The Cure of Church Divisions, Directions to pastors 1
Part. II. DIRECTIONS TO THE PASTORS, HOW TO Esteem and use Christs Flock▪ EVEN The weak ones and the quarrelsome Children: And what must be done by themselves in the first place, both to prevent and heal DIVISIONS.
THe Practise of which, the Author doth humbly and earnestly beg of them, as with tears upon his knees, for the sake of Christ, that purchased the weakest with his blood; for the sake of those that must live in peace with Christ for ever; for the sake of those who are in danger of turning to Popery or contemning Godliness, through the scandal of our Divisions, to their own damnation: for the sake of these poor distracted Churches; for the sake of the King, that he may have the comfort of Governing a quiet and united people: and for their own sakes, that they may give up their account with joy, to the chief Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, and not with terrour, for the consuming and scattering of his flock.
And (that he may both begin and end with Divine Authority) the Author humbly beggeth of them all, that England may but SEE and FEEL, that the PASTORS do VNDERSTAND, BELIEVE, CONSIDER and OBEY that will of God, which these following Texts of Scripture do express.
Psal. 15. 4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth them, that fear the Lord.
Math. 25. 40, 45. Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not, to one of the least of these (my Brethren) ye did it not to me.
Math. 18. 6, 10. But who so shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea—Take heed that ye Despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in Heaven their Angels do alwayes behold the face of my father which is in heaven. II For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
2 Cor. 4. 3. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lest.
1 Cor. 9. 16. For necessity is laid upon me, yea wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.
Act. 20. 20, 24, 28, 33. I have taught you publickly and from house to house—But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Iesus— Take …eed therefore to your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood—I have coveted no mans silver or gold or apparel—
1 Pet. 5. 2, 3. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; nor for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being Lords over Gods heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory, that fadeth not away.
Luk. 22. 24, 25. And there was a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the Greatest: And he said unto them; The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, 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, as he that doth serve—I am among you as he that serveth.
1 Thes. 5. 12, 13. Know them which LABOUR AMONG you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in Love, for their WORK sake, and be at peace among your selves.
1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the Elders that Rule well be counted worthy of double honour; Especially, they who labour in the WORD and DOCTRINE.
Phil. 1. 15, 16, 17, 18. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy & strife, and some also of good will: The o…r preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: What then! Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and I do therein rejoyce, yea and will rejoyce.
Act. 28. 30, 31. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him; preaching the Kingdome of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Iesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Rom. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye; but not to doubtful disputations: For one believeth that he may eat all things: Another who is weak, eateth herbs: Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; And let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: For God hath received him: Who art thou that judgest another mans servant? To his own Master he standeth or falleth: yea he shall be holden up: For God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind.
Rom. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. We then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please our selves: Let every one of us … ease his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself—Now the God of Patience, and Consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Iesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God—Wherefore RECEIVE ye one another, as Christ also received us to the Glory of God.
Rom. 14. 17, 18, 19, 20. For the Kingdome of God is not meat and drink, but Righteo…sness and PEACE and Ioy in the Holy Ghost: For he that in THESE THINGS serveth Christ, is Acceptable to God, and APPROVED of MEN. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for PEACE, and things wherewith one may Edifie another—For meat destroy not the work of God—Happy is he that condemneth not himself, in the thing which he alloweth (that is acknowledgeth to be indifferent or lawful.) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat.
The rest, and some of the same again you shall have in the Conclusion, and I shall not accuse my self of vain repetition; but account my self and England happy if twice or ten times warn…ng you of your undoubted duty, in the plain words of God which you cannot without professed Infidelity deny; will but perswade you to heal our grievous wounds, at so cheap a rate, as the doing of that good and blessed work, which NONE may so EASILY do as YOU, and none are more OBLIGED to do, nor shall suffer more everlastingly for not doing it, if no Scripture, no reasons, no experience, no petitions, no groans and tears of the distressed Church of Christ can intreat you to it.
But alas,
Rom. 3. 16, 17, 18. Destruction and misery are in their wayes: The way of PEACE they have not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.—
Eccles. 7. 7. SURELY OPPRESSION MAKETH A WISE MAN MAD.
Rev. 6. 10. QUAMDIU DOMINE, SANCIE, VERAX.
Psal. 120. 6. DIU HABITAVIT ANIMA MEA, INTER OSORES PACIS.