A Little Stone out of the Mountain, Dedication 2

A Little Stone out of the Mountain · Dedication 2

To all those of SCOTLAND That can read with a seeing eye, grace, mercy, and peace.

WHat is now held out in the forepart of this Piece (which occasioned the second) was first offered by the Author, in the very love and faithfulness of his spirit, in a Lecture at Edinburgh. It was then frowardly entertained by some, roughly by many, and yet earnestly desired to the Press by others. At that time with him, the frame of the former hindered the desire of the latter; yet so as he rested in an expectation of a season, wherein the former also would be likely to hear such words, which to some are never sweet till a day of calamity,Psal. 141.Ps 141 or when their Judges are overthrown. Thus doth the Lord oft times sweeten his truth and sayings, with the bitterness of his doings, and takes out one heat by another. Jonah is peevish and hot, and in his heat cannot receive the expostulation of God himself, (and such hath bin the case here) but afterward the suns heat, and the East-wind (both which are Scripture Hieroglyphicks of affliction) do beat something into Jonahs head,Jonah 4.Jonah 4 and (having Gods own comment) do silence the passion of the Prophet.

Possibly Scotlands vision may come as Ezekiels, out of the whirlwinde and the fire.Ezek. 1.Ezek 1 God, afore this testimony was given, had spoken in his wrath to Scotland, at Preston against the grosser, at Dunbar against the finer, and at Hamilton against the finest oposites of this truth and its interest; and since this testimony given, he hath gone on to speak the same language from Enerkethen to Worcester. It may be, some of you the beloved Saints of Scotland, (for we cannot but think and call some so, howsoever it hath been taken) may suspect or be willing to search the wretchednesse, poverty, blindnesse and nakednes of your national Church state, and having your ear opened to Gods discipline in the rod, will not in love of your own, stop the ear to this faithfull Charmer,Psal 58.Ps 58 or soft and sweet wisperer, as the Hebrew signifies. He is wisely charming you from the corruption, not use of Ordinances. If a loose spirit, despising those precious things of Heaven, should seize upon you (which God forbid) we should judge it to have more of the venomous adder in it, and more to be resisted and detested, then any thing in your present state. If this good man be not a sweet savour to you all, yet we believe, he will be so to Christ, whom his soul loves, and in whom also you are the desire of his soul. The first part of his Work may put you upon enquiry, whether you have dealt kindly with Christ, to obtrude as imperious and selfish Guardians or Tutors, such a spouse upon him, as is not according to his choyce, minde or l…king. The experience of the true and deserving shepherds here (who are as dear to their other brethren, as sh…ep to the wolves) doth tell them, that almost nine parts of ten in their flock are not sheep, not fit (say they) of civill, much lesse (say we) of Spirituall priveledges; and then they are rather a herd or drove, then a flock, for few (as the shepherds themselves think now their driving power ceaseth) will be willing to be kept by them, nay many (as they already know) do turn again, and would gladly rend them. The keeping of such for their flock, may be as unsafe to the good Ministers as it is unprofitable to the people (both good and bad) and dishonourable to Christ.

Wherefore, it will not onelyonly be a right done to Christ, but also mercy to themselves and the people, to hearken to the voyce of this testimony in the first part thereof; and that will better dispose to the reception of the second, as a necessary preservative of the first, and give a bless…d tendency to a better correspondence with God and men. But while (not the godly, but) the bulk of the Nation is the Church, it must have Officers and subordinations accordingly, and then no less can be expected, then that the generality of the Officers & members, be an abomination to the Lord and his people, in point of Gospel-communion. Nor is it any wonder, that those few Saints that are lost and drowned among the rest of the Ministers and people, be an abomination to the greatest part of such a Church. If such Saints will not, but in company of this multitude walk with God, or his people, what Gospel-communion can there be expected? As for the purging of this body, we suspect it to be (as the body) supposed, and a diversion from a reall duty: For, beside what we apprehend, how impossible it is, that the far lesser number (retaining their present constitution) should regularly cast out the greater part therefrom; we are informed by our experience, that the worser and greater part, is more able and willing to a formall ejection of the better, then on the contrary: And therefore this ten years talk of the lips (about purging) hath tended only to penury,Pro. 14.Prov 14 and the last years have been further from that work then the former.

But we may now hope, some more reall truth and course will take place. God hath found Scotland, Act. 12.Acts 12as Peter in a prison, and asleep, between two armed Keepers, the Kirk, (so called) and the State, and bound with two chaines. May there not a light have now shone in the Prison, and the Angel of the Lord with a wakening stroke have smitten her on the side, and bid her rise quickly? And may not her chains, at that voyce fall off, and she gird her loins, and get her out of her bondage? Scotland's sicknes discovered it self, and for twelve years her issue, or fountain of blood hath been opened,Mark 5.Mark 5 and she hath suffered many things of many Physicians, and spent all that she had, and is nothing bettered, but rather the worse; her touching other garments and garbs, hath not healed her. Oh that now she would try in faith, what a touch of Christ will do! It may be, the fountain of bloud would be dryed up, and she might feel in her self, that her plague was healed. For which, and all our mercies to this people, shall, with the endeavours be joyned the requests of

Yours in the love and work of the Gospel

JOSEPH CARYLL.

JOHN OXENBRIDGE.

CUTHBERT SIDENHAM.

Dalkeith, April 22. 1652.

p. 1THE ORDER Of the GOSPEL, In some more main parts thereof, briefly and plainly handled, (as such a Subject will permit.)

ACT. 15.3.

And being brought on their way by the Church, they passed thorow Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

THE Church of Antioch had great stirs in it, by men of unsound mindes, who therefore desired aid from the Church at Jerusalem: What persons they deputed for Messengers, you may see in the verse before my Text, to wit, Paul and Barnabas, and certain p. 2others, &c. v. 2. The Church brought these their Messengers on their way, to testifie their great affection and thankfulnesse, for so brotherly a work. The way they went, my Text tells you, to wit, thorow Phenicia and Samaria, which were people neer of lip to the Jewes, and among which, many were turned to the Faith of Christ, and walking together in the Order of the Gospel, as was signified by Christ himself, Act. 1.8. and is mentioned as fulfilled, Act. 9.31. and in the close of my Text; who joy to hear like things among the Gentiles.

The principall things in this verse are these, viz. a Church of the New Testament, described by its proper matter, and by a proper effect and operation which this hath, upon such who are indeed turned to the Lord, and able to discern spirituall beauty and glory, it causeth great joy to all such. And being brought on by the Church.] What the matter or this p. 3Church is, read the next words, and they will tell you: — they declared the conversion of the Gentiles. What conversion was this? A meer outside conversion? Surely if the Brethren had apprehended no more in them, they would have had litle matter for a great joy: but of this more will be said by and by.

Let's take terms as they lye, and see how other Scriptures do explain them, and make Scripture its own interpretation, which will be most safe for all persons to go by. The complexion of a visible Church under the Gospel, is here said to be conversion: the constituting matter, converted ones. What these converted ones were, according to what Christian can discern of Christian, is the thing to be enquired into. Paul & Barnabas, who were Master-builders, and surely very seeing men, that they might not make a meer report, took of these converted ones with them—were brought p. 4on in their way by the Church. We t…ll you, (as if they had said) of such glad tidings touching the Gentiles; but what they are, see your selves, here they are, discourse with them, see if they have not the same Soul-complexion with your selves, whether they have not received the same Spirit of adoption, owning and experiencing the same grace of God which you do. That there was an effectuall work wrought in the hearts of these my Text speaks of, I judge will sufficiently appear, by comparing with my Text, these Scriptures, Act. 11.20, 21.22, 23. — which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus: and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of them believed, and turned to the Lord. The tidings of these things came to the ears of the Church which was at Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go to Antioch, who when he p. 5came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the holy Ghost. The next verse tells us, that he found out Saul, and brought him to this Church of Antioch, where they abode a whole year: and these Converts first called Christians. Barnabas is here said to be a man full of the Holy Ghost, and therefore able to taste his Communion, what divine reciprocation was made amongst them, and heart answering to heart; and he and Paul together in a whole years time, might be competently able to give a judgment what they found amongst these first Christians; and I think 'tis very dangerous to say, that as far as they could apprehend, these first Christians had not both name and thing, for which commended, and in which by these worthies joyed in: In particular Churches, some competent p. 6judgement may be made of every particular Member, by able men, in a long tract of time; and so are these Worthies elswhere said, with this Church, to have had intimate Communion, Act. 14.27, 28. And from thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God, for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And there they [abode a long time] with the disciples. Add to this Act. 15. where you shall see further, what is solemnly asserted of thess Converts in several verses, as v. 8. And God which know…th the hearts beareth them witne…, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us, and put no diff…rence between us and them, purifying their h…arts by Faith. H…re is a Text to some purpose, p. 7God which knoweth the hearts beareth them witnes, &c. That they had like powerfull, spirituall purifying receptions, with the best of them at Jerusalem: and indeed I think it dangerous for any to affirm, that all these expressions might not mean effectuall grace, or else be spoken of some onelyonly, but not of the whole. Compare with this, v. 11.16, 17, 18, 19. what he concludes, Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles, are turned to God.

Having thus painfully and plainly laid the foundation by the Word, and by a simple and sincere judgement thereupon, without the least respect to any party, or self-interest in the world, as he knowes to whom in this as in all my wayes, I desire humbly to refer my self. I build thereupon this doctrine, That the proper and allowed matter of a visible Church now in the dayes of the Gospel, is persons truly p. 8converted, such as God, who knoweth the hearts of all men, can bear witnes of, as indeed sealed for his, by his Holy Spirit. I say, this is the matter we ought now to take, to raise again the Tabernacle of David, and none other, not one other, no not in a whole Church, so far as men truly converted, and very spirituall, are able to discern and judge. The particular Text I would cite for the further confirmation of this (that you may see how richly the Scripture consents to this) are these, Act. 9. v. 26, And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples, but they were [all] afraid of him (by which it seems, they were a homogeniall body, under the same light and conscience, and tendernesse in this matter) and believed not that he was a Disciple. What did they fear? That he did not make profession of Christianity? Why, now he tend…red himself to do …t, why should they have denied p. 9him now, if bare prof…ssion had been enough? But it is evident, that they feared that he did but meerly professe, and that they should take in a heterogeniall piece, one that had but the outside of that qualification which this new building should have; and therefore Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apost…es, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and how he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus, and ventured his life in the practice of his Profession, used all means to satisfie them of the reality of Gods work upon his heart, and upon this received as sit matter for this new house, and as suitable matter to that which was already in the building. Adde to this Act. 2.47. the Lord added to the Church foreign, the saved, eos qui salvi fiebant, those which were out of harms way, as we say, in a safe and sure state & so are no persons, but such who have p. 10received of the sure mercies of David: a sinner is not safe, not out of gun-shot, till indeed in Chr…st, and this the matt…r …ccepted and taken in to build withall, and none else, so far as they could make judgement between things that differed, and either they were thus strict upon their own will, and s… not to be fo l…wed, or else by d…vine and infall…ble warra…t, and so as presidents, wh…ch hath the force of a precent, and this, in, over and abov…, a plain demonstration of the possibility of the precept to be obeyed and followed, which take… off that objection; 'twe…e wel S r, if 'twere so; but how can …t be? how shal we do it? why 'tath bi… done, the…efore may be, therefore should be, & no otherwise. To this adde Heb. 3.5, 6. And Moses verily was faithfull in all his hou…e, as a servant, for a testimony of tho…e things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence p. 11and the rejoycing of hope firm to the end. To a Church of the Jewes is this spoken, who did apost…tize much, and fo…sook their Asse…blings, and so their exhorting one another, with all those means of grace and life, which God h…th inst tuted in his new house, and so indeed grew worse and worse, till at length they came as the rest of the J…wish Churches, to nothing. As l…n…, s…ith the Apostle, as you hold fast the practice and power of what you profess, so long you are a Church; but when you let go this, you un-Church your selves, and should be pursued upon you, you should be thrown out, as such un-allowed matter; but …f others which should do it, will not, why the Master himself who is faithfull in all his house, h… will do it hims…lf, he will cast such a Church wholly off, which thus suffer his institution to be corrupted, & so indeed did he write Loami upon the first Churches, quickly after the Apostles time, for this thing.

p. 12Hints and shadows of this truth, take in these Scriptures Mat. 16.17, 18, 19. Blessed art thou Simon Barjona, for flesh and bloud hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and I will give unto thee the Keyes of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt binde on earth, shall be bound in heaven, whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Note in these verses, these things, First, that CHRIST doth not speak heer of the invisible Church, for he speaks of the power of the Keyes, binding and loosing on earth; the invisible Church is the greatest part in heaven, and they which are in earth considered as one with them, as one intire universal body, whereof CHRIST is the Head, p. 13are not capable of visible and limited Discipline: Therefore I judge, we are to gather from CHRISTS words, that he speaks by way of anticipation, of that visible order, which he did purpose to institute after his departure, by his Appostles, whereof Peter was one. And then secondly observe, of what matter he saith this building should be, to wit, of such as have a Faith, which flesh and bloud cannot reveal, and to a body thus constituted, is the power of the Keys given, and both these represented and personated to us in Peter. I do not finde the Learned and Orthodox of latter times, to apply this place to the invisible Church, and I think I am not then a forcer of this Scripture, in the sense I give of it. Another shadow or hint of this Truth, see Revel. 11.1, 2. And there was given me a Reed like unto a Rod, and the Angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the Temple of GOD, and the p. 14Altar and them that worship therein, but the Court which is without the Temple leave out, or cast out, (saith the Originall) for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the Holy C…ty shall they tread under foot fourty and two moneths. By the Temple is meant the visible Ch…rch, the state and welfare of which, though most infested of any publick condition, shall not be left and ruined, but be carefully looked unto & raised from its corruptions, intrusions & ruine… made by unsound men. Hunc in modum jubet ut Ecclesiam Johannis metiatur significans eam nusquam relictum i…i, Altaris nomine Christum quidam intelligunt, de quo Apost. Heb. 13.10 sed rectius alii cultum div…num intelligunt, quemadmodum in plerisq…e Scripturae locis pro toto Dei cultu su…itur. Marlorat.Heb 13:10etiamsi variis modis ab hostibus infestatur Agust. Marloratus. By Alta… is meant per synecdochē, the whole worship of God, as the same author hath it. The next term, to p. 15wit, worshippers, that explains it self. The state of worship, and wor…hippers now under the Gospel is to be measured, kept regulated to an exact rule. What is that? why the word of God. Postquam edoctus est Johannis quanta sit verbi Domini virtus, munus ei injungitur dispiciendi, judicandi, et discernendi Ecclesiam, quae est verum Dei Templum juxta doctrinam Pauli dicentis, Templum Dei sanctum est, quod estis vos. 1 Cor. 3.17. Marlorat. What then is meant by the Court which is without the Temple; men which have onelyonly an outside Religion, and an outside worship and devotion, but destitute of the power of Religion. What is meant by the not measuring of these? To thi… let the same worthy man before mentioned make answer.— Ne metiaris illud. Hoc …st, Ne complectaris eos in Spirituali aedificio Domini. Do not embrace them to be matter in this Spirituall House, they are without, p. 16and let them be cast out.Et atrium quod foris est Templum, ejice foras Why must not such be received into the Church, or why must they not abide in the Church? these make a profession? Why, because the house saith he is Spirituall, Holy, they are not congruous matter. The C…ty of God is a Holy City, a… 'tis in the following words of this verse called, —Why must not these outer-Court Christians be taken in,? Why saith John, these are given to the Gentiles: Hoc est, ipsi facti sunt conformes Gentibus incredulis, imo deteriores sunt illis, quantalibet sanctitatis specie polleant: Nam traditi sunt in reprobum sensum, alienati a cultu Dei, &c. Such ki…de of Professors, and outside christians, w…ll soon …n times of temptations conform themse…ves to the worst of men, Heathens, Turks, yea, and be worse then they, and will strike in w…th the vilest to to tread down the Holy City, that is p. 17the true worshippers in Gods visible Church, such as have indeed name and thing, Form and Power of godlinesse: I cite this Author, not that I finde him fully of my judgement in the matter I am upon, but to see how he and other good men of the reformed Churches, speak unawares the Thing we hold, and cannot indeed tell how else to give any life to places of Scripture, which they undertake to expound; neither indeed can a man tell how to make themselves agree with themselves in their Cōmentaris, without taking them with a grain of Salt in this manner. Upon the whole, this I collect, that persons meerly professing the things of God, are not approved and allowed matter by the Lord in a visible Church, they are such as he doth not measure, embrace for his Building, they are such as are fit to destroy, not to build the ho…y City, and these Christ not allowing of them, nor measuring of them, but casting p. 18them by, and will do if we do not; how then we can, but at our perrill, both in order to God, and in order to such men, embrace them, I know not. Another shadow or hint of this truth, see Rev. 4. which whole Chapter is taken up to shew the state of the holy City forementioned. And in the first verse, observe whether John is taken to have the frame of this new building given to him. After this I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet, talking with me, which said, Come up hither and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And imm…diatly I was in the spirit, and behold a throne was set in heaven, &c. Moses had his Patern upon the Mount near Heaven, not in Heaven; and yet some very learned Men think, that even that was teaching what that people should be which walked in that first House, Persons really l… ving p. 19very near Heaven, with which compare Ezek. 44.7. But John hath his Patern given him in Heaven, to shadow, that this Temple, Altar, Worshippers, should all indeed be from above, and such as should have indeed an internall consecration, and the Law given into the minde, as the Author to the Heb. saith, and made Jews inwardly, a holy Nation, according to inward choise and call, and so a Spirituall Priesthood, &c.

But this is not the way which I most minde to make Probation by, of this Point. I would prove it by induction. The Church of the Romans, the Church of the Corinthians, the Church of the Galathians, the Church of the Ephesians, the Church of the Philippians, the Church of the Collossians, the Church of the Thessallonians, the Church of the Jews which are mentioned by Peter, and Iames, and the Author to the Hebrew, and in the Acts, were all thus constituted, with Persons p. 20truly Godly, so far as a godly man can make judgement of one like himself, Ergo. If these be denyed, as Presidents, then I would ask our Brethren of the Presbytery, according to what rule they walk? But if these be confessed as Presidents, then I have onelyonly to shew unto you, that these Churches did all thus constitute, though I think, did not long carefully keep and maintain this pure constitution, for which bore their judgment, and yet do. What the Church of the Romans was, read Paul, who surely was able to discern in Spirituall matters, and who surely durst not complement with Persons in things of Eternall concernment. Among whom ye are the called of Iesus Christ, to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be Saints, grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God for you, [All] that your Faith is spoken of throughout the whole world, for God p. 21is my witnesse, that I make mention of you alwayes in my Prayers, &c. I cannot think that a Faith of so high esteem with Paul, and of such renown through the Christian world, and the matter of such fervent Prayer, should mean onelyonly a temporary faith: Some of these were such as laid down their necks for Paul, Rom. 16.4. The rest surely endangered their own necks, every day by their Profession, living in the mouth of that Tyrant Nero as Paul cals him, or Dragons, as John calls all the Heathen Emperours of that place.

If this be accompted but litle, yet many litles put together, amount to much. Adde therefore to this, the Church of the Corinthians, 1. Epist Corinth 1.2To the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them which are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. p. 22I thank God in your behalf, that in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance, and in all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that ye come behinde in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who also shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Cor. 4.15. For though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you all. Persons having such grace in them, as shall be confirmed to the end, as keeps them waiting for the coming of Christ…, as are the comfortable seals of a faithfull Minister; that all this should signifie but outward profession, or that these expressions should any way advantage any, to say, that this Church did constitute and congregate together, upon any other accompt, but as there was the true grace of God evident, as far p. 23as man could judge, I cannot indeed see. Fo… the rest of the Gentile Churches (that I may not be too large) read your selves these Scriptures, Gal. 4.9. Gal. 6.1. Ephes. 1.1. and 13. Act. 20.28.32. Phil. 1.1, 6. Phil. 4.15, 16. 1. Thess. 5, 6, 7. &c.

For the Churches of the Jewes, you have in part heard already, how the first Church, to wit, at Jerusalem constituted, and upon what terms they stood with Paul: which first Church gave the first Copy to all the Christian World, what to do, and (I think) held their own best, till their scattering by persecution, which God ordered to the encreasing of the Churches of Christ, both amongst Jewes and Gentiles. But what all the Jewish Churches were in this thing for their Members, and how they did build their houses to God, see 1. Pet. 1.2, 3. 1. Pet. 5.13. with which compare Gal. 1.22. —and was unknown by face to the Churches of Judea which were in Christ. p. 24And whether this was onelyonly in profession? see, 1. Thess. 2.13, 14. For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received not as the word of men, but as it is indeed the word of God, which effectually also worketh in you which believe. For the brethren became followers of the Church of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus, for ye have also suffered like things of your Countrey-men, even as they have of the Jewes, who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own Prophets, and have persecuted us, &c. The Church of the Jewes were such Professors of Christ, as endured persecution, sharp trials for the truth, and were eminently exemplary to the Christian World this way, as indeed Profession then did generally expose unto, though now not, and so voluntary Profession then, signified a great deal more, then that forced Profession of the Gospell, which now we make, p. 25under such powers as call for, and countenance these things, doth; which should be observed and allowed by them, which compare profession then with profession now, if they dealt equally in this controversie.

If it be objected, that there were wicked persons in these Churches which you have mentioned, therefore we may constitute visible Churches now in the dayes of the Gospel, with good and bad, with truly good and seemingly good, such as make only a profession, though we cannot discern the power of Religion in them.

Sol. To this I answer, à facto ad jus non valet argumentum, because such things are, therefore they ought to be, will not hold. Because bad men were in the Churches, the generall State of which in such a time of the World John speaks, Rev. 11.1.2. therefore they should be there, will not follow, for then why is John bid to cast out that which is without, p. 26and not measure it, not embrace it: What is allowed to abide, is rather the Index, shewing what is the proper and allowed matter, the true constitution and complexion of Church State, now in the dayes of the Gospel. Churches may be negligent, and not so strict to their rule, to examine and prove the grace of God in such as offer to joyn themselves unto them, as the Church of Jerusalem did: If Churches do not minde diligently their rule, to look well who they adde to them, and how congruous in weight to the ballance of the Sanctuary, they may have evill persons amongst them enough, and yet not be able to maintain that it should be so. T'is like that the Asian Churches, and most of the first Churches, quickly after the Apostles time, grew faulty in this kinde, opened the door wider then they had warrant for, by which corrupted themselves, and for which God turned p. 27them all out of his house, as defiling of it. Or Churches, though very diligent and duly strict in this matter, yet are not infallible, and therefore hypocrites may deceive a Church for a time, and so get in where they have no right to be; The Apostle Jude doth confess so much, verse 4. of his Epistle: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, &c. Not only persons may thus creep into the Church, but also creep into office, and still escape the first judgement upon them, made by the Churches, of which they are. The Apostle doth intimate this to Tim. Lay hands suddenly on no man, and observe his charge, which may make a man tremble to read. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without prefering one before another, be not partaker of other mens sins, keep thy p. 28self pure; for some mens sins are open before hand, going before to judgement, and some they follow after. 1. Tim. 5.21, 22. We are as appears by this, compared with other Scriptures, to use all care, as much as in us lies, to prevent by the first judgement of the Church, all that are not godly, from coming into a State, to which they are not approved by God, but if men by their subtilty creep in, as the serpent into the garden, where they should not be: we are to cast that out which is without, whilest within by the after judgement of the Church, which is excommunication, when it doth evidently appear that men are hypocrites, though not drunkards, and such kind of bodily sinners, as I may say, which is far less, simply considered, then hypocrisie; which after judgement, is an ordinance to cleanse the house of God and keep it pure, and according to what it ought to be, and doth strongly confirm the p. 29point that I am upon, that the matter of a visible Church, now in the dayes of the Gospel, should be reall Saints, the proper and approved complexion of a visible Church is sanctity, saving grace, and not one known to be otherwise, can justifiably enter or abide within Gods Holy hill.

This truth I humbly conceive, hath strong appearance of reason in it, that the matter of a Church, should be men truly turned to God: for, how otherwise can there be uniformity in the Church, the thing so much desired and admired? Christ is the Rock and Foundation Stone of the Building, this confessed of all sides; the rest of the Building then must be & bear upon him, as a superstruction, foreign, as superstructed, as the Apostle useth the word, Ephes. 2.20. And how they can hold and bear upon him, who have not the faith of him, that faith which flesh and bloud cannot reveal, as is spoken of Peter? I know not. p. 30And then how can that house stand which hath such materials? which do not make foreign, coagmentatio congrua, a fit and congruous encrease and building, as the same Apostle speaks: How can that building stand, whose materials have not a symmetry, but antilogie and antistasie, not an agreement, but a fighting with the foundation, and one another? Christ doth argue from this medium, that suitable to the foundation should be the building; or otherwise, such incongruous superstructions will be fired, and they which make them. — As a wise builder (saith he) I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon: but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay, then that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: every mans work shall be p. 31made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, &c. In which words, the Apostle argues as I do, that if Christ be laid as the Foundation stone in a building, 'tis good for men to take heed, that they make congruous superstructions, lest all the building fall about their ears: And see how he applyes this, v. 16.17. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you. If any man defile the temple of God, him shal God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Incongruous superstructions, if it be in point of doctrine, it makes incongruous matter, it defiles the temple of God, destroyes the temple of God, saith the margent, citing the originall, and such will God destroy. For the temple of God (saith he) is holy, which temple ye are, (i.) such are the temple of God which are holy, which have the Spirit of God dwelling in their hearts, and none p. 32else. According to this medium is Christ called the Head, and the Church the body, which means homogenialnesse; otherwise, how can there be mutuall derivation from one to another, and groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord, as the Apostle addes, Ephes. 2.22.

2. The matter of a visible Church should be reall Saints, how else should it be the Church of the living God, the pillar and stay of truth, according to that of the Apostle to Tim. 1. Tim. 3.15.—Church of the living God (i.) such as in which God lives, and such as will bear up truth to all the world, as a pillar bears out any thing hung upon it, to all lookers on. Alas! Christians, which are only so outwardly, God doth not live in these, neither can, nor will these be any stay to truth, and the things of God in the world, who have already denied and destroyed the power of these in their own hearts. Will he hold out truth firmly p. 33and faithfully to the world, in the midst of all tryals, which daily denies it in his own heart? This expression, living God, is opened, 2. Cor. 6.16. For ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I wil receive you, &c. Church of the living God, and temple of the living God, are one, and the interpretation is one, and here given, ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them. So that the Church of the living God, is such as in whom God lives, dwells, walks. Doth God live and dwell in dead persons, in such who onelyonly make a profession of Religion? Will such persons be to truth foreign, firmamentum, as the Apostle before speaks, as the firmament is to the stars, who fall from Heaven p. 34themselves? and so, how can God have glory in the Church throughout all ages, Eph. 1.21.

3. The matter of a visible Church should be persons truly Godly, how else can there be offered up in Gods House now, a pure offering? For unto the impure and unbelieving, all is so, and then how can the Churches of the Gentiles fulfill that Prophesie, Mal. 1.11. For from the rising of the Sun, unto the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering, for my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of Hosts. —incense and a pure offering in every place, &c. Why, every mans offering is as he is, let his offering be what it will. Let a man make up his offring of never so much worth and cost, yet still tis in the accompt of God as the man is: If the man be impure, so is his offering. With this p. 35compare 1. Pet. 2.5. Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spirituall house, an holy Priesthood, to offer up spirituall sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is contained in the Scriptures, that I lay a suitable foundation to such a superstruction, meaning Christ. The stones must be living, to make a spirituall house, how else can the society be a holy Priesthood, to offer up spirituall sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This place doth confirm, that the foundation and superstruction is one, and that the Offering and the Offerer are one. To make the Offering spirituall, holy, acceptable to God, the person that doth offer must be thus. Now we know persons which only profess Religion, these are dead stones, nothing of spirituality in them, but meer formality, and so hypocriticall, and so amongst the number of them which are most abominable.

The matter of a visible Church p. 36should be such as are truly godly, how else shall the Jews be provoked, and this particular house be swallowed up in that generall, and be made a Pillar in that to go no more out. Its said, that God will provoke his Ancient People by us Gentiles: and how will God provoke them? By the glory and Purity of his Worship, and Worshippers. See for this, Isa. 66.18, 19, 20, 21, 22. In the foregoing verses, the Prophet tels us of sore bloudshed: and this to cast out filth and rubbish out of the Christian World. The Lord will come with fire, and with his Chariots like a whirle-wind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebukes with flames of fire, for by fire and by his sword shall the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many, they which sanctifie themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, behinde one tree in the midst, eating swines flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse shall p. 37be consumed together, saith the Lord: For I know their works and their thoughts: After this rubbish is removed what then? why, It shal come that I will gather all Nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory, and I will set a signe among them; (i.) make protection for these: and what then? I will send those which shall thus be defended, and escape, unto the Nations, where the Iews are scattered, to Tarshish, P ul, and Lud, to Tubal, Javan, which have not heard of my fame, neither have seen my glory, and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles; and these refined Gentiles thus scattered up and down declaring Gods glory, shall they onelyonly gain by this glory the Gentile World, where they come? No: They shall also bring all your Brethren (saith the Prophet) for an offering to the Lord, out of all Nations, upon Horses and in Chariots, &c. Whither shall they bring them? Why p. 38to my holy mountain of Jerusalem, saith the Lord. For as the New Heavens, and the New Earth, which I shall make shall remain before me; By which observe, that this New Heaven of the Gospel Churches is to remain, to be pure and to remain, as pure things last. And observe further, so shall the Jews which these pure Heavens shall provoke, — So shal your seed, and your name remain: And both joyned together into one pure Church: For that read verse 23. And it shall come to passe, that from one new Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord, and they shall go forth and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me, for their worme shall not die, neither shal their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh: Which last words, ah let men read, and with much dread lay to heart, which make p. 39light of these things we are upon: Mens Carcases will fall as formerly Israels did, for their froward walking, and the pure Church and people of God shall go forth and look upon these corrupted, and rotten Carcases, and give the Lord the glory of his Justice. Impurity of Worship, and Worshippers, provokes God, not the Jews: Tis that which stumbles them at this day, as I have heard from some of their own. God will hold up an exact glory to them, therefore is he exactly punishing the Christian world, to cast out every thing that offends: We have our private quarrels in our expeditions into Nations; Tis because they will not let us alone, saith one Nation to another, and the like; but God hath under all this, a design and quarrell by himself, which we are few of us aware of, and that is by the Sword, to cast out that which is without, to throw filthy things to their place, that he may have a pure p. 40people, an an exact glory to provoke his ancient People, which when brought in, such Churches as are thus pure, such New Heavens shall be joyned to this new Heaven, and remain with this, as a Pillar in this great House, to go no more out, as is said of Philadelphia that pure Church; other Churches shall be destroyed by the hour of temptation, which there is spoken of. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them which dwel upon the earth: Behold I come suddenly, Rev. 3.10. Now when this hour of temptation shall be, see Dan. 12.1. to wit, immediatly preceding the call of the Jews. And at that time shal Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there shal be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a Nation, even to that p. 41same time, [and at that time] thy people shal be delivered, every one that shal be found written in the Book. And at that time shal be the the deliverance, &c. By which words it doth plainly appear, that this hour of temptation will be immediatly before the calling of the Jews, in which will be cut off all but the Philadelphian Church, (i.) Typically, all but those who are pure, and so instrumentall to provoke and bring in that beloved People. Now we know that the Jewish Church when they shall come in again, when New Jerusalem shall come down out of Heaven, they shall be all holy, every gate, and not onelyonly the gates, but the streets of Pearl, and pure Gold, and hence the measuring Reed said to be pure Gold. For the fearfull, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murtherers, and all lyars, all that say they are Jews and are not, all shall be kept out of this house; p. 40duplicate page p. 41duplicate page p. 42Now as this house then shall be, so shall they be of the Gentiles, which shall be joyned in with them, this is evident by Isa. 11.6.7. The VVolfe shal dwel with the Lamb, the Leopard and the Kid, the Lion and the Calfe, all Jews and Gentiles, that shall be formed into this House, shall be all one; and the Lord shal be King over all the Earth: in that day shal there be one Lord, and his Name one, one people, one faith, one love, one conversation, all in heaven: This Church wil not be a specled bird as they were for which cast off; No, although we Gentiles then joyned to them; consequently, the allowed matter of a visible Church, now in the dayes of the Gospel, is Persons truly holy.

Ʋse. Take heed then of setting against a Church of such a complexion, and constitution. Wilt thou oppose a thing, because it is as it ought to be, this is a meer spirit of contradiction, which borders upon malice and blasphemy. p. 43The Learned Jewes seeing a great aptnesse in many of their country men, to receive the Doctrine of Christ, and the Apostles, and they not able to disprove the things which were taught, yet would contradict, being filled with envy, Act. 13.44. A spirit of pure contradiction (I fear) now haunts many men, and not a Spirit of Superior light, and this temper shews men to be poison'd with Sauls spirit, and levend with envy and malice, and out of the heat of this strange fire, do little else but blaspheme the Tabernacle of God, and those which dwell in Heaven, which is no other but a spirit of Antichrist, where ever it is, as you may see Rev. 13.6. Hear what the Spirit of God speaks to this generation, Beware lest that come upon you which is spoken in the Prophets, Be…old ye despisers, wonder and perish, … will work a work in your dayes, …hich ye will in no wise beleeve, p. 44though it should be declared unto you, Act. 13, 41. If ye cannot wonder and believe the things which God saith and doth, you will wonder and perish: if the Words and works of God brought to your door, can produce no other fruit amongst you but desp…sing, you shall wonder and perish; the stoutest of you all shall do it. Compare with this, Ezra 6.12. And the God which caused his Name to dwell there, destroy all Kings and people that shall put to their hand to alter, and to destroy this House of God which is at Jeruasalem; I Darius have made a decree, let it be done with speed. If we conceive of Darius as a Heathen, (which I can hardly do, weighing circumstances in severall Scriptures spoken of him) then I may say to the Heathen, to all men destitute of God, that one of your own curseth you with a grievous curse; yea, even the greatest amongst you, and the least, p. 45Kings and People. If the Spirit of God come upon one of your own, and make him curse you, and prophesie evill and ruine unto you, from the highest to the lowest, which say, come, lets take the Houses of God in possession, lets alter and destroy Gods worship, people, and the like, will ye not believe? That God will do this, to wit, destroy Kings as well as People, the greatest as well as the least, which oppose and destroy his House and spirituall Temple and People, which now he hath: See further, Rev. 19.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sate upon him was called faithfull and true, and in righteousnesse he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written which no man knew, but he himself. And he was cloathed with … vesture dipt in blood, and his name is called the word of God. And the Armies p. 46which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, cloathed in fine linnen, white and clean: And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepresse of the fiercenes and wrath of Almighty God, and he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cryed with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of Heaven, Come and gather your selves together unto the supper of the great God, that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. With which compare Psal. 149.8.

Ob. Why? but they gather Churches out of Churches, whom you plead for.

p. 47Sol. Nay; tis but Churches out of a Church: Gospell Churches out …f a Legall Nationall Church; and the …ne being abolished, there may be, yea, …here ought to be a departing from it, …nd a gathering out of it, into that order which God hath instituted. So we …ind Churches gathered out of that one Church of the Jewes, Gal. 1.22. And was unknown by face unto the [Churches] of Judea which were in Christ. And whether he means by being in Christ, meerly according to profession, see 1. Thess. 2.14. For ye became followers of the [Churches] which in Judea are in Christ, for ye have suffered like things of your countrey men, even as they have of the Jewes, who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, &c.

Ob. Those men are full of heresies and dangerous opinions who lean this way. Many Monsters come out of your Independent Churches, therefore p. 48surely tis not of God; If it were a state congruous to the Word, surely it would not bring forth so many heresies, divisions, confusions.

Sol. To this I answer first thus: All is not true that is said of Congregationall Churches, and of their friends; it hath been an old wile of the Divell, to calumniate much, and something will stick; nay, by this we are cast out as a reproach unto the prophane, and with them much sticks, as much as is said of us, sticks with them, and a great deal more they can tell how to adde upon all occasions. Nay, I know, all is not true which is Printed of persons loving and honouring Churches, of such a constitution and complexion as I have mentioned. Witnesse Mr. Edwards Gangren. Nay, witnesse Mr. Rutherfurds Spirituall Antichrist, pag. 250, 251. &c. Where you shall finde the Lord Gen. Cromwell charged with publick scandal and unsoundnesse in the Faith, because of p. 48a Letter which he wrote to the Parliament; which Letter I here give the Reader, as taken out of Mr. Rutherfurds Book, that all the world may read and judge what unsound doctrine is in it. Presbyterians, Independents, all have here (i.) in the Army, the same spirit of faith and prayer, the same presence and answer; they agree here, and know no names of difference: pity it is it should be otherwise any where. All that believe have the reall unity, which is most glorious, because inward and spirituall in the body, and to the Head. For, being united in forms, commonly called uniformity, every Christian will for peace sake study, and do as far as conscience will permit. And from brethren in things of the minde, we look for no compulsion, but that of light and reason; in other things, God hath put the sword in the Parliaments hands, for the terror of evil-doers, and the praise of them that do p. 50well: If any plead exemption from it, he knowes not the Gospel: If any would wring it out of your hands, or steal it from you, under what pretence soever, I hope they shall do it without effect: that God will maintain it in your hand, and direct you in the use thereof, is the prayer of, &e.

What Heresie is in this Letter, I know not: indeed according to that Logick which David speaks of, Psal. 56.5. every day they wrest my words, all their thoughts are against me for evill. And which Solomon mentioneth, — Surely the wringing of the nose bringeth forth bloud, &c. All that Mr. Rutherfurd hath inferred, may be collected from the Text: As true, as kinde, and as Christian is his construction of that Letter, as humble, holy and true is that assertion of his, concerning all Independents in England, viz. To my knowledge, there is not this day in England, any that is a meer Independent, which maintaineth p. 51nothing but Independencie, with most of these of New-England, and does not hold other unsound and corrupt tenets, &c. Rutherfurds Spirituall Antichrist, page 251. It makes me tremble to read this expression, when I remember from whom it comes: Surely there be many Independents in England, that this good man is a stranger to, and how he should then dare to speak so of them all as he does, is fearfull, If Christians can allow themselves this kinde of latitude, to gloss upon their Brethrens words and persons, I know not how any man shall so speak, write, or live, as not to be printed and staged to all the World for an Heretick. When I compare these Lines with those in M. Rutherfurds Epistle to the same Book, I tremble indeed, viz. If I lift up my hand, or bloudy pen against the truly Godly, or have a pick at Holinesse, let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

p. 52Secondly, I would answer thus; that there is difference between a cause and an occasion. That we walk in any fundamentall Truth in the power of it, many take occasion from hence to scoff, break forth into much wickednesse: What now? Is it not therefore the Truth which we follow, or must we leave following it, because many take occasion from hence, to run out into all evill. At light hath broken out in every age of the World, Satan hath this way (when he could no other way) laboured to darken it, by extracting poison out of honey and the honey comb. As in the beginning of its looking out of the bottomlesse pit of blindnes, when some of the first Fathers began to lay again that great principle and fundamental of the Trinity, the Divell to darken this, set a-foot Arrian Heresie, which Hereticks were bloudy enough; but when this would not do, the Divell spread their Tenent, that the whole Heavens p. 53were darkened (as it were) with these Locusts. After this, when some of the modern Fathers, laid that great fundamentall point of Justification by Faith in Christ, to darken this, the Divel conjured up your Anabaptist in Germany, a generation much like your Levellers and Ranters now, which denyed Propriety, Magistracie, all indeed which was good, and by this made great Insurrections and troubles, as History abundantly shewes. Now in this period of time, God hath made another accession of light, respecting the roof and up-p…rt of the House, and now what stirs, dusts, mists fogs doth the Divell exhale! Why, what now? Is all therefore darknes drosse, because the Divell thus maketh many abuse this season, and the helps and grace which is come unto them? I think things about which the Divell doth make such ado, may rather be thought to have something in them, rather then from hence to conclude, p. 54they have nothing of God in them; because the Divell doth not usually set against his own, doth not divide against the Divell. When this new Heaven, as the Prophet calls it; when this new Order, respecting Gods House, was first set up at Jerusalem, what bloody stirs it made there. When first set up at Antioch, what work it made there —no small dissention, Act. 15.2. and yet the minde of God.

Ob. But till Independence, no such sharp and bloudy stirs and dissentions.

Sol. Presbyterians began first to draw the sword, and their bitternesse and basenesse, hath heightned it to that to which otherwise in likely hood, it could not have come. The two latter Summers wars have been the sharpest, I know they w…ll say, that they have felt, and truly whether their froward spirit did not principally raise these storms, I leave themselves to judge; p. 55they converted so many Malignants into Presbyterians, & e contra, that if God had not been more gracious, then they ingenuous, they had undone themselves and others too.

Ob. Simon Magus was a man in the Gall of bitternesse, and in the bonds of iniquity, yet upon his Profession of Faith in Christ, he was received into Church fellowship: Therefore meer profession is sufficient to this State, and no more to be lookt after de jure, nisi ex abundanti.

Sol. Surely twas not shews but substance which was lookt at, and conceived i…deed to be in this man, so far as man can judge (i.) of a tree by his fruit, for de …ccultis non judicat Ecclesia. There were surely outward signes of Repentance in this man, and such as the Apostle Peter, who received him unto fellowship, was satisfied in, for what Peter required at the hands of those, Act. 238. p. 56Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the Name of Iesus Christ, for the Remission of sins, &c, He would and did follow the same Rule of Christ▪ which he had received, and delivered to others, and therefore required as m…ch at Simons hands, If he would not dispense with this rule, to one of those great number (Repent and be baptized every one of you) surely you have no reason to think that P…er durst exact lesse of this man, to be satisfied in him, especially hearing what a creature he had been, and ring-leader in evill.

That Simon Magus did deceive the Apostle, just as D…mas did Paul, & give such outward appearance of real inward Grace, that the Apostle thought him to be suteable to the Rule of Church-triall before mentioned, is evident by what is said of him, as also by consent of the Learned, who write of him as of Judas, one that carryed himself so craftily, that he seemed a p. 57true and reall Saint. — Tis said, that when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, foreign, in the Primitive, foreign, semper adsum, perdure assiduus sum. The word is attributed to the hunting of dogs, sa…th the Critick, which will not cease following the game till they have got it, and such a dog no doubt did Simon seem, one that would have crumbs at least, or else he would not, he could not have answe…ed the ballance of the Sanctuary, the rule of tryall, which the Apostles put to every one. It signifies to persevere with strength, but we will give our selves continually to Prayer foreign. It fignifies to attend upon a work undertaken, to stand to it, to be instant at it. For they …e Gods Ministers, [attending continually] upon this very thing, Rom. 13.6. Thus no doubt was Simon, very diligent and full of care, and circumspection, to carry it so in all p. 58things, that he might carry it with all beholders, equally to the Apostles themselves, that he might still be as high in every ones opinion, even in the opinion of the Apostles themselves, as he was in the opinion of the blinde and deluded multitude.

To this agreeth the opinion of the Learned. Simon himself believed, &c. foreign (i.) Professus est Fidem, &c. Meton. subjecti. Joan Piscat. Being convinced by evidence of Gods Power, made outward profession of his Faith, and Conversion. English Annotations. — Et adhaerebat ipsi Philipo & baptizatus perdurabat apud Philippum, & conspiciens signa & virtutes magnas edi, obstupefiebat: impii quoque, & reprobi interdum coguntur bonum Dei donum gustare, sed & mox evomant. Jun. Tremel. Another writes of him thus: Vehementer stupefactus admirabatur, &c. Persimiles sunt Simoni Mago qui simulant se…credere nunc Evangelio, p. 58non aliam ob causam quam ut multitudine placeant, & famam & gloriam suam non amittant, aut inde quoque suum quaestum adaugeant, ex Ecclesiasticis divitiis. Chuon. Pel. Minist. Ecclesiae. Tigurinae. Vel beati Philippi verbis & virtute victus, veraciter Domino credidit: vel ut magis credibile est, credere se quoadusque Baptisma susciperet simulavit; ut quoniam laudis erat avidissimus, ita ut Christum se credi vellet, sicut Historiae narrant, artes ab eo quibus miracula facere…, edisceret, Bed. in Bibliam. Sac. vulgat. edit. All these Testimonies I adde, for the Learneds sake, that they may see, and know, that Simon so carried the matter, that he seemed another guesse man, then a meer Professor, or otherwise the Apostles had not received him: and when that his hypocrisie did appear, the Apostle rejected him as one not in Christ, and as one who had no share in reall p. 60grace, and upon that ground rejected communion with such an hypocr…te, and branded him as he was, that all else might know what they had to do, namely, to follow that rule of the Apostle, 2. Tim. 3.5. Having a forme of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away. which place shewes plainly, that 'twas the power, and not the Profession, and form that was looked at, and is to be looked at in the admission of members into the visible Church.

Ob. The Apostle saith, that in a great house there are not onelyonly vessels of Gold and of Silver, 2 Tim. 2.20.2 Tim 2:20but also of wood, and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour. By house he meaneth the visible Church: therefore che visible Church may consist of good and bad.

Sol. That there may be bad men in a Church, hath not been denyed in all this discourse. Because such is the p. 61art and craft of Hypocrites to delude the judgment of the best men: But he saith not that these vessels of earth and wood, are there allowedly, but they are there to dishonour; that is, being crept i… where they should not be, as Jude speaks, they are to be cast out of the Church as dishonourable, as so indeed was Hymeneas, and Philetus, of whom the Apostle there speaks in the verses foregoing, of whom, and of one Alexander, 2 Tim. 2.17, 182 Tim 2:172 Tim 2:18see what he saith, 1 Tim. 1.20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexan…er, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme, who had put away faith and a good conscience, which shewes, that when men put away that which they seemed to have, Faith coupled with a good Conscience, they are to be put away to their master, as vessels of dishonour, and appointed to wrath. Moreover by this great house, he first p. 62means the Church of the Ephesians, for whose sake Paul wrote to Timothy, being a watch-man there, and what they were according to the judgement of the Apostle which wrote to them, you have heard.