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HAving thus in few words, vindicated both our Government and our Persons, we conceive it necessary to subjoyn an Exhortation unto all the Ministers, and Elders, and people, that are within the Province; which we shall branch into these ensuing particulars:
1. We shall direct our speechunto the Ministers and Ruling Elders, that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same Presbytery.
2.Unto those of our respective Congregations, that submit unto the Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, in the Presbyterian way.
3.Unto those that live within the bounds of the Province, and have not yet submitted to the Government, nor are admittedto the Sacrament, in the Presbyteriall way.
1. We shall direct our speech unto the Ministers and Ruling-Elders, that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same Presbytery.
That which we have to say unto them, is,
To perswade them to befaithfull in the discharge of the great trust committed unto them. To be aRuler in Gods house, as it is a place ofgreat honour, so also ofgreat trust; and he that hath this trust committed unto him, ought to be one of a thousand. It is a good saying of an Heathen,Magistratus virum indicat, Magistracy will try a man what he is, so will this office you. Such are the mountains of opposition you are like to meet withall; such is the courage you must put on; such is the wisdome and piety you must be cloathed withall, that we may truly say with the Apostle,Who is sufficient for these things?AsTacitussaith ofGalba, that he wasCapax imperii, nisi imperasset, thought very fit to have been anEmperour, had he not been anEmperour; so there are many that have been thought fit to beElders, till they were madeElders. Many that seemed very good, when private Christians; when advanced into places of trust, have proved very wicked. To have thebody and blood of Christ Sacramentall in your custody; To be madeKeepers of Christs Vineyard, andwatchmen over his flock; To have thekeyes of the Kingdom of Heavencommitted unto you: This is not only a great honour, but a great burden. And therefore it must be your exceeding great care, so to behave your selves in the Church of God, which is his house, that you may give up your account with joy at that great day. For this purpose we Exhort you;
1. That you would labour to discharge your Office with care and diligence, according to the advice of the Apostle,[96]Let him that Ruleth, Rule with diligence. The Apostle foresaw how negligent Elders would be, in the trust committed unto them; and therefore he chose to lay this speciall injunction upon them. You must not suffer the key of discipline to rust for want of using, but must remember, that the life of discipline is in the execution; and that theunprofitable servant was cast into Hell, not for abusing; but for not improving of his Talent.
2. That you would study to Rule with all humility and Self-denyal,[97]not as lording it over Gods heritage, but as being examples to the flock, remembring the saying of our blessed Saviour,[98]The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship; And they that exercise authority upon them, are called Benefactors: But ye shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, (or, as it is in the Greek[99], he that Ruleth,)as he that serveth. You must not be asDiotrepheswho loved to have thePreheminence; not as thePharisees,[100]who loved the uppermost roomes at feasts, and the chief seats in the Synagogue.
3. That you would labour to Rule the Church of God with allpeaceablenesse, andquietness; doing nothing out of contention, envy, or malice; but all out of pure love, with the spirit of meekness and patience. That the people may read love and gentleness written upon all your admonitions and censures.[101]For the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in all meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledgment of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill, who are takencaptive by him at his will.Famous is the saying of our Saviour,Have salt in your selves, and peace one with another. Bysalt, is meant (asChemnitiusand others observe,)sincere doctrine and disciplinewhereby the people of God are seasoned, and kept from the putrefaction of sin and errour; thissaltis so to be sprinkled, as that if it be possible, it may have peace joyned with it.Have salt in your selves, and peace one with another.There are that think, that sincere discipline and peace cannot stand together, but they are confuted by Christs own words. The readiest way to have true peace one with another, is to have salt within our selves. There are indeed, some Congregations, that have this salt, without this peace; which is a misery to be exceedingly bewailed. There are others which havepeacewithout thissalt, but thispeaceis a wickedpeace; a peace with sin and errour, which will end in damnation. But blessed and happy are those Congregations, that havesalt in themselves, and true Christian peace one with another. A Church-Officer must not be abramble, rending and tearing the people committed to his charge, but as afig tree,vine, andolive tree, refreshing them with hisfatnesse, swetnesse, and fruitfulnesse.
4. That you would labour to make your Congregations pure, as well as peaceable; following after piety, as much as verity and unity. That all your people under your charge, may be visible Saints at least. It is the great complaint that some take up against thePresbyteriall Government, that it studieth unity and truth, but neglecteth holiness and purity. And therefore we beseech you Brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is calledthe holy One, that you would labour to free the Government from this scandal. If there be any under your inspection grosly ignorant, or of scandalous lifeand conversation, you ought not to admit him to the Sacrament; for if you do, you are accessary to his sin of unworthy receiving; you are instrumentall to the damnation of his soul, you pollute the ordinance; you offend the godly amongst you; you render the Government obnoxious to just exception; and you bring down the heavy judgments of God upon the Congregation. If there be any that after admission prove scandalous, you are to admonish him; and if he continue obstinate, you areto put away from among your selves that wicked person, to purge out theold leaven, that you may be anew lump. And this you are to do:
1.For the Churches sake; that the Church in which you are Rulers, may not be infected;for know you not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
2.For the sinners sake; you must deliver such a oneunto Satan, for thedestruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
3.For Christs sake, that his name may not be dishonoured, and that he may not be forced to depart from your Assemblies.
4.For the Ordinances sake, that they may not be polluted.
5.For your own sakes, that you may not be damned for other mens sins.
Oh that our words might take impression upon all your hearts, that are Ministers and Elders within the Province! what a glorious thing were it, if it might be said of all our Congregations, that they are not onlytrue, butpure Churches, and Churches united in love, and in the truth? How would this tend to the honour of Jesus Christ, the King of his Church? How would this make him delight to dwell in the midst of you? How would this stop the mouthes of Anabaptists, Brownists, and Independents? How would the blood of Jesus Christ be preserved fromprophanation, and the wicked in time gained to repentance, and the blessing of God be upon us, together with peace and plenty in all our dwellings?
We beseech you once more, by the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for your souls, that you would not prostitute it to open sinners, but use all possible means to make your Congregations more and more pure. For this purpose, consider, what the Directory for Church-Government, advisedly and religiously requireth of you, namely,That where there are many Ruling-Officers in a particular Congregation, some of them do more especially attend the inspection of one part, some of another, as may be most convenient. And some of them are, at fit times, to visit the several families for their spiritual good.And for the better inabling you to do these things, we exhort you further:
5. That you would labour to abound more and more in allknowledge, andsoundnesse of judgement,and in all manner of godly conversation; for he that would be fit topurgeGods house of ignorance and scandal, must firstpurgehimself of ignorance and scandal.Church-purificationand reformation, must begin inself-purificationand reformation. He that will reprove sin in others, must be free from that sin himself; otherwise it will be said,Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly, to cast out the moat out of thy brothers eye. And he must be free from all other scandalous sins also; otherwise men will be ready to say, This man reproveth me for drunkenness, but he himself is covetous; he reproveth me for swearing, but he himself will lie. And therefore our prayer to God for you is,[102]That you may be filled with the fruits of Righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God, thatyour love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment; that ye may approve the things that are excellent: That ye may be sincere, and without offence, till the day of Christ. For you are appointed by Christ to convince gain-sayers, and therefore you had need to let the Word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, especially in these dayes, wherein there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, whose mouthes must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things they ought not, for filthy lucres sake. You are appointed by Christ, to be examples to the flock. And that which is but a little sin in others, will be a great one in you. Your sins are not sins, but monsters: You are likeLooking-glasses, according to which, others dresse themselves; you are like pictures in a glass-window, every little blemish will be quickly seen in you: Your lives are looked upon asPresidents, your examples, asRules: And therefore you ought to beexemplarily holy, or else you shall receive thegreater condemnation.
6. That you would labour to begood in all your relations, goodParents, goodMasters, goodHusbands, dwelling with your wives according to knowledge, as being heires together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered:For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?How shall he be a good Ruling Elder, that doth not rule well his own house,having his children in subjection with all gravity? How can he perswade others to set up the worship of God in their families, that hath none in his own? And therefore, that you may rule the better in Gods Church, you must make yourhousesas it werelittle Churches.
7. That you would labour to be men ofpublique spirits,seeking the things of Christ before, and more then your own; mourning more for the miseries of the Church, then your own; and rejoycing more in the prosperity ofSion, then your own.
A Church-Officer must be like oldEli, who was more troubled at the losse of theArk, then the death of his two sons. And like the Psalmist, that bewailed more theburning of Gods house, then his own; and the desolation ofGods Church, then of theKingdome.[103]
8. That you would labour to be of aliberall and free spirit, feeding the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. A CovetousJudaswill betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, and sell a good conscience for a messe of pottage; and be prodigal of the blood of Christ, rather then lose his trading.
9. That you would labour to be of acourageous and resolute spirit, valiant for the truth and cause of God; asLutherwas, who alone opposed a world of Enemies; and asAthanasius, who was both as anAdamant, and aLoadstone, in his private converse[104]; he was very courteous and affable, drawing all men to him, even as a Loadstone doth iron; but in the cause of God, and of his truth, he wasunmoveable, andunconquerableas an Adamant. There is nothing will cause you sooner to apostatize from your Principles, and from your practices, then base fear of men. This made evenPeter deny Christ; andDavid, run to thePhilistines, &Abraham, to dissemble. The Wise man saith,The fear of man bringeth a snare, but who so putteth his trust in the Lord, shall be safe.Our prayer to God for you, is, That the[105]Lord would speak unto you with a strong hand; and instruct you, that you may not walk in the way of this people, saying a Confederacy untothose unto whom this people shall say a Confederacy; nor fear their fear: but sanctifie the Lord of hosts in your hearts, and make him your fear and your dread. And you have a most blessed promise added, ThatJesus Christ will be unto you for a Sanctuary, to protect and defend you in the day of your greatest fears and dangers.
10. That you would labour to be of atender spirit, tender of the honour of God, of the blood of Christ Sacramental, of the souls of the people committed to your charge, of the truths and Government of Christ. A Church-Officer must not be aGallio, not caring what becomes of Religion, and the interest of Christ. Nor a luke-warmLaodicean, neither hot nor cold, lest he be spewed out of the mouth of Christ. But he must be aJosiah, whose commendation was this, that hisheart was tender, aDavid,whose eyes ran down with rivers of tears, because men kept not the law: aJeremiah, who wished, thathis head were waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears, that he might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of his people.
11. That you wouldpersevereandcontinuein the great trust committed unto you, not deserting, nor neglecting the duty thereof, for any present discouragements whatsoever; remembring what out Saviour saith,He that hath put his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is not fit for the Kingdome of Heaven.
We cannot deny, but there are many things to dishearten you, and make you grow faint and weary,viz.your own insufficiency to so great a work; the untractablenesse, and unperswadeablenesse of many among the people to submit unto the Government; The small beginnings of reformation in Church-Government unto which we have yet attained, and especially the littlecountenance that it finds with many, from whom it might most justly be expected. Yet notwithstanding, we hope, that that God which hath stirred you up to help to lay the first stone in this building, will not suffer you to leave the work, till thehead stonebe brought forth with shoutings, crying,grace, grace unto it. For this purpose, we desire you earnestly to consider with us;
1. That the Authority by which you act, is divine. For the office not only of a teaching, but also of a Ruling Elder, is founded upon the Word of God, as hath been already shewed.
2. That the Government which you have entred upon, is not a Government of mans framing, but the Government of Jesus Christ; who as King and Head of his Church, hath appointed you your work, and hath promised,[106]That where two or three of you are gathered together in his name, there to be in the midst of you, to protect, direct, sanctifie, support, and comfort you. This Christ is[107]that stone cut out of the mountain without hands, that will destroy all the Kingdomes that oppose him and his Government, and will himself become a great mountain, filling the whole earth. The time is shortly coming, when theKingdomes of this world shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; when the[108]mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be axalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it: And many Nations shall say, Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God ofJacob,and he will teach us his wayes, and we will walk in his pathes. And that Nation and Kingdome, that will not serve the Lord Christ, shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted.
3. The reward you shall have for the faithfull continuance in your office,[109]is not from men, (though you deserve,and ought to have even from men double honour, and are to be had in high esteem from your work sake,) but from God, who hath promised to give you a[110]crown of glory, that fadeth not away, when the chiefe Shepherd shall appear; which promise is applicable, not only to the teaching, but Ruling Elder; the Apostle speaking there of Elders indefinitely, without restriction or limitation.
4. The strength by which you act, is the strength of Christ; and though in your selves you be insufficient for so great a work, (for who is sufficient for these things) yetby Christ that strengthens you, you are able to do all things. God never calls a man to any employment, but he giveth a competent ability thereunto; and is angry with those that pretend insufficiency for that Office to which he calls them, as appears by the example ofMoses,Exod.3.10, 11, 13, 14.
5. Consider what great things God hath brought to pass with weak instruments.Mosesa shepherd was the deliverer of the Israelites out ofEgypt; and a great part of the World was converted by a few Fisher-men. God delights to convey grace by contemptible Elements; as Water, Bread, and Wine, and to manifest his great power in mans great weakness, that so all the glory may redound to him alone.
6. That the greatest undertakings in the Church, have met with greatest difficulties and oppositions.[111]Jerusalemwas built again even in troublous times.TobiaandSanballat, and all their Adherents set themselves against it, both with scorns, false informations, and acts of violence, yet the work went on and prospered: and though it had very many years interruption, yet at last God raised up the spirit ofHaggai,Zecheriah, and ofZerubbabelandJoshua, and the work was suddainly finished.Who art thou O great Mountain beforeZerubbabel? thou shalt become a plain, &c. Oppositions should rather quicken, then cool activity.
7. That the greatest affairs and achievements are wont at first to have but small beginnings, like the ProphetEliascloud. The repair of the Temple and of the City ofJerusalemwas so small at first, as that the enemies mockt, and said[112];Even that which they build, if a Fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.AndIudahher self said[113],The strength of the bearers of the burden is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so as we are not able to build the wall.And yet notwithstanding God saith[114],Who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand ofZerubbabel.The hand ofZerubbabellaid the foundation of this house, his hand shalt also finish it, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord[115].
8. Consider,who, and of whatcarriagethe most of those are that oppose this Government, and upon what grounds they are against it, and it will adde a singular testimony to the goodness of it, and incourage you the rather to stand for it, seeing so many erroneous, superstitious, hereticall, leud and licentious persons of all sorts, are so violent against it.
9. If God countenance the Government, it is the less matter if it want the countenance of man. Let not the faultinesse of others, discourage Gods faithfull Ones from their trust and duty: The fewer stand for it, the more reason there is that we should.The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge: And therefore let us not fear what man can do unto us, for there are more with us, then against us.
10. God hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and he can in an instant raise up aCyrusto appear for hisPeople, and his Cause; he can raise upZerubbabels,Nehemiah's, andEzrah's; he can, and he will raise up Kings to be the nursing Fathers, and Queens the nursing Mothers of his Church; he can turn the hearts of people, and make them willing to submit their necks to the yoak of the Lord; and he hath promised,that in the day of his power, the people shall be willing.
11. Lastly, considerwhat great things God hath done already for us; and if he had meant to have destroyed us, he would not have done all this for us: He hath broken the iron yoak of Prelacy, removed superstitious Ceremonies, and Service-book, established a more pure way of Ordination of Ministers, and of worshipping of God, and there are hopefull beginnings of this Government in many of our Congregations; and we doubt not, but that God, who hath been the Author, will be the Finisher of this mighty Work.
Let the consideration of these particulars exceedingly affect you, and stir you up to persevere, & hold out in that great office you have undertaken, in nothing being terrified or discouraged, but trusting in the great God, who never faileth those that put their trust in him.
OUr second Exhortation is untothose of our respective Congregations, that submit unto the Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ, in thePresbyterian way; That we are to exhort you unto, is,
1. That as you are Saints outwardly, and such who live (as we hope) unblameably in the eyes of the world; so you would labour to be Saints inwardly, approving not only your wayes unto men, but your hearts and consciences unto the heart-searching God. And forthis purpose, we perswade you,[116]to wash not only your hands, but your hearts, from all iniquity, and not to suffer vain thoughts to lodge within you; To put away the evill of your doings from before Gods eyes;[117]To be Jews inwardly circumcised with the circumcision of the heart, in theSpirit,not in theLetter,whose praise is not of Man, but of God; To labour more to begood, then to seem to begood; to be more ashamed to beevill, then to be known to beevill; to strive more to get your sinscured, thencovered; and to be notgilded, butgolden Christians. Alas! what will it avail you, to be esteemed by your Minister and Elders reall Saints, when the Lord who is your Judge, knows you to be but painted Sepulchres: What will it profit you to have ourEugeand approbation, when you have theApageand disallowance 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 Christians; not only Saints by profession, but by conversation; not only morally and formally, but Spiritually and Theologically good, having your persons, principles, and aims holy, as well as your actions.He and he only is a right Christian, whose person is united to Christ by a lively Faith; and whose nature is elevated by theSpirit of Regeneration,and whose principles, practices, and aims, are divine and supernatural.
Secondly, as it is your great honour and priviledg to be admitted to the Sacrament, when others by reason of ignorance or scandal are refused; so it must be your great care, to comeworthily; and so to demean your selves, that you may be made partakers of the graces & consolations of this heavenly banquet; And for this end, we think it our dutie to propound certain necessary directions to you, for the right ordering of your Sacramentalapproaches; and to perswade you by the mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the diligent and conscientious practice of these following particulars.
1. Not to rest contented with the examination of your Minister and Elders, but chiefly and especially to examine your selves, and so to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup: To examine your selves, whether you be in Christ or no, whether You do truly repent; whether You do hunger and thirst after Christ in the Sacrament; whether You have an unfeigned love to God, and Your Neighbour, manifested by an impartial respect unto all the Commandements and Ordinances of Christ: For though we may and ought to admit you upon the profession of these graces; yet Christ will not bid You welcome, unless You have them in truth and sinceritie. And though we cannot discern who are hypocrites, and who are sincere amongst You; yet he that can distinguish between star and star, can and will distinguish between a true Saint, and a formal Hypocrite: and therefore labour to be such, indeed and in truth, as You seem to Us, to be inword and profession.
Secondly, As not to come without preparation and examination; so alsonot to trust to your preparation and examination. Sacraments do not work as Physick, whether men sleep or wake,ex opere operato, by vertue inherent in them; butex opere operantis, according to the disposition and qualification of the party that partakes of them. If the party be not qualified according to the tenour of the Covenant of grace, he eats and drinks damnation to himself, and not salvation; and when he hath done all he can by grace received, to prepare himself; yet he must not relie upon his preparation, for this were to make an Idol of it, and set up dutie in the room ofChrist. Excellent is that saying ofAustine[118],He that stands upon his own strength, shall never stand; and ofBernard[119],That man labours in vain, that doth not labour resting upon Christ and his merits; and therefore we exhort You, after all your care of preparation, to renounce it as to the point of confidence, andto come to Christ in the strength and confidence of Christ alone.
3. Not be satisfied in the bare bringing of the forementioned graces with you to the Sacrament, but to labour according to the advice of the Apostle[120],to stir up the gift of God that is in you. The Greek is,to blow up, and cause the grace of God within us to kindle. Fire, as long as it lyeth raked up in the Embers, will give no heat; a man may die with cold, for all such a fire. Grace, as long as it lyeth dead in the habite, will not avail a man at the Sacrament. And therefore, that you may be worthy receivers, you must take pains to blow up the grace of God that is in you. You must arise and trim yourspirituall lamps, (as thewise Virginsdid,) that so you may be fit to meet with yourBridegroom. You mustbrightenyourspirituall armour, & gird up the loins of your mind; You must not only have, but put on yourwedding garment, and come to this heavenly feast apparrelled in all your spiritual ornaments. For it is a certain truth, that not only a wicked man, that wants grace, but a childe of God that hath true grace, may receive the Sacrament unworthily; though he cannot come unworthily as the wicked do, out of a total want of grace, yet he may come unworthily out of grosse negligence, and sinful carelesness, in not exciting and stirring up, and improving the grace of God that is in him.[121]For not touse grace, and not tohave grace, in this case, do little differ in Gods account. And therefore, if you would beworthy guests at this Supper, you must not only have atrueFaith, but afitFaith; not only a true repentance, but afitrepentance; you must not only have grace, but act grace; you must set yourFaithon work, to feed upon that blessed Sacramentall promise,Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you; This is my blood which is shed for you. And you must labour to make strong and particular applications of Christ to your souls, and to believe, that as verily as you eat the Bread, and drink the Wine, so verily you are made partakers of Christs body and blood, to your everlasting happiness. And so likewise you must act repentance, love, thankfullness, and obedience, according to the direction of the Word of God.
4.To do all that you do at the Sacrament, in remembrance of Christ.For this is the main design of Christ, in appointing this Ordinance, that it might be aLove-tokenfrom Christ alwaies by us, and an effectual means to keep his death in perpetual remembrance, that it might be a lively picture of Christ crucified; and he that will receive aright, must be eying this Picture while he is at the Sacrament; and the more he minds it, the more he will admire it: The Angels[122][123]stoop downtolookupon Christ incarnate, and it is the happiness of heaven to have Christ alwaies before them; and it is our happiness on earth, that we have such a blessed commemoration of Christ crucified: As Christ is all in all, in all Creatures, in all Relations, in all Conditions, and in all Ordinances; so more especially in this: For the Elements of Bread and Wine are not appointed for natural ends and purposes, but Christ is all in all in them: They are Representations, Commemorations, Obsignations, and Exhibitions of Jesus Christ. You must labour with the Eye of Faith to see Christs name written upon the Bread and Wine, and you must read Christ in every Sacramental action: when You behold the Bread and Wine consecrated; You must remember how Jesus Christ was set apart by his Father, from all Eternity, to be the Redeemer of his People: And when the Minister breaks the bread, You must remember the great sufferings that Jesus Christ endured for Your sins; and when You take the Bread, and drink the Wine, you must do this in remembrance of Christ; You must believe, that now Christ giveth himself to be Your nourishment, and your Comforter untoeternal life; and you must labour by a lively Faith, to take him as your Lord and Saviour, and to cry out withThomasin the highest degree (if it be possible) of rejoycing,My God, and my Lord:[124]And when you eat the Bread, and drink the Wine, you must remember, that Christis the living Bread that came down from Heaven, and that whosoever eats of this Bread, shall live for ever: and that whosoever eateth the flesh of Christ, and drinketh his blood, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him. And you must endeavour to receive Soul-nourishment from Christ, as your bodies do by the bread you eat; and as the bread is turned into your substance, so to be made more and more one with Christ by faith: that having a reall, though spirituall union with him, You may have a happy interest and communion in all his purchases. This is the life of theHoly Sacrament, without which, all is but a dead and empty Ceremonie. But we adde further, That this remembrance of Christ must not be barelynotionall,doctrinall, andhistoricall, but it must be alsopracticall,experimentall, andapplicative; it must produce these and such like blessed effects and operations in your hearts.
1. You must so remember Christ, as to find power coming out of Christ Sacramental, to break your hearts for all the sins you have committed against him. Christ is presented in the Sacrament as a broken Christ; his body broken, and his bloud poured out: and the very breaking of the bread understandingly looked upon, is a forcible argument to break your hearts. Was Jesus Christ rent and torn in pieces for you, and shall it not break you hearts, that you should sin against him? Was he crucified for you, and will you crucifie him by your sins? And besides, the breaking of the bread is not onlyordained to be a motive unto brokenness of heart for sin, but also in the right use to effect that which it doth move unto.
2. You must so remember Christ Sacramentall, as to find power coming out of Christ, to subdue all your sins and iniquities; as the diseased woman felt vertue coming out of Christ, to cure her bloody Issue; so there is power in anapplicative and fiduciall remembranceof Christ at the Sacrament, to heal all the sinfull issues of our souls. There is no sin so strong, but it is conquerable by a power derived from Christ crucified.
3. This is to remember Christ aright at the Sacrament, when you never cease remembring him, till your hearts be brought into a thankfull frame to God, for Christ and for his ineffable blessings and mercies exhibited in the Sacrament to a worthy receiver. And therefore it is called anEucharist, or a feast of thanksgiving. It is asJustin Martyrsaith,[125]food made up all of thanksgiving. It is a custome in Colledges and houses founded by the bounty of great men, to have afeastivall commemorationof the bounties of their Benefactors. The Sacrament is acommemoration dayof your great Benefactor Iesus Christ, wherein you are to remember all those things which he suffered for you; and the proper duty of the day isthanksgiving.
4. You must not leave off remembring Christ Sacramental, till your hearts be inflamed with an ardent love to Jesus Christ; for he is set forth in this Sacrament, in all the endearing expressions, as a crucified Christ, as pouring out his blood for us. Now it is an excellent expression ofBernard:[126]The more vile Christ made himself for us, the more dear he ought to be unto us.You must never leave meditating of his love,[127]till he be as fast fixed in your hearts, as he was upon the Cross.
5. You must so remember Christ, as to be willing to do and suffer any thing for that Christ, that hath done and suffered so much for you; till you can say withDavid,What shall I render for all his blessings towards me?till you can say withThomas,Come, let us go dye with him; and we add,for him: till with the Apostle, you can rejoyce to becounted worthy to be whipt for his names sake. And can withIgnatiusthat blessed Martyr,[128]call your iron chains, notbonds, butOrnaments, andSpirituall Pearls; till you can say, asJudg.8.22.Rule thou over us, &c.for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. There is nothing hard to that Christian, that doth rightly remember Christ Sacramental.
6. You must continue in remembring Christ in the Sacrament, till your hearts be wrought up to athrough contempt of the world, and all worldly things. Christ instituted the Sacrament when he was going out of the world; and when he was crucifying, the whole world was in darkness and obscurity: and he is propounded in the Sacrament, as apersecuted, broken, crucified Christ, despising, & being despised of the world. And if you do practically remember the Sacrament of his death, you will finde vertue coming out thereof, to make you dead to the world, and all worldly things. The Sacrament is called by the Ancients,[129]a feast for Eagles, not for Dawes; and therefore it was a phrase ordinarily used in the administration of this Sacrament,Lift up your hearts to heaven where Christ is.
7. Cease not remembring Christ, till you be made partakers of the rare grace ofhumility. Of all the graces that Christ picks out, in which he would have Christians to imitate him in,humilityis one of the chiefest,Matth.11.29.Learn of me, for I am humble, &c. AndChrist in the Sacrament is presented, ashumbling himselfto the death of the Cross, for our sakes. And what a shame is it, to remember an humble Christ, with a proud heart? The practicall remembrance of the humility ofChrist Sacramental, when sanctified, is mighty in operation, to tame the pride of our hearts.
8. You must not fail to remember Christ in the Sacrament, till by faith you haveapplyed Christ, as your Christ: Till you can say withPaul,Gal.2.20.Who loved me, and gave himself for me.Propriety in Christ, is that which sweetens all. For what are you the betterfor Christ, if he be not yourChrist? The Divels and damned in Hell may remember Christ, but not with comfort, because they cannot remember him, but as their enemy. But you must so remember Christ, as to make him yours, by anappropriating Faith.
Quest.
But how shall we be inabled thus to apply Christ?
Answ.
This is done, by studying the free tender that is made of Christ in the Covenant of grace, which is expressed,Isai.55.1.Revel.22.17. Jesus Christ is that brazen Serpent lifted up upon the Cross, on purpose, that whosoever looks up to him, shall be healed; and whosoever receives him as his Lord and Saviour,should not perish, but have everlasting life. You must study thefreeness,fulness, andparticularityof the offer of Christ; and pray unto that Christ, who bids you believe, to give you to believe. And truly there cannot be a greater discourtesie to Jesus Christ, then to doubt of his love towards you, while ye are receiving the pledges of his love. For herein hath[130]God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us. What can Christ do more to manifest his love, or to perswade us of his love he bears to us? Much more might be said to this purpose, but we leave these things to be amplified by the Ministry of your faithful Pastors. And we proceed to give you further directions, for the right managing of your Sacramental addresses.
5. In the fifth place, we exhort you to consider the Sacrament, under a four-fold Notion:
1. As it is aspirituall medicineto cure the remainders of your corruption.
2. As it isspirituall foodto strengthen your weak graces.
3. As it is aspiritual Cordialto comfort your distressed consciences.
4. As it is astrong obligationand forcible engagement to all acts of thankfulness and obedience unto Jesus Christ.
Now if you would get the benefit and comfort of the Sacrament, you must when you come to it, carry these four considerations in your mind; and labour to draw out good from the Sacrament, according to each of them.
1. You must consider what sin it is, that is most unsubdued, and unmortified in you; you must use the Sacrament as amedicinemade of Christs body and blood, to heal that sin.
2. You must consider, whatgraceis most weak in you; and you must come to the Sacrament, as to food appointed on purpose to strengthen weak grace.
3. You must consider whatdoubtit is, that doth most obstruct your full assurance of salvation; and you must come to the Sacrament, as to a cheering Cordial, made for this very end, to revive your fainting spirit. It is also asealing Ordinanceto seal up the love of God in Christ, and to be as agolden claspto fasten you to Christ, and Christ to you: And in which Christ doth often go from man to man, with hisprivy seals, and hishidden mannaof heavenly consolation.
4. You must consider how apt you are to start from God, and his just Commands, and therefore you must at the Sacramentrenew your CovenantwithGod, and binde your selves afresh untoGod, in the strength of Christ, to be his more faithful servants afterwards, then ever you were before.
And hereby likewise you may know when you come from the Sacrament, whether you have received worthily, or no: For if you finde these Effects from the Sacrament,that it hath beenMedicinall, corroborative, comforting, and obliging: If you find your sins more mortified, your graces more strengthened, your souls more comforted, and your hearts more engaged unto God in obedience; You may certainly conclude, that you are worthy Receivers. Nay we adde, for the comfort ofweak Christians, if you find any one of these Effects. For sometimes Christ lets out himself in the Sacrament in a way ofComfort; sometimes he hides, as it were, his face, and sends us home moreinlargedin ourdesiresafter him; sometimes hekisses his children with the kisses of his lips, and gives them to eat of hishidden Manna; sometimes he sends them home inlarged withgodly sorrow, for want of his imbraces. His dispensations are various. But if you finde his presence in any one of these waies, You are worthy Communicants.
6. To endeavour, that your[131]eyes may affect your hearts, when you are at the Sacrament. For as Christ in the Ministery of his Word, preacheth to the ear; and by the ear conveyeth himself into the heart: so in the Sacrament he preacheth to the eye; and by the eye, conveyeth himself into the heart. And therefore it is well called avisible Sermon. Take heed, lest the Devil steal away the benefit & comfort of it out of your hearts, by a wanton or wandring eye. And when you find your hearts deaded, and your meditations begin to flag and grow dry, fasten your eyes upon the Sacramental Elements, and Sacramental actions. Consider the bread broken, and the wine poured forth, andlet your eye affect your heart; and never leave looking upon them, till Christ be pleased to look upon you, as he did uponPeter, and then your hearts will be affected indeed, as his was.
7. To take heed of passingrash censuresupon those that are admitted to the Sacrament, together with your selves; say not such a man is unworthy, but say rather with the Centurion,[132]Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee; say asJohnBaptistof Christ,I am not worthy to untye thy shooe-latchet, much lesse to sit with thee at thy table; say not that such a one is a Dog, and not fit to eat childrens bread, but say rather of thy self, asMephiboshethdoth,[133]What am I? that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog, &c. The nature of man is very apt (as one saith)[134]to use spectacles, rather then looking-glasses; spectacles, to behold other mens faults, rather then looking-glasses to behold our own. But we hope better things of you. Remember, that when the Disciples were at the Passeover with Christ, and Christ told them, that one of them should betray him; They did not passe harsh sentences one upon another, but every one suspected himself, rather then his fellow-Apostle, and said,Master, Is it I?Be not offended at thy brothers wickednesse, which thou art not sure on, but at thine own unthankfulnesse, which thou art sure is very great.
8. When you are gone from the Sacrament, you must labour to walk in thestrength of that food, (asEliasdid of his)till you come to the mount of God. As you have been made partakers of an Ordinance, to which others are not admitted, so you must endeavour to live more self-denyingly, more heavenly mindedly, more holily and righteously, then they do, that are not admitted.[135]You must love your enemies; blesse them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that do despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if you love them that love you, what reward have you? Do not even the Publicanes the same? And if you salute your Brethren only, what do ye more then others? Do not even the Publicanes so?You are admitted to an Ordinance, that is not common to all, but peculiar to Saints, and therefore your lives must have something peculiar in them, which no wicked man can have. You must believe and repent after such a manner, as noReprobatecan do; You must pray in your families with more life and zeal then others; you must be more just & faithful in your dealings thenothers; and have more faith, and hope, and love to God. In a word, You must so carry and demean your selves in all your words and actions, as that you may be a credit and an ornament, and not a scandal to the Congregation, of which you are members.[136]Walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being faithfull unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse. And this we pray[137],That your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment: That ye may approve the things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ: Being filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
We have been larger, then we thought, in these particulars about the Sacrament, out of a holy jealousie which we have over you, (which we doubt not but you will pardon in us) fearing lest after your first admission to this Ordinance, you should grow remiss and careless, satisfying your consciences with the naked approbation that your Minister and Elders give of your knowledg and conversation; and in the mean time, neglecting to get the benefit and comfort of this Ordinance, and to thrive, and increase in knowledg and holiness proportionably to the expectation of God, and your godly officers.
We shall be briefer in what we have further to say unto you.
3. In the third place we exhort you, to[138]Obey those that rule over you, and submit your selves, for they, watch for your soules, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitablefor you.[139]And we beseech you, Brethren, know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace amongst your selves.And remember,[140]That the Elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine. For the Scripture saith,Thou shalt not muzzel the oxe that treadeth out the corn, andthe labourer is worthy of his reward. And it likewise saith,[141]Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. And further,[142]Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospell, should live of the Gospel.----If we have sowen unto you spirituall things, is it a great matter, if we reap your carnal things?This we write, not to shame you, but to intreat you to give liberall and honourable maintenance to your godly Ministers, that they may not only be[143]lovers of hospitality, but also inabled to exercise it: lest God in anger to you, drive your Ministers into corners, and take both your estates, and your Ministers from you; so as you shall neither have Ministers to give maintenance to, nor estates to maintain Ministers.
4. To perform all those offices which are required of you, as you are Members of a particular Congregation. For this purpose we exhort you brethren, to[144]comfort your selves together, and edifie one another, even as you also do; to warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men: And see that none render evill for evill unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among your selves, and towards all men, &c.[145]Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdome, teaching and admonishing one another inPsalms and Hymnes, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.[146]Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth; and[147]let every one of you please his neighbour for his good, to edification; for even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me.[148]Let nothing be done through strife, or vain-glory; but in lowliness of minde, let each esteem other better then themselves.Now though we are far from thinking, (as some do,) that you are bound to perform these duties only to those to whom you are united in Church-fellowship, (for if you ought to pluck your neighbours ox and horse out of a ditch, and to relieve his body, when in want, though not of the same Congregation with you, much more ought you to extend acts of spirituall mercy (such as these are) to their souls; and this you are bound unto by communion of natures, communion of Saints, communion of Churches; and by that Royal law of love, which commands us to love our neighbour as our selves,) yet notwithstanding we conceive that you are more especially tyed by your Congregational relation, to perform these duties to those that are of your own Communion.
And therefore we further perswade you,to watch over one another, to bear the burdens one of another, and so fulfill the Law of Christ. To consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of your selves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. And we likewise desire you not to neglect 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 spirituall things.We think that speech ofCainunbefitting the mouth of any Christian;Am I my brothers keeper?And though we believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Minister, but he that is elected and ordained thereunto, yet we believe also,that it is the duty of all private Christians, in a brotherly way, out of the common bond of charity, to build up one another in their most holy Faith. And therefore let those[149]that fear the Lord, speak often one to another, especially in these evil daies:and strive together for the Faith of the Gospel, standing fast in one spirit with one mind. For it seemeth to us to be very unchristian, that they especially, that have chosen one and the same Minister, and wait constantly upon his Ministry, and that break bread together, should live together like Heathens and Publicanes: at as great a strangeness one from another, as if they lived many miles asunder. And that Drunkards and Adulterers should meet together to dishonor God, and to encourage one another in wickednesse; and you should not assemble your selves together, to honour God, to strengthen and edifie one another, and to confirm one another in the truth. Only be careful in your meetings, to take heed of[150]doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evill surmises, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth. And[151]avoid all foolish and unlearned Questions, for they are vain and unprofitable, and gender nothing but strife; But help one another in thatone thing necessary, how togrow up in Christ; how tomake your calling and election sure; how tothrive under Ordinances; to befaithfull under Relations, to adorn the Gospel you profess; how to advance the power of godliness in your several spheres; and to be more spiritually serviceable unto God in your generations, and such like.
And we further exhort you, that if any Brother in the Congregation walkdisorderlyandscandalously, that you would carefully remember, It is your duty, first,to tell him privately; (and not to tell it to Others, to his and the Churches disgrace, as the manner of some is,) The text is plain,Go and tell him his fault betwixt him and thee alone; and if he shall hear thee, thouhast gained thy Brother. But if he will not hear thee,then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them,tell it to the Church. And consider, we beseech you, that the most part of Sacramental reformation, begins with your performing of this dutie. For how can the Elders judicially take notice of any scandall, till it be brought unto them, in the way of Christ, by you that are Church-Members? There is great complaint amongst well-affected people, ofSacramental pollutions; and many thereupon, though groundlesly, separate from our Congregations. But if things were rightly considered, it would appear, that the people themselves are the chief causes of this pollution; for you are thefirst wheelof this part of reformation, and if you neglect your part, how can we discharge ours? And therefore we intreat you, even for Christs sake, as ever you desire to keep your selves pure from the sin of those that receive unworthily, and from being Authors of the prophanation of the Sacrament, faithfully to discharge this your dutie. And we shall (by the help of God) be exactly careful of ours, that so the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.
5.To labour to keep your selves free from the Errours, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these Times.For it is evident to every impartial Observer, that false teachers, evil men,and seducers are gone abroad amongst us; subverting of Souls and overthrowing the Faith of some; speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; subverting whole Housholds, teaching things they ought not for filthy lucres sake; creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with divers lusts; and by good words, and fair speeches, deceiving the hearts of the simple; yea, by slight and cunning craftiness, lying in wait to deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect; and not only privily; but now openly and avowedly bringing in damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. TheDivine Authorityof the Scriptures is oppugned, theDeity of Christ opposed, and hisHoly Spiritblasphemed, the Doctrine of theBlessed Trinityquestioned, theHoly Godmade theAuthor of sinand sinfulnesse,Universall Redemptionpreached, and the ends of Christs death evacuated,Free-willby nature to dogoodmaintained, themortallityof theSoulaffirmed; theUse of the Morall Law of God, theObservation of the Christian Sabbath, thevery calling and Function of the Ministry, thevery being of a Churchamongst Us, and allthe Ordinances of Christ, are slighted and rejected. These, and too many more suchmonstrous Opinionsin the very spring-time ofReformationdo so multiply amongst vs, that thetaresare like toovergrow the Wheat, if God prevent not. And that which aggravates the evil of these things is, ThatLondonshould be guilty of suchApostacyfrom the truth.London! which hast had able and faithful Ministers of the Word preaching to thee; that hast been so miraculously preserved from the Sword, Famine, and Pestilence these last Years, yet have Heresies been hatched and nourished up underthy wings; and from thee have they been spread all the Kingdom over. How many inthis City have turned away their ears from the truth, faithfully preached by theirPastors; and being turned unto fables, have already followed the pernicious waies of Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil spoken on! How isReligion degeneratedinto vain janglings, and thepower of Godlinesseeaten up by perverse disputings! And that which should fill Us with more grief and astonishment is, That this inundation of Errours and Heresies hath increased upon Us, after suchprayers,preachings,disputes, andtestimoniesagainst them; after aCovenantsolemnly sworn toGod, with hands lifted up to heaven, for the extirpation of them; and after a solemn Fast commanded by Authority, and observed throughout the wholeKingdom, for our humiliation for them. And yet (with grief of heart we mention it) those Errours which in the Prelates time were but a few, are now many: Those that of late crept into corners, now out-face the Sun: Those which theGodlyabhor'd from their hearts, are now vented asnew and glorious truths: Nay, to such a degree ofApostacieare some arrived, being waxen worse and worse, that they are labouring for anodious tollerationof all thoseabominable opinions, as can shroud themselves under the name of Christian Religion.
Wherefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we warn you all to take heed of theseImpostorsandSeducers; and to keep close to thosegoodandoldprinciples of Christianitie, which you have suck't in atyour first conversion, out of the Word, from your godly Ministers: And seeing ye know these things before,beware lest you also being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastnesse; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and SaviourJesus Christ;to him be glory, both nowand for ever, Amen. Oh how happy were it, if it might be said of all You that submit to the Presbyterian Government; as once of theGodlyinSardis.[152]There are a few names even inLondon,that have not defiled their Garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.Which that you may the better be inabled to do, We beseech You Brethren, in the words of the Apostle,[153]To mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, for they that are such, serve not our LordJesus Christ,but their own belly. Observe here, that you are not only required to avoid theirDoctrines, but theirpersons. And so likewise the same Apostle,[154]If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholsome words, even the words of our LordJesus Christ,and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is proud, knowing nothing, &c.From such withdraw thyself.It is your dutie, not onely to keep your selves from the Heresies of these times; but, that you may be preserved from the Heresies, you must keep your selves, and all under your charge, from such as spread them, and from their meeting-places. For he that without a just cause goeth into aPesthouse, may thank himself, if he get the plague. And he that runs headily into temptation,hath no promise from God to be delivered out. The ApostleJohnrefused to tarry in the sameBath with Cerinthus; and he commands us in his second Epistle,If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God-speed, is partaker of his evil deeds.
Take heed how you touch pitch, lest you be defiled; And remember, we have faithfully discharged our consciences to you, in this particular; And that you maybe farther instructed against the Errors and Heresies of these times, We will propound a fewAntidotesandPreservativesunto you, under these general Rules following.
1. Whatsoever Doctrine iscontrary to Godlinesse, and opens a door to Libertinism and Prophaneness, you must reject it asSoul-poyson. Such are Doctrines against theSabbath,Family-duties, andpublique Ordinances: Such is the Doctrine of anUniversall tollerationof all Religions. The Doctrine of the Gospel, is a Doctrine[155]according to Godliness; It is aMysterie of Godliness;It teacheth to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
2. You must reject all such Doctrines, as hold forth astrictnesse above what is written. Papists teach many strict Doctrines, of self-whippings, and voluntary povertie, vows of continency, and many such like; but the Apostle gives you anAntidoteagainst them,Col.2.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. And so also our blessed Saviour,Matth.15.1. to the 10. Devout people are much taken with Doctrines that carry a shew of strictness, and of much purity; but you must not be wise above what is written; You must beCandidatesof aCanonicall, not anApocryphalstrictness; And therefore when you are taught, that whosoever will enter intoChurch-fellowship, must first take aChurch-Covenant; and that whosoever will be admitted unto theLords Supper, must not only be free from ignorance and scandal, but he must have other, and more strict qualifications; you must enquire what word they have for these assertions; and whereGod hath not a mouth to speak, you must not have an ear to hear, nor an heart to believe.
3. Whatsoever Doctrine tendeth to thelifting up ofnature corrupted, to theexalting of unsanctified Reason, and givethfree will in supernaturall things to a man unconverted, is a Doctrine contrary to the Gospell. For this is one chief aym ofPaulsEpistles, to shew,[156]That by nature we are dead in sins and trespasses, and that the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned, and that[157]the carnall mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. This Rule will preserve you against allArminian Tenets. For this is the main difference between the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Arminians. The Gospel makesfree graceput the distinction between the Elect and Reprobate; and the ArminiansFree-will.
4. All Doctrines that set up our own Righteousness, whether ofMorality, orSanctification, in the room of Christs Righteousness; That place good works in the throne of Christ, are Doctrines of Antichrist, and not of Christ. For the Gospel teacheth us,[158]that all our best works are imperfect, and that we are justified, not by our own inherent Righteousness, but by the Righteousness of Christ only, made ours by Faith: this Rule will keep you from much of thepoyson of Popery.
5. All Doctrines that do set up Christ and his Righteousness, as to decry all works of Sanctification, and to deny them to be fruits and evidences of our justification, are to be avoided and abhorred. For[159]the Scripture makes sanctification an evidence of Justification, and commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. This Rule will preserve you against most of the Errors of the Antinomians.