A Model of the Primitive Congregational Way, Title page – Dedication
Ι'ΧΝΟΓΡΑΦΙ'Α. OR A MODEL OF The Primitive Congregational way: Wherein ſatisfaction is offered, by unfolding (according to the Scriptures) what the right order of the Goſpel, and way of the Saints in the viſible worſhipping of God is, in the dayes of the New Teſtament.
And how the Saints in theſe dayes may walk up to it, notwithſtanding their preſent hindrances.
Together with the maine points in controverſie, touching the right viſible Church-ſtate Chriſt hath inſtituted under the Goſpel, with the extent of Church-Officers, and power of particular viſible Churches, and continuance of Divine Ordinances and Inſtitutions under the defection and Apoſtaſie of Antichriſt.
By W: BARTLET, Miniſter of the Goſpel, at Wapping.
Eſay 30.21. And thine eares ſhall heare a word behind thee, ſaying, This is the way, walke in it.
Ezek. 43.11. And if they are aſhamed of all they have done, ſhew them the form of the houſe, and the faſhion thereof, &c.
Rev. 18 4, 5. And I heard another voice from heaven, ſaying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, for her ſins have reached to heaven, and God hath remembred her iniquities.
Jer. 50.5. They ſhall aske the way to Sion, with their faces thitherward, &c.
Calv. in Epiſt. ad Sado et. In illa Eccleſiae forma quam Apoſtoli conſtituerunt, unicum habemus verae Eccleſiae exemplar: à qu… ſi quis vel minimum deflectit, aberrat.
Echo Nobiliſſ. viri Pet. Beauviſ. Benloſi. Papiſmus pompatica quaedam eſt Monarchia, quam genuit ambitio, fovit ſuperſtitio, roboravit Tyrannis, propagavit tam ignorantia ſeculi, quam fallacia pſeudo-Cleri. Ergo ab execrandu Antichriſti faecibus redeatis, ad Chriſti ſacra.
LONDON, Printed by W.E. for H. Overton, at the entrance into Popes-head Alley, out of Lumbard-ſtreet. 1647.
To all the Saints, and Servants of Jeſus Chriſt, ſcattered up and down in the Kingdome of England, and throughout the world, that hitherto have beene ſtrangers to the paths of Sion, and have not worſhipped God according to the right order of the Goſpell.
Dearely beloved in the Lord,
TIll better proviſion come, In all humility I here preſent you as from Jeſus Chriſt, (the Head andforeign. Rev. 15.3. King of Saints) with this plain Treatiſe, for whoſe ſakes it is compoſed, and ſent abroad into the world. The ſubject matter of it, (looking directly to the glory of Chriſt, and the welfare of your ſoules) is ſo excellent, that I ingenuouſly profeſſe, it cals for the richeſt annointings from …n high, to declare and hold forth the beauty and luſtre thereof: And had I not proved by experience, that the glorious God ordaineth ſtrength out of the mouthes of Babes, Pſal. 8.2. and as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. chooſeth the fooliſh, the meale, the baſe things of the world, and things that are deſpiſed, yea things that are not, to be inſtrumentall for his praiſe; I ſhould have been altogether diſcouraged from ſetting about it. But in regard the*Joſh. 6.20 Jericho's wall fall downe at the blowing o… Rams hornes. 1 Sam. 17. David conquere… Goliah with … Sling and a ſtone. Eſay 41 14, 15, 16. the Church a poore worme, thretneth the mountaines to duſt. The Diſciples of Chriſt take… out of Fiſher-boates, by no other meanes then preachin… ſubdue Kingdomes, & nations to Chriſt weaknes of the inſtrument, exceedingly advanceth the glory, both of the wiſdome and power of God; I was the more encouraged to undertake it. …ow becauſe of my intending the generall good of believers, and profiting the meaneſt, in publiſhing this Treatiſe: I have propounded to my ſelfe 3. things in the carrying of it on.
1 The manner and way of ordering and diſpoſing it.
2. The grounds and arguments that divinely moved me to duplicate page duplicate page it, and were as a fire in my boſome, not ſuffering me to reſt.
3. The end and ſcope that I had before me, and at which I aimed: of all which I ſhall briefly give you an account.
As for the firſt of theſe, I have endeavoured three things.
1. That the method be plain and eaſie, by way of Propoſition, and Deductions or inferences from them; according to the moſt uſual and ordinary way of preaching obſerved in the Kingdome, to which people have been accuſtomed, whereby the truth is not only cleared and defended, but that which is contrary thereunto, and unſound, is diſcovered, and weakened.
2. That the ſtyle be not lofty, with an affected ſtraine, ſoaring above the capacity and reach of the ignorant, (a diſtemper that ſticks too cloſe the tongues and Pennes of many men, forgetting that of the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 14.19. That in the Church he had rather ſpeake five words with underſtanding, that he might teach others, then ten thouſand words in an unknown tongue) but low and familiar, avoiding to the uttermoſt (according to the ſame Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 2.4.) the entiſing words of mans wiſdome, in handling the ſacred myſteries of the Goſpell: neither can this be any prejudice I ſuppoſe to ſuch as are learned, conſidering that they (eſpecially if they have learned Chriſt) do judge of Books rather by the matter then the ſtyle. That great Oratour (Demoſtenes) himſelfe could ſay, that the riches of Greece did not conſiſt in words.
3. That the matter it ſelfe propounded and diſcuſſed in this Treatiſe, be not ſo much an argumentative as poſitive way held forth from the authority of the Scripture chiefly; and ſound reaſon conſonant thereunto, which are thoſe ſpirituall weapons, that are mighty through God, to the caſting down thoſe ſtrong holds in the hearts of men, that exalt themſelves againſt the knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. As for the judgements of the moſt eminent, learned, and godly men which I have here and there, throughout the Treatiſe produced, I have not done it in the leaſt, to diſparage the authority of the Scriptures; for without controverſie, the word of God is greater *To build upon any Doctor… ſaying, withou… Scripture, or reaſon agreeing to Scripture, were to follow Pythagoras, rather then Chriſt. vid. Cranmers confutation of unwritten Verities. Be a man never ſo learned after the Apoſtles, yet his words without Gods word ar… of none authority: id. ibid. And this he abundantly proveth from ancient Fathers and Schoolmen, as Chryſoſtome Jerome, Ambroſe, Auguſtine, Cyril▪ Fulgent. Greg▪ Theophil. Damaſc. Bruno, Beda, Anſel. Tho. Aquin. and others, in the Treatiſe.then all the teſtimonies of men, but only to ſatisfy ſuch as are weake, and conceive that thoſe of the Congregationall way, are ſingular and contrary to all men, both in their judgment and practiſe.
2. Touching the grounds and reaſons that prevailed with me to the ſetting upon this worke, they were ſuch as theſe following.
1. The ardent and burning deſire of my ſoule, after the lifting up of Jeſus Chriſts honour, and furthering Sions welfare, both which at this preſent time, do not a little ſuffer, from the tongues and Pennes of multitudes in this Kingdome, and other parts of the world.
2. The ſtopping in ſome meaſure (if it be poſsible) the mouthes of oppoſers, and giving ſatisfaction to other more moderate, that enquire after the truth of the Congregationall way, according to the Scriptures, and vindicating of it alſo, from thoſe foule aſperſions that have been, and are ſtil caſt upon it, & thoſe that walke in it: many men not fearing in theſe dayes of iniquities abounding, to ſpeake all manner of evill, of the wayes & ſervants of Chriſt, that will not, dare not comply with them, in their ſinfull wayes: as was the practiſe of many in the primitive times, 1 Pet. 4.4. Wherein they thinke it ſtrange that you runne not with them to the ſame exceſſe of ryot, *Blaſphemy in a Greek word, and with the learned in that tongue, a blaſphemer is one that taketh away the ſame, credit, or good name of another; from foreign. Demoſt.foreign, blaſpheming, or ſpeaking evill of you.
3. The bleeding condition of the true Churches of Chriſt, through the violent out-rage of divers men, that of late are prejudiced againſt them, and that right order of the Goſpel they walk in: So that the feet of many weak ſoules begin to ſlide, and the feeble Lambes of Chriſt, that of late have been folded and brought in to the beauties of holineſſe, are thereby in danger to be turned out of the way.
4. The great danger of Reformations miſcarrying, that of late yeeres was ſo happily begun, there being not onelyonly an obſtructing thereof at preſent, but a great and marvellous appearance alſo of recidivation, and returning to the old and former wayes of formality, ſuperſtition, and tyrannie, in many places of the Kingdome.
3. As for the ends I have propoſed to my ſelfe in the publiſhing this Treatiſe, they have been ſuch as theſe.
1. Not to increaſe and widen, (the Lord knowes) but to heale and abate the preſent differences that are now on foot in the Kingdome, about the Sacred and Divine Ordinances and Inſtitutions of Chriſt, touching the right way and order of the Saints in the viſible worſhip of God. The truth is, I have not a little ſuffered from the tongues of men, as a rent-maker, and peace-breaker, for my endeavours to bring the Saints (in the place where Providence caſt me) into the order of the Goſpel; but whether juſtly, I doubt not but my Lord and Maſter will in due time make evident. In the interim, this is my comfort, that my ſufferings in this or any other kind, being for righteouſneſſe ſake, ſhall infinitely advantage my internall and eternall peace and wel-fare, however it ſhall goe with my externall condition in this world.
2. Nor yet to condemne, or contemne in the leaſt, the perſonall gifts and graces of the ſervants of Chriſt, that yet remaine in their preſent queſtionable Church-ſtate, but onelyonly (as duty …inds me towards Chriſt and them) to diſcover, how vain a thing it is for them to expect a right Goſpel-Reformation in matters of viſible worſhip throughout the Kingdome, ſo long as theyIts greatly … be deſired …at this que…ion were …roughly de…ted. Qu. Weether …he Church of …ngland as it is National, con…ſting of ſo …any thouſand …ariſhes, that …e as branches …nd members of …he ſame, and …ave no power …f government …n themſelves, …ut ſtand un…er an abſolute …uthoritative …ccleſiaſti…all …ower without …hem to rule & …overn them …n the m…t…er… of Gods Worſhip, be a …rue Church for matter and …orme, accor…ing to the Scripture, and divine appointment. remaine under a falſe, viſible, Nationall Church-ſtate, and order of worſhip: becauſe, as long as the right order of the Goſpell, inſtituted by Jeſus Chriſt, for the Saints to walke, and worſhip God in, is ſlighted and rejected, the bleſsing of Chriſt on our endeavours, after a ſound and through Reformation in the Kingdome cannot be expected: the old leaven of a falſe and Antichriſtian conſtitution muſt firſt be caſt out, as the Apoſtle reaſons with the Corinthians in the point of their Church pollution, 1 Cor. 5.6, 7. before there can be a new lump, that is, a ſound Church ſtate according to divine inſtitution.
We cannot be ignorant, how the whole foreign or frame of Englands viſible Church ſtate, and order of worſhip and government hath been unſound, from the very firſt day that the Lord was pleaſed to beginne the freedome of this Kingdome from Antichriſtian bondage and thraldome: And though the Reformation in doctrine and matters of faith (as being the principall) was carefully looked after, (for which we and our poſterity after us have great cauſe to bleſſe God)*Though matters of faith are the principall parts of Chriſts will, & ſo ought to be done, yet matters of externall worſhip and Church-order are alſo commanded, & ſo not to be neglected, as Chriſt ſaid to the Scribes & Phariſees in a like-caſe, Mat. 23.23. and ſo Cal. Pet. Mart. M. Cartwright, & others judge. yet in reſpect of the viſible frame and conſtitution of the Church, and order of worſhip and government, ſo there was little or no Reformation, nor ſeparation from Rome: All the ſeparation in England from Antichriſt formerly, was more in reſpect of purity of doctrine, then worſhip; and the reformation that is now on foote is more in reſpect of government in the Church of England, then of the Church ſtate of England it ſelfe: which I deſire may be marked, for the ſame Nationall forme and frame of Church ſtate continues ſtil, and is allowed of, as it was formerly, before ever there was a renouncing of the power and authority of the Pope, in H 8. and Ed. 6. dayes. The change hitherto is only in point of government, the conſtitution ſtil the ſame.
And therefore I ſay one chiefe end I have had in publiſhing this plaine Treatiſe, is not to deſpiſe the godly that yet remaine in their old Nationall Church▪ ſtate, or in the leaſt to give a check to the Parliaments proceedings hitherto, who doubtleſſe (as charity binds me to believe) have proceeded according to that light they have received, but only to hold forth in a briefe manner, according as it hath been deſired, what the true viſible Church-ſtate is, of Chriſts appointment under the New Teſtament, and how proper it is to him only to inſtitute it, & what neceſsity lyes upon all thoſe that profeſſe the doctrine of the Goſpell to embrace it, and ſubmit unto it, and to come off from all other Church ſtates that are of humane conſtitution, (as I underſtand a Nationall politicall Church-ſtate to be) if we will expect Jeſus Chriſt to dwell amongſt us, and take pleaſure in us for the future.
3. Another end propoſed to my ſelfe in compoſing this Treatiſe, was not to diſcover or lay open before the world, the nakednes of any of my brethren, that either walke contrary to the rule of the word, and beſides it, in the matters of worſhip, or that through the wiles of Sathan, & cunning craftines of men, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes, Epheſ. 4.13. have been carried away from their former ſtedfaſtnes in the uſe of thoſe pure Goſpell ordinances and inſtitutions, and now live and walke up and downe the world, as if Jeſus Chriſt were Church-leſſe, & the Saints Chriſt-leſſe; yea, as if the barrel of Chriſts Meale, and Cruſe of his Oyle, (lockt up in his ſpirituall ordinances and adminiſtrations,) were altogether drawn dry and exhauſted: but that I might be a poore inſtrument in the hands of Chriſt to deliver ſuch from their falſe wayes, that are yet in Egyptian darknes, & reduce thoſe to the Tents of the Shepherds, that are gone from them; where they may again (as formerly) enjoy their beloved,Cant. 1.7.8. and be built up to a further enjoyment of his glory.
And thus (beloved in the Lord) you have a briefe diſcovery of what I have propounded to my ſelfe, touching the method, grounds and ends of this Treatiſe. I have only a few things to requeſt at your hands, and then I ſhall diſmiſſe you to the Treatiſe it ſelfe, and commend both it and you to the bleſsing of Chriſt. Now that which I have to requeſt of you is this.
1. That you would not receive with the left hand, what is offered to you with the right, but endeavour to put a candid and faire conſtruction (as in charity you are bound) on the weak endeavours of him, that had nothing in his eye, but Chriſts honour and your and the whole Kingdomes welfare.
2. In the reading of the following Treatiſe, to take with you the helpe of the Spirit of truth, who alone ſearcheth the deepe things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10. and can enable us to judge of ſpirituall things ſpiritually: If we plough with Chriſts heifer, we ſhall underſtand his Riddles; whereas, if wee conſult with fleſh and blood, in the things of God, and meaſure divine myſteries, by the wiſdome of this world, we ſhall be ſo farre from having our expectation anſwered, as that we ſhall ſtumble, and be offended at them, 1 Cor. 1.18, to 26. and 2.14.
3. When you meet with an any Scriptures and Arguments that are brought to cleare and confirme any point, that you would vouchſafe to take in the whole, and conſider them together, and not apart, be cauſe what may be wanting in ſome, may be made up in the reſt. For if there be but one or two, aamongſt ſix or ten Texts of Scriptures, or Arguments that are produced to prove the truth of any one point, that are ſubſtantiall and to the purpoſe, its ſufficient, though the reſt are not ſo ſtrong: as if ten men were to lift a burthen together, though the one halfe of them were but weake in compariſon of the other, yet if the worke be done, tis ſufficient, we looke after no more.
4. Where Scriptures alleadged, do not expreſly, and in ſo many words ſpeake out the truth of that they are produced for, yet to remember, if they do it by a ſound and good conſequence, then that is ſufficient, as we may ſee in the practiſe of our Saviour, when he would prove the truth of the reſurrection to the Sadduces, he doth it not by a Scripture that ſpeakes expreſly, but only by ſound conſequence; as Mat. 22, 31, 32. Mark. 12.26, 27.
5. Not to take offence, at the ſhort & brief paſsing through particulars, becauſe I undertooke at firſt to give a draught or platforme only, (according to the Title of the Booke) of the viſible Church ſtate which Jeſus Chriſt hath inſtituted for the SAINTS to obſerve in the dayes of the New Teſtament. Now in a buſines of this nature, underſtanding men will confeſſe, that …are pointing at truths is ſufficient, and therefore I purpoſely avoided the tranſcribing of moſt of the Scripture proofes that are cited in this Treatiſe.
6. That whereſover I have been neceſsita…ed to ſpeake (in any of the inferences drawn from the Propoſitions) againſt thoſe wayes and practiſes which do vary from what is laid down as the truth, whether it be the way of abſolute and h…gh claſſicall Presbyterie, over the particular Churches and Congregations of believers; or the way of re-baptizing; or the way which is (only for diſtinction ſake) ſtyled The rigid Separation; or way of living altogether without viſible Ordinances and worſhip, becauſe of the defectivenes is in the adminiſtrators, or above them in the Spirit, as thoſe that look upon the divine inſtitutions of Chriſt, but as ſhadowes, or things indifferent; or the way of faſhioning the ſacred orders and ordinances of Chriſts Church, to the government of civill States and Common-wealths, or any other mentioned in the following Treatiſe▪ it hath not been in the leaſt, out of a ſpirit of contention againſt thoſe that walk in thoſe different wayes; nor to diſparage or undervalue their gifts & graces with which they are endowed; or to infringe their chriſtian liberty, by bringing their perſons into trouble; but in the diſcharge of my duty towards Chriſt, and the giving occaſion for a more cleare diſcovery of the truth profeſsing my ſelfe (as in the ſight of God) alwayes ready to performe any chriſtian duty or office of love, towards any of them, whenſoever I ſhall by providence be called thereunto.
7. Laſtly, if any ſhall attempt the anſwering of it, I ſhall in the Spirit of love requeſt him that he would firſt of all ſit downe and conſider with himſelf ſeriouſly, that whiles he thinks to ſtrike at an errour, he may do what in him lyes, to wound the truth, and ſo make worke for repentance: Tis not for me to boaſt in the leaſt of what is publiſhed by ſo weake an inſtrument as my ſelfe; but ſo much I have ſeen and obſerved from the firſt day of the Lords putting me upon it, to the time of its publiſhing, (beſides what I have found in the practiſe of it) that I cannot but expect the truth therein held forth, for the ſubſtance of it ſhal ſtand, and take place, notwithſtanding all the Batteryes and blaſts of oppoſers that ſhall come againſt it. I know the age I am caſt upon to beare witnes to thoſe truths of Chriſt I have publiſhed, cannot eaſily digeſt what is ſet before them; and ſo I ſhall be expoſed to the deepeſt cenſures that men of evil and perverſe ſpirits, (who have only a forme of Godlines, but deny the power of it in their walking) can lay upon me: but (through infinite riches of mercy) I have learnt in ſome meaſure to looke above them all, and to caſt my ſelfe and the worke I have publiſhed, on him, who is that Alſufficient God, and faithfull Creator, that is every way able to keepe that is committed to his charge in weldoing, and to bring about his glorious ends,1 Pet. 4.19. by weake and contemptible meanes.
Thus having premiſed theſe few things, I forbeare troubling you any further in this place, having reſerved a word of exhortation to you, in the end of the Treatiſe; only deſiring the Father of mercies, and God of all conſolation, to make the following Treatiſe effectuall, for the bringing over of your hearts to the beautifull wayes of Sion, and accompliſhing all thoſe other gracious ends, for which it is intended, which is the conſtant prayer of him whoſe greateſt ambition is to be inſtrumentall for Jehovahs glory, and his Saints happineſſe.
WIL. BARTLET. March 1. 1646.