CHURCH REFORMATION, Tenderly handled IN four SERMONS, Preached at the weekly Lecture in the Parish Church of Great Yarmouth.  
By John Brinsley.  MAT. 3. 12. 
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor.  

IT is the first day of June, Anno Domini, 1643.  
Ordered by the Committee of the House of Commons in PARLIAMENT concerning Printing, That this book entitled (Church-Reformation) be printed.  
JOHN WHITE.   
LONDON, Printed by G. M. for John Burroughes, at the sign of the Golden-Dragon, near the Inner-Temple Gate in Fleetstreet, M. DC. XLIII.   

TO ALL THE sons OF PEACE In the Church of ENGLAND, Especially those in the town of Great Yarmouth, Grace and Peace.  
WHen I entered upon the seventh Verse of this Chapter, (for there I first broke ground) I cannot say, that it was my purpose to have followed the Baptist to the end of his Sermon. But Providence leading me along, it hath now brought me to the Borders, the middle clause of the l●● Verse of it▪ Which when I fell in hand with, I can say, that it was far from my thoughts to make my Meditations thereon any further public, then as the Pulpit rendered them. But finding the Subject seasonable for the times, I have been induced to comply with the desires of some▪ and approbations of others, in sending them abroad, as Noah once did his Dove out of the ark, when the Earth was covered with waters. What entertainment they shall meet with, or what return they will make, as I know not, so neither am I overthoughtfull. It is enough for me, that I have endeavoured herein to please God and not men, otherwise then in him, and for him. My desires (I confess) have been, and are, that this my service, (if possible) might be acceptable to all. However, being a Service for Jerusalem▪ I doubt not but it shall be so to you, and all those who pray for the peace thereof; whose I am and ever shall be  
Only in the Lord John Brinsley.   

Church REFORMATION. THE I. SERMON: April 12. 1643▪  Matth. 3. 12. 
And he will throughly purge his floor.]  
THe whole verse is a plain and familiar, but elegant Allegory, under which the Baptist setteth forth unto us the sovereign Authority of Jesus Christ, with the Exercise of that Authority. His Authority, in the first words. Whose fan is in his hand. The Exercise of that authority in the sequel of the verse; which is set forth unto us, first, more Generally, over his whole Church; He will throughly purge his floor. Then more Particularly, towards his Elect▪ by way of mercy, He will gather his wheat into his Garner. Towards Reprobates and unbelievers, by way of Judgement. He will burn up the chaff, &c.  
It is the second of these that my eye is upon at the present, (having already insisted upon the former) viz. the Exercise of Christ's sovereign authority in general, over and upon his whole Church: He will throughly purge his floor.  
Here by way of Explication, and Illustration, two main particulars are to be unfolded:  
1. What is that floor which Jesus Christ will Purge?  
2. How that floor of his shall be Purged. At this time of the first of these.  

Christ▪ floor, what?  H ● floor.] To tell you what a floor is, were needless, whe●her the house-floor, or the barn-floor: Both well enough known. We have here to deal with the latter of these. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, aream, the barn-floor: viz▪ the place where the Husb●n●●an useth to Thresh, and fan, and Winnow his corn.  

Generally, this inferior world, which is.  ay, bu● what is Christ's floor? An. The whole World, (say some) viz. this inferior World. And not unfitly may it be so called (saith Aretius.) A floor, and Christ's floor.  
Being first the Substratum, the lowest part of the 
A floor▪ being the pavement of God's house.  world. Such is a floor, whether the House or barn-floor, it is the lowest part of the room, the Pavement: such is this in●eriour world wherein we live, the Pavement of God's house, or barn. Adhasit Pav●mento, so the vulgar Latin readeth that of the Psalmist. Psa. 119. 25▪ My soul eleaveth to the dust, to the earth, to the Pavement. Compare the whole world to a House or barn, Heaven is the Roo●e, Earth is the floor, a floor for scite and situation.  
Secondly, and principally, a floor, and Christ's 
Christ's floor; where he exerciseth divers pieces of his husbandry up on his corn.  floor, for the use that he puts it to, which is analogically▪ by way of resemblan●e, the ●ame with that which the Husbandman maketh of his floor. The floor (as I told you) is the place where the husbandman exerciseth those pieces of husbandry upon his corn; Threshing, Fanning, Winnowing it. Such a floor is this present world. Palaestr● est i● quâ Christus suos exer●●t, saith Aretius. It is the place wherein Christ exerciseth his Church, and people with Affliction, Tribulation. In the world ye shall have Tribulation, 
John 10. verse last.  (saith our Saviour to his Disciple●) {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Pressuram habebiti●. Ye shall have Pressur●s, Tribulations, and that of divers kinds. To follow the Metaphor close. Here is Threshing, here is Fanning, here is Winnowing, all to be met with in this floor, this present world.  
1. Threshing. In the barn-floor, the straw and 
Threshing.  the corn, both are threshed together, and that with the same flail. In this present world, God's own People, and his Enemies both are Threshed. His Enemies, wicked and ungodly men, which are as the straw in this floor, they are threshed with plagues and judgements, which are the strokes of God's flail, 
Isaiah 25. 10.  of his revenging justice. Moab shall be threshed under him, even as the straw is threshed, (so the Geneva readeth that of the Prophet Isai.) Isaiah 25. Moab, all the Enemies of God and his Church, they are as Straw, and as Straw oft times they are threshed, even beaten to pieces. And as the Straw, so the corn; as God's Enemies, so his own people they also sometimes feel of the flail here: I the same flail, being exercised with the same judgements, the same calamities, the same for kind, for substance. Moab is threshed, and Israel is threshed. 
Isaiah 21. 10.  O my Threshing! or Thou whom I do thresh, saith the Lord, speaking of his own people, his Israel, as some interpret it. Isaiah 21. 10. Them God thresheth ofttimes with his own hand; sometimes leaving them to Satan and his Instruments to be threshed by them, by the exercises of cruel●ie upon them. They have threshed 
Amos 1. 3.  Gilead with threshing instruments of iron, so the Prophet Amos complaineth of the horrid cruelties exercised by bloody enemies upon the people of the Lord. Amos 1. 3. Well may this world be called a floor, here is Threshing. In the world ye shall have Tribulation, Threshing, as the word [Tribulation] properly signifieth.  
2. And secondly there is Fanning, and that with 
Fanning.  the fan, the cross, whereby God often scattereth 
Ie● 15. 7.  his own people to and fro upon the earth. I will fan them with a fan in (or through▪) the gates of the land. upon this I have insisted largely already in handling the former part of the verse.  
3. And thirdly, here is winnowing too. God winnoweth 
Winnowing.  his people. I will sift (or winnow) the house of Israel amongst, all nations like as corn is sifted (or winnowed) with a sive. Amos 9 9 God winnows, and by his permission Satan winnows them. Simon, Simon, (saith our Saviour) Satan hath desired to have you to winnow you; or sift you. Luke 22. 31. God winnows, and Satan winnows, both by the wind of Tentations. God by Tentations of Probation, Satan by Tentations of Seduction; the one for the trying, purging; the other for the scattering, destroying of them. All these pieces of husbandry doth this great Husbandman exercise in this inferior world upon his corn, his Church and people, and therefore well may it be called a floor, his floor.  

Tribulations here not to be wondered at.  A meditation not unuseful: Let it serve to stay the hearts of God's people in respect of the many and manifold pressures and tribulations that here they meet with upon earth. Alas, can they look for other, considering the place and condition they are in? They are God's corn, I, but as yet they are as corn in the floor. O my threshing (saith the Lord) and the corn of my floor. Isaiah 21. 10. Filius Areae, so the original Hebrai●me hath it, The son of my floor. God's people, his Saints, even whilst they are here, they are sons. Behold, now are we the sons of God, saith S. John 3. 2. sons, but filij Areae, not Apothecae; sons, or corn of the floor, not of the Garner. Now corn, whilst it is in the floor, it must look for no quiet: that is reserved for the Garner. God's corn, his Saints, when they shall be laid up in his Garner, received into those heavenly mansions, then shall they enter into their rest, a perfect 
Heb 4. 9, 10.  rest, where they shall never more feel of the flail, or the fan, or the sive. All these are for the floor. And let not any wonder to meet with them there. think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, saith 
1 Pet 4. 12.  S. Peter: what ever our trials be, what for nature, what for number; are we threshed, fanned, winnowed, make not strange of it; remember the place where we are, and the condition we are in, whilst we are here below, we are like corn upon the floor. But I will not dwell here.  

The floor shall be purged.  This World is Christ's floor, and this floor he will purge, throughly purge. This will he do at that last and great day, when he shall come from Heaven with the fan in his hand, (the fan of the last Judgement) then will he purge this inferior World from all the dross of corruption which now cleaveth to it, delivering it from the bondage of corruption, to which it is now made subject through the sin of Man, and under which it groaneth, as the Apostle hath it, Rom. 8. 21, 22. Then making a new Heaven, and a new Earth, 
Rev. 21. 1.  a new roof, and a new floor to this house of his. But to let this pass, not being the mark I aim at.  


Christ's floor, more specially is his Church visible.  
Aquin. ad locum.   By the floor here, more properly and peculiarly we are to understand the Church. Not the World, but the Church in the world, that is, the floor; For (as Thomas well noteth it out of Chrysostom) if we will drive the allegory to the head, the World must be the wide field. So our Saviour interprets it, Mat. 13. 38. The field is the world.] The floor here properly is the Church of Christ in this world.  
The Church. But what Church? why the visible Church of Christ upon earth. The visible Church; 
The visible Church what.  what is that? A society, or company of men and women, called out of the world to the knowledge and acknowledgement of the true God in Christ. A company of men professing faith and obedience: faith in Christ, obedience to Christ: professing to receive Christ as their Prophet, Priest, King. Their Prophet, to be taught by him: their Priest to be reconciled to God through him: their King to be ruled and governed by him: This is the visible Church; which is either universal or particular. Universal, the whole company of such as profess the gospel throughout the whole world. Particular, such as profess the gospel in such a Nation, such a Province, such a city, such a town, such a Family; Every of which in several considerations and respects, may be called a Church. Not only the Church, in such a Family; (The Church that is in thine house, Philem. 2.) or the Church in such a town, such a City: (The Church at Corinth, at Philippi, &c.) But the Church in such a Province, such a Nation; wherein, though there may be many particular Congregations and Churches, yet they may be called one Church; and that not without some warrant from Scripture. St. Peter writing to the Churches dispersed 
1 Pet. 1. 1.  through several Countries, viz. through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia, (as the 1. vers. 
1 Pet. 5. 2.  of his Epistle directs it) he yet speaketh of them singularly, calling them one flock: Feeds the flock of God which is amongst you; It is his charge to the Elders of those Churches, cap. 5. 2. many Churches, many flocks, and yet one flock: Not to go from the Text. The Baptist here speaking of the Church of Christ, dispersed through Judea and other parts of the world, the Church under the new Testament, which is made up of many particular Congregations and Churches; he yet speaketh of it singularly, calling it one floor, He will purge his floor.] Not floors, but floor. Where ever Christ hath a Church▪ he hath a floor. Many Churches, many floors: yet put them together, all the Churches in such a Province, such a Nation, or through the whole world, Collectively and Aggregatively considered, they make up one Church, one floor. This I do but touch by the way, to give some satisfaction to such as are so ready to scruple the word, as if there were no colour of warrant from Scripture, to give the Name of a Church to any but to a congregational Church. Letting that pass.  
Christ's floor is his Church, or Churches, considered in a visible State. And not unfitly may the visible Church be so called. A floor, and his floor. Touch upon them severally.  

The visible Church a floor.  First, A floor, and that principally in two respects.  
1. In respect of the Mixture that is in it. Here is the difference betwixt the Garner and the floor. In the Garner there is nothing but pure grain: In the 
For mixture of corn and chaff.  floor there is a mixture; Straw as well as corn, chaff as well as wheat, Tar●s and Titters, and Cockle and Darnill, as well as the good grain. Such a difference there is betwixt the Church Militant and Triumphant, the Church upon Earth, and the Church in Heaven. The Church in Heaven is all pure: Thither shall no un●lean● thing enter. No chaff, no dross, 
Rev. 21. v. last.  nothing but good and pure corn to be found in that garner. But it is otherwise in the floor, in the militant and visible Church upon Earth, here is a mixture, corn and chaff, good and bad together; Elect and Reprobate, true Believers, Hypocrites, and happily persons openly wicked, all associated together in the same outward profession. A truth which needeth no probation. This is the House wherein there are vessels of all sorts, some of purer, richer, others of courser, baser mettle. In a great House (saith the Apostle) 
2 Tim. 2. 10.  there are not only vessels of Gold and of Silver, but also of wood and of earth; some to honour, and some to dishonour.] A place worthy the pausing on, and considering. Haply it may give satisfaction to some groundless scandals and offences taken by some at those undesired, deplored mixtures which are to be found in the Churches of God amongst us. In a great House (saith he.) What is meant by this great House? why the whole World (say some) which is God's House indeed, he being the God and Father of all the Families in Heaven and earth; God's House, and his Great House; And in this great House there are vessels of Gold and of Silver, and of wood and of Earth, some to honour some to dishonour, (i. e.) some elected, others reprobated and passed by. So the Apostle S. Paul carrieth and applies it, extending it to the whole world, Rom. 9 21. A truth, but not so pertinent to this place. The Great House here (as Calvin and others note upon it) denotes and points out more peculiarly the Church of God, the visible Church. So much may be collected from the Context. The Church visible is a House, God's 
1 Tim. 3▪ 15.  House, (That thou mightest know how to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the living God, (saith Paul to Timothy.) His House, and a Great House, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, the House of the Great God, the Father of this Family, of a great and large 
gall 6. 10.  extent; and having many Inhabitants, Officers, Children, Servants, even all those domestici fidei, the household of Faith, as the Apostle calleth them. And in this great House (saith the Apostle) there are not only vessels of Gold and Silver, but of wood and of earth, i. e. some elect, others reprobates: Not only so, but some good, others bad; bad, and that ofttimes not only closely and secretly, but openly and apparently such. Not only hypocritical and unsound, but scandalous Christians. Such were those whom the Apostle speaketh 
ver. 16. ver. 17.  of in the verses foregoing: profane and vain babblers; men whose words did fret as a canker, or cancer, whose very society was infectious and dangerous. Two of these he there instanceth in, by Name. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus.] two dangerous and damnable heretics, denying and overthrowing that great Article of the Faith, the Resurrection of the Dead; which being overthrown, opens a wide door to all licentiousness and profaneness. Such were these, and probably some other members of that Church at that time; persons scandalous and dangerous, seduced themselves, and seducing others. Such vessels there were in that house, wooden and earthen vessels; vessels to dishonour, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} to dishonour, and that both Passively and Actively, having dishonour and shame for their portion, and dishonouring the house, the Church of God whereof they were, members. Such vessels, such members, there may be and oft are in the House, in the Church of God; persons erroneous in their judgement, and scandalous in their lives. Such there may be.  

So it is, de Facto, not de Jure.  Mistake it not: We speak here de Facto, not de Jure, not what ought to be; but what may be, and will be. If we speak de Jure, ●s it ought to be, then that of the Apostle in the words f●re going, takes place. Let every one that calleth on the Name of the Lord depart 
ver. 19  from iniquity.] Every one that joineth himself to the Church of God, that taketh upon him the profession of Christianity, he ought to grace his profession by an answerable conversation. In Solomon's Temple the 
1 King. 7. 49, 50.  vessels were all of pure Gold, and such should the members of the Church of Christ be. Thus it should be, But thus it will not be. Some there are and will be, that shame their profession by an unchristian conversation Vessels to dishonour. Neither is it a thing either to be stumbled or wondered at. Such vessels there are in a great House, and such members there will be in the visible Church, which is a mixed company.  
This point I might further enlarge, and set of by those common and obvious illustrations made use of by our Saviour himself; of the draw or drag Net, 
mat.▪ 13. 47.  wherein there are fishes of all sorts, good and bad. The 
ver. 30.  Field wherein there was Tares, as well as wheat. The wedding supper whereat there were guests of all sorts, good and bad (saith the Text) But I will not, neither 
Mat. 22. 10.  need I go from that Metaphor in the Text, which is so clear and express, as that scarce an Expositor falls upon it, but meeteth with this truth in it: The Church, the visible Church is a mixed company. Such is the floor, a place of mixture, wherein there is (as I said) corn and Straw, Wheat and Chaff, &c. all brought in together. Such is the Church. Such it ever hath been, and such it ever will be, as long as the 
2 Pet. 2. 13. Jude 12.  moon hath her spots, the Church will have hers; even such spots as Peter and Jude speaketh of, persons scandalous in their lives, disgracing the Church as spots do the garment wherein they are.  

Reason. God will have it so.  And will you see some Reason why it is so: Take it in a word. God will have it so, and Satan will have it so.  

For the trial▪ 1 Cor. 11. 19  1. God will have it so, and that first, For the trial of his own people. It is that which S. Paul saith of heresies, There must be heresies, why? That those which are approved may be made manifest. And we may say the same of heretics and scandalous persons, There must be such in the Church, (I speak it as the Apostle, de Facto) that those which are {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, approved of God, may be made manifest, more manifest to the world.  
2. And secondly God doth it, (permits it) as for 
For the benefit of his people.  the trial, so for the good and benefit of his own people. Even as the Husbandman sometimes suffers the corn to lie in the chaff, that it may keep the better. And such use God sometimes makes of hypocrites, of wicked and ungodly men, whom he suffers to have a Name, and a room in his Church, he maketh use of them for the good and benefit of his own people: ofttimes using them as Conduit pipes, conveying many outward blessings and benefits to his Church through their hands, tending to the outward preservation of it.  

Satanwill have it so.  Thus God will have it so. And secondly Satan will have it so. That E●viou● man in the gospel, which soweth Tares in the field, he also casteth chaff into the floor. 
Mat. 13. 25.  Which he doth through the inadver●ancie of those which should watch this floor, I mean those which have, or should have the oversight and government of the Church; Hereby seeking to poison the Church, by throwing in corruptions into it: corruptions in Doctrine, corruptions in Worship, corruptions in Manners; so to make a mixture, which he doth in opposition unto that God, who being himself a pure and simple Essence, is most delighted in purity and simplicity. Put these together, and you see a first respect wherein the visible Church of Christ is compared to a floor. A floor for mixture.  
Secondly, A floor, Because here is the same Husbandry used that is in the barn-floor. Here is threshing, here is fanning, here is winnowing. All these shall we 
The Church a floor, for the Husbandry used in it.  find nowhere more frequent, more ordinary than in the Church; as if the Church were the proper element for every of these. The Church is Christ's threshing place. O my threshing▪] his fanning place, his winnowing place. Nowhere shall we find the flail, 
isa 21. 10.  the fan, the sive, more bu●●● then here. The world's flail, God's fan, the Devils sive; the flail of persecution, the fan of Affliction, the sive of Tentation, nowhere so busy as in the Church. Well may the Church in all these respects, be called a floor. But I will confine myself to the Text.  
Here is the fan at work. What fan? why that fan, which is in the hand of Christ, the fan of the 
Here the fan of the Word at work.  word. This fan is walking, and working in this floor, and not without some efficacy and power. What ever the husbandman's fan doth in his barn-floor, that doth this fan in the Church, which is the proper place for this fan to stir and move in; and in that respect again, fitly called a floor. Here it is where Christ standeth with the fan in his hand, working upon his corn, his Elect, severing them from the chaff of sinful corruption, dressing them, that they may be pure corn, fit to be laid up in his heavenly garner.  
The Church is a floor. And in the second place Christ's floor. The visible Church is Christ's floor. His, first, by 
The Church Christ's floor.  gift. Secondly, His, by Purchase.  
1. His by gift: gift from God his Father, who 
By Donation.  hath indeed given unto him the whole world. ask of me, and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, 
Psalm. 2. 8.  and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy Possession.] All the kingdoms of the earth are put into the hands of Jesus Christ, as Lord paramonnt over them all. Even Heathens and Infidels, which know him not, which never heard of his Name, yet they are under his government; But the Church after a more special 
ver. 6.  manner, as being his peculiar Seigni●rie. I have s●t my King upon my holy hill of Zion.] In the Church, Christ hath a more peculiar interest; The Church itself, and all the members of it being given to him by God his Father: I, all the members of the visible 
Iosh. 17. 12.  Church, they are also given unto Christ. Of all that thou hast given me I have lost none, save the son of Perdition.] All the Apostles; I, Judas amongst the rest, though a son of perdition, lost in God's decree, and marked out for hell, yet given unto Christ to follow him in an outward profession. And thus are all the members of the visible Church; even all that profess the Name of Christ, they are given unto Christ. And consequently the Church is His, his floor, His by Donation.  
And secondly, His by Purchase. What his Father 
By Purchase. ● Sam. 24.  gave him, he also bought and purchased. Even as David purchased the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, that he might offer a Sacrifice upon it. Thus Christ hath purchased this floor, his Church; not that he might offer Sacrifice upon it, but that he might offer it up as a Sacrifice unto God his Father. Take heed unto yourselves, and to the flock of God: whereof the Holy 
Act. 20. 18.  Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood: The Church purchased with the blood of Christ. True it is, (if we speak properly,) this purchase is peculiar unto God's elect, his Church invisible, for whose sake Christ died: But for their sakes, (from whom the Church taketh the denomination, as being the better and most considerable part of it) it is attributed to the whole Church, even to the Church visible. It is his floor by purchase.  
Yet further in the third and fourth place, It is his floor in respect of his presence, his providence: His presence in it, his providence over it.  

In regard of his presence in it, Ruth. 3. 7.  His presence in it, which is continual. The Story telleth us of Boaz, that he went down to his floor and lodged there, lying down at the end of the heap of corn. Even ●o is Christ ever present in his Church. There he lieth down, there he lodgeth. [show me, O thou 
Cant▪ 1. 6.  whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest down at noon;] It is the Spouses speech to her well-beloved; to which his answer follows. [If thou 
ver. 7.  knowest not O thou fairest among women, get thee forth by the steps of the flock, and feed thy Kids by the Tents of the shepherds.] Would we know where Christ feedeth, lodgeth, where he manifesteth his presence chiefly and principally upon earth; It is in his flock, by the Tents of the shepherds; In his Church, in the midst of his Ordinances, Christ is ever present in this floor, manifesting his presence in it.  
And fourthly, Exercising his providence over it. His providence, first in watching, then in governing. 
Providence over it, in Watching the corn.   
1. Watching in and over this floor. To this end, Boaz lay down in his floor, at the end of the heap of corn, to watch it, lest it should be stroyed, or stolen, or purloined away. To this end is Christ present in his Church, his floor, viz. to watch his corn in it; to defend his people against enemies without, or enemies within: to defend his Church against the open hostility of bloody tyrants and persecutors, Beasts which would destroy this corn; as also against the secret devices of cunning seducers, thieves that would st●ale 
Mat. 24. 24.  away his corn, deceiving the very Elect if it were possible. To this end he watcheth in this floor; watcheth, and that, not as Boaz did in his, lying down 
Psal. 121. 4.  and sleeping there. No, The watchman of Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth. He exerciseth a special providence 
Ordering the business in it.  in watching over this floor.  
2. And secondly, In ruling and governing it, ordering all the businesses in it. Even as the Husbandman ordereth all the business in his own floor, giving direction to his servants, for threshing, fanning, &c. So hath Christ the ordering of this floor. Not an Ordinance in his Church, but is of his ordering and appointing. He it is that ruleth the whole business of his Church, both for substance, and material circumstances; prescribing laws to his Church, governing it, which he doth by his word.  
Put these together, and you see the doctrinal part of this first Branch of the Text, opened and illustrated. I see, I must wade no further into it at present. What use shall we make of this which hath been spoken?  

use 1. Anabaptiss con●uted.  As briefly as I may. First, Is the Church of Christ a floor in respect of mixture? Here, (swimming with the stream of Expositors,) I might take a just occ●sion to fall upon that anabaptistical error wherever it is found, which affirms and maintains the true visible Church, to consist only of true believers, such as are good. A doctrine charged upon us by our Adversaries of Rheims, in their gloss upon the Text; but with what truth, let the joint consent of all the writers 
vid. F●lk and ●●rtwright, super Text.  of our profession testify, all which with one vote have censured, and condemned the Tenet, upon all occasions averring and maintaining the visible Church of Christ to be a mixed company, mingled of good and bad, believers, hypocrites, &c. Such a company the Church here is. As for those who seek for any other Church▪ here upon earth, they seek for that which they shall never find. Mundam in mundo immundo Ecclesiam, (saith Aretius.) A pure Church in an impure world. Those which will join themselves to no Church but such an one, they must, (as the Apostle saith,) go out of the world for it. But I will not spend 
1 Cor. 5. 10.  time in confuting of this error, which I presume there is none here present that will dare to own. To come nearer.  

use 2. Be not offended at mixtures in the Church amongst us.  In the second place. Is the Church of Christ a floor in respect of mixture? why then let not any be scandalised, or offended at what ever mixtures, either are, or are supposed to be in the Church or Churches of God amongst us. Mixtures happily there may be; mixtures there are; we grant it. Possible some corruptions cleaving to some of the Ordinances; However corrupt men mingling themselves with the people of God, not only coming with them into the house of God, but si●●ing down with them ●t his Table, having communion with them in the most sacred ordinances of God. A sad mixture, I plead not for it. B●t what? shall we hence infer a nulliti● of the Church? No true Church because o● these mixtures? Surely the very barn-floor will cry out against this inference. There we see wheat and chaff lying upon the same heap, and who wonders at it ● do we mee●e with a li●e mixture in the Church or Churches of God, be not ●●andalized, be not o●●●●ded at it▪ I● i● that (I nonceive) which the Apostle 〈◊〉 aims and drives at in the place fore▪ named, a Tim. 2. to take off that scandal which any might take at scandalous Apo●●at●●, persons openly wicked in the Church.  

Mixtures not pleaded for▪  Here let me not be mistaken (a thing which we are very 〈◊〉 to in poin●● of the nature.) It is far from my purpose to patronize what ever mint●res in the Church of God, to plead either for Admission or Toleration of persons openly profane and scandalous; their Admission into the Church, their Toleration in the Church: Much less for the promiscuous resorting of all sorts of persons to the Lord's Table, without any regard had to their q●alific●tions or conversations. An error I confess, which, till it may be redressed, I shall mourn over; wishing that all this 
1 Cor. 5. 7.  Leaven were purged out▪ and this floor of Christ amongst us throughly purged from the chaff and dross of what ever corruption is yet remaining in it. But in the mean time, though I plead not for mixtures, yet 
But the Church.  let me plead for the Church, that Church whereof God hath made me a member and a Minister, which all the mixtures that are in it, cannot Vnchurch, make to be no Church; or yet warrant a separation from.  
The Church of the Jews, at this time, when the Baptist preached to them, it was (I suppose) in as corrupted, nay a far more corrupted state than the Church of England at this day is, or ever yet was since the first Reformation of it. How was that floor all covered with chaff? How many foul corruptions had even overspread the face of that Church? Human Inventions, and Traditions being brought in, even to the thrusting out of the Ordinances of God. Ceremonies eating out the heart, the power and substance of Religion. Those which sat in Moses his chair, as vile as could be imagined: A generation of vipers. Such were their 
Mat. 23. 16. ver. 3. joh. 11. 49. Hose. 4. 9  teachers and church-governors, Blind guides, having a corrupt and unlawful entrance into their calling, and demeaning themselves as corruptly in it; and, no question, like Priests, like people. The state of that Church most corrupt; little else but chaff to be seen in that floor; yet for all that, a floor still; So the Baptist here calleth it, telling them that Christ would purge that floor of his. Purge it, not presently leave it, cast it off, or else break it up, (as some hot spirits would do at this day; who because of the chaff that is in it, would presently be breaking up the floors; For some supposed corruptions in the Church, presently unchurch it; a matter of a higher nature than many in this last age have taken it to be. Not so) but purge it, purge it, So will Christ deal with his floor, he will throughly purge his floor.  

Object. The Church of Engl●n● a true Church.  True may some say: If it were a floor of Christ, than it ought not to be broken up; if a true Church, than purging would serve the turn. But such is not the Church of England, such are not the Churches in England. And why not? why they fail in constitution, which is a fundamental error. They are not rightly constituted. And why not? Because the members of them were not rightly gathered, nor yet knit and joined together in the formality of a Church Covenant. Even as if one should reason after this manner; It is the same man, though in other clothes; the same argument though in different expressions. The corn was not brought in at the right door, or the floor is not a boarded floor; or at least the boards were not jointed and fastened together, not right laid at the first; but either it is a Clay floor, or else the boards are laid loose and warping; therefore it is no floor, no true floor. The absurdity of the one will sufficiently discover the weakness and inconsequence of the other.  

Quest. Answ. A 〈◊〉 Church how known.  But how then shall we know a true Church if we see it? A. Why even as we may do a true floor, I will not go out of the Text for a demonstration. Where the fan is ordinarily at work, there is the floor; and where Christ's fan is ordinarily at work, there is his floor, his Church; What this fan is, I have told you already▪ the fan of the Word, the word preached. This is the fan which the Baptist here principally speaketh of, the fan of the word, which is in the hand of Christ, both in respect of liberty and efficacy (as I have shown you.) Now where this fan is ordinarily at work, where the word is ordinarily preached and dispensed in the public ministry of it, especially if it be with efficacy and power, certainly there Christ hath a floor, a Church. Now this I think will not be denied, but that this fan hath been at work in the Churches of Christ amongst us, and that with such efficacy and power, as nowhere more. Strange, that any should question whether Christ have a floor, a Church amongst us or no.  

Object.  But it may be said, the fan may work out of the floor, sometimes in other corners of the barn, and sometimes abroad in the open field. And thus (say our adversaries of the separation,) the word may be, and often is preached, where there is no true Church. Paul preached 
Acts 17. 16.  the word to the scoffing Athenians (say they) who yet were no true Church.  

Answ. The ordinary and settle spreaching of the Word a note of a true Church.  To this Evasion I have insinuated an answer already, in that I said, not the Preaching, but the ordinary Preaching of the word, is an essential mark and note of a true Church. The word may be preached two ways. Either Occasionally, or Ordinarily in a settled way. Now, in the former way it may be preached to Heathens and Infidels, where there is no more but the Passive Capacity of a Church. It is the latter of these that we conclude to be an evidence of a true Church, viz. the settled preaching of the word amongst a people that profess subjection to it. Where the fan is constantly at work, day after day, and week after week, who questions but there is a floor? Where the word is preached in a fettled way, day after day, week after week, year after year, to a people professing subjection and obedience, and not without power and efficacy, (especially being attended and accompanied with the S●ales of the Covenant, the Sacraments, for substance rightly administered) surely it cannot be denied but that there is a Church, a true Church. And this is it we say for the Church of England, or Churches in England, (for I am not curious or scrup●lous about the word.) In this floor Christ's fan hath been stirring, and that lively; his gospel hath been preached, and that powerfully, succe●sefully▪ and that for more than a whole age together. How much corn is now laid up in God's Garner, which this fan hath dressed in this floor? How many blessed souls now triumphing in Heaven, which were here gained and brought home unto Christ, by the ministry of the word in this Church? And shall we yet question, whether it be a true floor or no, upon a bare supposal that the corn was not brought in at the right done, or that the boards were not laid right at the first? whether a true Church or no, because of some supposed failings in the first constitution? The Argument happily is displeasing to some of you. Let me tell you, it is not pleasing to myself. Had I not met with it so full, that I could not balk it without manifest injury to the Text, and to slighting of the general current of Expositors writing upon it, (whose company I shall ever make much of,) I would not have fallen with it at present.  

use 3. Comfort, Christ will have an eye to this his floor.  A word or two more (to sweeten your palates) and I have done. Is the Church Christ's floor? here is Comfort to the Church, and to all that wish well to it. The Church being his floor, he will have an eye to it. So will a faithful servant have to his Master's floor, he will have an eye to it, that the corn shall not be either stolen or ftroyed. Such a faithful servant will Christ approve himself unto God his Father. Moses was 
Heb. 3. 2.  faithful in all God's House, and Christ will be faithful in his floor, in looking to his corn, that it be not stroyed. Threshed, fanned, winnowed it may be, but stroyed it shall not be. Not a grain of wheat shall miscarry in this floor. express and emphatical is that of the Prophet Amos, in the place forenamed. I will sift the house of Israel amongst all Nations, like as corn 
Amos 9 9  is sifted in a five, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.] mark it, God's corn may be sifted, winnowed, but not a grain of it shall fall to the earth; If wheat, it shall not be stroyed: Why? Christ will have an eye to this floor, to his Church: not any true member of it 
joh. 6. 39  shall perish or miscarry. Of all that his Father hath given him he will lose nothing.  


Use.  
Exhortation, Let Christ have the ordering of it.   A word of Exhortation, and but a word. Is the Church Christ's floor, let him have the ordering of it, and of all businesses in it. This privilege we will allow the Husbandman, to order the business in his own floor. Let Christ do as much in his Church, in ordering all the public Ordinances in it. And who but he should do it? It being his floor, over which he hath an absolute sovereignty. So much for this time.   

THE SECOND SERMON, April 19 1643.  MATTH. 3. 12. 
And he will throughly purge his floor.]  
WE have here set forth (as you heard the last day) the Exercise of the sovereign Authority of Jesus Christ over and upon his Church. His Church; that is here meant by the floor; the visible Church of Christ: which in what respects it is called a floor, and His floor, I then showed you. Not to look back: Come we now to the second particular, to see what shall be done to this floor. It shall be purged, (saith the Text,) throughly purged. He will throughly purge his floor.]  

Ban●●, epist 24  Purge it, Not cast it off, not break it up. I like not that surgery (saith one of our late Worthies) which upon every ailment dismembreth and cutteth of. I know not who would like that Husbandry, which because of some chaff in the floor, would presently break it up. Not so; purge it, purge it. This is Christ's way, let it be 
Doct▪ ●hrists floor, his Church shall be purged, and that throughly.  ours.  
He will throughly purge his floor.] The Church than shall be purged, throughly purged.] This is that which the Lord promiseth to the Church of the Jews, isa 1. 
isa 1. 25.  I will purely purge away thy dross.] What ever it was that defiled or embased that Church, she should be purged from it, and purely, throughly purged. This promise he will make good to his Church under the gospel. It shall be purged, throughly purged.  

Purged.  Purged.] What shall it be purged from? Who shall purge it? When shall he purge it? By what ●eans shall he purge it? And wherefore will he so purge it? Inquire we into every of these five particulars, by way of Explication and Illustration. To most of them (to the four first) we shall find an answer in the Text. Begin with the first.  


Quest. 1. From what shall it be purged?  
Answ. From the chaff, viz Corrupt men & corruptions.   From what shall this floor be purged? The Text itself insinuates the answer; from the chaff that is in it. He will purge h● floor, and will burn the chaff.] First, purge it out, cast it out of the floor, then burn it. And from this shall the visible Church of Christ be purged; from the chaff that is in it. What chaff? Take the word as we will▪ understanding by it, either corrupt persons, or corruptions themselves: Both, in the phras and language of Scripture, known by the name of chaff. Corrupt and wicked men, they are chaff; The ungodly are like the chaff] saith the Psalmist. Chaff for their vileness, 
Psal 1. penult. Jer. 23. 28.  barrenness, inconstancy &c. As corrupt men, so corruptions. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord, Jer. 23. God's truth●s as wheat, sound and solid: False Doctrines are as chaff. Such are corruptions in Doctrine▪ and such are corruptions in worship; and such are corruptions in Discipline, all as chaff, that will not endure the fan of the word. And from this chaff shall this floor of Christ, the Church, be purged, viz. both from corrupt men, and from corruptions themselves.  

From corrupt men.  1. Corrupt, wicked men, Hypocrites and others▪ they are in the Church, as ill humours in the body. In the body, but not of it. Joining themselves to the mystical body of Christ, but no true Members of it. And being such, they shall be purged out. Wicked men, Hypocrites and others, they are as dross and tin, mixed with the good and pure mettle; and being such, they shall be purged out. I will purge away thy dross (saith 
isa 1. 26▪  the Lord;) amongst other, her corrupt Judges and counsellors, which should be taken away. Wicked men, they are the goats, which now flock and feed together 
Mat. 25. 32, 33.  with the sheep: joining themselves unto the people of God, and having communion with them in many, it may be in all the public ordinances of God. They are the Tares, which grow up together with the 
Mat. 13 38.  wheat in the same field. They are the chaff, which cleaving close to the corn, lieth with it upon the same Goaffe, upon the same heap. Being so, they shall be severed, they shall be weeded, purged out. 
Rev. 21. ult.  The Church shall be purged from corrupt men.  
2. And secondly, from Corruptions themselves. Corruptions there are and will be, creeping in and cleaving 
Corruptions.  to the state of the visible Church or Churches of Christ upon Earth. Corruptions, not only in manners, which are personal; but corruptions in Doctrine, corruptions in worship, corruptions in Discipline. Church-corruptions. Now from all these shall the Church be purged. 
isa 1▪  I will take away [all] your tin.] What ever it was that corrupted the state of that Church. This will Christ do for his Church under the gospel. He will purge away all her dross, all her corruptions, be they (as I said) in manners, Doctrine, worship. express and full is that of the Prophet Ezekiel, Ezek. 36. 25. From all your filthiness, and from all your Idols will I cleanse you, saith the Lord. Cleanse them from their filthiness, from corruptions in manners, ●hose spiritual pollutions and defilements: From their Idols, all corruptions in Doctrine, in worship. And let me add also, corruptions in Discipline too. It is the Lord's promise to the Church of the Jews, in that place forenamed, isa 1. 26. I 
isa 1. 2●.  will purge ●●ay thy ●rassv, &c. And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning.] And this will Christ do for his Church under the gospel. He will restore her Judges, as at the first, and her counsellors, as at the beginning. Restoring his Church to Primitive Order and Discipline, purging out what ever corruptions are in this respect crept into it. All this without question shall be done; the Church shall be purged.  

Throughly purged.  And throughly purged, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, perpurgabit: Thus did Christ purge the Temple in the days of his flesh: he made a thorough sweepage, driving out all the buyers 
Mat. 21. 12.  and sellers, &c. And thus will he purge his Church: 
isa 1. 25.  {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, He will throughly purge it. Purge out All corrupt men, and All corruptions. I will purely purge, &c.] Repurgabo ut purificationem (so Montanus renders the place) I will diligently and throughly purge thee, as the furnace or fining pot doth the silver. This is that which the Prophet Malachi tells the Church, Mal. 3. where prosecuting the same Allegory, he sets forth the sedulity and exactness of Christ in this purging of his 
Mal. 3. 3.  Church. He shall sit down to try and to fine the silver; he shall even fine the sons of Levi, and purify them as gold and silver.] mark it; full expressions. Christ shall purge and purify his Church; and this he shall do, both diligently and throughly. Diligently, not cursorily. He shall [sit down] to try, &c.] As a man that intends a work seriously, he sitteth down to it. Throughly he shall try and fine and purify, &c. The Prophet multiplieth words, heaps up expressions, all to intimate the throughnes, the perfectness of this work.  


God's way perfect.  
Ps 18. 30.   God's works, they are all perfect works. As for God his way is perfect, Psal. 18.] Such they either are, or such they shall be before he leave them. Such was his work of Creation, perfect at the first. Every thing which he had made was very good, i. e. perfect. Such shall his work of new Creation be, the work of Regeneration; 
Gen. 1. last.  though imperfect at the first, yet before he leave it, it shall be perfect, He who bath begun ● good 
phil.▪ 1 6.  work in you▪ will perfect it▪ saith Paul to his Phili●pians. The new▪ birth, though at the first ●n 〈◊〉 yet it shall 
Eph. 4. 13.  grow to a perfect man. This will Christ do▪ as for every true member of his Church (The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me, saith the Psalmist▪ Psal. 1●8. last▪) so for the Church itself. The ●●w Heaven and th● 〈◊〉 
isa 65. 17.  Earth shall be as perfect, as the old ever was. He that hath begun the good work of restoring, purging his Church, will also perfect it▪ he will purge it▪ throughly purge it.  

Quest. 2. Who will purge it? viz▪ Christ.  He will do it. Who? Why, that shall the Lord Jesus Christ. There have you the answer to the second enquiry, which I am fallen upon unawares. [He] shall throughly purge his floor, saith the Baptist. The floor is His, as I have shown you; and being so▪ he will take care, as for other things▪ so for the purning of it. To this end, God the Father (the great Husbandman) 
joh. 1●. 1. isa 53. 1●.  hath put the fan into the hand of this his Servant, that he should dress his corn, purge his floor. To this on● 
Mat. 28. 18.  amongst other, hath he given all Power and Authori●y to him, as over the whole world, so▪ over his Church after a special manner, that he should purge it. And this he will do, which is properly his work. He is like a purging fire, and like fuller's soap, saith the Prophet 
Mal. 3. 3.  Malachi, speaking of Christ▪ Mal▪ 3. 3. He shall sit down to try, &c.] He shall make it his work to purge the Church.  

None but hecan do it.  And indeed, who but he should do it? Ay, who but he can do it? The purging of the Church is a great work. So was the purging of the Temple, a greater work than it is ordinarily apprehended. Temple purgati● maximum 
The through purging of the Church a great work.  miraculum, saith the Father. The purging of the Temple it was one of the greatest miracles that ever Christ did in the days of his ●lesh. That a private person (so he was then accounted and taken to be) nay a despicable person of so inferior a rank, the son of a Carpenter 
Hieron.  should come into the Temple with a whip in his hand (as despicable an instrument, rather to be scorned then feared) and therewith should drive out all those (no petty chap men) Drovers and Bankers (notwithstanding all their privileges and protections, which they had from the Masters of the Temple, the chiefe-Priests, &c.) as so many sheep before him, without opposition, without contradiction; what a work? Well may we say of it, as Paul doth of the resurrection 
Rom. 1. 4.  of Christ from the dead; Hereby he declared himself to be the son of God, and that {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, with power mightily. Whether there were at that time any Radij claritatis, rays and beams of splendour and glory, shining in, and st●eaming from the face and countenance of our blessed Saviour, striking an awful dread and terror into the beholders or no? I leave it as I find it, an uncertain tradition or conjecture, which may as safely or 
Dionis. Cart has. in 2 Joh.  more safely be rejected then believed. (Non creditur quia non legitur.) But this we may say, and make it good; here were Radij divinitatis, rays and beams of Divinity, a divine power put forth and manifested in this act. The like we may say of this great work, the work of Church-Reformation. To purge the Church, and that throughly, from all corrupt persons and corruptions. What a work?  


To purge it from all corruptions.  
Act. 1●. 29.   To purge it from all corruptions. You heard in the Chapter read even now, what a stir, what a tumult there was at Ephesus, when once the great goddess Diana was but supposed to be touched. What a dust it raised? The whole City was in a confusion. Now how many Diana's are there to be found in the Christian world? Personal-diana's and Church-Diana's? All these must be, not only touched▪ but pulled down and purged out. And what hand, but a mighty, an almighty hand shall be able to effect this, even the hand of Jesus Christ.  

From all corrupt persons.  again, To purge and cast out all corrupt men out of the Church, what a work? a great work first to discover them, to find them out; when once discovered, a greater work to cast them out. And who but Christ can do either of these? Who but he can discover them? Some so close, so secret and hidden, that their own hearts do not discover them; much less can others. Who shall do it, but he that is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, he that knoweth and searcheth the hearts, to whom all things 
Heb. 4. 13. Specially the casting out of Antichrist.  are {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, nacked and open? And who but he can cast them out being discovered? That man of sin, that Antichrist of Rome, long since discovered to be (as the Father said of Marcian the heretic) Primogenitns Diaboli, the eldest son of the devil, the Head of the Church malignant upon earth; yet to eject, to cast 
2 Thes. 2. 4.  him out of the Temple of God, where he sitteth as God; what a stir, what a combustion hath it made, doth it make, and is yet like to make through the Christian world? Tangit montes & fumigabunt. He toucheth the hills and 
Rev. 17 9  they smoke, Psa. 104. 32.] Those seven hills of Rome being touched, how do they smoke? How do they burn as if they would set all the world on fire? Never did Aetna or Ves●vins, those flaming mountains so terrible to the neighbouring Territories, cast out such thunderings and lightenings, such volleys of smoke and flames, as those seven hills have done, and at this day do, to the terror and amazement of all the Christian world. Tant●▪ molis ●rit. So great a work is it like to be to disinthronize that same {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, that great Antagonist of Jesus Christ, that Lord Paramount, that opposeth against, and exalteth himself above all that is 
2 Thes. 2. 4.  called God. To bring down that Antichrist, and to cast him out of the Temple, the Church of God, his usurped possession, which he hath held so long a time▪ vi & armis, by force and might, to cast out him with all his complices and adherents, it is a mighty work; such a work, as who but Jesus Christ can be able to effect? And he will do it, and that when the time cometh, with great facility and case▪ He shall consu●●s him with 
2 Thes. 2. 8.  the breath of his mouth, and destroy him with the brightness of his coming, that is, suddenly, easily consume, abolish him, and together with him, all other enemies of his Church, whether open or secret.  

The through purging of the Church an argument of Christ's divinity Par●us a●l loc.  A great work. I such a work, as if we had no other argument to prove it, yet might we even from hence (as a good author observes upon the Text) evince and demonstrate the Divinity of Jesus Christ; that he is more than man, truly God. To purge the Church, and to purge it throughly, it is Opus plane divinum, the work of God and not of man. So much judicious Calvin rightly observes from that forenamed place of the Prophet Isaiah, isa 1. 25. where the Lord telleth his 
calu. in Isa. 1. 25.  Church, I will turn my hand upon thee, and will purely purge away thy dross, &c.] Purgatio Ecclesiae propri●● Dei opus. The purging of the Church is God's peculiar work, the work of his own hand. I will turn my hand upon thee, &c.] Certainly had not Christ been more than man, he could never have purged the Temple as he did; And were he not truly God, he could never purge this floor, as it shsll be purged, throughly purge it. This he can do, and this he will do.  

Quest. 3. When shall the Church be purged? Act. 1. 6.  But when will he do it? there is the third Quere. It was a business of like nature that the Disciples were so inquisitive with our Saviour about, Acts 1. vi●. When he would restore the Kingdom unto Israel. If any shall make the like enquiry touching the purging of the Church, when Christ will do it? Let him rest contented with that satisfaction that the Text giveth him. He will do it. 
The purging of the Church a continued work, begun and carried on here, perfected hereafter.  {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, perpurgabit. He [will] throughly purge his floor.] This he will do. The purging of the Church (as I told you) is a great work, and therefore not the work of a day, to be done at once. As it was with the building of the second Temple under the Law, so shall it be with the purging of the Church under the gospel. (I dare not go so far as to make the one a Type of the other, but the congruity betwixt them, with the allusion of the one to the other, I cannot but acknowledge and approve.) That Temple was not built all at once, as Solomon's Temple was, but by degrees. Such shall the repairing and purging of the Church under the gospel be, gradual, not perfected all at once. Christ in the days of his flesh, he purged the Temple more than once: three several times, three several days, (so Chemnitius notes it upon that second chapt. of John) First in the beginning of his ministry; afterwards once▪ and again a little before the end of his 
joh. 2. 15. Mat. 21. 12. Mark. 11. 15. Luk▪ 19 45.  life, as may be collected by comparing the four Evangelists. And as he repeated the work, so he did it by degrees (as the same author there observes.) First he casteth out the Sellers only: Joh. 2. 15. Then afterwards, both buyers and Sellers, Mat. 21. Mark. 11. Luk. 19 The purging of the Church is not one act. It is not to be done at once, but by degrees. The moon having lost her light, recovers it by degrees, so shall the Church hers. The purging and restoring of the Church is a continued work, and therefore Christ is said to fit at it, in that place forenamed, Mal. 3. He shall sit down 
Mal. 3. 3.  to try and to fine, &c.] He fitteth down to it: Beginning and carrying it on here, perfecting it hereafter.  

Quest. 4. How Christ purgeth it? viz. by hu Fan.  And all this will he do with and by his fan. So I am fallen upon the fourth inquiry. How Christ will do this, by what means, by what Instrument. The Text resolves it. He will do it by his fan. Who hath his fan in his hund▪ and he will throughly purge his floor, viz. by that his fan, even that threefold fan which 

Scultet. exercit. super Textum. Ventilabrum in manu Christi triplex.  

1. Doctrinae.  
2. Crucis.  
3. judicij.    I spoke of, the fan of the Word, the fan of the cross, the fan of the last Judgement. All these three Christ maketh use of for the purging of this floor, his Church. The two former he maketh use of here; the fan of the word, the fan of the cross, whereof the latter is subservient to the former.  

Properly the fan of the Word. I●r. ●3. 29.  The chief Instrument which Christ maketh use of in this great purging work is his Word. This is that fire, (is not my Word as fire?) Whereby this Refiner trieth and purgeth his mettle: First, discovering corruptions, then consuming them. Even as the fire first showeth which is the dross, and then burns it up. Both these doth Christ by his Word. First discovering 
1 Cor. 3. 12, 13.  corruptions by the light of it. If Wood, Hay, Stubble, be built upon the foundation, the day will declare it, (Dies Evangelij, the lightsome Doctrine of heavenly truth, as divers Expositors expound that place) it shall be revealed by fire, viz. by the Word, which examining and trying the Doctrines of men, discovers the corruption that is in them. And discovering them by the light of it, he consumes them by the heat of it; and that both personal and Church corruptions. Both these Christ purgeth out of his floor by this fan, his Word. Hereby it is that he hath already purged out so much Romish chaff out of this floor, so much of Antichristian Idolatry, and superstition out of his Church. And by this means he will purge out the rest. He shall consume 
2 Thes. 2. 8.  him with the breath of his mouth, saith the Apostle, speaking of Antichrist and Antichristianism, with the breath of his mouth, i. e. spiritu Sermonis Evangelici, saith Caje●●n rightly. The gospel preached. This is that same {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 
Rev. 1. 16. Heb. 4. 1●.  that sharp two edged Sword going forth of the Mouth of Jesus Christ. Even his Word in the mouth of his Ministers, which is sharper than any two edged Sword. Hereby it is that Christ goeth forth against all the Enemies of his Person and kingdom, wounding them, 
Psal 45. 5. Rev. 6. ●.  slaying them. Wounding them. T●ine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's Enemies.] Arrows shot out of that Bow in the hand of Jesus Christ, wherewith he goeth forth through the world conquering, and to conquer, Rev. 6. viz. his Word, his gospel preached, which is the powerful instrument of Jesus Christ, wounding the souls and consciences of such as oppose it. And not only wounding, but slaying them. He shall smite 
isa ●1. 4.  the Earth with the R●d of his Mouth, (saith the Prophet Isaiah) and with the Breath of his Mouth shall he slay the wicked. The R●d of Christ's Mouth, and the Breath of his lips is his Word; his gospel preached: Hereby he smiteth the Earth, that is, the wicked and impenitent which are upon the Earth, Smiteth them, nay slayeth them; Either killing sin in them, or them in their sins, slaying them spiritually. This doth Christ by his word, which is unto all impenitent unbelievers a killing letter, a deadly savour, a savour of death unto death. Of 
2 cour 3. 6. 2 Cor. ●. 16.  such effi●acie is this fan in the hand of Jesus Christ. Hereby he not only discovers, but also dissipateth and scattereth what ever chaff he meeteth with in his floor. And by this means purgeth it; making use of his Word, as the chief and principal Instrument in effecting this great work.  

Accompanied with the wing of Discipline.  True it is, it must not be denied, but that this fan (as I have heretofore said) works the better when it hath the wing to help and second it. The Word is made more powerful and effectual, when it is backed by Discipline, which rightly and duly exercised, serveth as a wing to sweep off such scandalous and obstinate offenders, as do despise the wind of this fan, such as will not yield obedience to the Word. A useful implement, so it must be acknowledged. The fan will not make clean work without it. Without it this floor will not be throughly purged. And in this regard much to be desired. But yet know we it not to be so absolutely and essentially necessary to the being of a Church, as that the bare absence, the want of the exercise of it, (for as for the power, that cannot be taken away from the Church, being by Christ himself given to it as a Church) should make a nullity of a Church, make it to be no Church. Surely where the fan is at work, there is Christ at work purging his floor. This being (as I said) the chief and principal Instrument and means whereby he eff●cteth this great work.  

Accidentally ●y the fan o● the cross.  Not but that he also maketh use of that other fan, the fan of the cross, for the furthering of this work. But this is accidentally. The cross having no such purging property in itself, otherwise then a● Christ is pleased to make use of it, which he doth o●●-times to this end: Hereby purging out (as persona●●, so Church-corruptions. 
isa 27 9  By this (saith the Prophet Isaiah) sh●ll the iniquity of Jacob be purged.] By this, viz. by God's debating and contending with his Church in the branches thereof (as the old ●ranslation readeth it) by blowing 
ver. 8.  upon it with a rough wind in the day of the East wind: that is, by his exercising of it with the strong and sharp wind of some sor● judgement, which like an East wind nippeth and blasteth th●●ud and the branch, though not killing the Root, Hereby (saith the Lord) shall the iniquity of Jacob (the Church) be purged. Expiabi●●r, it shall be expiated, purged, not by way of satisfaction (as 
ver. 9  our adversaries would carry it) but by Repentance and Reformation, which God would use this as a means to bring his Church and people unto, thereby purging out their Idolatry and superstition with all the monuments of it, which is properly the iniquity of Jacob there spoken of (as may be gathered from the sequel.) Such use God often makes of this second fan; where the former, the fan of the Word, taketh not place, he sends the latter, the fan of the cross to second it; making use of both for the Purging of his floor. Thus he purgeth it Here.  
But this purging is imperfect, not yet a through-purging, when shall that be? When shall this floor be throughly purged? I have told you it already. Hereafter at that last and great day, that day of purification; when Heaven and Earth shall be purified, then shall this floor the Church, be purged, throughly purged. And this shall Christ do by that third and last fan, the fan of the last judgement. Thereby shall he make a 
Mat. 25. 32.  full and final Separation, separating the goats from the 
Mat. 13. 30▪  sheep, which here have gone with them in the same flock, fed with them in the same pasture. Thereby shall he lever the Tares from the wheat, which here grew up with it in the same field. Hereby he will sever the chaff from the corn, which here lay with it upon the same heap. And that he will do throughly, perfectly; from thence forth for ever freeing his Church from all mixtures, whether of corrupt-men or corruptions, neither 
Rev. 2●. 27.  of which shall enter into the new and heavenly Jerusalem.  

Quest. 5. Wherefore shall it be so purged, viz. that it may be a glorious Church.  Thus will Jesus Christ purge his floor, his Church. And wherefore will he so purge it? That is the 5th and last inquiry: To which take the Resolution in a word. This he will do, that he may have a glorious Church; a Church suitable to the Head of it. The Head of the Church is a glorious head, a Head like that of Nebuchadnezar's Image, all Gold, fine and pure gold. Such shall 
Dan 2. 32.  the Body be, not part of brass and part of Iron, and part of Clay, a mixed body, as that was; but all Gold, pure Gold, that it may be suitable to the Head. A glorious body to a glorious Head. To this end it is (saith the Apostle) 
ephes.▪ 5 27.  That Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth his Church by the washing of water through the word, that he may present it unto himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing (any mixture) but that it should be holy and without blemish, Eph 5. 27.  

Introduction to Application.  Thus have I run over the doctrinal part of this Conclusion, That Christ will throughly purge his Church. What use shall we make of it? Time giveth not way to particular enlargements: Neither indeed am I very willing to give way to them upon this subject in this Congregation; which if I should, it would happily occasion some debates and disputes, which my desire is (as much as may be) to decline and avoid. Truth is, I scarce know a Text in Scripture, which offers a more fit and full occasion to the discussing of the differences and controversies of the time, than this: But such is my love to peace, and desire of peace, that I will not only not run out my Text to fetch in differences, but I shall (as much as may be) balk and pass them by, when I meet with them. This I have hitherto done, not meddling in public with any of those points of difference between us and those our brethren, who do hold communion with us. As for that bitter error of the Separation (so I call it, borrowing the word from 
James 3. 15.  St. James, who informs me of a bitter zeal, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, of which nature I take this to be, which is so far distasted, not only with the Church of England, but with the Churches in England, as that at once it rejecteth and renounceth them all as false and Antichristian) apprehending it like to be the error of the times, dangerous to the Church, and in particular to this place, I confess●, as I have met with it, I have not spared it, neither (by the grace of God) for the future shall; But for what ever d●fferences there are betwixt us, and those that will own us for Brethren, I have not yet touched upon them, neither shall I willingly do it; wishing that herein I may find a like correspondence from others in this place, that so Church-differences being laid aside, 
2 Sam. ●0. 12, 13.  (as that dying Amasa once was) and covered with silence, the Lord's people might be led on in their march to Heaven without diversion or interruption. Upon this ground, I shall forbear enlargements.  
Besides, let me tell you, All truths (I though gospel truths) are not so fit for every audience. For this 
1 cour 3▪ 2.  I have S●. Paul's warrant to bear me out, who writing to his Corinthians, tells them, that he had said them with milk and not with meat, Why? For hitherto (saith he) ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye able, 1▪ Cor. 3. And such I take this subject to be, which I have now in hand. Church-Reformation. A subject fit indeed to be handled before that Authority to which a Church-Reforming power is committed; but not so fit for private Auditories. Herein I cannot but applaud and approve 
T. G. Zerobabels' Inc●uragement.  the profession and practice of a reverend and worthy brother of ours, a known Advocate for Church-Reformation, who having preached a Sermon upon this very subject before the Honourable House os Commons at one of their public Fasts, and at their command publishing it, in his Epistle Dedicatory to them, he tells them and the world, that it was a subject which otherwise, and in all other Auditories h● had been silent in, and yet was no whit sorry for it. Not but that the People ought also to know their duty herein. So saith he, and so say I, and in that way shall I carry the Application, which ● intend to make of it.  

use. Do what we may to further this design of Jesus Christ upon this Church, viz. the Purging. Reforming of it.  Will Jesus Christ thus throughly purge his floor, why then let all and every of us (every of us in our places) do what we may, do what we can for the furthering of this design, this great design of Jesus Christ, in and upon this and other of his Churches. That this is his design, we comfortably hope. Certainly one of these two it must be, either Reformation or Desolation. We trust, not the latter, though we have cause enough to fear it. Our hopes are, that Jesus Christ will not yet forsake this floor of his, where the fan of the Word hath been so long a time at work, and where he hath so much wheat lying upon the heap. It is the Lord's own Reason to Paul, why he would not have him depart from Corinth, but abide and preach there; for (saith he) I have much people in this City. Surely God hath 
Act. 18. 10▪  much people, a great people in this kingdom: A great people already called and brought in, and we hope yet a greater to be called in; Much corn already threshed, and more in the Straw. This giveth us some comfortable hopes, that he will not yet desert this floor, not yet leave this Church of his. What then? Purge it, Purge it, reform it, reform it. This we hope is the present design of Jesus Christ at this day, not to abandon, not to cast up this floor, this Church of his, but to purge it from what ever chaff of corruption is yet remaining in it.  
That there is chaff yet remaining in this floor, it must not be denied; Certainly were there not, this fan, the fan of the cross, the fan of Judgement should not be so busy at work, as at this day it is (and now for so many months hath been.) It is Jobs speech 
Job 6. 5.  to his Friends, Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass, or doth the ox low over his fodder? The very bruit beasts do not complain, when they have what they would have. Surely it cannot be but something must be amiss amongst us; otherwise God would never deal with us, and other of his Churches as at the present he doth. Certainly we may hence conclude, that as yet he hath not what he would have. Something there is amiss amongst us, and 
Ezek▪ 24. 6.  something which we hope he is about to reform. Questionless some scum there is in this Pot, which whilst it hath been pla●ing with so long a continued prosperity, hath even boiled and sodden-in. And 
Psal▪ 73. 10.  hereupon it is (we hope) that God hath now poured in this full cup of cold-water, that as he hath hereby in part raised this scum already, so he may in his time purge it out. Some chaff in this floor, some Corruption in this Church, which we trust Christ is about to purge out and reform.  

Motive. Christ's work cannot be hindered.  And do we apprehend this to be his aim and design? Let every of us further it what we can, not hinder it. Hinder it we cannot: Which may serve as an argument to put us on to further it. Hinder it (if we would) we cannot. He will purge and throughly purge his floor. This he will do, and that in despite of all opposition; maugre the malice of Satan, Antichrist, and all their accursed Instruments and Adherents. Let them all do what they can either by power or policy to keep the chaff in the floor of Christ, yet Christ will purge it out. And can we not hinder it? Why then let us put to our hands to the furthering of it. None of us in this case but may do something, if we have hearts to the work.  

Quest. What shall we do?  Quest. But then, What shall we do? A great, useful and seasonable Question, but it will require more time for the resolution of it, than is at the present allotted me. Let me only tell you what my design and purpose in the Answer of it, is, viz. to show you these two things: 1. What the Reformation is which we are to desire and seek. And secondly, What we shall do to further and compass that Reformation. Two useful points. The former I shall only touch upon in the general (having already bounded myself from particular enlargements upon this subject.) In the second I shall deal more distinctly and particularly; but the time being now past, taketh me off from present prosecution of either. I shall adjourn them both (if God please) to another occasion.   

THE THIRD SERMON, May 3. 1643▪  MATTH. 3. 12. 
And he will throughly purge his floor.]  
THe subject of the Text (as you have already heard) is Church-Reformation; a great and a glorious work, the great design (as we hope) of Jesus Christ upon this and other of his Churches at this day. Apprehending it so to be, be we excited every of us, to put to our hands, in our several places to do what we may for the promoting and furthering of that design in the Church of God amongst us. This Exhortation I propounded the last day, and give me now leave to prosecute it.  

use.  do what we may every of us for the furthering of this great design. But what shall we do?  
For answer hereunto, I then chalked out the way, wherein I intend now to walk; which was, first to show you, What that Reformation is, which we are to seek. 
Quest. What Reformation to be ●esired in this Church.  Secondly, What we shall do to compass that Reformation. Begin with the first of these.  
Qu What is that Reformation which amongst us is so desired, and so desirable? A question of great and present concernment, other wise I should not so much as have meddled with it. Reformation, it is the common theme of the times: No one thing more frequently, more freely spoken of everywhere; but my fears are, not so clearly, so distinctly understood by many, it may be by some of them who seem to be most zealous in the cause, either for or against it. To rectify, not to quenth or quell the zeal of the one, to kindle and blow it up in the other; I shall adventure to descend into, or rather upon, these troubled waters; hovering over them, (as the Spirit is said to have done over those first waters. Movebat super faci●m;) moving upon the face of the 
Gen. 1. 2. Mat. 14. 25.  deep; or walking upon the surface of them, (as our Saviour once did upon the Sea;) not diving into them; passing over the point as lightly, as tenderly, as overly, as generally as with convenience I may; Yet so as I may give some satisfaction to those which do, or shall desire it.  

Answ. The church's Imperfection wherein it consisteth.  For resolution we must look a little back, casting an eye, (so far as with humble modesty we may)▪ upon the church's deformation; enquiring what chaff there is yet left in this floor, what errors, what Imperfections, what corruptions there are, or may be supposed to be left in this Church, unpurged out, unreformed. 

Ezek. 8▪ 12. It must be either in Faith or Order.  
Col. ●. 5. Faith and Order the two main Pillars of a Church.  
Duo ponit Apostolus quibus constat Eccle●i● perfectio. Beza▪ ad ●ocu●.   chaff there is, errors, Imperfections there are (as what Church without?) Let that be granted, yielded. But wherein lie those errors, those Imperfections?  
To find them out we shall not need to go far about; there are but two Roo●●s, two Chambers (as I may say) wherein we are to make search for them. They must be either in matters of Faith or Order. To these two heads the Apostle reduceth the whole business of a Church, Col. 2. 5. Beholding your Order, and the steadfastness of your Faith.] There are but these two main things to be eyed in a Church, the perfection of a Constituted 
1 King 7▪ 21.  Church consisting in them, Faith and Order, the two great supporters of a Church, like those two Pillars in the Porch of Solomon's Temple, Jachin and Boaz; Establishment and Strength, as the words signify.  

Faith the right-hand Pillar.  Faith, Doctrine, or the Doctrine of Faith, the right-hand pillar, the main and principal thing in a Church; So much the Apostle there insinuates, in that he calleth it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Firmamentum fidei, (as the vulgar Latin renders it) The Firmament, the groundwork, and Foundation of Faith. Such is the Doctrine of Faith to the Church, Totius adificij {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, i. e. 
Ibid.  Fulcimentum, (as Beza glosseth upon it) The main Basis or buttress of this Building, the main Pillar of the Church.  
Faith and the Church, they are mutual Pillars, each a Pillar to other; the Church a Pillar to Faith, and Faith a Pillar to the Church; but in a different respect. The 
1 Tim. 3. 15.  Church is a Pillar to Faith (The Pillar of Truth) modo forensi, a Pillar holding it forth, as Pillars do the public Edicts or Proclamations which are hanged upon them, or fixed to them. Faith a Pillar to the Church, Modo Architectonico, a Pillar holding it up, as a Pillar doth a House which resteth upon it. Faith the right-hand pillar.  

Order the left-hand Pillar. Naz:  Next to that is Order. Order the Beauty of a Church, ubi Ordo dominatur ibi pulchritudo splendescit (saith the Father.) Where Order reigns, beauty shines. A thing much to be joyed in where it is. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, saith 
Col. 2. 5.  Paul to those Colossians. Rejoicing and beholding your 

Order of the Essence of a Church.  
Ex quibus velu●i generalibus partibus constat Ecclesia, Beza▪ Ibid.   Order, Much to be desired where it is not, or where it is not in some degree of perfection. The Beauty of a Church, Nay more, of the Essence of a Church, Faith and Order (saith Beza) they are the general parts of which a Church consists: Each essential to a constituted Church, requisite not only to the well-being, but the being of it; without which it cannot be a Church, a constituted Church. A Church it cannot be without Faith, which maketh it an essential Church, A constituted Church it cannot be without Order (some Order) which maketh it an integral and organical 
Ames: Medul: lib 1 cap. 33.  Church, (as our Learned countryman distinquisheth.) This it is that makes the difference betwixt Ecclesia, and Agora, (as Illiricus well observes) betwixt a Church and a Market. The one is Conventus Ordinatus, an Orderly Convension or Assembly. The other, Confusa Congregatio, a Confused and Pr●●iscuous Gathering. Even as it is betwixt an army and a rout, that which differenceth the one from the other is Order. An army is an Orderly Body, made up of Commanders, Officers, Common-Souldiers, divided into several Regiments, Squadrons and Companies, Martialled in ranks and Files, observing a Militario Order. Such is the 
Cant. 6. 10.  Church, an army [Terrible as an army,] it is said of the Church universal; and it may be said of every particular Church, it is (or aught to be) an army, Acies ordinat●, an army; as for Strength, so for Order, without which it cannot be a Church.  

Some Perfection of Order of great concernment to a Church.  Of such concernment is Order to the Church, and that, some Perfection of Order. Without the one it cannot be a Constituted Church, and without the other it cannot be a settled, an Established Church. He shall sit upon the Throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order, and to stablish it,] it is spoken of Christ and his Church, 
isa 9 7.  isa 9 To Order and to stablish. No Establishing of a Church without Order; No such way to Establish it as by Order; Which, the more exact and perfect it is, the more beautiful, the more Stable the Church is; and therefore not to be slighted, as it is by many. Next to the Faith of the Church, no one thing of so great concernment as ●rder. If Faith be the right-hand Pillar, 
Church-Order der wherein it consists▪ viz. in 3. things.  Order is the left.  
Q. But wherein consists this Order which we erye up to be so requisite, at least to the well being of a Church.  


D●ven●t 〈◊〉 Calvin  
super Col. 2. 5.   A. Here give me leave to follow the steps of a Reverend and Learned Worthy of this Church, or rather Calvin's fore him, whom therein he follows. Church-Order consists principally in these three things. 1. In the unity and Agreement of the Members of a Church. 2. In the Orderly walking of those Members. 3. In a right Discipline duly exercised. All these three did the Apostle, not without singular complacency and joy, take notice of in the Church of coloss. He there saw a sweet harmony and agreement betwixt the members; he saw their personal walkings, and Church-businesses all carried in a Regular and Orderly way. Three things much to be desired in every Church.  
1. unity and Agreement, and that both in Judgement 

Unity in julgment and Affection.  
Phil. 2. 2.   and Affection; That the Members of a Church might be all {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, (to use Paul's words) Like-minded, One-Hearted, Having the same Love, being of one accord, of one mind, (as Paul saith to his Philippians,) minding and speaking one and the 
ver. 20.  same thing. Mutually embracing, and Naturally caring for the state one of another: Thus knit together in that double Bond of Faith and Love. Here is the first Branch of Church-Order, unity and Agreement.  
A second is in the Carriage and D●meanour, the life 

Regulatity in life and convensation.  
Tit. 2 12. 2 Thes. 3. 6.   and conversation of the Members of a Church, which ought to be Orderly. Orderly both towards▪ God, Themselves, Others. A living righteousness, Soberly, Godly, (as the Apostle hath it.) Godly to godward: Soberly to Themselves-ward: Righteously to the World-ward: which who so do not, they are said to walk {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, without Order, Disorderly. [Withdraw yourselves from every Brother that walketh Disorderly.] Here is the second Branch of this Order. Order in the personal walkings of Christians, such as join themselves to a Church.  
3. A third is that which we call Discipline, Church-Discipline, 
Discipline.  taking the word in the latitude of it, the largest sense, as it comprehends under it the Right-Ordering of all the affairs and businesses of the Church; whether of Officers, for their Election, Ordination, &c. or Ordinances, as viz. Word, Sacraments, Prayers, Censures, all which ought to be done (as the Apostle hath it) {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Orderly, according to Order. So were the Services under the Law done. The Service of the 
2 Chron. ●9. 35. 1 Cor. 14 ●lt.  House of the Lord was set in Order, 2 Chron. 29. So ought all Services under the gospel to be done. Let all things be done decently and in Order.] Put these together, and you have the full comprehension of this second general so requisite in every Church-Order.  
Now, (to wind up what I have raveled, and to return from whence I have made this necessary digression.) In which of these two Chambers shall we find the errors and Imperfections in this Church of ours, needing, and calling for Reformation? Shall we find them in matters of Faith, in points of Doctrine, or in Order?  

The Church of England defective not in points of Faith.  Not in the former. So much I suppose is, or will be freely confessed and acknowledged at all ingenuous and impartial hands. As for the great things of the gospel, matters of Faith or Doctrine, the first Reformers of our Church had so happy a hand therein, that there is to be 
Zerubbabel's encouragement, by T. G.  found little, if any hay or stubble therein; It is the free, public, and true acknowledgement o● one, no backfriend to Church-Reformation, in his Sermon before the Honourable House of Commons, upon that Subject. Not in Faith, not in Doctrine; Blessed be God for that▪ Wherein then? why in Order. There it must be or nowhere. And here I dare not say, but that some things 
But, Order, viz.  may be found amiss, some errors, some Defects, some Corruptions, and those possible to be found in every corner of this Chamber, In every of those three Branches which I particularise even now. In some of them they are more palpable, (not more palpable than deplorable.) In the two former I think none but will acknowledge foul errors, foul deformities.  
1. As first in point of Christian unity and Agreement. 
In unity. joh. 17. 21.  Herein what disorder in the Church of God amongst us? The Church which should be one, one in the Members of it, (I pray that they may be all one,) saith our Saviour, speaking of all that are given to him to believe on him, to make profession of his Name) One, in Head and Heart; Judgement and Affection, united to Christ, and amongst themselves by those sacred bonds of Faith and Love,) how is it divided, rent, torn? Christians, Members of the same mystical body, how severed, and hat both in Judgement and Affection? The evidence is too clear against us.  
2. And no less clear in the second particular. In 
Regularity.  the personal walkings of Christians, what irregularity? amongst those which join themselves to the Church, or Churches of God amongst us, how many that walk {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Disorderly? neither Righteously, nor Soberly, nor Godly: persons every ways Scandalous, in their practice, running counter to their professions, shaming the gospel of Christ, and the Church of God, as ungracious Children do their Mother; as worthy to be severed and separated from all Church society and communion, as ever was leper or unclean person to be cast, or kept out of the camp or Temple? A blot it must be acknowledged, and a blot very readily hit, that we should have such and so many of these Blots 
2 Pet 2. 13. Jude 1●.  and Spots, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} (as S. Peter and Jude calleth them,) in our most sacred Feasts, whether for want of Power to keep, or cast them out, or for want of the due exercise of that power, I dispute it not. That it is so de Facto, it must not, it cannot be denied. So as in this point it seemeth, that the Temple of God amongst us is yet imperfect, having too great an outward Court of an Ignorant and profane multitude laid unto it. In both these, (as I said) the evidence is too clear against us.  
3. And I will not take upon me to clear and acquit the third and last. I am no Accuser, neither come I 
Discipline.  hither to pick holes in the church's coat, to pass a peremptory censure upon what ever standeth established by the Law, to which I am a Subject; Yet dare I not say but even therein, in point of Discipline, (take the word largely) there may be some things, and many things amiss; Some things Redundant and Superfluous, fit to be pared off, and taken away; Some things deficient and wanting, wherein the Church hath not yet attained her full perfection. Neither can it be thought any dishonour to those ever honoured Worthies, the first Reformers of this Church, that they should leave it in some particulars imperfect. Strange and wonderful it is, that coming out of such darkness, they should see so much as they did; that they should leave the Church so perfect, which they found so imperfect, and that both for Faith and Order, in both like that first Chao●, without form and void.  


Of what nature these supposed imperfections are.  
Not fundamental▪   But to do them right, and the Church no wrong; inquire we yet a little further; of what Nature and quality are those errors, those Imperfections which we suppose to be ye● left remaining? Are they Fundamentals, or no? destructive to the Essence and being of a Church, or no? Not so. This also is, (or I suppose will be) freely yielded and acknowledged at all Judicious hands. In the first Reforming of this Church, 
T. G. Ibid.  God took care for all fundamental Ordinances of his worship, furnishing the Church with what was necessary for the making, and building up of Saints, and the bringing of his people to Heaven: Word, Sacraments, Prayer, those great Ordinances of God, the very Basis of the Church, together with all the substantials appertaining to them, were all settled and established at the first. And I may add to them the substantials of Discipline also.  
Wherein then lieth the error? why surely for the 
But for the most part circumstantial.  most part in circumstantials. Such is Order to Ordinances, a Circumstance, an Appurtenance. And herein probably there may be some, possibly many, and those very considerable defects to be found amongst us. The House of God amongst us may want some of her utensils and Ornaments; The Worship of God, though for substantials entire, yet may want some of her Appurtenances, and Accoutrements. The Ordinances of God though for substance rightly dispensed and administered, yet in the manner, and Order of their Administration, possibly they may be found, some of them at the least, not so Regular and Orderly.  
Now put these together, and see what it is that standeth charged upon this Church, as needing and calling for Reformation. Her Defects in point of Order. Her Members, (first) are not so jointed and cemented together, as the Timbers and Stones of the Temple ought to be. Many of them, (in the second place) in their personal walkings do not answer their profession, being scandalous in their lives and conversations. Her Ordinances, in the third place, some of them defective in some Circumstances, wanting some Appurtenances, or else not so Exact for the Order and manner of their Administration.  

These errors and Imperfections of great concernment.  Q. Why, but you may say, are these errors and Defects, Tanti? are they of such high concernment, as that the Reformation of them should be so earnestly desired?  
A. To this I must answer, and I shall do it freely; Of concernment they are, and that of great concernment: Though not of so great as some have taken them to be, who have forsaken and abandoned the Church for them, renouncing, nullifying it, as being no floor because of these remainders of chaff in it, no Church because of these defects, these corruptions, Yet of greater, than others happily conceive them. That will appear if we do but consider these two things, 1. The Inconveniency of allowing or tolerating of these corruptions. 2. The conveniency of their Reformation.  
For the former. Corruptions in a Church are like Moath●s in a Garment, if let alone, they will be subject 
The Inconvenien●y of tolerating them.  to decay it. Many and great are the Inconveniencies and hazards, which the Church of God amongst us, by reason of these acknowledged corruptions or imperfections at the present lieth under.  
1. The want of unity and agreement, what an eyesore? Nay what a Heart-sore. For the Divisions of Reuben 
judg. 5. 15, 16.  were great thoughts of heart.] To see the seamless Coat of Christ, nay his Body rent and torn in p●eces; 
Col. 1. 24.  Christians, members of the same mystical body, so divided in head and heart, in judgement and affection; a sad spectacle, and as sad a presage. unity, as it is the Beauty, so is it the strength of a Church. No one thing either deforms or weakens it more than division.  
2. To have the outward Court of the Temple so wide, as that it should admit and receive all comers; what a disproportion? To have all sorts of persons, Persons openly profane and scandalous, received into and retained in the bosom of the Church, admitted to Church society and Communion, even communion in those sacred mysteries, the seals of the Covenant, what a sca●dall? What a Hazard? Hereat and hereby some are offended, others hardened, the Church endangered. endangered and that both in respect of guilt and infection. Both these ways that of the Apostle carries a truth with it: [A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump] leaven, corrupt 
1 Cor. 5. 6.  and scandalous sinners, not purged out, but allowed or connived at in a Church, it leaveneth the whole lump; layeth the whole Church under a guilt, where the Church is Accessary to that Toleration; besides the danger of souring, leavening, infecting others, possibly the whole Church, probably some of the members of it: both ways the Church is damnified or endangered.  
3. To want a due and right Order in dispencing the Ordinances of God, or managing the affairs and businesses of the Church, it is a thing of dangerous consequence; I, though the substance be right. David in 
1 Chron. 13.  bringing the ark from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem from a private house, the house of Abinadab, to its own place, the Tabernacle, which he had prepared for it, 
ver. 10.  for the substance of the duty he was right in it, yet mistaking in the Order, laying the ark upon a Cart which should have been carried upon the Priests and Levites shoulders, God made a Breach amongst them for 
1 Chro. 15. 13  it. The Lord our God (saith he) made a breach amongst us, for that we sought him not after the due order.] Not observing the order instituted and appointed by God in his Law. Of such dangerous consequence may some failings in point of order be. Were there nothing else, this alone may provoke God against a people to cause him to break in upon them, to make a Breach amongst them. Great Inconvenience in allowing, tolerating of these corruptions.  
On the other hand, as great convenience in their Reformation. 
The Conveniency of their Reformation.  To have all the stones gathered out of the Lord's vineyard, to have all stumbling-blocks and scandals, all grounds and causes, and (as much as may be) occasions of division removed, and taken out of the way, whereby the hearts of God's people may come to be cemented and united together. To have the Court of the Temple reduced to its due scantling and proportion, made neither too wide, nor too straight (there may be an error on both hands.) To have the House of God clean swept and garnished, purged from all corruptions, furnished with all requisite Implements and Ornaments, not only her 
1 King. 7, 48, 49, 50.  Altar, Table, candlestick, but also her tongues and her Snuffers, &c. and those all of pure gold. To have her Officers and Ordinances all reduced to native, primitive purity and simplicity. To have this Vineyard amongst us not only planted with choice vines, but to have a hedge set 
isa 5. 1, 2.  about it (a hedge of Discipline about the Ordinances) to have a tower and a winepress, and all other requisites in it. How would this add both to the beauty and safety of the Church, to the Power and Glory of the Ordinances, to the joy, comfort and growth of all the Members of the mystical Body. Let them not then be blamed who seek and seek earnestly for the purging of this floor, the Reformation of this Church in the forenamed particulars.  

Quest. 2. W●a● shall private Christians do ●o further this work.  But what then shall we do, for the compassing or furthering of this Reformation? Here falls in the second Question: For Answer to which take some directions; one for the present (for I see I shall not be able to compass what I intended.)  

Direct. 1. ●e thankful for mercies enjoyed.  In the first place. Be we thankful for what we have. A useful, a needful direction. No means more effectual to obtain what we want and would have, then thankfully to acknowledge what we have already received. This do we in the behalf of the Church of God amongst us, not lessening, not undervaluing, much less overlooking and forgetting the great things which our God hath already done for us. This do some (I fear too many amongst us) whose eyes are all upon the church's blackness (they are evil eyes which are so, a thing which the Church chargeth the Daughters of Jerusalem (her friends) not to do. look not upon me 
Cant. 1. 6.  because I am black, Cant. 1.) her blemishes, her spots, her defects, her corruptions, and in beholding of these they are Eagle-eyed, but in the mean time as for her comeliness; her beauty, her graces, her blessings, these they either overlook, or else look overly and coily upon them, as if they were not worth the looking on. The Story tells us of the Israelites, that when they first saw that Bread, which God rained down from Heaven 
Exod. 16. 15.  for them; They said one to another (saith the Text) it is Mannah; or (as the Septuagint and Montanus with others, render it, according to the original) 
{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}  Man-Hua, Quid hoc? What is this? And is not this the language of some amongst us at this day, touching that Bread of life, which God daily raineth from Heaven for the feeding the souls of his people? These sacred Ordinances of his▪ his Word and Sacraments, Man-Hua, Quid hoc? What are th●se? Ordinances indeed, but they cannot have them in the way of an Ordinance (as they say) dispensed in a due Order, after such a manner as they would have, and therefore nothing worth: especially wanting some other Ordinances to attend and accompany them. A dangerous surfeit (my Brethren.) Such was that of the Israelites, which they took of their Mannah: We can see nothing (say they) but this 
Numb. 11. 6.  Mannah, this, we know not what. Why, what would they have? some other dish besides. They would have 
ver. 4.  flesh to their Mannah. Who shall give us flesh to e●●?] And without this, their Mannah was nothing worth, they were weary of it. A dangerous surfeit; so that proved to them. God heard their prayers, gave them their desires, sent them in another dish, a second▪ course dish▪ and that a dainty one, (quails) but they had better have been without it. I pray God the like Maladi● 
Inordinate lusting, though after things in their own nature very desirable of dangerous consequence. ver. 33.  amongst us, do not meet with a like Remedy; the like sin (I mean our inordinate lusting, understand i● rightly) do not meet with a like punishment. Certainly this surfeiting of our Mannah (a disease which begins to grow too epidemical) it can presage no good. For this cause it was, that the carcases of so many of the Israelites fell in the wilderness; In memorial whereof, they called the place where those carcases were buried, Kibroth▪ Hattaavah, Sepulchra concupisce●●iae, The gr●●es of lust. For (saith the Text) there they buried the people 
ver. 34.  which fell a-lusting: I will not, I dare not say, that for this cause so many carcases are full●● amongst us in this Kingdom at this day; I dare not write Kibroth▪ Hattaavah upon the Sepulchers of any that have yet ●●llen in this unhappy quarrel, the ground whereof is said to be, not Reformation, but self▪ preservation, not the obtaining of what we never yet had, but the retaining of what God and the Law have invested us in, and possessed us of: But this I dare say, and this I must say, that the inordinate lusting of some amongst us, though after things in themselves very desirable; their inordinate lusting I say, when they shall so lust after what they want, and would have, as that in the mean time they slight, if not forget, what ever they already have, as little or nothing worth, this may, nay it cannot but provoke the God of Heaven against them, and it may be, for their sakes against the Nation, causing him to withhold from it, that good which otherwise he intended towards it. Herein let me use a ministerial {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, an awful coldness: Give me leave to discharge my thoughts freely. My fears are (I wish they may prove panic and groundless fears) that this one sin of unthankfulness (the commonness whereof I fear, begins to take away the sense of it) in ●leighting▪ undervaluing, if not overlooking and forgetting the spiritual mercies which we have, will do more in putting from us, than all our Prayers can in pulling to us, the mercies which we would have.  


What great things God hath done▪ for the Church already.  
Ps 80. 8. Isa. 5. 1.   What? ●s all that God hath hitherto done for us nothing, or as good as nothing? That he hath brought his Church amongst us, as a Vine out of Egypt (give me leave to go along with the Psalmist, running descant upon his words, Psal. 80. interlacing there with some passages of the Prophet Isaies', isa 5.) A vine out of Egypt (that Romish Egypt.) Casting out the Heathen (those Romish Idolaters) and planting it, I, planting it in a very fruitful Hill (a place plentiful and abundant.) 
Psal. 8. ●. for 9  That he hath made room for it (inclining and enlarging the hearts of Princes and People to the receiving and embracing of the gospel, causing it to take root (to be established by a law) in so much as it filled the 
ver. 10.  land, and the hills were covered with the shadow thereof (it became a national Church) making the boughs thereof like the Cedars of God, the goodly Cedars (the Members thereof many of them Saints, and that glorious ones in their personal walkings. Thus planting it, that he 
isa 5. 2.  should fence it, making a hedge, a wall about it (fencing it by his own gracious providence and protection.) 
Psal. 80. 13.  Not suffering the wild boar out of the wood to waste it, nor the wild beast of the field to devour it (enemies fierce and potent to prevail against it, though often assailing it.) Thus planting, thus fencing it, that he should build a 
isa 5. 2.  Tower, and a winepress in it, (furnish it with all necessaries for the church's subsistence, and his people's salvation,) What is all this nothing, or as good as nothing? and all because there are as yet some stones in this Vineyard left ungathered out; or because there wants a Pruning-knife for the pruning and taking off of superfluous Branches, or some other Instruments or Implements of like nature, commodious and useful for the Culture, and dressing of this noble Vine? What hath God not only laid the foundation of his House amongst us, but raised up the walls thereof to such a conspicuous and envied height? And not only so, but furnished it with such store of necessary Temple-furniture, placing his ark amongst us, (which alone maketh a Temple where ever it resteth, as the King's personal 
Acts 7. 38.  residence doth the Court) giving to us those {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, (as S. Stephen calleth them) those living, lively Oracles of his Law and gospel: Speaking to us so plainly, so familiarly, so powerfully, as never to any Church, any Nation under Heaven more: In so much as we 
Deut. 4. 7.  may herein say as Moses once of his Israel, What Nation is there, (or hath there been) to which God hath come so nigh as he hath done to us? He hath placed his ark amongst us, the Glory of a Church, the glory of 
Rom. 9 4.  a Nation. To whom pertained the glory, saith Paul▪ speaking of the ark. Besides this he hath furnished this House of his with those necessary pieces, an Altar, a Laver, a Table; an Altar for Sacrifice, a Laver for Washing, a Table for showbread, not unaptly representing to us those great Ordinances of God, Prayer, and the Sacraments; Prayer offered up upon that Golden Altar, in and only in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ. Sacraments; baptism, that {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 
'tis 3. 5.  (as S. Paul calleth it,) the Laver of Regeneration; The Lord's Supper, sh●wing and setting forth unto us that true showbread, that Bread which came down from Heaven, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. All these we have, and I think it will be acknowledged at all hands, that we have them for substance rightly dispensed and administered. And is all this nothing, ●or as good as nothing, and all for want of some other useful utensils; Suppose a besom, a Shovel, 
Exod. 27. 3. ● King. 7. 40, ●0.  a pair of Snuffers, (Temple furniture too.) A besom to sweep the floor, a Shovel to cast out the Dust, or Ashes; Snuffers to top the Lights, to make them burn the cleare●▪ all excellently shadowing out that useful Ordinance of Christ, the Censures of the Church rightly dispensed; And what? for want of these, all nothing? What hath Jesus Christ brought his fan into this floor, purging out so much chaff and Dr●sse of Antichristian Idolatry and Superstition, wherewith the face thereof was so wholly overspread and covered? fanning and dressing up so much corn here? giving such liberty and efficacy to the Fa●●e of his Word amongst us? and is all this nothing, or as good as nothing? and that because of some remainders of chaff in this floor, or for want of a Wing to back and second the fan? Oh (my brethren) what unparalleled ingratitude is this? How should it be but that such unthankfulness 
Our unthankfulness for Mercies received a dāgerou● presage.  should even cause repentings in Heaven? move God to repent, if not of what he hath done, yet of what he may have intended to do. Surely, so would it work with us; to see all our former kindnesses sleigh●ed and forgotten, as nothing wo●●h, and all, because they are not seconded with a continued succession of new favours; Would it not make us at the least stay our hands for the future? Let our own hearts herein tell us, what we may expect and look for from that God, who is in this kind every day so highly provoked. Which that we may prevent, withal, procuring further Grace and Favour from him towards this endeared Church of his, for the perfecting of the great and good work which he hath begun in it, and the completing of it with what ever Ordinance or Ornament it yet wanteth; learn we to set a higher price upon what already we have. Learn we to cry Grace, Grace, to every stone in this Building; Not to the Top-stone 
Zach. 4 7.  only; As it is said of Zerubbabel, Zach. 4. He shall bring forth the Top-stone (o● headstone) thereof with shoutings, crying Grace, Grace unto it.] Thus happily many amongst us would be ready to do, could they see the headstone, the Top-stone brought forth, the Finiall of the House, the Pin cl● of the Temple set up, the work of Reformation perfected, this they would entertain with joyous Acclamations and shoutings, crying Grace, Grace to it; But in the mean time, as for that which God hath already done, their 
Grace, Grace, engraven upon every stone in this Building.  hearts are not affected with it as they ought to be; As if Grace, Grace, were not engraven as well upon the Foundation-stones as upon the Top stone. whilst we rea●e it in the one, d●e not overlook it in the other. Give we unto God the Glory of his abundant Grace in laying the Foundation-stones of so glo●i●●s a Church amongst us, which, should our eyes never see more, yet deserves a thankful gratulation from our hearts and tongues. So were the people of the Jews affected, when they saw but the foundation of the Temple laid. 
Ezra 3. 11.  All the people shouted with a great shout, (saith the Text) praising the Lord, because the foundation of the House of the Lord was laid, Ezra 3. And surely this did our forefather, when they did but see the dawning of that light which is now brok● forth amongst us so gloriously, when they saw but the beginning of this Reformation. Let not us their children despise that day, as a day of small things. Had it been so, yet were it not to be despised. [Who hath despised the day of small things?] 
Z●ch. 4. 10.  but such is not this Day, the Day of the gospel, the Day of salvation brought unto this Church, this Nation, by that first Reformation. A day not o●small, but of great and glorious things; So look we upon it, so account, so acknowledge it; Give we unto God the Glory of his first Grace, this will be the most e●●ectuall means to obtain a second Grace. Would we obtain what yet we want, learn to be thankful for what we have. Thus I have only broke the bulk of these Directions; Time takes me off, I must shut down the hatches for the present; That which remains I shall put over to the next occasion.   

THE fourth SERMON, May 10. 1643▪  MATTH. 3. 12. 
And he will throughly purge his floor.]  
Christ's floor is his Church, his Church visible. This floor he will purge; this Church he will reform, and that throughly. This work we trust he is about at this day, as in other of his Churches, so in this, whereof we are members. Taking this to be his design, do we what we may every of us for the furthering of it. That is the Exhortation which I insisted upon the last day, but was enforced then to leave imperfect.  

use.  do what we may; But what shall we do? In answer to this great and useful question. I have begun to lay you down some Directions. One I then gave you, and but one, which might serve as a preparative and introduction to the rest. Be we thankful for what God hath already done for us; thankfully acknowledging the Graces and blessings already conferred upon this Church. Not to take notice of the Graces of God in a man's self, not to acknowledge them in others, is a fault, a sin: much more in a Church, and that such a Church, wherein the graces of God are so conspicuous. But I spare to press what then I insisted on. Only, before I leave this Direction, give me leave to subjoin a Caution to 
A Caution.  it. I would be loath (if it might be) to give either Offence, or Advantage. Be we thankful for what we have, but not so as to sit down, and rest contented, as if we were already complete and perfect. Not as though I had 

Do not think● ourselves perfect.  
Phil. 3. 12.   already attained, or were already perfect, (saith Paul of himself,) Phil. 3.] So should Christians look upon themselves; so taking notice of the graces of God in themselves, as that withal they should take notice of their wants and imperfections. And so look we upon the Church of God amongst us, as a Church, I a glorious Church, but not absolute, not perfect. To say or think of this Church that she wanteth nothing, were to make her too like to that Beggarly La●dicea▪ (as some have already done.) Thou sayest I am Rich, and have need of nothing, Rev. 3.] Never was there Church yet so Rich, that could say so 
Rev. 3. 17.  in truth. Ephesus, Pergamus, Thyatird, famous Churches in their times, yet the Spirit hath a Charge against every of them. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. I have something against thee; I have a few things against thee.] Philadelphia 
Rev. 2. 4. 14, 20  though not charged with any downright Corruption, yet was she not free from her Imperfection, Thou hast a little strength, Rev. 3.] Now a little strength implies 
Rev. 3. 8.  a great deal of weakness. What Church ever yet was, or ever will be free? The through purging of this floor (as I told you) is reserved for hereafter. Here indeed there are degrees of Church perfection▪ but they are all Comparative, none Positive, none Superlative, none Absolute. 
Church perfection here, is but comparative.  In the greatest perfection here, still there will be an allay and mixture of Imperfection. To think otherwise of this Church, were too great weakness; to speak otherwise of it, were too open flattery. To attribute so much to the wisdom of those first Reformers, as that they should leave the Church every ways perfect, is an honour, which if they were se●sible 
Rev. 22. 8.  of, they would never own, no more than the angel would the divine honour, which S. John would have given to him by falling down to worship him. That privilege was apostolical, and it died with them, 
Gal. 2. ●.  not to be capable of Addition, To have nothing added to them.] So perfect was their Doctrine, their Counsels. Not so the Counsels of others, specially where the Word hath left things more dubious and dark, not so clear and evident, (as in the Case of Church-Order it seemeth to be.) Dream we not then of a present perfection, but taking that for granted, which cannot be denied, that there are Defects and Imperfections amongst us; let us not sit down as satisfied and contented under them, but do what we may for the hea●ing▪ reforming of them. Though we may not forget those 
phillip 3. 13.  things which are behind, (as Paul saith he did his own labours, and sufferings for Christ, viz. in respect of any resting upon them▪ or glorying in them.) Yet reach we forth (both our Hearts and Hands) to that which is before.] This Caution being interposed now let the main question run on. What shall we do?  

Direct. 2. mourn over Imperfections.  I answer (in the second place) taking notice of the Churches whether Imperfections, or Corruptions, lay them to heart, mourn over them, over Corruptions. So did the Lords' faithful ones over the personal corruptions 
Ezek. 9▪ 4.  which they saw in Hi●rusalem, they mourned over them, Ezek. 9 So did our blessed Saviour over both personal, and Church-Corruptions, in that City, 
Luk. 19 41.  When he behold the City, he wept over it, over Imperfections. So did the chief of the Fathers, the Ancient men amongst the Jews, which had seen the first House, the first Temple, and the Glory of it; when they saw 
Ezra. 3 12.  the Foundation of the second House, they wept ●ver i●. viz. over the defect and imperfection which they saw in it, because it came so for short of the former. Others at the same time shouted aloud for joy, they w●p● and there was ground for both; of Joy, in that the Foundation was laid; of Sorrow, in that it came so far short of the pattern. Even with such a mixed Affection should we at this day look upon the present state of the Church of God amongst us. Joying over the Foundations which are laid, yet Mourning over the defects and imperfections. Thus be we affected with what upon good grounds we apprehend to be amiss, that so our Hearts may work towards a Reformation.  

Direct. 3. Begin the work of Reformation at home.  Which that we may promote and further, Begin it at Home. Take that as a third Direction, and a main one. Would we have the church's floor purged, let every one of us purge his own floor. For every man to sweep before his own door, is the next way to make the street clean. For every one to purge his own floor, is the next way to have the church's floor purged. Home-Reformation is the first step, and a good step to Church-Reformation. Here begin we the work, every one at home: Being (as it most nearly concerns us) most solicitous about this work, Home-Reformation, the Reforming of ourselves, and those belonging to us; It is our saviour's speech to those good women, which lamented and bewailed him going to his Passion. Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for 
Luk. 23. 28.  yourselves, and for your children. hear we the Church of England speaking in a like language to her Daughters; Daughters▪ of England, reform not me, but reform yourselves and your children. Not but that private Christians may have an eye to public Reformation, (So might those women do what they did, mourn and lament for their Lord and Master,) but the main business which they should be most intent about, is Home-Reformation. Weep not for me, but for yourselves, and for your children: that is, rather for yourselves, and them, then for me? (as you heard it not long since rightly expounded.) So, reform not me, but yourselves, and your children; Let your thoughts be more taken up with Home-Reformation; then Church-Reformation. A point not unseasonable for the times; wherein it is to be feared, least thoughts and speeches concerning the public affairs of Church and State, being so frequent everywhere, should divert, and take of our hearts from some businesses, (I will not say of greater, but) of nearer concernment. Would we have this great work prosper, begin we it at the right end. Begin we 

Reforming ourselves.  
2 Tim. 2. 21.   the work of Reformation at Home. Every of ●s first beginning with ourselves. This is S. Paul's method, 2▪ Tim. 2. 21. where having spoken of that mixture, which is, or may be found in the visible Church, that House, wherein there are vessels of Gold and Silver, and 
ver. 22.  Wood and Earth; He presently subjoins, If any man purge himself, &c.] Intimating, that this should be every man's chief care; not so much the purging of the Church, as the purging of himself. Here begin 
Iam. 4 8.  we at our own hearts and hands, purging both. Purge your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts ye double-minded, James 4. What ever chaff we find in these floors (as some we shall find) purge it out. What ever we find here amiss, in our hearts or lives, set upon the Reformation of it.  

Our families.  Next to our own hearts and lives, purge we our Families. I speak it to those whom God hath made governors of Families, Parents, Masters. Families, they are, or aught to be, as so many Churches; (The Church 
Philem 2▪  that is in thine House, saith Paul to Philemon:) Every one a floor; and in these floors God hath appointed the governors to be the f●nners; Let them see to the through▪ purging, reforming of them. So 
Gen. 17. last.  did Abraham, the Father of the faithful, Gen. 17. He Circumciseth himself first, and all that were in his house. So did Joshua, going about to reform the people, he begins at home, resolves upon a Reformation of his own 
Iosh. 24. 15.  House, I and my House will serve the Lord. So did David, resolving upon a national Reformation, a through purging of the floor of his Kingdom●, i will early 
Psal. 101. 7.  destroy all the wicked of the Land; he begins first with his own House, resolving, that what ever scandalous person there was in his Court, he would either reform him or cashier him. He that worketh deceit, shall not 
ver. 8.  dwell in my house; he that telleth lies, shall not tarry in my sight. Like course take we. For the bringing on of public, begin with a private Reformation. Purging our own floors first. It is the church's complaint against 
Cant. 1. 6.  the sons of her Mother, Cant. 1. 6. That they had made her a keeper of other vineyards, but her own vineyard she had not kept. Her natural corruption, which was bred and born with her (as Junius interprets the place) that made her very solicitous about things, which belonged not to her office and calling, whilst in the mean time she neglected her duty in things of nearer concernment, things which concerned herself. This will the corruption of our nature do, (if not looked to) it will make us so busy, and pragmatical about the Reforming of others, the Persons of others, the callings of others (a thing which cometh not within the verge and compass of our callings to do) as that in the mean time we shall neglect our own hearts, lives, families▪ which as they most nearly concern us, so we should be most solicitous about. First, Purging our own floors. Which having done; then, as for the purging of the church's floor, Earnestly pray for it; Quietly wait for it; humbly submit to it. Three Directions more, wherein (as I take it) lieth the main of the private Christians duty, which is the mark that I aim at. Touch upon each, as briefly as I may.  

Direct. 4. seek Reformation by prayer and supplications.  In the fourth place then, Earnestly pray for this Reformation. This private Christians may do, aught to do; help the fan of Jesus Christ with the wind of their prayers, Contributing their Requests and Supplications to this good work. Supplications, and that both to God and man.  
1. To God in the first place. In every thing (saith 
To God. Phil. 4. 6.  Paul) let your Requests be made known unto God. How? By prayer and supplications with thanksgiving. Let it be so here. As many of us as desire a through-Reformation of what is amiss amongst us, let us make our Requests known unto God by daily and earnest Prayers and Supplications, but with thanksgiving. Let not that be forgotten. Blessing God for what he hath already done in purging this floor of his, beg it from him that he would go on to perfect the work. To that end raising, and stirring up meet instruments for the effecting of it. It is our saviour's direction to his Disciples, Mat. 
Mat 9 last.  9 Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, thrust forth) faithful labourers into his harvest. This do we in this case, pray we the Lord and Owner of this floor, that he would send forth, thrust forth faithful Fanners into this his floor. Faithful fanners, 
Jer. 15. 9  such as may put a true and precise difference betwixt the precious and the vile, the chaff and the wheat; not casting out any of the one, not retaining any of the other; In which two things (as in opening of the clause foregoing I showed you) consisteth the fidelity of a Fanner. Faithful Fanners, such as may do the 
Jer. 48. 10.  work of the Lord, not negligently, not deceitfully, but with all their might, all their strength, every ways approving themselves to their Lord and Master in doing his work according to his own mind and will. Such Fanners beg we from the Owner of this floor. withal imploring his direction, his assistance for them, that he would both guide, and bless the fan in their hands, making their endeavours effectual for the through purging of this floor of his.  
2. Thus seeking it from God, seek we it also from 
To Men.  men, those into whose hands Jesus Christ, either hath or shall put this fan of his; These I mean▪ to whom he hath committed a lawful Power and Authority, (whether supreme (viz. under himself) or subordinate) over this floor, this Church of his, for the ordering of it. Beg we it from them that they would set the fan a work, using all lawful, warrantable ways and means, both for the discovering and casting out of what ever remainders of chaff there are to be found in this floor. Thus earnestly pray we for this Reformation. Which doing, then  


Direct. 5. Quietly wait for it.  
Lam. 3. 2●.   In the next place, Quietly wait for it. A good thing so to do in all straits and difficulties. It is good (saith the Church) that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. This do we in this case, a case wherein the work happily may meet with some unexpected difficulties, sticking in the birth (as now a long time it hath done) not coming off, either so easily or speedily, as it may be we made account of; in this case let us wait and quietly wait: waiting for the Law of our God, as the Prophet Isaiah saith the isles (the 
isa 4●. 4.  Gentiles) should do. The isles shall wait for his law, isa 4●. i. e. for the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. This let us of this island do. Christ being now (as we hope) about that great work, which the Prophet there speaketh of, in the words immediately foregoing, setting judgement 
ver. 4.  in the Earth, that is (as the Geneva note glosseth upon it) setting all things in good order in his Church (for such is Christ's way sometimes to bring Order out of confusion) O●let us now wait for his law, even for what ever it is that he shall reveal unto us out of his word to be according to his will, for the ordering and regul●ting of this Church of his. This wait we for, and quietly wait for it. Quietly, not Precipitating; Quietly, not Anticipating the work.  
1. Not Precipitating, not overhastening of it. Over●asty births are seldom long lived, never perfect. Be we 

Not precipitating it.  
Gen▪ 18. 10, 14   con●ent (as ●●turall mothers are) to tarry the time, the appointed 〈◊〉 for this Birth, which we hope the Church 〈◊〉 in her wo●be; God● 〈◊〉 (I mean) who a●●e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 down a time, a season for all other 
Eccl. 3. 1.  things, a time for every purpose under the sun, times for us to observe; So he hath set down a time, a time with himself for the effecting of this work. The Apostle writing to his Hebrews, he tells them of a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, 
Heb▪ 9 10.  a time of Reformation, a period until which those {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} (as he there calleth them) those carnal, legal ordinances and Constitutions were to continue. Surely, as that first, so all successive Reformations under the gospel, they have all of them their times, their periods set down, and appointed by God. Be we contented 
isa 28. 16.  to tarry that time, not making haste. He that believeth will not make haste, so make haste, as to use any unlawful or unwarrantable ways and means for the compassing of his desires and hopes. So indeed did Jacob 
Gen. 27.  make haste, thinking to go the next way to get the blessing, but he had better have gone further about, and have tarried God's time for it. Take heed of Precipitating the work.  
2. And (in the second place) take heed of Anticipating 
Not Anticipating it by taking the fan out of the hand of Christ himself.  it, viz. by taking the fan out of the hand of Christ himself, or out of their hands into which he hath put it.  
1. Out of the hand of Christ himself. This did th●se frantic German Anabaptists of the last age attempt to do. Impatient to tarry Christ's leisure for the through purging of his floor, they would set upon the work, to purge, not the Church only, but the world. And how would they do it? Not by the Word, but by the Sword; therewith attempting (for that was their professed design) to cut-off and destroy all the wicked from off the Earth. Here, if I listed to enter the lists with madmen, I should not need to go out of the Text for weapons. He hath his fan in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor. The through purging of the Church (much more of the world) is Christ's own work, and a work▪ which he will do; but when? Not here, but hereafter. In the mean time our Rule is, and theirs should have been; that direction of the 
Mat. 13. ●9, 30.  husbandman's to his servants touching the Wheat and the Tares, Let them both grow together until the harvest, lest whilst ye pluck up the Tares, ye root out also the wheat with them. But I forbear to press this, ●oping that there is none here present, or belonging to this place, touched with this frenzy.  

His Officers, which are  2. Beware of taking the fan out of the hand of Jesus Christ, or else out of their hands into which he hath put it. There is a twofold Government that Jesus Christ exerciseth upon earth. The one inward and invisible, viz. in the hearts of men; the other outward and visible in his Church. Now the former of these he exerciseth immediately, by his Spirit; the latter mediately, by Instruments, by men. And thus he purgeth his Church here, not immediately, but mediately: (even as the Husbandman doth his floor, which he purgeth, not by himself, but by his servants, into whose hands he puts the fan) delegating and appointing some in every Church to be the ordinary instruments of public Reformation.  
Who these are I have glanced at already; take it now a little more fully and distinctly. They must be public persons. public works call for public Instruments. public persons are of two sorts, civil, ecclesiastical, 
Magistrates, Ministers.  Magistrates, Ministers; And upon their shoulders in an ordinary way, doth this work lie. So it was in the building, rebuild of the Temple. The 
Ezr. 3. 2.  chief undertakers in that work, were Zerub●abel and Jeshua; Zerub●abel the chief-prince with the Elders, the chief of the people, as you have it explained, Ezr. 
Cap. 3. 2. Cap. 5. 2.  6. 14. Jeshua the chief-Priest with his Brethren, the other Priests and Levites and Prophets; all joining hands in the work. The Prophets exciting and encouraging the Elders, Ezr. 6. 14. The Elders builded, and they prospered 
Cap. 6. 14.  through the prophecy of Haggai and Zachariah. The Elders appointing, and the Priests directing the Levites to set forward the work of the house. Thus was the 
Cap. 6. 14. Cap 3. 8, 9  Temple builded; and by the same hands ought it to be purged. So was it in the days of Hezekiah, Josiah, both which intending a restoring of Religion then decayed and corrupted, they summon the Priests and the Levites, and set them a work to purge and sanctify the 
2 Chro. 29. 4, 5  house of the Lord. So you have it, 2 Chron. 29. Hezekiah brought in the Priests and the Levites, &c. And said unto them; hear me ye Levites, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your Fathers, and carry forth the fil●hines out of the holy place. Josiah the like. He commanded Hilkiah the high▪ Priest, and the other Priests to bring forth out of the Temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for 
The Fan taken out of their hands by  Baal, &c. 2 King. 23. 4. See here by whom it is that the House of God, the Temple is to be purged, viz. Magistrates, Ministers. Into their hands hath Christ put this fan, having (in an ordinary way) committed the Power and Authority of Church-Reformation unto them. Beware then how we take the fan out of their hands. Which may be done two ways, by rash censuring, by unwarrantable reforming. Take we heed of each.  
First of rash and unadvised censuring, passing rash and 
Rash censuring.  harsh, and peremptory censures upon things dubious and doubtful. Surely, such (at least) are some of the supposed Imperfections and Corruptions in this Church; not yet fully cleared up to be such. Certainly it must not (I think it will not) be denied, but that the lightest and uppermost of the chaff was fanned out in the first-Reformation; that which yet▪ remains being most of it not so discernible to every eye. Thence are those differences in judgement amongst us, betwixt men both pious and learned, judicious and con●eien●ious. In this case than the duty of private Christians is, rather modestly to suspend their censures, than by a peremptory passing and venting of them, to wound the reputations of those who (happily upon as good; or better grounds) are otherwise minded then themselves. Leaving things in question, and putting them over to a due discussion and trial; not condemning them before they 
joh. 7. 51.  be heard, which (as Nicodemus saith) is against the Law; the Law of God, Nature, Nations: Not taking the fan, the Power of censuring and sentencing out of their hands, whom God hath betrusted it with. Under the Law you know who it was, that was to give sentence in a case of suspicious leprosy: viz. Aaron and his sons. This was the priest's office to do, as 
Lev▪ 13. Aynsworth Ann. leu. 13 3.  you may see it set forth at large, Levit. 13. Not but that all others might look on the sore (as the Hebrew Doctors tell us) and judge of it too in a private way, according as they thought; but to pronounce the person clean or unclean, that belonged to the priest's office, 
Deut. 21. ●.  as most other controversies of like nature did. By their word shall every controversy be tried; so you have it, Deut. 21. 5. tried and determined by their word, that 
Eze. 44 23, 24.  is, God's word in their mouth, So the Prophet Ezekiell explains it, Ezek. 44. where speaking of the Priests and their office in discerning and judging betwixt the clean and unclean, &c. he shows by what Rule they should proceed in deciding and determining cases of 
ver. 24.  that nature. In controversy they shall stand in judgement, and they shall judge it according to my judgements. mark it. This was that which they were to do: Judge of things, not according to their own, but God's judgements, not according to their fancies or wills, opinions or affections, but according to the Rules and directions 
Act. 23. 3.  in the word. Even as the Judge sitteth to judge according to the Law; declaring not his own mind. but the mind of the Law. Such was the judgement of the Priest in those cases▪ not authoritative, but declarative. They shall show thee the sentence of judgement, Deut. 17. 
Deut. 17. 9 ver. 11.  9 show it, viz. according to the sentence of the law, which they shall teach thee: So you have it explained, ver. 11. of that Chapter. In cases of like nature under the gospel, I mean in points of controversy in or about the Religion of God (for in other cases we agree to that of 
Luk. 12. 14. Mal. ●7.  our ●aviour, Who made me a Judge?) surely here the law should be required at the priest's mouth: viz. the law of God, according to which they are to give sentence in points dubious, and controversial, in or about his worship and service. Let none take the fan out of their hands, their mouths, by rash and unadvised censuring.  

unwarrantable Reforming▪  Nor yet (in the second place) by preposterous and unwarrantable Reforming. Such I call that which is undertaken by private hands without public warrant. An unwarrantable undertaking. A ruled case, Private persons in an ordinary way, may not attempt or undertake the work of public Reformation, the reforming of what they apprehend to be amiss, whether in Church or State; no, though the errors, corruptions and miscarriages therein were never so palpable. When our blessed Saviour undertook that work of purging the Temple, the Jews looking upon him as a private person (for they knew no other) they demand of him what 
joh. 2. 18.  sign he could show for what he did. What sign showest thou unto us, seeing thou dost these things? This they did 
calu. ad. lo●um  (saith Mr. Calvin) not without some ground and reason; in as much as it is neither meet, nor lawful for private persons, every one, or any one, if he see aught amiss in the house of God, presently to set upon the reforming of it. Damnare quidem corruptelas omnibus liberumest. Corruptions (where they are apparently such) every one may (in a private way) condemn them, but not execute them. This is a work appropriated to those which have authority to do it. We read of diverse Reformations in Scripture, but still we shall find them acted by public hands. The golden 
Exod. 32 20.  calf was burnt and ground to powder, Exod. 32. The Brazen Serpent (that famous relic) being abused to 
● Kin. 18. 4.  Idolatry was broken in pieces, 2 King. 18. The Grove sculptile luci, that Image of the Grove set up by Manasses 
2 King. 23. 6.  in the Temple, 2 King. 21. 7.) with other I dola●rous implements, they were broke, and burnt, and stamped to powder, 2 King. 23. But by whom was this done? by Moses, Hezekiah, Josiah. As for private 
In public● administratione fas non est quicquid mutare sine certâ vocatione ac mandato Dei. calu. in joh. 2. 18. Si ad corruptelas tollendas privatus homo manum admovet, temeritatis arguetu●. Ibid.  persons, if they will attempt works of this nature, they must either show a sign, a special warrant from God for what they do, or else they cannot be excused from unwarrantable rashness. So that great Master of Reformation there censures it. I beseech you let this be taken notice of, which I press and inculcate the rather, because I apprehend that there is no one thing, that will prove more disadvantageous and prejudicial to that which is so much desired, a public and happy Reformation, than this preposterous and inordinate zeal, in snatching the fan or Whip out of the hand of Christ; which in some sense they may be said to do, who take it out of the hands of his Servants, his Officers, those to whom in an ordinary way he hath committed the authority and charge of purging his floor, his Temple, Reforming his Church. Here is the fifth Direction.  

Direct. 6. Humbly submit to it.  A sixth and last is yet behind. Earnestly praying, quietly waiting for this Reformation, than (if ever God give us to see it,) humbly submit to it. ay, though it should not be every way according to our own minds, agreeable to the model which we have moulded and framed to ourselves. So did the Churches to the Determinations and decisions of that first council or Synod, the 
Act. 15.  council at Jerusalem. Notwithstanding that the council had imposed some burdens upon them; (so they call 
ver. 28.  them) burdens, not to their Consciences, (for such they were not) but in respect of some restraint put upon their liberty by them, as viz. The absteyning from meats offered 
ver. 29.  to Idols▪ from blood, &c. things in themselves of an indifferent nature, and so lawful for them to do, yet the council apprehending and conceiving them necessary, (necessary, not simply and absolutely▪ but respectively pro tempore, for that time; not in themselves, in their own nature, but extrinsically, and accidentally necessary, viz. 
calu. ad lo●um.  for the preserving and maintaining of Peace and unity in the Church, (as Calvin well explains it.) it enjoins 
ver. 31.  them, and the council enjoining, the Churches submit, and that both humbly and joyfully. Surely even such a submission ought Christians to yield to the determinations of lawful Authority in things not contrariant, but agreeable to the Rules of the word, either to the particular and express rules and directions therein contained, 
1 Cor. 14. last. 2 cour 108. chap 13. 10.  or else to those general Rules of decency, Order, Edification, the three main points of the church's compass, according to which she is to steer her course▪ in the ordering of all such Church affairs, as are not expressly and distinctly stated and regulated in the word; of which nature no question some will be found. In all these, God and his Church expects a humble submission from the hands of all private Christians. The Law was express under the Law. In matters of controversy which could not easily be decided, the people were to repair to the Priest and the Judge, and to their Order they were to stand. So you have it expressly, Deut. 17. 
Deut. 17. ver. 8. 9, 10, 11.  If there arise a matter too hard for thee in Judgement, &c. Thou shalt come to the Priests, the Levites, and to the Judge, (the Judge for the time being, who was to ra●ifie the sentence of the Priest,) and inquire, and they shall show thee the sentence of Judgement. This the Priest and the Judge were to do, Ex Offi●io. And (Mark what follows,) Thou shalt do according to the sentence which they shall show thee, and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee; viz. according to the sentence of the Law; (as you have it, verse 11.) that is, the Law of God, which was to be their Rule. Now surely, however that Law, being judicial, was (as touching the obligation of it) temporary, yet the equity and morality of it is perpetual. In cases controversial about the Religion, Worship and Service of God, the people ought to make their addresses to the Priest and the Judge, Ministers and Magistrates, desiring and expecting their decisions, their determinations, and to that sentence of theirs, (being (as I said) consonant and agreeable to the Word, viz. to the particular or general Rules of it,) they ought quietly and humbly to submit. So the Apostle presseth it in that known place, Heb▪ 13. Obey them th●● have the Rule over you, ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Ductori●us, Pr●● sitis, your 
Heb. 13 17.  Leaders, your Rulers, be they civil or ecclesiastical, (though he speak there chiefly of the latter) And submit yourselves. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Obey and Submit, viz. in Believing and practising what they teach and require, agreeable to the Word of God, which still must be their Rule and ours.  

Conclusion.  Time taketh me off, I must strike sail. Put we now these directions together, and reduce them to practise. Would we have the floor of Jesus Christ amongst us purged, and throughly-purged, the Church of God blessed with a happy Reformation of what is amiss amongst us; Be we thankful for what we have; mourn over what we want: Begin the work of Reformation at home, at our own Hearts, Lives, Families; which having done, then earnestly pray for, quietly wait● for such a Reformation as may be after God's own Heart and Mind; which he shall please to tender unto us, thankfully receive it, humbly submit to it. So doing, doubt we not but God will do his own work in his own time. To this end it is 
joh. 15. 1. isa 53, 1●.  that God the great Husbandman hath put the fan into the hand of this his righteous Servant, the Lord Christ, that he should purge his floor. And this he will do, and that faithfully, throughly. He will throughly purge his floor. Our hopes are, that he is now about to do it, and that he will speedily do it. Whether so, or no, we are assured he will do it. Whether this floor, this particular Church in this kingdom or no, we have no assurance, though some comfortable hopes; but his floor, his Church, his Church visible upon Earth, he will purge; washing off those spots and freckles from the face of it, which do now any ways deform it; beautifying and adorning it with all requisite ornaments and habiliments, which may make it lovely in his eyes, and the eyes of his Saints; so dressing and preparing 
Rev. 21. 2.  it as a Bride adorned for her Husband. This the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, in his own time will do; And for this let all of us wait and pray.  REV. 22. 20. 
Even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly.  
FINIS.