And therefore we further perswade you, to watch over one another, to bear the burdens one of another, and so fulfill the Law of Christ. To consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of your selves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. And we likewise desire you not to neglect private meetings together for holy conference and prayer; that hereby you may be better acquainted one with another, and be mutual helps one to another in spirituall things. We think that speech of Cain unbefitting the mouth of any Christian; Am I my brothers keeper? And though we believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Minister, but he that is elected and ordained thereunto, yet we believe also, that it is the duty of all private Christians, in a brotherly way, out of the common bond of charity, to build up one another in their most holy Faith. And therefore let those [149]that fear the Lord, speak often one to another, especially in these evil daies: and strive together for the Faith of the Gospel, standing fast in one spirit with one mind. For it seemeth to us to be very unchristian, that they especially, that have chosen one and the same Minister, and wait constantly upon his Ministry, and that break bread together, should live together like Heathens and Publicanes: at as great a strangeness one from another, as if they lived many miles asunder. And that Drunkards and Adulterers should meet together to dishonor God, and to encourage one another in wickednesse; and you should not assemble your selves together, to honour God, to strengthen and edifie one another, and to confirm one another in the truth. Only be careful in your meetings, to take heed of [150]doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evill surmises, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth. And [151]avoid all foolish and unlearned Questions, for they are vain and unprofitable, and gender nothing but strife; But help one another in that one thing necessary, how to grow up in Christ; how to make your calling and election sure; how to thrive under Ordinances; to be faithfull under Relations, to adorn the Gospel you profess; how to advance the power of godliness in your several spheres; and to be more spiritually serviceable unto God in your generations, and such like.
And we further exhort you, that if any Brother in the Congregation walk disorderly and scandalously, that you would carefully remember, It is your duty, first, to tell him privately; (and not to tell it to Others, to his and the Churches disgrace, as the manner of some is,) The text is plain, Go and tell him his fault betwixt him and thee alone; and if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church. And consider, we beseech you, that the most part of Sacramental reformation, begins with your performing of this dutie. For how can the Elders judicially take notice of any scandall, till it be brought unto them, in the way of Christ, by you that are Church-Members? There is great complaint amongst well-affected people, of Sacramental pollutions; and many thereupon, though groundlesly, separate from our Congregations. But if things were rightly considered, it would appear, that the people themselves are the chief causes of this pollution; for you are the first wheel of this part of reformation, and if you neglect your part, how can we discharge ours? And therefore we intreat you, even for Christs sake, as ever you desire to keep your selves pure from the sin of those that receive unworthily, and from being Authors of the prophanation of the Sacrament, faithfully to discharge this your dutie. And we shall (by the help of God) be exactly careful of ours, that so the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.
5. To labour to keep your selves free from the Errours, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these Times. For it is evident to every impartial Observer, that false teachers, evil men, and seducers are gone abroad amongst us; subverting of Souls and overthrowing the Faith of some; speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; subverting whole Housholds, teaching things they ought not for filthy lucres sake; creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with divers lusts; and by good words, and fair speeches, deceiving the hearts of the simple; yea, by slight and cunning craftiness, lying in wait to deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect; and not only privily; but now openly and avowedly bringing in damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The Divine Authority of the Scriptures is oppugned, the Deity of Christ opposed, and his Holy Spirit blasphemed, the Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity questioned, the Holy God made the Author of sin and sinfulnesse, Universall Redemption preached, and the ends of Christs death evacuated, Free-will by nature to do good maintained, the mortallity of the Soul affirmed; the Use of the Morall Law of God, the Observation of the Christian Sabbath, the very calling and Function of the Ministry, the very being of a Church amongst Us, and all the Ordinances of Christ, are slighted and rejected. These, and too many more such monstrous Opinions in the very spring-time of Reformation do so multiply amongst vs, that the tares are like to overgrow the Wheat, if God prevent not. And that which aggravates the evil of these things is, That London should be guilty of such Apostacy from the truth. London! which hast had able and faithful Ministers of the Word preaching to thee; that hast been so miraculously preserved from the Sword, Famine, and Pestilence these last Years, yet have Heresies been hatched and nourished up under thy wings; and from thee have they been spread all the Kingdom over. How many in this City have turned away their ears from the truth, faithfully preached by their Pastors; and being turned unto fables, have already followed the pernicious waies of Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil spoken on! How is Religion degenerated into vain janglings, and the power of Godlinesse eaten up by perverse disputings! And that which should fill Us with more grief and astonishment is, That this inundation of Errours and Heresies hath increased upon Us, after such prayers, preachings, disputes, and testimonies against them; after a Covenant solemnly sworn to God, with hands lifted up to heaven, for the extirpation of them; and after a solemn Fast commanded by Authority, and observed throughout the whole Kingdom, for our humiliation for them. And yet (with grief of heart we mention it) those Errours which in the Prelates time were but a few, are now many: Those that of late crept into corners, now out-face the Sun: Those which the Godly abhor'd from their hearts, are now vented as new and glorious truths: Nay, to such a degree of Apostacie are some arrived, being waxen worse and worse, that they are labouring for an odious tolleration of all those abominable opinions, as can shroud themselves under the name of Christian Religion.
Wherefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we warn you all to take heed of these Impostors and Seducers; and to keep close to those good and old principles of Christianitie, which you have suck't in at your first conversion, out of the Word, from your godly Ministers: And seeing ye know these things before, beware lest you also being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastnesse; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to him be glory, both now and for ever, Amen. Oh how happy were it, if it might be said of all You that submit to the Presbyterian Government; as once of the Godly in Sardis. [152]There are a few names even in London, that have not defiled their Garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Which that you may the better be inabled to do, We beseech You Brethren, in the words of the Apostle, [153]To mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, for they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly. Observe here, that you are not only required to avoid their Doctrines, but their persons. And so likewise the same Apostle, [154]If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholsome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is proud, knowing nothing, &c. From such withdraw thyself. It is your dutie, not onely to keep your selves from the Heresies of these times; but, that you may be preserved from the Heresies, you must keep your selves, and all under your charge, from such as spread them, and from their meeting-places. For he that without a just cause goeth into a Pesthouse, may thank himself, if he get the plague. And he that runs headily into temptation, hath no promise from God to be delivered out. The Apostle John refused to tarry in the same Bath with Cerinthus; and he commands us in his second Epistle, If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God-speed, is partaker of his evil deeds.
Take heed how you touch pitch, lest you be defiled; And remember, we have faithfully discharged our consciences to you, in this particular; And that you may be farther instructed against the Errors and Heresies of these times, We will propound a few Antidotes and Preservatives unto you, under these general Rules following.
1. Whatsoever Doctrine is contrary to Godlinesse, and opens a door to Libertinism and Prophaneness, you must reject it as Soul-poyson. Such are Doctrines against the Sabbath, Family-duties, and publique Ordinances: Such is the Doctrine of an Universall tolleration of all Religions. The Doctrine of the Gospel, is a Doctrine [155]according to Godliness; It is a Mysterie of Godliness; It teacheth to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
2. You must reject all such Doctrines, as hold forth a strictnesse above what is written. Papists teach many strict Doctrines, of self-whippings, and voluntary povertie, vows of continency, and many such like; but the Apostle gives you an Antidote against them, Col. 2.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. And so also our blessed Saviour, Matth. 15.1. to the 10. Devout people are much taken with Doctrines that carry a shew of strictness, and of much purity; but you must not be wise above what is written; You must be Candidates of a Canonicall, not an Apocryphal strictness; And therefore when you are taught, that whosoever will enter into Church-fellowship, must first take a Church-Covenant; and that whosoever will be admitted unto the Lords Supper, must not only be free from ignorance and scandal, but he must have other, and more strict qualifications; you must enquire what word they have for these assertions; and where God hath not a mouth to speak, you must not have an ear to hear, nor an heart to believe.
3. Whatsoever Doctrine tendeth to the lifting up of nature corrupted, to the exalting of unsanctified Reason, and giveth free will in supernaturall things to a man unconverted, is a Doctrine contrary to the Gospell. For this is one chief aym of Pauls Epistles, to shew, [156]That by nature we are dead in sins and trespasses, and that the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned, and that [157]the carnall mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. This Rule will preserve you against all Arminian Tenets. For this is the main difference between the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Arminians. The Gospel makes free grace put the distinction between the Elect and Reprobate; and the Arminians Free-will.
4. All Doctrines that set up our own Righteousness, whether of Morality, or Sanctification, in the room of Christs Righteousness; That place good works in the throne of Christ, are Doctrines of Antichrist, and not of Christ. For the Gospel teacheth us, [158]that all our best works are imperfect, and that we are justified, not by our own inherent Righteousness, but by the Righteousness of Christ only, made ours by Faith: this Rule will keep you from much of the poyson of Popery.
5. All Doctrines that do set up Christ and his Righteousness, as to decry all works of Sanctification, and to deny them to be fruits and evidences of our justification, are to be avoided and abhorred. For [159]the Scripture makes sanctification an evidence of Justification, and commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. This Rule will preserve you against most of the Errors of the Antinomians.