A Gospel Church described IN ITS 

Author, Names,  
Head, Matter,  
Form and End.    
WHEREIN Are Various Cases concerning the ministry, Ordination, Admission of Members, Discipline, Schism; Whether Lay-Men may Preach, and be Heard without Sin.  
With many other Things Conducing to give a Right Information in the Nature of a Church are handled, &c.  
To which is Added Discourse upon the LORD'S SUPPER, From Numb. 9.13.  
●… ith a Sermon Preach●● on the 55 of Isa Vers. 1. at Embroiderers-Hall, May the 2●th. 1700.  
●… o XII. Divine Hymns Composed for the Lord's-Supper, and the Lord's-Day.  
By Michael Harrison in Potters-Pury.  
●●●●on, Printed, and Sold b● T. Pash●m in Northampton 〈…〉 M. Con●ers in Newpor● Pagnel, Booksellers. 1700.   

THE EPISTLE TO THE Christian and Candid Reader, More Especially That FLOCK over which the Holy Ghost hath made me Overseer.  
Dear Friends,  
GOD hath been pleased Graciously to smile upon his poor People in this Nation, in putting it into the Hearts of our Rulers to Indulge them in those smaller things, which they could not Comfortably comform to. It will, I doubt not, be an Eternal Honour to our Present sovereign the Best of Kings;( on whom the Eyes of all the Protestant Churches and States are Fixed, with Great Expectations) and to our Honourable Patriots who settled this Liberty by a Law.  
Surely now it behoves us to carry it with a●… Duty and Respect to the Present Government, and not like Wanton Children, Scratch the Breas●… that gives us Milk.  
'tis indeed but too evident, that some, if n●… ill-designing, yet weak and unthinking Men; make but an ill use of the Present Liberty, Broaching unsound Doctrines, and are guilty of very Tr●●●ular and Ungospel-Practices; Indeed, such as fall into these practices, out of Design( as 'tis to be feared some do) to weaken the Dissenting Interest, and provoke the Recall of our Liberty; I leave them to be dealt with in another manner, having no hope of doing them any good; being but Protestants in Masquerade.  
But such as miscarry through Weakness, or●…norance, though sometimes they may act ill, set design well, of these there is hope; and for these in part, the following Tract concerning a Gospel-Church is designed. It would be much for the Peace and Good of Christian Societies if young Christians would mind their own Hearts more, and take care to get a Scheme of right Principles, to be well acquainted with Fundamentals in Religion; For, How many may we meet with, who have wings to fly in Airy Notions, talk much of Communion with God, and their great Experien●es, when they are very Ignorant in the Plain Principles of Religion.  
The Right knowledge of the Nature of a Go●… pel Church, would tend much to make Christians know their places, and what God requires of them. As for the following Tract; the style is mean, the Method broken, the Whole unpolished; and yet it may be of use to those for whom it is designed, viz. such as have neither money to Buy, nor Time to red, nor Abilities to Understand Larger and Learneder Discourses; short Summary's are not always useless; for, Vita brevis est, ars longa; Life is short, but the way to obtain Knowledge is long. So that Seneca, a Heathen, could say, Magnam esse dementiam, &c. 'tis great folly, in so great a want of time, to learn things superfluous: But principally I design this for my own People; most of them are confined to a Calling that affords them little time to red; this they will red, when perhaps a larger Tract would be little regarded: I am not very careful what others think of me, or the Work; they that like it not, may be pleased to let it alone, and, at their leisure, give us something better; only that I may remove all Cause of Offence, if possible, I must tell the Reader, I have said nothing with a design to offend any, nor to Raise a controversy, though perhaps some may think otherwise: Two sorts of Persons I expect to be displeased.  
1. The Anabaptists, because I have proved Infants have a Right to Church-Membership and Baptism, from the Identity of the Covenant; but yet let me tell my Brethren of that persuasion, that as I Love them all as Men; so, those of them that are sound in other Fundamental Points, and serious Godly Persons( though they differ in this Point) I dearly Love, and own them as Christians, and Fellow-Members of the sa●… Body.  
2. Lay Preachers, and their Admirers and Followers: Because I have shewed them their s●… in meddling with a Work God never called the●… to, nor fitted them for, and yet they have no mo●… cause to be Angry with me, then a Man with 〈…〉 Broken Bone, or Dislocated joint, hath to be A●…gry with him who offers his Help, in a Friend●… Manner, to Set his Bone, and Heal his Wounds However, what I have said is in Pity and Co●…passion to their Souls; and if they will not hear, 〈…〉 I will not cease to Pity and Pray for them. 〈…〉 hearty wish to All Soundness of judgement, H●…ness of Heart and Life, Peace with God, Peace 〈…〉 Conscience, Increase of Grace now, and an a●…dant entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord 〈…〉 Saviour Jesus Christ hereafter. So preys y●… Souls Friend, in our Dearest Lord,  
From my Study in Potter-Pury, May 15th. 1700. Michael Harriso●…   

A GOSPEL CHURCH described.  

THE INTRODUCTION.  
IF the Lord Jesus Christ was so ravished with the Beauty and Holiness of the Church, while she yet remained under a ●… equal and more Unbeautiful Dispensation, as ●… ven passionately to long for, and desire her ●… ompany; As is expressed, Cant. 4.9, 10, 11. ●… 2. and Cant. 5.14, &c. Which Love, at last, ●… wrought him down into a state of Incarnati●…, Humiliation and Death; that thereby he ●… ight Redeem his Church, and make all the ●… embers of it Kings and Priests to God, Rev. 〈…〉 v. 5, 6. And, by the Merits of his Sufferings, ●… esent this Church to God, a Glorious Church, ●… t having Spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and wit●… blemish, Ephes. 25, 26, 27.  
I say, if Christ thus Loveth the Church, 〈…〉 will certainly be a very pleasant and delig●…ful Work, to inquire into the Nature 〈…〉 Properties of this Church; which has now 〈…〉 off her veil, and is set in a clear Gospel-Li●… being arrived at Mature Age, and more B●…tifully Adorned with the Glorious Robes 〈…〉 Christ then ever.  
And, this is the more needful, because( ●… we live in an Age of Light, yet) many 〈…〉 Scuffling in the Dark; As about other th●… so especially about the Nature of a G●… Church.  
It is, indeed, sad to behold, what odd●…treams Men run into; and, what yet o●… Notion some take up concerning the Ch●… for, while on the one hand there are a C●…ration of Men, who are still crying, the C●… the Church; we are Sons of the Church; 〈…〉 all the while, they either mean that Fr●… of Wood and ston, where the Church N●… to Worship God; or, a few Unscriptural ●…monies, Devised by Men, and Imposed on ●…der Consciences: Whereas the Church of 〈…〉 is something more Excellent then either.  
Whilst, on the other hand, some, who●…tend to higher Attainments then othe●… Religion, fancy to themselves such a C●… on Earth, as is only to be found in He●… and while they fly aloft on the Wings 〈…〉 ●… iery Zeal, born up with Affections without knowledge, they really want the Feet of Solid ●… rinciples to guide them in God's Way; So ●… hat though they have Wind in their Sails, yet, ●… or want of Ballast in their Judg●ent 〈…〉 ●… re in danger to be Overset by every 〈…〉 Temptation.  
Now I humbly conceive, that if we could possibly find out a Mean, to set Persons Right in their Notions concerning a Gospel-Church, it would prove an excellent Means to Compose our Differences; And that an Agreement in that Article of our Creed, I Believe the Holy catholic Church, would do Wonders in Uniting us in Unity and Peace: If there were but an amicable Agreement here, I assure myself that what differences there might yet remain in other Points, it would not Kill Christian Love, or Spoil the Union or Peace of the Church.  
And therefore this is the Design of this Weak Attempt now put into thy hands, by one, who is no Bigot in Religion, but bears a Universal Love and Tenderness for Christians of different Denominations; and if he miscarry in any thing, it is not out of any fondness to any one Party above another, nor for want of Pains to know the Truth, no, nor Love to it, but mere unavoidable Human Frailty.   

CHAP. I. T● 〈…〉 considered in its Names. 2. It ●ture. 3. Whether the Church or M●…stry be first in order of Nature. 4. Of Church Invisible and Visible, &c.  
First. LET us first consider the Ch●… in those Names, Titles and E●…thets that are given to it in Holy Scriptu●… It is called by our Saviour, Mat. 16. ●… {αβγδ}, On this Rock I will build my Ch●… According to the Notation of the Greek wo●… it signifies an Assembly called together, a●… comes from the Hebrew, Kahal, which sign●…fies to be Congregated, or gathered togethe●… The Word signifies, 1. Any Multitude g●…thered together into one place, for any Cause as Acts 19.32. The Assembly was confused {αβγδ}, the Church was confused. 2. Ye●… its put for a Company of Malignant Wicke●… Men, as here; and, Psal. 26.5. The Congregation of evil doers, Heb. Kahal. 2. For Christians Assembled together to Worship God 1 Cor. 14.34. 3. For the Glorified Saints i●… Heaven, Heb. 12.23. 4. For the Rulers and Pastors of the Church, as distinct from the Flock, Mat. 18.17. Tell the Church, i.e. the Pastors and Rulers of the Church, in whose Hands the Governing-Power is Lodged. 5. For the Faithful in one Family, Rom. 16.5. 6. For 〈…〉 Particular Church, Rev. 2.1. both Rulers ●… d Ruled Pastor and People. The Word ●… hurch is now Peculiarly Appropriated to ●… gnifie a Society standing Related to God, 〈…〉 his Covenant People, and that both, 〈…〉 their Assemblies together, and when they ●… re apart; and that whether they be the U●… iversal Society of God's People, the Whole ●… hurch, or Particular Societies, as Parts of ●… e Whole.  
furthermore, This Church hath other Ti●… es and Epithets given it in Scripture: 1. The ●… hurch is called the People of God, 1 Pet. 2. ●… 0. 2. The Sons of God, Gen. 6. 1 John 〈…〉 1, 2. 3. A Righteous Nation, which keep ●… e Truth, Isa. 26.2. 4. The Saints of the ●… ost High, Dan. 7.8. 5. A Chast Virgin, the ●… ouse of Christ, 2 Cor. 11.2. The Wife 〈…〉 the Lamb, i.e. of Christ, Rev. 19.7.  
The House of the Living God. 7. The ●… llar and Ground of Truth, 1 Tim. 3.15.  
A Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, 〈…〉 Holy Nation, a Peculiar People, with ma●… other.  
II. Let us now consider the Nature of this ●… urch; It is not a Worldly, but Spiritual Socie●…, united together, not by Human, or Civil, but ●… cred Bonds; not for Worldly Ends, but ●… e Glory of God, and their own Spiritual ●… ification, and Eternal Salvation. But, the ●… ter to consider the Nature of this Heavenly Society the Church, we must consider 〈…〉 under those Various Notions, whereby it 〈…〉 usually Represented to us, i.e. as Invisible o●… Visible, Triumphant or Militant, catholic 〈…〉 Universal, or Particular.  
III. But before we come to these Distinct●…ons of the Church, let us give some Light 〈…〉 that Question so often put, whether the Ch●… or Ministry, as Related to each other, are fir●… in Order of Nature; some have fancied, the he that is Pastor of a Church, should first be a Member of that Church; and, according to that Notion, the Church must be before the Ministry: but, if so, How came that to be 〈…〉 Church? The Preaching of the Gospels 〈…〉 the Means appointed by God, to Con●… Persons to Christ, and so Plant Church●… Faith comes by Hearing, Rom. 10.17. 〈…〉 there been no Ministry, we cannot, accord●… to this Order, see, how there could be 〈…〉 Churches. Christ first set up a Gospel Mini●… before any Church was Planted; the Apo●… and Seventy Disciples, Luke 9.1, 2, 3. 〈…〉 Luke 10.1. These went up and down Prea●…ing the Gospel, and Converted many to Ch●… which were afterwards gathered into Chur●… So that though the Church be the end of 〈…〉 Ministry, and in Design before it, yet t●… may be a Ministry whereas yet there is 〈…〉 Church; and, as the Church is to be Gath●… and Planted by the Ministry of the Word, 〈…〉 that Ministers may, and sometimes must, 〈…〉 ●… t apart by Solemn Ordination, when as yet ●… hey may have no Particular Church to fix in; ●… ut, to Preach the Gospel, in order to Convert Men to Christ: But, of the Nature of a Gospel-Ministry I shall speak afterwards.  
IV. Now let us consider the Church as it is Invisible or Visible.  
1. Let us consider the Nature of the Invisible Church.  
The Church, as Invisible, is the Whole Number of the Elect, effectually Called by God out of a state of Sin, to Faith in Christ, by the Word and Spirit of God, according to his own Good Pleasure, Uniting them to Christ their Spiritual Head, whereby they partake of Grace here, and Glory hereafter, to the Praise and Glory of God's Free Grace.  
Now, in this Description of the Church Invisible, you may observe, 1. The Author, 2. The Matter, 3. Form, 4. The Head, 5. The End of the Church.  
1. The Author, is God, Father, Son and Spirit. God the Father Elects and Ordains to Eternal Life, as the End; and to Holiness, as the Means conducing to that end, Eph. 1.4. He hath chosen us in him, before the Foundation of the World, that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love.  
The Lord Jesus Christ he Redeems us from Sin and Hell, by his Precious Blood, Ephes. 1.7. In whom we have Redemption by his precious Blood, the Remission of Sins: The Holy Spirit he Sanctifies us, Unites us to Christ, and fi●… for Heaven.  
2. The Matter of the Invisible Church, 〈…〉 that is, Elected and truly Regenerated Be●…vers: Tho' a Credible Profession of Religi●… be sufficient to make one a Member of t●… Church Visible, yet nothing short of Real U●… on with Christ will make one a Member of●… Church Invisible. The Elect themselves, ●…fore they Believe, are no otherwise Membe●… but in God's Decree, 2 Thes. 2.13, 14. C●… hath from the beginning chosen you to Salva●… through Sanctification of the Spirit, and 〈…〉 of the Truth. 1 Pet. 2.5. Ye also as li●… Stones, are built up a Spiritual House, an 〈…〉 Priesthood, to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices, 〈…〉 Thus none but Elect Converted Believers 〈…〉 the Matter of the Invisible Church.  
3. The Form of this Invisible Church is 〈…〉 whereby the Elect Believing Members of 〈…〉 Church are United to Christ their Head; 〈…〉 that which is the Bands of our Union 〈…〉 Christ, is also the Form of the Invisible Chu●… And what can that be but the Holy Spirit 〈…〉 Faith? By the Holy Spirit God immediate●… takes us by the Heart, Ezek. 36.27. I will 〈…〉 my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in 〈…〉 ways, Ephes. 2.22. In whom also you are b●…ed together, for an Habitation of God by the Sp●… And, by Faith, which is the Believer's Inv●…ble Hand, whereby the Believer takes hold 〈…〉 Christ, and is United to him, John 17.21. 〈…〉 〈…〉 united to Christ by Faith, Epes. 3.17. Christ ●… ells in our heart by Faith, and by Love we are ●… ted one to another, John 13.35.  
4. The Head of this Church is Christ, Eph. 〈…〉 10. That he might gather together all things Christ, Vers. 22. hath given him to be Head ●… er all things to his Church. Ephes. 5.23. ●… wrist is the Head of the Church. The End of ●… e Church is either supreme or Subordinate.  
The supreme End is the Glory of God's ●… ee Grace and Mercy, Eph. 1.5. Who hath ●… edestinated us to the Adoption of Children by ●… sus Christ to himself, according to the good ●… azure of his Will, Vers. 6. to the Praise of ●… e Glory of his Grace.  
The Subordinate End is the Salvation and ●… ernal Blessedness of the Church, and every ●… ember of it, 2 Thes. 2.13, 14. God hath 〈…〉 the beginning chosen us to Salvation, through ●… u●tification of the Spirit, and Belief of the ●… th.  
Note the Church, thus considered, is said to 〈…〉 Invisible, not as Men, but as Elect, and cho●… of God; for, though their Persons are vi●… e, yet their Effectual Calling, their Grace, ●… liness and Union to Christ is Invisible; as they 〈…〉 Men, they are Visible to Men; but, as Saints, 〈…〉 they are only Visible to the Lord Christ, Tim. 2.19. The foundation of God standeth ●… e, having this seal, the Lord knoweth who are 〈…〉 The Church is, in this Respect, a Garden ●… osed, a Spring shut up, a Fountain sealed, ●… at. 4.12.  
But the Church, thus considered, is not t●… Rule we ought to go by in Gathering a●… Planting Churches, nor in Admitting Me●…bers; for, if we are to join with no Chur●… but such as we are sure are all Real Saints, ●…nited to Christ by a Living Faith, we must th●… never join with any; or Separate from 〈…〉 Churches on Earth, because the Church, as th●… considered, ever hath been, still is, and 〈…〉 will be in this World Invisible.  
Now this Invisible Church may yet be co●…der'd as Triumphant or Militant; as Unive●…sal or catholic; or Particular,  
1. The Invisible Church is called Tri●…phant, as part of it is got to Heaven, and there Triumphing with Christ, having obta●…ed a complete Victory over the World, t●… Flesh and the Devil.  
This Triumphant Church consists of t●… Spirits of Just Men made Perfect, toget●… with the Blessed Angels, Heb. 12.22, 23, 〈…〉 Ye are come unto the Mount Zion, and unto the 〈…〉 of the living God; the Heavenly Jerusalem; 〈…〉 to an Innumerable Company of Angels. To 〈…〉 General Assembly and Church of the First-b●… which are written in Heaven, to God the Ju●… all, and to the Spirits of Just Men made p●… &c. And Rev. 7.9— 15. I beholded, and 〈…〉 great Multitude, which no Man could number 〈…〉 all Nations, Kindreds and People, and Tong●…stood before the Throne, and before the L●… clothed with White Robes, and Palms in 〈…〉 h●… s; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Sal●… on to our God. And if you would know 〈…〉 these are, the Question is Asked, Vers. 13. 〈…〉 answered, Vers. 14. These are they which ●… e out of great Tribulation, and have washed 〈…〉 Robes, and made them White in the Blood of 〈…〉 Lamb.  
〈…〉. It is said to be Militant, as part of it is 〈…〉 in this World, in a Suffering condition, ●… hting under the across of Christ, against 〈…〉 World, the Flesh, and the Devil: Suffer●… s being the usual Lot of God's Church in ●… s veil of Misery; for Christ saith, If any ●… n will come after me, let him take up his ●… ss and follow me, Luke 9.23. and through ●… y Tribulations we must enter into the ●… gdom of God: With the Church thus con●… er'd, God is Graciously Present, Isa. 43.1, ●… 3. But now, thus saith the Lord, that created ●… e, O Jacob, and that formed thee, O Israel, fear 〈…〉: for I have Redeemed thee, I have called ●… e by thy Name, thou art mine. When thou ●… est through the Waters, I will be with thee: ●… d through the Rivers, they shall not overflow ●… e: When thou walkest through the Fire, thou ●… lt not be burnt; neither shall the flamme kindle ●… n thee: For I am the Lord thy God; the Holy ●… e of Israel, thy Saviour, &c.  
3. The Church is called catholic, because it ●… ot confined to one Family, Kingdom, or ●… tion; and tho' a Particular Church or ●… or may be termed catholic in respect of Soundness of doctrine, but here the term ●…tholick Signifies the Church, as taking all 〈…〉 very Nation in the whole World; that 〈…〉 longs to Christ, as Acts 17.30. He comm●… all Men every where to Repent. Acts 10.〈…〉 35. God is no respecter of Persons, but in 〈…〉 Nation him that fears God and worketh Righ●…ness is accepted of him. The Church thus●…sider'd, is extended to all Times and P●… and is but one Church, which is the My●… or Spiritual Body of Christ, having but 〈…〉 Faith, one Hope, one Baptism, one Rule, and●…joying one and the same Salvation, 1 Cor.〈…〉 17. Eph 4.4, 5, 6, 7.  
4. Or the Church is Particular; as the ●…versal catholic Church is divided in s●… lesser Societies: so many as can conveni●… meet together in one Place, and Uni●… Worship God; such were the Churches●…tion'd in the New Testament, as the Ch●… Corinth, Ephesus, Philippians, &c. But I 〈…〉 first speak of the Church as Visible, bef●… proceed any further in the description of●…ticular Churches. Let us therefore com●… the Second remarkable distinction of 〈…〉 Church, Namely, as it is,  
II. Visible: Now when we say the C●… is Invisible or Visible, it must not be im●… that there are two Churches, the one In●… and the other Visible; but it's the same C●… diversely considered, that in one respect is●…ble, and in another respect is Invisible, 〈…〉 〈…〉 a Remarkable Saying of the Lord Plessis a gentleman of France, in his Treatise of the ●… ch." We will( saith he) commit unto ●… odd, the Searcher of Hearts, the Know●… dge of the Invisible Church, and will con●… nt ourselves to Search for the Visible in ●… od's Word; into which all must in this ●… if retire themselves, which desire to be ●… ather'd into the Invisible Church in the ●… orld to come. Notwithstanding, by the ●… ay, we will note the difference between ●… hese two, the Invisible Church, contains ●… one but the Good, the Visible Church con●… ains both the Good and the Bad; the In●… isible Church contains none but the Elect, ●… e Visible Church all those indifferently ●… at are brought into her by the Preaching 〈…〉 the Gospel.  
●… owe let us consider what this Visible Church 〈…〉  
●… ffinition. The Visible Church is the So●… of all those, who do Profess Christianity, ●… egeneration, and are joined Externally ●… wrist, and one to another by the Profession ●… aith and Love, together with their Chil●…  
●… d here, as before, consider the Author, ●… atter, the Form, the Head and the End, 〈…〉 Visible Church.  
We are to consider as before, That the 〈…〉 of the Church, both Invisible and Visi●… the same Holy God, who hath Instituted and Appointed it; and who hath gath●… by the Preaching of the Word; the 〈…〉 Christ, by a Saving Union; and others 〈…〉 outward and Visible Profession.  
2. The Matter of the Visible Chur●… that is, All who Profess Christianity, 〈…〉 generation; tho' all of them may not●…stians indeed, nor truly Regenerate 〈…〉 but all that make such a Credible Pr●… together with their Children, are the 〈…〉 of the Visible Church.  
Now here are Three Things to●…sider'd.  
1. That all true Christians are Perso●… generated by the Word and Spirit, 〈…〉 by Faith, united to Christ, are, in p●… Matter of the Visible Church; That 〈…〉 the Matter of the Invisible Church, 〈…〉 proved; and therefore, that they are 〈…〉 Matter in part of the Visible Church 〈…〉 think, none will deny.  
2. But the question may perhaps 〈…〉 some, whether such as Profess the●…ligion, Profess Regeneration, and to 〈…〉 and Believe in Christ; when, it may 〈…〉 have no real Regeneration, nor Vita●… with Christ; Whether these may be 〈…〉 in part the Matter, and Members of ●…ble Church.  
Now, to Answer this; indeed, Vita●… Members they are not, but yet Memb●… are, and are to be esteemed so. The 〈…〉 ●… ch has always had such in it, of whom, 〈…〉 there has been Reason to suspect Insin●…, yet still they have been looked on, and ●…ed, both by God and the Church; and to ●… m outward church-privileges are not to ●… eny'd. And this I prove by these Arguments.〈…〉. A Visible Profession of Christianity, and ●… eneration, is all that we are capable of dis●… king; we may have Good hopes of such 〈…〉 such, that they truly love God, are Re●… erated, and United to Christ. But, alas; ●… w oft are we mistaken, and, to our Grief, 〈…〉 such, of whom we had Good hope, make ●… pwrack of that, which, in them, looked 〈…〉 Faith and a good Conscience? 1 Joh. 2. 〈…〉 They went out from us, but they were not of 〈…〉 for if they had been of us, no doubt they would ●… e continued with us. As to a Profession, 〈…〉 Church is Judge; but as to Saving Grace, 〈…〉 Union to Christ; the Lord Christ is ●… ge alone: Hence Mr. Corbet Notes," That ●… any Profess Christianity, or Dedication to 〈…〉 God in Christ, that are not really, that is ●… eartily and entirely so Dedicated. And ●… resently adds," That those, who, by such 〈…〉 External Profession, are of this Society, ●… ought but Anologically, and as to the Ex●… rnal form only, have Just Right and Title 〈…〉 it's External privileges, according to ●… eir disposedness before them that can dis●… rn of things that only appear outwardly; So that if Men debar them of those●…ledges, they do them wrong.  
2. Whoever in the Apostles days, 〈…〉 such an outward Profession, were pre●… taken into the Church, and admitted t●… Communion: This is beyond all dispute●… Acts 2.41, 42. Then they that gladly 〈…〉 the Word were Baptized, and the same da●… was added to the Church Three thousand 〈…〉 and they continued steadfast in the Apostles 〈…〉 and in fellowship, and in breaking Brea●… Prayer. In which Place 'tis Evident, 〈…〉 soon as they did Profess to Believe, eve●… in a few hours after they were Conve●… i. e. Professed Repentance for their S●… to Believe in Jesus Christ; they were●…tiz'd, without waiting to see whether 〈…〉 Repentance was Sincere or no: And 〈…〉 soon after admitted to the Lords Supper 〈…〉 here Breaking of Bread; and this was 〈…〉 Single and Singular Instance, but it was●…postles constant practise, as may be sec●… 8.13. Acts 16.29, 30, 31.  
Objection: Some will perhaps say, T●… Apostles, by Immediate Inspiration, kne●… those they baptized were truly Conve●… United by Faith to Christ.  
Answ. They acted as Ministers of th●…pel, by a Gospel Rule, to be Imitate●…thers in after Ages; And though Saving●…version was what they much desired to 〈…〉 their Hearers, yet it was a Visible Pro●… ●… ey look at, and that was the Ground on ●… hich they baptized: All they baptized were ●… t Sincere Believers; as is more then Evi●… nt by many Examples, as of Ananias and ●… phirah, Acts 5.1, 2. and Simon Magus, Acts 〈…〉 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. and many more Bap●… z'd by the Apostles themselves, or by some ●… nt out by them, who Enjoy all the External ●… iviledges of Church-Members; and yet ●… me of them proved very Hetrodox, and un●… and in their Judgments, and others very un●… ly in Life and Conversation: But more of ●… is hereafter.  
But before we leave this Point, the Matter 〈…〉 the Visible Church, we must take notice of ●… e Third thing Promised, viz. to prove that ●… e Infants of Believing Parents are in part ●… e Matter of the Visible Church: But they shall 〈…〉 the Subject of the Second Chapter.   

CHAP. II. ●… oving, That the Infants of Believing Parents are, in part, the Visible matter of the Visible Church; showing also, who is the Head, and what the Form and End of the Visible Church.  
NOw, though I have fully proved this in another Place, in my Infant-Baptism, ●… d's Ordinance, Part 1. page. 18, 19, 20. 〈…〉 in my Second Part, yet I will now say something to it. That some Infants are V●…ble Church-Members; I Argue thus,  
1. If by the Merciful Appointment of 〈…〉 Infants were once taken into the Visible Ch●… by virtue of the Covenant of Grace, and 〈…〉 Merciful grant never repealed or taken do●… by God, then it is certain, that some Inf●… are still Members of the Visible Church: 〈…〉 the former is true, that by God's own●…pointment, some Infants were sometimes 〈…〉 into the Visible Church, by virtue of the Co●…nant of Grace, and that privilege never●…peal'd; therefore 'tis true, that some Infa●…( i.e. the Infants of Believing Parents) 〈…〉 yet Visible Church-Members: Here co●… Three Things.  
1. Some Infants were once taken by C●… own Appointment into the Visible church  
2. That they were so admitted by V●… of the Covenant of Grace.  
3. That this Infant Church-Membership 〈…〉 never repealed, or taken down.  
1. Infants were by God's own app●…ment taken into the Visible Church as V●… Church-Members, this is plain; that all 〈…〉 Jews Infants were at Eight days Old, by ●…cumcision, Solemnly admitted into the 〈…〉 Church, is most certain, Gen. 17.12. A●… think, to stand upon farther proof woul●… be to bring a Candle to look at the 〈…〉 And,  
2. That this Infant Church-Membership was, by virtue of the Covenant of Grace, is as certain, red Deut. 29.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. There you see that God Solemnly re●… ewes, both with Parents and little Ones, that Covenant made with Abraham, Gen. 17.7. I will be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee; And Infants being thus by God himself Solemnly taken into the Visible Church by virtue of the Covenant of Grace, God takes care they be dealt with as Church-Members, by not being merely Circumcised the Eighth day, Gen. 17.12. Which was their receiving the Seal of the Covenant of Grace; but that they should be brought to Church-Assemblys, as Deut. 29.11. and Deut. 31.10, 11, 12. Gather the People together, Men, Women and Children, &c.  
Now that this Covenant, by virtue whereof Infants were by God's own appointment brought into the Visible Church, is the Covenant of Grace, is the Universal judgement of ●… ll Sound Churches and Divines in the World; ●… s might be made good by a Multitude of In●… tances; and Mr. Tombs himself, one of the ●… est Men our mistaken Brethren had, who ●… any Infant Church-Membership and Baptism, ●… onfesses, That it was a Covenant which con●… ains in it Redemption by Christ; A better ●… rgument there needs not, to prove it the ●… ovenant of Grace, Apology, page.. 131. And ●… ho would see more Arguments to prove it ●… e Covenant of Grace, may find them in my Infant Baptism, God's Ordinance, page.. 16, 1●… Part II. To which I shall add more proof b●… and by.  
3. Let us now consider whether this I●…fant Church-Membership was repealed or take●… down by Christ in the Erecting the Gospe●… Church.  
Now that Infant Church-Membership 〈…〉 never repealed, or taken down, I prove,  
1. If Infants, that were sometimes Vis●… Church-Members, are cast out, and their Pri●…ledges repealed, this Repeal is somewh●… Recorded in the Holy Scriptures; if any b●… it is so Recorded, let them show us where●… But if it be no where in the Holy Scriptures 〈…〉 Recorded, that Infants, who were sometimes Church-Members, are cast out; then 'tis beyond all Rational Contradiction, that so●● Infants still are Church-Members: But it 〈◇〉 where so Recorded; therefore the Priviledge●… still continues to them.  
I have met with a great many weak O●…jections, urged by our mistaken Brethren 〈…〉 Anabaptists; but this seems to me to be 〈…〉 strength of all, viz. The Jewish Church is ta●… down, together with Circumcision, and 〈…〉 Abrahamical Covenant; and the Jews b●… therefore cast off, Infant Church-Membersh●… repealed  
Asw. The Covenant of Grace was al●… the same; it has indeed been more cle●… revealed; but still it is the same Coven●… the Covenant made with Abraham, Gen. 17.7. was the very same made with Adam, Gen. 3.15. only it was a clearer draft, and that is the same Covenant the Church has all along had; only the nearer the time came to the appearance of Christ in the World, still the brighter Discoveries was made of it: So that the Covenant of Grace, now to the Church, is but a clearer and brighter draft of what was made to Adam and Abraham: The Jews are not all broken off, but only some of them for their Unbelief; yet the Believing Jews were not Translated to stand upon any other Foundation then the Covenant they were in before; and the Gentiles, that were added to the Church, were grafted into the same Stock and Root whereon the Believing Jews stood; And were hereby made partakers of the same Covenant, the same privileges, which the unbelieving Jews lost; nothing can be more Evident then this, to an unprejudiced Person, that shall Impartially consider what the Apostle saith, Rom. 11.17. And if some of the Branches be broken off, And thou being a Wild Olive-Tree were't grafted in amongst them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the Olive-Tree. Than this there cannot be a clearer proof; for as the Unbelieving Jews, together with their Children, were broken off, the Believing Gentiles, with their Children, were grafted into the Stock, and stood upon the foot of the same Covenant the Jews did.  
2. Infant Church-Membership is not●…peal'd; for our Lord Jesus Christ assures 〈…〉 that the Gospel Church, is, in part, made 〈…〉 with such, Mat. 19.13, 14. Then were brou●… unto him little Children, that he should put 〈…〉 hands on them and pray, and the Disciples rebu●… them: But Jesus said, suffer little Children 〈…〉 come unto me and forbid them not, for of such 〈…〉 the Kingdom of Heaven. The question is, 〈…〉 what end these Infants were brought to Ch●… it was not for Baptism, for Christ Bapti●… none himself, but his Disciples; And it's v●… probable they were baptized before: 〈…〉 was it for Healing any Disease; for the D●…ciples knew Christ used to heal; they wo●… not have rebuked them for that; but it w●… that Christ might Pray over them, and Bl●… them; and the Disciples being at that the weak and raw, in many things, they had, a doubt, such thoughts as our mistaken Brethres the Anabaptists have; namely, That Infa●● were not capable of receiving any thing fro●… Christ; and it was therefore, in their App●…hension, An idle thing to bring Infants 〈…〉 him: But Christ was not of their Mind, 〈…〉 bids them bring little Children to him, givi●… this Reason for it, That of such was the Ki●…dom of Heaven. Now, by the Kingdom 〈…〉 Heaven here can be meant nothing but 〈…〉 Church State here; for we find this Phra●… the Kingdom of Heaven, is mostly, if not a●ways, to be understood of the Gospel Chur●… here, as Mat. 4.17. Mat. 10.7. Mat. 13.24, 33, 44, 45, 47. Now, if in these, and a Multitude of other Places, the Kingdom of Heaven is to be understood of the Gospel Church; then this Place, Mat. 19.14. is to be so understood likewise. So from hence 'tis Evident, that Infants are Members of the Gospel Church, as well as they were of the Jewish Church.  
3. That Infants are Members of the Gospel Church, I argue from Acts 2.39. The Promise is to you and to your Children, &c. If this Promise was the Promise of the Covenant made to Abraham, Gen. 17.7. and Children here, the same with Seed there; then the Infants of Believing Christians are Visible Church-Members now, as the Infants of the Jews were then; but the former is true, ergo, the latter.  
1. The Promise here mentioned, is, that great Promise made to Abraham, for it's a Promise of Pardon, and Life, and that God would be their God. 'tis a Promise they very well knew; {αβγδ}: Repromissio, a repeating a Promise, that Prepositive Article {αβγδ}, doth Point, as with the Finger, to some well known Promise; it must be a Promise that Circumcision had been, and Baptism now, was to be a Seal of it, otherwise it would signify nothing to these awakened Jews; that was the great Promise, they were least acquainted with, and that would yield them most Comfort in their present Distress.  
2. By Children here is meant the same with Seed, their seed and Children being Synonymous Phrases: So, the plain meaning of the Apostle is, Repent, and be Baptized, for that Great Promise that God made with you Father Abraham, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed, will also stand firm to you, and to your Children, &c. This is a Good Proof of Infant Church-membership. If any would have this Text set in a clearer Light, let them see my Infant-Baptism, God's Ordinance, Part II. page. 20, 21, &c.  
4. That Infants are Visible Church-members, I might Argue from 1 Cor. 7.9. Else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. By Holiness there, cannot be meant Legitimation; nor that they are truly Sanctified: but a Federal Holiness, i.e. they are in the Covenant of Grace, and are Church-members: Much more might be said, to Prove Infant Church-membership; but this is enough to Prove it.  
And tho' abundance of Arguments may be brought to Prove Infant Baptism; yet, with me, this is instar omnia, such an Argument as will for ever carry the Cause; and, against which, no Solid Objection can be made, viz.  
Those Infants, which are to be received as Visible Church-members, ought to be Baptized; and it's a very sinful thing to deny them this privilege: baptism is the only Rite Jesus Christ has appointed for the Admitting Visible Church-members: Who dare deny baptism to a Visible Member of the Church? But such as want more Proof of Infant-Baptism, let them see my Books above-mentioned on this Subject.  
III. Let us now consider the Form of the Visible Church. Now the Invisible Form, as hath been shewed, is the Union of the Church with Christ, its Spiritual Head, by the Holy Spirit drawing us to Christ, and Faith laying hold on Christ: Now, Answerable hereunto the Visible Form is made, and must needs be such a Visible Profession of Christianity and Regeneration, as is requisite to Visible Church-membership in the Adult; and, what a Profession that is, may be seen in these Two things.  
1. God Graciously gives the Gospel, affords the Means of Grace to a People, sends amongst them the Ministers of his Word, to offer them Salvation in the Name of Jesus Christ; And hereby they are Externally and Visibly called, and Invited to enter into a Covenant Relation to God and Christ, Mat. 28.19, 20. Mark 16.15. 2 Cor. 5.20. We are ambassadors for Christ, and we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God, &c. Thus the Preaching of the Gospel is the way of Gathering a Visible Church.  
2. When the Gospel thus Preached, is Received and Believed by a People, God, by the Word, Working in them a Willingness to ●… nter themselves into the Lord's Covenant. When a People do, either in Sincerity, own and Profess Christ, or, at least, in Appearance, seem willing to Receive Christ, and Believe the Great Doctrines of the Gospel, and so being Baptized in his Name, become God's Visible Church: For, as the In-dwelling of the Spirit, and Saving Faith is the Invisible Form, so a Credible Profession of Christianity is the Outward Form: And therefore the Apostle, who, in these things erred not, did take Profession of Faith in Christ, for a Sufficient Qualification of Church-membership and Baptism; without staying to see what the Persons would be; as to After-Obedience, as Acts 2.4. and Acts 8.13, &c. And this they would not have done, had they not been directed so to do by the Holy Spirit of God.  
IV. The Head, as before, is only Jesus Christ, Col. 1.18.  
'tis Christ that is the King, and Great Law-giver to his Church; he is the Chief Corner-stone on which the Church is built, 1 Pet. 2.4, 5.  
V. The End of this Visible Church is, 〈…〉 Worship and glorify God, and to be there●… made meet to enjoy him for ever: to ho●… forth the Word of Life; to preserve the O●…dinances pure; to Contend earnestly for t●… Faith; to Honour and glorify God by H●…liness; and, at last, to be made Blessed in 〈…〉 sweet and perfect enjoyment of God in He●…ven.  
Thus we have considered the Church, as Visible and Invisible, as Triumphant in Heaven, or yet Militant on Earth; as catholic, or Universal: It now remains that we speak of Particular Churches.   

CHAP. III. A Particular Church described. 1. In its Nature, 2. In its Parts, 3. In its Ministry and Officers.  
1. LEt us consider a Particular Church in its Nature.  
Now, forasmuch as the Militant catholic Church can never Meet altogether in one place to Worship God; It is distinguished or divided into particular Churches, or lesser Societies: and these are either National, Provincial, Diocesan, or Congregational. A National Church is, when the Inhabitants of one Nation and Kingdom, living under the same Government, and jointly Professing the Christian Religion, may be called a Church; the same may be said of a Province, or diocese, as the Church in England, or in Scotland, Holland, Geneva, &c. But, when the Term, Church, is thus used, it must not be understood, as if all the Christians in such a Nation, Province, &c. were one Individual Congregation, immediately under the same Church Guides; but only several Particular Congregations, each being under the Rule and Inspection of their Bishop, or Bishops, and Associated together by Consent: but, as Mr. Troughton well observes, a Parochial, or Congregational Church is the only Organical Church, Directly and Immediately Appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ: And these are the Churches we shall now consider.  
Now a Particular Church may be thus Defined.  
A Particular Church is a Society of Persons Professing Christianity, or Regeneration, living in the same Neighbourhood, so as conveniently to Meet together in the same place, who are, by Mutual Covenant, engaged first to God, and then to each other, to Worship God in Purity, and perform Mutual Duties of Church Members one to another, Walking together in a due Obedience to all God's Ordinances, and to the Pastor, or Pastors which are set over them in the Lord.  
Here Observe,  
1. That a Particular Church should have no more Members than may conveniently Meet together in the same place, nor than the same. Church-Officers can comfortably and form a Pastoral Charge to: And that the Members of the same Church may perform the Mutual Duties of Church-Members one to another.  
Those particular Churches we red of in the New Testament, were such as lived in the same City, Town or Village, and so could con●… eniently Meet, and have Personal Communi●… one with another.  
Churches, either so Numerous, and so Di●…ant one Member from another, as neither ●… an the Minister Inspect, Watch over, and O●… ersee them all; or their Habitations so Re●… ote, as not to Meet frequently for Personal ●… ommunion, we have no Account of in Holy ●… cripture.  
2. Note here, That the Members of a par●… cular Church, are engaged by Covenant to ●… odd, and one to another; to God, as the A●… ostle hints, 1 Cor. 8.5. They first gave ●… emselves up to the Lord; as in our Baptism, ●… e Seal to the Covenant of Grace; so, when 〈…〉 Riper Years, we are Admitted to the Lord's ●… upper; we Seal to, and Renew our Baptismal engagements to be the Lord's for ever.  
And then, one with another, to walk toge●… er in all God's Ordinances, and in the Mu●… al Performance of the Duty of Church-Mem●… rs one to another, as is hinted, 2 Cor. 8.5.— And then to us, by the Will of God, to 〈…〉 Governed according to Gospel Order.  
And its to be observed, that all Particular ●… hurches have an intrinsic Power, of first ●… rming, and then Governing themselves ac●… rding to the Laws of Christ.  
Now, particular Churches, as they are ●… rts and Members of the Universal catholic ●… litant Church on Earth, so they are more or less Pure, according to the Time in whic●… they Live, and the Place where they are: for 〈…〉 the Church being in the World, and the Wor●… being an Unclean World, and there bein●… sad Remains of Ignorance and Corruption i●… the very best of God's Children, even Min●…sters and Church-Rulers being subject to Ignorance, Pride, and many Corruptions as we as others, it unavoidably follows, that th●… Church is still in a state of great Imperfection 〈…〉 nay, sometimes bad Men, that have no Vit●… Union with Christ, nor are Members of th●… Church Invisible, yet Intrude themselves int●… the Visible Church for base ends, and great●… hinder its Reformation: thus it happens, th●… there is so great a difference in the Purit●… and Reformation of Particular Churches, som●… being much more pure and better Reforme●… then others.  
Now, as it is in a Town or City, some 〈…〉 the Inhabitants are Sound and Healthful, others are labouring under some Indispositi●… yet not so great as to hinder Business, wh●… others are in a dying condition, gasping 〈…〉 Breath. So it is in the Visible Church, fo●… Particular Churches be much more Sound a●… Pure, keeping closer to the Rules of the G●…pel, both in Holy and Sound doctrine, and 〈…〉 Evangelical Discipline.  
And yet in these purer and best reform Churches, there is, and will be, in this Worl●… something amiss, as may be seen in the Pure●… ●… d best Churches that ever were, or, I be ve will be, those Recorded in the New ●… stament, and planted by the Apostles them●… ves.  
That Famous Church of Corinth, that did 〈…〉 abound in Spiritual Gifts, that, when they ●… me together, there was not room for to Ex●… cise them, 1 Cor. 14.26. One had a Psalm, ●… neither had a doctrine, another the Gift of speak●… g in an unknown Tongue, another the gift of In●… rpreting Tongues, another a Revelation, &c. ●… he Members of this Church were filled with ●… he Spirit in an extraordinary way; yet there ●… as much amiss in this Church, there was ●… ividing and making Parties, and setting up ●… ne Minister above another, 1 Cor. 1.12. One was for Paul, another for Apollos, and others ●… or Cephas, &c. and this was the occasion of ●… reat Contentions. There was also some in ●… his Church who denied the Resurrection from the Dead, 1 Cor. 15.12. And great disorders there was among them in their approaches to the Lords Table, Chap. 2.  
And so likewise in all the other famous Churches, as Ephesus, Galatia, Smyrna, Pergamos, &c. and others were yet much more corrupt, as Sardis, Laodicea, Rev. 3.1, 2, 3. and 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. And from hence I would draw an Inference or two.  
1. It is hence Evident that there may be very much amiss in a Particular Church, and yet it may be a Church of Christ. And here I shall give the words of that Learned Fre●… Protestant, Lord Plessis Mornai, There ar●… saith he, in his Treatise of the Churc●… page. 31. Erring Churches, which Err eith●… Heretically, or Scismatically, either in Fai●… or in Charity, against the Right Rule 〈…〉 Christ; and yet, for all this, both the o●… and the other are truly Churches, i.e. A●…semblies, that make Profession of Chri●… but they are not Pure Churches, not servi●… God in Purity; even as a Lying Person 〈…〉 truly a Man, tho' not a true Man; or 〈…〉 Person under some Disease, is a Man, th●… not a Sound and Healthful Man. We 〈…〉 not presently conclude that Churches are n●… Churches, because there is much amiss in them  
2. That in separating from any Churc●… it must not be with the breach of Charity 〈…〉 from the Sin and Corruptions of any Churc●… we may, nay, we must separate: We m●… have no fellowship with the unfruitful works t●… darkness. But yet, we are not hastily and m●…ly to Unchurch a People for some remaini●… Corruptions amongst them; but still to mai●…tain the Unity of the Spirit, in the Bonds 〈…〉 Peace, and to depart from none further the●… they depart from Christ; but still to ho●… Communion with them in all lawful things.  
Object. But suppose a Church make 〈…〉 things the Terms of her Communion, as are either really Sinful, or doubtful; And so Impose them on me, that, if I comform not t● them, I am Suspended, Excommunicated, or 〈…〉 off from the Communion of that Church.  
Answ. In this case I do not wilfully or ●… lingly separate myself from them; I ●… uld gladly yet hold Communion with ●… m, in all lawful things, I would con●… m and comply so far as God's Word, ●… d my own Conscience will allow me: But 〈…〉 they make Laws and Canons, that, unless I ●… me up to such an height of conformity ●… ich God's Word and my Conscience con●… mns as Sinful, I am deprived, Suspended, ●… communicated, and thereby denied Com●… nion, it is my Duty to Worship God else●… ere; nor am I any schismatic, nor guilty 〈…〉 any Schism, or breach of Charity, for ●… aching, if I am a Minister, or joining for ●… istian Communion, if I am a Private Chri●… n, to another Congregation, where these ●… ngs are not imposed upon me. Mark what 〈…〉 Apostle saith, Rom. 16.17. Mark them 〈…〉 cause Divisions and Offences, contrary to the ●… ctrin that ye have learned. So that those ●… ch make unwarrantable Terms of Church ●… mmunion, that impose things as necessary 〈…〉 Church Unity, that God's Word disallows, 〈…〉 thrust me out for not complying; these 〈…〉 the true cause of the Schism. But a Learn●… Gentleman, a Justice of the Peace, and one 〈…〉 lived and died in the Communion of the ●… rch of England, Mr. Polehill of Burwash, 〈…〉, in a Discourse of Schism, in Print, so Learnedly cleared the Protestant Disse●… from being guilty of this Sin, that I need 〈…〉 no more but desire the Reader to red 〈…〉 small Treatise, if he want further satisfa●… in this matter: See all the VII. Chapte●… this Book.  
3. Altho' I am thus, by unwarran●… Terms of Communion Imposed upon 〈…〉 forced to join with another Congrega●… yet, as I dare not Unchurch that Church 〈…〉 whence I am driven, so I dare not cal●… Church, to which I am now United, a●… distinct or several Church, any otherwise 〈…〉 as it is a part or Member of the Uni●… or catholic Church; and, upon this gr●… I am yet willing to hold Communion w●… other Churches, tho' less Pure, and mor●… reformed, provided they yet hold the fo●…tion, so far as I can do it without o●… and consenting to their Corruptions.  
II. Next let us consider a Particular C●… in it's Parts.  
Now every Particular Church may b●… ●…sider'd as consisting of two Parts, wh●… Scripture thus represents, Acts 20. 28.〈…〉 Ministers are called {αβγδ}, Bishops, ●…dred Overseers in our Translation 〈…〉 the rest of the Church, as distinguish 〈…〉 it's Officers, are called {αβγδ}, a Fa●… little Flock; so here are the two p●… Parts of the Church.  
1. The Overseers, the Ministers, 〈…〉 〈…〉 Rulers of this Flock, or Church of God.  
2. The Flock, as distinct from its Officers, ●… ich are to be Overseen, Fed, Ruled, and ●… vern'd according to God's Word.  
1. I begin with the first, viz. The Churches ●… ficers, and these are such as God hath Law●… y called, and whose Ministry he useth in 〈…〉 gathering and governing of the Church, 〈…〉 these are either, 1. Extraordinary, or 〈…〉 Ordinary.  
1. Extraordinary Ministers are such whom ●… d raised up, upon extraordinary occasions, ●… er to establish a new Government in the ●… urch, or to repair the Old Government, ●… en it was decayed: And such an Extraordi●… y Ministers have always Extraordinary 〈…〉, and Extraordinary Gifts; such as Pro●… cy, Tongues, and Miracles; such were the ●… phets in the Old Testament, who were ●…ed up, and immediately sent of God; and 〈…〉 was John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the ●… stles, in the New Testament.  
Now these Extraordinary Ministers, to●… her with Extraordinary Gifts, continued so ●… g as it pleased God, and the Churches ne●… ty required them, and is now wholly ●… said; for none are now thus Extraordina●… called, nor Miraclously Gifted, for the ●… rk of the Ministry.  
〈…〉. Ordinary Ministers are such who have ●… inary Gifts, and an Ordinary Calling, are ●… e continued in the Church to the end of 〈…〉 World.  
And of these Ordinary Church-Off●… there are Two sorts.  
1. A lower and Inferior sort of Off●… whose proper Work and Business is to 〈…〉 the Alms and Collections, or other Pro●… made by the Church for the Poor; and 〈…〉 distribute them to the Poor.  
And, tho' this be an Inferior Office to 〈…〉 Tables, as the Apostle terms it, Acts 6.2. 〈…〉 the Power of Ordaining these doth not 〈…〉 the People; they, indeed, make choice of 〈…〉 Persons, Acts 6.3, 4, 5. but the Apostle●…dained them by Fasting, Prayer, and Imp●…on of hands, v. 6.  
2. A higher, and more noble Order 〈…〉 Church-Officers, whose work principally 〈…〉 in Prayer, and the Ministry of the Wo●… the Apostle tells us, v. 4.  
Now these Church-Officers are called {αβγδ}, Bishops or Overseers, Acts 20.28. 〈…〉 {αβγδ}, Presbyters or Elders, v. 17. ●… Eph. 4.11. Pastors and Teachers, two N●… as is most probable for one and the same O●… Now, in describing these Church-Office 〈…〉 shall answer these five Questions.  
I. Whether Scripture Bishops, Presbyt●… Elders, and Pastors, are several distinct Of●… in the Church, or one and the same?  
II. Whether now, under the Gospel 〈…〉 Ministry be a standing Ordinance, and●…sters set apart, from all others, for the 〈…〉  
III. Whether a mere lay-man, that has ●… fts, and is desired to Exercise them, may ●… rdinarily Preach, and Administer the Sacra●… ents?  
IV. Whether Ordination of Persons, to ●… inister in the Church, be to be performed 〈…〉 Fasting, Prayer, and Imposition of hands, 〈…〉 not?  
V. Where this Ordaining Power is lodged, 〈…〉 Jesus Christ, whether in a Diocesan Bishop, 〈…〉 in the Elders, Presbyters, all Pastors of the ●… urch, or in the Body of the People, i.e. 〈…〉 the graver Members of a Particular ●… hurch?  
I. Whether Scripture Bishops, Presbyters, or ●… ders, are several distinct Officers in the ●… urch, or several Names for one and the ●… e kind of Church-Officers?  
Now that a Bishop, and Presbyter or Elder, 〈…〉 the New Testament, are but several Names 〈…〉 one and the same Church-Officer, is abun●… ntly Evident,  
1. From Acts 20.17. St. Paul sent to ●… hesus for {αβγδ}, the Elders, or Pres●… ers, for the Word signifieth both; these ●… ere the same 28. are called {αβγδ}, Bi●… ps. Take heed to yourselves, and to the Flock ●… er which the Holy Ghost hath made you {αβγδ}, Bishops, or Overseers, those he terms ●… ders, v. 17. he calls Bishops, v. 28.  
2. 'tis clear from Phil. 1.1. Paul and Ti●… theus, the Servants of Jesus Christ, to all the Saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philip●… with the Bishops and Deacons: here are in 〈…〉 Church but two sorts of Church-Officers, 〈…〉 Bishops and Deacons; Deacons were to 〈…〉 after the Poor, so that by Bishops must 〈…〉 be meant the same Church-Officers as 〈…〉 Acts 28.17. called Elders. Therefore, in 〈…〉 Syriac Version, its rendr'd Presbyters and ●…nisters; the Word Bishop and Presbyter 〈…〉 Promiscuously used for one and the 〈…〉 Church-Officer. Again, in 1 Tim. 3 1.〈…〉 Apostle speaks of the Office of a Bishop, 〈…〉 makes no mention of any other Church-Of●… till he comes to that of a Deacon, v. 12. 〈…〉 makes it evident the Apostle knew of●…ther then to be ordained in the Church; 〈…〉 by Bishops must needs be the same Of●… meant as are before called Presbyters or ●…ders.  
3. This is also evident from the Fa●… and Learned Protestant Divines, Mr. C●… gathers many Testimonies from Antiqui●… prove a Bishop and a Presbyter all one; 〈…〉 Corbets Remains, page. 111. and Learned ●…lanus tells us Presbyters 
Polan. Sigtag. lib. 7. cap. 11. Presbyteri 〈…〉 copi sunt jure divino pares, i.e. Administrant in●…cium, eodem modo et codem Autoritate.  and Bishops are 〈…〉 by Divine Right, both ministering the 〈…〉 ●… ice in the same manner, and by virtue of 〈…〉 same Authority. Of the same Mind are ●… st of our English Protestant Divines.  
Quest. 2. Whether now, under the Gospel, the ●… inistry be a standing Ordinance, and Ministers 〈…〉 apart, from all others, for Gospel Work.  
Answer this Affirmitively, and prove it 〈…〉 these Arguments.  
Arg. 1. The Ministry's a standing Ordi●… ce; for, from the Beginning of the World ●… d had a certain Order of Men set apart 〈…〉 the Ministry. Under the Law, every one ●… ght not be a Priest, the Priesthood belonged 〈…〉 the First-born, Gen. 25.31. Which was af●… wards conferred upon the Levites, Numb. ●… 5, 16, 17. The Priesthood restend in the 〈…〉 be of Levi, they were Ordained and set ●… rt by God to Serve in the Tabernacle: thus ●… ested till the coming of Christ; and those 〈…〉 Invaded it were severely punished by ●… d; a dreadful Instance we have in Numb. ●… 2. They rose up before Moses, with certain of 〈…〉 children of Israel, 250 Princes of the Assem●… famous in the Congregation, Men of Re●… n, Vers. 3. And they gathered themselves ●… ther against Moses and against Aaron, and 〈…〉 unto them, Ye take too much upon you, see●… all the Congregation are holy, every one of 〈…〉, the Lord is amongst them: Wherefore then ●… e up yourselves above the Congregation of 〈…〉 Lord. Now observe, that the Priesthood 〈…〉, by God's own Appointment, fixed in Aaron and his Sons; now, this they 〈…〉 on to be Pride and Usurpation in Mos●… Aaron; they crying out, they take too 〈…〉 upon them; the People are all holy, every 〈…〉 them, i.e. The whole Congregation are all●…dom of Priests; and have as much Rig●… Minister in the Priests Office as Aaron a●… Sons have: So the controversy was, whe●… Aaron and his Sons only were to be Pries●… whether all the Congregation had not as 〈…〉 Right to it as they: But, behold how 〈…〉 decides this controversy; Moses orders 〈…〉 Aaron and all his Sons, on the one part, and ●…rah and all his Company on their Part, to 〈…〉 each one his Censer, and appear before 〈…〉 Lord, that God might show who he 〈…〉 Chosen, Vers. 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 〈…〉 But behold the Dreadful judgement of G●… all these that were not content to Serve 〈…〉 in their Place, but would Invade the O●… of the Priests; the Earth Opens and Suc●… them up, Vers. 31: 32. together with all 〈…〉 Company, Wives, Children, Goods, 〈…〉 that pertained to them, see Vers. 33, 〈…〉 Terrible Example upon the Invaders 〈…〉 Ministry.  
And tho' when Christ came he took the Priesthood of Aaron; yet the Gospel●…stry was set up in the Room of it, to co●… to the end of the World. Christ Twelve Apostles; these, together with 〈…〉 Disciples, he sent forth to Preach, Luke 〈…〉 ●… nd these, by Fasting, Prayer, and Imposition 〈…〉 Hands, Ordained, and sent forth others, as 〈…〉 evident, Acts 1.24, 25. Acts 6.6. Acts 〈…〉 4.23. And thus it was all along in the ●… rimitive Church, and was never Controvert●… d till in the last Age, by those Furious Inno●… aters in Germany, Servetus, Knipperdoling, ●… on of Leiden; together with the Socinian ●… est: from whence those in England, that ●… e for Denying, or Invading the Ministry, ●… ve borrowed all their Arguments.  
Arg. II. That Ordinance, to which many ●… recious Promises are made, must certainly ●… ontinue until those Promises are fulfilled; but ●… ere are many Promises to Ministers, and the Ministry of the Gospel; And these Promises ●… e not, nor will not be all fulfilled till the end 〈…〉 the World; therefore a Gospel Ministry ●… ust so long continue.  
God, long before Christ's Coming, Promised ●… e Gospel Church a Distinct Order of Men to 〈…〉 Ministers, Isa. 52.7, 8. How beautiful upon ●… e Mountain are the feet of him that bringeth ●… odd Tidings of Good, that publisheth Salvation. ●… at saith unto Zion, thy God Reigneth. Thy ●… atchmen shall lift up their voice, &c.  
Now, that something more is here design●… then the Deliverance from Babylon, is evi●… t; and that it is a Promise of a Gospel ●… istry is clear from Rom. 10.14, 15, 16, 17.  
Again, in Isa. 62.7. I have set Watchm●… upon thy Walls, O Jerusalem, which shall ne●… bold their peace day nor night, &c. So Isa. 3● 20, 21. and Jer. 3.15. I will give you●…stors after my own heart, Jer. 23.4. I will 〈…〉 up Shepherds over them. Now, these, and●…ny more, that might be Quoted, are Prom●… of a Gospel Ministry, as most, if not all, Ort●…dox Divines Interpret them.  
Again, Mat. 28.20. Go Preach and Ba●…( saith our Lord Christ) and lo I am with y●… to the end of the World.  
Arg. III. If the Ministry was appointed 〈…〉 Christ, for the Perfecting the Saints, the●… must continue till the Saints are Perfected a●… that will not be till all Saints are gathered 〈…〉 Heaven; but the former is true, Ephes. 4. 〈…〉 therefore the latter.  
Arg. IV. If Jesus Christ in the gospel 〈…〉 made Provision for a Gospel Ministry, the 〈…〉 Gospel Ministry is God's Ordinance. But 〈…〉 former is true, Gal. 6.6. Let him th●… Taught in the Word, communicate to him 〈…〉 Taught him, in all good things, 1 Cor. 9. 〈…〉 The Lord hath ordained, that those who 〈…〉 the Gospel should live of the Gospel.  
Arg. V. If the Gospel call the Minist●… Office, it certainly is an Office; but the 〈…〉 doth call the Ministry an Office, and M●… the Officers of Jesus Christ, 1 Tim. 3. 1.〈…〉 Man desire the Office of a Bishop, he desires 〈…〉 work.  
Quest. III. Whether a mere Lay-man, or Private Christian, who has Parts and Gifts, and is desired by any Church, or Number of Christians, to Exercise them; may ordinarily Preach, and Administer the Sacraments?  
But here, to remove Mistak s this Question doth not concern,  
1. Such, who are bread up, and designed for the Ministry, and Preach sometimes before Ordination, ad probandam facultatem.  
2. Nor what may be done where no Ministry may be had.  
3. Nor what Persons Extraordinarily called, as the Prophets and Apostles were, may do.  
4. Nor what Private Christians may, and ought to do in their Families.  
5. Nor whether a Company of Christians may not, out of the time of public Worship, on the Lord's Day, or other Days, meet together to Pray, Sing Psalms, and Repeat Sermons, and tell their Experiences one to another.  
All these things are granted to be the plain Duty of Christians.  
But, the Question is, Whether it be lawful or Private Christians, how well soever Gifted( tho' they are desired) to Exercise those Gifts in a Ministerial Way, to take a Text, ●… aise Observations, Preach, and Administer the ●… araments in public Church Assemblies?  
To this Question, the Answer is, That it i●… Sinful and Unlawful for any Private Christian, except as before Allowed, how well soeve●… Gifted, tho' desired, in any Well Ordere●… Church, for to take upon him the Preachin●… of the Word, and administering the Sacr●…ments.  
This I Prove by the following Arguments 〈…〉  
Arg. 1. Such who undertake to Administe●… any Gospel Ordinance, without Precept, P●…mise, or Example in God's Word, Sinneth in 〈…〉 doing: But, for a mere Private Christi●…( except as before excepted) to Administ●… any Gospel Ordinance, Peculiar to the Ministr●… he doth it without Promise, Precept, or Allo●… Example in all God's Word; therefore he 〈…〉 greatly in so doing.  
Now there is nothing more plain in 〈…〉 New Testament, then this, viz. That Gosp●… Precepts require, and Gospel Presidents 〈…〉 forth, That all those that Preach the Gos●… should not only have Grace and Parts, and 〈…〉 desired to Exercise them, but that they 〈…〉 Solemnly set apart for the Work, as is e●… from Tit. 1, 5. For this cause left I thee in Cr●… that thou shouldst set in order those things that 〈…〉 wanting, and Ordain them Elders in every City 〈…〉 I had appointed thee.  
By Elders, here is not meant Gifted Bret●… simply, but Bishops and Presbyters, as Vers. 6, 〈…〉 8, 9, 10, 11. and these must be Ordained 〈…〉 I shall show anon.  
Another Command is, 1 Tim. 5.22. Lay on hands suddenly on no Man. q. d. Ordain Ministers to Administer Gospel Ordinances, but do it with great Deliberation; have a care thou dost not Ordain unmeet Persons to that Office. This is plain from the Context, v. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.  
Another Precept is in Acts 13.2, 3. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have appointed them: And when they had Fasted and Prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  
Here 'tis very observable, that tho' Paul and Barnabas were Extraordinarily called to the Ministry, and had Miraculous Gifts; yet God ●… ommands them to be solemnly set apart for ●… he Work, by Fasting, Prayer, and Imposition of Hands. Thus Scripture Precepts require such ●… s Preach, to be Solemnly set apart.  
So, in like manner, if we eye Gospel Exam●… less, we find, that such as were sent out to Preach, were thus Solemnly set apart, and none ●… ent out without it.  
For, the Apostles themselves had, besides ●… itness for the Work, a Commission from ●… esus Christ, Mat. 28.20, 21. and, in Acts 6. ●… ou have Men full of the Holy Ghost; yet ●… ey must be Solemnly set apart by Ordination. This was the Order in all Churches, none were ●… nt out till Solemnly set Apart, Acts 20.17, ●… 8. 1 Tim. 5.17.  
Arg. 2. For any to take upon him an Act of Office, being no Officer, is Sinful; but for Gifted Brethren to take on them to Preach, &c. is an Act of Office, therefore Sinful.  
Now Preaching the Gospel is an Act of Office, proper to Ministers, as is clear fro●… 1 Tim. 5.17. Tit. 1.5, 9. Acts 20.17, 28. 1 Cor. 4.1. 1 Tim. 2.7. 2 Tim. 2.11. Nor when a Private Person shall do an Act o●… Office, it is Sinful, even in Civil Affairs: Suppose a Private Person shall take upon hi●… to do the Office of a Constable, Recorder, M●…jor, Justice of the Peace or Judge; How Cr●…minal would this be? And is it not much more so in Religion.  
Now Preaching the Gospel is the Princip●… and chief Part of a Ministers Office; the very first thing in the Commission, Mat. 28. 20.〈…〉 Paul looked on Preaching to be his great Work, 1 Cor. 1.17. 2 Tim. 4.2. Preach the Word, 〈…〉 instant in Season and out of Season.  
Arg. 3. If God was angry, in the time 〈…〉 the Law, with those who did usurp the Pri●… Office; then God, being the same for ever, 〈…〉 will be angry, in the days of the Gospel, w●… those who usurp the Ministers Office.  
But God was angry with such in the time 〈…〉 the Law, &c.  
Ergo, he will be angry with such as, in 〈…〉 days of the Gospel, usurp the Minister Off●…  
The mayor is clear from Heb. 13.8. God ●… s Immutable, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever.  
The Minor is proved from,  
1. The Example of Uzzah, 2 Sam. 6.6, 7, 8. He died for meddling with the Ark, which none might do but the Priests only, as is evident, Num. 4.16. Uzzah's intention was good; the Oxen stumbled, he lays hold on the Ark to prevent its falling, but he had better have let it alone; the Lord smites him dead on the Place for touching it. Good Intentions can never justify Irregular Actions: O that such who thrust themselves into the Ministry, would remember Uzzah; Are your intentions and aims good, so was his, but God smote him for it.  
2. 'tis clear from the Example of King Uzziah, 2 Chron. 26.16, and 20. He pre●… um'd to burn Incense in the Temple, which alone belonged to the Priests, and the Lord smote him with a Leprocy.  
3. But especially this is clear from the Ex●… mples of God's very remarkable judgement on konrah, Dathan, and Abiram, Num. 16.1, 2, 3, 4, and 39. these Men thrust themselves ●… unto the Priests Office, and would offer Incense ●… hemselves; And what was their Pretence? Why, vers. 3. Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the Congregation is holy, every one of them, &c. therefore they may offer Sacrifice, Preach and Pray as well as you: And is not this the very Controversy at this day, all may Preac●… any that have Gifts may Preach.  
But oh that such would remember the en●… of those Men, whose design was to level bo●… Majestry and Ministry, by crying down M●… and Aaron, the Lord shew'd a dreadful judgement on them; the very Controversy 〈…〉 the same then as now, konrah and his part●… said all might offer Incense, all were holy: Our Brethren now say the same, every o●… who hath Parts may Preach, &c.  
Oh let the Lord himself decide this C●…troversy between us. And 'tis here done 〈…〉 such an aweful manner, that might make the bold Invaders tremble.  
Arg. 4. If none may Preach but such 〈…〉 are sent, then every gifted Person may 〈…〉 Preach. But none may Preach but such 〈…〉 are sent, Ergo, &c. This is proved Rom. 〈…〉15. How shall they Preach except they be se●… All that Preach Authoritatively from Ch●… must be sent immediately from God or Chris●… and then they much prove their sending 〈…〉 Miracles; or else mediately by Men, i.e. 〈…〉 such whom Christ hath appointed to seper●… set apart, and ordain them to this Work.  
Now, without such sending, how can th●… Preach? i. e. they cannot do it duly, prof●…bly, and by Authority from Christ; for otherwise there were, and still are, some 〈…〉 run before they are sent, Jer. 23 1. I h●… not sent these Prophets, yet they run, &c.  
Obj. Gifting is sending.  
Answ. I deny it, Gifts are one thing, and ●… nding another; many Thousands are Gifted ●… at are not sent to Preach; Paul and Barna●… had singular Gifts, yet they must be Or●… in'd, Acts 13.1, 2, 3, in Mat. 10.1. Christ ●… ifts the Apostles, but, besides this, they must 〈…〉 sent, therefore, vers. 5. Christ sends them, 〈…〉.  
Arg. 5. If all that have Gifts may Preach, ●… en all that have Gifts may Baptize, for none ●… ay Preach that may not Baptize; the Com●… ssion is to do both, Mat. 28.19. Go Preach ●… d Baptize. To Preach is the greater Work, 〈…〉 Baptize the lesser Work; now he that may 〈…〉 the greater, may undoubtedly do the Jer, 1 Cor. 1.17. Christ sent me not to Bap●…, but to Preach, &c. i.e. Comparatively, ●… t so much to Baptize as to Preach.  
If you have no Commission to Baptize, as 〈…〉 lay-man hath, then have you none to ●… each, &c. but few Laymen pretend a Power 〈…〉 Baptize, &c.  
Arg. 6. If none may Preach but such as 〈…〉 ordained; then every one who hath Gifts ●… y not Preach.  
But none are to Preach but such as are Or●… n'd, as is clear, Acts 13.3. Acts 15.22. 〈…〉 14.23. but more of this by and by.  
Arg. 7. That which springs from Pride, ●… f-conceitedness within us, or from Hereti●… and Schismatical disturbers of the Church without us, cannot be of God; for Q●… causa, talis effectus, as is the Cause, such is 〈…〉 Effect.  
Now that one Man invades anothers Pl●… and Office, is from Pride, the thing pro●… itself; suppose I should intrude into the King Privy Council, or the Judges Seat, or 〈…〉 Place of a Constable, or Justice of the Pe●… it would be evident that Pride was the Ro●… &c.  
Again, this Opinion, That all, that 〈…〉 Gifts, may Preach, was first invented, bro●…ed, and set on foot by Socinians, Armi●… Quake●s, Antipedobaptists, and such like, 〈…〉 the last Age, in Germany and elsewhere, th●…fore a Sinful and dangerous practise,& 〈…〉 Now that this Opinion had such an Orig●… is evident from their own Writings, as 〈…〉 the Reformed Divines of Germany, that 〈…〉 the History of that time, &c.  
Arg. 8. That which is contrary to al●… Reformed Churches, Principles and Pract●… in every Age and Place in the whole W●… must be very Sinful, but this practise of 〈…〉 men Preaching, is so contrary, Ergo, &c.  
red you all the Ancient Fathers, L●… Divines, they all condemn this practise; 〈…〉 all the Canons, Decrees of Councils: 〈…〉 Foreign and domestic Divines, s●… Calvin, Luther, Occulam Padius, Bucer, C●…nitius, Pool, Hammond, Perkins, Burgess, wolds, Scudder, and a Thousand more; 〈…〉 ●… p all Confessions of Famous and Reformed Churches of Piedmount, France, Geneva, Hel●… aetia, Scotland, England, &c. All, as out of one Mouth, condemn these Lay-Preachers as not sent of God, &c.  
Objections Answered.  
Error hath always something to say for itself; so have our mistaken Brethren: They pled,  
Object. I. The Lord commends Abraham for Teaching his Family, Gen. 18.19. therefore Private Persons may be Preachers  
Answ. 'tis a non sequitur, that, because Abraham taught his Family, therefore Laymen may Preach: 'tis the Duty of every Christian that hath a Family to instruct them in the fear of God; but it follows not that therefore they may Preach: The one is a Private Christians Work, the other an Act of Office, nay, let it be granted Abraham Preached publicly, yet it helps not the Objectors, for Abraham was a Prophet, Gen. 20.7.  
Object. II. Eldad and Medad prophesy and Moses wishes all the Lords People were Prophets, Num. 11.25. and 30. Therefore we may Preach.  
Answ. You Err, not knowing the Scripture, these Seventy Elders were Extraordinarily Called, and Miraclously Gifted, so are not you.  
Again, This was only a Spirit of Government; the Lord hereby convinces the Whole Congregation of Israel, that he had choose these to Assist Moses in the Government▪ What a Wild and far-fetched Inference is it to conclude, that because God choose 70 Elder to Assist Moses in the Government, therefore any that have Gifts may Preach.  
Object. III. 'tis said, 2 Chron. 17.7, 8, 9 Compared with 2 Chron. 19.6, 7, 8. That Jehosaphat and Hezekiah sent Judges and Pri●… to Teach the People. Therefore such as are out 〈…〉 Office may Preach.  
Answ. A pretty sort of logic; That because Judges, or others, Employed by the King, in Reforming the Disorders of a Kingdom, go from City to City, Teaching and Instructing the People in the Nature of the Law, therefore Gifted Men out of Office may Preach. D● not our Kings give Instruction to the Judges? And do not the Judges at every As●●●● give a Charge to all present, especially Magistrates? And is not Religion oft the Subject they give in Charge? Would not this be wild for one to Argue; I may Preach, because the Judge speaks of Religion? Moreover, ●e● it be considered, that the Civil Laws, whereby the Jews Common wealth was governed, was the Holy Scripture; So that it was impossible to Reform the Common wealth, but the●… 〈◇〉 open the Nature of the Divine Law: and yet we have no assurance that this was done otherwise, then by their Commanding the Priests and Levites, that went with them, to do their Duties, in Preaching and Expounding the ●… riptures.  
Object. IV. Elisha was called from the Plow, 〈…〉 King. 19.19. and Amos from the herds; 〈…〉 may we, &c.  
Answ. These, as they were Miraculously ●… alled, so they were Miraculously qualified; ●… d when Amos was forbid to Preach, he does ●… t pled his Gifts, but his Commission, Amos. ●… 15.  
Object. V. The Apostles were mean Men, ne●… br●d Scholars, &c. They Preached, so may 〈…〉.  
Answ. Jesus Miraculously fitted them with ●… fts; even the Gift of Miracles; and then ●… ve them a Commission: Hath he done so by ●… u? Prove it, and we will hearty own you, ●… at. 10.1.5.  
Object. VI. The Scribes and Pharisees were 〈…〉 Persons in Office, yet they Taught, so may 〈…〉  
Answ. I deny it: They were either Priests ●… d Levites, as John 1.19, 24. or else Prophets; ●… d so of any Tribe.  
Object. VII. Stephen being a Deacon, and Pastor in Office, yet Preached, so may we.  
Answ. Stephen was an Ordained Church●… icer, &c. And what he said was no Ser●… n; but, being accused of Blasphemy, he ●… kes an Apology for himself; as the Martyrs 〈…〉. This Proves nothing.  
Object. VIII. Acts 8.4. They that were scattered abroad, went every where Preaching t●… Word; Ergo, we Lay-men may Preach.  
Answ. In all Persecutions, the Rage of th●… Enemy falls first and foulest on the Ministry there were now Multitudes of Preachers bredge●sides the Apostles; we cannot suppose the 〈…〉 and other Ordained Ministers, should conti●… Peaceably in Jerusalem, when all the Priva●… Christians were banished: nay, To what purpose should the Apostles stay in Jerusalem, wh●… the Multitude of Private Christians were driven thence; it should rather seem they wer●… Ministers, and such as were set apart to Prea●… the Gospel, that were driven away, and th●… Preached every where: However, if any o●… them were not Officers before, they we●… made so then; for the hand of the Lord 〈…〉 upon them, Acts 11.21. i. e. They were E●…traordinarily called, and enabled to Work M●…racles to confirm them, as this Phrase I●…ports, Ezek. 3.14. 2 Kings 3.15.  
Object. IX. Apolos Taught, and knew 〈…〉 the Baptism of John, &c. Acts 18.24, 25.  
Answ. Apollos was a Minister, 1 Cor. 3 Who is Paul, or who is Apollos but Ministers? He was an Eloquent Man, mighty in the S●…ptures, excellently qualified by God in an●…traordinary way.  
Object. X. 'tis said, 1 Cor. 14.31. 〈…〉 may all prophesy one by one; So may w●…  
Answ. They are deceived by the Word all] here: Who are the [ all] here?  
Not All the Saints: for Women and Children are Saints, yet they may not prophesy: but, by [ all] here is meant, all the Prophets: for, in that Famous Church of Corinth, there were many Prophets, and some disorder in the Exercise of their Gifts; the Apostle here directs them to Order, to prophesy not together, but one after another, as Vers. 29. Now, What logic is this, because 10, 20, or more Ministers, or Prophets in a Church may Prohecy and Preach, one after another; therefore Lay-men may Preach, &c.  
Object. XI. Heb. 5.11. When for the time ye ought to Teach others, &c.  
Answ. There is a kind of Teaching, the the Duty of every Christian; as Parents, Masters; and one Christian another; 'tis such, and not Ministerial Teaching the Apostle speaks of.  
Object. XII. Christians are a Royal Priesthood, Kings and Priests, therefore they may Preach.  
1. This is spoken of all Christian Saints, Men, Women and Children; but all such may not Preach.  
2. Every Christian is a King; May he then Invade the Throne? The meaning is, every Child of God is brought nigh to God, to offer the Sacrifices of Prayer, Praise, &c. to God. What's this to the purpose.  
All the rest of their Objections are of as like force, prove nothing to the purpose; I am weary with Answering them.   

CHAP. IV. Whether Ordination of Persons to the Ministry is to be performed by Fasting, Prayer and Imposition of hands? As also showing where this Ordaining power is lodged by Jesus Christ whether in a Diocesan Bishop, the People, 〈…〉 in the hands of Presbyters? Whether it and Lawful to hear Laymen Preach, &c.  
Quest. IV. WHether Ordination of Persons to the Ministry be to be performed by Fasting, Prayer and Imposition of hands, or not?  
Answ. 'tis necessary, in a well-ordered Gospel-Church, that all who are sent out to Preach the Gospel, be ordained to that Work by Fasting, Prayer and Imposition of hands: And this I prove by these Arguments.  
Arg. 1. Ordination by Fasting, Prayer and Imposition of hands is necessary, because all Scripture Examples of Ordination of any Persons to Divine Offices in the Church, were thus made, and none without it. None, saith Mr. clerk, is, or can be produced to be done without it; we have Scripture Warrant for it, but none for the neglect of it. Num. 8. 10. Thou shalt bring the Levits before the Lord, ●… d the Children of Israel shall put their hands ●… n the Levites, &c. So Acts 6.6. There ●… u have Seven Deacons that were to serve ●… ables, i.e. Administer to the Poor, an In●… rior Office in the Church, yet these must be ●… rdain'd by Fasting, Prayer and Imposition 〈…〉 hands. So Acts 13.3. Paul and Barnabas, ●… ho were Extraordinary gifted and called, ●… odd would yet have them ordained by Fast●… g, Prayer and Imposition of hands: So Acts 4.23. And a multitude of other Places.  
Arg. 2. We have an express command for 〈…〉 1 Tim. 5.22. Lay hands suddenly on no Man; where the Negative includes the Affir●… ative i. e. lay hands on Meet Persons, and ●… ne else.  
Now, as the Apostles ordained Ministers, 〈…〉 must all Ministers be ordained; but the ●… postles ordained by Fasting, Prayer and Im●… sition of hands, therefore all that are Or●… in'd to Preach the Gospel must be ordained 〈…〉 the same manner.  
Arg. 3. If it has been the constant practise 〈…〉 the Church, all along from the Apostles ●… mes hitherto, to Ordain Ministers by ●… air, Fasting and Imposition of hands, then ●… ought to be continued in the Church. But 〈…〉 has been the practise of the Church all a●… g therefore it ought to be continued.  
Mr. Calvin in his Institutions, Lib. 4. Chap. 〈…〉 Sect. 1. after he had, in the closing Section of the last Chapter, shew'd how the Apost●… ordained Elders in the Church, viz By fa●…ing, Prayer and Imposition of hands; he te●… us, that the Primitive Churches, in their O●…der and Discipline, and Particularly in the making Ministers, kept Precisely to the Ap●…stles Rules in their whole frame of Chur●… Offices and Church-Government.  
Quest. V. Where is this Ordaining Po●… lodged by Jesus Christ? Whether in a Dioce●… Bishop, or in the Body of the Church, or in 〈…〉 Ministers of Christ?  
1. To be sure it is not lodged in a Dioces●… Bishop, for it was proved before that a D●…cesan Bishop, as such, is no where found 〈…〉 Scripture, for being but a Presbyter, can, b●… God's Word, claim no Superior Power abo●… other Presbyters, but what is given him 〈…〉 consent.  
2. This Ordaining Power cannot lie in t●… People, for tho' the People have a power 〈…〉 Elect and choose, as is Evident Acts 6.3. i●… ye out Seven Men— whom we may appo●… but they have not the Ordaining Power, 〈…〉 5, 6. And they choose Stephen, &c. Whom 〈…〉 set before the Apostles, and when they had Pr●… they laid their hands on them. mere Elect●… to the Ministry doth not confer the Off●… nile dat quod non habet.  
If there be neither Precept, Promise or●…ample in all God's Word, of, or to any●…ple or Church that did Ordain their 〈…〉 Pastors; then the People have no power so ●… o.  
But there is neither Precept, Promise or Ex●… ple, therefore those ordained by the People ●… ly, are no Ministers of Jesus Christ.  
3. But this Ordaining Power lieth wholly 〈…〉 the Presbyters and Officers of the Church: ●… ere is no Command, nor Promise, nor Ex●… ple to, or of any others in Scripture, that ●… er did Ordain. Officers in the Church have ●… ly Authority from Christ to Ordain others 〈…〉 the Ministry, as Scripture abounds with ●… xamples, Acts 6.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. the People ●… uld not so much as Ordain the Deacons, and not the less, then not the greater, Acts 13. 〈…〉 Acts 14. This was the custom in every ●… urch, as this Scripture proves, and in every ●… ty, Tit. 1.5.  
And here let me add  
Quest. VI. Whether it be Lawful to bear Lay●… n Preach? You have heard they have no ●… uthority to Preach; But may we hear them without Sin?  
How far it may be Lawful to hear them, ●… en we can possibly hear no Ministers, is now ●… ubtful, and I shall not determine.  
But to choose to hear them, when Ministers ●… y be heard, is a Sin, which I prove thus,  
'tis certainly the Duty of every Serious ●… ristian to join himself a Member to some ●… rticular Church, and to sit down under the ●… store of that Church as their Pastor, and constantly to hear him; this is clear from t●… Scriptures compared together, Mat. 18.〈…〉 Act. 28.28. We are to feed the Flock; 〈…〉 must then know to what Flock or Fold 〈…〉 belong, Eph. 4.11, 12. Heb. 13.7, 17.  
2. 'tis Sin to hear such that we can 〈…〉 pray for a Blessing upon their Ministry; 〈…〉 this we cannot do in Faith, for such, wh●… God never sent; we can pray for nothing 〈…〉 what God has promised; but God never p●…mised to Bless these Mens Preaching.  
3. Nay, we are forbidden to hear the●… Jer. 23.16. Thus saith the Lord, harken n●… the word of the Prophets that prophesy 〈…〉 you.  
Object. These were false Prophets,— those, you speak against, speak the Truth.  
Answ. Do not they say God sent th●… whereas God never sent them, nor gave th●… any Commission, see vers. 21. I never s●… them. So Jer. 27.14.15. 'tis cert●… saith Learned Chemnitius, that none are to heard in the Church which are not sent God.  
4. Yet consider further, that if they S●… Preaching, as has been proved, then do 〈…〉 you, in hearing them encourage them in t●… Sin, and thereby make yourselves parta●… of it?  
Would to God weak, well-meaning C●…stians, that have more Affections then J●…ment, would seriously lay these things to ●… rt.   

CHAP. V. ●… wing the Duties of all the Members of the 〈…〉 Church, both Ministers and People, to God, 〈…〉 and One to Another.  
WE have largely spoken of the Nature of the Ministry; let us now consider the ●… ty of Ministers, both towards ●od, and to ●… e Flock, or Church over which they are pl●●… d.  
I. Ministers are to be Skilful, or Well In●… ucted in the Mysteries of the Gospel, which 〈…〉 committed to their Trust, 1 Cor. 41.1. he ●… st be one holding fast the faithful Word, 〈…〉 that is able, by Sound Doctrine, to Exhort 〈…〉 Convince Gainsayers, Tit. 1.9. able to di●… e the Word aright, to give every one ●… odd in his Season, 2 Tim. 2.15. they must 〈…〉 well acquainted with the Scriptures, and ●… ll seen in the Great Doctrines of the Go●…, 2 Tim. 1.13. 2 Tim. 2.2.  
II. Ministers are to Preach the Gospel; this 〈…〉 a Ministers Great and Principle Work, ●… or. 1.17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but 〈…〉 Preach the Gospel: i.e. Baptism was not his ●… ncipal Work, nor the main Business he 〈…〉 sent about; for, that was to Preach but an Inferior and Subordinate Work, whic●… he did sometimes, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2, I 〈…〉 thee therefore before God, and the Lord 〈…〉 Christ, who shall Judge the quick and dead 〈…〉 appearing, and his Kingdom; Preach the 〈…〉 be instant in season, and out of season, rep●… rebuk, exhort, with all long-suffering and●…ctrine.  
III. Prayer is another part of a M●… Work, Isa. 62.6, 7. I have set Watchm●… thy Walls, O Jerusalem, which shall neve●… their peace day nor night: Ye that make m●… of the Lord, keep not silence; And give 〈…〉 res● till he make Jerusalem a praise in the 〈…〉 Acts 6.4. But we will give ourselves o●…ally to Pr●yer, and to the Ministry of the W●…  
IV. To catechize and Instruct the Ign●… in the doctrine of Christ, to acquaint 〈…〉 with the Form of sound Words; this 〈…〉 charges Timothy, To hold fast the Form of 〈…〉 words, or Scheme of Gospel Truth, 2 T●… 13. And in Ordaining others to the W●… the Ministry, he charges him, Chap. 2.2 〈…〉 commit these things to faithful Men, who 〈…〉 be able and willing to Teach others. 〈…〉 is a plain Command, not only to Pare●… Ministers, to catechize Children in the f●…mentals of Religion, Prov. 22.6. Trai●… Child in the way he should go: Heb.( Ch●… to catechize, Imitate, or Instruct.  
V. Another part of a Minister's Wo●… to Administer both the Sacraments o●… ●… w Testament, baptism and Lord's Supper, ●… t. 28.20. 1 Cor. 11.23. ad finem.  
VI. Another part of a Minister's Work is, 〈…〉 Rule and Discipline the Church according to ●… e Will of God. Ministers are Church ●ulers, ●… urch Governours; and its the Duty of the Church 〈…〉 honour and submit to them, Heb. 13.7. ●… member them which have th● Rule ove● you, who ●… ve spoken to you the Word of God, whose ●aith ●… owe, considering the end o● their Conversation. ●… d, Vers. 17. Obey them that have the ●ule ●… r you, &c. The Key of Doctrine, and the ●… y of Discipline is committed to them, Mat. 〈…〉 .19. And I will give unto thee the Keys of 〈…〉 Kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever thou ●… lt bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven; ●… d whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth shall be ●… said in Heaven. This Text the Papists much ●… se, to prove Peter to have a Power over all 〈…〉 Apostles, and the Pope to be Peter's Succes●…; so that according to them, the Pope's ●… were of Forgiving Sin is pretended to be ●… rived from hence. But what is here given 〈…〉 Peter, is but given him in the Name of all ●… e Disciples, as appears from John 20.23. As 〈…〉 the Binding and losing Power, some think 〈…〉 only a Power to the Apostles to constitute ●… nding Ordinances for the Church; others 〈…〉 Power of Church-Discipline to all Pastors 〈…〉 the end of the World.  
VII. Another part of a Ministers Work ●… o visit the Sick, Jam. 5.14. Is any Sick let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let 〈…〉 Pray over him.  
VIII. To comfort the feeble-minded to●…blish the Weak and Wavering, 1 Thes. 5.〈…〉 Now we exhort you Brethren warn them th●… unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, supp●… weak, be patient towards all men.  
IX. To Teach not only publicly but 〈…〉 House to House, Acts 20.20. I have kept 〈…〉 nothing from you, but have taught you p●… and from House to House.  
X. To be an Example to the Flock i●… Pious Affections and Holy Conversatio●… Tim. 4.12. Be thou an Example of Belie●… in Word, in Conversation, in Charity, in S●… in Faith, in Purity.  
II. Now let us consider the Duty of C●…stians or Chur●h-Members.  

1. Towards God.  
2. To their Pastors.  
3. One to another.   
We are now come to consider the 〈…〉 or Members of a Particular Church, as d●… from their Rulers and Officers; and the●… all the Members of the Church excep●… Officers. Now,  
I. Their Duty towards God is exp●… in the first Table, which is to know Go●… fear him, cleave to him; to hear, receive 〈…〉 ●… bey his Word, to sanctify his Name and ●… abbaths, to wait on him and worship him in ●… pirit and Truth, Joh. 4.24. To choose him ●… or our God, to follow hard after him, and to ●… elight in him, and love him with all our ●… soul, Mind, and Strength, and to place all ●… ur Rest and Happiness in him, Mat. 22.37. ●… sal. 37.4, 5.  
II. The Duty of Church-Members towards ●… heir Pastors and Ministers; and these are  
1. To obey them in the Lord, Heb. 13.7. ●… emember them that have the Rule over you, ●… d vers. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over ●… ou, and submit yourselves, for they watch for ●… our Souls.  
2. To imitate their Pious and Holy Ex●… mples, Heb. 13.7. Remember them that have ●… e Rule over you, who have spoken to you the ●… second of the Lord, whose faith follow, considering ●… e end of their Conversations.  
3. To Pray for them, for their Work is ●… eat, and their Temptations and Discourage●… discouragements are very many, Heb. 13.18. Pray for 〈…〉, &c. 1 Thes. 5.25. 2 Thes. 3.1. finally ●… rethren pray for us, that the Wo●d of the Lord ●… ay have free passage.  
4. To Love, Honour, and very highly ●… teem them for their Works sake, 1 Thes. 5.〈…〉, 14. We beseech you Brethren to know them ●… ich labour among you, and are over you in the ●… rd, and admonish you. And to esteem them ●… ry highly in love for their works sake. The World hates, despiseth and reproacheth the●… therefore you must Love and Esteem them.  
5. To wait on and constantly attend th●… Ministry, for they watch for your Souls, Heb. 1●… 17. If they are to be instant in Season 〈…〉 out of Season, in Preaching, you must be i●…stant in Season and out of Season in he●…ing.  
6. Not hastily or rashly to receive an A●…cusation against them; the World is apt 〈…〉 fling Dirt and Reproach upon them, but 〈…〉 are not hastily and groundlessly to believe 〈…〉 receive what they say, 1 Tim. 5.19. Ag●… an Elder, receive not an Accusation, but left 〈…〉 two or three witnesses.  
7. You are carefully to examine and c●…pare what they say and Preach to you 〈…〉 the Holy Scriptures, and what is con●… thereto reject, and what is agreeable the●… to retain, Acts 17.11. These were more 〈…〉 then those in Thesalonica, In that they r●… the word with all readiness of mind, and se●… the Scriptures daily, whether those things 〈…〉 so.  
8. 'tis also their Duty to fly 〈…〉 Teachers, who cause Rents and Division 〈…〉 the Church: All are to be looked on as 〈…〉 Teachers who are not sent of God, and C●…missioned according to the order Jesus C●… hath fixed in his Church, Rom. 16. 17.〈…〉 I beseech you Brethren mark them which 〈…〉 divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learnt, and avoid them.  
III. Let's now see the Duty of Church-Members one towards another.  
Now the Duties Christian Church-Members owe to each other are,  
1. To Love one another and bear with one anothers Infirmities, Joh. 15.12. This is my Commandment that ye love one another, Rom. 15.1. We that are strong ought to bear the Infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  
2. To endeavour to Edify and build up one another in Knowledge, Graces, and Holiness, and for that end to be often together ●… n Christian Communion, in Prayer, Repeat●… ng Sermons: Tell one another your Experi●… nces, and what God has done for your Souls, Mal. 3.16. Then they that feared the Lord spoken ●… ften one to another.  
3. Another Duty is Brotherly Admoni●… ion and Reproof, which is to be done with much meekness, Lev. 19.17. Thou shalt not ●… ate thy Brother in thy heart, thou shalt in any ●… ice rebuk thy Neighbour, and not suffer Sin up●… n him. Psal. 141.5. Let the Righteous smite ●… e, &c.  
4. Another Duty is to be very tender of ●… e Churches Peace; avoiding all causes of ●… ivision and Strife, Rom. 16.17. Mark them ●… hich cause Division, &c. Maintain the Unity ●… f the Spirit in the Bonds of Peace, not withdrawing drawing and separating from the Church in light manner.  
5. A Tenderness and Respect for the poo●… Saints, the meanest Christian, Gal. 3.28. 〈…〉 are all one in Christ; and yet this must 〈…〉 hinder our showing Civil Respect to Men a●…cording to their Age, Office, or Estate 〈…〉 Degree in the World.  
6. Another Duty is Charity to all 〈…〉 want, but especially to the Poor Saints, H●… 13.16. To do good and communicate fo●… not, &c. Jam. 1.27. Pure Religion and 〈…〉 defiled before God and the Father is this, To 〈…〉 the Fatherless and Widdows in their Affli●… and to keep himself unspotted from the World.  
7. To put the most Charitable Co●…struction on the Words and Actions of●…thers that they will bear, 1 Cor. 13.7. Ch●… beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth 〈…〉 things, endureth all things.  
8. Prayer for one another is an●… Duty we owe, Jam. 5.16. Pray one for●…ther.  
9. Another Duty is to walk Exampla●… so as that we may give no Offence to the 〈…〉 to the gentle, or to the Church of Go●… Cor. 10.32. So as not to open the m●… of open Enemies, nor grieve the Spirits of 〈…〉 that fear God.   

CHAP. VI. Of Church Discipline; lodged in the hands of the Ministers of Christ. Who are to be owned and received as Church Members. What the Power of the Church is, in taking in, Censuring and Rebuking, and casting out such as Repent not.  
THe Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King and supreme Ruler and Governer of ●… s Church, hath appointed a certain Rule and ●… rder of Church-Government to be owned, ●… bey'd, and submitted to by all the Members 〈…〉 the Church; and they who oppose and re●… t that Government Christ has appointed in ●… s Church, they oppose and resist Christ him●… f.  
Now, as the Churches are Parts and Mem●… rs of a Nation, or Kingdom, so they are ●… bject to the Civil Magistrate; and all the ●… embers of the Church, whether Ministers 〈…〉 private Christians, are, and ought to be ●… ject to the Magistrates; for, so hath God ●… mmanded, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14. Submit your ●… ves to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's ●… e, whether it be to the King, as supreme, or ●… o Governours, as unto them that are sent by ●… n, &c.  
But we are speaking of the Church, as cal●… out of the World, and separated from it, and Incorporated together in an Holy Society, to Serve and Worship God: And, in th●… respect, the Church has Peculiar Laws, a●… Rules of Government, distinct from the Ci●… Laws of Princes.  
The Church is a Spiritual Society, Gover●… by Officers and Laws of Christ's Appoi●…ment.  
I. In whose Hands is the Government o●… the Church Lodged?  
Ans. 1. Not in the Hands of all the People●… that would be a strange Confusion to have 〈…〉 Rulers; Christ never gave the Power of 〈…〉 Keys to the Whole Church.  
2. Not in the Hands of a Lay-Chancelor Registers, Surrogate, Appariter; these are C●… Officers the Scripture knows not.  
3. Not in mere Lay-Ruling Elders; 〈…〉 by careful Inquiry into God's Word, there●…pears to me no such Church-Officers, 〈…〉 had a Power to Rule in the Church, but 〈…〉 to Preach and Administer the Sacraments; t●… place so much pleaded for it, in 1 Tim. 5. ●… The Elders that can Rule well, &c. seems to 〈…〉 nothing to the purpose: For, as Mr. Fo●… Notes upon the Place, That nothing 〈…〉 be thence concluded, but that as in the●…mitive Times there were many Elders, 〈…〉 Ministers in one Church, the Work of Pr●…ing and Ruling being distributed as 〈…〉 thought fit, but, all having one and 〈…〉 same Office.  
4. But this Power is Lodged in the Hands ●… f the Presbyters and Ministers of the Church; ●… is is very plain from Scripture, they are cal●…ed Rulers, Heb. 13.7.17. And to them the Keys of Church-Power and Discipline are com●… itted, Mat. 16.19. Neither is there any ●… cripture to show, Christ committed this Go●… erning-Power to any other.  
II. But what is the Governing-Power given ●… y Jesus to these Church-Rulers?  
Answ. It is a Power given by Jesus Christ, ●… nd entrusted with the Guides and Officers of ●… e Church; to Order, Rule, and Govern the ●… hurch; and to Administer all Christ's Ordi●… ances according to the Gospel.  
But here I only take notice of Four Things.  
1. The Power of Admitting Members into Particular Church, and what manner of Per●… ns they are that are to be received and own●… as Church-Members: In this, as well as o●… er Cases, we must be guided by God's Word; 〈…〉 speak here only of Members in full Com●… union; and here let it be carefully observed, ●… at such Persons as were by the Apostles and ●… rst Planters of the Gospel-Churches, re●… eived, owned, and taken in for Church-Members ers; are, by us, to be received and owned 〈…〉 such now, the Rule to them and us being ●… e same.  
Now the Persons that were the Subject-●… atter of the New Testament-Churches, are ●… lled Saints, Rom. 1.7. Called to be Saints: They were, many of them, so in Truth, all 〈…〉 them so in Profession; while Persons make 〈…〉 tolerable Profession of the Christian Religi●… not contradicting that Profession, by such a●…lowed Sin, as will prove them no Saints; 〈…〉 are bound, in the judgement of Charity, to esteem them Saints, tho' many of them may 〈…〉 be really so: So likewise the Church of Cori●… 1 Cor. 1.2. Unto the Church of God which i● 〈…〉 Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, with all that in ev●… place call on the Name of the Lord Jesus.〈…〉 2 Cor. 1.1. Gal. 1.2. Ephes. 1.1. P●… 1.1. Col. 1.1. 1 Thes. 1.1. 2 Thes. 1.1, &c. In all which places you have eit●… Saints or Church in such a Place, which are●…nonimous Phrases; the Saints were the Ch●… the Church were all Saints; i.e. such, wh●… having received the doctrine of the Gosp●… and Professed to own Christ as their Savio●… were united in one Ecclesiastical Body for●…ly Worship and Christian Communion; t●… there were yet not only many Imperfecti●… in the best, but many who were Scandalo●…ly Guilty, as is very evident in the Church 〈…〉 Corinth; in some Errors in judgement, 〈…〉 their very undue Approach to the Lord's T●…ble, 1 Cor. 11. But we must not supp●… these Persons, known to be Erroneous 〈…〉 Scandalous, when first admitted, but aft●…wards appeared to be so.  
Now, forasmuch as the Lord's Supper is 〈…〉 Ordinance of full Communion, only for such ●… s are Church-Members; therefore that Person ●… hat hath a Right to sit down at the Lord's Table, hath a Right to Church-Fellowship. Therefore let us inquire what is necessary to fit us for that Ordinance, and the same will qualify us for Full Communion and Church-Membership.  
1. There must be a Competent Measure of Knowledge in the Doctrines and Mysteries of ●… he Gospel; this Knowledge must be especial●… y in the Fundamentals of the Christian Religion, particularly in the Person and Offices of Christ, John 17.3.  
2. The Persons admitted must be such, as are Dedicated to Christ in the Sacrament of Bap●… sm; such as have not received the First Sa●… ament are not to come to the Second.  
3. Such as come to the Lord's Supper, or to ●… ull Communion in the Church, must Solemnly ●… enew and engage to stand to their Baptismal ●… ovenant, i.e. to Repent of Sin, to Believe in ●… esus Christ, to Deny Ungodliness, and Worldly ●… usts, and to live soberly and righteously in this ●… esent evil World, Tit. 2.11, 12. A prophes●… d Subjection of Soul to Jesus Christ, or of ●… egeneration and Holiness in Christ's Name; ●… ogether with a Promise of performing the ●… uties of a Church-Member to God, to our Pa●… ors, and Fellow Christians( as before.) I know no reason why such a Person should be denied Full Communion, unless the Person should be Guilty of such known Sin, or Disorderly Walking, as may evidence the Profession he makes to be merely in hypocrisy: And, i●… this case, 'tis better to be too Large in o●… Charity, then too Sensorious; for when we have done all, the Heart is God's Fort-Royal, none but God can search it out: many that are unsound, will yet have such a Right to Visible Church Membership, as that we shall not be able to keep them back.  
Now the Whole Church ought to be Judge of the Conversations of Persons Admitted; because they live amongst them, and are be able to Judge.  
But the Officers of the Church are the 〈…〉 meet and fit Judges of their Knowledge 〈…〉 Qualifications for Church Communion, for 〈…〉 they, by the Ministry of the Word, Ga●… and Plant Churches, 1 Cor. 3.5, 6, 7.  
II. Likewise the Care of Feeding, Watc●…ing over, and Rebuking, Reproving, and A●…monishing belong to the Pastors and Officers the Church. Indeed the Duty of Rebuk●… and Reproving belongs to all the Me●… of the Church, as is shewed before; But es●…cially to the Officers of the Church, 1 Thess.〈…〉 12. And we beseech you, Brethren, to know th●… that labour amongst you, and are over you in 〈…〉 〈◇〉, and admonish you, 2 Thess. 3.6. 〈…〉 we command you to withdraw yourselves from every Brother that walks disorderly.  
III. To the Officers of the Church doth it likewise belong to debar Persons of Church Fellowship, and Full Communion, i.e. to Suspend Persons from the Lord's Table, which is, by some called, The Lesser Excommunication; or, Excommunicate and cast them out of the Church, 1 Tim. 5.20. Them that sin rebuk before all, that others also may fear, Mat. 7.6. Cast not that which is holy to Dogs, neither cast your Pearls before Swine, and 1 Tim. 1.20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, 1 Cor. 5.4, 5.5.13. Mat. 18.17.  
IV. To the Officers of the Church likewise ●… t belongs to Revoke these Censures, that when admonished, censured, or Excommunicated Persons Humble themselves and Repent, to Admit them again to Full Communion. Mat. 16.19. And I will give unto thee( i.e. to Peter, in the Name of all the ●est) the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on Earth, shall be loosed in Heaven, Compare with 2 Cor. 2.6, 7, 8.   

CHAP. VII. showing what Schism is, and when Persons a●… guilty of it. And of Consociation of Church●… and Synods.  
NO Religion can possibly more obli●… those that Profess it to Unity than th●… Christian Religion doth. The Christian Religion affords us very Excellent helps, yet too many who profess the Christian Name an●… sadly guilty of the breach of this Unity, whic●… is called Schism.  
Schism is a causeless rapture, or Renti●… of Churches, or Christians in Church-Co●…munion, one from another. And this Schis●… is either in the Church, or from it: A Schi●… in the Church consists in differences and dissensions between the Members of a Church 〈…〉 thus we find a Schism in the Church 〈…〉 Corinth, they differed concerning their Ministers, crying up one above another, as o●… weak or Carnal Professors use to do, 1 Co●… 1.12. They looked more on the Teach●… then on the Truth, and they had other diffe●…ences about coming to the Lords Table, 〈…〉 Cor. 11.21.22. As also concerning the●… several Gifts, 1 Cor. 12.25.26. This is 〈…〉 very great Sin.  
Again, there is a Schism from the Church, ●… d that is when an unwarrantable Rent and ●… peration is made from a Church; when ●… ersons withdraw themselves from the Church ●… illingly, without any just cause, or for every ●… ght Trifle. This is Sinful Schism when we ●… have a Church where all the Ordinances of ●… hrist are purely administered, and nothing ●… at is Sinful imposed upon us; and so to ●… have or seperat from a Church, out of gidi●… ss or weariness, is very Sinful.  
But, to depart from a Church in which the ●… eat Doctrines of the Gospel are overturn●…, and Idolatrous and superstitious Cerimo●… es are introduced; and where we can have 〈…〉 Tolerable Comfort or Edification, we may, ●… y, we must depart: separation in this case 〈…〉 no Sinful Schism; So that tho' the Papists urge the Protestants with Sinful Schism for departing from the Romish Church, yet the Protestant Churches have committed no Crime separating from Rome, but have done what ●… s and is well-pleasing to Jesus Christ. For 〈…〉 well proved, by many Protestant Divines, ●… t the Church of Rome is Mystical Babylon, 〈…〉 Synagogue of Satan, and therefore the ●… ty of all to separate from her, Rev. 18.4. ●… e out of her my People, that ye be not per●… er of her Sin, and that ye receive not of her ●… gues.  
But as to the separation among Protestants, ●… y separation is not Schism; we would not separate from the Church of England if 〈…〉 could avoid it, but there are Terms of Churc●… Unity Imposed upon us, which we cann●… comply with without violating our own Co●…sciences; we have studdied, red, and Pray●… and done all we can to satisfy ourselves, 〈…〉 the more we search the Scriptures, and 〈…〉 God's Direction, the more we dislike the l●…posed Ceremonies, and are brought to this i●… evitable straight, that we must comform agai●… Conscience, and so wound our Peace, or 〈…〉 Silenced, Suspended, and thereby rende●… uncapable of public Communion. We wo●… gladly Exercise our Ministry in the Publ●… Churches, were not the Doors locked agai●… us. So that we cannot, by any light we 〈…〉 in God's Word, look on ourselves to 〈…〉 guilty of Schism; nor our People that will●…ly own and receive us as their Pastors: A●… tho' we endeavour to have high Thoughts i●… many that do comform, yet we look on th●… to be the schismatics who impose Uns●…tural Terms of Unity upon us, and thru●… out for not complying. There ought to no more imposed on us then Christ and 〈…〉 Apostles have made necessary to Church U●… Acts 2.42. They continued steadfast in the●…postles doctrine, and fellowship, and in b●… of Bread, and of Prayers. We part wit●… Church as a mariner parts with his 〈…〉 in a Storm. 'tis Bishop Bramhall's A●… to the Papists, saith he," If they did i●… on us a necessity of doing Sinful things, and offending God, and wounding our Consciences, then we did not leave them, but they did drive us out from them. So we ●… y we are not departed from the doctrine of ●… wrist, nor any of his Ordinances, and seeing ●… ey will not permit us to Worship God with ●… em, without doing what we judge to be ●… nful, must we therefore forbear to worship 〈…〉 all?  
Our Assemblies are true particular Church●…, for where there are Lawful Pastors dis●… using Holy Ordinances, and a People meet●… g, and unanimously joining in the use of ●… em, there is a true Church. Hic est fons ●… ritatis, hoc est templum dei, hoc domicilium dei, as Lactantius speaks; What want our ●… ssemblies, except the Controverted Cere●… onies, we red the same Holy Scriptures, ●… e Preach the same Holy doctrine, we have the ●… me Prayers in Substance, tho' no Liturgy, we ●… ve the same Holy Sacraments administered 〈…〉 Ministers duly called, and rightly ordained 〈…〉 Scripture-Bishops: We have a great Love ●… d a very honourable Esteem for Churches and Ministers that differ from us, if they yet ●… ld the Foundation: Where, or what then the Schism we are guilty of.  
II. Of the Consociation of Churches.  
The Church of Christ which is catholic, be g distinguished into lesser Societies, i.e. Particular Churches, and tho' these Partic●… Churches, being rightly constituted and O●…ganiz'd, have the Government within the●… selves, i.e. Every stated Church hath its o●… proper Pastor or Pastors, having full Aut●…rity to Teach and Govern it in the Name 〈…〉 Christ.  
Yet there is a Subordination of Partic●… Churches taken distributively, to an Asociati●… or Collective Body of the same Churches, i●… whether there ought not to be a Union 〈…〉 Consociation of Particular Churches a●… themselves?  
Now it must be granted that Partic●… Churches are so many distinct Members one great Body, i.e. They are Parts and M●…bers of the Universal catholic Church; 〈…〉 therefore being all United to one Head, w●… is Christ, and all walking by one Rule 〈…〉 Holy Word or Gospel of Christ; that 〈…〉 cannot but be interested in each other, 〈…〉 have a Mutual concern in each others 〈…〉 being; as a Particular single Church 〈…〉 Provincial, and a Provincial for a N●ti●… Church; and again, this National Church 〈…〉 all other Nations and Churches abroad●…fessing the same Holy Gospel of Christ.  
And if the Faithf●l 〈◇〉 or one, tw●… more Pastors in a ●ingle Church, by their●…ly Diligence and Wisd●●, can advice wh●… most to the Glory of God, and Edifica●… of this single Church; much more like ●… hat an Association of such Faithful Pastors, ●… hered together by consent from many ●… urches, should be able to judge what is best 〈…〉 the whole.  
III. Of a Synod.  
And such an Association of the Pastors of ●… veral Churches may be called a Synod, when ●… e Pastors or Deputies of several Particular ●… urches meet to advice and consult for the ●… odd of the whole: And that the Unanimous ●… reement of the Associated Pastors is bind●… g to all the Churches whom they represent, ●… ovided their Decrees are not contrary to ●… ipture, is evident, Acts 15.2, 4, 6. When ●… efore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissen●… and disputation with them, they determined 〈…〉 Paul and Barnabas and oth●rs of them should ●… p to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders ●… ut this question: red vers. 4, 6. Acts. 15. 〈…〉 19. But this question I leave to others ●… o are better able to speak to it, as being ●… and the design of this Discourse.  
●… he Conclusion: Proving it to be the Duty of ●… y Christian to join in, and be a Member of ●… e well-ordered Particular Church.  
Now as a Conclusion to the Discourse con●… king the Church, let me exhort and per●… de every one that love their Souls to give ●… hemselves to be a Member of some Parti●… r well-ordered Church. And I hope I have prevailed, when I have proved it y●… Duty: Now that every one ought to be join 〈…〉 as a standing Church-Member, to some pa●…ticular Church, I prove it,  
1. Because those Saints we red of 〈…〉 Scripture were Members of some Partic●… Church, Rom. 16.1, 2. Phebe was a Me●… of the Church of Cenchrea, see v. 3. ad f●… Mat. 18.17. Tell it to the Church, i.e. t●… Church whereof you are a Member, Acts 〈…〉 47.  
2. It was the manner of the Apostles, t●… wherever God Blessed their Ministry to 〈…〉 Conversion of Souls, they still United t●… into a Particular Church, Ordaining them●…ders to watch over them and feed the●… the Name of the Lord, Acts 14.23. Or●…ing them Elders in every Church.  
3. Christ commands us so to do, Cant.〈…〉 7, 8. The Church comes there with ease 〈…〉 Christ, Oh! show me thou whom my Soul h●… where thou feedest, where thou makest thy F●… to rest at Noon, &c. Now Christs Answ●… plain, vers. 8.— Go thy way forth by the steps of the Flock, feed thy Kids beside the 〈…〉 herds Tents.  
4. Because Christ is there Graciously 〈…〉 sent, and where should we be, but 〈…〉 ●… ist is, Rev. 1.12.— I saw seven Golden ●… dlesticks:( i.e. Churches) and in the midst ●… e seven Golden Candlesticks one like unto the 〈…〉 of Man, clothed with a Garment down to the 〈…〉, &c.  
5. The Titles and Epithets given to the ●… rch in Scripture, it is called the House of ●… d, 1 Tim. 3.5. The Flock of God, Acts 〈…〉 28, &c. The Terms plainly intimate, ●… t every Believer must be an Inhabitant in ●… s House, a Member of this Flock.  
6. The Names given to Ministers, they are ●…ed Shepherds, Overseers, Acts 20.28. Watch●…, Rulers, Heb. 13.7, 17. This proves ●… y have a Peculiar House, Flock, &c. to Rule 〈…〉 Govern.  
〈…〉. The Duty of Ministers to their Flock ●… h suppose them to have some who are their ●… liar Charge, if we know not who are of 〈…〉 Flock or House, how can we perform the ●… y of Pastors to them, Acts 20.28.  
●. The Duties of People to their Ministers, 〈…〉 submit to them, Heb. 13.17. and obey ●… m, to love them, pray for them, afford ●… m a comfortable maintenance, this they ●… not do if they know not who are their own ●… ors.  
9. From the end of the Ministry; to●…struct, Edify and build them up, Eph. 4 〈…〉 12.  
10. Every Christian is to partake of 〈…〉 Ordinances, which he cannot do unless and 〈…〉 a Member of some Church, Psal. 119.4, 5, 〈…〉 Luk. 1.5, 6.    

PART II.  
A DISCOURSE Concerning the LORD's SUPPER.  
Wherein is Shewed, 

I. The Nature, End, &c. of the Lord's Supper.  
II. That Christians now lie under greater Obligations to attend frequently upon the Lord's Table, than the Jews did of old to attend on the Passover.  
III. That a Careless and causeless Neglect of the Lord's Supper is a great Sin, procuring great and sore Judgments.    
By Michael Harrison in Potters-Pury.  
●ondon, Printed, and Sold by T. Pasham in Northampton, and M. Conyers in Newport-Pagnel, Booksellers. 1700.   

TO THE ●hristian and Candid Reader, Especially My Own FLOCK.  
THE Following Discourse is the Substance of several Sermons Praached upon this Text, by way of Preparation for the Lord's Supper. My both in Preaching and Printing is the same, To Inform your Judgments more clearly in doctrine of the Sacrament; And, to Cure Sinful extremes which many are guilty of.  
Some lay too much stress upon the Sacrament, ●… iving too highly of the Outward Work, as if ●… eer Receiving the Sacramental Elements, such a virtue in them, as to sanctify the Re●… r, and make him fitter for Death, and more and Acceptable to God then he was before is a Great Evil, and Borders too near the ●… sh doctrine of Opus Operatum: This is ●… stitiously to Abuse God's Sacred Institutions, to make those things, Appointed by God, for our Edification and Salvation, to be the M●… our Hardening and Damnation; whereas t●… sovereign Gospel Ordinances, without s●… Preparation for, and a Spiritual Frame an●… position of Soul in the Use of them, can 〈…〉 Good.  
2. Another sinful extreme, is, many 〈…〉 Well-meaning Persons are, from time to 〈…〉 off, by a Slavish Fear, of their own Unwor●… they stand Trembling, at a distance, and d●… come: And yet, through Grace, feel their●…tual Sicknesses, their Need of Christ to H●… Bind up their Wounds; Sincerely Pant and●…ger for him, both to justify and to Sanctify 〈…〉 and yet cannot see that all the Worthi●… bring to Christ, is to see our Unworthiness, 〈…〉 willing to be saved in a Gospel-way, Isa 〈…〉 Mat. 11.28. Mat. 5.6. Rev. 22.17. 〈…〉 this may be a means of Remedying this, 〈…〉 Evils, is the earnest Prayer of your S●…vant,  
Michael Harr●…   
Numb. IX. 13. But the Man that is clean, and is not in a Journey, and forbeareth to keep the Passover; even the same Soul shall be cut off from his People; because he brought not the Offering of the Lord in its Appointed Season: that Man shall bear his Sin. 
GOD having, with a Powerful Arm, brought up his People out of Egypt, and lead them as far as Sinai in the Wilderness; where he now Com●… ands them to keep the Passover.  
The Passover was first Instituted in Egypt, ●… s a Memorial of their present Deliverance ●… ut of their Egyptian Slavery; It was a Sa●… ament of the Covenant of Grace, and it look●… d forward, Pointing at Salvation by the ●… eath of Christ.  
Now the Passover, in its First Institution, ●… e have, Exod. 12. wherein every Family, or 〈…〉 the Family was too small, two Families ●… ight join together; they must take a Lamb ●… at had no Blemish, upon the Tenth day of ●… e Month Abib, which was the First Month ●… ter the Vernal Equinox, and Answers to part 〈…〉 March, and part of April; This Lamb was to be kept till the Fourteenth Day, by wa●… Preparation, and then to be killed, and w●… a Bunch of Hyssop, to Sprinkle the Blood 〈…〉 on the upper Door-post, and upon the T●… Side-posts of the Door; And to Roast 〈…〉 Whole Lamb, and then to Eat it in a Tra●…ling-posture, i.e. with their Staves in th●… hands, and their loins Guirded. They w●… to eat it in Remembrance of their Deli●…rance out of Egypt; And as a Sign of t●… Salvation by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, 〈…〉 was, in Due Time, to be offered up for t●…  
Now the Passover was a Divine Ordin●… and whoever did not make Conscience to●…pare themselves for, and to Worship Go●… it, were to be Cut off.  
Now the Case standing thus, with Relati●… the Passover, this occasions a Case to be b●… to Moses, v. 6.7. Certain Men, who 〈…〉 defiled by the Dead Body of a Man, so●… they could not keep the Passover on that 〈…〉 came to Moses, and said, We are defiled 〈…〉 Wherefore are we kept back that we may●…fer, &c. q. d. If we forbear, we are to be 〈…〉 off; and if we come thus defiled, we a●… be Cut off: Wha● shall we do? No●… Text is part of Moses Answer; shewi●… what cases a Man might be excused from●…ing to the Passover.  
1. In case of Legal Uncleanness, whi●… by touching a Dead Body, or any U●… thing, &c. these must not come to the Pas●… over, till Cleansed, according to the Law.  
2. If any were in a Journey, upon needful Business, forced abroad, at the Time when the Passover was Celebrated, then he was Excused; ●… ut otherwise, if not thus hindered, it was a ●… ery dangerous thing to Absent from the Pas●… over; For,  
1. He that Omits, or Neglects the Passo●… er, he shall bear his Sin, as in the Text, i.e. The Punishment of his Sin, for so this Phrase ●… ignifies, Gen. 4.13. My sin is greater then I ●… an bear. So 'tis in the Hebrew, This neglect is a Sin, and a Sin that shall be Reward●… d back in the Due Punishment of it: And if ●… he Question be Asked, What is the Punish●… ent of this Sin? 'tis answered,  
2. He that Omits, or Neglects the Lord's ●… aessover, shall be Cut off: Now this Phrase, ●… o be Cut off, imports either,  
1. An Exclusion from Communion with the ●… hurch by Excommunication, which is a Sore ●… udgment.  
2. Rather an Untimely Death to be Inflict●… d by the Hands of the Magistrate, to whom ●… odd committed the Execution of this, as well 〈…〉 of other Laws.  
And least any should complain of the●…verity of this Law, a Reason is in the Text ●…ven of it, viz. Because he brought not the O●…fering of the Lord in his Appointed Season, i●… Because they did not appear before the Lo●… and Offer such Sacrifices, and perform 〈…〉 Services to him in that very Season God co●…manded it.  
Now the Passover being the Second S●…ment of the Covenant of Grace, and the G●… Thing therein Signified, and Represented, ●…ing Jesus Christ, and Redemption by his De●…  
I shall hence take occasion to speak of 〈…〉 Second Sacrament of the Covenant, as it●…stands, viz. the Lord's Supper; being, in S●…stance, the same with the Passover; for, 〈…〉 Passover-Lamb was Christ, John 1.29. B●… the Lamb of God! As the Paschal Lamb 〈…〉 to be without Blemish, in this it was a Ty●… Christ, 1 Pet. 1.19. Christ was a Lamb 〈…〉 out Blemish and without Spot: The Apostle expressly calls Christ, Our Passover, 1 Cor. 5 〈…〉 Christ, our Passover, is Sacrificed for us. q●… Though the Feast of the Jewish Passo●… ceased; yet Christ, who was Typified, 〈…〉 Signified thereby, is come, and hath Off●… up himself a Sacrifice for us; and we are b●… to Commemorate his Death in that way●… hath appointed: Now, tho' Circumcision 〈…〉 the Passover were taken down together, 〈…〉 the Mosaical Ceremonies; yet the Covena●… Grace, of which they were Seals, is not 〈…〉 down, but stands firm for ever: Therefore ●… r Lord Jesus Christ, the Head and King of ●… s Church, hath Instituted Baptism, and the ●… ord's Supper in stead of them; Baptism being ●… e same to us, which Circumcision was to ●… em; and the Lord's Supper being, in Sub●… ance, the same with the Passover.  
Now, as the Gospel is more Excellent then ●… e Law, so it does not loose the Reins, and 〈…〉 us at Liberty to Obey or not. But Chri●… ans lie under an higher Obligation, to sub●… it to all Gospel-Ordinances now, then the ●… ws did to obey and submit to the Ritual Or●… nances of that Dispensation.  
Doct. Such as causelessly forbear coming to ●… e Lord's-Table, do incur great Guilt; and ●… ovoke God to inflict upon them grievous ●… nishments.  
In speaking to this doctrine, I shall do these ●… hree things,  
I. show you the Nature and End of the ●… ord's Supper.  
II. That Christians have not only an Equal, ●… t a greater obligation to attend on and ob●… eve duly the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, ●… en the Jews had to observe the Ordinance of ●… e Passover.  
III. That a careless and causeless Negle●… of this Blessed Ordinance of the Lord's Supp●… is a great Sin, producing sad Effects.  
I. Let us consider the Nature and E●… the Lord's Supper.  
The Lord's Supper is the Second Sacram●… of the New Testament, or Covenant of Gra●… instituted by Jesus Christ, in the Room 〈…〉 Place of the Passover, now taken do●… wherein by Bread and Wine set apart and●…ceived, according to Christs Institution; 〈…〉 Death and Sufferings, together with all t●… Benefits Believers receive from Christ, 〈…〉 therein shew'd forth and sealed to such a●… a right manner receive it; as also the wo●… Communicant does hereby Solemnly r●… his Baptismal Covenant, and engage him●… to Christ and his Church for ever. Here●…serve,  
1. Jesus Christ is the Author of this Sac●…ment, Mat. 26.26. And, as they were eat●… Jesus took Bread, and Blessed it, &c.  
2. It is the Second Sacrament of the 〈…〉 Testament, or Covenant of Grace; Baptis●… the first, and to be first administered: 〈…〉 are to Receive the Lord's Supper, that are 〈…〉 first Baptized. And it's a Sacrament of 〈…〉 New Testament, or Covenant of Grace; 〈…〉 tenor whereof is, Believe on the Lord Jesus ●… wrist, and thou shalt be saved and thy House, ●… cts 16.31.  
3. The Lord's Supper comes in the Room ●… d Place of the Passover, 1 Cor. 5.7. Christ 〈…〉 Passover is sacrificed for us: both of them ●… rected to Christ for Salvation, but, with this ●… ference, the Passover looked at Christ to ●… me; the Lord's Supper a Memorial of Christ already Come and Crucified.  
4. The External and Visible Elements in the Lord's Supper are Bread and Wine, set apart 〈…〉 a lawful Minister of the Gospel, Mat. 26.〈…〉, 27.  
Bread is the Stay and Staff of Life; Wine ●… e of the greatest Cordials, and therefore the ●… est to Represent Christ, and the Benefits of 〈…〉 Death.  
5. The End of this Sacrament is, to show ●… th the Death of Christ, with the Benefits ●… reof to Believers, 1 Cor. 11.24. Take, eat, 〈…〉 is my Body, which is broken for you; i.e. a ●… ramental Sign of my Crucified Body, v. 26. ●… oft as you eat of this Bread, and drink of this 〈…〉, you show forth the Lord's Death; and so ●… ewise all the Benefits of Christ's Death, as ●… don, Peace, Spiritual Life, and Increase of ●… ce, &c. 1 Cor. 10.16.  
6. Our Engagement to be the Lord's; 〈…〉 herein Solemnly Renew our Baptismal Cov●… nant, and Engage ourselves to Christ and hi●… Church for ever, 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. The 〈…〉 of Blessing, &c. Is it not the Communion, 〈…〉 Communication of the Blood of Christ? &c.  
II. That Christians have not only an●…qual, but a greater obligation to attend 〈…〉 and observe duly the Ordinance of the L●… Supper, then the Jews had to observe the O●…dinance of the Passover. The Reasons are,  
1. The Passover was instituted by M●s●… but the Lord's Supper by Jesus Christ; M●… was a Servant in God's House, Christ wa●… Son; Moses was a faithful Servant, so th●… there was a great deal of Respect due 〈…〉 Moses, but much more to Jesus Christ, 〈…〉 was Lord and Head of the House, Heb. 3●… For this Man( i.e. Christ) was acco●… worthy of more glory then Moses, forasmuch he who hath built the House hath more glory 〈…〉 the House. Moses was a Servant, a Ste●… in the House; Jesus Christ a Son, the H●… Lord, and Builder of the House, which is Church; so that there is a Veneration, ●…dience, and Respect due to Christ, and t●… Institutions he gave his Church, above M●… Hence we are exhorted to give the 〈…〉 earnest heed to Gospel-Institutions, He●… 1, 2, 3.  
2. Because the Lord's Supper more clearly Reveals Christ, and Salvation by him, then the ●… assover did. Polanus well observes, That ●… e Sacraments of the New Testament do more ●… early Reveal Christ, then those of the Old: Tis true, the Death of Christ, and Salvation hereby, was the chief thing represented in ●… e Passover; yet the Death of Christ and the ●… enefits thereof are more clearly held out in ●… e Lord's Supper. The Bread very aptly sets ●… rth Christs Body and his Crucifixion in its ●… reeking, and our Eating it very aptly Repre●… nts our Union with Christ, and Spiritual Par●… cipation of him: So the Wine very aptly ●… epresents the Blood and Death of Christ, ●… d our being Justified and Redeemed there●…, Mat. 26.26, 27.  
3. The Lord's Supper is an Ordinance under 〈…〉 Gospel, the last and brightest dispensati●…, and therefore, as the Gospel is more ex●… ent then the Law, so it calls for the more ●… nest Regard, Heb. 2.1, 2, 3. Heb. 10.28, 〈…〉 A New Testament-Ordinance is the ●… hest and purest degree of Gospel-Wor●…; so 'tis evident that the obligations of ●… ristians are so m●●t the greater, by how ●… ch more excellent the Ordinances are, to ●… at they were under the Law.  
4. Because our Preparations for the L●… Supper is to be more Solemn, and our atte●…ance more frequent then theirs was at and 〈…〉 the Passover; For,  
1. Our Preparation for the Lord's Su●… was to be more Solemn then theirs was 〈…〉 the Passover. The Preparation for the P●…over consisted chiefly in certain External Ri●… as putting away Leaven out of their Hous●… External Purifications and Cleansings acco●…ing to the Law of Moses. I deny not 〈…〉 grant that all these Legal Cerimonial Cle●…ings had a particular Respect to the He●… and so the conscientious Israelites underst●… them, as is evident, Psal. 51.7, 8, 10.  
But now under the Gospel these Ceri●…al Washings and Cleansings being laid a●… our Preparation consists principally in●…paring our Hearts, to offer up Spiritual S●…fices to God, J●●h. 4.24. God is a Spirit, 〈…〉 they that worship him must worship him in 〈…〉 and Truth. 'tis the Spiritual Uncleanne●… our Hearts, the Leaven of hypocrisy tha●… are to put away.  
2. Our Attendance on Christ in this●…dinance must be more frequent; to the 〈…〉 over they were required to come but o●… Year, but to the Lord's Table we are to 〈…〉 〈◇〉, 1 Cor. 11.26. As often as you 〈…〉 ●… c. Intimating we should come often to the ●… ord's Table.  
5. The threatenings for the Neglect of ●… f the Passover were Temporal Judgments, ●… e Soul that refused to come was to be cut ●… ff by the Civil Magistrate; but the Judg●… ents now threatened are more Spiritual, a ●… such sorer Doom is Pronounced against the ●… users or slighters of Gospel Ordinances then ●… hose of the Law, Heb. 10.29. A Punishment ●… such more bitter than Death, that has even ●… ell and Eternal Damnation in it, 1 Cor. 11.29. He that Eateth and Drinketh unworthily Eateth and Drinketh Damnation: And an un●… orthy coming and Careless neglect are alike ●… ainous and displeasing to God; 'tis a dis●… ising the Gospel, a slighting the last, best ●… d Purest Dispensation the Church ever ●… ad.  
III. That a careless and causeless neglect ●… f the Lord's Supper is a great Sin, producing ●… d Effects. Now here I shall do these Three ●… hangs,  
I. show what may be a just Excuse to keep ●… ersons from the Lord's Table.  
II. That a Careless and Causeless Neglect a great Sin.  
III. What those sad Effects are that 〈…〉 Coreless and Causeless Neglect are likely to produce.  
1. What may be a sufficient Excuse to kee●… Persons from the Lord's Table.  
1. When the Providence of God has c●… our Lot in such a Place where we can●…( tho' we desire) receive this Ordinanc●… God doth not require Impossibilities at o●… hands. This was Josephs case in Egypt, D●…vids case among the Philistians, and is t●… day the case of Thousands in Pagan Co●…tries.  
2. When the state of the Church wh●… we live is so Polluted, and this Ordinance●…mongst others so defiled, that we cannot 〈…〉 to it without Sin, nor have any toller●… hopes of getting any good by it, then we 〈…〉 be Excused, as the Church of Rome at 〈…〉 day. True, 'tis not every Corruption i●… Church that will warrant our Separation f●… this Ordinance; but when the Mixture 〈…〉 Corruptions are so great that we cannot 〈…〉 to get any good, God will make up the 〈…〉 of it in another way.  
3. When the Lords Hand is upon us in 〈…〉 Bodily Disease, that renders us unable or 〈…〉 capable, either in Body or mind, this will Ex●… e us.  
4. When Works of Charity or Mercy re●… re it, &c.  
But now setting these, or what other things ●… y amount to a just excuse as●de, 'tis a very ●… full and dangerous thing to keep away from 〈…〉 Lord's Table.  
1. None ought to stay away upon any Pre●… ice of Worldly Business, Luk. 14.18, 19, 〈…〉. And he sent his servants at supper time, to 〈…〉 to them that were bidden come: And they all ●… h one consent began to make excuse, &c. One ●… d bought a Piece of Ground, another a ●… ke of Oxen, another had Married a Wife, 〈…〉.  
2. Nor do any ought to keep off from the ●… rd's Table for any unworthiness in your ●… ves, this is indeed what many pled, I dare ●… t come, I am unworthy, but this is no just ●… se. For,  
1. Either you see your own unworthiness, ●… d are made sensible of the Plague of your ●… n Hearts, and so are sick of Sin, weary of 〈…〉 your Hearts being melted and broken for 〈…〉; if so, this is your Gospel worthiness ●… d you are the Persons Christ invites, Mat.〈…〉. 28. Come to me you that are weary and heavy laden, &c. This is all the worthi●… Christ requires of us, that we see our own 〈…〉 worthiness, that we are sick of Sin, and w●…ing to come to Christ as to our Spiri●… Physician.  
2. Or this is only a formal Hypocri●… Plea, when you think rightly you have 〈…〉 right to this Ordinance, but are in the 〈…〉 of Bitterness and Bond of Iniquity, under 〈…〉 Power and Dominion of your Lusts; a 〈…〉 stranger to any Gracious renewing W●… upon your Souls by the Gospel; and not●…ing willing to part with your Sin, you 〈…〉 use this Plea of unworthiness to prevent●…formation, which you know must be in o●… to your being admitted to the Lord's Ta●… you must not indeed come to the Lord's Ta●… in your Sins, but you must Reform, put 〈…〉 all Sin, Isa. 55.7. Let the wicked forsake 〈…〉 way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, 〈…〉 turn unto the Lord, and he will have mercy 〈…〉 him. So Isa. 1.16, 17, 18.  
3. Nor are we to keep away from 〈…〉 Lord's Table under a pretence of the 〈…〉 worthiness of others; thus some will 〈…〉 come because they are afraid all that 〈…〉 have not Grace. But,  
1. Either these Persons you dislike 〈…〉 openly Scandalous, they have the very 〈…〉 〈…〉 Unregeneracy upon them, and if so you ●… e directed by Christ what to do in this case, ●… at. 18.15, 16, 17. Go and tell him of it, ●… y his Sin before him in the Spirit of Meek●… ss; and if the first Reproof gain him not, 〈…〉 it a second time, and if that succeed not, ●… ll it the Church, i.e. the Rulers and Officers 〈…〉 the Church, in whose hands the Discipline 〈…〉 lodged, that they may deal with him. Or,  
2. You only suspect them to be Hypocrites, ●… d yet can prove nothing against them; Oh ●… ke heed of being too Censorious of Judging ●… nothers Heart, when you find it so difficult 〈…〉 know your own; how much of this would 〈…〉 cured if we always put the best Constructi●… upon the Words and Actions of others, ●… at. 7.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Judge not that ye be not ●… dged. Why beholdest thou the Mote that is in ●… y brothers eye, but considerest not the Beam that 〈…〉 in thy own eye.  
4. Nor is it warrantable to keep off from ●… e Lord's Supper, because we are first to give 〈…〉 account to the Guides of the Church con●… rning our knowledge and fittness for the ●… crament; this is what some pretend, they ●… old come, might they come hand over ●… ead, and give no account of their fittness for ●… is Ordinance. But let such consider,  
1. This is nothing but what you your sel●… are willing to do in another case; Are not 〈…〉 desirous when you are sick to let the Phys●… know your case? you are then willing to●…swer such questions as he shall ask you●…lating to the state of your Bodies, you do 〈…〉 think that one that knows not your case 〈…〉 administer what is fit and proper for y●… And is it not most true and reasonable 〈…〉 the case of your Souls; the Ordinance of 〈…〉 Lord's Supper is not a Converting Ordinan●… but only for Converted Believers, i.e. S●… as in the judgement of Charity we hope 〈…〉 so; and is it possible for us to judge wh●… you have any Title or fittness for it when●… will not come at us.  
2. What is that we require of you b●… credible Profession of Religion, a Compe●… knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, 〈…〉 Regular well-ordered Conversation?  
5. Nor ought any to keep away because 〈…〉 the frequent return of the Sacrament. 〈…〉 an ill sign when Persons begin to be sick 〈…〉 Oppertunities for their Souls, to loathe th●… Spiritual Manna; we are to lay hold o●… Oppertunities, and when we grow slacken 〈…〉 weary of them 'tis a sad sign we got little 〈…〉 no good by them.  
II. A Careless and causeless Neglect of this ●… inance is a great Sin.  
It's a slighting an Ordinance of God, 〈…〉 that's very dangerous. All God's Ordi●… ces are to be owned and honoured; and 〈…〉 being a part of God's Instituted Wor●… and God commands you to come often, 〈…〉 you never come, or very seldom, this must ●… s be a great Sin, Mat. 22.1, and 13.  
'tis a Sin not to come to the Lord's Ta●… because 'tis a slighting Jesus Christ himself: 〈…〉 at a Sin was it in the Jews, to slight Ca●…, that was a Type of Heaven? Psal. 106. ●… ut much more to slight Christ, Heb. 2.3. 〈…〉 shall we escape if we neglect so great salvati●… In this Ordinance Jesus Christ his Death ●… ufferings is Represented to us; now, to 〈…〉 the Death, and trample under foot the 〈…〉 of Christ, must needs be a great Sin.  
Because the Neglect of this Ordinance 〈…〉 great Stupidity and Unacquaintance ●… ur own Hearts.  
But what are those sad Effects produ●… 〈…〉 a Careless and Causeless Neglect of the 〈…〉 Supper.  
Such a Neglect brings Temporal Judg●…; such, as a Blast upon our Affairs, Sickness, and Death itself: and this not only the Ungodly, but the Saints themselves; God threatens, Psal. 89.32. When they si●… will visit their Iniquities with a Rod. Th●… was with the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 11.29, 3●… {αβγδ}, it signifies any kind of judgement, 〈…〉 Punishment, either Temporal, Spiritual, 〈…〉 Eternal, in this Life, or that to come: 〈…〉 Corinthians were Sick, and many Dead, a●… was for Contempt of the Lord's Supper; 〈…〉 these are too often overlooked; but,  
2. Such a Careless Neglect of the 〈…〉 Supper is oft attended with Spiritual●…ments; as,  
1. For such Neglect God oft takes 〈…〉 the Means of Grace from them, as A●… 10, 11, 12. 'tis a prophesy of the Ca●… of the Ten Tribes, for their Despising 〈…〉 dinances of God, they slighted the 〈…〉 and behold they shall search the Whole 〈…〉 for a Prophet, but shall find none.  
2. For such Neglect God leaves th●… a Spirit of Giddiness, to be lead away 〈…〉 Error of the Wicked; or, they settle 〈…〉 their Lees again, lose their First Lo●… because Luke-warm, lose their Hearts i●…tual Things, as Rev. 2.4. Rev. 3. 1.〈…〉 16, 17, 18.  
3. Eternal Judgments, 1 Cor. 11.29. Dam●… on for him that eats and drinks unworthily: ●… d may we not say, he that sleights and ●… lects, also incurs Eternal Damnation.  

Application.  
●… S this so, that such as carelessly neglect 〈…〉 coming to the Lord's Table, incur great ●… lt, and Provoke God to Inflict upon them ●… e Punishments?  
〈…〉. Use. Shall be of Reproof to Four sorts 〈…〉 Persons.  
●… irst. This Reproves those which look up●… the Sacraments of the New Testament, to 〈…〉 Old Antiquated Ordinances, and of no use 〈…〉 to Christians: Are there not some who ●… e thrown away both the New Testament ●… aments, under pretence of More Spiritual ●… ainments? Some will have no Baptism but ●… iritual Baptism; nor no Supper, but a Feast ●… hin. 'tis indeed strange, what such can 〈…〉 to say against Plain Gospel Commands: ●… st saith, Go, Baptize, Mat. 28.20. These 〈…〉, No Baptism, but that of the Spirit: and that Holy Apostle, Paul, must be brought 〈…〉 Pleading for them, 1 Cor. 14.15, 17. C●… sent menot to Baptize, but to Preach, &c. S●… Paul did Baptize; and, had it not been a●…vine Ordinance, he would not have done 〈…〉 at all: But Baptism was not his Main his Pri●…pal Work, but to Preach the Gospel, &c.  
And then, as to the Lord's Supper; the ●…postle tells us, 1 Cor. 11.26. That it is to 〈…〉 forth the Lord's Death till he come; not ti●… come in the Spirit, as the Day of Pentec●… some have weakly pretended; but, till he 〈…〉 in the Clouds of Heaven, to Judge the Quic●… the Dead at the Last Day.  
Secondly. This Reproves those which 〈…〉 and confess it to be an Ordinance of C●… yet seldom or never come at it, nor Wo●… God in it: What have such to say for t●… selves? they will own, that Christ Insti●… this Ordinance, and that it's a Duty to 〈…〉 on Christ in it, and yet never come at it 〈…〉 never take take any care to Prepare●…selves for it: Are not these Persons very●…ty, and even self condemned? red b●… Text, and Heb. 2.3. How shall we escape neglect so great salvation.  
Thirdly. This Reproves those, who they do come, do it seldom, rarely, 〈…〉 ●… ar, or twice a Year, serves their turns: ●… e Apostle saith, We must come often, 1 Cor.〈…〉 26. and 〈◇〉 come seldom, very seldom; ●… s Neglect is a great Sin.  
Fourthly. This Reproves those who come, 〈…〉 come as oft as the Table is furnished, but ●… e in a Careless ●●●ner; without Humble, ●… o●s, and Solemn Preparation: O let such 〈…〉 and hear what the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 11. 〈…〉 He that ●at●● and drinks unworthily, eats 〈…〉 drinks Damnation.  
II. Use of Exhortation.  
●… et me now speak, in the Name of God, to ●… y one of you; If you have any desire to ●… ache of the Blessings of the Gospel, or to a●… the Judgments the Contempt of God's ●… nances will bring; then I beseech you 〈…〉 this as a Serious Call from God to every 〈…〉 of you, to set about Serious and Solemn ●… ntance, and Hearty Refermation; and, as ●… ves, Consider,  
Without Serious Repentance, and Re●… ation, the sad effect produced by Sin, and, ●… rticular, this Sin of carelessly Neglecting ●… ord's Supper, can never be removed, Isa. 〈…〉 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the ●… teous Man his thoughts, and turn to the Lord, &c. Without this there can be no 〈…〉 of Mercy: You must Repent, and bed 〈…〉 Hubled for every Sin; and, in particular 〈…〉 this Sin of slighting this Blessed Supper, 1 〈…〉 11.31. If we would judge ourselves, i. e. 〈…〉 mine, Accuse, Condemn, Find our Sin 〈…〉 Condemn ourselves for it; and for eve●… all Iniquity far from us, Psal. 119. 113.〈…〉 12.10, 11.  
2. You that carelessly Neglect this●…nance of the Lord's Supper, you neglect 〈…〉 as well as this, this is not all you have to 〈…〉 yourselves with; you dare not come 〈…〉 Lord's Table, because you Hear seldom, 〈…〉 seldom; or do, what you do in Religion●…lesly; not Hating Sin, not Examining 〈…〉 own Souls.  
3. Your Neglect of this Ordinanc●… sad Sign there are some Sins you Love, a●… not willing to part with; you have so 〈…〉 Sense, as to know, if you come to this●…nance, you must Reform; therefore it's 〈…〉 to your Darling Lusts, that keeps yo●… the Lord's Table.  
4. A Constant and Careless Neglect 〈…〉 Lord's Supper, proves you, in a great 〈…〉 strangers to the state of your Souls. D●… know your Sins and your Wants, you 〈…〉 dare, from time to time, to turn your ●… s on this Ordinance.  
●his makes it too evident, that you 〈…〉 great Love to Religion, nor to Jesus 〈…〉, if you had, you durst not from time to time carelessly Neglect that Ordinance, ●… ein the Death and Satisfaction of Christ ●… ther with his great Love in Dying for ●… ers, is Represented and held out to us.  
Nor do you ever Seal to your Baptism, you come to the Lord's Table; In Baptism, ●… nter into Covenant, and, at the Lord's ●… e we renew that Covenant; now, to keep ●… rom the Lord's Supper from time to time, ●… s, as if we did Repent of our first entering 〈…〉 Covenant, and refuse to Renew our ●… enant with God.  
●… nd therefore let me earnestly persuade 〈…〉, to prepare yourselves in an Humble, ●… ous manner, for the Lord's Table; mistake ●… ot, I am not persuading you to come 〈…〉 over head, to come in your Sins; but, to ●… are to come, to labour to fit yourselves this Ordinance; and that you may come ●… he Lord's Table Comfortably,  
●… xamin yourselves, 1 Cor. 11.28. Let a ●… n examine himself, and so let him eat of that ●… d, and drink of that cup. Now there are Five Things we must carefully Exam●… selves about, and labour to find in our 〈…〉 in order to our Comfortable Coming 〈…〉 Lord's Table.  
1. We must have Knowledge to 〈…〉 the Lord's Body, 1 Cor. 11.29. W●… know the Nature, End and Use of●…cramental Elements; and how Jesus 〈…〉 and the Benefits of his Death, is H●… Represented, and Sealed thereby.  
2. We must Examine our Faith; ●…ther we Believe in Christ, and, by 〈…〉 Feed on him, 2 Cor. 15. Examine 〈…〉 whether you be in the Faith, &c. A●… not a bare belief of the Article of 〈…〉 That Christ is the Son of God, the Savi●… World: Devils and Ungodly Sinners 〈…〉 that; but, it must be such a Faith as●…fies the Heart, Acts 15.9. and 〈…〉 Love.  
3. We must Examine ourselves ●… our Repentance; A Loathing of S●… ourselves for it, Zech. 12.10. T●… ●…pentance is a Mourning for Sin; A●…ing of Sin, and a Turning from all 〈…〉 God, Isa. 55.1.  
4. Another Thing to be inquired 〈…〉 order to your Coming to the Lord's Ta●… is, Whether you Truly and Sincerely ●… e God, Jesus Christ, and God's Peo●…, Cant. 1.1. show me, O thou whom my 〈…〉 loveth, Acts 2.46, 47. 1 Cor. 10. 〈…〉, 17.  
5. New and Sincere Obedience to the ●… spell, 1 Cor. 6.7, 8. Purge out therefore 〈…〉 Old leaven, that you may be a New Lump, ●… c.  
This is what you are earnestly to beg of ●… odd to give, and when you find your Hearts ●… d Lives thus prepared, as that you can but ●… y, in Sincerity, That you hate all Sin, and ●… e willing to leave it; And you do Sincere●… desire to Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, ●… ngering and Thirsting after Union, Com●… union, and Likeness with him, and to him, ●… a 55.1. Mat. 5.6. When you can Love ●… ur Enemies hearty, Forgive, and Patient●… Forbear Injuries, Mat. 5.23, 24. Mourn●… g for Secret Sins, Vain Thoughts, Dead●… ess, Lukewarmness, and Indifferency in ●… eligion; and Resolving to Live the rest 〈…〉 your Days to the Honour and Glory of ●… odd, then may you come Comfortably to ●… e Lord's Table.  
This you are to do Speedily, Delays are Dangerous; you are not to keep off 〈…〉 the Lord's Table because you are Si●… but do as Commanded, Isa. 55.1: L●… Wicked forsake his way, and the Unrig●… Man his thoughts, and turn to the Lord.    

PART III.  
CONTAINING XII. Divine Hymns: Composed for the LORD's TABLE, AND THE LORD's DAY.  
By Michael Harrison in Potters-Pury.  
LONDON: Printed, and Sold by T. Pasham in Northampton, and M. Conyers in Newport-Pagnel, Booksellers. 1700.   

TO THE Christian Reader.  
'tis great Pity, that so many, otherwise Well-meaning Christians, should yet have a Prejudice against Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, with conjoined Voices in public Assemblies; Whereas it has always been the practise of the Church of God, both under the Old and New Testament. Christ Sung at his Last Supper, Mat. 26.30. And St. Paul plainly Commands it to Christians, That with conjoined Voices they Sing God's Praise, Col. 3.16. And Eusebius Witnesses, out of Philo Judeus, lib. 2. cap. 18. That the Primitive Christians made Grave Canticles and Hymns unto God, in a more Sacred rhyme, of every kind of Metre and Verse. The Heathens Reproached them with it, That they used to Rise before Day, and Meet to Sing Hymns to Christ. They that deny it, Deprive themselves of much Sweet Communion the Saints Enjoy in it. For my own Part, I would not give up this Ordinance, nor Lose the Comfort it brings for a whole World. The Objections against it are very weak; for, suppose every Passage in a Psalm may not agree to my particular Case, yet it's True of the Persons, or Things, of whom it is Related; and may be red and Sung, as a History of God's G●acious Dealings with others; and many such Passages as are farther Applicable to ourselves then we are ware, if we understood them Spiritually. I confess I am chiefly for Scripture Psalms, yet see not but other Hymns of Praise, agreeing with Scripture, as I hope these following do, may have their use: If any dislike them, they are free to let them alone; And if ever I use any of them at the Lord's Table, it shall be with Universal Consent of every one: The Lord Tune our Hearts as well as Voices, to this sweet Duty. So preys him, who sincerely desires your Salvation.  
M. H.   

Sacramental Hymns.  

Hymn I.  

1.  
MOst Glorious God and King,  
Our Hearts to thee we'll Raise,  
And joyfully we'll Sing,  
To thee sweet Songs of Praise;  
For thou hast given  
●hy own dear Son, Man to become,  
Sent down from Heaven.   

2.  
●… hen we, thro' Adam's Fall,  
●… ere quiter undone by Sin;  
●… hy Wrath was on us all:  
●… n Grace thou didst begin  
To show us Light,  
●… n th' Rising Sun, our Christ God-Man,  
Which now shines bright.   

3.  
This Dayes Star from Above,  
Into this Dark World came;  
Twas merely Grace and Love  
caused him to do the same:  
Oh let's rejoice,  
And all our days, let's Sing his Praise  
With cheerful Voice.   

4.  
blessed Angels stand amazed,  
To hear him Groan and Cry;  
Their Wondering Thoughts are raised  
To see him Bleed and die.  
Earth Quakes for Fear,  
Sun hides his Light, from Human Sight,  
The Rocks Rent were.   

5.  
To God All Glory be,  
Who gave his Son to Death,  
And thereby makes us Free  
From Sin, from Hell, from Wrath.  
Let's loudly Sing,  
Sweet Psalms of Praise, to Him always,  
Who is our King.    

Hymn II.  

1.  
WE all in Sin were conceived,  
And so, by Nature, Blind and Dead:  
Power we had none  
God's Wrath t' abide, or it avoid;  
All Help was gone.   

2.  
When Execution Day drew nigh,  
God Graciously looked from on High,  
And down did slide;  
And, in our Room, for our Just Doom,  
Was crucified.   

3.  
We stolen the Fruit; and, by our Sin,  
deserved the Misery we were in:  
He, from Above,  
Sent Aid at Need; and we were Freed  
By his mere Love.   

4.  
Behold! What Grace and Mercy's here?  
That we, who, by Nature, were  
Children of Wrath,  
Should Saved he, and so set free  
By Christ his Death.   

5.  
Let Saints and Angels all Amire;  
Yea, let my Soul be set on fire  
With Flaming Love;  
And therein I would live and die  
With Christ Above.   

6.  
What Glorious Grace is this to me,  
That by his Death I am made free:  
All Glory th●n  
Be to my King. I'll ever Sing  
His Praise, Amen.    

Hymn III.  

1.  
O Lord our God, How Great's thy Love  
To us, of Adam's Lapsed Race;  
Who hast Descended from Above,  
For to Enrich our Souls with Grace.   

2.  
When we, by Sin, did alienate  
Our Souls from Thee, and every Good;  
Then didst thou pity our Estate,  
And gavest Christ to  shed his Blood.   

3.  
Who, rather than that we should die,  
And never see thy Blessed Face,  
Did choose himself in Death to ly,  
That us, from Death, he up might raise.   

4.  
A Curse for Sin we merited;  
Thou mad'st him an accursed thing;  
We meritted Death, lo, he is Dead,  
His bitter Death sweet Life doth bring.   

5.  
We all in Sins Red-Gore did lie,  
Fit for th' Infernal Lake and Pit;  
Christ' dur'd a Bloody Agony  
In the Garden, Clotted Blood did Sweat.   

6.  
His Soul was sorrowful to death;  
His Body Torn and sacrificed.  
That we might draw in Heavenly Breath,  
And be with Christ immortalised.   

7.  
Let's have a taste of that Sweet Love  
Thou to Redeemed Ones dost give,  
And quickly take us up Above,  
That we, with thee, may ever Live.   

8.  
All Glory, Honour, Thanks and Praise  
To Christ, who Dyed on the three:  
And let us bless his Name always,  
Both now and to Eternity.    

Hymn IV.  

1.  
WHat Love Profound, in Christ is found,  
To Adam's Lapsed Race?  
●… hat God's Dear Son, should Man become,  
〈…〉 freest Richest Grace.  
〈…〉 Angels blessed, and Souls at Rest,  
●… onder how this could be;  
●… at God Most High, for Love, should die,  
●… 'pon a Cursed three.   

2.  
●… hen Man, for Sin, was almost in  
●… seless and Endless Woe,  
●… d very near Eternal Fire,  
●… d's Flaming Wrath also:  
〈…〉, for our sake, did undertake  
〈…〉 bear God's Fiercest Wrath,  
●… d all the Sins, that we were in,  
Expiate by his Death.   

3.  
〈…〉 bore that Wrath, and died that Death  
●… st due to us for sin,  
●… at thereby he might set us free,  
●… d for us Glory win.  
For our sins all, both great and small,  
He a full Price hath given,  
And hath thereby, set us on high,  
Within the View of Heaven.   

4.  
Oh let us hate, and' bominate  
Sin, which caused him to die;  
My Voice I'll raise to him in Praise,  
To all Eternity.  
For evermore let us Adore  
Christ our Redeemer then,  
And Joyfully him Magnify  
For Evermore, Amen.    

Hymn V. As Psal. 25  

1.  
OH Praise the Lord, him Praise;  
Let's now sing to his Name:  
Let Saints and Angels both always  
For ever do the same.   

2.  
His only Son he gave  
For us to Bleed and die;  
That he, all such, from Hell might save,  
As, by Faith, to him do fly.   

3.  
●… ho' His sufferings were  
●… st bitter, He submitted;  
●… d willingly did choose to die,  
●… at we might be Acquitted.   

4.  
●… e died, but Rose again,  
●… scending up on High,  
●… at Grace and Mercy might remain  
●… ith us Eternally.   

5.  
●… e, by His Death, Revive,  
●… om the Laws Condemnation;  
●… nd, by his Spirit, are made Alive,  
●… njoying his Salvation.   

6.  
●… is Flesh is Bread indeed;  
●… is Blood Celestial Wine:  
●… y Faith on him we sweetly feed;  
●… is Comforts are Divine.   

7.  
Honour and Glory then  
●… o this blessed Lamb we give;  
●… Ve'll sing his Praise, and cry, Amen,  
●… o Him, while here we Live.    

Hymn VI. As Psal. 11●…  

GLory to God and Christ our King;  
His cheerful Praise now let us sing;  
Who hath on us looked from on High;  
Our Christ, who is the Lamb of God,  
Hath the Wine press of his Wrath trod;  
And, for us, did come down and die.   

His Holy Name now let us Praise,  
And Magnify His Love always;  
That for us would such things endure,  
As to be Born, to Bleed and die;  
And, in the Grave, three Days to lie,  
That to us Life He might make sure.   

Such Grace and Love as this, we're sure  
Was not seen, or heard of before:  
'tis Love and Grace, beyond all bounds,  
That God should give, for sinners good,  
His Son to die, and of his Blood  
A balsam make, to heal our demigods.   

〈…〉 Saints and Angels now always  
●… either with us sing God's Praise,  
●… et us raise our Thankful Voice  
〈…〉 this Great God, and Christ our King,  
●… e'll always Hallaluja's sing;  
●… d in his Love and Grace rejoice.    

●… ymn VII. As Psal. 148.  

YE Holy Angels Bright,  
That wait about God's Throne,  
●… joying fullest sight  
〈…〉 that Eternal One,  
God's Praises sing,  
●… ho hath from Heaven, a Saviour given,  
Jesus our King.   

〈…〉 Blessed Souls Above,  
●… ho see your Saviour's Face,  
●… aise God for his great Love,  
●… d his Redeeming Grace;  
Whereby you are  
〈…〉 quit and clear, from sin and fear,  
By your Saviour.   

〈…〉 Blessed Saints him Praise,  
●… hich yet below are found;  
〈…〉 Zion's Sons always  
〈…〉 Holy Praises sound:  
Yea, all the Earth,  
〈…〉 this Great King high Praises sing,  
With sweetest Mirth.   

My thankful Soul Adore  
This Glorious Majesty;  
Triumph thou evermore  
In this Great God most High.  
To Him draw nigh,  
And evermore  
His Name Adore.  
Eternally.    

Hymn VIII. For the GOSPEL.  

OUr Souls, with Joy, do Magnify  
Jehovah, our Great King,  
Because the Lord gives us his Word,  
We Praise him for this thing;  
While Thousands yet in Darkness sit,  
Having no Gospel-light:  
Our dearest Lord doth us afford  
Sweet Visions, clear and bright.   

Lord, we will Praise thy Name always,  
For Gospel-light now given;  
And humbly Pray, that thy Word may  
Raise up our hearts to Heaven.  
In this same hour, some quickening Power  
In thy Word let us find.  
O cause increase of Light and Peace  
In our sin-darkened Mind.   

●… earts embroil, our eyes unscale,  
●… e ourselves this day,  
〈…〉 need we have of Christ, to save,  
●… wrist to us display:  
〈…〉 in this Glass of Gospel-Grace  
〈…〉 Glory we do view.  
〈…〉 from Above,  shed down thy love,  
●… ouls in Grace renew.    

●… ymn IX. As Psal. 113. For the Lord's Day.  

●… LL Glory be to God above,  
Who, out of his mere Grace and Love,  
〈…〉 given us this day of Rest,  
●… reon we do Commemorate,  
●… ork of our Redemption great,  
〈…〉 for this end this day hath blessed.   

〈…〉 us ever magnify  
●… s Love, who once for Sin did die,  
●… on this day from Death did rise:  
●… as he once our Sins did bear,  
●… aches us in his Rest to share,  
●… ls us with celestial joys.   

He doth a weekly Market keep,  
And feeds us like a Flock of Sheep;  
Under his shadow we sit down,  
Feeding with joy upon his word,  
Which doth both Life and Light afford,  
He doth our Souls with mercy Crown.   

All Honour, Glory, Thanks, and Praise,  
To our Redeemer be always,  
Who now is with his Glory crowned;  
Communicate to us this day,  
Some Beams of Light and Love we pray,  
Let Grace and Love in us abound.    

Hymn X. Another for the Lord's-Day.  

PRaise waiteth on thy Holy Name,  
Thy Saints will ever do the same;  
This day of Rest,  
( They dearly love and will improve)  
Which thou hast blessed.   

Christ walks this day amongst his Saints,  
Hears all their groans and their complaints;  
Botles their Tears,  
And then his Love and Bowels move,  
To ease their Fears.   

●… ssadors to us he sends,  
●… t us know that he is friends,  
That so we may,  
●… n rejoice with joyful Voice,  
Both night and day.   

〈…〉 day's a day of Holy Rest,  
●… ch our Redeemer for us blessed;  
Tho he was slain,  
〈…〉 day from th' Grave, our Souls to save,  
He rose again.   

●… ur and Glory now is due,  
●… m who doth our Souls renew,  
With Love Divine,  
〈…〉 will this day, his Grace display,  
And on us shine.   

●… lory now and evermore,  
〈…〉 the Lamb of God therefore;  
We'll all our da●s,  
〈…〉 our complaints, and with his Saints,  
We'll sing his Praise.    

Hymn XI. Another for the Lord-Day.  

●… Y Lord, who died, was crucified,  
For Sinners he was Slain;  
●… th be blessed, this day of Rest,  
〈…〉 he Rose again.   

His Saint-like Sheep, his fold must keep,  
He'll there for them provide,  
Tho' Pastors feed, them at their need,  
Himself will be their Guide.   

He will us guide, sweet Streams beside,  
And in those Pastures green,  
Wherein his Saints, supply their wants,  
There shall his Grace be seen.   

A feast of Wine, sweet Truths Divine,  
Of Water, Milk and Honey,  
This day is offered, and by Christ proffered,  
Without price, worth or money.   

All Glory we, Lord give to thee,  
For making such Provision,  
For thy poor Saints, whereby their wants,  
Are buried in Fruition.   

Our Souls rejoice to hear thy Voice,  
'tis music from on high;  
We'll ever Praise thy Name always,  
Now and Eternally.   

Let us this day, we humbly pray,  
A weeks Provision store,  
Let now be given a pledge of Heaven▪  
Jehovah we Adore.    

Hymn XII. For the Lord's-Day. As Psal. 100.  

1.  
THe Lord made all Things in six days,  
The seventh day he therefore blessed,  
●… t all his Saints his Name might Praise,  
〈…〉 joy upon that day of rest.   

2.  
〈…〉 when the Lamb of God came down,  
〈…〉 Sacrifice himself and die,  
〈…〉 changed the day, and set the Crown,  
〈…〉 our Lord's-day, exalting high.   

3.  
●… s day the Queen of days to be,  
●… reon we must Commemorate,  
●… t glorious Grace, that made us free,  
〈…〉 our forelorn and wretched state.   

4.  
〈…〉 Lord was born and crucified,  
●… us he suffered Death and Pain,  
●… ho' for us he bled and died,  
〈…〉 on this day he rose again.   

5.  
This day to us he doth impart,  
Both Manna, Milk and Spiced Wine,  
Which Wine makes us rejoice in heart,  
His oil doth make our faces shine.   

6.  
Sweet hallelujahs now we'll sing,  
To God Redeemer of his Saints,  
All Glory be to Christ our King,  
Who still in love supplies our wants.   

7.  
Our Risen Saviour's now sat down,  
At God's right hand for evermore,  
He will our Souls with favour Crown,  
Whilst we at his Footstool Adore,