Subjection to Christ in All His Ordinances, Sermon 1 (2 of 3)

Subjection to Christ in All His Ordinances · Sermon 1 (2 of 3)

p. 52Know it, the Kingdome of God is come to thy ſoul; and know it, thou haſt Jeſus Chriſt at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for thee; therefore, go home and bleſſe the Lord, and wonder at his grace, that hath tranſlated thee from the Kingdome of darkneſſe, to the Kingdome of his dear Son: If the Lord hath let thee finde the beginning of theſe things in truth, go home, and bleſſe the Lord for it.

22. Try when the external Kingdome of Chriſt in his Church is caſt off; for we told you, this was Chriſts Kingdome. 'Tis called p. 53the Kingdome of Heaven, Matth. 25.1. And 'tis it which the Lord gives up at the laſt day to God the Father; and hence, Mat. 8.12. the members thereof are The children of the Kingdome; and hence we read of the rulers and governours of it: and the keys, not only of doctrine; but of power and juriſdiction committed by Chriſt Jeſus to it, punctually expreſt in Scripture.

Now we know, in the Church there is a three-fold power of Chriſt in Government. 1. The ſupreme Monarchical abſolute power of Chriſt, in and by his Ordinances. 2. There is ſome derivative power of the Church from Chriſt joyntly together. 3. There is a Miniſteriall power of the officers of the Church it ſelf. Hence the Kingdome of Chriſt is overthrown when theſe three are, when this three-fold cord is broen by the ſons of men; and if whole America caſt off theſe, or any of theſe; then they fall to bondage; and if particular perſons in Churches do, the Lord will do the like to them much more: 1 Kings 9.4, 5. When Solomon had been praying much, the Lord tells him; If he would walk before him as David his father had done, to keep his ſtatutes, and obey his commandments; then he would be a God, making good his promiſe; but if not, then the Lord would caſt off him and that place. So Zach. 14.17. And it ſhall be, that whoſo will not come up of all the families p. 54of the Earth, to worſhip the King the Lord of Hoſts; even upon them ſhall be no raine. The Lord is quick in his judgements, and will ſpare none.

11. There is a ſupreme power of Jeſus Chriſt in his Church and Ordinances thereof, Iſa. 9.6. The Government is on his ſhoulders; it is true this power is on others alſo, but he is the maine. Heb. 3. Moſes was only a ſervant in his Houſe, Chriſt as a Sonne. The guidance of all things in the Church doth lye chiefly on him, or elſe it would never be carried along. Chriſt is a Son, and that in his own Houſe; into whoſe hands the ſupreme power of guiding, and ordering all things in the Church of God is put; the experience of Gods Saints and People doth finde another power, which ſhewes that the Lord Jeſus hath, and doth exerciſe a mighty power in the ordinances of his Worſhip; the ſupreme and kingly power which he exerciſeth in the hearts of his people.

Now caſt off this kingly power, the Lord himſelf is caſt off; I ſpeak not immediately as in the internal Kingdome, but mediately. And for this, the Lord will bring into bondage, Luk 19.17. Thoſe mine enemies, ſaith Chriſt, which would not that I ſhould reigne over them; bring them hither, that I may ſlay them; which is meant of the Lords external adminiſtration by his ſervants.

Queſt. Queſt. When is this done?

p. 55Anſw. 1. When men impenitently break Covenant made with the Lord. Anſw. 1 Eſpecially in his Ordinances of cleaving and ſubmitting to him therein, and remain ſo with impenitency.

This is the maine and firſt Original of all the reſt. Now it is manifeſt, the power of Chriſt Jeſus, the ſupreme power of Chriſt is caſt off; for a man do's profeſſe by this, that not the will of Chriſt, but his own will ſhall rule him; Chriſt ſhall not be Lord, but as they ſaid, Jer. 2.31. We are Lords, we will come no more at thee. When the League and Covenant between Prince and People is broke, then he is caſt off from being King; this is certain, the Lord never did receive any people to himſelf from the beginning of the world to this day, but he hath done it by ſome Covenant: Nor never any people took the Lord to be their God, but by ſome Covenant, they bound themſelves to the Lord. Whereby they were either made his people, or continued to be his people, and he their God; but I cannot now ſtand to clear this. Now look, as when the Lord breaks his Covenant, he caſts them off from being his people; (though this he never doth to the Elect) So when people break Covenant with him, they caſt him off as much as in them lyes, from being their God; they do as much as in them lyes, make the Lord to p. 56be no God. You ſhall ſee therefore, Hoſea 10.3. They ſay, we have no King; becauſe we feared not the Lord. It is the ſpeech of Conſcience, and that at a ſad time; wherein they did not fear the Lord; They have ſpoken words, ſwearing falſly, and breaking the Covenant. In their time of Covenanting with the Lord, there ſeemed to be much ſorrow and humiliation; yet in theſe very Covenants, Hemlock did ſpring up, and hence captivity came. Many times the Covenants that are made, there is ſuch outward ſeeming reality; that not only men, but the Lord ſpeaking after the manner of men, He thinks certainly theſe Promiſes, theſe Covenants will never be broke; yet they are broken. Iſa. 65.8, 9, 10. I ſaid, ſurely, ſaith the Lord; This is a people that will not lie. Such profeſſion, and ſuch acknowledgements, &c. ſo it is ſaid; In all their afflictions, he was afflicted, and the Angel of his preſence did redeem them: But afterward, they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: They caſt off the Government of the Lord, they would not be under the bonds of the Lord, and ſo he was turned to be their enemie; this is that which brings captivity and bondage. Jerm. 2.14, 15, &c. Is Iſrael a ſervant, ſaith the Lord? ye ſhall ſee the reaſon why he was ſo; I have broken their iron yoke, ſaith the Lord, and I have burst thy bonds, and I have planted thee a noble Vine; yet haſt p. 57thou degenerated: and this is that which doth make them vaſſals or ſlaves. And in truth you never ſee Churches laid deſolate; but when that time comes, men ſhall ſee, and ſhall profeſſe it. When other Nations ſhall aske; Why hath the Lord dealt thus with his people? The anſwer ſhall be clear; They have broken the Covenant of the Lord. When many miſeries come upon particular perſons, what is the cauſe of it? then remember the Covenant thou haſt broken with the Lord. Iſa. 24.5, 6. They have tranſgreſſed the Law, ſpeaking of the whole earth; And they have changed their Ordinances, and broken the everlaſting Covenant. A people that might have had everlaſting mercy, they would not ſubmit to the Lord, they have broken this everlaſting Covenant of the Lord: Now what followes? The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; and hence heavy things that are there written, ſhall befall the whole world; It is a ſin that defiles the earth men tread on, and the houſes men inhabite in, for it is a ſinne againſt moſt light: They which make Covenants have a great deal of light, and alſo moſt will. And that do's aggravate a ſinne; when the whole heart, as it were, do's give up it ſelf to a luſt, and breaks hereby all bonds. And it is a ſin that men might avoid, if they would be watchful againſt: For it is a ſinful thing to make a Covenant of impoſſible p. 58things, therefore it lyes heavie on the conſcience of men afterwards; I might have been better, and might have walked better; Nay, it is a ſin that do's deſtroy the Law of the Lord: this ſin it do's deſtroy the very will of Chriſt. Had'ſt thou never been bound in Covenant; had'ſt thou laid by this Covenant, the will of God had been kept whole. As cords not uſed, are kept whole; but when broke, are utterly ſpoiled. When a man do's bind himſelf by a Covenant to the Lord, and then break it; he do's as much as in him lys, to deſtroy the Lord from being King.

'Tis true, the Saints and people of God may be ſaid in ſome caſe to break Covenant, but yet they never impenitently break Covenant with the Lord; they may break Covenant with the Lord very often, but yet it is with them as thoſe in Judges 2.1, 4. When the Angel of the Lord came to them, and they were under grievous ſad bondage; faith he to them from the Lord: I have brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and I have broke your bonds; and I have ſaid, I would never break Covenant with you: and I ſaid, you ſhould make no League with the Canaanites, but ye have not obeyed my voice; why have ye done this? And all the people heard this; and it is ſaid, All the people wept. Doubtleſſe ſome were ſincere, though happily many were full of hypocriſie; and ſo the ſincere heart laments it, and renewes his p. 59Covenant. The poor ſoul hath nothing to ſay many times, though the Lord ſhould bring never ſo much miſery on it; yet the ſoul ſtands weeping before the Lord, that it hath broke the Covenant of the Lord, and made void the Covenant of the Lord; yet the Saints they never break it wholly, they never depart wholly from the Lord.

Now when a people ſhall impenitently break Covenant, as hath been ſaid: that men can ſtudy arguments, how to nullifie Church-covenant; nay, worſe when in Covenant, then ever before; and the buſineſſe is, they are loath to be in bonds; when men ſhall grudge the truth of the Lord, others if their judgements be not ſet againſt it; yet notwithſtanding, in deed and practice, they live as if they had never been in Covenant. Once they were a pleaſant plant; but now they are degenerated, as the Lord doth there complaine. Beloved, when it is thus, the League between the Prince of peace, and the Church is broke; they do as much as in them lyes, ſeek to caſt off the Lord from ruling over them.

22. When there be additions made to the Ordinances of Chriſt, by humane ordinances and inventions of men; let any ſet up new ordinances, new inventions of men, they ſet up new gods; and they do as Subjects ſet up new Kings, which is indeed to pull down him that was, and ſo they do to Jeſus Chriſt; p. 60they do deny the ſupreme headſhip of Chriſt, and his authority over them; though it may ſeem a ſmall thing, yet thus it is: And hence ye ſhall obſerve Jeroboams calves, though they worshipped the ſame God which was at Jeruſalem, varying only in circumſtance; yet the Lord profeſſeth, that they had ſet up new Gods, and ſo indeed did pull down the true God and his government from over them, and this brought bondage. And hence, Col. 2.18, 19. Let no man beguile you of your reward with a voluntary humility, ſaith the Apoſtle, and worſhipping of Angels, intruding into thoſe things which he hath not ſeen, &c.

Whatſoever pretence be upon the inventions of men, take heed of that; if it be the inventions of men, in verſ. 19. and not holding the head; the very headſhip of Chriſt is denied, and the ground is this; To ſay that Chriſt is not a ſufficient means of ſalvation, of ſaving his people, and ruling his people; it is to deny the headſhip of Chriſt: and likewiſe to ſay, that Chriſt hath not appointed for his people ſufficient means for that end; is to ſay, that Chriſt is not a ſufficient means to rule his people; and he that ſhall ſay, Jeſus Chriſt is not a ſufficient means, he do's deny the headſhip of Chriſt. Now to ſet up any inventions of men in the worſhip of God, to be a means to carry the heart to God, is to ſay, that Jeſus Chriſt p. 61hath not appointed ſufficient means for that end; and therefore he is not a ſufficient means of guiding, and ſaving, and ruling his people. Nay, this I will adde; let there be any invention added to the worſhip of God, that's meerly the will of man; nothing elſe, but only this I would have ye do it; they are ſuch things as do neither make a man better nor worſe, but only uſe them, and ye are commanded to uſe them, and nothing but the will of man: This is to ſet up a new Chriſt, and to pull down the power of Chriſt Jeſus, to ſubmit herein to the authority of man, meerly becauſe of the will of man, that there is nothing ſeen but his will: There is (it may be) neither good nor hurt in it; It is to make that man a God and Chriſt; it is peculiar to Chriſt to do it, and this do's pull down the Lord Jeſus Chriſt from his throne; when there is adding to the worſhip of the Lord. I need not I ſuppoſe ſpeak any thing this way; Only remember to be watchful againſt this; when the Lord doth ſend tentations this way into Churches, or into any place; be watchful againſt new inventions of men to be added or made, they are very ſinful; and if ye ask me when we ſhall look for ſuch times; I need not go farre from my Text.

It is ſaid, that Rehoboam and all the people walked in the worſhip of the Lord three years; p. 62but in one year, Rehoboam and all the people fell off from the worſhip of the Lord. O therefore take he…d of this, when the tentation comes: 1. When the Lord bows the hearts of thoſe in authority, men of eminency to fall this way, then multitudes follow; as, verſ. 1. Rehoboam ſinned and Iſrael with him. 2. When perſecution ariſeth for the truth, Gal. 5.12. They must be circumciſed to avoid perſecution. 3. When mens hearts are ſurfetted with the Ordinances of God, and wearie of them; when the Ordinances of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, men finde no benefit by them, the heart of man will then be making out after ſome thing of its own; then we muſt look for Apoſtles, Prophets, and Evangeliſts, and this curioſity, and the other nicity; then a conceit and imaginary picture of a mans own, is more beautiful then all Gods Ordinances beſides, and all Religion is placed there; it may be in extending too far any Ordinance it ſelf, though it may ſeem little at firſt; yet when it is thus, then look for evil times.

33. When as a people ſeek to aboliſh and deſtroy any Ordinance of Chriſt, but eſpecially if on this ground; either becauſe of ſome outward evil they bring with them, in the fruition of them, or hope of ſome outward good they ſhall receive by caſting them off, or becauſe of no good they reap by the p. 63enjoyment of them: Whenſoever ye ſee this, that they are caſt off on this ground, then look for bondage; for it will come on whole countreys in general, and on particular perſons: For Jeſus Chriſt is in his Ordinances, and his Throne is not only in Heaven among the Angels; but, Iſa. 9.7, 8, 9. He ſits on the throne of David, among his Church and People; and pull theſe down, you pull down Chriſts throne, the Prince of peace; when ye pull down his Ordinances. 1 John 2.19. there were many that did ſeem to be for Chriſt, and yet againſt Chriſt, this is one ſigne by which he notes them; They went out from us, for they were not of us: that it might be made manifeſt they were not of us. Now I ſay, when men ſhall pull down the Ordinances of Chriſt, and withdraw themſelves from the communion of Saints; and when it is for one of theſe ends, in regard of ſome outward evil that the Ordinances do bring with them, or ſome outward good they ſhall get by caſting them off; then certainly look for bondage. As a Prince that hath one near him, he may attempt change of things in State; but when he is ſet a work by a forreigne State, and is a penſioner to the Pope or Spaniard: Now he is reall to root out the Prince; and this provokes.

So here, many times a Chriſtian, he may in conſcience ſpeak againſt ſome of the ways p. 64of the Lord, and this may be the condition of the Saints and people of God, and they may ſpeak it in conſcience; and this may be tolerated, when it is for want of light; nay, they may through ſtubbornneſſe of ſpirit, caſt off Ordinances; but when now it is for this reaſon, though he hath indeed his colours for it; you ſhall, ſaith Satan, have this gain, and this eaſe, and theſe conveniences; and what do you do with Ordinances? and now a man begins to finde out arguments; and ſaith, Satan, If ye attend to the enjoyment of Ordinances, here be theſe miſeries, therefore away with ſome of Gods Ordinances at leaſt. Oh, brethren, when it is thus, that there is this ſecret penſion from the world, that now had the Lord Jeſus, the honours of the world attending on them, then they could make much of them; but becauſe they come with poverty, therefore they can plot and ſpeak againſt them, and in time come to caſt off the Ordinances of the Lord Jeſus; It is certain the Lord bath bondage for ſuch ſoules, and you will certainly finde this true one day. Mal. 3.14, 15. The people, they ſay; What profit is it that we have ſerved the Lord, and that we have walked mournfully before him? and hence, they forſook the Lord; Hence, Chap. 4.1, the Lord threatens, that He will burn them up, both root and branch. The Lord hath conſuming fire for ſuch one day.

p. 65The Ordinances of the Lord were too coſtly for you. Mark 12.7, 8. The Lord hath his Vine-yard, he lets it out to huſband-men, and he ſends for the fruit; and at laſt the ſon himſelf comes to call for fruit. Now ſay they; Here is the ſon, let us kill him. Why, what is the matter? out of gaine, that is the buſineſſe; That the inheritance may be ours. Here is this gaine to be without them, and therefore to caſt off Chriſt: What will the Lord do to theſe huſband-men? he will take away his Vine-yard from them, &c.

It is the ſpeech of Luther, Venter in omni religione potentiſſimum Idolum: When the Belly is ſerved, Chriſt muſt be deſtroyed. Men may have this quiet life without theſe Ordinances; and hence men bear a privy grudge againſt the Ordinances of the Lord, becauſe the belly is not ſerved. Look as it was with the Jews; they looked for a glorious King to come to them, and Chriſt came; and though they were told of it before; when he came, he had nothing but his Croſſe; and he tells them, If they will be his Diſciples, they muſt take his Croſſe. But now, becauſe he came not with pomp, but only with his croſſe, this is the great reaſon; why to this day the Jews do ſet themſelves againſt the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; the Croſſe came with Chriſt, that's the cauſe of it: So when men ſhall look for great things from the Ordinances of Chriſt, and p. 66when they come to enjoy them; they meet with nothing elſe but Chriſt and his Croſſe, and diſappointments, and deſertions; when they meet with this, then Chriſt is caſt off, and they profeſſe he is no King, and Ceſar is our King: and if we take this man to be our King; the Romanes will ruine us.

I know it is a hard trial for a man to be put to ſuch a ſtrait; for the Lord to advance the price of his Ordinances at that high rate, that all muſt be parted with for the enjoyment of them. But yet notwithſtanding, he is for ever unworthy to have the Lord Jeſus to rule him, that ſhall therefore make him a King as they did, John 6. He was their Cooke, therefore they made him King. Therefore this I ſay, take heed of diſputing againſt, or denying, or nullifying, not only outwardly, but in thy very heart ſecretly, any of Gods Ordinances: for that the Lord complains of his people, that their hearts went after their wickedneſſe. Oh take heed of doing thus againſt any one of Gods Ordinances, becauſe ſtraits do attend on them: It was the ſpeech of David, Pſ. 119. Thy law is pure, therfore thy ſervant loveth it. Suppoſe thou ſhouldeſt never get any good by any of Gods Ordinances; yet thy law is pure, the fault is in thy own heart; and certainly the Lord he will remēber, as there he ſpeaketh, Jerem. 2.2. I remember the love of thine eſpouſals, when thou didſt follow me in a land p. 67of barrenneſſe, in a land where there was no water. Thy life ſhall be precious to the Lord, that ſhalt follow the Lord in all afflictions; yet thy heart doth cleave to the Lord, and follow the Lord in all his Ordinances; therefore this is that I would ſay, there are many wants now in the countrey; But yet notwithſtanding, let the people of God get neer to Chriſt; ſpeak often one to another, and finde out wayes and meanes to pay your debts, and ly down at the feet of the Lord Jeſus, and be content if the Lord will have it ſo, to be nothing, be content thus; and though thou doſt not finde any benefit from the Ordinance of the Lord as yet, yet notwithſtanding loath thy own heart, but love them; yet ſeek after the Lord, and look to the Lord in them▪ And this is certain, the Lord hath bleſſings for his people; not only in this life, but as he there ſpeaketh to his Diſciples, when they ſay to him, Lord, what ſhall we have? ſaith the Lord to them; You that have followed me, you ſhall ſit on thrones. But take heed of this, if once ye come to ſlight Ordinances, and caſt off Ordinances, becauſe of theſe ſtraits and wants, and ſo forth: And what are your Ordinances, &c? and a generation of men riſen up (I think Chriſtians ſhould ſend forth their gronings to the Lord, that the terrour of the Lord may fall upon them) they deny all the Ordinances of the p. 68Lord, and the Spirit muſt teach us only. 'Tis true, the Spirit muſt do it, but will ye therefore take away the means? and hence, the very Scripture is made an Alphabet for children, and ſo they do deſtroy the Ordinances of the Lord. Beloved, if it be from this principle, take heed of it; for if it be, ye will certainly finde bondage.

44. When men do not thus pull down the Ordinances, the throne of Chriſt; but drive the Lord Jeſus away out of his Ordinances, (though they have his Ordinances with them) by their ſecret defilings, pollutions, ſpiritual pollutions of the glorious Ordinances of Chriſt; this the Lord frequently complaineth of in Jerem. and Ezek. The very great reaſon why the Lord did leave his Temple, where their fathers did praiſe the Lord; they had polluted and defiled it, that was the reaſon of it: They had driven the Lord away from his throne, and this doth pull down the princely power of the Lord in his Churches. I know, there be many ſins and defilements; and the ſons of men have hidden wayes of polluting the Ordinances of the Lord, that a man ſhall ſit under all the Ordinances of the Lord; and as it is ſaid of Mount Gilboah, not any dew fall upon him; never ſee good, when good comes; the Lord is not dear, that is the reaſon of it. Oh, thy ſecret defilements of the Ordinances of the Lord, have driven p. 69the Lord farre from you. There are many, I ſhall only name three principally, that there may be a little heed taken of them.

1Firſt, When there is a ſecret contempt grown upon a mans ſpirit of the Ordinances of Chriſt, attended with a ſecret wearineſſe of them: this doth now pollute the Ordinances of the Lord, and this doth drive the Lord from his Ordinances: Mal. 1.7. Ye have offered polluted bread; wherein have we done it, ſay they? this was the cauſe of it; Ye ſay, that the Table of the Lord is contemptible; the meaning is, you do deſpiſe my Table and Ordinances, and ſo now do deſpiſe me too, and ſo ye do vilifie and contemne the Ordinances of the Lord: Therefore ſaith the Lord, in the concluſion of that Chapter, verſ. 11. From the riſing of the Sun, my name it ſhall be known. As if he ſhould ſay, I am not bound to you, I can have a people, among whom my name ſhall be great; For, ſaith the Lord, I am a great King. If one ſhould have asked men in thoſe dayes what good is in your ſacrifices? what great glory can ye ſee in them? the Saints can ſee a great deal of glory in mean outſides: Now when this is wanting, the name of the Lord is polluted, and ſo the Lord driven from his Ordinances. Heb. 12.15. Take heed, leſt there be in any of you an evil root of bitterneſſe ſpringing up, and p. 70many thereby be defiled. When men do live in ſecret luſts, or open profaneneſſe; a man that hath a profane heart, ſuch a heart as doth contemne the portion of mercy the Lord doth offer to him; who like Eſau, did ſell his birth-right for a meſſe of pottage.

2Secondly, Unbrokenneſſe of heart in the enjoyment of Ordinances, when men live not in a daily ſenſe of the extreme need they ſtand in of mercy: Iſa. 66.1, 2. Heaven is my throne, and the Earth is my footſtool; Now obſerve what the Lord doth there ſpeak, To him will I look that is poor in ſpirit and contrite; ſuch a poor ſoul, ſaith the Lord, will I look to; and to theſe are oppoſed, ſuch as have not ſuch hearts, but do look only to the Ordinances of the Lord: Now▪ ſaith the Lord to ſuch; He that offereth a lamb, is as if he cut off a dogs neck; and he that offereth incenſe, as he that bleſſeth an Idol. Theſe were a people that did plead for the Temple of the Lord, and had the Ordinances of the Lord according to his command; but here was their wound, they were not broken under the Ordinances of the Lord: This you ſhall finde, the Saints have many ſins and wants under the Ordinances of the Lord: but little does the world know their gronings before the Lord, and the Lord hath mercy for ſuch ſoules as are ſenſible of their need they ſtand p. 71in of the Ordinances of the Lord.

But now when men have found the Lord in an Ordinance, ſubduing ſome particular ſin: there are other ſins remaining in their hearts, and they ſtand unremoveable in their hearts; and hence, are the ſtrongeſt and deareſt of all the reſt: Now, I ſay, when men having theſe ſins, and knowing theſe ſins in their hearts and ſpirits; when as, becauſe I cannot ſubdue theſe ſins; and they have attended on the Lord in the uſe of means, and the Lord helps them not; and becauſe, they hope to be ſaved at laſt for all theſe: Hence they come to a truce with their ſin, and never go mourning to the Lord; nor ſay, the Lord hath begun to ſubdue ſome of theſe luſts: Now Lord, go on, but the ſoul is at truce with his ſinnes. Beloved, if there be any pollution of the Ordinances of the Lord, here it is; that men come with unbroken hearts to the Ordinances of the Lord; that never feel your need of them, and wounds and ſores that are in your hearts, that men do ſtand with thoſe very ſins, that they think they cannot ſubdue; and becauſe, they cannot eaſe themſelves of them, therefore they give way to them. When men keep theſe ſins with unſenſible hearts of them, ye do reſiſt the holy Ghoſt, ye feel not your need of the Lord; therefore ye keep your ſins, and your woes you ſhall have for them.

p. 723Thirdly, Where there is a ſpirit of unbelief, that there is not a ſeeking to Chriſt Jeſus, to waſh away the pollutions of his heart and life, in his attending upon the Lord in his Ordinances. Tit. 1. 15. To the unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their minde and conſcience is defiled. Exod. 30.29. It is ſaid, Every thing that touched the Altar, was clean; and hence, without this, all is unclean: When a poor ſoul ſhall come to the Lords Ordinances, and prepare himſelf before he come; and in all, it hath many weakneſſes, yet it doth leave it ſelf with Jeſus Chriſt; every thing that doth touch this Altar, is ſanctified, and is not polluted. But now when men ſhall enjoy Ordinances, and make no great matter of ſins in Ordinances; eſpecially if ſecret: ſuch is the venemous nature of ſin, it doth defile the earth a man doth tread on: Now when men ſhall have theſe ſins, and know them, and yet never leave themſelves with Chriſt, and lay themſelves on this bleſſed Altar by faith; they do pollute the Ordinances of the Lord.

4Fourthly, When the ſoul doth not ſo openly, manifeſtly drive away the Lord; but when men ſhall come to the Ordinances, and never come to the Lord Jeſus in them; now the Lord is caſt off. A great Prince that comes to a mans houſe, though he be not driven out of doors; yet if not attended p. 73on, he accounts himſelf caſt off. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is in his Ordinances, Ezek. 48.35. The Lord is there; the Saints, they come to God in them, and are carried to him by them: Therefore, 'tis ſaid, Acts 10.33, 34. Now therefore, we are all preſent before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, and Pſal. 84.7. Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God. Now the Saints and people of God, when they do thus come to the Lord, they finde many difficulties to break through, a vallie of Baca. Sometimes their heart is turned from the Lord, and ſometimes God is turned from them: ſo that now, the Saints when they do come to the Lord in his Ordinances; They go through the vallie of Baca, that they may ſee God in Sion. But now, when men do never break through difficulties; but give way to a ſluggiſh heart; when it is thus with a people, it is certain the Lord is now caſt off; and ye do as good now as live without Chriſt in the world. Amos 5.21. ſaith the Lord, I hate your new Moons, and Sabbaths; For theſe fourty yeares ye never ſacrificed to me, verſ. 25. Did they not ſacrifice thoſe fourty yeares to the Lord in the wilderneſſe? It was the very thing they came out of Egypt for, that they might ſacrifice to the Lord: Yet ſaith the Lord, ye did not ſacrifice to me; truely here was the thing, they did ſacrifice, but, to enjoy communion p. 74with a God, that they did not; the Lord he ſaw none of that, and this is the frame of many a man, ye never heard a Sermon; ye never broke through your difficulties to come to a God in Ordinances: therefore, in truth, though you had them, yet it is as if you never had them; becauſe, ye never did enjoy the Lord in them.

Therefore, this is that I would ſay: Oh, Brethren, let the Saints, let it be the care of all the faithful and people of God; the firſt thing that ye do, before ye come to hear a Sermon, or receive a Sacrament, or to any Chriſtian communion, or other Ordinance of God: Before thou do'ſt come, indeavour it at leaſt co bring thy ſoul to a God, to Chriſt, above all Ordinances, and break through the difficulties; heart is dead, and minde is blinde, and God is gone; but yet break through difficulties, and wreſtle with the Lord in prayer, and then ye will finde the bleſſing of the Lord. The great reaſon why we enjoy not that mighty preſence of the Lord in his Ordinances, it is this; Men come to Ordinances, and would enjoy Ordinances, but they never broke through difficulties, to come to a God: When men ſhall come to Ordinances only, (and bleſſed be God we have the temple of the Lord;) truely this will do you no good in the world.

5The 5^th Degree of caſting off the ſupreme p. 75power of Chriſt in his Ordinances; many times when the ſoul cannot come to Chriſt, the Lord comes to it: Now then the ſupreme power of Chriſt is caſt off, when the ſoul is unwilling or careleſſe, to receive the ſtroke of the Eternall power of the life of Jeſus into his heart; but contents himſelf with ſome beginnings, ſome ſips and taſtes, and doth not lye under the ſtroke of the eternal Spirit of the life of Chriſt.

Look as it is with a company of Subjects, they are in ſome great Town, that ſtands it out againſt a Prince; If the Prince ſend to them, and they parlie with him , and they are thankfuil for his gifts, and glad of his parlie; but yet notwithſtanding, they are unwilling to receive the Prince, with all his power to come into the Town; if they be unwilling to do that, and are loath to joyn ſides againſt the other party, they caſt him off from being King: So it is here, when men come to the Lord in Ordinances, the Lord he parlies with them, the Lord he ſends promiſes, and they are marvellous precious things; and they have ſome taſte of what the Lord do's ſend, and it is ſweet to them; But now, becauſe they have luſts in their hearts; the Lord ſaith, make warre againſt thy luſt, and open the gates that I may come in: If ſo be, a man now out of ſecret love to his ſin, he content himſelf with the promiſes of Chriſt; but the life of Chriſt, he p. 76cares not for that, he uſes not ail meanes that he may finde that, the ſupreme power of the Lord Jeſus is now caſl off, and I know no difference between ſuch a people and Capernaum; they did enjoy the Goſpel of God, but now to entertain the Lord Jeſus in his ſpiritual power, this they were loath to come to; therefore, ſaith the Lord, Wo to thee Capernaum; the mighty work of Jeſus Chriſt in their hearts, this, they never cared for. Saith the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 10.5. The weapons of our warfare, they are mighty through God. As poor things as you think the Ordinances of the Lord to be, they are mighty through the Lord: When Chriſtians ſhall not be willing to receive this mighty power of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt truely, now the Kingdome of Chriſt is caſt off. John 6.49. Your fathers are Manna in the Wilderneſſe, and are dead, that was outward Manna; but he that eateth me, ſhall live for ever.

In one word thus; this is certaine, a man never gets good by any Ordinance, nor the Lord Jeſus doth never attainc his end in any Ordinance, till there bean everlaſting power and life of Chriſt Jeſus communicated by the Ordinance. There, ſaith he, God commandeth his bleſſing, Pſal. 133. ult.Ps 133life for evermore; mercy, for ever comforting; and light, for ever teaching; and humbling, for ever continuing: and a man will never think he p. 77doth receive any good till he doth it: For If a man be healed of his blindneſſe, and be blinde preſently again; what is be the better? So, if a man hath ſome flaſh of light in the Ordinance, bleſſe the Lord for it. The Lord quickens up the heart to walk with the Lord, Bleſſed be the Lord for it: Ay, but when the heart now ſhall loſe that life, and ſtrength which it had, (not but that a Chriſtian do's loſe to his feeling, but it will returne again.) When he is a hearing, ſome affection, but he goes away dead as he came: no, but when the Lord comes by his everlaſting power and mercy, and life in any Ordinance; now Chriſt comes in his power, and now ye receive the King in his power, and Chriſt attaines his end in the Ordinance. This is all that I would ſay, I do beſeech you brethren, in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Oh ſeek for this bleſſed life, everlaſting life Lord, everlaſting power Lord; beg for that, and ſeek for that, and pray for that, and weep for that; do not content thy ſelf with ſippings and taſtings, look for everlaſting life and power to come with the Ordinance; though means be weak in themſelves, do not therefore vilifie them: Look upon the brazen ſerpent, what a poor thing was that to heal the people that were ſtung? yet the inſtitution of Chriſt did put vertue into it: So do thou attend on the Ordinances, and never be content, till p. 78thou doſt finde the Lord, and feel the Lord, and ſay as ſome have ſaid; though I feel not the Lord now as I have done, yet I think I ſhall for ever bleſſe the Lord. Never be content till ye finde the Lord bringing your heart to this paſſe, and then the King of glory, the Prince of peace is come; though ye finde not the fame power at all times, yet if ye finde that power which do's inure your heart for ever to bleſſe the Lord, here is everlaſting power. Jeſus is now come to thy ſoul; Ay, but when ye content your ſelves with ſome movings and beginnings; and ſin and Satan as ſtrong again as ever, and ye finde not your ſin waſting and conſuming; in truth the Lord Jeſus is caſt off, and ye have not the end for which ye come to the Ordinances of the Lord. But then, ye are bleſſed for ever when ye finde this.

22. There is a derivative power of Chriſt to the Church, joyntly conſidered together. Matth. 18.17. Go and tell the Church, is the higheſt tribunal Chriſt hath on earth in the Kingdome of Saints. 'Tis Chriſts high Court of Parliament, beyond which there is no appeal to any higher power then the Church; and it cannot be meant of the Officers of the Church (which is the faireſt interpretation). For the caſe may be that there is but one Officer, and is he the Church? as alſo that he may ſin, and not hear of his ſin, and muſt they leave him to himſelf, at p. 79leaſt to judge of his ſin? The power of Keys was given to Peter, quà fidelis, and the power to binde and looſe to two or three gathered together in Chriſts name, Mat. 18. but theſe things are known.

For the clearing up of this, know that there is a threefold derivative power, which the Lord bath given to the Church joyntly, and not to Elders only: Which may be miſerably abuſed, and ſo provoke the Lord to take it away from their hands till they know better how to uſe it; yet when 'tis uſed according to Chriſt, now not to be under the power of it, which is Chriſts power delegated to it, is to caſt off Chriſts Government. And I am confident, the bondage of all the Churches in Chriſtendome; if ye examine the Churches, is continued, becauſe the Lord ſees hearts unwilling to ſubmit to him in the government of Churches; and will continue it till Churches know how to uſe it, and men lye down to the power of it.

11. They have a power given them from Chriſt, of opening and ſhutting the doores of the Church, the Kingdome of God on earth: i. e. of letting in, and keeping out any according to Chriſt; into, or out of their communion: and this I conceive to be one part of the power of the Keys, committed to the Church: The chief office of which, is to open and ſhut; to receive in, p. 80and keep out according to Chriſt; and hence the three thouſand were added to the Church, though the Apoſtles were guides therein: and Acts 9.26. Paul would have joyned himſelf, but they would not accept of him; becauſe, they were afraid of him. No body natural or politick, but they have power to receive to them the uſefull, and keep from them the hurtfull; ſo, much more Chriſts ſpirituall body. And hence, the Church of Epheſus is commended, Revel. 2.2. together with their Angel, for trying thoſe that ſeemed good, and were not.

Now 'tis true, this power may be miſerably abuſed in opening doores too wide, or locking them up too long, or too faſt; and in many ſad diſorders this way, yet there is this power. Now when men ſhall refuſe Church-tryal, and ſo communion with the Church; and that not from ſenſe of their unfitneſſe and unworthineſſe, or ſome other reaſon, which is in the ſight of God of great weight; but from a careleſſe contempt of Gods Ordinances, or Gods people; a man ſayes, What care I for the one? and what are the other? and from a reſolution never to grow better; they know they are not like to be accepted of them, and they are reſolved they will grow no better; they think themſelves as good as they, and from a ſecret unwillingneſſe to come to the light, they know things are amiſſe, and p. 81will not be known of it; they appear better then they are, and hence they are loath to be ſeen and judged as they are: Certainly, this is to caſt off Chriſts power; and if continued in, the ſalvation of your ſoules is alſo caſt off: Acts 2. ult. The Lord added to the Church daily, ſuch at ſhould be ſaved. To the Church, i. e. not the univerſal Church, but viſible Church, where it may be had; ſuch as ſhould be ſaved. Iſa.60.14, 15. For the Nation and Kingdome that will not ſerve thee, ſhall periſh; yea, thoſe Nations ſhall utterly periſh: Lamentable is the condition of many; not ſo much for not joyning themſelves to the Church, as not ſeeking of the Lord for that mercy; that they may be firſt joyned to the Lord , and ſo to his people for the Lords ſake.

There are great heaps of people amongſt the Churches here that do ſtand guilty of this, the Lord humble us for it; that content themſelves to ſtand Aliens. from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, Eph. 2.12. Strangers from the Covenant of Promiſe; having no hope, and without God in the world. The Lord is ſlow to wrath; but there is a threefold bondage. 1. Of ſin and Satan. Rev. 22.14, 15. Let him that is filthy, be filthy ſtill; Nay, though there be ſome beginnings, yet apt to fall back; becauſe, not planted in the courts of the Lord: And hence, Col. 2.5. Joying, and beholding your order, and the p. 82ſtedfaſtneſſe of your faith in Chriſt, order and ſtedfaſtneſſe are joyned together. 2. Of miſery, Zach. 14.17. And it ſhall be, that whoſoever will not come up of all the families of the Earth unto Jeruſalem, to worſhip the King, the Lord of Hoſts; even upon them ſhall be no raine. 3. Sadneſſe, hence, Iſa. 56.7. Even them I will bring to my holy Mountains, and make them joyful in my Houſe of Prayer. To be joyful in the houſe of Prayer, is promiſed to ſuch as joyn themſelves to Gods Covenant.

22. They have a power given them of binding and looſing; By admonition of any one, that being received in, ſhall ſin againſt their communion, and the Lord in it; thereby to defile the whole body, and to provoke the wrath of the Lord againſt the ſame; and this is mentioned, Matth. 18. and by the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 5.1, 4. and this is given to them, to uſe againſt whatever ſinner or offender it be; be he great or ſmall, Prince or Peer; if he be a brother, he is to lye down here: An admonition is an arreſt and meſſage from God, from Chriſt Jeſus the King of Kings; Eglon muſt come down from his throne, when this is brought.

Now I grant again, this power may be abuſed miſerably; as to admoniſh without conviction, or without compaſſion and love, but in heat & paſſion, &c.Yet this is the part p. 83of Chriſts binding power in his Church; which when 'tis done, 'tis bound in heaven.

Now when men come to that paſſe, that they do not only ſin (for that the Lord pardons) but are grown to that height, that they caſt off all reproofs, and Chriſt-like admonitions for ſin: ſteept it may be in many teares and prayers before they came, and ſweetned with the Spirit of mercy and terror of Chriſt Jeſus in the mouths of his ſervants, this brings under bondage. 'Tis not ſin ſo much, for this will be; but when they cannot abide reproofes, they are iron morſels, cannot be digeſted; and hence, ſometime hide it, and twenty ſhifts, and halfe as many lies; or if it be found out, defend it; and fall a fencing and thruſting, and try it out to the laſt, or extenuate it twenty wayes, that a beam is a mote; and which is worſe, their hearts riſe and ſwell, and they bear a privy grudge againſt them, as if they were their enemies, becauſe they tell them the truth; when they ſhould ſay; Let the righteous ſmite me. Exod. 2.14. Who made thee a Prince and Judge over us? When Moſes, the Iſraelites deliverer was raiſed up, he thereupon departs, and they lye under heavy bondage, when they caſt off his reproof. It's true, a Saint may not for a time ſubmit; but yet it argues a height of ſpirit for the preſent, unfit for communion p. 84with God, and the Lord will bring them off, and humble them for their pride. 2 Sam. 23.6, 7. But the ſons of Belial ſhall be all of them as thornes thruſt away; becauſe they cannot be taken with hands.

A childe of God may have many weakneſſes, a hypocrite many excellencies; but the tryall of them is, when they come to be arreſted with a ſad reproof, how they yield there, and that as unto God; eſpecially when confeſſion ſhall either diſcredit their perſon, or make others queſtion their grace. Snakes will not hiſſe nor ſting, till touched; a ſheep will be led to the ſlaughter, and turn the cheeke to him that ſmites: So ſhould one poor brother do to another, when he comes to him in the name of the Lord; but not many that will ſo do, but reſiſt and oppoſe againſt all reaſon.

33. They have a power of Communication of good one to another, in way of edification, according to their places in this their communion: So that now, 'tis not only left in the hands of the Officers, but of the whole Church, and each Member in the Church; according to his place and ability, to edifie the whole, Eph. 4.16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned and compacted together, by that which every joynt ſupplieth, according to the eſſectuall working in the meaſure of every part, making increaſe of the body, unto the edifying ſelf in love.

p. 85Members are not to ſtand like beautifull pictures in Church-windowes, and as coſtly images in Churches; that have eyes, and ſee not, eares, and hear not; but they are to be living ſtones in Gods building; not only to build up themſelves, but one another alſo; that ſo a man may not only get no hurt from communion of Churches, but he may get good indeed from the ſame. And if I miſtake not, here is the wound of Churches: When Members ſeek not, and indeavour not the good one of another; and ſo have Ordinances and means of doing one another good, but exerciſe them not; or if they do, receive not the good they might hereby; but may ſay, and ſhall ſay at laſt as he, Prov. 5.14. I was almoſt in all evil in the midſt of the Congregation: Sin prevailing, and ſorrowes by little and little, like water in a leaking ſhip, ſinking the poor barke.

Quest. What are thoſe means that are left to the Saints themſelves, Queſt. even private Members to exerciſe in Chriſtian communion for men and women; and ſo you may ſee when theſe are neglected, or not improved, the power of Chriſt in his Church is caſt off ſo far forth?

Anſw. 1. The firſt is, Anſw. a Spirit of dear Chriſt-like love one to another, every one to all, and all to that one againe; being ready to expreſſe it ſelf, in procuring the p. 86good of others as well as its own: This doth ſweeten communion very much, and edifies, quickens, and encourageth a Chriſtian in his whole courſe marvelouſly. Eph. 4.16. Making increaſe of the body, unto the edifying it ſelf in love. Love edifieth, 1 Cor. 8.1. Knowledge puffeth up, but Charity edifieth. It's the joy of the Saints, and that which makes the Saints to bleſſe God in heaven; where, take any one ſingly, all joyntly beſides honour it, tender it, and ſeek the good of it; and that one bleſſeth God, and ſeeks their good more then its own againe; and this is propheſied, Zeph. 3.9. That they may call upon the name of the Lord, to ſerve him with one conſent, to ſerve the Lord with one ſhoulder; to help one .another ſpiritually and outwardly, where there be many griefs and burdens which depreſſe the ſpirits, and make it unſerviceable, is removed: As, what is there that doth alienate the hearts of men more from God and his Church, but want of love? Now when mens love grows cold, that a godly man is not eſteemed whiles he lives, nor his death lamented ſo much as the loſſe of a ſwine. When people grow ſtrange one to another, and take diſtaſtes and prejudices; when they can ſit by the fire-ſide, and cenſure, and whiſper; and make offences, and take offences; and mindes divide, and hearts divide; that if you aske what ſuch a p. 87one is good for? the anſwer is; he is good for himſelf, and good to breed brawles, and divide a Church; A Kingdome divided againſt it ſelf, cannot stand; and therefore hereby you caſt off this Kingdome. Oh, Chriſtians ſhould pray for this, and mourne for want of this; and ſtudy peace, and follow it: It ſhould be death to differ, or ſide, or make a party, one againſt another.

22. Earneſt prayer for the Church, and all in it beſides thy ſelf; and that with ſtriving with God, till an anſwer it given: Sretcht out prayers, as they made for Peter. Acts. 12.5.Acts 12:5James 5.16. Confeſſe your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. And ſo Jude 20. But ye beloved, building up your ſelves in your moſt holy faith, praying in the holy Ghoſt. This is a means to edifie one another, when there is inlargedneſſe of heart to pray one for another; Pſal. 122.8. For my brethrens ſake, I'le wiſh thy peace. Sometimes a Chriſtian can do others little good, yet he will wraſtle for him in his prayers to God: One knowes not the good comes hereby; if withall a man keeps a good Conſcience, making conſcience of his wayes. And 'tis one of the greateſt priviledges that a man hath , when once he hath a ſhare in all the prayers of the Saints as his own; and it anſwers that Quere, What is a Chriſtian p. 88the better for the liberties of the Church? Matth. 18.19. Again, I ſay unto you; that if two of you ſhall agree, on earth, as touching any thing, they ſhall aske, it ſhall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. verſ. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the mida'ſt of them.

Now when people are falſe herein to their brethren, and to their Covenant; to their God, and to their own ſoules; (for there is no one prayer thou makeſt that ſhall be loſt; but if it attaine not a bleſſing for others, it ſhall returne again into thy boſome). When there ſhall be no heart to ſpend prayer, or ſhed tears for them, whom Chriſt hath ſhed his blood for; now, you caſt off the Kingdome of Chriſt.

Oh Brethren, conſider of it, when there ſhall be many a ſoul in a Church taken by Satans temptations, and held in temptations, and ready to be overcome by temptations; and it may be, would not be ſo, but becauſe thou doſt not pray; publick Ordinances, the miniſtery of the word, little good done thereby; becauſe, thou haſt no heart to pray. Acts 4.31. And when they had prayed, the place was ſhaken where they were met together; and they were all filled with the holy Ghoſt. This is the reaſon, the hearts of thy children, ſervanrs, and fellow-brethren remaine ſecure and unſhaken by all the Sermons p. 89they heare; nothing doth them good, nothing will pierce or penetrate their adamant-like, hearts; becauſe, thou haſt no heart to pray for them, or at leaſt, not to purpoſe.

33. Timely Exhortation; when brethren are dead-hearted, and heartleſſe in their Chriſtian courſe. Heb. 3.12, 13. Take heed brethren, leſt there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another whiles it is called to day, leſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſs of ſin. Brotherly exhortation is a remedy againſt Apoſtaſie of heart; for though a man cannot convince another, yet he may exhort him; and 'tis to be done in ſeaſon, whiles it's called today, with due reſpect, and taking notice of what good there is; with much wiſdome, and a ſpirit of humility, or elſe thou ſpoileſt all thou medleſt withall; putting your ſelves in their eſtate, and with hearty unfeigned prayer, that the Lord would accompany the ſame with his bleſſing. Heb. 10.24. Conſider one another, to provoke unto love and good works. Look over the Congregation, and conſider ſuch a Brothers or Siſters eſtate; one is poor and low, another falling, another very much altered: Now in ſome caſes, a private Brother may do more then a Miniſter; the Lord help us, and ſtir us up to this work: Now when this is neglected, many ſoules are hardned.

p. 9044. Inſtructing and teaching one another, as occaſion ſerves. Rom. 15.14. And I my ſelfe alſo am perſwaded of you my brethren, that you alſo are full of goodneſſe; filled with all knowledge, able to admoniſh one another. They were able for to inſtruct and teach one another. Iſa. 54.13. They ſhall be all taught of God. What God teacheth thee, that do thou teach others; what thou gaineſt by hearing, or by praying, or meditation; by putting queſtions to others, ſometimes to teach, and ſometimes to be taught; and this do, if poſſible, in all occaſional meetings, and worldly diſcourſes; mixe with it ſome ſweet truth that God hath taught thee. But now on the other ſide; when Chriſtians ſhall meet, and a man is the worſe for their fruitleſſe diſcourſe, no ſavour of any thing of God; Let them meet never ſo long or often, walking or ſitting, this is ſad.

55. In Comforting thoſe that be ſad; 1 Theſ. 5.14. and 4. ult. Comfort the feebleminded, and ſupprt the weak; wherefore, comfort one another with theſe words. There are many ſad hearts in Gods Church, and ſad things are as wounds to a mans limbes, that make him halt or fall. Oh Brethren, be much in this work, 2 Cor. 1.4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our p. 91ſelves are comforted of God; That a ſoul may ſay, ſuch a one came to me, and ſpake ſome few words to me; but they were as ſeaſonable, as though the Lord had ſent an Angel from heaven to ſpeak to me, and of more worth, then if he had given me many pounds: But now, when this alſo is neglected, that one Chriſtians hath not a word of encouragement to another, but dry and ſavourleſs diſcourſe; this the Lord takes very ill at the hands of his people, that have received comfort from himſelf in the day of their ſorrow and diſtreſſe.

66. Reſtoring a Brother fallen with a ſpirit of meekneſſe. Gal. 6.1, 2. Brethren, if any be overtaken with a fault, ye which are ſpiritual, reſtore ſuch a one with, a ſpirit of meekneſſe. Oh, how will a poor ſoul bleſſe the Lord for ſuch a Brothers prayers, admonitions, and exhortations, when the Lord ſhall have brought his heart back again to himſelf; although before he did moſt of all diſeſteem and vilifie him.

Now, when theſe are not uſed, or not with a ſpirit of meekneſſe improved, that a man never bleſſeth God for theſe; the Lord Jeſus is pulled down from his throne, when not done according to the ability, time and place that the Lord affords. And this I wiſh, the Churches mourn not for another day: For my own part, I do adjudge my ſelf before God and men; as moſt guilty p. 92of this, that I enjoy many ſweet Ordinances, and we improve them not; and hence, the glory of the Lord fills not his Tabernanacle, abides not on his Churches, either to draw others to them , or to make others abundantly bleſſe God for them.

Now here I will ſhew you the cauſes of this.

11. Not gaining much in private dutties, in Prayer, Meditation, Reading, and daily Examination of a mans own heart: And hence they cannot do good, becauſe they receive none, or very little themſelves; they have not a treaſure within, hence they can ſpend little, have no heart or ability to exhort, inſtruct, comfort: He that keeps not his ſhop, his ſhop will never keep him. As Pſal. 41.6. His heart gathereth iniquity to it ſelf, when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

22. A low ſpirit, which makes a man to have low thoughts, and endeavours, I mean not an humble, but a narrow ſpirit, not inlarged to hold much, or to do much, hence it doth little. As take a plaine countreyman, he neither ſeeks or regards the affaires of the State in publick, becauſe his ſpirit and condition is low; but Princes do minde and attend to the affaires of the Kingdome, to advance it; becauſe their condition is high, and they know it. Moſes, he ſuffered reproach with the people of God, loſſe of all the honour and pleaſure of Pharaohs Court; feared not Pharaoh, nor loſſe of life for their p. 93ſakes: For, he ſaw that God which is inviſible; like Saul, when once a Kingdome comes to be in his eye, he leaves off to ſeek the Aſſes.

33. Sloth. There are Thornes, Prov. 15.19. and Lions, Prov. 26.13. in a ſluggards way: There be many difficulties, buſineſſes, occaſion, and objections; when as if once he were reſolved to break thorough them, then the work would go on: Like a man, when he is in his warme bed, he is loth to riſe; but when he is up, he would not be in his bed againe, if he might be hired again to put off his clothes: I ſhall get no good, ſaith one, nor do none, ſaith another; and when theſe buſineſſes are paſt, and occaſions over; and at another time, I will ſeek God, and go about Gods worke; and thus a ſlothfull ſpirit hinders.

44. Want of Faith. 2 Cor. 4.13. We believe, and hence we ſpeak. Faith empties us moſt, and hence fills us with Spirit and Life of Chriſt Jeſus; hence Steven, full of faith, and the holy Ghoſt. A lively Chriſtian, when he comes in another Chriſtians company, it may be he knows not what to ſpeak; but he looks up to Chriſt, and ſayes; Now Lord, here is an opportunity in doing or receiving ſome good; and therefore now Lord, help.

55. Want of fear of God, and conſolation of the ſpirit of God, from the ſenſe of p. 94Gods love.Acts 9.31. They walked in the fear of the Lord, and conſolations of the holy Ghoſt; the Church was edified by the conſolations of the holy Ghoſt. A man that's wounded, keeps within, and ſtirs not; but when he is in health and ſtrength, now hard work is his meat, he cannot live except he worke. 1 Cor. 15. ult.

66. Not conſidering the ſhortneſſe of our time of ſowing. Heb. 10.25. Whereas, if men were on their death-bed, they would wiſh, Oh, that I had walked more blameleſly, and fruitfully; men care not for a comfortable reckoning as yet.

There are two cauſes why they receive no good.

11. From a mean eſteem of the Saints; looking on them as men, and not as an Ordinance of Chriſt; their perſons, prayers, and ſpeeches. And this is a rule; Men never gain any good by that Ordinance which they deſpiſe… if all were Schollers, Miniſters, or Saints glorified, they could then eſteem them. Hence, Eph 4.16. Edifying is by love; Making increaſe of the body, edifying it ſelf in love.

22. From want of being poor in ſpirit, and ſenſible of their extream need of Chriſt continually in all means: Beggers will pick up crums, and watch for a word of encouragement. Iſa. 11.6. A little childe ſhall lead the Wolfe and the Lion; that is, when p. 95the Lord hath humbled the heart of a man. Oh, when a Chriſtian thinks none ſo poor and ſhallow, and heartleſſe as I, and every one is better then I, however I need more then any: This ſoul will be glad to ſuck the breſt; and the Lord will fill others with light and life, and his own bowels, to do ſuch a one good. Whereas, elſe they are ſhut up, and they finde no good conveyed to them by any of the Ordinances of the Lord, nor any preſence of God in them.

33. There is a Miniſterial power, committed from Chriſt by the Church to the ruling Officers thereof. I ſay, by the Church; for all power in the Church, is properly Chriſts, yet he nextly communicates it ordinarily to his Church, or multitude of Beleevers, to whom is committed the ſupreme power of the Keyes in his word, and of binding and looſing, as hath been ſhewen; and by this Church, this power hath been by Chriſts appointment, and ſtill is, to be communicated to thoſe that are choſen out of themſelves, to be Officers and Rulers over them in the Lord, to exerciſe the power of Chriſt over them according to his will. Hence the very power of binding and looſing, opening and ſhutting, given to the Church, is alſo given to Peter and the reſt of the Apoſtles, and the ſucceſſors of Chriſts Apoſtles in Doctrine, ſent of Chriſt, John 20.23. p. 96Whoſoevers ſins ye remit, they are remitted, &c. Becauſe, though the power of Communication of it is in the Churches hand, yet the power of uſual adminiſtration of it is in their hand, whiles they exerciſe it according to Chriſt, yet by the Church. And hence Paul puts a difference between this extraordinary Miniſtery, as Apoſtleſhip, and ordinary. Gal. 1.1. An Apoſtle not of men, nor by the will of men, but by Christ, for the Church, not by it: Now this I ſay, is by the Church from Chriſt. Hence, Acts 20.28. The holy Ghoſt hath made them overſeers; ſo that 'tis no invention of man, or act of man, or the power of man; but of Chriſt, and hence refuſe to be under this power; men caſt off the yoke and power of Chriſt Jeſus.

For though the eſtate of the Church be Democratical and Popular; and hence no publick adminiſtrations or Ordinances are to be adminiſtrated publickly, without notice and conſent of the Church; Yet the government of it under Chriſt, the Mediator and Monarch of his Church; tis Ariſtocratical, and by ſome chief, gifted by Chriſt, choſen by the people to rule them in the name of Chriſt, who are unable, and unfit to be all Rulers themſelves; and to caſt off theſe, or not to be ruled by theſe; is to caſt off Chriſt. Luke 10.16. He that rejecteth you, rejecteth me. Numb. 16.3. You are gathered together p. 97againſt the Lord; The Lord accounts himſelf oppoſed and reſiſted, when the Officers of his Church are ſlighted, and their government deſpiſed.

Queſt. What is this power?

Anſw. 1. Negatively: Queſt. Anſw. 1 1. It is not any Lordly pompous power, to bear the bell of great ſmoakie titles, to govern in worldly pompe; or by worldly rewards; and civil puniſhments. 2 Cor. 10.4. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds. It ſhall not be ſo with you, ſaith Chriſt; but as I have been without all worldly ſtate, ſo muſt you be one to another. And hence, 1 Peter 5.4. Not being lords over Gods heritage: Chriſt never gave his Miniſters power of opening and ſhutting the doors of New-gate, and Bonners Cole-houſe if they would not ſubſcribe; or to confute mens opinions with their own lawes, and binde conſciences with chaines of Iron, or to promote his ſervāts by ſpirituall livings. Chriſt himſelf refuſed tobe a judge in civil cauſes; hence ſome of our Divines, when they would grāt that Peter was Chriſts ſucceſſor, and the Biſhop of Rome Peters and Chriſts Vicar; yet as Chriſt being on earth, exerciſed no civil power, ſo much leſs may theſe.

22. 'Tis not any Antichriſtian illimited power; viz. to have power over many Churches (for that is the main ſpiritual Antichriſtian p. 98external power) and the Miniſters thereof; for we read in Scripture of many Elders and Biſhops in the ſame Church, Acts 20.28. but never of any one ordinary Miniſter, or Officer over many Churches; either to governe, or to baptize, as the Anabaptists would among them, as many godly plead for now in the miſty confuſion of England. And look as we cry out of one Miniſter non-reſident, that ſhall have ſix or ten livings, though he give never ſo good a ſtipend; not only becauſe of his pride and covetouſneſſe, but becauſe of his unconſcionableneſſe, &c. So here much more of one man Over-ſeer over many Congregations, it may be a hundred at leaſt.

3. 'Tis not any Magiſterial power, Diotrephes-like; either to do what they will, Mat. 23.8. and their wills to be their law. No, 3Matth. 28.20. Teach all that I command you. If they do ſin, their perſons are under the cenſure of the Church, in caſe of manifeſt offence and ſcandal by the mouthes of two or three witneſſes, who being Members of the whole Church, & under it, & being ſinful Members; may, if the caſe need it, be proceeded againſt by the whole. Neither have they any power to act any publick Ordinance w^ch concernes the whole Church; and where 'tis bound by Chriſt to judge, without the privity and conſent of the Church, as to elect Officers, admit Members, caſt out offenders p. 99in the Veſtry without the knowledge of the Church, one of the blaines of the reformed Churches, which the Apoſtles with their extraordinary power never did themſelves, much leſſe ſhould theſe. 1 Cor. 5.

4. They have no immediate power of rule immediately given by Chriſt, over any one particular Church, but mediate by that Church where they are; their gifts of teaching and ruling are immediately from Chriſt; but their actuall power to exerciſe it over this or that particular Congregation, is by that Church only. Hence Deacons that were only to take care for the outward eſtate of the Church, Act. 6.3, 4. they were ordained by lifting up their hands. This is Apoſtolical power, and an intruſion, and cuts aſunder the force of the argument of M^r. Ball his book of power for Presbytery, &c.

2. What is their power affirmatively?

Anſw. 1. They have a power given them of ruling and governing from Chriſt by the people; hence they are called Rulers, and ſuch as rule, and are over Gods Church; hence they have a ſtrict charge and command from the Lord to do it. Hence Paul at Epheſus, when he was with them three years, yet had Rulers there; and verſ. 28. Feed Gods flock bought by blood; over which. not men, but the holy Ghoſt hath made you Overſeers; Chriſts Church being like ſheep, apt to ſtray and periſh, unleſſe theſe watch p. 100againſt wolves, and theſe the Apoſtle at his laſt parting left; hence alſo, they are to give an account of it at the laſt day. Heb. 13. Hence thoſe caſt off the Lords government over them, who will have no Rulers or Governours in Churches, who ſhall either ſpeak it or think it, but leave all to themſelves and their liberty; to teach, baptize, to order things in Church, and ſo by this means they are not only ſingle Members or Officers; but Paſtor, and Teacher, and Elder and all. This generation of men, ſons of Korah, are riſen up in theſe latter times; eſpecially amongſt Anabaptiſts, Familiſts, and rigid Separatiſts, and who are privily crept into New-England-Churches; Whoſe condemnation ſleeps not, Satan carrying them to extreams, and pride lifting them up above themſelves, above Men, above Officers, above Ordinances, and above God. That look as Common-wealths are under greateſt bondage, where there is an Anarchy, where every one muſt be a ſlave, becauſe every one muſt be a Maſter; So in the Churches, no greater bondage can come then this, the foundation of all confuſion, and the ſcandall of the wayes of God which through mercy his people here enjoy.

22. This power is more then any one private Member hath in the Church, who is not an Officer; It would be a moſt ſimple ridiculous thing, if there ſhould be Election, p. 101Ordination, many Prayers, much triall of men, for to rule, and guide, and govern, ſeparation from the reſt, and yet not to have any more power then any one private Member. Hence the Apoſtle ſayes, Submit to them that are over you. 1 Theſ. 5.12 and Heb. 13.17. Obey them that guide you, or rule over you. Hence thoſe that do acknowledge Governours in the Church for names ſake, but they are ſuch as have no more power then a private Brother; they do but allow the name, but deny the thing: Hence ſay they, they are to watch; ſo are private Members: they are to admoniſh; ſo is every private Member: they are to rule; die word ſignifies to guide and go before another.