/ & PRINCETON, N. J. 1 Collection of Puritan Literature. Division \S^ — ^"™"T ■••— ■^■•- W Section / Pr^J f Numbe?' /7#~r. *?riN Obel or 'Beth'jhemejb* i • "> A Tabernacle for the Sun : O R [%e?iICVM SVAHJjSLICVM, An I D E a of Church - Discipline , In the Theorick and Practick Parts * W^ch come forth firft into the World as %iii* groom and Bride^ hand in hand ; by whom you will have the tetum ejfentiale of a true G off) el-Church /rate, accord- ing to Cbrifts Rules and Order, left as when he Afccndtd. fn which you may finde the Hidden M) fiery of whole £7jr//?, m Head,, Necb and Bod/. Hidden in former Ages from the Sons of Men. Efb .5435. Publifhed for the benefit of all Gathered Churches, more efpechily in England, Ireland, and Scodani, By J o h n R o g e a s kn unfemed Friend and Servant of the Bridegrooms and Brides 3and Mimfter of the Gofyelofjeftts Chrift,fate at Turleigh m Ejfex,no\v an Tho.Apofi/es9 Lo&d. Declared for the moft part inChrift- Church } Dublin in Ireitinct.' Imprimatur Jofeph CarjL P&Ijq. 4,?. Tbzr 'he ip Cor rule and ftruc'kire,) u gone out thorough all the earth ; lathe®' bathbefeU dbcr,iac/efoytbeSwtt&c. d3n3 ""nn^ CZX3 or W& To ike Sun /«a!ri(unogr'^u. 'VT ".,. v In tb.it dy I will aft up the Tabm.ick of David that u fain, and bwld k & cfoli^ A nics c). 1 1 . L ONVOT^: Printed for R. I. and G. and H. '&ver\den> to be fold at the Grey Homd in Pauls Church -yard. 165 ?. inn or TH !EW, or Qbathan. T^e Beloved; G R> . . 1 The "Bridegroom going forth for his *Bride. And looking out for his faphejapbifba 5fM£ his FA IRE 0^£, Or, his CW^ adorned with double BEAVlT and EXCELLENT. Viz. ty/W* and Tlrrtfr in thefe /*#«" flfajtf • Wherein you have his Appearance out of his Chambers , which have hid him for many Ages paft, who-now comes forth in Power and Great glory, like the Sun/Lb ardor e Dirt & calore fl.Qn in hagtiftcring Afcenfon towards tyoon. C^D^ny Zaboniim. • --JT And that the Redeemer Goel ^$>U who is both the Author and fiuijber ofmr frith* Shewing bis Orient approach 0"Hp Whxh makes the Churches leok in thefe dayes Ufc the morning *^TW fairs as the CMoon, clear m the Sun, aud terrible as m Army with Banners, Ganf. 6. 10. L ON VON, Printed for R.lbbitfon, 1653, TBE EPISTLE TO THE Right Honourable his ExceUencie THE Lord Generall C%QMWEL. With an humble Requeft of John Rogers, Preacher of the GOSPEL. MT LORT>r Ou never needed Prayers more then now 5 and amongft other things to protect you from Para- fitesferene (fthileft Syrene) Song$$\ For when the wind fings and whittles in the leaver we look for a s ftorm. Spiders will be working in great mens Pallaces 3 and fVafpes f warm in the warmeft places,and lo will Flatterers,! am fure.Thofe that live under the *s£quinottiaUine at noon have no fhadow : I wifti now you may be without fuch fhadows however, which imitate your anions in meer flattery, as to {land, A 2 when The £ piffle to bis Excellency { when you ft and, walke when you walk, fit when you Jit; rife when you rifopraife when you praifcfindfaultwhen you finde fault} fmile when you [mite ; and /roavz when you ft own , and for no other reafon : Such are like Shop-keepers, who will coufen in a f aire manner , and abufe with much complement, and in great refpett. But although you may i»«* with many a confonant that will alvvayes follow your found as their vowels^ Yet (My. Lord) I had rather youfhouldfindein mee the P^/btf then the Pitlure of a fr/VW , for though the Piflure may flatter more , and teem fairer, yet the fub fiance fhall jfiSt'd you more , and be found £wrff- futfer. Wherefore my bumble Suit to your Excellency is, but, the benefit of your ear for one quarter of an houre; for w*/#£ tawtf /if hot , and whiles I was mufing, Plal^p.j. the fire burned, andlfpake. Ears likeglafs- windows fliould fliut out Tempefts, but let in //£&/ ; ; and this is all3 4/j Lo^ 3 that I would beg (now; that they and the Cafements of your heart may be but fet open to let in the light. ' An old Souldler of Cjfar's (fayes Suttonim in Aug%C.)mmed Veteranuijwas to fight a duel (and that upon a publkke account ) but after he had entered the lifts, and was wounded 5, he defires xwordWith defar before he would goe forward, and making hafte towards him^upon his admifiion and approach nigh Ctfars pre- fence3 he.criesout (plenu faucibm ) with open mouthy Q hark thou I. O € and upon ttpublicke an account , and againft more enemies, for they compajje me about like Bees , but m the name of the Lord I (halldeftroy them,Phl. n 8.1 0,11,12. 1 amfnow,entred into the Lifts, and that with (my; naked two-edged [word (i. e. of the Spirit of Truth) into the thichfft of them, fori fear them not $ but I hope (with gods dextrous hand) to bring oft fome heads, and out lome hearts (I meane by convincing or converting of them) before I turne home to my Quarters* In the meane time, I muft fpeake, and though I am (already) ingaged ( for the Book (with the Epiftles following) is already in the Prefle> and paft recalling) yet I am in as much hafte as the honeft Souldier was to runne after them, and to overtake them ) with thefe words (that follow) for your Honours Earsy Velmeaudiy vel digni- tatem depone , either heare me, or lay downe your "Digni- ty, faid the poor woman to the Emperour, and I hope I may be as bold with a Chriflian^zs faee was with ai&4- then. For, My Lord, it is fozyou , and^Zf elfe that have the Spirit of Chrift , againft Antichrift that I am thus ingaged And will you fit ft ill now !-- Luther was wont to write the 'homeft Epiftles to theDuks of Saxony upon the higheft Emergencies , and ihall not I with a Luther s Refolution (oiCedo nulii, yea Cedo nun- quam) prefent my Epiftle to your Excellency ? Now? upon fuch a change and overturning as this is? What, though Great men were (hitherto) like Mountains that fell zfmoaking with Pafsion when thewwd 0/ C/W but touched them^ yet it coft them afe*/* d* /d/?; for from the. &»0*fc. they fell .into the Fire. But now it is ; Aj, others 7 he Epifiletchu ExceGency othcrvvile (we all hope; and that our Mountains (when touched) will runne down with new wine 3 and rniike ( Joel 3.18.) and be as thole mountaines of [pices 3 upon which Chrifi is coming running (as aRoe\ to reigne over us , fant.&.i^.. 1 he Lord, (therefore) make you ( with the reft of the Worthies in the Army and Councel) fuch mountains , aadthenas High as hee W//3over us. For this End I was bold (being put on by a better nature t and a higher Principle then my owne ) to prefent your Excellency ( fome five weeks fince ) with a handfull of Propofals fetched from the Common-wealth of Ifrael9 for which (to fhew you j fome few of my Wounds , as the Seuldier did to Cdfar) it is well knowne to God and men , what uncharitable cenfures 3 tigidteprehenfionsy icurrilous keen- tonguedy and cutting calumnies} my »? both from feeming friends , and ferious/w . But the worft words in the Bellies of our rffljrj brethren I muft breake thorough , and I have been (already) under fever al vollies of fuch as were I charged up to the mouth againft me3 witnefle Letters I and Libels fent to mee 5 and the pitiful Pamphlets they have written, with the fpumm hot foaming agitati- 1 ons of bufie-heads abroad in covfultation % and befides j thefe, thofe that feemed (before) better friends ] have now their Fore-heads fitting on aheap, which j brings forth the Pus ( rather then the Opm) of a too \ hot-zffe&ed Brayne 5 but if they bee indued with a 1 higher principle (as a rational is above a fenfitive • or a Jpiritual above a rational) I fhall then fubmit to their cenfures 5 or elfe fay they are not competent fudges. Thus far(^fy Iwrf; I am entered the lip^nd though in The Lordgen.Ciomwel. in the midft of thefe hot ingagements (and without a. Tanner ', too, but Chrift, yet Veteranus-like have I, and \ fodoel, lift upmyvoyce aloud, which, I hope, fomewhat moves your Excellency (C&far-like) to lay, Beofgoodchear ! for we willwgage with you , i.e. for Cbriftjn the quarrel againft tAnticbrift 3 and the #Wjf J?f^/?. Wherefore that my tvo%JDS and your tf'O 2^#S may bcefteeped all over in the unBion with fpread fails for good fuccefs, prayer awtf* with them:and compofes them thus: Firft, That your Excellencies eyes may fee the /i//of jlntichrift ,and of Xmeex)National Inter efts 3the fame n?4j that they rofe up. As for Anticbrift ( in /M££ 1 5 6. of i, /#. following) it appears he began (vifibly) by a Bifhop, and then Ambition blew him up to an ^Arch- bijbopi and f o to be Metropolitan and Vrimate, and fo to Patriarch, and fo up to Pope 5 But becauf e the moft -defperate and irrecoverable /i// is backward, (vifible) Anticbrijl'is fo falling5now in the Pope-, the Pqpey Par triarchs (fo called ) and (^Metropolitans , and Primates, in the Prelates, Bifhops and tArcbbijhops, &c. So that ere long, we (hall have as true a narrative of his r*/#^ as we have had of his rifing* and when all the changes have rung their ra^zd , Chrift will come to r eigne in the roomoi all j In the mean time? whilft the changes are going, theLamb iscomming , and the Marriage- day draws on,. Let the Bride make hafte ! But as to National lnterefts (as I have offered in the Propofals) SrftcWhad the guidance oi them; then Generals, then Parliaments , and then Kings, and in their fall (back- ward) they are from Kings to Parliaments 5 for Kings 1 fall in them,and Parliaments in Generals , and generals \ The Epifile to his "Excellency in the iu\\ point and period , I mean in Chrift, A Jweet fall ! and my foule faies daily, fo let them fall O «r j^Wprefented to her, that ftiee (old her loyalty to her husband for it 5 fo have fuch cwirifters fold their /oj^ to Chrift indeed, and to his Churches, and to theGofpel /which all men (almoft) take notice of in our dayes ) that have been bewitched by great places or < preferments to forfake the tMim(lry\or Churches , and never to preach (now) but at leafure3and inflate. %Ariflotlt tell* us of a field in Sictly that fends forth fuch a itrong fragrant Jmell of fl.wers to all fields round about, that no Hounds could /w//,becaufe their fcentwzs fo confounded with ihe fme/l : And indeed I didfeare it , and fome did finde it , that England was fuch ajze/W, that with honours and pleafures, efleem, and Luxuriant animi rebut pie- fecundiSi and fo hath the />/ fuch as fee their emptinejje, like a Reed<> and yet are fweet within* And Fourthly, Cajtia in Heb. Kiddah i, e. Humility, which moft excellently adornes a Miniftry of Chrift , and the fruit fulleft Bowes are bore down the lovefl. For as bat/afl to the fhip , fo is humility to the mind yznd Maries box Co full of precious oyntmentt is a bro- ken box. But thefe things, My Lord, in the Miniftry you muft fee to , for the Lords (ake,znd his labernaclesfake. , Now for thefe, and the like ends , the 3 and endue you with ntfdome from rffoiv, b 3 that 24. 12 The Eptftte to his Excellency that your Chain oi Honour , may never be (as other mens have been) an Elfsftool, which is worfe then the Stool of repentance. Thirdly, and efpecially, Seeing you are entered in- to this Government fo Solomon-like, I mean without one drop of Mood, (which hath caufed fonie to* call us j the Land of Wonders , who (may hap,) may have much I more caufe fo to do ere long, j The good hand of Cod that hath lead you thus in, qualifie you, and the reft, with Solomon-like abilities for his Temple- fervue, fo as to'minde moft zndfirft the Interest of Chrift in his Churches and Nations, according to that (landing rule left by our Saviour, in CMatth.6.$$. Seel^firft the King- dom of God^ and his rtghteoufnefs, &c. Every tongue is now tipt with tatks>( a T*eaty with the Hollanders, and other Rations : But in it (I hope) the Lord wiJl lay it much on your hearts, that the work is not fo much yours as Chrift s $ and if you make leagues, O let not Christ be forgotten I to covenant for your /elves, or National Inter efts, and to negleft his ! For this, let tfofeua be your Trefident ; when the Gibeonites came to jfojhua, Chap.g.6. faying, Tray ^ make a league with m (which they fought with wtles, fayes the 1 ext,) what laid the men of Ifrael (but as all (jods Ifraelites in theieW^tions, now (ay to the Hollanders.) Ver.7. Howfhall wemakf a league with you $ ("You treacherous! felkfeeking! and ungrateful people !) And they /aid, we are thy Ser- vants : (But was that all > why fo men may do in meer complements $ wherefore mark,) Vcr.?. Thy Ser- vants are come (to feek this) because of the name of the! Lord thy God; for we have heard of his fame, &c. This is a good Argument indeed j and would the wars would bringforth this from the Hollanders, to fay, w* would The LordGeneral Cromwc!. I? would be in league mtb you (England) becaufeof the name of the Lord I (to much amongli you) becauie oiChnft ! his Goffei / his Churches ! his Saints that are with you } tiler efore we would be one with you ! . 01 a pexce upon the account of Chrift, to engage together againft An- tichrift, '%pmey Prelates, Enemies in all Nations 5 and tikeHippocrates twins to luck out of the fame brefls,dizw nourifh ment and blej?ings,ftand and fall, live and die to- gethcr in ## mofi per felt, and Jpiritual u[e of them. They live more in the Root, and ipread lefs in the Branches , and are (as yet,) fcarce known in the World, as they will be (ere -long) when the elements are a little clearer. For thefe endsznd ufes, the Lor dour god (we trufl) hath anointed and appointed you 5 wherefore let thefe lines be accepted by your Excellency, and ferve for y*- frefhment to you in youtfubcifive hours 5 and when you can3 to take a tar# or two in this Treatife among fuch Trees oi Rtghteoufnefs, as are of the Lords own planting (in his Gardens,) which will /ft*d you with delight (if the Lord give but %&*) to fames'* {the 1*4 pottle) yea, beyond 3 till you come to make Sion-houfe for your Excellencies habitation. It is reported of Zenocrates (a very Heathen) that he had lb much pitty to a poor Sparrow that flew to him, (from an enemy> the #4»^J that he took it into his The LordGen. Cromwel. J5 his Bofom, and when all danger was over , he let ii go r again, laying, Sefupplicem non pwdi4i£& He would not betray h;s t>uft, or deftroy his y jox Suppliant. So my Lord, I am per (waded, that principle which is in you, will welcome t and entertain Truth (that flies to you) into your bofom, and give her fanftuary from her oppressing adverfaries, that would make her a prey .- Wherefore, for the Lords lake, lay not afidethefc lefjons, nor put them up in your Pockety as C would never have imagi- ned him the man^ that muft reign over all Ifrael : Neither tic that The Sfiftle to the Commifoonersfor the Affairs 0/ Ireland. 19 that faw Jofeph a prifoner, have thought that he muft be a Prince or ever wear chains of gold,, who but now wears fet- ters ef iron. So the coming of C^'fl 1S in l^e elouds, and in ftorms, few can fee ic fo as to difcern the degrees of his ap- proaches : But O ! how many zitftartled at the entrance of this Fifth Monarchy I which muft up and ft and for ever! Why doft thou cry aloud, is there no King in thee ? Is thy Counfellorperijhed? Micari4.9. It is Chrift alone that (hall reign over thee, Ver.7* From henceforth , even for ever. He (hill be King* and King alone ; he is that Sacred So- vereign and Ma]efty, which muft be enthroned in thefe days as Supream Head and Governor. He is already cryed up and crowned King, and anointed afrefla as David was in Hebron, 2 Sam.2.4 By the men of Judah (viz* The fan&ified Mem- bers, and the Churches') who hath been appointed and an- ointed of old by God? 1 Sam* 17. it. Even before thefe changes were 5 whilefl he was the keeper of his Fathers (heep; and appeared not fo publickjy abroad and about, as now he doth. He (hall be crowned by all Ifrael, 2 Sam. 5. 1,7, and take the ftrong holds of Sion for his dwetlingfUce, andTalace^ as^T} .9. In the interim, iov fevenyeaxs and a half he muft reign, mod (apparently) in Hebron ; I mean among the gathered Churches that have newly anointed him, and craned him, with the crown wherewith his Mother crowned him> Cant. 3. 1 x-. In proclaiming him Kwg,\n pub liming his Laws, and acknowledging him alone as Head, and Sovereign^ as (hall appear by thi3 Treat ife. Furthermore, this may appear by his bounty to them that have crowned him \ for he does begin abundantly (as Kings newly crowned do,) Sparger e MiJJllia & Donaria, to pour out of his Spirit on his Churches, and to fprinkje coyn of his own ft amp and image for us ijpickjip apace, and to be enriched thereby, as 1 Cor. x. J» in all things, fayes the zApoftle* And thirdly, the concurrent and unanimous teftimony which the Spirit (his Mejfenger) bears of this in the hearts of all, that wait for his appearance 5 (yea, of all judgements, c 3, that «frw. i.GbriftKing, * . Anointed of old, appointed now over fii* dab. Crowned in Hebron, i. e. The gathered Churches. % Sam 1. 1 1. 2. His bstmry to them that have proclaim-* ed him Kin^» ?. The fcti wrtnefs. ao 7 he Epiftleto the CammifSioners Sim* 4. His attend- ants and no- bles that corns with h m» Sim. Chrift the Sun, Saint, Diah> how? To ihow now the day goes, and Cfe rifts reign draws nigh. 5. The manner of his earning like lightning. 6. His goirg^ , f>rtharn£.for- wa;d. that are dtfcermng Saints) which doth argue much Chrifts reign : For as (formerly) a Kings bare tefte meipfo at Weft- minfter was of as much validly as the Sheriffs greater ado With h\spoffe comitates. So now is the Spirits (viz,. Chrift by his fair its) tefteme ipfo, of more worth ("being one and the fame (as to Chrift) in d\\men falmoft) that he is com- ing to reign?) I lay more then all the ftirs andftrifes, and greater ado abroad by Armies, and Powers, and Policies of Rations, though they alio are of validity to prove his *y- proach,Heb. 12. 27,28. Fourthly, The ^Hobilitj that attend him, do all confirm />a coming (viz. the Saints) thofe ex-cellent ones of the Earthy PfaU 16. 3. for now they are Aw^ #p0«. I mean not fo much by the t/^fj orp0B>*rjof the Earth, bccaufe they are honeftr men, fair carriage d, or ufeful men, or fuch as God £/^/ above **// rffcrj with good fuccejfes, &c* As becaufe they are Chrifts , and he follows them , or fas the word «*xotaS«? allows) he comes with them. Plutarch compares Kings to the Sun, and his Subjects to the Dials j if the Sun (hinenoton the Vial, no man will//>Sf"his authority and p*r againft the fwm of , £ls f^ftoof, the Earthy till all be made his foot-ftool, ummAov j A ?. to fettle him, and to advance him% as well as to be under him^ Heb. 10. 13. 1 CV. 15.25. then wo be to thePr^»! to the Beajtl and to <*/( ! that are imerrefled for them ! for they mud fall, Revel. 19. I p. Antichrifl ! AntikjrkJ and Ant iff ir it ! and *z# muft tumble / for forifl alone is coming to reign ! O then ! that the Powers ! the Parliament ! the eArmiesl and the Princes of the E^r^ were wife 1 P/2*/.; 2.1 2, and would betvare of that fubtil Serpent^ viz,. Nati- onal Policy, which would be (as Luther iaid) the overthrow of Chrifl I his Church I and Gosjel; were not Cod en- gaged againft it ! with a ?W 0/ iron in the £»W* 0/ Chrifl* and his Saints \ who will now be the utter and unevitable ruine of it. So that the Nobility fliall confift of fuch Saints^ Who ^j fce as fliall judge the world ; that Virtue \% tmefl%zQ& th3t the Nobility, Nobility I H'S enemies how? -Cr 2* The Epiftle to the Co^^fioners Who are trueft Noblemen, What nobility is but a fancy for children and fools. Nobility is beft, which (T>eus in nobis^Jtne nobis operatur) is placed in us by a power above us, as the onely efficient caufe : And this habit hath a*n activity to promote the pretious things I of God (femper fe habens ad bonum, ) thefe are Noble ones indeed, that, that day will exalt. Verm nobilis non nafcitur^ fed Jit, fayes Sir Walter Raw high, Cap. 9* SeB.q.. A true Nobleman is not by fucceffion of blood, but of good ; of voice , but of virtue , 1) iff us nobilis, quafiprb altisvirtute nctabilis. For as things that are^W, conhft of matter and form, (o does a good nobility. \ he Race or Lineage (as to be of fuch a Family , fuch a Seed, of fuch an Earl or Lord) is nothing, or but the matter at the beft ; but the Form (which gives the beauty, and life, and being, to true Nobili- ty, and is all in alt) is the virtue and excellency, and proper qualities and deferts, which do j?* him to ferve and profit the Commonweal or State. The T^obility then are fuch as *#**/ in virtue and t&3 and not by worth, by defringit, and not.by^ym>/#£it 1 by being great, rather then by being good I This Nobility Game in by corruption, and calls for cor- rection from above, which God is now about ( viz,, to bring them down low, and to exalt his Saints.) For elfe the Nobility would f0*#? of fuch as are the very ignobility, enormity, and deformity of -^ Reformed Nation. So was The frit King Nimrod the fr ft mighty Sovereign, a mighty Tyrant , and was a Tyrant.} called (by Augufiine) that mighty Hunter againfl G^; and fo they have cotjtinued to be ; who were Nobles, or 3d3 Kings by birth or sw/W, and not by wwr& ot virtue. But I write to you truly Honorable, as lam perfwaded you are, in the number of thrifts nobility 1 viz* His excellent ones I I have heard, that »«£/*/? perjons have the £*>/ capacities, which I am fure is true of thrifts goblet and Worthies 5 fachaswe are to enquire for, Mttth earthly) (hall /*ft The fame difpen-athn of his comming feeds this , and fades their?. And as C&ri7r(thisfcwi/es/> £/wgJ with his Nobility {viz. Stints) arifes bigward ; Earthly Kings with their A7b- bilities doe fall backyard. This appears in thefe parts of Europe already, and will all over the World ere long, till not one be hft, but who brings his glory to Sion, and layes his Crowne at Cbrifls feet. As for us in this Commonwealth , I am confident from the Scriptures, and Prep&e/f e/,compared with the Expofitions and Providences of thefe dayes, that although there may be r agings and ri(tngs by fome wicked , ill-affefted and turbulent fpirits 5 yet a ICiwg can never more reign in Eng- land 5 for this Toe is daflied all to peeces by the Stone cut Without bands, and cannot r/]e more , for tbe worke is begun, and it muftgoe on till the whole Image tumble, beiidssthe frequent Predictions (a« to us) from others, as in that Italian one: Hen. 8 Edw.6. Mar), Elizabeth, Jamts% Charles, None. Mars , TVr, ^#0, Virgo* Vulpes% Leo, Nulla*. And that Sc§ttilbo»e 5. (J. our King. Charles that rw." After .7 Pmces,&c* in thefe lafl dayes, I had not produced thefe 9 But to proceed, It is this graft (jocl that deftreyetb King' domes , and overtbrowetb bofis 3 and cbangetb the times and feafofiSy that removeib Kings , and punifbetb Nobles , and the migbtj ones, Dan»2.24. Ifa.24. 21 . and makes the eartb to reek \i\e a drunken man&c. It isthis Jebsvab Elobim that hath entrufted you with power and authority, to improve and imphy it for his Son Jcfus Chrifr; the King of Sion , who is coming apace to reigne. And bletfedfballjouhsii he 'andz you good and faithful fiewar ds 9 as to his latere/?. My heart boyles over (the Lord knows) into fervent and frequent petitions on your hebd\ 'e , that you may be under a iifpenfation of his Spirit an fwerable to what you have to doe for the Lord there in thefe dayes, and in thofe affairs; but as i am an bumble Petitioner for you 5 fo I am an bumble Petition, ner to you (wherein yet I hope , and am ptrfwjided that I am, and £hall be happily prevented by you 5 As, Fjrftj For y out ft iendlieft countenance to the wayef , and Goftel-mrfbipof Cbrijl xJe[m Lin the purity, and jpmtuality of them •, for the ftA f fairs of Ireland. *S them; a poor and mean model of which (Co far as forfubftance) I handed in the Lsttures on the fifth dayes of the week at Ckrift-Churcb in Dublin ) I heartily f refent you, not as a Vireftory , but as a Di(pe?ijatery , which (I hope) with the ZW; tlefsing may b:e /;/«# to iome, and kurtful! to none. This Gofpel-Vifcipiine and Do&rine will obvioufly appeare in the p&6. So Saturne from ^Jaw , and fo yfyoifo from Tu6al, and FkIc/w from TaW Cain, and £lta* from £z;/j , and Venus from Noema (Tubal Cains fifier) whofe name is as much as to fay VenuHa (faid Au^ufiin) with many others. And fo the fidion of the go/dew -/fyp/f kept by the Dragm is taken from the Serpents tempting Eve with the fair Apple of the 'tree. So the Garden of the Hefperidcs from Paradife. So C6r//r^ that W2spromifed ftiould breaks the Serpents-head, and cofitf^r beU/,Scc. occafions the F^/e of Hercules his killing the Serpent of the Hefperides, his dejeending hell, captivatirg Cerhentt&c.So Nimrods building up of £abel,theficlion of the Giants rvar with Jupiter : So AM>/ Arks , and thejfojd, the fittionol *D eucalien his fbjp t and the j?^ and his flaying on Parmjfu* , as Noah did on esfrarat, till the n?^rer/ were a- bated&c.whh many of the likf fit! ions }z$Afelanilon mentions de Chriftiana libertate , which are but the excrement $ of true Hifiories. Nowoutof the reltques of Truths arife old corrupti- ons-? and fo out of errors , we may flnde the old reliques, mo- numents and appearances , and fignes of eWfr traffrj : So the tAnticbrifrian-Church-Vifcipline , and Pep//& inventions are Qlike JJtf/os/ fetched from true Hifiories) the degene- d 2 raid This is the Good old ways and from the ft ft. Sirff.Rtf*- /e/gfc lib« i.€»& fed 4- Heathens Fables ferh?d out of Serif rare Hi (lories. Augufiin; Metanftbm. Corrpticns arifc out of the reliqaes of Tru.hsj and the old re- iii] ties and bones of truths are foind in con upt Do- ctrines 2nd Difcipline. So in Anri. \ ch iftian orders and Ordinances are there the figns & re fern: blances or ap- pearances of Ghrifh true Orders and Ordinances. 26 The Epifile to the CommtfsioneYS l Pet.isth t you will give g ©d example, and lead in o- thers. iPfal.84.1r, ExampTes. Deut 17.16. i Sam, j. 30. Pawfrda^es new , Solomons follow. Saul flajn. ™**> tyfardjp, and Ape-like refemblances of Chrift, true Cburcb-Difciflim : And in their corrupt erroneous ord*-/, we have the reliques and ftgnes of the e/cf,or rr«e Order/, and Ordinances of Q?r//r3 do what they can; as I might inftance in many particulars of the body eiTential , and organical ; fo that as a skilful Arithmetician by a faife number^ findeth out a true ; foa skilful Chri^ian by a falfe way findeth out a true way. Now in the Mount is the Pattern to be feen of that Order which is to be fet up in his Churches , viz. the Primitive fat- terne and fraclife of ^rijl and his C/?«rcJbej , which I here humbly prefentyou with, as from the Lord ( who hath laid it with fire upon my fpir it fo to do;) you may fee the amiable tabernacles of the Lvrd 3 and finde a Directory in the Atfs of the A fifths * Secondly 3 Ibefeechyou putinpr^/p, what you finde in Precefi;mdha.th fofttive command for it from Cbrifl, as to enter into the CJSWcb of Cbrijt , orderly gathered by Go- ff el-rule bath, which P^/d had rather cter, yea and chofe rather to be a door-keeper 9 and to keep the very Tbrefbold as the word ^ is (and become one of the w^;ze/r) inthefo&f/e oftbeLord) then to be a JO'sg. In this ( Ihope}I am alio prevented, for that I judge your heart* are much with the Saints in G*/M • communion j For that with fome of you I, have walked in the Church when I was at Dublin. Now asagreat man hath many followers , fo hath a Ma~ qiftrate. We lJve m thefe dayes (as if they were the dayes of David) but in TVh/j and Tabernacles ( xChro.22.8. Fur the Temple muft not be laid in Bhod (faies the Lord J in ump&rijon to the next age (Soloman-Ukf dayes) when ^'(hall bee turned into one Temple* Thefe. are as the tfojej of PawV, wherein you are as betwixt two (D i am ttri catty) contrary rcignes> viz.. Sauls and Solomons', fif^ «W that was zdifobedhm Prince^ that loved witchcrafts and Idolatries 9 that was a Tyr in i 'i i r | n i ■>— — a^g^i The Epiftte to the Cornmtfstoners Gren encou- ragements far Minifters in Ire/And. ficient maintenance ; and fo,as that they need not to be trou- bled to c^r^and care about carnal things y or "worldly affairs^ how to live ; but the Magi fir ate is to take them off ( whom he employes,) I fayjcff ot all uich difl raft ions ..that they may wholly attend to their Afiniftry, i Tim. 4. 13, 15. ^5. 1718. l Cor 9- 9,10,11,13. I am bound to bear teftimony to your integrity and fideli- ty herein, and wifh no worfe to England, then your orderly and tfesjel-li'kf way of maintaining the ALiniftry in Ire- land ; notoneiy, that they have enough and to fpare (as I know by experience of Two hundred pounds per annum.} A very large allowance, and paid them tax-free ; and (with- out fail,) quarterly out of the Treafury of Revenues • but in that they are not troubled with the thing called Tithes, nor with Farijh-cures ; not being placed as Pari fir Minifters in Parishes : So that their Conferences are not tyed up to pleafe men, ovxMalignant humor s, as Parochial Minifters and Tithe-mongers here do. And hereby you will be fure to fettle none, nor give falary to any, but to fuch as are able and honeft good men, as well zsgood Minifters 5 and to fuch as are worthy ( of your countenance , care , and provifton ) both in life and doftrine. The X/, as long as 7*>£« and Parifhes are *p ; having the old corrupt lives and fottijh fuperftttions , and opinions of their Parishioners to be their guard, and wall of defence round &~ bout them : And by this *#* ^^ will malignant humors be maintained in the l^ation^nd Parity Churches*, and Orders^ and Ordinances, and Common-fray en, and CreJfin&s> an£l Cringing , and fuch accurfed fluff be in moft Malignant cPartjhes provided for $ whileft in Ireland thefe trumperies muft tumble for want of maintenance, and the £*d/y j/i«- The way to rout tfee rank, corrupt. Nati- onal Mini&ry. * According to tke L&terAn Councei for Tithes and Pro fentations, An* lzijinK. Iohns days ', which was the fir ft that canonized them fince Ch rifts time. <■"- for the Affairs of Ireland. *M» 29 firy hatb the more thereby ; for no others are allowed fa- laries or ft if ends by the State, but fuch as are fo refuted and \ approved of, for godly and able. And furthermore, hereby are godly Mini fiers freed from that fearful tyranny (to fouls and bodies) of Advwchons> which are bought and fold to ferve mens lufts and humors : And as j4uftinefaye$, Tantograviut eft peccatum, quango committi non foteft nip inDeum. The fin is the greater, by how much the more it ftr ikes at God. And what can be more grievous, then to m&keafale of jW> ? And all this too, to ferve (I fay) mens humors, and to do homage to their honors. Thus corrupt Patrons (when their prefentations fall) can put out godly eminent Minifiers, to the grief of hundreds, and of the "tohole Country round about, and (again ft the wv'#of all that are godly) place in their room themoRraf cally unworthy fits that can be • fo they do but acknowledge them their Matrons, and pleaie them in Taverns^ and at Tables, and Preach as they would have them, or the like. And although there is fo much Joul- off re ffion to fatisfie fuch Patrons in their punttilie of honor ; yet it is much more, when fome men (who have bought advouchons) will clofely and clandestinely make bargains to have fo much fer annum paid them out of the peoples furfes j this the Par fins [hall engage to do, before they beprefented by them. But benefi- cium foftulat officium^ fuch as thefe feek rather the goods, then the good or the people3who muft befure now to btferew td up high to pay Patron, Par fin, and aU. . T^ero Tiberim never gave office to any, but he firft iaid to h\m, You kjtow 1 Uckj, and tome Patrons come little Ihorr. of Caligula, who was fo in love.with his horfe Incttatus, that he gave him his Provender in a Cj' olden Charger, and made his horfe a Priej% and pvottfod filemnly to mike him a Conful ; but he c u .■ i notlive to it. Such Priefts rlnde fuch Patron-, and then like Tatron like Par fin-, for they will low cift te a*1- optts. This abominable corruption yet continues in afrpla :es, to the utter undoing cr many finish fytiniftt , 2'. -people; which is againft the fence, notonelyof all tiugodly m bought aad fold. The horrible Tins of fuch advokdions. 5° The Ep/ftle to theCommifmnevs .*~ Sc it. tj. They deftroy fouls to gft diflboneftgain- Sim, In yo bo Appro- thcmfelves, as Raftal and C^ (that lively Oracle of the Law } who declares again ft ic, as being ungodly and fecrile* gious, for any (fayes Cook^) that is not Ecclefiaftical to med- dle wich Ecclefiaftical mutters* So to meddle with /*#/- mattcrs) to take upon them foul-cares and cures, that aie fervants to/«, and to their 0^# tufts , ( and To would have all others to be fo too, ) Quanta damnations eft, (^ fayes Cjreg. E&ek. Horn, 6. ) &c. Which no Kings nor Lords ought to do, (Sir Edward Cook^, de jur% Reg.) much lets may they make a fate of them tootheis, which they for fo long have ufuiped, robbing of God, and wronging poor fouJs I and all this under pretence of bonw too \ which I fear they will finde an Elies chair to them j andasonefatd of his .fo£tf, O nobilem magls quam falicem pannuml *So may they fay of this ufurped and unfuferable right which they pretend unto : But it is a great mercy both to Minifters and people, that are freed from this fear,and foul-opprejfion in Ireland, Secondly, Provide for their Widows and Orphans after them, which is of -great concernment to keep them off of werldly cares and pains, to [crape money together as many do, and to make much of their carcass, leaft they fhould not live hug enough to provide for their Wives andC£//- dren : This is one thing that makes Minifters too idle, and lazy, and loath to (pend and be {pent in the fervice of their Mafier : Wherefore it would much advance and advant- age the G 'off el ; and it lies as a duty upon deeply incumbent Magiftrates, to take care for the Fatherlefs and Widows of fuch as are faith fa I laborer s in the Lords Harveft, that they may not want and wand,er as vagabonds ; for God is very )ear lous of their welfare &nd will call Magiftrates. to an account about them, feeing God hirafelf hath ordered the Widows of the Trie ft s to be provided for, £3.^44.2 2. Thirdly, Inprefervingthem hom threat mug florins, I fa. 52.3 . then are your faithful Minifters,mo& like the laborious Beesyto bring i» a pace5 when the clouds look blackfft over their heads ^ and then they make the to?/ 5 but Magiftrates are as the Hives y to keep andfhelter them from the florins* In this alfp I fubferibe ateftimony to your Honen for the i.Letthefa'th ful Minifters Wives and Child Ten, be provided for t afte»their de- ccafc. God requires it. fj 3. Keep and 1 prcrectthc <3 Minifters by v you: power, tl from violence tl and injuries. for the Affairs of Ireland, 3* encouragement of all other Minifters that are inclined to their Mtftersworkjn that part of the Vineyard (\oprophefie over thole dry bor.es) that hath inch very great ne d of them ; th ugh many I rmet with (and feme of them that have given me their hands, to go over andfit down there) who pretend a]e-Aoufie and fear, which they have of that Jpreadfng (and they (ay) too vioLnt a perfecuting fpirit of j4n..baptifm (fo called,) m'n^hc they have their deftgn and de fires , in the angry heat of their own wills and power ; yet knowing they have neither power nor (exprtfly ) will3 whilert the godly Mimfiery finde the Magiflrates their de- fence \ they are encouraged again. And I am bound in con- fcience, to declare it to tnem, That you are the moll affecti- onate^ nnrji»g Fathers, to defend rhem (that aie holy and innocent) that ever I met with ; or (! think, I might fay) in ^hriftendom, to refcue them from the rage and rough ufages of luch as are , or would be groundltlly in')uriom unto them, and to keep (fuch a8 deferve it) all fafe (as the nurfe doth the childe) in your own arms. Fori havefbu nd you true> faithful^ plainy and open vowels, when falfe witneffes were at beft as ts£diptbongst and quite out of Chrisls crofs- voWy with their fainted faces , and forked^ forged fit! ions. So that (I hope) it is youi honor ro do Juftice, and of all men to bear the brefl-plate of right edufnefs ; as it was faid of Cato, That the Sun might i'ooner alter his courfc, then he the cdurfe of Jufltce. Thus thofe Minifters that be as twines, to bring forth Grapes, (ball finde you as Elms to hold chem up from be- ing trod under foot ; and Magiflrates and Minifiers do 1 ke Rachel and Leah, build up the houfe of IfraeL 5. My hi\ Petition to you is,in the bu/ie ww^that is about, viz,. The Propagation of the Gofyel, to put vour endeavors, | and contribut vour afliftance to thtutmofi^ as fervants to Chrifi and his Cheches, Ifaj6o, 2,3, 4,5. and to aft for the welfare of the Churches^ and friends of the Goffel; that all the Kingdoms may be Chrifls^ Revel, n. 15, and his Churches* For as Mifter 7^» GwenSayts in his laft Sermon before the Houfc, on Otf#4.i$. 1^5 »• Page 44. JheLMagifi rates $ whom The Authors experience of this. Sim, Sim. 1. Perlr/ojiis, That you put in all ycucan to propagate iheGofpel. Mr, Owen. a* The Epiftle to the Commifiioners Siml J* & Halcyon'-days d< aw nigh. whom God will own0 and blefs, (hall put forth their power, and aft in that capacity > wherein he hath placed them in the world, for the good, furtherance, and prosperity of the Truth, and Church of Chrift. And indeed, I do think the lafi blow we had by the Hollanders* was to awaken you all to this work^ in your capacities and places as Magiftrates, to countenance and encourage all you can, the growth of the Goffiel, and the being and well-being of ^ all the gathered Churches^ (elfe certainly el) and minde other things which are nothing fo much worth, nor of fuch concernment 5 neither that will fave yo« in that day, which, will come as atheif, upon fuch as watch mt% 2 Pet. 3, Wherefore appear with your powers for Chrifl and his Gof- pel, protect the Churches 5 feed them as nurfes> with milk^ and nourijhment ; encourage them with you perfons and powers \ and adorn them with your favor and a jfeft ion. For this the Lord looks for at your hands, in order to thofe Halcyon days that are under a promife. For as it is reported of the Halcyon, (a Bird that builds on the Sea) that whilerl (lie fits on her eggs, (and till her Birds be nonriihed) the Sea is very calm ; whiei; the Sailors ell the Halcyofrdays : And indeed, fo it will be with the Churches, folong as CMagi~ irajes for the affairs of Ireland, j&>. (hates arc about this work, fitting on thefe Eggs% and hatch- ing on thefe Birds, the Seas (which will othcrw'fen*^ againftus) (hill be calm and quiet $ and the enemies (hail not dare to foam againtt us , or flic upon us with their ■floods, » Wherefore to enforce this duty, fo deeply incumbent up- on you 5 do but confider the world of ble flings the Golf el ever brings with it to Magi fir at es, Pfal. 22. 6. zndpeople, in things fpiritual and temporal, 1 T/w.4.8. Ifa.% 2. 21. A* fbeep in the ground inrich the ground 1 For the Gosfel to a Nationi is like the Book of Canticles, which begins with a j^//}, and ends with fpices. Alfo confider the danger of neglecting this work.; he did defiroy thofe Husb*ndmen,md let it out to others, Matth. 21. ns4c~tsl$. 46. Wherefore that you may be found faithful in the day of the Lord ; do what may be to enlacge the Qhulrches and Dominions ol Chrifi, that they be freed from opprefllon, injustice, injuri- ous cruelties, or the like; and that they be protected from that Long-fword of Violence, that fee ks to ruine them, 01 wrong them, or ro£ them of their Liberty and Privilcdgcs : O discountenance thofe extreams and extravagancies ol Super flit ion \ Idolatry! old Cufiomsl and traditions ! e£v. whidhmany Vitelline like would vye up, who laid of thofe deadcarcafles, and corrupt unfavory cufioms, as of Chrifi- mas, Holidayes, and many other fiinking obfervations ; a^ VtteUius was wont to fay of ^^ »**»/ /W/ej (which lay above ground and fmeltj fo as none could endure to come nigh them) he would fay5 Nothing more fweety and reprove thofe that were offended at them : Bat lean by experience affert your affiduom diligence, to eradicate^ root and branch. fuch carnal abominations, being very j///£ in your rebuke, of thofe men that did too Scottifhly% I mean, jott ijh ly obfervt Chrifimas, 16$ I* Veritati filer e tfi aurumfiepelire* I durft not bury thefe things in oblivion, though I ma> meet with many a Caligula-Vike look, for telling the truth from fome that are Adversaries. B aides, I befeech you fo Chrifi and his Go£fely and Saints fake, to be very considerate and cautious, of fettingup any form- of 'Z> ifcip line z$ Na- tional ; whether Independency, (fo called) or Anabaptifm,o\\ *ta estngi of Jhe Go'ptrl ro M giftrites. People, and all. Sim. -61 The danger of neglecting it. In Dublin. 34 ii . T ■■ The Spifile :o the Commfsuwers i. The Authors Petitions for you're Fir.ft3Thityott be all govern- ed andiuled "fyG-d. ¥*> mle fey 7>Avids fpirii; i. As f ught eutjOnd picked oyt by God, 2nd anointed for that pur- 2.; As (now i jig, Ghrift follows, and h t o come. 3v. A* Gods oyvn favoiites. 4- In excel- •iency.. any other $ (for I know fome will urge it) who either, will not or cannot under fl and, that the bond, of peace is to be in tb- unity of the 5pir/r (not in the unity of form) among all Saint s and Churches, Eph.4.4, in thefe Utter dayes^ Micahq.^. eyen of feverai (difcrepant) judgments and opinions, as appears in the a Lib. gap. 5. 2o But to be more brief, and fuccinft *;: My Petitions for you to the L and then rule others ioi God, Prov.2$. 28. He that hath nor#/? over his own^/W?, if in epen.danger, i. e% Ex- pofed to all dreadful incur fions, and the dU/ 0/ f^e L^ will findebim out unfitted, unarmed, arad altogether unfenced : Wherefore the Xr£. 1 8* 14. uprightly, PjW/45.2, and dwelling in Jkw, in Jerufafem his holy C/fJ, or Churches, Thirdly, As David was Gods favorite, of his own right hand, and though he met with many troubles and dangers* yet was he delivered our of all 5 and at laft, fet led by the Lord ioPthegoodtf all If rat I, 1 Kings 9, lq, 2 Chro* 2. II, Sjthat you may be, Fourthly, A? ,D^/^fwasthe fon of I{bai9 1 Sam: 16. I* or as the word fignifies, man in his excellency \ fo that yoi* may be not r/*//#g\ after the /#//j 0/ w?7z or hnwors of others*, but in riekteoufnefs &nd holing fs. for the Affairs 0/ Ireland. S5 5 Having Chrift alone for your f and yet to Tifchly,As David had JefusCbrift for his Lord and Sony Matth. 22.45. he reigned under him ] from him, for him, and as his Sonne hec brought him forth ; fo chat you may rule under Ckrift> all from Cbrifi, and all for Chrift > and J bring bim that he may be exaltedby you , and manifested in you ;. aixi fo:rb. that your Government may bring him forth, is my unfained prayer. Sixthly, It Was David that killed the Lion, the Bear , and the great Gsliab; fo that you alfo may be able to fave Cbrifis innocent Lambs , from fuch as would tear them, and conquer the greateft GAiab that the Lords ijW meets with. Seventhly, As David filled with the Spirit of the Lore/, was a Propbet as well as a Pr/tf^ > (o chat you may be filled with the fnmifed paring out of the Spirit (which we look for earneftly, as the Difciplestbat waited ac Jerusalem ; So that ye may bee fpirited as able Seers of the Lord. Sjch Ma- gistrates as thefe are promifed to be our Rulers and Tables in thefe Utter dayes , fuch as exceltall others in the Spirit of Da Secondly, My prayer is, that you may [overne in Gods [frengtb ; we fay the braine had need to be of a ftrong confti- V tim, that is to difpsU and ^.'$*/e che fumes that flye up from SLwiio-j$li9macb9Jpleen3 and liver; fo had you need to bee very ftrongin the.Lord ,, of & ftrong faitb , full of Fortitude, and without fear, that have todeaie with fuch divtrfnie of vitiousfpirits * and corral humours , both i>//& , Englifc and Scoitifh) in that ifor/os 5 that neither threatnings , nor c/*- maur/, nor rumors, not terrours^ nor paffim , nor evill tidinrs may hinder'you from doing ja/r/ce, nor fright you from do- ing ri^bteoufneffe-, and this flows from hearts that are fixed on did Pi'af.i 1 2.7* Saw/*?/ commanded that the (boulder ihould be kep: for Stfat and fo mufi it be for Magiftrates (as well as. for Miniflers yt\ie FrizftsVee) for the / by C. 3^ i^j 6 To ^avc the Lsmbsof Chrift from - the Lyons and the Bears. 7 WUd with che Spirit of Prophshe and decerning. a Pct.foryou toiuleall in Gods ftrength* SajgoeU Siau $ Petition for- yonJstobc w\(c3 andikif- fal in the rirccs . and feafons wherein you,, govern- PanieU. 7he Epiflle to the Commi fiioners Study the Pro- pheftes. Mofts. The Rabbles Wifemen, Solomon. Sim. 1 . Sim* Wanrcf wu- Neroa nilie. 4. * Be fc tied 1 4cj in fairh and I found know S ledge. booty t faith the text, i.e. hee fearched the Fropbefies 3 and examined the Prophets ♦ and Co difcovered what dayes hec lived in. So I befeech you that you may governe in the wifdome of God, and not in the wifdome of the world, and policy of Nations , feeing it is Gods defigne to dafh them in peeces. Wherefore firft , fludy the Scriptures , and by comparing Providences with Pfopbefies , know what kwre it is you live in, and fo governe accordingly, for Cbri[rs and his coming. ^ The Virgins of Vefta had owe time appointed to them, where- in they rnuft learn^ another wherein they muft exercife, and a third wherein they muft teach. So muft you > that you may be skjlful, in all; wherefore be Rulers like that yon the day of the Lord which draws nigh, and in order to this ^f Chrift^c"^ obferve the motions. For a Pbilofopberis faid to have fore- !corcj;ngto"h:6 feen and foretold anEartbquake from the mothn of theater/, I approaches. trembling at the btttome of a very deep Weh So Wifemen ealily Sim* forefec the fttdden Earthquake which will bee in all parts, Rev.n.13. Heb.l 2,27,28. of which wee are premonifbed by many notable motions, mdPropbetickffymptomes, and pre- parative (linings w ni ch are already in thebottome of our fpirits , bubljng and boyling at the approaches of this day, when LXtigiftrates (hall be as at the firft, as well as UWini- fters and Cbursbes, Ia.i .26. and all purged with refiners fire, j £^^f^c As ye werei i.e%Reiircin perfect. Sim* drift th* andFutlers joap, Mai. 3, a, when the good government of Antio* thus was wanting , one went and fell a digging, thinking to dig him out of his grave againe; but in theie latter dayes the good Gtvernours (as at firft) (hall be refined (without digging for them) David (hall fit on his thr$ne, and J*/^ fhall go before the A mj and be Generals and they (hall all fit in the gates of ferufaUm (that is as Members of C/>ri/r , and his Cbwrcbf! Jthcy (hall lit to rule in thefe latter dayes, Jerv^0 21,22. 1 King. 2.45. and then fnall the mountains, and b^lfs bring forth peace and righteotsfntfft to bis- people Pfal.72 3. Joel 3. HcaTfoallbe 1 8. and drop donne with nw wine , and fiw with milkf ; The higheft. Lord make you o( that nun> her (if it be his will) chat our , Kin<£, viz Cbrift Jefa may appear in his beauty, 6fa.33.17, Ande^e to And in that day which we do awair for \ Cbrift alone (hall {ha1' £th^ rule in Sion. yea and over all Nations by himfelfe, or his Jar- j [h^hthe' rogntesi and Subfsrvients. But then all things will be in order, Hoonhsxb because Conft the Head will be highefl ; for indeed hitherto \ (hitherto) ra- ttle world huh been, and for a time yet will be but like a led the night : ■ humbler , whilft the hui is iwnmri the bttkue capring in ' An»n ! haftca the)OLordi 38 J.- v TheEpiftle to the Cowmtfs 'toners XJ- Sim* I theatre; but ere long Chrift the Head will be kigbeft, (I fay) ©f*#, and above all, and then wars and troubles , andfbafyngs will ceafe 5 and all /&<*# £e peace , and the Kingdome of Cbrifi Vrbicbjball never be Jbaken,Jba0remaine9 Heb.12.28. wherefore the Lord fill you with wifdome and under flanding for thefe dayes , and make you shjtful in the times and fe afrits 3 and to account all nothing till Chrift comes to reigne , whether in Cbunkot State j For all State-affairs are but as Cyphers (they doe multiply to Million of millions , yet they ftgnifie nothing becaufe they want the Figure, viz. Cbrifl , fo Nations of mm9 Nation of Nations j whether for m, or againftns , are nothing without Gody as/fa. 40.17. yea leffe then nothing without Chrift ; and we with thrift alone with us, and for us , doe ftgnifie more then all the world betide* fo the Churches are no- thing without Chrift, now he reignes in Sion, and is chofen in Hebronfe is crowned our King we fear noc,for we (hall have him our alii And out of the Churches the Af*»tbi7d,mu(t be born that muft rule all N*ti0»/,and thzLaw (hall go /onib oaf ofSion.l remember a paffage which of late 2 met with of Hen* the fourth King of France, who understanding -Cnunt Suiffons had reported his Queen was not with cbilde, but that it was onely a Pillow , he cals his Qaeen one day to him ( the Queen then growing very big) and laying his hand upon the gueens belly , faid to the Count , Come Cozen, thisis no Pillow h Yes, Sir, anfwered the Count, k is a Pillow for all France to deep upon. And fo I fay , the Church of Chrift is now waxing big to be delivered 3 and her time draws nigh, when a King mail come from her for all Nations and peoples to reft upon , and then will bee peace and tranquillity both to Church and Slate, when Chrift (hall bee all in all. Towhofe enabling Sprit of power and wifdome , I prefent you upon my kpees > that yee may be found faithful in that great and no- table day of the Lord , which is now fo nigh us, having the Bread plate of Judgement ©EKDQ f£?n ctyea- hammijhpaU and^thac every one of you may tor fanftity bee hoaoured as Rabbi fudab wis with the name of ^IPH 133*1 Kabbenst baccadadofck^, or our holy mafier in Chrift; As the Magi* J ftrates for his Churches , and his Sonne ]efru Chrift , whofe Vice - XT Out of the Churches fhall the-RuJcr of Nations go forth* Sim* for the jifjairs in Ireland. 3$ Vice-Royes you arc , andhee to whom you muft give up your accounts erelong, as your Judge, J0.531. anfwer- ablc to the Promifes and Providences , the Churches expecta- tions , and his Difaenfations in thefe latter dayes 3 In, and for which as his Mejfenger, and your Remembrancer, I remain, Your HONOURS Humble Servant, JOHN ROGERS. LONDON, From my Study, The, Apoftles the 17 day of Zm,thefecond Month of l£?J. TO 40 To all the Churches of Chrift Gathered into GofpeL Order , in England, Ireland, and Scotland. More efpecially to the CHURCHES In London, EJfex, and Dublin in Ireland; not excluding others of the Saints, that live in the Spirit, through the Ferm* Aloft endear edly honored, Brethren 9 T is not unknown to fome of yotrtn Eng» Und and Ireland > how liberally I have been lead (by an internal princ if /e) to lay out my life, light, and all in your caufe ; not onely encountring with Controverfies, and graplin^ with great Difficulties) but alfo pttblickjy zx\d privately bringing forth out of my trea- fere mw mdold% the beft Cordials and Confections that I CQttWj »£*• The Epiftle to the Churches. 41 could, to keep you up in love, and jpirit \ and to build you up together in the mob holy Faith: For it is my Bird that lings in breft ( the bed Songs) that fayes, Although my poor Talents were hindered, yet not hid ; nor buried, though abufed ; nor (to the praife and prizing oiGods good grace, be it fpoken) any day difcontinued, though every day dif countenanced, and much by fuch too, as would have the world think, that they are the Saints y if any be. But I have begun my warfare j I mult and will on in the Name of the Lord, Pfel. 1 1 8.10, 11. though they compafs me about Itke Bees ; And I am reiolved, wkn Gods help, to have ^4pelles his Motto, Nulla dies fine line a ; Not a day without a deed, or Tome lipe or other for Chris~by and his Churches, It may be fome will wonder , what I mean to be thus publiok^now 5 but 1 would fend them to School then to Cato junior, whofe anfwer is, Apfypeti /i hiyet? 07W yuk /*«W tey&v tLfy& mums. 1 will then begin to (peak (fo publickly) when I (hall be able to fay thofe things, which are not fitter to be kep infiUn:e, And befides that, in Jer.i. 6,7,8. is fo much mine, that 1 cannot bey&#f up. Say not I amachilde (in undemanding, fayes Calving) whatfoever I command you, thai thou (halt jpeak^: Be not afraid of their faces, for 1 am with thee to deliver theet (faith the Lord.) But if any object, that many (more emi- nent) have handled this fubjetl already , 1 mould eairly grant it, and yet obviate their objection* For as Flaminim was entertained at Chalchx, wfrh various difhes, and yet all but one meat ( navw %i?&& «giW*'* though differing in the drelfing. So many have With much art and multi-form variety, cooked up the fame things feveral ways; but indeed (I muft declare it, that) I differ from them all(almoft) botb in dijhing and dieting'Soi it is not fwines fl((h9 nor troughs ,which will fill my belly ,but thz bread and fat lings m the Fathers houfe ; neither would I give worfe to others then 1 have for my fe#. So it is not the formal difcip Unary Church-fellowfbfp , or Ordinances therein difpenfed, that I would have my felf or others fa- tit fed with; but that we all live thorow them^ fas in the mofi holy , Van* 9. 24. )' being fpiritually Chnrche: and f z Members^ Calvin* Sinu -O 4* The Epiftle to the Churches. Rev. % . Reafons why the Author writ this. » ForTnuhs fake. membert>and worfbippers of God , u e> above tbeflefl9 Arts, and Sciences.Bat if any wonder that I will write in this fcrikling and fcrambling age,I confeffe they may,were it not that one Boo\e may mend another? and that ere long there will come out one Book that will mend all : bat left I cjfem/all, I (hall tell you that I am not without reajon. And therefore Firh\ Why I undertook this : And (econdly, When : And* thirdly, what I have undertaken in this Treatife. Firft, This Trwfj/fc may fpread truth further then ever p (hall goe,into all Nations ilor although I have travelled into fome Nations with thefe truths (and it may be, may yet into others J yet hereby (if the Lords blefling be but with it J this: Goffel-Difcifline may be delivered in many places ■, Cities, Countries, yea Realms together at one, and the fame time. Wherefore, thus faith the Loxdjtfow go and miteylfa. 30.S./K a Btokj that it may be for the time to come , for ever and ever 3 fo IJer.30.2. Secondly, B-fore llthlreldnd, I had a very ftrong in- gagement laid upon me by theCwcib(with whom I walked) to doe it, to which adde my earned and boyling afTcftions to them in Bulling and defires to doe them all the good 1 can at a diftance. And indeed fince that others have pref- Ced nice into the promi[e which I am now to pay : Al- though I know many menwhofe promifes are but like the £fgfj which the. Naturalifls call , Ouafuhentanea, filled urx with wind , and never batched to bring forth 5 or like fome Princes fervants y a ftrange man may tec abundance of them in the open Court , but per form ance is more like the Prince him* fdfe, that keeps ftate, andfeidomeis fee n abroad. But the Indians of Guiana may make us blufh-^ who when they pro- mife any thing,will give him(they promife it too)a bundle of' iUcks ( and keep another bundle for themfelves)equall to the number of the dayes , weeksJmonths,oryears3that they appoint, and fo every day or wcekj&c. they take away a fticke , and when all is takeaway, they know the time is come to performe. But how many, that will not be thought f o be as bad as the Indians >thzt have p romifes ready , but/w- formances rare 1 It is. an upright mantbttcbangethnot , though ie mu The Epijlle to the Churches. 43 were to bis burt> Pfal.15.4. But thofe that arc fo backward in paying their fremifes^re^yes one)like ill finger s^vtho ne* ver kfep time , and arc ever out of tune 9 but the Counter were the beft Singing-fcbool for fuch to learne to keepe time in. Thirdly, It is time to refcue my name and reputation from thofe Bum-bajlies that have arretted , and roughly handled it, at the Devils-fuit out of malice, ( which was like rennet} the older 9 the ftronger ) I have met with men like £offedge-Butlerf » who have fet up apace upon bonefl mens name$3 and charged them to the full (with full-maliced and foul-mouthed afperfions) which they will never Wipe off againe without I pay them (foundly) for it ( which in time I may doe more fully, before good witneffe too.) I meane fuch a*, have unworthily barked at me for Mr. Bartlet , as Dogs doe at the honeft Paffenger ; So did fomein Dublin, afperfing my perfon , and traducing the truth , poffefling fome people with grange opinions of me, as if I held many errours, who therefore looked upon me as an euttandijb man, made up of [l range fafbions. And befides thefe Sampfons Foxes and Mdtybtbongs (which were never yet in Chrift-crojfe-row) 1 fay befides their horned tongue s( which is indeed the language of the Beafi) and the Devil! is knowne by his- \ cloven- ungue as well as by bis cloven-foot) others as full oipajfm and pride (like heavy-bodies downe fteep hils) with one little mo- tion but put on , they Tan on of themfelves, and knew no ground but the bottome*. But one great one amongft them, that had this [pleat in his foul fo paflionately3that the fweHing of it made his other parts to languish lamentably and appa- rently in the eies of all 5 and to break out ulcerouflj in his language againft me, and others > with noifome words, which were of the mrft favonr.Fot fuch,like to Drunker ^be- ing drun\e with pafponr pride, malice, and envyi&c.)_ fee double^ and their fancies like old mens [petlacles make a great letter in afmallpr/nf. And it is no marvel if fuch men mi (take and mifconftrue our zed> and call hpajjiw, and call our humility fypocrifte} and our faith brazen-facednejfe, and think them- fclves in no faulty but in very good temper , though all the f h world Sim. 3 Names -fake. Sim. The Authors Offerings by ill tongues. Sim. His zeal dlled* pa/fion, faith pride, &c. 44 The Epifile to the Churches. ■*. Sim. 4 For further discoveries i fake. tir xf- world 5 and all men that have eyes doc fee the contrary $ buc Wifdome is juftified of her children. Wherefore I was, and am well content by the forefaid Great Sprit to be called and accounted a poore empty, ftUy fellow, for not dancing after his pipes, and adoring his pride3which others do, whereby he is fo fallowed up,and [wollen with {elf-conceit , that he would often fay, with Laurentw, nuUam effe logic am prater Laurentmam, upbraiding others ( whom all men faw tranfeendenrly to furpaffehim mf art s and piety) for foils , filly and empty fellows. But as Jojhua, Zach.3,1, ftanding before the Angel of God yet had Sathan (landing at his right band t fo in thefe dayes have the befi men that are in the befi places, and prejence of the moft Higb9Satb*n tending ready to revile them, andtorew- der them, and their befi aclions vile y and this I expert (alfo ) for this Treatife 5 but yet I know the Lord .will fay , and fo mill, a$Zacb'3.2.Tbe Lordrebukftkee-, CrSatban ! even the Lord tt t batb cbofen Jerufalem rebukf thee. Fourthly, This is my plot (I muft confeffe, not fo to pleafe as) to provoke others ( that are more able, and eminently gifted) to get into the veynes of this body , and to make a further and fuller/earc^ into the life and heart of this Land of Canaan, and to dig deeper into the Quarries ( I fay not j&arrels) for more excellenty//z/er and gold , and precious ! truths, which will abide the Furnace and Refiners fire ! not \ for a Temple filled with fmoakf but for a New Jerufalem filled with the light and glory of the Lord! And for fbme more j fubjlantial and fpiritual difcourfes and difcoveriesCof Chrifts Churcb'ffate) which yet lie lower , and are not brought to light (as they will bee;) and I doe ingeniou fly pro- feffe I hold free-will to heare , and welcome what any man can fay from a clearer fight of Sion then I have. For,as much more muft be faid (then ever yet hath been) before the prin- ciples that the true Churches 'profefle upon , can be fhaken 5 fo much more may and muft bee faid fthen ever "yet hath beea ray htypineffe to fee) to confirme the Saints walk- ing together in fellow '/hip and $rder > and union in the Spirit, whilft they are going their pilgrimage thorough the forme of Churcb'fettowfkip* But I confeffe my fight fails me much, and the The Epiftle to the Churches, 4J the Spiritualift (who judgetb aQ things) may fhame me for my fbaSowneffe in many places of this Vreatife. But the truth is> not onely mine eyes are dim , and dul-fivhted , but fo much dirt hath been lately dafbed into them, that I am forced to fit ftilltop/V^eandcleanfe them, before I can come forth againe to this golden mrkf in the Mines, as to the third Bc^.of the body Organic. In the mean time pickf here and there what is moft ptecious, and let the other lye for lower capacities to take I up. Peradventure fome private opinions (fo in your judge- ment) you may finde here and there in the field, wherein I may feem difcrepant to divers Wartbies of the Independent judgement ( fo called ) as Ainfaorth , Hooktr^ Burton, Bart* letfoc. But I befeech you bee civiU before you cenfure; for Erafmus fayes , Civilitatit eft commode quodferiptum eft imerpxe- tari, zCiviBman will make, the heft interpretatioBoi the Au- thors words, how much more a Cbriftian. And then weigh all with the word of God in the golden bal/Ances of the Sanllw ary,anciputinbutagr that live in ibe circtaUrrforme of profeflion and feOowfteip, that; they -ts $ For the Churches fake Gen.49f 4<* The Eptftle to the Churches. Sim. To live above the form in the Spirh a* they are belabyrintbed in3and can finde no way out 5 fuch as thefe are like fome Scbollars, who feeke not to e#c*/ in Learn- ing, onely would have fo much as may make them paffe* degree* or examinations or as (bme that feek oticly fo much Arithmetic^ as may J^ep them to a Merchants boo\e , or fo much L^rf^e as may make them underftand a Bend* So I fay, fuch Cbriftians as thefe have got fo much grace (at leaft in ap- pearance) and gifts, &c. as may make them pajfc for Prc- frjfwrs, and get to be Church- members, &c but they feck not to excel!, they lofe the honour and excellency of Church' communion, viz. the fiiritual , arid rraw/dted life in though never fo (hallow at firfh For as in all Difciplines wee begin with the meawft parti thereof firft , the Grammar takes be- ginning from letters? the £ogic% from vtrbs , Geometty from too in t f- Sim» &• Yet through the Form. •& The Epiflle to the Churches, 47 \) >mt$ ; Arithmetic!^ from lUnits ; and Alufick^U o\n founds, and half-founds ; and yet they attain to the excellency, in the tnd : So here, though I Teem very IttieraL verbal, pwtftuai, ftrift, and precife atfirir; yet the end of all f w*. in the Spirit) is the excellency , and #/jr, and #*fc/K| of rf//# I Pr/^3 Preach, or /V0/#// / and periods ! and u'vits ! and end of all ! viz.. To worjhip in the Spirit, (through the form*) to be m Church fellow (hip, bjpt;zed\ to meet, fray, confer, exercife, (ing, break^bread, and <*# in the Spirit, as the beft Proficients and $tf/';zfi do. An f *r* of Ckrifts own ^#, that carries hi? own ftamp with it: But fo much for the firfl fart of this Epiftle, why I have undertaken thif. Secondly, When I undertook this ? It was begun at above a year agone: Upon the blowing of a fair wind, which filled the fat Is of my defires, I hoy fed up and fet out. For /fr?)u that have lain long at anchw, and in Har- bor', do take the next fair wind that ^tor, and fo did I ; but alas I It foon proved a ftorm, which threatned nothing lefs then many Sainttruine and (hipwrack,: Which began to appear at flrft in a cloudy and thickjiir, that brought an unfavory flench with it, which made me (and many others) Rckmfenting it; and the rather, for that one veffel which. was in our /fop, was full of ft inking Uqour, and yeelded an ill favor: And though for fome two or three moneths we could fee no difference between that veffel and aod my cala- mityy did but as Bellows blow off the ajhes, and blow in the fire {Bleffed be God therefore I) For the r^ was like" Jonathans, which had honey on the top of ic 5 and not one- Jy fo to me, but to many others of the Saints, who were a? gvld c&& Into the furnace (svith me.) They like fit ver bells (it is well known) rang fweetefi when chey were firuck bardefi ; And torch-like burned cUareft^ when beaten anc abufedmoft. They like full Pitchers cca'!d well bear th< bojlingwhiltb empty ones (che emblems of Hypwrites) Icojj *r#^; It 13 receded of the PJitii^ that they are a people ot g 2 fuch Sim* •fcl 1 Sam. A is. *t« 1 he Author moil in. this £ormand danger. Siw. 5° MfctP ■*" ■■"— ■" ■»■> — « 77: Hypocrite)Self~coHceited,and the like • whilelt they wounded me not (aculeoapis3 but Serpent is\ with a Bees flings but a Vipers, which is very violent, veno- mous 3 and lafls a long time. For as the courfcft Corn caur {es the hardeft cruft ; fo the ceurffl blood makes the moft Malignant choler* And indeed there was fuch i.neft of Her* nets (which Iknewnot of ) till (dining 0;?*) I angered all, who came out all at once upon me fo faff, that many feared 1 would loofe my life^re I got away 5 and indeed it is much mercy, that 1 efcaped them fo wdl as I did, by the means of the molt Honorable Commiffioners of Parliaments cart of me, and countenance to me. But now iheU perfecuting and unchrifiian fpirits ,not be- ing fatisfied to drive the poor painful Eees.ouz of one hive., into another* and from one Nation into another fas they. have done fome $-) but to have the honey (whidi chey would have) they will burn the Bees.$ and therefore it f ems they have Cent fome more anointed whhbrimfloxe, then with the unci ion of the Spirit hither, to purfuehtre what they have begun (fo ungodlilyj there. I will not for a world deny my daily failings , for which my foul is kept continually low, Imufthave many grains allowed me to make me weight* guifnam fine crimine vivit f G*/d hath d%ofs0 and iom& gravel ■ — > i ■ n ■ ■ The Epiftle to the Churches. 5* gravel will flick on the toes, coming ouc of thepureft bath 3 a food horfe may trip too 5 but is it not better that the wa- ters tun, though they run but muddily, then not at all> Sibbs (ayes it is, in his Smoakjng fl*#* P*g* 1 15* Why then do thefe CrowsWght Co upon the Carrion, or like 2)wr.f,pafs byaWpmers to light upon the excrements, and the dung* hill Iwillconfefs it to my difgr ace, as much as any man will have me, that I amfubjett to paffion, andrny hearth very proud, and deceitful, and too fe If -feekjng (the Lord knows 5) and 1 hope I am fo far from jufiifyixg my corrupt felf in the leaft, that lam always (almoft) charging it upon "my felf ; and can as heartily complain of my felf, as any enemy I have it? the world ; even for thofe things they fay, as of Pride } Paffion, &c* But merciful Friends ! deal not too rrggedly with me 1 am Inot the more like to live, then in another felf! Is it not by grace tht.i I am, what I am } Mofl gladly therefore wilt I glory in my infirmities, that the pswer of Chrifi may reft upon me. iCor.i2,p, Scotus that famous Schoolman in a fit of an Apoplexy, was by the cruel kindne fs ol his over' officious friends, buried before he was dead : And fo fit feems) I muftbe (might feme have their wills) by the over-offcious and cruel unkjndnefs of fome fudden cenfures. But, pray flay ! It is not the interpojition of fome ctovds, that hinder? or frufi'ra esihe motion of the Sun: And befides,there is fome light in the very fpots of the Moon, and fo there may be in thofe things, which thty account my fpots; ztpajfion (per- haps) it may be zeal, (fre* For when I met with them, and cook them by the hand, and prayed that .there might be love* they called this Hypocrifie* When I preached upon Job2$.ia. in Chrifi s- Church (the Cathedralxi fo called) before the Commiffiomrs in DMin, viz. The Lord know eth the way that I takj 5 and when he hath tryed me, I fhaU come forth as gold. Why? becaufe they badabufed me abroad, and in the names of Pope , Hypocrite, 'Prieft, Proud, Paffion- ate, &c. They faid I preached my UU, and fought my felf, &c. With hundreds of fuch parages as would obviate any wbjafed. uncjfl Ifeding, and info-cm them how thefe rr- g 3 preaches - Sihbs. The Author charges his 'wii felf, as much as they* and makes no ac- count cf hi»*- felf, but as he is in a new felf, Great miftake* in their reports of eke Author* 5* 7 he EpifUeto the Churches. Sim* Siml Sim. Large teftimo- nials from ths Ckurch and Comreiflioncrs in commenda- tion of the Author, to the greateft encou- ragement of ail Kmifter* thnt will go over into Ireland^ fhiteanbc. proaches are but the abortives of malice and mif-interfrcta** tion ; notwithstanding, I fay, I will not, nor can I free my felf from thefe (that they accuic me for,) nor would I re- criminate^ but leave that to them that are enabled to dif- criminate $ and yet, 1 muft fay, I met with numberlefs f re- vocations : Now the molt exaft Archer in ihooting at the markji may fail much, when a man jogs him. And would it not vex a Scrivener^ after he had (pent many hours in writing a large Leafs or Patent, that one (jullling himpur- pofely) make&bim blot fo at the laft word or line , that he muft be forced to write all over again, and to lofe all his Ubor ? Such a flot there wss to make me blot . But bleffcd be God, Srfta» (I ana Cure) loft by it ; for as it is faid of the Sfartans (the deadly enemies of Rome') that they were grie- ved, when any little mifiap, as by firejx the like, befei the City or Walls of Rome, for thj&t then- they knew they would build up thofe ruinated f laces more fitong and better , then ever they were before. So I fay, Satan muft needs be t rou~ bled at it,that little failings make the Saints to for ti fie them- feives the ftronger for it : And as the Lamb is the more live- ly and nimble for his /hearing, foare the 5^/«?j for their fuffering. And although, I fay, I dare not ftand upon my own fefls- ficatiox,yet there be large tefiimonials ,both from the Church, Commiffloners, and others, that are the moft eminent, and under their own hands, ( be fides a hundred Le'tters I could (how J fent over to me, and others ; that not onely free me and clear me from thofe asferfions, but give another manner of character of me ( continually folic it ing for my return thi- ther again, ) and with fo much honor, (as I wonder ar, up- on the very often revifal of my own urtteorthinefs ;) yet 1 will not mention any particulars , for indeed I had rather (and I finde more benefit by it, and fweetnefs in it, the Lord knows) to rip up my own infirmities, and to publifh themzr broad to all the world (asfaft as any enemy (I have in the world) can do) then to infert a little % or publijh a line > thac tends to my praife, or to puff me up ( which is one of the igreateft/wrfw I fear.)t Bur yet it were wcIJ^cAac ihtfaddle I were The Epiftle t§ the Churches, 51 when the p Arty fees , they fay, We will play no more, he fees who it U ; but if he be clofe blinded, they make it their play, and pleafure to finite him* So thefe would take little plea- fure in fmiting us with their tongue (or any other wayes) if they did but confider who Tees ; but whileft God keeps ftlence, and lets them atone a little, they (lander their own mothers fan, fayes the Tfalmifi, Pfat. 50. io, 20,21. But I ' will reprove thee, faith the Lord>&c. . And indeed it does me good,to give up fuch wrongs and reports into his hands ; and for my own part (I hope) I ftiall (it down fwectly contented wid$ them, and comforted with them,as fucb^hat I would not J Sim* were fet oh the right horfes back ; but indeed Tome ftately b<*ckj (I mean of great ones') mult be above reach (it feems) whileft fuch as we, and the poor Saints muft [ujfer for it. tArifletle writes of fome Serpents in Mesopotamia, which will hurt none but ftrangers 5 their own inhabitants are never flung with them ; indeed I have met with fuch : And albeit^ they fay I was not patient %\ confefs when a very little fpark^ made them like Cjun powder flie in my face, I felt a fore afflift ion to try my patience % to which, ten for one have given a probatum eft> under their hand?. But as the hmband that told his >W/ fure they would be more wife; and as children at blind-mans -buff, Sim* Sim. The Author hath given up his caufe to his righteous Godt. 54 The Epiftle to the Churches. not for a world be without: I will let the Lord alone to do what he will with them; for he fayes, Hem'// fa them in order before them, PfalJCH. And I (hall fay with £^» Xenophon, to one that railed up.on him, Didicifii tu maledi- ceref fed ego maleditta contemner*; whileftthou dofl revile, If mile. For let a dog bite (keep, albeit they htfenfible enough of the dogs teeth, yet you hear them not whine, as the fwine. Hog s cry wofully* fo do wicksd under ' fuch (harp tongues ana teeth; but we willleare all totheL^ our Shepherd, and keep his foldfli/l : And the more men rub us with their feet) we hope like gold^ the more toglifier for it. But thug dear friends •, in a time ot troubles and afflittiojts, difir anions and difiurbmces ViDublin^ I began this Trea* tife, wherein I hope you will finde more meat then fiiwce 9 for I could not coo\\t up as I would have done, had I not been hindered, both by bodily fickyejfes and weaknefs, and by ajfiiStions without, and by troubles of minde within 5 be- fides, I had not there the help of Bookj at that time, but the Bible, and the help of memory (but above all of the Spirit of GodjO (o that (cfpecially in the firft ten or twelve Chap- tew ; although you will finde me, hoy? \Miyfi, rude in fpeech ;) Yet you will (I hope) finde me the more a Chri- {tian% though the lefs a Ciceronian ; for in Dublin, I had fel- dom any time, but what I ftole of Candie-//ght to follow thisjwl^in ; So that it islikely, the fir ft part will look too dimly and duskjjhly tofomeeyes, and Without Scrivener" liktflouriftesy neither dare I own it as without mixture. But that which flowes (as much I hope does) from the River that runs from the (Rev. 22. x^.*) Throne and Lamb , I pray receive ! and as freely from me, as it came to me ! For al- though it were in a time, when I was in the fVildernefs^ yet I found Riv ers in the Defarts. But thus much for the time when** Thirdly, what it is I have undertaken? A hard task^. I confefs ? butyetitisnottomakt^/V^without/r^w ; for (Ible(sGod) Iferve abetter mafler then fo, and 1 hope it isW/outof, and nothing^n Egypt, that I am fct on this mrk? And although I muft meet with the fons of Zerviahj children The Epiftle to the Churches. I. To the -en- gage for the Churches. Sim* 5J children of Anackj yet f I rrulr) I (hall not fear their fear, i Ntnib-H. 9 for thetr defence is departed fr em them, and the Lord is with j H6. In the name of E mmuel, then I mull engage \ fir ft, fori the Churches 5 and fecondiy \ I muit (to tear my own /fep) j engage againft them. b irft for the Churches ■ He that wipeth the childes nofe, kitfeth the mothers cheeky (faith the Spanif?cTroverb) and for the Churches of Chrifts fake, out o* loye to them , I do not oneiy endeavor to wipe away the excrementittous drop- pings and blemijhes, which are given out as dijporagements, and which are caft upon theSainis in fellow jkip(&nd upon the Gosjel-erder and T> if cip line its felf 5) but I am alfo f for tbeir defence) I fear, to be an of **• W* / more ? W wA*/- & this that thou fa) eft unto me f what aileth theetSo I fuppofe this my engagement snoves many; fome with fadeefs, fome vrhhgladnefs, fome with hopes, fome with fears } Come to hate, i me to love, for ail are not of a like conftitution. And this I believe the rather forthatlhear fome of the Presbyterians threaten bitterly*- and before the babe be brought forth would h'mjtrano-leix But the cbilie (hall be ***£&■ jrp */GW5 beyond the I)Li rw/j, K«M2. And yec indeed, I do much refntthtfad complaints which fome pw /„,/, (wriom they have et a work, and fent to me) do make of my book (a, they fav^ now #* fr*/} againft the Presbyterians 5 and others that arc *6fc,whom they Would prevail wh^toprejudee it worthy of condemnation^ that would have the brains out, before it be born ! Bjc I hope for more mercy at their Wj. Hot Iron cannot chufc but hifs at »^r thrown upon it: bat if I grieve any of that judgement (that arej^/j indeed.^- 1 befeech God it may be but \**fh,fiiiam do with difeafed bodies) to draw At humors to another place; and thence to draw out the corruption, which eife may hi* them. So that if they find. nn af*VC.^{*r'^of JW;/,and £,w tofowthem up tmtoC^/,andhis^. Iconfefs, aithcA/^Thri.S h beftj Pre b^terians Va- pifisy Anabaptifls , f I mean the moft formal and furious of them) and Ranters ; yea, and the very Formal 'and Pre" latick^proud fort of Independents too will joyn iffue with the reft, as difcontented perfons. But as the Frantick^man return- ed to his wits, thinks him his beft friend that bound him hardeft; folknow, when their anger h a little over, and they are once reflored into right fences, they will know me to be one of their beft friends , for dealing and endeavoring thus freely, and unieignedly with them , though it be by fevere reproofs : And certainly a found, man will endure (with patience) to be handled , when an unfound man can- not abide to be touched: The Presbyterians I encounter moftwithj andthehottefl conflift comes atlaft mChap.g. Lib. 2. though every, foot we fall a pickeering before \ and now and th?n have pretty hot skjrmifhes. But if I be now znd then tarty I hope, it will not hurt their hearts, if Gods blefsing go with ir. For though a Lemmqp be tart, yet it likes the tafte ; the fweetefl liquor is not al ways whole* fomejfy and a weal^fiomach findes a Cordial fu/fome ; fo that it may be a //«/* fbarpnefs will put an ^^jr* upon their appe- tites to the fat things in ths mountain, Jfai fpell Popery , and ^ in Antickrift. And in the fame Characters of ^cwz? (Roma) runs their £0*/* (Amor) which they can cunningly (by />y 5 and are more, to try a Legick^ then a iheologick^f acuity} I know fome holy fipiritual and profitable Go sj> el-preachers, and (as to the work, of grace ) very eminent in the (fountreyes where they live, and I am confident far [urpaffing fome of them that fate as judges over them (in fipiritual excellencies and abili- ties) to preach, but upon fuch nice curiopties^ formalities^ mdpuvttilhes, thefc Lords over them put them aiide, and h 2 ordered 'Ihe Authors hi6h efleewi of fome Pre^bytc- iians. Sim* Trap. rheirCMW md Affeirblieft Popifti. The AflTcmbly at Wefttr.in- fbr unvvar* . ran table. The gpiftk to the Churches. Fro" d Pre I ares and Lor sever their brethren. Mutfi»t?M« Or Tfoey pretend t^have the But the Wards are now alter- Who are the Clergy, and have the Keys, -Againft their ?prm. Sim. ordered them unfuffcient. Ofad! and when I have asked, therrvvhy they have done fo to their Brethren j\it\x anfwer w*s,( which I. had from Mafter 5".) that they fate not as Bre- thren^ but as Judges of mens Minifierial gifts > and abilities^ whether ihej were fit to preach, or no ! But I asked, by what rule they were to be fueh Judges : Then another cf them anfwers in a great heat, lhat they were to give an account to none y and that the Committee of Mmiftcrs had nothing to do to question them ; for they fate there by the fame Authority the Committee fate > &c And fuch as this is the fruit of thefefinful, foul-flaving, and curfed Synods, which Na- Zsianzsen faid he never was one of, but was the worfefor it .• But thefe things are treated at large in both th* Books fol- low! ng, So this Cler£J W*M needs Cuccced the Tope as Key bearers^ and they ( and none elfe) rauft have the Tower of the Keyes, a moil ccrrupt peice of Pcpery too, anfwered Chap.p. Lib. a. It is feigned of Pope &ex\us jguintus, that after his death he fhould have went to Hell, but he was fent to a place of his own, which was Turgatory \ and after long feeking for releafe, he went to Heaven • and Saint Teter asking him why he knocked, fince he had the Keyes. Oh ! but fayes the Tope ! the wards are altered now, fo that \ have no Keyes that will open. The moral of this fiftion may have this conclufion, That 'Papifts, Prelates, Presbyterians, and all will flnde the Wards altered fo, as their Clergy- Keysy whether in Connects, High-Commiffion Court s, Claffes, or ^jjembliesy are not worth twopence, and will not open the Church doors now, asthey would have done formerly 5 but that all the Saints are the Clergy ^nd the Lords heritage, and the true Key- bearers^ or keepers of thati&7, (viz,.o( the Holy Spirit, foh.%.) that opens and [huts here and hereafter, and for ever. Amen. Furthermore, I fagage in the tbickffiof tbem againft their forme and mamer of receiving in Members , giving the Sa- craments , andthe/ii^&c. For as Welly is the Fame of all Arts (for Rhstorie\\s the Art of fpeakjngtVelli Logickf of dif* fkting fFe^fe.) So Cbriftianityh of living Well, and Church- Vifciffrnc The Epiftle to the Churches* 59 Difcifline of ordering Cbuubuffairs Wtl , that is according to Rule. For the fubjtance and matter of a wrty may be goody \ but the mrkf cannot be called fo , unlefTe it be done modo & form** Cloath may be good matter for a Coat , fo ledger for a clove, and f/mtar for an foa/e, but yet they may be fo marred, in the cutting out3 and framing of them, that neither the one> nor the other fihall obtaine the name of good. So I deny not but there may be good people in the Presbyterian Way , but bc- leeve it f for I arn hire ofit, if the word be truej that they arc much wronged in the ordering and farming of them , it being done by an Anticbriftian rule and form , as will bee obvious (I hope ) to every one that will folidly read over this Treatife. But I know theantient Plea is tAntiquity^ and this Pa- lifts run to as their refuge, and as the Cjibeonites beguiled the Israelites with oldfbooes and m&/fy bread, pretending they came from far, whan they \ivzd nigb band ; fo would thefe Trclatical Presbyterians take the people by guile and crafty pre- tending Antiquity > and that they came from far^ when indeed their Difcifline came but from Rome, or the Comcelo{ Trent, in a Novelty, not much unlike to the old Arcades who faidin commendation of their Antiquities % that they were a day or tm elder then tbe Moon , whileft our Presbyterians ftile themfelvesOrtlwfo*, and us Errtneouf (as Pipi/rr call them- fclves CrfiM/cJ^and us He midland to enrich their Cburcbes, they enrobe themfelves with the JW/'fe of Antiquity , what do they? but like Stage-t}layers> a& the parts of fucb wen as they are not. Tberfites afts Achilles, a Country-chm, hath Here »/ej Club, aCobler afts a Kwgj part. Now -thofe that underftand, do not account thefe ^c7orj, the Kings and Worthies* whofe parts tbey play $ but they know they are onely to ferve their {cent : So indeed we underftand fo much ( though fome are deluded by them) that we believe them not for ail their fiourifbin£ (bem, vaporing fpeeckes> or prefe«cej of Ant iquitjiOrtbodoxy, or the like |but we know it is otherwife, though they muft fay thus to ferve t heir feene, yet we fay it, and fee it, and prove it to their /*ce/3and know ir, that their Difcifline is novelty, inftead of Antiqnitjy and grofs h i> Hcterodexy* Sim$ Howr pteple are deluded by the Presbyte- rians about Antiquity, Sim. Sim* 6o The Epiftle to the Churches, The Presbyte« nan way no- velty, and'he- torodoxie. Sim. The Authors of the Inde- pendent way in all ages {hew it is of Antiquity. 1* ]£&&»• Heterodoxie9 and Ahticbriftianifm inftead of ortbodcxie^ or of Cbrifl. The VttvgbiB flye bragged (faies the Fable) that hee was more excellent then the Bee , becaufe he was depended of the btrfe, wnen indeed hec came but of the be: ft- dung : So the Presbyterians pretend to be more excellent then the Congrega* tionahftSi becaufe derived of Antiquity, when indeed they rofe but (I mean their tlajfes&c.) but out of the Dung and Ex- crtments of fome Ancient Fathers , and Learned Rabbles. And hence it is that fo many poor foules are [educed and deceived by them. For none will thinke nDrufgifr will write Conferves over a box of Ratsbane, or Rofewater over Mercury . So that fome,efpecially cbildifbsnes that have been alwayesufed to be /edd by them, and cannot goe alone without them, J fay, they arefoon poyfoned. But 9 O Sirs / how fadly the Lord laies this to their cbarge, Ezek.22. 2.25,26. And becaufe, wee have many Dutch-palates yet in England, that like their Cbeeje the better the older it is, and the more it is mouldy andmrm-eaten ; fo many that like thei* Religion the better, and their Churcb-Difeipline as of better relijb that taftes /Me (though it be mouldy) therefore I have mufle- red up (I thinke I may fay more then) a bunder ed eminent , and famous men , Martyrs and Writers in all ages (almoftj fince Cbrifts time to bear teftimony to this Doctrine and Discipline of the Congregational-^ ay > ( commonly called Independency) and they have proved that to bee the ortbodox ( if I may fo fay) Church-way according to Cbritys owne Inftitution. .Men de- light to behold the Coats and i/frmours of their Predecejfours, which they wore long ago; why then come hither amongft the Independents (as thou calleft them) and there thou (halt find j4ntiquty9*nd Cbrifis ewn Prafiife and Inftitutionpnd the judgement of the raoft eminent in adages. And if the Pipe (which before yeclded water abundantly) fails fuddenly, why then we run to the Spring (faid Cyprian) and fo now letusgoetothej?r/l/#/?/MiM, viz. Cbrifis Precept and Pra- Hife, and this will end the Contrwerfie. Wherefore as Junrs {upon an Examination of life and deatb) let us be very circum* #e#; And as the Mafon often applies the Rale to that which he The Eptftle to the Churches. 61 he workj-y Sj mutt we like the Bereant, A&.17.U. And Jet us not be gulled with brajfe for gold any more. The Devil/ is like a Jugltr, he bids hold it fafk y as if wee had fomething thatwemuft not let goe, whereas by a trickf of Leiger- iemaine he juggles away all , and when our bands and eyes are $f en wee fee nothing. O friends have a care ! There is a rvhirle-psol which firft turns men r that before they can prove themfelves in the truth } and us in the error as to Church-government^ Goftel-VifciflineiorDoclrine, they muft obliterate the Scriptures , and take away the Bible, out hands, beads, and alloff rirft ; For if we forget Jerufalem> then let our right hands forget tbeir cunning , Pfal. 137.536. and %nr tongues cleave to the roofe of our mouths ., if we pnfer her not above our chief eft )oy. Thefons of Sophocles being eager to rule all the roaft, they impleaded their Father for dotage tfrat they might have all matters committed to them 5 but Sophocles pre- fented to the Judges his Oedipus Cohn£tu , a boofy which hee had penned in his old dayes, and bad them judge whether that was the worke of a Dotard, which they all efteeming to bee full of ingenuity, nimbleneffe of toit, and atlivity, condemned the fonnes tl and juftified the i?4\ber 5 So our bot-ffurred> and 1 Sim. 'Let us not be cheated. No Cla&s in Scripture. They cannot prove us the etroneousasto Difeipline, but we can^and fo them. Sin}. ' 6z The Epiftle to the Churches, **=** Presbyter ians «enfurcs. Epifcopaliafls and Presbyte- rians. Sim, The precious godly the Au- thor meddles aw with. The Author' writes all in love. xf fiery fpirited Presbyters that longed ( hugely) and hoped highly to have the ftafe in their bands , and to have the day, did, and doe noc oneiy traduce the truth) but abujed our perfons , called our opinions errours , our Church-flate , Scbijme^c, and faid we were but a poor company of Fana- tkal fellsws , ignorant affiant, and illiterate erroneom men , and the like 5 but let us look but into their foe^*, as Ain\rxorth% AmeSfCottonyHoQk.er^BartUt^Sccwith mahyothers,which have writ in defence of this Difcifline , and then judge by the Mrd whether they arc a company of illiterate upfrarts , and erroneous perfons , as they would have all their Frofelites to be- lecve. Bat oh / thefe men are much to bee bewailed ! For ever fince the Star Abfjnthium hath fallen into their waters, they are embittered moft abominably, infomuchas there is no medling (I mean) as to tafte of their waters. At firftjO how bitter were the Epifcopalians ,and Presbyterians one againft another ! but fince that they have both joy ned iiTue againft us, and our Ged hath been too hard for them all; when one were thus againft another (as wind againft wind threatning to blow up all of a fndden)we fat(I mean the Church figbed^nd faid, as once Jocaftra faid to her two fons, Eteocles and Polynices (being very violent and virulent in ma* lice one againft another) Tu times Mum, & iUe te,ego utrumque% fedproutroque, Thou fear eft bim, and he fears thee ; but I fear the deflruclhn of you both (but remember I pray,thatlalwayesex- ' ccpt the precious, moderate , and eminently godly of both , for God fnatches them as brands out of the fire , and therefore I dare not meddle with them for all the world ; nor would I offend them in the lcaft J And I befeech you all read and re- ceive the truth in the love of it 3 and if my zeale make mee (peak quick and (barp ; why know that it is the love ef the truth that conflraines me heteto,& it is this lovers that weight that carries me fo down-right* for I have not the leaft prejudice againft aRyofyour perfons in all the world, as I know 6 f. Therefore I hope the &/<*/? is the Spirit of God which makct me blow fo hard , and fo home, to put out thofe falfe-ligbts that delude fo many poor hearts $ and indeed though a vio- hut breath blowing out a candle caufes it to ftinkf, I thinke it had I»ll - The Epiftle to the Churches. 63 bad better doe fo, then to deceive pdor fouls, and one day not onelv burns their finger s,but be afire in their b%nes and bowels. Wherefore, O thatm*« were wife J and would obey the truth in the love of it / But we may fay with cManial, yee continually arc calling to fpeak the truth, but the truth is, you cannot abide to hear the truth* The truth' is ufed as a vagrant, for (he goes up and downe from Hewne to Town , from party to party for want of entertainment , and the beft refped it hath among many , is but a common Pafportj and fo is wbipt away from one to another. As once a Frjar faid in his Sermon to the people $ that the truth he preached was like Ik/y-wre^which every one called for; and yet when the Stxtonczft it on them, they would (hut their eyes at it, and turne away their faces from it, and let it fall on their backj ; So I doe belecve I (hall meet with a hundred backfides , and wilfully blindreyes that will not fee, but they (hall fee9 and be* afhamed, Ifa. 26.1 1. Although as yet many a (feduccd J foule are like Glajfes blown into this or that fbapt at the pleafure or hot breath of fome rigid Presbyterian , or other ; but the Lord (for his names fak^) have the blowing of them over againe, or elfe they will be in fuchan old Amicbrifiian fajbion, as none will care for them ere it be long. Bat befides thefe of the Presbyterian way , I wi(h wee had wifdome in thefe daies to avoid all other erroneous wayes , as David fayes,?/. 1 ip.lQ+.Ibate every falf way. When theMarkets are full of falfe counterfeit come , it concerns us to comider what many we take, and to tell it (as we fay) after our Fa- tber, that it be right and good; O let us take nothing upon truft! they are not all Churches if Chrifl that are called Cohered Churches', for Wafpes have their combes as well as Bees , Faciuntfav$s&vefp£9 faciunt Eccleftas & Marcioniu faies Tertul.id Marc. lib. 4.^.5. Therefore 1 have fet down, the Characters and Pbyfidgnomy of the trus gathered Churches in the following Treatije. O beware of all other corrupt So- cieties I for one may bee infe&ed with the phgue by look- ing but in at the window. Bat thus I am ingaged fsr the Cburcb>*nd I hope the Lord will help me to fight wel for them With thG whole Armwr of Cod ; The Lord put a period i to I Truth rejc&ed ancHll ufed, Sim Sim* Avoid all other falfc wayes. Sim, Not all ga- thered Chinr- ches, Chrifts Churches. Tertui. I 6$ The EpiflU to the Churches , to all the Controverts of Sion. A Cardinal onee (aid to bis fellows in a enclave (when they could not agree about c hoofing a Peps') let us uniilt the houfe, quia fpiritus % S.neqttit adnosper tot te&a ingtedi , for the //>/; GJbtf/? cawnof cowe te w Hbraagb (o maw/ f/k; j But tf the C the h&nd helps it ; andnowCfcr//? f the Head) complaine?, I cannot he- idle : The forrow in my heart ( 1 truft) (hall be tut as the Rainbow in the HcavensyUt fo*a figne of fair weather-, and that God will keep the Cb»rc/;fJ from being drowned, Tut, Dearhearts! the veffel mudhaveaz/e^jat the Bung, that it may run at the head, and that,the >m'»de ef Cbrifl (your Head) may bee revealed , and runne out into jour hearts, I nm& fpeakj: and have a vent. Hannibal was wont to fay of the Romcns, that they could not b: overcome but in their owne CountJ)h and the greatefi bepes Tlie Epiftle to the Churchei *5 hopes I have to frevaile is, that I ingage you on your oW*^ ground. Wherefore as the L»rd rounded Ifrael , Am*s l«3 .6- P.I 3. and thrcaned all others rcwd about thcoi, before hce libr^meJthem 5 fo he hath t//)/% checked and refnved be- fore your eyes all of frrr/ round about you ; but now y 011 )our /e/i/ef muftbee warned , though ye be the Lords oWne Ijratl^ And although the L3r J had grtat love to the A ft an Churches ,' and did much commend the Churches of Epbefus, Pergcmus, &r\dTb)ctira, yet he had * few things zgainR them, for which he fent 7*i>/2 to n> you will finde from nA*.iOO.(y\z.vmm time)i\\ the eminm zndfamoM o^uihtrs and Premiers ofCbriftian liberty in ever) *V ingeged, aslrenttts, Eufebius, Potycarpju (before thenA zndGirfomyL'Atber^ucer^nd many others fince them.B.fide'l I * th-3 *u *ti f Againft thfir ForiW Unit'ormiry. 66 The epijtleto the Churches* the precious blood of Martyrs, which mod of all bans it as abominable , and as guilt) of the greater^ pre fshnt, and tyranny that can be. This (efpecialljO I hope will be well Weighed at Xf3 Dublin, and by the Church that Mr, Winter walks with there as Pafror 5 for certainly it is very dangerous and deflrudive to Cbriflian liberty to urge a /*rm*/ Church-Covenant , to preffe opinions & forne nice pomr* (which are left indifferent) as of »ew «/"> /^without which a man muft not be a member with them. Many Churches (fo called) me thinks, too much refemble the JEgyftians Temple ^which was moft glorious and f aire with- out, bat if you looked within ir, you could fee nothing, but the pi&ure of a Ca t or Crocodile , or Jackanapes , or fuch a kindeof contemptible creature , as that moft miferable pf*p/e adored and worpipped.. So certainly, though the C6«rc6 ef foim may make a fair (hew for a rime,yet within what is there but a contemptible Idol fet up, and adored by a company of blinde Ide*ts;md then as ene (aid of hh Iw Rev,2i*U'. in ftead of fme*^, and then the i fmoak^ muft ftye away. And the more the Sun fhincs , the ftars lare darkned till they are quite gone. In the mean time 7 tllflr/l The EpiffUto the Churches. 67 Sim* there may be an indifferent ufe of Formes (fo they bee not ufed to force with, ) For the Vuicorns- borne on the Beafts- bead is hurtful, but in a vsifmans hand(that will not pufh any With it) it is ufefulSo the Saints that are fpiritual know how to handle formalities ^nd fuch like things,z//3. to do as much goo^asthey may, but to hurt or hinder none, with, or by them. O then that our Churches were yet more refined / Bleflid be God, fome of them are much in tbt Spirit! in their O- Hers andOrdinances ! Rules / Laws! ExercifeS} and FeOw- jbips! He that faw the outfide of Salomons Tents , could npt imagine the moil admirable Royalty and Excellency that was within/ So the Churches of Chrift that are the moftrefined> and fpiritual , O how e/muft bee their gforj, and fpiritual Excellency, which Ghrift (the /fraj) is fo enamoured with. Wherefore, that both the outward em- broideries, and the in^rd excellencies may commend the CJtar~ c&ej to Chrift, I have been freely carried out to this Treatife 5 AndiLany (hould be angry at the leave's and literal Characters or defcriftion of the z//£$/e Churches of Cbrifi , as if I were too formal ; for my owne part , I (hall reft fatisfied with the anjwer which a Pbilofopber once gave to a ^reat Prince (who was angry with him for publifoing his &wj) Sir, fayes the Pbilofopber, be content, my bookj , whilft publijbei, are not p*bli(be{li for it is not every one that reads them will bee the n?/f(?r for them, or underftand them, butthofeto whom the in fide is opened (hail be the £mer, and abound in vtifdomejoy them. Bat this is the fir ft thing that I would fo fain be heard in by all t be Churches , viz. That they live above their own forme s though, they be ever fo beautiful Km&roideries , and good work*, and to be all ghriout voitbin,by living, loving praying, meeting, breaking bread, and exercifmg , ta/dittg fellotifbif , and mrfhipping in the £pmf. For as fained truths,So falfe Churches t *» hiirr The Churches of Spirit3are glorious w jchin *» Th; Authors Aiafwcr to fuck as think be prefles che Form too much in tkii ■ Treat ife*. 68 The Epiftle to the Churches. i Agamft their pride, ftrangcnefle, Lord* like ftatelineffe, & vain-glory. Piirw'itive hu- mility not yet reftored as will be. Sim. Efl"nevpr377. *3~ havemoft Ceremonies and Complements. But O themiferable wretched ex alt at hn of the Forme , which fetches many afigb from £V//r, and Spiritual's ; It is obferved of the jEtib/e- pians that by rea[en they ufe no Marriage, but in a diforderly promifcuous manner company together according to the fltjb, that the children of them, follow the mother onely, and care not a fig for the Father ; To certainly 1c is among Churches promif- cuouflj met, or that are together in company and communion more according to the flcfb then the Sp/m, that fucb Members (Co joyned) follow more their Cbnrcbes Orders and Forms (too like to Papifts) then the Order, or Truth of Cbrijt, they minde what their CJwrri- fayes t but make little or no matter of what Cbrifi fayes by his -fyir/f. But the Lord make us more /p/r/f*fliould have fuch blac^-feet ? as felf- conceit 1 and \elfe- faking > I mean not /Spirii, Angels^ and Sa#«f/,and as are in their eyesa bolf, precious, ffiritual, able-gifted Brethren , and without exception, either as to fafaatj , or qualifications, and perhaps f re- lented i *\3) Humility iia moft admirable pgneef trus Churches and SainiSjMauu ulc. Black Friars Exercife* 7o The Epiftle to the Oounhes* *As toomucfa medling with particular pCr- fons in ftacc- jnatters. The way to it the be ft ex- ercise fince the Apoftks dayes. prefented to them by the Churches too as fuch. But I befeech the jufi and jealous God to give them a truefenfe of the redoubled farrows and griefs which fome have unjuftly and often given to mm/ dear ferv ants of God>aitd onely (r fear) by thUfpirit of pride^nd felf '■ conceit t which is too obvious to hundreds froth Miniflers *\\dpeople\w\d this with forae other things* ,lye as blemilhes and fcandals upon that moft profitable exercife. Were there a fvecet fpirit oilove and humility, and equall liberty to fpiritual, able brethren, with- out ^domineering or Lerdlikj carriage or fpirit %md an alto- gether m'mdingoffpiritual matters*! am confident it would be the beft, profitable, and moft excellent ufef ul Exercife thac hath been fince the jipofiles dayes. And indeed I doe hope, the Brethren will coniider it feriouflyfor Chrifis and his Churches fake , and for the encouragement of other Chur- ches in ail the Countries round, atfomecimes or other to fend their Mefengers to joyue with them in that glorious works for Stony which influences Co glowingly upon our hearts, whereby we know the Lord is about it ("as you may read Cap.o.libt2.) and will never leave till he hath made it the joy of the whole earth, in fetting up Chrifi the King of Sionfifol.2.6. And in order to this , are all the overtumings Ezek.21.27. thatjiave been, and that are to be Heb.12.2S. till he come whofe right all is , and whom the Churches call for ; wherefore let not men be deceived, as if] this were to be performed by the Arme of fiefh. O no! but when the enemy (hall come in like a flood, Ifa.59.19. The Spirit of the Lord (hall lift up the Standard againfl him , and thefe things are to be, before the De/ire of all Nations [hall come, Hag. 2 .7. wherefore bleffed be God, for the work, which this Spirit of the Lord findes at Blac^Friers. But , Dear and Honoured Brethren , Phil. 2. 1 , 2, 3. If there be any confolaHon in Chrijf, any comfort of love , any fellowship of the Spirit ^any bowels or mercies : Fulfil ye my ]oy% that ye be like minded, having the fame love being of one accord^ and of one mind. Verfe 3. Let nothing be done through firife or vain-glory , but in low lines of mind let each efieem OTHERS better then THEMSELVES, Oh Brethren I how heartily would The Epijile to the Churches. toould I lye at your feet , and licke the dtifi of your foals, \ for fuch a low line fe and felfe- denial ! We ma ft Dot be like the Shopkeepers,th*t fay(of what they (hew Jit is the beft in the Worlds though it may bee the worft in their own (hops: O ! how many that be but clods of earth ! and yet (ome men like Cicfa muft needs crow over their very Dunghils. In a frofty morning Diogenes was ducking him felfe in the cold Water , the people pitied him exceedingly ; but the Thilofopher told them, that if they would goe home to their honfes, and leave gazing on him, hee would foon come forth and keep himfelf warm : So certainly were it not for fome mens gazing and gaping fo upon ethers, having their perfons in admiration* Jude \6* they would not be (o proud and 4df conceited as they are. I fpeak this in general. As when Pericles had loft a Boy, he would have himcryed, but not named for the B&yes credit.So I name none, for (lay alide thefe infirmitus of theirs) they are fuch as I highly own and honor, as Champions for Chrifi. But my love to them, and to all the Saints, makes me (how them the ft umbling-bhck, that lies at Blacky fryers meeting , which I befeech God to give them hearts to remove j and to fay with Jofephs Brethren, we verity are guilty* When Ariftodemeu bragged how great a fee he had gotten forfpeaking; Vemoftbenes anfwered him. Say mtb*ngFo§l\ For I had more for holding my peace; and fo I believe I ftiould have had ware thanhj from fome to nave f held my peace ; but I could not. Not thatlhavetheleaft prejudice againft any of them, but becaufe I have a great efteem of them, and a great impatience to fee Cbrifl exalted,] humility honored and owned,? rimitive Conventions rtffored, and that blejfed Exercife at Blac^ fryers comfortably uminued (if it could be) to the end of the world, for the ben fitof the Churches and Saints : And therefore it is, that the steal of Gods boufe which hath eaten me up, hath opened its mouth againft the vain- glory, pride, and the unchridian carriages of too too many Church-members, and Church-meetings. Thirdly, lam alfo engaged againft that Loquacious Rdigion too, that is got into many Churches, which confifis of words and mions. A meer Fuff-pafte ! the flux of words h the difeafe- k cf 7* Sim What makes many proud, and felf- con- ceited. Sitn, Why the Au- thor fpeaks of errs. Siml <& I ♦ Againft the talking Re- ligion. 72 The Bpifile to the Churches. Which Hyp* elites have. 1° Sim- &• \tm* This the talk- ing, the next tlie walking age- & Sim* 4. AgiHft that fhameful want of Jcvc. Sim* Xt3 There will be jnore love. Sim* Lib. %. The Author bath hU C ;ty of Rtfugcin dm&er. of the Churches in this age. Bat where is the good oldwafo "er.6. 16. the pr*ftk\part of Religion now > For Hypocrites tongues walk Gratious-fireet, but their bf 4m are a Pejl-houfe 5 and chey like g*pmg Oyflers, when you open them you (hall (ircde them either ft ink^, or elfe there is nothing in them. £0- ^«ac/f> is the Ftflfila of t be minde, ever running, andalmoft/n- curablc. Religion is now made but a Politicians Vizor by Come, who can put it on for their own ends, and off when chey lift again. Though fome men (it is truej never ftand to choofe 3 but as men that would crtfs the Thames, call for a I Scatter, and that next band they will have, be it what it will. I So they can but pray and talk^ they will have tongue enough for any Religion, and with one Clapper waar out divers Bellr* But as this is the Talking age, the next will be the f^/^g age -j For as children firft learn to handle their tongue, and rhen their feet, fo the Churches do. But I befeech you beware of that Religion that is wrapt up in notion, and Chameleon- like lives of the aiu Furthermore, the want of Saint-lify love, among Ztburcb- membersy maizes their good evil fpokenof, Rom, 14.16, How hall men know they axeChrifts Difciples, feeing they make heir Mafters Livery their Foot- cloth. We fay3the outward aid* nefs of the air without, caufes nature to fmifie het bat within ; -tndmethinks the hatred of the world without, Should fet the Churches and Saints upon love within* John If* 1 9. Beftd-rs^ chere is no man but will commend love for chefe twopro- perties, which f they fay) water hath ; for it neither makes a man in debt, nor in drink^ : So love is neither chargeable to gtt3nor to keep once gotyf it be true love* Which indeed that is rare, and as rich a prizs^s can be taken. But as many lines Jrawn from the circle to the center , the nigher they come to c he center, the nigher they are one to another ; So it (hall be with the Saints ( whether they will or no) they ftiali all meet in Cbrifr, and the nigher they come to Chr;fl, in and by the Spirit, the nigher they are (and will be) one to another in love, and unity of the Spirit* In thefe and feveral other things, I am engaged againft them chat are dearer tome then my own life', but when the Lord fpeaks, The Epijile to the Churches. 73 fpcaks, I tna&obey. Inche old time when the Hatchet of anv pan that was hewing timber, did flie out or' hiSrJktnd (by chance) and bit, hurt, or killed any man, there was a City of Refuge allowed him to run to ; and fo (fayes D . Beg/tri) on Hcf.J.J* ^82.) there is for any Minifter that is in his M*- fters work? I have been, and am bewing timber for the Lords building, if I have knocked or hit any (fo as to hurt him* which I hope, I have not) with my Ax, I run to my refuge ; and take farMuary tnCbrifl, and there I (hall rinde jafety (I am fure) for the discharge of my confeience, flight of all th^ world 1 So I pafs not much for any man 5 for 1 Coney hath a burroft to run to prefently, and fo have I in Cbrift'Jefu* m) Lgrd, Amen, But to bring up the rear ; remember the Propbefies which are ready to bring forth upon the Churches ; The day of Gbrifl is coming, which will make Hypocrites quake, and the /inner s of Sion fhall be furprized, I fa. 33. 14. There be three forts of Church-members that this day of Cbrift mud meet with ; The fir ft (i.) are like the Merarites that carried nothing but the Boards, Bars, and Pins of the Temple ; thefe are more for word then wsrkj for talking then foxwalkjng, for »ofisa then for motion, ox devotion-, thefe make * great (hew, but no wort The tecond fort are like the Gerfhionites that carried theCurtains, Rods, Coverings, and all the Injiruments that belonged to the temple 5 thefe txce/ the other, and are pretty pracYick, and go very far in outward worlds and farms* But then thirdly, the third fort are of fuch as like the Koba- tbites carry the Tabernacles themfelves, and thefe are beft of atj, for they bear the Temple of the Lord in their hearts, and are fpiritual VPorfbippers of the Father. Thefe live not in, or on the ferm, but tbroagfc it, and above it, moft bleffedly in the tartfawce to it too, tovibet your ftomaebs * I pray ^crept of it, and fay grace to it, and fat to, and Mttfi good do it you.. He that rowes againft the Jlream, in ncglefting a ftroke or two, lofts more then he got by tw^rty t>efore$ and fo is bath been hitherto : Whileft the Go[pet(a$ the Mooa) was called New, for appearing in another fbape , though it hath been the fame ever. And this was the rather, for that the C*- vil Pomr^Kings 5and Parliaments Jaws made therafelves Judges of Religion* and Opinions, and Doftwes of Ckr/'/f hitherto, which was declared would be the ruine of this Parliament (as it hath been of others before them,) Feb.1%. 1^53. and fccLib.i.chapAi-.pag'lJi, 172. which was Printed long be- fore the Parliament was diflblved. And thefe Secular Powers have but grudgingly allowed Liberty of Con[cienc*e to different opinions^ which muft be ; and God will h ive it fo, both in the Churches and State, or elfe he will make their hearts ake for it. It is upon Record of a certain Sbuldan , who died at the fiege of Zigetum, that being perfwaded by the Mupbti (whe holds {he place of a Sijbsp or Patriarch among the Mabum* tans) not to fufFer fo many Religions as were in his Dominions He anfwered, That a 'Hjfigaj of many Fhmrs fmelled mor iweetj then one flower alone.. And yet, are weworfethei Turks I It is by the inftigatian of fome A§cmblies> Rabbim calStates-Minifiers, or Students of Politicks* that the Secult lowers have been put upon Religion, to fupprefs fuch Opin ons and Vo&rmes, as did not agree with their light and /// and lotion their coteur^ ( which I cannot but engage agair will The Epifile to the Churches. 7$ with might and main, Cbap.i 1^13. Lib.i. & 2.C6 2.e^r.) And certainly the Souldan, a Tml^ faid well, that a Nofegay Which hath variety, and choice of flowers of divers forts, light and dar\; fuch as are fweet, and fuch as are not (Co) fweet ; fo fuch as are good^nd fuch as are (by themfelves alonej not (og9od\ I fay altogether are excellent, and make the hef Nojegay (fo no bemloik^or fuch a foyfonous ftinkjxg weed be in, to /poi/ail.) Such a Nofegay is morcfweet, and pieafantto/em and fight, then owe ^ower alone. A id for this end, with many other?, my prayer is for England, (as ty/i/iiw laid of Rhodes , Semper ;« Sole fit* eft Rhodes J that it be the btft Betb-fbemejb, or Tabernacle for the £k* in the whole World 5 therefore, Semper in Sole fit a fit Angli-. hi for the Prophecies and Promises which are with dWde, and ready to travail, leaftl tire you, I refer you ioCbap.$, #4. Lib.i* but efpecially, Ctap. 9. Lib* 2. For now are new Heavens , and Hea? £<*rfib in their Creation, I[a.6$, 13. And Churches aad Sfdfej muft meet wich other manner of Changes, Orders, Ordinances , £*».» , Confi itrt ions, Cannons, I and Form/ ef Government and Discipline, then as yet they hive met with 5 wherein dweUetb more rigbteoufnefs, 2 Pef.3. 13. fee- ing the old ones, which were Co (badswy, formal, fie ply, carnal, and corrupt, mult be diffolved (though it will be with a great noi[e (fayes Peter) for men will mutter, and make diftur bance,) yet the oldoaes ftaH be nomoreremembred, fayes the Prober, J/dJ.65. 170 And now, O that the Churches would be ail very bufie in the BooKof Revelation'! which was written for them, relates moft to them, and (hall be re<*d znd opened in themidjl of ikem by the Angel in the Sk«; and from them roaftbe ex- pounded to others in the World. In a word, Heavenly Souls I come hither ! /i*p here ! of tYizfwiet River which runs in this flreet ! not as it fifes from the bowels of the Earth {in parts, learning, wit^ or the like,) but as it raw from the bofome of the Father, the throne of the Lamb, Revei,22A,2^. Having corrupt nature, and creature forms\ focits Nadir , and iwmawe perfeclhns for the Pedal point 5 ha- k 3> vicg *C* *a Prophecies^ The new Crea* * cien nowa» botu. Of all other^ the Churches muft be very converfant with the Reve^ lation. The 1 aft invi- tation to aU Saints* 7* The Epiftle to the Churches. Thcfe leaves are to heal the Nations. ving the Spirit for its Zenith, and verity for the Vertical point* And 1 wi(h ye one tafte fat leaft) of the Tree of Lift in this Treaties whofe fruits are for the/tfirbfr/rarjatid Churches j but the /e I muft and will obferve Mefliffi* ma fandi tempera, and I hope the higher Faith and Prayer flics, the lefs (hall this Treatife rot in the j^jej. Now for the fpeedy conveying of thU Book^all about 9 it is tyed (as Letters were wont to be to the legs of a Z)Qve9 the He/y £p irzf , to give warning with fpeed to all in Bar bylon. And that this winged Meffenger may make the more hafteand flie with the wind in his wiflgi to this work, »n all Nations \ I beg upon my knees the heft-winded Prayers of the Churches and Saints for; it and him* yVho is Cbrifls and theirs (the Bridegrooms and the Brides') unfained Friend and Servant} John Rogers^ From my Study, London, Tho^Apoft. Ziu. * Monetby 20 day. Wherein the Parliament \?as diflblved, SOME 77 SOME Amber of Ingenuity DROPPING OUT In the following Verses of fome precious Friends, and fomc Pa/iers and Preachers of the ely upon this TREATISE. mta an1? qaa an>n hits Mftin nria cn'.n T ftro&n XEfoj ttynu ton Stsfcia ow'iipb :pJ THe Sun of Rigbteoufnefs on thee hath $/W £r/g&f 5 ThejJw^/e/oF thztflame'm thee3have kindled light l And in his Tabernacle^ John Rogers , thou do'ft wafte Thy Tafor for the Saints, where he thy lot hath plac'd. By H. W. Minifterof \h GofpeL at M» V* Lond. Ad 7* fur Specimen Eecle- fitft. RcgiminUy jt*» Peice. Ad chariflimum fratrem Johannem ^ogerjium de Regimine iuo Ecclefiaftko. AjRc4 DW, velut Area No£, tutiffima perftat Quando faa Dominiu voce gubernateam. Nee Mare, nee Scepuhs nietuit, nee Saxa , nee /^xej ; 0««w fed vincit, te&a favore Bet. Ilia vias Item/wi fequitur, tenet, & tfciplinarian. Create /dfrj'x, and newer-^fode/x frame ; Countermine antient^rw/, and boldly blame The learned Grandfires, who whilome bore the (way,' Requires an Artifl's working inth'pHrejr clay. Each curious eyey will fearch, and ceniure ski!/, And nearly lift th'itrength of his engaged quiff. As Seamen, cal m\i in the fairdt weather, look For fome confronting ftorms and winds ; foyour Booi^ Which £ horns to fair, whofe whkeft and well-fpred Sails Pure l#oI*s fills ; yet if in ought it fails Th'ex- -*» 19 Th'expe&ation of trTcenforious crowd, Will meet with rigid bickering!, clamors loud. Yet your approved worth, and favor of th'State, Will check-mate Memus, and repel that Fate. Mine eye allures me well, that your Penfifs fage, The Pifiure comly, fit for this learned Age. The Sbaddotfs heigh tned in fuch curie *** drefs, Be-fpeaking Modefy, and adorns the Prefs. N. R. Ad Rcvcrendum, Rcdcquc Literatnm ^oamefn%ogeYfiumh Fratrem Charilsimurr3 nee non Clarifsimum in i faifto. Briber , pOr Zisns fake wou'd I cou'd fmile Into a Nedar and Neftorean (tile. For were I Croefus, had I Crowns and States, Vd fend them begging to ttfOlympian Gates, Which thou paint' fi out, and point' fl at glorious things. For Angel's words 5 and for Serapbkk wings To foar with: Let JMs Eagle bear this Book- The Books the Bearer; both the Authors vrenh. If any on Cburck-dijcipiine would look, Here He o\*r, Cstten, Cartwrigbi's holden forth. Bartlet *nd Burton, Ainfwortb,Ames, and fuch As were, or are the Champions of the Church. They meet and make their Randevous, herearmM They march to th'ctrror of their foes (alarm'd.) Keep r*»kandfiU I and when your Unknown, In tropb'of triumph, Ctfai (hail lay down ( And Scipio tooj at Churches feet his Crown. Turfsimm exanimo in Domino , Richardus Stearnius, I ptoKsajjis hf ^kq* 8o To his Honored Friend, and Reverend Brother Mr. Rogers^ Preacher of the (jofpel at Tbo. Afojtks^ London* Bear Sir, TPHe Subfance of your Hookas beyond the leaf; '* l Of which the Learned write fo much of late. I The Form's the LeaU the Spirit is the Life> * j Whick gives ttiejjemials Co a true Church-fate. I I have not dipp'd my Pen in th' Honey-box, Nor fought out aicry words of flattering ftile To court you with, as many a cunning Fox, That blow men up like bladders all the while. Nor like Atybcnjus''s Birds do flie about you, That you (lik* him) might caufe meat to be thrown mel But as your proper debt (whereof nt'r doubt you) I'm bound to prize you, if you never own me0 Your Doftrinedoth convert, your Difdpline Convince, the Spirits power appears in both. This very Treatife doth fo well define The Church of Cbrift with words of pretious worths That Aire the Beau*) of this Tabernacle Will draw the Suni and Sons, and Saints therein, And be of PbfeV againft evVy ebflacle That keeps off fuch5 whom nothing elfe could win* i Your Zeal for Truths your Ardency of Love Appears with power to burn within your bmfl. WhiMfc \V h\\ei\ {pending to be (pent, your fains do prove, Y our ftrengt It, healthy life, and all, you count the leaft That you can do for Chrifl. And this the City Of London /Dublin^ Chejrer, and this Wales } And Effex too can teftifie; whence piny 81 Hath broken loofe from many a bull hndwles o Of Trafrs, and {how*rs o^ tears have fhown a worth Of C/"//? in you. How fome lament their lofs I I am no Herauld that can blazon forth Your^rw/j but yet y qui harms 5 For by the*r*/tf Women ftand Keeping yef, where you were nailed, And yet came off in triumph , through Gods grace: Which makes you war? f fo# conqueror 5 not failing To crucife your /frjfc in ev'ry place. *Tis your experience, with Rain-bow variety? Foretels the following day will (bine moft/rf/r. O £/*jjW garden 1 Blifsful £«*£&( fociety, Whok firing's fo forward 1 /r#/V.r and flowers fo rare. Tis beft abiding 'rnong fuch fe& of fpicesi No longer in the Wi I dernefs let's ftayf But yet alas ! the ^v/7 hath devices To thick the air, and threat a cloudy day. What means elfe this Ai&yyja > that Profeffors Inform rlnde powers to perfecute the £*/'*/■/. This tills the airs with prayers of the Pop {for s Of *r**Aj with/^x, and /^few, znd faddeft 'plaints, And for thtfighing of theyw and w^j, Now I'll arife (faith great Jehovah) now, Wo to the Lawyers f (jen ! thofe Locufts greedy, That *v the firing up, and the£r«w that fhow. 1 2 Mat.h.i*. V*<1* Cam j, Pfal. 12, Muft: d2 Muft Holy men be handled with hard gripes ? Our ableft Mincers be ftiov'd aride ? And forc'd to wander up and down with ftripes, A')d bujfettiugs ? whil'it others full of pride, Swearers and drunkjtrds, and Delinquents too, Are by the Lawyers fetled in their f laces: Is this the Reformation which we (o Applaud ? whileft Iron heads, and Brazen faces. Are like Bell and the Dragon up agcn ! Arife, O God ! we cannot give thee reft ! Till thou doft come, to judge thofe unjuftmen \ That perfecute thy ferv ant s, and the beft \ Sir ! Little did we think, (when looks of death Were on you 5 and we beggd that you might live \ When you feem'd paft recovery ; your breath Een £0#? ; and yet we fu'd out a reprieve* Apd got the £*v*/tf through mercy, to the wonder Of fome, and to the joy of many a Saint. ) We little thought we (hould fo foon nfunder, Be parted) and havep/>*>, Whofe ^/jj/>.r Td inherit. And (lead of Mufes, I invoke the graces. Each one to take their places* By their Commiffion winged, I might fing The Philomela's Canticles forfpring. And though a thorn be neareft to my breft, Nor tongue ) nor p*# (hall reft, Till both baptized be (not in Helicon^ But) in the Unftion, In Chryfialftreamsy free-flowing from the F/Wf>//ci ^a»^w laniata Tyrannidejem, -Ctdibuiy lgne>(velut ferdix) agitau per Orbem, Abdica (peluncti, ncnurumqu* fepulta Cavemis , jta uadem Ewicwf Cjbri/^i w'rMe refurgens Clarior &Cbrifki,R*di* EccUfia fplendens. . S*/w* Sponfd D*i ! Sacro L<«f*re Marito! CseUfti Amplexu ! PaUU Gremicque Bcata / Semper ad Ornatum Ubi facra monilia demur* Dm propria Reliqui ^cumbunl mole maltgni. Lux eadm verbis Te nutriat fioftibus obfot. FERDWjtRDO HERBERT: Evangelii Chrifti Vifpenfator TolesburU A Hymn fung in Dublin, Before Sermon, or after it, when this Subjeft was pitched uponjn a Lefturc, on Ifa.j J. 12. w Ith Songs of Praife, let us draw near Oar Lord, our God to fing : For Cbrifi in 5w» (hall appear Our Prophet \Pmfr and jG>g, m 2 lie* 92 *A Hjwxe. Whiles we have wandred many years In d*rk*effe} and diftrefe 9 Our [qhIs were fill'd with Jighs and fears JnthithdWildernefe. But now we waitf(0 Lord/) and ftill . Will wait with them on thee J That will not give thee over till Thy glor} they may fee / Shew us the Patterne of thine honfe% And build mu^ unto it/ That with thy Saints we may rejoycea And prafirfi as we know it • With longings fLord.') we wait till we Be (as at firftj reftor'd To 7>*e/ of Bightezufneffe, and be The Garden of the .Lord ! Then we? (hall flourish and rejoj/ce ' - And £m*> like Cedars tall ; k$ fitted (or the Temples ufe Thefe ^« to ^»/7^ with all. Haflens O Lord ? thefe Zwp/y <£*/<' j J And then our Harps which hung On Willow s% wee'le take down to praife9 Thy Name with l£f£fc and hong. \ '• 91 •ff A Compendious Series, Or zTable of the Materials in the firft Lib, of this Treatife handled. . r ~ i Troved j i By Scrupures. * 2 By Authors, f 1 ' i That there is a Gofpel polity, 2 What it is Ji Vifibk. 2 Invifibk, 3 How it differs ^ ' I One in al places ChapJ. from carnal Ta- lkie ( and in 2 /tallages. I For inter eft. • ■ Vi fome fenfc 4 Laws, from Ecclefi- 5 For Lawgiver, t I. The aftical Policie) 6 For Obedience Hiftory < ; as it i$- 7 Without M of it, to i ^Iteration. <4 IS Chap. 5. 8 In Principle 4 9 C"ftomes. d. 1 *ggrcg*timC:7. which hath two /Wi maicrng np 1 OneBoJy. , 2 One Body Inde- pendent. 1 One BodjXtByScriptures. 1 Frotfrf V \eafas. Cl Auborsi 1 Applied <5 1 Again ft parifif Cbwtbes, ." As deficient fa this patt of the Form. ,x As very plagues la their fir ft Inftitution. I As laid in 6W , and as Chnft'crticifiing Owvbes. a For lairiirtiirrTi v4$ene$of LLib, e o fa c Cmfert to them Ci By Scriptures. f i One Body V By ^^iboff in all Independent. < agcs ^ moft £a- Chap.8. i Proved £ £om. r\ Againft F«# Gvitfa* \z Againft RM/iffg C/#* L 2 4tf//«*C aadSynods. . of Ions "ftand- 3For Independent-Churches f. & (fo called; which arc ^ Attend & */er/- d by the moft emke.t in all ages. Q 4 u 1-4 3 o s o III The Ob\e&r i Pr*^* of the Chur-' chesji;/^. The, prefenceofGod in the w/rf/l ofy x ^pp&i them.Qhip.o^ i "Proved IV The Rule Chsp.t*. V Theinftru-pi "Proved mental caufes k or means free, j} Chap. ii. viz. the Word and ***** -applied invjes I \ To itiwVint© Ae Cmgegatmal- 1 Churches. , S Agiinft Parochial Churches. i By Scriptures WByVrecepit )jPw«ift ofjri»»»* W ?» For .he I«*p** CtaKte *{ « g ft*^ ^ i By Vropkefies. \i By Piecepts. . 3 Pra&ife of primitive Saints. 4 *>/•«. j Reafons. r *, l f iKept up by/Wtf7M*#i AgainGPar/j&Xfoin**i as|i Making wcn mpotritjs ■i Again ft tompulfive powers and Objections anfwercd, 3 Within «vi/ Vrceintts VI The Series of Lib J. 9? 1 By Prophefiis 'iBy V.-ttepts f 5 Ptaftife of ito'Htt '4 Kufins* CVI The final/ Att/fc or end \x proved which is C?odi>. g*; udpnil*? .... f 4 fTC ,, stfri 0fthe Hue eni. dun. vlBpv"a{i Agalnft Patilh Ch«rches,isi. 1 HMng another cad 1 1 For Qofpd-feU^fi>ls { J ^ ^^ , , than O pq o 1 u u - o .2 a ^: H r 1 Preved* 7 The Head of theChu eVh. 13. (the capital eaufeO lExplain- ed h w he is Hdd <^ t By P/ophefics. z J>reccp'.s 5 VrxtiifeofallCburtbes. 4 ReAJons. < Relations, As \ i Verfcftion: \ 3 Fimte, 1 4 QttibeYnationc, I 5 fytfSpjte> [ 6 SttnitAte, &c. 3 Applied to inform us r 1 Of the SaWs I privHeclges- 1 Of theCfo*/- | cfo\r iMftrcji in Ghrift as the Head ofg)/i» wherein *he doctrin informs us 1 Again ft of trifle yv herein yc« have Ji Agamft^ 1 Heads of< iron. 4 *C eHf4i«/^if- /ojfronc-therB Z'1^ ( ft Who bee )*<>«»"/* thefcHwJj Xor Religion. Qbrift alone is to be the Head of gold InthtCburcbes £3 The Series of Lib. I. r-l A RQCkei VIII The Found at'ion of the Church ^ c.14. (t'neFiw I 1Qhtifl ^ for want of which many Churches will fall ilfo. 3 That the Foundation be a found and fare one 4 That Chrift be ihvFouyddtiw upon which all are builtl he want of thefe will be the caufe of th£fall of many (that are called) Independent cburcbes. 1 To inform them of the *- necefjity. \ Of Being wet- grounded in Chrift. z Of being ml united in the Spirit. 1 Proved IX The con- clufion of the firft Booie Chap. 1 5- Wherein our < * A|[ ** ' duty to emer into a Goffel- , - #*4yofG%7cb b feUwJhip is 1 By propbefies, 2 ByPtfrtptt* 2 isy precepts, .... 3 Pwfityfc ofGhriftr^p»Jf/tt, and fr/min* Stints. ah ^l Stints. 2 A11 0&' I 4 Manifold Reafons3and prefled by www* jetfwisaa- L fwered. , _ - . Ci To know who are fit tor it 3 Explain -\ l«Las 2 What Church is the beftfor £ Stints to„cnttr ii»0| Th. 99 The fecond Table or Series of Heads hand- led in this fecoryi Book of Church-ches. t i Eflentiais. * love and union. 1$ O der and edu- cation. ?4 Benefits and Soul- advantages. i Search tne Word of Gd about it, i. What is re quiied before j embodying. CHAl'. I. i A dear per fwafion^wher-^ in \ j Full fatis- fa&ion thatio it the way of Chrifti i To 'learn the Pra&ife and Order of the Gofpel, by the Church -s and Saints, from thefirft. i Theprc^nifesofreftauration. ^ 3 How far we are off of that pra&ife, and thofe promifes of rtftitution, of inftituti- on. 4 To eye all concurrent Provi- dences and Calls. J i Have no confidence in rheflem. I 3 Be no ways byaffed3or partial, as to opinions. I i Whence it J i Ex can/a certitudinis. arises ? 1 z Ex pane fubjefii. f i By the word of God, on which it is 6Gttomcd. i By caufingthee to wait for a fit time. 3 By palling thorough manifold trials 'and oppofitions. 4' By a ready obedience fyightof all. f Ey opening to thee the emptinefs of all other ways. _ ' • 6 By making thee to long after tnele Ta- bernacles. 7 By making thee full of heavenly bold* Rcfsinthem. 8 By putting thee upon inviting and per- fwading others in. I Ufe of Caution. i How ft u LI n * What ICC The Series of Lib Ah z What is required in it, Chap. 2*3- £ t Proved by Scriptures. C i Principum I ± Fk. z Fit!em P i Tobevolun- ,'• , . . j J Rtiulm H «W» Lo^to, (.Word. {. 6 / »ffr»raeat* i Which *el j Spit it. L j Confirmed by Reafons. 4 t i Believers muft often meet together, to know each other* before they can orderly embody. 2 -Give up their names. 3 Keep days of prayer and humiliation. I iTTo be order- ly, Chap. i. wherein f i Solemn.^ A day wherein they im -^ body, which ihould be f I In a preparation ; and nor to run raflily3as fome do. i In opening the way out of the Word ofChrift his Sta- tute Book, $ In giving account of faith, Chap*. 4 Experiences of thewoiko-f grace upon their hearts. ? In declaring their fatisfa&i , on and refoliuion to walk to- gether. Admiffion of I Members. i t i To convince the world, i To prevent fcmdals. I To credit the Church and Truth, a Publick.^ 4 Asmoft confonantto Chntts Laws. 5 ToChriftspraftife. 6 To GofpeL-fellownVp. L 7 To ftir up others unto it. 1 WBo is to admit J 1 Negatively, no: Elders *lcse. them ? !•» Affirmatively, t ut the Church. r 1 They muft appear to he fo. z That they lie not admitted, either [ a Who to be r x Ckurcfa- Members. *? & under Church-cen^ fure. 1 5 And have a recom- L mendation. 5 What The Series of Lib, 1 1. lot Or fecondfy, noj Church- Mem- bers, as yet; & then fome- thing i$ *In their Admif- , (ion. f 1 3 Whit is required after they be thusi embodi- ed, Chip. S\ To take their mmes. x Enquire of their perfor.s admiflion, as""} 3 Some appointed by the C. Church fo to do. f x Prayer accordingly. 2 A threefold j i Negative. Tcftimony ci Two affirmatives, 3 Satisfaction given to all. 4 The fight-hand of fellowship gi ven to the admitted. j Praifes retuin'd,md prayers made- &c. i Pra&ick Rules to be obferved (of which in the third Book, de toto org&.ko.) N I A ritua! or- r der to be ufed (of which all alon^ this r T<3 urge no ritual indifferent form, as of neceflity^ . a To leave a II to the Spirits guidance and moving. .2 f j To do all for peace, and piety, andordtr, Li*0 wherein- in all love, humility, and fvveetnefs. they mult ob- | ferve t 4 No rebap- trzing,wherc-J in a j- pears r i Out former Eiptifm wasBiiptifm, for Matter and Form ^"i Which is the thing figni- t We arc under the Baptifm) ****!** !*« tnd of Wa of the Spirit. " > w'l! if fJ r /2 Which qu^lihes foi ^ Church-fellowfliip. $ Obj:c*tionsanfwrered,-is todipping, Sic. 4 A Letter fent from the Ariabaptifts at Water ford inlreUnd calling Dipping the Fundamental Ordinance, anfwered ? Saints of all judgements mutt be receive4, and accepted of wich- ont refped to j per fen 5 cropini- j onsj though they^ differ from us in things doubtful or indifferent Cbap.f.s x Proved* •" i By the rules of Clirift. 2 Bypn&ife of primitive Siints, :qo years after Chnft. $ By plenty 2 Explainec 102 The Series of lib. 1 1. * Explained, what things doubtful and indifferent arc 'i Againft the^ The Church of form neceflity of ) is the Spiritual Egypt Forms,wher-')i All forms muft die" « 7* Outfomeof afuddenl • z Urged r i All the Saints are children of light, and muft lee what r ilKe, j Applied 4 L2lIfe."K forms. upon a three- they do. told , a The beauty of Sion limit- confi- . ty in unity, al] in one. derati- | % The rule cf admiffion is on, as L prudence and charity. N^ to^Ii?or,ha* wemuftpaft arieeaufeof theoccafion of them. To receive C i Seund in the Faith all Saints/ of Chrift for fub- gh dif- ! fiance, feringin o- < ^ An inftance m an account of Faith, made at Dublin. though dif- j in o- 1 pinion, that I are f ' I The glory of God. C i To give warning r i By precepts. J i Praftife in J primitive | C i Proved .«? times. Reafons, which con- cern I z The advan i tage of the< Church, as 6 Experi- ences of the work of Graced declared, Chap. 6. i^i 5 The com- forts of their own' fouls. a To take off cen- fures. ? To teach them' God. 4 To fhew Gods va- rious ways of working. 5 To truft in God for future. 6 As converting I means. i Inafiii-Ci How to ranee, J know it. wherein Jz What to »s C do in it. i Humility. , 3 Inftmaion. i 4Emboldning them. Ci To give ? As their J out of. ftorc-howfe'li To lay C BP in* 6l» The Series of Lib. 1 1. 103 6 In making more longing Chrift. 7 More God. them a for >bedient to 2 Approved, by above for- ty examples! in either of worth , wherin their : Of d inary, as by Preach - £ legal ing, Praying, ReaJing 9J or Hearing, &c. And there- ^Evan- Cgdical Or 1 Extraordinary, asbyDreamjC. Aftua'lv call is either I Trance, Voice, Vifion,which } I is twofold, r To converfiW i Confirmation* j Afifurance. Potentially. 7 Church -co- venanting , Ch.7. where « in are hand- led When they be made moft pleafing to Gcd. 1 Things indifferent an I ] 2 Moft neceflary to the Church, doubtful 5 and whenj 3 When they keep men in the dark, they ai 0 very hurtful 4 WhentTiey occafiondifcords, hate, and dangerous, as troubles. 5 When they ar« preferred before I po^tive precepts. 1 No precept for it. z N^pradife of primitive timefr '3 For that Saints are one in Spirit with- out i>. 4 Church- Members are in covenant without it. $ That a Church-covenmtmaybe tifed,but howand when. 4 Forms cf Church J 1 In Rottedm. covenanting 1.2 In Dublin. i That Church-Cove- nanting as 11 Spiritual-covenanting is n:ceffiry, and enough. 8 Equal liberty of all Church- Members to vote, object, or . offer any thing ^ fubjtftive in Church matters wherein Sifters right iSjChap.8. Prophecies. b precepts. 1 t PiOved bySj PracYfe of primitive Churches.. Learned Wr'WfS. r 1 Votes concern all alike. 12 Sifter ^ave had office. 3 Liberty of the^ubj^Ct equal inXbvi ft 4 Piiviledgcs in Chrift equal to all alike <^ ? Trantaaiom of God to all alike. \6 All alike in end and intentions. 7 Some fitters excel the Brethren. [ 8 And ate ftronger in ibwr arle&ions 1 Torrtfn. % Applied in Ufe$^i To women, - To ail. 2 Confirmed by feveral Reafons as that >cbjj i©4 The Series of Lib. 1 1. r i CoaGdera-~i What tion of the ) it i« Church here treated of. t I Catholike/'i Catholikein a fence. (fo called) \ 2 An effential part of the .2 Gongre-<^ univerfah gational, /j A true mm, but not intt* which is grum. TiriJlbll !• c» Hint Cleared and refcued from falfe gloffes, anddefin tions about names and notions. r i In their account of the Church in general, 2 Of a Church- Catholick, as vihbie. I Of the Head of the Church. 4 Of the Matter of the Church. 5 Of the Form of the Church. 6 Of the Foundation of it. Q 2 Faftings. >3 Mixed multitudes. rent. , Impu1 2 Of giving it. a The form al caufe C 1 Inhe- «r 1 J> of luftification , J 4 WorksX l^.m what is< J Righteoufnefs. C. tative. [ j Slandring Saints for Antko- mittns. < EndoffcrvingGod9Ji Fear of Hell. as I* Loye of Heaven. 6 Merit of Works, ictongru: 7 Power to Civil Magiftutesjover conf€ietm> The Series of Lib. 1 1. id /I! 3 Cenfr dcration it, That Cofpel- Cimrches reftored in theft latter days, are cneofthc great , promiKS biinging forth* 3 I?? I Ordination ofMinifters. z Their diftin ftions. By Scripg tures. I Proyed.< ! 1 By Type* What it is in jhe Effcnce ■f l uramation * of it. By whom it is. In what order it isj Of Clergy and LaityJ 'i Of Garbs. Of Minifters, j Tithes,whcr- C i That Civil powers may in is afferted, ('and fonaetimes muft) firft asjudai- I take away Tithes, as plca- cal, fecondly#5 and' Scetlmd* i 4^ ; ■ m*n r i Rooted well. a Lords planting. - 3 He makes them grow. 4 Moil fruitful of all. 5 Lcfrely to fight. 6" Excellent to feci on, and to all fences. 7 AlUortsofgood T ft* 8 Tree of \ vTng. Life in o Life theriiidft/gi- ^ ving. 9 O her trees look likdthe Tree of Lift. io Man put in the fixth djy. ii Gods pre fence moft there. C i From (i Known ' 2A^O EaliiiTidden £/;!hc)aFortl*GwdeiK. bf,m-'Cj Run-in -one 1 way j* and out four ways, ^i NotforBeafts. 2 Beft UniverGties. <> j Uud^ftriaLawsl^^, put in | 4 S infui cait out. o " ft 3 |r 5 Eats of every tree^ Buf ' .L6 Tree cf Knowledge, /'£ Hu- mane Le -rning •, fiow forbid i and how to beufecJ in Pa*aftife. Channuccha .I'M .5 l2 As to Chap. I. FQT\ CbannuccaL A TABERNACLE For tbeSVJV. The firft Boo k. CHAP- I. That there is a vifible eDifciplt/2e>or Politie of the Church under the Gofpel, ordained by Chrifl • and what it is: and how it differs from carnal Policy, Othing is more clear out of the word of God 3 then that there is a Gofpel-Difcipline, or Ckunb-State for Saints ot divine In ft i- tution 5 and by divine in/tru&ion 5 Prov.1.3. To receive tbe inftruttign of(Chrift) Wifdom^ JufliceiJudgement > and Equity 5 for Solomon (who was a type of Ghrift ) teaches his Vifdplm in t^is WifcJomes Polkie, TV There is a Cjofpel-'Difcipltne^ Lib. I. Sim. Divinity and Morality. Expof. IVomFahtr and Mother. Spirit and Truth. Expof* Godsdengn in fetting up Gofpel-Dif- tip line. To make us Gofpel Difci- pies- i For order. 2 Forunty 3- For edifica- tion of one ano.hcr. HJereby ap- pe vrs Gods great love to Boq1{ of Proverbs, which you have fome call his Etbicks, as relating to moral! Precepts; for Divinity is like fome greac Lady that is every day in a newdreffe, and Morality like to a handmaid that waiteth on her ; drift £the typified Soismtft'] intends hereby to tell us of his Order, and of the Discipline of mfdomes houfe ( viz* his Church) Prov.%. I,^* and Chap.9. 1,2^3,4,5. he begins with this exhortation, ProiM .8. My fen bear the indruclhn ( or Difcif linens many read it) of thy Father, viz. his fpirituail documents , and teachings, and for fake not the Law of thy Mother, that is, of the Church, C74/.4.26- who bea«f and brings forth chil- dren to the Lord* So that it feems Chrifts Difcipline (which is of the Father, znd of the Mvtber) confiftsin the Spirit, and in the truth, Job.q, 23, 24. not onely inwardly, but it is alfo outwardly ; as to outward Orders, Laws, and Ordinances of the Church* Thus the Lor d spent the ear to Difciplinefayes Elihu to Job chap. 36.ro. and commands them from iniquity 5 that is, fayes Calvin, he inftru&s them in his wayes, and teaches them to amend. This (hews, that Gods defigne in giving us fo good a Gofpel-Difcipline, is, thereby to make us good and Gofpel Difciplcs, both in knowledge and inpra&ife, and is therefore of great con- cernment to us in teaching us thefe three things, 1 Sub eft 5 2 Coejfe; 3 Prxejfe. Firft, to be obedient to his Laws.and Ordinances , ut dif- cipuli, living together in Order : Secondly, to love one another , and all Saints living together in unity, utjocii, Pfal. 133. 1,2. Thirdly, to inputt one another, and to ftrive together , to excell in exhorting , comforting , and teaching to the edifying of one another, 1 Cor. 1 4.1 2, ut Magi* /?ri3as Matters of knowledge ,P[aL\ 19 98, 99. and there- fore it is,that there is fo great a necd3and notable a ufe of thU good ordei9. and Gofpel-Difcipline amongft us, which God hath of his goodnejfe, and i» his wifdom provided for us. So fayes old Bewardjfupsr CantJcrm.2%* What abundant caufe have we to blejfe the Lord ( who was no wayes bound to us J that of 'bit free Iwejbould let dewna'Dilcipline out of kit owns bofome (as it was brought byChriitto us from the Chap.I. A Gcfpel-Churcb-flate brought m by Chrift. 3 Father for us to dwelling becaufc tl.e School-men could fay, Di(- ciplina non debetur ex debito ,' quia inferiori non eft aliquis obligate, in quantum efl inferior, Man is the inferitur, therefore ' it is man that is obliged to the Lord his Superiour , for ma- king fo mu ;h, and To excellent foul-provifion (hence re/z- gio a relifando} Mat, 24 45. ov wnrvoiv 0 wpt®- etj-r* \m $ 0*p*- stw** ojuTVy Who is a faitbfull and wife [erv ant, whom his Lord bath made rulf* over his boujbold, to give tb:m meat in due feafon ? So we fee the Lord takes care tor us , and makes provifion for poor fouls , for he hath appointed, ( confiituit being a compound mrdyis as much as to fay, cum aliisflatuit, whom the Lord bath appointed Qoyntly with others)as an Overfeer,{[uperfami- litium jW«,)over a remnant of his family. Now> woe bee to them that reject this Difcipline of Gofpel-inftitutionjPfd/.^o.ldjiy. ameer Moralifi will tell you there is a neceffity of Difcipline. (See but Tull.itfs Offices lib&& 9. de invent, antefinem libii) and a meer Formaiift will tell you, that there is a neceffity of Church -Difcipline, which is a principle own'd by all for a truth (except Atbeifts) bee they no more then meer pretenders, or pr of effours. As for this Churcb-Difciplinewe fhall finde icin the word, and fetch it from the Fountaine freely flowing forth through many more Scriptures, then I (hall mention both out of Old and New Teframenu Firft , in the Old Teflament , we finde many Fropbeftes, and Pfomifes filled wkhthi? , as P/4/.110.3, Thy people fhall bee willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties ef bolineffe , which muft bee meant of this vifible Gelpel-Cburcb-ftate , wherein Saints (having communion with Chrift, and one with ano- ther)^ worfbip the Lord, as appears Pfa.i^.2.Worfbip the Lord in the beauty of kolines ithis is the Lords boufejaexe is his worfbip due unto bis name ; out of this Sion goes forth the Law,md it is beautiful! for fcituation. So in Ifa*z.l,$? It (hall come to pafle in the Uft dayes,that the mount aine of 'the Lords boufefbaSbee eftablifbedintbetop,&c. which forefees the Angular fellow- ftiip of Saints in thefe lafl dayes wherein we live ( large- ly) exalting Gods owne way of worfhip , which fcewill bring forth with /&#«fwgj, and wuhall an attraclivum bmum, B t a Tb. iqu.tt* QJSo.r.3, Expef. And his g'eac care over us. Expof. The neccfTitY of it is undeni- able. ThUDifcipIlnc is proved, 1 cut of Old Teftament. Expof* It Is the beauty of holineflcn Expe[< \ A Cjoftel- Church ftate proved. L1^. I» a winning excellency will (hew it felfe to the ravifhing of the Saints, and the re-edifying of their fbules as (in ftalu quo prists ) of old 5 fo that the very out- caffs of Ifrael (hall (more fi urn inls) by a fpirituali inftinft, and from occult qualities flow freely (and be fully fatisfied ) unto it, yea up iq it y which is a greater wonder. The glory of thit latter koufe (ball be abundantly greater then the former, which notwithstanding was filled with bisghry. This houfe the Prophet alfcpremonftrates in £££^43.10,11 12. whicb looks to the Gofvel-time and Temple. Secondly, in the Newleftsment, this truth triumphantly appears, for our Saviour teftifies himftif unto it,inc%M 6] I i 8. 1 9, and upon this rock^will I build my Church ( in the Heb^ but, is not a copulate) but Chrift himfelfe is this roche that is ^pointed at for the Churches foundation, 1C0rv3.11. or elfei* will fall : And as the verb metaphorically, concludes this ZV Eirin of Church* Dfcip line (beingtaken from *l#ildin% confiding of many particular parcels made up into one\ alfo of fuch a Society which are of neer relation and fweet confanguinicy (Spiritually taken) including the order of the houfe, which is thus built up an habitation to the Lord through the The glory cf the latter houfe greatcfl. Proved in !New Tefta- aneat byChrift . Expof. It is a building d&cjy compact- ed. It is not an (openly) mix- ed congregati- ' Expof. Ecctejiam ejfl '•mifceltamm fa/fum tjt dicere Gm.in loc. quia confufis mhibui confun- dittir vefxs Dm cum IdolU. Vffin in fscundo pracepto. Proved by the Aportles,and primitive Saints. Examples. Spirit;) So alfo the perfon and tenfe doe fignally declai Chrift is yet about this building (who alone is the Carpenters Sonne, the Son of Mary) as afterward we fhall (hew* For further proof, fee Mat,\% 17^18. the Church is not there rnent a mixed company ( fayes Cameron in loc.) nor a mixed wrfbip, faith Vrfin; but you have here commanded and commended unto ycu by Chrift , the good Gofpd-order and Discipline thereof. This the zsfpo ft Us pra£tifed,*4#.2.4^ and 4647. And in all the Epiitlesof Paul , it is apparent, Phil. 3. 17. 1 lhejf.1.7. z.Tbefil.9' Cum muliU aliufcz. This the 'Apoftle preached^ c^tf.8. 12. inftrucling others in it, 1 Cor. 12.25,2^27. 1 Cor. 14.12. and commending others for it, 1 Cor.il *2.Colojf.2*y llbefjl^^. befides abundance of examples of all the Churches of Corinth, Reme, PhiHippi% Macedonia, Antiocb, Samaria, zndthc fev en Churches of AJia; So that we are encompaffed about with a broad ckud of wit- nejfeS) and cannot but concurre with all in this received Aximey Chap.I. G of pel- Difcipltne proved in old and New Teftament. jixiome&x. undeniable truth,that there is a Gofpel-Vifciplim for the Saints to fubmit unco, and to wa\ under, together in order and unity* ' This many call Eccleftafiick^ PAitie > as Car Wright, Hooker, Chrifb with many others , becaufe that fomuch skill and judgement Church Di- fcipline, or Politic why, and how cal- led fo. Vifib!y,andii* Sim* h required for the ordering of the cffaires ef the true Church of Chrilt, which we are here to treat of, I 77m. 3; 15* this fame is by others called the Church vifible confifting of belcevers in body together, and under outward formes, order, Colofr.2.5. and government , and under the power of Chrifx ( King, and Lawgiver) committed to him by his Father, Matth.28.l8. Joh.5.22. Job. 13.3, and delegated unto him, and executed by him vifibly and invifibly ; invifibly by his j vifibly all one Spir/tand word within, which are as the KulingElders and j ch"^* Officers, Joh.i4- 16,17- Joh.ld.7,8. But vifibly by his Ordi* 1 nances, and Officers in the Church without, Ephef4.ii,i2. 1 Cor«i 2.28,27. yet none ought to be a vifible Officer ( no nor member ) but fuch a one as is ruled, directed , enabl ed, and qualified by Cbrifl, and his Sprit , ordering within in their hearts 5 So that the formaU aad ffirituaU , outward and inwardyvifible, and invifible make but one Church : But more of thefe things hereafter, Onelythisat prefent, before 1 proceed , I muft acquaint you that there isa mo(t dimenfe difference between this Difcifline and Politic in feverall particulars, of which fome 1 worldly Ro fhall name,and 10 hafte. . Firft, Politic of Nations (or rather Policy whereby ftates are ruled) is not one and the fame in all places, but as Phyficke is j fime in ail adminiftred according to the conftituiion and comp/exion P*aces* of the body; fo is P^lic), and not in all places alike, but ac- cording tothe conftitution and complexion of the people, and place; one Nation is ruled this way,another that way, but Chrifts Discipline of his Church is one and the fame in all flaces>to all people, 1 00^7,17. Secondly , Pclitie alfo differs according to the times, but this Gofpel-Churcb-ftate doth not, but is the fame (by rule J in all ages,and at all'times, be they what they will,Epfo/*.3,2 1. andEpief.4. xi3 12. Media cultus f mi immulab ilia, till the B 3 coming How it differs from capiall J One and the" ■Sim, t In allagesi Cwicfa temp* rum curfu m\u tzutur* 6 gofpel and Cam all "Polity differ \ LibJJ 3. In the inte- reft it drives. f4.Tn tl-e I awes outward j and inward. Directories or Cannons are of no ufe there- in. f.Tn the King and Governor. £• Inobedi ence. 7-Tn altering or ad J in* to Lawts. Whence cams J?ope,pre!aces Hierarchy, coming of Chrift, 1 Tim. 6. 13, i4. i Or. 11, 2cj,#.p. - 7\ Thirdly, Pe/ir/f alwayes drives on a Selfe-intereft and feekes no farther 5 but this Difcipllnc of Chrift drives on an jntereft above felfe( which is, as having the CWtone under her feet ) and is not therefore of this world, Job. $. 30. 7*fc Fourthly, Ptfitie is ordered by certaine outward Lawes, and nileslefc(asaG?iow»»)or laid downe for the tranquillity of the State; but this Church of Chrift is governed by the f^ord without, and the Spirit within ( as will appeare hereaf- ter) in fewer; and hence it is that Direclories are out of date, the Cannons difcharged and broken in peeces, and Plat- formes of men no more minded then as they are the Word of Gad* and till further light be given from above, and till the Spirit lead us further into the truth. Fifthly, Politic, and the Kingdomes of the world have many Kings, Entperours , zniKuhrs; but the Church of Chrift over all the world hath but one and the fame bead, fybefu 22. and Epbef. 4. 15. and Epbef. 5. 23. 1 Cor. 1 1. 3. Coloff. 1 . 1 8 . who is to rule them by Spiritual! influences, and outward Ordinances. Sixthly, Politic requires outward obedience, and no more ( be the heart never fo bad ) but this Church- way of Chrift calls for ftirituaQworfbip, Job* 4. 23, 24^ and the heart, Pfal.^j. 8* Prov. 3. 1. Pjal.66.i2. Pfal. 51. 17. Atls $. 32. Acl. 8. 21. & All. n.23# Seventhly, In Politic men have power of pulling downe, or fetting up new Larves by the Supreame authority of that Na* tion or State, and their Lawcs and Afts (asthofe of the Parliament ) are binding, and of force : But in this Church of Cbriji there is no fetting up wew>, or pulling downe old and true 5 Chrifts Lawes and word muft ftand without adding, Mminifbin&or alter fagj\cv.22,l$. this Difcipline is not anofe of wax, nor ( as honeft Cartwright fayes ) taken out of Can* nons, Lawes, Decrees of men, v^es% Prelates, or the like ; from which pit came all the Locust, and Scorpions, the Ra- mi ft Hierarchy, the Arcb-Bifbops mdBijbopf, and their Ser- vants, Lib. I, Gvfpel'DifcipUne andmrldly Polity differ. vants, Surrogates, Officials, Commijfaries, and the reft of that | trafh and rubbifh. Ei?hthly> Polity hath no higher principle then reafm> but thi? way of Chrift is abundantly dfoz/^ and yet in nothing cgainfl pure reafen* Ninthly, Polity is a great F ofC/;ri/r is very much an enemy to all cufames and traditions of men ( that are not of the #W 0/ God) though of ever fo long continuance and ufe : Fide Vrfin de 2 fT£cepte* Tenthly, Polity hath Corporall punifhments, and power againft oppofers, enemies, offenders, or the like, Et iflos vi coercere, ac ferro punire poteft 5 but the Church-power is from a- bove, the weapons of her warfare are jpiritual/, Non ferro fed verbo9 non vi & armU, fed vi & efficacia ;(he ufes the two-edged- [word of the Spirit, and Word, againft all her oppofers and offenders, neither arc men compelled ( as by P&liticall pow- ers) to obey, but they are draticne of God , and the Spirit con- jiraineth them, Job 32. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Eleventhly, Polity is full of Trickfy Arts, Quilits, and 2E- quivocations, and lies ready at the catch, according to a Judges for great mans ) interpretation, orconftru&ion: but this (jofpel-way is full ofplaineneffe, truth, and (implicit?, ^Cor. 1. 12. and 2. 17. and is not according to mans interpretation, but the fpirits, Rom. i2. 8. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Rom. 16. 19, Twelfchly, Polity confifts mod in the Feme, and lives raoft in the ou:-ward fbow, pomp, and appearance, but this way of Cbriji confifts moil of inward beauty, pomp, and excel- lency,aCor. 5#I2. and 2 Cor. 10. 7.7^.7.24. and lives moftin the fpirit, and leaft in the forme. Thirteenthly, In Polity is the greateft refpetlhf perfom, one higher then another,making fome Slaves3 and others Lords, but in this Church-fiate of Chrift it is an intolerable Tyran- ny, and hath not the leaft allowance, Mrfr^tO. 42^4$. left thereby we (hould have member fons or opiniws in Admiration, J^.2.1.3, 1 Pet. 5 .-J..1J Eour- 8. In principle. 9- About cu* ftom> of long continuance. 10. In power of making obedi- ent, and pu- nilhing Ofonr ders. n.Inthc nature of it. li.In the pomp and beauty oi iS.Inrefpe&ing; perfon? or opinions. Gofpel-Difciplixe dijjers from 8cctefiaftica£%liiy. i4.In refped of gifts and abi- . lities. s <.Tn the Con- feqtteniee of ic. It differs from Eeclefiafticili policy in a fcnfe. Who more PoIitic^tHen the Beaft fe- ven-headed, moftfubtill- pated in his Ecclefiafticall Difcipliae. Fourteenthly, Polity preferres men according to their iut» tvardpartSy fle(hly habit?:, of learning wit, or prudence; but Chrlfts Church ftatefets up Ci>r/7r3 aud his Spirit for Officers in chiefe, and fuch who are ruled and filled with the Spirit of Chrift under them, Co that not men, but Ckrift rules ; jF«c/^ that had not this Spirit proved a Traitor, (o will others. Fifteenthly, Po/ity grows every day more and more rufty, and the longer it lives, the more it will be out of date, and leached at lad, and like a Pot[beard be da/bed a pecces ; but this way of ChriH growes every day more and more glorious, and will be the beauty of the whole earth', Piety (hall ftand, whilft Policy (hall fall, and the Church of Chrifl, that little flone ( cut without hands /(hall crowd Pdicy out of doores, and fill the whole earthy Van.*. 35. &v. II. if. P/*/. 48. i, 2. 7/4.62.4.7. In all thefe refpefts and many more (" might I not be too tedious ) I might eafily demonltrate to all men the vaftdifpropoction between this Gofpel-Churcb- ftate and Ptf/ecyfwhither in Church ( where it hath been fet up inflead of Piety ) or State, (o that I meane not in; any fuch fenfe that there is an Ecciefiafticall Polity, but as I have hinted be- fore, and in order to viable?. Now who hath been more politick, and fubtiU then that Bea% that hath for fo long ufurfed Chrifts Seat . and ordinances? which To many Si-ules dd moaning for,- and in the want of then;* in this thdi Wilder* neffc^fiate^whtve'm they have beefl loft for nimy ages toge- ther 5 and whilft they are fighing and fobbing in a /rr**g* Land> they that have kd them into this Babylonian Caftivtijti dot cilluponthtrntoCrngM Songs of Sion; but alas, their Harpt a*e hu»g «p «p«« tfee tnftW^and they as in zftrange LcM are /tof, which is the next thing 1 come unto. *7±ny or, *7SN. Cjnaraphel. Saints fuip!- ring Cje: afpi- 1 ing ) in a ftranee Land. CHAP. II. Wcbavt had cur abode a long time under Anttchnfian darknejje ancpDifcipline, and the Church was driven by the Dragon, anddrawne by the Beafi into a Wilder - nejF for many hundred year es, and ever fince how mife- rably Soules have been blinded by bottomlejje fmoake in a Fopifh Hierarchy, andfo have continued ta tbefe dayes. IN the jiext place we are to (hew how for many Ages to- gether we have fallen foulely (hort of this holy and Vch&l- fome Difcipline of Cbrifls Church, and hav.e been abomi- nably cheated with the rotten fiogs&nd cboakjd with the thick Romifh foggs, and filthy infe&ious milts of Popifb inventions 5 fo that thereby the Sunne and the Aire have been abundantly darhped* Thefpoore) Cburcb, (he was before clcatbed with tbe Sunne, encompaffed round with purity of Religion ., with brigbtneffe of Difcipline, arid in the clear light of Chrift, and Scriptures which were her rich ornaments in the twelve Apoftles dayes h yea and aftej^^hat till Cenflantines time flie wore this Crowne of tbe Welve^Statres, thofe glifhing lights. Aad not only were the SaM&( fuch as then lived ) above tbe C . Moone^ Revel. 9. »I Rev. 11. 1. ; Expof. What a happy condition the Church was in in t^e Apoftles dayes both for Dodrine and Discipline. IO The church in ChrifFs dayes Li*. I Mat 10. i£, !7> 18. Anno no. vid. E»/to 1*. 3. chap. 19. 2 Cor, i 1. i. The D agon perfects her. Hev. 12.4. Anno 179. &nno 104. Anno 25^ Anno 16 2. IZuftb. lib. T, c. 17. images and Idols. Cent. 2. cap. 7* Anno 2^7. Anno 306. luftb. lib- 8* Rev. 123. She was Brought into the Wilde r- nefle. When ? and how? Pa rem. in Apoc. 12. v. £• By ioofing her ©JjfcipUftC. 1 Moone, and all fublumry enjoyments, but they had this borrowed light of the Word, meanes, and ordinances^ to guide them in their pathes, and to dirctt them in their Difcipline and Church-date ; but alas! ( as our Saviour foretold what would folIow)it fell out afterw ird that the red Dragon raged and watched cop erfecute the Church) which was done very forely in Domitians dayes ( and In Nero^s ) at which time the Church was pure notwi hftanding, and ( a? yet ) prc- fented for a chaft Virgin to Chrift, though tormented, becaufe fhe would not be defamed, and although then (the Apo- ftles being all dead ) fierce wolves nvt together by Flochjs , and fdfe Teachers, and PjW^-d^o/l/ex rofe up apace, to oppofe openly true Do&rine and Difcipline* This continued under the Emperours, Verm, and Seve- rn* , and Valeriana ; O then ! how this red Dragon ( this bloudj Abaddon followed the Churchy foaming wlthflouds of indignation, and yet for all that, the poore, and ( almoft ) breaJ^lefle Saints had a little refpite under Galienus, Anno 267* and till that time I finde the Church continued yet ve- ry chaft, but then, prefently after began Images to be fet up, and ^Monuments to be ere&ed in C if area PhUippi, and other places, and in Dionyfiuf his dayes Bifbop of Rome, Anno 167. the Church began abominably to be defiowred and defiled 5 fo that the true Saints and Churches could not efcape a moll (ad perfection underDio cleft an ,and moil hot and heavie under Maximinus, that matchlefTe Tyrant, till torments in his bowels moved his bowels (againft his will) to mitigate the vio- lence of the perfection ; this continued to the time of Con* flantine and Licmius % and although the red Dragon could not have his wilf do what he could) with tbefe bis heads and homes , withwhichheufedtopufhat, and fit he could ) to have puftied out the memory of the Saints, that the name of a C hriflian might not be left, yet the Church liv'd and thrived till (he was in thofe dayes driven into the fVJhrneffe, which was worfe then all the Ferfecutions of the Dragon before, and this was ( not mntatione loci, fed amifsione ornatus ) by loofing her former light , life, liberty, excellency, purity, and loveli- neffe 3 her bright DifcifUneiot darh^ejfe of dmtiM9 and de~ Chap. 2, e loath* d with the Sunne. \ i vstiw ot darknejfe ; her truth es for traditions, and Ucclrines ct Chrijttor inventions of men, and* all this by her pretended friends at home ; for now the Dragon bad dragged the third part tftbe Starres after him, viz. Meteors and wandring Scarres, And how? made up of earthy matter, but not fixed in the Glebe of Heaven, them be ka\b cajx downe with bit tayU, i. e. by his Ser- pentine fubtihie?, infinuations, ftrength, policy, and poy- fonous infections *, Oh fad ! what Superftitions, Idolatry, and will-worfhip began in thofe dayes to be inthron'd, and owned, yea in fuch a manner as is to be lamented at this day ! for then (hrted up the folerane celebration, up- fetting, dedication , and adoring of Hsufesof Bricke and Clay, Lime and Stone, and Confecrating fuch kinde of places for the Temples of tbe Lord, calling them Cttbolicke, and Ckrifrning them Churches 5 yea then the fuperftitious Motbtr of Conftantine (viz. Helena) went a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, tofindeout Reliques> and Monuments^ ancfehen began Crojfes to be fet up, and Confecrated, and Cbri^s Nailes and Reliques to be kept and ador'd , and Miracles ( pretended to be ) wrought by them, ( as they that loved Superftition and Idolatry did (and doe) report to this day. Thus, and many other wayes, was ( the poor woman) the Church, forced into a fruitlefTe, comfortlefie, dangerous, barren Defart-like condition , whilft Monies and PopHh Priejts fprungup apace, and whilft the glifVmg glory of the former ( true ) Discipline y Doclrine , and Ordinances did dye apace, and began to lye buried, and unregarded in the duft. But, ahblejjed Lord> how excellently doth her deliverance draw nigh ! and that ie is hard by will appeare in the fol- lowingCbapters* Inthemeane time, let all difcerning men I'udge (to whom I appeale ) what a miferable flate hath the poore Church ( vifible ) been in ( to this day ) for maxy hun- dred jeares? and how thicke and three-fold her miferies grew in upon her in the abfence of that bright Difcipline and Voclrine which (he had in the Primitive times 5 and alfo by the pride and prefence of a cunning ( and curious ) counterfeit thereof, which hath ( crowded out the true, and ) conti- nued amongft us to this day > The proud Popifti, and Prc-1 C z UtickeJ Eufeb. 1. io» Cap' 3* vu - Socrates, lia- *• cap $t Whenmee- , ting- places were made Churches. When Cruci-", fixes, Reliques of Slims, &c. came up. Socrates, lib. I. cap. 13. cap. 9. c. 17. Menkes, Prtefts. 12 """ - .■,!■--■ ■■if r ■ ■ - ■ —■■»'■ — — " /fyw 0/ recover/) of true Df'ciyitne w former dayes. LibI". Popjfh D.Tci- plir.e. Swum in bloid There v ere hopes of the recovery of Gofpel-Dici- plineiaKin^ henry 8. 2nd in Lit de hopes left aga' ne in. ^ Maries diyesT C^reat hopes of lier rcfturati- cn were in C> Eighths dayes. •Cam. 1. 6. Bnt what hin- dred it I Prelates fa !% accu-ed it to j&e Qirecn. latickDi/c/p//^ quickly grew drunkv', and was focne fwal- lowed up, and fwimming in the bloud of the precious Saints. The Moms was indeed (then) turned to bloud (as weilas the Sunnelo darhricjfe) and aioft Romanizing outra- geous Mctffacrss of Sair.ts,and bloudy unfupportable Burchc- ; es of 8,d people were made, to maintaine the DcBrine mdpjfcigiiKfof ihofe dayes, fo that the Saints Were ac- coutittd tsfbeef for the Sbambksy and wet exiled all tbs day long 1 yet a little rdpite was allowed them, and liberty given to them (^ through God's goodneffe ) in King Henry the eights time, and then the true Difcipline, which feem'd to Jye'fcr fo^r and Je^d a long time) which Chrift hath left u« in his Church, would faine have lived and breathed a little; and fo in Edward the fixth's dayes, andviriditie, very great hopes there was of her recci^ry, and (he began to wax warme, and to [neeze out fome good fignes towards it , but alas, tkey wex^Jpone ioftagaine; and how lamentably did (he lye agraine at the Craves brinks in cruel! and accurfed Queene Cfrlaries dayes, and then (he wasigiven over ( indeed ) even by her Pbifitians forloil, and paft recovery ; untill h pleafcd the Lordtovraife her up againe, and (almoft) miracu- louflv in Qaeen Elizabeths dayes, and then we did verily exp^cl: her full recovery and reft duration, according to the Primitive patterns and "praftije; but well-a-day! how were we deceiv'd ! for what by the (jrewpy*) crafty cunning of the feducing Serpent which deceived Eve, and what by the infinuating fubtildcs of thePap/p Prelates* and Mitre-tnsn- gers in thofe dayes, ber Mothers. Children were angry with for, and under pretence of Treafons, Rebellions, and robbing of the LMagiflratesoi" their right, and the like wrongful! accufations, thofe (her enemies ) inveigh'dagainft this DU fcifline of Chrift's Inftitution, ( accuiing it to the Queen ) they called it a Scbifme3 a FattictiySediihn, and Herefte, and with this they charged the true Children of the Church , and impeached the precious ones 5 as the: Pre ft dents did, that confpired againft J)anidy Chap, 6. acculing him for the breach of the Kings command, becaufe he kept his confeiene* upright 3 andaathe ^uW/*r/e/ th&t would have hindrcd the Chap, Poptjh-Dtfcipline kept up. 13 the building up of. Gods boufe in Ezras dayes chap. 4.1 316. ( they charged them for rebellious , and for fuch as would rob the Magiftrate of his right and revenc ws; fo did thefe in Q^Eliz. dayes , mod cruelly doe the Accu\er of the brethren s office againft the Saints, branding and abuling them for Je- dithm fatlious psrfons, and charging thern for Innovators, Here- ticks, erroneous ontiycalling them Puritans^ Brownifts}J>onatifls, Anabaptist Sectaries , and fuch like 5 faying, they would be the Vefiroyers of the Nation , and what not? fo that bythismeancs the Church did feem blacky and odious to the world, being Sun-burnt ,ividfet to be the Reefer of other ( Anti- chrlftianj fhange vineyards whiles her owne was neglected. Cant. 1 .6. For it is inland by the name of Chrifts ownChurch and Vifcifline , that fuch a Popiih Hierarchy and Prelacy was \ canonized and confecrated, which carried a faireface> but a joule heart , and v\hich was taken cut of humane traditions, j and inventions of the F*pi$s coyne, and the Popes Conclave t and Canons\z% will amply appeareby the beams of thdUaw in | this enfuing Trail. And certainly the Prelates and Pafifis did | agree,and Icok very like one another in their Difcpline, and in their o pooling theSaintSjandCferiftstrueChurch and Dif- cipline* We might have faid of them, as Ariftotle once faid of the Milefians , that the Mlefiansxverc not foo!s,yet they did juft the fame things that foole* doe 5 fo thefe Proteflants and Prelates were not Papifrs , ( no by no means) and yet they did juft as Pafifrs doe , but they were indeed Mungnls, and rneer Hermapbrsditet in Religion, Nee vere viros, nee vere, tnulieresj fed vere Hiftrionss, neither Papifrs, nor Protsftants, but both, or neither3or ei ther > or any thing for their owne ends. A Roman Cardinal caufed his Painter to draw out K. Solomon halfe in heaven, and baJfe in hell, for which he was juftly to be blamed; but without any jefi blame might thofe 'Prelate* be pictured out fo , half way in beave?tJor what they prefenisdyind for thegosd they did,but half in bel for what they intended, and for the evill they did in afflicting the Saints,ao cuQng the brethren , perfecting the Church , and rendring the true Difcipline of Gofpel-fellowfhip odious,and defpi- cable toi MagifttateStMinifters :pec$L3and al/9. 9 3, But They falrely accufed and abufed the Sair.rs that cab led fur Dif- cipline. Papifts and Freliccs alike in DifripHre, and in oppo- f ngthcrruih. Prelates Mungreis. Sim. *4 iheVtfcipUne of Lib,! K.famcs, No Bifliopa No King. Both alike have been from, and for the be ft, and ihail be pH- nt(hed with the beaft. Presbyterians too mu$ lofe theirDifcipline mthefe dayes. Sim. Ifa.8.io. The Law is for us, the day will be ours. Sim. Tne heat of thek Sim melt; their waxen wings. Sim* But iurtbermore^he Antichriilian Hierarchy and Difcifline was fo indulgently foftertdup by Monarchy 5 that King James could make it a maxime (in which he proved a true Prophtt) No Bi(hef, no King\ and it is clear to me out of ma- ny Scripturesjte.^^s. .Ret;. 17.12. and 18.;. that they both live and dye togethei (likeHif per 'ales twin*) receiving both alike, and at the fame time power from, and funifbment with theB^y?. Wherefore let not the Prelates, nor Pafijls thinke to hold long in any place, for the day of the Lord bis contro- verfie for Zion (hall finde them out ; neither need they to thinke their fallh by fortune^ for it is appointed of old, and in thefedayes wherein we are at [uit with them ; let them not wonder if they all lofe the day of us (yea and the hot /fzrn/, violent Presbyterians too (To called) who agree too much with Pcpery , and Prelacy as (appears Ch.9»lib. 2. at large) and rmift meet with the like lamentable deftiny and fate with you; for (as fA .Hooker fayes in bis Preface before kit Survrpf Difciplifte-) There is no fuch thing as a PresbyteriaU CtartfM.e.a Cburcb made up of theElders of many Congregati- ons ClaJJic-ftife to govern, &c. in the New Teftament; where- fore let cfcem not wonder, if they alfo fall in the itait of this Suit) feeing theL4R?*wye9 or adminiftration, and Di\pen\athn to the end of the world, any Dye it will take whereinto it is dipp'd by the band of the Lord; but the blackly bafe, footy, and dark e Di- fcipline of Antichrift, (hall be but as a rotten ragge,and good for nothing, being in nothing capable of thefe latter dayes dyes, which will be of divers forts, from one eo another, yeare after yeare, and the belt atlaft. But furthermore, the Dragon ( till thefe late dayes ) hath made ufe of earthly pow- ers to oppofe the Saints ( having no more place found for kirn in heaven ) but flow it is that we heare the loud Voyce in heaven, (viz. his Church ) faying, N^w k come falvathn, ftrength, and the Kingdome of our God, and the power ff his Chrift, for the Accuferoftur Brethren is cafr down. And nowfba/I the ear\h ( viz. earthly powers ) help the JVma»y and fwallow up the Dragons indignation, though the remnant of her Seed muft yet meet with Warrest Conflids, and oppofithns for a time. Itremaines now, O England 1 Ireland I and Scof/W,that yee \iffe the Sonne left he be angry , andyee perifb, Pfal. 2. 1 2. and that yee caft away y cur Popifb and foppifh trafh and trumpe- ricsy and thofc wicked traditions, formes, and ordinances of men, which have made yee Captives9 and for many hundred yearn have inbondaged, and endungeoned ye up in darkpefte and deceit ; for as we can coufen little ignorant Children), by giving them Counters, and taking away Goldy and thofe Ounters loo are only to quiet them ; fo howeafily can Ants- thrift cheat you, which he hath done in our ignorance and infancy, by giving us Copper for Gold, and counterfeit ( Sra- zen-facd) ordinances, and tooke away Chri(l*s, telling us, that they were better which he gave us, and To quieting us for a long time ; but now alaffe ! we are older , and we muff berwifeu *nd not be fo bafely cheated out of our Ordinances, OrderSyDjilrine^ mdDifcipliney which Chrift hath left us, when Simile. Black Difci- pline will not be better, bac bitter till it tumble. Church Di- fciplincisbeft at la ft. Rev.- 12,8.13s Exhortation to England, Ireland, and * ScotUtd. Sim. We have been ; cheated in our C hi!d-hnod with Copper, and counterfesC Coyne, 1 6 ChriPistYue D/fciptes offered Ag awe. X I b< I • But Chrifts true Difcipline is offend in thefe d^es with the down of twelve Starres, and c loathed with the Sunne , l e. Chrifl:, the Chinches Light, and Lord. Sim* Sim. lihe Devil takes up ftraies, when he went from us, but let us hold our ownc, and keep our Gold 3 and to encourage us, he hath promifed us ere long to make another change in the Churches, and to give them goldforkaffiMa-6o.lj. thepreciaw for the vile^c* Where- fore ic is, O Friend?, that this true Religion, Difcipline, andGofpel-wormipofChrifYs owne Coyne, and Mint, ha- ving his owne Image of his GBoft precious Gold, is offered you againe, and ( once ) againe; which hath often .( before ) been rigidly repuift, and put off with difdaine, and dire- full reproach ; yet notwithstanding it 5s prefented to you the third time, and comes crowned with the twelve Starres^tid chalked with the Sunne, I means with Cbrifi the Super-men- dent, and fole Independent Lord, and Law- giver* yea and a- lone Light-giver to the Cbureh and Saints. This is efpecially the Honour and Ornament of thisD i{ciplme> or Gofpel-Folitie , viz. to be cloalhedftith light, having Chrifl alone the Lerd. Indeedjhitherto hath many a fad foule fate and figh'd, yea and ihe Church in the Wilderneffe too bewayPd with (Jblary, weeping, Job. 20* 1 3, Oh I They have taken away my Lord, and I h»o^ not where they have laid him. Alexander ufed to fay of his two Friends, viz. Crater us and HepbeftiM, that Hepbeftion loved Alexander, but Craterus lo- ved the K*wg3and yet the King and Alexander were both but one man ; andfo Certes I may fay of fome in thefe dayes, who profeffe to be Chrif s friends, they all love him as Chrifl: Jefus our Saviour, for his fwectneiTe, and excellency, and lovelineffe, and love,which is better then wine, and for his ufe- fulnelTe,&c. but how few of them that love him as the King? to be commanded by him ? that are obedient to his Lawes, and Ordinances > unleffethey be in the Congregatio" nail orderly Cim re bes, and there indeed Chrift hath a few Friends, and tryed Subjects, but fuch Craterus's are rare too; wherefore let air the faithfull friends of Chrifl ( of what judgement foever ) that are under his Command and Lord- [hip, come and enter into thefe Gofpel-wayes of Wordiip, into Chrifts order and path, ordinance, and Difcipline (for theLordoftheMannour, Imeanethe God of this world, will take up all wefts and firaies that are out of this way% and i^— — — — — — — — ■^^— ^— ~» Ckap . 2 . Cfcnf/fr //*/' DifcipUne offered tbefe dayes. i7 and cmpound them ) wherefore for (harne friends make hafte I Hyeout ofBabyUn, flye into S kn, into the Felloftjbip and Cburcb-voy of the fojpe/, wherein CbriSi is 2C/»^, and Lard; and where tbU Sunm is higher), brighteft, andfwif- teftinhisvr'cetfto mtii$ns, wherein Chrift appeares in his ricbeft perfection and fulnejfe For as Nature9vrho hath drawne wfth her Pencil! a perfect Grafft-greene in the Emerald, ( as P/ittyfayes ) a j^'e-coWin the $ effort, zfire colour in the Carbuncle, a [anguine in the Rubie, and aftarry in the Diamond, hath alfo drawne all thefe together in one, viz. the Opbal : lo hath Chrift by his Spirit in his Cburcb, for there is one gift and grace in one Saint, another gift in another, and other graces in others, and blellings in the GofpelL and power in the Word, and fweetnefTe in the Ordinances, and all in one, viz. the Cburch. Some excell in one thing, fome in another, but the Church is the fummary of aU, all ex- cellencies are there in one, viz. in one Cbriji, who is in every Cburcb, the fulnelTe and perfe&ion of all; Chrift (/ayes Bernard, 2) e advent, fem. 2. ) is the Bee which flew into the City of Nazareth ( which is interpreted Flower ) and there he alighted on the fweeteft flower of Virginity that ever the earth bore; and Co doth Chrift now in the Cburcbes finde fweet flowers , who hath, Et mel & aculeum ( fayes Doctor Rawlinjon on's Cfttercy teaBtaft , p. 13.) both -Mercy and Judgement, yea he is both Love and Law in all his Chur- ches, yea the Law of Love, a#d the Lord grant we may finde it fo in tbefe dayes, Heare, O Iretandl heare the Lord! run into his Courts , live in his Santluary ! for in a fpecial manner I fpeake to you from the Lord, for whole fake ! dare not bury thefe truthes as dead, orirjfiience, which doe fo much concerne you; and feeing I am now with you, I wifti from my foule, that moft of your Profeffors prove not Moone-ficke, I meane Luna- tick/, thatfometimes fall ( or plunge ) inte the water, and fometmes into tbe fire, (ofperfecuting the Saints that wil not over beadandeares with them in the waters, yec know what I meanejforlllirewdlyfearethis; wherefore I fay, forfake not «/%;uo fall into Babylon, nor Babyhn to fall into the D form Sim* Chrift fn ths Churches their falneflc. Sim* There Law of Love. A word and a vvainirg to inland. Sim. ! Oi Perfecu- j tors for formcji I orjuigemeiCt* i8 A word to I reland about i bis Difcipltne. Lib. Jt. Sim. Vroph. ?erfccutors, Sampfeus Foxe3 that bwrne up jhemfelves , s»d benefit ms. Gbrift in you, and with yon. Sim. Feare not. 1A. 43- 3- forme againe, and to make a Church lof /erwe meerly, and to drive in, or draw in poore hearts (through ignorance and folly ) iato a fwmatlDijcifline, by urging the forme, or tying others tofuch a judgement with you 5 for this is clear* ly againft God's defigne , and Chrifts Gofpel Difcipline , which is to beta the Spirit, and in truth: and therefore I have many precious and pregnant truthcs to hand forth, and handle to you, as they are heart(din me from the Fetters b$fome of light, in this enfuingTreatife, efpecially in Lib.%. but in the meane time, make hafte into Sion9 into a pure, or- derly, Gof\>d,Spirituifclpli/ie andVoQrine. TO proceed, the ^continues to haft us out of Baby- lon. It n Hiftoried of Darin's General/, that when - he had Orders from Darius (kit King) to revenge the wrongs done him by the Atbnimu, that he commanded in\t"r{amr7,eryd?' " wry ^of meac the? «>»»g«>t X at he,7/Wf't0%. Sir, remember the Menians. Now C&n/f hath fent to us, and calls upon us every foote, toKe- member trie tiimc of Babylon, and therifing of Sim 5 fori?4- *>/<,» muftfall, and Sion muft fill, and grow up apace to petfea.on.ward; but although this is graduaHt firft, yet u»e re^«*r«t«n (hall be miver\*U at Iaft. f^In«he'aifr'v^hcarLehc>wfon^ and how lamentably diepooredefpifed Church hath been in the midernefe, wo fully bewayhng; but now follows what hopes we ftnde oft, if i TCVl n°W Mr' *"£*'*">» (the brighteftman of h,s age that I have met with; lends his Light to this Age, out of&wi, tx 14. where we read, the Church was to Sv fc ' ■ 1 tufmd.t™ hmi"* «* tbreefcortdayes, n ver. 6 XnUndr^e^°rthe Tneth' itcomes t0 onethoufand drifts time, was to begin one thoufand fixe hundred P 2 and Sim. Propb. Expof.' jj When the Church was! ' PrcmiCcd to be delivered out of the Wilder; nefle. The time." Iunius Partus, in la. 2© 7 be time of the churches deliverance. Lib.I The Authors judgement. Ofhei"graduaIl deHveranec. Mr.Brigbt- Pians Judge- ment, 165Q. One thoufand fix hundred and fifty, as to »s in England, Ireland, and Scottandybzgm* feer graduall itcovcry. The Aatkors jjhdgemenr of her univerfail deliverance thirty five yeares hence mixi and ten dayes, (viz» three hundred and fifty, and one thou- fand two hundred and fixty ) and the thirty three yearea, that Chrift lived, makes it one thoufand fix hundred forty three, about which time her Deliverance and Freedome came running in, *nd the Coupe Ration a II Churches got upon their feete, and began to leak? forth as ibemornfrg. Cant. 6. io» though many black Clouds and Miffs were caft upon them 'fome tenyeares agoe, to grieve therr, and to feare them with the tbreates ofaftule day folio win g, and to render them «s- tovely, and unlikely to hold j (o that for my owne part lam poffek'd with this opinion, as to theyeare of her Deliverance, beginning ( gradually) and as to u?, about ten years agoe. But Matter Brigbtmans judgement is, to have it begin one thou- fand fix hundred and fifty, from that alfo of Dan. 12.7. ic \(ha!I be for time, times, and balfe a time, with verf. 1 2. Bleffed is bethatwaitetb>andcomethi&Bne thoufand three hundred thirty five dayes, a day being often in Scripture for ayeare, as Numb. 14.. 34. Ezek.fy 5, &• and a time he takes for an hundred yeares, and fo times tor two hundred^ and balfe & time for balfe a bur>» drr^cr fifty; that is, tbree hundred and fifty yeares, which witrlsne thoufand tbree hundred makes one thoufand fix hundred and fifty, in which yeare he fore-told the true Difcipline of the Ciwrcfc mould begin to be reflored unto her primitive fact mdfairnejfe ; and how truly he hath fore-told this, let the times we live in teftifie for him *r for indeed the eminent paffages, and evident appearances of Gods prefence with usa and power for as, for the liberty and deliverance of yue Difcipline, will eafily allow of his Exptfttion, as pading hu- themick and Orthodox.. But whereas it may be objected out of Dun. 12. 12. thirty fiver emaine. I anfwer; 'Tis true indeed, and there is great need of thirty five yeares for warre3 and troubles againft the Lambe and's followers $ Ghrift and's Cburc bes, whofe Deliverance, and brightneffe of Difci- plive is but by little and little, and arifcth gradually and lives mofl glorioufly in thefe parts of Europe for thirty and five yeares-, and after that followes her fall deliverance, and rfccz/e^outofthe^/^rnfjTe univerfal/ym all Nations 5 but for thirty five yeares&e comes only iradmUy cut of the W/- farnefft} Chap. 3 , The time of the Churches deliverance. 21 neffe, leaning on her Beloved, but efpeculiy in thefe parts of the earthy where the work? is already begun, and Mountains mzdeplaines, which fhall within thefe thirty five yeares be allieveli'd, and laid in the duft before Zerubbabel, who hath ( already ) laid the foundation of ( that worke) the Lords boufe, which his hands fbaS ( after thirty five yeares ) finifb,xvhtn all the enemies of God and his Gofpel, foall by his glori- ous out-goings, and the brigbtneffe of his coming, be no- tbing'd into nothing. Thus you have his, and my ( poore ) judgement offered under correction. But I meet with two! more computation s of times, which are fet for the Churches j riling, and ChtitYs reigning, out of the fame Chapter of Dan. 12. 1 1, From the time that the daily facrifice [ball be ta\$n away, and the abomination that makftb defolate fet up, there [had be 1 one tboufandtwo hundred and ninety day es, ver. i2f 13. Sleffedis be that waitetb, and cometh to one tboufand three hundred thirty five dayes\ but goethauthy way till the end be, for tfou fbalt reft, and (land in the hi at the end of the dayes. Some compute this from the time ofConfrantine the Great, the fir(l Chriftian Ewpercar, converted to the Faith about the three hundred and twelfth yeare after Chrift ; now the ten hot Pcrfecutions( by the Dragon ) as I tokl you inthe chapter before ) were ended,and the Church was now cloathed with enough of outward beauty; riches, greatnefTe, and ornaments^ were in abun- dance, which bewitched many from -the Truth, and which proved the moft irrefiftible temptations that could be, to cor- rupt Magiflrates, LMinljhrs, People, Ordinances, and all her toorfjbip (as I told you in the former Chapter ) and to bcwil- dernejfe her : then was there a vsyce heard out of Heaven, to fay, Ibis day is poyfon poured forth into the Church, and then in- deed was the daily facrifice taken away* ( as fome fay ) viz, the death of Chrift ( our only Sacrifice ) became voyd, and nei- ther regarded nor remembred ; but the abomination, (v?z* Supei ftition. Idolatry, Wift-worJhlp,2x.c. ) that mah^tb defolate was fet uf. So we heare how the Church was in the Wildemefi* as before, but now after thefe two notes of the time, viz. X* Toe takjn? away the daily Sacrifice, and then 2. The fet* Unittf the aSmmt ion tfat maketb dehhte\ it follower there D'3 Jhall Zach 4. £>7« Two t'mes more fee for her delive- rance. Expof* Propb. From Con* ftantWi; - tl The time of the Churches deliverance. Lib.J To begin at Anno i $47, The fecund time reckoned fromfulian. &heApofhre. dnno $6 2* fbatlbe one thoufand v»o hundred and ninety dayes, u e. yeares ( as wc proved before J from Conff amines time, to which adde the three hundred and twelve yeares from Cbriffs time to Cenftantine's, and then it amounts to one thoufand fix hun- dred and two, and in this yeare came King Jzmes to the Crowne of England, Bat in verf. 1 a, 1 J. the blejfednejfe of all is to fueh as waite tiS one thoufand three hundred thirty five dayes, that is, forty five dayes, i. e. yeares, longer thtn the former number ( 01 one thoufand two hundred and ninety) and then it feemes the reckoning reaches to one tboujand fix hundred forty feven, for the time of the Churches bkjfedneffe to begin more vifibly then ever before; for then the abomination ( of Popery, Prelacy, Superfthion, Idolatry, and Formality ) which hath made defo'ate, and brought the Church into the Wilderneffe, is to be unf&tkd, Corely (bakfn, and broken downe, that the Kingdome of Chrift, which {hall never be (bakfn, may remain*, in Heb. 1 2. 27, 28% that Chrlft's Church may be delivered, his Difcipline re(tored,md his Kingdome exalted above all the mom- taines of prey. The fecond computation of time ( out of the fame Scrip- ture ) is taken from Julian the aApofiate^ in whofe dayes the Temple ( which he caufed to be re-edified at JerufaUm, as all the Learned know ) the Seateof the daily Sacrifice was rent- up, and tore apecces, even the earth, place, foundation, and all, by a raoft terrible Tempeft from heaven; for that Julian the. moil malicious Apofiate pretended Chrift a falfe Prophet, and in contradiction to Chrifi's prediclion in Matth* 24. a. hee would have had the Temple built up againe, but God would not fufFer it : but now ( as God would have it ) the Prophecy was more folly fulfill* (thereby, for not one ftone was left upon a- notber, but foundation and all was turn'd, torne, and taken away, and Judaifme rent up by the very rootes. But this made a concave for the Conclave of Rome, that ^Anticbrifi might come in with his abomination, which makethde folate, and this came to paffe about Anno three hundred fixty two, and from thence, reckoning the one thoufand two hundred and ninety, asinPaH. 12. 11. the number comes out the laft yeare , and this Deliverance is to begin by 1652. foe Oap.3 Antichrist muft fall. <*>+ 23 for then is Chrift to begin his glory, and toreigne in the 'temple , viz. his Churches, more eminently then ever be- fore;and then the Gofpel-D ifcipline is to begin to be reftoredfr the Abomination to be eradicated root and branch, and then Chrift, and him crucified, muft befet up for the daily Sa- crifice. Then is the blejfednejfe to begin , and gradually to goe on till one thou land three hundred and thirty dayes, /.e.for five and forty yeers longer (fay fome) thefe dayes will hold fa, five and forty yeers; at the expiration of which (viz, five and forty yeers hence) the Kingdome of Chrift fhall bee glorious indeed, both by Jew and Gentile, Babylon mall bee fallen, Rome ruined, Rev a 4.8. Sion repaired^ and Chrifts excellent Difciplim and Ordinances fully reftored , and the Church fhall be againe cloatbed with the Sun in greater glory then ever; but in the meane time there is a gradual! restoration of Difcipline, and reparation of Sion (as we faid before) but then the New Jerufalem fhall be more apparent and glori- ous, as flev.chap.2i.chap.32. In the meane time we muft meet with troubles and warre$ withcut , yet infpiritwe fhall exult, and triumph within : which Spirit of Chrift in hi? Saints and Churches, will be the f*tfof Babylon , and Ami- chrifts ruine, who muft be deflroyed by the brigbtnejfe ofCbrifis coming'i. e. intfpiritual wanner, and by fpiritual meane s9 not by Policies,or Powers,or Armies of men, or Wars, or the like, (though they may be preparatives thereto) Not by might,nor by power, but by my Spirit, faith the Lord. By the Spirit of the Lord it is, that Anticbrift muft be killed. I remember Nlc.Sterryfcn a Sermon of his before the Parliament Nov.2.l64?.p.I2.)fayesthe like of the fall of J nticbri (I, and of the Abominations (which we have mentioned) that it is a fpiritutO and extraordinary manntr^miracuhufiy by his Angels, MinifteriaUy by his Saints, that they (hall be tormented and put to death,Rer. I4.l0.and 19,19. but yet our troubles will be over as to us ("and I thinke fhortly coo ) for An* 1656. ( which is now neer us) the Flood came on all the world (aad fo I think the Fire wil)and when it had iafted forty d*ys ( fo may the Firs be for forty years ) till five and forty years hence (as we faid before), then they were dryedup,and Noah came To begin An. Gradfial/y to goon till 4 ?. years longer. H^wrAntiehrift istobedc- ftroyed. Not by world* ly weapons^ But by thefpi* ritj killed and*- Tormented. Our troubles begin to be O' ve^An.!**^, Sim*,. 24 TloetimeofChrifUVtfibU Reign&ben. Lis J. Yet forty yeers cm the world^vvhilcs we arc fafe ia the Ark, viz. Chrifts Chur- ches. Forty yeers hence Chri§ comes to leign vifibly. Then the unl- verfil Reditu- tion 4 j. yeers hence ac fur- iheil. Pfopb. In order to this God is making Mountains plains. Who are the Moumaims / Ifa.41.15j16- 21.13. came forth out of the Arke and planted a vineyard , and eat the fruits tbersf: and fo tor certaine, though the Churches may be (as the Arkg) for forty yeers yet on the waters, yet then, 1 fay, about fsrtyyars ( or little more ) hence, (hall Cbrift come forth; out of his A,kf (as I may fay) I mean his Churches, and plant him one vineyard cf ail, and eat the fruits thereof, this will be 1 be day of Cbrift s reigne indeed 5 and then all (hall bee pwe,and quiet, and Cbrift , and his Saints (hall be vifibly to- gether, dwelling in theiVew? Jerujalem. I will not meddle with the manner of his ^p54r4,we,whether perfonalf, as fome affirme, or no, but this I amfure it (hall be vifible , and / kjiorv. (with Job} that Ijballfee my Redeemer with my eyes , and after that, Chriftsnext appearance is with his Saints to judge the world. But for the computation of the times, I have produced divers , and fruli leare them to your light and judgement, to leave or take what beft likes you •, but with- al 1, note, how neer they all agree, and are one to another, and the furtheft time fet for our fuUbappineffe^ and forthe univerfal reftitution, is but forty five years hence: And let me tell you, that we live on the brinkf of thefe times premifed , yea they are upon us, the mrke is begun, God is about it, the Church k co ming out ef the Wildeweffe, and Babylon is falling, and Zim is rifing and repairing, and ©o/pel-order, Ordinances, and Difcipline (loft in the mldernetfe) reftoring as atfirft; al- though this Is at the firft but gradually in thefeNations,and fo will continue till the times area little higher-Jor which the Lord fit a*,and all his Churches* In order to the fulfilling of thefe Tropbefies of her full Re- ftaurathn, we had need to be wife in the works (the grange w$rke') that God is atprefentupon ; For the mightieft , the ftrongeft , the higheft , the vifiblelt , and barrenneft for bruitilheft) Powers, Policies, Princes, Potentates, or Mo- narch* on the earth (which are called the Mighty Mtunf tains that muft be m&deptaine) that oppofe Chrifts Reigne, Antichrifts ruine , or Sions riling in thefe latter dayes, God is laying low in the duft, andmoft pitifully flinging them into the Pit from whence they came atfirft. This worke is alfo graduall for thefe few years, God goes forward within thefe Ghap. 3 T'be Lords workjn tbefe dajes. *5 thefe European Nations firftly; for thefe ten Tees of the Image \ mentioned in Dan. 2.32, 33. or ten Kings fof Europe) that voaragainfx the Lamb, with tbe Beaft,Rtv.iy.2ir\d 19. thefe that have given up tbeirpowei to tbe Beatf , muft be broken, by him who is more excellent then all thefe CM ountams of prey, Pfal. 76.4. This little (tone cut without bands, hath begun this workc in England, Scotland) and Ireland,znd hath been a bur- tbenfome fane to their encmies,and grown'd them to powder: yea this little (lone hath fallen upon the late King , and his fa- mily.and darned this Toe to fitters, andfo hee will all the nine Ths befide , till the Image tumble ; fo that- as yet this worke is gradual!, which will alfo be miverfaS , and filling the whok earth, Jofc 9.4,5. 7*6 28.9, ■*/*• 10. 32, in all Na- tions ere long, for the Lord hath fo ordained it, Dan. 8. 19. D#z.i 1. 27.32. and //a.2 6. 1 i,i2*H 2. till all bee made his footftool , who then can hinder it ? or fay what doftthou? J0b9.11* Van.4* 3". 7/4.14.6. £^.38. 20. for this end is Chritt (that muft Reigne) now marching in his might, with his fword girt about his1 thigh, neither Mountain'*'* , nor Mole-bils that now ftand in his way, (hall be able to abide the beat of his coming, for he xoillbe greateft,itid Reign abne,Pfal.^.i2.Rev-H.ij.l^ji9. ^.19.11,12,13, 16,17 .&c» who hath done much in order to this his Defigne'm thefe dayes,P/.5o.2.3.Woe, woelbe then to every one whofe heart is lifted up againfr Cbrifl,or the Churches I for they mufl be all gromd- to powder : And in that day (which is hard by J (hall they fay to the Rockf and Mountains fall on us , and hide u^fcom tbe day of tbe Lamb, Rev.6.l$, 16. 7/^.34.2,3. and I/a.<54. 1,1,3. Ezek.7.7. FfaU 68.1,2. Pfal. 132. 8,9,1 3,&c. Wherefore have a care, Sirs, that Ye fay nit a confederacy with them that fay a confederacy, 7^.8,9,10,12. Pfd.tf.9. For the da) of tbe Lord is as an oven to fuch, who as Briars and thorns are to be prepared for it, Mal.4fi.2*vjhi\tt the very fame day is as tbe Sun of right eoufneffe to tbe Saints. Wherefore feare not,0 ye Saints/ be not afraid ! for your Deliverance is at hand, .wMch48 it was foretold .by many Prophets r9 fo in efpeciall .E manner Expo/. Rev. it i7>i<* Rcv.iS.j. PialJ3.11.1t, 1 h'swork h alfo gradual! atfirft.. And will bee uninrfal. Efa.tfj.-V,^, Pfal.8.1. Zach iz,3,6; Wo to thee- nemies. Icy to thrifts and the Catr- •chts friends. Mar. 24. 26 Sim, Piai 97.12.6, an.4 *7-3>4- lfl.ll.42,13. The Lord is at work hird in ih.fedayes. Thcricheft b'le flings refer- red for thefc dayes. Like a Kid in Bebr.Rakad. Rev. 18,4,. The Lords work in thefie dayes. Lib. I1 manner by him who is our onely Prcphst , Luke 2 1 .25,26, 27,28. and the Signes are already ccme (inparrj for the Momtaines are removing, the TiUars of the earth falling, the powers of the heavens making , yea mens hearts jailing them for fear-, yzt lift upyo*r heads (aWu4*7#) like a ford that lifts up his bea\ every time he drinkes fweetneffes , as fuch who drinke in comforts and re{re(hings3 and foope in folacej and refrefbing ftr earns , (PiaJ. 4,^.^4.) for new your redemption draw- eth nigh. N^w may we lee the Son of man coming in the clouds (viz, in many darks t difmall, zndc/oudy difonfaUons) which doe fode him from the wrld, and fromthe fight, of: his ene- mies till hee come upon them asztkeefin the night jor a Ntahs flood (ex infperato) unmatched for , and unwelcome to them) to their coff* But hark!- Haikl- now! The Trumpet of the Jubilee is blow ittgl and the day of the Saints Deliverance and Difcifline is proclaimed I The g<*fej 0/ falvation> (hall be opfHf d to every one that hath the mrd0Ifa. 26\i,a.and is a friend to the Kingdome% l\a^q. Zlon is buildings Pfal.ioi. 15,16, and fhall be beautiful to all people, P/^.48. 2,3,4. ^.52. t. 7. and the Saints are to be refrefbed with full ft reams ) and / Ifa.33. 2I« Ifa.2589,and48.i8. Thus, is the Lord at wor\e in our dayef (whilft we live in Tabernacles} to build us a Temple, and in order to the Churches happinefTe , he hath promifed to make the Wilderneffe flou* rifb&s the K and gone , though I deny not3 but a ftorme or two, or a flinging tempeft , and blufte- ring blafts may now and then arife , with rage too, for an houre (as I offer p 00 fe for in Gb.g.lib*2, ) yet the Promi/e mufi-be minded as concerning Saints, Ifa. 51.1,2, 3^4* for whofe fake, Sion is to be reftored, and the Wilderneffe to bee like an Eden&r Garden of the Lord, and)oy>andgladnGJf<; (hall bee found in the midft of them* Exceeding great, and precious Pro- mifes are provided for us to be as cordials in the Ifilderneffe to comfort us, and to keep us from fainting ; and indeed, what wife men will be without fome of thefe in their Cj- binets to keep up their jp/rir/ wicb,t fpecially againft a time or f troubk SLnd.temptation. And as (Cbryfoftome fayes) As no men were able to faile at Sea, were there not havens and harbours to caft Anchor at, in time of a ftorme j So (faith Smith on the Creed^p.% 8.) the Saints condition would be unfupportable indeed, had they not havens and helps in times of tempefts* So certainly the toiled Atkf, or Ship of the Church doea in all a^ts^sflorms arife, put in for harbour at the next Prwnife>and caft anchor in the next Prophefie , which is nigheft accomplishment and performance. And in thefe dayes we may fee fair land , even the Land of Canaan to caft Anchor at; I fay, exceeding rich and precious prormfes , which flow with milkf and honey hard by us, the promifed JeruftUm^the rich and excellent Canaan, we are now come nigh unto; ThcgoodLord htlpe us to put in ftefl for it (if it be his holy will ) and rjiatbefoie a ftorme arife, and hide ,HAr. 3 The preciow promt fes of Restitution. 29 hide it from us, or caufe us to complaine or comply with a tackcaboun wherefore , it will doe well, and begoodwifdme, for the Churches ( whom it mo ft concerns') to caft in their Plummets, and co fathom the waters, which we are now in & $v. And Qbleffe the Lord that we fee Land ! and are fo nigh it I elfe we might ftt,Coreow , and fufpire,as all our Fathers did (in the Prelates dayes)when they were all in the deefs^nd in dangers >and had not fight of the Land, as we now fee it; but the Lord hath given us to fee it, and hath before-hand fhewne, us t he Churches harbour, which is to be in a rich and bleffed/W/jand the Lord lets us know this to warm Saints 3and to xsarn (inners ; For as (a very vile) Jezabtl could not bee content to intend evili to the Prophet Elijah, but fhee mud before hand horribly thunder and threaten it out, 1 King. 19. much le(Te will or can (a very good) God war* before hee mrne his enemies ; wherefore it is that he thunders it out, and threatens Chrifts and his Churches urn arable enemies in -j thefe dayes with unavoidable deftruclion. And above all, to | ratfe and refrefh our fplrics- ( in fpight of Sathan and his '• Surrogates) he gives us fir ft a fight of this fweec and goodly land which he hath provided for us in thefe lamr dayes , be- fore he brines us into it to enjoy it, he cannot be content to promife and parpofe to do us good (as McRobinfon fayes in's E(fay es, p. 1 6. )but he muft make it known to's fervants before hand. Thus the Lord hath fhewn us our harbor inthefe dayes, viz. in gathered Churches, and hath given us to reckon not from what we have, but from what we hope. For. as a roan reckons his wealth not fo much by his money mhh hcufe, as by his money in his £*7*and bonds , So doe we teckgn in our Churches, ouvpriviledges, riches, bapfineffe , not fo much by what we now enjoy (as GatberedChurcbe$,Members>Orders, Or- dinances, Gifts, Graces, Teachers , Pafiors,Propheficsi and fat things) as by what we are to enjoy f which we are fure offhand have in Bils and bonds, ie.in Scriptures* Prepbefesy and fpeciall Tfomifes which are fealed to us, and witntffedinm , by his Sprit, Eph4.30.Joh.8.i8. Joh.3.32. 1 Joha.5. which are as good to us at ready money 5 for the day of payment is now near-us^dnome of thefe Jhall faile^lU.$^.\6.ilzb,io, 2$. for E is ks A word to the Churches to _ fathom.. A good hub or Sim. Our harbour in thefe dayes.; i.e gathered Churches. Sim. How we ree-" ken cue eftete, ?nd mak oi*tt accounts. 3° The Church delivered out oftheWjldemejje lib.i: Sjm* ThebloiTcmes and flowery promises that aie upon lis. i By parallel from the vvil- ^erneffe. lob I z« 24. Gsn.11.14. 1 The Church difciplineover grown with tradirons and trumperies. Vitili & Ezek.^.^10. 1 The promife is ro till her ni his huf- .bandry. be is faitbfull tbatkatb prcmifed* Wherefore we are refolved to wMu and we will not give over till the day , and fit time comes, Pr, 1 19*49,50. But as the Souldier that held the (hip by his teeth after his hands are cut off; fo will we the Pro- mfes till they be performed to us,Gen.i> 14. Jofl1.21.42.and therefore with confidence we wait, H^.2.3. for they cannot fail us3and we will bs bold to fay it,that if we be deceived.Gsd bath deceived us : but God cannot deceive us : yet to deaie in- genixoufly, I deny not but the performance of thefe Pro- mises, may be but gradual! (as I declared before) at firft, and t } be clear J (hall produce fomc of the fl $w er itg Promt fes which are about fulfilling in thefe bkffed and evidently (if not wholly) and indeed which Art and Indufiq hath not tamed : in Hebr* Midbar is as much as to (ay without or^er5and in fuch zwilderneffe was ihcCburcb for many years together,wherein thc(fupereroga- tory)5en?eJ,and fuperfluous branches of that evill root of car- nall concupifcenceand corruption, did Spread and fprout out with lawietie lufts •, her bettome of her (then) discipline was fo abominably, and abundantly overgrowne , and growne over with tbornes and tbiftles (fit for accurfed ground) that a Saint could not walke with fafety > fo long as they were neither flubbed our^nor cut off : For the brambles of ambition and traditions grew thicke and thronging out at both ends* and abundance of briars and bu(bes at every flep were ready to fnatch at , and enfnare a poore Pilgrim-Saint or Profeffour. Oh the deplorable cftate of the poor people of God thenlin a place! NationlChurch-ftate ! fo filled over3and over, with humane traditions and naturall inventions I with Will-wor- (hips! Creature-inftitutions! and ordinances of men ; with Monkery and Maff^and with a rnaffe of Monkcry,and with , a world of trumpery and filthy trafti ! not fit for any, but ,*itta ■llViMF*nKT'*im Chap, 2 The Church how in a VVildernifttjind how out. IX but the feet of difdaine , and dogs to trample upon. Bui the bkffeddayes (under promife^nd in Approach Jare, that God •will husband his people himfelfe, and till tbem, as Hjf. 10^12. and break, up the fall&r* ground , and Judab (ball plow, and Jacob Shall breach is clods] the brambles and bufhes^ invent ions and traditions (hall be rent up by the roots, and what runs up by nature (hall no more be fuffered to cumber the ground , and the lo&fe branches , and unftrviceable bowes (hall be lopped off. Idols (hail be pulled downe, fuperfliti&n fubverted , An- tkbrift turned out of doors with his bag 2nd baggage, and then the Lord will rains righteoufneffe upon bis people. So in Ezek. 36.34,35. the de folate land (ball be til!ed% and foal! become like the Garden of Eden, fenced, and inclofed, and inhabited mtb bolyflocks^nd they (hallkpow tbeLord^and be,3S Pd#/faies, the Lords husbandry, ®s* ywsytotf the word fignifies whatfo- ever appertains unto a Hmbandman:Co they are,and are to be viz>God$ arable^Gods vincyardfiodi Garden, &c«i.e.the Lord will be as fl\*rf /;/«#> laborious, folicitous, prudent, and pro- vident day and night of his peoples welfairs , and for his peoples advsntages.as znHusbandman is of his arable ^jineyard or the like5he will walke about them,oz;er/o9^them,and keep them day by day from danger and fpoyl,and with his own handsale will dreffe them3 zx\d prune tznd provide , and reap o( what he fowes, fo that in this fenfe 9 the Church (hall no more be driven intofuch zDefartot JVildernefe againe; But, Secondly, a Wildemeffe is a withered, dry, empty and barren place, which brings forth no fruits, or but feme at the befl : there be no crops of Corw^nor grapes that grow tliere(of thorns or ibiftles) a dry defolate place, Z76.2. 1 3 , where the trees are burnt up , and the paftures mod pitifully ftiribe'i up, andmade/ctfrssby the hotteft beams- So a loud lamenta- tion is made in Ifa*©^, 10. The holy Cities are a xvilderneffe, Zion is a wlderneffe, Jerusalem a wildernefje 5 and thus hath the Lord laid his complaint againft his people for their fruit- leffeneffe formerly; and what could he have faid more grie- vous or fad ? But fee 1 O what fweet dayes do enter in\ and on us! Gods precious ones (hall kz abundantly (and now daily) more Pamuaioc. Ier.4$;4. Rev 1J.2, Bcx/i in lcc. Expoj, Sim. The Chu-chcs are the Lord husbandry, z Wilderness a faiitleffe, barren place* S>' hath Sibri been, 32 The Church in the Wilder n ejje. Lib J. But now {hall j be blooming and branching, and fru t- bear- ing, and flou- riming. Amos 9. 15 9 14* I *« Cant. 4. 12. Ifa. 61. u. Sim, Thr%, a wilder nefTe without a way. The Chui ch Svas fa ia it. Ier.> j|, 14. more bleffed from above, to make us bhffoming^ bearing* and branchings yea his «$W«m (hall fo flottrifo, in //, but ytt in a Wildemeffe -, yeaj ma- ny Profeffors formerly have, as the Lord hath faid3J and fatisfie berfoulcin droughty and make fat her bones, and make her like a watered garden, and firings of water never dry: and in I fa. 30. 21. the Saints .(hall heart the wordt faying, This is the way, walks in it ; and then they will call away all falfe wayes, and Wdrjhips, &c. as a menfttuous death, faying, get thee hence, z% to an excrement , ( the word fignifies ) Now the Father fcckes for Spiritual! worfbippers, to whom he will make out his mindeinordertothe Do&rine and Difcipline of the Goffel, which it hid to them that are Id ft, and fuch as are tneft in the wildernejfe leaft feek,or (eekeit; but now the way is difco- vered to the Saints, who defire ( of all others J to b> that feeke to fatisfie their never- fat isfied hungers, with fuch ftrangers. In fuch a condition fcaththe Church been, ready to be tome a peices (every day) by fuch unexouble enraged wildBeaftt, and b loud- fuckf rs , feeding upon thefle(b of the Saints, fuch as have inhabited 111 the dwraej of Varkjieffe, and cr«?/os ( the F/%ej of jfW*r ) they are called in Scripture- language barbarous, cruel/, mercileffe, Beares, Lions 9Tigers, Leo- pards, Adders, Serpents, and what not, to delineate their difpo- fitions againft Gods people and innocent ones, their feet are fwift to fhed bloud, and they have hunt Rafter the holy and up" right ones y and have too'tf / biing her into the way. ihe Lord will Ickcrgu de. Io. 4. EsepoJ. Ifa, 50. 22. Spiritual I wor«; iriippersin Doctrine and Difcipline, 2 Cor. 4, 1 Moil in the forme, leafl in die Spine, Sim, Sim* The Spirit girdes into the way. 4. A WiWtr- nefle moft dangerous, pfai; ^.2J PfaJb i£. 9. The Charch in fuch danger* M.ic. 3.7 Pfal. 104. 2 1 Pfal. 58.4 Mir. 10. \6 Prov. 20. 1 o Pfal. 1,. 2. 34 Church in the Wilder nejje, and out, Lib, t. Mx$. Prov. 12.10 How perfeeu- xed up and downe. Promlfes ofher deliverance. ira,£M$ Wild Beafts iharf have no power to hurt us. Wild Beafts afraid of the wall of fire- Mat. 4; p Wi'derncfs of.Wajit. 74* i9> *o. 0 de/iver «*t thy turtle Dove unu tbs multitude of the wicked, for the darke places of the earib are full of thi habitations of cruelty ! 0 kt not the opprefed returne with (I)ame, let the peore and needy praife thy name, &c. The Church is this Turtle Dove, in daily danger of being deffroyed, wbilft fits is in the Wilderness* amongft the multitudes of merciUjfc and matchleffe Beafls of prey, whofe mercies are cruelties ; yea their tendereft gripes are terrible grief es unto the Saints, whilft fuch fay in their hearts, ver. 1 1 . £ome> let us defiroy them together ', the Saints are fuch harmleffe Doves, weake, poore, timerous, and mourn- full -, but innocent, loyal), chad, and faithfull to Chrifl their LMate ; and poore foules, fadly oppreft, and persecu- ted up and downe, from Country to Country, by an accur* fed crew of trut H Kites, &c. Birds and Beafts of prey have To hated, and hunted them up and downe, that they durft notdpperfre openly (till now of late ) but lye lamenting in fome by-holes and corners from the cruelties and crafts of tho fc Cannibals ; but the Promifes which are pregnant, and big-bellied for deliverance in thefe dayes are many, and they are ready to be Midwived for the Churches free dam '.from this comfortleffe condition^ as in lfa> 1 1 . 5 . 6, 7. for firft, the loynes of thrift, and his lovely Body the Church, fhall be girded a- bout by a girdle of rigbteoufneffe and faithfulness, the Saints are iningirded, and an jnclofed company (z% afcer will appcare : ) then the Wolves, Leopards, Lions, Beares, Afpes, Cocka- trices^ &c. ( though they be fuch ) they fhall have no power U hurt us, but (hall be gladfo lye as ftiUat aftone, as in Exod. I5#- 1 6* So that we (hall be fafc out of the Wilderneffe upon the MoUit, Jer. 32. 4 1. 44. for the Lord will watch over us with b is whole bt art and fouk> and we may build boufes, and buy lands without danger j the Lord will be to us a watioffire round about m, which the Wilderneffe cues will be afraid to come nigh, Z«fjtv 2. 5. 8 There fhall be no more a pricing brier to the houfe of Ifracl) nor a grieving tbome of all them that bavehateduSy Ezt\> 28. 24. 26. with abundance of more proofes 5 but, Fifthly, AWilderneffe havheeoigreatefr »<*. 34. II. There be the flaxes of emptinejje ; a man may eate his fingers chat is loft in a Wilder- wffe, unlefle he hath bread about him, ( there is much want) and fuch a Wildtrneffe hath the Church been in alfo ; where (he hath wanted even neceffaries for Soules, bread oj lifey and food convenient for her ; for as in Amos 8. 11, 12. Jbey did wander from Sea to Sea, from Ntftb to Eafl, to and fre, tofeeke the JVer&ofthe Lord, and yet went without it 5 often finding ( at bed) but Cankers t trafhand trumpery which grow upon e- very wilde briar and bramble ; fo that the very Virgins and young men have fainted for thir fi ; butblefTed be the Lcrd, who hath laid it out otherwife in thefe dayes for his Saints. For as the jharp winter makes the Springe fweet, and the darkle night the light lovely ; fo the times paft doe help to fet forth out bappinejfe in thefe times prefent, wherein we have plenty of Mannah falling downe from the windowss of heaven. Hjw fweet doth Honey relilh after Aloes zndCal!? O how fweet is health after a fore ficlyeffe ? wealth after poverty c pleasure after paine? and bread enough after infinite want J A great Courtier complaining to the Harbinger, for that he was laid in fo homely and filthy a roome, was anfwered ; O Sir, Tcu Witt take delight in it whenyou are out of it I and fo may we fay to thinke of the Dungeon, and bondage^ full of darkpejfe ani filtbinefa wherein we were barricadoed up informer yeares ; and as Varius faid of Puddle-water, when he was in great ex- treamity of tbirfl , 0 fweet ! fo now may we that have been in a Wildernefs fay of the worft preaching (almoft) and Ordinance we meet with, from the Gofpel and the Spirit ; 0 fweet I Ah, how did Hagar cry when her bottle was dry, that now fhe and her childe muft dye in the Wilderneffe ? (he wayles wonderfully (poorefoule) till (he faw a fountains neare enough; and fo did we, till the fcuntaineQ which is now fet open,) was found, out of whofe /#/«*// flowes/fream/, which make usglad9Vhh 46.4. and as the glory of God ap- peared to IfraeUvm when they wanted bread, Exod>*6. 7. So ( as Ajnfwortb fayes ) is God with us, and hath appeared in the Afemblies of bis Saints, when they were in the greater! wildewfli of want, wanting bread for their foules \ but F 2 iince Expif. The Church in fuch wofull wants of ne- ccflaries. Expof* Ver[.T$* Sim. O how fiveec are the daj^es that approach/ Sim, Sim, Sim. 3« 7 he Church freed from rVUaemejje Creatures. L^.I Good ftore of Wanna. If* n. 9. Plai.rfj. * Ifa. z*.6>7 Kal.rff.4- Saints fliail tiavc enough, and no more jYant. over bead and ear es- in the knowledge of God, as deep as the bottome of the Sea under che waters 5 yea with the knowledge of the glory of God 9 Habac. 2. 14, filled by knowing bm> in the Hebr. and then (half Come make the young men cheerful!, and new wine the maides, Zacb. 9. 17. for he hath promifed to call for the Come C which gtowes in no foyle but Heaven ) and to increafe ir, Ezek^ 3<5e 2 p. and the fruits of every tree ( of rigbteaufncffe ) fhall be multiplied, and We pall be no more a reproach fer famine a- mongthe Heathen* The Saints (hall hare bread enough and to fpare, and fhall be fed with fatneffe and marrow abundant- ly 5 yea whilft others are ready to ftarve, they fhall have e- nougb, and ea'te, Ifa. 65. 13, 14, yea, whi/ft others have their tongues cloven to the roofe of their moutbes, they fhall drinkg full draughts, and rejojce whilft others fhall be afbamed. Sixthly, in a mlderneffe a man muft be a companion with wildnnejfe-Creatures , and companies of Wolves , Beares 3 Foxes, Serpents, &c. fuch a comfortleffe condition the Church was in even till now, among the multitude of fuch as the Beads of Ephefus, wanting religion, yea and reafon ; Oh fad condition ! when as no difference was put between the cleane and uncleane, bat beleevers with unbeleevers, light with darkneffe, men with beafts, and brutifh ones were unequally yoaked, and are at this day in Pari ft -Congregations or Chur* ches £fo called ) fo that whereas formerly God might have faid of the Churches that bore his Image, behold, they are as one of us--, now the B?afh may fay of Parifh-Cburcbtsand confritmicns which belong to the Beaft; Behold they are as one of us. For as the A'ke (at firfl ) was carried en mens (boulders, but after that ( in the corruption of times ) it was- carried on a Cart, and by Beafts, till ffiey quite over-turned it $ even fo the Church- Difcipline, that ( at firft) in Primitive times confifted of Saints, and which was bore up by Cbriff, and carried out by the i/fpofrles, was afterwards corrup- ted into a Difcipline, carried out by the power of the Beafly and Chap, 3 A call to make haft out oj the Wilderne$e< 37 and bore up by o^ntichrifl9 confining of Beafts as well as men, I meane of vifible brutifn (inners, making the Church a HTderneffe for Wildernejfe-Creaiures, till they had quite o- yerturned the true Church, ( as to appearance ) and turned | it into a (linking (tall and ftye. But now let us blefle our Gob who hath brought us into the entrance of thofe bleffed dayes promifed in Ifa. 35. 83 p, io. u4n highway (ball there be, and a way called tbeftay ofholineffe, the uncle ane (fj all not pa{fe over it, no Lion (ball be there, mr ravemus beaji (baflgoe up C ^r it is high ) thereon, but the redeemed (ball walk? there, and the ranfomedof the Lord, &c. And the vile and the precious (hall bejeparate, for God is gathering up his jewels, Mai. 3. 16, 17, 18. fo that a difference (hall be put between them that ferve him5 and them that [erve him not, with many other Pro- prieties to this purpofe, which I parte by, having produced fufficient ( I hope ) to fatistie either the rationally religious^ or the religioufly rathnall ones in this point, and of the Churches Wilder neffe- ft ate, and of her recovery,which is com- ming apace upon us; although this I know, that there be more then many neither religi§us, nor rationall, that doe de- plore the falling of Babylon, and men that mourne for Tarn* muZiWho fay as A^ripfina Nenets Mother did, when (he was told by ^/rre/^rx that her fonne mould be Emperour in- deed, but he (houid flay her in the time of his Empire ) well faith (he, Occidat3modoimferet. So fay many of the Beafi, and ofBabyloni let them reigne though they ruine, for they can- not abide toheare of their fate. Some old Jades there be, thatiftheybeput out of their fnuffling pace they will doe juft nothing, neither amble nor trot ', fo fome old Soules there be that are but ihuffiers in Religion, and their duties very un- evenly, brokenly, and iwper/e^/y, unfetledly, and fuperfl it ioujly performed ; but take them offof their eld face, and cufto- mary courfes, and think to put them into a well- ordered way and Vifcipline, they carfiiot endure to be fo checked y but will cither ftand ftill, and leave off all, or elfe will goeon., and in againe, in their old wonted way, and confufed order, with- out rule or reafon. Such as theie are terribly prejudicial! a- gainfi the wnke which our God is going on with* and in that And quire o- verturned ir.ro • aftieofBeafte, Precious pro mifesofher deiiverane?. Ier. 1 > . i$ How many be- wailethe fail cf Babylon. Sim. Sucton.m Ner.' And would have the Strumpet rule though (I.e. ruins us. ^ Sim* FheywiU r be grt our of the old pace, -. 3* Characters of Wildetrufle- ones ace • i Their habi-; eation and abode. No concent to us- a Their food iswildf.uir. Enough to choake us. 5 Never io$. We are foone loft,andfenfi- ble cf it. Pftl 94 17 Pfat.Sf.ti Pfal, 1 1. 4 4 They ag"ee togethec to feizeon a ftranger to their wayes. j Be ft pleafed with d^rknefle. W ho are Wilder ncffe ones, and who not. Lib J,' chat s I (hall (hew you a/zff/e of their reaper, that they may be knowne. As fir ft , thcfc Wildernejje-fpirits have their asd hidethemfeives from it; no wonder then they cannot abide the Gofpel , and that the approaches of Chrift perplex them, and the appearances of Chtift Wment them, who cry out, as Matth.8. Why tomeft thou to torment va before the timet Thefe hate the true Sonne, and all tight that foines im- mediately from to(unleiTe it be theAfo$n,the light of nature, the Candle vftbe Ltrd) they will not allow of that light (the Sun)of the Lor dtvther tin he appears mojl excellently and eminent- ly, nay the very Ordinances( that are moft fpeciall, and refined) they are of ended at , and under the notion of new light , they loudly exclaime again ft true light, and Ordinances, and explode all Gofpel- dodrine and Dijcipline , the bmj aud wsrfhip of Chrift (asprea/er*ej(7>}novclcy 3 and what not?) for indeed they cannot endure an element fo neare them wherein the iS«nne moves, or whence he mines, whilft the Saints (who have fat, fobbed and fufpnd their hearts out (almoft)in the former dayes of dartyetfe, whiift they were In the wilderm(fe% and durft not ftirre for fear of /fumbling m the darhe) they are glad at the heart the Sunne is up, and that that light which hath been kngfowne for the righteous, they are now about to reap off. But as to the vulgar people, the Apoftle fayes for mee, in Gal. 3.1. 0 foelifh people I who hath ben-itched ycu from the truth? ifo'ewh what Bafilisk^hzth looked upon you ? what hath caji a mift before ywr eyes, as if ye were bewitched/ what makes you fo groilely miliakt? as to call good evil!, and eviU good} light darkpejfe9znd darkjieffe light*. Antichriftfot Chrift }znd Chrift for Antichriftl what makes yeethinke you fee what you fee notUnd take the fames offire%Qevcn of Hell) for the beams of the Sunne (even as your heaved) and the true beams of the Sun, (the Ordinances, Votlrine, and Vifciplineot Chrift J as flames rf fire f your torment and fce#.) O miferable wretches ! what Sorceries and tViichcrafts hath the DeviK ufed thus to delude you ? who hath bewitched yoi?,that you yet love the WiUerneffe? Dar\ncfje? Baxrenncffe* and Bruitifhneffe ? to be without Gofp el government, or Order} Many are fo in love with the Beaft, that no other company can ^And hate the light. But thofe thai have a right to thefe latter daies promifes3 love>& rejoyce at the light. Expof.- Cajbtfk People are Be-i witched: why> and How, I 40 Wilcicrhfjjr-cnes tn great danger* LibJ. Sim. They give all up toBabei,dil they rhem- felvcs be m:d? a Babel, or confufion. But we are called out. A call from the Spinr,and the Bride to come. Sim. But not for felfends. Saints and hy- pocrites diffe- rent entrance into Chutch- feliownSip. Why make hails into Church-fel- low il*ip. Sim. can content them > And as Xerzes was fo zealoufly affect- ed to the TUne- free, that he would needs adorneit with mo ft precious Jewels Jo are they with Babylon^ that they give up all their Crowm, and Comfmst and Cndii^ and Rhbes3and Liberties, and ail to adorne Bdel. But are yet yee fo feolifi faith the Text, verf*3» or ma^ or w^ wildernejfe-bcaclal ? (wwni) have yee loft your wits ? are yee fo [en[ekjfe> to runne mine-ward ? to keep in Bab)Un ? to wait for the plagues . of Babylon , or to tarry in the wilderness till the Sunne ap- peares , and the Hunter purfues you into inevitable deftiny > diftrt&ion, and deft ru& ion* The Lord give yee light in the love of his holy trutb,to/ee at /a/r,what belongs to jour fence-, but,blefTed fhal be Gcd (and that for ever) who hath called hisSaints with an holy cailing^to (eparate from fuch wilderneffc- creatttres (as dipnoi from them Sec.) and not to be reckoned amongtbem, Ntimb.33.9. and that they may become a curious Garden for the beloved to live in. Wherefore to conclude , the Spirit and the Bride faith Come, and wbofoever will* let him cornel Oh obey the calIo£ Chrift, and come runnings and rowling. Bowl-tike, well by- affed for Chrift into his Churches ( his Gardens inckfea) though it may be, yee may meet with many rubs and lets in the way : Neither let it be [elf e- love that fwayes you; for as there is a difference betivixt a cbilde and a borfe in follow- ing of a man, the cbilde follows his father for lwe3 but the borfe for hay, lay downe the bay Or oats, and the borfe ftaye?3 but the cbilde goes (fayes Mr. Harris) So indeed is the Saints following of Chrift into his Cbmcbes , and Hypocrites very different, for the Saints follow, and obey him for love3 but Hypccrites for the loaves. , Wherefore, 7ak$ beed to thy foot when thou enter eft in, and yet be incouraged all that can be into tkefe Gardens , to get out of the witizrneffe, and defolat e place9 and that without dehy^on- fkfering the d ayes we live in (for as Dr. Williams fayes in Eli)abs-wifh, page 2.) It is reported of the Birds of Norway that they fyef after then the Fowles of any other Country, and that by an inftinil. which they have, whereby they know the dayes ef that Climate to be very (hort , and not above three Chap. 4, y^i call out of the wilder nc(fe* 4* thiee houres long, and therefore they haften with double flight and wings ; So let it be reported of us in this Common- wealth, that we of all other Nations in the World doe difcerne the times andfeafons 5 and to finde this day do be jbsrtened for the Ekttsfake : And that now fas it is high time) wee make ha fie into the Lords foufe , and with double-winged fahb and affeftiws we enter into his Gardens. O let us not delay the time! Hag. 1.4. or delude cur felves / but abote all other> let us make halte ! Many there bee who cry like nimble-tongued Ttap Iters > Anon, A non,Sir ; but (mofo &modKonon babe t mo duns) makehafte then .' I have read that after the Grecians had won the City of SardU> that Darius 5 or Zerzcs f who were Kings of Per/ta) gave a charge that every day at Dinner one (hould/p eak? aloud 5 and remember him that Sardis was taken and captivated , he intending not to be quiet till he had reco- vered it : So (liould we every day remember the Church in the the wilAernejfe, refolving never to be quiet day nor nighty with GW,nor men, till (he be recovered, and reftor edinto the Gar' den of the Lord, Cms Varies. CHAP. IV. The Church is to be called out of the Wildernefje into an Eden, or garden enclofed y in what refpeBs particular Churches are particular gardens, and, our duty to wait for this Reflauration, WHat Fruits have me had of all tbofe things where" of we are now Cor at leafl (hall bt)afbamtd? For unto fuch as are ajhamedaf their former abomination , doth the Lord bid us to (hew the patterns of bh &osife3whkh is to be Q ,« -' built Hafo! hate! haftcJinEKg- land Ireland, *ndSc°tlM*9 more then all the world be- fide. Sim* Sim. Every day re* i member the j Church in Wikfcxneffe till fte here-; covered. Ezek4$,io>i£ 4* Church changed into the Garden. Lib. I The luppy change. SJ0M.3. VenUnteptf fetto evacuatur inperfeftum* C0I.2. 22,23. Hof.14.8. ChriftsGir- den> Ifa. 5 1.5. Ifa 3 5. a. Ifaf.i. Mat; 21.23. Ier.2.21. 1 Taken our and feparare diftincl: from the commons. Num. 2 3 .9. a Jnjclofcd in fcjiemfelves. Expof. By Gofpel- fences and. hedges. Vide $ibs In Cam 4. 12, £«i/f up ill r hefe dayes , as wee mall (hew hereafter. In the meane time, now the winter U p*ft> our dayes of light wiil bee dayes of delight , and our wilderneffe- for rows altered feafon- / ably into Garden-folacet, and our humane traditions for hea- | venly truths, our wilderne ffe*company 3and rawed multitudes > fcr [ thefoclety of the fir fl~ borne, God in Cori/r, Angels^ and Saints--, \ cur darkjiejje for ftgfo, our deadmjfe for ///e 5 from being wi/cte to bee wife, and ctur barwweffeior fruitfulntjfe , oum? yee that are yet for the old Adminifi rations, W ill- wor (hips, and ordinan- ces of mens creation ? whilftEpfcrdfm ( whofe name notes fruitfulneffe P> all fay, What have I to doe any more with Idols? for why? I have beard the Lord, and observed the Lord 5 Jhe will have his owne bandy-work^ in , that the beauty thereof may be the greater,8cc.and above ail the world befide. Fourthly, this is his Garden for fruitfulnejfe which hee is the caafe of ; whgn a Gardiner fees one of his Grafts bud and beare, he is glad, and boafts of it \ fois ChrilUo fee any one to t elfe it is a burning bjuftiing fbame to bee of the (jar den, and yet to let others bring forth as good fruits, thus fayes Paul , 1 Cor, 3 ♦3. &c. Are yeeyet carnall (as yee were before when yee were without J Doe yee yet walkf as men ? O fie ! what not now to live at a higher and holier rate then others ! when your heels ought to bee abdve their beads that arc without* Sjth Garden* Saints by Chrift are to become fo G 2 fruitful}. 43 Yxpof ? Chrifts own planting. 'Sidelib.i.cb.g Mac i?. 13- Expof. 4 For fruit- fulneiTe. Sim, Vi^e Paul HobfonsGzrden inclofed. All trees in his Garden are for fruits • Sim. 1 Cor. 1. 28. Sim. Stirpaifingail others for magnitude, - multitude, and plenitude. 2, Cor.7.n# Eph^.19. Cant.4i3.14.' J Ht 's. '. u ~&tden. Lib. t - : Zr- '■ Lz-.\ Sim. 5 Tbe Lords .'. hi* 0. . fruitfail above others , by having from him *uLtr and frs er then oibers. f ;r if it its Wawmaim ;f Garden* and fireams frmLebanx.Tnus faith he. J _? emu s»f tfjtetb: n tcke rn\^ur-7 6dfxael$&i::£wrr.t end bud, andfiS •2? wstL ■ So in Hoi'. 1 4. $,£. / wiihet as kefiaEg- I - ; Li fyyand car forth kit nsts as frhnmj i.e. in abundance of ftreams , and iwe : *-#c?j reive thefts of their jofe , and the' beat of ^thcir to reach out5 and runne farre 5 for lis tranches fb&U fftcmt) and his beaut) {bi. hes 1 1 OUvs tree, end bit fat Em L:- bawtmtien. Thus they fru&i&e from Chrift, as in Joh. 15.4,5. Wnteut bim the) can do nstbing^ and are but as withered bran* ches, faplefTe, and fruideile; wherefore bleffed be they that htsfms in the Spring (now) and arc not njpped crT againe by Bsrean blairs, but be well fctt for growing and ripening; for in cLis Auturnn^barzejl (which is now nigh us) as the 5*>Kgrowes hot and high, they (hall bee gathered (full Tzpe)\nto the Fatbtrs fare or Garter : So be it. Fifthly . He hath them in his r*r*«ccn£antfy , as a man hath his Gsrden^ and that moft of at, for that hee will not faifir Swine to fet footing there ( but keeps them without amongfi their bra itifn brood) So the Lord hath 4 Batch-lexer to wer-loik^zll the Church ; So Ifa.27.3. 2 the Lard i% h^efs it , 4 W* fir ;': O try lament , left any fadd hurt it , I wii he?? it night and day ', B) day and b) -A her gkry I vciUbe her dsfence, Ifa-4«5. Hee will not fuffer one Saint to be hurt by the mUis Stars of tbsm$d , or tbcFaxa for he feu traps to take them, C 2.1-. S r.hly, fuch a fmtty cf Saints are hi? Gander. 1 his Varlirg- ■delights , : : es to live and Ldge there, 7.1 1.12. n eat and drink? there;C^r.5.J. ci his f :- f«*ff? WuitSyond feet eft Sfices, Cant .4. 1 6.e I 0 ;/*# £«?/, and l UEits, Cant ^.2. and there his prefer.:; is moft eminent, excellent, free, and frequent in the midff eflit amfawuMS, (viz. the Saints) CanxS. I $. to the raiifbing of r thai fades with his fweetei: \ntt% Cant .7.1 2. there he tim. Pfalij2. ijj 1 4. and tgflaewtohi*SaiDtsiw - T'.i :■.:•*. '.: .::~'> sl".*.ii. « rr.^T.:.-.^.:-. Tr .::" ■::" C.-.r-J ■:. ! :1-V H:-t. ::■-: .; ; ... c _ • • fa r. . : : : - cc J.-r. izd izittd Ch •^rC;--:;:. ; -;/■: •h ..,^v, ~, ; . :.5 :.~:c C* • u:z :: Tr.atchc he: ads lis a- and /aire ! flai>* and fr. Bj::--st;j T.ar t:« ref-ects, tia::h*L::d .'j ;*;.;:% I r - c ■ ■' : £ . . . .: :zz: zr::w ::,i ::z:r, . v;2 2 ~:*"? ' "•••:- ^:d." ='::*:, ard 5:5a: .V ;.„ .- ;;G::ffr:\ - - - — > J ' ^ - w - - - r-» ' #.,. » • " -' v~ ■ ... .-. - u .._. ll'Vl-U mil 1 m. r-md . ••* ■ •'• t ' ' i ^ t • ■' ■ ■ —. b£H * ?-;;..;:«- ^:;'v -'\ ~ :;• 1:.-/ :;-; •';--■» •• -f- — -/ ;-" J.. :'-:.. This is Ehg ca.i :i Cr.:i.: :o j? in ;.--.:* d:vc? . - hi. •-■ j> kd^, fear**, and L;r* beyond ihksT&n&ft-c&LiGtz, and ail of Chrifts WoriMp 5 fee now the Lord ~a-to PttauraUQQQt D:-?.n:i: ar.dr G I ■ 4(5 God u about it in thefe dayes. Lib, I. Expoj. Cant. 2. 14. The lail dayes bell' dayes, Ka 64,4, Ifi.2.2. Zich.14,7. Rev.xt.i; Prophefies of the Churches refhuration in thefe latcec dayes. Methodius, Hemes vlGon of the Chur- ches refhura- tion gradually 1 An old wo- man in a chair. 2 An old wo- man witb the face of a young woman. 3 A young wo- man with old wo mans hairs in QJJi%. and to thefe oayes. 4 A fair Bride coming out to meet the Biidegroom^fo iheisnow. Iia*42.9. before they fpring forth, he tels us of them5#^ere- fere finji a ntw Song, verfe 1 i*Let tbeWildernefje rejoyce.and all the Villages of Kedar ( DarkneiTe ) Lee the inhabitants of the R*c\e (Chrift) and all that dwell in the clefts of the Reck?) jbout out from'the tops of the Mountains. Amen. Finde no fault with thefe dayes then! but wait ! Ifa.25,9. for the wine mil be be ft at laft , and in the evening it jhaH bee light-, richer) promifes are referved forums, therefore called the moft precibM, 2 Per. 1.4. In thefe dayes /hall the Branch of rigbteoujnejfe grow up, Jer«3 3^4.1 5 .and our blefTed Abafhue- rus fhall takeinE/fkr. The face of Church- difcipline mall (hine againe , and the Kingflxtll delight in her beauty, Pfal.45, 10, tit Befides the abundance of Scripture-propbefies proo- ving of thisjl have feen many remarkable Prophefies of late, largely foretelling thefe glorious times. As of one Methodius in the yeare two hundred and fifty, in a Treaufe deNoviffi- mis temporibus,hce tells us how the Kingdome of Chrift, in thefe laft dayes fhall be lifted up above all mountains ; but firft , hee fayes/That many mighty Ifbmaelites muft fall, and then fliall follow peace and joy to the Saints. I have alfo met with Her- mas whom wee read of Rom, 16. 14. ( and Jerome calls him Fauls difciptej in a book of his enticuled, Ecclefta^ hee mentions avifim which he had given him of the Church from that time> to the laft age , what feverall conditions (hee mould be in : Firft, he faw her like an Old woman fitting in a chair e \ The next alteration hee fore- faw in a fecond vifion (hee fayes) of an Old woman, onely having the countenance and face of a loung woman ; In the third, (hee had the fhape of a loung woman ', but dice had the haires of an Old woman, and undecennBut in the fourth,which is referred for us, and ready to be revealed^thefe latter dayes, fhee was lively refem* bled in the forme of a Virgin, and in the beauty of a Bride comming forth out of her Bride- chamber in great glory, and fetting forward to meet her beloved Sridegroome, as be- ing already fet out, aud comming forward alfo in his great Majefty,might,and glory. Many more I might produce that Propbefte of thefe 1 dayes, but doubtleffe the Scripture hath faid enough (had they Chap Wait, watch, and fray. 47 they faid nothing) to fatisfie ourfoules, and to fet us for- ward (afrefh) in this latter- day es - di\pofition , and grace of waiting , yea though the vifton ftay.yet to wait , becaufe it is for an appointed time , Hab.2.2. God doth alwayes , and in every age ftirre iip in his Saints this difpofition of waiting fuitable to the tlejjings hee hath to give out.and beftow upon the Saints. So in this age wait ! in beleeving I and beleeve in waiting I for the time which they are to bee performed in, is hard upon us ; Although alas ! how moft men livemofi by fence > what they fee that they will beleeve , but nothing without they fee fome figntsb (as to their fen fe and reaicn ) of fuchdayes as are foretold of : hence u there fo much crying out of fixes, and complaining of troubles, and of the times in the very fireeti; tell them of blefled dayes, it is to no purpofe, for they wmzfaitb to forefee them, and (poor creatures ! they cannot fee that the Lords time is, andfc/k day comes, when they lead lnk$t for him, and before they be aware of it; even then when menikinkf he hath forgot his promifes , then is his time to come at the pincb%to blow at the laji ffarkf , 2Pet.3.8,9. as when Abrahams hand was ready up to cut Ifaakj throat, at that moment ef time,the Lord made him flay, and eppeared t$ ma\e good bis promife, then (as that in j faa\al! Nations fhould bee blejfed &c.) yea then re 3 and yet makes the wea\e ayre a foundation and ground ftrong enough to fupport and beare the whole univerfe and globe. Andean hee not ? nay will he not?raife upland lay the foundation ofour hopes and happineffe in weak means? in (the day of {mall things) poore and nothing beginnings ? that appeare to men no more then ayre, and (ic may bee) fuch as will vanifh away? Nay in, and by contrary means that (in mens wifdome*) will feem impoflible to cffccl:, ^ or to be a good foundation for fuch a frabrkke of hopes, or bee ! a fuitable means for fuch a delight^ as feemes to bee fet in a ' Diameter thereto , and againft the meanes ; although the meanes may produce that day and difcovery, yea and recovery of Zio* which not onely feem contrary to that works » ^nt which (alfo) the works is contrary unto, and will deftroy: Wherefore when the Sonne of man comes foaUkfinde faith on' the earth ? to inftance as 'clay and fpittle^ve contrary meane /) which opened the eyes of him that had faith ? Finde but faith,zndfire (hall confume the water s(*nd ail contrary quenching meanes) 1 King.l8.98. and the waters {hall not bee able to hinder the flaming of the fire. So many Acls of Providence ( like Hebrew characters ) arc to be read backward, or elfe they cannot be read aright : And fo you may read mapy of Gods remarkable workfs which he is about by contraries* As the F/> on the wbeele, Ihee goes on, though the whtele Chap. J A word to the Churches. 49 go&contrary ; Co doe Gods work?* g°c on> though the times and troubles , wanes and oppo/itms feeme to goe contrary , wherefore by faith , let us firmly expeft the irrefiflable reco- very of the primitive purity , and piety in DoElrine and Di/iri- p/z'se; Doe Aden or De^/7; what they can to hinder the brigbtneffe and beauty of Ct>ri/fr Churches in thefe / to toule people in to them ; For Chrift fhall rcigne, though the Nitions are angry at it,and math (ball come npw his enemies 5 But the Temple of the Lord [ball be [et open for the Saints ', and the Arke of bfrTefiament (ball be feen therein; yet I fay not, but lightnings and tkunders,earth-quaies , and great bailflones we may yet meet witb,Ktv.l 1.17,18^10. But before I conclude this Chapter: Let all the Churches remember, that God will have his Gardens well- weeded, and his houfes well fwcpt, wherefore the Lord bleffe you, zs( the good old mm) Jacob did tangendo marut approbation is ;', frofculandi inftinclu infpirationit^ by his ap- probation and inspiration. Sim, HN 2Sir*^. CHAP. V. Cfc/i/h Garden y or Gofpel-Church'State \ which is to hee defended^ %$ to bee defined; fit ft from the material! caufe, oryerfom (who are vifible Saints) that are fitly qualified for members. HAving (hitherto demonftrated) by fome proofes.and fure Pn>pfce/?f/3the fad condition and wildernefle-cftate of Chrifts-Churchin the want of true Declrine and Difapline to this day, and what in thefe dayes we are to ex- pect of her recovery, and reflimionjk*:. It follows that wtc H fetch A word to the Churches. 5© Ibept matter for Gofpel Church-Jtate. lib.i a- Maccab. i, 10, 41. Z2, *Ve are to f rch out whst hith been hid many hund- reds of years. gither the ^ood together. Latimer. The Authors pvayeris that .4ike a light he maybe fpent to give others light. Awfw. in lac. 3*9- Expof* What the Church isjviz. The ryp\fied Chirioi- of. Sa- i&mor., how and why i It is a bed, a Throne, a Pa- hcc, a Cham* fcer of pre * fence, a fecrct 'Chamber. A Cowchi fetch out what hath lay fo long hid (all ihe time of our Babylonian captivity ) as ihc fire that was hid in an WW pUce of old, the Servants of God after they had their liberty given ; them to build up the Fiords Temple, fenc to fetch ic from thence, where it lay folong hid. ( Even fo are we fent at ibis day for thispurpofc, to bring forth what we can finde, though hid for fo many hundred years ) but in cafe we can- not doe what we would., we will doe what we can in this cafe ( as Neemix did ) to gatherwhat as yet lyes in the duff, and in darkpe $~e,and fo to endeavour to discover unto you (in what is difedvered to us, and what I fay we can ) ofCbrifts owne Difcipline and Gofpel-order, which ought to be in the Church of Cbrifr. Wherefore /ir/r I dial 1 begin to gather the wood together, or the matter that the Church is to be macle up of, and after that (the water being (primkfed)l hope the Sunne ( thatjiath been for fo many Ages fet, or hid in a Ckud ) will fobreake cat, and brightly (hine in, and upon 'as with his luftre and life, heate and light, as that we (hall become a grew fire kindled ; fo that all men may maryell at it, and make much oi this holy fire for future Ages, which (hall never more be quite out, or extinguished. For as ho- neft old Latimer faid to Ridley, as they were going to fuffer ; Come Brother, this day we (ball 'give a light ; and warms all Eng- land \ Co faine would I be one that might enlighten others* now lam litt by fire from h&aven, and be as a Torch in the entry to fuch as are in the darke, itt claritate & par it ate, & 6/- laritate, the Lord grant ht in whofe light as I fee lightt I (hall ftifiw it, and fo I come to tell you whai's the matter. To begin with the Materials, we lay downe this Tofition, i thatnoperfonsare fit for fuch a purpofe but vifible Saints, for right matter to make up this typified Chariot of Sale* [ mon but the wood of Lebanon, Cant, $. 9* this Chariot it his I publick feat, where he is to be feen of all, in Hebrew Apiriw, J and in Greek Pborehn, zTbrene fay t ome, a Bed fay others, a Palace fay others, and a Chamber of prefence fay mod 5 but that this Church is all thefe to Cbrifl and his Saints fay I, and fo all; yea, and as (Sol.Jarcbi fay es befide) the fearer Chamber f heseoa this floor er and under this roofe) for the Bride Chap . 5 . The fit matter for Chrifis vifible Church. Bride and Bridegroom to meet in, and to make much of each other in; but I had rather read and reader it from the word, a place much like z Ceucb, carried about and abroad, being open abwe, exceeding faire, glorious, and richly befet with beauty within, and in the which Salomon Tate with much eafe , and in much honour and ftate, from whence he deli- vered his Lams for his Sjbjetlsi and thus Chrifl doth anfwer the Type to his Saints, whilft he fits in great grace and Mar )efry in this his Chariot^ and in great glory and triumph he go- verns, and gives out his Lawes to Lis Subjects. Now for the matter that this his Chariot is made up of, it mud be of Le- banen,tleft \rees,T)ex\\:. 20. xo. Ezek.47. 12. lfa» 60. 13, 14, The ghry of Lebanon {ball come to tbee, I meane fuch trees as are the taKefr ( heaven-ward ) fuch Cedars as are the founded, and will not rot, fuch Cypreffes as are the faireft, Ecclef 8. 1. P[al.U9. 80. 2 Ttm.Uy.Jcr.5. 28. and fuch Olives as are the fatteft, Pjal. 52.8.&128.3. and fuch trees as are the mod upright, and the leaft crooked, or crabbed, the beft and molt beauteous ones, PfaL 7. 10. Pjal. 64. 10. & 1 1 a. 4. dm. 1.4. Pjal. 15.3. and for ftrength, fu cb as nothing can overthrow, being well rooted and united, F[al. 73. 2.6. Zacb. io. 12. If a. S. 8. 10, 11. but which will ftand faddy in all ftormes, and againft all plots and praclifes, and powers which no force can conquer, which no Age can decay, (but they are renewed like an Eagle ) which no fire can burne up ( but puri- fle ) which no wormes can eate, or enter into, but who are all wayes, and at all times, and in all places, a fweet favour, 2 Cor, 2. 1 5. to them within, and to them without. Thefe are the Saints indeed, and none but the vifible Saints, and that are fo judged upon pregnant proofes, and ftrong preemp- tions J are (. 1. 21* would not be anfwered, ( which ought to be) by the typified, for rough unhewen flones were not laid up into the building of the Old-Tcfla- H z ment 51 The mitter of this Gofpel- Chariot. Expof. Pfal. i.j. fe Ier. 17. 8. Such as arc found, faii e. tall, fat, up- right, ftrong, and well roo- ted, are fit for Church- tei- lovvthip. Such are to be alwayes a fweec favour, 1 Vifible Saints only matter of the Church to be made w? of. Types of ir. I King* 6. j 5* Vifibk Sat nts only fit mutter Lib. I Sins. The Stones of the Temple hewen. aCforon 1% 19 Ncne enrr d into the Tem- ple that weie known unho- ly >or unclean. AUtheutenfils and materials lioly. * Chro.cha. 4. & chap. ?. So now in the Gofpel'iemple. *JnhishoIi- neffe of Church-Mem- bers, read that Book, p. 88. The Porters that kept out the uncleanc. Uncleane and uncircumclfed ones dee pol- lute the Tem- ple of the Lord, And are not to be differed. Ob). Rutherford, Expof. Qo'tott, msnt Tempi* ( till they firft were fitted, polilhed, and ptepa* red fox the builders afe) much leffe may this Spiritual boufe of the Lord be built up of any other then holy and hewen,, thelivelieft and lovelieft (tones, 1 Vet. a. 5. befides,all that entered into the Temple of aid were to be holy and cleaney and all the veffels within holy, iChron.22. ip. and all the treafures dedicated unto God, 2 Chro.5. 1. &Q> and all the ma- terials were the moil choyfe and pure 5 fo ought it to be in thhlemple ( for a greater then Salomons u here) and the glory of this boufe muft be greater then the former ; wherefore ie ©ufl: be made up of the moil choyfe and precious materials^ and of fuch as are dedicated and given up unto the Lord by his Spirit, Ephef* 2.22. Moreover, (Mr 1 Cotton * notes, ) that the vigilant and laborious attendance of the Porters was typical! too, in xCkron. a.?* 1 9- who were to fuffcr none that were uncleane to enter into the Temple, which fayes he^ does //pi/Te the duty of the Church-Officers, to prevent and keep out (as much a? they can ) vicious, vile, fcnowne, un~ cleane perfons from polluting the Temple of the Lord, which, would be by their admittance into the midft of us3 &e. yet if I may not be fo ftri& and curious, I am content to fay ( this reaches to the thing now in hand ) viz. That the Por- ters ( and the people by informing the Porters ) are bound in duty to put by ( ss much as they may J perfons finfull, and uncircumci fed, which were not to befuffered fo as the true Ifraelites were, Ege^. 22.26. So in. E^* 44 6,7, &c. for a- mongft other abominations is this brought in, that they fuf- feredfucb as were uncircumcifed to be in his San&uary to pollute it> &c. but Object out of Jerem. 7* 9. There were Adulterers* Tbeeves, and wicked ones, &c. Anfw. This is a nfwered already by many eminent men, yettoaddea word, you fee before in Eze\ 44. there were grangers that had crept in through the negliience9 or crowded in through the ignorance of theKeepers,but they are condemned^ and highly complained of, as fuch who have prophan£d the. Sanctuary, and defiled his Ordinances, and defpijed bis Lawes, and made his hwfe a very denne of Tbuves> whereupon the Lord threatens th^ for that they would fuffer fuch to buine ln<* cenfe. Chap, 5 for the Church of Chrift. 5? cew/earnongftthem 5 but ( befides the abundance more of Scriptures which I might ufe to prove it) I fliall produce undeniable reafons to ratifie this truth, that it may run in triumph, yea in whole bundles of them (chat our Belovedrmy be to us a bundle of Myrrbe, to lodge all night beWixt out breads 5) and the firft fort of reafons run trom Chrift our King, and the Lord our Law- giver. 2?.e*/.I. Is taken out of MaU\ 6. 163X7,1 8. where Chrift our Lord and Law- giver hath promifed himfelfe to be the Churches foundation for cver3 and fuch as are built up by him, and upon him ( a? all true Church-members muft be, that would (tandout,andout-ftandalli?or»i^)muft be fuch Profeffors of this Chrift as Peter here wa?, and that is by fuch a profefjt- enaLsflefb and bkud revealed not> but bis heavenly Fuiber. Now none but Saints are fuch Profeflbrs ( at leaft they muft be Saints in appearance) who are able to hold forth the worke of the Fathers upon their foules, which confifts not in bare words, or a vtrball acknowledging of Chrift *, for words are but Cyphers, which fignifie nothing without other Figures-, And as it was faid of Epicurus, that he had the habit of a Pbiltfopber, but was none indeed 5 fo many have the habits and words of Chriftians that are hoc fa indeed ; and the Church that is built upantbe [and, may and muft confift of fuch, Mat. 7. 24, 25, 26 y zj. But if the Grapes painted by Ztuxes allured the Birds to peck at them, would they not much more have flowen at them had they been true Grapes indeed ? So if fuch as fee me to be Saints, and appeare vifthly (as to our eye ) godly, are Co good, and attratlive matter for the Church ef Chriji,much more then are real! Saints fo, Ob}* The ApoftUs admitted all forts of Profejfors, three thoufand in one day, Anf* Firft, it is granted,that they were Profe/fors then be- fore they were admitted. Secondly, It does contradUl the text,tofoy all forts of Pro- fejfors ; if yee meane thereby, all that profejfe Chrift with their toeulbts meerly, for the text tells us, Ails 2. 37. they were prized in their hearts, and at the heart, for the word figni- fies ( K&TUfvynw ) a mod fad and fore rent to the very foule, atpunttuall wohndin every part of their hearts, as if Daggers H 3 were Zich. 9. 9. Rev. !*♦$. Ua. 35. zi. lam* 4. 12. Reafons* Expof. 1 Chrift is the Churches foundation, none arc true Church-mcia* bers, but are built up by him, and on bim. What fort of Profeflbrs and" Profeflions le- quifite r Anf. affirm. Anf. negat, not mcere vetball. Sim. Many Profef- forsnorChii- ftians. Sim. Reall Saints 1113ft attractive matter. Obj. Anfw. Expof I Whatfoit of Piofeflbrs we!c^ tiken in primi* tive times, 54 For Chrsfis vifible Church, (j of pel-order. L IbJ. Sim. Jp only pun- e l (st rcpH)i£H9 bacalfofOOT- Punfti, a found wo ike. Wounded for (in, crying out fo Crriit. repenting, em- bracing the Gofpel gree- dily. Strong in the faith. In midft of trials. 2 thrift's countermand, Mar. ii. Expof. Chrlfts com- mand. Expo[. werefaftnedzt their depth in them, and this mrd will ihew* their ccmyurMioti was found, for it was not (as now it is with (ome, A8sj. 54.) to kjcl^ again It Cfcrz/r, but to cry out for Cbri/r ( Jbim whom they bad crucified for which they' were to wounded ; ) beiides, they were fsnftble that they were undone without Cbrift, wherefore with wide moutbes fay they to the Apoftler, Oh jvbat fball we db/Befides,they repenteJ, and heard, and obeyed, and gladly received the Gofael, ver. 41. yea with greedy ftomacks, ( though many now have hot Li' vers, and cold Stomacks ) and ftrorrg affections, yea and em- braced it( and (as ic were) kiflcd it, for fo farre the word will have it ) with affectionate acceptance ( Gratis animti} and fromtheirfoules; yea and therein they continued iledfaft, ( v&nt&tTryivm ) i. e . ftrong in the faith, without daggering, wavering, or jbrinkjng from their Prof eft ions and pratlife ; yea and in the midft of the greater! trials, troubles, perfecuti- ons, perplexities, they were yet moft zealous and faitb full, by an impregnable afsiftance, and an invincible conflancy. And are not thefe the charieft Characters of true cwverfton .1 Can yee fo under -valuethis great works of Gods Word? furely all forts of Profe(fors could not doe thus: fo thatl fay, fuch were aS Saints ( in appearance ) and fuch, and none but fuch are by Chrift^s Law allowable Members of Cjbri/rV Church, although that afterward fome will appeare Hypocrites, who crept in, as Judas J)em*», Ananias and Saphira,mih divers others. But, Secondly, The King ef Saints hath given orders to attach [ucb as have ("unawares) got in, and have appeared ungodly 9 when he whipped out buyers and fellers 5 he fignified thereby not only his Law againft fuch as were not found in bolinejfe, after their u»feundnej[e appeared, but alfo to keep them witb$ut, that they might not enter in, now the Gofpel-Temple was to be built ; no mixt Congregations were to be continued, but Cbrift byhisScearge and Wbif of Truth will have us to cafl them, and to \eep them out. Thus Cbri/i commands, Afatth. 7. 6. not to throw Pearles to Swine, nor to give holy things to> Vagges, &c. wicked ones are fo called in fundry Scriptures, for Phil. 3.2. Beware of Dodges, beware of evil-ftorkets ; fo it is in Revel. 22, 15. BUffed are they that til*) enter in, for without are Vogges, Chap. 5 . Vijible Saint $ only fit i hurcb matter. 55 T>ig$ and Sorcerers, and Whoremongers and Idolaters>&c. They ibat art tytowne to be fuch, mud be kept without, or elfe there will be a violent violation of Cbrifls Law : Hence it is the Churches have rule to proceed with fuch prophane ones zndfimers as have crept and croudedin , Matth. 1817 18.&C. Hence it is alfo the pro felling- friend ( at the feaft, Matth. 22* x 2. in C butch- feffowfbip yet wanting the wedding garment y was cal- led into quefthn9 but the Text fayes the (ervants went out to gather all. An[. It is tr\ie0All were faid to be called by a public\e call, but before they entred in, their bigb* way-rags {heir hedge-religion^ zndrajments, were to be laid afide, elfe the Ljrd would never have laid it in his difli , What dofi thou here without it ? nor would he have been put to a Nok-?Iiu ,and not have had a word to Jay ; nor fhould he have been for the want of that (had it not been ne ceffary)c& out and punifhed, but by all thefe(and abundance more I might produce) to prove this fir ft reafon. 2 Are bundled up together out of feverall Propheticall Scriptures, for m Ifa. 60.2 1. The people alfofhallbe allrigbteout, they {ball inherit the Land for ever , the branch cf my planting , the Wurkf of my hands ^that I may be. glorified. So in Ifa. 35.8., 9j*o. It (ball be called the Vray of bolinejfe, no Lion fall be there ^mr ra- venous beafi goe thereon (meaning unclean and openly knowne finners) but the redeemed fhaU walke there : And the ranfomed of the Lord (hall returne , and come to Sion with fongs, &c# So in Ifa.52.it From henceforth ft all come into thee no more the men- cumcifed and unclean. So in Zach. I4.2T. In that day there fball bee no mere the Canaanite in the Lnis boufe. So in Joel.3.17. Yee (ball know that lam the Lord yonr G06 dwelling in Zion' my holy Mountaine , then (ball Jerufalem be holy , and there (ball no grangers paffe through her any more. So in Ifa. 3 3 .24. and in Rev.2 r.27./w no wifejbaU enter into it any thing that defileth , or that wor\e\h abomination , or that maketb a lye , but they which are written in the Lambs Book^o flife.lt is not denied,but there is fin in a Church, but not a Church in finne ( as one may be faid to have drinks in him , and yet not to be in drinkf) I meant JinnebfeetzZndhgQwne) and yet allowed o(} or (atleaft)not duely Violent viola- tions ofChrifts Law to take in any but Saints in appearance, and (o Tar as we can judge of them. Expof. Ob)*Bi Anfw* All called by an outward converting cal; But they are not to enter in till fitted. Reafon 2. All the Pro- pbefksnre rWi 'to fjretelhthat the Church in the brer daics (hail confift cf Saints and fuch as fo ap» pear. Such are in the Lamb j book of life. Sim* 5* The near relation of Chrift, and his Church. Lib, I. Accounted f neccllaty in the Law times, andtheHjp- tiftsrime, Augitft-in a a. 19 4. TheBaprift adnrtted not of fcandUious, nor of bare ptofeffours. Reafon 3. lerom 3i3?*« Thefwe in it. Sim* iSam*$ 41 x Chrifts Omrcb isQods Mo iy Temple. It is the Lords houfe. 4 His Houlhold. ItisChofts Body. All thefe rela- tions teach uf what mannfr ofperfons Church- mem- bers ought* 3 be. The Church irmft jud^eof ?hem accord- ing to ortho- dox rules of cherry. Vid. Hookef i lib. i ch. even Gods owne Arke may nouriih Monfcrs , as Noahs Arkj did Cham; yea, and as fome filthy Toads might bee found to lye under the (tones of the Temple -■> Co may fome wicked ditfembiir.g Hypocrites (fayes Dr. Hall) and yet the Temple be the Lords for all that. Furthermore, the vsfible Church is called his Holy Temple i Cor.3.16, 17. whicti ought not tabs defiled y 2-- Con 6a6. and therefore is made up ot living ftones, 2 Pec. 2. f, that is, of vifible Saints* Alio it is called the Lords houfe and habitation , Heb.3.6. Eph.2* 22^23. I Per. 2.5. wherein hewW^j and/we/, and takes his refl , which brfinefe becomes, P ial.93.5. /*r ever; therefore th^ helieft are the five (im Alter* The Cibarcb is called his houjhold, Eph.2.19. Now if David could not endure a wicked perfon within his doors > Pfah 101.5,4. 5. Much lefie will the Lord allow it. But to bee bricfe. Laftly , the Church is Cbrifisbsdy, 1 Cor.i 2.26,27. and Chrifi is the head of every particular Church gathered, Col.u 1 8 £pi\552 3.8cc. Now fuch as are unired to Jefus Chrifi by his Spirit^ 7^.1.3 7. and have fpeciali cemmunhn with ib/m as their Head fas to receive vertue and vitality from him) are to be received a3 members of his Chmch , whereof hee is Head : And none elfe,but fuch as the Church is perfwaded of (upon Teftimony gjiven in) to have fuch a relation to the Lord Cbrijly and whom in the charity of her judgement y and in the judgement of her charity 9 (hee freely accepts of for fuch, and in whom they fiade the graces of Qm$ > and the gifts of his Spirit in fome meafure y and from whom they have fome anfwerabk fruits , whereby they may be able to judge charitably : for to receive a member which hath not virtual! power.and eperation from the Head, is againft reafon, yea and that reference and correspondence of members witb the head. But hence it is that many hypocrites arc taken in , who I feem to have high inpjtnents , and Urge gifts, to miy Ranters \ and fuch like,8tc. !No I It is not hence} but ttace (I raeane by running from theft Chap. 5 How Hypocrita$ tr&ep in, 50 thefe rules) that fo many H)pcritts creep in5 as GaLi+q. tor i it is not enough to have heightened conceptions , quicke^pprc- ! benfions, admirable gi/r/, excellent farts , and thereby to plead \ unidn with Ckr/'/r (onr Head) from the influence of common graces, and injoyment of great g*/>i (as Ranters may have very ravijbingly) to, make a man fie for fuch fellowship of Saint?; no not though he prajej, preaches, di[($ur[es,&c. like an ^»ge/, if the Cbarcb conceive him not a Saint-called, by fome ei*- tfewc* given in , or other, whereby the Church doth judge (him in ^/sEwith his Hf<*d (Chrift) according to the Js- fluences of foule-fanttifyivg and [oule*f*vixg graces. Simcn LMagus , I make no doubt but had many cWttlprt'pfA and graces (which had a ta/j face) by which he patted by cP^////> and crept in : but yet had his bypocrifie appeared , and that they were but counterfeit Coin, I am confident Philip \ would have dealt with him home, and have given him his owne as well as afterward Peter did , Alls 8. 2o, 2i,22. Andfo (as Tertullian fayee) even Judx was honeft and eminent atfirfttofee to; fo here be many Blazing- ftars, and dangerous Comets which doe (hinc faigkteft as to fight (z$ Ranters, Hypocrites, &c.) but evermore portend and prefage eminent and imminent evills to the Church they arc in, unlcfTe much mercy prevent : a many fuch meteors may feem fix:dftars for fome time, fo long as they are aloof off, and high, and fo cozen us, till they come to fall , and then wee finde they were but Deceivers, made of earthly, flimy,fle/hly matter. Thus have I offc red the third bundle of Re of 9ns, and reach to the 4 Rea.[on9 which is taken from the ends, for tne which this Gofpel-order and Church -felljwfhip is inllitured, the which none but &f/72f; ( at leaft fo vifibly ) are able to anfwer, which are of fund ry forts; fome few of them I {hall in- ftance in, but not infift on; for I feare I am too large, and then ten to me but fome will fay, my Fez* is Ung-w'mgtd, and my peaching is long- winded, which is accounted an ill-favou- red, and an impardonable fault fin Vullin')! am fare ; but $0 be briefe, I 2 I The Jude v 4. Not gifts, or parts, to pray* pte'chj&c that d~e fit or qnalifieus for Church mem- ber*. But union with Chnft the Head by laving and fs nftifyirig graces (fo cal- led,^ Sim. Others are but btezing De- ceivers -who muft,and will fall of them- felves. Reafen 4. None but Saints can an - fwer the ends of the Infbttt- tionofGofpel- Difcipline. to fNspne but vijihie Saints can &nja?er JLiB.I i The honour and glory of God3 which none but Siints can. Others cannot. 2. The promoti- on of the true light & know- ledge of God. Others cannot anfwer this end. Editing one another • Others cannot. 4- Saint -like love. Others cannot iearne this teflon, 1 The mains end of this Goffel-Difcipline is to fet forth the b^mur and praijss of God as a peculiar pc&pk, i Pet. 2.9, Htb.z* 12. Ephef* 3.21, bow none but infible Sainu are fit to an- fwer fuch an end. Others indeed would be a chofen and pe- culiar people to dijhmour God, to rob him of his glory, to CrucifieChxi&afeih, to bring a reproach upon the truth, and to fcandalize the Gopd, but for nothing eKe in Cbrifi's Church* 2 Another end of this Gofpel-praBife is to promote the true light, and to let in more of that knowledge ofCi>ri(t, fthiehit is eternal! life to know 5 now none but the Saints are faid to reach this end, Epfce/".^. 8. and in 1 J0. 1. ,6? 7. If we fay we have fefowjhip with him, and wa\in darkritffe, we lye, and doe not the truth. But if we walks in the light, as be if the light, fte have fellowfii? one Kith another. Now prophane ones, as Athcifts, fcandalous perfons, and fuch like, are fit for the promotion of dartyefc, and for the putting out. of the true light, but are not at all fit for fellowihip upon this ac- count. A third thing to.be (hot at in Gcfpel-fe flew (hip, h the mutu- al! edification of one another, and the buflding up of the body in Ccrijr, 1 Thef. 5. n.Ephef. 4. 29. 1 Cor. 14. 26. now none but Saints doe hit this marke3 for toicfyd cms wculd fer ve to pull downe and deftroj, but not to build tip in the mofi holy faith, fude 20- 4 Furthermore* a. maine thing we mutt not omit, is an open-hearted S ami-like love, by the fame Spirit of Uve which Cin/rbaretouF,JoK 1 5,12. Epbe/. 5. s, \<[hef 3. 12. 1 Jo. 3.22. ckc. now none but the Saints fit clofe to this duty.,. ( and they hardly too in theft dayes) or that can live up to this end, for indeed /inner* ^oknowne, will ferve for nothing more ( and for little leffe ) then to fet at variance,makc brea- ches, and rend the hsdf9 being filled with umxorable ( yea «»- exuperable ) hatred, and malice againft the Saints, by the fame fpkit which their Father the Vevill was filled with againft Chrift. Many other e-nds might be mentioned, for the which Saints are enefcurcbed together according to the Goffel which lfhall (hew herafcer in Ac laftBooKl bur. neither to tbofe, Chap. 5 • the ends ofCjoftel- nor tbsfe ends can any others but the Saints ( at leaft fo vifibly ) be faid to live up. This is no worke for them ( there- fore ) chere is no way in Chrifts-Church for Drunkards^ Swea- rersy S abb at lo-b readers* Bla[pbemers**Perfecut9rs of Saints* Scof~ fers, or fcandaUWj or fuch as may caufe a Curfe to purfue us» and Gods wrath to be revealed againfi us* by the Vritb-drawment of his pre fence from us% but for nothing more as I know of; thus by aQtbefe reafons I have( and by many more I might j imprtgnably )proved,th*t only Saints vifihle ( (o judged of by [uf- I ficient evidences given in to be fuch } are competent Members None but vifi- of a true Church of Chrift, which ( ought to be ) a company of , b!e Saints fa- Saints called to be Cbrtfts Spoufe, and temple of the Lord. Ob), Some may fay w'uhlX&ex Rutberfurd fas Cotton and Hooker notes) but fuch termes are given to the Church of Qhd&asinvifibU. Anf. i. There is no fuch dtftinftion in Scripture^ but -dtf* Cbrijls Church is fo called, whether viftble or inviftble. ?n?^ipri,rer 2 P aul ftihs thzm (uch( as a viftble body, if they will have I d'?/?a,°? of . r \ s^ ^ * * ^ r - ~- vifiblcandm- itfo ) I Cor. 3. 1 6. 2 Csr.D.16. 2 Cor. 1 .1. 2, faying, Tee a re vinb'e, bat ail the temple of God, and what agreement bath the temple ef God with Idols ? and I wiHwal^e in the midfi of you ; but who will be further informed in this fubjecl: may fee Mr. Hooker's Sur- vey, 1 Lib* 2 Chap, where they have the terme opened^ the quefiionfiated) and the conclufwi proved. Well3 a word of ufe, which is; Vfe 1. To reprove ( whilft I prove) Parochial! Churches AatichriCuan, ( which I inal (h-w in all the effmtials of it ) for in this firft wefinde how fculely they fall (hort of being fit matter ; for the verier! ranting, revelling, and reviling Swines^ (hes Amlchrt thst (wtfupon the earth, the moft notorious Drunkards, and flia:i* vicious wretches that are* are Members of fuch Churches y and foheld (De i«re)but this is horn beneath of their Father(the j D*z/itf)and of his h&tumUfft-pii-fmoal^iht conffitutisn of which 1 comes from the bufifbraines of men: for about ConframfHts \ time this corruption began to be great, and was brought on, as it was in Dhnyftus his dayes (before hi;n ) Bilhop of Rmet who fenc out his Edicts ( not to emparadi\e, but to em- parijh the people ) which I have fpoke to in Ckap. 2. and in I 3 Engi one Church, I Tim. J. 15. 2. So Aihlmribzr fpinft Bcrnxrd, P g 174- and offcpjr.p.ua. Pa: iili Cteir- ehesjas Chur- 6% Pdrifh' Churches, as Churches j^A ntichriftian. LibJJ When Pariflv Churches be- gan in Eng- land, Ob'y Many Saints in our Parifh. Anfm Oh]. Our Mt- hifter godly. An[w Anfa. England, Honorific Csnterburienjis was the firft that I finde, pragmatical! to promote this confufed^thh corrupt, and Chrift- crucifying, Ch rift- (lighting, andChrift.deftroyingChurch- (tate: who detire to be mrtre fatisiied herein, may be pleafed to pern fe either Selden d& Decimis, or Folydor. Virgil, lib. $.c. 9. orelfe MuHeo^rj Polity, or Mr, Jacobs Arteftation, or ho- nz&-PauLB*inesD\oceian Triall, orelfeM^ Burtens Vindi* cati&nof the Independant Churches y and they may receive it in full* and write it in folio. But a burning (hame it is, fo much, of the Whores fere-head fhould be frill in fome men, as to maintaine them to be Churches (and to call them fuch ) and Saint them to boot) but blelTed be the Lord, that Cfarirls Church of his owne inftitueion can be built up amongft us here in Ireland, and that the Honourable Commifsioners of Par- liament arecarefull tokecpupChriffo, and to keep downe Antichrifis Inftitution?. Objeft. Btt'fhy fome,e/4 11 are not juch in our Parifh as you fpea\e of, vi&.fcandalofts ferfons, but we have many preci&us Chri- ftianSi and Saints. Anf. 1. Are there any Scandalous, and not Members of your Pariffj-Churchl Do not your Minifler give the Sacra- ment, and both Seales to all? without putcing difference between the holy and prophane 1 this is contrary to Cbrifrs rules and order , and molr dangerm and deteftable. Obj. But eut Minifter is an boneft man, and does nctfo^ but puts a difference ? Anf. 2. Why does he not then call them that are godly out of that condition and Church ihte, which he feemes to feparate them from, in making the difference, which till then is but mocking God, and Chriit, 8cc. 2 He gives fas fome do) the Lvrds Supper as a right Or- dinance, but in a wrong order; but to anfwer, 2 Yet ye are not therefore a Church of Chrifts own order] becaufe yee have fome, many, though they mould bee moll, (which is fcarce in any Parifli ) precioui to God ( which (hould confift of noneelfe) for a little leven levens the whole lumpi fo doth not a little (weet meale fwetten the whole of our lump) and what tafte hath a little fpoonfull of honey Chap. 5 Tarijh Churches no Churches of Chriji. *3 honey ina vefiell of vinegar?,) Nay were there as much honey as vinegar, yet the worjt would taftemj/r. Here I know , they would faine bring it* the former objc&ions, which are fruuIeiTe,and fruftrate. In the beft Churches have been as bad men, as \nCo- rintb^&c. This before in page^.&c.but they were not known fuch, when they were taken in , nor were they tolerated when fo knowne, for they muft all be true Profeffoursy and not pro- phane ones, or fuch as have cut a Covenant vgitbbeG and deaths the ®srd ftgnifietb inlfa.28 i>. which istaken from a Simile of fuch as were wont of old to cut afunder the beajts tbey facrificcd : So doe Hypocrites and propbane ones their beam, for they divide their hearts into two J*«4w and fo facrifice them in part to the fervice of finne , Satan , and their owne tufts, Gen 15.17. Jer.34.18. Thefe have cut a. Covenant with bell and deatby though fometimes they feem toewfa fart for Gad, and to allow him, a (fmallj portion of their heart?. Moft of our Parifi are great Puritans , and old Pro* fejfours. Yet it is not enough fo to be, which was proved page 62. and which appears, 2 Tim.^* although it is enough foto 6ee,for Parifb-conftitutions and National Churches , yet not for G a jpel- ordered Congregathnall-Churcbes * For although a mud- 8?dtfmaybe made up of any thing , feeing it con lifts of all kindes of ftuffe and trajb , though ere Co mixed and bafe ; yet Patlaces muft be built up with better materials , and fo muft the true Churches of Chrift, which are his Pal- laces* But thefe come all to heare Gods word , they keep hi* Sabbatbs , and have Chrifts Ordinances difpenced aincngft them.&c. ^ What of all that ? Chrifts Ordinances were arnongftthe ^ewer, and they heard drift, and his Difciples gladly; andfo 1 Cor. 1 4.23 ,14. Heathens , and unbeleeversy heart the word ; Herod heard John gladly , and now in New- England, the Indians doe diligently Uan the -word , , but alas ! alas ! it is Sim* Ob}e£t. Anfw. Expof. nna- Sim. Oh\i&. Anfw.- Sim. Churche? a^ Chritts Paliacesr.ufl be madecf tbe Left mireriata Objttl. Aafa. Hearing of rhc word without the Church. H zA call out of Partfh Churches, Lib. I. Vfei. Depart yec out of Babylo- nian bondage, 2 ncl Parochial! captivity. A vindication of the Chur- ches. ; Sim- Sim, Hypocrites in them, thit are not of them. Sim* Sim. Hypocrres hinder the Churches growth. We m'D'Mtt had this by wofull expe- rience. is livingihe Wird , and doing the Wordy is rcquiiite in every member of Cbrifls-Cburcb. But let us lay afide thtfe, and all other objecYions5and zWParifh- Churches too,and put on apace for $ion3\et us faee about, and bid faire for Cbftrcb-communion according to Chrifts owne Vifcipline and Dzftrine; for che which none are fit matter , and allowable, but living Saints (Join abearance as to us) and whom wee have no cleare cmfe other wife to judge of; which brings me to the fecond Vfe. Depart yec , Depart yeefdiiih the L0rd3Efa.52.11.for as Mr. Hooker concludes rin his Survey, lib.i»chap. 2.) Parifh PrecirMs give not a man right, nor make himfit mater for the true Church of Cbrifth but this we (hall preffe by man foer able argu- ment afcerwards : in the interim, this doth very much vindi- cate tibt Churches that are Cisrifts for waiter from the wide mouthed malice of wicked- mm^hed men, though Hypocrites perhaps have crept in : for as the Giant in Gatb, 2 Sam. 2 1.20. was a true man,though deformed with fuperfluous fingers and toes : And as Naaman was a true man , though a Leaper ; fo may the Church be a true Church that hath fuch as do deforme her in her, and fuch may bee in her that are not of her ; but an Hypocrite is like a wen in the body , which feemeth to be- long to the whole^ but indeed doth take away the credit , and fleale away (as a ibiefi) the comfort of the whole, though it bee skinned over with the fame cuiftdeywh\ch the true members of the body have : So I fay, Hypocrites, who pretend and appear outwardly, one with the Church as fubmiflive , reverent, and wor(bippers of GDdasany, but within they are corrupt, hard, and fwelling againft the truth and Gjfpel ; thefe doe more hurt then goodydil though as the Ivie about the Tree, which feem- eth to imbrace it with much affection , whilft (indeed) it takes away and (leaks from it, and doth butftarveit, and hinders its growth , fo they doe feem to cling clofe to the Church zslf they were of it, when indeed they are not, and doe wrong and rob from the Church , and are the greattft hindrances of the Churches growth that can bee: Wee in Dublin have had this experience at a deare rate , by reafon of fome painted Pifiurce, who crept in , and indeed, mlfe-lik? (as Chap. 5 Hypocrifif crowds in. 65 3*». Some like wolves looked upwardjwken they howled for Iambs to be their prey- Sim. They have re> trograde mo- tions. Sim. (as it is well knownej who looked towards heaven, and how- led,but it was to eat tbeflefb of others, and to make the brethren their prey , which fome of u? felt foiely , and found them Kite-likf flying aloft, but yet looking low > and keeping their eye on fome of the innocent ones for their prey,wI;erefore let thzCburcbes be wary in their admiffion of member s for many times the emptieft vt fells make the greateft noife, and (bund moft^and readieft,but it is becaufe theyare hollow hypocrites, & have their retrograde motions. And fo we may fay we found them zt Dublin, likethofe wandritg {fart, which (though they be carried about with the relt in the orbe , and fo muli be moved the fame way wit'i the reft , yet they) have their filent and fecret motions whilft they creep back another con- trary way , which is indeed their owne proper motion : And to warne the Churches they mu3 know it, that we have found them that had fuch motions, and clandeftinc counfels and ccurfes , untill their fecret contriving; and conventiclings appeared openly , and broke out into an open inundation of mifebiefes, malice and menacings, againft the Church to de- itroy her, and then like the Fecedula ( that Pliny fpeakes ef) they faced about, and fell off of afudden, and changed their colour % forme, vifage, and (org, and all at once as ap- pearesinthe fecond Br\e , Cbap.^. I remember the KiMe, which was propounded to Atben^m ; Howaman,and no man 5 with a Clone, and no ftone, could kill a Bird, and no Bird, upon a Tree, and no Tree: Herefolved it thus, That the man was an Eunuch , the (tone a Pumice , the Bird a Bat, and the 77ee Fenneli But fuch as wee are (peaking of, and hive met with, doe make a refolve to this Riddle, viz. feeming Saints, but yet no Saints, onely Eunucb-Cbrifriarsdit the beft, h iving a zeale, but not true z?ale, being Pumice-like, hollow, empty, rough, and rafh , and not according to true knowledge, their Profejjion being but a Bat-like profefsing , mixed with carnality, and forbidden uncleanneffe \ and like Bats, Reitherl 3 Bats. Caution ro the Churches have from our we>- i full experience; Siml A Riddle. Sim. The Riddle opened in, and by hypociites. I Eunuchs. • 1 pumice Ji* , bitds nor beatts , but participant of both : Their faith and confeience being but aflrato-like faith , and FeHtfeMi^e con- science, (oone falling, and failing, andasdeceitfull as a broken reed* But it may be like Vyars with Logsowdi they K may 4 fennels 66 Hypocrifie is hurtful to the Churches. Lib.- I Sim. They hid need to fee on a good colour. Sim* Andtoftudy trick* to keep their credit. Sim* like a faire white houfe, within a houfe ef office. Sim. Sim* A heavy a&i on againft them at the laft day. Wrka#**tf Jkinc they be- trayed us, and gave us tip to thecroffe. Our experi- ence (the mi- fireffeof Cools) is to leach other Churches* may fet fair gloflfes,and varnifking appearanceSjpretences^and re^rfrupon their bidden change > andfubtle colours (toft) but if they doe, they cannot hold : For when a (bower comes , their gloffe will be gone ? and they {hall ftand for a Sea-mark^ to all Sam\sy and Cburcber, like an Adverb (quaft) With the Verb cave to pjfterity 5 though as yet like de- cayed Merchants they muft (and doe J ftudjf fr/cj^j to keep up their credit of being honefl and rtc& , wealthy and wife ; and the m%re they der*y,the more fhew they will make of fuffici- ency and of all wetf on their fide. I amforrj to fay this , the Lord knows, but that I fee them fof whom I fpeake) in frofefsion like white- cbaf p/e,but in pojfejfion as / consulted againft them > end fought out by falfe Wtneffes to ruine them > fee kere f are not thefe thy Sons garments I thy Childr ens coat* yea, even Ch rifts feamleffe coatthat they have defiled* rent, and torne , and wronged? Thefe kindcof Pr§fe fours like Simon of Cyrene feemed for a time to carry the Croffe with us , but it proved to be for us ' And (indeed) when it was fet up5they were not Myiedtoit, but they nayled wttnto it, and (I am fure) I may fayCbrift (in his Cburckytnd in their ferfecuting of the Saints) unto it* But I muft [pare them , though they [pare none that are not of thtfmetimfer with them; yet this Is to Garnet he Churches of fuch, yea and to vindicate the Gburches from multibus in«0 Chap, y . The Churches »an/d of Hypocrites. men and diindes , whofc moutbes are open at fuch advanta- gef> and on fuch occaiions; for 1 Joh*2.lQ* They were not of us, and indeed , fuch Cyphers are of good u(e to us when they are in, for they make the true figures of more value and va- lidity. But to proceed* wee fee then who are mo& fustible matter > and how much it concernes the Cbuicbes to be ferious in their accepting and receiving members 5 for as it is Acls 2.47. The Lord added daily to tie Churcb fucb as (bould be favtd 5 and onely fuch ate allowable matter and law fuH members whom the Lord adds, that is to fay (by way of Ordinance) «p«eelfe, but fuch as (wecarepertwadedj (ball be favedy and whom the Lord hath received, Rom. 14.5. to whom the Lord hath given faving grace , and found faith , and alfo unearned beans t» give themf elves up to God in Gofpel-fellcwjhip that are to bee received (o( right.') Such as are in a vifibie ft ate of Salvation are to bee received into Gh rifts vhible Church? But Secondly , Hypocrites hold off I here is no room for your company ! for as by the Law Swans are forbidden, who have white feathers* but blacky flefb ; fo are you by the Gofrel, who feem to bee what you are not ; The beautiful/eft feathers have not altvayes under them the fweetefi flefb , nor the finefi out* fides the/ 'aire fi in. The Devillh blacky , but he can appeare the white Angel , or Angel of light : So can hypocrites , they are alfo forbidden in Levir.tr, where the Bats and Sea- hlewes are to bee accounted uncle ane , becaufe they are Mon- grels, and fo are yee : Haw dare ye then to enter into fuch a temple as the Communion of Saints is ? feeing none but up- right foules,fingle-bearts, fmctre Saints, and unfained Projtfors, are (of right) to be received. Tnc Oa\e that is rotten at the heart,wiil never bs good for the building , wherefore fiand by t fiandby I or you (hall be thrown by ! (an till you are better and fitter for the builders ufe.)Theftonei that are for the build- ing muft be picked out by Chrift , the builders hand, although (perhaps) at prefent , they arc in the heaps abroad , which are in preparation to the buildings Builders life to have, in one place heaps of Lime, in another place heaps of fione^ in ano- K 2 the* 67 Hypocrites mart be, that the found may be ma*ifefted» True matter muft be of the Lords ownc adding, and ordering} Hence in Ad; this manner of being made a ) difeip/e , Is ex- prefled by the word •a'pojsri- 3*V7B added to5 or ^ incorpora- ted. Hypocrites hold off. Sim. For they are forbidden ia Law and Go- fpel. Sim. Fit matter are found and fmcere. Sim. The hsufe Is in the builders hands. 68 A tvord^ and a warning to hypocrites. Lib. I. As yet in heaps in moft places. Butmuftbce a fair fliuctu.e. They without gather up.ihe chps. The matter before fitted, muft be tryed by faw and liammer. ffypocrites will fall from the building erelong, £s Dmm. JUx, T heir hypo - crifie willfoon appear to all. Sim. To the fcandal efifee Gofpei. Sim. Church- members mif- canijgfsare xr.iRd.d by all; and in every ^otr.h ther rubbifb, rude (at prefent) and undigefted materials , and a tumultuary noifeoi hammers and axes abroad, which are very bujie to fet up the fallen tabernacles of David ; but ere long every thing fhall bee fet in order, and a beautifull ftrxtfure hid, vr\nl& others ( without) {hall gather up the Cfa'pj, which we leave behinde us to warm them with put for this more in the next Chapter^ yet in thig^I muft tell you that the fronts which are appointed for this ^Urious Fabricke muft (rlrft) paffe under the faw and hammer} For it is dangerous to put in a rotten, unfound (lone , which will quickly fall cut, and make way tor many others to follow, enfeebling thereby the whole Edifice , as in i'Joh.2.\9,io.Tbey went out from us-9 but they were not of us , for if they had been of us , they would (no doubt J have continued with us t but they went out, that it might be manifefi they were not of us, i.e. «f, What us? why us that have untlion^ and zrefmcere reall Saints ; for yee have the unclionfrom the holy One^u- they were h)focwes,And there- fore fell away ^ as Demos dxd^zTim. 4.10. who was but a little before Pauls fellow-labourer ^ Phil.i. 19. as well as Marcus and j4riftarchus>but he did difcover himfelf after,and fo did Judas, though a long time hee was well thought off amongft his brethren and felfow-dikiples, infomuch as he was made the Deacon : So no doubt (Sirs) but your hyfocrifte will bee as foon df/coT/fmfifyeedareto enter with unfound, unfettled, and unlincerc hearts, as others have been ; for the weeds in the Gardens are fooner difcovered , and rooted out againe then they are in the fields or common high waye?; but con- fiderthen,0 whata fcandaM you will bring upon the Gofpei! ( at they did at Dublin ) when your mclydnejfe wil appear to all the world 1 O what reproaches to Religion ! difhonours to Chrifi ! difcr edit to the Co pel ! and Samplings upon the the truth ImU be laid in your di(h at the U(l day 1 yee being the caufe of it 1 For as it is with the Sunne, and Siarres, if a thoufandjrarres be eelipfed, none takes notice oi it , nor mindes it; but for the Sunns to be eclipfed it is fad^and fo accounted, then every one talkes of it and looks at it:and foit is when Church-members do the- deeds ofdarkries that (of al men)ftiouId be lights. to others (as Cj>r//r'fayes in MatthW}-) a little ah* Chap. 6 Tbe Hoi) muft enter the beauties ofHolweJJe. aberration nukes every one to minde them3and mark them, and report of them abroad, when many a tboufand of others (witbout) or of wicked ones may be guilty of the like, and not bee looked upon , (as Par. fay es on Rom.i I.) It is not a formal! Religion, an old Pnfeffion ,. or a high' conception, that either felicitates or facilitates your admijsion , but you mutt have trull) in the inward parts , and have grace in your hearts, (or yee may have it in your beads , and yet prove but anew Ranter, or an old F.rtteftant at the moft 5 None but the (indeed) holy matt enter into thefe beauties ofkolinetfe, the more holy we are, the more like our Head 3 and the fitter for Cburch-member SyWiihout which we frail not fee tbe Lar^but wee (hall (rather) pollute tbe Sanctuary of tbe Lord. Thus much for the matter, and 1 he fifth Chapter. tfttttttfffttttffttf HTO Tillegejh. u^N CHAP. VI. This Gof pel- Garden , of Church-ftate of (drift's In- ftituaon, and Order, is further defined from- the (fecond effentzafl ) Formal caufe , which is Firft , a vifible Segregation 5 and Secondly , Aggregation, To the Rr{k)FirftJn this Chapter wherein it appears how all Saints are0 and ought to iefepzrates. THis Kingdome of Cbriflis not of the world, though in tbe world f for the Saints embodied by Golpel-ruks in unity ( which makes the Forme of a true Church of Cbrift^ muft of neceility be firft called out, before called in 5 out of the world before into the Kingdome of Chrift, out of Babjkn before into Shn \ for it is an infallible rule, that a K 3 %'iftbk 69 New Ranters nought. Old Prote- ftants not enough. Butafpiring growing Saints arefurabie matter. Gem cu* for* ma cwjiitmt (pecicm. 7© _ ■- - The fo'tne hath two parts. i. Separation 2. Conjuncti- on; vide Mr. Owens Elhcoil, onuses to the Reader. 2 Chron. chi. ch. *. Jiffl. The ficft p^rt of the formers their fepuati- on from them without doors* viz. the multi- tudes and heaps abroad. i Proved by Prophefies that Saints niuft be Sepa- rates. Nipha!. Andfitloofc to bonds and bondages without. Precious fepa- rate from the vile, cleanc from the un- cleane. Exfo[* Saints feparatmg from others. Lib. !• vifible feparatim from the world, and all falfc wayes, wor- (hips, &c. and a viiible app'ication to Chrift Jefus, his wayes, wor(hips3 &c. is of abfolute needfity in Cburcb*union, and communion, wherein coniiib the full efonce of che forme thereof. Wherefore to keep (till to the comparifon, this Gofpel-fellow/hip is fitly called the Lords tempi*, i Cor. 6. i& I Cor 5. 17 .made up ef Irving fanes , 1 Pit. 2,5. & Spiritual! Temple, confirming of particular Saints, taken out of the multitudes without, here one, and there one, and united together into one body; and like as theftones and materials for Salmon's Temple, were picked out of the heaps, that lay abroad here and there, to make up one building, Co are the Saints into one Wj. Now the firft part of the forme to beconiidered is, viz* the calling, and culling out of the world, and from the heaps without thofe Saints which are feleft iJMtmlers of Cbrifls-Cburcb , according to the order of the Goftel, which we (hall prove alfo from Prophecie, pre- cept, and pracYrfe. Firft,ltis fore* told th at fuch a reparation muft be,for even a Balaam was brought ( agiinft his will ) to fore-fee from the top of the rocks, and from the height of the hills, that ICtad (fmld be a people dwelling alone (feparated from, and) not reckoned among tbe Nations, wkhout,Numb.23.9.So in 7/4.52 1 i.Awa\e, awake, put on tby firengtb 0 Zion ! put on tby beautiful! garments 0 My City ! (fjake tby felfs from tbe duft ! arife, and fit down 0 Jerufalem I loofe tby fdfe from tbe bonds of tby nccj^, 0 cap- tive daughter ofZion.So in ver.i I. Depart yeejepartyee,£oyeeout from tbence,touchyee no mcleane tbing%gceyee out of the midfiofber, &c* So Ifa. 6*2. 1 o. G$e throw, goe tborow tbe Gates, prepare tbe way, caflup, caft up tbe bigb-uay, and gather tut tbe ftones, &c. So is the precious to be taken from the vile, in Jer. 15. IjMnd the cleane from tbe mcleane, tbe holy from tbe propbane, Ezek. 22. z6. See Exod.S 5. 1©*, 17. For wherein (baS it be known, that I and tby people have grace in tby fight? Is it not in that thou goeft with us? fo (ball we be feparated, 1 and tby people from all people $ and in the latter dayes efpecially , the Lord ptomifes to make up his precious jewels,lA*L 5.17,18. and to gather them up together, not only from the oirojfe, and out of the vile rubbifby Chap, 6. Thefirft part of the form&U caufe. 71 rubbifb, but aifo into one bundle by themfelves ; and tbm ( fayea he ) fhallyeedifcavtr, (and fee an apparent and an undeni- able difference ) or difcerne between the righteous and the wicked, bim that few etb God, andbim that fervetbbim not. Fur- thermore, in Hofea 4. 15. Though Ifrael play the Harlot, yet let not Judab offend ; come not yee to Gitgal, nor goeyee uf to Beth-a- vsn. Soinver. 17. Epbraim is iojned to Idols', let him aim* , their drin\U fowre,&c. This kinde of with-drawing, and gathering from, is aifo mentioned in many other eminent Prophefies , as in £«ej^. 28. 24, 25, 26, There fbaS be no more a pricing brier to Ifrael, nor a grieving tborne of all that are round about them, that defpifed tbm ; but whenfball this be ? fee the next verfe 2 e, ) When I have gathered Ifrael out from the people among whom they are ( yet ) fcattered, and (hall be fan&ified in them ( in their Churches and Societies ) in the fight of the Heathen ( In the light of all them without^ called Heathens often, whiHt the Saints under the Gofpel are called, ( andfo in thefe Pro- prieties ) by the name of Ifrael, Jacob, Zion, Jerufalem, Sec.) So Ez^ 34, the whole chapter, and in verf. 12, 13. I will fee\out my fioc\, 1 will deliver my jbeey out of aB places, Vrbere they have been fcattered in the dark^and cloudy day, IwiU bring them out from the ( other ) peoples, and gather them out from the Coun- tries, and will feed them on the mountaines 0/Hrael by the rivers, verfe id, esfnd I will feek them that were loft, and I wiS judge be- tween catteSand cattell, verfe 17. and as for my flockc, verfe ip. Tbey eate that which is trodden with your feet, and they drinke that which if fouled with your feet, I, even I will judge, verf. 20. be tweenthefat cattell and tbeleane : And t hey, verf. 28. (hallno more be a prey to the Heathen, neither /ball the beafls of the Land devour ■ them, but they (ba& dwell [afely, and none (ball makf them afraid, \ neither (ball tbey bear e the fbame of the Heathen any mere, verf. 29. So In Ezek< 36. 24. For I will takf jon from among the Heathen} j and gather you out of all Countries, and will br i*£yoaii toy cur owne\ Land: then wit? I [princkje cleane water upon you from alt your filtbi- neffe, and from altyour Idols will I cleanje you. A\(o,Ez^ 37.2 J. Brhold, I will takf the children of Ifrael from among the Heathen, and will gather tbm on every fide, and bring them out into their 9wneLand3vetk27. My Tabernacle aifo Jhall be with tbcm> yea, 1 Good from chc bad. As Ifrael was gathered out from ethers, as a people by themfelves, Co are the Saints now to be. Delivered ind brought cut C by the Spirit of the Lord) God will judge for our former in/uries. And he wil fave us for fm tare. And feparate us from them without. And gather us into oyr owijc Land of Ca- naan, .7* And then be our God> and we h's people. Andhis San- ftiury lhaU then be in the midfl of us. The Lord {hall reigne over them efpecially that are thus gathered out. Proofes and Prophefies of Saints Segregation, Lib.I, Proycd by po- fitive prcc-pts that Saints ftiuft be fepa- rates. Wifdome calls for it. £xpof. Required in the Leviticall Law. Expof. Separate faith theiord. And then I wil be a father, to you Expof. I will be their God, and they [kill be my people. And verfe 22* The Heathen (ball kpow that I the Lord doe fanclifie Ifrael, when my SancluaryfbaH be in the middejt of them for evenHore ; but be- fore the Lor ds Tabernacle (a Type of Gofpel-order, and Church-ftate.) and hit San8uary.be fet up, in the midfkoftbem, they are firft, a people called out, and feparate from them ivithouc, who are called Heathens abroad, as other Nations were in oppolitlon to the Jewes ; fo is that in Micha 4. 6*, 7. In that day Q faith the Lord) I will affemble her that halt- eth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have af flitted. And the Lord [ball r eigne, over them in Mount Zion, from hence-fortb and for ever, over them that are thus gathered out* Hepce alio is that in Revel. i8.4« Come out of her my people, that yee be not partakers of her finne, and tbatyee receive not of her plagues, &c. By ail thefe Propheticall Scriptures ('and by many more ) this truth triumphs, and hath apparent tefti- mony for it, viz. That the Saints are a felecl: number of Se» parates from the world, and from all falfe wayes, worftrips* Doctrines, and Discipline whatsoever. Secondly, Let us fee what Frecept there is for it ; in the firft place, he who is the wifdme of bis Father, would have us to feparate from the company of f coles,- in Prov. 14. 7. Prov. 9. 6. Prov, 4. 14. And in Epbef. $. 1 1 . XvyxfisvAvein Have no fellow- /&//>( no commerce together, nor concurrent communica- tion, or complyancc to trade with ) with the fruitlejfe worses of darkjiejfe i and in the Leviticall Law, Levit. 20. 25*26. a feparathn is required. So in 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. for what (Kwwia ) fellowship, or communion, or what ( 'SvpTwioV ) (weet content, or harmony, can U^bt have with darknefe, or beleevers with unbeleevers ? Saints tyi\b Sinners ? or Gods Tern' pie ( whom yee are ) with Idols ? wherefore come out from the midfl of tbem( ** imc* «Wp) that arefuch, and be yee fepa- rate faith the Lord (a>pf^T|) i. e. feparate apart from them, as fuch who are excellent,, and eleel organs (unto the Lord) and tcuch no uncleane thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and yee fall be my Sonnes, and my Daughters, faith the Lord Almighty. So 2T/W.3.5. fuch as have the forme { though large Trofejfors} aged, and of long ftand- Chap. 6, Saints are to be Separates, proved* 73 (landing) yet den) in^tbe power, {rem fitch turnedtoay, aWpw, or Turnt off, draw off, not onely to (bun them that we may not {hew them , or bee like thtm , but alfo Co as to labour will) tbem , and to win tbeminto the found and good old way of Chrift , which is of longefi {landing ( for truth is o/Jer then error*) So in /4#j 2.39,43. is there the like cal/, with thepro- mife annexed, which is to as many as the Lord /hall call ( the word Tf^<^^7ai fignifief both advocare^avscare, and evocare, to call out, and feparate from) (o that in verfe 40 it follows, with many other words did be tefiifie and exhort, faying, Saveyour [elves from (/.e .2»3*783 doe yee fet your felves free from3 get a- way, and forfake, or: feparate from) this untoward generation, or this generation of frowarheffe ( *? V ) from their abominable aberrations, carnall cuftome?, depraved man- ners, and from the cwkedneffe of thisgwer^f/ow of perverfe people^which you are yet amongft. Make bafle out, to fave and feparate your felvts from them. Now wee finde it follows , thofe thai believed, didfo, and were a people feparate from she reft, Aft. 1 9.9. by entring into fel- hwfbip with the Saints- Verfe 41,43. and verfe 47. ic ap- peares without the leaft exception 5 For tbey that were tbw called out from tbem ( without ) continued (te'dfaftly in the fellow- fbip,Qand then were called theChurch)in breaking of bread from bcufe to boufe,pray/in£ Gsd, and having favour with at the people, that is , with them without ; that they did feparate from , fo fweet, fo good, andGofpel-like was their converfations, that they without could not condemnthem,but commend them at leaft, if not be convinced by them, as 1 Pct.2,1 2. and i Pet. 3,1. jfcfdt.5. 1 6-But for further proof that Saints are to bee fuch Separates , fee Rom* 1.6,7. 1 CuM.2.9. where they are called, Khtrru ^ iMM-m from whence ecclefia comes) fuch are called out, and feparate from the world, and falfe waye?. So f&*>fof7s w wwmhets,Apoftles. sand all Saints En Prinaicive times. zferemy fepara- ted. Calvin in loc. %tr&tl a ftpi- jrate p€op|,e. So every Siint is a /pi- stil all Jew. So are tfce Dif- ciples of Chriit. *>/W, Who are therefore ba- aed. focieties in Chri^ s and his Apoftles dayes, and many yeare* afters It appears the Saints were Jt^rdfex((iich as I [peaty ©/) wherefore w^e know no c^/e either that we mould complaine again ft it , ot qua ft tin it 3 Jeremy {'although a JVa- pjbft) yet hefefarates from Jerufahm , }ert 37. i 2. Then Jc- r^wv wnr firfiE> oaf &/ Jerufelem to goe unto the land of Ben)&min, to feparate bimfdfe from than in \bt middefl of the people, fortbey would not obey the w&rd of the Lord, and therefore the Lords wrath was now ready to be revealed againft them , and Je- remy would withdraw (feeing them fo refradery^trom them in their fight • fo faies he in Jer.o.2. Oh! 0 that lhad in the wildernejfe a lodging pUce of wayfaring men ! that 2 might leave my people, and g*e from them ! for they be all Adulterers, an ajfm* bty of treacherous men ! Put befides, we know the J&wes that were the people of God, in a peculiar manner, were firft called out of Egypt,znd fo were feparate from other Nations, and fo looked upon a? a. people by themfehes in Exod. ip.5. Deut; 7. 6. So is it faid3 1 frael (ball dwell alone , in Dcut.53 28,29. and not be fuffered to be mixed among them without, as in Num. 33.53. to the end. So Exod. 24. 12.15. &c. and k was a judgement that Jerufalem fhould be mixed, Jer.9.1 1. Now every Saint is a fpiritual Jew 1 as appeares in Zach.8.2£. Rom. 2.2$* or one inwardly, and Saints are his peculiar people, and cbofenones, I Per»2.p. the true children of Abraham, G&lol-j. called out of Egypt the houfe of flavery into Zim, as dwelling alone from them that are wiihotti; Thus in Joh. 1 5* 19. lee are not of the world) but I have cbojen you out of the world, therefore the world batetb you. As foon as the people of Ifrael palled out of Egypt , the Egyptians purfucd them, upon hot fpur5with Armies and hoafts of threamings and injuries % even fo deals the world with the Saints called cut and jeparate from them, therefore no wonder wee murt lcarneto fake up the crcfe^and follow to,before we can heCbriftf difciples -,(or Chrift called them firft out of the world, before he called them into the Church : And in the Afts of the Apoftles,A&. 19.7,8,9 .&c. And in alkhe Epiftles of the Apoftles to the Churches , the Sums are falu ted as Separates, or called out. Now \s there not a caufe i 1 Fop Chap . 6. %eafon$ to confirm* Stints feparation. 1 Foe hath not the Lord laid it as a command upon Chri- fthnsfotodoe ? how then dare we ddlghc in a condition which he countermands ? betide*, Dear Sirs I what comfort can you have in Babjhrisfireeu ? 2 If you are guilty of her finnes , yee are guilty of her [en ice, if that be true in Rev. 18.4. co partake of her courfe fence • ►""j ■■ -* '- — -t — r — / is the way to partake of her curfes : So not to feparate from any finfull unwarranted wayes of worjhip, or the like, is but to run the hazard of her ruine% and neither to feeke pre- servation from her wickednefTe, nor protection from her woes, 3 Befides tohav^yet fuch fellowfhip withf^/jfociety, orconverfe with unfavoury, carnal], or disorderly perfons publifhes a loud and lamentable fpirit of difobedience , and 75 Keafen I. drifts com* mands. z Thofethat partake of her fins, partake of her forrows. ? It pnblifiie* difob'dierxe not to befach> and a con tipt heart, plcnx f&ucibus. u»/t^'.\^ *n *i 10 v»m»iViHt( ? anu uuiii uwigui. 111 1111. ym nj w» them who walks amongft ihe beft mettalsjn the midAefl of tie [even golden Candle flicks with thefevenftars in bti band,r\ev.2.\ . the Saints feparated are the golden Candlefikks Chrifl; walkes fo fwettly among, or in the rnidft of. " How far reaches this Separation which you fpeake of ? Firft, Negative. Not from oar duties in our Callings^ which none what ever ought to be without,or to neglcd our worke, 1 The f +.11. 2 Tbefa. 10,11. (which fomeflothfull lUnters would have. J 2 Nor yet from the duties of ourRe/4/wz.f, whether as Huf- band or Wife^ob.%. 22.25. l Cor7 i3-P*r^/and Children, Eph.di.4. Co?.}. 20,21, Maflers and (ervants, Eph. 6.5.5.9. Co!. 3.22. Col. 4.1. or fafrr.c and $«*jeffj9 Rom.12. 1,2,3. Tir.2.9.3.i#Batto ownethem in their respective relations for the Lords fake. 3 Nor yet fo to feparate from them without > as not to have civill convcrfe with them, 1 Cor. 5.10. inbuying, and /e0mg,orfuch neceffary trading ; much Iefle fo as not to /we ffow,and lay out to doe them good, and to feek their foules welfare, 1 Tim.2.1. GaU.io. tobeatpeace with them,Rom. 12. 18. Heb. 12. 14. and fious before them, lPee.2.12. L a xPet. &L*f. Anfa. 1 None ought to be without Callings. i None muft feparate from their duties. I tfor to fe- parate from ci- vil! convey 76 Sai/jts rnuft be Separates^ and how. Lib. I i Pet. 3. 1. Now in none of iheCe fences are the Saints cal- led Separates, although they f without^ may be feparates from the Saints (thus feparating) in their affettions; But Secondly, Affirmatively , 1 To feparate from all finfull wayes and worfiip,$tc. fo as not to walke in tbtm, or with them, after the manner of tbem that are without Cbrifls- Church, Eph. 4.17. X ThefT. 1.9. Rom. 12. 2. Ho£ 14.8. Ifa.30. 21, 22. &c. 2 Cor. 6.16,17. 2 Cor. 5. 1 6* Gal*2.l4. Eph* 2.2. &ca 2 It is,not to bee too familiar, pleafant, and delightfuil with any that are at enmity and variance with the truth. A man may pafle through JEtbiofia unchanged,but he cannot dwel there but be difcodoured; fo there may be civil commerce (as we faid before)with the wicked,and yet Saints keep their in- tegrity,but thh cannot be3 if we have too much familiarity withthem(faiesHJ.)Men arenas the Aftronomers fay of the liar y*/erc&ry3good,or malignant,according to their conjunction with othersjwherefore asUfrlofss feparated/jW/ from Corab> fayinga Num,l6-i6. Depart frem the tents &f tbofe wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, (o mud we feparate from them than doeoppofeCJbri/if/fPij)', or upbraid the Saints, andfoas to difcovcrthemfelves/^/etfed to Cbrifis Ktngdome , ovjurif- dittion, and be fo far from- familiarizing with them,that wee mull bring them hither, faies Luke 1 9.27. and abhorre them, PfaI.2d.5.Pial.llp.i 15. For this is the Lords Law,to bee at a dHtance from evil! doers ; fo fayes David, Pfel.i 39,2 1,22. foEph. 5 3,4.13. 1 Cor.5.12. Matth, 2449. 50. Gods an- ger is againS them that doe but company with drunkards, Sec. for they are & foams to their father Prov.28 7. and tbemfdves Prov.29.3. A very Plutarch could kugh at fuch as would have been counted as wife as PUto^nd yet in Alexanders company bedrunke; and indeed Nebucbadmzars judgement is fome mens joy, viz. to have fsllowfhip with beafts -, But wee muft beware ; for who can deep with degs and not bee full of fleas, and fo with finners in continuail cemmumon^nd not be full of finne., 3 It is to mid the vice s of their be A Orders 3 and OrdU Anfw. 2. What ir is to feparate. 1 From- all falfe wayes and worfhip. a FrQm fami- liarity with the adverfaries «f the truth. Sim. Sim. Sim* Have nothing to doe with shem. Gods anger is agiinft fuch as do kf ep com- pany with $hem. Sim* Sim. Chap,6. Stritl feparatton fart of true Cbmch forme. 77 nances, and to have no fellowship therein, although they feem full of reafon and Religion too, Col.2.20,2 1, Thus Rev. 18.4 Gdl.49. Away^away^with them now I that are but poore (w7&%b) beggerly at beft , and no more able to fupport a foule then one Begger is to relieve another ; thus, faith ?4K/,Ga1«x.!4* who was fo hot? fo high for thejew«ifc- Ulkn as I> (fayeshe)who traded Co zealcuflj m, and for our Fathers traditions/ untill---what ? ami// verfc 15.16. Cferi/r kw revealed in me (and fo unvailed to me) and then Icenfulted m longer, that is (^fo^ctT/^g^<) I asked no more counf ell of, nor com/or* from thefe frothy, fruitleffe things, tf/;eree/ w* are now afbamed*) with j!e(b and blood', but Ibid farewell (or fare- ill rather) to all thole Trumperies and Traditions which I cfofed ; on before; and thus the Saints are the precifeft Sspa- ratifks. By all which , as it plainly appeares , that Parishes want this part of Church- forms for the conftituting of themfrae Churches, io alfo might I by what appears, prefTe the prafti- call part of this point, from the pregnancy of the procfes pro- duced, being twifi/d together from the Ptaphefies , Precepts, zndprattife, into a threefold cord,not to be broken , but (if the Lord will bleffeyox) of ability to bring you into Chrifls way of feparatton from Parijbesand Traditions', For you that will not feparau from fuch falfe wayes, worjbips, and the world, muftbee feparates from Chrift, fayes Mr. Owen (my honoured friend,) in his Ejb-Cel, or Clufter. But mee thinkes fome wUi fay> Sirlas you alwaies have been in all things(fo in this) you are too Ariel and precife,for fuch Separates are Schifmatick*, and fo many learned Minifters call them that leave off] their comming to Church , and following our Minitlers, Sec. I Such Separates (as I have here given you- an account; of ) are not Scbifmaticks,\inleffe to Antichrist ; but on the contrary, fuch as doe not thus feparale are Schifmatic\s to their ownejfoule?. A caufelefle reparation from a true e(h- blifhed Church of Chrift, walking according to Golpel- udsr (although it may be guilty of fome Height errourV in L j Extra- $ No fellow- ship with them in their orders and or- dinances out of Chrifls way Expof. As Paul fe- parated from iewith Chur- chesjDifciph'ne orders and or- dinances. V(e. Parifhes have not this part of the For me. Wh'chis twi- tted up of a threefold cord to draw us out of Pari flies into Churches* Al! men are fep irates from Chriftjor fepa- rare^ for Ch ift: and which is befU Ohjetl.. Anfw. r. \Vf12t Separat rifts are Schik mat'eks, and. what nat> 7* Who are Schijmatuks, and who not. LibJ. A fin not to fe- parate from ftlfe An ichri- ftian Church- States, And pv- riihes,as Chin- ches are fuch. Anfa>2. Learned men many times mofl enemies to Chriitand his ti tie Chur- ches. Sim. Anfw 3. Parim-Cbur ches,no Chur- ches. Churches ga- thered or of Churches, Extra-ejfentials and Circumftantials 3 or things of eafie con- cernment^) is in /de ctap g'lib-2. are not the Jefuites learned too ? and who do more mifcfuef>For a&Dr.Stttton faid in's Sermon foe ffiagiftratcs page 11. as the Ape that fawa Chefnut in the fire, and not knowing how to get it out , fpied a Spaniel by the fire fide 3 and fnatched his foot to take out the Nut ; even fo does the Devill many times make ufe of learned ones, to fetch his food cut of the 6 re, though they fcorch for itjwhom he makes to fervc htm in if. 3 If they do leave orTyourPdrz/fr-Cfcarc&ej as Parifh-Chur- cbes,yct it hath been proved3and will be more abundantly, that they are no Churches 9 and therefore they ought to doe it, or they finne in not doing it ; and befides thereby they alfo wrong us3 that fay Wee gather Churches out of Churches, for it is no fuch matter ; yet were it fo , (as Mr.Farfow tells Mr. Ptinjage 2j*q{ his Vindication) there is example for ir3 both by febn Baftift9 our Saviour Chrift, and his Apoftles, Mattb* fwv-fpiifai Chap.6. Partjb Churches 9Satam Synagogues. 7$ Parifh churches are Sathans Synagogues. No Pari fil- mic conveyes a Church - right 1 Sim. Parifhionersop* pofit^ to Chur- ches. Sim* Mattb. 3 $. 7. John 4.1. ^#.2.40. who did ( all of themj gather Chriftian Congregational! Churches out of the Jcwifti National! Cburcb^nd to it may b<(yea and muft b^e)in thefe femblable times of Reformation', bat wee fay they are no Churches for matter and forme, and fo (ball prove them all along to bee but Synagogues of Satban : And to fay more (with Mr. Hooker ) fuch are not of right matter (becaufe Pariihioners ) for no civil! rule can ( properly) convey a Church-right to any maiijbecaufe they arcQinfpeciejfpccficdly diftin£t each from other, therefore cannot meet , no more then tw o direft Mathematical! lines(noz in the lean 'oblique but) that are diftant and diftincl from each other can meet3 though drarone out ad infiaitmn. Befides mod Parifhioners oppofe all that is in order to incburch them,and (as Hart hath it in's CA and not a note ejfential and inseparable: for certainly as fenfuiva facukas is in a man, yet not the true note of a man5 becaufe it is but a cowmen adjuncl^nd not proprium in quarto mdota$ wee fay: So preaching of the Gof p?l is in the Char ch , but not the note [ Bur a common of the Church (as all the Popiih and A ntichriftian Antago* adjunct nifts would have it ) becaufe it is a common adjunct, and oihm haveic alfo.But for the Sacra ments, as lfaid before, they Objeff. Anfvo. Word preach- ed is 110 indc- lib'.e, nor un- deceivable note o? 3 t:uc Chare h. Sim. 8o 0b)e3ionsfor Parifo-ihurcbes answered* Lib. I. Sacraments nuiftbe (of righOdifpcnfed aiChrifts Ordinances in Chr ills order /.c.no where \ but in the true Church. Expsf* AVord to all friends tp Cub* mit to Chriil. XT, Sim. Outward Or- dinances out of ChriAs or- der m*yd3 more hurt then gocd. Sim. Carnali rcafon keeps many eff Church- feilowfhip. Sim. they mud be adminifired in due order>md to dueperforj, and in a due way ofworjbip and Disciplines otherwife3 without doubt, Saints may and muft remove and feparate for Gods greater glory, and their better, and more (piritual! edification 5 asPfal. 55.6. And I faid , O that I bad wings Ukf a Dovefir then would Iflye away, and be at reft, I w*uld baflen v.8. my e[cape : Why fo ?• . would David [eparate fo ? what is the reafon V fee verfe 1 1. Wickfdnejfe is in the midfl thereof. Deceit and guile depart not from berftreets. Wherefore (deareft Friends) read with a re-$ folution to fubmit , and that yee may no more be fe par ate from Chrift, nor S cbifmatichj to your owne poorcfoules , the Father of our LordJefus&U your hearts with that spirit which writes thefe things unto you. Little Children ! Fa- thers \ m&youngmenlGokt about you! for wee live in thefe laft dayes , whertin we expe& moft ( 1&1 2.) plentifull out- powrings of that bleffed Spirit , which convinces the world of Truth y Rigbteoufneffe, and Judgement,] oh. 16". 8. And to conclude, thinke it not enough to have outward Ordinances in ^ari^-Churches (though (God knows) they be but as Pharaohs lean \ine eating up the Fat) a? the preaching the war A, the holy Sacraments&c.why Sirslto let them loofe and run ranging about without bit or bridleway be to your cofty&nd it may be they may dafh your brains out at laft 5 but it is C6r//r muft curbe and corre8> and direel them , that they j may be adminiftred in due order to you within his line and li- mitation , and then they will be ble flings. It is upon record of Auftin , that he would not fay bis mother gave him milke , but Godby his mother ; fo will God by thefe means and Ordi- nances feed) and fatten yourfoulesia Sion , and in his particular Churches ,and A jfemblies&iit alas a day/how lamentably men live as toChrifts order&OrdinanceslCo they be but rich,and bear ^religious out(ide3as Kjohn once faid of a Buck^vihen he had opened it, 0 it is fat, and yet it never beard Maffe ! So becaufe many thrive,and live in credic5rich;and accounted religious that are not of the Churches , many make little of it; but I hope the Lord will convince them by his light. And fo much for the firft part of the Forme CHAP Chap. 7, Why rnsny are at a lojfe. 81 feQ£ Zaha. Chap. 7. iTW or Aguddah. This fhewes the fecond part of the fecond part of the Forme of Churcb-feHowjhip 5 Firf, that the Saints feparate ( as before ) are to be knit^ gathered^ and united together into one Body.* THe firft part of the Forme is well proved, but it is like- ly not To well approved, without the fecond doe fe- cond it, viz. That the Saints feparated from the worlds falfe-wayes, and wormips, and from all Ptrcckiafl Churches , unwarrantable Discipline and Din&ories , doe forth? with fet upon Cbrifts owne way and worfhip, Difci- pline and Doctrine delivered to the Saints 5 for after they come out of Babylon^ they mud haft away into Zion^ or elfe they will be loft in the Wildernejfe. For what is the caufe of fo much complaint all men ( with the Minijiers ) make up and downe? and deplorable cu>cr)es of many that are mixed ? and bud lamentations are heard out of the Wilder* neffe of many wooded^ wildei'd, and xoandring ? and at a moll referable hffe ? And what is the reafon of all this I pray? that fo many Prcfetforf that have been ( abundantly ) pre- cife and Ariel: in their pracitfes, and curious in their convex- fatisn, and (uch ( free ) frequenters of the meanes ? daily and diligent follower s of t ht ir Minijiers, and fo exceedingly holy in times paft, have (i ice their feparating from Tarifas and Pt>pijblnftitutions,andln)tm8ions3 forfaken all publicke Dif- penjathn s, denied Ordinances, followed Familifne^ and run on even to Ramtfme. M And Secondly) 1. Parte/ the forme is after feparationfion* thefalC&con- /unftion in the true way. Forth with haft into= the Churches.' • Elfe we feali be Ioil in the wilderneiTe. One reafon many Profef- fors formerly ; itfift carne Fa* milifts, Seek- ers, Ranters, and fuch like* , *• - - - - ■ .i-. ■ I , 82 tAfter the firft part of the F orme many fall^and why '. Lib. I. In the An- swer, godly eminent Mi- ni iters fo ac- C3unted,uinft be reproved in the Coun- tries. Hag. 1. *• 4. The Lordcx- poftulates with diem. iVlinlfters mod: coroplaine3who are mo ft the caufe of cheir ©wnc com- plaints. VY&ntanfwers fome of them have given the Auchor,when he hath pref- fed upon them Gofpei pra- 'cYifc. Why many Minifters are againft Inde- pendency, a* they call* Xxpf: And what is the reafon of all this ? Indeed J am ready now to reprove thofe Minivers ^ whom molt imagine with- out reproofe) though able and ( otherwife) accounted (eminently ) godly, yet too too flack and remiffe in fetting forward the building of the Lords bcufe, that fay, it is time e* nough, and what needs Oh 1 are not fuch^f who make the foreft and faddeft complaints of them they call Anabaf lifts , Seekers > FamiliftSy Ranters, &c. ) are not fuch very much the caufe of their mifcarriage ? For feeing Saints muft feparate from fuch falfe wayes and wormips, why doe they not lead them then into Cbrifls owne wayes, and worfhip, according to Gojpel-order, but fuffer the poore foules ( and out of honeft- zealelam perfwaded at firft) to be loll, in ftrange, and ftraying, untrue, and untrodden paths. Truly, truly, in all my applications to fome very learned, godly, and moll emi- nent Preachers, with ail the pregnant and preffing Argu- ments I could provide for this purpofe,that I might prevaile with them for^and perfwade them unto this mrkpf the Lcrd as Fellow- labourers with me therein 5 I found their Anfwers they made me (me thoughts) ever to fmell too much of the greafe of great Living^or eife of mm-pleaftng^ or elfe (and for the moft part) of Tyth-opprefftons-, tlity may thank themfelves that fo many run into erroneous waye? . For befides, a Se* gregatkn, a vifible aggregation to the Lord Cbrift, in his wayes and worlhip ( with the Stints [eparat&, making up one b%dj of Beleeve's) is of anabfolute, and undeniable necefllty, and followes next * which I now come to. Such Saints as are feparate from Tarifi-wayes, and Pjpifti worfiips, 8cc. being aihamed of them, and of all the follies of thofe falfe Church -ft at cs$ are forthwith to fee the forme and fafhion of the Lords boufe, and not before are they to enter InyEzfkc 4J« 10, u« and this is the Lord* Law* w. 12. now - * ' "7" to- Whom rbfl forme is to be fhewne to:" What k h > i . One Body » i. One body Independent. i. thrift's Church is his Body3faow, and why ? All Members make up onej and but one body. .,- ■ — ■' ' — — — — — — ~— — Chap.7 A vifible Aggregation; The Church Fcrme is one Body. $3 tofucb I (hall fhew tbe forme which foJlowes, for in the formation of this new Cr^r/^,Chriftian ieleevers are to be- come firft one body ; (econdly, a body Independent ( as it is ter- < medby moft) But to the firft in this Chapter, viz. That Silats feparate as before from the multitude, fas Acts \9 9 ll isfaid,)when divers were bar dned and b*U eve d not, but [pake evill of tbe way before the multitude, that tbe Difciples feparated ', fo I fay, fuch Saints are to make up one body together ( diftincl from them without, and all others) and this is obvious to every eye, out of the abundance of Scriptures and texts* Tobegin with the Simile of a B<>dy, for Saints encburched are fo called the Body ofCbrifr, Rom. 14. 4, 5. 1 Cor. 12. ver, 13.27. Ephef. 5.30.32. CoJ. 1*20, 21. though members in particular *, 1 Cor. 12. 14.20. now all the members are to make up one, and but one body 5 and fo are the Saints ( every member ofChrift)i Cor. 6. 15. to be united together into one body. Hence it is ( as Mr. Bartlet obferves in his Modell, cap. 6. ( as I thinke ) for I have not his Booke ) that the blejftd Spirit fpeakes fo often of in)oynting, and putting Saints into hjnt Gal. 6. 1. 2. If a i?roi/;er ( a Member ) be J7?pj out of iejnt,) or bee overtaken in a fault, (either before he was aware of it,) or elfe read it with the SeptuA£Wt>i*i &&*»?&! avfyomtiv rlvi Tmyfiapm although he be eafily caught by a corrupmn, and taken (with too much delight) in the Atiund for the Simile rum from the receiving and entertaining a friend with free affe&ion, and readineflefm delight welcoming hirn^and with joy) al- though he thusfall by a foul ftumb!e,as I rather read it(from m&if'ft'jliv Polye. Lyfer. or to£$!&*t7® ( now **& minuit rem) for a fault/is a fall, yetyee which are Spiritual!, reftore fuch a one; that is, (K*^^ *)fet fucb aonein)oyntagaine, as Cbirurgions deale with a broken bone9 or one out of jo)nt, by handling the fame fweetly, lovingly, tenderly, fo that thereby it may become zafure in , as wed-fet zudftrong as ever it was 5 fo is it here, put him intg bis proper place againe, by which the Cburcb is compared to a BaJy, and a Brother to a Member. Thu«alfoinE/>fce/.4. II. Chriftleft here (behind) Payors, and leader/, and why? for the perfecting tbe Saints, ver. 12 the word is ( .wer* * ww/w^) for the ttrf%der/*x,(Tit.i .5 j M 2 ejr* Expof. Sim. If one member be amiffe it mu ft be reQo- red into ufe and order a-* gaine, for the good of the ' whole body, ! which cannot mule that one ) member. Sim* Thatisjcan- didly withal! 1 fweetnefle of brotherly-like fpiric, and chriftiinity. 84 The church u Cbrijis Body and building. Lib.I* ] Every member . is to be inan apt | pl*ce,&c of j the body. Sim.. j 1 Cor.i2.2i. 2 2- j andtobecon- « tent therewith. ; VideZansb.dc l&clef. a. Chrifthis Church is his - buildmg;. \ Expof. "The forme of fl fits building. VWhatitis. I Sim, v Rightly orde- red to make aH one, The Lords \houk fitly fa- { Hied together, I Expsf* I AJl oae in a- fiiOther3ande- ^ very one on, ^ and in Chrift ^the f©tindati- jon. vch^p.14. a E*?fl/I eflablifhing and constituting of them according to cr^er, in afymmetry and fuitable proportion of p/^cc andpoo^r, R.om» 12.4. assisin a huwane body. -There is a cew/y, apt, emmenfu- rate, and marvellous b*/JV, and well appointed Location, for every member^oynti artery^ fme^ces, and veines, and every $«e is to be content with his owe proper ( and therefore the o#/f profitable ) p/<*ce : now if any one be out of his p/ 1 Pet, 2.5. That is, the Saints are fo- knir, pinned} united, nailed, and giewed one to another,- and all (every one) co the foundation Jefus Chrifr, Epbef 2.. 1 p. 1 Cor. 3. 11. that one would thinke they were no more many pa re ells> but all oh? fabfance9 and sut of ene; and fo as they will not be parted afunder ( nor can they ) with- out the hazard of the whole. Thus when Saul affayed to joyne himfdfe to the Difciples, Acls 9. 26. is meant n^H, on- ly to /»j<9»r,a!luding to that above of W^but alio (Wi&y) to adjoyne, cleave, and be glued unto them, relating to this Metaphor of the building, where many, thing* are, rami (as- all 0»p-7- Cbrijts Cburcb a City (ompaB. His Army. 85 all things are cut ) framed, and glewed together^ which were (before ) ac.a difiance, and which then are not eafily disjoyned, but are f after then ever before. But, 3.Thc Clutch of Chri$ h compared to a C ity ,tompatled toge- ther ,up to wbicb the tribes of Jfraelgoe, Pfah 1 22. 3, 4. So ?/*/. 46. 4. yea the jta/) C/fy5 Rev, 21. 2. and thence the Saints are called Felloe-Citizens, in Epfo/". 2, 19. now as all the houfes, slreetes, trades, corporations, and (ecietits, perfons, and peapiej C though many in particulars ) yet make all but one City com- pact - So is kin the Cfrarci of Cbrift', all Saints, Sexes, Chil- dren^ Fathers, and Young-men, Callings, and conditions makeup one Body, and are to make up but one holy City. Befides, there be fweet immunities, enfrancbifements, promifes^ and Privi - /edges, Lawes&nd Ordinances, which none h ave propriety unto, or ( halfe fo much ) profit from them, as the Saint-Citizens have ( which (hall be (liewne if the Lord give leave hereafter) and none arid dmitted to be Free»men of fuch a City but £y i5ez> cenfent, vote, and acceptance ; and fo much is made out in Zach* 2. r 1. Many (hall be jsjwed to *J!?e Lord in that day, and fall [be my people ;joyned9 that is, they (hall mutually give up t btm* felvss to God, i. e. that is, with the concurrent knowledge and confent of each other* in the Hebr, vid. Buxurf. fo alibis that in Jer. JO. 5. Came let us \oyne eur [elves- to the Lord, &c* all this fairely delineates the Forme of Cbrifts-Cburch-fiate, and Gof- pel-Difcipline* 4 Furthermore, his Church is called an Army with banners, Cant* 6. 4* 10. and why? but becaufe all men, bants, compa- nies,regiments, colours j and Captaines are but to make up one Army; though there may be many men to one Com- pany% and many Companies to one Regiment -, fo all the Saints are but to make up one Cbnrcb and Body together, being uni- ted to make up the forme; and then are they faire as the Moone, cleare astbe Sunne9 and not before. But belides, the Church is 5 Compared Co a K^gdome, J©r\ 1 8. 361 Heb, 1 2,28. &cv Mar; 21, 43. to (how, as all Families, Villages, Tomes, Cities, Countries, Shires, doe make up but me Kin^dome, and are all under one rate, faff, and j>«w 3 (ball the-$*rw,.togetherg4- M 3 iJwed £ ChrHfS Church is a City compact.' Sim, All ftreets, hot 1 fes, peo- ple*,&c. make but one Gity. ■ SaincsCitizensv Sim. Theimmuni* ties, Privi- Jedges, lawes of this City, which belorg- to the Free- men thereof. None sdmic- ted free- men cf c'nisCjty, but by the Ci- tizens confenr, Expof. Buxtorfb and ' Sbmiler. 4 ThHCiiiitch1 is his Army. All men, com- p2nies>coloursy Captaines , make up one • Army. 5 Ch-iflV Chu: ch is hi* Kinedome. %6 Cbrifls Church compared to Heaven. Lib. L For all Cities, Shircsjcountfies &*c. mike up bu: one King- dome. 6 Ch.ifts Church called heaven. And why? All Elements, Firmaments, Chbcs, Stars, &€ make but one heaven. All Siints m one are f©» Sim. I Keafon i. - Bccaufe they \ have All one Father. J All one origi- i nail Law. All in one Co- venant. i All hewn from 1 one Rock. ] All bear one J Image. 1 All lay in one 1 womb. All of one Seed. All lead by one Spirit. All called into U one hope. Ail one joy. All one glory. tbered and embodied, doe make up one Cfarcb of Chrift, or Kingdom of God, Luke io* n. Matth, 13, 19, The Churtb 6 Compared to Heavtn al fo, Mattk,l$. H. 24.31. 33 44, 45,47. A4atth.$.z. Mattb.n*j 1,12. Now the Saints, which arc to be bigb9 above the earth, and the Throne of God, and filled with his glory , and decked up and enamelled with fbining lights , Stars ef grace , and fpangles of glory moft fweet and lovely; the Swine (Chrift) moving in them, and (circu- larly) round them, andfuchasare feenepkitf/jtobee what they are by a kjnde of Vbiqu'tty , who ever they are in the Ho~ rizont or this Hemijphere; I fay, fuch Saints united together, in a body to make up one Church , are one Kingdome of Heaven, even as all the Firmaments, Elements, Stars, Planets, and Co«- fiellations together, &c. doe make up one vifible Orbicular Heaven. Mr. Jacob in his Treatife fayes , A true Church is one Congregation', fo fayes Vrfin, and other?. But thus much may ferve to prove the Forme of Chrifts* Church, which is to bee all one, one body, one building, one City, one Afmy, one Kingdome, one Heaven : O how fweet is fuch a communion ! this Forme is the (forma) beauty of all. As the jweetclufter of grapes , which gave tafte of the Land of Canaan was bcre betwixt two j fo in fuch commu- nion, we may finde and feed upon the fruits of Canaan. But now to the Reafon?. Firft, Why this is io requiftte that Saints doe affociate into one body of Beleevers , is gathered from the Onenejfe of all Saints; For all have one Father, Mai. 2. 10. Jo»8.4i. 1 Cor. I. 9,io.ckc. Andotherwife they will much degenerate from the principles of Saints, Piai, 16*3. BefIdeJ3 for that unity and entity are convertibles , and this is the meanes to keep up both, in the bondof peace, and/of?, andperftclion, C0J.3.14. and Eph.4.3;4.JAft.+.32. But Secondly , Saints not feparate from the multitude, lofe much of their luflre^ light., and glory % for the Forme makes them faire as the Moon, Cant.6\io# but when the Saints are in one body, then their beauty dazles the e>e/ of others, as many lf gathered into one 5 or as many ftreams met into one j runne with force, and fiercely. P^tiii fayes , 0 bow amiable are tby Tabernacles% &c. Pfal.S^.t, So Chrift, Cant. 2. lo. Rife up my love , my f aire one, and come away ! So in verfe 13. So Cant.4. 1. Behold thou art fairemy love, behold thou art faire. So in verfe 7. Thou art all faire my love, there if no [pot in thee (but there may be on thee) So in verfe 8. Ch rift calls her to feparate from the mount aines of the Leopards, opened befprein page 45; and then it foilowes, Ifou ba$ ravijhed my heart my ftfter> my Spoufe, thou baft ravifbed my heart :and bow faire is thylove>&:» My garden enclofed^&c. So inCant.6.9. My dear e\ my unde filed is one ( Saints fo in one body united J and then follows , She is the onely cue, (k?e is the cboifeene, the Daughters ( ProfeiToursJ faw ber% and bit fed ber, and the Queens (Sar ahs trueChurches)andtke Concubines(Hagars, ralfe Churches') admired at ber come/ineffc and beauty > andprai- fed ber, faying, Who is this that loofytb forth as the (Au?or a, the Dama*k$ red) morning ? faire as the Maone ? dear as the Sunne ? terrible as an Army with banners? Saints then thus embodied* are embroider edwith beaut) ; but if they be not,no wonder if the world (nay goodmen many times) will not cwne them for excellent ones, which otherwife they (hall, orbeaframedi for the Forme is (in a fenfe) the life and lovelinejfe of every thing, Chrift prayed for this one- nefle. Apoftles tooke great paincs t* preach It. Unity and En- tity convex titles, Reafon 2. The beauty and levelinefs of Saints cm- body ed. Sim. His Taber- nacles a -niabfe HU Spoufe fair SucH emb~d'ed'; excel inb.au- cy. Informita* mx* urU duplex vcl exclude nt formtw vtlfw- mofltitemi Tn. Aq.!.65.i.o, 88 ike Forme is the Formojity of the Church. L I b J. Sim, Without form Sim. But in one bo- dy their ex- cellency ap- pears. Reafon 3. In great confu- fion, anddif- oider till then. Sim. But in body in order and pros- per place. Sim. Sim. Reafon 4. Till thus etm bodied,they do not their duties one to another. Mt.B&t'et. The Author abufed for h in in Dublin* thing? what were a man without his Forme > and if the Forme be mifplaecd that makes him a Monfteu What beauty doe yec behold in a Ficlure (though the colours belaidonj before the Forme be drawhe > Suppofe peeces of limber /hould be carved curiou(ly,and guilt giorioufly3for the builders u[e, and &\(oftones moft artificially polifhed pain- ted,cut, and carved; yec they iofe their lovelinefje with lying among the multitudes and heap abroad, and about ;but when they come to be put up,& orderly to be placed in the building, there is a great deale of beauty in them , and pleafant grace from them. Thus will it bee,and is it with Saints builded up, and in body together according to GofpeUorder,& quanto farm* eft nobilhr ,tmto magU dminatur mater U, fay the Schodl-men. Thirdly, Till thus in body they are but in confuficny and dis- orders among them without, and trod on by every foule , and fosles foot,and as much wronged, defaced, and defiled as may be; As polijhed ft ones, that lye among the filky rvbbifbfo they wil aske much paiftes to pickg and cleanfe againe before they can be fitted for the Lords houfe; but when they are embodied to- gether (as before J they are in their order, which others )oy to behold, Col. 2.5. and (o, as the members that are fitly placed in the body, and properly employed, doe appeare alwayes orderly dtcent3 and comely to the whole body,znd are helpfull one to another thereunto, Rom,i 5.2.1 C0r.i2.25.For as the Philojophers obferve that there is a twofold motion in allnaturall things y one whereby they move topreferve themfelvcs, and the other topreferve the whole univerfe : So muft all Church" members have their twofold motioriyvizaXot tb em [elvesvi* For the whale. Fourthly, Saints, unleffe thus in [ociety , fall fearfully fhort of doing their duties to one another in love, unity, peace, admonition, exhortation, tenderneffe, patience, watching, participa- ting,comforting, edifying, or brotherly reproving of one another. So if a Brother offend to tell it to the Church, and to Qrive to excell to the edijyingof t be Cburch:&c. Now how can thefe rules (requiring obedience) bee pnftifed, but by fuch Saints as are embodied into a Church of Chrijl? but this Mr. Bartlet3 I remember^ in his Model mentions (a man I have made much Chap*7- Saints imbodied the beft Souldieys. 8? much life of, and for whofe fake I have fufficiently fuffered from Tome in Dublin, f whoro I feare) fuller of beat then of Heaven, having no more of hisbooke- ( which the Lord will one day witntfTe ( to their faces.) then I brareinrny breaft, omnia mecum, &c. But to parte byfuchblowes and bufferings of Satban. I fay, the Saints (o eaibodied,are beft Erovided for their duties one to another : And as in a undle of flick* one kindles another, fo doe they. Comes fa- cundus in via pro vebiculo eft, and as one helpe another, fo all together like Bets labour to bring in bony (ail /into one hive. So every one hath the Spirit vpb* t* oviifa** 1 Cor.12 6. to bring into the ftocke, or common banke , or to profit wiikafl* O then how fweet are they to God and men > who are as fo many flowers bound together in one nofe gay. But Fifthly , The fweet foule-ravifhing and enamouring ijfues, wriicb are the infallible fequel! of Saints fo embodied : O the excellent priviledges 1 Cant. 2,3,4, 5. Cant. 5.1. Cant.6.2,3. Cant. 7. to, 1 i,i j. Pfal. 92. 12,13. 14. their precious promi/b,Hjf. 14.6. Ifa.59.22. the fingular delights which the Lord takes amomifl S aints (oembodiedl Rev. 2. I. Plal.132.13, 14. Pfal«26\8. 2Cor.6. 16. 18. Cant.8.13 above all others5Pf.87.2.Tk L$rd Isvetb the gates of Zion mm then all the (other) dwellings of Jacobi More then all. Now fuch as are not in body together , are deprived of the life and excellency of thefe,as I (hall (hew hereafter (I hope)cen^/>zrf- ingtj+U the Lord pleafe, but onely this 1 adde, That the fpe- ciall benefits which beleevers fo embodied , doe enjoy , are laid like Tiles one over another , every day , till the whole roafe be covered,and the raine kept our. Sixly, Which I would not omit (though I might more fitly have found it before) is,hcieby the Saints are abundant- ly better fortified both to defend, and (occafionally^ to offend'-, for to inihnce againft Enemies, they have an United force, and they need not to feare an Adverfaryyno not an A my if they be but in one , for chcy are indeed terrible fthen ) as an Army with Banners difpiayed, Pram j beating, Trumpets blowing. Guns playing and difcharging,and all in good order, keeping Ran\e and Friz* Why they need not to Jure for their ene- N mm Sim^ Expo.fi y Reafon 5- T heiou'e- fvveet iflfues of fuch a Gofpci- order. Privifedgefc Pomifes. The Lords ' delight there above all. Sim* 69* Re a fan The united ftrength of 'amis in f to© hard for the whole yvoiid; mies then rauft fall before them, in Joel 2. 7. 8. 10. Ibey fhaQ run likg mighty men, t bey (hall climbs the wall Uk^e men of war re, and they fballmarcb every me on bis wayes, and they pall not breaks their rankes, neither fkatl one thrufi againfl another 5 the earth (ball quake before themf the Heavens fbJl tremble^ the Sunne and the Moone (hall be darkle, and the Starrcs (hall with-draw their fbining \ thus are the Saints in their united ftrength a terrour to the world. Well might the Queene of Scots fay, Shee fea- red more the prayers of that one man John Knox, then dice did an Army of thirty thoufand men. For when Gog and Magogdoe gather together to battle, in Revel. 20. 8,9, as the fand of the Sea^ they compare the Camp of the Saints about* and the behved City* But what fucceffe have they > Why fire comes dtwns from God out of heaven and deftroyts them, or eates them uf ; that is, out of theCfo/rcfr^accordingto Rev.zi.$9 If any man will hurt them, fire proceedetb out o[ their months s and devoureth him. If any man dare to wrong them (*/. In Paii&es what plagues '■ aro/c irom ibeir conftinr tion- Ihe tvcife, «vicked,ill-ra- vcuedKine CAteup snd deftroyrhco- ihers of the [ Neighbours " that are bct- ; ter. Exod. 7. 12. »nJ crrours and fins doe fw Allow up xtuths. Preph. . ■ ^Egyptian ' c blagues mill ,c come upon ' *them.asin Ift, ■ fJO. 14, i£. CKr/F/ig ! horrible lying I dcteltable libelling I monftrous w<2- //ce ! palpable cheating I and unfurTerable ila-nders 1 yea and what not is in cverv Parijh* and what is the reafon ? read what Chrift faith, 7<,/:. 8. 23. Tee are from beneath, but 1 am ( and my wa-yes are, and worjbip is ) from *foi/e, yee are of this world, but lam not of this world. And as Rev. 9 1, s3 3, 4, &c. out of the bottomUjfe pit arofe [monkey as the fmoal^e of a great fur- Mce9 the Sun and ^Ayxe were darkled by reef on ofthefmoake, and out of the fmoahf came Lscufis, and unto them uat given power at the Scorpions of the earth have power ; and it was commanded them that they fkould not hurt any green thing (a Saint in his viridity full of Jap, and in the faring ) neither any tree ( a flourishing Saint in his virility and well grown.) PfaU r, 3. PfaL $ 2. 8. Pjal. 92. 13. Jer* 17. 8, but only fuch men as have not the feale of God in their fore-heads. Thtfe Locufts of Hell, thefe v£gjip- tian plagues (which have Scorpion- flings in their taylea, ver. 10. whilft the faireft out-fide and faces of men, ver. 7. yet are ever running and ready tor battle, ver. 7. ver. 9.) have feifed upon the fpirits of many men more ridged then religious, and they doe eace them up. See but what hot contentions, Suits at Law, Plots to dec mifchiefe, deiires to perfe cute the people of God, devices to make them odious among men, Jfr.18, 1 8. and what not? came along with this Sou le.ee mfortlelTe, bottomlelTe-pit fraoake, when your Parifbes were coortitu- ted? and tell me then, it Pbaroahs learn ill-favoured Kine doe not eate up the fat 1 Gen.41. and if the withered wild blafied eares doe not devoure the full and faire eares ! See if ( as yet ) a- mongft many the Magicians rods doe not turne Serpents, and fcek to eate up -^row, though Aarons dial devouretheirs ere ion&and Truth fhall triumph over errours%Chri(i over An- tichrifti Faith over fallacies, mauereali their malicious & mif- chievous difpofitions and oppolitions; and their water fhal be turned into ^Wfpecdiiy, and all their Fifb (ball dye, that fwim now in their Elements, and croaking Froggs ihall cry in every place, 1 me ane them that give now and then a little Icape ( and that is all upward, and fuch (will) alfo dye, and then their dufr (hall be turned into Lice, and their flexures to plagues 1 then hyles and blames ^ their contagion and corruption (hall Chap. 7. Phgues arofe out of Pari fh I njtitutions • 93 fhail appeare to all, whiJft the Lords cwne Ifrael , and Saints fhailbe/a/eand/ree. This (hall bee (hortly : but in the in- terimhow Farifhes fwarme with Egyptian flyet , let wife men judge, vihilii Serpents lye by the way-fide t Gew.49.i7. and bite us>or rather (backbite us) before we are aware, not openly (in our fight) but crookedly, andcraftiiy, treacherouQy, and behinde us. Dublin hath the moft of this Tribe of Van that ever I met with. Moreover many an lAduUamixe^ Gen. 38.20. might wee finde herein this City , for if their occupations were but printed upon their foreheads ( as fome of them have full foreheads) wee fhculd heare and fee their trading and delight is to ferve an iff-mafler9 and to runne upon ill arrands, to cog, to carry tales, to diffemble, lye, and flatter , and to have faire faces (as of men) but to fting as Serpents and Scorpions? being bound to hurt the Innocent^nd harmelefTe ones. But I fay no more/.nly that fuch Parifhes fal infinitly ftiort of the true Forme of true Churches of Cbrifl ; and I can con- fidently afTert, fuch Synagogues, as I faid, raatter-leffeand form-IefTe; or if fome lit matter may bee found arnongft them, yet they are but as the Pbilofopbers fay ( of the earth, when it was a Chaos $ and without forme) materia (prima) inform is, fine forma & norma^ the firft matter, which is with- out forme and order 5 and which is (femperpa£iva,iayts ?bo- Aquin. 1.54.3.3.) to fuffer another nature and wor\^ manfbifc Eph. 2.10. till then , wee may fay of them as in Zeph. 2.15. How are they become a deflation ^ anda place for beafls to lye downe in $ And why fo > (as Mayer fayes) but becaufe no difference is put betwixt the righteous and the wicked, therefore it follow?, every one that pajfes by.jballhijje tndwdgbuhcjid 5 and Zeph. 3. 1. V/oe to her that U filthy^ &c. which is n&VD or provoking and disobedient; fuch are ycur Tariffs-Churches} And they put mee in minde of that place in the hot fands of Africa , where wildebeafts of all forts meet together to drinke, and there are the ftrangeit monfters got; whence the Proverb is, Africa aliquidapportatncvi. And fo in Parifh Churches, all forts meet , and many mor.fters are made , by reafon of fuch who are not fit for uvill fecieiy, N 3 much A'th'ugk -is yet ma- ny like Dan do bicetis behind, or bickbite. Many an A- / dullamire we meet with in Panflies. Pa rimes a Chaos. Sim* Sim* Mate,:. Expof. * pirifhe* are rial's tor btaftsr to lye dawn in*. Sim. ?4 Parzfh Churches upon tumbling. LibJ. Sim. Sim. Pariftr Chur- ches have their I facall blow, "Ezek.itf. $'-';$ 7 Judg^.if. The Bramble fhall be burnt up in i he day that burneth like an oven, Mai.4.1. Sim. Babylon fil- ing- Thofethat raied with her bewail her. V\e j A calling %i- 1 on into the 1 Churches of , Chrift. t Ou? of Baby- j Ion and Pariih J Church.s. , Ch iit bec- 1 kens to thc-e. 3 In his f absr- a nodes and = Churches are 1 beauty>po.ver, x his prefence. fafety> delive- '^ ranee pi eifure < J and joyes, ,; c plentY>peace3 ttl b!efledncfle5& i x, falvation.all 4 powerful! mo- tives* much m tfe for Saints* And a Heathen faid, j£«/ <£ quo animo malts iwrnifi efaf, malm eft ; he muft needs be bad chat likes and al- lows of luch a mixture : And I might alfo mention the fay- ing of one, Tbat as often as be bad been among fucb men* bee re- turned borne leffe a man then he was before : Wherefore com- mon rules of reafom may ditlate this do&rine to us. The Lacedemonians would enquire of the carriage, of their children, by the condition of their Play-fellowes ; And as S mates fad to Alcibiades (the Tarragon of beauty) 1 feare not tbee} but thy companions ; fo may wee fay to fome boneft men. And indeed it is a fad thing : for will the loyail wife (till keep that company which her husband diflikes > (beep lofe wooljthat will keep in the wilderneffe among thebufhes; fo doe men (be they ever fo good J lofe much that will con- tinue in Parijb-CburcbeS) which are upon their deftiny, being too old U live longer : for the Lord will difcover their filtbi- nejfe, their wboredomes, their Idolatries, and abominations, even unto their Lovers * and they (hall loath them. But the Bramble of Rome* which hath brought fo many unto ebedi- ence,(ballbe burnt up, and a &congvoyce (hall fay, Kei/.i8.2. Babylon it fallen, is fallen, and U become an habitation of 'Devils, end the hold of every foule fpirit* ana a cage of every uncleane (and hatefullj) bird : and verfe 9,1 1.16.18. And then the Kings and people ^ and Mercbants and Sbip-mafters that have tradedwitb her from time to time * and have had of ber com- modities to carry to other Nations, and have brought away of her Trumveries and Traditions* will bw/eand lament* and yet ftand a far off for fear of ber torments \ verfe 15 . Wherefore come out of ber my people, fame out of ber* and verf.4§ which is the lait word I have to fpeak upon this part of the Forme * to intreat you all for the Lords fabf * and for your fsuies[ake, to feparaie from (as before) all Parochial! and Po- ' pif!?v>orfhip,and wayes of Babylon, and come hither:— harke-- ' how Chr iit beckens thee (poorefoulel) into Zion to dwell with him there in his Difcipline* and Tabernacle /, Pfal.67.2. there is beauty* Ifa. 52.1,2. there itpMer, Ifa.40. 29. there is his prefence* Ifa.4.5, there is deliverance, Ifa» 54 17. there is pWareand joy, Vhltf^rf. there is plenty* lfa.25,6. and Chap. 7 A CaS to *All. 95 pr4ce,IlM8.i8. and bkjfedneffe , Pfal.56.4. and falvation, lh^6til> VVhat can yce aske for more? How can yee then acquiefee in fuch a carnall corrupt Church-(tate> ming- led with more v i ft bly ungodly ,then viftbly gsdlyl If wee mingle bright and tufty mettal together , the r«ffy will not become brhbtj but the bright tufty* and thus arufty companhn (faith Ssnna) rubbeth fomeof his ruftupon a man that is honeft, and fairc-conditioned, civill, and well-given ; but the ho- neft man cannot make the other any better3or brighter. As a weake eye is not ftrengthned by looking on aftrongeye, baton the contrary, a ftrong may water by looking on a' watry eye ; the found man may lofc his health by lying with the ficke ; So I fay, it is dangerous,and (doubtlefle) a provocation to the Lord , and a tempting him in the Wilder- neffe, to continue yet in communion with fuch mixed mul- titudes in Parifn Churches, whereby wee grow worfeand worfe; As a good horfe put into the Teame among a com- pany of Jades, doth but learne to fhuttle 9 and become heady and untoward; and fo fuch as will have communion with the multitudes, learne many ill- favoured tricks, and are made the more obftinate and untoward ; but for (hame letushaftein to the Lords Santfuary, and enter into the communion of Ssints. The lead fmall coale raked up in afhes will live long 5 and fowill the leaft Saint 3 and the leaft grace bee kept up, and nouriflied in the true Churches of Chriftj which will bee (it is likely) extinguished, whiift they are out of them, and not wrapped up, and kept warme in them. Wherefore it will bee our conrinuall comfort to enter into fuch communion ; fori czn name fome that have been in abundance of doubts, troubles, [ufpen/e and wcer- Uiniy9till they were well informed and fully fatisfted of this way by the word and fpirit , and ever fince their foules have been fwaUowed up in divine [olacc As Archimedes that matchleffe Mathematician after he had hammered hisbraines about a difficult conclufiQn>Uapsd,znd danced,and cryed hpt%*, &?*&, I have found it,l have fzmd it; (Co as Mr. Hoskins hath ir) the Saints cry out, We have found him, We have fmnd him; Wee have found Cbrifl in his Ordinances, Ckrifl in his Saints, Great hurt to thegrd!y to continue in Parife Chur- ches. Sim. Sim. Sim. Sim* Sim. Happineifle of - fuch that are in ( frifts I Churches. Sim* *A delineation of the Church of Chrift* Lib.I, c I ] i J i t A description cf rhe Church in her mrft confpicuous parts. Cant 4. 1^1,5, Sec. 1 Doves eyes. The mo ft dif- ccning mem- bers that are light to the body* 2 Comely, haire, Saints That hang and liveonChift the Head. Mount Gika.d. Spirit, Chrift in his graces , CMfk in his Churches , Cbriflm his Doclrine , CM$ in his Dijcifline ; Wee JWe found bim> Wee toe fo«nd />/« (but yet nothing to what is to come.) Thus far for the feventh Chapter. tffftfffftfffffftfft CHAP. VIII. ND3 Of. The third part of the fecond patt of the Forme, viz. Saints fepar attend gathered into one bo&y as before , area true Church of Chrift for matter and forme 5 and every fuch particular Church hath as full compleat power as any, without the leaft fubordination^ power t or autho- rity of any Church whatsoever. THfoughthe grace of Chrift (the Head and Husband of his Sfoufehi* Church) we have handled the Faire Forme of the true C buret) of Chrift being very beauti* full and faire, having Doves eyes (i.e. fuch as are the able dif- cerning and directing members of the Church, faire,full, clear, asAfaw.io^ I. and ctajfa, and ever fas it were) glazed with teares) and having comely haire, L e, the ornament of her bead (who is ChrifO thus are all the Saints, and fin cere bdeevers to their Lord Chrift > an ornament (and a glory to him, lias 457.) fuch as bang (dependingly) upon him, their Head (not eife, C0/.3.19.) being nouri(hed by him, and growing from him, and very fmooth, neat, not rough, rugged, &c. that appeare from Mount G Heady that is a fleafant and ftenteeus flace, Jer.22.6". and fignifies a xviinejfe orrf/f/mswy, andfo I take it, for then Saints appear lwelitjt,livtUefi,]or\ge{\9t moo- theft, andfweeteft, from Mount G He adt i.e, theTeftimony of Cbrifathemnetfe of the Sprit , and the Wq)A> and Strictures truth Chap. 8. 'Defcriptionof the Church, ■97 truth, and Ordinances which dobeare the Teftimony c/ Cbrift, when their foules are fatisfied as in plea ant and plenteous place*. Gilead ismiKe,Pfa\.6o.-j. and Manaffeb is mine, ckc. Further- more^ her Teeth are like a flocks of (beep that are even fiorne, which came *p from the wajhing, bearing Twins, &c. Cant.4.2. Cmt.6.6. in the Chaldee it is , thy Priefts and Levites. For Teeth are fuch as the Church eats with, chews, digefts, and divides by,and receives for the ufe of the whole body ; and I be- leeve her Minivers muft be fucb, vvho receive, eat, chew,feed, digeft, and divide the word of God-, and alUhat is hardeft 0i ii&ftim) for the reft of the people and Saints fervice, to the capacities, and for the concotlion of all the body. But they are even, i.e. not one longer, nor one {hotter, which would bee both uncomely and burtfuH , but they mud bttadeven, and eauall,and#re*Jjr£tf, Matth. 20.25,26,27. not one higher, nor oWtbwer then another., which would alio bean hindrance to the ^Wes welfare, for then they would be wanting, or at leaft bin- ding in the ufe of feeding and chewing for the Church, Away with KabbieSy for. yee are allbretbren, there is no fup eriority r,or fubsrdinatim to be 'fufsred in C^ri/rj Ciarcfr by way of Do- minion, which is the point I am now upon $ For they muft bee all equall, and evsn-fhorne, as cos*? upfront the wafhing » that is, w&iteand/ii/e/yj comely, and cUane purged, znapttrified, and f being fruitful/, and bringing forth (as Ewes) though with hazard and bardfcip\ and as TVefb o^h fet in the gums doe give a good decorum , and £dfi(> n*72^j i« e4cb )4E7 full and faire , are of excellent ufe , and exceeding comely, Co ought they to bee in, and to the Church of Cbrift, that others beholding their good orders may rejoyce , Col. 2.5. of all men (alfo) they muft not bee barren,but bearing- Wins. Belidesher lips are lity a thred of Scarlets Aietonymically rnanifefting the excellency of the Do&rine of Cbrift , which comes from her lips unto cltarx, Zeph.3.9. which is defcribed firft, from the matter mo& excellent , firft deeply dyed in the blood of Cbrift, I Cori 1.17. Secondly , being mo&pur* and $ Her Teetfi nrc the Mini* Iters cf the Gofpel that chewjdividc the word a- right, or members qui- lifted with the gfts ef pro- phefie, and in" terpretation. Even. They are not to be one low ger,&onefrior- ter}one higher, and one lower., but all equal!, lam.i. 1,2,3. Very wfcite ancflovcly. MalJ-?. Mmy Mini- fters have be?n,anJ muft be rubbed hard .before j , white. They are to be very f uitful* And very or* derly. 4 Her lips. Her excellent word and do^ drine. For matter^ I. i: Eiders. Full offweet- neife, and fa- vour. A'li pointing tt theOowne, and prefling after jjerfec"bi- on in Chrift. 7 HcrNecke. Exfof bigb-prized, Lev. 1 4. 1 4. Thirdly, Lively and Uvely. 16. Joh,i7.3. aad tor the lemfles u(e . Secondly, from the Forme like a thread that it well woven, ftrongly twilled, and /itk/v, and freely fpun out by the Spirit of Goi>i Cor.2.4.12. being very fine,.thin,fubtle3purelandof a mo ft divine (ubjtance^nd alfo(as the Churches hahe- lace)bs'mg to binde up tbe people of Gd,to5md about their Wea&>viz*Jefus Cbr/tf : And bet fpeech is comely , he. lovely , gracious, jWef, and definable, as in Ecclef. 12. 9,10,1 1. Fro v. 15.23 ,24. therefore in Hebrew Navab, is,being very amiable 5 fo are the Scriptures full of lovely m) ft tries, lively biftorier-, triumphing truths, comforting counfeU9 and counfelling comforts. Her temples are like a peece of Pomegrannet. The Temples are thofe between th« eyes and ear?, which the Chaldee calls the Kings Governors * zn& Keeper sot Ifrael; but J mease, fuch as are high in Chrifi their Head $ through which runne many iffrU veynes, for, and into the body, and fuch ought all over- feeing, and directing, governing, and guiaing-Elders , to bee like a peece 0/ Pemegrannet ( i..e. frufrum^ or fragmen) a cr«/r, or fragment broken eff, which is over>f«i/ and flowing over with j«/c(?, (irrup, and fweetneffe, 8tc. in the fight of ah \ and befides , this (hews the benefit of this Cburch-Difcipline, and more then (rneer) Eccle/iafticallpelitie that 1 fpeakecf, being abounding in )uicie fir tups , and /avet jsvours to the we*$ Heb.Z.io. by the Spirit; fo that both the bead and body may be nourished through them 3 they as conveyances of the vitals to the Animals , and of the Animals to the vitals, that the me may be refrejbed by the other, and all be by a mu- tual and redamaniine love (which is the life of union) (o that through this Neikg the body is abundantly nourished by the vital fpirit.t from the Head , I mean by the fanctifying and faving (fo ca\kd)graces of the fame Spirit in Chrift our Head ; thofe then that defpife Cbrifls Ordinances doe (as much as in th«m lyes) behead the Church of Chrift; A crucll A& ! Have a care ! Bat then like the Tower (Migdalf&roit and ftrongj of David, Nehem 3.19.25. 2Sam.$. 83o. an Armory (the word hToalpiioh of Tiba/ab to Jta«g,and Piio^fharp two edged weapons) to hang /word; in, the two edged [word of the £f jr/f hangs there often , and the foules 5«c/^/er/ zndjhields oi De- fence are ( ordinarily ) found in this Armory of the Churches, and Helmets,and Head-peeces^nd Br eafi- plates, and what not, fqt every Ssuldier of Chrift s under his Banner, and Command', for the Ci>#rc!> is to be in a bitter warfare continually 5 and let a Saint but come hither, bee he of what/?*,e foever5hee may bee armed out of this Armon of the Churches ; yea the ftouteft Champions that march againd C&rijfr enemies* Furthermore , fovbertwo breads , they are like two 'young Roes twins, which feed among the Lillits. Her Breafts are both an Ornament, zsEzek.\6.j. and for ufe neceffary, Ua.66.il. and indeed to take the two Tefiaments , fo called ', they are both an Ornament, and of neceffary ufe to all the Churches of Cbr*'ff,though fome'ffor whom my heart akes) I feare runne the folly zndmadneffc of that malicious Apoflate , who called the Bible a Bawble , but hee proved a Babel The truth is, thefe Breafts fwell with fweetmilkf , and confolati owdoedrop out againe even for theism ( that are weake ) Ifa.66.11. O 2 1 Pet. The Ordnan- ces which as means unite Chrift and peopIe3head and body to- gether by the bpirit. Wfco be-head the Church. The necke (inHeb. Thiur vaaT) Exfof. An Armory for fwords. T he two edged fwordofthe Spirit in her Ordinances. The Souldicr of Chrift cf any fize or ftarure is fit- ted in this Ar- mory for his warfare. 8 Her two breafts. For Ornament and for u(e* Old and New Teftareenr. Julian theA- poftate calleoj the Bible 4 Bawble. ioo In her vifible beautiful! j>artf( LiB.i The e breafb fcefullofmilke &r babes, The Authors judgement is, the Word and Spirit are the Churches two Breafts* which are alwayes fo •full and faire, j&ndfrefhly Stowing and feeding. Moulin. 3*he pifttire *ofthe true Church. >Allfaire.. Second part of the Forme. Every Church as equally In- dependent. l>rG©fe$ of par- ticular Chur- ches c quail, and alike pow- er U fcy en Churches cf I Pet* 2. 2. they are full indeed of what is abfolutely che- riihing to thcCburcbesChildvcn^nd therein are many preci- ous promi\et% and fweet truths ( eaiily) to be digefted by fuch babes as doe eagerly hunger, call and cry for them, laying full hold on them, drawing and fucking much fweetneffe out of them, which are as Twins, being both borne of one, out §f one [fir it, and for one end^and from one God. 2 Tim, 3, 16. but I had rather reacjthein, the Wordznd Spirit, fee- ding among LiHies* For fo are Saints white, pure, plea* fane, lovely, living beft in low vallies, and well moj lined at their root, and fuch are fond ( to [w\e from them as be* fore, and) toentertaine them*, and as Moulin once faid ', that in the times of Per[ecutions , whi/ft they burnt us for reading of the Scriptures, we burnt to be reading of them. But thus I have ( beyond ray intention ) examined this Epitbalmhn which is fang in [pecie, and paints out ( Propheti- cally Jthe picture of a true Church called into Gefpel government , and that upon the breaking of the morning Sunne, and the day [fringing from on high, ver. 6* for then it follower thou art aUfaire my Love* Now in this defcription her beauty being difcovered fo eminently, from her molt viftble Members, it needeth not to fpeake of more then fuch as are moft confpicw ous to the eyes of all at thisprefent. But to proceed to the fecond part oftbx part of the Formt, which is ; That every particular Church of Chrifr, gathered together ioto one Bsdy, according to Gofyd-order ( as before) hath as free, as full, and as compleat a Church power ; and Authority, to order all affaires within her owne body, as any Church what foe ver, excluding all forts of Superiority, that may be (pofTib/y ) claimed in point of Church-power; and that par inparemnon haUt imferiunr, equal! Sifteti have equal! powers zndpriv Hedges, will be proved an undeniable truth- Inthe progrejfe of which 1 beleeve I (hall ( much ) life Mr.1 Bartlets method ( as my memorr wil admit me (for I have no other Booke of his then my breaft at prefent ) fee in Rev • chap* 2. & chap. ?. the / 'even Churches of Afta % and we finde a full and an alike power in every particular Church of Cbrift; therefore iqrf>*p.2# 2. tothe Church of EphefuSy the Spirit (ayes Qhap.8. Independency Orthodox \andhw? poied* iOt fayes, Thou canl n»t beare them which are evilly anA tho* baft tried them which fay they are Apofiles, and are mt, and thou had found them lyarsy &c. To this Church of Epbefuf ( fayes Periqns in loo) Gcd gave a fall Juridical} power either to admit, or keep out, examine, or caft out ', fufyend, or what not > that was need- fuil in any true Ctocb of Chrift. So in ver. 14. To the Church ; ofPergammy 1 bzve a few things againfl tbee, for fuffering ibsm\ that bold the Vitlrine of B&Uam. So in ver. 15. And that tb$u-\ bap them that bell the Doctrine of the Nicolaiians, which thing I ! bale ; and thus in ver. to. to the Church of Jbyttira fsr [uffemg ! lb*t woman Jezebel/, which calletb her felfe a Propketejfe to teach, \ and [educe, &c. Now, why (hould God lay thefe fins to their charge? were it not in their power (within themfehes ) to J reform, and remedy c and how could they have power to take mfome, or to caft out aay ; to ex:$mmunicate fuch fedu* cets and ftnners as the fe5were it not Gods la(l Will and Tefta- ment ? and to cleare this further, yee may niarke this, that Chrift blames not any one Church for the fins fuffcred in ano- ther, not the Church of Sardit, for the fins of Laodicea, nor of Ladkea for the fins of Per gamut, nor Per gam us for the fins ofTkyatira, &c but every one for their oftHe Jtnnes, becaufe God gave each of them fo plenary a pdwer ( and all alike) for fuppreifrng fin, fufpending perfons, excluding offenders 3 and keeping of good and Gofpel-erder. And there is great reafon for ic, for without this authority no Church could continue a Churchy and all the reafons alledged to the con- trary are difallowed and invalid; which being fo obferve- ablc in thefe [even Churches, it feemes evidently Independency was then Orthodox ; that is, fuch a fort of Independent Di- fcifline as is here handled 5 to wit, that one Church hath no dependency upon another^ but bath as abfolute a power as any other whatfoever, without fabletfion? or fuberdi nation. Befides, in all the Epiftlesof the zApofttes written to Chur- * cbes ', they write to Churchesvas diftincSl Churches, without dependency upon any but Jefus Chtift, their heac*9 King, and Law-giver, Atts J 5. 22, i Cor. 5.4,5, I Cor. 14. 35. Rom. 16. 1, Col. 1. 2. btingail ( equally ) the Body of Cbnfl, CoL *• 14. the SpuftQ.1 Cfiift, Epfce/^. 2 | , 35^ <*#&ti*g (equally) £xpo/. To at or keep our, exa- mine or call oubOLthc l:Jee* Exfof Not cne Chi'rc'a b'a- raed for an©- ther3buc every one for her cwne fmjyte- ing abfolurely Incfepenoent (as toothers) and tiiilind. Independency O rh yiex in thofe d.-jyes. With lit any fubord nation. ! Froo/es in the . Apoftles £p-- ? ft esto Cb.u- ches, asdi- ftinft Chur- ch's each from cthe s. Aiblikeone* Heid. AH alike I Q^eenrss J All a^c: Sjitetsi lO* 'Hpfuhrdination in Churches \ Lib.I* Ail alike Can- dlefticks, aad b ancles of the fame Candle- sticks ftreams of the fame Fnunraine?and bsamesofthe fame Sunne, and branches of rhefam: Vine, all alike opening and ihutting, ad- mitting, exa- mining, ch 30 • fmg officers, adminiflring cenfuresa re- admitting. Church-offi- cers are but Servants- Doctor Whit' Sim. Doctor F«/fc Mufcnlm, Calvin, Fateia. Popery to take away the pow- er of the Church, and give it to Mi- ni {ters or other ©ffccr* Mgeens, and Sarahs (as Mr. Cotton layes ) none Hagars or Concubines, Gz\. 4.26. 31. all being alike Sifters of one Mo- ther, and none Servants, or Slaves, Cant. $. 8. all of- them being Candiefticks ofthe fame make and Metals, arnongft whom Chrifl: equally walketh, Revel. 1.12. Revel. 2. 1, or alike branches of the fame one Candieftick, and beames ofthe fame Sunne.and ftreamesof the fame Fountaine, and branches ofthe fame Vine, and fa they are e quail in all things, all having equall and like power of opening and jfr«t- ting, binding and loofing, Mat. 16. 16. admitting of Members, Atlsg. 26, Bent. l.l$. Acts 6.23. A3s 14.23. trying the fufpe6ted,2i.ez/e/. 2. 2.choo(ingtheir own Officers, AU.i. 15. 26. and Deaf. 1. 13. Alls 6.2.5. Atts 14. 23, &c. and of adminiftring Cenfures, Mat.1%. 17, 18. 1 Cer. 5.4.5. or re-admitting , or rather receiving, 2 Cor. 2, 5. 6. and in cafe the Elders be appointed by the Church to execute their Decree, yet it is ( in or dine ad ecckfiam ) with reference to the Body, the power being theirs ; fo as that eminent man Doctor Whitaker ( De contig. qttefl. 5. fag. 1 78, Sec. ) af- firmes, all Church-power principally to appertaine to the whole Body, and to her Officers, but accidentally, and as oc- cafion ferves ( as cum aliqua virtus duobus inefl, mi ejfentialiter, alteriaccidentaliter) by many faithfull arguments; and he inftances in the beat in water, or iront which is in the fire fjrft, and effentialJy, and then comes into the water or iron, or the like. And in Fulk^ contr. Rbemijf. in I Cor. 5. 4> 5« we m^s him full for this, Sett.%. and he quotes Mujculus, Calvin, Zancby, and others to beare witneffe with him, that the whole power is the Churches, which (he can give out, and take in, though fhe may (if need be) referrethe exe- cution of it to her Officers, they doing it faithfully, not in their owne power, and according to their owne wills, but hers. Parens I remember in the fame place (ayes plainely, that it is a currant peece of Tepeyy, to apply the power ofthe whole to one or other, as their owne 5 which is an old ufurpa- tion ofthe Popes, and therefore fayes he, 1 Cor. 5. 4. with the pewe) ? of our Lord Jefus,&c. power, which is «totafu^ docs there intend the execution oi Chunh-power^ as Well as the power Chap.8 tip fuperionty^ orfubordination. IOj power and authority it felfe, which is abfolutely the Chur- ches, although Paul was t\& mouth oi the Church to declare k ; and fadly does he lament the Churches neglect of her Office in this kinde, fearing left thereby ihe mould be abu- fed ( as (he hath been abundantly J and become a mixi com- pany, which he complaines of highly. Thus Dudley Fenner in his T residfe Ve far a Theologia (a pretty psice) lib. 7. fayes, &c. Thus that honefr old Caruwrigbt in his reply to fVbitgift, pag. 184. iayes, Fa«/ knew the rule of Cbrift well enough, in Mat. 18. when he commanded and communicated thepo wer of excommunication, and Church-cen Tares to the whole body, 1 Cor. 5. 2. 2 Cor. 2. it being the Churches , and not in the Afinifters or Officers power, which he proves out of Cyprian, &c. But I ihould not here needed to have heaped up fuch Te- ftimonies of great, grave and learned Writers , were it not to flop the mouths of that fpirit of malice, andfpightof men which belches oat bug- bear e words againft the way of Cbrift and onfer 0/ ffe Gojpel , and whopleafe to be confirmed in this point may perufe, Mr. Cottons- K>yej3Mr. Banlets Madelf, Mr. Hookers Survey of Difcipline, with many others that may carry more authority with them then I can, to convince o- thers, by whom (through Gods grace ) I received fpeciall fat is faction * wHo have gathered out the Teflimony of the moft learned, eminent, able, and famous men of many gene- rations to bee of this judgement of Churches equality or ful- nejje of power within their owne bodies \ fo that it is not a new, lingular, and update opinion, as our Adverfaries /ay« Befides, it is all the reafon that can be ,they be all alike, having all atikf but one Head, Col.i. 18. Eph.5.23. as will appeare hereafter, and he being a Head (alike) unto all, and being 4% unto every Church of Chrift , King and Lawgiver, Jam.4.12. there being no other, all which might (methinks befides ail the Prop beftes^hz Precepts, the Primitive Pratt ifes, and equal! Priv Hedges of 4R Churches) bee enough to pull downe all topping power, to )ujile afxde fuperiority , and that Eopijb ufurpation of fuhirdinatisn, and throw it into the dufi or fmoakjni Expof. DtidUy Ecnm Cmwright. Cyprian. Mr. Cot. Kx yes. Bartlets Model. Roofers Surrey And che Te- ftimony of learned fa- mous men fa? many genera- tions. Reafov-* Becauft all have alike ons and the fame Head, io4 In all Churches 9 without fuperionty, L i s4 1. Tht great dif- ference be- tween Presby- terians and In- dependent. Prelacy con- demned, and ready to be turned off. Sim. Sim, Prelaticke proud Paftors in Independent Churches as b:d as any. tfr. Much mifehief done by fuck. Sim. Cornw E&ycs. X?, fmakjngf it from whence it came; And call up for aC*- ordinate and equal/power to {land in the ftead. Bat becaufe this is the maine ft Doclrine of difference , between the Prejfy- ferws Difcipline, and ours 3 1 fpeake the more amply upon it, and (hall take my liberty in the enfuing Ufes 5 but muft fay in the mean time that God abhors that baugbiinejje and am- bition of fyirit ., which mounts up Itke a Prelate , whether in one or other : And indeed it hath appeared in Popery, Epifcopacy, Presbytery, and fo will; that all PrelaticaS Difci* pline is condemned of old, and the higher it gets up the Ladder, the nigher it is to its end , and the likelier to bee turned off, and into the darke world, How many worthleffe men like Apes and Monies will not bee quiet till they have got up to the top of thehoufe, and when they are there , what doe they but make mowes , and faces at Paffengers , fling off the Tiles, and play fuch like ridiculous and mifchievous feats ? And indeed, I doe not know how to excufe them that are fo covetetts and ambitious to bee Payors and Teachers in the Inde- pendent Churches 3 and when they get in , they are like little Lords, and not a$[ervants to all 5 and I fadly feare it, that more have fought for it then can performe k^ or then know what a Cure belongs to it. How many have Cafars heart of pride ( and may have hisendj who faid hee had rather bee firftinthe lead: Village, then fecond in the greatetf : and how many like Pfapbon teach the Birds (that are at their beck ) to call them ( as they did him; Magnus Deus} rather Gods then Men, and to have their perfons in admiration, and to make them follow them, as Dogs follow their Ma- fters, for feare of being caft out of doores upon their anger. O fad 1 Sed altitudo non eft valida, fayes Chryfofl. 2o, in Epilt. ad Rom. This cannot laft long. How many Townes, Houfes, Cities have been burnt to afhes by fuch footy exalted Cbim- nies ? ( wherein all the foot of the houfe may be found for the moftpart ) who like Lords mud over-look^ all the reft? How many are they that like the Worm-wood ftalke ( and Starre ) grow the bigger, the bitterer ? I fpeake of fuch as would be higheft, and be like a Counter, that ( in ac- count ) lyes for a hundred at leaft, when alas, we fliould fludy Chap.8 No fu6ordmatio#) norfupenority* 105 ftudy to be bweft, as the beft Come in the Fanne, and che foundeft lyes next the bofome , and in the bottome, but the Cbaffe will be d&cz/e ; But the Lord abhorres them; and in the Law his Sacrifices were no\ Lions, but Lambs, not Eagles^ butT>jves, and in the Gofpd, tbefirflfballbelafr. I remem- ber the Cynick.comiag into the Kings Chamber of presence glo- rioufly hung, looking where to fpit, at laft fpit in the 1 Kings face, faying, It was fit he mould fpit in the foulefl flace ; fo will God one day fpit on the face of Prided Pref- bytery and Prelacy. Vfe 1. But in the firfl place, it is plaine then that your Parifhes are falfe- Churches in this part of the Forme 5 for their conftitutionconfifts in a dependency upon other Churches, Cathedral! to them, and they are (by their Cannons and /«- ftiiutions) to be in fubjecYion to an universally vifible, Natk- nail, and Vioce fan Church, which blunt Zuinglm calls devil- lifh, proud, and Popifo arrogancy^ for any to claime any right, tub, power, or fuperiority over any Church of Chrift whatso- ever. Thus Kec\erman, and Aretius both cry but upon it, and the latter in his Problemes produces Chrifl's prohibition of upper or [uperiour power to hit Difciples and Apoftles, M&r.\o %6. Luke 22. 25, &c. and fayes, none but Anxichrift dares be (o fancy to ufurpe it, it being the Thron? which is fet up for Cbrififs felfe in his Church. O then how dares the rigid Presbyterian be fo red-hot for a Vifciplinel at dangerous and deltruftive to Gofpel-erder as the other! feeing Popery and Pre* facie are (termini convertibiles") fo nearly related to each o. ther, that if Prelacy thus live, the Pope cannot dye; and if nothing elfe, yet fuch kinds of Church- difcipline would keep him up in his Chaire. For grant the Pepe to be but ( holy ) Father, and Rome the holy Mother-Church that may call her Daughter* Churches to account, and give them Orders^ and Commands-, and will not this Do&rine keep up the Pepe ? j ™&£ their ap-J then let the wife judge; and thefelfe-fame fpirit of Prelacy ^ca'tcSall(| had the Bifaps> to Lwd it over their Brethren and to Cano- g^ps bad nize high Commifshn' Courts^ thereby to call others to ac- count, to lay their Command* and Lawes upon them, or clfe to punilh them, being of the fame nature ( though the P name God abhors fuch fpirit^ of pride. Ufc I. Parifhes no Churches in this part of the Forme. For they have dependency upon Diocefan^ Nationall Churches, Zuing. Artie,' Xecltfrmn. tAtetiui\ >■ Problem . None but Art-4 tichrift fo fawcy* Pfbbyterians too bold in ^ this. Prelacy a»d m : Popery term* ni convertibifesi Presbyterians and all Prela* tick ones keep up the Pope, videch. 8.9.I, a Papifts have Rome the Mo^ tfaer Church to call others to account, and j to whom ©- therswere to * Bifhops bad their High CommiSoil Court* tfihe/ io6 Trelacie fyeps up* Popery LlB.I &me nature for the fame ends. The violent tmes of the Presbyterians too will have their Clones too of the fame aiarore (though the name chan- ged) and for the fame cadi All abominable intfoefightof Sod. lib. i. Wr. Burroughs. Mr. ftcoh. Cottons key cs. What a height ambition brought the Bifhops unto ?• (TobeCivili itfagtftrares they became rancivill Minir fters. Jufticesof 3Peace. lunges.. Or^cr of the G^ter ell d grace libnou" jabkioids, / name changed ) with the Popes power* And now fuch a I proud Prelacy would the bitter Presbyterian* promote tooth 1 and naile, by feeting up Clajfes, that thither peoples might < make their appealer, and from them receive rules and orders, orelfep&g«ej, punifhments* finer, or imprifonments; and fe- verall forts of Claffes they would fet up, that men might appeale from one, and apply to another, from the particu- lar to the Provincial!*, from the Pro vinciall to the National! Claffes, which are ( alio } of the fame nature with the o- thers, though their name be changed- But all are an abo- mination to the Lord, and what doe they but play petty Pvpes in their Convocations, Synods*, Clajfes* &e. over Confciences by their tyrannies ? Anticbrifc thus exalts and boafts himfelfe as God^ 2 Tbef. 2. 4. to take authority, to rule* to governe, and have dominion over the Cbunbes of Chrift in his higk and t raiterous ufurpation ; wherefore 1 fay again e, as long as this lives, Popery cannot dye. But this is fiiffrciently con- demned and difp roved, by all the rules that relate to Gof- pel-order in Gads Book?* being abundantly to be abominated by all Gofpel- {pints ; for as good Mailer Burroughs againft Edwards hit Gangrenahith fa little before he dyed J we are freed from fewijb Pedagogies, and National! Cburcb-wayes, and there is no National! Cburcb,. Officers, Offices, wayes, and nw- (bips>a$thejeweshi\d; neither is it enough to be Members of the Church, becaufe borne of this, or that Nation, So Mr* Jacob in his reafonsforfte/brmafios, pag. 6. J. and Cottons* Keyes>$. 3^. makes it appeare to be altogether without a warrant from the Word. But to what a monftrous height doth Ambition bring men unto ?- (hall we but fee the eager- nefle of Bi flops ¥ ( before the Presbyterians ( fo called ) though in a Scripture-fence we allow it ) how ( to be CiviB Magistrates ) they waxed wanton and uncivil! Mini fters > neg- lecting their duties t anddefirousofra/e andpeVper? to be Juftices of Peace? ro caft poore people into Pri(on, to put them into Blotto, and to ty'tfthem, to be Judges of Courts* to get the vaine Ordeuofthe Garter, to be honoured by men* forae of them titled mof$ Honourable, Princely, and holy Grace* (when Cod &WW6 they had only the wneot it ) and all of theft j __ Chap.8. What ambition brought the Bijhops to* 107 them faluted for Lords, and would fit aj Barons in Civillx CoKW,which they know is contrary to their own oldCancns Which they accounted more of then the Scriptures ; but if it be unlaw full to alter, or change the bounds our Fathers have (et, Pr$v* 22. 28. I am fure it is, to alter the limits the Lord batbfet them, andtoferve the Tables of Devils* Now what can be clearer then the rule fet in fuch a cafe, Mat* 20. 26. Luh^ 22. 2fv Markf 10. 41 . and how often Cbrift reproved, and re- preffed the fifing de fires of the Difciphs, in but asking after, and difputing about greatnefe, who fh&ti be gr'eattfk i which he would not admit of by any mease?, it being afcer the manner of Gentiles* O then, how Cbrifl detefted( and lam fure yet does ) thif Lording dominion in bimftlfe, or in his Saints ? he himfelfe being their Servant, and Mini far > fta[hed their feet 5 bclides, the Affile abhors ic, in 2Cor.t»ult. and yet, O what a proud domineering ffirit of Prelacy reig- ned in thefc ! Did not forae Bifhops goe with a great Guard infomp to the Pulpit, with their Officers before them, and a great Mace carried in ftate, making Koome for my Lord to~ preach in bit Rocbety and [quart Cap, leaning upon a Cuflion of cloatb of Gold? but tbeir pride batb a fall 1 Ah! buthaditnot been happy if another Generation had not ( next ) fucceeded in ufurping fuch Lording power ! I meane the Prelaticall Pref- byterians. Thofc Olives, and Vines, and Fig-trees ( before very fat, fweet, and fruitfully have loft their loveliueffe, and fo rmer excellencies, and that meerly out of defire to Lord it too, as well as the Brambles did, Judg. 9. %, p5 10, 1 1. although in zCUJficaSwa) (as they call it) but this being fo neare a kinne unto the oth?r, hath met with the Itfy deftiny and de- ftruttion, and that Difcipline proved but /hort-lived, accor- ding to the Proverbe of Fraud and Frofl, &c. for it never thrived, and began to be too proud at thefirfi, as foon as e- verit ftepped into the Chaire. Bcfide?, as their Lording CUffet arc not ClafsicaD, or war- rantable in the Word, neither are their Synods, or ( com- manding j ConvuaMons, to order and make Directories for Cbrift%s Churches, of Divine rigbt9 what affemblies are more mifcbitvoM^M they have been hitherto ) to the Saints of Boron?. Cannon i8,if # i©. concil. Carthag.j, Againft ail Gofpcl Chnft Wou'd noc fuffer his Difciples to difcourfc ofic. ChiifttheDi- fciples Servant and Minifttr. Prelates In pomp. Eufcb. Hift. , lib. 7« Their pride fallen. Another Pre- Utickfpirie fucceeded in the Presbyte- rians, This appeared intheiraftsof Treafon a- gainft the State. Short lived too. Proverb,' Ruling Synod! are unwarra*- table. ioS Synods mttfl not jet "Dire civvies, Lib. 1 JMoftmifchie- vous they are (o co Chrift> (propria corpore) ia the fie fh, and they are fo to Chrlftinthe Church ( & corpore nyftico.) Cruell to ten- der confei- enccs. V Expof* Sim.. To put them ypoiii the wrack , Gant. i> 6» The Lord is a- bout delive- ring his Saints fromfuchop- 4gM"eHo«rsr ?toph Cbriff ? efpecially when they would exercife Lord/hip and Dominion, Sovereignty and authority Over their Brethren, or over any 'Church of Cbri ft as they have done ? moft cruelly confining men to their judgements againft their conferences, or tltecrufbing them for their c&vfciences; much like the Bed in Ifa. 28.20, which is fborter then a man can petch hirnfelfe on. Now if a man lye not even with them, and but ever fo out' reaches their reafon, judgements, or opinions, hemuft ( pre- sently ) be punifbed, and cut fborter 5 as the Giant, that in the High-way feized upon all Paffengers, and carried them home to his Bed, and thofetfiat were not long enough to lye even with his owne length% and the length of bit Bed, he by {ome moft bitter and fat all engines or wrackj, would rend them out, and draw fo one joynt from another, that by moft iamentabh tortures he would teare them out to that length ', but in cafe any were t$* long for h is Bed$ and his length, he would cut of their leggs till he had made them fit for his humour and fancy. But this i$ a moft monftrous tyranny in men, ton?r4C^and tor- ture conferences, and fay too it is for drifts fqkf, either to rend or wracke them out, or elfe to command ma cut them off, (if beyond them ) to make them even with their owne length and height in their opinions and prcttifes. ) But thefc Mothers children that are angry with us, and would fet us to keep flr&nge Vineyardsytnd tbe[e Brethren that- have hated as, and caft us out for Cbrifl: bis (ah{ ( as they fay )'andfaid, let the Lord be ghrjfied, (hall be afbamed when the Lord (ball appearetobe our yoy. See Ifa. 66*%* for the Lord's deftgne in thefe dayes is to pull downe fuch as are incenfed againft the Saints, Ifa. 41. n. and thus faith the Lord, Eztl^, 35. 2I-, 22. Becsufe yee have tbruft them with fide and with (houlder, and puftn all tbe &\\eafed with your homes, tiSyee have fecttered them abroad y therefore will Ifave my fiocke, and tbeyfhallbe no more a prey* So mjer. 30. i6» AH that devour e them fltall be devmred, and all thy adverfaries fl)allfe captives, and they that fttyled thee fb all be made afpoile, and all that prey Upon tbse will I give for a prey; for I will reflore health unto thee, and beale thee of thy Wounds, becaufe they called thee an out* caft, faying, this is Zion whom no man feek.es after, &c. For it mud be, tb*t every plant which fa Father batb not planted , Chap.8 %uling Synods ruining. IO£ Mat. 15. 13* J°< 15- 2* (ball be rooted out (**!**>**** ) or fulled up by the not* ) (o (hall Synods downe, for Co much as they ufurpe "Dominion ; but in fome cafe ( as we confider hereaf- ter ) that the Elders appointed by their Churches doe meet to- gether, to conferre, to affift, and counfell ( not to command) we can confent unto, and are confident that it is very war- rantable by the Word ; and Mr. Parker I remember in his Church-polity proves by many pregnant Argument s from un- deniable Scriptures and Writers ( Orthodox fo called ) and rrnanfwerable reasons, how every Church hath an equall and abfolute power without appealing ; and that Synods, Courts, ( or Commtfuonated'Clajfes) have not the icaft power over any Church of Cbrift* to command or rule ; only (at mod ) to admonifh, counfeil^ and advife ; and it is without a ivarrant, and but a barren branch, an iff plant, and beyond the bounds otCbrift to exercife any fuch authority 3 we dial be more large in this afterwards ; but yet fee honeft Mr. Bur- roughs in his Heart- diviftons, cap. 22. who clearer it up to any capacity under feverall con/t derations, as that the extent of Ju- ridical power muftbe by injlitut ion as well as the po^pe fit felfe, and that all power receives its limits and extents ( in Church or State Dtjcipline ) from the fame Authority, whence it firft had its original! infiitution; which is undeniable, undoub- ted, and infallible truth. Now let our Brethren but (how their Magna Charta, or proofe out of Gods Word, for that power they would ufurpe over the Saints or Churches by Synods, or over any Church of Chrifirby any Claffes what- soever, and we will freely beare it j or elfe let none presume fo to oppre(Te the Saints by Convocations, to command and controule any Church of Chrift, or to wrackeany confeien- tious ChriftianSjOr to perfecutethem by reproaches,wrongs, punimments, Gr the like, as cannot crouch to their Crojfe, or cruell Judgements, which is, to put a yoke upon tbeir nectys , which neither we , rm eur fathers were able to bsare , A&sif. 10. Ob;. Tea, we can quick!) prove it by Scrif\ure, but turne to Afrs 15. and you [ball finde that appeales wen made to the Church zffcrufdem* P 3, Jn[* Expof. Synods mu ft down, that ufurpe domi- nion over con- fidences. - What aflim- blies arc allow- ed of,vivi. ch 9. lib**, Mr. Parser in's E-clef. Politic, lib. J. cap. u. frc.it* Omne deterrd—. iwum hxbet caufm ejfirien- ] tone? omue ejjiciens habet detcrm:?u!tmt Mr. Bumugb bis heart di» vifions. Na wan-ant otir of the Word for theai, Oil no **{p higher Powers, nor Appeals, Lib. I, Viit Hoofa in's Survey. Cottons way for the Con- gregation clea- red, cum mult is aliu. Sec. Expof* No Appeals, to lerufalem, for Canons or as having a fupremc Power. z It was not a- bout Church- jgovernmentj but toiikc their advice & judgement of a matter in controverfie. No neceifity offending* but it was thought 6t to fend to lerufakm. 4 Should it bee granted, ap- peals were made thither. Yet whet e be Apoftles now? or men to fit as are infallibly gifted.graced, andfpiiitcd. Thewfcole Chnch,bre- thren, ifters, all joyncd. Anjw. This is the Mafler-objeclion that can be brought a- gain ft this Vetlrine of Gofpel-trder') which is (o often and ablely anfwered ( I thinke) by all that have penned on this [ubjttl, as that I need not to anfwer any thing unto it : yet feeing it is fo propounded, I pray you marke in that Chap- ter, Appeals are not made to the Church of Jerufalem , as if they had command over any Church to rule them , or/e* tbema VireQory of Cburcb- government, how they (hould pra&ife, &c. no , but onely to advife and ccunfeK them as a Sifter-Church , and as one of a founder judgement , and of longer and riper,and fafer experiences. Secondly , Befides,the application made to Jtrufalem was not about £burcb- government -y or for inftruftion* from them on that account , but ic was about a difference , that arofe among fome who Were fet for Circumci/ion after the manner of Mofeiy whether that might be,or no > what they (who wete of more eftablifbed, and better-Jctled judgement?) thought of that matter , which fome held fo needfull , verfe 1,2,4,5. Thirdly, Ic appears in verfe 2. in that they deteminedt *-&%&, that is , cbofe and approved of Paul and Barnabas upon that arrtnd, it was not {jure divino) of abfolute necefficy to appeaIeyot rather apply thither, nor yet did they doe it, as to an higher power ( as was anfwered in the firft ) as if they had any Dominion over their faith 3 but only as helpers of tbeit \oy9 2 Cor. l.\ilt* Fourthly 5 But (hould we grant it ( which wee will not as long as our Buckjer holds whole ) but (hould wee, they would bee but little the better for it; for confider who they were , were they not the Apoftles ? men? extraordina- rily enabled > and can any (now) fay fo ? and with fuch confidence ? as verfe 28. for it feemetb good to the Holy Gboff, and to ttf&c* without high prefumption> Bur, Fifthly, This helps not one jot the Presbyterian* or Pre- lacy, nor adds an hairs breadth to their Difcipline , or Dotlrincz for wee finde in verfe 22. It pleafed the Apatites and Elders with the whole Church to fend, &c» the whole Church had the knowledge of it^and their voting in itjand the Apoftles and '" Elder* ■ ■ — Chap,8« In the Churches of Cbriftby Qofpel order. ill Elders did not anfwer on their owne beads , but the Cbmb confented to it, and concluded it ; which if contrary to the Presbyterian judgement and praftifes , who will have the Elders alone to be a power and authority enougb 9 without the reft of the Church, which is contrary ta rule 5 befides the ill conferences or' it, which I (hall fpeake unto hereafter in the third Booke , and which is a giving of an abfolute power tofuch (which makes them Lord it) who are to have but a derivative power, and are but fervant* at bed* Bat thus that objeftion is (1 hope) fufficiently anfwercd. An- other. Ob)ec7. Butisitfo! hath no one Church, power over another > why then ? how can a Church bee reforraed^that crres in doclrine or praclife > AnfvXhm muftbe fpirituaB help againfl ffiritual evift,and ihe weapons *f our warfare are not carnall* here is no need of the worlds powers , which I (ball /hew hereafter y but we muft make ufeot Cbr ifis- rules ,v?hich are cleare in this cafe* Confider in an erring Church either a part or the whole is corrupt and adulterate^ if onely a p*rt,then the feundpart mufladmomfb, convince and rcforme their erring brethren if they bee able^ but in cafe they cannot doe it , then they may fend for the afliftance of a Sifter- Churchy** Antiocbdld, J&f.Tjil} But if fo bee it be the whole Church erre$ , then looke how an (equ all) brother in one bidy kto deale with another,accord- ingtothefamer«/eof Matth. 18.15,16,17; and by proper* Hon is an equall Sifter-Church to deale with another r for al- though one Church 1% not fubjetJ^ or [ubordinate unto another! (neither is one brother to another )yet oneCburch is coordinate, j and hath a like power with another(and fo hath one Brother with anotherYfo that as in brother lyAeve and communion^ one brother admanifbes, reproves, exhorts, convinces another ; and if there be no helpe fork, declares the brothers offence in publike, and may in time and order according to rule with- draw from him, asin 2 76^3.6% thus may, and muft cm Church (in fifterly love and communion) deale with another 5 as to enquire into the nature of the errours or offence gi» ven b^anfrr/^CfcHrciw)toher,.toknow.the7r/«&, Dear* Net A pottle* nor Elders, on their owne heads,as the Presbyterian would infer, ^ Thisfpoyle* officers, and makes them tf. i-ordit. OfytJr Anfwl Spiritual reJ medies, to fp£ ritual evils. Ii. 1 Ch.ij.Ch. t. Lib.z. How to deal wirh an erring* Church. One Sitter- ; Church may deal with ano« ther Sitter - Church,as one brother in a Churth may dfalwith ano- ther. Churches co-*- ordinate* A»d may ad* moniihjadfiee^. Inoujce, 112 Examine. Expofm Exhort. Convince* If the erring Church will not hear5 then one or two Churches morejoyn to- gether to ad- xnonifliher. If norh'ng will prevail;then all Churches joyn together. To withdraw from her, and declare againft and excommu- nicate her. This will bee greater punifh- mentthen pri- foBs to the confcientious among them. If Chrifts judg- ment pvevailes not with them, mens cannot. The beft way to bring in an trring Church. If a whole Church er/es, how to be reformed. Lib. !• 1314. and not to proceed upon barereports, Exod. 23.1,2. which- yeefhall not raife, or not receive;, for it may be read both wayes; then may the Chufch fend Letters or Mtfengers co that erring- Church to admontfc exhort, reprove^ and convince^ if (he hears they have gained their Sifter- Church 5 but if fhee refufes to be reformed, then that Church may take one or two C'wrches more to afiift her. But if (he refill admonition, and all means that bee ufed by prayers, failings, intreatings, perfwafionS) reproof es, and all, then all the Churches about ap- point to meet , and by the word of God reprove the erreurs, and it they finde her obftinate , then all other Churches are to withdraw from her , 2 T/w. 16,17. Tii.3.10^1. and de- clare againft thoie errours, and no longer to hojdthema Communion of Saints 9 but to" take away all right-hands of fellow/hip, untill their repentance appeare to the jatisf aft ion of the aforefaid offended Churches, and a vifible reformation ^nd a publike renunciation of the aforefaid errours and finnes. Now if they be contentions and gracioutythh puniftment (for fo it is called, 2 Cor. 2. 6.) will pierce to the very hearts of them, and this will a?or^e more upon them , upon their conferences , then all the prifons , or punijhmems of the world. For if the decla- ring againft fuch a Churc h , the withdrawing of all others from her, their open protefling againft her,and abhorrence of her deteftable errours and finnes, if they btc fo, and the di£- owning of her {oiaemmunion of Saints^nd their continual- ly appeales unto God againft her, if thefe doe not deeply enter into her heart,and ftrike their confeienoes that are in her, and affl ill their fpirits-, what will > For Job.^*22, All judgement is committed to the Sonne ; and I am fure if Chrifts wayes,and the weapons of his make, cannot prevaile, then a foimalljurifz diBion, Courts and commands of mens maty, will not. Butthuslhave anfweredthe objefiions of might agalrtft this Foint,which hath been abundantly proved and preffed : For (pares omnes inter fe juris efftnt , fayes Whi%ak$r ) all Power is alike in all Churihes, whether in Ephefm , Co- rinth, Rome , Tbilipfi , 01 the like 5 one not being one iota fubjeft to another 5 Wherefore to the fecond Then Cbap.8. Independents Orthodox, and of longstanding n3 %)\e 2. Then wefte, fuch as are honoured ( though iome thinke nauafi ed ) by the name of Independents, I meane the Members of the Congregational! Churches }and Presbjterie f which we hold with, although the FrelatkaU be too prefumptuous and ufurping for us ) I fay, fuch are not without the Wora for their warrant -, nor are they without Cbrifts rule for their refuting the commands of men, or their proud precepts, tend- ing to embondage the Saints by their ufurping power; One Church having as plenary power as any other. Matter Paul Baines ('that ptccious holy man, and light of his age) in his Treatife printed, I62 1, pag. 13. fayes plainly, JFi? affirm iti that no (ucb Head- jbip of, or in any Church, was ordained by Cbrift (our only Headover us ) either aclually or virtually , but that all Churches are equally INDEPENDENT ( being his owne word ) withut anykjndeof [ub)eclionone to any other. Sweet Sibbs in his brea- things 8cc. pag. 94. fpeaking how amiable the Tabernacles were, applies them ( as Types ) to particular Churches vfChrifl, having equall beauty and glory ( and the faid Sibbs in his faid Treatife, lib. 2. chap. 9. ufes the very word alfo Independents. Ribinfon in his Reafws difcuffed, is large upon this poinc, and Bullinger in the 5. Dec ad. Serm. 1. fayes it at large alfo, That the power of gcvsrxing and ordering all affaires andC'ourch-matten, belonging to the b%dy is within the body, whither with relation to the calling, or chuftng Church- Officers^ Papers, Teachers, Elders, Dea- cons, and JWiniflers, AcX 6, A&. 1 4. & 1 5. or for binding and lopfing, and Censures, and Sacraments, examining of Dctlrines^ admitting of M^mbt rs, and hi all other Church-matters, and chat they have befides3 power to cail Synods, to confult upon weighty occaliun?. vfrntsinhhCMedulTbeol* lib. 1. chap* $J.fetl. 6. fayes, A il power efDifcipline ( De jure ) according to Chrifi's Institution is the Churches in Common, and none ought to fifepe power over any juch particular Church. A many more Wit- nefn and eminent mens Certificates under their owne hands, ( in their (Vtitings) might be produced to prove thefe truthes ; at Reynolds in his Conference wttb Hart ; din{worth in his Guide toZion-, Wiilets Synepfi s ; Cottons Reyes , Butlets Model? ; Taylor on Titus-, Cum multis alii s,&c. Rut by this you may fee how unfamly it is for, and how little it doth become our Q unbro* Vfe 2 Independents 1 have the word for their war- rant. Independents long befit a now. PauIBaincs^hk Diocefan trial 1 Pleads for I«- , dependents. Dxftor Sib's bis breathing jfcerGcd- Ufes the word Independents alfo. 7(o binfon. BuUiuger. All power is in the body* D idiot Ames in s Medal. Thcol. Power over ny paiticulat Chur h i> li- ft rped- D:< Reynolds* Amfwotb, billet's Sy- nopfr. Cotto»t ~Bartlety Tayl$r, II4 Learned men in all Ages of this judgement, lib.i. As Fryme, Baity, snd Xdmrds, &€• In all Ages the inoft eminent men Indepen- dents. & ©ut Confci- cnces carry us ©n. WhatisConfci- -£nce» unbtothetly md unhjnd KinjmetUji the Presbyterians to be fa bitter againft as, as to (ay only a few (imple upllart fanatick/9 and giddy-beaded illiterate f coles are of this opinion, why pro- duce your caufe, bring f or t b your fir ong re afons, faith the King of Jacob, //a. 41. 21* itisnoupftartNwe/ij, but a tr#fi> of e- ^5 ftauding with the Kingdwe of Cbrift ; and in all Aits the mod eminent Li gbts were of this opinion, though they had not the like liberty to put it into praclije. Ikfides, ftould we not be xvorfe then mad men to expofe our felres? poote Wives? with link Children > to the contempt of all ? to be repraacbedby all > our perfons to be bated of all > and to be abufed'm the open(lreetsy out names to be all befpot- ted with the fealp/r filth and dun which can bee can4 upon them > our Families and Friends to the ill-will of all (almoft) and we our felves continually to feed upon afflictions ? and palpable injuries? whilftnone dare, or doe appeare on our behalfe f this was, and yet is in many places in the Coun- tries, where we are in daily dangers and troubles. Now I fay, what a madneffe were it, we {hould enter into fo ftrait a gate, and r#« into the rage of all ( almoft ? ) whether pro* pbane, or Profejjors ? were not the teftimony of a good Confcience our continual! fe aft .? and refrefhing and rejoycing > Uameere head- ftrong will (hould frarry us on, to fuch a way of t homes and bryers. But beleeve it, and the Lord is our witneffe, h is our Confcience s that carrie us on. Now Confcience (being a conjunct Science, and a knowing of the e^# with the Rule) doth render us tap/>> in this ; That we moll faithfully and unfeignedly feeke the fatisfying our Souls in the revealed fVil5 and declared minds of Gad to that which we know. But thus we muft ( and wil if the Lord pleafe ) walk according to our ligbt, and as we are fully perfwadedin our breafls, that we may have peact at home, though perils abroad, and warres without continually. See Rom* 14. 5. Phil*3. 16. and lee not the Saints be in the leaft difcouraged at our fufferings 3 which are a token to us of Salvation, and that we are ef God9 in PbiL I. 27, 283 29. For we (hall come fbining out of the fire, and in glittering glory, I Pet. i*6tj. although indeed ,fofubtillishe3thatcan trans forme himfelfe into an Angell of Ligbt j Chap. 9. t/lll not Independents jb at Are fo called. Light, that Spirituall mckfdtujfcs are [et up in holy places ; wickc 1 clnejfes that feeme Spiritually and carry a face and forme of bolinetfe; For in every age. have your formall Profeffours run poftingtothac Religion, and worlhip which hath been in moft rtquefand hightft efteem ; and hence it is, whilft the ir Presbytery was beft accepted of, in oft of your PrelaticaU ones proved Presbyterians) and now Independency is in date.and hath the day of it 5 your Prtsbjterians turne Independents (omniapro tempore & nihil pro veritaie , faith one) or atleaft they gather together in the name of Independent Churches , and fuch as are fo called, who are commonly the cruelleft Per- fection and Petty-Popes over the poore Saints, and over the Independents indecd^erajn Ecclefiam nonftquenSyfedperfequens , thefe being (in thtir Judgements^ rigicUnd imaged 3gainft the true Churches of Chrifl, as the Presbyterians or Prelates ; And as one who hach the name of anothergr^f w^therfore hopes to be the heire, and have the day, is in hotpurfuit for the eftate, and will not compound for peace, unlefle upon fome un- equill termes, although heehath no right thereunto •, fo they; and by their party they prevail,to juftle afide the juft and true Heire indeed, and to fet him a begging for his livelyhcod : And yet icis poffible a t rue Church of Chrifl (hall bee profe- cuted under another name too, and that which is moft odious, it may bee. But yet we will fay aslfa.63.16. Voubikffe thou art our Fatherjhough Abraham be ignorant of us 5 and Israel hpow us not* Whilft our Caufe is good, our confidence is great > our intereft will hold,when others forged Titles will not be worth twopence ; yet how impudent are fome 5 rhat like Praxiteles ', (who made the poore people worGiip his Strumpet infteadof Venus, and under her name 5 fothey)gull poore fouleswith a ferme , appearance , and painted PiUure. Thefe worfhippersof the Forme, are enemies to the Spiric and Power j but let us not fcare their frownes , menaces, nor malice, bat let us goe on , though the bawling Curs run railing after the gallopping Pajfenger, yedetus ride fofi , in a Victory of Pttience , and in the Triumph of In- nsceacy. And as Anaxarchus faidto the Tyrant 5 Tundis va[c*lum Amxmbi > /M non Anaxmbum ; So they may 0,2 hurt Formal! Pro* ffff3iirs time- ferveis. Many take up the name of Independents, and Indcpcn- dt n;-Churche(i that are not fo. Sitri. Our faith and fortitude. Sim* n6 The Churches ObjeB. Lib.L hurt us, but not hinder us; trouble us, but not triumph over us. CHAP. IX. The feeautifull ©fe/e&of Ghrifts Church. What it Is? Proved by Scripture*. His power and glory there. His name and beftbldHogs there. His pre fence by his Word . and Spirit, there, DS Zebu A further ^Demonftration of the "Difcipline of the Chwcfc of Chrift, obje&ive, or upon the account of the Churches objeft, and what that is.. WE have handled, through the grace and goodnejfi of our 6W, the Forme (I hope) fully of Church- difcipline and Goffel-fellowfiif, wherein I truft, the Lovers of the truth will not take mee to bee too fcdjojtf , although in the following- chapters, I wifli I could promife to be compen- dious, cfpecially in this firft Lib* feeing what is to come fas I take it) is leffe contwverfalyl {hall next infill upon the ob)?el of this Church-flate, whereby it becomes fo amiable unto the Saints, viz. the Prefence of God, giving out of llmfelfe more in. graze, and glory to fuch Saints then to any others, according to P/4Z.87.2.3. which pint lyes apparent, Pfal. 84.1, 2,7, 10,1 1. So PfaL6$.i>2. O God \hu art my Godtmyfoule thirftetb for thee, myflejb longetb for thee, &c* to fee thy fewer, and thy glory, fo as I have feen thee in thy Santtuary > verfe 5. My foule (ball be fatisfedas with mamWi&c. that is abundantly more then in other places, which thing is promifed us,as in Exod. 20.24. In all places where 1 record my name y I will come and bleffe, &c« i.e. I will come in a fpeciall manner^ and bleffe them vtithfpeciaUblcjfmgsof grace % fois the type, Exod.25 8. fo in Ifa.4.5^. He is upon all the af[embliesof Zion ( not elfe- where) a cloud and fmoake by day^ and a flame of fire by night, and ufonfiHtbeglffryadefencei&c* Ibrtjfi, there the Saints (in the. Chap. 9. The beautifull Ob)eft of the Church. 117 Farthings and kails ihcrc. There is j^c the Lords hpwe,thi* mount aine of boitnejfe) ftialj bee feafied with fat things, Vi*\^ 6.%. and (hall fay as in verfe 9. Lotbis is our God we have waited for him , ibis is tbe Lord we have waited for him , we will repyce and be glad in bis jalvation, &c that is3 we have waited for thefe appearances , and this his presence in gracefmd of glory frc* Thus in Ifa.&.ij.thmtbycyefljaUfee tbe King in bis beauty(an amiable objscl indeed)and in verfe 21 . there the glorious Lord will be a place of broad Rivers and ! beauty! S ftreamSt&c. There is the lovelieft, heart-ravifhing, and joule- j And place of enamouring objett that the Saint can fet his organ or eye upon; j broad rivers. here is the beloved, white , and ruddy, and more then all otbtr ! q ' m°ft foui- beloveds, Cant J.IO. &c befides this foule-enamouring pre- /e«ce is proraifed to tbe end of tbe world among Saints in fuch communion, Matth. 18.20. joh. 14. 22,23,26. Matth.28.20. Joel 2.27. Zeph 3.I6.17. This lovely objecl ( beyondall others) Sunt* embodied as before have had the bappinejfe to fee and enjoy pr to have the fmitive difcoveryof, which ail the true Churches of Ch rift have experienced to the purpofe , and their pro/zt in all ages , A&.2.28.A On which acccunt3how eagerly Saints fhould bee fet upon fuch a wW^will (obvioufly) appeareoutof Pfal.B.a). 1,2. for if beauty, ble(fedneffey hve} life, light, grace, glory, . or any good thing be ob)dl enough to win upon a people, .all, and more then all, may be had here, in Pfal. 27.4 One thing have I rheChmches. deftred of tbe Lord, &c+ what is that > that I may dwell in tbe I ] ni* made boufeoftbe Lord aU the dajes of my Ufe,v/hy (oho behold the beauty ^^ven ef the Lord. O there! there is the excellency of the Lord / the ^em. kvelineffe of his cmtenance ! the comelinejfe of his favour I the 0,5 beauty ravifhmg ob~ left there. Wh re and •iuJdy. To r he end of the world. Safnts and Chuitbes in all ages have , expe/ienced this point,. Vie. The object in- vites and in- cites us into 118 Parifh Churches ha%e not this Ob)eB of Truth. Lib J. beauty of his face! above all places ! in the midfof the afftm- blies of the Saints thus united into a body. NowParifbes have not this amiable and peculiar prefence of the Lord, they want the foauty of this objttt , and this object of beauty abundantly -, For but little of God is to bee [een in their conjiitutms and Churches* Now, where molt of Gods preface of love, light) grace, and glory, &c. is promised , and like the Sun in a cleare Skie ? O glorious 1 It is a Tradition thac Noah being inthe^r^j and having clofed up all the win- dows t had a mod excellent Carbuncle, or precious ft one, which gave them light ail within. But it is a truth that Chrift gives a mod orient, radient luftre , light, and beauty to the objeft of every eye in the Churches of Chrift : So that the beauty of his Tabernacles is mofl amiable, whileft beauty and naugbtinejfe blended together } doe (hew like 2 Leprofie, And in thefe Aflemblies of Sion Ged ap- pears moftglo* nous and glad- fome. Panfhes have net this object.. Forma form*. Thofe that are not longing sfter thefe wayes of Sion, fee not this ®bjeft inrhem. Dr. Ames left his PrcfefDr- lhip of Friez- land for Church fellow- Ihip. Vid. Peters Re- port of Eng. wars. H f s dying words. Ignorance cf the object hin- ders the affe- ction. Sim. Chap.io. Cbrijis Ruie to meajure the Church by, Leprofie , the whiter the fouler. But thus farre for the Objeft. CHAP. X. ppn or pn Chho\. 119 Every Church of forty hath his Rule to bee ordered? \ fitted, fcrmtd, and fquared by •, and how all the 'mat- ■ tcr mufi bee meafured by ffoift*s Rule, and what that is ? IN this beautifull building , wee have heard the matter ] and the fsme, and have found out the Churches fairnejfe, ob- pttive i. c. from the prefence of God in the middtfx of her. But nowitremaines that the rule bee brought out to fquare by. For is not this the Carpenters Sonne! 'the Sonne of Mary? or will this Carpenter > or rather the Builder of this Temple of the Lord, worke without his Rule ? no furely; therefore, Rev.i i .i» There was given me a reedy and the Angel [aid , rife andmeafure the Temple of God, and the Altar 3 and them that mrfhip therein, &c. This Reedh the Rule 9 whereby the Flatforme of the Lnds Temple is meafured out , and laid before US; thus the valley of Succoth is meafured out* Pfal.6o.6. So is ltinEzek.43.10. Let tbsm meafure the patterne of the Lords hu\e. This worke will not bee well done without Rule, and that Rate muft bteCbrifls too, which meafures it e>«f; as nvght appearc by other Scriptures^lCa. 11. i. Zach,6l2,i$. Matth.i5.id. So you may fee in the Precept for it, Matth-rt.iO. What J have commanded. Chrifts commands are our rules ; IVifdotn (that is, ChviS) calls. Prov.7.1. Keepmy words, and hear m) Commandments; Keeftbmyt\MU9 fo as diligently toobferve tbsm. ! Chrifts Rule. I to bu41d the Churcfc by. Proved necef? fary, 1 BySc ipture* Exfof*. 1 By Precept; ChrifU Com- mands.and. Rules* I20 Cbrifls Rule in Cbu/ch Matter and Form. Lib. I. $. Proved by practife. fan. Expof. The Apoftle urges the Rule. Not as a head, bat as a helper. Expof, Reafon i. Mans unfic- nefs. Mad Church- work made by mens rules. Reafon 2# Godsitrid command. Moles dwft do nothing on h.s own head. Nor David, pot Solomon. iChro. 8. i4. a Kings 6. $*. them, as 7^ tells u?. So Tr0v$. i32. Doth not wifdom cry f and under (landing put forth her voice ? {be crieth at the gates ; &c. So my beloved [pake, and [aid* Rife up my love, my fair one, and, come away, Cant«2. 10. It k the voice of my beloved, vcrf.8. So in PfaL 45. IO. Be(ide?3 this hath been the frattife of all true Churches, as in 1 tbef. 4.1,2. Wt be feci) you as ye have received of ury fo walk; How? According to the Commandments Redelivered toyou>bytbeLordJeffisCbrifl. For this k the will of God}8tc. So I Cor. 1 1.2. 1 praife you, tba* you keep (or obfcrve,rremember, and obey) tbe Ordinances, m&<$i&*y Dod^mes,Traditions, Pre- cepts, &c. as I bave delivered them unto you* Now how was that ? P or policy of men, though they be never (owift, learned, or lofty, to lay down precepts for the Saints pra&i ft ; or to fee the way to worjbip God in, and by 5 all this being beyond him, and too high for him.A. Balaam could fay, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, Numb.M.lS. Should the Lord have left this to the wills and wits of men , what amoft miferable Church-work^ mould we have had ? For every man would have had his minde,and fet up his fancy, Reafon 2. Wherefore, fee how precifely it lies, in Exod. 25.40, Tkatthiylook^to it, that all be made according to tbe pattern fbewed upon tbe Mount. So that Mofes muft do nothing on his own bead, in the Government of the Church, or by his own private authority, about the Tabernacle, but as the Lord Com- manded; No&durft David, or Solomon do any thing in the Lords Tempi*) either in fingersy&c. but all by direction from above, and accordingto tbe Laws 9/ the Lord, who hath laid all) and lined all out by bit own rules, and according to hif own will, iCbfcn.^^. Much Ids durft any (whether Apoflles, or others) have undertaken it without direfiion from taeLordjandChrift's//?:^ and rule 3 this glorious building of the G/pe/, fo far e*#*di the farmer* Reafon 3. Wherefore the voice out of Heaven bid, bear him •, For he hath brought down from his Fatbers bofo m the pattern of this fnew) Jerusalem s which is coming down from Godoutof Heaven. Hence, Ads 3.22. Chriii is called the Prof bet Uks unto Mofes, commilfionated from the Lord to delineate unto us, and lay before us by plain aad perfect rule, and line, whatfoever appertains to the true dijcipline, and worship o{ God. So in Ifai*?. 7. Of the increaje of bis Government fit ail be no end, to order it, and eftablifb it, &c. Ha?. 22. 2 r. / will commit bis Government into bis bands oV. And he [hall reign in rigbte- oufaejs, and rule in judgement) Ifai. 32. £. So in Za:b. 6. 13. Even be (ball build tbe Temple of tbe Lord, and be (hail bear tbe gUry, and be (ball (it and rule upon bis Tbrme, &c. Hence faith Cbrift, Matib. 28. 18. All (£§*$* J au boritativc power, is given me in Heaven and Earth* Go, therefore and ttccb them to obferve ail things that I have commanded you, and I will be wi\b you totbe end of tbe world. Wherefore God hath revealed his minde made forth by Cbritt in the Gofpel, and that rnuft he minded by all men, and Min.'/fer/, in th;s workj, that all that b* laid upon the building, be hrft bewnfit, ordered, fauared, and qua- lified, for this wtffbip of Gin ft, (both matter and manner) by [ form, is to be Cbrift his own rule. All other rules of the bell, abieft, and j fitted by his wifefi men will make but Qmud-walls) mad vnrkj unequal and uneven, being all too long, or too fort, but Chrifts own. Vfe 1. We findeby this, that Parifbrs are no Churches of CbriiVs building; never built according to Cbrifts rule or **- Uchrtfian, and drawn out of the whimfical dUlrines, fanatick^ and fantaftick^ Ordinances and Directories of mens fcrnin/. Wherefore come out, tfr. For a jf cfoz p, wbefitver abides not AlltheCfcurfi matter, and the Rule. lift l. * PariOv Chur- ches never at: cording to Chiift's Rule. Ads of the A- poftles, the Churches beft Directory. R «• 122 Independent Churches by Chrifts Rule. Lib. I. . V[e. 2. We walk by Kule. independent Chirrches ac- cording to ChrifbRuIe. Dr. Sibbs.. Neither muft we make rules, nor flioh: Chrifts Rules. pit. Brifbtmtn: '• Expof* Then her p:,ths < .{hall gjifcr « and.fliine. in, but tranfgreffes from the doilrine @f Cbrift, bath not God, &c. Wherefore V, io. receive him not into your houfe, nor bid him God freed y for xvbojoeyerbiddetb him God freed, if partaker of bis evil deeds. Neither are ye to own, or fay, CJod freed to Paro- chial Cenftitutlons, which are tranfgrejpons to the rules and lam of Cbrift, according to all the Scriptures I have produced, and hereafter {hall. V\e 2. Let none fay then, wc wal\ without rulet feeing the pattern of our houfe is meafured by this Reed, as hath been proved, and will be more. Vfe 5. Let all Saints fet themfelves to obferve Chrlfts rule directly, without adding to it, or diminishing from it, Revel.22* 18, ip. fo far as they fee, even to a fin. For in this CMofes was accounted faithful, Beb.3.2. for that he had fo exatt a care according to the pattern in the building of the Tabernacle, HeL%. 5. I remember fweet Sibbs, in Wis breathing after God, Pag.91. fpeaking of Gods houfe, fayes, Houje is taken for the perfons, orders, and enjoy- ments in it5and government of it (all gods') which is all to be according to Chrifts rule. Let every Church of Cbrift keep clofe to the Revealed vriff. Far be it from the Saints to run the riot, with fome refra&ory and unruly rugged ones; fo as to flight Cbrifls rules, and to account it a bondage to be mea- fured thereby, and ordered thereafter ; but I (hall fpeak to them, in the Third Book. Yet Brigbtman on Rev.i2 i.faycs. The Saints of Cbrift called in to a Church, muft, according to the Primitive pattern, be clothed with the Sun (Cbrift^ crowned with the light of the Twelve Apoftles ( Twelve Sars) and having the UWaon, u e. the light borrowed from the Sun (Chrift) to pine in her pattiis 5 to dir-.tl htvfeet in her difcipline, and wsrfoip. It will never be well with the Church, until gathered and ordered according to Chrifts rule, and then her paths (ball glifter by the Beams of the £#7. Let us therefore be thus minded,& c- as the Apoflle fay s3 Fbil.2, 1 5. and whereto we have attained, in Vtr. 16. Wallaby the fame rule. The Lord Jeftu Cbrifl direct our way> 1 fbsf. J. XT. And as many as w disaccording to his rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and all 'liejfrael of GQd,Gri*6>l6, Amen, Thus Ch ap. t I . True Churches according, to Chrifts Rale. 125 Thus we hear how requisite Chrift's Rule is : and indeed, 1 till then as the Houje will be built but ill-f avoredly, and un- skilfully : So the Ordinances of Chrifi will be there, but as the Ark was among the Philiftims, rather prifonast then pri- ttiltdges (as trap fayes 0 And indeed, I do fear they are fo amongft fome of your Formal Cburcb-fellow(bips gathercd,and Hou[fs built up by unskilful workmen-^ who were not iojpiriied for the xocrhf as fome will be (hortly. But as the Ho«/e>after it is built, fhnds firm without the builder, bscaufe he giveth the artificial order onely, and not the [ubftantial being to the build- ing 5 (o indeed, fuch Churches, as are built by G&jpd rule and order, will (land firm, though the Fajlors, or fuch (whofe Miniftry was the means of making them fojbs no longer about them : But the good order and rule ofCbri[l will con- tinue and keep them upjwhilft fuch as go to gather a people, or to build without Chrift's Rule, do but lay the brands to- gether without tongs>and are fure to burn their own fingers atleaft,atlaft In mm\ g .- there- Church- es, Old'-- anrc; pnfoneis, as in ! Babylon. Trip* \ Exod. ; Unskilful ! builders not yet fo fpiricd tor the work a$ they will be. Sim. Sim. CHAP. XI. Svery man or woman that enters into Church- fellow (hip tnuft have afull^ freehand clear confent, and be through- ly falls fed^ having a voluntary fubmiffion to all the Ordinances , and Orders of Chrift in that Churchy where- into he or fie is entring. THus as we do abfolutely Jif claim fuch as fall fhort of, and fuch as run beyond Chrift's Rule in this Cburcb-fiate on all fides, and that do de novo take up any prattije without precept from Chrift : So alfo we muft fee by what means Saints fo qualified as before, are to be embodied tQgcther, R. 2 C which AH that joy ri in this way, * muft do.it by free aad "uri- compelled eonfent. 124 i. "Proved by Piophccies. bin ■tAR are to be Voluntim* Lib. I : Expef. Morefiwinit. All flow freely. All mutually and concur- rently give rhemfeives up Wit'* one con- fent. a. Proved by precepts. Acts it. 'if. 019* Calls to come f«eely, JLxfoU Chrift s call t© ©ame freely, and fervently. Chephet% in Heb-cw. VideBi^aiuloc, ftt Hugo Groti- vs. See Burroughs •n the Excel- lency of a gracious Spirit, p. 281. 3. Proved by continual Pra- aifeofChtifti Twelve Dlfci' pies. which 1 (hall more particularly pitch upon in Book- 2. Chap.2. B-Jt at prcfenc we /hall prove, none,but fuch a? ate throughly fatisried of then?**, and fas being convinced J can freely and voluntarily conftnt> are to enter into jr. For we fhall finde tht-Profbecies clear in this, P]aU 1 10. 3. Thy people (ball be frilling in t'pe day of thy po\X>er 5 fo in Ijai. 2.2, 2/f they (ballflitv (/. e. freely, unconftrained, by an infinitl, as the tydes do, and of their own accord) to the boufe of iha Ltrd, end fay% Come \ which (ignifiej a-freenefs thereunto without corr»- pulfion. Sojer. 50. 4.. 5, &c% wherein their willingnefs (hall appear; in that they go, weep, andrun, andfeek# and enquire, and M-kJor the ways of Zton, and f&y> Come let us )oyn our jelves in a perpetual Covenant, &c. By all which, iris clear all they do (in erdine ad cornmunionem Evangel.) is done by a voluntary confent and concurrence . So Micab 4.12. fo Zacb. 2*. 11. fo jeyning tkemftlvefy is in the Hebrew, A mutually giving up tbemfelvei f>- gttberwitb the knowledge and conftm one of another 5 And thus in the third Chapter of Ze*« thdun Is as much as to fay, fuch as will come according to Chriits call and command, mull come/rec/^afTt£tionately, and with fer- vency of defire, (Importat f.mul affetlionem, afeclationem & ac- cept itionem) therefore they muft deny tbemfelvss, (ttiupnm&v , &c.) that ist Let him not have ends to come for , nor prin- ciples te come from off his own ; but let him have fas it were) no reafon of his own, for, or frombimjelf to induce bim thereunto, which is an hard faying to forae. For the word if an accurate compound , noting more then an ordinary or fingle (elf-denial, (Abnegtu *• e. Omninoneget :> Now none others come to Gbrift to follow him, in fellwjhip witbbim, .: according Chap, i I . Entring orderly into Church fellowjhtp* 125 according to his call and commands, but fuch as were freely | carried forth, even from their own reafons (if need require) I into & voluntary canfent y and coming into union and communion] with the Saints : Which alfo in all ages is proved by the ; Churches pra&ife. Shall we look a little into the Typical Ta-X bcrnades, and it is a truth therein 5 viz* All that then offered* were 10 be free, and to do h voluntarily, (i.e. not violently, or conftrained thereunto} therefore Exodt 2<>. 2. 0 ! every man tbalgivsib it willingly with bis heart, ye (ball take my offerings* And Verf.-8, 9. Let them make me a SanEluary that I may dwell amongthem, according to all that I (hewed after tbepattern&c. This | is alfo a good Gajpsl-rule, and it is a moral, reafon able fervice I fhallftiow; but fo inExol 35. 5- Whoever is of a Willing heart, Ut him bring his offering. Verf.22. 'They came both mm and Xcomeny at many as were willing hearted, (none elfc came war- rantably) and Verf.29. The children of, Ifrael brought a willing \ offering unto \ha Lord, every man and woman t wbofe heart made them j wWixg ; which tb? Lord bad emmanded. And in iCbron. 29, 5. | JV09 then is willing to confecrate bis fervice this day untpjbe Lord ? \ VerC6, 7. They offered willingly for the fervice of the Lords houfe 5 > but r.esd I be fo long ? In Nebcmiabs days, chap.4.6. So built \ they the wall, &c. For the people bad a minde t$ -wsrfa notwith- (landing the oppofitions and great enemies, anddifcoura- ging difficulties, were enough to daunt them. So (J fay in all ages) Saints did freely and willingly (without the leaft wmpdfieri) to unite and embody together, and enter into felljwfhip; as it isfaid, Jo.6.ii. they willingly received him into the /7;/p* So when Cbrifl called his Difciples into this Cburck-ftate, the) J came willingly, and by a frce~confent, Mattb. 4% 20, 22. prefently, and without lingring, or delay, or asking counfel of their Father or Friends. So Matth. 19. 27. toGaliA^, 16. and fuch as were pricked at their hearts, with the word of grace, in Ails 2. 37, did fo in Verf. 41 . gladly, I JhySw (u e« willingly) receive the word, and being baptized, \ entered imofelkwfhip. So in^flj8. & n. & 13. 8M4,&c.J And thus the Church of Corinth were gathered, and thus the Churches of Macedonia, iC«r.8. 3,5. who were willing of themfelves} and they did (fayesJW) give up their [elves to R 3 the And Chinches in allnges. Proved by Types. None elfe fit for r>e fertin* up of Gods Sanctuary. AH were to be free and wil- ling 3 elfe not to be accepted. Saints Jn all" ages fuch free vvillers. Expof. In primitir& times fo. Expof. J%6 Saints free and voluntary in entring into Churches, Lib J Exptf. Examples. iThetr. i.^7. i Reaf I. Dtherwife we were fho.t sf the very heathens, leaf. 2. Elfe in bond- gc. Re*/*. 3* Life foon fall bff. 5arifh Chur- :hes upheld by amall wea- >otis. /Vhilft the >pirit, it 1st hit ©nvinces us jf die truth, onftrains us pthe tmth, tnd makes u$ vorfhippers in tie tmth. porapulfive powers doe Tiore hurt fim good- the Lord, and then unto us by the will of God iJhi&v, that is freely9 and cheerfully, and willingly. Thus the Church of Tbtffabnica were example* to all Be- Severs m ^Macedonia 2nd Actinia, for their readincjfs and piU lingnejfej wee might inftance all along, and confirmc this abundantly by examples and reafont , but that I (hall bee too tedious; yet the truth is, (hould we not, with a free, tnd by a voluntary consent ferve the Lord in this his mtfbip , and enter into the beauties of boliueffe; Firft, We mould fall fhort of all Worfhippers , even of falfe gods , and the very Heathens would rife up a- gainft us : For nature it felfe teaches us to worfhip God Willing- ly, and the Scripture teaches us much more willingnejfe in the true worfhip of the true Godjoh 4.23. Secondly, otherwife his Wor[bip would bee as a bcnlage to us; for when it is tedious to mtn,Jl^al^.i^t then they are foon weary with xotll' doing. And befides, thirdly, they be Hypocrites , and will never holdfaft, but fall of fearfully, that enter not in freely and fully fatisfied, 1 Joh.2.9,10. and per/waded in their owne foules by the Spirit of the Lord9 Monendo, movendo , & re* mavendo ) infku&ing , moving, and removing all the lets. Vfe 1 Then the weapons of our warfare are not then (forte 7t* %i^^)carnall, flefhly, worldly, or the like ; Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, faith tbe Lord, Zach.4.6. wherefore weefindeno need oi cempu/five Powers , whereby Parochial! conftitutkns were kept alive fo long , viz. by Powers to csmpell men by flocks, frijons, fines, pillories , and punifhments, and whether they will or no to make them keep their Parifb- Cburches&nd Ecclefiafticall Canons , whilft alas! it is the Spi- rit'-convinces us of the truth, Joh. 16. 8.9. and conflraines us to the truth, Job.32.l8. and makes men worfbippers in the truth, Joh*4. 3 2 .Uphold me with thy free Spirit ,faith David, Pfal. 5 1 .1 2. and that the Spirit makes men free in the truth , and the truth Intbem, fee Jofe.8.32,33.36. 2 Cor.3.17. It is not all the beatingjQibruiftng, whipping, or puniihing in the world, will per [wade, the conference , convince the heart, \>r convert the firr ner> ,-_„___ I - — ■ ■ — - — Chap 1 1 . C 'oercive Powers improprr^and unprofitable torn, 127 ■>*, ner. Thus men may be made Hypocrites , and play the ot N >P> or >f or 3t ,nc vo he 'Co >o\ no he &. ThcofofiM an example. All to-tcich Magiftraces to be under Chrifts Dif- cipline, and not that Chrift is under theits. But what Ma- ' gi (braces and Kulcrs may do as to matters of Keligion. Hew far they may go. Vik ch.13. Examples. Not to force conferences. Exp$J. But with gentlenefieto win them in to the truth. Object, Expof. Anfw. I Negatively fovhctn feen (being guilty of* fonie fins) willingly cbejed% and lay low before the Lord , and did not dare to partake of it3 un~ till his ftnnes were anfwered by farrows futably in the fight of all* and till tue had both openly delivered his griefe, and evidently declared his faith before all. Befides Tbeohjii* Ernperour ('m^Jib.EccLf.Hiff.ofEtife- bint) is eminent for his moft ready and reisgtcus obedience to j4mbro[eh\$ exhortations and reproofe , which brought him proftrateupon his kpees 9 and flat upon his f and with j forcing arguments ; in which fen fe wee are to compel! tbem as much as wee may > with the weapon of tbe word , and ftrength of truth. But before I finifti this Chapter, let not the Civil! Magi' grates imagine in the leaft, that this Difcipline of the (,'burcb doth derogate a tittle from their juft rights which is the falfe fuggeftion of our Adversaries oi old againfi us , as Ezra 4. 7,8. and verfe \6. they [aid to tbe Kingy if tbeje men goe on , then tbou Wit lo[e thy right and portion. Thus the Prejidents confpired againft Daniel, Dan. 6.6.7. and accufedhim for a Rebel!;, verfe 1 2. But as wee have, wee (hall and will (and dare not doc otherwife then ) be fuhjeft unto them 3 even for con- fciencefahs, Rom. 1 3.1. But wee lliall meet with more of this hereafter 5 In the meane time Saints are compelled. Secondly , By the iweet infinuations and powerfull per- fwafions of the Spirit of Cbriji ; they are confirained into the boufe of God , and they are voluntarily knit together into one; which Sibs fweetly fhewes necejfaryjnbis Treatife be- fore named3 page ^1 . Now when the Spirit prevailed , they z Anf. Affir- matively fhew them a nectfli- way. Grotius* Sim. True Magi- ftrates in their refpe&ive pla^ ces much own- ed and Ho- noured by all j the Church ts. Videch.i?, Adverfaries of old a ecu fed us as enemies to the Magiftrates Vid ch.2« Vfe. l\ The Spirit compels us, and yet we arc voluntiers. are to enter into prattife , and then they doe it with abun dance of fweetnejfe , fatisfacVion, freenefle 9 and readinefie 5 and this is rcquulce in all that would bee gathered ac- cording totheGofpehlt is God which mrtytb in )Qu both to will, and to doe, Phil. 2.15. And beeperfwadesjaphet to dwell in tbe 7entsof Sbem% not otherwife forcing them 5 fo that wee grant fuch a kinde of compulfive powers : But as all Con- troverftes are about meum and ttumf even fo it is as to this : And a little thing will make the Mapfiraie challenge it, becauft hee is ( for the mofl^art) inclined to it; A little clap with the hand fets on an eager Maffiw a but the force of. S ftaif.it Dr. Sibs. ) God works In us the will firft. Videl.2.cii Sim. no It is not for Magiflrates to take that pctrer. Lib.!. Take heed of fecring on Ma gi Urates. Sim, Somebafk to doi:. Sim. It wilhiin Ru- lers the hazard cf mine. Vite&ilp. J» i Sim. £im* ! Sim. aves cannot ktfin him 5 wherefore I advife men to bee I wife , how they fet on Secular powers to interpofc, or impife in \mattertof Religion, as to tender Conferences; forae arebufie /herein, who are like the Buflard in a fallow field , thaccan- { not rife bigb > fine vi turbinU ; without the Wbirhwind of fuch a Tempeft ; (fcr fo I account it will bee to the Church) and then like fquibs in a throng, they flye out on all | fides. But I hope our Msgifirates will be more wife then to runne the hazard of fo imminent wrath of God* For as I have read of the Tyriafls in Alexanders time, when he had befieged them,that the iron they put into the Forge ( for to ufe againft the enemy) even whilft it was in the firey was feen full of drops of blocd(fayes Quintus C#rf;ft*)'and- fo have been^and will be the weapons that are ufed againft consciences. It is fad ! when ungodly great ones mufl fie as Judges of the greatly godly ones. Many men are like the Lawyer that pleaded ftrongly for his Client y but before the day of hearing y hee was advanced to the Bfficby.and made the. Judge; but then he adjudged it to the other fide ; faying before he was an ^4dvocate> and pleaded for, his Client, but now he was his fudge* Thus Folitittans doe, who like Attains have planted many herbs 3 to poyfon (true fpirituall);pzVty, but to prafiife policy ; And like curious Cooks $ buildup with their bands high, but with their teetb tear low. Thefe like the Wolfe anfwer the Latnbe , that pleaded her in- nocency* It is true, thy caufe is better then mine , but my teeth are barter then thine. But God s ingaged againft fuch Ftwers9. and Policies* vide chap. 1 3. Thus much for this Chapter* , w chap;. Chap, 1 3. The final! caufi of Church felloafhip. 131 ttfffffftfftffff|3tff CHAP. XII. mm or n\n Halal and i7o^. TheEniof Saints fo embodied together as before, being a true Church of Cbrifk Jor Matter and forme, Ob- je&^WRule, ^ before, is the Glory of God, and to fet forth his praifes in Chrift, andltis Churches. THe rigbteft-line is the fhorleft ; I would have mine both Jbort and right 5 wherefore I feare left my too much hade make mee run awry. Every wife man propofes to himfelfe an End in all things , and the more wife hee is in this point 3 the more hee imitates and referable s the Lord ; bencefaidthe Pfalmift 5 Pfal.37.37. Markf tbe perfeft and v.p rights for bis end is peace. And verie 38. 'the end of the wicked is to be cut of therefore marine hint. The End is the firft and princi- pad thing to bee minded, and looked after 1 not fo much the prefent motion , ftation, or atlion \ as what the end of this , or tJtaf, will be, or what it is, is aimed at, and intended ; For there is a Way that promifes peace and profperiiy to a man, and all wc~$, but the endisdeatby Prov.16.25. So a thing may be but haftily begun, and the end of it be bitter, and not bleffed, Prov.20,2 1 . All things in the Creation, as well as in the Re-creation^ have owe and the fame ultimate end , which all Saints mould have in all their practices , purpofes and pro- fofals to t he mfel res* The e/zc/,though laft in the executm^ yet is firft in the fs» teni'm (in omnibus agendu} &c.) and this is an undoubted S 2 truth: The fitiall can fe theft -ft m the eye , though rhe laft in the a&. The End is firft,and moll minded. An:! why ? All th ngs In the firft and fe- cond Creation have one and the fame Head* Col.i. 18.10. and one and the Tame end. *32 Ml in Heaven and Sarth^ have one end. Lib. I. The glory of God? the one and the f*me End of all. Creation, 6u beriutionj Re- demption, Sal- vation, snd all h tn one and she fame Eid. This1 End moft of all moves Saints into Church-fel- ' lowfhip. That this muft b* die End. i. Proved by Prophecy. Expof. The Churches . Priced. Cup.. truth ; Now (agere prudenter) to do wifely, is (adbibito certo fine) to have before us fixed an honorable end, and anfwerable to the buftnefs we are about. Now our end in all things muft be the fame with Gods end in all, viz. The gkry of God; no other end is honorable enough for us to aim at : Hence it is faid, He created every one for hti glory, Ifa. 43. 7. and in Prov. 16.4. The Lord made all f@r bim(elf9 yea, the whh,ed> &c. i. e. The final eaufeoi the Creation was his praife and glory > foisic of his gubernation^onc redemption, and falvation,and whatfoever we can fay, hath all the fame en d, which we are £0 they (hall call upon the name of the Lord ( of: en read they fhallprai\e the Lord ) with one confent. This is foretold in many chapters of the Revelations, chap* 1 1. 15. 17. chap. 14. 2. 3. and in Revel. 21. 11. Thisnew Jerufalem which is ( now ) coming dwne, hath the glory of Godto fill her, and ver. 25, Sec. yoftfljaflfinde the Types both of the Arkf, Tabernacle% and Tem- ple to fore- tell this was to be the end of every Church under the Gofpel, in 2 Cbron. 5, 13, 14. wherein they had Muficke and Melodies, Trumpets and Singers^ all as one fliouting out one found of praifes and thankefgjviftg to the Lord, and then the houfeofthe Lord was filled with his glory. Now much more is this new Jerufalem, and fo are thefe Gofp el-temples for the praifes and glory of God 5 Praife waites for thee in Zion, P/al. 6%. I* and to thee (ball the vowes be performed, i.e. to thee An Zion, as if Zion only were for the fame purpofe ; and in Pfal. 67. 2, 3. Let thy way be hnowne upon earth, and then f ol- io wes, Lit the people praife thee, O God. So Pfal. 70-. 4, Let all thofe that feekf the Lord rejoyce, and be glad in thee, and let juch as love thy falvation,fay continual!), Let God be magnified. Thus is that in 2 Thef. 1. 1 1, 1 2. We pray for you, that the name of eur Lord Jefm may be glorified in you, andyee in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lndjejus Chrift 5 by all which it appeares, Praifes are expected, and required from all the Saints in Zion. So Hcbr. 13.15. Let us offer praifes centinually, tvith all the cohabitants in the Gates of Zion, which hath been in all Ages^ being it is for that purpofe they are en- churched, as in I Pet. 2. 9, yee areacbofen Generation, aroyd Priedkood, a peculiar (purchafed) people ; and why ? for what end? Ibatye/kouldfbew forth the praifes of him, wfo batbcc!??d you cut of darktteft, into bis marvellous light, &c. So in Ifn, (A. 2C,l*. Zion our holy andbeautifulhoufe, where cur fa\h»rs\;r:iUd tbtc, dec. So UHattb.l 1 &. Het.2.i2. fayes Chrift, IfyB -s 3 fing Exp&[< Exp of. Types: Muficks an<£ fingers. For the filling hishoufs with praife and glo* Expof. 2.preccp:n Pfal.i4o.i> _ $. Proofs by praclifc of all Saints in fel- iowlhip. Expofo 134 Chdft in the Churches flag? praifes. All other ends are fiibor* dinate to-this End, which is the iupream . Reafon i. lfai.fi 9, io. c Pfal.49. 1 ?. * The redeemed. * Reason 2. I Ifa?.?$. 10. J Mort capable. j Reafon 3 . j: No hypocri fie. ( Reafin 4. 1 Virgins. > iHavefweeteft ^voices, beft : fongs. In fitreft tunes- Reafon 5. ! They make I tielcdy with »race in their I KSLVX$» They have no end^ but Gods g lory . Lib . I . fi"gpwfe tmto *bee in the midftof the Church, Eph.3. 21. Vnto him be glory in the Church, by Cbrifl Jefus, throughout all ages, world without end3 Amen. So that by ail thefe Scripture?, appears the final caufe of Gods calling out of darkriefs into light, out of tf)e world) into the Kingdom of Cbrifl ; out from them without, to Saints fo embodied (as before J within. I fay the fupream and ultimate end, is to the fetting forth of the prai[es and glory of God, asapeculiar people, in peculiar manner* Although I deny not, but we are to aim at the edifying one another in Cbrifl, furthering of one another in the things of falv&tion, watching over, comforting and counfelling of, delighting and rejoycing in one another ; and having fellow/hip with the Father and the $on,i Joh»i.3. enjoying hisprefence therefmore efpecially, lCor.6.i6. and provoking one another te love, and good lives, Hcb.io.24. 1 Cor.i p, Yet this of 'glorifying of God is the main, moft, and moving end s and all other things we aim at, are but in fubordination unto this (in ordine ad gloriam Dei,) and good reafon for it, as will here- after appear ; for they have moft caufe* for it, being the Re- deemed (hy>&*tw0**™ :^ 7*0 anc* °Perjty an(* apparently the Ranfomed ones,z%\t\ Revel.^.y. And they are moft capable of it too, F(aL 33. f , £. &53-6# being they have mod under ft anding, PJiJ.47. 7* and are moft unfeigned without flatteries, Revel 14. $• having no guile, or as the word -\^Jhv is, no Hypocrifie, falftood, (for mentiri h contra mzntemire') nodefe&oi that nature, Hebrew, Mum, Greek *ji£tuu is found in their mouths ', but it is found fo in the multitudes. Be- fides, becaufethey are the Virgins thn follow the Lamb, Rev. 14.4, Virgins have the fine ft and fweeteft voices, and tunes, and fongs, [( ™p$wot hid, and unknown to ttam,ffi?itfr,xhac are but men ; fo Saints zvebidden ones, or as in Hebrew Poraht the fruitfutit ft, and flowers of Cbrifl&YM&rn* Into all conditi- ons*) Now they know beft the notes of high and low conditions \ and dijpenfatioM % and they onely keep the tune beft, accord- ing to the times they live in. Beiides, they have grace in their hearts, and have Cbriji dwelling in them richly and abun- dantly, CV*3.i 6. Now fuch in their praifes to God (which is ' their bar deft and kigbeft duty of a Chriftian) do return of his own Chap, 12. *Parifhes anfwer not the end of the true Church* 135 own fulnefsy (and commodities in kin de) gme for gract^ Joh. 1. 16. and gkrifie God, P/*/. 5 0.25. WhM mixt Congregations (abundantly) aha[t God, and rob him of his -honor 5 and in ihelxbc&fervices andfacrifices, bringing him rather therat- lings (or what they can fparej then the fallings of their lives everyday ; or the calves of their lips, lives, and love?; Vfen It appears then by the bright beams of our Sun which fhines in the Serif lure-Elements in this Hemijpbereof hisCburcb here below ; That Parijbes in this point are far from true Cburcbes ; They fall fhorc of the finalcaufe, not coniidering what conduces moil to Gods ghry ; but what is mod for their advantage and gain ("this is the gedlinefs of meft Parochially opinionated,) In your Pari fas prophane ones all forts of finners, {wearers, drunkards^ vpbormafters»&c. are all (uffcred, as of their Cburcbes (which ought not to keep in, or (jf they creep in) ought to be call out of Cbrifts- Churchy wherein God is moft to be glorified* I fay in fuch a Church as con Hits of Saints feparated as before, and that will not (willingly or knowingly,) admit of, or keep in carnal, and openly ftnfulmwfrc. Or thus. The Members of Chrifts Church are the fieceft to fet forth thefraifesoi God; but the Members of that Church, which con/ifts of Saints feparated and qualified (as before) are the fitted to fet forth his praifes : Ergo> &c. Parifhes are excommunicated for fuch a rabble- rou\,a% have.and yet do rob God of his due honor3and praife, and glory. But, Ufi 2. Better u the End of a thing, then the beginnings Eccl. 78. Wherefore come forth ye that fear the Lord fromthofe Dungeons of darkjnefr ,thofe Babydons of unbelievers, and lewd livers, and Synagogues of $at;.n\ what is the fruit of thsfe things whereof we are now ashamed? And deareft hearts ! whom I bear in my bofom, before my Father ! are any of you fond oiZion f fee that your End be good.and then that the means be conducing and anfwerabie thereunto. The End, though firft and principal in your intention, yet is the Iaft and ultimate in the execution ; yea^this End, viz.. the glory and praife of Go \ is to be the Alpha and Omega , the firft and laft of all, orelfe ouvbefi will be but (fmftra r.gere)'. Whilcft mixed Gong:egations rob him of his praife ar4d glo- ry- life I. I Parilh Chu: - J ches fail in tho : Final Csufe. ■■ Iheir End s to good peny- wcrths;ro have their tithes at an eaficrate, and to make their own encK Parifhes ex- gammuniciccd if ever they were Churches life 2. A word to Saints in fel- low (hi p.. Make Gcds honor an.! g(o ryail in your j End, and jroui End in All. T$6 " ''■ 'imii1 i^ Our end muft be centred in bit paife, Lib.I Expef. An ordinary %uk of wif- domto weigh the End. Vide cap, j* Joh. S. Sing praifes. Sim. j All for Gods i sIory- i a 1 i fv Some minde it inot. 3S Sim. Sim. ' JR J ^- Some unfit to • do it. m vo -fbiSomedefireit, In msi \n J nej All are to give 1 »ra God the glory i reaef aU» agere) had in our building. Wherefore Friend coniider, vtuc is ic vjtprcmife or propofe to our felves ? fayes our Sa- viourChrift,Z,*fcei4.. 2830,^. Which of yoti?intendingto build a Tower, fits not down fir ft to count the coft ? If he can fi$ijh it ? Leaft he be mocked, and it be faid? hefaegan to build, bkt could notfinifh it. This is but ordinary wifaom to weigh the End rirft ; and whither yon can accornpliih it, or not $ or are fie to go through fticch with it, or not ; or elfe, what a fcandal will you bring to the Golf el f and difhonor to him whofe name you proofs > Cowiider the End of your comer fat ion y Heb. 13.7. that is, Lo ok. w iff? fully -upon it , (tfp*3*0pifl'7«) confider, what is the end of your ways, walk- ings &e. is all for Gods honor and glory. 2. This muft be the principal End of your entring into che Church of Chrift, to honor him, with the fame honor, wherewith the Son honored the Father, and you flball receive the end of your faith, viz. falvatiw, I Pet. 1. 9. To conclude, Sing praifes I fing praifes ! like the Nigh- tingale, who fpends whole nights (in her kinde) to hng forth the praifes of God, as if the day were too fhorr/5 every Man muft be a Treacher ', every Creature a Text9 every Oc- casion a Ttoftrine, every Bleflmg a Reafon, every Providence a Troof, every Thanksgiving an life, Men and Angels the sp «p *p t 'I' ♦ *>* ^ CHAP. XIII. n£> \m *$k Muph id'. Of the true Church rightly defined $ that Chrift alone u the Ulfafter, Builder, Ruler, Repairer, Head of (jo!d-> Lord, Law-giver, without any other Partner, Para- mount, Competitor, or Corrivalwhatfoever. THen the Reed, which hath meafured both the true and falfe Church ft ate, pre fen ts unto us as v arte a difpro- fortion and different, in all particulars (ejfential) as ispo^ible, between Parifbes and true Churches* For from l\\Z Efential, ^Material, Formats Objective, Organic al, and Final caufes ; we finde the Church of Chrift lies thus de- fined, from the falfe Antichriftian Church (which alfo we (hall define by the rule of contraries) The true Church of Chrift then is, 1. A fociety of Believers fanclified in Chrift Jefus ; 2. Se- parate from the world, falfe-w'ays, and worjhips, united toge- ther into one Body, Independent 5 or having a plenary power Within its felf, without the leaft fub ordination, to any but Chrift ; 3 . having thefpecial pre fence of God, in the midft of her ; 4. and being gathered and ordered by Chrifrs rule alone ; 5. all her A/embers freely, and voluntarily, embodying with- out the leaft compulsion (having communion with the Father and the Son,) 6. all feeding the fame End, viz. The honor and \ glory of God in his w or [kip* I Herein, though at length, yet in ftrength, have we as full j T " a*fc-t Proved fror* the eflcntiar, material, for- mal, obje&ivei organical and final caufes j and To defined. The definiti- on of Chrifts Church, i i38 Chrifi alone Head and Lawgiver-) proved. Lib. £ Tihe c?efin!tion ofArrichrifls Church. Afrogans fibi titulum Ece/e- fia-y at earn non fequens fed per- fequws. Chrift alone Head andj^aw^ giver. j "Proved i By Propht- What the Key is that is laid ©nhis (houlder. £xpof. The Spirit is lyletus in. Expof, This Key o-> perls and fhuts, bmd$ & loofes. a definition of Cbrifts Church as I can collet! , and ic is a cow- peisflf/awjofwhat I have hitherto delivered in theft Leaves : Now on the other fide. An Anticbriftian Church is a mixed number of the multitudes cf the world, not allowing, the deference between the holy andprdphane being fubordinate to a Trelatick^ power , without the mefl fffirituaQ pretence of God-, being gathered and ordered by the Rules and Pi- retiories of men, and maintained by Civilland Coercive powers, mt (eekjng the fetting forth Jbepraifes of God as a peculiar fyetfk , with one confent. Now as Anticbrift hath his Ibrone therein , and (its- and fwayes 5 as Lord and Lawgiver ; (o in the jiffembly- of Saints Chrift hath fet his Throne, and he alone is Lord, Head* and Law-giver oi his Church, which is the point I am now upon :■ And all this (and more then this) I (hall prove too by Frophefies, Precepts, and Fr&Bifes in all Churches. To be- gin with Xfa. 9. 6. And the government (hall be up on hit (houlder sv hit name (hall be called JVounderfull, Counfe Hour, the mighty God^&c. Verfej.Oftheencreafe of Government (bait be m end, he {ball fit upon his Throne , end Kmgdome to order \t,and to eftablifti itficc. Ifa.22.21.22. I will commit thy Government into his- hand, and he ft all be a Father to the inhabitants of Jerufakw, and the Key of the hcufe of David will I layutyn his (hould*rs3 f& bee pJaH open , and none jh a 11 (hut, and be (hut, and none open. The Key to let into the Kingctcme of Cbriftte the Sphit.Rcv. 3.7,$. and where the Spirit 1$, thereisZ,i^rr/32Cor.3«i6.i8.and the . Sonne maizes free indetd^ Joh.8. from hence it is, Saints are all let into one body, by one Spirit, I Cor.i I, 1 3; and through the ty/'r/f are become an habitation to the Lord, Eph. 2.22. fo the Keyes mentioned in Mattb. 16 19. to spen and fhut are de- clared, jM.20.22. to be the Holy Gboft , and thereupon wbofe finnes they remit (or the Church forgives) are forgiven, but whomyee doe not, are not ; that is, by the Holy Gbofi , being the Key\ the meaning is, during the dire&hn of the Spirit , yee (the Church) have the Key to epsn and (but ', binde and loofe, which is laid upon the ficuldtr of Cbrijli and a0#rj,and perplexable paines too * and the longer thefe heaps have lay, the more/ej/ed, and the grea- ter the fo)/,and the time will be to bring them off No w there is no building untill this > for then the foundation, and the building will be dif-united , and the building being hid upon the rubbifh cannot continue, without Chrift carry away the ruines and rubbifi ( which have lay (o long for above a r W- fandyeers) of this fallen Cburcb<-e(tate of Cfrri/r (I meane fo to men) we muft fay as Nehem.q. IO« We are not able to build. O what abundance of falfe cencep lions ! (inifter thoughts! hardy cenfures ! refolute carriages / carnall reafons ! and what loud and large \oycpo} 2 Cor.io. 4,5 .and corrupt imaginations! in molt men muft be removed > before they can be built cleare upon (Chrift) the Foundation ! Now it is not by might , nor by power , but by my Spirit^ faith the Ltfd\ unlcffc the Lord build the houfe^they labour but in vaimthat would build it y Pfal. 127.1. 29 None but Chrift by his Spirit can rtmcve thde ruinous A4ajfes& ftrong holds of carnal rea[onings,znd corrupt refolutions again ft his Church- way, which is according to the order and Vifcipline of the Gofpel: whence it is fas before) lam free to affirmey that none elfe is fit to r»/^rccl:ifie,and order in his Church^ht^ being Lord and Mafter% and ondy Head thereof; he is owned asthc Mafier , Joh. 13. 13,14. Ephef^.^^.Matth. 10.24, Mat.23.18. For Firft, Mafters may , and muft have the commands of, or rather over their fervants , , and will not fuffer them to bee their owne Mtfters § or to Lord it over others , or to have more (JWafttrs in his fervice. Thus the Saints have but one Z«9rdjEph=4.4j5, that is 3 ] re[m Chrift 3 who can command them (as having the Royall Prerogative ) and they ewe him all equall obedience in their places,and to their powers. Secondly, Mefier s fctfcrvants their work# and appoint them their flacesjo doth Chrift our Mafter tels us where wee muft ww^e5Mat.2i .28. and what work we muft Je3Mark 1^.34. for though wee have atf but one calling, Eph.4.4. and are called aU into one bofejct fome walk^zrxd wsrkfi in one place of the vineyard9 and fome in another, as he hath appointed , and according to , the gift and graces of jCbriftiRom.i a«6,7.Eph,4.7. iGor.12* 4&&97&**+< Thirdly^ Chap. I j Cbrifi is our Mdftev and Lord* Hi Thirdly, Makers make provifion for thdrfervants,tcg\vt them good raymmt , tools to worke with, and all things con- venient for them ; thus Cbrifi makes provifion for his fervants, La, 6j 13, 14. Pfa!. 13*- I5- ^ee gJves them their daily bread, 706.6*48. 50. Spiritual foody and Spirituall drinke, 1 Cor.10.4. J^fer «//i/e, Joh.4.14. Fadings, Mat.22.' yea and feafis them with fat things', Ila.25.9. and Wines h^, Cant.2.4.6. Prov.31 6> and well refined; heecloatks them with fined robes, and richer! fafhions, Ha.61 io. Mat.22.i2. and finds inftrumcnts and fce/i fit for the wor^e hee fets them about in his building , efpecially Faith 9 without which they can doe nothing to hold, CanUZ-jfi* 2 Cor* 10. 4, andhisr^if which they wori^ by is his Word. Fourthly, As a. Mafier, Chriftpayes his fervants honeftly toape^^Mac^o.p. Luke 10.7. Chrift will not keep bac\e the lead reward, crowne, honour, or glory from them when they have done their worl^, yea, hee alwayes gives them fome before-hand too, out of his Treafyry and fulnejfe, Joh.i. 14.&C. Fifthly, As a Mafier , hee hath the honour , name and credit of their worke , all runnes in his name , and for his ho- nour, (Vlal.1.6. Joh.5.23. Joh. 12.26. as a CM after-builder, that receives the money for ail, that is wrought , though by his fervants labours alfo , fo ought we to afcribe all to Cbrifi in praifes and graces , prizing him in all things , and for all things that his fervants do. Sixchly, As a Mafier y hee waives round his fervants 5 and is a wall about them , to keep them , and defend them , from thofe that would offend them, and wrong them; and hee keeps them off them that would hinder them in the doing then?or%of the Lord which is in building, Zach.5.4. Pfal. I21 5. Ifa. 27.3. Cant. 2.15. hee will fuffer none to doc them the leafi wrong,? f.\o$»i^. left hisa?or^e fhouldlye ftili, or be done negligently, Jer.48. Seventhly,and laftly,AsaMd/r*r,one word from his mouth is of more force then all the Mafters in heaven and earth be- fides, therefore Cbrifts fervants would know his minde , and doe not minde what others ( as r^»,world3 whaH wifdome, T J, part3> j This Matter makes us all good proviCon for our felves, and ourfer- vice. 4 This Matter paies us ho- neftly>and wel and before- hand. ? This Mattes hath the ho- nour,and name of all the wo: k. 6 This Matte defends his fervants from fuch as vvoal hurt them or hinder the vvoik. Lattly, this Mafters word is of focce to make us worl agunft all gainfayers.. 142 Cbnjt atone Majter- builder. LlB.I. So that his or- der and dict- ation mu ft be ferved. Ob). Anfw* Expof. Sim. P*u? calls not himfelf the Mafter-bwilder, butasaMafter- btiilder. i In laying the found" t ion, we!J3 and deep. a. In thct the foundation laid, is of found fabftance. 3. In laying the foundation firftof all, and from thence building upon. Ranters ftie a- iofrfirft into tfee air, and : are without Foundations .4. Having ' skill, found |: pudgement9and 1 gperksce* l parts, or policy of men (which are ftr angers to the Saints) do fay, 1 Cer.7. 23. MaHb.2f*9k Col. 2. 20,21, Whither (hall we go from thee > faith Peter, job. 6. 68. we would bear tbee, and not to lifien to the Laws and Commandments of men, Hbfea 5„II. Ifai. 29. 13. or any other in thy work, w.rfbip, and fervice. Thus we fee him the Maftet of the wr^and why he is (o ; wherefore his order and direction mud be taken, and oneiy his, IfaM* 8. If we would have the building ft and, and the work according to his will. But Objetiion. Pauls (ays, I Cor* 3. Io. as a Wife majler* builder, I have laid the foundation. Anfw. NegaU Paul fayes not, I am the Mafter of th is build- ing laid; but AffirmaV faith, as a Mafler-builder doth, fo have I donejfo that he draws onely afimile from the Mafter- builder, and calls not himfelf the Mafter- builder ; but as a Wife mafter- builder doth ; 1. with much pains ( and re- movals of much dung, drofs, filth, and rubbifh, to make way) lay the foundation, welLdeep, and fure,before he builds ; fo have I done : And as he will be fure, the foundation be of found [ubffance that will not rot, decay, (ink, or endanger the building that is upon it ; fo am I fure : And as he that is a wi\e builder begins at the foundation, and fo from thence builds upwards.and onward; and doth not begin at a waH,or window, or fide3 or top ; fo fayes Paul, I build from (Cbrift') the foundation, upward, and onward, which, fii ft., I have laid (jirdw&) or put into your bearts, the (primainitiafidei) fun- damentals of truth,for others to have after to build upon ; So that I began (faith he) at the foundation, not at the roof, as now many ranting Minijiers do ; and fo do what they can, in their bigb and lofty ftr am of building ; thty muft build down* ward) unlets they could lay a foundation in the air ; which fome fancy ( foolifhlyj to themfelves. And then fourthly, As a wife fJM after -builder ^ that is, one of much (if not moft) J experience and judgemenu and of abilities 5 fo, faith he, I do not onely lay down directions, (as I bave received fnmCbrifly 1 Gr.11.23.) andreafons, demonftrations, and rules for others ; but improve alio all my experiences^ skill, and Id&r alfo, and take Chap.i3« Cb?i(t u Lordover all, by power, purchtfe. 143 take fains my feif 5 with tears and prayers, day and night ; I An or by it ? and then thirdly, what we fhould be under bim m that ™hit means. relation ? 1 . He is Lord &y power 5 Lordfbip is properly jar /« re&#*, e^ 1. By power. perfonfc 5 <* right in f£fcgf and per/o??J : Now this right is by , Th. Aquin. ir power^ principally; which (pot eft as eft fundamentum relation'n H-7> u Domini i') it the fundamental of Dominion or Rule, in P/*/. 66. 7. and that Cbrift hath this power >zp£ ears, Mattb,2$. 18. Jo/?. 17,2. &$. 22. 2. He is the Lord by pur chafe, and hath bought us at a *-By Porchafe^ dear rale indeed, feeit Aft* 20.28, we were fold( before)^- Hisdeedsdo /fer//ff. Rom.j.lo. ana art now bought again \ to thatChnft w;rhhisbloodf hath the ^ec; to /Sew -5 drawn up and written, andfealed fealedbybis with his own ^/oo^ (whilft thec/J was cancelled, Cdt.iq.) Spirit^, and his Lordftrip is good by Lafr, £sw. 14. p. 3. He is Lord by cottqueft too, Heb-2.$9 to, 14. he hath wen ?.ByConq«efr. us out of our enemies hands, J^. 16.30. -Rtvel-i 7.1 4* from We are his , wor/d, fin, deathsIaw, hell, devil * all of us are his f&zegeiif, PllZC"S°°j*- by thebefr, and jufteftm^mtf/ kw; for he hath fed captivity captives Epb.^S. and we are freed. j 4 By gir-3and 4.He is Ler J by gift, P/W,2,8. J^. 1 7,2^7, 8;pTh us hath inheritaflfce. his I M4 Cbrift Lord by conqueft^gift^ free choice^ &c. Lib, I. his Father made him Heir, and given him poffefftonof all in Heaven and Earth. This gift as from God5 is a gift that takes in the bounty, bonity, juftice^ and mercy of God ; manifefted in giving us to Chrift, as his rightful poffeffton. >. He is Lird too by election and choice, P/tf.78.7;). lfa.22, 20)21 }&c* with reference to God) the arointed and chofen one above&lly Matth.H.iS. Luke21.%5. i Pet. 2.4, So in Chrift hetafJ) chofen us to Chrift, Epk 1.4. 1 Per. 2. 9. And he is chofen with reference to us too, Ijai.26. 13. Cant. 5. to, 16. Jo&h 20.1 3,28. fo Mattb.22. 44. My Lord ! which particu- lar appropriation implies the choice which is made of Chrift for their Lord j fo do all the Saints, as Col.2,6, 7. receive Cbrift fer their Lord ; U e. A ruling Chrift) as well as a Saving Chrift) Jefm the Ltrd) 2 Cor. 4. 5. Now eleffion is the proper afi of jree-will) whereby we would chufe one above all others, Cant. 6. 3. to which there muft be a concurrence of knowledge, and defire\ by the /ir/r, we judge him to be fit, preferred above all, and in himjelf to excel all 5 and by the Ltter,we are made to/a?7g after him above all*-, and to choofe him before all, both thefe are expreffed by P^wJ, Phil. 3. 8. faying, Je/w* m> Lors/ ; though we grant that the principal point of this choice lies in the appetite and thirfting faculty of the foul : But all thefe ways Cbrift is Lijt/. 2. In what manner is Chrift called Lord ? what kinde of Lord is he > Firft, He is an Independent Lord 5 for he depends upon mve^ but all depend on him, Pfal.S9.1j. Van. 2. 21. He 23 Lord Fifthly, He is an alone Lord, Mu.23 8.10. Pfal. 148.13. Ha.65.3. and ifa.2.11.17. without any other Vice-Roy or Lord-deputy , and he will not allow any to ufurpe his p/<*ce , or power; or to arrogate this over any of his Saints in his Cbureb, Mac.23.10. James 3 4. for hee alone it Lord Cbiefe-Jufrice, -Joh.5.27. and his Lordfbip is Roy all- Prerogative , for brethren are 4IJ equall '■> ic is the evill /irtwtf that lords it over his fellow, and^fjhim, and takes hold on bit threat, butChrift will iffue out his warrants againft him with a Habeas Cor- putjkc Sixthly, Hee is an Eternal! Lor d9and cannot be difllacea or degradcdylh*9.J. Heb.ia.27. yea all changes, alterations, and downfals of other Lords doe rather ratife and fet him up fursr , then damnifie or weaken his Dominion, hee (hall reione for ever* And thus wee fee what manner cf Lord bee if. Vfe i Well then, if this Lord bethusIarJ, Then let us fee the Cbunbe.t and Saints bappintfc they have not many, but one onely Lord; Co all Saints are fellow- fub)ecls to this one Lira: Had wee many Lords « wee could not miffe many miferies , and flaveries, for divers Lords have divers Laws , and divers Lufls , di/ers Minds, divers #7//, and divers Endt \ and all would breed diviftons, and diffraction, and deftru&ion , but this one Lord hath but one Law , which is a Law of lave, the new Command (as wee fh all (hew in the third Lib.) which breeds, peace, \oy, grace, antiunion. O happy are the fervancs of this typified Solomon; 1 King. 10. 8. 2Chron.Q.7. who are at peace in liberty and joy ; whilft all others (poor foules!) have bard Lnds to ferve in a moft miferable Babylonifn bond- age, and AaticbriftianJIavery. Vfe 2 The honour of the Saints and glory of the Cburcb is, Eph.5.27. to have Cbrift their Lord and Ruler; if it were an bmourto be fervants to Solomon^ 1 King.ic. then a greater then Solomon U bere. Sse 7/4,43 ,4. Alls 13,40. Jo bn 5.44. they have their bomur from above , which is (adfe ab aliis) more thenapraife (which confifts in words) yea* more then a GUry (which confifts in the good opinion of them) and yet Cbriflshapuife and a glory to them> but he is morej and yet V hee '45 5. AfoicLOfd andSoYcra;gty Lord Chief jufticein his Churches. Chrifhwir- . rants with a Habeas Corfu** 6 The Ever- I a/tip g Lord. All troubles and alteration* ratifie hum Vfe 1. Saints happ[. nefs in the Lordfh'p of Chrift. We have bur one Lo;ti,arti one Law. Hippy are his fubje&s and fervants. Whilft otfc are moft un- happy, 1. Sain rs An- gular honor to have him theitf Lod. What honor is? More then 3 p^ai fe and a •glory, 2nd vej Chriftisaif thefe to his Churches? 146 Saints benefits by Chrtft their (a lone) Lor d. Lib . I. Ko want of preferment to them that are in Chriib caufe. 5 Sainrs liber- ty .and duties i?nderCh ifi as Lord. How much lh;s makes for tmity in all Chiiftian du- ties. One'to ano- ther to ccua- fell , com- fort, enc'u- revindicate* Keprove ad- mo ni(h> in- vite, and per - fwade. Thisadvantx- gesus much againlt fa,* hee is our honour Jjh.12 26. and advances us, and all his Saints and fervant? to the dignity of Kings, and Princes, and Ci 'owns , Glory 5RiV. i. 6. hee cannot want preferment that ferves in Cbrifts-Court and Kingdom e , 2Pet.1-.i7. Whilft it is moft ignoble , and baftly ■ difboneurMe to ferve the Bcalh Thirdly, By this Lordfbip of Chrift , Saint s are let cut (at largejin theirtof/to God and men ( fo far are they from being ernted^ec^that) they are /se/e and at Liberty within the Kingdome of Chrift (but not beyond thofe bounds) hereby what a bond of unity is this? (as appeared,. Eph 4.3.5.) to make the Saints one (though they be of feverall meafuref>ttaiure$y jwigemeEr/jheighcs^enioymentSj&c.yet) when they remember they have all but one Lor d^outHy^ A ihe famtiHow doth this whet their £ then fay wee, what have wee to doe with Idols \ luft? pride? drunkennefTe ? malice? vanities? traditions? or any fuch trumperies ? For hath not the Lord (or Ruler) forbid usthefe? are we not under his command : Come, Lord Je fas doe thy office ! other hrds would faine rule and ride over Expaf. The fonfes Soliloquy an* vlerthe fence of Chrifo Scep- Chap, 1 3 . Chrift alone the head of his Church. _ , — — — ~ --»- US y but come/ thou Kifig! Away Sathan! avaunc, thou viieluft! downe with thefe proud Lording Prelates, for lam under Cbr$\ I am in his Church and Kingdome; I am under grace ! and redeemed by the blood of Chrift from ail falfe wayes / worfhips and vaine conversion f Therefore I will obey him1, and hearken to him what hee faith , who is tbe (alone) Lord of bid Church and people, oind who is the beft,trueft, and raoft abfolule Independent. H* hath the moil reajon to rule me, and therefore it muft needs follow, that I have moil reafontoobey him, Vbi eft propria &fpeci did ratio Vominii,ibi eft propria & facialis ratio ferv 'it utis. Laftly, drift is the (alone) Head of his Church and people, without any 0/ h er, Co). i»i8. and 2. 19. Eph, 1.22. and 4.1 $. andv23. neither is any joyned as Partner with him huhis worke of ruling or medling with the orr/cv of his owne , or h!s Frft&m Kingdome. But firft why he is called the bead, and the Church his £0^. Firfr, IkcaufetheH^and Bod) (being united together by thenecke) makeup the whole per [on , Co that Chrift as the Head makes not up the whole Chrift, but he a? Head, his Ordi- nances and /p/r;rzte/7admini(tracions as the Necke , and his tfcarcfrand Saints embodyed together a? before, and«nireJto the Head by the necl\esz$ his #j jy; all thefe together make up a s?&o/e CWjf3 which is yet (doubtleffe) a great m) fiery, and /en? there be that finde it out, Epef. 5.52. The worke of former age3 ( fince the My fiery of iniquity began to covet the edrr/;, and be in the full) hath been ro know Chrift in part y.z.Cbr iff as the Head, which hath lay long objeure, and is not yet re- vealed to many (even of the) religious, and /eartfd men;much more obfeureand undifcovered is this w&o/e C&rif^the £fofd and 5^, who will ere long ippeareas himfelfe in the riches of his gkry, and brightnelfeof his Gofpe! , and the Saints (hall know him compleatly, as Head, Neckxetznd Body, by one Spirit : And not covet to know him in part , as Head, or as Body (viz. his Churches^) the mrkf of this age, but altoge- ther. Secondly,The Church of Chrift is called th^Body of Chrift, by fimilitude taken from thenatftral body o/w4»a which according to V 2 the 147 I C'nrift, and none elfe the Head of his Chirch (which is more then H after or Lod.) 1 Wiiythe head. Reafon 1. A whole Chri(r,Hcad & Bo4y un:ted. Who Head? Who Nec'H;b.2. i2.thougfr the/jr/F-tarj^higheftjand above all* Secondly, In perfttlione* The Head is the feat of the fenfet* the beauty of the body, the grace of the ma*, and the moft bo* nourable of at/, Ifa.9.8. Chrift is fuch a Head (quantum adpleni- ludinem omnium fratiarum) in whom aDfulnejfe dwels , as Col. 1.1 8. and 2.0. he is the Head of the Body the Church , verf.19. For it pleafed the Father that in him fhould all fulnejfe dwell, OroV m nKipequt) SoJoh.I.14. Col.2.9. Chrift is the [eat of all excellencies and fenfes of the body, viz. his Church, hee is (as the Hea(f)the konour,znd grace of his Body, as a Husband is the glory and grace of hh Wife, Ephe f.5 .2 3 . He is the King in his Leauty, ifa.3-3.the beauty of his Body, theircrc/BTzeandg/o^; therefore this Head is of Gold Cant.5. 1 1. yea fin Heb. Cethemj of the fineft, and fair 'eft ''gold* There may bee other Heads^ brazen- beads, but none of gold , but Cbrifl in whom all ami" abknefje and perfection dwels. 5. In virtnte. The head hath an influence upon the whole body ; every Member is beholding to the head 5 for our fence* mot ion J 'ife, and influences, are all from the vital fpir it s% and powers feated in the head^ and from thenee are com- municated to the body. For were the bod) headlefs, it would be femelefs, motionlefs,, and Hfelefsy (\Khzfaad isChrifiv (virtue Ch/p.13- How Chrifi tsthe Head of his Church. (virtute influendi, vet intrinfeco influxu) to the Church (his j Body) and co every Saint his Member ; whom he feedeth I with divine influences and fpiritual incomes (thofe very vital fptrits) which are feaced in Chrifi are communicated to the Saints. Rom^U. For of his /*/*//. J#6 \.\6> We receive ; and the wJW* W7 isj^/W by him, as Eph. 1, 23. Whereby we become fpirituatly fenfible, moving, and /rz//>rj. And without him for our head, we have notthis life, fence, or motion-, fotbat the Church is maintained and preferred by fweet influences and virtues from Chiift her ^^ ; and Co is every S^/tff and Member. It is thhhead chat giveth grace? life, ftrength, light, righteoufnefs, love, wifdom, judge' ment, divine reafon, and understanding, and whatsoever is in the head', we receive all from him, and without him can do nothing, Joh.iJ. 5/7. 4. Jngubernatione. The headis the governor of tht body, and Governors are commonly called the /? v eminent. j Gubemm eft - \ movere aliquot . in dcbitHmfrm' Sim. Vid-Zuiigtim, Artic.i.dc E*«. clef. Ef Bulling^ Wtc&d^.Sznn. a. dcwiitM* yccleji*. $. lnSyroftiff' :hy with the eaft, and low- 1 1ft member «ff ihe bedy. i$o Chriil bis Churches head. Lib. I, flight, and (lander, cajt ctF, or contemn them, is to do fo to him, Luk.io. \6. Matth. 25. 45. For, as much as ye did not help the iexjl of the fa you did not help rne ( faith he) and for as much as you perfecutethtCc, you -persecute me, ssfcls 9.45$. Chnft takes all to himfelf, and \$ partner with the leafl of the Saints in all their fufferings, 7/^.6 3.9. There- fore (aid Gadttis Martyr^ Abate nothing of my torments, fcr it xcili be to my lofstgo on ! Cbrifl is my partner ^ &c. Our eyes are in this beta* he hath ears to bear for us, and tongue co /peak for us, (J:e is otir advocate with the Father ficc.) 6. In fanitate. The bead being well and found, the body is fafe, and out of danger, as long as the head is above wa- ter, the bod) cannot be drowned 5 as long as the head is well fetled, the body is fo too. But if the head be loi% the body is loft ; if the headbe unfetled, didurbed or diffracted, no wonder the bod/ is fo too ; and every CMember acts did rafted ly and diforderly, and runs at random ; for the Governor is not at home, when reafon is exiled : Hence men become mad, and unfound3and unfeded ; (infania dkiturper corrHVtianemfanitatU^ Chrift the head is in good health (though many Members may be lkk and weak) and fo long the body will live/ and without danger; we are fafe in Christy and found in him our head : Hence he tenant. f9 I r. the head of golden Hebrew,*?^,) />. (olid gold: Saints have a folid bead 5 bat the reafon why many run a madding zlttv menjlroits zvxoxS) traditions, unfound opinions, and fopperies is, Col 2. 19. (w jy*$/ r w but when the head is ill, all is ill, and out of order. Many mm n:ad,andv\hy? Zuing. Arnc. 11. deCbrijio tatfte. £xp$[. iLXfif. Ci&tU eft in- colxmtatera dire I*& itsivit. tccief. Veczi.t. Vjel 1. Sainrs privilecfgj, rhatChriftis their he:d. Chap, i 3 . Cbrifi ibefole bead of his Church. 151 7. Laitiy, As hairs giow upon, and from, and in the [£•. Saints as heady and are nourilhed by, and hang upon the bead, and ^gl^Chdft are an ornament to the head ; even fo are the Saints, (as the their head. hair) mdChrft as the head, Cant, 4, I. & 5. II- By much raorelmightampli&eit ; and I [hall now apply ic. Firit, Learn the unlimited and cverlafting advantage the Church and Saints have from Chrift their head; A little help to which leffon ha'hbeen already offered to you, and laid before you • How from Chrift (zs he is head) (he de- rives all her excellencies and en]o)mentsy which I (hall not inlift on now; bur, Secondly, The Church and Saints have but ore head : j Vfe i. Ndw by Church, I mean all Saints, under all Forms and Ad- i The Chuv minifirations whatsoever, pad, prefent, or to come (which |ja" b«:one are ail but one body') Epb.^- Rom.n.^. I CV. 12. 12,1 3. Whatlmcafl Therefore mu t have *// but 0/?* foW ; that Wj which hath by Church ? more /?^Jj then r#5 Eph^.23- Col.uiZidrc How */aC dare men make cvWo? of any other head? or (which is to fet up, the Creature in theroomof Cbrifr?) ^4 headrof ^, Br3^n he.irtee? £**/>, in (lead of the JW */>/i? Have not thefe men ! ^£?u m? fe?8. 7^ vctnotlcair-v m They rcfift Chrift,and this fione will cmfh them. ft difference betwixt true and felfe Chur- ches in this* the falfe harfe the Head of brafs. r The properties ©f the Head of brafs, different from the Head of gold. I. The" Head of brafs com- pels by force. *.The Head of brafs feeks fe- cular powers to fiandbyhis fide,andtof«p- port him. Mark 7.7. Ifat.29.13. | 3- The Head of ' brafs is made of | mixed princi- ples. The Head of Brafs, andthe Bead of gold. Lib.1. never learn it , in the found knowledge of the truth; but as Jannes and Jambres with food Moles* fo do thefe reftft Jefus Chrift ; ate if he took too much upon him (but they fhall know they take too much upon them.) It goes to their gall to get this by hearty thatChrift is head, yea, and onely head, without any oth;er primary, or fecundary Vicar, or Vice-Roy % In this particular you may obvioufly eye and foe. out a d*f+ ference betwixt Ckrifis Church m&j4ntichnfis$ whoftand out at a diflance in this : For Firft, Antichrifts hath men to be their Governors, and are led by the laws of men, but Chrift is the Head, Ruler, and alone Leader of his Church, by his Word and Spirit. Secondly, The falfe Church hath its government on the Creatures moulders ; as on Pope, A\chbi(hops, Prelates, Clajfes, or Synods \ &c- But the true ; onely on C^rifiy Ifa* p. Zach,9,\2* To bear up this Ark^ and others are for- bid. Thirdly , The hKe Antichrifiian brazen-faced Church hath even a head of brafs ; but the true hath onely a head of gold, Cant. $- 11. And Firfr, This head of brafs brings into his falfe Church- (tate by force and fraud (non verbo fedferro,) but this head of gold wins into his, by his Word and Spirit, in love and fweetnefs, making them a willing people in the day of his power. Secondly, This head of brafs brings in ironfgns, and fatal infiruments to keep men under him •, and fecks fecular fower, to keep up, hoife up, and authorife his beaten and iron precepts, and commands j but the head of gold by his own golden authority prevails, without asking leave of any other Civil or Ecclefiaftical powers whatfoever. Thirdly, This head of brafs is of a mixt principle, Jer. 6. 28. and is beft p leafed, with a mixt company : Hence arc (oimnygodlefsy hardned fnners, fubje&s in his dominion ^ but the head of gold is of fuch a principle, that none will ftrve him,nor will he that any mould worihip him; but the precious feparate from the vile, the pure ftoia^ impure 9 and vifibly mholj> jkr.15.jo. Ifa.6o.ii. Fourthly,1 Chap. 1 3 . Bead of Brafs, and Head ofGold,hott> they differ* 153 Fourthly* This head of brafs (which is black within, though it (hines without) accepts of a meer outfide ap- pearance, and verbal confeflion of Chrift-, let him be as black as Hellwithm, (o his words be good, and he look like Heaven without, it is enough to anfwer his principle. But this head of gold (who is better withtn, then without) would have all his like himfelfi all glorious within, Tfal. 4^ as the curtains of Solomon, Cant*i.>$. being bom of God, for what is of flejh is flejh , and what is of Spirit is Spirit , Joh. 3. Fifthly, This head of brafs hath members and officers of mettal like himfelf; andoi no better principle, if fo^good, (for fome are *'r«» and clay) who *# according to their own natural principle /, or points , eH» But the bead of gold hath member* and officers qualified with his own Spirit, zni ex- cellencies % and filled with his ownfulnefs,Eph. 1,23. and par- taking of hisown *fcww» are the Officers in Chrifis Church, and none KculS'w> the powers of hell, the policies of heli, the very ftrengthand force of hell, (hall be fet againft him, but to no purpofe , for of his government there fhall be no end* Thus Ihzvecurforily fet before you avaft difference be- tween a falfe and true Church-Bate^ from the Heads ; the one being of mans make, and the other of Gods appoint- ment, Pfal. 2.6* All things are to be put under Ghrifts feet, and this head of gold {hall wear a crown of gold, for ever and ever, Heb.2. 758. Therefore it is that Kinas3Crowns, King- doms, Councels, ClafiTes, and Synods, National Churches and States are (haken, and (hall be (haken, that the Kingfhip of Chrift, which fhall never bejhaken, Heb. 12. 27,28, may remain for ever* Thus you fee how falfe Church- ft ates are but the habita- tions of Avtichrift, built up by men ; but the true ones are built up byChrift, Zacb.6. 12. and the habitation for his prefence and honor to dwell in^ Eph.2**2* 2 Cor* 6. id. Wherefore Friend* ! beware ! beware of brazen faces \ thic have the face to cry up that Heady which you have heard of ! Thefe are thofe that confult tocaftChrift down from his excellency* and delight in lm>?faU6%**\* Such bn*w headi f" fall. Chap, i 7, . Heads of Brc.f^ nho ? and bcv they came in. 155 fall (by thoufands) fhort (yea, by millions of myriadcs) of the orders, excellencies } perfections, plenitudes, virtue of in- fluence, Government, Sympathy, health, zndfoundnefs of this true Head of the Church, viz,. The head of gold, Eut now3 £uef}. who be fuch heads of brafs ? Who be the I Firftis, that head of brafs, the brazen-faced Tope (al- Head'.ofBrafi? ways brought up in Braze n-Nofc Colled ge) he was thcfirfl, An\w< that had the face to prefer himfelf general- mafter o^ the j^efirft Heed Church 1 Lord, Heady and Law-giver. There was no fuch j pcpejWhe calls thing from the beginning, but by little and little%zni as am- bimfelfj Chrifl: £/f/o* , and ^^ r£/V/? of ruling began to rv*j*j the care of; his Vicar. Chrifts Church began to affvvage ; and then, we (hall finde, ^r/£ began to be given to one man the »<*;»*" of Bijhop, ( a name common to all Mmifiers of Chrift, tAtts 20. 28.) Tfee Hlftory who was chofe by the reft of the Mintfers and fitters co be j bow Bithop*, (as it were) Conful'w a Senate, or as a fpeakjr in the &*#/^ ,* ^^Merro- and which was tobe for f/i? r/'/n£ and prefent, upon ur- ' poi^ns, 8rc. gentoccafions, to fie as Chair-man : And 'though he had entccdin as (the honor) the /^^ yet no more authority ^ nor e/ozVe, nor | ftft. determination then any other ; he had no negative power or •z/0/Yfj which all lordly fpfrit s pretend unco. The next ftep after this3 was, by reafon of the paucity zndpeomefs of Mi- niflers and Overfeers ; and by reafon of the rigor of hot perfections, the Church was neglected, mdBijhops ^focal- led) or Minifiers grew mod ignorar.ty and very ^* co be f :und tic for Church-affairs as Overfeers \ and of thofe very j few, moft of them unlearned, and very blinde xxAAsimbA audio idle , that they regarded not the Church, and let ; things go how they would. Then began the care of one Church to be given up to one more then to any other, and then did one take the molt charge of Church-orders, Ordi- nances, and Difcipline, which occasioned him to hoife up his <^3 ambitious fails to be filed with honor. And io it began to be a perpetual and continual courfe and 0$^, which was onely for a time at fi ft (and that upon necelfity too, in times of perfscution) conferred upon ont , and fo all began to be guided and governed by one mans authority ; and no more by )o]nl cwfm* concurrence and vote?, &c* of the whole X 2 Church How Biftiops came in with their Dio- cefies. Ever fince : Lords Spiritual i and Temporal. ; 156 BYazen.Bead$fPrelate$,bon> they came in ? Lib.I, Church and Brethren, as was wont to be before > tA&s 15 « 22,13. And after all this the veil of ignorance grew thicker, and darknefs, yea, grofs darknefs overspread the whole Canopy 3 fo that fcarce an able underfianding, difcerning Minifier, or ft Overfeer, was in a whole £7*/, Ton??*, or 'Province, to be had or heard of ; and yet fearful Tyranny, and troubles the Saints (poor, fcattred, [corned, difperfed, and deffifedpeo- ple) were then under. Whereupon all the Churches that were in one whole 'Province, were (by thofe times) brought under the fubjettion of one man • and fo called his Diocefs 5 and that man the Bifhop of that Diocefs, and then he ftiook off the care- and charge of one particular Congregation or Parifh'Church, pretending the over-fight of many • So that ever fince the office of a Bifhop hath been by fuch, left; and their ambition hath been great, to be great, and to get honors* Thus it came to pafs the ^Authority of the whole Churchy and power by Chrifi committed to the whole body, was u« furped by one man ; who fat as agod in the Temple of God, ruling and reigning as he lifi' (until of late in England theft lords were laid in the daft , which is eminently ominous to the Popes.) But ambition ftill growing bigger and bigger (ai a bladder which the devil had the blowing up of) being filed with fulp her ous breath and bottomlefs pt-fmoakjs thefc Bifhop s climbed yet higher, till there came to be Archbifhops and Metropolitans , and Primates to rule whole Nationd Churches, in the whole Nation* After this the whole world, or the Church (as they called it) all over the world in all Nations and Kingdoms on the Earth, muft be governed by a guadrumvirat, i, e. Four Patriarhj, tvho had the charge of all the world; but yet not being ht$h enough, up get* the Pope by thofe flairs, and faucily leaps upon (jods throne 5 And fo this Braz,en-head,or Brazen-faced Antichrifl proud- ly came to fit in the Temple of the Lord, as 2 thefi. 4. Here you have a true hifiory of his rife, I doubt not but ere long you (hall have as true a hifiory of his ruineMe is already be- gun to fall (here) as he began to rife by Bifhofs* Archbifhopj, 'Primates* Their ambition like a Bladder. • Sim. ^From BMhops ko Archbifhops, Primate*. To Quadnmi- viratst orPa* eriarksa and to Popes. iThcf.2. 4. Antichrift. Vide Cart- vrights Eccfef. yijcipline. intichrift be- ;ins to fall the : amewayhe «gan to rife. Chap, i 3 • Btaze/rHeads> who ? 157 'Primates, &c. And this is an honefi Narration of the Church-cenfujton intimes of perfection, and of the crowd- ing out of all other Church -officers and offices fas I (hall (hew if the Lordpleafe in the third Book) and of the ftating and ' fiartingup of Popeznd Prelate, upon Gods throne, 1 (hall refer you to 182. />/?£? of Cart-wrights Eccief. Difcipline, Printed ^0074. wherein you have the Story at large. But after the Pope who called himfelf Chrifts Vicar 3 ever fince to this hour : after, I fay> him, who taught the poor people Pfapho-likfi to cry him up for a great godjollows, Secondly, Next a Gene ral Councel or Sy &o a, whoufurps ihepower and am hority of Chrifb, and his Ghurch; they fee down Ldws> and laying in]unUions upon the Saints , they bid and forbid,command5and countermand as they pleafed; to make themfelves Judges and Commanders over confeiences', and to determine, approve, and appoint what fas they ac- counted) was truth, and what was not. ThirdIy,But this head ofbrafs became alfo too hard a Task? mafler,znd kept the people of God in grievous bondage. Then after that, flarts up the Arch- Bifhop , and he Lords it over the Si/hop, the Bifbop over the Dcane, the Dean over the Arch- deacon ^ the Archdeacon over the FariJh-iMinifier , and the Parijb-Minifier over the peop/e , and what a flavery were poore foules in then ? The Prelate fate then in his tnagmficentiall robes in fompe 9 like * little God, and petty- Pope) in his High-cqmmiflion-Court ; bue as Hierom fayes , in TiU & in Epift.ad Evagium* Non divina author itat? mum aliquem Fref* byterii* eye Pr datum) qui dicatur Epfcopus, &c» fed human* c &<2. i58 Braze ft- Heads who they be. Lib.I, 4 Heaiof praife an Af-' fernbly of X)b vints vt-'Sy- rt. Chap. 9, 1 Heaci of BraiTe f«ccee^s in Presbytery Ckfles,that are rwlmg. They breath by the Popes foule, Mr.Del/in's way of Peace* Mat.18. Go lei theChurch, i e the whole Elders* bre» thren,an4 all. we and the fame honour* dignity 5 power, and authority, ycc next to this proud Prelate* Up ftarts an Jjfembly of Divines fas a CounceH did next the Pope) to be Cbrifis Vicar coo, and he is another bead of brajfe&s bold as the former pztty-Pcpe to impofe Lawes, and penalties: thefe have ufttrped power ostxChrifts Church too, they deliver their dogmata % and breath out their fenfes and kntencts with wild- fires about their eares3 thatfwailow noc their Judgements and Laws* by whole [ale , and in the lump. Such S)mds who have challenged to themfelves apoteftatemju- ridicam) a Juridical! pmer ovtrthe Saints,as to inflict punifh" mentSyto binde up conferences to their Cannons, Directories, or CWa/fotf^and by a Legijtative Lordlinejfe have laid down the Orders and Laws under penalties and painet; fo that they have been too brazen faced and bold. There is no precept for &£~ mdsy(a\d Dr.IFbittaker ; but for this I lhall refer the Reader to Mr.Hookers Survey of Church Difcipline upon this fybjetl,a$ aifo Co the third book of hisTVe^fz/^and toLibt. wherein I hope, ail objections I meet with , that pretend the necejjity of this (ufurped) power, areanfweredj but, Another brazen-bead that takes the fame courfe in ufurping Lordfmp,'u the Ruling- CUffesi 0! what a Platonian Metewpfucbojis we meet with? thefe all breath by the Popes [oule ! O myftery ! MyfterylMyftery! of Iniquity lander a new name^hh is but the old bead &f braffe ! only furbifhed up in abetter forme for ap- pearance/It was the djfmblies vo'u(y cry like,and good reafou for it)77;*t it is lawful! and agreeable to Gods mrdjbat tbere'bee a fttfardination of Congregational Clafsical Provincial , and National Affemblies for tbegovernment of the Ckurcb.&c* but how prove they that/ from Mat.1%. Gse teStbe Church, &c. very well proved : then the Church Is meant the Claffcs ( this i« a Doclrine for Affes)ani is indeed agreeable to the Scottijbwerd of Gody but not to our Word of God. This is proved,(faith Mr DeU) as the Pope would prove bimfelfe to be above the Emperour out of Gen.I.GW made Wo great lights, the Sunne to rule the day, and the Moon the night-, the Sunne is above the Moonef fayeslie) therefore the Pope is above the Emperour * fo doe the Jjfenih bly prove fubordination (very well for an Affembly) but wee m?y Chap. I? Thefe J dots muft down apart 1S9 may fay as 7/4.26. ig» 0 Lord our God! other Lords have bad dominion aver us , but (now) by thee enely will me make mention of thy name. What is this National AJfimblyi but Arch- bifoop multiplied ? what is their Provincial3but Bi/hops mul- tiplied? their Clafsical 9 bat fo many Deans? or Deans mul tiplied ? their Congregational, but PrelaMcall Minifters multi- plied? and is not this of Brazen- bead-CoUedge ? andbeat out upon the Popes Anvil? Well, I might fhew what un- savoury fruits there are thatgrow upon this Bramble of Rome, and wh3t corrupt poyfonou$C*»/>erjare plucked from it; but for that I refer to the third Bool^of this Treatife , onely J muft fay that fuch Plants as thefe ( which are not of the fathers .flaming) muft be rotted up, Match.15.13. and (hall con- clude with honeft Bullinger, Veunitate Ecclej.Decad.^.Serm.2. Firmifsime inbtremus facro-fanClo Evangelio , & indubitat£ Apo- flohrum docirin£, qua to/lit omnem primatm fuperbhm, fiddcque no- bis minifterium, & minifterii or [uferiorily; but that hath beeH offered before in Chapter 8. I doubt not but the irrevocable , and ir- recoverable do wnfalj of thefe brazw-faced Idols, is hard by. Jet us wait lut a little while, and he that (hall come, wWcme , and then as,H:>f.i4.8» EfbraimfhaU [ay, what have I to doe any more with Idols ? / have heard the Lord,and observed him>&c*uz. him, who U the Head of gold. But before I finifh this Chapter, let us be content with this Heady viz. Chrifl alone , and be very cautious of msdling with [ecular powers (who have their fecular ends) in Church-matters; for though all Popifb and Practical difcipline calls for the [ford of the Civil! "Magi fir ate tofupport them ; yet this doth not,onIy for the fword of the Spirit, for the weapons of tu* warfare are not carnall. There is no need or forcing power, as appears in Chapter 11. for Cbrift bids his Vifcipks, Goe, and teach, but never to offer violence 5 fo fayes Chamier, Ea eft Ecclefit tatura, Mnufquam magU requirdtur perfuafio interna; nam ad fidem nemo po- tjslco&invimi&c) That the Church of Cfovfr is of fuch a con~ flitulm Vde Cottons Keycs p 46* Philips krS* to Lam'?:p. 1 fo- Vide Vamports reply to Paget p- 127,228, 229*2?0,&C. Burroughs his foart-divifion? C3p.22.p.l57» Unfavoury fruits thereof. Thrfe )doIs muft down, though never io bold oind brazenfaced as yet. A word more to the Mag-i- ftrates. Tiny muft Ret Head it over tfoe Church. RcgnumDei non eft r:gn«m hi <{uo gtadih & tupbmns aga- tur Marlorat. Exp9f.Ecclef. in i-uke^.fy. &e Qecumm* Poutif. Chm, i6o Iron- Headjnflead of and Moon- w or flip- pers ; and how then could Idolatry be punilhed by fuch Jud£et? 3* The tVerd is to be read thus 3 This were an iniquity con- demnedyor adjudged, (iniquitas judicatafayes Arias Monianus) or damnable (fayes Calvin) or one of the greatefl fize (iniquitas maxima,(ayc$ Carthufianus in he.) or the like ; but I meet with no Expefttors (but t'other day at White-hat) that affert this Text to give Ma&iftraies power in Matters of Religion^ which h altogether againft the Text, Context, and the truth it felf 5 befides, the original will not allow it ; for to bepuni/bedby, is not to be found there , but is added by our Tranflaters, and is a bit of their own brain*. On which, all the Inferences, and Arguments that av.tbuilt> mud needs fall 5 for this their foundation k of fand* But fhould we play with them, and ply them a little for recreations fake (as a man does with the fijb that he hath frruck, andisfureof) we might argue With them, Ex conceffis, and then fay : 4.. Suppofe it were £0, yet this were not to make them Judges of Religion, in matters of Faith 5 but onely as their oh)e& in matters of faEk \ for if my words and aclions, mouth and hand7 vsrje 27. have agreed together in Idolatry ,&c. Then the Judge takes notice of it 5 fo in verfe 1 1. the brain is to bepunifhed by the Judges : But I offer this onely forjports fake ; for I adhere to the Anjwers before^ as moft authentick, vie. That Job intended not earthly powers, or Judges here be- low. But I have met wich fome more Objetlions and Jguefti- tns of late , by a Letter fent me, from a pious and an un- demanding Gentlewoman^ Miftrefs Venn, which I anfwered ; Some of which are as follow, Khali pick out the power- fulleft. gjiefl.i. Whether Magi ft rates being {a for punishment of evil-dem, as well as for the praifi of them that do wel/9 ought Y » not i. Magnates were the Ido- laters. j. The grounds of their pre- tended lnfei rence, and new raifed Argu- ments, are of Humane in- vention. 4. Should we grant this Text did touch I Magifttaces, yetitcojld not be for Matters of Faith, but for Matters o£ Fad. Q/Kjl. I| 1 64 Kfo Iron- Head to befet up. Lib.L 'Atfw. i. They may as far as they break the Ci- vil Laws. Anfw, 2. They judge of pra&ifes, buc not of confei- rfnees. Burtons Vindi- cation. Anfwer to Prytmes 1 1. In- terrog. p. 70. And may take cognifanc« of Blafphemers, Hercticks, &c« as well as of Swearers, and Drunkards", for their acti- ons. Anfw. 2.' They may not ufurpe Chrifb power ro kill errors with the fwordj which cliche to be deft roved by the Word. VideVrfin. de fstim&Q Pra- cepto, p. 757. de Potejtate Magiftmm. Examples cf Lut hers con- queft over errors. Of Zu'mglius, tefponf in libel. StrotbionU, not to punifb men for Herefies and Blasphemies ? as well as for [waring9 drunkjnnefs , &c. Affirmatively, Within their own juriffocl ion which is Civit, they may take cognifance o£ all fens whatfoever ; (o far, as they be uncivil, and break their Civil Laws \ provided, that thole Civil Laws contradict not Cbrijts : So give unto Cefaf what it CtfafU 2. We muft (as Mailer Burton fayes) put a difference be- tween conferences zndpr&ttifes ; God alone is the Lnd and Judge of the confeknee ; but man of mans pratlifes, and atli- on*, whether good or evil: So ftowi.rj. 3,4. If you do that which if evily be afraid* So that it is for deed* or aclions, that are e i//7, he is tof unifb. cAttions are the objeclof Civil powers to coun- tenance or correct, as there is caufe ; not conferences , jj/efge- mewt^ opinions, thoughts: So that as they punifh (weareis, drun- kards, wbore-mafters, &c. for their evil a&ionsy and not for their thoughts, opinions, or the like ; fo they are not to meddle with Scbifmatickji Hereticks, Blaffibemers, or the like, for their judgements, thoughts, or opinions, until they produce pratlifes, and bring forth fuch aclions, as are the adequate objetl of Civil Magiftracy, and then they may and muft; but toafecond fort of Anfwer. Negatively, Magtfrates may not ufurpe the pofter of Cbrift and his Church, to fupprefs (in, error, orblafphemies, by the (word, (being no more then opinions, and before they break outinto.eviIpr*#//fJ3J feeing Chrifi hath commanded they mould be defiroyed by the Word and Spirit (which convinces of fin,)&c. J oh. 16* 8. Thus Luther in his Epiflle to them ac Erphard, fayes, Confider with What (word I have conquered fin, andovercome their errors, and fubdued policy : Ibave never touch- ed them with a finger J, but Chrifi hath defiroyed them aH by the Spirit of his mouth, i. e. ThiWordof bit Gotyel. And this is the onely infirument cf conquering, converting, and convin- cing. Thus faith Zuinglius , Hac unica eaque fola via eft, &c* This is the onely way to (ubiue errors ; the Word witi conquer, when nothing elfe can 3 we fufer all the writings from Papifis, to be freely and openly read, and read again : F&r the [word of the Spirit fh all Jlay all lbs evils that are taught in them* *N°w)udge (fayes he) Chap. I J . Al oijeSuMS made for Magistrates anfwered. 1 65 wbofe cau(.e * mofx (usjicious and (urreptit ions ; ours, who would have tven the adverfaries defines publifced in our Churches, thai m may overthrow them by the wor&? or yours , who reproach onrdotlrine before the fimple people as heretkall,yet by your goodwill, neither (uffering them to read it, nor under fiand it, nor yet jo much as offering to overthrow it by the [word of the Spirit, which is the word of God* Thus we fee how fecular powers are excluded from medling With matters that are fpiriwall or mentally and that the Word and Spirit are the Infiruments appointed by God for the overthrow of err curs > and fuppreifing of herefies and blaf» pbemies. Object. We findethe Reformers of the Church in the Old Teflament that looked after the war/hip of God , that they ufed their material! fa or d and Civill powers ( as Kings and Rulers) to cut off the Idolatrous Priefts y 2 KingA6.$,2Q. and falfe Prophets, &c> Anf. 1 Such as were types of Chrift , (both King , Priefi, and Prophet J did many things by extraordinary warrants , and many things they did in the letter,which were to figur ate the admini/irations of the Spirit,which were to anfwer thereto,as Num.9 i^.and 5.2. Levi!,! o. 2. Exod. 32.24.27. But thefe were in extraordinary cafes, fuch were the extraor- dinary perfons of Eliab, Samuel, David y Daniel^ &c, who ex- crcifed both offices , and as I may fay both (words , but this was extraordinary, and for extraordinary t*dt\ Now, Secondly, Lie J we may prove Prices and Prophets did execute in Civill offices too , as Pbineas inputting to death Zimri and Cosby, Nura.25.7j8i PjaL 106. 30. but (our cafe being not the fame.} proves no more that Civill Magifrracy belongs to EccUfiafHcaHment(o called; then thatEcclef:a(lical power and offices belong toCivil Md£//ir^j(asfucb)But beiides Thirdly,It lyes evidently before us in thtOld left ament .that Ecclefiafricall Powers (Co called) were ever diftinguifhed from Magiftraticati; For the Priefis and Lzvites had their dljlintJ proper alls and places , both in refpeel: of order and jurifdi- &ion$ fo had Mofes and zyiaron, one having charge of the State, the other of the Church , and not the one confounded Y 3 with Erroursall to be fuppreflcd by the word, norby the fword. Plde ch.tMbrz. Ob), Anfw. I. 1 Extraordi- nary and ry- picall. 1 Pricfbard Prophets did civill offices then. But the cafe is I nor t re fame with us now. I There ever was a (perin- eal diftinction berwixtChHrchj ard State, Ma- gifrracy and Miniftiy3 matjj re.s Civil, an matters of Rcf ligion. Mofes and A* is. r ; I P.XXfcb the fir ft | Civill Mngi- ftrate that durft medJlc with matters beyond a Ci- vill orb. Anftobtdm, Proved in the New Tefh- ment. Chrift the #High-pr/e(t e* ver kepfes orbe. 166 Magistrates muft not meddle with matters of%eltgion% Lir.I. with the other 9 pi con fined by the others Yea they flood at fuch a diflancc that as none of the Prieflbood could meddle with State-matters y or take that government apon him; fo none of the RoyaB-fteckf , or blood, could meddle with the Prieflhood : Nor durft any ( as I know of by ordinary warrant) untill King Vzzidb, puffed up with conceit and pride^ 2 Chron*i6%i6* but he efcaped not [cot-free, and it hangs up- on record as a [care-crow to cautimate others of his temper 5 nei- ther doe we read of any Prieft f unleffe by extraordinary war- ranty is faid before) that durft meddle with C iv ill- matt ers^till AriftobulM meft rafily, after their returne from Babylon jcyn- ed and jumbled the Kingdoms and Prieffibood\ Mitre , and Crowne together, fo fayes Eufeb&Mb.of his Preparation to the Gofyel : And the itow Te (lament , and Coj^e/ 3 are as cleare againft it as can be ; Chrift (the Higb-frieft) ever kept with- in his compajfe9 rcfufed to rr.eddie with Ctfars matters, as to divide, the heritage, Luke 1 2. yea and to be aKing<> Jo.6.1 5. be- ing a thing Civil 9 and out of his (phere 9 and fo he forbids his Jpoflles over and over, msdling with fuch matters > Mat. 20.26. and Mark^ 1 0,42. Luke 22.25. hetelsthem, that though it befitted Kings Courts > and Gentiles y yet not them , they be- ing called into of for and better office^ and diftintl from them: the Apofiles themfelves difclaime it alfo, 2 C@rA.ult. yea, they refufed to meddle any longer with the charge of the Poore, feeing there was no fiich necejfity of it , but bid them choofe Deacons : Acto*. Much Icffc would they meddle with matters meerlym/itfandwor/d/y, to take them off their CMiniflry and duty\ 1 Tim. 2.4. 1 Cor*24.2$»2& Rom. 12.3. and yet ah! how! how ambitious have many been in all agesl not con- tent with their callingbut ftill. affiring}md ufurping} I find Mr. Carlwrighl in hhEcclef.Vifciplinep.So.fipedikmg of thepride and ambition of £//%* complaining much of their meddling with Civill mailers* which (fayes hee) is contrary to their owne Cannons^ and to the old Cannons called the Apoflles Cannons in 8o.and &2.p.and contr.ConcilCarthag. ^.Cannon 18,19,20. and which (fayes he) is mod bitterly inveighed againfi by the An- dent Fathers 5 but this came in at firft> he teUus3 thus. When things were in controverfie> and eflates lay at variance between par- ties, SotheApoftles JTheHiftory. How Bifhops ' J grew big and fiunbirious, and 1 became tern - Ijpotal Lords at C«ap. 1 3 • Mimfters mujt not meddle with Civil-matters< 167 ties , there were not thofe hot and eager fuits at Law then (nor that fatting or feeding of Englijb locufis ( I meane Law yen) as now is) tboje things that were in controverfte were wont f by confent mutually from both parties ) to be qiven up H a B'tfbop,or Bifhops^ trufting to their conferences > and looking upon them | as more then other men for piety end conscience ; for they conceived this the befr means &ud iffue to end allcontrovcr/tes, and fo came in \ Lands called Bifoops-lands in part. Since which Kings and Prizces partly out of good minds , and out of earneft de fires to | adorne them , and the Church ( though they were not wary e- nough in what they did)and partly becaufe they were them- selves fo continued in wars abroad, which required their own perfons, therefore they (in their owne abfencc,and by reafon of fuch like hindrances ) give authority to Bifbops to correct fuch with Civil cenfures, mnlUs, and punifbments as drfturbed, or troubled the Church', whftch in little time theytooke fo much likeing unto, and were fo ambitions of, that no ho- nourable office in Civil-slate, but they got into their hands by booh^or crook^; becomming Lords ', Treafurers, Keepers, Cbiefe- Juflices, and of the Prhy-Ceuncel , and upper houfe of Parlies- ment&nd what not? who defire a fuller account hereof, may rlnde it in Dr. Witiets Syncpfts ^.Gen. Controv.^. p 27S. How at firft, the Priviledges and immunities were inlarged by the munificence oi civil! powers , and Princes , and with divine au- thority, and fo Marfilius Patavinus afTerts it {exgratuiia.&c.^ Prtfatin Concil.Senonenf. And that the revenues and lands of Bi(bopricks\ were ffome of thern) given by devout and religious perfons, Princes,&c. Cod.lib.&.tit.$4.l.$4. Juflinian. And their titles of honour , being created Barons ^nd made Lords of the Parliament houfe here in England} were beftowed upon them by the bounty of Kings about foure hundred and twenty yeares agone, CodM.z tit.7. /eg.14. but never by the word and warrant of God , that they got thefe Civil honours, places, and imployments. But wee ftiall finde many Lawes that were made to invert them into honour and pomp. t\*QodM6.I*tit.6.leg.z%i Ambemius made this Law\ thatif a Granger dyed,and left no Executor, the Bifhop of the place (hould bee his Executor : So C4dMbi6Mt.te-leg.10. if a ftranger Fiift by in- truding them with lands in concroverfie. Biftiops lands belonged* to the poor by right. Then by the favour cf Kings and Princes. They had Ci- vil powers lent them topunifh. offenders. And then foon becomes Trea - furors and Lord Keepers, Jud- ge&j&o Their priviled-' ges from Civil!- powers. Bilhops-Iandfr Barons, Lords; l6S Magifirates wufl not meddle with matters of Religion. Lib.j And To things Civil & Ecclef. viz. Cbrifts and Cafars, came to be mixed together. State- Mini- fters too much alike them. Corrupted wi'h honours, and then rhey confent to the joyning of Ci- vil and Ecckf. Chriftsand Carfars toge- ther. Many hun- dreds' bew3ile Thit they turn great men,in CivilI,Secularj or Martial affaks. Granger dyed inte fiat e, his goods (hould bee delivered to the BifrSop : And abundance more of fuch like Lawes ; fo that at length what places of honour were in ftate 5 but they got either graltfl or by begging? or one way or other ? till they had mingled Cburcb and Commonwealth > Kings and Bifbcps} Cbrifts and Ctfars? Civil and Ecclefiaftical matters fo together, that they made a meer gallomaufrey of Religion, and of the Lawes ef Cbrift ? But is there now a Reformation amongft us> or doe notour Minifters moil unworthily imitate them in their ambition? and boldneffe t whole deferved fall lyes befcre our eyes for our caution, and wbofe Lordlineffe is laid in the J«/r? Oh/I do fear left this notorious fault fhould appeare as full and foule upon States- Miniftert(l mean fuchMinifters of the Gofpel&S have very painfully and profitably preached Chrift to the people formerly, till they come to be preferred by the States) and then not onely their Doctrine, but their lives are of another (tiki *• c- more State-like^lohy, and high- ftrained; for then they are medling with State-affairs > and nib- ling upon State-honours&nd fo come at length to be corrupted by greater honours t favour s> preferments, and places > and turned into meer complements* Methinks the late Frelates, with their precipitant and fudden fall may be fet up as agood^-w^r^lelt they be (wallowed up in (achfands. I know this very thing lyes a heavy burthen upon the fpirits of hundreds (very godly) in this Commonwealth and it is their continuall cowp/fl/Hf with griefe and groans (as I have heard with my eares) that fuch Minifters are more like Magiftratesjiiz. lofty , proud, and (lately; and that fuch Faftors creep apace to be Mafiers of CoUedges, Heads of Vniverfities and States-cbaplainesy or elfe get to bee Committee-men jnto offices or Armies 5 or fome thing or other that may make them ftatelj , and lord it over others being imployed in fecular or Martial affaires. And though the intents of our States and Grandees ( for whom wee can never bee thankfull enough ) bee very godly herein ; yet the Lord make our Govemours fo wife and vigilant in all thofe honours or preferments they fet upon the heads of fuch Mart Cj off el- minifters, as that thereby they doe not corrupt them, and wrong the Church* and lull her afoep (aswecheare ~ (he I. — — »» — " Chap .15. Miraflers muft not ftudy Politick* . 169 (he hath been in Conftantinss lap) leaft more mifchief-follow it, then ever went before by the Dragons rage in former ages, asCtajz.2. Which we are fomewhat )ealous of, having fuch clouds (as we have) banging over us, and (feldom failing) Omens right before us^ and the umverfal and unifocal com- f taints of Gods people, purfuing and following of us. But we hope our wife Gad, will give thofe CMiniflers an effectual warning- peece, before the decree come forth. I much wonder why fuch men fo much complain of others for ufur- pers j for if a poor Trade fman, an honeft Ssldier, a gifted Brother, or any other of Civil or Martial employment, do get but up into their Pulpits, they cry eut upon them ; that they mould be fuffered; and yet they themfelves cannot keep within compafs, but toon grow hungry otfecular employment, and (eekbigb- places, Military or Civil, and think it no usurpation at all ; although that a Civilian may be more able for a Preacher, and better qualified, and not ftep fo much afide (for ought I know) as the Preacher does to be a Civilian, or Politician, and to meddle with State-affairs, which makes him fo {lately. O this ! This is the moft grand fcandalof this age 1 That our eminenteft Minifters in account, are fuch as meddle with fuch matters, and ftudy Politicks ding-dong-? when one up- braided Lyfander the Lacedemonian Captain, for doing many things by fraud and policy : 0 Sir, fayes he, fmilingly, when a man cannot obtain his ends with the Lyons-skin, be mud put on the Foxes-skjn. So fay many Minifters by their prattifes, though they preach in Lambs- skint, yet they pun them off, when they come out of their Pulpits ; and inftead of the Brefl-plate, (the bettor ale or chofen Hammifcbpat.^ they wear the Head-piece all the week long, to work out their own ends? and herein they are, at lead, Makers of Art, if not Di,clors,&c. It was accounted by the wifdom of the Antients, very ape and appofit, that Attguftus Ca\ar bare a Sphinx in hhfignet; for he was famous for policy, and unriddled many a new Enigma, with dexterity andpromptnefs to promote his own endls ; andfo dothefe, inftead of ^Daniels fpirit to expound the Viftons and Breams of thefe days : For as the Foets fain, that Sphinx 2 was Thcfe are fad and fel- dom failing Qn.ens of the Chuches dan* ger , which is more now, then it was in the Dragon s days, or forme? times of per- fection, vide chap ». Such complain of others u- furping the'r office and pla* ce?, and yet tbey ufurpe others offices and places, andcurn Poli- ticians. O the (name of this age .' Sim* -a Sphi'n* an em- blem of Policy. 170 Mimfters muft not meddle with Politicks. Lib.I, A defcriptlon «f Politicians* '& thrifts op- pearanse will mine policy, .3fld Politicians Sim* Mxp'f* was a monfter multi-forme $ having the /^e and voice of a fair Virgin, but the wings of a Bird, and the te/^fj of a Gr/f- ^» ; he lived in a mountain neer Thebes, he was full of ridJles, andheuled to furprize, and fee upon poor Psffengers of a fudden, and Co deftroy them that could not finde out his is&nigmaes. And indeed Policy h fuch a Sphinx, a very Monfter, having infinite variety ; and its maiden- face flatters many, and learns your Politicians to cog, and complement -y but the wings are the Arts and Sciences ; which fuch have commenced majlers of, which carry them acutely and accurately frcmone to an- other. B it the Griffin gripin^-talents are Axioms and Argu- ments which fetch in their Atlanta-like Golden*bal/s, pleafurest and profits ; though they ftep afide for them to fetch them in, as Atalanta did, (jDedinatcurfut, aurumque volubile totiit.) But fuch Apples of honors yzndpleafftres, may make them loie themfelve3, and their race. Thefe Politicians live loftily on the Mountain^ and almoft fcorn to look below them --, they are full of riddles hard to be expounded, whereby many a poor, plain, fimple, inno- cent foul is fur prize dof a fudden, and made a prey 5 but here is our comfort, our Oedipm is on his w^ , who will finde ouc the folly and fraud of the Politicians of the times ; and moft of all^f State* Minivers 5 and then Policy (hall be difcovered, and deftroyed, as Sphinx was 5 whofe body was laid on an Afs, and led in triumph : For indeed, there is nothing (o acute, nimble, Enigmatical ', or abfiruje, but fhall be eafily unriddled then to the to*/? and Jloweft capacity. Chrifts com- ing will put a period to this Tyrant^ and fet at liberty many a poor, plain, harmlefs one from the Griffin- gripes of Policy and Politicians* Wherefore if they reckon aright, they will finde their time to reign is fhort • although many a time Folicy reckoning without Piety, reckons without hisiM, and is like to pay for it at laft ; for their CaVenier lies ; But the Scripture which is ours, tells us the truth, Ifai. 27. 1. That in that day the Lord mfi punifb Leviathan with hisfore^ and gr*at9 andftrongfword,&c. (viz, Policy) that piercing Ssrpem, that cwked Serpent, &c. Wo. Chap. 1 3 . Magiftrates when in woft hanger. Wo be then to this Leviathan CZD^H Hebrew, yea, the fubtile Serpent , as Ezel^. 29. 3» and devilifh Dragw pan, Cbrift fhall be too (irong for him, and (hall findehim out in all his cr soke d windings and turnings, infinuations and fabtilues ; and fball punifh him to the purpofe ere long; and break and crufh his very bead and skpll, where all his cunning and craft lie?. Wherefore down with thefe 7 being fo fet, or (if they are) from being moved by any of the S '/ at e- M ini ft ers to run f o ; which will be fad (if they do) to this Common-wealth, which hitherto the fupream power, and ever-ruling God hath gracioufly kept ; and kept alfo our Rulers from meddling with that /to which hath ground the late King, and hhfamily, with other Princes and Nobles to powder, before their eyes s and fo he will them, if they be not n?//tr then others were, that fell before them. For doubtlefj, fuch are under an Abimihchem fate and defliny, I mean, the unavoidable fall of a milffone of wrath upon their beads,which will (at leaft) break their brain-pans a pieces, and AiftraU them. For if it be unlawful to remove the bounds fet by their fathers (as it is Frov.z-t. 28.) it is much more unlawful to alter the bounds which the Lord bath fet- Row. 13.7. And (o give to Cxfattwbat a-Cadars, and toChrift, what tiChrifts. For as. we (hewed before^ in chap* 1 1. The Lord hath made a moft cleat di ft m& ion 3 and diftance between matters Civil* and mat- ters of Religion 5 and hath required nothing of Civil Magi- fir ates, as incumbent to them in their Civil orbs, but Civil f matters. Grant that they be zealous', yet they may do more hurt then good, with ajek-like fpirit : What think you, of. U\\ah (truck dead for med- dling out of his Orb, and with the Ark- mat* ters^ Magi (traces mult n t med- dle witfrmat- t^rsof Religi- on, were Reli- gion in danger, perex-UiiAb, why fo called- Chap. 1 3 . Mimfiers muft not me Me with Civti-rnatters< 1 73 of Vzzahf did he not mean well > (poor man/) 1 Cbron. 13.9. when he ran tofa¥e the ArK (in a time of clanger too, and of feeming, Verfoo. neccflity too) when the Oxen ftumbled, and h had like to fain in the way from Kiriatb- Jearim to Jerufalem; yet beeaufe he meddled with what he had nothing to do, but went out of his own place to inter- meddle with, the matters of the esfrkp God gave all Jfrael a fore eifej^ for it ( as Jeremy Vykf fayes ) and deftroyed Ztzzab. And truly, I am of opinion, That if Magi ftrates will med- dle with matters of Religion, were Religion in never fomuch danger (by the (tumbling of fuchas carry it $) yea, I am con- fident* it will be 4 bfavy blew, and an uncomfortable day to England ;' kmaycoftus in England a check, and them their neeh^-, and Perez-Vzzab will appear afrefh, for following Magistrates to make mention of, and to take warning by. And fine I am, till each keeps hisor£, and a&s in his own proper place, I mean, the Magi (Irate to meddle with Civilntat-] ters, and no more (being all that he is intmfted with, both I by God and the Nation , as to the office of a Magiftrate, Rom. j 13. 1,2.) And the Minifier to keep in hlsfpbere, as to meddle j with Ecclejiaflical and Spiritual matters,* or matters of Religion j fbcing all that he is intrufbd with, Heb. 5. 1. & 1-3. 17O and not at allto ftudy tricks, politicks, or to meddle with j Civil affairs ; Bit thefe being Magi(xrates or Ministers for ' Seuhj and tho feCMagiflrates or Mini flers {or Bodies h } fay, j till this orders and each orb be obferved, we muft be far from a good Reformatio and look ( in ftead thereof) for a la- mentable cheeky And doubtlefs, the Heads of Brafs and Iron will yet be kept up Idols in the j~emple, in ftead of Cbrift,the j Head of Gold. . ,'! Wherefore, once more, I muft befeech the Magiftrate, i fas not to-meddle with nutters of Religion fo) not to let Mi- nifies meddle with matters of State, and to ftudy Politicians : For as AzarUb the Higb Prieft (as we told you in Cbap.U .) caft out Vzziah, who was lifted to his deftrucYion, 2 Cbron. 26.16317,18. outof theHoly Place, as the Law command- ed 5 fo ought Mtgiftrates to keep, and caft us outof their Z 3 places., Nor Mini (ters meddle with matters of State. Piyafe / utbw. rsr. 1 A word to ; bcth. 174 Magiftrates and Minified muft keep their Jpheres. Lu.I# places, which belong not to us 5 as Luther writes, Epift, torn.0/, foL 209. to the Dukes of Saxony, viz. Frederick^znd fvhn. I would not (fay £ he) that the Office of Preaching be de- nied any * hut that they have free Liberty ; yet if they tranf- grefs Goffel-bounds, and will be [editions and fierce, ejre. then it it your Lordjhips duty to fupprefs, and bamjhthem> faying We will freely grant you > to fight withth^Word againfi allfalfe ^Doftrines ; but we will restrain your hands and fpir its front thofe things t that belong to our Magi ft racy and Civil Power 9 Either of thefe, I fay, out of their orbs and places, are of a ?kaeton»$~firit, obnoxious to all, and in fuch diforders, as will fet all on fire again 5 Therefore fuch arc faid in Scrip- tures, to be lifted up to their own deftruftion,! Chro.26.16. For fuch pride is never without a fait. And till this be, both Magiftracy and Minifiry muft needs tic under much con* tempt ; both which, in the reftitution of times, will be glorious at firft. Wherefore, as Bi flops had not btft to ftorm, that they are thrown down from their Lordflips, Judge(bifs} Jufticet of Teace, or the like ; neither let our Stately- Minifters be offended for calling them to, and keeping them in the woik of the Miniftry of Chrift , whereinto ihey are called ; nor yet our honorable Rulers, whbfe honor is to rule well wiihin their fphere, and not to meddle with matters of Faith (which is an edge tool that will cut their fingers, ) 'for, Extorquere timidii commutationemfoffunt> fedfdeminsfirarencnpoffut.t, Ambr. epift. 15. it is out of their orb. gueft. But may not Magijf rates fupprefs Errors ? &c. Anfvtk Evil doirgs and praBtfes, (as you heard before) they may and muft 5 but they are not competent Judges of controv erf al points* opinions, and dottrines : And thus, that eminent fervanc of Chrift, Air. Burroughs in hit Vindication againft Edwards^ anfwereth this Quetiion 2 he fayes. That where the hainoufnefs of the matter, and turbulency of the I carriage manifefis ftubbornnefs^ &c. Thefe hainotts attions and \turbulent carriages, do come within their cogntz*arice 5 but they arewt the fit Judges cf wntropcrftcsr i# Religion, or matters 'guefl. Anfiv. Not judges of^ Opinions or Do&ines. VidaBmroughs. Chap, i 3 . Magiftrates no competent Judges. 175 ef faith : But why (fayes hee) for this ftsould there befucbaftirre and out- cry again ft that -which if called the Independent my > as if there muft needs beeaconfufton of all things, if liberty in it bee but granted. The Lord judge between m in this thing, &<:♦ But as it is an intolerable wrwg done to the truth , Chrift ^ and his Churches to grade and grace Minifters with fuch a Power (as we faid before) which is moft properly the Statestfo is it no Ieffe lamentable; an injury done to Jefm Chrift, his Church and truth, to gratifie Magiftratcs with fuch a P*wer, which is moft properly the Churches, as to (upftefs finne , enours in ofi It is the Ch ar- ches power, or t properly tns uourcoes, as to \upyre\s imuc , enoun m ofi - S!jrl^? m ^* mens, and judgements, which is to bee bythe^ord 0/ Ciri/I: |^^°L5W^ He is no Jttige of Vo&rine , to pronounce which is true , and | h^s ^f™ which is not, which (hall ftand, and which (hall not; becaufe j arine$,&c. ■ as Mr. DeO fayes , he is as liable to erre as any man, Acls 14 \ Magiflram no$ 14, vid. Owens Efoy for Church government, p72. Second !y,Becaufe he wil do all he can(demibus & ungulbus, as wee may fay , to uphold his owne opinion and religion (though never fo falfe) and to fentence others ("though ever I fstup their fo true) as if they were f2iKe,kerefies,blaftbemies,and theiike,as own opinion, appears 3 A8r 24, 14, So did the Jewes , Acls 28.22. and the Scribes, and Pbarifees fentence Chrift and Chriftianity, and all but their owne. Thirdly , Every Magiftrate would make it his office to maintaine his owne Idol , and what a world of falfe gods, and falfe wor flips would be fetup, and woruYipped then,and in moft places true Keligkn put into the Rac\. Objecl* But they muft have the advice of the Affembly of VivineSjOrMe Minifters. Anfw. 1. Then Magiftrates muft a<5l upon an implicite faithyto fee with their eyes, and beleeve as they beiceve. Secondly, Then LMagiftrates were but the Minifters or 'jijfemblks executioners ( a fiat peece of Popery ) methinks Pilate ftands for a Sea-mark before fuch,to the end of the world, who did but execute the Ptitfts fentence upon Chrift in cruci- fying him. 5 This would take Minifters offthe right means of ruining errour, i.e. by the word of Chrift ; and this would make them Idle , and neglect their duties in doing that by the word that fuch eft Vominut, rm author legU, %oyes Temple. 1 Theywculc? and fenrence others 3 And main- taine Idols &- erucifieciuth. Ob). Anfw. r. Not on the nd= vice of the Af- fembly of Mi- nifters i PiUtelsa. warning-piece.. 3 This wcuM hinder Mini- fters in their workofruinkig errors by :hc word. The Church delivers none up to fecular Towers* L i b« I( 4 Beeaufe never iife>hen| to fuppiefie errors, VBat-Cfarift feathleft other Laws in force to do it with- out them. Anf. I Affirm. So far as they are cf the world t-hty are under theirpowers. Antichrift ar- rogates both Powersyu^. Civil and Ec- cief. Vik Sync} j* Anf. 2. : Kegat. A Church cannot deliver up any to fecular powers for punilimcar. fuch Magifirates would doe {"though they ought not ^odo ) by the fward; but Fourthly, Why UMagift rates (as Magiftmes} are not to fupprclle errours &c. U because Cbrift and his Apoftlcs after him never me died ( as we heard before ) with fecular powers to fuppreffe blaftbemies , &c. neither was this Detlrine main- tained or entertained as ufefull in Cbrift s Cburcb for three hundred yeers after Cbrift. Fifthly , Becaufe Cbrift hath left other Lams to fuppreffe Errours , Herefies3 Blajpbemies , as appears in I Tim.i^zo9 Mat-iZ.lj. I Cor.^^fr&cCum muhii aliif.&c. and by thofe Lawes left us upon record in Pfimitive times were errours depreffed and punifhed. Sluery , Whether a Member caft out of a Cburcbw3being without her Lines, I doe not finde this to be in pfd^^ times> till /tyfry.was pretty r/pe,and then under pretence of Heretic*/ the dear Saints fuffrr ed death presently and frequently* \ Secondly, Chap . iq . Hereticks not to ieput to death. Secondly, But if Magiftr atet doe tzke Cognizance of Btaf- fbemers>Heretickf>$Lct let them take heed , they out-run not Gods rule in infiiding mulcls and punifbments (though it be for adions;J I lay, that they goe not too far , Lukf 9.55^6. I f^c not how they can fentence to death any for mif-beUevingpr not beleeving outpoints of Religion, though they be the ( fun- damental as we fay J principles of our Chriftian \aitb. O what an errour it this) fayes John Huffe to his Adversaries) to deliver poore people up to fecular power* toput to death, &cl O crucii ac- curfed invention / Mr, Hooper alfo in a letter of his out of prifon to & precious friend , Anno one thoufand five hundred fifty five tels him how thi $ tyranny , extremity , and force, hath been the onely argument ( which, fayes he, you mull grant) to maintaine the Pope : And what they cannot doe by the convincing word, they will endeavour to doe by delive- ring us up to worldly compullive powers to be tormented This was alfo good Bradford* fenfe , as he fayes to the then L.rdCbxneeGor, I have been (faid he) nowayeare, and almofl three quarters in afliniqngprifon, and yet of althis time, you never queftioned me for m) opinions , before this time or for an) thing elfe> when I might hdve freely ffikf my con faience without peril ; but now ! now, that you have a Law to bang and put mentto death, if a man an- fwer freely , and not to your minds, [0 now you come to as\ Wte this que- fiion ! ( about Chrift really p relent in the Sacrament ) Ah ! my Lord ! my Lord ! Cbriji ujed not this way to bring men to the faith. Bernardus writ to this purpofe an Epifile to the Pope Etf- geniut j who condemned many, and delivered them up to fecu- lar Powers to be put to death, fayes he, Aptjtolos {lego) (tetijfe judicandos, fedijfejudicantesmnkgo^boi I read that the Apoftles lroodtobe)udged, but I never read] that they fate 4U Judges to fentence any. But this (ball be ( for the Saints (ball judge the wsrld ) and judge their Judges that now deliver them up to bee murdered and maff acred. This wee (hall finde long agone the Saints were well acquainted with, A good woman, Miflrefs ^f/^w,Martyr in King Henry the eighths dayes,faidto^ri/7ejf (the Lord Chancellor ) I have fe arched the Scriptures 4B over t but I cannot finde that ever Chip, or any of *77 — I None to bee pit to death for raisbefce- ring, or no: beleeving. Wirnefie fohu Hutfe. See Fas. i. part p. 8 04* WMoyer* Mc.Br^ford, «t* Bernard. Saints {Kalf i judge iheir now j«^ges, They kail bee adjudged he- reticks, who hare judged them hereticks Mrs,Afcn*. 178 Heretick'snot to be put to death. Lib. I. Mxrlm. vld. Urtku tf or power to put'to d- ath ihevlleft Hueticksthat ever lived. Atyhoneus. KMdve^ that ^oiing Sainr. More need that they live so repent, then fend their fouls pott to Hell, if they be in sfee way«A hUlApoftlei put any to death < though Heretickf, or delivered them up to any others to put them to death. Martin fits that eminent French- Bijbep upon this very ac- count withdrew communion from his f e Uew-brethr en 8 i(h op s9 and would have nothing to doe with them, becaufethey confented, and gave way to Mnximus the Emperour to cut off by the fentence of death the Prifcilianifts (as known Heretickj as ever lived) yet (aid he, wee have no power to put them to death, nor to deliver them up to the Emperour, Chriji was put to death, but put none to death ( though Heretic kf) neither hath hee given power to any to doe it, but hath denyed it, Luke 9^6* Nay I will fetch a Gray-Friar that was Philips Confeffor, Alphon&us by name, in his Sermon before Philip and Q^Mary, February the tenth,one thoufand five hundred fifty and five 5 hee bitterly crye's out of thofe bloody Bifbops for burning men, faying plainly , That they learned it not in Scrip- ture to burne any for hii confeience s but the contrary, viz. thatfuch a one fbwldlive% and be converted 9 and many things to the fame purport. And deare Lord / malt we then be of a more rigid judgement? againft one another .' againft tender confei- ences / againft erroneous perfons, then the Friar > It is very remarkable how Edward the fixth declined this deviSijb doclrine ; Mr* Cranmer had never more to doe in all his life then topcrfwade, and beg of him, but his hand to be fet to the Warrant for delivering up Joan Bmcher to the Magiflrntis power to burne her : All his great Councels, with their Argu* ments could not prevaile with that Cbriftian-bearted young King to fet his hand to it; fayes he what ?■ Witi you have mee to fend berfoule quhkjo He lit you jay her errcur willdamne her; [bould I then be.fo cruel to fend her prefently to the devill in this errour ? 0 no ! let her live to repent! it may be to thefaving of herfoule , to give her longer life and liberty to repent ( whicklhe murthering of her will not doe) I hold it more holy (fayes htj that [he flsould live to be convertedy&c* thst this fweet bird chirps *, and this young man manifeftcdhisdiflikeof fachfecular powers 5 and punifb- ments for errors ( though grievous) but O / how few fucfa Saint-like Cafars are to be found now / I might heap up ma- ny eminent tcfiimoniea , yea CI thinkc) fetched from all Chap. ij. Hereticks not to be put to death. 179 bloody ages againft this bloody tenet and opinion or giving up Here- tiehj, or any other erroneous perfons into the hands of Magi- fir Aits to punijh them : Maj3y bleffed Martyrs have breached ' Eminent Mar- OUt /fo«w again ft this Ant ich.iflian cuftomy which have lent tyrs brearh'd one us light into it, to this age. I have read (I do wed remember) ^™£n*fca|^? when a {laming faggot ivas brought to Rid ley his feet, to fet all , ftVan thereft on fire, Ha 1 (ayes Mr. Latimer to his Brother ^/W- tenet. /tf/5 C Anfw. All they can, to encourage and countenance xhzfer- vants and fervice of Chrift, by giving them liberty, though ever {ofew, or contemptible 5 declaring againft all known, and apparent grofs Errors, and Hereftes 5 fo as that they do not allow of them, or the like : For what Bilfon fayes, ferns US, Commtffioeft a Chrifio, permiffio a MagiFlratu. Chrift commands, and Cafar demand? ; Chrift gives the Law, and / A a z MapfirMes Ridley. Turk^ Sara- cens, Jews, not ro be puni'fhed for their Reli- gion. Much lefs dare a Church de- liver them up robe puniihed by fecular Powers. Antichrifb weapons -tfl Muftnotbe ohm. Anjw. Magi ft rates may and rnuft | do all they can to countenance the ways of God , a'nd Churches of Chrift. 1 8© LMdgiftrales botvfarufeful in Religion. Lib;]. .( Zuitgi'm, An As Servants, net as Iudges, *j Lawgivers. MagfflrH and Church, as the alone Headznd Lo/d. Chrifts Kingdom (of the Son) and the King- dom of glory £ the Fathers) are both alike ; who rules in one, rules in the other ; who are admitted into one, are admitted into the other ; whom the one receives, the other receives, and none elfe : But the Kingdom of the father, receives Doc Magiftrates^ as Civil ^Magiftrates, to rule, and govern, cr punifti there {i.e. In Heaven to comcj therefore not here, in the Kingdom of the Son. And he that dares ufurpe this pover of Chrift (the ahne Head and L ord ) takes toe much #p~ \ on him, and: as Chjfoftom fayes, Non eft tributHm C*f*rm \ ■ "l fed Chap, i 3 . Chr I ft alone in the Church, the Head of Gold. 181 <* Braze* and Iron Heads m rno;ci but* j G^ldforBra^. and Silver for Iron. Exp$f. ■ fed fervitium diaboli, &c. It is not hit due, but the devils veorXx And it will caufe his unevitable downfal and confufi- e*j zz it did th* Devils, trap obferves there, gn (JHatth. 22«2I. the Greeks Article 7* n Q& vj Q&, u doubled and repeated for this purpofc, That oar double and fpecialcare niuft be to' give God his dvte Rom.1%. 7. Oh ! O that we did give the Lord his due ! then (hould we not plead To for Cafars Chair in Chrifts Church $ that he fhould fit there with the heel of his cruelty, to kjek. the Saints brains out ; and to crujh them headlong, that ftoop rrot to his form. In a word, Chrift lies not on L afars throne, neither (hall he (who hath too long) (it upon Chrifls throne. For though other Lords have had dominion over us, and' have ufurped Headjhips (which are Brafs and Iron, Jer. 6* 28.) yet the Lord will give gold for brafs, and fiver for iron, Ifai, do. 17. This Head of Gold, and hi* Goff el, which 15 better then the fiver feven times purified. And if the very Philo- fophen, {AriTtotle, Tlato, and others, vid. Cartwrights Eo clefiaftical Difcipline of the Authority of the Church) if they could fee and fay that Eftate is beir,and thofe Citj^ens happi- eft,that had God to be their King and Monarch, and his L&vj and Decrees to fubmxt unto : Sure 1 am-, the Church is never (o happy, holy > and heavenly, as when Chnft alone fits upon hh throne, in themidft of them, and governs them by his Word and Spirit, fee Cap. 2. & 9. of Lib. 2. And furc, this is the great work that our God is bringing abotttjwho is corning to reign for ever and ever. In the mean time,, ht u« own nei- ther the Brazen , nor the Iron Heads, for our Head; ( I mean, but Chrift, th© neither Spiritual nor Temporal, Ecclefafiical nor Civil [HQ*4°(Qoidi foners>(ocd\Ud !) O none but Chrift \ the Head ofG^ld;.oui i MaflerlLord ! //e,i^ ! and Law-giver- ! without any other ; Partner or Paramount whatsoever, as hath been at large i proved ! Wherefore to conclude ; All others are beheaded /having ! loft their long ufurped ruledomtznd jurifdittion ! And with j fthp Hta bijfe John Hus ; We fay, Chrift us fine talibus capitibusmonftrofis^ [ /&#/ C°n&K " mklius tcclefam fuam regulavit, Art. 27. Objefr* Chrift a- lora is Head) and governs his own Church . {innuendo <&in-, A-a 3^ fmdendo) OwnnofrfcadJ • - U l82 Cbrift alone Head in bu Churches, Lib. I Gregory ihzfi'& toJo'scfOz- ftantinoplt Pa- triark, Expof* The neceflity of this Head. Hold him fail. Sim. J* fundendo) without fuch prodigious helps , or monftrous beads, as Antichrift would crowd m. Thusfaid Gregory the firft, X/'£ (5. Epift.iq. in his Letter to jW# Patri'archoi Cmftan* tinople j ^guid tu Chrifto umverfalis ecclefi& capiti, <&c. What will you anfwer at the iaft day to Cbrifi? tbefole//- mverfal Head of his Churchy andpeopte ? that thou dareft to arrogate that tanr/ri which is iAntichrifti&n for theefo to do? Hold faft the bead, faith the Apoftle, C0I.2.T9. from which all the bod)) by ]oynts and bands, having nourishment, mini\ired and k»it together, increafeth with the increafe of Cjod. Therefore be fureyou hold your Head ; For firft3 itfup- plieth the members with all neceffaries ; Secondly, It knits every member to its felf, and one to another 5 and thirdly, It increafeth every one with afpiritual increafe : Now Chrift in his Theanthrofie, is th.it Head, which we muit fetch our life,fenfe, and motion from, by Nerves, Veins, and Arteries, Chrifiiani Chriflo capiti adherent, & ab eo percipiunt3 & hau- riuntvitamfpirituaUm^&c, No Member of his, but hath much moifture, nourifhment, and fpiritual growth. And every Member is moved with their Head, unlefs fbme Palfie- Mcmbers (fo Palfit-ChriftiansJ that move not as the Head ( Ohrift) direcls. When fixeas the Ambaflador of Pyrrhus, after his return from Rome, was asked by his Mafter, What he thought of the City and State, anfwered ; OSirl It is Reffublica Regum, a Commonwealth of Kings, and a State of Statelmen : And fo is the Church, »hei in Chrift is King and Head 5 O happincfs of fuch a Church ! For if he be in us Head, he is heart, hand, and all. For quickning of us, he is our Anima, the life and foul of the Church, and of every ^Member ; as he refolves us he is Voluntas, as he maketh us think he is Animus , as he gives us to know he is our IntelleBus , as he deliberates us he is Mens, as he keeps our remembrance he is Memorials he gives us to judge he is our &z*/0,as he moves our deiires he is Affettns, as he breaths us and infpires us he is our Spiritus, and as he enables us to apprehend he isourSvnfus $ So that Chrift our Head, is our Hearty and all. Wherefore let us hold him f aft for our Heady and Chap, 1 4 . Chrift is the Founder and Foundation* and heare of no other, no Braz*n-face , no In&pate, no 0 monflrum horrendum ! informe^ingens ! cui lumen ademptum ! Chrift willed, when he faw Ctfars ftamp on thc if not fometimes worfe^as being more deceitfull and dangerous ; Great is the fai/of fuch an boufe , Luke 6,49. Matth.7.27. But this ft ritual? boufe hath a fure foundation ( if it beo fCbrifls building') which Chrift hath laid with his owne hands , as Zd^.4.9. 7^,14.32. other places are founded by the arms of ,fa(b* but this by the Porper and Spirit of the Lord. PaUftina muft fall, but Zion>ut.( faye8 Sasbout) the (pirituall Hon (meant Chrifts Church under the Gofpel ) (hall never fall : for the Lsri bath founded it upon a 2£#^e too, {oUHat.y.^.AfaUd.i 8. •Lfcfy? 6.48. and this Roc%e is Ori/r, as 1 Cor. 10.4. 2 Sam.t^. $0 that C6r/£ is alto the foundation of the Church , which the 18, £/«t Chiiftthe foundation* yideT>:. Mxpt in he. Exfof* ; 1 Chrift the Rock • 1 84 Chrift islhe Founder ^And Foundation. LtB.t Chrift the Head,the. Buil- der* a"d yet the F^unda* tionj hew? VideWilfont Cafes* v£uigma Chiiftisthe Rock for foun- dition^ww? I The Rock is firm, and wil never fail us. Whet* i Chrift the Rock is high whence we look round «?, Wtftoutlers. the Church is built upon, Eph.2.20. 1 Cor.3.14. Chrift is not the Head of that Church whereof he is not the foundation* fay es Cotton : Chrift is King, Prii/r, Prophet, Head, Mafter, Lord, and Lawgiver, Advocate, Husband, Brother, Builder; and yet the Foundation of his Church, what is hec not unto his people > in any condition ? he is man, and Minifter to himfelfe as God: (o that as he may be both the Prophet, and the Words the Ad* vocate, and yet the Argument; the Law-giver, and yet the Law; the M'after,and yet the member ; the Pri'e/r, and yet the /kcri- ficc, evenfo may he be,by the fame r*k and enter , the Few der> and yet the foundation : For as he preaches himfelfe , and this tetyimony was true , as ht pleads himfelfe , and this argu- ment is full $ as he give* out himfeif,and this Law is lifeushee offers himfelfe, and this Sacrifice is precious, and effe&uall ; Even fo he layes himfelfe low to be our Foundation, that wee might b:e fitly built upon him , and this Foundation will never faile; for he is a Rockfe foundation. Firft, Becaufe the Rock^ is a fure and firme fouxdaUon,v?hich will not fwke nor (brinkf (perfaxum foederis firmitatem notabant antiqui : Vanning) but fore, or ftniy /rones , will give way, and endanger the whole ft rutlure : Now (7od m Cbr//? is a fure and mod firme foundation, 1 Cor.j.n. 2 Tim. 2.1 9. which cannot faile us ; our Salvation lyes upon him , he cannot de- ceive m : The Church is like (JMomt Sion wtiich abides for ever, and is fWWove^/e,becaufe founded upon the Rocks of ages: Si ms ruemut , ruet Chrift m «**,faid that hud-tongued and liveli- fpirited Luther : If we fall , Chrift (hall fall too,and (malo cum Cbriftoruere>qtiamcumC£fareftare*) I had rather (fayesano- therj ruine with Chrift, then run with C£ far 5 1 had rather faS with n>rijf jthen ft and with Cafar : fuch can never fall, 1 Pet. 2.6. as long as Chrift the foundation Bands* Secondly, A Rocke is high, whence we have pleafant pro- fpetts, and fee far round the Horizon and Hemifpbere, whence wee look with delight , and have the Uafl hindrances , Numl 23.9. Chris! is fuch a high Rockf, Pfal.61.2. and the Saints foundation lyes in him , who is higher then aB Rockf and mom- fd/8e/,Pfal.87.i.orp/4ce/,Ifa.57# 15.Pfal.pi.i4. Fromthia b'gbRod^ (i.f. Chrift) the Saints fee far, andfaiigj and have Chap. 1 4- Cbrtii the Churches %ocl^ 185 moil eminent discoveries, and the fweeteft Survey of Heaven, and happincffe, all other things being below them: And they have the leaft hindrance in their pro/pec?/ either «por dowse, or round aboUt, being filled with /oT/f/re/r#livelicft,rrcb^/?, bigheft, and beavwlieft foal-ravi filing Difcweries. Thirdly, A Rockf is a place ofrefu£e,oi tftufirengtb and fecwity , thither people r«« for refa^e and fd/Wjr 5 Ifa.2.21. 1 Sam. 13,6. and* 23.15. a Cattle in a Hac^ *s accounted impregnable ^znd cannonpmf. Such a Rsc^fis Cbrifl to the Ciwrcb and his Saints, Dent.32.31. Pfal. 18.2. Pfal^I.i. zftrongRockeindCaltleof defence; Hence it is Saints are (o Cafe in Chrift, that they cannot bee (lormed,or taken : Saints are jecare in him; when tWDevils in hell let flye upon them ; Foras7erfw//i<2»faycs, the defperateft Bullets and Darf/ that men or Devils can (hoor,it this impregnable and impenetrable itocfce, are either returned with a pewJer, or bounded backe up- on the beads of them that /&>r them, or elfe are f^^ew downlead and blunted, without any more mifchiefe. The Gates of Hell {hall not prevaile a^ainfi tbem ', that is 3 neither the poipzr nor policy of HeZ/combined together 5 no not though the Devil} doth by himfelfe or others plot with his fevtft-bead; >or pu(h with his ten-borms -, neither can ail the fraudulent plots, pracYtfes, malices, machinations, policies, poverty or engines thatEarfb or Hell can bring forth, bee enough to ruiue the Church, who is feated fure and fafe upon a Rockj that is b/gber and mightier then they. Ic is true , they may batter, but can- not conquer i they may reach to htr heel, fand peradven* ture bruife her beek ) but they cannot reach totheH^J, but they will breaks tbemfelves a peeces : They cannot make a breach in true Religion , or a battery in this Rockf 5 90 though the Devili (hould difcharge the Popes Can- nons , or the greateft Ordinances hee hath at them : fay they were as big as thofe two caft by Alpbwfa the Dake of Ferrara, the one of which he called the Earthquake, tite other the Grandiabolo^v the Gieal-devil!%neither £happine§e>)oyes, enjoyments, and all; he is ever in this place, and therefore he is in Zion afure foundation , Ifa.1 28. /<5. and ctnnot bee removed. Hebr. 12. 28. immobile faxum. Fifthly, A Rockeis very lading, an Heiroglyphick^o£ per- W24««2f>,durability, and perpetuity -, fo is Chrift, who can never decay, or decreafe, but of the increafe$f bis Government , and peace there fh&U be no end, lfa.9.7. Sixthly, A Rock? yeelds (everall and fingular Benefits , it is a (bade from the . fcorching beat , and keeps from being Sun-burnt 5 fodoth Chrift, Ifa.32.2. and he keeps from being fin-burnt, and bell- burnt , and from the wrath of God-, a Rockf affords precious ftones&nd Jewels, fuch a Roche is Cbrifr, who is~ the Mine and Treafury of all precious tbirigs bid in him , Col. 3.2. and fetched from him , ■ Prov.8.10,1 1.18. Rev.3. 17.18. Rev.5.12. Pr.ov»3,i5. the Roc\ yeelds honey , fo doth Chrifty D«it.32.l3#Pfal.Si.i6, his word' are drops of honey ',P(al«i£.io. and his lips and doBrine dvovfweetfmelling myrrh , Cant^.i 3. The Rock? yeelds oyle, Deut.32.13. Job. 29.6. and (oCbrifl doth the Milion from on High , the oyle of grace, 1 Jo.2 2o. I and2tov3.i7.the Use^aflords wholefome bearbs and fal/ets. Co doth £V//J , whofe cbeekj are as a bedoffpices, Cant.5,13. be- fides from the Rocl^ flowea the mo ft rich » pure , plcafant, fweet Chrifxall fir earns y Deut.8.15. Job. 28-10. fo the moft fprings and bed flreams of water of life flow from Cbrifl the Rfjcke^ whereby his Church is refrefbed, as lCor.Io.4, Pfal. 46.4. Ifa.33.2iJoh,4. 13,14. Joh.7.38. Seventhly, A Rochf is fo hard , that a Foundation in it will coft much fweat and labour , and continuall paines^ &c. fo much meanes muft be ufed, and much paines muft be taken, and much care 9 and .continuall vigilancy muft bee had to bee Chap. 14. Chnfi the Churches %ocke^anci ivby. 187 MlJ-bottomed upon Jefus Cbrifi , Phi.1.2.12. therefore faith jPefer, 2 E.pift, 1.10. ZzwdtLmn i.e. endeavour feduloufly 9 and J?«ify it diligently, and iffoyee do; yee {hall not fall: there- fore learne (faith Solomm) Prov.30.26. of tbe Conies ( poore little things ) yet they with labour workf out holes and bumwes in the roots of the Rocks ; by this we are to learr.e diligence and bee fure to get in force enough* and to digdeep into this R9cke3 which is Chrift. Eighthly, A K«c^p, if it proves a (tumbling /tone , is raoft dangerous of all to fcr«//e and^r^s thee, and taffer thee a| peeces j fo is CV//r tofuchas by their careleffenejfe or /e//e- cowcez* doe fall dt to,and oa him, Ol hee is to them a (rough) Roctyof offence! 1 Pet.2.8. Horn. 9. 3 2, that will not obey him^nd Relate him, but that ftumble at him, and reject him; they that fall upon this /?*«* / are bruifed and broken; and thofe that this ft one falls upon, are groow'd to powder^ Luke ao.18. Thus is Cbrifi the Rec^e , and this Rockf the Foundation of theC/;«rc/;, and this, faith Auguftineuoon Mat. 16. Chrift meant, when he faid , Vfon this Rock? I will build my Church 5 Tu quidem Fetrus es, cognominatm a me qui [urn petra , atquefuper banc Petram £dificabo Ecdeftammeam.) And thus faith Peter Martyr in 1 Epifl. ad Car. 2. 11. CHRIST is faid to be the FOVNDATION of this heavenly FJBRICREof bis Churchy becaufe it bath its BEGINNING from sABOVE , and this FOVNDATION bath tbeT IT LEof a ROC RE - becaufe CHRIST is the SVREST FOVNDATION ( & Cbriftus in fttmmo loco fttus eft,&c. ) and he is the bigbefi. Bat the Re a fons why the Church hath Chrift to be her Rockf , and why this Rockf for her Foundation^ are divers 5 I thall trouble you with but one or two; as firft is for fafeties fake. . Firft, For fafeties fake , the Church muft meet with multi- tude of tempefts and ftarmis 3 winds, and waves 3 lfefftr.-7.ty.! whence Bolton calls her the To ffed-foif, /he meets with a can- tinuall fuccefsion of miferies^ and moleftations^ one on the necke-' of another ^ like Jobs Mcffengers , and as C/o«<& rack , EccL 12. 2, FIuXhs fiuclum trudit, *&& hWttoVjp ?*f* The]jj^>/ are evercaft ; fomctimes they fall in] lejfermd lighter cfojfesy Bb 2 as Exfof* 8 A Rock is moftdmge* rous to fuch as through heed- lefTsncfs or h amine fs ftumble at itj and on it. 16. Fetcr MiTtjr. Recent. For fafeti *s fake in the mid ft of her manifold troubles. , i88 Reafon$y why Cbrijl is the C hutches Rotk* Lib Reafon 2. z For orders fake, iA to be- gin at Chrift- this Foundati- en firft, and (o to build upward and onward. 1 We muft be in Chrift, and then gee into his Chur- ches. Many gather- ed Churches m danger of filing that are not built on ' thcFoundati- on (Chriftj firft. Jieafon 3. For Reafons foke i c. to fepport rhe reft. Fundamntum tftfTmumfu. ftemrt, & wmttcre yThot Again 21.Q.* 7-4> as the (mailer raine, but fometimes in fharpe flinging and pkrciag-Ctlamities , like ftormes of haiie , the raine falls, the floods arifi^ the winds blow, the waves beat, and all to OmnUcbriftia- try the building, which like Wjabs-jirk? is pitched within^nd mOruthnw. without, and holds out, being upon a fur e foundation , and cannot faile utterly, though ihc may be battered, and will be tryed day by day?and that to the purpofe , therefore fhee had need to be founded upon the Roikf* We muli fit downe and conlider, and caft up what it will coft us to be Cbrifiians, how much we muft fufer ; and then be fure that wee bee up- ob a good foundation that will not ftn\e under us , nor (brinks away from us, for we. (hall have many trials. Secondly , Why the Church is built upon this Rockf Is for orders fake, that whofoever will venture to build, may begin at this foundation firft, I Cor.;. so. and bee fure he goe wifely to worke fas I faid before in the laft Chapter) foalfo, that whofoever will enter into this boufe afthe Lord , may firft get up the Jtocke (which will be with much difficulty toflefb and blood) and from thence to goe into the boufe (Gods Church) built upon the Rockf'. many have been wrong that thought firft to get into the Church and then into Chrift y no! no! but they muft bee firft in Chrift , and have a right to Chris! , and communion and chfenejfe with Chrift, and from thence «!• ter into communion with Saints , &c. I Jo. 1.3. Eph. 2. J. 20. Firft on the foundation Jehu Chrift, and then verfe 22. into tbe x building : where this erder is omitted, and noc minded, they build but upon a falfe foundation, and will ne- ver ftand the fturdy ftorms 2 And truly lam pofllfTcd with fomejealoufie thatmoft of our gathered Churches (or rather members in them) are built amuTe, and are to be amended in this point of order,ore]fe they will not ftand. Thirdly 3 It is for Reafons faks to keep up the buildings to fupportthefocfnvhich the foundation is to doe : Therefore is Chrifl the foundation to be fit ft laid , and all the fuper/lruQure to be built upon him, who bearet up all b) hi* power, Heb. 1.3. for the Vobicb mother FOUNT) AT ION could be laid to build upon, I Cot,%. II. i a. in whom (in which foundation ) all the building (forcvferyWc and parcel mujlhavea&pewiiwcf upon him Chap. 1 4. CArift island muji be the Churches Rocks 189 Vfe. 1. 1 Be fureof the Foundati- on. * 1 fe.it that be laid fir ft. Parens in loc» Expof. him , and an abiding in him , as being faftnedznd nailed to J £*p*p him) all beingfitty ordered together doe joyxtlyfand unanimouflyj grow (higher and higher*) and are more and more buile upia Chrifl ftill) a holy Temple to ibe Lord, Eph.2. 20,2 1.22. though his Spirit. But, Firft, Wee mud bee fure then, wee have* foundation , and that that be hid firftto be built upon, all wife builders doe ii>;tf,andinHeb.ii.io. Abraham (the representative of Bi- leevers) is faid to hok^for a City Which bath foundations, Le. in op- pofition to the Tents he fct up to live in, (being but a paffvn- ger) which were without foundations laid , and could eafily bee pulled down,and laid in the dufcl dare be bold to fay it, that fomeof our gathered Churches (built in a trice) are but fach What gathered Tents without foundations, which will(as foon,and in a trice) j Churches will 1 bee pulled downe and laid in the dufl : but let us look^for, and fal of a fodJen- verily expett with confidence (as the word «£i&;g7«. there figni- fies) a City i.e. a bouft, a Church, a new Jerufakm , w&o/e fo/7w;/e of the Lord. The 7Vrc/>/e was a type, j . . & in the type the foundation wu firft to be h\d-,the typified mm> Sj^^ anfwer the typifying herein, as appeares in Zacfr-4 g^.rnhbabels \ muiVJnfwo: owne hands that have laid r/>e foundation of this houfe fball j tne Type in, finijbits butfirft, helayes the/^KJ(3rio«of the to/^ thus ; laying tha. . H4£.2.i8. Confider even from the day that the foundation is laid:] function- Confider it (as if before that it were not worth confider-jfilft' a ing)asiffc///w and pinned in fas one with J the Reck. - From Chap. 14. Difference betwixt fooltjh and wife Buildings. 191 From whence they cannot be razed, raifed, or removed ; and Jike an intire ftone (as is it faid of Solomon* Temple) are the •whole building one. So much fweetnefs, evennefs, antiunion, is amongft them 5 yea, in the mid ft of fhakjngs andoppefti- ons : That as none of the building can be feparate from the Rocky »**« The foundation wherein, and whgjreon they are laid -, fo not one (by the violenteit temptations that can befal them) can be parted from another ; but all are one inChrift, and one another. For he that is joyned to the Lord^is one Spirit ■, I Cor f6. 1 7. Now the very reafon why many fair buildings ( Co in appearance) muft be laid in the daft again , is, becaufe they have been built upon falfe foundations , of mens Creati- on ; as their Rules 3 Canons^ Commandments of men, cDireBo- ries, or outward forms of holme fsy and wifaom, or fome thing or other which xifandy, and which will /»/'/ them, and prove parity and ruinous (as IWr Martyr, 1 G?r. 3.1 1. fayes,) and which will make their buildings to fall upon their Heads. For every plant which my Father hath not planted, (hall be pull- ed up by the roots 0 faith Chriftj u e. Their foundation, and all (hall bt difcovered to be nought • and fo in Ez,ek^ 1 3. 14. / will break, down the wall (the work) that ye have daubed with untemperedm^rter, and will bring it down to the ground. Why fo? Mark 1 That the foundation thereof fztiat rotten, ruinous foundation) may be difcovered, arid it fhallfall : None fhall be able to fave it ; for the Lord will have the naughty, deceit- ful foundations , difcovered ; and laid open to our children after us, that they may not build upon fuch rotten fluff. And therefore ir is (T fay) fuch buildings muft fall, that theli foundations may be difcovered , ( It fhallfall, faith the Lord3 none (hall be able to keep it up, it (hail fall ;) and then others will beware upon what grounds and foundation they build upon hereafter : Falfe Trophets are builders too, and will be as bulte as may be 5 but mark the metaphor, It is with un- tem}credmortery which will tumble in the time of zftofm\ it cannot ftauff, but will fall on a fudden: Then they that under fuch buildings are in danger for wane of ffety, or •falter 5 and are in as eminent imminent danger, as the Twenty Other reafons why many githered (. hurches, (fo'jjifli build- ings) will liid- denly fall, and fo muft. Peter Martyr, Expof. Hab. 3. 13. Rorien founda- tions (hall be difcovered. Members of ' fuch Cburche: are in great danger in a ftorm time* ; 102 C'hriji the Churches foundation* LibJi ] Vft 5. \ Be fuic Chi'ift - be your foun- dation. i. € iKmg.f.itf* 3 Win are fit to ^ Jay the foun- dation , and whomc. ! C f Another rea-*- fon* why many 3 gathered I Churches will I down again. 2» The moft pre- vious muter t muft be for the f foundation* I Twenty (zvm thoufand of Ber.hadxds men were in Aphek^ I in 1 Kings 20. 30. Ol O then be (lire of a found foundation! Such a aw as will not fmk^> rot-, fail9 fall) and then it mutt be a /cV£j, Where- fore beware of fuch buildings as are made up of mem fandy and untemperjd/^ff*; for they will fall on your heads, and do a deal of mifchief. But the Word and Sprit muii have the working of this houfe upon Chrifi the foundation \ that. is ftrong^defenceable, and Cure of (landing : Therefore, tip 3. Be fure Chrifi be that Rock^ upon which you are founded,Ifai.22»i6. who is called the Stone of probation; the fione of foundation. 1. The foundation of Solomons Temple (as I faid before^ being a type of this foundation, we (hall finde was to be laid by thofe, whom the Lordh&d enduedwith moft ski H> the chiefeft and ableft of the laborers in that building ; and none are fit for thiSHW^., tr/«. To Ay the foundation principles 3 and to fit out C^r*/? to the capacity of the building in hand 5 but fuch as are very wife, experienced, and filled with the Holy Ghofi* Others, that are raw and unexperienced; and not irn SVWI1 with wide £C- c lam at tons and ayes of re\oycing and gladnefs : O f lhall they lav) the £r„*f* / the wonderful grace ot (j^ in Chnfl ! And mark this, That till the foundation belaid, there is no (uch loud fhoutings out, grace > grace. The whol e fir cngth and (irefs of the building* lies in the foundation , (o does ours in Chrifi ; who is alio our Qty of Refuge. Now let this ftcne which moil builders hiverefiifed, and wh'ch others have re[eBed, become the He*:d of our Coiner, z/fmen. life 4. The Lift ufe then that I would make (now) of this, is to infirm us of thefe two nece/f try things, in imbodying to- gether. Firft, to be wt'.l grounded 5 fecondly, to bzxvelfuni- ted-y without both thete, better never to have been abuild- irg ; for the fall will be great. This is exceedingly requifite, ! grounded, and of all places, I mould pitch upon Dublin (at prcfcnO to j * ,9f bnrf r l- r / t i t,i- r well United prefs tnis -, tor lure i am, we have great need or laying a jure w ^ ut ^0^ foundation. theWhe build. Fir!:, That ye be well grounded and founded upon the Rock ; ing falls, how requiiic it ig, you have heard before, onely this I adds, | «♦ If GteUt Thatfuch a building will never fall, but laft ever, and is of lthlS^fock^e \n perpetual ufe for the Saints to dwell in, till the full appearance, ' ^nur , °"n ^ or coming of Chrifi, without alteration or cejfation. This1 {hnd till the Church- fiate upon this foundation ceafes not 5 I fay not5 but 1 coming of the fuperftruFvure may fometimes want mendings ordering^ ■. Chnft. and repairing, but the ejfentials of it (hall remain for f«n%| 2)^.7.14. Luke !.•$-}. Ifa.q. 7,8. eKjp. 20,21. Bph.^A 2li Till it be grown up into a perfect fiat ure in Chrifi, Eph.%. \ i±> 12. and then ic (hall bttr^njlated into & fiate trium- \ C c fhantt 1 Z/f*. 4. Informs, 1. Ncccfii yof being well- 194 ffiiiYches muft be well- grounded. Lib.1. Mil'u mhus (tint immutabi- lia. Junius. Politicians and Snres,ilns herein. Sim, Sim» Politicians Profefllon 0f Religion. Seekers ftns ! herein. . Expof. tsiaitbcr in he. & [jham% I Cor, 15. 24,25 . Therefore Paul charges Timothy to a fpecial care of thofe Ordinances which are to continue till the coming of cur Lord, Jefns^ 1 "Jim 6. 13,14. So fee 1 Cor. 11 26. Oh rift hath pro mi fed his prefence and perfonalajfijl- ance% to the end of the world, Matih^%. 20. Now Saints that are built up together upon ih\$ foundation, cannot fall ; nei- ther (hail /7; who like the King of Navar (to Bez becaufe the time is not yet come, &c. So that they would have all Ik in their mines, sill theReflitutionof Mi* racks, as Was in the. /Ipoflles days, and then to do it by an J Apoflolickr .Chap, 14. Churches mufi be v;eli united* jfpoflelid^-power and authority, and not rill then: Bun Ol what an error is here ! Have they any warrant in the Word for this ? Is not this an argument of a fenfual ? carnal ? low spirit? that muft be confirmed by miracles, Job, 20.29* and of want of faith f Heb. 1 1 . 7. Beiides, are not miracles fallible ? Nay5 are they not notes of deceivers, and falfeCbrifrs in thde /- duties, &c. They run a defperate hazard, Hcb, 10. 23, 2 4.2 J, which, fome fay3 is the ?rodromus,or Harbinger of that pardonlefs, pltilefs yfoof the H0J7 GiM* Verf.26527.28, 29. and oitmne, V.39. Bat this I have offered on the firft part of this ate, to (how a necejjity of being well-grounded upon this iJoci^, C^?/f/^ 3 and Secondly, To be wtS-united in, and to this KochjZbrifx, bf communion, as 1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithful, by fthomys arecated unto the communion of hi* Son Je{us Chiifl our Lord : This is the voice of all theOr^c/t?/(f3yesMr. Ainfwortti) to raife men in« to communion with Chrift the Rocl\, and then with me' another, I John 1*3,7. Hence it is, that there be fuch variety of fimiliturs to re- femble this communion y and to iliuftrate ic 5 as Chrifi the Hedd, we the Members-, and all by due joynts, arteries, and finews, united to the Hetfd ; receiving life, motion, and govern- ment, in all *#/0»j and affairs from the H^d ; and yet by the fame arteries, ftnews, jeynts, and Jf/r/fj united one to another : Co Chrift is the Vine, we the branches, i. f. One with the iw} the/for!^ there*/* all participating of the fame juice, fatnefs, fap, fweitnefs, and yet one branch deriving from another, re- frefhedby another , growing to another, and one with another: So Cftrf/r is the foundation) we are the building, Eph.2.2 1. 1 Cor. 3. 9. ail faftned3knit, and united to the foundation,Chrifi\ al- though one may differ from aw\ker, in form, (bape^rdeuplace, Cc 2 &c. *95 They wait for miracles- And ran a (Je- ff e ate hazird. 1 Part of the life. Union necefla- ry. In his twelfth Chapter of Communion of Saint*. Sim. Col. 1. 18. & 2.19. I Cor.12, 12. Gil. z. 20. Koruo. 32, Iohn i?. 14. Rom. 1 1. 17. J$6 Toie well-grounded^ and xveR~ unite d-> Lib, L Churches and Saints under different forms, yet arc ail robe onewkhCh'ift and with one anoier. Inanity not in un-f-rmity, of all of one judg- ment. A'mfvp. CJpi£. C'ommimju of Smts. All members even of the mod di fere pant cp'nicns and judgements, and under the miftdiff-renr forms are ure- fulandneccf- fary. ftn therrcaf n v;hy many of i our gathered Church-s mull fillip. Their ftandingbfan wniformty. Unifpirituility ' amongftall* ! \, e, Having J one Ipiiit ' though, many • opinions. &c. And although fome be of a coarfer, and fome of a fiver jubftaiice and appearance in this building-, although fome be greater, and fome lefier ; fome in one fa^ton, and fome in another ; yet all alike do defend upon , and are let upon Chrift, the foundation ; all are rooted in him, Col. 2. 7. Eph. 3, 17. grounded and built upon him ; and pinmd, faflred, and mi' ted to him > and yet are fo to one anstber (In faith and love ;) as if they could not live or fland, one without the other', for they bt many in f articular si mdfme are under otefrm, and fomi under another h yec all are coupled together, tacked, and naikd together ; fo that they grow together up unto an belj temple in the Lord* Now if vie lie loofely, (an d not firmly faflntd, as I faid be- fore) we (hall flip afide, and fall ouU I Job. 2. 19,20, and thereby bring danger to the whole building. Tnis communion makes us in unity , without which is neither comfort, nor con- tinuance in a Church- ft ate \ neither am I of opinion with fome, that they muft be all oi one judgement, and under one form$ and of one opinion, in onebodj orfocittj,&c. that bold toge- ther in love and faith* For I finde no building, no £0^ no Church thai ever was, or wilIbe,without different forms, opini- ons, appearances y&c. according to thenatureof the Members and Matter they are made up of.There be many Members (and particular parcels 0$ feveral fiaftzndufe) and yet by the wif- domof God, all are fo well- united and (et together, that there appears (o admirable a decorum, fo goodly a frame, and lovely a proportion and fymmttry of the K?iw/e 5 I fay, of the flwe/e, that not the leaji Me mber (though the mo(\ differing from o- thers inform orftfoion) could be fpared ; fortheZard hath ufe of all his p<^/; (under what . diffenfation foevcr ) to buildup his houfe withal, as Khali (if the Lord pleafe) (hew in the ft covdB^k. Wherefore I am perfwaded, thofe Churches that conftfi fo much in, and fubjift fo much of, and upon an uniformity, will fall ; for they are not of Gods build- ing; but thofe the Lord builds. (as before) though many Members be in them that differ in opinions, forms > or the Ifke ; yet all fhall be very uffful and neceffary in the place the Lord hath put them in, by his holy Spirit, and fhall.be fo far from makini C hap. 14. Aretno Njctfjaries for Cburch-fellowfhip . 197 making fractions, or diviftons, that they ihall f remote the unit) if the Spirit in the bond $f peace, being all are borne up by ewe foundation, upon whom all axe built .one as well as another;and that foundation which is the ftrengtb of the building) is as a£/e and jfr to keep up on; as another (fo faflened in him) bee hee of what judgment foever, and under whaty&*pe foever hee ap- peares to ofhers(fo he be but good matter.) Now thofe Chur- ches are of the Lords building (doubtlefle) that doe agree in Spirit, though differ in forme, and though they have in them of fundry Nations* nature slanguages, judgements, or opini- ons 5 yet are all one in Cbrift the foundation , and are firmly cemented, and united one to another in Ctoi/r by his own, and the famc/piri'f, which e«iji?«2x3enlightens, quickens, comprehends, ads, inables, moves, and governs all, though under diver fit) of gifts and admini ft rations : And thefe are they that (hall liand by bis wifdome , though not in the wifdome of flefh and blood, or of the world* Well in a word , Sim thus^oi/erwe^thus grounded,znd thus united as before, muft be the delight of the whole earth, beautiful! for fcituation , not onely in a f aire air ^ lovely climate^nd good iavdybnt lying on a fair.fulkand/are foundattinyvhicb foall never bee removed^ but which be will eflabti/b for ever, Pfal.48.2.8. SELAH. Wherefore thus faith the Lord of bofts Jet )eur bams be ftrong, ye thai heart in the day the foundation of the Lords boufe is laid (Chrift being for that purpofc preached) that the Temple \ might be built. For the building is ali in vaine, that is not laid ! upon this Foundation. And to conclude; The Lord make our Builders wife in] laying the Fiundatioz firff; I feare, too many (and I defireto deale home with my owne naughty, deceitful! heart herein) that haye fought more their owne fame , then others felicity, more to glorifie themfelves then God in gathering the godly into Fefow[bips>and Co they have gotten a good many , and thofe great ones too , and made them(elves fome body > then they Cbrijlen their Churches into their owne names. The Lord (rume us for it, whom he flndes guilty I Cov ft amine the Great called Trajane (who was a (jreat Builder) the wal- flower, fijv rhat his ittie was engraven on fo many walls- So indeed Ce 3 are Thofe Chin- ches \ffcofe unity is in ihe Spirit will {land, and are the Lords buildings. All laid on one foundation which is Chritt. A word to Bailders. Churches muft net bee called by our names.. i sp- ^^ *5p «b» Jjp yf» Vs» vf> «§■ sp *$ sp sp v$* vtf* 4;* *$• "91* ' *»' CHAP. XV. Tjnin^ Ahe^acbecba. That all the children of Sion called home, are bound to make hafte 3 4/z;/ ta enter into this Way of Chrift among his Companions in the Gardens. THe next newes is , that n»// iProv.p.u For wifdome hath laid the foundation, and hewed 'outher filfars 9 as you have heard before 3 what follows? Why Chap, i 5 . mfdome calls the Sons of Sion. \99 why hearken unto me , Oyee children! blejftd are they that keep in myvpaykSyblefed is the man that btaretbmee, watching daily at m) gates, Wailing at tbtpofts of my doors. The gates of Zion are the particular Churches of Chrift, into which Chrift calls all that have communion with him 5 Jrife ! ardcoms-amyrVjlv.chQas-Amfmrtb (ayts)Belesvcrs are bound to doe5 and muft labour forthwith , to enter i;?, and being come in to abide there, and to contend together for the fniibyVhil.isij. which wo* once DELIVERED t> heSaints;For this is foretold in If a. 2. 3. and he will teach us his wayes (the very next ft^pfs this ) andwe will walke whit fatbest as foonc as ever we know the way of Chrift, the Lawes, Ordinances, InfticutionSjandPz/c/p//«e of Chrift, wee muft make no de- lay at all, but putintofradife^ and enter into his way. ic ar- gues carnality to procraftinate , and put off Chrift, and to delay our cornming at the call of Chrift, when wee have clearly and •■ diftin&ly heard it, Lukje 14. 18. and al- wayesobferve that it is fomething or other of the worldt that is the let, but as Micah 4 2, fayes, and Jet. 50.4, They fiallgo and [eekfbe Lord, and aske the way to Zion , faying, Cme, and let us ]t>yne our [elves to the Lord in a perpetual! Covenant, (/bunt) nm (ubfijlem ad vocationem -Chri(l;3, no-i mot at trabent, Oecolamp.in he* So Pjal>\ 10,3. befides the Precepts* Pfal^. 1 r. Mat. 28.20, and loud calls a? before , the many menaces ufcd i in the Scriptures againft Rebels, and fuch difobedient \uh)etijA doefufficiently tefrifie to this truth , Pjal.i.i 2; Lu\e 19^. iCqt.16.22. and che pradijes of the Saints in primitive times. ' yea though times of hotteft perfections and fijtj trials; yet i their (then) ready obedience to this order of Chrift 3 doth very much manifeft che reality of this aiTcrcion , viz. that Saints are bound by vertue of pofitive Ptecpts to ]oyn toge- ther fomc where in aG(ff>e!-'ftay and order,as hath been before handled, ^^.2.41 ^2.ir^f.!?4 5^,7 20r,8.i 1.22,26?.$.$ Cummdtis aliU. Now is there not reafini enough for ic? For, Firftj What other vif.ble way for Bdieversto walkg in to- gether , and to worfbip in, hath Chrift brought out of his F+~ ibcrs bofomt? and left behinde him?, ftben he afcenJedon high f tili j his fecond coming > bucehis? feeEf^.ti;!*,. Secondly, Prov 9. ?s*34» Exfofm Cant. 2. In his commit* nion of S'ainrsw Firft proved . by Piopkefie* 2 Proved by" Precept. 1 Oecolamp&i, Threafnings* 3 Proved by Reafon 1} • idy vfc fible way tka£ - Cnr'fthach left for Saint*.- too 2.1c isdifobcdr race to live in And fuch are ref/ilersof ihe holy Ghoft. Trap in loc. Melatiftbon Chronp.j. ATad /in^ Reafon 3. The fad con- ffquenccs tvhich follow thenegledof entring. 1 Ageat wrong to the worfliipand fcrviceofGod Beleeven wu$ enter into thisCbtt/ch way. Lib. I Secondly > What an apparent peece or dijobedience and contempt of Cbrifts Call and Commandh this , to live in Ba- hylim flreets ? or as Lot in Sodomel notwithilanding the Air gel oi the Sunne is fent to cry aloud in our cares to come away into Sion, and to make a habitation for the Lord to live in,/p.52.ir. £^184. 2 Cor.6. 16,17. Fp/M.21.28. yea and the Spirit 1* to beource»4#, Jj.16.15. and 14.25. and {^ftcty dt on* deors , and tarries to know., if we are ready, and co put us in minde of making hafte, by many motions and infti gat ions, and inftinds : O then ! how roughly doe they refift the Hsly Gh&ft I and quench the motion of the Spirit! that ftirs in them / and drives with them/ and many others finned the finne of death ! that is, they madly and malicioufly refifted the truth 9 defpifed, and defpited the wayes of Chrift, notwith- ftanding their ewfeiences checks , and the Spirits motions, and (b did Stephen Gardiner, Fox All. and Mon.Fcl. one thoufand nine hundred and five, and divers others. O fad/ (ad finne ! to finne againix the office , and opera- tions ot the good Spirit of grace / which is more then Co fpeake againft his perfon in ignorance, for fo did the SabeU lion , Emomian , and Macedonian beretickj , who yet found mercy. Wherefore have a care how yec dare to live in the loathfome Babylonijk wayes of confuficn^zher yee are called out cfcence, and convinced by the Spirit (fince) of the gates of Sim! whiift the Spirit moves in you, to make hafte in- to Churcb-felloVp(bip , he is doing his office in you , look you to yours. Conflder the abundance of ill consequences which muft unavoydably follow this dijebedience to Cbrift , or this neglect, or omifion of thefe wayes of hblinejfe or Go(pd-fellffl(hiJp; for Firft, The werfhip of God, or fervice to Chrift Jefu* f which (hould be our joy and meat and drinke)fuffers by it,which is more acceptably and orderly performed with )ojnt csn- fent, •Chap, 1 5 Why behevevs metft enter. 201 i A great let to their duties*.' fent, and in communion of Saints, Rom,l5.l6, i Cor.x.o, jo. Zeph.3.9. the Lamb e isfaid to folemnize publick ferviceup. on Mount Sion with a iiundrtd forty and foure thoufand Sainth chere their voice is like the voice of many waters, and mighty thunders , Rev.14.1^3. in the Jongs of praifes , and in thek prayers ; bat for thisl refet to. Ainfmrtbs Communion-) Chap.16. Secondly, without this, the Saints muft needs fall (hort of that duty of edifying one another, and of building up one another in themofi holy faitb>but then theygron?, Jer- a3.354.E2tk.g4. 14.16. and walkein//gfrf3Ifa.6o#3. 1 J0.L17.and love, Eph. 5.2. ltbeffl^p, 1 Pet.1.22. and ««//>' 0/ the Spirit, Phil.2.i3 2*3. 2 Cor. 1 3. 1 1. Eph. 4.3. inftru&ing and provoking one another to boline ft, and good Workj, MaJ^.id., Jade so. rTiejf. 5. 11. Heb.to.24. therefore are they implanted together to fiwrifbin the Lords Courts , and to bring forth fruits, Pfal,92. 13, 14- which will not faile , for the waters run out of the Sa n* 6fktfry5£zek.47.i. Thirdly , otherwife they have not that wutuaS aid and ajfi fiance for the counfel and comfort of one another , which they ought to have, Rom.i*.*,* 1 Cor.12.22.26. Fonrthly^nor is there that unanimous compliance,or united force madeagainfttheoppofersof the truth as is required, Fbil.i. 2j.Jua'e2.Gal.^.i.iCor-7 23.0^.6.4^11 they be in communion^ anArmy with Banner s^nd then they are terrible to their enemies being all under one Captain* , Heb,2io. f grant there be di verscc/carf) having all the fame word, Jer.31.33. marching all in order and ranke , Col.2.5. making ail one axme , and ftrengtbagamft. the fame enemies, and joy ntly vindicating tru. truth, joyntly praying , and then out of their mouths comes fire to defiroy their Adversaries , Rom. 1 1. 5. joyntly Juffering for the, truth* 1C0r.l1.26. Rom.i2.8. joyntly refuting traditions^ trumperies , and whatfoever is contrary to Chrifts word, joyntly difputing for, and maintaining of their Liberties and Priv Hedges , Gal.5 . 1 . Fifthly, without this Fellowfhip together,there is not that ^w-M>g>orSaintIyj5»j^%asoughttobe, I eer.12.25. t6. ^otnaZji6$ nor is there that bearing one anothers^r^jsc^ D d burthens, l Hinders mutiiall affi- ilance. 4 Hinders op- pofrion of enemies by an «nred ftrengtft as one Aime and Army. Joel, 2.7. Eire tfcare >is not fuch s Tympathy as ought to be m bcaring/or* 202 why all beleevers ought to enter Lu. L $ They hik m many other Cbrjft/an du- des required of them a? Church,- mem-' bers. Reafon 4, There be fpe- fiiail priviled* ges of Saints in feliowflaip above all ethers. 1 Cferifts pre- tence is pro- mifed moil to rhem. There is the King and Kingdom e in his beauty. z'Samti have fiighefl cnjoy- neius, and ?eft refrefh- nents there. fo.i8.io. A<3. {.1. Aa.13.jr; Luke 4. 1 £ Mr4 burthens, GaJ.6\2. Heb.13.3. nor forbearing one withan- ! others weaknefes, as Epfc.4.3 a. C0/.3. 1 2,13. in bowels of lovet 'pity, patience, and without cenfures, Rom. 14. 13. Rom.ij. I32,&(N Sixthly, befldes they are exceeding deficient in many other Chrifiun duties,who are not in Gofpd-fellowfiip ; for how can they Prof be fie in the Church? 1 Cor.14. or teS the Church? a* Mat.18.17. if they are not members of a Church*, otobeytbem that are Elders, Heb.13.17. or vigilantly watch over mean- ethers conver fatten? and admonifh,or reprove orderly? Mat.i 8.1 5 ., I 'Tbef.$.l4- and 4. 18. 27*^.3.15. U#w.I$.I4»6v# Buc for this I refer to Mr. Bartkts Model; But to the Fourth Reafonox Argument, which is taken from the fpecial priviledges which are proper to them that are in the way of Chrift above all otfars,wk\ch are abundance t As firft, among them Chrift doth mod manifefl: his preface, •Pfai.36.2. in a more then ordinary meafure, thej/ory 0/ God is Teen in the /We of Chrift , 2 Cor.4.6. Chrift takes moft de- light in the midftoftbem to walketfcer*, Rev. 1.12313. and 23i. in his rich robes of rigbteoufaejfe tocloath or cover with , the meaneft (Saints or) member of his body^ue. with a garment downe to the foot, ana) girt about the paps with a golden girdle > for bimfelfe as Higl-prieft and his Saints as Triers. The names of Temples, boufe, Kinidome , Tabernacle, yea and golden Candleflickj are given to Beleevers in Cburcb~felIow(bip, 2 Cor.6.1 6. I Cor.3. Itf.17. Eph.2. 22. Heb. 3.6. Rev. 21.3. for this very rea fin9 not onely becaufe be wal\s in them , but there he lodges Pfal. 132.13^14, lives, and reft* in a moft remarkable man- ner y there the Kingdoms and King is \een in bisbeautf, Ifa. 33.17* And for this I referre totheo&jetf of the Cburcbin Chap.o. Secondly, In this Way of Chrifi , the Saints have mod fin- gular rrfrvfhments, and the [weetefl and higheft m}oymmts of Uve9 and grace , and pswringf of the unclion from on high upon them; we (hall finde how Chrift ( yea and his ApoHt* after hirn) did daily i>//rf the Synagogues and publick ^/em- . bites, and amongft them he uttered io many graciou* words, and Wrought fo many mighty miracles .5 and why for if not ta for&J Chap, i 5 . Into the Churches after Gcfpel Order, 20? forelhewby this, how he would regard the Churcb-affemblies of his feople, and be their Prophet, to declare excellent truths, and toopen the Fathers bofome to them above alh for there hee feeds, Cant. 1.7. and 6.2.3. and tats pie afanx fruits, /.e. of his orwe planting, Cant, 4*1 6. there the Lord is a place of broad rivet Sy Ifa.3g.21. and Chriji is there > and to them dreams from Lebanon , and a Fountain* in the middejl of them, Cant* 4,12. as in Florence and Naples ^ where they have the mod excellent Gardens , they have in the midtt a moft excellent Spring, aFountaine from which with an Engine they can /pre«t out water , and/rrtfjmj round about the Garden , fo al- luding to this, is Chriji in the rnidft of fuch a Church- fellow- (hip, as we have fpoken of, a Fontaine and Jtreams i.e. they are refrefhed with fireams (in a more eminent manner) then alj in the world befides 5 For the common- fields, flowers, and * r*« without, have the benefit of the clouds and ordinary raine and powers , but the particular Churches of Chrift,his M ef /p/cej3 Cant. 6.2. are more watered then all others j for befides the wtward meanes of grace, and preaching, praying, expound- ing, and ordinary yubKck (bowers or refrepments 9 they have a fountaine within that is never dry., of pwrer and more Cbryftafl (bowers that cannot be ta\en away from them ; the Word and Spirit are (as it were) entailed to them in a moftfyirituafi man- ner above all, EW. 20.24. lfa.^.6. Ifa.i^^s/fi, P[al,l$2. 13,14^15, //rf.56.7. /gr.59.21. and are fas it were) feated there to fancli fit, feafon, counfeU, quicken, comfort, encourage, and ajjifi them in Church- fellow/hip above any other. So that when there is 4 drought without, and the Clouds are fieril, and the earth barren, yet there is (even there) within a foun- taine and jtreams for the Gardens, So that though Mimflers /♦e. Clouds may. be empty, yet the Fountaine, i.e. Chrift cannot. Thus Saints in feffdwjbip are fed with fat things Ifa.2 5.6,7.with fltggons and apples , Cant. a*1), and full refrepments , and that above all other the dweUihgs of Jacob , and they bring forth fruits (even) ineldage^hl. 92. 13,14, Thirdly , Chriji is more free with them then with any others as a Husband with his Wife to impart his moft in- timate bofome-loves and fecrets 3 Cant-7,12. 2Cor.u.2, and Dd 2 to Exfof* Chriil is a Fountain in the mid ft of his Gardens. Sim. More ^en in all the world befides- Wherein the Churches have the happineflc , of all others* Others are watered from the ordinary ciouds with- out, buuhefe are from the fountain with- in. • When clo'-ds ere barren the foiiotain is ful. 3 Chuiftis moft free to impart his beft bofome-loves to fuch. 2C4 Great reafonforaB Saints LlB.I# 4 They are rooft under his care and pro- teftion,and.on th\% account. j; i l\ o C.For thfe rea- fcfons Saints in Primitive rimes (even) longed after * Church fel- "* lowlbip. ?ApoftIes long- a ed after it. Si x Chrift himrelf Tc fteftedit. n d Exfof. 1 We do but as ■ Chrift, his A poftks and primitive Saints did in to lee out his very heart-loves into his wives arras and bo- fome>Ifa.62.4,5.andira.6i.io. Pfa1^6.8. Fourthly, Such (of all) are under his prote&hn and banner of /we, Cant,2.4. Iia. 4.5^, Joel 2s32Jfa.54.17, and in the midftofthemisfalvation placed, J/i.4.6.13. Zacb.2.5. And in a word they have aheavenupon earthy Rev-ia.i-i*. O/ it is good being here I For theft and many more the li^e Reafons hath this GofpeU order of Beleevers in fellow/hip bsen alwayes praifed, prized^ and indefatigably fought for , and accounted of3evcn as of necefficy,for beleevers in all ages : For the Lord though he« loves all his Saints, Deut.$$%. yet he loves the gates of Zion more then all other the dwellings of Jacob, Pfal.87. 2. and (o much the Saints have loved thefe Courts of the Lord> that they have accounted a day better there, then a thoufand elfe- where, PfaLS^.io. the Apoftles longed after it, and to fee the brethren in it , Rom.iA 1.1 2, 1 Thef^.iy* yea and efieemed them the Crown of their joy 3 I Thef. 2.19.20. yea, Chrift him- felfe (as man) exceedingly deftreditt and fought comfort by his Vifciples prayers ^ Mat.26.40.43. Luke 2,2.46. and he ex- ceedingly longed after a moil [pedal! communion with them in fellowfhip with him , before hee parted from them , and was t a lien away to fufTer. See Luke 2 2 . 1 5 . with defire 1 have de fired to eatwithyon before l/ufer^ as if he (houldfay, I have mod; ftrong affections hereto 3 for thereby I [ball be abundantly ftengthnedand refrefred as well asyouj&c. O then / how dars any ^that follow the Lambe, delay entring into thefe wayes of ho* lineffe, and love ! did not Cbrifty his Apoftles, and primitive Saints goe before us into this Cburcb-fellewjhTp , and GofpeU oiderl what hinders us ? nay what is the reafpn wee doe net run into them ? for what a world of pwfs, preceptSj promifes, f taVtif es+r talons ^arguments^ motives ^ndprivilcdges, are there to provoke u& ? were they but duely weighed? who durft either deny , or delay camming or )cyning1 7be Lord added to the Church- from day to day fab as Jhould be (aved> Ad. 2.47. where- fore make this ufe ! put forward apace for the wayes of Sion 1 with the will! wherein }ou mud have (in your hearts) in* [clinat'Mti ref0kli9ns.hr x and ahoofingf of thefe Tabernacles above Chap, 15. To enter into Church Fetiowjhip, Q05 above all other wayes;if once you get into thefe Gates oiSion^ you will quickly be in Sion. But fome may fay , Objett. But learned, able [c be Bars , and godly judicious wen doe both print and preach againft this way, the Anlwer is eafie, Anfw. Firft, In all ages, both Uarned and godly have been ef pofers ofCbrifl and his Church 5 fo were the Scribes and Pba- rifees, themofi learned and fin appearance) the mofr godly of the age; and fo, Aft. 13. So* were thofe that raifed (^>^) * running and a mod rigid per/ and in this the Spirit is our Tutor, and teaches us out of the Lambs ^o^,R^v.5.$,6. fuch have indeed the bigbtfl skill of Tongues, and are raoft admirably conver- fant with the original! language of the Spirit, here lyes the difference-, but far thefe, their Learning comes fr$m the heart, Prov. 16. 2 J. whilftthe o\Urs comes but from the head: But, Fourthly, They know but in part , they will know more j then now they do?^ Fifchly, Doe not hawed} able, and godly of all forts print, preach} and pray this&vyof Cbrift} by unanfwerable argu- forc^fkthS bwhij againft all ep/ofers whatfotver ? and anfwer the argu- vvay. menu, and'objeftions of the ^€ (her far ids ? j 6The> oppo* Sixtly, This oppofttion of theirs is necsftzry for the evincing j |?c^n m*kes of the truth,z\)A mak< smote for it,t"hen againft if? A7.28.-22. :c* <^5.24.5ti4? Dd 3 Or Oijrff. /f«/rp. 1. Learned and godly (in ap- pearance, the ftri&eft Pro- feifors) in eve- ry Age,Chriftfi and his Chur- ches greateftj enemies* 1 1 hey arc but men, and fubjed to errors. I Many coas- ted learned & godly that are not duly fo. Who are truly learned. 4 Men know bur in part. $ 1 earned and godly of all 106 Ob)eRwm anf&ered. LlB.I OJ\eU. An fa* I. 1 This is not the coife of it. 2 It i$ a great enemy to error. z The no" en- tring into this way 3m ikes men run into wayes of error, 4 Errors are necefkry. Truth and error muft be both toge- ther. Gbjett* Object. But when feofie enter into this^tey3they run into errors prefently. Anffr. Fir&, Some it may bee that enter, doe run into errottr > bat this their uniting wich the Saints in G$[f el-order, is not the Mw/e Qi it ; nay, Secondly, There is no ftri&er enemy to error, that can bee, then this order of Cbrift, which will not allow of the leaft ap- pearance, much leffe growth of error, oz iinne, Rm. 1 6.17,1 8. 1 Tim.6. 3,4,5. 2 7j>».2.i6>17. -^#.20.29.31, £^.2. 14.16. 2 Job.io. though fuch as are confeientiom haw e (and are to have) their liberty in things indifsrent^Kom. 14. 132,5. Thirdly, Nay,to (ay the rr«f6, the tfeg/etf and omiffunoi this cf«fji to enter into fellowfhip according to Gofpel-trder, makes fo much disorder, and fo many runne into jp^e/ of error^ as hath been hinted before in Chap .7. but grant it, to argue ex cmceflis, then we (ay. Fourthly , Errors are ufefull^i well as truth, and it is expe- dient they (hould be 1 Com 1.19. In Pope Clements the fifths time, Frederic^ King of £*c$ made this his mafter-db'^Bion againlt the Church, viz. the errcurs and eviU-orders (which in- deed he might well doc) but he was anfwered, and foon fat it - fied with this Scripture , 3fhif e fences muft come , and that there mud be bereftes amongfiyou , that they which are apprwed may bee manifefc by Arnoldus de nova villa. This is much fortheg/sry of truth too , and therefore in If a. 60. 1.2. zglorioM light , and yet a groffe darkpefie are both foretold for one time together; llhould wee halfe fo much prize the light , and prelTe for it, had we never a night ? nor darknefle ? but both together doth well, and wifdome hath fo ordained it. I have heard of a Ruler who gave liberty to his [ubjeCls for certain dayes to do any manner of evill or mifebiefe , and they fhould not bee queffioned for any wickfdnefe done in thofe dayes ; no, though they murdered , or did viUany in the higheft nature? But this was in policy to indear government unto them, and by giving his people ataflewhatit was to bee without it, to make them the more prize it. Ob). We are well enough as long aifalvation maybe had here in P/**j/W, Heb. ^l^l* 10. 20, And therefore, if yoa love 7 ^vS and brought this v/ay from Heaven out of his Fathers heart for thee f and wilt thou now flight both him., and it } , But, | 3, It is a queftion, whether thy falvation may be had here i - Thou ar>t in thefe Parochial ways and Difcipline, as long as thou art (elfejahinde* perfwaded, and convinced by Gods Word thou art in afalfc- '^comfort way ; but how ever, I tell thee from the Lord, thou art an and falvation. enemy to thy poor foul ', and as much as falmoft)rmy bean hinder er of thy own falvation. For thou daft r enter into this way 5 or once to encltne thme heart thereunto : , and .^,tftti- If now, now I fay, after fo many clear calls, thoi? docft re [ft ; ncfs6f thtfie • rta if^/y 6&0#. Where fore as Hek, 3 , 1 o, 1 1 5 3 1: 1 3 . & 7-*/* 0 »$* ! own hsai ft ^o8 ObjeBions Anfaeved. LibJ. Jixpef. Wherefore take heed? How ijou reject it. I Minifters maft have a care too. A great change nigh ! Their warning peece, the hft year.- A mornl blow to Mortei:- Churches. Ob). 'jinfw. I. We urge Faith more then your beans (ffx^nptuuSii , which comes of the word cx,h}& to dry up y or wither) do not fmb or nip of thofe buds, orblaft dioie bloom* which are myou, and like to fee fo fair for pmt ; nui by the hardness of 'your hearts, and unkindnefs, and cruelties, to the conceptions of Chrift within you, do not dry up thofe iweec fappy motions, which are made inyour heart by hisfptrit, if you do, you will prove but a barren branch, a withered fear flick, to be cut up for the/r?, J*j&# 15.16 Heb*6. 8. *£<7 are nigh the curfe that dofo, in the deceit fulnefs of fin, /. ?. (a^a'77/ ex aprivat. £r Wr©*) drawn out of the jm/ of Chrift, by fome fallacy or other ; who ever re iufeth this w^ 0/ Chrift% runs a defperater hazard, then he is aware off ; wherefore then &f /j/'w ^j^ £^d ! r^ And let (Jliiniflers (fo called j look about them too ! and beware ! for a greater alteration is yet to come ! and to befal them I then ever hath been before 1 O then ! Sirs ! that they would be bufie about the Lords houfe ! and no longer delay it ! or do it by halves ! Numb, 14. 24. or by baitings ! be- tween too ! Do they yet know what was the meaning of the la ft lightning I and thunder the Iaft year ? . which grew fo angry at their Morter-Churches and Tarty-Temples ? what houfeswere burnt or beaten down to the ground, butthofe Churches ? and on that day of worjhiptoo ? and in ftveral Counties too ? and which is not without a My fiery ? but it [hall be plain, and made an Hifiory ere long • in the interim, it were well, that Minifters and all would take warning and (in tie more , (by diflionoring God in idolizing forms ! and humane inventions 1 or in worfhipping of Chrift in Anti- chrtftianways ! and traditions !) leafl a worfe thing happen unto them* WaS there ever any that bardned hi$ heart againft the Lord, and profpered at lafl > Job 9.4. But fome it mav be will fay, Sir> You forget yourfelf (and fo I would) while ft you urge fo much your Form of*Difciflinel For we look, for Zion more fpiritnally \ and for fpiritual xcor- jhippers ! \ Anfw<\. It is not fo much the Form, as the Faith, that 1 would urge 5 I mean obedience to Chrifts pofitive commands Chap. 1 5 . Which is the way to Sion. 109 (as I told you -.before ) although (bme foar too high into the, */>, that account the Practical Tart of Worjbip a meerl form* *•- 2. I urge it not fo much to be Church-members as Chrifls" | 2. To be members ; but fir ft to have fellow/hip with the &>«, and then ChrHh-ment* with the £rt»*r (aslfaidbefore;) but I fay, fctfA *%i are | ^™or^t^ enjoyned, to be enjoyed : Yet I fay further, whilcft in the Form, out of the Fwttz j and whileft under it 9 yet g&ft?? # 5 and fo arc all Saints in the Churchy fpiritual wor[hipfers of God, John^, 23. yea, infpirit and in truth together ; Wherefore let none be fo censorious , as to fay, We are alt for the form of *Difcipline, when indeed, we are leaft for it, and would have all our Brethren to live above it in their Spirits with God, and with Chrijt ; in the Temple^ and the Light of the New Jerufalem. We live in them, as Abraham lived in Tents, and David in Tabernacles. 5. We alfolook for «S7fl« more fpiritmlly I but this is in ordfr thereunto : Before we can get into the City (which is all glorious within,) wemuftpafs through the gates, as ap- pears, Pfal. 87. 2,3. His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more then all the dwellings of "Jacob. Glorious things are fpoktn of thee, O City of Cjod\ There is, firft\ the foundation hid by the Lord himfelf ; and then fecondJy, theparticular Churches , or the gates of Zion , which the Lord fo loves, *— "^ia 7T»? *tt&&r nin* 2n& And then thirdly, the City its felf which is fa glorious. But I fay, before we can come into the City, we mull enter through t he gates; which are theCeChurchet gathered: So that this is in the way to that £\ty, where Salvation is placed, Jfa.^6. 13. This is the^^ to Z^»> as Jer. 50. 5. They fhall stskjhe way to Sion,with their faces thitherward^ faying, Come let us ]ojn ourfelves together, &c. We muft ask firft the way, (i. e. the Churches.) and when we are in the B^/,then for Zi- on. And thus the Saints come to Sion, Jer.%.14. Ifa.$ l.i 1. & 35.10. u e. By this way, and through theie gates -, we muft firft live in Tents, and then in the City, Heb* u. J How to know we are pt for C hurch- Fellowfhip. L^b. I J Firft, in 'tabernacles, then in the Temple; and thatthofe Xf* t4iat would live in S/00 in her glory, and ///# effufion of the Spirit -y muft be in the Churches, in order thereunto; which appears plainly in Chap.9. lib, 2. For the Lord will be known in her Gates, T ewers, and Palaces, Pfal. 48.3. & 44, 1 2. ghi&re. How we (hould grounded ly know we sue fitted for this Communion of Saints in Chmch-fociely, as hath been pre (Ted > nAnfw. I. There muft be clear fatisfaBion to your j#^- a;*/?*, andfaHperfaafion'm yourbreft, £0722. 14. the whole Chaffer, efpecially Verf. r, 2,4, 14. -Atts 2. & Jo. ^8. Saints ever fir 'ft believed, and were fully per fwaded, and then they entered. 2. You muft be exceedingly longing and defirous after it ; and then make ready for it; he freely -willing to it, by the Spirit of Chrifi in you> /7. i. 27,28, but they will holdout to the m/. 4. What is the # ye look,, on in thefe overtures of your affections ? It is the jK/>£ /'# his beauty. O the fweet ! Soul- ravifhing prefence of God in Chrifi ! in^m-tf ! and glory ! This makes thefe Tabernacles fo amiable 1 hisgoodnefs in the(e gardens is fo defireable9 211 6. What is your end? is it that as the cbofen ones, and thofe bought by Chrifls blood, you may fet forth thefraifes of him that called J oh out of darknefs into light ? 1 Pet. 2. 9. 2 Ihef.i. 1 i,i2. and is it nothing; elfe but in fubordinatiox to this? why then thefe arc good grounds, But many there be that have bafe, by,fm\fier endsy for which they creep into this Church-way -, who are (or will be-ere long) zfcandal to theGofpel, and do bring a fcorn upon the truth. O! how often hath it been faid in "Dublin (and that by fuch, whofe fine er it y is without exception) with bleeding hearts \ Look yee ! there is one that could not teil how to live, but hath loft his trade, and for fome flace 1% got in to be a member of fuch a Church ; and he is now preferred, and made a Gentle- Tnan^ cjrc* Nay, fome have been fo bold as to boafi of it, (a* mong themfelves) as if nothing elte byaffed them into nhefe ^^//,but politick ends ! O fad ! fuch as thefe do bring the ways of holiiefs into contempt! they grieve many that are in 1 and keep out many that arc not in ! they raife fractions within, factions without ; they open the wide mouthes of the enemies to blafpheme; and they fide for lucres fake, or lufls fa\eVQ\ihthQgreat) rather then with the good. Ah! alas! and indeed, though upon the naked knees of our fouls > we cannot be thankful- enough for the liberty the truth hath, and that holinefs and Religion is fo much advanced} Yet I do verily believe,never more Hypocrites then now, who (be- caufe they know none but honefl men rnuft be preferred imo places or offices*) do diffemble with God and men; get into Church-fellowfkips (the name of a Church-member making rfiem of notej and exercife their gifts, and get up into Fkl- pits fwhich God forbid, but they fliould orderly) and change their words% ways, and works > but not their hearts, Gen.$. 3, Hofea 7.16. Thefe are lights before men, but darknefs before G'ody JMatth.6,2y$>i6» Ifa.<)d.2* and though thefe do not the c? t//7 which they /tf^ (in their hearts, if they durft do it; or couldnotbefeenbymen) yet they will do the good, which they love not, to be feen by meny Numb. 14* 2, #"4* 40. O $hcfc2 -thefc. are t\& fcfnial of this agel this Landl this E e 2 ; Reformation I I 6.Yonr End is j to (et forth- j Gods praife, ; and to glorifij \ God. Many creep and crowd in for by,bife,felMi Ends. In Dublin* Themifcfiief I that fuch mcnvi b(.ri.do» m Never more Hypocrites, rhen now 7 and why ? Their chara* ' dcr and coi> ditions. f» \ 213 what Church- Fellow jbip is befk< LlB.I. WhacChtirch- fcllowfhip is beft for fincere hearted and tender Samcs to get into. Reformation \ and of the Church o$ Chrifil wherefore be- ware ye be not byaffed by fuch Jtnifler3 carnal, fle/hly end* • for the Hypocrites hope will come to nothing, Job 8. 1 3, Their flower wiii fade, and their joy is but for a moment, Job 20. 5. When Religion is much In fashion, k is much a fancy, and then moft men Willfwim with the fiream. Thus have I roughly offered z few directions, and have lent my handy by 2l few helps to fuch asdofeet^the way to Si" on ! but leaft they leap before they look^ they will do well to weigh them in the ballance of the fanBuary ; and becaufe many Church- fellowships in my \udgcment (given me by the Word and Spirit) are in a doubtful fiate at prcfent ; and which (I think) muft be purged with the Refiners fire, and Fullers foap : I do therefore befeech you ferioufly to feck fuch afociety as hath, 1. The fweetefi harmony, and moft love* anc? to all a- like. 2. Which hath Chrifiian liberty, and no one is robbed by the Rulers, of his or her right* 3. Where they live more in the Spirit , then on the Forms. 4. Where holinefs is higheft, and appears in moft^wr, 5 . Where every Saint may »ve/^according to his light (fo I he be holy, humble, &c.) though he differ in fome things from others. 6. Where you fee moft felf* denial, humility of minde^Znd xezdyferving one another, 7. Where you fee moft order and Gosf el- decency. 8. Where appears moft Sympathy, and £*)?;/; 0/ / » Pfal.45.11. Soffallthe Kjng greatly defnc thy beauty. tl^Qi ^QH 1«m Ifa. 6 1. ?. As the Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride >9 fo flail the Lord over t hee. Rev.21.2. The holy City, the netvferufxlcmp'epmd 2A a Bride adorned for her btub&nL Zich / 4.20,11. Holincffeto the Lord; and every pot in $erufatem'JJ?aU be holincffe to the Lwd, and no more Canaanite Jhall be in the houfe of the Lord in thxi day. 2eph 1 . 2c. I void mal{eycu x name3and praife ano ig til peoples of the earth. Rev. 19.5,6,7. Be glad 0 all Saints, for the manage of the Lamb is come3the Bride bith made her fe/f ready, t^i^jjaaiv. ler.50.17. This U Sionvebicknone (toftetfion) feefi after. Re^.iz 17. But the Svrh and the Bride frith Cime. LO^iUO W, Printed for R. ibbitJQn~'i6jj — 1 — - 21J «7o «vo £A5 *j5 Jo £'o <^5 &*3 ^o <-..?/-» rs^-vr o% ..vr; ■atir- «nt* r><.?r\ «WT( 7?\Vr* r*f*fyY!\ *£?/*< r^f.i/^.^.i/rv+.'vs* SS8 To all Chriftian Readers of all Judgements 5 a word or two fir ft. Chriftian Reader, ^^j^7 r^ keefifo, thou'wilt not wonder, that I [ay unto thee , The Day is coming when Kiriath-Sepher/W/ be [mitten, whop name fignifiesthe City of Books , and our City and Country are [ullthe[e times > which by the next Age will be all yea fpiced Cups , and green Sallets, and fweet flowers to boot , gathered out of Spring-garden.* and becaufefome men muft have their di(hesfet oat with flourifhes, they (ball ft tide the atteftation of the mo ft eminent and orthodox Writers in all Ages to this Treatites truth : And tofatUfie all fenfes $ the Bridegroom hath provided the be ft foul-ravi{hin the Books of thefekw yzziscoming , are like to be the laft courfe ; but let me tell you they muft bee the be(k>moftfolid 3 fweet spiritual Diflies that have not been yet brought in. Some there be that will itz&good Books and Authors, but as the Butter- flye that fuckj flowers y onety to paint her wizgs with\ fo tofeeA their fancies, opinions? and ]udgements with , but not like the Bee to fetch out the hony of them. Others there be that are worfe , and would fncks out poyfon, to fat if ft e the hifts of their heart S'/ he fe may hap be taken too.as thofe in the aft of Adultery ; for //one reads two are catched. Others there be that come out of Criticifme too^and to (hew the ambo-dexterity of their czptioRiits , I Jhould fay capacities Jit tie to their credit do they buffet words with blows, and to gain-lay/'/' at a venture\andfo do thefe fometimes$ they reprehend what they under ft and not\and fometim?s they rail becaufe they {thinks they) under/land what {indeed) they un- der ft and not , and like Dogs they choofe to pifle in the faireft places-, and all times with naked natural, reafon they read ; Like the Smith that fmoakjfor it , for that he takes a red-hot iron flowing out of the Rrtwith his bare hznds-fol warrant them they urne their fingers {at leaft) for it, and wilt be branded. It is thisbids them to eat of the forbidden fruit; and makes them O vA-Xhtfrowne at the face of the Sun. Thofe that make reafon their guide, dobutfet a mad unruly horfe to be formoit in the Team. Wherefore as Abraham when he went up to r^facrifice of his Son, he left his fervants and his AflTe beloxv\ fo though our natural Reafon, and humane Arts may ferve for below, yet they muflr bee left b^hinde if wee will come up to the top of this Mount % for our Reafon without the Grace , and the Spirit that leads up , is but like Sampfoa without bis Guide when his eyes were out j for without the direBion of his Guide he could not finde the Pillars of the houfe ; Nor (hall you finde the Pillars of the Lords faouic rvithwt the guidance #/ hii grade** Spirit* * ft i Thm 4 Others mind raorc the man then t be thing. -a. Sim. Wbac Ret* dershavepri* mifed tne. Sim* •€* Tear rcuS with cam J reafon* Sim. r- Sim'. SuchwUlbe loft in Ai^ hooftf 22o A word to the wife, and To Gv ill Corrupt Law- yers. XT Corrfipt Law- yers. Wicked men prefent cor- TuptMlnifters Horrible foul-; iyrannyj(in,& impiecy,wTiich «ryes for ven- geance. Mr. Co/cm. Mr,M« MX M&Btrfe all | tgninent Mk I aiftcrsthnsj ! ' Thus Reader thou art invited to come and welcome , be of what judgement thou wilt , it is all one for that , for thou art bidden t& the Feaft, thou art guided m hither by grace. Where- fore ceme hither heartily ^yea as into a Wardrobe , not to finde j ^Inventory of new things , for that is too trouble fome ; but to find out what is ft for thy weare, ufe^ and application. In thelafl Book I was much engaged upon the Power of Ci- vil and Ecclefialtical; but in this J pall bee mo ft in the p ower of the Church and Spirit; the.Spint and the Bride. The Spirit in '[the Churches; -which will be abundantly powred forth inthefe \ latter dayes, Vide chap.£. vis to Civil Magistrates, I have dune my duty in (hewing their duties, and dare not like fome , Mermaid-like, fin g them into the Sea. But I feare I may. be anfwered as Antigonus an- fwered one that presented him a Book concerning Juftice : Thou art a Fool {fayes he) to prefent me a Book 0/ Juftice, when thoufeefl me making wars with other Cities and Countries. kittle leffe fat done of the corrupt Lawyer s(v\z.Afr Maynard) \ontelaft March before the Lords Commifrioners of the Se ale in the Parliament Chamber at the Temple , xvhilft he was plead* \ngthe\zvi for a Delinquent (Malignant,) Tatron {over and over-) an open notorious "Enemy and Cavalier ag&infl Cjod and State ) yet having compounded be muft have the power to pre feat a man -of a wicked malignant fpirit (none elfe) and knowne for iwearirig, company-keeping and other vices, and hce \ muft force fuch acne upon the psore people {that never heard him fo much as preach) to the ]oy of all the malignant^ godleffi wrenches , in the, ^.Country alkabout.^ ■ and to the grief e of* all the 0pd\y,'whecry\andwmplaineof this det eft ableunfuffer able in- jwtWctand ibule-oppreifion, which .will never leave crying for venoeance till it come with' a powder upon the heads- of Jcme ; O ! that godly > eminent holy men, .whom all the Country would petition^ and beg for ; ■ the very fa\t\\h\\,ufeful Mini iters f Jefus Chrift, muft he juftled out from a godly people , and a Churchrcommunion too, and that by Church-enemies, Chrifts- enemies and State-enemies y and all this is known mo(t notori- cu fly; yea that Souks muft b&thnsmade faleaf, and flaves ef> t$ ferve mensluRty and Ml this too by bribes* %jctortm9 oppjei£~ Chnitian Headers. 221 on, in'uflice , and thorough friends made by money or gifts / O let the righteous God come downeand judge! The whole world \ that hears of it abhors it. And with tears and prayers , fiome are crying- aloud to the Lord of this lamentable Reformation in the want of the Laws Regulation ; The very juftice of the Law as it now ftands is moft monftrous injufticc 5 and fends man) a vrechus fottle and family** beggings againfi all honelty and J Lawyers live (Thriftianity ; for the wicked Lawyers {who live no other way but J by fin, by fin-^and one may in the fight of God tie ai lawfully, tolerated to j live in drunkenneffe, fiwearing, whore dome , and to get money by it, and to make a trade of it ; ai to live by^ take money for, and make a trade ofi\y\n^ oppr 'effing the FatherlelTc, and widows , cheating of the lotion, eating up the bread of the poor, yea the poor as bread? turning out godly, putting in ungodly and -wicked debauched Whoremongers, Adulterers , Drunkards, or the like in their room) I fay the fie ungodly oncs(for I cannot fee how they can be other) .Chrift himfielfie deprecates and accufes , as a aewfrom hell that live by fin ; Wo to you Lawyers , Luke 1 1 . 4<5>47. for thefe are the enemies of Chrift , andhave another God* as the Romans had, which, they called Terminus. But for the incredible wickedneffe of thofe of that Profeffion, their guikinelTe of all manner of finnes which the Nation lyes under, as BIoodjTheft , Oppreflion , Injuftice ? Contentions , Hatred, Cozenage.,^^ Fraud, Rebellion3Lying , Perjury , and what not ? and f$r the inju('tice and tyranny of the Law as it now ftands without regulation or reformation, to the utter undoing of thoa- fands that are aged, godly and deferving Families , with many a fad and lamentable hiftory thereof } and for the late exccllive exorbitances of their injustice and opiprdTion.ficarce pandleld inany of the former ages v J doubt not but an accurate account will be given thereof to all the world in a book compiled for that furpofie. But in /^meantime , this U\4r> M. we of the caft cut members of the houfe (I hear) pleading for this caufe of the Dcvill (for I dare call it no other) much offended me, infomuch that I was urged in confidence to fay before the Lords Com- miffioners : Sir, the h^ts of the Apoftles had been your beft . Statute-book in this bufineffie about fouls .* You ufe not Gods \ ftford: but before Leonid goe further y be punched mee afide, ) Ffil With Curfedof Chrift. Their God is Twmiiv&t 222 They mock at the ward- Lawyers hin- der Rcfotma- 6on. Sim. Why the Law is not regula- ted all this while. A word to the wife, and Never the bee ter for being Englijhcd. $im> What we would have of the Law, and what not ? withfome abu five fowl-mouthed language (as I hope ere lor.gtt declare to the world ) fajtngfNhax do yee tell us of the word, we hav: the Law?&c. So the Lawyers pufhed me afide. But what a fad thing is this ? that fuch Laws? andfuch Laywcrs fhould bee fufered ? and hoVe can a good reformation be laid upon fo bafe a foundation I They are the Lawyers all this while that have hwdered the Reformation, andfo they will, as long as they have fuch influence upon the Parliament. In reforming of the Commonwealth, / wijh our Governours would beware of leaning to Policie teo much ; for hitherto like Jewellers when they fee a fpot orfpek or cloud in the Jewel, which cavnot be grow nd out without ienfible abatement of the ftone, they will not meddle with it : neither will our Governors as yet meddle with the regulation of the Law (it feems') becaufe there mufi (then) be abundance of the corrupt, cloudy, fpotty, opfrefsive fart of it be quite taken away and grownd to powder then; but I hope ere long that policie will be out of power and prevalence I remember I have read Caligula, upon the fuit and out-cry of the people > de fired the Law might be fet up that all might know it > and not be enfnared by it ; but he hadfo well learned. the art of Policie \, that he can fed it to be written info fmall 4 hand that none could read it> or was the better for the fetting of it open : I will not apply it-y onely this^ what are wee the better for ftaEnghfhing the Law ? are not the Lawyers as compleat Knaves in plaine Englifh as they are in their other language? which (likethemfelves) is fo full 0/Solecifmes end Apo- copics ; fo- that as long as this lafis , the pleas which fome make for Religion and f^GoIpel y ferve onely as Hacknies for their Lufts to ride and fpnr on in their way : Nor yet is it that we would deal with the Law as the man in the Fable was dealt with, by his two wives , the old which he had married plucked out all his black-hairs out of his head (the evidence of his youth) and hisyoungwife (that he married after ) plucked out all his gray-hairs , that no ftandards of Antiquicy might re~ maine.fo that be twixt both, they left him bald ; I fay we would not, that there fhould he no antiquity of the Law to remame (as erne Levellers it may be would ) nor would m that there fhould be a Chriftian Readers. 22} be no Novelty of the Law (as the wicked Lawyers it may be i would :) But we fay, and affirm it in the fight of God and men, That the Y&vtmuft be purged to the purpofe, and the Lawyers j too ; and a great deal of the old (tyranny) muft out, and much j cf new muft be added for the liberties of Saints and Subjects : j for the be ft of the Civil Forms are attended with abundance of \ corrupt (jet clofe) Interefts, that muft down, down, to the ground. | For that Form and Cuftom h got up in the room of Reaibn and i Right. \ tAndthis is Aground of our Controverfie, with r^Law And Lawyers, {as they now are) and God him f elf muft be on our I fide : For Laws were made by men, and are themfelves to be ! condemned fofary as they fall' foort of pure and reftored Rearon J J mean the Report of * the age wherein we live, which is by de-\ grees reftored to perfection. Now as Reafon is purer in this age, then in the laft, fo the Laws muft te; and fo they ?nuft be purer in the next age, then in this* But many of our Laws are nothing j elfe, but the refults of the humors, «lefigns, and corruptions vf\ men, to eftablifh themfelves, and. their mightineffes ; fol ac- count cerruyt Prefentatbns /* the hands of wicked enemies to) Chrift, and the Gofpel ; and fo Fealties, Homages, Oaths, &c •with a hundred other things that I could name. And Law in this fence, is nothing elfe but Will, Arbitrary Luft, Power, Curtom,Pride, and is as corrupt , asthoft that made them* But the day of the Lord, will deliver us ! But fo may the Lawyers [ay, Did thepo r man (ay to the Pirate, when he feized upon him and his fhip, and was plundering of it i Ol fayes the poor man I at the I aft day ye will not know how to answer this : S Ay eft thou fo ! fayes the Pirate ? Kay, if t ft) all ft ay fo long be- fore I an fiver it, as to the iaft day, / care not * but now you ft all go with me this day. So the Brazen-headed opprefsing Lawyers, it is Irks will fay ; Nay, if we ft all, fray till that day, it is well enough ; and fo I have been anfwered. Sayjefol Will nouhe Rocks and Moun- ivx& ft and ft ill yet? 7 'hough yefhould fay, fall on us? O fear- full defperate boldnefsl but know this day is hard by , even at your doors ; and what will ye do now ? Now the Lord is com- ing \a judge the Earth ? noTo thofte whom yon have judged and oppre&d* Laws, Liwy t*Si purged, Cuftom and Form is In ihc room of Rea«* fon and Righto As Reafon is- betrcr, Law rouft be better* Many of our Laws are but M nsLufts, WiIs3Humor*. to m;kc them- felves grear. Sim, _ 224 A word to the wile, and The day is hard by, when Laws and Iudgcs frail be refto- red 3 s at 6 flfc i.e. according to Confcience, Rcafonj and Equity. BmasyetRea- fon is turned our of t'leroom and Lit ft fer up for Law. Infhnce. Ere long wo to the Lawyers, and why ? The greateft I Traytorsj and Dpprelfors ia he world. opprefTed, (ball be your hdges ? For then (that is fh only) [hall be the Refurrection of Principles axd.Powcr, Equity tf»dConfci- er.ee, Reafon and B ight j which is now gradually rifmg and (landing upon their ft et. All Laws were made according to the light of theRczCon that the men then had that made them; Now as mtn grow up in purified *Winlightned Reafon inevtry age, the\jm is to be mended, refined, and purified accordingly • | So that the weak Wimperfe£t Realbn 0/foinaer ages, hath left much to be added to, and to be mended in the Law, by the i purer av.d peife&ed Reafon of after ages. But for want of this j repulating and mending the Law, Luft hath fiucceeded Reafon, cvd hath been {by fair glofles and counterfeits of Reafon) en- t hroned in the room of it. And Lull, Cuftom, Will, Might, and Form, hath as yet the day of Reafon, and turns it out of doors, and condemns it for an Offender, a Law-breaker, and a Traytor ; I as toinfiance. Let a Minifter be in a living, and preach there ' three quarters of a year, and then another be ynt in a weekjw I two before the Harveft ; he that cornel for that week^ or two, | jhall have all the Means (by the abomination of the Law 5) and he th^t preached there, all before, mufl have noth ng, fayes the j Law ', andfo [aid the fore faid Lawyers, .before the Lords Com- ; miffioners \ though Confcience cries out upon it, and Reafon con- ! demns it, and Equity would not fiufer it ; yet againfl Equity, j Reafon, Juftice, Confcience and all; Luft and Will, Cuftom I and Form- will have it fioy and condemns Reafon, Confcience, and 6 tl for Tnytots, and Difobedient, a»d Rebellious ; When in ! very deed, it is the Law ositflands, that ts an unconfcionable \ opprefiing, humorous, fe'.f- corrupted Form and Cuftonv/w is I to be condemned, as being againfl clear Right, Equity, Light, ; Juftice, Reafon, and Underitanding. New when this Principle j comes to be reftored, and true Reafon and Equity to be the Law ; I as I doubt no: •» but it will be within forty five years j then wo I be to the Lawyers, and to all fuck Peifons and Perfonal Intcrefts ! ! the Form tumbles ! Cuftom falls ! Wills of men (hall no longer ' be a Law 1 nor (ball the Law be as Lawyers fay it then I But I will avouch it, that the Lawyers, Judges, and finch as arefoRt\& to the Form, Luft, and Letter of the Lzvt, jhall be found the great- eft: TraytorSj Oppreflbrs, Prevaricators^ Rebels, and Oppofers or ChriiHan Readers-, a2$ to,$. -a of trtte Tufiice, Equity, Reaibn, and Conference ; yca-j to God, ! hcg cue is gone forth againft ail Nations for their un\ufl Liws tf;*<4oppref- G°vern° s a" (ions I I [ay this great God j?i£ r^w* of a fudden, end regulate j^ both the Law, and them too I The Paracelfian that promtfesto reftore mime and he 4 1th, to <* corrupt body, dothfooneftiub- vect and overthrow both health, body, and all together* So will our Governors, if they thinks to reform, before they have well purged over and over the Law, and Lawyers: Till then neither Reafon nor Religion can have orbe-rocm enough. I hope none xoill thinkjne their cnemie, for telling the truth; and § caking my Conference. It is tofet light upon a hill, let none be offended ; ' Let none be but if they be, Iptfsnot a fin. For as Tneodorus of Cyrene offended with anfwered Lyfimachus, when he threatned to crucifie him, 0 Sir ! me* f aid he, Let your Courtiers and Favorites fear that I for I had as lieve rot in the air. as on the Earth : / could (/ hope ) willingly fave men an rnquifition after me infuch a cafe, and fay to them, I come of my own a:cordy Here I am 1 What will ye ? for I re- member the Duke of Burgundy , who was firnamed Carol us Audax, xeas fon to tbat Duke who was firnamed Bonus ; for Conference and Confidence , are near a kjn : wherefore of whom fhotild I be afraid ? Plal- 27. 1, 2. for the Lord is my light, and my falvation, &c I muft be as ready to write, print, preach, and pray againft the fins of great men^ as of the meaneft% and I will make no more on it, though I fuffer for it : 0r though they deal with this, as the oid Senate did, that burned up Nu- ma his Books, for mentioning the fecretsbucreafon. Sim* As the Libeller that put our the Taji oiDottrmc «U Tfa. Afoftto Thofe wicked Lawyers that way-lay, opprefs, rear, and torment fo many perfons and families of this Nation .- Did every one arm himfelf with a quiil ; and, make it a good pen, with a hard nib, and write but as low as that would /aft; what they know of them ; i. e. and touch them therewith but tat he quick , I (as Well as they were able') I am certain, we jhould finde \hem ftupified, and .ftmglels, and unable to way-lay us , hurt hs, and cfprefs us0 a* they do. But I (hall fay no more of them here, ex~ petting a more peifecSl Character of them ere long in a Book by it felf. *~ The next thing Reader, that this Treatife mofl of ail in- tends, is the Defcription of the Church ; wherein lexfefi An* tagonifts, tag and ragy of the ridged ones of all judgements , especially of the Presbyterians and Anabaptifts; but I hope to be armed for them, with the armor of lighr. The frothy agitati- ons of fome unquiet heads and bufie brains, may cafl away cofl, and twill: (traws ; / mean, their labor may be worth a pound , but their matter or ftuffe not worth a penny. But before hand*. 1 (hall pray them to forbear paflion, and the pride of a Prelate ; F§r a foolifh fentence dropped upon Paper,- will fet pride and folly upon a H;1L Memnon, the General of Darius his Army, hearing a mer- cenary Soldier., with vile language revile Alexander, and exclaim again fr him ; he fir uck^him with a Lance, frying , He hired him to fight againfl him, not to rail upon him. Clamors againfl avery Enemy, requires rather reproof then praife ; and I thinkj here was no nian much commended (but much condemn- ed) that poor empty, wide-mouthed Libeller ^/Garlick-hithe, for his Pamphlet he put out lately, whereby he hath brought himfelf into the report and reproof of all that hear hit oame, which may be eminently up, and famous ere long in London, as it is in Chefhire, and other places : 1 had, I confefs, a full Character of him (indeed) by Mafier Manwaring ( one that knew him well in Chefhire) at my Lord Bradfhawes Table late ly , yvhilefi $jr William' Brereton, with <*>n eminent Minifter or ChriBtan Readers. 227 {that knows him highly too) was by ; and g-ve fo good account of him, That I cannot but wonder how he could end in one lying (impudent') Pamphlet ; end like a Fqmb {too dry. ft fcems) ftafh all out at once. But if he3 er any oiher^ mil leave railing and fill to writing, what tcrds to edification, I [hall be for him, | and heartily embrace both it and them, fo far, as I finde a\ Chriftian Spirit with them. *And, indeed, as the Athenians) dajoed out of their Calender a day in May {ye hen Neptune axd Minerva were at oddes, and in a bitter fray :) So from my heart / wijh all our bitter frayes may be ended, and their dayes blotted out. And 01 that the Lord would pour out his Spirit, ac- tor ding to his promife in thefe latter dayes, upon all flefh ; which will make us all one in love, and holinefs, and power of godlinefs, and equal worfhip. To conclude , Chriftian Reader, if thou comeflto drixkjof the pure ftreams, fweep away the froth {for that is mine) with \hy hand of faith ; and take up of what is fpiritual and pretious {for that is the Lords) and make not too much Itir, leafl you raifethe mud ; for that will make it vvorfl of alL Caius Lucil- lius, a Learned man, teas wont to fay, That he wifhed the things that he had written, might neither be read of the {altogether) unlearned ; nor yet of the highly Learned : For, that the one would understand nothing ; and the others would underftand more then himfelf. But I wifh the quite contrary., for that the unlearned -might learn fomething of me \ and the more learn- ed might te*ach fomething to me : So that J hope this will ftir up fome to read, and fome to write ; which will be the worfe for the Worms , and may hap to keep their Libraries from being eat up. But I wi[h they be the Learned of the Father , for fuch learning is the Golden Shield which defnds the truth. But when Golden Shields were gone , Rehoboam wot fain to d-o the deed with Brazen Shields. So I know where this true Learning , is wanting fome Wilde Heads will fupply the room with rage, boldnefs, and impudence. / [hall keep thee no longery good Reader, in the outward Court, or Gg 2 Common One Spi:ic will mike us all one. A word itto'e co the Reader, toinftrudhim. Sim. C Ucillm. The Amrnrs withes for un- learn d and learned Rea- der s3and why? Not I arneJ oiesare beft Readers. z Chro. 12. !©• -_ ■V*, *q8 A word to the wife, or Chriftian Readers. Common Chamber ; but I fray thee go further > and enter int» his Chamber of Prefence •, where fut up one Petition /or him, who dejires to live and die the Lords, From my Study., at Thomas Apofiles, I. Monstht 25. Andy ours , And all in thrift, and nothing in himfelf, But John Rogeks, An 229 AnEpiftle to the Parifti oiTurteigh in Essex, nigh Maiden ; wherein the Author was fetled Minifter> lill of late* "Dear Friends. Call ycu dear , not onely that I found you at a dear rateb but I am forced to leave you fo $ yet fome of you are very dear to me, and in my be art, and whom I can freely bear in my bofom to the Father. But becaufe the Death : or departure of a Mimfier from -his people fhould be his laft Sermon $ I txiuft therefore fay in genera! 10 you this. That my greateft grief for moft of you, is, 1 hat like the Cyprejje, the more you were watered^ . the more you withered. Would it not grieve you5 Hmbandmen% to fee your good feed every year to be loft, and to//> and rot under hugey hard clods ? and never to bring forth /r////^ or to come up ? So how can it but be my com- G% plaints i a jo o^ mournful Epiflle plaints before my Lord and Mafter, when I give up. my accounts^ Heb.i3.17. and fay Lord , I have preached f prayedj catechized! expounded I conferred ,ox above this five years at Purleigh to fuch a people s and they have not ieleeved noi obeyid thy word : but many oi" them are as ignorant, arrogant,bitter, prophane ftiil, ungodly^ and oppofers of Chrift and his G of pel ftilLas ever. O fad! what comfort can I have of this? Is not the thriving of the flocke the glory of the Shepherd} and their lofle his griefe ? Bleffed bee God whom I ferve / that fome of you are my joy and my cromey\vhich 1 (hall wear with me to heaven, PJitl.i.ii But yet the moft of you (with much griefe of heart, I muft fay it) have rejetled the Gofpel #nd the tenders of love, andthewarme bowels and reeking blood of Jefus Chrift; and oh! heavy, fhal 1 fay,thc *Day of your falvation I O dczrc fouls / precious hearts , for whom I weep in fecret ! what will yee doe in the day of the Lord I where will you hide your fehts from the wrath of the Lamb / O, O / how is it, that you bring forth nothing but briars and thorns I what ? are yee accurfed ground} H fe b.6. 7 MO. 28. H0/.6.5. ^^.12.41. ler. 1 1.6. Szek.tfAz.tf.&c. Letmeaskeyou, Is it not lamentable to fee a poor father wringing his hands, and weeping over zfiubborn childe, wifhing he had never been borne / faying; I have tryed him fo many weeks, and months,and yeers5 and yet he is worfe and worf e, would you not pity the poor man} and fay of this ftub- borne wretch, Well, you have a good father, God will never bleffe you, you cannot thrive , you will come to nothing. Oh / lo is itgnevom to my heart ! as it was to Ieremiah, and Elijah to complaine to God of the ftubbornnefje of the people : Ah/ it is too notorioufly known to Purleigh in Eflex. 231 knowne that I have taken much pains to little purpcfe amongft you : And yet , O / what plotrings / and conf piracies there were again ft me ? what lies and liEels were invented? what fcandals titled ? what fcojjes and fcornes I continually met with ? what huge taxes and troubles you caftuponme ? what bactyittngs and j railings every day ? what variety of deiignes were ! hatched in the midft of you to amid me ? yea, with I plotted and premeditated malice & menacing* to undo : me? what work you made to render me contemptible < to all the Country ? before Magiftrates , Minifters j p£0ple3&'al4?yea the chdirtn and fervants k t upon mee f toabuie me ? yea to ftone me? yea to fn ear to take! away my life from me ? all which forced me to bee much abfent from you. And oh friends I do ye think, j God will not vific you for thefe things ? have yee not fuffered your fervants and children to laugh and fpert in the publtch^places openly in the fight of all the people, whilft the word hath hue® preaching} and when I have mildly reproved them to make moves 2nd mocks at me in the open Church} yea to hy dog-whips y and what not on the Pulpit cujhion when I was to preach} What kinde of injury and ahufes have you not returned to me, for all my love and pains, and care, and continual prajers for you? hath there one poor foule of us in Church- communion efcap'd your malice and menacing ? and your diligence to raife ill-reports , and to caufe wrongs to befall them ? have yee not vowed not to leave us, til you had rooted all of usfrorayouvand not left a Roundhead or Independent to dwel[nigh you ? have yee not confulted with all the (jtfalignants about, how to bring to pajje thefe defigns ? yet in the midfi of all thefe troubles y and every day new trials and wrongs 23* A mournful Epiftk wrongs trom iome or other of you? yctuthe lord will-one day mtneft what a care I had of you,when I could not be with you,or durfl not-, how I provided (ox you , and how ye were the travel, as well as the trouble of my foul. Yet when youhad nots-omWmee away with all this , how often did many of you defigne to flarve me from you ? And though like a Bird kept ia a fag* without meat 5 yet I muft doe my duty, and fing, though the tborne were ever at my brea(t. Still I followed you with love,patience,pity to your poor m± ferable foules (O that yee knew it/) and Withfweat and fwinke praying, preaching , and expounding, infeafon and out of feafon. But as I have heard of the Seminary (in Lancafljire riding difguif cd) that loft his glove , one that found it rode gaUopping after him to reftoreitj but the Semi- nary fearing he was a Turfevant , put fpurs to horfe, and flew from him as faft as he could, and for fear he fhould be overtaken * hee makes his horfe take a hedge , and fuddenly skipping over , fell full into a defperate deep plt> wherein he was drowned prcfently^O! fo Sirs / the f after I have followed you to doe good, to recover you, to help to fave you, why alas ! the fafter you fled away into finnc, after finne, rejeSingill offers and opportunities (almoft) refufing to come to hear the i mrdon the weekday , and many of you not coming a- j bove once on the Lords-day / Oh, alas / for the Lords \ fake J hear! make not fuch pofl-hafle in fin to the I mine of your/00/?, body, and all / but ^O remember ! | the Pit is but on the other fide , yee may foon be in it; but have a care left you perifh ! Have I not fpem out my ownebomls, and like a candle confumed my felfe (even out) to give you light i have I thought my life too to Purleigh*/* Effex, 235 toodeare for your fouls I O no ! but you would not regard it! fome pretended I was young, to keep them off ! but alas ! this was but a colour ! did not young Solomon give good counfel? young Daniel diicerne much? young Jofepb fill the Granary with plenty? and excellall the Grandees and gravities in ^haroabsCourt, for wifdome and judgement t Did not young Cbrifi put the DoBors to filcnce? and young Timothy preach the Gofpel powerfully and profitably ? But indeed, the maine offence (you know) was my zeal for God ; for filence is the bafeft tenure a. Minifter can hold his living by 5 I could not befilent, tut tell Ifrael of his fins , and $acob of bis tranfgrefsions. Though many feed their CMinifters as the Theef doth his "Dog^porrigit panem, ut fiieat, he gives him bread to be quiet , and not to bark, left he difcover him; but the truth isybenevolence could not tongue-tye the truth , and 'twill bee fad for you to have a cuinifter who can (uffer you, and fee you live in finne, and yet let you alonej the City is in danger when the Alarm- tell is tyed up, and fo is the Parijh. Ihavereadofa Law made in a certain Town that none fhould bring a Rumor of the enemies coming upon pain ofdeath^&c this was becaufe they had before fome falfe Alarms $ but alasla: laft the enemy came fud- denly and deftroyed them all; fo that it was a Proverb, Here {lands a Town deftroyed by (Hence .God grant it be not true of Turleigb, for the want of a carefull and faithful! Utfixifter I neither could I pleafe your itching humors, as to give you the Sacraments in the condition you are in, or the like , which others (may hap) will doe with- out/^ or wit j warrant, or order : For as a Painter of (?W being asked, who taught him his Art • anfwered, The people , for that he was forced to ft udy how to Hh pleafe Sim* dim* *f3 Sim* *34 odf mournful Epiftle m% Sim, Si/n, X^ pleafe their fancies : So may fome Minifters fay. But this I can fay from my foule, that I fought all meanes to make you fure of Chrift. And as the tAngel ftir- red the waters of the Poo/, but thruft no man in,becaufe it was a «wj^ to bee performed by themfelves • fo I have (fared., hut ah! alas,how few ofyou hwefleppedinl onely ^ few of the poorer fort-, As when an Angler laies in, he hath many fmaS ones (arid that was my hap) but few great ones that wereftruck, utpunfti & compunBiy ^(ft.2.37. Yet this is my comfort , I have not loft all my labour ) andmyrawdis withmyGod : As an Ad- vocate that hath his reward , let the caufe goe how. it will :: And though flowers grew , though none ga- thered them, and Springs run, though none dranke them ; yet there may come a fore drought when you will wifh forthofe well- beads that were opened to you but you regarded not. The good Lord lay this in mercy upon your fpirits. And now let me leave one word with you, never to be for got , viz. to prize the Gofpel , which is Gods book of Canticles; and begins and ends with love ( as I , have formerly hid it before you in the Expofition of Canticles) it begins with a Kijje , and ends with Spices. The manna comes downe in the dews -of the GofpeL Prize gefpel-Difcipline , and Do&rine ! and to enjoy Chrift in both, is like to the S^which not onely A- %k$ us wWi contemplation, but warms, and enlivens us by his Application... Wherefore beware the irorW fteals not away your hearts $ the Bird that is limed is held faft, and ioart thou ! O then have a care ! I. have read that when Honorim was told that Rome was loft* he crved out, Ah! Alas 1 thinking it had been a Hen that he called by thai; name ^ but when he heard it. iSlttla «- K§= *£• jffworius. ! to Purleigh in Eflex. 2?5 fyXim Cafe, j Sim* ferom. it was his Imperial City of Rome, that was loft and facked by x^Alaricm tht Goth , his fpirits were revi- \ ved again thatfhis fojje was no worfe : fo O I how few J of you are halfe fo much troubled 'to hear you have loft j your fouls jls to heare you have loft your Cattle I corne! money , or fuch like things as belong to the world ! And without the Lord awaken you , yee are undone / JulimCdfar had a paper given him of the Confpirators that were ready to murther him $ but alas ! not minding the paper, but regarding other things of leffe concern- ment, he loft his life for it! And fo will you, unlefle yee arife! and repent 1 O heare the voice \ with Jerome I faying, %Arife yet dead^ and come to judgement / Arife yee deady and come to judgement ! Arife yee dead, and tome to judgement ! Q be warned I left the many warnings ( which yee have had by me and others) beat laft regarded / And all of them knit together like the many beams of the Sunne in a £>uming-glaj]e, may (I hope) ferve to kindle zfire and flame in your hearts after I am gone from you > and to be no more feen among you / Heare the fVatch-man I hark! hee gives you warning Sirs ! by the word of God> (as vthihtyt not *w'tw ) beware of. an invafion I Sathan is .muttering up againft your foules ! the enemy is nigh ! that will deftroy you ! Up, up ! make hafte ! Arme, Arme, Arme/ but if you will not , yet I fhall have comfort, Ifa.^.%. and yeeftall know (toyourcoftj that there was a Prophet fent to war ne you5 whom yee have defpifed, £^.53.33* J^r.28.9. Gods vengeance fleepsnot? but like a pragmatical Promoter isiearching your houfes for ill gotten goods ,i.e. J *ta gotten by theft, robbing God of his time, 2nd honour, >yhcn you fhould be at Church hearing the word , you Sm< Sim, Hh z were. 236 A mournful EpijMe XT BerMjlhcneS' Sim. £xftf* Sim. Sim* Sim* Oaddites. &• & Sim,. were in the fields telling your Cattel , counting your eftate ? laying up for many years with the Fool in the G&fyelyhuke 12.1 ^}20.Now the feareher is coming who will apprehend yee all for fe/lons &n&{o bring ye before the great fudge j and what follows but the Sentence ? \ Demofthenes was asked the firft, the fecond 3 and the t third time what were the parts of Oratory * who an- swered 5 Every time Pronunciatio y Pronunciation Pro- \nunaatio 7 and (o fhould I fay> the next partis the Pro- I nunciation of the Sentence. O what will yee doe in that [day > lia, 10.3* whither will yee flye ? O IfeareitL thoughyou will not fee it / for as C4&r ^^ oi the Scythians , d/fficilim -efl invenirequarn inter peer e 5 fol thinke may be faid of your Jinnes (Sirs,) which you will no: fee, but yefhallfee, and beafhamed, Ifa.26. yet I fay I feare it, that many of you5 are as men that goe to a Lottery with heads ixAoi hopes, but returne with hearts full o{ blanks y and the greateft blanke of all will bee this, that the world hath io filled your heart*. thatChrift could finde.no room j. like the Reubenitesi Num.32* 4,5. you are content to flay on this fide lor dan , becaufeit is a place fit far Cattel : And like Spiders , O what pains ye take ! how yee toylel even to evifcerate your felves 5 and fpend yourown^w^ with working ! and what comes on't ? Hah ! onely a web to catch a fl)c in, and which the \ea&}tfome from above will fweep dbwne into the duft in one nightr Luke 1.2.20. O ! it is this tharmade them in Lukt 14* 1 8,1 9. with one conient to re]eB the offers ofgrace^ and the Call I And it is this worldlineffethat makes you like Tumblers ftand upon your headland kick at heanjei? with your heels M is this that made you to persecute the. Soim* and to expell us. yout nafls, 0 take heed I God. to Purieigh tn Eflex, 237 God hath planted his Artillery againft you, and with- out 1 par ley ^i' you make not your peace with God, andi for fake the world to follow Chrrjl ! from the Lord I arrvto tell you it , that God is ingaged againft you with hisarmies of ]udgements-> Matth022,7. and there is no hopes of you. And the world like a bullet (hot from a peece of Ord//ance,whi\tt. itruns up and down? and danceth ( you think before you) on the ground fhall deceive you; (for you (hall belike the ignorant fouldiers) chat thinkes to take it up with your hands, bur it dafheth oa: your brains , which example fhall warn others, and make them wifer thaUucceed you, by feeing the.Lcrds vengeance on;you. Thus having ftood Sentinel all this while among you. though I muftbe juftledafide now from you • I nave given you tvAEWHfj y and fo will leave you : You > i"hall finde the world a Book: full of falfe prints (as by men) 'but at the End of all \ thou fands of Errata's fhall. appear to your fhame : And being thus to part, I fhall fay (with Sjneftm) I carry nothing from *Twleigh (of nr? & aaos fire, and people,) but bonam confeientiam & malam valetudinem 5 a good conference 3 anil! conftituti- and there I will promife to meet you by f4w-, and to /;£W for you by prayer, though lJiever>j Hh 3 £.ee> «$7w4 ■a «9/w« £/ffl. *a- The Authors leave of Pa/*- /r/gb,and he may fay of England* His Pray ay And Cour.fd, And PiOirafe. 258 A mournful Epijtle &c. iee you more face to face, unlefle you meet me at home X? in our Fathers houfe. And fo farewel ! Dear hearts ! farewel I — Finally , my brethren, farewel i heperfeB, be of one mind9 live in peace , and the Cjod of love and peace Jhall be with you alt, 4. Cor.13.1x. \j£men* Thus prayes JftwrafFedionate Friend, and late your CWinifter in the hot bowels of love te youyet ready to ferve the meaneft and worfl of you , in the work of my Mafier Jefus Chrift. In, and for whom, I am fOBH. ROGERS. From my Study at Tbomm Affiles Lend. March. 2J. i«5J. A Chap, i, 239 TABERNACLE For theSV^i. The Second Book. CHAP. I. Cpn Hhacham. That the per fons^ entrlng into Church- fociety muft confide? what they dofirfty and befure they be upon good grounds, being through iy iatisfied? and iw\\y per (waded that the way they are entring into, is the very way of Chrii\ appointed for Belecvers to walk in* BE are come now to the very Gates of Wifdome, Prov.p.354. to the Towers and Palaces of Sion^ where the I ord is known to be her refuge, Pfal.48.3. But before we enter fay take Tome Inftru&ions -, Btmore ready to bear ((aith the Preacher) then to effer the [acrificc of fools 3 for they confider not to hear (juribus cordis &.wp9rif) with head and heart- ears, for The gates cf Wi/domev Ecclef.?.i„ 240 Befenom in con [i deration what you do. Confideration in fome iv.uft be fct ious in die firft place* Pfal.fo. !7>l8« Prov. i$*. Sim. A ftrifl feif- Cjcamination. Expof. Such as come rafhly in, do but run them* ('Ives upon a RogIc. This confide • ration is of ne- ccflity. Sim. Sim. Becnufeof ihe variety of wayes men have to wor- fhip God in. 'Cooper. for chefe Lcffons are to bee let in by both ears 3 and concerne \ both the outward man((orf ear of judgement, 1 Cer.i 1.29.) and ! the inward man ( for feare of damnatien , Mark^i6ti6. and j Kow.i4.2j. &ct which it better then to offer tbefacrifice of fools, I i.e. Such as are rafh and prepoftcrous, and run poftinto Gods j boufe without remembring, or ferioufly refolving in their I mindes what they are doing, whither they are goiRg 5 why, thefe content themfelves with the outfide forme , and would ; be one amonoft others, though without found faith, or faving 1 grace. Such are the fools which we are fore-warned of in this I Text*, for it is not enough for Paflox or Elder to try us ., hut 'we mu$ try our felves : Wherefore keep thy foot when thougoefi to the bwfeof Gii, Ecclef.5.1. that is, keep a watch over it., as ! a prifoner who rmift not ftir without his Keeper--, that is, obferve j ^7/jje/w) whither thou art now goiug, confider/er/wjTy that j thou may ft go fofafely, and enter in rightly,and reverently, I and orderly, with humility and bolineffe , in devotion and full perfwafionof heart; Hence it is in P/4/45.10. the very firft" inftrutlions to the daughters of SJo»are,to hearken and conftder i.e. in Heh. prudently to attend , and skilfully or knowingly to minde. Thus PjaL$,\%, Conftder her Palaces. The want of a folid, and a ferious confederation makes many runne into thtieajfemblief of Sion 5 and Cburcb-myes , they know not' ! bow, nor for what ; whereby abundance of trouble is brought upon them, and upon the Church that fo receives them. I have conftdered my wayes, Pfal.i i^5pi (fayes David') and I will conftder tbytefrimonies, Pia!. 119.95. which is of (uchufe and \neceffi\y^ that without it nothing is rightly ordered. The Ma- \ riner confiders hhcourfe by his ComtaJfe * anc* tnc Pilgrim j puts on his Conftdering-cap continually in his journey whether j or no he be in the right way;Stat& cegitat ipfefecum utram debeat ifj/ger*, nee prim adoriendum iter quarn animo definierit, &pleniore \ mentis inteniione decide 'rit 5 And hee will refolve which is befi ! before he foot it : And muft not wee confider what is before jus? beware of the fands! if wee would have a good haven I I Doth it not much concerne us to confider our way ! when it I lyes doubtfull between the Presbyterian and Independent (fo cal- led) Ncn omnkvia dirigit ad Hieruialem iUamqH* in Cxi is eft, I (fey** Chap. i . Confider ation necefjary to fatufaBion* (fayes Csepsr on Pfal.119.) Now if a Cbriftiau bee care leflfc, and confider not the way he goes to walke in, as he may rafhly runne in a faife way , and thinke hee h right j fo hee may wrongly runne into a right way, and be in dcubt whether he be in the Lords way or no : Now to doubt is danger y us ,as wee fhall flisw by and by. The Apoftle Aft* 17. 23. tells the Athenians that they were too fuperflitious (JhnAu(*J>n&p*<) and fullcffalfe religions (like worftiippers of Demon- gods ^or fo the «7or^ will have it) and why fo ? whom ye ifnoran\\) wor/kip> him declare I unto you. Yee worftiip an mhriowne God, although hee bee the true God, yet in ignorance to you ; for yee know not whom, nor what , nor indedto to Veorfhip him whom I declare unto you: wherefore it is yee fail intofalfe way es 2nd Pfor flips. And fo it is with people thaj worfhip the Lord in a way of Wor- /fcij?,that for all that they '(qiow may be'falfe as weias f ^there- fore it concerns them to confider the way firtt, Take heed to your fclves faidMifes t$ 7/W,and the fame hhhjeremy to Judab^nd Cbrift to hfe2)//cip/;j,Mat.6.i. & l6>6. and 24.4 that no mm deceive you; and Paul fayes fo to 'timothy 1 Tm. 4.1 6. and Peter to all a JVf.i, ip. ye will e foundation if laid, bmlet every man tak^ heed how be huildeth therein (*&&$ Ctesty*) that is (afycere oculos anityi) let him fee with a /erica* and dihernim eye, what hee doth, not with a light, (light, p6/«*5forj glance. but with an intent and attentive obferv&thn of what hee is about. The want of this made fo many dolefull complaints andftd inV^r^f'Vhd) asZ/,.1.3. Tbe0xe Kmwetbb* owner, ndtbeAjfe bu Af afters crib ; he faith not , the D*rfet»j ^ ^ aU&l'n hV*„m%* W? ' but Che ^Mock-headed Oxe, the i\upid {loathful! Afe, they know, whit is goodfot them and will not eat any thing , but confider firft what is before them ; yet Ifrael doth not lyew, my people doth not co*fider. They arefaiuto be more bruufb md foolifb , and void of mdel /k»A*jf becaufc they did not confider what was before them whether it was gndfor them , or no ; but that would (wHm downe any wmU^m trafh or trumpery , fuperfiiJion or ST !i latry% 241 Expof* Ignorance if mother of mtf- chiefs, and falfe worfhip*. N fga* ^Korf non nmt. Tertul. lib. it bi9no- g&mra. Dcut.n.16. Jer 17.2.1. & Expof. SaJ complaints offuchas con- fider nor firtt. Exp*f. Mayor m loc» *« H2 what is required in confideration. Lib. I \t What it is. Confederated impon&t aft urn intellects feu veriwem rel mueutih&C What h re- quired in con- ftderauon, A found judge- ment. $ Kiog.io. Expof. Bout things in general toJbe fericufly con- sidered. i Eye all the efientials. a How all do agree in one, in quantun ejt ma. 3 Hew this way builds us up in Chrift, fccHndum quid. [atry&nd fo like a? onewho hath forfeited with u ; wholefome food and trafh , breakes out into (cabs , botches and hoiks. So Ifrart broke out into rebellion , and finfull {linking foares* verfe 6. This fame confederation fo preffed, imports, and takes up the truth of the intuitive p an > and property of the fottle, and requires a dear under (landing to be actuated and put forth with* found and dKJ&eHf/c/CMgeweHf. Whence it is, that the defeel of a frith full and regwkr judgement , oftentimes arifes from rajbnefie and precipitancy ? and inconfe deration j whilft a man o#iij thofe things which produce a r(gfcf and /aW jgrfgi- w«:t j wherefore a ferious confederation is a moft neceffary /«- junction laid upon all that are frtrfof into the Z, to e (lab lijb us in the truth -xo edifee, exhort, hfirucl,d.ndpnvo)^e to /we > and ^oc/rw^ / to exercife gifts and jjr*c« / and to bring forth /r«i/^ in aw feafon. . Fourthly, Chap. I . Be fully perfwttded in your own mlnHe. 24} 4. Conlider this (jofpel-trder and Church-^ ate, (fexunaum 4- And how babitudinem^quam hatet ad caffftfa)according to the fweet care, I 1™S ~ u,ch' habitudes ani difpoiition ic hath to thofe gracious, holy j nnfapdch^ effcfts, which are. produced by it, as to faith, hvt% ^o//«e/>, rifli all the gifts, graces, and the like. O how tender is fhe of them / the Hen hath not fo much care to batch up her cbkk^ns ! nor the food Mother to »«r/) the way! For be that doubt eth '(A.e.dijudicare') that if, (alter- nantibus fententiit fecum tifesptare) is double-minded, Jam. 1.8. <#4fl#0 natn a heart, and a heart, halts between two opinions $ as to be now for the Presbyterians, another time for the Inde- pendents : Now of this minde and refolves this, then of that minde and inclines to that. Such a one is unftable in alibis ways ( *<£7aWr©-) >• <*• in the Septuagint ftands but upon one leg, a little thing will throw him down ; and that is another reafon, Reafon 2. to ratifie this truth , viz. That you rauft be fully perfwaded Elfe thou wilt1 and fatisfied in thy heart , that thou art in the right way 5 elfe be miftaken. thou wile never ftand long 5 but the leajj wind of dettrine will throw thee down in the dufi, and thy fall will bring afoul fcandal upon the truth 9 and raife the duft ! But he that dcubtetb\ 11 *. (kA*XftV9(filV®m)\ What ir is to daibr. 244 In dear fatitfa8'ton,fuIl perfrafion. Lib.1I . Budaua. Danger of doubting* and theevilof it. fat. Reafon 3. The fin of d ubting. XT Reafon 4. Such as doubt, foon yield up the buckler ,and aret^kenpri* foners. v (fi&xftv'ou*v& j he ftill puts a difference, and is at variance with jhimieHj and knows not fully ,freely,certarnly,arabfo!utely what to do ; but (as Budans faith) is at no certainty with himfelf, whofc under ftandi?tgi$ confounded, and judgement is divided into divers farts j as when one of two or three ways knows not which to take, is damned (k^to^iJ) is condemned of his confeience, and adjudged guthy of iin : Therein of this lis taken ( faith Par ) from the precreant caufe of godly ani- ons zndmotions fas they are bo!y9 and of Cjod) which is Vaitb* For whatsoever is not of faith y is fin h this is the confirmation of the former Afborifm and Maxim* And from another Maxim or general Ride which is yet an undeniable truth ; and which makes me up a third Reafon in order ; for to doubt a thing, and yet to di it, is a gre^r //«, and againft the firfl Table'-, it takes a way fi/jb, for how can one &e/?tt>e he pleafes God, or God accepts of him, that doubts whether he docs or no that which flenfes him, and is his will. Eyfaitb is here meant a full perfaafion,* fweet p/er<^rv,which makes the way fweet that we are in, and the work, fweet that we are about; when we know, and we per fwaded of the law- fulnejsof it; and that it is the Lords^ and according to his minde and mil. Furthermore, Thou wilt never be able to contend for \he tra/Muittly and lively, Juie 3. yea, againft all offers, to thy Xf ^npiicite faith to* enough* very heart-blood, Heb. 12.3,4. €mo. 32,33. No, nor befo much as able to maintain the truth by the #W / or to defend it by arguments out of Scriptures ! that art not convinced of it, by the Word and Sfirit, and*perfwaded in thy very heart, that thou art in thenar, yea, though all the world, yea, the Angels of Heaven, fhould fay again ft it ; be fully perfwaded^ your good meanings and mindes will not ferve turn, nor yet the gray, Colliar-like, implicite/Wffc of Papifls (which believe as the Church believe, they fay.) And this is the moft you have from your Irijh Catholic\s at this hour ; and yet ask them what the Church believes, why they will fay, as we believe 5 and what do ye believe? why, as the Church believes; and that is, they know not what: Butfuch ifmplex converfioi* allwccangetframmaft of them, ta& a. day: together vsith them. ■ ii ■ ' -* m mm Mi bMib i ■ r i i ■ ..I Chap, i . A full per fwafion, m tbout doubting, 245 CiBt.6.12, Who are beft Champions for Chrilt. them. ButaChriftianmuft be able to m*iti\ain h\$ dottrine, and to warrant his opinion and judgement, whether in dottrine, or difcipline, by the JfW, Z/i. 8. 20. Or elfe, faith the Pro- phet, there ti no light in them ; That is, el fe they want *» well fanclt fie d> and made pliant as a beginning obftquent afrci exsquent , and then ere you are or it is v«ry likely, but I am/«re upon certain and infallible Scriptures.-, and I do ftedfaftly believe it in my heart. 0 O then i thou wilt prove a (tout Champion for the truth in- deed ! anddareft ftand fork/ when thoukpowefl thou art right: Thou kri§wejl itfirft; for thy/4/fJ; and perfwafun 1% in a fenfe (fub):clive) feated in thy kjiotfledgc and under {landing, as in the fubjecl j thy opinion or perfwa ft on is according- to thy apprehenfson and under ft ending ; wherefore in or o'er to your full perfwafton of, and fatfcfaclhn in this way of Chri[r3 or Gzfpel" fellow/hip ; you (hall do well 1. To examine your knowledge of the Scriptures concern- ing thisw^7, 2 Per. l.i 19, have ye fearched the Scriptures ? and do you finde them to bear a clear teftimorj to this truth l , m ,HpLfte j l 1 rrr j /• j i i /i i . > word of Cnrjft doth the Ward {in your judgement and understanding) warrant, t PcM< l9% and mtnefs to this way of wcrfbip, as the way of Cjbri/f ? And Bf/Wo-np®- to this Gejpel-feffewlbipiZS the Go/pW- order. ?th en you will n?*tf do |i\fy©v to wall>K\n it j fear not yet dijeouragements or tre#-li.7,you muft meet with in it, let them not daunt ye« 5 do you your dwj, and let God alone to defend ye, and to do ye your good. When our Saviour bzdPenr3 with the reft, threw their new in for a draught of fiffyj why they had many hifcouragements d for all night long they had thrown in, and loft their labors 5! Nevnthdefs, at thy word (faith Peter) I will let dtmJbc net ; Sd Ii % Ifiouldj Prof mm frincii finmaclus fit in, viteUcfiu ft cut h fnbjefito. How to attain] rruc perfwafir on. i . Perfwafion *4d6- ctrine.difcipline^as at firfi ; and we mould osk^after, Jer 6.\6. The gcod old way^{quamprimum:>& vernm> & optimum) that is, the true way ; for truth is older then errcr ; and error is nothing but rhe excrement and corruption of truth. The Primitive pratlifi and order of Chrifts Church, is to he fit before us lor our fat is faCncn j becauie it is as apatterntoall (ucctedin gages. • 2. Be alio well informed of the order and praUife of our Churches now in rfo/* ^// ? Sit down (fayes YAuBartlet) and compare our prefent/** tions with the firft order of the ^ij and £/#/&, and be a- jhamed, £^^43,1 i,i 2. and then come out of Babylon : But Th° promifes * of rhe Reft 'tir tution of rim's are to a (tare ' asatfirft. i 'And why? 2. See how far we are m out prefent condi- tion, frotx the * order as at t firft. Varttt* for this, I refer the Reader to the former Book. 3# Then Obterxe the motions of Providence. Chap.I . -^T^T^Tye have found out Onyou'Me- menu -and L/«ft) a Omtcb-ficH» in G./j^-.nfer , and are f«^ ClLofit and doe finde it in your heart that you are 1 l jIa dieted for it ; doe not delay wiring into it , but CK&fc blt° fad. a *H» and C^fc-c.^^ of gSfk fee ar^andlKSet^ >«^ !££ very d.ligently t0 Andfourthl", obferve the*.**, of the/piW„,and I .II ouW.ft and Gofpd therefore let ,onr^««« "< vour «/«Si«» deft M' «»c^w bee. ^erei in by r »a 'reefwiancy and conceit :) F°' the ^» hl ^1°™ rfm is witbo-ati^tw/ir.;, Jam. J- 17, that is , *M*«- 247 Get into thac Choi chrlut is according to your light, and according to the word, nigfiefiGofpel- rule, and pri- mitive praftife 4 Obferve the concurrent mo* tions of Pro- vidence. Dr. lbs. Sim. Second Dire- ction. Hive no confidence in the rleih. Third Di-efti- on. Be im- partial,and un« byaffedasto Opinions. Ierem.4. 14. 8.001. LSI., 248 How to be fully petfeaded* Lib. if. \ or mi(-)udging u e. either out of love to oneway , or out cf I prejudice (being prepoffefltd with hard conceits and opinions) J of any o?/jer Hfitj&Wc wrong a man much by prejudicc^when we glm I take up predicate opinions of him without grounds; & fo Prejudice docs buffer our conceits of him to be envenomed againft him by un« much wrong juft fufpicions, whereby we deprive our felves of the good which we might have by him.So thtPbarifees were fet againft Chrift5and the Jewel againft the Goffd ; yea this prejudice made Nathaniels queftion in Job.** \6. Cansny good come nut of Xr3 Nuarttbl wherefore bee impartial, without any conceit or I deceit, when thou fearcheft the Scriptures , beareft the ftord, j enquired: out for the Truth 5 Othen ! then ! let the Lord calf the/c<«/ej;andthisis the way to be fweetly fatitfi edirx your own breafts, and to have a heart full of perfwafnn according to the word of God. When yee have attained to this fweet and f welling Plero- pevfwi- ■ fbwyyfet may, yea muft move accordingly , and that upon a I certainty^ which certitude or ajjurance (being the bighefi'part of \yoav per jwafion J that yee are in Chrifts way, is to beeco/z- \fidered* I Firit (Ex caufa certhudinU) from the verity of the word , and j certain j and found* And then (Ex parte fub'jcBi) from your own capacities and qualifications , according to your knowledge and )udgementsy th:nce yee gather up this conclufion, that yee are the perfons called into this ftp of Chrifl by his Word and Spirit* and that ye (land in great needof this way , and that for divets reafonsf being fully pervaded of it , that yee are appointed and prepared for it, and it for you % hence arifes a full per/wafion to enter into it, and a clear fatUfatlion about it,whkh is given by the Word and Spirit , and which is fo necejfary for all that would enter into ityiind continue in it,and have the comforts of it, that they (hould not dare to venture or enter one foot without it. For what is not of faith is finne. Now as it will doc well that every one of us bee /«/& per/ip^d? d that it is the Yery vifibU After fion,folloi"8 anafliirance. Crrtiinty,or Allu lance whence it is, ' and how. 1 Excjh/a tttntu&inti. \ z Ex f arte [Hb\ccii. Th« condufr ons which ar ife. C h a p .1. How to knowyo* art fully fatufiecf. 249 v way of wor(bip that jejw Cbrift hath brought out of his Fa- thers bofme ( the Tabernacles that came dome Urn above ) and when heafcended on high, Eph.4.10,1 1,12. that he left bebinde him for all beleevers to dwed and be perfected in; fo alfo will it benecefary for every one to bring his perfwafton to the trial! and touchstone that they may be fure,elfe ( as Di^e faich upon Faith,) you may be left in the lurch, gulled and cheated in this point too : for in 1 Km£.i2.2o,2i>22. you read of a lying MCe/pirit that perfwades and prevails. Now as Clement (lib.5 Jiecog nitiomm)fajzs,Wbat is more obnoxious and hurtful/ to the Church of Cbrift, then for a man wbt beleevesbe knows what he kjaws noU and fees what he fees not, to maintaine that a thing is what it is Hot?(being but to him what he /'»wgi/2ej)tooth and nail he ftrikei at truth for falfebood , andfalfehood for truth* Like a drunken fehw that thinks himfelfe [ober , he doth all things , goes aB wayes like nT>tunk$rdy and yet is perfwaded he doth , and goes as well as any .(ober man whatfoever, and would have all others to thinke fo too ; and yet perhaps his giddy braints and fancies , make him beleeve that it is others thztftagger, who goe ftedfaftly,and that he goes fieadily whilft heflaggers-, fuch whimfical perfwafions are of dangerous confequence* Ic concerns us then to know whence our fuUperfwafien arifes, and whither it reaches , or what it brings forth* But to the firfl : Firft , A true and fell perfaafion flows from the word of Cbri/t without, Tbejf 2,1$. as we have faid before, and the Spirit of Cbrifl within u$3Job.i6$. J06.14.16. 1 Job.i.zoAy. I Job,$.6. thefe have convinced our judgements* inligbtened our understandings, conformed our wilfo,and perfwaded our hearts, with undeniable arguments and proofs. Secondly , If it be true, it waits upon the Lord with pati- ence for his concurring Providences, and for the accomplilhing his promiies, as David did for his Kingdome, Abraham for his Son, Ifrael for Canaan 5 runs not ra(hly,without feare or Wit, as we ufe to fay, before 'God 5 He that beleevts,ma\es not hafte\ Iia.28. not too much hafte, or more hade then good fpeed; but he Waits to go along with God, with his prefence, by his Frjyidencs (ai is faid before) into this way of Goffel-ftBowfbipl K k Thirdly, Bring them to the 1 rial. Falfe perfwi- fion moft dan» gerous. SiftU . . Howtofenov^ true petfwa? (ions. 1 Tree per- n fwafions pta- ved and ap- proved froB* the word mi Spirit. a Waitsfoj fit time. & 250 I Mcecs with < trials, yet gets she better. Sim* How to know you awfully pnfwaded. Lib.II* A fie an C A vvl an at % Trae p^r- z fwafion makes on: § ltfliew* aril emprinfcflfe if* all other waics aad worfhips* Thirdly, It will meet with many trials and affatiltt, but yet will get the better, and abide firme. So y4#.Io.2% What a fUh. there was about the way of the Gofpel £m?) w •£*, contra viam Domini) or as fome read it, againft the Goffel-toay9 this way of the Lord which Paul preached at Epbefus, and yet it gained the ground \ So 2^.7.5. they have no reft, but threats and fears, and troubles , and oppolitions 3 yet this faith and full per fa a ft on ftayes the foul, quiets, and fatisfies the fpirits, effablifbes the heart, 1 Chron.20.2O, efiates the isiwd rods in much peace and ajfurance in the midft of multitudes of troubles and «*na//. As the (hip that lyes at *«rfor, though fomcthing tofled with wind and weather, and with the falling threatning Surges of the Sea , rifing thick one on another, and boy fterous beating about thefnip, yet remains fafe, unmoved, being firme , and fattened , and cannot bee carried away : So art thou able to undergo all oppofitions, jthreats/weliingXurging waves jOr the likc.if thou reft refol- vecj, eftablifried and fully perfaaded by the word of God> (o that ftil thou mltftaxd by faiik>*nd grow ftronger and ftronger3as the boufe of David did52 'Sam.$.l.\n the midft of his dangerous c$«/?/^,andtruceleffe troubles with the boufe of Saul : and as Ifrael% the more affli&ed , the moremultiplied , Exjd.i. for true faith will have the conqueft and triumph at laft, 1 Job. 5.4, I Per. 5,8. HtAu.33.34. E?b.6.i6t Fourthly , A true and full perfwafion ir> the way of Cbrift makes thee moft ready to run into it (but orderly ) and very ob[eqmiK)Gal*&c, Sixthly* 251 Sii»\ Chap. i. How to k^ow you are truly peyfitaded. ^^^ Sixthly, A true, full perfwafiM, makes thee exceedingly fond 1 6 htmkcs or, and longing, and labouring after thefe ways of SionX \ tneelong afcef Olhow doftthou third to be in them, P/ Nathaniel , and P and it may be it difpleafed him ; and this drives them often-timeg into defpaire , and alwayes into error* This makes fo many run into flrange pinions and errm that run fo rafhly into this way of fetiewfoiy > which is the Cburcbes 7bren§dU&nd deep forrow at this day : O then / that men would be more care- ful! / for as the Sun (faies Erafm.Roterod.in SimiL) the more dire&ly he bears upon us with his beams, the hffe fbadow he makes5 but the more obliquely, the greater. So a wife man that understands himfelfe , and is informed , and fully per- fwaded by the divine light of the word, the beams of Cbrift, the Son of ugbteou.(neffe;thc more this Sonne hath (hinedupon him* and he is fatisfied with the truth, the lefle fancy, imagination, or footijb opinions he harh3and the leffe he runs into erreurfybm the mov. obliquely he enters into the Lords n^and the lefTe he is by this divine ligbt (from above) informed and fully per* fwaded, the more he runs into errours , and the longer fbadows he makes, But to conclude y I befeech ye beware ! O beware/ how yee enter into this way of wortyip ! let fericus and due confidtf rationbe had that yee come in due order , otherwife yee will meet with z breath infleadof zbleffing) I Chron.r5.23. and this Cburcb^ftate inftead of Feniei may be called Ferez-uzza^ or Perez-nephefby ue. tbebreacb of tby fcule ; fo fee Mat 22, 12^14. what rxfel thtfriend that came in , and not in a fight, .order. Beildes the Lord doth not make them welcome, M4/.1.10. for they are a provocation to him in Numb.i 4, 11+ P[aU 78. 21,22. and the Ordinances of Cbrift are not fo effifrual. to them , Heb.^.i2i 13°. this want of faitb^ and full perfwafton that they are in the Lords Way, in Cbrifts Goiptl Ckurcb»[rate , doing the Lords will3 doth enervate r enfeeble , and deforce Khe efficacie and excellency% venue and operation and fpirituall advantages which beleevers findc in it , ^4s tbcu baft believed [0 be it , Matth.8.1 £. and chap 0 29. See Ma^6^fi. one fuch a doubting member^doth. much mijcbitfe in a Church , and is a, great hindrance to ir> Bus, C hap. 2. Jhofe that are thwfatisfied, muft unite. 253 But, dear friends>if ye bavefaitby and doubt mu Mar. 21.2 1 . andi are but fully perfwaded in your fouls, that this is the way of Cbrifi you are entring into, then welcome, expeft great bkjfings j and mighty mr\s , and energy in the midft of you, Epb.l tfttttfftffffffffftt CHAP. II. OTO TU ^&Atf Sahhijh. • T — » Li iJ - Tib/e tW 4^ thm fatisped^ and fully perfaaded, as before, mufi by a voluntary confent unite 3 and knit together in one body. T His comes in order next, of which in the former Boo\e, Chap. IT. and 13. you may read at large : but let this be brought into the ballance of the Santluary too 5 and let every foule fee to it , how he enters into this way of Fel/ow- jbip> that it be by a voluntary andfree motion without a coaftion. No earthly power can compel! a man into this Cburcb of Cbrifl for the Father mufi draw him, Joh.6. 44. that is , with his fpiritual armes,the Word and the £pir/f3wnich are theLords bands, and his two artttes reached out all the day long , Rom. 1021. None areto bee conflrained into this communio^im- Ieffe it be by the Word and the Spirit', thus the Lord is faid to eddetothe Church, Acl.2.47. and by his power makes them a willing people j Pfal. 100,3. and fo Cant.6.12. when the will is fet upon the Cbarhts >or wheels,a man mufi: needs run. Cant. r.j. hence a man is ofcen-times faid to be according to his will (a volunteer or nor) which is as the great Wbtekf.hzi fets all others a going. j Nowitfhould necefTarily follow, tfetft fuch as are fuHy perfw.aded, as before, mufi become voluntary, and freely a$ent Kk 1 to* Expof* The 1 ord diaws with his arm?, rhe Spi- rit his right hand,and word his left*. 254 The Will moved ty cltvtfte PahayUs* LlB.lIj' to what they are fo perjwaded of, per fo fig importat ajfenfum in- teHecift-s ad id qued ere diiur , before they enter into it, or a& in i^which we offer pmf for under feveral confiderations^vihtnce the reafons are raifed to rati fie this truth. As Firft (A principle <3ge«re)frorn the principle that moves them | and makes them a willing people, which is either (Jin ft, or ex* I ira/O a natural principle which produces «as 1 From the power full p'incipics which can ies them extra (e. Vide Fenncrs Alarm. Rom. 7. Rctfon zilibertyl though the flefh be never fo violent , though my friends nothing but frown on me , thcugh all the devils of Hell rage, yet I willbe gone for Zhn> and get into thofc jy- femblies^c. This may fcrve for a reafon, why this voluntary confent is fo requifite, viz. becaufe it h a livingprinciple which produces fuch gracious effefts : And this is the aft of a perfect heart, 1 Chron. I 0«p.2. The Will tnoved for divine Sads. 255 abfoUuely ne< e^ffary in all that would he Church mem- bers, which m ikes them willing. 1 Chron.28.9. Serve him with a perfetl heart and willing minde, Became this they come otherwifecvithouthearts^T/d/.lip. 145. dead to 1 tfaty, and heavily forward; but when men are made willing as before , they have a principle of agency , and need no con- praintatzlh 1 F^r.5.2. not by confir tint ■, but willingly. O then, a man is in motion indeed, and will doe the will of God , and go into theB>4> of Gid I (hough no body eife of his friends t or family mil doit, nay though he be bated of all his neigh- bours, and acquaintance for it, and have no tbankj at all among J £xp9r men by it , but hee being carried on by a divine frinciple ' (extra fe) confidersnot what he fuffers, as what hce feeks, which is abundantly above himfelf e> therefore Secondly, Con(iderthat(fthe wi!U tore the A pottle would have us look to the end. We haveufed to fay 3 every one kriows bit beginning , but not his end. Yet in this fenfc, I fay , men may know their end if thej know their principles* And now I am upon it , I muftpreflc the knowledge of the ends at well as the motion to the end, left ye bring but the facrifice of fools, Ecclef.i, a wife man fetsthe end of his motion or attnn ever before him, both before hee begins , and when he hath begun , and as he is proceeding. Every one who is wife in Chrift (and would fain be in the way es of Chrift) who is carried to Zie-n-toard by fuch * prin- ciple as before, hath a certain knowledge of the end which hee purpofes, promifes, and propofes to himfclf, and he hath not onely his principles to move , but to move for that end propofed ; as if it be for the honour and glory of God , to fee forth bis praifes , as a peculiar one called thereto* i Pet.2.p. Buc hethathath no knowledge of theewd, though he hath in him a principle of motion or attion , yet the principle , which moves or a&s him for [ueb or fucb an end, is not in him, but in another, (as was (hewn before in theftmite of the ftone ) by whom hee is faid to be moved for fuch an end* Now I fay, a Saint who is moved by the Spirit, hath fpirh tuall ends , and by a principle from above hath ends from above, glorious , divine ends above himfelfe ; but a natural principle hath natural ends •, and fo fuch as are carried on into thefe affemblies of Sim by carnal principles , come alwayes in for carnal ends. Now this is another reafon why fuch as Would be Church" members muft be volunteers , and carried on by divine principles into thefe divine wayes , that is to fay, for divine ends. Now when a man knows the end to be according to his defire^nd fuitable to the principle by which he moves to that fpecial end9 then hee is become in a fpecial manner voluntary in his mo- tions, and into means conducing to that end -> and to fay fomething more , he fets bsfore him , not onely what it the e«d,biitalfowbyxr it the end thzt hefeeks aftcr,and centers to- ward j tv 3*W 7* tikU is my Motto. And confider Thirdly (Result wluntat it) the Rule, according to which the will is moved, and the hurt is carried and continued: ) fas Oap, 2 . Will of Volunteer s ruled by divine Reafon , i<,7 for every (jrwcipium ad cerium fi?um)principle putting torch to fome end, hath fomekinde of order or other in his motion to that er.d\ now ( dehiw or do adfinem fecundum aliquam regulam, menfuratur) thewill without a Rule 9 is like an unbroken colt without a curbe5 kicking and flinging , and running any way at randome,withoat ordtr or equity* In all things which are done by the will, there fhculd be a Rule , and this Rule is either humane reafon, which hhomogenean , and moft nigh the will and mind of man (this is regula prcxima,fay the Schoolmen) or elfe it is divine Reafon , the Wifdome and Word of God, the eternal Law of God, which is the fupreme , and primary rule of the \*itt(Regul*fapr etna) which (omecall Heterogenean to it. Now fuch men as move obliquely, and crofTely tottii$&*fe3walk diforrferly and finfully , and from fuch Withdraw thy [elf (ab hac reftitudine obliquatm) as 2 The ff. 3,6,7.1 1. for every good ri/r, which are their Rule ; iVow # w^wy <# n?^e according to this r ule, peace be on them, Gal.6.16. and let us aliwaikfby the fame rule, Phil. 5. 1 5,1 6. By this Divine reafon and ™/earethe wi/; of all that are made willing to be ordered , and fitted and directed into this way. Thus Cbrifl fits and rules '(ty his Law) upon his Throne in the Temple, Zach.6.13. Mat. 26. Now this ferves for another Reafon why we (hou Id volun- tarily come in , b»caufe thofe have this rule to order their fteps, and' deliberate, to*. 250 The Divine %&le for making men Volunteers, L*b.1L \ of a deliberate w/tffpontaneoufly, and freely carried out (after ipiclination) into ufcfoiion and determination. This made Paul determine tokpow mtbing\ave Cbrift , and bim crucified, i Cor. 2.2. fo eager he was aher Cbrift alone, nothing elfe would fervehisturne , but all elfeis as drofie and dirt cohini; be- caufe the intentions of his will , heart and all, were after Chrift. Thirdly, Then the willcornes to turn afide from all other J vain andfalfe wayes>Pfahi 19.113. P/4/.1 19.10 1. And Fourthly, To make abfolute choife of the way of God above jalljPjW.iip.^o. (olfa.^6.^ this eletlionlsthc proper e/& operari>&cSNe Will indeed, but it is God that works in us that mil &Ko,botb to Kill and to do, faith the Apoitle ; we mrkf , but it is God who Workftb in us that workjngofgoodilCo* He is in us the principle y to us the 9b]ell,znd for us the end of a\l%Epb.+6. Confider, S.x hly, The Infrrumenis which propound and offer this oVjitl to the will, and che means by which the man is per- feaded, and prevailed with to be free and fpsntantosss 3 and vo- luntary to enter into this fray of thrift, or Gofpel-order, which are the Word and the Spirit. Firft, The culftardinftrument is his Word, this is the SWord of Cbrifls Kingdome to conquer with,and his Scepter to govern by»So ^#.2.4l.All that were received into the Chur ch, gladly received the Word,** Ainfttortb obferves3 titybm* that h willingly, and voluntarily without any compulsion aWsSwm %i#y* they imbraced it (cum approbations) with welcome, joyfully with hearty entertainment 3 as to the dear eft friend , or beftguefl that could come -, now fuch as received the Gofpel (o y were made members of the Church: The CfcH/rb did all according to Cbrifts wW^and Gofpel, whether in binding or loo fin gj eking in, orcaftingout, ftill the Statute-book^ Chriils #W and u^/ was by them in all. So that nothing was to bee done by the Decrees yLawes, or Canons- of men, or by their Votes and Or- ders in ClaJJical, Provincial , or National A families $ no, no fuch thing was heard of j nor yet were any cufed in, or fra- yed in by Magiflrates powers. I am of Mr. Dels judgement in His Way of peace, Ffal.63.64. &c. who fayes , Who fo ever af- firms that the Lawes: Decrees, or Canons of men, Rabbies, Bifbops, Afmblies> or Councils, are fitter and better to order the Church by, then the pure and naked ftord of the Gofpel by the mini ft ration of the Spirit, fpeakj in my judgement very blajpbemcufly. Luther fayes (in EpiJT. ad Canlum Vucem SxkaudU Tom J-fo'^- 3.')Cbriftian> &c. that all Cbriftians are to be ordered by the WordofGodjbcGofrel ofCbrift, VPbenby they became Chriftians (that is,fet at liberty from fin) and this Without the addition of Councds, Dotlorf, Fathers, or the 1%; foi what is it to govzrne and guide Chilians by their Cs*ncels% Decrees* or Words , which they may keep, and yet neither become Cbriftiaus, nor continue fuch : Nay,, many times they ceafe to be fuch by thofe means 5 and wee lofe the trutb for their Traditions, the Scriptures for their Scribbles', the Bible for their Babel ; yea Chrift for the creatures images, which the intellecl hath taken up;and the dotlrines of Chrift, for the Devices, Decrees, and Ordinances of men. Moreover for fuch as are not yet called; fuppofe they bee notChrifVian^they are not to be tampered wither retrained by the or din ancestor traditions of men, but to be let alone 9 as Paul faith, G/.2.20.22. Neither is the Magistrate to meddle with them by his Se- cular powersfo as to force them into tbe bou[e of Got-, none can be compelled by iron Weapons to joyne to a Church o{ Cbrifi j againft their wills (as hath been largely bandied in the former leaves, Chap.ii.and 13. which Khali adde now little to but this ) becaufe (asLwfkr (ayes in the/sre-cifedEpiftle) Cbriftians are all to be fo fpontaneoufly , onely as they are perfwaded by the Word of Chrifi . convinced 3 and lead by the Spirit of God9 jQlhi6.%. Row?. 8. So are they by the fame means to bee brought in members of the Church *f Cbrift9 £ht£ ergo infania eflfpontanee bones urgere legibus malorum ? and yet there be fonse rough fpirits abroad that fpit nothing but fire and blood , and fpeake of nothing but imprisonments and pmifbmcnts for fuch as are not yet convinced, inlightned5 or come up to their opinion. Some imagine men muft be brought in by the Afagflrates [word 3 and that the Gofpel is to be pre* moted and prspagated by weapons, blows, and cuffes. It is true j as Mr. Hooker in tbe third part of Church" discipline, cbap.t. I aflerts , That the Civil power may (as a thing Civil) require 1 them to come under the tenders, and call of Chrift ( which is voxfignificativa) but cannot compel their cmfciences; and that Power is very uncivil that intermeddles with Church-matters, buc Chap. 2. Instrumental caufes of making m willing, but Magi fir at es muft leave the Church to follow the rule of Chrifi, in receiving fuch as have gladly received the Word -, , and whom the Lord hath by his Word and Spirit perfwaded, \ and prevailed with ; and fo> whom the Lord addes unto the Church, and not whom men, Magifirates, or any other (by any indirett means (oeverj (hall add?. It is known to many in cDublin, that I durft not bat bear teftimony to this truths though (to no little persecution of my felf and others, in name and perfom, as rs well known to the £hurch- gathers d, with whom 1 walked for the time I was there ; who have alfo hid their [hare oi fuferings by fome, and alfo have added their teftimony to mine.) 1 iay3 although the reproof reaciv ed great per Jons that invited many in hyindireB means ( more proper for Seducers, then Saints') whether by promising ex- prefTions of preferment, or by commanding words, to fuch as they had power over, which Were under their commands *, or by going to houfes to make profelytes by their power, or the like ; if their purpofes might be good, yet the ejfeBs were very bid, 1 am fure ; for hereby many Hypocrites crept in amongft us, being byafled with by-ends-, and who after- wards proved incendiaries, and fo difiurbers of o\xx peace ; they mould have let the Lord alone to bring into his Church, whom he pleafed ; and the word alone to have per- fwaded them by the Spirit ; and not have fought the inlarge- ment of the Church, to get up to great numbers, (which men eye too much) by any other means then the Word and Spirit. When great men are Members of a Church, that Church muft have the greater care of receiving» leaft any mould en- ter or crowd in more out of love to, or fear of thofe great ones \ or out of any ends of getting a benefit, by having great men their Brethren, or the like. I fay, more then out of love to the Lords Courts, and ^jfemblies, as being in- iightned by the Word, and enlivened by the Spirit, and fully perfwaded in their own hearts, that they muft enter into thtfe ways, as the ways of holinefs% which the Lord hath left here for believers xo walk.in tQgeiher ; wherefore our experiences I produce this Cautionxo others 3 for wait of which, we have j fufiidently. 263 Dublin. Without any other indirect means< Hypocrkesby thac means id abundance. And fuch are' all, but the Word and Spi- rit. Caut ^a ton* vv - -.■■_. - - : T '.: r.-tr.: drifts Spri: Si - Sim "■" - " ~r*sk£ f& -£ ■untdry. Lib. 1 1. arficier *kcrs c -. \t\ .: read of* tha: uied bis F+lmmm, M&*- ■ of bringing in UMem~ .met ha:h the Church wante : ~ d been fd} by inch c Demanding powers; for til :y the -zrord and f 57rr?- of Ch i . when his Jfi?r^ anc ^c- ; 3 .p. J7* p"ff, ^ * WA£ done. QTr, verba Chrifli .) He ("aid. 1 .: ■ -'i 5 they fraud not disputing it. but immediately • t ^ 4. 20,3 2 • and mm ^*7, /.• The irking Inftrwwfewt,h the 5p/r if of Cbri/tt whofeire ^ist: ~ 6 S. anc - - J0h.16.1-. jj- 14.17^6. or guide : : ' ' /us, whether we will or r.o : But it in:: :n us, being informed by the Wordy that : is the* ■-'. we muft walk in it; thatwemuft I follow the 5 r, a counselling guide > :hat will go betcre us, and make vt] for !u«. And y we be 1 :~d hargeff, why then it if his is it were, by undeniable Argun. : : ; and lo3 as that we ialinot have a , but mat we mail heartily and willingly yeeld :.i« mmitms and perfaafiens, and finde him both a t- - 9*eft. How (hall I know I have Chrtfi: i -7 and }6*er in doing hvscff.ee: A / will cot w ixm a nor a p* 1 1 give light 5 now Chap,2.T/,y Spirit convinces tcomxrtsjtnd dfsn* infuml 255 fytbeltefe&Mdlipritmsjim know which is the tr*efire3 I and the true Snn. BeHdes, the true Sun will difcover falfi fainted fans, and J £ the trtu fire will burn up the f*/fe ; fo will the trsteSfirit pi Chrifr, difcover, judge, and condemn all other v & 5 But QueCr. How doth this 5p ;: ofCbrift convince and bring in, and then keen in the wmj > Ajtfw 1 . Me v'- *^ * ■ b y bdigbtnmg our intellect, i • cur mindes with his counfel 2nd eAseeemftens 3 btledds us with tfp«i eye?. F/itf 52. 8. And the wifemami eyes are in hi? 6/4^ \Chrift ;j This is the firft bw£ of the 5:.~;: ' r/-;> removes the remertCw^ anfwers all t^jeBiens, takes away alJ tmpediwtattsz and pucs us on through all difficulties whatfoever 5 thongh S.tf.vt like a rowing lyen robbed oi her wbeifs , rage at us, and aflault us with his mgA Cbtms^ and h*rfcteMftMtio*si though the fc/ft Bie upon us, vr\xhfnR-m*Mtb and feul-meutheA language and mve&ives • Though the veer Id from; on us- and tWentem never to /^weli upon us , tad friends forfakeus.. netgbters eftranged to us, acquabXJnce perfecute us, and all threaten to Megger us 5 yet, I fay, the 5:.r;'r makes us to triumph ever tff; and cvirr/>j m :hrough aBm as more then CV-. and thus Cent. $. 6,7.8, 7"«c Spcnfe through tmxArdiemvta- :, Verf>6. When C*T/,r 6*< (in her eye) left her , for-' faken her, nor regarding her prayers % or r Mr/, and 1 Mm trtnb'.es^ and Dttkim pahsibas. The Spirit car- ries thorough all calamities clear/y. Expsf. 166 The Spirit convinces ^converts, and draws infiovp I Lib.IL troubles yFerfj. Yea, when the watchmen (that fhould have been her friends') frowned on her ; yea, [mote her, till they fetched blood from her, and the keepers of the wall abufed her, and took away her vail, and tore it in peeces, on pur. pofe, to put her to open fhame ; and to (how her nakednefss. before all in thtftreet* to hoot at, after her, and to hurt her, and to make the world believe, (he was an Harlot, and not a trueSfoufe of Chrifl 5- yet for all this, (that Mtniflers and Mdgiftrates were both againft her,) yet, Ifay5 the Spirit carries her on. And thus the Pfalmifi fayes, Pfat.qq. 10, 11 I23 13*14,15. yet 17,18. Thou make >fl us a by-word, a re- proach, a derijion, zfpoil to them that hate us ; as the appointed, for (laughter ', and broken in the place of Dragons ; and con* fufon is ever before us; and for all this, Verf.i 7, 18,20, Yer yet have we not forgotten thee, nor dealt fal(ly with thee; nor is our heart tnrned backoff om thee ; nor do we decline thy way ; no3notyet; and why f Butbecaufe the Spirit of the Lord carried them through all , thick arid thin, as we ufe to fay • and Co it is heref the Spirit removes all thy. rubbidge-corrup- tion that would hinder thee, and throws down to the ground every ftrong hold , or imagination thou haft againft this way 5 2 Cor. 10. 4,5. Which before he admonifhed thee of, and mo- tioned thee to ; and 4, This Spirit confirms thee m it, as- well as conforms thee- to it,; and therefore he is called thewitnefs inthee, 1 John 5. 10, If any falfe* witn?fs do arife, and rail at this way of Chrifl, (as the the if on the Crofs did revile Chrift.) If thou mecteft with any arguments from flejh and blood againftir, that,wcu!d fain weaken thy faith and foundation ; why yec t he Spirit bears teliimony within, and that upon his own know- ledge, that thou art in the right way.} Joh. id. 13. And this wit nefs within, and t fa w or d with out , do both agree in their teftimcny. YeaJurthermore, the Spirit is called afeM, Eph9. 4. 30. And fee me as a feal upon thy heart, £ant.2,6. That is, that I may be notonely near tothee^ but on. thy hearty even in thee, 04 thine, ownfpirit : A feal. is more then a t$it~ nefs ; for it carries the wptnefs with it , and is not onely a wiweffingXQ us, but a *M,upon.u;* and in us, carrying the 1 4 By ratifying. In the way of Chrift, the fpirk wi?ncflcs. On his own . knowledges a wimefsina Court. Sim. Expof. j. The Spirit- j feals. C h ap .2, The Spirit mtnejjes,feals^ defcends^ and refts on u image ot him that fealeth us, (ayes Sibs in his Fountain Sealed* Now a Seal ferves to confirm, and thus doth the Spirit [eal infiruttion to us, Job 33. 16. that is, confirms u$ in whatth* tf^rdinftru&s and declares. Befides, this Seal is for difiin- clionsfakj (as Dr. Sibs faith) to difiwguifh which is the Lords way andworjhip, from all otheisof mens making, 1 Tim. 2. The Lord kjoweth who are his, and who are noc his. This difiinguifhes the precious from the vile Jer. 1 5. Jo. And by this feal the Lord knows his-, and the Saints know which is the Lords ; For the feal fets the Lords image on his way and wor- fhtp. Moreover, zfeal (igniiies a propriety and right to a things as Merchants ufe to feal their n?*w , that others may noc claim a right to them. So "Pfal.^. 3. JG20W, that the Lord hath fet apart the righteous for himfelf. He hath fee his mark, on them, in the Hebrew, it is the Lord hath r#/W out and fevered in a mod excellent manner (/'. *>. by his Spirit) ^ righteous ; that is in Hebrew, Chafid, the />0/y 0#* * v4#j 1 3. 3 5. fall of holinefsygoodnefs, piety, grace, to himfelf. And as the£7v?r/0#.f w^i«, fo the gracious way of Chrifi, he hath y*/- rt/wr for himfelf, /, e- as his way3 and his right. Thus every Saint fets hisjWto, in John%. 33. who being convinced by the Spirit, as before, and now confirmed by this teftimony within him (which holds againft alloppofers) he gives his testimonial to the truth, Deut. 32.4. and bears witnefs to the wayof Chrifi, Joh.i<^% 26,27, and fets to his jW, and /#£- fcribes to it, and chufes it to walkjto live and die in. So that they are Chrifi s witneffes, and do bear his teftimony wich the Spirit^ as well as by the Spirit, j4Bs$.$z. It is the Spirit which allures them, as well as perfwades them ; whereby the will is fet upon the wheel; fo after the Saints believed, they werefealed, fayes the Apoftle. 5. This Spirit then refts on thee, and on that way tbus?wit- wjfed and fealed to ; as the Dove did upon the Ark > yea, as the Spirit did reft and abide upon Chrifi, John 1 .32. where- by he was known 5 fo hereby (by the fame Spirits refting oh in) we are known, and the way, and worfhip, and Church of Chrifi, is known to be from above. So 1 Pet%^ 1 4, Happy are j/e9 for tin [Sprit of the Lord, and ofglory2 refts upon you. Mm 2 And 25 7 An i/nsge of God conficms* y. bs . D.flin^uiflies becw xc true and falfe. Dr. Sibs Fouw. tainfeakcL Sets a proprie- Sim. Expof. Thus God feaK And every Siint feaJs by rhe Tame Spirit, $ . By refling on thee in tbc way. 2 68 The Spirit mak^s m voluntary. Lib.II.! Sim. Tfeis Dave rcfts m the Ark, no where e]fe. The Church is Tfee Spirit is bnx one in all. Sim. IS- The difference 'fcetwixr Hypo- (crites and true Church*Menr bers3in the vo- luntary moti- ons into this £fetu«hiUce. And Paul faith, 1 he p^wer of Chnft refis upon him% 2 Cor ,12. p» The Word u^mvyn iv*.mi}it>u> that is, as the T>ove which wandred about, and net found reft, nor where to fet the file of his foot: In this world iniquity doth abound, and the waters are up, and the floods are To high, that the Dove, i.e. the Spirit comes again weary and fpent, into the <^4V^, and from thence is feat out: So that this Spirit found Chnft fuch an Ark^ and relied there; and findes the Church fuch an t/frh^ and refts there , ("yea, a Saint in a fence, fuch an Ar\, and refts there ;) And from thence, he is fent out (by CM-effengers , »f/wx of Grace, &c.) abroad and about the world, to finde footing among them without ; but often- times he returns with this tale, That the waters are too high yet. Bat here the Spirit refts, and by this the Church is known to be Chrih. We are all baptised by one Spirit^ faith the Apoftle, I Cor. 1 2,13. Into one Body, and made to drink in- to one Spirit* So Eph,q 4. We are one Body, and have one Spi- rit -, that is, As one Soul in the Body, quickens, moves, go* verns, comprehends all, and every M f ember , fo doth one Spirit in the Church every Member, Eye, Ear, Hand, Head, Foot, &c. It is one and the fame Soul, that acts in every one, and all the Members y though in a different way • as the Eye to fee with, Ear to hear with, Hand to work with, Toot to walk with, tongue to fpeak with^HeW to plot with, &c. And fo many feveral ways the Sonlworkj, and yet is but one and the fame $ fo the Spirit works in divers ways, and fundry man- ners* 1 Cor. 12. 4. in feveral Members ; fome to prophecy, ! fome to uach, fome to exhort, fome to overfee, fome to df I reft and rule, fome to difiribute, &c. £001. 1 2-. 4,6, 7, 8» i fome to one thing, fome to mother $ and yet it is but one and the y^,w Spirit. This *»* W J^ fame Spirit refts upon every Member , and we mufl by this one Spirit be brought into this Bsdy of Chrift, which is his Church. Thus Ihave done with the inward inflrument of working in w, and winning upon us, to enter into Chwch-fellowjhip* Now in this, there is an apparent difference between Hypo* i rites, and true Saints, cntring into thlsrvayz K true Saint is made mUing and fpontawM by a principle within-, but a fijiemtfi. Chap. 2 . Voluntannefs and Violence , repugnant. 269 Hypocrite ) or any other man, h moved as the Automata are moved, or things of artificial motion, as Clock* <> Jackj, or the like engines of ingenuity : It is fome weight without \ thacpoyieth Lhem, and puts them upon motion ; fo fome- thing or other that is without, fwayethy and workjth, and weigbeth upon the heart s of Hypocrites, to make them wilting (as we faid before concerning 'Dublin) and not an inward principle. But thus we have done wkh the instrumental or organical caufes of carrying the will on in the way of Chrifl ; which is matter for a Re a f on of the neceffity of a voluntary canfe\ that is3 becaufe the fVo/d and £/?/>/* are the two ^rw/ which the L corrupt , or JLntichnftian condition, they have no call to come ; and when they are thus called, and convinced as before, they come running by a voluntary inftinft, and <70»- Jfotf* flowing up (morefumink) as the tide by a natural in- iUnfr, and not by compulsion) into the mountain, where the Lords houfe is en the top of all mount ains^ I fat, 7^ But con- iider 7. Laftly, That becaufe the will 'of man is inclined, and carried on into the way of Chrifl (a 5 wc faid before) (ab in- teriori principio) by an inward infiwtt and principle^ and all kinde of coattion, or violent compulfion comes from without , (ab exteriori principi**) therefore it is a high abfurdhy , a groundlefs and irregular opinion , and pofitively repugnant even to xhe principles of one (piritualized, and made willing by the power of Chrifl, to call for compul five powers > to pro- mote the 72^7/ 0/ CArtf? ^ or to bring in any man that way, feeing ( violentia direBe 'opponitur volunttno, & violentia can fat involuntarium) he muft be a voluntier. And this will ferve as the feventh Reafon, to ratifle this truth , That men muft not be compelled,but come in voluntarily,* for violence- vsincmfiflent with the will. Thus under fever a 1 con [i derations hath this point been offered for a volmtarinefs, to be wrought in us by the pewer Mm 3- Trap in loc. ofChrift, before we venture or enter into his Church-way. Mow a man may be faid to be voluntary two ways ; direBly or indire&ly. I. DireBly. Then the will is the agent of his witlinglhefs, f having an inward principle,) even as the fire (having the principle of beat) is the agent of heat in the water. But fuch a one as is 2. IndireUly voluntary , is made fo by force outward means, promifes, or threatnings ; hopes or fears, or the like ; and fuch a one will be Adangereus> doubting, and diflurbing tjfylember* But fuch men and women as are direBly voluntary, by the means I have mentioned in this Chapter, may come with welcome : For they are called and invited, and if there be firfl a willing minde (faith the Apoftle) you are accepted^ 2 Cor. 8* 12. For Chrifl will enjoy (fayes one) his Spoufes love andperfon by a willing contraB, and not by a ravifhment ; He is none of them, he will have the heart, to confent with all the heart* O then I let us fay with the Apoftle, the love of Chrift conftraineth us ; and with Job 32. 1 8. The Spirit con-1 ftraineth us. Thefe are the bcft and fwecteft compul jive powers. But thus for this Chapter. IP \ b< hi CHAPr C hap. 3 . ihofe that are tkutfatufied, muft unite, 271 $ v| $ iji ^ ^ vj- ^ if) l> <| l| ^ v|i f ^ f ijt I I CHAP. III. in -tier nip-npDE72 SagadT>ur. or TagadVur. After this full perfwafion and voluntary motion , and concurrence^ comes in the communion of Saints, by an orderly uniting and embodying together in a folemne order , fuhableto thefolemnity of the Ordinance} and that infome publike place. MAny there be that in the time of the Churches tran- Many Inrru- quilliiy will intrude , and pretend mllingnejfe with ders« the Lords people to goe about the Lords work; and build ; efpecially when -earth!) powers and Rulers lookkindiy upon us, and allow us our liberty to go and build, and when thejr as* Patrons, and preteding Fathers 3 prove favourers and abetters of what we are about. But let us have a care ! and /ay with , Zerubbabel* and the reft of the Fathers §f Ifrael 9 Ezra 4.2,3. It is not for yw and us (joyntly) to build an bwfc mto gut God,- yon have nothing to dos ftitb ut , but we our [elves together will build it\ untofk Lord God of Israel. Remember that wee area people that rauft be fsparate , the cleans from the mdtant , the holy (torn the prepkane 3 and by one free confenx ( being fully convinced) concurre together in this wvrke of the L,rd Without the unclean hands or belpt of them without, who are adversaries to Sion. Now becaufe our Ruler h the God of 'order ■, Order in the'- and not of confufion , h« would have all things done in decency,] chirch. and in order, 1 Cor. 14,40. iMytyhvat that is (compofitHrnQri-lL00*'1*** bus) fitly for ufe and ornament to the Church, which is a rule \ t:x?°r (faiesone)of great requeft andinqiuft, both for real and ^g* ^ ritud\ icn. 27* Rttual Order left to liberty. Lib.II. Grdwat'wes in ccc/ejia fa, chndte. Ordofomdj Et materia. Ritual order and decency, Left to liberty Luther* \ Caution. t i This is no Ac I form, ritual decency which is to be obferved, and is of much con- cernment* And for this Coloffe was Co largely commended, Col.2.5. and Cbrifk himfelfe fourfweet Matter) intimates (o much in letting downe the people on the graffe, Mattb.14. l8* and 15. and feeding them, ran^ebjranke (ask were) as they /a?. So his Churches are called beds of fpices, Cant.6.2. that is , as beds and Borders orderly fet out , to (hew us what delight he hath to live in an orderly and well fet out feciety* Order is Gods Ordinances Now to make up this order , fome things are extra-effential^rxd left to liberty according to what is requifi:e to the conflitution and condition of the Church 5 and other things arc effintial, and pofttively relate as well to the beings as well-being of the Church we muft grant that men rauft not be tyed to fuch things as oinecefshy but they are left free,whether to ob- ferve them , or change them3 as often as there is caufe for the I ufe and excellency of the Church. I could not omit to premife thus much before I proceed, J and (hall fay with Luther , What if any one Church ml! not imi- I tate another in things indifferent and doubtfully outward and cir- | cumftantial, ritual and formal ? Tet what needto thereof com' \ pulfion by Powers^Vecrees, of Cwncels, or the /% ; which are pre- | fently converted into fnares and larvs\ and as he faith to the Church I at Wittembergs (about the form of celebrating the Supper) in \ qulbm omnibus cavendun^ne legem exlibertate faciamui^&c.Be fure that our liberty be not made a Law by men.and afnare to fouls } fuch a warning I will give the Reader ere I go on, that he confine not his light , opinhn9 judgement , or perfwaf.on to mine here (or any other mans) in thofe things which are left to liberty ; 1 am not about eftablifhing a (et Form of Difcifiin* , or ma- (king a 1)ireclory as neceffary for others to walkj by, ortoe«- £f» I fnare any foules, or trouble any confeiences^ but to fet before J you f as is given me from above, and that by meafure ) the pattern of Gods houfe ;and as for this Form of embodying together by d{okmn otderjNblcb I am now treating of in this Chapter (as we ha Ye promifed elfe where) you have our experiences of Chap, 3 Order in embodying, 273 of it, and f roofs for ic, and may follow it, if you pleafe(it be- ing in out judgement the moft orderly , and heavenly manner we have met with , and moft Scriptural and conjonatit to rule both of Reafon and Religion.) Now premising thus much, and promifing this more, that 1 fhall heartily imbrace, and willingly give way to the unction from on high in better te act- ings about this order y and be ready to receive from any, whatfeever (hall be offered as more ufeful and profitable in this forme of uniting ; I (hill proceed. ' In order to a communimof Saints in a Gofpel- Church- fiate, thofe who ircgtdlyAo often meet together; as inMd,'$>i6.ij. when all that feared the Lord,and thought on bk name ( and his worfhipj conferred often together ; and this is a dut) deeply in- cumbent to the Saints to do fo fir ft of ail5 and to fpeak often together, to p ray together 5 to make motion &/ the Lord ^ with favou ry fpeeches tending to edification, Eph«4*2?* and 5- 3s4« Heb.5.13. Jude 20. Acl.18.23. and this as often as there is an opportunity 5 and then you (hall finde, MaL^lf* after this the Lord promifesto fet upon gathering his people; then,/dM tbe Lord will I make up my bXO peculium 3 my jewels picked out , and binde them up together : And this day wherein I will doe this, (hall be a day of diflin&ion and [ef ae- ration betwixt the precious and the vile , the (beep and the goats; the righteous and the wc^ed, and then Verfe 18. (ballye difarne b'.tveen bimthatferveth God, and him that fervetb him not. Now I fay, in order to this,the people of God muft firft meet, and that often together, to try, and have knowledge, and experience of one another, to inquire after one another, and all together , by their joynt prayers , and offerings to contribute their be ft to- wards the buildingupoi this Tabernacle* Then let all vaine communication be kept put, Epb* 5 4. and let your words bee (avouryand feafoned with that fait of the word ( that hath not loft its favour ) and be ready to axfwer any objection^ .orgae/r/'osthat (hall be made, O/.4.6. exhorting and pnvokjng one another to duty, Heb.3.13. and 10.24,25. and declaring to one another their clear [atiffatlien and full perfoafion of the way of Chrift 3and their manifefting of /esg/?*g fond affetli- est for thefe Courts of -the Lord* and to be in his amiable Ta- N n hernacUiy 1 Chnftians meet 'cgether often fi. ft, and why I To prepare for the work. E*jpo£ 274 Order in embodying. Lib.II. Sain ts not ty- ed to one Church, And fetondly, logivcuprheir Dimes together ^Keep^ayesof humiliation & prayer. Which ha- beut qttxtuer. i Invocatiovcm Del 2 Commemora- iionem beneficn Vei. 3 Pttit ionem, 4.. Et obfecra- tionem. Ail which nuiftbe * In ikvat'wc mentis ad Deum 4. % Fidtickim* fetmdi. bcmacles, Pfal. 84. 1 ,*• faying one to another, Come, let m goe up to this mount Aim of tie Lord, the boufe of the God of Jacob , and he will leach us bk wayes, and we will w*lk$ in hit patbes, lfa.2.2,3, and as king the my toZhn with your faces thitherward, faying, Comes and Lt us )o)ne ourftlves unto the L.rd^&c. Now this is preparatory to the W9rke of embodying which follows , and ycc thefeg9. i,2. 2 Chror.*$o.i%,i 9, 20. ^#.14.23. this they doe by themfelves feparate from others, tiebm.g. 2. anditisufually amoft tumbling heart- breaking day 3 whilft thfcy come before the Lord with feate and trembling , won- dring at hhhve to pitch upon them for fo great a mercy, to pick, them out and leave fo many behindc,to vifir them with Ught, and refreshings from on high , A&.$* Oh / how doth itkwfand of thefe confideratiens nult them before the Lord I and Chap. 3 Ofdev in embodying together. 275 and yec make (hem w'uh tearts to lay hold on all the pro- mises made to them in this wfe, and pre fling him with Mofes, Exsd.22 15 16* to be with them, and to goe before them in this work, for wherein fay they (hall ii bv fyowne that we and thy (defpiff d ) people have found grace in thy fight 5 is it not in that thou art with us >**d goeft with w, and guide fi m f By lbia^ (Jjallwe (Lord) and \by peeple be feparated and k^owne frmall the other people (without) that are round about us : Then fore fay they. torZiomfcVe We will nit hold our peace, nor give thee reft, till thy riobteoufntjf; goe before us as bri&btneffe , and jalvation be in the midfx ef us at a lamp that burnetb , Ila.62.1.7. and tiS thou M' made us a pratfd in the earth •> and we be called tbt holy people , the redeemed of the Lord, Hepbzibab, and Betdab, Verfe 4. and 12. We will not goe up (iayihey to the Lord) wiihjut th)pre[ence with us ; if tJ) presence go not xovb us , carry us nt up htnee, &c. This, or thefc dayes thus boldy> folemnly, andfpiritually fpenx, the people lock like the new mown grajfe (or tender /prmgj) that hath the Sun (hining upon it arterapwre. Othen, what a humble holy frame of (pint may "wee rlndeamongft them/ what Angel-like looks 1 fweet words, ChriuSan car riages are there then ? O how theybleffe the Lord with much alacrity and life for the returns made upon their Jjp/rm! that the Lord is with them , and will guide them by his ownc frefence , and they give in an account to one another ( before they part) of their confidence and cwifot ts which they finde within,being fully perfwaded the Lord will be with them, and calling for the time to be appointed when they (hall make a Church-body and unite *, having nothing to obf.mcl:, but the iml^fl/tJbeLor^ lying plaine before them, they fet apart the day for that duty, and (if any be nigh ) they fend and feek out for the affi fiance of fome other Church, as it were to )oyne with them , and bear teflimoxy to them upon that day; and at ttte parting at the end of the day and duty , will give to them the right band ef felfewfbip as a Symbole of love , and of approbation (as Parens hath it in the Margin , lib.2.p*i6i» In- time cwjunclionif fymbolum^non autboritatis ) of frisndfjjip and familiarity , not of Lndfbip and authority. But as Bez* fayes, Porrexerunt mamm, qmdfymhlum ejfet *t$re inEvangeiii dotirink J Ani wnxf» 4. The day rhcy are embo- dy cd» They sppcar in pub i iie* Powerful in prayer. Nchsnr?. i,i. 216 Order in embodying together. Lib .11.' \ummaconfenfionit ; So fayesf*«/, Gal. 2. when J amer and Cephas, and Jq'qh perceived the grace that was given me, chey gave unto roee and Barnabas the right hand of fellowfoip, (vide Expofttots and Seftutgint in Gal.z<) (o that it will bee very comely, and an argument of their love , and good-liking, but it is not necefary; wherefore to proceed. The day appointed being brought in now as upon the fhoulders of the Saints to be united together, I meane by the daily prayers and preparations for this great and weighty Wirke; they judge it (for the reafons which follow) to bee mo&expedienu and more to the honour of Jefus C brill , and more to the con* vincing of them without, on this day ( however) to appear in publikj: (unleffe there be perfection) I meane in fuch a place where any that will may come to hear,and carry away what they can. This day is begun and kept on for fome faures with the prayers of the faithful, as A&. 8. 15. as John and Peter began it in Samaria] and for the (ame effett, viz. that the Holy Gbofl might failupcn them this day, and reft on them. They pray not in a fltight 5overly formal way , but with an holy vi$* lence,x.o befet, and to take heaven by force, and bounce hard, with the greatefi might for the greatefi mm?, and with an united lively power for the large pourings cut of the ur.clion from on high upon them , e/^JM.14. even antill the roow, or hwfe is ready to (bake a? ain. But after this*, there is forme preparatory Sermon, orfpeech made (by one that is able, and appointed , thereto) full of exhortation, as A&.i 1.23, Barnabas bid them tr/fb fwrfo/V e/ heart t@ cleave unto the Lord , and as in Nehem, & 1 .Seethe book of the Law was hrmghx out and read in a msft religious manner to all that csuld hear, boib men and women, and all the peoples ears were aitentive* V.235. which Ezra opened in a Pulpit of Wood where heftojdfor tbatpurpofe,\T.4.$>o4nd tbenbUjfed the Lerd^and aU the people^'id, Amen, AwenJif ting up their bands* ^horrat'on*. Verfe 6. and befides Ezra,Joflwaalfo.2iridBani^nd Sbertbiah, Jamin&nd others5&c.Verf.7 S\read in the boshjn the Law ofGsd difiindly^ and gave the fenfe 3 and caufed the people to under ft and! So I fay, it is fit that the book of Cbrifts Law be at that time read openly, unto which he who preaches and exhorts , is prin- cipally appnnted'i^^Pulpit of woodln thepablikep/dc^orelfe- where Chap. 3 . Order in embodying together, 277 wherfjwhich is as convenient for all pe9plcs3mtn and n^w^thac ^51° will come of all forts to hear : For then the rules that the\ £^0°££ Church \$ga\heredby , the grounds upon which they embody^ togethei 3 and the Gotyel-order and feUovzjljip of Salncs ac- cording toC/;ri/fr jLi'Asare all laid open,f roved and pre^ed^that it may appeare to all that h;are and underfill that they doe nothing without the Law of O;r//r,to which the peoples ears Vctf be ver) attentive ( as we have experienced in fome places already) and fuch as have before ( through iqnorarxz of this Gofpel- order) been enemies to it, and inveighed again!! it , and now came but to laugb at it , and to carry tales , and make fcofes, were (upon fuch a day) convinced by it, and inclined to it , enquired after it , b:ing as it were dazled and amazed ztx.hz beauty of it, when it came to bee opened out of the Word) and to appear armed with argument of prsof out of the Lawes of Jefus Cbrifli and then they cryed> Amen, Amen9 unto ifa (probatum eft.) But now after this is declared to all, what fj[>ey eke , and why | »6ey rfe this which they are about ro doe 5 their Puiles , Rea- fons. Grounds Scriptures , and Proofs being produced and drawn up,as it were , into a compendium ; but fo as that the 077 #• f'*n doe lye obvious, and as m ich as may be beyond oh- jeclion : Then the next thing that followes , is the Confejficn of Faith, begun by him who is appointed thereunto as the able!} to lead the way hitherto ; this £rotkr befides g:ves an account of the worke of grace upon his heart, holdingoutat lead fome of hts Experiences ( and fuch as are moil ufcfull for fuch an Aftditory J 1 PiC.3.1 5. with faeetntffe and humi- lity of fpirit, fo as thereby others may judge him laid upon the Fiu*dath*h anc* beln ^regenerate flate, and changed from darkpeffe into light from death to life ,from a (rate of nature into a flate of gracCyZnd to have indeed feUowfbip with the Father and the Ssnne j I Joh.1.7. Bit I purpofe toiniift upon thefc particulars more at large in the Chapters that foliow. But after this Braf&rhath delivered himfelfe at large (having the more liberty, becaufe he leads, as it were, others , and I Gods w left the makjiejfe ol * Brother %'iYe advantage to them without, to harden their hearts againft the truth , and left thereby Chrift (hould Jufer in his honour, and the Church in her happineffc ) I fay,fuch Brethren as are ablt ft to fpeake, are appointed for that enecay, being fo pubhke : And thefe,as Jejbua^Bani^Sherebiah :J amin^c.veid in the Scriptures the Law of Cbrifr dilWn&ly 5 1 mean^they Jay down the Scrip- tures and grounds of their fat if fatlien and full perjwafon to enter into this way (as that which Jefm Chrift our L<*3> giver hath laid out) and they declare their (en(e and judge- ments,and then proceed as the former Brother did In rendring ureafonoi that lively hope which is in them; by Confeffionof faith, Experiences of the wotke of Grace* and the lik% declaring their cleaving to the Lord in this way with fuUfurpafe ef heart, Thus as many as are appointed, and thought fit for that day, doe goe on one by one in order a« they are fet out, and pof- fibiy on this day but few fas eight, or ten,or more>or IcfTc) may be appointed, and in the number for thefidt ; becauie the works is this day the moft d/jf/r«/f, the moftpublikj, and muft be moft efpecially regarded , and wifely and watch- fully carried on* Befides fas c/finfwortb fayes) the Church is fmall atjjrjf, a little graine of mu(tard-feed , which is the leaft of all feeds, Mat.i^^aBdas Ifrael once was the feweft of all peoples, Deut. 7 7. Chrift began but with two at firft, and God hath pro- mised to take thcm3but ow*of a City and two of aTribe^r. 3,14. and thefe are the poore, defpifed,contemptiblee»e/of the world too for the molt part3iCsr.i. 26^27, 28. and itftialbe faid of iT/fiB, Pfal&j. S^.This.or that man was born th?re, fo that not numbers are to bee expt&ed (or indeed to be deiired) at firft , but rather to be a little ft one cut without bands, and growing greater >and greater, and fo a little one fbal become a tboufand. After they be gone thus far3fome wil have a formal Covenant in wri- I ting brought forth for thefe to fubkribe, and Co all others as \ they And Refolua- on. And Praifes. Chat>, 3, Order and Ordinance J olemnt and Pubhque. 279 they enter ; but a Covenant they have taken, and engagement R^gifter. mads before, which may be will appear (ufjicient when wee come in the following Chapters to fpeake of the Cove- jPraJrer- nant. But after all this is done , their names are taken to- gether into the Regifter, Nebem.j. 5. Ail. 1.15. upon Record (againft whom no exceptions could be made as before) aad thefe doe by payer together give themfel ves up unto God, and one to another willingly , 2 Cor.8.5- to worfhip the Lord^nd to walke together with him as a Church, and to fcrve him in all his ml! revealed to them , as fuch whom the Fatbsr hath picked tut for that pur pofe, 7*6.423. 1 Pet.z^. and to bee helpful! to one another in particular , and to the wbolsbody in general, according to their duties mentioned in the Statute* book, of Cibri/?, which is alwayes.to lye open before their eyes* And to conclude this bufie day, they poure out prayers and praifes in fuch a meafure, that as it was faid of Ifrael, in Ezra 3,13. when the Foundation of the Temple was laid, that they could not difcerne the ntife of the (bout of joy, from the nodfe of weeping, both were fo great : So here it may bee faid , the Saints are fo filled with praifes , and with prayers , that the nri\e of the one can hardly be decerned from the wife of the other. And as upon the reading of the Loft in Nebem.i 3.1.3;. feparation was prefently pra&ifed from the mixed multitude, fo that they (eparatedfwn Ifrael all the mixed multitude \ fo thefe are now a people no more to be reckoned among the Natiws* without , but fuch as are feparated front, the mixed multitude.. A* for other Brethren , and the Sifters which are to bee ad- mitted, they doe make their Confejjionof Faith, and (as wee have heard before) declare their full fatUfa&ion, and clear the The Church w$r\e of God upon their hearts by his Spirit in private (jj admits when mrane) when thefe people thus enchurchd together arer^6183101*8' alone by themselves, feparate from the mixed multitude) being now a Church in viftble order. And their admiffiw is mod pro- per fo, becaufe the world mould takemo notice of their weakjieffe'm utterance or expreffion> or the like, whereby to upbraid tham.and the truth. Bat this I pjrpofe to fpeak to afterward-, in the mean time, I, and hundreds of the godly with me muft needs be much offended at thepracfife of fome that 28o borne are emvodyed^ but not in dxt order . LiB.lX HownfWy feme embody. Sad fgn of i breach. Expof. The roo£ fo- iemne Oder murt accom- pany the mo ft foiemne Ordi- nance. Sim, Dikf that run prepoftercufly | info a way of fellowfbip without any rule laid downe, or any Law of Cbrijl read and opened, upon which they embody together , clearing nothing of the^y firify© give [aiisfaftion to fuch as jit in darkneffe to irYbut with- out any day of humiliation, or due preparation for this weighty works, without any foiemne pra)ers , ( and ferious felf-exami- nations) on afuddenjn an hours warnivg or two , and in fonie place or other too that is unknowne to any but themfelves, they wriie down their names together, choofe officer', and all at once,and Co in an houre or two's tJmf,Tiake up a Body, and call themfelves a Churchy and then all that will be joyned> muftbee jojned to them that are thus jumbled together in darkpejfe, and in a moft undecent and undue order; but let them remember that in i Cbron. 1 5:23» 7be Loidmadea breach upon them/or that t)ey feugbt him not after the due order ; as D/£*faith, The failing in apre/cr/^edf(3rw^//>>(which fome would think nothing, and that God regards not) canfes a breach upon thern,inftead of a blejsing-, foprecifely Ariel: is God to require the moft foiemne order too in the moft foiemne Ordinances > and Co quick: lighted a, Judge he is in fmall prevarications in fuch cafes. For as to goe and fetch the Ar\e^ and to enquire of God at it,was an Ordinance of God,but to negle&the/o/*wwi/y of carrying it, and to carry it in a Cart hurrying , and not on their [boulders , and to neglect to fan&ine themfelves for that jervice , but to runne to it hand overhead, was not Gods order: So alfo this Church 'gathering, or uniting together into aGoftel Ckurch-fiate is an undeniable and fo- iemne Ordinance ot God, andLan? ofCbrift; but to doe it without any ferioufneiTe, folemnity,or the like,hurrying3and rufhing into it without due regard and heed, and neglecting prayers, faftings* holy conferences, and preparatory means ap- pointed to feafon us, and fanclifie us, and qualifieusfor this great duty9\s doubt Jefie a great offence to God, and I am lure none of his order. And what muft we then expec*l?bereeveit, a fore blow;Tfoe Lord [mote them; it proved a fad day to them I at lad : and if this feverity was but for failing in outward or- I der>in carrying the Ark$ox\ aC or elfei he will deny his blefjing. But I (hall performs my frtwife , and fo conclude this Chapter: there is a great deale of reafon and order In it, to have the firfifolmne day when we are to embohy and unite, per- formed in publike, in the times of the Churches peace and fafety,andthat thofe who are judged (indeed) able to fpeak (without difcredit to the Gojpel, or the Church) fhould make their fpeecbes alfo in publick , in the bearing of all that will. Firft, Experience hath given it in as a great means to con- vince men of the way, fuch as upon that day have ftepped out cf their (hops j and fpared an houreor two out of meer novelty ; why thefehave heard the way Co laid open before them out of Scriptures (and fo proved andpreffed from precepts and pratlife, that they have gone away with another fpirity and if not altogether, yet with Agrippaalmoft perfaaded, now they have not fuch an opportunity when you doe clandestinely and clofely embody together : Chrift went often into the Synagogues to convince the J ewes, and to reprove the Scribes and Pbarifees, he was fure to finde them there , and he would lofe no opportunity: So he difputed with the Doclors in the Temple, and put them to filence , for he would goe to them where hee knew they would bee, feeing they would not come to him. Thus -<4i7.i8.23. this is the emi- nent character of ApoUn that he mightily convinced the Jewes^nd that publicity , /hewing by Scriptures, &c&vt£m and of all their hard fpeeches, which he (hall doe with a vengeance; aodthatwill be more then if it were done in a corner, viz. to do it openly. So certainly this is a fie opportunity to bee in Oo publike Why the firft day in pub- like folenanity. Reafon ll Icistmre to convi&ion. Videchip.6, p.93.&c. Chrift did fo Exjof. Jude v.if< 2Sl Embody together tn a publike place. Lib.1L Reafori2. It would pre- vent many fcancUls. Rex PUt> Retfon 3. For the Honour °f the way, Sim* Sxpif: fublity for this purpofe, and to caft the net in where the moft Fifb meet together. Secondly, This would flop the wife mouths of many, and prevent the fcandals which are raifed byreafonof [ecret and elofe embodying together ', many (and fuch as are godly too) be ready to cenfure fuch prattijes^as if they were cfiiamed to bee fecn, as JoJb.3.19. Ibis it their condemnation*, they loved darkle fe rather then lighu becaufe \fair deeds were eviQ. ? op ifh Religion was laid in darlyieffe , and lives in it, uniefFeit be under bafiard- lights, as candles , and fuch as are of mens makf* Tene- brionts Pafifl* male ftbi con[ci'h aiermmatri & tetrh&c. and fo doth ail the falfe. Truth is hurt, and cannot heJpe her felfe, when (he is kept a clofe prifwer and immured up; and when (hee is not let out to fpeake for her feife, men are apt to take • for truth what is fpoken againft her; therefore it is that Peter calsfoupon us3iPef.2,is.tohave us come abroad .and be feen among men, that by our good workeh w* might flop their mouths that peake againft us as evil! doers. This would remove many fcan- dals which men raife, as if we were of a falfe faith , and all erroneous ^er^ns*. and a company of Hypocrites 3 and Pharife€s> and the likc:would we but appear in fublikg upon that day of embodying, whereby all men may hear our Creed^nd the Evi- dences of Geds gracious mrksupon our hearts, and Comefigns of our oneneffe with Chrift y and then the world will belsevt, Joh. 17. 21*13. Thirdly, It is much for the credit of the (je/pe^and for the praife of Zion, that her beauty appears in publikfj and her ami- able beams- (h'me abroad. Beauty loves to be fetn; the Smne hath the more honour and praife , and efteem, by how much the more he (kines abroad , and about; and the Church is (in thefe dayes) to look, Urtb as the morning, Cant.6. 10. bright* beauteous, lightfome^and welcome (after the dar^e night of Antichriftian ignorance y and error, which we have been fo long under.) Now (hee is to arife in puhlike , and to hi [ten by all* and in an afcending light from year to year; from one admini- (Iration to another, till it be perfect day, Prov.4.18. and high* noon> Cane, 1 .7. and every yeere there (hall be more light then in the former > Eph.$. J:4< Veniente ferfeSo evacuatur imper* fetfttm); C h a v .5 . Embodyed together in a puttike place, 283 fttlttm) tor it is noc an evening , buc a wor«i»g %fo , lia.58.8- and zhetifo\low>Faire at-tbe Moon, in Heb. Lebanab 9 (hining fcri^to (hew when (he appears thus in publikffzs the morning) file appears in pulchritude ,to the admiration or all othcrs(a8 in Verie 9. before.) Thus Ese/^. 16 14 Thy renowne Went forth among the heathen for thy beauty, &c. Clear as the Sunne, and ter- rible as an Army with Banners, i.e. then, when fhee appears and lookf forth- in publike abroad, as the morning, O what a terr&r is fliee to all the enemies of truth! when they fee Saints in a. good array, rank?, and or^r, to march together in one body, all armed with the Amir of God, and under one Captaine of their falv at ion, againft one and the fame enemy. This is the benefit of appearing in public, and it addes much to the name of Chrifi, and to the glory of the Church. See but e^^.5.13. when the Saints came forth into a publikf place, viz. Solomons Torch ; O what b«no«r they had by it! in that little time, faith the Texr, The people magnified ibsm \wyL\iunv and honoured them, and the way which they were in. Doubt- lelTe might Cbriflians in primitive times have had their liberty, they would alwayes have been in publike* Fourthly , It anfwers the Rule moft, to appear in puhli\e upon that day,and in that duty jit is moft coming up to Cbrifis Cmmands, fee Mat.xo^f.Wbat Itellyou (whether concerning BMrine or Difcipline) fpeakf abroad in the open light, preach it on the boufe- tops , that is, in the moft patent and publike places 5 teaching them to obferve whatfoever 7 have commanded you, Matth.28.20. thus Wifdome fends forth her Maidens to cry and call in the open fir eets, and in the moft puhlike places of the City where is greater! refort , Prfl^.9.3. and Cbrifi tells his Difciples in Afor^ 4,21. there b?# Hot 4h;» thing kfpt infecrets but fitaf it (hould come abroad. Fifthly, This p'Mik* appearance would be moft anfwer- able to Chrifis pratlife -, yea and his Apofiles and Saints too in the primitive times (though then dangerous;) fee what Cbrifi faith, ?ob.i$.20t I fpakf openly to the world, I ever taught in the Synagogues and in the Temple, whither the Jem alwayes refort, and in fee ret have I [aid nothing* So Ac~t.20.20* I kfpt backf no- thing, faith Paul; that wm profitable unto you , but bavefijewsdyouy Oo z md «ta Much honour is hid by pub- lick embody- ing- Expaf. Reafon 4. Moft conso- nant to Chrilb Law. Expof. Reafon ?. And to Chrife pra&ife. 184 ■■■■' ■ '■ ■» Embody together in a publike place. L 1 b .II. Beafon 6. To the way it Sim* frith. In fox Aft. and Moflufel. J? 17. Redfsx.j." To ftir up o- shers inte the way. and taught you publicly. Thus the Church of Epbefus was brought out into publik* too fometimes. Sixtly, This publike praftife 3znd uniting together , is more d»- fwerable to the work? it felfe (being a worke of light) and there- fore it ought to bee done in light, and openly, for Veritas ab- fcondi erubefcit, J0K3.2I. He that doth truth, cometb into the light # that bis deeds may be manifeft, that they are wrought of God (faitYv Cbrifl,wbe is Light.) that is, all as from God, and for God\ fuch are neither aftiamed of their principle, nor of their end,. & quoad font em & quoad finem , faith Aug. in kc* The ho- neft Tradefman is content his Wares fhould be carried to the ftreet-door from the dim fhop-board. It is for Herefie to hide ic fclfe, faies Hall', And for Antkbriftianifme, and falfe Wares to loath the light 3 they are Bats and Ofr/ejthat love not to be feen. But let m wallas children of light, Eph* 5*8.1 1 .It is faid of John Frith Martyr , that when the Arch" bijhops man would have let him gone away , and efcapedj faith he, no ; If you goe to Crojden, and tell the Bifhop that you have loft Frith , I will follow as fall as ever I can, and tell him,I have found Frith again, and would deliver my felf into his hands; for what do ye think5that I am afraid to declare my opinion before the Bifhops in a manifeft truth3or to come into publi^ no / Seventhly, I (hall addc one reafon more to this , and that is the Incouragements which others would hereby have to )oyn in that fellowlbipSov the publikf appearance of the Cbrifiians \ inSolomons Porcb,A&. 5.12, was very attrallive as in V.i4.Be- leevers were the more added to the Z,*rd3rnulcitudes both of men and women. So that the Clwcb loft nothing, but got much by it, whilft Clandefline embodying difcourages many,&c. It muft needs be fo, that when people come to fee fuch an amiableneffe and excellency in this way of Cbrifi above all other wayes, and how the Beloved is in this Ghqrch-^e the beft of all beloveds , carrying away the Banner from ten thou* Jands, and that his pre[ence ismoft familiarly and ravifhingfy in thefe gardens enchfed (and this appeares to be promi/ed and proved out of Scriptures;) I fay it muft needs bee, that their bowels will earnc after thefe wyes , and to live in thefe gar- dens % Chap, 3 . Tubliek andfolemn Embodying, is orderly. 285 dens, when ihcy know what the way is (as when the Daugh- ters of Shn didask^firft (of Chrift) what is be ? Cant.j.9. And then (when they heard how he excelled) the next queflion is, Cant. 6.1. 0, where is he ? whether is be gone ? &c) So when they hear what thu way is, the next queflion will be, 0, where U it? how (hall we get in ? ttli us, that we may feek^bim with thee 5 that we may partake of thefe priviledges with you : And they (hall fay, fVe will go witbyeti) f§r we have beard, that God it with you, Zzch.%. 2$. Many Keafons more I might adde hereto, snd produce more Scriptures to confirm and ftrengthen this Exbortatien of I appearing in paMc^upon that day efpeciaJly, (fedjatfapien-l ti.) In a word, 7/ >e« do tfoe/i things, (bet* thy fdf to tbeworldt \ John j. 3. Let all men fee and obferve how fweetly your, praftife agrees with Cbr//r/ Precept, and this r?^ wi:h his Words till which time, men funnize much evil of you and your opinion, and think you are without warranty and walk by fancy, not by /*ir 5. As if a man, who never faw any dance in his life, {hould fee a company in a/ie/d (whileft he is afar off) and before he can hear any muftc]() he thinks them mad , wonders what they mean to skip about fo; but when he is come nigh, and hears the melody of the mufic\ , and obferves their dancing , and how they agree, both in time and order , with the tune of the mufichf, he then admires on the other fide; changes his former thoughts and judgement of them, and now is much taken and delighted with them, and marks with much afeclion the agreement of the foot to the tune, and could attempt to enter in> and be one amongfl: them, were he but ft for it ; and yet he can hardly forbear. So it is, that the vulgar and ordinary fort of people (fuch as are moft ftrarizers to this way of the Gofpel) may think you mad, and wonder what you mean , to feparate from their Farifl>wayes,tO]oynin fellow/hip in this orderly way ; till they come to fee how it doth agree with the Wtrd and Spirit ; and then they cannot but with much content obferve the Order , and minde the Word, and this way together^ to agree moft fweetly 5 and then they wifb to be in the number of them whofe pratlife appears fo home to the precepts and pre&il* of Oo 3 Cbriflt Expo[. But fee tfoofcfj- Survey of Church Dis- cipline, 3. part. eft*. Appear rheR in publikc. Sim* Sim* Many wonder at this way ©f the Gofpd, till they know it. • 2? 6 fublhhjmdfoUmn Embodying^ is orderly. Lib.II* Cbrift, and Saints in primitive timet. And that this fweet order 4nd agreement might be the more obferved and averted, I do heartily wiftv, for the honor of him, whom I ferve, that there may be no more Cbamber-embodyingsy but openly to all, for the eonv0hn of many, cfpecially now in the time of the Churches tranquillity and liberty. And let this be done by them in due order and/e/e&mztjf, anfwerable to the weight of the Ordinances and then they (hall grow up inalitbings in Jefm Cbrift their head, from whom the whole body fitly joyned toge- ther, andcompatted by tbatnbicb every )oynt fufplietb, according to the effectual wording in the measure of every part, fbaUmal^e in- crease of the Body, Eph. 4. 1 5 , 16. And in whom all the building fitly framed together, (ball grow up an holy Temple in the Lords Eph.2.21. Vt&vx expe- rience reaches moll of thefe things menti- CHAP. IV. t. Tiie is in the !toadn>tt bers, power Body Mem- The Church thm conftituted, takes in Member^ and of their Admiflion, upon clear Teftimony 5 and without dipping, or tying to Forms or Judgements. THe Church thutordcily gathered and united together, do receive in Members , as Ails 2. 41. #• ?. 1 3. &9*26. Now in their Admijpon, wemuftconfider, Firft, the Tower I that takes them in , and then fecondly, the Persons that are taken in. Firft, The power is the Churches , not the Elders or Officers, as fome would affert; to which Icannotaffent, becaufethac the Keyes were given to the Church, and left with them, Mat. I i6. ip. Jekmo. 25, And whom ye receive, fbmU be received*, I wbW)' fafc (or give liberty to) (b^Ube hojed \ mi wbomye re- j firm, Chap.4.T^ Church (not Elders) mufi admit her Members. 287 ftrain, [ball be retrained: The words are read in the plural mmbery in John 20. and in Mattb.16. fpoken to Peffr, as the j Repre[entateve of the reft of the Vifciples, and in the room Of j the wWcCtarcft, as apptars tromVerf.if. and 2o. where he I {peaks to all 5 and wefinde the Church ever took this Power in the places before mentioned. So Acls 9. 26, &c* and in Revel.2.2. faith the Lord to the Church of Epbefa> Thou try- efiQot examined) them which fay, they are Apoflles, and are mt, and ball found them Hers. Now as Perkins upon the place faye?, Chrift gave every one of the (even Churches (and fo Epbejtx as wejl as any other) power and authority, to take in, or keep out) or c // p leafed the Apoftles and Elders , with thewho)e Cbwcb>&c- The whole Church had the kpoMedge of it, the voting in it3 and conferring to it ; the Elders neither had, nor have any abfolute power in thcmfelves, and therefore can do nothing on their own beads, that concerns the whole^.% hath been fpoken in Cap.S.of tfce firft Bx)k,and is like to be at large difcuded in the third B:>ok, The Church hath the power and authority pofitively feated in het ; (cui in- e/r virtu? & mboritM effentialiter & neclffario, *) which (be may execute by hex felf (which is alw*ysbeftmd(afeft) or by her fervaritsz, Expof Proved. I "Expof. Mr. Perkfar* Dr. Aaesc Mr. Fennt'o It is nor in the, Elderstoad- mic. Wboarefer- vanrs. A watniog. i Cor. ?« i 88 The Church (not elders) rmfi admit her Members. Lib .II. j fervants that derive it from her. (^nibm ineft contingenter, & accident Miter & minus principaliter, fayes Dr. Whitaker de Cavil q.%* p.178,179.) Now if by her fervants^ as from her; then let the Church be Cure to fee orders and limits for her officers, in the execution of their derived or borrowed power * that they may know they are butfervantj, and not maflersy and are to be ordered by the Ciwrch , not to order the Church. For all are yours Sixth the Apoflle to the Church of Corinth, all, whether Taul, ApoMs >oi Cephas Dall yours to ^ ferve you. Now in this fence, we confent to a derivative power in Officers ( if need be ) to prepare matters for the Churches judgement ; and they may make way ready for the admijfion of CMembers, as by inquiring into their lives t questioning with the per fons, propounding them to the Church, and the like $ but neither by taking any in, nor putting any by, nor the like ; for that Power is abfolutely in the Body to admit, andjWg* fit; Thus * Cyprian Epijlolarum, lib, i. epijl. 5, And I am much miftaken, if Matter Hooker grants not as much in hi? Survey of Church-Difcipline, Part.?,, chap.i. but whether he does or no, that is all one to me ; the thing is proved. 2. The Terfons to be admitted \ or taken in, are chiefly to lie under conji deration, which are men or women. Wherein (as Mr. Hooker hath it) two things are to be attended. 1. What is to be done before. 2. What in their admif- fion. Firfl, What is to be done before. The per f on (or perfons) that does earneftly defire to be admitted, makes his defire known to the Elder, or fome Officer or Brother, who ac- quaints the Church therewith; then order is given to take his name into the firfi Record, amon* thofe that have been propounded for admijfion ; and the perfon is defired to come on another day : In the mean time the Church gives order to Come Officers or others, to inquire flrittlyt and to inform the Church carefully and honeftiy of the perfom life, the up- rightnefs of his converfatton ; his carriage to them without, and to them-wf^w » thorns and abroad) and what report ke * yix $kbi per- fuaieo ut ta- les p&utitur admitti. So E- pift. 1 f . C*~ terot cumi»gwri poputi fnjfiagh rceip'wfflt* And cannot admit any. a- The perfons admitted. Men er Women. 1. What muft be done before they be admit- ted. Their names to be taken. Sirift eaquiry madeofuhem. Chap.4 • £ Members to be admitted \ jtriHly enquired of 289 he hath among thofe that fear the Lord : As 'alio to deal with the faid per f on at fome time, by conference and quefiions, and to gather what he can of his knowledge and acquaintance in the thine 5 of God* For the hottefi Presbyterians i Mi*. Ruther- ford himfelf admits of this. That they ought to be neither fcandalous nor ignorant ; wherefore a fearchivg enquiry muft be made of them. Now, I confefs, I cannot rinde this work (with the New England Brethren) to be onely the Elders , and thofe that do it, to entrench upon the place of the El- ders ; but fuch as the Church appoints thereunto , have a Efficient call, and'do but their duty therein. Now the day appointed, being come, and nothing appears fcandalous^ o. fuificient (to the Churcti) to keep hiai off any longer (after this fufficient time of information) he is then called in to be admitted. But fome may fay., before I ftep further ; (lay Sir, fguefi. What is it you count fufficient to keep oneofF> Anfw. This hath been at large difcujfed in the former Bock^ Chapter 5. But in a word , If he lives in any kjiawn fin> either in commijfions of evil, or omifsions of his known duty, and makes this his/? raUife : Why, htprofeffes himfelf (fayes Mr. Hooker} thereby, not free to fubmit to the Laws of Chrifts not fit to be his fub]ec~v, nor to enjoy the pri- viledges of his Kingdom 5 not obeying the ^Authority of his Scepter. Nay, by fuch a finful life (in cafe he had crept into the Church ) he did enough to be caft out again. Secondly, what 1$ to be done now in admitting them ? The Church appoints whom to f peak, (who is ufually the Paftor) as the mouth of the Church ; and this the rather to reftrsn the wantonnefs and pride (as Mr. Hooker hath it) of fome mens fpir -its , which are ready to impede theyrogrefs, and pro*- fit of Gods ordinance in ad.mitting ^Members , by asking many nice, indirect, and unprofitable quefiionsy or the like : Now for orders fakj t and the peace of the Churchy when they have appointed whom to fpeak for the Church ; the per / on (formerly propounded, enquired of, and now to be admit- ted) is called in : His name is called^ and prayer made for P.p direttioq By fuchjtthom the Church appoints ther- unt3. What is e- nough to keep him off of ad- it! (lion. Mr. Hooker, Zi What is #' againft the per/»» propounded ; which is defiredoi' any that can, and upon what grounds. For >4#/ 9. 26. though *P^«^ aflayed to j♦ that thofe th,.t come to him} he would in no wifepui by, and upon thefe promifes I am come 5 the Word hath called me, and Chrifi hath called me, and bid me come, and I muftcome, without any worth inefs in my felf; and (hall I now be put by > —-With that (poor heart!} htvpaffage wasftopt with tears for a while, which drew tears from the tender hearts of di- vers in the Church, who obferved a great deal of grace, thorough thefe weeping words ; and yet her bold challenge of the promife, and of an interelt in tf^e Church (Chrifis Body), upon as free account (without any formal qualifications) as fhe had an biterefi in Chrifi the Head, having the like caH, &c. ("though there might be a miftake in fuch an apprehen- fion,) for qualifications are requifite in this external union Pp 2 that, If werk In ut- Terir ce, Watt then? Abk them que* ftons^eafe, and according to c:e ability of the pei fans* Ltcfm of Dublin admitted" Her broken (yetbrokea- hearted) fpecch. i^i The form, or rites, not too much urged. Lib.II, Sim. \1i.Wil Fmcr. & Take heed none be put by for a form, Mr. Veil. In outward forms and rite^ Caution* Rules. I. 3, that are not in the internal, we mud take Cbrift on his terms9 and the Church on hers ; yet (I fay) as when the Sun (nines through awatry cloud, fo (he appeared gracious and amiable in the eye of the Churchy and upon debate , her love, faitb> zeal, obedience, and grace, appearing to the fatnfaftionof all, this tender [wl was received. ~N^- I remember Matter Fenner in his Semen called Cbrifls Alarum to finners , mentions a ftory of Ztcmoflbenes , That when a man came and told him how a Neighbor had abufed him, and beaten him 3 uttering it coldly and carehjly, and fpoke it, as if he dreamed , Demoftbenes anfwered the man, That he could not believe it. No! faith the man ! in a paf- fion ! do you not 1 why he took me thus, aad held me here, and ftruck me thus and thus I fthe man a&ing it now zeal" oujly, &c.) And do ye not (faith he) call this beating .? will you not believe it? yes, faith Demoftbenes, now 1 believe thee ; for now thou fpeakeft, as if it were To indeed. So many will hardly believe any to be a Cbriftian,but fuch as can word it well, andfpeakj and ad zealouflj s but let them take heed of grieving tender hearts, in expe&ing too much from them, after the formal way of Jpeakjvgi leaft they mould fend any away, that keep not touch to toeir fancy and form. For as Dell faith, and it is true 5 It is a mod peftilent doclrine to make things neceffary that are not fo 3 for God regards not the fornix time, or cirewnfiances of fuch things fas to him) but they are left to us to beufed accordingto tbexvifdm and difcretion of the Church, without tyes upon the ffiirits of any. It is not tbeform^ but the faith, nor the appearance, but the power of god!inefs3 which we are. to eye and own, and which God does eye and own. In the mean time, feeing the Church, whiltl (he is with men, and dwells with flelh and blood, muft ufe fome external rites (which are not absolutely neceflkryjby which the Church is noihing (anfiified nor jatUfiea^) and things meerly of outward ■ erder and decency. Yet let her be furc to obferve thefe rules. 1. To order none of tbem^ as of necefjiiy^ or as if they were enough to take/;*, or keep out any ; and 2. Let all be done in the wifdom of gratey and by the dif- cretion and Aitettim of the Spirit 5 and 3. T> fcJMII I '■' Chap#4. Outward Rites not too much urged. Thirdly , To do all for peace and pieties fake , for order and edification. And Fourthly, Let all be done in deep love , and with fweetneffe effpirit in meeknefTe and humility , without rafbnefje or rougbnejfe. Tfaefe things obfervedj fuch a forme a« wee before fpake of, will not keep a good Chrifiian out of the Church, who is more to eye the fnbfrance then the circumftaricc. But of this more hereafter. A- Secondly, Or if any is to be admitted that is very un- able to fpeake in publike (T mean') in the Church , as fome Maids , and others that are 6ajhful£or the likf.) Then the Church choofes out fome whom ilie fees fit, againft the next Affembly to take in private the account of Faith 3 the evidences cfGods work? of grace upon his or her heart, which they either take in writing , and bring in into the Church, or elfe (which is moft approved) when that per fan is to be admitted , they doe declare by word of mouth , whilft fome eafie queflions are (notwithfhnding) asked of him (or her) for the Chur- ches fat is fall ion, and for the confirmation of what was before delivered in private to the brethren-, and then declaring his(or her)clear fat is faction inland full perfwafion of this way ofChrift, the party withdraws untill it be debated ; and when all con- fent to his admittance, and all objetlions and- fcruples are anfwer- cd, and every one declares his confent to accept of him into fellowfhip with them by fome u\en or other 5 the perfon is cal- led in againe, and the Pafln (moft ordinarily }or whom the C hurch appoints in his abfence to receive him with the right hand of fellowship in the name of the whole Ckrd> >ufing a (hort Exhor- tation, and requiring fome refolutim ( which is often done by a formal Covenantjccom him to cleave clofe unto thelordin this . ^W^and to his uimofi power to walk as beccmeth hT3 callingfz toep 293 4- 2 Such as are weak are Cent to for thek inward teftl- mony. So was h at Dublin when fAvs.Amcc Avery was ad* mfted. Receive the right hand of fellow&ip.. End wirli fc prayer for them, and praifes. 2^4 ^yidmittedy how Women rnayfpeak_tn the Churchy how. Lib.1I< Why fo ftrift rohivea 'hreefold tefti- mony. Mr. Rutherf. Mr. HwtyXi WoTUa may, and mu ft fpeak I in the Church. \ Members of other Churches taken in, and how. keep out fcandaloM and ignorant per fans (as much as we can) which makes us fo ftric*t; and yet we are Very tender(a$I told you before)of tying any to a forms, or of putting any by thac we can judge truly godly Mr .Rutherford in his Right of Tresbj- Series, Lih2.pag.2Q6. requires , Profcffion to be of \hat nature* that it may notifie to tbe Church t\)At there is (indeed) laving faith intbefaules of fucha* profefe, and that they be inviftble Saints who defile to }@)ne tbemfelves members to a vijible Church* There- fore it is , the Church is bound to have her eyes in her bead and in an orderly way (as Mr. Hotter faith) to informe her felfe (as fully as file canj of the fitnejfe of them that fne takes in, left ihe break the Laws §f Cbrifl, and bring a fcandal upon the order of tbe Gofrel. 0h)% In receiving women you will have them (that are able to doe it) to make their account of Faith , and give out fome experience of faving grace on their fouls, and fo to fseak^ in tbe Church-, which the Jifyfl/r/e forbids, i Cor. 14. Anfw* Though we (hail fpeak to that more hereafter, yet atprefentl anfwer onelythusj That women are forbid to fpeak by way cf Teaching , or Ruling in the Church, but they are not forbid to fpeak , when ic is in obedience , and fub- ji6tion to the Church (for ihhjuits with their/bcw)as in this .cafe to give account of faith , or the like, totf»fn?erto any queftions that the Church asks , or the like; But I (hall an- fwer to this at large afterward , becaufe it is fo much op- pofed. J£ue(T, What if wee bee to receive a member of another Church ? Anfw. Firft, He mull make itappeare that he is fo, and then Secondly, Thathee hath UleWj from them to ]oyn with you, and is free from any Church- cenfure,zr\c\ fo Thirdly, He muft have the Teftimony of a Church of Chuff, which will befufficient to recommend him , unlelTe there be any fafpeion of the perf&n 1 and then for the Chuubes fatis- f ail ion,(tveral que fl ions may bee propounded : but be fure he hath a recommendation from the Church > or at leaft fome €bkrc!hmemltrj> or other, as can upon their owne tywledze teflifie - ■" ■'■ ill — Chap .4. Members of other Churches how to be taken in 295 teftifie for him fo; 2 Cor.8. 18, The brother Woofe praife i* through aGihc Churches, and fo Rom.rf.i.Col.+M. Eph.6.2iA The DifcipUs were very cautious of Paul, and would not ad- mithim, ^#.19.27* till Barnabdt did bear a tefrimonyto him, which is very large, and fo exiled the jealoufies and fears that they before had of him. Thus the Church is to feek fuch fa- tisfa&Ion as luics with the rule of Chrift ? of all that are ad- mined', and mure require therefore) fome report of the work? tfGodin them, end of the frame of their Spirits t wards him , as hath beenfaid before ; unleiTs they bee members of other Churches.recommended by a full, and fatufattory teflimsKy from a true Church of Chriff. But before 1 conclude this Chapter 5 there bee one or two grxzd Objections to an- swer. Ob)c%. Firft, But you take in members fuch as you Judge godly, without baptizingzhem , which the Apo files never did in primitive times y but firft baptifed, then ad- mitted. Anfw. Firft, Thofe that were tapizedfs ^,2.41. and 8. I2.&c.before admit ted,w ere fuch as never were before baptifed; But thofe members which we admit 9 have been baptized al- ready, which is but once to be adminiftred , and never to bee repeated; becaufe of the fiability of the Covenant of grace, and his lifts and calling are without repentance , and there is but one Faitb3 one Baptifms , Eph. 4. and by this , configuramur morti Cbrifliy now Chrift dyed but once.ard this is our initiation too. Nowl fay,fuch have been baptized already_,and they muft not be baptized againe. And for this, fee Eufeb.Eccl.Hifc LiLj cap.%, Perkin.t. FV.p75.Crfp. 34. Augufi. lib.$*cap.2, contra fetil Secondly, Bit in <4#.i 9.4,5. wehearoffome 'Difciples baptized again. Anfw. FirR, Bscaufe they were before xvafbed indeed, but not baptized, but onely to Johns Wiping Verf. 3, that is, firft in J9bnsn*me9w\i\ch was not Cbrifls injtitxtion, and therefore noncof his; Hence it is in Verf.5. they were baptized now in the name of JefusChrifi i> but thoie members wee admits fuve been baptized in. the name ofjefm Chrifrmd then, Secondly^ KM- Church mufi I cake full fetifr fa ft ion. Nobiptifmg Euftt. Perkinu Ob\ttt* Exprf. Anf. 1; -?- %$6 There mufi be no Re-bdptiz,ingt Lib. II, Anjw* z> The baptifme cf Ch:»ft that he locks on,is vith the h^ly Ghoft. Baptifme of John, and .Chrift, differs. Our oaprifsne before, was true baptifme, tn?e . ordinance, if Hor true order. For martcr and fornv Secondly,. The Holy Ghoft bad not yet fallen on them in Verf.i. We have not fontuch as heard whether there bee any Holy Ghoft ; much iefTe enjoyed it, and therefore they were baptized noWin Chrifts mms for to receive the Spirit. Vcrf. 5,6. or the inward baptifme^ with the outward 5 but now we admit no members , but fuch as we verily beleeve , and judge to have been baptized into Chr ift , and Co indeed dead and buried with him in baptifme 9 and fuch as have the inward baptifme of fire, and the Hs/yGJta/r, which is the fubftance and thing fignified. Thirdly, This baptifme %orxoaftsing of jW/z, was to fore-run Chrifl. Verf.4. 7W theyfieuld beleeve en him which (bould come after him. But the baptifme that Chrift hath infthuted is,to be- leeve Chrifl is already come., dead, and buried^ refe, and afcend- ed, and therefore of another nature : for ^olEwjWho baptifed Chrifts was baptifed by Chrift > and with Cjbrijrj baptifme; the fore-running adm'mi ft ration was (as Johns) paiTed away, in the Apoflles daies , which when the Difciples heard and under- ftood,they were baptifed with C&ri/rj Ordinance. Verf.5. Ohjett.z. But fte doe not acceutit that baptifme 9 which you were h apt i\ed with any things and therefore we intend not a baptifing againe (for that we abhor > (ay fme godly people) but Vee beleeve that baptifme {youfo caU)to be none^and therefore wsuld have you baptifedy before admitted, Anfa. Baptifme is Baptifme ( though corruptly admini- ftced 3 and (hould we grant you a graiqe too much , yet too little to make you might, that we when Infants were undue [ubjettsjet) the want of due order makes not the Ordinance no Ordinance , no more then the preaching the Word to fuch as doe not hear, or underftand it , makes the Word to bee no Word. If they hat! the effentiahoi baptifme they had enough, and need not, nay rrmft not (denwi) take it up againe^ The fubftance will ftan'd without the circumftance or ceremo- ny. Now who can deny but the godly have had the effentials of Baptifme^ viz. matter and forme ( materia vd eft remota, vsl proxim*) the matter is the water (generally) but the Wafting (efpecialiyj The forme (without fpeakingd* mode) is the hftiftng them. in,or into the name of the Father^ the Son, and of the Chap.4- Spinhling^ownng^dtffing^ne and the fame, 3?7 Sim. °f the Hoi) Cjheft. Now the godly have had this matter and *\i\% forme \n cbeir baptifme ; therefore were baptised. But ftill you fay, you were not fit fub)efis ; what then ? is there •fore the Ordinance no Ordinance ? Suppofe my glove were put upon a cbilds hand, would it therefore follow that it is no glove, becaufe it is not the childs glove , and fits not the cbilds hand ; na^fur«ly, fo long as there is the matter and the forme of thegloveh h a glove; but Objett. Fourthly > You were not dipped in the water, which il the right baptising. Anfw% Firft, ic is true, the word (£**7f£«) doth flgnific to dip; we fay with j?**^out of Matth. 3. 13. to'i//>, not to ,as in Ntim.19.1S. Ruth 2.14. 1 Sam. 14.27. JD^f.53.24. non per modum immerfi omit fed efujionis\ that is not to drowne, throw downe , d/'fr all over, keep under water, but onely to d*f\ And Secondly , The word fignifies to wajh alio , and fo is nfed in Scripture > £#^11.38. the very word there wajh is ifayflfa baptize or dip; Now Thirdly , fVa/himg is the maine thing meant by the imjti- tution of this Ordinance of baptifme of water , ad corporis ablutionem non mo do per immerfionem verum et tamper afper- ponemvelefufonemaqu^. Thus H^b. 10.22. Let us draw neer to (Jod with a true heart in full ajfurance of faith, having our heart s fpr ink led(i.e.vrhh the inward thing (ignlfied t//*.the blood of Saints) and our bodies wafhed ( />.with the outward thing fignifying) with pure water , there you have it exprejfely in the terms offprinkjing and wafhtng; as alio in Ezek. 36.25. / wiUfprinkle clean water upon you. So the Apoflle points at this, iPrt.5.21. and as Mr. Hooker obferves in 2Chap.^. Fart of Church Difcipline t God is faid to fave us by the wafting of the new birth , and the renewing of the Holy Ghoft, which is faid to be powred out upon us ^ Eph.5. 26. Tit.j.5,6. following the re [emb lance of water powred out in the wafting of baptifme which brings me to the fourth thing. Fourthly , Confider, how we are baptised by the Holj GJhoft-i fo are we to be (fid proper tienem & fimilitudincm) CLq ty Dipped how ? Not dived nor drowned under water. Sprinkled and waflied fame with dip- ped. The Holy Ghoft ispowr- ed on u»3 ancJ fails on Qj a$ yet, n©tWein- t->is. That which is mall fignifv oncisbeft. 298 Sprinkling^ poming^ dippings one and the fame. L ib.II. by the water, A&.1.5. but we arc not dived or drowned (as yet) Into the Holy Ghoft ; but onely the Spirit ispowred up- on us (as yet) guttatim zs it were J ^#.2.33. and 11,15. it j^//j- en m , we ^// not into it , although it is fai$i&v>oi&& \9 vyivjMm *V». Now we are baptized by the Spirit , when that is applied to us fir ft , and adminiftred upon us. So that baptifme may be by fprinkjing , or fowring water on ; and di- ving or plunging over head and ears in baptifme is not necef- fary ; and being a /*>*/» or dive; and indeed (I dare not deny my judgement to reach thus far for dipping above the other formes of fprinkjing or powring, that were it as orderly in our Church, andufed , and no offence to weake fouls 5 I {hculd fooner be induced to *&p one that was never before baptifed, then to fprinkje one; for to me it would be more fignificant , and/#£, and pregnant with former praftjfe s; but all is *i and unlaw- full adminifirator before > tAnfw. Suppofe that mould be granted alfo (which we may choofe whether we wil or nojfor I am perfwaded,many godlj werebaptifed by fuch as were orderly feat forth ) but I fay grant this 3 yethis wr#p* hand^otfoule fingers 9 doth not null the Ordinance,andmakeitno baptifme, ajewelt, though in a fou\eJtnkes (an unfit place for it) yet is as much a jewell(in its felf) as if it were in a fiver Cabinet*, Baptifm** datnsameliorunon efi metier ^ma efficariam 't* meritg & IfoiritnChriftknmaltmtH* SccoAdlyi Object, Sim* C h a ? .4. The Baptifme of tbofe called AnabafUfiilnol lawful. *99 Secondly, Let fuch dear Friends whom I highly prize and have in my heart (and jret (as yet) cannot be of that \*dgp ment with tbem,till a fefitive warrant for it in the -word) 1 fay, let them but confider, this latter baptifme of theirs will be ioun&gHihj on the fame grounds, they charge ours , viz unlawfully adminiftred, or by an unlawfull admtniflrator , or one not lawfully called, to it. Some doe it as if they had ex- traordinary warrant for it fwhilft extraordinary officers had their Call and Cimmffion immediately from heaven , which they cannot prove; but we can frove they are ceafed.) Other! doe it upon their own private motion , and meer fuppofttion that any gifted brother , or ordinary difciple 5 that by his gifts and inftru&ion hath won any to this opinion 3 hee may baptize him , and fo make him fure ; but it fo , why did Chrift ordain officers , and fet them in his Church for this purpofc, and no man, faith the Apoflle^ taketh this honour to himfelfe, but he that is called of God* Indeed , I did much wonder at the boldnefe of one in Dublin to doe this , and yet knowne to be a man of a moft diffolute carriage and converfation , for curfing , znAfwear* ingi and blafpheming , (faying, A pox upon alt Ordinances, and Formes, and he would downe with them, and the ^Devil take prayers} in fuch defperate wayes as would make an koneft mans heart ake ; and a man of a moft malicious fpir it, (ludying to doe mtfchiefe, as indeed moft of that judgement there are,to all, that are not over head and ears in with them in their opinion: thereby they bring a very great fcandal up- on the Gofpel s and hereby they make many enemies to the way they are in, as if it could not bee of (jod; but thefe things are their fhame , the Lord humble them for it , for in thefe things they exceed all others of that praBife that ever 1 met with^whilft many of that judgement here in Londonfc other places, may be fet for eminent examples (both to them zfDublin, and us here) of fweet neffe, patience -, humility % obe- dience, fe If- denial 3and love , even to all Saints-, and indeed fuch in whom myfiule much rejoyces , and hath been much refre(hed$ but I do not finde what lawful 1 call they have, that do adminijtcr this Ordinance of Baptifme (anew) to Qjj 2 an" The latter baptifme dif- penfed difor- dcrly, ani without an ad- mini ft ra tor lawfully called and fait cut. Anabaptifls in DubIin,not like the Ch iftianst Fir differing from rheru ia London. — I — II ■ » jco 'Dipping (fo called now)u no fundament al Ordinance. Lib.1L Thelftirard Saptifme (ths •ficKf oftht oanrard) diCHld'fttiJfe Hi, Dipp:n2 is not tbcfundim ea- tal ordtnarkcc ©f Churdr feUowihip, rbough initia- ting. any.Anditisnotthepurfeof ajTrue»inan in the hands of' a Tbicfe, that makes the Thiefe a True-man. But In the la^ place , to bring up the Reare , and fo til judge ments into o#*(that is in the Spirit. )Sure none can deny but thofe truly ffiritualli^ed in Chrift Jefus , have the efficacy 1 of baptifme , though they were baptifcd in their /*- .■y, which is a Spirit u faucle; the inward works with the outward wooing , the inward grace and baptifme of the fypvr within, «C. Now what can we deiire but this in any member that is to be admitted; fo chat grant there were maay/4i//*fj in the outward ad- \ mmftrration , as long as we fee to good fuccefle , and fuch a i bleffmg with it ( though much might be omitted in the wf- n-^r^ ^ wr of it , which might make us jud^e (therefore) j the Ordinance the lelTe ufeful 9 aid more unefeBual ) but I ' fay,as Ion £ as we finde the fruit and *jf;)to fome/n* members thac thofe of tVaterfordhtld private correfpondtnee with, on purpofeto breakus, which they both threat ued C by the Captain? that brought it) and endeavoured by her firuments-9 which they had at works on puipofc in private places Chap.4« Dipping (f° called now) U no FundmentalOrdinance. 301 , I |||M. I,, ---■■■ ^ ^" pfcc that wee )ave a ground and occafion 0 'jttcfe j and offence at your walk- 1 This Letter wot brought by CaptlV ernon^ and A.G.A. to fomefevenor eight of their judgement 9 whom they withdrew from the Church into private meetings on the Lords dayesjejjtfridl), where they with them that were fent from Mr* Patience, clandeftinely consulted how to carry m their deftgne againji ut* Tbefe, ana) none el(e9 arc their Saints* BEleevers *, and fuch baptifeh $fies9 I. e, Anabaptist) they put together, as if none were beleevers but Anabaptifts* Some afthat judgement that were in feffowfbip with us 3 they write unto as to Beleevers , and exclude others that differed from them in that point of Rebafti/me* Be- lides , they account them diforderly n?d/^r/,that have fo much as Chriftian cm- munion with uSjUnlefle we would be dipped. They fay without this 3 wee fundamental differ from the true ftate of a vifible Church : Let decerning men judge then the founda- tion, and dangerous fcitua*ion of fuchFw- malifts FeBowjhips \ who ( by their owne confeffion)have laid their foundation in the Water, aDd on the Sand^ not on Chrift the Rockf of ages, that is Chrift himfelfe laid in the Spirit five. Vide cap.\\. lib j i. In this fenfe they ought to read that Scripture which they mention with too much wrong Chap. 4 kA Letter from Waterford 303 walking, as mjhati maty appear e from clearefigbt of Scripture. Confider the Commiffion in that •/Mat.23 \9»io* where Cbri/i layetb d9wn an order that is bind- ing, which is this, ibat tbey fhould teach all Nations baptiiing them , teaching tbem to obferve whatever be badctwmandedtbenty . (ye (ce bere k an orderly way com- mended to teach to tbe Nations^) fecondty , tobaptife [ucb as are taught h and thirdly , to teach (ucb as are baptifed , to obferve what- focvet Chrift had commanded; that is , as we underfland, aB tbe Laws of Godsboufe9 tbe baptifed perfon is to [ubmit nnto , and by the Minifters taught the obfer* vation of, and this Order is bind- ing. And [econdly, It appears tbe Apoftlei did fo underfiand tbe Commiffion, becaufe tbey taught and praftifed this Order , and this onely, to wit, firfr preached to converfion, then baptifed. T'birdlyfut tbem in tbe practi- cal obfervation of what Chrift bad commanded in, and to bis Church. Againe, elfe tbe Ordinance of the Supper would be propbaned, iftbatfhould bee received before that fundamental Ordinance, by which we put on Cbrifl , and are ingrafted into Chrift, and planted into his death. Zftw wefay%tbk *r aprophanaJono Gods wrong to it, as they ufe to dot(qui Scripts rit auferun$$nonafferunt) it is Amos 3.3. Can two walkg together, unlejfe tbey be agreed? The Prophet means not, Can two wall{i to- gether, unleffe wafhed together , or unlefle in one Forme , judgement, opinion or pra- cYife : for as tArias Montanus obferves, this was their fin for which he threatens them in v. 2. 4, 5. viz. for their great agreement in falfe Formes, to adore Images, and make them Idols ; herein tbey were very harmonious andunanimous,to their cofl and calamity , fayes Tbeodoret. But the Prophet means, they muft be one in the Spirit, Eph, 4,3,4, Even as Two Travel* lors who have one and the fame end of their journey (vid.Viodate') minde one and the lame home, heaven, happineffe; therefore the word is pariter 5 Can they-i walke alikewithoutthey be of onefpirit; thus fayes honeft Calvin too,Eft igitur area- naita confenfio Spiritus fanfii: and to apply this to the forme or judgement, as that there muft be an agreement in dipping , elfe none in beleevingj or that there muft be agree*, went in the outward , elfe none in the ik\ ward, h to make Faith a forme, Religion a fancy,&to take a meer outfide appearand and opinion, for the inward power and life of godlineffe; which is an agreement in Idolatry, but not in the true ftorfbip of God. Spirit, and Truth , Co that thefe Gentle, men miftake the Prophet, and compel a. con- ftru8ion,a$ it is coyned in their own brains * The Commijfion is next; letusfeewhaf they would force from thofe words ir Mattb.2%.19^0, Ail power is given me, &c Got therefore teach all Nations 3 and baptij then 1 5°4 *A Letter from Waterford. Lib.IL Gods Ordinances, the Jewes might as we# bwe admitted fucb uncircnmcifed pertons to eat of the Paffeover; but tbe very end of Church-fellowftiip » tbe obfervation of aU Chrifts commands, at tbe Commiflion holds fortb ; but \hk your pra&ife, crojfetb in tbatyou agree to walk with fucb as bave net, nor praftife tbe Ordinance of dipping B> leevers, 'and by your communion fpitb tbem in Church-admfni- ftrations , you are made guilty of their fm of difobedience, y$u willingly baving communion with- tbem in Church-admini- niftrations; for Beloved, you may upon tbe fame principal admit, into fellowfhip one that wiUmt receive tbe Lords Supper, but fleads]want of fatisfaftion oftbut • tobebit duty; aunber that will not owne tbe Ordinance of ' preaching , but conferre onely '< (# fome fucb ws f^tow) and otbers I ibat will not give almes, or contri- 1 butt to tbe necelTity of tbe Saints; I and tbm in a Word (upon tbe fame 'ground) tbat you admit, one 1 tbat walks in difobedience to tbe (Ordinance of biptifme, wbe- \tber tbrougb ignorance or error, [you may admit all manner of dif- obedience into your Society up- \9ntbe fame-ground, wbicb it a total deftroying, tbe end of iGhurcrffellowftiip , which *f to bring . tfom#&c. This hath been their hold for many yeerS, out of which they have been hunted by bundreds of orthodox able Writers which fave me a labour; but onely this I fay, I The Pr£face, viz. v.i 8. (AHpowerk given me («£**/*) that is )us agendi) tells us, that this Commi0oH\$ to bee executed by Cbrifls power , i.e. by the Spirit, vide Parens in lee. (o that fome affirm, this was the baptifme of tbe Spirit which Chrift fpeaksofheriCor.i2.i3,whichthe^e/f/fj (as Apoftles) had commiflion in to bap- tife,ei*^ hopk e^c. into the name of the Father, S$n, andHo/yGb*/?, which Wrter- baftifme could not doe. Orig* An.2oz.in Rom, but how ever it was to be executed by Cbrifi s Spirit. 2 The command is, Te*cb tbem, yob*- 7?^7iffAa5»7«r hb"« make them my febri- lars-, now little ones,as well as great ones; Infants , as well as groyne ones may be his [cbsllars in his febool to learne : for a little childe that knowes not a letter in the book is a fcbotlar as well as others that do 5 fonot onely the lovrtfkboufjhe 5 , but the uppermoft and leaft twigs partake of the nature of the root. Bjt, | Wbat dotbey infer*. iThat none muft be ad- mitted,but fuch as are baptized; we fay fo too,but we deny they muft be rebaptized. And whereas they inftance in the Apofiles pratlife, they would doe well to cleare op the difference of old , betwixt adulti and catecbumeni , for qui bene diflinguit bene docet, otherwife they will but lead about theblinde, and leave them in the ditch, in darknefTe, They Chap., Kji Letter from Waterford. 305 bring up every member to a vi- fible fubje&ion to all the Lawes of Chrift tbeir King, or elfe caft them out of tbat Society as old leaven. Be fides > as we muft not allow in eur (elves any kriown finne unre- ported of '■> fo mult wee not at/oft it in any in the feliowfhip ; but when wee {ball begin and confti- tute a Church- feVowfbip to walke in (in, and difobedience, *6*r if a horrible impiety. Befides in the fifth plate , there cannot be a true vifible Church union jrit&Mf baptifme, as appears Eph.4.*4wd beginning where the Avo&kprefsint union brings all thefe things eflentials tbat muft be agreed in , to makf a people one, and tbat be tak$s for granted the Ephefians did agree in the fame, which as he faith , There is one liopc, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifme, one God, and Father of aff. Now obferve -a true Church mufi of neee/fity agree in owning one and ffcefame Lord; feeondly, one and the fame Spirit, one and the fame Baptifme , one and tht fame Faith , Without which they cannot walk together in the Lord. tAgaine, many of thefe unbaptifed perfons doe )ufrifie tbat Idol of childrens baptifme, and confequently the Church and Miniftery from whence they bad it: And you having communion with 2 They fay this is that fundamental Ordi* nance by which we put on Chrift. Anf To call the watry part of baptifme, vizAn abftraclo, I fay the element, the funda- mental Ordinance; by which wee put on Chrift, and are ingrafted into Chrift, and planted into bis death, &c. is to make no lefTe, (if not more) then an Idol of if, and foit is to attribute to Dipping what is onely attributed to Chrift himfelfe : for what is Idolatry , but exbibete cult urn Dei& bonorem Cbrifti creatur O undrijtian your felves into communion and uncomfortable tenet I For with , b) entertaining perfons into communion with you that are unbaptifcd. Thus beseeching you to beware of bypathes, that our Lord and bis Minifters have left no foot- fiefs for; but rather beloved, meet together, and lead one example of fweet communion diftincl, ufing all means to convent fucb as have any fear of God, that they may come into you, through the door, and not at the window , as Cbrift faith in another cafe. And thus leaving you to God, And the mrd of bit grace , that U able to build you up > we remain in the name, and in the behalf e of the Church, Yours in the Lord, Tbo. Patient* Tbo*Brenton. Wil.Burgis. Peter Row, Ed.Hutcbinfon. WiLLeigb. Ed. Marfhal. Geo.Cawdron. Rich. Sutton. Ricb.Ladbwke. James Standifb. Edw.Roberts*- Swads. Dated at JVaterfordJam.l^ i^5 i- I Their non-communion with fuch was by the command of God ; but yours is not with us. 2- femfh Church was national, ours not* $ Jeftifb worfhip was in the forme, but ours in Spirit and Truth. 4 Jetoifb eating the Pajjewer Was typical. 5 Circumcifed ones after the flefh was enough with Jewes, but it is not with us. 6 We have been baptized (as you put it in the room of circumcifion) and more anfwerably unto it then you. 7 The cafe being altered as it is now* we finde that Jem and Gentiles, cmumci- fed and uncircumcifed^ had fweet communion together, Aft.i}.%. GW.2.3.7.12. 1 Con 12..E 3. in (everall Churches 5 fo that the outward forme was left to liberty Rom.i^ 2.5. as a thing of nothing, Gal.6.i<$* as itkmwtobe. 8 Their end and their[be ginning, they make one, viz. Dipping i.e. their all in ah and indeed very indifcreetiy and difor- derly they lay that downe for the end, which is the Rule by which they are brought into fellowfbip.', fo that it is like enough Logicke is the language of the Beafi to them, that know not how to de» fine Church feEoftfbip. Laftly , Becaufe I want room to write more : They conclude , that becaufe of their great difobedience in joyning with us, they muft make amends bycaftingall of us that would not be dipped out of Church-fellowfbip for old leaven ; and accordingly , the mem- bers of them fent from Mr. Patient, with thofe of them that walked with , confulted often together, conspired and plotted , and laid fnares in de- fignes Ckap.4- A Letter from Watcrford, 507 fignes to break us in peeces ; but when that would not be, they bruited abroad fcurrilous and fcandalous reports of many ot us,ro reprefent us wicked and unworthy to the world and others 5 after that they thought to have excommunicated us for eldleavenbut the Lord would not fufferit;fo that theifplots and defigns brought forth nothing but wind , which becamea blaft to themfelvcs at laft. But whereas they fay they may as well admit all manner of wicked men,asone that wil not be dipped ; do but obferve their fpirit in deifying Dipping > a°d in vilifying the Spirit, that without thi* (though we be under Spir it- baptijme)we muft not havefo much mercy (hewn to us,as to partake of Cburcb-Priviledges, is this dc&rine of ChriftVor the Devil? but I pray mark their greundjor you may (Tay they) as well admit one that will not partake of the Lords Sapr*r,&c. Arifm Suppofe one mould be admitted that were unfatisfied therein, were that a finnc ? But Secondly » we deny this their baire-brained affertion, for that there is pefitive commandfov the Lords Supper, Preaching, Almes,Scc. and fo there is not for Dipping, but all the Scripture is againft Re-baptifing , as being but the Idil of the Brains, and a brat that muft be dafhed a peeces, P/a/. 137.9. * The next tbing to this ^»«i|iw, with their feveral forced, and un- worthy Inferences; In the fitth place,- they would faine inflnuate a neceflky of Dipping out of £^6^4. 4,5. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ; he faith not , the union of the Forme , but of the Spirit* which is preferved not by outward frmes , but by inward principles. Then follows, Verfe 4.5. One Faith? one Bap ifme\ Sec. all thefe muft be to make up the Vnity of the Spirit 3 and ic h true that they all muft owne one and the fame Bapulme-, but what is that, I pray > not dippings bit Cbrifls BaptijmejUitth.^.ii. Wearcall, mark, all (hwes and G entiles Jbefore and fince the Law, before, and (ince Cbrifl; zWSaims of alleges-, members of one Body ;z;/2. the Church of £W/r my f\ical\ and all this by one Baptifne, 1 Cor.12,13. For by one Spirit we are AH baptifedinto one Bsdy. Now this cannot be (as by this Letter they would faine have us beleeve) by water; for Coal! Saints , in all Ages were not fo baptized into one Body, or Church-, for before the LaW this was not the fund amemal point, which thefe men f-ty we muft hold} fo that they peel bat the barbae of the tree , and the Goats may doe fo j but we feed upon the fap and fubjUnce. This is a principle of fpirr- tualIttnhn,viz.ihebaptifmeo{ the Spirit, which atf Saints of all judgements muft, doe,and have enjoyed; for the life remains, though the Letter alters, as the foule.doih,. though the body be altered; variants materia , yet forma & r 2 mamt 308 A Letter from Wateribrd. LibJI. maneteadem. But let thefe uncharitable Formah fts9 and unkindc mcbriftian friends know,that by this Letter 5 and their fuitable praUifes , Teeming to anfwer moft cruell and uncbriftian principles , that they have frighted many of their wel-wifbers from them : for Fifties will not be catched in a bloody net, though iomcCommanden or great ones amongft them,may drive many times ib me (illy little ones in: And indeed I fear that E.digi on, which lyes fo much in the Form , or out fide , will doe but Utile (ervice in the day of the Lord^to fhelter us from beat and/r«rwe;yea I fear,thatthe life and kernel of it is already perifbed , when ear-wigs and vermine have eaten fo into it , and can finde a hole (throughtheoutfideof it J togoin> and out as they lilt* You know what I mean, and be P ATIEN1. In this Letter you find (Reader) how Dipping, called their fundamental Ordinance, without which they were to have no communion with us , but either to draw us thereto, or elfe tocanV us out hr old leaven, and be diftinftfromus. Now it appears not to me to be a fundamental Ordinance, on which fas on* foundation) mould lye the Chunks no, though it bee taken in their owne fenfe , for the true and right admini ft ration; but rather it is an initiating Ordinance, or wtrj) through which wc enter into the Church ; fo that there is a great difference between a foundation , and an entry y or dwe. And for their calling us perfons unbaptifed 3 and thteatning them that have any communiov with us , as guilty ofthefinne of difobedimce : We have proved that we have palled through then?*jfer,and the^re,andthe Lord hath been with us,and his Spirit refls upon us. We have been under the element of water, and thebaptifme of the Spirit ; and if thefe fatisffenot, wee are to feek in a neVe way, which they make their Foundation^ ( bufc itisofuwer, and will not hold long) whilft Chrift is our Foundation, who is a Rocke and ftandeth fure. . As for the particulars in that Letter, they areeafilyan- fwered, and have been often,ovcr and over. The Baftifme therein mentioned out of Epb- 4. which the Apofile indeed makes an argument of union, is the one beptifme of the Spirit, not the fign ( fo often altered) but the fubftance, by which all bdeeversinallagei) uwder all forms and difpenfations are, (and ever were) all bapti/ed into one body , both before Chrift, and What Is a fun- damental Or- dinance? Robinfon Juftif. pag.z^o. fayes it is on error which forne hold, that Bapt'fme con ' fiictftes the vi- able Church. Expof. Baptifrneofche Spirit by which we enter into Chriftsbody. Chap.4» The Baptifrneof the Spirit qualifies for adrnifslon. 309 andiince, 1 Cor. 12. 13. this is Cbrifts b&ptifme, Mat. 3.0 Now the unity of the Spirit confifts not in uniformity, in tha outward forme and element: (for men may^and do differ for all that;) but in the baptifme of the Spirit , which the Apoftle plainly (peaks ofyt is an unanimity .not an uniformity^ we (hall find out hereafter;wherfore let all wife^ober.Jpiritual decern- ing Cbriflians, yea even of that judgement (which are without exception many of them) but tell me. Firft, Doe not thefe lay too much upon the Letter to call it a Fundamental Ordinance , without which they are to have no communion with us,butto caft us out for uldteaven; and which in the very element they lay downe to be a putting on efCfoift, an ingrafting into Cbrifi, a planting into bU death, &c. Now let any judge if this be not an Idolizingof* Forme ( which they cry downe fo much in others) is not this a mr flipping of the Element ? to attribute fo much to it, as is true in no baptifme, but of the Spirit} Surely this mud bee grewndte powder* But Secondly, Ought we to be (o feverely fentenced,as to bee eaft out for ~Dungy old Leaven^nd uncircumcifed ones , becaufe we could not(nor can we)find a word to warrant our confei- tnces in the pratlife of this, which is their opinion? Oh/ uni- formity enforced(fayes one)is the very break-neck of peace, and love / we durft not have dealt fo with them, it is point- blank againft our principles zndpraftifes* Thirdly, Ought any fober found Cbriffianstohsivc Cent any fuch Letters to make a breacb in a Church , and by [ecret and under-working instruments to doe the more mifebiefe, Without any difcourfe , or knowledge of us ( as from our felves) that were not of that opinion? and onely for one Form} wherein neither the unity oftbe Spirit^ nor our communhn with Cbiift Jcfazzncontift ; this I am fare was none of Cbrifts doc1rine,nor device to fow fuch feeds of Vivifions. But I (hall leave them to the Lord, who loves not confufien, nor(I am fure)can allow of fuch uncbriflian praclifesjik? carnal men to watch for our mifebiefe , and to lye in wait for our bcltingst and to render us odious to all, as perfons fit for excommunk4tw > and onely becaufe wee could not turnc R r 3 againc In bjptifmtd flaminii noa fluwink. 1 Thy at- tribute too much to the Element. * Thefe are too ceaforibus. Uncfcriftian and unchari- table*) Chriit in feeking to break his Chwch. 3 $ o Zaprtfwe of Water hcwpajjed antiy^ at to us. Lib. II, The element to ui is (as it were J pafled away. Chriftians of all juigemcnts fhoujd be one in fpirit. on in the Spirit , to thinks^ orjeck^to be per f eft by tbefltfb I jd forbid ! therefore our fufferings are fweet ! even as againe to that low and beggarly element ( I mean Co ro us now tnac are in > and under the urMion from on high*)- For v£#. II i$. when they wereunder the Holy Ghoit which had fallen upon them, then came tominde in Verfe 16. Jolm bttptifedwiib water indeed; but ye [ball be baptifedrvitb the Holy that are fully fatisfied of the way ; and excludes/*// the wicked and fcandalous w toto & tanto^that are not called of God, but none elfe. The wea^ejl Believer that belongs to Chrifi, is to be received, Rom. 1^*1 . And our prefent ajfcrtion is this, That none who appear truly godly, are to be put byj(meerly for their opinion and judge- ment ;) we are not in admitting of members (o much to minde their judgements and apprebenfiovs, as their lives and conversations , viz. That they be holy and gracious; and that they be found in the faith ; tbat i«,for fundamentals and cffentials'i fuch as are fanElified inChrifi Jefus, 1 Cor ,1.2. Rom. 1. 7. Phil. 1.1,7. C0/.3.12. and 1 Thefc.27. K/,p« ctV°'f3 t^ie word doth not fay, fuchfancJifitd ones that are ot your judgement and /w*$. For we (hall prove by Scriptures and Keafons, That thofe (godly) though under different forms, and of different opinions^ are to be received? and r^» /'» i and that it is our fin to (hut them ou\ This appears by Scriptures, 'Precepts > and CP V? cedents. Firft, this is commanded and commended to us, That e%>ery man -wallas he is fully perfvpadedin his minde } Rom.ia^. 5. Now mark the meaning of that Text, (for indeed the whole Chapter treats on this fubjeft,) there arofe tome dif- ferences about opinions > but the Apojile preffes and preaches this, All Saints of all judgements i' to be admitted. 1. Proved by rules of Cfariii. 3* Samts of difyrent j udgements* Lib, 1 1. Expof. Rom 14 pounded ex* Vcrf.i. All believers admitted. Xj> pit. Though out of confeience, ttoey differ in judgement, opinions, and ^pra&ifesjabout •hings indiffe- rent. this , That diver fity of opinions, for things indifferent or doubtful^ ought not to make diverfity in affections, or a breach in charity or unity among Brethren, when they dole out of confeience. Now that I may unlock the meaning of the words , I muft orderly proceed in the Chapter , which is very pregnant in proofs for this purpofe^and wherein you will have the point ttated, proved, and' ratified by abundance of Reasons. To the firftVerfe, Him that is we 'akjn the faith, receive ^(a&etep,- $£n2n) affume to you, admit of, and make one with you, affetlu charitatit) and put him into your bofoms, &c.) In the time of the Jews difperfed,moft of the Churches confifted of Jews and Gentiles together ; and fo did this Church of Rome. Now the Jews would not be brought off from the obfervation of Ceremonies , and Levitical Lawsy wherein they had been brought up, even from their cradles ; looking upon them as ordinances of (jod\ and therefore, although they entertained the GosJ>el3 yet out of cenfeience, they held difference of days, and of meats \ as necejfary to be obferved. Now the Gentiles were not for fuch Jewijh observations, be- ing perfwadedoi our Chrifiian Liberty, purchased by the blood of Chrifi , from fuch ceremonies and trifles ; and thertfore they rejt&cd them : And thence there tfr^hot contefls and dtjfentions in the Church,a\mof\ irreconcilable ; and as the Gentile thought the Jet* profufe and fuperslitiom^ fothe Jew thought the Gentile prophane and facrilegious. Now in comes Paul to appeafe thefe differences , and to compofe thefe commotions ; he brings in his bucket (as Par fayes) to quench the flame , and undertakes as an umpire, to determine thefe differences , which arofe about things in- different : Wherefore he layes down rules jn thefe his Hie- ratickj. It is a general precept , and an undeniable duty, to receive fuch as are weak, in the faith, (tt&etWTx tjT msii) although fo weak, (as one that is fick) and fcarce able to ftand on his legs ; yea, fuch babes in Chrifi as cannot brook ftroug meats, that have fick and queafie ftomacks, fuch receive with open arms 5 take them in unto you, and ]ojn them with yoa, and entertain C hap. 5 . Saints that differ in )udgerntnt^ admitted. 31? entertain them as friends, and dear brethren \ but not to doubtful disputations (us Jiwplnih & dejpife him that tateth not ; net him which eateth not, \ttdge him which eat' eth. Now, though there was this great difference of opinion, here is a direclion to their duty, one to another ; that is, to Exp${. preferve peace and love ; and that this make no difference or diftance, in affection or reception: Let not theftrong, de- fpife the weak Q/u» i§dfrfW) i* e. To look on him as nothing, r.ulliHS fr&tii ; or let him at naught., as not fit for your com- Ab J£ & iffis. pany : For the word is fo, as to villifie, or vullife a man. Now take heed here I for difference ot opinions and pratlifes xwthings indifferent, ought to be no demur or hinderance to the admiffion, or reception of any ; neither ought there to be therefore the leaft battery, or breach to love and charity : But now to t' e queftion. ■ J£ueFt. Whatare*&#g? indifferent which we may differ \®neft. upon, and yet be all of one Body and Church ? Anfw. Such things as are of a middle fze and nature, and not abfolute (Quod, id quod eft per effentiam fuam re la dnftr. Thirgs rd'f- tumpofiertus eft abfoluto ,) tor abfolutum eft prius relativo i foent, what ? fecundumeffe, & pojlerius relativo fecundum dici j) nor yet neceffary , t^efe are called indifferent* Firft, We fay a thing is indifferent •, when it is not abfi- lute; but yet in fome degree good, but not fo good, buck may be mended ; and yet not io bad, but it might be wotfe : Such a thing, we fay, is indifferent good. So a mao (though he be not abfolutel) in health ) nor yet very ill , but might be better,and might be worfe ;) fuch a one, we fay, is pretty , or indifferent well : But I fpeak not in this fyecies* S f Secondly, 314 Saints of different judgement, admitted. L ib.II# £• Things indifferent. Things doubt- ful. Indifferent} not indifferent. Fittw. When Cere - monies, and fueh like in- different things died, and gave up the ghoft, and were buri- ed. Augnftine. Aim. Secondly, Some things may be done, which are notne- ceflary ; fuch things are neceffary which arc commanded : But fomethings are commanded to be done, and fome- things are forbidden to be done. Now fuch things are in- different, which are neither commanded nor forbidden ; and thofe things are doubtful, which are not expreflfed at all in the Word, but left darkly, or which meet with feerp- ing contraditiions therein : Now for the firft fort of doubt* jul things, and things indifferent, they are called by the An» tient, things in our power ^nd left to liberty, 7* h ftfaw* -m c# (Mat xj ^eV*,as lying either obfcure and uncommanded, or in the mid ft, between commanded and forbidden. In Pauls time when he writ this Epifile, the fe trifling obfervations of dayes and meats, were mentioned as left indifferent, to be ufed or not ufed ; as they conceived it tended mod to the honor and praife of Cjod, (which was the very end of their cnchurch- ing,) we finde P^^/circumcifed, made vows, purified him- felf, and yet writes againft them, as Gal. 4. 10. Why for why before Chrifis death, thefe Ceremonies were not then indifferent, but neceffary ^ as commanded of God ; but after Chrifis death (till the Gotfel entered,) for a while after -they were ufed (though but for a little time) as indifferent i Jluia Chrifti advent u lex ceremonialis obligare defiit. Now lueh Ceremonies remained amongff the Jews^ as yet (faith Part- us upon the place ) in ufe 5 becaufe (fhriftian liberty was not openly up, and rifen in their room : Now with Chiifis death zn&refuYreBioa they loft their life, and gave up the ghoft,G?/« 2.1 4^15. Quafi antmamexhalarunt, and breath- ed out their laft; but as yet, they lay a while mburied and above ground, which ought to have a religious and/o- lemn fepulchre, and which they had foon after in that/0- lemn Church Affembly^ Atfs 15. Where,all fuch legal ritu- al obfervations were ferioufly and folemnly laid in their grave 1 as being now (but dead Corps, and ready to fiink^ and corrupt*) and too heavy to be longer borne above ground ; but before this their burial, they were ufed as indifferent . This zAugufiine declares in his Io.Ep. ad Hieren. as Partus obferves, by an elegant fimilitude, A mans friend dies* he doth Chap. 5 . ^Difference in things doubtful and indifferent. 315 doth not Co foon as breath is out of his body, whilefthisj body is yet warm, take him by the heels and drag him to the grave; but he keeps him a while, fwhUefi he i* ycc fweet) and wraps him up with fair cloaths, and fo with honor, in due time, accompanies him to his grave ; and thereby he avoides fcandal, fufpition , and contention, which elfe might arJTe ; by giving Efficient content to all, even to his beftfrkxds and mourners for him. So it is here, thefe Ceremonies were alive till Cbrift -, they died with Chrifl : Now the Affiles did not prefently drag them to the dunghily and caft them out (ut fatida cadavera) whileft they were yet warm; no/ but to avoid all fcandal and doubt of their death ; they (hew (in the Atti) that they were dead, and to be buried , which was done in a decent , honorable mancr3 as A&s 15, 10,24. whilft they themfelves accompanied them to the very grave. Now that is the rea~ fon, (that Paul in this Chapter) for fo long a time did al- low liberty to them as things indifferent; but after they were buried, their indifferency ceafed , and now they were absolutely forbidden : Before their burial (faith one) they were mortu&, dead ; but now after their burial, they are mortifer&% deadly and dangerous : And now after this, if a man raifes them up again j and rakes them out of the grave, and digs them up again , he endangers a many (by their unwholfom ftench,) Et noneffet pius funeris deduBor, fed im- p\us fepultura violator. Hence you read the reafon of Pauls writing to the Church of Galatia, Colofs, and others, againft them now; and after this burial of them, he would not circumcife Titus, (though he did Timothy before) but preaches their funeral Sermon, and fayes, it is dangerous to keep them a- bove ground any longer, Col. 2.20,2 1 . and £}aL$. 2,4. tells them then, Chrifl would profit them nothing ; and it would be to deny the efeft of Chrtfls death. We (hall finde Paul oppofed Peter, and that openly, Gal.i, 1 1 . to his face, for urging thefe Ceremonies , and preffing the Gentiles to J»- d*iz*e. But here in this Chapter tbe Apofile forbids the Gsntiles S f 2 to Dangerous to meddle wirh them now jafter 1 they are buri- ed. jig or omitting ( as we faid before; ) or elfe as they are in the intention of that principle by which they are done , or •- mitted; and in that fenfeno 4#/o/nsfaid to bee indifferent (taken with its circumflancesj but it is faid to bee^d or Alf this ratifies ev*B CPrcut ex msia v*} ^ona intentione procedit) for as much as it the point. flowes from a principle intending ^oodo-r evil! hereby. But thus I have done with the direction and rules , and have opened the name and nature of things indifferent , and do now reach the reafons which the Apofile renders to ratifie his, and my ajfertion , of accepting and receiving fuch as diifer in judgement from us in things indifferent. And firft, The firft Reafon 3 for God bath received him , therefor* you are to receive him, and lovingly to take him in, for God bath received him (vpoovd fa™*) that is Qut funs) zshis oftne, a mem- ber of Cbrift) to grace , an adopted one , into his o wne fa- mily ; how then dareft thou deny him, or defpifehim , or not admit of him, or the like? for thus runs the Argument^ whom God hath received into his Family , you ought not to defiife or put by3but him that eateth(thzt is3i«of this opinion) and him that eateth not{ that is,is of that opinion) God hath re- ceived , therefore you ought not toput him by (that is, be he of this opinion, or of that opinion) but to receive him, and ad- mit of him, asoðat belongs to the Lord, This Reafon vunsapari jlatuutriufque partis coram Deo , from the common ■benefit of adoption which them of both opinions do equally partake of, and as if he mould fay , Such outward things as thefe, do neither )uftifiey nor unjufiifie y commend, nordif- commend before God; they neither help to, nor hinder from the Kingdome of God, therefore they (hould neither beJpe nor hinder any in the Church of Got here below 5 For fuch whom the Father receives , the Son receiyesj and who are admitted in heaven , (hould be admitted in the earth.; but all £*#»*/ of all opinions &te admitted in heaven, and re- ceived sleafon I. God bath re. ««ivcd fuch. Exfrf. & Calvin* Reafon 2 Expof. Verfe 4< They may they are the Lords nicheir. family icryaiiti.f ur all rhey differ opinion. fee in- C h a v .4. All to be admitted, though of different Judgements. 3 17 ceivedof God, ergo>&c. God regards here (fayes one) no more the manner, time, or fuch like circumftances , then hee docs the manner, time, or fuch like circumftances of eating, drinking, marrying>&c. being left to wifdome, and discretion for *rdfer, peace,and unities fake without ties. How if thou feefl one enlightened , and livened by the Spirit of God , thou feeft enough,/ayes Calvin in tec*. Satis teflimonii babes &c where- fore defpife not,contemn not,refufe not,condemnc not,one whom God hath received* The fecond Reafon or Argument is taken (a jure gentium): from common right or equity 9 which is, that every man hath the rule and ordering of his owne family , and none ought to be fo polypragmatical , as to meddle with other mens fervan\sy Who art thou that judgeft amtber mans fervant?hexe\$ an objurgatory Apoftropbe. Who art thou! bom? dareji thou do itfwhy,for he is the Lords own (ervant whom thou thus pntteft by (for all his opi- nion as before) the word is not ^hQ- a hired fervant , or a day-labourer £>\ix. oiyjwF ahoufhold/erz/4Wf , one of the Lords tvont Family, whoalwayes is waiting upon the Lord his Mar fter in fuch fervices as are neareft hisper/ judgement a who himfelfe will take account of his fervants, and that ftri&Iy, OWaui$*i$. Maf.25.19. Reafon 3. For God is able to makf bimftand, Verf.4. This "Argument is taken a fpe pnfettus from the poffibilisy , and probability of their eftabli/bment in the faitb, be /hall ft* and 9 for God if able to ma\e bim ; but if you fay it is an unfound con- dufion or an abfurd coSedion to argue a poflh ad e/Je fas the Pa~ fifls doe in tranfu6fiantiatbn) we anfwer , True * if we bee S'f 3 not Reafw. 3, OodwilJ effa* bliflrtbenr as well as the {trongeftccr hold on to. 1 8 Saints of all judgements to be admitted. L i b .II. Reafon 4. Chriftian li- berty in things doubtful and indifferent. not certaineof Gods will wkhallj but his wil!,wich his power appears lure, ioi Godbatb received him* Now if fuch a one be weake, and of a differing opinion from you, the Lord hath promised grace to him , whereby he fhailyfW, as well as you, and as firme in the true faith, and as fait in the truth, and by his power be preferved from falling , therefore receive (uch,foriheLordwilt engage for him, as Hezekjab hid , Lord undertake for me ! Reafon 4. In Verf.5. Let everjmanbefuUjperfwadedinbis ewn minde ; this argument is gotten from the qualification of a member , and the nature of his qualification , which is the pleropbory and full perfwafton fpoken of in Chap.2. of this Book. One man ( (ayes the Apofile) is of this minde , and efteems this , and another man is of that minde, and efteems that moft-, this is the cafe. Now the remedy n,Let every one walkji, at be tbinkj befl (reject neither) but he muftbefureitbe with aful/perfwafion in bit owne minde, that he be fatfand clear in his ownefenfe and opinion 5 £m[<\m fuo fonfu abundei : Not (o to abound in ones owne fenfe > to give way to an unlimited liberty, but to a Cbriftian-liberty limited by the Ldtoe s ofCbrift, to be fully perfwadtd that it is on good grounds, aad by good arguments flowing from the Word and Spirit together, Mark^ 12.24.27, 7#j&.i6.8. iTbeff.2.13. and as Rom* 14.14* Ifa£. 20. Ahorfeina pafture hath liberty to run at ran- dome, range,and friske, but not when his Rider is upon his backe, bat then he is checked, and curbed, and kept in 5 fo mud our apprebenfions and perfmfions , therefore let every one look to his owne confeience, and not look what others hold or doe, but that what he holds be well grounded and warrant' able in the word which the Scripture mentions in matters of fahb , though not alwayes in matters of fail ; who hath this plerefbory and clear perfwafion is to be received, whether his efinion be thus or thus in tbings indifferent, Reafon $.Verf 6.7.#e tbat regardetb tb is, regardetb it to the Lord, and be tbat retards it not, regards it not to the Lor dt&c* This argu- ment runs ab intent isne generate fidelium , ox a bono fine utriufque partis, from the unity and brevity of the end, which the Saints of all opinions aime at, and which is me and the fame, for all aime Sim* rSr Reafon 5. Saints of all judgements anfwer the one and the fame , end of Church fellowship* M Chap#4* Saints of all judgements to he admitted \vphy > 319 Arguments, aim ! at the bmtit and glory of God- Thole of this opinion, and thofeoftbat have the jams end, viz. toglorifieGod, l Cor. 10.31. C0/.3. 17. to give God praife , 1 Pet.2.9. thefummeof this then is to ceale defpifing 5 denying, or routing fuch as airne at the fame end with you , viz> the praife and g/orj of Gi/j therefore receive them, though of a differing opinion from you. The Apo[tle hath ic thus, Thofe that do all to the g/ory efGad are to be received of you, but thofe of this opinion, and thofe of that c/?//z/oflaimeall at the ghry aid praife of God, j ergo^&c, and this he proves 5 1 Ab adjmfto in Verf.6. 2. He i proves it3 V.7.1 fofo ad partes thus, who wholy m/?/,and d>ej to the£ard,doth eat,or not eat;do5or not do this5or that thing-, ufe or not ufe this or that Cbriftian liberty to the Lord? and ab itlati*. V.8.whether we live or dye9wc are the Lerds.ILt a relator we are the Lords ferv antf , having necejfary relation to him, wee | They feryc are under his (ubjefthn and tuition-, and by all this hee teaches one Loid. us to receive them , as fuch who are the Lords , in the L)rds fervicc 3 and aiming at his honour and glory > being perfaaded from the wird , their opinion is to his praife ; and then as one fayes , it is better to follow an erring conscience when it can- not be (y^t better,) informed and corre£bd , then to doe againft conscience ; fo that though they are fuch as cannot in conference come up to5or unto ouropinims in things indifferent3 yet we muft not dare to put them by, or (therefore) to deny them, Reafon 6. Verf. 1 o. Why dofi thou judge thy brother.&c.Thh argument is taken (apfuMHpl+d utramque panem)ivoxn therela- tion the one flands in unto the other; Art thou ftrong ? the I weak one is thy brother )8tc> And foon the other fide , though | not by natural! generation, yet by fupernatur at regeneration : Have | we not all one Father? Mai. 2. 10. all alike bnne of God? alia- *£$ like beloved of God in one Chrift Jefus? Gad is iO Saints^oi all opinions) one Father? without refpeft of perfons or opinions? Now the true Church of Chrift is a Kingdome of brethren v and it is an ill part for brethren to contend , defpife3re]e&, or (hut doors againft one another. It was ABRAHAMS argument to Lit for peace,and our Spiritual JOSEPH, bids us not to fall m by the way, which yet we doe, and that for trifles too; This -ts -a <* Such Be then alike. 320 Saints of all opinions to be admittedt&by? Lib.1I. All are one, how? Ix3r Reafon 7. Day of judge- ment. kometsfurp Chrifts throne and how? ■ fan**; This is the new Commandment to love all Saints, Eph.i.i?. Joh.13.35.and 15. 12.17. I Joh*4«2l. not all Saints of iuch or fuch a judgement* but all Saints ; being all one in the original love of God , all one in Cbrifl , all one in the Covenant of grace, all one in owe and the fame Spirit, having all w* and the fame priviledges, joy and glory, therefore we mould bee all one in our love and acceptances knowing no diflin&ier?, but Saintjbip as Ticbborn well notes, on Job.i 3 55. Now it is our /wt»g too much in the flefb and forme ( is wee (hall (hew by and by) which makes us mind (o much fuch men,as are of our judgement above others,and to put a difference \ This will be caule of pale countenance one day,that we mould fo fad out by the wayy whilft we are all going home to the fame Fathers houfeyO then I why do we fall out ! are we not brethren ? a brother mud be received and welcomely admitted I cenfure him not, though he be not of thy judgement, for he hath as much right to the Ordinances of the Cburcb>znd to be a member of the Church of Cbrifl , to fuc\ of the fame fuU breafts and priviledges ( having the fame Father and Mother , and elder- brother') as thou haft. Reafon 7. Verf.10.8cc. We /hiS at fland before the judge mentfeat of Cbrifl* This argument is drawn (aproprio jure Cbri- fti) from the day ef)udgement , being amplified from the perfan judging (who is Chriftt ^#.17.31. whofe authority and right it is to )udge , Joh.5.22) and by the perjons judged* t^4LL\ the manner of their appearance ((hallflanA) whilft the Judge himfdfe (its. The argument runs thus : They that (hall ftand before Chrifls judgement feat to be )udged them- felvesj ought not as judges of their brethren to put any by (Tor their opinions J or to condemne them, you (hall all fland before Chrifls TRIBVNAL to be judgedyom felves (all of you flrong and weak) or dfc ( a jure Cbrifli') he proves they ufurp Chrifts place , whofe fole right it is to )udge them for what they hold out of confeience ( as Tareus rather thinks the &4foftle her* intends) "and that they (hall ftand before Cbrifl for this [awcineffe and pride over their brethren , which is eafie to draw up into argument flood and /*£«re, TZ>e judgement (eat by a figure (per mewymiamfigntymdpcrmetapbQrama )u- ikik i. ii' r ii— _i^m» Chap.5 . None to be rejetledfor theh judgement, why } 321 -a AWw civilihus, is taken for the judgements which paffe from the 7#d[j* fitting infois £V*r*. Now the conf deration of this *tfl (hould induce us to our duty to our £r*/^>v«(that differ from us)for we (ha\ frond together befartChrift at one and the fame Bar, 2 Cor.$. 1 0.1 1. and (hall the prifener, that (hall (land at the Ztar for his life ngmltf of a world of errors^ leap up in- fo Chrifts fthe Judges) feat? to condemne his brother} as for an error ? and to keep him out of Chrifts Church? Oh ! how will Diotrefhes tremble at this his arrogance / pride ! and impudsnee, then ! that he durft (hut the Church- door againft his brethren? as g J oh. 9* For as Anfelme in loc* fayes^S^ijudicatfratrem tantum crimen elevationis incurrit, Ht Chrifti Tribunal (ibi videamr affumere y & ejus judicium fravenire; he pre-pofTeffes Chrifts featb and prevents Chrifts judgement, wherefore judge nothing before the time , 1 Cor. 4.5. this he mikes aivtznCa Argument againft this judge- like power in receiving. Reafon 8* Verf. 13. This runs (afcandalo dato) from the offence given thereby, that is by cenfuring, condemning, or forbidding fuch Saints communion with you , who differ from you in opinion; this will be but a putting of afiumbling block^in his way. Verf.i 3, To hinder,and hurt him. (irtfTxopp*) As a ftone which is laid for a poor weake feeble man to fall on; or at leaft to dajh his foot againft : for in regard of his weaknejfe he wil eaftly ft umble, if notfaBfafatiup* £ox LiB.ii: 43.1. ; in 15. Mat Imp, and halt like tCriff/eAq cauiing fome great falljcorn whence I accept of if, aftdinaj] arreft with the Schoolmen Hon for mine (fcxdnlum profrieeft dittum \f (asj «*r *f . r/,y«t ib fpecia) I hud this is the ^*wr« which g'ves a ;) brother any ccc.tfcn to fall amaj (whether fuch a . ' aocs fo or no) and this is a finne fo much forbidden in St . Hence the Grammarians fay, that is as the fridge in the trap, which when the € once treads en, or touches,lhe is taken fure; snd fo is . .'to a brother- (that is not or your opinion} in the wa) to rake him, and deitroy him. Hence It is dangerous to u. h differing) tretbreu, to receive them •, for ririt , it is zfcaudal tc : .) i: difcourages, difcomforcs, difcon- tents them, an oftentimes them to fall, at leaftco limp, and hah, and grow worie and worfe ; and this I ac- i (o many Ranters and erroneous ones now . S,i 3. 1 Cor. 10. Ofad/ aswe mall (hew by and by, that fome Qhurcb-fellowfiips are fofiejhed andfitt, that they t abate an *ra 'e of Co- -.' nor any tbineelfe which is left (c -, doe what thty can) to C I.hrty! .:.-: of Bu ») offence is either f /i#/': fitfj active, and fo it is given, o: and ta~ ken bieh 11 c yen Jfpeakof) is *c? *>c and p^- andthutin urging, prefling, (hewing in- u"hly, and unfeafonably the pr aft tfe of your c 1 others , as urging the ufe of outward things left ta Utu tj and misfit ; ', Oi take heed of any of Chrifts little 1- Tii« i Seandal wVi ■eieren: ro brethren. | i A fcirdal wivh reference ' C3 Qh UL Chap . 5 . Dip/ en ce in O^imon^ may, and mufl be. 325 little ones Ma?.i2.6. Now the Apoftle prcfles th\i argu-\ ment taken {afit.ndalo) many wayes 7 for firft, I fay it is an ofience to this brother whom thou received not ; and it is an occafion to his fall 9 therefore receive hi™. For it is a greater finne , and a greater punifkntetit remaines for fuch which caufe others to iff end and fd#, thtPi for (uch who do To offend and fall. So the Serpent was puniftied more then Eve, and £^ more then Adam , and Jezebel more then Ahab. (Pace are nontantuminje perditionis ha- bet. quantum quodreltqui ad peccdndum ind**c/fHturfihry(vfk. Horn. 25 in £/>//?• ^^ ,&?/#. Secondly , It is a fcandal with reference to Chrift.Verf. 1 5, jw tt^ifciplesy that gurn, bite at, ahufe; defpife, refufe , andcondemne one another thus / is this all their charity of weake ones to (T.ut them cut of doors ! and befide*, how dare you to offend one of them for whom Chrift dyed > doeyethinke they are of fo little worth for whom Chrifi dyed} tha' you will not receive them > what do you make of his blood? what a fcandal is this? Further, the Apoftle >to enforce this 3 hndes out ihhfcm- dal to reach toProfefsiont Religion, the truth and (J pffel i« felfe. In Verf 1 6. 2_e? #0£ y cur good be evil[po\en *f, or your Gnfvet liberty, and svz? of £%r//f he defamed, nox truth tradu- ced3 nor DoUrine^ nor Difcipline, nor the Kingdom e of grace* (as 0 lev i an Uyes) be bla[phemed ! (w> $\MpiyuuSB$) o? eviil fpoken of, 1 Tim.6.1.1 fet.2.12. 1 ^V.29.30. How eagerly did Mr. 2V/*, Baftwick^ and others take advantage to write and print all they could agairiS this Goffel c f Qhriftfai that the niceties and curioftties of fome Church [octettes did ex- clude others ( that were not of their judgement) though truly godly and £0// / Therefore for theGofpels fake receive them, and hvn [fecial regard (for by nOtJtdmitting foeh,and judging hzxdly of them) you will ppo» the mouths of G^/ enemies againft the r r**A , and give them advantages againii thtway, whereby with ^r^r^ia £^ £^4,38.17. the #W/> [uftaines great damage%vttx\ by Her own Children. Rcafton $% Runs from Verf. 14, 15,80;, / **? pervaded T t 2 ^ ■andil with reference V to brethren, an 1 the Gj> fpei w:.y rs ( Jfe. Ofarian. Am' ofifl he. Vide Bwrnrt Vindicaricn P 44- Fr/fl. 12.9. cf 12 ferio'ii Qncftions, Bernard* 324 Difference in Opinion, way, and mufi be. Lib.II All indifferent things hwful in chemielves. Whn is fm in indifferent thing*. What is mi- ftrable. Beafsn I o. Kin^do ne of God confifh not in outward thing?. But in things ucceflary. The Kingdom I Of glory. t Of grace. b) the Lord Jtfus Cbrjji,notbirg is unclean of it [elf, but to him that efteemetb it jo,&c. from this Concejjion (chat nothing of its [elfe ;> unclean) comes out a correction. Verf.15. Therefore condemn not thy brother for eating , becaufe it is an eironioM cenfdence that makes & thing unlawful : For all aftions receive their qualifications according to the mil of the Aaznts , and the will ads according to the ob)tB, a thing apprehended by rea[$n% If thou \udgtft by thy light that to doe this is finne , and yet thy will carries thee to it 5 why then it is unlawful! indeed, and thou finne {t to doe it; but if thou judgtft it no finne, it is lawful! according tothy/;g6j and confeience to bee fby will) carried thereto ; therefore let thy light be Gods fight, grounded on the word, and then be perfwaded. It is tniferable to doubt in things commanded, and to be commanded in things doubtful and indifferent ,(pr /judicium non eft judicium [ed vitium.) Things indifferent are lawful to him that efleems them fo, and unlawful! to him that efleems , and is fer [waded (hey arc unlawful! ; fee Chap. 1. therefore let not one cen[ure,condemne*czft by ,or grieve the other, but receive each other in charity* and bowels of love, and each walk^ according to \\\s)u dement stnd ferfipafion9cbm\m. Reafan io. Verf.17. For the Kingdomeef God i* not meat and drinke, but rigbteoufneffe, and peace, and )oy in the Holy Ghoffl This Argument is taken (anaturaretummeditrum) from the nature of things indifferent, and drawneup from the definition of the Ringdome o[ 6W;fr om the Thefts and Antithefis take this argument^ in forme thus ; for tbo[e things the Ringdome of God coiififts not of, we ought not fo to contends but meats & drinks* outward far me s and Covenants .Sec the Kingdom? of GoJcon* fifts not or\&c. ergoj &c. contend not fo for fuch indifferent tbir.gt, as to judge, or not to admit, arad receive;* brother. The Kingdomeof God confifts not of things doubtful or indifferent, but absolute and necejfary, Luke 17.20,21. 1 Cor.8.8. there- fore none are co be (hut or kept out of this Ringdome fox their judgement in ifowg/ doubtful or indifferent. This Kingdom* ([umiturpro regm gfor/\e) fometimes is taken for that ofGbry, the Fathers, which is to come(«£i Veus erit omnia in omnibm)AX\d by fome Qro regno gratis) (and fo here) for the Church of Cbrift, the Kingdoms of the Soothe fiats of grace here, but take which one -ta Chap. 5. King&omeofGodconfiflsnotmotitwardtbwgs, 32% ir ■ i- ■ "' ~ •• ■ * ' m you wilJjChey are both or one kjnd,oi' one make,havc we and the j , - fame matter, f$rme9 and end ; and neither of them corififts in | ^lf^z outward /erw/, or k in meat and drink^ or the like, but both of them cec/j/r in rigbteoufnesftace &py in tbeHolyGbofl, that is,the [uhfiantialia reqni are one8c the fame^nd fuch members as are fit for one^zre fit for the ofbtr.ThefeareCjtar^tr/ q( inch Citizens as are fie, whofe Chrifiianiiy, Rdighn , Profeffion, enchurch* ment,Scc. lyesnotin meatand drinkf, that is, in the fwra^rd formes>> letter^and /teg* left to liberty .whether to do, or not "doe ; but in right eoufneffe inherent and infufed^ and alfcr ex- frefsive and declared in faith and holmffe , and in their J«r;e/ of obedience, and in peace, which follows )uftifica\im , and HK9 one with another, which is unity of the Spirit 5 the Holy Ghoft being the pwcream caufe of this peace and love, and )oy 5 which iffues and runs out of fuch a rigbte- dufneffe and peace before fpoken of: now tho[e things are neceffa- ry, which the Kingdome of God confifts of. Oh then/ that differences ftiouldarife about fuch things as the Kingdome of jsadd'ffe en- Gtd con flits n )t of I but tan as well bee without / as about j ces abour Cavenavsl Confefsions ! and Sitbfcriptions ! and fuch things ! things mrna that are indifferent/ or that are doubtful! as the fubjefts ofj^^T- bapiifme, and whether d/pped, or fprinkjed, or fuch like, being left without pofitiv? warrattm the we™!. Oh then / learne,j learne, to put a difference where the Lord pursa difference, as between things fpiritual and things carnal ! things of a middle nature, and things neceffary, which the Kingdome cf God, the Church of Cbrift cannot be without 1 And let us make no difference where the Lord would have none* Reafon 1 1 » from Verf. 1 8. For be that in thefe things [erves Chrtff9if acceptable to God, and approved of men. The Argument is thus: He that is the (cwanz of Chrift\ is to be received, bat he that is righte9us,and beleeves, and obeyesthe Gofpel (whe- ther heeats,oreats not, notwithstanding thefe formes J is the fervant of Chad, therefore to bereceived. Thus the argument is a gtmrex but from the iff St , I GjJs acceptation 5 2 M ins approbation. He that is acceptable to God, istobereceived:but hetrutferves Chrift, bcleevcs inChrift, andobsyesthe G/pel} in righmurne(fe^ peace-, and j&y of the Tt 3 Hoh> For wane ©f purring a r'ght cUflfcrencc? Rf4f«» 11. All Sainr> Chrifb fer- Nazianzm. Reafon 12. Elfe d forders and ftrifein] the Church, the body noC i i^ghrly built ' up3it is far Cbnrchcs ! peace. Not as the world hath peace. Andfbrhes order. . /*s a Family 326 Saints of different judgements tole received, and nkj? Lib.1I. Gboft, though he be not of your opinion in things indifferent & doubtfulyet is acceptable to God5therefore to be received Further thus from the other tffetl , Hee that is v xftiojw (ltt^kIh h'oyH> faid Nazianzen. Reafon 1 2. from Verf. 19. Let us therefore foiled after the things which make for peace, and wherewith to edifie one another. This reafen lets out two argument &o receive {differing) bre- thren; as Firft, What agrees with the true peace and order cf the Church is to be performed , but to receive fuch brethren as be- fore, agrees with the true peace and order of Chrifts Church. This Peace is either Spiritual, or Ecdeftafiial (fo called) this /fr> of gifts, and gr*m, Rom. 13.6. help much to the qrder and edifying of the Cb«rcfowhich is his fecond Argument. That which is for the Churh^s edification ought to be per- formed: but to admit Saints of all opinions (differing onely in things indifferent) as before, is for the Churches edification, Eph.4-2^. 1 ThefT. 5.11. as the leaf! member is ufefull to the body , and the meaneft matter in the building ufefull to the buildingi Now falfely cwftituted Chmcbts that are of Antichrifi (indeed) cannot Hand without uniformity , but Chrifls C3n, and be edified as a grow ingTemf I e^Eph. 2 .2 1. Rea[ont$. from. Verf.20,21. Though all things are(in them- felves) pure, (yet) it is eviH for that man which ea:s with offence* It is not good to eat , nor drin\e , nor any thing whereby thy brother ftumbks, &c. So in 1 Cor. 6.12. and 10. 23. all things are hwfull thzt are not expedient ; by theie the Apofrk would teach us to abfiaine from things ( that in themfel ves are good, gure>clean, lawful) that are indifferent 3 for a bntbers fsk$, t Cor. A building* A Kiflgdorae. City. Pfal.m* Body. Difference na- ceflary. 1 Reafon r%+> Things rf a ujHdle nature muft be let a- Ione; rather then offend 3. i; .brother I 328 S aints of diffeent opinions to be received. L i b .II rSr Chriftian li- berry to be kept. Par, Qrcgpr. & rsr Abftain from prcfling things indifferent. lCor.8.13. the Apoftle tells us thus much; aa firft, Thai all things of a middle nature may be Waved ( as Covenants fubjerifions, &c. formes % andfalfe Ciuttm fiances) Secondly, ra- ther then caufe a body to fall or Humble as before , they muft be waved, and not be urged, which is the (cope and drift of this Chapter, and of the eighth Chapter, and tenth Chapter of 1 Cor. Now it is the Church that hath power to deter- mine the ufe of indifferent rifei by the Word and Law of Cbri ft, for the maintaining of good order and fpiritual peace > and unit): Now Cbriftian liberty confifts as well in abftaining from j as in ufing of thofe things indifferent. Wee may ufe our Cbriftian libert) (fayes Par) before them which know it; but before them which know it not, and are offended acit, our kyovledge is fufficient, and our ufe is forbidden ; there- fore wifdome and difcretion is earneftly to bee fought for from above, that you may know when, where, and how to ufe your liberty, to call for, or not to call for; ufe, or not ufe things indifferent ; for when liberty (as Greg* Mag* Moral. 28. marks) Indifcrete tene\ur,amhtitur , cum difcrete intermittitur, plus tenetur) is unwifely held, it is oftentimes loft, it is no longer ^liberty, but oftentimes when it is wifely and prudentially intermitted , it is made the more a Cbriftian libert) ; now the excellency of it , is the«/e>or not ufe of it* The anions of Gofpel-difcipline , are fuch as are ejfential , as piety and power of Santtityand Profeffion,or elfe fuch as are ordinate(&media) or helps appointed for the orderly performance of fuch a tVorfbip and Vifcifline ; fo are cli Ordinances , means of grace, and ad» miniflrations ; now in thefe are the n ov and the n zthp to bt confideredj the things that are to bee done , and the manner of their doing ; the firft, are inftituted of God, and revealed in his word ; but the feeond fort concerning the manner of per- forming them,as time, place, gefture, and fuch like circum(ran- c«,are Itfc to liberty,^ is beft for the order, ufe and unity of the Church, 1 Cor.14.40. 1 C0r.11.24. Now thofe brethren that doe differfromyou in things Itfc toliberty , that have not po- pt ve precepts the Apoftk fayes.you muft admit and receive, and ra;her 329 Proved further by Prophcfic. Exps/. lew and Gcn- tilejbond.and free. Gualtheu One body all* veft this or that may be,yet have thy faith to thy /e//. Verf.22. and not for another. Thus you have the [cope of the whole Chapter to ratifie this undeniable affertion laid downe at firft, for receiving of fuch as are weake, though differing in opinion ; and this point lyes cleare in many other Scriptures beiides , both Prgpbefies and Precepts, and praftife of primitive Churches. You have it prepbefied in Mieah 4.5 .ThisChapter begins with the promifed happinejfe , and e minency of the Church .of Chrifi foretold thefe latter dayes^nd amongft other things,this is one Promife made, foretelling her eminency thereby , and her exceeding glory above the glory of former ages , for that all Nations [hall come, that is not meant (fayes Gualter) AH of all Nations, but many peoples of many languages, under many wayes , formes , orders, and dijpenfatfons, ih*\\ come into the Church of Cbrift, Jew and Gantile^ bond and free, of all forts, and opinions, that are the Lnds^ under the reigne of Chrifi lhall come in j though Jew and Gentile are at as much variance and diftance for their different judgements one from another as may bee , yet they muftbc one in one. For there is but one Body of all beleevers (of all judgements) Epfc«4 4,556. in all age?, under all forms of all degrees and meafures, of light and fife, Ep/M.15. CV.3.1 5. having all the fame faith f for quality) in the fame Chrift,and all live on Chrift by faith (not by forme,) Thus all (of us) will "toalke every one in the name of his God , and we will walke (alfo) in lb e name of the Lord our God for ever andever\ Everyone according to his light and meafure obeying God conftantly , and then faith the Lord , I will ajfemble her tba\ haltetb between GWand Baal, iKing.1% (two opinions; J and make even her a remnant, and a Congregati> over whom / Veil) r eigne in Zion. Betides, Ezek^ 36.37,3$* you have thericheft bit flings referved for the laft dayes , when Paradife dial be re- fared, and the Church [ball become the Lords Eden, in verf.35. I will increafe them, faith the Lord> with men like a flocks; how is that? ;.?. thus, in a flocke (alluding to 3ifhepberds flocke) there be old and young, Lambs and Ews, Ifa.qo. 1 1 . of (eve- ral forts, (izes, colours, complexions 5 yet all make but one jhch$) and it is not the difference of the fleece pi the colour, V v or $Hch as halt bctweecn tWQ made one* One fiosk alls Expof. 330 Tropbefies of Saints tigering in oftmon to be received. L I b.II# Ttoar feive cae God Expof. £stp$[* Sk£ Ex?,f. Crod is hl({c- BHI& to bring Precepts,, Sxfaf* or outward appearance, or \oney or bleat, or goings or weakneffe or leanneffe, or raggedneffe, that makes it none of the flock/, to long as it is afbiep (\i\U as long as none of thefc diffe- rences arc fuch as make it no fieep. So the Church of Chrifi (hall confift of Saints (chough they differ in epimmit(o long as thofe opiums cannot make them no SaintsJ that are un- der va rielyofdifpenfatim, adminiftratlons, forms, opinion?, and Overall meafures of grace and fpiriv, And yet the Lords jjockejzhelyftsckf.Vetfe 38. all having one Mafler- Shepherd, i'erving one and the [ameGd, as Zepb.$.o. I will turns the peoples of all Nations to a pure language, i.e. of the Spirit, and then all (under and PraBife of Primitive Church. ; ? l Chrift gave in Mat.iS. Teaching them to ebferve all things that I - have commandedyou>™v™ Tty** to keepthem charily >whatfoever ] £^M# ^ commanded and commended to them inDifcipline and Dottrinty 'haVJ have^is now this was one in CMat.r9.14. to admit even of Infants babes tenderly i« Cbrift) of fuch who are as w>e and Chriitianeowiw^/o??, and both woidei the breach of unity or peace, fayes Eufeb:EccUf.Hi(Uib. $.cap.2$, &Soerat.ScbcLWIf. Ec^.cap.2i.) and as Jre»rf^ writes to F/#or (as we (halite are by and by) the Church before this time received fuch as were of contrary opinions, and held rsBfwy ob\ervaihns , and yet notwithstanding held faft the bond of love and unity. ( Fide Par on Rom. 14 v.o.) Afterwards in Comodut's dayes the poore Saints had a little breathing time, and refpitefrom perjecutions to take aire a little,ancfthen arofe (as is ufual in the times of the Churches v v 2 pWCf Pradifc of In Apoftlcf dayes. After them In vol. J. p3g7i. Anno 157, Fo'ycarpuA Anicetm. Fox* Church ad- mrtrcd Saints of different opmionsjand of different obftr nations 157 andafrer. Irenam. Vittot Blflio^ of Rome, 3?2 Two hundred years after Cbrifl) no Lib. II in Viftor's of Rome>he went about to call out, and not take in tfeem that cif- fered in opini- on. Which Irtnxw writes again £ in a letter to him. Uniformity began an. 200. Then Saints jadged Sebif- maticks, and Hereticks, and to be excom- municated, that differed in opinioa. %u[eb, I4.C. 16, Not fo till ytftors time proved by Ire- peace and liberty) a loud difference amongft brethren about the observation of Eafier day > and fuch trifling ceremonies, fome ( and thofe of the We (tern parts) as Mr. ¥>d takes it ln's wayo/p^cf,pag.n6-,ii7-.) pretended the tradition of Paul and Piper to obferve it on owe day (although indeed they had it from Hemes and Pins') and the Eafterne Churches pretended the tradition of John to oblcrve it another day : and about thefe trifles they had hot word- wars and skirmiftics in di(cour[es\ but-yet/m continued, and unity and order in the Church, till Vitiws time, a fierf (brand, or) Bifiopof Rome; and heerofe high 3 and as hot as a Toaft, to excommunicate all that were not of his judgement for Eafter-daj, after the (prctendedj tradition of Paul. And the A ft an Churches not yeelding to his opinion, he would cafi: out , and take none in,but thofe that did juft jump with him in his opinion-, hereupon thofe of his opinion went to him, and of the other, to the Churches of Afta. Now the difference growing great, even to the breach of unity , order , and all , and that about trifles, things not necejfar);Iren£su writes to Fitter Bilhop of Rome roundly, and tells him it was not fo beforerfor among former Chriftians>fk)n the Churches then,they were all at peace, ancj in toe amongft themfelves3although there were variety of opinions, and observations ,and till this time Christian liberty continued in ufe, and it remained frefh to ufe or not ufe things indifferent} but now began uniformity to be of force and in fafhion, and to be all of one opinion a thing neceffary, (and not before) and fuch as differed to be judged Schijmc tickj, Hereticks, and the like, And now all alike have btenin a flame , and the Saints of Afta. ("that could not be induced to them,or [educed by them of Romejwere to be cafl cut , and ex- communicatcd by tfr'cwjbut then the word was brought forth to decide the difference: and thofe fpiritual weapons to win the Coxqueft Iren and others , who neither tyed themlelves nor others to an uniformity , or to be of their judge- ment or opinion, but ail were left to Chrifrian freedome. And as Ever fince Atv what diffe- rence are there and breach cf opinion, is breach of af» fj&ion. I What is not command- Socratesjib.l.c*p.i9- fayes of chefeveral forts of faffing then [^y/and * ufed in feveral Churches, becaufe none tanking any commands light of Sainrs. ment written of this matter , it is plaine (fayes he) it is left *v3) free to every mans minde and will ^ ana none to be compelled by fear or neceffity to doe this or thaU Thus we fee in thofe dayes the Saints that differed in jndgement and opinion were beloved, and received, and accepted as Saints, without refpeft to their opinions^till Vigor's time , when Antichrift began to get a head , and to aflinuate fecular powers, &c. And ever fince, O what fad differences have arofe I (by the Devils fubtihies, and Jefuitical (opbiflries) and jtichrift climbed what ranke feeds of divifion have been fo wne to fee Chriftians "P t0 thjs, together by the ears, and that about nothing / empty [ha- doWSj and puff- pafle appearances ! and all hereby to vilifie the Church o\Cbri ft, and true Saints y a* if fuch could not bee Cbrifis Vifciples who differ fo, feeing they (hould all love one another, Joh.i 3. and not fall out, and jar a? they doe. Doe not the enemies of the Gofpel to this day,P^i/rj,and others make fport ot this, and make it an argument againft us that wee are not Chriflsl O what a may-game they made (and doe yetj at the hot conteflations between Calvin, and Luther in Gemany} and betwixt the Lutherans and Calviniftsl what fearful , detcftable y unchriftian combats are there yet ? ho\v unkind and cruelly hateful are the one to the other , and all about opinions ? And in our dayes what a bone is caft in to make a qumel between the Presbyterians and Independent st Independents and AiabaptifrSt&tf Now that which is worft,is, that they differ in affe&ionsas much (yea more) then in opi- nions (which is a moil miferable thing amongft them that are indeed godly Jnow this was notfo from the firft;for as we have heard before ; fo Angufiine and Hierom differed in opi- nion, but yet loved one another heartily, and did not at all difturb the Church thereby , but had high efteem one of ano- ther for all that , as Peter had of Paul ( who differed from him, and preached openly againft him, G.4&2.11;) yet,fayes Vv 3 he, -AlKho-uWT love. '%14-Samts ofdifyrent judgements recehed 200 years afterChrift. Lib.II; Aug.Vincenrio CoutY&Donat.& Regit de vi Co,rig.Ep;ftttf. A good leflbn forAnab^prifls efpccIaiiY them in D«6- lin&lVatciferd. Melaiiciboiu Aii Saints, though diffe- ring in opini- 011 cnuft be one in heart and love. Bucer* 1 Con fid. Saints children of light, Expof. I he, Our beloved farther Paul, 2 Pet. 3. 15. And I remember, J when the Donatifts did urge Cyprians opinion for rebapti- zing, O, fayes Auguftine for him 9 Hunc quaff naruum candidijjt- im peficrti cooperuit ubere charitatis , but he hath covered xhk faulty opinion of his mod f 'aire and candid breaft , with the full bigs of charity; for he did hold raft to his brethren that but maintained the an/Vy of the Church (which was not of his minds) and kept continually the bond of peace ! Oh I O then, that all brethren of all opinions would learne this leffon* and we ftiould be glad to have communion with fuch kinde of Anabaptifts ! Vonatifff \ Cypria- nfts 1 or what opinion foever , fo holy / But thus I have proved it to be the pra&ife of primitive times to admit dif- fering brethren, till Antichrift began to ftart up. And Melanftbon fayes, (as Del! obferves, fag* 110. in's way of peace ) feeing we agree together in the chiefe Articles of faith, and Chrifliando^rine^ wee muft embrace each other (as bre- thren) in unity and Chriftian love, order, and peace; and let not the difference of rites , or variety of Ceremonies, ov diffe- rence of opinions, dif-jeyne our wn«df j and hearts from *we 17,25. I Job. 2 il. they goe they knw not whither , but at a venture doe as others doe; whilft the Saints of Cod walk wa- rily, wifely, knowingly, &c. yea and armed with light too, JR.CW. 13.12, being round about fcal/otyedup (as it werej in a clear truth, which they are able to defend and maintaine,ha- ving put onthe armor oUight o7rhATQ^TQ-in[itumcnts,weapons of lign too for defence* The word ef God which conquers them they ufe to conquer others with , and in fuch cafes as the(e3re, fas to the Dollrine and Vi/cipline of Chrift) the Saints had need to be clear > for they (hall meet with many adversaries, oppositions, era* m/>j, hot, firong, ftxrdy, and /«/?;, and that will with full blows, and violent buffets, and argw "meflUufeaU means to aiTault, wound,and ^7oc\ them downs therefore, I fay, they had need to have the armour of light on> againft the time they are to meet their ftorming , angry, raging adversaries, elfe t^ey will foon yeeld and faint ; there- fore it is that nothing mould be urged upon them which u dark? to them. For as darhjtejfe is caufed by the abfence of the Sun, fo is darkpeffe in the minde,and upon mens fair its, when they finde not Cbrifls (the Sunnes) light to fhine in their hears, and to give them the knowledge -, and when they jfinde not in the Gofpel, thacforme3 opinion, orpraftife, which o- thers urge to them, and would preffe upon them, then they are in the dark? , which ought not to bee thruftupon any Saint,or Brorkrjthat is to be received. For firft , wherein they are in the dark?, they are difconfo- /4*e;whilft thofe that live in the light walk in the day,znd dee what is cleare to them out of the word of God , and doe it chearfully , freely , comfortably , and indeed confidently. And the confeience is cleared, and repyces in {uchpradifes as are ap- proved by day-light, and are cleared in the underftwding , and proved by the mrd of Cbufl* And "'' Se- -ta In armour of light to detail truth. Sim* When racy are in the dark. i Difcon&Iafc S36 Saints cannot walk in the dark. Lib. II. 2 They can- not fee. 5 They can- rot valk In it well. 4 They are in fear of it. % Liable to fall from ic>or elfe to fall in it whehis worfe. 6 Makestkern too bold and^ iiery. Sim. As at this day we finde a- mong Presby- terians, and o- thersj&c Secondly , darVneffe hinders Jight, tenant atenend-, and tenebra eft vifus impeditiva * and To doe fuch opinions and praBifes which are preffed upon us without the word of Chrift (without the lighrj and not in the beams of the Sunne, thofe brethren cannot fee other things (often-times) that irt [wallowed up in them. Who arc more blinded (as to the mob [piritual ob-etts and difcoveries) then your greate ft- formaliftst that are moft /> yet the fhadows are va- riable{a% the Sun turnsjin every age,and (hall grow lefle and iefle^/horter and fhorter,asthe«SW grows higher.and higher, till they be fwalLwed up in thc/^^tfr^airdareno more(as Jhadews)*Ceet). la the interim where the fhtdow ends , the fubftancebzgiM. The fhadow is the darkf > ox imp erf eB re- prefentation of tht perfo*9 and hath fome pmilitude thereof. The Church here is a reprefeniation^ox fmilitudeof that to reH(dUrenting in things indifferent.) Befides what Gamaliel faid to the Councel, >4tf*5. 38,59. Refraine from tbefe men , let thim alone , left haply ye be found even to fight againftGod, Mr. John Goodwin hereon affirmes, it is wifdome not to opprefie any in Gads wayestof Gods fervants , and to attempt any thing againftatt^, which for all that we know is the way of God, may be found but a fond engagement, and a fighting even again ft God hirnfelfe 5 fo it is to (hut out any for an ofinten (he holds J which is left doubtful or indifferent in the Scripture, a great imprudence , if not impudence : Arid a zeale without knowledge, Rom. 10.2. B:clefj.i%* which is full of felfe-conceit. Now the Rule is a found knowledge out of Gods word of the thing for which we are zealous , that it is right, and required in G«dsvcord andGofpel, Gal«4.l8. and let it be (ad and forms ? and fuch things as are left to liberty, and yet to impofe a neceffny upon them, is not this feftilent ? and mfuferable ? And yet. Oh how many unskilful builders in this age, that urge (and that ftronglyj an Uniformity , Uniformity ! as the Bifbops cryed out fora Conformity, without which (and they fay true) their Churches cannot ftand. O fad / how this mjfiery of iniqu'tj works yet / when the Churches order 5 peace 3 and bappineffe conlifts in unity of the .Spirit , and not in tin unity of the Forme , as of a Prelatical , Presfyterianformt, or Prelatick Independent Forme , or Aaabaptiffical Formes Ono/ but in unanimity, not in uniformity ! For all outward Formes(be they what they will, as M^. /^irrfayes, (in his Difpute betwixt Perm and Power, a pretty Tracing.} 3.) are part of thofe cbildifh things which are to b: done away, as Paul fayes 5 hence it is that even as childhood is done away , and ceafes in a more excellent growth and glory , viz. in the fhte of man-bood and perfection; fo (hill all Formes of Di^ifline whatfoever; Wherefore it is wrongdone to the Church of Chrifl to keep up a Fjrwe to hjrt, or hinder our growth, or offend any ol the Siints3or (as a dead Carcaffe) when it (HnksjBit to furfer it to be buried ; fo I dy^ to keep up any Forme as an engine of cruelty or per fecution , or to make variance betwixt brethren. For who is fo ready to crucifie Cbrifas the Phari[ee,or man of forme > who is fo contentious , and quarrelfonie at the cp proacbes and appiarances of Chrifl (in Spirit?) who is fo cap- tious at the truth [bining in {plendentjpir/fH<*//f)' ? who is fo ready to betray themfwhofits fomuch at Cour.cd againft them ? andall,left if Chrifl: (inthe .fysViX) (houldbeebe- Uwed+thcir (Mffaicri, Le vitical) rites,and form? would fall Xx &> apace -t* Vje X. Keprove$ fa :fc as put a nccef- fary ufe of fuch fornjs as are!ertindiSc« renc *fc* Form; chifdifh things I Cor 1 $ . Muftall pille : away. Man offo.uie« moft enemy so- Chift. 54^ The Church of Formjhefpiritual Egypt, how. Lib. II. apace, and be of (mail repute, and not be received. So that, that Cbttrch-faciety, whofe peace, leve, order, and unity lyes al- together in the Forme , I may fafely fay, is fuch a ifiriiual fcgypt as we read ofin Rev. 1 1 8 Micb U full of dead carcaffes, and where Cbri(l If crucified (at this day. ) For as pt are many Magicians and wife mtn>who imitate Mofes and Aaron , and they take court fei againft thefirvants of God, the fpiritualized ones,and Saints of Chrift, faying, Let us deal wifely witbtbem, Exod.i.io. left they multiply andbe more then we> &c. or let us deal fubtlely againfi themes Stephen fayes, the Greeks renders it to keep them under us. So that they work againft us more by policie, then by piety* As by putting flrange names on the trutb>to make it odious, as the Pbarifees did on Cbrift in the flefb ; i ometime* calling him Samaritan, fometimes Wine-bibber and Glutton^ fometimes orte that works by Beelzebub, andPewI, fome- times the friend of /inters ,&c.all this to render him odious ^thac they might have the more juffrage to make him fufTer as a blafpbemer and malefactor , and none to pity him; fo fubtilly do they difguife the true GofpeX of Chrift, the wayes of Chrift, andfpirituall tiutbs , with new and ftrange nsmes 9 calling them Error/, Herefies> BlafpbemieSf&c* and what not ? And why? but that they may the more unanimoufly, and with the freer confent of the poore ignorant pecple ( who know not what they do Jcrucifie Chrift in the Spirit: fuch fubtilties are in fuch fodeties , as we rlnde arfiongft the Presbyterians, and others counted Independents too,at this day X) how con- ^J3 fidently they accufe, condemne , and crucifie the Lord, and fpit en his face ! and laili him with their tongues in thofe trufns,that they with ftide-moutbed malice naucifie and fcurri- lize, and fpeake fo unmercifully againd 1 Betides, O, what H^rdTaik'ira- fevere Taskr^aflers, are in this /Egypt ! how the Minifters of it. put poore men upon works , lay burthens on their con- fcienccs,compell them to their opinions , and fee them upon doing day and night , and preffe them to it on paine of death, hell and alii but alas a day ! poore Saints, they have not Church of forme thc\zE- gvptin which Ch ;ft is .cm. cin d. Expof* How it is an They deale fiibully againft thu Sainrs. Stephen* ^policy To make Chrift in trie fpirit odious, and wou'd keep him up encly in th©. fern and kt- t.r. *a Will ncr Id lfraelgoe out from then* j And are troub- led that Ifiael n triples, and are afraid ef i?» All forms mu ft dye, CHAP.5. jlllFormmujtfalljbenforenottQ be urged in things® c. 343 where withall (in there felves) to doe any thing! but to build aP/fbjmandRdmepJ,Tftafure-Citie$ for Pjaraob the i God of this world, to garrijin againft the clearances of Jefus Cbrifll Furthermore thty in this JEyft would confine Saints j (Ifrael) to their land; to woifhip there, and to ferve there, i and then they could be concent; if we would but keep ' within the founds of Mjgp, and not goe from our own Farifbes , Clares .Teachers, or the like / And moreover, O what a trouble to them it is to fee Gods -Ifrael doth encreafe and multiply, doe what they can , and how are they afraid / fuch a Church , May, is but a Spiritual JLlflt&hofe ftreets are full of dead carc&ffes ! corrupt unfavoury, Sinking, ^^qfelefle, life-leffe and abominable Formes, which are not tit to be above ground in any place, but where our Lord U crucified. Now, I fay, O, it is fad / where we yet meet with fuch bar d Tathpjafrers, as would keep us in perpetnal bondage, under their Formes, and Ordinances, and iropofe things upon us which wee are not able to beare. Seeing all A dminiftrations and Formes muft*runne their race and fall : And wefinde not that a/Vwewas created for a (landing rule>but a temporary helpe to ferve a turne, for an-^e, or fo, wherein it is once ufefull (and then venunteperfttbo^ evacuatur imferfetlum^ For as every man will ^yein time, when his radical moifrxre is (pent , and yet he may be faid to dye before bis time, being anticipated in his courfe by intern- feranceyov mifcarriage and mifebance , and the like 5 (0 every Forme wil 1 fall in t i me , and natural) expire 5 and yet (as we fay) may becutofFin themidit, and the fall of it haftened by the intemperance and mifcarriages of fuch fondlings ,as abufe it, and adore it : As the Brazen- ferpent was fuddenly knocked downe when people began to give honour to it, and to Idolize it; for God is jealous of his honour.) and rather then his glory (hall be given to the Format will break it in peeces like a Fitters vejfel , and grinde it to powder to bee no more feen , norfet upagaine (as he did the golden Calfe:) *\33 wherefore how dare wee doat upon any Forme which mud Auflm* . and (hall paffe away ! wee read that Aufxin, An^gZ. asked 1 Gregor),how it caw to paffe there (hould be (o many/onw, - and Sim, UoRtimely dearh of forms when thcyais: made Idols, is a warning to the fomr.! ] An^bapcifb, 344 All hnmane Formes mujl fall. Lib. II. Chrift in the form of his fleftband in the form of his Church - way3run piral- I el, hew* Chrift crucifi- ed3gIorined. Hving,dyfng, in flelh and ipirit Chrift rireni andfuch diveriity of cuftomej and ceremonies in feverali Cburcbes and Countries, feeing there was but one Faith ail this while? why faith he, that you may choofe out of all the beft, and picked out things , out of all the Churches about here and there, whether in Rente, France, or elfe where, they being left to take which you beft like , and approve of in conjeience to praftife , as mod ufefull and orderly. So that we are not to be tyed up to any one Forme , nor to have our confeiences bound up to things left to liberty* Now methinksche Church of Cbri/f (which is his body too, andflefh (as I may fay) now in his Saints, doth appear much parallel with Chrifts fleftily appearance upon earth ; For Chrift in his flefb (when he was here j and Chrift in his Churcb(now here) to my judgement,*™ faid both to be his body in a parallel Feme 5 For in this Churcb*forme every member, or Chnftlan brother therein is (as it were) an em" Mem freprefenting Chrift) in one ft age or other of his life ; forae live in a crucified Chrift, fome in an exalted and glorified Jefus; fome life in his///*, fome in his death; fome are debafed and abufed; fome are honoured and owned', fome live in Chrift after the flefb and ferme , others live in Chrift after the Spirit, and power. And in this forme or appearance ( as ic were in hisjfe/&)Chrift does and fuffers Jives, and dyes, defcends^ and afcends irrto a higher glory , and the bigbeftfitcbof a Cbri- Irian's life is Chrift rifen and fit\ing,at the right hand of God. In this forme hee filences the. Votlor s , whips out buyers and feSers too out of the Temple (turnes out mixed multitudes) teaches in the Synagogues QorParifyes) yea and works mh raeles,and yet for all that the Pharifees'Qof the Synagogues) do flander him, and feek to eweifie him , as we faid before ; fo that in a Forme he is capable of Suffering too , espe- cially when his people are inflaved by an inforced uniformity, for which Antichrift makes ufe of Secular powers. But God hath in all ages fowred his VnUhn (the Spirit) Hpon fome of hheboifeft [ervants to oppofe Vniformity enforced 5 and John Gerfbn,C bancellor of Park a bnndred years before Luther s time, iayes about him hard, to beat down this Anticbriftian do&rinc of Vniformity , or tying all to a Forme, For in his Sefm X?, Gerfon. Chap. 5. No Uniformity enforced. 345 *t$ Sermon before the King of France (pro pace & unione Grtcorum) in his feventh Confederation) be fayes, Men ought not to be bound ufiobekive and hold one and the fame manner of Government in things thct doe not immediately concern* the truth of faith , and the 'Forms are not Gofpel of Cbriflfand faith he)wrt this ftetobferved it would he the I to be i nfbrcedj principal k,e) to vpm a door of peace and love, and union amongall dif- , but left to ir ferent brethren^ and Churches, and not? between the Greek? and La- \ te,tJ' tines who differ in many aclions and forms, and rites, arJrutts. As for B APT. IS ME, tke Latins [ay, Ibaptife thee ; but \hi Greeks ; faJi Let us ibis fervant be baptized, &c. So for the SVPPER, l the Latines will have Uavewd bread, the Greeks unleavened1 bread ; but fayes he, Let even Province, avd Church be at Ui>tr- iy about in his owne fenfe , and ufe his owne ord:r and forme* Our j Fathers before the Flood lived and worshipped in one Form ; ! after the Fktd in another, before the Lax* in one, and under it in another, and after it, under the Baftiji in another, un- ; derthermm/frd/oHof Chrift in the rledi in another, under j theGefpil inanother; under the difpenfarions of the Spirit j another way ,&o. as tieb,\ ,i,2. divers wayes , and in /W«iry | manners, Nowallfucfi Forwe* QzsGer [on (peaks of, and of-fu.cn 1 ; fpeak)why they are feft free to u(e or net ufe(as there is need ! of them) without tyes^ wherefore no Forme (hould belo ur- \ ged or prefifed upon any brother or Saint, as to defp^fe, judge, j caff him out j or keep him off if he come not up to it , and j under it (which is lyoke to him who is not free}) Now, wee j mi) ft willingly lay them afidc,Tather then lay them on any as a burthen-, for even Gods owne Ceremonies , Eph.2.15. and Commandements were laid afide, and put by to make peace and unity, thtt there might not be any difference among brotbers.no not between Jtw and Gentile(Co far off) but that they might be one. Much more mud all our Fdrmes (for of fuch I fpeake all this while, let none miftake me) they muft much rather be tbro^ne aftde, then thruft on any Saint whatfoever. Fa* tnoua is the anfwer of Eleutherius Bilhop of Rome to Lucius K. of Brittain (as VhUinfoedin his Vefcription of Brittaine, chap.7 Anno 187. biflorifies) when the Gofptl began to bs preached freely, and Sriitains received the faith , and without any Yy im.\ G d^ forms laid afWe for pace and unionyruch more mull ours. 346 'Ho Uniformity enforced. Lib.II a- Like Tuvks, when forms jaiuft not be ^iisftioned. Many Profef- fors Idolaters. Petkjns- i 3 Forms Idols* impeachment^ impediment, or Ceremonies at all; -yet King Lunm (ends co EUuiherim for fome ?«ede/5or /orwe of Church' gtvernmsm, who had this anfwer. 7"tat Cbri(t ha* I) left fuffici- eat oider in the Scriptures for the government of bis Church: )cu require, faith he.Om Formt and Lawful our Laws are fault), Geds Laws ere mver jo^t^ke the Scriptures, avd look,)cu out a government there, and fellow that. So that this was rare, even from a B ifbop of Rome himfelfe (being the fourteenth after PUtin&s Afhhmeticke ) but it feems in ihofc dayes they were more modeft then they were afterwards, when they bakdin,&nd boifed up humane inventions , and would make men fubnait to them, or elfecew/are them j yea I may fay, then they are in tkefidajeS) that doe even grate their teeth, and hate at their heart , fuch tender cenfeientieus Saints as doe but dsubt or queftion their injunctions and Precepts s and furely this were fitter for the 7ttrk$s9 for it is among them, that a man mud not quefiion(no not on pain of death,and damnation) their general received Religion and Ceremonies , whereby they enjoy a (pace pudenda) peace which we may bsafhamedof ; but this it is , among men of form , they are afraid left their Idols fhould be loathed when they are knt>$ne. There is a great deal of Idolatry yet in England; as when your Formalifit I fet up any forme^or thing, in the room of God, which is not 'God 5 that is done,fayes Mr. Perkins- upon Gal. 5. three wayes : 1 When the God-head is afcribed to a mecr creature , as it was faid of Herod, The voice ofG^d, and not of man. 2 When the property of the Gad-head is afcrib:d to the credf#re,orthing,or forme, ^#.12.22. And thirdly, when thefc^rf and affeUkns are given up to the creature , Col. 3; 5. or Forms , when they make Idols of them. An I^/is taken two wayes s 1 K thing devifed, a fi&fon, a humane forme or inven- tion. 2 When we conceive of a Forme otherwife then it is ; Thus many have their Idols up, in this agejwhich God will j downe with to the dufl in the next : Though they fay* OhjtheyarecioJy, fpirjtual/ as CqU2.iq,21&*. what dif- fer- Chap. 5 . Uniformity an Idolatry oftentimes \ 347 ference is between the Papifts worfnipping God in images, and the Presbyters , and fome others in their formes f which they adore fo , and fet up in the room of Chrift , and his Spirit; is not this IdofatniWhm Pbtdra lay with Hippolytus, (he prctefted that (he embraced Tbefetu in him , whom hee fo necrl/ refembled ; but yet this freed her not from being an Adulterefeiio Papifls fay, they worfliip not the Imstge,but the perfon in ic, not the Crucifix but Cbrift: (o fay others , we doe not fo adore the circumftance, but thefubfianc?, the forme.but the thing ; but alas/ this does little quit them from the guilt otfpiritud Adultery, viz. Idolatry. O then ! they are in a bi^b blame, and Articles of high Tre*[$n might bee compiled againft them,that thus ftiffely (land up for Vniformtiy of ne- ceffityi, and fuch doe but Ut their najtes grow long to fcratch the tru:h with. In every Forme there is KQeahrn[fa, and in fome degree or other a tincture of the fltfb/dfe DLvi- fton, &c. For the occafion of them is our darkpejfe, weakneffe, and imperfeclion. Now it is Gods defigne to purge all forms from their dregs and filtbine ft, for they are full 5 wherefore let not them under one forme )udge or condemne them that are under another ; for the wifdome which is contained in every one of thefe adminiflrations is juttified onely by her own children, and the refiners fire (hull (Shortly) have a bout with them all , andburneup all : in the mean time urge your forms upon no#e, foraJlmuft ceafe in time, though ufe- ful for the time. V[e. Exhort to two things. Firft , we muft not caft off the prefcntufe of Forms (whilft they are in date) though wee muft not Idolize them, adore them, urge, and force them on others. For as Uce fees out the Garment, fo do fome Formes, Ceremonies, Of ders^c;" adorne , and not obfeure (if they be not abufed , if they be not laid on too thick and many) the fiA fiance of Gods fervice. Now, I fay , we muft not in ftead of paring the naHes (which indeed ought to be) be too covetous at firft, and cut the fingers of the Church, or make her hands bleed 5 no, not although her naiUs were too long, too' (trotifa too ugly, black*:, and uncomely 3 Let alltkingr bedoneiniecenc),and in nrden Yy:# Se- Sim'; Fat ly Serm. pc 49 »• Sime The cc:a/wra of Forms Vfe %} i Not altoge- ther to defpiie or throw by formsjfor they arc ufeful. 348 Forms nfejul at (ome.imes, but Faith at all times. Lib.] J. a, To receive all Saint; thic arc in the fame fai h. S*/». Sim* $im+ . Why men and Churches are, feformal. Secondly, All S Mints we mud receive and love,Epb.l.i 5, that are in the faith with us £/?&. 4,5. for all Saints be~ fore,'inder5 and iince tl.e Law , ^ibrabam^ Mo\es , David*, Apottles , Saints in all ages under a'l Formes , and Opi-> nion? , and Measures (though never fo much different), to this hou.e. 3 yea and all that were, arc 3 and are to come, live in one and the fame (myftery of) faitb, in one and the fome Chrift apprehended by faith 3 For as the. Branches of the. Vine though fome are higher, andfome lower, fome bigger,, and fome Iefier,&e« yet they all alike poffeffe of the fame life, though fome come one yeare, fome another , yet they all (equallyj live the life of the Vine 5 the little twig rim came out but this yeare ai well ai the gredteft Branch that came out many yeare s agone, all live the fame life of the Vim* fo in faith there U unity and equdity* all (in all ages, of all opinions,, and under all Formes yet, all) live the fame life of Chrift.. Now let us not fland at a.diftance about trips , as upon fbadffly , whikft wee live all in one Faith > one Chrift; VVee know the lower the Sunne is, the longer the (badow is , but the higher it is , the Jbddw is the fhorter : So it is here., the more wee have of (Chrift) the Sunne, and the fubfta-ice > the leffe wee fee or minde the fbadm , or the Circurnfltm* And it is becaufe men have* the Sunne be- hinde them , but let us keep the Sunne before us ( with, our faces, toward , and fuffejtescm Jefus Chrift) and then wee fhall keepe the fhadow behinde us,and walk as Children ?/ %fo indeed. O then , deare friends ! doe not (land fo much upon a Circumflance^ in receiving in the Bretbfenl for belecve it, they are Carnal Cfcarcbes of men (more then of. Chrift) that dpe fo much triable themfelves , and flumblt others about outward things. Hence it is that all mud doe as they would have them, to a tittle,or elfe they >(}iaJ prefently befofted up for Heretickf, or erroneous pcrfons at the Icaft$ and many times men are. crofle, and love to be finiuUf * and to oppofe others ia, their f ratify and opinions , though wthouc any ground^ i ; + • to>* C h a p . 5 . Ak l found 'in faith, to be received. 349 acail. A? it is related of certaine Ifltnders necr China^ whowillftluteb/ putting off their fhoocs , becaufe they otChma doe it by putting. o% their hats ; fo fornc out of croffenefTe toothers (chat they love not) will differ from them, though they runne into groffeerrows and great abfurditiet thereby , which are more ridiculous then religiuus. But let us not looke for fhadowes in the room of the §unne9 or empty formes for the rigktetufneffe, peace* and)oy in the Holj Gooff. Such as are found in the faith wee muft admit f for the aorjhif of the Temple muft be mjeafured. Hence it 15 that the Church muft beefatisfied that they are Beleevers , and in the true faith of our Lord Jefus whereof every member whom they admit , doe give in fome evidences 9 or make fome account > or. other 5 whereby the Church refts-fatisfied. Thus wee did in Dublin,tbe Confefms of faith (fo called) made by fome, lying much of this Forme which fol- lowes , and is the fame for matter and [ublranc^ made by all, • " Simi- All that are found in faith' muft be ad-- mitted, for all' their judge- ments in thing? indifferent. Ty3 st-K 3f*S3i9. 1 Ihn ?. 5,6, 7,8,9. M:ttlhl3;ip5 20. Rom- 1' i2o, 1 The Father. Ifa.40. z8. 1 Peter 4. *9 Rem 3. 14. 2 Chro.20 6. Pfahn 66 7. 2 The Son. Attsio 4ij43* Ifiiah 4$. 21,22 1 Iohn % 29. Ifaiah. 9.6,7* 1 Iim.2.5* .1 Ichn4.i,j. 2 Ioha 7fc I there, Bj).\{m&c9 Acknowledged yrohCs from my very heart, before the __Lord, And you all here prejevt. That I do believe there it but one God 5 W:er(on (fo called) of the Tri- nity, or God ^Father; that ke is the great Creator and Governor of all things /« Heaven W Earth ; eternally dift'md: (asm himfelf) from ^//Creatures (as Creatures) in his ab- solute Being, and abfolute Well-Bsing. And that this God (ball judge the World. But, Secondly, Concerning the fecond in the Trinity, the Son, JefusChrift,£ confecratcd for us -^ he hath , Hphef.*.*- appeared to put away fin , and hath offered himfelf thei\cn»\ 1 Peter 1. 14. ficefor the. fins 0/ the people, once for all ; laying do\\n his life l°hn IO- x J- for his (heep, and he hath abfolutdy aDohilied all legal and r^j^t?^" Ceremonial rites W (hadows, and is now entred //tfo ?/•// ow»j Luke 1. 33,74? Spiritual way of woruYip and holinefs; and brixgs them to ■■-' 7?« f#*■ makes them a peculiar people, \ L"ke 19' l7° j a royal Priefthood, ^ holy generation, and inftruUs and HaUafi.r. governs them by his Laws , prepared for his Church , and Heb^.*7>i8. . people •. |X?aiah4?. 2,2. Thirdly, Concerning the Spirit (the third of the TriniryJ I Micih 4.z,&c, *Ktf /?* « fent £/ the Father and the Son to make application j | u hLSjJuir1' 0/ f^£ **& Iohn 5 39* 2^or.i-M. 2Pct.i.ao32i. GaU.i£. 6 Mm Eph.». J*?. lchfi 5. $,4- Afts >7. 3o,3f. Rom .8.1$. 7lheChui-ch. Eph4-4. Inyifble and Univerfa'. 1 Cor.ta.27>*8 8 Churches vifibje and con- gregational. l Cor. 1 1. 20.; Col. 1 19. This Grace was begun firft by and through the Law which awakned me fo, as. that I faw I was loft, and undone forever $ and then ly the Gofpel, whereby Chrift was revealed to me {And in me by his Spirit,) and his righteoufhefs cleared up mine (But or this hereafter.) This Spirit applyed Chrift Jefus, (as far as I knew hint) manifefted to, and in me - by which, I was brought at length to clofe with Chrift ; and that fo unfalnedly, that Irefolved to loofe all before Chrift. J Sofuchare, Fir ft, by drifts righ- teoufnefs juflified; Secondly y by his Spirit adopted fons • Thirdly, by his Grace fan&tried and really changed to the piety and purity of Gods holy Image (gradually ;) and Fourthly, Glorified and changed from milery to happinefs • which begins in the inward fences/ Gods foul-melting love to them in C\\n\\\ from whence, is -t he hope of glory, and aiTurance of falvation, joy, peace, and happinefs within^ &c. fifthly, Concerningthe Scriptures in Old and New Tefta- ment, they. are the Word of God, as they werewrit andin-* dited by the holy Spirit ; and that they are the ftanding rule left us, both for our knowledge /Wpra&ife, doftrine, and Discipline, here below. Sixthly, / believe^ that by the firft Adams difobediencewe nWfill, 4nd that wears all by nature ^children of wrath, dead in fir s and trefpalTes ; and that thofe who live and dye in. their fins y cannot be faved, nor any without regeneration or new birth* Seventhly, Concerningthe Church of Chrift, I know it is but one Body, Univerfal, and Cacholick, and that is of all Saints, pafi, prefent, and to come, invifible and vifible, yeay fpiritual and formal: But this I alfo bdievefhat God hath left a rule in his Word for Particular Congregational Churches here upon Earth, as the yl&ble, to make up his ore intire and univerfa! Body. Eighthly, Now concerning Chrifts particular Churches, / believe as I have preached and proved fuch a Church to be a Fellowship called out of the world, and united to Chrift , As Members '0 the head, and all one with another ; according to Chap. 5 . An Accouni of Faitb^ made at Dublin. 353 to the Word, for the worfhip of G d, and the edificacion one of another^ and that fuch mufi be leparate from ralfe Ways, worfhips, Antichriftian fuperftitions, obiervancies, &c. and wil'ingly joynin Chriftian Communion, and Co- venant, oy resolution 0/ cleaving clofe to the Loxdw this £//way> wth purpofe of heart, and by free coofeffion of their Faith, and fubje&ion to the Go (pel 5 and therein ejpe- ciallyy 1 believe^ That the Ordinances of Chrift are to be free- ly and frequently dtfpencsd', as preaching, praying, pro- phecying one hy one, Singing of Pfalms, Hymns, xadf Spiri- tual Songs, Sacraments, Cenfures, Offices, and Officers, and often and ordinary exe rcifing of gifts. And that there tsachufing of and fet ting apart Officers by the whole Body, and that none doth orderly do the office of a Minifter among them, but fnch ; and befdes {to omit many other things} and bring all up in this rear, / do really be- lieve, that fuch orderly Churches, Zvrz/^priviledges roja! . oracles , and feals, and precious promifes of Gods Jove, prefcnce, and protection, in a fecial manner, more then all the world befides : And although particular Churches be diftinft And Independent Bodies, even as Cities compact Temples* Houfesj &c» yet all Churches mufi walk, by the fame rule, and have counfel and comfort, and help from one another, when need requires ; as being all Members of one Body, of which Chrift is the Head. And to conclude , / am fully perjwaded in my very foul, that at the day of judgement, when the dead fball arife-, that I Jhall arife alfo, and (hall re]oyce in Jefus Chrift my Saviour, and reign with him for ever > andfing Hallelujah for all Eter- nity, in theCongrcgzilonefthe fix it-born ; where the Spirits of juft men are made perfect. And this is my Faith fetched from my v try heart, and pre* fented in the hearing of a heart- fear ching God, and all of you here pre fent. Thus after fatisfaBion is given to the Church of their found faith% I finde no other thing neceffary for this fifth Chapter 5 wherein I have been prolix, but I hope profitably. Zz CHAP. Eph 1. 11, it> Mattfc.i8.xo. Eph 4.19. 1 iheff. »r. John if. 1 9. *C>r.$ 1*, »7, r9 Revel. 18 4. Pfcl uo.j. If a 1. 1 2,4. xCor.8.?. Aft, 11. 1$. Mai. J. 16. Jtide 20. H b 10.14,17. Adi6 2. &I4-M- kxQ .1024. 1 Kings 9. ?. Ifaiah <.?>*• & 25. 5,7,8. rtevci.2.1. 1C0..6. 2. Canr. 4.16. 8c6. 2,5. & 7. fe- Ifai.2 2..7,ic. Prj.121.;. Iofn j 18, 1 Cor.ij, 19. Afts 17 $°,Ji. z Tim. 2. 18. He^.u. z|. F xptrimenul evidences of the work of Grace. Lib.II* Grace in a convert di (co- vered two tvayes. i More extra- ordinary. % More ordi- nary. £r ttftfftffffttfffffft CHAP. VI. 131 Chafid* \ every o etoleADMt CTJED, gives out fome EXPE- R ^ ENTAL Sv'r.encesof the work of GRACE upon bis 5UUL (j or the Church to judge of) whereby he (or (he) is convinced that be is regenerate , and received of Cjodjvhich is proved and approved by about forty examples of worth* TTi8faidofOri/f3Mark.7.24. That be could not be bid, nei- *the r can grace, nor the Spirit of Chrift $ which is known (velper revelationem ^velper operationem)t\ther Firft,by Revela- tion, as when God reveals it to a poor foule (under extraor- dinary fad temptations, andfoule-miferies) by extraordinary wayes, many times in dreams, and vifions , and voices, &c. (all which yon (hall finde inftaaced by and by) this way to lome he takes,to comfort them , and recover them , and to acquaint them as he did Paul, 2 Cor.i 2. p. that his grace was (ufficient for them. Or die fecondly , by the operation of the Spirit (&per aliquafignajin the wonder- working 3 and changing efetts of grace; for then thou hateft thofe /«/!/ that hinder thee of Chrift, and then thou longcfl vebemently after Chrift , and loveft the meants of grace , and liveft in the mrkos of grace, andfindeftagreatffaHgein thy judge- ment, will, and affeftions now > and canft look up chear- fullyastothy Father now (being delivered from the bond- age of feare) and canft come with an humble Mdmffe by the Spirit of adoption, and fay3 Father* I want a new Coat (\ inuft have one , viz* drifts garment) and I muft hafe a Chap . 6 . True grace brings in foeet experiences* 35? Of both fhe& waycs excel lenc exampiec foikw. new Btokf y vi*. the Beol^ of life,&c.) and thou canft finde a power in thee (more then before) for to relift ftnne and temptation, and a readinefle to obey, ^#,2.41. and do any thing for God,out of fondnes zndfincenty of iove to him;yea thou contemned worldly things, and thinkeft them below thee*, and eatefthiddenmanna, Rev.2.17, and haft the white flone , and the new name wbicb none kjovn but be ibat receives ; the fweetntfeof which thou talleft, and canfl tell it by ex- perience , which is by no others to be known. And fuch kinie of experiences I could produce abundance, and intended it, bur: that I am this very week prevented by a little piece, tituled3£p/r/*Hd/ experiences of fundry Beleevers, recommended by W*Powel -. yet how ever I (hall inftance in fome of both ' thefe forts of Experiences in fuch as are the moll: remar&ble and picked out,asthey were given in at P»£//tfbyfuch as were admitted', the rather for that I finde not the like of fome of them ever put forth for puhlic\advantage 5 and 1 beleeve they are Come of the flowers of the Spring in thefe dayes. But before this, we muft prove this praftife warantable out of the word of God; fori would not willingly off;r J any thing, but what is Gods owne, and in Gods order. Now i to a poore foule, all fuch things as arc in thefoule, are ! made known by experiences'-, experience^ we (ay 3 proves pr in- i ciples. A mans principles are known and experienced by his l acliotts , as we know how the will ftands, by what it mils j (ffjmo pwr alius experimr principia iwri»(eca-) Rut to the thing I ic will appear by the word , that the Saints are to hold out I their txpsriences to others, yea in the open Congregations , and then we dull (hew you the tea/in/, and fo ro the examples^ to theproefe/rlrft , by precept and pratlife -y by precept , as Mattb. 8.4. when Cbrift bad cleaned the Leper, bebidbim^^ and fiewitiotAtejlimov)', and Mattb. 28. 7 (he Angels bid Mary Magdalen goe quickly and telltbe Difaflesjlgt Chtiir(whom yee feeke) is rifen , Go tell them it 5 and Verfe 10. Chrift meeting with the Maries, renews the precept, Goe tdl them (my brethren , for all that I am rifen, yrt they are my bre- thren J Go* teU tbm> Sec. for now yee know it , and bav; 2a 2 Ctzn -ta Experiences p/t*tre prin- ciples. Prorcd '■'■; Precepts. 3 j 6 Saints in primitive times told their Experiences. Lib.II Jews prattie now. Wiethe Uifk* of lews by Leo Modena. chip.*. % Proved by Pratf i q in primitive times Exp$f, Expof, Expof* Expof* Teen me, and can afluredly fay that I ararrw, Joel I. 3 Tell your children, and let their children tell your children, and their children another generation ; And this is obferved among the Jewes at this day out of Deut* 6.7. and to adde more fo- lemnityto the commemoration of Gods Laft , and their delive* ranee from JEyft,$cc* they writeitdownein a peece of Parchment, and then rowling ic up, fuperfcri.be it 1 IWjbaddai and fattened it to the w&U, or the vofi of the deore , the right band of the er.trar.ee j and as often as th:y foe in and out, they toHibit, zndkjffeit with great effdiion and devotion, This alfolyes commanded, P[al.$4$. Come ta$e and fee that the Lord it goody and I Iheff^ . 1 1 . Comfort your [elves together , and edifie one another* even as al;o ye doe. This is excellent to edifi- cation and confolation, to teU what God hath done for thy \oul\ for hereby many receive benefit , and may meet with the likej and other comfortSfViho have met with the like. Befides , there be abundance of Scriptures to prove the praUife of this, as in ffal.i6.6yy, I willteUof all thy wondrous Words', yea Pfah66. I 9* Come and heare (fayes he^ all ye e iha feare the Lord, and 1 will declare what be bath done formj foule 5 for Verfe 19. Verily God bath heard we, and bath not turned away his mercy from ms ; So that it is no new thing to tell ©ur experiences in fublkk? to the whole Church* and in thefeciety of Saints. I wi(h it were more in fraftifa for the rich dijeoverics of grace in Chrift 3 and many wonderfull various wayes of Gods working in thefe dayes in his Saints would thereby beWopen. But feefurther, P/iJ.18 30. the way of God is ferfeel (fayes David) God is a ncke>f*ithfull&c* How knoweft thou t\A%>David1 O fayes he3 / Dave tried it , the word of the Lord is tryed 5 I can tell it by experience > and I know that be is a buckjer to aH that Uuft in him. And David , Pfal.5 1. pro- mifes,that as foon as his broken bones were healed, and the )cy of hvs falvation was reflored to him, Verfe 1 2. 1 3. that he would prefently preach it, ind teach even fmners Gods wayes, to give them warning of uncleanneffe , finne, &c. and to tell them what it is to lye in bell, horror , to have a wounded fpirit, an accufing confeience , and the judgements of an angry frowning God. Thus alfo 2 Cor.ja 1. Wee knowing the terror if the Lord, (that Chap,6. ibe Reafons, why they didfo. 357 Dc.dnrs. (that is, by terrible things which would make a man tremble, \ and his heart akc) weperjwade men (Wv^) we tell them the condition we were in, and now how wee are out, on pur- pofe to perfwadetbemtobeleeve in God, and to get out of Expo?. their carnal condition; for prefidents fornetimes doc prevaile before precepts; fo that this is no novelty to declare the cw- dition which we have been in5and are in 5 lafte and fee, the mercy, grace, and love at God in Chrift in the Gofpel, by pardon, peace, recenciliatioM^furance.ot whatsoever is to be tafled, as D.-.c/*/a«oWerv«on I Feut^.lffebe yebavetafred bow gra- cious the Lord it (t}4u% r knowit,Pfi{.l8.3o. But on the other fide, it hthtwantof'^X this that makes us call his care 9 and his tiutb, and his were/ and Z^e fo often into que fan , efpeciatfv in times of trials,. (as 5/^1 fa-yes in his mle-confitfs, chip a%. yivjth A $.i7.iP.d ye fballbeare mtnefe (fayes Chrift ) becau'eye have been r*> mee from the beginning (fxapwfa/Ti) ye (hall Wmeffe upon vour lxpcfr own? knowledge (the word is) not from bear-fay, bot Lz/e- /tyfrom your own experiences , yee (hall teilifie even before thejWgeinthe e>e , and e*nf of all the people, that I am full of grace, light, life, znd fahattin. You (hall" know it by experience,™* witnefie to hisrr«f&, faitbfulnefc riabteoufrnffe. }f^9 mercy, 8cc. And though a iMf^d {hould deny it , a cfti/d •/ Ad that canfay by experience, that fach a one opens the mouths of many to praife the Lord ! P/.1/.35.18.27. and to beleeve in the Lord, Joh.iy. 11. i$.Jo.ll49.A&.$,9. Lukf 1 843. Secondly , Ic is needful for the Churches benefit too, to fet upon this duty to deWarff experiences of Gods tw^e on the/oak, and that forthefe fcveral Reafons which follow, As I To know(fo far as may be judged by the*/e#/)who are the£/ec7of God, 1 Tbejf.1.4. beloved of God (thatisby the judgement of charity , not of infallibility) fox none can fay for certainty thou art a Saint, oxvlecl, but i'o far as we judge and beleeve in Verff. the proof of EUttion\yt%m Vocation end ye know what manner of men we Btfre, fayeshe -, fo that the Church was endued witha/pir/iof difcerning, 1 Cor, 12.10. Now fach as the Church beleeves to be called of God, flie be- Jeeves to be of the eltttion of grace , Rom. 1 1.5. and fuch (he muft admit. Now to make E/t#*e»fure(as2Pef.i.io.) and cleare,we muft make our Vocation fare, and Calling clear, 2 Tim* 1*9. where it is called a Holy calling, that is from fin, to grace, Tit.2.11, 1 2. from darkpejfe to light, 1 Per. 2.9, from former fins, and lufts, to holy life, 1 Pet.x.14,15. andby this our eletlwi isknowne. To open which note., know that.JS:/e#f8»ic felfcis/efmandf»y/rerw», as it lyes in the &eaee,itis from M Eternity. Now poor man muft needs bee loft,to look what was done from all Eternity , in the fecrec conclave, zvAcounceUoi Heaven 5 a Beingthat is [panned by time cannot reach to it; his Decrees are kept clofe under Uckf and key ( till it is time to open them;) wherefore I finde it notfraife-wortby in them that Co diftratt themfelves , and others by their curiotu < dijquifttions ,and nice deputations in this point. For our way to have the fruit of it,is not to dig deep, and to fearcb to the root,but to reach to the boughs and bran- ches thereof. So look out,and take hold on the Holy callings For the bead of Nilm cannot be found out, but the many fmtt iffues and Sfringt of that (hidden) be*d arc found out, ,. *'•*"" ■""" and Alms. Sim. Ob). Anfwi Chap.6. Reaf.2#Foy the Churches to know who are called. . 5 s y and known : So though the Head isfecret, and kept hid,yct^ the Springs break out, in our vocations , and holy obedience and converjation ( as j4 Jams on Peter P.i 10, hath it ) for a jRjzier may runne a great while, and a great way under ground3 but in time, andinfome place it break* out, and runs openly: So the 'Decree may bee hid and fecret for a while , but the dreams break out in Vocations , which is the waj from Predeflinat ion to Glorification y Rom. 8.30. This curs eff that ahfurd* (octifh , and joule* overwhelming opinion of many poortprefck* , who fay, if I am decreed to bee (aved, then I may live as I lift, for I am fare I (hall be faved if it be decreed i bur if v be decreed I fhall be damned, why I (hall bee dammddoe what I can, andmybsftway h to live m pleasure } loving and ftrving my felfe here , for I am lure all my care cannot alter Gods counfel. Oh, alas/ how fulfil is the Devil f but does the iVord fay thus? no 1 but the IVordiayes, If God have decreed thy falvmhnzs elefi t why, then thou ihalt xcalhe in the way of falvation , and then thou art decreed to be called fas well as \aved) from fin to grace^W a holy //fofrom all uncletnnejfe, 1 ThefT.4.7. to fancli fix at ion* Origen makes mention of one fickle, who was perfwaded by a ft iend not to fend for a ?h)fi\ian\ for faith he , if it be appointed you fhall dye, the Pbyfitian cannot helpeyou } if it be anointed you (hall live, you doe not need him , but fhall live without him ; Nay , Sir , f anfwered hee) but it I be appointed to live , I will ufe the means ( which are alfo appointed thereunto) for fuchan anointment to rase ejfcB. Now I fav there is a itricl , and ijijeparable connexion be- twixt Election and Vocation , and Vocation is a comment upon Elettian. The letter (fayes Culverxvelin his White- (torn) was dated from Eternity , but the Superfcription was writ in time, *>iz. Vocation , now though the Letter be writ firft , yet the Superfcription is read firft , and then the other is unhealed and read,the\o>©- cWWSrr©- that was in Election, well becomes (faith hcj *h& *e3Wr*$ in Vocation. Doclor Iwijfeon the point of Predeftination , telling us how God is not guided by fecondcaufes, in any of his Decrees , W and how nothing irMjs was the cau)e of his Dtcree concern- br.Tmfc ing Origct, Elccllon from, ereruiry. Voc>nonia rime. ^'v.-itioa In /theDcGce be- fore fanftjfi- cation,but in rheexecurj'on °f the decree, fanftrO-ssiicn is before falva- ion. 3£o tAU that are called, do declare it. Lib .II. & £Jow the Church is to jucLecf< ne Eiccl. Sim* Sim. Sim, Sinn tf? & ingus, beicwhatic will ; yet fayesheinthe execution of his Decree (which is in time) there is amthsr order ; for toin- ftance in the Decree k felfe3from Eternity «>gIory is firft, Sal- vation is firft ordained , which produces grace and (anftificst- tom but in the execution of the Decree (in tempore) grace is be- fore glory, and fanclification before falvation,** was (aid before of the Letter, the Super fcripti^n is firft read though laft a?n>. Wherefore I fay (for to this end I fpeakeit) that it is al- together irreguUr and anomalous, and out of our order, for any to fry , and pore , and pee\ firft out for Election , and that would firft look int© the Decree. Now would the Cfc«rcb know ( fo far as they are able in charity, for they cannot on certainty) and wouldit thou know whether thou art an deft received of God, decreed to be/** ved ; it is not to fearcb the records in heaven firft , but the records in thy bean firft ( for tobat is bound on earth, is bound in heaven ', andloofedon earthy is Uo\ed in heaven ) how is it with thy heart ? art thou called yet? changed yet ? art thou bofyl haft thou left c ff thy ill 8cc for where there iifire, there is heat ; and where there is true vocation, there is (inseparably) fanttification , and holy life; would we know if the Sun (bine, why we fhall not need to clitnbe up into the chuds , to clamber to the skjes ; no ! but look upon the beams (hining onthe earth. That Aftreiogcr, fayesone , was fufficiently laughed at, that looking fo in- tensely upon the Stars,and flaring with fo much amazement at their twinkling, tumbled (unawares) over head and eares into the water *, whereas, had itp/ Come more violently , the Lord came in the thunders, (lormes, fire on' Mount Sinai , and in fright" fnllflafbes of lightning , like a Gboft , a Defiroyer> a judge , in flaming vengeance 3 roaring like a Lion robbed of whelps to many; In afflictions, croffes, tbjfes, dangers, frights, tbreatnings of Law, terror s of ffr#,and the damned roaring in their earsfe in (uch difpen:.ations as cut'to the fcwr^pierced to the ^«/cte, J&arps and fetched blood irom the joule, wounded the conscience % with a tboufand (tabs, asAfr.2.37. fuch Sermons Mr» Rogers of Dedbam>Fcnner preached, &c. But fecondly,others more gem^ were" won in by loveicbsriesj promifesywarme senders of the blood %f Cbrift , lively openings of ^crucified Cbrift , which melt their foules, and make their ta<*M £/eed5 and mourne to look up unto htm , B?to rdey &«we pierced, by fuch Sermons as S/66j, Crz/pe/Scc. preached. Thus they were brought low 3 tooxndedinfpirit, broken in hearty and with freffs bleeding wounds weep(though fome more,fome leffe) for a Cj&r/^ their Lflrd, but they know not wberebeis laid, Joh.20.15. and know not where to look for him, but 4bmccim.es are afraid, and flye off, and cn,and up and dow.n, A a a and And judges of the caufe by the effects and means. The order of tolling expe- riences. I 1 tire; Preparation. When, the t H)w? the mean*? T'o bring the -n down J into hell. Mr Rogtrf. Mr. Fen Tobrin^.. down into Dr. Sibs, Dr. Cf/i . -And to r3ife tin mil pinto heavenly pla- ces in Chnft ' Je.us. Sim. iKisg^i. 362 By thetr experiences when, and hm tbey came to be called. Li b JI and here and thereunder a thoufand temptations >beingin a(jfo/y preparing) defperatkn , and utterly undone in their own fight andfenfe, till by fome Or&inancetfromife or other 5 Providence or other 5 the Lord minifters comfart , and by hhfecret Spirit whifpers pardon, and peace, and ; and indeed p icis true here, none but a /en? undone [6uUs,Vj$re beggars y chac have fpent 4!/, loft 4#, wosnded £7/pp/?.f,broken-hearted P^//c and roar under tor* ments, though they cry out , Oh ! they arc damned ! undonel forfaken of God! &c. yetcondemne them not 3 for even then, they may be the dear children of God* and pafle a falfefentenct upon themfelves for fometime.' fo long as they lye under defpairef and in the fenfe of their own ruinous condition , till they fee a repaire in Chrift / O how they cry out> O wretched man that I am 1 and as V are thofe that reap from them ? Surely you will fay , here is an alteration indeed, even to admiration I what ? is it pffible that this can be that fame black^barren ground, that fecmed fo rent, tome, ufeleffe, and di [orderly, it is fcarce to be beleeved , that it can be the f<2rHe,when you feefuch a change. So that before their )oy be as the )oy in barveft ( for others to reapoi them too, and get by their Experiences ,&c.) they muft meet with a Seed-time* And fo with a. fighting-time too , a time of great troubles, dangers, defper ate conflicts againft fin, zndSatban, gi- A fighting y,ing no quarter, but kill or be kjl/ed, crying, Arme , Arme-, fight time, tkenx^ for thy life, ftrike with all thy ftrength againft thy /a/fj.Uonqueft. Againft their lives with the two-edged (word -, O fpare nosae! I Aaa 3' none J *t$ none. ?66 Sim. A time of tra- vel, and then & birth of joy. XT }st:\t?ma.% xt 4, Reafon 4 To teach others how variously Gad works. J£xpoJ< VikGoodwhs Child of Light ■ ■ ■ ■ - .... -, , ■ - ■ | - ,", , , _ Experiences te-acb Gods divers wayes of Working, Lib.II j none! rout them all! ranfacke the Camfi purfue them hardl beat them out of the fielol and keep thy ground &c. now ic will coft nun •> a bkw , a wound, a hazard 5 a de [per ate engage- merits on all fides before the Saim/ can come to )oy , as thofe that dzi//de thefpoyle ^ neither can they come off with- out wounds-yScc. but then their farrow (hv}vaj as of a woman in trave/^that is full of pangs iScc.Jfoall be turned into jo; ..Jo h, 15. 20,21,22. O fweet ctawge ! but before this joy, Cnrifthim- ielfe tels them of farrows, ye& of fuch,as their faults (hall bee in travel with bitter .great, (harp pdAgj (Medea was wont to fay, (he had rather a tkoufand times bee flaine in battel, then bring forth owe child (maUem perire quam parere) but all tends to the birth of )oy(fed finis edulcat mediafyy^s Keckerman.)Now whiift poor faules are in their pangs \ it is neither piety nor charity to cenfure them ; for in fo do/Hg , as yf/ipb fayes, Pfal: 75.13,14. you will condemne the generation oftbejuft, and will but gratifit the JDf^/7, to fcandalize the wayes of grtfee in thofe Ariel: paffages which are through the ftrait-gate 5 All this will appcare by brewing the Saints in their Experiences , whereby as then mayeft learn the way to live in Chrift , fo thou mayeft to avcid the cenfures offuchas psjfs that wa); which is (at fifi.) fo full of Difficulties , and dangers, and guljes^ andj&eli/e/,and as we fay> By.Veeeping-crojfe. Fourthly , By their Experiences you will learnehow va- rious God is in his w&yes and workings , as Heb.itl3i. rnhvpifas ^ mMTfyos in divers wayes , tfjfd fundry manner s$ forfomemenhe comes toin^we^^y, to fome in another 5 to fome as a Lamb>to fome as a Lions to fome as a wbirlewind, to others as a NoaVs- flood, to others as a flafb offight- ning, to others as zlbiefe in the night; to iome by fick? nefre, to others by rrcjfe/ and lcJTcs> to others by Jfrwow. &c. he leaves fome a while in iarhpejfe where they fee no fojffr, Ifa.50.lo,]-!. in diflrejjes of conjemee , and their foules on the rack, where they fee no tray for deliverance, and otters Site in dull, d*J<#, iroperfefi/gfct, whiift their &flmtisinthe ec//p/e 5 yet iome againe he fweetiy fhines upon even in the > morning at their fir si cwvtrfion and Call j and yet their Sunne may be foon wer-fodgwd&nd fome that have leffc grace^nd I ~ have C H a p . * . 7 bey teacb others to truft in God too. 367 have lived kafel} , it may be chey have (efpecially ac death) fjpientkni) and moil radiant fciningf, and goe into drifts King- dme with 'mlljcilss, fwelling deftres, and have abundant en- trance, whilft others, that have walked more ftrictly with G ;d , and who (you would thinke) fhould enter more Cb amy ion- like y triumphingly and glorious , are fraught with fears , and dwhts , and have their Sunne fct in a cloud, N jw God workes diverfly, according to the divers complexions, conditions, conftitutions, difrifitMS) or the like, that he hath to worke upon *, becaufe jpiritual comforts doe not tend limply ad effe, buc bene Jfi% to the X^eU-being, as well as to th? being of aCk//fw«*Now by thefe Experiences of Saints you wil learn that Co d hath divers Wayes, and divers timesy and divers want to ivocke with 5 and foms that Teem very contemptible too:fothitif hedoenoc warkeon thee or thine, one p?^y3hee may another '■, h-e knows whac mews is proper ; for chat which will helpe this man (maybe a wrong means) and it miy be will not help that man,or another. Fifthly i Experiences declared do oblige others , and allure tlaem exceedingly to relye upon God, and to beleeve in him, J). 1I.48. yitf.3.9 -&c. For as "David fayes in Pfa!,22 1,2. I cry, I roar, nighc and day for deliverance s but what arpu- mewf doth he niakeufeof? why verfe 4 5. Our Fathers trufted in tbte^ they trufttd, and tbcu didft ddivtr them^ibey cryed ante thee and Were deliver edfbe) trujied in thee , and xvere not confwnded. Therefore deliver me too, for I cruft in thee , Verfe 1 1 . fo that the experiences which others have had of Gods gracious dealingt with them, and deliverances of them , doe encourage David Co caft his care upon the Lord too, for the like dtive- rances out of hk troubles* So in Pi'al.3 1.24. Be of good e?#fr agc, andbe/haQ ft reagtben your heart, allye thai hope in tbe Lord, even as he hath ftrengtbned mine bearx , and beard my voice and cry ej, as in the verfes before 5 fo bee will yours ! O all ye Saints I Thus you fhall fee in Jeh.q* 28, 29. the woman of Samaria ran into tbe City, znd told her experiences of the Mejfiab comzjnw be toldber all things yUc and ioe 1 how this weake means worked upon a many3 and effected a great matter, in verfe 39. for the Text fayes, That manyoi the Samaritans be- leeved Means to con* vert one,noc the means fo convert ano- ther. Reafcn J. Experiences tearh others ro cruft in God in times cf troubles. Exftf Expof. Thus Samari- tan, brought . in. 3^8 They teach others to truft in Godto'o. Lib. II. Thus was junim conyCi fed. flndothe:s Sniiaieot Po- pery. And m thefc daycs« r3r In Dithlin Church expe- rience, Of prayer an- fwsred in a niJraciilctis mercy* beletved on him , becaufe ofthefayings of the {poor) woman9 chough many more in Verfe 41. becaufe of his owne word ; but 1 pray marke , what a profitable means the poor xvomans experiences told were to win them, and to works upon them to come to Chrift ; and then in Verfe 40. they befoughfe (fhnft to tarry with them : And thus Junius proftfteth that the very firft thingthat turned him fiom \Atheifmey and made him bdetve in God, was a Conference with apoere County-man of his , rot far from Florence ; and it is obfer- vtd in the black? ft times of Popery ( by Fox Afts&* Mon. foLy 50.7 67 .) when good bocks and good Preachers weref rara aves in terris) as rare as Black: fwans ( aimoft) yet then did one holy man refort to another , and one good neighbour conferring with another , and declaring their experiences to another , did convert him , and by this means the hearts of many were turnedtothe Lord 3 and had light in thofe dark* dayes ; and I dare boldly fay by this means more then a few are convinced, if not converted in thefe dayes-, and fame that have faid it to me often5have been exceedingly wrought upon by hearing the experiences of others ; fome informed, others confirmed others confuted by thofe means , which are of much ufe ; I wifh they were as much inufe > whereby others might be encouraged to truft in God by hearing what he h at h done for our ibules. The Church is hereby frrengthened in the Experiences of her members, as Aft. 4* 23. when Peter and John had reported xhc'wufagefiic.ih'Xburch united the more ftrongly together, and gathered up all t\\tir ftrength together, Verf. 24, 29, 31^32. againfi their foes, andiorGod. The experience of Gods hand and judgement upon Ananias and Saphira, Adc. 5.1 1, ftrucks fear upon all the Churchy and as many others as heard it , that they might beware (cavebis fi pavebis,) It is well knowne in Dublin the very firft'day after embodying* being the thirteenth of the eighth month one thcufmd fix hundred flfr.y one5the Church met together^ and wasratifitd by a remarkable mercy , and pledge given in 3 for one of the Brethren (viz. Captain Lieutenant John fin) his wife was in \ labour, (which did ocqafiop his abfence from m: ) flie had 1 beeta Chap ,6- Experiences did much confirm m in Dublin. been in labour two dayes.ahd two nights{a% I Cake it, for it is i upon record in the Regifter- books) and had two Mtdwives^ her danger wa« great,her/W* untiil they had effected (what they fought for) a breach in the Churchy after which, wee that held together in order being wounded , and the body being mk Bbb in 369 in Dublin. Lib.II Church ex- perience of prayers an- 1 we red in ano- ther parallel mercy upon the Author, Faith In prayer forces out a quick apfwer f in paine with the rude rent of feven or eight members from us, the Church was forced to fly e to the fhypian to bee healed^ and a day of Humiliation being appointed, whileft (he was yet bleeding in her green and frejh munds , our good £/W who hath promifedto hear their cry and to fave them, P/d/. 145. 18,19. gave them another, and uetopkdge of his owning of them, and prefence with them, which was very pa~ rallel with the former and(as much as to fay) hee was with them yet,which hath been an experience full of virtue and force to this day, and the which I hope, Khali never be un~ mindful of 9 or unthankful for ; for it pleafed God to vifit me with a fore difiemper , and fuch a one as did fuborne many doubts concerning me all the night before (this day of humiliation which the Church appointed , being inthelaft month of the laft yeare but one, one thoufand fix hun- dred fifty one) I lay in a lamentable afp&ion^ kept up with a vehement vomiting * which continued the next day all the fore-noon I (keeping my bed) vomited four or five timeSjOr oftner in an houre, lying in a moft high (peftilentiaJas was thought) and raging Weaver, I fent to the Church fox pray-' erSyWho were confuting whom to choof amongft them as a convenient, keeper for me f many imagining that it might be the Plague , or that it would prove the fpotted Teavtr ac leaft,being taken in that manner that others were taken of thefe difeajes) much means was ufed to flay the vomiting and nothing would doe, whteh at laft turned to another colour as green as graffe, and came from the very heart (as I thought)! fent my man (afternoon) to the Apothecaries for more things to ftay the vomitings whilft he was gone, I was thinking the Church was wreftling for me, wherefore with much adoe, up I rife , and^o* into my Study to prayer aIfo5 being perfwaded I (hould joyne with them , and the inter-* tt?y}/ I told them well , at which they wondred more, not thin king it pofsible ; but rather that I knew not what \faid% and te#/#£ them I wis going forth , though they thought me more mad then*?;/*, yet away I went to the Church who were yctpraying9znd that hard (bleffed be the Zr^er doth his c loath 5 to give any leave to ob- ]e& what they can againft the goodneffe of it 5 foHallfayt* in his Contemp.<\.part. P.12©. Now a man that owes twenty ("hillings may a?, wel pay in filver as in gold&nd have asgood a di [charge given him ; but if he paies it in go/d> then it is difcharged in one piece without telling, or further trouble^ but if in /tfaerjtlien it is in many pieces 3 and requires the pains to tell it ever before he be fur e that it be right -y (o is it here, the Saintsh&ve ajfuranceoi all discharged and payed, and themfelves fet at large, the Creditor reconciled, the Law at an endfce. and all this by the immediate teftimonj oft he $piritswh\ch is with more (peed and lefle trouble , as Efh.^o. or elfe by the markfs, and effects in many peeces, which will aske much paines to examine and' tell over; And thus in the experiences by fever al peeces of goodcowr (ftamped with (Wj image ) you have their affuranc* or pleonafmes of jo/ and /ai/*, and /*£&*" and all brought out ; fo that they being op^/y attefled and approved, the Saints are thereby often advantaged for future attempts , and troubles znd fuits in Law;fo that thereis £r?*rf r^/stf knowsthat hisajfa~ ranee is r^i & fubftantial^nd not fhadowy , counterfeit & /)*//£ ? To anfwer this , we have Twin-teftimonies and Single* teflimonies to know it by; the Twin-born tefiintonies are fureft ( $" 0W2#* exceptione major es) and fuch are infallibly (but the others are not foj thefe are of two forts; T&f Spirit with- our fpirits bearing witnejfe, Rom. 8. \6% ovpwtVf& co-witnefTes -> Co Rom>9.i. fo fayes Pattl^ My ewfeience bearingwitneffe by the Holy Ghofi & both goe together (as honeftJ/^x hath it) like a p*i/r^ of Indentures, one anfwers another : and that the Holy Spirits witnejfe 3 is a clear tefli- mony-} fee r jW.3.24. he aflures the foule bfjwtrfml'fitfli- Mtim CauttMj. hufr. How to_,know Ufe/w« 1 Bytlie Twin-teftimo- flies. Sureft with, fcaling of, the Spirit. Chap. 6* Experiences bring ajjurance to others. 37 J cation (as Culvtrwel in his Write ftone well obferves) for the. Father chufeth us, and hath decreedit; the Sonne executeth it to the full, and the Spirit applies it , and witness our intend in it, andfets-ftrong and vigorous apprebenftons of /eve and mercy upon our heart , they be /frfet and fecret (-U^?1^) [ouk- Vibiperings, and [pirn-breathing, by which the feul and [pirit converges together (fecret ^YP M) and have filent etfff r- cwrfe one with another, which is not an embufiaftical fancy or iHufion, but a rea$ truth which every Saint hath a to/re.o £, being inff nations ; then the ^>it affures, (orcleares) bya plea/ant irradiation or brigbtnefe, beaming upon the [oules whereby he fees the affurance reall and genuine-fa i Cor. 2*1 2. We have received the Spirit which is of Gad, thai we might know thetbings whfchare freely given us of God. So Verfe 9.I0. by this D/z/ise light , what a glorious ghtfe, a- r /c£ orjency, a lively luflrs , and an excelling Exp&fttion is upon thy a[furance; fo that although from the /ep thou do«£fe/r, from the Spirit thou iceit, and art affured : For* feeing is beleeving, as we fay ; and you know this Veitnejje from a fancy to be true , by its own convincing nature and efficacy, as you know light by fajgitj and fo you know the Word by the Word, and are able to judge ail other wsrds falfe,and all other lights painted3and all other £»Hj(hsdows; So you know the Spirit by the Spirit, Joh. 16.8. by its owne conviction which it carries with it (astrue /Ere carries its owne evidences to declare that it tefire, but fnl[efire painted does not doe, fo .) The light of a. Ranting prefumptuous Spirit is but like a blazing Comet* prefaging his prepofterous jpirit, or preparing a venemous malign, and pe- ftilential influence, and portending hisruine; and the light of an Hjpscrite^U but a transient corufcation and flafh for a fud- den, and is put out 5 but the Spirit difplayes himfelfe to the foul , and gives a gliflering manifeftation of hisprcfencein that heart, of his motion In that hmfc&pe and horilbn5 and by his owne beams (as the Sun) is to be ieen, and parapbra\ed up- on himfelf, and witnefes to himfelf,that he is there; fo that (as one fayes) a man may fooiier take the g^o-Worm for the Sunne, then air experienced Saiat can take a falfe light (and delufion) for the light of the Spirit, An.d who would Sk-* Bbb t bs Exp*[. 1 Spirit with owr fpiritt. *t» How to be Aire of it that it is a true fpttlc. A Rantet what? A Hypocrite'. 374 affurance bad by Tmn-Teflimomtf. Lib.I 1. Siffs. S Twin-teftl- raony is the word & fpiric. JExfof. 9b}. Afinglc tefti* laony Sim. Is.cnough. Siml XT Oh). be further fatisfied, may fee Sibs his Fountain fealed, Page 169.170.&C The other Twin-teftimony is taken from the Word and the Spirit, the Law, and tbe Teftimony together, If a.t.io. Deut.1%. 18. Mat. 2 2. 2 ?. the Scripture and the powtrof God, which are to^ goe both together to give affurance , clfe yee erre (•ar^a&s) yea caufe others to erre t«, as the word fignifie? , the Scriptures were e« *//W by the %r*f, therefore the Spirit and they muft agre e; now mark then what your joyes , rapture?, comfortSjgraceSj peace, hopeSjevidences are>brmg them to the Words doe they agree with the Scriptures? thefearethe undeniable Teftimonies which never faile , and are ever )oynt- witnejfes to make thy affurance the clearer : But before I come to the Single-Teflimenies (which are thelcffe certainc and fafe) forne objeft : I have not the TtoivT'eflimomes as I know of, but oneJy the Teftimony of my own ffirit9 and confeience. If thou findeft not(as yet)the teftimony of the SpmXfaies Mr. Ferkjns) yet the other teftimony viz,fan8ification of the heart will fuffice to affure. us % for in true fae there will bee betf] (though thou feeft no flams) or feeft it not $ yet this is not fuch a flerofbory or fwelling pleonafme of joy and peace, which others have that have the Double-teftimony ; for cer- tainty is not in pmUo, but hath a latitude, per magU & minus, a man may be certaine by an affurance and Deed of an eft ate, but yet he may be more certaine ofe that eftate, which he is (now already) certaine of 5 fo though one teftimony is enough for ajfurance, yet a Vouble-teftimony is not mprc then enough, but makes the affurance more illunrious 5 of two Cbriftians who are affured of [alvation , one may have a clearer , and confe- quently a comfortabler affurance then the other , for one may have a double-teftimony , and the other but a fingle; nay the fame Saint at fome time may have a dwhle-uftitmny , and at another time but a /ingle one* Ob alas ! I have had not long fince a Urge Teftimony ! but now I am without ligbt and ryide none, neither the teftimony of Gods Spirit , not yet of my own* but all cloudi3ecIipfcs, blacknefle5&c Firft, C h a v .6. Advances infallible upon Double Testimonies. 375 Firft, There is a wry left open yet for thee; O have re- ceur(e to thy former experiences ! evidence , ajfurance ! didft thou ever enjojr a fweet firenity of fpirit, a calmnefje in rmf / then run to former ajfurance and w*r he loves us,and not for any thing in our felvcs. And 3 Confider (poor fouls) If God love us leffe or more 5 as we are lefls or mote finfull in our felves , then he fhould love as man ; but his wuyes are not as our wayts, nor thoughts as our thougbtsfiot all his love to us is in Chrift, who is an un- changeable o£je#,th£refore Rom*$. 1.3 3,34,3 5,38.s7iw.2.i 9. O then did he ever but once (mile on thee, embrace thee, em* bofome thee; and wilt thou now /we, and doubt I O no ! refl fatftfied in his tine hange ablent ffe , dear heart, and thou ftialt finds the leaft drop of true grace flul never be exbaufted,nor the fed/? draw of true )oy be £/r>eJ up, or annihilated ; And as it is in a Courty the feale is as true a(eale , and as good afufficient evi- dence'in Lafr, though the pr/«f be defaced, diminimed , and not fo apparent^as a /lamp that is mod faire , frelh , and full, and not defaced at all 5 So (halt thou findc it in the Court of Hwen,that the dimnejfeoi the feale, or thy fight , though thou thinkeft the Markfs are allworne out, the faire image and prwr ( which formerly thou fa weft ) fo much defaced, though thy faith cannot finde out that apparent flampe (that thou once fa weft) in thy heart, yet all thismars not thin^evidence, or ajfurmce in heaven 5 this defaced feak (hall Anfw. When thou art wirhoaca wirneflcjwhac to do . Expof. Three confofc- rations. rite SAltmrfh his Ftee-grMCi p.8o. . 3 Confiderac, to afliire poor fouls in Chrif! Sim. ■ II.. . II ,., r... 1 1 _^ ... >, ■«■ SI6 .jifjurance is infallible upon double 7 "ejt monies. Lm.ll. I goc current thtrc , and a little imperfect (tale is as good to I thy affurancc as a greater in heaven, and gives as good an j ajfurance of beavenasa fail er and fuller: why io? fork was once^as g^od as any; and that in the Re:erds and Bocks of foj- ven : therefore lookjto the initials of greet- Eut further, Secondly, Is it foas thou fayeft, art thou all in the clouds , daikneiTe?&c. well then , if reflex ads of ajfurance (fuch as We (pake of before) be wanting, make them up in multiplying direct and refc/ate a&s; now! where wants evidence, make ir up in adherence,' Now grafpe a promife with hti) hands, and fay , P/4/.23. 4. f fcwffc 7 nw^e through the valley of the foadow of deaib,)et will I fear mne evill\ O roule thy felfe refiluuly upon < free grace, and love , and r*/s/i/c there to lye, live and dye I j though he flay me , yet I williruft in him, and J/j.50.10. ^e» theufeeft no tight, yet fray upm your God. Thus the Spoufe came out of the wilderneffe, Canr.8.5« leaning (i^e. laying all her Weight, care, bedy/oule^burttienyali) uponber beloved. O fof with a fweet recumbency caft thy felfe upon God , and fee how that will worke ! Like men ready to be drowned,who will lay hoJd faft, for fear the waves fhould throw them off; and he that beleeves foall never be afbameet. Bat thus for the Double* teflimowes ; the Single are fuch as follow in thzeffttts andmarkf, which^nay beteftimenies to others, as well as to our feltes^ of our ajfurance 5 but fuch are not alwayes<-em/^t yet fuch asthe Church judgesupon in Charity, tnoit marks they hold out in their experiences ; for affurance is a reflttting ail of the foule, by which a Saint fees clearly he is in the ftate of g^c*, and heir of g/«ry , Vita eft inferefletiio, (aid Seneca; fo the Frodigal came to himfelfe, and 1 tf/«g.S.47.we fee that we are fure , 1 J*. a. 3. yvetoww wo l>p0W«*andweknow that weetyztwhim. Thus much we exprtffe in our experiences of his/e^e died abroad iri~our hearts ; (o that affuxence is more then perfoafiw, it is the fep- £rwem(Scriptures and O dhances;) but now, O they can look him on the face ! and flye into his bofotne with embraces / before they durft not touch a protnife, and fcarcely caftan eye upon a promife , butnow they co- vetoufly claim all, grafpe greedily, and appropriate for their [ own all; before their performances were green and unfit , but j now me Vowed with the hot Sun- beams, and are fweetm Mauh.17. Now by their experiences you fhall heare how they attained to this top of the Mount , and have many remarkable Markj and evidences ; and yet fo, astheyvviil neither themfelves (nor would they have you) to confide in thofe testimonies as infallible (for Hypocrites may goe far in thefe latter v but not in the former^? It is not their new cbange from finne to grace, from uncle annefs to bolinefs, from creature to Chrift , from con- flicls to peace > from darknefs to ligbt, from bandage to liberty % from $/«« to £/«/*, from carnal-courfts companions fee. to /jp/V/- \ualy thatcaufes their ajfurance, but their affurdnce rather cau- fes thefe, and makes this glori cits change, and thefe ba^pyfiw ingsofjoj and peace. It is dangerous to place affurance in mortification of finne,znd dying to our former laftii or in vivi- fication, and Jiving a new, another life 5 fuch as are legally enligbtned may lay hold on Prmifes , clafpe about Chrift ; cry Wdt,&c. for there is fomething within that/efferx and manacles them, till they are under the minifiration of the Gofpel; for as we know green wood with fire in it befets the room with fmoakf, and fills ail; and fo fome poor hearts , whofe principles are yet too fenfual> and full> of (our) yip which may have many [parses of theLao^and Curfes for yfcwe kindled in them , but they will be fuller of fmoak then of light , till the Spirit comes. And yet fuch fmoaking-flax is not to be quencbedjbut blown up : Wherefore, I fay , this makes not allurance, they are all in the darke9 and [moakf yet;yet we cannot deny but that the times of AJfurance, are times of great change and alteration , the prifon* doors are fee open , the iron-bolts knocked off, the captives at liberty ; yea they are feaUng , and fetling times ad corroborandum iitulum^ they arefitnej of the foules viclory and triumph over lufts, Rev* 2.17. and with the Virgin-company of followingthe Lamb wfei- tberfeever begoeth ; they are times of trampling on ail things below5and keeping the wssn underfoot, yea they ate tMcJbiwg and workjn&and warniag^and arming times too,and times of breathing a.httfullpoffe!fjon£tc.zn& all this(and more too) will appear? in the experiences of Saints ; O what fisries can they tell ! even anew Canticles Lwhat Jufoles1 tovefovgs! and foule- raptures doc they meet with/ then is Aunragtudii, growing more and more to aperfetl day ! Now fo far as wc can judge of it by the rule cf charity ; we have matter enough afforded us, in the hiftorical and demonftrable part of their experiences* It is well noted by one (VonnjoL6tf9) of the Evangelift John (who was wrapt up fo much into the Divinity of Chrift of all other) that he docs ordinarily double that a(feve~ ration fo often in Chrifls mouth, viza Amen, Amen, Verily, Verily, 1 fay unto you^c. whilft the other Evangelifls mention it but Verily ,1 r (ay unto youfoc. fo is it that the more we are beloved of God , and the nearer we are come to Cbrifl Uo ly in his bofome) and the more wc are fa&llomd up in his Divinity, the \ further we are from fingle affertions of truth', and the more wee wert with, and manifefl to others doubU ttflimwes of Gods lave Full afliirance affords full ex- periences even (as it were) with double Teftimonies Reafon 2. True experi- ences keep humble. Chap.6. Experiences of true SAintsjnak^ them bumble. 3 79 hve and our affurance , which like Tome precious mineral- Sim* waters , will not onely mundifie the ulcers, but comfort the fores* cool the &e<2r3 fupple the wounds, flop the infefiion from going further , and by tfcgreej will £**/ all. Now the /*&r we are of the / and deli- verance this will mine us ; and thus the&e*rf.r of many Hy- pocrites and Profefors are puffed up , and fwell out with con- ceits that they excell others. Sach the Apoftle fpeaks of,i Cor. 4.18519. and CW.2.18. Let no man beguile you , who is vainly puffed by biffiefrly mtnde (&v*Cp&#viT6>) that is , let him not Lord if,and brave it,as great Boajiers doe, or as fuch Lords that fcorn others fliould come neare them ; for fuch a one is vainly puffed up (temere turgen?iV>*ww& ) blmne up like a f,rr *y hl/tddpr. Sim. *%Hift.of Sianderbeg lib.x. Hypocrite* puffed up by ihcm. Rxpf. Sim, Saints bum- bled. Experiences of Saints make them moft bumble. Lib.1I. bladder with a breath , or fome windy , empty , and unufefull i humour, and danger a us or deftruElive tumour ; of fuch take heed : In a di(h * or a foonytheinjide *nd ufeful fide (fayes j Staugbton in his Right Plea$,Serm.p.£i.) is hollow ,. but the j QUt-fide is [welling out, and convex , but it is the infide that is ! foflw, which holds, andisofufe* foitis an humble low fpirit, and (elf- denying, and a nothing' feeing Saint (I mean no- thing in himfelfe) that is Co ufefulyand holds Co much of the liquours of life ,and of what is goodf5whiIeft a Hypocritf puffed up i with a^/wJ beartfo [elf -conceited [we&ng fpirit, is but like the J convex fuf ex ficies&nd holds nothing. Now you mall findc that it is the loweft vallies that are fuflefl and fattefond the [weetefi ftreams glide through them. Such fwcet /©«//, humble Saints* faye%Bernardtaxe like the z/io/ef/ which grow low and hang their bead/ downward, but are full ol excellency and wrtee. The graft on the tew/e- top, and the fine July-flower on the nwtf will foofl lofe their luftre, and wither away, but the vhlett , and other flowers that grow lower and nearer the ground, hold longer and livelier, and [mell (meter, and fodoe fuch as are bumbled by the Lsrds band, l Pet.*) .6. Now it is a figne their experiences are rights when they fyep them humble ^ Rom. 1 2.3. and the more weighty and full of worth they are, the/#n?er they will lay them that have them ; For as in a faire &/ [calesxhe moft light (and worth lefle) peecesoi* gold rife the bigbeft, but the weigbtiefl bear moft (toward ; fo is it here, the r/cte/f in gr. nr And fouls ex* aired ia Ghr ill are the more low,and no- thing in their' j own eyes. Expoj. Examples* C h a p .6. Moft experienced Saints jmojl nothing in their onn eyes. 381 and rent in humility and repentance (fayes Adams on Peter) A Adams, roab aniticially mangled *nd divided, and then rkbly tjedy andj Souls tiafted united Uge\ her with ftike, filvsr, and gold, or the Uke,Cam.l. 1 1 . j_or fi"> ,ow> ?? appears the »w* glorious h and foisit with a /ok/ that hath j been flafbed, and nobly fas it were) cutmpeeces , but now united, and madcupagaine with rich grace 9 and /we, and pear^&c, O how lovely is an experienced (oul'm the fight ef Gtdl and is reserved as a cboz"/e oae for the War drape of heaveal yeafuch as have been (as it were in theffc/ri heavens, are hereby bumbled 1 Fov the higher the tide , the lower the ebbe. Sec but iW, who was more exalted ? 2 Cor. 1 2. 5. who had bigber experiences ? And yet who was more bumble in his own eyes? he accounts himfelfe nothing , 2C0M2.II. what Fault that preached Cbriftfo powerfully} that nw'f fo /«^> that difputed fo manfully ? that converted (o plentifully ? and yet fayes he in 1 Cor.Q, \6llbave nothing to boafl of. No, Why Paul was the Zealot of the Affiles, and in notbing be- hinde the rb/e/V/J of the Apoflles ; why P*j«/the ftout Cham- pion of truth, he was full of revelations ,mani fe ft ations, and my» fteries, C0L1. 26,27. Eph.3.3,4.&c. carried up totfaefford heavens ; crfKgfofcnp into Par adife, when he heard ' appVm pw/Ai-ra) unfpeakable words, and had glorious vifions, and yet f fayes he) 7 /?dttf »of &:'»>; fe iw./f o/, £«? of my infirmities,! Cor. 12.1,4. I will not glory of 'felfm Verf.5 andVerfso, I wil/ra tbsr glory in my infirmities , r&<« \h: power of Chrifl may refl upon me. %Iwil!rather tell ol them, and declare my infirmities , and how for all them , the pttoer of Cbrifl refts on me. So hee faith PM.3.13. he forgets all that is. behind. See this (oul- bumbled Apo(tle,he pafled through many perils, troubles, with- eut,wiibin>diy andnight5by/e4 and land,w as fined , fuffered (bipwrack^ beaten with rods, in continual labour , andlajfmde, weatinefSiScwatchmgs hunger andtbirfts^cofd and nakednefs, and in pr/Ji»j often, & more then all others,and all for the fraf^and yet be /org*// 4ft why he fought beads of Epbefus, conquered the Athenians, non-p!ufc'd the Study, planted many Churches, and whatnot? yetforgetsati. Good man/ullof grace, M\ oi experience >fa\\ of 'revelations ', and yet bumble , andfo much nothing in h-is account that he forgets ali^ and** if (of all nun living) lie had the leaft to be accounted of, he knows cf *> Cor.! 1. 2 J. 1 .382 ?ht more experiences declared, the more bumble. L 1 b .II . Randal. & Sim. Sim* Bxpof* True experi- ences mere de- clared,the more humble us , and Iefl'en us & lower us our own eyes. Reafon 3. Experiences teach befl. in nothings unleffe his infirmities to boaft of. BleiFed Saints! that aie [wallowed up in fuch m annihilation andEnochianrliie, Gen.^u\.vj\itx\felfi$ turned out of doors, and £7>r*/f all in all, and the lore of God alone 'looked u^on ; when a man reflects not on himfelfe (as ekjahs figne was the Sunne9s going back, fo many degrees (viz,. 1 0.) in the Dial., fo a Saints going b whs (or from him- felfe J in \elfe-denlal and humility fo many degrees , and growing (till humbler , is a figne of his advancement and ajfurance in thrift (another ielfe) in whom hee goes as many degrees forward.For as it is (aid of Tygr anes, whilft at the feet ofFompey he threw downe firft his Crownes, and then himfelfe , he did thereby fo much ajfeft this great Ofe- ! mander,that he (with his owne hand) put the Diademup- \ on his head againe, and raifed him up from the ground, and fet him downe by him in a Chaire of State ,* as his deare friend and companion ; and fo deals the Lord with fuch low, felfe-denying Saints • ; for though by ft 0 oping low they lofe of their ^i// height9yet by humility and fuch felf-denial they J iofe nothing of thtir fpir it ual. You mayfee&?.n .i6.how the Elders there rc/2r *p *jf their feats, and fell flat upon their faces before the Lamb, that is in humility and felf-denial, which is more for their honor(as well as forC/>W/?x)then if theyhad fat ftill ; for Mofes had more honour by his w^then by his facc.TheScriptures are very full of thif;we find , Mat. 2$ .37. the righteous there had learned it , and fo have all the Saints, as you fee by their experiences , that they have nothing to boaft of (of themfelves ) but of the Lord , and his love , all the day long, P/al.44.8. Rom.2.17. and the more they tell of him, they ar* humbled before him. Thirdly, Why we ftiould declare them, becaufe by them we are beft taught the worth and excellency of the love of God in Chrift , as the £ueenof Shcba faid of Solomon 9 It was true Chap.6. Experiences teach befoand moft the love of God In Chrift, 583 true , All the report that {he heard of him, iKing.i 0.6.7. Howbeit Jhe beleeved not the words till (he came, and faw vith her eyes whatfke heard with her ears ; and then [be [aid, behold the halfe was not told mt. Now behold a greater then Solomon it here 5 and fuch as have Uft all to follow him, and are gone out of their owne Country , Pfal.45.1r f by felf-deniai) to prove this Jpiritual Solomon, with quefti- ons> petitions, cafes, &c, hard to be anfwered , and have re- ceived fctisfaBion from him , muft needs fay , Although they have heard much of Chrift by his Minifters, Servants, Scriptures ^Ordinances, of his worth and excellency above ally and more then they have beleeved, yet now they have ex- perienced him, they beleeve more then they have heard, and the halfe (of hit worth, wifdome, beauty, fulneffe, Sec.) cannot be told, no not by the very ^Angels of heaven, O thenlchey fee tt a happinefe to bee his fervants \ to dwell in his houfel to fit at his tablet to enjoy his prefence indeed/ when once they have had experience of him, and of the fulneffe of his grace \ As in fome precious flone , ot Pear le is fome occult qualities>*nd excellencies which make it of more worth, and none can tell it, but thofe that finde it by wearing it ; Co in Chrift this precious pearle, there be many hidden vertues^nd properties and excellencies, that w**and Angels cannot ex- prefs^hit thcworld knows not of^that neither word nor letter nor language is able to utter , and they are beftknowne by enjoying him : thofe that have experience of the worth of Chrift , can fay tt is not pofftble for all the ableft Minifters alive to ftt forth halfe fo much of Chrifts excellency, and worth,zs their foules finde by experience. And,as I remember, 1 have read of Dyoniftus* SY^who wrote a bookjkzt paine was nothing but a fanci, and an ima- gination y but falling fearfully ill of the fane (not long aftcrjand/^ the torture of it, then he roars out ; Oh*/ all that he had written was falfe/ all was falfe ! for now he found paine more then a fancy; and fo furely experience teaches ingenuoufly and truly. And fuch as know Chrift, and xhthve of God by experience , can fay, their former con- ceptions , and apprehenfions of him as an mftcer Mafter to «t* At P. 8 -S3 Sim. <&■ 3 H €xperie#ces teach heft^and m$. Lib ,11. Saint* by ex- periences know more then menor Angels can tell them of Gods Jove. im. 3m* topleafe, exa&ing^/Vj, andafvere Judge, hafty to con- demn, and chat he damns thoulands, 8cc, I fay, they will fay thefe were all falfe mdfoul conceptions and afperfonsy and that God is gracious, merciful, ready to forgive % flow to wr»> and the Bear , he makes a r«H«;tfj> and round *rg«- tnent againft the uncircumcifed PbiUftim , i Sam.T7.35. and when to/queftioned him in Verfe23. for his audacity and preemption (expecting it to be no work for himj telling him he was but a boy , and came but now from keefingfbeep, not having any experience oharfare as yet,and chat this great Goliab was a flout Champion , and 'Valiant Smldier from his youth i Ah, but fayes David, for all that, I (hall tell thee my experience which makes me fo confident and couragiousat this time ; it is but tother day fince I killed a Lion and a Beare9 and faved but a poor Lamb by it 5 and (hall I not finde now as full a power, as frefaan experience 9 and kill this proud Pbilocompos of Gatb ; goe to , fear not , I fhall fave now more then a Lamb (even IfraeV) from this Lyon this day, for the Lord will deliver bim to me. Now it is true, a frefb-water Souldier(z$ Dr.Tailor fayes3/y. 3 i»p.i6j.) is afraid of a Gun, looks afide the danger&nd the noife is a terror to him, he fears it will coft him his life; alas poor heattlbut now znexperiencedSouldier fears no color s>\ook% full/dceonddwfer, frights his fo.es with frowns, and every ferillous oppofttion, and boftile blow , beats but an alarm to his undaunted courage aad valour 5 fuch Sculdiers are all experien- ced Chrirtians ; neither was David fuch a frefb-water foul~ dier , but hee could gather courage upon his former experi- ences , and as they are thus emboldened againft their adver- saries* and for future troubles , and temptations, Co are they by their experiences the more emboldened to deal with God 5 Like to the experience that a poor-man hath had of fome fecial friend of his , who 6e/peti toi at fuch a time, in fuch a /rr4/f, whenelfe he had beene utterly undone, the remem- brance of this revives him much, gives him good hopes, and great confidence , and boldnejfe to come to him again ( yet with an bumble boldneffe) and hee allures himfelfe hee (hall finde him the fame (till. Certes , To it is with us that have found and felt the biuntj of Gods love Ddd and Reafon* 4. Experiences make more bold for future, Expof, Example* David there- fore declared his experience Sim More bold a - gainft enemies and in future troubles and trials. Dr. Ta)hr* Mere bold with G©d too, '/W. %$6 The Meier with Gody agafaft enemies^ & future troubles. Lib.IL Tixample. Sxpof. & Ssm* ®iml TLeafon f. They are as a ftore-feotife aogivccyt new and old- M*p*f. Sim* and graces O wc grow the bolder (and yet the bmbler) and dare confidently £e/*m hce will not ('nay that he cannot^ faile as at another time , when we need him (cam Uteres du- plicantw I) See the Pfalmiftsceuf age and confidence, P\ali%.i. 1 (ball not want / why? what rajakes him (o confident} See Verf. 2*3. He k my (htpbsrd , he makjs me lye dome in green pafiures* be leads me, be reftoresmy /iz/J, &c. I have had all experiences^ thus he hath done, and thus he yet doth for me ; therefore Verfe^ Imtinot fcare y no! not though I goe thorough the very fhadow, nay the very vaUey (from whence all might thinke I (hould never more ajcend^nd never more be fecn) of the (hadoK of death, jttlfearmu $oFjal.2j.i.wbom(bould I fear! Why tie Lord i* my light, and my ftrengtb, and my [alvationy of whom (or of wfiat) (bould I be afraid^ fomc men fay, Why fuch a great man or Lord is my friend \9 what care I > I feare not. So fay the Saints, this emboldens us, why the Lord is out FriendyZnd a tried friend t^that never failed us\ what need we fear then? Oh/ thefe experiences are Angular good helps to us againft future mubles I and temptations ! in what kinde foever they are to come / we need not care as long as we have fo fure a WHend (the Lord) to come to ! fo that tr whits and temptations cannot foon captivate fuch [oules* For as the breathed Veer are not fo quichfy caught asothersjneither are the breathed hearts that have been long bunted with the blood- hounds of Hell, and.-d*gg%f. by the blach^momhed Cerberuffes of their own /a/fa $ theft experienced Cbrifiians are not fofoon catched as others* or entangled with the fubtle gins of Sat ban laid under the lovelieft Rofes of thz worlds pleasures ot trea[urts$, but they run the {after 3and fye tkefwifter, and the fafer from them all. Fifthly > Spiritual Experiences declared out of the heart, MaUiu^f. are like *ftore~houfe opened, whence a man fctdieth forth things, (for ufeand need) both new and 6ld)MmA$ 1% (i^Caktr) extrudit cofhfe &alacriter , he© throw* them out tumbling (Uk* the Text) without fpare Cuon libro fed hJra)SoCd»7r.l3sSo the Sfoufe hath fuch a/We- boufe, or experience 1 laid up for afterward* new and old» which I bmhidnp (byes he) even Mandrakes in Beb{Dudam> no* Chap. 6. Experiences treafuredupn ew and old. from Vodim loves , ( poma mandragora fuvt blandimenta amor it*) in the Belpek, called Doelappelen> they are very fweet, lovely, andp \ea\ant to refrefh the weary and languifringfaint fpirits; fo are the choifeft experiences, hnd as they were dedicated toLo- vers, Co are thefe to Cbrift and his Church , fuch an antipathy have Toads, Snakes , and fuch like venemous creatures to the Mandrake > that they will not come near them , but they drive all fuch terpentine poyfonous creatures away from them. (Vide Lemnitts de Mandragor) Co do thcCc experiences of Saints, which finners cannot abide , but are driven away by them, as having an antipathy to them : befides as they be ex- ceeding Phyfical , and for lingular ufe to the fickeft Patients (being odoriferou* and fommferou*') and fo certainly are all take, full, frcuVgathered experiences to pe\^ fouls ,like Man- drakf-apfles of love , (and at our gates all manner of ploajant fruitstnew and old, which I have laid uf)that is at home : but be- fore this, the Mandrakes were abroad in publike and private^ far, and near ; at home, and abroad , the Saints are full of fweet 5 precious, odoriferous, foul~refrefbing experiences, new and eldtle.of all forts, JizetJeafonSfday and night in an abundant mea- fure to be beamed and communicated , and with Which they welcome Chrifi (their beloved) to; therefore they mult be declared, and brought forth, yea and laidup too for future time of wed; there will be need of them when thou art a Tatient, Pfal6^.j. Hee that fhoots his arrows at a But or Mark, puts them up again into his quiver for another ,&&& ano- ther ^nd another (boot yet;Co the people of God, though they give out their experiences to others, yet they gather them up again, they lofe them not , but lay them up for future ufe , and ad* vantage ; and fuch efpecially as have been fucceffeful, and are fweet,znd they will not,they cannot forget them. Thus Chrift recruits the memories and mindes of his DifcipleSy When I fent ye out without fcrip , or fboe, or mony in your purfe^ &c. Lacked ye any thing > and they laid, No ! CO then treafure up for after- wards) andfoin^/ar^.i6.p3lo. Do ye not remember t>be five loaves of the five thoufand , and how many baskets ye teok^up*. nor the [even loaves of the four thoufand , and how many baskets ye took^ up ? Why then reafon ye thus? (or do ye fo di&logize) have yee Ddd 2 not 3^7 i To give oatJ Expof. Experience* Mandrake*. • -C* i To lay uf • Sim* Expof* 3 _ Experiences fet the Saints more a longing. Lib.II & Rtojon 6, They fen he foul to long for more of, Chrjft «5* Sim. Many c-nient with Pirifii- Minifters pro- v^fions. XT 3imi not laid up thefe experiences ! to furnifh you for futureffor a time of need? in adverftty and nw*j ? wherefore the Saints (hould lay up this Ammumtinn, and proviftoniot a Siege-time, feeijig the eww) is making rtfddy every day againftusj there- fore /earn of the Jim (fayes ^fowe*) who hath a Store-beufe in the Summer to lay up for the ^7«rer , and then you will not be furpifed by any /K but onely heard of it, are content with t heir common ftre , cf hearing and form al'wor (hip- ping according to what is before them in the rackf , and what the Parifh Minifiers appoint them , and that isalf; when alas ! exferisneed Saints long for lufrier food, andpr*- vifton* A man (it may be) that fhould newly come out fome deep dark Dungeen-y who never before/^ the Sunne (nos. ever Chap.6. Experiences prompt them up to obedience. . _— — _ _ _ — ^— — — ^— — ^ ——————— ever fo much as heard of itjwhen he fees the 5^ go down, \ fec3and gone3is in a great perplexity, znd peradventure thinks it 1 is quite /j/r;buc experience now teaches others otherwife, and ; that it will the next day arife again , and give us frejb light 5 therefore they are concent to nw/f for it , and they wifbh with expe&ation: and fo doe all experienced Saints , with affa- I red confidence call for more of Cbrift, and more of grace/, and of the /wee/ God, which they have experienced, and they I wifti for more, with expeclat ion ot more, as John thatlook^-j ed (till for more vifions and revtlathns ; yet the Saints prize them (at their hearts J that they have already.So the Spoufe^ Cant,3.2. lofef him , but Verfe 4. findejh'im again, and then (he holds him,and would not let him go. Seventhly, Experiences declared , doe oblige them (that have them) more in obedience to God ; for by them thou knoweft, thau obeyeft a dear, agrarian God indeed , and a Father, Now you (lull a finde a ib/ld,tf n flranger bid him do this,or that, he will not obey him ; but if a Father bids him, then he §beys and runs ftrakrfo doft chou willingly (and runing readily) 0&ey the Lord, when thou knoweft by experience hee is thy^rkr^and lookeft not on him as aft r anger ;znd then thy obedience is full of life and //?/>/* indeed, as 7^.4,24, for thoa canft notbecf«i7in hisfervice that art full of experience, bc- caufe thou art then full of kve and life , 2 O. 5 \ 1 4, I Joiv 5,3. E'AroJ.2T.5. Take ag/djfera'nd kpockjt with thyjfrzger, if, It found dullyiurtly thou wilt fay there is Come flaw in it; fo a j dufl obedience is but cr^fg/ ; but a /*//*/ obedience which flows from love , is [bril, founds well , and is full of fpirit and life, Pbil.i. n. it is not «&taraa*2 Cor.p.j. but ^t-^wtw C0/.3. 2 3,Rom*6.ij, Now their experiences prompt them up to it, P/4/,40.8. and are direclory as well as confolatory m a time of darkpejfe and fr0#£k , even in the (kadow-vf death, as well as in a f/roe of //£jbt andpe«« to ferve theLord , fo Phil, 2.8 • even With a Danielin the Z>£S , as well as with a David on the Tin one* See amanthatis ufed to^alhjn the night-* as well as in the day , fears no more one9 then the otkr; and as fome man can better finde the ivay in the darke7 to which he.hach been ufed5 and which he knows (by ekengoing it) D-dd 3 then. 389 -a Rea/eK 7. They yeeld further obedi- ence coGod* And fiff them with iircjfpiHr; and love. Sim, Siffr jpo Experiences make m wore obedient At all times. Lib.U. fa a time of darknefs as well as in a time of light* then anther that never went it, (it may be) can do by the btft infirutJions can be given him by others ; fo fuch as have experiences have the befi inftruttwns, and direUions in their obedience, and are better, and more orderly walkers in the dark., then others in the day \ in trouble, then others iri peace-, in afflictions, then others in joyes; in any manner of ad-ver fit), then others in any manner of profperity ; and they will keep within their bounds in obedience, which others cannot ; and therefore are in greater danger then expert* encedChrifiians. Asthc'Dear that is leapt over the Pale, and is gotten out of the Park^, is in greater danger then the reft, and every dog is at his heels. Such as have moft expe* rience of the love of God, /^^.themfelves leaft ; and there* fore are the beft in obedience to God. But we fee as the Hunter that crofleth the high-way, and keeps it not, is but following his own ^ all this while; for the way is not there; So the Hypocrite crotTeth the high-way ft hat you read off, Ifai. 40. 3.) and runs out of Godsroad, whileft he feeks his own game, and ferves himfelf more then God. But the Saints of God site guided by the Spirit of God, and have the Pillar of fire (by night to direft them^ as well as a cloud by day ; And whither it be night or day, adi/erfity or prospe- rity, ftill they can fee to follow Chrift ; and as Donn fayes (in hi%Servt. in/0/. /U 39.) Youfhill fee zman that is reading hi the Evening ; he hath read a pretty while before, all in me and the fame Book, and on the fame Subjetl 5 now night tomes in, twilight is on, he can hardly fee & Letter. Yet let hioi alone, he will fee to read longer in that Book, and on th&t Sub:ett, which he hath been on all the while, then if hetook a new b 00^ or new fubjetl to read on. So we that have been aH the day-long doing Gods fervice, and in the Sun-fane of peace, fand prosperity about our duties, and 0^- dience : We, I fay, (hall the better do them f that have been ufed to them, and experienced in them.) Now darknefsfnr- prifes us, and adverfity comes upon us; and in a time of darknefs, when we fee no light ; yet we (hall obey the Lord, and hear his voice (having continual experiences ) to direct us. Ifai.$o. 1 o, 1 1 . And yet we /hall walk, (though in darknefs, with- Chap.6. Experiences prompt them up to obedience, 391 without the immediate light of Gods love , and countenance feen ; yea, without the former evidences, and comfort of\ graces 3 in a fiormy night, without light or ftar, Alls 27.20* But to be in doubt, what will become of us 5 and to be ftumblixg at all $/*r comforts, and to be filled with great fears and terrors;) yet, I fay, we fliall continue walking and fer- ving God) hearing and obeying his voice j which is an argu- ment of a fiout experienced Chrijlian indeed ~ Experiences conducing very much hereto. Rdt thus for this, and all the JLeafons-, which I ftiall gather to ratifie this undeniable truth. We have fufficiemly (I fuppofe) proved the affertion of the nfe of Experiences declared in the Church, being much for the honor and glory of God, the advantage of the Church, and themfelves , that make them. Now we all concur, Schoolmen, Minifiers and all. That where there is true grace > experienced Saints know it fweeter then the drops from the honey comb *, and qui accipitgratiam, perquandam experien- tiam dulcedinis novit fe illam habere 5 quam non experitur tile qui non accipit ; as we have amply before mentioned: Such men muft needs know the love of God xifweet, who have tafted and digefted it. T*hey can comfortably ufe Labarit Words in Gen. 30,27. I have learned by experience > that the Lord hath bleffed me. Jehovah hath rat fed me, and incre fi- fed me, I have experience of it by comparing my former condition with my prefent. So the Saints do tell by expert' ence,how Jehovah hath helped them, and blejfed them, even with fpiritual bleffmgs in heavenly places* Some of which (though not fo perfectly as they were delivered* yet) "as well as I can coUeB them out of the Tfytes which I took of them from their own mouths, when they were admitted in- to the Church , I (hall prefent, as a fweet pofie of fomeof thechiefeft flowers that I have met with this fpring*time in the Garden of the Lord ! th§ Church of Chrijf / which is growing apace up to an Eden 5 from flowers to fruits ; from ^Plants to Trw of Kightceufnefs^ planted by Rivers of ^fater*. Examftfc E*ftfr and hide the excelUnci of thofe nor*ers ; yet without for* to the reft, in thofe which are ordinary, I ill all be veryfhore, being pre- vented by others (in that little Treatife of Experiences near- ly put out.) I fliall gather out the flowers onely, and give you the/#wof what they faid, and fo tie them up together for a conclufion of the whole matter. The wo/? of thefe are mens^nd fome womens.znd a very great raaDy more I might adde to them, which I have met with in England, Effex, and London, and in Ireland, and at Chefier, Holly -Head in Hales, and in my travels ; but that, I fay, lam (I hope) feafonably ( though unexpectedly) prevented 5 although many more do lie prepared by me. Bjt to the bujinefsy as coming laft from Dublin to declare fome of thofe precious ones (and which are the greatcft trea- fure) that I brought with me from theRce : The favor oi which (I hope) will be attractive, and encourage others over into Ireland, where the Lord hath his Garden enclofed, and full of Spices, witJ? the Mandrakes laid up for the Be- loved againft his coming ; which is looked for every day there, as well as here 5 and there the Iride faith, O ! come L&rd fefus / come quickly I the Chap.6. Experience of Thomas Huggins Jtfr'^r, 39? The Tefrv.: Tho.Huggins, Preacher of th> Gofpel.- ': given m.At the fubtick^fkceyO&ob.S. I651. ofMdtsi* Dublin. IT is my ;oy to fee vu'lingnefs in Gods people towals toge- ther in fcHrttfivf with the Father and the 5*« ; and fuch I ■'. and I tinde in me by his Spirit, and the ftverai operations of this hi? yy4gent. thefe tfrngs. I believe the ' ScripxreS) Old and AV.r- Tejr-me>.ty to be the very minde of <3f^ ; and do heartily delire my /Wmay be turned into the mnmrc of thofe (N^ therein declared 5 but :o that which is expected from me moil, I corns, viz,, to my conver fat ion. I was but ) GKg when I began to be warmed^ jca^withm, be- ' ing under a zealous Miniftry> and much put upon ^n', I didufe to read the Scriptures every night, and to repeat - Sermons ofcen , and ib (pent the nrft iccne of my youth, till I came to be fern by ray friends to London, and there I j lived for a year or two j but in that time, as ofcen as I faw any Mm-fter, I could not but weep, and always wifhed that . . I might be «?«, to be able to preach too. After this, I was fent to one of the "Jmverfties there,, but being wilde with \ youthful company, I was foon after fern hitter to' tfc'i? CV- ledge\^i Dublin, where I am well known , and here 1 con- tinned till the Rebellion brake out ? at which rime. I left it, and went for EngLmd into the Ttyrt i and about Lnerpoly where I preached (till now I retiftned hither.) But all this while I wa* but />#;.?/, and a? tbe long-man that {aid. he htdhj^t nil thefe from his youth : So v;^l i com my yomh religious, we 11- given, loving thfrtotttf**, following of them, and decking to ferve God. But alas ! yet all this while wa3 I in darkj-efs, and aid not know it; bu: after- wards, I faw that I was blinde, and btu carnal: For about Eee the. In < forms! -fnefs fcomhis Ycinh' Jfirft, when And where ? . 3S>4 Of ]ol.n By water, Preacher of the Word. Lib. If. *64f. called thence on the Mountain*. 2. How ? Extraordinarily and jravifhing- j.Effeds of this call. II, Called, i. When. *. Hew. In horror of tfeJlfertm >ath, wept, de- ^ercdowtof i ' the year, 1645. I began to be m great doubts and troubles, and very much clouded* in my (pirit, and was exceedingly j bound and tyed up for a time, under the fence of my formal holincfs) and fins , till the Lord was pleafed to give me light* Once as I was walking all alone Gladly) upon the Mountains, he immediately pawrcd his Sp.rit upon me, and fatisfied my foul in Jeffts Chrift, and filled my heart with heavenly \oy, and peace; and with moft raviping contemplations, which continued without a cloud for fix week/ together, which gave me full affurance of Gads love \ and ever fincel have lived in the righteoufnefs of the Lord J^m^ though I have met with many clouds and forms fi nee , yetluch as have pajfed away, and cannot hinder me, as long as Chrifi f mifie) is above them. Being thus tranflated from the form into the power, I do heartily prop&fe my felf to be one with the mem- bers of Cbrifl in his £hurch : And although before i was not free in England, or el few here to pp* thus, it being foin cont rover fie md disputable ; yet now lam fuHy fatisfied, and do fee God building up his Jerufulem apace,and am confident of what he is doing to Rations 5 yea, I joy to fee that you all feck to unite by one Sprit > and all to be *W in Spirit, if not all in one-F^ra*, and fo do I , not doubting but this ; Ministration will be moft to edification. A further Teflimony added to the truth ^ by the experience declared {in the fame place, at the fame time) by John By* water, Treacher of the Word. BRethren, I do declare here this day the dejire of my hearty which is to have fellowship with fuch afociety as are built up by the Spirit $ tobew* with allthofe that are one with .fefus £hrift the Head ; knowing this, That all rudimentary and elementary things, do but point-at a higher glory* As for my Faith, I acknowledge God one,not three, but as you have heard before, &c* As for my life, I (hall in fhort fay thu?; When I was a little one, going to School, God began with me ; for once Ifwore one Oath, fas I was playing with my School-fellows) but I was prefently ftruck with horror for it, and fence of itj as if I were to go to HcH for it prefently ; in Chap. 6. Of dlonel Hewlon> Governor of Dublin. 395 in which horror > and great trouble, I left my School- fellows blaying, but I could no longer, being in this mifery for thar/#, but away I went into the Church-Porch (not far off) and there I fat alone, and wept bitterly to myfelf for fomc time ; but at length growing in fome hopes (I know not how) of far don, I began to grow chearful, mdfearhfs, until a little while after that, I went to fee fome male fall: or s fuffer; and after I came home, this fight ran fo much in my minde, and was for a long time let fo before my eyes, That my Ji**t and ihe horrors of Hell came afrejh upon me again 5 fo that I was exceed ngly cart down, and cryed our, O what (hull idol how (hall I befavedl which I had often itimy mouthy and in the hearing of my friends : in which condition, I could take no comfort from them, till the Lord himfelf brought me out of it, and gave me to be given up to Jefus Chrift, by the life of Faith which I now \i\t ; not* withltanding, I was under feveral temptations, and often- times very thick.) but even then I refoived, if that I were flung into Hell, yet it fhould be holding on Chrifl ; for I will not let him go now, and here! hold through mercy, ever fince. So that I take Chrifl for my King, Priefl "Prophet, and do believe him to be a Propitiation for my fins. And/ believe, that he will reftore to us a pure language, and that we (hail all worfhip him in one Spirit, and with one confent ; And my defire is to walk, with you thus, in union and love, and by one and the fame Spirit. f And -cart in- fo ir sgaia worfethenbe tore. Delivered <~nt of ir wpon Aj- rer ret ms 4 hen before. ^Effeft.oHiv His refund ^n t after k. -a IIL ^Another Teftimony or Report made of the woik of grace upon his heart, (at the fame time, in the fame place) by John Hewfon Colonel, and Governor of Dublin. HAving an opportunity to fpeak fomething to you, I flu II do it without many words . Time was, that I was in dfiate of difobedience as to God, a chtldeof wrath, and lived in a wicked and profane family in London; but yet I Went often to hear a good man in London preach, by which means I was brought to (ec //», and (hown within me., that I wanted Chrift ; which when I faw, I began to defirehim, By^e^t and to long after him, and ftill frequented the means, and is% e s E c e 2 by ! Called, 1. When and where ? - How * 196 xpenenceof Raphiel S^inficli ^4;!^ From Presby- tery to Inde- pendency. IV. Difobedience": rpfarems. Went from them into £#g- Uni, by the */* of the w as you have with Chfift Jefus. The TeftimoniaJ of Raphael Swinfield, or his experience^ M was taken out of his own mouth in Dublin, in another1 public^ place called Michaels. Do declare here what God hath done for roe. Firff, in' i my youth, my Father, (being a godly man) brought up his children very religioufly ; but for my part, although I were well brought up (and wftrutted,) yet I was very difobe- dientjoemgyong and head^ftrong,and hearkned not to my fa2 thers advice^whlch I had often, but regarded it not) which' grieved me greatly afterward ; for I could not endure to be curbed or kjpt in 5 butat length., becaufe of his continual ( and yet juftlyj reprovingmz for my /// courses, and ill com" f/tny. which I kept, lre[olved 1 wouldftay at home nolon-. ger, but I would begone into the Low-Couxtreys, and. we were put-out to Sea, but by contrary Winds and Seas were driven back again : But I could not fee this, butftill held. on my purpofe, and having an opportunity ', I got away for all that into England 5 and 1 was in England a while, where my friends fet upon me, and perfwaded me to turn home again> telling me many things to move rrie > but whileft I had my abode with my friends there for fame time, I began to be act- Chap.6. Experience of Raphael Swinheld. 397/ 1. Whcn3ni where he wa* called. 2. Haw f i. By the Wv';idpre-uh- ed, ». By a Letter by both low into tor- ments. j. Effects. Delivered cur. Caft in sgain. Delivered out again on better terms. Yet in fears till a Dream ex- traordinary. m^uanted with fome things ; for there I heard good men, and blinifters often, and there I Was made to fee my fin, and wicked dijobedienee^ by one Mafter Evans j and T was thereupon {ad\yafjlredy awkdifconfolztef and could have no quiet nor reft : In this time my Father hearing of me*, where I was (not knowing bifore what was become of me5 but that 1 might be dead or drowned} now writ a Letter to me, wherein I was admonished to beware of fach as run Lj,^ , headlonv to perdition, with many other good advices $ and fce (ecmed (as lacsb) joyed to hear that his /£» was yet alive, &c. All which things ftruck^ me heavily to the /?^rr, and Co I lay long, under the fearful ftntence oi my fin and dif* obedience, and could not take any comfort, or contenr; I prayed, fafted, heard the Word, went to Ordinances^ yet had no [at is faction at all. And thus I continued till my heart was ready to bur ft a peeces ; and then I began to make it knobn to my friends, how I wasEflfrfW, who did a little comfort me, but this lafted but a little while ; for I Coon fell again into my old malady 'and grief as before , being fadly difeafed ; and fo as I could finde no comfort at all, by anymeans, until that place in I[a. 50. 10. came into me, How he that jitteth in darknefs^ and feet b no light, fkottld truft in the Name of the Lord, and ft ay himfelf upon his God i which did much faften upon me, and me upon God ; where- by I had abundance of comfort 5 but yet never free from many temptations, and fear j^and doubt s, and fuch fometimes as made me I could not tell what t9 fay ; until once, that I hidafweet dream, which hath done my [oul good to this day j and in my dream I was told, that Gods love was free in Chrift Jefuiy I need not fear, for his grace was granted m Chrift) and he puts none by that comes. This proved to me a fure comfort in Chrift, that I was one ;f ihem Chat could not bep«f by, but received to mercy to thi* ciayV but after- ward I went into New -England , and b^d iwxh cdmfort from them, and their Mmtfters , and was affected with their way; but by reafon I could not (before) bring -my Wife and Family ove't thither wich me, I earn. homk. again hither corny Wife, aad Family^ wbonr I found- (I thank Eee 2 God) -ta- Effe&s. » 598 experience of Francis Bifhop. Lib.II. God ) all well and living} and ever fincel have been here, but walking alone , and very defefate for wane of fuch a [tciety as this ; and I (hall now much rejoyce , if I may be one with yon in this oneneffe of hvc and fpirit, which (I perceive) you are in. K? V. 'CalleJ fud- denly i When? 2. How? Caft: down deep into hell. Raifed in an extraordinary vi/ion. Caft down \ agaia. ( Condemned to be (hot to dearh. Experience of Francis Bifhop. MY earnefl defire is that I may be worthy to have fetio'tofhip with you in Cbrifc as for my Experienc etythey are ma- ny more thtn 1 can tell you in a long time. My firft main workje upon mv fpirity wasfuddenly, and it was upon an Alarme gi- ven whilft I was in the Troo/ywhich took fuch fuccefle^that 1 lay all under an apprehenfton of Gods wrath upon me5 and was much caft down $ Co that though I prayed, and prayed, yet I could not look up , and had no confidence , but cmfwfxon was before my face. Prefently after I came to "town here, and was impeached upon^an Article of War , for to Jofe my life, and 1 was imprifoned for the breach of it; by all which I was in the apprehenfton of Hell about me, and could doe nothing butw^pand moan, and pray % fometimes , and I counted my life as loft , and yet was more troubled under the wrath of God3 then the wrath of man; but it pleafed God to give me great comfortt even whilft I was thus in defpaire, and moan- ing (one night) in my bed of a fudden, the room was all alight, and I fawmy felfeasin a lightning, and being terrified, I looked till I faw it written in thefe words , Tbyfinnes are par' doned9 and thy life u hid with Chrifl in God, this comforted me much in that extraordinary trouble and despair which I was in ; but yet for want of faith , this comfort did not continue with me , for I thought after that , that I faw God with a wrathful countenance ^aud I could not dare to look upon him, and the next news that I heard was,that I was condemned to be (bet to death, O then! I cannot expreffe the terrours that 1 was in ! my woful mijery was fuch, that neither the reading of the Scriptures, nor pr<*yerJ,nor the fromifes would do me any good', I for I could not beleeve I had a right to them , I could not lay held on them , and in this woful mifery I lay a condemned man both in {wit and body, and fo Uylmtfttog.' When I turn- ed Chap. 6, Experience in UWthiL 399 ed open the Bible in J, el z 13. and law ic thus written. Turn u tbe Lord YOUR GOD, for your Cjod is gracious, &c. merciful , flow to anger , and of great kindne fj e0 and repentetb him of lbs evil/', with that, pondering a while upon it, (aid I , and is he fuch a God ? well then, he is my God , and with that I gave my felfe up into his bands to doe what he would with me, yet he fhould be my God, and fo I refolved, and was (etled, and fatisfied ; but after this, I was/e* free out of prifon ; aad though I thought this had been emugb , yet for all this, I found much of portion (afterwards) in me again ft God, which I did not thinke could have been 5 but I was grievoufly Wounded for it, and could have no quiet, but went to Mr. W, about it,and he told me I had fallen from myfirftworkj, I mutt: repent , which rent my heart , and I had no reft 5 I returned from him* and applied to prayer , and kept that courfe con- tinually to pray, and by little and litcle,I was recovered out of that condition; and I praife God , fince I have ken him fmiley and Iooke kindly on me, and know that he loves mee, and I am fure of my pardon in Jefus Cbrift , on whofe merits I relye, in whofe rigbteoufneffe Ireft^nd by his grace I am now fet freetofervehiau R a 'fed up cm '• of wrath agar'n by an ordinary means^/^. the Scripcures^s thclureft comfort to kira» 5 Effects. And by praj« er his faith. Experience in IVlihil, made out by John Jecock Captain, I Can fay \me\bing, and (hail give out fome account of Gods mr\ing upoa meat the firfr, when I was in a wretched ft ate y and without God in the world.Qnce as I was walkjng alone by my felfe. God did call to me, and began to open and reveal himfelfc to roe , but m^beart was hardened , and I refuftng mercy at that time, tbe Law laid bold upon me very fiercely, and I was fo terrified in my /pir/r,and my confeknee did Co re- prove me,thac I was afraid even of every bufb and tree that I met with in the dark?'-* ftiH I could have no reft, nor quiet, having refufed mercy when it was Uvingly tendered tome, which I thought was fo great a fin, that it could not be forgiven me, but yet I anninued praying alwaies almoft^and beard the means\ and one time being in this afftittion hard praying, and with fervency of fpirit fceking God, there came and (bone fuch light rmd abm m^and in fuch a ^ that I could not hold,but my heart VI. Called, bstfcfc refuted. Conscience affliftcd, Helped by prayer exert- ? ord;nanlyby a iViaingli^hr, Called > 1 When, t How. I Effete. f 390 Experiences , and 'I/ream of John Cooper. jLn .11' rs= . VII. Prayes for clear perfwa- Confirmed by a Dream . heart was full ; and all admiring , I mod wondered how the Lord fliould fet his love fo on me, on fuch a one as I • after this, I was full of refrefbmen{\ and have been by faith wonder* fully carried out, and I can fee God doing great things in mee and (or me. Truly atfometimes I have had fome/fl?«* rf- frefbmems after troubles (ince 5 and 1 find fome enlistments in me oftentimes, but nothing to the j?*#$ which- waS'fo /ipeet that it was extreme glorious. After thai I. was made evermore cautious of company, and conversation, and ever fince that /Wr manifestation of love, as often as I ef ended God, though but a /*/*/ and my Lord of Clogber, and that we were all going together upon a fine green way ; Tirxd did all travel together a hng time ? and then 1 thought Mr. Rogers turned backe to us, and faid ; Brethren, ym may fee, what a great comfort it is to walke in thefathes of Rightecufnefs; For, for all wee have travelled fo long ,yet Voe are not any thing a weary^&c. And Brethren be ajfured, that I mil lead you to a place of 'great joy and cwfort befofe r, be Ung^ifyeu.wM hut foMotii mee. So Ghap.6. Sxperiences^and'D/eAms of John Cooper, 401 So then(me thought) we went a little furthered we came to avery large and jpacioM place; wherein there was a great gate, arid there Mr. Rogers made a prayer : and as foon as he had conclude d]the Gate was cpened&nd we entre^therein j and then me thought wee went into a' gnat Garden 7 and there was a very large paire of ft airs ,w here we went upland there I Taw mee thought a great many of dead peoples bines > which appeared to Mr. Rogers in full and per ft ft [Jjape as ever any Were , as I conceive, for at thofe bones he made a (land, and [aid unto us alljLwfe £refbre«,and take good notice of the te*/> wo< k, of our great God ; for here you may fee that they are in as perfeel [bapes at they were in the lower worldSo th£n(me thought ) we went up a little further^ and there Mr. Rogers made another ftand, and faid, unto m^Brethr en ^ Now fltali I fee Whether youbeftrong in faith, or noti So then (mee thought) wee came to a place where we mud needs goe over, and it was in the likjneffe of a (mall Pikje laid over a deeppit , and then mee thought Mr. Rogers faid3 Come Brethren , our journey is in vain without Wee goe over this Pike y for they that will fee the Habitation of the Lord , mnft goe through many dangers , and J witlby the grace e/# God be your Leader 5 And To then (me thought) he went over with as much fafetj and eafe , as if he had gone on the earth. The next that went over the Pikj aforefaid, was Co\*Hewfon9 and he went with as much eafe alfo , and after my Lord of Clogher ; The next it came to my turne , which I feeing (o great a downfall, and the Pike did (o bend and fhake that I could not fet one foot over it , was afraid ; fo then me thought Mr. Rogers cryed out 3 and faid , 0 friend, friend I you have walked in the pathes of unrighteoufneffe I So then (me j thought) he ma<^e a prayer to Almighty God > that he would admit me to goe over : And fo then (me thought) he boned] three or four times^and cryed out with a loud voyce^and faid>0 thou \ great Godt how much lam bound unto thee for all thy Uves and mream9 he was much confirmed in this way wherein we walked , and the effttls of it were of fuch in- fluence, that he faid he could not reft, nor be fatisfied untill he had (hewed it to the Churchy and propo[ed himfelfe to wal\i with them; at the time he was admitted , he faid more (though not much) that he was called home to God, taken off of finne> and the lufis of the worlds and that he had found in him a great change , though he were not able to ex- freffe himfelfe in words, and was now defirous to pleafe God, to watye in his way , longing after Cbrift^ and communion ' with hi* peop/* , being long before wrought upon by the word preacfcd,znd prayer , and that now hee had given himfelfe up to God, with fuch like exfreffions comming very brokenly from him in much appearance of humility and; holinejfe. <*A fuller Teftimony as it was taken from E'izabeth Avery, ont of her own mouth , and declared by her [elf to the wholes Church* IN this [octet j I fee much of God, and have a great defire to be one with you. From my childhood 1 have lived un- der Chap 6. Experience of Elizabeth Avery, 403 dermoid education , my Father was z godly man. I was al- ways ceruir? and zonfciencioiif, but my converfion was rh> derful. Oil one Sabbath-day I was playing, buc I was fo on and foandly checked for ie in xbyfpmt\ and went home , but I was a great while troubled, and [ay wwdzt bondage ali along; And I was much di/tra&ed and con fie fed for lin a long time, till about fixteemyiars of age ; and then I began to oe t&yftr&i and to recired in my ///V, that many won- dered at ic : I had an entire love to the preaching of the Gof- ftj; Q how I longed after it/ but alas/ we had then no good Preaching- Mmiflery to be had or heard about us ! and yet my heart longed a long time after it, till I came to be married. But alas! I was yet under the 'Law, and Wor\s, until Cjod called me out of Egypt; and I could Hot tell .how I was once wrapt up in a light 9 and hearing fomeching fpo- ken of Free-grace, then I melted. Yet for all thefe, 1 had great ajftiBionsy and amongft otherSj by the lofs of my c hi l- dren, Gods rod was hid heavy upon me, infomuch, That be (truck three ot them together ; and one childe above all, a mod fweet childei and one, that I leaft thought of them all would have died, wa^ very ill ; and we were talking (L my Husband, and fome Friends, J together of comfortable things, and amongft others of David, when he faid of hi? childe(de*d)I jhallgo to it, it (hall not return to me. Ay fayes one, that is to the grave -, which word wounded me ; and I Went into the Garden to wail ^nd moan my felf 5 but foon after, my HtesbandcaLtnQ and told nae my childe wa? dyings at which I was left in an horror, as if I were in HelL none could comfort me, nothing could fatufie me , no Friends, nothing; then it was fad indeed to me, a Hell indeed, Ij fent for the Doftor and others,but to no parpofe. Yet after this the Lord wrought on me much } and one, a Miniflrer of Chri/hy that had power ftomGod to do me good, gave me much fatisfaftio* by a Letter of his : And after that, me thoughts, I was content to part with all, and to let all g^ ; ther* God tryed me, and took away another childe from me, and I could bear it very well> and was not troubled, but rather did rejoyce within me to be thus tryed* Nocrofs, F f f 2 nor \ Mr. Psr'ww** hcrF and comfort me. In the times of the Wars in England, 1 was brought out of Egypt into the Wildernefis* 0 / I was much refrefhed by the Lord two or three years, and was much contented^ and had his teachings within me, yea, and (many times) without his outward inftruments •'$, for I had his Spirit, his voice fpeaking within me, zndJjjod alone was with me, andno ft range god* But when the wars began to ceaie, my great eft trouble^ and that at which I took offence was, That we were fo without the means^ and with- out able Minifters ) for now I could not be fat is fie d3 but even doted.on them, and could not wait with patience ; for 1 had forgot now how God had taught me within before*, and without them. Yet I followed and hunted after my lovers, having mens perfons in admiration \ and thus God fufferedme for a while to go on alter them. A. while after this. Colonel Lambert defied me to goto Oxford^nd when I was to go, I made ready my felf, packt up my cloaths and all, and rid away^ moft, with defire for communion with godly people thei e , for (as yet) I could fee no further— — * 1 heard their difputes between Mailer Kiffith and others,, very hot, but faw nothing of God there, and was troubled atir3 and could not after that hear him or others j but I went into a Garden alone my felf mourning, and fat foa while under a fffaJlf and by and by came three men to me Began to dif- pair again, but ippnquiettd*. Called Evan- gelically' Extraordinarily In a trance. And confirmed by oidinarie means, t e Word., In times of wars, fill of pyes, a»d peace., and in- ward tickings. This forgot, and dotmg on cutward means altogether, and ©n mens per- sons* . A Wronger "temptation to thou$\ (as yet) I had noajfurance of falvation ; yet at iaft I was car- ried oHtmtk a grew confide/tee, that light was-nearat band* Fit s and What wishes coaiforr, and her Heaven in this Hell? A high pitch. Bffefts of Ghtifo call, a mie and ftron& ; lave. 1 Gor.ij.ij, Notcarmg-foi felfybutfor Gad and his $■ \ people. qo6 Expmixoe of 'Elizabeth Chambers. Lib.II. H»* delivered. Extraordinari- ly by a voice twice. Effe&sof it. Extfaordinari- ly called. " IX. Her Husband a Captain. This Gentle- woman decla- red to feveral Church- Mem- tiers, chat be- fore the Author came over, (he imdinadream one night of her troubles, a vifion of him fo plainly, that after he was in Dubl'm^the firft Serm. he prea- ched) fhe told her friends this was the man that God bad declared to her in a vifion, fhould ccrafort fecr fcul. And yet I met with terrible {bakings for all that, which lit altogether upon thefle{b, for the {pint was free: So that fome three years agone, Cjodczmt in upon .my (pir it, and gave me full affurance, and I heard a voice fay , And for - row thou {halt fee no more. Then I writ down what Cod had done for me, and writ about to my friends % but yet I was firuckjn the fiefh again, which I wonder at \ and then I heard the voice again fay, It was fin that was Offering in me, and thefle(ho4thepu»ifbmentoffin; and fo I found it was, for the deftruftion of the flejh ; and ever after that /found Chrifi in me, ruling and reigning, and taking alt power to himfelfy and he hath caught the man-childe up to God, which I brought forth. /'. e. The fie{h, (by his incarnation) and 1 have found in me (and do yet) his judgement- feat fit, to judge and fentenee fin, and lusl^nd corruption 5 and hi* throne is there for himfelftofit, and to rule by his own Laws : And thus it continues with roe at this day , and the Lord leads me on, higher and higher in himfelf ; and for that I fee fo much of him here in the midfl of this Churchy I dtfire to be one alfo with you. Another Teftimony or Experience made by Elizabeth Chambers , in the Church aftrefiird , when {he was ad* mitted. I Have often prayed for communion with Gods people, which I hope to enjoy as hi* anfwer—. When the Rebellion brake out here in Ir eland ,1 went over with ray Husband into England, and at Briftol there were a ppor defpifed people that /wet together, and had fome communion, but they were made a ?#w off- f corn, and difdained by d// aim oft ; but I defired to ^n? them more ; and the more I heard them reproached, and abufedy and called Hypocrites, and £ my heart a\ed, ready to break* I rofeup, and wept (ore, and witbfighs and tears I took the Bible, and looked out for Cbrift there ; and looked out and turned to the proofs that Matter Rogers mentioned, and examined them ; and then I examined my oVonbcart, and fearched 5 but all this while I was at a hfi, and /*mt»rtfg, frgfel a Gentlewoman my condition, and (he did what (he could to cMf/or* we, but to no purpofe. The next day I baftedaway to hear him again, and there I found comfort, for he was now upon certain figns whereby we might (likely) )udge of Cbrift within, revealed in m, and kp$vo it 5 and alfo to others, he gave and urged the ten- der of Co fpel-promifes, upon their wiMngnefs to accept of, and re- «w f»C6r#f as J/*. j5. 1, and Jifa 7. 37- *«*/. 22. 17, Called A{Ja< ranee. 1. Wh«% wh«re. i. How? In great trou- bles and tra- vels of foul* ADrtaw; 3 The effects- of it. A good exare- plc to womenc - «$» .-■■■ •amm**& Fully Tathfied, that flse had' found Chrift. ?. The effe&s of it* To do others good. Chrift is her all now. 83- X. , 3 Experience of Henry Johnfon, Lib. II. Jobn6.$j. and 16. 20. and Afdftb. 12. 20. Ija. 44,3. P/k/. 145.19. arid?m>.l3. 11,19. and J^rrfc.28.5. Fearnot,for youfeek^Jefus ; withfomc other places. - And moreover, he proz/ed to us, That fome had Chrift (within) when they thinly they have him not ; but therefore do fafs a falfe fentence upon tfremfelves, and feek him without ; as the Canaanite\s ,'• znd the Spoufe, in Cant .% .3. and Mary Magdalen ■> &c. By all which, I was much raifed uf, and went borne with joy, and was fur e that I hadfe««dCbri/f »e#;for my freri/r, as all mj comfort : And / faw all was empjj and nothing, and not worfib loving without bim; and /©/few f poke tomyfifterof Chrift within* anddid o//f» pr*)/ by her, and was (through grace) made an Inftrument to do her great good ; I being always with her, and feeing her a dying woman. Yea, the more the Lord hath taken away from me, as my Husband, Father, Friends, Sifter, Children, and all; the more have 1 made Chrift in me, in the room and fteadof all tbefe to me. And I let God alone to do what he will with me9 and I applied that place to Abraham, Gen. 17. Fear not, for I am God all-fufljcient, &e. And fo I refted on God, I and the life I now live, it by faith in the Son of God ; who gave . bimfelf for me, and died for myfws> and ro[e again for my jufti- ft cation. Experience of Henry Johnfon, which is taken imferfefily anivery (boru [ Have met with" many great mercies, 'when I was in the *lVeft-lndies, there we wanted the means, and had no good Minifters ; but after that with conference that I had with a good man, I began to know fomething of God, for till then I was in great ignorance : Afterward I came to London,and there in- deed I heard many good men, and had much means, yet but a little ajfuran&e 5 and fo I held in a formal-way of working and wor- (biffing 5 unci! a timet when Iwas [urfri/ed with fears, I had a vifion AVjfoi cx- traodmary, and a v^ce. Chap .6. Experience of Ed.Wayflian5& Humph.Mils. 409 a vifim, and an appearance (as it were) round about me, and fuUof glorjt which I cannot exprefe; but a voice faid, Toufoal! fee it 5 at which I was afraid, and after all this, I thought I was . but a Formalifl, and no better then an Hypocrite, and could* not have reft or comfort, but went about, anddefired prayers tobcpuiup for me, and durftnot go to hear j until izpleafed Gcd to bring into mv hearU Ifa^o.io. Heb. 10. 20. & [3. 5» Inill never leave thee, nor forfakf tbeei . And iuch places whicn did abundantly comfort me, and (atisfie me, and fo 1 could come with boldnefs in Jefus Cbrift; and then durft go to hear, and have been fetled on Cbrift ever ficce, and have ufed the means of Gr*ce and Ordinances, with great affection to Jefus Cbrift. Confirmed ordinary means. Effect by Experience of Edward Wayraan. I Am notable to exprefs what I have found of (/odsgoodnefs * to fne. My fir ft call was upon a dre*w, which I bad of a great black, terrible dog, which feized upon me, and took, bold on my earfa(i, which I thought was the Devil, at which, I waked with jcreekj and cries, and fuch frights, as for ti>r^ weeks I thought I jbould have gone diftracJed 5 for 7/oa«^ this vmfont to raife me out of my fins, which were after fet fo before me, fothat I was along time affiled; and fo, as J could fcarce fPd/^about the /?reefj \or feebleness : Bit it pleafed God to sow- forfmefince by Mr. Fowler, and fome others ; and in private meetings, and in prayers 5 So that Jdfflfure lam pardoned in Cbrift, and that God hath accepted of him, as an offering for me. Iwasneahus before for Form;, but now Ideftre to be built up by the Spirit, and to live by the Spirit , inC/;ri(f, whom J make rwjr all : And for that end, Idefiretojoyn with you, as you do with the Father and the Son, Experience given in by Humphry Mills. MY Father was a Gentleman of a fairffhjfe, had many^ children, eleven Sons of us, he was High- Sheriff ; and when he died, we were all the Family of us broken in con- fufnn^ and difperfed : Two of us were brought up within five miles of Gbcefter in England} but 7 was placed in London Ggg an XI. Converted fey a D.eam t£ £ Black Da^ Effcds of ir. xn. 4*0 & formal righ- tecufneile. ftcry prccife. trouble wnd. in TiHDr. Sifo did comfort him* Called by the GofptI i When, i How* 1. EfccU Experience of Humphrey Mils . L iB.ll an apprentice cfierfrnd by this meansymy [orrow and tre&fe/ei be- g4« to be grwr • firftout of cenftdemimof this cb /erron? was turned into another k$nde of /brrot* and froflfc/e for fin : I was for three years together wounded for fins $ and under a je»/i of my corruptions^ which were many ; and I followed Sermons, purfuing the means* and was conftant in duties* and doing ; looking for Heaven that way : And then I was (oprecije for outward formalities* That Icenfured. all to be rfiprotaf^ that wore their jta/r any thing long, and not jhort above their ear* ; or that wore great ifyjfj , and Gorgets, or Fafhions, and JTe^/ex : But yet I was diftraCled in my rar/z^wounded in confeience^nd wept often and bitterly, and pruned earneflly, but yet had no comfort, till/ heard that fweet Saint (now in Heaven) Doctor Sibbs, by whofe wetfBjr, and Miniftry, /was brought to pejee and joy in my //p/rft. His /«?*« foul-melting GofpehSermons won my beart^ndrefrefied me much ;for by himlfw and had much of God j and was confident in Cbri/r, and could over-look, the #^r/d ; and then /did not care for it, and was not afraid of afftiilims ^ and yet foroetimes /was under a/pirif 0/ fowd- age again unto fear: But nevertheleff,my, heart held 6rm, and refolved, and my defires all Hwvew-^rd. / heard Funeral Sermons much, but Doctor Sibbs moft, by whom 7 was moft effecluaUy mought upon, and fatisfiek with comforts! After this / married a precious Chriftian fullof Ciri/r, and a great comfort to mc. My Trade was in Wholesale , and fince thofe times, I have loft in England and Ireland, Four- teen hundred pounds. / d;d not think to have lived here, when /came over firft, and brought wares; but /found God to deal very gracioufly with me. And being much refrefied by your Meetings and Members, I defire to be one witk you; in Cbtifa J&feritntA Ciwp.tf. Experience of Ruth Emerfon, 4ii Experience 0/ RuthEmerfon at it came out of fur Wn mouth in the Church at Dublin. fTHe Lord hath exercifed me much , and to pafle by all i ■*• outward troubles which hare been very many,! fhall declare what the Lord did for me when I mt young . I was called out once to hear one fame four miles off, where I lived , who was counted a very good man, and I went (with others) to hear him, not knowing well what I went about, but I got leave to goe, and he was on that fubj«&, Ihy tefximonies arefure, bolimffe be- commetb thy bottfe for ever. The Minifttr preached exceeding well,and I began to be afecled therewith; and after that my mind ran much on what he faid , and I was carried mu:b after tht Word 9 and went often five miles off to hear Mr. Archer ■, whom I followed, by whom I came to fee that I was loftyani left by Adam in a woful condition , yet ftili I heard him one Ser* mon after another , but was all this while in great me and mifery, and fo continued a longtime under thefenfe of my tmldone condition,and damnation, untill Mr. Archer perceiving my con- d it ion, offered me Chrift freely, oncly upon thirftinefs and wearinejs, which he proved was as much as was required on our fart to come to Cbrifi upon, and to tender him as he did 3 I made many objeclifins (which would be long to tell now) but he anfwerei them all out of the Word (o fully that I could not tell what to fay more, but was fo wrapped in, that I could not but refign my felf up to this Saviour jeftts Chrift, and that I would rowl my foul upon him, and leave myfelfefo with him. Yet afterwards not finding my felfe fo gifted and graced 9 nor having fo much of Gods Spirit , as Ifaw others had , I was in great doubt for a while of my eflaie , and was much troubled againe, efpecially when I thought I heard how the damned roared in hefl,znd blaffbemedGod to hU face%0 this !— -thisrKt me to the very heart ! to thinklfhould be one of thofe that fhould blaffheme God , this wounded me more then belli But after this , hearing the Word conftantly, Cbrifi was offered to me time after time, till I was fully called toChrift9 and to bang upon him as I do at this day , with confidence and *jr*T*nct of grace and mercy. And feeing God hath done thus Ggg 2 for XIII. Called by the nord- « When, where. z How, $ EffeA*: Temptations manifold. M j Senfe of belli Deliverance. ftefolwion XIV. Called by the love ofGod< i When where- at How. 3. £&&$.. 412 Experience of 'Anne Hewfon,^ Dorothy Emet.LiB.II. for rae , and hath given nae this beginning to let me fee his everlafting love 5 now furely I will relye upon him, though I be in dar\nefs and fee no light. Yet I confeffe I walk not ac- cording to the mercies received, but I find bac\-Jlidings 5 yet I remember Gods everlafting love in Ckrift Jefus, and whom he lovely \at loves to the enay wherefore I relyc on him,and know that by his grace I (lull ftand 5 and do much defire to walk* with you, that I may be Watched over by you » Experience of Anne Hewfon,n?i/e to CoU Hewfon , as it was te~ ken in the Church*. 1" Lived in London, and was a frequent lover of good ww,and *efpecially of one Mr. Cttiverwel, a very able godly Minifier- and I received much comfort by him,he preached the love of God fofweetly that my heart meked to bear him,and hereby hefirfi* (hewed me my miferable coniithn in (hewing what the love of God had done for me ; and after I faw my mifery in my felfe, I came to fee no bappinefs but in Cbrijt alonej and I was very much troubled, becaufe for a long time I could finde nothings but the/eg^ works upon my 'fpirit , and I feared that the Works was not yet terfe^"y tneref°re * followed and beard the moft Searching Miniflerslcould; and wasftiil tormented in mymindeibut Mr. Gulverwel (poor man) did ftiH doe all bee could to comfort me, and to incourageme , and told roe that God would not breaks the bruifedreed > mr quench the fmoahjng flax, and that I was in the way to have Cbrift a full fa\U« f allien, andbid me be of good comfort, but I continued in thefe troubles and temptations as if Sathan had been let leofe upon me, yet this did fomething comfort rne,that other of Gods people were in the li\e condition with me • but yet I was thus till I: met with Mr. Bolton, by whom I had much comforted by other*toe*w together I became fufyfatiffied and aflured 4 Gads love to me in Chrift, XT Called by 1 TfoOjrth Experience of Dorothy Emetto MKOwen was the firft man by whofe means, and Minifirj IbtQzmt fenfxbU of my mditiw&fjit much caft down^ ' " '^ " aad. Gur.6. Experience of Dorothy Emet. («; and could have no reft within me , and fol continued till his going away from us , and at hrs going he bid me beleeve^ in Cbri^,\x\d bt fervent in prayer; bat I faid, how (hould I do to bdeive* I lay a long time in this jr0«6/eof m/;2Gfe5untillin myjteep one night came to me a voyce% (Ithought) that faid, lam the Fountain of living water iznd when I awaked,! was much refreshed , for I had great tbirftinis after Cbrift , and yet I was under/owe d§ubts3unti\\J heard one at Corkrboufe upon that fub)ttt, R*ra.8. Tbe Spirit witmfetb rvitk our j} hits ^tb at we are tbefons of God. So chat God fatUfied me very much,and I have had ever fince dfuliajfurance of Cods love to me in Cbrift* Experience of Anne Bffhop." fHave taSed much of God upon my fpirit ;the fir ft Sermon that I heard here fo wrought upon me3that for a year or two,I was much tormented, and could have no comfort at alitor confidence to take Chrift when he was offered ; for I had this objection continually , .that I was not fit to receive Chrift , but after- ward bearing Cbrift freely offered without any fiinetfe or qua- lification in us before- band, vvithout any fuch conditions of worthineffe , but with bungrings and tbirftings *, and that hee muft be taken thus tare/j (as it were) as from us, and willingly fo as to part with Fi/^r,and Mother, md ail for him. I was at laft wrought upon to take him on thefe termes, and yet I had abundance of temptations, and trials both inward and outward (which I hope to have time to tell hereafter) but I durft not do any duty , nor fo much as pray before any , apprehending that I was an hypocrite, and once I fate down in great perplexi- ties, when it pleafed God to come upon my [pirit , and to re- veal to me that I muft beleeve in bim, and caft my j elf upon bim} yet I was troubled, and bid the Lord do what bewouliwitb me,fo Imigbt but have bim. All this was before he made himfeife fo kpoWn to me as he did afterwards 5 for he made me firft to fee my felfe nothing , and although before / refted on my worker and duties*, and fo I did long, yet now I could flnde no 7efi there, but thought all my former hopes were gone , and Ghrift to be to ft&nd 1 was deft hut e and comfortlejfe ; but fince, t I have found Cbrift to be mine9and that I a m bk *and the Lord Effects. A voice in her flcep fashed. XVI. Oiled per- plexed. x When wrought- up©n» t How by Chrift freely ] offered. 3 EfFea*. Temptation^, «tt Affufance Id 1 Chria. (2 ) Experience of "Tabitha Kelfal/WAndr.Manwaring. LibJj XVII. i Pormalfbr doings, a Denying Ordinances and dudes. Temptations i\\ the word was optiied^ Shee faw o- thetRtnters life wickedly. Called in again fey the word,& made a Cove- nant with the Lord. XVIII, 2yj ill livcxv Sndangersi hath appeared to be w> rigoteoufnejfe , and hath fully fat vfie& me, fo chat I live barely upon him. Experienceof Tabitha Kcifalf I I Was determined once to have life by ray owne a&ings , and *thus 1 was a long time in England , I was of Paul Hebfons Cociety , and ere long all the Ordinances grefy dead unto me, and I knew not what to do; I lay long [under a fad condition , and fo as I could not read , nor pray, nor hear, but found all unprofitable to me ; miny wayes did God [bakf me forehand I lay under many trials and fbakjngs long till ttie Lord came in by bimfclfe, mdfetled that in my minde , which is in Heb.J 2. 2d. Tex once morelwtffbikg not the earth onely, but alfo heaven, that tbofe things which cannot be fbaken may remaine : For the Lord by his voice did thus comfort me, that although heaven as wel as .cart h,inward,md outward man,my fpirit as well myflefb, and all my workj, and righteoufnefes wcrefba\en, yet it was to ma^e way for what could never bcfiakjrty and yet after this I was lifted up to much by knowledge, and Withdrew from Ordinances, but feeing how fome that didfo , and denied Ordinances ; did live diforderly » and walks wickfdlj , I was much troubled at it, and ytt left in the JVilderneffcz long time after until! God did difcover by his word to me , and declare clearly that I mud not withdraw from the Ordinances , nor deny communion with his people , and then I made a Covenant with the Lor dt that I would not^ and that I would part with all for one fmi/e, and was glad at my heart that I was received again, and brought under the means of grace9 and Ordinances ofCbrijr'JefM. Experience of Andr. Manwaring, Major. I Was brought up well , by Parents accounted Turitans] till about fixteen years of age, after that I was Appren- tice in London, but ill company drew me away, and I took buc ill courfes untill the three and twentieth, or four and twentieth year^of my age -, then I came into Ireland in the beginning of the Rebellion in the North of Ireland , I paffed through^retf dangers,zn& many deatbsfail may fay)for there roy_ Chap.6. Experience of Andr.Manwaring, (?) ■iy Father was killed, my Wife was wounded , and 1 my felft with much danger cfcaped from the blood) Rebels ; after that at Tredab-figkt I was 3 when ic was delivered , and being laid in the field among the dead,with fifteen wounds,! was given up fox one]of the deadfaut after that recovering! w^nt into EngU and then returned into Irelan d again ; at which time I began to lotkf about mc to follow the Word, to hear ipod men, being [enfibleof my finnes ! and former forgetfulnefe of God, and goodneffe. I heard one Mr. Owen here , who did me much good , and made me to fee my miferym the want of Cbrift, andfol continucd,till Mr. Rogers was fentoverto us, by whom 1 have received great comforts and aflurance of Chrift, and now Zdoe verily beleeve J have fellowfhiy with the Father, and his Sflsrce Je/«* CVi/r, and finde a great ctoge in me, and I abhor ill company and couifes, and deyfrre to w^in all weJ- pledfing toGod; and though 1 meet with temptations and fc/s- drances 9 yet X bleffe God he carries me on ingoodveffe, and I can now pray , and that by the Spirit , and I love the Word and Ordinances, and doearneftly long to have fellowship with the people of God, to ti^tcfi over me; for I am>ef weake. BlefTed be God for his/rregr^e in Chrift Jefus before I had any knowledge in Ghrift, the Lord fpoke to me by the means of an | bonefkman about thirteen years agos, who worked much upon | me.X heard Sermons^nd followed MMfters much afcer that; 1 1 \ was wont to hear in London Mr. CWoW>, and Mr.- Simpfon;]^ Mr. Cradock wrought much upon me , being upon that fay- ing in J/i. Woe U mey I am anunclean creature, &c. And truly r could finde it in me, as if he had fpohpntome onely-what he faid, fo that I was thereby wrought upon : I was much af- flicted for atime, and gave my felfe much to prayer % and did love the truth, and ail the Sd/at/jandfoX continue now, and I have found, anddoeyetthofe things traeinwe, which were fpoken by Mr. Rogers of tha* oneneffe of love and unity of the Spirit , which ought to be among all Saints , which hath much wrought upon me, and affefted me ; I have feen my (Tad) condition by nature, and now I (hall fee it in grace : and j nowO/ how 1 love the wayes 6f God, and bolinejfe, andj duties! and means of grace ! which beforel-did npt? but fuch 1 things ! Even J ear V Called, 1 W.:ea. 2, How. Confirmed*. 3 E&a$. Called," When. How. EffccU ■ (a) j Experiences of Ed. Hoar, and John SpiJman. Lib.1I. things of God , as before I Uathed , I now Iwefltid hng after JefusCW/r alone. A legall ri£,fireotifnel& I Experience of Edward Hoar Captain. Shall declare fomething ofGod upon my jpirit. It is fome twelve years fince ( before which I undsrflood noc the bappinejfe of enjoying Cbrifi , that I began to fay9 | What fball I doe to befaved? I followed the Miniftersjnquented I the means , and did too much ri/r, efpecially your long Preacbers&nd could not abide | that £?' I —I «.J^EI»*^*— "— ■ — Chap.6. Experience of John Spilrmn, (5) that any {houldpn?dd>/etfg; but at laftl wucatcbed by one, and hec was on Heb.%. 8. 10. the new Covenant made in Chrift , which was applied to me very home , and touched me to the heartland made me to inquire into W27 co»d/f/o8,hcar- ing the Jj»ger of being out of that Covenant, as it was to bee out of V^ah*s Arkj, and I asked my heart about it , whither I belonged to it or no ! but (alas) I lay long in^redf affiMi- en, and had no fat hfatlhn, nor ajfurance , lb that / knew not what to doe , being uader many temptations , fometirnes / would be are , and fometirnes aflfcfted the Ordinances, and fometirnes not , and to J continued a while, until] thofe frmifes comforted me much in Hofea\\^ 1 Will heal tkeir back^fli dings and love them freely , for mine anger it turned away from bim. And Heb. 8.12. For 1 wiUbe merciful! to their m* rigbteoufneffe , andtbeir finnes and iniquities will' 1 remember no more. And that in Rom. 5.6. In due time Cbrifi dyed for the ungodly. And veifc8. While we were yet finners. And fome other places befides ; but yet /queftioned whether he dyed- for me or no 3 and that was anfwered, ye?,for me 5 for / was one of the number of finners , and ungodly that needed Cbnft, but being in fears, / went to Mr. Bridges 3told him how / was, and indeed he fatisfied me very much for the time 5 but J fell into great trouble after all this,- and had a fentence of death within me, and thought / was damned, and utterly loft for all this, (till wanting faith , and looking upon m) owne atlings and graces , till the Lord laid thefefayings of Paul to Corinth home clofe to my heart , C§vet the be ft things, and / td'youyet a more excellent way, and I thought there was yer a better way, but I was a great while troMed, for I Was welj enough undll I had iome fweet enjoyments of Je\m Chrift. , and then /difcovered the mod excellent way, which is Chrift and nothing but Cbrifty and then /grew confident, and full of courage and affiance, and loved Chrifl} in *#, and <*# that was Cbrifts, and C&n/r" more thea <*#. ggg Experience Calit-cJ, 1 When, whe e. a How. Confirmed. Affiance by drift. Effect. (6) Experience of William walker. LlB.II. XXII Called, I When, where. 2 Hew. 3 Effe&s. Experience of William Walker. I Have much reafon to know a great mrkf of God upon my heart in delivering me wonderfully , from fe- verall deftroying finnes, which once / thought fleigbt 5 but io great chat 1 can fcarce utter them 5 / was very extravagant* even here in Ireland, but was brought very low in body and minde together, and then vj*s fenftble oi difobeying my Pa- rents from what the JPordfayes of rnen,they/&<20 be lovers of tbemfelves, beady, and difobeying parents , which eaft me down, affli&ed my confcie «ce,and troubled me fo , that /cannot utter it; and / lay thus a long time till / heard once Cbri ft freely offered, even to the worfi of finners % and then 1 began to looke up a little, with hopes of comfort, and afplie d thefe offers to me as needing him, and fo / began to be fatisfied with pe-ace, and reft, and I followed the Word , and rejoyced in it.and loved the godly to have company with them , and yet for all this / was under much temptation3 and too much I was given to drinkjngyiill Mr. Strong told me,Brother,7 hear grange things ofyottytbat you are given to drinkjngjkc .which fo fmit me, with the afafes 1 received abroad by the prof bane fort , whofaid, (O this k one of Fowlers followers') that /was wounded in my fpirit a long time,that / fhould bring fuch a [caudal upon the Ge>ij^/, and a blemifh ; For two months 1 W 'as tormented in my minde till the Lord recovered me , and gave me refolmion and power againft t e fin, which hath been ever fince, / ac- knowledge this great mercy to me, and doe live upon Chi ift the true Meffias, whom / beleevc to ha? e dyed for my finnes^ and will fave Q&gfCoul* Experience Chap.6. Experience of Lawrence Swinfield. (7) Experience ef Lawrence Swinfield. I Have been a Traveller for fomeyeares, and wandred about in far Countries beyond Seas till I camebackea- gaine into England,and all th is while in my natural con- dif/o»,and fo I continued a great while, but / came hither in a fad conditio*^ and very comfortlejfe, and could not tell what to doc, but to fall to prayer, and / did that often , and found ( I thanke God) much ref r(jkmtnt from that meanes but nothing to fatisfie my minde , for / have been much trouble din conscience , and could not take comfort untill the Lord was pleafeb to give in fome premifes to feed upon, as Maltb.l 1.28,29,30. where hepromi'ed to eafe the heavy, op- preffed, and Co make hhyo^e eafie and light , and then I began to long for a Reformation , and to deftre to be under his yoke, which was before (I thought) a burthen to me, and fo E/4.5 5.1 .Cme buy without price^and without me«e);and fo 1 came as freely as I was called , and was prefently confirmed by the Spirit of God perfwadingmt to give my jelfe up into Gods bands upon thefe his owne termes, and fo I did to this day, and many other fceet premifej I had , whereby I had a great dcale of peace and comfort $ and can confidently fay, the Ldrd is my God, and 1 have ever fince found in me a very great change from what I was before. As to inftance in anger 3 I am now fo free from that Paffion , that I thinke , none can anger me 5 and (0 for many other things, and 1 have a great delight in the fVordand Ordinances 3 and have received a great deal of comfort, and been much confirmed by Mr. Rogers, and fome others, and I know now that my Redeemer liver. ggg Experience XXIII. In his namrall condicionlong Trouble*! In confidence. How relecvcd' ErTcds. -a Confirm? d and ailtred. (8J Experience of John Chamberlain . Lib.II XXIV. F©m theun* godly. Jn a carnall Sate, Wrought upon ty a good ex- ample. Yetprcud.. Smrtiiand icourged by fift ^Jft 'gain. , Strong tempts tion?. Experience cf John Chamberlain.' IBeleeve,as you heard before, in one God, manifeftedby three Relations , and I beleeve this Church-way is Cbrifts, and the very minde of God^ and that the Pnmijes made to the Ajftmblies of £/e» , arc yours being thus feparate from them wibouh But to tell you my life , it hath been very evill; but now the Spirit of God teftifies in mee that I am his.. About'fourteen years agone, I was a grievous Wretch^ and was caft out of Aw* for my difobedience.. But after- ward being bound an apprentice , the example of my F: How-Trent ice (who was well-gjvenj wrought much upon mee; and hee feemed to mee to doe all for Heaven ,-and to minde Heaven altogether , which began to incline mee much that way too, and one time I went to him,and dejtred him to own »ie3and to let me be with him,and partikj, but hee told mee bee muft not cafi bread to Dogs ,_. which troubled* mee much --, but then I re.membred to fay. But I may have the crummes , and thence forward was hee willing to helpe mee all he could y Co I went with him often , and by my GHe to^icare good men , and the word preached, but I was yet puffed up with Spiritual! pt ide , and did bac\- Jlide from my promt fes , and the prefejjion which I made; wee were after that about fuch a way of walkjnz together as this is-, but wee were notfo/rn#, and canfull of ad- minings., to I was admitted without any great Examination or Trial!-; but by reafon of a Contrail with a Woman which I could not owne , I was much troubled , and brake out into finne , and God would have one finne a fcourge to another finne , to fetch me home againe, which hee did to the purpofe 5 and I was after much trouble in minde reftored againe to the favour of God. Since that , beirjg a Sduldiev , I was thereby brought under many Te mptatiens to fin , efpecially that vile lu>ft of Chap.<5. Experience of Adrian Strong. (P) of D runtynnejfe 3 which too much purfued mee, and To ftrongly, that fometimes I was ready toyeeld, at other times ready to make away my felfe, which I oftentimes Was tempted to doe, and fometimes I was ready to wi(h all manner of curfes uponmee for that finne ; yet fo I continued till the Lord at laft came and delivered mee out of thefe fnares , and Blkd my heart with his promifes and pre[encef and allured me of love inCbrift', and now I long to enjoy more of him5v and therefore defire to feel^bim mthyoH in tb» fefowjbip* Experience of Adrian Strong. In fhtntbus: FOr my life, I was two and twenty yearesa childe of wrath, and then by the word preached, and read out of good Book/ and the2?/'£/e, I was brought in to. x. When, where. 2. How? "::ft.. XXVII. I Called by af- fi&ions, out- ward and in- waid? Experience of Hugh Lecfon. Haveforriethingto fay, andldeSre, that the grace of God may appear more in me ev:ry day. I am convinced of this **j of C8n/P , for believers to walk^ in ; and I .e nothing to p/**^ but my own unwor thine fs , ytt fully laJJuredinChrift, I am emboldmd to bring my dejires here j like fmoakjng fax: I cannot deny, but my life hath been very /"<*i3 and I have been exceedingly given to //Z company and courfes, and can cemplain (and do) of tt^ J /:4ft- £^# more then others, viz. j4 great (inner, till^rac* was given me, and werrr mown to mei and Chrifl manifeftcd in me by hi? Sprit ; which was begun at firft by my Wife, a Wid- doves daughter in this Town, a godly Chriftian, and whom GW made the firft Inftrument of my good -y by her often reading of the Scriptures to mf3 and giving me good councels and admonitions y and by the Spirits working within me, with ft : And yet I did even hate tke Saint s^ and forbid many of them coming to ray houfe, and was yet under many tempta- tions, I muft needs fay 5 but I am now made fare of C^rift^ convinced by the Wordy and much comf§rted and eftablt/hed fince Mr. Rogers came hither; and do now long after no- thing fo much as Jefus Chrift, and do defire earneftly to be in one with his people , and pray them all to pray for me} that Imayftand by faith eft ab lifted in the truth. ■ ' Experience of Fraacei Curtis. I Cannot but condemn my felf before Ifpea^ I am fo unworthy of this mercy. I have lived wantonly in my youth, forgetting God, doing no good, but all evil, till Gods hand was heavy upon me for about eleven years ; and when in my outward ftate I began to mend , ftill in my w- wardl was much troubled, and wifhed that God hadtakjn me awa\ by my former afltttions; thefe inward were fo great, and. a troubled fpir it > who can bear? Buc afterward f was wmcb comforted again* In Chap. 6, Experience of Mary Turrant. do In thefe wars 1 was itrippcd by the Rebels ( being abroad) and came home fo,, thorough fad temf efts, and fince have gone thorough great troubles^ and vety many. A while af- ter, / heard my Husband was killed by the Rebels, which /feared was by my fins, and fo my troubles were renewed 3 and then the enemies came upon us , the Cannon- bullets flew over my head ; and in few days I was turned out of doors, with wj child* in my arms. I cannot exprefs what Cod hath donefor me, \x\faving my life, and my Husbands, in hearing my prayers and f ^r.r ; and now ir\ fatisfying my /m/ withhimfelf. / have received much fweet fat is fafti$» by Mr. B- and have now the teftimony within me of Cjods love to me, which makes me fo unfainedly to love him, and hiiways, zr\&defiretobe a member with his f*?/>/^ in his Church. Experience of Mary Turrant. I Lived till my Twenty third year, and knew not Gods but after that, /came to religious people, and received fomegood, and foon afrer was brought totheyTg^of my Tel f, and then 1 defpaired of mercy; and thought I was damned, and none of ^fods3 a great while, bat was at laft comforted b> good Minifttrs5 and the fTr//? that I fhall be eslablifled, and do belcive it 5 and I doe finde day ly a great change in me 5 and now Ch a p . 6* 35. Of Sarah Barnwell, &c. 4*5 now I long to hear of Chrifl ^ and I love the TFord and Or- dinances of Chrifl, and am fure that Chrifl hath paid the ran- fomc for my fins, and lam reflved in the power of the Lord to wa\ in his his wayes, and to doe his will Aflunnce. Rcfolunon* 35, Experience of Sarah Barn -well. IT hath pleafed God to exercifl me with much afflifthm and his love was all which drew me to himfelf and no thing elfe-, but firft I lay long under a legall forrow and j >• Under grief for fin. and I was then put upon works and duties hard J^S" j' _ " . i_ r /• t 11 r . * 1 • Working. tor heaven, but! law I could not get it that Bwy *, and in this great Flague-fime in this City I was ivrr/W farther, from the notion to the Power, and to fpirituall holinejfe, and fc/g/^r into Cfcriff, yet I u fed the means much, as praying, preach- ing, reading, meditating, &c. and by the Word\ was tfrwc^ home, when Mr. Vunflable teached on the fad condition of fome (even Profejfors) that were in Hell howling ! Oh ! this fad doclrine ftruckdeepto the heart! and Hay long woun • ded in my fpirit upon it. But it hath pleafed God to work^ upon me in divers wayes j and by his Spirit he hath fet me free from this bondage ; ivhich mercy I obtained firft from the confederation of Gods great love in Chrifl, and hereby I was brought to this affurance which I have. the 36. Experience of Jeremy Hey ward. THE Lord hath opened my eyes to fee Jw, and (howne me my felf, and I lay under his wrath half a year,and fo long as I fought to make out my own righteouJheJfe9 I lay thus ; and yet this while, I followed the meanes, heard the Word) and I faw at length nothing but Chrifl, would ferve me, and till then I could have no comfort , where- fore one firft day of theweek^, I fell to prayer, I prayed thrice, and at the third time I heard him fay, Loe ! my grace if fufficient for thee ; whereby I was much fatisfied ere iince, rowling my felf on Chrift, and living in him alone; and I finde fo great a change, that I can fay? tfherex I wat blinde^ now lam Jure I fed. «a 2- Under the Gofpel. A Aura nee, Under fenfecf fin. By prayer and the voice o£ God, Confirmed \r* Cfarift. Eflfefts. H h h 2 37. Ex- 4*6 37»0/J. Megfon. 3 8. Anne Megfon. Lib. II. Called, i. When. 2. How.' 3. Efftfts.. Galled, i.when,where, 3, How. Temptations, 3, Eff«as, J 37. Experience of John Megfon. I Have often been in danger ^ yea of />/Mg my life 3 and then havedefired to live, and to amend ; in many great afflictions I have been in ; in my youth-time I was very ignorant , but now 1 am eameft for morc/igfo, that I may be in the wayes of Cod. That Scripture of Chrift, in Revel. 3. 20. Standing at the door e and kpockjng> d\dwor\ upon me, and then I underftood Chrift muft come in, and all «//// be put out) and then I did and Hezekiah were afflifted) and thefe were the LonJf, and that the L and like the Rain-bow of many colour s , fignifie fair weather for Ireland, And I* am in good, hopes no good man can Hhh 3 have Sim. ■ "Fair weather fox Ireland* . 418 xperiencesjbew our tveakne§e,&c. Lis. II. God isfeen moft in our weak ruff*. Luther. Sim. Sim. Expojiticn, Two things requifitc before cenfure. have the heart to blame me for my goodwil and works \ be- fore any takg offence^ let him feriouily fonder upon it, and fummon his heart in fincerity, and fay. For what ami an- gry? if the proud fi ■ejh and puff pa ft -heart (ay, O fad 1 1 am fern in my nak^dtuffe I and known in myweakpeffel Art thou fays, the Spirit ? and 'tis fit thou ihou^ldftj that it may be known who cloathed thee , and that thou may eft have nothing to boas! of s And was not Cbrififo too for your fms? befides fayenhe Apojlle, my Strength wm made perfeft in weakneffe? 2 Cor. 12. 9. moft gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities •, andverf. 10. when I am wea^ then am I ftrong. God hath a way of himfelf, as Nazianzen hyes, to make hinifelf the more admired^ A/a t&v itzviiav ivMrla. Uw ¥ip£Ttu, and hedoth moft of his workes as Luther &\d9 i?1 medm contrari it 9 by Gontrary meaner in contrary wayes9 which makes him the more glorious. Be not then offended at your wealqieffe-, for the waters had better run though muddily and thick^, then not at all; and foyou in your infirmities and weaknejfes better be feen to run into the Qeean of love9 then to lye ftilly or ftand like a slinking poole. Neither be a- fhamed (in what the Lord is honoured) to be feen in your weakneffes^ for the roomes of the houfe that are greater^/g&fer, larger5c flinty, hard heart ! what wilt thou doe when thou art roaring in Hei! amongft the damned T &c* this made meat firft amazed, w44eh-rw-oftcn in my mind-after * and I began now to be troubled, hemg feared and frighted, and out of fear of Hell, I' fell to duties, hear Sermons, read the Scriptures,, ffch-augh I knew not what Irt&tdy-b&tlordy thought the bare rWiag-waf-enoit^hJ morning and evening, and learn d to pray fat-fir-ft-ou^-o^Boo^f) and-ali-^-G?#m (-^-caUeo-) that I could ge*) and betides Family piayers , I was I. Call to awa- ken him by the Word, ff* s-£/ -I: cared a r thfe? thoughts of HeU.> / Very forma) ■ and fttift in its' . 4^o Experience of Jo.Rogers Mimfler^&c. Li b . II. was afraid every tf/gfo kit the £ew/i thou id carry me a way to Hell} if I didnutfirft to my felf (wh-ileft my brother aiy-Bed-feUtfp-wiiS lad afleep) fay my prayerS} and-my-ft^- -Father aud-JLbelici^e in God} &c* and thG-t&tGemmanasn . ??f;, alxTrny //tf/e Cateihifm (Dr. Halts)- which I had /fwif^ud this i-did every tfjg&f due4y-before I d\irh fl?ep ■• sud-lmzfe ■is much of them aa of a-ckrwto keep -me »W/ that wg/jf ; Rfebc forma- Under great bondage of works. i/J&4 fc. Call to awaken by the Word. whk4i-€lfe4-ew?c-ef*f^-the DevuK would tor me a^pkcesj £ nd ytt firxetimss ( when I was/fe^-)- to make the more naft I mould fay /ewe of them at lead (to be in a forward- neffey/mthe Chimney corner whileit I was unbuttoning me,or uniying\my hofe or the like, preparing to goe to bed, thinkingyall was well enough fo 'twas but done . onely fometimes\f though I was unwitting to it, yet) out of fear (I remember) of the Ve vilU or fome mi/chief being ready to faney any tning to betheP^i/, I thou Id fay my Prayers,or Co?nmandemenkpOr Catecbifm,ov all twice over yfufpefting lt faid them not welhnough before, but often too fait hurrying over before, and stopping fomewhat ; and fometimes if I faid Jow^i^confmedly and too haftily, I would recover ita- gain,or elfe remember them when I had done all, to fay them again better; but thus, as the Apoftle fayes, when I was a. child} 1 did childifh things, a4^i-L-€he«gfl^-tfe45--wa^--veTy wdL, and very oftentimes wo«4d I be talking with-fome boy or others -getting him- from a& the reft to walk with mee> -attd I would tell him ofHellandfin, and fuch like things, fork ran alwayes in my mind, and I lived unde^ a defpe- rate fear^; bu^&i^iWH^ Mr. Marfhalla while after in the fame Tulpit -toek-me napping! wMkft I was I know a^t-how bewitched tonod> ^Bcf-began to fl*ep> -btrt- his powerful! voice thundringagainft fuch as are droits*}) and- fleepy and flumber away their falvatim, was at that time piety, out for mee^ and vcr^ft=mr/e»^ I ftarted up with an atyng heart, and was frighted at his words, (which -be- yet pur- fued)and wounded me to the heart when he toldu-s3ho„w that when time was loft we could not M it again, and he knew no other way for us, but now to double our diligence and re- deem the time we have loft y by miking tope haft, taking mere care% and pains, or elfe w* fliould be lojtfa ever, 0 1 1 was Ch a p . 6. Experience of John Rogers Minuter, 411 fuffiotently wounded > and fell a weeping ; I could not hold, atja after Sermon Lwent home ( where I boarded) and fate alone-l crying and complaining that I had loft my time : and at that time I uokjtp apurpofe never to fleep at O.urch more, ancUmadc a covemtU-wkhrit \ which I think (to this day-) I obferved ever fince; and when I began (as^at-firlHf was, often tempted) to be-dmrfie, 4wett4d-g/w#z>f ftand-and hold on nothings and caft my gyfj about to o/»frt them more-. But after thio 1 was not content with my former cuftomary- duties; for now I mnfydouble them and do more then be- fo*«; wherefore 1 refolved to write down (as we]l a«-4- €Q&\&) every Sermon I heard, and to get them^by hearty a»d- to fay every night out Sermany-atodtalezm ( out-e£-34e^ for I knew no better yetj another prayer fo^moming, -*&& a»et^€r forw^y-axuLfbmetimes for ..mm tooj- efpecially on- the to^f^gj[i (p *fefc i:ny *tf^ wa$ now doubled. S^ ^^writffqown tneffiw?W. I. began. ww-, fwhichfora time was very /itt/f, having no skill to write faft nor orderly) but I ever obferved the T>oftrine> and we»id write dowp the le me more ready fart-night when my F repeat for my bed^and my prayers by my bed- fide morn'mg^nd evening; but this I mull fay, tromthis/^Tw I learnt rm\ch of God and goodnejfe; for wjiat I did at firft for fear of hell^l did at laft out of love to heaven, and of late to God and Cfajft as if it were with- out heaven *, and hereby I was not only ykle to tell many men sSerwtw/ together, and it may be tenVears after they were preached; but alfo able (though chnefly by higher means, as I may (hew afterward^ to preach Vt 1 8 or 19 years of age 5 as I did in Huntington- {hire (if not NxnierJ to the amazement of many .,but to the table talk, ofmorK -Well, thus youfowhow formal! I was, «aa4 yet as. I may fayy-4-* was . bu&feftm£*~(f\m religion 5 a«dl reme-mber Aerij I ihould have been, glad if any wutf- 1*7^ y?(9^hapned tha» there were no Sermons on the Lords daies, / J[ heard them not (which I dare not but do notwithftan- ;ig if I were well J for it was more eafe to me (I thoughts, elfethel>m//in me) to repeat the old, then to get in mw. Ewwiotlong after this, that I had-heard MviMwJhaS a3-b that crucified Chrift afrejh now,-z&d~ba#e\&>t£* no compajfion on-bimj now be is in glory } -but ffn on him, and flftftfe hirp^ff^i^A bow- his blond would rife againft them : aadtf-^/^/j a meer mans4id fo3 much more his $ and if Vaiid prayed Lfrom bloud guiltineffe, how much more j^j from this guiltineffe of the/mww/ £/0w/ofGhrift,&c. which ! he preached andprefled fo powerfully, that I was thrown j into a trembling, as lying under the guilt of Chrifts blond \ and | was long perplexed about it :» but after all this there is ano- ther remarkable paffage that Amufl: never /orgtf, which 1 1 met with, or rather met with me to thepurpofe; about 1637. (as I take it) at Mejpngin EJfex, I w&splayng with children ^my fitteft companions then) and running round about the houfe we lived in, (through two or three little gates) infportand idlenefle, as I was running with the reft, (I know not how5norupin what occafion) I threw out vain words, and crying^ (A Lord \ (which we were not fufferedto do) my heart was fuddenly fmitten upon it, and I was fuddenly fet a running as if I had been poffeffed, (by I know not what power or foirit) not having any 4. Call to aw$« ken, was by a ftranaeVifeon* A warning t» ftrength to flay my felt (were it bpon my life) ; untill I was (headlong) carried through a little gate -way, where (as I plainly to my thinking and in my appearance, as ever I ! faw any thing by the Sun-fbineA there was fet a naigd \ fword) glittering with a feaifulledge\l thought) and which' tooi^up the whole fpace of the gate ftom onepoft to another , j with a broad blade moft fyen and cruelly at which fad fight 1 fo fraught with frights, I ga.ft\yfcrekhed, and yet had not the leajt power to flay, or ftop my precipitant courfe ; but I ' fiicb as take was quickly carryed quite unto iitAfo as that the ^^ ! Gods Name of the cruellblade meeting with my Body, it feemed to roe ^ in vain* impofftble I fhould efcape death : and! B made no other ac~ \ count but to be quite cut of and /wtafe 'afunder; but after- ward being fc«rri«/ through, with mat headlong and furious force, I had ftrength to flay a licclei beyond it, and to perpend the perplexible perdl which II lyas in ; I ftood as one amazed* or rather as one that kVew. not whether he £-* were alive or dead--, I knew not Iii 2 fcv ib.be! eeve my fe.'f ; leffe. 4*4 Formall and .Pterifaicill duties Hill. v7 Experience of John Rogers Minitfer. L i b . 1 1. lcfle then a dead man,, and afterward at lead: mortally and deadly wounded, if njot defperately and deplorably cut in twain ; Oh ! how I f ood trembling and tumbling in my thoughs, untill the v\ all bloud (which was fled for the hearts defence) began to difperfe again, and to go quietly to their own homes -, md then I looked about, and turned me to the gate-way, b it the appearance was pafs'd away, the fwerd gone avidvaiifkt, whileft I was left (alone, the reft running away) n a labyrinth of fears without any wound wi'hout, but dee 3ly and wofully wounded within ; and never ^ii hence (to t le praife of Cods grace) as I know of, have I had fucb extravagant prepofterous expreflions pafled from me. But, Good God I What was thy will herein I Thou who art not tyed to weans or order, beft ordereft and difpofeftoi all things, for thine owne defign and glory ! and ib this wasl am uure, but what it was I know not- yet it left a lafting imprefjion upon me, and the Jtar is yet to befeeninmy heart, though the wound be healed. But, alas \ How long and jarnentablel lay affiled and in conti- nuaVfearszher this ! Every thunder and lightning,l look'd upon as my fate, and fdnt forme; and then would I falj to my Prayers, and fayroig my Creed and Commandments y and to my Sermons as Ml as might be, that I might be found -wet doing at lepft; if not as a charme to de- fend me, or a challenge tol 3od by virtue of them to keepmd bleffe.me : this \remembe\ was my great comfort to coniider, fome did not do thus3 but altogether fl ghted holinejfe, duties, and did live wickdly, and carnally in drunkenneffe, difobedience, Sabbat h-break[ngy and feveralliins every dayy which I was fo farre froin grief at? and weeping over, that I (in my heart) rejoyctd iff it, that I was in more hopes then they,and (as I fancied my fdi^) better then they, and (hould receive more favmr. But all this while like an Ifiaelite in Epypt, I work'dubr life. and my fervices were my Saviours-, and I would tolmy brothers, jlfiers, and School" fdlowes and companions tol take oceafion to talk of heaven and /??//, and what a harwthing it was to be jZfz/fl/, For fome time after this in Maiden where I was boarded, and put Ch ap . 6. Experience o/John Rogers Minijler. 425 3 a ream ar Maiden in £/- fix. rut to the Free-fchool) L4*&d-a--emain dream* (which by the confequence proved zpravifion. of what is now comej Aprasvifionin to paflejitwas on a night about the t/we when the £prf- TziWx and Hollanders hzdafiufflingand akindeof Nauma- machy upon the Dowries-, for then fome talking of that fight, hlfd me full of fears, and in the night my dream was; that/n? rain'd (as I may fay J or rather powrcd down round about; and looking where I was, (I thought it to be without the Coach-yard gate of my Fathers houfe9 and I was frighted to fee nothing but fire, looking upward and round about3 praying for deliverance, none came nigh me roundabout by a good '[pace, but flaming t\(t(\ thought) in allplaces, and I could fee none exempted-, wherefore being afflifiedfov my Father and our family, 1 fell on my kiiees for them, and I thought I continued fo, long ere I could be heard, but was atlaff bidtoarife, and looh^, and then I thought ihe fire fell not fo faft on my Fathers houfe as it did before;, but by Zfw/p and little abated till I awaked. Now although this r.Dr niton. Came to paffe« 426 39* Experience of John Rogers, M/tfiJf*r. Lib. 11. Rafting in do- r-#» Dcfpaircd. ?. Knock awa- kened by the Word. Teaifull affii- &ions and fears. '$*//, or Mr. Hookgr, or my Father, orfomc offcfr(that was | eminent) that I mfght attain to their knowledge, and then (( thought) I fhould do abundance more tor God, fas if God were beholding to me for my obedience) and I wcul I then (IthoughNQ be fure to get falvation, (as if I could ; then eatily do it^. Thus a poor creature, I continued for fever all') ears tc gether, (and if you knew but h*lf what I havf.mrr wirh in~taat *ime3 you would fay I was a poor cuulux£ indeerLas, any alive) for I kept to-my^d^-ma»y- fajhdaks ~^and would eat — imhittf ) heard, read, fang PJtf/?#tf3meditaced3ufed Soliloquies, ax)d prayed many times a day, and what not f and yet at laft de\pa>red even to the depth : what by often thoughts of hell-, reading Drexellius Bf on eternity-, and then thinking of endlejfe, eaflejfe, and m*^^^-to*n^fi*s-5-afld-what by frequent frigms as before^ and what bv^my father, once preach**^ on the fool m the Goftel,\Lu\ io. 20. Tkcufiol, this night will I takg away thy foul, theh rrhofe fhall thofe things be that thou haft pro- vided? Whentehe handled a point of the folly of men to lay up here> andNlbrget heaven ; and (hewing that heaven 1 came not with \feon a down bed; but many (hall firive : hard to enter and Jrhtt not be able 5 and that except you exceed the right eoufnejfe of tfi* Scribes and Tharifees, Mat. 5. 20. you fhall in no cafe enter intothe kjngdome of heaven. What with thefe and other thing^ I was almofl in the httomelejfe abyfmes of torments : I took the Bible to look the& Scrip- tures, read them over and over ana over aga+fh, but the more Ir^ the more I roared in the black^-gutf—ef defpair, where I was caft (b deep as. ( to me and others^) I Teemed prf*^- fometimes pad all recovery j^I priy cd j fafted, mourn'd3 got into eonwjy-yea many-times (being* I -was afhamed to make my cafe known 3 rhave ran into lames, ft able s, houfc-of office, ^fly-W-hefe- (pretending as if I had htfineffi) on purpofe to pray,&$frs weep, knocking my Iwafi} curfc that ever I 1 was born ; wifhing 1 were a ftone^any thing but what I \va$,£er fear of hell and the devUs -, whom j-thought I faw every fost, in fa cr all ugly fiafes and fcrms ^according ^e-ffly-^g^-^^^fonK4iuH^^kh^ rolling flaming eyes they might finde ^^ ' rrtfJsf* me in apra)ingpofture fieeping as well as walqng; I jkvct durft go to Jhcf othenvifc (to my knowledge) for five or fix years together. But the great-eft blow I had was from the fintence of the aforefaid Scripture iwhlat. 5. 20. -Surely vt Tfiegre^S P -but fixive again ft the ftream, and feek out i«- ftflibilities, if I muft exceed die rightetufneffe of thcjScr&r and Pbarifees. For I had often r^r/ e£ their. ftriUnefe ax &*- £ *~*-^y> tls^ir Hcufei, and Synedrium:, and School/, thatthe ordina- ^y^ */*^ ry of them repaired at leaft three times a day to their drvo- ^/^f Hon, vte. in therartfi'/gat Sun-rifing<, till about the fourth/ hour of che day, (calied Schactith) and in the afternoon- (Minchah jNabout the ninth hour, and in the evening (Ar- \ bith') and fo It^ a manner all day long in devition. Befides i their laudatory ^ayersy and thanks not only for all the imr- 428 Experience of John Rogers Minifter. /Lib . II. ea •Deep defpair ftrong tempt- ing. ercies they receive, but upon every extraordinary accident " in every a&onthey do, a prayer for every */>»* they they will not drink without a prayer ; a prayer for evev^kgoodfm:U, a prayer when they warn, yea when they evacuate^ a prayer upon every new thing they have, and what not ? infomuch that fome fay at leaft 108. Benedi- ctions a day (Meab Beracoth} as Leo Modena the Venetian KMine writes ; and we have read how ftrift they are on their Sabkaths, and will not gather wood, kill aftie or flea, dreile any victuals, make afire, write, cancel!, or quench a fire, or carry any thing, orufeany hammer, nor eat any thing drejfedupon that day, nor any fruits gathered, nor wear any thing on that day but even necejfary apparel/? nor fpeak of worldly matters, as buying, felling, giving, or taking, nor make any bargains, norfo much as touch any thing, a weight, or burthen, or tool, or inftrument, nor handle any money 5 nay on the Friday before evening comes, all worldly things are laid afide and the Sabbath began, &c.) Now theft confiderations and fuch like made me think it in vain to feek to be faved; and it was but to beat \he winde, or build in the air ; for if the Scriptures were true it could not be, for I could not tell how to excel! their righ- teoufnejfe. I Hereupon I defpaired deeply indeed, it being Co deliberately 4 and the .refults of ieriotHi debates 1 fo much the Wflffcj lying under the fezweftfenfe and fontcwo olth&t -Scripture ', I could take no'comfort,but accounted God moft ^4^U^*^a cruel! to exaft impcfibilities s£ men, -fas fuch a rightcokfmffcy t> y \ y and to let fo many be damnedQaz I thought) becaufe they could not excell their righteoufnejfe ! O thefe hard thoughts I Defpair. had of God ! ht length I was tempted not to pray, read^hear or do any duties at all : fori thought it aetpoffible after all to be faved ; ^d-fe4-was-&> ni t iffles tempted to deny all : (bmetimes I was attempted to think there was no God> but all things come by nature; *&4 to challenge God,i£d&ee were a God, to requfre afign and feek apmf: tetin a word, to fuch a height! was grown up-tmto, that I did not on- ly defpair, but began to beb\it was alwaiespreiwrt^till at laft 1 was taken, and bound hand and foot, and held for ty ed) fail in a bed till tfae raging fits were over; and then when I w&ifpent and pattern, ifletgo,yet without a watchful! tfiy though it may be Yfaid nothing, yet the firft thing I went about, it may be, would be to feek a k/iife, or to get to the window to caft my felpdown headlong ; but I have been ftrangely and (almoft)\miraculoufly kept (which would be too long to tell) evei\ in the very rftf andinftant of time when a few minutes longe\had been too late to fave my life. I fhould not be fo long in this Hiftory, but fcfeat I dare hide nothing wherein God hath appeared, my God for his Wft^gloryin what I am now by grace. Aid therefore as things eminent arebrought to memory, Iara bold to de- clare them^for the magnifying of his alone love,an& the richer of his grace in Chrift J ejus. 1 dare boldly fay, few that faw ^ ,/mein thofo head long diftcmpcrs, did think- me at the beft, fit * Y for any ptecebut^Bedlam \ and that I (hould ever be nftored to- what I am, wakh-wasakb as ftrangeiy. For as the difirjftedfits did much abate me, they did turn more to in- ward malady and mtlmdnly ; my continual! cyJm&% , I am damned, I am damned,! am fure I can't befaved ! it is imfojjiblel. Oh ! Hell ! Hell I fire about me ! theiDtvi/f are at me I and Kkk k lit prr- ^-zSztt- A / •4-^x TZ fh-^7 * f^C4> *'* A -4^ Miraculoufly faved from fclf munherJ- /£* ^*^L*^ /%* Inwsdi mei- [ancholyand defpaiis; i** 43° A word to the wicked. ^r*^-*->-t*' \fC VSr Yi '£^Q-£)J >£~ JUftoredtt- tnordinarily m$ 39. Experience of John Rogers Mimfter. Li b .II. I thought I heard the damned roaring and raving, and faw them (as 'twere) roafling, and their frisking and frying in everlafting torments. My minde and all was taken up with their bowlings and fcreechings. This fad condition day and night kfte4ttpen me, untill I wzsperfwadedth&t there was a GW / and that this God was righteous, and that he would hear prayers'^ I continued but knocking with importu- nity and gave not owr3feeing the Mo/ft/? jfo^e that we read of iB-Scriptttm, was. prevailed with by the widowps importunities: then 1 refolvecKwith my felf (and gathered together here and there thofe feattefd reliques of reefer which were left me J that I would continue prayer, and fo I did (though by fits I was froward, and mute, and wilde, and I know not howj yet off and on 5 daies together fcarce eating a bit of bread in all that time; and was after that in another form and frame of fpirit fthouglyby fits full of diftra&ion and defperate thoughts^) vet more ferious, and fet to weigh things as in a balance, And to expoftulate with the Lord, andtopr^yby fits nfoftfurioufly, and now and then tears began again(which were all dryed up before)to trickle and come tumbling down my face WktfwoUen drops of bloud,z.n& I con tinuecuh«fr three or four daies till one afternoon com- ing into a chamber (my- heart being as bigzo it could hold) I threw my felf flat on my face ( ao I ufed to dojknocking the boards and calling and crying to the Lord for deliverance, a*4 ufing fuch exorcifing expreflions as might difcover me *r*y in defpaift zndfiarting up, I walked a turn or two, faying, " Is there not a God ? is he gracious ! are the Scriptures falfe \ canft thou take delight to fee a poor foul thus fet on therae^! iighingand roaring in torment! rile up and appear for thy felf thou great God ! (hew thy felf gracious in one aft of /n, mercy 1 maugre all the Devils in hell I and with knocking my z//L~* breafl and tearing my hair , I threw my felf upon the bed, whUejmy^^were-^lazedwrth tomes ! and there * lay, 4f* A^£- zfuddenfleep which feifed upon me^and I dreamed of the fame siriftu& (the letter which jqtiedifie) and y«€ of-Gfo^ (the Spirit which quickped me) and that Us^'mhteoufneffe (by faith made iwiwr) didexcell the rightemfneffi ©f the ffcrfcx and <*«. **»c Ch a p . 6m 39. Exfcrtincc 0/John Rogers Minifler. - 43 x Tharifees : and except I (m a"d Dy the right eoufneffe of Chrlft made mine)dld excel! the rigkteoufneffe cfthe Scribes and F bar i fees, I could not be faved; that is, not mtiout the tighleonfuejft of r. Chtiftr Wh en I awakfa, I was fo much changed that I was kmazedgt my felf, at the fuddenncfie of it ; for 4 dreanh I was comforted,and my heart filled wkh joy* and whe«4 aveakfd i r was-fo-mdeed ; \fxartedwy, and/^^^-ffly-4elf? faying. Why, 1 am not damned ! what>ehe w^r/?r ? am I fo filled with a frftfcy ? with aJiidderfKo/^ of I know not what, nor whence? anaditeh-^tlmel fell to pray, andwhilft I was prayingrlrfaid, Lord is this true ? fay ! is it true ! if it befo,letit be (hewn me that it is fo^So I wao perfoadedthtt the righuonfmffe of Chrifi was mine, for: that this garment was provided only for one fo nakgd &tid torn out of all as I was; which weighing I took ;thre Scriptures, and found thefe divine infufiens, and immediate refolutions given in me, agreeing with the fame wilfafGod given out there, and then I be- gan to breath upon'c, and to pant a little; and by degrees " *e-revive-and4ook upward vrith fome hope-, till the Lord #> (atisfied me by pouring it upon me, and writing it within me, \ that I fin Chrifts rigteeoufi&ffe my only jufiifimi**) did was fo long and fo lamentably loft, that it was becaufe I foughi ^^V^ in a wrong place for justification, andtheroforca wrongway Evangelical], Confirmed and fecondei by prayer and the Word. Rom. 10 $. Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 8. 4. Ifayyj. u. Phil. 3. 9. Gil. z.itf. And got into an aifurance of falvation, and how. ,&L w&/ejagain{tnie, andto follow me with an hoaft of afflitiions and temptations, as Tharaoh followed Ifia el/with a purpnfpto deflroy h4«y; when once out of his territories : ' and fee how a 2>Wtbat is efcaped out of the hand is hunted Satans-frefti horns, . ''■ (7 i Cor. t. A /£s*/L up and down bytbtboyes, the doors are mat, the win- dowes and holes ftopp'd to hinder her efcape ;and fee how they hunt her, throwtheir hats ather, fcare her up and down till they think to tire her, and make her fall into fheir fingers again : So did Satan fet upon me (I may fay) a thoufandwaies by himfelfandhis agentSyto hunt me up1 and down?an4to tire me out, and to maKe me (if he could) 11 iato hisj^erz-agam, but that 4»y God whom I un- teignedly ferve from my foul, did deliver me, does deliver me, andltruft will deliver me, as the Apoftlc4itk9i For though the Viiill did ufe many [naresy andbefet me fo about fas- you ■■will hear) that it feemed fcarce ipofEble I mould efcape, yet the Lord fet me at liberty from the [nares of the Fowler ;, ttet^ibffl€4n3e64b-^tRiHy--- layed^ihafr I could i i Greater sffli- iors. flot difcernthem; aftd^vfeet-be* could not do by his- fair infinuations and fubtletie?3 an44mwrd-rmiidM-3tfid temphttfom-, he try edt&4erby violence, in tormenting me and making me the moil objeft of affli&ion and mifery «all-abo»t ; for *e> prccccd-j my friendshtczmz mine enemies, and my frecifcneffe was an eye-fire to many#near relations call me [off, and I was looktupon &s difobedient for keeping company with fuch as were godly Turitam, and accounted then Round-heids, and for praying and holding communion with them ^though common* -ckd-to-the contrary) at length I found fo little love?-ztt&fb nmeh-malke-irom fomev that I wa3 turned out of dmrs, and forced fas men-fey to feck my fortum^)- to flie with-rey own Chap.6., 39. Experience of johnRogzxsMimfter, 433 cwn feaihersjm&£&*? fellings fix pence3 or thereabouts (as | l-yA&k) to travell up and-down inflrang€-countrie3,and that in the colder! winter time of the year, in fnowie wea- thcr,(up to the knees very often)and whileft the very ificles hung on my hair or cheeks,a conflux of tears that came hot would thaw them,, which tell abundantly from me in the open fields, and nigh -waies?wriere none but{3od took no- tice of them. Ifct Idid ofccn.lyg at poor cotiagps, (o^-£r) but tp come in to warm me, ordrymej or far a.draitght- of fniall beer3 opfe-; which would make fomcpoor fouls £*-* foil a weeping to fee me. -But after many dangers and trou bles I footeditasfarreas Cambridge, sshere I fought from ColledgetoColIedgeto be but a fizer or poor Scholar, my little flock of money being all gone, and the Servitors of Kings -Colledge (of which I was one before) being dif- mifled,but I could have no place, and I had no money, and I wanted bread, and that {o long that all others failed to do any thing for me,infomuch as I was forced for life to - try all r h i tigs, .an d. ea t leach cr^ and drink water, and eat- old quilsand pens (where I could pick them up out oi theduft ordunghilojroafted in a fcwvcoalo (which were kfeinthc Chamber where I wac J a^dj-affcyed- forne4mes- ±9- tat grajjc, and did it : yea, I grew to that height of pe- nury and famine, 4hat4-£bmetimes tryed to eat my own firr> ^O'fj.bitingitdem till I co^uld endure k-no longer; then AImoftft.ii-vca at Cambridge. &£», ding me but <%'himf that 193 feZ/i^y^^ ftoa4d have A^k-m^-bags of money by me^ be honoured ofali men3aud own'd by all my nknil8,and"go home with great riches, at?.d in great refpeft, But God would not fuffermeto A?rwr%tf to him, but to tell him, thouartalyar Kkl.3 fnw tearing my hair, and crying,I had recourse to prayer, where- J/yy^ jt]Il by the palfion fit may be) would away for the prefent0but.r^'*'"J this continued fo long, that I met with temptation* in this mldernejfe to turn si ones into bread* and. the Vevill did often tempt me to ftudy Necromancy & T^igrom^n^^md- 1 o make u fe -ef Ma^ichf and to make alwguo with him, and that thai ihould never want?but (kwmc(ao 'twere .upon the pimh&lf) emptrr^er.s , (7 Vx_4T TheDcvill ! temptstoyecld'.J to him. f>3 *LeJ2) 434 39' Experience of John Rogers Mfaifler. L i s . II. Is rcpulled. The Dcvill tempts another A mod ftrong temptation. from the beginning ! away thou malicious ttccufer of the brethreny tempt me not, for thou didftdo thus to Chrift, but he overcame thee, and fo I truft I (hall by his power ; and then I prayed, and read the Scriptures, and writ holy meditations, and Soul- folihquies on the 88 Pfilme, aH in verfe very patheticall and /wto£/wzto?forpuhKque profit, but wanted zpurfe: fo that in ftead ofMagi/all and Aftrologicall ftudies, 1 bent my minde to holy mediations, foul- comforting, Angelical and "Evangelical con* \emplatiom '. yet I continued under [rongtemptatims , but to the praife of God,I-fpeak it, I think never was I more a growing Chriftian, then after Satan had thefe repulfes • but yet I muff not omit to tell you, that I had one other tem- ptation fir ft ; which was almoft irrecoverable, -but that j was prevented extraordinarily even as I was upon the ex- ecution thereof. £e* finding my felf almoft ffarved and pined to death, my flrength almoft gone, my eyes funk deep in my head, and wearingdeaths colours, I was almoft at my wits end : I confene when I felt a paffion come, or fit come upon me, I would fall to prayer, reading, or fornething or other, whereby fometimes they were put by, and I had much comfort, but I could not alwaies avoid them by this: for now one temptation got ground of me, and came on audacioufly, and grew ftrongly upon me, fo that I could not efcape it, but it foHowcd me; I took up the skin of my wafted hand and armes witharefotution to tear it off fox-hunger, but in vain , the Devill had fo befotted me, that 1 could fee no waies to evade death, for I had been be- holding to all the Scholars 1 could finde any courtefie in, to bring me [raps, or skins oi fait- fifh, or fornething or other in their handkerchiefs or pockets,which kept me tf//re 1 while, till at laft they were all weary ,and Iwafted almoft :o death, and ajhamed to beg openly about ; 3«d I was bl»n> dej C* api£. 39. Experience of John Rogers Minijler. 435 dcd asteany way that I could findeto rra?z/c»r out of this condition. Wherefore,after violent and never-ceafing tem- ptations, I drew my k&'rfe, whettfd it fharp, opened my doublet and fhirt, and in the midft of the room where I was alone, kpeefddown to prayer, to fur render my foul up into the hands of God; my kyife lying by me prepared^and I prepared for the <*#, when behold a door which I the ugh t was bolted all the night before, was but font to, which a Scholar opens, and with the fcrtefyng of it made me flan up, and throw my knife into the chimney in haft (as afhamed of what I was doing) and in conies the Scholar to tell me of a place in Huntington Jhi re to teach Gentlemem children at my Lord Brudeneh houfe, and how one ofour Ccllcdge was UnttOybutrefufedit 5 by which means I was recover d t ut of that eminent danger, and after the Scholar was gone, did exceedingly reprove and check my (elf, for fufTering this temptation to grow fo upon me, for want of fiith, and was much afflicted at it, and the more for that this mercy came in fo upon it ; O ! that I could not wait upon God .' but being now night, I went(aslufe to do) fupperleffe to bed, ( after duty) but my heart melting into abundance of tears, firftfor the fin that I was about, that I could not beleeve^ and refift the T>evill(2s I had done in Gods ftrcngth before) and then for t\\tloveofGod,z.nd hiswreappearing for me,evcn at that inftant too, when! took no care of my felf at all, but had devoted my felf to death, and that now he fhoulci not only deliver me, but fend me newes full of hopes ! O how thefe things did break my heart / and work upon me moft part of the night / untill with an heart full, and head full, and eyes full and ah1 ! I was fal'n into a deep fleep, and vifi ted with an extraordinary tokgn from on high both in dream and vifion, which hath been fince accom^fifhed (as I take it) and the Jaft in Ireland the lad year. The Dream was this; that I was walking home to my Fathers houfe, with aftaffe in my hand, and fearing left I fhould be out of the wayy I looked for the path, which at firft I could fcarce difcerne was zpath,and began to look about5 and to queftion it,till by and by 1 perceived fomc^>//te/>/offomethac had gone that To murther himfelf pre- pared. But flrangcly prevented. Much afff-fled for his fin and vending t0 Sa- ian. Evangelical!.. Comforted and confirmed in Dream and Vifion-extra- ordinarily^ ' c? The Dreim reiterated. The Dream interpreted in the fleep. How firft cal- led to the Mi- niftry in his £eep. 43'tf * 3c># EXperiwce of John Rogers Mintfter* Lib. II. 1 f&S^hys with that I -went forward, and the further I went, J the plainer I perceived it to be the /^, and that I was in the wtfy farid I couW^no other) at which I rejojFeed, and went on Confidently ( at it I fieard no evill, nor ra^j till [ came to a fine glorious bemtifu 11 houfe zn&buildirg on the left hand ot me, out of which came forth a beam which rea- ched a little croffa the way I was to go in., (o that I being at a little ftandz.tfa% yet would not (loop under this beam, but fteptafidezhd fopafs'd away, laying my hand on it as I ftep'd by the fideoi it3 but the &fttJ5 ("I thoughtj was all in a flame of a fudden, fo that being fomething troubled thereat, I pafled on in the way, wondring in my felf what this fhould be, till I was overtaken] by fome rude vio- lent malicious men that laid to my charge the fetting this houfe on fire, and would not hear me fpeak,but were hardily haling me away to pri\on, with which being fufficiently frighted&nd all my flelh let a trembling, 1 awaked, and was offended with my felf, for being troubled at a dream, a foo- l\(h fancy, fo I laid me (it being yet dark,) and kllafleep again, and was caft into the fame dream again, word for word ; and at my right hand\ thought there was a grave* ancient man full of white hairs ( like woolly) a long white beard, who flood by me, and bid me chearuf, fear not! for the Lord hathfcntme to comfort thee, and to tell thee that he hath chofen thee to preach hk word and Gofp ell of Chritf, which is the ftaffe that thou haft in thy hand, and which Siaffe, f that is,the word of Godjthou (halt walk home with to thy Fathers houfe, i>e. Heaven,whcre is fulneffe of joy. But after a time thou wilt be troubled with the different opinions, and waks of men, and feem at firft to be at a toffe, t>ut the Lord will be thy guide, go on, and as thou goeft forward, the way of the Lord will lye clearer and clearer before your eyes; but the footftepsare the examples of the Saints that have gone before you, which will be a greathety unto you; and you fhall ww/.^chearfully on in the way which is clear to you (then the which you fhall fee no other) but yet you muft meet the fair houfe on the left hand, i. e. the glory and great ones of the world, who make a great and fair ihew to men Propheticall, Chap. 6. ^.Experience 0/John Rogers Minifies 437 men (as built high) but they muft/tf^and are but on the left hand efyou,wh\Uft you will defpife them, preach again ft them, and turn your eye ; looking forward to go on in the way of God (and turn not about) but the beam that comes out of this great houfe (which makes fo much (hew) is meant the powersand o^j/w/tf of fuch3 which (wlulcft fomewhatcrofle to the way J you ft ep a fide and will not Jlocp under, they are fet on fire, and enfiamed of a fudden ; but be not trou- hied, go forward, although they willj^after you,?fay- ing you have brought this firevpon them, and they will falfiy accufe you, and feek to hale you away to prifon for this faft. At which I awakgd again, this being morning about day* break* I wondredwith my felfwhat this meant, Ithought it furely more then ordinary, and being filled with confidence andcomfort, I rofe up and writ it down prefently, Andawaylwentf&rt day towards Vidington in Huntington- fli'ire, wherethe Lord Brudenell once lived ("but was then^- queftred) and one that the Committee put in, had Gentlemens children to board with him, whom I ("afterward) taught. But after allthefe deliverances', I did multiply abundantly in gifts and graces^ either to pray, expound, read, iing Hymns and fyiv'nuaW Songs, with the Spirit and with un- derftanding, as Ifrael'm Exod. 1 . the more he was afflicted the more mult iplyedh foblejftd.be the Lord, I was the -more filled with the Spirit, endued with firength andgrace, refrefhed with peacezndjoy, the more I had fo fuffered. So that all my troubles were but a Jofephsfifp ( through grace)to higher enjoy- ments', and finding the LordLo abundantly to endue me from above, and to qualifie me for thccall, which I had before in the night({or the minifirywhich then I little meant,or imagined could be,it being often refolved againft before by my Fa- ther , and my books ordered to be packed upj but rinding thing* following fo fairly to con%*re,\ was much co?firmed in it, that the Lord had deftgtid me thercunto.In Huntington- fhke teaching fchoolfirftat RrudeneHhoufejand afterwards the Free-fchoolof St. Neons, I began with the Icyes ever in /r^rfirn\at7.&i. and ended with prayers at 11.Sc 5. on the Saturr dates In the afternoon^ I catechifed thcm5 and exfoun- Lll ded\ Partly perfor- med of late in Ireland, as it is well known. m ^P* But I beieevt not wholly- From that time how he grew fit for the Mi- micry, i.O!l to the Mini ft ry. Hisorderwherl he taught Schoole* 43« 39. Experience 0/John Rogers Minister. Lib. IL nr 5. Gall to preach. 4. Call. Kid* Epi file to Vurleigh before $he 1. £#,■ r* A&.i£ Muttncc* 1 but by the grace of God it is that I am $hat Iam,as theApoftle faid Why weep ye for melfor lam ready not onely to be bound but to dye : fo I fay i™(M>< *Xa> I have provifion within me, feeing Chrifi U in me the hope of glory, I am ajfured of Salvation in Chriit Jefus my head9 my Lord* my elder brother* andthe firft fruits of- Chap . 6. 39. Experience of John Rogers Minijlcr. 439 ofall them that rife again. And although I meet with dally 3- Efo&s. troubles at home and abroad, within and without, yet am I all the way afcending heaven (though defending hell) the fame I way with Chi ill ; who hath ( through the vail) confecrajeda j new and living way for me into the Holy of Holies. I en com- 1 fortably drinks after Chrift out of his own cup \ and in eat* ing his meat arid drinking his drinf^, take gall and vine gar ,as wel as »w and honey. I prefer Cfcri/? before Salvation, and had (if I know my heart) yet not I, (but my fpirituall felf ) had rather goe to Hell with Chrift in my armes (if 'twere pof- iible) then to heav en without him ; accounting the enjoyment of him to be thefwjpymftf/ of all the excellencies and happinefje \ in fcft/z/#z and earth, Super omnia Chriftum s I am very confident Chrift can' t be perfeft without me, nor I without him Jbut that | I /hall tf/>/>.t/ *^ne one minute longer then tohh honour and glory, and for his Speya fervice, which the Lord make me fit for and faithfull in, and prepare me for that glory which is to be revealed. But thefe things I have fpoken in the fear of 'Ggd, wherein you hear what Ism*, what I am, and what I fhall be ; I know no more yet to trouble you with, but according to the ac- cnafings of the holy one in me, and efFufionsof the unftions upon me5I dial 1 fpeak more hereafter for your advantage, I were a wicked wretch^dxld I fmotherany of the appear- ances of God which JlEpwith. L I 1 2 40. An 440 ^.Experience of John Osborne. L 1 1 . II. After he wai admitted he was much sffliaedinhis confluence. Vet carrricd the faircft fide outward. *-Or ibefe- 4ond moneth. 40. /// eminent Experience, or relation of John Osborncmwrfer 0/ the Church at Purleigh^ of the which Mr. R. wm Paftor : as was taken out of the Church Re* gijter word for word. yOhn Osborne, a poore labouring man, was admitted* Mm* ber of thlsChurch, April, \6. 1650. his vifible carriage in word and deed feeming holy, and his outward converfat ion fuch, as he was well approved of ( after his confeffion of Chrifty and refolution to cleave do fe to the Lord in this' way) nemine contradicente ; but it fcemes this m<*/f was much un- founds and not yet fit matter within (whatfoeverhefeemed without) and it being belt kpown to God and himfelf , Gods defigne was to workout the difcovery of him out of him* \elf, he began to manifeft much grief and gall within him by his outward colour and complexion, but kept it clofc to all the Church, that his ill life wasthecaufeofhisill/w^/; jet he followed the means, frequented the Communion, ufed the Ordinances atliome and abroad, in publique and private^ fo that nothing could be gathered ("in the Churches appre- henfion ) but godlinetfe in him \ He would prene an exatt walking, Gojpell duties; and in difcourfe caft in his mite of knowledge zndmeafure of light: So that fome tooke much content in hin^much comfort of him, but for all this his hea- vy countenance did difcover that there was fomewhat in him lay undifiovered , and not yet brought to light. But Gods time was near to doe his Church good, and to give them fome reaU teflimony and ufis of the firft fruit of his love to- wards them by making him b&own to them, whom they thought they knewj but indeed did not know; for what G^fiwinhim that wasnaughjjlwtes not vifible to the Church, but what was vifible wafSj B, but that which was invifible to us was the rottennejje^ftd unfound fart of the man. But mark how God met with him, who upon the 28. day of* April, 1650. was after Sermorit (being the Lords day) ftruckby 3Lfuddendifiemper> which in the night pro- duced Cha?.6. qo.Exfcrienee of }ohr\ Osborne. duced dangerous fits which continued at times tor two or threedayes: the P damn'4* ( I 44* qo. Stravge reports of John Osborne. Lib. \l. Reported to be guilty of fin with one Right strife Ik fore he en- tred into Church- fe low Ihip long. The Paftovs prayer about him. This Osbotne . difcoverethoit of bis own mouch. A warning to Hypocrites. think at lead a dozen times, with a moil deplorable voice ) 0 I am rotten I lam rotten ! at the heart ! Oh the heart ! with aboundance of fuch titter language ; the Pafior wondred ; began to fay one thing and anther-, to apply for one ail?) and for arother; but all in vain, for the more he fought to help, he feemed to hurt, and the more he fought to cure.hs Teemed to Iqll, and the more to fret the difeaje. The Pa' jier retiring himfelfe for a time into the next roome as defi* reus tofek to God and to bewail the mans woefull mifery, was there told by one or two, that the fame Osborne has formerly been fufpe&cd far adultery lying with one Right's wife hard by, and tor fame other mifdemeanors, which were never before tyown or imagined to be in the mm (by any of the Church as I know of, or that any of the Church 1 did fpeak of.) Well the Paftor returning thanks to the \parties that acquainted him with this, went out into the \yard, and then earneftly fought the Lord, that this mans af* \flHion might bzufefull to the Church, and that by his own .mouth, that might be discovered within him , which none I could fee, and few fufpeft by his outward deportment and \ profefton ; and if he were (b wicked, and that fuch finnes and bafeneiTe were in him, that it might be manifefled 'open- ly to the terror of the wicked, that as at the judgement of lAnarimzVid Saphira, M.f.n. fear might come upon all the Church and thofe that hearthefe things.With his heart ful of fuch hot defues \ the Paftor returned in to the man (much relying on God) and as loon as ever the faid Osborne faw him, he eryed out alowd,Oh Tme damrid ! Vme damnd Wme rotten,Vme rotten, *Ime rotten \ The Paftor asked him why, and like a floud hh voice \ iohntly burfting forth,for lying with fuch a wo* man , naming her openly to all commers , and continuing this his unfavory fpeech fo long and in fo much defpair that the Pa/tor viasconftrained to leave him fo ; he being unca- pable of making ufe of whztjrere was faid to him, though ere lo urgently \ fo that the faid jf.il. the Patter bafted home (being now dark/tight) hoping to doe him more good by dtaling with Godior him* then by any further dealing with him j being much afflicted for the great ftnjulneffe of the man ; and Ch At. 6. 40. A Rihtkn ef John Osborne. 443 "C3 The Paftors prayer again. and for that thofe without would take all he laid up in the wrft Jhfe, and with the moft malicious cjnftruftion they could ; fo reporting t about the Countrey as it might reflet much upon the Churb; and that to the pul-iique reproach otprofef- fion and the Go/pel praVnfes which ( afterwards as wee ftull hear) through the great graa of ou vGod, (who turns light out o\~ darkgeffe, and good out of ttflT) made mightily tor the Churches advantage and comfort. The next day the Pa lor praifing the Lord for this large difcevery made of the mans finfulnejfe and mfoundmffe (who was condemned out of hi? ownewwt/;) in his private fiudy ftrongly fets upon G>d,znd by a holy violence befeecht, and begged of him fcmcJ that hee would fcourge H^here feverely, by Tome w/?£/e figne , and that to the purpofe, for others to take warning by; and for the further manifeftatiun of fuch as were unjound and rotten in the Churchy and (ov the fullcr/fo/jgf&v/wg and efhblilh- ment of hisfincere and pretious 0tf.\r in the Faith> and that hisfjul might be fared at the Lift day. Thu^ continuing his undeniable requefts for the fnace of two dayes all this while, newes was brought that Osborne was now drawingen, in his laft fweaty and fen felefle and knowings boJy> but fpeech lefle, and upon git/iag up the ghefi, onely now and then he raged, and flung about; But every one had given him up for a deadman^vsd without remedy ( in their eves). After this the faidPrf/rordid fet afrefh upon the Lord, and lay bard that it might be enough, what was done, and to with- j draw hisanger (ifhepleafedtobe prevailed with through ; Chrift) and now to fpare him, and try him a little Lnger, if | Paftdfll praysf he did heartily r^ftf/ what was paft; and refolve again ft ,aoain for hirr., temptatims in time to come; andro walk? up more clofely | to the rules of the Gofpel3 upon his promifefo to doe, that \ he would try him now3 and be pleafed to be pacified and ! /hew him/oz/fj d^c The Ftf/rsr continued praying for him, In private 3 nil the fpace of a day or fjrv moreyand this not onely in private > ' puftique. but publiquely in vfea/e body and ficiety' May 7 J it being a £% of fpeciall Communion 5 On which ^ one member of the Fellowfhip being fent to /*»? him ; he was tf/fo? faft, fo as he wasnot feen to reft for a /o//^ time before; being ty- red This Osborne dying, ^ravv* ingoiu He awakd wtthftra.^C words and -repents. — »— ^— ■■ — »— »— mn i i '■ ■■-■ n ■ ' ' ' 444 40^ ftwtgc reUtion of]o\\n Osborne. Lib. II. I red under ib many tormenti as he was in ; and lb 'cwas hard to lay whether he were dead or alive, thus he flept along time. At laft when he awaked, both himfelfand others by him being wonderfully amazed atfofuddena change as he feem'd to be in ; for as others knew not well, whether he were dead or alive, and all concluded hce was drawing Thi< on untill this /fop, fohimfelf (as he affirmed 'to the Church thought he had after J wondred he was alive, and altogether thought that been in Hell. 4 he had been dead and caft into Hell ; and was there enduring the torments for hhfmnes, not imagining himfelf upon the earth, for thefe four or five dayes ( ere iince die Paftor J.R. laft left him in a defpairing condition) not capable of comfort* nig being fenfeleffe. But fuddenly , hee awakjng, and wondring at himfelf, heftarts up off of his bed, and by all means would be going to the Paftors houfe, and to the Church ; and told the people that now he was beholding to his Mafier (for fo he called the Taftor) indeed; and for that his H.ifter had done wonJerful thingr for him;and the Com- pany asking why?Oh! he anfwered that his Mafter had prayed to G^torhim; and the Church had prayed for him. And that God had ftayed his hand now, and had forgiven him his fins pad fhe was fare ) upon his fromife to amend, and that his Mafter tookea great deal of pains with God, and would not be quiet till the Lord had commanded the Serpents that had tormented him for hisftnnes to fly back for a time, &owith a great deal of fuch like language,which yet the more amazed them, they thinking him h&WfrautickjLO ta/fcfo#nd looking on him as a tfwrc drawing on ; but as on the/Trcrtf- /tfg ov laft night, and not like to //^; and yet he would needs be gone to the Faftor to tell him, what God had done Be rite*. H for him, and had already got on his cloathes, and got out of doores -, but being very wea\e and ready to rede downe in the way about afield off, his wife and neighbours running after htm much againft his own minde got him in again.But his wife and neighbours perceived him another manner of man, then what he was beforejby his good moticns,przy a:$,difcour- fes anddefires heaven ward;it beinga great deligrt to him to acquaint thera with his experiences oi God under this fharp difpenfaimn. a- Ch a p . 6. 40. Afirdnge rtlatien o/John Oiborne, 445 difpenfation. After a day or two he feeling ftrength, would not be flayed from coming to the Paftor, and it fell out to be upon a day when the Church gathered together to breaks bread-, but the Faftur coming to him called him afide5and in a roome by themfelves, hefet very feverelj and plainly up- on the wan in many particulars? andefpecially for his pre- emption to enter into this way being fuch m found and unfit matter ^nd therefore that he could not long have continued, with to fair anoutfide, but the infide rottennefle would at length have broken out, and he be iw/? from the reft oi the building, as 2^ 3. 5. 1 Tim.6. •$,$,*>. 1 Cor. %. 3,4>5> * f* 12, 13. lit. 3.10. M<*tt&. 18. 18, 19, 0*e. 1 Tim. 1. 20,ehr. For though he had done contrary to the rules we muft doe according to them. Withal], dealing with him upon fuch Scriptures, as Jer* 7. 9, 10. P/ar/. 5©. 16, 17, €^c. Ifai-tf&s 9, 10. queftioning and expoftulating with him upon them^and thofe Ezd^. 44.7, 8. jfo.4.23. and many others,and charg- ing it home upon him, the wrong that he had done to Chrift and his Churchby owning the mouthes of her malitious adver- faries, to fpeak again ft Chrifts way, the worft words in their hearts 5 to vilifie and /JWer his Saints, to <^r/^ Religion, to wax prow/ againft/>/-o/e/7?^3 and grievoraflyto offend thofe ww/^in the Faith,Zc yet though he had ww^ men he could not raud^God^but now that the Lord had opened his infide to us,thatwe might fee what a Traitor he was to the Tr«t/? jwhat a hyfocrite to Godsand what not ? As the Pallor was opening him to himfelf yet more 5 this Osborne told him that the Lord had pardoned him, upon his promife to amend, and the /»rrfypr of his Qwrcfc for C/;ri/?/ jtf%, and that he faw his far- don writ before himand his finnes blotted out, &c. The Taftor urging it upon him,how he krtew he was pardoned,md what he meant by feeing finnes blotted out, who then be- gan to tell the whole Hory of his agony, and torments, and de- liverance ■■> which being long the P^/?or defired him to cut off, and to acquaint the whole Body with them after the laft&r- mon , before they difperfedto thei vfeverall homes; RecmCe that as there was vifible offence given to Chrift and hisCbwcfc,fo there muff be vifible repentance and apparent evidences of his M m m converfiont He comes t0 the Church. The Paftor deals wiih him. A plain warn- ing piece to wicked church- members. For the fcandal he brought up- on the Gofpei to Churches. =13 He faid he was fure his fins were pardoned. 44* rp.AjlrMgt relation of John Osborne. L i s . II. Pi-ayet in the Church, ThisOsbornt declares in the open Church his fias for- given with great humility and yet confi- dence. The ft range ftoryofit. A fad example for hypocrites that creep in. converfion*&c. So the Faflor parted with him, the Church could not admit of him into Communion, but hee mull hold ©if, till he could give fatUfaUion* onely he had liberty in the converting Ordinances ; and toconverfe with any of the Society or the likg ; In the Evening about five or fix a clocks the faid0/£$rfl<»was called into the Society to anfwer to fuch things, as were laid to his charge'* and firfl: the Tailor earneftly feeking God that nothing might be done, or con- cluded on but what mould be agreeable to the mindeoi Jefus Chrift* and the rules of the Gofpel • and to ftablijh all that areprefentin the faith , and that they might be the more Strengthened, by what did,or(hould of Gods power appeare to have been upon thisman* to punifhhim, and of his love to deliver him, and that this' Church might not be de- ceived* through the fubtilty of Satan* as to believe a lye, or to give no credit to the Iruth* but to make them discerning in his wayes* and to eye him in MhU goings *&c> After the Vafior had prayed^ and the Church joined with him very de- voutly* the charges being uttered againf? this Osborne * fill! hec continued his former ftory how God had forgiven him , and he had feen hisywr blotted out* and how the Serpents were fitffered to feed on him for his fins* So urging on him what he meant* by thefe things, and ftraitly r^wr/ffg trim not to believe adelufion ; No ! he faid he vtzsfure ! the Lord did not delude him ! and thus he began ! After the fits left me (fayes he) I fentformy Uafier (ue. the Paitor) becaufe I was to dye fas I thought). Then ("this being on May 2* the Leclure day at night) when hedefpaired(fo that the faflor was there) I thought that I had dyed* and was gone into Hell for my finnes* where Godftretcht out his rod, and then came out a huge great Serpent, which God bid to goe and torment me, and prefintly out of the beUy of the great Serpent came out feven Serpents more; fo many Serpents for fo many J?/w« ; and they all together fcifedupon mee, and flung and gnawed me, and eat off all my flefh below, and my thighes* and gnawed all clean to the very bone ; * and I heard my Mafter pray , and fay, Lord punifh him I till he amend \ Let him be punffhed* f°ra> time! and ftill thefe Serpents Ch ap . 6. dp.ApYAngt relation of John Osborne. 447 Serpents continued on mee^ and tormented me more and b for a /o/7g tirae ( as wee conceived for the fpace of two dayes or thereabouts by the Paftors words , who acknowledged to the Church that there might be fome likely hood in vih&t Osborne faid, becaufe that he did indeed pray for two dayes or thereabouts* in his ftudy privately, that the Lord would punifl) him feverely in the fle(h9 rhathis Spirit might be faved, in the Day of the Lord^which the Church never knew, till he told them. Moreover the faid Osbernes tongue was bit quite through^ and zpeece of his lip pulled off* which hindred his /pealing foas he could fcarce be underftood, and being asked how it came he faid he knew not, un\c(k the Serpents had bit it, which hee thought becaufe he knew nothing, but that he was in Hell not fo much as imagining that hee was alive upon the Earth, But his wife faid, that once leaping up as in an infi- nite torment he &£ his tongue quite through and through^and on another time he run zpm quite through his lip> and rung of a peece on it , this being all in the time of thefe two dayes. But to proceede to his /lory. For thefe queftions were #J^ at the Conclusion ) After thefe Serpents had fed upon my fiejh (fayes he) for fo long a time I faw zRowle as of Parchment lying before me}and upon it Godhzd written,that j he would take Jutticey and my Mafter writ that hee would have mercy upon me, and the Lord writ again that he would take vengeance •, and my Mafter writ again, Lord let it be enough-, if he repents letitbee/MHgfcnow, 8cc. and I heard Cfayes he) the words as they were writing ( then the Paftor \ fo faid to the Church that it was fo,aftcr a day or two,that he indeed defired the Lord to let it be enough; if he did repent, and unfeignedly promifed amendment, aod that he would remove his hand ; and this he did both in publique upon the Lords dey, and in his owne ftudy he thus prayed ; not knowing all this while,bat that Osborne was as he left him onJhurfday night9 and in defpait; hfid. as men reported him to be drawingon.) So my Mafter, would not leave thet,0ft/(fayshe) till the Lord faid well,he would try me ; and fo the Rowle vanifhed 'away , and flew upward, and Ggd commanded the Serpents to withdraw , fo the little, — M m m *> Ir is the more ftrange,forthat this Osborne told all the Pa- ftor prayed prirately., which none e- ver heard but God. 13 *13 O fad example! for finners thensa fcvere warning to them. A fight of a Rowle. The clear an- fwer of pray* ers. The Serpents went away5an4j the Lord par- doned hinu 4# 40. A {lunge relation of John Osborne. Lib .11. r^=» Smiles oa him. Sers j oies. be- fore him. AParadife. A word to the Keader, Serpents went into the great Serpents belly ; And by little and little (fayes he ) the great Serpent did goe back^ and tarcJ^till atlaft he went awaydowne, (as might bee at my Beds feet) which I^was mightily joyed at, becaufe I thought that he would have tormented me fo for ever, not know- ing but that I was in Hell, After that I heard the Church plainly to fray for me, znd I beheld the Lord fnot as before in h\s anger, but) failing upon me fas it were) and there were before mee-all the joyes that could be defered and Rivers ran before me as Cryftall full of gold, fo as I had liberty to have taken what I would ; thinking I fa w a Paradife. Thus I continued tilll awakgd, when I wondered where I was, and could fcarce think I was alivey not knowing fo much ; and he found hlsheart filled with gladneffe-, and (hee-faid) he fain would have come to the Pafeors houfe,b\xt neighbours reftrained him. But now being night the Church-Society muft dtjperfe, wherefore not being fit U fied with fuch extraordinary things, as he fpakeofc, he wzshcld off Communion for & time (being neceflarythat the Church (hould fee avifible change in him; by whom were fuch vifeble offences given.) Ifhall not tye thisyfory to your faith any further, then as hee related it himfelf to the Society, it is indeed wonderfull, but Ged's wayes are wondrous thefe dayes : This man cannot readz letter. However the refult of all this made much for the Churches good, and to the ftrengthening and eftablifhing of ethers, and to the fearchingand examining of all; which we looked upon as zjpeciaU note of Gods approbation of us, and love to us, who are from the rootes of the heart given up freely and fincerely to be hhfervants. And I fhall only addc this more thereto, that I have taken this ftory verbatim out of the Church 3eoke, which regifters up fuch eminent paflages at Purleighmijfex, I (hall tire the "Reader with no\more experiences; Thefe ex* amples are fujfeient, znd fome of them are very eminent : We iare fweetly led by the hand (manudutirmr) to drmke of thefe iBroekgs before we pafle. Some are deep but moA {hallow, J and Chap. 6** Experience mgbt to bepublifbed. and all clear as Cryftall fireams , unleheat fuch times, when Satan (by temptations) put in his clovcu-foot. Thofe which are themoft extraordinary of them are ottered in Bream , Trance, Voice, or Vifion, and Fi/Fw is taken two way es, ei- ther firft attually* by the fenfes of the body, and fo in fome vifible bodily (hape ; or elfe 2. potentially thus., that although the foul (ut forma) is joined to the b)dy,yzt(ut materia) above the body $ And yet it ufes not any bodily fenfes for fuch a fer- vice^ but fequefters all externals, and the outward fenfes art (as 'twere) dead, oraileep, not at all havering to interrupt, the foule ; but when the foule9 is foared up in any high exi- gency, or excellency to fee great things-^ oris itftewt upon any rich difcoveries, as by Vifions, Revelations, or the like ; all the W;/y /fTT/f/ lye (as 'twere J in a trance, and all exterior mo- tions are quieted and quafh'd, and /fr/fc is filent, whileft the Lord appeares out of h'a holy habitation }Zach. 2. ult. and fome fuch fieciall and fpirirituall fruits, 1 have prefentcd the Saints with, from fecundum naturam to fupra naturam, whileft form of them were fas in an Extermination to felfe) tranfpor- ted from darkpeffe into his moft marvailous light, by (bme extra- ordinary mrdium, and prevalent inflations and vifions, or the like ; which were taken up and arrefted by the inteUe- Uuall and cognofcitive faculties of 'their foules. And indeed dear friends ! the redoubled experiences which my foule hath had of a fweet Father, (who was found of me fometimes when I gtfw < ;:f« Chap. VII. m . «» . • 7&tf Church-Covenant #i*y £*, £«/ #<# that it muft be^ as that wherein the Formality of the Church confifts. THere is a .threefold confider ation (faies Bernard) which is to go before every vpork^ jand which a wife man makes his main (primum anliceat 5 deinde an deceat -^poflremo an ex* pediat) to confider whether it be lawful comely > and expedi- ent-, for all things flight, hatred, and anger or the %, arifes from things doubt- ful! Ch a *-. 7. Things indiprtot made dangerous how ? full7 and indifferent, they are to be kid afide, and left as things dangerous. And thus ought the TresbyiericmSj Indepen- dents, Jnabaptifts, and aUto agree in one -, to cafl away what- foevercau{escw7/e/2t/- folute command or counter -mand \ As the formall Cove nantjo apt i- zing infants i rebaptizing, or the like, feeing that as once we have faid before, even ordinances commanded^ tor quietmjfe fake) and to make a mok^ and peace betwixt Jew and Gen- tile fat a greater distance then any of thefe now are) were tak$n away by Chrifi, that they mighfe be all one in Chrisl, Gal 3.28.SeeE/>6.2. 15,16. and this ought to be, rather then the want ofkve, peace, and awi(y (hould be among the Saints. They muft deny all indifferent and doubtful! ordinan- ces when they grow dangerous, andcanfe difmd. O that men were wife and would learn this 1 for loves- fah^ which is the greateft Ctmmandement of all other I . 5. When the Hypocritical! defenders of fu eh For mes^ do cry them up for greater excellencies ,and mdre «/?/«// then pofkive «zc* and love with their brethren- So do thefe Independents that do rather prej/i? their formall explicite Covenants as neceffary to the confiitution of the Churches, then /^y them rf/^ for Arc/e and union-fake ; and rather then thereby any difference or difcord (hould arife. And fo do thofe blazing Meteor -/% Comas (for I fear they arefoin Ireland) thofe unchrifiian, rough, threatning dnabaptifts (for I fpeak of them) that rather then- layafide their farm, they will fee iMthe diffe* ring Saints in the world ru'.nd^ and help to torment andperfecute them themfelves, and lay more weight upon their doubtful! ordinance, then they do upon the undeniable, an abfolute ordinance of love,(&nd preferre them before theirs) which is that greateft and neweft Commandement of Chrifl ', Oh-/ it is fad to fay it, but alas J we fie it. For it is the love of the form, not the love of the Father which is inthem^ 1 Joh.2. 9. 1 1. 1 7^.4.7,8,20. Where thefe frwx accompany ttogx doubtfull or indifferent Nnn were 453 How all, 7. e. Prestytjndep. Anabopt. may be reconciled, in chap. j. Love is pod- tive in which things ufefull and indifferent: fliould be laid afide. j. When cryed up above pofi- tive com- mands. =13 To feme ot theAnabapdfts in Ireland, i. e. the moft rigid- =13 454 ibitigsimlifftrtnt And doubt full to U laidtfide. Lib .II. Yet in bed Churches there is a due ufe of things indiffe- rent. Melanch. Expof The Doctrines of Devils when. Church-Ccvt- nant idolited. SpiridonaBi- rs» were they larpfull (in themfelves^) yet they are mexpedienh and unprofitable by reafonofthe evilleffeUs ; for iuch at- tendants are not to be allowed or approved of ". Yet we d?//y 'not a due ufe of things indifferent even in the heft Churches % • ?« ecckfis emendatis a? Melanchthon hath- it therefore, i Cor. '14. 40. Trdvtrt Xvytuims *j kJ* 7tif/f ^pe^j for fta o*v/rr and «/£ of the Church to the edification of it, as in verf 5. 1 2. But yet fo,as to avoid giving of offence, or occufions of conten- tionby impofing a necejjity of them., or a. righteoufneffe in them. For in fuch a cafe the fpirit jjwd£f£ exprefly cal- ling them, 1 Tim. 4. 1. T& or differencing things m- differsnt, anct with hearty tkankfolnejfe he. embraced his C£ri/?/rftf 1 . Chap. 7. Cburch-Covtnant a thing indifferent. 4JJ to Chriftian liberty : and fo I fay, «o fuch a one as faies, Oh I the Church -covenant^. O lam for it! I think it neceffay, for lama Chriftianl yea, a Church-member I and art thou fo ? fay I, why therefore becaufe thou art a Church member and , A 'word a Chriftian, impofe no neceffity of it, for the worfhip of God is J Church-mem- more excellent then fo^it coniifts not in fitch forms? ; but in ters* righteoufneffe,peace,and )oy in the Holy Ghoft (as hath been j Covenant of faidin chap. 5, of this bookj and itisnotthis makes S 3ce give* thee a Church-member or a Chriftictn : But thou art within the Covenant of grace made and confirmed in the Gofpell and written by the warmbloud of Chrift, ar\dfealed\ Other Cove- by his Spirit-, then thou art received of God, and haft a right [mntsJcftlcd If. right to be Church mem« bers. (as much as any hath ) to be received a member o\ iht viftble Churchy 2 Sam. 23 5,6. And as for formally explicite Covenants they are like y our ridkn tot faft andloofe, faiesMr. P/zw in his&777f0/7 before the Houfe, Oftob. 22. 164.4. p. 15. or elfe like Shibboleth meerly to diftinguifh (Tor prudence fake) between perfon and perform people and people, fo that, I fay,not but a Church- covenant may in fome cafes be ufefull} but it is not ofabfolute neceflity ; for thefe reifons, 1 . There is no precept for it. 2. And further we ftall finde that Chriftians fell into fuch fellow/hip together ( as we here treat of ) without it, or any fuch form in primitive times, A&. 19.9. wecanfiude no footing for it in all the Churches Viredoryjviz. the AUs of the Apoflks. And further^/flf/ are of one zn& the jamektufholdin the unity oi the fpirit, not of the form ("as we (aid chap. 5 . 6.) Ephef 2. 2 1 . & 4. 4, 5 . the Church was reprefented ( faies Mr. Noyes in his Temple mea- fured) by your 1 2 cakgs on the ta£/e in the Temple, pag. o. called the Bread of faces, becaufe all the Saints fit together though of different formes') by one fpirit face to face, feeding on fpir ii ual refrefhments in the Temple cf Gcd. So that the exceffe of complements, formal:ties and punctualities muft be avoided and evaded as unfutable to the fevplicity, and fpifi- tuality of the G^f/, Temple, and Worfhip. Wherefore I finde it evident, that explicite covenanting {pro modo & forma) is no neceflary formality, but may be ufed where it caufesno ccntention or diforda; and yet as men make it^ it may be a Nnn 2 dif- berty. Sim. Church Cove- nant not ne- ceflary, why? j Reaf. 2. No pre- c:p:r. 2-N0 praftife for it* NoyesTwp. g. Saint* oaC intaeSpirit4 Explidtecove-' nant may be where it cau fes no trouble, biq, rauft not be where it cau- fes trouble, 4)<5 Formall covtmnting not neceffary* Li b .1 [. Reaf. 4. All Church members are as much inga- ged without iuch covenan- ting. What cove- nant is necefta- rv. Expof t-3» P. » 6 cfc;4. vide the Narrative of Churches in New- England Vide Mr.H©?- fyrs Survey, pwt.i chap. 4. Explicite Co- venants how and when u&full. difpen fation too compulfory and violent in refpeft of Gods free-grace, and the covenant that he hath made : For the Ordinances of the Covenant of grace are fu table to the grace of the GoiwzJTrt . But, Furthermore^ all the membrs of the Church > are enga- ged without fuch a ty/a& of covenanting and confederating to- gether\ thatis, by the fame tjW and fyir/f, by which they are bid and brought in, they are bound in the waies of Chrift; and ia the communion of lovejpezct and holm ffe. There is an obligation that lies upon every Saint, of ano- ther nature, more noble, loving, and lafting, which will not like a riders tyct be faft and loofe^but bindes them to love and obedience, without fetters or halters:and this I account the brotherly covenant 9 Amos 1. o. not only made iri prudence as was between Solomon and Hiram, but in wifdomeyAtt.i 1. 2 3, which is the deed and decree of heart(j» tr&S*™ i- rif, not oftheforme9 fas hath been fairly offered before) and this is by another^piri/fas it is recorded of Caleb-) after God9 jb(umb. 14. 24. and not after man-, for that the fet form which is after man makes many divifions, dangerous fepa- rations, and fad difcords even among true brethren, and then it is farre from uniting or true order; and ought to be abhorr'd. But left fome lofty brethren look angry at this afferti on, and language, and mould fill my ears with clamours by reafon of concurrent contra*pof\tion of many eminent Minifters and others of this Nation, and of New Englandof the congregationall way ; I will but lead them to the Apology of New-England for the Covenant p. 32.8c 44. wherein they acknowledge an agreement or content of Saints together 5 or of this or that Chrifiian to walk in Church'fellowfhip with this or that foci ety, and that this is fufficient and equivalent with the others. So faith Mr. Feters in his Vifcourfe of Covenant, p. 21, 22,23. & T*. G. I.G. But yet we grant, that if this impliciteCovenantings mould produce fuch ill confequences, as of contentions, difcords3diforderSj&c, which the explicit e Covenant would re- medy Cfl a p .7. Church Covenant when moft nfefull. rnedy and appeafe 5 that then there may be fuch a Coi enant writ in the Church book^ and handed by fhe Church members > for fo long as good ufe, peace, and order are brought forth by it ; but yet with this Caution^thn it be allowed only as a thing prudentiall, for a time, fwhileft the ufe or end is good of it J and not as a thing neceffary for all time, or as without alteration or ccffation, for then you mould fay, fie upon it, we will have none of it 5 when it begins to aflault and intrench upon Christian libeity. Now in this {cnfcf and in fuch cafes a Church -covenant is lawfully decent, and expedient, and in fuch an exigency and emergency of time, this was put in execution by theCburch at Dublin^ a medium (in prudence J to compote differences, and it proved very effettuall (blefTed be God) tp end the former, Fand to prevent future diflurbances, but it was not -to be urged upon any one contrary to Christian liberty- And thusfarre we can freely concurre with ?Mr. Cotton, Mr. Huoker> Mr. Ainfworth and all other eminent ones, that are fo hot for an explicite covenanting, though the imflicite by your own confeflfion carries the formalem rationem of the other which they fo urge 5 both being but adjuncts. The forms of fuch Covenants are fhorter or longer, as the occa- fion requires; I (hall infirt one or two for examples- fake. I. The Covenant of the Englifh Church at Roterdam, ye hen Mr. H. P. was chofen Fa si our. cc XT' TEE whofe n&mes are hereunder written, having cc VV found by fad experience how uncomfortable it is cc to walk in an unfetled and diforder'd condition. &c. cc 1. Wedorenueourttzw/tfin Baftifme and avouch God c; to be our God, c'i* We refolve to cleave to the true and pure wrfbip oi= ccGod, oppofing to our powerall falfe waus. cC3- We will not allow our felves Li any known fin. In M will renounce it fo foon as Gods worddois maniiefl u- cc fo to be, the Lord lending us power. 457 Nun 3 CC W Caution, When it is to be caft away with abhor- rence. And when te be* taken ir. . So in Dublin. Formes of Church- cove- nant. 2. 45^ Forms of Church-Covenants* Lib. II. 10. tc We refolve to carry our ieives in outplaces or govern- cc ment and obedience, with all good confeience^ knowing cc we mult give an account to God. cc Wee will labour for all farther growth in grace, by hearing, reading, praying, meditation, and all other wayeswecan. a We mean not to over-burthen our hearts with earthly cares, which are the bane of all holy duties, the breach of the Sabbath, and the other Commandements. tC Wee will willingly and meekly fubmit to Cbri- (HanVifcifline without murmuring, and (hall labour fo to continue, and will endeavour to be more forward, zealous, loving, faithfully and wife in admoniihing o- thers. *> cc */l 3. 12. 1 J06.4.21, &c. #r. !for3in every conditimJ?earing each other burdens, Gal 6.2. H^.13.3. 1C0r.12.25. 2Tim.i.i6.&c. To forbear 2nd bear with one another weabpejfes, and infirmities? in much f%, tendernefle, meekpejfe and pati- ence, notrippingup the weaknefle of any onetoany o- ther, without our Church; nor yet to any within, un- leflc according to Chrifts rule and Go/pel- order , endea- 3.* vouring <*// we may for the glory of the Gofpel and the j credi] cc cc *< 4* M/*S' iC:>r. 16. 1, 2. 20.9.^6,7. Rom. 12. 13. iTW 6.17.&C. c< Vigilantly to bv//c& over each others conversation , fo as to counfell, comfcrt or correct" according to Chrifts 'rules in fuch cafes ; provoking one another to love and good workgs , with brotherly bowels and afefiions, IThef.^.^. 14. Heb. 3. 12,13. H^. 10.24. Heb.12. 13,15, 17. Ko^.15.14. c Carefully walking together in all holimffe, .godlinefie and humility of minde, (to our uttermoft) every day and often, and orderly meeting together to the edifying of the body, for the glory of the Gofpell, credit of the Church, convincing of our adversaries, and them that are without;, Mat. 5. 16.20. Mai. 3.16,17. 2T/OT.2.19. iCor.j.i. 1 Fet.%. 12. Heb.12.14. cc Praying continually for the profperily of this Church ; for Gods f re fence in it, and protection of it, again ft all the gates of Hell, Thil.i. 4,5. Rom. 1.9. Ephef.6,1%, C0/.4.12. Bf(tUi22.6*lfi.62*67j*&c. £ And Ch ap .9. Vnsbjmd Papifts agree for difciplim too much. $61 her plagues ; -without a comming out from her3 i. e. her falfe waies, worfhip, and difcipline, whilcft the Lord will give his Zion- citizens vittory over the beaft> and ove r his image, and over his mark^ and ov:r the number of his name 5 holding the harps of God in their hands, fwging the Jong of Motes and the Lamb. but thus much for their alikenefie in difcipline. They agree alfo in doclrine in many points, which I cannot orderly or properly in this place prcfentto view; only in Tome ■ few for our purpofe, with relation to ordinances and duties ^ I that I (hall offer to any ferious eyt, As, ! 1. Concerning the Scriptures, the Papifts to keep off people from read.ng them, find fault continually with the vulgar tranjlation: Rhem prtfat. feci. 6. and they fay the Church by her authority makes them authentic^, fo Echiusenchirid.Ioe.de author it. ecclef. Figghius lib. 1. de Hie- rarcb. Stapleton, lib. g.doc princtf. cap. 1. So Canus, BcUar- mine, &c. and they affirm the Scriptures to bemoft hard, difficult and obfeure, Bell.de verbo dei lib.^.c. 1. So faith Fetrus a Soto, and Lindanes ; and further they affirm the Scriptures in their true fenfe are, as they are expounded by Fathers, Prelates, Councels, and fo to be beleeved', and that we mtift haverecourfe to them for anfwer and fatisfa&ion, Rbem.prtf.fe8. 18. Bell. I. 3. de. fcrip. cap. 5 J and thev fay Scriptures are not absolutely neceiiary. So Fetrus a Soto ^ 6*Tilmam. de verbo dei. error. 17. Bell, de verbo deil'b.^.cap 4. or?,. 1. but befides them other things (as traditions) are neceflary. Bell, cap 3,4. So Andradius exlil- mam. devcrb. error. 2. Now under this Doctrine of theirs Rev. iS; Rev. is tj%. They agree aij fo in Dj~ 1. About the Scrip: ure* The manifold are feverall groile errors, which our Proteftant Divines : PopiiMootyj ot old, yea in all aees fome or other have impugned and eiT0.rs raj[c<* kigaged asainft moftof thefe errors, if not all, impli- ' 2?*?*V . j •1 1 r f «r i-i 1 1 1 r Prefaces and cntly and obicurely, it not plainly and clearly; are j Presbyterians, come upagaia under another cloak. And not only the Prelates of late, but feme of the Presbyterians (even • now) are too rigid and refolute to keep offpoor people | from the Scriptures; fearing thereby that they would, foon excel their teachers, and take their Fulpits from them. : For how iearfull a thine it is to tlum of that judge- Ooo men;' 462 Tresbyter. And?ApJlstoo neer infome DoffrinesAuit.lU We diffent from them both. I. Lambert. \mirK) to fee ftich in Pulpits as have not had bands laid | upon themes obvious to every eye, 0 huw they fcree.h out for fear ! See this in that frothy namelefle Pamphlet of a lying Libeller (and feandalous 'Thilo- compos, that is much cryedup by that party for his voluble tonguej It is entitulcd,a 7a ft of tie VoUrine of the newly erefied exercise at Tbo. Apo* files, in page 2. he faies, your fetting up wen of private plates and particular callings, whofe education and want of intention to tbs worf^ofthe Minifiry, muft needs befpea\wanl of qualifica- tion, while ft they unacquainted with the originali of the Scriptures (which are emphaticall) muft needs fee dark^ & ebfeure places, but by the light of our tr inflation, which is but a dim and tiick mediumfec. Their frequent manner is to fright people from the Scriptures by telling them they want the originall,and foftave them with this Pupijh tricky Others of them have afliimedthat their Claffes, Synods, or fuch like mould de- liver the authentick fenfe of the Scripture?, and adde their authority thereto, in which others mould reft fa- tisfied* and they would have all to beleeve the Scriptures according to the interpretation of thofe whom they ac- count orthodox, Fathers, Commentators, or the like (and not others) and look out for no further. About which I have been in the lifts with many, and that it is not fim- ply neceflary to read them, hear them, know them, or the like, fo they do but hear and beleeve what the Mi- mflers tell them, what need they more? and that other things befides what are in the Scriptures are neceflary; and pretending the difficulty and danger of medlingwith hard places of Scriptures, they telling them they aree£- fcure and not to be ventured on, as the Revelation and the like, keep ofTmany poor fouls, who ftand (In ignorance) at a diftance from them, and as Exod. 20. 1 8. the people remo" ved from the mount, and flood afarre off, bein^ afraid : fo doe they thasarefo terrified by thefe thundrings that they hear. But we do ditfent from them both, in thefe things; whileft we alfent to the Proteftants of old, that thtvulgar tranflaticn of Scriptures is neceflary, and furficient fin mat- ters of faith) for kgowledge7 which Lambert argues for (Fox. ?. 1116 Chyfome. Werome, Metbodim. NclphiLu Theodore** iP Chap .p. Papifts awdPreshyter.too alike in Doftrines. 463 f. x 116. col. I.J and Chryfoftomey for when he cals all peo- ple to ftudy the Scriptures in their own language, Homil. 9. epifi.adColojf. and therefore he himfelf translated the Bible into the Armenian tongue. Hiercme into the Dalmatick^ Methodius into the Sclavonian, 2(jlphilas into the Gothic}^: yea faies Theod&ret Serin,1} . <& Grtcor. ajfecl. for this end were Converfi erant libri Hebraici in omnes linguas, were the Hebrew turn'd into all languages, that every one might fearcb the Scriptures, Joh. 5.39. though they underfhnd not the originali. We alfo fay, we beleeve not Scriptures au-> thentick, becaufe men, Counceh9Symds tell us fo, but be- caufe the Spirit tch usfo; and 'tis the Spirit muft addehis authority to the Scriptures., and tell us they be true,and in- terpret them to us, and lead us into the genuine fenfe and found truthes of them, without which all the Expofaion of Fathers or writers in the world mould not fatisfieus 5 And we fay further that we mould fin againft our confidences, to fit down content with the Expofition of others ("coun- ted ever fo orthodox J without feeking further and fuller. For the way of the righteous fhineth more and more to the per- fed day, Frov.^.iS.Et venienteperfefto evacuttur imperfettum, 1 Cor* 13.10. Now every man is bound to beleeve the Scriptures fas ¥u\ faith 2 Gal. 6. and Whit, ^uefi.^.cap. 1. deScrifturis) without the approbation of the Chwch, Synod, or Ccuncell to declare «them \ neither do we be- leeve them becaufe men fay it is fo, but bcciufe the Spirit faith it is fo, who is the )udgez.no\ rritneffe 5 1 Job. 5.7. to teftiiie of Chrift, Joh. 15. 16. to reveal the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2. 10, 1 2. Efay 1 . 7. to teach the faith full, Joh. 19. 26. 1 remember Dr. Whit, hath an argument for th's, thus, That only hath the power to give the fenfe of the Scriptures which doth beget in us faith; but the Spirit only by the Scriptures is able to beget in us faith, Rom. 10. 17. Ergo, the Spirit of God is to be our interpreter of the Scriptures : wherefore if Pope, Prelates, Synods,Clafles, Father, Presbyter, or any other give us the fenfe of Scripture, and that thence our faith arifeth of the Scrip- ture underftood 5 why then our faith muft needs be built *Ooo2 upon Wtiittcdgr* The Spirit of God is the only Ortho- dox Expod- tor# Arguments, 4*4 p resb. and Papifts too alike about Scriptures. Lib .11. AuJHn. Bradford *. Aufl'm. Witnefltdby the b!ouy/or. Bradferd. upon that Popes, Prelates, Synods, Clafles, Fathers, or Presbyters fen fe. And another argument the Protectants tetch againft the Papifts, which ferves us, is, that the Scrip- tures cannot be interpreted but by the fame Spirit ^where- with they were written, 1 Cor. 2. 1 1. For who kpoweth the mindeof God fave the Spirit of God> And ijoh. 2.27. Ton have, the anointings arid you need not that any man teach you, &c. becaufe as Auguftine faith >Magifter eft omnhim qui habitat in nobis omnibu*,&c. We are all fellow- fcholars (fairs he) we are not your teacher, but he is teacher and mafter of us all who dwelleth in us all) &c We further affirm with the former Proteftants, that the Scriptures arc neceflary to be known by ail the people of God-, the reading, hearing, and underftanding of them begetting faith ; and that it is net enough to hear the Mimfter preach, for the Bereans fear ched the Scriptures, Att- 17. ti.Joh. 539.2 Tim, 3. 15. 17. Whereas fome fay3 it is enough to have what the Minifter or Presbyter gives ; it puts me in minde of Mr. Bradford^ anfwer to one Wil- lerton (Fox 1612.) who told him that people ought to earn at the Priefts hands, Ay el ( faith he) why then( faith he) yiH. will learn the people to pre fei re a Barabbaf before Ghrift, and to crucfie Chrift, forfo the people karri d it of the Priefts* Moreover we declare that all things neceflary to the effe& benetjfeof a foul, are exprefled In the Scriptures, or included in them, and concluded out of them ; whe- ther concerning faith or life; and that nothing abfolutely neceflary is to be toundbeiides the Scriptures, J >h. 20. 31* 2.7?w»3 1 6. whether for teaching, improving^correcl:ing,or Linftrutting. So that we overthrow the neccflity of all traditions, rites, forms, or the like herf, whether pr£~ ter or contra Scriptura. For as Auguftin hath it, qui pr&ter- greditur fidei regulam, (/. e . Scripturam) non incedit in via, fed recedit a via. He that gocth befide the Scriptures, goes not in but from the way : this truth bath been attefted and fealed to by the bloud of many Martyrs, Dr. Taylor, Fix. p. 1522, col. 2. Holy Bradford, 1 626. col. 1. and that valiant foul- dier of Chrift> and (tout Champion Mr. Hawkgs Mar- tyr Ch a p .9 . their agreement about the Scriptures, 4*5 Caution* tyr, f. 1586. «/.2. faith. Is not the Scripture fufficient for my falvation ? ya, faiesoneof Banners Chaplains,but not foryour inftru&ion. Ah! faith he3 then God fend me the fahiticn and you theintfruUmn. Now let us not be mifta- ken,thoughwe fay all neceflary isinthe Scriptures^, yet we deny not but there may befome ufe (for orders fakf) of rites and formes ; but not to be forced^ knowing no- thing neceffary to falvacion that is not in the Scripture, Vent. 12 32. Rev. 22 18.Mtft.15. 3. Ad* 20. 27. & 26. 22. feeing the Scriptures are the rule and meafure of faith, they muft not come fhort of the meafured, (viz.faiib) for all things neceffary to faith Biuft needs be contained therein. But, Laftly, the Scriptures are notfo obfcure, and dark3or undifcoverable as they would infinuate and urge upon poor people. For as Troffer faith, P 'arvuli^magni- fates >in- firmi, babent in Serif turif undealantur &fitientury No age f> youngs no wit [o finally which Scripture doth not fit, Iheres mil\ for babest and yet withall, there's meat for ftronger wit. SoTrov.9. 35. yea the Revelation, chap. «$. 5.1s a Book opened,andas Auguftine hath it ~De dottrin.Cbriftian.lik 2.0,9. In ih qu£ aferte in Serif turn pofita funt> inveniuntur ea omnia qu£ fdem continent merefq--, vivendi : in plain and eade places of Scripture, all things neceffary to faith and manners are manifefr. Nay the Councell of Tcktan. 5. c. \6. decreed the Afocalyffe to be preached by every Minifter from Eaficr to Whit funtide ; fo that they ftri&ly enjoy ning it, accoun- ted not this boek^ of Revelation, it fcems, fo hard as men would perfwadeusto in our daies ; whereby they for- bear to read3 preach, or expound it; but if it be h?d, it is hid to them that are loft, 2 Cor- 43. It is fent efpecially Jo the Churcbesy and is t • be taken and opened by them. But thus far for the firft generall Do&rine, wherein Papifb and Presbyterians are too near, one another; *Ooo 3 and -13 6. Profptr Aufcn, Councell of TokL The Book of Revel, Tent to rhe Churchy ^66 Their agreement about Bap'? fine. Li b . II. 2, They agree about Bae- cifaie of ,h.l- drea. •We difTent. Martyr Wo$~ man* Na^rn^n. BcU.de baptijm. lib, i, cap. ff. and we are farre off from both., even ok* 0/ tfa fight almoft. 2. They arc fomething alike in their Do&rine about Baptifme both with relation to the Ordinance, the fubje&s, forms, and effetts of it. As rirjft inimpoiingan abfolutene- eeiiity upon it, Papifts fay, it is limply neceffary to falvaticn, ConciLT? iident .fejf.j .can- j .Bell, lib. 6. de Bapufm. cap. 4. fuch a necejfity for nigh unto it) dothofe hold who baptize the balesof all forts put upon it 5 and the very argument of the Rhemifts, on Job. 3.5, and the Jefuites, Bell. ibid, have they often urged to me, viz. Vnkffeaman be born of wafer > and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God* And I have heard fome of them feverely inveigh againft fuch as neglefted to bring their children,and to baptize them by fuch a time for fear aehilde fhould die mhaptized, and the Parent* for their neglett be under the judgements and wrath of God. But we differ from thtni whileft we decline that necejftty of Baptifme to Children ; and whileft we affirm with fuch as were ever held orthodox in judgement amongft men, (vide Synopf 12. contro. q. 3.) that the Children of the faithfull that are holy, arc holy before they are baptized, 1 Cor, 7 .14. And this truth is attefted by Richard Woodman, a holy Martyr , Fox. p. 1994. who faith, I read in Scripture, he that beleeveth not (hall be condemn d-> but no Scipture faith, he which is not baptized ihall be damned, neither dare I fay fo for all the goods under heaven. In the Greek^Church Nazianzen faies (infantum lavacrum) their ufuall time of Baptifme were bnx in feafi of Pafch. and Ventecoft, which would not have been fo feldome, if the want of Baptifme had been fo dange- rous to Infants. We deny not the ordinance, but that there is much Popery peeached up, and pleaded for, and pra&ifed in therr ordinance of fprinkjing Infants, all difcemingmen fee and are afhamed of, and cry out upon it as mfuffer able and too impudent, and as having too much of the whores forehead in it. Furthermore, although the verieft Jefuite do grant the poftive neceflity of baptizing babes to be grounded upon traditionyand not upon Scripture, Bell. lib. 4. de Ver. andfo to baptize them at aF ont in the Name of the Father •, Son> and holy Gkojl: yet how many imitate them therein? and Chap. 9. They agree in Baptifme. 4*7 Novatus, Cyprian, Btlu and how hot the Presbyterians are for this pofitive necefpty and order ? it is obvious to every eye. As tor the forme, whether in the Name ofjefus Chrift ? or of the Father, Son, and holy Gh ft ? this hath been a doubt of long Handing., and this did cmCeNovatus to difowne the Church of Car - thage> for that this form oiFather^ Sou, and holy Choft, and ncceuary baptizing of Infants were brought in; and he and Cyprian were at great oddes about this order > A r.no.2 4,0. xvhihQ Novatus very earneftly pleads for it, as the pr a ctife ofChrift's Churches in primitive times, and all along the Afofiles daies to that hour;, viz. Jo baptize in the Name of the Lord Jejus, the Head oi his Church* After that in Anno 400. was great contention about it, but I leave this to further light and li- berty, only affirm with all the Proteftarats who are enga- ged againft the Pa pifts about the form (Synopf. 12. Controv. ^3. Jthat the name is taken for the virtue, power, and autho- rity, AU. 3. and fo doubtlefle the Apoftles bapti2ed in the Name ofjtfut Chrift, and healed in his name, and preached in his name only. Eeda, All. io. Jufjiteosin nomine Jefu Chrifti baptizari. But I know no neccflky of a Font,nov ofJprinkling> more then of dipping', nor any pofitive ncceffity of baptizing 'Infants, ("who are fo one ft ^rw/z^O but that thefe be left to light and liberty of "conscience, as things left either doubtfujl or indifferent in Scripture (without pofitive precept) and I am perfwaded for that purpofe, that every one may do as he is fully perfwaded. As for Infants the Papifts make it a ground of their Baptifme, that they have the habit of faith in They agree; themfelves, and fo partly by their own faith, and partly by Rathe-, jo-.dtth. the faith of others, they are to be baptized, hellarm. lib. l.de 2*/>. *fa. hapiifcap. 1 1. So fay our Minifters, they have the habit of faithy though not the att \ andby the faith of the "Parents with that, they are to be brought to baptifme : but we fay We diflenr, with the Proteftantsagainft the Papifts, that Infants have not true juftifing faith ("which is alwaies aUuall, Gal 5 6.) in themfelves, nor yet are profited by the faith of others, for Scripture faith,Ko?^. 1 .17. jhe juft fhall live by faith 3i.e.his own particular faith'-, and beleeve and be baptized '.: not-,let others £e- leeve for you> for then it were as well that others wTcrc baptized 4*8 They agree in Baptifme. Lib. 1 1. Lih.de Bapilf mo. K We diUcnt. m* »/w« T^ey agree too much in tfcc Eucharift. baptized tor you : but this will be enter'dat large (I hope in the next part) $. lib. of the body organic*]}) Tertuk'iai fpeakingoflrtfamjj faies3 Fiant Cbriftiani, cum Cbriftum n>ffe fotuerint : Let them be made Chritt am (and baptized into die faith) when they be able to know Chriff, (Etperfidem eji cogriitio ChriSl'i) and' 'that is by faith. Wherefore we fay ihaichfldren as children have no right to Ba/ri/w^and then fecondly , that fdrf/ztt ( Ka7* *^) as parents can't give them a right thereto 5 and feeing Baptifme is the ordinance of wtf- tii/i?ffj or f/zfrrftfeeinto the Church of C&r//?3 it is wonderfull to fee how fudden fome are to null the very nature of that ordinance. Butlaftly, they and the Papifls are too nigh one another in the effects which they lay fuch a Baptifme produces in children. The Papifls affirm that Ba\tifme takes away original! ' fn, in Condi. Trident. Sejf. 5- Decret. de origin, Feccat. and in Infants newly baptized there is no mortal! fin? Rhemifts 1 Job. 1. Seft.%. So have fome Minifters hotly purfued this benefit of baptifme: viz. that baptifme wipes away fins going before : whileft wediflenr, and deny this JefuiticaUdodrine^ applying this to be the effect of Chrfis baptifme ( which njne but Chrift himfelf can baptize with ) Job. 1. 33. Mat. 3. 11. viz. the holy Gboft^ in, a fpirituall wafhing our hearts and confeiences with the warm bhud of Chrii% whereof baptifme is a fign (if not zfeal) and in this we have declaiedour judgement before to be different from the Anabaptifts., that attribute fomuch to the form and element as makes it an Idoll. But to conclude this, it is in baptifme as it was in the pool of Bethfaida^ it the Spirit move on the face of the waters3 there is a heal'ng^elfenone. 3. There is too much alliance between them in that Ordinance of the herds Supper, (To called J 1 fhall inftance briefly (fori have been too long in this chapter) in fome few particulars. The Papifls make it no more then a pre- fervativeaganft fin, Bel. lib* 4. de Sacra: cap: 17. and would have confffim and abfolutim of finnes to qualitie for this or- dinance, Goncil. 'trident, SeffCan-n. and that none are pre- pared but fuch as are abiblved^ and then that all may come 3 Ch a p ,8. Women have the liberty oftbefubj* in Chrifls K. 469 Prov'd ont of their own mouths. Mr. #9 '^r of New Eng% Mi;Ainfmnb* .13 fpeak in ibme cafes in the Church \ as to give anfwer to a queftkn when the Church requires it • to render a reafon of their faith and hope^to give in a teftimony of repentance upon their return from a fault or the like. And Mr. Hookgr him- felf in' s Survey of Vifcipline, fart. 3. cfc, i./> 6. faies tfoy w^jfj $^ ^r/ {uitrwith their Sexes, thae is, faies he, when their fpeecher argue fubj ettion . Why, fo then/ we feek no more then this 5 now their offering or objecting-, or asking of the Churchy or zw/wg Xvith the Church does evidently argue fitbjeclion) and fuits very well with their^;*:^ and with their liberty as members, which they muft not be robbed of. And Mr. Ainfworth in's Communion of Saints, ch. 18. is exceeding clear in it, and commends it, and confirms it from the Churches in the Apoftles daies, who (he faiesj had the like right and liberty, for all the whole multitude of befeevers were both beholders and a&ors in the com- mon affairs ; as at the choife of officers. Aft. 1.15.8c 16. 23. & 6. 2. 34, & 14. 23. at deciding of Gontroverfies,/4#. 15. 24.6.7.12. 22, 23. 8c 21. 22. 1 Cor. 6. 2. at cafting out offenders. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. 13. at the choife and | appointment of men to carry the benevolence of the Church to the 77^ brethren, iCor.%. 19. 1 CV. 16. 3. Thefeand !. the like priviledges( faies he) in the prattife of the GofpelUre. permitted to all the Saints in all Churches, which they muft ufe in alljfobriety, order, and peace, Kow.12.3. 16.1 Cor. 14.33,40. So that all the membershzve alike friviledge in convron and publicly affairs ; and women may as much (de jure) vote, f peak, and offer their judgements in fuch cafes as 1 men ; being */iJ^ and equal! members with them. For all that? I Antichrift would bring a difference, out of hhfeminaryoi This was ever difcord, as he did formerly (and which too far takes place an Antkhrifty yet J between the Clergy and Laity (fo called) as if one were an p*or the moreb/y then the other 3 and therefore muft be diftin- guifhed by garter gowns, caps, colours, carriages,or fome- tliing orother diftinguimed from the other ; who ought to be all one in Chrift, without fuch diftiuttion. But we come now to the Reafons and Arguments which con- firm this frattije and confute the contrary. And, Ppp f.IsJ 1 Pet. 2. ?. The Reafons; 47* Votes concern Sifters as re til *s $ro. Ergo. Lib-,I!« 1, Votes con- cern all, ergo all muft vote. Dr. W*t, x**/. 2- . Some wojCBCfl rife** ' i. Is taken (aJotoadfartei) Thus, that which concerns the whole, is (by all the rule oireafon) to be done by the; whole, or that which concerns all (brother* and fifters) rea* fon requires mould be done, (or orderedjby all (brothers and fillers') •, but to chpofe this or .that officer., to vote this or that thing, to caft out this or that offender, .to take in> this or that member, concerns all (fifters as well as bro~ tkers) ergo. So faith Whit, de conciif. 44- Quod omnes -attinyty. ab 6mnibttf.afpr.oban debet ', e^c. and ejttfdem eft recifere0 rejicerey. I iaies Hw^. /wt. 1 . cap. 1 1 . The fower which is in every bro-. tkerand fifter3 or Church-member combined together, in„ one,. 1* The, power to judge is in the w&^and concerned the »'^/e, as to admit, caft out, &c. 1 Cor. 5.12., the"8>£c/£v GJwflrfc is bid to caft out ( e?«f «7?) which carries a wk/M, power with it. . 2. To give, ?/*># is alfo the whole's^ (as the Corf oration hath, power to choofe a M/yar) and every member that -is free in, the Society huh a rigfct to give his or her vote thereto. rUi^f^M**. 18.15* Thus the whole hath the ppwer c £ C*eiW, lCer.ty.n. and every fingle part tnuft jbe fubject to the. whole ^ and fervicea&le alfo, for the ufe and advantage, oi "the whole. Sa^lm ,fofuli fafremalexy which is the higheft the prefervation and welfare of the whole y and this lies in, every brother and fifter to be active in. For asinalhip that 15 ready to fink, every one fceksthe fafety of the (hip (i. f, of the whole) and then they are all /*/ ftrangers, &c. andfo Phxbe a Deaconeffe, Rom. 16.1. and Co Phil. 4. 3. Tome women that laboured withPWin theGofpell,andf£ :lips four Daughters were Propbttejfes : Now doubtlene,and by an undeniable cjnfequenee, it tol\owe$9 that women muft have the common liberty of members to vote or the like in the Church. 3. (Ab squall lileftate omnium in uno) Severall arguments run from the equall liberty vfa'I members purch&fedby Chrifi. And to follow Melanchthon de libertate Chrifiiana in's Com- mon places, I could argue thus, fguos film tiberavit, vere Iiberifunt,fed,&cTho(c whom the Son htth made free, are free indeed,Jofc 8. 36. but all the Saints of Chrifi (without -difference oi Sexes -, fifiei's as well as brothers) are made free by Chrifi, G*/. 3.28. There is neither Jew nor Greefybond -nor free, male nor female, for ye are all one in Chrifi. I pray mark, the Apoftle puts you in minde of their equall liberty in Chrift, and therefore, that they mould not contend or differ, in faying this is a Jew or Gentile,, this isafervmt or a woman, why ye are all one body, have all one head, and are all one (without any fuch difference^) in Chrift) ', in Chrifi there is no fuch thing as fubjeSion one to another, all -equall, (fo faith Perkins in luc.) ailjW otbeleevers are un- der a civillor fpirituall rule : in the civill there are fuch differences of fathers, children, Mafiers,fervants, Magiftrates, fubjeVss, men and women ; but in the fpirituall rule, and go- vernment of C^r//? in his Church and Saints all are one,vi\ th- ou t re fori of per fas ; no difference mould arife amongft them. There is no fuch thing as Jew, i.e. as oppofed to 'Centile: nor as Presbyterian, i. e. as oppofed to Independent: nor Independent, i- e. as oppofed to Anabaptifi: nor as a Servant,!, e. as oppofed to the Free : nor as rich, i.e. as oppofed to poor: nor as the learned, i.e. as oppofed to the unlearned in tongues and arts : nor as a man or brother, i. e. as oppofed to a woman or fitter; for they are all one in ■ChriiVs account, in Chrift's K'mgdome, without any fuch TvfpM of per fens } opinions 3 fixes > or ages; and have all one and. Ppp 2 the Ex?tj: PerkjnsK, How all dife rences are ton conciledin one. 47* W$wen have equal! liberty with men w Chrift. Lib. II. Gmliherjnloc. How women attained this liberty, yet fubjcct. Bernard. m- m- the fame liberty in and by Chrift. Thus Gmlther gives out, and bitterly complains of fuch as are enemies to Chrift and his Chunk, that make differences about perfons, opinions, [exes, or the like, and that would rcb any one of their liberty bought them by Chrift. Now Chriftian liberty hath thefe two parts, viz. Deliverance from , andfreedometoi deliverance from the curfe, power, and punifhment of the Lawy and from the obfervations of traditions, CoL 2. 20. whxh women have equall benefit of,whh men. And fo in freedome to the worfhip and fervice of God, the ordinances of Chriftj the k^ngdome of Chrift, grace and glory; which alio apper- tains to women&s well as men9 being reftored by Chrift to that equallliberty (in the things of God, and in the Church of Chrift) with men, which they loft by the fall; and they are now again to become meet and mutual helps: for all are one in Chriff, fa) es the text. Now though there is a civil! fubje&ion to men in their eeconomicall relations as itfe laidbefjre, that there is not any fervile fubje&ion due to them, whereby poor fouls are inflaved and kept under in bondage from doing their duty to God, or taking their Chriftian liberty in the things of God- Bernard in lib* de gratia & lib. arbit. tels us of a threefold liberty 3i.e. of nature^ grace and glory, and every woman fas well as man J is made happy by it, ever lince Chrift turn'd Eva to Ave,they have been reftored into fpirituall liberty and Chrifti- an equality in the Church : andtheApoftlc^^' 2- 1« to his CatholickJLpiftle (To call'd) faies it agrees not with the profedion to make difference of per Ions in the Church of Chrift, there fore my brethen h.ive not the faith of our Lord Jefits with refpeftofperfonsmot only in not preferring the. rich before the poor^buc not the ftrong before the weak3(nor the men* before the women)and is not this partiality fo to do? (faies he) verf. 4. or have y mot made a difference, where Chrift hath made none ? Now the iorce of the argument is full for us. For where there ought to be norefpeft of perfom9 there ought to be no difference betwixt men and women^ (for the generall includes the particular) but in the Church of Chrill there ought to be no refpeft of per fins. Ergo* Ch ap ,3. Women have equallpriv* (as memb.)\vith)mei7, 473 4.EquaIl privi- ledgcs in Chiiftian li- berty* $. Power, Ergo> women (as members) muft have equall liberty with men. Beildes;> 4. Arguments may be taken from the alike priviiedges in the Church otChritt : as the donation ofthefpirit ; one and the fame on all alike 5 (though not in like meafure) the promifes made without diftin&ion of [exes or per fins, the ordinances difpenfed, and price of Chriftian liberty (i.e. the bLud of Chrift) payed for all alike, with- out diitin&ion of [exes. And alfo acquired by the fame means to the one that it is to the other,that is quoad met hum > & quoad Spir hum Chrifti '. by the merit and by the Spirit of Chrift. Now out of this matter may many arguments be formed ; and befides that Gods love to his eleftones, his originall love is without any inch difference and refpett, it isall alike, and gives all alike liberty, and all whom he revives alike, we mould raw* -alike into the Church of Chrift, Rom. 14. 3. 5. Argument may run thus, that there is no powe* that any can have from heaven ordinarily, but by fome clear tranfaftion between God and themfelves, but there is no clear tranfafi ion between God and the brethren alone^ but primarily between God and the Church (i. e. the whole collectively taken, confining of women as well a$ men J Ergo. So the covenant, promiies, priviiedges, &e. are not to them alone, but to the wholeChurch. 6. Taken (ab. intentione omnium) from their unanimous and fa men eue in their embodying together, intending one , and the fame thing. Yet two things are faid to be ne- j ceffaryin the intention. _(jes'& caufa^quid & propter quid) \ thething it felf that is intended, which is to be the honour] and flory of Ga^andfor which it is intended, which is to edifie the Church* Now both thefe are alike intended by j women as well as ^men, and therefore ought to have thej like liberty fas members) allowed to execute their inten- tions, for which they are fo admitted. 7. Reafon runs irom. their excellencies and abilities of fome women furpafUng men for />irty and judgement $ and therefore ought to have equal liberty jw^ them in Church- Ppp 3 affairs. 6. Tfcc inten- tion 3 one and the fame. Bernard. Sonu 1 parvaiHW. 7j Women hnyg excelled men » 474 Women h&ve excelled men^ atidfome doe. L I b . II. Job. ia. M.Magd. the fir ft -Preacher ofChnfirifea. Judg. 4« * Thru 1.8. t3h Mat. 13 g, And are ftrongia aflfej aion. affairs i the argument is free, the proofed clear; for pru- dent ^%rfi/ exceird her husband 5 for knowledge, Frifcilla Afollos (though a Preacher) 5For faith, the Canaa- nitefoy of whom C6r//? faid, I have not fern fo great faith no not in Jfrad. For affection and zeal, the ghteen of tte South (hall rile up againft the men of this generation, Luk> 11. 31 • And 'M^ry Magdalen, for piety and fpirit, outran,and outreached all the twelveWifciples in her diligence to feek out Chrift : to whom Chrift firft difcovered him- felf after his refurre&im, and bid her declare it to his Vifci- f>les>(he was the firft Preacher of Chrifts refurreUion. So we read how lael cxcel'd in courage, Vebnah in thankfui- neflc, Lois and Eunice in faith and obedience : Lydia in en- tertaining the Word, Aft. \6> 14. The Shunamite in faith and zeal^and underftanding, excel'd her husband, 2 King* 4.8,9. 22.30. So the Samaritanejfe the reft of the Citi- zens, Job. 4. 4, And we readoffome women exhorted to win in their husbands to the truth, 1 Vet. 3.2. Yea and Manoahs mte^Judg. 13. 22, 23. you (hall find of a foun- der judgement and faith then her husband. So that all thefe examples prove the reafon which requires their juft liberty in the Church of Chrift. I remember I have read in jkrora'sdaies of many holy women that exceeded others in learning and abilities, and in the undying of the Scriptures, and they had their Commentaries upon them of their own makings Furthermore, the Kingdome of heaven is compared to a woman,and Chrifts Church is called his wile and fpoufe. Rev. \9.Cant.2. And as Mary faid it, in the behalf of other good women, He that is mighty hath mag- nifledme, and therefore they are not to be fo rejected of men who are fo highly received and honoured of God. But to the 8. Reafon, which is taken from their ftrong afe&ion to the truth, when once they be in the way of Chrift; and for the moft part they are exceeding men therein. Hence it is that Satan fo often makes the firft triall of women for his turn and fervice, feeing where they take, their affections are ftrongeft (Tor the moft $m) and he fped fo Ch ap • 8. Siflcrs have equal right with brethren as Memb. 47 j f© wellattirft, that he can't1 forget it; fo he found out Et nmlidrm ^. Valilafy.hr S amp fon > a Jtzebel for Ahab, Pharaohs *#-j{^X^ ter for Solomon^ &c. For where they are bad, they are ex- treme bad ; but where they are good, they are exceeding good, and moft fondly affected with the things of God: thus Att- 13.50. youread ofthe devout women, orastheword will have it (7** (nC^ae, &c.) earnefily or eagerly religious and refolved. For as the gold which is of the pureft fub- ftance fooneft receives the form, and much fooner then the fturdy /fef/, orhard iron which is of a grofleand maf- (ie nietall (faies Cawdrey), So are women more readily wrought upon ^ and. fooner perfwaded and formed into the truth then men, who are for the moft part like ftur- dy fteeland iron, hard to work upon. And as gold (To women (many times take the faireft ftamp and fulleft im~ pxeffion: but I pane by this; yet before Iconclude>Imuft jfpeaka word or twoboth to men and women. Let not men defpife them then in the Church ofChrifl fas the wea- keft veflels) nor wrong them of their liberty of voting or Jpeakjng in common a fairs , fyet with j/^je^itftf, civility, and in order) to prevent diforders and rudeneffe; we were wont in Dublin to call over their names one by one, as well as mens; I know the ordinary objection isobjefted out of 1 Cor* 14.34, 35. Let your women kfep filence in the Churchy for it itMot f emitted unto them lo fpeakjSo 1 Tim. 2. 12. Anf. 1. Grant it in that fenfethe Apofileip&e it, which he declares all along the chapter, both before in verf. i, 2r3> 22,24,31, 32. and after in verf. 37, 39* which is3 that they keep from publicly preaching, or prophefy in$> or teaching** Officers or Minifters do ; orthe like,.&c. which all Expoiitors grant that I have' met with. Now we plead not for this; but for the common ordinary liberty due to them as members of the Church, viz. to fpeak, ob- ject, offer, or vote with the reft, which this Scripture (nox no other as I know of ) doth in the Jen ft hinder, but ra- ther help, being rightly confidered. For, 2. He faith it is not permitted (fforiT&zrjy by reafon of the difirdejs and differences .that then were in the Chmh, lem ad &<{ci- plinai smnrujqi vt nut em Pro* bat Campofitlg, Sim* Caudrey.- Women Too* neft wrought upon and moft docible. It Vfeu 1. To menj Dublin. Objefr. Anfif> I. Expof. How women muftnoefpeab, x. In rbe con- dition ihat thr Church was then in buc no (tending r-^» \ A. wo id to women, that they be not coo full of words, hold faft their liber- ty- 47^ Women mull bold faft their lib an the C. as wemb. L i b JL it was thought inconvenient to allow womens liberty to preach publiquely, whereby they brought but confufion into the Church, as appears in the antecedent and fubfe- quent words, verf. 33 . and vet f. 40. fo that rthe ill confe- quence was the caufe of this rule of prudence, not any pofnive command of Gods, but he fpake as in 1 Cor. 7. 6. And it is a quefton whether it be zftanding precept. So that from this very Scripture f bcfides a hundred others,) I do verily beleeve that handmaids (hall prophecy, and have more publick liberty then now they have 3 but however this does nothing at all difallow or deny them their common, private, proper liberty as members of Chrifis body , equally with men , I fay as members ("though not as officers') and fo fubjettive to the whole. 2. To women, Iwifhyebenot too forward, and yet not too backward, but hold faftyour-liberty,in Gah^.i* which the Apoftle fpeaks as well to the fibers as the brethren ; Chrift hath made ye free, male and female, ye are all one in Chrift ; and ought to be fo in the Church , wherefore, ftand faft, (Taies he) that is3 keep yourgrew?^ which Chrift hath won and got for you* maintain your right, defend your liber- ty 3 even to the life, lofe it not, but becouragwus, and keep it. And yet be cautious too,(feftina lente) not too £ift,but fir ft, befwift to hear, flow to fpea\, Jam. 1. 19. unlefle occafwn re- quires you 5 your fdence may fometimes be the beft. advo- cate of your orderly liberty, and the fweeteft evidence of your prudence and modefty, fasonefaies, Silentiumfepifjime ad- dit fotminvs graciam at decus, maxime apud viros,cum de rebus firiis agitur) and yet ye ought not by your filence to betray your liberty^ trouble your confciences, lofe your priviledges and rights? or fee the truth 'taken away or fuffer before your eyes , but I fay, be not toohafty nor too high $ for as the note that comes too nigh the margent,is in danger to run into the text the next impreiTion,fo fpirits that run too high ac n*rft,may foonfall into diforder^ and irregularity. It is faid, when Cyrus was young, his Grandfather made Sacas his overfeer, to order him both in his diet, time, and recrea- tions -, but when he came to riper years, he became a Sa- cas with Cauti- on. $ophoc.indjace. Caution."' Sim. Dr. Featly & and rather then run into diforder and confufion,hold y our liberty a little in fufpenfe, and wave j it on forue occasions wherein you lawfully may, but lofe , it not for all the world which Chrift fayed fo fgreat a | price for, and prepare for fairer gales. As the Miller does, Sim* for though he cannot command the winde, yet he will fpread his fades out, and open them in a readineffe, when he is in hopes of its coming; and fodo you, and when the winde blowes (which begins) your liberty with full fades, (hall bring forth abundantly to ferve all the conntrey round. In the mean time, make much of the ordinances , prize your (hithertoj liberty, and pra&ife Accordingly. And in a word, I fay to Mtfhofe whom God hathjoyned to- 3« To all get her, letngmanfutafunder* Qia* CHAR 4?8 Lib. II. ^^^^^•^ ^ Chap. IX. Thish& Chapter fherves what Church this Treatifc mentions $ and clears it from all others $ and jh ewes wherein the Presbyterians and we difagree, and wherein they and the Papifts agree in moji of the eflcntiall differences between them and us, for Difcipline, Dodrine,***/ Pradtife ^ and proves this Gofpell-Church-Statc, the great promife and thing typified in the lajl daies, and the Paradife on earth to be reftored. I Had thoughts now to have refted me for a while, but Iamjogg'dupagain by the jarring noifes which many make about the name of a Church 5 Imuft now arife and wet my /w* a little more, before I conclude this Treatife,ov take my reft. You have had the eflentialiaUid before you, and in this firft and fecond part have had the tctum homo- geneum of a true Church, both what is to be done before, and what in and upon embodying together 5 but what is to be done after, followes after in the third Part (which I promife next, if the Lord giveme leave^ wherein you (hall have (I hope fo) the totum organicum of a true Church ofChritt. But before that will be rf ady> I muft meet with fome rough Opinionifts who will bid me ftand; or at lead with fuch, who have the hands of Efau, though the voice of Jacob, an fo the principles and praffifes of the Tope, though thepre- tences and proteftations of a Tresbyter, that will not let me pafle thus, without a full iifcharge, and a v'ulent volley upon me Chap.£. 7 be Church how it is taken. 479 me made up of wilde fire, and not with the fire from above ; but Imuftforcemy way in the name and slrcngth of the Lord,znd Ifhall lay before them, before Heave them, the rotten foundation theyare built upon, which ("without mercy) may be their ruine; and whofe caufe and quarrell it is they are engaged in, and whofe defign they carry on againftthe Saint sand fervants of the moft High, And the Lor4 give them grace to confider and feparate from it 5 for elfe I dare confidently affirm they will be found figh- ters^againft God, Att.. 8. Hieron. de unit. Ecclef Epiphanius, and thus (he is faid to bee either Catholick or Vn'werfal; or elfe Congregational oirfar- ticular^ inthefirft fenfe, as Catholickjhe Church is fo called Ci. locorum, ratwne<2. temporum, £3. hominum, in refpeft of timey place, and people, being not confin'd to anytime, or age, or place, or Nation, or people-, but taking in all the ele& people of God, in all the wkoIeVniverfe,paRy prefent, and to come, Jews and Gentiles , under the Law, before the Law, and fence ,yea in heaven and earth,thofe which are amended, Revel. 7. 8, io, 11. and which are yet unborn-, Rev. 6.1 1. invifible and v(/?W(?, triumphant and militant, all make up but one CatholicJ^body of Chrift the ibftfrf, Ephefj^. 4,5. But now in the other refpeft, as a particular and cw- gregational Church, which comes before the Catholick and Vniverfal Church (fo far as it is si/rife and militant ) it is confined to fome certain place and number of people orderly gathered together by the Word and Spirit of Chrift ; [ha- ving Chrift alone for their Head (certommero,certoque loco Ecclefia particular is definita eft). And this is the Church which 1 have fpoken of, and in oppofition to all Syna- gogues, Synedriums,Parifhes, Conventicles, Clajfes or the like, as you mail hear more of it by and by. But fometimes fuch Congregationall Churches as thefe, are called Cathoick^too, becaufe of their Faith, and by the figure Senechdoche , yea and as often as Catholic}^ is taken tor Orthodox. So did Theodofius in his dayes, (fays Sozomen,lib.j.c.^) command the Church to be called Catholic^, that he was a member of. Every fuch particular and CovgregationalChurch is a member of Ch Ap;p. gives Seeing to the church Catholick. 481 Is member of che Catholick or Universal. of the Catholic^ or Vniverfal (as all the learned fay) ; and every vifible is a part (that is not yet afcended) of the/«- viftble, whatfoever John writ in Rev. 1.4. to the feven par- ticular Congregational Churches, he writ to them as to the true members of the Catholic^ or Church-Vniverfal, faycs Mr. Ferfyns. For the Catholick Church\ and the Congrega- tional, onely differ as the totum integrate, &effentiale, that is^ the Church Catholickj'or Vniverfal arifes out of the Congre- gational and particular Churches, and is made up of particu- 7*rfChurches3 the Integrum, or whole, intireismade up of the members thereof, that are the effentials of the whole. For every perfon and Congregation ofGhrift (fayes Mr.Hookgr, in his anfwer to Mr. Rutherford) are the members of the Church Catholick, , and therefore muft contain in them the ejfential caufes of the Catholic^ or the (totum) whole, which is made up of them, as parts, for the Logician does allow it5 and men of reafon cannot deny it, but that Integrum ell to- tum cui partes funt effmtiales, that which is Intirely whole is made up of fuch parts as give an "Ejfential being to the whole 5 without which the whole cannot be fo intire. So the Churches Congregational and particular xvhichmake up the Catholic^ (as membra integri) muft needs have the Qnateri- alia & formalia principia Ecclefw Catholic*, or toti integri Vni- verfi, ) matter and form which make up the Church Catholic^ which none can deny (and then I fay, I cannot fee how your Presbyterian Churches as Churches ( who fail in form \ Presbyterian if not in matter as is prov'd in the firft part) may beef Churches as faid to hecmembers fas partes effentiales & membra fimila-\ Churches not rid) to make up this totum integrale, or Church Catholick) Now the Congregationall Churches con fitting of true mat- ter and form (feparate and diftinft from the Nationsabroad and multitudes abourj as hath been proved 5 are members caufall and parts effentiaUfoS. the fameneffe and nature of the whole) which give in ("every onej there fubftantiaU (hare to make up the imireneffe of the whole, or the Church -Catho- liQK* (quthabet rationem integri eft membrum, fayes Ames Me- duLetheoLlib.\.c.$i.') But furthermore it muft needs fol- low that the Congregationall Churches muftcaufe the Catho- CLq q 3 lick The Congre- gational Chur- dies are all the Eflfential parts of the totum integrale. true members.' of the Church Catholick. Congregati- onal Churchfs as Churches are conftitmive and Caufall to the Whole. 482 Every farth. CkefChriJl is tChurch Mire. Lib. II. £& Sim. Mr. Hoofers anfwer. A Diocefan or Provincial. Church is a to- urn megmm* Sim, Every member as a particular Church, is a town too 5 but noc Integrum, lienor Vnwerfal, and not the Vniverfal or Catholic^ caufe the Congregational', the Catholic^ arifes out of the Congrega- thnalL) but not the Congregational! out of the Catholic^ becaufe they give a being to the Catholic^ and in order of nature the members nmft be before the whole , becaufe I fay they contain the caufes which make up the whole* For Integrum eft tot urn cui partes funt effentiales , non totum effentiale in partibus, andthefecvfl//£> or can fall parts area! To (by litmus dt> Ecclef) caWd partes Integr antes E,cclefithot the Presbyterian way muff need the help of Popery, not cnelyjt a pillar 1 by which it muft be under propped, but as a foundation or head- corner ftone^uf on which their while building muft reft and be eretted; thus faith this worthy Champion but a little before his death 5 So that I (hall neither be the firft nor the laft, that on good grounds doe affirm their Presbytery and Popery to live one in the $thery and that the Presbyterian way is maintained and kept by Popifh points and principles, and keeps up Ptfery alive in England^ which cannot dye as long as that lives, the which I mall eaiily demonftrate in their congruity together, whileft they difputefor the fame things, hold the fame points, profefle the fame principles, (1 fay not all ) and arei fo a like in prattifes; but to inftance in particu- lars. I.The Pcntificians and Papifls affirm the Church to be ( aliam $rincipalem> aliam minus principalem^prmcipal&nd leflc principals The Church principally they call the Councel of Cardinals, and BifhofSy together :but the lefle Principal they fay is the Body of thePecp/e, or Congregation of the reft together that are ga- thered under ihe Roman See> and acknowledge the Pope of Rome C m a p . 8. Wherein Presbyterians And Pap [Is are one. 485 for their head. Thus fayes B.Uarmin. 1 . lib. dt Ecckfia. The Presbyterians profefle this^ ( with the Pafifts') both in their judgements andpraftifes, that the Synod, or National) Pro- vincial! particular Qaffes, is more then thti^Churcb, viz. ) the body of all the brethren and fifters , For they take up- , on them (as the Church -Principal) to fet laws and to lay down rule s and orders ; and to make Dire Tories ', and the like for the Gottffegttlms^ zndCburches to be under; and they take upon them power of commanding, compelling, j condemning, punifhing, or the like , as the Church-?rin:i- ! fall, (yet pretend themfelves the Church Reprefentative ,znd therefore they are called the Presbyterian Church , becaufe j made up of Presbyters and Elders as a Representative Body,) j thus they fay they are the Church primarily j and not j the whole Body of Beleevers together, but they in a Clajfis , | Synody ComcelUf Mmifiers, and fuch like are the firft Sub- )eU of the Keyes ; to open and flout, binde or loofe, command ox countermand^ vidz Rutherford right of Presbytery, lib. 2. p.93io.tol4. which is all one with the Papifts, and the fame thing : So in this fenfe is it, that Mr. Hudfon fets the Catholick^&cft, and then the Csngregaiionall^ But 2. The Papifis affirm that the Catho!i;\ Church is and hath a. Presbyte- been alwayes vifible (which is agenerall Controverlie be- nans and Pa- tween them and us, as appears in JPiBets Synopfis Parifmi, Q^2. of the Church) they mean not any particular Con- gregational Church, but that the VniverfalCatholicksChurch is vifible. Rhem.Anmt.Mat. 25. Sett. 3. Bellarmm Mb. 3. cap .12. ret. 7. Calvifius cap.de fide, &c Symbol. Artie. 18. The Presbyterians fay the fame , whither they all agree therein or no, I cannot fay, but Mr. Rutherford for them, lib/2. of his Right of Presbytery ,& p. 291. &p. 293.8cf.304. Sc p. 3 1 1 . Gals the whole Catholick Church, vifible , over i over and over, and Cop. 418. with divers others, £0 Mr. Hudfon concerning the EJfence and Vnity of the Catholic^ Mr, Hud r. Wh\\a\w. Perkins. Btittingef, our judicious and learned Proteftant Dzz^tfej, astoinftance in that argument of W.Hudfon; If particular Churches he vifibk, then the Catholic^ Church Is vifible. But particular Ck ur* chesare, &c. the very fame argument in BiUarm. cap. 12. is anfwered by Dr. Willet, & in Boner* p.i 69 /. ef> Marti Antonii object- 6. anfwered by Martyr Smith, and this fame argument Vur£us urged,which Dr. Whit. lib. 3. deEccl p.i 10. anfwers and To Sadeel aufwers T«rritf/z$ and all our Proteftantnien tell them the ill confequence, yea abfurdity of this argu- ment, for that the particular members may be (afetfa- biles) vifible, but not the ^Wr, ? *. as the totum aggregatum ; befides for that the Catholick, comprehends, a41 the Saints of all ages that ever were, are, and will be $ that are in heaven,and that are not yet born ; and can thefe bealhijible here? V articular Churches are vifible, Ergo, the Catholic^ for (ha me my Mailers better arguments faith Dr. WiL'etand Smith. The Controverfiein this, is the fame between the Presbyterians and us5 that ever it was between the Papiftsand Protfftants- For we with all (that were and are accounted ) Orthodox and found, doe affirm the Church Catholicity to be invifble, not to be beheld but by the eyes of Faith, Heb. 12. 18,23,24. 1 King* 19.20. So fays Mr.G/a- ver martyr inftancing in Eliahs dayes > Fox, p. 1554.6^1712. and B. Farrar, which truth they fealed with their bloud, and fuch another vritnejfe was Mr. Philpot who affirmed the Church to be vifible and inv':fible, but the Vniverfal Catholick Church to be invifble. Fox, p. 1824. col. 2. Mr, Bradford rea- fons it, Fox.f. 1613. col* 2. as Eve was of the fame fubftance Adam\v*% of, foisthe Church of the fame fubftance with Chriilie flefh of his flefh, and bene of his bone, Ephef^. 30. So therefore as Chrift was known in the world, fo is the Church Qby faith), for Ghrift was not feen by the world, nor known by any external pomp , but by the Word of God, and Spirit of 'God: fo the Church, Ecclejia Catholic a non potefi a quoyiamimpio, imo, nea quofiamphvideri,Whitak^ de Ecclef q,2. c. 2 p. 57. How many hundred might I bring of this minde that are eminent of all ages. Mr. TerJqnson 1 Qui 4.25. proves fronuhat verfe, that the Church Crf- \ thelitis Chap.'£. Fmbyitrtins and Papifls wherein the] 4grce. 487 tholickjn itwifible.So Bullinger de Ecclef.^. Cath Dec ad. 5. Serm i.cum mult it aliit, and To fay we againft the friibyterians. 3. The Papifts aflert a twofold Head or Ruler of the l Church, viz. principal &mmifttriale3 the principal! and fupreme '■ Head, they fay is Cbrifci but the minifterlal and Jubsrdmate I /j it is a rule in Vivi-iity> for two heads to one body would make the body a monfter , and hinder the function and acYion, or due execution of the members, yea though one head were placed under another ; Etiamfi unum caput non'juxta aliud^ Jedfub alio ollocetur.Keckerm. | lib. 3. de capite. Ecclef. yea the body would be To much the: more prodigious andmonftrous to have two heads, a-nd one placed under another, now that Church is a monfter that hath more then one Head, which is elegantly exprefled, Eph 4. 1 6. Thus holy PaulBaines faith on C9/.2.19. who did ever hear of z.ny fcondary or mini fterial head on z natural b(kfy without deformity ? now it is a natural body to which Chrift comparts his Church and himfelfe as Head. So Zanchy on Hof 1 . 1 1 • fayes God's Ifrael> i.e. his Church^hzth but one Head) 5 ca in ConcU. A{uifgranenf. lib. 2.0.9. Ecclef am cum capite Rrr 2 fao\ 3. P^pifisand Presbyterians agree in their account of the Head of the Church, vrde capite Ecclifi*. We difagree from bo en. Bellinger, i.Groffe errors of theirs of the head. 1. Bur one head. Vide Kcdjrml Sim. PaulBiinei on Cotall.2,.1^. zandy. 488 Cf* 2. In chat Chrift alone, is that Head. A Second grofs errors of theirs oUbcHead. Si/72. # 4- Perkins: He can havs uo Vicar. Presbyterians and Papip agree in denying L 1 b .II; fuo Chriflounam contfetejfeperfonam, theChurch and Chrift the H.) 2 Cor. 1 . w//. and the Scripture never fpeaks of heads in the plural number, but onely of one, that is Chrift, who hath abfolute command and authority over the Church, vide Zanch . de Ecclef cap. For to be an head ar- gueth a preheminence, fay e$ John Tatxiarchof Antiochinappen. concil. but no man hath any prehemincme over the Church, nor Servant oyer his Nliftrefft; therefore none but Chrift can be head as having the preeminence, and as the head is higher then the bodyfiol 1 . 1 6. And befides none is appointed fur it bat Chrift, Matth.2S.1S. Job. 5.22. H^. 2.7,8.nor can any other doe the duty of an Head but Chrift , who a- lone is qualified for it, as having the £/>/># tftof meafure% Job. 3.34. and as being the fulneffe ofthe Go^ fr^^/bodily, Co/. 2.9. Jofc.i. \6. The Head of the Church ought to bee High Trieji) King, and fo Prophet->and anointed of God,and ap» pointed by God, Pfal ^.6,y. Heb. 1.2,9. Now none but Chrift is fo j And the Hf^ is that which gives vertue and power to all the members 5 which none but Chrift can doe, none elfe can give grace, or powre out the Spirit and put fpirkuall life into a man or woman 5 fo that Mr. Per\qns fayes in his Expeifition of ''the Creed, fpeaking of the Church, that there is no fuch thing as a Minifterial Head, or & "De- puty under Ghri ft to Lord over the Church, but that it is aSatanicalforgerie knocked* out on the Devils Anvil ', for the Headfh pot Chrift is of that nature and quality that it can admit of noDepuly or Viceroy; feeing he muft give commanding and quiclqiing power. And befides oportet caput no(fe fua membra, & ab iis agnofci, a very novice and Student in Divinity,. knowes that the head muft know the members* and Chap. 9. Chrift absolute and alone Head. 489 Presbyterian^ third error o£ . theirs of the Head. and themembers thebead; now none but Cfcr//??can tell all the true members of the Body, as Yerkj.ns fay es on Jude^ v. U fuch as is alwayes prefent with them^ as the Head is with the members, .which noneelfe can be; for GhriftasAW^- tor> God and man, the Fulnejfe of all power > fpirit, grace ,and goodneffe, is prefent and gives influence to his whole body, whether above or below, and lives with all his body in all places, which he could not doe were hee not both God and man ; though Wlr.Hudfon with fome of the Presbyte- rians run a ground grievoufly when they rafhly aflert Chrift head as man, pag. 23. of his Book, which is abo- minable, Papifticall, and an unfufferableerror^andagainft this fee Ifhitak^ de font. Rom. 1.9. c- 3. a?g. 3. and Beza in his Confeffions, ch.^. Antic 5. So Builmger* de Vnit.Ecclef. Dec. 5. Serm. 2. Chrifto caput eft non quia homo, fed quia dem & £wM,whcre they prove this headfhip to be too much for any man j, and therefore Chrift alone to be duely andtruely qualified for it, zsGod arJ man, who is with all his mem- 1 ben every where, alias enim caput non ejfet, ctherwife hee j could not be head of them. And befides the head is we-] quo totum corpus Ecclefi* compaUum & connexumper omnem )m» tiuram, &c. is Chrift Ixcaufe of liim every member hath life, influence, dependence, and they are all by the feve- ral joints {viz. the Ordinances and laws of Chrift) fitly fet and compared together, Epheft 4. 16: & 2. 21. and from him as the fole Head fitly joined together, 1 Job. 1.3, 7;- Who makgth increafe of the body to the edifying of it felf in lovs ; and none but Chrift can doe thus. And furthermore the Head of- the Church, debet effe perpetuurn^ ought to be for ever, both in this life and in the life to come ; now none but Chrift is fo, Dan.q.. 5 4,3 5 . : 2^.9.6,7. Thusand in ma- ny other refpects I .might- (how* how Chrifl alone is head of his Church ; as their light, life, wifdome, fafety, &c. but this point hath been aboundantly handled before, lib.i.ch.13. onely I adde this further, that all famous emi- nent men in all ages,whether Fathers (fo called) or others are of our fide; And theeminent Martyrs dyed with this U uth in their mouths , fee honeft Jotn Hujfey Artie 20. R r r 3 :ndj Chrift cannoc be Head but as God and Man, 7« Zancb. de cap] Ecrtef. 8. Vide Ko\em, This Head witnefTed by the bloud of Martyrs, 49° Mr. Regers. Mr. Hooper. 4. Prcsbyteri. and papifts 3- bree in.che matter of a Church. tftthevforJ, Byly, Anfwered by Cotton, We dik^ee ftomthcm both Vralyterians and Paptfts too near akin. Ln . II. ind ivk. Hooper, in his Examination. 3 Fox* p. 1507. and Mr. Rogers* that eminent Proto-Martyr* faith Chriftisone-%- iy Head, p. 1486. who doth all in us all, which is the true property ol 'the Head* and which is a thing none elfe can doe, no not all the Bilhops, See. fo Cay we not ail the Clafles or Presbyters alive, therefore down with this Popery. And 4. they agree in what they make the matter of Cbrifls Churchy Materia eft Suprema* & Subjetta ; Suprema^ that istheHeW, therein we have fhowntherfgretwrc^but fubjecia materia is the matter we mean here, and are the mem- bers of the Church; And in this the Presbyterians and Papifts are too nigh one another. The Papifts (ay all be- long to the Church that ?nakg aprofejjion ef Chrift, Betarm. lib.^.de Ecclef. cap.y. Rhemift. annot. in Joh. 1 5 Se&.i* this is a general] controverfie between Papifts and ProteslantSy and fo it is between Presbyterians and its* as appears by Mr.Rw therford, and Mr. Bayly* &c. fetch, 5. fife*. Mr. Rutherford and Bayly anfwered by Mr. Cotton, in his Holinejfe of Church- membt'rs&nd Mr. Rw^r/on^anfwered by Mr. Hooker in his Survey* lib. if c 2. whiieft Mr. Rutherford fayes, the repro- bates and wickgd are not limply forbidden* but they may be members of the Church, lib. 1 . p. 1 1 6. & //£. 2. />. 25. he fayes that bare profeflion makes him a member of the Churchy fo that the Papifts and they agree, and the very fame argu- ments which the Papifts bring as you may fee in Syno\fis Papifmi, !.§{.& Bellarm. c. 7. lib. 3. &c. the fame the Pres- byterians bring o{ the firft generall controverfie, as you may fee in. Mr. Butherford, lib. 2. pag. 240. 25 1 /and Mr. Buy* ley above mentioned, which I have anfwered in ch.^.lib.i. and fo Mr. Hookgr, and Mr. Gftctf hath at large, and they have faved me the more labour. But we difagree from them in that we affirm true members of the Church are onely fuch as are vifible Saints* i. e. that appear to us foto bee, which is fuiiiciently proved in this Trcatife, both in the 1 & 2 booke. Ilia celumba, mica, pudica, cafta^fponfa* mn inteWgitur nifi bonis * juftif* fanilis* fayes Auguftin, The Vovey &c- i e. the Spoufe* the Church is underftood of thofe that are faithfull righteous, and holy* therefore it is not true to Ch ap .g.Frcsb. and Papifts united agdinft the Church. ^$l by ihe bloud of the Martyrs, John Huffe. Ridley. Latimer, to fay wicked ones, &c. fo they have but a proieifion are. This fit matte--' irue members of the Church. This is witnefled by the Wi!:netfc &c. Th is is a commendable, and a commanded feparation5to goe out o$fa\{e wjtfand worfhip, and to return u our firft husband again) to doe the duty of a good wife, to leave that luft- full Bawd and bead:, with all her Idol-worflup and hu- mane invention, and to difclaim thofe Popifh Babyloni- an garments, and golden wedges, which falfe worfhip- pers ferve for (fanis &vinum, lana & linum,) the tithes,* and fadings of the flocks : and now* to return and cleave clofe to our firft husband) viz. Chrift) as the Churches found him to be to them in primitive times (at firft ) that fo we may finde him in love and prefence with us ; Oh this is a fweet and happy feparation /fo (hall blejfings be upon their -beads. Vent. 33.16. clfe judgements , Uofea, 7. 8. But for the fecond part, 7tf, into Zion) a vifible aggregation or gathering together into one Body, which makes up the Form) as ch.j. lib. 1, forma Ecclefu eftuniOythisonenejfe is twofold, I. of the members with thehead) and 2. one with another; As the Commonwealth is formed from the peace and tranquil- lity which the Subjects have by union with the Govern- ors, Chap.?. Presb. and Pafifis agree in the form of the Ch. 453 nours,and then by their union one with another. The union of the members with fthe Head) Chrift is 1 Joh.i. 3. 7. a communion with Chrift, whereby every member receives influence and virtue from Chrift (the head) Heb. 2. 17. This union is threefold, either of his fubfhnce, or office, or influence. 1. The Saints fhis members) are in union with Chrift their Head in fubftance, in himfelf : Ex convenientia effen tU-> &identitate carnis Chrifti cum noftra> &c. whence all communion flowes between Chrift and them ; therefore k is necenary this Head be both God and man, and it bebwed him to be likg unto us , Heb. 2* for all our comforts come from him as God, through him as man. * 2. Furthermore, the members (Saints) have union with Chrift their rlcad in his offices of King, Prieft and Pro- phet, (quadam avct^oyW) whence they are all called Kings, and called Priefts, and called Prophets, by participation of thefe threefold gifts of Chrift j or of Chrift in thefe ^rrttf- fold offices-, andalfo by a certain femblanc'e and analogy , for they as Priefts offer themfelves to God, Rom. 12. 1. as living fa crifices, mortifying and flaying the flefh, binding it to the Altar, and offering jj^calves of their ///>/, and the like, i Pef-2. 9. all this by vir«3(tom Chrift •, and fo they are Prophet ?, to teach, inftruft, comfort, confetie Chrift before the world? and the like; being enabled by union with the Head Chrift, thus faith Vrfin in's Catecb. ^32. 8c 3. As Kings, they ruleover their lufts,artd reign over their 'own flefh, and by faith overcome the world, Job. 16. 33. 1 Job. 5. 4. and all this by virtue of Union with Chrift their Head, Mat. 19.18. 1 Cw.6. 2. But then, 3. The members have union with Chrift their Head in his virtues and excellencies, and fpirituall properties ofrightecufnefleand holinefle,Iightandlove,and whatfo- ever is excellent in life or grace^Joh. 15.5 .7. A7id in all thefe are the Saints fthe members J in Union with Chrift (their Head); which Union can't be in falfe Churehes^ that kave ether lords to reign over them, or between the members of fuch heads ofbrafieor iron, as Sff. the Papifts ana Saints onenefTe wich Chrift their head threefold. r. Union with the fubfhnce. * Agaiuftthat wicked Aria- ntfmeof Jibn Sidle. i. Union with him in his offices. All Saints 1. Priefts. are z. Prophets. Vrfin. Kings, 5 Union with him in his cellencics. CX" Which can'r be in falfe Lhiu'dcs. 4?4 Oneneflc one with another from Chrift the Head. m\ Difference be- twixt form of falfe and trae Churches. Martyrs a- gainft form of Presbyter, and Papifts. Oar form is in the unity of the Spirit. Bradford. ■ Holland* Helvetia. Bohemia,. Vresbper. *nd ?&p$$ too alike. Lib .IK and Presbyterians ftrike out for together 5 but they both fall fhort of, and fall out with us for,this form. 2. Union of members one with another^which depends upon the union of the members with the HeadChriftJas be- fore. Now this Union confifts not then in the Former out ward ceremonies or rkes,but in the Spirit {quo cumcapite & inter fe membra omnia uniumur) now although they are not all one in fome forms,yet beingall one in (pirit^every member by one and the fame fpirit, 1 Cor. 12.4,5, 6,&c. diftributes and difaences zeeordrng to hh divers gifts (fuaviffima Symme- tria)\n a mod fweet and orderly Jymmetry and decotum^o ferve the beady to ferve one another 5 and to ferve the whole. Now although we grant that the Presbyterians have a form (yet not this form of xhtChurch) and fo have the Papifts, Bellarm. caf.9. afcrmlike this, but {fimilemneft idem) not the fame. For as a deadcirkafe that wears the garment of a living man is not a living man, though he look never fo like him : fo the falfe Church though they are in union and love, and linck'd together, and ever fo alike the form of a true Church of Chrift ; yet* they are not the true Churches. It is one mark which the Papift makes of his Komifh Harlot^ for the tru&jkmfe,viz. their unity $ videSyncp* fis Yapifmi 2.Controv. ^ipNow know that their forme confifts in uniformity;, but ours in unanimity $ fo the Presby- terians in their unity of the forme, but we fay it is to be in the unity of the Spirit. For as Mr. Bradford faid (Fox f, 1622. col. 1.) the Idolatrous JfraeliXes were one in their finfull way> and might have pretended to uniformityyVtere that the argument of a true Church or worfhip. fSee Lamer epijl. ad Vr. Sainton.} So Roger Holland: Fox 2040. col. 2. What is the unity of the Antichrifiian Church but ido- latry ? fufpicion t tradition ? commandments of men ? and to perfecute the poor people of God, that can't in con- fcience herewith them ? And to this we fubferibe, and (hall fay with Helvetia Harm- feci. 10. p. 306 chap. 17. the Church is a company oi faithfull, gathered out of the World, feparated from falfe worfhips, and in communion together, by onefpirit. And Boj^mia^ cb, 8. Harm. 316. that ' ■ - - - — - ■-■... ■ Chap. p. Presbyter. and P*pptOQ\wgh one another. 495 that whofoever hath not the Spirit of faith and true lovers but H dead member, and with Aufpurg. Harm.feft. 10. p, 320. that faics true unity is not to agree on traditions or fuch do- ftrkics 5 but all to agree in the dotlrine of the Go^ff and truths oi Chrift. Add Helvetia chap, 27. />. 499. that the Church is os* ,arid the members all o/2e,and yet they are being both J2r/7^; for fee the Papifts, they will have jPrterthe Foundation of the Church, ancHo the P^as his Succef- for: but fince this hath been fto ufe Mr. Hookers own words) hided out of doors, andcaftto the dunghill, a rifes another Do&rine, which is it that the Presbyterians hold, viz. that theprofeflion (as Mr.Hudfon hachitj of Chrift is the foundation, or confellion of faith, as many of them have difputed it with me ,& vide Trap in Mat. 16. 18. But we differing from both,deny the Doctrines of both, and do with the Apoftle difdaim all other foundations (whither perfons or confeflions) but Chrift Jefur, 1 Cer. 3. 11. which is a ra^and will hold; chap. 4. lib. 1 . and fo we anfwer with the Proteftants againft the Papifts in Sympfi* Papifmi 2. con- 7. Presbyterians and Papifts are too nigh one another, in laying their foundation by per[ecution,toth with carrying on their difcipline, and branding fuch as differ from them for Heretic^s, Schifmaticlq, factious and feditious fpi- rits, perfons not fit to live, and of late, fome three years fince, would needs have a Petition fthe Presbyterians were fobitterj again ft althat would not be Presbyterians, i.e. really ordiflemblingly fo) that they might have no in- dulgence ("which is their own language^) ; fo that the Presbyterian would hear of no other thing, but tyranny and cruelty to the Independent, or indifferent brother (nonje- quens ecelefiamfed per Cecums') Now we declare again ft them Sff2 both Anff>U>£. E-2 6.1nthe foun« dation of the Ghui'ch. Trap. Mac. if, we difagrec from both. Ch, 141 lib, \\ 7.Presb. and Papifts agree in laying and carrying on their Church* forms by per- , fecuting fuch as differ. 49. 492.) To whom the HolyGhoft is given, to them is given the kgyer, or power of binding andlofing^ buttothewWe Church of beleevers is C h a* . 9* Presbyterians andPapiJfs agree in difapline. 497 the Holy Ghojl given. So faith the Bohemians C on f eft. Harm Sett. 10. p. 335. c. iy. which p#wcr is commuted to the Church of Chrift Wherefore throw down this Popery (Tor frame firs) which makes Prelates or Gaffes the firft ^jetf of the %e/. 9. The Presbyterians agree with the P^>/>?/ about itf/fcw- ifo/and 5>7;^/ or the like; fcverali waies, in all which we diilent from them both. 1. Concerning the neceflity of them \ the Tapifls fay thereis a neceflky of them, and they can't be without councils. Bellarm. deemed, lib i.eap 1 1. the Presb)terians alfo pleidfora neceflity of Synods^ and ajfembbes, out of AH. 15, Whileft we aflert no neceflity, but an ufefulneffe of them ; orderly called together, having a confultatjve power, and being a whole feme means t? />. r.w evils, and provide good for the Church, as the Pr^f/r^/tf an f*v ere d the papiftsyib Wb'm&Ver de Concil . p. 23. faies they are not wceffaty. 2. Concerning the caV'ng; the PapHs will hive rhem .called by the Pvp<\ Bellarm. lib. 1. de concil- cap 12. Pres- byterians by the Civil! powers, Princes and Magislraiesi but vre diflent from both of them fand ethers too) when we aflert it to be properly the Churches power to call and con- vent Synods or A ffembbes\as Dell faith in'sJFay of pe ice? p.jy. The world can't call Councels.of the Church, no more then the Church cm call the Councelsofthewcr/^ being diftinfr from each; but all the Ckw cbes, Synods, or Affemblies muff have their power, and authority from the Church , whoj hathpjwer to call out, and tocsin, at their occaiion : but of this in the next Book^ which is to come of the mum orga-\ nicum. 3-. Concerning the perfon^ the CounceU or Synod mufi con- \ fift of; thePapifts fay, the Prelates only muft have the) deciding and determinating voice-, altkough they grant | others, Priefts and learned one? may difcuffe and confult. So Eclqtts he, de concil. Bellarm. de concil. lib. 1 . cap. 1 4. The Presbyterians alfo fay the Clergic have the right of deciding and determining ; and that the Synod con lifts of fuch perfinsas are fen t for and appointed or nominated by the S ii 3 \uV.?m Bohemians. 9. They agree m the Coun- cels, 1 As neccflary. Itrtdc Mr. Kit* the fo-d. Mr. Prrnns,\{t>tBai- lie's Diffwa- fion.11. JUjind Indrpi nd<.nts e -a mined. Wc dihgrce. Whittok. 2. They agree in their call. We diffent I from them and others in rhe/;'7w/;-. 3- They both agree in ihe persons that gives the \m\ Uriah* 498 Papifis and Presbyters toe dike in difciflwe. Lib. II. Vide father^ ferdmd Mr. Hoo^wanfwc* on Synod in's Survey p« 4. •ch. 3. We diflont. Mr, Dei/. Ai/J/tf. Mint. <5r. Church. Former af- fcmbiies Arui- chriftian and law fall. KiiJ 8. the per fins that are fitted for the work are t% be appointed, nominated, and impwered by the Church without the Po^i/fr dift'mttion of fcJft.aftd&Agfe) (Tor that in -^fl. 15. it confided of bre- thren as well as elders, (fo Mr. t>eUhVslVay of peace, p. 82, 84. declares at large j and that they bed. o Ten out of the Churches, and not out of the world or parifhes; and that with 0x1 1 refpett of per fun s, every brother fas well Lay -men (fo called) as Clergie) muft have a like liberty to conferre, confult, and to conclude, (tquali auxilio & confilio) In this we agree with the Proteftants again ft the Papifts (Synep. Papifm. l.contr. ^3.) who fay our opinion is grounded upon truth and Scripture} in that we fay not only Bifhops but Pajlors, not only them but Lay-men ought to have concluding voices in Councell ; and that rather the difcuffmg pertai- nethtothe learned Divines , and the concluding to the whole, tit. 3.13. So Zenas the Lawyer was in p elkw-commiffion with sApolks the Preacher. .^#.15.22. And Auguftine faith, that feeing the judiciall power of the J^yei" is commit- ted to the whole Church, therefore all forts ought to be entertained in Ccuncels. ThusNilus, lib. 2.depimat. faies, tor the£/'iv&7tinv : they made a common inquiry for the cmfent of all forts in matters common and belonging to all. But I purpofeto fpeak fully to this in the next Book, wherein we (hall (I doubt not but) demonftrate eafily to all men; that our AffemblieSyZVkd Synods hitherto have done more hurt then good ; and have ufurped their authority, which have been called byPope,orCivill powers, and a&ed for them, and have confided altogether of Clergie, fetting rules, lawes, and direBions for tfle Church, 8cc. We may affirm with honeft, Nazianzen that he never faw goodendeffuch Councels; and that he refolved never to came at them more. 4. They agree in the authority of them. For the Papifts fay, that Councels may determine by their own abfolute authority; and have a deer etall power, BelL lib. 2. de con- 499 We diflent from feuch3 Ca a p .p. Presbyters and Pspifis Agree for C&uncels. oil. cap. 12. which all men are bound up unto. And the Presbyterians fay, that Synods hav« a proteftatem juridicam to decree, determine, give their fenfe or fentence,* which h binding. And Mr. Rutherford p. 210, 212. argues for it hotly, that the Affemblies decrees lay a tye and ^^ upon the Churches, />. 2 1 2. and his arguments from that Afftmbly in -4#. 15. are the lame which that Jefuite Belarmine brings, de ccncil. 11 8. and areanfwered by 'the Proteftant Divines long fince ; and of4ate by Mr. Hooker in's Survey, part. 4. cL 1. and by Mr. Gsttorty Mr. Bartiet ch. 2. with many others. And eminent Whittaker de coricil. p. 19. tels us -plainly that they have no power of framing rules, orders, or articles to hinde the confcience : whileft we fay the A\o- files themfelves did not determine any thing with- out the Word of God h for James alledged Scripture ; and all that any Synods can do is by the Word of God to fet down and dogmatize their judgements; but they have no power at all to impofe Canons or conclusions upon the Churches. For as honeft old Latimer anfwered Bifhop Whitepox p. i j 62. )they were not to judge as they thought in themfelves, butfecundum legem del, as it was in the Wordy And this the Proteftants bear witnerTeagainftthe Jefuites and Papifts, Synopfpapif. $.Contr. ^7. as we do.againft the Presbyterians. Bat befides all this wherein they agree; I might infift on more particulars(but that I mould be too largej under this 9th head* wherein they are too nigh one another • as in that they have (they fay J power infligendi cenfuras, of condem- ning, puniming,cenfuring5or the like,whicb wedenyeven from the Presbyterians own grant, viz. that the power oi a Synod is accumulative, but not privative^ now it would be privative to take this power from the Church 5 as to excommunicate, cenfure, or the like. Sed )vd cium concifr- omm eft fuafionis mn coatlionvs. Befides they are too like one another, in urging all to btl eve, and by a blinde obedience to fubmit to the Decrees of Synods, (as if they They agree, were Sts^t^t the infallible breathings of the fpiritj as moil certain and found; to which Whittaker anfwered,^ conciL Vide Hec^r on Synods. Latimer, DrJrtllet, 5. They agree, We diflent. $oo Pr.wttPtpifls agree for dtfciplire too ntuch. Lit. II. wnsiifif 26ij 263. and liies the very ultimate determina- tion and judgement of a Synodmiy be falfe/>. 231. and thac thofe defers or determinations of theirs may and muft be queftioned p. 283. again ; and examinedby the Word as the Ber earn did A3 171 1. Search the Scriptures whether thofe th'ngs were fo which lies, upon us as Siftabde, inviolable and unchangeable tye upon our fpirits, where the Lord promifes to make his people pajfe under the rod, and then to bring them into the band of the Covenant ; that- is, faith Polanus in loc, the Lord will bring the godly under affli&ion^ and whip them into obedience as they are bound', But fayes Calvin thus, t her^is meant afhepheards crook?, by which the Lord gathers in the ttrayers to keep them within the fold , and not fuffering his to Apofiatize or fall away ; where- fore this cannot be, meant the formal! covenant $ but I had rather read it with the vulgar, that the Lord will fctyeB them to his Scepter, i. e. to be frayed 'and ruledby himfelf,the word 0*W fignifies a Scepter : I will caufethem by my Word and Spirit to come under my Rod, ( that is, my Scepter*) to rule them ; and then it followes, I will \i. e* by the lame power and Spirit1) bring them into the band of the Covenant, that is, by this means I mail oblige them to mee, to keep Cove- nant with me, or to cleave dofe to the Lord, zsA8,ii. 23. Wherefore to concluded what Congregation fo ever thou art, Reader, th:u wilt doe well enough who art united to Chrift the Head', for the Spirit of Chrift obliges thee then; which obligation is abfolutely neceffary, andmuftbes and the other Jqnde of Covenant, if need be, may be', but in congfegatione bene vivvs fi vivk ordinabiliter, fociabiliter* & hn- militer ( faith Bernard, Serm. i.deApoft.Pet. & Paulo) thou Wilt doe well to walk, 1. orderly, avoiding finandfean- dailj and all appearances of evilly and kplily as one caWcd Ch a p . 7. What things may be, and what miiji be. 5*J called 1 Prt.1.15. iT^/4.7. from allmanner of fin to all manner of holy converfation 5 and 2. feciabfy, or in Saint-like /fJto/fc/*p3 in love, peace , and gW f the R vTre tentative) ^*?.c M: . w/fays the Judges : So lay the Wrabyttriam tell the C;.^/ (the Reprefentitive); or the Pres- bytery (for fo they call then\) and ibme Independents fay. gives iheRca* ion. Byprecfpt Lxpof. tell the Bretbttn 5 but we fay the jtWjp fo^p coniifting o; inn and women. For the word is not &ti a Coumel, or £>W, ov fame chsfe to confultand fitting for that pur- pofe ; but uuanfca people called together into one bedy, being f pa-ate from the world and all falle wayes and wor- ships tor the Lords uf, and fervice; which word charges the whole hodf with this^fy, and that without drfferenci of perfons, fexcs.ages. or abilities^ but all together, snd thus fayes Mr.CaHmif^t in his 1. Reply to Ifhiiaker, v. \%$. So in s^S 6 .2,3. the whole Church taken colle&ively f without any txeeftm of any (or fex or degrees') they are all required to nil and c;*// out, looke out and . fit Deacons; that is, that every member might have his or her liberty; and give his or her confent thereto, feeing h corcern'd every member. Furthermore vou finde this in life in prbnitrpe times, wherein the /Ms of the Apojtles. and their Epiftks are fulUn ^3.24 23. the whole Church tf/z*^) choft them Elders (&t™ia*ri&) by the lift Fr:- : . Who is the Church. I. Meg A&raative O 0 0$ "ariwk \ Expof. .By p: 5 66 Women equallmth men as Church- Members. Lib. II, Sifters mwft concur as members of the body. Sifters did join m ckoofing an Apoftle. Expof Sifters were even labourers with ?A.l. ThcodorJnloc. Expof. Their com- mon liberty. Proved by ^ learned wri- ters. Ven icr. ing up their hands, fo I Cor. 5.435 .the uhole Church as concern'd fo concur'd in chat bufmeffe, and Paul 2 Cor. 2. 6. to 10. writes to the whole Churchy for their confentand concur- rence in remitting and readmitting ot' love, So that in thofe generdl termes you find no excpti n to one off or exclude fillers concurrence , and comply ance with the Brethren , whe- ther it be by voice or lifting upofhandi, or thelike,whe- ther as we fay explicitely or implicitefc and more expreflely, you (hall fee in A8. 1 . 14. Thefe brethren all continued with one accord in prayer and fupp Heat ion , with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jefus, and with his Brethren , and then Peter ftooi up in the mid ft o\ the T>ifciples (the number of whofe names wen 120) now you have it in totidem verbis that the fejlers as well as brethren had a right and ("accordingly) did take it in the choife even of another Apoftle, andinver.23. they appointed (even thofe 120 Difciples men and women) \two &c. y ea furthermore in P&/.4. 3. &ith the Apoftle, I entreat thee help thofe women that labour* d with me in the Go~ fpely with Clement alfo and xoith othermy fehw-lakurers whofe names are in the bookj)f life: Magna liber t as9& maxima lausmuli- erw^fayes one, for the word nfh^hnmv (a»o fo evvzpyZv) is read attively, wherein they were admired and much com- mended; and yet men now think much to allow them that common liberty (in Chrifts KingdomeyNhlih. is the liberty of the Subjetf) to vote or obje8, or aske, or anftver, or fay, or consent, as need requires , which liberty they are fas I may fay, as they are members of the Church) born to, and cannot (by right) be deprived off: which I (hall prove further from the teftimony of others^eminent men*, yea out of their own moutbcs5and by the right ofreafon and equity, and then an- fwer objections. Mr. Vudley Venner> de Saw. Theoleg. lib.j. f .278, 279. hath much to ihispurpofe, that in all mat- ters maximi momentiM generall concernment, a s in cenfurcs, vo- ting, chcofing of Officers .tdk'mg in, catting out, or in what things fo ever concern the whole, why they are to bee done in the whole Ajfembly, or Church meeting, by the au» thority of the whole Church, without any one debarred of their liberty; and if there be any one ( fayeshee) that have Ch a p .8. Womens right proved by learned Writers. 5*7 Rutherford right of Prest,1 Whitta\t have any thing to offer or to cbjeft; that foe (or Jhee ) have //£m_y to bring it in, and fo after that,, matters to be cor.c'udfd by e/- crffi/tf, Cyprian, Jerome, AnguftinyNazianzen0 Ambrofe^Chry- foflome^ Theodont, Ihecphylatt, who all require that Church affaires be executed plebeconfenti-ente, by the confent of all, i» e> everyone without refpeft of per fons. So Dr. JVhitaker,de con^ cil.q.<$. p. 179. &.de?ontif. Rom 9.9. 1. c. i.Sett.i. and in feverall others, fayes enough to confirm us, both of dthbusi-.ci. Churches and- Members, that omnes pares i?il.erfe juris effent,\ they were all equall among themfelves in primitive times, without refpecl: of perfons, Jam.ii. So Dr. Sibsln his J>r« Sibs an 1^ Breathing after God, pag. ^4. compares the particular vifible j dependenr^and Churches to Gods Tabernade in P^w^r time, every of which ! ^°rFa^^fs particular Church he cals a feverall Church J^^^/^^t ? worVlndcp^n- And as for the Church of England, it's called (fayes he) a (dentin his d£ particular Church, from other Nations, becaufe it is under a ccefanxryzU, Government Civill, which is not dependent on any other | P-l3- printed forain Prince, and in every one of thefe particular Churches, the members are without fuperiority, all ma- king one brotherhood, {or par in par em non habet imperium- So fayes Mr. Jacob in his alteftation, (and proves it by many others moft eminent in Primitive times and Ancient Writers) who fayes that all affaires of government or order which concerne the whole are to be by the unani- mous vote and confent of the whole ; read the Magdebur- genfes in 2 . Cent, chap . 7 •. de Conficiatione Ecclfiarum* Si quit, (fayesj i6lit JtCoik 468 Women* right proved by learned writers Lib. II. Magdcburgeti- ps very dear in ir. Cyprian. Cotton's An- fwer to Bail) an4 Rutherford* Dr. irillct's Sjnepp. Women prea- ched. Councell of Carthage, TtrtkViM. (fay they)pr obatos authores hujut Seculi pirfpiciat3 &c. If a man but fezrch the Authenticl^Authors lot this age; he fhall fee the form of government was like a Democracy ; For every flngle Church had equall power of Vocendi, adminiftrandi9 excommunicandi>eligendi)Vocandi, 'ordinandi^ &c. And every member hath a.fufra^e or wire. So Cyprian Epiftolarum.epift.i i . //£. 3 . eft ft. $ .lib. i. fpeaks of it fully, and fee Cottons Way of congregationall Churches cleared Fart. i.Seft. 2. So that women are included in the whole. And many others, had I time to fearch, I mould foon findeto bear witnefle with me, of womens (as well as mensj right to vote, offer, objefr, concurre in and confent to all things that con- cern the benefit of the whole body. But more particu- larly I (hall take in Dv.JFillets judgement,, and then prove it by what our difien ting brethren have granted to us of it : If Met in his Synopfts Tapifmi 12. Gen.ContraU. ^4^.572. lends us light enough to end this trifling controveriie,for he tels us of a Heathen Priefts fon converted by a woman, and the Iberi converted by the preaching of a woman, and of their ordinary duty to teach privately (and fome of them extraordinarily called to preach in publickj and yet we allow them not their common liberty [as members. Moreover he tels us of a Canon in the Councel o(Carthage> ^.can. 99. That a woman though never ft holy > and 'learned) was not to preach in publique ( in private as much as (he would) nor to baptize , Can. 100. but never that a weman was forbid to vote, or aske, or objeft or offer any thing which concerned the whole body, for that it is a priviledge which every one ( woman as well as man) hath a right to as a Church-member, and this muft not bedenyedany,norcan it be for the Churches benefit fo to do; and that for fuch reafons as will follow. So Ter I ullian tels us,thatin his time it was not permitted to a woman to teach in the African Churchy nor to baptize ; but he does not deny the liberty which women had in Church-matters > cowr^diffent, or confent according to the liberty of the members of the fubjetts of Chrift. But let us hear what our brethren fay, they allow them liberty to ipeak Ch a p .£. Agree imjthe Eucktrijt and order of it. 4*9 come; but that they muft be fare to come fatting to it,anc/ cat nothing before all., that day, Condi. Conftant. Seff. 13. Bell. lib. 3. de Eucharift. cap. 22. ratian.\. and then they would have every Communicant highly adore ( even cultu latrei^nd worfhif the Hoft:&c.who doth not3isto be accur- fed, trident. Concil.Sejf. 13. can. 6. And they fay even repro- bates that receive the Sacrament, receive the very body and blond of Chrifty Khem. 1 Cor. 1 1 . Sett. 1 6, Now although our Minifters (I fpeakof the violenteft Presbyteriansjdo not altogether agree with them in thefe particulars^ yet they are not far from them. i.For preparation how ear- nestly doe they preffe men to Confejjion of fins, forrowes, legall repentance and thelike3 and bid the people to pre- pare themfelves? whileft we fay the preparations of the heart are of the Lord, Prov. 10. i.Pfal. 10. 17. Etoperafitnt fecundum principium a quo fitrtt ; and they are good as they are of grace; our preparation is to be from Chrift in us our ypifdome, rightecufnetfe, fanftiftcation; we hold with the Or- thodox Proteftants againft the Hetero-dox Papifts, Opinionifts and Jefuites, that we muft have a lively faith who come to this Ordinance, but it is to be the faith of tie Sen of God, Gal. 2.20. and that we muft have true Evan- gelical repentance, (which is for finasfin) but this muft be in Chrift Jefus 5 repent in Chrisl, believe in Chrift for Alls 5.31^32. Chrift was exalted to give repentance for remifpon of fins. So that there is no preparation or qualification by any aft of our own, but all by Chrift in us, and grace teaching us to deny all ungodlinejfe andwordly lufts, titus2. 12, 14. For as Mr. Rogers fayes in his right way to befaved, pag. 54. many miftake and are deceived, whileft they dote for a faith, and a repentance of their own make, and look for forrcething to ground on in themfelves; they are like one that does not fet a young tree, but lets it lye on the ground till he fee what 'twill bear, and then het'l put it in ; fo is it with fuch as would fee their works and their fruits fivik3 and then would to the Ordinances -and to Chrift ; No! get into Chrift, &c. and then fee what fruits, and what workf. This ordinance is a foveraign remedy for a trouhled confid- ence, therefore be fure of faith, 1 Cor. 11-28. 2 Gr. 1 3 . 5. *Ppp for Bclljbid. How they agree. We differ*. Mr. Rogers, Sim* 470 Agree w the Eucharijl and order of it. h i s .!!■ So D.VB.tfccne lit. 4. c 14 fjtffc. 3.. We cKlTent trom Presby- terians difor- derly giving, the Sacrament, CI- kov according to your faith Jo be it i and this alfo Proteftancs (in' Synoffis) at firm to be iufheient. But further whereas they make this ordinance of great ufe,to ftrengthen their faith, and preferve them again ft fin and temptations/it is true; land yetwegoc farther, and affirm it more, viz* to give nouriftiment and growth to Chriftians too, to in create in faith, love, and grace, and is therefore to be often 5 as one of the ftanding difhes in the Church to be often renewed; las a daily dyet> A%s 2. 42, 46. therefore are there fuch ele- ments, aslignifieto refrefh, derifh0 qwekfr) firengthen^ fu- l/fai/ie, and nourtfb, and fat is fie , ^.4.14. 8^7. 37. How ..Wediffenr. I many (in the next place) put themfelves and others upon failing that day before they receive, and ftill re- tain this Popifh invention, which we account a meere foppery 5 for any man may eat if he will before, as ap- I pear?, 1 Cot. 11.34- if an? be hungry-let him eat at home 5 and befides we know Chrift and his Difciples partaked of this Ordinance together prefently after they had eaten ztfup* per. But ivhereas the Presbyterians take all to it, that have thofe legal qualifications before hinted, wecannot but declare againft it asdiforderly and unwarrantable,as we have proved in the firil book before, and we wonder' in what one Scripture they can finde that ever any out of Church- fellowship did takeit or durft give k, grant they were everfo holy Christians and VifcipleSy yet they were not to fit down at this 7able9 till in Gofyel-fefowfhip together, and in Chrifts Church way: For Chrift had 70 Vifcipler, as profeffor s of Chrift , and Preachers too, Luke 10. 1. be/ideshis twelve, yet none but his twelve in fellorrfhip with him, di ftinft from the world and in commu* nion together by themfelves th3t/tf/ down with him at this Ordinance, and read Atts 2. 42. Ads 20. 7. 1 Cor. 11.18, 23,, 24, &c. or. any ether Scripture about it, and you (hall Hnde; that never any had it but the Churches , thus in fell w (hip 5 and that it was left by Chrift in the Church^or the Churchy and for none elfe that are without, as. f not Mxfrft long fince proved outof Lukg 14. 23* where wefindethe Lords commiffion to his fervants is to call and bring the hungry needy, lame^ blinde, pore, into his houfe> (hh Churchy Ephef Chap.?. Agretmtnt in)OrdiiiAnce caVd Lords Suffer. 471 E?tef.2.u!t.) where the fea ft is, vizXhnft, 8cc difhed one 1 in his Ordinances in fpecial nunncr, ami there the Jr«rj> 2Cor.6.i6} 17. Jer. 15.19, Etzckk.22*26. which twenty and twenty Scriptures more doe prove; chis is a truth, maugre that malicious and fpurious frog-like froth, which appears in the Pam- j phlet entituled, a Taft of the Doctrine cf Thomas Apofilesi \ againft this infallible truth which will live when that lies I (where it beft agrees) in dm^\ penned by a furious-pa- j ted Jefuitick Presbyter : (it not worfe) hard by, and wel j c.of S«//c<- known for fcandall and malignancy which hath outed \hithc%Uait him elfewhere; but 1 wifh that he or any of his adhe- , rents would bring the?r works to light as we doe, elfe! we muftcondemne them.J^rt 3. 19, 20. as fay they are de- j ceivers and falfe- teachers; For they do what , they have'; neither precept nor pa^iie for, nor one Scripture to wan ant; and I inftance in this, of their giving the Lards] Supper contrary to all rule, and Religion,, yeareafon it I ielt; And we fay that they are none ot the Lords Minifie r$ m that point that dare doe it. But furthermore, what a! deal ot folly do fome otthem learn the people ?to adore^i (and I think I may fay Idolize) thefjrm, to fall down' before it and to keep devoutly on their knees, and to- fir, or kneel, or ftandadiftance from it, whileft they alone ; are at the table, unleile they have others to wait on! them. From all which we client, whileftwc a(Tert the} people ftoujd-fit upclofe to the table about, and about;] and dr^w nigh with hearts fxe* \ Vfalm 577- upon ike Lord\ 4' ^&^* , ly faiths as much as may be in the manner of afeaft , and ] -as much as maybe without outward veneraton or ado*/ ration a$ to the jon??,but by forth full of inwardj For ChrijTv body vifibly prefent among the brethren , his piftifleS} was! "*Ppp 2 DOt, 4/3 Rom. lo, 17. 5,Wcdii?cnr, Bradford. 6. Diffcnt. Vide Ho1 ken ch. a. 7 Weclhfenr. Many1 igno- rant of the or- dinance of breaking i>read. Their Agreement about the L ords Suyper. L 1 b . 1 1. not,nor was it to be worshipped; fo now there isno neceffi. ty of it,nay there is a neceflky of none of it3becaufc it is not of faith, (as the Proteftants anfwer to the Papifts, 1 3 Con* trov. §!^9) Now what is nutof faith is Jin, Rom. 14. 23 . and faith comes by hearing the Word', but no wherein the Word are ye taught to doe this, but to fit about it, and to re- ceive (by faith) orderly and holily ; So that were it no offence to the Church, or to any of the confeienthus bre- thren ; one might as lawfully receive it with their hat on as off, fo he be a worfhipper in fpirit and truth) John 4.23,24. but we fhall handle thefe ( if God fee it good ) in the next book. Again;, foine of them have avouched every one to have had Chrift that had this Sacrament, and have drun\ and eat their own damnation : which is too Po- pifh, for the Proteftants protefted againftit, Sjnopf: 13. Cont:§>. 10. fo doe we, and fay that unworthy receivers have nude themfelves guilty of judgement (»?/«*) thereby ; but they did not partake of Chrift;, for then they eat and drin\ Salvation', for as holy Bradford anfwered Harpsfie!d9 Eox 1 6 15. Chrifts body is no dead carkgffe, but he that re- ceiveth it receiveth the Spirit, and that is not without grace. Moreover we differ from them in that we accor* I ding to the pattern, Matth:26. 26, 27.8cl«%22. fet us, [ doe feek a diflintt bleflin^ to the difiinft farts of the Ordi- nance, firft to the bead, according to the firfi injlitution ; Chrift tookg the bread and hleffed it, (diftin&ly) and then after that was done and delivered, after the fame manner Chrift toohf the cup andblefed it, i.e. Ji/fctffl/y, not both to- gether, as the Papifts now do (and then give onefor^both); and the firft the Presbyterians and other Miniftersdo; which we account an error in them, that mould be refor- med,3nd we differ from them in their cutting the bread9 and fo in diftributing it, which deftroyes the nature of an or dim nmce of brealqn/, bread, Ads 2.42,46. Alls 20. 7. as it h properly called in Scripture ; feeing they who will have fome of their humane inventions in it, and will be med- ling (though not mending) doe fliceor cut it ready to be given about; but this ordinance (of mans make and mixture) I confefle the poare people have had^ and been gull'd C fl a p 9. Their agreement about neceflity of works. 473 guH*d wich tor many a year 3 whileft they are kept and continued in ignorance fas to the Ordinance of Chri/r} to the Ordinance of breaking breads and feoff e at it, not knowing what it is: Thus the poore people fas Jong as they are without.) are caged up under Antichriftian dark- neffe and difcip line. 4. The Presbyterians and Taflfts agree much about their Voftrine of works, which I fball irtftance in fome particulars j As firft, of the necejjity of good workgs : The Papifts fay, that good worlds are nee effary to Salvation, not onely neceffiiate fu- JentU , but efficiently as efficient caujes together with faith, of our flvation, Bellarm: lb: 6. de jufuficat: cap:j The Presbyterians (I mean the rigid amongft them) have affirmed^ and yet doe the like neceffity of good .worses , to qualirie us and prepare us for Chrisl, viz: repentance,tears. eonteflion of fins, &c. But wedirlent from both, and fay with Mr. Roger j, in his Right way to be faved, pag: 54. there be no works of ours which prepare us for Chrift 3 and fuchas look for fomething to ground on in them- felves, miftake groflely and are loft -, Like one that does not fe^ the young tree, but lets it lye on the ground till he fees what fruits twill bear fas we faid before J Ono ! but let it firft be rooted and grounded and then you (hall {ee what fruits; fo muft you be grounded in Chrift, and then bring forth fruits and workes from Ghrift : then your repentance is in Chrift, ^d?/ 5. 31, 32. your faith in Chrift, Col: 2. 20. which is the work of God, John 5. Fac Chrifii opera, &c. fay es^ Bernard in Pafckal: Serm:2. Doc Chrift \s worses-, good wwktf we gran t , b ut n 0 1 as ou r o wn e , but asC£ri/r/3 for as Augusline on. John 15.5. fay es, five fa rum, five mul turn, firje ilk fieri non pot eft ,in'l raft'- 82. nothing little or much can be done without Chrift^ for Phil: 2.13 & 4. 13. he worketh in you both to will and to doe : Eft dew in nobis, agitante calefcirnus illo : and I can doe all things through Chrift that firengtheneth me, fayes the Apoftle;an.d in this fenfe is that negative ajferlion of Dr. Twiffe's, quod horn ni- hil bonijmt mfi dens in illo effdat ut facial : Therefore we muft not be puzzled and perplexed about works f de trfiro) of our owne to fit us for Chrift; for whileft men *Ppp 3 think4 1. In the ne- cefficyofwoiks to ialvarion they agree in difcourle late- ly with one Craft cn> thac preacher at Garlic^hithe, (a violent Co- met)\vith fomc others. We differ. Mr. Rogers. Sim. Bernard. Auptdin, Mr. Ec I; on ... Mr. Perkins. 474 Agree A en thefcrmallcaufe offaftificAtien. Li b .II. thniK thiy rouit doe iomethmg cnenuelvesj, oreUechey | cannot be juftitied, and doe nothing for it, or in it, but \one\y .believe, and whileft they think God cannot buc j approve of their worlds and accept of theh fervices, they run I a great hazare with the Papifts^i Sam.\6.j.?faL6i p.andare | with perplexible anxiety oi Jfirii fpytng out iovgood workj of !. i heir own nuke, while ft the A pottle (ayes,Epbef:2.io.weare \ alibis workrnanfhip in Chriftjefut3ard teis us plainly ourwjy \ wjrkj arifefrom thUnew creation Jor that no flefh might boaft i in his light 5 feeing Chrift is not ours, ("therefore falva- I tion is not ours J by any aft of ours but of God in us,and of j grace teaching us, Tim- 2\ i> 1 3 . within ; hence is vocation^ 1 lim. 1 9 .Santlification, 2 Thef. 213 .faith Jove repentances Rom< 2.4 every good 'wo nkgiEze)^^. 27 .zv deverlafiing UfeJ!Lom.6.2$* all given by grace -Therefore no good works of ours cjualificus for any ot thefe^thus fayes Mr.PertyW3UponGrfArt.pag.159. rhe Gofpel offers and gives life freely without any condition of works*-* an^ requires nothing but receiving. Objetl. Yes on condition of faith. Anfiv. Faith (faith he) is menti- oned in the manner of a, condition, but it 1$ offree grace and the mcer gift of God, as well as life et email. So that Faith brings forth worses, but not works* faith; for go:d waksf (fayes one) followes Chrift in us by faith, as the fruits of the tree follow the growing and grounding of it: a wo- man firft is marryed then conceives, then brings forth, or elfethe children are illegitimates and foartthjft works illegitimate, which flow not from the cori'uncliou and cw ception of ChriSf in the heart: butifthej be btfore, wee may blufhat the fight of them, and beafhamed of them, and cannot boaft of any creditor comfort o{them',Q(erafwi fe- I cundum princMum a quo fwit \ an d t i 1 1 G h r ift be in w we fay our beft works are but dead worlds >two wayes, 1. effective, as fin, z, privative, v/nhoutgrttce or the Spirit of 'G^ds working, But furthermore, in the formal caufe of juftirkation, the Papifts affirm an inhereht right eoufneffe in us, to make com- pleat the -formality of iuftification, trident- concii feff. d. Can, i\.Rbemi3-Bom.2.. Se8 4. Bel lii?.2.dejnfiifcap. 3. ma- ny Clergy men (unguibus&dentibm') doe cvv up an inhe* rent righttoufneffe too to make up compleat juftificatian , which Sim* Sim. r~g* "*• In rhe for Wall caufe of juftificarioa they agree. We diiTenc. Chap. 0. Agreed en the formaUcAufe of tfujt ideation. 475 which we deny and abhor, allowing the a [on :rigbte>jufnefft of Chnfi to jnfiifie us before God , and fully able to doe it without any addition of ours, or any inherent qualification) as to thutSee Bom. 8. 2. Lom.$.ly6.Rc?n. 5. 24. 2 Cor. 5.21* Thil. 3.9. tor Chrift' s right eoujnejfe alone hath fulfilled the Law, which is ours by imputation for our juftification> Rom. 8. 4 .be- ing abfolutely jufifi.d, 8c by that Chrift's righteoufnejfe alone; as our good workes doe not juftifieus any thing, fo our evil! trorkes doe not unjuftifie us ; and fo it is' the weakfft Saint is as abfolutely rigrteous in the fight of God^and as ful- ly juftifkd fin the rigkteoufneffe of another) as the firoUgeft, And as molt of the eminent Presbyterian rare (now come in to be) one with us in this point, fo fame of thePopifh-fpe- ciall CI ar.pions upon a parley have laid down their arms, and doe join iffue with us hcrsin^as Tighim dejitfe*& jujVfic Cent 2.p. 45- who grants that we have no other righteoufieffe to reft upon then that which (Chiifiusimputat nobis fine oper;- bus noflris) Chrift imputes to us without works,fo Vatablus in ?falm.\%.2'$. and the Author of Jnlididcg. Colomenfi as Bell. conielfes, &c. befides aboundance of famous wi iters, which prove it at large. Now left I mould be mifcon- ftrued by Criticks, know that weafhrman inherent righ- teoufneffe wrought by the Sprit in all fuch as are )ufiified by faith in Chrift-, but we fay that it is rather a fanUification \ or the fruit and effect of juftification, then any wayes, to be accounted ot m juftifieation\ which altogether con fifts in the rigkteou-ne ffe of Chrift which is ours by hnputa:i)t\ And to make this more diftinftand clear, the imputative righ teoufneffe of Chrift is taken into three parts, for be fides his effential right ecufnejfe or ferfonal, which we account not communicable to us; ytt there is rirft an habitual riMe- oufieffe of Chrift in our ■hearth an^ 2. hhattualrighteoufnefe in doing the Law, and 3. hhpaflivem fuffering thepunilh nienr, all which three are imputed to us; But, 3.. As the Jefuites and ?atij\s\ci old ( to inftanee in Betiar. lib. ^.dejufiifc^. initio) were not a (named to (lander Pro- teftants of old for enemies to the Law ;;as that Mofes with with hhJfccaioguethly mould fay belonged not to trurr^ and that they pleaded for Chriflkn liberty from obedi- ence Vide Cradoc\ on Gofpcl-feo- lineifc, on Rom. 8. 4. Serm.x. cal'd Mount Sion% ■a In what fenfe inherent rigfci teoufncile in us. £e'^ annoi, Ro^.f. 17. & Rom.8. 13, Imputative rightcoufnefle- how taken, 3 They agre« in fhndring Saints, 3s cal- ling them Aii^ tinomUns* 47* Agreement in pint of'$ujlific&tto». L i s . 1 1. t3- Mr. Bolton. tia jnvat. How we ate under the Law, (re. of life. Dr. Prefton on new Cove- nant, ence and fubje&ion to the Law : So now the red-hot fpiii" tedmen and Mini fters ofourage,the rigid Presbyters pur- fue the fame invectives againft us, and in their Pulpits and Pamphlets exclaim againft us for Antinomians , and would explode out the fweetdo&rineof/m'grrfceas tending to libertinifm, and that we are again ft the' Law-, andene?nies to Mofes, therefore Antinomians, 8cc. In which they with the Papifts of old will be found to fight fometimes with their owne fhadows of their own make, and at other times with God again ft grate. With their own fhade3whileft our Gochwill witnefle for*fus (when they {hall be afhamedj Ifa. 66. 5. that we deny not the Law, but that Chrift came to fulfill it, Matth. 5. 17. for us, and muf3 and we in Chrift doe it and not deny it. Mr.Bolton fpeaks for us in his Bounds of true Chriftanfreedome, pag.74. when he fayes, wee are freed from the Law, (the letter that killeth)4f given by Mofes, and are tycdto the Law{pf life that quickgeth') as given by Chrift , and from thrifts bands, &c. we are free from Antinomianifm then5unlene Dr. Prefton were one, who affirmed that the Law cannot con- vert ( on*s New Covenant, p. 347.^ and faics hc,(hould I preach to you the ten Commandements again and again, it would be long enough ere you could kgtf them, therefore Gal. 3-2. It is not by them, that thou wilt come to be a new creature, but by the Co- venant of 'grace ■, Heb. 8- 1 4. that New Covenant made in Chrift, that I muft preach to finners : So that thofe enemies that fight againft this do&rine of free grace will be found figh- ters againft God, and Chrift, and the fweeteft and fafeft do- ctrine of Salvation : fo fayesDr. Sibs inhh Excellency of the Goffel abovethe Law, pag. 241. wherefore let us vindxate this do&rine fayes he, and not fear the reproaches of men : and to impofea period to this, hear what Mr. Ga- takfr fayes in his Book called Gods Eye, &c. to the Reader, Dr. Sibs. Mr. Gather. 4, Agree too much about the end of fa-vifig God. pag. 10. Note3 fayes he, that men* of learning and found judgement, doe not cry out O Ant'momianifm I upon the Doctrine of free grace, but doe acknowledge it. Though many do as the proud ?harifees,cry out away with him,heV a friend to Publicans and finners, and he fayes that Harlots and Adulterers (hall inherit the Kingdom e of Godbdortihtm. 4. The Papifts affirm and therefore preach and prefle works Ch a p . 9. Agreement in $r effing works for fear of Bell. 477 P Sim* Sim, workes, duties, &c. for fearof hell, andfor hope of hea- ven, Rbemifl on Heb 1 1. 26. and on/>. 4, 5Wr. 6 fo many poore purblind Miniilers would put the people on du- ties madly without fear or wit, fo they be doing; and urge thefe on the fairies of He!l, for fear of 'damnation ♦, roar- ing out with fire and lightning abouttheir eares to flight them and fcare them., and there to leave them ! O! this is fad! For fuppofe a man in the Thames were almoft drowned, and havinghis head yet above water , butready to link, cryed out for help, if a man that might help him with an Oar, or fo, fhould brain him, and roughly knock him down, and drown him quite, would we not fay that this were accur fed cruelty 1 and I pray what doe they lefJc, that can fay little elfe but Hell and damnation to fuch as are afflicted? defpairing, finking, Sec. but to brain them quite? Wefinde David to deftroy the Amaletye, in 2 Sam. 1. that flew Saul, though Saul was in danger of his life, and little hopes of his efcapc, and his enemies were upon him, and required the man to kill him, and was in deadly anguifh ; yet David did give order to one of his young men to kill him, and why ? but becaufe the Amale'klte fhould not have kiPd him right out , though hee was wounded, and in danger, and not like to efcape^yet hee fhou!d have done his devoire, and beft to have comforted Sau!> and to have encouraged and recovered him, and! to have bound up his wounds, and blowneuphisj hopes, and have helped him what lie could ; So ought j Minijlers with poor wounded fouls though fadly afflifted, \ and have little hopes of their recovery • yet muft they life j the meanes to binde up thebrohfyto pour in wine and Ode j into the wounds* comfort them with the prcmifes on the; account offreegrace,to apply Scriptures to hold out Jefus of\ Nazareth,cven a crucified bleffedGhrift to their finks 5 and not ! to makefo quick a difpatch of them as to throw themj quite into the gulfe of defiair \ and if they fhould reco~! ver them by that meanes oncly. Why what would this j vVc J I doe but to make them ferve God for fear of HelUnddam- \ nation, meerly rand what doth this but make men Hypocrites? J Now we grant afilial fear, Prov^,y, but this is a fervlle1 H©wan4 tx whom hell preached. TindalL r^ Sim. 5. Agree about the merit of their works in fomcihing. W* differ, Agretmcnt in prefjhg works for reward. L i b .II. and flavifh fearc of Hell and damnation, and Auguft'meoxx ?]al. 1 27 fayeSj it differs from true fear, as the adulterous wife does from the chaft.chey both^w their husbands ( fedcafta ti- met ne vir difcedat, fed adulter a neveniat) but the ch aft wife is a fraid left her husband fhould depart; but the *dulte,*Jfe is afraid left he fhould come^ &c. Yea moreover we grant the terror of the Law to be ufefull to uncalled hard -hearted infolent finners ; but not to tender broken hearted finners^ wounded fpirits3 or the like : but the promises and com- forts are for them; and not to bring them toferve God* or the like, for fear of Hell ; for as Origenfayes on Matt, trad,. 33. Matth. 25. 24. I fyew thou waft an hard n:an, and therefore I was afraid. This fear is not good, nor de- livers us from funifhment, Co faid Mr. 7)ndaUManyr, Fox, fag. 1253. Thepeople of thrift do willingly hear and fol- low him3 not for fear of the Law, but they are led by love and allured by liberty of grace, &c. Neither is it out of love to heaven, (as fomc Miniflers prefie worths popifhly ) for we ought principally to eye the glory of God above our own falvat ion, iFei. 2. 9. for as Mr. 1'yndall fay e s p. 1255. they that for fear of hell, or pyes of Heaven, doe a. duty , orwork3dce aconftrained fervice3 as hired men,or waged femnjSv which God will not have us doe but as chil- dren. Laftly, The Papifts affirme a twofold merit of workes, i.meriturn decongrw, 2 meritum de condigno; 1. of congruity, 2, of condigwty and defert, Rhenift.Rom.2.Se&. 3. thefirftkinde oi'mern moft Minifters afTert5i>/£. thofe that call for pepara- tive workes before juftification and qualifying worses for Chrift', This was coined in the P^x Conclave, as that it doth agree with his juftice zr\& truth to give reward to fuch workes. From which wee diffent, but with this Provifi, that we doe not dif- own a gracious congruity^ though we doe a meritorious congruity:, we grant that in refpe& of fuch and Cuchpromifer which God hath freely made us in Chriff, that fay it agrees with his Word, 8tc. to doe thus and thus, as to pardon the penitent : anfwer fuch as osl^ and feek ; fathfie fuch as hunger and thirft\ but then this congruity is grounded on free grace, and Gods love^nd not (at Ch a p .9. Agreem, about meritorious congrttity of works. .479 Sim, Sim, 13 fit all)on our WQrkfS b for all is of freegr ace yz.nd nothing of meriuThe Papifts finding workf toolight in the ballance,wi I have our Ladies b°.ads put into their St. Michaels /coals to makeweight; and in parallel to this how many Mini- fters that in lift have teares3and call for them as duely as the Papifts doe for beads, to help gooddeeds to weigh down > But alas / all worlds, beads, and tears weigh too light, and are little worth till Chrift comes, and faith be put in for allowance, Chrift inns will foon turn the fcale for us: For he is the weight of glory. We fay, the eye muft have the faculty of feeing before it can fee ; and fo the ear of hearing before it can hear-, So we firft have infufed habits before we exercife the operation of them, and as the wheel doth not run round that it may bt made round; neither are we firft to aft whereby we may be fitted and formed3but firft formed and famioned by the Spirit of Chrift whereby we. gift.- 3. They agree ftifc. 1. In 1 heir ac- count and or- dinal ion of Ministers. We differ. They agree fcan.d.« Ztnd. r^> againft the truths to make it odiom in all ages. LalUy,I might tfcew how Fa fifis and Presbyterians agree in giving power to Magilhates as civill MagiitrateSjOver iihcCJ:* vvasthe Church ; and to conftitute Sy?iodsy make j kites tor 1 he Church, punilh offenders, nuirther Hereticly, Sec. from all which wt differ and have deel .red ic at large,//£. 1. 1. rib 13 .'.-■ .i.eh. 2. But lattly, The Preset-rum and Papifis are too nigh one ; another in pra&iie too, as well as in doftrine and difci- pline, which lihall inilancein iome few particulars; lor I have not undertaken a rr<*9 to (hew their agreement ; but on- ly a tcfiimony or two to prove the /r/rt/.? of it, how near the daughter looks like the mother under difciplint, dotlrineand fjfor truths fikg iniUncing in iome tew things, though I might produce many tor one, yet a few are enough for proof. And now for their praUife, firft as to their Minifters. 1 . Concerning their Ordination^whax it is. 2. By whom it is. 3. In what order it is. 1 . For ordination what it is; the Papifts call it a Sacrament^ lrident.concn.feff.2$. Bell.cap. 8. lib. de facram. ordinis, can.?,. The Fresby.erianscaW it a folemn inauguration of a peribn into the MinifteriaU or facredfundicn fas they call it J by imfofition of bands. From both we dinentjand aflert Ordination to be a tolemn letting apart oi\\ brother chofen by theC/;«rc/?3and approv'd of as fitly qualified for this or thatqjrc*,where- into he is now let apart by prayer. The Tapifts make impefi>- iion of kards the materialman of ordination, and to beeilential!, Tetriis a Soto Zee?. 5. de or din. So Hcfius confejf. Polonic-c* 50. So BelLcaf.g. So the Presbyterians tooth and nail cry upa»t>- ceffity of imfofition of hands-, as if no ordination without it, Kutleif.ch. 1 f.ch. i S.and the Libeller (before mentioned that writ the Taji otTho. jifoftlesVotlrine) cals the denying of imfofition of hands the denying of ordination, in f . 3 . ; where- as Mv.Crafton that preaches on Garlith^hithe hath moft falfly affirmed that I delivered ordination not worth di/puting or time to fpeak of, (as in the Pamphlet) it was proved to his face a forgery of his own bufie brain, and that imfofition of hands (which fome called manumiffion) was the word which I Ifaid I would not meddle with as effentiall to ordination^ net Ca AP.9, They agree in Praci'tfe. 481 not worth difputing about or fpending time upon, being a ceremony^ but not neceffary, for I fufficiently proved cr-' dination that day (as erelong will appear to the world) viz. a fetting a part fuch aswereduly qualified (which 1 pro- ved at large^) into an office of Gof[el-injfiimiony Fpb. 4. 1 1, having the Churches election, approbation, prayers, and ac- ceptationyAtt.14.-25. Aft. 6. 3. Gal 4.. 14.. 1 Iheff.^. 12, 13. which Mr. Crafton could not deny before many witnelfes, notwithstanding his fatanicall accufaticn, not befeeming any Minifter of this town fas I know of ) that is: look'd up- on 5 only himfelf who is fto the grief of many godly men and -Min ifters) known too well (for one of his profeffion, and to the fcandall of the Mmifiery) for his hot furious per- fecting fpirit,and raoft uncbrijiian^uncWill prattifes and" malignamy in many places, as at New-caftle> in Chrfhire> and at Kenburyj being by the truly godly look'd upon fas he is at this day^) to be a crafty one) and a violent enemy both to Church and State : but the Lord hath andyet willrebukg his fpirit, I hope, for good at the great day, for truly I pity him, and more fuch as are feduccd and deluded by him, againft the truth. But before many I offered him the chal- lenge, yea the advantage of (rating the qxefiicn himfelf fto prove imposition of hands no rnateriall or effentiall part of crdi- /w/iwjwhich he Popifbly aflertssbut with words, not with arguments : and further, I offer'd him fairly to prove'fand yet do h) that his ordination which he makes to lye in the haying on of hands is Antichnftian and fucceffive from the Tope, which I entreat him to accept of, or el fe to lay down his boafting and belching oik this againft the truth and the friends of it. For we affirm impcfnion of hands to fignifie nothing as to the effenc-eoi or dination > for though it may be ufed,yetitisbuta ceremony^uot as effentiall that it muft be ufed. So the Proteftants ^accounted tfr/W^J have unani- mously declared againft thePapifis-, Synopf i6*controv. q.2 and DrXartwright in1 s Eeclefiafiicall polity > declares plainly, that by laying on of hands in primitive times they did ufe to prefenttheperfonfo fet apart to God, for his gifts and graces to qualifiethem for their offices, and that this was their generall end. Whence Mr. Hooker kr*$ Survey of Vifci- *Qilcl 3 ftoe «a We differ*. Laying on of hands is a needlefie cere* mony. Bucer, So Aug. de Bap i. lib 3 £.16. Aufiin. 482 f.resb.and Papijls too dike in ordination ofUin^'Liz .II. fline9 fart* -? . ch, 2. argues thence,that itnpofltion of hands can- j not be laid to be zfpecj floating tf#,as to give one the edenti* I als of mofficer. Ttias eminent Bucer }de Gubern. Eccleff. 337. Cms, Mams im^ofltio quid eft, nifioratio \uper horn'memS What is this laying on of hands, but spraying ore the per/on to be fet apart? We read, <&Att.6:&c that after they had prayed they laid their hands on them, not before they prayed, nor in the time of prayer, as the Presbyterians do,but after ; and it was ufed (fome (ay) rather in way of bleffing of them, fas Chrift bleffied the little children by laying on his hands y and fo thejfc^) then in a way of fetting them apart to nn office. Ghryfoftome on 1 T/w 3. calsit plainly ferme nihil, a. nothing. And iaies Aug.lib.^c. J 6. Ordinare> quid eft aliud nifi orare? to ordain, what is it but fet apart by prayer**. Hear but the Confeffion of Bohemia, ch. 14. Harm.feft. 1 1 . p. 3 56. They may ufe fome feemly and indifferent ceremonies^ which are no waies neceflary ; fuch -as to lay on hands, to reach out the right hand (XH&™*v ) or elfethey omit them, fay they. The like we have in theconfeflion o(lVittenbeg,Herm.fec.ij. art. 3 5 . who fay impofition of hands is but an indiferni ceremmy and not alwaies necejjary. For there is no precept for it and the pra&ife of it was extraordinary and fignificant 5 yet not alwaies[ufed ; Chrift ufed it not when he fent forth his Difciples to preach ; nor gave it in commiflion to his Apoftles, nor have they enjoyned it to bezpraUifefor fuc- ceedingages. And Matthias was chofen in Judas's room without it. But to conclude, Bolanus, Tilenm, Calvin him- felf with many others fay it is not necenraryDbutacemw?/)'. 2. By whom ordination is to be difpenfed. The Papifts fay by their Bifhops, or elfe that they are not ordained, Bell, de Jacram: ordinif, cap. 11. So faid our Epifcopalians, the power of ordaining!* done in the Bifhops (who were rather apofcopi quam epifcopi) but thatControverfle is ended as to the hand of a Bifhop to fet apart -, for (as Cartwright laies) in primitive times there wasmore then one to fet apart, i4#. rs» %. Who have the power of Ordination. This is againft the Councell ©f Carthage, Cm.zi. 13.153. Att.6.6. the frophets and Teachers fet apart Paul and Barnabas at Antioch. O the abominable blafphemies ! and wicked fogeries of Bifhops in laying on hands i and faying, receive, thehofy Gh)ft I Eutnow the Presbyterians differ as to Ch a t .9 . Tretk and Papifis agree in Ordination, 483 to that whileft chey give this power to a claflesor compa- ny together in form of a Presby terie : yet in this they agree Wherein the j- with Popery, and Epifcopacy to feat it in a Prelacy, and ; *fcree>we dit- primariiy to fettle it in a Claps: which we deny, for if the Claps be Ecclefia or ta, then the primary andfirft power muft needs be in Ecclefia wide Claps efi^ ortd. We arhrm,that firft of all Chrift had che fole power of $rdaining in him felf, fince that he hath left this power in the Church his Spoufe, and there it is feated : And as Mr. Cotton notes in's Way of congregational! Churches cleared^ fart. 1. p. 96. fell. 2. that in thefecond century of years the government of the Church wasadminifter'd not in a ClafficaU but in a Congre- gational way j and Co in the firft century ; wi tnefle the Magde* burgenfeS} cent.2.ch.j. de confociatione tcclefiarum. Si quit pro- batos authores hit] us feculi perfpiciat> videbit for mam gubernationis propemodum ^(^K^-jiag fimilem fuijfe ; adminifirando facra- menta^ pure verbum dei docendo> excermvunicando H*reticos> Mi' niftros eligendoyvocando} ordi nando & juftiftmas oh caufas iterum deponendoj Conventus & Synodus congregmdo^ &c " If a man c< (fay they) do but fearch theauthentick authors of this cc age, he ffiall eafily fee the form of Church-government to be j rc almoft like a Democracy ; in the pure preaching the GoJpeU, j :< adminiftring the Or^/^wc^cxcommunicating offenders jn &c. So that in thofeages the power was in the Church j yea in the third Century of years, Otf. 3. cap. 7 to ufe the words of the CentmittS) we fhall finde ( almoft) the like form of go- vernment although fomewhat corrupt by ambitior?9 which brought in Antichrift. For we (hall flnde Novatus ex- comnnicate by a councell at Rome under Cornelius, And Sa- mojettenns was thrown out by a Councell at Antioch. So that in thofe dates though corruption got in,in a kind ciAriftc- creep like the Fresbyterian way^zwd after that a kind of Monar- chy by the Fopifh and Epifco{ all way : but even in' thofe days fome were orderly, and fome Churches kept their power, liberty and priviledges ; fo that then was the power of 'Ordina- tion'inthe Church. Cyprian tels us Epifiolarum lib. 1. that then Tvfoops and Church officers were not chofen by a Confiftory of B'fhopi The primary power is in the Church, Cotton, 1, & 2. cent* When Inde- pendency got in, 3. Cent. When Presby* tery came in. When Epifcc* pacy. C)pcian, 4S4 Presb. a%{ Papip agree about Ordination. L i b . XL How MlniOe rs were Or3a«ncd ol'olJ. 'McLinchthon. Yet fervants may ex:ctue this power to her. 3. They agree in the orcter of Ordination. We dilfcnr. Dr. Ames. Bifhops or Tajlors amongic themfelves fas is now in Gaffes ) but as they received It from the Apoftles, Co they held it for the orderly celebration of Ordination ; the Bifhcp or PaHor is chofen in the/>;-^v?ce ofthe people, as-was in the Ordination of our fellow Mi nifter £#£//»#, hisofljev was put upon him by the faff, age of ihcwhc'e Brotherhood, and by the jud^c of other pjfurs prefent ; fo in Epift.4. the people fearing God andobedient to the.L.?a?j and Ordinances of Chrift have the/wer of chooling worthy Idmfieff* and of refilling the unworthy : fo in E^:/?. 3 . he faies with much adoe vixplebi ferfuadeo,immo extcrqueo, Mt tales fatiantur admitti, 8cc. do -I perfuade the people, yea and pull h from them that they would admit fuch, eh?, by which he mewes the peoples concurrence', but in lib' 3 . Ep'ift. 1 1 . $£teri cum ingenti populifuffragio recipimus ; yea (faies he ) in Epift. \ 6. Adplebem examinabuntur fwgu!a> prafeniibm & judicautibm vohvs : to the/w/>/ and then Ordination; (all which 1 hope to handle at Jarge in the 3 . Lib. that is to come J this Eleftion is when the Church hath had triall of one, and approves of him, and cboofis him out to bearfuch an Office as being fit for it, which is accompanied with examination and trial!, ( as I faid before) 1 Tim. 3.10. 1 Tim- 5-6. therefore the CWcfc is to choofe, All. 6. Att. 1 . 23. ^#.14. 23. not P^pj Frelate,Claffes^ &c. who is fitteft for her to be Ordained. Now the Election of the Brethren gives theperfon> jus ad rem, right to the O/^c?, and Ordination fas before) /iff itf re right in it. Oh that this order were obferved ! it would be a fmgular means to fill the Church and Nation, with able qualified Go fpel Mini fters; (and to crowd out the /crftfakW) ifnoneelfe (as it ought to be) ! pagarethe were Ordained but fuch as appertained to the Churches of: Gofpcll/md to Chrift,andthofe too approved of in the Churches as godly, I fi and My gifted \ this would tend much to the propagation of the Go/pel ( and this will be and muftbe ere long) and then none can be Hinifters but muff at leaf! be fit to be members ofChrifts Church : befides there would be no begging Min fters then roving abcut for bread. Oh ! that the Parlia- j meat would more owne the Churches as the befr nurferies oiable \ Minifters and Schooles of the Prophets, and fuffer no Ordination] out of the Churches otChrifi, but look on it as Antichriftian abroad. I fpeak not in contempt of Vniverfities (for they are exceedingly ufefull, as I (hall (hew, and I hopetofaiifie any rational! man in the next Book) but that all who are Ordained Miniflers> may firft be found fit to be members of a Church ofChrift ; and then to be orderly Chofe and Ordained within the Church : this would be a bloffmiing bleffin^ indeed ! whichfhallbein dueiirhe however* But before I Jfo/jfr this ] affirme, that as Pofifh Ordination, ("or Ordination Popifhly difpenfed) does not give the effentiall to the outward cv/// of a Miwfler , fo the Presbyterian Ord'nuiim (which I now dif- *R.rr , owue A fpeciall means to pro- and Common- wealth wick all able go.dly Minifters. ~^s 4 86 T/; w agreement in Ordination before Election, h i s .II, owne before God and men, as being in theftepsoi Pofery and Presbyterian Mimfters have not the true ciVeniials to the call of Mi- ni flersot toiritt by their Ordination. They agree, a. About di- ftin&ion. i. Clergy and. Laity. They agree. We differ. Sim. Sim. fucceffively frottl it5 though I was once through dim-figktednefe under it in the very fir ftClaffes that ere was in England^ ( if I miftake not) and touiM into itj fyet I fay J it is Amichufu- an^nd difordertyt as preceding the Election of the people of God,and not giving*/^ cfntials to the call of a true Mini ft er of Chritf, which as it mil ft be by, fo in a Church of Chrift, Aft. 6. 3,5. Ati. 14.23. according to inftitution. ButtheE/^5ic« and Call of ix people rightly in or^r according to ChriWs rule, gives the effentials to an Officer or Mini ft er of Chrifl, and leaves the impreflion ofa trueoutward call upon him . which we hope to have full proof for in the next Booh^, of the Body organic all ; in the'mean time who will may have much fatisfaUion at orefcntby Mr. Hooker in's Survey of Difcipline, - part z-ch. 2.p, 66. but thus far for the firft pointy wherein they agree in praftife. 2. Presbyterians and Papifts are too alike inpratlife too5about VifiinBion and Differences which they make : as, 1. The Papifts make great diftinftion betwixt the Clergy and Laity fas they call them 5 ) Clergy (whichds meant the Lords heritage) they account the fpirituality^or BlackJ3arbe\ and the Laity the Laymen^-whom they will not have to meddle in Church matters at all, Bellar. de clericUlib. 1. c. 1. Rhemenf. 1 P?/. 2. 3. So the Prelates and Epifcopalians kept up the difiin&ion : and fome of the Presbyterians do at this day, and many of them keep up a dijlinftion between themfelves as Minifters and the other people, excluding others from /w- t akjng of their privi ledges, and would have no other dare to touch their faired funUion , or enter their /w//>tf/ upon />#w ofan Anathema ; but putting a difference between them- felves and others as men moreholy for their fun&iom fakg.Bat we deny that diftinttionas Pepifh^and as the feminary of a Maffe of mi fchiefdifcords and decifionswte allow no fuch d'iftinUion nor difference of perfons, 1 Per. 29. J^w. 2. 1. but as an Alderman or Common-counf ell-man differs from the other Citi- zens only in his office, which they have not of themfelves nei- ther^ but only ot the Cities choyce : and as the Speaker of the Houfe of Parliament differs from other members only in hisplace. This affertion the bloud of Martyrs witnefles unto, Chap. p. Presb.andPapiJIs agree about deargy. .< as Walter Brute Fox p. 4.96. col. 2. who fa id Chrift in the Gof- pellated notthe name Saeerdos but Presbyter, that theremight fee no difference between Minifters and the people, unlefle it be to exceed them in knowledge and holy life> ib faid John Lambert? Fox pi 1 1 3. and to this t he Writers of thofe called Reformed Churches agree, averring (in lib. 1. de miff.privat. wogand. p. 1.) that there mould be no difference of perfons amongft xxueChrifians, as fome to be called the Clearly for fpirkuality and inheritance of the Lordjothers the Laity >&c. And Ctf/w// fayes, H* was not to fu iter a Church officer do ftand before him, for iaffri domumcollegiw Piesbyterorumfe effie cegmfcat, let him know that he is in Gods houfe but a /e//oB? and brother, diftinVi 95. //?/ are too alike in their praftife too about Trfte Pap//?/ fay the payment of Tithes is&natw all du- ly and of abfolute neceffity to maintain the Priefls, Rhem.dnnot. Heb.y.Secl.q.. and do not our Minifters, and moft of the Presbyterians profeflefo much? How the noyfe of putting down Titles frights them 'they can't endure to hear of any other maintenance ; this makes them afiert the Orthodox Miniftry will down \£ Tithes down. But we difient and doe (at a great diftance ) difowne this neceffity which they put nyonTithes, and proreft againft them as Popifh in their pra- ftifi herein, fas in the 3- Eoo^may be mentioned at large3 whenwecometo fpeak of P aft or s maintenance') but for pre- Tent to clear this weaffirme with the Proteftants ( againft the Papifts) that the Law of paying Tithes to the Levites was in par t judicial! \\n part ceremonially and in Tome fenfe might be faid to be morall (though in that very hardly. ) FirJt, judicial! in this, that forafmuch as the Levites f though the 13. tribe) were not much lefle in common account then the tenth part) (^f fay not in number of perfons, for the Levites made but 22000. Num, 3. and the reft of the tribes were 603550. Num. 1.) butasar/i^t? they were accounted as the tenthpart, and therefore it was thought fit that the tenth part of the bmhrens goods fhould be allotted them, which being Cm a p .9. fresh . and ?Aptf agree about Tithes \ $9 ei vi 4 Fevers. 2.Tficy were ccamoiuail. being a Judalcali zndpolitic^Law of that Country cannot tic us, Th^y arclctc but is left to the lively and ebfcrethrtof our GwerMn, as a |to li thing Ywill and fohtickj- But 2. 7 itl.es and tentbes V9tr< cere- moniaU as due to the Priefis and Levites for their /fmVf at the ^4/tar : Therefore not to be enjoyned^ but rather abo.ifhed, efpecially when they are a burthen to theferfle, and abufed ' by the Mir.ifters. So that in neither of theie reipe&s can 1 Tithes be challenged as due, or impofed as necejfary But 3 j.Maiirenr.ncc the mor all fart of thim is \he ecuity oi the Lavr^ viz. for the « moralkanU maintenance of the Levites; Co alio there is to be fifficienil muft **■ maintenance and proiifwn to be made for Gvfpell Mimfiers \ ^3 fas was before tor the Levites) and this is perpetually and by j divine right, iTim^.iy,)S. 1 Cor 9 7 .9,10,13,14, &c. Mrt | 30.9,10. Grf/. <5 6,7. Now we arfarme with the re famed Churchss (Co call'd) and P rot eftants of old again ft the Paprfs, thefe three things. 1 . That the Parliament for any other fupreme power over a I he Pailia- Nation) may lawfully /^row <&»w 7/fto, without difhonour mem rmy take to God or hurt to his Church 5 nay with much honour to ' Tithc$away» God, and advantage to h)s Church, ( though difadvantagi- i Yob? ous to tithe- ferverS) and time-feivers> and preaching men-plea- , /m, the thoughts of this beingready to break their hearts, 1 which fail them for fear ) but to fpeak and fpare not ; not j only they may do it, but they muftdoit^when they finde I Tithes abufed, to main taine impiety and impudence, idolatry] and fupcrftition in parochial! preachers; which evill thing; would befupprejfed by paying falaries or ftipends to the able I and godly , and none elfe. To clear this, it appeares plain- ly that it hath ever been lawfull and in pracYife in primitive ages, for the Prince or Supreme power of the Nation to take a- way fuch lands, goods, tfiates or allowance as have main- tain edfuperfth'm and iniquity, which the faid Prince or Power hath converted to a better and fitter life; fee Conflarfiines decree CW. //£. 1 ■ t/M4. leg. 1 . #■ 3 . and fo Theoduf. So in Augufrmcs time the Chrtfian Emperors took away many toft and <#/"- pojfj^edthe Vonatifts. And ^wg. renders this reafon for it Traciat. in Joan. 6. becaufe it is by the law of a Prince, King, or Power of the Nation, that Mimftm are maintained by this or that maintenance, in this or that way, widi thefe or Vnofe * R r r 3 foa/jrj fc^i P-oofei 490 Fresh, and Paftp Agree about Tithes. Li b .II. rfi- Gautim. -; i. Parliament muft allowa c impetency for a Gofpell Miniflry in lieu 0/ Tit Kes, 3.1a fucha w3v as the pcopkconfci to. ^•^iwtimc no Tithes pay- ed as now r#> /dH*/j, et fecund urn )us tyfius pofftdes terrain-) and accoidmg to this .W,orthe 'Nations law do you take maintenance, and enjoy your pffefftons . Wherefore the State does great fer- vice -for God to alter theMimfters ?mtmtenance9ii Tithes do keep up a carnalL covetous Mfmjfry, and maintain ^YWf.idlenefTe, r^t or exceile, let thenuhen fall for Jhame, and the Vepen* dents with diem } for fo the Idle Preifts will be fpoyled ; buc then be fu re they be for better w/£-and ends difpofed of, as belonging to the State 5 though maintenance belongs to the Church* Yet this with a 11, 1 do not drfendfuch as are fo earned: to tumbledown Tithes ior their own eW/andpri- | vate gaines* 2. Weaflirme a competent maintenance, and comfortable allowance to all able GofpeJI Miniflers who live foberly and godly rto be of divine inflitution. Therefore great care muft be had that par men the Minifter* be not as much troubled, diflurbed, difquieted in their fpirits,and forced to fuitcsor wranglings for their Salaries or Stipends, as they have been for their tithes, rates or former maintenance, but fpeciall care mould be had in erecYing their Stipends, that the Minijiets may be wholly given to their Miniflry, 1 Tim- 4. i>$« and that they may receive them without troubles. 3. In as voluntary away as may be (which we aflert mod: futable to Gofyell order :)our Saviour warrants his Vifciples (as Mr. Owen faies in's Efhcol.) to take and eat of thofe things that were had by their confent to whom they freached the Gofpell;, Luke 10 8. fo that the />?0/>/e ought to be free in the maimer of payment or allowance. In Auguftines time vide in Pfal.i4.6- there was no generall law or cuftome in the Church for nation as now is) to pay Tithes- For faies he, Vecimasvis? 8tcwill y ou pay Tithes? the Pharifees did fo,fed tu vix millefimam das, but you fcarce give the thoufandthpart:- Tamm nonreprehendo,velhoc fac^fic fitio, ut adiflas micas gaudeo, here's agood man incked ; where isfuch a Miniiler as faies with u\m,yet fer all that Ifinde no fault, do fo1 frill, for I fo. Mr ft 1 after yonr welfare that I refufe not your very Crums. We fte then in thofe dayes there was no forcing to pay Tithes, for he was content wi th the very crums, the ten hundredth part. So j in Condi Aurelianenfcaf. 1 7. Stent in arbitxio danth eft ut uibu- eret Ch a? .p. Agree in nmes of Days and Months. 491 eret qucdvoluerlt , &c. the words z re, as it is the will of the giver to give what he pleafethy fo if he finde him ftubborn audi obftinate,and froward which receiveth it, it is in hh power j to revoke theg/fj &c. So that the word of God hath laid no j wepjpfyupon T/fte, this lay apparent before the Councellfov other wife they would not have permitted fuch liberty, and have made the maintenance free and voluntary. Thus the j Bohemians have long (Ince profciled their opinion ( artic. 1 5. ) fay they , ffo friefts preach and fay }that men are bound to fay tlem their Tithes ', wherein they fay falfly, for they cannot prove by the j new leftamenl, that our Lord Chrift did command it, and his Vifciples warned no man to dofo, neither did the) themfelves receive them. So among the Mufavites, the Minifters are maintained by certain free contributions, and certain hou\es are ajjigned to them3 and they have no law for Tithes, nor maintenance quo- ad deter minatiomm quantitatU in refpeel: of howmuch:*but thus far for Tithes till the next Bookc 4. Tapifts and Presbyters agree much in their 2\fawex ofafyr/, ("which feemes nothing, but is (indeed) very unfavory and unchriftianjasto nm\z dayes after the Heathenifh Idolaters and cuftomc, from the feven Flanets the feven dayes, Sunday from the Sun, Munday from the Moon, &c. Rhemift. Annot. Apoc.i.Sett.6. But we think (with the Protectants againft the Papifts in Contro.9. ^8. ) this ought to be reformed^ and thefe dayes are better and more Scripiurally (as in Mr. Jeffes Scripture Almanack^) termed, the firft day.; tht fecond, or third, &c. as the Jewes called their J^j from the! Sabbath So other ttogj and names nmft be reformed^ as otj our month s* for Mrfrc7,? is called from M^rx, jf/tfw from Juno, July from Julius, Auguft from Auguflus, January from jtatf«j*. &c. So alfo the names o{ChriftmM,Wcnadmas,CandlemM,ra. andj Hierom. in lib. devefie facer dotal in Job Artturum & Orionemfac. God forbid, faieshe,that thefe names fkould beany longer in Chri- ftians mens mouthes, Abfit utde ore Ckrijiiano fonet, &c. O then that we would reforme! Let young (ludents beware of Hea. thenifh name s and booty, (but for this in the next under the head of yfiverfities)&ndlet us learn our children in thcto- ouagn E^« Exhort. Boh cm. art, * The Lateran Coxiceli was the firft that, confirmed them. Anno, -13 4. They agree in their names of dayes, monthsj Scc3 Synopf, Hierom, 49^ Presb.and Papifts agreee about Churches* Lis.II. 4,Tiiey. I. Jhat in the Churches God is null to be met with.. We di%. Dr. Willtt. P?oofes, TT£* d,jgs}u. V3r guage of Chrift and his word, and no longer in the Ian* guage ottheVragon or the Beaft. I commend fuch as are to J earn this to Mr. Jejffs Scripture Almanack^ ^..Their praGife is much alike about thepublick meeting" boufesxMed both by the Vapifts and Fresb. Churches. Fro, I. As the Ptf/>ij7j and Jefuites do eagerly maintain (theft meetinghoufes^) their Churches to be more holy then any other places, Bell. lib. 3.0^.4. <& SanUU. So do mod Minifters ( fo cal'd) and Presbyterians at this day hold what they can neither prove, nor dare (to them that difcerne) openly owny viz. a fpecialty in their Churches, as if /W/pr then other ^c^, or at leaft as if Gw/ were more prefent and to be found there, and therefore for a world will not rf/te of &$«/£ preaching or the like. From which we difTent* whileft we afh'rme their Churches no better then, then-the ftreets or lames in themfelves, and fo fay all the (Orthodox) Froteftants againft the P^yfr inDc.Wilkfs Synopfis contro.9- §£i6* anfwering all the Jewifh objections which the Fapifts produce {orproofe, as that Solomons Temple wis fo&c. But our Saviour faith under the GoffeU, there is no fuch difference of places to nwr/fc/p in, Job. 4. 2 1 « 7/e tor cowrt/j when ye jhall neither in this mountain?, nor in Jerufilem worfhip my Father -, but ^.'24 in fpirit and in truth : Therefore his mrfhip is not now tied or limited to f/i^ A hujufnodi, Sec. does not doubt of this , that one place is more holy thn another, but for one that is departed from Jewifh fables to : Chaffs dcftrinetofayjojsfirange. Befides, if the f re fence of God, J makes holy \ then markethe promife ( which is not to the />fe?buttothe people) Mat. 1820. Wherefoever it be that twoorthreearegatheredtogelherinmyname,Iam in the middeft of them. \{ example would adde any thing,we have all the pri- mitive prattle for us, both of Chrift praying and preaching onthemount, and the Apoflles in any place, in all places,, from houfe to houfe. Now although we deny not,but that a convenient ufe may be made of thofe Churches, yet there is not a neceffary ufe of them as to the places hlier then any Chap.?. Fresh. andPapijls agree about Churches. 49; any others, or that God is more prefent there.For as Origen hath tirigtn. it, Locum fancfum incorde requhopojitum, &c. I feek a holy place not In the /;?«/$.James,S.Tkomas Apoftleu&c when they profeffe them theirs, and call them by their names as Sainted, and undertake them as fuch : From which we diffent and do declare our rfij/i- iitfattion withTarifh-Churches as fuch,we difown the titles, and them as Temples and Cburches, and we abhor them as confecrated or dedicated nsbtfovcznd affirm further that many Mmifters ap- probations ofthofe Churches, and afpnpriation of them to thern~ felvec, as theirs is not far from that nnnifeft impiety and IdoUvy which appear'd at their hi ft confecration and Chriflning (i\ I may fo fay J of them, and does lead people into too much f apery and foppery about them. It were to be wifhed that their names were left,and loft z\%buryed never more to rife among Chrifiians \ and that thofe places alfo were detejled as to the ufe and end, for whichjandtfrfwe to which they were confecrated. When fu^er- ftitionbegm to grow big, this idolizing of places burgeon'd out alfo3though more anciently they were wont to devote them to Chrifl>zs Conflantine did his Temple at Jerufalem to the Saviour of rterrorld; but afterwards they dedicated them to Saints, which fates holy Lamhert Martyr, Fox\ 1 c8 the very Angels therufelves would not that wre mould dedicate to the honour of them. And (or ilmtzke the confejjion of JFittenb. HarmfcQ 2>p. 46. who fay5i m i.Too ntgh one another a? bout Churches asdedicaced to Saints; We difo Euftb.Lib 4. dev'n.Cenflwt* Lamb?* u Prcsbytetians flair truth out ofdoors. 494 Their agreement about Churches or meeting places. Li s .II. neither do we confecrate Churches or Terrifies to any Saints er Martyr* feeing not they >buti heir God is our God. It will do wel(becaufe ma- ny arc and will be taught by the frecepts of men, which is a fad pajfage, Hof. 5 . in) therefore it would do well that oar Sw.es would declare againft thoie Churches as no Churches, that they might never be eyed or owned more then any other plsces:fur- ther then for conveniencie's fake : fo that as hot violent Minifters might not approve, fo not appropriate them as they do. Bur that they might be left to the liberty of the godly people^ that when the Mit.ifter of the parifh preaches not, any other godly Minifter or brother mightpreach there^s having liberty and aiiowanceas well as the other. Forindeed fome proud fvlf- coneeited, hot fpirited Presbyterians I know, fthat account thefe Churches their own inheritance^ will keep for folely. command J the keyes} and fuffernone to preach but themfelves or of their own feather, gang;, and fancy with them ; and on the week-daks keep the door fo clofethat simoufe may hardly get in3 for fear of too much preaching^which they account dan- gerou-Sjunlcfle on their Pvounds on Sunday : So th*t they \ hreaten to an eft fucli as dare preach in their Vulpits or Chur- ches (as they lay) without their content*. Oh fad '. fuch doings we have in Coun treys yet ! and are forced to preach under hedges or on- mountains (which I have done my felf when we have not had a twig to fhelter us from the rain) But woe be to them ; for they 'have takgn away the k,ey of knowledge, and have not entred in themfelves, and them that were entring in they have hindred, Lukf 1.1 . 52. I hope in time, this will be reformed too5which though it feem a trifle,yet will figniflemuch whileft people have a Popim fancy of finding God there more; then in other houfes, & that the word preached there is better then in private poor fouls they can feek no further. But if thefe places muft be dedicated to Saints, let them be dedicated tothe ufeof Saints living, andfor the Churches ( that are fo indeed J to meet together* Nowto the laft thing I(halname(though f might many)more. Laftlj3 The pracfije of Presbyterians is too ahkg the Tapitfs, in their accurate Scrutiny which they haveof us, to obferve what differences they can findeamongft us3to malce their advantage and outcry again ft us: this is an oldpopifh trick, Bell.lib.q.. ecclef. sap. $* Vow ay -bible, p. 50. of the J efuites inventions, which Cjofpcl-propa- gation by this means. Churches; how to be dedicated to Saints. 6 Apree a- gainil us. i'hey alike do takead vanta- ges at our lints* di faien- ces, .fchifa^s* '&c. as Latimer in epift.adD,Eafl- ton. Ifierome, Ch a p . £. Presbyt.andPapifts agree in noting our differences. 495 as the Papifls had to render the Proteftants odious; fo the rigid brethren the Presbyterians do all they can to make us a re- proach, zn&by fublifhingouv weakpeffes which they fret up from the differences and divifioju that are among the &#«&,& Churches. So Edwards Gangrena: Baily insDiffu afwe: Dc.Eaft- wicJ^ in's Rout : Mr.* Prin in 1 2 Queries, Cum mult is alivs, &c. But we with the good old Protectants and Martyrs muft ac knowledge too many differences among us, and that about forms too jbut we fay that unity is no infallible note or necef- fary mark^oi the Church oiChrisl 5 for as Mr.Bradford faid^Fox Bradford. 1 6 22. the Idolatrous Israelites then might have produced and pre- tended this argument for them* And then, 2. There may be unity where is not uniformity ; and where be differences about fome outward rites, yet all may agree in the thing and the end, Old Latimer {Fox 1750.) proves and alledges Hierome , whofe 'Iranfiation of the Bible caufed diflenfions in a Chriftian congregation, yet faics Hie- rome, Ego in tali of ere mc earum invidentiam pertimefco , nee fcrtytur&veritatem pofcentibus denegabo. In fuch a work as this is* I will neither much fear this envie or fury^ nor yet will I imprifon the truth of the Scriptures, orwitnhold it from them that do earneftJy defire it. But as Bell, did not blufhtofay in lib. 4. deecclef.cap. lo. that an hundred fe- verall feels werefprungup among Proteftants., but that they (of the Roman Church) were one : fo fay our hot An- tagonifts the fame thing for the fame end againft us ; faies Mr. Baily hVsDiffwaJive from the errors of the times. In the third fnamefull abfurdity (as he faies) is found in our way of Independency ; that there be multitudes of errors, dif- fenlions, and fuch like things and perfons ; whofe B eU - tt?i/z Exhortation to wniry to all the Chuc- {lorm, and ftudiesall he can to fet us together by the ears, 8c fo to break -usywho united are terrible as an army with ban- ners* This< makes an -argument for us and not again ft us. We * lay as August me once to the Pagans : Nonproferant nobk qua ft concordiamfuam> &c. Let -them not lay, before us- with boaflfng their concord and agreement, norccft in our teeth {or fling on our faces) the foul di [cords and di^enftons of Chriftiant ^ tor Satan ajjaitlts not them as Le doth us, lor qui-dibi hcri eft, quia litigant ,v el dam- nifi nm litigant ? What doth the Devillget by it if they do difagree '! orlofe by it if they do agree ? but by [owing drftords among true Chriftians he helps to hinder the truth > raife ill reports upon the good land;, break profefTors apieces, make way tor perfections, and drawoff people from the pra&ifeot Gofpeb order , and from obedience to Chrifts Lawes. This is the Devils cunning to caufe conten- tionSjand throw fire brands about our ears, on purpofe to puzzle others and to fright them from the true way into his fares : as a Fowler that hath laid nets, lets thofe birds or prey alone that go on of their own accord to wards his gi?ts mdfnares ; but fuch as are going from them and In the way toefcape, he meets and frights and fcares to make them turn back, and drive them another way. But furthermore, though we 'have too. 1- 6. yet there be more,z>/z fowfeore Concubines, or fd//e Churches ; that have not fuch intimate fellowfhip with Chrift) but only the mfty without Wedhc\ or efpoufals to C6ri/i ; fo are all Fopijh/Pre- laticaU, Parochiall, Presbyteriall, fas now they are) nationall and meevnominallChunhes, though they have the ordinary ordinances, yet few of them have- a x,and cannot 07Y&T in the tfj^/rj" of Chrifts family, and their children though born to gifts, parts, or the like, yet very rarely have to .do with the inheritance >; Belides thefe, thofe that- reject Chrift, and too too coily cafthim off, and will not marry him, or efioufehim, of the vulgar fort* they are without number, exceeding many, Etnullius. nunmi, of no account > not worth mmbring ; yet of the word Churches there are moft, of the beft fewefh and for all this, faies Chrift, My ~Doie, my un- defiled is but one,. xh&tis all Minify, and one, 2 Cor* M2r and *Sff3 kk 4 mark, it is th e unity of the Spirit, wherein all Churches may bear, for this is not kept and preferved by forms andor- ders^as other falfe Churches have, & the Kingdoms of the world are ; no ! bu t by intrinfi call life andjpir 'it ,and inward principles, not by being together, in one body fihnrches-j City,or fociety; but by being of one (pir it, and of one fpirituallbody, which is Chrifts. The heads are thefe which are orfered ioxunityby the Apoftle. Firft, there is but one body, i.e. not naturally nor politically but fpirituall>viz. the Church compared to a nam all body , Rom. 12.4,5. 1 Cor, 12.12. which takes in the Saintsof all ages under allforms,and ftatures; feeing none could be left out to compleat the body, but that there is need of Saints under lower as well as under higher forms to make up the bodf. Whence unity is urged,for that there is need of all to make up the body3viz. of the weal^as well as the ftrong, of the lower as well as the higher, 1 Cor. 12. 18,20,23. 2 . Unity is prefled here,for that this oneneffe of body flowes from the oneneffe of the Head which in corporeprimas tenet, &c. (faies Bullinger dt unit. ecclefVtc^.Serm.2. is the firft of the body • and \sfirft,and then the body,(pi rights), for members do not unite firft, and then choofea Head (faies Mr. Veil in's way of peace, p. 20. 2 1 .&C-') but firft they are (if true Churches') united to Chrift their head,by faith j(Vniunturprimo capitiChrifto per fidem) & iffum caput con)ung!tur membris per gratiam & fpiri- tum, Bull.in he ibid ) and then one to an A her by love. Therefore all that have but one Head^viz. Chrift ■, J fay all Independents, Anabaptifts, or whoever they be^fhould be one. 3 . Vnity is urged in this word one Wy5becaufe unity of body ftands well with variety of forms, diftindion of parts and dif- f rences of members,! Cor. 12. 23. which do not hinder but help to make up thebedy,by a fweet fymmetry ck harmony ■> Rom. 12.6. Licet fmt membra plurima, omnium tamen eft inter ipfa con- f'nfto pukherrima,&c Bull, becaufe what one memler can7c doe iiother can for the ufe and fer vice of the Head* 4. Vnity is called for , for that in one body there is an equa- lity Cfl ap.9. Arguments to urge unity Among the churches. 499 lity of members all rf/z/^making up one 'body : Not one more then another; vmnes authoritate & dignitate fares funt, (fai^ Zanchy de unit, eeclefcaf.3 .) etfi alter alter: fit ditior, &c. So arc all Churches equall in dignity and authority though fbme may bericber, or bigger then others (as wa's proved,:/;? lib. 8. j 5 Vnity is urged,tbr that as each member is contented wiui its own \laee and office in the bcdyyfo ought each particular fociety to be, 1 Cor. 12. 18 6. Vni'y is called for, from the tympany and fellow- feeling which o/zp mpber hath with another in the^Wy,! C&r. 12. 26. and ?11 for and with the whole : mourning with them that moufn,znd rejoycing with them that rfj$>r? (Congruunt & con- fpiani inter f omnia condoknt fibi invicem> juvantfe mutuo.') Ergos afflict not one another. 7 Vnity \s urged:from the Law of love, (and therefore ofpeace) that is among the members • one member doth not /% ! &c. yet 'tis but one and the fame^a/in all: Sj the 5^/rA is I mfls&ndm every particular Church of Chrjtfi&s if every Qwrcfc j had ihefpirh folely in, and to her felf " the y. Spirits, Rev. 5. 6 . for the 7. Churches of Af\a, and yet off but otfe aruLthe/tz/m Twrit, though living in every en?. Th\i{ho\\\& ewage every $ articular Church to unity in the \pirit, not in the form what unifor- mity will never hold nor abide fWrf; of fc# «w«^, Ai^/3.2. Ys diverfity of [pints that breaks thepcW?, not the div^rfty of formes : tor as Zanchy obferves, N;/z externarum ceremoniamm diverfitas,impedit veram & effentiaiem unitatem ecclefi* : it is not the difference of outward rites and forms ', that hkiders the Churches unity, for God hath left them to //^rfv , for every Church to ufe, or not ufe,as it is mod for order and edifica- tion; as to ritttf, p/dce, number, manner of meeting, reading, fing* ingy praying, adminiftring Sacraments and fuch like: In Aw gufivies time fome brokehread every day, fome each of the day5 fome thrice aweekjfome twice, fome every fir ft day, fome of the flrft day *, that as to time. Then as to place, fome- i times in private, fometimesin pa£7/d^pl aces, fometimes from hakjetohuufe,yesL as to number in Auguftims time3 they brokg bread fometimes twice a day, morning and evening, fometimes once only. See Aug Tom. 2,E?ift. 118. adjanuar. As to the manner, fometimes without vrayer, fometimes with prayer '3 fometimes with many prayers. Bucer contra Latomum, 133. So there were many ceremonies and much difference about bap- tifme} about prayers, about Miniflers and their ordination, &c. and yet was there */«#<# veritate> (faies ^w^. Tbrw. 2. ep//?. 85. ad Cajulanum*) though ceremoniarumvarietate: unity in wi/), though in zwi?lt_y of formes and ceremonies ; yet trwf «ffify ftood well with the d/jfcr*77Ctf and varieties of ' formes, &c becaufe it was //z /&* £/>/n^ P/S/.45 . 1 3 • the C/jarc/.? ##■ rf// ^oncwj p/f&f£a though without tar out ward chatbingwas wrought with varie- ty and diver ft) of needle -wei% Thirdly, Ch ap.?. Arguments for Unity amang all churches. 501 I 7, Vnityurgdfer ' "U that are tnoht filth. 4* Zxn,ht 4* 4. TVty, kecsuft Thirdly, 0** F*M, in *//, therefore Vnity is irged, feeing aU S nints in all ages Lftiofes, David, Daniel, ^poftles, and V?t now, and *# that were, are, and are to come, under aU forms, live in one and the fame my fiery, and truth of Frfiffc. 2. £or. 4 1 5. apprehending the fame Chrift, applying the lame Salvati- on: fo are all the Churches Independent, Baptized &c. in one Faith, though not in one Forme : they live not by forme, whe- ther you call it a Conformity with the Prelates, or Vnijormitj with the Rhemifts, or either with the 7?esbyte>iaus, or *«7&*r with us ; but they live byfith. Not on this or that / and walks in the midfl of the f even golden Candlefticks, without refpeft more to one thea to another , as that one is becter met* w^then another j feeing <*# are alike borne of God, and *#aiikc in 9%t Covenant, and in one Jefus C^'ft, Mediitor and Head of the Covenant ; therefore he calls for Vnity , for that we are aH a Kingdome oitBretbreni (JUil. 2% 10, one God and Father of us all. 2. islboveall! We are not one above another* but one*. f *«# with another : but only our God and Father in Chrift is above us all, Mat. 23. 8 9. we are *£ his children, and all alike live in his Witf; he alone commands, and blelleth us ad alike , therefore we fhould be 4/7 in ««**/ , Ffai. 13 5. 1. 0 facet /or Brethren to live together in unity I 3. Through all. All alike /w/'jfc him, p^/Ttfi7^ ofhis nature, and he, through aS the Churches , and Ordinances appeared <*- £r$*i coo, //*/ 2. 3. Adicah 4. 2. ^£0 #«tf7 amongft all. 4. And in you aL He dveels in *// the Churches ( ivoxw** h Cum. ) 2. Cor. 6. id. Jo. 14. 23. his pre fence is in /£« £0^7 *f CVi/? myfiicaU, as it was, it was in Chrifis body when cloath- ed with /M>, Col. a. 9 10. Eph. 3. 17. 79. the fame forf *a- #// though not (yet) for equality. Srgo, unity amongft all. Thefe are the bonds of unity, to eye all the Churches toge- ther in one ; Sathan hath no better (port then to fee them fpit fire at one another, and is never in more hopes then then. When ** C/r*/ came neare 'Babylon with his mighty Army, and fou.id ^f the River about it , over which he was to march with his huge Hofte impaffable and unpoflible (it being fodecpj to tranfport his Army that tray, he was at a !o(Te> till he thought of a Hkttj Way, which he as fuddenly fet upon ; he caufed it to be divided many wayest into many Channels ;and feverall Currents when- j Dddd a by! Thtt:tibai. l*aU, The flrurcfcj mi tn unity, tsagratt &4 J image to Sx~ VtimPinfD'ivl' 5°4 Unity among the churches urged. Lib. II. Ju unity, ihegttA" tefl tetrouf that canbetetCl)fif.s mentis/. Sim. & by the main River funk , and fo on zfudden , and with great facility he got over the River wich his Army and tooke the Ci- ty with eafe. Thus Sathan doth when he hath any defigneo- gtinft the Saints & Ckurches%\\z fets them into 'Divifions many wayes. Therefore my CounceU, as from the Lord, \$ to love one another ^s Chrifts 'Difciples^ be ftedftft in one^Vif.Phit. 1.17. 28. and then be in no;hing terrifiedby your adverfaries • Ail the powers of Hell cannot hurt thee then. It wastheCw*- ctll Sever as give to his Souldiers, in vobispacem & eateros dif. picitesh? one among your/r/wMnd a Fig for your 8nemies% fo ye will then be terrible to all Chrifts Snemies in the world, for they (hall know, that out of Sion (hall the deftroyer come , and I they ■(hall hnde ferufalem a bur denfome ftone. Visunitafortior, \ as tJMathematitians fay of figures * the (trait jTgw* or /wris : wtAksft* but the £"£"/* is ftrongtft of all others and the be ft, and J ufcfulkft, becaufe one part lath fellowfiip with another, and : ww/ another,'and holds up one another j To (hould Churches I help to hold up one another ; and as one line runs in- • to another, fo Ihculd they , and fuch ixzflrcngeft and beft that j are fo united^ the Lord delights in them mod too: 0 my 7)ove ? : my undefiled is one I this unity delights his heart* People feem much to eye the Churches «© w ; now they appear in publick* and prepofterous $*>/>/ are ready to judge che lad »«wofche Fleet beaten, and the Foraigne 2Y ationst preparing and threat- ning, to be prodigious fignes , prefaging ruine to the Churches t which puts me in mindeof C*Cfro's Oration, and anfwer to the Southfaiers, who upon newesof Earthquakes, and fuch terri- ble fignes foretold great calamities ready to come upon the State, Casoury&sr gamers, m&fign-obfcrve*s donow^buc faies the Orator, fear not • for the Gods wMeafily be reconciled to us% i/Vee be but reconciled one to another : fo I fay to fuch, our (Jod will eafily be vx peace with us , To we be but at peace one with another ; and then let them fall the world\i they will) affociatc them/elves together, and they fhalL be broken a pieces : yeas in or- der to their breaking a pieces they muft: affociate themfelves to* gether, lfai. 8. 9, and (jo£ and Magog from aU parts of the world, muft be gathered together in battell, in number like the fani of the lea. and beftedge the Saints , andcircumviron the be- loved City of god* but fire (ball come from God {the spirit of Chap.?, ^/irguments to Unity, Danger of dif unity. §od) out of Heaven (the Churches and Saints) and fhdl de- vour c them and eat them up; as in Rev. ao. 8. p. Out of their mouths fhaB come fire and devour e their enemies, Rev. 1 1. 5 and whofoever hurts them mufiin M manner be kilted • fo that there is no fear of all the foes in the world , though they be as many as the fandoi the [ea. But if any thing hurt us, it will be VeantofLov*} if any thing will nothing us, it will be want of unity. Vnities fevered make no number. Letters divided make noJyUable, fyUables divided make no word^xvords divided make no fpeech, members divided make no body, fiones divided make no Wall ; fo that without unity , all ftands for nothing, as a Cy- pher. I feire nothing fo much as want of unity and love among Churches and Members : for as Shepheards obferve , when fieep fall a butting one another , a fiorme is nigh ; fo may the PaJfors9 that Chnfiians contending, and butting one againft a- nother, and Churches juft ling one againft another, prefagesa fad day, without mercy prevent; wherefore to eafe my heart, and unbur then my jpirit, I am heartily poflfefled with three things that will produce unity indeed. Which I (hail hint to the Churches, and fo wi pe my pen. 1 . Afiort but (harp time to try the Churches, that thofe that are approved may remaine ; which day (hall be fhort for the £lettsfa\e , and iscalled but three dajes and a halfe, Rev. i r 9 though in former years , the time of perfecution was long and hotter , for now their bodies flhali be above ground all this time of perfecution in the fight of all Peoples, and Rations , till the jpirit of Renter in afrefh, and in a fuller meafure then ever before, and the witness ftand upon their feet again, v. 11. Then woe, woe be to the Hations tothepurpoie: And this time will be fo fbort that it is called the houre of temptation, Rev 510. and the hour o{]udgemcnt3Rtv- 14.7. and for a little moment his indignation, I fa. 26.20. l.Pet.4.17. and then wil the JLar^arife to punilh the inhabitants of the earth : they muit be- gin at Gods houfet i Vet. 41 j.but end m & wirhthe bW<1 Then [inner s in «#*» fhalbe *fr*id,\[i* 33 14 & ttrrw & trembling fnal furprize the Hypocrites that are in the Churches ; for they ihakl not be able to tfjufe his comming like a refiners fire, Mai. 3.2?. »«r aw they iudurc to dm I with thofe devouring fires ,& evtrlafi* Dddd 3 wjj 505 Nofcarcsi/we want nocin1>»/# «S7w. «£0 JVw. Three things ex- pend, r. an houre rfT,i*UJhort, but jba'peto ihiOmr; cheu 2p) I Trophy %o6 Confidera&iom for the cburcbe$> L i b JI0 Vie Churchtimne trie them ever. fcf* 5. Proph. tbejpirit pouted MufondU Then unity msfisf MIL Exfof. Sim, ing burnings, which the Hf right in heart /ball live in. Yet this triaM will be well for the faitkfttll ones , for though two fart: will be found drotTe and left behinde in the houre of triaU, yet a third pa*t [hzUremaine and be purified , and (h*ll caS upon the j>{ame of the Lord, And he Veill heare them and will fay, this is my people, and they JhtUfay, the Lord is mj God> Zach. 13.8.9. this heare will (catter Shepheards as well as fheep^ or Taftors as well as People, But then (hall the Churches be more in unity then ever, and like gold run melting together out of the refiners fire; for as a flock, of fheep are ieofe about, and fcittered , and every 0**for himfelfe feeding , and divided one from another , till comes a dog amongft them,and then they run together and keep clofe one to another : and fo are the Churches too much at a di fiance one from another v and each one minding her felfe too much and her companions too little, and too much divided, and (doubtlefs) wilbe till this time of triaS comes, and makes them keep together and clofer in love and unity ; fo in the Prelates times , Oh what a fweet unity! love! and harmony was among the Turitans ! and Profejfors ! when they were under perfe- ction I how they priz'd one another ! and fo it will be again and much more. Secondly »This Vnity of the Churches will be honouredtvom Heaven with a large efufion and fowring out of the spirit upon them ; for in tint day they fhall know the Lord to be their Cod, and as one people they (hall acknowledge and never be afhu med, and then (hall it come topafe , that he wil powr out of his fpirit upon all, foeli. 27. 28. And by this they will bee yet more one then ever before, as appears d&. 2. 17. and 4.5 r .3 2. when thofe that were filled with the holy (jhoft, Were of one heart and one mind, and of one foule, neither fay d any of them that ought of the things which he poflejfed was his own 9 and then great Grace was upon them all. Great grace then indeed I Having favour with all people, AH, 2. 47. This bleffed day is hard by us ; when Jerufalem [ball be a praife in the whole Earth, round about us • but we muft be purged firft. In Eze^. g 7. 7. as the bones there came together by the flaking, bone to bone, fo will the (,hurches by the lhaking before mentioned, in the time of ir«//,cling and come up clofer together then ever, before , C'to**b to fbMrck, and C h a p .?. to bring them into Unity. 507 and rftfas one. Though they were before fas the bones) /cat- tered, fo in their affettions, and far afunder, they (hall bee jha- ked together, beleeveit ; and then they fhall receive life, and breath from God more then ever before , v. 9 10. Yea they (hall not only bfc psakfd together , but tied together withy?- nerves and cordrzni lawes of Love that (hall never breaks ; and this is to be before the fullmnde from alt 4. parts blow upon them and fill them with breath and life - So I am a fared {torn the Lord, and the Churches (hall find it , that they muft be mi ted together wlthftrong ties and laves of Love , even with the livelieftj^w and fireng th of affettions before they (hall enjoy that great and notable effufton of the ffirit (which is thewinde that blokes where it lifis) in fuch a mtafure as from all farts , in all gifts, graces , and admirable adminiftrations as from all -quarters, to enliven them, and multiply them • for in that day they will be as an exceeding great «rmy, Exe. 37. 10. Laftly j confider the great and notable day of the Lord is then (the next) that comes upon us, Joel 1.31. and Zion (hall be glorious. In the mean time as the lines of a circumference. the */gfor they come to the center , the more they are united, and the nigher they are «?»* to another. So for certain, Sirs% the nigher we are to that time , the more we are united s and the nigher we are one U another ; So that we fhali fee every yeare the Churches more and more united and that in the flirit, nntill the difp^nfationof thefulnefle of times, when all things (hall be in one. Ephef 1 1 o. The Lord haften thefc happy dates: I wisprefidm my fli- nt to acquaint the £hu ekes thus much, and ro call upon them to *«'*/ , that the enemies might not have fuch advantages a- gainft us, as they doe take for our defe& in * his *tofy • and zUn cur unity confift not in formes but in the ^"Wf ; as for praQL call rubs hzevto, I (hall refer the Reader ^oche jdlcmr^b^ok^ But thus I have (hewn wherein the trefiyseriant and Tapirs agree and are alike in Discipline, T^cllrine, Ordinances^ and FraWfts. In Difcipline, for the Chu'ch Cat L like , He id ox the Church, w*?f*r of it, -/wr of it, foundation of if> and in hy- ing thtvc foundation, and about the XV;*/ , and Synods , and in Officer* j to all which we have declared our tf/J/wf and * £for. 430 «^m? *P» 3. Pro ph. 3. The great day 9 / the Lord the High' er it is, the more Churches will he united in every jeare «£» I* Con fid. ThiiGofpelwajit' » V V . o • - i. Ths %re*t p:«, miftpfthefe later 50& ^Confid. Gofpel-Order reftor da great latter dales promtfe.. ranee, and fo for ^DoUrine, and Pratlifes in all, in ncere fifty particulars, wherein I have clearly inftanced ; the Lord make his people in England wife enough to avoyd fuch IPopifh tenets and detirineSy and give our Brethren that power and W/// to cry •jCWa *pj//) Antichrift, Down with 'Babylon, as we do that hear the Wr* ; left pertakjng of her fins they pertake of her plagues, Rev 18.4. And let them not think me their enemy ior telling them the />**&. Gal.4.16. But to the 3. Confid. The 3 Qonfider Ation fto come to a ConcluGon) is, that the Go/pel Order in the Congregational I Church way ( which wee have treated of) reftored to its primitive purity and beauty, is one of the great promifes of thefe latter dayes • and the fpiritftall glory of it fparkles in fight of the faints , out of many promifes, propheficsy andvarietie of the rirtoefi types ; and Is to ft and appa- rently difiinU by its felfeK from all other orders, wayes, worJhipst or Churches wbatfoever,zsthe vifible Kingdome ofjefus Chrifi, for his fub jells to walk, in. That it is one of the great promifes to bee accompliflied in thefe latter dayes, appears, Ifa, 2. 2. 3. Micah.q. i. If*. 35. i% 8p.io. Ifa. 30. 21. Pfal.il* 3. P/. 46.2.3.4.5. and 48. P. 3. Malach^. iy. i2. Jfa. 51. 3*4* Dtftf.2. 32.33.34. ^#.3.21. D/iw. 8. 3. The %6er is /*)? $ the bt ft wine at laft, and the glory of the latter houfe (hall be greater then the former. Hag*i*6. 7. p. 2 1.22.23. For further Explication ( though I have beene full in former Chapters,yet to conclude this,) I (hall name thefe 6 Ifeciall Heads which enfue , to prove this generall jifferti- on without exception. The Prophefies and mproifes are full for Chrifis reigne, as Head and alone Ruler in his £*Wcfc, cfpeciaily and mo ft vifibly in thefe latter dayes. He alone /hall reign over them inZion and forever. Micah 2 jj.Pfal.pg.i.z.Ifaip. 2.7«and 22. 23 f 'fa* 2. 6. And isfetupKinginSion. He will be greateft in Zion* Rev.2.26. Yea and rule the nations to, /toMi.15.17.18. Zachm 1 4« 9 . Therefore all power is given him in heaven and earth, Ghurch and State, CM.au 28. 1 8. to rule aH, as being more ex- ceilent then the mountains of prey , Tf. y6. 4. till all be under him, 1. Cor. 15.25. Thus he tides in our dayes conquer i»g, and to conquer. But to fpeak to his Htadpsip . In his Zion, his moft - fpechill t.CbriflJbtl reign »v*r Ailtn thefi latur day'ts. Kf* C h ap .9. Chrifi reign as- H tad in Churches, 509 Church uc Churches, Expof. fp trial '/ habit alio* and Kingdom*, Hee is the alone H^, of I Socially ai whom all members aptly joymd, receive life and growth. And ' ] this he is to us , as he is one with the Father , /a. 1 7. 2 1. From whom we have life &nd grace, in ejpeciall maner nee is ro bee rmnifeftedfucha Wfrf^in thefe d^rof re ft duration, Hofea 1. 1 1 . the children of Judah and I [rati ^ though they differ as co form, as Independents and Anabaptifts &.Q.)fhxll be gathsredtt geiher, and appoint to them/elves one Head s ani com: up out of the Land \ for great fi all be the day of Jezreel. So the Churches of Chrift (hall be all one, as we fiid before in Vnityjin&ei one Head.vi^ Jtfus Chnft. For although the CbHrcbishweftooi off hitherto one from another, as the 10. Tribes did from Jttdab, and fo Wet e divided into two parts, as Independents and Anaba- ptiftt, God hath promifed to unite them, under one Head/ when as circumcifion and mcirctm.c'ifion jhall be nothing, bat a new creature) thcugh for a time by reafon of our too much Idol. wrfiif God {urfered tram to divide, 1 King. 1 1 . 5 j.Yet God hath promifed the el< Zb of them (hall be all one under one Head i. e. Cbrift whom they (hall appoint, choofe, prochime, cry up with one fuff rage ; he faith not a King for fo'he fhali bee to the 2i*tionty and rule them with a rod of iron, but a Head, & fo he fiiall be to the Qhurckes, to teftifis the fir me, fweet and infe* parable union they have VW/& Chrift, as a Head to give vittflfpi r it slower, noun foment, tife, wifedome, itflnence, and ^ to them, as the members ; *. *. a more admirable^ full happifying excellent uw'o*t 'beyond compari/on , then can be betvveenea A7»£ and /tf^/ft And f fo» r^ pjallcome up out of the Land the Churches QiaU arife cut of that of Btbylon which held them ^«- />m/* ; out of thofe /*r«?/ which made them differ , and from thofe Idols that caufed their divifions, then (hal chey come out of that Landthzt they were in bondage in, and bee no more intan- //<^withtho£;*>, as Z inch j obfer ves on Hofea becaufe great [hall bee tbe day of Jez,rrel. That is feminU 'Dei, of the holy feed, the ehel of god, that is} of i brifl. as Pfal. 118.24. the great and glorious d*y of Chriflsre/fgnei and great (bad be the day of his Churches • f\*. r •■; j(i?*/>fc that all thefe things concern , and this great day wil come upon. O preach this dotirine \ and fay to them , Tee are my bre- thren 4nd fibers : O that we would &g*#this ! to ftir up one si* nother , and to provoke one another to love and good workjs, Hi%^ having the f aire ft ap- pearance, and the fulleft vertue and efficacy. The Jafpers, viz.* are thofe that are heav'nly minded , meant by the exceUenteft Skie-colour'd ones that are> thofe whofe convictions are in heaven^ and contemplations about heaven. The windws , viz* thofe thn give light, or rather, through whom light (as they receive from the Sun) comes to others, are to be of Agates, or rather as feme read it, of Chryfials excelling all in purity zx\&fanBity, having of that pure river, cleare as Chryftaim' Rcv^ia. yea and the gates by whom they enter into rhe Chnrchn, Ch a p.?. the Church 1S to be made up of. 5" Churches, are to be as Carbuncles, Trem faith redftones, Car- fancies being of a red colour like fire : the word *ua fignifies fiery, burnings as well as red, and feems to carry out the excel- lency of thofe that do receive others (as gates to let in! into the Church, viz being fall of the Word and Spirit, like fire in the^iKf/jbythefearching^^^r/w of the Word they make mWof thofe that would enter ; fo z/, 2.2.2s fire f urges and friV/, and proves, fo do they, being mod excellent in divine and fpi- rituai knowledge; yea, all the borders of precious plea/ant ftones; all this (howes the excellency of the Church, for mat- ter, which is fore-told by this Prophet, efpecully relating to thefe latter dayes blithe ftones (oi which this building con fills ) even from the Foundation to the topflone, yea and to the very borders, are to be of the moft precious ft ones, the precious from the mft, /^.i). no£ good and bad together , or preciofTs and common together, as have been hitherto, but all cf precious ftor.es \ (at leaft fo in appearance) as Qkryftalr, Agate s,Saphirtt , Carbuncles, and fuch like holy and excellent Saints, fnining feverall wayes for lingular ufes , with gifts and graces , and what is fpoken before figuratively follows plainly : They Jhall be aU taught ofQod, i. e. by the Vn& ion from on high, 1 Jo. 2.20. Zj.avd built upinrighteoufnejfe, i.e. in grace, Jpir it, power: Sec. Such tranfeendent matter to make up the Chureh in the latter dales \ lies evident for an undeniable truth, in Rev. 21. 1 7. 1 8. 1 9> 20. and the foundations of the wall eftbu Ctty were gar- nifhea with aU manner of precious ft ones &c but that this is fpo- ken of the Church here, appears in Rev. 21.2. call'd New Je- rufalem comming down to dwell amongst men ; not that Jerufa* lem above, Gil. 4 2<5. as Paul fpeaks of it ; but the Taberna- cles (I e. every particular Church) of god with men, to whom the Lords prefence is fweetly prcmifcd,v. 3. and all former affliftions and perfections are to be removed, v. 4 and times of reftitution for new things to be reftored , v. 5. Now let the Chkrches that live in the dayes when the feven Vials full of the feven laft plagues are to be powr*d out, know ; that the parti- cnlar Ae)cripti$n of their glory and excellency is obvious , and vicw-ablejov though before (nil thofe days) they wilbe but as poorc tabernacles With men ; yet then they ( in unity as before) Eeee 2 (hall Tremel. CatbunclvS who ? Mofl precious 439 Exfof. 4* A word to the Churches, 5-12 7 be rneftprecicM matter in the Uft dayes, 'Lib. Ik When dv»y 'fl^I'l Cfcceft. ^t3' Of i. Mfcoasc Jafpers. (hall be the Great C>ty having the glory of Qodt v. io. t i, and hght Jtkf a ft one tnafl precious , p&nh-, i e. Luminojum Corf us, lumen ex fed fundens: i. e. the prefenceof God moft'gtorioufly in her, v/Vfuch a prefence . and fucha /re glorious , \ snd excelling 5n fwfr and prefence, lite and /»£&*, then ever bc- ! iore, -w*-. by fiSin^ the Churches with a ^/V; //g&f , fuch a fubjiantiall manifeftation of himfelfb, as-fhall give light to o- thers, and no more mfmoake\ darke veiles% and formes, (which hurt the btft fight moftj as before, but in pure light, cleare and light difcoveries of himfelfe by his fpirit, filling the Churches therewith And further; a further and more fpeciail defcription olilv.ix bapplneffe- from the cxceEency of the matter which he fheweth to be all precious,*/. 1 8 all the (fity of pure gold which fires oxfltrnts okperftcution can't confume, but make more Wu- ftrioHs and pure,and will never Wcare away, but will beptrpe* tzalliixfubftancey yea the very outrides, and lowed matter moil precious^nd like precious ft {anes. Here are twelve named in number alluding to Exod, 28# 15. the 1 2. gems fit on the kreaft plate, for the High Priefls ornament. Bcbr. Cofben, 3- greeing with Cap) Ah • for the Saints are fo to Chrift the VUgb* Priefi and in his breads; and will be abundantly unto hlspraife: As an Oracle filent, ytt feting fhazah. And there were to be foure verves, foure-fquare-, doubtleMf to (ignifie a comming in from Eaftytveftt North, and South , but what kind of matter (hall make up the Chu~chs rmy fomething appeare from theYe- verzll Jignificationsmd natures of the ftones ; as fir ft.the Jajp*ra of the Hebr. Jajhpeh , growing in Scythiazx)d fnfta, they be of feveraii fundry colours % but the befl: is the a&u re- green, or airy green, which hath a hcav'nly highmjfe t (which Pliny cals. G h a p.5?. when the [even Vials are pured out 5*3 cals, uShriztuf*) of admirable beauty , fparkled with many £/W colour d drops > and it is of incomparable ufe, and hath z>rf- rrVrj olgood in it ; hang about the ««^, it eafeth />*£»/, in the imvardsytc comforts them fries ,' is very plea/ant in the 7? , which the U\itdcs moft account of ; it is £*ir^ and durable s and delights and chears the whole man. It is good ^gainft chiler , melan- choly, and the flings of Scorpions, faith Albert us Magnus* h expels /ty/w, arid cures fome peflilent dijeafes ; fuch are Sa pVirs then, ( and fhall make excellent matter for the Church) who are precious in the eyes of all who have Tweet, humble, ftlfc denying , amiable cartages ( which were to bee wifhed were more among all Church members now ) as they had in primitive times Ael i*^]- to be pray fed and highly accounted of, of all j fuch doe refresh and dibght the fouls of others, they are durable too, and will never f a i away from the Ch-wcb tor fotfake the truth, nor be frighted away £ cm projtffion but en- dure fiery trials ; fuch are yery vigilant ever their own Choler, and doe muchcurbe and alt by their f*ffii*\ and they ferve the Lord merrily with gladnefle of. heart , and re Joyce in the Lord alwajes;ind are very ufcfuH againft many reigning, raging pe* fiilentiall difiempers, and veneine»5 lufisto fupprefo them, al- lay the rage , comfort the he-art ; artcj cure the difeafe. Such as fchefe are in the ftcond phc. very p edous matter ; and further Eeee 3 as Fn wl- itpro- pntics tluy 2. Who are S«phi es. If* wha* pro- perties they cxcdl. 5i4 (doubtleflej fuch Saints are (ignirled heereby that doe keep their hearts and affe- (fhons moll pure to C hrift, & moft chaft and alone to the Lord without running a whoring (as too many doe) tocovetoufnes the world, f!e(h, pleafure, or the like, that will not fuffir their hearts to be taken up with any thing but Cbnft « and therefore they curb and cool the heat of ca^naUconctepifcettce by the ver- tueand divine power which is in them. And thereby thefe have the quicker and clearer fightmA faculties of under ft anah which is in Hcbr. 2{ophec , a fort of Carbuncle, as 7 and may mean fuch j fort of Saints as are found and will fufFer ail forts, yea the vio- lenreft knocks, ft okes, ftripes and calamities for Cbriftshk?, the Cb*r*hss and Gojpdshkz , and yet will ho d out and no- thing fesr at all , and yet fuch as are innocent as 'Doves , very rno'd^ft meoj full of humanity and curteiie co all, (lowly difpo- fed and very gratious. Sixthly, 4. Who a.e the Emeralds. In what pro- perties tkey exec 1, «£? 5. Who are the Sardonyx. %AinJ*. 43 5 1 6 who are the Precious-pones of the latter daya. L i b JIe tfAV'^o .ire tb( Taraus. In wTi5f pro- p rues they excel!. adr (3d5- re 7, Who Cbryfoljtes. Sixthly, the .?a^Vf,ciiIed in Hcbr. 0^«f, of tsidam, red* Fo* it is a ~Blou4 coloured fione ; the £haldee calls it SrfJW^4», an J lhargnm Jerufalemi, Sawlytha, it is found among the S<*r- <&'4«/, w^nce it hach it's name : it is of excellent ufe to cheare up the heart, and as Partus further notes, to drive away fears $ tociufe boldntffe, to (lay the itfueof bhudt to put an edge upon the ingenuity &c. It hath an attractive power cvcx.wcod, and drawes it to it ftlfe, as the Loadftcne drawes iron , and it is ex- cellent to receive a Seale or Image , neither is it dull'd by the often ufing it : fuch precicus matter are meant by this, who are cf the fecond Adam , the image of him who is of the heaven heavwly, i. Cor. 15. wafti'd with his blond, and To prefented to the Church • fuch can comfort poor forties as they have been ccm(o> ted, 2. Cor. /. 4. and then cheer drooping hearts by de- claring their own experiences : thefe £hriftians ( and precious ftones) will not (\xferfeares to pofTcfle them, but by faith are abeve f tares, full of fortitude zndLfcurage for Chrift and the truth, and evermore embcldmxg others to itand to it, to fight 1 good fight tf faith ,being clothed with the whole armeur of God, «nd to bt ftrcng in the Lord, and in the power cf his might , put* ting an edge upon them to all and ftir for the truth , and never lobe idle j yea fuch as are attract, ve to draw the wood of Le- banon, the Cedars of the For re ft, and fit Matter for the builders fife into fellowfiiip with them ; and fuch as have the imaged Gcd, the Ukeneffe of Chrift admirably on them, and the plaine feale of the Spirit in them, and fuch as are never Weary with well doing, nor dull'd with ufing, thefe are precious ones indeed that fhall bee found ( ere long in more plenty ) fit matter for the Church j although as yet but/<» of them are gathered, for they arc fomewhat obfeure in outward appear ante. Seventhly, the Chrjfolite, which in Hebr, is Tbarjhifl, the name of the Sea in Pfa. 38.8. for it hath the name of a golden ftcnef and is called in ChaldceCrum-jamma^oi the Seacole, be- caufe that the glorious jfdendor of it is moft fplendent, (hining golden fe« green -r it growes among the Indians and Arabians, and fetched out of hlaekearth oftentimes. It is of excellent ufe to refrain from Venery and lufi , and layd under the tcng&e it doth admirably abate the thirfis oif^ur\s , or violent dtfiyes, and ^ — — ■■!■■■ ' ^^~ ^-^^— ^—— ~— ^- | , - - ■ ,| Thepreciow church-matter promtfed in thefe laft dayes. 5 17 and it (hines lovelieft early, bora matutina, by morning light; fuch precious yW/fhalbe found out too,that (halbe filled with the knowledge of the Lord, which is fo be as a mighty floud; and as the Sea covers the Earth, f Sea-green ) i.e. having their colour and properties from this Sea and thefe waters. Such as were fetched from the 'Blacks, cidarkpeffe into light; out of u wha pro- the black^Sartb of the fir ft man, by the power of God, (although ' p?xties they they will with the Cbryfolite retaine fome fignes of that place cxcc& from whence they are fetch'd,by fom black, fpots which wil ap- pear viz,, in their infirmities)thty are great enemies to the tufts of the fiefi, & to carnall concnpifcence, having in them a reftrin. gent faculty to curb and keep back themfelves from running out 5 and they find a vertue in them , that allayes Mpafftonate and txcefftve thirfiings afcer the world % or things below ; and arc means to coole this in others that have violent Feavorifli humours , and call and cry for thofe things to fatisfie them and to quench their thirft, which will but increafe their tbirfl * but thefe Stints have vertue from Chrift ( the Sun that (hines on them and makes them precious) that they'fhall never Mr ft (fo) more* Jo. 4.14. and thefe preciom ones will feek the Lord early, as LMary Magdalen didV arly but take it betimes, and they (bine beft ear lie ft. Such are the precious mat- ter promifed to make up the Church in thefe laft ages. Eighthly, *BorjUx in Hebr. Sboham, in Gr. 'BerjU, the ChaU *• W dee is iter/* • P//»; faies it is an Indian- ft one, but Dionypus ch£ Bcrylls. that it is found in 2?*/>j/0» alfo,of a watri(h,sky«colour,for the ' moll part, and fome what dull to look on ( although they be of divers forts, and they having divers colours.^ This is alio of exceeding good Ufe , againft the humours of the Sjes , and to ■ Ia 1 fuppreffe^«, and to help the ill liver, and (fet to the Sun) to ' piSs d,ST kindle afire, 8cc Such Saints are precious matter indeed wfeb cxccli. * excell in thefe properties, that are notonely sky. colour' dJ and I heavenly, but ( watrifh) humble and lowly, and willing to be of no account for Chrifts fake; they are little or nothing in ap- pearance, but full cf vigour and vertue to comfort fouls, to (up- pitftcftghes, and cmkforrows to fly away , to help their fight* to remove humour 1 'fb obftrullions, and to work upon iS livers, I ' Ffff aHi! . ■x8 The mofi precious matter LiB.n ©.Who are the Topas. In what pro- perties they cxecil. andtoreftorethemtofoundnefle; and having the power of Cfyfty the inftaences of this fun ofrightesufneffe with them, they wonderfully inflame fou!s,and kindle a fire in their hearts to embrace and embofome the things ofGodyto long after com- munion with ffitflt t0 bec ln love with him and his wayes^ and to fee fouls a burning ttetgract&ndghrj • fuch as thefc are indeed precious matte*. Ninthly, a Topaz, of the ©r. Topazlon , in Hebr* Pitdab, whereunto Topadot Topazls taken, found among the v£thi- opianst. Job* 21. 19. Pliny fayes it grewes among the Troglo- dites, as Dlonyfius fayes it is an Indian Gemmet in Chaldee far- kam and Jarfyttba, that is£w» ; it is ofa rich golden green co- lour, it is of excellent afe againft the Emrods, it affords (fome- times) a milky liquor, cures a wound, helps the Lunatick, and keeps much from mutability* Surely fuch Saints are precious matter, andufefuli Gemmes, that the latter dayes (hail finde out.for curing of many (harp humorfome difeafes, that would obftcuft the paffages of the excrements, which would be to the hurt of the body, fuch as would hinder the cafling out of trstdi* dons , and excrementaU doUrines which will hurt the Church 1 Such £**»*' fhall fay, as #*; 3 0.22. Get thee hence : Ohfieu- pon't I out with them f as the word bears it ) as with sxcre- ments. Such Saints (hall afford fweet milky confoiations for 'Babes, out of their bcllUsfhatl flow Rivers of Veater oflije, they (hall be weak to the weak , as well as ftrong to theflrong ; they (hall bind up many a wounded and broken Reed , and poure Wine and Oyle into the fad gafbes of wounded Jpirits, applying feafonable promifes and 'Balfomes , yea the lunatick ones, that fall fometimes into the waters ( of drunkennelle and iniquity) wherein without mercy they will be drowned, and fometimes into the^r* (of their lufts , fitting them for the flames of Hell, iftheybenothelp'dbygrace:) Such as thefe may be means of recovering , and of confirming many in die Faith, and kee- ping them from changing with every wind of Doctrine ; and they dothemfclves, and endeavour to make others hold f aft their prbfefllon, and that without wavering. Oh thefe wilbe precious matter too 1 TejttMyi A C^rlHrAfns\ in Hebr. She to, in G& Achate, in Eng; Chap .9. the Church tstobe made up of. W T$ag*4g*te% the mmeC\«n\rm-& golden green, and indeed the beft of them arefrarpfptfkling wkh£*&«* guttute; icisof excellent ufe to revive the fpiri :s, to help the tye- fight too, and to mine mod: excellently in darkneje : Oh I fuch Saints will be precious waiter indeed 1 that fhinebeftand mod in 4$<*#i- 00/ ? troubles ! nights ! in a time of darknefs ! when they fee no light! thtfewnlbe ftrong in faith , and arebeft in word times, and therefore mud needs revive the fpirits of others ,and quicken them , which be of great ufe to helpe the weak-figh- ted Eleventhly, the Hyacinth, or facixtb, \nWtbuLeJhem\ it is but little, but excellent , ef a bright purple colour, or fome- What violet' like, found among the Indians 9 and t/£tkiopians, (and fo is the foltowing :) this is of admirable vertue to pre- serve from the blaft of lightnings, the danger of Plagues and Pefiilence in corrupt and infected ayres ; and ax Albertus tefti- fie* , it Ciufes fweet reft and deep, defends the animaUftirits, and makes men rich : Oh the uriipeakable excellent ufe of the precious gems the Saints of the lafi dayes /fuch Saints are furely meant here, as are violet-like, humble, with their heads low, but 6*4r//high ; fweet and favory, the h*tR flowers (as it were) of the time, the witnedes of the Churches faring , and of the Sun nes approach ; thefe will be able by the divine vertue in thenii to keep themfelvesand others too from hurt by tempefis ftormes or fl*(hing persecutions or troubles 5 yea, from the con- tagion of fin, and feftilentiall difeafes , and corruptions which reigne in others, and make them rage ; theft keep up their fpi- rits for God and the Truth, and doe defend the life of God in them from alt that would 0 f end thofc vitall and foul- fyirits ; yea fuch will be a means to make themfelves and others to reft in Chrid (their beloved,) and to finde their bed greert too, yea fuch do m&efoules (their own and others J Rich in Grace,and to abound in wealth, and to fetch in apace of thefe Treasures of Wifedome and Knowledge, which are layd up in Ie/us Chrifl for the Saints* Twelfthly, An ^mtthjfb, in Htbr. %s4chlama, is a Stone to be found among the Indians, ^Ar^bUns^ Armenians; gala tians} Egyptians, &c> this is of a ruddy colour, and is of ex* Ffffi ceUcni 10. Who are the Chryfopra- fus. In what pro- pertiesjbey cxccll,* 11. Who are the Hy-cinthj# or Jacinths. In what pro perties they cxcell. 12. Who arc Am shifts* 520 Preciom church- matter promifed. L i b . II, In what pro- perties they excell. c e Rent ufe to caufe and keep temperance , to reftrain all exsefe and drunkennejfe, it takes away from night- f ear es, and pro- vokes fvveet refbSo the Saints in thefe Utter dajes that excel in thefe vertucs,are tuesnt to be the Myftery ohhisPreciousftont, fuch as are exceeding temperate, and caufe others (o to be , chat will not abide excejfe , and they are not afraid of evill tidings , *Pf.i 1 2.7. nor of terrours by nightynor: of thofe terrours which attend times of darineffemfafflittions, they live above alljW* and fancies, by an Heroickjalth, being refoived, come life, come death, nothing (hall feparate them ; And they provoke to that {weetfoule>reft,mi holy recumbency of Spirit which they have in Chrift. Thefe are the Precious ft ones ,the excellent £hurcb- matter promifed in thefe days to come : And thefe being un- der a promife,0 what happy dayes are cernming! great Jball be the day cfjezreel indeed ; bleffed daies then are spproching for the Churches : O let us wait for them ! and begin them, by bringing forth the properties of thefe 'Precious ftor.es % which are a myftery of the excellency of Church members , and mat' ter, confiding of excellent £*w/-'and.;*W*//, which fhall be ga- ther'd up in thefe latter dajes from all parts of the world 5 €*ft-9 Weft, North, and South ; Jews, and Gentiles, Indians, ^Ara- bians', Ubfedes, Per fans, Scythians fiardians 5as well as Snglifh, French, Spaniards, Italians, &c. Thefe Precious ftones, viz,, fuch Saints are exceeding rare, as yet ; but ere long the a/F- rances of C^ift will be higher , and the fhining approaches of this Sunne will be hotter , and the Go/pel fhall go further, ev'n beyond Seas to find them our,and to gather them up. And after thehouresof triail (which fhall come upon the£W^ and Ifaj 49 Promifed. 3. The forme of. he Church promifed In thtfthft d: 17. 18. andina Word, all C&0r- c^/ (hall admit her membersone way; therefore all the'&ftef (through which men enter into this City) are Pearles , all the Gates ot one Pear le; i.e. CAnjf, the Tearle of price, in and by whom alone (hall be entrance into all ■ Churches znd 74&i- c«of^w».Rev. 21. 21* and no other way , ^#.4, n. but fomething to this afterwards • only this, know that hisfanm is in bis hand now, Mat* 3. 12* to make reparation betweene Wheat znd Qbaffe , Saints and Hypocrites, to the purpofe ere long. Fourthly , the finaU caufe of the Church is alfo promifed in the latter dayes % at large ; what this f»aB caufe is , we have (howne in 1 lib. which fome make two- fold, ( fo Zanch. lib. 4s.capt 10. S. 39 J 1. the glory of Chrifl: to be thereby knownf; as Jo. 17. 1 o. / am glorified in them , faith Chrift : now this is foretold, iMat, 16. 26. *Att. 3. ij. with 21. UWat. 24. 30. fov. 5. t2. /£*# art worthy of ali glory. 2. the latitude of Gods love z\tn to Eaft, Weft, ?iprrh% znd South, ( as before ?*r. 3L3.J to gather the SltUfrom allcomers of the Earth \ OPZaft 24. 3 1. Oh how this doth commend his love ! Rev, 5. 8. SteQ l6<6*H°fiai4,4tRev/* fox for me, truth for tradition, life for /*/ttr} pwr for appearance, both in #**(/ and and from hence forward) promifes the removali of all lets to this work of the Lord ; though they be mountains that hinder, yet he'le make them all plains : And alfo the Lord promifes the progrefle of his Houfe and Temple, ( viz» in thefe later dayes) which he hath put into the hands of Chrift ( the typified Ze~ rubbabd) v, 9. (who hath ( already, even in our dayes ) layd the foundation of it) untill he hath nniflied it. So that in or- der to this Church, work? > and building up ofSion, it will eafi* ly appsare, that Gods defigne in thefe latter dates , is to throw downe mountains,?/*, the mightieil powers., Princes, Armies, Monarchies.or Kingdomes that oppofe the Kingdome of Chrift and hinder this work of the Lord in ZerubbabeVs hands, fob 9. 4 2)rftf.2.35.fcourging them, {fay 10*24.25:. 26. with fu- rious blows, Ez,*^ 25, 16, 17. by foiling them, £*r^, 15. i6i Ifay 1 1.5. Pf. 8. 2. by ruining them, Jer, 49. 38. & %u 20. to the 27. #*£.2.22, or elfe by converting of them,7>/^/.i02.i5. 15. J fay 49- it. i2» &60. 3,4. Rev>2 1.24*0 then let us not be afraid 1 Luke 2 1.25.27.2 8. but lift up our heads for our day is nigh I PfaL 4<5. 2. 3. 4. bu: let all that would have Zion re- paired, rejoyce that the Mountains God is making Plaines, the great work then of his C hurch is hard by : for the head- ftone, (i.e. the firft Plantation ftone, according to the Primitive patterne, and pra&ife, which Chrift himfdfe, and after him his Apoftles bi'ought forth) is already in fome meafure (blefled be the £or«n brought fonh with(houtings,cryingj;w/;^^^3 unto Comfort to us ourdayisccrr* ming. I Ch ap.o. Types fmtcUing tbefdl of falfe churches. 5*5 unte it : whetefots let as bleffe God for that voyce of Re v. ip. 17. 1 8. which we have heard in our Land , and thinke k not firange the world is an uproare, for all this muft be ro make for Zion, to riiakc for the Gofpd- e^dcr in Church- ft ate , before the Apsftolictl! primitive Qhurch and order cm be reflored, whfch isnowhardDyus: and then the Churches (hall flourifli and re Joyce, //*? 35 to feel$,, a6.f7.andremaine, Beb 11.27. i$.Zach.iq 8. that kept Gods people in bondage, sod therefore muft be plagued again and again, y/47 10. -26 after the manner of v£gypt and of S*^m* too, Jfr v. 1 x . S. whence the Lett are cai 'd out f even into a little # and none fltai help hint, cDan. 11.45. and that this his mine is n^h, appears in the 44* verft- bec&nfe the tidings which he heares dots already trouble him, as the Expofitors upon this place have foretold it, to be fually Gggg *»w«, *P plum. 1. The Typrt promjfc, the M of falfe tvor&ip, and he glorious "fingofche ^ruc Gofpell 'puituili wor- kup. Antichrift fp» Expof. & Zodouu. Babylon. Expo* 7>rt 5 2 6 Types foreteh ng the glorious day of the Churches. L i b . II Antiochus R- piphsnrs, a fi- gure of the Pope. 2. 3- Polanns. Erightman* *§* Types of the Churches Pa. lac-es of Sion 5 Tabernacles. Partieuhr Churches, minous, and to foretell his eminent fall 1. For ths (igrts are the fallingavvayfrsm him, (which will be more apparent within thefe three yeares)as the Iewes did from Axtioehnt Mpiphanes (a picture of the Pope.) 2. His feare at the tydings of rumours abroad , ^Dan. j 1, 44; the Iefuits , Cardinals , Pops , yea, Rom- it fclfe trembles to heare or England, and at the troubles that are arifing in all Europe 3. His paflionate defire to do mifchiefe » and to Romanize as of old , were he able : all thefe fore- run his mine ; as ToU- uus, Brightm**> with many others noted 1 now they tremble already , as zAmocbus ( the Type ) did a little before his end , which End was with the plagues mijuigeatents of God; and af cer which neither he nor his Kingdoms , nor any of his pofterky and temper did ever more rife , but were extinct for ever ; and fo will it be with the Tape, Row, and all that tike pirt with the haft, Rev. 19,20* But to the Types that foretell the glory of ChriftsC torch, whieh are many , and of long ft in iing 5 I might inftance in the hill of Sion ; in T>dviis Tabernacles , as they were Gods habicades , which wore to be made after G ods appointment, Exti.i^.g. and all that was brought to mike them was to be Free-gifc, v> 2 ani there was to be the Mercy-feat, Arke, and Tefljmony, v.iu and thz Table with She w-bread, v. go. none were to become there thit were uncleane, left they defiled the Tabernacle, but if they did, they were to be caft out, Numb. 19 1 3* and t\\z Tabernacle and all therein wai annoy n ted* Lev, 8. and all loop'i and cach'd together; that break one, break all; and t\K Lords pre fence wis in one Tabernacle as well as in the other, iChron.i-j,^ ani Feafts of Tabernacles were kept, 'Dsut. \6.t%* ani the Tabernacle the Lord kept,and encamped about , ani fill'd it with his glory , Ex tits /p. 34. now that thefe Tabernacles doe by Types foretell the felicity of Cbrifts Churches j&tht particular Churches in thefe laft days^il eafi- ly app*ive+Rev. 2 1.5. the Tabernacle of Qodk mth utx and Pf. 49,3 0 lit thy Hrht leaimt^ & thy truth bring mt into thy holy hid \a id to xhyTabsmatUt ! fo Pfal, 45, 4. there is a Rlytr^ani there f* ft. 'saw j whkh m%ke glai the Tabernacles of the mi ft ■ ' high. C h a ? . omiable art thy Tabernacles ! Thefe in thefe /*/^r days are to be built according to the primitive parte rn j tli that arc taken in, are to be Fret-vM Of rings too, in the day of his pewer, Pfa. no. 3* In thefe Churches are the Seat of mtrcj to be found ns efpeciall manner, and the Ark**'*. Cbnfl, (put of whem no fal vation) and the Teftimony within the Ark, Q. e. the fecrtf of his fribernacle, 7>fal, 275. ) viz,, the fp- it, which is the witnefl":1 ; fo the Tabernacle of witneflc is the Ta- bernacle of the fpitit, Sxjd. 3 1 ,a 1 . 2\ *mh 17. 7. 8 and there ar." the Ipehli Ordinances ?n order fixed, and left ; there is the Lords Table, rad breaking of bread> and prayers efpecially and orderly in tbt ftmrcbt*, Aft 2 42. not em of them ; None ihu are wicked, d *d in fw,unclean Carkaf£s,or defiled p^rfons are to enter in, p(d »y. 1 . and to abide therej , but to be kept out and caflouc- 1 Cgt. ^. 4. Thefe Chnrcbes of Saints and all in them muft receive the annoy ncing , t John 2, 20. 27, in a large weafure ere long, and ail be link'd together in love, and loop'd in one ; fo as tb*r to hurt one, will be to hurt ail, &c. The pre- fence of the moft high n;uft be in one Church as well as in a nother, to prefervethem all to proteclthem ail, to fill all with his glory, Rev. 21. 1 1. and to feed all with fat thisgs , Come, and Wine , and Oyle, the feaft of Tabernacles, lf&y 2% Zich, 1 4. X6» Sfynopcgta , of %vbich the woild (Kail not fo much as tafte of, IJ aj 65 > 13. this ispromifedby the Type , and much more. I might mention fernfalem the holy City fee as a Type,fl*». 2 x. as it ftood high upon hills, was the vifion of peace and Cafe- ty, the habitation of Kings, the place of the Temple, and wor- ship of God ; the City Compacl, and the glory of the Earth. So wil the fitsrch (y/hich the congregational ones make up as membra caftfaiiaj be upon the topoi all mountains, above all in thefe Utter dayes, Ifaj 2. 2* 3. and be the only place of fweet Peace and fure f afety for pcore foules s for Salvation tb&R bt Walls and Bnlwrkss, andZ*r£. 2. 5* they fball not feare the Judgements rtnt will be round about them. So (Kail the Cbnrchesbe the Pallaces of Chrift, the habitations of the Kirtg^ of Simt Ffal, 48. 3 . J*el 3 . 17. in them the Lord, will be wor - Gggs 2 fhipptd Dr. Sibs. 43 <£» Type. Solomons Temple a type of the whole Church when all Taberna- •l«fhallbec joyn'd. 528 Types thai fwetet the glory of Lib.IL' The $mn | (hipped above all , and he will be there a Temple and Light (Cbrift; mtift i himfelfe, Rev, u . a 2. a }# and they (hall be all united *$ a City fh r thc ?/? ! Ccmpaft, ar.d be the glory and praife of the whole Earth, \fay ShTe ' *2 7' & < 0. 1 8 Z*/*. 3. 19* *o. I might alfo inftancc in thc Moon hath ru- 1 Tc mp k of Solomon as a Type of the Church univerfall, not par- kd^he Night ticalar, (for I ha?e handled that before) but univerfall in lino*.) three things. 1. In theWfof holies* a. The holy place. 3.TI1C "Porch. i.Thchely of hoKes,ttzYigntcofthctriumphm*tpart of the Church* The 2. a Figure of the mi lit ant par toi the Church as it is vifible here,confifting of fuch as are indeed k$!j% and (an&ificd in Chrift Jefus. And 3. the P*rcb{whkh as yci I account no part of the heljTempU) for all to enter. *?'*. mixt Congregations j where. all *wy hcare, till they be called into the holy place* This Porch hath mixt company in it, good and bad , Saints and Hypocrites , till they come to be cali'd into the holy- houfet and then they are feparated. In our dayes, we are but in Ta- btr nails s% as we lay d before^ but the Temple is a building , So - /•»#*/ dayes are comming; in the meane time matter muft befetch'd from far ( as we (hew in the Precious fione/btfoxc) vsSoUmenfcnt far about to find matter in all Countries for this k*Ud*9frhx\<& at the I aft all our Tabernacles or particular Con- gregationall Churches (hall be turned into this one Temple % there (hall be no more particular Churches as now, but all (hall beoncTVwy/ftotheLord; all, all Saints, Churches, paft, prefent, and to come, Jews and Gentiles, gathered from farre, Eaft, Weft, North, and South , ill (hall make one Sheep fold. But before I conclude, I (hall bring in ene Type more for all, that is a fulfilling in our dayes, and fo will untill our compl eat reftauratian , and it is of Eden or Paradife; and that it is a Type will appeare, J/47? 1 . 3. fc £»t 3 x. 1 6. 1 8. E**K 36* 3 5. x6> he will make her like Eden, So it appcares in Jt#«.i 1 . and az. 1. a. where thereisalf© the Promife of ths clear Rivers9 and the Tree of life againe. So the Lord hath fremifed to make his Church a rPara£[e, that is in Hebr. Parde/e§ an Orchard or ^4r4i» full of /r#r/ of Rjgbtcoufuefc Cant. 4. 12. 1 3 . #*/*/. a. ?. a water* d garden, as I/47 5 8. 1 1, &c» See to this, in C£. a. ofx,*>.the^w^istootofnakeherah £i». Cr.ofH#4>. Vid. j Zanch. Lb. 1. de Horn, a-catione* v. 1 5 Pir;dife and Eden excellent full types of theChttch of Chtift in thefe laft dayes* •orffl C h a p.5. the Churches in the latter dyes. 5*9 The Churckcs •ypified. The Gar** watGodsewi plantation. The eicdlen- cyofir, bti ^ bis WOtfrr no, « Jhavejpeken itt and I mS do if , faith tht Lori. K\ this is to (hew the Excellency of his Cburth in the latttr d*yes9 which (hall be of his planting, above all ot hers of mens planr- ting, when we fliall be the Lords own Husbandry, 1 cor * 3.0, and workrrwnfhip in Chrift Jcfus. Epbef. 2, 10. a- It is rot called a Heuje or 7>agace ; but a Garden, U fart*s, which comes of oa a word which Ggnifies to p*/*# aad keep ; that is a place which tte Lord in efpeci2ll manner hedges to keep out beafts.and fuch as would hurt it. Now, this is a latter doyen fremife^nd tends modi to the happtoefs of the C**rd*/,&at the Ltfd will froteUtbmjfay 17. 3. Zacb.i.s. Gggg3 7?>; 2. Hijprw-- &>on of ihca. 530 The Chwcb it the Typified ■ i , ■ t IE. II 15- oF t* his Churches) and in tkeje dayes itfha&cowe topAJjfe, that men out of ail languages of the Nations , fbaU t*k* hold of kim, that is a (Tpirkaali) few 5 faying, \te will go with you, fsr we have heard that God is with you t fo Rev. 7. 4. four Angels at the fours corners of the Sarth flood there in their Offices, wruleft another Angell was fent to feale fin the fealing dayofthefpirit ) fome of all themArx, Rev. 21. iq.andNa- tions (hall bring their glory to Zion , andfbaU walke in the light thereof , or in the^gte of the Lambe , who is the light thereof. it is certaine, that as the name takes in of ail languages , fo the thing will, and fewes and Gentiles, and Hebrews^nd Grecians, Italians, and French, and Latinos, and germane/, and all muft be brought in to the Church of Chrifl tot this earthly Yaradifc reftor'd in thefe latter dayej, according to Promife & Prophefi*. 4, From the.fr** of it ; the JHueftiontfts havebeenvery bufie to know whe eabouts in the world this Eden was; fome fay in Me/opotamia , apartoftyrw, others about Babylon, ( vid. Ptin, lib. 8» § Ephet 3. 17. 18. Col. *. 6Vjob& 17. and folded into and wrapped about Jefus Chrift. 2 . Every Tree in *Paradift was of thelords making , fo fliould every Oidinsnce , and fofhould every Member of a Church of Chrift, being crtattd a new thereto, as the Lords mrkpttofbip in Chrift \e(usy Ephefca. 10. |. The Trees in FaraSfe the Lord cauftdto(rtwi v.o Gen. 1. So the Lord by his Grace and giving of fpirituall Sap, and Life to the Members of the Churches makes them growing Chr/ftiaus9 fpreading and flourishing Members of, and Orna- ments to his (jtrdsn inclofcd, 2 Pet.3.l8 and fweetneffe~; yea, fas Apples) both w*** and ^«^toaiany poor hungry /**/f all the Eanh. 43 f . Lovely to the fight. Coffoquia e^* congregitiones gratiamfpiwit* Bermrdcte Eu* 6. Exeelfent to feed upon. For all forts and Scnfiw. 534_ id* The preciom Trees of Paradife promifed us. L i b • II 7. AU forts of trees that the Lotd makes frulcfull muft grow there. S. TTie-rre* of life /n rhe sniiit of-thctn. Tiee oflife two wiyer. & tu\) to heare of, £weet to fmeJioi, mod admirable tofeeleoU moft pleafant to the fight, and exceedingly fweet, favory, and foule-fatisfying to the taftc. Lord haften thefe happy • all heat , radicall moyfture. and *»*- mallfpirits, &c. but I thinke it mod; of all intends force quick? ning power-^cA vital firength([{ I may fo fay ) which was given by this fruit to the Eater, ( above ail other ) that he could not beficke, nor wax old, nor weak?, nor infirm*, nor dye ; but fhould Aw in perpetuall health and flrength, and vigor of fpi- rir. But however ,as that tree of life flood in the mldfi of the rrfiy T!H3 asd was more worth then all the reft , Cant. a. 3. So does C h a t .9 . The Typified Trees of Pa radifefor our dayes. 535 does Chrift in the midfi of his Saints ; in the midft (Rev. i< 1 3. and 2. i.) of the fevcn golden Candleftxks , in the midft of his 'Brethren, Hebr- 2. 1 2. hisfellow trees, in the iw^/? of the Bre- thrtn, in the midfi of the Church will Jgivepraiferyhyes Chrift, . fo is his Promife to be in tku midft of them M it 1 8. 20. fo Pfil. 46 ?. Hofeat 1.9. Joel 2.27. So Z ph. 3.?. \^ the King of If rati in the mldft of thee e So hath the Lord promifed us in Zach, 2. 5 . he will be our glory in the midft of us : and fo v* 10 11. /*£» rejoyce, O daughters ofSion (every particular Church and Aflembly of Sion ) for lo I I come, and I will dwell in the midft efthee • and many Nations fbalbtjoyn'dto the Lord in thatdty and /hall be my ( joy n'd or gather'd ) people, and I will dwell in the midft of thee: Oh this is afingular happinefle 1 for then one member, and one Church, and one tree, and one Ordinance will be as neare to him as another , and receive from him as well as another, and all alike will fetch power and glory, and grace, and fpirit, and light, ani life, and whatfoever eife is communicable from him. Some there be that make this tree a Symbole, and the two trees, the two Sacraments • fo far I agree with them, as to fay, thefe (pecUll Ordinances are in the midft of the Churches , and muft not be difpenfed without neither Taptijme, nor the Lords Supper ', (fo call'd) or breaking bread, and they break the Command that dare to give them,or receive the.m without , for they are to be in the midft of the Churches, and will be fo ere long , and kept there by the flaming fword, from the fons of is4dam$ that run greedily {according to the Serpents in{inuations,2CoMi.3.)to eatot the for bidden fruits. But this tree oj life which dial (land in the midfi of.thc gatherd Churches in the reftored Pa*adife, is rmant Chrift, and fo hee fhall ftand, as Rev. 22.2. and in the miaft oftheftreet of the holy City, ( every Church that helps to makeup the great City) the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits, &c. Chrift will be in the midft not onely to give fruits (both meat and drinkc) for other trees (the Saints and members) will doe fo too 5 but he is there living and giving lije, 1 Cor. 1 5 .45 . a quickening, i.e. \ «g3| tife-givirg fpirit , having twelve manner of fruits fox twelve months , of divers forts, for all forts and conditions of fou!s,and for as often as you will fnve of him ; and thofc that tat of him TZiodate. The two Sa- craments within the] Church kept And not to bs carried out. -4* Hhhh (hallf 53 The Typified River that waters Taradife. L i b . II. 9. Thetrce cf life, and other trees alike. & 3, Yhe Spirit and Word ty- pified by Ri- vers &fheams I . 'From whence the Rivers came ■nb6rigine9vl%. .uzom cae Eilt. j {hall never dye, ^. 6, 5©. but grow livelier, and luftier, and itronger, and healchfuUier every day : So rh-t C'hrifi hath pro- mifed to he a tree of life in the midft of the Churches to makf them up an eartkly 'Paradije, which elfe cant be, 9 Other trees, and this tree of life were much alike, for e- very tree hath the fame woody? lignum , and this foretels rne how much the Saints ( the true Members of the Churches) (hall look like Chrift, and bring forth fruits like Saints , and walk its he walked, 1 John 4. 17. And repre/ent him as per taking of divine and humane nature ^and being filled with thefamrfpirit, and we kfrt* when he fbak appear we fhalt appear hk$ him, 1 Jo. The fecond fpeciaftpriviledges of Tarad'ife, were in the Ri- ver which watered the Garden ; and that this was alfo very {lgnificant , as to thefe latter dayes 9 will eafily appear by the fpirit which is promifed to the Saints mA Churches in thefe latter dayes, as a River, and the Graces as Streams,and the Or- dinances as Brooks &c. Ifay. 30.25.Hay.34.21.Ifay. 32. 2/ and Ifay.4 1 - 1 8. / mB open rivers in high places t and in the dry tand firings of water, and Ifay. 45. I p. 20, "Behold I wiB do a new thing, andyefbaU know it, I wiBeven make a Way in the Wil- derneffe and Rivers in the Baby toxica, 'Perfi*, fhaldea, tfc.in this part was McfopotamU, and the Garden of Paradife - brat fc- condly the other part of the Eaft lay obfeure, and hidden to us, unknown and unfriown in the Scriptures ; and f rora that part fome fay the River ran ; whether it be fo or no m the Letter , yet this is certain that fo much of the Will of God.in Chrift as is revealed, declares to us Eden, (the Garden of the Lord J the Churches of Chrift in the latter dayes, will be large, and the Scriptures (peak much of it, and (how it clearly ; but that part of the Will of Go J which is fecret and in myftery • hidden and obfeure this River runs from alfo , inco the Chur- ches ; by which River the fecret and hidden myfteries may and muft be found out, and that which is not yet difcovered of God and Chrift muftbe revealed, and the whole Book of Re- velation ; and whatfoever is as yet fealed up muft be layd o- pen , and made common to the Churches. This ll*t>*rit ran into Paradife. partly by fecret, clofe occult conveyances, and partly by open ordinary courfes and Rowings (fayes* Pit ny lib* 5« c, 24.) So does the jf »'*V, and fo it will come flowing into the Churches to water thenv& fill them as Waters fill the Sea, J fay. 11. partly by Meanes, Ordinances, Promifes.Providences, and fuch ordinary Parages and Currents of the fpirit ; and partly by fecret wayes, under ground, myfterious occult con- veyances ; but what with one way , and what with another, the G.'.rdens of the Lord the Churches will be well refreshed and filled with this River which arifes out of the Eaft : And to finifli this Particular, this River ran fas with one ftreamj i.nto the Garden , but from thence divided feverall wayes a- broad; fowill the fpirit as with one mighty rufhing Sea into the Qkurches 5 and from chem be divided about,and fpread a- broad. But, Hhhh 3 Secondly, Two parts of the Eaft. 1. Known?." 1. Hidden, but only the River runs from it* J & - 53* The pouring out of the ft ir it IB. II i. For Chur- ches, to whit end ? •3? j- The River civid.d into fourc heads. 'JDiodate, Hates Taradi fam conduiu &■ Taradifum t tnflum. Beru.de Sam. c ant. $?. To take in nnny Nations, cs£ Where Gods great worke firft begins, as in the pou- ring out of rh< fpinr. Secondly , for what end ? to water the Garden : So the Churches will be abundantly more ftnZtifying zndfrefi, when this Ipirit is poured out, than now they are, Cant. 4. 15V *And they flail be like a watered Garden, wlorfe Water sfaile not , Ifcy. 58. 1 1* they can't faile, Heb. 2. 14. they are already green and growing, and fcall no more be like a parched Wildei neffe. Thirdly, a word more about the Divifion of this River, v. 1 o. From thense it farted into four Heads. From thence , indey Hebr. 0\C?D*> de ibi ; it is a queftion among fome , where this Divifion is made; whether before it came into the Garden, and after it went out, or in Taradife ; now it appears to me, although it came into the Garden , mo inflttxo , as by one dream, yet it went out by four, in v.io. 1 1. 1 2 1 v &c. So that the Divifion was within the Garden, and by this Divifion eve- ry part of the Garden was watered ; So the fti*it though it is one and the fame fas from Chrift) yet in the Church it flows feverall wayes,in feverall to (new that it was no place for Iteafts ; the Lord hath promifed no ravenous hulls fhall enter into this earthly Taradife, that is to come in thefe laft tsfges, Ifay.35 9. 10. 2. The Lord took? him ( & talk Jehovah Elohlm) to (hew that he came not thither by natwe, and was not^r^toir, or created in it, bat tray fined into ir, by the (pirit of the Lord; the Lord put him in ■ fo none are to"be in the Churches , as Members that be ia their meer naturall Condition ; or as if bom to it, or bom in it ; O no ! only fuch as are brought in by Grace , whom the Lord hath brought in and fitted for Church- j Communion, by his Jpirit, that onuft be Members ; fuch as the Z,Zach.i4c2T. 3 * The Paradife was of ufe in w*«/ innecency, as an i^rf- «fcwj , or the Vniverfity (fayes Parens) to which w*« from *AT P*rf / might refort topraife the Lord, and to learn of him, and to behold his moft excellent woikes,and to feed, of the beft jfarity And from thence others michtbe font abroad (as the Rivers went ) to give knowledge to the /w/>/* ; and of fuch excellent ufe will the Churches of Chrift be in thefe latter dajts ; for all teach others forts of Saints tore fort to them j tofnii/tthe Lord in them ; I to- . ThclaftJTco. very fcf the Type. I. No phec for Bcaftf. z. It is not for meer naturall men. For none but whom the Lord addes& brings in. Thefe Chur- ches mi ft be purged. -*% $. Of the grea- test Ufe, as U- niverfities for others to refoit unto, and to learn in,and to goe from to Universities 5 of what fort i; the latter day*. 4. Such v we flacev' 11 reftored Para- diff, are ande> the ftriaeft Lawrs of the ffi ii. — — • - - • ' ■ »t^ 54° Map placed in Paradife in thefe Utter dayes. Lib .If. be inftruQed by him • to be acquainted with his w<^ £r*fi - tf of the truth & myfieries of the gojpslfis they are revealed to the Saints in feU(?wJhip.Sv.chCbur ches wil prove the ufefulleft Vniverfities in the w*r& ic ftock atid ftore , the Ration with able Spirit ualTtachtrs ; and fuch as (hall fpsake the fAiisgJ they foarf and fee, being all **0gfrf of the Lord by the Anointing frm on high fo co doe ; and this is premifed at large in thefe latter Dayes. Jerem. 32. 40. /fay. 46. 1 3. and 5413.14. For his Lawfhzil go torch from Zion}Ifay. 1 2. Micba^.Z. 4. God would not have «»<*» ( no not in his innocency ) to Ihe (no not io Paradi/c) without Law ; but he kept him un- zi fir i& Law, v. 16* the'Lord God commanded the man (pr 4- cepto fwgulan obftrinxh , the Hebrew notes the Word HYST* with the Proppfitioh or Particle ^Jf to fignifie more then ((imply) tow mand, viz,, to command with an Interdiction and Prohibition as follows in v. 17. thus is the Word *13f"«i, **• ;>/*# read in Scripture, arid this is very fignifkunt ; for God doth not promt ft us a lawlejft liberty ,or licentious day es in thefe Affttr d*;«; but that we foall be under his Lawes and Ordi- nances y which he hath appoynted in the Church : The Saints fhall be **<*# walkers up to the rule of ptrftSt righteoufnejft in C£n(/? Jefus ; not drfiroying but fulfilling the L<*a>, and that in £»*>* which is the bond of perfection , only this obedience foal be more in and by tht Jpirit of the Lord, John 4, 2 5 . ?4» But God is very exacl (as appears by the ftrictneffe of tfe wo d J to have his Saints ± the Churches and iMetobert t hereof fab J eel: to his Laws (even in Paradife) even in the belt reformed & re- ftored ?£ *»/ Difciples , lfay.8. 1 6. So that God efpecially looks for it from them , for they have more reafon to live under the Order and Law of God then any others; for they are to be Examples The Law in Idve. The Churches h.*ve their law from the Lord O hers from she Churches. C h a p .9 . OWan placed in (removed) Paradrfi. 541 Examples to others a< tight s on a hiM , and as the Salt to kafcn others that are without ; They have k firft that are in Churches (molt excellency as from the Lord ) and ochevs as from them- Micab 4.2. Ad&m had the Law firft in Paradi/e as frcmthe Lord(moft excellently of ali)and Eve afterwards as from him: Belidcs the Ma jelly & Authority of God is promi£d (hereby) efpecially in the Churches ; as faulted 1 Cor, 11. 23 For I have received ->f the Lord chat which 1 delivered unto you , &c. fo it fbalbe efpecially in the l*ft dayr^s Micah $*^He (Chrift) fb*& (land and feea ( and rule; in the firengtb of the Lord, in the majtfty of the name of the Lord hu God, audtbeyUhz Churches) /hail abide : For now (after this; (hall he (Chrift) be great un- to the end of the Earth .- But yet marke this, rhac the Man was firft made, and then commanded ; he had firft a Principle, and then a Precept ; the firft is to the adeffe , and then the other to the bene effe ; So th3t to the lingular Comfort of Saints ^nd all Church Members , here is much promifed ; that he will firft create, and then command ; that he will firft give them a pow- er to do it , and then give them a Precept to do it ; And then they (hall be upon the Chariots of Aminadab. Firft, he'l write his Law in them , and then receive his Law of them (•'. e . that which is written in them)in chek latter days-Jo that the £fa»r- ches ScSaints (ha! not be.yea canot be without Law,nor with- out liberty,nor without the perfect Law of liberty, f am. 1.25. l< Man, though in Paradifc muft not be idle , therefore v. I j . Qodput him in to dreffe it and to keep it, vi*. it, Garden ; for the word is hortus, which is J J of the Feminine Gender, | with this n affixed , and it is not without fignification to all the Churches and Saints j for as Zanchy fayes, tParadifusiSai typus fuit Scclefia, ergo, qui in Ecclefiampofiti fuut, difcant, [e non effe hie pofitos ut otiofi vivant, fed nt pro fuk cfuify virilize- I At Ecclefiam, eam% cuftediat&c. Paradife was a Type of the Church, and it concerns every Member of the Church, to re- member he muft not be idle ; but up and about, to work-in the Vineyard, to dreffe and keep it ; for the manifefiation of the Q>i~ tit is given to every one to profit mtball, 1 Cor. I u 7% To doe fomething or other to the edifying of the Churchy 1 Cw.14.1 2 . Rom. 14. 1 9. to in(truilt exhort, build up, and drejfe it, Ephef. 4, 29. 1 Thef. j* 1 1, ]ude 20. Heb.io. 24*25. Yei^nd to keep nii ?t <&> We have firft Life if»d then Liw, firft a Principle, *nd then a Precept 43 ^Tkofether- in are never to be idle,but eve- ry day drefling and keeping it. Zanch, 5 4* Members in Churches jhould be as m&n in Paradife* L i b . II What labours art accurfcd , ^vbut ROt. 6. Such as are jGnner*,though in theCkurcb, mod be caft «Ht. # it too, from the Foxes of the Field, and che Wild Bores of the Wood ; yea, to keep out all Beafts and fuch as would hurt this tparAdift, and to keep in good Orders, the Fences and Hedges* theLawesand Liberties of the Church, Judej. Gal J.I. Hcb. i J 5.4. Ephef.4 3.4. Phil. 2. 1. a. 3. 1 Cor.1.10. 2 Cor. 13*11. This Care lies upon all the Churches and Members thereof;the Lord make them good Husband-aien, carefull, and watchfull, and painfull as he hath promifed for the benefit of the Churchy and the good keeping of this (Typified) TaraSfe^s Hofea 1 a. 11.12. Olfj. But Labour and Workewas (fans peccatij 3 Curfe* Gent%.\ 7. and a Bondage. *Anf. Not every Labour and Worke, but anxious, vexati- ous , grievous pains and labours ; but not to labour in T^rn- dffi , in the Lords Garden or Vineyard ; to fuch as the Ltrd hath fet therein, his Yoke is eafie ; and his Service is fweet to them , Prov. 3.17* The W*]ts of wifdome Are pltafdntnefe t* their Souls; they delight to be doing for the Lord , for Chrift, for the edifying of his Church,Pfal. 1 . 2. and 16.3. and 40J. FfaJ.i ip.i6V34.3f.47.70. 77. 174. Duties are a Delight, I and Ordinances a Delight to them, C***.2.3. ^17.58.15.14. 6\ -J^w though in *P*radifehyet upon open Breach of Gods Law he was caft out and cxcommunicated,Gen. 3.^23. 24. Ther- fore the Lord [cm him e*t from the garden of Eden , to till the ground, from whence he was t*\en> and he drove out the man, or expelled, caft. and (hut him oat ; which is \EH3U a hard werd, and a clear Excommunication ; whflft the former word he fent out, Jnn^% is but a kind ofcoimnand to himto pack a~ way; but now he's thruft out and b&mfh'd Tsrddifc • for in- deed his offence was the greater , that it was in Tsrtdife after he was fo bleffed, and had tafted the fruits of it, &c. So-muft Offenders f though Members of the £h*rch, 1 Cor. 5. 45.) be dealt with,& their fins are of the greater aggravation, by how much the longer they have been Members, and by how much the more they hare tifted of the Fruits.and found of the Bene- fits of being inclofed , and in the Garden of the Lord , v«&» Church- fellowfhip ; wherefore let Members beware of the forbiddcn'Fruitsj and they may live ( din & die) long and happily Members in Churches their Privi ledges as in Paradffe. 543 happily in the Churches ok Chrij} in thefe laftdayes. 7. iMan in Paradife might eat of every tret, v. 1 6* of* every tree of the Gar dm thou may* ft freely eat , that is of the Fruit of every Tree, XltbD'O* ex auavti arbore (except as v. 17. of the tree of knowledge) thou maft eat freely, is an excellent Hebra- ftrn:, fcjJtn ^3vS,eat and eat again,yc a eomedeneU eomedes,yo\x may eat by eating; there be feme that fay under thefe words lye a Command upon the Man , ^Hil7Xr, that he mult eat of the Fruits of every Tree , without making difference of clean and unclean, &cm This (hows the great ad vantage and privi- ledges of Saints and Members of the Churches in thefe lafi dayes; they feed upon the Fruits of every Tree in the Garden (not out of the Garden) of every Ordinance, of every Admi- nistration, of every Gic, Grace, of every Saint or Mcmber;not putting of Differences, making Diftinftions, or having of the Faith with refpeel of Pctfons or Opinions, Micah 4. 5 . And they (bad fit every one under his oxen Vine, and they fiaS vealkfi e- very one in the name of his God ', &c. Yea then as every Tree (hall be fruitfull, £V. 1. 1 o Bofeai^ 8. So every Saint and Member muft eat of the Fruits of all, out of all, i. e. that grows out of everyone; yea of the leaft, loweft, darkeft (and moft underihadow) and meaneft Member o* Brother of the fourth; for every one (hall bring in of his Fruits (and none be hindred) and every onesFruits fhall be in duefesfon, Pf.i. 1.3. and none before the time, Orfal.^. 1 1. but all ripened by the Sun ; and then every one will be defirous of them, Micah 7.1. tMyfoul defied the rife fruits, fayes the Prophet himfelfe. 8* Man in Paradife was forbidden the Tree of Knowledge, v. 17. But eft be tree of Xwt ledge thorn ft alt not eat of it • for in the day thou eatefl thereof thou (halt [urely dye • which words are full in Hebr. you (hall not eat of it , that is, not eat cut of it, UOQi as if the Lord (hould (ftu-nxat) poynt out with his ringer the Tree he forbad ; if thou eateft thereof thou fcalt not faile to dye ; thou (halt farely dye, which is in //#- braifme too mCn niD> moriend* morieru, &>« 7p arQ&uf r£s, thou (halt dye with dying , thou (hilt dye the death ; that is neteffarily, and unavoydably, and moft miferably , thou (halt know 'tis a fearfull thing to fin in Paradife (to in Church- FelA Iiii 2 ^wfhif^; 7. Such as arc therein may en freely, yea mart of* every tree. ^ RipcfriitCi 3. Sach forbid the Tree of Knowledge before the ace ofLife. 43* «■ 544 Church-Members Priviledges in Utter dayes. L i b. II. ' iovsfblp) therefore the command is interdicting , and prohibi- ting the tree ofKnowledg. So are the Saints & Members in the Cheches foxb\& the tree of Knowledge is humane Wifdom, carnal Reafon and Policyfanv<5htion of Word?, Gifts,habituall Parts or Learning ; fubtile Sophiftry , and ail fuch forbidden fruits fin Paradife, fo ) in the fhurc hes% Col. a, 8. That none jftojlejou through Philofophy , Arts and Sciences , not corrupt you with humane Wifdome, \ Com. 20.21. 2 Cor.1.12. which &£gjpt and Babylon did, and yet do abound in ; but the Lord hath promt fed to deftroj and bring tbu Wifdome to nought ', Ifay. 3Q 14. *A*dthat the deafe [hall bear fandthe blind feey Ifay.2pi 18. The things and vifions of thebookf which the learned can' t rtad, in v. 1 1. Becaufe 'tis fettled to him . but the fpirit ofthe Lord finll reveaie them to Babes ; And thofe that jee not fhai fee , Ttebilft thofe that fee fhaH be made blind : Therefore let the Saints tike heed of that Tree whole Fruits (if they live open them , and prefer them ( for fo Man did J will be accurfed to them , Jen i 7. 5. <5. For cur fed is the man that makes pfh hk arm , whofe hi art departeth from the Lord ; for he fb alike likjs the heath in t he defarti and not fee when good commeth ; T his is a Curfe indeed, as full as the Fig- tree had, and this dreadfuli Girfe is full of wrath-for .., and to them that prefer and feed (altogether) on humane Parts,habiual Gifts, Wifdome, Learn- ing , or the like ; for by thefe the Old Man (who mull fall) gets to be enthroned,and Chrift and Truth juftled out of doors; not that we deny an ufc fyea and foretimes a great ufe too) that may be made of Parts, Learning, humane Knowledge, ha- bitual! Gifts* &e. For if there were no ufe at all to be made of them , then they were aot to be there; then this Tree of Knowledge fhould not have been fee in 'Paradife at all, much leffe in the mi d ft of the Garden ; bat this we fay, that though they rmy be furTjred, yea feen, heard, handled ; yet they onuft: not be eaten, ted on before the Tree of Ltfe, Co live on,or ro be nourirtied by them : O no ! but feed on the Tree of Life ! Eite down theToairs ok the fpirit \ the Graces ! Learning ! Wifdome of the fpirit f to live on ! to be quickned , nouri- fhed'l comforted by, and to have them confubftantiated into you ! So that the other fruits are not firft to-be feed on 1 but to be looked on 1 and to be ufed as Servants co the Tree of Mxpof. An uf« of ha mane Wif- dome, Learn irig and-know- iedgein the Churches. But not to be ifrcftrreu firft. 9, The Sfr^ pcnrgor in and tempted by the bruits of the rree of know* ledge. Ch ap.?. Church- Members Priviledges in latter daycs. 545 Life, ani by the bye ! therefore wee be to them I that prefer the tree of knowledge before the tree of life! it is that which is here forbid, and is accurfed with a moft dr :adfull fentence and doome upon it I and rhey fall fowled and moft irrecoverably. that fall by eating thtfrmts of the tree of k> tty/edge ! v z> fclfe- wifdomeand pirts , &c !■ in prtfcrrirtgof theft (by S*t&an'« fuhtill infinuitions) before the tree of hfe I La all Churches and Members look to it then 1 For they are imdarsidijperate enrfe that do fo ! and when they -do Julian like Apoftatize, they are the moft hurtfull ! unholy! volenti and unexecra- ble Enemies to Chrift and his Gofpel. 9. The Serpent got even into Paradfe it's fufe,and prefent- ly pitchr upon the tret of knowledge, to tempt the Woman (and fo the man) with the fruits of that tree, and the Woman feeing 'twas to be de ftred to make one wife, Gen 31 6. Sayesthe Text, took it, &c So Satban, that fubciil Serpent, creeps into the beft: (,hurches at fome hole or other, and appears in their £on grtgations, as Job 1. 6. (where (3od fees him when men can't} and foeven in Judas in C^Yifts little frfltwfhip he crowded in, and fo in Judeq Gal. 2.4. and when rhey are at the beft and bu- ft* ft dmtitt the'[bs fure to rcpt them,& that (ubtiUy with won- derous Art and cunning winding himfeife ir.ro tht heart of one or other, to tempt them to (or bidden f-utn and he ufual'y gets Up into the tree of knowledge, i. e, by ca or creature- parts and appearances : And know char none are wife but the Saints; the Ghurchesand Saints are able to out- fee all the Vniverfities of the Earth,*'* ahiffmk caufis rerum. Chrift is their Wifdome, i Cor. 1.30- St dignofcitiva & direttiva in h im they are wife, 1 Cor. 4. 10. and learned' the learned of God are brought up in the Univerfities of Chrift , the Schooles of the Prophets in- deed excelling^ in Knowledge, Phil. 5.8. Jo.7.3. a«d learning as the taught of(jod% Ifay. 29 1 1. and Ifay. 50. 4. John 6 45. Rev. 1 4 3. Rev. $.5 6. and excelling all in the trueft, pureft .fai- led, fweeceft, and profitable!!: original tongue sand languages, Din. 1.17.70.7. I?. 77** the /*»£*<*£' of Canaan, the tongue of the fl>irit , the pureft *«jwm#- therefore let not Sathan deceive us with his fair (ides of Gifts 2nd Parts So as to make us eat of them,and chufe them before the tree of life: And yetGod forbid but that we (hould have gifts, mi parts, and learning, and languages , in the Churches too , for the/frffVtofthc Church, and to be under the fpirit ; fo that there is great re*- fon that the frw of Knowledge (hould ftan^ there , though the Serpent do make it his 'Den, and 7"V*f of Temptation. 1 o. It was the/#N& <&/ that man was put into Taradi/e by God; andnow<^7»^4f^»yi^;Mr/, fo chat wc live in the fixth day fince the Creation ; and now God is reftoring ?*- radife apace, and he hath gathered fome Churches, hrs garden isenclofcd, mdhchathcmkd trees to grow there, and the Ri- ver to run there • now it remaines , that he by his own fririt do put man in, we live in this day wherein he will do it, as 8- *tke^&¥P35*%6 3j,fer,$2.ij.isf*dl trill gather them, aud I will bring them againe into thit place ^ Micih 7.9. He wilt bring me forth to light, and IJhaS behold bvrighteoufneff*. £ich. 8. 8. I wilt bring them , and theyfhall dvttlltn the midfi of Jerufalem, dud thejJhaR be my people , and I will be t heir God in truth and righteoufnefe .• the Lord undertakes it hirofelfe , by his ww hand to put men into his {ykwrebt* , and to bring in the fons of ftrangers , and the eutcafts of Ifrael, Ifay 5 6 6.j<%* **d be &ii plant them, Jerem.3 2.40 41. und bring all the good that he bath promiftd in bis word upon tbem,]zr. 3 a. 42. and caufe them to wal\ by Chap. o. ThejixthJajb the glorious prefence of God there. 547 by \'ivf"s *f waters, Jerem 31.9. Eick. 34. 1 3. &c. I r. Bat to conclude the Tyfe, Paraaife is the phce where- in God d'd tnofl familiarly appeare , and act]4?int himfirlfe to 'Mm, and manifeft his love and grory. Three waves we read of by which God fpakc to men, by dreams, by viJionsy or eife jace to face ; and in this manner, whereby his L«ve,and wher- in his Glory did moft appeared it,, face to face did the Lord ma- nifeft himfelfe in Paradi/et although hi* face was ff en but as in a glaffe. 2 Cor. 3.18. under the fimilitude of an Angel , or fbme other bodily appeararce. This figmfies the Angular ap- pearances and prefence of God , which the Churches (ball en- joy above all tke world befldes , in thefe Ufi dayes ; his pre- fence is efpccially promifed to appeare, and his Love, and Glo- ry to be manifefted in the Churches. hbamm >SV »**&* «J^ ttunsrd *Sayt-x*u\x.iV£ voji [xiv @ioV t&Jtxv&iv ■ jrori Hvyiaiyyi" Ac* 0sa T&7zyozn/i ©ilsu! tgx KvetQ" r$f Qio'piKeiV ctvfy&yct/- ,ti)pfivui»Q- ' &yyi\&J\i t« civa7cLr*xzt7fhi &c. Such a fpeciall manifeftition as is mentioned in John j 4, 2 1 . which is promi- fed in thefe laft dayes fhali be 9f«*t>&e?*s M2xeM&*»t> h the -brigbtneffe of his glory , Heb. U 2. 1 . Jo. 2. T I. Eph. 3,3.4. fo is it in Pfal. 102.16 vben the Lord fhali build up ZUn , then he fiill appeare in his glory. So Habak 2.14. Then fhali they bet filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. SoZich. 2. 5. Rev. 21. 1 1.23. The glory of God (ball lighten the 2{ewferufa- ltmy viz. the glorious prefence of God in it. Then the Saints in the Churches fhali have the moft familiar prefence of God, difcourfes with him,difcoveries of him walkingin the Garden, as Cant.8.13. tnd Cant. 7. 11. So Cant. 6. 2. my beloved sagont down into his garden, to tke beds offpices, (particular Churches) to feed in the Gardens , to gather lillies. There is Chrift moft •nd beft to be found. So Cant. 4. 16. and $ . 1 . &c Pfal. 63 • 2. and Pfal. 27. 4. yet the Angel of his prefence (hail be there, I fay £3.0* and the name of them from that day , (ball be ftke* yah Sbammai, the Lordh there. Ezek. 48^35. Thus we have done with thefe Types that foretell the hap- py ftate of Saints in Gofpel-fellowfhip , and the Glory of Ac Churches of Chrift in thefe Utttr dayes % fparkling ihrapgh ma- ny 1 1. Gods Cpe- cull pf; ftr.ee chcic. JhRm, lren*xst ttrmpi**} En* fcbm% Ambfvic% &&luink6. 548 Churches difiinB by themfelves. Lib.IL 5. the Char- ches of Ch jft diftma from all o- thersD Ard&itbefo a* £*/^ ny more Types then I have mention'd , but thefe are fufficienc for prefent proote , though every day will bring forth more, and more excellent matter of praifes and rejoycings ; whiift the Church comes out of the tVilderneffe Itaning on her beloved% perfumed with mirrh and frankin fence : and the Saints Jhal have beauty for ajbes, and be c »!led trees ofrighteoufne^e^ the Lords own planting, that he might h glorifedt Ifay tf I 3. But laftiy »that the Churches cf Chrift are to ftsnd apparant- ly diftincl from all others ; we have already pr.ov'd iu Chap.6\ /{(•i.&c. befides feverali Prophefies and Types we might bring forth, buc that'ws time to conclude and reft me, as Numb 2 ; $ (jfn.u^.god fa* tbs light wm goodsm& thenf&re divided the light from darknejfeyzo be diftincl. E33inv« J^lTPfAn JW nV^n p2 in 'theSept. W dsmake, muft (land. It is then no new thing r0 be diftincl from Pariihw, and all falfe Antlchriftian Churches , wherein there is a mix- ture, % Cor. 6 14 1 5. and is not fo diftincl a f juration as is arid ought to be in all true Churches from falfe wayes and wor- fhips. We find this too typified by Uracil feparated from all others Numb. 1 6.9 and thy were not to joyn in Religion and woifhip with the other Nations, 1 King. 1 1. 3. Jo[hua 2.3. Exod ; 3. itf. ?>eut. 10. 8. and 31. 8. but fcparated from the mixed multitude > Nehem. 1 }. J . E*r* 10. 1 6. yea in Deut. 23.1,2 l- &c you will read who might, and whomightnot enter into th; C lurch; which much concerns us now*, i* nor C h ap .9. Churches apparently diftinB and inftinB. 549 Not Enemies. Who? Nor Baftardi. Who? not (uch as cannot retaine the feed of the word, as it is in Heb. Sbophcah, which feeds and lofes that precious feed ; how can they beget others to the faith that lofe the feed? fuchare not to be received Into the C*Hre£ation °* the Lord : O precious promifes I which wilt prodoce and procreate a mod excellent diflinelion in the Utter dajes ! when the Lord (hall adde to his Churches fuch as have a fulneffc of hisfced, 1 Pet.1.23. 1 I0.3. 9. remaining in them;and then as v.t.'Baftards dial not be re- ceiv'd, *. e. Hebr. Mamz.tr , one that is of an Where, viz.. the Whore in R>ev. 17. 5- the fruit of uncleanneffc. Too too many of them , it is tobe feared enter in as yet, that have relation to the Whore, and that don't heartily hate her and all her trum- peries and toyes j but then it (hall be, that none but thofe that hate the Whore, and that (hall labour to lay her open to all the World, and burn herwithfire, Rev. 17. And fuch as fhall be glad of the day , wherein they may dafh her little ones a- gainp theftones , Pfal. 13 7. 8.9. and may ferve "Babylon *%jht hath ferved Sion , that (hall enter indeed,in that day (and not the baftards that arc born of the Whoretffax. fuch as have £****» the vittory over the be aft, and over his image, and his marks , and over the number of his name, Rev. 1 5 .*• Then will be the great and apparent diftinthion indeed. Yea then v. 3 . the ^Ammonite and iMoabitemuft not enter in,&c. yet the 8domites.Q\i\\% v 7. being turned Fro/elites , and received into the faith ; by Idu- meaot Edom , I would underftand the red people (as the Word fignifies) and as it relates to the latter dajes- I do believe it may take in the bloody Jews, who have fo i ong lay under the Buc the E(j0_ guilt , who will e're the third generation enter apace into the Churches , in the mean time ; Remember O Lord thefe children afEdem ( the Jewes ) in the day ofjerufalem ( the gathered Churches, in the day offe&eel) who fayd (and fo they flial (ay as xealoufly as any of Babylon) rafe it, ra/e it, even the founda- tion thereof : 0 Daughters of Babylon, who ought to be deftroy - ed f happy fhall he be that rewardeth thee as thou haft ferved us, Pfal.l 37.7.8. In that day every eye (hall /f*,and eve"y ear fhai heare that ((rati is a people diftinti from all others, and fo made by the in/tint} of the fpir it, which leads them out of 'Babylon in- to Zion, z&iinto all truths. To conclude , all the "Prophefies Kkkk Pro- 42) Nor Amman nor Moabftnl enter in. mits (hill, or the Jews. <£* 5 S ° Nationall & Parochial! Churches are Adulter ejjes. L i b . II Exhort* To ftrivc a" gainft Natio nail and paro chiail Church- es, and why ? Exptf. Zanch, A word to En. glandjlreland, and ^Scotland about Natio a. 11 and P.ro- chiall Church- es The Handing impudence of Panfh Church Members ! OS* i£awdrey, P« Sim. Promifes, Precepts, Praclifes of Primitive Saints s ^Preachings, and Epiftles,md AUs of the Apoftles (which is our Directory) yea all the Types and Titles *f the Church , as l&tount- Zion9 Jerufalem, Temple, Tabernacle, ff>irituaMhoufe,pec\i\hr people, royal Prieftbtod, City, Spoufe, Vineyard, Paradifejnd Garden of the Lord,md golden CasdleJficks^ndKingdomt of Heaven, and all other titles that belong to her, do call aloud in our ears to come in unto her , and outeifalfe adulterine yvayesoftyor- fhip . Wherefore Hofea 2. 1,2.3 .4. *$*/ f« rfo brethren , cow* *»j ^£?/>/* , and to the .fr#*r / ( #e will j oyn with you J arife, (ing, for there is mercy offered us: Wherefore let as all plead ; Plead with your mother yple ad, for fie is not mj ^ifey neither am I her husband (faith the Lord ) wherefore let her put away her whoredomes out of her face , and her adulteries out of her breft : Plead, firive againft hev*Lttigate.Et rixamini.ZmcAn loc.vi*. yoiir mother, th^ National! Church (fo called ) aod her children. v.4. viz.. parochial Synagogues , which are full of rtbsrcdomes and adulteries, and are not the Lords Churches tox his Spoufe, but esfduttereffes and (as Churches) the Daughters of the Whore \ the JQuean, the foul ftrumpet, -»hp foal be burnt up : Therefore awake, O ye people of England* Ireland! znd Sett- land I and plead and expofiulate in goede&xvstb with thern ! For their Whoredomts are in their faces y and their adulteries in their breafis ; in theivface, that is their external! veorfaip and ordinan- ces, and discipline; And in their breaftst that is in their hearts. For Parifh- Church- Members are ful of ^(brf*- <&»//; and imprudently ( like the mod: brazen- faced Whores ) they will commit fin, inceft* adultery in open fight , and without blflfhing for fhame call for their Lovers in the optn cengrega- tions,md will have their Sacraments, thtir Services, their Idols, mdwil-worfbip in their Synagogues ^ ytaand they have their Priefi 3 too, to preach up and paint cut their idolatry (as Whores are painted, & to give them the Sacrammts m their fins, O fad dayes.l like Stdomes ! but the LerdwiH judge her f I remem- ber Mr. Cawdreyins florehoufeandfimlMes, fayes to *his, that 'tis high felony, as'tis fotAfttfyS x.QComter\eh \&%Khgs Lit- ters They are guil- ty cf Trcafon, Ft.'ory, and VVhcrdorae. 4$ 4$ C h a p , 9. PTationall & Parochial! churches areAdukerejjes. 551 ters or Stales ; fo for men £0 make new Lams and Orders, and I not to take Chrifi's j but to alter the word , to counterfeit | About the Sa- the Sacraments, and moft impudently wtffc /&■ Whores forthe ad | craments, to maintain traditions , Cuftomes (though of long (landing) which are not C^rifls* but i^af *- Chrifi's, and to admmijier the Sacrament and SW*/ otherwife then the Lord hath appoin- ted, and then C&Wy? hath inftvuted in his (?«$*/ , yea and to aggravate their Vrickfditeffe too,to do it in the -K7*g/ ((Thrifts) »*«w too ; and to pretend his £*»w*#? */>/>V again, and thrown down into darkneffe, never more to rife : as Mat.Z.xi* The Children of the King- dom fhaibe cafi onl into utter dar\^nes:^o the children ox the **- tionull Churches y\\z,?ari(b Churches, Thus, Uof 2.4. I "frill not have mercy on her Qhildrensjor they are Children of whoredoms t i.e. Corrupt, fuperftitious, and Adulterated /even in fight of all Saints) like Rome the mother , whence thiy came , as wee proved fully in the firft Book : They are net legitimate Chil- dren^ borne of God, but of bafe bloud, adulterine/^*/, whorifh Rcmifb principles, wherefore I wiH have no mercy on them, faith the Lord , bud they mull fall with rBabjlw that belong to 'Ba- bylon, unleffe they put away thefr Whoredowes^ Super ftu.ions, & unlawful Worpilps , & no longer , like impudent Strumpet s% - to paint themfelves over with Sp&mfb , yea Romifb Paintings^ and alluring cutfides : Away with thofe bUekpatches \ and al- luring arguments ufed to gzt people in to thofe Idol WorfhipiK cf their Szcramtnts \ Burials ! Baptizing* \ or the like (as they j are their inventions 9 ) that are unwarrantable , and declared ! tvhor e domes , and Adulteries in the tVordof God I which the j Lord will judge with fire from heaven J In dutches and Pai. flies liifror much, Fiaccm, Hi ravens Cant, & B>dz Strm. 14. Sitv. But out of the Churches are great things to be done theic latter dayes. C rt a p .9 . A word to the gather d churches to conclude with. 553 In the mean time, the day of putting a difference is upon us, happy are they that fee it and do it : It is as yet in our Nation as it was in Athens, there were two forts of Congregations, viz. Ecclefia <$ estgzr* , Churches and mixt ( ongrrgations \ in the C'hftrcbcs none but fuch as appeared Saint /had commit nion and entrance •■ but the other Congregations ( fayes Ftaccks lUiricus) were made up of any confiding of a confuted md pro- mijcHCHS mutt it Hit. which made a meer Poiiciciil meeting. And {uch are your Purifies and national! Churches, which are far from being Churches (35 is proved in all the E'lentials that ap- pertain thereto lib 1.) thus Churches d.fKrd from Synagogues as they do from Parifhcs, vide Vrfin, de Ecclef i.Jgueft. Pa- rifhes 'fat the beftj are but like the great foam bert whereinto all may come and walk that will ; but the Chu: ches o( (Thrift are his Chambers of pre fence , the King is there , h:s Councetl there , and thence will come forth his great Aftsmi Laws, and Declarations to all the World. And although theS6//>is tofled> and the (D ]ij ciples that want faith cry out forfearey let the ftorms rife higher, as long as Chrift is imbarquedwith us in the fame Seas, and in the fame ftcrmes. Wherefore as Ca /arfaid to the trembling Marriner, Confide nauta, ftfartm vebti : feare not, (honeft friend ! ) for ye carry (afar ! So I f*y to the Churches, and to all the Members, friends 1 feare mt ! for the Lord u with you, you carry Ghrift; it is he that is in you, and holds the ftern for you ; Fear noc! only be cartfall of fome corrupt boards and members of your Churches who will flye jnaftorm, andfothefhipmayfpringaleake, and thereby let in too much of the raging Sea; but bee fo much the carcfuller r to ftop the leaks, and every day to be pumping out the corrupt y? ■■ nd ftinkmg waters which get in , and goe on with the fairclt pales and wind of the fpltic ; and as the waters abate, fo the Ark , i. e. the Church ( long and broad, and made of many pieces of Wood that will never rot, which) (hal rtfton Mount cy^V^r^. Gen. 7.5.7^11 the waters be all dried up , and the Sea beno more, Rev>2\. i,a. And thus I have done with this Chapter , and this fecond JBooke ^herein you have had the tot urn homogeneum of the trae Chftrch of Chrift, according to the Gofpelinfiituticv: and true Kkkk3 Primi- Sw. A good ciuti- on. ■4$ Sfrl 554 A word to the gather d church ft U vmbiwd^mtb. Lib. II Trimhive fablife and fhriftian Co%fiitutt*nt We hive heard whut is to be done before , arid wlur in an orderly knitting and imbodying together* The next B*ok$ , (the third J if the Lord will give incburagemeht, vvili be very large and profita- ble , to (hew wrmt is to be done after this orderly imbodying Wherin the Church will be confidered,as the totum organic urn in all her Officers , and Office* , and Order* t and Ordinance*, (fome of which we want in thefc ^ys^meant^mahitenance*, and even round about her very border** For as the 2?*W^from,and for the •wloU : but of that hereafter* and Thus far for the Effentialia Ecclefia. I purpofe now to lay by my pen for a little while, till I walks about Sion, and have gone round about her ( even her borders ) and told the Tti^fr* thereof, and mar^'d^ell her Bulworkj, and confidered her Pata- ces t(zs they are ww,and as they have been ofoldtmd as they will be in thefe later dap) & then Iveii (God willing) arife a^aiui in the Name of Jehovah Elohim , to tell (what I have marked and met with in my rounds ) to the generation that is to come : Sic nunqmm metuant Res Magna oblivia magni Temporis, &c. -""- Fiat Finiat, • w To ®fo.«y 75 rhetp. A Church is not fo intire without Offi- cers and Or- gans. Pfal.49-.12.13. The Authours refolvc to go the rounds, -nd towiakca fur* ther and fuller fcarch of Saon. 555 "^V i3& ^! THE FIRST TABLE, Cft Ik Eminent (Orthodox) Writers, Counccls, and Martyrs, in all ages, that have bore teftimony to the truths ajjerted in this Traft, and that are Quoted in the Traft, i. Lib. AInfwortbs Commtnio*. Ainfw. *£**># Bernard. Alphonetr. Ambrofe's Efift's- Ames McdulL Theol. Aquinas. Aretius. , Arias Montanus. Askew, (Martyr.) Aaguftinus. BAims's'DiecifMTritll* Baines on CoRoft. Bartlets ModrfL Benfon on Hofea. Bernard in G**t. Bernard** t*{* Eugecius. Beza. Mion, (Martyr.) Bolcon* Brightman. Bradford, ('Martyr.) Burton's Vindication. Bullioger. Burroughs Heart \^vifim$. Burroughs again ft £J wards. Burroughs excellency of a gra- cious fiirit. Buxtorph. C CAlvin. .^Caraeren. Carcwright^ Ecclef. Policy. Cartwrights Reply to Whitgift Chryfcftocne. Chamier. Cotton's Keyes. Cotton's Minefe of CJhurch- \ Members. Cyprian. D DAmport, or Davenport, Dell's W^y of Peace. Dike. Diodate. E>ixon. E Y^Rafoius. JC/1 ^Eufcbius Ecclef. Hi ft. Eufeb's Tre/ar. to the qo$*L , - - feanerf 5 5 6 The Table of the fir ft Book. F Mirfilinns Patavinus. CEnner. IF* rus. Mayer. Mdanchton. Fox's (JWtrtyrs. Monranus. Fulke *g*infi Rbtmifts, &s. Methodius. G Moulin. f^ Godwin, I. **dlm VJGregory Bfijf. Mufculus. N Grotius. Gualther. XJOyes Temple. H O JTlHart'sCW. /^VEcolampad. V>/ Owen's Efftj. Harris. Owen's ejbcQl. Hermes. P Hierome. P Areas, i Parker. Hooker's Policy. Hooker's Survey ofDifciplint, Paul Baines. Hobfon. Paul Hobfon, Hooper, (tMartyr.) Pacavinus* • Hufle, (Mtrtjr) Par. I Peter Martyr. lAcob's Atteftttion. llzvchiSoL Peters. Phillips Anfwtr to Lamb. Icrome in Riercme. Perkins. Irenxus. Polidore Virgil. Iunius. R Iuftinian. TJ Awlinfon. JLVRobinfon's Reafens dif- K "XT Eckerman Theol. ctipd. Robinfon's Ejfdjes* L Rutherford. T Uther Epift*. S Q Mtmarfli. O^asbonr. U \/[Axl\msEpijt* IVlMarlorat. ! Selden de decimls." Smith on the Creed, Peter Martyr. ( Sheindler. Sibbs. Thefirfi 7 Me of the feed nd Book. 557 Sibbs. W T HTAylor. -i Taylor, (Martjr.) iTTHittaker, W WilleuSvcopfis. Wilfon's Cafes, ' Tertullian, William's Elijah's Wijb. Tiienus. Z Trap. V ry Anch.de Ecclcf. T TEnning. V Urfin." Zuinglius. Finis 1. L'wrl. The fir ft Tab L f, 2. Libri. A DimsonTet. /l Ainfvvorth Zornwmhnof Bernard in Ezek. Bernard deCon(id. cum mult is L Sahts, aliis. Ames M^dul. Thcol. BezainMat. Ambrofe in Rom. B?za in Rom. Arnbrofe in Gen* Beza's Confcffions. Ames on Peter. Beza's ^Annotations* AmesdeAntiBellarm. Bohemia Confefl'. Anfelme. Bolton's B funds. Apology of N» Eng • men* Bolton's tofs'djhip. Aquinas. Bradford (CMartjr.) Ardeust Brightman. Auguftin in loan. Brute, (Mart jr.) Auguftin in Rom. Bucan. Auguftin Epift . \ 9. ad Hier. Bucer de Gubern. Ecclef. inter Auguftin in Pfal. alia. Anrelianf. Concil. Buliinger dc Ecclef. inter alia. Aufpurge. Budseus. C TJ Aines in Col, DBall. /^ Alvin in Rom. V> Calvins Inftic* inter alia. BntWslMo&i. Cartwrights Ecclef. Difcip. Bayly. Cartwright againfi Whitgift. Beda. Cawdrey's Sim. Bernard in PafchaL Centurifts. Bernard in Cane, 'Clement. LIU fihryfo- . 5 5 8 thefirf Talk ofiheftcond Book. Chryfoftome Hom.in Rom. in* H teralii. Cooper. TJAymo. JjI Hawkes, (Martyr.) Concil Carthag. \ HieromedeUnit. Ecclef. inter Concil Aurelianf. alia. Concil. Tolet. Helvetia. Confef. Cottons Kelts. Dr. Homes. Cradock's Go$eLholine$e% and Hooker's Survey of Difeipline. Mount- Sion. WooVtx again ft Hudfon. Culverwells wktt+Jtwi: Hooper, (tJMartjr.) Cyprian Epift. Holland (LMartjr.) Cyprian, inter alia. Hudfon. D ]o.H\i(te (Martyr) T"VAmafcene. JLf DclTs Way of Tease, I ^fcHTey.rf&tf Jacie. JLlrenxus in Gen. inter alia. Dike on Sacramtne, Diodate. Junius. Dr. Donn. Juftin. K N JT?Ngland*s *Afol*gie. C/Epiphanius in Haref. *|7*Eckerrron.Theol. Eufeb. in Gen. I Eufeb. Ecclef Hift. T Ambert, ( LMartyr.) JL Latimer, (CMartyr.) m TJ Arrar, (Martyr.) Pfeatly. Luther in Joel. Epift 's; inter *E lia. Fenner de Sac» Thol* M Fenners Alarum. \A Agdeburgenfes. iVlMayer. Feurus, (French Mm jr.) Flaccu-5 liliricus. Melanchton Com, Loc. inter a- Fox Martyrs. lia. j? Falke again]} KhtmiQs. N G RyTAzianzen. rNNilusdePrimau •- /-^Ataken VJGIover, (Martyr,) Nelphilas. Goodwin, I. *n*T. Noyes Temple* Gregory Mixt Form and Power, Whittaker de Ecclcf.Con.cil. & Pontif. inter alia. Willet. ■■&& THE SECOND TABLE. OfthofeChcife Scriptures which ^Expounded refc* td&nd defended from the Adverfaries in this Treatife. gENESIS. r j Chap. Verf. Pag. U _ 8.ptoi8. 529 530 &c. j Ch.pl.2 EXODUS. Ch. Verf. 20 24 23 1.2 2? 40 Pa^. 1 16 ch. 9.I. i 1 12 ch. 8. l,i i2och.io.l,i lChron. Chap. Verf. Pag. *3 9 i7?ch.T2.1.i 2 3 28och.3.1.a *5 X. KING S. Ch. Verf. 10 6.7 10 p.io Pag. 383ch.oU2 242 Ch. 1.1.2 Chap. Verf. I>ag. 31 14.24 ICtl.l52.cho ?tf to ich. 1.I.1 4 V. 3. p. 2(5; ch.2.1.2 18 30. 3^ch.^.l.2 22 1.24J, 3tf7.ch.6U2 26 €1- 316 ch. (5.1.2 27 The fecond Table. 56I .Ch Vcrf. Pag- *7 l*> 44 45 si %% 60 6% 66 74 %1 84 87 no 4 $>• 10 JT.T4 17.18 &c. 10. 1213. 3 63 11, 6. 1 2. 1. 19 19.20. 11. 12 13 10 2.3 4 3 Ii4 4 126 5.(5 127 1.2 2j4ch5U 1 .7 dh 9 1. 1 - 3 ?66ch.2.1 2 24och.x.l.*2 56 375-chd I2 8och 6.1-1 1 ip ch 10 .1.1 116 chp 1. 1 13jch.1a.l1 3^6 ch 6.1 2 34 35ch.3.l.i I7ich.i3 M 1 j 3 ch. 9.M aopch i^.l.i 3chw & 124 ch. 11 L 1 26ch 3.I. 1 565 ch. 6 I2 140 ch 13 1. 1 Ch.Verf Fug. *P R07ERB S. Ch.Verf. Pag. j 8 i€h 1 l.i. j 1 119 120c pi. 1 9 1. 2. 3 4 198 199c.15.L1 32.34 &c ECCLES. Ch. Verf. 5 ? 7 1* Pag\ t 239ch.il a 34och4tl 2 8 II 12. 9 I 2 3.4 &C 8 11 1 9 1® 12 2 6 5 1 2 5 14 22 27 28 Jo 33 34 40 28 ch. 3 1.1 aa 17,20 21 11 11.38 Pag* 241 ch. i.L 2 4ch 1 It. 43 ch. 4.L1 183 ch. 14.L 1 i38ch.13.lx 44ch 4.1. 1 63ch. 5.I.1 33ch.3i.i H7ch. 9 1 * I08 ch. 8. Li 203 ch 1^ Li 35ch.3.Li 3 19 ch. 5.L2 y»ii 42 v 5^2 Thefecond Table. Ch. Verf. P*g. 1 4* *f 46 ch 4I.1 HOSEA. 51 3 11 132 ch 1 2 .1 T | S4 ir.12.14 5ioch.p.i.2 Ch. Verf: Pag. 60 $.6 521 ch 9 .1.2 1 11 5090(191." 2 13.14 fichv$i 1 2 1 5ioch.9l, 2 *7 181 ch. 13*1 1 14 5>6 44ch.4l.-r 8 146ch.13-l.x- JERL JOEL. Ch.VeH. Pag* 7 P 52ch. 5.L1 Ch, Verf. Pag. 15 19 132,133 ch.12 1. 1 2 29 4<54ch.81.2 30 I7,T? 123 ch.nl. 1 33 7 524 ch. 9 La viMO S. $6 5 ^209 ch. 15 1. 1 Ch. Vert Pag. ^i24ch. 11 Li 3 2,3,4 3ojch.4l.« 8 11,12 35 ch.31. 1 EZEl UKICAH. Ch. Verf. Pag. 13 14 191 ch 14 1. 1 Ch. Verf. Pag. 20 38 562 ch. 7 1, a 4 2 199 ch. 15 1 1 3* 37i38 29 ch. 5 I. 2 4 5 329ch. 5 1. 2 37 7 5o6ch.9l 2 43 loj" 82 ch. 7 H9ch. 10I. I ZEPHANT. 44 *,7 52CI1 5 1. 1 Ch.Vaf. Pag. 3 9 $i?3 ch.12 i.t ?330ch.5l.2. "DANIEL. Ch. Verf. Pag. HAGGAI. 2 32 154 ch. 1 3 1. 1 11 44,45 525, 526ch-9 Ch. Verf Pag. i.2 1 ip4ch.i4Li 12 II>l2jI3 21 ch. 3 1 1 ( I 2 189CI1.14I.1 Z AC HART The fecond Tsble. 5*3 22 9 1 29. eh. 1 i.l. 1 ZACHART. 12. 5«?.ch. 5.L1. 21. 181ch.13.Lr Ch. Verf. Pag, 29. 374.cn. 6.L2. 2 ii. 5i24.ch.11.L1 <33och. 5.L2. *4 45- 3-ch. 1. Li *5 37- 382.ch6.L2 4 6* 5*93 ch.14. l.i £524.^.9. 1.2 28 18. I2i.ch. IO.I. 1 19.20. 5303.ch-5.L2 c33'.« * Ig. 257.ch.2- 1.2 % 23. 33Q.CI1.5.L2 Mj Of^iiiCH. Ch.Verf. Pag. Ch.Verf. Pag. 12 1. 42. ch. 4.L 1 3 16.17. 70.cn. 6.1.r. 273x11.3.1.2 LUKE. MATHEW. Ch. Verf. Pag. ^ 4-v6. 128.cn. 1 1. 1.1 Ch.Verf. Pag. *5** 159.ch.13.L1 4 35- 43-cM-l-i; 23- 114.cn. 1 1 J.I 20.22. 125.ch.11.L1 12 13 14- 160. ch. 13.L I 7 11.12. 259.ch.2-L2 I 26.27-5183.ch.14.l-i 1 090. 14 2 3&C. 128.129.ch.11.Li 28.29. I36.cn. 12.L 1 21 25.26. 26.ch.3l1. 6. S4ch.5.1.t .22 15. 204.cn. 15 .1.1 lb 27. 283.ch.3.1,2. 16 15.20. 2»7.ch.4.1.2. Joi I3 3S.3* 56.ch5.Li. 15 13. lop.chJM.i Ch.Verf. Pag. \6 16. 53-ch.5.1.i 3 19. 282 ch. 3. 1.2 Tp.4.ch^.p 4 28.29, 367 ch. ;d<1.2 ** !^5ESS"^ * 37 44 56^.ch.6.1r2 2S3Ch 2.1.2 L284.ch.14j 14 172$ 2(?4Ch.2*1.2 a 8 17.18- Mf-dbtil-i; 1* 2 109 ch. 8.L1 45 44ch.4.Lz ii 33 42.ch.4X1 *7 3J7cb«6.1,2 ?OHN 5*4 The fecondTabk John. Chap. Verfe Pag. 16 13 264. ch. 2. 1. 2. 17 21 22. ^23. ch. p. 1. 2. Chap. Verf. Pag. 1 14 566. ch. 8.1. a C?3.ch.$.l.i 2 37 32p.33os&c jp 20.21 &c^ tfl. ?.1«2, l.CORINTH. Cha p. Vert Pag. S 1 1 12 14 3- 43-cMl.i 8. 3 i.ch.3.1. t 10. I4%ch.i3«l.t 2.23. , l2Qch.I0.1.l 6. Sp.ch.^l.i *3- 307.0^4.1.2 1.2.3.3 1. 2 32.34.3 5. >47T.ch.8.1.2 37«3P- J* 33.40 271.0^3.1.2 2.COR/NTH. Ch. Verf. Pag. ? 6 8 10 12 12 11. 3">6,ch.tf.l.2 ^72.ch.6.1.i 16 T7.l9 rC 1 3*1. 1 £182. _ 17* 337- ch. 5. 1.2 18. 317. ch. 6 A. 2 2 THESS. Chap. verf. pag. 2. 8. 154.ch.13. 1. 1 1 IIMOTHT. Chap. verf. pag. 6. 3,4,5;. 1 2©. ch. 10. 1. 1 2 TIMOTHT. Chap. verf. pag. 2. 24,25. 128. ch. 11. 1. 1 3. 3. 72. ch, 6. 1, 1 HEBREWS. Chap. verf. pag. 1. 1^2. 366. ch.6. 1. 2 3. 10,11,13.207-208. ch. 15 .l.i. 4. 12. 257. Ch.2. 1.2 6. 8. 208. ch. 15.1. 1 11. 10. 189. ch. 14.1. 1 13. 7. 136. ch. 12.I.1 1 TEfER. Chap. verf. pag. 2. 3, 357. ch. 6. I.2 9. 133. Jch. 12.I.1 4 14. 267. ch. 2. 1. 2 5. 2. 255. ch. 2. 1. 2 2?E7'EK. Chap. verf. pag. 2. 10. 187. ch. 14,1. 1 tsfPOC. or REV. Chap. verf. pag. 2 i23 i4>>5ioi.e.8.I.i c 15,20.5^207.04.1.2 5- 9. 134. ch, 12. 1. 1 11. 5. 90. ch. 7.I. 1 6. 19. eh. 3. 1. 1 8. 342. ch. 5.I. 2 16. 382. ch. 6.I.2 12. 1,2,14,8^9. ch.2.1. 1 14. 4. 134. ch. 12.I.1 18. 4->8,9,io.525.ch.9.1.2 20. 8, 9.90. ch. 7.L1. 21. 17,18,19,20.511. ch. 9.I.2. Mmmm 3W The third Tabic : Fully and Alphabetically declaring the chief things . handled in the whole Treatife. p. // for page;, c. for chap^ and I. for lib. . a; ABimeiechian deftiny nigh them that" ufurp Ch rifts Seat,pag. 17z.chap.13.lib.! Abieftj Embody nrft, and in pub- lick, J>.*78. C.3.I.2 Account of faith at Dublin, p.350 C.5.I.1 Accufations againft Saints and Gofpel-difcipline, p.13 C.2.I.1 Acts of the Apoftks,Churches Di- rc&ory, P.123.C.10 1.1 Acts of Providence'oft read (He- brew-like) backward, p. 47. c. 4. lib 1. Scepift.p. 6 A£b of the foul, reflex and direct, P.37^377.C-6.U Adjunft to a true Church, is the word preached,and no more,p.7Q. c.6. I.i Admiflion of Members, of whom, by whom, how and when, p. 288, 28£,c.4. la Admiflion of the leaft and loweft Saints, p.339, 340, J48.C.5. U Admiflion of all opinions that dif- , fer in things doubtfull and indif- ferent, p.3ii,3i2.c.5. 1.2 Advantage to Churches by expe- riences of Saints, p.3?8 c.tfla Advowfons and presentations wick* cd,andhow>p.7. & i^.of Epift. a; Adullamites are many, « $? c 7 l.i ^gypt* Churches of Form, how? P.S^.c.j.I^ -ffigypf a typeof Amichrift,p. 525. 2C C.^.1.2, Egyptian plagues oa Parifti Chur- ches, p.9i^3-c-7.I.i Egyptian Tasb-mafters,who now? I m p.3 42.c.$.l.a i ^gle-Saints nefted in the Rock5 p.i5>8.c.i4.Li Affections held with difference of opinions at firft, p.3J$c.5.1.z A ffe&ions of women above mens, A43, p.474.475.f.8.1.r Amictions> converting Or'dinan- .53 p.40334i3.c<6;[.z Afflictions of (fpirituail) Ifradircs under hard task-mafters, how ? p.3-4i.c.5,l.a- AfHictidns on the Author great, P.432.C6M.2 Agates ( precioi.; itonesj who ? p. 510.C.9.I.2- Age;in the laft was to know Chrift the Head, in this Chrifts body, but in the next, both,viz,. whole Chrift, • p.i47.c.i^;l.i All ages Eminent Independents, p,U4..c.8 1. 1 All The third Table. All Languages and nations muft imke up one Church ere long, p.fjo.c^.U Ambition,whnt it brought the Bi- , {hops to, p.io6,i?6.c.8,i$.l.i All of different opinions, &c. one> P.329.C.5.U All in one, the beauty of Sion, P.337.CJ.I.2 A methyfts (precious ftoncs) who? p.yi9,^o. 09.I.2 Ames left his Proftflorfliip for Church-fellowfhip, p.n8.c.9.1.l Amiable Tabernacles are the con- gregationaiChurches_jp.87.c7.L1 Anabapriftsin Ireland too bitter, unfound in judgement, wrefters of the Scriptures, uncharitable and cenforious. A leffon for them, p. 29?3302;3o?53o7,3°9> c. 4/I.L P.4J3.C.7. 1.2. p.334- c. $. 1. 2 Angels can't teach fo well as expe- riences do, P.384.C.6. 1.2 Anger of God againft fuch as com- pany with ChritVs enemies3p.7^. C.6.I.1 Antichrift deftroyed and tormen- ted, how ? p. 23 C.3.1 1. Antichrifts fawcineffe, whether in J Epifc.Presbyt.or Indep.to ufurp Chrift' s power, p.io?.c.8.1.J Antichrift fals the fame way he rofe, p. I5^.c.i3,l.i Antichrift arrogates both powers, viz,. Ecclef. and Civill, p. 176. C.13.I1 Antichrift the firft that made diffe- rence of opinions, difference of affections, P-3?3 C.5.I.2, Antichrift typified by./Egypr, So- dorn,Babylon,&c. p.$ij).c,9.l,2 Antichrift, how he refembles, or ra- ther difTemblesChrift.p.ij.cpift. Antichriftian-Chur, parim-Chur- ches, p.^l.c. 5J. f Amichiiftian-Chuiches we muft feparate from, pag.78.ch.6Jib.! Amichriftian to rob Sifters Right, p.4^.c.8.l.2 Antiochus Epiph. a hgurc of the Pope, pJ^,c,9.U Antiquity for the lnd-ependents, p^a.epift, in Apoftles-daies Church-difcipline j was glorious, and how ? p.910. I c.2. Li j Apoftles not Heads, but Helpers, P.120.C.10J.1. p. 107.C.8 .1.1 I Appeals never any to Jerufalem I about Church government, p. j iio.c. 8.1.J j Appearance of Chrift the mine of j Policy. P.170.C. 13.I.1 j Archbilhops (third) Head of BraflV, | p. 15^ 1y7.c13.L1 Arkeonthe waters yet for forty years, p. 24. c.3.1. 1 Arke overturned by Brails carrying ih p. 16. c.3 1. 1 I Arke on which the Spirit refts, j p.2^8.c. a 1.2 I Armes which the Lord draws with, . are Spirit ( his right hand) and ! Word (his left ^ p.zsz.c.ft.l z j Army of Chrift, who? p. 8? c 7-1.1 Armour of light for Saints of all judgements and opinions, p.33?. i Armoury for fwords for Saints,; p.^p.r.8 1.1 ; Affemblyof Divines a(fourth)HGad I of Braife, p 15S.C.13 .Li AffembliesofMinifters muft down:' which are allowable, and which I not, ^ p.ic^.c. 8.1.1 in Aifemblicsof Sion, God is glo- I rions, _ p. iiS.c $.1.1 j Aflurancc requifate before entrance 3 ■ p, 248. c,i \.% AiTuiance brought tp light, and : how to know ir, p3?*, & j-Jl.1 orexpcr.ee' l.v Authors judgement of the Reftau-; M m ni m a nuoa The third Table. ration : i Gradually now ; 2 U- niverfallyto come, p-ao.cj.l.i Author prays he may be as a light to give others light, though he be fpent for'r, p. 50. C.5.I.1 Author abufed at Dublin for Mr. Bartler, . p.88.c.7.1.l Author's warning ro the* Parlia- ment, P.172.C.13.I.2 Author expects a world of Antago- nists, but he calsfor reafons, not railings, p.i26.epift.l.i E. Avery, her Experience, p. 401, 403. c.6» l.i Authoi '$ Experience, p. 41^ 410, &c. ibid. Author's airurancc how attainM, p.43 1,438. ibid. Authors call to tbe Miniftry how, p.43^437-*bid. And his order in teaching School 1 S p. 438. ibid Baptizing again,unlav»ful>pag.29j, chap. 4,lib.r Baptifmeof Chrift, is with holy Ghoftj p.29^, and how it differs from John's, p-3co^ c. 4.1.x our Baptifmetrue for matter and form, p. 206". ibid. Baptifme which figniftes moft is beft, p. 298. ibid. Biptifme of Anabaptifts unlawful/, and why, P>199- ibid. Baptifme constitutes not a true Church, p. 3 08. ibid. Bare pro re (ion not enough for Church fellowfhip, p. $6, c. <. 1.x Barren Clouds who and when ? p. 2«3.C.If.I Af. Barkers Experience, p, 413.C.6, 1.2 Barnwel's Experience, p; 417 . c. 6.1% Author's RefoTution and Motto/. Baftards, who? p. S40.c*.l.x p. 3. His fuffrings in Effex, ; Beaft (feven-headed) politick in p.231,232. epift.l.x j aliages, p. io.c.I.l.i Beafts made their Stie of the Church, p.3^37.c.3.l. 1 Beafts carried the Arke till they overturn'd it, p.36.c.3.!.i Beafts meet together in Paiiih chap. 8. Jib.i. i Churches, P-93-c7»l.i Babes of Chrift tenderly received, Bed of Chrift, where? p. 50 .c.f.l.x p. 331. c.J-. 1.2 JBeleevers bound to walk together Babylon a type of Antichrift, ' in Chrifts way of Church-iel B. g Abes have full breaffrj pag.ioo. p. 527. 0 9.1.2 Babel hath the hearts of millions, p. 40. c.3.1. I Babylons fall bewailed by many, P.37.C.3J.1 Babylon in Parifh Churches, p .64. cM.i Babylon falling and all that traded with her, p. 94.C.7.1 the Baptift put by fcandalous, p. j6t C.5I.1 lowihip, p 198. c.iy.l. 1 Benefits in Churches, p.201, 202, 203^204. c. 15.1. 1 Beleeversof all forts to be received, p3ix.cy.L2 Beauties of holineffe p.g.c.x.'.i. & p.<5p.c,5.t.i Beauty of Saints embodied, p. 87. r.7.1.i Beautifull object of the Churches is attractive, _ p, 177.0.9. 1 Biptifuve, how Presbyr.and Papifts j Beaury of Gofyel-fellcwihip ap« agree in vy p,<{66, c. 9, l,z {, pears in pubiich embody* Tht third Tdie. ing, p. 281. c. 3,1.1 Beauty of Sion is all in one, p.337a 338. c.5.1.2 Beryls (piecious ftones) who ? Bifhops how they goti be 1 big as Lords Judges, Bare : . < c p. 106 ic7,c.8. l.i. \>:i66 '3. 1 Bifhops >virh their Diccefles. they got in 5 and how Heads of bra fie. P.156.C.13J.1 Bifhops Lands belong to the poor, p. 167.C.13.1. 1 F.tf/ttM.Biihop's Experiencc,p.3^8. • c 6.I.1 ! Bloflbmes of thefe daies, and Bleffingspromifedusjp. 30,31. 3 2, 33,34:&c.c.3.i.i Blow to Parifh- Churches ratall, ■ p.^4.c, 7.1. 1 Body of Chrifl, his Church, p. 83 ibid. Body together confults in Church- affairs, p.no.c. 8.1,1 Bondage of works., P.410.C.6.I.2 Book or the lamb, ere long out, p. 217. epift.1.2 Bofome-Iove to Church of Saints, p.ic^.ibid. j Breach upon fome Churches, p.180 c.3.1.1 Brazen fae'd men fet up. -Brazen head, p. 151.C.13J.1 Brazen head compels by force, is amixt metall, beft in outfick, hath 3n ill favour, and is mars creature, &c p. 15:, 153, 154. M5.C.13.J.1 2 Breads of the Churches, p. «?p.c.» 1. 1 Bride cals to her friends, p.40. c.? 'l.i Bride coming forth in thefe daies, P.46.C.4.I.1 Building of Chrift, is his Church, p.4.ci.L: Builders are yet unskilfull, and nor fuch fpirited Aholiabs as will be> p.iij.cio.I.i Builders wife who and how, p. 141 C.13.I.1 Build firft in Chrift, then into Churches p. 188.014. l.i Builders foolifh how they differ from the wife, p. I^o.c.14 l.i Builders mo ft of them reject the right ftor.e, p.l^.ibid. Builders warn'd of Chriftning Churches into their own nair.es, p. 197. ibid. Buriallof all ceremonies when?and how? p.3X3,3i4lc.5.I.i M. Buriels Experience, p.413. c.6 1. 2. J» Bywatcr Preacher his Exper. P.394.C.6.1.2 c. (Mil into Chrifts Gardens thefe daies, pag45.chnp.4. lib.i Call to convert all, p. 55. c. 5,1.1 Called number the Cbu:ch,p.73.c.6 J. * Call of Chriit makes us volunteers, P.124.C.11.L1 Call,when,and how; extraordinary and ordinary, legall and evange- Jicall p .354*403 40^&cc. 6.I.2 « Calf moft orderly when,p 459. ib. a. Call to the Miniftry how, p 436, 437.c.c5i.i. Callings to be followed jp.75- C.6 J. 1 Canons (though ere h charg d) the Church fears not, p. 18 j. c. 1 4 l.i Care God hath to provide a Gc- fpel- Difcipiine, p.3. c 1,1. 1 Care at Chrift, greareft to his Churches, p. 204. c.i 5 l.i. & 44 4- 1 Capiivity of Babylon in Paiifn Churches,bondage,pag.tf4.c.j1.i M m mm 3 Car' The third Table. Carnall Reafon keeps off of Church- fellowship, pag.8o. ch.6 lib.i Caftle of defence Chrift to's Chur- ches, p. 1 8? c.i 4.I.1 Caufe judged by the fcfte&s,p.3$i c.6.i,z CatholickChurch what,p.48o.c.$U Caution co the Churches of the Church-deftroying ranting fpirit which is abroad, p.5$3.c.£ 1.2. & p. 501. ibid. Cenfuring taken ofF,how ? p«3^4.c6 1. * Cenfurers admonihYd firft, p.418 c. 5.1.1 Ceremonies dead when, and how ? p. 314.C.5.U Chakcdonies(preciousftones)who? P.714.C.9.U £;Chambers her Experience^ 406, 407. c,6 I.2 I. Chamberlains Experience, p. 8. Exp.6.1.2 Champions for Chrift who heft, J).245.C. 1.1.2. Change for the Churches, p. 42.0.4 Chara&er of Wildernefte-ones , p.$8.c 3 l.i j' Character of Hypocrites that crowd into Churches, p. 2 1 1 .c. 1 $ , 1 ! Chariot of Sol. typified,p.jo.c.j l.i ! Charity a Handing rule,p. $ 8.C.5 l.i. j Cherubims the Saints how ? p. 47 I epift. 1. 1 I Children not neceffary to be bap- tized, P4/&C9.2 j C hi lit the Churches fulnelfe,p 17 C.2.I.1 ChriiVs reign 40 years hence, p.24 03. l.i ChLift's own, planting, who? p 43 C4.1. 1 Chrift commanis Saints to enter, P.54.C.5. I. 1. and to ieparate ttumtrum without, p 75.C.6.I.J & C4.C7.I.I Chrift'sRule for building Chur- ches, p.I20,l2I.Cl0.1.£ Chrift alone infticutes, inftmcV, builds and orders his Chur« ches, p.139. c.i 3.I.1 Chrift alone Lord, how and wny > Chrift a moft abioluce Independent p 147.0,13.1.1 Chrift a id Church (Head and Bo- dy) make up a whole Chrift, P.I47.C.13. J. i Chriftleffe Church is a headlelie bo- dy, p. 148.C.13.I.1 Chrift Head, and yet Member, p. 148.C.13.I.1 Chrift Head, is higheft ore Chur- ches, P.148.C. I3.I.1 ris excellency of^ Chrift Vivcs vertue HeadSgov (in fympathy Chrift our Head, hath ears, tongue,alI, p.r^o.c 13. l.i Chrift alone lawfull Judge in Reli- gion, p. 151.c13.L1 Chrift, Head, Builder, and yec Foundation, P.184.C. 14. l.i Chrift alwaies the fame to Saints and Churches, p 186.C.14.I.1 encyoS rtue tor all / ithy wthJ Churches p.i49.ibid our eyes, /'« Chrift firft, and then get into P.1S8.C.14.I Churches, Chrift the Fountain of Gardens, p.203.C.I^.l. 1 Chrifts*mcmbe more then Church- members. p.2C9.c.ij.l. 1 Chrift inY flefhly-form and Church-form alike, p. 244. c. 5 1.2 Chrift crucified in fpirituall JE- gypt, where ? p. 342. ibid. in Chrift the nfgher, the mo e all in one, p 33 9. ibid. Chrift found after Ioft,how? p. 407 408. c. 6.1.2 Chrift Head in Churches, King sin Ninons^ p. joo c$ l.a Cnri- The third Table. Chriftian Liberty in opinions, p. 3 18.32,8. c.?. 1. 2 Chryfolites (precious Hones J who: ; p. 5 16. cp.l.z Chryfoprafus's who and how? p.5i5?.Cj9.U Church in wildernefie, when and how? p.io.c.2.1.1 Church how out of the Wildernefie into Gardens, p.42. c.4. \ 1 Churches moft fruitfull Gardens, P.43.C.4.L 1. P.104C.5. l.i-"] Churches mutt be well weeded, and | many pluck: up by the roots, p. 4$. c.4. l.i Church is Chrifts Bed, Throne, Palace, Couch- , Chamber of prefence, P.50.C.5.I.1 Church Chrifts Body and Building, p.83,84.c.7.1.i Church Chrifts City compaft, p.85 c 7.1,1 Church Chrifts Army, Kingdome, Heaven, p.85, 86. c.7. 1.x Churches all equall Independent, p.ioo.toi.cg. l.i. Church ('wholly of Brothers and Sifters,) all to conclude on Church-matters, p. no. c. 8 kx Church if whole errcs,whac to do? p. in, T 12. ibid. Churches joyn together to reco- ver an erroneous Sifte; -Church, ibid. Churches objed whar, p. 116. c. 9 Li Churches Rule for the building, p. 120. i*i. c.ioj.i Churches end ever one, p.i 3 1 .c.i 2 l.i Churches Head , Chiift: alone, p. 137,140.151, C.13.I.1 Churches true and f3lfe differ about the Head, p. ifz. c. 13 1. I Churches can't deliver up to fecu- lar powers, p. 176, *77- c- 3 3- 1. 1 Churches built on Chrift the Reck, p.i^.c.V.x Churches enjoy more then all the world from Chrift, P.203.C.15. 1. 1 Churches greateft enemies to er- rors, ibid. Churches to he members of; which are the befta p,2i2.c.!5. 1.2 Church-members muft be brought in bytheWordandSpirit,p.2^3 * i'c. 2. 1. 2 Churcb(here)a picture of her above, Churches of form, Spiritual!* M.- gypr, P.342.C.5.I2 Churches formal,and why ? p. 348 C.5.L2 I Churchmembers warn*d,p.44J.c^ 1. 2 1 Church who? and who not ? | i P465. c.8.1.2. and taken divcis j waies, p.479, 480^. 9.I.2 j Church- covenant neceflary, p-455 j C.7.L2 j Churches in Unity a terror to ene- i mie<^ p.5r4-c- 9:h%, j j Churches when they mall excel!, j p $' 2.2.2 * Churches exhorted to live above j form, p.4$,epiiU.3 Churches in the bit day, and in : theeait, lie. Chift, and from thence the Sunrifes,p.53l.c.o.'.2 Churches and Pariflies how they differ }MS3C?-V Citizens of, Sion how many pfi- v iledg.es,! P.85.C7.I.1 Civill convei-fe to be kept up, c. 6.I.1 Civill Rulers are uncivill beyond civill ru-es, p. 127. c, 11. I. x Civill The Third Table. Civill and Ecclefiafticall, Csefars and Chrifts, how they cJime to be jumbled together, pag.168 chap. 13. lib. 1 Civill powers commit faeriledge and when? p.172. ibid. Clailes none in Scripture, p. 61 cpiftj.i Clsff^s, High-CommiiTiot>Courts, and Popes-Mother-Church of Cardinals \ are all of the fame nature, and for the fame ends, p.lo?,ic6.c.8.1.i ClalTes are the (fift) Head ofBrafie, and the unfa vory fruits of them, p.ij8,ifP.c. 13.I.1 Colledges af!d Committees too full of {lately Minifters^p. 168,169. c. 13.I.1 Compulfive powers doe more hurt then good, p. utf. c. 11. * 1. 1 Comforts to all Churches to come, p. 514. e. 9.L1 Coming of Chrift but a tale to ma- ny, p. 18. epi'ft. l.i Common-wealth when flourishing, p. 6. ibid. Comfort and falvation hindred by difobedience to Chrifts cals, p.2,07.C.|IjJ.2 Confidence in the flefti to be caft off, p. 247.c1.L2 a Confeffion of Faith, p. 35:0. c. $ l.i Congregationall Churches are the right Presbytery, P.313.C.8 1. 2 Congregationall Churches fome will fall,, and fome fhnd the trials that arc coming, p. i8pj ^ 191,1^2. C.14.I.1 a Congregationall Church, what, and how it gives beeirg to the Catholick, P481.C.9J.1 Confidence^ what it is9 p. 114 c, 8, lib.! Confcience not to be compel'd, p.nS.c.u.l.i. &p.^i.c.2.1.i Confcicnces have liberty in opini- ons, pag. 3 12. chap. 5, 1.4 Confciences Golden Rule, p. 337 c.5.1.2 Conqueft follows fighting, p. 36? C.6.1.2 Conferences of doubtings, p. 251 CI. 1.2 Confequences fad, upon the wil- full negiccT: of entring into Churches,when Chrift cals p. 200 C.I?. 1.2 Confideration muft be ferious , p.240. c.i.l.a Confideration in four things be- fore entrance, p. 242. c.i. 1. 2 Conftitution of Parilh Churches . open'd a box of plagues ever fince, p.p2.c.7.1. 1 Contrary means bring forth Gods ends, p. 47.04.1.1 Covenant one to all Saints, p. %6 «. 7.I.1 Convert difcovered two waies,p.3?4 c. 6.1.2 Converting means by experiences, p.367,3W&cl. /.Coopers experience, p. 400,401 ibid. Covenant in the Church, indiffe- rent, p.4f 1. c.7. 1.2 Covenant", what kinde is neceffary, p.4ff.c.7.* Counceli of Later an the hi ft fince Chrift that ratified tithes and Prefentations, p. 28. ep. l.i Councels the (fecond; Head of Brafs, p. 1 5 7. c.i 3. 1.1 Criticks many promifed to be Rea- ders of this Book, p. 218. ep. 1.1 &, Curtis Experience, p. 10,11. exper.c. 6. 1. 2. Danger The third Table. D p. c. 1. Danger to- Churches paft erelong 34 5 i Dangerous Rock ( Chiift is ) co fome 187 i^ i Dan-'els,whoare 3 J Ep. Dangerous to raire up Ceremonies again,and why.* 3 i J 5 * D;nger of Church- Covenant, when/ 4f* 7 * Davids,whoarefuch?34 3? Ep* David's day esnow,how? 2£Epift 1 Dirk things muft not be H'ged on the Saints 33f>??6> S 1 Day of Judgement then Saints of all Judgements all alike g$8 j 2 Day of Embodying rogether5how ? *7^7i 3 * Death to be inflifted on none for not beleev ng or mif beieevirg 177 1$ 1 Decency and order in all Churches 272 f 2 Declaration of all that enter into Church fellow (hip 237 S * Definition of Chiifts and Anti- chrifts Church i3?,J$8, 12 1 D. light the Lord takes in hisChur- ches 44 4 * Deliverance of the Church cut of the wildernctfe is as yet gradual^ ' but will benniverfal i9,\o,2T33 1 Dependency upon Diocefan 5 and National Churches Antichriftian io* 8 1 Defcrlp:ion of the beft Church- fellow {hips 212 M I Description of the vifible members of die Cntirch 96*^97,98 8 1 Defpair the effeft of doubtings 252 x 2 Defpair the Au:hor was in, and how ? 42.7? 4i8, 6 2 Defpair what is the caufe of it p. o 1 n. , 4?i 6 2 Defpair caufes howling and roaring in hell 441 6 2 D fteient opinions in things indif- ferent are all to bee received _.- . . *»,«* * * Ditterence of opinions m3y , and muft be *?4}*i7 5 2 Differences about things unnecef- fary, i$ laiuentable jij j 1 Difference in I'ghcnctin love in prim. 'five times 23$ f 2, Differences how ail may be recon- ciled 47i 3 2 Dipping lawfull , but nor Diving ^. . r *97 4 * Dipping is no fundamental Or- dinanc« 3c®j?o8,3o? 4 2 Difcipline of the Gofprl God hath defigned > and why ? 2nd how it differs from carnal and Eccle- fiaftical Polity 2,238:0 1 1 Difcipline in Apoftles diyes glo- rious 10 2 j Difcpiinebeltat la ft i^z , Difciples of Chrift Separates 74 6 x Directories and Qancns u/deffe 7 1 1 Difobedience of fome that will no come, when convinced, amoun*sC to a refifting the Ho'y Ghoft 2G0 If I Difcbedience to parents grievou 196 6 * Di'order of Saints till embodyed 88 6 1 Diftin3ion>as of Clergy,and Laity 1 Presbytery and Prelacy 487 9 2 Diftance to the fir ft lnftlutions, fearch 246 1 2 Divinity in a new dreffe every day 111 Divifions in the Churches give Satban, and his Surrogates great advantage 502 9 2 Nnnn Doctors Thi third Talk. p. c. 1. Do&orsjFathersjCouncelfc&c. ure- teric 264 z i Do&rinesef Devils x what ? and when? 454 7 2 Doctrine of PapiiTs and Presby- tery alike, wherein I 475 9 2 Doublings hinder the effects of Chut ch-ieilovvfhip 2 52 1 2 Doubting da gei ©us> and what it is to dott'otr it ioon makes ni give ap BucHer *4?»*44 1 2 Daibtfnll things , whst are fo Doves eyes of the Churches 96 8 1 Dove that refts on the Ark, whut.66, 5 1 Dublin Church experiences 3 *nd examples of many 368 369 6 z Dublin Church- Covenant.4 50 7 2 Duties mutt be kept to Callings and Re'atiens 75 6 1 Duties of Chriftians not done till 1 embodied 8861,20215 1 Duties formally and Pharifaically 424 6 z p. c l Eat of every typified tree of Pa- radife 545 9 z Eaft where the Sun riies who , and where 55M37 9 1 E*ft3 where (typified; paradtfc lhaJi be 533 9 2 Ecdefi8/|IcaJ polki, &&*££ ^Jfaffical andCivillho7^^ Edification one end of Church- Bffeasdircoverthecaufe^t^: Effects of fome dreams are great Elders havcbotadersvari^Utt anda^tebefervan^notnS Elders feave not the power ^aV. Ending squires two 'things Eledicn is a myftery , and from fc'ernty , but vocation is In time _, _ _, 358>359 6 2 Elements of Bapt fae how paffed J**y 310 4 2 Embodyed Saints excejl , and whtrtin 87 7 1 ErobodyiVg follows doe prepara- tion 273>i74 ? z r_Bj be dy feow? and when? 276,277 3 2 Embodying rairdy (as fome have d*ne) fatall and evill, but **» publickisbeft 2803*81 3 2 R.E^er/bwBxptrieRce 4J1 & 2 D.Emits Experience 4x2 g t Emeralds who > and focw tbey ex- cel 51592. ErnptiiKfie in all ether wayes3. 250 I 2 Ends of Church- Fellow/hip, none butSiirtsc^n anfwrer $g 5J End of all Churches one andtbe The third Talle. p. c I. Time tjv?i 12 i End of Parimes is for their ownc Ends JM ii i Ends arc bafe which bring many into the Churches, as Hypocrites i i i, ii t 92. Endiiow Presbyters and Papifts a- grceinit 47 6 9 * End/u.ts with the Principle if ft a 2, End of Church fellowmip answer- ed by ill Saints though differing in opinions 518^19 j 2 Enemies of Cfarift ground to powder if ? 1 Enemy to Errors , arc the true Churches io5 1 j 1 Enemies«xo Spirit , men of forme ?4« * 2 Energy of Church fcllowfhip how hindied M* * 1 Enemies afraid of C hurches in unity jo4 9 2 Entrance of Saints and Hypocrites different 4<» 3 1 Entity aftd Unity convertibles 87 7 1 Entrance into Churches, what to do firft W>24° 1 2 Epiftle to Purlcigh in £#ex 229 Equality of all Minifters 97 8 1 Equality of all Churches 110 8 1 Erring Church how reformed in 112 8 r Errors to be killed by the wordfnot the fword/ 1 6*> 1 7? 1 J 1 Errors may , and mull be in the Churches 206 1? 1 Erros the Excrements of older truths how? 2?Ep. 1 Eflentials of Church-fel'owfhip, muft bee knowne before wee enter 242 1 2 Eflentials of the universal Church 481 9 2 Examples of Gofpel-Churches $ 1 1 „ P c * Examination at £'lf when? 140 1 2 Examples workc much 8^2 An Example for all fmners 44.7 6 2 Excellency of Saints in on. body 38 7 1 Excellency of Churches is (Oi i&J the Head i4t l? 1 Excellency of Women zb, ve Men L „ 473,473 s ^ Excellency of fuch Church mm bers as arc promifed in rfaefe la:ter dayes ^o^QjSjo 9 2 Excel lent ones who? 2 3 Ep. Excommunication begua in Para- dife ^42 9 21 Execution of Gdseterm 11 D-crce in what order 3 59 6 2 Experience proves Principles 3 5j 6 2 Experiences to bee declared , and why? 3f6*3f7 * .2 Experiences declared in what order $61 6 2 Experiences-ef fome , warn others 363 6 2 Experiences tafce men off of c nfures 364 6 2 Experiences mew G ds va.iotis working %66 6 2 Experiences teach to truft in God and are mfans of converfionjteachj us beft of all, bring our Affurancc tolighr,&c. 367,585^84^2 Experience humbles us 379 6 2 Experiences fbew fweetly wh t wee arc* f»om what wee were ?7*,377 6 2 Experiences to come are the choy- feft 4449,450 6 2 Ex plicite^coYenanting may be 5 bat how ? 4?? 722 Eucharift , bow Papifts and Pres- byters a*ree in it 468 9 2 Nnnn 2 The third table. F. p. c I. Fa& (not FaltrOMagiftrates Judges of *** '£ > Faire without, and not wtnin, Hy- pocrites rlifJ Fair all over , the Church or Cnnit 100 8L i Faith never forced three hundred years after thrift ie*oi.3 1 Faith more urged then Forme 108 15 1 Faith in prayer forces out a quick anfwer 3 70 * * In the Faith all are to be received Fall fuddenly to forae Churches i«B5 189,191 14 1 Ealfe. perfwafions. dangerous, and how to know them 249 1 1 Falfe friends flatter m©ft 2 Epift. Familiarity with Chrifts enemies declined I6 6 * lA.FavJhaw Experience 4,14 6. 1 Fatal blow to Parifh Churches when? 94 7 1 Father one to all Saints %6 7 1 Fear of hell makes hypocrites ferve Gol 477 9 2 Felony to give and receive Sacra- ments as mcft do in Parith Chur- ches 5^i 9 2 Fellowfliip Chiift was Paftor of, oiKpaterne; 57 ? l Fellowship with, men 3 not out of Chrifts way 71 6 \ .Few a* fie ft embody, and who they be? 2.78 3 2 F gh-ers againft G cd, wh r? ^ 40 5: 2 Fighting-time for ail/^ before the eenqtieft $6? 6 2, Finall caufe, nrft in eye, laft jn aft 131 12 1 Finall caufe. of Churches promifed P c. U what? $2t 9 2 Fire gcei out of the mouths of Saints and Churches to deroHre all their Adverfaries 907 i Fitme founditioaof all true Chur- ches 184 14 i Firft into Chrift, and then into Churches i£8 14 1 Fitted to lay a Churches foundati- on, who? 19a 14 1 Fit for Church- fellowfhip who? &l 51Z 9 2. Form wanting makes de form 8871 Form of the Church is (partly) In- dependent 100 8 t The Forme by Chrifts IWe mea- fured 1 21 10 r Forme of, Embodying, not fet,butfit 272,173 3 1 Forms muft put none by Admiflien 292 4 2 Fcrms childith thing" , tut how? 341 1A Forms Idolized foone tumble Form of Chi ift in the fltfh , and Churches parallel 544 i * Formes not to be forced , butlefcto liberty 34* ? 2 Forms of Gcdscwne ordaining laid afids for peace-fake, much more ours -.34 5" S 2 Fo'mes how occafioncd? and how tifeful? 945.2 Forms The third Table. p.c.l Formes of Chinch -covenant 4*7* 459 7 2 Formal Profeflburs Time-fervers :i5 8 i Formal ifts raoft furious againft the Spirit 30$}?o8.30^4i <$ z Formality delineated 420 6 z Formal Righteoufneffe 395 408 410 6 z Foundation of the Church, is Chrift alone 5^185, $ * *3 * Foundation is firft of all laid in found buildings 180^14,14 1 9 2 Foundations are rotten which many hive built, and which will bee fuidenly difcovered 19 1 151 Founcbtion cf fome Anabaptifts i> as weake as water, that making an Idol of it 30 -0501,505 .4 2 Fountiine in t^e midft of the Gar- dens isChiift 203 1 51 Free-willers all Saints, but how? I 2$ III Fruitfolnene of the Churches above All ?*43-3 4i Fruits of the Trees of (typified) Ea- radte j?5 9 2 Fulneffe of ail the Body is Chrift the head 148^ 15 1 p« c> I. Churches L Gardens of Chrift ' his 4*>45 4i Gates of Sion are the Congregatio- nal Couches , and the way into Sion. 204,209 !<> I Gathered out is before Gathered in 7*6 1 Gathered Churches manv muft felly 188,18914., Git"rs, Parts &c. qualifie not for C hurch- fellc wfttfp 19 Sl p. c. 1. Glory of the latter houfc Greateft 4 1 1 Glory of God the end of Church- fellowftiip 152 12 1 Glory of the Churches is All in One Glory of God much by Experiences* &c. 357 6 2 Goo1 is the univerfai Good 26021 God (in us) the Principle (to us) the Object, and (with us) the End 261 2 t \ God and Saints fealeby the fame ■■! Spirit . 227 i 2 i God receives Saints of all-judgements i 516 5i : Gods grett defigne is All into One] S$o $ 2 \ A Gf'd-like Principle moves the ! Saints 254 2 1 Godly wrong their fouls to abide in> Pariin Churches 95 6 1 Golden Rule of Confcience 537 5 2 Good muft fcparate from the B^d 71 6 1 Good Qrutm Church -ft ate)the Wils object . 259 2 a- GofpelDifciplifie proved from Po- lity } 5 1* Gofpel- Hedges and Fe«ces 4241 Gofpel-Order in the Inftitwion to be knowne 24612 Gofpel way ofwormipis the great promifr 508 9 2 Goffei full ©f Bleflings to all 13 Ep.ft. A Gofpel- call- • 41062 G-vernours in Kingdomes cf Saints,and 1 of Families alike 18015 1 GovernouM of the Nation warned of ; Lawyers 22? £f.2 .Government of Chrift, ■ and civ ill I M^giftratt/ diftindt V 1:711.1 Graces The thtrd Table. \ P d\ Graces faving and fan&ifying to fit for Cburch-rellowlhip 19 S l Grace in a convert taken two wayes Gradual recovery of the Church (now) 20 $ I Grounds of true perfwafion is Gods word w*45 * * H. p. c !. Hair of the Church j6 9 i Hairs grown on the Head, io Saints onChrift ijiij i Halcyon dayes 3 2 Epift. A HnJtfs Expericnca 414 6 2 Happinene and Honour to have Ch.iftour Lord 145 13 1 Happineffe of Saints in Chrift's Churches tf y 1 Harbour in thefedaics in Gathered Charehes 29 3 1 Hard to have Foundation in the Rock (drift) 186 1 3 1 Hafte ! Hafte .' Hafte J words to Eng- landjre/andyand Scotland 40,41 3 1 Hafte to embody, mnft be with good fpeed 280 $ 2 As Head is, members muft bee Head (Ghrift) to ail Churches alike Jjo$ 8 1 Head and Body (united) make up whole Chrift 147 J 3 1 Head is the higheft over the body, and the Excellency oftheBody,and gives influence to all the Body, and governs theBodyiandfympatbizes with itjfo Chi ift 37,148,149131 Head and Member both , is Chrift I48 13 1 Headlefic body is a lifelefle body 148 13 1 Tn our Head (Chrift) our Eyes, Ears, Tongue3all mould bee 15© 13 1 p. c. I, Head well, A|] is well 1 50 u * Head of Gold (Chrift) how bee differs from Heads of Braffe i$t 148 153 181 ,j, Hanreft follows the feed time of far- row B6i 6 2 Heathens are Volunteers to their gods 12* 11 , Heaven in the Churches of Chrift 96 7 1 Heaven in hell what? 40? 6 2 Hell was Chrifts , and is our way to heaven 3$x 6 2 Hell how one may be in it>& how out again $94,447,448,$9*,403^ 6 2 Colonel &A» Hew(ons Experiences . 35>f 4»2 6 2 ffermes vi lions of the Churches in thefe dayes 4$ 4 1 J. Heywirds Experience 415 6 2 Hereticks (as fuch) not to bee put to death 177,178151 Hereticks have put to death Saints for Hereticks 177 I? f Hidden number who they be^ 14 Ep, Hiemfalem vide Jeruf.lem. E.Hoar' s Experience 4 6 z HoldfafttrcHead(Chrift)i8i,3 , Hollanders how to be dealt with now I2,I3Ep. j Holy Ghoft muA fall upon men be- fore they bee' fitted to build the Lords houfe 192 13 j Hopes of Churches Recovery how loft aga'n 1*21 Honour and praife of God the End of Church-fellowmip 60 j 1 Houfe of God fitly framed how? and who? 84 7 1 Hc*w ing under Lnlc of damnation 44 * * -2 T 'Muggins Experience 393, (, z HumJity taught by experience 37^38062 Husband of the Churches is thrift 7 be third Table. p. c 1. C&rift <6 < i Husbandry of the Lord, his Churches 3* 3 * Hyacinths or Jacinths, who? 519 9 * Hypocrites (fo known) kept out 57 f » Hypocrites not of, though in Churches 64. ibid- Hypocrites hinder ehe Churches growth, and will all be discovered erelong 6f 6j ibid. Hypocrites foon made by compulfive powers i*7 *t f, 2^3 a 2 Hypocrites character and conditions an if 1 Hypocrite, what he is £73 * * Hypocrites pufTd up by experiences 379 ibid. Hypocrites warning-peke indeed 442 443AC ibid. I. p. c. 1. cWfa* (precious ft ones) who ? 510 511 o i Idlenefs not allowed in Paradife J 4-1 ibid. Idols of brafs mud down prefentiy M9 13 1 Idolizing water-baptifrn, whrchwas before by Fapifts, Ptelates 5 and is now by Anzbapttfts 303 30J 4 i Idols made ef forms, haft their Fall 343 % * Idols ef forms fevcralways 546 ib. Idolatry in many profeffors i\6 ib. Jdoli2iog a Church- Covenar ring 4*4 7 1 Jew, every fpiritual Saint 74 6* 1 Jew and Gentile all one in Chrift 35>* y a /. ^oc^f Experience 599 6 1 sfewfilctn a type e£ the Church 527 9 * Jews when prccicas Church-matter 5^ ibid. p. C 1. Ignorance of Churches object hinders afledientothem 118 9 9 Ignorance is the mother of falfe wor- fhip 241 I 2 Implicite faith not enough 244 ibid. Impartiality as to opinion neceffary 247 ibid. Impudent whoredoms of Parim .. Churches , Minifter , and People Independent Church, every Church of Chrift too 8 1 Independency Prelatick,as bad as any lof ibid. Independents of long ftanding 1 13 ib. Independents walk by Rule , i. e. the Word 112 101,113 81 Independents many called fo that arc I not fo, but are perfecutors of true j Independents 1 1? ibid, i The Independent Lord is Chrift a- j lone 144-13- * Indifferent things what are, and what not 313 f z Indifferent things all lawful in them* k\ves 324 ibid. Indiffercnts dangerousjwhen and how 451 7 2,~ Inclofcd number of Saints make Churches 41 4 1 Infant Baptifm idolized,how 300 4 2 Infant Baptifm true, formatter and form 299 ibii. Ingagement for and agaitift Churches, how ? in Epiftle to Churches. Iftjoyments higheft to Saints in fel- lowftup 202 13 1 InUv'hing and inl*'ghtning the fpirits work 26? 2 2 Inquiry of members to be admitted ftrScY -g8 28? 4 2 Intereft of Gofpel polity differs from intereft of carnal polity 711 lntcgrumy what it is 48 2 9 2 laterefts National and Anrtcfriftian * The third Table. p. c. l[ fill backward S Ep. Intirc Church every particular Church 483 9 \ Intruders into Churches, are many' *7* 3 * Inward truth mult be in Church- members 69 5 1 Inward raeJancholIy 4^9 6 2 Inward BaptKm qualifies for Churches 300 4 x Joynt-pcwers , joynr* prayers, and joynt-praifes of Saints embodied, fill Heavenand Earth 90 91 7 1 Joy at laying the foundation great 19$ »4 1 Joy,if true,follows forrow 365 366 6 2 H. tfohnjons Experience ' 408 £ a. Toy to Chrifts Churches it) his day which is nigh 25 3 1 /re/*»4 warned of per fecu tors for forms 17 2 1 IrcUnd calls and incouragesMinifters 28. Epift. Iron-hearted men fet up the head of Iron 151 13 1 Ifracl a feparare people 7 1 6 1 l(r ad afflicted by Ejyftians, how now 342 ? 2 Ireland fpringing with variety cf flowers 417 6 2 Juiw in every Church, he went out after the fop at Dublin 66 % 1 Iubiiee hard by 26 3 1 Iudge of Religion y Chrift alone in Commiftion 1 ^1 13 1 Iudges of Doctrine of Faith, not Ma- gistrates, and why 17 3 1 7 5 ibid. Iudges (hall be judged by Saints 177 ibid. Iudgement ran ft be found 241 1 2 Judicature in what Chrift is Iudge 160 13 1 Judgements or opinions in th ings in- different of all forts to be received 31* S 2 p. c. 1. Iudgement o( the Church is charita- ble upon the declaring of Experi* encies 358 360 6 2 Juftification, how Presbyters and Pa- pifts agree in it 474 9 2 K. p.cl. Key of Chrifts moulders, what it is ? 138 1$ 1 Keyes,who pretend to them, % & Ep. r. I^elfils Experience, fecond Experi- ence 6 I King, and King alone, Chrift 1 9 20*1 *£»; Epift. King in his Beauty, raoft in Churches U7 9 I King the firft, a Tyrant 22 Epift. Kings never more in England a 3 "Ep. Kingdom of Chrift 8j 7 1 Kingdom of God confifts not in out- ward things 324 y z Kingdoms of God effeveral kindes 32? ibid. Knowledge of Chrift fpiritual, is one end of Church- fcllowlhip 60 f 1 p. c. 1. Limbs Book of life ?.? 5 1 Lambs Book will be out ere long 217 Epift. Laft days, beft days 16 3 i> 46 4 1 Latter days Churches filled with glo- ry $17 5*8 5# 9 * Law-giver,Chrift alone 144 14? *3 t Lawyers corrupt and live by fin 210 z2l Epift. Lawyers mock at the word, and hin- der Reformation 212 Epift. Lawyers ere long will appear the greats fl Oppreffcrs, Tyrants, and Traytets that are 224 225 Epift. Laws of the Nation, not regulated, and why 222 Epift. Laws The third Table. P. c. I. Laws and Lawyers muft be purged fomlufts 2 2$Epift Lawsof Chrift in piradife 54092 Law to go forth from Churches to the World J41 ibid. Learned men fo called, moft enemies to Chrift 786 1, ao5 15 1 learned in all Ages forthelniepeft- dent Church way 205 ibid. Lcrned, who are truly To 20 % ibid. Leaft garden plants Gcds greateft care 44 4 1 H. L eefon s Experience, 10 Exp. 6 2 Lfgal Righteoufnefs, 4. Exp. ib. Leffons for Anabaptifts in Itehnd 334 111 1 2 A letter from WiUrfuid anfwered 302 303 304 4 2 LevitUal law required fcparation 72 6 1 Liberty of fitters in Churches ■ 4*6* 471 472 8 2 Liberty of Saints in things indifferent 318 $ 2> 32813. 333 ib. Life is firft, before law 541 92 Light and increafe of knowledge, one end of Church-fellowfliip 60 5 1 Light mining glorioufly 400 6 2 L'ghc goes forth from Churches round about 53 1 9 2 Lipsof the Church, what 97 8 2 p. I. c. Love to God oat-Jives all Graces 40? 6 2 Love to all Saints>one end of Ctiurch- fellowfhip £0 $ 1 Love to all Saints that differ in opini- ons 33/f i Love and fwectnefs to reftore a fa^n Member 8j 7 1 LoveijabfoIute,for which all indiffe- rent things muft be laid atide 4^7 1 Lult is let up ia the room of Law 223 2 24Epift. M. Lord,Ghrifta!one,by power,patchafe, / conqueft, gift, and choice, Indepen- I dent, fpiritual, univerfalf fole-fove- raign,Lord cheif Juftice, moft Ex- cellency and Everlafting 78 6 1 143 144 x3 x Love originil to all Saints a like 86 6 1 Love of God in Chrift, ground of comfort 37 ^ 6 2 Love of God taught by experiences 383 ibid. Love of God calls home 41a ibid. Love of Heaven, and yet but Hypo- crites 477 5 1 \ p. c 1. Mad folks in Churches , and why? ifo 15 1 Maidens of wifdom now calling in the ftreets 198 199 if 1 Mary MagUlen the flrft preacher of Chrift rifen 474 8 2 Magiftrates, what they muft do3 and what they muft not do in matters ot Religion %$ 13 1 Magiftrate , what he may do about Oooo Minifters The third Table. P. c l. Minifters uEpift. Magiftrate$ muft do all they can by their powers* and perfons co coun- tenance^ Churches 13 Epift. 16 ib:a. Mapiflrates muft ftady Scriptures 0 $6 ibid* Magirtrares,Presbyter3andPapifts a- gree about them .? 48° 9 2 Maintenance to Minifters is moral, but the manner of it is c'vi], and left to liberty . 4&$ib. Man not able to undertake Church- Government 139 *3 ' Mans rule too long , ©r too fhort 121 10 1 Man of form molt enemy to Chrift $41 ?2 Many fail to Rantifm, &c. and why 322 ib. Many Members polute the Lords fan- 6hiary ^9 f l Manna muft fall a pace in thefe days ^. Ucmmxmgs Experience, 2-, 3 Exp. 6 2 E. Matrons Experience 4?4 ib. Martyrs io the flames have witneffed againft putting t® death any for Er- rors or Herefes * 7 9 l ? l Mafter-builder Chrift alone, and how 140 14! ib Marter'of the Church^viGble Saints 51 52 i 1 Fit matter is of the Lords own adding 67 68 ib. Materials for Chrifts Churches muft bethebeft 63 ib. Fir matter is tryed by the Hammer and Saw 68 ib. Matter and form of the Church, fitted by Chrifts rule 121 xo 1 Matter of Churches, in thefe Iaft days 510 51 x 9 2 Matter for foundation is the moft p.C.l. pretious , 191 14 1 Means to nuke us voluntary > what and how 26.4. 16 f 21 Means to convert b; Experiences $67 368 6z Means to convert one, converts not another $67 ib. Meafure for the Temple is Chrifts rule 121 10 1 Meeting places made Churches, when 11 2 1 Meeting oft together before embody- • ing 272 *74 J 2 Meeting places called Churches,Pies* byters and Papifts agree in them 492 9 z Land A. Mcgfons Experience 416 6 1 Members of Church- feliowfliip, who fit 56 57 $ 1 All members make up 6ut one body H 7 f A member am ifs, how to be reftored ibid. Members of foolift buildings in dan- ger of falling the next iiorme 191 14 1 Members, many c*me before called, who 269 t z Members of other Churches, how re-» ceived 294 29? 4 a Members caufal and conftitutivc to the whole Church uauverfai,are the Congregatianil 48J92 Memory for Sermons how helped 421 6 2 Merit of works, de congruo 477 47 8 9 * Middle things muft not be urged 327 ?*- H. Mills his Experience 409 6 z Minifters , and the, moll eminent, guilty of thofe Errors they moft complain of &2 7 1 Minifters of the Go/pcJ,Tecth of the Church 97 8 x Ms ifters- The third Table. P. c. 1, Minifters of State fucceed Lord Bl- lhops in their a&ions and ftations, which is bewailed i«8 i? i Miniftfrs mail not meddle with fhtc matters *71 »k Matters, why againft Independency 82 7 1 Minifters turned politicians fall into great places. Colledges, Commit- tees,^, which is very fatal and o- nvnous 168 169 13 1 Minifters cannot be fequeflred ab offi- cio 180 it». Minifters all over the Nation warned 208 15 i Miniftery, the Author called to it, and how 4$6 4*7 6* Minifters for long preaching defpifed, and .what followed it 4, % Experi- ences ^id. Minifters muft have maintenance 2728 Epift, Minifters who arc made the peoples *H *34 Mlniftry, when moft corrupt ■ 78 Epift. Minifters much encouraged in Ire/and 28 Epift. Mifcarriases of Church -members ey- ed by all 68 5 1 Mifchief to Churches by proud pre- latick lording Paftors,and by ruling Synods and Claffes 104 10S 8 1 Mixed congregations, not Gofpe! Church ftates f 1 1 Mitre -mongers and Prelates, ever op - pofers of the true Churches 12 1 1 Mixed congregations, Chrift not the husband of so* % 1 Monks and pr lefts, when they arofe II 2 1 Morality is Divinities handmaid 1 1 1 Mortal blow to morter Churches iaft year 208 if 1 p. c. 1. Motion,!ifc,a how routed 28 Ep. Nations of all forts to make up one Church y|8 9 2 National Churches, what they are,and how to fall J 50 %%i f$2ib. Natureof things doubtful and indif- ferent 314 $1? 316* % 2 Neceffity of Gofpel polity 5 1 1 Neck of the Church, what it is 98 $9 8 1 NecefTity is (hown by the Spirit, and the word 129 u 1 NecefTity of Churches wei grounded and well-umted 195 14 1 Ncceffity of ferious confederation , and felf-examination of all that would be Church -members 24012 Neceftlty of a free principle in all Church-members 25 j 2 2 A necefliry put upon indifferent forms ispeftilent 341 ^ 2 Neceffary is threefold 4^1 7 2 Nobility, who be the beft 21 22 Ep. ?(prnun yoke moft heavy 6Ep. Novelty in pcesbyterians 6*0 Ep. Oooo * O The third table, p.c 1. ObJe&ions for PariuVChurches an- fwered 6151 Objed of true Churches, what it is 116 117 9 1 Object of the will, what it is 2 $9 260 Zi Obft'nacytoChrifls ca!Lout q(Ba- bj/on is dangerous 207 15 1 Cfccafionofform J47 ?I Officers of the Church have a deriva- tive power 288 4 2 Officers to the churchy how women have been 470 8 2 Officers of> the church, make the body more entire ?*4 92 Officers of the church, muft be kept under as fcrvants 110111 81 Offences wh a t,and how offcrM 321 5 2 Occafions of Bret hr ens fall into er- rors 512 ib. Old formal Proteftantifm is not c- nough for church-fellowfliip 69, f 1 One in another, and every one (of members) in Chrift 84 7 1 Onenefsof all^Chriftpaid and prayed for 86 87 ib. Onenefs of all Saints 519J2052 One of ail-, is Gods great work Oneneis of Churchy , when more then ever ?o6 9 a Onions and Leeks for Parifl>mem* bers 207 1 5 1 Opinions out of Magiftrates powers J74 13 1 Opinions ought not to byafs us 247 i 2 Operation of the will carries into the object 260 2 2 Opinions in things doubtful and in- different, may and muft be divers 2F2 3?4 52 Opinions different^ allowed with love p. c. I. two hundred years after Chrift 3 3* ib. /. Oshortti a ftrange relation of him 440,441,^ 6 2 Oppcficion againft the Churches makeforthera ior 206 iy.i Order requires Gofpel-Difcipline 2 n Order iiv building @ods houre 84 7 t Order of Church-fellowfhips belt, that begin firft, with Chrift the foun- dation i?8 1 5 1 Order of the Gofpel, as at firft muft be known 246 1 z Order in the true Church, is Gods Ordinance 27 1 272 j z Order of the true Church, agrees heft with different opinions J2-6 j 2 Order of telling Experiences Order of the Gofpel, a great lattec daysproraife jo8 0 2 Orders and Ordinances out of Chrifts way, to be wa ved 77^1 Ordinances of Chrift, difpenced in order of Chrift 80 ib. Ordinances neck, Chrift head, Saints bodie of the Church 99 8 1 Ordinances prironers in fome Chur- ches 123 to 1 Ordinances energy cbft>u&cd by doublings 152 1 z Ordinances here, a fhadow of rhem to come 117 52 Ordinances and Members, Trees of Paradi'c $52 92 Ordinances of breaking Bread, many ignorantcf1 47*47$ K>. Ordinance of prophecying cne by one, means of converting and con- firming 412 6 2 Ordination of Mrnifters , Papifts, and Presbyterians, agree in 48 2 48* 92 Original lave to allSaiflts a like S<$ ?\ Original The third Table. p. J. c. Original! of Scriptures is the Spirit 4*3 9 * Orthodox Expositor of Scripture who only ibid Others ftirred op into church -fellow- ship by publick imbodying 284 3 2 Outward things make not the king dom of heaven 3 24 $ 2 Order in ordination ofMiniftersjwbich is right 48$ 9 2 V pi c. 1. Palaces of Chrift, true Churches %oy6i f 1 Papifts and Prelates too alike in Dis- cipline and pnet ice 1 j 2 1 Papift*, Prelates, and Presbyterians would have all their high courts o- ver the Churches ioj 8 $31, Epift. Peiformance of Promifes atlaft pinch 47^4* I : Perfection of all in one, is Chrift Perfons entring into Churches, what to don-: ft 2 39, 24-) 1 2 perfecutors Sam pfons Foxes that hi n npthernfeives 18 1 1- Perfwafion, how to attain it 245 1 2 Ptrfwafion (which all muft have that wculd enter into Churches) how to know tme from hlk 249* - ib. O o 0 0 3 pic -y 1 he third Table. p. c. !. Piety muft not dance after policy i^o 13 1 Plantation of Chrifts own hands i.e. his Churches 4? 41 Pledges given in at Dublin Church , 371 6 2 Policyjcarnall, and Gofpel policy how ihey differ °"»7,8NI 1 Policy muft ferve piety, not piety po- licy irfo 13 1 Policy what it is 169 im- policy ruin'd by Cbrifls coming 170 ib The polkkBeaft fat in the temple 8 1 1 Politicians defcribed 17° J3 l Politicians Religion 194 14 1 Pope, Prelats, Primates, &c. whence they came 10 I I Popery to take away Church. power & give it to Clergy or Gaffes ioi 8 1 Pope is the head of brafie, and how he came in xjj 13 I PopiUi Difcipline fwam in blood ii i I Porters appointed to keep out the un- clean 51 1 1 Apofic prefented to the Saints and Churches 4fo6 2 Power in all Churches equal 10 1 8 1 Power of men over any Church of Chrift is afurped U$ ib. Power to admit Members is the bo- dies 285 4 2 Power civill fubfervtent to Chrift and his Sainrs 127,128 u 1 Powring out of the Spirit hard by us $06 g 2 Pra&ife of primitive Saints,Prophets Apoftles, &c. was to feparate from the mixed multitudes 74 6 1 Power and prayers of churches 917 1 A praevifion 41 f 6 2 I Praifes to God a peculiar end of Church- fellowmip 133 im J Praifc k publick of the Church imbo- I died %79 3 i, pi c I Prayer muft be much before imbody- J"S . , , 27$3i76 ib. Prayer eminently anlwercd,3 68 3 3 69 370 f 1 Prayer converting and confirming 4iJ ibid. 399 3 * Preachings call thereto 437,438 62. Precepts for Separation 72 * 1 Precious feparate from the vile 70 ib. Precious ftones gathered in latter daics Prelates ever oppofers of the Chu co of Chrift IZ2 t Prelacy ana popery, Termini cwvmi- J'!es i "°j * * Prelacy ready to be turned off the Ladder 104 ibid. Prelacy and Papacy Jive and dye to- p^ther. 14* 1 Prelates in pomp l0? g f Preparation before imbodying 27 3 1* Presbyterian way hU with Prelacy Presbyterian* too bold Ufurp^rsVf Chnlts power loj g \ > Pf"by.2nansand Independents grea- I teft difference ,04 ibidj From Presbytery to Independency -W n 19^ * Z To Presbyterians a word in love Presbyterians how Churches*and how „n°l 43o ib. Presbyterian Churches (asfucrJnoc I trueMembers of the churdj of Chrift Catholick. 4g, ib. Presbyterians whom we own and ho- nour 482 ibid. And whom we dare not clofe with $7 Epift. Some Presbyterians and Papifts look too alike in the Head, Body, Eies. Mouth, Hands, and Feet, yea, and whole effigiesofthdrchweb 414$ t Pre*, The third Table. p. c. 1. Presbyterians monopolize the Cfcur- cheSj ib called 494 ibid. Presbyterians defigne againft the ftu- thor and Book 5 5 Epift. Presbyterian way noveIty,and Httero- doxte 60 Epift. Presbytery Congregational! is the right 113 8 1 Prefence of God is fpeciall in Chur- ches J47 9 » Pretence of God in Churches is the a- da?quat objeft lie* 9 1 Prefence of Chrift fweeteft in Chur- ches 4? 4 1 20* 15 1 prwte in Pallors God abhors (of all mens) iof 8 I Primitive times Saintswere all volun- teers 124 11 1 In primitive times Minifters ('people and ail) equal in honor and dig- nity without Prelacy 151 1$ 1 In Primitive times Saints longed for church-fellowfhip 204 14 1 In Primitive times no refpecl: of opi- nions 3?',m 5* In Primitive times Saints told their Experiences 3^62 In Primitive times Sifters had their liberty , as church-members , in church matters 465.456 8 2 Principle of a Saint is above felf, and God-like 254 2 2 Propagation of t heGofpel how 48*91 Priviledges of Saints imbodyed 89 71 202 15 1 Profeflbrs who fit for churck-fellow - (hip 3* 5 1 Many Profeflbrs not Chriftians, ib Profeflbrs who are beft, and tryed , $16 S 2 Profeflbrs in primitive times 53^ 54 f » Profeflbrs fall to Familifm, Rantifm, &c,why> 8j382 7,i P» c« 1. Promifes performed by contrary means 47 4 1 Promifes to anchor at in a ftorme 28 3 1 Promife of Gold for Brafle^Silver^ for Iron 181 13 1 Promifes of re ftitution of times to be eyed. 24$ 1 2 Proofs of Sifters right in Churches, 4*7,4*8,46-5, 8 2 How to prophefie, or fore-tell things to come 27 3 1 Proprieties of thefe laft daics r«ady to be delivered 30 3 1 4* 4 J Prophefies of Hermes and Methodius 4^47 4 1 Prophefies of three things that will fuddenly fall upon the Churches ^05,506,507 9 2 Prcphecying one by one a fpecial ordi- nance 41 2 6 2 Proud prelatick Paftors in Indepcn-., dent Churches as bad as any 104 8 1 Providence is to be obferved 247 1 2 Publicke imbodying convinces the world of the way, prevents fcandal, agrees with Chrifts practice, and precepts,and the way it felf,&o 28 1 s 282,283 3 1 Pntlick meeting places how they fhould b&dcdicated toSaimsfliving) 494 ?V *$ 1 p. *• c. Salifications in Church- Members muft be knewn as to fatisfac'tion be- fore they enter 148 1 2 Quali6eation a fecond part of Expe- rience 262 6 1 Qneftioning of Forms 34c* 52 Queftions asked in admitting of weak lambs of Chrift muft be according- ly Xf\ 4 2 The third TMe. p. c I* &. as Head, and Nations as King 508 9 2 p. c 1. \ Religion is out of the Civill orbe Rangers rBuftnct be received >'nro { 127^1 iJi ij 1 Church fellowfriip ^ j I j Refrauntion promifed 27,2-8,293 1 Ranrers,w by many are fr 312 5 Ranrcr3wharhc is $7$ 6 2 A Ranter recalled 2Exper.6 2 Ranters fpirits Churcl-deftroymg fpirits $02 7 2 Rain judgement fights sgain ft God, andwirtk is? 340 j 2 Ranters blaz*ng-ftar?j ever portend- > ingevill 39 1 1 Riih EmbodyingwiUfoon bee bro- ken 280 3 2 Readersof divers forts 218 Epift Reacts what fort the Aurrnur wifhesfor. 227 Epjft. Reafon keeps many out of Church- fellowfliip 80 5 1 Reafon s why Primitive Saints longed after Church -fcllowfhip 204 iy 1 Reafon that is carnail muft be laid afide 119 Epift Readers wliat fort have promifed 219 Epift Reflation or rimes to be inqunctf in:o 246 1 —a Revelations of ^ohn matt be fearch- ed by all in thefe t'mes 4^ 9 a Remedies to fpiritual evils, are fpi- rmul m 8 2 Remembrance every day of the Church in the WiIdernefTe 4 l $ 1 Retrograde motions of Hypocrites A Riddle for Hypocrites unfolded H 5 ■ Right hind ofFellowfhip 27 f> 3 a- 293 4i R'tuall order in true Churches 272 1 z Rites or Forms not to be urged , fo as to put any by admiffion 292 4 2 R.Ricbcs Experience 412 6 2 Rivers of Paradife what ? running from the Eaft , and why ? S3*>m,f38 9 2 Reafon as it growes muft mend the jRighteoufnefie inherent andimpu- Laws 2tg, 224 Epift. 2 ) tative 47c 9 2 Reafon (divine) the Rule of Saints /Rock (Chrift) rhe Churches Foun- Will 2?7 2 2/ darion 184 14 1 Rebaptizing is Unlawtull 155,196, ^.R^gerr Experience 4'2 6 2 4 2 I Rotterdam Church Covenant 45771 Redeemed are the reacfcft to pra'fe Rubbim abundance to be removed* God 1J4 II 1 Refuge of the Church s of Chrift 185 14 1 Refuge for England where? 1 $,i4Ep. Regifters in the C hurch 179 ? 2 and by whom i$2,l4° 13 * Ruinc cannor be when the Rock is the Foundation 18 j 14 1 Ruine of the late Civill Powers what? 13 Epift. Reigne of Chrift vifible ere long 1 Ruling Synods and Claflls unlaw- 24 I 1 fall ic7,io8 8 i Relation betwixt Go iaad bis Saints, Rules to prophefie of things to come Chrift ani his Churches^ infe- i7j28 3 i pJrable ^n! Rule Qkx'db Church is buiir up by &eign of Chrift <*er all Churches 119 10 1 RmImc The third Tatle% Rules of wen make mad C&tfrch- woifc no 10 i A Rule for the Will wheh is twa- fo'd 1*7,258 2 2 Rule of admiflion of Members •339 < 2 To Rulers of Civil affairs a w od and a warning 127 11 1 Rulers rim the hazard of mine when Pb&QtonHk.e th^y thinke to ru'e the Sun, inmedting with matters of Religion i$o,u 1 171 1$ 1 Ruler* of Parliament warned I7M72 1$ 1 Ruler 0/ Nations goes out of the Church e* 38 Epift. S. p.cl. Sacraments no where but in true Chuches * x Sacrame'nts JM9J Sacraments disorderly given by Presbyterians 47 o 9 Sacriledge foe Ma^iftrates to meddle with mitters of Religion as Judges 17^1? 1 Safety of Churches in ail troubles as 187 14 1 Saints fhall have enough , and to fpare ere long $ 6 $ 1 SalatJ feparate from other 4241 Saints in Churches mould furpaflg all 4? 4 1 Saints live above fenfe 47 4 1 Saints /ound,upright, &c. are fkfeft matrer 51 5 1 Saints of fweet favour, and for fuch to be members of the Churches is a latter dayes prom'fe 51 5S 5 1 Saints beft anfwer the Ends of Church fe!lowihip 59 5 1 Saints ai'i hewn from one Rock » of one feed , in one womb , bearing on s iarge> lead by one Spirit, cal- led into cneh^pe, having one joy ' p. c. I and glory $6 7 1 Saints united, too hard for all the world 90 7 1 Saurs bappinefle, and honoar in Chrift. their Lord, and cuinot want preferment 145,146' 13 1 Saints Privileges, in Chrift :hs Head,and as his Hairs, they grow from him ifi j$ 1 Saints in all ages under all Formes make all but one Church 1 f 1 1 $ 1 Saints are beft taught by Experien- ces 384 6 2 Saints mall jufge their Judges 177 13 1 Saints of oM longed for Chu ch- fellowfhip, and why * 104 15 1 Saints directed to the beft Church fellowfhfp 21 a 15 1 Saints that would enter , mufr con /iderjand whatelfe 231,242 1 a Saints of all judgements to bee re- ceived . 21152 Saints nottyedtoany one Church, 274 3 2 Saints the fame in Fakf], tfeoogh not in Form 748 5 1 Saints of old told their Experiences 1$6 6 t Saints called Antinomies , and why ? 475, 476 6 1 Saints glorious Cherubim s b.w 14 47 Epift. Salvation before Sanetincaricn in theD-'crce, but fan edification be fore falvation in the execution of , * 359 * * I Samaritans brought in by the Ex- perience of a woman declared 367,36^ 6 2 I Sandy foundations will faile many Churches that are built on hem '. 190 14 1 i Sanctuary of the Lord fV led with \ Vo'unteers 125 n 1 Pppp Sap hires The third Table. p.c . I . Sapfrres (precious (tones) who they Sardiufs's (precious (tones; whor 516 9 * Sardonix's (precious ftones) who? $J* 9 * Sathin renews Temptations every foot 4T* * ■ Sa thms fyn^gogues in Parilh Churches 79 61 Saving fancTfying graces fit us for Church-feliowfhip 19 5 1 Si»Z is flaine, TWi; dayes entred, and Solomons entring very fpeedi- !y i6Epift Scandal upon Churches and Saints, whence vid.EpiH to Cliurcbes, and 321 * 2 Scinda! to Chrift, Saints, and Go fpel, to put any by for their bare opinions in things indifferent Scandal of this age, and of the Go- fpel is fo many Hypocrites in Chu dies 6% 5 1 Scriu tin e- comforts arc fure,and will laft 3^9 <* 2 Scriptti es how Presbyterians & Pa" pifts sgree in them 461,40a 9 a Seal of the Spirit, whit it is 266 z 2 Scilingxf the Spirit how? 372,37$ 6 2 Secular powers in matters of faith are tyranny and perfecuuon ;i£o 13 1 Seed time a fad time before Harveft 365 6 2 Seekers fins. 194 14 2. Selfe-examinationof all rhatcom^s n'oChurch-fellowfbip. 24® th 4*9,4*5 6 2 Selfe muirher the Aurhoi faved ffO^Tt Separation from thrift calls for Separation a part of cm without 4? 4 1 Church- Pel. form 70 6 1 Separation what '*t is? 7 7,7 6 6 1 Separates from Parifli Churches no Schifmaticks3hut who are f© ? and who are not? 77>78 61 Senfe makes us look and live fo low as not to fee things that are com- ming 47 4 I Sequeftrat;oaof Minivers of Chrift cmnot be from their preaching by any man **8o 13 1 Sermons how to bee remembred 421 6 t. Serpent tempts with ths tree of knowledge 545 9 a Servants of Chrift ( the Mafter- builder) who ? 141 13 1 Servants of the Churche, officers 288 4 2 Servants of God differ in opinions, and yet the Lord* 517 ji Set forme in Churches muft not be a7* J 2 -hicld to Saints who are to^be 27 Ep. Shadow, what it is., and what are fo? 338 7 2 1 Sin in things indifferent 324 5 1 /Sifters ( as well as Brethren ) have their Right as Church-members to vote,&c. 463, 464 8 2 Sifters joyned in ch ofirg an Apoftle- 466 8 2 Sixth day (now)man pat into Para- dife 446 9 2, Sodomeatypeof Arttkhrift $2< 9 x Slanders the Author fuffers 43 Epift. Sleeping -t Chinch how to avoid it $21 6 z Sofemne Order muft accompany folemne Ordnance? 280 3 z Solemnity of Embodying is in pub- lick 281 % 2 Soufes flashed for fin , exalted in Chrift 381 6 a Souldjeis of Ch^ifl artbeft in the Churches ihetbirdTable* p. c I. Churches 90 .7 1 5F. SpUmins Experience 4 Expc.6 1 Speech of Chrift what? 9S 8 i Spirt, and liuth inwardly and out- wardly God o bee worshipped in ill Spirit leaft\when Form moft $ $ g 1 Spirit calls to corec away 40 3 1 Spiritual means againft fpiritrtal evils Hi 8 1 Spirit qualifies us by convincing and making us voluntary 126 11 1 Spirit is the Key that opens , and none (huts 138 ij 1 Spirit agreeing with our fpirits, how 171 6i Spirit is the fweeteft compulfive power 1*9 n 21 Spirited for the worke of the Tem- ple little yet, to wh:t will be erelong 12? 10 1 Spiritual dbiliAbs& noneelfe,(nou!d goe about to lay the true Founda- tion of the Church 19214 1 Spiritual worfhippers in the Chur- ches -o;> 1 j 1 Spirit and Word are the Lor Js Arms he draws wi.h 273 2 1 Spirit of Chrift the interior work- ing Inftrument -264 z 2 Spirit is Gods ftrongeft 2nd light Arme 269 2 2 Spirit how it is knowne , and how it convinces 2^432^5 2 2 Spirit -ow one in all 168 z 2 True Spirit how known 37$ 6 2 Spirit carries through thicke and thin z66 2 2 Spbfit powred out , hard by us 1q6 $11 9 2 Spirits powring out where it will bee firft {{892 Spirit is the oneiy orthodox Expo- sitor 465 ^ 2 Spiritual Covcmnti are beft ,- and p. c. /. binde wft 4^1 7 z Spiritual Egypt, many Churches, how, and why? 341 j j Spirjt-Baptifme a principle of union $0742 Spirit- Baptifme by which wc enter Chiifts Body 308 4 2 j Spoufe of Chr.it faire 87 7 1 ' Spring time is entred for the Chur - ches 28 j t 5pnnkUng,and wa(hing>all one with dipping 4974 2 Strength of Saints eaibcdyed, in- vincible 89390 7 f Storme which the Au.hor was in 4#Epift. A. Smngs Experience 9 Exp. 6 z Stofrns the Churches mUft meet with yet 28 $ i Subjects to Chrift the Lord and Lawgiver 143,144 tj i Subftance of all fhadows, is Chrift, 33* 5 2 Sun muft rule the day that is coming ?i8 g 2 37 Epift. Li Smnficlit Experience 396, 397 y land 4 Bxp. 6 2 Sward of Chrift that Hayes fmne and errors, is the word of Chrift 161 2 2 Sympathy with the lea ft member of Chrift the Head 149 1 $ 1 Synods ruling unwarrantable 107 8 i 497 ox p. 0 I. Tabtrnacles, i.e. Churches, their be- nefits 94 7 1 Tabernacles of David, types of Con- gregational Churches 5:6 9 2 Task -matters' of Egypt , who , and where now $4? 5 z Teachings are beft by beft Experi- ence* 38 1,2 8$ 6 2 Pppp x Teeth The tYirdTable. I Teeth of the Church, who 97 8 1 Temples of the Church, who 98 ib. Temple ftones hews 'and fitted, (fc. U * * Temple of Sclmon, a Type of 7(ac fcrufikm 518 5? 2 Temptations are ftrongj and many i 1 aher Calls 416 6 a 'in troubles experiences, are cordials Temptations incredible, the Author 367 ib.* met with 4*7 4*8 ib. Truths cecaCon errors, but how Temptations are divers ways 433' *f Epifr. 424 1 Exper. ib. Truft in Cod, is helped by experi- Te^prations, to deny Ordinances ences $67 61 404 2 Exp. b. Ternuzxi.tbe Lawyers God : ; 1 Epiit, p. c. I. Trees of Chri&s own planting, fruit- ful 43 4 * Trees of typified paradife, who and what 53 2 533 92, Tree of Life, who iris J34 ib. Troubles in mindc and conference 4107 Exp. 6 2 Terror to all the world, Churches united 93? 1 Tenieraefs, in admitting Members 251 4 2 Teftifflonyjdrecfold of all admitted 290 294 ib. Things indifferent and doubtful^ wkat arefo Jij 514 J2 Things cf a middle file left to liberty 3-7 &• Thoughts of Hell, fearing at firft, 4'? * 2 Twin-Teitimonies give aflurance 372 ib. Single teftfmony, how encugb, an-i how uncertain 374 577 ib. Throne of Chrift ufaipei by fome 320 f 2 Times of reltitatien tumbling in a pace i8 3 1 In times of popery Experiences were told to convert 368 62 T.mesoi* aiftiiance 3781b. Time of tryai, fharp to the Ctactft, is coming yof 9 2 Tt:-x's (precious ftoBes) who they be ?l3 ib. A Trance 404 62 Traiel in fouls bd«rs birth of joy 366 ib, Tur'ss (and fit for nsne elfe) that will not have their forms q^ftioncd ?4* % * M, Tujeitt Experience, 11 Exp. 6 2, Types of Church-matter ft j* ji Types which fcretel the ru ne of falfe Churches, ani the rifmg of the true Churches 52 $ 5 2^ 527 9 z Tyranny and persecution to have fe- cuhr powers over us in matters of faith 160 13 1 Tithes a heavy ycke 6 Epift. Tirhes when, and how confirmed tcv Minifters 2S Epift, 491 fx Tithf5,faow Presbyterians and Papifts r.gree in them 4g8 ib. 1 Ithes how jauaicaljbow ceremonial, how moral, and how trnt mainte- nance muft be akcred, when they keep up tin and faperftiticn, &c% 480490 ib, V, p. c. f. Variety in unity is moft beauteous ' . 337 338 5 * Variety o^ Goes workings appear by tie Experiences of Saints 366 6 1 Vialation of Chrivts Laws to take in- to Churches any but vifrble Sam;* Vindication of Congregational- CfavcbK The third Table. P.c I. Churches for matter 64 ib. Violence and voluntarmefs repugnant 25o a 2 Vifions of various conditions of the Churches in all ages, and how in thefe days, by Hermes 46 4 1 Vifible and invifible, no Scripture di- ftindion 61 5 1 Avlfion 413 4M 398 409 6i Vi'fion,whit ic island twofold 449 ib. Vital fpirits, all from Chrift the Head 149 13 1 Uafitnefs of men for Church work 110 10 1 Uncircumcifed and circumcifed all one in Chrift 30$ 42, Unholy, unclean ones, not to enter the Temple J 2 * 1 Uniform'ty when it began to be forced Union of Saints unconquerable 90 7 1 Union with Chrift the Head>qual:nes for communion with Saints in Churches 59 1 I Union of all Saints and Churches necefliry 19? T96 141 For unions fake, all that makes differ- ence laid a(VJe ibid. Unity and entity convertibles 87 7 1 Unify , where is not uniformicy I>6 I4t Unity urged amongft ail Churches, and why 501 91 Unicy with variety agrees very well 49S jb, j Unity of Churches,- when it will be 1 moit %o6 ib. j Uni pirituality keeps up the- Chu-chss j i95 141 Universal deliverance of the Chur:h3 j when 29 21 25 5 1 ! Universities of what fort at the laft j days 540 £2 Uaneceflary things make mott dijfe- I p. c. I rence 32c 5 2 Unfavory fmits ef the Head of Brafs x?9 1$ I Unskilful builders abundance, as yet 1*? 10 1 Vocation layes open election 358 <5 2. Vocation legal and evangelical 403 404, &c. ib. Vocation in time, election eternal 359 ib- Voluntary fabmhlion to the ways of Chrift 123 124 u 2 Voluntierr, and none elfe in Chrifts Churches 253 254 2 2 How we are voluntxerssdifferem from falfe members 270 ib. A voice of God I. Exper. 406 409 4. j ib. Votes in Church concern all alike, wfc Sifters as well as Brothers 470 8 2 Ufe of forms mav he 34*. ? z Ufurpation of Chrifts power ice 81 Ufurpation ^cf Chrifts throne 310 5 2 Ufurpers both Minifters, and Magi- ftiates? and bow 1^9 131 \V. p. c. I. Wants none to the Churches ere long Waiting is a fpecial latter days dffpo- fition 47 4 1 Warning to Hypocrites 67 5 r Warning piece to Minitiers.iaft year 208 1 j 1 Warning to formal Anabaprifts, that idolize dipping 343 5 2 Warning to fome, by experiences of others ^3 e> a- Warning ro them that take Gcds name in vain 423 ib. W. Wafers experience, 6 Exp. ib. A fpecial warning xoTxrltigfy inE/"- Popd 2 /tat- 1 be trintas W$rd. I mafl look fi* fac to bt rending words till they ma\c (hem tvorrc then tbeyaeff H(may be)* bU m themfeives at U.f.But to thee Honeji Ruder* twjjh Vkb ttfl mj * heart that I bad more lafurc to AtrtjL and you lift Anil light to corrsft, I bop. xott Jhall meet with fome caniii Cbriftl&nsAnd bonejl men, who mU amend in the Wit what « aniffhintbe !e?fe *, Aid with five patient weli-mhided Reader! who will tarn the other fide tp mhj j t txui fence for the Printers fake , *d {emetics for the Publi(hers fake -, Paffe by the Typographick errors, fit bU/a\c, and the Hyp-graphick errors for mine j For [ cmU not f.Uow the Pi-eflcjisi m Preife vould not follow me, And to be ingenuous, ifhaifinic out fomepults for you ', rimy from yon -, fatjajoft. in y*u , that me ever and mjt finding fault. Err it a* s \n the Epiftles. ■pAgejjjeai J^^D fourth month p. lo.liue 27. r.deeply incumJent upn Magiftrate*, p.26J.i.r.GhriiVs.p.29./.*9.r-.you know what I, j>.$7.U8. margin r.redirc in principiumjp. f 5.in margin againft L6. oblirerate the; 70. / 9.'m margin Mhe way to make it3p. 6+.1 19 r.him in,i.c.inone>p.6$ /.g7.f Churche5,p.75./.J7.r.d3 fave. p.7?.in ve//^ l.uH.r.fiKoyjr&Ttt. Inthe Bo&^ p iJ.zj r.Po!icie,p.Min snargent againft l.i6.r.loofc* and / 24.i».becaufetharthey>/M?./.3Z,.»'. cheat us,p. 16./. i.r.DifcpIine,f. 17. 1. if r.viz. in the Church,?. 2$ J^.r. and fire and thirty diyes,/-29.r.ihat it is in, p.?o./.5.r.thatboIds,/>.^. in margent againft, 1 7 and iS.i.r.Form,are Icaft in SpiricM^-^.Sun, p.tf.l.xr r. Hermes,? 50. 1. 17. r.others , and obliterate all,;. ?4 I. I4-J*. tafiOT^ npvvTtf p. ?6. in margent un«Jcr cbiett, Y. is not,p.6^./7.r.p £9. and in p.65. againft I. 16. mar^enr. r. Churches, which they have, in p. {6.L 1 q.Y'foWip tf 7-/-28.r.they, obliterate ycj.69.1. 9-r.new Renters, or old Proteftanrs, p.7t^'1l^-X^y/j>tmvei,TiiP' 109. I, i-r. ez,p/(^a^'7i7i«/.25J'.undeniabIe.p 8eT. in margent againft / 2f.r.love f 96. /• 1. Contents /-.The fecond part of the fecond, &c /. laft Contents r. any Chrtrch, p. ity.l, 2 4.r. and oblic. as,and in rmrg a^inft /. 30. r; not ablc,p-i4i./.^ mif.y.foice,p.i5 2.).ircn fides,?.!^.'.*0^ Efau,p 320./. ?. r. '.hat)p.i5^/.i4.'''S^n,r.25f./.l3. oblit./cu before moium, and putinffK before mweatur,!. 33 .r met\,p-26z,\'ii.Y.ipprobdtionc,pti6A-.l.2.i. r.Wiy%tr. marg./.24 r.Inrerior, p.*^8./.?.r.(oundro reft,p.304.i.i i.rhere,p. 505. (. ultj.thoubcfo.c ihat,p.^o8./.it.r.iscalled,p^o]./.4 r-judgemcnrt,p.^i^ hio.r. they , p. 3 20. l.i z. r bethecaufeof a pale, p. 328 /.}. r fub/criptions ;.3?4.^3l->'P^I.36.9.p.2 56./.i.f.p,4&4.!. ; i>.Scrfpwre$, p.^SJ. i.r.robe baptifed, c-47 -- /f.his hit,/.iJ.r.brcid,/).473./. j4.r.prant it, p.484./ 37 r thu thev, 48o /. i.r.ab -.lit Civil powers,? 44*^ 1T For 8rc- Ohtr faults 1 befeeve therr be that have given me (he flip , but 1 am not ac lc^uCvjODu^^uhcflj^ 1 / ' 3 . -a* * {iT^-JcJ^ffT^ . Ij^L'tr ;. !$&^&M pfc <.-*■*: ."':•■*• "'';':^V-'^?fi&