1. As to the Propositions, they are These.

1. Prop: GOD out of his Infinite Wisdom and Goodness, has ap­pointed a Gospel Ministrie and Ordinances, to be continued in His Church to the end of the World, for making Disciples, for the perfecting of the Saints, for edifying of the Body of CHRIST, and for ruling and taking care of the Church, Matth: 28.19, 20. Eph: 4.11, 12.

2. Prop: It is not the pregnant Parts, the excelling Gifts, nor the flourishing Graces of any Ministers that conferrs a Vertue to GODS Ordinances to make them effectual, it's only the in­ward Workings and Power of the Spirit of GOD, accompany­ing outward Administrations, in fulfilment of GODS Gracious Promise, Isa: 55.11. 1 Cor: 3.5, 6, 7. Who then is Paul? &c.

3. Prop: It is presumable and to be rationally supposed, that knowing Godly and Judicious Ministers understand the Contra­versies and Concerns of Religion better then the People, special­ly those who are illiterate, and not capable to use these Helps and Means of Understanding, which painful Ministers are dayly improving, Mal: 2.7. The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth. Matth: 13.52. 1 Tim: 4.13, 15, 16. 2 Tim. 2.15. Pray let me not be mistaken here, as if I did hence infer, that learned Men hoc ipso, or on the account [Page 5] that they are learned, and have gifts or parts paramount to what the Vulgar can claime, therefore are to be esteemed the best men, or the most Orthodox, and faithful to the Interests of Religion; for the contrare has been to palpable in all the ages of the Church, that many has abused their Literature and Wits, to the dammage and prejudice of Religion: And it has been also known, that some common People, who could not set off their plain meanings in the learned terms of Art, yet have expres­sed their Conceptions as to the main things of Religion, with more savor and spiritual Sagacity, then many learned Clerks; but my meaning here is, that ceteris paribus, or being evens o­therwise, that is, where Ministers are Pious and Conscientious, as well as Intelligent and Judicious, surely with this odde of Advantage, (it may be safely said) that they understand the Concerns of Religion, better than the unlearned People.

4. Prop: All Pastors and People are not of alike reach and attainments, in light, strength, Solidity of Judgement, and other Christian Perfections, there are strong Men, and there are Babes in Christ, there are Tollerably well Learned, and there are who are ever Learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; there is no doubt but various tempers, and capacities, various Gifts and Graces, various Interests and Projects, and In­numerable other various Circumstances, may Occasion several Persons thus stated to vary and differ in their Conceptions and Sentiments about somethings in Religion, (where yet on all sides there may be honesty in the main) the which differences in Judgement, should not make alienation of affection, nor Interrupt Christian communion where there is agreement & Unanimity in the Grand Articles of Faith. Rom: 14.2.5.19. 1 Cor: 8.1.27.13.12.13. Phil: 3.15. Hence sayes Mr. Gillespie Miscel: qu: p: 142. I dare not appropriat the Name of the Godly party to these who are free from any of the errors of the times, those that are truely Godly may in diverse things differ in their Opinion, every error is not Inconsistent with Holiness. And Mr. Durham in his Book of Scandal p: 284. Speaking of differences among good People, sayeth he, There is no question many might go to Heaven, with such differences on both sides, for we will find them continue zealous in such (Differences) even to Death; neither ought this to be thought strange, for the best but know in part, and are subject to mistakes, &c. And Mr. Rutherfoord is also particular to the same purpose, Dispute against Libertie of Conscience [Page 6] Epist: to the Reader, sayes he, We cannot think but all Saints in this side of Glory carry to Heaven with them errors, mistakes, and Prophesying in part, and the Fairest Stars and lights in this Lower Firmament of the Church are Clouded, &c. One Suit­able passage more I think worth Inserting here, which I find in a Printed Letter of the Presbyterian Ministers in London, present­ed to the Westminster Assembly, January 1. 1645. By reason of different Lights and differing sights among Brethren, there may be dissenting in opinions, yet why should there be any separating from Church Communion? The Churches Coat may be of diverse Colours, yet why should there be any Rent in it?

5. Prop. Neither Pastors nor People are able so singly, so Prudently, nor so diligently as they ought to Discharge all their respective duties: Who is sufficient for those things; 2 Cor. 2.16▪ Rom. 7.18, 19. So that neither should Pastors nor People rashly and uncharitably suspect, Challenge or censure one ano­ther, for if both will Impartialy and seriously search themselves, it will soon be found that on all hands, there is too much guilt of negligence and being defective in doing duties. Let us often remember our LORDS saying: Mat. 7.5.

6. Prop: The disrespect and misbehaviours of People towards GODS Ministers, whom he hath sent & Sealed, their Master and Patron will resent as done against himself, for they are his Em­bassadours, his Messengers, cloathed with his authority, so that GOD Himself is toutched and dishonoured with the affronts done to his Servants; Luk. 10.16. He that despiseth you despiseth me, &c. I say not this as if I imagined, the quality & Character of a Minister should shelter or excuse him if he malverse or mis­behave either against the Holy Laws of GOD, or just Laws of Men, for of all men on GODS Earth, a scandalous and pro­phane Minister is the basest and most Contemptible, hateful to GOD and all good men; but my meaning is that when any Per­sons do contemptuously abuse, injure or discourage the Ministers of CHRIST for their works sake, or when in the due discret management of it: Surely GOD will notice and punish such. 2 Chron. 36.15, 16, 17.

7. Prop: It is an unspeakably great blessing (to be prized above all other mercies) to enjoy the opportunity of Gospel ordinances in plenty and purity; Compare your condition with theirs who never heard of a Saviour, never heard a Gosple Preaching, never [Page 7] saw the Bible, but worship Sun, Moon, and Stars, yea Divels for their Deities: And compare also with those places of Ma­chumitan darkness, that were sometimes light in the LORD, and had the Candle of the Gospel Shining brightly among them. Psal: 147.19.20 Luk 1.68.78.79. O I say be humble and thankful ye that have the Gospel in peace and plenty: for as Mr. Burrough layes, heretofore ye would have been glad of that which now you slight and reject, this is not from more light and strength, that ye have now which ye had not then, but from more vanity, pride, and wantonness; Irenicum. p: 182.

8. Prop: Both Ministers and People must answer to GOD, how they have minded and managed their respective duties. Matt: 7.22. Luk. 13.23. 2 Tim 4 14. Heb. 13.17.

The second point is to Informe you of the Duties of People to their Pastors.

1. They should consult him in all their scruples doubts, and hard dark Cases, so that when they are truely troubled and un­clear about their Soul and Conscience concerns, They should be­take themselves to their Minister, with an earnest desire to be taught, and a single resolution humbly to comply with his Godly Counsels and directions, but see they be weighty Cales, and also that that they be your own and such as may tend to e­difying, rather then to nourish curiosity; Mal: 2.7. Phil 1.7. 1 Sam: 9.9. Before time in Israel, when a man came to inquire of GOD, thus he spake, come and let us go to the Seer, for he that is now called a Prophet, was beforetime called a Seer. And Ministers may be called Seers, in regard they may see and have further insight into cases of Conscience, then some others, especialy they whom GOD hath trained up in variety of exercise themselves.

2. People should honour and reverence their Ministers; Pas­tors are spiritual Parents, and Ecclesiastick Rulers, and ye know that honour is due to superiors; I say ye should put all due notes of respect upon your Pastor, not only on the account of his e­minency of Gifts and Graces (which in their own Room deserve esteem) but for the dignity of his Calling, & the preferment that the GOD of Heaven has put upon him, he is called GODS Embassador, a Steward of the mystries of the Kingdom, the messenger of the LORD of Hosts, an Angel of the Churches, and surely to dispise or disparage such is a manifest Contempt, both of the Divine precept and pattern. 2 Cor: 5 20 1 Cor. 4.1. Mal. 2.7. Rev: 1.20.

3. People should love their Pastors, and on all occasions give suitable expressions of the true and tender affection they owe unto them: If affection cool, edifications gone, and all likeliehood of profiting under that Ministers labours, let him preach never so Powerfuly or pertinently, I say if once love to his person be withdrawn none of his performances will relish or affect; pray consider the Tye betwixt Minister and People, it hath in several respects a near resemblance to a marriage union and oblidge­ment, and as they in so closs a relation should love one ano­ther, so proportionably should the other discharge the alike duty, arising from an Ecclesiastick marriage and union, 1 Thess. 5.12.13.

4. People should obey their Pastors and receive their charges and commands with a due Deference and Observance, not as being the Word of a Man but as it is in truth the Word of GOD. 1 Thess: 2:13. Our Text tells us Ministers are Rulers, and also they who are ruled should obey; Ministers should not be looked on as Men only Vested with human Qualities, being ly­able to Errours, Mistakes, Infirmities and Eruptions of their peevish Passions, even as others (the covering of Love and Cha­rity should be cast over these) But what of GOD they represent, both on the account of their Commission, and their faithfull dis­charge of the same, conform to their sacred Instructions, that I say is mainly to be respected in them, and so they being the speaking Trumpets of the GOD of Heaven, what of the Voice and Will of GOD they are Instruments to express, should for GOD 'S sake, their Masters sake, be readily received and obse­quiously observed.

5. People should humbly submit to their Ministers in the Dis­pensation and seasonable application of all the Ordinances of the Lord: I mean not they should implicity subject their Judge­ment to all their Dictats and Sentiments without Examination, for we know none that possess an infallible Chair, and certain­ly all the People of the LORD have a Judgement of Discretion allowed them, which they should excercise in trying the Spirits whether they be of GOD, yet People are not hereupon li­centiously and vainly to carp at every thing Ministers say, but except there be very great and clear Reasons in the contrar, they should give a due deference to their Ministers Opinion and Judgement in what he teaches or says; and as they should sub­mit to him in the doctrinall part of his Ministry, so also in the [Page 9] disciplinary part, meekly taking with just and reasonable admo­nitions or Rebukes, whether more publick or privat; Considering that he is vested with authority and charge upon his peril to re­buke as well as exhort; 1 Tim. 5.20, 21. 2 iTm. 4:2, 3.

6. People should vindicat their Ministers from injurious ca­lumnies, and unjust Reproaches; the Pastors credit should be the Peoples care; and his integrity and innocency, their glory and joy: not only should ye be concerned this way because he is your Minister, or of your acquaintance, &c. but for the Gos­pels sake; for there is no greater or more effectual Ingine of Sa­tan (the accuser of the Brethren) for obstructing the progress of the Gospel, then to bring the Ministers thereof into discredit, and who ever are Satans Tooles in promoving this his plot, GOD knows it had better for them, that the first day they were heard speak, the buriall bell had been heard tolling for them; there­fore it is the Concern of all good Christians to ward of what Tongue-Lashes may be reached against the Reputation of Mi­nisters. Acts 23.5. 1 Tim. 5.19: Jam: 4.11.

7. People should cheerfully render to Ministers all their just Rights and dues provided for their honest & comfortable main­tainance, and be every way steedable to them for their help and encouragement: Though as we said, they are the Angels of the Churches, yet we would have you consider it is of the Church Militant in this World, and they cannot live like the trium­phant Angles of Glory without meat and drink, no more then civil Rulers, though they be called gods; And seeing they are sequestrate from Worldly Imployments, whereby they might advance their Secular Interests and Wealth, as well as other men, and are set apart to attend and serve at the Altar, it is most just they should live of the things of the Altar; But we will not insist further on this point, lest it be thought we are pointing at our own Profits, but as we should give unto Caesar, that which is Cae­sars, so should we give unto GOD that which is GODS, of which dues Ministers dues are a part, as is clear, Num: 18.20.21.24. 1 Cor: 9:13:14▪ Gal: 6:6.

8 People should help Ministers with their prayers, for the LORDS Sake remember your Pastors before the LORD: Pray that GOD will give them the Spirit of their Calling, pray that he'le bestow on them gifts and graces, pray that he'le give them strength and courage, pray that he'le give them spi­ritual [Page 10] Wisdom, and godly Zeal, for they have varieties of hu­mors, and difficult cases to meddle with, pray that he'le bless and prosper their labours, even pray that GOD will be with them in their Closets, in their Pulpits, in their Converses, and in all their Performances: O Sirs! I say pray, pray for poor Ministers, there is none has more need of help then they, none has more need of a lift, for heavy, heavy is the Charge that lyes upon them, so that if the everlasting Armes be not underneath them (which ye are to implore) they will sink down under the Pressure of it, pray, pray for Ministers, for they have Needs, Wants, Weaknesses, Passions, and a carnal deceitful heart to wrestle with like other men, pray for them for their Stock is not in their own hand, seek then to him who hath the seven Spirits of GOD, that he will dispense to them, what may be needful to be dispensed to you, and if there were no more but your own Interest, methinks this should have some weight with you, for the more he receives from the LORD the more of the LORDS hath he to give unto you, therefore I say pray, pray for Mini­sters, 2 Thes: 3.2. Heb: 13.18.

The third Point, is to reach a Reproof to some who are Blame worthy.

1. They are reproveable who incroach upon, or evacuate the Right and Authority of Ministers, which the Mediator has doted and endued them with, and which of his own good plea­sure he so shared among them, that by his Authentick Grant and Commission, they stand in a Just parity of power and Juris­diction, so that the incroachments of civil Magistrats by an E­rastian Supremacy come into be taxed here. As also, the Hie­rarchical Prelacy, whereby Bishops pretend a claim of superiority of order and Jurisdiction above the Ministers of CHRIST, from which GOD be thanked we are now freed; There comes also to be challenged here a kind of popular supremacy, that some un­skilful and unduetiful People have a humour to aspire after, taking too much upon them, in meddling with matters too high for them, we will not point at specialities, but I w [...]sh that Peo­ple did understand their own Station, of being the Ruled and Watched over, and that they may keep within their own sphere of Activity, least they give the Arke of GOD a wrong touch.

2. They are reprovable who take up groundless petts and prejudices at Ministers; the truth is, the weakness and mistakes of many well meaning People is to be pitied and lamented: But place, when such persons arrive at offensive practices, that have a- [Page 11] manifest tendency to destroy all order and peace in the Church, it becomes mighty straitning what course to take with them, so as neither to suffer them to run to greater Errors, or not to pro­voke them to despise all Ordinances; And consequently the Authority of the Ministry; for if once cloudy prejudices o­vercast their minds, 'tis neither the Reason or Rhetorick of the best of Divines will dispel their darkned thoughts, for that which is to be taxed in them (among other things) as their sin (in be­ing picked or prejudged) is their plague too, that will not let them see their sin, or understand their errors, GOD pitty and help them whose sad case this is, Gal: 4.16.

3. They are reproveable who misconstrue Ministers, either in their Sermons or Practices, and this ordinarly follows upon the former, for where once prejudice takes place, the perverse in­fluence and tincture of this black humour too commonly pre­vails to make them affix the blackest sense and gloss upon the Ministers sayings and doings, if not sometimes the quite contrar to what he ever either meaned or minded. Hense sayes Mr. Borrough, we are bound to give the best Interpretation upon our Bre­thers Actions we can, if they be not apparently ill, we must rather wrong our selves by thinking too well of them, then wrong them by thinking too ill of them. Irenicum p: 96. And sayes Mr. Durham, we come now to consider what occasional means may have influence upon this division a­mong Godly men, and such may be, First some tale-bearers, and se­creet whisperers, who may have much influence to alienate good mens affections, by misrepresenting the words and actions of o­thers, &c. Of scandale p: 277. I glanced before in the fourth Proposition, that neither Ministers nor People, are all of alike standard and stature in their light and judgement; some have a freedom to say and to do that which others mightily scruple, some are ready to judge that duty, which others reckon to be sin, as one saith,

But so long as the ground of different Opinions is things indiffe­rent, or that less concerns the essentials of Religion, I beseech you for GODS sake, do not misjudge or misconstrue one ano­ther, but forbear one another in Love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Eph: 4:23: To which purpose saith Mr. Allan, Hold communion in the things where­in you agree, and charity wherein you differ: Vind: piet: 2: piet: p: 142. see also Green-hil on Ezek. 11.19 p: 411.

4. They are reproveable who cast at Ministers on slender and frivolous accounts; O 'tis great and weighty Reasons, that should make people withdraw from the Ministry of their Pas­tors, to whom they have given their hand, and should give their Heart, the mischief of such rash adventurs is not conceive­able; O that GOD would discover the greatness of this too common and grievous, yet slighted sin. But ah! when people faird this sin with the fancy of duty, it's hard, hard, and only for GODS Handling to cure such a distemper; however, if it may haply prove an ingredient in the cure (through GODS Bles­sing) to tell you what are insufficient grounds of withdrawing from a Gospel Ministry, behold in the following Considerations, I'le in part inform you.

1. Ministers should not be cast at for their Faithfulness and Freedom in the seasonable Reprehension, of the Vices, Errors, and Faults, either of great or small, Godly or wicked, or of any fort of People or party, Ministers should neither cowardly ne­glect to tell the greatest persons their abominations, nor partially decline to tell the greatest Professours, their extreems and ex­travagancies (providing all be done with prudence and to edi­fication) I doubt not but there is a culpable failzure among Ministers, in not declaring the whole Council of GOD upon the one hand, as well as upon the other: An Ambassadour of Christ should speak boldly as he ought to speake, Isa. 58:1.2: Eph: 6.20. Hence says Mr. Baxter, A sinful humouring of rash Profossours, is as great a temptation to Godly Ministers, as a sinful compliance with the great ones of the World. Cure of Church, Divis: p: 394:

2. Ministers should not be cast at for the weakness of their gifts, for as we have demonstrated before 2. Prop: The desirable success of Ordinances depends not on the Qualification of the Administrators, but on the Blissing of that GOD, who by all His own Means, accomplishes all His own Ends, and some­times by the weakest and least promising Instruments GOD Atchieves the greatest Gospel fates, that the excellency of the power may be seen to be of GOD and not of Men, and I will not say but upon the contrar to, the ablest of Ministers may be cast at by some, for the Vulgar are not very discreet, or competent Judges of. Ministers, abilities, being many times pickets and choisers of Ministers, more one the account of ho­mologating their Sentiments in some contraversal Oppinions, then either for their Gifts and Graces, or their integrity and pru­dence, [Page 14] & are often more affected with such kind of Subjects, then more useful seasonable and momentuous-Doctrines, so that af­fection swayes them more then Judgement, as one sayes;

Most more partial zeal, affection blind, are rapt and rul'd, then a Judicious mind

3. Ministers should not be cast at for every personal fault, or e­sape in their conversation, there is no perfection here away, He is lifeless that's faultless, pray who of the Patriarchs, who of the pro­phets, or who of the holy Apostles of Christ without their blots and blamishes, and some of them had verie foul ones too? Yet GOD himself (who is Glorious in holiness) both employed them, and willed others to receave his will and ordinances from them, as from himself; Have a care ye be not righteous over­much, or in seperating either in affection or fellowship from any of the Ministers or people of GOD, to whom a Holy GOD gives his presence. To which purpose sayes Mr. Allan, excom­municate not them from you, excommunicat not your selves from them, with whom CHRIST holds Communion; Judge not that CHRIST withdraws from all those who are not in every thing of your mind and way: destroy not all Communion, by seeking after a purer, than in this our imperfect state, we shall ever attain, &c. Vind: Pietat: 2 Pt: p: 142. And sayes Mr. Rutherfoord. The faults of the Guides are not your faults who are private Members, you are to keep publick Communion in the publick ordinances of CHRIST, &c. peaceable Plea: p: 98. And let me suggest here, That whatever may be the faults of Ministers either real or supposed, yet people are not to set up a Chancery court in their own Bosomes, to canvass, censure and sentence Ministers and there faults, GOD is a GOD of order, and hath wisely appointed, Courts, Laws, Rulers or Officers, that in an orderly authoritative way, & according to the due Di­vine steps of procedure, they that give Just offence to the Church of GOD (whether they be Ministers or people) may be taken notice of and censured, suitable to the nature and degrees, of their known guilt, for if every body shall rashly and rudely usurp this part of the Ministerial Function, we should soon see A­narchie and confusion in the Church and that either there shall be no Ministers, or else every body turn Ministers at pleasure, and not only small faults severely and greatly censured, but faults made where there are none; yea and some for doing duty lashed as criminals; Eccles: 7.20: John 16:20: Jam: 5:17: Mat: 17:15, 16.

4. Ministers should not be cast at, because rejected of men, Christ and his Apost­les were cast at by the Rulers of their time, and sometimes even they of whom better things might be expected, may cast at very eminent Ministers and that most unrigh­teously and unreasonably.

5. Ministers should not be cast at for their Youth-hood, I am not to state a Compa­rison betwixt old Ministers and young, all are duely to be respected, honoured, and loved for their Works sake, when they behave soberly and conscienciously; tho I think venerable old Age deserves a grain of Allowance, because it is to be suppo­sed that (ceteribus Paribus) they have most experience and understanding, but as Youth-hood is no Vice, so neither is old Age a Virtue. 1 Tim: 4.12: Tit. 2 15.

In the last plac: I come to some Cautions. 1. Have a care of dividing principles and practices, or packing parties in Israel, ye know the Matchiavellian Maxime di­vide et impera, first divide then rign Rrenting makes way for running, and it is a sad Truth, that sometimes even the Saints of GOD, this way, are the Devils servants, for when once Satan gets the Church crumbled into parties, under specious and plau­sible pretences of respect to the Interests of Truth, he ordinarly employes those di­vided Factions to spend their Zeal and Witts against one another, upon which their unavoidably follows a renting of the Church with wages of Heroun Timber, And O! but it be sad to think upon, that as Mr. Vines, speaks of some Light and Inconstant People as he calls them who are still upon the Wing to practise separation, says he There are many make but a Humour of it, being ignorant of the greatness of the sin of renting assunder the Union and Unity of the body of Christ, Vines of the Lords Supper. C. 20, P. 261 And so grievous a sin this is, and has so many mischivous Con­sequences that it would take a Volumn to tell them in Number and Order, but that ye may have a brief passing View, it cannot be more compendiously performed, then in a few lines out of Mr. Allein; The Reproach of the Gospel, the hardning of the perverse, the stumbling of the weak, the hindering of Edification, the pro­moting of Confusion, and every evil work, Pride and Haughtiness. Vanity and wantonness, envy and uncharitableness, &c: Are the sad effects of our divisions, Vind piet: 2. pt: p: 138. I will say no more of those whose genius leads them to rent­ing and dividing, but only usurp a prayer that one makes.

Here I take occasion to require thee, seriously to peruse Durham on Scandal, especially the 4th. part.

2. Have a care ye do not too credulously entertain ill reports of Ministers, some­times the prophane are ready to do so, to excuse and extenuate their own Impieties, sometimes unwarry Professors are ready to do so, especially if the misrepresented Ministers be not of their way in every punctilio, Psal. 15.3.

3. Have a care of Zeal without Knowledge, or being too Zealous for ye know not what, with not a few their wrath goes before their wits, and fumes of passion pass for flames of Zeal, and see your Zeal be not too great for smal things, as Mr. Allan sayes, In matters Circumstantial, be not over hasty in stamping a jus divinum, on things disputable and doubtful; put no more weight nor a greater necessity on any thing than GOD hath evidently put on it, and spend no more of your Zeal about it than is proportion­able to its weight and evidence: Vind: piet: 2: pt: 140. I am not for disproving Godly Zeal, for surely there is none of the graces of more stead sometimes than purely spiritual Zeal, tempered with sound knowledg & iust Moderation, Rom: 10.2.3. Gal. 4.18

4. Carefully guard against spiritual pride and self conceit, be not proud of your gifts, graces, or any Christian attainments, for thus you make a bad use of the best things, and are foolish to the boot, in boasting of that which is not your own, 1 Cor. 4.7. And neither be proud of your sufferings for a profession of Religion, some have suffered for Religion, who have made Religion to suffer; some has suffered for Religion in times, who will suffer for their Irreligion to Eternity; The LORD grant Humility, VVisdom, Love, and Charity may be the Ornaments of Christians, and that there may be many thus Qualified Christians, to be the Orna­ [...] [...]