AFter that the Lord God in his own appointed time had seen meet, to put an End to the Dispensation of the Law, which was delivered to the Children of Isra­el by the Ministry of Moses, through and by whom he did communicate unto them in the Wilderness from Mount Sinai, divers Commandments, Ordinances, Appointments and Obser­vations, according as they are testified in the Writings of the Law, it pleased him to send his own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Fulness of Time, who having perfectly fulfilled the Law, and the Rig [...]teousness thereof, gave witness to the Dispensa­tion of the Gospel; and having approved himself, and the Ex­cellency of his Doctrine by many Great and Wonderful Signs and Miracles, he sealed it with his Blood, and triumph­ing over Death (of which it was impossible for him to be held) he cherished and encouraged his despised Witnesses, who had believed in him, in that he appeared to them after he was raised from the dead, comforting them with the Hope and Assurance of the pouring forth of his Spirit, by which they were to be led and ordered in all things, in and by which he was to be with them to the End of the World, not suffering the Gates of Hell to prevail against them, by which Spirit come upon them, they being filled, were emboldned to preach the Gospel without Fear; and in a short time Thousands were added to the Church, and the Multitude of them that believed were of One Heart and of One Soul, and great Love and Zeal prevailed, and there was nothing lacking for a season.

But all that was caught in the Net, did not prove Good and Wholsom Fish; some were again to be cast in that Ocean from whence they were drawn; of those many that were called, all [Page 10] proved not chosen Vessels, fit for the Master's Use; and of all that were brought into the great Supper and Marriage of the King's Son, there were that were found without the Wedding Garment; some made a Shew for a Season, and afterwards fell away; there were that drew back; there were that made Shipwrack of Faith, and of a Good Conscience; there were not only such as did backslide themselves, but sought to draw others into the same Perdition with themselves, seeking to o­verturn their Faith also; yea, there were that brought in dam­nable Heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and also of those Members that became not wholely corrupt (for some were never again restored by repentance) there were that were weak, and sickly, and young; some were to be fed with Milk, and not with strong Meat; some were to be purged, when the old Leaven received any place; and some to be cut off for a season, to be shut out▪ as it were, of the Camp for a time, until their Leprosie were healed, and then to be received in again.

Moreover, as to Outwards, there was the Care of the Poor, of the Widdow, of the Fatherless, of the Strangers, &c. therefore the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the body, the Church (for the Church is the Body of Christ, and the Saints are the several Members of that Body) knowing in his infinite Wisdom what was needful for the good ordering and disposing all things in their proper Place, and for preserving and keeping all things in their right Station, did in the Dispensation and Communi­cation of his holy Spirit minister unto every Member a Mea­sure of the same Spirit, yet diverse according to operation, for the Edification of the Body, some Apostles, some Teachers, some Pastors, some Elders; there are Old Men, there are Young Men, there are Babes; for all are not Apostles, neither are all Elders, neither are all Babes, yet are all Members, and as such all have a Sense and Feeling of the Life of the Body, which from the Head flows unto all the Body, is the Oyntment of Aaron' s Beard unto the Skirts of his Garment and every Mem­ber has its place and Station in the Body, so long as it keeps in the Life of the Body; and all have need one of another; [Page 11] yet is no Member to assume another Place in the Body then God has given it, nor yet to grudge or repine its Fellow-mem­ber's Place, but to be content with its own; for the Uncome­ly Parts are no less needful then the Comely, and the less Ho­nourable then the more Honourable; which the Apostle Paul holds forth in 1 Cor. 12. from Vers. 13 to 30.

Now the Ground of all Schism, Divisions or Rents in the Body, is, whenas any Member assumes another Place then is allotted it, or being gone from the Life and Unity of the Bo­dy, and loosing the Sense of it, lets in the Murmurer, the Eye that watches for Evil, and not in holy Care over its Fel­low-members; and then, instead of coming down to Judge­ment in it self, will stand up and judge its Fellow-members, yea, the whole Body, or those whom God has set in a more honourable and eminent Place in the Body then it self; such suffer not the Word of Exhortation, and term the Reproofs of Instruction (which is the Way of Life) Imposition and Oppression, and are not aware how far they are in the things they condemn others for, while they spare not to reprove and revile all their Fellow-members, yet if they be but admoni­shed themselves, they cry out as if their great Charter of Go­spel-Liberty were broken.

Now, though such, and the Spirit by which they are act­ed be sufficiently seen and felt by Thousands, whose Hearts God has so established as they are out of Danger of being intang­led in that Snare, and who have Power and Strength in them­selves, to judge that Spirit, even in its most subtil Appearances; yet there are who cannot so well withstand the Subtilty and seeming Sincerity, some such pretend to, though in measure they have a sight of them; and others, that cannot so rightly distinguish betwixt the Precious and the Vile; and some there are, that through Weakness, and want of true Discerning, may be deceived, and the Simplicity in them betrayed for a season, as it is written, With Fair Speeches and Smooth Words they de­ceive the Hearts of the Simple.

Therefore having, according to my measure, received an Opening in my Understanding as to these things from the Light [Page 12] of the Lord, and having been for some time under the weigh­ty Sense of them, I find at this instant a Freedom to commit them to writing, for the more Universal Benefit and Edificati­on of the Church of CHRIST.

Now, for the more plain and clear opening and understan­ding of these things, it is fit to sum up this Treatise in these following general Heads, to be considered of:

First, From whence the Ground and Cause of this Controver­sie is, the Rice and Root of it.

Secondly, Whether there be now any Order and Government in the Church of Christ?

Thirdly, What is the Order and Government which we plead for, in what Cases, and how far it may extend, in whom the Power decisive is, and how it differeth; and is wholely another then the Oppressing and Persecuting Principality of the Church of Rome, and other Antichristian Assemblies.

VVHenas the Lord God by his mighty Power began to visit the Nations with the Dawning of his Hea­venly Day (for thus I write unto those that have received and believed the Truth) and that he sent forth his Instruments, whom he had fitted and prepared for his Work, having fashi­oned them, not according to the Wisdom and Will of Man, but to his own heavenly Wisdom and Counsel; they went sorth and preached the Gospel in the Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit, not in the Enticing Words of man's Wisdom, but in Appearance, as Fools and mad to those that judged accor­ding to Man, but their Words and Testimony pierced through into the Inner Man in the Heart, and reached to that of God in the Conscience, whereby as many as were simple-hearted, and waited for the Redemption of their Souls, received them as [Page 13] the Messengers of the most high God, and their Words were unto them, not as the Words of Men, but as the Words of God; for in the receiving and imbracing the Testimony of Truth through them, they felt their Souls eased, and the ac­ceptable Day began to dawn in and upon them. Now what Evidence brought these Men to make their Testimony to be received? did they entice? did they flatter? did they daub up? did they preach Liberty to the Flesh, or Will of man? Nay verily, they used no such Method, their Words were as Thunder-Bolts, knocking down all that stood in their Way; and pouring down the Judgement of God upon the Head of the Transgressor every where: Did they spare the Zealous Professor more then the open prophane? Nay verily, they condemned equally, the Hypocrisie of the one, as well as the Prophanity of the other, yet wanted they not regard to the tender Seed, and Plant of God in either. Did they give way? Did they yield to the Wisdom of man, to the Deceitfulness of the Serpent, that would reason Truth from themselves, saying, I must stay until I be convinced of this, and tha [...], and the other thing; I see not yet this to be wrong, or the other th [...]g to be my Duty. How did they knock down this manner of Rea­soning, by the Spirit of God which wrought mightily in them, shewing and holding forth, that this is the Day of the Lord that is dawned, that all are invited to come, that none ought to tarry behind, that that which so pleadeth, is the same Spirit which of old time said, in those that were invited, I cannot come yet, I must first marry a Wife, I must go prove my Yoak of Oxen, I must go visit my Possessions, let me first bury my dead Father? Did not the Lord through them testifie and declare against these things? and is there not a Cloud of Witnesses, who felt the Ene­my thus reasoning to keep us in the Forms, Fellowships, false Worships and Foolish Fashions of this World, but we felt as we were obedient, all these things to be for Condemnation▪ and that as we obeyed the pure manifestation of the Light of Jesus in our Hearts, there was no Haesitation: We might and should have parted with all those things at the first, and what occasioned such Scruples, was but that which drew back, [Page 14] through being unwilling to give pure Obedience to the Cross of Christ; for as many as gave Obedience, and believed in the Light, found no Occasion of stumbling; but such as belie­ved not, were condemned already, because they believed not in him that appeared. Now the Boldness, and Courage, and Efficacy of these Messengers Testimony, wrought such Asto­nishmen [...], Fear and Amazement in the Hearts of such as were Ingenuous, that many began to be inwardly pricked, as in the Days of old, and the Foundations of many began to be shaken, and some that were asleep were awakened, and many that were dead and buried in the Graves of Sin, and Formality, and Su­perstition, and Idolatry of all Sorts, were alarmed, and ma­ny were brought in from the Hedges and the High Ways, and the Truth was received by Thousands with great Cheerfulness, and a Readiness of Mind, and the Feet of those were beheld to be beautiful upon the Mountains that brought the Glad [...]ti­dings of these good things; & great Lowliness and Simplicity of Heart was upon such that were newly convi [...]ced of the Truth, and Deep Humiliation of Spirit, and [...]ubjection to the Power, both in themselves, and in those who were over them in the Lord, and had gathered them into the Truth.

But as it was in the Gatherings of old, so it also fell out in this Day, all kept not their first Love, as among those Thousands which Moses led out of Egypt, and carried through the Red Sea, who had sung praises to God upon the Banks of Salvati­on, many Carcases fell in the Wilderness; some who murmur­ed and longed to return again to the Flesh-pots of Egypt, and some for opposing and contradicting the Servant, and Servants of the Lord, whom the Lord had made Use of to lead them out of Bondage▪ in saying, Ye take too much upon you, hath the Lord indeed only spoken by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And as among these Multitudes which were gathered by the Apostles, there were many who continued not faithful to the End; some returned back again with the Sow to the Puddle, after they were washed; some embraced the present World; some again separated themselves, being sensual and without the Spirit, despising Dominion, and speaking Evil of Dignities, [Page 15] their Mouths speaking great swelling Words, being puffed up & not abiding in these things which they were taught of the Apostles▪ So it is to be lamented, that among these many thou­sands whom the Apostles and Evangelists, whom God raised up in this Day, for the gathering of his Seed and People out of spiritual Egypt and Babylon into his pure Light and Life, there are that have faln upon the right Hand and the left; some are turned back again into Egypt, running into the same Excess of Lust and Riot from whence they were once purified and Re­deemed; some could not bear the Reproach of the Cross of Christ, and were by and anon offended in him; some could not bear the Tribulations, Sufferings and Persecutions which came for the Truth's Sake, and the Seed in them was soon scorched with the Heat of the Day; and some not abiding in Subjection to the Truth in themselves, were not con­tented with that Place and Station in the Body, which God had placed them in, but became vainly puft up in their Fleshly Minds, intruding into those things which they have not seen, and would needs be Innovators, given to change, and introdu­cing new Doctrines and Practices, not only differing, but con­trary to what was already delivered in the Beginning; making Parties, causing Divisions and Rents, stumbling the weak, and denying, despising and reviling the Apostles and Messengers of Christ, the Elders of the Church, who loved not their Lives unto Death, but through much Care, and Travail, and Watch­ings, and Whippings, and Bonds, and Beatings, in daily Jeopardy gathered us by the mighty Power of God in the most precious Truth. Yet in all this there hath nothing befaln us, but what hath been the Ancient Lot of the Church of Christ in the primitive times.

Now he that was careful for his Church and People in old times hath not been wanting to us in our Day, but as he has again restored the Truth unto its primitive Integrity and Sim­plicity, and as he has delivered our Understandings from these false Doctrines & Principles, which prevailed in the Apo­stacy; So he hath not gathered us to be as Sheep scattered without a Shepherd, that every one may run his own Way, and [Page 16] every one follow his own Will, and so to be as a confused Mass or Chaos without any Order, but he, even the Lord hath also gathered and is gathering us into the Good Order, Disci­pline and Government of his own Son the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore he hath laid Care upon some beyond others, who watch for the Souls of their Brethren, as they that must give ac­count.

There are then Fathers that have begotten us unto Christ Je [...]us, through the Gospel, of whom We ought to be Foll [...]wers, and to remember their Ways which be in Christ. 1 Cor. 4. 15, 16, 17. There are then Fathers and Children Instructers and Instructed, Elders & Young Men, yea, and Babes; there are that cannot cease, but must ex­hort, instruct, reprove, condemn, judge; or else, for what End gave Christ the Gifts mentioned Ephes. 4. 11, 12? And how are the Saints perfected, and the Body of Christ edified of those who come under the Cognizance, and as it were the Test of this Order and Government? I may chiefly sum them up in three sorts (though there be divers others little subdivided Species of them.)

The First is, Those that turn openly back to the World again, through finding the Way of Truth too narrow, these have not been capable to do us any considerable Hurt; for being as Salt that has lost its Savour, they mostly prove a Stink among those to whom they go: And I never knew any of them that proved any wayes steadable to those to whom they go. I find other Professors make but small Boast of any Proselytes they got out from among us: I hear little of their proving Cham [...] pions for the Principles of others against us. And indeed, for the most part they lose all Religion with the Truth; for I have heard some of them say, That if ever they took on them to be Re­ligious, they would come back again to the Quakers, &c.

Secondly, Those who through Unwatchfulness, the secret Corruption of their own Hearts, and the mysterious or hidden Temptations of the Enemy, have fallen into his Snares; and so have come under the Power of some Temptation or other, either of Fleshly Lusts or of Spiritual Wickedness, who being [Page 17] seasonably warned by those that keep their Habitation, and faithful Overseers in the Church, have been again restored by unfeigned Repentance, not kicking against the Pricks, but have rejoyced that others watched over them for their good, and are become Monuments of God's Mercy unto this Day.

Thirdly, Such who being departed from their first Love, Ancient Zeal for the Truth, become cold and lukewarm, & yet are ashamed to make open Apostacy, and to turn back again, so as to deny all the Principles of Truth, they having had al­ready such Evidence of Clearness upon their Understanding, yet not keeping low in their own Habitations, but being puffed up, & giving Way to the restless Imaginations of their exalted and wandering Minds, fall out with their Brethren, cause Di­visions, begin to find Fault with every thing and to look at o­thers more than at themselves, with swelling Words to talk of and preach up a higher Dispensation, while they are far from living up to the Life and Perfection of this present, like unto such who said, we will not have this Man to rule over us, cry out of Formality and Apostacy, because they are not fol­lowed in all Things, and if they be reproved for their Unruli­ness, according to the good Order of the Church of Christ, then they cry out, Breach of [...]iberty, Oppression, Persecution, we will have none of your Order and Government, we were taught to follow the Light in our Consciences, and not the Orders of Men; well, of this hereafter, but this gave the Rise of this Controversie, which leads me to that which I pro­posed in the second place.

IN Answer to this Proposition, I meddle not at this Time with those that deny any such Thing as a Church of Christ, I have reserved their Plea to another Place, neither need I to be at much Pains to prove the Affirmative, to wit, That there ought to be Government and Order in the Church of Christ, un­to the Generallity of our Opposers, both Papists and Prote­stants, who readily confess and acknowledge it, and have heretofore blamed us for want of it, though now some of them, and that of the highest Pretenders, are become so un­reasonable, as to accuse us for the Use of it, improving it so far as they can to our Disadvantage; for such is the Blindness of partial Envy; that whereas the supposed Want of it was once reckoned Heretical, now the present Performance of it is counted Criminal.

These then, to whom I come to prove this Thing are such, who having cast off the Yoke of the Cross of Christ in them­selves, refuse all Subjection or Government, denying that a­ny such Thing ought to be, as disagreeing with the Testimony of Truth; or those, who not being so wilful and obstinate in their Minds, yet are fearful or scrupulous in the Matter, in respect of the dangerous Consequences they may apprehend, such a Thing may draw after it.

For the clearing then, as well the Mistakes of the one, as answering the Cavils of the other, I judge the Truth of these following Assertions will sufficiently prove the Matter, which I shall make no great Difficulty to evidence.

First, That Jesus Christ the King and Head of the Church, [Page 19] did appoint and ordain that there should be Order, and Govern­ment in it.

Secondly, That the Apostles and Primitive Christians, when they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and immediately led by the Spirit of God, did practise and commend it.

Thirdly, That the same Occasion and Necessity now occurring which gave them Opportunity to exercise that Authority, the Church of Christ hath the same Power now, as ever, and are led by the same Spirit, into the same Practices.

As to the first, I know there are some, that the very Name of a Church, and the very Words Order and Government, they are affraid of. Now this I suppose hath proceeded because of the great Hypocrisie, Deceit and Oppression that hath been cloaked with the Pretence of these Things; but why should the Truth be neglected because Hypocrites have pretended to it? The right Institution of these Things, which have been appointed and ordained by God, must not, nor ought not to be despised, because corrupt Men have abused and perverted them: I know not any thing that hath been more abused, and pervented in the whole World, then the Name of a Chri­stian, shall we then renounce that Honourable Title, because so many Thousands of wicked Men, yea, Antichrists have falsly assumed it to themselves? The Man of Sin hath taken upon him, to sit in the Temple of God, as God, yet we must not therefore deny, that God is in his Temple, if the Syna­gogue of Satan hath assumed the Name of the Church of Christ, and hath termed her Oppression and Violence, the Power and Authority thereof, therefore must not the Church of Christ & its Authority be exercised, where it truly is according to his Mind? This I prefix to warn all to beware of stumbling at things which are innocent in themselves, and that we may labour to hold the steady even Path of Truth, without running in either of the extreams; for that Jesus Christ did appoint Order & Government to be in the Church is very clear from his plain Words, Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17, 18. Ver. 15. Moreover▪ if thy Brother shall tres­pass against thee, go tell him his Fault between thee and him alone, of he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother, Ver▪ 16. But [Page 20] if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses, every Work may be established, Ver. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church, but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen man, and a Publican, Ver. 18. Ve­rily, I say unto you, whatsoever yee shall bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever yee shall loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven. From which Scripture it doth mani­festly and evidently follow, First, that Jesus Christ intended there should be a certain Order and Method in his Church, in the Procedure towards such as transgress. Secondly, That he that refuseth to hear two is become more guilty (as hardned) then in refusing to hear him that first reproved alone. Thirdly, That refusing to hear the Judgment of the Church, or whole Assembly, he doth thereby exclude himself, and shut out himself from being a Member, and is justly judged by his Bre­thren, as a Heathen and a Publican.

And lastly, That the Church, Gatherng, or Assembly of God's People has Power to examin, and call to an Account such as appearing to be among them, or owning the same Faith with them, do transgress, and in Case of their refusing to hear, or repent, to exclude them from their Fellowship, and that God hath a special Regard to the Judgment and Sense of his Peo­ple, thus orderly proceeding▪ so as to hold such bound in Heaven, whom they bind on Earth, and such loosed in Heaven, whom they loose on Earth I am partly confident that no rational Man will deny, but that these nat [...]rally follow from the above mentioned Scripture; and if there should be any found so unrea­sonable, as to deny it I could prove it by necessary and unevita­ble Consequences, which at present, as taking it for granted, I forbear to do. If it be reckoned so great a Crime to offend one of the little ones, that it were better for him that so did, that a Milstone were hanged about his Neck, and he were drowned in the Depth of the Sea, without Question to offend and gainsay the whole Flock, must be more criminal, and must draw after it a far deeper Judgment.

Now if there were no Order nor Government in the Church, [Page 21] what should become of those that transgress? How should they be again restored? would not this make all Reproving, all Instructing, all Caring for, and Watching over one ano­ther void and null? Why should Christ have desired them to proceed after this Method? Why doth he place so much Weight upon the Judgment of the Church, as to make the refusing of hearing it▪ to draw so deep a Censure after it, which he will not have to follow the refusing to hear one or two apart, though the Matter be one and the same, and so as to the Sub­stantial and Intrinsick Truth of the Thing, there lies the same Obligation upon the Transgressor to hear that one, as well as all; for that one adviseth him to that whi [...]h is right and good, as well as the whole, and they do but homologate or confirm that which that one hath already asserted, yet Jesus Christ who is the Author of Order, and not of Confusion will not have a Brother cut off, or reputed a publican, for refusing to hear one or two, but for refusing to hear the Chucrch. And if it be objected, that the Church of Rome and all other false Churches makes use of this Scripture, and cover their Persecu­titon, and Cruelty, and Oppression by it, and thou sayes no more then they say. I answer, I suppose no man will be so un­reasonable, as to affirm, that the Church of Rome abusing this Scripture will make it false in it self, but how we differ in ours Application of this Scripture shall be spoken of hereafter, I am not now claiming Right to this Power, as due to us (that is reserved for another Place) but this I say is that which I now aver to be manifest from the Scripture Testimony, and to be in it self an unquestionable Truth, That Jesus Christ intended there should be Order and Government in his Church, which is the Thing at present in hand to be proved, which if it be so really true (as it cannot be denyed) then I hope it will also necessarily follow, that such, who really and truely are the Church of Christ, have Right to exercise this Order and Go­vernment▪ Secondly, That the Apostles and primitive Chri­stians did practise Order and Government, we need but to read the History of the Acts, of which I shall mention a few pregnant and undeniable Testimonies, as we may observe in [Page 22] the very first Chapter of the Acts, from Verse 13 to the End, where at the very first Meeting the Apostles and B [...]ethren held together after the Ascension of Christ, they began orderly to appoint one to fulfil the Place of Judas, it may be thought this was a needless Ceremony, yet we see how the Lord coun­tenanced it; hope none will say, that the Apostles appointing of these two Men, or of him upon whom the Lot did not fall, contradicted their inward Freedom, or imposed upon it, but both agreed very well together, the one in the Will and Mo­vings of God in appointing, and the other in the same in sub­mitting to their Appointment.

Moreover, after they had received the holy Ghost, you may read Acts 6. so soon as there was an Opport unity, how they wisely gave Order concerning the Distribution of the Poor, and appointed some men for that Purpose. So here was Order and Government according to the present Necessity of the Case, and the Lord God was well pleased with it, and the Word of God encreased, and the Number of the Disciples multiplied in Jerusa­lem greatly. Might they not have said then, as some say now, we will give our Charity to whom we see Cause, and we will take no Notice of your Appointments and Orders? Whether, would God have approved of such yea, or nay?

W. M. in his Queries. Thirdly, When that the Business of Circumcision fell in whether it was fit or not to circumcise the Gentiles, we see the Apostles saw not meet to suffer every one to follow their own Minds and Wills, They did not judge as one con­fusedly supposeth, that this Difference in an [...]t­ward Exercise would commend the Vnity of the true Faith, nay, they took another Method. It is said expresly, Acts 15. 6. And the Apostles and Elders came together to consider of this Matter, and after there had been much disputing about it (no doubt then, there was here Diver­sities of Opinions and Judgments) the Apostles and Elders told their Judgments, and came also to a positive Conclusion; sure some behoved to submit, else they should never have a­greed: So those that were the Elders gave a positive Judg­ment, and they were bold to say, That it pleased not only them, [Page 23] but the Holy Ghost, by all which it doth undeniably appear that the Apostles and primitive Saints practised a Holy Order and Government among themselves, and I hope none will be so bold as to say, they did these Things without the Leadings of the Spirit of God, and his Power and Authority concurring, and going along with them.

And that these Things were not only singular Practices, but that they held it doctrinally, that is to say, it was a Doctrine which they preached, that there ought to be Order and Government in the Church, is manifest from these following Testimonies, 1 Cor. 4. 15, 16, 17. 15 For though you have ten Thousand Instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many Fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel. 16. Where­fore I beseech you, be ye Followers of me. 17 For this Cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved Son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into Remembrance of my Wayes, which be in Christ, as I teach every where, in every Church. Here the Apostle Paul is very absolute. First, In that he desires them to be Followers of him. Secondly, In that he sends a Teacher, yea, a Minister, and Eminent Bishop or Overseer of the Church for to put them in mind of his Wayes, which be in Christ, as he taught in every Church. No doubt there were Apostates and Dissenting Spirits in the Church of Corinth, that gave Paul Occasion thus to write, as he testifies in the Be­ginning of the Chapter, How he was judged by some of them; he shews how they were grown high, ver. 8. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as Kings without us, &c. Might not these Dissenters of the Church of Corinth have reasoned thus against Paul? Did not this Paul teach us at first to mind the Measure of Grace in our selves, and follow that? (for no doubt, that was Paul's Doctrine) but now he begins to Lord over us, and tells us, we must be Followers of him; might not they have judged the Beloved Timothy to be far out of his Place? might they not have said, it seems it is not God that moved thee, and sent thee here by his Spirit, but Lordly Paul that seeks Dominion over our Faith, it seems thou comes not here to preach Christ, and with us to be Followers of him, and [Page 24] of his Grace in our Hearts, but to mind us to follow Paul's Wayes, and take Notice how he teaches in every Church, we are not concerned with him, nor with his M [...]ssenger, nor with none of your Orders, and so sorth. Doth not this run very plausible? I question not but there was such a Reasoning a­mong the Apostate Corinthians; let such as are of the same kind among us examin seriously, and measure their Spirits tru­ly hereby. Yea, he goes yet further in the following Chap­ter, ver. 3, 4.—3. As absent in Body, but present in Spi­rit, have judged already, as though I were present concerning him that hath so done this Deed. 4. In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit with the Power of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. Would not one think this to have been a very presumptuous Word, and yet who dare offer to condemn it, from all which I shall shortly observe, that it seems it was judged no Inconsistency, nor Contradicti­on to be Followers of the Grace in themselves, to be perswa­ded in their own Hearts, and also to be Followers of the Apo­stle Paul, and of his Wayes, because his Wayes and Example was no other, then the Spirit of God in themselves would have led them to, if they had been obedient, therefore he found it needful to charge them positively to follow him without d­ding this Reason: Next the great Argument the Apostle uses to perswade them hereunto, upon which he mainly insists because he had begotten them into the Truth, Ye have not ma­ny Fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel, wherefore I beseech you, be ye Followers of me. So he makes that as the Cause, which the same Apostle also in his Expostulation with the Galatians, putting them in mind how he preached the Gospel to them at first, and Chap. 14. Ver. 15. Where is then the Blessedness ye spoke of; for I bear you Record, if possible you would have plucked out your own Eyes, and given them unto me. We see then that the Lord hath, & doth give such whom he hath furnished, and sent forth to gather a People un­to himself, Care and Oversight over that People, yea, and a certain Authority in the Power over them to bring them back to their Duty, when they stray at any Time; and to appoint, [Page 25] yea, and command such Things as are needful for Peace, and Order, and Unity Sake, and that there lies an Obligation up­on such as are so gathered, to reverence, honour, yea, and o­bey such as are set over them in the Lord; for saith the same Apostle, 2 Cor. 2. 9. For to this End also did I write, that I might know the Proof of you, whether you be obedient in all Things. And Chap. 7. Ver. 13, 15.— Yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the Joy of Titus, because his Spirit was refreshed by you all. 15. And his inward Affection is more abundant toward you, whilest he remembreth the Obedience of you all, how with Fear and Trembling you received him.

Now this will not at all infer, as if they had been implicitly led of old, or that such as having the same Authority, exercise it now, sought Dominion over their Brethrens Faith, or to force them to do any Thing beyond, far less contrary to what the Lord leads us to by his Spirit; but we know, as they did of old, that the Enemy lies near to betray under such Pretences and that seeing in case of Difference the Lord hath, and doth and will reveal his Will to his People, and hath and doth raise up Members of his Body, to whom he gives a Discern­ing, and Power and Authority to instruct, reprove, yea, and command in some Cases, and that those that are faithful, and low in their Minds, keeping their own Places, and minding the Lord, and the Interest and Good of his Truth in the gene­ral, over all they shut out the Murmurer, and the Spirit of God leads them to have Unity, and concur with their Brethren, but such as are heady, and high-minded, are inwardly vexed that any should lead or rule but themselves, and so it is the high Thing in themselves that makes them quarrel others for taking so much upon them, pretending a Liberty, not sink­ing down in the Seed to be—willing to be of no Reputati­on for its Sake, such rather then give up their own Wills, will study to make Rents and Divisions, not sparing the Flock, but prostrating the Reputation and Honour of the Truth even to the World, ministring to them an Occasion of Scorn, and Laughter, to the harding them in their Wickedness and Atheism.

[Page 26] Besides these Scriptures mentioned, I shall set down a few of many more that might be instanced to the same Purpose.

Ephes. 5. 21. Submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God.

Phil. 2. 3. Let nothing be done through Strife or Vain-glory, but in Lowliness of Mind, let each esteem other better then themselves.

29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all Gladness, and hold such in Reputation.

And 3. 17. Brethren be Followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an Ensample.

And 4. 9. Those Things which ye have both learned and re­ceived, and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of Peace shall be with you.

Col. 2. 5. For though I be absent in the Flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your Order, and the Sted­fastness of your Faith in Christ.

1 Thes. 5. 12. And we beseech you Brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and ad­monish you.

13. And to esteem them very highly in Love, for their Work Sake, and be at Peace among your selves.

14. Now we exhort you Brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all Men.

2 Thes. 2. 15. Therefore Brethren stand fast, and hold the Traditions which ye have been taught, whether by Word or our Epistle.

2 Cor. 10. 8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our Authority (which the Lord hath given us for Edification, and not for your Destruction) I should not be ashamed

Now though the Papists greatly abuse this Place, as if here­by they could justifie that Mass of Superstition which they have heaped together, yet except we will deny the plain Scripture we must needs believe, there lay an Obligation upon the Thessaloni [...]ns to observe and hold these Appointments, and no Doubt needful Institutions, which by the Apostles were recom­mended [Page 27] unto them, and yet who will say, that they ought or were hereby commanded to do any Thing contrary to that which the Grace of God in their Hearts moved them to?

2 Thes. 3▪ 4. And we have Confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do, and will do the Things which we command you.

6. Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the Tradition which he received of us.

What more positive then this, and yet the Apostle was not here any Imposer. And yet further, ver. 14. And if any man o­bey not our Word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Thus Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the Rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God, whose Faith follow, considering the End of their Conversation.

17. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and submit your selves; for they watch for your Souls, as they that must give Account, that they may do it with Joy, and not with Grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

Jude 8. Likewise also these filthy Dreamers, defile the Flesh, despise Dominion, and speak Evil of Dignities.

I might at length enlarge, if needful, upon these Passages▪ any of which is sufficient to prove the Matter in Hand, but that what is said may satisfie, such as are not wilfully blind and obsti­nate; for there can be nothing more plain from these Testimo­nies, then that the Ancient Apostles, & Primitive Christians practi­sed Order and Government in the Church; that some did appoint, and ordain certain Things, condemn and approve certain Pra­ctices, as well as Doctrines by the Spirit of God; that there lay an Obligation in Point of Duty upon others to obey and submit; that this was no Encroachment nor-Imposition upon their Christian-Liberty, nor any Wayes contradictory to their being inwardly and immediately led by the Spirit of God in their Hearts; and lastly, that such as are in the true Feeling and Sense will find it their Places to obey, and be one with the [Page 28] Church of Christ in such like Cases, and that it's such as have lost their Sense and Feeling of the Life of the Body, that dissent and are disobedient under the false Prentence of Liberty, so that thus is sufficiently proven what I undertook in this Place.

Thirdly I judge there will need no great Arguments to prove the People of God may & do well to exercise the like Govern­ment upon the very like Occasion; for even Reason may teach us, that what proved good & wholsom Cures to the Distemper of the Church in former Ages, will not now, the very like Dis­tempers falling in, prove hurtful and poysonable, especially if we have the Testimony of the same Spirit in our Hearts, not only allowing us, but commanding us so to do. It is manifest (though we are sorry for it) that the same Occasions now fall in, we find that there are that have eaten and drunken with us at the Table of the Lord, and have been Sharers of the same spiritual Joy and Consolation that afterwards fall away, we find (to our great Grief) that some walk disorderly, and some are puffed up, and strive to sow Division, labouring to stumble the weak, and to cause Offences in the Church of Christ: What then is more suitable, and more christian, then to follow the Foot-steps of the Flock, and to labour and travail for the good of the Church, and for the removing all that is hurtful, even as the holy Apostles, who walked with Jesus, did before us? If there be such as walk disorderly now, must not they be ad­monished, rebuked and withdrawn from, as well as of old? or, is such to be the Condition of the Church in these latter Times, that all Iniquity must go unreproved? Must it be He­resie or Oppression to watch over one another in Love, to take Care for the Poor, to see that there be no corrupt, no defiled Members of the Body, and carefully and christianly deal with them, for restoring them, if possible, and for withdrawing from them, if incureable? I am perswaded that there are none that look upon the Commands of Christ and his Apostles, the Practice and Experience of the primitive Church and Saints, as a sufficient President to authorize a Practice now, that will de­ny the Lawfulness or Usefulness hereof, but must needs ac­knowledge the Necessity of it. But if it be objected, as some [Page 29] have done, Do not you deny that the Scripture is the adequate Rule of Faith and Manners, and that the Commands or Pra­ctices of the Scripture, are not a sufficient Warrant for you now to do any thing without you be again authorized, and led unto it by the same Spirit, and upon that Score, do you not forbear some things, both practised and commanded by the primitive Church and Saints?

Well, I hope I have not any thing weakned this Objection, but presented it in its full Vigour and Strength, to which I shall clearly and distinctly answer thus.

First, Seasons and Times do not alter the Nature and Sub­stance of Things in themselves, though it may cause Things to alter, as to the Usefulness, or not Usefulness of them.

Secondly, Things commanded and practised at certain times and seasons fall of themselves, whenas the Cause and Ground for which they were commanded is removed, as there is no need now for the Decision about Circumcision, seeing there are none contend for it, neither as to the Orders concerning Things offered to Idols, seeing there is now no such Occasion, yet who will say, that the Command enjoyn'd in the same Place, Acts 15. 20. To abstain from Fornication, is now made void, seeing there is daily need for its standing in Force, because it yet remains as a Temptation man is incident to? We confess indeed we are against such, as from the bare Letter of the Scripture (though if it were seasonable now to debate it, we find but few to deal with, whose Practises are so exactly squa­red) seek to uphold Customs, Forms or Shaddows, when the Use for which they were appointed, is removed, or the Substance it self known and witnessed, as we have sufficiently elsewhere an­swered our Opposers, in the Case of Water-Baptism, and Bread and Wine, &c. so that the Objection, as to that, doth not hold, and the Difference is very wide, in respect of such Things, the very Nature and Substance of which can never be dispensed with by the People of God so long as they are in this World, yea, without which they could not be his People; for the Doctrines, and fundamental Principles of the Christian Faith, we own and believe originally and principally, because [Page 30] they are the Truths of God, whereunto the Spirit of God in our Hearts hath constrained our Understandings to obey and submit. In the second Place we are greatly confirmed, strength­ned and comforted in the joint Testimony of our Brethren, the Apostles and Disciples of Christ, who by the Revelation of the same Spirit in the Dayes of old believed and have left upon record the same Truths, so we having the same Spirit of Faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spo­ken, we also believe, and therefore we speak; and we deny not but some that from the Letter have had the Notion of these Things, have thereby in the Mercy of God received Occasion to have them revealed in the Life; for we freely acknowledge (though often calumniated to the contrary) that whatsoever Things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures may have Hope. So then, I hope if the Spirit of God lead me now un­to that which is good, profitable, yea, and absolutely need­ful, in order to the keeping my Conscience clear and void of Offence towards God and Man, none will be so unreasonable as to say, I ought not to do it, because it is according to the Scriptures, nor do I think it will savour ill among any serious solid Christians, for me to be the more confirmed, and per­swaded that I am led to this Thing by the Spirit, that I find it in it self good and useful; and that upon the like Occasions Christ commanded it, the Apostles and Primitive Christians practised and recommended it.

Now seeing it is so that we can boldly say with a good Con­science in the Sight of God, that the same Spirit which leads us to believe the Doctrines and Principles of the Truth, and to hold them and maintain them again after the Apostacy, in their primitive and ancient Purity, as they were delivered by the A­postles of Christ in the holy Scriptures, I say, that the same Spirit doth now lead us into the like holy Order and Government to be exercised among us as it was among them, being now the like Occasion and Opportunity ministred to us therefore, what can any Christianly or Rationally object against it; for that there is a Real Cause for it, the thing it self speaketh, and that it [Page 31] was the Practice of the Saints and Church of old is undenia­ble, what kind of Ground then can any such Opposers have (for to such, as scrupling at this, do notwithstanding acknow­ledge our Principle) that this were done by Imposition or Imi­tation, more then the Belief of the Doctrines and Principles, seeing as it is needful to use all Diligence to convince and per­swade People of the Truth, and bring them to the Belief of it (which yet we cannot do, but as Truth moves and draws in their Hearts) it is also no less needful, when a People is gathered, to keep and preserve them in Unity and Love, as becomes the Church of Christ, and to be careful, as saith the Apostle, That all Things be done decently and in Order, and that all that is wrong be removed according to the Method of the Gospel, and the good cherished and encouraged, so that we conclude, and that upon very good Grounds, that there ought now, as well as heretofore to be Order & Government in the Church of Christ, that which now cometh to be examined in the third Place is,

First, What is the Order and Government we plead for?

Secondly, In what Cases, and how far it may extend, and in whom the Power decisive is?

Thirdly, How it differeth, and is wholely an other then the oppressive and persecuting Principallity of the Church of Rome, and other Antichristian Assemblies?

IT will be needful then before I proceed to describe the Order & Government of the Church, to consider what is or may be properly understood by the Church, for some, as I touched be­fore, [Page 32] seem to be offended, or at least afraid of the very Word, because The Power of the Church, the Order of the Church, the Judgment of the Church and such like Pretences, have been the great Weapons wherewith Antichrist and the Apostate Chri­stians have been these many Generations persecuting the Wo­man, and warring against the Man-child; and indeed great Disputes have been among the Learned Rabbies in the Apo­stacy concerning this Church what it is, or what may be so ac­counted, which I find not my Place at present to dive much in, but shall only give the true Sense of it, according to Truth, and the Scriptures plain Testimony.

The Word Church in it self, and as used in the Scriptures, is no other but a Gathering, Company, or Assembly of certain People, called or gathered together; for so the Greek Word [...] signifies, which is that the Translators render Church, which Word is derived from the Verb [...], i. e. evoco, I call out of, from the Root [...], voco, I call. Now though the English Word Church be only taken in such a Sense, as People are gathered together upon a Religious Account, yet the Greek Word that is so rendered, is taken in general for every Gathering or Meeting together of People, and therefore where it is said, The Town-Clark of the Ephesi­ans dismissed the Tumult that was gathered there together, the same Greek Word [...] is used, Acts 19. 41. [...] he dismissed the Assembly or the Church.

A Church then in the Scripture Phrase, is no other then a Meeting or Gathering of certain People, which (if it be taken in a religious Sense, as most commonly it is) are gathered to­gether in the Belief of the same Principles, Doctrines and Points of Faith, whereby as a Body they become distinguish­ed from others, and have a certain Relation among themselves, and a conjunct Interest to the maintaining and propagating these Principles they judge to be right, and therefore have a certain Care, and Oversight over on another, to prevent and remove all Occasions that may tend to break this their conjunct Interest, hinder the Propagation of it, or bring Infamy, Con­tempt, [Page 33] or Contumely upon it, or give such as on the other Hand are or may be banded together to undo them, just Occa­sion against them, to decry and defame them.

Now the Way to distinguish that Church, Gathering, or Assembly of People, whereof Christ truly is the Head, from snch as falsly pretend thereto, is by considering the Principles, & Grounds upon which they are gathered together, the Nature of that Hierarchy & Order they have among themselves, the Way and Method they take to uphold it, and the Bottom upon which it standeth which will greatly contribute to clear all Mistakes.

Forasmuch as Sanctification and Holiness is the great and chief End among true Christians, which moves them to ga­ther together, therefore the Apostle Paul defines the Church in his Salutation to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 1. 2. Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth, them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, so the Church is such as are sancti­fied in Christ Jesus called to be Saints.

The Power and Authority, Order and Government we speak of, is such as a Church, Meeting, Gathering, or Assembly claims towards those that have or do declare themselves Mem­bers, who own, believe and profess the same Doctrines and Principles of Faith with us, and go under the same Distinction and Denomination, whose Escapes, Faults and Errors may by our Adversaries justly be imputed to us, if not seasonably and christianly, reproved, reclaimed, or condemned; for we are not so foolish, as to concern our selves with those who are not of us, far less, who stand in Opposition to us, so as to reprove, instruct, or reclaim them, as Fellow Members, or Brethren, yet with a Respect to remove the general Reproach from the Christian Name, with a tender Regard to the good of their immortal Souls, for the Zeal we owe to God's Glory, and for the Exaltation and Propagation of his Everlasting Truth and Gospel in the Earth, we have not been wanting with the Ha­zard of our Lives to seek the scattered ones, holding forth the Living and Sure Foundation, and inviting and perswading all to obey the Gospel of Christ, and to take Notice of his Reproofs, as he makes himself manifest in and by his Light in their [Page 34] Hearts; so our Care and Travail is and hath been towards those that are without, that we may bring them into the Fel­lowship of the Saints in Light; and towards those that are brought in, that they may not be led out again, or drawn aside, either to the left Hand or the right, by the Workings and Temptations of the Enemy.

These Things being thus cleared and opened, we do posi­tively affirm, that we being a People gathered together by the Power of God (which most if not all of those that arising a­mong our selves, do oppose us herein, have acknowledged) into the Belief of certain Principles and Doctrines, and also certain Practices & Performances, by which we are come to be separated and distinguished from others, so as to meet apart, and also to suffer deeply for our Joint-Testimony, there are and must of Necessity be, as in the gathering of us, so in the preserving of us while gathered, Diversities of Gifts and Ope­rations for the edifying of the whole Body. Hence saith the Apostle, 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be count­ed worthy of double Honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine, & this we suppose neither to be Popish nor Antichristian, let our Opposers say it as oft as they can, with­out reckoning the Apostles such.

Secondly, Forasmuch as all are not called in the same Station, some rich, some poor, some Servants, some Masters, some married, some unmarried, some Widdows, and some Orphans, and so forth, it is not only convenient, but absolutely needfull that there be certain Meetings at certain Places and Times, as may best sute the Conveniencies of such who may be most particularly concerned in them, where both those that are to take Care may assemble, and those who may need this Care may come and make known their Necessities, and receive help, whether by Counsel, or Supply, according to their respective Needs. This doth not at all contradict the Principle of being led inwardly and immediately by the Spirit, else how came the Apostle in that Day of the Powerful pouring forth of the Spi­rit of God to set apart Men for this Purpose? sure this was not to lead them from their inward Guide, yea, of the contrary it [Page 35] is expresly said, Look ye out among you Seven men of honest Re­port, full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this Business. Sure they were not to undertake a Business being full of the Holy Ghost, which might import a contradi­ction to their being led by it: So we see it is both fit, and suit­able to the Apostles Doctrine to have Meetings about Business. Now if any should be so whimsical or conceited, as to scruple their being at set Places and Times, though these be nothing relative to the Essential parts, but only Circumstances relating to the Conveniency of our Persons, which we must have Regard to so long as we are cloathed with Flesh and Blood; and such Notionists as are against this Godly Care, work far more in their vain Imaginations, than they reduce to Practice, being like unto such of whom the Apostle James testified, who con­tent themselves with saying to the Naked, be clothed; and to the hungry, be fed, while they offer not in the least to minister to them those Things which are needful for clothing and Fee­ding of them, yet shall we not scruple to make it appear, that it is not without very good Ground that we both appoint Pla­ces and Times, and First, as to the Place, I say as before, it is with our Bodies we must meet, as well as with our Spirits, and so of Necessity we must convey our Bodies unto one Place, that we may speak and act in those Things we meet for, and that must be in some certain Place, where all must know where to find it, having herein a regard to the Conveniencies and Occasions of such as meet. Were it fit that those of the Church of Corinth should go do their Business at Antioch, or the Church of Jerusalem at Rome? Nay surely, God hath not given us our Reasons to no Purpose, but that we should make use for his Glory, and the good of our Brethren, yet alwayes in Subject­ion to his Power and Spirit, and therefore we have respect to these Things in the appointing of our Meetings, and do it not without a Regard to the Lord, but in a Sense of his Fear. And so the like as to Times, which is no contradicting of the inward Leading of the Spirit, else how came the Apostle to appoint a Time to the Corinthians in their Contributions, desiring them 1 Cor. 16. 2. To lay by them in store upon the first Day of the [Page 36] Week, yea, saith he, not that he gave the same Order to the Church of Galatia. I know not how any in Reason can quar­rel Set-Times for outward Business, it being done in a Subje­ction to God's Will, as all Things ought to be, or else, how can such as so do but quarrel the Apostle for this Imposition (at that Rate) upon the Churches of Corinth and Galatia? We appoint no set Times for the Performance of the Worship of God, so as to appoint men to preach and pray at such and such Set-times, though we appoint times to meet together in the Name of the Lord, that we may feel his Presence, and he may move in and through whom he pleaseth without Limitati­on, which Practice of meeting together, we are greatly en­couraged to by the Promise of Christ, and our own blessed Ex­perience, and also we are severely prohibited to lay it aside by the holy Apostle, and also on the other Hand by the sad Expe­rience of such as by Negligence or Prejudice, forsake the As­semblies of God's People, upon many of which is already ful­filled, and upon others daily fulfilling the Judgments threatned upon such Transgressors, read Heb. 10. from ver. 23. to the End, where that Duty is so seriously exhorted to, and the Contempt of it reckoned a wilfull Sin, almost, if not altoge­ther unpardonable, yea, a Treading under Foot the Son of God, and a Doing Despite to the Spirit of Grace, which is fulfilled in our Day, and proves the lamentable Fruits of such as have so backsliden among us; and therefore having so much good and real Ground for what we do herein, together with the Appro­bation and Encouragment of Christ and his Apostles, both by Command and Practice, we can, as that which both the Al­pha and Omega, the Foundation and Cap-stone, faithfully af­firm in good Conscience, That God hath led us by his Spirit, both to appoint Places and Times, where we may see the Faces one of another, and to take Care one for another, provoking one another to Love and good Works; and our Faith and Cofidence herein cannot be staggered by a meer Denial in our Opposers, which no man of Conscience and Reason will say it ought, seeing the Thing it self hath such a solid and real Cause and Foundation, so good and suitable a Patern and Example, [Page 37] and that it is constantly confirmed to us, both by the Testimony of God's Spirit in our Hearts, and by the good Fruits and Effects which we daily reap thereby, as a Seal and Confirmation that God is well pleased therewith, and approveth us in it.

Having thus far proceeded to shew that there ought to be Order and Government among the People of God, and that, that which we plead for is, that there may be certain Meetings set apart for that End, it is next to be considered in what Cases, and how far it may extend.

I shall begin with that which gave the first Rise for this Or­der among the Apostles, and I do verily believe might have been among the first Occasions that gave the like among us, and that is, The Care of the Poor, of Widdows and Orphans. Love and Compassion are the great, yea, and the chiefest Marks of Christianity. Hereby shall it be known, saith Christ, that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another. And James the Apostle places Religion herein in the first place, Pure Religion (saith he) and Vndefiled before God and the Father is, to visit the Father­less and Widdows in their Afflictions, &c. For this then, as one main End do we meet together that Inquiry may be made, if there be any poor of the Houshould of Faith, that need, that they may be supplied, that the Widdows may be taken Care of, that the Orphans and Fatherless may be bred up and educa­ted: Who will be so unchristian, as to reprove this good Order and Government, and to say, it is needless? but if any will thus object, May not the Spirit lead every one of you to give to them that need? What needs meeting about it, and such Formalities?

[Page 38] I answer, The Spirit of God leads us so to do; what can they say to the contrary? nor is this a Practice any ways inconsistent with being inwardly and immediately led by the Spirit; for the Spirit of God doth now as well as in the Dayes of old; lead his People into those Things which are orderly, and of a good Report; for he is the God of Order, and not of Confusion, & therefore the Holy Apostles judged it no Inconsistency with their being led by the Spirit to appoint Men full of the Holy Ghost and of Wisdom over the Business of the poor. Now if to be full of the Holy Ghost be a Qualification needfull for this Imployment, surely the Nature of their Imployment was not to render this so needful a Qualification useless, and ineffectual, as if they were not to be led by it

Moreover, we see, though they were at that Time all filled with the Spirit, yet there was something wanting before this good Order was established. There was a Murmuring that some Widdows were neglected in the daily Ministration, and we must not suppose the Apostles went about to remedy this Evil that was creeping into the Church without the Counsel of God by his Spirit, or that this Remedy they were led to, was step­ping into the Apostacy, neither can it be so said of us, we pro­ceeding upon the like Occasion.

If then it be thus needful, and suitable to the Gospel to re­lieve the Necessities of the poor, that as there was no Begger to be among Israel of old, so far less now, must there not be Meetings to appoint Contribution in Order to the performing these Things, which is no other but the giving of a general Inti­mation what the needs are, that every one, as God moves sheir Hearts, and hath prospered them, without Imposition, Force or Limitation, may give towards these needful Uses, in which Case these Murmurers at our good order in such matters may well think strange at the Apostle. How pressingly? how earnestly doth he reiterate his Desires and Provocations, so to speak, in this Respect to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2, and the 8th and 9th Chapters of the 2d Epistle throughout!

Now though he testifies to them elsewhere that they are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, and that the Spirit of God dwells in [Page 39] them, yet ceaseth he not to intreat and exhort, yea, and to give them certain Orders in this Matter.

Besides all these Reasons which are sufficient to convince any unprejudicate man, the Secret Approbation of God's Spirit ac­companying us in this Thing, together with the Fruits and Ef­fects of it which hundreds can witness to, whose Needs have been supplied, and themselves helped through divers Diffi­culties, and the Testimonies of some already, & of many more Orphans and Fatherless Children, who have found no want nei­ther of Father nor Mother, or other Relations through the ten­der Love and Care of God's People in putting them in Trades and Imployments and giving them all needfull Education which will make it appear ere this Age pass away to those that have an Eye to see, that these are not the meer Doings and Orders of Men, but the Work of him who is appearing in ten Thousands of his Saints to establish, not only Truth, but Mercy and Righteous­ness in the Earth.

And for that End therefore in the second Place this Order reacheth the taking up and composing of Differences as to out­ward Things, which may fall out betwixt Friend and Friend; for such Things may fall out through the Intricacies of diverse Affairs, where neither hath any positive Intention to injure and defraud his Neighbour, as in many Cases might be instanced; or if through the Workings and Temptations of him; whose Work is to beset the Faithful, and People of the Lord; and to engender, so far as he can, Strise and Division among them, any should step aside, as to offer to wrong, or prejudge his Neighbour; we do boldly aver, as a People gathered toge­ther by the Lord unto the same Faith, and distinguished from all others by our Joint Testimony and Sufferings, that we have Power and Authority to decide and remove these things among our selves, without going to others to seek Redress, and this in it self hath so much Reason, that I cannot tell if any that are not wholely prejudicate or obstinate can blame it; for if we be of one Mind concerning Faith and Religion, and that it be our Joint-Interest to bring all others unto the same Truth with us, as supposing them to be wrong, what Confidence can we have [Page 40] to think of reclaiming them, if the Truth we profess have not Efficacy as to reconcile us among our selves in the Matters of this World, if we be forced to go out to others for Equity and Justice, because we cannot find it among our selves: how can we expect to invite them to come among us, when such Virtues as which still accompany the Truth, are necessarily supposed to be wanting, should we affirm otherwise it were to destroy the Truth and Faith we have been and are in the Lord's Hand building up, and indeed the Spirit and Practice of such as op­pose us herein, hath no less Tendency.

Moreover, besides the Enforcing and Intrinsick Reason of this Thing, we have the Concurrence, Approbation and Com­fort of the Apostles Testimony, 1 Cor. 6. Dare any of you ha­ving a matter against another go to Law before the Vnjust, and not before the Saints? If it be objected, Do you reckon all Vn­just that are not of you? Think ye all other People void of Ju­stice?

I answer, Though the Apostle useth this Expression, I am perswaded he did not reckon all others—Unjust that had not received then the Christian Faith; there was no doubt Morall and Just Men among the Heathen, and therefore the same Paul commends the Nobility of Festus, he reckons them there Unjust in Respect of the Saints, or comparatively with them, as such as are not come to the just principle of God in themselves to obey it and follow it, and therefore though he accounts them who are least—esteemed in the Church ca­pable to decide such Matters, yet he supposeth it safer to sub­mit to their Judgment in such Cases, though it were by taking wrong, or suffering wrong, then to go before others to the greater Reproach of the Truth. We hope though many Occa­sions of this kind have fallen in among us since we have been a People, none have had just occasion to decline our Judgment, and though some should suppose themselves to be wronged, yet if they should go bring their matter before others, we might say, as the Apostle saith in the forementioned Chapter, ver. 7. This were thereby a Fault in them, and would evidence a great­er Care of some outward Concern, then of the Honour and In­terest [Page 41] of Truth, and therefore such as have a tender Regard that Way, would rather suffer what to their Apprehensions may seem wrong; for in matters wherein two Parties are op­posite in the Case of Meum and Tuum, it is somewhat hard to please both, except where the Power of Truth, and the Righ­teous Judgment thereof reaching to that of God in the Consci­ence, hath brought to a true Acknowledgment, him that hath been mistaken, or in the wrong, which hath frequently fallen out among us, to the often refreshing and confirming our Souls in the certain Belief, that Christ was fulfilling his▪ Promises among us, In restoring Judges, as at the first, and Counsellors, as in the Beginning.

Now suppose any should be so pettish or humorous, as not to agree in such Matters to the Judgment of his Brethren, and to go before the Unbelievers (for though I reckon them not such Unbelievers as the Heathen of old, because they profess a Faith in God and Christ, yet I may safely say, they are Unbelievers, as to these Principles and Doctrines which we know are the Truth of God, and in that Sense must be Unbelievers as to him that so appealeth to them from his Brethren) I say, such as so do, first commit a certain Hurt and Evil in staining the Honour and Reputation of the Truth they profess, which ought to be dearer to us then our Lives, and even in that outward Matter, for which they thus do, they run a Hazard, not knowing whe­ther things shall carry as they expect; if they loose, they have a double prejudice, if they gain it is a too dear Rate, even with the Hurt of Truth's Reputation, which their outward Advan­tage cannot make up. If then it be unlawfull to do evil, that good may come of it, even a Spiritual Good, far less is it lawful to do a positive Evil of so deep a Dye, as to bring an E­vil Report upon the good Land; and give the Uncircumcised an Occasion to rejoyce, out of the Uncertain Hope of an outward Gain, it is far better to suffer Loss, as the Apostle very well argues in the Place above mentioned.

Indeed if there be any such, have been, or appear to be of us, as suppose there is not a wise Man among us all, nor an honest Man that is able to judge betwixt his Brethren. We shall not [Page 42] covet to meddle in their Matter, being perswaded that either they or their Cause is naught (thought Praises to Go)d among all, those that have gone from us, either upon one Account or o­ther, I never heard that any were so minded towards us, but the most part of them having let in the Offence of somethings or persons, have had this Unanimous Testimony concerning us, that generally we are an honest and upright-hearted People, but whatever Sense our Enemies or Apostates have of us, who look asquaint on the Face of Truth, and can see nothing aright in those they love not, or are prejudicate against. This we can say in the last Place, besides the Reasons and Scripture above declared, that the good Fruits and Effects which daily abound to the Houshold of Faith, in this as well as the other Parts of the Government the Lord is establishing among us, doth more & more commend it unto us, and confirmeth our Hearts in the certain Belief of that which we can confidently testifie in good Conscience, that God hath led us hereunto by his Spirit, and we see the Hand of the Lord herein, which in due Time will yet more appear, that as through our faithful Testimony in the Hand of the Lord that Antichristian and Apostatized Generati­on, the National Ministry hath received a deadly Blow by our discovering and witnessing against their Forced Mainte­nance and Tythes, against which we have testified by many cruel Sufferings of all kinds (as our Chronicles shall make known to Generations to come) so that their Kingdom in the Hearts of Thousands begins to totter and loose its Strength, and shall assuredly fall to the Ground, through Truth's prevailing in the Earth, so on the other Hand, do we by coming to Righte­ousness and Innocency, weaken the Strength of their Kingdom who judge for Rewards (as well as such as preach for Hire▪) and by not ministring Occasion to those, who have heaped up Riches, and lived in Excess, Lust and Riot, by feeding and preying upon the Iniquities and Contentions of the People; for as Truth and Righteousness prevails in the Earth, by our faithful witnessing and keeping to it, the Nations shall come to be eased and disburdned of that deceitful Tribe of Lawyers, as well as Priests, who by their many Tricks, and Endless Intri­cacies [Page 43] have rendered Justice in their Method burdensom to honest Men, and seek not so much to put an End, as to foment Controversies and Contentions, that they themselves may be still fed and upheld, and their Trade kept up. Whereas by Truth's Propagation, as many of these Controversies will dye by Mens coming to be less contentious, so when any Difference ariseth, the Saints giving Judgment without Gift or Reward, or running into the Tricks and endless Labyrinths of the Lawyers, will soon compose them, and this is that we are perswaded the Lord is bringing about in our Day, though many do not, and many will not see it, because it is indeed in a Way different and contrary to Man's Wisdom, who are now despising Christ in his inward Appearance, because of the Meanness of it, as the Jews of old did him in his outward, yet notwithstanding there were some then that did witness and could not be silent, but must testifie that he was come; even so now are there Thou­sands that can set to their Seal, that he hath now again the se­cond time appeared, and is appearing in Ten Thousands of his Saints, in and among whom (as a first Fruits of many more that shall be gathered) he is restoring the Golden Age, and bringing them into the Holy Order and Government of his own Son, who is ruling, and to rule in the midst of them, setting forth the Counsellors as at the Beginning, and Judges as at first, and establishing Truth, Mercy, Righteousness and Judge­ment again in the Earth, Amen, Halelujah.

Thirdly, these Meetings take Care in the Case of Marriages, that all things be clear, and that there may nothing be done in that Procedure, which afterwards may prove to the Prejudice of Truth or of the Parties concerned, which being an outward Thing that is acknowledged in it self to be lawful, of the great­est Importance a Man or a Woman can perform in this World, and from the suddain, unwary or disorderly Procedure where­of, very great Snares and Reproaches may be cast both upon the Parties and the Profession owned by them, therefore it doth very fitly among other things when it occurs come to be con­sidered of by the People of God, when met to take Care to preserve all things right and savoury in the Houshould of Faith: [Page 44] We do believe our Adversaries that watch for Evil—against us, would be glad how promiscuously or disorderly we pro­ceeded in this weighty Matter, that so they might the more boldly accuse us, as Overturners of all Humane and Christian Order, but God hath not left us without his Counsel and Wis­dom in this Thing, nor will he that any should receive Just Oc­casion against—us his People, and therefore in this weighty Concern, we, who can do nothing against the Truth, but all for and with a Regard to the Truth, have divers Testimonies for the Lord, and,

First, That we cannot marry with those that walk not in, and obey not the Truth, as being of another Judgment, or Fel­lowship, or pretending to it, walk not suitably and answerably thereto.

Secondly, Nor can we go to the Hireling-Priests to uphold their false and usurped Authority, who take upon them to mar­ry People without any Command or President for it from the Law of God.

Lastly, Nor can we suffer any such Kind of Marriages to pass among us, which either, as to the Degrees of Consangui­nity, or otherwise in it self is unlawfull, or from which there may be any just Reflection cast upon our Way. As to the first two, they being Matter of Principles received and believed, it is not my Work here to debate them, only since they are re­ceived and owned as such for which we can and have given out sufficient Reasons else-where as for our other Principles, we ought to care how any by walking otherwise bring Reproach upon us. Yet not to pass them wholely by, as to the First, Be­sides the Testimony of the Spirit of God in our Hearts which is the Original Ground of our Faith in all Things, we have the Testimony of the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be ye not unequal­ly yoked together, &c. Now if any should think it were much from this Scripture to plead it absolutely unlawful, in any Case to joyn in Marriage with any (however otherwise Sober) be­cause of their not being one with us in all Things, I shall speak my Judgment. To me it appears so, and to many more who have obtained Mercy, and we think we have the Spirit of God, [Page 45] but whether it be lawful or not, I can say positively, it is not expedient, neither doth it edifie, and as that which is of dan­gerous Consequence, doth give justly Offence to the Church of Christ, and therefore no true tender Heart will prefer his pri­vate Love to the Good and Interest of the whole Body. As for the Second, In that we deny the Priests their assumed Authori­ty and Power to marry, it is that which is no wise we can resile from, nor can we own any in the doing of it, it being a part of our Testimony against the Usurpations of that Generation, who never yet that I ever heard of, could produce any Scripture-proof or Example for it, and seeing none can pretend Consci­ence in the Matter (for they themselves confess, that it is no part of the Essence of Marriage) if any pretending to be a­mong us should through Fear, Interest, or Prejudice to the Truth come under and bow to that Image, have we not Rea­son to deny such Slavish and Ignoble Spirits, as mind not Truth and its Testimony?

Lastly, Seeing if any walking with us, or going under the same Name, should hastily or disorderly go together, either being within the Degrees of Consanguinity, which the Law of God forbids, or that either Party should have been formerly under any Tye or Obligation to others, or any other vast Dis­proportion which might bring a just Reflection upon us from our Opposers; Can any blame us for taking Care to prevent these Evils, by appointing that such as so design, make known their Intentions to these Churches or Assemblies where they are most known, that if any know just Cause of Hinderance, it may be mentioned, and a timous Let put to the Hurt, either by stopping it, if they can be brought to condescend, or by refusing to be Witnesses and Concurrers with them in it, if they will not? for we take not upon us to hinder any to mar­ry otherwise then by Advice, or disconcerning our selves; nei­ther do we judge that such as do marry contrary to our Mind, that therefore their Marriage is null and void in it self, or may be dissolved afterwards, nay, all our meddling is in a holy Care for the Truth, for if the Thing be right, all that we do is to be Witnesses, and if otherwise, that we may say for our [Page 46] Vindication to such as may upbraid us therewith, that we ad­vise otherwise, and did no wayes concur in the Matter, that so they may bear their own Burden, and the Truth and People of God be cleared.

Now I am confident that our Way Herein is so answerable to Reason and Christianity, that none will blame us therefore, except, either such whose Irregular and Impatient Lusts can­not suffer a Serious and Christian Examination, and an advised and moderate Procedure, or such who watching for evil against us, are sorry we should proceed so orderly, and would rather we should suffer all manner of Irregularities and Abominations, that they might have the more to say against us; but the Solid and Real Reasons we have for our Way herein, will sufficient­ly plead for us in the Hearts of all Sober Men; and moreover, the Testimony of God's Spirit in our Hearts doth abundantly confirm us, both against the Folly of the one, and the Envy of the other.

Fourthly, There being nothing more needful then to pre­serve Men and Women in Righteousness after they are brought into it, and also nothing more certain, then that the great E­nemy of Man's Soul seeks daily how he may draw back again, and catch those who have in some measure escaped his Snares, and known Deliverance from them, therefore do we also meet together, that we may receive an opportunity to understand if a­ny have fallen under his Temptations that we may restore them again if possible, or otherwise separate them from us: Surely if we did not so we might be justly blamed, as such, among whom it were lawful to commit any Evil unreproved, indeed this were to be guilty of that Libertinism, which some have falsly accused us of, and which hath been our Care all along, as become the People of God to avoid, therefore have we sought always to keep the House clean, by faithfully reproving and removing according to the Nature of the Offence, and the Scandal following thereupon; private things privately, & pub­lick things publickly: We desire not to propagate Hurt, and defile Peoples Minds with telling them such things as tend not to edifie, yet do we not so cover over or smooth over any [Page 47] Wickedness, as not to deal roundly with the Persons guilty, and causing them to take away the Scandal in their acknowledg­ment before all to whose Knowledge it hath come, yet judge we not our selves obliged to tell that in Gath, or publish that in the Streets of Askelon, which makes the Daughters of the Vncir­cumcised rejoyce, or strengthen Atheists and Ranters in their Obduredness, who feed more upon the Failings of the Saints, then to imitate their true Repentance, and therefore where we find an Unfeigned Returning to the Lord, we desire not to re­member that which the Lord hath forgotten, nor yet to throw Offences in the Way of the weak, that they may stumble upon them.

And therefore I conclude, that our Care as to these Things also, is most needful, and a Part of that Order and Government which the Church of Christ never was nor can be without, as doth abundantly appear by divers Scriptures heretofore menti­oned.

THUS far I have considered the Order and Government of the Church, as it respects outward things, and its Au­thority in condemning or removing such things which in them­selves are Evil, as being those which none will readily justifie, the Necessity of which things is such, that few but will acknow­ledge the Care and Order in these Cases, to be commendable and expedient.

Now I come to consider things of another kind, which ei­ther verily are, or are supposed to be Matters of Conscience, or at least wherein People may lay claim to Conscience in the acting or forbearing of them, in which the great Question is, How far in such Cases the Church may give positive Orders, or [Page 48] Rules? How far her Authority reacheth, or may be supposed to be binding, and ought to be submitted to? For the better clear­ing and Examination of which, it will be fit to consider,

First, Whether the Church of Christ have Power in any Cases that are Matters of Conscience, to give a positive Sentence and Decision, which may be obligatory upon Believers?

Secondly, If so, in what Cases and Respects she may so do?

Thirdly, Wherein consisteth the Freedom and Liberty of Con­science, which may be exercised by the Members of the true Church diversly without judging one another.

And Lastly, In whom the Power decisive is in Case of Contro­versie or Contention in such Matters, which will also lead us to observe the vast Difference betwixt us and the Papists, and o­thers in this particular.

As to the First, Whether the Church of Christ have Power in any Cases that are Matters of Conscience, to give a positive Sentence and Decision, which may be obligattry upon Believers.

I answer affirmatively, she hath, and shall prove it from di­vers Instances, both from Scripture and Reason; for first, all Principles and Articles of Faith, which are held doctrinally, are in Respect to these that believe them matters of Conscience: We know the Papists do out of Conscience, such as are zeal­ous among them, adore, worship and pray to Angels, Saints and Images, yea, and to the Eucharist, as judging it to be real­ly Christ Jesus, & so do others place Conscience in things that are absolutely wrong: Now I say, we being gathered together into the Belief of certain Principles and Doctrines without a­ny Constraint or worldly Respect, but by the meer Force of Truth upon our Understanding, and its Power and Influence upon our Hearts; these Pri [...]es, and Doctrines, and the Practices necssarily depending upon them, are as it were the Terms that have drawn us to­gether Yet this not so the Bond, but that we have also a more inw [...]rd and invisible, to wit, the Life of Righteousness, where by we also have Vnity with the upright Seed in all, even in those whose Vnder­standings are not yet so en­lightned, but those who are once enlightned this is as an outward Bond; and if they suffer themselves to be dark­ned through Disobedience, which as it does in the outward Bond so it doth in the inward.and the Bond by which we became centered into one Body and Fellowship, and di­stinguished from others. Now [Page 49] if any one or more so engaged with us should arise to teach any other Doctrine or Do­ctrines contrary to these which were the Ground of our being One, who can deny but the Body hath Power in such a Case to declare, this is not ac­cording to the Truth we profess, and therefore we pronounce such and such Doctrines to be wrong, with which we cannot have Unity, nor yet any more Spiritual Fellowship with those as hold them, and so such cut themselves off from being Mem­bers, by dissolving the very Bond by which they were linked to the Body: Now this cannot be accounted Tyranny and Op­pression no more then in a Civil Society if one of the Society shall contradict one or more of the fundamental Articles upon which the Society was contracted, it can be reckon'd a breach or iniquity in the whole Society, to declare that such Contradictors have done wrong and forfeited their Right in that Society; in case by the original constitution the Nature of the Contradiction implys such a Forfeiture as usually it is, and will no doubt hold in Religious Matters; as, if a Body be gathered into one Fel­lowship, by the Belief of certain Principles, he that comes to believe otherwayes naturally scattereth himself, for that the Cause that gathered him is taken away: and so those that a­bide constant, in declaring the thing to be so as it is, and in looking upon him and witnessing of him to others (if need be) to be such as he has made himself, do him no Injury: I shall make the Supposition in the general, and let every People make the Application to themselves, abstracting from us, and then let Conscience and Reason in every impartial Reader declare, whether or not it doth not hold: Suppose a People really ga­thered unto the Belief of the true and certain Principles of the Gospel, if any of these people shall arise and contradict any of those fnndamental Truths, whether has not such as stand good right to cast such a one out from among them, & to pronounce [Page 50] positively, this is contrary to the Truth we profess and own, and therefore ought to be rejected, and not received, nor yet he that as­serts it, as one of us: And is not this obligatory upon all the Members, seeing all are concerned in the like Care, as to them­selves, to hold the right, and shut out the wrong? I cannot tell if any man of Reason can well deny this, however I shall prove it next from the Testimony of the Scripture, Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, then that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you, then that ye have received, let him be accursed.

1 Tim. 1. 19, 20. Holding Faith and a Good Conscience, which some having put away, concerning Faith have made ship­wrack.

Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delive­red unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2 John 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your House, neither bid him Re­joyce; for so the Greek hath it.

These Scriptures are so plain and clear in themselves, as to this Purpose, that they need no great Exposition to the Unby­assed and Unprejudicate Reader, fore-seeing it is so that in the true Church there may men arise, and speak perverse things, contrary to the Doctrine and Gospel already received, what is to be the place of those that hold the pure and ancient Truth? Must they look upon these perverse men still as their Brethren? Must they cherish them as Fellow-Members, or must they judge, condemn and deny them? We must not think the A­postle wanted Charity, who will have them Accursed, and that gave Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan after that they had departed from the true Faith, that they might learn not to Blaspheme. In short, If we must (as our Opposers herein acknowledge) preserve and keep those that are come to own the Truth by the same means they were gathered and brought into it, we must not cease to be plain with them, and tell them when they are wrong, and by sound Doctrine both ex­hort [Page 51] and convince Gainsayers: If the Apostles of Christ of old, and the Preachers of the Everlasting Gospel in this day, had told all people, however wrong they found them in their Faith and Principles, our Charity and Love is such, We dare not judg you, nor separate from you, but let us all live in Love together, & every one injoy his own Opinion, & all will be well, how should the Nations have been, or what way now can they be brought to Truth and Righteousness? Would not the Devil love this Doctrine well, by which Darkness and Ignorance, Error and Confusion might still continue in the Earth unreproved and un­condemned? If it was needful then for the Apostles of Christ, in the dayes of old, to reprove, without sparing to tell the High Priests and great Professors among the Jews, That they were stubborn and stiff-necked, and alwayes resisted the Holy Ghost, without being guilty of Imposition and Oppression, or want of true Love and Charity: And also, for those Messen­gers the Lord raised up in this day to reprove and cry out a­gainst the Hireling Priests, and to tell the World openly both Professors and Prophane, that they were in Darkness and Igno­rance, out of the Truth, Strangers and Aliens from the Com­mon wealth of Israel; if God has gathered a People by this means into the Belief of one and the same Truth, must not they that turn and depart from it be admonished, reproved and condemned? yea, rather then those that are not yet come to the Truth, because they crucifie afresh unto themselves the Lord of Glory, and put him to open Shame: It seems the Apostle judged it very needful they should be so dealt with, Tit. 1. 10. when he sayes, There are many unruly and vain Talkers and Deceivers, especially they of the Circumcision, WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED, &c. Were such a Principle to be received or believed, That in the Church of Christ no man should be separated from, no man condem­ned or excluded the Fellowship and Communion of the Body, for his Judgment or Opinion in Matter of Faith, then what Blasphemies so horried, what Heresies so damnable, what Do­ctrines of Devils, but might harbour it self in the Church of Christ? What need then of sound Doctrine, if no Do­ctrine [Page 52] make unsound, what need of convincing and Exhorting Gainsayers? If to Gainsay be no Crime, where should the Vnity of the Fai [...]h be? Were not this an Inlet to all manner of Abominations, and make void the whole tendency of Christ and his Apostles Doctrine, and render the Gospel of none ef­fect, and give a Liberty to the unconstant and giddy Will of Man, to innovate, alter and overturn it at his Pleasure. So that from all that is above-mentioned, we do safely conclude, that where a People are gathered together into the Belief of the Principles and Doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, if any of that People shall go from their Principles, and assert things false and contrary to what they have already received, such as stand and abide firm in the Faith have Power by the Spirit of God, after they have used Christian Endeavours to convince and reclaim them, upon their obstinacy to separate from such, and to exclude them from their spiritual Fellowship and Com­munion; for otherwayes, if this be denyed, farewel to all Christianity, or to the maintaining of any sound Doctrine in the Church of Christ.

But secondly, Taking it for granted, that the Church of Christ or Assembly of Believers, may in some Cases that are Matter of Conscience, pronounce a positive Sentence and Judgment without hazard of Imposition upon the Members, it comes to be inquired; In what Cases and how far this Power reached?

I answer, First, As that which is most clear and undeny­able in the fundamental Principles and Doctrines of Faith in Case any should offer to teach otherwayes, as is above decla­red and proved; but some may perhaps acknowledge that in­deed, if any should contradict the known and owned Princi­ples of Truth, and teach otherwayes, it were fit to cast out and exclude such. But what judgest thou as to lesser matters, as in Principles of less Consequence, or in outward Ceremo­nies or Gestures, whether it be fit to press Vniformity in these things? For Answer to this, it is fit to consider,

First, The Nature of things themselves.

Secondly, The Spirit and Ground they proceed from.

And Thirdly, The Consequence and Tendency of them.

[Page 53] But before I proceed upon these, I affirm, and that accord­ing to Truth, That as the Church and Assembly of God's People, may and hath Power to decide by the Spirit of God in Matters fundamental and weighty (without which no Decisi­on nor Decree in whatever Matters is available) so the same Church and Assembly also in other Matters of less Moment, as to themselves, yet being needful and expedient with a Re­spect to the Circumstance of Time, Place and other things that may fall in, may and hath Power, by the same Spirit, and no otherwayes, being acted, moved and assisted, and led by it thereto, to pronounce a positive Judgment, which no doubt will be found obligatory upon all such who have a Sense and Feeling of the Mind of the Spirit, though rejected by such as are not watchful, and so are out of the Feeling and Unity of the Life; and this is that which none that own immediate Revelation, or a being inwardly led by the Spirit, to be now a thing expected or dispensed to the Saints, can without contra­dicting their own Principle deny, far less such with whom I have to do in this Matter, who claiming this Priviledge to Par­ticulars, saying, That they being moved to do such and such things, though contrary to the Mind and Sense of their Brethren, are not to be judged for it; adding, Why may it not be so, that God hath moved them to it. Now, if this be a sufficient Rea­son for them to suppose as to one or two,—I may without ab­surdity suppose it as well to the whole Body; and therefore as to the first, to wit, The Nature of the things themselves.

If it be such a thing, the doing or not doing whereof, that is ei­ther any Act or the Forbearance of any may bring a real Re­proach or Ground of Accusation against the Truth professed and owned, and in & through which there may a visible Schism and Dissension arise in the Church, by which Truth's Enemies may be gratified, and it self brought into disesteem, then it is fit for such whose Care is to keep all right, to take Inspection in the Matter, to meet together in the Fear of God, to wait for his Counsel, and to speak forth his Mind according as he shall manifest himself in and among them; and this was the Practice of the primitive Church, in the Matter of Circumci­sion; [Page 54] for here lay the Debate, some thought it not needful to circumcise the Gentiles, others thought it a thing not to be dispensed with, and no doubt of these (for we must remem­ber they were not the Rebellious Jews, but such as had alrea­dy believed in CHRIST) there were that did it out of Con­science, as judging Circumcision to be still obligatory; for they said thus, Except ye be Circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved: Now what Course took the Church of Antioch in these Cases? Acts 15. 2.— They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go unto Jerusalem, unto the Apostles and Elders about this Question. We must not suppose they wanted the Spirit of God at An­tioch to have decided the Matter, neither that these Apo­stles neglected or went from their inward Guide in underta­king this Journey; yet we see they judged it meet in this Mat­ter to have the Advice and Concurrence of the Apostles and Elders that were at Jerusalem, that they might be all of one mind in the matter; for there is no greater Property of the Church of Christ then pure Unity in the Spirit that is a con­senting and oneness in Judgment and Practices in Matters of Faith and Worship (which yet admits of different Measures, Growths and Motions, but never contrary and contradictory Ones▪ and in these Diversities of Operations, yet still by the same Spirit, the true Liberty is exercised, as shall be declared hereafter) Therefore prayeth Christ, That they all may be one as he and the Father is one; to which Purpose also let these following Scriptures be examined:

Rom. 12. 16. Be of the same Mind one towards another.

1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you, Brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no Divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same Mind, and in the same Judgment.

Ephes. 5. 21. Submitting your selves one to another in the Fear of God.

Phil. 2. 2. Fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same Love, being of one accord of one Mind.

And yet more remarkable is that of the Apostle Paul to [Page 55] the Philippians, Chap. 3. Vers. 15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be other­wayes [...]minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same thing.

Brethren, be Followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an Example.

So here, though the Apostle grants Forbearance in things wherein they have not yet attained, yet he concludes they must walk so, as they have him for an Example, and so con­sequently not contrary or otherwayes, and therefore we con­clude, that whereas any in the Church of God pretending Conscience or Revelation, shall arise to teach and practise, however insignificant or small, in themselves, whether Princi­ples or Practices, yet if they be contrary to such as are alrea­dy received as true, and confirmed by God's Spirit in the Hearts of the Saints, and that the introducing of these things tend to bring Reproach upon the Truth, as such as are not edi­fying in themselves, and so stumble the Weak; those who have a true and right Discerning, may in and by the Power of God authorizing them ( and no otherwayes) condemn and judge such things, and they so doing it, it will be obligatory upon all the Members that have a true Sense, because they will feel it to be so, and therefore submit to it.

And thus far as to the Nature of the things themselves.

Secondly, As to the Spirit and Ground they proceed from. Whatsoever Innovation, Difference or diverse Appea­rance, whether in Doctrine or Practice, proceedeth not from the pure Moving of the Spirit of God, or is not done out pure Tenderness of Conscience, but either from that which being puft up affecteth singularity, and there▪ through would be observed, commended and exalted, or from that which is the Malignity of some Humours and na­tural Tempers, which will be contradicting without Cause, and secretly begetting of Divisions, Animosities and Emula­tions, by which the Unity and unfeigned Love of the Brethren [Page 56] is lessened or rent; I say, all things proceeding from this Root and Spirit, however little they may be supposed to be of them­selves, are to be guarded against, withstood and denyed, as hurtful to the true Church's Peace, and a Hindrance to the Prosperity of Truth.

If it be said, How know ye that these things proceed from that Ground?

For Answer, I make not here any Application as to particular Persons or Things; but if it be granted (as it cannot be denied) that there may arise Persons in the true Church, that may do such Things from such a Spirit, though pretending Conscience and Tenderness, then it must also be acknowledged, that such to whom God hath given a true Discerning by his Spirit, may and ought to judge such Practices, and the Spirit they come from, and have no Unity with them, which if it be owned in the General proves the Case, to wit, that some pretending Conscience in Things seeming indifferent, but yet it proceed­ing in them from a Spirit of Singularity, Emulation or Strife, those that have received a Discerning thereof from the Lord, may and ought to judge the Transgressors, without being ac­counted Imposers, Oppressors of Conscience, or Inforcers of Uniformity contrary to the Mind of Christ, against which the Apostle also guardeth the Churches of old.

Phil. 2. 3, 4. Let nothing be done through Strife or Vain-Glory, but in Lowliness of Mind let each esteem other BETTER THEN THEMSELVES.

Look not every Man on his own Things, but every Man also on the Things of others.

Now if it be an Evil to do any Thing out of Strife, thus such Things that are seen so to be done, are they not to be avoided & forsaken. So that we are confident our Judgment herein cannot be denied, or reputed Erroneous, except it be said that none will or can arise in the Church of Christ, pretending such things from such a Spirit, which I know not any that will, it being contrary to the express Prophecies of the Scripture, & the Experience of the Church in all Ages, as may appear from, Mat. 24. 24. Acts [Page 57] 15. 24. 1 Tim. 4. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 8. Mark 13. 21, 22, 2 Pet. 2. 19. Or on the other Hand, that those that abide faithful, and have a Discerning of those Evils ought to be silent, and never ought to reprove and gainst and them, nor yet warn and guard others against them, and that it is a part of the commen­dable Unity of the Church of Christ, to suffer all such Things without taking Notice of them. I know none will say so, but if there be any so foolish, as to affirm it, let them consider these Scriptures, Gal. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 20. 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. Tit. 1. 9, 10, 11.

Now if none of these hold true, but on the contrary such E­vils have been and may be found to creep in among the People of God, and that such as see them may and ought to reprove them, then necessarily the doing so is neither Imposition Force nor Oppression.

As to the third, concerning the Consequence and Tendency of them, it is mostly included in the two former, for whatso­ever tendeth not to Edification, but on the contrary to Destru­ction, and to beget Discord among Brethren, is to be avoid­ed, according to that of the Apostle, Rom. 16. 17. Now I beseech you Brethren, mark them which cause Divisions and Of­fences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and a­void them.

And since there is no greater Mark of the People of God then to be at Peace among themselves, whatsoever tendeth to break that Bond of Love and Peace, must be testified against; let it be observed I peak always of the Church of Christ indeed, and deal with such as are of another Mind, not as reckoning on­ly false Churches not to have this Power, but denying it even to the true Church of Christ, as judging it not fit for her so to act, as in relation to her Members; for though Christ be the prince of Peace, and doth most of all commend Love and Uni­ty to his Disciples, yet I also know he came not to send Peace, but a Sword, that is, in dividing Man from the Lusts and Sins he hath been united to; and also it is the Work of his Disciples and Messengers to break the Bonds and Unity of the Wicked, wherein they are banded against God & his Truth, & the Con­federacy [Page 58] of such as stand in Unrighteousness, by inviting and bringing as many as will obey, unto Righteousness, whereby they become disunited and separated from their Companions, with whom they were centered & at Peace in the contrary and cursed Nature; and indeed blessed are they that are sent forth of the Lord to scatter here, that they may gather into the U­nity of the Life; and they are blessed that in this Respect, even for Righteousness Sake are scattered and separated from their Brethren, that they may come to know the Brotherhood and Fellowship which is in the Light, from which none ought to scatter nor to be scattered, but be more and more gathered thereunto, & this leads me to what I proposed in the third Place under this Head of the true Church's Power in Matters Spiritu­al, or purely Conscientious, which may be thus objected.

If thou plead so much for an Oneness in the smallest Matters, wherein consisteth the Freedom and Liberty of the Conscience which may be exercised by the Members of the true Church diversly without judging one another?

In answer to this Proposition, I affirm, first in general, That whatsoever Things may be supposed to proceed from the same Spirit, though divers in its Appearance, tending to the same End of Edification, and which in the Tendency of it, lay­eth not a real Ground for Division or Dissension of Spirit, Fel­low Members ought not only to bear one another, but strength­en one another in them.

Now the Respects wherein this may be, I can describe no better then the Apostle Paul doth principally in two Places, which therefore will be fit to consider—at length for the o­pening of this Matter, this being one of the weightiest Points pertaining to this Subject, because as on the one Hand due For­bearance ought to be exercised in its right Place, so on the o­ther, the many Devices and false Pretences of the Enemy creeping in here ought to be guarded against.

The first is, 1 Cor. 12. from 4. to 31. thus:

4 Now there are Diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are Difference of Administrations, but the same Lord.

[Page 59] 6 And there are Diversities of Operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall;

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom, to a­nother the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit,

9 To another Faith by the same Spirit, to another the Gifts of Healing by the same Spirit,

10 To another the Working of Miracles, to another Prophecy, to another D [...]scerning of Spirits, to another divers kinds of Tongues, to another the Interpretation of Tongues;

11 But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, di­viding to every Man severally as he will;

12 For at the Body is one, and hath many Members, and all the Members of that one Body being many are one Body, so also is Christ;

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whe­ther we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit;

14 For the Body is not one Member, but many.

15 If the Foot shall say, because I am not the Hand, I am not of the Body; is it therefore not of the Body?

16 And if the Ear shall say, because I am not the Eye, I am not of the Body, is it not therefore of the Body?

17 If the whole Body were an Eye, where were the Hearing? If the whole were Hearing, where were the Smelling?

18 But now hath God set the Members every one of them in the Body as it hath pleased him,

19 And if they were all one Member, where were the Body?

20 But now are they many Members, yet but one Body.

21 And the Eye cannot say unto the Hand, I have no need of thee. nor again, the Head to the Feet, I have no need of you;

22 Nay, much more those Members of the Body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary,

23 And those Members of the Body which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant Honour, and our uncomely Parts have more abundant Comliness;

[Page 60] 24 For our comely Parts have no Need, but God hath tempe­red the Body together, having given more abundant Honour to that Part which lacked.

25 That there should be no Schism in the Body, but that the Members should have the same Care one of another;

26 And whether one Member suffer, all the Members suffer with i [...]? or one Member be honoured, all the Members rejoyce with it?

27 Now ye are the Body of Christ, and Members in parti­cular;

28 And God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles, se­condarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healing, Helps, Governments, Diversities for Tongues.

29 Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all Workers of Miracles?

30 Have all the Gifts of Healing? Do all speak with Tongues? Do all interpret?

Which I would not have set down at large, but that there be some of careless (especially in Matters they like not) that they will scarce be at the pains seriously to read over a Citation only named; and that also this being presented before the Reader in the Current of the Discourse, will fix the Nature of my Application the more in his Understanding; for the Apo­stle shews here the Variety of the Operations of the divers Members of the Body of Christ, working to one and the same End, as the divers Members of a Man's Body towards the Main­taining and upholding of the whole.

Now these are not placed in contrary Workings; for so they would destroy one another, and so the Apostle in the or­dering of them in three several kinds proves this. First, Diver­sities of Gifts. Secondly, Differences of Administrations. Third­ly, Diversities of Operations, and that which is the Bond that keeps the Oneness, here he also mentions, to wit, The same Spirit, the sam Lord, the same God; the Apostle names no­thing of Contrariety or Opposition; but lest any should be so critical, as to bring in here the School. Distinction of contra­rium oppositum, and contradictorium, I shall not deny but Con­trariety [Page 61] or Opposition in the Sense it is sometimes taken, may be found in the Body without Schism, as the comely Parts may be said to be opposite, or contrary to the uncomely, or the left Hand contrary to the right, or the Foot opposite to the Head, as the uppermost Part to the undermost, or the Doing a Thing is contrary to the Forbearing of it; but as for that which is acknowledged to be Propositiones, or Termini contra­dictorij, that is, contradictory Propositions, which are in themselves irreconciliable, whereof one must be still wrong, and that still destroy one another, and work contrary Effects, they are not at all admitted, nor supposed to be in the Body of Christ, as I shall give in one Instance, ver. 8. To one is given by the Spirit, the Word of Wisdom, to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit, First, here are two different Gifts but not contrary. Secondly, There may something like Contrariety in the Sense afore-mentioned, be here supposed, as, some may want this Gift of Wisdom and Knowledge, and so to have is contrary to want (though as to these two, none may be absolutely said to want them, yet all have them not in the same Degree, as a special Gift, though as to some Gifts there may be an absolute want, as that of Miracles, and Interpre­tation of Tongues) but should I suppose such a Cont [...]y, or more properly a Contradiction, as to Wisdom to oppose Folly, and to Knowledge Vtter Ignorance; this were an Op­position not to be admitted of in the Body, because it were false to suppose that to proceed from the same Spirit, and such Contrarieties or Diversities, as cannot justly be supposed to proceed from the same Spirit of God, which is the Bond that links together cannot be mutually entertained in the Body. So the Differences and Diversities which the Apostle admits of while he speaks largely in this Matter, is that none ought to be offended at his Brother, that he hath not the same Work and Office in the Body that he hath but that every one keep in his own Place, as God hath appointed them, that neither them that are set in a higher Place despise them that are set in a low­er, nor them that are set in a lower grudge and repine at such as are set higher, but all work in their proper Place towards [Page 62] the Edification of the whole, and that the Apostle intends this, is manifest where he draws to a Conclusion, ver. 27. Now ye are the Body of Christ and Members in particular, and God hath set some in the Church, first, Apostles, secondarily, Pro­phets, &c. and then he subsumes, Are all Apostles? &c. which the same Paul again confirms, Ephes. 4. 8, 11. to the 17th. which was the second Place I intended, and shall only mention for Brevity sake, leaving the Reader to consider of it at his Lei­sure. This is also held forth by the Beloved Disciple John in his Threefold Distinction, 1 John 2. 12, 13. Of Fathers, Young Men, and little Children, and by Peter, 1 Pet. 5. 1, 5. in that of Elders and Younger. The true Liberty then in the Church of Christ is exercised, whenas one judgeth not another in these different Places, but live in Love together, all minding the Unity and general good of the Body, and to work their own Work in their own Place; also the Forbearance of the Saints is exer­cised, whenas they judge not one another for being found in the different appearance, either of Doing or Forbearing, which may be peculiar to their several Places and Stations in the Body; for that there is & may be Diversities of Works, there is excellently well expressed by the Apostle.

Rom. 12. 3. For I say through the Grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more high­ly then he ought to think, but to think soberly, accord [...]ng as God hath dealt to every man the Measure of Faith;

4 For as we have many Members in one Body, and all Mem­bers have not the same Office:

5 So we being many are one Body in Christ, and every one Members one of another.

6 Having then Gifts differing, according to the Grace that is given to us, whether Prophecy, let us prophesie according to the Proportion of Faith,

7 Or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministring, or he that teacheth on Teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth on Exhortation: He that giveth, let him do it with Simplicity, he that ruleth, with Diligence, he that sheweth Mercy, with Cheerfulness.

[Page 63] If any then should quarrel his Brother for exercising that which belongeth to the Office of the Body, Christ hath called him to, and would force him to exercise the same Office he doth, though he be not called to it, here is a Breach of Chri­stian Liberty, and an Imposing upon it. Now all Schisms and Jars fall out in this twofold Respect, either when any Person or Persons assume another or an higher Place in the Body then God will them to be in, and so exercise an Office, or go about to perform that which they ought not to do; or whenas any truly exercising in their Place, which God hath given them, o­thers rise up and judge them and would draw them from it, both of which Cases have been, and may be supposed to fall out in the Church of Christ, as 1 Cor. 4. 3, 4. where some judged Paul wrongously. 3 John 9. where one exalting himself above his Place, judged whom he ought not. We see then what Diversities be most usually in the Church of God, consisting in the Difference of the Gift proceeding from the same Spirit, and in the divers Places that the several Members have in the same Body for the Edification of it, and every one being here in his own Station, in standing therein is his Strength & Perfe­ction, and to be in another, though higher and more eminent, would but weaken and hurt him; and so in this there ought to be a mutual Forbearance, that there may neither be a coveting nor aspiring on the one hand, nor yet a despising or condemn­ing on the other. But besides the Forbearance of this Nature which is most ordinary & universal, and for the Exercise where­of there is and will still be a need so long as there is any Gathe­ring or Church of Christ upon the Earth, there is a certain Liberty and Forbearance also that is more particular, and has a Relation to the Circumstance of Times and Places, which will not hold universally, whereof we have the Example of the primitive Church, testified by the Scriptures in two or three Particulars; the first was, in suffering Circumcision to the Jews for a time, and not only so, but also divers others of the legal and ceremonial Purifications and Customs, as may appear Acts 21. v. 21, 22, 23, 24, &c. The second was, in the Observati­on [Page 64] of certain Dayes, Rom. 14. 5. And the third, in the Abstain­ing from Meats, 1 Cor. 8. throughout; here the Apostle per­swades to and recommends a Forbearance because of the Weak­ness of some; for he sayes not any where, nor can it be found in all the Scriptures of the Gospel, that these things, such weak ones were exercised in, were things indispensibly neces­sary, or that it had been better for them they had not been un­der such Scruples, providing it had been from a Principle of true Clearness, and so of Faith.

Next again, These Acts of Forbearance were done in a Condescension to the Weakness of such upon whom the Anci­ent (and truly deserved in its season) Veneration of the Law had such a deep impression, that they could not yet dispense with all its Ceremonies and Customs; and to such the Apostle holds forth a two-fold Forbearance.

First, A certain Compliance by such Believers as were ga­thered out from the Jews, though they saw over these things, yet it was fit they should condescend somewhat to their Coun­try-men and Brethren, who were weak.

2dly, The like Forbearance in the Gentiles, not to judge them in these things; but we see that it was not allowed for such weak ones to propagate these Scruples, or draw others into them; and that whenas any of the Churches of the Gen­tiles, who wanted this Occasion, would have been exercising this Liberty, or pleading for it, the Apostle doth down-right­ly condemn it, as I shall make appear in all the three Instances above-mentioned.

First, In that of Circumcision, Gal. 5. 2, 4.

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be Circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing, Christ is become of none effect unto you: Whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from Grace

Can there be any thing more positive? Might not some here have pretended Tenderness of Conscience, and have said, Though the Decree of the Apostles do dispense with Circumcision in me, yet if I find a Scruple in my self, and a Desire to it out [Page 65] of Tenderness, why should it be an Evil in me to do it, more then in the Jews that believe? We see there is no room left here for such Reasoning.

Secondly, As to Observations, Gal. 4. 9, 10, 11. Might not they have answered, What if we Regard a Day to the Lord, must we not then? is not this thy own words? We see that did not hold here, because in them it was a returning to the Beg­gerly Elements.

Thirdly, As to Meats, 1 Tim. 4. 3. Here we see that is ac­counted a Doctrine of Devils, which in another respect was Christian-Forbearance, and therefore now, and that in the ge­neral respect, he gives this Reason, Vers. 4. For every Crea­ture of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with Thanksgiving of them that believe and know the Truth. So we see that in these particular things there is great need of Wari­ness in the Church of Christ, for that sometimes Forbearance under a Pretence of Liberty may be more hurtful then down­right judging. I suppose if any now should arise, and pretend Conscience, and claim a Liberty for Circumcision and the pu­rifications of the Law, whether all Christians would not with one Voice condemn it; and so as to Dayes and Meats, how do the Generality of Protestants judge it, though I deny not but there may and ought to be a mutual Forbearance in the Church of Christ in certain such Cases, which may fall in, and a Liberty there is in the Lord which breaks not the Peace of the true Church, but in such Matters (as I observed at large before) both the Nature of the things, the Spirit they come from, and the Occasion from whence, and their Con­sequence and Tendency is to be carefully observed.

SEeing then it may fall out in the Church of Christ, that both some may assume another place in the Body then they ought, and others may lay claim to a Liberty, and pretend Conscience in things they ought not, and that without Question the wrong is not to be tolerated, but to be testified against, however spe­cious its Appearance may be, and that it must and ought to be judged: The Question will arise, who is the proper Judge or Judges in whom resideth the Power of deciding this Controversie? and this is that which I undertook in the next Place to treat of, as being the Specifick Difference, and Distinguishing Proper­ty of the Church of Christ from all other Antichristian-Assem­blies and Churches of man's building and framing. To give a short, and yet clear and plain Answer to this Proposition, The only proper Judge of Controversies in the Church, is the Spirit of God, and the Power of deciding solely lies in it, as having the only Vnerring, Infallible and Certain Judgment belonging to it, which Infallibility is not necessarily annexed to any Persons, Person, or Places whatsoever, by Virtue of any Office, Place or Station any one may have, or have had in the Body of Christ, that is to say, that any have Ground to reason thus, because I am or have been such an Eminent Member, therefore my Judg­ment is infallible, or because we are the greatest Number, or that we live in such a Noted or Famous Place or the like, though some of these Reasons may and ought to have their true Weight in Case of Contradictory Assertions, as shall hereafter be observed, yet not so, as upon which either mainly or only the Infallible Judgment is to be placed, but upon the Spirit, as that which is the firm and unmoveable Foundation. And now if I should go on no further, I have said enough to vindicate us from Imposition, and from the Tyranny, whether of Propery, [Page 67] Prelacy or Presbytery, or any such like, we have or may be branded with, as shall after appear.

But to proceed, herein lies the Difference betwixt the Dispensation of the Law and the Gospel or New Covenant, for that of old all Answers were to be received from the Priests in the Tabernacle; for he that appeared betwixt the Cherubims there spoke forth his Mind to the People; and there was also Families of the Prophets to whom they resorted for the An­swer of the Lord (though sometimes as a Signification of the further Glory that was to be revealed, it pleased God to reveal his Mind to some even to them who were neither Prophets nor Prophets Sons) but under the Gospel we are all to be taught of God, that is, none are excluded from this Priviledge, by not being of the Tribe of Levi, or of the Children of the Pro­phets, though this Priviledge is as truly exercised in some by assenting and obeying to what God commands and reveals through others, they feeling Vnity with it in the Life, as by such who by the Revelation and Command of God's Spirit, hold forth his Will to his People in certain Particulars, which the same Spirit leads and commands them to obey: So that we say, and that with very good Ground, that it is no ways inconsistant with this Sound, and Unerring Principle, to affirm that the Judgment of a certain Person or persons in certain Cases▪ is infallible, or for a certain Person or Persons to give a positive Judgment, and pronounce it as obligatory upon others, because the Foundati­ons and Ground thereof, is not because they are infallible, but because in these Things & at that Time they were led by the In­fallible Spirit, & therefore it will not shelter any in this Respect, to pretend I am not bound to obey the Dictates of Fallible Man, is not this Popery, I not being perswaded in my self, be­cause it is not disobedient to them, but to the Judgment of Truth through them at such a Time, and one or more their not being perswaded, may as probably proceed from their being hardned, and being out of their Place, and in an Incapacity to hear the Requirings, as that the Thing is not required of them which none can deny but it may as well be supposed, as the con­trary; but for the further clearing of this Matter before I con­clude, [Page 68] I shall not doubt both to affirm and prove these follow­ing Propositions.

First, That there never will nor can be wanting in Case of Controversie, the Spirit of God to give Judgment through some or other in the Church of Christ, so long as any assembly can properly, or in any tolerable supposition, be so termed.

Secondly, That God hath ordinarily, in the communicating of his Will under his Gospel, imployed such whom he had made Use of in gathering of his Church, and in feeding and watching over them, though not excluding others.

Thirdly, That their de Facto, or effectually meeting toge­ther, and giving a positive Judgment in such Cases will not import Tyranny and Vsurpation, or an Inconsistency with the Universal Priviledge that all Christians have, to be led by the Spirit, neither will the Pretences of any contradicting them, or refusing to submit upon the account they see it not, or so excuse them from being really guilty of disobeying God. For the First, to those that believe the Scripture there will need no other Probation then that of Mat. 28, 20. And lo I am with you alway, even unto the End of the World. And ver. 18. And the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

Now if the Church of Christ were so destitute of the Spirit of God, that in Case of Difference there were not any found that by the Infallible Spirit could give a certain Judgment, would not then the Gates of Hell prevail against it? for where is Strife and Division, and no effectual Way to put an End to it, there not only the Gates, but the Courts and Inner Chambers of Darkness prevail; for where Envying and Strife is, there is Confusion, and every Evil Work; but that there may be here no Ground of mistake, or supposition that we were annexing Infallibility to certain Persons, or limiting the Church to such, I understand not by the Church, every particular Gathering or Assembly circumscribed to any particular Country or City; for I will not refuse, but divers of them, both apart and toge­ther, if not established in God's Power, may err, nor yet do I lay the absolute Stress upon the a General Assembly of Persons, as such, picked and chosen out of every one of these particular [Page 69] Churches, as if what the Generallity or Plurallity of those conclude upon, were necessarily to be supposed to be the In­fallible Judgment of Truth, though to such an Assembly of Per­sons truly stated as they ought in God's Power, he hath here­tofore revealed his Will in such Cases, and yet may, as the most probable Way (which shall be spoken of hereafter) yet such, as a meer Assembly, is not conclusive, nor yet do I un­derstand by the Church, every Gathering or Assembly of Peo­ple, who may hold Sound and True Principles, or have a Form of Truth; for some may lose the Life and Power of Godliness, who notwithstanding may retain the Form or Notion of Things, but yet are to be turned away from, because in so far (as I observed before) as Sanctification, to wit, those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus make the Church, and give the right Definition to it, where that is wholely wanting the Church of Christ ceaseth to be, and there remains nothing but a Shadow without Substance; such Assemblies then are like the dead Body when the Soul is departed, which is no more fit to be conversed with, because it corrupts and proves noisom to the living; but by the Church of Christ I understand all those that truly and really have received and hold the Truth as it is in Jesus, and are in measure sanctified, or sanctifying in and by the Power and Virtue thereof, working in their inward Parts, and this may be made up of divers distinct Gatherings or Chur­ches in several Countries or Nations; I say, so long as these or any of them do retain that which justly entitles them the Church or Churches of Christ (which they may be truly called) though there may fall out some Differences, Divisions or Schisms among them, as we may see there was no small Dis­sension in the Church of Antioch, and yet it ceased not to be a Church, Acts 15 2. and 1 Cor. 1. 11.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my Brethren, that there are Contentions among you, and yet ver [...] [...] he entitles them the Church of God them that are sanctifi [...]d in Christ Jesus. So long I say, as they truly retain this Title of the Church of Christ, as being really such there will never be wanting the certain Judgment of Truth, for which, besides the positive Pro­mise [Page 70] of Christ before-mentioned, which is not, without Blas­phemy to be called in question or doubted of. I shall add these Reasons▪ That seeing the Church of Christ is his Body, of which he is the Head, it were to make Christ negligent of his Body, who stiles himself the good Shepherd, and hath said, He will never leave nor forsake his own, or else which is worse, it would infer a possibility of Error, or Mistake in Christ, in whom, as the Head, is the Eyes of the Body, by which it is to be ruled in all things. Next we never find in all the Scripture since the Gospel, that ever this was wanting, but that God still gave infallible Judgment by his Spirit in some of the Respects above mentioned, if the Transactions and Controversies of the after Centuries be alledged, I will boldly affirm and prove, that there was never a true Judgment wanting so long as the Na­ture and Essence of the true Church was retained, if any will needs affirm otherwise, let them shew me where and I shall an­swer it, though I deny not (that after the Mystery of Iniquity did begin to work, or had so wrought, first by intermixing, and afterward by altogether forsaking the Nature of Truth, retain­ing only the bare Name of the Church) but that there might be some scattered ones here and there one in a Nation, and now and then one in an Age, who by the Power and Virtue of the Spirit of Life working in them might be truly sanctified, yet these were but as Witnesses in Sack cloth, no wayes sufficient to give these Assemblies in which they were engrossed, the Appel­lation of the Church of Christ, coming no more under Obser­vation by the Generallity, nor having as to them any more In­fluence, then some Tittle or scarcely discernable Sparks of Fire in many great Heaps and Mountains of Ashes, and thus much to prove that where there is any Gathering or Assembly, which truly and properly may be called the Church of Christ, the infallible Judgment will never be wanting in Matters of Controversie. Secondly, That ordinarily God hath in the communicating of his Will under his Gospel, imployed such whom he had made use of in gathering of his Church, and in feeding and watching over them though not excluding others; for as in a natural Body to which the Church of Christ is compared, the [Page 71] more substantial and powerful Members do work most effectu­ally, and their Help is most necessary to supply any Defect or Trouble in the Body, so also if there be Diversities of Gifts in the Church, as is above proved, and some have a greater Measure and some a lesser, these that have the greater are more capable to do good and to help the Body in its need, then others that are weaker and less powerful, since there are strong and weak, Babes and Young Men, who have overcome the Evil One, and in whom the Word of God abideth, such are more able when the Enemy besets to resist having already overcome, then o­thers who are but yet wrestling and not Conquerers. Now e­very Controversie and Dissension in the Church comes from the Besetments of the Enemy, yet if any of these Strong or Young Men, or Powerful Members go from their Station, it is not de­nied, but that they are as Weak as any, and it is presupposing their Faithfulness in their Place, that I thus affirm, and no other­wise, nor yet do limit the Lord to this Method; for in him are all the Treasures both of our Wisdom and Strength, and the wea­kest in his Hand are as strong as the strongest, who may now, as well as heretofore kill a Goliah by the Hand of little Da­vid, yet we see the Lord doth ordinarily make use of the strong to support the weak, and indeed when such as may be termed weak are so made use of, it alters the Nature of their Place, and constitutes them in a higher, and more eminent Degree; for though it was little David, it was also he that was to be King of Israel, though the Apostles were mean Men among the Jews yet they were such as were to be the Apostles of the Lord of Glory, Instruments to gather the lost Sheep of the House of Is­rael, and to proclaim the acceptable Day of the Lord; and though Paul was once accounted the Least of all the Saints, a Child born out of due Time, yet was he him who was to be the greatest Apostle of the Gentiles. Now then let us consider, whom the Lord makes use of in the Affairs of the primitive Church, and through whom he gave forth his infallible Judg­ment, did he not begin first by Peter? he was the first that spoke in the first Meeting they had, Acts 1. and who first stood up after the pouring forth of the Spirit, and who first appeared [Page 72] before the Council of the Jews, and spoke in behalf of the Gos­pel of Christ, though I am far from calling him as some do the Prince of the Apostles, yet I may safely say, he was one of the most ancient and eminent, and to whom Christ in a Manner somewhat more then ordinary had recommended the Feeding of his Flock; we see also he was first made use of in preaching to the Gentiles, and what Weight his and James's Words had in the Contest about Circumcision towards the bringing the Matter to a Conclusion, Acts 15. yet that we may see Infallibility was not inseparably annexed to him, he was found blameable in a certain Matter, Gal. 2. 11. notwithstan­ding his Sentence was positively received in many particulars: So also the Apostle Paul argues from his gathering of the Churches of Corinth and Galatia, that they ought to be Fol­lowers of him, and positively concludes in divers Things, and upon this Supposition exhort the Churches both he and Peter in many Passages heretofore mentioned (which I will not (to avoid Repetition) again rehearse, To obey the Elders that watch for them, to hold such in Reputation, and to submit them­selves to them that have addicted themselves to the Mi [...]istry of the Saints, 1 Cor. 16. 15, 16. Also we see how the Lord makes use of John his beloved Disciple to inform and reprove the seven Churches of Asia, and no doubt, John (the rest by the usual Computation being at that Time all removed) was then the most noted and famous Elder alive, and indeed I mind not where under the Gospel Christ hath used any other Method, but that he alwayes in revealing his Will, hath made use of such as he himself had before appointed Elders and Of­ficers in his Church, though it be far from us to limit the Lord so as to exclude any from this Priviledge, nor yet on the other Hand will the Possibility hereof be a sufficient Warrant to al­low every obscure Member to stand up, and offer to rule judge and condemn the whole Body, nor yet is it without Cause that such an one's Message is jealoused and called in Question, unless it have very great Evidence, and be bottomed upon some very weighty and solid Cause and Foundation. And God doth so furnish those whom he raises up in a singular Manner of which [Page 73] as I said, I mind no Instance in the New Testament, and in the old we see though it was strange that little David should oppose himself to the great Goliah, yet he had before that killed both the Lyon and the Bear which was no less improbable, and which of all is most observable, was before that Time by the Appointment of God and the Hand of the Prophet anointed King of Israel, compare the 16th and 17th chap. of the 1st of Samuel.

Now as to the Third, That any particular Persons de Facto, or effectually giving out a positive Judgment, is no Incroaching nor Imposing upon their Brethren's Conscience, is necessarily in­cluded in what is said before, upon which for further Probation there will only need this short Reflection, that for any Mem­ber or Members in Obedience to the Lord to give forth a po­sitive Judgment in the Church of Christ is their proper Place and Office, they being called to it, and so for them to exercise that Place in the Body which the Head moves them to, is not to usurp Authority over their Fellow Members, as on the o­ther Hand to submit and obey, it being the Place of some so to do, is not a renouncing a being led by the Spirit, seeing the Spirit leads them so to do, and not to obey, in Case the Judgment be according to Truth, and the Spirit lead to it, is no doubt both offensive and sinful; and that all this may be supposed in the Church of Christ without Absurdity, and so e­stablish the above mentioned Propositions will appear by a short review of the former Passages.

If that Peter and James their giving a positive Judgment in the Case of Difference in divers particul [...]rs, did not infer them to be Imposers, so neither will any so doing now being led to it by the same Authority, every one may easily make the Ap­plication, and on the contrary, if for any to have stood up and resisted their Judgment pretending an unclearness, or so, and thereby held up the Difference after their Sentence, breaking the Peace and Unity of the Church, Things being concluded with an It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, I say, if such would have given just Cause of Offence, and have been cut off as Despisers of Dignities of old, will not the like Case now [Page 74] occurring, the same Conclusion holds. Now whether those Propositions do not hold upon the Principles before laid down and proved, I leave to every Judicious and Impartiall Reader to judge.

Moreover, we see how positive the Apostle Paul is in many particulars throughout all his Epistles, insomuch as he saith, 2 Thes. ult. 14.— If any Man obey not our Word by this Epistle, note that Man, and have no Company with him, that he may be ashamed. And in many more Places before mentioned, where he commands them both to obey him and several others who were appointed (no doubt by the Spirit of God) to be Rulers among them, and yet who will say, that either the Apostle did more then he ought in commanding, or they less then they were obliged to, in submitting, and yet neither were to do any thing contrary or more then the Spirit of God in themselves led them to or allowed them in; and if the Church of God bear any Parity or Proportion now in these Dayes with what it did of old, as I know no Reason why it should not, the same things may now be supposed to take Effect that did then, and also be lawfully done upon the like Occasion proceeding from the same Spirit, and established upon the same Basis and Founda­tion; and thus much as to that Part to shew in whom the Power of Decision is, which being seriously and impartialy considered is sufficient to clear us from the Tyranny either of Popery, or a­ny other of that Nature, with those that are not either wilfully blind, or very ignorant of Popish Principles, may observe; but seeing to manifest that Difference was one of those things pro­posed to be considered of, I shall now come to say something of it in its proper Place.

WHatever Way we understand the Popish Principles in this Matter, whether of those that are most de­voted to the Sea of Rome, as the King of Spain's Dominions, & the Princes of Italy, the Jesuites and Generallity of all those cal­led Religious Orders, who hold that Papa in Cathedra non potest errare, licet absque Concilio, that is, that the Pope in his Chair cannot err, though without a Council; or of those that are less devoted, who plead this Infallibility in the Pope and Council lawfully convened, who yet by the more zealous are reckoned petty Schismaticks; I say whatever Way we take them, all those that do profess themselves Members of the Romish Church, and are so far such, as to understand their own Principles, do unquestionably acknowledge,

First, That no General Council can be lawfully called, with­out the Bishop of Rome, as Christ's Vicar and Peter's Successor, call it.

Secondly, That either he himself, or some from him, as his Legates must be there present, and alwayes preceed.

Thirdly, That the Members having Vote, are made up of Bishops, or Presbyters, or Commiss [...]oners from the several Orders being of the Clergy.

[Page 76] Fourthly, That what is concluded on by Plurallity of Votes and agreed to by the Pope and his Legates, must necessarily be supposed to be the Judgment of the Infallible Spirit.

Fifthly, That all the Members of the Church are bound im­plicitly to receive and believe it, because it proceeds from a Council to be accounted lawful in the Respects above menti­oned, without Regard to the Intrinsick or Real Truths of the Things prescribed, or bringing them in any Respect to the Test or Examination of the Spirit of God in themselves, or the Scrip­tures Testimony, or their Agreement or Disagreement with Truths formerly believed and receiv'd, for so much as to prove or try them by Way of Doubt they reckon a Breach of the first Command, as on the other Hand a matter of Merit implicitly to receive and believe them, however inconsistent with the Testimony of the Spirit in ones own Heart, Scrip­ture Truth and Reason.

Sixthly, That no Man as a member of the Church of Christ in that simple Capacity, unless a Clergy-man, or the Embassadour of some King, &c. can be admitted to sit, vote or give his Judgment.

Seventhly, that it is in no Respect to be supposed that any Members, especially Laicks, whether in a particular City, Country or Nation, may meet concerning any Things relating to the Faith and Worship of the Church, and give by the Spi­rit of God any Judgment, but that all such Meetings are to be accounted Schismatical and Unlawful. And

Lastly. That the Promise of Infallibility, and the Gates of Hell not prevailing, is necessarily annexed to the Pope and Council called and authorized in the Manner above expressed.

Now if to deny every one of these Propositions, wherein all Understanding Men know the errors & abuses of the Romish Church consist, be to be Popish, then indeed may we be suppo­sed [Page 77] to be one with the Papists in this Matter, but no otherwise; so that the very mentioning of these things is sufficient to shew the Difference betwixt us and them, but if any will needs plead our Agreement with them thus;

The Papists affirm an Infallibility of Judgment in the Church of Christ, and so do you; therefore you are one with Papists.

I answer, That proves no more our Oneness in this Matter, then if it should be said, the Papists plead that God ought to be worshipped, and so do you; therefore ye agree, notwith­standing of the vast Differences, as to that which is known not only betwixt us and them, but betwixt them and all Pro­testants, who agree more with them in the matter of Worship, then we do.

Next again, Infallibility in the Church, according as we hold it, & I have above defined it, no man upon our Supposition or Hypothesis can deny it; for since we first assert, as a Princi­ple, that no Gathering, no Church nor Assembly of People, however true their Principles be, or however exact their Form, are to be accounted the Church of Christ, except the infallible Spirit lead and guide, what can be the Hazard to say, that in such a Church there is still an infallible Judgment; in­deed this is so far from Popery, that it resolves in a Proposition quite contradictory to them: The Romanists say, That the in­fallible Spirit alwayes accompanies the Outward Visible Professors▪ and is annexed to the external Suceession of Bishops and Pastors, though ever so vitious, as to their Lives, yea, though perfect▪ Atheists and Infidels in their private Judgments For some Popes have been known to deny, or at least to doubt the Truth of the Scrip­tures, as to the Histo­ry of Christ, & to call in question the Immor­tallity of the Soul, and the Resurrection. yet if out­wardly professing the Catholick Faith and Subjection to the Church, we say on the quite contrary that where there is either Vitiousness of Persons, or Un­soundness of Judgment in the particular Members, these cannot by Virtue of any outward Call or Succession they have, or any Profession they make, or Authority they may pretend to so much or claim an Interest in any part of the [Page 78] Church of Christ: So then, if we admit none to be Members of the Church, but such as are led and guided by the Spirit, it will be no Popery in the Second Place to affirm, that where there is a Company of People so gathered (who are not any longer to retain justly the Name of the Church of Christ, then they are led and guided by his Spirit) or a Church so qualified and designed, there is still an infallible Judgment; so that this Infallibility is not annexed to the Persons, to the Succession, to the bare visible Profession, though true (which the Church of Rome is denied to be) or to any Society, because of its Profes­sion, but singly and alone to the true real and effectual Work of Sanctification and Regeneration, the New Creature brought forth in the Heart, and this is the Spiritual-Man which the A­postle faith, judgeth all Things, 1 Cor. 2. 15. To affirm there is an Infallibility here cannot well be condemned by any, or whoso doth must needs say, the Spirit of God is fallible; for we place the Infallibility in the Spirit and in the Power, not in the Persons, and so these are the Degrees we ascend by, because such and such Men are led by the Spirit of God, and are obedient to the Grace in their Hearts, therefore are they Mem­bers, Officers in the Church of Christ, and because they are Members of the Church of Christ in the Respect before declared, therefore there is an Infallible Judgment among them: We do not say, because such men profess the Christian Faith, and have received an outward Ordination, and so are by a lawful Succession, formally established Officers in the Church, when they meet together according to certain Rules above declared, there is an Infallibility annexed to their Conclusions, and they cannot but decide what is right, or rather, what they decide must needs be supposed to be right; who seeth not here a vast Disproportion?

Now we differ herein fundamentally, that is, as to the very Basis and Foundation upon which we build, and that not only from the Church of Rome, but also from the Generallity of Protestants in this matter. All Protestants do acknowledge a General Council to be useful, yea, necessary in the Case of [Page 79] Division or Debate, let us consider the Basis upon which they proceed, and the Stress they lay upon it.

First, All jointly, both the Prelatical and Presbyterial will have this Synod or Council to consist of a Convocation of the Clergy, chosen and sent from the particular Congregations, with some few laick Elders called together by the Civil Magi­strate, in case he be one in Judgment with them.

They decide by Plurallity of votes, and though they assume not an absolute Infallibility in that they reckon it possible for them to err, yet do they reckon their Decisions obligatory upon their supposed Consonancy to the Scripture, and howe­ver do affirm that the Civil Magistrate hath Power to constrain all to submit and obey, or else to punish them either by Death, Banishment, Imprisonment, Confiscation of Goods, or some other Corporal Pain, even though such be perswaded and offer to make appear, that the Decisions they refuse are contrary to the Scriptures.

And Lastly, As among the Papists, none, though otherwise confessed to be a Member of the Church, both knowing and sober, except commissionate in some of the Respects above declared, can be admitted to sit, vote and give his Judgment. Any that will be at the Pains to apply this to the Foundation I before laid of the Infallibility of Judgment, in that we may ac­count only to be truly called the Church of Christ, will easily see the great Difference betwixt us, which I shall sum up in these particulars.

First, Do we exclude any Member of the Church of Christ, that may be truly accounted so, to tell his Judgment?

Secondly, Do we say, man ought to be persecuted in his Out­wards for his disassent in Spirituals?

Thirdly, Do we plead that decision is to pass conclusive because of the plurality of Votes? And much more which the Reader may observe from what is already mentioned, which [Page 80] that it may be all more obvious at one view, will appear some­what clearly by this following Figure, which will give the Reader an Opportunity to recollect what lay heretofore more scattered.

Who will be at the Pains to compare these Three seri­ously together, I am hopeful will need no further Argu­ment to prove the Difference. But if any will further object, What if it fall out de facto, that the Teachers, Elders or Plura­lity do decide, and from thence will say, this is like the Church of Rome, and other false Churches, it will be hard to prove that to be an infallible Mark of a Wrong Judgment, as we have not said it is of a Right. And indeed, to conclude it were so, would necessarily condemn the Church in the Apostles dayes, where we see the Teachers and Elders, and so far as we can ob­serve, the greater number did agree to the Decision, Acts 1. 15. for if the thing be right, and according to Truth, it is so much the better that the Elders and greater Number do agree to it; and if wrong, their affirming of it will not make it right: And truly, a [Page 83] Gathering, where the Elders and greater Number are always or most frequently wrong, and the younger and lesser Number right, is such as we cannot suppose the true Church of Christ to be; and if any will plead, that there is now no infallible Judgment to be expected from the Spirit of God in the Church, it no doubt will leave the Dissenters as much in the Mist, and at as great a loss as those they dissent from, both being no bet­ter then blind men, hitting at random, which will turn Christ­anity into Sceptism; and though we may acknowledge, that this Uncertainty prevails in the generality of those called Churches, yet we do firmly believe, (for the Reasons above declared, and that for many more that might be given) That the true Church of Christ has a more solid stable Foundation, and being never separated from Christ, her Head, walks in a more Certaiu, steady and Unerring Path.