The Healing of Israels Breaches, Sermon 5
ISRAELS CURE. The fift SERMON. April 6.
PSAL. 60. Ver. 2.
Heale the Breaches thereof, &c.
THe healing of Iſraels breaches, is a Cure which every true Iſraelite ſhould ſeriouſly deſire, and endeavour. Once more this uſefull concluſion commeth to hand, which I have already proſecuted by way of Doctrine and Application. I yet ſtick in the latter of theſe, the latter part of it; wherein my deſigne was to lay you downe ſome Rules and directions for the furthering of this deſired Cure in the Church of God amongſt us. Theſe directions we ranked into two ſorts; ſome wherof were restorative, others preſervative. Of the former ſort we found ſome concerning our ſelves, others of them concerning others, viz. thoſe which have beene and are Breach-makers amongſt us, teaching us how to order our ſelves towards them. Theſe breach-makers (as you have heard) are either ſtrangers, or Iſraelites. Strangers, enemies to our Religion, or rather Gods Religion profeſſed amongſt us; with theſe we have done. Iſraelites, ſome of our brethren who through infirmitie and weaknes have been ſeduced and drawn aſide, either from the wayes of truth or peace. Concerning them the queſtion was; what ſhall be done to them, or for them? This we anſwered generally, let them be reduced, and brought home with all tenderneſſe and gentleneſſe. More particularly, for full ſatisfaction, I entred upon a way of giving to every one his portion. Shewing firſt, what publike perſons are to do. Secondly, what private. Publike perſons are either Magistrates or Ministers. The former of theſe have had their directions, which the Lord teach them to make a good uſe of. It remains now that we come to the latter, and ſo proceed to that which remains.
2. What ſhall we of the Ministery do? For 2. Directions for miniſters. Iere. 6. 14anſwer, as briefly as I may. Gods Ministers, they are alſo by office healers. They have healed the hurt of the Daughter of my people ſlightly, ſo the Lord complains of the falſe Prophets. To heale was their office, that they did it ſlightly was their error. And what ſhall they do that they may be healers in truth, furthering this Cure, by reducing thoſe which are gone aſtray, which is a part of their office (they being alſo the Lords Shepheards) to ſeeke ſtraving Eze. 34. v. 2, 7, 8. &c. Mat. 18. 12.wandring ſheepe, and finding them to bring them home again. To this purpoſe, let them make uſe of a three-fold direction (the beſt that either my reading, or experience will furniſh me with.) Let them firſt be blameleſſe in their lives. Secondly, Painfull in their Callings. Thirdly, Meek and wiſe in their carriage. I will but touch upon each, having a reſpect to the Audience.
1. Blameleſſe in their lives foreign. This 1. Let them be blameleſſe in their lives 1 Tim. 3.Paul requires from his Biſhop or Pastour, for in that place they are both one. A Biſhop muſt be blameleſſe. Blameleſſe, viz. in life and converſation, walking (as it is ſaid of Zacharias the Prieſt, and his wife Elizabeth) foreign: without juſt reproofe.2.
This blameleſneſſe of life and converſation, conſiſteth in three things. You have them all together in that knowne place, 2 Tit. viz. in living Tit. 2. 13.Firſt, ſoberly. Secondly, righteouſly. Thirdly, godly. All which (as all Chriſtians, ſo) the Miniſters of the Goſpel ought to have a ſpeciall regard unto; to live Godly, that they may be Patterns of Piety, and Holineſſe; to live righteouſly, that they may be patterns of Justice and Integritie; to live ſoberly, that they may be patterns of Sobrietie 1 Pet. 5. 3.and Temperance. In all being Enſamples to the flocke, (as Saint Peter hath it;) that ſo thoſe which are weake, may not ſtumble at their lives; which being ſcandalous, are great ſcandals, bringing an evill report upon the wayes and Ordinances of God.
We know what is ſaid of Elies Sonnes; how that they by their ſcandalous lives and courſes, made men even to abhorre the offering 1 Sa. 2. 17of the Lord. And ſurely it cannot be denied, (I would not uncover it; if it could be hid) but that the ſame cauſe amongſt us hath had the ſame effect; Many being turned aſide, and many others confirmed in their ſtrayings, and that by reaſon of the ſcandalous lives of ſome of the ſons of Aaron. To help to make up theſe Breaches, let all the Lords Prieſts, which ſerve at his Altar, have Holineſſe to the Lord written (as in their Hearts▪ ſo) in Exod. 28. 36. 38.their foreheads; That their lives, and converſations may be ſober, Righteous, Godly, every wayes Blameleſſe, then which, there will be found no meanes more effectuall for the reducing of thoſe which are gone aſtray.
2. Being Blameleſſe in their Lives, let them (in 2 Painfull in their Callings.the 2d place) be Painfull in their Callings, aLuke 2. 8.watching over their flocks, bActs 20. 28.Feeding them, cIb. verſe 31.Warning 2 Tim 4. 5.them, not turning over the overſight, and care of them unto others, which without queſtion hath beene, and is no ſmall cauſe, or occaſion of ſtraying unto many, and ſo of making, or increaſing theſe Breaches. When Vzzah and Ahi… and the reſt of the Levites for their own eaſe, ſhifted off the Ark of God from their own ſhoulders, (which ſhould have been the ſupporters of it) and laid it Num. 4. 11.upon the Carts, the Ark it ſelf was ſhaken, endangered, and a Breach thereby made, as you may ſee, 2 Sam. 6. To remedy and prevent the like evils 2 Sam. 6. v. 6. 8.that might happen to the Religion and Church of God amongſt us, let the Lords Miniſters take the Ark of God upon their own ſhoulders, putting not their hands only, (as Vzzah there did) but their ſhoulders alſo, (as Vzzah ſhould have done) to the work, ſeriouſly intending the work of the Lord, Preaching the Word, being inſtant in ſeaſon, 2 Tim. 4. 2.and out of ſeaſon, (as St Paul. chargeth it upon his Timothy) Reproving, Rebuking, Exhorting, and that with all long-ſuffering.
3. Let them bee Meek and Wiſe in their Carriage: 3. Meck and wiſe in their carriage.I put theſe two together, therein following our Saviour, who willeth his Apoſtles, whom he ſendeth forth to preach the Goſpel, that they ſhould bee Wiſe as Serpents, ſimple as Doves. Let Mat. 10. 16.the Miniſters of Chriſt have an eye to both.
To Meekneſſe; The ſervant of the Lord muſt not 2 Tim. 2. 24. Meek, bearing with infirmities of weake Brethren.ſtrive, (ſaith the Apoſtle) but be gentle unto all men, Patient, foreign, Bearing, forbearing. A Grace, and vertue which the Miniſters of Chriſt had never more need, or more exerciſe of, then at this day. In Meekneſſe inſtructing thoſe which oppoſe themſelves, (ſo the Apoſtle there goeth on) foreign, i. e. (ſaith Beza) foreign, Men which are contrary minded, to whom the Truth is not yet fully, and clearly revealed; Such Inſtruct with meekneſſe. This will be found the next way to reduce them; not to fly upon them with tart and bitter invectives, ſpitting gall, and vinegar in thoir faces; nor yet preſently to fall upon wayes of compulſion, making uſe of the Brachium ſeculare, calling in the ſecular power, (which yet in ſome caſes may be done, though in the laſt place, as being the laſt remedy) but by Inſtructing them with Meekneſſe. Thus dealeth the good ſhepheard with his tender ſheep; if it be ſtrayed from the fold, finding it, he doth not preſently ſet his Dog upon Luke 15. 5.it to worrie it, but he layeth it upon his ſhoulders, and ſo bringeth it home; ſuch bearing, forbearing, muſt the Miniſters of Chriſt uſe in reducing, and bringing home ſtraying, wandring ſheep, inſtructing them with Meekneſſe, waiting if per adventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26the Truth, and that they may recover themſelves out of the ſnares of the Devil, (as it there followeth.) Let them be Meek,
But Wiſe, I adde this to the other, as being very Wiſe, not feeding their weakneſſe. I am. 3. 13.requiſite; Who ſo is awiſe man (ſaith St James) &c. Let him ſhew out of a good converſation his works with Meekneſſe of wiſdome. Such a Meekneſſe becometh the Man of God, not the meekneſſe of Puſillanimity, and weakneſſe, but the meekneſſe of wiſdome. A wiſe meekneſſe, that ſo whilſt he beareth with the weakneſſe of others, he may not feed it, nouriſh it; not ſo bearing and forbearing as that he ſhould thereby, in ſtead of rectifying, and reducing, rather confirme, and ſtrengthen others in their deviations, and wandrings. A Caution of great uſe, and I wiſh it may be accordingly regarded by all. It was ſo by the bleſſed Apoſtle, who though he condeſcended to the weakneſſe of ſome Acts 16 3.neere converted ews in Circumciſing Timothy, yeelding to the uſe of that Rite, not as a neceſſary Sacrament, but as an Indifferent Ceremony, (ſo Mr Calvin conceives of it) uſing it adfovendam charitatem, non ad pietatis exercitium, (they are his words) not as a Religious Exerciſe, an Ordinance, but as a meanes to preſerve Vnity and Charity; yet afterwards he would not doe the like by Titus, nor Gal. 2. 34.yet yeeld that it ſhould be done, and that becauſe he would not, by betraying Gods truth, and the Churches liberty, confirme and ſtrengthen others in that erroneous opinion, which they had of the neceſſity of that then Indifferent Ceremony, as you may ſee it in the 2d Gal. Thus Paul was willing to yeeld to the weak Brethren in what he might, but yet ſo, as that he would by no meanes feed their weakneſſe, by confirming them in their Iudaiſme. Therefore was it that he, who in other caſes (Chameleon like) became (as himſelf ſaith) All things to all, To the Iewes a Iew, to the Gentiles a Gentile, to the weak, weak, that ſo By all meanes he 1 Cor. 9. v. 19, 20, 21, 22.might gain ſome, yet when Peter was fallen into that unwarrantable Separation, withdrawing and ſeparating himſelf from the Gentiles, breaking off open, Gal. 2. 12.and viſible communion with them, and that becauſe of the Iews, with whom he deſired to comply more then was fitting, this Paul could not, would not beare with, or connive at, but thereupon breaks forth into an open Reprehenſion. When he ſaw that they did not foreign, that Peter and the reſt, which were by his example drawn into the like Diſſimulation, they Halted, and did not walk with an upright foot according to the Truth of the Goſpel, he reproves him openly. This did he. And this (I take) will be warrant ſufficient to beare me out (as in my practiſe in ſome other *The uſe of the Lords Prayer A warrant for ſpeaking againſt Browniſts, & whom meant thereby.particulars, ſo) in what I have lately done, in ſpeaking openly againſt the new ſeparation of thoſe whom I taxed by the name of Browniſts. A Terme too well known to the Church of God: ſo well, that (for my part) I cannot but wonder that it ſhould now ſeeme to need any explanation. Yet for ſatisfaction to thoſe who otherwiſe happily might either take offence at it, or advantage by it, (both which I deſire equally to decline) I ſhall actum agere, doe that againe which I then did. When I named the word, I explained whom I meant by it, viz. Such as renounce all Communion with us; and with the Churches of God in this Kingdome. I now adde, ſuch as doe this upon this ground, becauſe our Churches (as they conceive, and doome them) are Antichriſtian Churches, our Miniſters Antichriſtian Miniſters, our Worſhip Antichriſtian worſhip; neither true Churches, nor true Miniſters, nor true worſhip, all Antichriſtian. A charge both harſh and heavy; In impoſing whereof, little doe they think what ſervice they doe to that Antichriſt, whom they Maſters Balls Anſwer to Maſter Cans Treatiſes, in the Anſwer to the Epiſtles.pretend to fly from. It is a charge laid upon them by a late reverend, Godly-learned Divine, and let them ſee how they can diſcharge it; for my part I cannot. That They, though they doe not in words maintaine Antichriſt, yet really they doe him more credit then his chiefe upholders. A charge as heavy Browniſts doe more credit to Antichriſt then his chiefe upholders.as the former; But how ſhall it be made good againſt them? Why? even out of this Charge of theirs, wherein they charge our Churches, and Miniſters, and worſhip to bee Antichriſtian. For herein, what doe they but confeſſe and acknowledge (which they cannot, I think will not deny) That in Antichriſtian Churches (I will uſe the words of my Author) the entire Faith may be purely profeſſed, the Doctrine of ſalvation plentifully preached, the ſeales of the Covenant for ſubſtance rightly adminiſtred; and by the bloſsing of God upon his owne meanes, Chriſtian ſoules ordinarily converted, and nouriſhed up unto life eternal, which is much more then all the factors for Antichriſt ſhall ever be able to make good; And if true, nothing could be ſaid more to the praiſe of Antichriſtianiſme. Thus far he: This was the error I then glaunced at, and (I think) not without either cauſe, or warrant; It being an error of very great dangerous conſequence, tending moſt directly to the making of a Breach, and therefore not to be connived or winked at, leſt by our continued ſilence we ſhould ſeeme to betray Gods Truth, his Churches Innocency, and confirme and ſtrengthen thoſe in their errour, whoſe weakneſſe we are willing, as much as may bee, to beare with. And this all the Miniſters of Chriſt ought to have a ſpeciall regard unto, and I pray God they may have it, that ſo whilſt out of Meekneſs they bear & forbeare, which they ought to doe, they may not through Imprudence feed and nouriſh the weakneſſe of any, which they ought not to doe.
I have done with what belongs to Publike perſons, both Magiſtrates, and Miniſters. What ſhall Private perſon doe in this Caſe? How ſhall they Directions for Private perſons.order, and demeane themſelves towards thoſe which are turned aſide? To give them their portion in a few words. Let them only reflect upon that 3d and laſt Direction given to Miniſters, and let them make uſe of it, of both parts of it, viz. Let them carry themſelves towards all ſuch, Firſt, with Meekneſſe: Secondly, with Wiſedome.
1. With Meekneſſe. It is S. Pauls own direction, 1. Walke in meekneſſe.which he not only propounds to, but preſſeth upon his Epheſians. I beſeech you (ſaith he) that you walke worthy of the vocation wherewith yee are called, Epheſ. 4. 1, 2.with all Lowlineſſe, and Meekneſſe, with long-ſuffering, forbearing one another in love: Indeavouring to keepe the unitie of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace. It were to be wiſhed, and it is to bee indeavoured, that there might be a Vnitie in Iudgement bet wixt all the Lords people, that they might bee all of one minde: But this is not to bee looked for upon earth. In the meane time let them indeavour to keepe the Vnitie of the ſpirit, that they bee all of one Heart. And to that end let them walke with Lowlineſſe and Meekneſſe, bearing, for bearing one another in Love, ready to performe all Chriſtian offices to their weake brethren, ſo indeavouring to winne and overcome them by love.
2. Thus walking in Love and Meekneſſe, let 2. In Wiſedome.them alſo walke in Wiſedome. It is Pauls direction to his Coloſsians. Walke in wiſedome towards them which are without. He ſpake it of Infidels and Heathens. Col. 4. 5.Amongſt ſuch wee doe not live; and yet wee may walke amongſt ſome which are without: Such as either are not, nor ever were of us, or elſe ſuch as are gone out from us, in the way aforeſaid; of whom I will not, I dare not ſay as S. Iohn doth of thoſe Antichriſtian Apoſtates, That They went out from us, becauſe they were not of us; 1 Joh. 2. 19.No. I hope of many of them (if there bee many) both have beene of us, and are of us, true members of the ſame myſticall Body, though ſevered in reſpect of outward, viſible Communion with us. (Peter was a good and an holy man, though for a time hee ſeparated himſelfe, foreign, 2 Gal. 12.) And towards ſuch walke in wiſedome, that we may neither doe, nor receive hurt: Neither doe hurt to them, nor receive hurt from them: Doe hurt to them by ſo complying with them, as that wee ſhould confirme and ſtrengthen them in their errors, or elſe receive hurt, by drawing in any unwholſome breath from them, as Barnabas and many others did from Peter, who by the prevalencie Gal 1. 12, 13.of his example were carried away with the ſtreame of that his unwarrantable ſeparation.
And thus I have as briefly as I could laid you downe the firſt ſort of Directions, Reſtorative directions, tending to the Repayring and Healing of Breaches already made.
The other ſort are yet behind, preſervative directions, tending to the preventing of the like Breaches for the time to come. In theſe I will bee Preſervative Directions.briefe, haſting as faſt as I can to the Concluſion of this point, which hath (I confeſſe) fled before mee farther then at the firſt I made account of.
Phyſitians having recovered their Patients, they doe not ſend them away without ſome directions and Inſtructions for preventing of relapſes. Thus dealt our Bleſſed Saviour with that Patient of his, that impotent perſon whom hee had reſtored to the uſe of his limbs; meeting him in the Temple he bids him, Goe thy way and ſinne no more, Joh. 5. 14.leſt a worſe thing come unto thee. Following this courſe, having layed downe a Method for the Curing and Healing of theſe Breaches, let me briefly ſhew you (if ever God pleaſe to worke a Cure upon us) what is to bee done for the preventing of Relapſes in this kinde, and ſo for the preſerving of peace and unity in the Church of God being once reſtored to it. And here, (as in the former) I ſhall deale particularly, giving to every one his portion, dealing firſt with Publicke perſons, and amongſt them with Magiſtrates, to whom I ſhall For Magiſtrates.here againe commend onelyonly a twofold direction, each being an off-ſet from the former directions which I propounded to them as Reſtoratives.
1. Having cleared the Churches way by taking the ſtumbling-blocks out of it, Let them keep it cleare, and that by vindicating, and aſſerting (as Keepe the way cleare from ſtumbling-blocks, by aſſerting Chriſtian libertie.much as may bee) that which wee call Chriſtian libertie, the libertie of Conſcience in the uſe of things indifferent; providing that that may not bee preſſed and burdened with unneceſſary burdens. To this purpoſe I ſhall onelyonly propound to them a Preſident, Not ſuffering Conſcience to bee preſſed with unneceſſary Burdens. Acta. 15.viz: that of the Apoſtles, 15 Acts. who having in that Councell or Synode of theirs diſputed and debated the differences betwixt the Iewes and Gentiles, at length they agree upon it, what courſe to take for the ſetling, and keeping of peace in the Churches: The Reſult of all with their Conſultations you have in the 28. and 29. Verſes of that Verſ. 28. 29.Chapter. It ſeemed good to the Holy Ghoſt, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burdens then theſe neceſſarie things, viz: That yee abſtaine from meats offered to Idols, &c. In which Determination of theirs duplicate page duplicate page there are three things very conſiderable, firſt, the Injunctions which they impoſe upon the Churches were viz: few, not many. Secondly, Neceſſary, though not in themſelves, yet pro tempore, for that time. Thirdly, they were Negative, which intrench leſſe upon Conſcience then Affirmatives doe. In all theſe I doe not peremptorily preſcribe what Magiſtrates (thoſe which have authority) ought to ſee done: I onelyonly propound a Preſident, which if followed, I conceive it will tend much to the continuance, and ſettlement of the Churches peace. Sure I am; if burdens, and unneceſſarie burdens bee impoſed, whether directly upon the conſcience, or having reference unto conſcience, either wee muſt introduce, and ſet up that Popiſh Idoll, a blind obedience, (which ſome of late have cryed up for the beſt obedience) that ſo men may ſwallow downe all without chewing; or elſe give inevitable occaſion unto ſcandall, and conſequenttly unto Breaches.
2. (In the ſecond place) having ſet up a ſtandard for the people, let them make it a Standard; 2. Having ſet up a Standard, let them make it a Standard.by their authority enjoyning, and requiring all in the publicke exerciſe of Religion to obſerve the ſame rule and order, the ſame forme of Publicke worſhip, regulated (as neere as may bee) by the lawes of Chriſt in his Word, and ſo made conformable to that patterne, that ſtandard: Not permitting Deut. 12. 8.every one therein to uſe what weights, and meaſures they pleaſe, to doe what is right in their owne Judg. laft cap. and Verſe.eyes (as it was in Iſrael when there was no King, and as it is amongſt us at this day in this unhappy Interregnum of the Church) which, if given way unto, will prove a paſsing-bell to the Churches peace where ever it is admitted. It is noted 1 King. 7. 27. 30. 37.of the tenne Baſes in the Temple which were made to beare and carrie the ten Lavers upon their wheeles, They had all of them one caſting, one meaſure, and one ſize. Of ſuch uſe is outward order to publicke Ordinances, a vehiculum ſerving to beare and carrie them ſuper Rotis ſuis (as the originall Prov. 25. 11. foreign Super Rotis ſuit Montan.hath that of the Wiſeman. 25. Prov. 11. A word ſpoken upon his wheeles, ſo our margin readeth it according to the Hebrew) upon the Wheeles of meete and convenient circumſtances, as Time, Place, manner, &c. that ſo they may bee the more ſerviceable, and uſefull; And being ſo, it is moſt fit it ſhould bee uniforme. But I muſt but touch upon things. This for Magiſtrates.
As briefly for Miniſters, to whom alſo I ſhall Directions for Miniſters.commend but two directions.
Firſt, Let them ſeriouſly intend the mayne worke of their Miniſterie, therein looking right forwards; 1. Let them look, and goe right forwards. 1 Sam. 6. 12.as it is ſaid of the Philiſtines kine which drew the Arke to Bethſhemeſh, They tooke the ſtreight way, and went along the high way, and turned not aſide, to the right hand, nor to the left. Thus ſhould the Lords Miniſters doe; In Carrying the Arke of the Lord before his people, let them goe right on, in the Kings high way, (Gods way) not turning aſide to the right hand or to the left, not ſeeking their owne things, their owne ends, their owne profit, credit, popular applauſe, or the like, but let Phil. 2. …1.them both looke, and goe right forward, ſeeking the glory of God, and the ſalvation of his peoples ſoules. Noe ſuch way for them to preſerve, and maintaine peace in the Church as this.
It is the ſong of the Angels at the birth of our Saviour, Glory bee to God in the highest, on Earth Lu…e 2. 14.peace, Good will towards men. O that all the Angels of the Churches would but have a reſpect to the firſt, and laſt of theſe, ſeeking the Glory of God, and expreſſing their Good will towards his people by ſeeking their ſalvation, then no doubt but the ſecond would fall in betwixt them, there would bee Peace on Earth, peace in the Church.
Secondly, Let them labour as much as may be for an holy unitie and Agreement amongſt themſelves: Labour for unitie amongſt themſelves.that they I may not bee divided, not in Iudgement, if it might bee, however not in Affection; that though they bee not of one minde in all things, yet they may bee of one heart, I meane with thoſe which deſire to bee found faithfull, following the Truth according to the meaſure of light vouchſafed; in this Caſe, though there bee ſome differences in Iudgement (as ſome there will bee) yet let not theſe hinder their walking together in Love. A leſſon which we may learne even from thoſe creatures which of all other are moſt quarrelſome. (Pardon the homelineſſe of the ſimilitude, the aptneſſe ſhall make amends for it.) A packe of Hounds in the field, in hunting they chop upon diverſe trayles, and ſents, ſome of them traverſing this way, others that, yet in as much as they all hunt▪ the ſame game, and follow the ſame chaſe, how well doe they agree, and accord amongſt themſelves? From them (for there is no creature ſo meane, but man (who was once their maſter) may now goe to ſchoole to it) let the Miniſters of Chriſt learne a Chriſtian harmonie. As long as they are all followers of the Truth, the ſame Truth, though with ſome difference about the finding it out, yet let them follow the Truth in Love, by all meanes ſeeking after an holy concord, and agreement betwixt themſelves, which will bee of great uſe in preſerving peace, and unity amongſt the people. And to this end, Let them,
Firſt, Reverence, and eſteeme highly of one another, (I meane ſo many as they ſee painfull and godly) Maintaining the credit ea…h of other.not deſpiſing, not contemning them in reſpect of ſome differences in Iudgement, or diſparitie in parts, Rom. 14. 3.and Gifts, but ſtill upholding the eſteeme of them in their owne hearts, and labouring by all means to uphold and maintaine their credits and reputes in the eſtimation of others.
Secondly, Let them by all meanes avoid open Conteſts. If there bee private differences betwixt Avoyding Pulpit-jars, & Publicke conteſts.them, let them not breake forth to a publicke view, nor yet come into a popular cognizance, by Pulpit-jars and Claſhings; which, for my own part, as I have ever deſired to decline, ſo I ſhall ever indeavour to doe it, though (I might ſay) juſtly provoked to it. It was a good direction of a late godly, learned, and judicious Divine of our Church, one that was no friend (I am ſure) either in judgement or practiſe to the ſuppoſed Corruptions in it. It is not (ſaith he) to bee held want of M. Hilderch m. Lect. 65. upon Ioh. 4. cap.Zeale, or alteration in Iudgement, but true wiſdome in a Miniſter, to ſhun in his Miniſtery, and doctrine (ſo far as in him lyeth) thoſe points which Brethren differ in, and to ſpend his time in ſuch points wherein we all agree, and which are more profitable for the People to know. Paul kept back nothing that was profitable. Acts 20. 20.And let not any here conceive that my ſelf have runne counter to this Direction, in ſpeaking againſt that dangerous error of thoſe, which, upon the grounds aforeſaid, Renounce all Communion with us: Wherein I have done no more then that Author himſelfe (whom that induſtrious Comment. ſup. 1 Sam. in Ep. Dedicat.Dr Willet, for his zeale and abilities ſhewed in that quarrell, calleth Browniſtarum malleum, the Hammer of Browniſts) frequently and ſtrenuouſly doth both in that Tract, and in other of his writings. But I have yet divers particulars to touch upon, which I ſee I muſt but name, willing to diſcharge my ſelfe of this point at the preſent, which hath hung in my hands longer then I made account of.
For Private Perſons what ſhall they doe?Directions for Private Perſos.
1. In the firſt place, let them labour for Humble Hearts. A ſoveraigne Preſervative againſt theſe 1. Labour for Humble hearts.Breaches. What is it that maketh them? Pride. OnelyOnly by Pride commeth Contention (ſaith the Wiſeman.) He that is of a proud heart ſtirreth up ſtrife. Prov. 13. 10. c. 28. v. 25.This is The Breach-maker, and making theſe Breaches it maintains them. As long as there is proud fleſh in a wound, it will not heale, or if it doe, it will breake forth againe. For the Healing of theſe Breaches, ſo healing them that they may not break forth againe, labour to get the proud fleſh cut out of our Hearts, all of us ſeeking for humble ſpirits. A generall direction; To which I may ſubjoine 3. other particulars being ſubordinate, and ſubſervient to it. You ſhall find them all together laid down by the Apoſtle in that one verſe, v. 16. of the 12. chap. to the Romanes: where the Apoſtle Rom. 12. 16.exhorting his Romanes to an holy unanimitie and agreement, that they ſhould be of the ſame mind one towards another, he ſheweth them by what means they ſhould both attaine it, and keepe it. Firſt, Mind not high things: Secondly, Condeſcend to men of low eſtate: Thirdly, Be not wiſe in your conceit: All of them very uſefull for the preſent times; And I wiſh Chriſtians would make uſe of them.
Firſt, Mind not high things: things above your Not minding high things above their reach.reach. By this means women with child ſometimes come to miſcarry, by reaching too high. And ſurely this hath been, and is none of the leaſt cauſes of ſome of thoſe miſcarriages amongſt us: Private Chriſtians, (whoſe reach and apprehenſion is but ſhort and ſhallow, yet) they will foreign, be reaching at High things, things above their reach and capacity, and beyond their line; (I ſpare particulars) whilſt in the mean time they neglect thoſe fundamentals of Faith and Repentance, both the ſtudy and practice of them. Beware of this Preſumption, remembring that weake Brains being ſet on high are ſubject to a Vertigo, a Giddineſſe.
Secondly, Condeſcend to men of low eſtate. Deſpiſe Condeſcēding to weak Chriſtians.not poore Chriſtians, weake Chriſtians; though neither their eſtates, nor parts, nor places, nor graces, bee anſwerable unto yours, yet deſpiſe them not. But condeſcend to them, cloſe with them; If they be ſuch as doe foreign, indeavour to walk uprightly according to the meaſure of light and grace received, be not aſhamed to owne, and honour the graces of God in them; bearing with their weakneſſes, and infirmities, conſidering that the ſtrong God (whoſe power is made perfect in weakneſſe) is able to make them ſtand; And that they may be as neceſſary and uſefull members 2 Cor. 12. 9. Rom. 14. 4. 1 Cor. 12. 22, &c.to the Body as thy ſelfe, though not ſo honourable.
Thirdly, Be not wiſe in our own conceits: In our owne Eyes, (ſo the Wiſeman hath it) to whom the Not being wiſe in their own Conceits. Prov. 3. 7. Eſay 5. 21.Prophet Eſay denounceth a woe, woe unto them. I, and woe oft-times to the Church becauſe of them. No ſuch a Breach-maker as this (as I have ſhewn you already.) Every of us beware of it, being ever jealous of our ſelves, ready to ſuſpect our owne judgements in points controverſall, where we have not clear evidence of the Word for deciding them. Were theſe directions obſerved, certainly they would conduce much to the preventing of Breaches, to the preſerving of Peace.
Take two or three more, each in a word.
2. In the ſecond place, Follow after Holineſſe. The direct, and next way to peace. Therefore 2. Follow Holineſſe. Heb. 12. 14.the Apoſtle puts them together. Follow Peace with all men, and Holineſſe. Certainly, did men ſtudie Holineſſe more, the Theorie and Practiſe of it, (as it would divert their thoughts from many fruitleſſe Controverſall ſpeculations, ſo) it would bee a means to cement and unite their hearts to all thoſe which truely feare God, ſo as every triviall difference ſhould not divide and ſever them.
Thirdly, Following Holineſſe; Studie alſo Quietneſſe. So the Apoſtle exhorts his Theſſalonians, Studie quietneſſe.ſhewing them withall, how they ſhould find what they ſtudie for. Studie to bee quiet (ſaith hee) and 1 Th. 4. 11.doe your own buſineſſe, and worke with your own hands. Certainly were this regarded; did men and women love their own houſes, (and them beſt) medling 1 Tim. …. 13.with their owne buſineſſe, conſcionably, and diligently attending upon their owne callings, therein Abiding with God, (as the Apoſtle exhorts 1 Cor. 7. 20. 24.his Corinthians) it would bee a great, and ſoveraigne preſervative, to prevent many Breaches, many differences, which by the contrary are occaſioned.
Fourthly, In the fourth place, Take heed of Miniſter-worſhip. Beware of Miniſter-worſhip.Flying other Idolatry, beware of this. This it was that cauſed thoſe breaches in the Church of Corinth; they after a ſort made Gods, and Chriſts of their Miniſters, making them their Heads. Some were of Paul, others of Apollos, a third of Cephas, a fourth of Chriſt. As ever you 1 Cor. 1. 12.deſire to maintain peace in the Church of God, take heed of this, of making Miniſters, in this ſenſe, your Heads. Know them to be as they are, the ſervants, and Miniſters of Chriſt. Who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but Miniſters by whom ye beleeved? 1 Cor. 3. 5.Being ſo, give unto them that honour and reſpect which is due unto them; I, foreign, that Double 1 Tim. 5. 17.Honour to whom it belongeth, viz: to thoſe which are foreign, thoſe which labour in the Word and Doctrine; hearkning to them, obeying them in Heb. 13. 17.and for Chriſt: But in the meane time take heede of making Gods, or Idols of any: which is done,Miniſters made Idols 4. wayes.
Firſt, when wee ſhall ſo adhere and cleave to any, as that wee ſhall take all their words for Goſpell, receiving them, and building upon them without farther diſcuſſion, or tryall.
Secondly, when we ſhall make their examples a Rule to walke by, a Compaſſe to ſteare by.
Thirdly, when wee will not receive the Word from any hand, from any mouth, but ſuch as we affect; though having no juſt exception againſt others whereupon to decline their Miniſterie; like ſome nice humoriſt that will drinke in no cup but his owne, though another may bee as cleane as that.
Fourthly, when we ſhall ſo farre extoll, and admire ſome, as that we deſpiſe, and contemne others, See M. Hilderſh…m 66. Lect. upon Joh. 4.becauſe (it may bee) inferiour to them in ſome parts, and gifts; ſo Deifying ſome, whileſt wee Vilify and Nullify others; The diſeaſe of the times, of which take wee heede. And let not any here miſconceive my words, or miſconſtrue my intentions, as if I ſpake this out of a baſe principle of Envie to the deſerved reſpects given to any in this place, or elſewhere, which I ſhall ever bee ready, and deſirous to uphold, and maintaine: Nor yet out of any ſenſe of any want of reſpect to my ſelfe, which I muſt with thankfulneſſe to God and his people acknowledge, I have no cauſe to complaine of, ſpecially in this place: OnelyOnly I ſpeake it out of a deepe apprehenſion of the great evill which at this dore is like to breake in upon the Church of God, where ever it is ſet open. And herein what I have ſaid, let it bee taken as ſpoken as well againſt my ſelfe, as any other.
Fiftly, Let me adde one more, which I ſhall but Diſtinguiſh betwixt a Tender and Scrupulous Conſcience.name, though as uſefull as any of the former: Learne to diſtinguiſh betwixt a tender & a ſcrupulous conſcience: The former precious, the latter noxious, betraying the ſoule to cauſeleſſe, and groundleſſe feares, and doubts; making ſtumbling blocks where there are none, ſcrupling and queſtioning the truth or lawfulneſſe of every thing, either without any ground, or upon very ſleight grounds; without any warrant either from the Word, or elſe from ſound and rectified reaſon. An Infirmitie very prejudiciall (as to private, ſo) to publicke peace, (as to the peace of a mans owne Conſcience, ſo) to the peace of the Church. But I cannot dwell upon it.
Theſe Directions being laid downe (ſome few of many) what remaines but that I ſhould commend them to your practiſe and Gods bleſſing, upon which depends the ſucceſſe of all our indeavours? All that wee can doe in this caſe is but to miniſter to you, as Apothecaries doe their patients; In the meane time the Cure is Gods: So it followeth in the third particular in this former part of the Text, which directs us to the great Phyſician, who is the Healer of theſe Breaches, even God himſelfe (O God Heale the Breaches thereof.) But of this (God willing) hereafter.