THE PEACE-MAKER: OR Christian Reconciler. Being The Breathings of a Troubled Spirit, sadly considering the woeful Calamities, grievous Confusions, unnatural Enmity, and impendent ruin, of the People of these three( sometimes Famous) Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland. BY A Lover of Truth and Peace. Matth. 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God. Zech. 8. 19. — Therefore love the Truth and Peace. Heb. 12. 14. Follow Peace with all men, and Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. London, Printed in the Year 1660. A Word to the Reader in general. Courteous Reader, THou seest the Title is ingenuous and seasonable, Peace-making and Reconciliation in times of deplorable Wars and Oppositions, not among Enemies and Aliens, but among Country men, near neighbours, and Christians; but the work is short and sudden. Let thy candour, I pray thee, be therefore manifested, in not expecting a gorgeous trimming to a Mourning Garment, or golden Phrases in black lines. Be but as sad and serious in perusal of these essays, as the unworthy Author was in musing them; and I shall not doubt some good event. Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. The Author's humble Address, to the Right Honourable the Members of Parliament, Now sitting at Westminster. Noble Patriots, YE suffer a 2 Cor. 11. 19. fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. The Press seems now to have equal liberty with the Conscience. You are favourably pleased to receive into your hands,( if I be not misinformed) as you go to the House, such Papers as are tendered, of Models, Representations, Petitions Proposals, &c. of common concernment: and indeed, it is a good way to inform yourselves of the state of all affairs, that you may know the better how to loose the bands b Isai. 58. 6. of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke. Be pleased therefore( worthy Senators) to deign this Paper also the perusal; and if in any wise, it may be serviceable to the glory of God, and public peace of Church and State, I have my end: I have concealed my name on purpose, that the Subject might not receive worse entertainment for my sake; but this I cannot conceal, viz. that I am known both in the flesh, and in the Lord, to some of you; for whom I have put up many an earnest Supplication to the Throne of Grace, that the Lord would keep you from evil, and make you healers of the breaches, and repairers of paths to dwell in. But Oh my Bowels! my Bowels! I am pained at my very heart, I cannot hold my peace, because of the horrible unnatural breaches, divisions, and confusions that are among us. Were it against the Turk or Pope that we were at War and defiance, I should hold my peace; though we are commanded to c Heb. 12. 14. follow peace with all men, and to d Mat. 5. 44. love our enemies; but it is one Countryman against another, one English man against another; yea, one Christian against another. The Case was so stated once, as the War which we maintained was only against the enemies of our just liberties and properties, the evil Counsellors of the Late King who would have begged us for fools, and sold us for slaves; whence is this monstrous change, that our best friends in the beginning of the War, are become our worst enemies in the latter end thereof? O that I could say it were the end! and that this might be the last bloodshed in England, Scotland, and Ireland! O tempora! O Mores! How are we slidden back, like a backsliding heifer! yea, how are we sliding back with a perpetual backsliding! It seemeth, that either the state of our Case and quarrel is changed, or we are changed, or some of our old friends are altered in their judgement and affection: The Lord in mercy help us all, to see our rebellions against his Majesty, who justly thus dasheth us one against another. For French men, Spaniards, Turks, Heighlanders, and Irish-Redshanks to be cruel and barbarous toward midland English men, were very lamentable; but for the better sort and size of English men to be fierce and cruel one against another; yea, to behold the bleeding goary wounds of their Christian Brethren, and dear Countrymen, with dry eyes and undaunted spirits, cannot but be intolerable to Sons of Peace, redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace, and called unto his kingdom and Glory, by his Gospel of Peace. O thou e Jer. 47. 6. Sword of the Lord, how long will it be, ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy Scabbard, rest and be still. But how can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against England, and against the people thereof? there hath he appointed it. Certainly, the sins of the people of these Nations have been heinous provocations, or else the most righteous and merciful Lord would never have given us up to such astonishing and desolating judgments. Honoured Gentlemen, Ye were called together at first, to be Healers and Saviours to these bleeding Nations; and ye only are left, sitting in the Parliament House, as good Physicians, to apply wholesome Medicines, to stench our bleeding wounds, and soundly to heal the breach of the daughter of our people. Let your ears and hearts therefore, I beseech you for the Lords sake, be open to hear and pity the doleful cries, and great grievances, of the remnant of your poor subjects, and quit your selvs like men of wisdom and worth, in searching out, and curing all our Maladies. Let that axiom of Divine wisdom sink into all your hearts, Pro. 12. 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that Imagine evil; but to the Counsellors of peace is joy. Ye are Vicegents to the God of Peace; yea, he hath said f Psal. 82. 6, 7. Ye are Gods, and all ye are Sons of the most high; but ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the Princes. Oh, that in your wisdom and courage for God, and his glory, ye would more and more resemble him, who hath thus dignified you! You must one day lie down in the dust, and yield to death, as well as the meanest Peasant you govern; and then must give an account of your Stewardship to the most righteous judge of all the earth, who is g Deut. 10 7. no respecter of persons, nor taketh reward, but judgeth h 1 Pet. 1. 17. every one according to his works. Oh, that now in this your day, the Lord would make you know the things which concern your own, and the Nations peace! Be zealous,( O ye mighty men) in purging the Lords House, and these Lands, from those execrable abominations of Blasphemy, Perjury, Bloodshed, atheism, Popery, contempt of the Gospel, and Ministry thereof, and other impieties, which now seem to go up and down with intolerable impudence in every part of the Land; remembering, that for these and such like provocations, the Land spewed out our former Princes and Prelates; and till there be a thorough Reformation upon the wheel of zealous endeavours by your command and countenance, running through all the parts of this Common-wealth, neither you nor we can expect an happy settlement. The Almighty God hath indeed in some sort vindicated before the Word your Honour, from that foul affront offered to you, by your Servants, some six years since: I pray God, give you eyes to see what evil you had done, demeritting that displeasure, and humble you for it; and the same Lord who is the Almighty counsellor, and everlasting Father so guide you for the future by his holy Spirit, that ye may do i Ruth 4. 11. worthily in our Ephratah, and be famous in our Bethlehem; that by you, the old waste k Isai. 58. 12. places may be built, the foundations of many generations raised up, whereby the name and famed of that renowned Long Parliament of England, may, in your worthy acts be perpetuated to the end of the World, and all generations to come may call you Blessed. Grave counsellors, The report in the Country is, by your own allowance, as we presume, that you are now debating the settlement of the Government of this Common-wealth; and you have, by your Order lately engaged the good people of these Nations to join with you, in humbling their souls, and seeking the blessing of God upon your Counsels: And ye had to my knowledge many fervent Prayers put up to the Throne of Grace for you. Pardon me, if I put you in remembrance, that the Religion and Peace, the just property and liberty of the people, to be managed by their own free and equal Representative, are some of the chief concernments which you are to provide for, and secure, by the wisdom of God in you, in your intended settlement. The Lord of all mercy help you so; that if you cannot fully build the house for want of Workmen; yet, with David, you may provide such store of materials, as your successors, the next Parliament may, like Solomon, build, and finish it cheerfully, and gloriously: Ye need not( Sirs) be discouraged by any misgivings of your own hearts, or Menaces from your enemies; if your ways please the Lord, and you have done, and still do the things that are good in his sight; but if ye do evil, behold the l Jam. 5. 9. judge standeth before the door; yea, m Psal. 82. 1. God standeth in the assembly of the mighty, he judgeth among the Gods. Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings; be instructed ye Judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry; and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: Blessed are all they that put their trust in him, Psal. 2. 10, 11, 12. A seasonable Word, in these unseasonable Times, to all the Ministers, and Professors of the Gospel of Christ, within the Dominions of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Reverend, and dearly Beloved, in the Lord: WHen I meditated upon my Bed, on the exceeding great and glorious privileges of the Gospel, vouchsafed by the Father of Mercy, through his Son Jesus Christ, to the People of these Nations, from the first dawning of Reformation, unto this day; and how the Lord hath more powerfully appeared among us, in the pure and searching dispensation thereof, of late years, by increasing the gifts of his Spirit in his servants, than in dayes of old; how eminently he hath bared his holy Arm, for the salvation of the people called by his name, and vindication of his glorious Truth, from the hands of ravenous Wolves of all kinds; and withall, how unsuitable, disproportionable, and unworthy our conversations have been to those inestimable blessings: It made me sadly to remember that saying of the Lord, by his Prophet to a Amos 3. 2. Israel of old. You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities: And that grievous upbraide, which our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ himself gave to the Cities, wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. Wo b Mat. 11. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. be unto thee Chorazin, wo be unto thee Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sydon, they would have repented long ago, in sackcloth and Ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgement, than for you. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto Heaven, shalt be brought down to Hell: For if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom, in the day of judgement, than for thee. The Consideration whereof, struck me with astonishment, and trembling at the unsearchable, most wise, most holy, and spiritual judgments of the almighty; inflicted upon the greater part of the people of these Nations, giving them up to a reprobate sense, and hardness of heart, under their customary sins of Idolatry, Superstition, Profanation of Gods sacred Name and Ordinances, contempt of his Gospel, misspending of his Sabbath, drunkenness, uncleanness, malice, profane swearing and cursing, and other impieties, under such powerful and saving means of Conversion and Reformation; and upon a very considerable part, of the more knowing Professors, giving them up to damnable heresies and blasphemies, unchristian, yea, unnatural divisions, emulations, separations, factions, seditions, and contentions, to the great reproach of the sacred name of God, and dishonour of the glorious Gospel of Truth and Peace, which he hath graciously revealed to us. Whereupon I thought nothing more seasonable at this time, than for the true Sons of Peace, who have the sense of these sore calamities set upon their hearts, to awaken themselves, and to give warning to others, to lay to heart the threatened ruin, which inevitably is like to fall upon us, if God in mercy, and we by our timely Reformation, prevent it not. To which end, I have earnestly desired in my heart, that our wise and gracious God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, would stir up the spirits of some of his faithful Ministers, to propound from the Word of the Lord, some healing grounds, and expedients, of general use to all that fear the Lord in these Nations; speedily to be put in Practise, before c 2 Chr. 36. 16. the wrath of God arise against his people, and there be no remedy. For, as on the one hand, there is yet d Bzr. 10. 2. hope in our Israel, concerning this thing, because our final overthrow is( for the present) deferred; so, on the other hand, if we do not, to e Heb. 3. 13. day, while it is called to day, sincerely set upon this work of Reformation, according to Gods will; we do not know how suddenly the Lord may give us up to reap the fruit of our doings, And swear in f Heb. 3. 11. his wrath, that we shall never enter into his rest. No man can deny, who hath the least glimpse of Gospel-light in him; that God hath already begun to plague us, with many sore and grievous judgments, both spiritual and corporal; yea, and these have been continued, renewed, increased, for many years past, in the open sight of all the world; and no doubt but the Lord will have, and good reason he should, his end of us, either in our effectual conversion, or utter desolation; for he hath said, that, g 1 Sam. 3. 12. when he begins, he will also make an end. These things being deeply set upon my heart, and not knowing any thing offered in this juncture of affairs, by more wise and able Pens to this purpose; finding myself strongly bent to the discharge of my duty, in my place, and fearing the sad event of delays of this nature: I think myself bound to cast my mite into the Lords Treasury, by publishing these following Meditations; to the end, that what is agreeable to the Will of God, may speedily be practised, and such other use may be made of these notions, as may be for the Glory of Christ, and happy union of all the faithful in Gospel-fellowship; and what is contrary to the word, may be discovered, and confuted, and some better way propounded, for the healing of our breaches. I have for many years past, been convinced of two extremes, which the Professors of these Nations run into, both which do hinder the work of Reformation, and our Churches Peace; and if I should say, they do also interrupt the peaceable and happy settlement of our civil Government; I think no Godly wise man would condemn me. One is this, That we generally pretend to God, Christ, Gospel, kingdom of Heaven, holy Ordinances, and many other glorious things of Religion; and yet do very few of us yield ourselves up to God in Faith and Obedience; nor care to have our hearts and lives reformed, according to his holy word. The other is, That some of us whom God hath savingly wrought upon, and made willing to become wholly his, and to walk in his fear, are so covetously careful of our own happiness, that we forget to practise Charity to our Neighbours, in seeking their salvation, as well as our own. This being a known wile of the Devil the arch Enemy of God and his people,( who can transform himself into an Angel of light) when he can no longer prevail, to keep people in profaneness and ignorance, he seeks to misled them by their fiery zeal. Hence it is, that some Ministers, and Christians( for so I account all that are baptized into Christ) sit still, and do nothing at all in Reformation, waiting for what shall be settled by Authority; others out of their furious zeal, run upon such courses as have neither foundation, nor so much as footing in the Scripture of truth; which are so far from healing our breaches, that they widen and multiply them; and are so far from pacifying the Lords anger, that( I fear) they provoke him more to wrath against these Nations. For, as the profaneness of formal gospelers, so the spiritual giddiness and uncharitable violence of such as are better instructed, are both condemned and menaced by the Word of God: And therefore, these Nations cannot expect healing, till the Lord do remember his promise; where he hath said, I will h J●r. 33. 6. bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will turn i Z●ph. 3. 9. to the people a pure Language, that they may call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. To the accomplishment whereof all the Servants of Christ ought to be subservient, by their Prayers and endeavours. These following essays are, therefore, humbly offered to your grave and Christian Consideration, out of desire to promote the Glory of God, and unity of the Spirit, in the bond of Peace; beseeching you all in the Bowels of Jesus Christ, to peruse them without prejudice or malice; weigh them impartially in the balance of the Sanctuary, and then judge of them, as you think they deserve; assuring you, that I have no other end in their publication, then hath been before mentioned. And therefore shall conclude this Preface, with the words of the Apostle. Rom. 14. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. And Rom. 16. 17, 18. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them: For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Belly; and by good words, and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simplo. Certain Grounds, Or General Positions gathered from the Word of Truth, as a Foundation of Union and Peace, among all Professors of the Christian Protestant Reformed Religion: Humbly presented to the Godly, Wise, in order to healing all differences, &c. 1. THat the mystical body of Christ is * Eph. 1. 10. & 2 14. Gal. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 12 13. Cant 6. 9. but one, whereof he † Eph. 2. 21. only is the head; which unity, all the visible members thereof ought to “ Eph. 4. 1, 2, 3 &c. Acts 1. 14. Acts 2. 1, 46. Acts 4. 32. maintain in their fellowship one with another, here in this World; that so the state of the Church here may represent the state thereof in Heaven, where they all agree in one. 2. That the real Members of the mystical body of Christ, are only known to Christ and themselves in particular, when they are effectually called by grace in Christ; but one Christian cannot possibly * 1 Cor. 2. 11. know infallibly, and by judgement of certainty, the sincerity of another mans heart; though by the judgement of charity, he may, and ought to judge well of them that do well; and hope † 1 Cor. 13. 7. w●th 1 Tim. 2. 4 well of all, except such as are certainly known to o 1 Joh. 5. 16. have sinned against the Holy-Ghost. 3. That the foundation of Church-Communion, among the Members of Christ in this World, is not real grace; but a † 2 Cor. 9. 13. Mar. 16▪ 18. professed subjection to Jesus Christ, upon the terms of the Covenant of grace revealed in the Gospel. 4. That that Saintship and Faith, which gives a Soul interest in Christ and his benefits is not only external, but also internal; for a Ro. ●0. 9, 10. both are necessary to salvation: But that Saintship and Faith which giveth a man right to the outward Ordinances and privileges of the visible Church, is but b Act. 8. 13. with external, by baptism, and professed obedience; for it is to c Deut. 29. 29. 1 Sam. 16. 7. men, who d Jer. 17. 10. cannot, may not judge the heart. 5. That the holy e 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16. Eph. 2 20. Scriptures do plainly teach, what we are to believe, and what to do, and there is no other Canon for the constitution, or discipline of the Church: Yet nevertheless, all circumstances about Gods worship, and ordering Church-affairs, are not particularly directed by the word, but left under those general Rules. f Phil. 4. 8. 1 Cor. 14. 40. Rom. 14. 19. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, &c. Let all things be done decently, and in order; let us follow after the things that make for Peace, and things wherewith one may edify another, and the like. 6. That, in matters of convenience about Church-order, which the Scripture particularly determineth not; we must be guided by the nature, use, and end of the thing itself, if it be an Ordinance of God; the * 1 Cor. 11. 14. light of nature, and the most uncontroverted practise of the Primitive or reformed Church of Christ; provided, that we keep to the general rules of Scripture and make no g Prov. 24. 21. needless innovations, &c. 7. That, as the succession of the catholic visible Church of God, before the coming of Christ and after the call of Abraham, was continued, in the natural posterity of Abraham by Circumcision and the other Ecclesiastical rites of that time; so the succession of the catholic visible Church of Christ, from the coming of Christ, to the Worlds end, is to be continued among all Nations, whom the Lord shall call to the knowledge of his truth, h Mat. 28.. 19 by baptism, and the other Ordinances of the Gospel. 8. That as the distinguishing Character, between external believers and infidels, under the old Testament, was g Exod. 12. 48. 1 Sam. 17. 26. circumcision, and uncircumcision; so the distinguishing Character between external believers and infidels, under the Gospel, is h Mat. 28. 19. Col. 2. 11, 12. Rom. 6. 3, 4. Gal. 3. 27. baptized, and not baptized. And whatsoever privilege of the Covenant of Grace, Circumcision in the Old Testament did enter a Person, Family, or Nation to, or seal to them; and what duty it engaged them then to, who received it, the same doth baptism under the New Testament. 9. That the catholic visible Church of Christ consisteth of all the visible Disciples of Christ, external believers in Christ, or baptized Saints of Christ, in the whole World; to whom the Ministry of the Gospel, and Ordinances of Christ, are i 1 Cor. 12 18. Eph. 4. 12. Act. 20. 28. first given as the chief subject, and first recipient of them: Of which Church there is, may be, must be, a k Mat. 28. 30. succession to the end of the World. 10. That particular Churches are but homogeneal parts of the Church catholic; and therefore ought to be so gathered and ordered in all things, as to preserve their relation to, and correspondence with the Church catholic; for l Eph. 4. 3. Act 20. 28. Eph. 4. 12. 16. the edification of the whole body of Christ. 11. That in respect of diversity of Nations and Languages, it is a most rational and religious course, for the Members of the Church of each Nation, and Language, to maintain an orderly Communion, and correspondence among themselves, in Church affairs; yet still so, as to preserve the catholic interest, and fellowship, in the use of those Languages that are common; in which respect, the visible Members of the Church in England, may be called for distinctions sake, the m Rev. 2. 1. Church of England, or n Rev. 2. 12. in England, and so of France, Italy, &c. 12. That because every particular Congregation, of lesser or greater circumference, hath a kindly resemblance and intimate adherence and relation to the Church Universal; therefore, every Church-Assembly may be called the Church of, or at, or in such a Nation, Province, City, Town, or Parish, where the same is in being, and all together collectively one Church; from which distinction doth justly spring the name of Church, or Churches, according as the occasion offereth, as the Church of God, or Churches of Christ, the Church, or Churches of England, and that by o Mat. 1●. 17. Act. 8. 1. Act. 14. 23. Col. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Rom. 16. 16. R●v. 1. 4. Rev. 2. 7. ●3. warrant from Scripture. 13. That the People of any Nation, Province, iceland, County, or particular place, or Parish, holding forth the word of truth, baptized into the name of Christ, and professing subjection to Christ, as their spiritual head and chief Bishop; are a truly constituted Church, from which no Christian can lawfully separate himself, in the public worship and service of God; because to be the p 1 Tim. 3. 15. pillar and ground of the truth, is an undoubted property, and Character, of the house of God, the Church of the living God; and every such Church is a q R●v. 1. ●. 20 golden Candlestick, to whom Christ hath r Rev. 2. 1. Ma●. 28. 20. Mat. 18. 20. 2 Cor 6. 16. promised his gracious presence. 14. That the only outward means, which God hath ordinarily used, s Rom. 10. 14, 15, 17. 1 Cor. 3. 5. 6. Heb. 12. 27, 28. the planting and watering of the New Testament Church, from the resurrection of Christ, to the end of the World, and which by the Gospel is declared to stand; is a continued u Mat. 28. 20. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. succession of the ministry of the Gospel, beginning in the Apostles, and other extraordinary men of their time, and continued in ordinary Pastors and Teachers, from them w 2 Tim. 2 2 downward, through all ages after. 15. That the ministerial gifts and office are Christs own donation, to his body the Church in general; sometimes by extraordinary and immediate communication and call, as in Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, in Primitive times; and sometimes by ordinary, as in Pastors and Teachers, to the end of the World. 16. That Pastors and Teachers are but several Gifts, and Administrations, in the same Church-Officers; and not an enumeration, or constitution of several officers, in, to, or for the Church; as appears by the different expression of them, from Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, in Eph. 4. 11. a And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and Teachers; not and some Pastors, and some Teachers; which must have been, if Pastor had been one order of Office, and Teacher another. And the Apostles comprehending both those two, under b God hath set some in the Church; first Apostles, secondarily Prophers, thirdly Teachers; not ●●irdly Pastors: Therefore Pastors and Teachers are one Office, though divers gifts and Ad●inistrations. one office. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Whereby it is manifest, that the ordinary, standing Ministers of the Gospel, are of like office and place in the Church of God. 17. That Christ hath left no other standing way or means in his New Testament, for the providing, approving, and solemn setting apart of ordinary Pastors and Teachers, for the service of the Church of Christ, but the c Act. 14. 23. 1 Tim. 4. 14. Tit. 1. 5. Heb. 6. 2. 2 Tim. 2. ●. 1 Tim. 3. 10 1 Tim. 5. ●2. Suffrage and Imposition of the hands of the Presbytery. And that all such pretenders to the Ministry of the Gospel, who pass not that standing Probation and Ordination, had need be well armed to prove an extraordinary or immediate Mission and Commission, or else they are like to answer their bold intrusion. 18. That the Ministry of the Gospel is in order of nature before the * This appears in Christs own gathering his Disciples first: and after the Apostles gathering other churches, all springing out of the mother Church at Jerusalem. The Apostles laid the foundation, their successors build thereon. gathering or constitution of a particular Church into outward Fellowship, though not before the being of Church-members; for it is by the Ministry that the Churches are gathered into visible order. Howbeit the Ministers are both Members of, and servants to and for the Church in the Lord: Therefore for any number of Christians, gathered together in one place, not having a competent number of Ordained Presbyters going before them( without which they are no Organical Body) to choose, approve and ordain any one to be their particular Pastor, is a practise which the holy Word of God gives not the least warrant for, either expressly or by consequence. 19. That the d Rev. 12. 5, and 15. 4. Gal. 3. 8. Luk. 24. 47. Mar. 13. 10. Hag. 2. 7. Dan. 7. 14. Mat. 28. 19. Isa. 2. 2. Gen. 18. ●8. and 22. 18. Nations of the world, or any Nation in the world, are as capable of the benefits of the Covenant of Gracemade with Abraham, as any particular person or family are; and therefore when ever God sends his Gospel of Truth to a Nation, and the people and Governors of that Nation do testify their sub●ection thereto, by being themselves and their children baptized, why may not they be a e 1 Pet. 2. 9. Mat. 21. 43. National Church, as well as the Jews, without having any difference at all in the degrees of their Pastors and Teachers? I fear it is but a derision which some put upon the Truth, who say, That a National Church must have a National Ministry, viz. Archbishops, Lord Bishops, &c. as the Jewish National Church had High Priests, Chief Priests, &c For I deny, any such National Ministers allowed by the Gospel; and I affirm, That Pastors and Teachers are Church Ministers, and not National Ministers; yea, I know and believe, That they only are sufficient for the service of the Church( if there be but enough of them) if it were the greatest Nation, or all the Nations of the world, and the setting up of any other Ministers of the Word and Sacraments is Will-worship, and a presumptuous intrusion upon the sovereign and Legislative power of Christ, the only King of Sion. 20. That when ever God doth please to engage the Supreme Authority of any Nation to promote the Gospel and kingdom of Christ in their Dominious( which is the (f) Psal. 2. 11. 12. duty of Christian Princes, and parliaments to do, and the greatest (g) Isa. 49. 23. blessing to a Nation when they do it) no more rational and religious course can possibly be devised, then a prudent and equitable distribution of the whole Land into particular Parishes, and setting an able Ordained Ministry over the people of every Parish, for the service of their souls, and Administration of Gods public Ordinances, as occasion requireth, and settling a competent main tenance on them for that work, either by tithes, certain salaries h Here the reader is desired to note, That the Author is of opini●n notwithstanding this condescension, That tithes a●e Christs proper portion for th● maintenance of his service and Servants under the Gospel, and that it is very perilous for Christian Princes to aliena●e them, as woeful experience evinceth, where such alienation hath been made. , or otherwise, so it be i 1 Tim. 5. 17. 1 Thes. 5. 12, 13. honourable and comfortable. 21. That it is a practise most tending to preservation of Order and Peace in the Church of God, for the Christians of every Parish,( except upon extraordinary occasions) to attend the public Worship of God in their own † Peoples disliking of, or not being contented with their own Minister, if sound & laborious, shows. 1. Spiritual wantonness, giddiness, itching ears, loathing, &c. Pro. 27 7. 2 Tim. 4. 3. 2. Setting one above another having mens persons in admiration for advantage, 1 Cor. 4. 6. Jam. 2. 1. 2 Cor. 4. 7. Parish Assemblies, where divine Providence hath placed them: whereas the gathering of Members out of several Parishes( sometimes far distant one from another) into a particular Church-fellowship, reacheth not the ends of the Gospel, Church or Ministry: Nor can a Pastor in case of such monstrous and unlimited collection of Church-members, so constionably and comfortably perform his duty to his flock, as by the former Parochial order. Besides itis no way consonant to the order of a flock, to have the sheep couching in several Folds, or depasturing at any time far off from one another; the same field and fold being proper for one and the same flock. 3. Greater dependence on the Instrument then Efficient, &c. 1 Cor. 2. 5. 22. That the gathering together of the several members of the Church of Christinhabiting one Nation, Province, County, City or Parish into particular Congregations, of different Forms, in opposition one of another; as some under the Form of Prelacy; others under the Form of Presbytery; others under the Form of Independency; others under the Form of rebaptisation, &c. is no way agreeable to the unity of the Body of Christ, nor doth it any way tend to the cherishing and maintenance of Love, Peace and Edification among Christians, which the Gospel requireth: but is rather a practise tending directly to the fomenting and increasing of unnatural and uncharitable strifes, contentions, divisions, schisms and endless unprofitable Disputes; yea, to the ruin and overthrow of Christian fellowship. And therefore it incombeth all Gods wise and faithful servants, in their places, to find out of the Word of God, propound to others, and with all speed and diligence to put in practise some prudent Expedients, for the healing of these, never enough to be lamented, breaches in the Church of God. 23. That it hath been the portion of the true Church of Christ under the Gospel, or at least a very considerable part thereof, to be for a time under the bondage of the great Antichrist, spiritual Egypt, and mystical Babylon; as the Church of old was in natural Egypt and Babylon l Zech. 2. 7. Rev. 18. 4▪ ; out of which spiritual bondage God doth by his word in the mouths of his faithful witnesses, call his people to cast off that spiritual Yoke, by a pure Reformation in Doctrine, Discipline and Worship, according to his word; but not to a new constitution, new Ministry, baptism, &c. as if those had no being before. And that this is the work whereunto we are called in these last dayes of the Gospel-Church, wherein we ought to approve ourselves to God and man. 24. That the visible Church of Christ, either general, or particular, may be, while militant on earth, grievously m Ezek. 16. 15, &c. to the end. 1 Ep. of Cor. througout. Re●. c. 2. 3. Tit. 1. 5. corrupted in Doctrine, Discipline, worship of God; yet so long as it continues to worship the true God, in Trinity and Unity; to hold the Doctrines of Justification, Sanctification, and Salvation by Christ only, to retain their professed subjection to Christ, as their sole and only Lawgiver, head and husband; and to celebrate the standing Ordinances of Christ, for substance, without imposing new Word, and Sacraments, which Christ never appointed; the Lord Christ doth not divorce them, nor withdraw his presence from them, but owneth them as his Church, though he be displeased by their corruption and apostasy. And therefore, so long as Christ vouchsafeth the presence of his Graces and Spirit to them, and owneth them as his Churches, and golden Candlesticks; his people ought not to separate from them in the worship of God, or deny fellowship with them, in that which is good; but rather to labour in their places the reformation of the Church, and with patience to wait for it, so long as the essential parts of the true Church remain in them, and until Christ do quiter( n Rev. 2. 5. ) remove the Candlestick. 25. That separation from a true Church, for corruptions; or picking out the choice and most useful Members of a true Church, yet diseased, of them to constitute a sound Church, is not the way to cure and heal, but to kill, ruin and destroy the whole body; and instead of constituting a true Church, of those select Members; make up a confused heap, of an uncharitable and unmerciful extraction. 26. That the Members of the true Church of Christ, may very much differ in opinion, and practise, touching the Doctrine Worship, and Discipline of the Church; through the different degrees of light they have received from Christ; wherein the Church, and Ministers are to perform the part of a tender Mother and Nurses, as God doth of a loving Father; and the differing Members, the part of unnatural and obedient children. And therefore, in such Cases, neither the Church should cast out her Members( especially if they pled the word for their warrant, and seem to be of tender conscience) without using all possible means for their Information and Reformation, and her Members declaring manifest obstinacy and pertinacy; nor the Members leave the Church, to build themselves up in their erroneous ways,( though in their opinion right,) at any hand; especially, so long as they may enjoy their conscience untouched, and are not enforced to assent to, or act any thing contrary to their light received. For the New Testament of our Lord Jesus is plentifully stored with rules to direct all the Members of Christ, how to walk together in holy fellowship, and to please God. 27. That spiritual Pastors are bound to take an account of the children of the Church under their charge, of their proficiency in the knowledge of Christ, as they grow up to ripe years, and to put them in mind of their Covenant with God in baptism; to the end, that when they have attained ripe age, & a competent understanding of the Mysteries of Christ, they may be further confirmed in the Faith, by participation with the Church in the Lords Supper, and be admitted to further enjoyment of gospel-privileges in the fellowship of the Saints. And that all Disciples, baptized in their infancy, ought so soon as they attain to ripeness of age and understanding, to render themselves to the Ministers of the Church, for their examination and approbation; claiming the covenant privileges, whereunto they were admitted by baptism, by their professed subjection to the Lord. 28. That in the renewal of our baptismal covenant, itis all one in stubstance and effect, whether a Christian doth profess his Faith in Christ, and repentance toward God, by a continued discourse, or by a clear answer to questions propounded to that purpose, or by a declared( f Act. 2. 41. ) assent to a form of found words prepared as a standard: And it is indifferent, whether the same be done before the whole Congregation, or only in the presence of choice Members, to whom the care of the Church is committed; provided, that it be done before a competent * Mat 18. 16. numble of witnesses, able to attest the same in case of falling away, either in Doctrine or Practise. 29. That it is very much to be wished, that all the faithful Ministers of Christ, in these three Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to whom it doth belong ex officio to take spiritual care of these things; would speedily endeavour, jointly and severally in their places, the Reformation, and orderly settlement of the particular Congregations committed to their charge, according to the general and particular rules of the word, wherein all possible care would be had to seek Reconciliation with dissenting brethren; that our unhappy, and unchristian breaches and divisions may be healed; and that the Christians of these Nations may worship and serve the Lord with one mind and mouth. And this to be done with all possible speed, while we have hope of sparing, and time given us to repent of our crying sins, whereby the pure eyes of Gods glory are provoked against us; lest despising so great salvation, he suddenly speak unto us in his wrath, * Psal. 2. 5. and vex us in his sore displeasure. 30. That it is the duty of the Faithful Ministers, and people of God, in ordering Church-affairs, for the preservation of peace, order, and love, to( a Mat. 16. 24. ) deny their own wisdom, parts, opinions, apprehensions, practices, credit, honour, and to yield, and( b Phil. 2. 3. 4, 5. Eph. 5. 21. Rom. 14. 10, 19. ) condescend one to another in the Lord, so far as possibly they can, with preservation of truth and holiness: And those who do the most of all submit to their brethren, and deny themselves for the peace and edification of the whole body of Christ, and maintenance of unity in the Lord c Rom. 14. 17, 18. Heb. 12. 14. , do approve themselves the most wise, and faithful in their places, and shall have the greatest degree of honour and praise, in the appearing of Jesus Christ. 31. That to quicken them and the people to their duty, in their places, these following Texts of Scripture are seriously to be perused and made use of, viz. Psal. 2. 12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little: blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Luk. 19. 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and flay them before me. Gal. 5. 14, 15. For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heeed that ye be not consumed one of another. Mat. 12. 25. Every Kingdom divided against itself, is brought to desolation: and every City or house divided against itself, shall not stand. Jam. 3. 16, 17, 18. Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is, first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits; without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace. 1 Cor. 3. 3, 4. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, another, I am of Apollo, are ye not carnal? 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now, I beseech you brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing; and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together, in the same mind, and in the same judgement. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Finally, brethren, farewell: Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 1 Tim. 5. 3, 4, 5. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words, &c. red also Eph. 4. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Phil. cap. 2. v. 1, 2, 3, 4. 5. And generally all the Epistles of the holy Apostles of Christ; yea, and the whole Scriptures of truth led to this duty of making and keeping unity, peace, and brotherly agreement among all the people of God in the World. 32. That if the faithful Servants of God do their utmost in all uprightness, in the promoting of Church-peace; and some perverse pretenders be found, who will not harken to words of peace; let those pretenders answer their obstinacy to the righteous judge of all the Earth; but let the servants of God be comforted in this, that they have delivered their own souls, and endeavoured to deliver the Church of God in these Nations from utter desolation, which is coming upon us, as an armed man. An( a This expedient might be much conttacted for general use, but that this was drawn to the present state of a particular Congregation which stood in need there of. ) Expedient for the Reformation of a Parochial Congregation, according to the Word of God, to prevent Offences and Divisions, tendered to the Learned and Godly to judge of, amend and practise, as they think fit. WE whose Names are here under written, Professors of the Gospel of Christ, and such as have been baptized into his Name, and thereby x 1. Cor. 12. 13. received Members of his catholic Visible Church, whose habitation God hath for the present set within the Parish of A. in the County of B. calling to mind, and seriously considering, that our * Mar. 1. 4. Act. 13. 24. Rom. 6. 3. Gal. 3 27. Baptism into Christ,( a Isa. 42. 6. with Act. 3. 25. ) as the people of Gods Covenant, doth engage us to hold( b Heb. 10. 23. ) fast the profession of our Faith, without wavering; to deny all( c Tit. 2. 11, 12, 13, 14. ) ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live. soberly, righteously, and godlily in this present World, looking for that blessed hope, and that glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works; having lately been invited by the( d See order of Parliament dat. 26. July 1659. ) present Government of this Common-wealth, to the great and solemn duty of fasting, and humiliation of our Souls( e Wednesday 31. Aug. 1659. ) before the Lord, for the great provocations and sins which have been committed against God; and knowing, that real humiliation must show itself in a thorough reformation of heart and life, and that it is our duty to begin this reformation at home in ourselves, if ever we think to have the Land, wherein we live, pardonned and purged of those crying sins, which have demerited those grievous calamities now lying upon both our Church and Nation; have therefore, in the fear of the Lord, with great trembling and astonishment, looked back upon our former carriage and conversation, in our respective places; resolving( by the Grace of God) to repent, and wash ourselves, by the blood and Spirit of Christ, of and from all our former wickedness, ungodliness, and uncharitableness, especially our abuse and contempt of the Gospel, and the p●iviledges thereof, which we have through the goodness and long suffering of the Lord, plentifully enjoyed. And to the end that we may,( by the Grace of God) walk more circumspectly for the future, not as fools, but as wise; we have resolved, in imitation of the (f) Deut. 29. 10. 11, 12, 13, &c. 2 King. 23. 2, 3. 2 Chron. 15. 12. Nehem. 9. 38. Ezra 10. 3. people of God in former ages, solemnly, and with reverence and godly fear, to renew our Covenant made with God in our baptism, both for ourselves, and our families; beseeching the God of all Grace and truth, for his Son Jesus Christ his sake, our only and blessed Saviour, so to strengthen and assist us by his holy Spirit, that we may sincerely and faithfully keep and observe the same all the dayes of our lives, without turning from the holy (g) 2 Pet 2▪ 21. Gommandment delivered to us. And because we find by sad experience, (h) Pro. 12. 5. Jer. 8. 5. Mat. 24. 11, 12. Jer. 17. 9. 2 Cor. 11. 13. 2 Eph. 4. 22. Mat. 13. 22. Heb. 3. 13. that general and covert terms are not sufficient to engage Professors in this slippery back sliding and divided age, wherein worldly interests have too great an influence on formal gospelers; we have( for further explanation of what God hath set upon our hearts, and to prevent( if it be the will of God to help us therein) our falling into the same extravagancies, which we have publicly confessed before the Lord, on that day of solemn humiliation before spoken of) after serious Addresses to the Throne of Grace, resolved and agreed upon these particular heads of Faith and Order. 1. For Faith. 1. That our Profession is, and ought ever to be, the True, Christian, Protestant, Reformed Religion, as the same is clearly (i) Eph. 2. 20. revealed and set down in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; which Scriptures we receive as (k) 2 Pet. 1. 19. 20, 21. the Word of God, and the only rule of Faith and Life: and believe them to be (l) 2 Tim. 3, 15, 16, 17. sufficient, of themselves, to make us wise unto Salvation, by the help (m) 1 Cor. 12 11. Joh. 6. 63. of the Spirit of Christ. 2. That the (n) Heb. 6. 1. Fundamentals of Christian Religion, touching the (o) Job. 17. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 7. Essence and Subsistence of the only True God in Trinity and Unity; together with his (p) Exod. 34. 6, 7. Attributes and (q) Psal. 19. 1. Psal. 92. 5. Works; the (r) 1. Tim. 3▪ 16. Person, Natures, Incarnation, Unction, Offices, Life, Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, Intercession, Second Coming, judgement, Rule, Gifts, Power, Glory, Benefits, Merits of Jesus Christ the only Son of God, and our Saviour; the( s Joh. 14. 17, 26. and 15. 26. ) Nature, Person, Proceeding, Office, Mission, Power, Unction, Fellowship of the holy Ghost; the( * Eph. 1. 22, 23. Heb. 12. 23. 1 Cor. 12. 12. ) holy catholic Church, Invisible and Visible, Militant and Triumphant; the( t 1. Joh. 1. 3, 7. ) Communion of Saints with God in Christ by the Spirit here in Grace, and( u 1 Joh. 3. 2. ) hereafter in Glory, and their( w 1 Joh. 1. 7. ) Fellowship one with another; the( x Psal. 32. 1, 2. ) Forgiveness of Sins, the( y Act 24. 15. ) Resurrection of the Body, and( z Rom. 6. 23. ) Life Everlasting; as they are proved and explained in the Assemblies Catechism, now in use, and the several Confessions and catechisms of the purest Reformed Churches: are all and every of them plainly, without controversy, taught in those holy Scriptures, as( * Isa. 8. 20. Joh. 5. 39. ) necessary to be known and believed by every one that will be saved. And that it is the duty of every Christian, To( a Heb. 10. 23. 2 Tim. 1. 13. ) hold and maintain all and every those Fundamentals of Faith and Godliness, with( b 1 Tim 15, 19. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Tim. 3. 9. ) purity of mind and Conscience, without degenerating or declining to any Errors, which do either( c 2 Tim. 2. 18. ) destroy or( d 2. Cor. 2. 17. ) corrupt that Foundation of Christian Religion. 2. For Order. 1. That all the Professors of the Gospel, holding this Doctrine according to Godliness, ought to walk( e Act. 2. 42. 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15, 16. Act. 5. 13. and 9. 26. Z●ch. 2. 11. ) in holy Communion together in the exercises of their graces,( f 1 Cor. 7. 24. ) observing the bounds of their particular Callings: for( * Jud. v. 20. Eph. 4. 16. 1. Pet 4. 15. ) Edification of the Body of Christ, and holy and Spiritual Participation( g Jam. 2. 2. Isa. 4. 5. ) of the standing Ordinances of the Gospel, viz.( h Psal. ●6. 12. and 89. 7. ) Thanksgiving and Prayer to God; the Word red, Expounded, Preached; the Sacraments, Baptism and the Lords Supper duly administered. And that Christian parents are to bring their Children to Baptism, as( i Gal. 4. 28. and 3. 7, 8, 9. Gen. 17. 7. Ez●k. 16. 20, 21. Mar. 10. 14, 16 ) children of the Covenant. 2. That such as agree in the Fundamentals of Christian Religion, before mentioned, though they differ in Circumstances of Church-Order or Discipline, or the Qualification of Church-Members for the participation of Sealing Ordinances, may and ought nevertheless to endeavour to( k Eph. 4. 3. ) keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and to walk together in the fellowship of the Gospel in brotherly love, according to that rule,( l Phil. 3. 16. ) whereto we have already attained; let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. And that no difference in opinion should alienate the affections of the Members of Christ's Mystical Body, but that all those who hold the same Head, Christ Jesus, should keep in the fellowship of his Body, the Church, which is one, without dividing or separation one from another, waiting for, and endeavouring after an holy agreement in all things, when the Lord shall graciously please to give it. And in the mean time to bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ, without uncharitable or censorious judging one of another before the time. 3. That the apostatising or declining of any Professor from the sound and saving Doctrine of godliness, revealed in the Word of God; either in part or whole; to any heresy, Schism or ungodly Separation, is unfeignedly to be repented of, as a grievous sin in the sight of the Lord. 4. That every Professor, in his place, is to maintain the practise of Piety, both privately and publicly, by Reading, Hearing and Meditation of the Word, godly Conference, Prayer, Thanksgiving, and holy Conversation: and to this end, that all Christian Parents, and Heads of Families, are constantly and constionably to maintain the practise of Piety with their Children and Servants in their family, and all within their gates, on the Lords day wholly, so far as the duties of public Worship will permit, on every week day morning and evening, and at all other convenient times, by reading the Word, Prayer, Singing of Psalms, Conference for further instruction or edification, Catechizing, Repetition of Sermons, calling Children or Servants to account of their profiting by the Word, and other godly exercises commended to their practise and care by the holy Scriptures. And not to allow themselves, or those under their charge, in the wilful neglect of any holy exercise in its season. And that we ought, every one of us▪ to examine ourselves, and speedily to repent and reform our neglect of duty this way. 5. That the First day of every week is the Lords day, or Christian Sabbath sanctified by God, and reserved to himself, as his holy day; and is therefore solely and wholly to be spent in an holy rest from sin, worldly labour and recreation( except works of necessity and mercy) and religious performance of the duties of Gods Worship, both private and public, in their place. Wherein we judge that public duties of Divine Worship are first, and private nextly to be regarded: and that the profaning of the whole, or any part of that day, by thinking our own thoughts, speaking our own words, or doing our own deeds, is a grievous sin, even one of the common and cry●ng sins of our people and times, for which we are to be greatly humbled as the nursery of impiety. 6. That the Moral Law, contained in the ten Commandments, written in Exod. 20. repeated in Deut. 5. confirmed and explained by Christ, Mat. 22. and Mat. 5. in the spiritual sense and extent of it, is the rule of mans obedience to God; according to which every professor of the gospel ought to comform himself in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 7. That the plat-form of Prayer, given by Christ to his Disciples, commonly called the Lords Prayer, is a perfect rule for Thanksgiving and Prayer to God, which ought therefore to be learned, and understood by Professors, according to which they ought to frame all their spiritual praises, and Prayers, not neglecting other Scripture-examples of that nature, which are also of the same use, being written for our learning. 8. That the Ministers of the Gospel may, and ought, to study to show themselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth; being instant in season and out of season, by sound doctrine convincing all gainsayers; lifting up their voices like trumpets, telling Gods people of their sins; and particularly reproving the sins of the times, according to the ability God hath given them: in which they are to have all due countenance and encouragement from their hearers, without being reviled, reproached, slandered or maligned by any Professors, for the faithful discharge of their duty: That they are also to hold a careful oversight, over the flock committed to them; and be a good example to them in their conversation, faithfully dispensing the ordinances of Christ, as there is occasion. And in case of their wilful neglect, or unfaithfulness, they may be reverently, and lovingly admonished by any Professor that shall know their miscarriage, and further proceeded against, according to the Word, in case of obstinate impenitency, if the heinousness of the Crime so require. 9. That it is the duty of all Christians, in the place where God hath set them, carefully to watch over the Conversations of one another, and, as occasion serveth, to reprove, exhort, admonish, comfort, and relieve one another in the Lord; and that with tenderness, meekness, boldness, and brotherly love; all which services of love are thankfully and kindly to be accepted by those, to whom they are performed. 10. That Christians walking in holy fellowship, are to have a special care at all times, to behave themselves wisely, peaceably, honestly, to all those, who are not yet joined to their fellowship, and toward all men; that by their harmless and unblameable lives, they may, if possible, win those, who, for the present, are otherwise minded; and however, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, and not using their liberty for a Cloak of maliciousness. 11. That any idolatrous, or superstitious act or custom, profane swearing or cursing or forswearing, unreverent use of Gods name or attributes, or wilful neglect, or abuse, of any of Gods Ordinances, or servants, profanation of the Lords day, disobedience to parents, natural, civil, political, spiritual; malicious, or murderours counsel or practise, incest, adultery, fornication, ribaldry, or wantonness, abuse of Gods creatures by riot, drunkenness, or excess of apparel, theft, fraud, idleness, or unlawful sports, lying, slandering, backbiting, false accusing, or false witness bearing and all covetous practices to the damage of others; are by the Gospel of Christ, adjudged scandalous sins, which one Professor in Communion ought not to suffer in his brother, but ought to deal with him for it, according to our Saviours rule, Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17. verses. And generally, whatsoever else is contrary to the blessed Gospel of our Lord Jesus which we profess, and under the cognizance of others; wherein, nevertheless, care would be had, that Christians take not offence upon others report, without certain knowledge of the fact, and some Word of God to evince the sinfulness of it; and that a difference be put between sins of infirmity, and wilful transgressions. 12. That all Christian prudent care is to be taken from time to time by every Professor of the Gospel in his place and calling, for the reverend and due Administration, and Participation of the seals of the Covenant, baptism, and the Lords Supper, and preserving them from profanation and contempt, by ignorant or scandalous Persons; observing therein the rules of piety and charity given to us in the Old and New Testament. And that all heads of Christian Families shall begin betimes to instruct their children, servants and other relations under their Government, in the principles of Christian Religion and the right ends and uses of those sacred Mysteries; to the end, that all baptized Persons may, if it be possible, so soon as they come to ripe years, yield a professed subjection to the Lord Jesus, and be confirmed in the Covenant of Grace, by their Participation of the Lords Supper, and personally engaged to continue to walk in holy fellowship with the Church of God ever after. 13. And lastly, that every professo● of the Gospel walking in this holy fellowship, ought in all the foregoing duties, and all things else, to order his whole heart and Conversation, according to the Will of God, revealed in the holy Scripture; without turning, either to the right hand, or to the left. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Gal. 6. 16. Some Directions for the Practise of the former Expedient. 1. THat the Minister of every Parochial Congregation do with all convenient speed, after his taking on him Pastoral charge, publicly move and invite the flock committed to him, to the solemn renewal of their Covenant in baptism. 2. That afterward he do advice with the most knowing Christians in his Parish and other neighbouring godly Ministers, about the drawing up and composing some such form of sound words, as before, from the holy Scriptures, to be publicly, in the close of some solemn day of Humiliation( having before in the public Exercise humbly confessed and repented before the Lord all the violations of that Covenant, which the people of his Charge have been guilty of) distinctly red unto the people, and commended to their consideration, to the end that if any thing can be objected from the Word of God, either against the whole, or any part of what is so propounded, it may be also considered, and that fit time and place be given for the hearing and reconciling all doubts and scruples, that the people may be better satisfied in their conscience about what they do. 3. That when the form of their renewing their Covenant, as afore, shall be fully agreed on, then some convenient time be appointed for the better preparation of the people for this great work, which may be( if so thought fit) kept as a day of Fasting and Prayer for that purpose. In the close whereof, the agreement be openly red again, and consent taken thereto by every individual person that shall agree to it. The manner of which consent is left to Christian prudence. 4. That the next Lords day, if it may be convenient, the Lords Supper be administered to all that join in the renewal of their Covenant as before. 5. That a remembrance be kept in the Parish Book of all the material passages of this transaction, under which shall be set down the names of all that consent thereunto, either at first or at any time after, together with the day and year thereof, that succeeding Ministers may certainly know the state of the flock, and how to carry on this good work in peace and love. 6. That this solemn renewal of Covenant, being thus transacted, the people be from time to time, as there shall be occasion, put in mind of it, by their Ministers, and that every Christian in his place do carefully observe it, and help his brethren so to do what he can. 7. That when any person shall afterward profess his subjection to Christ, he shall also signify his consent to the Covenant of Grace, so renewed as aforesaid, in such way as shall be observed by the Church with whom he walks. In all which every Christian should study unity, peace and order, without contentious standing for his own apprehension in circumstantials. 8. That it be accounted sufficient for aged or grave persons, who have formerly received the Lords Supper, to signify their consent to the Covenant renewed, in the several parts thereof; yet so as it may be left to them, if they please, by a religious discourse or profession of faith, according to the ability given them by Christ, to declare their proficiency and subjection to the Lord Jesus. But that the children of the Church be every one obliged to give a particular account of their knowledge of the mystery of Christ, as well as consent to the Covenant, before they receive the Lords Supper. Conclusion. These thoughts ( Christian Reader) are commended to thee for thy perusal and practise, out of a very tender respect to the glory of God, and the furtherance of thy salvation; more to stir up others more wise and skilful in the Word of Righteousness, to lay themselves out in seeking the Reformation, Healing and Settlement of the Church of Christ in these Nations, then out of any opinion that the Author hath of the Infallibility of these essays. To which end, I commend thee to God, and the Word of his Grace, which is able to build thee up, and to give thee an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified, Acts 20. 32. FINIS. Trin-uni Deo gloria in Excelsis.