2 2>. ~2S 
 
 \ 
 
 
rn-r 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 CHRIST 
 
 ON HIS 
 
 THRONE. 
 
 OR, 
 
 *g ChriilsChurch-government brief- 
 ly laid downc • and how it ought to 
 
 bee fet up in all thrift ian Con- 
 gregations. 
 
 Refolvcd in fundry Cafes of Confcicncc. 
 
 I- EH. 6.14. 
 
 Thus fditb the Lord ; Stand je in the wyes , awd fee and 
 aske for the old paths, where is the£oodway x andwalkjhcre- 
 tn-i and je jhall fade reft for jour foulcs. 
 
 LVKE I9.27. 
 But thofe wine Enemies , which would not that I fhould 
 r raigne ever them, Isrong them hither and flay them before me. 
 
 Printed in the yeare \6\o. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/vindicationofpreOOwalk 
 
t/»c«» w>o>em ~- 
 
 
 A 
 
 VINDICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Presbyteriall - Government , 
 
 MINISTRY: 
 
 TOGETHER, 
 
 With an Exhartation 5 to all the Ministers, 
 Elders, and People, within the Bounds of the 
 Province of London, whether joyning with 
 Us, or iepaming from Us. 
 
 T filliped, *Bj the Adimfters >and Eldtrs, met together in a 
 TrovirtcUli slftcmblj, Novemb. 2 d . .1649. 
 
 Whcrein,aniongit other dung^thefc enfuirg paiticulars aie contained; 
 
 r . That there is a Cbwib-Gvi ] Dh inc R'ghc. 
 
 •1. the Magiftratc^ not the Fountain (>/Ch.,:ch-G<!>vern;ncnt, 
 3 t Th.it the Prcsbytcrial-Govcrnment,/* by Divine R ; ght. 
 4.. The lviconven\cncics of the ■■Congiegarionjll ■: 
 That the Rul ng-Eldcr is by Divine R ghr. 
 
 .- it is the mil 0/Jefus thrift, that allfwls of pa-fops Jbouldgve cm Air 
 count oftbiir haitlyo the M'uTtcr, and hitersjiifat admijjivn to tk 
 Supper •, togttbi 1 with Anfwci v . 'I it. 
 
 ■ 
 lions tuj.. admitted tQ Supper,/., 
 
 fying o/GodsName,/// 
 9. Ruk \t\c.fom the hi iojii> of thefe Times. 
 
 iratibn ft ■ II j charged -frith Sch 
 
 u.TW Min.iK: wmvf Ordinal'. 
 
 ' Catcchi;. 
 
 Licenfedj Entrc d according to Order. 
 
 London Printed for f. Moedttb 3 2t th i Church-yard, 
 
 rjvnwv/rjrrj^v7J& r ^ 
 
T hath been the chief fir at agem of the ad- 
 verfaries of the Churchy in all Ages, to 
 eretl athwncfor themfelvesAn the hearts 
 of people, by fafting reproaches and (lan- 
 ders upon the Dotf rirte , Government, 
 and Godly Miniikrs o/Jefus Chrilh In 
 the old Teftament % frhenthe fefres came 
 firfl out cf Jabylon, and be fan to build the 
 fecond Temple of Jerufalem, their enemies mofi f. il fly tfnd matt* 
 :iouJlj, fugg-ftedtp King Artaxerxes, That the City of Jeiu- E?,ra 4.1^24. 
 falem,was a rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings and Pro- 
 vinces, and that they had moved fedition within the fame, of 
 old tvme,&C. And thereby caufedthefrorl^of the honfe of qod, 
 to ceafefor many years, <*And in the 2{ew Teftament>frhen the 
 Holy Ghoft came down from Heaven in a moft miraculous 
 manner, for the folcmn inauguration of Chriftian Religion ; 
 ndfrhen'the Apoftles Were filled frith the Holy Spirit, even 
 hen, they frcre charged to be full of new wine. And in after- 
 imes, the flandertus accu fat ions of the Heathen Idolaters^ 
 'ainfl the Chnltiuns are observed to have been one of the chief- 
 ft caufes of the ten bloudy Perfections/**/^ */> agai*ft thtm j H $ m Mmy 
 jy the Romanc limpcrours. csfnd this was that which forced rj Apolopa. 
 he Godly- learned of thofe day s, to write Apologies, in defence TertnLUfct. 
 ^Chriitians^mdChrillunRclrgion. 
 
 To come neerer to our own times ; when the Proteftant Relt- 
 non began to be re eft ai lifted (after tlx bloudy times efJ&'etH 
 
 A 2 Mary) 
 
Mary) #7 T9*t loaded Wt'thfo many infamous lyes, andmalicious 
 JmUi Afoleg. falfities,That Reverend and learned Jewell, was compelled to 
 writean Apologkforit - y for Which, he will be famous in the 
 Churches jo all Pofierity. And even in our day es, when it pie A' 
 fed God, out of hii -infinite goodnefs, toUya foundation of a 
 glorious Reformation in Church-Difcipline,*« this Kingdom^ 
 andtoraipeup the hearts of many Godly Minifters, and other s, 
 to contribute their utmofi help for the perfecting of it /Then did a 
 Generation of men rife up , Who made it their great deftgn to 
 pour out flouds of reproaches ,and calumnies ,upon both Govern' 
 ment,and Minijlers.Firfljhey refrefent the Government unto 
 thepeople,as abfolutcly deftrmflive unto the civill State, to the 
 liberties both of their foul es and bodies, and as unfufferable in a 
 free Kingdom. And then the Minifters that ajfert it,as men 
 thatfeekjo ingrofs all power into their o\\"n hands , as the chief 
 Incendiaries of Church and Stat e, and m th.ee aufes of all the 
 miferies jhat have of late years come upon the three Kingdoms, 
 And therefore, We ,Mini(krs and Elders met together, by the 
 Authority of Parliament , in the Provincial AJfembly of the 
 Province of London, confidering with our felves,What way We 
 might be ferviceable in this great work^ofKt^oVXmt'\on } have 
 thought it ow duties to wipe offthofe foul afperlions, that are 
 cafi upon it, and upon thofe who have been atlivefor it • and to 
 dtsfel the mifls and fogs, 'Which have fo long dafke-ned the glo- 
 rious Sun-Jhineofthis b I effed Reformation. 
 
 And becaufe we alfefind, that there are many, who doubt, 
 whether there be any particularChureh-government preferred 
 in the W or d\and if fo .whether it be the Presbyterial^r Congre 
 gationall. And others that queftion the lawfulnefs of Ru-ling- 
 Elders, W of their joy ntpoWer, With the Minifler, to examine 
 thofe thAt are admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ; 
 Therefore, we h*ve alfe thought itmoft neceffary for us to 
 fearch'inPo the Word ,and to deliver our judgments ht all theft 
 particulars. 
 
 And further, becaufe we obferve With grief of he art, that fit 
 and iniquity abounds, and many fepAr ate from our Congrega- 
 tions \and run head-long into heretical, and foul- damning opini- 
 ons 5 tAnd thofe that do joyn with us in the Presby terial 
 
 Governmem 
 
Governments^ CMinifiers, Elders, and c People, meet Witl$ 
 many difc our agem ents, and may (pofftbly) groW faint ; and 
 weary and negletl iv e cf their duties : Therefore, We have a/fi 
 thought oar [elves obliged fo our Vindication, to adde an Ex- 
 lortation, unto all Mimfters, Elders, and People, Within the 
 bounds of our Province, whether \oyning with us, orfiparating 
 9omus. 
 
 The work^( We acknowledge ) is very Weighty, and difficult ; 
 and the times wherein we live, are very peril lous y in which mem 
 are made Offenders for a word ; Provincial Affemblies (as 
 ncW constituted) are new and ft range with us, Weakjn poWer % 
 and of no repute With m any ;fufpe fled by fome,as likely to prove 
 trejudiciall to the Kingdom ; and by others, to the liberty of 
 Congregations. And tie judgments and consciences ofmofl pto* 
 tile, are Jo prepojfejfed With prejudices and felf-intereft, a* that 
 we cannot but ex peel, that this our firlt expreffion of our 
 "elves,??*// meet With much oppofition, and contraditlion. Some 
 will not vouchfafe to read it-fithtr s Will read it, and contemn it; 
 Others will mockjmd feoff 'at it. But our comfort ts,the Te/li- 
 mony of our (fonfeiences. That the grounds efthis our prefent 
 undertaking, are neither pragrnaticalnefs of fpirit, nor to vent 
 ourowntpken in afferfngothers^nor afFecTation of dominati- 
 on over others- y nur to blow the Trumpet to new troubles. But 
 our ends and aymt, herein, fincerety are, That the truths of 
 Chrift may be vindicated, the Government of the Lord Jefus 
 advanced, the power of Godlinefs exalted , the credit of the 
 
 odly Mkiiftry repaired, the unity of the Spirit gained, and 
 ept in the bond of peace, That our Congregations may be 
 urged, purity of Ordinances promoted , divifions healed, 
 reaches made up , {tumbling blocks removed ; That thofe 
 who itand may be cftablifhed, the weak & feeble Strengthen- 
 ed, the feduced may be converted from the errour of their 
 tfayes,*nd rcpent,to the acknowledgment of the truth ; That 
 anguifhing gifes and graces, may be quickened and increafed; 
 That a through Reformation ( according to our folcmn Co- 
 venant) may be really endeavoured • That no means of cdi~ 
 kation, may by Us benegkcTed- That we may keep our 
 
 fclves 
 
fci vcs pure from the bloud of all men : That the Kingdome 
 of our Lord and Saviour may be iniarged, and God in all 
 things glorified. 
 
 We confefsy it is hardly pojfible, to Wipe off the dirt caft upon 
 us, butfomeofit wiV neceffarily Ught upon thofe that caft it ; 
 (and it isfitythat they%that unjttftly befmear other should have 
 their ownftlthinefs impartially difc over ed) yet notWithftanding, 
 we have purpofcly avoided, as much as may be> all perfinall re- 
 flections , and have Waved the arfwcring of fame objetlions 
 made 'againft us , left in anfwering to them , we/bould give 
 occafion, to thofe that fee \occafton. And We doubt not (how- 
 ever others may be tranfported Withfaffion , or prejudice) but 
 this endeavour of ours , which fo much concerns the prefervati- 
 on of Religion % Truthfiodlinefs, and Miniftry,from ruin* and 
 de(lrutlion } Wi/l be acceptable, to all 'fiber , and unbyaffed CbrU 
 ftians. 
 
 We fhall begin with our Vindication, and therein ftr ft affert 
 Church-Goiemment, by Divine Right • and then clear tip the 
 Presbytcriail Government, and Miniftry; andreprefent them 
 unto you, in their native colours ; and afterwards proceed to our 
 E xhorution. 
 
 The 
 
The VINDICATION. 
 
 HE externall Government and 
 Difcipline of Chrift, (though it be 
 not oecefTary to the being, yet itjis 
 absolutely necefTary to the well- 
 being of a Church: SoneccfTary, 
 as that we cannot but be deeply 
 affc&ed with grief and forrow , 
 when we confidcr how long the through fetling of it 
 hath been delayed, (notwithftanding the Covenant we 
 have taken,with hands lifted up to heaven, to endeavor 
 a reformation in point of Difciplinc ) and cannot but 
 conceive it to be one clr ef reafon of all the miferics that 
 arc now upon us; becaufethofe that have been in Au- 
 thority amongft us, have laboured to build their own 
 houfes,and have fuffered the houfe of God to lye wafte. 
 KKehemiah fate down and wept, and mourned certain 
 days,becaufe the watlofzperufalem was broken down fac 
 Much more htvc we caufe to mourn,that the wall of Zi- 
 on is not yet reared up 5 for as a City wit hut walls , 4 Set 
 without banks, a vineyard without a hedge, fo is a Church 
 without Difcipline \ and he that fhall confider the mul- 
 titude of Herefics and Blafphemics, the abundance of 
 iniquities and abominations, that have crowded into 
 the Church, whilcft this wall hath been unbuilt, and 
 this hed^e unmade; cannot but take up the lamentation 
 of David, though with a little difference, ^HfDAScli 
 
 baft thou fuffered thy Vineyard to be Without a htdge , fo tljat all ^ jX ^ \ff 
 they which do ptffe bj plnckjoer. The Boar out of the wood doth 
 Wafte it, and the wild 2? e*fts of the field devour it. Return, we be- 
 
 A fetch 
 
feechthee>0 LordofHofts ; lookjown from Heaven, andlehold 
 and vi/it this Vine, and the Vineyard which thy right hand bath 
 j> lantcd , and the branch that than made ft ftrong for thj /elf, &c. 
 
 And likcwife to pray the prayer of the fame Prophet io 
 .. g another place. Do good w thy good plcafure to Zion y and 
 2 * JX ' X ' build then the walls of^erufalem. 
 
 The differences,we confefs,about this wall,arc very 
 many,and fo many, as that it would require a large Vo- 
 lume to treat of them ^ andit cannot be denyed, but 
 thefe differences have been the great apple of flrife for 
 thefe many years : And although it be our defign ( as 
 we have faidj to heal andmake up the breaches of this 
 wofully divided Church,and not to widen and increafe 
 them -, yet notwithftanding, we cannot without preju- 
 dice to the truth, to our felvcs, and to our rcfpe&ive 
 Congregations, bat give the world fome fhort account 
 of wo of intern about Church- Government. 
 
 There are fome, that although they have taken a Co- 
 venant^ to endeavour the Reformation of the Church in 
 Difciplinc, according to the Word^ yet arc not afraid to 
 fay ; That there is no funicular Church-Government fet 
 down in the Word $ that the Chripan Magip-ate is the 
 Tmnuin of all Church-power, and that to auert a jus dl- 
 vinum of Churchr Government , is defiruftiveto all f oliti- 
 cal Government. Now though this Opinion prevail 
 much mthStdte-Divines^and with Chriftians that ftudy 
 mrldly-folicy , more then Scrip ture ftmplicity •, And 
 though it be likely (if God prevent not) to fwallowup 
 in a fhort time,all other Opinions about Church Govern- 
 went: And though the affertingofa jusdivinum in 
 Church- Difcipline> be with fome men, the only herejie not 
 to be tolerated^ and more hated, then the abomination of 
 defolationfandmg in the holy place, was by the Jews 5 
 yet notwithftondin&wc hold it our duties, efpecially im 
 
 tficlc 
 
:hefe times,to make it known to all our refpe&ive Con- 
 gregations. 
 
 i . That Refits Cbrift, as King and Head of bis Churchy 
 fab appointed a particular Government in his Church. 
 
 2. That the Christian Magi (Irate ^ is not the original/ of 
 Church- Government. Which two particulars, we (hall 
 endeavour with great brevity and pcrfpicuity, to make 
 3Ut unto all unprejudiced Chriftians. And firft. 
 
 i That there is a particular Church-Government by di- 
 vine right : not that we think, that every circumjtance in 
 Church Government is (et down prccifely in the word, or 
 s of divine right in a ftricft fence • But this we fay, That 
 :he [nbstantials andeffentials, arc recorded particularly 
 n the Word by Chrift, the King of his Church,and are 
 inalterable by any State whatfoevcr • And that therir- 
 :umstantial$ arc fet down under generall rulcs,fufficient 
 r or the ordering of them .-, and that thercfore,even they 
 dfo in a large fence may be faid to be of a divine right. 
 >Iowthis we fhallenaeavour to prove by thefe enfu- 
 ingArguments. 
 
 I . From the f nine fs^andfuffcienc'j of the Holy Scriptures. 
 rhe Apojlle Paul faith, that his firft Epiftlcto Timothy , i*"***!. 
 vas written, To teach htm how to behave himfelf in the 
 houfe ofGod^ which is the Church of the living Godjhe pil- 
 ar and ground of truth. And in his fecond Epiftle he tels x TJm>s# 
 is; That the holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God ^,17. 
 wfettjhroMgblyfurniJheduxto all good works. Now to Pfa, - T ?- 7 - 
 know how to govern the Church , is one of the great 
 vorks that belong to the Miniftcr : And therefore, to 
 ay, that this is not recorded in Scripturc,is to make the 
 loly Scripture a rule defetiivc,andiruffettuallforthe end 
 r or which it was written, and to call: a vcrygrcat reproach 
 xnd dishonour upon it. And furcly, iffomcfubftantiall 
 xuts of Church- Government > arc cxprcft in the 
 
 B 2 Word 
 
Word ( as few will deny ) then ( as we conceive) all of 
 them of necefiity rauft be expreffed,or elfe the Word 
 fllould not be able to attain its end -, which to affirm, is 
 no fmall errour : And for our parts,wc cannot conceive 
 any reafon to induce us to believe , that the Holy Gbojl 
 fhould fet down in the Word, fome of the (ubSantials 
 of Church -G over mem, as binding and unalterable unto 
 the end of the World, and leave other things zsfulftan* 
 tialUs they ^arbitrary and alter abk^ according to the will 
 and pleafure ohhcChriflian Magiflrate. 
 
 2. From the excellency if the Kingly Office offefus 
 
 Chrift % For Chrift$e[us is the only King of his Church 5 
 
 governing it not only inwardly, and invifibly , by the 
 
 working of his Spirit -,but outwardly alfo, andvifibly, 
 
 as it is a vifible, politicall, and minifteriall body, in 
 
 *.% Cor.y. which he hath appointed his own proper a Jmbaffa/ors, 
 
 Eph.4.1 1. b Afftmblies^ c Lawes, d Ordinances , and e Cenfures, to be 
 
 6Match.i« . adminiftred in his name,and according to his own way. 
 
 2 iam ^ s a *^ n § °^ l ^ [S politicall and minifteriall Church, he 
 
 1fa.33.22. breathed on his Difciples 7 andfaid, Receive ye the Holy 
 
 ^Macth.28. GhoJl,rvhofe fins ye remits tbty are remitted unto thern^ 
 
 2 Ccr.i 1 ^ w ^ $ f e fi ns y e retAt *-> thy are retained. As a King of 
 
 13. &c. ' this vifible Church, he faid unto his A$oR\cs } A 11 power 
 
 e 1 Cor . f . ^ given unto me in Heaven, and in Earth •, Go ye therefore^ 
 
 az^v 1 ' art d tu ch all Nations ^ baptising them in the name of the 
 
 Match.28. Father, and of the Son,sndofthe Holy Ghofl y teaching them 
 
 18,19,20. ^ obferve all things whatfoever I have commanded you - 7 and 
 
 lo I am with you alrvaf, even unto the end of the rverld. As 
 
 a King of the fame Church, he gave gifts to men, when 
 
 . v j j he afcended up to heaven, fome to be Jpoftics, fome Pro- 
 
 Eph.1.22! phcts^and (me Evangelijls^ and fome Paftors andTeactfers. 
 
 1 rim^.if. A s a King,henow fits at Gods right hand, and is made 
 
 Head over all things to his Church ^ which Churchis 
 
 called the houfe of Cod ^ and who fbsuld appoint Or- 
 
 3 dc& 
 
[5] 
 
 dersfortbc Government of the Houfe, but the Lord of 
 thehoufe f And to lay, that he hath not ordained hour 
 his houfe fhould be governed , is to make the Maftcr 
 lefs faithfullin his own houfe, then his Servant Mofcs^* 1 ^' 
 was 5 which Church is Chrifls Vineyard^chrifls Garden , Cant. \'i6.6. 
 andean we think Chriftfb negligent, as not to appoint** . 
 a hedge to fence his Vineyard, and a wall to preferve p 
 his Garden ? which Church is a fpirituall Republique* 
 And (hall we deny that to Chrijl in the Government of 
 his Kingdome, which we grant unto all Earthly CMo- 
 mrebs t Shall we fay, That Chrift hath ordained no 
 Laws, by which his Kingdome fhall be governed 5 no 
 Cenfifres, by which his rebellious (ubjefts fhall be pu- 
 nched 5 no Officers to difpence thofe cenfures i This is 
 a high defamation to Jefus Chrift,and his Kingly office. 
 
 3 . From the immediate , and proper end of Church Go- 
 vernment, which is not only matter of order and decen- 
 cy \ but fpiritual and fupcrnatural, being appointed for 
 the Edification oft he body of Chrijl in grace unto glory&nd 
 
 more particularly, for the gaining of an offending br o -^ 4#IX ; 
 therunto repentance , and for the faving of his foul in the iMttth. 18.15*. 
 day of the Lordtfefus. Now this is a certain rulc,n^- \ £^**J^ 
 foever hath a fpiritual efficacy , mutt ofnecefsity have a di- b 1 rim. 5. 17. 
 vine originall . humane infi it utions can but produce hu- * j^ ia, * r; 
 mane effects .• And therefore, feeing Church Govern- ^ 7> *. ' 
 ment is dcfigncd for divine and fupernaturall ends, itcAa.6.^6. 
 rauftof neceffity, plead its.originall from God himfelf. fn^g™ 
 
 4. We argue from an enumeration of the funftantials d 1 Tn-n.j.z.to 
 of Church-Government. The Word of God declares l^'^f** 
 unto us, That there arc Church-officers , and who x Tim.3.10". 
 they arc, viz. a Paflors and Teachers, b Ruling-Eldtrs, Atf.i j-*,*,j. 
 and' Deacons . And-how they are tobe d qualified fox, **rk£$ % l\. 
 and c externally called wmo their rcfpe&ive Officcs,toge- and 4.14. 
 
 ther 
 
m 
 
 thcr with all the Minifterial duties in thofe Offices, by 
 them to be performed refpediively 5 as? publike prayer, 
 gkaLiiX 1. c ^ e Mini {fry of the Word, s by reading and h preachings the 
 a a.13. i?. * blelfing of the people in the name of the Lord, k Admi~- 
 h Match.i^. ni p atlon f t h e sacraments, 1 Cenfures and m diftributi- 
 2 Tim,4.i ,i. on of Alms. The Scripture alfo tells us of a n Churchy 
 Lu k u ^ b *^ M * confiding of no more then can conveniently meet in 
 ^Cor.Vj ^. one place to partake in all the Ordinances of publike 
 ii Matches. Worfhip : and of ° a Church confiding of divers Con- 
 Ma™6.i6. to gregations. The Scripture alfo fpcaks of pSynods^vvith 
 31. Ecclefiafticall Authority, together with the q fubordi- 
 
 ? Tfc^io *' nat * on °fth c lefler, to the grcatcr,and appeals thcreun- 
 a Thcff^Ui t0i Nowallthefearethe fubftantials of Church Go- 
 i<- vernment, and arc fufficiently fet down in the Word, 
 
 ^at.i .if. cg^ s ma yp art iy a pp ear by the quotations in the Mar- 
 
 1C0r.jj.and gent, and (hall further appear by what we fhall fayaf- 
 l^y 6i7y terwards. And more then thefe, and fuch as arc neccf- 
 m Aft.i.gj. farily included in thefe 3 are not ("as wc humbly conceive) 
 Aa*' 1 '!'*' ^ft ant ^ a ^ s * n the outward Government of the 
 Rora!ii.8^ S ° Church.Thc reft arc circumftantialls 5 for which Chrift 
 n 1 Cor.14.34 hath given general rules fufficient to dire<a the Church 
 f^i+u0. ^ the ordering of them, and from which therefore fhc 
 Aa. 5.4./ may not depart. Thcfe rules arc fetdown, 1 Cor.14. 
 aa' 6 '\ 2 M°« Lit all things be dene unto edifying, decently, and in 
 p Aa.i'r. 0, order, 1 C0MO.3 1,32. Bo aM to the glory of God, &c. 
 2Deut.i7. to R0m.14.1p. Let us therefore follow after the thingsthat 
 Matlis.i^i*, ™de for peace, &c. 
 
 17,18. ' \ Thefccond thing, which with the like brevity and 
 pcrfpicuity,we fhall endeavour to evidence unto you,is, 
 That the ChrittianM4giftrate,is not the Fountain and Ori- 
 ginal of Church-Government. The former afTcrtion,gavc 
 unto <SW,the things which were Gods } and this doth not 
 at all take away from Ctfar, the things that arc Ctfirs : 
 
 for 
 
For we freely acknowlcdg, that t^Magiflracy is an Ordi- 
 nance of God, appointed for the great good of mankind 5 * * ptt.i.io2 
 ~ i that, whoever are enemies to Mdgiflracy, are enemies ^eut.17.18, 
 to mankind, and a to the revealed Will of Cod. We defire j^. ?%%**' 
 to hold up the honour and greatnefs, thepowcrandau- »King.u.w. 
 thority of lawful Magiftracy, againft Papifts, Anabap- e J&£££ %t7m 
 tifts 3 and all others, that deipife dominion, and fpeak e- iFtt.r.14/ 
 vil of dignities- We fay, that the Magiftrate is , in a £™P ar < d with 
 civil notion, the fuprcam Governor in all caufes Eccle- & ph;i 5^.°' 
 fiafticalj the b keeper of both tables • c the nurfing father & uj&n.** 
 of the Church : d that it belongs to him, by his Politi- ** a£^ 
 cal power, to reform the Church, when corrupted 3 to * chron.19.3-. 
 prefcrvcit, when reformed 5 to fuppreffc blafphemy, *q£°JJ' 29 " 
 idolatry,herefie,fchifme, and prophancncfle,and what- ! 2 5)I / ' ih 
 (bevcr is contrary to godlineffc and found do&rine^that * chron.34. 
 the people under him, may lead a quiet life,in all godli- NcS. 3 I3iI r< 
 neffe and honefty . e That he is fent of God for the pun- adfmm. 
 foment of evil doers (amongft which, arc heretiques,a$ fjjlIT Jr. 
 well as others, and therefore called evil workers 5 and r cv . 17.16,17. 
 ltrefics, evil deeds, Phil. 3.*. 2 ep.^.vcr.iu)andfor <?ip«.i.i4. 
 he praifc of them that do well. That he is the * Bifhop RoniI; ' M> 
 fthofe things that are voithont the Churchy *s Conftantine *~Et<Vkgt& 
 filed himj 'elf. That to him belongs to punifh Church- w <$» ™V 
 3fficers,^ith civil puni(hmems,whcn they abufc their "**•**, 
 sower ; and to give protection to the puWlique cxercife c^n'^av. 
 )f Church-Government, within his dominions. 24. 
 
 But yet, notwithftanding all this, we affirm , That 
 hough the Magiftrate be a nurfmg fat her of the Church, 
 ^et he is not the begetting father } That the Magi [Irate y 
 is a Magiftrate j\% nocburch-oficer,ncit\\c\: are the keyes 
 fthc kingdom of heaven committed unto him. NY- 
 her did Chrift ever (ay to the Kings of the Edrtb • whofe 
 
 rns you remit ^ frail be remitted • and whOjC fws you re' air), 
 
fialt be retained • and whatfoever you fhall binde on earthy 
 fhall bebvund in k aven % and whatjotver you fhall loo fe on 
 earth, fhall be loofca in heaven. Neither is the offended 
 brother direfted to tell the civil Magiftrate, but to tell 
 the Church. Neither doth it belong to him to preach 
 the Word, or to adminifter the Sacraments. Neither 
 is he, as aMagiftrate, feated by Chrift in his Church , 
 but is to be lubjed to the Church in all fpiritual things, 
 as a member thereof. Neither is it in his power to ap- 
 point what Government he pleafc in the Church $ no 
 more then what Religion he pleafe. And this we prove : 
 1. BccaufcfeftxCbrift (as hath been already fliew- 
 cd)hath appointed a f articular Church-Government in hit 
 Word, to be obfetved by all Kingdoms and States im- 
 mutably, and unalterably, for the fubftantials of it. 
 
 2. Becaufc the Church of Chsijt had a Government with- 
 in it f elf for 300 years before it had a ChriBian Magistrate. 
 The Scripture tells us,that the Church,in the Apoftles 
 dayesj had power to meet for ordering Church-affairs, 
 for excommunicating fcandaloiis offenders, and obfti- 
 nate hcretiques. And this power was not derived to 
 them, from the Magiftrate, being then Heathen-, nor 
 were they Tray tors and Rebels againft the State, in 
 challenging this power. And when the Magistrate* af- 
 terwaros, became Chriftiaa, the Church did not lofc 
 that power which it had before, when he was heathen. 
 For the truth is, when a heathen Magistrate becomes a 
 Chrift>an s he doth not acquire more Authority over the 
 Church of Chrift, then he had before, no morethena heathen 
 hutband converted, doih over his wife, which he married \ 
 when unconverted. A Magiftrate,by becomingChriftian, 
 is better inabled to do fervice to Chrift, and his right is 
 fanned to him j but his Authority is no greater then it 
 ■w# before* 3. Becaufc 
 
m 
 
 5. Becaufe the power oftheMagiftrate, Preference 
 to the power of the Church , is not privative of the 
 Churches power, but cumulative and additional. For if 
 itwercotherwiie, then the condition of the Church 
 fhould be worfc under a Conftantine^hcn under a Nero- 9 
 under a chrijlian Magiftrate , then under a Heathen 5 
 which is contrary to all thofe Scriptures, which tell us 
 what glorious advantages the Church (hould have 3 by 
 the Magiflrates becoming Chriftian • and that the Ma- . fi 
 giftrate ihall bring honour and glory to the new Jeru- \k^C.io t iu 
 falem, and not take away that power that properly be- i&.*o.io. 
 longs to the new Jerufalcm. Rcv.n.i* ; 
 
 4. Becaufethac thisaffertion, denyeth an intrinfeczll 
 power to the Church,to preferve it felf in unity jlq purge 
 out fpiritual defilements, and to take care for its own 
 prefervMtion againft Church deHrojingenemies, and ini- 
 quities •, which makes the happineflc of the Church 
 wholly to depend upon the civil Magiftrate^and is con- 
 trary, not only to the nature of the Church, but of all iCor.f.n. 
 othevfocieties, which have a power within thcmlelves , 
 
 of felj c -prefervation \ and is contrary to the experience of 
 former ages, which tell us, That the Church ofchriji did A b Apoftoih 
 fiourijb more in truth andholineffe, (though not in wealth ufyntMimfin 
 and honours,) whilett itwasundir Heathen per [editing TXfi.t O^fli* 
 Entperours, then afterwards. From the Apofllcs, even x*ra& m Ad*iu 
 unto the dregs of our time, the Church of Chriit, both ggg 
 in its infancy and fuller growth, increafed by perfecuti- c*m*u jh'«t 
 •ns,and w^s crowned by Martyrdoms : But after it had rfr : *^ 
 Chriftian Princes, indeed it was greater in power and T^r*, 
 
 riches, but leffe in piety, faith Jerome. 
 
 5 . Bccaufe that this opinion, That the Magiflraie is the %.^' 
 Fountain of all church-power , derives upon the Ckrifitan bus 
 Iia£i[batt mtt of that power > which the ? ope did f ar ma U, \ ^*[ ,c i 
 
 C WMffl 
 
rnofi unjuflty W tyrannically ufurp over the Churches of 
 zfcfa Ckrifl -, and thereby makes the Chriftian Magi- 
 ftratetobecomca^//>/WP^ 5 andfets up a civil An- 
 tichrifi inftcad ofafpiritual,for one great fart of^nli- 
 chriftianifme confifteth in the Popes making hirafelf to 
 be the Original of all (piritnal jurifdiciion. 
 
 And thus we have given you a fliort account of the 
 firft opinion-, and wedobefeechyou,in the Name of 
 out Lordfefus Chriji, that you would weigh what wc 
 have faid,in the ballance of the Sandtuary-, & that you 
 would look upon Church- Government, as an Ordi- 
 nance o£God,flowing unto you in the bloud of Chrift, 
 and as part of his Kingly office ; That you would allow 
 of no Church-officers, ox offices, that have not a divine 
 Jlamp upon them , accounting them guilty of a ftiritual 
 Praemunire, that will undertake an office in the Church, 
 ifthere cannot be frewed a Scripture-warrantiox it-, and 
 that you would fubmit unto it for confeience fake. 
 
 The fecond opinion, is of thofe, that will confefTe a 
 f articular Church Government 6y divine right; but fay, 
 that this is not the Presbyteriall , but the Government 
 commonly called Independent, or Congregational! : the 
 truth is, There are four kinds of Church-Government 
 which lay claim to a jus divinum . The Papal,Prelatical % 
 Independent, and Presbyterial. The firft of them was 
 b^nifhed out of this Kingdom,by King Hen.the 8. The 
 fecond of them,as it was ufed and pra&ifcd in this land, 
 is abjured by our Covenant. The great debate of tbcfe 
 late years, hath been about the Prcshyterial, and h de- 
 pendent Government. And though wc do Hot intend ac 
 this time, to enter yita a large difputc ; yet wc earneft- 
 lyidefire our Brethren, that differ from m only in point 
 ©f Church- Government , to ^confider the woftill mit 
 
 chiefs* 
 
no 
 
 chiefs, that have come upon the Churches of Chrift in 
 England Joy their dividing,and feparating from us: And 
 j that vvhilcft we have been diluting what is that Govern- 
 ment which Chrift hath appointed in his Wordjhtxc arc 
 a prevailing party rifen up,that will have no Government 
 at all to be found in the Word : whileft we have been fo 
 long debating about the hedge, the wild Beads have got 
 in, and made fpoyl of the Vineyard it felf : Whileft we 
 have been building the wall, others have been p lucking 
 down the houfe : Whileft we have been confulting about 
 the Garment of Chrift, others have taken advantage to 
 deny the Divinity of Chrifl : Whileft we have been fo 
 tedioufly contending about Reforming of churches, Or* 
 dination of Mimfters •, and purity of Ordinances, there are 
 men rifenup, that deny all CMimftry, Ordinances, and 
 churches. And indeed, there is fcarce any fundamen- 
 tal Doftrine in Chriflian Religion, but is now,not only 
 called in queftion, but openly denyed by ibme, oro- 
 ther. And therefore, we do exhort our Brethren^, the 
 name of 'our Lord $t\us chrift , that they would fadly 
 lay to heart the unexpreffible calamities, which arc 
 brought upon oui Churches,by their dividing from us 5 
 and that they would ftudy, for the time to come, al! 
 wayes oflln/on and Accommodation : And for our parts, 
 we do here profefs to all the World, that we are, have 
 alwayes been, and through the grace of God, fhall ever 
 be willing to ftudy to find out any Scripture way,vhac- 
 in we may unite together with them /or the preservation 
 of the Truths ofj-^m chnft, for the prevention of a tole- 
 ration of Hereftcs and Elajphcmics, and for the healing of 
 the great fcandal that is given to weak Christians y and 
 wicked men, by our unhappy differences and divi(*ons. 
 
 As for the PrcsbjterUl Government it felf , we may juft- 
 
 C 2 ly 
 
aa.i8.ij. iy fay ofit, as the Jews did upon another occafion, m 
 know that every when it is fpoken againli 5 and chat men 
 deal with it, and Us that profefs it, as the old perfecutors 
 dealt with the Chriftians-, when they put them into 
 Bear -skins ^ and then baited them with dogs ; and as the 
 
 Aa.&Mon. pyitfs dealt with zfohnHus, when they pinned apaper, 
 with i he picture of red Devils, upon his head, and then ex- 
 po fed him to tie lighter of the peo ( le. Some fay, That it 
 is a lordly. Domineering government • and that if we had 
 our wills, we would lord it over the people of Chrift, 
 more then ever the Prelates did 5 and inftead of one Bi- 
 fhop in a Diocefs, we fhould have many hundreds. O- 
 thers fay, that it is a Tyrannical and cruel government , 
 and if it were once eftablifhed, it would fine and im- 
 prifon all that would not yeeld to it. Others, that we 
 require an Arbitrary power, and challenge an illimited 
 jurifdi&ion. Others,that we have a defign to free our 
 felves from being under the power of the civil Magi- 
 ftrate. Others, that this government doth rob the 
 Congregational Churches of their power and liberty ,_ 
 no leffc then Prelacy did, fb that the Church in remo- 
 ving of Prelacy, changed not Dominium, but Domiwm* 
 Others, that we feek for unity, but negleft purity. O- 
 thers accufe us,that we contend too carneftly for purity, 
 becaufe we will not admit men to the Sacrament,before 
 they give an account to the Minifter and Elders of their 
 fitnefs thereunto. thers accufe us, for ftamping z]m 
 divinum upon our government; and others on the con- 
 trary, declaim againft us, becaufe we do not affert a jus 
 divinum,bm depend upon zjus humamm \ depend more 
 upon an Ordinance of 'Parliament for our eftablifhmenr, 
 then an Ordinance of God, Others exclaim againft us > 
 that we are now become the only troublers oflfrael, and 
 
 the. 
 
the only hinderers of a bleffed and glorious Reformation ; 
 That we axepcflilent fellowes , mowers of fedttion atmng 
 i the people, caufcrs of the firft wsf between King and 
 parliament, and of all the murders and blood-fbed- 
 ings,that have been in the Nation for thefe many years^ 
 That we were the Authors and abettors of that vio- 
 lence that was offered to the Parliament, July 6, \ 647. 
 That the Minifters of London arc Pulpit- Incendiaries y 
 and haveftparated their confecrated lungs, fcr Bellows, 
 to blow up the fire of a fecond War the laft year $ that 
 they were the bringers in of that numerous A 1 my out of 
 Scotland j.o invade the Parliament and Army of England: 
 Others fay, that we are Apoftatized from our princi- 
 ples, and are turned Malignants 5 that we that were once 
 the great Parliament J{fertors,avc now beeome the only 
 Parliam.nt-Oppofers. LafHy, that the Presbyterian OMi - 
 niflers kck their own private eafe and intereft, and not 
 the things of Jcfus Chrift ; That they are notorious 
 hypocrites, Baals PikRs, limbs of Antkhrift. And 
 that the only rcafonwhy they diflikc, and cxpreffe an 
 unfatisfiedneffewith thefe times, and the alterations 
 therein made, is, becaufe they fear, that their great Di- 
 ana of tythes will be pulled down, and that their gains will 
 be leffe, and their pains greater 5 and that they cannot lord it 
 over their people, as they hoped to have done. 
 
 Thefe are the Bear- skins in which we are put from 
 day to day 5 thefe arc the red Devils that are pinned up- 
 on us,to render our perfons, Mir. and Government 
 odious unto the people. But our comfort is, that thefe 
 accufations are mccr calumnies and (landers, and that 
 there is not the lcaft fhadow of reality or truth in them. 
 And it is an evident token to us , that Gcdhath (one 
 great work for us to do , becaufe hefuffers the red dragon to 
 
 pouy 
 
Cm] 
 
 pour out fmh floods of reproaches upon us •, and that oux go- 
 v eminent is of Divine Original^ bctaufeit isfo much oppo- 
 fed, and that by all forts of men, and that in contrary 
 ways : fomeoppofingit,becaufe it fecks fo much after 
 puri j ofor^mances- 7 othc\'s^bccauCc it feeksit not enough: 
 fome,becaufe it layeth claim fo much to a jus divinum i 
 Others, hecauje not enough. 
 We well remember, and are therein much comfor- 
 ?^* w ted, what Tertullian faith • That that religion mujl needs 
 called Eng- be good which Nero perfecuted^ and what spMbemius that 
 lands warning, fate learned Pro feffor of Ley den, in his hiftory of the ori- 
 wjf^An hi- g ina ^ and progrefs of the Anabaptifts of Germany, tells 
 ftoricail Nar- us, That when Godraifedup Luther, Melanfihon^ Zuingli- 
 V £ U °£ ^ft^ us * am ] ^ vers ot ^ tr Worthies^ to be the Reformers of his Churchy 
 in Germany ^ l the fame timejhe enemy of mankind raffed up the Anabaptifts, 
 &C ' to be the difturbers of his Church. That Thomas Muntzer their 
 
 great Antefignanus,When hecould not get Luther to joy n tyith him y 
 but on the contrary was rebuked by him, and earnefily admonijhed 
 not to difturb.the publique peace, &c. He began to rife up, and 
 thunder againfi Luther himfelf ', crying out , that Luther was 
 04 much in faulty as the Pope of Rome ; that it was true, the Work 
 of reformation Was fomewhat furthered by him, but l-eft ftM in- 
 fetledwith much leaven; yea that Luther was Worfe then the Pepe, 
 for that he had pub lifted only a carnall Go/pel. And afterward?, 
 when Luther, Melanhlhon, Zuinglius, 3uttinger, Metritis, Re- 
 gius, and others, began, by writing, to defend both 
 their own, and thecaufeofthe Church of God, and to 
 wipeoffthe blot that was caft as well upon themfelves 
 as upon the Gofpel, by thefe Anabaptifts •, Muntzer 
 and his confederates were the more enraged againft 
 them, crying out. That Luther, andihtfe of bis party, fa- 
 voured nothing &ut theflejb, vaunting indeed, that they had Cut off 
 fome of the leaves of lAntichnft but the tree, and the roots remai- 
 ned flill untouched. Which muft alfo be cut doWn , and which cut 
 doWn they would. And becauje they could finde nothing in the 
 
 Written 
 
[15] 
 
 written Word, to defend their errours ^ and the tumults which they 
 raifed, they fly to revelations, and inspirations, &c. Hereupon 
 every Fijh-monger begins to boafl of the fpirit, feign revelations 
 Rafter the example of S torch and (JW 'unt zer ; The Pulpit is open 
 to every Cebler or Tinker. They feoff ed at tl e publique St rmons 
 of the reformed, inveighed againft the Lutherane Faith, as being 
 void of irood Troth, &c. Muntzer, t-he chief e trumpet of thefe 
 iprcars , proclaims openly , that he Was raifed up by the command 
 of God, fur the fHniJbment of tricked Princes, and altering of Po- 
 litick^ government. His ufual fubfeription to his letters tiv*/, 
 Thomas Muntzer, thefervant of Godagainfl the ungodly. What 
 was the fatal end of this Muntzer , and of John Becolaihc Tay- 
 lor of Leyden, and of the reft of tha* crew ; what prodigious 
 opinions they held, he that will, may read them in the 
 forementioned Author. There arc two reafbns have 
 noved us to cite this ftory : Firft, to fhew,7^tf it is mt 
 tnufual with God, when he raifeth up men faithful in their 
 generation to reform his Churchy to give way to the ene- 
 nyofmankind,for the trial of his people, toraife up 
 ome men even amongft the Reformers themfelves, 
 hat by fpreadingof errours and Hercfics, andState- 
 lifturbing opinions, fliould endeavour to obftruft the 
 leformation fo happily begun. Secondly, that in times 
 f Reformatio^ it hath alwayes been the practice of the 
 ing-lcaders ©f Errours and Herefies, to inveigh more 
 itterly , and write more railingly againft the Refor- 
 mers of the Church, and the Reformation by them in- 
 eavoured,then againft the common adverfary , borh 
 f thcmfelves, ofthe Reformers, and of the Reforma- 
 on. And this is our lot and portion at this day. 
 But yet, nowithftanding all this,we hope.that if this 
 esbyt eri all Government ffo much oppofea both by Ma- 
 nants^ani Sectaries $f aU(orts t yizxc once prefented un- 
 our congregations inks true and native colours, it 
 
 would 
 
(i6) 
 would be embraced by all that fear God amongft us -, 
 and that \vc might fay of it,as once it was {aid of So- 
 crates , That all that knew hint^ loved him $ and the reason 
 why an j did not love him^ was only because they did not know 
 him. And welikewife hope, that if we fhall fully 
 anfwerthea^ccufations that are brought againft us, in 
 the bitter and lying pamphlets of this licentious age, 
 that then our perfons alfo (hall (land right in the hearts 
 and confeiences of all that truly fear God within this 
 Kingdomc. Give us leave ; therefore,to undertake theft 
 two things. 
 
 Firft, To represent the Presbperiall-Government before 
 you, in its true beauty and excellency. 
 
 Secondly ,70 vindicate our perfons from theflanders and 
 cruell reproaches that are cajl upon them. 
 
 i . For the Vindication of our Govern wcnt> and therein 
 the undeceiving of our people,who look upon it 5 as it is 
 misreprefented unto them, by thofe that arc enemies 
 unto Us, Them , and the Government, we fhall offer 
 briefly theft enfuin<* particulars. 
 
 i. That the Presbyterull-Government^ is a Govern- 
 ment that hath been the fruit of the prayers of many 
 thoufands of godly people in England jn Queen EliT^- 
 beth's, and King lames his dayes : There were many 
 knowing Chriftians, and faithfull Minifters,that made 
 it their frequent prayer, that God would reform Eng 
 *By Mr. /Win Difcipline, as he had done in Doftrine $and the 
 agiinft lgl '*' Difcipline then they prayed for, and many a fufferec 
 Archb.ffhit- for,was the Presbyterian 5 as appears by the books writs 
 
 Mr ' Vdal ten * n t ' 10 ^ ^ a y S * ^^ ft™ w mr * typife ^ at wcrC ) 
 
 Mr.H/Wr/- that comes Rimming to us in the prayers of fo many thou- 
 ty* m > (and Saints? 
 
 Mi-.rr^/o ^ though the Presbyterian- Government ( for the 
 
 practice 
 
[I7D 
 
 practice of it ) be new and ftrange to us in England, yet 
 ic is not new. 
 
 Firft, To the Churches of Chrift in other Coun- 
 ries : Formoftof thofe places that did thraft out the 
 'opidi Religion , and Government, did receive in the 
 >roteftant Religion,and Presbyterial Government It 
 
 not new to the Proteftant Reformed Churches in 
 
 ranee, Scotland, Netherlands, and Geneva, and divers 
 )thcr places, who have had comfortable experience of 
 his Government, and have enjoyed a great deal of li- 
 erty,vcrity, piety,unity,and profperity under it : And 
 which we defire all our refpe&ive Congregations fe- 
 ioufly to confidcrj therefore it is (as we humbly con- 
 cive) that theframers of our National Covenant did put 
 nthefc words, K^ind the example of the befl Reformed 
 churches, into the firft Article of the Covenant, that 
 hereby they might hint unto us, what that Govern- 
 ncnt was, which is necreft the Word, even that which 
 
 now pradifed in the beft Reformed Churches. 
 
 2. To the Word of 'God '• but is there to be found in all 
 \tfubjlantials of it, as we have briefly fhewed already, 
 nd fome of our own Brethren Ullinifhrsoi this City, 
 ave made to appear at large, in a Book, entituled, The 
 ivine Right of the Presbyierial Government. We fhall 
 xak a little more to three of the foreinenticned Sub- 
 antials of Church-Gcvernment : And (hall prove, 
 
 1 . That the Scripture holds forth a Church, confi sling of 
 divers Congregations. 
 
 2 . Synods with Ecclefiajlical Authority . 
 
 3. Subordination of Congregations unto Synods, together 
 with Appeals thereunto. 
 
 . That the Scripture holds forth a Church confuting of 
 divers Congregations. Such a Church was 
 
 D The 
 
The Church oftfcrufalem 5 as appears, 
 
 1. By the Multitude of Believers, both beforehand after 
 the difperfion(nientioned, Aff.%. 1. )A&.*. ^^^.Atf. 
 4,4. ^#.5a4.^#.tf.i;7.^#'9. 31. -^#.12.24. Atf.u.to. 
 
 2. By the many ^ pottles, and other Preachers in the 
 Church o£$ernfa em : If there were but one Congrega- 
 tion there, each Apoftle preached but feldom , which 
 will not confift with Att.6.2. 
 
 3. The diver fity of Languages amongft the Believers % 
 mentioned both in the fecond and ftxt Chapters of the 
 Affs, doth argue more Congregations then one in that 
 Church. 
 
 All whieh, are fully and largely handled by the Reve- 
 rend K^£§ewbly of Divines ,in a book of theirs,printed by 
 Authority of Parliament. 
 
 2. That the Scripture freaks of Synods with Ecclefiaflical 
 Authority , this is evident from ^siti. 15. in whichi 
 Chapter, two things are to be obferved : 
 
 1. That the A pottles in that Meeting, did not act as Apo- 
 ttles with infallible authority, but as Elder s, in fuch a way as. 
 makes that tJMeetingi a pattern for ordinary Synods. 
 For the proof of this, we offer thefe reafons. 
 1 . Becaufe Paul and Barnabas did willingly fubmit to 
 be fent from Antioch to tferujalem, which they needed 
 not have done (one ofthcmatleaft being an Apoflle} 
 nor could have done, had they afted as Apoftles 3 
 and not as Members, for that time, of the Presbytery 
 of Antioch , A&.15.2. 
 
 2 . Becaufe Paul and Barnabas were fent not only to the 
 Apoftlesat ferufalem, but tor the Apoftlcs and Elders, 
 which at that time were not a few (the Believers in -fc- 
 rufalem being many thoufands) which proves,that they 
 fent not unto the Apottksas extraordinary and infallibl 
 
 Lke>\ 
 
 i 
 
(for then what need the advice of the Eiders f ) but as 
 wife and holy Guides of the Church, who might not 
 only relieve them by fbme wife counfel, but alfo jet a 
 prejident untofuccceding Ages, how ErroursaniDtffen- 
 tions'mthc Church might be removed and healed; as 
 Mr.C0//<wobferves 3 in his book of the Keys 3 8cc.\>zg.*3. 
 
 3. Becaufe in the Synods the Apoftles did not deter- 
 mine the thing in queftion,by Apostolical Authority fiom 
 immediate revelation, but alfembled together with the 
 Elders to confider of the matter, /M. 1 5 .6. and a Mul- 
 titude of the Brethren together with them, Aft. ij\ 12, 
 22,23. And there the qucftion was ftated, and debated 
 from Scripture in an ordinary way. Peter proves it by Mr atmH 
 :he rvitnejje of the Spirit to his Miniflry^ in Cornelius MrtfccJfc* 
 Familyv Paul and Barnabas by the like effeft of their Mi- 
 riftry amongft the Gentiles, fames confirmed the fame 
 Dythe teftimony of the Prophets; with which, the 
 vhole Synod being fatisfied, they determine of a judi- 
 cial fentence, and of a way to publifli it by letters and 
 jtieffagcs. 
 
 4. Recaufe the Decrees of the Synod are put forth in 
 \hc name, not on/y of the Apojiles, but of the Apeflles and 
 folders, Aci. 1;. 22,23. Att. 16.4. 0^^.21.25. 
 : The fecond thing to be obferved in that Chap?er,is, 
 I That the Apeflles and Elders did put forth ACis of Bale- 
 ^aflicall Authority m that Synod. This appears plainly 
 j;*om AiiA-.i%. to lay no other burden. To bind burdens, 
 
 i' an aclofthe binding power of tie Keyes. And it appears 
 kcwifefrom ^^.16.4. where mention is made of De- 
 ees ordained by the Apostles & Elders. And it is obferve- 
 lolc, that whercfoevcr Jfyp*, is ufed in the New Tefla* 
 fent^it is put either for Decrees or Laws ^nd fo frequent- 
 I by the Septuagint in the OldTefarnent^ as is abundant- 
 »i D 2 ly 
 
ly proved by the Reverend Affembly of Divines, in their 
 antwer to the Rcafons of the Diffenting-Brcthren , a- 
 gainft the inftance of the Church of ferufalem,ipag.66. 
 3. That the Scripture holds forth a fubordination of 
 Congregations unto Synods, together with Appeals 
 thereunto. To prove this, we will bring two places : . 
 Thefirftis,DwM7.8. to 12. together with 1 Chron.x^A 
 8,10,11. Out of which two places, compared toge«| 
 ther, we gather thefetwo conclufions: 
 
 1 . That the zfews hadttvofupream judicatories intern- \ 
 falem -, the one Eeclefiaftcall, for the matters of the Lord-, 
 the other civilly for the matters of the King.lHs appears 
 by Deut. 1 7. ver.8. where we have a diftin&ion of cauH 
 fes ; fome for enficall between blood and bloody belonging 
 to the civilrfudtcatory-fomc ceremonial,between ftroak, ! 
 and ftroak-, that is,(as not only Hierome,bm the Ghaldy 
 and Scptuagint read the words , and as appears by the 1 
 frequent ufe of the word in that {cn(c,Levit. 1 3. and elfe- ; 
 where J between leprofic, and leprofie, belonging to 
 the cognizance of the Ecclefiaftical Judicatory. And 
 in the 1 2 vcrfc, thefe two Judicatories arc diftinguiOied, 
 by the disjundrvc Or • And the man that wiUdofrefump* 
 tuoufly, and mH not hearken unto the Priefi, (that ftand* 
 cthto minifter before the Lord thy God,) or unto the 
 zfudge,&c. This further appears, by 2 Chr.ig^io,! 1. 
 In which we have clear mention •, firft of two forts of 
 Judges* the Levites and Priefls, andchiefofthe Fathers, 
 verf. 8. fccondly,oftwo forts of caufes, fome (firituak 
 and Ecclejiafiicall, called the judgment of the Lord, ver. 8. 
 and the matters of the Lord, ver. n . others civiB, as be* 
 twtenhUod and blood, vcr.io. And thirdly, of two Pnfi- 
 dents •, Amariah the chief Priefijn all matters of the Lord*, 
 and Zebadiah the Ruler of the houfeoffodah, in all the 
 
 matters 
 
miters efthe King. And this diftin&ion betwccnthc ci- 
 vil and Ecclefiaftical Judicatory^ the opinion of many 
 Orthodox &learned Authors, which arc cited by Mr. 
 GcUfpy, ^jmrrodblofTom.cap^. pag. 8. where this 
 condition is«largely and learnedly debated & aflerted, 
 
 2, That there Was afubordinaiion in the Jenifh Churchy of the 
 {Synagogues , in all hard and difficult controverfies, and in all the 
 \matters of the Lord, unto the Eccleftaflical Judicatory at Jerufa- 
 'lem, and appeals thereunto ; this appears evidently, T> em. 1 7 .8,9. 
 
 2 Chron. 19.8,10. 
 
 Now that this Subordination, together with appeals, did not 
 
 belong to the JeW^iJh Church, as Jevijb op.ly,but as it was an Ec- 
 cleftaftical Republique, is evident* For though the high 7'rieJ?> 
 lamongft the Jews,was a type ofChriftyzx. thefe gradual Judica- 
 tories, wherein the aggrieved party did appeal, from the leffer to 
 \the greater ; (that agatnfi the very light of nature^ he adverfe far* 
 \ty wight not be thefole Judge and party too, in his owncaufe) were 
 
 v.n in any kind ceremonial or ty pic all. 
 
 Appeals, (faith Dr. Whitaker,) they are of divine and 
 {natural light \and certainly very neceffary in every necejpty, 
 becaufe of the iniquity and ignorance of fudges , Whit. 
 Contr.4. de Romano Pontific.lib.4. cap. 2. And gene- 
 rally, all Protejfant Writers againft appeals to the Popc 5 
 acknowledge yet, their ncceffaryufcfulncfs to a Synod. 
 So did that renowned Martyr Cranmer , the form of 
 whofe appeal to a Council,three feveral times urged by 
 him, with much inftancc, we have recorded by Mr, 
 Foxe at large, Ads and Monuments. 
 
 And indeed, if the benefit of appeals, and confutation of 
 Chwches foould not be as free to us,as to the^irj,how 
 much more defective & improvident were the Go (pel, then 
 the Liw, contrary to all ancient Prophefies ofCofpel-Com- 
 munion t How were our Saviour King of Peace and Righ- 
 teoufneffe, (hould he have ordained now under the Gofpcl 
 (fucha government 5 as by making Parties file Judges, 
 
 were 
 
were neither righteous^ nor ptecedle ? what fitdaicaZ 
 type fir ceremony , can there be in this communion and 
 mutual afliftance in government which God (as by his 
 Word,fo) by the very light of nature 5 teacheth all foci- 
 cties whatfocver, whether Common- Wealth, Armies, 
 Univerfities, or Navies i &c. as learnedly Mr. Hcrlefm 
 his Independency, &e. 
 
 The fecond place is Match. 18.15,16,17,18, which text, by a 
 "parity ofreafon, proves 2, fub ordination of Congregations unto Sy- 
 nods, For there is the fame relation between Churrh and Churchy 
 as between brother and brother ;and if a brother offend ing,is/#£- 
 ordinate unto a particular Congregation ; then by a like reafon, 
 an offending (Congregation is fubordinate unto great er Affemllies, 
 And the reafon of it is, becaufe the grounds, reafons, and ends of 
 fubordination* are the fame in both. That Godmight be glorified, 
 the offendor Jbamed, humbled, reduced, and fin not fufferedto refi 
 upon him. That others may be prefervedfrom contagion, and made, 
 to fear, Thatfcandal and pollution of the Ordinances, may I e pre* ■ 
 vented, or removed. All which argue as ftrongly and fully for 
 fubordination of an offending Congregation tofuperiour and greater 
 Affemblies,as of an offending brother to a particularCongregationi 
 And the truth is, whofoever denyes the fubordination of a Con- 
 gregation unto a Synod , together with appeals thereunto ,doth 
 in plain tearms affirm thefe three thi igs, 
 
 I. That the government ofChrifi in his Church under the NtVv 
 Tefiament, is a Government directly contrary to the very light of 
 nature.making the fame men parties ^andfina ill 'judges iu their o^n 
 caufe. 
 
 2» That the Government of the Church in the Old Tefiament, 
 yeas more equal andjufl, then under the New. 
 
 3. That fefus (fhr ift hath in his Government appointed no ef- 
 fectual remedy to heal the fcandals of an offending Congregation, or 
 at leafi, a mote effectual remedy toredrejfe an offending Br other %t 
 then an offending Congregation. All which are great derogations, 
 and difparagetnents to the Kingly Office and Government oflefus 
 Chrifi- And thus we have fhewed that the Presbyterial Go- 
 vernment is not new to the Word of God,as fome falfly objeft. 
 We proceed to juftifie it in other particulars. 3 '. The 
 
 . 
 
3. The Presbyterial Government challenged no power 
 ever mens Mies oreflates. It medleth not in civil affairs, 
 or with infli&lng civil mulfts, or corporal punifhments. 
 It is a government purely Jpiritua/l, difpenfing the Keyes 
 ofthcKingdomofheaven^notoFcanh-j and how then 
 can it be cruel and tyrannical, in fineing and imprifon- 
 ing mens perfons, as wasob;e<5icd i 
 
 4. It is not a Government that hath Lor&jhips and great 
 Revenues annexed to it, as the Prelatical had. It is not 
 gainful and profitable ', but burdenfome and troublesome: 
 What dp the ruling Elders gain by their office, but re- 
 proach and contempt i And is not the condition of the 
 teaching Elder vvorfe, in regard of maintenance, fince 
 he ingaged in this difcipline, then cverit was ? This is 
 1 government that hath no outward advantages to in- 
 duce men to accept of it. His confeience^ and (aswc 
 wpc)pure confeience, that ingageth any in it, and there- 
 c orc it is , that it hath fo few friends , becaufe then arefo 
 r ew that are truly confeientious. 
 
 5. It is not a Domineering Hierarchic all magifteriall 
 Government ^ thdt lords it over peoples consciences ^requiring 
 \uhjeftion to the decrees of it^ with blind andjlavijh obedi- 
 nce. But it is a Stervardfhtp, a UWintJlry, a painful and 
 aboriousfcrvice. We fay, fhat all the determinati- 
 >ns , even of Nationall Synods , are to be obeyed no 
 urther, then they agree with the Word of G od. And 
 hat a Synod is fadix judicandus. That Congregate 
 ns arc to examine with the judgment of difcrction, 
 /hat isferxto them from Synods. There is no more 
 Mi e nee required to the Decrees of a Nationall Synod ', then 
 h Independents claim to the decrees of a particular Con- 
 gregation. 
 
 \ 6, It is not an Arbitrary illimited Government , but^ 
 
founded and limited : i. By the Word of God * for in this 
 Government , every thing is to be adminiftred accor- 
 . dthg to the pattern in the Mount, We dcfire none to 
 follow, but where the Word gotth before. 2. By the 
 civill Magiftrate , in regard of the cxercife of it. For 
 we acknowledg our felves (as we have faidj accounta- 
 ble to the civill Magiftrate, to punifli us with civil 
 mul&s, if we abufe our power. 
 
 7. It is not a Government, that doth rob and (]>oyl parti* 
 cular Congregations of their juft power and priviledges>but 
 helps and lengthens them. For it is not fas the Prelati- 
 cal was ) extrinfecall to the fevcrall Congregations •, 
 ( which had no vote in the government, nor confent to 
 it,but were fufferers only of it,and under it: ) Neither 
 doth it affumc to it felf the (ole power of Ordination and 
 ]urifditfion : (as the Prelatical likewife did, and in this, 
 was lordly and tyrannical over all particular Congre- 
 gations in each Dioccfs : ) But it is intrinfecallto the Con* 
 gr*£4f/0#,confifting of the Paftors and Elders of every 
 Congregation , governing one another by their ownj 
 Officers : For we hold (which few of ourAdverlaries 
 will underftand or confider) That all Congregations art i 
 equal. No one Congregation over another. That all 
 Minifiers are equatl, No one Minifter, by divine right 
 over another. 
 
 We hold no Mother -Church, on which all othe 1 
 
 Churches flioulct depend. ButourGovernment ; fofa] 
 
 asitis diftin&from the Congregational,confifteth ofrf/l 
 
 wrs Sifter -Churches, combined by mutuallconfent , andgA 
 
 That which WMKg 0}K Mother in matters of mutuall concernmeml 
 
 concerns by the common agreement of Paftors and Elders 9 accordinj 
 
 all 'Tcd be to x ^ at Golden Rule, guod mones tangit,ab omnibti 
 
 b y a aii gC traciari debet. Ib the PresBy tcrial G overnmCnt e veil 
 
 1 Coil 
 
- Efd 
 
 Congregation hath a voy ce, by the Paftors and Eldc rs 
 thereof, and Co is governed by a power intrinfecal! to it 
 (Of, which carfnot w its own n&ture be tyrannical!. Thoug h 
 there is no power in the world fo juft,but by abufc may 
 prove tyrannicall. 
 
 To ililiftrate this by a Hmile. The Presbyterial government 
 
 is like the government of the City by the Common-coimcell, 
 
 wherein there are Common-Counceli-men ftnt from * every 
 
 Ward, tojudg and determine of matters, that concern the good of 
 
 the \vhole Cicy ; which certainly m its o\Vn nature , cannot be pre* 
 
 judical to theftverall Wards, but ever] helpfull and commodious*, 
 
 whereas the i'rehtical-Goveinment , Was \tift as if the City 
 
 fhould be governed by a High-CommilTion chofen of Forreioers ; 
 
 \and the Independent-Government is jufi a: if every Ward 
 
 \ fhould undertake to gov emit f elf divided from one nnothcr , and 
 
 -\, not at all to be Under the poVecr and authority of the Comraon- 
 
 \ councell. 
 
 Adde befides this, the Presbytertall-Governwent doth 
 •give unto people of particular Congregations all that 
 is by Chrift left them. For, 
 
 i. We allow unto every Congregation a particular 
 Eldcrfhip,whcro it may be had. 
 
 2. We impofc upon no Congregation a Miniftec 
 |againfl: whom they cangivc a rationall difTcnt. 
 
 3. We allow the Congregationall Elderfhip tojudg 
 in all matters which concern that particular Church 5 
 and to keep from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, 
 all thofc whom they finde to be ignorant or fcandalous. 
 
 4. In the great Cenfure of Excommunication, we fay, 
 That it ought not to be executed agunft theconfentof 
 that particular Congregation, to which the party to be ex- 
 ^communicated belongs. And in all other matters of im- 
 portance, the Presbyterian- Government hath great re- 
 Ppcft to that Congregation which is particularly con- 
 cerned therein. And therefore,it is fo far from robbin * , 
 
 E tbfic 
 
C«i3 
 
 that it is a great Pillar to uphold andfupport Congregatio- 
 nal Government - y as for example : 
 
 i. When a particular Congregation is deftitute of a 
 Minifter, then the Ncighbour-Minifters of the Claflis 
 help what in them lies to make up that defett, by fend- 
 ing fupply in the mean time, and afterwards by joyn- 
 ing in the ordination of another. 
 
 2. When there is an inefficient El derfhip, then the 
 Claffical Presbytery contributes light and ftrength. 
 
 3. When anElderfliip proves Heretical, then the 
 Claffical Presbytery helps to convince them of their 
 Herefies, which the people are not able ordinarily ta 
 do 3 and thereby to prefcrve the Congregation from fpi- 
 ritual contagion. 
 
 4 C When any member is wronged by the Elderfliip, 
 the Claffis, or Synod,contributcs ayd and relief,as will 
 appear further in the next particular. 
 
 8. The Presbyteriai-Government^/p/^/r^w^/^ 
 tyrannical, ast^at it is the greatejl remedy again f} Church- 
 tyranny^ becaufeit is as a city of refuge for allthofe that are 
 opprejjedin their particular Congregations^ to fly unto. For 
 underjthe Congregational-Government, when a bro- 
 ther is (as he conceives) wronged by the major part of 
 the Church of which he is a member, he is for ever 
 lock't up,and hath no authoritative way to relieve him- 
 felf. (Indeed, he hath moral wayes, by advice and 
 counfel, which are altogether inefficient $) But the 
 Presbyterian-Qovernmcnt is a Zoar^nd an Ark for the 
 wronged party to fly unto, from the Particular Con- 
 gregation, to a Claffical, Provincial!, or National AC- 
 fembly. Give us leave to fhew you the difference by 
 this example : Suppofc in the civil Government every 
 Corporation fhould plead a power independent from a 
 
 VAtlU- 
 
[27] 
 
 Parliament^ and challenge to be unaccountable, would 
 
 not this make as many Parliaments 5 as Corporations t 
 
 And if any member fhould be wronged by cite major 
 
 , part of the Corporation to which he belongs, were he 
 
 , not left without remedy i And if thefc Corporations 
 
 | fhould cry down the Parliaments power over them as 
 
 tyrannical, would it not be faid, that this is therefore 
 
 only done, that they themfelves might become petty 
 
 Tyrants < So is it here; 
 
 IhzCongregationall Government is a Spiritual, Ccrpo- 
 ration, independent from all other Ecclefiafticatl K^iflein+ 
 blits in point of church-power. As the Pope claims a 
 power over all Church- Aftemblies^ fo this claims an ex- 
 emption from the power of all church- J (femb/ies, and 
 cryeth down all ClafficalyProvinciall^or: Na'ionatf-4(fem~ 
 blies with power, as tyrannical $ but is not this , that in 
 the mean time it may become abfblute^ and as it were a 
 petty Tyranny < 
 
 There are in the Congregational Government thefc 
 fix great defe&s, befides many others which we could 
 aamc. 
 
 i. There is (as hath been faid) no authoritative w*j to 
 'dieve a Brother oppreffed by the major part of his Congrtga- 
 ion, which granted , would make the Government of 
 thrift in the Nem Tejlawent^ to be inferiour to the tfew- 
 ' Gavtmment , in which they had the liberty of Ap- 
 als. And alfo to be againft the light of right reafin y 
 making the fame men to be parties and judges in 
 cirowncaufe,(ashath been formerl) frcwed.) 
 2. There is no author native way cq heal the major part 
 fa Congregation, when it falls into fundamental er- 
 :purs, which is a great difparagement to the Govern- 
 ment of Jeius Chnii, and reflects deeply Hpon the wil- 
 
 E 2 dome 
 
[18] 
 
 dome and care of the great King of his Church. For it 
 makes Chrifl to provide a more ifftcatiom remedy to cure an 
 erring member y {to wit^by the great Ordinance of cxcommu- 
 meat ion,) then an erring Church. 
 
 3. There is no-Authoritative way to keep out plurali- 
 ties of Religions. . For if the whole power of Church- 
 Government be in the Congregation- Independently , then 
 let a Congregation fee up what Religion they think fit, | 
 there is no Authoritative Church-remedy left to hinder 
 them.: 
 
 4. There is no Authoritative way for unity and uniform 
 mityin Church-admini(lr.ations^ which doth inevitably 
 lay {tumbling blocks before weak Chriftians D and holds 
 theminfufpence, not knowing to what Congregation 
 to joyn 5 becaufe they fee fuch different wayes of adnai? 
 niftration of Ordinances. 
 
 5 . T he re is no relief when a Congregation is dettitul& 
 of a Minifies inpoint of Ordination \ but the fucceeding 
 Miniftcr is left to be examined and ordained by the 
 people of the Congregation that, chofe him.) And fo 
 alfj wherca Congregation becomes her^ticall 3 and in 
 other fuch cafes. , 
 
 6 . If any of their Mini Hers preach out of their o^n Con* 
 gregations, hepreachethonlyas a gifted brother 5 neithei 
 can he> (as we conceive) sccprding to their own Princi- 
 ple^ adtriinifterrhc.Sacraments out of his own Con 
 gregation 3 or perform any other ad of office. Althougl 
 wchelicvefbmeofthemdofoj contrary to their owr 
 principles herein. 
 
 9. That the PresbyteriaU Government is a Govtrnmet 
 that tends not at all to the deflrutlion of any, but for the goo 
 and edification of all. 1 here arc three chief ends of th 
 Government. 
 
 1 
 
 
 . 
 
1 . To keep the Churches ofchriji m unit) amongfl them- 
 [elves. * 
 
 2. To keep them in purity andholinefjc \ it is Chrifts Fan, 
 to purge his floor • and his Beefom to Jwap out of his houfe 
 every thing that offends. 
 
 3 . To keep them in verity, it is Chrifts Weeding- hook 
 4$ weed out herefies • and therefore King fames ( though 
 »no great friend to this Government) would often fay , 
 that it was Malleus hareticorum,z Hammer to beat down 
 Herefie s : And we find, that whercfoever it is fet up in 
 ftrength, there the Churches arc kept in unity, verity, 
 Jand purity 5 and that (which is very obferveable)where 
 s'this Government hath once got poffeflion, it hath for 
 ^ ever after kept out Popery and all Popifh Innovations. 
 - The Prclatical Government with all its Lordfhips and 
 Revenues annexed, as it was managed of lace years in 
 t England, was an in-let to Popery, and it had tantum- 
 l non brought it in. But wherefoever the Presbyterian-Go- 
 ic vcrnment isfetled, there Popery, root and branch, is plucked 
 tup and destroyed, and that without any hope of recovery. 
 1 Butitwillbeobjefted, that notwithstanding all that objeff. 
 hath been faid to render the Prcsbyterial Government 
 * amiable and acceptable \ yet there arc two great Moun- 
 tains which do lye in the way which do hinder, and(as 
 iifomc fay) will for ever hinder people from fubmitting 
 ftvmtoit: The one is, 
 
 $ 1 . Becaufe it fet s up a new officer in the Church, which 
 
 viv ameer humane Creature, having no authority from the 
 
 Word of God, nor was ever heard of in the Church of 
 
 dChrift|CilIC4/i;/ystimc,&that is the LAY-ELDER. 
 
 2. Becaufe it requireth all, of all forts, to come to the Mi- 
 
 hiftcr and thefe Lay- Idders to be examined, before they can 
 
 ?e admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. 
 
 Wc 
 
Do] 
 
 Jnfmr* We qwnot deny , but chat thefc two obje&ions are 
 great Remoras to the Government , and do h inder the 
 general receiving of it, and therefore we fliall be a little 
 the larger in anfwering of them. 
 
 For the firfl of them, we do here freely confefle, that 
 if we were of opinion, as fome are, that the Ruling-El- 
 der hath no foundation in the Word of God, but" is a 
 meer humane Ordinance brought into the Church only 
 in a prudential way ; w T e fhould heartily defire the utter 
 abolition of him : For we are not ignorant,that the Ru- 
 ling Prelate was brought into the Church upon the 
 fameaccount,for the avoiding of Scbifm and Divifion , 
 and afterwards proved the great Author and Eomenter 
 of Schifm and Divifion. And if we fhould decline the 
 Ruling Prelate, and take in the Ruling Elder upon the 
 fame prudential grounds^ were juft with God to make 
 himasmifchievousto the Church, as evcrtji.s Ruling 
 Prelate was : And therefore let us confider what may 
 be faid out of the Word of God, for the juftification of 
 this fb much decryed officer : Yetfirft we cannot but 
 take notice that the name of Lty Elder was affixed to 
 this Officer by way of reproach and icorn, by the ad- 
 versaries of him,and that it ought not to be continued. 
 
 Heb.i3.i7,M. For though it be evident by Scripture , that there is a 
 great difference betwkt the Mimftry ufua!ly called the 
 Clergy 3 and the people commonly called the Laity : yet 
 itsalfoas manifeft, that the Scripture diflingu fheth 
 them not by the names of Clergy and Laity^forasrruch 
 as all Gods people are therein faled the Lords Clergy, 
 
 i Pet. ? 3. or Inhexitance,and the lord is called their Inhoiitance. 
 And when perfons are duly chofetvfiom amongftthe 
 people to be Governours in the Church , as fuch 5 they 
 are no longer Lay-mcn,but Ecclefiaftical perfons. Atficl 
 
 therefore 
 
B*3 
 
 therefore' we profefs a diflike of the name Lay-Elder , 
 
 and conceive tbey ought to be called either governours 
 
 inthcChurch, i Cor.i i. 2j.or Ruling- Elders as 1 Tim. 
 
 5.17. not becaufe their Office is to rule alone ( for the 
 
 Teaching- Elder is a Ruler alfo, #^.13.17. 1 Thejf.?. X m f/^ 
 
 12.) but becaufe their Office is only to rule. Now /*£ ^ 
 
 concerning thefe Ruling-Elders, we confefs, that they 
 
 are Officers fomewhat new and ftranse to the Church 
 
 of England • yet not new nor ftrange to the Word of 
 
 God , nor to the Primitive times, nor (as all know) to 
 
 the Reformed churches. 
 
 Firft, they are not nerv nor ftrange to the Word of God, 
 neither in the OldTeflament,nor in tlx Nerv. The Jews in 
 the oldTestamtnt^had two forts of Elders - 7 Elders of the 
 Priefts^nd Elders of the people*, fuitable to our teaching 
 and Ruling- Elder; , as appears, 5^. 19. 1. And thefe El- 
 ders of the people did fit and vote with the Prieftsand 
 Levites in all their Ecclefiafticall Confiftories,and that 
 by divine appointment. That they were constituent 
 members ofthe great Sanhedrim, appears, 2 Chron.ip.S. 
 where we rcade, Thatfome ofthe chufrfthe Fathers were 
 \oynedvoith the Priefts, to judge in the metiers ofthe Lord. 
 And howfoever, many things amorg the Jews after the 
 captivity,did decline to difbrder and confufion •, yet wc 
 finde even in the dayes of Chrift, and his Apoftles, 
 That the Elders of the people ftill flue and voyced in 
 the Councell with the Priefts, according to the ancient 
 form, as is clear from Matth.26. 57,59- Matth.2j.i,i2. 
 Maith,\6.n. Matth.11.23. Mar. 14. 43. Luk.22. 66. and 
 Sara eta hjmfelf, who difputeth fo much againft Ruling zfrifrvr/grofc 
 Elder s^cknowlcdgeth thus much: I finde indeed, (faith Mmft£v«ng. 
 he) Eldtrsinthe ^ffemblyof the Prie&s of the old Syna- »M*MW 
 gogue^bich were not PrieJts, andtbeir (ujfr ages and au- 
 thority. 
 
[3*3 
 thmtf in all Judgment severe equal with the fuffrtg's of the 
 Priefis. But he adds ; That thefc Elders of the people 
 were civill Magistrates • which is a poor fliift, dircftly 
 againft many Scriptures , whicb contradiftinguifii thefe 
 Elders from the civil Magijlrate • as appears ; Jc7.%.<>. 
 *fndg.$.i4.Dtut.5. 13. 7^.8.55. iKiflg.io.\$. E^ra 
 ic.u;. And though it were poflible,that ibme of them 
 might be civill Magiftrates,as fome Elders smongft Us, 
 are Juftices of the Peace : Yet they did not fit under 
 that capacity, in the Ecclefiaftical Sanhcdrimjdut as Ec- 
 clcfiafhcal Elders. 
 
 And that the Jews alfo had Elders of the people, fitting 
 and voting in their inferiour Confiftories, appears 
 (as we humbly conceive) from Aft. 15. 15. J&sijt. 
 8,17. Mar. ?. 22. In which places , we read of the 
 Rulers of the Synagogue , who were neither Priefts 
 norLevkes, and yet were Rulers in Church- matters, 
 and had power, together with the Priefts , of caffeg 
 men out of the Synagogue, and of ordering Syna- 
 gogue- worfhip, Joh. 12. 42. Aft. 13. it. 
 
 Now this Affociation of the Elders of the people^ with 
 the Frieft^ in the Jewish Church-Government , was by di- 
 vine appointment^ for Mofes firft inftituted it, and after- 
 wards tfehofaphat rcftored it, according as they were 
 diredted by Cod, Num. 11. 16. iChron. ip,8. And 
 it did belong to the ftmjh Church, not as it was Jewifh, 
 but as it was a Church, and therefore belongeth to the 
 Chriftian Church, as well as Je wifh. I$r whatsoever 
 agreeth to a Church ,a$ a Church • agreeth to every Church. 
 1 here was nothing Judaical or typical in this inftitu- 
 tion, but it was founded upon the light of nature, and 
 right reafon , which is alike in all ages. 
 
 But leaving the Old Teftament, let us confider what 
 
 may 
 
[333 
 
 may fee faid for the divine right of the Ruling-Elder, ofit 
 of the New Teftamert. For this purpofc, we have al- 
 ready produced three places 5 which we (hall now 
 briefly open 3 and Ore w how the Ruling Elder is proved 
 out of them. The places are, 1 Cor. 11. 28. Rom. n. 
 7,8.1 77m.5. 17. 
 
 Thefirfl; place is, 1 Ccr. 12. 18. ^And God hath fet 
 fome in the Church , firfl, %^dfe flies * fecondartly , Pro- 
 phets \ thirdly , teachers-, After that, Miracles-, then gifts 
 ef healtngy helps, governments, diver f ties of tongues* 
 Where we have an enumeration of fimdry Officers of 
 the Church 5 and amongft others, there are Helps,Go~ C*t™*'m fxm 
 vernments. By Help, are meant Beacons-, (as not only ^{^\ v J r - 
 our Reformed Divines, but Lhryfcftome, and Ejlius, and xi.Efrusuvom 
 others obferve,) and by Governments, are meant the Rh- x Cor.i*.t* % 
 ling- Elder which that it may the better appear, we will 
 propound, and prove theft i'u things. 
 
 1 . That by Governments, arc meant men exerciftng 
 Government^ the Abttrott put for the Concrete. The in- 
 tent of the Apcflle, is not to fpeak of offices diftinft from 
 perfons, but of per fens exerctftng offices. This appears 
 firft, by the beginning of the verfe, God bath fet fome in 
 his Church ; this relates to perfons,not unte offices. Se- 
 condly, by the 29. and 30. verfes , where the Apoftle 
 fpcaks concretively, of thofc things which he had fpoken 
 be fore abBr actively . Are all workers of miracles ? have 
 
 dl the gifts of healing? do all (peak with tongnes^&cc ? and Li- ^ v^ 
 fb by confequence, Are all helpers, arcallGovcrnours ? » . • 
 And therefore it is, that the Syriack inftead of helps, Go- ^t^^o 
 vernments, reads it helpers, Governors. WV1 JJ3T 
 
 2. That the Governonr here meant, rauft needs be ^MQTD* 
 ^Church Governour • for it is exprefly faid , that he is 
 
 fcatcd in the Churchy and therefore the civil Magiftratc 
 
 F ki cannot 
 
[50 
 cannot be meant by this Governour, as fome would 
 have it -, partly, becaufe this is quite befides the whole 
 intent and fcope of the Chapter, treating raeerly upon 
 Jpiritua/l Church-matters, not at all of fecular civil mat- 
 ters ^ and partly, becaufe the Magiftrate, as fuch 5 is not 
 placed by God in the Church y but in the Common-Wealth: 
 and partly, becaufe the Apoftle ' writes of fuch Gover- 
 nours, that had at that time adhial cxiftence in the 
 Church 5 and neither then , nor divers hundred years 
 after, were there any Chriflian CMagiflrates. 
 
 3. That this Church-Governeur is feated by God in his 
 Church j It is a plant of Gods orvnpUnting,and therefore 
 fhall ftand firme, maugre all oppoficion. For it is ex- 
 prefly faid, God hath [et fome in his chunh, frjl ApoHles, 
 &c. then helps, then Governments. 
 
 4. That this Church- Governour thus feated by God 
 in his Churches not only zChurch'memberJdut&Church- 
 Qjficer. For though it be a queftion amongft the learn- 
 ed, whether fome of the pcrfbns here named ,as the work- 
 ers of miracles, and thofe that had the gift of healing,and 
 ffttngucsfNm feated by God 3 as officers in theChurch, 
 and not rather, only as eminent members indued with 
 thefe eminent gifts 5 yet it is moft certain, that whofb- 
 cver is feated by God in his Church,as a Church-Gover^ 
 mur, muft needs be a Church off icer h for the nature of 
 the gift, doth ncceflarily imply an office. The Greek 
 B/£sppiiw. wor j f or Governments, is a metaphor from Pilots , or 
 Ship-mafters, governing their fhips^ (hence the Matter of 
 a (hip is called Kvfapmm> a Governour, ^^3.4.) and 
 it notes fuch officers,as fit at the ftern of the vcflcl of the 
 f Church, to govern and guide it in fpirituals, according 
 
 to the will and mind of Chrift, which is the dircft office 
 of our Ruling- Elder.. 
 
 j. This 
 
Up 
 
 j. This Church- Govcrnour thus feated by God in 
 his Church as a Church-officer, is an ordinary andper- 
 petuaH officer in his Church. Indeed, here is mention 
 made of Officers extraordinary, as Apoftlcs, Prophets; 
 and of gifts extraordinary, as the gift of miracles, heal- 
 ing, and of tongues i but here is alfb mention made of 
 ordinary Officers, perpetually to abide, as Teachers, 
 Helpers,znd the Church-Governour^or Ruling-Elder. And 
 that this Officer is ordinary and perpetual , appears from 
 the perpetual neceffity of him in the Chuich^ fora 
 Church without government, is as a (hip without a Pi- 
 lot, as a Kingdom without a Magiftrate, and a world 
 without a Sun. 
 
 6. That this Church-Govcrnour thus fcated by God 
 in his Churches a perpetual Officer,is an officer contra- 
 difiinguijhedm the Text from the Apoftlcs, Prophets, 
 Teachers, and all other Lfficcrs in the Church. This 
 appears-, r. By the Apoftlcs manner of expreffing 
 thefc officers in an enumerative form $ Eirjl, <^dfo&les ; 
 Socondanly, Prof bets -, Thirdly Ttacbtrs; i^Jftcrthat, 
 miracles, then gifts of healing, Sec. 2. By the recapitu- 
 lation, verf. 19, fo. Are all Apo(lles f Are aU Prophets ? 
 Are all Teachers f Jre all workers of miracles? &c. 3. By 
 the fcope of the whole Chapter , which is to fct down 
 different gifts and offices in different fubjc&s 5 It is faid i 
 yc\\%,9. To one is pven by the Spirit, the wordoftvifdomtfo 
 another, the rv r I of knowledglby the fame S fir it -to another \ 
 faith, &c. And for this purpofe, the Apoftlcdraweth 
 a fimile from the members of mans body : As there arc 
 different members in mans body, and every member 
 hath its different office , and every member (lands in 
 need one of another 5 the Eye cannot fay to ih#+Iand, 
 I have no need of thee 5 nor agaio^thc head to the foot, 
 
 F 2 ~ I have 
 
I have no need of thce,&c. So it is in the Church mi- 
 nifterial, which is the body of Chrifr. God hath fct dif- 
 ferent Officers in his Church • fome ordinary and pcr- 
 pctual-, fome extraordinary and temporary : And thefe 
 different Officers have different Offices, fome to teach, 
 others to diftribute to the poor Saints , others to go- 
 vern. Arc all Teachers ? are all Deacons i are all 
 Church-Governours f and thefc have all need one of 
 another. The Teacher cannot fay to the Deacon,! have- 
 no need of thee $ nor to the Church- GovernourJ have 
 no need of thee : But if all thefe Offices were in the Pa- 
 ftor alone,and only,then might he truly fay to the Dea- 
 con and Ruling-Elder,I have no need of thee. But now 
 God hath fo fct the members in his body which is his 
 Church, that every member ftands in need one of ano- 
 ther help and fupport. 
 object. If ^ be obje&ed,that the Apoftles had all thefe offices 
 and gifts here mentioned,emincntly fcatcd in them j foe 
 they were Prophets, Teachers, Workers of Miracles 5 
 and therefore why may not all thefc be underftood of 
 one and the fame perfon ? 
 'Anfw. Though it be truc,that the Apoftles had eminently all 
 thefe ^ yet it is as true, that there arc many here named, 
 which had but one of thefe gifts formally feated in 
 them : And it is alfa apparent, that fome of the pcrfons 
 here named were diftindi Officers in the Church, as the 
 Prophet, and the Teacher. Though the Apoftles were 
 Prophets and Teachers, yet the Prophet & the Teach- 
 er were Officers diftindt from the Apoftles-, and by a 
 parity of Reafon,ib were the Governors from the Apo- 
 ftle, Prophet, and Teacher 5 the fcope of the A poftle 
 being (as hath been (aid) to fet out diftinft Offices in di- 
 ftinft Officers : are all Apoftles ? are all Prophets ? are 
 "~ ~ all 
 
all Teachers < The fum of what wc have faid from this 
 Scripture, then, is this, That God hath fated (ornemtn i* 
 hi* Church which have a gift and office to govern fokich arc 
 neither Apoftles^Prophets^Teachers^nor Pafters ; and there- 
 fere they ate Ruling- Elders j which is the Officer which 
 we are enquiring after. 
 
 Now this Interpretation which we have given,is not 
 only the interpretation of Reformed Divines, both Lu- 
 therane atdCalvinifts, but of the ancient Fathers > and 
 even the Papifts themfelves, as appears by the quotati- 
 ons in the Margenr. G«k»du& de 
 
 Thcfecondtcxtis>2tow. liltfifr Having the* gift. **jj 
 
 differing according to the grace giver, whether Propirjie^et v iu.« . 
 uspropheCie according to the proportion of Faith \ or Mini- P.Marcyr.i* 
 
 n r f ~r-a- It J I Iocum.Rcl*!* 
 
 ftry^ let w wait on our OHimftrwg ; or be that teachetb^ on locm pi lcaaH . 
 teaching ; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation. He thatgi- mf^im. Ara- 
 veth^ let him do it with [implicit]. He that rnleth^ with cli- f£'J'- 
 ligence. He that fheweth mercy ^with cheer fu ! nefs. In which sal 
 words,wc have a pcrfeft enumeration of all the ordina- ™*> s y'"''° 
 ry Offices ofthe Church, Thcfc offices are reduced, SJ^Jtp [ 
 firft, to two general heads, Prophefte and Miniftry, and cos qui 
 are therefore fct down in the Atfiralt. By Prophefte is J*J 
 meant the faculty of right undemanding, interpreting , in . 
 and expoundiite the Scriptures. Miniftry comprehends ' 7/ ; £ ' 
 all other imploymcnts in the Church. Then thefe ge 
 nerals arc fubdivided into the fpecial offices contained 
 under them,and arc therefore put down in the concrete. 
 Under Prophefte are contained, i . Ue th'ttcacheih^hj 
 is,the Doctor or Teacher. 2 . He that exhorteth^ i.#.th< 
 Paftor. Under Miniftry arc comprized, 1. He that -• 
 
 fun; Prcsbyrcri,duplicihonoicd:gniIubcrm:ur 
 
 J$>u! una cum V&Qore dclibaabattt jt Sctfffia r/rw, c 
 wybe vit*( :.nt % 
 
 
[3« 
 
 W#, that is, the Deacon. 2. He that ruleth, that is, the 
 Eftiusm Rom. Ruling Elder. 3. He that Jheweih mercy, which* Office 
 ItiamZ/parL P c "ained unto them,who in thofe days had care of the 
 fpeciakquod* fick : So that in thefe words, we have the Ruling-Elder 
 damckaafma plainly fee down, and ^/rrf-diftineuifhed from the 
 mficari i & mi teaching and exhorting Elder (as appears by the diltnbu- 
 ferm dxatur iis tive particles, 41t JMitkcop, im vctp'Ka^Zv, Whether he that 
 Turanismlfl cachet h j ftf&tffer fc that exhort eth -.Whether he that ru- 
 tisypotiftmum /#£, &c.) And here likewife we have the divine infti- 
 
 S8T** tution of chc Ru!in g' Eldcr,for fo the words hold forth. 
 prtebelob/equia; Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is 
 wtut etiamho- gi vcn m i us . and thus alfo in the third verfe, according 
 twmswtfen- ** G°dbath dealt to every man,8cc. This officer is the gift 
 fus hvtdqua* of Gods free grace to the Church, for the good of it. 
 
 tfait*^ A S ainft this E x P ofitio " oi the Text,it is obje&ed by 
 # thofe that oppofe the divine right of the Ruling-Elder, 
 * a that the Apoftle (peaks ,m thefe words, not of feveral 
 ^offices in feveral pcrfbns, but of feverall Gifts in one 
 and the fame perfon \ for he faith, having then Gift* dif- 
 fering according. Sec. Butweanfwer: 
 
 1. That the word Gift is often in Scripture taken for 
 office 3 as Epb.4 8, 1 r . When he a fc ended en high, he led 
 captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men-, and v.11. He 
 fheweth what thefe gifts were , feme to be Apofles , [one 
 Evangelifls,&c. 
 
 2. That the Apoftle in the Prctafis fpcaks not of feve- 
 rall Gifts, but of feverall Offices , and thefe not in the 
 fame, but in feveral members , v. a.. As we have many 
 members in^ubody , and all members have not the fame 
 office. And therefore thc^wfc/kmuftalfo be under- 
 flood not only of feverall gifts, but of feverall Off.ces, 
 and thefe in feveral fnbjecis.knd this further appears by 
 the very fimilitude which the Apoftle here ufcth,which 
 
 is 
 
Zi9l 
 
 is the fame heufed, i Cor. n. from the body natural, 
 wherein there are many diftinft members, and every 
 member hath its diftincl Office 5 and fo it is in the 
 Church of Chrift. 
 
 3. Thefc gifts here mentioned, and the waiting upon 
 them, do ncccflarily imply an Office in whomfoever 
 they are 5 and therefore they arc fet down emphatically 
 with an Article, H/b JiJuewv -a^i^iv!^. He that hath 
 the gift of teaching,and exhorting,and ruling,and wait- 
 cth upon this gift, what is he but a Teacher, Paftor,and 
 Ruling- Elder f And this mufl either be granted, or eife 
 we mufi open a door for all members of the C hurch, 
 even women, not only to preach and teach, but to rule 
 alfo, and to wait upon preaching and ruling : This truth 
 is fo clear, as that the Papifls themfelves being convin- 
 ced of it, do fay upon this text , that the Apoftle here 
 firft fpcaks of gifts in general ; and fecondly, apply eth 
 thefe gifts to Ecclcfiaftical Officers,v.6. and afterwards cmuim « 
 dirc&s his exhortation to all Chriftians in general. ia P idi > \ n 
 The third text for the divine right of the Ruling- Elder ', 7 °^' iz ' 6s 
 is, 1T/0M.17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted 
 worthy of double honour > eftcc/ally they who labour in the 
 Word and Doftrine. F-r the undei (landing of which 
 words, we will lay down this rule, That every text of 
 Scripture is to be interpreted according to the literall 
 and grammatical conftru&ion > unlefs it be contrary to 
 the analogic of Faith, or the rule of Life,or the circum* 
 fiances of the Text: othet wife, we (hall make a nofc of 
 wax of the Scriptures, and draw quidUbet ex quohbet. 
 Now according to the Grammatical conprucfion , here 
 arc plainly held forth two forts of Elders s the one, tnely 
 ruling \ ^d the othcx, alfo labouring in Word a#d Dotfrine. 
 Give us leave to give you the cr^ic analyfis of the words. 
 
 1. Here 
 
i . Here is a Gauu y a general, and that is Elders. 
 
 % . Two diftinft fpecies, or kinds of Elders,7^/<? that 
 rule mil , and thofe that labour in word avd doftrinei, as 
 Paftor and Dodor. 
 
 3. Here we have two part[cfples,cxpreffing thefe two 
 kinds ofEldcrs^RulmgiLabouring-, the firft do only rule, 
 the fecond do alio labour in Word and Doftrinc. 
 
 4. Here are two diftindi Articles, diftinftly annexed 
 to thefe two participles, «/ vpots&nw m-x&v™. They that 
 rule, They that labour. 
 
 5. Here is an eminent difcreiive fmiclt \ fee betwixt 
 thefe two kinds pf Elder* ; thefe two participles, thefe 
 two Articles evidently diftinguifhing one from the ci- 
 ther, viz. f<*W 5 e/peciaSy they that labour , Sec. And 
 wherefcever this word ^'a/« is ufed in the New Tefta- 
 ment, it is ufed, to diftinguifh thing from thing, orper- 
 fbnfrotnperibn-, as ''Gal. 6. 10. P1W.4.22. 1 Tim. 5.8. 
 i7V#m.io, 7».i.io. 2 700.4.13. 2Pet*2.2o. k^AcU 
 20.38. In all which places,thc word ^j§eciallf± is ufed 
 as a difcretive particle, to diftinguifh one thing from an- 
 other, or one perfon from another 5 and therefore being 
 applycd here to perfbns , muft neceflarily diftinguifh 
 perfon from perfon, officer from officer. It is abfurd 
 
 iVhltak. m to fay, (faith Dr. Whitaker^) that this text is to be un- 
 £S£ derftood of one and the fame Elder. If a man fheuld 
 "in refutation? fay , AH the Students in theUniverfity are worthy of dottble 
 rDotmam honour, efpeciagj. They that are Profeffors of Divinity -, He 
 f the f»ufl neeefjartly under (tana it of two forts of Students. Or it 
 Author of amnn mould fay, All Gentlemen that do fervicefor the 
 mafc&iJZ* Kingdom in their Counties , are worthy of double honour } e§e- 
 1 s.pag. ?i), .dally they that dofer-vicein the Parliament • this must needs 
 * l6t he uvderflood of afferent ferfons. We are not ignorant , 
 
 that :\rchbifhop Wbitgtft, Bifhop King^ Bifliop Bilpn, 
 
 Biihop 
 
Birtiop Domvmti & others,labour to fatten divers other 
 interpretations upon thefe words, which would be 
 over-tedious here to rchearfe.Only thus much we crave 
 leave to fay, which we defire may be fcrioufly weigh- 
 ed 5 That all other fenfes that are given of thefe words, 
 are either fuch as are difagrccing from the literall and 
 Grammatical conftru&ion, or fuch as fall into one of 
 theft two abfurditics, cither to maintain a ncn preaching 
 Miniflry^ or a lafypreacbing Minijtry to defcrvc double 
 honour. Archbilhop a Whiigift by the Elder that rules * whhgft a. 
 well, undcrftands a Reader that is not a Preacher. b Dr. s ain [J Carch - 
 King* a Bilhop ruling, and not preaching 5 which is to ^ sermon 
 fay, that anon- preaching Minifterdeferves double ho- of his in prinr. 
 nour. Dr. Bilfon * faith, that the words are to be under- ^ffS^ 
 flood of two forts of Elders , and that the meaning is, ^r. 
 That the Elder that rules well,and preach^th,is worthy 
 of double honour, cfpccially they that labour, that is, 
 that preach abundantly, that do xctiw, labour as a Water- 
 man at his Oar ; which is as much as if he had faid, that 
 a lazy Minifter ', or zfeldome-preaching Minister, deserves 
 double honour. For all Preachers arc in Scripture requi- 
 red *•*!<•>, to labour abundantly i Tbejf. 5.11, 1 Cor. 3. 2. 
 where the fame word is ufed that is here expreffed. If 
 the Apoftlc had meant to have diftinguifhed them by 
 their extraordinary labour, he would rather have faid, 
 i*$trn<) then wmimiit 5 for othcr-where he ufcth ^9-, 
 as a degree of painful labour, above kot&, which is put 1 Cor. 1 i.x 7 . 
 for common labour, R0m.16.12. Dr. Dervname and o- ■ Thc ^--9- 
 thcrs, interpret the words of one and the fame Elder, 
 thus. The Elders that rule well, arc worthy of double 
 honour, cfpccially they that labour > that is, (fay they) 
 eftecia/ly they labouring, or efrecjal/y becaufe they la* cur. 
 And fo they make their labouring, to be tlic chief caufc 
 
 G of 
 
M 
 
 of cheir double honour. But this interpretation is againft . 
 
 the literal meaning, for the Greek is not h miZw y if they 
 
 la four Jd\\t h<*m*l U KomZim^efitcially they that lafour.Hctc 
 
 is a participle with an Article, and a decretive p article , 
 
 which can never be rightly and literally tranflatcd c au~ 
 
 f"m in i7 f 4tive h' Anc * therefore we conclude , together with 
 
 pifcator'in' our Reformed Divines, that this text according to the 
 
 locum. proper and Grammatical conftruftion of it, doth hold 
 
 Caivirvn loc. fo|th untQ flU unprejudiced chriftians, a Ruling Elder, 
 
 diftinft from a teaching Lldcr, which is the thing we 
 undertook to prove. 
 
 Befidcsthefe three Scriptures thus expounded, wc 
 fhall briefly offer one more $ and that is, Matth v 1 8. 17* 
 where the offended Brother is bid to tell the church, 
 &c. In which words, the whole power of excommu- 
 nication is placed by Chrift in the Church. The great 
 qucftion is, what is meant by Church > Here wc take 
 for granted : 1 . That by Church, is not meant the ci- 
 vil Magiftrate, as Erafttu fondly imagined* 5 for this is 
 utterly contrary to the purpofe of Chrift, and the aym 
 of that discipline here recommended to be ufed, which 
 is the gaining of our brother unto repentance • w hcreas the 
 aym of the civil Magiftrate , is not the Spiritual good 
 properly and formally of the offender,but the publiquc 
 good of the Common- Wealth. And belidcSjit is a lan- 
 guage unknown in Scripture, to call the Magiftrate the 
 Church 5 and it is an expofition purpofely invented^ to 
 overthrow all Ecclefiaftical government. 
 
 2. That by Church, is meant primarily and efteciaHy 
 the particular Congregation •, we do not fay onely , but 
 firftly and cfpecially. Hence wc argue * If the power 
 of Excommunication be placed in the particular 
 Church , then either in the Minifter aloac, or in the 
 
 Minifter 
 
C43l 
 
 Miniftefand whole Congregation , or in the Minifter 
 and Elders chofen by the congregation. 
 
 But not in the Minifter alone, who being but one 
 man,can no more be called a Church ? then one man can 
 be Galled many, or a member called a body. For one *d*enimtmA 
 perfon cannot be called a Church, (faith Bellarmine gSjSL 
 himfelf, ) feeing the Church is the people and King- Ecciejufit 
 dome of God. It is certain, that the Church here fpo- f0 ^ ( & **" 
 ken of, is a certain number met together $ for it is faid, 
 Where tm or three art gathered together, &c. 
 
 Nor in the Minifter and whole Congregation •, for 
 God who is the God of order, not of confufion, hath 
 never committed theexercife of Ecclcfiafticall jurif- 
 diftion, to a promifcuous multitude 5 the Scripture di- 
 vides a Congregation into Rulers and Saints , into Go- 
 vernors, and governed-,and if all be Govcrnours,who Ha^S-Wf' 
 will be left to be governed i And befides, if the col- 
 lective body of a Church be the Govcrnours,then wo- 
 men and fervantsmuft govern as well as others. 
 
 And therefore we conclude, that by Church, muft 
 needs be meant, the Minifter and Ruling- Elders,which 
 are the Officers we arc enquiring after. 
 
 And th's is no new interpretation , but agreed unto c * - u 
 by ancient and modern Writers. ChryfoJIome faith, by M^tch^s. * 
 Church, is meant the m^n^mn^tbt Rulers of the Church, C ame,.deEc- 
 Camcr. theColledgof Pre byters ^ others, the Ecclefta- tfrfcupod 
 call Senate. Thcfe are called a Church,for four Reafons: Macth - xg - 
 
 1 . Bccaufc it is ufual in the Old Teftamcnt/to which 
 our Saviour here alludcth, as appears bythG words 
 Publican and Heathcn^to call the Aflembly of Princes 
 and Elders a Church, Numb.??. 12,24,2;. with Deut. 
 1.16. 1 Chron. 13, 2^. with 28.1,2. & 29.1,6. Dew. 
 31.28,30. 1 King. 8. 1, 2,55. Num. j. 2. compared with 
 Lcvit.1315. G 2 2. Be- 
 
2. Bccauft they manage Church affaires in the name 
 of Chrift, and of the Church , and arc fcrvants of the 
 Church, as well as of Chrift. 
 
 3. Becaufc they arenas it were, the eyes and cars of 
 the Church 5 and therefore as the body is faid to fee or 
 hear,when as the t yes and eares alone dp (ee and hear ; 
 fo the Church is faid to fee, hear, and ad, that which 
 this Senate Eccleftafticall doih fee 3 hear, and ad. 
 
 4. Becaufe they reprefent the Church -, and it is a 
 common form of fpeech, to give the name of that 
 which is reprefented, to that which reprefents it h as wc 
 fay, that to be done by the whole Kingdome, which is 
 done by a full and free Parliament. Hence we might 
 further argue: 
 
 If the Col/edge of Presbyters reprefent the Church , then 
 itmuftbernadeufof Riding-Elders, as well as Minifters. 
 For Minifters alone cannot reprefent the Church 5 the 
 Church confifling not of Minifters alone, but of Mini- 
 fters and people, who are part of the Church as well as 
 Minifters, and are fo called, -^.15.3,4. 
 
 This is all we (hall fay, for the Scriptural part. 
 As for the Primitive times of the ChurcbjNC fbould have 
 wholly waved the mention of any thing about them, 
 were it not for the baft calumnies & reproaches which 
 the Prelatical party caft upon the Ruling- Elder, in fay- 
 ing, That it is the newfangled device of Calvin at Geneva; 
 and never known in the Church of Chrift before his 
 E ifco c b ^ a y cs# There is a Bifhop that makes offer to forfeit his life 
 S>ivin°c^ght. y to juftice, and his reputation to fbame, if any man living can^ 
 Jhew^ that ever there was a Ruling-Elder in the Chilian 
 world^till Tavcll and 'VivctfirJl created them. But be hath 
 been abundantly anfwered by Smeftymmus^ infbmuch, . 
 *hat whereas in his Epifcopacy by Divine Right, he 
 
 boldly. 
 
[45] 
 boldly avcrrcth , that the name of the Elders of the o8j 
 
 Church, comprchcndcth none but preachers, a and 109,111. ' 
 that therefore none but they may be called Senjores Ec- 
 clefw, Elders of 'the Churchy though fome others haply 
 may have the title of Semorespopuli, Elders of the people, 
 becaufe of their civill Authority. Yet notwithftanding 
 afterward, the fame Bi/hop in his b reply to Smecijm- £pag.M*. 
 w*/^ acknowledged, thatbefides Paftors and Doctors ,^ mdc& 
 and befides Magistrates and Elders oft- e Ctty, thexe are to Synagoga, 
 be found in Antiquity, Senio/es Ecclefiaflici^Ecclefiaftical %*j$ e * St , 
 Elder $ alfo 5 only hcalledgeth, they were but as our wares bdto- 
 Church-Wardens,orrather,as our veftry-men- 3 where- ^f h0 'Z m 
 as in truth, They were fudges in EcclefiafticaU controver- mb^gcbL 
 fies 9 and did affift the Paftor in ruling and governing &**« ec- 
 the Church-, witneffc that famous place in * Ambrofc^l*;ff 
 which testifies, that both in the fervi]}) and in the Chrijli- gmh\ obfo- 
 an Church, there were thefe Ecclefiajiicall Rulers. This is Jf^SjT 
 alfo the judgment of b Teriull/an, c Origen, d Baftl, e Op-nvoL°'~ 
 
 rm defidia^ 
 
 aut mzgis fupey b'ui, Hum foil vol unt al/quid^a'ai, Anbro r . in i Tim.f. 
 
 b ' Prajident prubati qvtiquc Senior es honor cm ifltun nonpretio fedteftimonit 
 Adept 1. Tcrtull. Apoiog. cap. 3 9. 
 
 c NonnuUi pr&po [infant qui in vitam ej~ mores eorum cjtii admit tuntur 
 incjuirant, ut qui turpi* commhtant its communi cost h interdicAnt, cftti vero 
 *b iftis Abhorrent t ex animo complexi meliores quotidie redda»t, Orig, lib. 
 3. Contra Celfum. 
 
 d Bafil in Pfa lm 3 3 . Vbi qHatvo,- gmdtts CMiniftrorum confistftit, ejnod 
 feiltcet aI'u fi*t in Ecclefia infiar ocnlorM?n,tit S emotes; alii infiar lingua, 
 fit Pafiores; alii tanquam mantis, tit Diaconi, & C. 
 
 c Optatushb. 1. adv erf. Par men. mentioning a perfecution, that did 
 for a while fcatter the Church, faith, Erant Ecc/efa ex attro & argento 
 tjuam plurima ornament a, nee dfodere tcrrtjiec fecnm portare poterAt,qttAre 
 fidelibtu Ecelefit Senioribtu commendavit. ^Alba[pinans tha: learned • 
 Antiquary upon that place acknowledged, That befides the Clcrgy,therc 
 were certain ofthe Elders of the people, men of approved life, that did. 
 tend the affaires ofthe Church,of whom tkis place is to be underftocd. 
 
 tatHSy , 
 
? Etnos & m * * Hierome^ 5 Augufiine^ ' Gregory the great , and 
 h*bemns divers others cited by J-uHellm in his Annotations in 
 in BccU- Can. EccL Affricam^ and by Voetius, and by Smettym- 
 fia Sena- nuus^nd by the Author of the ^[fertion of the Scotch 
 turn no- Dtfcipline, fome of which are rehearfed in the Margent. 
 ftrttm, ca- yy Q w jjj conc i uc j c t hi s Difcourfe , with the confeflion 
 fa?ero~ ej ' ofArchbifhop wbitgiftfi great Writer againft the Pres- 
 r*m cum byterial- Government 5 I know (faith he) that in the Pri- 
 & go * inter mitive Church jhey had in every church Seniors, to whom 
 cat era the Government of the church was committed^ but that was 
 ttiamftn- before there was any Chrifiian Prince or Magiftrate. 
 ts fuJea And therefore, let not our refpe&ive L ongregations 
 /fl^'jwfufferthcmfclvcsto beabufed any longer with a falfc 
 
 quomodo J ° 
 
 peterit habere concilium, quod proprie Seniorum eft? Hier. ;v T f.g.2. 
 
 5 Aug. writing in his 1 37. EpiiVle to thofe of his own Church, directs 
 his Epiftle, Dilelliffimis P ambus, Cleroyfenioribus, & unit erf* plebi Ee- 
 clefia Hipponenfis. 
 
 So again. Aug. fib. 5. contra Crefamum y i'\^6. Peregrinut Presby- 
 ter, & Senior es Ecc/eJ*e Mptfjtican<t reqionis. 
 
 Again, Serrno.19 ,de verbis 'Domini. Cum ob error em aliquem a Senio- 
 ribui arguunvur)& imputantur alicui de Mis cur ebritu fuerit} &c. 
 
 Again, EpifioU Synodalis (fonciliiCarbarfuffitani apud eundem, Aug. 
 tnar.in Pfalm 56. Neceffenosfuerit ( Primia>n caufam quern plebs fanQa 
 fcarthaginenfis Ecclefict Epifcopum fuerat in oculis Dei Jortita, Senicrum 
 liter is ejufdem Ecclefia poftulantibus audire at que d f cuter e. 
 
 k Gregor. Magnus Jib.u. ep, 1 9. Si quid de quocunque (fltrico ad aures 
 tuat pervenerit, quad tejuftc pojfit ojfendere,faci/e non credos x fed pr a fenti bus 
 Ecclefx tUaSenioribuf dill tenter eft ptrfcrntanda vet it as, & tunc ft qvaUtas 
 rei popofcet, Canonic a diftrttlio cu/pamferiat delinquent is. We fliould h ave 
 added before } that in atlis purgationisCaciltani &F<elicis;yVercad Epifapi 
 Presbyteri^DUconi, Seniores. Again, Clcrici & Senior es CWthenfmm, 
 Sundry Letters were produced aad read in the conference : one directed, 
 €lero & Senioribm : another, Clericis & Senioribus. The Letter ofPur* 
 partus 10 Sylvanus, fp^aketh thus, Adhibeteconclerkos , & Senior es ple- 
 bis Eclefiaftkos vhros>& inquirant diligent er qutfint ift& di^en fonts, 
 
 belief, 
 
C47l 
 belief, that the Ruling- Elder is a new device, and an Of- 
 ficer never known in the Church of God, nor Word of God. 
 For \vt have fufficiently (as we conceive ) proved it to 
 be warranted by the Word, and to have been of ufe in 
 the purer times of the Church. 
 
 Three things we (hall defirc toadde, asaconcfufion 
 ofthisdifcourfe. 
 
 i. That there are prints of the Ruling- Elder remaining 
 smongfl us even at this day ; for as the Overfeers of every 
 T?m(h}hMc&refemhlanccofthf Deacon $ fothe Church- 
 warden hath fomefoot-fleps of our Ruling-Elder 5 though 
 we muft needs confefs, that this Office hath been much 
 abufed • and we could defire it might be laid afide , and 
 the true Scripture -Ruling-Elder fet up in his place. 
 
 2. That che Prelatical Divines, s which are fuch great Sut ii v ius<fc 
 advcrfaiics to the Ruling-Elder , do yet notwithftan- cmcii.abixaf. 
 ding, hold and prove , that men of abilities which are 8 - ^^-J-j* a " 
 not Minifters, are to be admitted into Gener all Councels ; "smmsmbu* 
 becaufc that in the Synod oftferufalcm, not only the *»,^c titers 
 Apostles, but Elders 2nd Brethren did fie and vote, bCf^tlkkJU 
 caufethiswaspradifedinthe(9/^7V//4w^/ . and be- priefts in judg- 
 caufe that this was pra&ifcd in the Councels held af- ?ing co ™ r ,^ 
 terwards in the Church of Chrift, as appears out of^'JoVcoU. 
 Eufebius, Sozomen, and Thtodoret, and by the fubferip- Hence he 
 dons of thofc Councels done by men, not Minifters , p? / ucs / g ?i" f ! 
 as well as others. ( io It oug i u co 
 
 Hence we might argue ; beimhedm- 
 
 lf other men,befides Mini Hers, are by Gods word, even in ^ becaufc 
 tht judgment tfthc Prelatic all Divine*, to be admitted into thrMivUcrifc 
 
 ^ the create fl iffernblics, and Councels of the Church, much^^^'l 
 more are they ly 1 be fame right to be aami: ted into part icu- privikdgofiU 
 lar Congregations, to fit and vote with the Mimjler m the J CYU '»- 
 Giver nmeht of the Clmrch. 
 
 3 .Addc 
 
C48] 
 
 3. Addc thirdly^ that even in the Bifhops days, for 
 theft many hundred years, there have been Ruling- El- 
 ders in the Church 5 fov the Chancellours, Commtjfaries, 
 Officials, and fuch others, were all of them Cover nours 
 of the church j and had the power offufienfion and excom- 
 munication 5 and yet were few of them, if zny,Mimjlers 
 of the Word : A nd it feems to us , to be a great cur ft of 
 God, that lyethupon mens fpirits, that could willingly 
 fubmit to chancellours & Cemmiffarics, who did nothing 
 elfe but pick their purfes,. and tyrannize over their bodies 
 andeftates, and yet will not fubmit unto the Ruling-El- 
 der now eftabli&ed, who feeks no other inter eft, tut the 
 inter ell of Chrifl , and medleth not with mens bodies or 
 e Bates, anddefireth nothing but to be help full to the Mini- 
 ftersof Chrift, to keep their Congregations in unity, piety, 
 and verity. This is all we (hall fay,in anfwer to the firft 
 Obje&ion. 
 
 The fecond grand Obje&ion againftthe Presbyteri- 
 all- Government, is, that it requires all, of all forts, to 
 come to the Minifter and Elders to be examined, before 
 they can be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords 
 Supper, which is (a$fome ignorantly fay J to bring in 
 auricular confeffion again into the Church, to bring the 
 people of God into a (pirituall flavcry and bondage 
 unto theElderfhip, and which is an ufurpation more 
 then prclaticall, and a tyrannicall domineering over 
 mens confeiences, and hath no footing in the Word $ 
 for the Scripture faith. Let a man examine himfelf andfo 
 let himeate,8cc. It is not faid, Let him firft be examined 
 by the Minifter s and Elders :the Scripture addes. He that 
 eats and drinks unworthily , eats and drinks damnation to 
 himfelf, not to the Elderftiip. And why then muft a 
 man fubmit himfelf unto the examination of tfee Elder- 1 
 
 Oiip? 
 
C-fti 
 
 lliip t and how come the Elderihi^o be guilty of ano- 
 ther mans unworthy receiving i It is further added 
 by fome^that for their parts, they will willingly come 
 before the Minifter, and fubmit to his examination, but 
 they will rather for ever be without the Sacrament, 
 then fubmit to come before the Lay Elder, for whom, 
 they fee no warrant in the Word of God : Others fay, 
 that they will fieely yield that the younger fort , that ne- 
 ver have received the Sacrament, fhould prefent them- 
 felves to the Elderjhip to be catechized, and inftru&ed, 
 and fitted for the Sactament; but they will never yield, 
 that old men and women, that heretofore have divers 
 times received, (hould now in their old age be required 
 to corae,to be examined not only by their Minifter,but 
 by the Elders alfo, who oftentimes are very unfit for 
 that Office: Others adde, that though fomc Miniftcrs 
 rigidly keep all from the Sacrament,that will not come 
 before the Elder!! ips 5 yet there are others, that arc 
 Presbyterians , and have Elders ctwfex, that atf without 
 them^nd will receive us tothc Sacrament without com- 
 ming before them. Thefe, and fuch like Obje&ions, 
 arc brought agninft this way of Examination, that is fo 
 happily begun amongft us. Now that wc might fatis- 
 fie thefe Obe&ions, and make good our prad ice out 
 of the Word of God , wc (hall briefly do thefc four 
 things. 
 
 1 . wc Will dec Lire What cur prod ice is in this particular, 
 
 2. We mil prove i that he that will come to the Sacrament? 
 ought firfl to fubmit to examination. 
 
 3. That the poWer to examine, btlonos not to the Minifter alone, 
 nor to the Mitifler rtith the wiole fturch , but to the Afihiftcr 
 and Elders. 
 
 4. We Will anfwer the Objections , that arc I r ought again if 
 this way of examination by the Minifttr and Jalders* 
 
 H For 
 
[SO] 
 For the firft of thete, \vc fay ; 
 Firft,That the Presbyterial-Government^Aoth not pre- 
 rifely & peremptorily require of thofe that come to the 
 Sacrament, that they fhould firft be examined by que- 
 ftionsand anfwers ; butif<any man or woman fh all make 
 a good profeflion of their Faithin a continued d^f- 
 courfe, without being asked any quefiions, it will be as 
 well accepted,as if they were examined by particular 
 queftions. 
 
 Secondly, that this examination or profeffion is not re- 
 quired every time men come to the Sacrament, but only 
 at their firft admifj'ion. 
 
 3. That he that is duly admitted into compleat Church- 
 fellomfhip in the Presbyterian-way,is not only by vertuc of 
 his firft admiffion, freed from all after-examination (un- 
 Icfe it be when he falls into any fcandalous tranfgrefli* 
 on)in the Congregation, to which he belongs-, but he is 
 inablcd by a certificate from his Elderfhip , to receive 
 the Sacrament in any Church of the Chriftian world of 
 the fame conftitution, without any new examination. 
 
 Fourthly , that the rcafon why ancient men and wo- 
 men,and othcrs,that have formerly under the Prelatical 
 Government been admitted to the Sacrament, arc now 
 required to fubmit to examination, before they can be 
 again admitted, doth not proceed from the nature of the 
 Presbyterian Government, but chiefly from the neglett of the 
 PrelattcaU : For it is Co evident, that it cannot be deny- 
 ed,that under the former Government , men and wo- 
 men of all fbrts,though never fo ignorant or fcandalous, 
 were in moft places admitted promifcuoufly to the Sa- 
 crament without any examination. Now this grievous 
 diforder, and great iniquity in the Prelatical Govern- 
 ment, is the principal caufeofall the trouble we meet 
 
 withal i 
 
tsq 
 
 withal iri ours \ and wc defirc carneftly our people to 
 diftinguifh with us, between a Church deformed, and 
 reformed. If the Churches of Gqdin.E/ig/<Wwerc 
 once fo rcformed,that there were an orderly admiffion, 
 by examination or profeflion, unto the Lords Table by 
 the Elderfhip -, then we fhould require none to come to 
 examination, but fuch only as never yet communicated, 
 whom we would endeavour to train up in knowledge, 
 by catechizing, and by Gods blefling, make fit in time, 
 to be partakers of fuch heavenly myfterics. But now 
 becaufeour Churches, through want of Difcipline, arc 
 deformed, & all forts have been finfully admitted with- 
 out tryal : Hence it is, that we are forced , even out of 
 tender regard to the fouls of old people, and to free our 
 fclves from the guilt of their fins, and out of defire to 
 keep theSacramcnt from prophanation,to examine even 
 aged peoplc(many of whom we find very ignorant)and 
 all forts as have been formerly admitted ( many of 
 whom wc find to be very unworthy) that fo we may 
 bring our Congregations into Gofpel-order. This we 
 fay, tvcAreabfolutdy neccfl Stated to do upon confeientiou* 
 grounds ^whicb we cannot recede from J hough wc find it very 
 prejudicial! to our frlves^andto our Government. But in the 
 meantime, we defirc our refpedive Congregations to 
 confider, that this is ancceflity, that the iniquity of for- 
 mer times hath brought upon us ^ and that it doth not 
 flow from the principles of our Government, but only 
 from the negligence and finfulnefs of Prclatical Govcr- 
 nours. 
 
 The fecond^thing propounded, is to prove, that he 
 that will come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, 
 ought firft to fubmit to examination,and tijal,as it hath 
 been formerly explained : For this purpofe,wc will lay 
 
 H 2 down 
 
down thefethree Propositions. 
 
 j . It is the Will ofjefus Chrift x thatno grofiy ignowMt^r fcan* 
 fahus perfon jhould come to the Sacrament* 
 
 2 . That tt is the Will ofjefus (fhrifl ■> that thofe Vvho are grofiy 
 ignorant, orfcandaloas, Jheuld be kept from the Sacrament (Jft bey 
 offer to come) by the Officers of the Church. 
 
 3 . That it is the Will offefus Cbrsft, that (fhHrch'Governours 
 have [owe f tiff ic tent way to find out who arefttch ignorant andfcan- 
 dalostsperfons, that they may be kfpt away. 
 
 i. Propofi- That it is the wMrfJeftiS (flyrift , that *io grofiy ignerant, vr 
 
 tion. fcandalous perfon, jhould come to the Sacrament. 
 
 i. Yio grofiy ignorant per fen , becaufe the Scripture 
 
 kith, that a matt muft firjl examine bimf elf , and fo eat of 
 
 tbit bread, and drink of that cup •, and it like wife faith,that 
 
 he that will come to the Sacrament muft be one that 
 
 difcerneth the Lords body 5 otherwife he eats and drinks 
 
 damnation to btmfelf % and it adds, that we are to do this 
 
 in remembrance of Chrfft^ and thereby to jhew forth the 
 
 Lords death till he come. And therefore a man that is 
 
 grofiy ignorant, and is not able to examine hirnfelf, nor 
 
 to difcernthe Lords body, nor to remember Chrift,nor 
 
 underftands whatitistof!<ew forth the Lords deaths 
 
 ought not to come to the Sacrament , no more then a 
 
 baptized Infant, who is therefore not to partake of this 
 
 Ordinance, becaufe of his want of knowledge. 
 
 2. No fcanddlotts perfon : This is evidenced from the 
 ' words of the Apcftk; Let a man examine bimfelf&fo let 
 him eat^&tc* from which words we gather two things : 
 
 i. That he that would come to the Sacrament, muft examine 
 himfelf; which examination ought to be according to the nature 
 of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, viz.. 
 
 1. In general; whether he be worthy tocome, or no; (not 
 with a worthinejfe of merit, but of Evangelical futtablentffe ) 
 
 2. In particular : 
 
 l .Whether he have trueFaith in Cbrifi,mt\iovx which, 
 
 he 
 
M 
 he cannot worthily eat this bread, and drink this cup. 
 
 2. Whether he truly repent for [inland from fin. For he 
 chat comes in any fuuinrepented ©f^comes unclean^d 
 fc pollutes the ordinance. 
 
 3. Whether he be truly united by love to Zfefrs ChriH^ 1 Como, 
 tndhis members • without which 3 hc cannot enjoy com- 1( *> 17 * 
 munion with them in that ordinance. 
 
 2. That he who upon due examination,can find none 
 of thefe qualifications, fhould not prcfume to come, 
 which appears : 
 
 1 . By the Apoftolical command^* let a man examine 
 himfelf^aad fo let him m ; y^ 3 and notsther&ifc. 
 
 2 . By the fin which he commits, in being guilty of the 
 body and blotdof Cbrtjl, verf. 27. 
 
 3. By the Danger he incurrcs to himfelf, [netting and 
 drinking his orvn damnation^ verf. 2p. 
 
 2. From the nature of the Sacrament. 
 T . It is the table of the Lord ^and the Lords Suffer \ and 
 cenfequently the f ricnds,and not the enemies of Chrift, 
 arc thereto incited. 
 
 2. It is an ordinance wherein we publiquclyprofefs 
 communion with Chriit and his myftical body & if he 
 that co-ncs,be by fin disjoyned from Chrift,he is guilty 
 of a /if /v legions lyeagainfi him and his Churchy whileft he 
 profeflTcth himfelf to be zfriend, and is really an enemy. 
 
 3. It is '.'according to the nature of all Sacraments,) a 
 fealing Ordinance , as is intittaiaimthoferemarkableR ™-* 11 - 
 factumcntal phrafes, This is my bedy^ this is my bleoi^ de- 
 noting not only a bare facramemal Ggnifkanon, but al- 
 
 fo a fpiritual obfignation and exhibition of Chrifts bo- 
 dy and blood, to a worthy receiver. Now a feal fuppo- 
 feth a writing to # hich it is annext, or elfe it is a mecr 
 nullity 5 and certainly thrift never intended to have hifi 
 
 Seal 
 
C54] 
 Seal put to a blank or counterfeit writing. 
 
 4. It is an ordinance appointed for the nouriftiment 
 of thofe who arc fpiritually alive,Chrifts body & blood 
 being therein conveyed nader the Elements of bread & 
 wine • which they only can cat and drink, who are alive 
 
 Joh.tf .;?. by Fakh,and not they that are dead in trefpaffes & fins. 
 
 5 . It is the New Teftament in the blood of Chrift y that is, 
 d confirmation of the New Teftament ^ and of all the promi- 
 fes and priviledges thereof in the blood of Chrift, which 
 
 1 Tim, 4.8. belong not at all to wicked men, Godlineffe having the 
 promifes of this life, and that which is to come. 
 
 By all which it appears, that it is the Will of Chrift , 
 that no fcandalous perfon Ihould come to the Lords 
 table. 
 
 i. Propofi- That it is the Will ofjefus Chrift, t hat thofe Vvho are grojlj ig- 
 tioa. nor ant > or fcanda/oujlj wkked^fljould be kept from the Sacr ament , 
 
 (if they offer to come,) bj Chttrch- Officers. 
 And this is evident : 
 
 I , From the fo^er given to Church'Officers for that purpofe. 
 2. From the cvillconfequents that will otherWife enfue. 
 1 , That fuch a power is given to Church-Officers, appears, 
 Net onely 
 
 From the proportionable pra&ice of Church-Officers 
 
 under the Old Teftament, who kept the charge of the 
 
 a iChr. holy things of God, and were appointed 2 to fee that 
 
 E^ck 9 7 none who were unclean in any thing, or uncircumcifed 
 
 8 . 'in flefh, or in heart, fhould enter into the Temple , to 
 
 *Levit.io. partake of the holy things of God, and b had a power 
 
 Ezck.ii. to put difference between holy and unholy 5 which 
 
 *& power was not mcerly docJrinali or declarative, but deci- 
 
 five^ bindings and juridically fo far , as that according to 
 
 their fentence, men were to be admitted, or excluded. 
 
 That there was a power in the Old Teftament to keep 
 
 men from the Sacrament of the Paffeovcr, for morall 
 
 wickednefle $ 
 
Liil 
 
 wickednefle i vide Aarons rod bloflbming , lib. I . cap. 
 5>,xo,&c. 
 
 But alfo 3 
 
 From that power of Government, and key of Difci- 
 pline^ committed by Jefus Chrift, to Church-Officers, 
 under the New Teftamcnt. For Chrift hath given to 
 them the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, which imply 
 notonlyakeyofdo&rine, but of difcipline, and that 
 both to keep otttfuch as Chrift would not have received in^ 
 and tojhut out fuch as Chrift would not have to continue in 5 
 The ufe of a key being for both thefepurpofes. For 
 (hutting out thofe that fliould not be continued in, as is 
 granted on all hands from divers Scriptures. c And cop- c 1 o>r. ?. 
 fequently , for keeping out thofe that fhould not be received 1 1- 
 fXthcre being the fame rcafon of both. For to what pur- Jf^* 14 * 
 pofe fbould fueh be received in , as are by Chrifis command Tit.3.10. 
 irnmedtately to be cafl out again. 
 
 2. That divers ill confequenccs will otherwife en- 
 fue, if grofly ignorant, and fcandalous perfons be not 
 kept away, is plain. 
 
 1. Church-Governours jhou f dbe very m faith full Ste- 
 wards of the Mysteries ofchrift, andpreverters of his Ordi- 
 nance. If a Steward to whom his Lord hath commit- 
 ted his goods to be carefully diftributed, to fuch as are 
 honcft, faithfull, and diligent in his field or Vineyard, 
 (hall not only admit of Loytcrers, and fuch as by theic 
 cvill example difcourage others- but alio (hall give to 
 fuch the bread and wages which belongs to them who 
 are faithfull and induftrious, fhould he not be accoun- 
 ted a very unjuft and unfaithful] Stcward,and an abufer 
 of his truft? 
 
 2. They fliould be guilty of polluting andprophaningthe 
 Sacrament. If a Minifter fhould give this Sacrament to 
 
 an 
 
I 
 I 3 
 
 an Infant, or to a Mad-man, or to ameer fool- 9 orto 
 a Swine, or a Dog, would nor all men fay this were a 
 horrible prophanation thereof/* Shall it then feem afmall 
 prophanatwn to give it unto me who is as ignorant as an In- 
 fant* and Wa'ioWeth as a Swine in the mire ofjin and uncleannefs f 
 3 . They Jbonld exysefs a great deal of cruelty and inhumanity /« 
 the fonUfhim to whom they give the Sacrament ; becaufe chey 
 give it to one who will cat and drink his own damnation. 
 
 4. They Will hereby make themf elves accejfury to his ft n of m- 
 -worthy receiving ; For it is a certain Rule in Divinity 5 He that 
 ftiffers a man to commit Jinjvhen it is in his po^er to hinder himjs 
 levit.19.17. aecejfary to the fin that that man cowmits-, as appears by the 
 «iS*m;». acxamp le of £//; And therefore, if the officers of the 
 Church that are deputed by Chrift to kcepgrofly ig- 
 norant,or fcandalous,from the Sacrament,fliallyct not- 
 withftanding fuffer them to come,and can hinder them, 
 but will not,they themfelvcs become guilty of his fin. 
 
 $ . They do hereby grie ve the Godly ,t hat are members of the 
 fame Congregation^ and as much as in them lies^ the) pollute 
 & defile the whole Congregation: Tor know yon mt, faith the 
 Apoftle, that a little Letven Uaveneth the whole lump i 
 
 6. Adde laftly , that hereby they bring down the 
 judgments of God upon the congregation-, according to that 
 text, 1 Cor. 11. 30. For this caul e many are fick. 
 
 From all this,we argue thus * If Church-Officers un- 
 der the Old Teftament had an authoritative power to 
 leparate between the holy and prophanc $ and if under 
 the New Teftament they have a p wer to keep out 
 from the Sacrament, fuch as are grofly ignorant , or 
 fcandaloufly wicked 5 and if it be the Will of Chrift , 
 that the Officers of the Church fhould be faithful Ste- 
 wards of the My fteries of Chrift, that they fhould not 
 pervert,nor pollute his Ordinance ^ that they fliould not 
 be cruel to the fouls of their Brethren, or be partakers of 
 
 other 
 
UOH. 
 
 [573 
 other mens fins ; that they fhould not grieve the Godly, 
 nor bring guilt and judgment upon the Congregation of 
 which they are Officers : Then it is the Will of Chrift, 
 that they fhould not give the Sacrament tofuch 3 who 
 aregrofly ignorant, and fcandaloufly wicked. 
 
 That it u the Will of Chrift,/^* Church- Governours i-Propdh 
 have fome fufficient way to discover who are fuch ignorant 
 and fcandalous per Jons, that they mxy be kept away. 
 
 This followeth clearly from the two former Propofi- 
 tions. For if it be the Will of Chrift, that no grofly ig- 
 norant,or fcandalous perfon fhould come to the Sacra- 
 ment •, and if they offer to come,fhould be kept back by 
 Church-Officers 5 then it follows, That they muft have 
 fufficient way to deteft who arc ignorant and fcanda- 
 lous. For Chrift never wills any endjbut he wills alfo aline- 
 ecjfa r y andfujficient mean, conducing to that end. 
 
 Now what fufficient means can be propounded or 
 imagined, for detection of ignorant or fcandalous per- 
 fbns,but by examination before thefeChurch-Oflficers; 
 examination, we fay, ofthepcrfons thcmfelvcsincafc 
 of ignorance,and of witneffes alfo in the cafe of fcandal. 
 For though in fome particular cafes for private fatis- 
 faftion, private conference with the Miniftcr alone may 
 fufficiently difcovcr the knowledge or ignorance of pcr- 
 fons \ yet in*this common cafe, for publiquc fatisfafti- 
 on touching thefitnefsofperfons for the Lords Sup- 
 per, no feflcthena publikc and judicial examination 
 before the Eldcrfhip can be fufficient * inafmuch as an 
 authoritative aft of admitting, or rcfufing the perfons fb 
 examined, depends thereupon. 
 Toilluftratethis; 
 
 If a man by his laft Will and Tcftament,fl)ould leave 
 untothc Matter and Fell >wsofa Collcdgc intrufta 
 
 I fur* 
 
C;8] 
 
 fum of mone£, to be diftributed to hopeful poor fchol- 
 lais, fuch as were well vcrft in the learned Arts and 
 Tongues : Would it not hence follow $ 
 
 i . That choie IruHccs have a power granted them by 
 th e Will, to examine thofe that come to ddhe that Le- 
 gacie. 
 
 2. That if any rcfufe to be examined, or upon exa- 
 mination be found inefficiently qualified > they have 
 authority to refufe them. 
 
 3. That them ft fufficient, proper, and fatisfaclory 
 way, is not to trufl: to Reports or Teitimonials, but to 
 examine the perfons themfelves that fue for fuch a I e- 
 gacic : So in the pre fent cafe, Jelus Chrift hath left as a 
 Legacic, the Sacrament of his Body and Blond, and hath 
 left the Church Officers in truft with it , and hath {aid 
 in his Will,That no grofly ignorant, or fcandalous per- 
 form ought to come to partake thereof -,and if any come, 
 that he be debarred from it by thofe Church-Officers, 
 Hence it followeth inevitably. 
 
 1 . That thofe in trufl have power to examine fuch as de- 
 fire to pvtak: of this Legacic, whether they be of fufftcient 
 knowledge and of good convcrfation,orno. 2. 'ha^ they 
 have power to refufe all fuch as either rcfufe to be examined^ 
 or upon examination, are found inefficient. 3. That ifihe 
 Ctsurch Officers would give up their account with oy at the 
 great day of judgment, they ought not to refl fatisfied with 
 private Reports or Informations of others 5 but to examine 
 the persons themfelves, that thereby thfcy may faithfully dif- 
 charge their trufl in a matter of fo grea: concernment ; And 
 that they that will have the Sacrament , according to 
 the will of Chrift, ought firft to fubmit themfelves to 
 fuch examination. 
 
 Jiefides this that hath been faid, to prove that thofe 
 
 that 
 
that would come to the Sacrament ought fit fl to fir'b- 
 mit to examination-, We (hall further offer thefe follo- 
 wing Arguments. 
 
 i. We argue from that general exhortation of the 
 Apoftle, i Pet. 3 . i v . But Janclife the Lord God in your 
 hearts, and he ready alwayes to give an an fiver to every man 
 that askctbyou a reajon of the hope that is in yon > with meek- 
 nefs and fear. 
 
 Now if Chriflians are bound to give an account of 
 their Faith and hope to every one that askcth them, yea 
 even to heathen Per [centers : how much more oughc they 
 to do it to the Officers of the Church.'efpecially at fuch 
 a time, when they defire to be admitted to an Ordinance 
 that is not common to all forts of Chriftians, but pecu- tzelumfigg* 
 liar to fuch as arc indued with knowledg, and of an un- ^/^^ 
 blameablc life and conversion. ».iEcchp*quod 
 
 2. Fron that power that fefusChrifl hath feated in his ^ " C(S!U 
 Church, of examining fuch as are by the WAlof Chrifl to.be $&#*&+ 
 excommunicated from the Sacrament. That there is iritJeuuUdifm 
 power of examining , in order to excommunication, J^SSri 
 appears from Matth. 18.16,17. and from Revel i.i. EccifLtcw- 
 
 vvlicrc Chrift commends the Angel of the Church qf /w ** w [f ^ c ~. 
 Ephefus, bee an fe hectmidnot hear them winch were evi' 1 , pectf&c 
 And hid try ed them who [aid, they were /fpofllts, and were & 
 not, and had found them lyars. This trying was not only ^ 
 charitative, and f rat em all, but authoritative and judicial! . 
 For it was an a3 of the Angel of the Church •, which [ - . ; ^> 
 Angel is not to be undei flood indiv dually , but Cplrum. 
 le&ively, for all the Angels in Ephefus. And that there frThatthe 
 were more Anqels then one in Ephzfcs , appears from J ';"■'' 
 Aci.io.ij. (The like may be fa id of the ".ngdof the 
 Church of Smyrna, Pcrgamus,Tbwt *»,&€. for Chrifl 
 fpcaks unto each Angel in the plural number, Rev.v 
 10,1^14.) I 1 Fro n 
 
From henee we argue, Ifhfus Chrifl hath given power Ah- 
 thoritativeljyto examine fuch as are to be cafi out from the Sacra- 
 ment* then he hath alfo given po^tr to examine fuch as are to Be 
 received in. For there is the fame reafonof both. And as the 
 power of excommunication wowld be wholly ufelefs and frnftra- 
 neous,if there were not a power of examination precedent there- 
 unto ; fo would the power of keeping fuch as are grofly ig- 
 norant or fcandalous , from the Sacrament, be utterly in vain, 
 and of no benefit to the Church of Chrift, if the power of exa- 
 mination fhould be denyed unto it. And certainly, whofoever is 
 an enemy to this power, mutt be forced to grant, that it is the 
 Will of Iefus Chrifl , that all forts of people, though never fo 
 wicked, though actually drunk, though fooles , though Turks, 
 lews, or Heathen, are to be admitted to the Saeraracnt, if they 
 come unto it. 
 
 Tor if there be no divine right of Examination^ or of rejection, 
 how dare any Church or State ajfume a potyer of making rules for 
 ■ beefing any perfonsfrom the Sacrament ? fhould they make rules 
 tor keeping ignorant and fcandalous perfons from the 
 bearing of the Word, would it not be accounted a fin 
 of an high nature ? And is it not as great a fin to keep 
 any from the Sacrament, if Chrift hath left no power 
 for the doing of it r 1 is not this to be wife above what 
 is written ? And therefore let us either admit all forts 
 to the SacramentjWithont any diflinftion of perfons, and there- 
 by become guilty of the body and blood of Chrift, and acceflary 
 to the fins of thofe that come unworthily; (as hath been faid,and 
 formerly proved,) or elfe let us diligently and confeientioofly 
 examine a 1 of all forts, that defire to be made partakers of thts 
 diftinguifhing ordinance. 
 
 3. From the titles that are given to the Officers of the 
 
 Church , and from the duty that God requires a-t their hands. 
 
 The Officers of the Church arc called Rulers and Cjovernoursfc 
 
 fuch as are over their people w the Lord. And it is their duty to 
 
 Watch over thetfouls of their people, as fuch as muft give ax account 
 
 1 Cor.11.28. fo r ^cm nntoGod Now it is all the reafon in the world,rhatthey 
 
 l Tim. 7. 1 7. that muft give an account to God for their people , fhould take an 
 
 1 Tbefl". y . 1 z. account of their people ,-and that they that Watch over their fouls, 
 
 tkbaj.17. fiould know the ftate of their fouls, And that they that are Co- 
 
vernoHrs, Ruler s y and OverfeerSy/hould teovhyinfirutl , try And 
 examine thofe over Whom thej rule and govern. 
 
 But you will fay, who arc thefc Rulers andGovernottrs, - 
 by whom we are to be examined < ^^ ' 
 
 The Anfwcr to this , will lead us to the third thing Anfa. 
 propounded 5 and that is to prove, 
 
 That the power of examining thofe that defire to be admitted te the ™ c 3- Partlcu ' 
 Lords Sapper, belongs not to the Minifier alone y nor to the Mini- 
 fter with the whole (fhurch^but to the Minifier & Ruling Elders. 
 
 i. Not tothe Mwijler alone.lndccd there isanexamina- GaU.*.wh«i 
 tion, which belongs only to the teaching- Elder, and ^^ d gpQ . 
 that isa catechizing of his people in publique,by quefti- ^fi[ y ' gni '. 
 ons and anfwers^and this is part of the key of do&rine. fictha teaching 
 
 But the examination that we are now treating of, be- ^an^rs* 
 longs to Difcifline and Government $ for it is not only a 
 naked cxaminaticn,but an autboritativedeterminingtvhe- 
 ther the fart j examined jhall Le detained from the Sacra- 
 ment, or admitted '• which is formally an ad of Church- 
 Government , and therefore belongs not tothc Mini- 
 fteralone, buttoallthofe whom Chrifthafb made 
 Church- Governours,alfb: of which fort are the Ru- 
 ling-Elders, as hath been fufficiently proved. The 
 power of Difcipline is given by Chrift not to one El- u 
 der, but to the united company of Elders : and for one 
 Miniftcr alone to affume this power unto himlelf, it is 
 to make himfelf the Church ; it is to make himlelf a 
 Congregational Popc^it is a bringing in of a Power in- 
 to the Church, that would have lome refcmblancc (as 
 was objected) to auricular confeifion. 
 
 Now there are two things wc are very confident of $ 
 
 1 . That when the Parliament gave their allowance to 
 the PresbyterialGovernmcnt,ifthey had put the whole 
 juridical power of the Church into the hands of the Mi- 
 nifier alone, they that now fcem fb willing to come to 
 be examined by theMinifter without his Elders, would 
 
 have 
 
 Nonun Sect 
 
t*3 
 
 have more bitterly declaimed againfi: that way, then 
 now they do agamft this : For this indeed were to make 
 every Minifter a Prelate in his Congregation ; and (as 
 we now faid) to bring in that which hath fome refem- 
 blance to auricular confejfton. 
 
 2. That it is as warrantable by the Word of God, for 
 one Minifter to afTume the whole power unto himfelf 
 alone, of fufpending pcrfons from the Sacrament, who 
 have been duly admitted thereunto (which is a graduall 
 cxcommunication)as it is to affumc the whole power of 
 admitting unto the Sacrament-, for contraricrumca em 
 eft ratio. And oh that our Brethren in the Miniftry, that 
 take this power unto thcmfelvcs, would ferioully con- 
 ficfer what is here faid. 
 
 Secondly, the pawer cannot be placed in the whole 
 Church colle&ivcly taken \ for then it frould be alfo in 
 children and fervants. The Scripture makes an exjd: 
 diftincftion between Rulers^ and Ruled ; and we are ve- 
 ry well affured,that if this power were feated in the Mi- 
 nifter and whole Congregation, that they that are now 
 fo unwilling to come before the Minifter and Elders, 
 would be much more unwilling to come before the Mi- 
 nifter,and whole Congiegation.And therefore we con- 
 clude. That this power of examining, and receiving un- 
 to the Sacrament fuch as are fit, and detaining fuch as 
 are found tobegrofly ignorant, and vifibly v. icked 
 muft needs belong to the Minifter, affifted with the El- 
 ders, chofen out from amongft the reft of the Congre- 
 gation : For if the Llders are Rulers, and Governours, 
 feated by God in his Church,(as hath bren abundantly 
 proved)then it will undeniably follow, Thar rvhatfoevcr 
 is properly an acl of Government jnufl be long to them as well 
 as the Minister. And $vho can deny, but that the power 
 
 of 
 
of admitting unto, or detaining from the Sacrament, is 
 an aftoi- Government i and therefore it doth by d: 
 right belong to the tldcrs , as well as to the Minifter. 
 But yet here tve mull carefully diftinguilli between the 
 act of 'examination , and the judgment given upon the 
 perfon examined. The managing of the Examination, 
 is the proper 3 ft of the teaching Elder ^ It is he that is to 
 pray tor a blefTingj It is he, thnt is for order fake to ask 
 thequeftions. But as for the determining whether the 
 party examined be fit or no to receive, this is an aft of 
 power and government, 2nd belongs not to the Mini- 
 fter alone,butto the Elderfhip. And it is a very greac 
 wonder unto us , that people fhould profefs fo much 
 dis-fatisfaftionanddi(l:ke, in coming before the Ru- 
 ling-Elders whereas they cannot but take notice, 
 
 1 . That the Elders arefnch, as they themselves havt^ or 
 might have ckofen. 
 
 2 . They arc : ho fen for the relief and benefit of the Congre- 
 gation. 1 hat fo the Minifter might not be fole judge of 
 thofe that are to come to the Sacrament,but might have 
 others joyned with him,to fee that he doth nothing out 
 of envy, malice, pride, or partiality, but that all things 
 be managed for the good and edification of them , for 
 whofe fake they are chofen: which two particulars, if 
 our people did ferioufly confider, they would quk kly 
 be pcrfwaded to a hearty and an unanimous fubmiffion 
 unto this ordinance of Jtfus Chnft. 
 
 There remains the fourth thing yet behind, which is 
 an anfwering of the objections that are brought againft 
 this way cf examination by Minifter and Elders. But 
 this, and divers other conddcrable things , which we 
 fl all propound,to per/wade people unto a checifulobe- 
 ifcencc to this part of Church- Rcfoniiution/o comfor- 
 tably 
 
tably begun in many Congregations in this Kingdomc 5 
 We (hall leave , till we come to that part of this dif- 
 courfc,whicb we call, The E X H O R T A T I O N ; 
 to which we refer the Candid Reader, that defires fur- 
 ther fatisfaftion. 
 
 And thus we have given you a fhort furvey of the 
 nature of the Presb} terial Government 5 together with 
 an anfwer tothemoft material objections againftit: 
 which we have done only for this end, that fo (as we 
 have faid) we might undeceive thofc, who look upon it 
 as lordly and tyrannical ; and by thefe bug-bears , arc 
 feared from fubmittingto it. Andwebefcech our fe- 
 vcral Congregations, to judge of it, as it is here repre- 
 fented, and to be willing to come under the yoke of it, 
 whichis light andeafie, (being the yoke of thrift; and 
 which will in a fhort time make ourCongrcgations(if re- 
 ceived into them) glorious for their unity, -verity, and 
 piety. 
 
 We are not ignorant, that it hath many Adverfarics. 
 The obftinately ignorant hates it , becau fc it will not 
 fuffer him to go blindfold to hell. Theprophsncper- 
 fon hates it, becaufe it will not fuffer him to eat and 
 drink his own damnation, by unworthy coming to the 
 Sacrament. The Hcretique hates it, becaufe after two 
 or three admonitions, it rejefts him. The Jefuite hates 
 it, becaufe it is an invinci blc bul wark to keep out Pope- 
 ry. The Schifmatique, becaufe the main defign of it, is 
 to make all the Saints to be of one lip,onc heart,and one 
 way. And above all,the Devil hates it,bccaufe if rightly 
 managed, it will in a fhort time blow up his kingdomc. 
 But notwithftandingall thefe great and potent ene- 
 mies 5 our comfort is, That this Government is the Go- 
 vernment of Jefus Chrift , who is the King of his 
 
 Church, 
 
[*53 
 
 Church,tndhath given unto usthekeyesofhis King- 
 donijandhathpromifedtobe withus, to protcft and 
 defendustothe end of the world- upon \\ hofc (boul- 
 ders the government is laid • & though we be utterly un- 
 able, yet he that was able to bear the wrath of God up- 
 on his ftioulders, is able to bear up this Goverment a- 
 gainft the wrath of man. For this end andpurpofe, all 
 power in heaven and earth is given unto him 5 and he is 
 now fitting at the right hand of God, for the more ef- 
 fectual excrcifing thereof : and will there remain,till he 
 hath made all his enemies his foot-ftool. Whofe privi- 
 ledge it is, to rule in the midft of his enemies : And 
 will one day fay, Thole mine enemies , which would 
 not that I fhould reign over them, bring hither and flay 
 them before mc. Be wife now therefore , Oye Kings \ 
 be inflrucltdje fudges of the Earth • ferve the Lord with 
 fear } and rejoyce with trembling* Kijfe the Son left he be 
 *ngrj^ and ye pen fh from the wayjohen his wrath is kindled 
 but a little > t blejfed are all they that put their trujl in him. 
 
 THcrc remains the fecond particular yet behind 5 and 
 that is the Vindication oj ourperfons^ ( efpecially of 
 fuch amongft us, who are teaching Elders, ) from the 
 (landers and cruel reproaches that are caft upon us 5 
 which we fl all undenakr , not fo much for our own, as 
 for our peoples fake Jeft hereby ou r Miniftry (houlc! be 
 rendrecfufelefsand ineffectual •, for (as M Anjlim CAih) *&&fudem 
 though a M.mjlerszood unfao.cc is fuff.aent for tmjefi ^J^ 
 jet hu^ood name isnecejfar y for bis people : whoordinar- ptmneufmk 
 lydif cfteemthcDoftrine of him, whofe pcrfon they ft^^f^j 
 d f-eftccm. We thank God, we can fay with the A po i n E:cmo. 
 file, wii h us, It is a very fmall thing tb>it we fhculdbe jud- 
 ged of mans judgment : He tha' judgeth us u the Lord. We 
 K Ecmcmbcr 
 
remember what the Apoftlc tells us in that little Book 
 of Martyrs, of 'divers Saints, whofe fhoe-latchets we are 
 not worthy to untye •, who endured cruellmockingsjea more- 
 over bonds and impr if onments, they wereftoned, tbey were 
 fawn off under ^ were tempted, were fain with the [word ,&c. 
 of who » the world was not worthy ,and yet even they were 
 sot t ' ought worthy to live in the world. And therefore 
 we can with the more willingnefs, fuffer otir felvesto 
 be the But of every mans malice,and the fubjeft of eve- 
 ry dayes Pamphlec. We read, that even Elias himfelf 
 was called the troubler of ifrael, by him who was the 
 chief troubler thereof. And that Saint Paul , who was 
 wrapt up into the third heaven, was arcufed by Tertul- 
 lus, to be a Pefl/lent fellow, and a mover of [edition among 
 all the fews throughout the world.- And that the Primi- 
 tive Confeflbrs and Martyrs,famous for the holmefs of 
 their liyes,werc charged before die Heathen Emperors, 
 to be the vildeft of men 5 to be firft murderers,and then 
 eaters of their own children 5 to be guilty of inceftuous 
 Tcnuiiian. marriages, and in their private meetings to commit un- 
 A P ol °g et - cleannefs. And their Religion alfo was reprefented, as 
 the caufeofall the Earthquakes, famines, plagues, and 
 other miferies of thofc times. 
 
 We have formerly made mention of the reproaches 
 which the Anabaptifs o£ Germany caft upon Luther^ and 
 we might addc the horrible and prodigious lies & (lan- 
 ders railed by the Arians againft Athanafixs, that great 
 Champion of Jefus Chrift^and the hideous and ftrange 
 reports, and bitter inveftivesof Michael Servetus 3 and 
 Zolfeclc, againft Calvin. But that which doth quiet our 
 fpirits,more then all this, is,the confideration of Chrift 
 Jefus himfelf, who when he was here upon Earth, was I 
 accufed to bean Enemy to C«efar, 4 friend to Publicans! 
 
 And! 
 
C«7] 
 ur/Sinnlrs,* Glutton and aWine-bibber^&cc. His enough 
 for the Difciple / hat he be as his Maftcr, and the Servant 
 as his Lord g if they have called the Majler of the houfe Bcl- 
 zebub 5 how much more JhaH they call them of his Houjholdf 
 As for the particular accufacions that are charged up- 
 on us, they are, weconfcfs,very many, and very great^ 
 and if to be accufed, were fufficient to make us guilty, 
 we were of all menmoft miferablc. But wc hope it 
 may be faid of us, as it was ©ncc ofCato, That as he was 
 32. times accufed) fo he was 32. times cleared and abfo'vtd. 
 And we truft, that the Lord will in due time, difpell all 
 thefe thick mifts and fogs which our adversaries have 
 raited up againft us, and bring forth at laft our Right- 
 enfneffe as the light, and our judgment as the noon day. And 
 we do here pro fefs before the great God, that in all the 
 great changes that have bin lately made amongftus, it 
 hath been our great endeavour to keep our felves un- 
 changed, making the unchangeable Wordom Rule , and 
 the unchangeable God our Reck. And wc are confident, 
 that no mnn will account us Apoflatlzedfrom our princi- 
 ples, but fuch as arc in a great meafure Apoflcti&cd from 
 their orvnpro f e(fions There arc fomc men that Proteus- 
 like, can transform them into all (hapes, for their own 
 advantage, according to the times wherein they live ; 
 and Camelioa-like, can change themfelves into any co- 
 lour but white can turn any thing,but what they fhould 
 be. Andbecaufc we cannot chance our ccnfcienccs 
 with the times, asfomc do; therefore , and therefore 
 only,aixwc counted C/*/?e///**j. It is juft with fuch men, 
 as with men in a fliip at Sca,that will not be perfwaded, 
 but that the lhorc they pafs by moves, and not the (hip 
 wherein tVcy arc. As for Us,\vcare,and hope ("through 
 Gods grace; ever (hall befixt and immoveable in our 
 
 K a * fiift 
 
C««3 
 firft principles. We were not the cauftrs of the firft 
 War, between King and Parliament 5 but were called 
 by the Parliament to their afliftance : and the ground 
 of our ingaging with them was, The Pr pofitions and Or- 
 ders of the Lord;, and Commons in PirL fan. i o. 1 642 . for 
 bringing in of mon/ and plate, &c. wherein they af- 
 furcd us, that whatever (hould be brought in ihcrecp- 
 on, (hould not at all be employed upon any other occa- 
 fi p, 7 hen to maintain the Proteflant Religion, the Kings 
 authority and bis perfon, in his Roy a 11 Dignity the free 
 courfeofjufiice-, the Laws of the Land •, the peace of the 
 Kingdom ; and the Privtledges of Parliament, againfi any 
 force which fbaUoppo ethem. And in this we were daily 
 confirmed & incouraged more and more, by their mr- 
 ny fu lequent Declarations and Protcitations , which 
 we held our felvcs bound to believe, knowing many of 
 them godly and confeicntious men,of publique Spirits, 
 zealoufly promoting the good both of Church and 
 State. The War we ingaged in by Authority of Parlia- 
 «inh:sBook ment, was only defenfive, (which not only • Bifhop 
 of ehriftian Bilfon, and b Bifhop Sede/I,but divers others of the Pre- 
 KsTettr; kricatway hol <* to be )uftand warrantable.) We nc- 
 tomdefwtk. vcr oppofed the King further,then He oppofed His own 
 Laws : Our aym in all that great Undertaking (as the 
 great Hcart-fearchcr knows) was to fecure Religion, to 
 freferve the Government of the Kingdom,andto ren>ove the 
 Wicked from before the Kingfhat his Throne might he etfa- 
 blifhedin Right eoufnefs* 
 
 And this A&of ours, was not at all contrary to the 
 Oath otAtlegeance which we have taken \ becaufe the in- 
 tent of thatOath can be no othcr,then to oblige to obey 
 the King, according to the Laws of the Kingdome 5 and 
 to our knowlcdg, we never <jifobcy cd the King in his le- 
 gal! 
 
[#1 
 
 gall and pdlitical capacity \ though wc con r cfs wc did, 
 and by the Law were allowed to deny obedience un- 
 to him in h ; spcrfonall capacity , when it did crofshis 
 legall. And therefore they that charge usio deeply, 
 and reiterate their charge by their multiplyed Pamph- 
 lets, That we Mimfters are the can; e of all the Murders and 
 B'osd fh ddingsofthefe /ate years, and other bomd -practi- 
 ces which we forbear to mention, have the greater fin. 
 
 But our comfort is, the witnefs of our Conftienccs, 
 and the integrity of our Carriages ; and we doubt not 
 but we can truly appeal, as David did, when he was ac- 
 cufed for feeking the life otSaul. The Lordjudg be ween 
 them andns , and plead our caufe^ and deliver ut out of the 
 bands tftbeje cruetl and unreafonable accufers. This i* all 
 wc (hall return in anfwer to the firft War •, As for the fc- 
 cond War, we profefs, [wc ftand amazed at the impu- 
 dencyofthat man, who is not afraid, evenagainft his 
 own confcicncc (wefcar) to fay of the Presbyterian J.G. 
 
 Miniftcr.« t That they did fepa^afe their consecrated Luxgs , for 
 Bellows to blow up the Coals tmongft the People this laft Sum- 
 mer ; That th'J Vcere the Qhofily Fathers of allot th: great eft fart 
 rftho r e Ami- Pa" Lament or j Bar abates, Who Jo lately commenced 
 Mafters of Mi f -rule in Surrey, Suflex,Kenr, E fox, Wales, &c. 
 That in [lead ofltfi i ig up their vojees lilej Trumpets, to caufe the 
 People to Itnow their abominations, thej lift them up like Trum- 
 pets, to prepare them to commit abominations ^tf-c, Tiuc Tumulcs* 
 Infnrrcftions, and Rebellions of the People againii Authority, 
 in order to the advancement of High Presbjtery, feem lawfully 
 jeajind commend* le practices unto many oftbem. To all which, 
 
 and Multitudes of fuch like cruel inveftives, wc return 
 the anfwer of the Archangel, fade 9. The Lord rebuke 
 thee. It is well known to all that are not wilfully and 
 malicioufly blind, what help the Presbyterian Mini- 
 ftcrs and Peopcl did contribute towards the quenching 
 
 of 
 
£70] 
 of thofe flames ; and that in all probability, the Army 
 had been utterly deftroyed, had not the Presbyterian 
 Forces in Lancafbire, Suffolk^ Effex, and in divers other 
 places (incouraged by the Minifters) come in timoufly, 
 and vigorously to their affiftancc. And the time was, 
 when this was ingenuoufly acknowledged by one of 
 thechicfeftofthc Army, though the fore- mentioned 
 Pamphleter, pofTefTed with prejudice againftus, will 
 not remember any fuch thing ; and though fomc of us 
 be like to be dealt withall by way of rccompencc, juft 
 as M. Tullius Cicero was , who had his head cut off by 
 Popilius Laen*s , whofe head he had faved from cutting 
 off • or as Conftans^ the Son of Conftantine the great was 
 ferved, who was kil'd by one Magncntius y whofe life he 
 dtTrahiftoH 16 ^ formerly preferved. And what the Minifters of 
 cum, parsi. London in particular did in this kind,is well known to all 
 paging. unprejudiced Citizens. We did not abet (as we are 
 falfly accufed ) but abhor and deteft, that horrid vio- 
 lence offered to the Parliament, upon that fat all Munday, 
 July 6. 1647. We have always been,and ftill arc friends 
 to the Privitedges of Parliament , according to our Cove- 
 nant. And for this very caufe it is, eve? becaufe we will 
 not break the priviledgcs of Parliament, that we fuffer 
 fo deeply from thefclund of ixien at this day. Although 
 we could (if recriminations were good anfwcrs)put 
 them in mind of Pamphiets.not a few,written by them, 
 .and thofe of their way, in jupf cation ef as horrid affs of 
 violence offered to the Parliament. When the Settifh 
 Army came laft into England, (though we arc fhame- 
 fully traduced , as if we had encouraged and invited 
 them to come in J yet our confcienccs do witnefs with 
 us, and our Auditors can teftifie for us, that we did nna- 
 iiimoufly oppofethem, as men that pretended the Co- 
 venant, 
 
C70 
 o/fluw, b« a&ed quite contrary unto it. We profefs, 
 that in confcicncc wc are bound, and in pra&ice we 
 fhall endeavour to obey law full Author it) in all larvfull 
 things 5 and when wc cannot a&ivdyobey, we (hall 
 be ready pafsivcly tofubmtt.tf our hearts deceive us not, 
 we have no defignbutthe^A/^fl/cW, no inter eft Ufa 
 that of Religion, We deftre more to/w fpirit^lls ,then 
 reap temporalis. And that Chrift andhisGofpel, may 
 be exalted, though upon our mines. Pardon us, that 
 we become fools in glorifying, for ye have compelled 
 us. We hunt not after tythes , and great Livings, but 
 feek the falvation of our peoples fouls$ and had our ene- 
 mies a window into ou r hearts, they would finde thefe 
 ourprofeffions to be true and unfeigned. And yet ws 
 muft crave leave to tell thefe men, 7 hat the deftgn of ta- 
 king awty Ty the s from the Ministry , was firft invented by 
 that eurfed ' 4 pojlate Julian , who(as Mr. Stock that Re- M .st*\ upon 
 verend, pious, and painfull Preacher hath obferved^b^^^'^ 
 this means is noted, more to haze overthrown the Church, then *k *" 
 the persecuting Em fey ours before him. Becanfe they tcok^away 
 Presbyters, And their Martyrs blood was the feed of the Church,) 
 but he tooh^ aft ay Tresbyterium, the Alhiftry it fclf in with' 
 drafting the maintenance from the Church, ~and f§ overthrew the 
 
 WorfhipofGod. As for our way of preaching , though 
 we arc far from juftifyingany indiscreet andpafsionate 
 exprefsions^yct we conceive it to be very hard meafurc, 
 to have our integrity arraigned and condemned forftu- 
 manc infirmities. And we hope we may, without boa- 
 fling, fay thus much \ That the fetled Mtntflry of Eng- 
 land wzs never more cenfurd^molefted^mpoverilhed j and 
 yet never more pious,pcaceable y and painfull. And that our 
 condition iathisjun&ure of affaires, is (lift like that of 
 the Romane, That had a fait commenced againfl him, be* 
 tdufe he did not receive the fword of his enemy far enough in+ 
 
 u 
 
i* his bowel. And that therefore it is that fome men 
 rail ag4inft us, becaufe we will not break our Oathes and 
 Covenants, and will not ferve tie times, but ferve the 
 Lord. It is a great refrefhing to us, to confidcr the wife 
 ci penfation of God, in ordering the affaires of this 
 Kingdome, (b , as he hath thereby difcoveredthe hid- 
 den hypocrifie and couftnage of many men, unto thofc 
 who oiherwife would not have believed it. And wc 
 carneftly intreat theft men to confider , as in the fight 
 of God, before whoft dreadfull judgment Seat , both 
 wc and they muft (hortly give an account of all 
 things done in theft our moi tall bodies • Whether in 
 that dreadful day it will appear a righteous thing , If 
 thofe who have cryed down Persecution ft *uch, ihould 
 now therafelves become the greatejl Persecutors. And if 
 they who have formerly abhorred others,as men tran- 
 fportcd with an Jntichrifiianfpint y but for a bare fufpi- 
 tion, that if they got power into their hands, they 
 would prove crueli and jrannicali to poor tender c$n[ckn- 
 ttjf,fliould now a&ually attempt to do that themfel ves, 
 the which upon bare (ufpirion , they di^| condemn in 
 others : And if any who have accufed others for fceking 
 great Offices, and places of gain and prefcrmcnt,0iould 
 nowmanifcft thcmfelves to be none of the leaftftlf- 
 feekers. Alas ! who knows, or can difcern the deceit- 
 fulnefs of our hcarts^and that if we give way uponmeer 
 outward occurrences, to change our principles, but 
 that upon further changes , the Righteous Lord »ay 
 leave us to Satans ftrongcr dclu(ions,to tranfpert us fur- 
 ther, then at prefent can come in our hearts to imagine; 
 that fo after all the glorious beginnings in the Spirit, 
 we fhould fearfully Apoftatize,and end in the flelh>For 
 our pans, wc tremble to think of thofc formidable 
 
 IudgmentS 
 
C73l 
 Judgments of onr Righteous Cod. And our prayer to 
 God is, that he would keep us finccre in all changes, 
 and that he would plead our caufe for us. And our re- 
 joycing, tstbe ttflimony of our consciences 3 that in fimflicity 
 and godly fine erity^ not witbflefhly mfdomefout by tbe grace 
 §f God^ we have had our conversation in the world. It is 
 the integrity of our confciences 5 that carries us above all 
 the reproaches and flanders that are caft upon us : and 
 that makes us go on in doing our duties, maugre all 
 oppofition -j and cc commit the maintaining of his own 
 caufe, and the cleeringofour callings and perfbns unto 
 the Lord, who judgcth righteoufly. 
 
 The EXHORTATION. 
 
 Aving thus in few words , vindicated 
 £4 ps^l f^v both our Government and our Pcr- 
 rsl L J^V .J £ f° ns > we concc i Ve itnecefTary tofub- 
 joyn an Exhortation unto all theMi- 
 nifters^and Elders,and people,thatarc 
 within the Province; which we (hall 
 branch into thefe enfuing particulars : 
 
 i. Wcfhall dircdlour fpeech unto the Minijlers and 
 Ruling Elders J bat have accepted of \ and do att according 
 to the Rules of the Predjtcnan Government^ they are con- 
 joyned in one and the fame Presbytery. 
 
 2. Un.o tbofe of our refpctfive Congregations \that fubmit 
 unto the Government^ and Arc admitted unto the Sacrament 
 of tbe body and blood 'cfcbrift, in tbe Presbyterian way. 
 
 3 . Unto tbofe that live Wilkin the bounds of tbe Province ^ 
 and have not yet (ubmittci to the Government, nor are ad- 
 
 L mitted 
 
[7+: 
 
 mined to the Sacrament, in the Presbyteriall my. 
 
 i . Wc (hall direft our fpeech unto the Miniftcrs and 
 Ruling- Elders , that have accepted of, and do aft ac- 
 cording to the Rules of the Presbyterian Government, 
 as they are conjoyned in one and the fame Presbytery. 
 That which we have to fay unto them, is, 
 Toperfwadethemto be faithfull in the difchargeof 
 the great trufi committed unto them. To be a Ruler in 
 Gods boufe, as it is a place of great honour, fo alfb of great 
 truB 5 and he that hath this truft committed unto him, 
 ought to be one of a thoufand. It is a good faying of 
 an Heathen, Magi fir atns virum indie at , Magiftracy will 
 try a man what he is ,fo will this office you. Such are 
 the mountains of oppofition you are like to meet with- 
 all 5 fuch is the courage you rau ft put on 5 fuchisthe 
 wifdome and piety you muft be cloathed withall , that 
 we may truly fay with the Apoftlc , Who is fufficientfor 
 thefe things ? As Tacitus faith ofGalba, that he was Ca- 
 pax imperii,nifi imperajfet, thought very fit to have been 
 an Emperour, had he not been an Empereur • fo there arc 
 many that have been thought fit to be Elders , till they 
 were made Elders, Many that feemed very good, when 
 private Chriftians 3 when advanced into places of truft, 
 have proved very wicked. To have the body and blood 
 efchriflSacramentallinyourcuflody 5 To be made Kee- 
 pers of Chrifls Vineyard, and watchmen over his flock ; To 
 have the keyesofthe Kingdom of Heaven commuted unto 
 you: This is not only a great honour , but a great bur- 
 den. And therefore it muft be your exceeding great 
 eare, fo to behave your felves in the Church of God, 
 which is his houfe, that you may give up your account 
 with joy at that great day. For this purpofe we Exhort 
 you s 
 
 i. That 
 
C753 
 
 i. That you would labour to difchargc yourOfficc 
 with care and diligence, according to the advice of the 
 Apoftle, Let him that Ruleth, Rule with diligence. The Rom.^i.8. 
 Apoftle forefaw how negligent Elders would bc,in the 
 truft committed unto them ; and therefore hechofeto 
 lay this fpcciall injun&ion upon them. You muft not 
 fuffer the key of difcipline tc&uft for warn of ufing, but 
 muft remember, that the life of difcipline is in the exe- 
 cution •, and that the unprofitable fervant was caftinto 
 //*//, not for ahufmg 5 but for not improving of his Talent. 
 
 2. That you would ftudy to Rule with all humility 
 and Self-denyal , not as lording it over Gods heritage, iptt.f. 
 but as being examples to theilock , remembringthe 
 faying of our blefted Saviour, The Kings of 'the Gentiles Luk.i*.!^** 
 exercife Lordjhip • And they that exercife authority upon 
 them } are called Benefactors : But ye pall not I e fo. But h 
 that isgreatefl among you, let him be as the younger ; and he 
 that is chief(o: y as it is in the Greek, he that Ruleth, )as ( 
 he thatferveth. You muft not be as Diotrephes y who lo- fyfa 1 '®"- 
 ved to have the Preheminence \ not as the Pharifees , who 
 laved the uppermoft roomes at feafls, anci the chief feats in ft0 If * ^ 
 the Synagogue. 
 
 3. That you would labourto Rulethe Church of 
 God with all peaceab 'enefcand quietnefs j doing nothing 
 out of contention, envy, or malice 5 but all out of pure 
 love, with thefpirit of m-ceknefs and patience. 1 hac 
 the people may read love and gentlcncfs written upon 
 all your admonitions and cenfures. For the fervant of 
 the Lord must not (Irive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to z xkn^ii is 
 teach, patient^ in all meeknef injtrutting thofe that o\pofei6. 
 thtmfelves y if God per adventure wiHgive them repentance ', 
 to the acknowledgment of the truth ; And that they may re- 
 cover thcmfelves out of the (hare of the Devili^who are taken 
 
 L 2 captive 
 
C7« 
 
 captive b) him at his will. Famous is the faying of our 
 Saviour, Have fait in your felves^ and peace ens with ano- 
 ther. By [ally is meant ( as Chemnitm and others ob- 
 ferve,) fincere dotlrine and difcipline , whereby the peo- 
 ple of God are feafoned, and kept from the putrefadion 
 offinanderrour •, this/i/ns fotobe fprinkled, as thai 
 if it be pofliblc^it may have peace ]oyncd with it. Have 
 fait inyourfelves^ and peace one wnh another. T here are 
 that think ,that fiacerc difcipline and peace cannot ftand 
 together, but they arc confuted by Ghrifts own words. 
 The readied way to have true peace one with another, 
 is to have fait within our felves. There are indced,fbme 
 Congregations, that have this fait, without this peace 5 
 which is a mifery to be exceedingly bewailed.Therc are 
 others which have^w* without this /<#//, but this peace 
 is a wicked pe*ce& peace«with fin and errcur,which will 
 end in damnation.Butbleffedand happy are Jaofc Con- 
 gregations, that have fah in themfelves^andtrue Chriftian 
 peace one with another. A Church- Officer mud not be a 
 bramble, rending and tearing the people committed to- 
 his charge, but as zfgtree,vine, and *//<i'iftw,refrc£hiiig 
 them with his fatneffe^fwetnefj'e. and fruit ftdmjfe. 
 
 4. That you would labour to make your Congrega- 
 tions purc,a* well as peaceable $ following after piety, 
 as much as verity and unity. That all your people un- 
 der your charge, may be vifiblc Saints atleaft. It is the 
 great complaint that fome take up againft the Predyte- 
 riall Government > that it ftudieth unity and truth, but 
 ncgle&eth Rolinefs and purity. And therefore we be- 
 feech you Brethren, by our Lord Jcfus Chrift , who is 
 called the holy Qne , that you would labour to free the 
 Government from this fcandal. If there be any under 
 your mfpe<3iongrofly ignorant 3 or of fcandalous life 
 
 and 
 
C773 
 
 andconveffation, you ought not to admit him to the 
 Sacrament 5 for if you do, you are acceflary to his fin 
 of unworthy receiving 5 you are inftrumentall to the 
 damnation of his foul 5 you pollute the ordinance •, you 
 offend the godly amongft you; you render the Govern- 
 ment obnoxious to juft exception \ and you bring down 
 the heavy judgments of God upon the Congregation. 
 If there be any that after admiffion prove fcandalous, 
 you are to admonifh him 5 and if he continue obftinate, 
 you arc to put aw>iy from mongyour f elves that wicked 
 perfon, to purge out the old leaven ^ that you may be a 
 new lump. And this you arc to do: 
 
 1. For the Churches fake ^ that the Church in which 
 you are Rulers, may not be infeded •, for knew you not > 
 that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump f 
 
 2. For the (inner s fake ^ you muft deliver fuch a one 
 unto Sat an for the deflruttion oftbeflejhjhat thefpirit may 
 befaye i in the day of the Lordifcfus. 
 
 3. For Chritts Jake , that his name may not be difho- 
 nourcd, and that he may noc be forced to depart from 
 yourAtfemblies. 
 
 4. Forthe Ordinances fake, that they may not be pol- 
 luted. 
 
 5. For your own fakes^ that you maynQt be damned 
 for other mens fins. 
 
 Oh that our words might take impreflion upon all your heart?, 
 that are Miniilers and Llders within the Prtviiice ! what a glo- 
 rious thing were it, if it might be faid of all our Congregations , 
 that they are not only truest pure Churches, and Churches ur.i- 
 ted in love y andin the truth ? How would this tend to the honour 
 of Jefus Chrift, the King of his Church f How woald this make 
 him delight to dwell in themidlt of you t How would this ftop 
 the mouthes of Anabaptifts,Browniits,and Independents.' How 
 would the blood of Jefus Chrift be preferved from 
 
 propha- 
 
rits, fccking the things of Chrift before, and more then 
 
 your own $ mourning more for the miferies of the 
 
 Church, then your own - 7 and re)oycing more in the 
 
 profperity of Sion, then your own. 
 
 A Church Officer muft be like old £//,who was more 
 
 troubled atthcloflfeofthe^r^ then the death of his 
 
 two fons. And like the Pfalmift , that bewailed more 
 
 „ the burning of Gods houfe y then his own •, and the defola- 
 
 Pfal. 7 4.& 137? t { on ofaiJs Churchy then of the Kingdome. 
 
 8. That you would labour to be of a liherali and free 
 Jpirit^ feeding theflock of God which is among you , taking 
 the over fight thereof ] not by conftraint, but willingly^ not for 
 filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. A Covetous Judas will 
 betray Jefas Chrift for thirty pieces of filver,and fell a 
 good confcience for a mefTe of pottage ; and be prodi- 
 gal of the blood of Chrift, rather then lofe his trading, 
 
 9. That you would labour to be of a courazious and 
 refolute (fir it , valiant for the truth and cauje of God ; as 
 Luther was , who alone oppofed a world of Enemies 5 
 and as Athanafim, who was both as an Adamant \ and a 
 Loadftone, in his private converfe 5 he was very courte- 
 ous and affable,drawing all men to him,even as a Load- 
 ftone doth iron •, butinthecaufe of God, and of his 
 truth, he was unloveable, and unconquerable as an Ada- 
 mant. There is nothing will caufe you fooner to apo- 
 ftatize from your Principles, and from your pra&ices, 
 then bafe fear of men. This made even Peter deny Chrift*, 
 and David,v\m to the Phililfims, & Abraham £0 diffem- 
 ble.The Wife man fa\th,Thefearoffnan bringethafnare, 
 but who (0 putteth his trujl in the Lord,J1)all be fafe. Our 
 prayer to God for you, is. That the Lord would [/peak 
 unto you with a (Irong hand • and in/IrucJ you, that you way 
 not walk in the way oft hi* people, faying a Confederacy unto 
 
 thofe 
 
 urns homojo- 
 lm tot'im orbls 
 impetmfufti- 
 Wit. 
 
 Tfai.8.il 3 x»,l 
 13,14- 
 
[80 
 
 tbofe unto* whom this people /hall fay a Confederacy • nor 
 fear their fear: but [ancJtfie the Lord of hofl> in your hearts , 
 and make him your fear and your dread. And you have a 
 moft blcfled promife added, Thztfefw Christ will be 
 unto you for a Sanctuary, to proteft and defend you in the 
 day of your greateft fears and dangers. 
 
 10. That you would labour to be of a tender ftirit, 
 tender of the honour of God,of the blood of Chrift Sa- 
 cramental, of the fouls of the people committed co your 
 charge, ofthctruths and Government of Chrift. A 
 Church-Ofificcr muft not be a Callio , not caring what 
 becomes of Rcligion,and the intereft of Chrift. Nor a 
 luke- warm Laodicean, neither hot nor cold , left he be 
 fpewed out of the mouth of Chrift . But he muft be a 
 Jofiab^vhok commendation was this,that his heart was 
 tender 5 a David, whofe eyes ran down with rivers of tears, 
 becaufe men kept not the law : a Jeremiah > who wifhed, 
 that his head were waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears , 
 that he might weep day and night for the fain of the daugh- 
 ter of his people. 
 
 1 1 . That you would per fever e and centime in the great 
 truft committed unto you, not defercing,nor neglcfting 
 the duty thercof,for any prefent difcouragements what- 
 foever % remembring what our Saviour frith, He that 
 hath put his hand to the plough ,andlookitb back, is not fit for 
 the Ktngdome of Heaven. 
 
 We cannot deny, but there arc many things to dif- 
 hcarten you, and make you gro\f faint and weary 5 a//z., 
 your own iniiifliciency to fo great a work 5 thcuntrafl- 
 ablencflc, and unperfvvadeablencfle of many among the 
 people to fubmit unto the Government The /mall be- 
 ginnings of reformation in Church- Government unto 
 which we have yet attained , and efpecially the little 
 
 M countc- 
 
03 
 
 countenance that it finds with many, from whom it 
 might moft juftly be expe&ed. Yet notwithftanding, 
 we hope 5 that that God which hath ftirred you up to 
 help to lay the firft done in this building, will not fuffcr 
 you to leave the work , till the head Jlone be brdught 
 forth with (homings, crying, gr*ce, grace unto it. For 
 this purpofe; we defire you earneflly to confidcr with 
 us-, 
 
 i. That the Authority by which you aft, is divine. 
 For the office not only of a teaching , but alfo of a Ru- 
 ling Elder, is founded upon the Word of God,as hath 
 been already (lie wed. 
 
 2 . That the Government which you have entrcd up- 
 on, is not a Government of mans framing > but the Go- 
 vernment of Jefus Chrift 5 who as King and Head of 
 his Church, hath appointed you your work, and hath 
 Matth 18.20. promifed. That where two or three of jou Mre gathered to- 
 gether in hisn&me, then te be in the mtdfl of yon , to pro* 
 ted, direct, fan&ifie, fupport,and comfort you. This 
 Chrift is tbatftone cut out of the mountain without hands, 
 that wiU defiroy aU the Kingdomes that oppofe him and ha 
 Government, and will h'mfelf become a great mountain^ ft- 
 att ' 1,3M *' ling the whole earth. The time is fhortly coming, when 
 the Kingdomes of this world fhall become the Kingdoms of 
 our Lord, and of his Chrifi •, when the mountain of the 
 
 MkahjLj j. houfe\of the Lordjballbe eftablijhedin the top of the mountains, 
 and it jhaH be axalted above the hills, and people /ball flow unto it : 
 And many Nations flail fay, Come a„dlet us go tip to the Moun- 
 tain of the Lord, and to the houfe of *the God of 'Jacob, andhe\vill 
 teach us his Mayes, and We VrM Malkjn hispathts* And that Na- 
 tion mdKingdome, that Vvillnotferve the Lord Chrifi , /ball pe* 
 rifb,yea thofe Nations fball be utterly wafted. 
 
 iTim M ' ' J* ^ ^ e ^ward you fhall have for the faithfull conti^ 
 tihtflw nuance in your office, is not from men>(t hough you de. 
 
 fcrvc 
 
fcrvc, and ought to have even from men double hon- 
 our , and arc to be had in high cfteem from your work 
 fake,) but from God, who hath promifed to give you 
 a crewn tf glory , that fadeth not away , when the chief e 
 Shepherd Jball appear •, which promifc is applicable, not ' Vct -5'*> 
 only to the teaching , but Ruling Elder ; the Apoftlc 
 fpeaking there of Elders indefinitely, without reftri&i- 
 on or limitation. 
 
 4. The ftrcngth by which you aft, istheftrcngthof 
 Chrift-,and though'in your felvcs you beinfufficient for 
 fo great a work, (Jer xelo is Efficient fir thefe thwgs)yex 
 by Christ that strengthens you,yeu are able t$ de all things. 
 God never calls a man to any employment , but he gi- 
 veth a competent ability thereunto 5 and is angry with 
 thofe that pretend infufficiency for that Office to which 
 he calls them , as appears by the example of <JM*fes y 
 Exod.}. 10,1 1,13^10.. 
 
 5 . Confidcr what great things God hath brought to 
 pafs with weak inft ruments. Mtjes a fhephcrd was the 
 deliverer ofthe Ifraclitcs out of Egypt $ and a great pare 
 of the World was converted by a few Fiihcr-men.God 
 delights to convey grace by contemptible Elements; 
 as Water, Brcad,and Wine, and to manifeft his graft 
 power in mans great weaknefs, that fo all the glory may 
 redound to him alone. 
 
 6. Thnt the grcateft undertakings in the Chur£h,have Dan.?.*?, 
 met with grcateft difficulties and oppofitions.fjfo'tf/i/fl* 
 was built again even in troublous times. Tobiaand San- 
 ballat^ and all their Adherents fetthemfclvcsagainftit, 
 be th with fcorns,fal(e informations, and ads of vio- 
 lerxe,yct the work went on and profpered .-and though 
 it had very many years intcrruption,yet at hftGod rai- 
 fed up the ipiric oiHaggai^ Ztcheriah ,and of ZernlbM 
 
 M 2 and 
 
C«43 
 
 and fofbua, and the work was fuddainlyfinifhcd. Who 
 art thou great Mountain before Zcrubbabel ? thoufbah 
 become apUin,8cc. Oppofitions (hould rather quicken, 
 then cool a&ivity. 
 
 7. That the greateft affairs and achievements arc 
 wont at firft to have but fmall beginnings, like the Pro- 
 phet Elias cloud. The repair of the Temple and of the 
 
 Nch 4.3,4. City of Jerufalem was fo fmall at firft, as that the ene- 
 mies mockt, and laid 5 Even that which they build^if a 
 
 Neh.4.10. Fox go ftp, be floall breakdown their (tone wall. And ludabhcr 
 felffaid, The flrcngth of the bearers of the burden is decay ed y and 
 there is much rnbbijhj'o as Vcc are not able to build the wall. And 
 
 Zech 4.10. y et notwithftanding God faith , who hath dejpifed the day of 
 fmall things,} for they /ball re}oyce,and /hall fee the plummet in the 
 hand of Zcrubbabel. The hand of Zcrubbabel laid the foundation of 
 this houfe, his hand/hall alfo finifi it, not by might, nor by fo^cr, 
 
 and Zech. 4.9. y m fy m y Spirit, faith the Lord. 
 
 8. Confider 3 n^0, and of what ^rr/Vfg* the moft of 
 thole are that oppole this Government*, and upon what 
 grounds they are againft it, and it will adde a Angular 
 i eftimony to the goodnefs of it, and incourage you the 
 rather to (land for it, feeing fo many erroneous, fuper- 
 ftitious, heretical!, leud and licentious perfons of all 
 forts, arc fo violent againft it. 
 
 9. If God countenance the Government,itisthelcfs 
 matter if it want the countenance of man. Let not the 
 faultineffe of others, difcourage Gods faithfull Ones 
 from their truft and duty : The fewer ftand fork, the 
 more retfon there is that we fliould. The Lord of Hop is 
 with m, the Godoffacob is our refuge : And therefore let 
 us not fear what man can do unto us , for there are 
 more with us, then againft us. 4 
 
 10. God hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and 
 he can in an inftant raifc up a Cyrm to appear for his 
 
 People, 
 
[85] 
 People, £nd his Caufe ; he can raifc up Zerubbabels^ 
 Hchemiatis^ and Borah's ; he can, and he will raifc up 
 Kings to be the nurfing Fathers,and Queens the nurfing 
 Mothers of his Church - he can turn the hearts of peo- 
 ple, and make them willing to fubmit their necks to the 
 yoakoftheLord- and hehathpromifed,f/;#/#//r^ 
 of his power \the ptovlejhall be willing* 
 
 1 1 . Laftly,conndcr what great things Gad hath done al- 
 ready for u* 5 and if he had meant to have deftroyed us, 
 he would not have done all this for us : He hath broken 
 the iron yoak of Prelacy, removed fuperftitious Cere- 
 monies, and Service- book,eftabli(hcd a more pure way 
 of Ordination of Minifters, and of worfhipping of God, 
 and there are hopefull beginnings of this Government 
 in many of our Congregations 5 and we doubt not, but 
 that God, who hath been the Author, will be the Fin- 
 ifher of this mighty Work. 
 
 Let the confederation of thefe particulars exceeding- 
 ly affeft you, and ftir you up to perfevcre, & hold out in 
 that great office you have undertaken, in nothing being 
 terrified or difcou raged, but trufting in the great God, 
 who never failcth thofc that put their truft in him. 
 
 OUrfecond Fxhortation is unto thofeofourrsfec- 
 tive Congregations ^that fubmit unto r he Government , 
 and are admitted unto the Sacrament ofthebedy and b loud 
 efchrijt^ in the Presbytcnan way 5 That we arc to ex- 
 hort you unto, is, 
 
 1 . That as you are Saints outwardly, and fuch who 
 live (as we hope>inblameably in the eyes or chc world- 
 fo you would labour to be Saints inwar< a improving 
 not only your wayes unto men , bu«- nr he; r rs and 
 confcicnccs unto the heart- fcarchr.g God. And for 
 
 this 
 
Jcr.4.i4. thispurpofe, we perfwadeyou, to wafh not only your 
 Iiai.i.i*. handsjut your hearts^ from all iniquity^ and nottoftffcr 
 vain thoughts to lodge within you ^ To fat away the evillof 
 Rom.2.1?. your doings from before Gods eyes ♦, To be fows inwardly cir- 
 cumcifedwith the circumcifion of the heart jn the Spirit, not 
 in the Letter, whofe praife u net of Man, hut of God . To 
 labour more to be good, then to feem to be good 5 to be 
 more afliamed to be evill,thcn to be known to be eviS; 
 to ftrive more to get your fins cured^ then covered - y and 
 to'be not gilded^ but golden Chriflians. Alas ! what will 
 itavailyou, tobecfteemed byyourMiniflerand El- 
 ders reall Saints, when the Lord who is your Judge, 
 knows you to be but painted Sepulchres : What will it 
 profit you to have our Euge and approbation, when you 
 have the Apage and difallowancc of God , and all his 
 holy Angels ? And therefore our prayer to God for you 
 is, that he would make you not only nominall, but reall 
 Chriftians ; not only Saints by profeffion, but by coa- 
 verfation t not only morally and formally, but Spiritu- 
 ally and Theologically good , having your perlbns, 
 principles,and aims holy, as well as your actions. He 
 and he only is a right Chrtfiian^ whofe ferfon is united to 
 Chrift by a lively Faith ; and whofe nature is elevated by 
 the Spirit of Regeneration, and whofe principles, praffices, 
 and aims, are divine andfupernatural. 
 
 Secondly, as it is your great honour and priviledg to 
 be admftted to the Saeramcnt, when others by reafon 
 of ignorance or fcandal are refufed •, foit muft beyour 
 great care, to come worthtly h and fo to demean your 
 fclvcs, that you may be made partakers of the graces & 
 confolationsofthis heavenly banquet. And for this 
 end, we thinkit our dutic to propound certain necefTary 
 drre&ionsto you, for the right ordering of your Sa- 
 cramental 
 
D*3 
 
 cratftcmar'approaches -, and to perfwadc you by the 
 mercies of our Lord JefusChrift, to the diligent and 
 confricntious practice of thefe following particulars. 
 
 I. Not to reft contented with the examination of 
 your Miniftcr and Elders, but chiefly and efpecially to 
 examine your felvcs , and fo to cat of that bread , and 
 drink of that cup : To- examine your felves , whether 
 you be in Chrift or no, whether You do truly repent* 
 whether You do hunger and thirft after Chrift in the 
 Sacrament- whether You have an unfeigned love to 
 God, and Your Neighbour,manifcfted by an impartial 
 refpeft unto all the Commandements and Ordinances 
 of Chrift : For though we may and ought to admit you 
 upon the profeflion of thefc graces^ yet Chrift will not 
 bid You welcome, unlcfs You have them in truth and 
 finceritie. And though we cannot difcern who arc hy» 
 pocritcs, and who are fiaccre amongft You-, yet nc 
 that can diftingui-h between ftar and ftar , can and will 
 diftinguifh between a true Saint , and a formal Hypo- 
 crite: and therefore labour to be fuch , indeed and in 
 truth, as You feen* to Us, to be in word and profejfion. 
 
 Secondly, As not to come without preparation and 
 examination -. fo alfo, not to trufl t$ your preparation and 
 examination. Sacraments do not work as Hiyfick,whe- 
 thermenfieeporwake, ex opere operato^ by vertue in- 
 herent in them •, but ex opere operants, according 10 the 
 dt fro fit ion and qualification of the party that partakes of 
 them. Ifchc party be not qualified according to the te- 
 nour of the Covenant of grace, he eats and drinks dam- 
 nation ro himfclf, and not ialvation ^ and when he hath 
 done all he can by grace received, to prepare himfHt ; 
 yet he mult not rclie upon his prcparation,for this were 
 to make ao Idol of it, and let up dutic inthcronn <^f 
 
 Chrift.. 
 
£88] 
 
 inte (laf, & Chrift.Excellent is that faying ofAuftine, He that {lands 
 tunftjs. upon his own ftrength^ [hall never [land; and of Bernard , 
 F quinoVtnniit That man labour s in vain, that d tb net labour refiing upon 
 tur. Chris! and his merits 5 and therefore we exhort You, af- 
 
 ter all your care of preparation, to renounce it as to the 
 point of confidence, and t$ come t$ Chrtfl in the jlrtngth 
 and confidence ofchrifl done. 
 
 3. Nott© befatisfied in the bare bringing of the 
 forementioned graces with you to the Sacrament, but 
 to labour according to the advice of the Apoftle, tcftir 
 iTim.i.*. #p the gift ofGodthdt is inycu. The Greek isjobkw up, 
 and caufe the grace of God within us to kindle. Fire,as 
 long as it lycth raked up in the Embers, will give no 
 heat; a man may die with cold, for all fuch a fire. 
 Grace, as long as it lyeth dead in the habite, will not a- 
 vail a man at the Sacrament. And therefore, that you 
 may be worthy receivers, you muft take pains to blow 
 up the grace of God that is in you. You siuft arife and 
 trim your fpirituall lamps, (as the wife Virgins did,) that 
 fo you may be fit to meet with your Bridegroom. You 
 muft brighten your fpirituall armour, & gird up the loins 
 of your mind; You muft not only have,but put on your 
 wedding garment ,and come to this heavenly feaft appar- 
 relled in all your fpiritual ornamen;s. For it is a certain 
 truth , that not only a wicked man,that wants grace,but 
 a chiide cf God that hath true grace , may receive the 
 Mandmttio Sacrament unworthily ^though he cannotcome unwor- 
 fadigwum, thily as the wicked do D out of a total want of grace, yet 
 no iSgtiA. he may come unworthily out of groffe negligence, and 
 Aided. finful carelefnefs, in not exciting and ftirring up, and 
 improving the grace of God that is in hitji. For not to 
 ufe grace, and not to have grace, in this cafc,do little dif- 
 fer in Gods account. And therefore, if you would be 
 
 worthy 
 
[8?3 
 worthy griefrs at this Supper, you muft not only hare a true 
 Faith, but zfit Faith ; not only a true repentance, but zfit repent- 
 ance ; you muft not only have grace , but act grace ; you muft 
 fet your Faith on weak, to feed upon that blefled Sacramentall 
 promife, Take, eat , this is mj body which is broken for jcu ; This 
 is my blood which is Jhedforjou. And you mull labour to make 
 ftrong and particular applications of Chrift to your fouls, and t# 
 believe, that as verily as you eat the Bread, and drink the Wine, 
 fo verily you are made partakers of Chrifts body and blood, to 
 your everlafting happinefs. And fo like- wife you mull ad repent- 
 ance, love, thankfullnefs,aRd obcdience,accordiqg to the directi- 
 on of the Word of God. 
 
 4. To fo^ll that j oh do at the Sacrament , in remembrance of 
 Chrifl* For this is the main defign of Chrift, in appointing this 
 Ordipance,that it might be a Love-token from Chrift alwaiesby 
 us, and an effectual means to keep his death in perpetual remem- 
 brance, that it might be a lively picture of Chrift crucified ; and 
 he that will receive aright, mnft be eying this Picture while he is 
 at the Sacrament; and the more he minds it , the more he will 
 admire it: The Angels * (loopdoton to Aw^upon Chrift incarnate, * P«t.i.n. 
 and it is the happinefs of heaven to have Chrift alwaics before * i™$vp*tit 
 them ; and it is our happinefs on earth, that we h«vc futh t blcf- *»**•* 
 fed commemoration of Chrift crucified : As Chrift is all in all,in '5>^w'>J*i. 
 all Creatures, in all Relations, in all Conditions, and in all Ordi- 
 nances ; fo more efpecially in this : For the Elements of Bread 
 and Wine arc not appointed for natural ends and purpofes , but 
 Chrift is all in all in them : They are Reprefentations, Comme- 
 morations, Obfignations, and Exhibitions of Jefus Chrift. Yon 
 muft labour with the Eye of Faith to fee Quills name written 
 upon the Bread and Wine, and you muft read Chrift in every 
 Sacramental action \ when You behold the Bread and Wine 
 confrcrjted; You muft remember how Jefus Chrift was fet apart 
 by his Father, from all Eternity, to be the Redeemer of his Peo- 
 ple : And when the Minifter breaks the bread, You muft remem- 
 ber the great fu Mir rings that Jefus Chrift endured for Your fins ; 
 and when You take the Bread, and drink the Wine, you muft do 
 this in remembrance of Chrift; You muft bclieve,that now Chrift 
 givcth himfclf to be Yournourifhment, andyonr Comforter un- 
 
 N to 
 
to eternal life ; and you muft labour by a lively Faith, 
 to take liim as your Lord and Saviour, andtocry out 
 with Thomas in the higheft degree (if it be poifiblej of 
 J0H6.51. rcjoycing, My God^ and my Lerd : And when you eat 
 the Bread, and drink the Wine, you muft remember, 
 that Chrift is the living Bread that came down from Hea- 
 ven, and that whofoevcr eaisof this Bread, fiall live for 
 ever: and that whofoevcr eateth the fie fb of Ckrift , and 
 drinketh his blood, dmtleth in Chnfl, and Chrifl in him. 
 And you muft endeavour to receive Sou!-nouri(hment 
 from Chrift, as your bodies do by the bread you eat ; 
 and as the bread is turned into your fubffance, fo to be 
 made more and more one with Chrift by faith: that ha- 
 ving a reall, though fpirituall union with him,You may 
 have a happy intereft and communion mail his pur- 
 chafes. This is the life of the Hfl/y Sacrament , without 
 which, all is but a dead and empty Ceremonie. But we 
 adde further. That this remembrance of Chrift muft 
 not be barely notionall^deEfrinaU^ and hiforicafl, but it 
 muft be alfb practically experimentally and applicative j k 
 muft produce thefe and fuch like blefied cftcdls and 
 operations in your hearts. 
 
 1. You muft fo remember Chrift, as to find pow T cr 
 . coming out of Chrift Sacramental ,to break your hearts 
 for all the fins you have committed againft him. Chrift 
 is prefented in the Sacrament as a broken Chrift-,his bo- 
 dy broken, and his bloud poured out : and the very 
 breaking of the bread underftandingly looked upon, is 
 a forcible argument to break your hearts. Was Jefus 
 Chriftrentand torn in pieces for you, and flail k not 
 break you hcart>,that you fhould fin againft him < Was 
 he crucified for you, and will you crucific him by your 
 fins ? And beftdes, the breaking of the bread is not oit- 
 
ly ordairfed to be a motive unco brokennefs of heart for 
 fin, but alfo in the right ufe to effeft that which it doth 
 move unto. 
 
 2. You mu ft fo remember Ch rift Sacramental I, as to 
 find power coming out of Chrift, tofubdueallyour 
 fins and iniquities ; as thedifeafed woman felt venue 
 coming out of Lhrift,to cure her bloody IlTue • fo there 
 is power in am applicative and jiduciall remembrance of 
 Chrift at the Sacrament, to heal all the finfull iflues of 
 our fouls. There is no fin fo ftrong, but it is conquera- 
 ble by a power derived from Chrift crucified. 
 
 3. This is to remember Chrift aiightat the Sacra- 
 ment, when yoir never ceafc remembring him,till your 
 hearts be brought into a thankfull frame to God, for 
 Chrift ; and for his ineffable bleffings and mercies ex- 
 hibitedin the Sacrament to a worthy receiver. And 
 therefore it is called an Eucbarift, or a feaft of thankfgi- 
 
 ving. It is as Justin Martyr faith , food made up all of T? ^ iv^pt- 
 t bar, k[ giving. It is a cuftome in Collcdges and houfes nS*<r* 9 
 founded by the bounty of great men, tohavc a feajli- 
 vall commemoraion of the bounties of their Bencfaftors. 
 The Sacrament is a commemoration day of your great Be- 
 nefa&orlcfus Chrift,\vhereinyouareto remember all 
 thofe things which he fuffcred for you • and the proper 
 duty of the day is thavkf giving. 
 
 4. You muft not leave off remembring Chrift Sacra- 
 mental, till your hearts be inflamed with an ardent 
 love to Jefus Chrift ; for he is fet forth in this Sacra- 
 ment, in all the endearing expreffions, as a crucified 
 Chrift, as pouring out his blood for us. Now it is an ^ • 
 excellent expreffion of Bernard : Tbe more vile tit 
 made bimfelf for us , the more dear be ought to be unvvs. 1 
 You m<i<l never leave meditating <>i bti love, till hebe<isf\i fi.\ 
 ed wjonr hearts, as he was upon the Cro/s. 
 
 N 2 5. You 
 
[92] 
 
 5. You muft fo remember Chrift , as to be willing 
 to do and fuffcr anything for that Chrift, that hath 
 done and fuffered lb much for you ; till you can fay 
 with David, What [hall I render for all his blef sings towards 
 me * till you can fay with Thomas, Come , let us go dye 
 with him • and we add, for him : till with the Apoftle, 
 you canrejoyce to be counted worthy tobewhiptforhis 
 names fake. And can with Ignatius that blefled Martyr, 
 JFf Vl " cu lt„ call your iron chains.not bonds* but Ornaments, and (bi- 
 
 fecl ornament a 3 J ... * r -+ i *% t i 
 
 &fpintMaks rttuall Pearls • till you can lay, as ffudg.1S.22. Rule thou 
 W&gariu, over us, &c. for thou haft delivered us from the hand of 
 QQc*reLius 3 Mtdiait* There is nothing hard to that Chriftian, that 
 in hisEpiftk doth rightly remember Chrift Sacramcntaj. 
 fi^H^L. &• You muft continue in remembring Chrift in the 
 
 Commentary o it 
 
 vpoatgnatw. Sacrament, till your hearts be wrought up to a through 
 contempt of the world, and all worldly things. Chrift in- 
 ftitutedthe Sacrament when he was going out of the 
 world 5 and when tie was crucifying, the whole world 
 was in darknefsand obfeurity : and he is propounded 
 in the Sacrament, as zperfecuted, broken, crucified Chrift, 
 de(piftng,& beingdefyifed of the world. And if you do pra- 
 ctically remember the Sacrament of his dcath,you will 
 findevertue coming out thereof, to make you dead to 
 the world, and all worldly things . The Sacrament Is 
 called by the Ancients, afeaftfor Eagles , not for Dawes-, 
 
 TeftumAqui-- an( j therefore it was a phrafe ordinarily ufed in the ad- 
 
 iluarm* *~ miniftratioaofthis Sacrament, Lift up your hearts to 
 haven where Chrift is. 
 
 7. Ceafe not remembring Chrift, till you be made 
 partakers of the rare grace of humility. Of all the graces 
 
 — that Chrift picks out,in which he would have Chrifti- 
 
 ans to imitate him in , humility is one of the chiefeft, 
 Mattfa.11.29, Learryofm 7 forIamb*n?ble,&cQ. And 
 
 Chrift 
 
L93l 
 
 Chrift in the Sacrament is prefented, as humbling himfelf to the 
 death of the Crofs, for our fakes. And what a fhame is it, to 
 remember an humble Chrift, with a proud heart ? The practical! 
 remembrance of the humility of thrift Sacramental , when fan- 
 dified, is mighty in operation, to tame the pride of onr hearts. 
 
 8. You muft not fail to remember Chrift in the Sacrament, 
 till by faith you have apply ed Chrift, asjour Chrift : Till you C3n 
 fay with Taul , Gal. 2. 20. Who loved me , and gave himfelf 
 forme. Propriety in Chrift, is that which fweetens all. For 
 what are you the better for Chrift, if he be not your Chrift ? 
 The Divels and damned in Hell may remember Chrift, but not 
 with comfort, becaufe they cannot remember him , but as their 
 enemy. But you muft fo remember Chriftjas to make hin yours, 
 by an appropriating Faith. 
 
 But how iliall we be inabled thus to apply Chrift t ^ cftt 
 
 This|i9 done, by ftudying the free tender that ismadeof An f Wt 
 Chrift in the Covenant of grace, which is cxpreffed, Jfai.^.i* 
 Revel.n.ij. Jefus Chrift is that brazen Serpent lifted up upon 
 the Crofs, on purpofe, that whofoever looks up to him , ftiall be 
 healed ; and whofoever receives him as his Lord and Saviour, 
 fbouldnotperifi, but have ever lofting life. You muft ftudy the 
 freenefs,fulnefs t and particularity of the offer of Chrift ; and 
 pray unto that Chrift, who bids you believe, to give yon to be- 
 lieve. And truly there cannot be a greater difcourtelie to Jefus 
 Chrift, then to doubt of his love towards you , while ye are re- 
 ceiving the pledge* of his love. For herein hath God commended R° ra -5« 8 » 
 his love toward us % in that while We rvere jet finners , (fhrift dyed 
 for us. What can Chrift do more to manifeft his love, or to pcr- 
 fwadeusofhislovchebearstous .'Much giore might befaidto 
 thispurpofe, but we leave thefe things to be amplified by the 
 Miniftry of your faithful laftors. And we proceed to give you 
 further dircdions,for the right managing of your Sacramental 
 addreftes. 
 
 5. In the tifth placc,wc exhort you to confidcr the Sacrament, 
 under a four- fold Notion : 
 
 1. As it is a [pint ua/l medicine to cure the remainders of your 
 corruption. 
 
 2. As it \s fpirit Halt food to ftrengthen your weak graces. 
 
 3. As it is zfpiritHAlCorduiUo. comfort your dir.reh\J «:on- 
 {ciences. 4. 
 
4. A s it is zftrong obligMion and forcible engagement 
 to all afts of thankfulnefs and obedience unto Jcfus 
 Chrift. 
 
 Now if you would get the benefit and comfort of the 
 Sacrament, you muft when you come to it, carry thefe 
 four confiderations in your mind 5 and labour to draw 
 out good from the Sacrament , according to each of 
 them. 
 
 ^ 1. You muft confider what fin it is, that is moft un- 
 fubdued, and unmortified in you ; you muft ufe the Sa- 
 crament as a medicine made of Chnfts body and blood, 
 to heal that fin 
 
 2. You muft confider, what grace is moft weak fn you ; 
 and you muft come to the Sacrament , as to food ap- 
 pointed on purpofe to ftrengthen weak grace. 
 
 3. You muft confider what doubt it is, that doth moft 
 obftruft your full afturance of falvation 5 and you muft 
 come to the Sacrament, as to a cheering Cordial, made 
 for this very end, to revive your fainting fpirit. It is 
 alio a fealing Ordinance to feal up the love of God in 
 Chrift,and to.be as ago den clafp to faften you to Chrift, 
 and Chrift to you : And in which Chrift doth often go 
 from man to man, with his privy feals , and his hidden 
 manna of heavenly confblation. 
 
 4. You muft confider how apt you are to ftart from 
 God, and hisjuft Commands, and therefore you muft 
 at the Sacrament renew your Covenant with God , and 
 binde your felves afrefh umo God, in the ftrength of 
 Chrift, to be his more faithful fervants afterwards,thcn 
 ever you were before.' 
 
 And hereby likewife you may know when you come 
 from the Sacrament, whether you have received wor- 
 chily,or no : For if you finde thefe Effe&s from the Sa- 
 crament, 
 
{9Tl 
 cramcnt 5 that it hath been Mtdicimxtl^ corroborative, com- 
 jotting, and obliging : If you find your fins more morti- 
 fied, your graces more ftrengthened, your fouls more 
 comforted, and your hearts more engaged unto God in 
 obedience \ You may certainly conclude, that you are 
 worthy Receivers. Nay weadde, for the comfort of 
 weak Chrijl/ans, if you find any one of thefe Iiffedts. For 
 fometimes C hrift lets out himfelf in the Sacrament in a 
 way of Comfort ^ fometimes he hides,as it were,his face, 
 and fends us home more enlarged in our defircs after 
 him ; fometimes he kijfes hts children with the kijfes of 
 his lifs^znd gives them to eat of his hidden M4nna>Xomc- 
 times he fends them home inlarged with gedly forrow, 
 for want of his in, braces. His difpenfations are vari- 
 ous. But ifyoufindehis prefencc in anyone of thefc 
 waics, You are worthy Communicants. 
 
 6. To endeavour^that your eyes way a feci your hearts^ l sm 
 when you arc at the Sacrament. For asChnit in the Miniftery 
 ofhisWori, preachcth to the ear; and by the ear conveyeth 
 himfelf into the heart : h in the Sacrament he preacheth to the 
 eye; and by theeye, convq'eh himftlf into the heart. And 
 therefore it is we!! called a vifibU v e,mon. Take heed, left the 
 Devil ileal away the benefit & comf rt of it out of your hearts, 
 
 by a wanton or wandring eye. And when you find ) our hearts 
 deaded,and your meditations begin to fog and £row drv,faften 
 your eyes upon the Sacramental I lem.nts and Sacramental acti- 
 ons. Coniider rhe bread broken, and the wine poured forth, and 
 let your eye affeU y your heart; and never leave looking upon them, 
 till Chriit be pleafed to look upon you, as he did upon Peter /And 
 then your hearts will be afteded indeed, as his u as. 
 
 7. To take heed of parting r*fbce» r ure s upon rhofcthat are 
 admitted to the Sacrament, together wuh our klves; fay not 
 fuch a man is unworthy, but fay rather wrh : he Centurion, Lord. 
 
 J am not Worthy that tlyou Jbottldft enttr under my ro /, Wherefore U " i7r 
 neither thought I my 4 elf worthy te come unto i/lte ; fay as John 
 
 Vaptift 
 
 I 
 
I Cor.p.ij, 
 
 [98] 
 
 1 Thofi".M 2. profitable for you. And we befeechyou, Brethrenfaow them 
 which labour amongB you , and are over yon in the Lord^ 
 and admon/fl) jott) and eft e em them very highly in love for 
 their works fake, and be at pace a > ongft your felves. And 
 
 1 Tim.5.i7 3 remem [-) er:) That.the Elders that rule well > are worthy of 
 double honour , efteciahy they that labour in the Word and 
 DoBrine. For the Scripture faith. Thoujhalt not muzzel 
 
 GaU 6, t y e oxe t J ut treadeth out the corn , and the labourer is wor- 
 thy of his reward. And it likewife faith, Let him that is 
 taught in the word, communicate unto himthatteachtthin 
 all good things. And further, Do ye not know , that they 
 which tninifter abmtt holy things , live of the things of the 
 Temple • and they which wait at the Altar ', are partakers 
 with the Altar i Even fo hath the Lord ordained^ that they 
 
 which preaehthe Gofpell^ Jhouldliveofthe Go/pel. if 
 
 we have fowen unto you fpirituall things^ is it a great mat- 
 ter , if we reap your carnal things ? This we write, not to 
 fhame you, but to intreat you to give libcrall and ho- 
 
 *&%6voi. nourablc maintenance to your godly Minifters , that 
 
 Tici.s. thty may not only be lovers of fafpitality , but aftb ina- 
 bkd to cxercife it : left God in anger to you,drive ydur 
 Minifters into corners, and take both your cftates, and 
 your Minifters from you 5 fbas you fhall neither have 
 Minifters to give maintenance to,nor eftates to maintain 
 Minifters. 
 
 4. To perform all thofe offices which are required 
 of you, as you are Members of a particular Congrega- 
 
 1 Thefl. 5.1 1, t j on$ p or t hj s purpofe we exhort you brethren, to comfort your 
 
 3 4> T *• felves together, and edifie one another, even as you alfo do ; to -warn 
 
 them that are unruly* comfort the feeble minded, fuppwt the weal^ 
 be patient towards all men : And fee that none render evillfor evill 
 unto any man, but ever follow that Vohichisgood, both among your 
 
 CoJ.3.1^. felves, and towards all men, &c. Let the Word of Chrifi dwell in 
 j oh richly ) in all wifdome, teaching and admonishing one another in 
 
 Pfalms 
 
cpfalws atd Hy nines > axdffirituth fcxgs , finging mith grace in 
 your hearts to the Lord. Let r>o manfeek his own, but every x Cor I0 
 man another s wealth • and let every one of you pleafehts 
 neighbour for his good, to edification -J or evenChriJlpleafed Rom.i 5.1,3. 
 nothimfelf ; £*r 4; ## written^ 7 he reproaches of them 
 that reproached 1 bee 3 fell en we. Let nothing be done through phil.1.3. 
 frife, orvain-glcry ; but in lorvlinefs ofminde, let each 
 eftcem other better then thtwfelvcs. Now though wc are 
 tar from thinkings (as fomc do,) that you arc bound to 
 perform thefe duties only to thofc to whom you arc 
 united inChurch-fellowfhip 3 (fcr if you ought to pluck 
 your neighbours ox and horfc out of a ditch, and to re- 
 lieve his body, when in want , though not of the fame 
 Congregation with you, much more ought you to ex- 
 tend a<3s of fpirituall mercy (fuch asthefcare) to their 
 fouls 1 and this you arc bound unto by communion of 
 natures , communion of Saints , communion of 
 Churches ^ and by that Royal law of love,which com- 
 maods us to love our neighbour as our felves, ) yet not- 
 withftanding we conceive that you are more efpccially 
 tyed by your Congregational relation , to perform 
 thefe duties tothofe that arc of your own Commu- 
 nion. 
 
 And therefore wc further perfwade you, to watch ever 
 *ne another^ to bear tie lurdens one of another^ and fo fulfill 
 the Law ofchrifl . To confider one anot her^ to provoke un- 
 to love and good works , not for faking the affemblwg ef your 
 f elves together, as the manner of fome is ', but exhorting one 
 another, anclfo much the more^ xs you fee the day approach- 
 ing. And wclitcwifedefircyou nottoncgleft private 
 meetings together for holy conference and prayer^ that 
 hereby you may be better acquainted one with another, 
 and be mutual helps one to another in fpirituall things. 
 
 O 2 We 
 
We think that fpcech of Cain unbefitting the mouth oF 
 aayChrifti3n^ Am I my brothers keeper ? And though 
 wc believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Mi- 
 nifter, but he that is elc&ed and ordained thereunto, yet 
 we believe alfb, that it is the duty of all private Chriftians, 
 in a brotherly way y out of the common bond of charity jo build 
 up one another in their mofi holy Faith. And therefore let 
 
 Mai. 3.1 (. ] " thofe that fear the Lord, (peak often one to another , efpeci- 
 alfyin theft evil daies: and Jlrive together for the Faith 
 of the Cojpel^fiandingfafl in oneftirit with one minh. For 
 it feemeth to us to be very unchriftian, that they efpeci- 
 ally, that have choftn one and the fame Minifter , and 
 wait conftantly upon his Miniftry 3 and that break bread 
 together, fhould live together like Heathens and Publi- 
 canes: at as great a ftrangenefs one from another, as if 
 they lived many miles afunder. And that Drunkards 
 and Adulterers fhould meet together to difhonor God, 
 and to encourage one another in wickedneffc $ and you 
 fhould not affemble you* felves together , to honour 
 God, to ftrengthen and edifieone another, and to con- 
 firm one another in the truth. Only be earcful in your 
 
 i Tim.^4 f. nieetings,to take heed of doting about quejtitns, and firifes 
 
 if words y whereofcometh envy ffirift, railing, evillfurmi- 
 
 fes, perverfe diftutings of men of corrupt minds y and dejli- 
 
 . - tute of the truth. And avoid all foolijh and unlearned gue- 
 
 im.i. 23 . fn ons j OY t jj e y are VA i n an A unprofit able y &nd gender nothing 
 
 hut f rife j But help one another in that one thing neceffa- 
 
 ry, how to grow up in chrijl $ how to make your calling 
 
 and eleffionfure } how to thrive under Ordinances ^ to be 
 
 faithfull under Relations , to adorn the Gofpel you pro- 
 
 fefs 5 how to advance the power ofgodlinefs in your 
 
 fevcralfphcres; and to be more fpiritually ferviceablc 
 
 unto God in your generations^ and fuch like. 
 
 And 
 
[ioi] 
 
 And we further cxhorc you, that if any Brother in 
 the Congregation walk dtjordtrly and fcandaloufly , that 
 you would carefully remember. It is your duty, firtl,'^ 
 tell him privately 5 (and no* to tell it to Others, to his 
 and the Churches difgrace, as the manner of fome is,) 
 The text is plain fio and tell him his fault betwixt him and 
 thee alone • and if he fhall hear thee, thou haf gained thy 
 Brother. But if he will not hear thecjhen take with thee 
 ene or wo more y that in the mouth of wo or thfee witneffes, 
 every word may he eftabkjhed. And if he (hall negleft to 
 hear them, tell it to the Church. And confider, we be- 
 feech you, that the moft part of Sacramental reformati- 
 on, begins with your performing of this dutie. For how 
 can the Elders judicially take notice of any fcandall, till 
 k be brought unto them, in the way of Chrift, by you 
 that are Church-Members i There is great complaint 
 amongft well-affc<5ted people, of Sacramental pollutions^ 
 and many thereupon, though groundlcfly, feparate 
 from our Congregations. But if things were rightly 
 confidercd, it would appear, that the people themfelves 
 are the chief caufes of this pollution j for you are the 
 firft wheel of this part of reformation, and if you negleft: 
 your part, how can wc difcharge ours c And therefore 
 we intreat you, even for Chrifts fake,as ever you defirc 
 to keep your fclves pure from the fin of thofe that re- 
 ceive unworthily, and from being Authors of the pro- 
 phanation of the Sacrament, faithfully to difcharge this; 
 your dutie. And we (hall (by the help of God) be ex- 
 actly careful of ours , that fo the Lord may delight to 
 dwell in the midft of us. 
 
 5 . To labour to keep your fclves free from the Err ours \>He- 
 rcfles^andBlafrhemicsofthefeTtmcs. For it is evident to 
 every impartial Obfcrvcr, that falfe teachers, evil men, 
 
 and; 
 
and feducers are gone abroad amongft us 5 fubverting 
 of Souls.and overthrowing the Faith of fome-, fpeaking 
 pcrverfe things,to draw away difciples after them 5 fub- 
 verting whole Houfliolds , teaching things they ought 
 not for filthy lucres fake 5 creeping into houfes, and 
 leading captive filly women, laden with divers lufts ^ 
 and by good words, and fair fpeeches, deceiving the 
 hearts of the fimple 5 yea, by flight and cunning crafti- 
 neis, lying in wait to deceive(if it were poffiblej the ve- 
 ry Elecl ; and not only privily, but now openly and [avowedly 
 banging in damnable Hereiies , denying the Lord that bought 
 them. The Divine Authority of the Scriptures is oppug- 
 ned, the Deity ofChriH oppofed, and his Holy Spirit bla- 
 fphemed, the Dodhine of the Bleffed Trinity question- 
 ed, the Holy God made the Author of fw and finfulneffe, 
 Univerfall Redemption preached, and the ends of Chrifts 
 death evacuated , Free- will by nature to do £0^ main- 
 tained, the mertaliity of the Soul affirmed • the Ufe of the 
 Morall Law of God, the obfervation of the Chriftiah Sab- 
 bath, the very calling and Function of the Minijtry, the ve- 
 ry being of a Church amongft Us, and all the Ordinances 
 efchrift, are flighted and reje&ed. Thefe, and too ma- 
 ny more fuch monftrous Opinions ,in the very fpring-time 
 of Reformation do Co multiply amongft vs, that the tares 
 are like t© overgrow the Wheat, if God prevent not. And 
 that which aggravates the evil of thefe things is. That 
 London fhould be guilty of fuch Apoftacy from the truth. 
 London I which haft had able and faithful Minifters of 
 the Word preaching to thee 5 that haft been fo miracu- 
 loufly preferved from the Sword, Famine, andPefti- 
 lence thefe l y aft Years, yet have Herefies been hatched 
 and nouriflied up under thy wings ^ and from thee have 
 they been fpread all the Kingdom over. How many in 
 
 this 
 
this City have turned away their ears from the truth , 
 faithfully preached by their Pajiors • and being turned 
 unto fables,hnvc already followed the pernicious waies 
 of Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil fpoken 
 on I How is Rtlgion degenerated 'into vain janglings,and 
 the power o/GodlmeJfe eaten up by perverfe difputings ! 
 And that wfcich fhould fill Us with more grief and 
 aftonifhment is 3 That this inundation of Errours and 
 Herefies hath increafed upon Us, after fuch prayers, 
 preachings, difputes ,and testimonies againfl them 5 after a 
 Covenant folcmnly fworn to God, with hands lifted up 
 to heaven, for the extirpation of them 5 and after a fo- 
 lemn Faft commanded by Authority , and obferved 
 throughout the whole Kingdom, for our humiliation for 
 them. And yet( with grief of heart we mention it) thofe 
 Errours which in the Prelates time were but a few, are 
 now many : Thofe that of late crept into corners, now 
 out-facc the Sun : Thofe which the Godly abhor 'd from 
 their hearts, are now vented as new and glorious truths : 
 Nay,to fuch a degree of Apoftacie are fome arrived, be- 
 ing waxen worfe and worfe, that they are labouring for 
 an odious toller ation of all thofe abominable opinions, as can 
 fhroud themfclves under the name of Chriftian Religi- 
 on. 
 
 Wherefore, in the Name of JefusChrift, we warn 
 you all to take heed of thefe Impoflors and Seducers 5 and 
 to keep clofe to thofe goo^and 0/*/ principles of Chrifti- 
 anitie. which you have fuck't in at your firji convcrfion, 
 out of the Word, from your godly Minifters : And feeing 
 yc know thefe things before, beware Icjl you^alfo being led 
 away with the errour of the wicked^ {all from your own fled- 
 ftftwffc i But grow in grace, and 1 nth: knowledge of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrifl ; to him be glory, both now 
 
 and 
 

 Co*] 
 
 and for ever, A men. Oh how happy were it, if it might 
 befaidofall You that fubmittothe Presbyterian Go- 
 Rcv.3.4. vernment- asonceoftheGW/y mSardis. There arc* few 
 names even in London, thai have not defiled their Gar- 
 ments k and they (hall walk with me in white, for they arc 
 worthy. Which that you may the better be inabled to 
 do, We befeech You Brethren, in the words of the A- 
 R©m.i£ poftle , To mark them which caufe divifons ani offences , 
 17. contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid 
 
 them, for they that are fuch, fervenot our Lord Jcfus 
 Chrift,fef their own belly. Obfervchere, that you arc 
 not only required to avoid their Dottrines, but their per- 
 * Tim. 6.1, f ons ' ^ n( ^ f° likewife the fame Apoftle, If any man teach 
 4, y. ' olherwife,and confent not to wholfo we words ^even the words 
 of our Lord Jefus Chrift , and to the Dottrine which is ac- 
 cording to Godlinejfe, he is proud, knowing nothing, Sec. 
 From fuch withdraw thyfelf. It is your dutic, not oncly 
 to keep your felves from the Herefies of theft times • 
 but, thatyou may be prefcrved from the Herefies, you 
 muft keep your ftlves, and all under your chargc,from 
 fuch as fprcad them,and from thcirmecting- places. For 
 he that without a juft eanfe goeth into a Teftbouje, may thank 
 himftlf, if he get the plague. And he that runs headily 
 into temptation, hath m promife from God to be delivered 
 out. The Apoftle fobn refufed to tarry in the fame Bath 
 with Cerinthus 5 and he commands us in his fecund Epi- 
 ftle, If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doflrine y 
 receive him not into your houfe, neither bid him God- (peed ; y 
 for he that biddeth him God- freed, is partaker of his eviS 
 deeds* 
 
 Take heed how you touch pitch, left you be defiled 5 
 And remember, we have faithfully difcharged our con- 
 sciences to you, in this particular j And that you may 
 
 be 
 
be furtherinftru&ed againft the Errour^ and Hcrefies of 
 thefe times, We will propound a few Antidotes and Pre- 
 fervatives unto yon, under thefe general Rules follow- 
 ing. 
 
 i. Whatfoever Do&rine is contrary to Godlincjfe, and 
 opens a door to Libertinifm and Prophanencfs, you 
 muft rejeft it asSoul-poyfon. Such are Do&rines ^gainft 
 the Sabhath,Family-dutics,2Lndpubliqut Ordinances'. Such 
 is the Do&rine of an UniverfaUtoUeration of all Religi- 
 ons. The Do&rinc of the Gofpel, is a Doctrine accord- Tir.r. 
 ingtoGodlinefs-, It is a MyHerie of Godlinefs ; It teacheth* Tim i- l<i - 
 to deny allungodlineRe and worldly lufis, and to live fiber iy % 
 righteeufly, and godly in this prefent world. 
 
 2* You muft reje& all fuch Doftrines, ashold forth 
 zftritfpejfe above what is written.Thc Papifts teach many 
 drift Doftrincs, of felf-whippings, and voluntary po- 
 vertie,vows of continency,and many fuch like 5 but the 
 Apoftlc gives you an Antidote againftthem, Col. 2. 18, 
 19,20,21,22,23. And fo alfo our bleflcd Saviour, 
 Matth. 15. 1. to the 10. Devout people arc much taken 
 with Doftrines that carry a (hew of ftriftnefs , and of 
 much purity 5 but you muft not be wife above what is 
 written ; You muft be Candidates of a Canonical! \ not an 
 Apocryphal ftriftnefs- And therefore when you are 
 taught,that whofocver will enter into Church fellow flip, 
 muft firft take a Church-Covenant • and that whofoever 
 will be admitted unto the Lords Supper , muft not only 
 be free from ignorance and fcandal, but he muft have 
 other, and more drift qualifications 5 you muft enquire 
 what word they have for thefe aflcrcions; and where 
 Cod hath not a mouth to /peak , you must not have an ear to 
 hear } nor an heart to believe. 
 
 3. Whatfoever Doftrinc tendcth'tothe lifting up of 
 
 P nature 
 
[106] 
 nature corrupted .to the exalting ofiflbfantfified Reafon,and 
 giveth free will in fuper natural! things to a man unconvert- 
 ed^ is a Dotfrine contrary to the GofptH. For this is one 
 
 Eph.2.1. c h lc f ay m of Pauls Epiftlcs, to ft cw , That by nature we 
 
 l ' 1 *' are dead in fins andtrefpajfes, and that the naturall mdn re- 
 
 ceiveth not the things of the fyirit of God, for they arefoo- 
 
 tifltneffe unto him 5 neither can he know them, becaufe they 
 
 Rom. 8.7. are fpiritualty decerned, and that the carnallmind is enmity 
 againft God, for it is not fubjefi to the Law of God, neither 
 indeedcanbe. This Rule will preferve you againft all 
 K^rminian Tenets, For this is the main difference be- 
 tween the Do&rinc of the Gofpel, and the Armimans. 
 The Gofpcl makes free grace put the diftin&ion be- 
 tween the Elc&and Reprobate 3 and the Arminians 
 Free- will. 
 
 4. All Do&rines that fet up our own Righteoufnefs, 
 whether of CMoralit^ or SnnBifcatim^ in the room of 
 Chrifts Righteoufnefs • That place good works in the 
 throne ofChrift, are Do&rincs of Antiehrift, and not 
 
 Rom 5I i 7 8 °f thrift. For the Gofpel teacheth us, that all our beft 
 19^4/ works are im'perfeft,and that we are juftified,not by our 
 ia^4 6. own inherent Righteoufnefs., but by the Righteoufncffe 
 PhiT'/^ 8 ' of Chrift only,made ours by Faith i this Rule will keep 
 2 Cor.j.ai. you from much of the poyfon of Popery. 
 
 5. All Dodrinesthatdo fet up Chrift and his Righ- 
 teoufnefs, as to decry all works of San<Sification 3 and te 
 deny them to be fruits and evidences of our juftifieati- 
 
 ^Rom.s.i, on ^ arc t0 ^ c ^0^^ anc [ abhorred. For a the Scripture 
 
 1 j'oh.3 .14. makes fan&ification an evidence of Juftification , and 
 Eph.i.i^. ^ commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. 
 1 Thekis'. This Rule will preferve you againft moft of the Errors 
 Hcb,ii. I 4. . ©f the Antinomians. 
 
 4. ThatDoftrine that lejfened 'the friviledges of Be* 
 
 tievers 
 
litvers under the New Tejldment^ and m&keth their Infants 
 in a worfe condition , then they were in under the old Te&d- 
 mentfinnot be the Doifrine of the Go/pel. For the Gofpel 
 tells you, that Jefus Chrift was made a Surety of a bet- Hcb.7.22 
 crTeftament, and that; the new Covenant is a better Hcb - 8 6 - 
 Covenant-, eftabliQied upon better pron^ifes. This 
 Rule will preferve youftom the poyfonof Anabap- 
 . tifra. For it the children of the Jews were circumcifcd, 
 and the children of Christians fhould not be baptized, 
 cither it muft be granted, that circumcifioa was of no 
 benefit to the Jcwifh children, which is contrary to 
 Rom.$.i,%.ox it muft be granted 3 that the children of the 
 Jews had greater privileclges then the children of Chri- 
 stians. 
 
 7. That Doctrine that cry*th up Purity to the mine of 
 Unity, is contrary to the DoClrine of the Gofpel. For the 
 Gofpd calleth for unity, 3s well 3s purity, 1 Cor.i. 10. 
 Phil. 2, 1,2. £/>/>. 4. 3,4, 5,6. And Chiift prayed for the 
 unity of his Churches well as the Holincfs, $oh.\y. 21, 
 22. and it is prophefied of the times of .the Gofpel, 
 That in thofe daies, God will give his people, one heart, 
 undone way y an$\ofervehim with one copfent, ^er.^2»29* 
 Zeph. 3. 9. Th\s Rule will teach you what to judg of the 
 Congregational- way : For certainly that Government 
 that carrieth in the front of it A toleration of different 
 Religions , and is not fufficicnt to keep the body of 
 Chrift in unity and purity, is not the Government of 
 Chrift. 
 
 8. WhatfoevcrDo&rine is contrary to the Rule of 
 Faith, or to any duty required in the ten Corrurunde- 
 ments, or to any Petition of the Lords prayer, is not a 
 Do&rinc of Chrift, and therefore to be reje&cd. 
 
 We might add many more Rules, but \\c forbear, 
 
 P a left 
 
08] 
 
 left we fhould be over-tedious. Our prayer to God for 
 you is, That you may be fix't, not falling Stars , in the 
 Firmament of his Church 5 Not children to([edto andfra, 
 and carried about with every wind of Dottrine -, Not Reeds 
 fliaken with every wind, but firm Pillars in his houfe. 
 Wherefore, Beloved Brethren, Standfast and immove- 
 able , alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord; For of- 
 much as you know , that your labour U not in vain in the 
 lord. 
 
 But now, becaufe he that would keep himfelf from 
 the Errour of the times,muft alfb keep himfelf from the 
 fins of the times : (For it is fin that makes God give us 
 Gptaerrour, iTbeff'. 2.10,11. and it is fin that makes a 
 man like apiece of wax, ready to receive the impreflion 
 of any errour. The women in Timothie were firft laden 
 with divers lufts, before they were led away captive to 
 divers errours 5 and whofoever puts away a good con- 
 fidence, will quickly concerning Faith make Jhtp- mack 5 
 aswearetold, iT/w.li^.) Therefore we are necefli- 
 tated to inlarge our Exhortation to you in one particu- 
 lar more $ which though it be the laft, yet it is not the 
 leaft of thofe things which we have to fay unto you,and 
 that is, 
 
 6. To exhort you, or rather to require and charge 
 you,ta keep your felvet nnjfotud r ,not only from the errors 
 and herefies, (as before) but alfo from the fins and iniqui- 
 ties of the times wherein you live. We fay, unfictted, and 
 fo doth the Apoftle, 5^70.1.27. It is not enough for 
 you to keep your felves from being bemiredandbefmear- 
 ed,but you muft labour to keep your Garments Co white, 
 as not to have the leaft fpot of defilement from the peifons 
 or places where you live. The Apofile tells us, That 
 i Tim. j.i, ^j f fe j a ji d 4 j cs perHi $ us times JhsU corns : For men fhculd 
 
[iop] 
 be lovers of their own felves, covetous,, boaflers, proud, 
 blafphemers, dif obedient to Partnts, unthanifull, unholy, 
 without naturall affeclion, truce-breakers, falfe tccufcrs, in- 
 continent, fierce, defrifers of thofe that are good, Tray tor s , 
 beady, high-minded, lovers of flexures more then lovers of 
 Cod*, having a form of Godlinefje , but denying the power 
 thereof Thofe words , having a form ofCodlme[[e,muG. 
 beunderftood, Wxc/rr, and referred to all the other 
 fins. And the meaning is, That men (hould be [elf 
 lovers, having a form of godlineffe $ truce-breakers, ha- 
 ving a form of godlincfs 5 truce-breakers, having a form 
 of godlineffc ; Traytors andfalfe accufcr$, having a form 
 ofgodlinefle,^. They fhould cover all their ungodli- 
 nefle, under tbe fpecious form of Godlincfs : Such are 
 the times in which we live, of which we may truly fay, 
 There were never fewer, and yet never more Saints ; 
 sever mere nominal, never fewer real Saints •, Never 
 more fclf-fcckers, and* yet never mofe that pretended to 
 feck thcintercft of Chrift. We are an hypm'naR Marion, 
 the people of Gods wrath ; We have broken the Covenant of 
 cur God ? even that Covenant, which in the day of our difirefs 
 and fear, we made with hands lifted up to heaven. We are 
 apostatized from our Principles and practices ; We contemn 
 thepretiom ordinanas, defaife andabufe the Godly tJALini- 
 fers • We break the Sabbaths, hate the very name of Re for - 
 mation,and fcorn tofubmit to the fweet yoke of Chrifl and his 
 Government ; We are froHdfecureJjars^fW'carers^ and forfwr.w- 
 ers, Murderers, drunkards, Adulterer s^and opprejfors : We ha: e 
 not learned Righteoufneffe^ but unrightcoufnefs, by all the lodge- 
 ments of God ; We are rvorfe andfcorfe by nil our deliverances • 
 We havejpilt the blood of (fhrift in the Sacrament, by oHrunrtHr- 
 thy receiving, and chat fore it hath been juit with God to fpill 
 our blood. It would be too long to reckon up all the 
 particular fins of Magiftratcs^ Minifters , Husbands, 
 
 wives*. 
 
[no] 
 
 •wives, Fathers, Children, Matters, and Servants ; nci- 
 lfiLi4fjff. ther is it the defign of this Difcourfe. We may truly fay 
 
 with the Prophet, Ahfmfnl Nation, a people laden with iniquity ; 
 a feed of evil/ doers, children that are corrupters , that have for- 
 fakfn the Lord, that have provoked the holy One of Ifrad unto an- 
 ger ; that are: gone away backward : Why Should we be^f mitten 
 Any longer ? we will revolt more and more, the whole head is fick^ , 
 and the Whole heart is faint -,from the file of the foot .even unt§ the 
 head, there us ,10 foundnefs in us, but wounds and bruifes , andpu- 
 trifled fores, &c. 
 
 Wherefore dearly beloved , we do moft carneftly 
 befeech you, in the bowels of Jefiis Chrift, that you 
 would be deeply fenfiblc of , and humbled fprthefe 
 cvills that do lb much abound inthemjdft of us, for 
 which the Earth mourns, and the Hcaveos are black 
 over us. Oh let your fouls weep in fecret, and your eyes 
 weep fore, and run down with tears ^ andjigh to the breaking 
 of your loyns , yea to the breaking of your hearts withgodfy 
 forrow , which may work in you repentance, never to be re- 
 pented of. Mourn more for the fins that have brought 
 thefc miferies upon us , then for the miferies our fins 
 have brought $ more, for burdening God with fin 5 then 
 for being burdened with plagues h more for your hard 
 hearts,then thefe hard times. 
 
 And we further intreat everie one of you , to put 
 away the iniquity that ts in his hand •, to know every man 
 the plague that is in his own heart •, to fearch and try his 
 waics^andt* turn unto the Lord his God % to ceafe to do cviH, 
 and to learn to do well : to be tender oftheoathes which 
 he hath taken, or which may be offered unto him to 
 take ; to keep clofe to his Covenant • to prize the Ordi- 
 nances, Reverence Godly Minifters, fanftifie the Sab- 
 baths, to hate hypocrifie and felf fceking, to receive 
 the love of the truth, left God give him over to believe 
 
 ljcs:l 
 
lyes. hfotfotruft to his own undemanding, left God 
 blind his undcrftanding. To praclife the truths he doth 
 know,that God may reveal unto him the truths he doth 
 not know -, not to heap to himfelf teachers, having it- 
 ching ears, left he turn arvay his ears from the truth, and be 
 turned unto fables $ not to have the faith of our Lord Je- 
 fus Chrift,in refpeft of perfons,imbracing the Dodtrine 
 for the pcrfons fake , and not the perfen for the Doc- 
 trines fake. To fcek after the truth, for the truths ;fake, 
 with uprightnefs of heart,and not for outward refpedts, 
 left God anfwer thee according to the Idols thou haft 
 in thy heart. To labour to be more and more groun- 
 ded in the Principlesx>fthe Do&rine of Chrift^to ftudy 
 catcchifme more diligently, and fo to be led on to per- 
 fection -, that he may not alwayes be a babe, unskilfull 
 in the word of Righteoufnefs, but by reafon of ufe,may 
 have his fenfes excrcifed to difcern both good and evil. 
 In a word, we once more befecch you all that arc ad- 
 mitted to our Sacraments, that your convtr fatten may be 
 atbccemetbtheGoffellofChrift 5 and as you have given 
 upyournames untoChrift by profeffion, fogive up 
 your hearts to him, by univcrfall, finccre, and conftant 
 obedience : And let one that nameth the name cf Chnft^ 
 depart f rem iniquity. 
 
 OUr third and laft Exhortation is unto all thofe that 
 live within the bounds of the Province > and have not 
 yetfubmittedto the Government , ner are admitted to the Sa- 
 crament of the body and bUodof Chrtft in ;/* Presbyteri- 
 an way : Thefe may be reduced into two ranks : 
 
 1. Stichasfcparatcfrom our Churches. 
 
 2 . Such as continue ftill with us, but do not joyn in 
 the Sacrament. 
 
 The 
 
The firft of chefe admit of fo many divi flow find fub- 
 
 ydivifionS) and are fo contrary not only to us > but one to 
 
 another, as that we are hardly able to rank them into 
 
 order-, and yet for method fake, we.will divide them 
 
 into two focts: 
 
 i .Such as fepar ate from]us, only for matter of Government. 
 
 KO 2. Such as fepar ate from usjor matter of dotfrinealfo. 
 
 I . Sue h as Separate from us 3 only for matter of Govern- 
 ment. To thefc we have fpoken already in our Vindi- 
 cation \ We now think fit to add one thing more 5 
 
 And that is, To befcech and intreat you,as Brethren, 
 to confider, what a fin it is,to feparatc from Churches, 
 which you your fclves acknowledg to be true Churches 
 of Jefus Chrift $ and that, while they are endeavouring 
 more and more after a reformation according to the 
 Word 5 and to fet up Churches of another conftkuti- 
 on 5 Is not this to fet up Church againft Church t and 
 as the Ancients were wont to exprefs it. Altar againft 
 Altar ? And whereas you fliould rather joyn with us, 
 and put <to your helping hand to reform the Nation, 
 and to bring our Churches into the order of the Gof- 
 pel 5 do you not rather weaken our hands, by dividing 
 from us, and dividing of us $ and thereby obftru&ing 
 and hindering the glorious work of Reformation & For 
 what with the Prelatical on the oge hand, that will not 
 come up to a Scripture-Reformation* and with you on 
 the other , that will not joyn with uswhileft we arc 
 endeavouring after a Scriptute-Reformation , The 
 building of Gods houfc ceafeth , in raoft parts of the 
 Kingdome * and inftcad of a Reformation, we fee no- 
 thing but deformation and defolation. If we be the 
 Church of Chrift, and Chrifi holdeth communion with us, 
 Why do you fepar Me from us 1 if me be of the body ofebrift, 
 
 do 
 
tnJD 
 
 do not thtf that ft far ate from the body , feparate from the 
 headalfo ? Wc arc loath to {peak any thing , that may 
 offend you yyet we intreat you to confider, That if the 
 Apoftle calls thofe divifions of the Church of Corinth, 
 wherein Chriftiansdidnot fepasrate into divers formed 
 Congregations of feveral communion in the Sacra- 
 ment of the Lords Supper, Schemes, i Cor. 1.10. May 
 not your/tf<?/f/0»fromus 5 and froffsion that you can- 
 not joyn with Us as members, and fctting up Congre- 
 gations of another communion be more properly call- 
 ed febifmet The Greek word for Schifm fignifies rend- 
 ing 5 and fure it is, that you rend your felves from Us, 
 and not, as from Churches of the fame rule^but as Churches 
 differing in the rule, with a diflike of Us, and a protefta- 
 tion, that You cannot joyn with Us as fixed members 
 without fin - 7 You hear Us preach, not as pcrfons in Of- 
 fice, but as gifted men only •, and fbme of you rcfufe to 
 hear us preach at all : You renounce all Church commu- 
 nion with us as members ; and not only fo, but you in- 
 vite our people from Us,by telling them, That they can- 
 not continue tvith us without (in : You gather Churches 
 out of our Churches , and You fet up Churches in an 
 oppofitc way to our Churche s- and all this you do vo- 
 luntarily, (not feparated, but feparating, nwfugati, fed 
 fugitsvi) and unwarrantably , not having any Sufficient 
 caufeforit-, and notwithftanding all this, yet you ac- 
 knowledge Us to be the true Churches of J cfus Chrift, 
 and Churches with which Chrift holds communion. 
 May wc not therefore mart juftly charge you as guilty 
 in making a Schifm in the Body of Chrift f 
 
 Wc arc far from thinking, that every difference in 
 Judgment, or every fcparation from a Church, nukcth 
 a Schifm; for it is not the Separation, but the Caufe, 
 
 Q that 
 
that makes the Schifmatick. The Godly-learned fay, 
 
 ■ sib'ifm* nl a r ^ at ever y m i u fi-> an ^ ra fi (cf^ratienfrom a true Church x 
 £*Uw y eft eadem (chat is, when there is no juft caufe, or at leaft no fuffici- 
 l ^b nt£m ' & cnt cau ^ c °f ^ Reparation) is a fchifm. And that there 
 KtcMtmWo i s b a negative aad pofitive fchifm, the former is, wher 
 conmgttiovu men do peaceably and quietly draw from communion 
 &&£$- wit V Church > not making a head againft that Church 
 matkos facit f ronrwhich they are departed : the other is, when per- 
 "uffiunm *° ns ^° ^W^^g^ confociatc & draw themfelves 
 wfmJnUdif- into a diftinft and oppofite Bodic , feting up,' a Church 
 ruptafocietas, againft aChurch(as you dofiwhichcamen C als A fehifm 
 Rifftu^lib. h m J e f **tiwty& further tels us,that there are c four 
 *o.cap./. caufes that make a reparation from a Church, lawful, 
 tJa^dcHdo" l * When they that feparate, are grievoufly and intol- 
 &cfi/c$9, fl lerably perfecuted. 
 
 pMio , dh- 2. When the Church they fcparate fronts heretical. 
 ffiXt'f 3- Whenitisldolatrical. 
 Mui,qHf debet 4. When it is the Seat of Antichrift. And where 
 Z%™f^a none °f tllc f e f° ur aie t0 be found, there the ftparation 
 mtemtec ' is inefficient andfchifmatical. Now we arc fully af- 
 
 Scijfio maxlmc 
 
 perficitur, & appgret in debit a cotomuriwit Ecckfiaftlca r ecu f and a, idcivctiUa feparntio ptVfip- 
 
 pyepriationm pngukrem/ccle vacatur Sebifma. Araef.caf confc.l.b. $ .cap. t i. 
 
 Scbifma eft feccfih in reltgtenis ncgoti^vci tim&m&^pBq fivefdttd fit,frue ccminuMt^ 
 Caracro^cte EcckHcom.i.pag.39^. 
 
 b Scbifma aliud eft, ut loquumur infcholls y ncgativum, aliud pojitivim. tlegat'ivum vocamtto, 
 *uod non exit in ccetum&focictatcm aliqmmrdigwfam, fed pmpticitcr feccfjio eft } & fubduttio; 
 turn non inftitaitur EcclefU,faftn fchifmattj&'c. Pofitivum tumft y aiminftituitw Ecclefia 3 koc 
 i ft, cum fit confociatio quadam, qua Icgibus Ecclcfiafli.cis, & T>ci virbo atque Sacrament Mum 
 admiriiftratione ui'itur feparatim : quod quadam formula, defumpt a ex Script ura dicitur (irutre 
 alt Are adverfus altar e , hoc eft , quod Schiftna Antonomafticas dlcitHr^ & 
 mcct' l^v 9 &c. Camerode Schifmate, pag. 402, 
 
 e Tem~atas feccjjlovis dc prebend: tur, ut loquuntur >a pofia'iori i fi,e]ui occafiolevi&ftti crit au~ 
 tern levis, n>fi vel incident gravli & intolcrabilis perfec'utiopel illc coctus unit fit fcccjfw lab wet, 
 barefi^ut verb deditus fit Idohlatritz. Camero,pag. 3 99. And afterwards,^. 40?. £>uarU 
 wra caufa {cu\m non meminimmfup-ra^ quia verfabamr in tbefi t hie vert memmmm^quia vers 
 turn efi ai fyptthefim) fi agniwfuerit ^intichriflut. 
 
 Sired, 
 
[n 5 ] 
 
 fured, tKat none of thefc four caufes can be juftly char- 
 ged upon our Congregations. And therefore you muft 
 not be difpleafed with us, but with your felves 3 if we 
 blame you as guilty ofa pofitive Schifm. 
 
 There are two things will be objected againft what is 
 herefaid. 
 
 That you are forced to feparate from Us, becaufc of #£/'#. i. 
 thofe finfull mixtures that are tolerated amongft Us; 
 That our Congregations arc mifcelianeous companies 
 of all gatherings , without any due feparation of the 
 wheat from the chaff : that all forts are admitted even 
 to Sacramental communion. And that therefore you 
 ought to come out from amongft Us , that you be not 
 made partakers of our fins. 
 
 We anfvver, 
 
 i. That this charge, ifunderftoodofthofcCongrc- An[rv. \. 
 gations, that are reformed according to the rules of the 
 Presbyterial Government's moft untrue and unrighte- 
 ous. It is fufficiently known what we fuffer in our 
 cftates, and in our outward peace and quiet,becaufe we 
 will not allow of finful mixtures in our Churches. The 
 Lord that obferves our particular carriages knows, that 
 we ftudy purity of members, as well as purity qC Ordi- 
 nances, and verity of do&rine. And though we dare 
 not make feparation from a true Church, by departing 
 from it, as you do-, yet we do make a feparation in a 
 true Church, by purging and reforming it, which you 
 do not do. The rule of the Aflcmbly for the Church- 
 members, is very full: That they muft be vifibtc Saints, 
 fitch M being of age ^ d$ proftffe Faith in Chrifl, and obedi- 
 ence unto Chrtfl^ according to the rules of Faith and lift , 
 taught by cknft and his Jpftles. Doth not the Scripture 
 require more then this/ why then will ye feparate from 
 
 0^2 US 
 
us for finfull mixtures, when we are purging out finfuH 
 mixtures i when God is coming towards us,why will 
 you run away from us? When God is building us up, 
 why are you fo a&ive in pulling us down I Are we not 
 coming out of the Wilderneffe,and will you now for- 
 fakeus? It is not many years finccthe (hip of this 
 'Church was finking into Popery,and then fomcofyou 
 feparated from it into other parts of the world. And 1 
 when of late years, there was hope through the mercy 
 of God, of faving the (hip, you returned back ; and in- 
 ftead of helping to fave her, you prefently began to ft- 
 parate from her •, and whileft we were pumping to pre- 
 fcrve the fliip; your pra&ices have occafioncd & made 
 many leaks in it. This is a fad thing, and if rightly ap* 
 prchended, muft fit fadly upon the fpirits of feme. 
 Jpfit. 2. Suppoft there were fomc finfull mixtures at our Sa- 
 craments,yct we conceive,this isnot a fufficient ground 
 a Etimfaefi* of a negative, much leflc of a pofitive reparation. a The 
 fttema e,cum learned Author forementioncd tells us, that corruption 
 fa obmnum • manners crept into a Church, is not (utftcient caufe of f$- 
 quorum \Uud juration from it. This he proves from Matth. 23.1,3. 
 cwfatrtinet, a nd he alfo gives this reaion for it ; Becaufc in what 
 fhclr^Mofis^" Church foever, there is purity of Do&trinc, there God hath 
 facke quae- lis church > though overwhelmed 'with fcandaUs. ^And 
 rim^obis XC " therefore whofotver feparates from fuch an Ajftmbly , fepa- 
 c^lsni b*c eft rates from that p>ace where God hath his Church , which is 
 rauo^uUubU ra ^ ^ unwarrantable. 
 
 t*!Z dofoi- The Church of Cormth had fucH a profane mixture 
 <m,vtum into at their Sacrament , as we believe few ( if any ) of our 
 ZteZiLalf- Congregations can be changed withal. And yet the 
 
 •bmtam pene multitudine fe&nddomm. Haetjie qui ftceffienemfac'wnt ab ejufmnf c#tv, baud - 
 
 Apoftfe 
 
Di7l 
 Apoftlc doth not perfwade the godly party to fcpa- 
 rate t much left to gather a Church out of a Church. 
 There were many godly and learned Non-conformifts 
 of this laft age, that were perfwaded in their confeien- 
 ccs , that they could not hold communion with the 
 Church of England t in receiving the Sacrament knee- 
 ling, without fin , yet did they not fcparate from her* 
 Indeed, in that particular ad they withdrew , but yet 
 fo , as that they held communion with her in the reft, 
 being far from a negative , much more from a pohtivc 
 fcparation. Nay fome of them , even then when our 
 Churches werefull of finfull mixtures , with great zeal 
 and learning, defended them fo far, as to*ivrite againft • Mtxmb- 
 thofe that did fcparate from them. He that will never ™jw. 
 communicate with any Church, till every thing that MMtfdaf**. 
 offendeth be removed out of it, muft tarry till the great *£ r '£ffi*"' 
 day of judgment, when (and not till then,) Chrift wiH 
 fend fmh his Angels, to gather out tf his Kingdom* wiry Match. 13.?- , 
 thing that offendeth, and them t kit do iniquity. Mufculus 
 tells us of a Scbwcnkfeldian at Augujld, whom he asked, *Qw,*[°* \ 
 vihcnhchzdrtceivd the Sacrament 5 he anfwered, not 
 tbefe t wslve yetrs: He asked himthcreafon 5 he anfwe- 
 red, Btcaufe he could not finde a Church which was inward- 
 I) and outwardly adorned fit for a ffoufe ofchrijl, and hat 
 he would defer receiving the Sacrament , till he could ftnde 
 fuchaone. This man never did receive.- No more will 
 any of his opinion. Wc ipeak not thefe thtngs,to jufti- 
 fic the negligence and wickednefs of Church- Officers, 
 in fuffering thefe prophane mixtures ; we have already 
 proved it to be their duty, to keep all vifibly- wicked 
 perfons from the Sacrament, and have given divers ar- 
 guments to pcifwade them thereunto. We have like- 
 wife flawed it to be the duty of privarc members , to 
 
 do> 
 
EM*] 
 do what in them lyes, for the removing of fcandalls 
 out 6f the Church. If a brother offend them, they are 
 not to feparate from him, (for this is not the way of 
 Chrift, to gain, but to de(lroy his foul.; but they are to 
 tell him of it privately , and in an orderly way to bring 
 it to the Church. And when they have done their du- 
 ty, they have freed their own fouls, and may fafely and 
 comfortably communicate in that Church,wichout fin. 
 ob' ft Though we do feparate from you, yet we cannot 
 
 - ** *'*' ftand charged with Schifme M becaufe the nature of 
 Schifme confiftethio an open breach of Chriftian love-, 
 and it is fuch a feparation , which is joyned with a con- 
 demnation of thofe Churches from which they fepa- 
 rate, as falfe Churches, which we are far from. 
 tdnfto. Wc grant, that to make up the formality of a Schif- 
 
 matick , there rauft be added uncharitablenefs 5 as to 
 make up the formality of an Heretique , there muft be 
 added obftinacy. But yet as he that denyeth a funda- 
 mental Article of Faith,is guilty of herefie , though he 
 add not obftinacj thereunto to make him an heretiquc •, 
 fo he that doth unwarrantably feparate from atruc 
 Church, is truly gwilty of Schifme , though he add not 
 uncharitablenefs thereunto , to denominate him a com- 
 pleatSchifmatique. 
 rbemasGood- A Reverend Brother of your own, calleth Brownlfmt^ 
 *M*,in hi» scr- a bitter root of rigid feparation. And we-befeech you, 
 z«h U|? ° n W ^ C ^ C *P ir * c °? mce knefs, t0 confidcr what bitter 
 fruits have fprung from your more moderate feparati- 
 on : whatgreat and wofull breaches have been made 
 upon the bleffed grace of charity 6 V what harlh and ri- 
 gid cenfures fbtne ofyouthave paffed upon our per- 
 sons and government ; calling us Lordly and Prelaticall- 
 and it, Tyrannical and 'prejudicial to civi 11 States^ on pur- 
 
 pofe, 
 
[IIP] 
 
 pofe,torftakeus, and it odious, and thereby to render 
 yourperfonsand way the more amiable to the people. 
 And that which is more then this , Are there not fome 
 of you, that chooie rather to joyn with Anabaptifts, 
 and Epifcopal men, then with us i And that will give 
 letters dimiflbry to your members , to depart from you 
 to the Churches of the Anabaptifts »? and at the fame 
 time,deny them to /uch as defire them, for to joyn with 
 Churches of our communion ? Is not this to feparate 
 with an open breach of Chriftian Charity i We charge 
 not thefe things upon all of you, but only upon fome 5 
 whofe names we forbear to mention. And for our 
 parts, we do here profefs, That it is and fhall be our 
 great care, to ftudy purity and charity , as well as verity 
 and unity 5 and purity of members according to the Word, 
 as well as of Ordinances. 
 
 We abhor an over- rigid urging of uniformity in cri- 
 cunoftantifill things. And arc t far from the cruelty of 
 thatGyanr, who laid upon abed all he took • and thofervbo 
 were too long, he cut them even with his bed . and fitch *s 
 were too fiort , he fl retched out to the length of it. God 
 hath not made all men of a length, n >r height. Mens 
 parts, gifts, graces differ • and if there fhould be no 
 forbearance in matters of inferior alloy , all the world 
 would be perpetually quarrelling. It you would folly 
 know our judgments herein , we will prefect them in 
 thefe two Propositions 3 
 
 i. That it is the duty of allChriftians, toftudyto 
 enjoy the Ordinances of Chrift in unity, and uniformi- 
 ty, as far as it is poiTtble 5 for the Scripture calls to unity 
 and uniformity, as well as to purity and verity : andiCor.r.io. 
 furely, it is not impoffiblc to obtain this fo much defi- {J 1 ^ 2I > 1 - 
 red unity and uniformity , becaufc that God hath pro- r £ 4 ' 5,s 
 
 lotted) 
 
[I*0] 
 
 j mifed, that his children fhallferve him with one heart, 
 
 Zeph.JV- and with oneway^ and with one fhoulder. And that in the 
 zach.14.9, j a y S Q f t h c Gofpel, There Jhall be one Lord^ and bis name 
 Joh.17.1x. *»'• And Chrifthath prayed, That we may be all one, as 
 the Father is in hiw^ and he in the Father. And he adds a 
 moft prevalent rcafon, that the world way believe that 
 thou hafl fent we. Nothing hinders the propagation 
 of the Gofpel , fo much as the divifions and reparati- 
 ons of Gofpcl-Profcffbrs. If then it be Gods promife, 
 and Chrifts prayer , it is certainly a thing poffible to be 
 obtained, and a duty incumbent upon all true Chrifti- 
 ans, to labour after. 
 
 « . That it is their duty to hold communion together, 
 as one Church, in what they agree 5 and in this way of 
 union mutually to tolerate and bear with one another 
 in leflcr differences. And here that golden Rule of the 
 Phil.3.1 j jisj Apoftle takes placc,Ztf ns therefore a* wany as beperfeft, 
 be thus winded 5 and if in any thing ye be other wife winded^ 
 Cod fhall reveal even this mat you: Nevertheleffe whereto' 
 we have already attained, Let us walk by the J awe Rule , let 
 *■ us wind the f awe thing. "This was the practice of the 
 
 primitive Chriftians. 
 
 Allfuch who profeiTed/Chriftianity, held Commu- 
 nion together, as one Church, notwithftanding the dif- 
 ference of Judgements in leffer things, and much cor- 
 ruption in converfatioii. 
 
 We befeechyoutherefore Brethren, that you would 
 endeavour to keep the Unity of thefpirit in the bond of 
 peace ; for there is one Body and one Spirit , even as ye are 
 called in one hope of your Galling 5 one Lord, one Faith, and 
 cne Baptifwe 5 one Cod and Father of all, who is above aU , 
 4nd through ally and in you all. 
 For our parts, we do here manifeft our willingncfs, (as I 
 
 we 
 
[t«3 
 
 we have already faid)to accommodate with you accor- 
 ding to the Word, in a way of union; And ( fuchofus 
 as are MiniftersJ to preach up, and to pra&ife a mutual 
 forbearance and toleration in all things, that may conftft 
 with the fundament alls of Religion, with the Power of God - 
 linejfe^ and with that peace which Chrifl hath eftahl/Jhed in 
 his Church, but to make ruptures in the body of Chrifl, 
 and to divide Church from Church, and to fet up 
 Church againft Church, and to gather Churches out 
 of true Churches: And becaufe we differ in Ibmc things, 
 therefore to hold Church-communion in Nothing-,this 
 we think hath no warrant out of the Word of God,and 
 will introduce all manner of cpnfufionin Churches and 
 Families-, and not only difturb, but In a little time de- 
 ftroy the power of Godlineffe,purity of Religion,peace 
 of Christians, and fet open a wide gap to bring in 
 Atheifme, Popery, Hcrcfie, and all manner of wicked- 
 neffe : We will therefore conclude with that defcripti- 
 onthat Do<?ter Ames gives of the finfulneffe andmif- 
 chievoufnefTcofSchifmc, lib. 5. cap. 12. 
 
 Schifme, properly fo called , is a moft grievous Gn ; sohifm* poprle 
 
 1 . Becaufe it is againft charity towards our Neigh four, & c. Mum eft pec- 
 1. Becaufe it is againft the Edification of him who makes the ft. <*"» V—fa 
 par at iort % in that he deprives himfclf of Communion in spirit nail l &' a ; a a j lcr . 
 g**d. fattt, clunUti 
 
 3 . Ttecaufe it is againft the honour ofChrift, in that , as much erg* pnximum, 
 ai in it lyeth, it takes away the Vnity ofhu wyfticall body. & ? Ylvat eum 
 
 4. It makes way unto nercfie^nd J e par aj*rt from £ On ft. And ^ 
 therefore it is a fin by all good men to be abhorred. » Jdverf, 
 
 *difc*timi 
 IU m qui fac'it fcparatioiumjitutwus piivat fcmttipfutfi Commummc in bono (j>nituali. 
 
 3 Advtvfttiii Chrifo^qitatcnus umtakm coupons c]us myflici (uomodo JoU:t. 
 
 4 Viamfacit ad barefin & fcpn mtiomm ;i Cbriffif. 
 
 R 2. The 
 
Scctni fort m 2 * Th e fecond fort are fuch, isfeparatefrom our flunkes, as 
 
 f£Sep*m\&$. fa/fe Churches ; And from our Minifiry^ as Antkhriftian : and 
 
 differ from us not only in Difcipline, but in Doftrke alfo. Wc 
 
 purpofe not to undertake a particular confutation of your Er- 
 
 rours. 
 
 Four things only we haue to fay : 
 i. To befeech you to confider, whether you did not 
 receive the work of Converfion from fin unto God, which ye 
 prefurre to he wrought in you frft of all , inthefepublique 
 affemblies, from which you now feparate f And if once you 
 found Chrift walking ampngft us, How is it that you 
 do now leave us I pd you riot therein leave Chrift al- 
 fo < Are we leffe, arid not rather more reformed then 
 we were j If the ^refljhcg of Chrift, both of his power 
 a«nd grace, be with us, why will you deny us your prc- 
 fence? Are ye holier and wifer then Chrift? Is not 
 this an evident token that we are true Churches , and 
 have a true Miniftry, becaufe we have the feal of our 
 Minifhy, even the converfion of many fbns and daugh- 
 
 2 Cor o 2. £crs unco G°d - ^ ot ^ not r ^ e Apoftle from this very 
 ground, argue the truth of his Apoftlefhip ? Is it not ap- 
 parent , that our Minifters are fent by God , Becaufe 
 their EmbafTage is made fuccefsfull by God, for the 
 good of fouls < Did you ever read of true converfion 
 ordinarily in a falfc Church < Will the Lord concur 
 withthofeMinifters^whorn he fends not f Doth not 
 the Prophet feem to fay the quite contrary, Ier.23.33. 
 And therefore either renounce your converfion , or be 
 converted from that great fin of fcparating from us. 
 
 2. To confider, whether there was not a time, when 
 ye could have plucked out your orvne-j.es , and have given 
 them to thofe Minifters, whofe eyes you would now pluck out, 
 and whom now you hate, and think you do God good fervice, 
 
 in 
 
I 
 
 d*33 
 
 in reviling dnd perfecting them. How is it,that you arc 
 thus altered and changed i Are thej become your enemies^ 
 becaufe they tell you the truth * You will Reply, It is bc- 
 caufc they are Minifters Ordained by Antichriftian Bijhops- y 
 and therefore before they have renounced their falfc 
 Miniftry, we cannot with a fafe confciencc hear them, 
 nor expeft a blefling from their Miniftry. This Reply 
 is, we confefs, a great (tumbling block to many godly- 
 people, in this Kingdome -, for fatisfadtion to it, wc offer 
 thefc particulars: 
 
 i . Many of you that make this Reply,hold, That the 
 Election pf the people is by Gods Word fnfficient to make d 
 man a true Mini ft er without Ordination, 
 
 Now it is certain, that many publique Minifters have 
 been chofen by the free and full content of their Con- 
 gr :gations-,ind mod of them have had an after confent, 
 which was fufficicm to make Leah Jacobs wife,and why f^&l^l 
 not (to u'e your own words) to marry a man to a peo- «Lcam/Jf 
 pie \ and therefore according to your own judgments, w*i*g". 
 allfuch arclawfull Minifters. Forfinfull fupcradditi- Parcu$ >^ 
 ons do not nuilifie divine Inftitntions. 
 
 2. Some of you, that befides Ele&ion, require Or- 
 dination for the making of a Miniftcr,yct fay , that this 
 Ordination mirft be by the people of thcCongrcgationj 
 and thus are your Minifters ordained. 
 
 Now we finde neither precept nor prefident for this 
 in ill the Scripture; we finde Ordination by the laying on 
 of the hands of the Presbytery , but ncverofche laying on r . Tm M.i*. 
 of the hands of the people. Wc finde the Apoftlcs/T/- Aft I4 z 
 mothy and Thus, Orddimtig, but never the peoj le Ord.u- i Tim.y.ai. 
 ning^ and for private pcrfons toafTume the power of TitI - 5 - 
 Ordination ''that is , a power to fend men to preach the 
 Gofpel, and adminifter the Sacraments) is a (in like un- 
 
 R a to 
 
 CO* 
 
04l 
 wthcbaotUzzab, and of Corah, and his company 
 Therefore we fay to you, asCbrift doth, <JMatth.6. 
 Firfi pluck the beam out of thine ovm eye^ and then, &c. 
 Firft juftifie the Ordination of your own Minifters by 
 private pe: fons,and then you will fcebctter,to find fault 
 with the Ordination of our Minifters. 
 
 3. We diftinguiflh between a defective Miniftry, and 
 afalfe Miniftry, as we do between a man that is lame or 
 blind,. and a man that is but the pidare of a man. We 
 do not deny, but that the way of Minifters entring into 
 the Miniftry by the Bifhops, had many defers in it, for 
 which they ought to be humbled : But we add, that 
 not withftanding all the accidental corruptions, yet it is 
 not fubftantially and eflcntially corrupted : As it is with 
 Baptifm in the Popiih Church ■; all Orthodox Divines 
 account it^valid, though mingled with much drofs, be- 
 caufe the party baptized, is baptized in the name of the 
 Father, Son>andfloI; Ghojl. Aral therefore, when a 
 Papiit turns Proteftant,he is not baptized again,bccaufe 
 the fubftance ofBaptifmc is prefervedin Popery under 
 many defeds. The like, and much more, may be faid 
 for the Ordination of our Minifters by Bifhops : It is lawful 
 and valid k>r the fubftance of it, though mingled with 
 many circumftantial defefts. 
 
 And this appears, 
 1 1. Becaetfe when they were ordained,//^ weredefign- 
 ed to m other Office ^ but to preach the Word, and administer 
 the Sacraments ^ according to the Will ofchrift. 
 
 a. Bccaufc fince their Ordination, God hath fealed the 
 truth of their Ministry (as hath been faid) by his bf effing 
 upon it. If they be Antichriftian CMiniJlmJiovj is your 
 converfim Christ an ? 
 
 I* Becaufc they were ordained by Bifoops, not as 
 
 Lord 
 
Etffj - 
 
 Lord Biftiops , or asafupcriour Order by divine Right a~ 
 bove a Presbyter • but as they were Presbyters. For the 
 underftanding of which, you mult know, 
 
 i. That by Scripture, aBifhopand Presbyter is all 
 one-, as appears by ACi.\o. 17,18. Tit.i. 5,6,7,8. Phil. 
 11. 1 77>».3.i,2 s &e. 1 Pet*).i,i. andbywhatisfaid 
 by the Authors quoted in the ' Margent. a smcaymnu- 
 
 2. That the Lordly Dignities of ' B flops were meercivill us - 
 addita vents annexed 'to their Btjbopncks by Kingly favour. li^faif 
 ' 3. That this Opinion, that Bflops are a b fuperiour Or- Mr.Vmz%Jir. 
 der of Miniftry, by Divine Right above a Presbyter ±i$ a late $££ %Mr ' 
 upfkart Opinion^ contrary to antiquity , as appears by the turned wTthc 
 Authors quoted in the Margent. l«e King, i a 
 
 4. That the Laws of this Realm do account nothing Jhc iflcof x ac 
 divine in a Bi(hop,but his being a Presbyter ; and there- wight, 
 fore the Parliament in their Ordinance for Ordtnation>tc\s ^ Amb a r ° r - ia 
 us, That they did ordain as Presbyters, not as B flops ^ much E } fh e 4 f. \ ia 
 le(fe as Lord Bijhops. ^ m -s 
 
 As for their ufurpatfonof thefolc power of jHrif- ft^Euagrt 
 di#ion,togcther with thcir«Lordly Titles & Dignities, am. 
 and Dependanccs, we have renounced them in our S$~ ^Jf^ 1 * 
 lemn League and Covenant : But we never did, nor nc- 1 Tim.£> 
 vcr fhall renounce them a^Presbyters^whkh by the con- 
 fent of all fides,are by Divine Right. 
 
 We (hall add one thing more, 
 4. That Minifters do not receive their Miwiftry from 
 the People, or Biftiops, but immcdiatly from Jefus 
 Chrift : For they are Minifters and EmbafTadors of 
 Chrift,not of the People : Indeed they arc Embassa- 
 dors for the good of the People , but not EmbafTadors 
 of the People : All that the people or Biflaop doth , is 
 but to ehoofe and ordain a man-, but it is Chrift that gives 
 bmhis power and authority : As when a wife choofetha 
 
 husband >r 
 
fyuldnd^M a Town a Mayor^the Town doth not give 
 the Mayor, nor the wife the husband, the power they 
 have^but the Laws ofGodjhz one and of Man,thc other: 
 So it is here, It is Chrift that gives the Office, and the 
 Call to the Miniftry • They are his Servants, and in his 
 Name execute their fundlion.lt is he that fits them with 
 ability for their work • the people they confent,and the 
 Biftopas a Presbyter, with other Presbyters, crdain him^ 
 which though it had many Corruptions mingled with 
 it, when the Bifhop was in all his pomp and Lordlinefs, 
 yet for the fubftance of it, it was lawful & warrantable, 
 and therefore cannot without fin he renounced and abjured. 
 
 3_. In the third place we exhott you to confider,*^- 
 therfweeyeu haveforfaken our Congregations, yon hate not 
 fallen into fuchjlrange opinions , andthefeoffo high a na- 
 ture, as that if any man jhculdk.vz told you Jeven years ago, 
 that yon would have one time or anothe fall into titm , you 
 muldhavefaidto hiw, as Hazacl did to the Prophet • Jm 
 Iadog, that I (I. odd do this ? Who would ever have 
 thought, that you that did once figh, mourn , and bit- 
 terly complain, That a Chappell was je mined to the 
 jgueento hear Mtffe in,Jhculd now plead for a toleration of 
 Popery, and all manner of Err ours and Bcrefies ? That you 
 that did once flock to our Churches as Doves to the windows , 
 (l)Ould now not only forjake ours, but all Churches ofivla'e- 
 V£r conjlitution, That you thrt d:do*cejo muchprizeChrifl, 
 a dhis holySeripiures, fhouldnow ■ ' fome of you at leafi\denj 
 the Divinity ofchrift, 'and his ho/y Scriptures ? But this 
 is no great wonder,for the A pofile hath foretold ir, That 
 iTim 3.13. evJllwen andfeducersjjull wax worfe atdworfe, deceiving 
 i Tim z 16 and being deceived; and that they will ircreafc unto n ere 
 • 17. ' ungodlmefs , and their word will ca f as dfth a Canhr, &c. 
 
 Enour is of an incroaching nature $ as the little Thaf 
 
 opencth 
 
C"73 
 
 openeth the 'oor oftentimes to the great Theef Co z little 
 errour paves a caufe- way to a greater : The Popifhfu- 
 perftition at firft grew fecretly,thc tares were hidden un- 
 der the corn-, but in a little while the tares grew up, fo as 
 no w» could befeen:Images,at firft were brought into 
 the Church only for an hiftoricall ufe ; afterwards, toftir 
 up devotion, at laft,thcy came to be rvorfhipped : Let the 
 Serpent but winde in his head, & he will quickly bring 
 in his whole body : Your firft errour was in Separating 
 from our Churches, from which Christ doth not feparate. 
 Here the Serpent got in his head^Sc no wonder his whole 
 body followed '• he that faith jw to the Devil in a litnle, 
 fhall not fay nay when he pleafc.He that tumbleth down 
 the Hill of Error ,will never leave tumbling,till he comes 
 to the bottome. Firft you deny our Minifters to be true 
 Minifters, and our Ordinances to be true Ordinances • 
 and then God , as a juft Judge, gives you over, in a lit- 
 tle time, to deny all Mmiftcrs and Ordinances , and then 
 to be above all Minifters and Ordinances - y and at laft ,to be 
 above Chrift himfclf, andrtottoftand in need of his 
 mediation to God the Father. Firft you deny B apt: (me of 
 Irfwts,and then after ,# apt t [me of water : In a word,Firft 
 you runaway fromw, and then for the moft part turn /#- 
 dependents ^ihzn Antinomians ,then An&aptifts^ then Ar- 
 rmmians 3 then forrte o l you Socintaas^ Antifcripturtfts, An- 
 ti-Trinitarians^ ft ill waxing worfe and worie, deceiving 
 and being deceived & in the condition, mecr Axheifti. 
 Suffer us therefore to (peak to you in the words of 
 Chrift, tothe Church ofEpheJus, Rev. 2. 5. Remember 
 from whence you are fa!n^anj repent, and do your firft works , 
 &c. Repent of all your Soul- deftroyim* En our s , and 
 return tothe Churches from which ye have moft tin- 
 juftly feparated,for fcar,left God >is ajnft y /n/g^becaufc 
 
 vou 
 
CfttJ 
 
 you would not receive the love of the truth that you 
 might be faved, fhould dill give you over to ftrong de- 
 lufions, that ye fhould believe a lye, That all they might 
 be damned "who believed not the trul h , but had pleasure in 
 unrighteoufneffe : And this makes way to the fourth 
 thing we have to fay to you • and that is, 
 
 4. To befeech you to confider. Whether fince you for- 
 fook our Congregations, you are not much decayed in the pow- 
 er of Godlinefs^whcthcv you have not loft your firft love 
 to Godly Minifiers,Gofpel-Ordinances,Faftings D read- 
 ing the Word,privatc & Family prayers,and Commu- 
 nion of Saints 5 whether you are not grown more cenfo- 
 rious,felf-conceitcd,headie,bigIv minded, treacherous, 
 fierce, defpifers of thofe that are good, and lovers of 
 pleafure,more then lovers of God 5 whether Duties to 
 God and Man have not been more negle&ed,Sabbaths 
 more prophaned,Families worfe governed •, the pub- 
 lique welfare of Church and State have *iot been left 
 minded; whether prophanenefs,orprophaneOnes,have 
 not been more indulged 5 aod whether you be not fen- 
 fiblyand dangeroufl/ apoftatized from that clofeand 
 humble walking with God, which formerly fomeof 
 you did fo much labour after : For the truth is, Corrup- 
 tion in the judgment, will quickly bring corruption iu the 
 conversation. Our anions arc guided by our apprehen- 
 fions • and if our apprehenfions be erroneous,our atlions 
 will quickly be tainted with wickednefle -, And there- 
 Livlt.13 .14. f° re k [S vcr y obfeaveable, That in the old Law ^ when tie 
 Leprofie was in the hud f he Prieft wm not only to pronounce 
 the man unclean ^but utterly unclean : For Leprofie in the 
 head, will quickly beget a Leprofie in the whole man: 
 As the Sun is to the World-, fo is the Underftanding to 
 Man : If the Sun be dark, all the world is in darknefTe. 
 
 and 
 
and if tKe light that is in thcc (faith Chrift)be darknefs, 
 Hew great is that darknefs ? We wonder not at the loofe- 
 m(s of your pra&ices 3 when we confider the loofenefs of 
 your principles : For Doffrines contrary to Godlmcfsjnufl 
 needs bring forth a converfation contrary to the G of pell. And 
 this is an evident token to us 3 that the New* Lights (as 
 they are called) which you hold forth to the world/ 
 proceed not from the Father of Lights , but the Prince of 
 Ddrfaefs, becaufe they lead men into the Works of Dark- 
 nefs. 
 
 Therefore feeing that fince your departure from us, 
 you havewofully back- Hidden from God , and arc vi- 
 sibly decaid in Holinefs and Righteoufnefs, Our Exhor- 
 tation to you is 1 , that you would return to your firft 
 Principles 3 for then it was better with you, then now ; 
 And our prayer to God for you is, That he would give 
 you repentance to the acknowledging of the truth •, and that 
 you way recover your felves outoftlefnare of {he Devilt, 
 who are taken captive by his will. 
 
 Having finiflied that we had to fay to thofc that fcpa- 
 nrte from our Church , we now go on to fpeak a few 
 words tothofe that continue with us ft ill ^ and that wait 
 upon thepublique Miniftry , but do not yet joyn with us , in 
 partaking of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Thefe we 
 (hall divide into three ranks. 
 
 1. Such as arc young people , not yet fufficiently in- 
 ftru&ed in the grounds of Religion. 
 
 2. Such as are grow* in jears , and come to our 
 Churches, but yet are fcandalous in life and conversi- 
 on. 
 
 3. Such as live, for ought we know, unblameably, 
 but yet rcfufc to come to the Sacrament in the Presby- 
 terian way. 
 
 S x. Such 
 
[i3°] 
 i. Such as a re young people, and not yetfufficicntly 
 inftru&ed in the grounds of Religion $ Our Exhortati- 
 on to you is , That you would remember your Creator m 
 the days of pur Tonth •> the word in the Hebrew is, in the 
 TJWVD choyce of thy dayes 1 The time of Youth is the Golden 
 Age • and grace in Youth, is like a Jewel in a gold- ring. 
 The time of Youth, it is the Seafoning Age : A Vcffcli 
 will of a long time retain the favour of that liquor that 
 it is firft feafoncd withall •, Teach a child (faith Solomon) 
 the trade of his way 5 and he will not depart from it when he 
 is old. The time of Youth is the chiefe time you have 
 to work for heaven. Old age is a time to fpend grace ^ but- 
 Youth is the time to get it ■: Old Age is the time to reap 
 the fruit of holinefs, but Youth is the time to fow the 
 feed of it : And it is a time, that of all times God doth 
 mod require , and moft delight in. It is obferved by 
 mmlLt^nfus one>that Chrift loved his yowge ft Difciple be/l : And by 
 amavtiplvi- Another, that Chrift was wonderfully delighted with 
 Su-ron that //0/4/HM that the children fang unto him, Mat.21. 
 
 i(on 'minus 1 6. The childrens Hofanna pleafed him no lefs then the 
 placet d:o Ho. mcns Hallelujahs -, Suffer little children to come unto me ; 
 fuXt^^ ith ChnQ;, for to thtm belongeth the Kingdomeof God. 
 jab vnm-m*, In the Old Tcftament God hath manifefted a great deal 
 fc!p n f tw * m of love to young people •, He chofe o4^/,the younger, 
 tbccommlnd. Shem, the younger, Abraham, the younger,^^, the 
 younger $ young Samuel, and youag David, and young 
 -fofiah : And therefore let young men, efpecially,be ex- 
 horted to begin betimes, to bear the yoak of the Lord s 
 Seek ye firft the Kingdo me of God , and bis Right eoufnefs ; 
 Rtftybeforemy thing elfe ; and R:d,more then any other 
 thing. Say not, (O fay not ! ) I am a young man , and 
 therefore may plead for liberty to do what I lift, till 
 I come of riper years : But remember, Thatfefus 
 
 Chrift 
 
[131: l 
 
 Chriftfhedhis blood for thee when he was 8. dajes old • 2nd 
 took thee into his Family by Baptifme , when thou didfi 
 hang upon thy mothers Breajl h Thou arc (it may be) a 
 young man, but a Baptized young- man $ A Young- 
 man confecrated and dedicated to God • And it is not 
 only (in, but ficrilcdg and perjury, to impropriate that 
 that is dedicated to God, to the {erviceof theDevtll. Re- 
 member the wrath manifeftcd from Heaven againfl the 
 42. children that mocked E/iJha % And remember fur- 
 ther, That young people muft dye, as well as old : 
 There arc Skulls in Golgotha, ofallfi^es ; and young peo- 
 ple have immortatl fouls , and muft appear at the great 
 day of Judgment, as well as old-. Young people are by 
 nature children of wrath, heires of hell < and therefore this 
 is thy firft work (0 young man) to get out of the Root 
 of Abomination, into the Root of Acceptation 5 out of 
 the old rldam^nto the new Adam-ft before this be done, 
 (though thou (houldft fpend thy time ingathering up 
 Pearls and Jewels,) thou art an undone creature. 
 
 For the better effecting of this, we exhort you, to at- 
 tend diligently to the pubitkc Preaching of the word , and wil- 
 lingly and cheerfully to -fubaiic to be catechized and initru&ed 
 by your Parents , M.ijlcrs , and Mini fiers. The Scripture divi- 
 deth a Congregation, ir.ro him that catechizeth , and thofe that 
 arc catechizedfiywg, Let them that are taught , or (as it is in the 
 Creek J Catechized , communicate to him that teaeheth (or cate* Gal.5 f. , 
 clizeth) them iv a> good tliivs. In the -Primitive times , when 
 any Heathen nun was converted to Chriltianity , he was firlr a 
 catechumen us , before he was admitted either to r Baptifme t or 
 the Lords .S-'p per. And figefippnsvAVitics, that by the diligent Quoted by 
 inflrncl'um of the Church, t'. ere Was >;> fcj own fimmon-f*'e*fth in D, :^ rw T J » 
 any part of the IVorlt . iahalitid , out lutlnnfourt J years after t Ur Com- 
 Chrifls pa/sum, received a gr(dt Jhaleinf ofHeatheni/h Religion. 
 There an- in Chrillian Religion, fundamental!* and luperjlru- 
 Ztions. The fundament alls arc the vitals ofChriftianity: 
 
 S 2 Thrift 
 
[130 
 Thcfe arc comprized in many of our Engtijh Cate- 
 chifmes. Amongft all others, wedomoreelpccially 
 commend the greater And le(fer Catechifmes made by tht 
 Reverend Affembly of Divines , and pulltflxd to be ufedin 
 all Churches in England and Wales, by Authority of Par- 
 liament, Tbefc We exhort you, not only to read, but to 
 learn. And to invite you thereunto,we further declare; 
 Thattheftudyofthe Catechifme, isafingukr hdp 
 for the right understanding of the Scriptures; ( For the 
 Catechifme is nothing elfe, but a Methodical Extraft 
 out of the Bible, of the fundamentals of Chriftian Reli- 
 gionO And ic is alfo very ufeful to make you underftand 
 what your Ministers peach tojou h And to keep you from 
 the Err ours and Here fid ofihefe times ,and to prepare you 
 to give a diftind and perfed account of your Faith to 
 the Miniftcrand Elders. For one great Reafon why 
 men do fo pervert the Scriptures to their own deftru&i- 
 on, and run wilde into fo many errors and herefies,and 
 are fo unable to give a particular and diftin<ft account 
 to the Minifter and Elders, is for want of the ftudy ot 
 the Catechifme. As a fhip without baUaft is toffed about 
 with every wave and wind $ fo is a man without the ftudy 
 of the Catechifme, carried about with every wind of vain 
 do&rine. As a boufe without a foundation will quickly 
 fall, fc will a Chriftianthat is not well verft in the fun- 
 damentals of Religion. As Children grow creokedjhzt 
 are not well looked to at firft 5 fo many run into crooked 
 opinions^ becaufe not well catechized. 
 And therefore we earneftly befeech and intreat all Pa- 
 rents, and Mafters of Families, that they would make 
 confeience of this gaeat duty of catechizing their chil- 
 dren and fervants. And oh that the Lord would make 
 our words to take impreffion upon your hearts. In the 
 
 Old 
 
1*3 
 
 Old Tcftement God commands Parents to fetch dili-D^i. €.7. 
 gently their childrcn.*X\\z word in the Hebrew is,to whet DD3JP? 
 the Lew upon their children. The fourth Commande- 
 aient is dire&cd not to children , and Icrvants , but to 
 Parents and Matters $ And they arc there commanded, 
 not only in their $rvnfer[ons y to keep the Sabbath ^ bun 
 to fee that their children and fervants do it alfo. Itisnor, 
 
 Thou, or thy fion, or thy diughter ; But thou, nor thy J on , nor thy 
 
 daughter i t doth not fay, (as Zanchy well obferves J Remember Zanch. in 4. 
 
 thou to keep holy the S ah bath day ', and toperfiwade thy children and P r *ccptuin. 
 
 fiervantj to keep it holy : But remember thou to keep it holy, and 
 
 thy fox, a'ndthj fietvant , implying thereby, that it it the Duty of 
 
 the OrLafler and Father, to compel/ hisfervant and children to the 
 
 keeping cf the Sabbath day. For doing of this, God exceedingly 
 
 extols Abraham, C en. 18.19. lkno^thathe will command his 
 
 children, and his houfhcld after htm, that they keep the wayes of the 
 
 Lord: upon which words, a learned Divine write thus ,• Abra- Mr. chc)neliln 
 
 ham did net leave his children and ftrvants to their own genius , a Sermon bc- 
 
 their oftncounfiels, their own tufls, theugh it is certain, divers off° rc tlic Hoiife 
 
 them would haiet 'anked him frfiuch a liberty ; for they had been of C«"mons. 
 
 nurjedup in fupe>flition and idolatry, as Abraham yeas, and might 
 
 have pretended, that they were not fat is fie J in point of confidence. 
 
 But Abraham knew how to diftingui/h between liberty of confei- 
 
 tnce, andlibtrty of lufi, and therefore Would not alloft them finch d 
 
 liber t j as would have enticed them into the worfi k^nde of bondage* 
 
 The New Teltamcnt alfo calls upon Parents, not only to bring 
 
 up their children, but to nurture them up in inflrutlion ar.dadmo- Eplic/V. 
 
 nition of the Lord. Old Eli was grievoufly punifljed for neglect of ^T^i;m\ 
 
 this duty : And let his fevere chaftifcrnent be as a warn* 
 tng-p/cce to all Fathers and Matters-, And let them 
 know,T/jMf if their children and fer vans pen ft for want of 
 injlrutfion, through their negligence, their blood will be re- 
 quired at their hands. 
 
 And if Parents and Matters, much more ought Mini- 
 ftcrstabe very confeicntious in the diluent ctifchargc 
 £ this du'y.Our Saviour Chrift layeth an exprefs com- 
 mand 
 
D34l 
 
 mand upon them, not only to feed thefieep , but alfp the 
 lambs ofchrifi. It is no difparagement to a Peter , to be a 
 feeder of Chrijls lambs. Oh that Minifters would unani- 
 moufly and univerfally fet to this duty ! We commend 
 it to them,as a mod Soveraign Antidote f.o preferve their 
 Congregations from the errours of thefe times. It is 
 reported of Julian, that amongft other fubtile plots he 
 ufedforthe rooting out of Chriftian Religion; One 
 wzsthefuppreffton of 'all Chiifnan Schools ^ and places of 
 fn^hefofc^ catechizing. *■ And as one faith, If he had not been as a 
 mentioned Cloud that foon paffeth away , /'/ had been to be feared \ lefl 
 Preface. within a fhort time he hadoverfbadowedall Religion. For 
 when Catechizing was taken from the Church, it was 
 prefently all overfpread with ignorance. And it is 
 further added by the fame Author, That the Pnpifts 
 thcmfelves acknowledg,that all the advantage the Pro- 
 teftantsgotoftheminthe beginning of Reformation, 
 was by their catechizing ; becaufe they began fooner to 
 catechize,then they did. And it is to be feared/aith he, 
 if ever the Papifts get once again advantage of Us, it 
 will be by their cxa&er catechizing, then ours. And 
 therefore, if ever you would prevent the further corrup- 
 tion of mens Judgments, and fecure them from the in- 
 fection oferrour^d preferve Religion from.ruine . We 
 exhort you in the bowels ofourLorcT JefusChrift, to 
 pradtife this duty -,and intreat our people with all readi- 
 nefs and conftancie, to fubmit unto this Ordinance of 
 God, which with fo much publique prejudice , hath 
 been fblongnegledlcd. 
 
 And to perfwade people thereunto, let tftcm confider 
 further 
 
 i. If Minifters arc bound to catechize, then,people 
 are bound to be catechized. 
 
2. That they are baptized, and thereby confecrated 
 unto Chrift, and obliged by promife, to give up them- 
 felves unto inftru&ion. 
 
 3. That ignorance, though it be not the greateft, yet 
 it is a mod dangerous fin: All finis wrapt up in ig- 
 norance, as a child in fwadling clouts. The Scripture 
 faith, iba Cbrifl will come in flawing fire to render venge- iThdf.j 
 awe upon all 'i boft that knew him not ,&c. 8 - 
 
 It makes the ignorance of God to be thecaufe of all fin, i Sam. 
 2.12. i ^.2.4. Epb.4.19. And 1\*z>fWprayeth unto God, To 
 pour out his Verath upon the heathen that know him not - y how much ' 79 ' 6, 
 more upon the Chiiftians that know him not. ? As toads and Ser- 
 pents grow in dark and dirty fellars : fo all fin and wickednelle 
 in an ignorant and blind foul. Now there i9 no ordinary way 
 for young people to gain the knowledge of God, but by Cate- 
 chizing* 
 
 4. That the time of youth is the golden age, the feafoning age* 
 and a time in which men are apt to receive abiding impreflions 
 of evil, or good. And if they can learn to fay to t hfha, Itald- 
 pate^hy fnould they be unwilling to learn to fing to Chriil:,i^V- 
 fanna ? 
 
 5 . That it is not fo great a fhame for young people to be ig- 
 norant, as to be wilful and obilinate in ign< >rahce. And if they 
 refufe to be Catechized, they fhall perifh in their ignorance ; but 
 the Al'mifier is free from the blood of their fouls. 
 
 The fecond fort a.rc futh as live within the bounds of our Pro* 
 vince, and come to our (Congregations, and jtt are r.ick±d and pro~ 
 pha/W) a-ndfuch, as if they fhould come to be examined j the UMi- 
 nifter and Elders, would not be received to the Sacrament. Thefe 
 are Chriltians In name,but they are a fhame to the namejnd bear 
 it (as Vrijah did a letter to Joabj for their r nine and dtftrHtliot. 
 We befeech and intreat them to confider,what a (inful and curfed 
 condition it is to live ungodlily and unri^hteoi:lly under the 
 abundance of Gofpel-Ordinances. 
 
 Firft, what a (inful condition it is • For, 
 
 asinthemlycsj a fruftrating of the 
 
 grcac 
 
[i3*] ■ 
 great love of Chrift in dying for them : For, therefore 
 Chrift dyed , that they which live, jhoutt not henceforth 
 live unto themfelves ', but unto him which dyed for them^and 
 rofe again , 2 Cor.j.i$. 
 
 2 . It is a fruftrating of the gracious defign of God,iit 
 fending the Gofpel to them ; for one chief errand of the 
 Gofpel ; is to teach w to deny ungodlinejfe and worldly luffs, 
 and live [oberly, righteeufly, and godly in this prefent 
 world, Tit ,2. 12. 
 
 5. R is not only to fin againft the light cf nature , but 
 againft the light of the GofjteL 
 
 4. Not only againft the creating and prefervingmer- 
 ciei of God, but againft the heart blood mercy of Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 5 . It is a fin of 'horrible ingratitude and unt hank fulnefs 5 
 afinthatmakesGodhimfelftoftand, as it were, ama- 
 zed, that any man fhould be fo wicked, as to be guilty 
 ofit, J/i/.i. 2.3^.2. 11, 12. 
 
 6. ItisafinthatwillmakeusfpeechlefTe, andunex- 
 cufable at the great day, fob.j 5.22. 
 
 7. It is a fin that renders a Chriftian worfethen the 
 very bruit creatures, Ifa. 1.3. And in this one fenfe, 
 worfethen the Devills themfelves, becaufethe Devills 
 never refufed fo great falvatior. 
 
 2. Confider what a curfed condition this is : For, 
 
 1. It is zfyirituall plague , which is fo much greater 
 then a corporal, by how much the Soul is better then 
 the Body. 
 
 2. It is a fign not only of Gods Father!y,but revenge- 
 ful difpleafure, a brand of reprobation^ and the high- way 
 to damnation. . 
 
 3. It renders a man utterly uncapable (as fuchQof t 1 
 Sacrament of the body and bloudo^ ^ 1 'ft ; fo <* 
 
D373 
 
 ordained the Sacrament for his friends,not for his ene- 
 mies ; toincreafe, not beget grace-, for thofe that are 
 vifible Saints, not for thofe that are vifibly wi. ked. 
 
 4. It brings Perfona/l y Congregational!^ and National! 
 fadgments ,Luk.\3. 5 . Ifa.5. 
 
 5. It makes a Chriftians condition at the day of Judg- 
 ment more intolerable, then the condition of Sodom and 
 Gomorrah. It makes the Gofpclit felfto bethechicfeft 
 mditcment againfl: him - ? and the hotteft place in Hell to 
 be his portion for ever,and ever. 
 
 Oh that the Lord would give hearts to thefe men to 
 meditate on thefe things! and to repent of all the r 
 fwearing, curfing, lying 5 drunkennefs, fornicadonjacul- 
 tery, Sabbath-breaking, and fuch like abominations J 
 And let them not be offended with us,(as moft of them 
 are) for not admitting the to the Sacrament 5 but rather 
 offended with their fins,that make them uncapable , as 
 fuch, of the Sacrament. Let not them cry out againfl 
 us, but againfl themfelves*, and ftudy to be revenged, 
 not oftheir Minrfters and Elders, but of their fins, and 
 themfelvcs. The Lord knows^that it is meerlovetothe 
 Lord Jcfus Chrift, and tender pity and compaiTion to 
 their and our own fouls, that forccthus todenythei* 
 this Ordinance; left we fhould be inftrumental to their 
 eating and drinking their own damnation, and acceffa- 
 ly to their unworthy receiving, and totheproph mati- 
 on of the Sacrament 5 Let not our pity , love^ and care t$ 
 them, breed hatred againjl ws, in them. And why fhould 
 they defire to partake in thefe holy myfleries, whofe 
 hearts and lives are fo full of unholinefle * why fhould 
 theythat want fpirituall life, dcfiretocatof fpirituall 
 >*\, *- ** 7 hatfhouldmenfpiritiiallydead,doataPpiri- 
 r fliould they defire to eat that bread , 
 T which 
 
which will certainly , as lgng as they continue in this 
 condition, be the bread of death , not of life ; and to 
 drink that cup, which will certainly be a cup,not of fal- 
 vation, but of damnation ! Let our counfel be accept- 
 able to you-, Firff wajb you, make ye clean , put away the 
 evitl fif your doings from before Gods eyes , ceafe to do 
 evi/t, learn to do well - 7 and then come and fee whether 
 we will not receive you heartily and joyfully to the Sa- 
 crament. First Wifiyour bands in innocency^ and then yen 
 will be fit to compare the Lords Altar. Fir ft get ftirituall 
 lift) and then come and eat (pirituall food. Firft get to be 
 a friend and Dilciple of L hrift , and then not only We, 
 but Chrift himfelf, will bid you welcome, and make 
 you partakers of nil the benefits and comforts of the 
 blefled Sacrament, 
 
 The third and laft fort> are fuck as come to our Congre- 
 gation ^and live (for ought we know) unblameably • and 
 yet refufe to joyn with Us in the Sacrament upon this 
 account^ ecaufe they will not come to be examined by 
 the Minifter and Elders. This (as we find by woful ex- 
 perience's the great mountain that lyeth in the way 5 and 
 hindereth the free pafTage of the Presb} terial- Govern- 
 ment •, and therefore we have taken fome pains in our 
 Vindication for the removing of it 5 we have fhewed, 
 
 1. That the Ruling-Elder (which is the Officer fo 
 much oppofed) hath a Divine Warrant. 
 
 2. It is the Will of Jefus Chrift, that they that come 
 to the Sacrament, fliould firft fubmic themfelvcs to Ex- 
 amination ; and not only fb, but to Examination by Mi- 
 nifler and Elders. 
 
 3 . What this Examination is, which is reqttired D and 
 how often it is required. 
 
 4. The reafon why ancient men an-- 1 
 have formerly underthe Prelatical 
 
[139] 
 admitted to the Sacrament, are required to fubmit unto 
 Examination, before they can be again admitted • it 
 remains, That we give Antwers to the Objedtions.that 
 are brought againft this way of Examinatiou •, but be- 
 fore we do this, we will firft offer certain Reafons and 
 Motives ( befides thofe already named ) to perfwade 
 every one of our refpeftive Congregations, as well old, 
 as young, rich as poor, freely and cheerfully to fubmic 
 unto it. 
 
 The firft Motive , is from the evident neceff'ity of it, cjfc- Motive u 
 c tally now^while we are reforming the fremijeuons admijfioM 
 of all forts of f co fie to the Lords Table, formerly fo fcanda* 
 Ions. 
 
 And tkis appears $ becauft, 
 
 ^. Without this , how can ignorant perfons ( unfit t$ 
 communicate) be dete&ed i what other ordinary and re- 
 gular courfe can be iraagined,to difcover who are inef- 
 ficient in regard of their want of knowledge f And it is 
 moft certain, that there are many ignorant perfons, old, 
 as well as young,rich,as well as poor,in the moft know- 
 ing Congregations •, and many times, thofe whom wc 
 fiippofc to be very skilful in the word of Right coufne^e^ up- 
 on Examination are found to be babes in knowledge. 
 
 2. Without this courfe, multitudes of ignora* per- 
 fons, both old and young,will intrude thcmfclves,wha 
 by rcafon of their ignorance, being not abletodifcern 
 the I ords body, muft needs m/ and drink Judgment t$ 
 thewfelves^and btcome guilty of the body and blood of Chrifl, 
 i Cor.ii. 17,19, 
 
 3. Without this ; how fhall Miniftcrs and Elders ever 
 " ~ c '^ * *'toknowtb~ ~«ylftatc of their Congre- 
 
 ' »v *w "* r them in the Lord f 
 
 negation give an ao 
 ( count 
 
[Mo] 
 count of their Faith to the Eldcrfhip,as well as arty one, 
 the people will be extreamly apt to objedt unto the Mi- 
 niffer and Elder s^mial- dealing in this particular,which 
 is contrary to that heavy charge of the AyoRle, I charge 
 i Tim. j. 1 1. t fo e faf $re Co ^ an dthe Lord $ ejus Chi ft , and the Elect 
 
 Angels ■ • that thou obferve thefe things , without preferring 
 one befcre another, doing nothing by partiality. And it will 
 breed dijcontents and animofities in the people againft the 
 Elderftiip , and great divifions and dijfentions among 
 themfelves. 
 5 . Tins courfe fliould be fubmittcd to by the moft in- 
 telligent and knowing Chriftians in a Congregation, 
 that by their good example^ aad profejfedfubjeel 'ion to the 
 Government of Chrift , thofe that have n@t fo grea| a 
 meafu re of knewledge,and fo have more need to come, 
 mav more readily and effe&ually be perfvvaded to do 
 the fame. 
 
 6. finally, how can the Minifters and Elders jinxxufcd 
 by God with the Overfight of their flock , keep them- 
 felves pure from the fin of thofe Perfons,who through 
 ignorance cannot chufc but prophane the Lords Sup- 
 per % unlefs by this means,they ufe their beft endeavors 
 to finde out where ignorance is,and to remove it: And 
 it is their duty to h ep themfelves pure, and not to be par - 
 takers of other mens fins. 
 Motive i. The-fccond motive, is from the great profit and benefit 
 that will redound to cur r effective Congregations r from fh& 
 prAclice^ prudently and faithfully under taken^anduniver- 
 fa/ly fubmittcd unta. For, 
 
 i . Hereby the whole Congregation^in all the mem- 
 bers of it, (hall receive rrf- ■" ' T antage and ' %; " 
 whileft thofe that a*"*' ^^ ' ' 
 
 thofe that are weak 
 
0*4*3 
 
 cned in knowledg 5 and thofc that are ignorant ^wi into 
 a way of gaining kno wledge,and fa be prepared to par- 
 take of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, morecon- 
 feionably ; and more comfortably difcern the Lords 
 body, which is done by knowledge-, as well as by Faith, 
 
 iCcr.u.29* 
 
 2. Hereby the great offence ofpromifcuous^or mixt 
 communion,will be prcvente d, which hath been herc- 
 tofore,and is to this day,a great grief to the godly,both 
 Miniflcrs and people-, and which hath becn 3 and is daily 
 objected againft us, by them that feparate from oQr 
 Churches, as the ground why they are neceflitated to 
 depart from us 3 and are ftill difcouraged from return- * 
 ingtous. 
 
 3. Hereby a good foundation will be laid, of carrying 
 on that reall reformation which we have covenanted for, 
 both in Congrcgations,families 3 and particular perfons- 
 grow b in knowledge being a great means to further our 
 growth in the grace of our Lord^eft^ Chrijl^ 2 Pet.3.18. 
 
 4. Hereby thoft uncomfortable and disorderly f rati- 
 ons and divifions among the members of our feverall 
 Congregations, ( fomc rcfufing to fubmit to all orders, 
 while others chriftianly fubmit themfelves,)wil in good 
 meafure bco<r^andour Congregations to the glory of 
 GW,and the comfort of Mimfler^nd Elders^ be reduced 
 to a fwcet Harmonious unity and uniformity , not only in 
 judgment, but in pi afticc, both thinking and doing the 
 fame thing; which were a Go/pel-blejfing much to be dc- 
 iircd, as a fruit of that Ancient Promife, ^r.32.39. 
 The third Motive is from the Mifcbiefs that willinevit- Mown 
 uffort the neglect of K: ' **j£tice* For hereby, 
 ^ iter Con? fl N *' «pir ignorance ujv- 
 
 j 
 l *. The 
 
2. The Lords Supper in many Congregations will be wholly 
 difofed, ormiferablyprophaned. 3. Particular Congregati- 
 ons will be filled with diffractions and difcontents, w hi left a 
 great part among them refufe to walk orderly. 4. The CMini- 
 fters and Elders ', whofincercly tender the fpiritual welfare of 
 their Congregations,will be much difcouraged znd dlfcomforted. 
 5. The fVorkjf Reformation, and particularly the growth of 
 people in knowledgand the grace of JefusChri(t,will cxtreamly 
 be obftructed and hindered ; andwhofoever fiallbe any canfe or 
 occafton thereof will but uncomfortably anffter it unto fefus Chrift* 
 Motive 4. The fourth Motive, is from the Veeaknejfe and infufficiency of 
 
 the objections that are brought againft this practice; To which 
 we fhali now fGod afiifting us) return diftintt , and we hope, 
 fatisfaclory Anfwers. 
 The Objections are : 
 
 Objett. 1. Many who are well inclined, object their own timoroufnefs x 
 
 And have jealoufees that the MiniHer will propound fuch hard 
 and unufual queitions,asthey (ball not on a fudden be able to an- 
 fwer. 
 
 t/4*/fr. U The Queftions to be propounded by the Elderfhip to perfons, 
 before they come to the Lords Table, are for the fubltanceof 
 them contained in the Ordinance of Parliament, of the 20 th of 
 Ottober, 1643. the particulars thereof being the fundament alls 
 of Religion, contained ufually in moll: Catechifmes, which perfons 
 of the meaneft capacity ought to underftand. 
 
 2. We doubt not but the Miniflers with the Elders, will make 
 it their ferrous Endeavours , to deal with all perfons in all Tru- 
 dence, meeknejfe } tendewejfe, and love , as the condition of thofe 
 that come before them fhail require; They being not infenfible 
 of their own rreaknejfe y wl\\ take heed of Pifcouraging the mean- 
 eft, or Quenching the fmoaking flax, well knowing, That thej 
 are not to Lord it over Gods heritage ^but to premcte their groWth, 
 and to be Helpers of their joy. 
 
 Object. 2. why may not people be now admitted to the Sacramenr * 
 
 without examination^ well as before the Eiders were rb^ c 
 
 Anfw. 2. Becaufc; 1. Before nrechofen^ndtlv* 
 
 of Church-Govern* '"* * -'- 
 
 te^wasin point oj, 
 dition : But now,, 
 
And we have in our Natiena/l Covenant ^ [worn to endea- 
 vour a reformation in Church- Government ^according to the 
 Word of God. In purfuance of that Covenant, there arc 
 many Ordinances of Parliament, to require it • and ac- 
 cordingly it is pracftifed in many Congregations-, and 
 jhall xv e (itllferfi(l in our old unreformed way f 
 
 2. Tic Promifcuous ad-nifsionof all forts of Perfons 
 heretofore without examination tended much to the 
 Vrophanation of the Lord Supper ^ and was a gx cat ft and all 
 in our Church, Hazardedthc fouls of thoufands, occafi- 
 0#^/feparations from our Churches, brought the judg- 
 ments of God upon the Kingdome , and was nofmall 
 griefe to godly Minifters, &c. But now God having 
 provided a further Remedy,we ought not only, not to 
 oppofei^ but to fubmit to it, with all readinefs and thank- 
 fulnefs. 
 
 Will you have the Ancient men of a Congregation , that have Qtipft 3 
 for divers J ears been partakers of the Sacrament , come now in * ** 
 their Old Age to be Examined ; will you have Noblemen, and 
 Rich men, and Aldermen, &C. 
 
 Wc have formerly declared , That the Presbyteriall Govern- Anfw>\. 
 meit doth not precifely require of thofe that come to the Sa- 
 crament, That they Jhouldfirfl be Examined by gueftions and 
 An fivers : But if any man (hall make a good profefsion of his 
 Faith, in a continued difconrjc , Withont being asks^ <wy jQyeft*- 
 ons, it Will be accepted, tfJ Well as if they Were Examined by parti- 
 cular JSueftions. 
 
 2. We have likewife iliewcd the Rcafon why Ancient men 
 
 and women, that have formerly been admi:ted , are required to 
 
 fubmit to Fxami.ution, before they can be again admitted, &c. 
 
 Wehaveintreatcd you, to diltinguilh between a Church-rcfor- 
 
 '>»<rin Difcipline, and reformed : When a Church is once refor- 
 
 ^mbersadmicced bv *" --^nation of the Eldetfhip, 
 
 "'"any nece v " afterwards to Mi- 
 
 t be in cafe of ex- 
 asoursis,when;!i 
 1 for, 
 
forts have formerly been admitted , without any Diflin&ion, 
 then Old men muft be willing to give an account, as well as young 
 men, and rich men, as well as poor : Becaufe, 
 
 i. Old men and rich men are found tobe ignorant, and to 
 prophane the Sacrament, as well as young men, and poor men. 
 
 2. InGofpell-adminifhationsGod is no refpeder of per- 
 fons ; neither mtifl: his Officers be, if they would be found faith- 
 full in their places ; It is not gray hairs , nor ftlktn coats ; but 
 know I edg, faith, repentance , love anh thankefttlnej s , will qualifie 
 a man for the Sacrament • 
 
 3. If old men and rich men are more gracious and 
 knowing, then others - 7 their good examples will be 
 mighty incouragements, to draw on the younger , and 
 poorer Cor t. And wherein can Noblemen, and Richmen, 
 exfrefs theiytbankfulnefs to God, for his dftinguijhwg mer- 
 cies towards themjbetter, then in becoming patterns And pre- 
 sidents to others jn their ready obedience to the tv/llof'Chrift, 
 
 in this particular? 
 
 Objeff.4. We are willing to come to the Minifter alone , to be 
 examined s But we will never come before the Ruling- 
 Elders. 
 
 Jnfo.i. The Office of the Ruling Elders 3 as they arcdiftinft 
 from teaching Elders, is grounded upon Scripture 5 and 
 is not an invention of man 5 but an Ordinance ofchrijl, 
 (as we have fhewed, ) and therefore to be fubmitted 
 unto. 
 
 2. Admiffion of members to the Sacrament, is an aft 
 of Church- Government, and therefore belongs to the 
 Elders , as well as the Minifter : (as we have likewife 
 (hewed.) Church -Government is not cemmjtiedby Chrifi 
 un:o M'wijlcrs feversMy, but, to Miniflirs axd Elders 1 > "" - 
 /^Matth.io.iy. 1 O r * *>8. 1 Tim. 4 ? >^ 
 12. A&.15 6.f Andr 
 
 enee, people^ 
 "ciers. 
 
[145] 
 5. This is a Pra&ice according to the example of the 
 beft reformed Churches^ wherein Elders are joyned with 
 Minifters in this particular. 
 
 4. To devolve this work upon one Minifter a!one,as 
 it is finful, fo it will prove very prejudicial , both to Mi- 
 nifter and People : For in fome places CM'tnifters may 
 not be fo faithfull and Prudentiall as they ought to be, 
 and may, through pride .covewfnefs, partiality, or rafhnefs, 
 keep from the Sacrament , or admit to the Sacrament, 
 whom Chrift would not have admitted , or kept away. 
 - And in other places , where Minifters are more wife^and 
 humble, ^ faithful!, iftftcyfbould affu me the power 
 of Examination, without Elders aflifting of them, they 
 will be wofully mif reported and fcandalized by thofo 
 that come before them ,or by others, that are difaffe&ed 
 to them \ For if fuch horrid and bale reports are already 
 raifed about the Queftions propounded by the Minifter 
 and Elders, when they fit together ; (as by fad expe- 
 rience thefe wicked dayes of ours will witnefle:) what 
 will not ungodly men be afraid to rcport,when the Mi- 
 nifter alone fhall ingrofs this power f 
 5 . We have formerly fliewed,that thefe Elders whom 
 you fo much oppofe,arc fuoh as jou either bave,or migfo 
 havechofen-, and they rvert chosen for the relief and bene ft 
 of the Congregation, that fo th*J4inijlcr might not be file 
 judge ofthofe that come to the Sacrament, bat might have o~ 
 thers joyned with himjo fee that he doth nothing out of envy, 
 malice, pride,or partiality •, but that all things mtoybeman- 
 *Tcd for t he good and edification of 't hofe for rvhofe fa£c they 
 * nd therefore it is a wonder to us, to hear 
 ~h v ' ' ^ng-Elders], when they 
 
 >efand benefit. 
 at when the 1?^- 
 ' lianr' 
 
[ M 6] 
 
 liament gave their allowance to the Presbyterial Go- 
 vernment, if they had put the whole juridical power of 
 the C hurch, into the hands of one Minifter alone, they 
 that now fcemfo willing to come to be examined by 
 the Minifter, without his Elders, would have more bit- 
 erly declaimed againft that way , then now they do a- 
 gainft this: Forthis indeed were. to make every Mini- 
 fter a iVW4tt in his Congregation-,andto bring in that, 
 which hath fbme Refemblance to Auricular conftfpon. 
 object, y. Though fome Miniflers rigidly keep all from the Sacra- 
 mcnt,that wiH not come before the Elder [hip 5 jet there are 
 others that are Presbyterians, and have Elders e ho {en, that 
 examine without them, and will receive us to the Sacra- 
 ment, without coming before them. 
 Inanfwertothis, 
 €knfw. i • We doubt whether there be any Minifter s of the 
 Presbyterian judgment, that do thus pra&ife. 
 
 3. If there be any fych, wc conceive that herein they 
 aft not only contrary to an Ordinance of Parliament, but 
 to an Ordinance of Chrift, who hath given the power of 
 Difciplinc, not to one Minifter, (as we have faid) but to 
 ununited company of Presbyters : And for one Minifter 
 to aflume this power unto himfelf, is (as we have alfo 
 declared) f0 make himfelf the whole Church-, It is to build 
 up what he hath deflroyed,andto ufurp the Prelatkafl power 
 of folejurifdiffien, in bis Congregation. For he doth not 
 only aflume a Paftoral power of inftru&ing thofe that 
 are to come to the Sacrament, but an Authoritative 
 power of admitting t©, & keeping from the Sacrament^ 
 whichisto take to himfelf an authority tb- ^n^Jb' 
 never given him. And *-«• thef? B 
 
 fidcrwhatweha* ' ^ 
 stable by the W> 
 
 
 
Ci473 
 
 whole fewer of 'fufyending perfons from the Sacrament ^ who 
 have been du y admitted thereunto,*** it is to affume the whole 
 fewer of admitting to the Sacrament foe. And further we 
 befeech and intreac them (if there be any fuch,) to con- 
 fider what an offence they give in this particular, to all 
 their Brethren in the Miniftiy - 7 and what an argument 
 they put into the mouthes of thofe that are difoffe&ed 
 to the government •, and in the fear of God to forfake 
 this way and courfe, left whilefthey think to build with 
 u*>they be found tobedeftroyers , both of the Presbyter 'an 
 Government and (JWimJlry and to open a widedcortoSa- 
 cramental Prophanatio*. 
 
 Doth not the Scripture fay, Lft a man examine him- objefi.6< 
 felfr andfo let him eat? &c. but it no where faith, Let a 
 man be examined by the Miniftcr and Elders. 
 \\. The text (peaks of thofe that were formerly admit K^infiv. 
 ed in a due way to the Sacrament ; and of fuch it is only 
 required, that they (hould examine themf elves : For the 
 Examining of thofe amongft us that have formerly biij 
 admitted, is occafioncd by the great Church deforma- 
 tion that hath been amongft us j which being once 
 healed, there will not be again that need afterwards of 
 Church-Examination. 
 
 2. TheApoftlcswordsarcnottobe underftood re- 
 ttrittively and exc/ufively. For he doth not fay. Let a 
 man examine himicK only y But let a man Examine him- 
 felf, that is, Let him efpecially examine himfelf. Take a 
 parallel text, Rom.14. 12. $° then every one of u* ftall 
 five An account of himfelf to God •, which text is not to be 
 -^H ^xclufively . For it is certain,that Minifteis 
 
 t only of themfclves, 
 
 .and Matters, for 
 
 re, Let a mr- 
 
 cxaa. 
 
[MS] 
 examine himfetf : This doth not exclude the duty of a 
 father, in examining his children 5 orofaMafter, Mi- 
 nifter, or Elder, in examining thofe under bis Charge : 
 But it teacheth us, That we muft not reft in,nor truft to 
 the Examination of our Father, Mafter,Minifter, or El- 
 ders, but likewife examine cur felves : If a childc,orfer- 
 vant ffmldfay unto his fatherly maflcr>when he is examin- 
 ed about his knowledge, or fait h^ The Scripture bids me exa- 
 mine my (elf and therefore 1 will not be examined by you. 
 Would not this be accounted a great affront ^ and an unfujfer- 
 ableabufetotheholy Scriptures ? and yet juft fodo they 
 reafon & argue,that from this Scripture, would exempt 
 themfelves from all examination by Minifter & Elders. 
 And fo likewife when Chrift faith, Matth. 7.1. $udge 
 not^ that you be not judged: He that ihould interpret that 
 text exclufwel^oizM kind of judging-, would overthrow 
 allMagiftracy. But it is to be underftood only, as ex- 
 cluding private and rafh judging, (when a man judgeth 
 his Brother, and hath no calling to judge him,nor a juft 
 caufe:) fo it is here-, This text excludes all private Chri- 
 ftians from examining others $ but to lay, that it ex- 
 cludes all men in office and place in the Church,and hi 
 the family,would at once deftroy all Church-Govern- 
 ment, and all family-government. 
 3 . We might add,that thofe diat are moft ready to pre- 
 tend , that it is needlefs to give an account before the 
 Minifter and Elders, becaufe they are to examine them- 
 felves ji is to be feared, are as regardlefs of examining 
 themfelves, as unwilling to give an account to the F l - 
 derfhip. w* 00 ^ 
 
 objeit.j. Doth not the Scri*$ 
 drinketh unrvmhi 
 hiwfelfl I'trsn^ 
 
tMfp 
 
 That text is not to be understood exclusively unlets it Anfw. 
 relate to clofe hypocrites : An hypocrite eats and drinks 
 damnation to himfelf only-, but if it relates to thofe 
 that are grofly ignorant and fcandalom, it cannot beon- 
 derftood exclusively . For when a man that is grofly ig- 
 norant and fcandalous, receives the Sacrament, he not 
 only eats and drinks judgment to himfelf, but the guilt 
 of the Jin Ijetb upon all thofe that knew of it, and did not do 
 their duty for the hindering of u 3 as we have formerly 
 (hewed. 
 
 There are many Elders that are very ignorant 5 and fie- ob\e£i. 8. 
 er rather to be examinedjhew to examine 5 and that pro- 
 pound unbefeeming and abfurd queftions. 
 
 The iguorance of fome Elders doth no more prejudice the of- Anfw. 
 fice of an Elder, then the ignorance of fome Phyfitians,or Mini- 
 fters, doth the calling of Minifters and 1 hyntians : It ignorant 
 Elders be chofen, the fault is not in the Office, but in the Choo- 
 fers. 
 
 2. This objection cannot be juftly made againftthe Ruling- 
 Hlde-rs within this Prov»nce;we hope we may lay without boait- 
 ing, that they are very knowing , and very godJy ; and we arc 
 confident that allthcreport*,that are vented concerning abfurd 
 and unbefeeming queftions, &c. are meer lyes and falfities. In 
 all fuch meetings, cheMinii'cr is the Moderator, and he onely 
 propounds the queftions ; the Elders lit by and judge. 
 
 3. In thofe Parishes where there are none furlkicntfy quali- 
 fied to be Flders,thc Presbyterian Government doth not require 
 them to chufe Elders, but Orders, That aH fuch Purifies [bcnld 
 be under the immediate care> hjpeQion , mid government of tht 
 paffieal Presbjtery. 
 
 It f'c -or enough for a Jl Unifier to forewarn his people of the dan- ofrjctf, g 9 
 '-v coming to the Lords Supper ; and if they will not- 
 "varr'"*"* cor" ^n\Vo)thi/y y is net theUWtniflcr 
 
 hath-muftnoc 
 
 m 
 
his child very greedy of it) to give it him; efjpeci'ally, when 
 he knoweth that it will certainly poyfon him. It was not e- 
 nough for old EH to admonifh his Sons ; but becaafe he did not 
 ufehis power, in hindring them, he i* reproved, as acceflary to 
 their fins. £ 
 
 r . -j 1 have lived thus longhand never jet was examined^ and certain- 
 
 J e t** i0t jy I wi/t not now begin in mj old age , / will rather never receive 
 the Sacrament at all. 
 
 K^nfw. Old Cuftomes are no good principles to build upon$ 
 thefe are times of Reformation. 
 
 2. Confidcr thine own fpiritual wants, and what 
 need thou haft of this bleffed Ordinance 5 and remem- 
 ber what the fervaat of Naaman (aid unto him , If the 
 Prophet had bid thee do fome great things wouldefi thou net 
 have done it > h:w much rather then, when he faith, Wajh 
 and be clean < So give Us leave to fay to you, // Chrtft 
 had commanded you to do fome great thing , would you not 
 have done it y rather then be deprived of this Ordimncef 
 how much rather when he faith to thee only y Come and give 
 an account of thy Faith before the Elder fhtp, and thou fhalt be 
 made partaker of this Heavenly banquet ? 
 
 objett. 1 1 • B UC 1 have made a Vow , t hat I will never come be- 
 fore the Elders. 
 
 Anfw. xhis Vow is rafh and finful, a bond of iniquity $ and 
 
 therefore by keeping of it, you become guilty of a dou- 
 ble fin : the Eldcrfhip is an Ordinance of Chrift ( as wc 
 have (hewed J and therefore net tote vowed againft. 
 
 objeli.it* I am every way able to examine my felf , and none 
 knows what is in my heart •, and therefore I will ven- 
 ture upon my own private examination. 
 
 Anfw* How is it , that thou ait unwilling y 
 
 eftate, without firP *' 
 advife w»th P^- r 
 v **ntu 
 
[i;0 
 
 head, without taking the advice of Minifter and Eldcts % 
 Is thy \oul lefs precious t» thee j then thj bed^or thy eftate t 
 BefidcSjif chou haft knowledg,why wile thou not come 
 to examination $ if no knowledge why wik thou rcfufc 
 the way & means to get knowledgfthe truth is,the true 
 ground why fomc men do oppofe this way, is either, 
 
 i. Out of ignorance and pride 5 becaufe they arc 
 impatient to have their ignorance difcovercd : 
 
 2. Oielfc, Secondly, it is from a prophane fpirit of 
 oppofitioh 5 not onely againft Church-Government, 
 and all good order • but agair.ft all the wayes of Chrifh 
 But let fuch pcrfons confider $ 
 
 i. That it is far better to have their ignorance cured, 
 then covcred.-Ignorance covered will make us go blind- 
 fold to Hell-, But Ignorance cured,will make us go with 
 open eyes to Heaven. 
 
 a. That Chrift accounts them his enemies, that will 
 not have him to reign wtr tbem> and will deftroy them L ^ l 9M^7. 
 as his enemies. 
 
 3. To hate Inftruftion and Reformation^ a certain 
 fign of wickednefs, which Goc^abhors. 
 
 4. All the oppofition that carnal and rebellious fpi- 
 rits have againft Chrif.and his wayes, will in the end, 
 prove kicking againft the pricks, and moft pernicious to 
 their own Souls. 
 
 And thus wc have anfwercd all thofe ob/edions^that 
 are ufually brought againft this way of Examination, 
 ^nd herein(as we hopejhave given abundant fatisfa&i- 
 *»n£^ - tiling to receive it. Andwc 
 1 nation. As forthe fue- 
 ls having learn'r, 
 
D5*1 
 
 we will hear the again of this matter. Uowbeit certain men 
 clave unto him, and believed, &c. We doubt not but 
 there arc many within the Province 5 whofe hams the 
 Lord mil openjo attend to what is her ef aid. Our defirc is 
 to do good unto all, even unto thofe that are our grea- 
 teft ad verfaries^and not to be overcome of evil 7 but to over- 
 come tvil with good. If chey mock at us ( as they did at 
 
 a.494. paul)yct furely, Our 'judgment is with the Lord \ andoir 
 work with our God h Be that is filthy^ let him be pithy Hill 5 
 and he that is unjuftjet him be un)ufiftill : But we hope 
 
 f better things of you, tbat have fubrnitted to the Pref- 
 
 byterian-Government. For whom we pray, That the 
 Cod of peace fhat brought again from the dead our L ord Je- 
 fusChrift, that great Shepherd ofhisjheep, through the 
 Heb.13.1^2,0. bloudoftheeverlaHing Covenant, would make you perfect 
 in every good work , U> do his Will \ working in jou^ that 
 which is well-pleafwgin his fight \ through Jefus Chriltj 
 to whom be glory for ever and ever^ Amen, 
 
 Subfcribed in the Narae,and by the Appointment of 
 the Aflembly, 
 
 George Walker, Moderator. Roger 'Dr^Scriba. 
 
 ^Arthur Jackson, ? ^ ^ E I idad'B/ackyre It ,Scribz. 
 
 '' Edmund CaUmy, £Affeffors. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 REader, be pleafed t^ 
 *let every one/ 
 

 
 
 U^ic