Epistle to the Church in Chippin Norton, Text
More Particular Practicall Rules For walking in Church fellowſhip.
THat all endeavour to the utmoſt of their power and abilities (eſpecially by their practice) to ſet up and maintain all the ordinances of Chriſt, that he hath given to his Church, for his own Glory, and his Churches edification and comfort; Zach. 14.17, 18. Joſ. 24.15. Deut. 6 7. Eph. 6. Ge…. 18 19.
1. Publique and Private prayer, which are Gods holy appointments for to convey Grace into the hearts of his Saints, Luke 21.36. Acts 1.24. Acts 4 41. Mark 6, 6.
2. Prea…hing and hearing the word, publiquely or privately, theſe are Gods Ordinances; Prov. 8.34. Act. 18 28 Act. 20.20 Iſa. 55.3.
3. Singing of Pſolmes and Hymes and Spirituall Songs, Math. 26 30. Eph. 5.19. Coll. 3 16 Jam. 5.13.
4. Conferences one with another, is an Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 5.11. Heb. 10.24, 25. Jude 20.
5. That Jeſus Chriſt will have particular Churches untill his ſecond coming, and therefore 'tis the duty of all Saints in their places and capacities, to help to ſet up, and uphold this Ordinance and appointment of Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 16.4, 16. 1 Cor. 7.17. 1 Cor. 11.16. Gal. 1.2. Rev. 1.11. Rev. 2.7. Rev. 22.16.
6. Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper, are Gods Ordinances, and they are appointed to be ſignes and Seales of the Covenant of Grace, between God the Father, Son, and Believers, Math. 28.19. 1 Cor. 11.23.
7. The Miniſtry is an Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, and to continue in the Church unto the end of the World; and therefore all ſhould endeavour to ſet up, and to vindicate Chriſts Ministers, and their Miniſtry, as much as they can; Eph. 4.11, 12, 13. 1 Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13 17. as an ordinance of Chriſt.
2. that all doe endeavour to grow in grace, and to be ſpirituall Saints, ſuch as may worſhip God in Spirit and in Truth, and walk ſpiritually before Saints and ſinners, that they may commend Religion unto others by their ſpirituality: for God hath promiſed that ſuch as are planted in the houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh, and goe from ſtrength to ſtrength in Sion, Pſal. 92.13. Pſal. 84.7. you ſhould labour to be ſpirituall in all places, in all companies, and in all buſineſſes, in your words and deportments, Ioh. 4.24. 1 Cor. 3.1, 2.3. Gal. 6.2.
3. It is the duty of all, to labour and endeavour to obtain ſo much wiſdome, and ſpirituall underſtanding as is poſſible, in ſpirituall things; that ſo they may be able to ſerve God, and worſhip him according unto his will: that they may not be ſoon ſhaken in mind, and toſſed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine; but that they may be perfectly joyned together in the ſame mind, and in the ſame judgement in the truth: Coll. 1.9. Eph. 4.12, 13. Eph. 3 18.19.
4. That all doe labour after a great meaſure of Faith, that they may be able to truſt God in times of triall; and not diſpond, and be dejected at every providence that thwarts ſenſe and reaſon; but to be able to caſt themſelves on the free grace, mercy, faithfullneſſe, wiſdome, power, and Love of God in Chriſt: and to give him all the glory of his diſpenſations: the contrary renders Religion odious and unpleaſant; 2 Pet. 3 18. Eph. 6.9. to 18 Eph. 4.15.
5. That all the members of the ſaid Church, do endeavour faithfully, according to their abilities and opportunities, to performe ſuch duties as they owe to each other in their relations; whether as Saints, and members of Chriſts body; or a… Men; and ſo as Parents or Children or Husbands, &c. Rom. 13.8. or as Offi…ers that teach or rule, or as private members, that are taught and ruled.
1. A Paſt…r is to attend upon Preaching the word in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon; and to adminiſter the Sacraments; to anſwer objections doubts and ſcruples; to the ſtudy of the word; to maintain and defend the Truths he Preaches: to wai…h over the flock: to protect them from wrong as much as he can: all which he i… to doe as a Pastor of his own flock only; and he is to manage matters in the Church, that concernes the well ordering of it, 1 Cor. 12.28. Rom 12.6, 7, 8 Luk 22. Act. 20.11. 2 Cor. 1.4. Mal. 2.7. 1 T…m. 4.13, 14. 2 Tim. 2.15. Tit 1.9. 1 Pet. 5.2,
2. The du…y of the Members to their Paſtor; firſt to provide for him: for his ſubſiſtance, and comfortable being: that he may not be entangled with the affaires of this life; but that he may wholly give up himſelfe to the work of the Lord, 1 Tim. 4.15. and diſcharge the truſt committed to him, Gal. 6, 6, 7, 8. Rom: 15.27. 1 Cor. 9.7 to 15.
2. Not to receive an accuſation againſt him under two or thre with neſſes, 1 Tim. 5.1, 19.
3. To give him that Love and reſpect that is due to him and no more; to be carefull not to give him that honour that is due only to God; or to refuſe to give him that which God commands them freely to give unto him, 1 Theſ: 5.12, 13. 1 Tim: 5.17. Heb: 13 17.
4. To attend upon his Miniſtry, as they have opportunity both in private and publick, Act: 2.42.
5. And in a ſpeciall manner to pray for him, that God may bleſſe him in his studies: that God may direct him to Preach ſuch truths as may by the bleſſing of God be moſt advantagious and profitable to Saints, and ſinners: and that God may give him the door of utterance, that he may ſpeak the Word with boldneſſe and clearneſſe: that he may give to every one his portion: that he may be able to divide the word aright; that he may be led into all truth; that he may be very ſucceſſefull in the turning of many ſinners to God, 1 Theſ. 5.25. Heb. 13.18. Act. 12.5. 2 Cor. 1.11. Phil. 1.19. Rom. 15.30. Eph. 6.18, 19. The duties of Members to each other, and towards all men.
6. The Members are commanded to Love each other truly and heartily without diſſimulation: in deed and in truth, Eph. 5.2. 1 Theſ. 3.12. Ioh. 13.34. Rom. 12.9.
7. All the Members ſhould have a watchfull eye over each other, that they may keep each other from ſinne; and if fallen into any ſinne to haſten their deliverance. 1 Theſ 5.6. 1 Cor: 12.25.
8. Not to ſpeak evill or to backbite one another, 2 Cor. 12.20. Jam. 4.15.
9. They muſt be carefull not to declare the faults of one another: to each other, before they have lovingly and deliberately informed the Brother or Siſter that hath offended, of his or her faults, and endeavoured to convince him: and not then, but in caſe of obſtinacy; Math. 18.17. 2 Cor: 12.20.
10. They muſt not beare any grudge or envy in their hearts againſt any Member, whether upon any evill reports of them, or upon any wrong received from them, 1 Pet. 2.1. Levit: 19.18. Iam. 5.9.
11 They muſt honour each other, as God hath commanded them, and that in ſyncerity and in truth, Rom: 12.10.
12 That they provoke and exhort one another, to the diligent practiſe of their duty toward God and all men, Heb: 10.24, 25. Heb: 3.13.
13 That they informe, reprove, and admoniſh one another when there is occaſion, Rom: 15.14. Col: 3.16. Eph: 5.11.
14 To ſupply the wants of one another: if any Member ſhall ſtand in need of ſubſiſtance: according unto every Members abilities, they ought to communicate unto him, Rom: 12.13. 1 Tym: 6.18. 1 Pet: 4.10.
15 That none ſuffer ſin to lye on his Brother, and connive and wink at it: but immediately if poſsible to diſcover it unto him, Levit. 19.17. Math. 18.15, 16. Gal. 6.1, 2, 3, 4.
16. That every Member is commanded by God to Pray for each other: and that frequently, heartily, and fervently, eſpecially for ſuch as lye under any affliction, or temptation either in Soule or Body, Jam. 5.16. Act. 12.5.
17. They ought to comfort each other, with the comforts wherewith they have been comforted of God; to comfort each other with their Fathers promiſes to them; with the mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, the great honour that God hath put upon his people; and the hopes of their future happineſſe &c. 1 Theſ: 4 18. 2 Theſ. 5.14.
18. It is their duty to teach, and to Inſtruct one another; the eye may help the hand, and the hand the eye; the foot may and ought to be helpfull to the head, 1 Cor: 12.15. 1 Theſ. 5.11. 2 Col. 16.
19. To rejoyee with ſuch as do rejoyce; and weep with ſuch as weep; to have a fellow feeling of each others mercies and troubles; to have a ſympathizing heart, hand, and eye, towards each other, as fellow members of the ſame body, Rom: 12.15.
20. That all ſuch Members as have Families, ought to ſet up the worſhip of God in them, and not only the forme of Divine worſhip, but the power, and ſpirituallity of it: to inſtruct thoſe that are under their charge, Gen: 18.19. Deut: 6.7. Iohn 24.15. Jer: 10.25. Eph: 5.4. Ioh: 4.23, 24.
21. That they ought conſtantly to attend on all the Ordinances of God, at all times; except ſome extraordinary occaſions hinder, both publickly and privately; Prov. 8.34. Mal. 3.16. Heb: 10.24, 25. Rom. 14.19.
22. That all ought to endeavour to walk inoffenſively, giving no offence to Jew nor Gentile, nor to the Church of God; labouring to walke wiſely towards them that are without, as that you may through the grace of God, thereby poſſeſſe them with good thoughts of Ieſus Chriſt, of his wayes and People: and alſo that every member endeavour to preſerve the Peace and priviledges of the Church; and of every member thereof, Eph. 4.1 to 6. 1 Ioh: 3.11 to end. Col: 3.12, 15. Phil: 2.1 6. Gal: 6.1.
23. That all ought quietly, and patiently, to ſubmit to the Powers that God hath by his providence ſet over them, and obey all their lawfull commands willingly: the contrary is hatefull in the ſight of God, what ever men may pretend for railing againſt, or oppoſing of them, 2 Pet. 2.10, 11, 12. Iude 8.9, 10. Act: 23.5. Rom: 13.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
24. That all ought to avoid the company of erronrous perſons, as much as hey can; eſpecially ſuch perſons as hold any dangerous Tenents; and make it their buſineſſe to vent them unto others, Rom. 16.17. 1 Tim. 6.5.
25. That they walk humbly, and ſeriouſly before their fellow Members; and before all men, as much as in them lyeth, Iam. 4.6. 1 Pet. 5.5. Act. 20.19. Eph. 4.29, 30. Eph. 5.4.
26. That all endeavour to preſerve the purity of the Church; and not by any means to endeavour either privately or publiquely, the admiſſion of any unworthy perſon; although their neareſt relation, 1 Tym. 5.26. 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. 1 Cor. 6.15.19. 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16, 17.
27. That if any Member of the ſaid Church, ſhall heere or know of any Scandall, or ill report of a perſon deſiring admiſsion into the Church; that then the ſaid Member, enquire into the truth of it; and in caſe the ſaid perſon be found guilty; the ſaid Member ſhould informe the Paſtor of it; and the perſon ſhould be ſuſpended untill he hath repented, and declared his repentance to the Church, 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2.
28 That in caſe any member of the ſaid Church, ſhall be caſt out of the Church for Scandall; and the ſaid perſon ſhall repent afterward: and manifeſt ſo much to the ſatisfaction of the Church: and ſhall deſire to be admitted againe into the Church; he ought to be received againe into Communion, with all love and tenderneſſe, 2 Cor. 2.6, 7, 8, 9. 1 Cor. 5.
29. That all ſuch as ſin openly, ſhould be openly, ſpeedily, and ſeverely reproved, and proceeded againſt according unto the word of Chriſt, 1 Tym: 5.20, 25. 1 Cor. 5. Math: 18.15, 16.
30. That as the Church increaſes, need requires, and perſons are found fit: other Officers be choſen by the Paſtor, and all the members of the Church then preſent when any Officer is to be choſen; Act. 6.2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 12.28.
31. That all the members ought to be diligent in ſome honeſt calling; that ſo they may be uſefull in their generations: and not chargeable to others: and that they may ſtoppe the mouths of their Adverſaries; in caſe the ſaid members ſhall be able Eph. 4.28. 1 Tim. 5.10. 2 Theſſ. 3.6.10.16.
32. That all in a ſpeciall manner do diſcharge the duties that they owe unto their Relations; which God hath commanded to be carefully performed by all both ſuperiours, and inferiours, as husba ds to their wives, Eph. 5.25. Wives to their Husbands, Eph. 5.33. Parents to Children Eph. 6.4. Children to Parents, Eph. 6.1, 2. Magiſtrates to the People, Rom. 13.4. People to their Magistrates, Rom. 13.4. Masters to their Servants, Col. 4.1. Servants to their Maſters, Eph. 6.5.
33. That all ſhould really, and heatily intend, what they ſhall at any time profeſſe to each other, or any that are without, whither Saints or Sinners: as expreſſions of their Love to them; by their words to take heed that their hears, and tongues go together, without all diſſimulation, or the worlds complements Rom, 12.9. Coll. 3.23. 1 Pet. 1.22. Eph. 6.5. Rom. 9.2. 2 Cor. 5.12.
34, That all the members be carefull to avoyd as much as they can the Company of wicked men eſpecially in any thing that is not of good report, or may be an offence unto any godly perſon 2 Chron. 18.1, 3. 1 Cor. 5.17. Pſal. 110.7.
35. That all endeavour to hold forth the power and life of Godlineſſe before others to manifeſt the Spirituality of their profeſſion; to take heed and beware of a formall, dead, ſapleſſe profeſſion; which may predice the mindes of men againſt the waies of God, Phill. chap. 1. v. 27. 1 Pet. 3.1.
26, That no member withdraw Communion from the ſaid Church, untill the ſaid member hath given convincing reaſons for his, or her withdrawing; why he cannot hold communion with the ſaid Church, Heb. 10.24, 25. Heb, 3.13
37 That if at any time any member or members of other true Churches that walke in Goſpell order ſhall be recommended to the ſaid church by the Paſtor or other Officers of the ſaid Churches, and the ſaid perſons ſo recommended ſhall deſire to pertake of all Gods Ordinannces with the Church that then the ſaid Church ought to admit them into Communion provided they be not ſcandalous or ignorant, Rom: 16.1.
38 That if any member ſhall deſire a diſmiſſion from the ſaid Church: to joyn with another Church of Chriſt walking in Goſpell order: and it ſhall upon tryall appeare to be for the advantage of his ſoule: or the conveniency of its habitation, as being nearer that Church that he is to be a member of: that then the ſaid perſon ought to have a free diſmiſſion.
39 That every member endeavour to avoid bitterneſſe of Spirit, or bitter railing words, towards ſuch perſons as doe not walke in the ſame way, and order with them waiting for, and endeavouring by all good means, Loving and wining deportments, and arguments, to convince them of their errours; provided they be holy ſerious perſons in appearance at leaſt, Eph: chap: 4. v. 31. 2 Tim. 2.25. Phill. 3.15.
40 That every member in his place and capacity doe endeavour to promote the intereſt of Chriſt in the world: by praying or by any other lawfull meanes Math: 6.10.
41 That all ſhould be very ſparing in judging ſuch perſons as doe differ from them (or the way wherein the ſaid Church walkes) to be no true Saints knowing that they ſtand or fall to their own maſter and that they muſt give an account of themſelves to God: provided they are otherwiſe ſober, Spirituall and humble men Rom: 14.10. Math: 7.1.
42 That every particular member ſhould ſeek the weal and happineſſe of his fellow member as his own: all ſhould look at one anothers wealth: Phil. 2.4, 5, 6. 1 Pet. 4.10, 11. 1 Cor. 10.24.
43. That every member ſhould patiently ſubmit unto and receive with thankfullneſſe all Reproofs, Inſtructions, Councell, Admonition, or exhortations from any member of the ſaid Church: Heb. 13.17. Coll. 3.16. Tit. 3.10.
44. That all endeavour to improve all their priviledges for the Glory of God: and to peforme every duty to God with the more Strength, wiſedome and comfort: and alſo for the Comfort and edification of each other: Eph. 1.12. 1 Cor. 10.31. 1 Cor. 14.31.
45. That all Children that ſhall be baptized in the Church are to be accounted members of the ſame Church; untill they ſhall juſtly deprive themſelves by ſcandall or otherwiſe; for of ſuch is the Kingdome of God Mark. 10.14 15, 16.
46. That ſo long as the ſaid Children ſhall continue members of the ſaid Church, the Church ought to take care of them as fellow members; to pray for them and to further by all good meanes their eternall Salvation in an eſpeciall manner Gol. 6.10.
47. That Rich, and Poore walke together as fellow members of Chriſt; as brethren and ſisters, without patiality, and having reſpect to ſome perſons becauſe they are rich; or diſreſpecting others becauſe they are poor, Jam. 2.1, 6.
48. That all ſhould greatly humble themſelves and mourn before the Lord for their upholding of corruption and complying with the abominable practices of men for the worſhip of God; and ſo have thereby prophaned the Lords holy Ordinances, and expoſed them to contempt; and cauſed many to deſert and caſt them off as vaine things, becauſe they ſaw no diſtinction made between the precious and the vile; but doggs and children eate together as fellow heires of Heaven; and God being thereby greatly diſhonoured was pleaſed to withdraw his preſence from them; in ſo much that many gracious hearts have ſaid that they never meet with any ſoule comforting or ſoule quickning preſence of God in receiving the Lords ſupper with a mixt multitude; but as ſoone as they came out from among them their herats were filled with his preſence. Ezechiel 22.26. Ezechiel 44.5, 10. Jerem. 15.19. 2 Cor. 6.17.
49. That all endeavour to performe all their lawfull promiſes that they ſhall at any time make to Believers or unbelievers; and ſo to do to, and deale with others, as they would have others do to them, or deale with them: Pſal 15.4. Math. 7.12.
50. That all labour and endeavour to preſent ſin in themſelves, and in others: to keep each other from the commitment of ſin: to endeavour the deſtruction of each others Luſts: and to ſtudy wherein they may be furtherers of one anothers joy: and when they have found out their duty: accordingly to practiſe it, Heb. 3.12, 13. Heb. 10.24, 25, 26. Phil. 4.3.
FINIS.
REader I entreat thee to mend theſe few Erratas, pag. 4. lin: 24. read ſince. l. 26. r. for. l. 37. r. breaking, p. 7. l. 25. r. the, l. 39. r. thy, pag. 9. l. r. inſenſibly, p. 18. l. 16. r. with hearts that, p. 23. l. 19. r. he ſhould give, p. 24. l. r. for it they, p. 27. l. 2. leave out to, l. 19. r. you, p. 32. l. 20. this. l. 24. r. the.
End of the text · Stephen Ford, Epistle to the Church in Chippin Norton (1657)