The second motive, is from the great profit and benefit that will redound to our respective Congregations, from this practice, prudently and faithfully undertaken, and universally submitted unto. For,
1. Hereby the whole Congregation, in all the members of it, shall receive much advantage and edification, whilest those that are knowing, shall be encouraged, and those that are weaker in understanding, further strengthened in knowledg; and those that are ignorant, put into a way of gaining knowledge, and so be prepared to partake of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, more conscionably; and more comfortably discern the Lords body, which is done by knowledge; as well as by Faith, 1 Cor. 11.29.
2. Hereby the great offence of promiscuous, or mixt communion, will be prevented, which hath been heretofore, and is to this day, a great grief to the godly, both Ministers and people: and which hath been, and is daily objected against us, by them that separate from our Churches, as the ground why they are necessitated to depart from us; and are still discouraged from returning to us.
3. Hereby a good foundation will be laid, of carrying on that reall reformation which we have covenanted for, both in Congregations, families, and particular persons; growth in knowledge being a great means to further our growth in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 3.18.
4. Hereby those uncomfortable and disorderly fractions and divisions among the members of our severall Congregations, (some refusing to submit to all orders, while others christianly submit themselves,) wil in good measure be cured, and our Congregations to the glory of God, and the comfort of Minister, and Elders, be reduced to a sweet Harmonious unity and uniformity, not only in judgment, but in practice, both thinking and doing the same thing; which were a Gospel-blessing much to be desired, as a fruit of that Ancient Promise, Jer. 32.39.
Motive 3.
The third Motive is from the Mischiefs that will inevitably ensue upon the neglect of this practice. For hereby,
1. Ignorant persons shall go on in their ignorance undiscovered, unreformed.
2. The Lords Supper in many Congregations will be wholly disused, or miserably prophaned. 3. Particular Congregations will be filled with distractions and discontents, whilest a great part among them refuse to walk orderly. 4. The Ministers and Elders, who sincerely tender the spiritual welfare of their Congregations will be much discouraged and discomforted.
5. The Work of Reformation, and particularly the growth of people in knowledg and the grace of Jesus Christ, will extreamly be obstructed and hindered; and whosoever shall be any cause or occasion thereof, will but uncomfortably answer it unto Jesus Christ.