A Church Covenant Lawful and Needful, Part 1

A Church Covenant Lawful and Needful · Part 1

p. 1The engagement of fellow-helpers to the Truth, walking together in Gospel fellowship.

Ten Questions, with their Answers, are premised, whereby to give a good understanding, as to this engagement. (1) What it is. (2) How lawfull it is. (3) What manner of persons they must be, who doe engage. (4) What they must engage-in; In whose strength, and for what ends.

Q: I. WHat it is to engage; or what is this engageing work?

Answ. It is a solemne free and voluntary promising, or avowing our selves, the servants of the most High God, subscribing our names aaIsa. 44. 5.Isa 44:5, and engageing bbJer. 20. 21.Jer 20:21our soules unto Him, to hold fellowship with Him, walking together as friends, and well agreed ddAmos 3. 3.Amos 3:3. More briefly, it is c 1 Joh. 1. 3.1 John 1:3this, An engageing our hearts for our Lord and Christ: And against all that most, which is most contrary to Him. In a word, It is an avouching of God for our God, and our selves the Lords 2 Chro. 23. 16.2 Chr 23:16people.

For the clearing this first Question we will take-in what may scruple or offend the weak and in passage, remove it, as we can. And

If this engageing our selves the Lords people must be free and voluntary, what say we to that Covenant, which was thrust upon the people, every one knowes where?

To this we say (1) That we would say nothing to it at all, p. 2aske them, who can better resolve you than can the most knowing among us Yet for the sake of them that are weak, we would say this (2) That this is nothing to the business or Question in hand: we are holding forth a Church-Covenant, and how reasonable a thing it is, That all, who are truely and indeed of the Church of Christ, and walking in fellowship together, should engage to Christ. (3) We would say for our own satisfaction, who are as weak as the weakest (others may say and think as they please) That Covenant had so many ingredients in it, it was so full of mixture, as that an haile, strong and healthy stomack might, haply nauseat at it. Therefore (4) It should not, we humbly conceive, have been pressed upon the people, specially because the chiefe Article therein, or Head thereof was not understood by us (the most of us) and then we could not enter into Covenant about it, nor sweare in judgement.

But had it been a simple Covenant, we meane with-out mixture as Asa's was to seek the LORD GOD of Israel with all 2 Chro. 15. 12 23. 16.2 Chr 15:12their heart, and with all their soule; or that they should be the LORDS people as Jehojada's was, we would Querie here, might it have been pressed upon the people? The Answer to this makes something for the clearing the busines or question in hand; but we will take it-in to our answer unto the sixt Question, onelyonly this we would say more here, because we are upon engageing; What may be said to that engagement charged upon the people some yeares since? To this we say, much more might be said, for the pressing of that engagement (though some thought themselves then, and so doe now, oppressed by it, grossly if not sinfully mistaken, we think) than can be said for the pressing, of the other said Covenant, which was, we know not well what it was, but partly Religious it was, and partly Civill. But this engagement was meerely Civill; and as reasonable as reason it selfe, That our Rulers engageing to us to doe all they could for us, we should againe engage to all we could for them, at least, to doe nothing against them. Why? the Bramble it self would have the Trees engage to Him, the best thing they had, their Faith, and their Troth, as we too commonly say, their very Jewell, and he is a beggarly man, that layes that to pawn; If in truth ye anoint me King over you Judg 9. 15.Judg 9:15come and put your TRƲST under my shadow; It riseth to as p. 3much as this; If you will make me your Ruler or Parliament Man, you must engage to Me your Trust; We must come up to the termes of the Bramble, in Civill matters or civill Trust. Surely it was but right and good, That our Rulers should engage us to as much as the Bramble, did the other Trees. If they will give him the Title of a King, they must give him, the honour of a King.

But now, which we would think might answer all that can be said against our engageing to God, whereof more will be said anon. If we take Him for our Lord and Christ, all the Reason in the world we should engage our Trust unto Him, and that is our All, a serious profession of our faithfullness to God, and adhering to His wayes. Look what the Man is, such is his Trust, if he be earthly and sensuall, his Trust is the same; If heavenly and spirituall, such is his Trust also; Holy men as well as Holy women, are described by this, They Trusted in God; which Trust in a large 1 Pet. 3. 5.1 Pet 3:5sense, is put for the whole Compasse of our duty to Him; And in the strictest sense, it is a great part of Divine worship, because it is the highest exercise of Faith in God, giving the highest honour to Him. Now if this Trust be in us, it will be professed by us, being like fire there, besides we seldom or never being called forth unto it, make profession of lesse than we have, but of as much as we have, as the wicked professe more. The short of this matter is, If this Trust be in us, we cannot but make serious and hearty profession of it, engageing our selves to Him, who by His Word and Spirit wrought it in us. If our Trust be right set on God and selling, we cannot be ashamed thereof, for that shall never make us ashamed—But so much for the clearing our Answer to the first Question: we proceed.

Q: II. Is this lawfull to be don?

Ans: We think he that makes this question is ashamed to speak it-out, Is it lawfull to engage our selves to God, to be the Lords people, to walk and live as His people? surely yes, and never, we think, did any one of the LORDS people make question here. Yet if he did, this may put it out of question, because The Lord God hath promised, yea sworne unto His people, He will be their God, work in them and for them, as their God in Covenant with them. It's but reason now, and altogether just, That they p. 4should promise and sweare unto Him, to walke as His people, who have the vowes of God upon them; For can we think, and Psal. 56. 12.Ps 56:12think as men, That the most High God, should bind Himself over to His people, with His own Coards, promise and oath, those two immutable things, while yet His people stand loose from Him, Heb. 6. 18.Heb 6:18not suffering themselves to be bound with the Coards of a man, with bands of love, a gracious God and mercifull Father hath provided for them, and calleth them, My Comandements, and My Math. 11. 29, 30. 1 Joh. 5. 3.Matt 11:29Matt 11:301 John 5:3yoak, and makes them to all His, not greivious, but easie and light?

Q: III. But may Gods people doe what they read and heare God hath don?

Ans: Yes; All things commanded and made possible for them to doe. In all such things, they must learne of Him, and doe as they heare and read He hath don. As in this Case, They must avow themselves His servants, as He hath vowed Himself their Lord; and to walk as His people who hath chosen them for His people, even as He walked, and follow God as deare Children, 1 Joh: 2. 6. Eph. 5. 1. He hath made a promise unto them, and to evidence the immutability thereof, He hath ratified it with an oath, and given witnesses and pledges, the Sunne and the Moone for the Continuance and endurance of the same thing He promised and sware unto. Surely Gods people stand bound to bind Psa. 89. 34, 35.Ps 89:34Ps 89:35themselves as strongly, as possible can be, to Him againe. And so much the rather because the flesh, the unregenerate part, in the Regenerate person is still ready to draw back, like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, or like that which was to be bound with Cords to the hornes of the Altar. This flesh cannot abide bands and coards of Gods making, but saith still as once it did, for the flesh can speake no other language, being not of it selfe subject to the law of Rom. 8. 7.Rom 8:7God, neither indeed can be; Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. The flesh is all for this and this it is craving all the day long, give me ease and liberty, though it will prove little ease anon, (which we translate Anguish, straightnesse Rom. 2. 9.Rom 2:9of place) and a cursed liberty. Yet give me it saith the flesh. Truely it would endure no more than the Devill & Satan would, to be bound, unlesse with its own Cords of vanity, which at present are pleasant Coards, binding now as it would be bound; but p. 5anon it shall be bound as it would not, as with fetters, and held Job 36. 8. Pro. 5. 22.Job 36:8Prov 5:22with the Cords of affliction, which it selfe hath twisted. Indeed it dearely loves, as was said, a cursed liberty, and would know no other law but that, which rules in its members. Therefore we conclude; The flesh must be strongly bound to its good behaviour, there being no such professed Rebell, than this is in the whole world, or the Nationall Church there. And not to speak better of our parts than they doe deserve, as they are ours, and not overpowred, these deserve bands too, and to be laid upon them by Him, who onelyonly can make them binding.

Q: IV. Is it safe then for the people of God to lay bands or engagements upon that in them is called flesh, as, in some sense, the mind may be said to be, having something of the flesh there.Col. 2. 18.Col 2:18

Ans: We conceive the reason of this question is, because it is commonly said, That this laying engagements upon the flesh, and making its watch strong, is like the Law opposed to a lust, it irritateth Rom. 7. 7.Rom 7:7and provoketh the flesh; or it is as a boundary or stop set against an impetuous streame, it puts some stoppage to it, but it makes the waters swell and roare; or like that restraint upon Shimei, 1 Kings 2. 36. or as we may have heard, was laid upon another, who was an old-man, yet never went five miles from the place he was borne, his Ruler hearing that laid a restraint upon him, that he, that would not, for after time should not; But the Man was not at rest till he had that restraint taken off. And we read what Shimei did. There is a truth in this, we like not to be bound, but then, if we lay no bounds upon the flesh, we shall runriot after the flesh, as the manner is, like a wild Asse-colt, or like a pampered horse, that hath cast his Rider; if we doe lay bands upon the flesh (woe unto us if we doe not) It will fret kick and rage, and be very troublous, yet is it kept within bounds, like fire upon the hearth; but take off the bands, let flesh doe all its pleasure, what is right in its own eyes, it never doth more wrong to the soul. It will be like a fire raging upon the house-tops. We would come closer to the thing in hand.

Grant we then, as well it cannot be denied, That bands laid upon the flesh, as the law forbidding or opposing a lust, makes the flesh for a time more impetuous and storme-like, yet doth not all this, as we conceive, so much as accidentally cause more corruptions p. 6in us, and procure more sin, but makes them or it more fomeout its own shame, so making sin appeare, in its likenesse sin, and become exceeding sinfull, and so, accidentally, procureth more sin (to break-out, which lay hid before) and so more guilt, and matter of Condemnation. But yet all this speakes nothing, at least proves nothing against this laying bands or engagements upon the flesh, but rather is mighty through God, to prevaile with us, to make the bands firmer, and the watch stronger; Remembring this for our comfort, that the people of God are delivered from the irritating or provoking power of the Law (as well as from the Curse thereof) so far as that it shall doe them no hurt at all, but much good.

So then to bring our answer nearer to the question, we say it is very safe and sure to lay bands upon the flesh, and spirit both; for, as was said, it is in some part flesh too. (1) It is safe; for the laying bands upon the flesh is the great meanes appointed by God to safeguard the Spirit, the renewed part in the New-Man. And if it be not don, and with all care and diligence, flesh will after the manner, run-riott in the day time, and like a child, sent away, or Prov. 29. 15.Prov 29:15sent to himselfe, that is, left to himselfe, and put into his own hands, bringeth the Spirit to shame, as he, that ungoverned child, his Mother; yea and his Father too (take it in passage) though the Mother be there onelyonly named, because she, usually, is most to blame in that matter. Therefore if we looke to find all fast and sure, shut we the gates, doores and windowes of our soules, as carefully as we doe those at night, belonging to our houses, and when we must set them wide open, set we a good guard about them, and make we our watch strong. It was spoken, in mockage, we may be serious in mentioning of it. See! He dares not Trust a Beleever to walke without his keeper, the law, as if he judged no otherwise of him, than of a Malefactor in New-gate, who would kill and rob if his Jailor were not with him. Truely the flesh of a Beleever, and we beleeve he will say so too, is no more to be trusted than a Malefactor in New-gate; therefore he walketh not without his keeper, and he prayeth to God continually, that He would keep both him and his keeper, and then he is kept. We proceed (2) It is safe and sure for Beleevers to lay engageupon the flesh, for by the sure mercies of David, which never failed, p. 7it is a sanctified meanes to keep all sure till they come to that inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them, where there will be no enemies to annoy them. And (3) for the Spirit renewed, so we suppose it to be, it hath its filthinesse aa2 Cor. 7. 1.2 Cor 7:1also, even its mouth (we speak of that we call flesh in the New Creature, wherein dwelleth no good bbRom. 7. 18.Rom 7:18) devoureth iniquity ccPro. 19. 28.Prov 19:28; It would drink it in as greedily as a thirsty Beast water ddJob 11. 16.Job 11:16; Therefore even the Spirit must have a guard engaged upon it also to keep it in the strength of God, fast and sure. It requireth our observation sure, as it surely argueth the Treachery of our spirits, That the Holy Ghost by His Prophet makes Mal. 2. 15, 16.Mal 2:15Mal 2:16this Inference once and againe, Therefore take heed to your spirit; as if He had said, you observe nothing if you doe not observe your spirit; Therefore take heed to your spirit. We find sometimes the same words repeated aaPro. 19 5. 9.Prov 19:5Prov 19:9, and then they should come with much force upon our spirits, and to ascertaine us of the good, in the doing of it; as of the evill in neglecting of it. The dreame was doubled twice, because the thing is established by God; so, This Inference is doubled; Therefore take heed to your spirit, because it is commanded and established by God, it must be so don, or else you be utterly undon. And so much to that question.

Q: V. Can it be held-out from the Holy Scriptures, that this Covenanting or swearing to God to walke before Him, to keep close to Him, hath been the practise or manner of Gods people in former times?

Ans: It is holy, right and good we should aske Counsell at that Abel, enquire what the Scripture saith, and so resolve our 2 Sam. 20. 18.2 Sam 20:18selves and end the matter, we will then set down some Scriptures at length, because some are so negligent, that they will not be at the labour to turne to them in their Bibles, which will informe us what the servants of the Lord have don alone, and apart, then what they have don in Company and Fellowship one with th'other. And when we have so don the Reader shall be Judge in this matter, so be he will engage in these two things, (1) That he will look into those Scriptures, so much he will doe, he may say, for it is the easiest thing in the world so to doe, to look into them. No, that is a deceit, it is the hardest thing, nay more, it is impossible for a man not changed, nor renewed, nor looking after that p. 8glorious work, impossible for him (how sharp-sighted soever he may think himselfe, for his knowledge, learning, prudence, wisdome) to look into, that is, To understand savingly, one jote, …. 5. 4.of sacred Truth. His darknesse doth marveilously benight him; The corruption of his affections fumes-up into his understanding; and streames in the lower faculties doe cast a mist on the higher. So then it is a conclusion of experience, That the heart must be cleane, else the Head cannot be cleare to apprehend the Truth, as it is in Jesus. For as long as the heart is so desperately distempered, the Head can never be duly Disposed for the reception of such a Thing as Truth is, which is so contrary as light and darknesse are, to a wicked mans lye; we meane his whole Religion, being all as his wayes are, but a lye; for as all the Popish religion, with all the Faith-devouring, and Conscience-wasting-errours that ever the Man of sin vented to the world, are wrapt-up 2 Thes. 2. 11.2 Thess 2:11in this one syllable or word, a lye; so also is all our Religion, as are our wayes, naught else but a lye, while we are our selves out of the way, and not changed or renewed in the spirit of our minds by the glorious work of the Spirit with His Word; Till this work be wrought, every lust in us is an enemy to every Truth as it is in Jesus, and will doe its utmost to keep it-out, that it may enjoy its selfe with more security in the dark. So then to come to a close of the first thing we would engage the Reader in, we would in the next place shew the emphasis, force, or how significant that word James 1. 25. 1 Pet. 1 12. foreign.Jas 1:251 Pet 1:12is, we translate look into, for it denotes such a prying into a thing, as the blessed Angells, prying into the glorious mysteries of the glorious Gospel, whereby the unsearchable Riches of Christ, are held-out to us, immortality and life brought to light. It is such a looking as Commands the bending of the Body and Spirit both before the Father of spirits. And

Therefore (2) He must engage to look-up and cry for that Anointing, that teacheth all things; For it is in vaine to look into these, or any other Scriptures, with-out that eye-salve, which unscales the eye, reveales the eare, opens the understanding, in a word, unvailes the heart, that we may see what we see, heare what we heare, understand what we read, all which is don by, That Guide or Interpretor onelyonly, supposing now the Reader hath engaged Act. 8. 30, 31.Acts 8:30Acts 8:31hetherto, these are the Scriptures which we will set down at p. 9length, as we said, and then passe on to the next Question.

And Jacob vowed a vow saying If God will be with me, and Gen 28. 20, 21 22.Gen 28:20Gen 28:21will keep me in this way that I goe, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, then shall the LORD BE MY Jacobs vow.GOD—

And Hannah vowed a vow and said, O LORD of HOSTS, 1 Sam. 1. 11. Hannahs vow.1 Sam 1:11if thou wilt indeed look-on the Affliction of thine Hand maid, and remember me, and not forget thine Hand-maid, but wilt give unto thine Hand-maid a Man-child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the dayes of his life; there shall no Rasor come upon his head.

I have sworne and I will performe it: that I will keep Thy David. vow. Psa. 119. 106.Ps 119:106Righteous Judgements.

Thus the Saints did severally and apart; and who sees not—but we forget our selves; It is left to the Reader to judge (so he keep the Conditions,) whether it be not the Duty of Saints so to doe now?

Then againe, Come with us say the wicked. Come with us, say the Prov. 1. 11.Prov 1:11Godly, let us joyne together as one Man, in one thing to promote the Glory of God, His Church, and His Truth. We beleeve verily the Reader will judge it as comely for the Godly to joyne together, for God in one and the same thing, as it is for the wicked to joyne together, pla…ted together like thornes, against God, and His Christ, and against all that which is truely and indeed Christian. Surely the Spirit of God is as prevailing (we should say infinitely more) with His servants as is the spirit of the world 1 Joh. 4. 4. 5. 19.1 John 4:41 John 4:51 John 4:19with that whole world, that lyeth in wickednesse: for the evidencing of this, LOOK we, as has been said, into these Scriptures.

And they entred into Covenant, and sware unto the Lord, Asa's Covenant. 2 Chro. 15: 12.2 Chr 15:12to seek the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soule.

And Jehojada made a Covenant between him and between Jehojada's Covenant. 2 Chr 23 16. 2 Chr. 29 & 30.2 Chr 23:162 Chr 29all the people, that they should be the LORDS people.

King Hezekiah proclaiming a Passeover, sending his posts from City to City, together with his preparations, and instructions, as to that solemne service, came-up, we conceive, to the very same thing, of making the people enter Covenant with their God.Josiahs Covenant. 2 Chr. 34. 31, 32.2 Chr 34:312 Chr 34:32

King Josiah stood in his place, and made a Covenant before p. 10the Lord to walk after the Lord, and to keep His Commandements with all his heart, and with all his soule to performe the words of the Covenant: And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem, and Benjamin to stand to it. And the Inhabitants of Jerusalem did, according to the Covenant of God, the God of their Fathers.

When Ezra had confessed, weeping and casting himselfe down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great Congregation, of men and women, and Ez 10. 1, 2, 3.children: for the people wept sore. And Shechaniah answered and said unto Ezra, we have trespassed against our God; yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Now therefore let us make a Covenant with our God.

It shall come to passe in the last dayes, That the Mountaine of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountaines, Isa. 2. 1, 2, 3.Isa 2:1Isa 2:2Isa 2:3and it shall be exalted above the Hills [that is, the spirituall Glory and Grace of Christs Kingdome, shall be advanced above all worldly state and power] and many people shall say Come ye, and let us goe-up to the Mountaine of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob [that is, They shall embrace the wayes of Christ readily, freely, and willingly, yea rejoycingly.

One shall say I am the Lords and another call himselfe by the Name of Jacob: and another shall subscribe with his hand Isa. 44. 5.Isa 44:5unto the LORD, and surname himselfe by the name of Israel.

The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the Isa. 60.Isa 60brightnes of thy Rising—

The Children of Israel shall come, they and the Children of Judah together, going and weeping, they shall goe and seek the LORD their God. They shall aske the way to Zion with Jer. 50. 4, 5.Jer 50:4Jer 50:5their faces thetherward, saying, Come and let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant, that shall not be forgotten.

And the Inhabitants of one City shall goe to another, saying, let us goe speedily to pray before the Lord; and to seek Zec. 8. verses 21, 22, 23.the Lord of Hosts; I will goe also.

And it shall be, That who so will not come-up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem, to worship the King the Zec. 14. verses 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.LORD of Hosts, even upon them shall be no raine.

p. 11We humbly conceive these Scriptures speak out fully the practise of the Saints, alone and apart; and altogether when they were of one minde, heart, and judgement in the matters of their God.

We suppose now the Reader that hath called for the eye-salve, will not ask for Scriptures out of the New Testament, thence to hold-out the practise of the Saints in those primitive times and ever since; because all those Scriptures cited out of the old Testament, referre wholy to the manner of Saints under the New. To whom, prepared now as a Bride adorned for her husband [And a Bride among the Jewes was dressed and decked in all gayitry, her own or lent her, so that that day she appeares, a moving Mine of gold and pretious stones as we read] God hath made this Glorious promise; Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himselfe, shall be with them, and be their God, Revel 21. 2, 3. So now we shall forbeare to mention the day of small things, as we read in the first Chapter of Johns Gospel; Nor what growth the Church had in Christs time during His personal abode with them, whereof we read, Act. 1. 15; Nor how it did encrease presently after, He was taken into Heaven with the encrease of God; nor the manner Joh. 14. 12.John 14:12of their Converse one with another, walking together in Church-Communion, whereof you may read, Act. 2. 41, 42. 44. 5. 14. 9. 31. 11. 23.—Nor will we set down here what we read in our Church Chronicles recorded of the servants of Christ in perilous or fierce times; They met together every Lords day, where they could, early in the morning, and there, after mutuall exhortations, and singing of Psalmes, they engaged before God each with other, in the strength of Christ to walk in All pleasing, as was comely for Saints. We will conclude, There is a way of Gods worship, wherein He walks or meets with His people, and they with Him, as once it was. And it is a sad signe, That our Exod. 25. 22. 30. 36. 2 Cor. 6. 16.Exod 25:22Exod 25:30Exod 25:362 Cor 6:16wayes please not God, when His wayes pleaseth not us. Therfore since His Tabernacle is with men, and they that goe not up to His feast of Tabernacles to worship the King the Lord of Hosts, upon them shall be no raine, no blessing, but barrennes and drought shall be upon them; It is time for us to look about us, and to Consider the times, and what we ought to doe. If we will not joyne our selves to the p. 12Lord in a perpetuall Covenant, we give too cleare witnes against our selves, that we are joyned to our Idols, and little difference betwixt us and the Anti-Christian-world, whose judgement now of a long time lingreth not, and their damnation slumbreth not. For the Righteous Lord will certainly make His threat good to th'utmost upon them shall be no raine, expounded by Isaiah Chap. 60. 12. The kingdomes and the nations which will not serve the Church shall perish: yea th…se nations shall be utterly wasted. We proceed.

Q: VI. May not the wicked vow themselves the servants of Christ, and engage themselves the LORDS people?

Ans: No, by no meanes; their engagement will not be taken; they are not free, they are engaged already, and tantum non sworne servants to other Lords, being ready servants and willing slaves to sin and Satan; These are their great Lords and Masters, Satan himselfe their Lord and their God ruling in cheife in their hearts and lives; to whom they have engaged their best service, according to the utmost of their power and skill they have and are still receiving from him. So that suppose now they should engage to God which yet they can no more doe, than can their God, and Prince of the world, but against Him: but suppose it so for teaching sake, Their Father the Devill, whose lusts they will John 8 44.John 8:44doe, would heare it, and could not hold his peace, but would disalow his childrens vowes in the day, that he heareth them, saying; Not Num. 30. 4, 5.Num 30:4Num 30:5any of their vowes or of their bands, wherewith they have bound their soules shall stand. Most certainly so it would be; for as that possessed man aaMark. 5. 18. 20.Mark 5:18Mark 5:20(though a good man, and designed for high work, to speak-forth the high praises of his God) was so exceeding fierce bbMath. 8. 28.Matt 8:28, that no man might passe by that way: and so mighty in the Devills Might, that no man could bind him, no not with chaines ccMark. 5. 3.Mark 5:3; so is it with his children, his sons and daughters too (for he keepeth Luk. 11. 21.Luke 11:21their Pallace) If an Almighty Hand holds them not in, they will plucke asunder the chaines, and break in pieces the fetters, as burnt flax, neither can any man tame or hold them.

The short of the matter is this, and the very conclusion of experience; They must be free indeed aaJohn 8. 36.John 8:36, who indeed engage to walk as is comely for the Lords freemen bb1 Cor. 7. 22.1 Cor 7:22; They must be living in Jerusalem ccIsa. 4. 3.Isa 4:3, and free of that Mother-City ddGal. 4. 26.Gal 4:26, who will vow themselves the servants of the living God, and live as a people, that have engaged p. 13themselves to the work, and service of their God. They must be well agreed that walk together. Friends of God who walk with God; as they are friends of the world, that walke with the world, according to the Course of this world, according to the Prince Eph. 2. 2.Eph 2:2of the power of the aire, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. In a word, They must be strengthned with All-might, who walk up to their engagement to All pleasing.Col. 1. 10, 11.Col 1:10Col 1:11

Here we would take-in that we have heard spoken for a wicked mans engageing to God; and Covenanting with Him.

They have entred into Covenant willingly; or if that could not be, unless to engage with their tongues onelyonly, yet they were forced aa2 Ch 15. 1….into it, and made to stand to it: for it must be granted that some, if not the most of them, in Asa's time, were wicked, b 2 Ch 34. 3…yet all engaged. To this we say;

That King Asa and Jehojada; King Hezekiah and Josiah engageing the people to seek the Lord, and to be the LORDS people; to enter Covenant with Him, and to stand to it, did in so doing altogether right. And yet if our Rulers should doe so with us, they would doe altogether wrong. The Reasons, as we conceive, are these; Israel was Gods first borne, as He sayes of them; An Deut. 7 …. Levit. 20. 26.Deut 7Lev 20:26Holy people unto the Lord, the whole Nation was; They were a people SOƲGHT out, and had engaged themselves to seek the Lord; they had avouched themselves the Lords people, truely we cannot readily tell how often. But hence we conclude, Those excellent Kings and Priest did their duty, in binding the people fast with their own Cords, laying them straighter and closer upon them, which they did weare too loose. Now for us, we meane the people of this Land, It is not said any where, That we are an Holy people to the Lord; Nor have we as Israel did, avouched the Lord for our God, nor sworne to seek Him; at least if so we did doe, it was not in obedience to Gods Command, nor, for the generality of us, knew we what we did. And to goe about to force us to it, otherwise at the best, but with our tongues, as formerly we might doe, were as hard a taske, yea as impossible, as to force the Prince of the Aire, or spirits of the world to doe it, that is, to engage to God, and Covenant with Him, who in all things stand so cross and contrary to Him. Indeed something we have heard was don at our Baptism, where the fathers and grandfathers stood (that p. 14word some will use, and accordingly will practise) minding no more (the most of them) and understanding as little what the Minister did there, or they themselves engaged to, than did the little thing was brought thether in the Armes.

We are wholy indisposed to speak more to this. So much may assure us, That they, who have made a Covenant with sin, death, and Hell, and with these are, in conceit, at an agreement, cannot possibly enter Covenant with God. The first Covenant must be Isa. 28. 15.Isa 28:15disanulled, disclaimed first, yea abominated, & abhorred; And then they may have thoughts of entring Covenant with God. Which thing the Lords people have don, through Him, who shewed them abundant mercy, together with the iniquity of their first Covenant; and strengthned them to breake that, and to keep this. Yea He still strengthneth them to stand to their engagement, and to keep their vow, vowing themselves the LORDS people. We proceed.

Q: VII. Who is sufficient for this engageing work, to walk with God as aforesaid?

Ans: They and onelyonly they who can humble themselves to Mich. 6. 8.Mic 6:8walke with their God; Can think themselves to Nothing; and doe know, that His Grace shall be sufficient for them, so as they shall 2 Cor. 12. 9.2 Cor 12:9be sure in their visible straights of invisible succours. Therefore these are still craving this grace, as an hungry-man (for they feele the want of it, for all uses and imployments, as he of his bread, and thence the spring of desire) cryeth for an Almes, or as the Prov. 2. 3.Prov 2:3chapt earth (where so many clefts there are as so many tongues calling to the clouds for raine) opens its mouth for the showers Tot linguae quot tissurae.of heaven. So Grace must be sought for, and is by them who know what it is, and desire nothing much, but the Fountaine and Head-spring thereof, whom they cannot desire too much. Through Him they can doe All things, continually strengthning Phil. 4. 13. Joh. 15. 5.Phil 4:13John 15:5them; without Him they can doe nothing; No, great thing, no, nor the smallest thing; not the least good motion heaven-ward; not any thing that is good: their sufficiency is of God, to Him 2 Cor. 3. 5.2 Cor 3:5they look.

Q: VIII. How must this engagement be entred upon?

Ans. There must be serious thoughts, engageing our Consideration, and deliberation about it, before determination or resolution p. 15one way or other passe upon it. It must be taken as an oath must (for it is, if not the very same, yet is it as weighty every whit and momentous, nay it is a swearing to God, and must be taken) In Truth, in Judgement, and in righteousnesse; and in His Jer. 4. 2.Jer 4:2strength alone All-sufficient for them as to the performance of it, in whom they blesse themselves, and doe glory. This is the very hinge of all, the ground and foundation where on all beareth, That this vow or Engagement, call it as you please, be undertaken in the strength of Christ. It commands all observation, which Solomon Eccles. 5. 6.Eccl 5:6saith; Say not thou before the Angel [before Christ the Angel of the Covenant] It was an errour [It was my ignorance what this engagement was, as to the matter or substance of it, meanes or manner of performing it, that I entred into it] wherefore should God be angry at thy voyce, and destroy the work of thy hands? [as if He had said, that will not excuse thy rashnesse in suffring thy heart to be hasty to utter a thing before God: But rather such an excuse will anger the Lord, and provoke Him to accurse thee in whatsoever thou takest in hand] Therefore the people of God will put it upon their thoughts, and roule it about there, what they engage upon; what their aimes and ends are in their undertaking; and in whose strength they can performe. For they that have engaged for their own ends, and in their own strength, or not wholy in the strength of Christ, have turned back in the houre of temptation; they have dealt deceitfully, turning aside like a deceitfull or warping bow; they have growen worse after their engageing, giving cleare evidence against themselves, That they took no pleasure in God, and His matters; nor He in such fooles aaEccles. 5. 4.Eccl 5:4. And may it not be feared, at least it may be Cautioned, That some, we hope good in the maine, have put more upon their engagement, than upon Christ Himself; As some may think it enough to walke in fellowship with Gods people, though never so unlike them in their walk: we meane, there may be some, who put their engagement in the roome of Christ, as if that could help them alone, or else they have made their engagement alone without their reliance upon the power of Christ. That Rule of th' Apostle, which obtaines in all Cases of Duty, doth most in this Whatsoever ye doe in word or deed, doe all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Col. 3. 17. That is, feele the need ye have p. 16of Christ in it; and look not that God should accept of you or your engagement, or of what else you doe, but onelyonly through Him, in whose NAME you have don it.

The Name of Christ is the very essence of all the Church doth, of all her prayers, all her praises [which are upon the matter, but so many engagements of the eye, eare, tongue, hand, and heart unto and for God] so that to pray, to praise, to engage in the Name of Christ is (1) To look up to Christ with the eye of faith, and to fix upon Him, who hath purchased this glorious priviledge, and blessed liberty through Him to have access by one Spirit Eph. 2 18. 3. 12.Eph 2:18Eph 2:3Eph 2:12unto the Father, there to speak all our mind, which is ever accompanied with praising of Him, and engageing to Him, and is alwayes don in the Name of Christ, that is (2) in the strength of Christ; And (3) in the virtue of the present mediation of Christ which carries this acknowledgement in it, That what we aske on earth, as to the living-up to our engagement, Christ obtaines in heaven for us.

Q: IX.

If this engaging to God, that is, as ye expound it, The vowing back that mercy againe to God, we have asked of Him in prayer, and received from Him, by a conscionable improvement of the same to the Glory of the Giver, which we think you called, paying our vowes: If this engaging to God (we were saying) be commanded us of God, as prayer and praises are, directly commanded us in the Word; then our doubt is, and thereupon our question, Whether we may vow or engage to the doing of that, which is directly commanded or forbidden in the Law of God?

Ans: We would speak to this first very breifly and in a word; and then more largely afterwards. This first; That as we conceive, we are not to vow to God, That we will pray to Him as long as we live, and praise Him as long, because He hath heard, and we are assured, He will heare us; we are not to vow all this, because it is directly charged upon us in His Word. And yet we did not pray unto Him, nor did we praise Him, unless we did engage (1) To stir up our selves in prayer, and to watch thereunto which is to pray in prayer, we translate earnestly, or, praying in the Holy James 5. 17.Jas 5:17Ghost; And (2) If we did not engage to God to use all possible care and diligence that what we through Christ gained in prayer from God, we would returne by praise unto Him, in a blessed improvement p. 17of all for Him, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So now we come more directly to Answer the Question; wherein we will be a little larger, that we may be plainer.

The Question is, whether we may vow or engage to doe that which is directly commanded or forbidden in the Law of God? Whereto we Answer, as we are taught, No; We must not vow the doing of th' one or not to doe th' other; as for example, we must not vow absolutely, we will not worship Idols; That we will not sweare; That we will keep the Sabbath, observe the Lords-day; That we will honour our parents; That we will doe no murther; for all these Duties are expressly commanded by God; and therefore are past being vowed by us; onelyonly thus we, (observing the Treachery of our hearts) may vow and engage to a greater care and stricter watch over our selves either for the doing of th' one, or not to doe th' other. In a word, we may and must, vow more care and diligence in and about all those things, required of those that have subscribed their names to the God of Jacob.

And thus we are to understand that of Jacob, Gen 28. 21. vowing that the LORD should be his God. Also That of David, Psal. 119 106. Jacob had avowed or avouched the Lord for his God before; but then he did it with more intensiveness of spirit than before. So likewise, David had kept the words of his God before, but now he would be more strict than before in keeping of them. So then, the conclusion of the whole matter is this; when See Job 22. ver. 27. Mr. C. exp: there. p. 271.Job 22:27we vow (or engage to) things already commanded or forbidden, we must pitch and place our vow not upon the matter of the Commandement, but upon the manner, and intensivenesse of our spirits in keeping it.

Q: X. Whence is it then that we heare this Covenanting one with another, as much almost contradicted by some good men (as is meet for us to judge) as it is blasphemed by the evill?

Ans: Truely it seemes a Mystery unto us, and that enemy and adversary of all Righteousnesse, hath his hand in it, as we said, That good men should contradict it. Indeed, That wicked men should blaspheme it, that is no Mystery, for, as the works of the flesh are, it is manifest. We desire humbly to give in our perswasion here, though we are the poorest of the flock, and the simplest p. 18among many, if we may be numbred amongst them; our knowledge is very small, the Lord knows, and hath made us to know it, to what it might have been, had we well husbanded our time, and parts, and meanes. But He knows also, That we, through the supply of the Spirit, are increasing therein, giving all diligence that way; and we trust it may be said of us, We have an unction from 1 Joh. 2. 20.1 John 2:20the Holy one, and we know all things, cheifly needfull for us to know; we know Jesus Christ savingly, and we know that we know 1 Joh. 2. 3.1 John 2:3Him, keeping His Commandements (in desire and endeavour) as we keep the apple of our eye, our ornaments or Jewells; or as a weary Prov. 7. 2.Prov 7:2traveller keeps his way: we desire and endeavour with all diligence also to know Him more, and to grow in that knowledge; and 2 Pet. 3. ….2 Pet 3then we may be said truely and indeed to know all things; for He is All; All in all persons; All in all things. We will make bold Col. 3. 11.Col 3:11therefore to speak farther to this, and to tell our perswasion, and judgement in this matter; and then the Reasons why we are so perswaded, and doe so judge; first then our perswasion is, That the close of the Answer given to the ninth Question is abundantly sufficient to cut the synnewes of all that much, which alwayes hath been or now is, and still will be argued against this engaging our selves, and our best services for our Deare Lord and Christ; and against all that which is contrary to Him; and to enter into Covenant each with other, and all with Him, in the power of His Might to stand to it. What more reasonable than is this? To vow (and engage to) a greater care and stricter watch over our selves; and more care and diligence in and about all those things required of all them that have subscribed their Names to Him? What more agreeing to the mind of Christ express in His Scriptures, than to vow more intensiveness of spirit in keeping to Him, and serving of Him? Surely we may vow in His Name (as before expounded) to give all diligence, that we may be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Else, as we humbly conceive, we never make, our prayer to Him, or praises of Him, if we doe not, at the same time, engage our hearts unto him about the same thing. And then, supposing that praying and praising is an implicit kind of engageing our hearts to Him, whom we praise, and pray unto, we conclude, That what is our duty to doe every one alone and apart, is comely and decent to be don by us altogether, walking in fellowship according p. 19to Gospel-order. We would adde a little more in prosecution of this matter, & so give our reasons of our perswasion therein: and

First, We may and ought, engage to stand to that Covenant made to us in Christ, comprehensively ALL the Saints salvation, and ALL their desire, because they have judged themselves meet to receive the seales thereof, having received first the witnesse of the Spirit, bearing witnesse with their spirit, that they are the children of God, Rom. 8. 16.

Secondly, We may and ought engage to live-up to that Name is called upon us, of whom the whole Family of heaven and earth is Eph. 3. 15.Eph 3:15named. This surely will be granted on all hands, That we may engage to hold-out the Name we are called by; which is but to engage in the strength of Christ, to be Holy as He is Holy; To depart from iniquity; To touch no uncleane thing; for we name the 2 Tim. 2. 19.2 Tim 2:19Name of Christ, and which is more, if more can be, we have His Name called upon us, and put within us. They that are true members of That Body may be called, as we think the whole Body is, CHRIST, The Anointed of God with the Holy Ghost and with power, as the Lord Himselfe was, but in our Measure. Now if this 1 Cor. 12. 1…. Act. 10. 38.1 Cor 12:1Acts 10:38be so, and we are, as we professe to be, and are Named. Then we may engage sure to a greater care and stricter watch over our selves, as was said, we may vow more intensivenesse of spirit, to live-up to our Name, to make full proofe thereof; as he that was a true Minister; so we, that are true Christians. Live-up to thy Name, saith Hierom to those he wrot unto, that had very significant and teaching Names. Now no Name is so significant as this, or so teaching. Which remembers us of that, we have heard said of Tertullian, If I perceived, said he, the Man were not holy, not so much as a shew of Holiness appeares in him, or no more than a shew, by his works he denies it; of any name in the world Nemo Christianus nisi qui placè tantum Christianus nulli enim Christianus malus est. Tert As: Cap. 43. No bad manin the world, and a true Christian.I would not name him a Christian; That excellent Name would worse become him, as a Jewell in a swines snout; for Holiness is of the very essence of Christianity. A Christian without holiness, is a Christian without Christ. It is Contradictio in ad pecto, an Holyman without Holiness; a gracious man without grace, as falt without savour; a vine without fruit in the season thereof.

We have told our perswasion and Reasons thereof, from the seales of the Covenant; and our Christian Name. We will for a p. 20close of this give in here Holy Bucers lamentation, as we read it Englished unto us by Mr Palmer, whom His God hath made one of the excellent of the earth. Oh that we had renewed and establisht the Covenant of eternall life, as we have done a Civill Covenant. The Churches of the Martyrs were joyned together by the severe Religion of Discipline. I miserably feare what may become of our Churches, unless they are more closely graffed into Christ, and that they restore Discipline among themselves. There are some of all orders, who are against the restoring of solid fellow-ship and Discipline. These are holy Bucers words, which that worthy man Englished as he saith; That we, the weakest above many, and other like, as we are may observe the concurring judgements of holy men, as to this practise of engaging our hearts to God; and Covenanting each with other in the strength of Christ to keep them up so engaged, that when a temptation comes to take away the heart from Christ (and then the eye, eare, tongue and hand, and all are gone, when the heart is gon) we may say and say truely, every one for himselfe, my heart is engaged to Him, who asked it of me; and He hath it, and, according to my earnest desire, will keep it, engaged to Him, And all I have engaged for Him; for who made me to differ, or what have I which I have not received from Him? And Now we cannot forbeare, the love of Christ constraining, who loves a people walking Jer. 30. 21.Jer 30:21with Him should engage unto Him, we cannot forbeare to set downe Mr Palmers own words, which being so full-up to the will of Christ, and mind of His people, shall end this matter.

Now as that, which is stil'd a Church-Covenant, so much debated among the Godly, we take it to be no more, than such a mutuall agreement and joyning together mentioned, that solid fellowship and discipline may be set up, else how can there be an unity and fellow-membership in a particular Church?

Say such even who dispute against this practise, This is imply'd in the very principles of Christianity. We then apprehend, it is not unlawfully but indeed necessary, expressly to professe what flowes from the principles of it; specially in this Case, where it is a mans own free act, that constitutes him a member of a particular Church. Such a profession and expresse consent to walk in fellowship, and to submit to Discipline, we call for. p. 21And we beleeve without it, it will hardly be set-up unlesse a Catechisticall Answer or two of a person examin'd (though never so dead-hearted, and a close enemy to the power of Godlinesse) shall be thought enough, which will to settle againe where we were, in old ignorance, luke-warmensse, loosnesse and formality; In stead of such as feare the Lord, walking in fellowship with the Father, and one with another in the Spirit. We proceed in his words.

Now that any, that truely feare the Lord should stick at this, viz. to professe to own the Covenant of Gods free grace; to give-up themselves unto it, and to Jesus Christ the Mediatour of it in all His Offices; To walk under His Discipline, and in fellowship with His people; We cannot but justly wonder, and why any godly men of parts should frame and raise up bugbeares against it. The Lord give them to tast the goodness & sweetnesse of it, and they will be humbled before the Lord, that they ever withstood it. There is a little more; we can spare none of it. To the Novelty of this practise as it is objected to us and others we could answer at large here, That it is as old as the Gospel, for beleevers to walk together in fellowship in the duties expressed: We will adde no more here; but beg the God of all Grace, That He would give us His Grace and make it sufficient for us, that we may practise according to that we have read.

And now having premised these things, for the clearing our way and undertaking before us; And Commending all this hetherto spoken to each others hearing, we proceed to hold forth the matter and manner of our engagement; what that is whereunto, in the strength of Christ, we doe engage, but this after we have shewen what did draw us thereunto; And to this, we conceive, we are in the first place to speak fully and clearely, as is requisite for us to doe in so solemne and great a matter.