Rules of walking in fellowship, with reference to the pastor or
minister that watcheth for our souls.
Rule i. The word and all
ordinances dispensed in the administration to him committed, by virtue of
ministerial authority, are to be diligently attended and submitted unto,
with ready obedience in the Lord.
1 Cor. iv.
1, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ,
and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
2 Cor. v. 18, 20,
“God hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.” Chap. iv. 7, “We have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of
us.” See chap. vi. 1.
Gal. iv.
14, “Ye received me as an angel of God, even as Christ
Jesus.
2 Thess. iii.
14, “If any man obey not our word, note that man, and have no
company with him.”
Heb. xiii. 7, 17,
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the
word of God. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for
you.”
Explication i. There is a twofold
power for the dispensing of the word:— 1. Δύναμις, or ability; 2. Ἐξουσία, or authority. The first, with the attending
qualifications, mentioned and recounted 1 Tim. iii.
2–7, Tit. i.
6–9, and many other places, is required to be previously in
those, as bestowed on them, who are to be called to office of ministration:
and may be, in several degrees and measures, in such as are never set apart
thereunto, who thereby are warranted to declare the gospel, when called by
the providence of God thereunto, Rom. x. 14, 15; for the work of
preaching unto the conversion of souls being a moral duty, comprised under
that general precept of doing good unto all, the appointment of some to the
performance of that work, by the way of office, doth not enclose it.
The second, or authority, proper to them who orderly are
set apart thereunto, ariseth from, —
1. Christ’s institution of the office, Eph. iv. 11.
2. God’s providential designation of the persons, Matt. ix. 38.
3. The church’s call, election, appointment, acceptation,
submission, Gal. iv. 14; Acts
xiv. 23; 1
Thess. v. 12, 13; Acts vi.
3; 2 Cor. viii.
5: which do not give them dominion over the faith of believers,
2 Cor. i. 24, nor make them lords
over God’s heritage, 1 Pet. v.
3; but intrust them with a stewardly power in the house of God,
1 Cor. iv. 1, 2, — that is, the
peculiar flock over which, in particular, they are made overseers,
Acts xx. 28. Of whom the word is to
be received, —
(1.) As the truth of God; as also from all others speaking
according to gospel order in his name.
(2.) As the truth held out with ministerial authority to
them in particular, according to the institution of Christ.
Want of a due consideration of these, things lies at the
bottom of all that negligence, carelessness, sloth, and wantonness in
hearing, which have possessed many professors in these days. There is
nothing but a respect to the truth and authority of God in the
administration of the word that will establish the minds of men in a sober
and profitable attending unto it. Neither are men weary of hearing until
they are weary of practising.
Motives to the observance of this rule are:—
1. The name wherein they speak and administer, 2 Cor. v. 20.
2. The work which they do, 1 Cor. iii.
9; 2 Cor. vi. 1; 1
Tim. iv. 16.
3. The return that they make, Heb. xiii.
17.
4. The regard that the Lord hath of them in his employment,
Matt. x. 40, 41; Luke x. 16.
5. The account that hearers must make of the word dispensed
by them, 2
Chron. xxxvi. 15, 16; Prov. i. 22–29, xiii.
13; Luke x.
16; Mark iv.
24; Heb. ii. 1–3, iv.
2.
Rule ii. His conversation is to be
observed and diligently followed, so far as he walks in the steps of Jesus
Christ.
1 Cor. iv.
16, “I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” Chap. xi. 1, “Be ye followers of me,
even as I also am of Christ.”
Heb. xiii.
7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken
unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation.”
2 Thess. iii.
7, “Yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved
not ourselves disorderly among you.”
Phil. iii.
17, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
1 Tim. iv.
12, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Pet. v.
3, “Be ensamples to the flock.”
Explication ii. That an exemplary
conversation was ever required in the dispensers of holy things, both under
the Old Testament and New, is apparent, The glorious vestments of the old
ministering priests, the soundness and integrity of their person, without
maim, imperfection, or blemish, Urim and Thummim, with many other
ornaments, though primitively typical of Jesus Christ, yet did not
obscurely set out the purity and holiness required in the administrators
themselves, Zech. iii. 4. In the New, the shining
of their light in all good works, Matt. v.
16, is eminently exacted; and this not only that no offence be
taken at the ways of God, and his worship by them administered (as hath
fallen out in the Old Testament, 1 Sam. ii.
17; and in the New, Phil.
iii. 18, 19), but also that those who are without may be
convinced, 1 Tim. iii. 7, and the churches
directed in the practice of all the will and mind of God by them revealed,
as in the places cited. A pastor’s life should be vocal; sermons must be
practised as well as preached. Though Noah’s workmen built the ark, yet
themselves were drowned. God will not accept of the tongue where the devil
hath the soul Jesus did “do and teach,” Acts i.
1. If a man teach uprightly and walk crookedly, more will fall
down in the night of his life than he built in the day of his doctrine.
Now, as to the completing of the exemplary life of a
minister, it is required that the principle of it be that of the life of
Christ in him, Gal. ii. 20, that when he hath taught
others he be not himself “a cast-away,” 1 Cor. ix.
27; with which he hath a spiritual understanding, and light
given him into the counsel of God, which he is to communicate, John v. 20; 1 Cor. ii. 12, 16;
2 Cor. iv. 6, 7; — and that the course
of it be singular, Matt. v.
46, Luke vi.
32; whereunto so many eminent qualifications of the person and
duties of conversation are required, 1 Tim. ii.
2–7, etc., Tit. i.
6–9; — and his aim to be exemplar to the glory of God, 1 Tim. iv. 12. So is their general
course and the end of their faith to be eyed, Heb. xiii.
7. And their infirmities, whilst really such, and appearing
through the manifold temptations whereunto they are in these days exposed,
or imposed on them through the zeal of their adversaries that contend
against them, [are] to be covered with love, Gal. iv. 13, 14. And this men will
do when they conscientiously consider that even the lives of their teachers are an ordinance of God, for their relief under
temptations, and provocation unto holiness, zeal, meekness, and
self-denial.
Rule iii. Prayer and supplications
are continually to be made on his behalf for assistance and success in the
work committed to him.
Eph. vi.
18–20, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
ambassador.”
2
Thess. iii. 1, 2, “Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the
Lord may have free course and be glorified; and that we may be delivered
from unreasonable and wicked men;” 1 Thess. v.
25.
Col. iv. 3, “Pray also for us, that God
would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ;”
Heb. xiii. 18.
Acts xii.
5, “Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for
him;” Heb. xiii. 7.
Explication iii. The greatness of
the work (for which who is sufficient? 2 Cor. ii.
16); — the strength of the opposition which lies against it,
1 Cor. xvi. 9; Rev. xii. 12; 2 Tim. iv. 3–5; — the concernment of
men’s souls therein, Acts xx. 26–28; Heb. xiii. 7; 1
Tim. iv. 16; — the conviction which is to be brought upon the
world thereby, Ezek. ii. 5; 1 Cor. i. 23, 24; 2 Cor. iii. 15, 16; — its aim and
tendency to the glory of God in Christ, — call aloud for the most effectual
daily concurrence of the saints in their supplications for their
supportment. That these are to be for assistance, encouragement,
abilities, success, deliverance, and protection, is proved in the rule As
their temptations are multiplied, so ought prayers in their behalf. They
have many curses of men against them, Jer. xv.
10; — it is hoped that God hears some prayers for them. When
many are not ashamed to revile them in public, some ought to be ashamed not
to remember them in private. Motives:—
1. The word will doubtless be effectual, when ability for
its administration is a return of prayers, Acts x.
1–6.
2. The minister’s failing is the people’s punishment,
Amos
viii. 11, 12; Isa. xxx.
20.
3. His prayers are continually for the church, Isa. lxii. 6, 7; Rom. i. 9, etc.
4. That for which he stands in so much need of prayers is
the saints’ good, and not peculiarly his own. Help him who carries the
burden, Eph. vi.
18–20; Phil. ii.
17; Col. i. 24.
Rule iv. Reverential estimation of
him, with submission unto him for his work’s sake.
1 Cor. iv.
1, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ,
and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
1
Thess. v. 12, 13, “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which
labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to
esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.”
1 Tim. v.
17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1 Pet. v.
5, “Submit yourselves unto the elders.”
Heb. xiii.
17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves.”
Explication iv. The respect and
estimation here required is civil, the motive sacred; whence the honour of
the minister is the grace of the church, and the regard to him a gospel
duty acceptable to God in Christ, 1 Tim. v.
17. Honour and reverence is due only to eminency in some kind
or other. This is given to pastors by their employment; proved by their
titles. They are called “angels,” Rev. i.
20; Heb. xii.
22; — “bishops,” or overseers, Ezek. iii.
17; Acts xx.
28; Tit. i. 7; — “ambassadors,” 2 Cor. v. 20; — “stewards,” 1 Cor. iv. 1; — “men of God,”
1 Sam. ii. 27; 1
Tim. vi. 11; — “rulers,” Heb. iii. 7, 17; —
“lights,” Matt. v. 14; — “salt,” Matt. v. 13; — “fathers,” 1 Cor. iv. 15. And by many more
such-like terms are they described. If under these notions they honour God
as they ought, God will also honour them as he hath promised; and his
people are in conscience to esteem them highly for their work’s sake. But
if any of them be fallen angels, thrown-down stars, negligent bishops,
treacherous ambassadors, lordly revelling stewards, tyrannical or foolish
rulers, blind guides, unsavoury salt, insatiate dogs, the Lord and his
people shall abhor them and cut them off in a month, Zech. xi. 8.
Rule v. Maintenance for them and
their families, by the administration of earthly things suitable to the
state and condition of the churches, is required from their flocks.
1 Tim.
v. 17, 18, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For
the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
Gal. vi. 6,
7, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that
teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
1 Cor. ix.
7, 9–11, 13, 14, “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? It is written in
the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth
out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? or saith he it altogether for
our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he
that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should
be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it
a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? Do ye not know that
they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and
they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath
the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel.” Matt.
x. 9, 10, “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor
yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”
Add to these and the like places the analogy of the
primitive allowance in the church of the Jews.
Explication v. It is a promise to
the church under the gospel, that “kings should be her nursing fathers, and
queens her nursing mothers,” Isa. xlix.
23. To such it belongs principally to provide food and
protection for those committed to them. The fruit of this promise the
churches in many ages have enjoyed; laws by supreme and kingly power have
been enacted, giving portions and granting privileges to churches and their
pastors. It is so in many places in the days wherein we live. On this
ground, where equitable and righteous laws have allowed a supportment in
earthly things to the pastors of churches, arising from such as may receive
spiritual benefit by their labour in the gospel, it is thankfully to be
accepted and embraced, as an issue of God’s providence for the good of his.
Besides, our Saviour warranteth his disciples to take and eat of their
things, by their consent, to whomsoever the word is preached, Luke x. 8. But it is not always
thus; these things may sometimes fail: wherefore, the continual care, and
frequently the burden, or rather labour of love, in providing for the
pastors, lies, as in the rule, upon the churches themselves; which they are
to do in such a manner as is suitable to the condition wherein they are,
and the increase given them of God. This the whole in general, and each
member in particular, is obliged unto; for which they have as motives,
—
1. God’s appointment as in the texts cited.
2. The necessity of it. How shall he go on
warfare if he be troubled about the necessities of this life? They are to
give themselves wholly to the work of the ministry, 1
Tim. iv. 15.
Other works had need to be done for them.
3. The equity of the duty. Our Saviour and the
apostles plead it out from grounds of equity and justice, and all kinds of
laws and rules of righteousness, among all sorts of men, Matt. x. 9, 10, 1 Cor. ix. 10; allowing
proportionable rectitude in the way of recompense to it with the wages of
the labourer, which to detain is a crying sin, James v. 4, 5, — the wretched
endeavours of men of corrupt minds to rob and spoil them of all that, by
the providence of God, on any other account, they are righteously possessed
of.
Rule vi. Adhering to him and
abiding by him in all trials and persecutions for the word.
2 Tim. iv.
16, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men
forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”
1 Tim.
i. 16–18, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus;
for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was
in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant
unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many
things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
Explication vi. A common cause
should be carried on by common assistance. That which concerneth all
should be supported by all. When persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,
generally it begins with the leaders, 1 Pet.
iv. 17, 18. The common way to scatter the sheep is by smiting
the shepherds, Zech.
xiii. 7, 8. It is for the church’s sake he is reviled and
persecuted, 2 Tim. ii. 10, Col. i. 24; and, therefore, it is the
church’s duty to share with him and help to bear his burden. All the fault
in scattering congregations hath not been in ministers; the people stood
not by them in their trial. The Lord lay it not to their charge! The
captain is betrayed, and forced to mean conditions with his enemy, who
going on, with the assurance of being followed by his soldiers, looking
back in the entrance of danger, he finds them all run away. In England,
usually, no sooner had persecution laid hold of a minister, but the people
willingly received another, perhaps a wolf, instead of a shepherd. Should
a wife forsake her husband because he is come into trouble for her sake?
When a known duty in such a relation is incumbent upon a man, is the crime
of a backslider in spiritual things less? Whilst a pastor lives, if he
suffer for the truth, the church cannot desert him, nor cease the
performance of all required duties, without horrid contempt of the
ordinances of Jesus Christ. This is a burden that is commonly laid on the
shoulders of ministers, that for no cause whatsoever they must remove from
their charge, when those that lay it on will oftentimes freely leave them
and their ministry without any cause at all.
Rule vii. Gathering together in
the assembly upon his appointment, with theirs joined with him.
Acts xiv.
27, “When they were come, and had gathered the church
together.”
These are some of the heads wherein the
church’s duty consisteth towards him or them that are set over it in the
Lord, by all means giving them encouragement to the work; saying also unto
them, “Take heed to the ministry ye have received in the Lord, that ye
fulfil it,” Col. iv. 17. For what concerneth
other officers may easily be deduced hence by analogy and proportion.
Rules to be observed by those who walk in fellowship, and
considered, to stir up their rememberance in things of mutual duty one
towards another, which consisteth in, –
Rule i. Affectionate, sincere love
in all things, without dissimulation towards one another, like that which
Christ bare to his church.
John xv.
12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one other, as I have
loved you.”
John xiii. 34, 35, “A new
commandment I give unto you, ye love one another; as I have loved you, that
ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Rom. xiii.
8, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that
loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
Eph. v. 2, “Walk in love, as Christ
also hath loved us.”
1 Thess. iii.
12, “The Lord make you to increase and and love one toward
another.”
1 Thess. iv.
9,” Yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”
1 Pet. i.
22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the troth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love
one another with a pure heart fervently.”
1 John iv.
21, “This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God
love his brother also.” Rom. xii.
10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love.”
Explication i. Love is the
fountain of all duties towards God and man, Matt. xxii.
37, the substance of all rules that concerneth the saints, the
bond of communion, “the fulfilling of the law,” Rom. xiii. 8–10, the advancement of
the honour of the Lord Jesus, and the glory of the gospel. The primitive
Christians had a proverbial speech, received, as they said, from Christ,
“Never rejoice but when thou seest thy brother in love;” and it was common
among the heathens concerning them, “See how they love one another!” from
their readiness for the accomplishment of that royal precept of laying down
their lives for their brethren. It is the fountain, role, scope, aim, and
fruit of gospel communion. And of no one thing of present performance is the doctrine of the Lord Jesus more eximious and
eminent above all other directions than in this of mutual, intense,
affectionate love amongst his followers; for which he gives them
innumerable precepts, exhortations, and motives, but, above all, his own
heavenly example. To treat of love, in its causes, nature, subject,
fruits, effects, tendency, eminency, and exaltation, or but to repeat the
places of Scripture wherein these things are mentioned, would not suit with
our present intention; only, it may be plainly affirmed, that if there were
no cause besides of reformation and walking in fellowship but this one, —
that thereby the power and practice of this grace, shamefully, to the
dishonour of Christ and his gospel, lost amongst those who call themselves
Christians, might be recovered, — it were abundantly enough to give
encouragement for the undertaking of it, notwithstanding any oppositions.
Now, this love is a spiritual grace, wrought by the Holy Ghost, Gal. v. 22, in the hearts of
believers, 1 Pet. i. 22, whereby their souls are
carried out, 1 Thess. ii.
8, to seek the good of the children of God as such, Philem. 5, Eph. i.
15, Heb. xiii.
1, uniting the heart unto the object so beloved, attended with
joy, delight, and complacency in their good. The motives unto love, and
the grounds of its enforcement from, —
1. The command of God, and nature of the whole
law, whereof love is the accomplishment, Lev. xix.
34; Matt. xix.
19; Rom.
xiii. 9, 10:
2. The eternal, peculiar, distinguishing, faithful love
of God towards believers, and the end aimed at therein by him,
Ezek. xvi. 8; Deut. vii.
8, xxxiii. 3; Zeph. iii.
17; Rom. v. 8; Eph. i.
4:
3. The intense, inexpressible love of Jesus
Christ, in his whole humiliation and laying down his life for us,
expressly proposed as example unto us, Cant iii.
10; John xv.
13; Eph. v. 2:
4. The eminent renewal of the old command of love,
with such new enforcements that it is called “A new commandment,” and is
peculiarly the law of Christ, John xiii. 34, xv.
12; 1 Thess. iv.
9; 2 John 5:
5. The state and condition of the persons between whom this
duty is naturally to be exercised, as, — (1.) Children of one Father,
Mal. ii. 10; (2.) Members of one body,
1
Cor. xii. 12, 13; (3.) Partakers of the same hope, Eph. iv. 4; (4.) Objects of the the
same hate of the world, 1 John iii.
13:
6. The eminency of this grace, — (1.) In itself, and divine
nature, Col. ii. 2; 1 John iv.
7; 1 Cor. xiii.; (2.) In its usefulness,
Prov.
x. 12, xv. 17; Gal. v.
13; Heb. xiii.
1; (3.) In its acceptance with the saints, Eph. i. 15, 16; Ps. v. 11; 1 Cor.
xiii.:
7. The impossibility of performing any other duty without
it, Gal. v. 6; 1 Thess.
i. 3; 1 John iv.
20:
8. The great sin of want of love, with all its
aggravations, Matt. xxiv.
12; 1
John iii. 14, 15, and the like; — are so many, and of such
various consideration, as not now to be insisted on.
Love, which is the bond of communion, maketh out itself and
is peculiarly exercised in these things following:—
Rule ii. Continual prayer for the
prosperous state of the church, in God’s protection towards it.
Ps. cxxii.
6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that
love thee.”
Phil. iv.
5, “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request
with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
now.”
Rom. i. 9, “Without ceasing I make
mention of you always in my prayers.”
Acts xii.
5, “Peter was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
Isa. lxii.
6, 7, “Ye that make mention of the Lord,
keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make
Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”
Eph. vi.
18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for
all saints.”
Col. iv.
12, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
Explication ii. Prayer, as it is
the great engine whereby to prevail with the Almighty, Isa. xlv. 11, so it is the sure
refuge of the saints at all times, both in their own behalf, Ps. lxi. 2, and also of others,
Acts xii. 5. It is a benefit which
the poorest believer may bestow, and the greatest potentate hath no power
to refuse. This is the beaten way of the soul’s communion with God, for
which the saints have many gracious promises of assistance, Zech. xii. 10, Rom. viii. 26; innumerable precepts
for performance, Matt. vii.
7, 1 Thess. v.
17, 1 Tim. ii.
8; with encouragements thereunto, James i. 5,
Luke xi. 9; with precious promises of
acceptance, Matt. xxi.
22, John xvi.
24, Ps. l. 15; — by all which, and divers
other ways, the Lord hath abundantly testified his delight in this
sacrifice of his people. Now, as the saints are bound to pray for all men,
of what sort soever, 1 Tim. ii.
1, 2, unless they are such as sin unto death,1 John v. 16, yea, for their
persecutors, Matt. v. 44, and them that hold them
in bondage, Jer. xxix. 7, so most especially for
all saints, Phil. i. 4, and peculiarly for those
with whom they are in fellowship, Col. iv.
12. The Lord having promised that “upon every dwelling-place of
mount Zion, and upon her assemblies” there shall be “a cloud
and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night,” Isa. iv. 5, it is every one’s duty to
pray for its accomplishment. He is not worthy of the privileges of the
church who continues not in prayer for a defence upon that glory. Prayer,
then, for the good, prosperity, flourishing, peace, increase, edification,
and protection of the church is a duty every day required of all the
members thereof.
1. Estimation of the ordinances; 2. Concernment for God’s
glory; 3. The honour of Jesus Christ; 4. Our own benefit and spiritual
interest; with, 5. The expressness of the command, are sufficient motives
hereunto.
Rule iii. Earnest striving and
contending, in all lawful ways, by doing and suffering, for the purity of
the ordinances, honour, liberty, and privileges of the congregation, being
jointly assistant against opposers and common adversaries.
Jude 3, “And exhort you that ye should
earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.”
Heb. xii.
3, 4, “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not
yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
1 John iii.
16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down
his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
Gal. v. 1, 13, “Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be
not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been
called unto liberty.”
1 Cor. vii.
23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of
men.”
Cant. vi.
4, “Thou art beautiful, O my love; … terrible as an army with
banners.”
1 Pet. iii.
15,” Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Explication iii. The former rule
concerned our dealing with God in the behalf of the church; this, our
dealing with men. To the right performance hereof many things are
required; as, —
1. Diligent labouring in the word, with fervent prayer, to
acquaint ourselves with the mind and will of God concerning the way of
worship which we profess, and the rules of walking which we desire to
practice, that so we may be able to give an account to humble inquirers,
and stop the mouths of stubborn opposers. According to our knowledge, such
will be our valuation of the ordinances we enjoy. A man will not contend
unless he know his title.
2. An estimation of all the aspersions cast on and injuries
done to the church to be Christ’s, and also our own, — Christ
wounded through the sides of his servants, and his ways. And if we are of
his, though the blow light not immediately on us, we are not without pain;
all such reproaches and rebukes fall on us.
3. Just vindication of the church against calumnies and
false imputations. Who can endure to hear his parents in the flesh falsely
traduced? and shall we be senseless of her reproaches who bears us unto
Christ?
4. Joint refusal of subjection, with all gospel opposition,
to any persons or things which, contrary to or beside the word, under what
name soever, do labour for power over the church, to the abridging of it of
any of those liberties and privileges which it claimeth as part of the
purchase of Christ.
To them that would inthral us we are not to give place, no
not for an hour.
Rule iv. Sedulous care and
endeavouring for the preservation of unity, both in particular and in
general.
Phil. ii.
1–3, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and
mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or
vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.”
Eph. iv. 3,
4, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace. There is one body, and one Spirit,” etc.
1 Cor. i.
10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment.”
2 Cor. xiii.
11, “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Rom. xiv.
19, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Rom. xv. 5, “Now the God of patience
and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another,” etc.
1 Cor. vi.
5–7, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not
one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? but brother goeth to
law with brother. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you.”
Acts iv.
32, “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and
of one soul.”
Explication iv. Union is the main
aim and most proper fruit of love; neither is there any thing or duty of
the saints in the gospel pressed with more earnestness and vehemency of
exhortation than this. Now, unity is threefold: First, Purely
spiritual, by the participation of the same Spirit of grace;
communication in the same Christ, — one head to all. This we have with all
the saints in the world, in what condition soever they be; yea, with those
that are departed, sitting down in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. Secondly, Ecclesiastical, or church communion in the
participation of ordinances, according to the order of the gospel. This is
a fruit and branch of the former; opposed to schism, divisions, rents,
evil-surmisings, self-practices, causeless differences in judgment in
spiritual things concerning the kingdom of Christ, with whatsoever else
goeth off from closeness of affection, oneness of mind, consent in judgment
to the form of wholesome words, conformity of practice to the rule. And
this is that which in the churches, and among them, is so earnestly
pressed, commanded, desired, as the glory of Christ, the honour of the
gospel, the joy and crown of the saints. Thirdly, Civil unity, or
an agreement in things of this life, not contending with [for?] them nor
about them, every one seeking the welfare of each other. Striving is
unseemly for brethren. Why should they contend about the world who shall
jointly judge the world?
Motives to the preservation of both these are, —
1. The remarkable earnestness of Christ and his apostles in
their prayers for, and precepts of, this duty.
2. The certain dishonour of the Lord Jesus, scandal to the
gospel, ruin to the churches, shame and sorrow to the saints, that the
neglect of it is accompanied withal, Gal. v.
15.
3. The gracious issues and sweet heavenly consolation which
attendeth a right observance of them.
4. The many fearful aggravations wherewith the sin of
rending the body of Christ is attended.
5. The sad contempt and profanation of ordinances which
want of this hath brought upon many churches.
For a right performance of this duty, we must, —
1. Labour, by prayer and faith, to have our hearts and
spirits throughly seasoned with that affectionate love which our first rule
requireth.
2. Carefully observe, in ourselves or others, the first
beginnings of strife; which are as the letting out of water, and, if not
prevented, will make a breach like the sea.
3. Sedulously apply ourselves to the removal of the first
appearance of divisions; and in case of not prevailing, to consult the
church.
4. Daily to strike at the root of all dissension, by
labouring for universal conformity to Jesus Christ.
Rule v. Separation and
sequestration from the world and men of the world, with all
ways of false worship, until we be apparently a people dwelling alone, not
reckoned among the nations.
Num. xxiii.
9, “Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned
among the nations.”
John xv.
19, “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world, therefore the world hateth you.”
2 Cor.
vi. 14–18, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will
be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.”
Eph. v. 8, 11, “Walk
as children of light. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness.”
2 Tim. iii.
5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof;
from such turn away.”
Hos. iv.
15, “Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah
offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven.”
Rev. xviii.
4, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her
sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
Prov. xiv.
7, “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest
not in him the lips of knowledge.”
Explication v. Separation
generally hears ill in the world, and yet there is a separation suitable to
the mind of God. He that will not separate from the world and false
worship is a separate from Christ.
Now, the separation here commanded from any persons is not
in respect of natural affections, nor spiritual care for the good of their
souls, Rom. ix. 3; nor yet in respect of
duties of relation, 1 Cor. vii.
13; nor yet in offices of love and civil converse, 1 Cor. v. 10; 1 Thess. iv. 12; much less in not
seeking their good and prosperity, 1 Tim. ii.
1, 2, or not communicating good things unto them, Gal. vi. 10, or not living profitably
and peaceably with them, Rom. xii.
18: but in, — 1. Manner of walking and conversation, Rom. xii. 2; Eph. iv. 17–19; 2. Delightful
converse and familiarity where enmity and opposition appear, Eph. v. 3, 4,
6–8, 10, 11; 3. In ways of worship and ordinances of fellowship,
Rev. xviii. 4, not running out into
the same compass of excess and riot with them in any thing: for these
three, and the like commands and discoveries of the will of God, are most
express, as in the places annexed to the rule; necessity
abundantly urgent, spiritual profit, and edification, no less requiring it.
Causeless separation from established churches, walking according to the
order of the gospel (though perhaps failing in the practice of some things
of small concernment), is no small sin; but separation from the sinful
practices, and disorderly walkings, and false unwarranted ways of worship
in any, is to fulfil the precept of net partaking in other men’s sins. To
delight in the company, fellowship, society, and converse of unsavoury,
disorderly persons, proclaims a spirit not endeared to Christ.
Let motives hereunto be, —
1. God’s command.
2. Our own preservation from sin and protection from
punishment, that with others we be not infected and plagued.
3. Christ’s delight in the purity of his ordinances.
4. His distinguishing love to his saints; provided that, in
the practice of this rule, abundance of meekness, patience, gentleness,
wisdom, and tenderness be exercised. Let no offence be given justly to
any.
Rule vi. Frequent spiritual
communication for edification, according to gifts received.
Mal. iii.
16, “Then they that feared the Lord
spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened,
and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them
that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his
name.”
Job ii. 11, “Now when Job’s three
friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one
from his own place; for they had made an appointment together to come to
mourn with him and to comfort him.”
Eph. iv.
29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers.”
Col. iv. 6, “Let your speech be alway
with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man.”
Eph. v. 4, “Neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving
of thanks.”
1 Thess. v.
11, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one
another, even as also ye do.”
Heb. iii.
13, “Exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Jude 20, “Building up yourselves on
your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
Heb.
x. 24, 25, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Acts xviii.
26, “Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him
unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
1 Cor. xii.
7, “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal.”
Explication vi. That men not
solemnly called and set apart to the office of public teaching may yet be
endued with useful gifts for edification was before declared. The not
using of such gifts, in an orderly way, according to the rule and custom of
the churches, is to napkin up the talent given to trade and profit withal.
That every man ought to labour that he may walk and dwell in knowledge in
his family, none doubts. That we should also labour to do so in the church
or family of God is no less apparent.
This the Scriptures annexed to the rule declare; which in
an especial manner hold out prayer, exhortation, instruction from the word,
and consolation. Now, the performance of this duty of mutual edification
is incumbent on the saints, —
1. Ordinarily, Eph. iv. 29, v. 3, 4;
Heb. iii. 13. Believers, in their
ordinary daily converse, ought to be continually making mention of the
Lord, with savoury discourses tending to edification, and not waste their
opportunities with foolish, light, frothy speeches that are not
convenient.
2. Occasionally, Luke xxiv.
14; Mal. iii.
16. If any thing of weight and concernment to the church be
brought forth by Providence, a spiritual improvement of it, by a due
consideration amongst believers, is required.
3. By assembling of more together, by appointment,
for prayer and instruction from the word, Acts x. 24, xii.
12; Job ii. 11; Eph. v.
19; James v. 16; Jude
20; 1 Thess. v.
14; this being a special ordinance and appointment of God, for
the increasing of knowledge, love, charity, experience, and the improving
of gifts received, every one contributing to the building of the
tabernacle. Let then, all vain communication be far away. The time is
short, and the days are evil. Let it suffice us that we have neglected so
many precious opportunities of growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and doing good to one another; let the remainder of our few and
evil days be spent in living to him who died for us. Be not conformed to
this world, nor the men thereof.
Rule vii. Mutually to bear with
each other’s infirmities, weakness, tenderness, failings, in meekness,
patience, pity, and with assistance.
Eph. iv.
32, “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Matt. xviii. 21, 22, “Then came
Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and
I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto
thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Mark xi. 25, 26, “When ye stand
praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which
is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive,
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Rom. xiv.
13, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge
this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in
his brother’s way.” See verses 3,
4.
Rom. xv.
1, 2, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of
the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his
neighbour for his good to edification.”
1 Cor.
xiii. 4–7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity is not rash, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Gal. vi. 1, “Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Col. iii.
12–14, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above
all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.”
Explication vii. “It is the glory
of God to conceal a thing,” Prov. xxv.
2. Free pardon is the substance of the gospel, the work of God
in perfection, Isa. lv.; proposed to us for
imitation, Matt. xviii. 23–35. Whilst we are
clothed with flesh we do all things imperfectly. Freedom from failings is
a fruit of glory. We see here darkly, as in a glass, — know but in part.
In many things we offend all; who knoweth how often? Mutual failings to be
borne with, offences to be pardoned, weakness to be supported, may mind us
in these pence of the talents forgiven us. Let him that is without fault
throw stones at others. Some men rejoice in others’ failings; they are
malicious, and fail more in that sinful joy than their brethren in that
which they rejoice at. Some are angry at weaknesses and infirmities; they
are proud and conceited, not considering that they themselves also are in the flesh. Some delight to dwell always upon a frailty;
they deserve to find no charity in the like kind. For injuries, who almost
can bear until seven times? Peter thought it much. Some more study
revenge than pardon Some pretend to forgive, but yet every slight offence
makes a continued alienation of the affections and separation of converse.
Some will carry a smooth face over a rough heart. Christ is in none of
these ways. They have no savour of the gospel. Meekness, patience,
forbearance, and forgiveness, hiding, covering, removing of offences, are
the footsteps of Christ. Seest thou thy brother fail? pity him. Doth he
continue in it? earnestly pray for him, admonish him. Cannot another sin
but you must sin too? If you be angry, vexed, rejoiced, alienated from,
you are partner with him in evil, instead of helping him. Suppose thy God
should be angry every time thou givest cause, and strike every time thou
provokest him. When thy brother offendeth thee, do but stay thy heart
until thou takest a faithful view of the patience and forbearance of God
towards thee, and then consider his command to thee to go and do likewise.
Let, then, all tenderness of affection and bowels of compassion towards one
another be put on amongst us, as becometh saints. Let pity, not envy;
mercy, not malice; patience, not passion; Christ, not flesh; grace, not
nature; pardon, not spite or revenge, — be our guides and companions in our
conversations.
Motives hereunto are, —
1. God’s infinite mercy, patience, forbearance,
long-suffering, and free grace towards us, sparing, pardoning, pitying,
bearing with us, in innumerable daily, hourly failings and provocations;
especially all this being proposed for our imitation in our measure,
Matt. xviii. 23–35.
2. The goodness, unwearied and unchangeable love of the
Lord Jesus Christ putting in every day for us, not ceasing to plead in our
behalf, notwithstanding our continual backsliding, 1 John ii. 1, 2.
3. The experience which our own hearts have of the need
wherein we stand of others’ patience, forbearance, and pardon, Eccles. vii. 20–22.
4. The strictness of the command, with the threatenings
attending its non-performance.
5. The great glory of the gospel, which is in the walking
of the brethren with a right foot as to this rule.
Rule viii. Tender and affectionate
participation with one another in their several states and conditions, —
bearing each other’s burdens.
Gal. vi. 2, “Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Heb. xiii.
3, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and
them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
1
Cor. xii. 25, 26, “That there should be no schism in the body;
but that the members should have the same care one for another. And
whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be
honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
2 Cor. xi.
29, “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn
not?”
James i.
27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,” etc.
Matt. xxv. 35, 36,
40, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye
clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came
unto me. Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
2 Tim.
i. 16, 17, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus;
for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: but, when he was
in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.”
Acts xx.
35, “I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak,” etc.
Explication viii. The former rule
concerned the carriage and frame of spirit towards our brethren in their
failings; this is in their miseries and afflictions. In this, also,
conformity to Christ is required, who in all the afflictions of his people
is afflicted, Isa. lxiii.
9, and persecuted in their distresses, Acts ix.
4. Could we bring up our spiritual union to hold any proportion
with the mutual union of many members in one body, to which it is
frequently compared, this duty would be excellently performed. No man ever
yet hated his own flesh. If one member be in pain, the rest have little
comfort or ease. It is a rotten member which is not affected with the
anguish of its companions. They are marked particularly for destruction
who, in the midst of plentiful enjoyments, forget the miseries of their
brethren, Amos vi. 6. If we will not feel the
weight of our brethren’s afflictions, burdens, and sorrow, it is a
righteous thing that our own should be double. The desolations of the
church make Nehemiah grow pale in the court of a great king, Neh. ii. 1–3. They who are not
concerned in the troubles, sorrows, visitations, wants, poverties,
persecutions of the saints, not so far as to pity their woundings, to feel
their strokes, to refresh their spirits, help bear their burdens upon their
own shoulders, can never assure themselves that they are united to the Head
of those saints. Now, to a right performance of this duty, and in the
discharge of it, are required, —
1. A due valuation, strong desire, and high esteem of the
church’s prosperity, in every member of it, Ps. cxxii.
6.
2. Bowels of compassion as a fruit of love; to
be sensible of, and intimately moved for, the several burdens of the
saints, Col. iii. 12.
3. Courage and boldness to own them without shame in all
conditions, 2 Tim.
i. 16, 17.
4. Personal visitations in sicknesses, troubles, and
restraints, to advise, comfort, and refresh them, Matt.
xxv. 36.
5. Suitable supportment, by administration of spiritual or
temporal assistances, to the condition wherein they are. The motives are
the same as to the former rule.
Rule ix. Free contribution and
communication of temporal things to them that are poor indeed, suitable to
their necessities, wants, and afflictions.
1
John iii. 17, 18, “Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how
dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in
word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
1 Cor.
xvi. 1, 2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I
have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first
day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him.”
2 Cor. ix.
5–7, “Let your gift be ready as a matter of bounty, and not as
of covetousness. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and
he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” So the whole eighth and ninth
chapters of this epistle.
Rom. xii.
13, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to
hospitality.”
Gal. vi.
10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
1 Tim.
vi. 17–19, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be
rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up
in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.”
Heb. xiii.
16, “To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Lev. xxv.
35, “If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with
thee, then thou shalt relieve him.”
Matt. xxv. 34–36,
40, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an
hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a
stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye
visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me.”
Explication ix. The having of poor
always amongst us and of us, according to our Saviour’s prediction,
Matt. xxvi. 11, and the promise of
God, Deut. xv. 11, serves for the trial
of themselves and others: of their own content with Christ alone, with
submission to the all-disposing sovereignty of God; of others, how freely
they can part, for Christ’s sake, with those things wherewith their hand is
filled. When God gave manna for food unto his people, every one had an
equal share: Exod. xvi.
18, “He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that
gathered little had no lack;” 2 Cor. viii.
15. This distribution in equality was again, for the necessity
of the church, reduced into practice in the days of the apostles, Acts iv. 35. Of the total sum of the
possessions of believers, distribution was made to every man according to
his need.
That every man, by the ordinance and appointment of God,
hath a peculiar right to the use and disposal of the earthly things
wherewith he is in particular intrusted, is unquestionable. The very
precepts for free distribution and communication are enough to prove it.
But that these things are altogether given to men for themselves and their
own use is denied; friends are to be made of mammon. Christ needs in some
what he bestows on others. If he hath given thee thine own and thy
brother’s portion also to keep, wilt thou be false to thy trust, and
defraud thy brother? Christ being rich, became poor for our sakes; if he
make us rich, it is that we may feed the poor for his sake. Neither doth
this duty lie only (though chiefly) on those who are greatly increased;
those who have nothing but their labour should spare out of that for those
who cannot work, Eph. iv.
28. The two mites are required as well as accepted. Now, the
relief of the poor brethren in the church hath a twofold rule:—
First, Their necessity; Secondly, Others’ abilities.
Unto these two must assistance be proportioned, provided
that those which are poor walk suitably to their condition, 2 Thess. iii. 10, 11. And as we
ought to relieve men in their poverty, so we ought by all lawful means to
prevent their being poor. To keep a man from falling is an equal mercy to
the helping of him up when he is down.
Motives to this duty are:—
1. The love of God unto us, 1 John iii.
16.
2. The glory of the gospel, exceedingly exalted thereby,
Tit.
iii. 8, 14; Matt. v.
7.
3. The union whereinto we are brought in
Christ, with the common inheritance promised to us all.
4. The testimony of the Lord Jesus, witnessing what is done
in this kind to be done unto himself, Matt. xxv. 35, 36,
40.
5. The promise annexed to it, Eccles. xi.
1; Prov. xix.
17; Deut. xv.
10; Matt. x.
42.
The way whereby it is to be done is by appointing some,
Acts vi. 1–6, to take what is
voluntarily contributed by the brethren, according as God hath blessed
them, on the first day of the week, 1 Cor. xvi.
2, and to distribute to the necessity of the saints, according
to the advice of the church; besides private distributions, wherein we
ought to abound, Matt. vi.
3; Heb. xiii.
16.
Rule x. To mark diligently and
avoid carefully all causes and causers of divisions; especially to shun
seducers, false teachers, and broachers of heresies and errors, contrary to
the form of wholesome words.
Rom.
xvi. 17, 18, “Now I beseech you, brethren, 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; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of
the simple.”
Matt. xxiv. 4, 5,
23–25, “Jesus said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible,
they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.”
1 Tim. vi.
3–5, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which
is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about
questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of
the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw
thyself.”
2 Tim.
ii. 16, 17, “Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will
increase unto more ungoldiness. And their word will eat as doth a
canker.”
Tit.
iii. 9–11, “Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and
contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and
vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition
reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being
condemned of himself.”
1
John ii. 18, 19, “Little children, it is the last time: and as
ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many
antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from
us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no
doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us.”
1 John iv.
1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the
world.”
2
John 10, 11, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: for he
that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Acts xx. 29–31, “I know this, that
after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing
the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch.”
Rev. ii.
14–16, “I have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam. So hast thou also them that
hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else
I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword
of my mouth.”
Explication x. The former part of
this rule was something spoken to, Rule 4. If the preservation of unity
ought to be our aim, then certainly the causes and causers of division
ought to be avoided. “From such turn away.” There is a generation of men
whose tongues seem to be acted by the devil; James calls it, “Set on fire
of hell,” chap. iii. 6. As though they were the
mere offspring of serpents, they delight in nothing but in the fire of
contention; disputing, quarrelling, backbiting, endless strivings, are that
they live upon. “Note such men, and avoid them.” Generally they are men
of private interests, fleshly ends, high conceits, and proud spirits.
“From such turn away.” For the latter part of the rule in particular,
concerning seducers, that a judgment of discerning by the Spirit rests in
the church and the several members thereof is apparent, 1 John ii. 27; 1
Cor. ii. 15; Isa. viii.
20. To the exercise of this duty they are commanded, 1 John iv. 1; 1
Cor. xiv. 29: so it is commended, Acts xvii.
11; and hereunto are they encouraged, Phil. i. 9, 10; Heb. v. 14. “If the blind lead the
blind, both will fall into the ditch.” That gold may be suspected which
would not be tried. Christians must choose the good, and refuse the evil.
If their teachers could excuse them if they lead them aside, they might
well require blind submission from them. Now, that the brethren may
exercise this duty aright, and perform obedience to this rule, it is
required, —
1. That they get their senses exercised in the word, “to
discern good and evil,” Heb. v.
14; especially, that they get from the Scripture a “form of
sound words,” 2 Tim. i.
13, of the main truths of the gospel and fundamental articles of
religion; so that, upon the first apprehension of the contrary, they may
turn away from him that brings it, and not bid him “God-speed,” 2 John 10.
2. That they attend and hearken to nothing but what comes
to them in the way of God. Some men, yea, very many in our days, have such
itching ears after novelty, that they run greedily after every one that
lies in wait to deceive with cunning enticing words, to make out some new
pretended revelations; and this from a pretended liberty, yea, duty of
trying all things, little considering that God will have his own work done
only in his own way. How they come it matters not, so they may be heard.
Most of the seducers and false prophets of our days are men apparently out
of God’s way, leaving their own callings to wander without a call, ordinary
or extraordinary, — without providence or promise. For a man to put
himself voluntarily, uncalled, upon the hearing of them, is to tempt God;
with whom it is just and righteous to deliver them up to the efficacy of
error, that they may believe the lies they hear. Attend only, then, to,
and try only that which comes in the way of, God. To others bid not
God-speed.
3. To be always ready furnished with and to bear in mind
the characters which the Holy Ghost hath given us in the word of seducers,
which are indeed the very same, whereby poor unstable souls are seduced by
them; as, — First, That they should come in “sheep’s clothing,” Matt. vii. 15, — goodly pretences of
innocency and holiness. Secondly, With “good words and fair speeches,”
Rom.
xvi. 17, 18, smooth as butter and oil. Thirdly, Answering men’s
lusts in their doctrine, 2 Tim. iv.
3, — bringing doctrines suitable to some beloved lusts of men,
especially a broad and easy way of salvation. Fourthly, Pretences of
glorious discoveries and revelations, Matt. xxiv.
24; 2 Thess. ii.
2.
4. Utterly reject and separate from such as have had means
of conviction and admonition, Tit. iii.
10.
5. Not to receive any without testimony from some of the
brethren of known integrity in the churches. Such is the misery of our
days, that men will run to hear those that they know not from whence they
come, nor what they are. The laudable practice of the first churches, to
give testimonials to them that were to pass from one place to another,
1 Cor. xvi. 3, and not to receive any
without them, Acts ix. 26, is quite laid aside.
6. To walk orderly, not attending to the doctrine of any
not known to and approved by the churches.
7. To remove far away all delight in novelties, disputes,
janglings, contentions about words not tending to godliness;
which usually are beginnings of fearful apostasies, Tit. iii.
9; 2 Tim. iv. 3; 1 Tim. ii. 3–5.
Rule xi. Cheerfully to undergo the
lot and portion of the whole church, in prosperity and affliction, and not
to draw back upon any occasion whatever.
Matt. xiii. 20, 21, “He that
received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word,
and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth
for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the
word, by and by he is offended.”
Heb. x. 23–25,
32–39, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one
another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. But call
to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a
gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye
became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me
in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in
yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast
not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye
might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come
will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if
any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not
of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the
saving of the soul.”
2 Tim. iv. 10, 16,
“Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world … At my first
answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may
not be laid to their charge.”
Explication xi. Backsliding from
the practice of any way of Christ or use of any ordinances, taken up upon
conviction of his institution, is in no small degree an apostasy from
Christ himself.
Apostasy, in what degree soever, is attended with all that
aggravation which a renunciation of a tasted sweetness and goodness from
God for transitory things can lay upon it. Seldom it is that backsliders
are without pretences. Commonly of what they forsake, in respect of what
they pretend to retain, they say, as Lot of Zoar, “Is it not a
little one?” But yet we see, without exception, that such things
universally tend to more ungodliness. Every unrecovered step backward from
any way of Christ maketh a discovery of falseness in the heart, whatever
former pretences have been.
They who, from motives of any sort, for things that are
seen, which are but temporal, will seek for, or embrace, being presented,
colours or pretences for declining from any gospel duty, will not want them
for the residue, if they should be tempted thereunto.
The beginnings of great evils are to be resisted. That the
neglect of the duty whereof we treat, — which is always accompanied with
contempt of the communion of saints, — hath been a main cause of the great
dishonour and confusion whereinto most churches in the world are fallen,
was in part touched before; it being a righteous thing with God to suffer
the sons of men to wax vain in their imaginations, in whom neither the love
of Christ nor terror of the Lord can prevail against the fear of men.
Let this, then, with the danger and abomination of
backsliding, make such an impression on the hearts of the saints, that with
full “purpose of heart they might cleave unto the Lord,” and “follow hard
after him,” in all his ordinances; so that if persecution arise, they may
cheerfully “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth;” and, by their close
adhering one to another, receive such mutual assistance and supportment, as
that their joint prayers may prevail with the goodness of God, and their
joint sufferings overcome the wickedness of men.
Now, to a close adhering to the church wherein we walk in
fellowship, in all conditions whatsoever, without dismission attained upon
just and equitable grounds, for the embracing of communion in some other
churches. Motives are, —
1. The eminency and excellency of the ordinances
enjoyed.
2. The danger of backsliding, and evidence of unsoundness
in every degree thereof.
3. The scandal, confusion, and disorder of the churches, by
neglect thereof.
Rule xii. In church affairs to
make no difference of persons, but to condescend to the meanest persons and
services for the use of the brethren.
James ii.
1–6, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your
assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also
a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay
clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the
poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then
partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world
rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that
love him? But ye have despised the poor,” etc.
Matt. xx. 26, 27, “It shall not be
so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your
minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant.”
Rom. xii.
16, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits.”
John xiii. 12–16, “So after he had
washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he
said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and
Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet; ye ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither
he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”
Explication xii. Where the Lord
hath not distinguished, neither ought we. In Jesus Christ there is neither
rich nor poor, high nor low, but a new creature. Generally, “God hath
chosen the poor of this world to confound the mighty.”
Experience shows us that not many great, not many wise, not
many mighty after the flesh, are partakers of the heavenly calling; — not
that the gospel of Christ doth any way oppose or take away those many
differences and distinctions among the sons of men, caused by power,
authority, relation, enjoyment of earthly blessings, gifts, age, or any
other eminency whatsoever, according to the institution and appointment of
God, with all that respect, reverence, duty, obedience, and subjection due
unto persons in those distinctions, much less pull up the ancient bounds of
propriety and interest in earthly things; but only declares, that in things
purely spiritual, these outward things, which for the most part happen
alike unto all, are of no value or esteem. Men in the church are
considered as saints, and not as great or rich. All are equal all are
naked, before God.
Free grace is the only distinguisher, — all being brethren
in the same family, servants of the same Master, employed about the same
work, acted by the same precious faith, enjoying the same purchased
privileges, expecting the same recompense of reward and eternal abode.
Whence should any difference arise? Lot, then, the greatest account it
their greatest honour to perform the meanest necessary service to the
meanest of the saints. A community in all spiritual advantages
should give equality in spiritual affairs. Not he that is richest, not he
that is poorest, but he that is humblest, is accepted before the Lord.
Motives hereunto are, — 1. Christ’s example; 2. Scripture
precepts; 3. God’s not accepting persons; 4. Joint participation of the
same common faith, hope, etc.; 5. The unprofitableness of all causes of
outward differences in the things of God.
Rule xiii. If any be in distress,
persecution, or affliction, the whole church is to be humbled, and to be
earnest in prayer in their behalf.
Acts xii.
5, 7, 12, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was
made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And, behold, the
angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he
smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And
his chains fell off from his hands. And when he had considered the thing,
he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark;
where many were gathered together praying.”
Rom. xii.
15, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that
weep.”
1
Cor. xii. 26, 27, “Whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
2
Thess. iii. 1, 2, “Brethren, pray for us, that we may be
delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.”
Explication xiii. This duty being
in general made out from, and included in, other former rules, we shall
need to speak the less unto it, especially seeing that, upon consideration
and supposition of our fellow-membership, it is no more than very nature
requireth and calleth for. God delighteth as in the thankful praises, so
in the fervent prayers of his churches; therefore, he variously calleth
them, by several dispensations, to the performance of these duties. Now,
this ofttimes, to spare the whole church, he doth by the afflictions of
some one or other of the members thereof; knowing that that near relation
which, by his institution and Spirit, is between them will make their
distress common and their prayers closely combined. Spiritual union is
more noble and excellent than natural; and yet in this it were monstrous
that either any member in particular, or the whole in general, should not
both suffer with and care for the distress of every part and member. That
member is rotten and to be cut off, for fear of infecting the body, which
feels not, the pains of its associates. If, then, any members of the
church do lie under the immediate afflicting hand of God or the
persecuting rage of man, it is the duty of every fellow-member, and of the
church in general, to be sensible of it, and account themselves so sharers
therein as to be instant with God by earnest supplication, and helpful to
them by suitable assistance, that their spiritual concernment in that
affliction may be apparent; and that because, — First, The will of God is
thereby fulfilled. Secondly, The glory of the gospel is thereby exalted.
Thirdly, Preservation and deliverance to the whole church procured.
Fourthly, Conformity with Christ’s sufferings in his saints attained.
Fifthly, An inestimable benefit of church-fellowship enjoyed, etc.
Rule xiv. Vigilant watchfulness
over each other’s conversation, attended with mutual admonition in case of
disorderly walking, with rendering an account to the church if the party
offending be not prevailed with.
Matt. xviii. 15–17, “If thy
brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee
and him alone: 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 unto the church.”
1 Thess. v.
14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are
unruly.”
Heb. iii.
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 daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Heb.
x. 24, 25, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
to good works: exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching.”
Heb. xii. 13, 15,
16, “Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame
be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Looking diligently
lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness
springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any
fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his
birthright.”
Lev. xix.
17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt
in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”
2 Thess. iii.
15, “Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a
brother.”
Rom. xv.
14, “I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye
also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish
one another.”
James v.
19, 20, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one
convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the
error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude
of sins.”
Prov. xxix.
1, “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
Explication xiv. There is a
threefold duty included in this rule, the main whereof, and here chiefly
intended, is that of admonition; whereunto the first is previous and
conducing; the latter in some cases consequent, and attending Christians’
conversation. Whether you consider the glory of God and the gospel therein
concerned, or the bonds of relation, with those mutual endearments wherein
they stand engaged, and obligations that are upon them for the general good
and spiritual edification one of another, this duty is of eminent necessity
and usefulness. Not that we should curiously pry into one another’s
failings, much less maliciously search into doubtful unknown things, for
the trouble or disparagement of our brethren, both which are contrary to
that love which “thinketh no evil,” but “hideth a multitude of sins;” but
only, out of a sense of the glory of God, the honour of the gospel, and
care of each other’s souls, we are to observe their walking, that what is
exemplary therein may be followed, what faileth may be directed, what is
amiss may be reproved, that in all things God may be glorified and Christ
exalted.
Now, admonition is twofold:— 1. Authoritative, by the way
of power; 2. Fraternal, by the way of love. The first, again, is twofold:—
(1.) Doctrinal, by the way of teaching; (2.) Disciplinary, which belongeth
to the whole church. Of these we do not treat. The latter, also, is
twofold:— hortatory, to encourage unto good; and
monitory, to reprove that which is amiss. It is this last which
is peculiarly aimed at and intended in the rule. This, then, we assert as
the duty of every church member towards them with whom he walks in
fellowship, to admonish any from the word whom he perceives not walking in
any thing with a right foot, as becometh the gospel; thereby to recover his
soul to the right way. That much caution and wisdom, tenderness and
moderation, is required in the persons performing this duty, for want
whereof it often degenerates from a peaceable remedy of evil into fuel for
strife and debate, is granted. Let them, then, who are called to perform
this duty diligently consider these things: 1. That in the whole action he
transgress not that rule of charity which we have, 1
Cor. xiii. 7, Gal. vi. 2.
2. Let him have peace at home, by an assurance of constant labouring to
cast out all beams and motes from his own eye, Matt. vii.
5. 3. Let him so perform it that it may evidently appear that he
hath no other aim but the glory of God and the good of his
brother reproved, all envy and rejoicing in evil being far away. 4. Let him
be sure to draw his admonitions from the word, that the authority of God
may appear therein, and without the word let him not presume to speak. 5.
Let all circumstances attending time, place, persons, and the like, be duly
weighed, that all provocation in the least manner may be fully avoided. 6.
Let it be considered as an ordinance whereunto Christ hath an especial
regard. 7. Let him carefully distinguish between personal injuries unto
himself — whose mention must have far more of forgiveness than reproof, —
and other offences tending to public scandal. Lastly, Let self-examination
concerning the same or the like miscarriage always accompany the brotherly
admonition.
These and the like things being duly weighed, let every
brother, with Christian courage, admonish from the word every one whom he
judgeth to walk disorderly in any particular whatsoever, not to suffer sin
upon him, being ready to receive content and satisfaction upon just
defence, or promised amendment; and without this, in case of just offence,
a man cannot be freed from the guilt of other men’s sins, Let also the
person admonished, with all Christian patience, accept of the admonition,
without any more regret of spirit than he would have against him who should
break the weapon wherewith he was in danger to be slain; considering, —
1. The authority of Him who hath appointed it;
2. The privilege and mercy he enjoyeth by such a spiritual
prevention of such a danger or out of such an evil, which perhaps himself
did not discern;
3. The dreadful judgments which are everywhere threatened
to despisers of reproofs, Prov. xxix.
1; and so thankfully accept just admonition from the meanest in
the congregation.
For the last, or repairing unto the church in case of not
prevailing by private admonition, our Saviour hath so plainly laid down
both the manner and end of proceeding in Matt. xviii. 15–17, that it
needeth no explanation. Only I shall observe, that by “church” there,
verse 17, cannot be understood the
elders of the church alone, but rather the whole congregation; for if the
offended brother should take with him two or three of the elders unto the
offender, as he may, then were they the church, and the church should be
told of the offence before the reproof hath been managed by two or three;
which is contrary to the rule.
Rule xv. Exemplary walking in all
holiness and godliness of conversation, to the glory of the gospel,
edification of the church, and conviction of them which are without.
Ps. xxiv. 3,
4, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul
unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
Matt. v. 16, 20,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven. For I say unto you, That except
your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt. xxi.
19, “When he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came to it, and found
nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on
thee henceforward for ever,” etc.
2 Cor. vii.
1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.”
2 Tim. ii.
19, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.”
Tit. ii. 11, 12,
14, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world … Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Eph. iv.
21–23, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by
him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
1 Pet. iii.
1, 2, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be
won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear.”
Heb. xii.
14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord.”
Eph. v.
15, 16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but
as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
2 Sam. xii.
14, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great
occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme,
the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
Explication xv. Holiness becometh
the house of the Lord for ever; without it none shall see God. Christ died
to wash his church, to present it before his Father without spot or
blemish; to purchase unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
It is the kingdom of God within us, and by which it appeareth unto all
that we are the children of the kingdom. Let this, then, be the great
discriminating character of the church from the world, that they are a
holy, humble, self-denying people. Our Master is holy; his doctrine and
worship are holy: let us strive that our hearts may also be holy.
This is our wisdom towards them that are
without, whereby they may be guided or convinced; this is the means whereby
we build up one another most effectually. Examples are a sharper way of
instruction than precepts. Loose walking, causing the name of God to be
blasphemed, the little ones of Christ to be offended, and his enemies to
rejoice, is attended with most dreadful woes. O that all who are called to
a holy profession, and do enjoy holy ordinances, did shine also in holiness
of conversation, that those who accuse them as evil-doers might have their
mouths stopped and their hearts filled with shame, to the glory of the
gospel! To this general head belongeth wise walking, in all patience,
meekness, and long-suffering towards those that are without, until they
evidently appear to be fighters against God, when they are to be prayed
for. Hither, also, might be referred the patience of the saints in all
tribulations, sufferings, and persecutions for the name of Christ.
Motives for the exercise of universal holiness, in acts
internal and external, private and public, personal and of all relations,
are, —
1. The utter insufficiency of the most precious ordinances
for any communion with God without it.
2. The miserable issue of deceived souls, with their
barren, empty, fruitless faith.
3. The glory of the gospel, when the power thereof hath an
evident impression on the hearts, thoughts, words, actions, and lives of
professors.
4. Scandal of the gospel, the advantage of its adversaries,
the shame of the church, and fierce wrath of God, following the unsuitable
walking of professors.
5. The sweet reward which the practice of holiness bringeth
along with it even in this life, with that eternal weight of glory
whereunto it leadeth hereafter; — unto which the holy Son of God bring us
all, through the sprinkling of his most holy blood!
And these are some of those rules whose practice is
required from the persons, and adorneth the profession, of those who have
obtained this grace, to walk together in fellowship, according to the rule
of the gospel; towards others also ought they, with several limitations,
and in the full latitude towards the brethren of the congregations in
communion with them, to be observed.