Part 9

6. To endeavour, that your [131]_eyes may affect your hearts_, when you are at the Sacrament. For as Christ in the Ministery of his Word, preacheth to the ear; and by the ear conveyeth himself into the heart: so in the Sacrament he preacheth to the eye; and by the eye, conveyeth himself into the heart. And therefore it is well called a _visible Sermon_. Take heed, lest the Devil steal away the benefit & comfort of it out of your hearts, by a wanton or wandring eye. And when you find your hearts deaded, and your meditations begin to flag and grow dry, fasten your eyes upon the Sacramental Elements, and Sacramental actions. Consider the bread broken, and the wine poured forth, and _let your eye affect your heart_; and never leave looking upon them, till Christ be pleased to look upon you, as he did upon _Peter_, and then your hearts will be affected indeed, as his was.

7. To take heed of passing _rash censures_ upon those that are admitted to the Sacrament, together with your selves; say not such a man is unworthy, but say rather with the Centurion, [132]_Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee_; say as _John Baptist_ of Christ, _I am not worthy to untye thy shooe-latchet_, much lesse to sit with thee at thy table; say not that such a one is a Dog, and not fit to eat childrens bread, but say rather of thy self, as _Mephibosheth_ doth, [133]_What am I? that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog_, &c. The nature of man is very apt (as one saith) [134]_to use spectacles, rather then looking-glasses_; spectacles, to behold other mens faults, rather then looking-glasses to behold our own. But we hope better things of you. Remember, that when the Disciples were at the Passeover with Christ, and Christ told them, that one of them should betray him; They did not passe harsh sentences one upon another, but every one suspected himself, rather then his fellow-Apostle, and said, _Master, Is it I?_ Be not offended at thy brothers wickednesse, which thou art not sure on, but at thine own unthankfulnesse, which thou art sure is very great.

8. When you are gone from the Sacrament, you must labour to walk in the _strength of that food_, (as _Elias_ did of his) _till you come to the mount of God_. As you have been made partakers of an Ordinance, to which others are not admitted, so you must endeavour to live more self-denyingly, more heavenly mindedly, more holily and righteously, then they do, that are not admitted. [135]_You must love your enemies; blesse them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that do despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if you love them that love you, what reward have you? Do not even the Publicanes the same? And if you salute your Brethren only, what do ye more then others? Do not even the Publicanes so?_ You are admitted to an Ordinance, that is not common to all, but peculiar to Saints, and therefore your lives must have something peculiar in them, which no wicked man can have. You must believe and repent after such a manner, as no _Reprobate_ can do; You must pray in your families with more life and zeal then others; you must be more just & faithful in your dealings then others; and have more faith, and hope, and love to God. In a word, You must so carry and demean your selves in all your words and actions, as that you may be a credit and an ornament, and not a scandal to the Congregation, of which you are members. [136]_Walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being faithfull unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse_. And this we pray[137], _That your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment: That ye may approve the things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ: Being filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God_.

We have been larger, then we thought, in these particulars about the Sacrament, out of a holy jealousie which we have over you, (which we doubt not but you will pardon in us) fearing lest after your first admission to this Ordinance, you should grow remiss and careless, satisfying your consciences with the naked approbation that your Minister and Elders give of your knowledg and conversation; and in the mean time, neglecting to get the benefit and comfort of this Ordinance, and to thrive, and increase in knowledg and holiness proportionably to the expectation of God, and your godly officers.

We shall be briefer in what we have further to say unto you.

3. In the third place we exhort you, to [138]_Obey those that rule over you, and submit your selves, for they, watch for your soules, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you_. [139]_And we beseech you, Brethren, know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace amongst your selves._ And remember, [140]_That the Elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine_. For the Scripture saith, _Thou shalt not muzzel the oxe that treadeth out the corn_, and _the labourer is worthy of his reward_. And it likewise saith, [141]_Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things_. And further, [142]_Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospell, should live of the Gospel.----If we have sowen unto you spirituall things, is it a great matter, if we reap your carnal things?_ This we write, not to shame you, but to intreat you to give liberall and honourable maintenance to your godly Ministers, that they may not only be [143]_lovers of hospitality_, but also inabled to exercise it: lest God in anger to you, drive your Ministers into corners, and take both your estates, and your Ministers from you; so as you shall neither have Ministers to give maintenance to, nor estates to maintain Ministers.

4. To perform all those offices which are required of you, as you are Members of a particular Congregation. For this purpose we exhort you brethren, to [144]_comfort your selves together, and edifie one another, even as you also do; to warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men: And see that none render evill for evill unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among your selves, and towards all men, &c. [145]Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdome, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymnes, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [146]Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth; and [147]let every one of you please his neighbour for his good, to edification; for even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me. [148]Let nothing be done through strife, or vain-glory; but in lowliness of minde, let each esteem other better then themselves._ Now though we are far from thinking, (as some do,) that you are bound to perform these duties only to those to whom you are united in Church-fellowship, (for if you ought to pluck your neighbours ox and horse out of a ditch, and to relieve his body, when in want, though not of the same Congregation with you, much more ought you to extend acts of spirituall mercy (such as these are) to their souls; and this you are bound unto by communion of natures, communion of Saints, communion of Churches; and by that Royal law of love, which commands us to love our neighbour as our selves,) yet notwithstanding we conceive that you are more especially tyed by your Congregational relation, to perform these duties to those that are of your own Communion.

And therefore we further perswade you, _to watch over one another, to bear the burdens one of another, and so fulfill the Law of Christ. To consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of your selves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching_. And we likewise desire you not to neglect private meetings together for holy conference and prayer; that hereby you may be better acquainted one with another, and be mutual helps one to another in spirituall things. We think that speech of _Cain_ unbefitting the mouth of any Christian; _Am I my brothers keeper?_ And though we believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Minister, but he that is elected and ordained thereunto, yet we believe also, _that it is the duty of all private Christians, in a brotherly way, out of the common bond of charity, to build up one another in their most holy Faith_. And therefore let those [149]_that fear the Lord, speak often one to another_, especially in these evil daies: _and strive together for the Faith of the Gospel, standing fast in one spirit with one mind_. For it seemeth to us to be very unchristian, that they especially, that have chosen one and the same Minister, and wait constantly upon his Ministry, and that break bread together, should live together like Heathens and Publicanes: at as great a strangeness one from another, as if they lived many miles asunder. And that Drunkards and Adulterers should meet together to dishonor God, and to encourage one another in wickednesse; and you should not assemble your selves together, to honour God, to strengthen and edifie one another, and to confirm one another in the truth. Only be careful in your meetings, to take heed of [150]_doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evill surmises, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth_. And [151]_avoid all foolish and unlearned Questions, for they are vain and unprofitable, and gender nothing but strife_; But help one another in that _one thing necessary_, how to _grow up in Christ_; how to _make your calling and election sure_; how to _thrive under Ordinances_; to be _faithfull under Relations_, to adorn the Gospel you profess; how to advance the power of godliness in your several spheres; and to be more spiritually serviceable unto God in your generations, and such like.

And we further exhort you, that if any Brother in the Congregation walk _disorderly_ and _scandalously_, that you would carefully remember, It is your duty, first, _to tell him privately_; (and not to tell it to Others, to his and the Churches disgrace, as the manner of some is,) The text is plain, _Go and tell him his fault betwixt him and thee alone_; and if he shall hear thee, thou _hast gained thy Brother_. But if he will not hear thee, _then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established_. And if he shall neglect to hear them, _tell it to the Church_. And consider, we beseech you, that the most part of Sacramental reformation, begins with your performing of this dutie. For how can the Elders judicially take notice of any scandall, till it be brought unto them, in the way of Christ, by you that are Church-Members? There is great complaint amongst well-affected people, of _Sacramental pollutions_; and many thereupon, though groundlesly, separate from our Congregations. But if things were rightly considered, it would appear, that the people themselves are the chief causes of this pollution; for you are the _first wheel_ of this part of reformation, and if you neglect your part, how can we discharge ours? And therefore we intreat you, even for Christs sake, as ever you desire to keep your selves pure from the sin of those that receive unworthily, and from being Authors of the prophanation of the Sacrament, faithfully to discharge this your dutie. And we shall (by the help of God) be exactly careful of ours, that so the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.

5. _To labour to keep your selves free from the Errours, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these Times._ For it is evident to every impartial Observer, that false teachers, evil men, and seducers are gone abroad amongst us; subverting of Souls and overthrowing the Faith of some; speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; subverting whole Housholds, teaching things they ought not for filthy lucres sake; creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with divers lusts; and by good words, and fair speeches, deceiving the hearts of the simple; yea, by slight and cunning craftiness, lying in wait to deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect; and not only privily; but now openly and avowedly bringing in damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The _Divine Authority_ of the Scriptures is oppugned, the _Deity of Christ opposed_, and his _Holy Spirit_ blasphemed, the Doctrine of the _Blessed Trinity_ questioned, the _Holy God_ made the _Author of sin_ and sinfulnesse, _Universall Redemption_ preached, and the ends of Christs death evacuated, _Free-will_ by nature to do _good_ maintained, the _mortallity_ of the _Soul_ affirmed; the _Use of the Morall Law of God_, the _Observation of the Christian Sabbath_, the _very calling and Function of the Ministry_, the _very being of a Church_ amongst Us, and all _the Ordinances of Christ_, are slighted and rejected. These, and too many more such _monstrous Opinions_ in the very spring-time of _Reformation_ do so multiply amongst vs, that the _tares_ are like to _overgrow the Wheat_, if God prevent not. And that which aggravates the evil of these things is, That _London_ should be guilty of such _Apostacy_ from the truth. _London_! which hast had able and faithful Ministers of the Word preaching to thee; that hast been so miraculously preserved from the Sword, Famine, and Pestilence these last Years, yet have Heresies been hatched and nourished up under _thy wings_; and from thee have they been spread all the Kingdom over. How many in this City have turned away their ears from the truth, faithfully preached by their _Pastors_; and being turned unto fables, have already followed the pernicious waies of Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil spoken on! How is _Religion degenerated_ into vain janglings, and the _power of Godlinesse_ eaten up by perverse disputings! And that which should fill Us with more grief and astonishment is, That this inundation of Errours and Heresies hath increased upon Us, after such _prayers_, _preachings_, _disputes_, and _testimonies_ against them; after a _Covenant_ solemnly sworn to _God_, with hands lifted up to heaven, for the extirpation of them; and after a solemn Fast commanded by Authority, and observed throughout the whole _Kingdom_, for our humiliation for them. And yet (with grief of heart we mention it) those Errours which in the Prelates time were but a few, are now many: Those that of late crept into corners, now out-face the Sun: Those which the _Godly_ abhor'd from their hearts, are now vented as _new and glorious truths_: Nay, to such a degree of _Apostacie_ are some arrived, being waxen worse and worse, that they are labouring for an _odious tolleration_ of all those _abominable opinions_, as can shroud themselves under the name of Christian Religion.

Wherefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we warn you all to take heed of these _Impostors_ and _Seducers_; and to keep close to those _good_ and _old_ principles of Christianitie, which you have suck't in at _your first conversion, out of the Word_, from your godly Ministers: And seeing ye know these things before, _beware lest you also being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastnesse; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour_ Jesus Christ; _to him be glory, both now and for ever_, Amen. Oh how happy were it, if it might be said of all You that submit to the Presbyterian Government; as once of the _Godly_ in _Sardis_. [152]_There are a few names even in_ London, _that have not defiled their Garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy._ Which that you may the better be inabled to do, We beseech You Brethren, in the words of the Apostle, [153]_To mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, for they that are such, serve not our Lord_ Jesus Christ, _but their own belly_. Observe here, that you are not only required to avoid their _Doctrines_, but their _persons_. And so likewise the same Apostle, [154]_If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholsome words, even the words of our Lord_ Jesus Christ, _and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is proud, knowing nothing_, &c. _From such withdraw thyself._ It is your dutie, not onely to keep your selves from the Heresies of these times; but, that you may be preserved from the Heresies, you must keep your selves, and all under your charge, from such as spread them, and from their meeting-places. For he that without a just cause goeth into a _Pesthouse_, may thank himself, if he get the plague. And he that runs headily into temptation, _hath no promise from God to be delivered out_. The Apostle _John_ refused to tarry in the same _Bath with Cerinthus_; and he commands us in his second Epistle, _If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God-speed, is partaker of his evil deeds._

Take heed how you touch pitch, lest you be defiled; And remember, we have faithfully discharged our consciences to you, in this particular; And that you may be farther instructed against the Errors and Heresies of these times, We will propound a few _Antidotes_ and _Preservatives_ unto you, under these general Rules following.

1. Whatsoever Doctrine is _contrary to Godlinesse_, and opens a door to Libertinism and Prophaneness, you must reject it as _Soul-poyson_. Such are Doctrines against the _Sabbath_, _Family-duties_, and _publique Ordinances_: Such is the Doctrine of an _Universall tolleration_ of all Religions. The Doctrine of the Gospel, is a Doctrine [155]_according to Godliness_; It is a _Mysterie of Godliness_; _It teacheth to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world_.

2. You must reject all such Doctrines, as hold forth a _strictnesse above what is written_. Papists teach many strict Doctrines, of self-whippings, and voluntary povertie, vows of continency, and many such like; but the Apostle gives you an _Antidote_ against them, _Col._ 2.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. And so also our blessed Saviour, _Matth._ 15.1. to the 10. Devout people are much taken with Doctrines that carry a shew of strictness, and of much purity; but you must not be wise above what is written; You must be _Candidates_ of a _Canonicall_, not an _Apocryphal_ strictness; And therefore when you are taught, that whosoever will enter into _Church-fellowship_, must first take a _Church-Covenant_; and that whosoever will be admitted unto the _Lords Supper_, must not only be free from ignorance and scandal, but he must have other, and more strict qualifications; you must enquire what word they have for these assertions; and where _God hath not a mouth to speak, you must not have an ear to hear, nor an heart to believe_.

3. Whatsoever Doctrine tendeth to the _lifting up of nature corrupted_, to the _exalting of unsanctified Reason_, and giveth _free will in supernaturall things to a man unconverted, is a Doctrine contrary to the Gospell_. For this is one chief aym of _Pauls_ Epistles, to shew, [156]_That by nature we are dead in sins and trespasses, and that the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned_, and that [157]_the carnall mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be_. This Rule will preserve you against all _Arminian Tenets_. For this is the main difference between the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Arminians. The Gospel makes _free grace_ put the distinction between the Elect and Reprobate; and the Arminians _Free-will_.

4. All Doctrines that set up our own Righteousness, whether of _Morality_, or _Sanctification_, in the room of Christs Righteousness; That place good works in the throne of Christ, are Doctrines of Antichrist, and not of Christ. For the Gospel teacheth us, [158]that all our best works are imperfect, and that we are justified, not by our own inherent Righteousness, but by the Righteousness of Christ only, made ours by Faith: this Rule will keep you from much of the _poyson of Popery_.

5. All Doctrines that do set up Christ and his Righteousness, as to decry all works of Sanctification, and to deny them to be fruits and evidences of our justification, are to be avoided and abhorred. For [159]the Scripture makes sanctification an evidence of Justification, and commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. This Rule will preserve you against most of the Errors of the Antinomians.

6. That Doctrine _that lesseneth the priviledges of Believers under the New Testament, and maketh their Infants in a worse condition, then they were in under the Old Testament, cannot be the Doctrine of the Gospel_. For the Gospel tells you, [160]that Jesus Christ was made a Surety of a better Testament, and that the new Covenant is a better Covenant; established upon better promises. This Rule will preserve you from the poyson of Anabaptism. For if the children of the Jews were circumcised, and the children of Christians should not be baptized, either it must be granted, that circumcision was of no benefit to the Jewish children, which is contrary to _Rom._ 3.1, 2. or it must be granted, that the children of the Jews had greater priviledges then the children of Christians.

7. That Doctrine that cryeth up _Purity to the ruine of Unity, is contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel_. For the Gospel calleth for unity, as well as purity, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. _Phil._ 2.1, 2. _Eph._ 4.3, 4, 5, 6. And Christ prayed for the unity of his Church, as well as the Holiness, _Joh._ 17.21, 22. and it is prophesied of the times of the Gospel, That in those daies, God will give his people, _one heart, and one way, and to serve him with one consent_, _Jer._ 32.29. _Zeph._ 3.9. This Rule will teach you what to judg of the Congregational-way: For certainly that Government that carrieth in the front of it _A tolleration of different Religions_, and is not sufficient to keep the body of Christ in unity and purity, is not the Government of Christ.

8. Whatsoever Doctrine is contrary to the Rule of Faith, or to any duty required in the ten Commandements, or to any Petition of the Lords prayer, is not a Doctrine of Christ, and therefore to be rejected.

We might add many more Rules, but we forbear, lest we should be over-tedious. Our prayer to God for you is, That you may be fix't, not falling Stars, in the Firmament of his Church; _Not children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine_; Not Reeds shaken with every wind, but firm Pillars in his house. Wherefore, Beloved Brethren, _Stand fast and immoveable, alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord; Forasmuch as you know, that your labour is not in vain in the Lord_.