, h'fiate and order of 
 wor/hip under the GojpeU, fet forth 
 in fix particulars above and beyond 
 all other Church-jiates of mens fro- 
 ming. 9i'f»99' 
 
 God rfjeEls in hu wor/hipwhat/oever he 
 commands not in hu word. 1 8. 
 
 Envy to young ones, that God hath in a ' Godh, not all fo that pretend t§ be fo, 
 more excellent manner fifedtn theft \ 112. 
 
 lafl dajes,& givtn light unto touci' , Godly many times doe that ^ which be^ 
 ing the right or Act of the G'jfd^ a | comes not their high and holy caU 
 
 great cauje of mens crying it aowne 
 
 Epitome of the Congregationall way 
 according to the Scriptures. 140 
 
 Five Evils that attend thofe that hold 
 conation ofAiiniflery^i^Ordinaraes. 
 85,86 87 
 
 /»«^.'bid. make oppojition oftentimet 
 againft Chrifl^ 1 1 2, 1 1 3 . not en- 
 lightened alike, jbsd. ArefUllinU 
 waj of learning. \ 1 /\. great numbers 
 of them for the Congregational way t 
 
 ibid. 
 H. 
 
 .4 three-fold Exhon2it'W'n to thofe are , No Hddlliip properly in any but 
 
 out of the order of the Gojpcl^to thofe j Chrif^over hu Church. 21. 
 
 thut are again (i it and to thofe th.tt . DiftinSiion between a fupreame and 
 
 God hath brought into the pra^ice^. fuhordinate IL-adQijp over the 
 
 of it. 
 
 F. 
 
 140 
 
 D. Ffnncr f«r the power of particular 
 Churches within the mfelves. 40 
 
 No fellowHiip to be had ordinarily 
 with God.outofatrueChurch-fiate. 
 
 20 
 
 Church of Chrif}^ u>: found in many 
 
 rejpe^s. 21,2 2. 
 
 fVord preached may be heard in mixt 
 
 Congregations, and pari/h 4/fr»»- 
 
 bliet, 66 67,68. 
 
 Heaven and the true vijible i hurches 
 
 ofQhrifly alike in ten refemblances. 
 
 9^9596* 
 * ian-i^- 
 
The 
 
 Aianj exceJhnt h. X^Q^fdr the go My ix 
 aright yifijU ch'.irch'Jhate 91 pi. 
 
 Simple ani mi "e \\::i&^iLt not to bt f ti- 
 lt IJhed with death* 2 <5 • 
 ; J. 
 
 /W. Jacob/i'/* the power of government 
 tvithin pArt'cHLir Churches them 
 [elves y withoHtJlanding inptbordi- 
 nation to others, 42* 
 
 Eight lmp;:dl\^^en{S thatfiattd in the 
 
 rvayofthe Sitir.tSyAnd hupder them 
 
 from comming into the right order of 
 
 the GtJpeJly difcovcred and removed, 
 
 112 
 
 Indspency <t termemsfipro er to God^ 
 
 • J7. in rvhdtfenfe Diviyies give that 
 
 term to particular Churches. 41 
 
 mar gent, fonre things that difcov^r 
 
 thofe of the Congregationall waj.r.ot 
 
 properljlndQ^'.iAtnxs. 27. 
 
 (Vhf they are fo (liled^ 28. they allow 
 ^sfcivill government and reverence ^ 
 
 - andyeijdrcftdj fuhjeiiion thereunto 
 intheStatt^ 137. God will cUare 
 
 . their innocency. ibid. 
 
 K. 
 
 I'ive things that concernethe Know- 
 ledge, andpr^Riceofthofe thaten'r 
 
 • ter into a right vifble Church-fiate, 
 . i AndGofpel order. 107.10 1 1 2. 
 
 L. 
 
 Jaw^^ and Ordinances of Chrifis vift- 
 
 , hie CkhrcheSy and how thej are to be 
 
 admlnifired. 97 >9^ 
 
 Liberty of particular Churches where- 
 
 Uitcdnjipj icp, 110. 
 
 . Magiftrat^s duty inland about themat- 
 : tfri (ffReligivn, and jvor/hip of Gtd, 
 
 fet forth in five things. 22,13,24,25 
 
 Mirliiius afrench Bifhop, againfi pu- 
 
 nijJjing errou S with death. 26 
 
 Matter of true vifible Churches^ Da 
 j\i;e, only fttch as are godlj, ■. 30,31 
 
 Men the beflofthetn injufjicient f»r or^ 
 dering thejpiritual matters cfChrifls 
 church. 11. 1^,1^ No power to bind 
 the confcience , not fo much 04 in 
 
 , things that are indifferent y and of a 
 leffe concernment. jy 
 
 Proper m^^n^s by which the true vift* 
 ble chffrches of Chrifi are gathered, 
 
 g6 
 
 Minifters. Adultit tides of th^mVcith' 
 vut either learyiing or godlinefe in 
 
 '^'■jhe church of Englani. 118. few 
 have the teaching cfthe Spirit, ibid. 
 few renoHT.ced their Antichrifiian 
 Ordination. 1 1 p. what makes a true 
 and UwfuU Minijier of the Gojjjel, 
 
 121 
 
 Extraordinary gifts ofMiracles , not 
 nece^ary to church officers now. p2, 
 
 N. 
 A Hitioniiipollticallchurch'JIate not 
 infiituted by Chrifi utfder the Go- 
 ff^el. 51,52 
 
 o. 
 
 Ob/efl:ion touching the power ofgrea- 
 ter afemblies in Clajfes and Synods, 
 over particular churches ^fuSyanfwe- 
 red infoure particulars. 46,47,48 
 
 Order of thcGofpel according to Chrifls 
 
 . apointmentf what , and wherein it 
 
 confifis. 102,103,104 
 
 Ox6,\mr\C2S of Chrifi to be admlnifired 
 
 to BeleeverSy at united together in a 
 
 chnrsh-fidte^ md not Qtherwife, 8. 
 
 " " tbty 
 
they yeji fubftfi in 4 charch-fiate. p 
 
 Ordination of church oncers kyimpofi- 
 
 ' tion of hands not of ahfolnte ncctffi- 
 
 tr. 107,108 
 
 Ordination of Minijlcrs by the PrcUis 
 
 informer tifnes^to be rentunce Moyv, 
 
 Andthe reafonsnhy, I 1 9. oljeUicn 
 
 tt the c^ntrdrj Atft^ertd. 120 
 
 P. 
 
 Vat\On'Chmch<:StUfeSlne in thefjfen- 
 tials of their confiitHtion 56.107 1 . 
 their falfe stnftitmion not to he al- 
 lowedofntr continiteJin ^ jhoHgh 
 converfoH andfalvt^ticn may he h'^d 
 in them, 116,117 
 
 JldAjler Parker for the povoer of pa^-ti-j 
 cuUr churches within themJeJ^ves. 
 
 ... 40 
 M^fler Perkins for the power of parii- 
 
 ChUr chnrches wtthin themjelves. 
 
 40,41 
 
 Power #/ church-government within 
 edch fnglt Congregation , wiihoHt 
 flanding in [nhje^ion ^nd fulpoyiii- 
 nation to the clajfes or Synois. pro- 
 
 . ^ vedby Scripture , tejlimony of tear' 
 ned men, and argument, 36, to 5 >, 
 
 Vre$hyttmns found to confejfe the po- 
 wer of gover undent within particu- 
 lar churches fix wayeSf andfojeeld 
 , thceaufctothe cengregationa/l par- 
 
 ^;. 45 -4<^ 
 
 Presbyterians in the Proface to their 
 late Bwke ^ fiy led. Jus DiVinum 
 Regim. Eccltf. foynd in a. m(iu*fcft 
 ^Htruth touching the Indrprndents* 
 
 4:.mirg 
 
 The Table. 
 
 ffibmlt thcmfeli:s to the Lawes 
 Chrifi hath^lr^Ady m^detouchir.^- 
 
 hu.vifible church ^ind'«rderofit>jr' 
 
 fjip, and r.oi %Q mah^ n^vt to uhtm' 
 
 [el les or others. •.•'%VA\r . 17* 
 Some Promillory engagement nueffary 
 
 to church unis/}. 106 
 
 CerporAli pumQ^ments /v mftrtaU 
 
 evils y a pernicious indention. 26 
 Purity ti> he prefervrA in tke churches 
 
 oftht Saints ^and by what^mcaus. i"Cj|. 
 
 .0- 
 
 ^.Queflion wortf:j debating in thefe 
 
 tinieis of fie far motion, touching the 
 ,. vij'i ble church -fiate oft he Kingdom c 
 y,of ^ngtand^in Epift.Dcd^marg, 
 
 PraSiict of R e- b a pt h t ng ' ttltogrtBier 
 
 without warrant. 70,7 1 ,7a. not ne^ 
 
 eejjary whe.n Beleevers are to enter 
 
 , into church feliowpjip y having beeue 
 
 bapti^dfoKmerlj , though the mar.^ 
 
 ■ ner oftxternali adminifiration cor- 
 
 ■ \rupt. 105 
 
 Mafier Robinron/<?r the power of par- 
 
 . ticular churches within themftlves. 
 
 Reformation of England from the ve- 
 ry beginning onely in point of do- 
 ^rine , not in their Antichnflian 
 ^ fhurch flate and order ofwpr/hip and 
 government, Epjft.Ded. no ground 
 for eomfort to thofc that reforme 
 •^ evils jn (he church^hfn thej proceed 
 ' , mcerlf v^t of fubjiCluin to the com- 
 •.<pjandi oJ^cUf and not out of a par* 
 ticular hatred of thofe evils f andre- 
 
 &i'^i^fi ??WS£! ?E i^ll^/tf^tai if^i j^i^ tothe honour of Qed^ 114)13^ 
 
 \ci) Siiots 
 
The Tabic. 
 
 Saints have a liberty ^iven them from 
 Chrift to refiife whatfoever u not a- 
 greeable to the word of God 17 
 
 Scriptures, jlxteene yoajes give the ah- 
 thoritj ^ power of appointing a vi- 
 fible Chnrch-jiate, with Ogicersfir- 
 dinanceSyandworJhipfHtable there- 
 untOy to Chrift only, excluding the 
 creature wholly » l^^to \% 
 
 Nine W4ys they take away from ut 
 whatfoever may be thought to te a 
 warrant to m from mtn to worjhtf 
 and ferve God by, 1 7 
 
 They are for the power of particular 
 
 churches exercifin^ government 
 
 within themf elves , 3 5 j 3 ^ > 3 7 
 
 Separation /jvoyi/^, 121. Congrega- 
 tional men feparate not from the aO' 
 Urine of faith is receivedin fnglind, 
 but from their falfe church fiate^ and 
 oritr ofworfhip ^government, 122. 
 Englands feparttion from Rome on- 
 ly inmatters of doElrine. Ep. Ded. 
 
 Se kets under a great Jinne in leaving 
 Church- fellowfhip. 6^,85.86, 
 
 l>9^or Sibhs for the Power of particu- 
 lar churches within themf elves . 44 
 
 Submiflton to the order of the GoJpeU 
 proved larrftilly from the praBife of 
 the Saints in the Primitive times, ^ 
 many other wajes, 88,89,90 
 
 Synods «<»i Councels, the very hefi of 
 themftnee the A^o flies dayetfubje^ 
 
 - toerrours^ andfildome or never of 
 any good uft, ^3. of little account 
 nmongft the mefk iUuminMU wd 
 
 choice^ fervantt ofChrifl, for lear- 
 ning andgodlines, * 3 1 *4 
 
 T. 
 
 Temple of God ufuatty underwood in 
 Scripture, for his vifible Churches. 
 
 ■ 19 
 ToUeration ofaU Religions , not allow- 
 ed of by them of the congregationall 
 wa-. 124,125,126 
 
 V. 
 Uiiftn of Saints in church fellow/hip 
 fet forth by nine refemblauces, and 
 from many words in the originall 
 Text, 32, 33- An excellent helpe 
 againfl temptations, 8 
 
 Uniyeriall, vifible, poUticallchurch^ne 
 fuch infiituted by Chriji under the 
 New Tefiamem, 5 i 
 
 W. 
 DoBor Whitaker, ten things that he 
 obferves concerning Councels and 
 Synods* 43. For the power of par- 
 ticular churches within themfelves, 
 
 43 
 
 Wicked perfonsnoft matter for a true 
 vifible church. %ltto 1 04 
 
 Will ofGodrevealed in the Scriptures 
 the only rule to the Saints in wor» 
 Jhiftng of God. 34'. Not to be de- 
 parted from in the matters of Godt 
 worfhip, upon pain of Gods higheft 
 dtfplea/ure, x S 
 
 Five things to be obferved in the right 
 order ^ Gods vifible werfbipyby thofe 
 that enter into chureh-felhw/bip. 
 
 i^6 
 
 .•i titt 
 
 Tftc 
 
 \ \ 
 
The Heads of the Trcatifc. 
 
 Chap.I. 
 Tbst there is under the New Tcflament a /acred vifible Cburcb-ftattyOrder and poi 
 inftituted and appointed by Jefm Chrifl^cnd him onely^to the obfirvation of wb 
 Believers sye every where botind^ willingly to fubmit andfub]e£l themfelves. p... 
 
 Chap.ll. 
 That thus vifible ihurch-jiate is afreefociety of vifible Saints ^embodyed or J^nittege. 
 tberjby a voluntary confentju holy fellowffni) ^to wotjhip God according to bis word^ 
 confijting of one ordinary congregation^ with power ofgovernment in itfeife. 3© 
 
 Chap. 3. 
 That the feverall Admimfirations of this Chuch-fiate, eQ>ecially for feales and cen- 
 fures^are now fincethe Apofiles deceafe^ limited to^ and bounded within every par- 
 tieular Church. 6t 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 that this Church Hate is of perpetuall ufe to the camming againe offefits cbrifij the 
 Author andinftituter ofit^ without either alteration or ceffation. 78 
 
 Chap.V. 
 That the godly are bound everywhere^ to gather themfelves into fuch a Chmch»fiatt 
 if the) are of a compe.ent number ^ or to joyn themfelves to fuch Churches at art al- 
 ready gathered. 88 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 How and in what manner the godly are to embody in the places where they live^ and 
 what concernes them to Ifnowand praSiice after embodying. loi 
 
 Chap.VII. 
 All the chiefe impediments, lets and hindrances of the Saints^ that lay in their way t» 
 theefe^ingoftbisfokUfeandhappjaw7,lie^areremovedj and all the main and 
 chiefe obieUions b rought againfi it anfwered. in 
 
 Chap.Vlir. 
 Laflly, a brief e Exhortation to three forts of per fans, i . To the godly out of the way. 
 X, To oppofers of the way 3 . To the Saints already in the way. 1 40 
 
 To 
 
Courteous Reader, thou art intreated to conc6t 
 fuch or the like faults, chat have efcaped the 
 Prcfle, as 
 
 Pi»ge 4.11ne 1 1 .read could bring it to pafe. p. 6.lu\t.T.ftmfly. 
 ^^pavrQ-. p.i3.1.i4.r.wi//. [>.i4-i-^^-r- Jireng holds. 
 
 p.io.l.i^.r. 
 pag.i^.l.io.r, 
 
 » ^ , s^- ,- a-.- * ^ .i6.ic\cfclves. 
 
 f.^lX.^nvXt.rxontingenth', Sf-^^/^Xi.T.contingenter. p.63.1.1 8.r. relative. 
 ^.7%X.ix.xAti to bdiev'mg, ]^.ijX^^.r,anage, p.ixi.l.i^.tmrg.'notci r, 
 
 fOHflitHtm. 
 
5^oI?»f^5^p^7^ 1?;5^!^«^f$>mrf^j^rn^mf$«^«$tr{i 
 
 (tyf(:S\fodellofthe Congregationallv^ay : 
 
 O R, 
 
 Satisfadlion offered and endeavoured, 
 
 by unfolding what the right order of the 
 
 Gp/pell, and way of the Saints ^\n the vifiblc 
 
 worfliipping of God, after the Co n G r E- 
 
 CATIONALL manner and Way, 
 
 (fo much oppofcdOi*' 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 ThAt there u under the New Teftiment, ^f^cred vi/itle Church- 
 {\.dLity order ^ or foUtie^ infiitmed and afveinted ^j JefusChrift, 
 and him only : to the ohfervAtion of which believers are every 
 where bound willingly tofubmit andfubje^themfelves. 
 
 His PropoJition^tnA the next thatfoUowes in the 
 fecond Chapter, tte as the two great PiUars, or 
 ground- worke and bajis, upon which the weight 
 of the whole difcourfe fin thisfmall Treatife^ 
 lyes : And therefore I Qiall ftudy to be the more 
 punduall, in clearing ot them up, and giving fatis- 
 fadion to thofe that enquire concerning the truth of them. 
 
 AsforthefirftoftbefePrc^o/rtVwj, (z'i*. ) that I have now in 
 the firft place hid down, I (hall do thefe foure things. 
 
 I. Shew that there is fticha faded ¥ifibleC)k«rf^-7?<«fr,(?r<ir, 
 and folitie, under the New TefiAment. 
 1. That ihis is inftituted and ordained by fefw Chrifly and him 
 only. 
 
 3. That Believers every where are bound willingly to fubmit 
 andfubjcdthemfelves thereunto, 
 
 B 4. Take 
 
2 A ModeloftheCongregatiorJnlltvA'j^ 
 
 y. 4. Take occafun to difcover and confute the errours of thofe 
 
 tha- are contrary minded. 
 
 Touching the firfl: of thefe particulars • That there \% fuch a fa- 
 credvifible C/^^rf^-y?^*^*?, &c. b.fore Icometo theevincing the 
 truth ot it, I fhill crave leave to premife thus much. 
 
 1 , Thit I do not lay this down by way ot o^fofmon to, but only 
 in diflinSlion from, that which is internall and luvifible. 
 
 2. Neither as the chicfeft,tt)oft excellent and gloricus, but only 
 as that which I findinihe number of thofe CredencUi q^ facienda^ 
 i. e. thofe truths of Chrifl, which by his H^ord znd Spirit y he bath 
 given out to us, to be believed, and pradifed, and vvhich(I have 
 conceived to be (at this time moreefpecially) fcafonablc and ufe- 
 full to the SAints m a way of honouring of Chrifi^ and advantaging 
 their own foules. 
 
 Now this being briefly premifed, I come to theproofeofthe 
 firft branch of the former Pro^ofition, and this I fhalldojthcfe 
 three w ayes. 
 
 1. Y^om Scripture, 
 
 2. Trom Examples, 
 
 5. Ytovn Rf'ifo»f and Argfiffffnts. 
 » In Cf-'ie mo- Fo^ the firft of thefe. Tftc Scriptures that make out this truth, 
 -jrndrM hie are partly from the old Teftiment, and partly from the New. 
 itemm cjl^de j . fhe places from the * old Ttftament, may be referred to pro- 
 N.Telt.aclii& ^\^,.^^ and prophefies of this fscred vilible Church-Jlate under the 
 ^fU chnftiDlo^^^?^^^' "o^ among others, ('for the old Ttftament is rich and 
 pyeflando, non plentif all this Way) take thefe few. i * That of Pfal. 1 1 o. 3 . Thy 
 raro allufiones Ptsp/g/hall be willing in the day fifthy power , in tht * beAUties of ho-* 
 fieri allege- 1~ I'^g^ . ^^^ fj^gj-g b^autics cf holines can be underltood, ef no other, 
 'Eyelid Teliam then that vifible mr/hip, or holy.erdmaftcei^ wherein the Saints 
 propria fm^ ' have Communion, and feliowfbip with C/;r»y? inhisChurchjac- 
 & ab his lib- cording to ^/^^ 33- ly* Hence it is, that wc find this title given 
 rum defcrif. j^^^^g Chutch, PjaL 2p. 2. JVorpiip tht Lord in the beauty ofholi- 
 tiones fumi. 
 Glaff. Philo. 
 
 Sac.VoI.5 .p.49^. * In omatihrn fan^iratis^ asAvenar. renders the wordj from n*j ornavit^ 
 and fo EuMto.ph.Pagnine ^and others alfOjbecaufc, as I conceivc,the vifible wotfliip & ordinan- 
 ces of God,are to hisChurch^as the hangings to ihchoufe, the beauty and ornament of the houfe^ 
 notthehaufe it felfe : and lb the holy Ordinances ot Worfliip in the Church are not the 
 Church, but a part of the beauty and glory of the Church, asQhrift by hi§ Spirit fhines forth ia 
 them where they arc pircly adminiftred. 
 
 ^ejfe- 
 
dec or ding to the Scriptures . 3 
 
 nes^^ becaufe the besuty and gbry of the Lord.Qiinesronhrroft 
 fplcndently in the Churches and Congregations ol the Saintf, 
 where this worfliipis vifibly perfurmcd : As P/k/. 27. 4. PfA(.6i, 
 2. as it is noted in the margcnr, 
 
 2. That of the Prophet £/«;, c^<<jp. 2. 2,3. Andit Psallcometa 
 paffe in the U(i ^ayes^that themountaire ef the L?rds hoH'efhutl he 
 eftablifjed in the top of the mtttntaines^ andfjall be eXAlted above the 
 hils^ Meaning the vilible Kingdome and Church of C/jr//?, which 
 fliould be enlarged by the Preaching ot the Gofpcl; to which the 
 Nationslhould */?<>», and they fhall Tay, Come Ut m go Hpto the '^Mo rjlHmiuis 
 monntaine oj the Lord^ to the honfe •fthe Godeffac&h; alluding to O.colampad. 
 mount^y/tfw, where the vifible Church then was : as Pfal /i^%, f.a. 
 
 3. Thatot£Mj4. 5. And the Lord Tvill create upon every divel- 
 ling place ofmmnt Sion, andnpon her Ajfemblies a clo»d,andfmoak^ 
 by day ^ and the fhtning of a flaming fire bj ftig^ht, for upon all the 
 glory pMll he a dffence : Which plac€ clearly fpeaks out to us, not 
 
 only the truth of this vifibleCharch-ftate under the Goficll, tut cdv. M.-rfc. 
 the excellent and glorious priviledg-s alfcihat attend it; alluding ^l-'^^^/^^' ^.^^ 
 to Cods circfuUprotcdion over his Church, in his going before ^mimtac^ "'^' 
 them, and carrying them through the wafte and howling wilder- 
 rc$. Dcut. 32,9. 10. 
 
 4. That ot Efaj p. 5, 7. And the government p?all be upon his 
 /boulders, c^c.oj the increafe of hit government andpe^ice there (hall h» 
 no end: Vponthe throne of David, and upon his Kingdome, to (.or- 
 der it, and to ejlablijh it ypith judgement andjufliccjrom henceforth, 
 even forever. By all which can be meant no other then the power 
 oUefus C/;r//?, extending it ielfc both to internals, and externals. 
 By the firft he rules internally in the foulcs of men, by grace and ho- 
 litics ; And by the fccond, he rules externally the outward man, 
 with the.inward, in his vifible worfhip and ordinances. • 
 
 5. Thtito^ E^ech* 43, 10, W.Andifthty be afhamed of all they * Adttuncietur 
 have done, /hew them the forme of the houfe, and the fajhion thereof^ J^^'^^J^ ^/^ > j!^^ 
 and the goings out thereof and the commmgs inthereofandallthe Anttcbi^l 
 
 ftrmes thereof, and all the ordinances thereof and all the larves there- quanta, futura 
 ofandwriteitin their fight, that they may keepe the'whole forme gloria mchrijii 
 , . „ / / > r J temph^&qua 
 
 710S glonam expetlamtuquam caput multitudinis templum, quam iUnfiratum luce^ quar/ifioi- 
 datum m petra,quam onatum doClovibm & tunibiis, quan'a varietas auditor urn, qui tamm 
 omnes ad cognitivnem Dei comendeKt. Occolamp.in loc. 
 
 B 2 thereof ^ 
 
4 A UMI of the CpngregAtiondl fV4y, 
 
 tloereof, ancl allthe ordinances thereof ,dnd doe them. Whicli Scrip- 
 * Vld. Glaff. ture looks to the times of the * Gofpell, «nd dayes of Chrijl^ by 
 Phjlog. Sac. whem tke glery of the new Temple or fpirituall Church of Ged, 
 rol.3. p.y ^5 , fhould be erefted and fct up,a$ Interpreters for the moft part agree. 
 '^' 6. Laftly, (though many more might be added) take only that 
 
 of the Prophet Zachsry^chap. 6. I 3. £veM h ( fpeaking of Jefus 
 Chrift) Jhall build the Temple of the Lordy ax'ihejball heart the glo- 
 ry ^and he fh all fit and rule upon hii throne : Now it mull of necefli- 
 '^l^^i^^'-'^r" ty be grantedjthat the Prophet here underflandstht* Church- work 
 Temp^ qnoad which the honour of was fit for none, but Chrifi himfcife, btciuf.' 
 corpHs, tj ma in nont but 1 ejus Chrifi could bring to piffe, as I (hall abundantly 
 eg haiitavit prove, from the next particular. 
 
 picmtudo divi- j. Come Wee in the nexr place to the new Teftament, aad 
 ^ilfiTatur-rm- ^^^''^ ^^ ^^^^ ^"^^ plentifuU ttlUmonies to this purpofe. 
 plum Deo Pa- I Chall t ef erre all (for method fake J to two heads. 
 tri^ dum trcxii I. To whit We find from Chrift himfelfe- 
 ubique purum 2. To what we find to this purpofe from his Apoftles that fuc- 
 
 biiHmreda^is: '* Thofe Scriptures that refpcct Chrift himfelfe, are of two 
 
 ^dumnoscert' fortS. 
 
 fecravit etiam i. Bdotehis dQtihytlMath. l6.lS,ip. And J fay untotheejhat 
 ^dommC^7' ^^'^ ^^^ Peter,&up9nthisrock wiUlhuiUmj Church,& the gates 
 in loc. ' ofHtifkaU not prevaile again fi it: and J m// give unto thee the Keys 
 
 of the Kingdome of hea,ven^ and rvhatfoever thoupialt hind on earthy 
 fhak be bound in heaven^ Now this muft beunderftood of thevifi- 
 ble Church-fiate, and order we are fpeakirg tc, which the Stints 
 eujoy here on earth; becauft Chrifi did not give any power to P*- 
 ftfrtobindinthe world, tor the Kingdome of Chrilt is not of the 
 world, /flib. 1 8 35. But by binding ai^d loofing on earth, muft 
 needs be tinderltood the executing ot the cenfures r^nd ordinances 
 of the vifiDle Church of Chrifi on earth,which is diftind from that 
 K ntdome of c;lory in htraver. 
 
 So th*t oiMath. 1 8. 1 7.1 8. A»d if he pjall negleU to heare them, 
 tell it to the Church : But if he negUSi to heare the Church, let him 
 be unto thee as an Heathen^ and a Publican : Verily Ifaj unto you, 
 whatfoe%>er yefitaU bind on earth, fhall, ^c. Which place, though 
 there be fome difference between the Clafficall and Congregatio- 
 nail Divines, wh«thec by Dit Ecclefttc^hQ meant the cUfficall Prts^ 
 
 bytirie^ 
 
According t&theScri^turts, 
 hjterj^ox the CongregAtienaU^ yet they both, ind all of all forts 
 agree in this, that It is meant ohhc vifible Church- ftatc under the 
 New Ttftamcnt ; which is fiffic'ent for us in this place to have 
 grtnted, becaulc? It anfwcrstheendfor which it isallcidged. 
 
 a. After Ch^i/is refurreftion, when he had made a glorious con- 
 queft over all the powers of darknes, and as the true Samffon^ the 
 mighty one,had carried awayihc gates, *. e. all the powers of death 
 and hell on his fhoulders, then ( by his own mouth) he dtclarej 
 this truth, as in Alath,2%, 18. 19. 20. And lefmcameandjpake 
 unto thetn, f(f) ing^ ARfower it given unto me in heaven and in earthy 
 go ye therefore and teach att nations, baf tiding them in the name of 
 the Father y and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghofl ; teaching them to 
 •hferve aU things ivhatfoever I have commanded joh : andfo I am 
 withyoualwayyeventotheendofthetvorld. This is fo plain to the 
 bufines in hand, that there needs no explaining of it. And thtt of 
 AU:. i.g. fpeakingtothemof the things pertainhg to theKing' 
 dome of God, 
 
 In the next place we come to what we find delivered by the A- 
 poftles of C^ri/?, to whom he gave order, to fee his Will, in this, 
 as well as other things fulfilled, and whom he qualified in an ex- 
 traordinary manncr,Tor the very purpofe,that it might be put into 
 execution. 
 
 New the Scriptures that hold this forth from the Apoftlcs, may 
 be referred to two heads. 
 ^ I. To their own pridife. 
 ' a. To their declaring it to others. 
 
 1. Their own pradife, as will appeare throughout the h ftory of 
 the Afts of the Apoftles,f^4;>. i . and chap. 2. 42. And they conti- 
 nued (iedfafilj in the Apoflles doSlrine andfelloyvpiif^ ( viz. Church 
 fcllowfhipj andin breaking of bread^and prayers : m^ver./^S./^'j. 
 ftj chapters^, 5, ^, 1 1, 14, l^,&c. 
 
 2. Their declaring it to others, wherefoever they went to ga- 
 ther and plant Churches, and this I fhallnfike out foure wayes. 
 
 I. By inftruding them in it, Mom, 12. 1, 2, ^,7,8.1 Cor, 
 li,tt.Ephef./^, 11,12. Heb,^. 1,2, 3,6. andj. ii.andio.i, 
 
 a. By prcfling them to it, as i Cor, 14. per totum. Col, a. 5, 
 7, %. andiThef. a. 1 5. and 3. 4, 6. 
 
 3. By prayfingand coBamending them for it^ us i Cor, 1 1. a. 
 O/.2.5. B3 4. By 
 
5 , A Model of the CongregAtlomll wij , 
 
 4. Bytdmonifliingtheraaboutit, astheApoftlc didTimothj^ i 
 Tim. 6. 14. and this hedothtwo Wayes. 
 
 I. Partly from fcare of their bcng (educed, 2 Cor* 1 1. 2, 3. 
 
 a. Partly that he might prevent their feducing, Col. 2, 4, 1 8, 
 ip. and fo much for Scripture. 
 2. For exaiBples : We may reduce all to three heads. 
 
 1. To what hath been, 
 
 2. To wh«t now IF. 
 
 3. To what (hall be/ 
 
 1 . To what hath been, and fo two wayes. 
 
 1. TotheApoftks times: As the Chmches oi Corwth, Romei 
 J ernfalgrK, Antioch^y. Chmchss oiAfta, the Churches of iW^^, 
 Macedonia^ GaUtia, 
 
 a. Next after the Apoftles death, which we find recorded in 
 * Eufeb. Hlft. the works of * Eufebitu^d^nd other Ecclcfiafticall writers,and were 
 Ecd.l.4.c.2i. in the diyes ofJgnatrrti, luflin Martyr^ Ireneus, 'TertHllian^ O' 
 ^16. rigertf Cyprian and others, all which were under this vifible 
 
 Tm"!i7 pk'rt Church order, and politie, wee fpeak of. 
 
 bus fiiis opufc. 2. What now is, not only in this Kipgdome, but in New-Eng- 
 Cypr.in Epift. Und^ and other reformed Churches abroad in the world. 
 & lib. de habit, g. What fh all be, and cannot befarre of, when the /^J»^/ fhall 
 V'^'tt I be called, and the fnllncs of the Gentiles brought in, which the 
 4. & dc morib. Scriptures fpealse out abundantly. 
 
 Ecclcf. 3. Tor reafon and Argument to clears this point, I {hall referrc 
 
 Zozom. li.f .c. all tothefefix heads. 
 
 1 5- ''^'^^^ "^^y I . Becaufe it is agreeable to the Law of nature and nations : for 
 beene collea- ^^ fifd by experience, that there is fcarce in the whole world any 
 cd hy vaneu^ Nation, whether Tttrks^ Indians, Romdnjy but they have ftlllbad 
 and other Mo- their txternall and vifible order ef worfhip and governmcnt,they 
 dernc Authors jjave their Temples, Priefts, La wcs. Ordinances, Sacrifices, Cerc- 
 If DiWwty^"^^ monies, which they vifiblyobfervc, and conforme thcmfelves to 
 the obferyation of . No w doubrleflTi? iir/W C^rr/? is net behind hea- 
 thens in his Church and Kingdome. 
 
 2. This is no other then is fuitafele to the pradife ©f thcCburch of 
 Godjin all agci,and conditions before the commingof Chrifi. 
 
 I . In Paradife, before the fall of Adam, there were tw» facra- 
 mentall trees, the tree of lifej and the tree of k^otvledge of good and" 
 evill : which were notfiasplc trees, but trees fet a part by Gods 
 
 appoint- 
 
According tQ the Scriptures, 7 
 
 appointment , and divine i ftitution ;aKwaterinBaptifme,&c. 
 
 2. After the fall, beForetht Law was given, while the Church of 
 God was in Families, then they htd extern»ll worftiip, ficrifices, 
 Priefthood, firft borne, &c. 
 
 5. When the Liw wa.s given, in the wildcrner, there was an ex- 
 ternal! forme of vvorfhip and Ordinances futeable to their condi- 
 tion, a moving Tabernicle,&c. tnd after the Ifraelites came into 
 Cartaan, there was a fixed Temple at Jerufalem, and a complcate 
 forme of Worfliip in externals, that God had prcicribed to Mofes, 
 and after revealed to Z)<«t'/ci by the Spirit, i Chrtn. aS.i 1.12. ip. 
 Anfwerableto which, (though in another kind) lefus Chrifi hath 
 laid downe, and given out to his Saints, a platformeof Church or- 
 der under the Gofp.-ll, astheApoftle holds forth plainly, in his 
 Epiftletothe Hf^r^wrj, ajHif^y. I 2. where he fhewes that the 
 old Law, will not krve a new order,but we mufl: have a new one, 
 and he proves ths.' A<tofet indAdron are met together in Chrifi: For 
 Chrift is not only a Pricft, as y^rfvow, but a lawgiver, as -^<?/ir/, 
 and he did both their works; a high Pritft tofucceedv^^irow, andan 
 Apoflle to fuccecd Aio[(S : as Heb. 3 ♦ i . Chrift is Aaron in point 
 of offering up iacrjfice, and Af <?/>/, in p untof prefcribinglawes, 
 for holy worOiip. With many other places. 
 
 3. Tbis Church order, and facred politie,is moftconfonantto 
 the Church of Chrift, as ti$ his vifible Kingdome, City, Houfe, or ^ 
 
 Temple ; Now a vifible Kingdome, and Houfe, or City, muft have fiommBd ut 
 an order, and government equivalent, as all men gram*. alt vanlM, 
 
 4. Itisrcquifite in reference to Chrift himfelfe, t he i»<«y?tfr of i Tim. 3. if. 
 this houfe, and ^ing of this Kingdome, »«w/?;V^ the glory of his «^'?"^^" ^''f*, 
 power, wifdome, and eoodnes, abundantly fhines forth, even to ^" "i ' '^J^] 
 theamszement of men and Angtls. A-r debet, ut 
 
 5. It isnectfiary inrefpeft of the Saints fellowfliip and com- decct ide Pau- 
 munion together in the worfhip and fervicc of God: I'^U^ ^^^- ^4* 
 
 1 . In rcfpcft of the exercifc of their graces, which cannot fo f- ^^ "'"'^l^.g 
 well,nor fo conveniently,and with that advantage to one another "Z^ifJaHqla 
 b;performed,asin this order, as the Apoftle holds forth in i Cor. m ea opw e^ 
 14. per totum. For as it is in Civill fcciety or Politie, fo it is in nt Atctnttr & 
 Ecclcfiafticall. Now in Civ ill Government, that Politicall vertse or dmc omnia. 
 thit is in a man, cannot be fo wel cxercifed and managed in a con- ^'^^o^i^us^dc 
 fufed multitude alone by himfelfe, as in a fociety : So here, thcfe Ecdcf. 
 
 '" ~" "' . gitts 
 
8 A Ucdtll 6fthe Congreg^mAllivdy^ 
 
 gifts and graces which Chrift hath btftowed by his Spirit on th^ 
 Saints, cannot fee fo wcilexercifedfingly by themfdves alone, as 
 when they are united together into a Church fta^e and order, as 
 a Cor.ii.'j. 
 
 2, In rcipedl of their enj )ying the ordinances, for its worth our 
 ferious knowltdse and obfervition, that the ordinmcesof Chrift 
 ire not due to Chriftians meerly as Chriftians or Bclcevers, but to 
 Beleevcrs as in a Church State, for a Beleever is to come under a 
 donble confidcration, as a man is. Now a man is confidered two 
 wayes, either as '^o^/ko^, or as mhrnm, that is, as he is rationill, or 
 politicaU,thatis, as he is a man by himfelfe, or as he Is /oyned to 
 fome fcciety , or Corporation : So a believer is to be lookt upon,ei- 
 ther as a believer, or member of Chr)ft fingly by himftlfe, eras* 
 member of fome vifible Church of Chrifi: >: and in this latter fence 
 only is he capable of enjoying fello wfliip with Chrift in his vifi- 
 ble ordinances and worfhip. The reafctfiis this, becaufe the fame 
 Chrift, that inwardly unites him by the Spirit, and faith to him- 
 felf,doth outwardly alfo call him to his body, the Church, to wor- 
 {hip, and ferve him in the ufe of his Ordinances. 
 
 3» In refped: of thofe many fingular helps, and encouragements 
 that in this Church-ftate tht y en j oy, as I {hall hereafter in particu- 
 lar fhew ; Which without it they are deprived of j for a man can- 
 not poflibly be fo happy alone, as he is in company, efpecially 
 when that fociety proves a haipe, not a hinderance to him, as this 
 doth we now fpeake of: We flind that in the very ftate of innocen- 
 cy, CSed fa w, that it wis not beft for Adam to be alone^ now if fo- 
 ciety were good for man in a perfect itate, how much more then 
 in an unperfeft ftate, as the Saints are now in, whiles they are here 
 below, and abfcnt from the Ldrd ? And the truth of this is further 
 evident from the many enemies the Saints meet with in their 
 walking with God, where they have all the powers of darknes fet 
 againll:them. Now union together in this Church-ftate, is a fin- 
 gular remedy againft thofe temptations they thus meet withall; 
 we know by experience, that compwiy in travelling makes the 
 way both fw^eter and fafer, whereas travelling alonefingly by t 
 mans fclf, is not only the more tedious, but dangerous : fo here : 
 and therefore Without all controverfie, this condition of the Saints 
 in this way of the Gofpell was forefeen of lefm Chrifi^ as moft 
 neccffary and ufefuU. 6» It 
 
According to the Scnptuffs. p 
 
 6. ifWelooketo the; Ordinances ot Cbrift, we finll find the 
 truth of this particular very clt«rc; theretfon is. b .caulcthey can- 
 not well fubfitl bat in this Church-ftate and order, efpecially 
 fince the Apoftles times, as 1 (hall (peake more fully to, in the fol- 
 lowing difcourfe. 
 
 1. The office of a P^ftor, how can it be executed but in this 
 Church-ftate and order ? A Shepherd we know cannot be a Shep- 
 heard,()ut to a flock,nor a (tewtrd be a fteward bu: to a family :So 
 here to be a Miniftcr in office requires a particular fociety of belie- 
 vers, to which he mi ft Ihnd in relation. 
 
 2. The adminiftrarion of the feales, how can they take place, 
 where there is no Church-ftate? lam not of their mind that fay 
 they are ordained to make believers, but rather to confirmeand 
 build up thofa that are believers, when they are brought into 
 Church-fcl!owniip,a$ wefindm the Priaaitivc Churches. The 
 Word is to plant Churches, and the Scales to build and ftablidi 
 (hem. 
 
 3. The cenfures, which are the Keys of Chrifts Kingdome; we 
 know they reach not any till they be in « Church-ltate, l Cor. 5. 
 1 2. for by being without, there, 1$ properly meant of a vifible 
 Cburch-ftatc. And fo much for the firlt branch. 
 
 2. In the next place we come to thtr proof of the 2. branch 
 oftheformer Propofition, which is this. That thU Cacred viftble 
 Church ji ate ^ order^ and politic, under the New Tefiament^ is infti- 
 tuttd aud appointed hy lefm Chrift, And him enl^. No created 
 power in heaven or earth is exalted to this dignity bcfideshim- 
 felfe, nor hath a hand with him in it. 
 
 Now this I {hall endeavour, f being a truth of great impor- 
 tance, efpecially at this time J to make out fully. (■<?) Efay 9 «f. 
 
 Much might be find from th« Prophets (<t) foretelling it :from Zcch.^. i2,ij. 
 the Churches (^) acknowUdging it : from the Angc-li Gabriels ^}^^r^ * 
 (c) meflage to ih. virgin Mary : from Chrifts {d) right to it,ard |2. s 4 ^li" 
 publifhingof it,(ff) ButI (hall paffe by thefe, tnd endi;avour to Rcvt- 11,13. 
 clcare it by ;hcfe(ix things only. & 15.4 
 
 I. From God thit Fathers dcfigning him alone, to this ho-'^^^ Luk.1.51, 
 nourableworkeind employment, he hath fet no other apart to it fA' phil - 8 9 
 b^ fides Icfus Chr.lt : Davtd was a glorious type of this, and S0IO- (e) Mat. Vs. ' 
 m9njii\d(ow^s£li4kim,£/4ji 22. loj 11,22, 23, 24. and there- 18,19,10. 
 
 C fore 
 
for- the Fa'htr is fsid to commit all j jdgement intofais~hand5,7«*{;. 
 5.22. and t« put all things und^r ius ket, and cr*»wne hiai with, 
 honou : and glory, Ht:^. 2.7, 8. and to make bin fecid over all 
 thifij^S to his Church, E^hej, \. 22. Col. 2, 10, i Vet. 3. 22. 
 ar:d'ogivehimanameabovei'vcry nxine,/'^//. 2.p. 
 
 2k From God the Fathers qiKilifying hituforitjabove allothctj; 
 Chriit was anointed tor this worke above all his fdlowes, whe^ 
 ther Kingr, Pritfts, Prophets, or Saints in common ; ss we fee in 
 f/al./\^,6,'],Heh. i. 8,p.Now Ghrift wasqaaiifyed withcmi- 
 n;:ncy ut power trom the Spirit for this worke, above all other* 
 ina fcvenfold refp^d. 
 
 I Inrefpediof the greatneSjftrength, glory, and Majeftyofitt 
 No other created power can compare with Cfcr.ft in this : All the^ 
 power and dominion of men and Angels, is only a finite power & 
 dominion, the po wer oi a poore creature; but this in Chrift,as he is 
 Mediator, 05iii'6p^T©-,Gcd- man, is above a meer cru'ature,ind fo in- 
 finitCiand chereft)r^ when theholy Ghoft (peaksof the power and 
 authority q\ CKrifts Kingly of&ce and government, he lets it forth 
 by the titles 'AJVoMderfall^ Coptnfelior, the mightj God^ the ever laj}-^ 
 ing Fmhir^ the Prince ofpeace^ Efaj p. 6, 
 
 And thDugh ether created powers, as men and Angels, are fomc^ 
 time in the Scriptures called Gods, yet have they not the nature 
 of God, but (hall dye like men, Pfai, 82, 6, 7. but Ghrift hath both 
 name and nature alfo» 
 
 2. In refped of the latitude and extent of it, it hath no limit* 
 or bounds, all the power and authority of men and Angels, is a li- 
 mited and confined power and authority : like the proud waves oi 
 the Sea, thus farre &alt thou go, fai^h the Lord, but no further: 
 but now the power of this Monarch is univerfall, it extendsto hca-^ 
 venand earth, not only to the perfons andcftatesofmen,butto 
 fcheir hearts and confciences alfo, Dan, 4. 34, 3 5 . Pfal. 45 1 1. 
 
 3. In rcfp ft of the equity, juftice, and integrity of it, all other 
 power and authority is fubjed to flawcs in it, to in;uftice, and fin^ 
 thebeflMai^iftratesand Mmifters, the belt Church and ftate may 
 poffiblybecorru^icdj Hu»ran^t» tfi err are, hat now, the Scepter 
 of Chrlfi U a rig hteous Scefter, tis {M>t poflible for feim t» jbe UHhor 
 Iy,w>ju*,^e./y^^45 6,7. ^ ^! 
 
 4. iHi !:e(p€(S:or twc Ipienc* :of if, he is «l0Re 0^ himfelfb wit-h-^ 
 
 out 
 
dcmding if the ScHfuites, 1 1 
 
 out the creature in hit p« wer : ill other powercon cirth i^ wtlxi4 
 
 poiy«ri, \l%y have othcVi joyntd with theia in cotnniffian, ai the 
 Xinfg tR«i Parliiroant together, the Lor^MijoroCtheCity, ind 
 
 Cotnaiort'CouhCcllJtcjgiihar; tfre P^jf #r and People together; 
 But ndW Jefui Chrift is ScIh4 in thr»num^ he ii alone •f himfclfe, 
 ihfe'Fiiksr hath put all powc:r into his hands abnc, without joy* 
 ning Angels or m«Q in comraiffion with him, he dependi not on 
 any of them, but they til drpend upon him; As \\e i$hy himftife 
 u\one, (oheis of himff/f4slcne,}^/i\kout the helps of othcri : All 
 other created powers are b holding to him,but he to none of ihcm. 
 
 5. Inrefpeflofthe abfolutenesof ir, he is exalted to be Lcrd 
 and King over his Church, to govern ir, fo that he can do whatfc- 
 cverhepleafc(h:6utiti«not(b with Angtlf ormen, they cannot 
 pr0 (trhitrio command and enjoyne to the Saints what they pleafc 
 in waiters of Godi wotfliip, theyhaveno ablbJutejurisdidion, 
 they are only J)i^yj)ioi jMin ftcra, not Lords, fervanti to Chrift 
 andhisC^uTchi thej' can ad no further then by vertua of leave 
 from him, and they ihill one day bf aceountable to Ctjrift for 
 what they now doe. 
 
 . 6 Inrcfpeflof the fulnes, compltatnei and perfe<5lion of it ; 
 all created power is defeftive, and full of weakeriek'and imper- 
 fedions ; But in Chrift there are none,for in him there is -mvTo ■An- 
 pw.xa, all ^ulnes.and in him are hid ttwitucI ^mueii r'))iar)^iai\{\ trea- 
 fures of wifdome, Cel. i. 3. which cannot be fiid of the creature; 
 what they have is but a drop, to his Ocean, and that little they 
 have,(s froin him alfo. 
 
 7, Liftly.inrtfpedlof the duration and perpetuity of it : All 
 01 her power is periftjable, uncertaine, and fading. The Monarchi 
 of the world cannot fay of their pov/er and authority that itisa- 
 vcrlafting,as]cfusChiiftcan,asX)^«.4.34, 35. m»^ £f4j\^,6,j» 
 Ojtht encredjt ofhisgovernmtnt thire is n» en^. Now if Chrift bfl 
 fo eminently qualify td for this wbrke, co wonder if it be put al- 
 together into his hands. 
 
 3. Frona Chrift undertiUing and performing if, as inMat. 16, 
 /?«ii 8. 17, 18. M4t. i2.ip,2\ Jsh, 20. 2j, Ephff^.ie, 
 ifji2. I Cer» 11.23. and 11.28. In which places we find t 
 Church ft ate appointed by Chriff, with offices, officers, gifts, 
 ordin^inces, a'nd government correfpoiident. 
 
 C 2 4?i^og 
 
tx AModiUofihtCongregAtlonAlltvAy 
 
 4. From the Apoftles their difcUyming this power a nd autho- 
 AttmU- rity, profefliog their work was mecrely a * Miniftery;not a Lord- 
 (hip, A£i, 17. and that they were the/^r<i/4«f/ not only of Chrift, 
 but of the Churches alfo, 2 Cor, 4, j . Rom, I J . } I . and that they 
 had no power or dominion ov«r the faith or confcicnces of the 
 people, but helpers of their joy, 2 C«r, i . ult, 
 
 J. From the inlufficiency of all humane abilities to accom- 
 pliih this worke , which I fliall make our tkree wayci : 
 I . From ■want of vptt and skill to do it, 
 1 . From want of a mind and veil I to do it. 
 3 , From want offorver nd (Ircngth to do it, 
 
 1 . Men have no wit nor skill for this worke : all the abilities of 
 the creature are too low to reach fuch Adjfleries as thefe; a bat 
 C«uld Mofts^ or Davidj or Solomtn do, towards the building the 
 vifible Tabernacle and Temple of old, with the ordinance's of 
 Wor(hip thereunto appertaining, if God had not firftmade them 
 acquainted with it Ifj his Spirit f So what could the Prophets and 
 Apofiles have done towards the building the living Tcinple of 
 Cht ills Church under the New Teflament^ if Jefus Chnft had not 
 acquainted th«m with the order and mtnntr of it from his owne 
 mouth ? fVhc hath k**own the mindofthe Lord? I Cor. i.nlt, 
 Doubtlcflfe if Chrift had lefr this work to the wit and dilcretion of 
 men, we ftiould have had forry Church work*' Whence is it that 
 there are fo avany divifions and dffjrences amongft men in the 
 world in the matters of Gods hv u'e and worQiip, but this, that 
 men are darke and ignorant, and not acquainted with the mind of 
 Chrift revealed in the word f 
 
 2. As men 1 ive no wit nor skill for this bufines,fo neither have 
 they a mind and win io do it. Looke jvc narrowly into the difpo- 
 Htions of mcn^and vi'e Qiall find how back^ward they are this w y : 
 Aj the Apoftlefpakein his Epiftlero the Church at PhtUpfi.Phil, 
 2. 21. AH feeke their owne, but few the things of le^u* Chrill^ men 
 are fo taken up with the buildin*^ their owne aouiesthai ihcy Circ 
 x*iOt what becomes of Gods houfe, as thofe in the Prophet Hag- 
 gai's diiyes, every man faid. The time ii not yet come to build 
 
 Hag,\.%. the houfe of the Lord. And doubtlcfle if Jefus Chrift did iK)r carry 
 
 on the building of his tem \i\^ further then men are difpofed there- 
 unto, he might Iby k^ng enough for it. We are all of us, even the 
 
 btft 
 
according t6 the Serif tures, jf 
 
 beftef the Siinfs, o^ Cransmu ddpofition tr d f?mpfr, who an- 
 swered Lmhcr^ it wen t. , bt wifhtd, that fuch a wo'k were done 
 he fpake to him about. W< could wiQi thar Antichrift were down, 
 and } fus Chrift exalftd on his throne ; but where is the man that 
 ]$')♦ Lathers ^}p\\'\i m the things of God ? Chrift and his Ctufe 
 mav fink for ouqht that men dor,to put tbcmrc Ives forvA'ard in pre- 
 fervirg 5[id Forwarding of It. And it at any time men doc begin 
 to ftt upon th'S W( rkc, doe we not ic how foone they are difc(!U- 
 raged,ar,ddriV/bickj and ire ready to ceafc and ^ive over, a$ ft 
 was withtbofe J- ■ esthitGod brought out of Babylon to Jeiu^ 
 falem : after they Mad bt gun to build, how long was it before ttey 
 finiflied ? neere as n-iaiiy yeeres by computation in building the 
 Temple, as they had bctn in B*bylon from the Temple. There 
 waslittle heart, little ftomach in them to this worke. Yea though 
 many of them were ^ood mvn as wtU as great men, every (mail 
 threat of their aivetfarits was enough to make them ceafe build- 
 ing, To that the Lord was fame to fend Prophet aher Prophet to 
 them, to fpurre and excite them forward to their worke they were 
 called untc. And isit not fonow inthefedayes ? how long have 
 we bef ne building Gods houfe ? what murmuring, v/hat repinine, 
 whatob/edions, whatexcufes, what carnall reafonings / Every 
 Iran is ready to fay. The time is not yet come j andfo fad confc- 
 quencescomeotisand lidderyct are like tocome Ifeare; and all 
 this I fay for wantof a will , o)i a heart in Gods ownc people to 
 this worke. And therefore without controvcrfie this is a truth, 
 that further then J lus Chrift ads in us by his Spirit, men have no 
 mind to the work. 
 
 3. Fromwantof powerandftrengthtodoeit. Ifmcnhadskill 
 and w it for the work,vet fo long as they want pewer , how fliould 
 they brmg it to paflc ? Now that men want power and ftrength 
 ♦or this worke, is evident from hence. 
 
 I. In that there are many and mighty enemies to be throwne 
 downe, whtn thisChurct-ftateis tobefctup : great and high 
 Mountaines that muft be made Phines. What a great mountains 
 was there of a Samaritan fadlion, pyned with the power of thq 
 Ptrfian Monarchy, before Zeruhhabtl, when he Cime in thenama 
 of the Lord to build his houie that fad b.en laid wafte ? And what 
 a greit mountaioe is the Romane Empire , and that Agtjchriftian 
 
 C 3 ' State 
 
State, Whrchnowoppofeth, and whotliaUbe abl^^to Hry up th 
 great rivci Euphrates yRev,\6. 1 2. that the w^j »f the Kt»gs ofth' 
 Eafi may h prepared? By whicli River, fome undciftand the Mo- 
 narchy on which it border?, v;hich is the Tarkifli E'.Tipire. Njw 
 this men caimot dec, theftilling the rjigeofadverfaritsis beyond 
 the power of men: HethatQiakcs the Nitionj when he comes to 
 thisworke,H4_f.a.7.heone]ycan build thishoufeacnidft allthofe 
 commotions and tumults that are made in the world againH: it. 
 This work is the work of a God, and not a poore (illy worme, as 
 Man is : And thercf jre faith the Lord to Zerttbbabely Ztsh. 4. 6, 
 Not by might, nor hy porver, btit by mj fpirit. And agame, m PjaL 
 a 6. Tet have [^-/J/^^^ »fy ^*'^Z ^P^** ^J ^^^"^ ^^ ^f ^*°»' It is the 
 work therefore ot God, and not of men. If the Lord fliouid kavi 
 this w o k to the creature, when would his great came be hallow- 
 e<l ? when would his kingdomecome ? or when would his will be 
 done this way ? 
 
 a. In that there is much rubbifib to be caft out that ftands in the 
 "way of building and fetting up this work of the Lord,as there was 
 at the building of the will of Jerufalem, Neh.^. 10. a kingdoms 
 withinus,as well as without us to be fubdued, bef re this worke 
 of the Lord can take place. What h'ysiJfit^ what ftrange holds of 
 cyj^-JiAATu : carnall imaginations and reafonings are there in the hearts of men 
 places of de- agiinft this workeof the Lord, as the Apoftle calls them, 2 Cor, 
 jence^o cp^'fi?, 10.4,5. How doemen love the reliques of Badly long after the 
 fielVpotsof^i^/pM^eiroldfuperftitious wayes ef worftiipthey 
 have been accultomed unto ? ho w doe they to this day mourne for 
 Tammuz,? Ti$ no eafie matter to prepare the hearts of the people 
 to meet the God of their Fathers, and before this be done, it will 
 be h:ird to build this hcufe and Church of God, and to doe this, the 
 armeoftheeternallGodmuftappeare, or<?l(eallisin vaine, as the 
 Pfalmift hathit, PfaLi ly.i. Except the Lord build the hou/ij they 
 Ubpur in vaine that butld it : So here efpecially this houfe ot God, 
 that cannot be fet up before the hearts of men be prepared, Doc not 
 we fee by fad experience to this day, that people look upon the 
 right order of the Gofpel, as alight, vaine, nevell thing, &thofe 
 too, that pretend to great knowledge ? Now this very opiiiion of 
 novelty that men have touching this way of Chrift, is fuch a hin- 
 drance to this work, that unfile the Lord put forth his power on 
 
 
actcrding to the ^cri^tnreK ^ '. \ \^ 
 
 diefpirltsof men^tisnotalirhemcninthe ivorldare^bleto bring 
 thetn to embrace Reformation , and therefore doubtkfle this is 
 Chrirts work, and not the creatures ; God$,ind not roans, 
 
 6. Laftly, toadde no more to what hathbeen laid downforthe 
 ckaring ot this truth, take this onely,Thtt the Scriptures do whol- 
 ly exclude and lliut out the Creature from having a hard in this 
 budncfle, and attribute all to the Lord: and this I (hall make cutl 
 hc'pcvery plainly, and to abunc'aat fatisfa<flion. 
 
 i. It is evident, that the Scriptures never rpeakeiniheplurall 
 number ot Heads over the Church, primary and fecundary, but ott~ 
 ly in the finguiar numbirof one Head, -t/i-t-.Chrift, who hathabfc- 
 lutcandfcle power, jurildidion and authority in the matters of 
 R:liaionand Worfliip, as £phef. 1.21. 5.23. Co/. 1.18. c^a, 
 lOjip. and therefore they fpeakonely of one Ltvi-givcr, fdmes 
 4. 1 2. and the govcrntiient en his fhculders onely, and not on any 
 other withhim, Efaj ^ 6, g*- 22. 21 22,23. 
 
 2. Itiscvident, that the Scriptures deny all headiliip and Lord- 
 fbip to any other befidei Chtill iti the Churcl'. , i Pet. 5.5. Pfal, 
 
 , 3. Our Saviour himfelteforbids It to his Difciples and Apoftles 
 that were to follow hi ai, Mar, 10. /^i, Luk.2i.2^. Mat.i^.^, 
 to 13. ^ Mat. iS. 10, 
 
 I 4. The Apoftlcs themfelves aher his departure, f who had moft 
 rigbiof all other to this powcr^ altogether difclaim it, iQor,i, 
 nit. profc fling their work was inecrly a fervice and minidery ,y^ff , 
 1.17. nctaLordfhip, as we have noted before. And therefore 
 when you meet in reading the Scripttircs with (uch places as theie, 
 m i *rdame,^tid m 1 give order in the Chftrches, you are not to ua- 
 derrtand it of any abfoiute, but onely a derived power from ChrifV, 
 It) tftablith in the Churches what Chnft coaimanded , and gave 
 them incomfimflion, no(Wr)g<rf iheir ©wi^, butts i Ccr, 1 1.25. 
 that they received from the Lord, that th^ delivered totbe 
 Saints. 
 
 5. The Scriptures in atiexprefle manner forbid Beleevers to be 
 4tit tervirrts of meninthi<pi>intja$to bowouroonfdcncas totheit 
 irjundions in the matters of WoiQiip. 1 Cor. 7. 13 .m Civil thitigs 
 we may and ouuhr,butnot in divine and fpirituall things, there 
 Chrift alone iniiil*ave«ftive«obcJdki«t> P/W.45^ li. aSlhCnceit 
 ■^ >; "' '^^ ' ' '^ 
 
i6 'AMcdtlloftheCengregAiionaUxvAf^ 
 
 is thit the Scriptures doc charge us, not to lervc G jd after the tra* 
 ditions, doftrines, and c^^ratnandements of mcn,let them pretend 
 never fo much holims and zealc for the glory of God, Mtit, 1 5 . p. 
 Col. 2. 7, 8 20, a I . the reafon is, becaule God will be worfhiped 
 afterhisovvnmJBdand will, revealed to us in the Scriptures, and 
 not after the wifdomeof men. 
 
 6, The Scriptures reprove and (harply rebuke fuch as ftoop and 
 bowe their conrcitnccs to the prtctp-s and commands of men, in 
 fervingand worfhippingofGodjts H<'/.5.li. £fay2p,i^. Gal. 
 4.p, 10. 
 
 . 7. The Scriptures hold it forth as matter of commeRdation to 
 the Saints, when they have withftoodtbe authority of men m the 
 matters of Gods worQiip, and rather (ufFcred their bodies to die, 
 then their confciencts to be defiled bv yeddini^ to their humane 
 in/unftions, as the three Children, Z)^».3. ReveLi.^. ^14.4. 
 
 8. The Scr'prurcs hold it forth as a property and character of 
 Antichrift, to make Lawes, and impoiethtm ontheconfciences 
 of men,2 J/^r/2.4. and fo^tfv.13.16,17, 
 
 p. The Scriptures takeaway whatfocver may be thought tpbe 
 a warrant for us from men to worfhip God by , befides which , 
 3 efus Chrift hath kft us a rule to walk by in his written Word. 
 
 1 . They take away the wifdomc of men, as a warrant for us in 
 the wor(hip<)fGod,as i C^r.j. 20. Ce/o/. 2. 20,2 1,2 2,2 3. 
 
 2. They fake away whatfoever feemeth good in our own eyef, 
 Df«f. 12.8. Efay66 3. 
 
 3. Tney takeaway menstraditions and ciiftomes, Mar.q.g^ 
 Cilof.2,^, AB.2l.2l, Deut,lS.$. Levh.iS,ult, Jerem. lo.-^. 
 and whatfoever mvenfioniof men, as iy^/.ic6.2Pj3p. F/.^^B, 
 J)€Ht./^.2.&l%.^i. Prov.y.6. 
 
 ' . 4. Tney take away the very willand commands of men, as 
 Ihff^.lJ. Amos^/^. Maf.iyp. Mur.yy. CoLi.ii, Tk, 
 
 5. They takeaway whatfoever word or doftrine comes from 
 Miniftcrs, oranyother,whicn cannot be refolved into the writ- 
 ten word of Chrift, as in JE«^. 13. 3, 7. £/J»;8.2o. </4/.i.8p. 
 
 d. Toiy ^ake away all Food intentions of men in this bufineffe, 
 as f 2S4m,6,j.& I ^4^.139,10,13. iChrv^i^.i^.i^i Chr§, 
 $6.16. 7. It 
 
nccordtng U the Scriptures . 1 7 
 
 7! It ttkt'S tway all examples of men,though never fo eminent^ 
 M^k:tO,\^. iCor.ii.i. 
 
 8. It rebukes the counfels o\ States for their boldnefle this way, 
 ind Uyes it as a blot on tf^em , fliewing that by this means people 
 hare been brought roI«iola(ry, as 1 Ximj-. 12.26,27,28,29.30. e^ 
 -xChron.^^.id. 7^^.1^.5,7. Aiieh.6.ult, 
 
 9. It takes aiviy from men ail power to make Lawes to binde 
 rheConfciences of Beleevers, io much as in things that are indif- 
 ferent.* For where Chrift hath left men free, there they are not to "FUM.'Burrl 
 be bound. Now if they deny men power for the lefler , then Heart-vivif!. 
 doubtlefli much more for the greater : but the firft is (rue, there- '"l'"P'^^'''^^^ 
 fore the latter. And left Cbriftians (hould abufe this liberty of j.fcourledrex- 
 theirsintheufeofthings indifferent, he himfelfe hith provided ccllcmlj- to this 
 divers rules for this purpofc in the Word. Rtm.i^^.i^. ^xj.a.po'nt- 
 
 I Cor.6. 12,23. I Cor. IC.32. I Or. 14.40. Rom, lA.i-^. 
 
 10. It takes away from men the very power of tempting and 
 enticing their brother to follow after their wayes and counfcls in 
 this bufincfle of Worfbip, is Deut. 1 3 . 1,2 ,3 ,4,5 ,^,7,8. 
 
 10. The Scriptures hold forth,that the greateft Powers'on 
 earth are to fubj-d themfelves to ihofe very Lawes and Ordinsn- 
 ccs forWoifhip thatjcrfus Chrift 'hath already made and en;oy- 
 ned,and not to make lawes to themfelves or others,as they them- 
 felves thinke bcft , P/W.45,IX. ?/i«/.2.IO,II,I2 ^4f.28.20. * 
 
 PiW/.2.7,8,^. iP^r.3,2a. 
 
 11. Tb« Scriptures (liew us, that our duty is to hexre what tfce 
 Spirit faith to the Churches, after they arc conftitutcd and plant- 
 ed, and not what Angels or men fay, asif«/,2.7, 11,17 (^3.^, 
 13,22. fo th»t men hate nothing at all to doe with rheie matters, 
 ettber intfce begimiiugcr carrying on of this Church- work , but 
 w«frctoreftfitisfi«dinwbatthe Spirit by the Word holds forth 
 to.us,£/^^.»o. 
 
 12. TfetiScriptaresfhewthat the Saints have a liberty of re- 
 jefting and rctufingwbatfocvertfcey (hall find is not agreeable to 
 tlie revealed mitKl and will of Chrift in the Word,when it is char- 
 ged on them as matters of faith , and required in confcience to 
 ye«klfubicd;ionthtreto,a$ I T^r/".5.22. Cff/.2.20j2i,22. i M. 
 4.1,2. Aa.ij.w. Gal.^,1, 
 
 I3< TlieS€nptui:cstorbid us to tumeto the right hand or to 
 
 D "^^ ' th« 
 
8 r A Model of the C6ngre^dtt$>ull wa{^ 
 
 theleft in matters of Gods vwcr{hip,Z)^«r. 5.3 i ©-18. 19. Ivf^j. 
 ' 1 .7. Prev,/if ij. d.v.d there is a p om\i< to p'f.v-:r!t 11 , £jaj 30* 
 21. andabkfllngtothcobrervationofit in/<?/?'.i.7. 
 
 1 5 . The Scriptures charge u<:, upon paine of dc ath, not fo much 
 temporsll as eternal!, not tosddeto.ordiminifli from whatGod 
 hath fct down in his written Word touching the matter and man* 
 neeoFhis worfhip, Dif«r.4.i. ^12.32. Prov.^0.6. ReveLii, 
 14,19 The reafonot it msy be this, becaufe to adde thereunto , 
 arguisGods wordtobedetedivc- and infufficient, and to dimi- 
 ni(h from it, argues it to be lupetfl ious : wh ch for men to doe 
 is abomi( table, and for which we fhall be proceeded againtl as 
 lyarSjProz/.jo 6. 
 
 15. The Scriptures fhew us that God rejcds whatfoever he 
 commandeihnotinhisWorfhip, XmMo.i. Arrzw.y. 31. & 
 15)5. 
 
 16. L3ftly,'toaddenomore,the Scriptures (hew us the ho- 
 nour that attends this worke, is proper onely to J efus Qjrift, and 
 fitttfl: forhim, whoisthebuildcr of his owpe houiehimfclfe, and 
 not the creature, as Zrc^. 6 13- and P/"^/. 2 2. 27, 2 8. 29,30. and to 
 fpcak as thct thing is , this honour and t.lory tnat attends the for- 
 ming of this Church-flate, and right order of worfhipping Je- 
 hovah inthedayesoftheNewTtllamcnt, is aCrowne that 
 becoaies not the head of Angds or men, but Chrills alone. And 
 therefore let them all vaile Bonnet to him, and cry out with thofe 
 ten thoufaiid times ten thoufand, and thoufands of thoufands, Rev* 
 5.11,12. and fay, iVorthy U the Lambe that was jlainey to receive 
 tower t andricheSy and rpifdome^ andflrength^ and houour^ andglorj^ 
 Andble£ing. \tr. 1 1. And every creature which u in heaven, and 
 o» the earth, and under the earth, and fuch m are in thefea, and aU 
 thai are in them, heard I, faying, Blejfingy hontur, glory and power ^ 
 be unto him thatfttteth on the throne, and to the La^nhe for ever and 
 ever. V^t.l^^AndthefoHrebeaftsfaidyAmin, And the ^/^. El- 
 ders feltdowne and vrorjfhipped him that live th for ever and ever J. 
 And To let all tlofe doe that love the Lord Jefus Ghrift in fincerity. 
 Amen. And fo much for the fecond branc^i. 
 
 .5. Naw I come to the third branch of the Propofition, which 
 js this : "ThAt Behevers are bound'every wherf to obfervewhat.jefue^ 
 Chrijl.hafh done this Tvaj^and t0ffii>mit andfubje^i themfelvfs.ml" 
 lingly thereunto, j^l? 
 
according 16 the Scrlpures . i p 
 
 '-. This I need not be large in the proofeof", ("eemg the Scripture is 
 fo cleare for the truth ftf it, 
 
 I, Tiscleeieby way oiProphefie,thatthcy fliall'd'-e To, ?s in 
 Tfal. 110.3. Theyfjail be a v(<illir<r feofle in the d^j of his power, in 
 thebeaHtics of hoUnejfe : and * E}aj 2. 2^ 3, 4. Jer.^o.^ 5. They * rj h/ic efl 
 /hall not be forci-d by outward violence to this i^vorke, nor have dignit.ts eccU- 
 their excufcs to delay their coirminc:, as thofe Luk.iA. f'^'y f'!"^ "'^''• 
 
 " ° * luvta-in con- 
 
 fluit risn tytanrjde coacia. Ibunt dic'it^ntn t,ahc7itur vi^neo.ncbcUii adlgottuvjcd fui [pmte 
 & vthmtatii audita Evangcl'io rbunf, tra^o nimiriim occu/to illn & patcrio tracln, htUrcs & 
 Hon metu, fed amorc tvocati. Ibmt^ non fubjijient ad vocatunem Di", *ian moras trabtnt^ &c. 
 Oecolampad. in loc. 
 
 a. Byway of precept and injunAion, Pfa/m. 45.1 1. Mat, 
 18. 20. 
 
 5. By wayofthreatnrng, iy<</.2.ia. Kiffe theSomte lefl hehe 
 BRgrj, and ycftripj from the way. So Lul^e I p. 23 . But th»fe mine 
 euemifrwhich would rot that IfJwuldraigne over them ^bring hither ^ 
 and flay them before me. t I 
 
 4.' By way of cncouragciricnt, frotn the many and fingularpri- 
 vikdges which fuch fhall have that thus honour jtUii Chrift, as 
 their onely Lord and King : which priviledges I ilisll not here fet 
 downe,but refer them to their prop- r place mChap. 5. where I 
 lay downe Overall Arguments to work and win over the Saints to 
 the prafticeofthcirduty this way. Ar,d fo much for th? 3. branch. 
 
 4. Now for the difcovcring and confuting of thofc that are 
 contrary minded, there are divers forts of men that more efpeeially 
 oppofe this former Truth. 
 
 Thefirft fcrtarc thofe thataffirme there \s nofuch externall vi- i.Such as deny 
 fible politicall Church-ordcr,that Chnft hath inftitutcd,to which Divine Gofpcl 
 the Saints ought to conforme and (ubjtdt themfclv.$:But all the ^"f^J^fb^jfj; 
 government that Chrift hath in beleivers, is only internall by the fu°s"ciinft for 
 fpirit. As for externalls (as officers, ordinances and govern- his Saims to 
 ment) cither they lookc on them as forms & fhadows that are to obferv. in ilic 
 vanifhand have no more being fincethe comming of Chrift but ^^"t^a 
 arcfwallow'd up in thefubftance,& fodcny them altogcthcrtor els '^^^ 
 as things that are leftmdiffcrent to the difcretion ot the Saints 
 which they mayufe, if they (hall thinlcefir, or forbeare if they 
 pleafe. Now how fully is this trrour confurtd by the truth that 
 hath beene foronerly hid down* For if Chrift hath inftituced ( as 
 
 D 2 we 
 
i © A Msdell of the C^ftgregAtmall wAy] 
 
 We have (hewed) fuch anexterntll Church polity e, for his Stints 
 toobfeiverohiscomtningagain, how then dare men deny it? may 
 they not as well deny the fcripturcs themfclvcs, by placing all 
 iniheofficeand works of the fpirit within us, without the ufeof 
 inyexterntU ruleorrncancs toworfbip Gad by? And the truth 
 is, that to this at laft men come, fpeaking very bifcly and unwor- 
 thily, if not blafphemoufly of the fcriptures. But before I leave 
 thole men )(iHt may pkale the Lord to (hew them the evillof 
 their way j I would faine know of them whether it were not the 
 pradiceof JefusChrifthimlelfe inthedayesof his fle(b, and his 
 Aportles after him, (whom he fubftituttd in his roome, and ap- 
 pointed to give out his divine Will concerning the ordinances of 
 his kingdome^ to live in the ule and praftice of outward worship 
 and ordinances. Did not Chrift himfelfe praftice prcaching,pray- 
 ing, Baptifaie, Supper, &c.and fo the Apoftks after him f and did 
 they not give the Churches this in charge, that they (hoHWtrc«d 
 in their (Icps, and be followers of them , as th«y wcrcot Chrift ? 
 andcanitbedenyed.thattheOdinaniesofGcd are thofe faaed 
 things, in and by which the Saints come to have lively fcllow(hip 
 and communion with God ? Neither let men think it fufficient io 
 fay, that they have fellowihip with God withotit and above ordi- 
 nances, for then it would (olio w, that men (hould live in fellow- 
 (hip with God without wor(hipping and fervingot him in that 
 way he hath prefer ibed, {yix^.) by obfcrving thofe duties and or- 
 dinances which Jefus ChriU: hath inftituted and commanded in his 
 Word, as preaching, prayer, (inging, receiving the Sacrament$,exe- 
 cuting the cenfures,&c. in Church fcllowfhip, as hath been and 
 (hall be farther noted in the following difcourfe. And therefore if 
 thefe men delire to be found in the number of thofe that Chrift calls 
 Jchn 14.1 y. Ij.j fricnds,l€t them labour to doe what he hath commanded them, 
 and not (light the way of his vi(ible worQiip and ordinances, which 
 he hath inftituted for his Churches to walk in, till his comming 
 againe, whenhe (hall deliver up the Kingdome to his Father, and 
 have put downe all rule, and authority, and power, in i C9r» 
 15. 24. 
 
 2. The other fort pf men, contrafy nainded to this bicfftd trutfe^ 
 arethdfethatttadiand write for found dot^iine, that Jefus Chrift 
 hathiiot (ble powet^f htadfhip ovtr (he Chtirch in appointing 
 
 and 
 
acardinguthiScriftures, ^ ii j 
 
 and orderinc;thi$viriblt: Churcfc^ftatt, for ill Nations (o obf^rvc ' 
 
 indkerp, but it is in the power ofmenaHo to appoint andfcrup 
 a frame ot Church-Government, and order for men to fcrve and ~ \ 
 
 worftiip God by, according to the nature and frame of thofe States . 
 
 and Kingdomes wherein they live : and tht foundation they build \ 
 
 on, is by diftinguifhing bet wcene i Su^reame priftcipa/I htaJ/hip , ] 
 
 and a MinifieriaUJuhrdinate head/hip : They doc not deny, but 
 ChriftisthefnpreaimcHead overall, but then they would faine 
 make the world believe fifit lay in their power} that there is a fe- 
 ccndary andfubordinate headChip, which y</i*f C/^r»/? hath deli- i 
 
 gated in his room,and hath left power and authority with,to mal^ 
 iawcs to his Church : and they fay, that this Minilleriall headship ^ 
 
 may ftand wel enough w ith the Principal and Supream, as a Vice- ' 
 
 Roy may Hand with a King , but I utterly deny it, affirming it to 
 be a diftmc^ion coined in the Popes conclave at Rome, and holy \ 
 
 Baiises in his Commentary on Co/, a, 19. fiiews it to be alto- ' 
 
 gether unfound. - i 
 
 I . BecA$ife it ii contradiHorj^ for it isfush an ej[e»tiaU property 1 
 
 §fan heady to be principM^, and have rulc^ that what u not tht4i,u r.ot -j 
 
 an head. < 
 
 2« fVho ever h*ard of any fecundarj minifieriali head in a natural i 
 
 body without deformity ? Now it w a naturaU body, with which Chrifi j 
 
 deth compare himjelfe In this reffeEl. \ 
 
 5 . That which ii a minifieriall head, mufi doe the worl^efam head, ? 
 
 bttt that none can doe : the work, ^ doubU , internall or externaS. in- I 
 
 fiuencey regiment or direUion, Of the firfl it ii granted :for the other 
 of Regiment, the Script f*re denyeth it to any (rut Chrifi the Prince of The Apoftles 
 Pafiort , leaving to ali other a power mimfteri^U onelj to ferve the thcmfelveswcrc \ 
 
 Churches as fuperior unto them, "°^ Heads of^ 
 
 4. NoDirtthonwhichi^ dependent ii theSremoH tj an Head, El"eChurc"r ^ 
 
 as the kand leading and dr'aWifig ftpth^fiot, direliethit^ hut is net id.ibid!^ ^^' 
 an head to it, becamft the dire3ion of the hand commeth from the ^ 
 
 principality of the head reported unt* it. As for thoft inftanccs that 
 are brought forlhc upholding ol^ the former diftiniftmn.he anfwers '' 
 
 them cleerly, and (hews , that the union of the Church , the Scrip- j 
 
 rtir^ toathtJ^ t4 dt^tndon Chrr^>MHdhtt'StAKtt;' Wfi mi on a tjifible 
 
 hekd, Me*i ma f have many name's ptDperly Mttriimte4 to them , bttt ' 
 
 this improperly^ Kings may fufer men to itf^edNol^lty fVife^BJch^ 
 
 ■' ' Z) 3 but I 
 
2% A Mddel of the CengrtgAttomll rvay , 
 
 IfUt to he cahed Kings within hia Dominion, ii not permitfej^ hcaufe . 
 there u nothing more derogatory from the glor J of hu Crewne. So 
 here. And what this 1 arncd man hath ipoken in tnc former place, 
 is confirmed both by Ancient and Moderne Divines tgainft the 
 PapiftSjSsiscBfie to prove : And fuffictent might be added from 
 the Sermons which have been preached for ih»fe fcvcrall yeen s be- 
 fore the Honourable Houfes of Parliament, by learned men of all 
 forts : Dut I fuppofe it is needles in a bufines (o cleerc and palpable. 
 Now it Jclu$ChrIilbefoleHcad,andnone;oyBedincommlfli- 
 pn withhim, for the ordering of thefe affaires that concerne his 
 Oiivfl, and his Fathers Ipirituill and eteinali Kingdom, thendoubt- 
 Itfte no Powers on earth, Civill or Ecclefiafticall , can challenge 
 that honour and authority to themfielves, which isonely proper to 
 ]>^fu$Chrift, and which he hath referved to hi lufeUe alone, and is 
 communicablcto none other beiides hioi. Now there are feme 
 things which Chrift hath refer ved to himfelfe : as for example, to 
 ered a fpirituall Church and Kingdome to himfelfe, like himfelfe. 
 2,To appoint a miniftery& wormip, order & government, both 
 internall and externall.futable thereunto. 3. To give out glorious 
 Gofpell truths and dodrinesoffalvationforthe Saints to belieevc, 
 andpradife. 4. Toraignandrulein and over the hearts and ctn- 
 fcicnces of the Saints, by the mighty Scepter of his V/ord and Spi- 
 rit. 5. To forgive finnes, to heale difeafes, to bleffe Ordinances, 
 to challenge praifes, command homagc,duty,fervice of the whole 
 man from (inners, thcfeand the like things are proper to Jela* 
 Chrift, as he is the great hich Prieft, Prophet, and King of his 
 Church, and not communicable to Angels or men : and therefore 
 let not humane powers take that to them, which is none of their 
 due but belongs toChrift alone. 
 ,^ffi* What « their due theft i 
 
 Anf M, Sprig in his Ancient Bounds hath fpoken fo much, and 
 fo fully to this particular, that I need not fay any thing; however 
 becaufefomcthingwiUbeexpefttd, Iltall referrcall tothefcfiyc 
 heads, which I defire may be candidly interpreted, as ferioufly 
 confidered. . ; 
 
 "-'i., They are bound by diligent ftudy (in. their own prpperper-, 
 fons) to enquhre after, and acquaint themfelves with, what the 
 jtternall God by Icfus Chrijt hath already rcveakd in his word 
 
 V ,< • ' touching 
 
ticcording to the Scriptures. j j 
 
 touching tbe right order of govcrnm* ut m his Church, and trinner 
 oFhis vilible vvorfhipamongthcSiints, which he hathg.v^n thtm 
 in charge to cbfetve and piadil j xnd not to take up ihefe fa- 
 crcd thir)C;s by curtome o: tradition, or depend altogether up- 
 on the judgement ard informatirn of others: as is evident from 
 Deut. ly. ip 20. Andit Pjall be rchen he Jitteth upon the throne of 
 his Kingdoms y that he JJjaliTvrite him a ceppy of this Uwtnabooke, 
 out of that which u before the Priefts the Levttes, and it (hall be 
 rcith him. and he ffiali read them all the d-:jes of his lift, thut hetxiay 
 learn to feare the Lo^dhis God, to k/ep aU the words of thid /arv; and 
 thefe Statutes^ todoil em, that his heart be not lifted upabovehf4 bre- 
 thtren^anithat he ittrne not aftde from the Commanden^enty to the 
 right handor to the left^ c^c. Th s indeed muft be granted, that 
 the luprcam Magiftrateniay crave the htlpeand alTiftanceot coun- 
 fels and Syrcds,frr information and counieli herein, but not who!- 
 ly depend and rcfl: on them, to ncglert his own pcrfonall endea- 
 vours : and the rcafon is, bccaufe no Councels or Synods can now 
 fay, that theyare fo inimcdiatily and niallibly guided, and aflifted ^Y\i.Cranvitr, 
 from heaven,a$that we may build upon their detaminations,with- who raftered 
 cut further enquiry, but arefubje^ to err^;urs in the matters of "^^"yji'^'J!]^^ 
 Religion as wcl as cthci$;as Hilloriesubun iaiitly make manifeth* \llQnMams 
 
 daycsj in his Treatife, called, A Confutacion of, Htvrittea Verities, againft the Papilb, where 
 he proves this abunj;nily from En/eh. Gcg.Na^. AiigulL Panormuan.Sic So Doftor lyliitali. 
 fomctlmcsprofcfl. of Di. in Carnbr. de ConciC. p. 1 1 concilia gencaiia pojj'e err are etfalfas 0- 
 phiiones ample Eliynam co?icilium Avtiochefiutmeriititem darnnavrt^ et hcieftn apertam prepug- 
 nji-jit : Simlittr A,imincnfejt Epbffinutn (ecimdim^ ex tjuo patet ve; itatem nen ejfe mcuendam 
 ex numcoEpifcoporhm. And this he proves, rt lage, p.i^'i.ad fittcm, from Scripture, Realbn, 
 Ex.imp. & t«.ft. of Fathers. And though he fpoke much in the commendations of riglit gathered 
 Councels,yctindivcifc places of the Treatife, he delivers thcfe ten things concerning them. 
 
 I. That their calling togcthfr, is quiddamm\i-nKov:>^- l')- et humanum inientumy p. 77. 
 that ismccrely ktimane. • 2. That they cannot frame Articles of faith to bind the conlcicncc, 
 p. J p. 3. That their cndin comming together, is not to fetd as Paftors, but to confuJt 
 
 what is bcft for the Churchtx. p. 8j. 4. That they are not fimply ncccflary. p. 25. 
 
 5. Thai they do n-scgivc authority to the Scriptr.rc, p. 14^, 243. s. That their decrees 
 
 arc not StoTTvist^x, that is, immediately inrpired by the holy Ghoft, p 1^2, 2" 3. 7. That 
 the ultimate ileicrmination and judgement ofa GeneraU Couvcell may be Valfe, p. a 31. 
 
 ?. That there is no judgement of a Councell properly in matters of faith, p. id 9. That 
 the truth of things determined in Councels, may sfrerwards be called into qi/fftion, and againe 
 difputcd, p. 183. 10. That the Churches of Chrifl have been kipt founS in faith without 
 
 them, for the firft three liUfv'rrdYearcs,/). ij. And to' this agrees M. Oyvcn^ a moderate 
 and learned ?ieibyttYtan\u}A\% country Efj'ay far chnrth gtve^nmm^ aniK«cd to his Sermon 
 
 ' . -• -^ • \ • ;t - .^. preach' 
 
24 ' Al>lodtlhfth€Co»gregMkn4Uw4y] 
 
 preached before tbc honourable Houfc of Coramon>^. 71. his w»rds (among odicrs) arc ih?f<. 
 No Indge of he-re fy Jince the/ip8Jtlcs dayei.but have been obfuxious to enoitr m that judgement ^ 
 and thofc that have been foiwurdeji to ajjume a ludicature arid power of difcerning bettveen 
 truth and er- our^ fo as tirhave others ; effulited thereby, huve erred mojt feulcly : Of old it tvas 
 generally concn-Jtd ttbe in Cotmtcls. Now I fhould ackno\vIidgc my fclfe oblicged co any man 
 that would diredmc to Councell Cfince that oi ACls 1 y. ) which I may nor be forced from the 
 Word to afl.Tt, that h (in fomcthing or othcrj went aftray, and he produccth teftimonieJ to 
 this parpofe from Lulher, Be\A^Na\im.&c. 
 
 1. Luther J (he fticwej) did not feaic to affirm oftfie very firft and bcft of generall Synods, 
 that he undcrftood not the holy Ghoft to fpeake in thtBi,and that their Cannons were but plain 
 Hay and Stubble. 
 
 2. Bcyi, that luch was the fijUy, ignorance, ambition, vvickednes of many Bijbofs in the bed 
 timeSj that you would have fiippofed thcDevill to have been Prefident in the:r Aflcmblies. 
 
 3. Na\'an\€ne ^Thaz he complained, he never f?.,vgood end of any Councell j and affirmed 
 that he was refolvcd n.vcr to come at them morcj with much more that he hath in that place 
 to this purpfe. 
 
 So that although Synods and Councels of learned and godly men, are not wholly to be re- 
 jefted or defpifed , yet they are not fo to be depended upon, as the Scriptures are, which we 
 are commanded by Chrift to fcarch, /o&. J.J i?.ind which alone in thcrofclvcs are the rule of 
 faith, and ludge of controverfies, as all Protcftant Divines do grant. 
 
 2. When God hath foblefled their endeaTonrs, as to rcveale and 
 make known his will unto them laid downe in the Scriptures, they 
 are bound to publifh and declare the fame to their Subjeds, and 
 require them for ths honour and glory of (Sod, to yeeld willing 
 fubjedion and obedience thereunto, according to the praftife of 
 religious Princes of old, isAfa, in a Cbron. 14. 4. whocommand- 
 ded Ittdah to fecke the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law 
 and the commandement; and fo lekojhaphat after hlaijiChro.ij^ 
 J, Z, 9. and Hesiekiahj and U^ah, and fo did David, and Solomm 
 before them. 
 
 3. Theyarfi not to rell here, but the better to encourage their 
 Subje<^$, they are to go before them in exemplary praftife, requi- 
 ring no more of them, then they are forward and willing them- 
 felves to doe J according to the famous examples of Mofes,j0fhuah, 
 and SawMtL And the rather, becaufe that hereby they fliallnot 
 only publirhtomen and Angels, that they acknowledge the fu- 
 jremacyanci foveraignty of /<?/«< Chriftortt themfelves, thot^h 
 the grcateft on earth, but alfo engage him to the prefcrving and 
 profptring of them in all their undertakings : as the Prophet told 
 KmgAfa.iChrf,i^,l, 
 
 4. They are boutid to ccuntenai^ce and encourage all tbofe, that 
 
 ' ^ they 
 
dcc»rdingt0theScri^turts f aj 
 
 they find the Lord to make a willing people in the wayfs of his 
 Worfliip, by granting them their liberty, though they be the fewcft 
 and meantft, tnd never fo much contemned and defpifed in and by 
 the world; and though they alfo differ and vary, (through their 
 weakenes ) in fome fmall circamfttntialls about the worship of 
 God,amoHgthemfelves, yet fo long tsthcy hold the head, and 
 ftrivc after the life and power of Godlines, in their walking, and 
 fubmitt to Civill government , they are to be prot( fted, bf caufo 
 herein they do well, and fo come within thecompafleofihcMa- 
 giftrttes countenance , cncouragemen-,andprote(5tK)n, ^sRoof, 
 13.3 4. Efay/{^. 13. whereas on the contrary, if they (hould ^ 
 dilcouraged, by denying them their liberty, and expofijig them to 
 the rage and fury of malevolent fpirits, they Qiould neverenjoy 
 the tnd of their prayers to God, iniht behalfeof themagifttate, 
 "W hich is, That they may under them^ lead n e^uUt andfCAceahle life 
 in uU godlines ana honeflj^ i Tiw, 2. }. 
 
 5. Laftly they are bound to the utmoft of their ftrength and au- 
 thority, to uphold and maintaine thofc facred Lawes and Ordi- 
 nances of Chrift given to the Saints, in their purity, power, and 
 liberty, againit all fuch as by force, or fraud, ihiU endeavour the ex- 
 tirpation and overthrow of them: andtrus they are to doe, thefe 
 three wayts. 
 
 I ♦ By declaring openly againft all fuch known and manifcft er- * Such a? the 
 rours, that fight agiinfl Chrift and his truth, and arc condemned Apoftic ftilci 
 intheSaipture. i Tim. i. 0. 
 
 ; i» By rtftraining of all fuch exorbitant and apparant wicked '^^l^tj'^' ^^v- 
 pradifcs, whereby men do openly refif^,and makeoppoficiona- ^^^'^^^'^'^^^j^^ 
 gainft thole precious waves of the Lord, and his people, that are excutiunt; tan- 
 in the religious praft ife of them, qHamfcte in- 
 
 3. By infliding punilliment on the perfbns of fuch as fliall obfti- '^''^.^^<* /^dfuat 
 natcly pe»(ift in their oppofition,and wil not take notice of the laws lundaTc'Jrfen' 
 cither of God or man to fubjed themfelves unto them, * thuk tes. Nam'^ix lex 
 are cvill doers, FHH^yh^f qmnuUitu funt nfM^ a$tt frugu , iUe proprie di^ 
 ^i^uwfit & Sioiukfii, fighters againfl Chrift and God, and fo come ^'.^"'^^ ?"' '('A* 
 within the compafle of juftice to be executed on them; other wile f^/^/*.*^'^!/'" 
 theMagiftratc fliould beare the Sword in vain, which would be 'ac repaluix^ 
 hisfinnejbecaufeheis appointed for thepunitliment o^^siWAo-omni^tranfilit, 
 ers, as well a s the praife and encouragsmeat of theo that do well, Anton.Faius 
 
2$ A Modell eft he CengregAtiondl waj] 
 
 Rem, 11.%,^. goodtnd cvill adions being the proper objeft of 
 the Magiftrates power. 
 
 Yet hereini defirel may not be miftaken, as ifl would hive 
 the civillMagiftrate to proceed fofarre in theinfliftingof corpo- 
 rallpunifhmentontheperfonsof men, as the late Printed Paper 
 entituled An Ordinance for the freventing and/preadtng fifherefies, 
 ^c. would have him: for I cannot Icvi how the fentenct; of blood 
 can be pronounced in the cafe of fpirituall & mentall evils, as fim- 
 plc hercfie,or misbelieving any point oi Chnftian faith, where iHen 
 arc otherwife peaceable in the 'ftate : And thit tis not my j udgc- 
 ment or the/udgement of thofethatar*Cilled Independents alone, 
 I fhall reterre the Reader to M. Orren mentioned before , in 
 his Country EJfay^iov the praftife oi Cnurch government,*nnexed 
 to his excellent Sermon preached before the Houfe of Commons, 
 Afrilli^ 1646 ;>. 76. 77. 78. where he hath much to this pur- 
 po{e,rt«^ to thepxrpoje : [ would be ferioijfly confidered (^ faith he) 
 upon a view of ihc Itatc and condition ot Chnftians, fincethcir 
 name was known in the world, whether this doftrine ofpuniQi- 
 ing erring perfons with death, imprifonmenr, banifhment, and 
 the like, under the name of herctiques, hath not been as ufef ull and 
 advantag'ous for error as truth ? Njy, whether it hath not apptA' 
 redthen^ofi pernicious invention that ever was broached* In the 
 firft,IcCt»nd, and third Agci, wcheare little of it, nothing for it, 
 fomething a^amft it; much afterwards againfl: it in Attftia, and o- 
 thcrs : Marlinu* that famoHS French Bifhop (he fliewef J rcjefted 
 the communion of a company of his aflbciated Bifhops, becaufe 
 they had confcnted with Maximtuthe Emperour^ unto the death 
 of the Prifeili4nifls, as vile heretiques as ever breathed, I know 
 the ufuall pretences,(faith he^ fuch a thing is bla{phcmy,but fearch 
 the Scripture, looke upon the definitions of Divines, and by all 
 mens confent, you will find feerefy, in what head of Riligion fo 
 ever it be, and Dlafphemy properly fo called, to be exceedingly di- 
 ftant : Let a blafpfiemcr undergo the law of blafphemy ; but yet I 
 thinke we cannot be too cautious how we place men in that dam- 
 nable feries, calling heaven and earth tc* witnes the contrary. 
 Obj. Toflread fuch errors mil be dejiru^i've tofoules, 
 Anfj So are mai-y things, which yet are not pumftiable with 
 forcible detthj let him that thinks fo, go kill P*ganj, and Mahu- 
 ' ^ D^etany, 
 
dccording tc the Scriptures. 2 7 
 
 humedns, isfuchherc-fy is a canker, but a I'pirirituall one, let it 
 be prevented by fpirituill mcincs: cutting offmensheads, isno 
 proper remedy for it : if Stite'-phyfirians thinke otherwifc (and 
 I may adde , thofe that take themfclvts- tO; be Church-phyfiti- 
 tns j I fay no more, but that I am not of the CoUedge : This, and 
 a great deale more, hath that judicious Au*hor. 
 ? 3. A third fort of men that walke contnry to the former ttuth, 
 arefuch as not onely refafe to fubfcrbe to the former ruth, in lift- 
 ing up the Lord J efusChnft, as the iole ordcrer andiiftituterof 
 this yifible Church-ftate, order, and pulitie; but quarrtll with 
 thofc of the CsngregAtifnall way, for thiir forjvaidiics and 
 faitbfullnes in foc!oiBg,nick-nammg them Independents y as xiftlfe 
 and frr4r«rtfd.''niall, and lifting up the name and authority of 7^- 
 ftu Chrifl ^in (he forementioncd rt^mgs, ^ere blafphemy,and to be >, , , 
 numbred among «ne of the iev n deadly finnes.-Indecd iffuci/^i/// ^'^^»^»yavfi' ^ 
 acenfers fierre onet,defpiftrs of them that are good^ as the -Apolile ^^'i?^^'^*^' 
 cals thtfm,2.7'fn> 3 ^.having aform cfgodlines,i>ut denying thepO' [x-.p^oim Ivn* 
 wer thereof, v.^.couid juftly Uy totholeof the Congregational way CtUt,, 7>V 5 
 thislo'ty title of Independency (proper only to thtmoft high Cod) {^'^f^/ twrni 
 as men turned in upon themfeWes, regarding only thcmfelves, li- "P*'"f*^»'» 
 ving to thcmfdyesjdepending on themfelres.their owa wifdom, 
 undcrftandingjCouncell, judgement, and ftrenfth, fleightingand 
 rejedmg him, who is tliled Jam. 4. 1 2. fof*»di-m Mx/^Qr aiistu 
 ly )im\i(nu. That one Lawgiver, wtio is able to fave and to deftroy : 
 it were another matter : or elfe if it could be ckarely etinced by 
 any of the Congregationall mens words ©r writings, opinions, 
 or pra(flires in old E igland, or new ; Firll that they do altogether 
 exclude the advice and coonlell of the (ervants of Chrift in neigh- 
 bour Churches, when therris occafion for it: or, fccondly, That 
 thcytefufe to be accountable for their anions onto thofc, who 
 (hall in a fiire and orderly way, accordmgto the nileoftheGof- 
 ptrllinthenameof Chriftdefirc them.O thirdly, deny appeales 
 unto men, as they will appc>L' to Chrilt in the Scri ptures, as the 
 only Unpire and ludge, in matters controverfail and dubious. Or 
 L'.ftly, (cornetoacct^pt from men what they bring to chem, with 
 the Image and Sftperfcription ef Chrifi upon it, the Lord helping 
 them by his Spirit, with the eyes of their own undaftandmgto 
 feeit^Ifay itthefethingi could be fairly made out agamft thofe 
 '■'- --f * - E a of 
 
§2 A M6dell of the Congregdtkndll rvdy 
 
 of the Congregationjill way , it were fomething ; then I confcfifc 
 our brethren (as in words they profcffe themfelves) might juft- 
 ly 9ccu(e us before hearcn and eanh, of Pride, and Arrogancy, of 
 prefu option, Blafphemy, and impudency, as they ire pleafed ma- 
 ny of them in the hcate of their wrath and indignation to do : but 
 (forever blefled be the Lord) thi$ they cannot do. Wherefore is it 
 then that the furnace of their dilplcafure is fcven times more hea- 
 ted againftrhofe of the CongregationiU way, then formerly, and 
 this title of Independency fo abufively given them ? For my own 
 part, (all unavoidable infirmities incident to man excepted) I 
 know no other reafons then thefe, either beciufe they wil not fub- 
 Jed themfelves to their high Presbyteiy,to their CUflicall,provin- 
 ciall, and National Churches, and their abfolute power of govern- 
 inent, over (ingle Congregations of Saints : or fccondly , becaufe 
 they will not fay God fpeed to all fuch is bring the doftrines of 
 blind obedience, and teach the fear of God by the precepts of men, 
 to them. For is for thefe foule afperfions which are caflontha 
 prime aflertors of the Congrtgationall way, by thefonnes of the 
 high and lofty Presbytery ,v;z.of error, herefie,blafphemy, &c. are 
 they not well known to truly ingenuous and fober minded men,' 
 to be no other then the fruit that comes from the wombc of envy, 
 hatred, and difcontent ? Do not they themfelves know ( what cvec 
 they beare the world in hand to the contrary J that neither Anti- 
 pasdobaptifQie, Rebaptifme, Antinomianifme, Arminianifme, A- 
 rianifroc. Sec (that are made the common evils of the times) can 
 Juflly be laid to the charge of the former perfons, in old BftgUnd 
 px New ? no not all this while they have appeared in this caufe of 
 Chrift: Let the records of the AfTensblybf-fearcht, or any other 
 places, and fee whether any thing of this nature can be found a- 
 gainft the diffentingbretheren, living or dead, or thofe that ire et 
 the fame judgement with them, touching the right er^r of the 
 Coj51'*i?,andpoint»fvifiblcChurch-fellowfliipand government ; 
 What though divers that are erroneous,and hold fuch Tenets as arc, 
 dcflruftive to Church and State, do flielttr themfelves under the 
 name of Congregationaiifls, fhall the way therefore, and thofe 
 that are the chiefeaflertors, and praftifers of it, fuflfer for it ? It 
 this fiire and honefl dealing ? there are many now poffibly among 
 the multitude that are for the Clafncall way, that are abominable 
 
4CC9rding U the Scriptures, 29 ^ 
 
 lirdrs, Drunkards, Swearers, Extortioners, Oppreflbrs, Pcrfecu- I 
 
 tors, Scoffers, if not exafl malignants,and fomc of them it may ba 
 
 alfo hold as groffe errors as any of the forincr,if not grofl'er : (hall 1 
 
 wc therefore prefentlycondfmne thofe that are the great Chtm- ./ 
 
 pionsforit,tobefuch ? Would nor the world cry (himc of us, 
 
 asof men wanting bothRtafontnd Religion ? And yet thus the i 
 
 precious fervants of Jcfus Chrill muft be dealt with, that arc af- j 
 
 fetters of the Congri.'t;ational way,by thofe thatsare Presbyterians, it fcems thofc 
 
 and yet men will not fee the unrealonablenes and irreligieufnefle P'^"^yte"ans 
 
 of their preceding in this manner : But certainly, fif they belong ho^g^n j "j^^/^ ' 
 
 to Chrift J he will bring them to fee it,and make them aOiamcd or againft thof"' 
 all i'their hard Speeches they have uttered this way. that are not of ] 
 
 Whercforeto clofe this Chapter, however wee fhall be dealt their own tribe, < 
 withall by the Tongues and Pennes (or any other wayes) of our [j^^^^p^^i'^^^"^" 
 oppefers, wee (hall not be difcouragcd, but fit down with our afli- ftice7o^ ihem- 
 ftions as with our Crown, blefling fehfivah, that he will count us fdves of late; " 1 
 
 Worthy to fuffer for his Name, and Sonne! fake: Being affured 1 
 
 that thofe that fuffer with hiro, fhall alfo raign with him, but thofe | 
 
 that deny him, (hall be denyed of hiin at the Uft d%y, iTinss j 
 
 2,12. 
 
 
 E 3 CHAP. 
 
H 
 
 30 • AMcdtllofthcCongregMionAUmy] 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 That thiiViftble Church-flate^Order^and Politie, which Jefui Chrifi 
 snely hath injiitHted and ordained under the New Te^amenty to 
 the 0h(er%/ati»nofwhishi &e, isa j'-ee focietj or eommunionof 
 viftble Saints, embodyedand k»it together bj a voluntary confent, 
 to wor/hip God. actor ding to hisWord^making up one ordinary coH' 
 gr9gation,n>ith power of Government within itfelfe onely» 
 
 Ere lyes the ftreffe of our bufine(fe,and therefore I fhall endea- 
 vour to ftcere my courfe the more exadly 
 Chr^fio dace, & attjpice Chrifio, 
 
 Two things 1 ihUl, in the ftrength of Chrift, undertake* 
 
 1 . To clecre and confirme this Propofition. 
 
 2. To draw fomc inferences from it. 
 
 Touching the firil of thsfe. There are fix things to be opened and 
 cleared up to us : 
 
 1 . The matter* 
 
 2. The forme. 
 
 3. The end. 
 
 4. The rule. 
 
 5 . The quantity and extenf, 
 
 6. The priviledge and prerogative of this Church-ftate.' 
 All which particular Heads hold forth to us a Summary of the 
 
 Congregationall way ; in the right underftanding of which, Chri- 
 I. Materia, ftians may abundantly fatisfic themfeWts and their friends about 
 catm pdelifi. this way of the Lord,fo generally crycd dewn and oppofed. I (hall 
 (a) A vifibis Open the particulars in order. 
 
 fegregation " I. I call this Church-ftate, a fociety ©r fellpwfliip of vifibic 
 ftom the world, Saints.to note the matter orperfons that are both to erjoy and 
 and a rifiblc exercife it. For we are not to imagme that the Kingdom of Chrift 
 cfhriKnecef^ ^^ °^ ^^^^ world, but chofen out of the world ; ti$ m the world, but 
 fary to Church not of the World. That is, as the world is taken in a morill evill 
 union & com- fenfe,for the wicked of the world , buc for thofe that are called 
 mnnion. f^ide f^^^ amongft them to t(a) vilible proteflion of, and fubj dion to 
 Sur jTnp theGoipelof our Lord and Saviour Jt-fus Chrift. And this is no 
 s,6, * more then 1$ evidcBt in tji? Scnpiuie : For w« find that the mem- 
 bers 
 
According U the Serif tuns. 3 1 
 
 bers ofvifible Churches, according to their firft conftitution , were "And this is a- 
 all Saints by calling, a$ apptarcs Lm, i .7. ^ i Cor. i .2. Philif. i . ^' n.fication'of 
 I,^. Ctf/.g.ii. audi Thffyij, xx^m{dyiol(, which was acal- theGrcekword 
 ling feparatim & conJHntiim.i'ijnmtu obferve$>a * calling ot thofc Iuxmcia, 
 SaintstofellowQiipina vifible Church externally, as well as to '" -^-"p^*^.»^ 
 Chnftinvifibly and internally. And hence it isthatthofeGhut* ^'''\~;^^'^ 
 ches which were planted and gathered by the Apoftles inthefirll Tvocando. 
 and Primitive dayes of the Golpel, are(lyled The Churches ef the Leigli , Critic. 
 Saints.^ I C«r.i4 33. The Temple is holy, (b arc the K. yes, the Sac 
 Tables of the La vv, the Seaks, Cenfures, Officers, Ordinances, all ^ ^ 
 holy.asChiift himfcUe iSy that is the inftituterot them. When p ^/'"' "^* 
 the Teinplc under the Law waste be built, the materials of it were 
 all hewnc, fquared and polifhed ; the Tabernacle was curioufly 
 wrought J the Candleftick was of beaten gold ; thetwelve Tribes' 
 were reprcfented upon the High-Priefts brtaft-platc by twelve 
 precious Hones j fo the vifible members are correfpondent to 
 themyfticall in outward appearance. And there is great reafon 
 for if. 
 
 1. BecaufeJefusCkriRjtheKingofhis Church, requires that 
 all iuch as are profane and Icandalous , lliDuld not be admitted to, 
 but driven ^rom the holy things of his houfe, Mut.'j 6.& \% 1 8. 
 I Ctfr.5. 5,7,13. ReveLi.20, and therefore no fit mattcrforthii 
 Church. 
 
 2. Becaufefuehonely asare Saints, can anfwcr to thofe ends 
 for which Chri(\ bath indituted this Church. 
 
 Now thefe ends among others are thefc three. 
 I. Toperformefpirituall worfhip and {ervJC€ to God, and 
 JefusChrift their King, i Pet.2. p. 
 
 2. For ipirituall communion and fellowfhip, a$ with Chrift, 
 fo one with another, I Cor.i 5?. & io.\6 \j. 
 
 3. For mutuall edification and conioiation, as appeares in 
 I Cor. 14.26, & iThej.^.li. 
 
 Now this IS no work for drunkards, fwearers, blafphemers, ig- 
 norant and fcandaiOasperfon$;thcfeUrve to diflaonour God, a^ 
 dtftroy his hoiile, and therefore not fit matter for his feoufe. 
 
 2. I call it a free focieiy of Saints, car bodyed and knit together i. Fo/Ma. 
 inorc, byavoluntaiy confent, to note the forme of this Church- In this divificn 
 ftate. Now this unitiBg and embodyin«of^th€ Saints loeether in let there be in 
 
 Church '^^"^"^^^ 
 
g 2 A Mcdell of the CongregAtmaS rvdy 
 
 Clirift , and Church fellowfliip,may be clecrcd and made evident divers waics 
 
 fearc of God/a j^ oS. 
 
 IrSrf ?vi. ^- ^^^^ ^^^ (crenW Refemblinces this Church hath with 
 
 CbkSainfr thufe things that hold forth neare union. As 
 
 men &womcn I. That of a houfe, or building, where the materials are not 
 
 of good know- gneiy licit faft to the foundation, but to one another. £phef.2,22, 
 
 ii'^hcVnmT *• ThatofaTcmple, I Cer.^.ij. alluding to the Temple under 
 
 tion/rhTwing the Law, where the ftones were fo knit together, that it Teemed 
 
 forth their to thc eye oi the b^'holdcr, as one entire lubftance. 
 
 communion -. That of 2 natutall bady, i CV.12.27. C0/.3.IJ. 
 
 withChrift) . That cf a fraternity or brotherhoed, i P^M. 17. compared 
 by their owne ■ , ^, ^ rr 1 ^ 
 
 defye and lo- With Chap.$. 1,1 3. &Zech,Il,l^, 
 
 luntary confent J. That of ail Army With banners, Cant, 6.^, 
 
 intooncbody 6. That of tCity Compaft, 2'/'rf/.I22.3. 
 
 fclvcc '^^i 7* "^^"^ °^^ golden candlcftick.in which the ftiaft and branches 
 
 Owms Coun- ^^^ clofcly knit together in one,/?^T/.i .12, 20. 
 
 try Eaiiy p.,^0. 8. That of the Tent and Tabernacle , which the Lord built for 
 himfelFe to dwell among his people, and filled and fanftified with 
 his glorious prefence, Exod. 2 5 , Revel, a i . 3 . No w the materials 
 of the Tabernacle werefo coupled and united together with loops 
 and tatcheSjthat they were but one Tabernacle, and fo the Saints in 
 Church fellowfliip. 
 
 p. Laftly, that of thc joyning together of feverall graines of 
 corneintooneloafeorbrcid, I Ccr.10.17. 
 
 Secondly, from the feveriU words thc holy Ghoft uf«th to hold 
 forth this in the Scriptures. 
 
 VideLthhxn ^' Thatof £p;^if/.4.i2. «sny^f ;(5t7Wfw(r/>to;', for the injoynting ©f 
 
 h\i Critic. Sac, thi Saints. 
 
 in vcrbHm. 2, That of G4lt 6» I , ii^TttriiiTi r rm-nv, fet fuch tti OHO in joynt 
 agiine. 
 
 3 . That of I Cor. i . i q. wts o K^vipv(/9i!oi^\Nhich fignifies a knitting 
 together in one. 
 
 4. Thatof.£f>^.3.22. vtwotMJhfui^^ when materials of a boufe 
 are put one within another. 
 
 5 . That of Col, 2. 2, nu^t^A^VTsiP Iv dytTT^^ the word fignifies to 
 defcend one to another, as men that are knit together in the fame 
 judgement, wr. I ^. 
 
 6. That of Aflj z, i , and $.13. and 9,^6, e^ng^TD xcMxar,&c the 
 
 word 
 
according to the Scriptures. 3 5 
 
 word fignifics, to glew things together (httareurjoyntcd, andala 
 diftancf one from the other. , , 
 
 7. That of ffr,^o,$.Ccfne let wjoyne §Mrfelves to the Lord^c^c, 
 Where the Hebrew word, to jojne, fignifies mutually to give our pi^ 
 felres, that is, with the knowledge and conft nt one of another, as Mutao dedit^ 
 jivenariM and others . W*. Painine. Sbeindler^ and Buztorph, <i<:^f?it^item 
 
 .•bferte. ^ ztfl'f,^ 
 
 Thirdly, from found reafon. ^/,„y ';J:'^, 
 
 I. Becaufe the godly,without this embodying,are not aX)f u-ch jOaine joyied 
 properly, but a caluall loofe company, under great diforder and [othciordf 
 confufion,asaheapofftone$ thrown together, without any fui- |]'J''?'^''^» 
 therdiftinaion, ^ flDiXZaBj 
 
 2. Becaulc without this, there cannot bethat beauty 9^\mng give thm- 
 forth in the Saints and Ordinances, for what arc a company of Z^'"-"" ^0 the 
 choife materials which are fit for a building, fo long as they lie ^"'dvptj^the 
 loofe one from another? Tis with the Saints united, as Philolo- 3/,-. Forks 
 phersfpeakeofthcr/'«/'«^<'«, or milky way in the heavens, they the fam; word 
 yeeld forth a glorious lultre , and precions light, above what they with the formcc 
 are fingle by themfelves. 
 
 3 . Becaufe without this, the Saints lofe not their beauty onely, 
 but their ft rcngth alfo,bothdefcnfive andoffenfive. 
 
 I. Defenfive, for by their knitting together, they are able to 
 make far more refiftance againft the common advcrf^ries of their 
 peace, then when they are fingle and by themfelves. Via ununfor- 
 tior, A bundle of Arrowts together are not eafily broken, but ta- 
 ken afunder, and they are eafily fnapt to pieces. So here. 
 
 a. Offcnfive, for hereby they are the b 'tter able to prevail with 
 God, againft thofe that annoy and hurt them ; for the Saints thus 
 together wraftlirg with God, they do offer a kind of holy violence 
 to his facrcd Majcfty, and obtainc their requefts fpeedily in Chrift. 
 Asth« h«at of the Sunne, when the beames thereof meet together 
 in a bnrning-glaflc,is greatly ftrengthcned,fo it is with the prayers 
 of the Saints met thus together,they prevails much with the ftroDg 
 God, ^fiF.xi.j. 
 
 4. Becaufe without this knitting together in one, the Saints 
 cannot fo well difcharge and pcrforme thofe mutuall duties Chrift 
 hath called them unto,as watchmg over one anothers foulcs, repro- 
 ving an offendiog brether, telling the Chutch in cafe ef not liiiaring 
 
 F "■"" and 
 
34 
 
 Fim's, 
 
 4. Regula. 
 
 5, ^antitas 
 vel extenjio. 
 
 A Medellofthe Congregathrtall my, 
 
 and receiving admonition, snd fuchiiki-. For where there is no 
 engagement, there men are fubJcA to nci^led duty, as wc find by 
 fad experience. 
 
 3. Ifiy to worfhipGodjtonoteonechiefe end for which Je- 
 fusChnft hithinftituted this Church ftate, ncK the whole end, 
 for there are divers ends*of this inftitution, but this is the chief end, 
 that fo Gcd may receive honour and glory from hfs people , which 
 he hath called out oi the world, i Pet, 2.^, Heb, 2,12. Efhef. 
 3. 21. Prov.i6.^, 
 
 4. I xdde according to his will, revealed to them in his Word, 
 to note the rule, by which the Saints are to walk in all the wotfhip 
 theyaretoperforme toGod,bothinrefpeftofthe matter and mar- 
 ner of worlliip, according to Mat. 2%. 20. i Thef.^.2, i Tim d.3. 
 a T/w?. 1 . 1 3 . for it is not in the power of men, be they never fo 
 wi(e,learnedorgGdly, toprefcribearuletothe Siintsto worftiip 
 God by, bfcfides what is left as in the Word of God, as we have be- 
 fore (hewed at large. 
 
 5. Icill it one ordinary congregation, confifting of fo many 
 bcleevers, as can conveniently meet together to worfhip God in 
 one place, to make it diftin<fl from all other Societies, or Bodies 
 called Churches, of the fame kind. So that the Officers and Mem- 
 bers of one Church, are not the Officers and Members of another, 
 but as they are knit together among themfelves, fo they are diflini- 
 guifhed from others, being t%thcfmiUr parts of the Catholique, 
 and have the nature of the whole intire, (vU.) immediate fel- 
 lowfliip with C H R I ST, and right to all the Ordinances. 
 Thus the Church of Corinth was one in it felfe, and diflind: from 
 Cenchrea^ which \s conceived to be no Other then PagM vel 
 Portui Corinthiy the Port or Haven Towne of Corinth, neere 
 adjoyning to it , and yet two d.itlindl Churches. And fo 
 the feven Churches in Afia. , what were they but fo many di- 
 j^inSt congregations f So the Church of Antioeh was but oneor- 
 dlnaiy congregation, as AH:, 1 ^.ij. and fo the Charch at Jerufalem 
 was no other then one fuch Church, if we will credit the holy 
 Ghcft,as^^.2.4<5. ^-5.12. &6.1. ^15.25. c^ 21. 22. And 
 hence it is that we find in the fitft planting of the Gofpell, that the 
 Churchts were many in number, as we may reade 1 Car, 4. 17. 
 .|S*i C«r.8a&aJS^23,24. and therefore frequently in thepluriU 
 ;jr - - - - number, 
 
according U the Scriftures . 35 
 
 fiumbcr, call€c( the Churches of (a) Gaiatla, of (bj Macedonia, of C'l) Gal.r. t. 
 (c) Afidyoi (d) Judea, of (e j Gallic and Samar^ o\{k)Cyria and ^^ Cor.nf.r. 
 Cylicia, SoagiinCjfometimes they are called in the plurall num- [^^ ^por^f • 
 bcr,the(g) Churches of the Gentiles, the (h) Churches of the(i,'|-iij^f^f J^ 
 SiintSjtha (\) Churches of God,thc (k j Churches of Chri(l,at leaft Gal. i .j r * ' 
 37. times are they fo named in the plurall number, to note that ^0 Art. 9 ^t. 
 they were diftind: bodies, and were no larger then could meet to- 9-^^,*^''^'^** 
 gether in one place, to worfliip God, as ths PariQi Churches doe )jj\ j Cor "*i"* 
 *iiercin£»^/<««^,fome of which congregations confitl of divers 33. 
 ihoufands. All which particular diftincl bodies or Churches' of CO^Cor.n.itf 
 Chrift, though I hey be many in number, yet they are ail of them (^;Ro'Ti-J^«if 
 but one in nature and conlhtution. To which purpofe we fliall 'Vid. Layne; 
 find the Scriprurc often fpeaktth of the vifible Church indefinitely, t>ioc,Tryall, 
 asofonelyoncfo i Ctfr.12.13. Mat, 32. 2. i Tim. 3.5. calling?"'^ ^"^''J *'* 
 itonebody,£/j^.4 4. that is, one in nature and power, though n,eafifrd' ^p 
 many in number. ^ of ihc quantify 
 
 6. 1 adde. haring power (under Jefus Chrifl) of government of the Churchi 
 within it fclfe, to note the privilcdge and prerogative Chrift hath ^ priviUeium ' 
 endowed it withall, and to exclude that fuferiaritj that feme 
 claime to themfelves over their brethren in the point of Church 
 power. For if every particular Church of Saints ( which here we 
 fpeakofj have received alike the power of binding and loofing, 
 of opening and (hutting the Kingdome of heaven, within it felfe, 
 then certainly no Church whatfoever fiath power of government 
 over another. But now this we take to be the very mind offeftu 
 Chrifi in the OfJpeS^ that every fuch particular vilible congregation 
 ofSaints,ashere wefpcakof , hath received alike this power of 
 government within it felfe, without Handing in fub/edion and 
 fubordination to others. 
 
 Now that this is the very mind of Chrift, we (hall endeavour to 
 clearc, i . From Scripture, 2. Teftimony of the Learned in Eng- 
 lind, 3 . Realon and Argument. 
 
 I . Scripture, and fo both in the generall and particular : 
 
 I . In generall, from whence the truth will appeare, in that we 
 find in thofc Epiftles the Apoftle doth write to the feverall Chur- 
 ches of /{•«»*, C<»r. Colo(f, Thef.&u he feldome or never (ingles 
 out the Officers apart from the reft of the body, but takes in tho 
 whole, bfth Officers atsd Church together, in th« ordering and 
 
 F 2 ' ' ■ psaniging 
 
35 A Model of the CongregMteMU way , 
 
 cnaniging of Church affaires, as appears from Rom.\6 l. i Cor. 
 
 5457,11,15. ^14.40. C ol. Af. 1 0.1 6, i-j. I 7/;/?/. 5. 14,27. 
 
 andtis no more then what we find the Apoftlesto doein that 
 
 Church bufineffe they went about, Atl:,i'). where t^^r. 22,23. wfl 
 " Vi.Jtis Dlvin . find the ApoftLs did not fingle out themfvlvcs from the reft of the 
 Regiiii. Ecclen Church, but took the Brethren in with themfclves, both to. theit 
 p. 1 08, 109. debates and refolutions. Andfo wefinde in the feverall Epiftles 
 * What name that Chrift: fent by John to the Churches in Aftayt\\Q words arCyLet 
 will the Prcs- ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ /,^^^^ ^fj^f ^y Spirit faith to the Churches, 
 
 vcnTncxt for ""^ ^o ^^^ Angels and Officers alone, and apart by themfelves.AncI 
 us ? if we goe i^ To, then tis no rotten founhtion , as the * Presbyterians fay,?the 
 In the nvddle * MiddU-Kvay nfien take, viz.. the Independents, in the praftife of 
 
 '"'f^^'j^^ Church affaires. 
 
 take h^cd they ^ j particular, and fo firft for the calling and choice of their 
 
 be not found on X- -rx , ^ n ^ Art • > 
 
 iherlghc hand owne officers, as D^/^M.i 3. ^16.18. ^^^.1.15,26. where 
 or the left, in the Apoftles Call upon the people to nominate thofe to the office 
 the worfhipofof ApoftieQiip, whom they judged fitteft, by their direftion. 
 God. Where we may behold cleerly that the Apoftles did not choofe 
 
 .. w ~„ fTrr lofeph md Matthioi ilone, but the whole Church chofe them by 
 cearefe.- /i//- Content, giving out their lots, •:/«•. 26. that IS, it was done by the 
 fragia. This is common Suffrage of the Difciples & Brethren, which were mem- 
 confcffed by ^ers of that body, afterwards exprcfly called a Church, Chap, 2, 
 
 Jy & moderate 57* ._ ^ , /. » i * *^f » «< 1 < 
 
 Presbyterians, So Ait.6.i^i* where We fee the whole Church was called to 
 as we may fee looke out fach as Were fit for the Deacons office. The people muft 
 *"n ?*^^^'^'^' choofe.andthe Apoftles appoint, or defigne, or fct apart fuch as 
 Veipfto church ^^"^^ chofen. Now if the Apoftles themfelves would not fct apart 
 Governvent \ Dcacons tp their office without the peoples approbation and free 
 from Sf^^o/^, choice, much lefle would they obtrude Paftori on them \yithout 
 pre^ for the their confent. 
 
 b timn^wa'"' ^°'^^*^ °* ^^' ^ 4" * ^ * ^^^ ^"g*"^!! reads it other wife then the 
 prefcmed^to^he Tranflation : the Tranflation reads it «r^;»r^,but the Greek word 
 Parliament, Js •^^^-nvkcnrm^ that i$, they chofe Efders by the lifting up of the 
 i644.pagi9. hands ofthe people, which is different from ordination, asCoro- 
 ^nK^'r^^^-f' J^^^io" is ^^^^ ^^6 eledion of a King : and therefore when the 
 called TbTpo-^'^^y ^^'^^^^^^^^ ^^ eledion, he ufith this word, ;^*fe;wi<t, but 
 Tver ofcbrijl, when he fpeaks of Ordination, he ofeth -^e^^uU : which words, 
 fag. 31. ' though in writing and/ound they are neerc alike, yet in (ignifica- 
 
 : tion 
 
according u the Scriptures, 3 7 
 
 tion other wife ts muchasbetweenethe lifting up of the handsi 
 and the laying of them on. So that oi a Cor. 8. ip. abundantly 
 proves this powerofthe whole Church. And to this agrecth the 
 tcftimony of the Learned, both Ancient and Modtrne, as (if need 
 were)' I could abundantly produce. But my labour is faved here- 
 in by a late Treatife to this purpofe, wherein the judgements of the 
 Reformed Churches, and Proteftant Divines, are abundantly de- 
 clared touching this, and other matters of like nature. 
 
 2. Fer the power of adminiftring the Cenfures, as excommu- 
 nicating, &c. this alfo is in the Church, as appcares from Scrip- 
 tures, Mat, 18.17,18. which is to be underltood of fuch a particu- 
 lar vifible Church we now fpeak of : bccaufe when Chrifi fpeaks 
 of binding and loofing, he underftands the Brethren, fVhatfoeveryc 
 ftaU binci en earth^&c, meaning thofe that complaine. And doubt- 
 lefle this is a truth we may not depart from, for although the exe- 
 cution of Cenfures be in the Elders and Officers of a Church, yet it 
 is^WMnordiMe ad EccUftam, that is, in reference to the whole 
 Church, whofe fervants they are. There is no fuch particular rela- 
 tion bet weene the party offending, and the Elderfhip , as may ad- 
 vantage the Elderfhip or Presbyterie, of a particular Church, to 
 exert ife fuch an ad of power over the party,no more then they may 
 adminifler the Sacraments to a private perfon; but to him as a 
 Church member , and with the whole Church, fo they are to ad, 
 andnootherwife. 
 
 Another place is that of i Cor. 5.4,5, where we find the whole 
 Church is concerned in that bufineflc of excommunicating thein- 
 cefluous perfon. And 2 Cor, 2.6. to 10. there he writes to the 
 whole Church againe, to releafe, and abfulve, or forgive him :The 
 Elders by fentcncing his abfolution and rcflitution, the Brethren 
 by confenting thereunto, 
 
 Againe, is it not evident from the Afian Churches, where wa 
 Hndjcfus Chtid to charge the negled of cenfuring their guilty 
 membersuponfomeot them, as the Church of Fergamtu , aod 
 Thyatira^ both in one Chapter, Rev.2. 18, ao. Jefus Chrift was 
 difpleafed with them, becaufe they did not put the power in exe- 
 cution he had given unto them, for the purging out of thofe that 
 offended. And it is worth obfcrvation, that Jefus Chrifl doth not 
 
 blane the neighbour Churches fer the fins ok thefe Churches, but 
 - -^ . -_. . _ ' F 3 --- - -\ ^ jaygg 
 
3 8 A Uodtll cfthe CcftgregdticnaUmf, 
 
 Iiyes all the blame upon themfelvcs: Which implyes clearcly 
 they had received power within themfcivcs tocallout thofeo^- 
 fcnderSjandreforcTie ihofe abufers : Or clfc without qij.ftion,he 
 would not have blatncd them, tor the ne^KA of that he neyer 
 gare them. And therefore reverent M. Perkins :n his Expofition 
 on thefe Chapters ftith, that God gave to every one of thefe 
 Churches, power and authority to Preach the Word, adminiftec 
 the Sacraments, reprove e?ilimen, and exclude all obftmatefich- 
 ncrs from all fpirituall priviledges among them, as will appeare 
 from his teftimony. 
 
 2. Afecondfortofproofes, is from theteftimony of our En- 
 flifh Divines; for whtt Matter P^r^/w faith ol the priviledge of 
 particular vifible Churches, is confirmed alfo by many more of our 
 owne Englifli Worthies, fome that are aflcep in Chrift with him, 
 and others thtt are yet living. I will give you a lift of fomeof the 
 chiefeftofthem, men that have been famous in their generation, 
 not ondy for their admirable gifts of learning, judgement, and pie- 
 ty, but alfo for the fervice they have done to Jefus Chrift in this and 
 other Nations. And the rather, i.becaufe this equality of power 
 in the Churches of Chrift, is looked upon by fome as a novell and 
 late upftart opinion, held onely by fuch as are poore, weak, inju- 
 dicious, unlearned men at beft, men that are of a fadlious and fchif- 
 maticall temper. 2. Becaufe others of the moderate fort afiirme, 
 that they differ onely in the point of Church rule and government, 
 they approve of a communion of Saints, onely they fuppofe the 
 power of Government is not in themfelves , but in the Claflis and 
 Synod. Now that it may appeare to be io, I (hall produce thcfa 
 feverall teftimonies following. 
 Brightm Rev ^ ^*^^ beginne with eminent and famous M. Brightmau, who 
 c.il.v.t! pag. agrees with the Centur. that the Paftors looked every one to the 
 392.cdit.4. health of his own Flocke, and that the Primitive purity of Church 
 government, f which as the Centur. obferve, was almoftlikei 
 popular, every Church having equall power in it felfe, totranfaft 
 het own affaires, C^»f.i.ff. 7.) was not defloured with the dregges 
 ofmens inventions till Confiantines time, his wordes are thefe i 
 The defcription doth agree very excellent I j te the Primitive Chnreh, 
 &c, Itufas moft gloiious with the claathing that was made of 
 the righteoufnes of faith, &c. Neither was it yet deflonred with the 
 
 dregges 
 
Mccording ts the Scriptures. 3^ 
 
 dregges of mans inventions, bur in h<r rohole yVerfhif^Difciflintt 
 X//fj^«'^w<<««rr/, (he had the Moon under her feet, following tha 
 hol> truth, as her /tf<«^-y?4r: Thtre was one forme of government 
 in ill Churchrs, namtly, that, that is delivered in theA^sefthe 
 Ai>oftles^An(i the rift of their writings, ^c. Neither had Sathan 
 brought in Prelaticall Pomps: and Pride, into the Sheepfold of the 
 Lord^but the Paflors hd^y'ing^worke enough to do, in leaking every one 
 to hi* own ft&ck, ^c. 
 
 2. Reverend M. Cartwrifrht, who(t workes fpeak out his cmi- 
 ncncy, in his firft reply to Bilhop fVhitgift, he hath many pafliges 
 lo this purpoff; I Qiall mention only a few :It*i$ ccrtaine (faith t'lj^'m. Reply 
 he) S. Pitul did both underhand and obferve the rule of our Savi- ^^ irbu.p.i9^. 
 our Chrifi, Cviz. that of Mat, 1 8» 17. teSthe Church) for hecom^ 
 municateih this power of Excommunication to the Church : and 
 therefore it mud needs be the moaning of our Saviour Chri/t, that 
 the excommunication fhculd be by many, and not by one, and by 
 tlie Church and not b^ the Miniflerof the Church alone; for hebid- 
 deththc Church oi Corinth twice in the firft Epiftie, ot3cebya 
 Metaphor, another time in plain words, that they fhouldexconv- 
 murvicate the ircc ftueus perfon .* And in the fccond Epiftle, under* 
 ftanding of the repentance of the nnan, h«! emreaeeth them that they 
 would receive him again: And therefore confidering that the ab- 
 folution of excommunication doth pcrtainetothe Churches, it fol- 
 io weth, that the excommunication doth in like manner appertaine 
 unto them ; And fo afterwards he ftieweth, that the Peoples con- 
 sent wis rcqsired in things of this nature, and that the Miniflers did 
 rot take upon them, of their own authority to excommunicate, 
 &c.and (hews the truth of this from the authorities of C;/?ri4«,and 
 Augufiine,^, 1 87 . »nd fo before p. 3 J . of his fii ft reply, m the cafe 
 ofaCj^^rf^f/ negleftto eall aMirulier, or to confent upon one 
 that is unmeet, he lligweth, that the power of Elders in othe* 
 Churches , is no other then of Admonition, or (harpciy chargc- 
 ing them that they forbeareliKrh anetedtion, or in cafe it be done, 
 rot to coRfirme it : and in cafe thefe Churches negledV their duty, 
 er the Church vthichis Advn>nifi>edy refi not in their admonitien, then 
 to bring it to the next Synod, and if it reft not therein, then the Ma- 
 giftrate is to do his duty : and the fame he confirmes in his fecond 
 Reply jTr^^. 7. p. 80, Si, Si. where he miijttainw the Church 
 
 of 
 
ot Corinthi joyning with the Apoltk in the cxcoonmunication of 
 the inceitaous perlon. 
 renner dc fac. Thirdly, Matter Dudly Fenner, that was contemporary with 
 Thcol.l.7.p3g' yii^ttCartvfrighttindioyned vviih him in the publiquc^ Miniftery 
 ^77,'7S. toihc E'.glifli Company in Antwerp, in h\s Trctui.DefacraT he- 
 fflog. (to which Matter CAVtwright in an Ep'ftle prefixed to it, 
 glvesafingular teftimony) Lib. 7. p. 177, 378, 27^. hath much to 
 thispurpole. Among other paffagcs, this is not theleaft for out 
 purpofe, that in matters maximimomentiy i. c. ot the greateft mo- 
 ment, as Cenfures, cledions ot Miniftcrs, &c. they are to be done 
 in the Aflembly by the authority of the whole Church, And if 
 the people have any thing to counfcil or objsd, they have liberty 
 to bring it in, and afterwards matters are to be concluded, 
 when they have beene heard fpeake, and have given their con- 
 fent. 
 Tayjie,- deEccl. Fourthly, Mafter Parker, who is fo large and full for what we 
 Polu.l.3.c.ii. affirmc, that it would require a whole volume by it felfe to 
 tranflatc what he hath written to this purpofe. In his third ^«o/^tf 
 De Ecclef, fol. Chap. 11, he hath no leffe then 22. Arguments to 
 prove the fuperiority of Churches over their owne officers: and 
 he that readcs him diligently, {hall Hnde that from the authority 
 of Scriptures, Ancient and Modcrne Writers^ and other unanfwe- 
 rable reafons, he proves the authority ofChurches to be in them- 
 felvcS : and then Lif^, 3. Chap, 22. p. 32^. and fo onwards, he 
 (hewsthat Synods and Clafles have no other {lowerover thofe 
 Churches, then by way of counfell and admonition, 8c whofoever 
 readcs that 22. Chapter fliall finde him to prove it, fix wayes^ 
 from the groundf from thcformeyhom the matter, from the •hjeit, 
 from the manner of proceeding, and from the r»</of thofe Clafficall 
 combinations : All which would be too large to tranOatc. Where 
 let the reader take notice, tkathedeth not [imply deny the ufe of 
 fynods and combination of Churches into CialTes, as we d§e 
 not, but enely their fuperiority that is challenged to be due to them 
 over the congregations of the Saints; which we cannot fee to 
 ibe any other then anufurpation, not given to them by Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 oniievd'?^^' Piftly, pious and learned M. Perkins, in his Expofition on the 
 ycr.i.and v.Vo ^^J§e firfl Chapteri of the Revelations^ a£tirmeth that Jefus Chrift 
 
*« 4cc0rding to the Scriftures 41 
 
 gave to every one of thofe fcven Churches in Afia , power and 
 AuthorJfy to preach the VVcrd, adminiAer the Sicraments, to re- 
 prove evill mer,and exclude all obftinatc finners from all fpir jtujll 
 priviledges among them. His words tvcihi(f,chjp.2.ver.z,Chrifi 
 hath given to h'u Church a p$wtr judicially to fuj^ end evill men from 
 the Sacrament, Mndto excommuricate them from the outward fel- 
 Iswfhipefthe Churth ^ for elfe h$ vould not have commended thit 
 'YAim^iaxyJXXhiiliQhuxc.h, for the execution ef hit power. Ardthe 
 reafens (faith hej aEtdgedtothe contrary ^ are of no force. Ard at 
 ver. 20. of the fame Chapter, he faith, iVe may Uame tvre things^ 
 1. 7"/?^ large power thut Godgave tohii Churchy rehichwas beftdes 
 the power to preach the fVorJ, and adminificr the Sacraments , a far- 
 ther power to appoint who f^ould preach among fl them , and who 
 fhouldtsot ;andaifo power to repreffe evill men and women ^ and fo 
 k^eep them in order. The like power wod given to the *■ church of Ephe- * Now the Ch. 
 /«/, M wehAvefeer.e{{nxh, he) before, and the like power did God °' ^P^^^f";^ was 
 givetoallChurchcS.^w wefhallfte, if we read the Hiflorles oj the ^^^^ Church *' 
 church. And great caufe there u hereof ^ fir'with§Mt this autho" having power 
 rit y, no church could long /land and be a church. of government 
 
 Sixtly, Holy B^ynes , that eminent light, which fucceeded ^^'''^'" " ^'='^>as 
 Uti^er Perkins. Weaffirine, faith he, that nofuch head Church jJJ.'JJ" ^g^^j'-j 
 was ordained either virtually or adually,but that allChurches were cieare from the 
 JinguUr Congregations^ equally ^INDEPENDENT each of Scripture. 
 other in regard of fur jeEiion. So in pag.2i, touching the Chur- g^..^^^ ^/o 
 ches of Geneva^ he (hews by anfwcring to an ot jeftion was Tryaii,pag.ii, 
 made from thence, i. That they h:(ve power of governing them- p'-fw'f'^ i(?ir. 
 fclves, but for greater edification voluntarily confederate, not to •Thiseodl & 
 ufe or exerciie their power,bjt with mutuali communication, one IcarnedAuthor 
 asking the counJeH andconfent oj the other in the common Pres- with others,doe 
 byterie. 1. He fhcws that it is one thing for Chwrchcs to fubjcd "^^ yhe word 
 themfelves to a Bi(hop tnd Confiftory, wherein they fhiU have no ^^^P'^^^^f* 
 power of fuffraoe: another thing to communicate with fuch a Pres- ,"°fom!^^^f Jft! 
 byterie, wherein thcmftlves are Members and Judges with others, not in refpeft ' 
 And then afterwards he fbews that Geneva made this Confocia- ofGod, ^nd 
 tion, not as if the prime Churches were iroperfed,and to make one Chnft, & the 
 
 Spirit, the 
 fcTJpturcs.&principlcsof rcafon and equity, for fo wc acknowledge allChurches lo be dependent; 
 but in rcfpeft of men onely.andasii refers toother Churches or fubordination t© them, in point 
 of power and puthoritv, bccaufc wc know ofno fuch ordained by Chriftinthc Word, 
 
 G Church 
 
42 A Uodcll oft he CsngregAticnf^l rvAj ] 
 
 Church by this union, bat btcaufc though thej v^ere entire Chur- 
 ches ^ andhad the fower of Churches , yet thty needed ihis fupport 
 inexercifing of it , and that by this meancs, the Minifterl and 
 Seniors or Elderi of it, might have commuKton, (marke that.) 
 Communion (f/-t.j among thtmfelves, not jurifdiftion over o- 
 thers. Sop4^. 8i. whereafter a large difcourle touching this po- 
 wer that was in the particular Church of Corinth, he concludes 
 with thefe words, " Finally, faith he, the Church $ o^Afa, as 
 "h is plaine, had power of government within themfelves^ 
 And a little after, fag. 84. ** Hence it {%, that the Governours (fe, 
 of the Church) arc in many things of greater moment, to take the 
 confent of the people wath them. 
 Jacobs Trea- Seventhly, Mafter facob,% man that was excellently qualified for 
 life.calkd, An ^^^ workeof the Minittery, and fometimes Paftorto a gathered 
 nanylearJed Church in L9ndon,ho v; many Trestifes hath he in print, to prova 
 godly ^and fa- ' the point in hand ? but above all other, that treatife, called,-^»««/- 
 moMi 'Di-j'ines^ tefiaiiott ofmAnj learned, godly, andfamoui Z)jt//»r;, Lights ofRe- 
 ^''^" ligion,and Pillarsof the GofpJ!, juftiFying this doftrine, ('z'**.) 
 
 I, That the Church Govcrnoient ought to be alwayes with the 
 peoples confent. 2. That a true Church , under the Gofpell, 
 containeth no more ordinary Congregations but one. In which 
 Treatife, he holds forth thefe two points. Fitft, from Teftimonies 
 of many particular late Writers largely fet downe,as BcK^a^Calvin^ 
 Vtrett Zningliujf Luther, Bucer, Pet, Atari, Mufcultu, BuUinger^ 
 Gualter, IJrfxnus^'Danew^ Tilenm^ fHnit*Sy Pifcator^SLVid Chemni- 
 due, 2. From the confent of many publiquc Churches, as the i?^ 
 hemian, Helvetian jGetteviatt',Belgiel{_,^c, 3. From teftimonies 
 andprafticeofthebeft Antiquity, as the pradice of the Church 
 of J.rufalem , immediately after the death of the Apoftle James, 
 Annojo.oiChnU; from Ignatius to the Chmch oi Philadelfhiaf 
 Anno 112. fothe pra<fticcofihc Church of Rome^Anno 24o,raen- 
 tioned by Enfebius, The prafticc of the Church of Carthage ^Ann, 
 ijo.in C;/>r«<«»xtime.Soat AntiochyAn. 273.4.FromCouncels, 
 I .The Councel of iV/«,y^».5 30.S0 from the Conned oiCarthage, 
 v^«»tf 420 Sothe Councdot' Con(}antinople, An, 682. 5, He (hew- 
 eththt intollerable inconveniences that follow the denying this 
 truth, 6.Hi anfwers the chicfeil obje<3:iobs are brought againft 
 >r. 
 
 8. So 
 
according to the Scriptures, a^ 
 
 ■ 8. StQ'hi.'Rdhinfon ^nd Ainfworthj men without exception for .-^/^ ., 
 their learning and godlincs; what large Treitiles hivfi they in print to s.m 
 tocleire this point ue have in harid? fome of wh ch hive not to Robinfon Rcaf. 
 this djy been anfwered, as that of M Rohinfons Rcafons difcuffed. difcufl.d 
 
 9. Dod:or Amcs^ in his AiedttUa Theologia,hif» I ,chap. ^j./e^l, ^^ 
 ^.hath thtfe woids, Potefias httjas dtfci^lum tfug^ jw ip/mm rheol. lie 
 ptrtinet ad Ecclffiam ili«mtn cimmnni^ cujW m<m brume fi pee-' i-j.{t[l,6. 
 cator adillos enim pertintt ejtcere, /id ^hos perttnct prima admittere^ 
 
 C^f, that i$, The power of t hid DijapUne in rejpcti of the right of if 
 belongs to that Church in common^ of rvhrch the cfenderis a memhet' 
 for it belongs to thofe to ca^ om, ivhom it concernes fir(i to tuk^ in, 
 ^c. And f'o in his C^j/r/o/Cow/orwf* he hath much to this pur- 
 pofc : And M.Peters in h\s laf} report of the Engllfh fVarres, laith 
 thisof him,TW^r left hid Profejforfhip in Free^Uyrd toliver»ith 
 him hecAttfeoj his Churches Jndependefiey at Kottsrdr^Vy AfidchoT' 
 gtd him often even to his deathyfo to looke to »>,lay ing, if there voere a 
 yoMj of puiUitjuff vporjhip in the world that God would orvn, it was 
 that. 
 
 10. DoAor Fulkfy againftthe Remifisy on I Cor. ^.SeCt.^, Fun^et Notei 
 the authority oi Excommunication (he faith) pir-rtaineth to thto^^f '^'fisteff, 
 whole Church, although the judgement and execution t hereof i$ 
 
 to be referred to the Gorernours of the Church, which cxtrcHe 
 that authority ,as in the name of Chr-ft.fo in the name of the whole 
 Church, wh€reotthty are appointed Governours, toaToidconfu* 
 fion : which is no other then PareM, Afufculut, Zanchy, and 
 Calvinyhiyt fpoken in their writings, wiih many others, as can 
 easily be produced. 
 
 1 1 . Doftor fVhittal^er hath much to t his purpofe in his lear- trhltak. dc 
 ned workes, as de concil, ejuefi 5. p. 178, 179. where he Oiewesconcli. q. ^,-p, 
 that Eccle(wfticallpowtr»nd aorhonty beiongs princ p lly, pri- '78j i/^.j* 
 marily, and clfentially to the whole Church, tocachBifliopjOt 
 Miniftcronly accidental!y,& recondarily,his vTords arethtfe; Wic 
 
 efuidem author itas ecdefiafitca Jingulis epifcopistonvenitfedacciden- 
 taliteryttftemndarieyftminH^principaliteryecclefiie autem primario 
 prineipatiter h ejfennaliter eompetit : A; .d he illuftrarcs t his trom a 
 xule in Phylofophy, Cum virtus ali<jua duolmt inefiy uni 
 neceffario et ejjentialiter alteri comingentury et acctdentalitef; 
 frincif4liHt inefi ticni ntteQaria ^ejlcnn^liter inek, quam ei 
 • - G 2 ^'^ cm 
 
44 A Modell ofthe CongregationdUtvAj 
 
 cut conttngeKtur t ant urn et accU^ntalittr tonvenit, ut cAlor 
 magis principaliter igni, ^ttam aqutg, i/ief}, quia, inefl aqna^ gratia, 
 ignis. So de Pontif. Rom, p.q.l.c.i. SeSi. i . his words tranflitcd 
 are thefe : JVefaj plainly ^ that the Churches in the primitive times 
 Wire fog9verned of their own Pafiors, that they were not fubjeEi toe- 
 therSf either Bijhops or Churches rvitheut them, the Church of Co" 
 loffc n>as not fuifjefl to the Church o/Eph&aSy nor the Church of 
 Vh\\ipp\, to the Church of TheS. nor thefe to the Church of Kome, 
 nor the Church ofKometo any of them, Scd pares otnnes inter fe ju- 
 liseflent, •'. c. '^hej were all of equall power among themfelves, 
 
 12. To thefe we might adde Do<5lor Remolds^ in his confe- 
 rence with Hart : Doftor fViDet in his Synopf. Fapif. Dador Tat- 
 'SeeDoftor /or, in his Commentary on T»V. But I fhall produce only one* 
 Stbbs. more, that was famous tor his Go^ ell-anointings , and litle thought 
 
 by the moft men to have been of thisjadgement : And yet you 
 {hall find, in a litle Treatife ofhis( printed before thefe troubles 
 brake forth in England)c%WA A breathing after God,x\\2,X. he fpcaks 
 fully to this purpofe, h:$ fjbjL(fl leading him to difcoverhimfclfa 
 herein, being (as I fuppofe) a little before his death; his words ara 
 thefe, p. p I . (peaking of Gods hoafe, Houfe (Gith he) wee take for 
 the perfons that are in it, and perfons that are ordered, or elfeitisA 
 confujion^andnot a houfe-^it u a company of thofe that are voluntary, 
 they come not by chanco i^to our houfe, that are members of our focie- 
 ty; but there is an older, there u a Governour in a houfe, and feme that 
 are under go\^inmtni: and there tea voluntary conjunftion, <i»^ 
 combination ifothe Church is a \o\\int^iy company of People, that 
 u orderly :fome to teach, and feme to be inflruHed, ^d thereupon it 
 is called a houfe. And a litle after, ^. 94. fpeaking of the Taberna- 
 cle in Davids time, before the Temple was built, he faith, If we ap^ 
 fly it to our times, that that anfwers the Tabernacle now^isparticU'- 
 lar vifible Churcher, under particular Paftors, where the meanes of 
 falvation arefet up : Particular vifible Churches now, are Gods Ta- 
 bernacle : The Church of the lewes vpas ^Nationall Church,i^^rft 
 vasbut one Church, ^«^«« Place, and oneTdhtxmcXQ, butnow^ 
 
 '^j^g <?»<ii^ Congregation, «»^*ro»tfPaftor, their meeting is the QhxxictiQt 
 
 * Vid.t\xt noic God hath ere^ed particular Taberniclcs, every particular Chmch 
 bcforcmibe .„^<, .._'_ _j «.«._- ./..,- ../__.• .1. ^l....-i- .c' 
 
 tcftimony of ~ G»d,a fe vcral Church, *Indepbndant, Andls for the Church 
 M. Ba^jKes, of England, he faith, it it called a particular Church from other no* 
 
 U tioas, 
 
according to the Scriptures, a^ 
 
 tions ^hecaufe it is under a government civiBy which is not dependant 
 #« 4nj other f§rmine Prince. 
 
 Now what can be fpoken more fully for the Congregttionall 
 way, then this famous Minifter htthin thcfe wordi? So then put 
 alhhcfe together, Cbefidcs multitudes of other choice fervants of 
 Chrill, that are yet living in this Kingdome, and forrainc parts, 
 who are many of them in the pracflifc of this truth^with abundance 
 of the rich bklTings r.f Chrift en them) and then fee whether it be- 
 comes men to fay, that none but aco.iipany of injudicious, weak, 
 fimple,idlc, andgiddy-headtd men, are of this opinion, that the 
 power of Church governmenr, is entirely within a particular 
 Church. 
 
 But that we in»y leave men for ever without excuff,Iet us before 
 we leave this particular, feewhstour brethren thcmftlvis of the 
 Presbyterian way do fay for this m their piece called 7»/Dm;», 
 Regim. Eeclef. they fet forth with all their ftrength; wherein when 
 I read, me thinks that Scriprureof the Apoftle is verify ed, i. Cor. 
 3. I p. For the rvifdomeofthe world is fotUPjnej with God^ for it 
 is written, he takcih the wife in their own craftittes : And my reafon 
 is,b:c«ufc Wiie e they fliould fpeake moft, there they fay leafl, and 
 where they (hculd be flrongefl, there they are weakeft : For where- 
 as the whole Volumre confifls of neare about ga. (heets of Paper, 
 there is not much above 6. (heets that fpeakes to the point of their 
 Presbytery, and not above a (heetand halfe to the principall part 
 ofthecontroverfic, f. 231. in laying down of which alfo they 
 have not dealt fairely and candidly, by exprefllng themfeives in f ul, 
 plain, and ample termes, but equivocally and ambiguoufly, *refcr- *AndinIayIng 
 ving more to thctnfclves in their pradife, then what is exprefled in ^®^*'^f'je difte- 
 theJr Proportion; as I doubt not but will ere long be made out : th^pJ^jj^^^^^^J 
 Now thel'cCc! tlemcnin the lail chapter of their Bcoke, before Indcpend. in 
 they come to lay down their own Alf.rtion f which is the thing 'heir Preface 
 J produce to the confirmation of the former truth ) erant fix things ^^^^ fpeake an 
 
 Lij^j untruth m the 
 
 to the Independents. ,,,y g^^^-'p^Jf 
 
 ticular ; for the In depefidants have left it upon Record, that a particular Church is z jimilar 
 part of the Catholiqucj their own cxpredion, Amef. medulla Tbeo'og. c. ^i.De ecclefia in- 
 pUhta^ p. 148. I[l/e eniffi congi-egationes fu7it qua ft partes SIMILARES Eccleft4t CAthoUc^^at^ 
 que aded et nomcn et naturam ejus pa-ticipant : So M, iril. Sedgtvick >n his Sermon before di- 
 verfe of the Pari, printed by Ka/ph Smith at the %n of the Bible in CornbiU^ hath the fame, 
 f, 4. And ycc thcfc oien in the place before quoced fay to the contrary. 
 
 G 3 .'.'That 
 
^5 A Mcdtll of the CongregdiiomUrvd^^ 
 
 1 . That pirticulir Churches have withint hcmfclves, power of 
 Difcipline entirely, (o farre Forth as any ciufe in dcbate,ptrticulat- 
 ly «nd peculiarly concerneth themlelvcs, and not oihcfts. 
 
 2. That where there is no conlotiation, or neighbourhood of 
 fingle C- urches, whcrtby they may mutually aid one another, there 
 a finglc Congregation muft not be denyed entirmcrs o^ Juriidiftion. 
 
 3. That evtry (ingle Congregation hath t quail power, on^^as 
 much as another, and that there is no fubordination of one to ano- 
 another, according to that trite and known Axiom, P^r»»/?4- 
 retn non habet impenum : i. e. An e<juali hath mo rnle »r power over 
 <t»*.^«4/5': Subordination Preiaticall, which is of one or more Pai- 
 rifhcSjtothe Prelate and his Cathedrall is denyed, all particulat 
 Churches being colliterall, and of the fame authority. 
 
 4. That Ciaflicall or Synodall authority cannot ^^^^ i'tfr/^- 
 >«rff introduced over a particular Church in a privative or defini- 
 tive way to the power which God hath befto wed upon it, 
 
 5. That the highcft ccclcfiafticall Aflembly in the world, can- 
 not require from the lo well a fubordination abfolute, and Pr» Ar- 
 l>itrio^i.e.2it their own meer will and plcafure, but only inforac 
 refpeA ; rubordination-abfolute, being only to the law of God laid 
 down in Scripture. 
 
 6, They grarjt Charitativtj confultative, Praternall chriflian ad- 
 vice or djre^ion, cither to be defircd or bsltowed, by neighbour- 
 ing Churches, either apart, or in tfieir Synodall meetings, for the 
 mutuall benefit of one another, by reafonof thac holy profcflion in 
 which they are til conjoyned and knit together : Now what cm 
 be more fully to our purpofe, then what thcfe men themfelves 
 fay? 
 
 Obj . Tom TviXfay , though they fay aS thu^ yet tit not aS they fdy, 
 
 for they fay the Presbyteri ns have ajurther power, that particular 
 
 Congregtions havenot\ which is the power of greater A jfemblies, i)$ 
 
 a Clafu or Synod, over a farticnlar Churchy to deliver it to Sathan« 
 
 in cafe ofobfiinacj, 
 
 Anf, But firft, where do thefe men read in all the New Tcfti- 
 ment, of thefe greater Aflcmblies, and Icffer Aflsmblies, that have 
 this authoritative power over one another, o excommunicate and 
 deliver over to Sathan} Let them produce bat ont' plaine Scripture 
 for it, by way of ptscQpt fc^r it, ox pradii^ of it, and we will fay 
 
 fomething 
 
Mccording u the ScHptures. a-j 
 
 fomething to it- let them not thinke to put oflfthe matter fo eafily, . 
 as if 3. or 4. * old Arguintnts that h.tYe been at leaft ten times an- h'utiidi'um 
 fwered, will ferve the furne; Gods people have learnt to-be more /^vi/fx «^- 
 wife now then formerly. /mw, 
 
 2. Donot thefemenknow, that its a great quef^ionamongft 
 themfelves, or their friends in the Aflembly, whether Tr4i5/«><tf i**- 
 f«i»rf,».*.The power of delivering overtoSathan, were not Apc- 
 ftolicill.^ that iSf peculiar to the power of Apcftles, fo as ordinary 
 Elders had it not : and then the utmoft power of ill thofe great 
 clalTicall Presbyteritil Aflemblics, overt he leffer, as they call them 
 in way ofcenfuring, will beat hft the fame with thclnde- 
 pendants non-communion, which the Indcpendants acknow- 
 ledge (upon good grounds ) to be the lift meanes Chrift hath ap- 
 pointed in his Church loworke upon the heart, and therefore as 
 forcible and effcdtuall, as that formall and juridicall delivering o- 
 verofa particular Church toSath n, which the Prr/^^?m4»x fo 
 flifly, though ungrotindedly plead for, 
 
 5 . Let the Aflembly of Presbyters be neveir fo great, yet I hope 
 there is none of them that will aftiroi, that fuch an Afijmbly can 
 proceed Cby all their authority thcyclaimej to the delivering over 
 a particular Church to Saihan, CUvensn errantcy th.y are not 
 freed from error, no more then a leffer Aflembly .- and commonly 
 the truth of Chrift is with the fewer, not the greater number ; ont 
 poore dt fpifed Saint, may underftand more of Gods mind, and fee 
 further iniofome one particular truth, then a whole Synod : And 
 we have examples of »?♦ Indeed if they could, or would claime 
 to themfelves an unerring Spirit, «is the Fefe doth, it were fome* 
 thing; Or if they had fucha preferce ofthe holy Ghoft with 
 them, that they might fay as the Apoftles did, It feemed £ood ta the 
 h$lj Ghofi^ and to Hi : then it were to the purpofe •* but before this 
 bedonff, they dobui Oleum et e^er am per dere^ and Jefus Chrift 
 will give them Dut little thanks in the end; and ir that thofc 
 that are champions for thcfe^ higher Aflemblics, as they call 
 them, whereby they would rule the churches of Chrift, would 
 but read Dodor fVhitaker De concil. from ^ 248. adfinem, with- 
 out prejudice , and an evill eye, I am confident they would be more 
 humble in their own eyes, and moderate and gentle towards their 
 bretheren they fo muchfcome. If any defire further fatisfa<a:ion 
 
 in 
 
^ g A ModcU dftbe Congregdtiondll wiy 
 
 in this very pirticuUr, let him read M. Burroughs hij l^eart D*- 
 vifions^p.Afl, 44 45,46,47. 
 
 4. Lifily, it the divine right be in the Congregationall Presby- 
 tery, as tiny aknowldge it li'g<r,/>. 182.13 8.ot their Jui divinumi 
 How comes it to pafle that the\ claim fuch power in higher Aflem- 
 blies, t$ the ClafliciU, Provincial,ancl National Presbyteries ? how 
 can theft- things ftind together ? are there two divine rights, efpe- 
 citUy,when the Clafficall divine right, fas they cili it) over the 
 Congregationall, is merely humane ? 
 
 T. In that the preaching Elders of greater Presbytery, were 
 ordaired to their office by a queftionabie powerfby thcBifhopsJ 
 which they hive not to this day renounced, a. In that the ruling 
 Elders are made by a power as queftionabie, (though not {0 Anti- 
 chriftian) to wit, an Ordinance cf Parl.as M. Saltmnrfh hath lately 
 obferred, in his Reafons difcufling the divine right of Presbytery f 
 p. 3,4. And fa muchfor the teftimony of the learned. 
 
 3 . In the laft place, wc come to thofe reafons and Arguments 
 
 the learned do ufuiUy give, for the confirming the former traih,and 
 
 confuting the contrary, I (ball name only the heads of fomeof 
 
 them. 
 
 G)uodoffines At- I • That which concernes all the Church,rcafon requires fhould 
 
 unfit ^ab omni- be done by all the Church j but to choofe this or that Officer, to ex- 
 
 biuMpprtbiii communicate this or that member, concernes all the Church, 
 
 debet. Whit.dc ^^ 
 
 conc.p.44. ^^ j^Q adj unft in order of Nature, isbefore the Subj eft, nor is it 
 
 capable of receiving any thing, but as it adheres to, and fo from the 
 fubjeft;but adminiftration of Ordinances is the adjundl of the 
 Church, and the Church the fubjeft, ergo, 
 
 3 . The Church is the body of Chrift, but 'the Presbytery is not 
 fo, but a part of the body, ^r^*> the power is in the Church prima- 
 rily, and not in Presbytery. 
 
 4. ifthe Church hath power torefufeaman, andtocafthim 
 out, then (he hath po wer to choofe, and put him in : but the firft 
 is true,btcaufe other wife (he doth not finnein fuffarini^ falfe Teach- 
 ers, not can (he decline a vitious Elder', Invito vel mn curante 
 Presbyterio.ergo, 
 
 5 . There is no power that iny can have from heaven ordinarily, 
 but by feme tranfaftion between God and them; but there is no 
 
 fuch 
 
dccording u the Scriptures. ^^ 
 
 fuch trinfaftion between God, ind the Presbytery primarily; the i 
 
 Covenant and Promife wis not made with thecn, but with the i 
 
 Church, ergo. i 
 
 6. Ifthc Church only, tnd not the Presbyterie, be the Kingly ] 
 Nation, Royall Priefthood, and Kings and Pricfts to God, then the 
 powerbclwngs to the Church, and not to the Presbytery : But the 
 Church is the Kindly Nition, and nor the Presbytery ,fr^». The 
 
 antecedent is without queftion, the conCcquent is «vident,beciufc , 
 elfe they (hould be titular Kings only, without power, and they 
 
 that are not Kings and Priefts, as the Presbytery, ^a tales, they < 
 
 fhould havt^ Power. \ 
 
 7. [ftheTLXtMat. 1%. Getell theChfireh, bsnotcaezntofthz 
 
 Presbytery only, but of the Chnrchy confifting of Elders and bre- 1 
 
 thcren together, then the power belongs not to the Presbytery a- \ 
 
 lone,6ut to the whole ; But that place, Go tell the Church, is^not s 
 meant of the Presbyteric only,bBt of the whole,con(irting ofElderi 
 
 and bretherenjasthofe Divines in the margent have fully cleared, KeyJ^^p'^^ • 
 
 anfwering al the objcftions that hare been brought to the contrary, 4 1, 41, 43^44. j 
 
 which would be too large here to f«t down; only take thefe few f a cohs' di\\nc' i 
 
 reafons, why this place cannot be meant of the Presby terie alone. [^^P'^ning and | 
 
 1 . Becaufe in all the New Tcftamcnt we cinnot find the word chriJif "ifible ^ 
 Church is given to the Presbytery alone, buifometimes forth* Church/ * * i 
 Members alone, without it.or diftin<5l from the Presby tery ; as A^. Philips anfwer ! 
 14.23. and 1 5. 4,22. 1 Cor. II. and frrquently,for the whole Flock; ^^^"'^K P- j 
 Elders and Brethcrcn together, i Cor. i. 2. Phil, i. i.&c, '^*^* < 
 
 2. Becaufethe relation of the party offending is to the Church, 
 
 not to the Presbytery, for the fellowfliip is with the Church, at \ 
 
 Church, the covenant and brotherhood is with them; and there- ' 
 
 fore, though the Presbytery orderly exercifeth the power, yet it is 
 InerMftead ecclefidm, there is no particular relation between the 
 party and Presby terie, as may advantage the Presbytery toexer-^ 
 cifefuchanadofpower over him, no more then they may admi- j 
 
 nifler the Scales to a private perfon, but to him as a Church Mem- i 
 
 ber, and with the whole Church, \ 
 
 3. ThePresbytary confifting of a few Elders, are offended fay a j 
 
 brother, that is bound up in fcllo wfhip with a hundred private brc- 
 thcren : now the Presbytery dealing with him, can go no further, ' 
 
 if they ^ the C^«rr^, then themfclve$,&c. 
 
 H ' 4. The 
 
50 A Model of the CongregMiennll my , 
 
 4. The Presbytery may be the psrty offendi ig, and then you 
 mult tell the Church, that the Church offcndcih: that is, go tell 
 themselves. 
 
 Obj . / may tell a higher Claris or Ajfcmbl)', 
 
 Anf. But what if they joyn with the c ffending Presbyters ? then 
 I mult ftay for a generall Councell, which is not free from errour, 
 neither. 
 
 5. II by tell the Church be meant the Presbytery only,then there 
 being but two or three of the Prtsbytery, a brother offmded, can- 
 ' not take one or two of them br witneffes, becaufeihenhefhould 
 
 tell the Church before the time come,and fo could make no furthec 
 proceeding. Buiabrotherofifcndedmay takeoneortwoofthe El- 
 ders for witntfTcs, ^-^^p, Piesbyterie cannot be tht- Church; and if 
 fo, then much lefl.- can it be- taken for a ClafTis, Synod, &c. 
 
 8. If the Ctturchbe compkat in point of government, without 
 Presbyterian, claflicall, and Syncdicall Offices, and callings, tlien 
 the Church hath power in it fclfe, without fuch offices and callings: 
 But a particular Church is compleai in point of Church powcr,ind 
 exercife orgovtrnmcnt,as we have Qiewed, and proved abundant- 
 ly before, ai d ihey themf.^Ives grant ergo. 
 
 9. Where the fentence adminif^red by the Church of a particu- 
 lar Congregation, is ratify ed and confirmed in heaven by Chrift, 
 there the power muCt needs be granted to be in the Church: But 
 thefentenceadminiftred by the Church of a particular congrega- 
 tion, is ratifyed by Chrift in heaven, as uW^^f. l2*i2,i^. ergo. 
 
 And thus now by the afliftance of Chrift, I have gone through 
 all the parts of this lecond Propofition j whereby the meaneft may 
 come to have infight into the reality and excellency of the Congre- 
 gationall way, and be able not only to fatisfy themfelves about it, 
 b'jt others alfo, and lee fufficient ground to fuffer for it, is for 3 
 principallpurtofihe will and mind of Chrift, if ever theyfhould 
 be called unto it. 
 
 Now then, this being fo,that the Church to which the Officers 
 
 andadminiftratiouoftha SeaUs is limited under the New Tefta- 
 
 ment, is anordiniry congregation of Saints, having power of go- 
 
 1 . Inference vernment within it felfe under J efus Chrift, their head and King, 
 
 ^Tpr'/°f'i- ^^^"" Willfollow, 
 
 mer ropoui ^^ Thatthsreis fio ground or Warrant in Scripture for an «»*- 
 
 ' "' ' ^ - 1/erfaM 
 
dccordifig to the Scriptures, 5 1 
 
 verfal vifihte Church^wnh Officers & government corrcrpcndcnt, 
 a univerfallvifible Church militant on earth, isrtotdenycd,butthe 
 qucftionisof aunivcrfall,vifible,politic3ll Church, wich Officers 
 andAdminiftrations f'utable, thit is, Uiiivcrfall Faftors, univerlall 
 Elders, umverfill Deacons, univcrfall Sealesand ccnfures, univtr- 
 ftllLawcs,andrule$ of Govcfrnment : for fuch as the Church is, 
 fuch muft her Officers, Ordinances, and Governcntnt be : But 
 this we cannot find the Scriptures to hold out in the leaft to u$,but 
 are altogether filent j and liule do men know how much they con- 
 tribute towards the keeping of the Pope in his chaire, by pleading 
 fo much as they do for fuch a univerfall vjfible Church, (ub/ dlto 
 government: for it there be fuch a Church, of divitteinfiitutiort, 
 then it will nectffarily follow, that there muft be a univerfall ordi- 
 nary Paftor ofthatChurch,andthenthePapiftsw;ll thankethem. 
 And to (peake truly, let us but once grant that particular Churches 
 xxt\^ot entire in themfelves, nor endowed with the power of^o- 
 vernmenty immediatly from Chriji^ but are parts and dependants of 
 one whole univerfall Church vifitile, minifteriall, or politicall; 
 then it will follow, that we muft referre our felves in matters of 
 Religion and Government, to that one body vifible, whereon we 
 prof efle our felves to depend : and what this leads to, thofethat 
 have but halfa an eye may difcerne. The juft extent therefore 
 (without doubt^ of a true vifible Church under theGofpell, is no 
 other then what we have before fhewed : to wit, one ordinary 
 Congregation Qxiocxtiy oi Saints, that can meet together in one 
 place to worniip God. 
 
 2. Thenitwill follow alfo, that there is as little ground for a 
 Nationall, Dioceian, and Provinciall Church: And to fpeak tru- 
 ly, there is lefler (hew and ground for thefeinthe Scripture, then 
 for the other we fpake to bctore : and are therefore juftly condem- 
 ned by divcife judicious and learned men in their writings : vide 
 Jacoh, Reaf. for Reformation,^. j.iJ.y, 8. &c. BnrroHgh, Vindi- 
 cation againft£<^Tr4r^j, p. 23. his twoidiareihefe. 
 ** Ifaidthatwe arc frc-ed from the Pcdagogieof the Jcwes,and 
 «* now there were no Nationali Churches by inflitution, as the 
 ** Jews were, mentioning threethings. 
 ** I. There are no NationaUOfficcrs,a$ they had. 
 " 2, NoNationallworQiipasthcybad. 
 
 H » ^ 3- It 
 
52 A Mcdtll of the CongregAiiomUpfaf^ 
 
 3 T" It Was not fufficient now to make a member of the Chirch^ 
 *'becaufeoneis bybiithofthis or any otherNation,^sthenit wis, 
 *' becaufe one was born ot the Nation of the] cwes;and is this(faith 
 "he ) a dodrine that will not go down with a Presbyterian? 
 *' Surelyit muftbe aPrchticalPrtsbyterian who cannot digeft this: 
 " I am confident all the Presbyterian Churches in the world, will 
 "icknowledgewhatlfaidheretobe true:Thil vifee may call the 
 " Church inEngland aNationallChurch,becaulc of the manySaints 
 " in itjwho art- the body ofCiriftjI deny notjHor evtr did, f neither 
 " do I know anyof his judgement or pr ftile that doj)bHt that it is 
 " by the inftitution ot Chrift formed into one politicail Church, as 
 " the Nation of the Jewes was, this is no Independency to deny. 
 " Where arc any particular men flandirg Church Officers to the 
 *^ whole Nation by divine inftitution ? What Naticnail Worfhip 
 ** hath Chrift inftitmcd ? Doth our birth in the Nation make us 
 ** members of the Church ? Thefe things are fo palpably pluine to 
 *' any that will underftand, that tis t^dicus to fpcnd time about 
 ** them; fo alfo Cvttens Kejes, p. 51,32. affirmes the fame. 
 
 5. It will follow alfo that the ruling power of Synods and 
 C lades over the particular Churches, which is now fo much plea- 
 ded for, (not the counfclling power, for that is granted by us) is 
 not Jure divino, but a mcer ufurpation, and fuch a way and pra6H(c 
 as Chrift will never own, nor profper; For what be hath (aid 
 Aitat, 1$. 1 3. fhall certainly come topafle; which is, Thatevery 
 plant, Kvhich U not of hit Fathers pUnting^/haX^e rotted »p;(\Kh a. 
 government poffibly may ftand f or a time, as thePrclaticalldid, 
 having the power of the Prince to fupportit; butdoubtlcfleit will 
 f beittg fo neare of kinnc to it ) (hare in the like deftiny : And that 
 which moves me to believe and expeft it, is not only the noK- 
 Stripturalnes ni this high ClafHcall way cf Government^butthe 
 ftnreafonaHeneSj andfiH^llmfS i^/zVjwhich will cafily appeare from 
 thefe enfuing particaUrs, which are the naturall ifluesof ihisgo.- 
 vernmentjand by which you may underftand from whence it takes 
 S.ScvcfaUrortsitsorigimlUand derives its pedigree. 
 
 ©f frut, that 1 . This high Clafficai government mak^s ontordinary Paftor, or 
 growes upon Elder, to Undertake thc rule of more Churches and Flocks thco his 
 ^^f h^°h ^j^*^^^ o wnej perhaps twenty or forty, if not more; and (b Irings in a bur» 
 bytc^e '"■ ^^€" ^0° ^?*^y ^?' ^^^ *^^ Miniftcr to go wider 1 for if one FJ^ke 
 - - ' ^ :' ;'■"" "' ' " " ' be 
 
dccording u the Serif turesl j ^ 
 
 beworkeenougfifor one Shepheardto watch over, fie hath little 
 rearon to take the care ot twenty on him : wife men judge it the 
 faftftcourfe to meddle with no more worke then they can com- 
 fortably go through, eipecially fuch worke as thecire offoules, 
 which is of grcatcft and higheft concernment ; and the rather con- 
 fidcringtbat ol the Apoftle 2 Cor, 2, i6, ^^ ©t'j touJtw r/f rcs^^of j who 
 u/upcieHtfer the/e things f 
 
 2. It makes the chutcn ( which is the body of Chrift, and hath 
 all parts and members luted to her condition j tob^ lamt and tlefe* 
 llivej having no power ol difcharging her own offices; vk,, of re- 
 ceiving in, and caliing out members, but by an«thers leave, that is 
 inferiour to her. 
 
 J. It refufcth to have matters heard ind determined in that 
 place whert^ they are done and adcd; then which, what moreun- 
 rcafonable ? it was condemned in CyfrUns dayef , as Doftor 
 ReiiooUs proves againlt //<irf in his conference with him, />. 570. 
 and C7fn4»» himtelfc faith, 7i^. i.ipifi, 8. That it is not fit that 
 thofe over whom the holy Ghoft had made them oyerfeers, fhould 
 go to andlro, fpeaking of matters that were carried from their 
 own church to others. 
 
 ♦ 4« It occsfions tyrannic and oppreflion, to the free born Sub- 
 je&s cf Chrift s Kingdomc; domineering over their confcienceff/ 
 not fuffering them to enjoy their liberty in Church or State, unleflTe 
 they will fubfctibe to their didatcs, and be of their judgement, ai 
 lie that runnes may read, in their late publiflaed and printed Peti- 
 tions, &:c. The ri^ht garbe and ftraine of Antichrift, that man of 
 finne, that '^{^J^J&r & 'A^rsMi-'a*', mentioned in Rev. 13.17. that will 
 not fuffer any man to buy or lell, unlelfe he have the marke, or the 
 name of the Bcaft, or the number ol his name ; and of that Gyant 
 M. ^•rrtwf ir/fpeaks of, in his Heart diviftonst />, 5 5 .who laid upon 
 a Bed, all he tooke, and thofe who were to© long, he cut them even 
 with his Bed, and fuch as were too fhort, he ftictched them out to 
 the lengtkof it : and this verrily (fai h kej is cruelty. 
 
 5. It puts men upon inevitable temptations of wrcfting the 
 Scriptures,and applying them to an0tfier,andcleane contrary fence 
 tken God, appointed th«m for: e.g. to make them fpeakeout,that 
 there is a patterne ofdtveriic fingle Congregations in one church, 
 tnd of a Ptesbyteriall ^overoflncnt in common over theft (ingie 
 
 H 3 - ^ OjTi^ 
 
54 -^ Model of the CongregAthnAll rvdy , 
 
 Congregations : That differences m matters of opinion are not to 
 be fuftc^red, though in things not deftrudive to Church or State: 
 that men are to be driven from their errors, C*^^»^<»,«o« ferfnatieft- 
 <^»,bycQmpul{ion, &c. when the Scriptures arc diredly agamlt 
 thek things. 
 
 6. It puts a flop In the Way of knowledge, ftinting and ftrait- 
 ningjifnot ftifling mens gifts and abilities in fetrching out divine 
 troths, ind the great myftcrie, which that Apoftle cals ^*7ro\:^')uK@' 
 
 P c . 3. 10. ^^/^ ,5©t2, that manifold wifdome of Gud, having fuch variety in 
 it, as IS aolc to excrcilc the ftrongeft abiluics,evcn of Angds ihem- 
 felves, to fearchinto, and make difcoveries of. Now fuith this 
 Claflicall Government , Thus far you muft goe and no farther. 
 This is the judgement of the Church of England, and the Aflsinbly 
 and Prcsbyterie in their fcverall CUffes h«ve fublcrifeed to it,touch- 
 ingthcknowledgeofGodjtndtheway of his WorOiip, and Go- 
 vernment in the Church ; and no man is to vary or differ from it, 
 nor call it into quefldon, without running the hazard of liis preci- 
 ous libertyj&c 
 
 7. It makes men to build their obferyation of, md prafticing 
 obedience to the Divine Lawes, Inftiiutioni and Ordinances of 
 Chrii>,upontheprinciples of humane wifdomeand policie, yea 
 the meere wills and commandemenrs of men. For Miniflcrs muft 
 not preach, nor adminifter in the holy things of God to their peo- 
 ple, neither muft the Stints beleeve or prtdkicc, further then fhad 
 ^^e'Claflis /haS judge to beftund and orthodox, and give their cun^ 
 fent r#, and approbation of\ «nd are tnefc things of God ^ 
 
 8. Laltly, it fo genders to bondage, and begets in the befl: men 
 5. Eplft. of fuch a Diatro'^hes'Xx^kit fpirit, a fpirit of pride and bitterncfle againft 
 >/7. 9, 10. the Brethren, (like the Prelates chaire, that infeded the moft pious 
 
 foules, and ablcli Preachers that late downe in it, as we could in- 
 
 ftanceinmany. j Yea it fo mingles with the world, and introdu- 
 
 ceth fuch formality (if not worfe^ in the worfliip and fervice of 
 
 God, that I cannet but belevee and expeft the Lord Jefus root it 
 
 up, as he did the Prelacy, the difference bat ween them DeinS more 
 
 in name then nature^ fhew then (ub fiance, 
 
 -, jr 4. From whit harh formerly been faid touching the nature and 
 
 rcnce* from the pn^ilcdgeof a particular fociety of Saints united together as the 
 
 rrofojitm, tru8 and proper viflble Church of Chrifl , now under the Gofpel. 
 
 The 
 
dccording te the Scriptures, r j 
 
 The conftitution ohh^ Pinlli Churches in England^ muil of ne- 1 
 Ccflity be found faulty, and ihriroriginall to be trcm beneath, and 
 
 not from •j.hoM; from men y undrjot from God', and thtrcfore not i 
 
 fo much to be pltadcd for and defended, as true vifible Churches of ! 
 
 Chrilt,a$they are by the Presbyters in the Preface of their Jus \ 
 
 DivirtMm. Reg.ecclef, ] 
 
 I. Forfiritofall, how doe thtyanfNVer to this Chut chwc have - 
 fpokenof in this chapter, inrcfped ofthe efficient caulc and inUi- 
 lutt r of it, fcil. ] clus Chnft, when their originall' i$ from men ? - 
 Now that this is a truth, is evident from the firft founding of them, 1 
 which appeares to be from Dyomfttu Bifhop e>f Rome, vvhich firft \ 
 ordained Dioccfan Churches, as PUtina obferveth of him , and \ 
 in EngUndyhy one Honorim Billiop of Cant, as MalUr Salimarpj \ 
 hath lat'flyobfcrved out of Mailer i'<r/^f»,D*<afrc*>»A^. So Poiydor ^ 
 VirgU,DeinveHt,rerum,rt./\.c,9. And tis no otherthen what M. ' 
 * Jncobhiih longfince noted from M. Hooker\nh\i Ecclefiafticall ■♦Rcaf, for Re- \ 
 Politie, andDoAor Tooker , both Prelaticall men, who affirme finmation, p. \ 
 the didinftion of pariihes to be a metre pcfitive law, and not jure ^^j^?* « 
 <im«V'^' by Divine right. And I find the like in that famous lear- 
 ned man Maftcr P^hhI Bujnes his Dioc.Tryali, f. 1 2. whofe words ' 
 arethcfe : AParilliionailChurch m.iy beconlidered, i. Materi- 
 ally, and 2. Formally, i . Materially, as it is a Church within 
 fuch locall bounds, the members of which dwell contiguoufly ,one , 
 bordi ring upon the other. Now (faith he) thu G$d in^itntednot^ • 
 for it is accidental! to the Church. Ifapari(hionallChurchinXff»- 
 don (hould dwell as the Dutch doc, one far enough from the other, 
 while the fame Betcevers wert united with the fame Governonrs, the 
 Church were not changed, though the place were altered, (which ! 
 is worth obferration agiinft fuch as cry out againft the Independent i 
 Churches, becaufe the members of them dwell not contiguoufly ! 
 onebordering upon the other,(though in point of convenienceCnot \ 
 of abfcultencceffity) we judge it fit that Members of Churches v 
 fiiould dwell as neere together as their occafions ind callings will ■ 
 gire leave.) 2, Formally, for a multitude which do in manner 
 of a parifla ordinarily congregate, Now (faith he j Jnch Churches \ 
 andfuchonelyytve fajGodere^ed, ] 
 
 To this purpofe M. Owen alfo in his Country Effaj for Church- i 
 
 goircrnroent,anfwering this Objeftion, By thn means j farifhes wiU j 
 h ftnchunhcd^ijinhj - - — - ^ j^ 
 
5 J A Modell of the Ongregitiondl Pfij] 
 
 1 . If by Churches you undcrftand fuch entire focleties of 
 Chriftians,ash«TC all Church power both according to right and 
 exercife in ind iraong themlcltes, as Independents fpeikofCon- 
 gregttions, then they were never churched by any. 
 
 2. If onely civill divifions of men , that may conveniently be 
 taught by one Paftor, and ruled by Elders, whereof fome may be 
 fit to partake of the Ordinances , fome not , tu the Pnsbyterians 
 epeeme thcntythen^dcc. So that here is no other then an humane 
 conftitutioi . allowed of to iheparifh Churches in England. 
 
 2, How doe thefe Parilh Churches in England^ anfwer to the 
 former true vifible Church ef Chrift under the Golpell in reipeft 
 of the right matter of it,which wt have (hewed to be Saiflts? Now 
 in this they come as fliort is in the other,for cjxperiencetels u$,that 
 Par i{h Churches for the gencrall confift of loofe, profane, fcanda- 
 lous livers, fuch as the Apoftle faith ^ntvrithontGod, and mthoMt 
 Chrifii^ndrpithaHthope^Ephef,2.i2, that are ftr«ngers to the com- 
 mon- wealth of Ifrael,and«covenant of Promifc. Now we may 
 fafcly argue from that Scripture, that (uch as are without God, and 
 without Chrilt, cannot makei Church of Chrift. Befides, the 
 Kingdome of Chrifk, which is his Chur ch, is fpirituall, and not ©f 
 this world, as he himfelfe faith, fohn 1 8.36. Now thefe pariQies 
 for the generality of their matter, are ol this world, carnall and 
 earthly, and therefore cannot be the Kingdome ©f Chrift. Jcfas 
 Chrift cannot be the Head of fuch a Body , nor King of fuch a 
 Kingdome.Morcovcr,that cannot be the matter ofChrifti Church, 
 which he hath commanded to becaft out of hif Church, as wee 
 have {hewed before. Bat the fubjcft matter of the Parifti Churches 
 are fuch, as ought to becaft out from the Church of Chrift. And 
 therefore fome of our more godly Brethren of the Presbyterian 
 way, dare not admit of them to Church priviledges with the god- 
 ly, but Icparatc the godly from them, where they have a compe- 
 tent number by themfelves to adminifter the feales to , as we 
 cculd give inftanccs, it need were. Neither will it be fufficient in 
 this cafe, to fay as many doe, that the denomination is from the 
 better part ; becaufe we never find in the Scriptures,that holinefle 
 is afcribed to a multitudefor the fake of a few,if the reft be unholy, 
 loofe and profane : As we doe not fay, that becaufe fuch a meeting 
 hath three or foure Gentlemen or Nobles in it, that the whole 
 ■ ' company, 
 
Mcording t$ the ScYtpttres, j 7 
 
 compt ny arc Gemlemen and Noblemen. We reade'that uhcleane 
 perfons tnd things doc pollute and unhallow cleane perfons, as 
 Z^Wm 4.46,47. (^15.4,11,12. ^4^.1.12,13,14. and that a 
 little leaven fowrcsthe whole lump, 1 Cor.1,6 7. and that by the 
 fpringing up of ore root of bittcrnefle, many are defiled ; and that 
 byonedeadflye, the whole box of ointment is fpoiled; but that 
 cleincpeifjns (hould hallow and fandifie perfons that arc unholy, 
 or that a little fwcetmealeftiould make fwectafowre lump, this 
 we read not of. 
 
 Befides, can it be made out by any man, that the matter of thofe 
 Parifh Churches, for the moft part, can anfwer the ends for which 
 a Church is inilitutcd by Chrift, as we have noted before ? can a 
 company of diflolutc livers, worfliip Godand Jefus Chrift fpiri- 
 tually? can there be ability for fpirituall and holy ferv ices, where 
 the Spirit i$ not yet given .^can there be communion between light 
 and dtrkneflejbetwcen Chrift and Belial ? as 2 Cor.6. 16. can they 
 edifie one another in the moft holy faith, that hive not the work 
 of faith yet wrought and begun in them ? I defire to know of any 
 fober-minded and religious- hearted man, whether a company of 
 vile, profane drunkards, fwcarers, fcoffers at goodnefle, enemies to 
 the power of godlineflff, ignorant poore foulcs, that know no more 
 of God and Chrift, (I had almoft faid then the feats they fit on) can 
 doe any thing in a Church fociety, that tends to the honour of Go J, 
 and edification of the body of Chrift. 
 
 I . If you fay they are hearers of the Word, that is not fufficienr, 
 for Heathens may doe that, and yet not be Church members, as 
 lC0r.14.13, 24. The Scribes, and Pharifees, and other wicked 
 ]€Wes,came often to heare Chrift himfelf preach with his Difci- 
 pUs, and yet they were not his Difciples, but enemies, and oppo- 
 lers, feeking to kill him. Tis not bare hearing the Word,that makes 
 aperfonamemberofChriftandhis Church, but his willing and 
 profeffed fubjedlion to Ghrift and the Gofpel to be ruled and orde- 
 red by it, as 2 Or.p. 1 3. 
 
 4. Ifyoufay,they are Frofeffors of Chrift, yet that alfo, ifcon- 
 tridi(5lcd in the life, is^not fuficicnt to make a member of Chrift & 
 his Church, for a Tim. 3 . 5 . we arc bid to turne from fuch. 
 
 3. Ifyou fay, they arc baptized. I anfwer, that is not fufficiant 
 to aiak« them in«aabeis gf this Church of Chriftj btcaufe the 
 
 I "' Church 
 
5 8 AModtlloftheCcngre^MmAllt»ay]^ 
 
 Church of i?»»»tf hath Baptifcne in it, tnd yet no true Church, is 
 lA%{\.cx Per kins hath well obfervcd in his Expofition on the Creed. 
 A falfc Church may ufurpe Ordinances that hath no right to 
 them, as well as a true church be for a time without them, that 
 hath right to thtm. Neither is Baptifmc the forme of a church, or 
 theway andmcanesnowlcftto bring men into the church , but a 
 fealc of Confirmation rather to thofe that are already joyned to 
 fomc particular vifible Church ofChrift. And to oddc no more, 
 Baptifme in it felfe is fo far from making any man a church-mem- 
 ber, as that church- me mberrtiip may be diffolved, though Bap- 
 tifme remainc, as in cafe of Excommunication. 
 
 4. If you addc farther, and fay, that the primitive vifible Chur- 
 ches, as Corinth, Efheftu, tec had profane wicked men in them < 
 This neither will be to any purpofe ; for the qucftion is not, whe- 
 ther a true vifible Church ofXhrift may have wicked perfons in it ? 
 forthatisnoidenyed : but whetherit is tobeconftitutcdSc made 
 up of fuch perfons. Tis one thing what thafe Primitive Churches 
 may be through degeneration , another thing what they were in 
 their firft conftirution. And therefore I fuppofe we are not to pro- 
 duce thofe Churches for examples as they were in their degenerate 
 eftate, but asthey were in their firft planting, otherwiie we do 
 but delude the (iraple. Indeed if thofe that plead fo hotly for the 
 PariCh Churches could make it out, that in the beginning they had 
 a pure conftitutiGn,and their firft planting \fjts juxta Evangetium 
 Chrifti»it were fomething, and their degenerating only from the 
 rightjfhould not hinder us from the upholding of them.Buttillthat 
 be done,they moft beare with us, if we labour the bringing of them 
 to the Primitive rule and ordgr of the Gofpel, which how it may 
 be effected, I fball endeavour to hold forth in its proper place. 
 
 5 . If you adde farther, that the Parables of the draw-mtj^iDd the 
 tares and wheat together, feeme to hold out,that the vifible Church 
 of Chrift confifts of good and bad together. I anfwer in a word, 
 if by thefieldit be granted is meant the vifible flate of the Church, 
 tfiough Chrift himfclfe faith, by fieid is meant the worlti, which is 
 never called the Church, ^<«M 3. 38,39. but fuppofe it be taken 
 f^rthc vifible church of Chrift, yet it cannot be undcrftood ©f the 
 e-^'^nce and conftitution of the church,which here we are difputteg 
 of) and what G»ght to be the matter of kch a chorch^ dej^re, t. be- 
 
 caufe 
 
Acccrding to the Scriptures. 5 p 
 
 ciufe Chrift faith that thofe Tares werefowedi^eflcliby th: 
 envious man, the Devill, through thecarelelTn:r$ of thofc that were 
 fetOfcrtheFieldtokccpeit, /^4/. i^. 59.Sothatifth?y be in 1 ha 
 church,hc hath no hand in ii,tis not by his allowance, & much leffa 
 his appointment and ordination, «nd therefore to mike this more 
 cleare,! adde this 2. reafon, that if J efus Chrill: never ordained that 
 wicked men (hould be matter of his houfe, ft ones in his building, 
 bccaufe if this (hould be trucsthen all thofe commands of Chritl for 
 carting them out of his church, when they are difcovercd tobein, 
 Oiould be void,& to no purpolc : for if that wicked men which arc 
 theTareSjbe the true matter of a church,& of the true conrtitution of 
 a vi(ible Church, then they arc to be let alone & not cifl: out; left in 
 fo doing we deftroy the church, fin againft the commandement of 
 Chrifi, So that not withftinding what is faid fot the matter of the 
 parifti churches, we fee they cannot be found to be according to the 
 firft conftitution of the Gofpell, and I feare thofe that go about to 
 fet up a new building of Reformation, upon this rotten foundation 
 will findinaftiort time, that all they do will fall about their 
 own earcs. 
 
 3. Again, it may be further demanded, how thefepariQi- chur- 
 ches do anfwer to the church we have formerly fpoken of, in re- 
 fpeft of their union and knitting together, by a frse and voluntary 
 confent, which is the formcof a true vifiblc church of Chrift : hath 
 there ever been fuch a knitting and combination of the Officers and 
 Members, in an holy and unanimous confent and agreement to 
 walke together (as we have formerly fliewed^ according t© the 
 rule of Chrift in the Gofpell f &c. Is not the contrary evident ? For 
 
 1 . Have not thefe parifties been time out of mind ander one vi- 
 (ible AntkhriftiAH church-government, and rule, for the outward 
 worfhipofGod, and difpenfation of Ordinances' 
 
 2. Have not Frelatesand Patrons impofed preachers over thofe 
 parifties, withont,yca,many times againft the approbation and 
 confent of the People ^ 
 
 3. Have not the godly with the wicked in thofe parifbeJ, been 
 alwayes mixed together in the ordinances and worfliipofGod, 
 making up one church frame and conftitution^ without any fepa- 
 ratien ? 
 
 4. Hath net co-habitation, and comming within theb«tiR(Is 
 
 la and 
 
6o A Model of the Con^rtgdUomU rvdj , 
 
 and precin(5l0( a pariQi, been fufficientto make a perfona mem- 
 ber of the Church in their fence, though never fo notorious a liver, 
 fohebe not poor, and (through his charge of children^ burthen- 
 fome to the pari{h,never enquiring whether he be capable of com- 
 munion with Chrift, and his Stints in the enjoyment of the Ordi- 
 nances ? 
 
 5 . Whcrefori elfe is i% that now in thefe times of greater light 
 and liberty, that many of our Presbyterian brctheren do beginne 
 to gather th€ godly in their parifhes into a body of themfelvcs, 
 feparating the precious from the vile, in a way of acknowledging 
 what worke of grace the Lord hath wrought in them, of which 
 there would (T conceive) be no need, if they were already united 
 and embodyed together ? 
 
 4. Laftly, to (peake nothing of the rule by which they walkc 
 in the worQiip of God, it may be demanded, how thefe parifli 
 Churches, do anfwer to the pattern before fet down, according to 
 the Gofpell, in point of Difcipline and government ? do they en- 
 joy the priviledges of church power within themfelves, without 
 fubordination to others ? Have they not generally to this day been 
 without it, {landing formerly under the authority of the Lord B i- 
 fhops, and their Courts, that ufed them at their pleafure, and led 
 them captive to their wills ? Did not both Prieft and people danca 
 after their pipe .^ And if the clafTicall government do now take 
 place, is it not to be feared, that they will be (poore foules) Infla-. 
 tH quo prius, under as great bondage, if not greater then before.^ 
 But for that, we leave it, till time (the difcovcrer of all things) 
 make the truth known in this particular . 
 
 5. Another inference from the former podtion, is this, to (hew 
 how great the (inne is of thofe that are called Seekers, that have 
 been prof efled members of fuch a particular church of Saints rightly 
 conft ituted according to the order of the Gofpell, but now hare 
 left if, denyingany fuch church, or churches, and Miniftery to be, 
 an dfo have left all communion with Chrifii^nd his Saints, in the 
 
 ; ordinances of his worfhip, cxpeding a Miniftery accompanied 
 with thc^ifts of Miracles, as in the Apoftlcs daycs : But fuch men 
 do not fee how much Sathan htth blinded their eyes. I fhaU 
 fp^ake more largely and direftly to them in the fourth chapter of 
 Shi? Treatife. 
 
 ^. Then 
 
according to the Scripures. 6 1 
 
 6. Then it will follow in the laft place, thatthcbretherenof 
 the congte^ttional way are not guilty oFall thofc foule crimes of er- 
 rour, hcrefie, bbfphemye$,and ofmakingfchifmes and rents in the 
 church of CJbr//?, as they are accufed by the tongue* and pennes 
 bothof Preichers and profeflbrs in the Presbyterian way : for the 
 judicious Reader may fee by what hath been already, and is yet fur- 
 ther to be laid downe, that thofc that walke in this Separated 
 Church- flate from the world, do not fwervefromthcway ofthe 
 Lord, which he himfelfe hath inftituted and commanded :nor 
 from the judgement and pra(flire of thofe that have been fome of 
 the famous lights that have (hined in this Kingdomc, and there- 
 fore after all thofe former afpcrfions have been laid, and caft upon 
 them, they will Dc found in the truth, and God will make their 
 enemtes afhamed, that ever they (hould write fuch volumngs, 
 and wafte fo many prtcious houref, to oppofc and vex their 
 righteous foules, for Magna efi Veritas^ tt pr<(valM, 
 
 I j; GHAF, 
 
Si A MQdell oft he OngregAtkndU mj. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 That tht fever aU ttiminijirations of thii Ch\irch'(k^te,e/peciaffy for 
 Stilts and Cenfurts, Are n9w in thefe dajes ( Jince the death ef the 
 A^ofileSjaad extraerdinary Church-ci^cers andgovernoHrs)4i' 
 ntltedto^ and bennded within every particular Church : the Offi- 
 cers of oiee Congregation, may not ordinarily (^ in common, {as 
 the Apofl/es did) adminij^er the Sealcs and Cenrures, that belongs 
 to another Congregation. 
 
 Now the truth of this I (hall endeavour to mike out, in ihek ten 
 following Conclufions ; 
 
 I . 'np Htt all Minifteriall power for adminiftration of Seafts,ind 
 X execution of Church cenfures,wa$ firll given in commifli- 
 ontorhc Apoftksonly; as thefe Scriptures hold forth, Mat, 20. 
 10.^0^.20.21,22,23. I Or. 11.25. And therefore we read 
 ofcentimcs oi Peters bipt'idn^ Cornelius undothers, A^s 10. and 
 Patils excommunicating of Alexander, 1 Tim, i. 20. andfuch 
 like ads ot theirs, which they did by themfelves alone, as the firft 
 Subjci^s of this executive Church- power. 
 
 2. That thefe Apoftles were immediately called, and extra- 
 ordinarily gifted by Chrift for this worke and employment of their 
 MinilUiy,/*^. 20. 21,22. Gal. 1. 1. Aft, 2. 4. iCor. 12. 
 
 3, Thatthefeextraordinary officers were only Pro tempore, ind 
 fo were the hft,as well as the firll fubjeft of this power and autho- 
 rity; fo that when they dyed, their extraordinary call and commif- 
 fion, together with their extraordinary gifts for the difcharge of 
 it, dyed with them, as may be gathered from Afis 20. 2p. and ex- 
 perience hath manifefted fcon after their deceafe. 
 
 4. That Jefus Chrift the Head and King of his Church, in admi- 
 rable wifdome, ordained fuchtofucceed them, whichfhould- 
 (thcugh thty were not fo extraordinarily oiled and qualifyed) ac- 
 compliftiand efFeft that great worke of gathering and perfefting 
 the Saints, which are his body the Church, as is evident from Eph» 
 4.11,12. I Cor. I2.28.i?t)w. 12.7, 8. 
 
 5 ♦ That thefe kind of ordinary officers, as Pafiors and Teachers, 
 were (in the very times of the Apoftles, and by the Apoftles them- 
 felves 
 
Accdf ding U the Scrtpures, Sj 
 
 fclvcs, with the confent of the people ) begunne to be chofcn md 
 fetled in particular Churches and Congregations, as appeares from 
 j^B. 14.23. <»«i 20. 28. and appointed to be perpetuall, and con- 
 tinue in the Churches of Chrift to his comming again, Efhef. 4.13. 
 6, That thcfe ordinary officers were charged by the Apoftles to 
 looketQ their owne flocks, ovtr which the holy Ghoft had made 
 themoverfeers,ai^<^.20.28.<»W I Pet. $.2. and the People al- 
 fo to obey them, andfubmit themfclvestothcm,a$Hir^ 13. 17. & 
 that notable place, of i Thef. 5. 12. where he fheweshowthat 
 Church (hould know thctn that were oy/tr them inthe Lord^and^id 
 ia^oHr among^ them, and admonipj them, and how highly they 
 fliould account of them for their workts fake, f^r. 1 3, In which 
 Scripture he excellently andcletrely holds foith the truth of the 
 Propofitionin hand, by difcoveringthat fpeciall relation wis be- 
 tween thofe officers and the members of that Church, three times 
 in one verfe, which Jaboorcvy'^uTi', Amongfi yotty otc/WWy'fc^, 
 are overytu; and then againe, Xj n^nvmi vuci<, a»d admeni/hyeu; 
 where wc fee the Apollle lUll kccpcs himfelfe to the PronffHue Ro~ 
 lativffj ftf/, t^<?/,you,you,net others, fo mt'ch as you (viz.j mem- 
 bers of that particuhr Church, to whom thefe Paftqrs and Teach- 
 ers were rehrcd. 
 
 7. Thatthefe Paftors and Teachers, did obey for the moftpart 
 this charge and command ot the ApolHes, as we fee in the former 
 inftanccj neither can we read that the officers of one particular 
 Church did ctMsjyrs^riV^scr^!', that is, play the Bifliops in other 
 mens Dicccflfes: they did not adminiftcr the Seales andcenfaref 
 out of their own Churches : they might preach and pray in other 
 Churches befids their own,but not adminiftcr Scales and cenfures; 
 the reafon is, becaofe there is a greater liberty allowed by Chrift in 
 the one, then in the other. 
 
 8. That the office ofaPaftor and Teacher, is founded in the re- 
 lation that is bet ween the Chnrch and the officer, or officers there- 
 of; now the Church under the Gcfpell, to which thefe officers doe 
 belong, is not Univerfall, and Nationall, or Diocefan ( as we in 
 the former Chiprer made manifeft) but congregationall only,(vit^ 
 fnch a company of believers as can meet tegether tovorfiip Godin 
 one flaceimd therefore the execution of their office, cannot be uni- 
 verlall, bat ^limited to the ccngrcgatioD to which they belong, 
 
^4 A Moid of the CongregAti$nAU rvdy, 
 
 efpeclally, in the adniniftrttion of the SealcS and Cenfares. 
 
 p. Thit no fuch Officer, as P.'ftor>&c. cann quire from any o- 
 thti Church or Congregation b^fidcshisown to which he belongs, 
 and oTer which the holy Ghofl hath mide himoverfccr, thatre- 
 fpedl, maintenance, and obedience, which is due from people to 
 * m'l^^ 7?7< officers, as appeares fro n * Hc'y. i^ 17. i Thff. 5 . 1 2, 1 3. Nci- 
 fiyv.Jp'oK \J ^ thvidtni they charged with giving accourait r the f^ulcsof any 
 other, then thole are com Tiitted to them in that particular Church 
 ^ where they are called; nor can any other then thole oi thtir parti- 
 
 ^ cular Church, challenge from them the watching ovtr their loulej, 
 
 anddifpcnfingto them the Ordinances of Chrift: This is clears 
 and evident in nature, and civill governmcrnt of States and Fami- 
 lies: one State cannot be ctiarged with the government of ano- 
 ther, nor one mafter of a Family with the rule of another : but as 
 Anft. nature hath ordained one to onCj fo Chrift hath ordained in his 
 Church, to each congregation their proper Paftors and ov.rfecrs, 
 and they that know what belongs to the worke, will not com- 
 plain they have not enough to go through, and anfwer for, as I no- 
 ted before. 
 
 10. That no fuchPaftor and Teacher ('lawfully called to a par- 
 ticular Church and charge of foules J may cafily tranflite himfclfe 
 from foch a Church to another; but attend on that office and worke 
 he is called unto, notwithftanding many hardlhips he meets with : 
 thereafonis, becaufe ev^y man, in every place and calling, is to 
 llrive to continue and abide with God in it,and to attend that work 
 God hath called him unto; and not out of covetuoufnes or diftruft- 
 fuUnes Cas it is with many j get more worke into their hands,then 
 they can with a good confciencc difcharge. 
 
 And though the teftioiony of the learned doth not in the leaft adds 
 any worth or weight to the Scripture,yct becaufe many men think 
 nothing is authenticall, that hath not evidence from learned men, 
 Iwill adde the judgement of two, among many famous writers, 
 M. Calvin of Genevay and M. Baines of Englanat* 
 
 I , M, Calvin, I {hall only quote that in his Infiitutientjlk, ^»cap, 
 3. fe5l,j. The words tranflated are thefej he having fpoken of 
 what helps a Minifter of one Church may tfford to mother, by 
 way of councell in any darke and difficidt matter; heprefently 
 ■ddes, Bmfor us mnch asjer the k^'ping eft he Fenfe eftht Churchy 
 
 this 
 
According to the Scriptures. $^ 
 
 this pit tie is nece^ary^ that there bs fet forth to every maK^ 
 wbdt he Jhottld ioe^ U(i all be confnfeMy di/.erdcred,rMMne 
 abeut mtheut cnHin^, or rajhly runne all together into §ne 
 place; and lefl fuch as are more carefull for their otvn commodity, 
 then for the edification of the Church, fhould at their oivh will leave 
 their chnrches vacant :thi<! ordering oHght commonly to be kfpt foneer 
 M may be^that every man contented with his own bounds , foouldnot 
 break^e into another mans charge : yindthis is ne invention of man, 
 hut the ordinance of God himfelfe^ For w^ read (faith he) that Paul 
 etnd Barmbas madePresbyters or Minifiers in aHthe churches o/Ly- 
 ftra, Iconium, 4«<J Antioch, A(5l. 14.22,33. and VimI commands 
 Ty tus that he ordain Elders in every towne, Tit. 1.5. elfexvkere he 
 mentioHetb the BiJ^jops which were at ?hi\ipp],Vh]\, J. I, andhx- 
 ch.\^^wsthe BifhopofQo\o{\.Qo\, 4. 17. and there remaineth afa- 
 mow Sermon of his which he made to the Elders of the Church ofE- 
 phefus, A(il. 20. 28. whofoever therefore fh all takji upon him (faith 
 be) the government an ichstrge of the Church, let him know that he is 
 houndto this iatv of Gods calling : And fo goes on in his difcourfc to 
 this purpofe. 
 
 1. M. Baines in his expofition of the Epitklc to ths Ephefi an s, 
 Cap, ^.yer. 2. ». 3 5«, 3 5 1 , 35 2. where he is large to this purpoffl. 
 I (hill give you but a talteof what is more fully robe fcenin the 
 Booke on this place : His point is this; That as the Lord doth give a 
 calling and grace J fo a people towards whom it is efpeciaSy blejfed with 
 Gods calling and grace : there are a people defigned^ towards whom it 
 is efpecially blejfed : It is true, the Apo^le had a more large flocks the 
 care of all Churches was upon him-^bur wherefoever Godgiveth aeal- 
 ling^there be giveth a People of whom the Minifier may fay , toward 
 youGraceisgivenmeof God, Ad. 20.18. i Pet. 5. 2. Godhath 
 ^ffig^ed every ordinary Minifier a portion of his people : For this is 
 the difference between extraordinary y su the Apoftles, Evangelifls^ 
 thefeventj Difciples,and our or dinar j Paftors : The Apoflles had an 
 ttniverfall Commiffion^ and the Evangelifis were Delegates of the 
 Apoflles^ Durante bcneplacito, that is, aslongasthey pleafad; 
 The feventy^if not Evangelifis [which fome of the Antients incline 
 to) yet they were illimited helpers and fellow-labourers in the worke 
 9f the Lord: But ordinary Minifiers , the Lord commmdedtofafien 
 them to certain plates, Tit, 1 , 5,ordaine Eldcrs,City bi City ; and 
 
 K ~ " in 
 
66 A Modell of the CongregAthnatl wxj 
 
 MiiA« ytie^-n- in the Coancel of Chalcedon,the 6. Chap. Let none be ordained ^^ 
 vfASm krmxiKv- large, Ufl he prove a wandering J onathan : Every Minifiermufi be 
 «V©- » ^'^ J, Separate J. 2. Author iz,e J, ^. Have a/lotted to him acertaine por- 
 dicat in PaU- ^^*'* of people y which m*y be injlrutledbj him, rvhich the D rainutive 
 /?j7i, infelix 'nfAoVi not -miiJivn, may feeme to inftrtuate: Now as God doth give 
 Cltiicus, Grec. every Pafior his feverall fiocke, (o he will that we tr Ave II in leading 
 Scoliajt, ^y j^^^ . ^^ ^^p ^gf tt^oTftoi-Trlaxo'Triv, be B. B. in othtr mens Di- 
 
 ocefeSy left God fay who required this at your hands? IVhet* the 
 m Lordlighteth candles, he doth find candle(iicks onwhichto/et them; 
 
 when hi giveth a calling, hegiveth a people among fi whom this fun- 
 Clion fhotild be exercijed, in whofe cenfciexces he doth give his Mini* 
 fiers a Jpeciall report, &c. And thus we fee the judgement of both 
 thefe reverend D.vineSi full up to the bufines in hand : There 
 remaineth ocly one objedion to 6e ariwered, ard tlrn I 
 fhiU give in the feverall inferences from what hath becne laid 
 downe. 
 Obj. The obj eftion is this, That from what hath been deliveredit wiM 
 
 follow y that the word of God fhould be bounds if every Minifier 
 fhonld be tyed within the eompajfe of his own Congregation* 
 Sol. I Anfwer, itdothnot follow, my reafon is, becaufeas I noted 
 
 before, there is a greater liberty allowed by Chrift in the preach- 
 ing of the Word, then there is in the adminiftrttion of the Scales 
 »nd Cenfures : the one cannot be done, but yirtnte officii, the other 
 » vli. A little may be done only * Virtute donorum-, one that is not in the number 
 but learned of Wifdomej maidens, by vcrtue of office, yet may be one of Wif- 
 Trcatircoflate ^j^^j children; whom God may fo blefle in theexercifeof the gifts 
 «rSng preach- «n«^ g""S «>* the Spirit, to be an inftrumcnt of turning many to 
 ing by ihore nghteonfnes, Dan. 1 1. 3 . As for thofe that arc in office, and called 
 that are not or- to particular Churches, doubtkfTe they are not fo tyed to their own 
 daindminftcri. Congregations, but that they may preach in other Churches befides 
 their own, as M. Baines hath well obferved out of Clemens, lib, 2, 
 conflit, cap. 48. and not only in other churches of the fame eenfti-^ 
 tutionyQt with their own according to the Gofpell, but in fucb afTcm- 
 blics and meetings of p«ople,r^^f are not yet converted to the faith oi 
 Chrift, if they may be permitted and have liberty given them,efp€- 
 cially if they be defired and entreated fii we find the fervants of Chrift 
 have done in former times, as in AU, 14. 7. In which Ci- 
 ties of Lyconiti, and the inhabitants were for the time Idolaters, a» 
 
 m 
 
dc cor ding to the Scriptures , ^j 
 
 inver, ii, 12, 13. o^ that chapter, [o AEl, 17. 22. where We 
 find thit faul in Mars HiH, a place that was confi crated to Ido- 
 latrous worQiip, takes occafion to preach the Gofpell to thofe hea- 
 thens : and doubtlefifefo may the MiniftersofChrift,th3t are in of- 
 fice, ifthcy may have liberty given them, takeocc fion tocxer- 
 cife their gifts in preaching Jelus Chrift to the Congregations of 
 men and women, yet uncalled, and in an Idolatrous, and Anti- 
 chriftian State. 
 
 Indeed thofe of the rigid Separation do deny theMiniftersof '^ 
 
 thofcthey calllndependant Churches, thisliberty, faying that Pattl a dlgrcflion 
 was forced to that phce of Afars HrV/, when he preacht the know- touchingthe ri- 
 ledge of God in Chrift, to xheAthtnUn idolaters; but lanfwor, %^<^S€pa,atijlSj 
 though it (hould be granted, that by violence he was carried by the albw^an"^^ 
 jithenUns to that Idolatrous place,which the words w 11 not yeeld prcachf or hear 
 tothem,r^r. 19. but fuppofe it, yet it feemes when he came m the meeting 
 there, he was not forced to preach, but what he did, he did volun- p'^^.-s, com- 
 tarily, vtr, 21. as one that had a fit opportunity put into his hands '"°"jj>' ''"°^" 
 to do good; it feemes that the former words ohheir takinghim, ic church"s"^bc- 
 bringing him to that place, was no other but their bringing him to ciufcthe/werc 
 1 place of greater convcniency to deliver and make known ihr ^^ ^"ft dcdica- 
 truthjthen the market place war. ^nd without queftion the Apoflle ^''^ '° "^^oh- 
 knew under the Gofpell, all places were alike to hold forth the Siu J^^?"* 
 truths of Chrift : none holy, nor uncleane, but one as la wf ull to * 
 
 preach Chrift in, as another, all things being pure, to thofe that are 
 purejTiV. i. 15. and for that place of i C#r. 8. 10. where the A- 
 poftle forbids believers to fit at meate in the Idols Temple, it is 
 manifeft that it was in cafe of fcandal & offence to them that were 
 weake, not that the thing was fimply in it felfe an cvill, as we may 
 U^ver^^ and /?<»«». 14. 14. 15. nowasfor thofe places wherein 
 the mixt multitude do meet here in England ordinarily, commonly 
 called Parifh churches, though many of them were dedicated to 
 Saints and fuperftitious ufes by the Papifts, and the ignorant peo- 
 ple have formerly put holines in them; yet nowthefcabufesb^ing 
 removed, and ignorant people may be better informed in this point 
 iftheypleafc, as is evident by the late Ordinance of the honourable 
 houfeof Commons, for the removing ©fall fcandalous and offen- 
 five Pidures, and Monuments of Idolatry, and thefe places lookt 
 upon as only fucb, where for moreconveniency,th0^oribipof 
 
 K 2 ""^ "" God 
 
^8 A Modill of the CongregationAUpfAj] 
 
 Gcd may be performed. I fee no reafon why Mmitlers and other 
 gifted men may not preach, and the Saints comfortably, and with- 
 out finne,come to heare and en/oy the ordinances of Chrift in them, 
 » And this was fo they be performed according to the order of theGofpell,* As 
 the JLKigemcnt fot thatplac^'of ^rr^/w;, 15. ip. where the 'Lox^h\i\\,theyJhouU 
 f ^:^°^^^^l"* rethrnc to him^hMt not he to them, doubtlefle the Lord doth not 
 £y p.* 49.^ °" fptakeit of the Miniftry of the word, for that he continued after- 
 ' wards to thofe rebellious Jcwes; but in refpeft of more fpeciall 
 '^ ordinances, wherein the Lord prohibits his Minifters and Saints to 
 
 have communion with Idolaters : but efpecially I take it to be un.- 
 derftood of the Lords forbidding the Prophet to conformc himfclf 
 in his life and converfatiQD, to their wicked wayesj but that he 
 (hould be fuch [an example and pattern of holines and righteous 
 walking before them, that they might the better be convinced of 
 the cvill of their wayes, and fo returne to the Lord from whom 
 they had departed : not in the leaft, that he (hould ceafe declaring 
 the mind and will of God to them. Now this objcdion b.^ing tn- 
 fvvered, I come to the infercncf^s. 
 
 No w the truth of the former Propofition being thus cleared and 
 confirmed, thefc things will then unavoidably follow. 
 X. Inference ' i. That thofc particular inftanccs which are produced by di- 
 fcom the for- vcrfercvcrcnd Divines,of the Eunuch, Centurions and Jailors bap- 
 ■Kt fopofci- jj^jj^^^ though not belonging to any particular Church, againft what 
 "^ * we have laid downejaie of little force and validity, in regard that 
 
 what was done to thofe perfons,was by the hands of extraordiaary 
 officers, that were not tyed f particular Churches, as ordinary 
 Paftors & teachers were then, & flill are : & of like infufficiency,is 
 that inftance of tircumcifion which is brought by fomefofhigh 
 accomplifhment in learning andpyety) to warrant their praftife 
 againft what hath been delivered, for it is well known that to the 
 adminiftration of circumcifion, there was not required a C^wrc^- 
 O^cer : but God leaves it undetermined, and as a thing indiflcrcnt 
 in refpeft of the adminiftrater, whether the Prieft, or the Father, or 
 the Mother, fo the thing be done, as we fee in Mefes child, where- 
 as tis otherwife in the adminidrations of the Church under the 
 New Teftament, as wee have (hewed before : and though we can- 
 Dot read of any baptifmall adminiftrations in gathered Churches, 
 in the dayes ©f theApoftlcs, yet I fuppofe jye arenot to deny ir^, 
 „ . ._ , ._ -.. -. unlcfle 
 
according t6 the Serif tures. ^p 
 
 unlefle we will deny ths children which were members of Chur- 
 ches, as appeare$,£/'^<?/. 6. 1,2, 3. Co/, 3.20. were not baptized 
 at ill, either they mull beb*ptized before the Churches were ga- 
 thered, or after, not before, for doubt Icfle many of thofe children 
 were not then born, therefore after, and then without all contro- 
 verfie there muft of neceffity be baptifmalladminiftrations, when 
 and where the Churches did meet;though the holy Ghoft (for rea- 
 fons beft known to himfeUe) is plcafed to conceala them. 
 
 1. That ihofe are juftly blame worthy,thit very frequently and 
 ordinarily in theledayesoftheGofpell in which we live, goe from 
 place to place to baptize f^uch ax are not of their own, nor fcarce of 
 any other particular Church of Chrift : I (hall crave leave to pro- 
 pofe thefe few things to them. 
 
 1 . Whether they do not hereby introduce an univerfall or Natio- 
 nal! church vifible, with officers, and ordinances futable thereunto, 
 taking for granted ,*hai their Parifh member- (hip being a branch 
 of the othcr,i$ fufticient to inftate them in church priviledges ? the 
 infufficiency of which, I have already (hewed. 
 
 2. Whether they do not by this their pra<ftife, not only confound 
 thofe offices which Jefus Chtil>, the King of his church hath di" 
 flinguifhcd, Efhef. 4. 1 1 , but alfo hereby hold forth to the world, 
 I. That the extraordinary offices of Apoftlesand Evangelids are 
 not to this day ceafed, whofe commiflion did extend it feUe to all 
 Churches ? 2. That they prcfume to have the fame Call, Warrant, 
 and Commiflion for what they do, which the Apoftles had at firft 
 from Jefus Chrift ? 
 
 3. Whether they do not take that to them, anduponthcm, by 
 i^is their pradife, which the Apoftles themfelves by all their autho- 
 rity,did never give to the officers and Elders of particular churches.' 
 for we never read that ever the Apoftlcs did give in command,that 
 the Elders and Minifters of particular churches, (hould extend to 
 the cxercife of the office,efpecially the adminiftration of the Seals 
 and ccnfures (which is the point we fpeake to ) beyond the bounds 
 of their own congregation ? 
 
 4 Laftly, whether hereby they do not, only by this their exam- 
 
 ple,occa(ion f rom and by others, the pollutions & prophanationof 
 
 the holy things of Gods Houle,but alfo lay ftumbling blocks in the 
 
 way of many precious and godly foules, that would come oil from 
 
 ^ yi I ' ' "" their 
 
7° 
 
 A MedcU of the CongregafmaS way 
 
 their old wayes of c jnfufion, did they not dilccrne fuch praftifes in 
 thofe that take upon them to be guides *nd leaders o^ others : for 
 are wc not ordinarily upbraided with thcfeand the like words, Do 
 you net fee, how fuch and fuchcodly men, reverend Minifter$,ani 
 le irned Divines, make no fcruple at all of adminillring the Scales, 
 dpec ially that of Baptifme, to thofe that are not of their own con- 
 gregation .'' and thus according to the old {ty'mg.PlusfrofHntexenu- 
 pla,(juam^racepta, multitudes are kept fromcommmg totheen- 
 j oymentot the pure ordinances of Chrift, intht right order of the 
 GofpdI. 
 
 5. It will follow alfo from hence unavoidably, that thofe many 
 Chriftians (the truth of whofe grace and union with the head and 
 foundation we queflion not j which of Ute dayes ( calling into 
 qucftion the truth and lawfullncs of their firftbaptilme) have fal- 
 len upon the pradife of reba^tucing^ and taking up the Ordinance 
 ofbaptirme,Z>tf«»fff, are utterly void, and altogether to feeke of a 
 true and a jHJl groHndfrom the Serif ture for their pradife herein, 
 and fo this latter baptifme of theirs, will be found as unlawfull up- 
 on the fame ground they held their ftr^MnlavpfnU : ( becaufcj ««- 
 UvcfHllj admlrtijlred. For if the adminiftration of the Scales be 
 njwtyed to ordioary officers, andthefe to a particular Church, 
 fince the Apoftlestimes, that give them their lawfuU and right call 
 to adminifter the ordinances, then it will follow that there is no 
 lawfuUbaptifme, but by him that is an officer of fome particulir 
 Church, and he that is an officer of fome particular church, mud 
 hive a lawful! calling/row the Chnrch to which he is an officer^ for 
 all extraordinary officers that had their call and commiffion imme' 
 tliately from heaven, KieC(^i(td : now thofe which rebaptize, can- 
 not prove the taking up of that ordinance again after this manner, 
 bat are enforced to hold, that a Difciple iu common, that by the 
 exercife of his gifts, doth convert afinner from the etill of his 
 wayes, may alfo baptize him; which if true, thenfirflofall, what 
 need of Chrifls ordaining officers in a Church for thefe purpofes f 
 Secondly, then why may not a godly woman(by her good exhorta- 
 tions and chide converfation, converting her husband) baptize 
 him alfo, which I fuppofe they ire farre Irom maintaining, and 
 yet it neceffarily folio wes, the ground they build their pradife up- 
 on: wherefore three things I (hall herepropofeCinthefpiritof 
 
 lore, 
 
aecordittg u the Scriptures, 7 1 
 
 love and mecknefle ) to be ferioufly and confciencioufly confide- 
 red by them. 
 
 1. Whether there be any Uwf nil baprifme, where the admini- 
 ftrator hath no lawful! calling thereunto. 
 
 2. Whether the lawful! call to the difpenfing of that ordinance 
 of biptifme benotnow,(in thefe dayes of the Gofpell ) from cr 
 bythtt particular Church, andfociety of Saints, to which that ad- 
 miniftrator or officer doth belong. 
 
 3. Whether a perfons cntring on fuch an aftion of fo high a na- 
 ture, by Iiisown mecr private motion, or fuppolition of an extra- 
 ordinary and immediate call from heavtn, wanting the ordinary 
 inftituted way of Chrift in the Gofptll, be not a ftrong deIufion,and 
 anoccafion cf leading them into dangerous errors, as we find by 
 WofiiU experience, to wit, umver/a/l£race,free-m/l, denjing origin 
 js all JtHfte, and the decrees afGod to be ttbjolutf. And of late i here is 
 ifmall Pamphlet that goes under M: Francis Cornwals name, fa 
 great pleader for rebaptizing, and champion againft Padobaptifmr) 
 that hath divcrfe unfounc tiingsinit, deceiving the (imple, and a- 
 morg other thefe two that folio a^. 
 
 The firft i5,t hat thofe that are not able to mal<e out a confeflion of 
 their belief*} in Jcfus the Chrill, are therefore nc t born of God, i foh, 
 5. i.Thenitmuft folio w, that there is no falvat ion where thtre is 
 no aduall profeflion, and confeffion of faith; Nay, that there is no 
 workeof inherent and habituall fanftification and regeneration, 
 where there is not ability and power to hold it forth, which 
 how falfe,and againft the very letter of the word, thofe that have 
 but halfe an eye may difcerne. 
 
 2. That thofe that refufe and deny to be baptized, (that is, after 
 that manner he there fpeaks of allalong,bymakingaconfclTionof 
 their faith, and going inro the water tobediptjhavenopromifcto 
 receive the gifts of the Spirit, but rather fhall be given uptoflrong 
 ddufions to bel ieve a lye, 2 Thef. a. 1 1 . Now whether this poorc 
 man be not given up to ftrong dclulions in writing as he doth in 
 in this manner, let any underftanding man judge : for ci- 
 ther he meanes the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, as the gifts of 
 Miracles, that fuch as are not fo baptize d,have no promife to receive; 
 or clfe he underftands tlie ordinary and ufuall fandifying gifts of 
 the Spirit, that all the elecft have in their regeneration, and conver- 
 
 fion 
 
72 A Mcdell of the CongregAtiondl rvdy, 
 
 to God : Now let him take either of thefe, or both, and he fha 
 find how he is deluded : For as for the firft fort of gifts, wee have 
 a cleare inftance that they were po wrcd out upon Cor>ieIitUy and 
 thofe that heard the word with him, from the mouth of Peter, be- 
 fore ever they were baptized, or came neare the water, or the wa- 
 ter them, t$ we find ^f?. 14.44,45,45, So it feemesth^giftsof 
 the Spirit did precede baptifme, not follow it: And if it (hould 
 be demanded of him, whether fince his rebaptizing, andatherof 
 his way, they have received thofe gifts of fpeaking tongues, and 
 healing all manner of difeafes, andcafting out of Devils; I fearc 
 they would be to feeke of anfwering affiraaativcly :ar.d why then 
 do men fpeake fo confidently of that they have no warrant for, nor 
 experience of? And then for the fecond fort of gifts, thofe which 
 are proper only to the Eleft, as Faith, Repentance, and the like;its 
 as cleare as the Sunnc in the firmament, that they are in the hearts, 
 and put forth many times in the lives of eled perfons, before ever 
 they werebsptizedjas wcfeeinthenewconveri$,and the Eunuch, 
 J ay lor, Paul himfclfe, and others : and experience fhewes it aban- 
 dintly to this day, in thofe that were never baptized by way of dip- 
 ping. But to make the vanity of thisdoftineto appcare fully, is it 
 not evident from Chcifts own mouth, that the premife of the Spirit 
 is believing fimply .without the leaft mention of baptifme asi'in foh, 
 7. 38, 35?. JVhich they th4t Relieve 9n him JhouU receive , not they 
 that are baptized. 
 
 4. It will unavoidably follow from hence, that the power of 
 Minifters in a Cltffis or Synod, cxercifing authority and /urisdiAi- 
 on in the name ofChrift, over more Congregations and Churches 
 then their own to which they belong, is altogether unwarrantable, 
 and not from Scripture : for if the adminiftration of the Seales, and 
 execution of Church cenfures, that officers are intruded with, be 
 appropriated to their own Congregations, then it muft needs tol- 
 low, when they take upon them tha government, ordering and 
 cenfuring of other Churches, they violate thofeficred bonds which 
 Jefus Chrifl: htth tycd them to. 
 
 And for this M. Burroughs in his Treatife oiHeurt Divijions, \% 
 very cleare, ff. 22. />. 157. where having laid down the chicfecon- 
 troverfie now on foot, he gives two confiderations to helpe 
 us in our thoughts about it. 
 
According to the Scriptures, y^ 
 
 I . That the extent of power ofjurisdiEliGn, mujl be hj injUttitisn, 
 afreeli as thetorrer itfelfe-^ af/jurtdicaO power yvhatforver, either in 
 State or Church, receives limits or extent, from the [am: authority 
 itfirfi had its rife : this isimpofflple to be denjid. '.fa man by a Chnr- 
 Ur be made a Aiajor of a towne^ he cannot therefore chalitnge the po- 
 wer of a Ai^'ijorwherejoever he comes^ except the autl>ority that firfl 
 gave him hu power p.'atJ aljotxterd it : now the Charter by v hie h a- 
 ny Church officer is invefled with power is the word^ and therefore we 
 cannot firaiten or enlarge the p$iver (j a Aimtfier^ otherwife th<-n 
 we find tt in the word^ &e. 
 
 1, That a man naturally^ isof nothing more impatient, then to 
 have jurisdiElicn challenged over him, except he fees the claime to be 
 right : e^ i>* the point of fbiritnall jurisdiHton^ man u the mo/} tender 
 of ally becaufe in that men cometu the name of Chnfl to him, chal- 
 lenging authority to exercife the power cf thrift over him, r,$t over 
 the outward man^fo much as over his foule^t-i deliver it up to ^jthan* 
 furelj there had need befhewn a clear e and full charter, that any men 
 have, that gives them fuch a power m tltis^ that men inconfcience 
 fhotild he bound to fuhmit to. 
 Obj. You will fiy, what helpe or remedv can there be, if the of- 
 ficers of a Church, or a whole Church ihould erre, as its pofliiDk ? 
 
 Jtuf. Sec wbatthefjtrieM. 5«rro»^/7/f3ithin his anfwerto^/. 
 £dwards, f. ^i. where he hath this vtry queftion. 
 
 The Chnrch (faith he) is afptrituall ftciety ygatheredfor fpiritn- 
 all ends; it hath within itfelfe no helpe again fifpirituall evils, butjpi" 
 ritual I, and the fe can only prevailewith men, (ofarre as they are fpi- 
 rituall dr eonfcieucious . ff the declaring the mind oi Chrijl by other 
 churches, if the protefling againfl erring Elders or churches^ and 
 withdrarving communion from them, will not firil^e upon confcitnce, 
 what piall ? Can the adding of an aSi of formaH juris diRion^ whofe 
 divine injlitution few fee, (and I mayadde, whicti the Presbyterians 
 thcmftlves have no precept from Chrift, nor txampldinallthe 
 primitive Churches to fhew for) and us doubtedofbj thofe^ with 
 whom it fhouU prevaile : can that do it ? The former meant s wiH re- 
 medy evils if men te confciencioMy the latter will not do it, if men bo 
 HOtconfcioncioHS^ 
 
 Obj. But the Magiftrate tnuft come in and helpe. 
 
 Anf. Then in Church helpe there » little difference between the 
 
 L Presbjtcrs 
 
m» A j^JodeloftheCcngre^AthnAlltvAf^ 
 
 PreshjtersAttdthe Iniependents^whatfoever thej fretenJiUthecon' 
 trurj, in the point ofchftrchpewer. 
 
 2. Jfyoutnterep the Magifirates pfirftr, he mu^ then either by 
 himfelfe, or hyfome comrrAffion^ take cogms:.4nce of the jus andfaU: 
 wherein his power u to he exercifed, he mttft not (t>El upon an implieite 
 heliefcy that the aEts of the chnrch are right, 
 
 3. tyi&joftcallinhisfowerinaUmxttersofdtff'frence, wherein 
 jeurfelvej cannot agree,or rvi/ljoH only defire hit power to helpe^when 
 either the hainoufnejfe of the matter, or the turbulency of the carriage, 
 manifefis fiuhhrnKeJfe ? jj in the former cafe^ then yoM make the 
 Magiftrate the Judge ofaScontroverfies in Religion, which 1 believe 
 yoH are not willing to do : If in the latter only, wee are agreed, JVhy 
 
 then u there fuch afiirre,fHch an out- cry, againfi that which is called 
 the Independent waj}as if there mufi needs be a confttjion of all things, 
 if liberty in it be granted. The Lordjndge between m and our bre^ 
 theren in this things to him wee referre o»r names, and Oftr caft/e. 
 Thus that eminent tndfimous fervant of Chriftin the condufion 
 of his Vindication tgtinfl \A. Edwards. And if iny defire further 
 Atisfacflion touching the undue power of the chfficall way, he may 
 read at large M. Damports Reply toM. P^gff, ft^ i'j.p»ii6^to 
 
 23l.anda54»*55- 
 
 5 . The next inference from the former pofition , is thif . That 
 thofeofthc CongregationaS way, commonly known by the nick- 
 name of i»^/'^»^»^'; do not wtlke without a rule for what they 
 do, in appropriating the tdminiflrations of Scales and Ccnfurcs, to 
 their own particular Congregations; nor finne igainft Chrift, in re- 
 fufing to adminiftcr the Seaies to fuch , ts are not in feliowflaip 
 with them, nor any other true vifible Church of Chrift ♦ I know it 
 is laydto the charge of fuch, as if thoy were J>roud and fcornfull, 
 but it is no other then an afpcrfion : for if this be the revealed will 
 of Chrift,that the adminiftration of the Setles is limited to Psftors 
 and Teachersjtnd they to their o wne particular chirge, then if they 
 had all thchurnility in the world, that is in the hearts of the Saints, 
 '! yet that would not allow them to go againfi iheleaft partofthe 
 revealecl will and mind of Chrifl, which they fhould do, if they 
 fhould adminifter Church ordinances, to fuch as ire of no Church, 
 and refufe alfo to fit do wne in fello wfhip with them. For asM. 
 Stntr$ftghf in \MHtArt Divifuw,p, 1 66, hath w«U tnd rightly ob- 
 
 lervcd 
 
According t6 the Scriptures, ^ j 
 
 fetved,/» aSwtrJhip thathltngs toSairti^as SAints^theyjoyfHlljjojn 
 with them, that is (as I conceive) in prajer, hearing o/theworet, ho-' 
 ij conference^ and duties offuch like nature^ that ccneerne chrijiian. 
 communion : but as for that worfnp that belongs to Saints as gather- 
 ed into a fociety under officers, foihejjud^e it unreafonable that any 
 fljonldhave the bene ft oj the friviledges of the Church, andyet be un* 
 der no power nor difcipline of any Church, but live at liberty, and pick. 
 & choofe ordinances where they pleafe^Q^ifthej wall^ dij order ly^have 
 no Church to call them to an account. And therfore hence forward let 
 not men cenfure us as they have done, for the difcharge of our du- 
 lyto JefusChrift. 
 
 Indeed if it were mecre will and not confclence, that did laad & 
 guide U5, itwerc another mattcrj but when (through ricliet of met- 
 cy) we can upon good grounds appeale to the Lord, that it is mecr 
 confcienceand not will that leads and fwayesus, letih«intak« 
 heed how they paflt fuch unrighteous judgement on their brethe- 
 ren, left that of our Saviour light on them ,^4/. 7. 1,2. luJgcnet 
 thdtje be not judged, for with rvhat judgement ye jndge ,je fhall be 
 judged ; andrvith what meafure ye mete, it /haB be meafured to y oft 
 *^4#». I would only dtfireto know this one thing, ofCuchraQiand 
 bitter cenfurers of their brethren.what profit & advantage it can be 
 to us, toexpofd our names to reproach, our pcrfons to contempt, 
 and all we have to hazard, if wee were not pcrfwadtd of the truth 
 of what wee pradifc, and that we (hould finne agtinft God, if wee 
 ftiotild(to plcafs men)do the contrary ,Belid€S,i$ it not wel known 
 ihat wc drive to go fo f arrc a$ wemaypoffibly, voitbagoodconfci" 
 ence, for the fttisfying ofthofc that are contrary minded? whit 
 would men have yet further of us.unleffe it be to fin againft the light 
 of truth God hith revealed to us ? let but a few things be duely 
 confidercd, & then fcc whether we are guilty of thofe abominable 
 and foule crimes thatare laid to our charge. 
 
 I, Thoffl of the Congregationall way, are content to receive 
 fuchinto communion and church fellowship, upon their proffer- 
 ing themfelves, that differ from them in their judgement, in things 
 oflejfer ionfequence and moment, fo long as they have good evi- 
 dence and teftimony of their upright converfation, and find them 
 willing to fit down with them, and fubmit themfelves to the chur- 
 ches proceedings, as farre as God (hall give t^effl light. 
 
 La " , 2, They 
 
<75 A Modell of the Congregation aUrvAj 
 
 2. They are fliidions of tiking notice of r^i? iir ajf breathings of 
 Chrifly in thole that »ffer thcmfelves to joyn with them in Churck 
 communion, whether poore or rich, ccndifccnding to the meaneft 
 worke of grace, where they have any the leafthintes of truth and 
 fincerity,bcing alured that Chrift hath appointed his green Paftures 
 for his weake Lambvfs, as well as for his grown fheep. 
 
 3. They arc willing to give liberty to any fuch poore foules to 
 manifeft what God hath done for them in uniting them to Chrift 
 the foundation, Cnotto make a confeflionof their linnes, as many 
 report J for the fttisfying of thofc that P^aU have ctmrnanien with 
 r^n» in the holy things of God, (which is no more then re afon re- 
 quires) cither before the whole Church publiqiiely, or elfe if they 
 »x^ndthus areweakcand baflifull ( as many are ) to the * Paftorin private, 
 much the Prcs- ^jj j;j ^^^ ^j. ^^^^ ^^^^^^ of the Church, and they to tranfonit it to the 
 
 in their aimifll- 4' I^ ^hey meet with broken languag.?;ar,d bad and low exprefli- 
 on of men and ons (as oftentimes it fallt s out ) yet they make not that a ground of 
 women toihe refulall, (o there he fttjficieftt teJ}imo»j oi the holinesotthelifc. 
 Sacrament. ^^^^ £^^^ j, profeflion as carries with k no palpable contradidion 
 in mens walking, but is accompanied with the power of Religion 
 andgodlines. 
 
 5. They bind not any to aformall and exprefle written cove- 
 nant at their comming in fas they are commonly flandered with) 
 but only, after fat isfaftion is given, demand their ir»y5f»«^«<rx to give 
 up themlelves to the Lord,& his Chcrch,^ to walke together in the 
 mutualldifcharge of thofe duties that concerneth fuchaChurch- 
 ft5te,andGofpell relation, upon the maniftftation whereof, they 
 are admitted to fellow fliip and ufe of the ordinances. 
 
 (5» If any are not found fit upon try all, they are only defired to 
 wait a while, till God (hall bring them into a further capacity. 
 Some Spirits I confeffe when they fee they cannot obtaine their 
 ends, f\y out, and leave walking with thofe they would have joy- 
 red, ipeakingevillofthe way of Chrift and his fervants that 
 vvalke in it, and for no other caufe, that is truly Mfcovered^ but this, 
 that they cannot have their own w//j,though it be madc(upon good 
 grounds) evident, that they are not fit for luch a condition. Novv 
 what ihiW be done in fuch a cafe ? Eirher thofe of the Congregi- 
 tionall way fnuft a<^ fo as to pleafe Chrifi, or the crcaturej now if 
 
 they 
 
according t$ the Scriptures, 77 
 
 they ftrive to do the firft, then they incurre the difpleafure of the 
 hll,andiFthey fhould in a finfuU way fteke tothe pleafingofthe 
 creature, then they difpleafc Ch/ift; but this will be their comfort, 
 I'olongas Chrifthelpesthemto difcharge their confciences to- 
 wards him, they netd not regard how the creature deales with 
 tbem : /« the world we mujl have tribulation, hut in ChriJ} rveefjaU 
 huve peace, Joh. 1 6. ult. And as our tribulations ahund for him,fo 
 cur cenfclations pjall abound alfo in and by hint,! Cor, I. 5. 
 O J . But they will not come into fuhlique, 
 Anf, I. Jefus Cnrilt faith, wherejoever two or three are met to- 
 gether in hu name , there he tvill beprefent with them, hewillowne ' ^^•^°' 
 thew, andblejfe them : he hath taken away all difference bet vveene 
 places under the *^iofpell, there' is not one more holy then inoiher, 
 but all alike no Wj^-jcfus Ch>ift & his Apoftlcsindirfcrently fhew- 
 ed their piadifcthis wayin the Synagogue, Teirple, Field, Cham- 
 ber, nnddoubtldle where ever the CI urch meets to vvorQiip, there 
 isapubiique, not piivate AfJLmbly. 
 
 .2. They lliu: not the dcors where they meet, br the moft part, 
 bat ^eave them ope-n for all to coire & behold their wayes, unLiTe 
 they come to make diftu: bance. 
 
 3. Some Chuiches are in publiqiic ( as you call it J and 
 01 hers have been, btit have been forced backagaine, and all would 
 be more publique then they are,(in that fence as you cal publique) 
 if they might enjoy their liberty, and not endanger their peace or 
 purity : let bat Authority allow us that liberty they do the Presby- 
 teria;-is, fas in confcience they ftand boundjWe walking peaceably) 
 to dirpenie the ordinances cf Chrift without molcftation,and then 
 fee whether v/C would refufcit. Alis 1 alas I that ever men (hould 
 fitid fault with us for that we cannot remedy but count ouraffli- 
 <5l sn. 
 
 L 3 CHAP. 
 
7 8 A Model of the CongregAiiomll mj^ 
 
 qHAP. nil. 
 
 That thU Church-^itey with the Officers, Ordinances, rfWadoni- 
 niftrations thereunto appertaining^ is afperpetnall nfe^ to the cam- 
 ming again of our Lord and Saviour ^daS Chrift,t^tf inJiitHter of 
 it, without either alteration, or ceflation. 
 
 BEfore I enter on the evidencing and making clear of the truth 
 of this Propofition,! defire to premife this one thing, to wit, 
 that by this Chftrch-Jfate^l do not here underftand, any one parti- 
 colar and fingie Congregation, rtfiding in any one place or coan- 
 irey,butthcinftitutedftateofChrift$ vifible Church, in one place 
 or other, confiiling of few or many, whether in liberty or bondage, 
 in purity or corruption, according to its feverall and various con- 
 ditions to which it is fubjeft, and in which, for the eflentiall and 
 integrall parts thereof, it is kept and preferved by the Almighty 
 power and prefence of J efus Chrift ; for doubtlcffe in refped of this 
 or that particular Church, and fingie congregation.it may ceafc and 
 be utterly loft, bat in refpcA of the effentials of that inftituted 
 Cburch-ftate and order of Chrift, rcYcaled to us in bis word, and 
 delivered to us by the Apoftles, and left by them upon record ht 
 us to follow and pradioe : fo it is not loft , but remains and con- 
 tinues to the Saints to his comming again. Now that this is the 
 truth Gif God, I fhall endeavour to make out, i. from Scripture, 
 a. from Argument. 
 
 I . For the Scriptures that hold out this truth, they are of three 
 forts. 
 
 I . Prophefies, as £fay p . 6, 7. and Jp. 2 1 . Pfal, no. i . compa* 
 
 red with I Cor. 1 5,25, X«4 I • 3?- 
 
 i,PromifeSyMat.i6.i2, i Cor, 11,26. aDdEf hef. 3. a I. & 
 4 II, 12,13. 
 
 3. Precepts, Mat. 28. 20. i Tim. 6, 13,14. to which I might 
 adde the judgements of many learned men, it there were need. All 
 which do clearely fhew the perpetuity and continuance of thif 
 Gofpell Chnrch-flate in all ages to the comming oi Chrift. 
 
 2. For the Arguments that confirme the perpetuity of this 
 
 - ' ' _..-.-<-- ^ Chnrch' 
 
accordirtgtotheScripures. 7P ^ 
 
 Chftrch-flate^ and confute the contrary that is affirmed by many, ^ 
 
 viz. the ceflation of it, they >re fuch as ihefe. I 
 
 I. Ihhe government ol Chrifls church, which the Father hith i 
 given him, and he hath accepted, fliail never havi; an end, then it 
 
 muft of neceflity follow, that this Church- jiate cannot ceafe, to "] 
 
 which this government hath relation, unlefTc we can fuppoft', that 1 
 
 Chr'ifi can be n Ki»g without a Kingdeme, a Head withom a Bodj^ a I 
 Husla»d without a Spoufe, which once to imagine, i$ exceeding 
 
 difhonoursbk to him, andiittltj Icflethcnblafphcmy. Butnow ^^^v^-t- ] 
 
 the Scriptures are cleare, that the government of Chrifl in his ^"i '-SJ* < 
 
 Church (hall never have an end, as we have fhewed before : there- j 
 
 fore, &c. ". 
 
 2. IfthisChurch-flffe, which JefusChrift hath inftituted, for ^'j 
 the cffentialls of it, fhould ceife, and not be continued in all ages, ' ' 
 thenit would follow, that there would be a time, when the gates ^^^ ^^ 
 
 of Hell fhould prevaile againfl it, and his prcferce with ir, to • • • j 
 
 the end of the world, Gioufd not continue, and fo all his promifes Mat. a8. to. ' 
 
 tothecontary fliouldbc void and of noneeffcd: Buithiscannot ; 
 
 ^e, f^rhru faithfuil that hath promlfed, and not one jot pr tittle of j 
 hii wordjhallferijhyorbe made void: and therefore there muft needs 
 
 be a perpetuity, and continuance of this church*ftate. \ 
 
 3. If the Temple of God, which is his vifible Church, astp- 
 peiresfrom i Co^-. 3.16, 17. /??r. 3.1 i.and 11.1,2. doth remain 
 Mfhere AmchrifljitSt even as the Church oiPergamm did, where 
 thtfeate of Sat h an was^ Rev. 2. 1 3. then this Church-ftttc is not 
 
 ceaftd, butremainestothisday. But this Temple of God is where i 
 y/»nV^ri/?himfelfefif$, as appetreJ6y the Apoftle, 2 7'^(r/: a. 4. , j 
 •who oppofeth.c^c. So that he is as Gody (itteth in the Temple of God: 
 where the grecke word for Temple, fc. valf, is one and the fame '■ 
 with that of l Cor. 3. iSyiy.H/^oiJkT^OTJVAht »'.'• Know ye not , 
 that ye are the Temple of God ? fo ^r. 1 7. E< -rur rctov ra ®« f^'P^ 
 i. r. If any man defle the Temple of Cod^ and that of 2 Cor, 6.16, ^ 
 yUiif ■y} tAoi OiS ?9E {anQ-^ i, e. For ye are the Temple of the li' 
 ving God : In all which phces, with diverfa other,that word Tem- 
 ple IS ufed for the rifible Church, becaufe the Apoftle there fpeakcs ^ 
 to, and of the whole Church of Corinth conjun^im^Te are the Tern- i 
 pie of God, &c. So that b) Temple here whjre Antishrifi fits, is to I 
 be undetdood the Church of God. ! 
 ' "" "'■ ~ Obj. I 
 
go ^ Modell of the Congregatlonalltvdj 
 
 Obj. Toft will fxy,lfyTtai\)\cii meant the confcicnces tfGods- 
 people, in that place of the Thcitaloniani. 
 
 yf «/. I . Grant it, yet ibat doth not make roid the other, but ra- 
 ther confiro^ts it. 
 
 2. We never read in all the Scriptures, that the cenfciencelsfj 
 called, but the church ot Chrift is frequently fo ftyled, as w^e have 
 (hewed before : and therefore, either its the Church of God, Anii- 
 chrift Ciis in, or it is not; f not, then thit S criprure is nor true; but it 
 t; Uv, a? c innot be deny td, then there is a church-ftate remaining 
 under Antichrifl. 
 
 Obj . But how can this church fl ate remaine, where there it fuch m 
 eenerall defeClion^ as there is under Antichrifi ? Rev. 1 3. 
 fmAnf, Wemuiidiftii'guifh between the corruption of things, ini 
 the things them/elres, between the e(fentialj of a church-ltate, and 
 the accidentals : now it cannot bcdenyed, butinrefpe(^of the<«cc-i- 
 dentatls of a church-ftate, fo all is loft, under this dcfcftionof An- 
 tichrift, thatisjinrefped of the right order and adminiftrsttonof 
 MinifttryjOrdininces, and governtnent, but not theeffentiaisof 
 thcfe; andfolongas ihefe remains, the Church-ftate is not loft v 
 for wc cannot rea(on from the corruption of a thing, to the nul- 
 lity andnon-beingofit \ti for exampUj the children of Ifrac:!, and 
 venrdsof Gods Houfc, that were carried captive into Babylon, and 
 prophaned by theit being there,yet fo iongas they were not deftroy- 
 edj and broken in pieces, they were brought back again to ferufalem, 
 a.nd/anBifyedfrom their pollution, and fet againc in the Temple as 
 before, and tlie Lord owned and accepted them notwithftanding 
 their being in ^<?/'7/*« '.(ohtXG, the Saints and ordinances^ ihtMi- 
 nifierj, Seales and Ctnfures of this inftituted Church of Chrift, 
 though they have been under Antichrift, yet fo long as the e^ence of 
 them remaire$,they may be brought back from Rome, and reduced 
 to their former purity, and firft order of the Gofpell, not that they 
 have zniw being, but rather they are brought io their wonted weU 
 being, and primitive inftitution. 
 
 Obj. But doth not this then make the Church ofiJow^atrue 
 Chtirch, having the efeutials of a true Church-pate in it ? 
 
 Anf. No not a jot, no more then a Theeves hiving the goods of 
 an honeft man in his houfr, which he hath ftollcn, makes him to be 
 true,^ i6 4 thiefe ftill. So here Romt is ftill R^me^the mother ofHar- 
 
 lots 
 
dccording to the Scriptttres, § i 
 
 /•^//?»7,notwithftandinglerpofl":Ifingott .ef/f/x/M/xofChriftihc- 
 ly things: -ve may fee u clearely in Bm^jIoh ot old,the type of Romey 
 whrn thf ] t wt$ were carrieJ away captive with the holy vtflcls of 
 thcTetnple,tivis nottht ^^»«^ tfthefcwt BabjUn that made her the 
 church of God, but fh'.*\- ji^d^j/<?« ItiH^fail of abor^inations, there 
 was ^^/and A/^rp/^<«rA,hergren Id. -Is and Images ftill worfliipcd, 
 ]fr,^9 2. and as G >d oner overthrew the Type, fas he over- 
 threw Sodeme, and Gemorah,) (o that not (o much aia fon of man 
 fhould d wtU there, ver. 4 . So fliall be it wiihthe Antitype^ RcmCy 
 thimtthtr of fornicdtiont^ the habitatioM of devils^ and the hold of 
 every ftitlejpirit. Rev. 1 8. J 2, 23 . and the good Lord, for his Son, 
 and Sjens i ike,haften it. 
 
 - 4. If Chftrch'fiate, and Minijiery ^%T\iOrtiinanees be all loft un- 
 der the defcdion of Anlichtift : then the Serif tures alfo are loft, 
 which are the churches treajure, and as a Depcfttftm, were once de- 
 livered to the chnrch to keepe, lud^ 3 • but we find that the Scrip- 
 tures are not loft, but oy the power of Chrift they hare beeri fre- 
 ferved, yea recovered owl of BAbjlofty and freed from thole horrible 
 <orruptions,they were expoled unto.vvhile they were in the hands 
 of Antichrift , and why may not the Ordinances as well as the 
 Scriptures.the church as well as her treafure ? 
 
 5. Ihhii ChHrch-Jtate, tndOrdinanceSf fhould not continue, 
 but were all loft and ceafcd, then it would follow, that there were 
 no meanes left ord»«4r»/j>' for the converfion and falvation ofpoorc 
 loft foulesj but the contrary to this appearcs, as wee find by expe- 
 rience, for I . We have the word of lite in the ficred Scriptures to 
 be our Cyn^furA or rule and gaidc to direft us in the way to life. 2. 
 We have the holy Ghoft accompanying the Miniftery and preach- 
 ing of this word, in ;in ejfeftuait manner, tothccilling and con- 
 verfion of multitudes, and bringing thofe that are called out of their 
 AntichriftUn-chnrch-fldtey to i/#»,and to worOaip God according 
 to his own revealed will. 3. We have Paftorsand teachers /rf»/«//y 
 f^iff^, and fet a part to the worke of the Miniftery, andfaithfulldil- 
 penfingof this word of life, and other ordinances, that concern a 
 truevifibleChurch-ftate,accordingtothepraftife of the Primitive 
 Chnrches, as we before (hewed : now where there are the lama 
 word and ordinances, the fame Officers for kind with thofe in the 
 Apoftles dayes, to ^ifpenfe and adofiinifter tl^eon^and ihe precieus 
 
 M prefence 
 
82 A ModilofthtCmgre^itmdUwA'jy 
 
 prcftnceofCbxift in bis Spirit,accompanying them, to mike them 
 tffc(?lu»ll,f though perhaps not in fuch an ample & large meafurq 
 as in tliofc Primitive tiQ:ies)thcre we may conclude the Ww^irj^ 
 weaves for falvatioa are rttt loji^hvA ftill rcmaine and continue* 
 Obi But it is objdiT:ed, that thofe that areciUednow in thefe dayes 
 
 to ^<^V({\vi\{ktx ^thaly things ef Gods houft^ are not fo qualified as 
 thofe were ia the Primitive times^xhey have not thofc extratrditut- 
 ry gifts efwsrki^g miracles as they had. 
 Anf, I. I would faine know, wheth«r all thofe that were is office in 
 
 the churches o/C hrijiy in thofe tiraesj had thofc txtrAordiuAry gifts^ 
 I c^A 1 1.25.30 »s the Offeers of the Chtixchof JEfikefm iPhilipfi^C^riMi^^^AQik 
 not th- Seriptftre Qiew the contrary ? 
 
 2. I would faine know, whether the gifts (>f working Miracles 
 be (oe[[eMtia&ta th,'Mi^iPf*'y,^^xhzt there can be no trueMiKifiery 
 where thefa are wanting. Ifibjthsnmany in the Primitive times 
 were not tru§ Minifters of Chrift, as loh» the BAptift^ApeUoSy and 
 thofe Pajiors and Teachers that were io the fcvtrall Churches of 
 the Saints, mentioned in tb§ Scripture. For wc cannot find** th* 
 le cf of their working mirrxles, and yet they had a true Minifterie^ 
 If ro'jWliy the^i do men ^efufetheMjniftery that hath no miracle$? 
 
 3. Idefiretoknow* wbargirappeares, or how it can bemada 
 ovit, that the Primitive Saints, Mi^^ifters or Pecpli» were given to 
 fucceeding ages, as pattemes for extratkr dinar y gifts of Miracle/, 
 thatthsy were left as patternes of grace, and helps of faith, and 
 lov^, and repentauce, and obedience to the truth of Church- fel- 
 lowfbip, is without controverfie, Eph.^, 1 2,13. but notofthefor- 
 iper. And the Apoftle makes it cleercin//(p^,2.3,4. that the chi(f 
 end of gifts oi Miracles^ was to con fir me the Gofpel of Chrift, then 
 lent forth to bq preached, which now r^eedsnot; for asM. Themas 
 GoodwinUttly in ppeof his L^^ures ontht EfhefiAns, (hewed, 
 common tdHcaiia» (^iwQsfofarr^ wvf, as Miracles. d^d of Qld,which 
 were not to begin a laving, juftifyipg faith, for that was the of- 
 fice of the Wprd, but to make mcp tp attend the fr<?r«^ ,^ which naw 
 education doth, and therefore there is no fuch oe^d oj a Minii^ery 
 with Miracles. 
 
 4. patl^natthe^aiptureabundiiQtlyfhew us^tb^twoxking 
 'oi Minifies w^ be in^^ faKirMirvftery, zs Marks il^^^*xThef. 
 ^9.i iQn ^^v» 13. 13, Hi ^^^* i^* 14* <^^ 19* ^*4ndinfttch 
 
(tcmdmg ti the Scriptures, g * 
 
 asChrift will not ownc for his tc the Uft day; as Alatth, 7. 
 
 5, Doth not fuch an #/>»«'<»« as this, ofrequiring gifts of working 
 Miracles in thofe that are called and fcnt to preach and adtniniftcr 
 ordinances, bring a great difparagemcnt on the truth it felfe, for \i 
 it be not able to naake it felfc evident without Miracles, is it not t 
 great Argument of its yveaknet Mnd in/fiffcieKcy?\tfhevtzs its farrc o- 
 therwifc with the truth, as £^/?*/. 5. 13. 
 
 ^. Doth iK)t this opinion diredly croflfeand contradid that of our 
 Saviour, foh. 1 6. 8. and derogate trom the authoriry and power of 
 the Spirit, for there he telsus, that its the office of the Spirit, 10 
 cows \V\C^ the world of fiune, of rightioufnes andjudvemtntx now td 
 fay that this workc cjnnot be done unleflc there bo AiiracUf 
 wrought by men, that are the Spirits inftruraents, what is this, 
 but to derogate from the Spirit, and to make the efficacy ot theMini* 
 ftery to depend more upon the external! working et Miracles, then 
 upon theinternall working of the «yf»V»V: whereas tht: great eft A^i- 
 TAcles that ever were wrought by the Apoflles or others, can never 
 frevaile to gaine the hearts of wretchc ^ finncrs, to the embracing 
 of thetruth,nor convince them off>tyrighteoufneJfe,aMdJHdgemeft , 
 \{iht Spirits pre fence be wanting, and therefore many times wee 
 find amongft the J^y^s, that not withftanding all the MUraeles that 
 Cfirift himfelfe, and his Apoftlcs wrought 6cfore them, they con- 
 tinued obfiinatt «»i<iWW»#^ in their finnesj fo thattbe efficacy of 
 the meanes depends on the Spirit, and if fo, ttien there is no fuch ne- 
 ceffity for working of ^>r<K-/f/ to convmce men of the truth: for 
 be the txternali meanes ox inftrument weake ox flrong,\K matters 
 not, fo ilw Spirit tmpley it ; and commonly we find it to be true 
 by experience, that the weaker the fecondary caufe or metnci is, 
 A^more gloriom doth the power of the Spirit appcare, according 
 to I Cw. I . itf, ay, aS, 2p. 
 
 7. Laftly , wHat greatet miracles can there be wrought by laen 
 toevinceitfic trmhoi their ca/Uftgyt\Ku by cafting out ©fthe DiviS 
 from men and womenj/*w/^/ andetnfciences, and the opening of 
 the tjft of their Hmlerftanding, the raifing of them from th« iieath ^^ ^ ^ j g^ 
 •ffin^ the healing and /4»»ff/f;*«^ of their oorrxipt nitares, &c. by jobn, j', »^ 
 the power of the Spirit. ^i7 which zre far greater Miracles^ then 
 cvrptraBdifiojfejpWjhfalingofmenshdie/, ffcning ff Mr hdily 
 
 Ms "" ejes^ 
 
94 -A Ucdtll of the Congre^monAllway^ 
 
 tyesy&e, and the power of Chrift appeares far greater in Working 
 oUhtk Miracles, ih^cn'm all other miracles whatfoever: and of 
 thefe kind of miracles, I conceive that Scripture ii to be undcr- 
 ftood, "jch. 14 1 1. where Chnft promifcth,that his Difciples af- 
 ter he was afcended to the Father,ftiould by the power of the Spi- 
 rit doc greatet= works then thofe himklfe wrought, which I fup- 
 pofe he undcrOands ot thofe fpirituall works of wonder that I have 
 formerly mentioned in the railing poorc foules out of the grave 
 of finne , opening the eyes of their bliiwl and dark underftan- 
 diugs, &c. 
 
 The truth of the Propofition being thus cleared, I eow come to 
 fcra€ inferences. 
 
 I. In the firft placf , it will cleerly follow, that thofa men are 
 Ciightily miftaken and out ofthervajythit ftick not- to affirme, that 
 the Church-ftate and order of Government thereunto carreJpoHm 
 </r«^, which JefusChrift hath inftituted, \% mutable, and ought to 
 be /«tf^^ according to the Lav^es' znd^ Government of particular 
 States tnd Kingdomes t as if the Churches of Chrift in the Primi- 
 tive times had a mixt government and adminiftration cfxhe Ordi- 
 nances, according to the lawes and cuflomcs of the country es; 
 As for example, the Church of Chrift in ^Jia-hid erne way of gc- 
 vernmcnr,the Churchtsin Galatia another .M^ay of order and go- 
 vernment, and the Churches in fudea another. Whereas the Scrip- 
 ture affirracs the dcane contrary, /f*/. that Jefus Chrift hath left 
 but o^e order of Church ^ate and pvlitie for all his Churches to 
 obferve and make ufe of, which as I have (hewed in the effentials of 
 it, is unchangeable^and to be obfcrvcd and kept to the appearing of 
 Jefus Chrift, the author and inftituter of it, i Tim.6,ii^i^, and 
 therefore what the Apoftle ordained in one Church , he did in all, 
 ss I Cor, J. If. And this is the judgement of learned fVhitaker 
 againftZ^w-^ew, and Cartwright againft fVhitgift, who handles 
 this point very largely in his Iccond Reply , his words are thefe : 
 Thus (laith he to Whitgift") rvherethe Chri^ian Magijirate u gi- 
 ven efGod,to keep the> order which God hath fet in his Church : y»t* 
 Ifring him in as a breaker and changer of the order , vphieh God hath 
 appointed hy hu holy Apofiles : But the godly Chrlfiian M^gifirates 
 may uaderfiand, that as neither our Savioftr Chrif} , nor any yvife 
 
 snd wek infiruQed Mini^ry under him , mH meddle with any order 
 
 ,: ■ - -v-.- ^- : • - - •• - -- ■• ■- gj. 
 
according H the Serif tares, 8 j 
 
 or forme of CommonweAith layirfHlijir}fittuteiofthem,for ththet' 
 ter government of their people^ hut leave them as they fnd them : So 
 they oftght to leave whole and untcuched, that order that fffw Chriji 
 hath placed iahii Church. And as the Author ftith truly in mother 
 place, that Chri(l came xot to over throw civill governments ; even 
 fo, he faith, it is as true^ that God fendeth not Kings to overthrow 
 Church Government, planted by Chrifl and his ApoJiUs. Teafo 
 muck more ahfttrd 14 this latter then thefirfi^lj howmuehthey ought 
 to have morefirmity^ which were fet downe by the Lord hlmjelf^ then 
 vhieh If ere by men. For what fonne of Adam Jhali prefume to alter 
 that order J which the Lord himfelfe from heaven hath fet ? (frc And 
 therefore ccrtiinly lefmChrifl wiUgiYefuch men but little thanks 
 anotherdiy,for their endeavour to mike his lnfiitHti»ns zsanofe 
 ofwaxe^ to be altered and changed to whatfoever forme and/ii- 
 fhion men fliall plcafe in every CiviU State and Kingdome on 
 earth. 
 
 2. But 1 flitllpaffefrom fuch Formali/}s inATtme-fervers ^to 
 another fert of men, who although they allow not of an alteration 
 of Chx\{\.5 Jnflit/itions and Ordinances, yet fiWinly hold a cefation 
 of themioY the prcfent, and therefore iorfake the Affemhlies of the 
 Saints f to which ihey were / jyned, and fay there are no Churches, 
 no Ordinanees^ no Miniflery now, to difpenfe them, but all loft 
 under Ant ichrift. . 
 
 Now that fuch mr n msyJee the evill of their opinion and pri- 
 ftice herein, and fo C if it be the good pleafureofChriftj they may 
 coane to rcp^nt^and doe their firft woiks, andrcturne totht Shep- 
 herds T^^z/jWhereJefus Chrift feedeth and ciufeth his flock to reft 
 atnoone, C«««f.i.7,8. I (hall fet thtfe few confiderations before 
 them, from the evils that follow this pratflice. 
 
 i^That this opinion Jcprafticco^ theirSjdiredly crofleththerery Five cvlll cf- 
 Ittterofthe Scriptures, IS that oi^ Eph.^. ai. formerly mentioned, fcftsthatat- 
 wherenhe holyGhoftUiih,that glory istobegiventoGodbyJefus ^cnd ihofe that 
 Chrift'in theChurch,5« Wto? Trj-^JiVj'hat isjhroucrheut allaenera- ^^f*^ ^^Jf"°" 
 ttons, or ages. Now how could this Scripture be true,»f there be an Church- Aatc: 
 orgeneration in which this Church ftate doth ceafe and is utterly 
 lofti' Sothatof I C#r.ii.26. wh^rc the holy Ghoft alfo (hewes, 
 that the Lords death, that is, the 'jf^and/A-wiV of his ^<r^/^, in the 
 adminiftration of the Supper, is to bt obierved and made ufe of by 
 
 M 3 the 
 
S5- ji Model of the Congreg4fi$nallrv4jy 
 
 theSimtsinChmrch-fillorv/hipj for their benefit and comfort, to 
 his comming againe. Now how can this be, if th« Church, and 
 Miniftery, and Ordinances «re all loft and ceafed? And that of 
 Mat,i%,to, and iS.hftvcrfe, in which places Chriftpromifeth 
 to be with his Churches md people in the adminiftntion of his 
 Ordmances , to the end of the world , as wee have formerly 
 rhewed. 
 
 2. It difcovers men, notwithftanding the high thoughts they 
 have of themfelves, to be of a low 2si^fenfHallitimQ of Ipirit ; that 
 Z/;(7w^-like will not beleeve, nor give credit to the tefiimoay of 
 ffef ^*r<^,Linlcfrethey ffe, and have vifikle and fenftkle fignes and 
 wonders wrought hforethem, and fo to fpeak truly, df ftroy the ex- 
 ctSenc^ and lively ffcjfe of faith. Which our Saviour placeth in this, 
 that it lAs and works moft properly tnd genuinely, when it hath no 
 externa/landviJjifleJ}gnet(x[ookQUi^Joh.io.i^,lo» and theA- 
 P'i'ftle, H^^.i I.I. The Scribes and Pharijees, Hjpocrites,tnd thofe 
 hard-hearted ^fwe% indeed, in our Saviours time, ftood much upon 
 figncs and wonders, that fo they might belceve j but our Savi- 
 our returnes them this anfwer , that an evill and adulter ous 
 generation feeketh after ajigney hut there fitaE none h given thtm, 
 that iSiio profit them, &c. Mat.i a. 38,59, And wt may mHch 
 feare, that allthofe/^ «/ and wonders that Goi\&t\ixS\^tQw^ught 
 in England to recover us out of our old wayes, atid to bi^ us 
 to his own inftituted waycsof W0r(hip,fhall not profit fuch kind 
 offpirits, who walk more after the flejh, then Jpirit, in the very 
 things of God. 
 
 5. It makes ff^n to place the power and authority of admini- 
 ftring the things of Gods houfe, in that which \s fallible and deceip- 
 vingy as gifts of working Miracles are and may be in afalfe Minim 
 ftery^ IS we have (hewed before : and if it were poffible, our Sa- 
 viour faith, the eleft themfelves would be deceived by the workers 
 of them, as in Mat. z/^.i/^. for there fhall arifefaifechrifts and falle 
 \>tei^\ittij^ndQi\3\\JheT» great fign€sandw»nderSf injfo much that 
 (if it were poffible j they fliall deceive the very Eled. 
 
 4. Such as are carryed on in this way, are unavoidably brought 
 t<ydeny themfelves Beleevers I for if there be no converfioa bow 
 for want of fuch i Miniftery as they talk of, then they exclude 
 ShemfelvesfroBithenuinberofthefaithfull, and proclaime to the 
 
 world 
 
^eordirtg to tht Scrifturts. %'j 
 
 world that they areflranierste the Promi/e and Common-Wcalth 
 oflfracl, being without God, md Chrift, and hope in the world, 
 and this fat length) fomeftick not toaffirine, not onely denying 
 wtrjhip,hut Beleevers and Scripture ilfo. 
 
 5. Laftly,It not onely leaves upon them the guilt of curfcd »«- 
 gratitude \iidunkin due jfe to J Jus Chrift, for what he*ath be- 
 llowed upon the Saints, and vouchfafcd to them; and they (at 
 Icift wi{e iovcifi of I hem ) have e»]ojedj\n the ufe pfchurch-feH^wJiip 
 ai^ er^iiVMw^/, for 1 appeale to them and other of the Saints, whe- 
 ther the ki^he/l and fvpeeteft enjoyments from Chrifi have n9t keen by 
 the Spirit mthdc. Now this rclinquiChing of this fellowILip I 
 fay doth not onely render them odioufl/ ingratefullto God, but ex- 
 pofcth them alfo to maft dangerous and dreadf ull temptations, tnd 
 atltfttoApoIlafie, and that unpardonable finne againfl: the holy 
 Gboft, as appert s from Hek, 1 o. 23 . to the end : where he makes 
 forfakJngChurch'CommurAsn, ver.^^.io be the Pradrsmud and 
 fore-runner oi \\\x\ Hnpardanahie JinyVer.iS .ly ^2^1^ , and a^r<«r- 
 ingUck^tffperdftiw.ver.'^p. and how;*/? 11 it with the Lord, 
 to leavens, when we7?'i7/«i(;pat our fclves out of his protection! 
 Whtrcbreletfuch beintreattfd, m the bowels of Chrift, to take 
 heed, how thty tem^t the Lord in this kind. I fay thofe that are 
 mlfud in their way, an<i refufe counfell. i fhull leave with fuch 
 men thofe few Scriptures of 3 Chron.i^.i. Heb.^,i%, x)dRev,2, 
 4, 5.toboconfidered,whichl conceiva doe in a fpeciall manner 
 look to the walking and continuing of the Sainti with (Sod , and 
 Jefus Chrift, in his Ordinances, and hold forth the danger of rolin* 
 quiflaing and forfaking them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
^8 A Medell of the C^ngregdtiondl tvdj, 
 
 C H A p . V. 
 
 That the gedly in this Kingdeme nre every inhere hound to gather 
 themfelves into thufacred^ vijihie, polificall ^hnrgh-fidtc andor" 
 der of the Gojpel/y if they are of a competent number^ in thofe fUces 
 wheretheyltve,ortojojnethemlelves to thofe furticHUr churches 
 efChri/l, tvhich are already rightly gathered, One •f thefe vtnft 
 be done hj them. 
 
 U 
 
 'Ow that this is the duty of the godly, I (hill labour to make 
 out from thefe enfuing Reafons and Arguments , which are 
 ajlomany foult-quickning and convincing motives, and -which 
 {by the bkffing ot Chriftj may be very effcduxll, to put them up- 
 on the practice of it. 
 I .Motive Th<: i . Is taken from the call of Chrift, which is to come from Baby 
 call of Chrift. /^wto.S'wwjthat is, not onely fromgrofldandfinfuU praftices, bat 
 alfo from communion in fpeciallordinancey, as £/^;' 52.11. Rev, 
 18.4. 1 Cor,6.\6,\'j. yf^.2.40 Ephef.^, 11. he caillthtm to 
 «$'<«'», that they may beahabitatian for the Lord to dwell in. As 
 long as you continue C that arc Saints) in yoUr old Babjlomfh 
 vvayes of c*»/«(/<3», youcan never be a holy temple to Chrift, nor 
 a golden candleftick for him to walk in. And therefore the names 
 of Temple^ hofife, tabernacle, tandlejiick^ , are given to Beleevers 
 efpeciakj as they are in Chttrch-fellowfi>ip^ i ^tfr.3. 16,17. ^h,i, 
 21,22. Heb.7,,6. Rev. 1.20, &21.3. 
 z.Motive^Tbc i. B;rcaufe in fo doing, they fhall doe no wor# then what the 
 example ot the Saints have done before them in the Primitive times ; for we find 
 PriraUiTcthli^s in thofcdaies that Beleevers did not live loofely,andcafually,Gr(as 
 we fay j It randome, but wer'! gathered and broughtjinto difiinSh bo- 
 dies, ox chHrch'focieties, toWwe undti[th2Lt difcipline and church ev 
 </rror^OT/fr«w*f»f,whichj£fus Chrift had commanded and left to 
 his Apoftks to fettle. Foritis worth our fli'/^r-z/^i^^w, that Jefus 
 Q^dii did not onely fend forth hU Apoftles and Difciples to convert 
 0^ [inner s to hinty but he appointed an order of government to be efiabli- 
 fhed by them, to which thofe that rvtre converted Jhonld fnbje^ unto, 
 as wc may fee in many places , i C*r, la. 28. Ephe/,/^.12,1^, 
 
 Rot», 
 
according to the Scriptures, Sp 
 
 Rom, 12. 6,7, 8. tnd therefore warcad romiichof('^«rf/;<»^tha 
 were planted and gathered into the order of the Gofpellj^f^^. 14. 
 13. as Corinth. Ephef.Phil. Celojf. and fo the churches offudea, 
 Galatia^Afta, Macedoniay as we hare noted before; which were 
 no other then fo many diftind bodies, or focietyes of believers, 
 which the Apoftles after they were converted to Chrift, did unite 
 , together in thofc Cities and Countryes : So much is evident from 
 the Epiftles that the Apoftle Paul wrote to thofe Churches : For 
 he doth not write to mU in Corinth, to **// in Rome, to all in Phi- 
 lippi, but to the Saints in thofe Citiei,that were called, and become 
 t Church to Chrift: 'tw?s not every Towne, and City, and Coun- 
 try, that made a Church, as tis n$rv in England^ but/o many at were 
 ealltd And Hnited together iViow people become members of a church 
 by vertue of being born in thofe Townes, and places, and pariflies , 
 where they lire, h\iiabiniti$ mnfmtf\c^i,e, from the beginning 
 it was not fo. 
 
 3. Becaufetill the godly do fall upon this Worke, there are ma- i.Metiw. 
 ny holy and facred dutyes that Jefus Chrift hath laid down to them Ncccffity of 
 in his word, which they will be found to live in thcne2l6<ft and o-^,^^^'^'"^ °''^^* 
 
 •ni « • aience to 
 
 milfton of, vtx.. Chrifts com- 
 
 1. Thatof-/W<<^ 18. 1 7, W/r/j^^Wf^jbut how can thofe tell mandscah for 
 theChurch,thatarenotjoynedtoaChnrch?£hat is, fuch a Church, «t. 
 
 or Congregation of Saintf, as we have in the former Chapter fct 
 downe. 
 
 2. That of I Cor. 5.4, 5 j 15. In the name of onr Lord fefus 
 Chrifi to deliver Juch aone fSathan^ (jre. but how can they caft 
 out oft he Church fuch as arc fcandalous, bythit authority Chrift 
 hath given to it, that are not joyned to any church ? 
 
 3. That of I Cor. 1 4. 1 2, Seekje that je may excelly to the edifym 
 ing of the Church'^ but how can fuch feekc to excel in fpiritutll gifts 
 for this end, that they may edify the church, when they arc of no 
 church ? 
 
 4. That of I Cor^ I4'34' Let yonr women \eef JiUnee injoHr 
 f)E>«rf^r/, that if, church-meetings, ti Se^a tndPifcator readeif, 
 Adulieres veftra in conventibtu Jileant, not that there were feverall 
 diftin(fl particular churcheSj ftanding under ene common clafficall 
 government, as the Presbyterians woiild have it : but how can 
 godly w»men keepe filence in the churches, whtn they are mem- 
 bers of no churches? N 5»T^H 
 
90 A Model of the CongregAtionall tPdy^ 
 
 5 . Thlt of Hel>, 13.17. Ol;ey them that have the ruU ovtryott, 
 andfHbmit jonr [elves ^ but how can they <.bey their Rulers, if they 
 have n >ne to rule and watch over them in the Lord ? 
 
 6. That of Rom. 12. 6,7, 8. But how cm believers keepe up the 
 ad min'ftrition and execution of thofe offices and ordinances in the 
 c'lurchesofChrift, folongasthey arenotinfuch churches, where 
 thofe offices are to be executed ? 
 
 7 That of Gal. 5.1, 15. Sta»<;l faft in the liberty wherewith 
 Chrifi hath made y oft free, & he not,&c. but how can beiiever$/<»»<i 
 fafi in that liberty which Jefus Chril^ hath purchafed for them, and 
 bequeathed unto them, while they are not in aoy Church-ftatc, to 
 which this liberty reftrres > 
 
 4. Mofive. 4' Another reafon is, becaufc there is no other ftate and conditi- 
 Chrift huh or- on that J efus Chrift hath appointed for his Siints in this life, in rt'> 
 dained no other Ution to the enjoyment and f erf ormance of hu fuhlique worjhif, then 
 condition for ^ j^j^^ ^^ ^^f^ jq hcjojned to a particular church, and therefore as 
 
 bidcln"hcref' ^^^^ ^^^ ^^"S of Saints, he ordained not only a word tocall & 
 convert them, but holy o^ces^ and officer s^ holy lams and ordinan- 
 ces to rule and govern them, an d build them up in grace to glory, as 
 Efhef, 4. 10, II, 12. I Cor. 12. 28. Mat, \6. 15? compared 
 '^[thMat. 18. 18. but ©f this we fpake fKfficienily before upon 
 the i^ccond argument. 
 
 5. Motive. 5 . Bccaufe the Lord Jcfus Chrift hath in a more tfpeclaU manner 
 The Word and (y^QJ [,|s Word and Spirit, and ?U his precious Pfomifes,tobelic- 
 frrmore^el"^ versinfuch achurch-ftatc^as Exod. 20. 24. i Kings 9, 3. Efayj^, 
 ciaUrcmaikd ^y^.^ndi'^. (J, 7, 8. Efoj 56. 7. Pfal.l^l. 13,14, 15. Mat.6^ 
 to ihij church- 35.-^^/. 18. I5?^204^ere the Saints miy inarnQrefullandexcel- 
 ftatc. kit manner expeAthe.prefencc of Jefus Chrill by vjzyofafpjf' 
 
 ingy (fuickning^ comfuningyf^nHifjingy aodi firengthening ofthem^ 
 and therefore this (hould greatly prevailewith them to come in to- 
 thischurch-ftaie. 
 6'. Motive. ^, Becaufe the Lord Jefus Chrift doth own fuch particular chur-^ 
 
 ^oft^d-'^ht 10 c**^*°^ Saints.as the places of hisgceateft deligfct,.asappeares. 
 
 Saints in this % Cor, (^, 1 6. j ^ ^\' s i - v'i\k\Kf^ 
 
 church-ftate. . 2, iGtjhathe not only walkes 'mXhtOifhlit Udgethanddivels in, 
 
 thoaiy they ace hi$,refting. place, w feeteihctalwiiwciet repofe, Pfa/, 
 
 iij^** 13, J4» tnd 7** 2, ftnd %^» 8. 
 
according to the Scnptures. p t 
 
 5. In thit heiQ he feetifs, Cant. !♦ 7. 4^6. 2, j.evpry particulir 
 church of Saints is as a Bed of Spices, \u\\ of fweet' e5 & pU aliintncs 
 to Jcfus Chrift, here he catcs his pleafAnt fruits^ Cant 4. 1 6. 
 
 4.1nthathere he imparts hit toves^ Cant. 7. i2.Cririll and (ha 
 Saints do mutually impart their inward bolomc ddights to each o«- 
 ther,a man will not let out his heart to others^ as be will and dofh 
 to his wife, nor the wife to any as to her husband : Now Chrilt and 
 the Saints in church-fellowfliip arc as husband and wife. 2. Cor. xi.i. 
 
 5, In that here Jdus Chrift doth mere then ordinarily hold forth 
 and manifeft his glory, as G©d did ot old in the Tabernacltj/yii/. 
 6^.1. which wasa type of particular churches now under the C^of- 
 pell, and Chrifts appearing in his glory to them, byh;swordand 
 Spirit. Indeed it cannot bedenyed but J .fus Chritl doth hold Forth 
 the glory ol his wifdomc, andpower,and goodiies,and holines,and 
 truth in every place, but no where ss in the A^emblies of the Satntsi 
 here the Spirit rcvcalcs the glory of Chrift inall thefetoandupoo 
 the hearts of the Saints in a farre more eminent manner and degree, 
 in pardoning their finnes^ fubduing their eerruftions ^ healing their 
 bacl^-jlidings ,cHrtngtheir di/lempers/Hppljing their yvantSyjirength- 
 ning their weakenes t jttppor ting them under their tronbles, helping 
 them againfl their infirmities ^ defending them again^ their aetverfU' 
 rieSy perfeSling and encreafing their gifts and gr aces , miking them 
 frmifnU in helines, and crowning them with loving kjndnes, and tin- 
 der mercies f as they find by experience. All which fhewes us how 
 much lefus Chrift takes delight and pleafure in the right ordered 
 congregations of the Saints. 
 
 7. To make out this wor^/*^^^', the Scriptures fpetke of many . 
 
 notable and lingular f>r»z;i7.r<f^« which fuch (hall enjoy in this re- M^nTcineiiht 
 lation, which may be another argument to move the Saints. privilcjgcs the 
 
 1 . Here they fhall have afeaft of fat things, Efay 1 j , 5, 7, Sainn. enjoy la 
 
 2. Here Death jhall befwallonedup in vtHorj, v, 8. ^*"' church- 
 J.Here they ihtU enjoy ajuller manifefiation ofG9dshve,Pf(tL ^^^' 
 
 36.8. 
 
 4. Here the Lord v/i\l command the blejjlngta them and theirs^ 
 ffal. 133.6. 
 
 5 . Here they fhill fee the King in hie beauty ^ £fay 33. 17, that is, 
 in his excellent ordinances and 6ofpcll adminiftrations. 
 
 tf. Here they (hall hive gloriotu proteHion and f^fifj^ fitting un* 
 
 N 2 d«c 
 
9 i A Modell of the Congregmonall rv4y 
 
 under ilie Banner of Chrifts love, Cavt, i.^. EfayA.$y6.fael,2, 
 ult. And here the gloriotM Lord, rviH bt a place ofhroad Rivers and 
 firetintcs ,ry'her€in Jljall go no GaUie with OareSj neither JhaH gallant 
 Ship pajft therelrjfy JerHfalem Jhali be a qnht habitatien^ Efaj 35, 
 ^.a iff/"m>/i. 20/ 21. 
 
 "'^^'unTftT 7* Here they {halU»f^r»«rtf Chrifis fVine-celUr, and be ftayed 
 flpJod'ivLa'^' with his fljggonSj'andcoiuForted with his Apples, being fick of 
 fib hoflibui hi' love, Cant. l. 5 . 
 
 7mtu>:G]2.s:. 8. Here their foules (htWgrorv up as calves in the S t all ^vn^[p read 
 in loc. vol. S- forth their rootes as theTrees of Lebanon, HoC 14.^, 7, 8. yea here 
 ^' ^ ^' they (hall (Imrijh and grow fat ^ and bring forth fruit in their eldage, 
 
 PfaKpi. 13, 14. 
 
 9. In a word, here they (hall enjoy heaven upon earth, and glory 
 on this fide glory, fo that they rhallfay, tis good being here, and ner 
 ■jtr- i)er repent their conditio n^vsyi defire to go back again to the Tents of 
 
 rfer £^('»*;V<?/,butgoontriu:nphJn.;»inthe fervice of Jehovah, till 
 they come to breathjout their ibules into thearines of Chrift their 
 everlafting husband. 
 8. Motive. 8. To make out this more fully as another argument to prevaile 
 
 The Saints en- with the godly hereunto, confiderthe excellent helps and meanes 
 joy many ex- t^gy Q^^y enjoy in thefe focieties, tofurtbtr them in the wayes of 
 andTcfvamapcI godlines, and advantage their eterndl welfare, as 
 to their foules I* Here they (hallerjoy all Gods ordinances in G'oii^tfM'«»4/, 
 in this church- after his own mind, and accompinied with his fpeciaHpomr to raake 
 ^^'•* them effeSlua/lto their foules, which they cannot en Joy out of thefe 
 
 affemblies :becaufe the Lord hath not annexed his pro mife of mee- 
 ting his people out of his own way, where he walkes. 
 '-^ . a . H^c they fhall enjoy Chrifts own injliiHteddifcipline and go« 
 ^^C- vernment, (the excellency of which I fliall fpeak to in the next 
 
 place j which is very effeduall, to prevent from falling, and to re- 
 cover when poore foules are falne, and which is no where clfe to 
 befoundiV^^M^. c^ 1 8. 
 
 !• 3. Here they fliall have the help of the Saints in a more fpeciall 
 manner engaged to Uok^after them^ t^ watch over them, that they go 
 notaftray; or if th£y be overtaken at anytime, to relKr^ thema- 
 , gainej n^J^ in a ^(fffgh* :\^t\^din^eek-3kn^ gentle fnanner^i Qal,6. 1. . 
 
 J 
 
dccording to the Scriptures, p^ 
 
 fljedmth cheerfuheffe J their affliftions and temptations h\d to 
 heart. If they are in prifun, or fick, they ftiall be vifited, and pray- 
 ers made for them, for their fupport in, or deliverance out of their 
 troubles. AEl. 12.5,12. If they have unruly paflions bredkiMgostt^ 
 here they (hall be w^r*^^; if their minds he feeble ^ here they (hall 
 be comforted, i Thef, 5 . 1 4 . 
 
 5. Here they (hali have /^<rr/<ti?cccafions to extrcife i\ko(eg\(is 
 and graces they have received from Jclus Chrift, for the edifying 
 themfclves and thtir brethren in love, and building up each other 
 in their moft holy faith, i Thecal. 5, 1 1, lude 20; 1 CorinthtAris 
 14.12. 
 
 6. Laftly, here they fhall find snd meet with all the encourage- 
 ments that their hearts can delire to make thenr Wj, hnmhle, hea- 
 'venlj, cheerfully and ahotwding in the Spirit y becaufe here they (ball 
 enjoy mofl of God, and be under his conimuall care, and watchfuU 
 providence for good, as I hare before fhewed you. And therefore 
 this lliould be a great encouragement to the gcdly to joyne them- 
 felves. 
 
 9. In the ninth plxc, I fhall defire the godly to fet before them, 9; ^^«/'^'f. 
 XhGheatttj^excellencj^and glory of this Chftrch-fiate^ ^'""^ '^^^^^^ b->'^ui a H^r^ 
 theGorpeiI,above,and beyond all other Church-flates whatfoevcr, ry^ that ilifnes 
 that are falfe and fpurioiisj to which end and purpofe I fhall fet b?- forth in this 
 fore them thefe fix things. Church-ftacc, 
 
 1 . The originallrife andjpring ofthit Chfffch-fiate, 
 
 1 . The matter cf which it is coinfofed. 
 
 3 . The mennes bj which it is effeBed, 
 
 4. The Larves^and OrdiJiances bj which it is governed jind the man- 
 ner how they are adminiftred. 
 
 5 . The power and priviledge^ with which it is invejied. 
 
 6. Lafilj, ths ends and purpafes, for which it is ordained, 
 
 I. The original], rife, and fpring of thisChurch-llaterNow 
 this is from above ^ not from beneath-^ from hea ven, not from earth-^ 
 from Cfl^, not from men. Tisnotin all the power of wf;? and y/«- 
 gels tocompafle and bring about fuch a worke, as we have Qie wed. 
 Chap. I . This is a honfe for none but wfdome herf-clfe f build^ Pro. 
 p. i,2.whoi»nootherthcIefusChri(tthe^/rr«<i/Sonof Godjthe 
 wifdom of thcFather, y'auyj^r^a /^ /o^.I^ >t5 )(f^^''f-h»? T«f \:z^^Titu{ twrS, 
 the brightncs of his Fathers glory, ^indthe expreJTe image of his per- 
 
 ' N 3 [on, 
 
^j| A Model of the Congregdtiomlltvdf^ 
 
 foH,Hei>. 1 , 3.jncl thereFore thischurch-ftite isfaid to comedown 
 *Eccle(ia Do- ?rom above, From heaven, Rev. 21 . «;id the najie oka* Jehovah 
 tnin^.* ibi\ no- Shamah, thcLord isiheit:,E<.ek. ult, ult. All other churCr-ftates 
 men habct^ijma arg from beneath, oFinens framing and conftituting, they may call 
 ^/Tj"''^ "^'i' corruption their Father, and the worme their Mother and their Si- 
 Ires TemtezAti ^^^> ^^ Job faid of himfelfe, for they fhall all of them perifh and be 
 funtin nomine confumed at thebrghtncscf lefus Chrifts comming, 2 T^if/'. a. 8. 
 mco,ibi fum but Mount J'/i'w, that isfromabove,endureth for ever. 
 in medioeofurr. j 'j'j,g njattcr whereof this church-ftate is cooapofed : now 
 fntc ^^^* ^* f piritual and heavenly ,w?.. fuch as are fandifyed in Chi ift le- 
 
 Job. 17. 14. fuSjCalledtobeSaints, I Cor. i. 2. fpiritual worth ippers,/©/;. 4.24. 
 And hence it is, that the true vifible churches of Chrift are frequent- 
 ly ftyh d heaven in Scripture, is Mat, 1 3 . 24. 3 1 . 47. and Rev. 1 2. 
 j.tndli.v.Rejoyce ye heavens and je that dvfell in them^ i»oe to 
 the inhah'uants of the earthy &c. by which heavens can beunder- 
 flood no other but the vifible congregations of the Saints : fo Revel, 
 15.1, 5. and 18. 20. I ^. I. 21. I. and there cannot be a more 
 lively pid:ure, or emblem oFhtaven,then this church-ftate on earth, 
 which I (hall make out, in thefe feriefe refemblances. 
 
 1. Heaven we all know is a high place, not only feparatcd 
 from, but elevated farre above the earth ; fo are the vifible churches 
 of Chrift^, though they be in the world, yet farre above the world, 
 and therefore compared to a mountaine^and a City upon a hil/,Prop'» 
 ter altitudinem, Efay 2. 2, 3. 30. 9. Mat. 5. 14. , 
 
 2. Heaven is t place of purity andholincs, the inhabitants of it 
 arc all pure and holy, for no unrighteous pcrfon can enter into it,as 
 I Cor.6.^.So ihevifible churches of Chrift are places of purity and 
 holincfit, no uncleane pcrfon isDeJHreyi.e^ ofright, to enter into 
 this church-ftate. Rev. 21.27. neither is any that worketh abomi- 
 nation to be tollcrated in it,but to be put away,and caft out. i Cer, 
 5. i^.Rev. 2. 2. 
 
 3. Heaven isa placeGfunfpeakeablefweetnes, and joy,tothofe 
 thatareinit, therebeingaSeaofboundleflfe and bottomlefle plea- 
 fiires,in which the Saints (hall bathe themfelves to all eternity, 
 Pfai. i6.ult. So in this vifible church-ftate the Saints that are up- 
 right in heart, are filled and overcome oftentimes with the /eyes of 
 the Spirit^ having fellowfliip with the Father, and his Son lefus 
 Chrift, in the pure and precious ordinances of his worftiip, i hh. 
 
 1.3. 
 
According te the Scriptures, p j 
 
 1.3. They are abundiiuiy I'aiisryed with fhcfafnesof hishouff, 
 and mebr'arrdor made drunke with the R i vers d Gods pleafurcs, 
 Pjal. 36.8. they are carried into Chrifts winc-ccUar, and ftayed 
 witbhiS fliggons, »nd comforted with his Apples, being fick of 
 love, C<*»^. 2.4.inaword, they are inade partakers of tholcjuyejt 
 that eye hath not fcen,nor eare heard,neither hath it entered into the 
 heart of man to conceive', i C^r.i.p 10, 
 
 4. Heaven is a place of great and wondcrfull dignity, honour & 
 glory, where the Inhabitants have allof thcin thtir crownesiipun 
 theirhcad$,toftt forth their excellent and high condition, i Pet.^, 
 4. fothc menrjbersof thischurch-ftate oneanh,3rcperfons of great 
 honour and dignity, thoBgh the world fceth it not, and therefore 
 they are ftyled Kings and Priefts to God, Rev. i . 6. and they have 
 crownes of gold on their hcadj, Rev. 4. 4. and 5 . iq, and thty fit 
 on thrones, Pfal. 122.5. haying power com oiitted to them, both 
 of binding and loofing, opening and (hutting the Kingdomo of 
 heaven, Mat. 18. ip by their officers. 
 
 5. In H^«?-:/f« there is a lively and fwect communion of Saints > 
 that live m wonderful love together,taking unfpcakeabli delight Sc 
 joy in each others focicty and fellowship: Sotiswith the Saints 
 in this church- ftateonearth,their hearts are linked together in won- 
 derful! love and dearc affeftion one towards another, asbretheren 
 and fifters dwtllingtogether;& if they are at any time at yariancc, 
 through the cunning of the Tempter,or the corruption of their own 
 hearts, to which the bcft of the Saints are fubjed, while they are 
 htre, yet they are not at reft till they are reconciled, and their hearts 
 clofing againe fwceily each with other, Pfa,l. 133. i . 
 
 6. In^Mt/^w, the Saints and Angels do contmually found forth 
 the praifcs of the eternall Gcd : So is it in the congregations of the 
 Saints here on earth, there is nothing more they areafFcftcd with, 
 and exercifed in, Rev. /^. ^,10, 11, and 5 . 8, to 1 2 . and 1 5 . a, 3 , 
 4.andi9. 1,2^9,4 5,6. 
 
 7. Heaven is the place where God d welJ,and doth more t^eciaSy 
 DKrkebimfelfsknawn to the Saints and Angels .'So here the con- 
 gregations and churches of the Saints, are the places where the glo- 
 ry of God in the face ofjffus Chrift, doth more efpccially fhino 
 foixh, and his mind is iaetd« known by his Spirit, as I have (hewed 
 ii3.tk« % , Mctive. 
 
 8. In 
 
g6 A ModeS of the Congregational! tvay 
 
 ■ 8. In ths lower heavens are placed the Suttnej Moont a»dStarres, 
 to give light and infljence to the earth, without which thecarth 
 v/ouldfoon corrupt and grow inhabitable: So in the vifible chur- 
 ches of Chrift,is placed the light of the truth,and glorious Miniftery 
 ot the word, and other fhining ordinances, 2indMvitiei»fiitmio»s, 
 without which the whole world of mankind, would live rather 
 IW^tBeafis then«?f»,andbe incontinuall danger of (inking under 
 the burthen of Gods wrath. 
 
 9. The lower heavens are oftentimes darknedt with clouds, 
 ftormes, and tempefts that are generated in the middle region of 
 the aire, fo that many times, neither: Sftme, MooKCf nor Starres, 
 do appeare, but are, as if they were not, to our difcerning, and yet 
 they have their being not withftanding thefe clouds andftormes: 
 So it is with the vifible churches of the Saints, they irafb clouded 
 many times with the tempefts and ftormes of perfecutions, &c. 
 that they fcarcc Teem tobc^ having no glory, nor beauty, that ex- 
 ternally appeares to the eye of men, as C«i»r, i. 5. •■ 
 I o. Laftly, Heaven is a place that abideth for ever,there is no ene- 
 my to overcome & conquer it.- fo tis with this Church»ftate of le- 
 fus Chrifts inftituting & ordaining, he hath paflfed his word, which 
 cannot f ailc, that the gates of hell [hall not prevaile dgaivji it, as in 
 Mat, 16. iS, 
 
 By all which we cleerly fee, of what a fpirituall frame and con- 
 ftitution this true Gofpel Church-ftate of Chrifts appointment is, 
 tutitisfarotherwife with all other falfe Church ftatci thatara 
 not gathered according to Chrifts order and appointment; for 
 they are made up of the world, cages of all tmclcane birds, habita- 
 tions of devils, andallfou]ofpirits,iJ«v.i8.2.drunktrds,fwearer$, 
 lyars, Idolaters, Adulterers, petfccators, and what not fare 
 Chftrch'Tuemhrs. 
 
 3. The next particular thaf holds forth the beauty and excel- 
 lency of this true (^o(pd Chnrch-ftate of Chrifts Jnftitfition, is the 
 *":;id.M.D«/7f proper meanes and way by which it is gathered and brought fo 
 ( a learned pafle. Now thefe mcancs are no other then the- * PVord and Spirit, 
 Presbyterian) ^^^^ a 8 . 1 ^ . leh. 1 d. 8. as in the Primitive times from the pra<ftice 
 iTeforl theTo-^ ^^^^^ Apoftles i$ moft cleare.Thc vifible Churches of Chrift were 
 nourable houfe then gathered and piloted, Verho^non Ferro^by the rrgrd.not by the 
 of Com. 2-39' Sword, Nonewew cmpd/cd by ^t^xaiW force oivialence to bcf 
 ~ ' ■ Icev© 
 
According to the Scriptures. P7 
 
 lleveinCIiriftjindcomeirtoc^Turch-kll )\vrhip,biit asthen'iJriand 
 Spirit d'ldenllghten them,&;W^r/; drav them to Chrifl and hi"; or- 
 dinances of worfhip,fo they came in willingly, freely proFtffing 
 their fubjedion to the Gofpdl of Chrifl:, i Cor. 913 ASh. a. 37, 
 41 . But 11 is othcrwife with falfe Antichrifiian church-fiates^ they 
 force men to the hith, and ufe of church ordinances; themtanes 
 they ufe are externall, by power and p ol'cy, allurement s or thriat- 
 ning.the Foxes Skinne, or the Lyons Paw, the noyfeof Axesand 
 Hammers are heard in the building of their churches; fo that let 
 perfons be what they will, have they confcience or no confcier.ce, 
 knowledge or no knowledge,they rouft come in and (ubj\ d to their 
 powtr, and authority, as is the pradiic of Antichrirt, Rev. 12. 15. 
 16, 1 7. and thus (hey make whole Nations chr'tfiUns, indchttr- 
 chts^ (though falfe ones) fuddenly,and in a day, 
 
 4. The Lay^es and ordinAnces ^y which this true Gofptll church 
 fiate is ordered and goYcrned, and the manner how they arc admi- 
 niltrcd. 
 
 1. The Lav^cs and ordinances by which this Gofpell Church- 
 ftate is ordered and governed. Now thefeare none other, but ^/. 
 vine tnftitutiom, fuch as Chrift gave in commiflion to his Apofiles, 
 to teach thofe that they converted, and made difciples, by the 
 preaching of the word, to obferve, Mat, 28, 20. Teaching them to 
 obferveall th^t 1 have commanded jou: and therefore faith the A- 
 portle, that which I received of the Lord, that I deliver unto you, 
 I Cor, II. 23. but its othcrwife with ali/««//tf church-fiates^thQ 
 lawes by which they are ordered andgovcrned, are not (imply di- 
 vine, and fetcht from rhe unerring rule of Gods word, but from un- 
 written Traditions from the Cannons and conftitutions of men, 
 carnallordinancesof the creature, not of Chrifts appointment. 
 
 2. The manner how thefe divine Lawes and ordinances of Chrifl: 
 are executed and adminiflred m this Gofptll church-ftate. Now 
 This is done bywiy oiinjfrui}ion, exhortation, comfort jreproofe^ 
 andcorre^ion, in all meekenes,gentlenes^ ^ongfuffering^ and for ha- 
 rance, uling the Keycs of this Kingdome ot Chrift, not in a 
 Lordly, and Majefteriad way, but in allhumblenesandfeare,as 
 Chrift himfcUe the author of them, whofe way of dealing with men 
 was in all gentlenes, and love ; and by this rule he hath charged all 
 the officers of bis Kingdome to walke towards his Saints, that 
 
 O ^ arc 
 
98 A Model of the CongregdtknAU rvdj , 
 
 are his Sab/e<5ls, which have asgreit right in him, as thofe he 
 
 hath made rulers over thfm, for in him they areallbut fellow- 
 
 * vidDunci fervants& brethcrenj& thL*inc«nift of them (*5 U.Dnry hithob- 
 
 Sermon before (erved in his Serm. before cited) in cife of any oft-^r ce may call the 
 
 of Coiimonf"^'' greateft, though he were an ^pejile,yeithc chiercft of the ydptjlles, 
 
 utfiipi-a.p.j^'i. to an account, as we fee it fell out inAEl^ ii. But tis not loin o- 
 
 thachurch-ftateSjthat are not according tothcordcr of theGof- 
 
 *vid Duries P^^^' ^°^ ufually they deale with the foules of men, as with * Beafis 
 
 Sermon, ttt i" ^ meere arbitrary way and manner, binding men to do all they 
 
 fnpra.p. 40. command them VoUns nolens ^ let confcience be for it or agtinft it, 
 
 requiring no more thsn 1 meere implicite faith, ignorantly to obey, 
 
 only becaufe commanded, as a horfe f urneth this or that way, be- 
 
 cauie he that rides him, drawes the bridle to this or that hanj, ha» 
 
 ving no refpeft to reafon or confcience : and herein indeed (as the 
 
 fame M. Dnry in his Sermon faith, The great whore of Babylon, the 
 
 mother of fornication ^ hath out-fiript all the refi of the earth in policy ^ 
 
 andjhewed to aH the Kings of the earthy the depth of the myfterieof 
 
 iniquity w J^// /{indof government; fo that they have drunk^ out »f 
 
 the cup of her fornications^ and their Statef-men have committed 
 
 adultery with her, 
 
 5 . The Porver and Priviledge, with which this Church-ftate of 
 Chrifts inftitnting is inverted, This holds forth the beauty of it; 
 here none are higher and greater then other, or Handing in fubjedi- 
 on and fubordination one to another, but are all alike in jttrisdiBioa 
 and authority, (as I have proved before in the fecond Chapter j all 
 (Sifter churchcs,all golden Candleftick$,all fellow fervanls and bre- 
 thren, feekingthe welfare and happincfie one of another; having 
 thrones of judgement fet up within every one of them, and whole 
 Chrift to be their King, Prieft, and Prophet, by and from whom 
 they enjoy tU hlspoyfcr andpr^mifes, all his facred Larves andtrdif 
 nances, to rule and govern them, to quicken, comfort and eftabliQi 
 them in the truth, but its farre otherwife with thofe church-ftates 
 that are not of Chrifts conftituting and framing, for all their power 
 and priviledge is lock-up within the compap of the Cleargy, thsit i»- 
 grojfeallthe pow^r to themfelves, and among ihemlelves; for they 
 tn3ikQthem(e\vt5the prime fuhjeBoi all church-power and authori- 
 ty, & are a diftinSl body of themfelves from the people, they call the 
 taycty^ & hereupon, having all power in theflafclves, they have all 
 
 Lawc$> 
 
According t$ the Scriptures, p^ 
 
 Liwcf, Ordinances, and adtninidrations in themfelre?,bethey 
 divine or humane, andean adde ordetnd astheypleafcjthecpw- 
 gregAttBtts under them, being meerely fajftve.fmhtr then their au- 
 thority and injttnmons aCl them; whieh ii little Itffc then meere 
 flavery aud bondage, altogether unbefceming the htcDeni^onsoi 
 Sion, 
 
 6. Laftly, The facred ends for which this Gofpell church-ftatc 
 was ordained. And they ire thefe t wo. 
 
 1 . Tht exalt 4Uon oiiYte great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrifl-. 
 for here hu name is great , Pfal. 75. I, i, 3. Efaj i 2. 4, 5, 6. here 
 he ii greatly fearedandreyerencedyJiS Pfal. 8^.7. Herehu noble aCls 
 are declared, andhu fraife Jet forth ^ Pfal. i4p. i. Ephef, J.w/f. In 
 this true Gofpell church- ftate, theetcrnall Goden/oyestheperfc^ 
 dion of his Saints, hisfervics by them in this ftate, being far more 
 eminent, rich, and noble, then when performed fingly , and by t hem- 
 felvcs alone, gs Rom, 16. 6, That je may Vfith one mind anhne moMth 
 glorify God. 
 
 2, The bringing of the Saints intonearer fcllowfhip withGod, 
 and Jefus Chrift, i Cor. 1.9,2 Cor, 6.16. i foh. 1.3. both which 
 are not carnall but fpirituall ends,whcras the ends of a falfe church- 
 ftate are carnall, not fpiritusll : more felfe, then Chrifl, is ay med at 
 by t ho fo that are the founders of it, viz.thck own greatnes, power, 
 and dominion, their own fleajurc, eaft, profit ^ to have all in fub/edi- 
 on to them, not to Chrift ^ fo they may have ^uabfolute being of 
 thetnfelvcs, and have all things in Subjecflion to them, rcithout 
 tontrelly Cfor naturally all falfe and A ntichriftiin government, rea- 
 cheth to this, and are the only Jndependants, as they ufe the word) 
 that's all iheycare for or looke after, as we faw inthcPrr/<i;^/of 
 late, and are like to fee in their f uccef or s , if the God of all mercy and 
 grace, prevent not. 
 
 I o. In the tenth place,this fhould move the Saints to this excel- 10. Motive. 
 Icntworke. bccaufe till they do come out from the wicked, and Without ihii 
 feparatethemfelves, and fall upon the praftife ofthisChurch-fcl- '^^ workc^ 
 low(hip,they willnotonly by their contmuanceamonft them, en- ""y^-^^J!^^^^ 
 danger thcmfelves by partaking in their pollutions, but alfo all en- pqrpofe. 
 dcavours to reforone the worlhip of Chrift, and exalting his King- 
 dome here in England, will be greatly obftr uftcd, if not altogether 
 in vaine, and to no pnrpofe. For grant the Preliticall government 
 
 O2 " be 
 
1 00 ^ Moddl eft he CongregatmaUmjl^ 
 
 bereoaoved, and the Presbtcdall ki up in the roomeofit, which 
 many wife men do much quefti^in, and not without caufe, yet 
 they will find it a work not lo feilabk 6c pt ifibk to lu'c & j^ovtrn 
 the rude multitude, as they imagine; but notwithflandaj^ all their 
 terrible thunderbolts of excommunication, and delivering them o- 
 Sii Brachio fecuUri.ihty \v'\\\ be the rude multitude ftilJ, if they 
 {hould fitneverlo ronchinthe chaire of Repentance^ of the Presby- 
 terians making, yet that would have no (pirituall rffictcy upon 
 their hearts, but they would be loolc ftill,and prophane rtiil>as wo- 
 fuU experience ftiewe« it in. Scotland and other places, where this 
 DifciplineisonFoot. ;( ^; j : . /.. «?-i^-. - 
 
 II. Laftly, to adde no more, Is not this the day Q^Englanfls 
 VovoeSy to become the Lor els, 4ttd his Chrifts ? Have they not cove- 
 nanted ReformAtion in the Worfhip of God, according to the rule ef 
 his Word, and not after the roill andcomfnatuis ofmsn^ or their own 
 or others inventions} And doth not the Lord now expeft that they 
 fliould performe their vo wes ? 
 
 If any defire further Arguments to move them hereunto,they may 
 read M. Btfrroughs his Mofes Choije, that hj^th oiuch to this puc- 
 pofe, from p. 260. to ^.3 3 5. 
 
 So that all thtfe things rightly and duely i^^eighcd, I hope the 
 godly will be provoked every where, fpeedily to fet upon this 
 courfeof joyning together where they live, or tofomeparticuUr 
 churches neare them, where they ffiiy enjoy feUowfbip with Je- 
 {us Chrift and his Saint$,and.be built up from glory to glory. How 
 they (hould be able to fet about this excellent, worke, I fliaJi flic^ 
 in the next Chapter thsit folio weth» 
 
 €HAP- 
 
according to the Scriptures. i o i 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 How 4rtd in yvhat manner the go^lj are tO(mhodj and jojn them- 
 [elves together into holy chttrch'fcllowjhip. in the places where 
 they live, and what cenccmes thtm<to ktiow And pra^ije ajter their 
 embodjing, 
 
 THis Chapter confiQs of two partj. 
 • I. Hovvthe godly are to embody. 
 "^ ' 2. What conccrnes their knowledge and praftife after em- 
 bodying. 
 
 Touching the firft, the embodying of the Saints together. For 
 the better efl:t<fling of It, three things are to be done by them. 
 • I> They are to it^fornte themfelvcs touching the x\^hi order of the 
 Gofpell whatif^, and ^on»it waspradiftd, by t\\cchMrehes,\n\h^ 
 dayes of the Apoftlcs, before it was deflenred and abufed with tha 
 dreggsoi mens inventions: The Saints are to ohi^xv tthep.it tern 
 in the Mount, (that is) they are to looke to the Primitive infiitHti' 
 fl»/of Chrift, and obftrve them, and walke accuiding tothem, 
 in all the wor(hipof God : When Mofes was to build the Taher^ 
 nacle^ he was to looke to the puttem that God gave him in tha 
 Aiottnt^ and he did fo, and he was judgLdf^ithfull before the Lord 
 for fb doing, H^^. 5. and David after himjsnd other of the Servants 
 Oif God, they diligently looked into the Booke of the Law, that 
 they'mig^knDw how to proceed in fuch a work as this,?s huilding 
 theTemphy and thus Jefus ChriO, when thequeftion wasputto 
 hin-j about divorce, he brings them to the firft »»/?i/«r/V«: aindthe 
 Apoftle Faul in the bufincs of the Supper of the Lord, hcraifeth 
 tiierouptothcCDnliderationGfthe ^i^kinfiitutiony i C9r, ir. 14, 
 2 5.Af^clfo (hould thegcdlyin this way of becumminga rtmple^ 
 and Haufe to God, and Jefus C^irt : looke how and in what man- 
 ner it was done in the Premitive r*«;f/;.aiid tiiete is great rcalon for 
 it, i.Becaufe iiTertuiiinn faith, J^ed prim nm, optimum, that 
 VihAQhiifirfi iibefi^' 2. Bccaufethc I'rimitivc order wa> It-tto be 
 a p«««r» to all fucceeding generations, till Jefus Chrift i&/w/fy/<r do 
 €ome. 3^ Becaufe in fo doing, we give a.ieftimony of ou: honour- 
 I.-" ' ■ ~^' '""'■" ■ 63"" ing 
 
102 A Model of the CongregAtlonaU tvdj^ 
 
 ingof Chrift In following hiscomminds. And laftiy,bcciufe then 
 wc may cxpecTb his ^IffiHg on our endeavours : but on the contrary, 
 we fhall provoke him to anger, as they did ofold, that tooke not 
 the due and ri^/b/sr^rr of bringing the Aik<i to ferufalem. i Crort, 
 15.13. 
 
 a. When we have done fo, then we arc to fit down and compare 
 our felves in our frefent Rations , with that ^\^ order oftheGof- 
 pcll, and fee how hnQfhort we have come ot it, and then be4/^<«- 
 «»f<i and ^/«/5&, and be eonfeuHOed betore the Lord, for the ncgled: 
 of Gur duty all this while,and beg pardon through Chrift, as Heze^ 
 kiah did, for thofe that have eaten the PaffeovertfJ^^rwiyjr thcnit 
 was written,».«.thenGod htdinftimtedaHdordainedyiCroH.ioiS, 
 ip. and this is requifite to (uch a condition, JE<.^^. 43. 11,12. 
 and if they be a&amed of all they have done, Qiew them the forme 
 of the houfe, and the fafhion thereof. 
 
 3, When the godly hiYec^deavoHredthlStthen inthc fir eft£th ohhQ 
 Lord of glory, they are tofet upon the bringing of themfelves 
 and all thgy take in hand about this worke, to that Primitive order, 
 
 ^ But you will fay, we may miftake in this point, unlcffc 
 wc be direfted, as many do to this day, feme going too farre on the 
 right hand, and others too farre on the left, and both are dangerous. 
 It would bontceffary therefore to afford us fome hclpe, by (hewing 
 vphat this order of the Cojpell ftr, which the godly are to come up un- 
 to in their praftife,for the right worQiippingofGod. 
 
 Anf, To helpe therefore in this thing, I fhall afford what light 
 1 have received from Jcfus Chrift in the Scriptures, touching this 
 particular, and refeire all I have to fay touching the true order of 
 the Golpell the Saints are to obfcrYe,to three heads. 
 
 1. Tori^^r/wr^iw/'Jofworfhip. 
 
 2. "ioright ferfons that are to make ufe of thofe mcancf. 
 
 3. Tothe right manner ^ or method of putting thcfa mcanesinto 
 praftife. 
 
 i.Wehtmcanci Touching the firft of thefc, the right meines of worfliip. Now 
 of worfliip. by thefe I underftand true and pure ordinances, fuch as Jefus Chrift 
 the Head & King of his Church htthsLloncinpkHted and command* 
 ed^MatiZ.ult, I Cor. 11,21. and is. 28. Andthereafonisthis, 
 becaufe if the worfliip we pertorme and bring to God, be not of his 
 own ordering andafpointingfihou^fi it be nGYer {0 Redout andglo* 
 
 rioHS, 
 
according to the Scriptures. 1 03 
 
 m«/totheeyeof man, and p/ea/iagto cur fclves, yet it will not 
 flea/e the Lord, for he will be ferved in his orvne way, and by his 
 or^rincanes and irfti(utiors, cr elfe he rtjcds it, as Cpw- 
 mitndemeMti, C#/.2. 
 
 ^j*efl. But -what tre iho(e GcJpeH'OrMnancet and ineanes of 
 worfhip which Jefuj Chrift hath infiitntecl and ordained for 
 the Saints to ufe? 
 
 Anf,\. The /»«r^ Word of God preached, as it iscontaine>"^ in the 
 Scriptures of the Old and New Tcftament, AJat,i%, 1 p. A£l.6.^* 
 Ro?ft.i.l6. ^10.14,15,1^,17. 
 
 2. The pure and precious feaUs of the Covenant of Grace, given 
 to the Saints, viz,, Bapti/me, and the Lords Supper , MAt,i2.i^» 
 I C#r.i 1.15,24. 
 
 3. The gift of conceived Pr4j/er from the afliftance of the Spi- 
 rit, >^^.^.4. Ror».S.26j2j. 
 
 4. Singingof Pfalmes, /I^rff.a^.go. i Cor.14.15. CoL^.i6, 
 
 5. Theadminiftrationof the Cenfures, opening and (butting 
 theKingdomeofheaven,-<^^?.i6. criS. i Or.5.4. 
 
 6. A right Miniftery to difpcnle all thcfc, vi^.. thofe offices and 
 c fficers Chrift hath ordained and given to this cndyEph./^. 1 1 . 
 
 7. Laftly, a Church or congregation of Saints , in which all 
 thefe are to be difpenfcd, obferved and perfortncd,as i Ctfr.i a.28, 
 Thefe I take to be the true and right meanes of worfhip. 
 
 2. Toright«wM»«ofworftiip, there muft be right perfonsto 
 make ufe of thefe meanes. Now thefe muft cineceffitybQ ifuch as 
 can make ufe of thofe fpirituall meanes, in tjpirittMll manner, and 
 they can be none but fuch as are fpirituall, i. e, that are fanAified 
 in Chrifl Jefus, and calladto be Saints, i Cor.i,^, fuch as are 
 adcd by the Spirit, and indeed fuch oncly doth the Lordfeeke to 
 worfhiphim, ^^0/7.4. 23. for they oncly can worftiip him in fpirit. 
 But as for others that arc yet dead in iiidrfmnes Mnktre^AJfes, and 
 jlavej to Satam and their owne ^f*fis, as all naturall pcrlonf are, he 
 feeketh not after them to worftiip him, for they cannot make ufe 
 of thofe inftituted meanes of worQiip, though the fault be, not the 
 Lords, but their <?>«»**, and they fhall one djy anfwer for it ; they 
 cannot/>r4/,nor/<i/fpiritually, nor performc any duty of Gods 
 worfhip acceptably, for they are dejlitute of the Spirit . defiitute of 
 faith ,fira»iers t9 th^ cavcMntofpromife, withtut G od^and Chriff , Ephcf.a.iz; 
 
 and 
 
104 '^ Mvdell oft he Csngregamnall ivaj, 
 
 c-indhepe in the world. Ycu they poi/'/tce thcie holy ordinsnCilS of 
 
 Godi w^^riliip, whc-n ever tht-y make ufeol- them, and thereby 
 
 provoke the Lord to wrath, ts Pfal,^o. .6,iy E/aj i.i^^ij^, 
 
 fer.j 7,8. they are a burthen to the Lord and his pt^ople , as the 
 
 Sodornites svtYt to Let, ixn^ihfivoicksd were io David, and IndtK 
 
 WASZo Chrifi,Iph. 1^,21 ^-^i. and therefore as they were not luf- 
 
 Ezek.44.7,8 o fertd to come K<r?r<f to the Lord ot'old u. di;r the Law, (o they are 
 
 I Cor.j.13. tobe rfjeSted under the Gojpely and notfuftcredto remainemhl- 
 
 lowfhip with Chrift and his Saints; ^nCi as the Lord found fault 
 
 withthe Church of the Jewes for iuffiting the Hncircumcifed in 
 
 heart and lite, and fuch as poUnted^ndprophaned his great name, in 
 
 drxjwing neere to him, and put no difference betweene the cieane 
 
 and the uncleane, E-z.ck_.%2.26. Sohe blamed the Churchesm the 
 
 time of the New TtlUiiient, for their indulgence towards fuch, 
 
 I Cor. 5 . and /? fv. 2. and therefore Chrift of pttrpofe ordained Laws 
 
 and Ordinances both for the keeping outy and cajling out of the Af- 
 
 fembliiSof the Saints, fuch as were open and k^owne vicious and 
 
 fcindalousptrfonx. 
 
 *That i'/uch a By all which ir is moft cleare and certalne, that none but fuch 
 
 profefllon of a$ aic holj and fanBi fled perfons, at the Isaft * profeflfedly fo, are in 
 
 godlincfle, as j capacity toufe thole holy ordinances and means of worfhip that 
 
 rent comrad^^' ^^^^^ hath inftituted and appointed to be obferved and uied in his 
 
 ftionihcrcunro Church. Indeed ihofe that are yet in their naturall eftates, uncal- 
 
 in men and wo- led and unconverted^ unfan^Hjied y atnd altogether defi'nute of the 
 
 mensccnverfa j^ir/> of Chrift, are to enjoy the liberty of the JVord preached, be- 
 
 ina" "^ cauie that is an ordinance which Jefus Chrift hath ordained to f<J»- 
 
 t/^rry/««^r^ fr<'m the evill of their waycs, and to put them into a 
 
 capacity ioi CO ffmttnion with Chtii): and his Saints in all the reft 
 
 of his ordinances, but till they are called and brought home to 
 
 Chriitjbyyeelding a. profefjed fubjeSiion to the GofpcU , asthofc 
 
 were in the Prjmniveumt:iy2 Ccr.9.13. they are not to be ^^iw/f- 
 
 tediojpecialioxdmmcLS and enjoyment of thofe fpirituall privi- 
 
 kdgcs, which Chrid hath appointed onely for the Saints. 
 
 Obj. -Are not thofe that we judge godly ^and in a capacity to tnake 
 
 ufeof all the holy ordinances of tVorjhip , tobe baptised againe, bt- 
 
 fore thej be admitted into Church-fetloTv/hip^ and to the ufe ef thofe 
 
 ordinances f as ii the judgement and pra^icc of many in theft 
 
 . dajesf 
 
 Anfw, 
 
according to the Sf natures, 105 
 
 Artftv, Negitively, they ire not, and my reafons ire thefa 
 tfaree that follow. 
 
 I. Beciufe ti$ fuppofed they hive been {theugh corruptly) 
 baptized ilready,ind therefore not to be baptized againe. Now 
 the corruption ot an adminiftration doth njt wholly make it void 
 ind null. If they had the efentials of that ordinanca when it was 
 firftadminiftrcdtothenf], that is fufficicnt, without taking of it 
 up againe </r»#i'»,though there was an error in the crcumftanti- 
 als. Now the efentials of Baptifme the learned conclude to be truo 
 7?f After zndforme, the matter, water, the Forme, bafti^^iisg them in, 
 cr inta the Name of the Father, of the Sonne ^ and of the hoij Ghoft. 
 And both thefe cannot be denyed , but that the godly in this King- 
 dome have had, though a right Mdminifiration , or manner and 
 way ofadminiflration, might be, and dcubtlede was to the mod 
 wanting. 
 
 2. Becaufe it cannot be denyed, but fuch godly perfons we fpealc 
 of that were baptized in their infancy, have received the efTcd and 
 fruit of that ordinance, in a lively manner on their foules, the Lord 
 having idded to the outward waQiingwith water, the inward 
 grace, and baptifme of the ^^/ri>,byciufing them to put on Chrift , 
 which is fiifficient to cover or make up all the failings that were 
 in the firft adminiftratron. 
 
 3. Becaufe if the cfleniials of their firft Baptifme were all de- 
 flroyed , and loft in their Antichriftian adminiftration, as Rc-bap.- 
 hold, but I deny, and have fhewed to the contrary in the 4. Chap, 
 thenitmuftof neceflity follow, that the godly muft altogether 
 reroaine without any Church-ftatCjbccaufe there mnft be the fame 
 power to ereft this ordinance anew, that firft ordained it, and the 
 fame or the like offictrs to adminifter it, as were before it was 
 loft,but neither Chrift, nor any fuchextraordinary officers are now 
 •n earth. Apd hence it is, that this doftrine and pra<5lice of the 
 Re-baptizers, hath made fo many to turne Seekers and Waiters, 
 denying all Churches, Miniftery and Ordinances,expefting when 
 Chrift or his Apoftles will come to reftorc them to thtir primitive 
 purity and reditude. 
 
 3. There muft be a right mdnturoi performing thofe ordinan- 
 ces and mcanes of worftiip, by thofe that are qualified and called 
 hereunto by Chrift, and this muft carefully be looktunto, becaufe 
 
1 g A Model of the CongregAtkndU rvdj^ 
 
 th^^btft. ordinances may be fpoilcd by the eviil handlingtnd t^ini' 
 
 gingoFthcm, 
 Now the right manner of wor(h'pping God bythofethat are 
 
 to enter upon this Golpel-ordcr and Church-ftate inllituted by 
 
 Chrift, confifts in theCc five things. 
 "GrvcnsConn- i. There mull be a * volantary union and knitting together in 
 ^ry^C^^y^r Qpp, T^isisncceffsrilyfuppofed.asKhewedbefore.Chap.a. The 
 ™^'^ r r^ godly muft bt form . d into one body, or Church- fociety , as in the 
 
 Primittve\innis, ddunguilhsd from others. Now this is to be 
 
 done by the Saints that are to embody thcfe three wayef. 
 
 1 . Thty are tofeparate , or fe^uejitr themfdvestrom the loofc 
 and profane multitude among whom they live, having no msre 
 feliowpjip with t\\trf\\wjpeciak ordinances, whiles they continue 
 fuch. This is exprefly commanded 2 Cor. 6.1 5, 1 7. Ephe/.^, ij, 
 2Tim.^ 5. Rev.iS.^. 
 
 2. They arei'<?///«f<en/)' togiveupthemfelvesto the Lord, and 
 one another, as thoit of Mac^doma did, a Cor. 8. i 5 . to walk r«^f- 
 therln all theord'.nanctiS of Chvilh 
 
 * Some promlf- 3 • This is to bc done i n a mntHall confent^ covenant ^ or * 4^rw- 
 
 fciry entiage- went^ \% was the praftice of the Church oi the 'jiwss , and was alfo 
 
 mcnrs.ojj^.-^w^p^g^/Syfc^f^thtn, (bouldbe done now in the dayes oftheGofpelj 
 
 Cu^ra.. Jer.$o.^. and isnowpradticcd in the very Nationall Charchesof 
 
 England mi S e 9t land zccoxdm^y. Now if it be fas they take it J 
 
 lawfttU for a NationaU Church to enter into fuch a Covenant to 
 
 walke with God, and one another, according as he Oiall make 
 
 himfelfe knowne to them in his Word, I cannot fee how it can be 
 
 ftHlawffiU (or t particular ^hurch thuito doe. And for this, Vidt 
 
 Mafter Burr. Heart Dtvif. p.6g, 
 
 2. As there muft be union, (0 aifo communion, that 1$, they 
 muft in the worfliip of God meet together joynily, as tnembtrs of 
 one body, tarrying one for another , as I Cor* 1 o, 1^, 17.^11.33, 
 I Cor. ^.4. 
 
 3. Th^rcmuftbea/w^^/^^erwo^ij, confentand agreement in the 
 performayice of the holy ordinances of Chrift, labouring to the nt' 
 ter u\c{\.*ohi: of one heart ind onemind^ incxecHcing ail Church- 
 fiffaire.' ^AB.z.\,^l ,^z, (^^Z7.^^32. 
 
 4. Tis.re i;.'Ull fee ^free, readjy miling, ind eheerfuS co»trtbuti»g 
 of fuch bIefiiDgs>, mercies, gifts and graces, temporaU. And/hirkuA^t 
 
According to the Scriptures , i o 7 •' 
 
 IS JcfusChrift hath bellowed Lpon us, for the comrort and edifi- " j 
 
 cation of the whole body thus U'iited and /oyntd toi-iether, i Cor, 
 
 1^. 12. Efhef.J^. 12, lPet,^.io, II, Rom. 12.6, j,S, ^a. ' 
 
 5. There mui^bc 2 <itl{geHt csre had find taken that thinjjsbe/» , , 
 
 #r<^^rf<!/, and ordinances befo performed, ths Jefus Chiftdonot -1 
 fufer in h\s honour, nor the church in her htppu\tsSc weiiaic: vch 
 
 is done I. By keeping thi ordiDanccs pf*re and free from t.-c w/.v- 1 
 
 tftres of mem inventions. 2. By keeping- clo/g to cherule of the tford, i 
 
 in all church aftion< indadminiftntieris, vtr ouv coniub n» vjth i 
 
 flefli and blood, 3 . By following the dilates of the Sprit ^ih it J fux i 
 
 Chriftgivestousas our^«»dIf, and not ourovvnvain/<<wr^f/j and \ 
 
 carnall imtginatianSjlayi g alide, itid denying our own w fdome, j 
 
 rearon,undtiftandipg, further then wefeeittdcd and <j;uidcd by 1 
 
 the word and Spirit of Chrilt. 4. By being rery Jpiritna^i and J 
 
 heavenlj^metket ^nd humble^ lotfty and loving in all our under- ''. 
 takings and performances, thu Chrift may Have glory, and the 
 
 Gofpell credit. 5. Ltftly, by ^jpiring rwi pr fling hard after per- ! 
 
 feftion in ^*/i»w, and commingtoa tuli ftnure in Chrift. Efhef, '\ 
 4.13. 
 
 And thus We have done with the firft part ofth? Chapter, the j 
 
 Saints embodying, and how ibey are to doit. Now folio wes the - 
 
 fecondpartoftheChapter,and that is, what cone ernes their )^««»v- ' 
 
 iedgezndprASlife^iheremlodpng, \ 
 
 Now this I fhall endeavour to mike ont in five thiH^f. 
 
 I. 'Vh(^xe tnu^befhoice of thnrojjieers^sisPafiorXfacher^ Elder, jrr j 
 
 DeacoHy\\ they have fuch provifion among themf Ives, which are to - ''*' *^ • ! 
 
 waich ever thcm,&adminifter to tiiem,in the things of Gndshoufe: 
 and ihele they are to fet apart according to the rule of the word, by 
 
 Palling and Piayer, craving the helps of ctncr charchcs in fuch ! 
 
 great and weighty aff'ires, and which may give them the right 1 
 
 hand of fellowfhip.^i^. 14.23. - j 
 ^ Are they not to be ordained ky impofition of hands f 
 A, There is no abfolute neceflity of it, for we read no precept 
 
 for it, and but little praftife of it in fuch cafes. In other cafei we do, '! 
 
 but not in this. That of i Tim./^, 1 4. is no inft itution of it.but only 1 
 t prtftife of the Elders of the church of Ephefpts with the Apoftle, 
 
 2 Tim, 1 , 6, not of the officers of fever aU churshfs^ 4S it is now ufed^ \ 
 
 Pa " When 
 
 1 
 
1 8 A Modell of the Congregdtiondll wij 
 
 When that Matthias was chofen an Apoftle in Judat roome, wee 
 reid only of his being numbred among the reftohhe Apoflies. 
 When they made Deacons for the poore, AH;. 6. we read,after they 
 had prayed, they laid their hinds on them,I fay after,but not before, 
 or in the time they were prayingj<« the ^resbjterians in their ordinal-' 
 tion do «»»>,and whether that Timothy had hands laid on him in time 
 of prayer, as it is now ufed in ordination of Miniftery,^s more then 
 any I fuppofe can determine : So that it feemes it was ufed rather in 
 way of blefliiigof them,as Chriddidthe little chiideren and others 
 that were fickjthcn fetting them apart to the office they were cho- 
 fen to. And that of ^<5?. 14.23.doth not prove it as we have (hswcd 
 before. And Jefus Chrift himfelfe never ufed itjwhen he fent forth 
 his Difciples to preach : nor gave it in commiflion to his Apoflles 
 that they (hould do it i nor have they enjoyncd fuch a thingi And 
 therefore as PalanaSjTilenw .Calvin^Sc othergreat Divines fay,itis 
 a matter indiff.i ent,not abfol.tely neceflfary & cfTeniial to an officers 
 calling, as many fuppofe : And tis no tnorc then what the church 
 of Sett land hlth alfo declared heretofore. But to clcare this bufincs 
 fully,there is a learned Trcatife put forth lately , Wherein the judge- 
 ment of the Reformed churches, and Proteftant Divines is fhew- 
 ed exadly, about this point, fo that I need net to fpeake further 
 of it. 
 
 2. The prefervation of their unity, for unity among bretheren in 
 church-fell owfhip, is very lovely, pleafant, and full of beauty, is 
 P/al, 1 3 3.1 , a.O ^iHsm bonttm ^jHcundumy ^f .and there is no one 
 duty more preft on the Saints in church-fellowfhi'p then this of 
 unity, as the Scriptures do abundantly teflify, i Cor.i, 10. ti9m» 
 14.19. Efhff, 4. «, 3. PhiU 1.27. and 2. 3,4,5. And if we 
 looke no Rirther then to the evill and fad eflFe^s which the contrary 
 doth produce, 'Z'*«.^»f<7^*».f, and Rents in Churches* The truth 
 both of the exceHeHcy and necejjity hereof will eafily appeare. And 
 therefore for thw end and furpoje, that the godly in this wny, and or- 
 der of the Gfefpeli, may live together in unity and brotherly love, 
 they are to Utidyfelf-deny ail ^ humility, fatiencejong-fufferingy and 
 forbearance i o wards one another, putting on bowels of mercy, for gi- 
 iiing one another^ as God for Ckrifls fake hath forgiven us^ Efhef^» 
 filt.andCel.^.lz, For this, fee more in that excellent Treatife 
 pi Heart Divifons, 
 
 3- T^ey 
 
accordm^t6 the Serif lures, ic^ 
 
 ■ J. They are to ftudy the prcfervation of purity mA hoiines, x- 
 mongft them; this in a fpeciall mmner is to be lookc'd after : what 
 Paul {pa^e to Timoth)i in particular, we may fay to them in church- 
 feltiwjhipy l^eepe your fehes pure : and the reafons arethefe two. 
 
 1. Becaufethat pnrity is the Uauty oitchurch, Pfal.^^.u/t. 
 as nothing doth more ^rfr^^rw and obfcrue a church thcny;»,fo no- 
 thing doth more adorn and beautifie a church then holincs and pu- 
 rity, 
 
 2. Becaufe that purity is ihtjlrength of a church : Wc ntver 
 read of any churches that have mifcarricd, but firft it came from 
 
 fujfering ihemfclves tobe/>c//«/^Jand defiled, either in epinioft or 
 fraf}ife : The FefiaS Virgins we read could not be overcome before 
 they yNtx^de floured, and therefore the Emperour firft caufcd them 
 to be de61cd,& then dellroyes themtSo here therefore let the chur- 
 ches thit are as Virgins efpoufed to Jefus Chrift, 2 Cor» 1 1 . 2. la- 
 bour to prefcrve their /'«nV;',and then they need not feare their faf*:- 
 f y : and to this purpofe let them be careful! to obfcf ve and praftifa 
 thefe following dired-ioos. 
 
 1. Let every particular member labour to keepe their own vef[$ls 
 pure, lookc uarrowly to his own heart and waycs, and keeps him- 
 
 fclfe ftoia his own iniquity, as r>rfWdid,?/W. 18. 23. ^'• 
 
 2. Let them ^ady faitbfuOnes one towards another in their rela- 
 tions, watching over one aoother, for the good of the whole. 
 Col, 1. 1, 
 
 3. Let thofc whom it concernes lookc narrowly to the admijjttn 
 of members, n«t looking to, nor labouring after multitude ^{o much 
 at cleannes and purity ; a little chureh with great godlines, ufarre 
 to be preferred befarf a great ghurch (/ meanefor number) andfmtU 
 purity, 
 
 4. Let there be care taken that no root of blttemes be fuffered to 
 fpringBptothe<^/i//«|;ofany, or if it appcare, let it beinafpirit 
 of love and aseckenesfuppreffedrjwf/;. 'twas the churth of Corinths 
 fault that they did not mouinc for the incefluous perftns faft, and 
 put him from amongfi them, i Cor. ^ . i , 2, 6, 1 3 . 
 
 5. Let them havea watchfuU eye to yWchurch admir.lflrAtionSy 
 that they be done according to the rule of the nsrd, and cot after the 
 wifdeme of theflejh. 
 
 4. Jhey are to ftudy the prefervatlon of their liberty ^ which Je- 
 
 P 3 ' fus 
 
1 10 A ModdofthCongregAtiCniUwA'j^ 
 
 fu$ Chrift hath btftowcd upon them, ar.d ftfrchxjed for them, with 
 his orvn blond, Gal. 5. i. thu they may not be fcrvants to men, 
 I Ccr.j.i^. Nuwthis liberty coiifiitsin thefc following patti- 
 culirs. 
 
 1. Inchosfittgtheiroxpn ejjicers^ yf^s I. 1 5. and 5, 2, 3,4. 
 
 2. la a^m'JJio/t oj members^ A^s p 16 I .47. ^S: iJflW. 14. r« 
 
 3. \t\ trying and extmnningt heir orvn member Sy that ^re que jlio' 
 ned within themfelveSftiSthe chuich ofEpheftu, Revel, 2, a. and 
 debating matters controverted. 
 
 4. Incafe oj differ enetyXo craTC the helpe of other churches, to^ 
 wards the compering it, as the church ot Anti§ch ^i^in ACls 15, 
 1,3. which praft if€ was not by way o(appeale,bat only by craving 
 advice and coanfell. 
 
 5 . In cafe of an offending members refupt^ to heare the churchy to 
 admmijh^ 9r cut him cff, hy excommunication from the bcdjy i Cor, 
 5.4,5,13. 
 
 6. I n fending forth in the fublique fervlce of the churchy fuck as 
 thty {halljudge moft fit, as Phil. 2. 25. 2 Cor. 8. 19. 
 
 7. In partakir.g with other chftrchesif$ thofe frivUedges and com' 
 forts that Chrijihath befiosved upon them, upun dii^ kriowledge & re^ 
 commendation^ as 2 Cor, 3.1. Rom. I^. I, 2. 
 
 If any dcfire further light in this particular, thty may read M. 
 Cotton in his Treatife of the Kejes^ p. 1 3 . to 20. and his Trcatife of 
 the way of the shnrches in Nevf England^p. 1 02, to 1 1 0, 
 
 5. Liftly,They are to looke to the diligent performance of thofe 
 duties mutually, which their relations call them unto, I^allonly 
 mention thofe duties that concern chuch members in gencrall. 
 l.Tbert mu^bc i high efieem one of aH0iher,Kom,l2,lo,?li\.2.^» 
 
 2. \Jn'(t:\itptdlove one to another yl Thef,^.^. and this lovemuft 
 be pHre, I Tim, 1.5. Fervent^ I Pet, I, 22, 4 8. ImpartiaB t9 
 one as weU as another^ differing in jndgement, as weB, at (tgreeing^ 
 Phil. 2, 3. weal^e Asrveli as flrong. Jam. 2. 8, p. Rom, 14 encrea- 
 fingj Phil. I. 9. faithfftll, 1 Jeh. 3. ij.conjtant^ i Cor. I 3. 
 
 3. A care to prsy one for another, as TPellas one with another , Jam. 
 5.1^. 
 
 4. Watching over one another, i Cor, 12. 25, Phil. 2. 4. Rom« 
 
 15- H- 
 
 5 . Stirring tip one ansthtrs graces, Heb. 3 1 1 3 . and 1 0, 24 
 
according to the Scrhturts . 1 1 1 
 
 6. Imparting and comTnunicating each tooth^r^ of what God hath 
 
 Vtuchlafedto m, in temporals and jplritualsy withont grudging, 
 
 I Pet. 4. 10. A(fls2.44,45.and 18. 2^. 
 J. DeiightUgin §ne anothers focietj andfeUovpfhtp^ <«Pfal. 132, 
 
 I. Ads 2.42. 
 
 8. SymfAtloijing with one anothers condituoHy Rom. 1 2. 1 5. Hcb. 
 13.2. thereby helpingt$beare each others burthen, tsGal. 6. 2. 
 
 9. Bearing with each othtrs UYsavoidukle infirmities, and r^eake- 
 »rjff>j,ts, R' m. 14. 3. 13. Ephef. 4. 2. Col. 3. 1 2, 13. 
 
 10. Ah endeavour to recover Juch as are fallen, and overtaken with 
 ftnuCf md that in the Spirit ojmeekenes, Gil. 6. I . 
 
 11. A care topreferve the credit and reputation of each other, as 
 Jam. 4. II. 
 
 1 2. Aflriving after unity in mind and judgement, su -well as afeH^i" 
 o», Rom. 15.5,6, 7. I Pet. 3.8. that fo( if it be poflible j//vrr 
 may be no diviftons, i Cor. 1. 10. 
 
 13. A giving to each other a liberty in the ufe offuch things as are 
 indiferettt,i[)d not rcllraided by the wordotChrift, Rom. 14 2, 
 3, iiot tying up the confcicnces of cne another, where Chridhath 
 left us free. 
 
 ij^.A mnntaining of brother Iji afeSlion, -mhere we eattnot be of one 
 mind^ not grudging again ft, andctnjnringene another, Phil 2. 2,3, 
 
 Col. 3. 13. 
 
 1 5 . Laftly, in being patternes and examples in word and converfatl' 
 *», in faith, in charity, in Spirit and purity, a$ the Apoftle fpeaks to 
 Timothjy 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. and Phil. 3.17. &c. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
1 1 X ' A Modell of the CongregMionall jv4y 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 
 Thus chantey hoUs forth the fever all hindranees and impediments that 
 Aoe ft and in the way of the godly ^ whereby they are kef (from this 
 Gojpel Church-fiate. At which hindrances are removed^ in anfwe- 
 ring all i he principall obje^ions that are made again/} it» 
 
 1. Impediment. »np*He firft impediment that ftands in their way is this.jTW there 
 X are many learned and godly MinifierSy ai well as private chri • 
 fianSy that ioth write and fpeak^againfi this way. 
 
 Now to remove this impediment,! (hall delire the godly to con- 
 fider tbefe few things. 
 
 1, whether zWthoU ^X^trnly godly, thlt make t frofeffton of 
 godlincfle, even amongftthem that goe for Minifiers and guides 
 toothers. Is not the contrary too true? have not too too many 
 the/orw* of godlincffe, denying the power of it ? according to that 
 ol 2 Tim,^ .5. walking up and down infheeps clothingy\xx inward- 
 ly are ravening waives, as Jcfus Chrift fpakc of the proud and lofty 
 Pharifces, and other falfe Prophets, -<W<«f. 7. 1 5. and doe not their 
 sdiions hot\i abroad m^ at home^ fpeak out aloud the truth hereof ^ 
 Sothatthe^<?»^«^^and fens of fuch menagainft this way of the 
 Lord, whether Minijlers or others, are no Jlander that are rather to 
 be lookt upon as the difcovery of the rottennes of their own heartSj 
 and the fruit of thofe, the Apoftle 7«<s^<?fpeaks of, that walk, in the 
 way fl/Cain, and run greedily after the errer <>/BaUam, for reward, 
 andJhaUperiflj in the gain-faying ofKor^hylnde 1 1 , 
 
 2. But fecondly, grant they are fuch Miniftersand Chriftians^ 
 that ISj truly godly, holding forth the power of godlineflfe in their 
 walkingjthat fpeak againft this «r^(fr of the Gofpel, and way of 
 the Lord. Yet I hope tis not an imfoffible thing even for fuch men 
 toerre, andbedrawneafidey^wtff^ww, in fame things, to doe that 
 which is unvporthy their high and holy caMing, Is it any new thing 
 to heare of the godly themfelves making oppofition againft Chrifl, 
 even in the greateft matters that concerne his glory? let us looke 
 upon that place of the Prophet, JWrf/.j.i,^. where we may fee, 
 that when Chcift (hall come to purge andreforme hk Temple, he 
 
 " ' ftiall 
 
according U the Scriptures] 107 
 
 fiiall meet with ep^ofnicn from a generation of people, Which ire 
 not of the vilefi andbafefi /irr.but of the precious , fuch ks are like 
 to gold ind filver : The fonries of X<rT//, Preachers, as well as pri- 
 vate Chriftians*: »nd ihefefhall fcarce ondurc his comming, but 
 {hall mike fome kind of refiftance. And arc there not abundant in- 
 ftances for this ? did not Peter opfofe Chrift himfelfe in the wcrkc 
 of /Jrirw;>ft<»»,infomucht hit Chrift called him Sathan for his la- 
 bour, as 7^/4^.16.22,23. and told him to his face, that he did not 
 favour the things of God ? and yet Peter I hope will nor be denycd 
 to be truly godly, 
 
 a. Did not the devout women many times rife up (by the in- 
 ftigation of the Jcwes) againft the Apoftles and brethren where 
 they came to preach, and pradice contrary to the lewijh cuftomes, 
 in fetting up, and planting this Gofpel Church-ftatc ? 
 
 3. Have W€ not experience of many godly men , Conformlfls, 
 inthe late times of the Prelates, that did fide with the BjQiops, 
 igainft their godly brethrcn,theiV<7«.r*»^<?rw«/?/,that wrote againft 
 the Cere monies. Service- book.and Hierarchical! Government, and 
 preft thofe x'#r7 r/>»»^/ at thattime, that now thefe men praftice, 
 which fpeak cvill of what we now ftir up the godly unto ? Now 
 if it be fo, then it is notfo much to be wondred , that godly men 
 have their hands, and tongues, and pens againft this way of the 
 Gofpd, which we conceive to be a ftep or two higher for purity, 
 and nearer to the will and mind of Chrilt, and pradice ofthePri- 
 tnitivc timef , then what is now on foot. The beft men are men^ & 
 fo have their weakfteffeSy^s well as others. 
 
 Thirdly, it is to be confidered,that not a/imeDyUonotgoMy men 
 are enlightncd equally ulike in the mjfleries of the Golpcl. But as 
 the wind blows when and where it lilteth, fo the Lord by his Sfi' 
 ri/ gives light when and where he pleafeth. Gifts of wifdome and 
 undcrftanding in the tayfteries of godlinefle are Gods feculiar 
 goods, (as one faith well^ and he may give his ewne where hee 
 lifteth; neither muft our eye be evillbecaulc his is good. Some- 
 times (as the proverb is j thegreatefi elarkj are not the wifeft men^ 
 no not in leffer and petty thmgs of itiis life. Now if they arc? to feek 
 in thefe things many times, then much more may they be to feeke 
 inthejfrr4^ things of Chrifts Kingdomc, and therefore our Sa- 
 viour gives thankes to his Either, that he had hid thgfc m^f tries 
 
 (^ frtm 
 
1 f 4 -^ Modtll of the CongregationAllwdj^ 
 
 fromthevoije and learned, andrevealed them to babes ^ Mltth,ll» 
 
 Pourthly, though there are many godly, both Preachers tnd o- 
 thers that are againft it • Yet it cannot be denjed, but there are alfo 
 multitudes of godly »f all forts and callings in the MagiftracjyMi- 
 mfieryyfiraEiiceofLaw^PhjiJlcl^ilnCctinfels, and Armies, both in 
 City, and Country, that are for it. And not onely in this City tnd 
 Country, but forraigne countries, and the number ircreafeih daily, 
 and is like more and more to increife, till it have prevailed againft 
 all other, as Dan.i 44. intimates. 
 
 Fiitly, Wc muft know, that the godly are in a way oUearning 
 ftill more and more, both Minifters and others, they are not come 
 to that *V-n and top of knowledge, as to proceed no farther, for 
 we all know but in part, i Cor, i 3. 9. So that though they are 
 darke in thu point, this yetrc J yet tis poflible the next j/eere they 
 may be ir^lightned. Stven yecres fince, many godly Preachers and 
 pro/ejfors \yerefov EpifcopacieSctthQ Ceremonies , for the ufe of 
 the Service-book j what Sermons were preached, what beokj prin- 
 ted in the defence oFthem, and againft thofe that oppofed them ? 
 how were the Bi/hops honoured and reverenced, bowed to, vindi- 
 cated, and flood for, and that with great eagerneffe andvioknce, 
 fo that thofe that were againft them, were deeply cenfured by their 
 brethren? but now it is otherwife ; and why fo f but becaufe their 
 Judgement is changed, and men fay, that God hath opened their 
 eyes, and convinced them ofthtcvillof thofe things, which be- 
 fore they faw not ; and tis well it it be fo : and not /imply a difelai- 
 ming ofthefe evils from the Parliaments removing of them, and en- 
 joyning the contrary, which is much to be feared, and as fome ma- 
 nifeft without bluOiing, faying, what they now doe in renouncing 
 Epifcopall Government, leaving the Service-book and Ceremo- 
 nies, and proceeding according to the order and forme of the Dire- 
 ftory, and Government eftablifhcd, thty doe by Law, in obedience 
 and fubjeftion to the Parliament that requires it in theirOrdinance 
 affi 5ied to the Dire(ftory, not out of any judgement of the eviU they 
 have formerly livedin,ivhil(l they ufed that wayoffalfe yporjhlp, or 
 out of any more love to this new government, and order of wor- 
 fliip according to the Dircdory. But fuppofe thebcft, that what 
 men now doc is from the Lord? merciful! enlJghtning cf them, to 
 
 '"' ----- — - ■-- - -- " - ■ - fee 
 
according t6 the Scriptures . 1 1 j 
 
 'ec into t he evill oft heir old md former rf^fw/«<if/(?>;j,{ hey yeeldvd 
 to, and fo became guilty of, bt fere the Lord; will it not thertfore 
 follow, that there is a fojjibilitj btforcfcvtnyecres come about 
 againe.they inayA'/'^''^^^'' into this myfterieoftheGofpeliandfo 
 difcovcr the unfoupdrte^e of their prefent (landing in the ParilTi 
 Churches, as they are conftituted and receive their life and being 
 from the Civill Liwes of the Land ? The Aire is enlightned by dc- 
 grets, not all ac once, and fo r're the Saints. So that I fay (o long as 
 thegodlythemfclvesarcina wiyof Idrning and ^oing Croai one 
 flip to another in vfifdome anA knoivledge, 3$ Pro./^. 1 8. men rhould 
 tike heed, how they mike peremptory concltilions againft this 
 way of the Lord, and (peak^evHi of the things they knorv noty left the 
 "Lox^^dusChxi^i^thejufiifierofhisrvayes and people) make them 
 to eate the iverds they hazejpokfn^irA then thty be fcrc'd [tiAu/lin 
 fomctimcs did) to write Books of Recantation , trd have as little 
 credit^ as comfort in what thty have done this way. 
 
 6, iftherr//r/j were knowne, and men would fpeak out all is 
 in their hearts, it is not to be doubted but a chicfe ground of many 
 mens crying downe this way of the Lord, and thofe that walkc in 
 it, isnoothir, but their r«i/;' at thofe (efpecially jottng ones) to 
 whom the Lord hath in thefe lift dayes imparted and communica- 
 ted greater t»eajHres of his Spirit ^ and larger difcoverles of the 
 inyfterieofthe G'c^.'/,iccordingtothepromifc,7<'^^2.2 8. Alt.z. 
 17. whereinyoungmenlliallhave the priority of old, Bccaufe 
 the Lord is good, therefore ihcir eye is evill, as Chrift faid to them. 
 Mat, ao. 1 5 . that took offence at his kindneflc to thofe that came 
 into the vineyard after them, and wrought but an houre. But this 
 i$an evill frame of hcjrt, and cleane contrary to that of Mofes^ 
 that wiiht that all the Lords people wtre Prophets, Num. 11.:^, 
 
 7. But hftly, doth not \\\\% generality of oppofition againft this 
 way alledged, conclude and evidence the truth and goodncs c^ it, 
 efpecially when fuchoppofHion tends to the increafe and ^^^"^^^^^ x\,zQ^^!nH 
 ranee of it, and that alfoamongft the moft pious and fpiritualleft the Pre?byt"ri- 
 Bdtevers? What though the Authors in the* Marg. ('as men not an Army, as he 
 having yet learned, or clfe not regarding what Chrift inthe Scrip- %ltihimfelfe, 
 tares requires of them , i?t?w.i2. 16,17, 18 19,20,21. lames i. ^},'V]^^^'j 
 19,20,21.1 Pet.1,1.) havjcrycd It downe, as the meft pernicious M.5<t//y, 
 way; yet all the <//r? they have throwne in ihtfaceoi it, cannot Mynai-s, 
 
 Q^ make 
 
ic^ A Moddofthe Co}\gregxtkmH wdf^ 
 
 make the Saints out of love with it. In the diyes of the ApoflUs^ 
 thofs that embnced the do<^rineohhe Gojpel , and right >\ay of 
 VJOiih'ippiD^God, were gencral/y condemned and (pulten agaii.ft, 
 iS S(5l-aries,3r<d HeretiijueSiA^t.i^.'),\^. A^. i% 22. yet that 
 could not ^j«:^«r the prevailing of it, being it was of Gi.d. So nei- 
 ther A"!*!! the rvorji that men can doe, hinder it no'-^ ; but raauora 
 allthepow'^r/ofhell , and the world that oppufe it, it ftiaiitake 
 place, for Chrift muft reignc. 
 Impcdimenr^ 2. Thefccond impediment that lies in the way of divers godly 
 pQvionsis this, That/klvatisn may he h^d, in that prefent church' 
 fiate thcffortheprefent are^and therefore jndge it A nee, lejfe thtngtt 
 come into any other Church'fiate, 
 
 To fuch I (hall commend thefe few confiderations, 
 
 I . That thousih it be granted as a truth, ( which cannot be deny- 
 cdj that its pojftblefor mentobe faved^ though they never comein- 
 to a right vijible Church-flateand order ^ h^ciu^t faith andfalvAti" 
 cn'isnotioiycdtothe vifible churchy as that there ti ne partaking 
 thercofoutof it. Andthoughit be truealfo, thit converjion may 
 bz obtained, and is, in many of the Pari/h Affemblies, as ve knovf 
 by experience ^ yet how unkindly do fuch Chnftians deiile with Je- 
 fus Chrift, that {hall as the Head anc^ King of his churchy appoint & 
 ordainea/;(?/j' or^frfor his S.iints to obferve, in their ferving and 
 worlh!ppingof©od,andyetthey fballrefufetofubmit thcrcunto,- 
 isitnotadifparagcmentto the wifdomc of the Lord Jefus,tliat 
 hath thus ordained a church 9rder for his Saints to walke ir, and yet 
 they (hall count it a ncedleffe thing? 
 
 a. Such fhould confider, whethtr the truth ofgrace^ doth not 
 leach them to hate refpcd: to the vfhole revealedwiU of God; and 
 not to dijpenfe with themfelvesin the negleft of obedience to any, 
 theleaft partofit; and if fo, then how dangerous is it for thetnto 
 ' fit do wne and content themfelvcs in their prefeni difordered ftation, 
 without comming out of it to Sion, at Chrift oommandeth, £fiiy 
 52. I j» with Rev, 18.4. 
 
 5 . Is not this an argument of a low Spirit, exceeding earthly dc 
 c.!rnall,likethofePo«<rrj thatrcHiainedofthe children of y/r^^/ in 
 JSabjleny when the reft were returned to ferufalem, i Chron, 4, 23, 
 that preferred their carnalleafe in Babjlon^btf ore the enjoyment of 
 the true and pure worjhip of God, in Sion^i do not fuch men excee- 
 dingly 
 
dCCdrdlng to the Scripures. 1 1 1 
 
 dingly drgenerite from the fervants of God of old, fpoken of in the 
 ScripturcSj hat have grca' ly long<rd ^ficr, and mourned with much 
 bitten CJ when they iiave been deprived of the enjoyment n^Godin 
 his ordinancfS,asZ)4W, and othcrs?£/i?^ <^6 3,4. Pfal 84. 
 
 4. Doth not this pi linly <i»7rot^^r to the world, that fuch men tre 
 to this dty marvellous ignoratit ohhis great myfttry of the Gofp.l? 
 they (ee not the luRre and beauty that Qiines forth inthevifiblQ 
 C/;«rfJb'/of the Saintr, a right and true Communion of Samts, ha- 
 ving fcUowQiip with Chrili in his own ordinances, is ameererid' 
 die, a paradex to them, the ccmly order and(wect loAtmony efjM- 
 cohTe»ts^xnd Ifraels TalferMacles li not dilcerncd by thcii), t^ough 
 a^/e//«<iwhimft.lfe wasgrntly afF.ded therewith. Oh when (bail 
 this darkenes be removed I 
 
 V 5.1 would fiine know whether fuch poore foules re not great 
 r»fw»V/ to their own happines^ and hindercrs of their own clfarc, 
 For fitft, have they not many precious Talents, Gifts, and Graces^ 
 btftowcd upon thtm/or which they fhall be accouiitab! • t. Chnft 
 one day,wh:ch now are as it were put under a Bufht 1 &1\ c sflet p, 
 and ofnouf^eorbentfitto themftlvesor others? all whicn,itthey 
 were once come into a fociety of laithfuU and zralous Siinis, would 
 be occufioncd frequently to be brought forth, and improved to th« 
 glory of God, the benefit jof others, and their own great enc^cafa 
 and advantage. Secondly, are they notfubjedto many wanderings, 
 and out-goings from God, andfo have needof lometow^aff^ovcr 
 their precious foules, to prevent ( as it is poflible^ i\xchfwervings 
 from Chrift, by their wholfome and gentle admtnititns, exhortati- 
 eits,andrepro0fes, whfchprivilcdge they might ci^joy if they werei 
 in this order of the GofpcU, but now are deprived of ? Thirdly, are 
 they net many times fo overtaken through the/*^;*//; of Sathan, & 
 deeeitfMllKes ot fin,that they Dot.only fall into (inne,but xhculje and* 
 f#»//»«? in their back-Aiding, and have none to lotkf after them to 
 re^oreihevn againc,to fet their brtl^en bones in joynt again : where- 
 as if they were in this way of the Lord the GofptU requires, how 
 frv'.etlj might they be recovered, according to the injundion of the 
 Apoftlc to the Church of the GalattaMs,Gal,6. i. And therefore 
 doubtlefle thofe men that thusreafon as before, that us r.o great 
 iratterto come into any other church-date thentheyare, are no 
 fmall enemies to their own gooc^. 
 
 Q 3 ^. L^-ftly, 
 
1 1 8 A Middl eft he CongregAtiondl rvay, 
 
 6. Laftly,may it not be jaft wit h God to leave men to themfelres 
 inthisthir g, andfor their flighting of his wayei, fvveare in his 
 wntb, that they fl:jaU never enter into (hs reft oFhiy, that he gives 
 his S iints, that he bungs to Si^fJ? Let tafeare andtrtmhU. 
 3.1mpccllincn\ 3. Another impediment is thif, That they have oi lettrnedani 
 godiy a Miftifierj over lhet»^ as'A>ty to ihu day in the tvorld* 
 
 Now for the re moving of this, let thcfe tew things be ferioufly 
 ccnlidcred. 
 
 1 . That it car not bedenyed, but dherso? thofe Parifi churches 
 hivfi t bofeover them, that are both learned and godly ^ though witb- 
 all it mufl: alfo be granted, that there ire in tbcKingdomezfarre 
 greater ntimker oHuchis have neither learning nor goMines,t)Mit 
 goforMinifteis of the Church of England, and are fetled in thofe 
 Parifli Churches, fachasare not only the fiisme and blot of this 
 
 Century 1" * Naticn, but have already end mgered the welfare of it, and are 
 Minifters like to do it the fccocd time, if the Lord frotn heaven prevent it 
 no*. 
 
 2. For many of thofe that have learnings its much to be feared, 
 if it Were brought to th« Ttft, it would prove rather to be from hc" 
 neathy then frem alfffze^ not that cf the Spirit ^ by which men are 
 tiughtofGod, and enabled to fpeake a word in due feafon to 
 the weary fcule, as Chriftand his fcrvants were, Efay 50. 4. 
 but only that which is naturall, and from men, and they have at- 
 tained in Natures Schoole, which naturall parts, and acquired 
 Uarnin^, not meeting with a/^j^?^//)^^ heart, andatrne principlg 
 fif grace, doth oftentimes through the corruption oFpride and fcife- 
 coi ceite that attends it, render men blind in the things of God,and 
 lc:dc them afide from the tiuth; and comtnonly, ( as we fee by ex- 
 perience) fuch men trutlchieBy toother mens workes and judge' 
 wwr/, looking no further forrhe Sence and meaning of whsLt Scrip- 
 tures I hey preach upon, and produce then j what this or that Father, 
 •this or that Commentator (peaks of it, net daring to fwerve from 
 
 their intcrpretatjon, and the common received opinion of the 
 Church, though of tentimes.quite befides ihepurpofe and mind of 
 ChriO, and the holy Ghoft. 
 
 3., Asltarncdandgodly, as the wo/? and befi of the Minifters 
 ire, in the Church of England, yet [withgriefe of heart let it h 
 jpokfn)ytryfe^lvoithcmh2^y^:learrtedto this very diy to difclaimc 
 
 and 
 
accdrding u the Scrtftures, 1 1 ^ 
 
 ind renounce the evill and crrour of the way of their commfpg 
 into the Miniftery , I meane their AntichrifliaH ordiyiation^ 
 which they receited from the Prelates; but aHow of it to this day : 
 which cannot but much provoke the Lord, and hinder hisblefling 
 of their endeavours/cr the future, xo the People, the charge of whole 
 foulesihty take upon them. Forifthe allowing ofourielvesin the 
 leaf} fmne may jullly put a ftop in the way ot G jd$ profpcring his 
 ptG-ple & caufe him to withi^^rarv his f re fence from them,tht n much 
 moredoubtlefle fuch an tvill as this, for thofe that heare the vep/s 
 of the Lerd, are to bs cieane^ fer. 52.11, and that cleannejfe reipeAs 
 freedome from Bahjloni/h and AntichrifiUtt poBution, And doubt- 
 lefTt' the Lord luokes much to his veffei-he^rers, that they be clean 
 and holy, and not contaminated with thefe, or any other kind of 
 f dilutions, as we may fee in his exemplary punifhtnent on Nadal;, 
 and Abthu, that perifhed in their wU-yforpjif^ zn^ falfe ^eaU^x\^ 
 great Idol of the world to this day. 
 
 Obj. But you will fay ^ vfhat need thii renounclvg our Antiehrifli- 
 nn ordination hj the Prelates ^ feeing the Parliament hath removed 
 and difcl aimed the whole EfifcsfaH government^ rtot and branch} 
 
 Anf. There is great ne^d, as may appearcin thefc foure things. 
 
 1. Btcaufc perfonatlfnnes muft have perfonall repentance y^nd hu- 
 miliation, the Parliaments Aft is Nation ill, and doth not exclude, 
 but rather intimates and leads to the praftife of the other: Now 
 £ach Minifters finne, being particular and perfonall, (o ought their 
 Rtpenterce alfo. 
 
 2. Bccaufc fuch Minifters, efpecially here about LflW(7«, have 
 lately covenanted to call off whatfo: ver belonged to,'ind was an ap- 
 purtenance of that Antichriftian Hierarchy they were formerly un- 
 der :Now their ordination was notth€lealt,butachiefepartofthat 
 power of the Prelates, wherein they fi^j much glorycd. 
 
 3 .Btcaufe the Lords aetefiation efAntichrift \% (o great,that he will 
 not endure his pfeoplefhould touch vith the leaft o( her ahminati- 
 9ns J as I (hewed before; and as he would not of old (o much as take 
 a ftone for a corner, nor for a foundation of his Cf uxb, from hea- 
 then ^.?^;/<'«, /^r. 51.2^. So neither will henow makeufeofiny 
 thing of AntichripiAn BAhylen^ in his Church of the New Ttfta- 
 mem. . 
 
 4. Liftly, btcaiife Qod b«th rcq-rred that his people ftiould bs 
 
 hftmhled 
 
1 10 ' A UodelofthtCongregittonaUwitjy 
 
 humhled^?.^ afhamcd ofaSthdr old jinnes in jhi« 'Vay, before he'will 
 ftiew thCtTi the right and true faturK efht^ Gojp^llwor/hip, E^el(, 
 43. lo, 1 1. And whoknowes bat far vpant of this tmoiigH thofe 
 that go for Adiniflers in the chttrcio ofEngUndy it is, that God fuf- 
 fers ihemtobefo<i<iri^^tf astheyarccventothisdsy, inthemidftof 
 fo much glorious light, in the matters ot his houfeand vvorlbip? 
 A man may come into 40. places, where they «reprr4cA»«^ind 
 prayinr, even upon daycs ofhumiliatifiH, tnd yet never hcare theai 
 ^^jr^wVtf Camopg multitude of other finncs they confcflcj this par- 
 ticular cv ill of their Antichriftian ordination. 
 
 Obj. But fome are fo farre from feemg a ntceflity of this, that 
 they rather plead f«r what thej have Ame^ and jtf^ify themfelves in 
 their conditicHy faying, ^/?*l though they received their ordination^ ^ 
 fo the office of their Mimfiery from the hands of Anti(hri(iian Bi- 
 fhfpSf (dSthty arc now acknowledged fince the Parliaments vo- 
 ting them fo) yet they lookt on them as Elders and Presbyters, 
 and no other wife. 
 
 Anf. Tothislanfwer,!. That it may be y«w^ did, though I 
 fuppofeit willb^^graneed, that thoufanh did not, not fo much as 
 enquiring or makingy?r«^/^OUt of confcienee, but as the hlindman 
 fwaUowes aHy lo have they done; and their (inne may be Icffer then 
 thofe that have had more light. 
 
 2. But fecondly, its well known to thole that have their eyes but 
 halfe open, that the Bifhops did not aft in their ordainmg of Priefts, 
 as they were Prtfbyters, but as they were a degree <»^*fff thenty to 
 wit, 5»/&<?;'/, which was ^iji'cw^/them in thofe dayes by the Mini- 
 ftersofthe church of England, and what preaching Elder was there 
 by himfelfe,or with a lew other of his brethcrcn, and Co&eagues^ 
 that could then (as now) without a Bi/hop. make a Minifier ? Now 
 thentt.ofe'Bifhops being Antichrijlian, theit ordinatitn alfo mntk 
 needs be fo, according to that known Philofophicall maxime, 
 ^^icejuid efi agitfecundum quod eH, the «ffc<fl muft needs have re- 
 lembhnce with the caufe,t'»<^.^^»w/Anlwer ^oPrynne^pag, 20. 
 read the Queries about the ordination ofMinifitrSy lately fubli' 
 fhtd. 
 
 4, 1 Anfwer in the laft place, that tis not meere/Mrw«^, no nor 
 learning with godlinesy that makes any mana trueMinilterofthe 
 Church of Chrift, in thcle dayei ol the Gofpell, (though neither of 
 
 thefe 
 
According to the Scriptures] . j 2 1 
 
 thefe is to ba excluded in their proper pkcs jfor a man mav b ' qka^ 
 /i^f^for the place and office of a Minijier, .nd yet no Mini/fer; 
 he may have excelljPt endorvments of hn mane learnirtg, natural 
 p4rtSj trttth ofholirtefjej ind yet no Minifier. Some women have 
 IlorcoFall thcic, and irany Lawyeis ind Phyfitians abound in 
 them, and yet no Minifiers in office. So « hat I fay , though many 
 men have excellent naturall parts, acquired gifts of humane lear- 
 ning, many precious breathings of Chrift and the Spirit in him, 
 yet that doth not prcfently denominate him a Minifitrin ojfice, and 
 I may addc, no not his Ordination by the Qaflis , nor a Noble- 
 mans or a gentlemans Prefentatior,or befto wing an Advowfon ot 
 Benefice upon him, no nor the execution of that office in a parifli 
 where he is fenf. Tis not enough tofay a franisaMiniftcr,but 
 how truly and lawfully he came to be a Minifter. 
 
 ^uefi. What is it then makes a true and lawfuU Minifter ? 
 
 j4»/w, a true and iawfttHcaU to that office, and worke of the 4 r g 
 Miniftery, asHf^. 5.4. Now this crf// in thefe dayei is not onely & 55^' ^'^^^' 
 internaShomGod, in qualifying a man, and making him willing Thcod.I.i.c.j. 
 to the worke,but<'A:f^r;?dZf,from thofe he is to take the charge ©f, ^"feb. dc vie. 
 who(c prerogative it if, they have received from Chrift to choofe J°"^*1!^'t f 
 their own officers, which the moft learned and judiciow * Divines nlni.l2c.i% 
 ofall fides grant, as could with eafe bemanifefted. Now thefirfi & ].6x.i4. 
 ofthefe is not fufficlent without the lafi, Jind (Sod hath fo joyncd J^^°"i adRufF. 
 them together, that it were no lelle then high frefumption in any to ^^^' ^P'^^^. 
 feparate them. So that this being granted for the truth , (as it can- Ba^^i'.Chfyfoft, 
 not be dcnyed j then it muft ncedsfellow, that moft of the Mini- So mulciwdcs * 
 fters of the Church of England are not Minifters properly in of- of Modcrne 
 fice, being without the call of their people to them, (efpecially M^r^R'^n?^^' 
 the godly) and not a few of them living where there Were never ju" AmcC^* 
 any godly to call them. Carcwr.&c, 
 
 A fourth hindrance in their way, if, That they look upon thu way, 
 asay^ajoffeparation, which hath been andfiiUid JHchan eye-forc^^ ^^^ ^^' 
 to many, that they had rather dye then touch with it. 
 
 Now to remove this, I anfwet in a word, there is 1 two-fold fc- 
 p.u ation the Set ipf ure fpcaks of. 
 
 1 . A good /epar ation, a fcparat ion from eviU, from evill and fin- 
 full wayet, and thingr , and perfons , a reparation from falfe 
 mr/iip^ from Bsfeitfonfujlon, a fepatatjon of the preciouo 
 
 R " from 
 
112 AModtlloftheCotigregMknAllway] 
 
 * By Natlonall ^^^^ ^^^ '^*^^' ^^ ^^^ cleane fro 33 the uncle ane. 
 
 Church ftate *• ^ Bad fe par at ion from gosa to evil', itooi Chri^to Belidl; 
 in the King- from God io the DeviU; disffid. ip.Now that Separation we ftand 
 dome of Eng- guilty of, is of the fitft fort, and not the Uft, t he feparaticn which 
 im/crfland the God zWoW €S,contmaffds and jujtifyes, and without the pradifeof 
 preaching ofibe which he will net be well pUafed w.th hn people, as Jer. 15. ip. 
 ■word, and ad- 2 Cor, 6, t8. Rev. 18. 4. Ephef. 5. 1 1. a 7/w. 3.5. and there- 
 tnnijtration of fore I Conceive there is no juft caufe or reafon why the godly in th« 
 ^for'^hefcma'ke Kingdome (houH bfi offended, at what is now dpne, and which 
 no morVa'"^ ^ ^^^V thecniclves are called alio to pradlife. , .; \ ; vr .;r '. ,. 
 Church then Indeed if they could ptove their * Nation :11 Church-fiate to be 
 the ornaments of divine sindGejpeHconftituticn^ (as I (aid before) itwerefome^ 
 fh<!u°rf)Bu^^ thing; but till that be done, they fliall find in thcend,that they 
 ^tbat^fllfe VI fl' themfelvesare^«///;yof the/<J«/f they lay to the Congregationall 
 ble order ^ poll- mens charge. 
 
 tie^ & iapcu- * 5 . Another ftumbling block that lyes in the way of many god- 
 t'm, in which [y pgrfons, is, becaufe they fee many, after they have entredan thig 
 dinanc««e°'^' ^^Ji^° f^^ ^^^^ grievotu err ours, and feme tnrne Libertines ^ and 
 performed . grow loofe in their w^lkSng. 
 
 The officers & Anf. Now to remove this, confidcrthtfe following paricular*^ 
 ^emkrsoi the i., Suppofethisbeairuth, and fo to be greatly lamented,yet dare 
 Churdi^ ftat '"V °^^" ^^y» '^*^ ^"^^ pcrfons would not have taken fuch courfds, 
 not being *fra- if they had not entered on this way ot the Gofpell ? How many arc 
 medj-regulated there whicfa" are guilty of ^ro/r^rro«r/ in judgement, and leofenejfe 
 ana ordered ac- in praBife, and yet never knew in all their lives, what this way of the 
 dmg to GojpeU CofbtUvfeantr as in Ger^mjraftce, HeUand, England, and other 
 
 after the ti^j. parts sf the world, '^i>)jj*\^^'--^^ j^J'^'^^h ',^ „ „ 
 tlons & invcn- 2. If this Way be of God, and mth fodttng tn the Scriptures^ ex» 
 tions of men ample from the Apoftles pradlife, and approved of by many famout 
 frem vrhotn fgryants of God,and pure fi churches in the world,as we have Qiew- 
 Ih^friStnd ed you; then farrc belt from any to make it the caufe of fuch abo- 
 fubfiftancl. mtnations.: Can the light of the Sunne properly beget darkenes ? 
 
 * J Im di. fo«sproperly,canthe way of the Lord be faid to b^et thefe etils 
 ment."^^ *" cither in judgement or pradift/ 
 
 3 . Did } GU ever heare or know of any Churchy where the go- 
 vernment w^if*i*ft e;ca^ according to the Scriptures, and unque- 
 ftioifiable, thai hath beenffr/ffif^aBd with9Ut erc^ur?;^orl»ath God 
 proffiifedthat h^re on t^it);iyh:vi €hnnhetf)am\d bewaHjifree^ 
 - ' ^ Doth 
 
According to the Scriptures. i j j 
 
 Doth not the Scripture fpeakeotherwife, which is left to us for our 
 inftruftion,asini Cor. ii.ip. There muft be herejies amongft 
 yOQ, faith the Apojilt, and be gives the reafon for it, tloAtfo thofe 
 that tire approved may be made manijeft amongjiyott : not that theffl 
 hereftes and evils do nectflatily flow from the true "being and right 
 govcrntn«nt of a Church, but only per accUens, {viz..) from thee- 
 vill difpofition of thofe members that are finfully tolitriicdint 
 Church, and not caft out, and thofe temptations of Saihan, that 
 they are expofed dayly unto,by Gods permiffion. 
 
 4. Confider where the Lord is moll rightly and fffreiy wor- 
 (hippcd, there the Devill is moft bufieto mtk^DiviJions^fow tha 
 feeds oierroftry occafion fcandals and oP'^ ices, and the Lord in i»- 
 pttite wifdome feeih it good to have it fo, partly 
 
 I. That his power may appearc the more in prefcrving fuch a 
 Church and fociety. ' 
 
 2. That his w'ifdome may appeare the more, in guiding fuch a 
 Church. 
 
 3. That his mercy may appcare the more in pardoning his Peo- 
 ple. 
 
 4. Ladly, that his JHftice may appeare the more^ in hardning 
 thofe that do not love, but hate his wayes. 
 
 5 . Such as fall into errours and loofe walking after their entrance 
 on this way of the Lord, come not thereunto from their fubmitting 
 to that way, but from want oi gooi principles^ and found hearts at 
 ihcftrft: Iftheir ends had been good at firft, and their hearts up- 
 righ*", thDy had never gone out to crooked waycs of their own, or 
 others, but as the Apoftle faith, i Joh, 1. i^.Theytvent omfrtm 
 My becauje they were not ofus'^ fo fuch as fall away from the truth, 
 to the embracing damnable hertfies, do therefore fall away, be- 
 caufe thty were never properly of the truth; certainly when men 
 vtnf ure on the pure and found wayes of God, with Hnf9ft»dandbafe 
 f«^/,theLord juftlyfufTcrsthemtofall J fuch as have not the glo- 
 ry of God, but themfelves in their eyc,the Lord lliall in juft judge- 
 ment lead fuch forth, with the workers of iniquity, Pfal. 12^, 
 lafl: verfe. 
 
 6. ThoHgh this way of the Lord, may hate fuch cvill Wecdi to 
 grow up in it, yet it doth not allow of them, but labours either 
 the reforming or cafting of them out when they ar« difcoveted. 
 
124 A Modell of the Congrtgdtionatt tvAy 
 
 as a found Conftitution doth thofe diftempers it lyes under,is Mat, 
 
 18. II. lC<?r. 4.4,5. iThefi. 6.1^. Rev. 7. andastlcir- 
 
 ned Author faith, JVhat flaming Sword u titere ta the hand of a d^Jfi- 
 
 cull Presbjterjyto k^ef men out of err ours ^ which rm\ not heinacon^ 
 
 gregation f In oie Congregai ion there may be m manj Presby e s as 
 
 from maKj Congregations m'lke a Cl-ffis ^andwhy th-Kmaj they not 
 
 do the (elf e fame aCij} their "fjices ofr offie u tkejame,^ therefore the 
 
 promife of ajp fiance is thefame-^ ani tfthecouncell and advice of other 
 
 neighbour Churches be required, a, (^'sttgregatton may h<:}ve that as 
 
 Anaromift A- '*'^^> and perhaps fooner then a CUffn can, which mufi jiayfir a Pro- 
 
 natomiftdjp. vinciali Synod. 
 
 19. 7. Liitly,let it be confidered, that there have been Cas the for- 
 
 mer Author obfervesj as great defeElions both of Mrniftcrs and 
 people, unto errours under Presbyterian Government^ as under any 
 other, as isclearein r^^ Z.o»; CouKtryes, where fo many Minillers 
 aijd People have turned -^''^^iwi^w/, Papifis^Soclnians) greater er- 
 r6ursthen thedenyallof Prf^o^<«/?rif/wf:andycttho{eot Jie Presby- 
 terian way hcre,ire not free of ihat,as is well known, bcfides othec 
 evils of more dangerous confequence, as might be named. 
 ,6. Anotherimpediment why the godly ^o«(?f <r«/^r(7«r/;ftfj?'4j 
 i.Impedimcn-. ^f (hcGofpell, is,btcaufe they fiy, this way crjes up toleration for 
 all forts of Religion, and liberty of mens confciences^andfo every man 
 may do as he lift^ and what confufton anddefiruliion wiU thisfotn pr»' 
 duee in Chnrfh and ft ate ? 
 
 For the removall of this impediment, let thefe few things becon- 
 fidered. 
 
 I . That this is a great untruth » and fo nothing but ifander, and 
 an cvill report that fome evill Spyes give out upon the view they 
 have taken of this holy L(ind,hom fome bafe private cnd$(its much 
 to be feared) of their own, which the Searcher of all hearts will in 
 due time reveale and difcover^ 
 
 And that it isfo, is evident from the workcs of fome of no mean 
 abilities for learning and godlines, that have been in the Congrega- 
 tienallway. 
 
 I . That late precious fervant of lefus Chrifi:, M. ler. Burroughs , 
 who was eminent for his Ge^ell annointings^ in h'\s Heart Diviji- 
 •«/,cIwp. 7'pag«4i' where he fpends moftofthat chapter to this 
 
 purpofe^ 
 
according U the Scriptures, 1 2 j 
 
 purp^fe, pa£. 42, 43, 44, and af hft towaids the end of the 
 cHap tr, f«»^. 45. hi hath ihcfcfollouing words. Andconftdernc'^j 
 ntj bretheren^ vchether theCen^regatioytall way hfucb, m if it he 
 fpijf red^ there wiil he no he/pe t» rednce an erring or heretical/ church, 
 hfitallRe/igions,\' anirn;e,Mal urrctn'n.e,.'»7 thing mnji hefi^ffcred. 
 Surety men do net dealefairely, in rayfing fuch mighiy accui anions 
 ffponfuchpoore and weake grounds: Thu great ajperfton^and hufe 
 out-cry , that thefemrnrvould have aU Religions fuffrrtd^ an in their 
 jvay, there un» helpe againji any heretiiall Congregations, moul- 
 ders andvani/hesarvay before jou. 
 
 Sol'kewilcin his Sermon before the Houfe of Lord>,JV#z'^OT^rr 
 26. 164$. pag, 45. where fpcaking to them exccUentl) intht be- 
 htUe of the Stint5,that h»ve b en faithful! to them in the truft c^m- 
 mitted to their charge, though they conid not ccmenp fully in [ome 
 things to them, they havepuhli/hed to the world^ and therefore dc fires 
 themnottoliftentoany, who fhould whilper fuchfuj^gfftions, or 
 vent (uch things, as tend tohe exafpcratingof their f pints agamft 
 thofe dearc (er vants of Ch r ift; he hat h thcfe words, There it a gnat 
 out'Cry again/l theTolcration of all Religions ^ andwe are -willing 
 tojojuc dgainjl fuch a tolleration : But that which filsthc mouthes 
 of many in this, isthe heatt ofthcir fpiritjagainft thole that differ 
 from them in «ny thing that thty might with the more ftren^th 
 ' be able by this to dnke it thetry, fujfer not your power to he ahufed^to 
 ferve mens dejignej; he faith full with God^tncoMrage thofe thatfedrt 
 himy imd God wtll take care of your honours^ &c, 
 
 2. Mafter Thomas Geoetrvin, of whofc Worth {without flattiry 
 7^^<i/(^« »/)the Kingdom is not ignorant, in that notabk S r>iionof 
 his, before the honourable HouTe of Commons, ciiXtdi The great 
 Interefi of States and Ktngdomes^p. 53. where pre fling that Ho- 
 nourable Houfe to looke well to their intcreft, meaning the Saints 
 that are in England, to maintaine and preferve them, and make 
 proviffon for them, as thty meant toprefcrv.^ th. Kngdocne:hc 
 hath thefe words, to our purpofe; If^ny man thinkf 1 ^m a pleading 
 for a liberty of all opinions, of what rature and how gr ojfefoever, I 
 humbly defire them to remember ^ that 1 only ^ lead for Saints, and I 
 I anfwer plainly, the Saints they need it not; The Apojlle tfls tiS 
 ihere are damnable herefes, 2. Pet. 2. I, 2. and they will foon un- 
 Smnt men j there are crrours that are Cai itall^not holding the Head^ 
 
 R 3 C0I.2. 
 
I J 5 -A UMI ofi he CengregdtionAll rvay, 
 
 Col. 2. D<? l?ut diflingu'ijh thefe from other t, and let this be onefoHn- 
 ddtionl^Uforthii union. 
 
 3 . Mailer John GoaJwita, vohofe ittnocency and integrity in the 
 cMtiftofChrijly and great worke and labour of love to Chrifl and hit 
 Churches, I doubrnot bat in due time (hall be cleared and reward- 
 ed abundantly : In his Reflj ^N\i}^anether Brother, to A, S, 2. Edit, 
 pag. 24, wliofe words to our purpofeare ths(e; Nor en the other 
 hand, do J jpeake this t9 intimate^ that 1 approve a toleration of the 
 broaching cf all opinions ^ or any toleration offomepraSHfes, And that 
 men might fee what he fayes, if they will not /hut their eyes wilful- 
 ly againft the light, he reduceth his difcourfe to 3 . Heads. 
 
 I Theleift venting of any opinion againft Fundamentals, as 
 fudaifme, denying Cbrift to be the true UeSith.Ariani/mejZnd So- 
 ci^ianiffr.e,o^^oCwg the Deicty of Jefus Chii^jArminianifme^thsit 
 qucftonstheperfonoftheHoly Ghoft, Papifme^ that holds judi- 
 cation by wcrkSiOr thttAnababtifme that denyes the derivation of 
 . y^<!^^w/originali corruption to us, &c. theventingofthefeandthe 
 likcopiniorshcacknowledgeth to be fuppreffed, and much more 
 the pradile of Idolatry, vag. 25. 
 
 2. The fpreading and praftizing of opinions that apparantly 
 tend to Libertinifme, licentious ungodlincsj ought not quietly to 
 be permitted, p^f. »^>W. 
 
 3 Andthtnfhewes what opinions are to be tolerated, towlf, 
 fuch are not againft Fundamentals, nor lead to licentioufneffe, but 
 tend ouly to the beating out of truthes, pag. 26, 
 
 4. yi2i{^tl Sprigge^ a\y quondam colleague m the Univerfity of 
 xford, v/ho(c fruitfulnejfem the ^rCQ ot theGofpell, hath not a 
 little n joyced my foule; In his judicious Treatife, called the Anci- 
 ent bounds^or liberty of Csnfcience fiated, chap, i.pag.^. whofe 
 WordiarcthiCe. Nor do we quefiien whether the Magifirate may 
 not to this negative difcountenance, addepojitive, vi^ to declare a^ 
 gain ft errors, as vfell as the Minijiers to convince and exhort againft 
 them : Nor whether ( amongft w ) errors oj manifeftfcandall and 
 danger to mens foule s and confciences^ ^ Arianifme,Socinianifme, 
 Familifme, &c.o»^«^»<»? to be reflrainedby the Chriflian Magi- 
 [Irate, andthe Affertors and malntainers efthem, interdi^ed under 
 penalties ^ the divulging or fpreading ofthemjty publique preaching or 
 triW^'w^, with much more to this purpofe.* So that this being fo 
 
 cleare 
 
According u the Scriptures, 1 2 y 
 
 cleere and manifcft from thi publifliwl writings of thefc prfciou j 
 Saints of Ci.rift , it can appeare to be no other then ^ grofe hh-, 
 trnthySind apparent fcandall and jlander that is caft upon •. hi , way of 
 the Lprd, and thole he hath rifen and ftirrcd up to aflert and main- 
 taineit. 
 
 2. if by a toller ation of liberty of mens confcirncf s,ttien under- 
 hand it Lathings that are douhfull only ^^ in contr overly amongft the 
 godly y then what huit can follow, toougo there lliould be a de- 
 coration of difference of judgement and praftice ? And doubrlefla 
 if there fliould not b:: y for bearing one another iufuch things as arc 
 not clear e,bui dmbioM y all the world (ulA.Bftrrotighestrvidy 
 fiith in his Heart-Divijitnty Chap.^.pag,^^.) muft needs bc^nar- 
 relling j and he in that Chiptcr fhcwes the laivfnlnejje hereof, not 
 onsly froin the judgements of many Protelbnt Writers , but 
 alfo from eight (as I conceive) unanfwerabU and ungainfayable 
 Arguments and cr»nfiderations , from pag, 57. to pag. 66. which 
 are too large to tranfciibe, but are very worthy the godlies ferions 
 looking into, and fearch after. Sec alfo M. Sprigs Ancient Bounds^ 
 c.^.pSy. 
 
 3 , But if by a toller ation of liberty to all mens confcienccs, we 
 underftandit/w/?/^ of the things of thtmind and judgement, as 
 opiniinsy andrivJt o\x.h^ external pra^ices of men. What hinders 
 but that it fhould be granted, without the ufc of any external! waies 
 ofcompul^OMy to force men from them? For my ©wne part, I am fo 
 farre from feeing any reafon or Scripture for ufing exter nail violence, 
 to force men from their pi:(:kBt judgemerjtSj though erroneotusy fup- 
 pole the worft of errors, as Papilmc, Arrianifmc, Socinianifme. 
 Turcifmc, Judaifei*, &c. as that I jiadgc fuch a courfe both againfl 
 Scripture and Reafon^ ;is I (hall endeavour to make out in thcfc fol- 
 lowing partieuhrs, though in to doing I fiiall crofle, and it may be 
 difpleafe two forts of men. 
 
 I. Such as would give to the Civill Magijlrate a coercive and 
 f«w/>;<//or^ power, to enforce men fr«m the?r prefent */?<»»(»«/ in 
 the matters of Religion, and to f/?4«^tf their minds, and <</f^r their 
 judgements by the ufe of txternall violent, wayes and meanes, 
 as Imprifonments, Mul^s.fints^lVhippingSy banifhments 
 
 1. Such 2S civc to Minifters met together in a Claffls or Syn^d^ 
 an abfolutc power not oflcly n't judging and dtttrmimng in oiatters 
 
 of 
 
128 -^ Medell of the Congreg^tlomtt rvdy 
 
 o\ Religion^ but of imfofing their conclnfions on the conrciencei oi 
 people to be obeyed; and in cafe ok non- obedience [rprofafto ) to cut 
 them cfffrom enjoying the priviledge bath of Churc^ & ftate. 
 
 Now to (hew my reaibns againll both of thefe, iot the better 
 confirming of my former anfwer, I fhtUfpeaketoeachofthem 
 apart. 
 
 . i.Tothofe thatcry up compulfion in matters of Religion, to 
 force men by externall violent mcanes, from their prcfent;«(!il^#- 
 wents indoptNioHS they are of, xi prefer to the civil Magtflr ate, 
 and a part ot his office ;Icmnotallowof itfor thefe reafons. 
 !♦ Becaufeforany manwhatfoevertotakefuchacoutfe, asco- 
 Rcafonsagalnft gfcive and csmpulforj wayes to force the minds of men, pofitlvdy 
 compulfion ot to ad c<J«fr<«>^7 to thcir principles confciencioufly held, is to aft be- 
 mattcre"of Re- y^^^ their commiflion,and contrary tothcruleof Chriftlaid down 
 ligion. in tfce wordjWhich is to winne men by inftruftion, and n»t to force 
 
 ffenby deftrudion:* 2ii'M(tt. 28. 20. Luk^ P- 54, 55. i Or. 
 LXf?h'e i ^®-4' 5. ^T-zV^- »• M» 25. 4W4. 1, 2. 3. 
 brcthcrcn to * ^' ^^^^ courfc werc for poore, weake creatures to encroach up- 
 A. S. p.i3.z4. on the Vrerogative of God himfelfe, whofe Worke,andin whofe 
 fover alone it 1$, to change mens mind?, as is apparent from Scrip- 
 ture, as 2 Cor. I o. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 25. I Pet. i. 22. i Cor. 3. <5,7. 
 loh. 16. 8. and the rcafonisjbccaufe the fHbje St to be wrought up- 
 on,i$ too high for any , but God alone^humane power may reach to the 
 bodies of men, to the outward man,but not to their inward^ to their 
 foules and confciences, poor wetike man cannot make, as 
 CW\^ii\(i^i«nehaire Tvhite or black^i they may rcftrain from /?r4- 
 Bife by outward meanes, but convert and chang^ethey cannot. No 
 not the glorious ^«^f/j that arc fairj above man, for power and 
 ftrengthj and for futablenes to the Spirits of men. to whom they 
 can in a more eafie and familiar way, apply themfclvef, then one 
 man can to another : and yet thefe bltflfed Spirits cannot efTeA this 
 worke : This they can do, they can prefent things to the fancy, and 
 affeU: the mind many times, but it is not in their power to make 
 thofe things they prefent to the underftandings of men to take eff*' 
 finally i fo as to worke that for which they prefent them, without 
 the Almighty pflw*r^/(70^ go with them: they are allbutmini- 
 ftring Spirits, but as *;fy?r»»>^»/.rm the hand of God, as men are;fo 
 that this is proper only toGod> to f^^v^r^ and change tht minds 
 
 "^ and 
 
According to the Scriptures. 1 2 p 
 
 and cbnfclencesof men, andnot in the power of any creature, ird 
 therefore as they incroach on Gods prerogativCy (o they lofe 
 their labour in all thofe violent wayss they take, unlefle the Lord 
 concurre with them, which we cannot expcd ho (lioulddo, bt- 
 cauie itsnot a mcanes of his ordaining, but contrary thereunto, as we 
 havefhewcd btfore. 
 
 3. Becaufe fuch wayes and meanes oifsternAll violent oomful- 
 fton^ are againtt the very ntf ure of the mind and cenfciencc^ the oiJe 
 being JpiritMaU md ratioKalli^nd the other carnall, and therefore 
 they muft be dther jpirituall^ or tkotaU^ and rationall wayes at kafl:, 
 that muft beufed to worke upon the minds <«»^(^ftfH/'c-xV»rrj of Hicr« ♦ t ,. 
 What faith that judicious Miniftcr M.* C'^^;^, (whole judgement monbctw/ji 
 I fuppofe, and learning will every way bailancc M. Prjmes^^Jji. ho. Houfc of^* 
 Bafimck^^oT M. Edwards, or any otthe reft that have appearecfin ^^r^- and City 
 Print agtmft the point in contrpverfie, if wc had not the Scriptures ^" ^ ^ '^ ^' 
 onourlidc) rhanfer giving. 
 
 Tothe faidoi'jcUionl anfwer, i, Pdjfihly there ^re more er-^"^' '^'^^'~^ 
 roHrs named, then are., ail is not err our that every one thinks to be er- 
 rotir, fVek/iow vhojpal^eit, Attcr the way which they Call faerefie* 
 {o worftiipItheGodofmy Fathers, Ad-. 24. 14. and they were no 
 meane, no unlearned men^ who called that way here ft&. And IfijaU ne^ 
 vcr helitve allYitXt^ogxt^htxs for his fake, whoput Aerius inte his 
 Catalogueyfor oppofing Prelacy. There may h an crrour in taxing 
 fomewitherroHrs , But Secondly, what/vever is an err our or an he' 
 rejie, jvhatfoever is contrary to wholfonte do^rine, (fuch f pinions arc 
 k»arvabU) elfe alt rules about dealing- with thtm are vaint, what ft" 
 ever } fay 14 an error or herffie^ let all the penalties which Chrifl hath 
 charged upon ity be executed to the uttfrmofi; if we favour errour,! 
 know not how we can with cqnfdefice lift up »ur eyes to (f^rifl for fa- 
 VQur : If Chrft wouidnot have'hadfrroHr eppofed, why hath he left 
 w meanes, both for the oppojition andfuppreffion oferrcur} Then 
 prcftnily heflie\VeS whatihofe meanes arc- yishe(to wit Chri/iy 
 hath given a compltat armour to every chrifitan, wherewith to fight 
 againj} the wiles ank temptations of the devil -/o he h^th given a corn- 
 pleat armour to his church .wherewith to fight againfi all the error t 
 & unfound dfflrines offeducers. Therefore [ faith he, excellently) 
 fearchthe Maga<.ine of the Gofpell, bring out all the artillery, am- ■ '.^ / 
 
 munitibn^and weapons fiored up there, look^c out all thechaines and 
 
 S fetters 
 
130 A Model of the CongregAtiomll rvdy^ 
 
 fetters, the whips And rods, which either theletttr of the GoJpellyOr 
 the everUJiing e^nitj of the Law hath provided to bind err our with, or 
 for the hack ofherefie^ let them aU be employed and jp are not. 1 hope 
 »,?;&<»// /#^, (lam perf waded we ought not) Antichrifls broom ta 
 fweep Chrifts houfe with, or his weapons to fight againfi err ours with, 
 Chrifi hath formed a»d/harpned weaptnsfor thu warre, we need n§t 
 go to the Popes Forgo ok File, We (faith the Apoftk) have weapons 
 in a readinejfe to revenge every difobedienee : they are ready made t9 
 9ur hands. And a great dealt: more to this purpofc : By which Wfi 
 lirtay fee, \Urrours themfelves tniift not be fuppreflcd by any other 
 then (\iq\\ jpirituatl wayis and meanes, that Cdrift hath fet downe 
 in his word, then much kfifc may the minds and confciences of menj 
 th?J hold thefe errours, be proceeded agalnft by any other then fuch 
 meanes, and fo there will be no place left for thefe cotnpulfory 
 wayesihatfbmemcnof harfhand Itgall difpofitions ftirre up the 
 Magiftrate unto the pradlife and ufe of. 
 
 4. 1$ not fuch a courfe as this, againfl the golden Rule of chart- 
 tj, and mercy,and to tread in the very fteps of Antichrifiian crptehyf 
 
 ^uK. ^. 3J,}(?. XI Rev,. I J. 15. 16. and we have had experience ofthis but lately, 
 inthcAntichnnian Prelates, whofe bell arguments to draw men 
 ind women from their judgements, to be of their own minds, were 
 Fines yandimprifonmentSythe Stoc^SyWhip, and Pillory^ Sic, 
 
 5. Nay, is not this courfe ofviolentcompulfiop, agalnft the V«ry 
 law of nature, that our Saviour fpeakesof, and would have men to 
 pra(3:ife, J^<«t. 7. 12. fVhatfsever ye wohld that men fhould do ta 
 y§tt, that do joe unto them, for thu is the Law and the Prophets. For 
 fuppofe one fhould come upon his ordinary occafions into Tnrl^yy 
 or fome other forraignc country, would it not be an offence to him 
 iHh^y^i-iOui'i compel I him io alter his mind and judgement in tha 
 matters of Religion, and enforce him by violence to be of theirs ? 
 Sshere: And therefore the Twr;^/ are fofarre from enforcing «»f»/ 
 Confciences, as that they permit them re nfe their confciences, and 
 praElife their judgements^ though different from them. And -though 
 in Spain the Prot^ftmts arc prohibited the pradife of their Religi- 
 on, yet the Spaniard doth not violently coapell men to altertheir 
 itiinds, and ro be of their Religion : Temptations by way of Argu- 
 menr-jor^ifts, &c. they \titj lay before men, but not outward 
 wayes of violence. ^^ -■.•^'A ,>^ :C,:'^;" "~ ' ;vv.;i\^., 
 
 ^.Befides 
 
According u the Scriptures] i j i 
 
 6. Befides lU this, doth not this courfe directly croflTe ther^w- 
 ntundement andpr^Stift of Chr'ifi himfelfe, who bids us to love one 
 another, M he haih Ifi-ved Hs i loh. 13. 14. thatis, for quality,and 
 not for tqaility or quantity and degree; Nowitstscleareasthe 
 Snnatnoom day,that Chrifl: Wed all that bdieve in him, one as 
 well a$ another, though they <3^/jffr one from another in the know- 
 ledge of the trufh, and arc not ot the fjtme ftature and tallnes, in all 
 things he hath commanded, fo long as they hold the Head; yea, 
 though they differ from himlelfe in many things revealed, and 
 miftakfl and mif-underftand him in many things, (as who doth 
 not) yet ftill he loves them, and beares with their weakenefles,and 
 fellowQiip with them by his Spirit, whileft their hearts are up- 
 right with him for the mainj and the fame h<s requires of the Saint* 
 one toward another, £f/>?/; 4. a, 3. 13.32. C*/. 3. 12. 13, 14. 
 not that they (hould proceed in a bitter manner, to cut off, and caii 
 one another over board. 
 
 7. To take this courfe with men that differ From usin/udge- 
 ir«nt, is it not the High- way to make more hjfocrites, then found 
 Chriftians, and foto introduce aprofeflion of Religion, no way 
 pleafing to God, as all Forced proFcflion is ? For when men become 
 Profelites more For feare, then confcicnce,there is cot only a mock- 
 ing with God, in what they do, but a readineflfl(whenanGportu- 
 nity isprcfented) to returne to their old and former errours, for 
 outward violence is of this nature, that it rather refiraincs then 
 ^•^rfwj;?^^, and oFthis there hath been abundant wofall experience 
 in all ages, and which oFthe two is worft,heretiquc$or hypocrites, 
 to maintain an errour, or counterfeit the truth, is not eaHly detec- 
 mined. 
 
 8. And doth not this courfe bring people to be more in love with 
 errours then before/ the reafon is, becaufe People conceive thofa 
 cirours fo pcrfecutcd, are the truth efGod, in regard that J efus 
 Chtift hath Fore-told that perfecution fhould attend the truth, and 
 thofe that are embracers and proFefforsoFit: now when men (e- 
 fpecially the i^edke) fhall fee that fuch and fuch perfons {otherm/a 
 e^met And peaceable in the Land, only diffcringfrom others in their 
 judgements) (hall be violently oppofed, for what they hold, & hava 
 cruell meancs ufed to take them off from what they conceive is the 
 truth, they prefsptly conclude, this muft needs be the very wiy oF 
 
 S a " " God, 
 
J 3 2 A Uodill of the toagregatknAUwdf^ 
 
 God, ahdio there is more hurt a thouiond times done, then good 
 by fuch violent wayes of compulfion. 
 
 5. Laftly,to adde no mox'ijjow c(j«/f-rtr^thiswayi$,and h»th 
 been not only to the rcind oF Chrifl: in the Scriptures, bat to the 
 judgement of the moft ableftfervants otGodj/» nHages^ twereea- 
 fie to determine. Ifanydcfire fati!hftioninthispsrticuhr,Iethim 
 read M. Spriggs Antient Bounds^ where this p.irticuhrr is abun- 
 dantly aaanitelled, wi^h M. loha Goodwins iKnocenciesTriumphf 
 M. BHfrroughs Heart divifionsy &e. 
 
 2. Now for the fecond fort of perfons, that give to Adhi/lers met 
 together in a C/^j/7?/ or Sj>M,zn abfolute power of impofing their 
 conclufions and determinations on the confcienccs of people in par- 
 ticular, or whole Churches in generall, to be obeyed npccHarily 
 without refufingj I {hall propofe thefe few things to be confi- 
 dered. .-: :;j-*'\ 
 
 1. Whcthcrthisdothnotcroffe tfiat command of Chrift by the 
 Apoftl.', 1 Thef. 5,21. Try all th'mgs, holdfafl th<it which is good : 
 now to what purpof? is this command, if I am nscejfitatedi to yc€ld 
 toanothersimpofition the tryallhcrefpokenofrtipefts the mind 
 and finderfiandingy as all wife men know. Cut how Cun he exercife 
 his mind this way, thit \styed and bound ufi by anothersVoteand 
 impofitiontoobe) ? Seeing by this meancs he muft yeeld without 
 any further enquiry or fearch into the thing commanded, whe- 
 ther it be according to the mind of Chrid:, or not. 
 
 2. Whether this doth not make the liberty of the Saints le{fe now 
 an thefe dayes, then in the dayes of the Apoftles, when we find the 
 
 Bereanshid liberty, firft to examine the. Apoftles doftrinethem- 
 feUtSy Ifaj themfehes^bdovQ they fubmitied and fubjefted their 
 confciences to the obedience of it; and they are commended for it, 
 A&r. 1-7. II; whereas now, its counted a mattcrof difobedicnce, 
 andfaftion, forany themoftholicft, and (oundeft in the fayth, fo 
 much as to queftion and enquire, whether what an AJfemifly or 
 C/aJfisdoth impofeon them, ts nece (far y to be obeyed, is accor- 
 ding to the Scriptures, to Chrifts will, and not their own. 
 
 3. Wht^thsr fucha kind of Impofition, doth not bringfuch Mi- 
 nijiers intheir Synods andClaflts, under the guilt and condemnar 
 x\QV,,oi\it\Vi^Xords tver Gods htritage^ in exercifing authority, 
 poWtr,jand dominion e'Z'ffr the faith ofthirbrftheren^ contrary to 
 
 ' '• 2 Or, 
 
ace or ding u the Scriptures . 133 
 
 iCcr. J.ult. and i. Pet. 5. 3. and which we know Was the com- 
 mon «nd ufiiall pr«(^ife oi the Lorilj Prelates. And ifie rather alfu 
 confidering, that no Counceli or S,nsds^ finccthe Apoftks timts, 
 can challenge to themlelvcS, anablolute, infallible, andunerring 
 j^»V/t, in the milters of Religion, nbovethe reilof their brethercn, 
 that fit not on i\\o\tThrones with them. 
 
 4. Whether this prxdVileot fuch Miniftcrs doih not bring into 
 the CWf/><'/o{Chrift,thatPopifhdodrincandpra<5lifeof /w;»/;- 
 cite faith, for it I mud take all for granted to be true, that I'uch men 
 command obedience unto, without any further enquiry, then my 
 
 jaith is not an expl cite, but a meereiw/'/Zm^ faith, and conftquent- 
 ly my obedience hltnd,i\-\d fj abominable : which forae more mode- 
 rate Presbyterians themftlves, intheir Sernaonfjdifpute (Wrongly 
 againft;as M. H/V/in his Sermon cdled the goo.itldway, 
 
 5. Whether this be not for Mmifters tu challenge that power, 
 which Jifus Chrift never called them unto, nor bcttowed upon 
 them. 
 
 Obj. Did not the ApofiUs praStifeit^ in th^t Synod} h6k. 15. 
 
 Ayjf. I. Grant it, what will follow ? Therefore Miniflers may 
 no^^J 60 \t,2iiT\ctx^ non ffcjuitur. UnlclVij that ordinary Minlflcrs 
 now could cxped: th:: fame /'«/««///^/(!' ^«/W^;;cr of the Spirit, as the 
 Apoflles could: They could fay without the leaft hxfitancy or 
 doubting, ItfeemethgoodtotheholyGhofiandtottsi Andcaaany 
 A(rcmblvorSynodofMinil\ersdo fonow? can they fay certain- 
 ly , as the A poitleSj that thofe Synodicall and clafficall cenflittttions, 
 thtyimpofewith fuch authority, oniheconfcienccs ofothers,to 
 obey and praftife, a c Jccoidingto the true mind ar.d meaning 
 cf Chrift ? if they can produce any warrant for it, let thtm; if they 
 cannot, why do they beirc the PcopleofthcKingdomein hand, 
 <hat it is in their power rt/<Twr, without tb^7 Petples confcnt, to deter- 
 mine and impofc as they (by themfclves alone) cprcdvetobe 
 right f lam furc that C^«v»;>r, that famous French D.vinc, in his 
 Panjirat^ Cat ho/. Tem.-^. //i 5. cap. 10. faith, that there is not the 
 fame authority of the Apoftlef, an t ofother Pallors : with them, he 
 was extrnor dinar ilj freftnt^Adco ut qua fUifrcp^nercr.t a Dfofm- 
 fiicitertn.:nArcnt : i.e. Soas whit thcv propounded did [imply pro- 
 ceed of God. But heis notl^pref;?nt with ordinary Paftors, and 
 therefore their D.crccs are not fcba pjrallfl'd with' the Decrees 
 
 S 3 of 
 
134 -^ Medd of the CongregAtiemU ivay^ 
 
 of ehe Apoftlci: and in mafttrsotconfciencejhe Qicweih,thttGod 
 tlone is fttci£eaMdi>inaery and not the creature i ind tis no other 
 then what we find abundantly in the writingj of learned men.both 
 ancient and modern, and agreeable to the Scriptures, as we have 
 before abundantly proved. 
 
 2. But in the next place,can it ever be proved from the fifteenth 
 o| the ^^s, that the Apoftles in that Syned oi Adembiy, did exer- 
 cife fuch a power as the Presbyterians fpeake ot ? did the Apoftles 
 in that meeting mtddle or tfuth with any tCto'tClourch govtmment'i 
 nay is it not cleare to him that hath but haUe an eye, that there was 
 no penalty annexed to what they wrote, and fent to the Churches^ 
 in cafe they fheuld not have emhraced their counfeil ? Do not tha 
 wcrds declare fo much,^/^r. 29, JFrom which if yon kfgpe yoftrfelves 
 pnjhalldo yffelly^c.h.Vk<iihti w^h is worth obfcivation.the Apoftles 
 
 VM. B«>'. Hf4. do i^oi determine, (as M. Burroughs hath well Qiewedj'* they 
 Dhijions. JhouU obferve to do thefe things from thiir ovfi» authority^ but from 
 the reafon of the thiftgs,for thofe things they ertjoyned^ vtere duties be- 
 fore they decreed c^enjoyned them, ^ h Ad been y had they never decreed 
 them. As for example, that of forbearing the eating ofbIoud,was a du- 
 ty in cafe ofoffenco, though their decree had never been : and otherroife 
 it had been no duty y if there had been no fcandall, notroithflanding 
 their decree : For afterwards the Apofile Vtu\ faith, that men might 
 eate whatfoever was fold in the Shambles ^ asking no que [lion for con* 
 fdencefa\e. And We find that every creature ot God isGood,when 
 it is fandifycd by the word & by prayer, ind received with thankf- 
 giving : yea I he fame Apoftle faith intkat place, that nothing then 
 is to be rcfufed, i Tim, 4. 4. 
 
 3. Laftly, if weobferve that Scripture which the Presbyterians 
 fo much urge and ftand upon, for the authoritative power of Synods 
 and ClajfesjWe (hall find,that what the Apoftles there and then did, 
 as it was not from themfe'ves alone, but from the holy Ghoftjfo 
 neither by themfelves alone.but with the approbation of the whole 
 Church : as appcares in AH; 1 5. v. a 2, 23. Thenit f leafed tht A- 
 poftles and Elders, with the whole Church, tofendchofen men of 
 their own company y C viz, the Church) to Antioch, with Paul and 
 Barnabas, namely ^ Judas ftrnamed Barfabas, ^i**^ Silas, chieftmen 
 among ^^^ Brethren,^ wro t letters by them^after this manner i 
 r^<'Apoftles,Eldcrs,& Brethren /end greeting to the Brethren 
 
 whfih 
 
 ^\ 
 
according to the Scriptures] 135 
 
 which are oftht Gentiles in Antioch,<««i Syria, and Cilfcil .* that is, 
 
 the Churches that were gaihercd and planted inthofeCountryes. 
 
 Now this is far from the priflift & opinion alfo, of the Pretbyteri^ ^ ^^ ^'l, 
 
 <f»/,intheleaayes,that«mrni the authoritative power ok Synods 
 
 and CUffis U in them/elves, withcnt the joyr.t canfent ^ ^pprotstiou 
 
 cf particular hretherin in the churches itnd therefore this infiance of 
 
 theirs which they produce igainft the Congregationall way, is<»/- 
 
 together without warrant from the Scripture. 
 
 7. Another impediment that (lands mthegodlies way to this 7.Tmp:dimcnr. 
 bltfled worke, is this, that thry cannot fee it t» have the Magifirates 
 countenance andatiowance^ whereas if t hit were ovce tione^ they would 
 tjot for hare to enter on theprafti/e of it. 
 
 For tht removing of this impediment. Let thcfe few things be 
 minded. 
 
 1 . That if by the Magiflrates countenance ^ affowance^thcy mean 
 AM expreffe Warrant and Ordinance for it, as they have done for 
 Prw/'j^^^-jjtis granted, thereisnofuch : yet thus rauchlcinfay, 
 (ard wehavecaufetoblefT'Godforii) that to this day, the Lord 
 hath fo f arre kept authority in Parliament, thit they have not made 
 any exprefle Law againft Ujnor (we trufl in Chrift) will they ever 
 doe. 
 
 2. Who knoweSjbut by that time tlie three jearet a3oyvanceQfth% 
 other, be fully expired, the Lord may fofarre reveale hitnfelfeio 
 Authority, as that they fliall not only countenance the Congregtti- 
 oiiall way, but alfo make a Law for the cflablirhing of it, not only 
 three ycares, but as the Lawes of the Medes and Perfians, that (hall 
 never be altered or repealed. Jehovah, the Lord and Godef truth & 
 pp<«r<r,hath done,and can do as great things as thefe,and why ftiould 
 we not believe it ? Seeing he hath made a promife, that Kings and 
 ^^f«/,thati5,fu.hasare in authority fhall benurfing Fathers 
 and Mothers to his People, in the pure wayes of his worfibip, as 
 Lfaji^9:il. 
 
 3. Suppofe that this M'4j'o/'/^tf(7ffj^r//(hould never have the ex- 
 preffc command and countenance ©f the civill Magiftrare for if, 
 wh^chfor my part 1 cannot helieijey{J>ccaufe ofthe former promife) 
 yet I hope it will ke granted, that uhit J<lus Chrift the Head and 
 Xw^ofhis Church h%th ordained and commanded, ior hisp'rople 
 towalkeuptothepraftife of, (is I take this order of the GQfpd!, 
 
 to 
 
13^ A ModelloftheC^ngrtgdtionAlltvAff '\ 
 
 to be th?.t hath been formerly laid downe) is not to be left undone, 
 and the pra^^ifc thereof ntglcifVed, bccaufe it cannot obtxine the 
 countenance of thu creature: the reafonis, btciufe the prjdif«of 
 '* ^wehigYd' Gods will, and worfhip revealed in the Scriptures, doth not de- 
 tiam bomirium pend on the w// and p/^<i/»r(f tf/w^«, but meerely on the command 
 Tiihi e:. agaij ^^^ injun<flion of God himfelfe, whom we ought to love and ho- 
 ani7ico7ttfa.de- *, ,, * « 1 l l c j • .1 r> • ■ • 
 
 im : fid quic- ^^^^ above all men:* And therefore we nnd m the Primitive times, 
 
 quid dem pra- that the Apoftles and fervantscf Chrift.when they had no countc- 
 
 cepn^apndum nince at all From the civilPo wers,that were in thofe dayes, but ra- 
 
 ejt'.etiamfiho- ther theccntrarv, yet they wtnton in the pradife of whatChrift 
 mines eo offen^ • .. •nn.L- r • aj-^ i 
 
 dantur ftqiie cnjjyned taem, agamft all their oppoiition .- And its worthy 
 
 odioanabis ha- o'^^ confidetation, that if the way of the Lord, that now we pleads 
 kt>i patent^ for the eF joy ment of in peace, and holines, was lawfull in thofe 
 qnedipfanoli. d^y QS,Vjhc^ chill Magijfrates Were no fr lends ^ but prof efled ^»^- 
 p"eap!!'ri ta ^'"' ^o Jdns Chrift and his Churches : Then doubtleffe its much 
 -'''/?ri/ PifcaT ^°^' i<riv.f(ill now inthefe dayes, wherein civill Magistrates do o- 
 /« Mar. 10.37] ptnly profc[[e thfmfehes friends to Chrifi, and hold forth to the 
 Obfer. 18. wcrld (by manifold Proteftations^ that ihcy place their greateft 
 ambi' ion, in bting Servants to Chriftj othcrwitcit would folio v/, 
 that Chriil and his Churches fliould be lofcrs,and in a worfe con- 
 dition by living undL-rfuchMagiUrates fas we are bound to believe 
 areresil in their Proteftations and profs, flions of and for Chrift) 
 theivundtrthofi that were Heathen, which were abfurd in any to 
 affir/M : ThereafoniSjbecaufefuch Magiftratesknowthemielves 
 tobdordiintdoiGodf fer the goodof the SaifitSj and not for their 
 ht'.rt; tor thdr eaccttrAgement and furtherance in the wayes of God- 
 Unsffe, :nd not for their diicouragement and hinderance, Rcm» 
 
 n 4 5- 
 
 4. Laftly,, what ground For comfort can thofe have to build on, if 
 the Magiftr&Cd (hould approve otir, and countenance it, (as wee 
 doubt not as we did bcfore,but in theLords time he wil) when thgy 
 enter upon it for that very reafon S!CCZ\^ktbecaHfe its the command of 
 fhe Magiflrate^ and he aff roves of it : I lay , for that very caufe and 
 rM/^Kjandcoother,as many of htCj that would not part with the 
 Ceremonies and Service-booke, ( though never fo Popifli and An- 
 tichtiftian)iil they fa w the/^w*/*ow<?>' that fet them up,did p«//^^>» 
 downe, ndx touch with any other way of worfhip frefcrihedin Gods 
 Wordt bsfpre they faw what the GiviU Magiftrate did authorize : 
 
 Now 
 
,.^^ ,'■ dccordwgtothe S^ripures, - _ 
 
 Nowlfay, what coinfott can thefe men have in what they do, 
 Iceingthather. by, i. They make the order avpaittted by Chrififor 
 kuferz/ice affdtvorjhip to dfpendon the yvill i.ind plcA^ire of m.tn? \\\<S 2. 
 J'hiirfear of God ia taaght hy the Precepts of men , E ay 25). i g . And 
 ^. Their honouring of the creature herein^ a fiat dif. honouring of 
 Cody for ihit kind of obedience to humane power, dimini/hrth, if not 
 annihilatts the right and true obedience that ^ due to divine tower, 
 fettinf^ up the Mtnificr and fervent ^in the place androow of the Lord 
 and Majier, And what comfort can mtn rake in this ?dcubtU(Te 
 there is a tflay comming, when the eternall God will make men t- 
 '(hamed ot it, riid it may coft them bitterly. 
 
 0?>']. T hen you will fajf, i>y thks don^rine,Afagiflr4tet orenotto^e 
 reverenced nor regarded. 
 
 Anf. A meere nonfeqttitur^ for cannot Cefar be obeyed, unlcfTd 
 hcbt^lctupinGodsroome? but this isnoothtr then avlleafper- 
 fiai that malicious and envious fpirUs would caft on the faithful! 
 (srvantsof JefusChrifl:, w hofe reverence, relpcd", tndjuftobedi- 
 enc« to authorityjl make no dcubt,Qiall be found in due time to ap- 
 ppare in its beauty and excellency, ( through the good hand of our 
 God upon them j when the rottenncs of fuch bafe malicious/r/f /y^* 
 fpirits, fhall bo difcovered,to t'reir eveilaftingignominy anddif- 
 prace; For God is faithfull, that hath t)romired, to plead the caufe of 
 his people^ ^ caufe their integrity andfaithfulnes (even in this point 
 I doubt not) to Jhine forth as the Sun at noon-day, Viti. 37. 6, And 
 dovbtlQ^e authority is wife as an AngellofGod, todi(cerne what 
 fuch Sycophants aioie at, in their, feeking to afperfe the Godly 
 in the Land vvithall, as thofedealt by Daniely chap. 6. where it is e- 
 vidcnt, what a courfethcy tooke to be ridofhim,aswem3y fee 
 from-y. 4. ^c? i8.andthecaufeot5llI$noted,v. 3. £)4»k/ was ho- 
 noured above them; bt-CauCe an excellent jpirit was in him,and 2)4»- 
 rim thought to ftft hitn over the whole Realme : / needntt makeap- 
 p/'c<»ri(3»;C(.rtainly whatever fuch men talke in Prcfle and Pulpit, 
 Authority may for tverbcaflured, that thofe that fiithfully endea- 
 vour in all good confciencf , as for their lives, to honour the eternall 
 God,and their Saviour Jefus Chrift,/« one command of his,tht y will 
 inanother; and therefore they need not doubt but thofe thcy»»Vj(^- 
 w4w^/«</tf/;^Wrf»a,will(bythehelpeofChrift) ftrivetoobcy tho 
 the ftft Commandemtnt as well as the firO:,or any other ; and I fup- 
 pofetothisday, ( notwithfianding all the fifperftons 9) malevolent 
 tongues a»dPcnntf)AmkQiity hath found the truife of this we now* 
 
 T -;:" (pcaka 
 
fpeakedf iri abundlancf,ind I doubt not but fo they fliall to the end. 
 8^ Theiaft »nd great Impedir it tbat lyes in the way of the 
 Godly i« this; Thgf they arrjeahUj •V'? fhu rv.aj we pleadfor^ is hut 
 the device of man , havingjtot the f'ATnt finiimage of Chrifl uponif^ 
 vphatfoever vpeprefe»d, andfo if :,. -- ':/ chlewith it, they cannot 
 
 exp(U the Lords prefence with r/^. >; Jji^^ uponth<w in the pra- 
 
 Elife of it I bnt the ^ord way fay t^ .■ he4id to the forma Jetves i» 
 
 she Itke cafe ywho h{^th rc<]uir. .- 1 iiings at your nitid j fBfay i . 
 
 Now t©r removing of t'.. ,> molintaine, I (hall only dc- 
 
 fire one thing ma^bye feriour. ered, which i$ thjj^, that Fartf 
 
 be it from thofe ot the Con^|p|»!Ui.vil*ii ^»y to|)erjryvade tn^D.^lp 
 'whatfoev'er,to.'ivalke in :i^^|;^^ , tp, !an4 , the praftife orthat 
 which Chrift hirafclfe wilRi^S o#n/fir /?«, nor carweshis ima^e, 
 andfHferfcnSpticffujpdn : wh^^^otp let -it be put to the tryail, whe- 
 ther tniswiy of Worfiiippi^j^jSd^a I hay^preflcd the godly in the 
 landto.thepra(5liT<?.of, dd ■fflp-;fa^t Wel^^ in the ballance of the 
 ■ SipAmrYitnd^notmbrf^^^ C/>r//?it-hen all other wayes 
 
 "of Worfli.ipthatiaret)!)^^^^!*!'!:!*^,^^ I (hall for fhii pur- 
 
 pofe let before the'gbdlyTointfe'Wfi^^ that moft na- 
 
 .turally agree to this W^t W^jlfe^fQ f^c praftifc}of,andun- 
 tloubtej^W prove it to bft }j»m 3wy^P» ^nd hath the etemall God 
 art J cftisjChoft for its only authcjr ari|^ inftitutor. 
 'y. Arguments \\Th^twAjofvffiiieyi>or/hipl^tver tht^ Ckftrchof^jod^ 
 
 for the Con- th^t is moft: agreeahk so the Sci^i^rtY^n. siU its parts andparcels^ 
 gregatjonall f^^f j^^^ neeas beihc vt>af ofGo^jlufftlch is the way voee have before 
 ^^^' . ■fetd^wn^commpnlycaHed'theCoiigri^^^^ andnkkrttamed 
 
 ; • Jndependency.-ergo.- ■• >. \ • .» ,. 
 
 2. Th4fyvayof^f^.fhdtMojflififupJtCasChtiQi,aMdthrowes 
 
 - ^^Oifi^hHt fueh is thecongregiftioHallriiayytherdoref ^ 
 
 . ' ^ - ' 5^ Th'atrp^y of ^c, that maizes mofi for hvtines and advancemtnp 
 
 ' ■ ofpHritjin the hearts arid'Uvet ofmen,:that cannot be denyedto be tht^ 
 
 ' ,* . wayof the Lfftd^ andfo carry ChtiU'simage on it : bntfuch ii the con- 
 
 Jfegatiouallifvayyttgo. t. ' / ' * 
 
 ^ ij^Z.hatwayofcfc.tkatcawyesTnoflofChrifisglorietiSfowtr&pre' 
 
 ft »ce in it i and with it f to the foules and confciences ofrntn^ that is-. 
 
 'th^.-^jjSf-^fChriji'j bntfo doiknh* congregatit^. 
 
 7vithoHtcontrov.erfe , ^ , ^ ^ ir> 
 
 W/w<«y»ergo,&c^ w^^ • ;'£'' 
 
 5 . That rfJtj^ofi&c\' tWl^^^ the very nature ^a^^^ce ofh^ nor 
 '^niy tends to )he^frefe0a^9kvfth^ (fJritHa^Ubcm oflhofg m mth- 
 
 «v.»