Gospel order revived being an answer to a book lately set forth by ... Increase Mather ... entituled, The order of the gospel, &c ... / by sundry ministers of the gospel in New England.

Quest. 1. Whether particular Churches ought to consist of Saints and true Believers in Christ?

It is granted that the matter of a particular Church (for the Question is not stated with reference to the Catholick) is visible Saints. And tho' the Answer is not given in the words, yet we would charitably hope his sense is the same, with the united Mini∣sters in London.

That none shall be admitted as members in or∣der to Communion, in all the special Ordinances of the Gospel, but such as are knowing and sound in the fundamental Doctrines of the Christian Religion, without scandal in their Lives, and to a judgment regulated by the word of God, are Persons of visible Godliness and honesty, credibly professing cordial subjection to Jesus Christ.

Had our Reverend Author only said thus much (and indeed more is needless) he had saved us the labour of any Reflections on this part of his Essay. But there is one passage in p. 15 which we cannot but except against.

A Scripture, saith he, which has respect in the times of the Gospel, severely rebukes those Ministers, which shall bring men that are uncircumcised in bear•• (unregenerate persons) into the sanctuary, into the Church of God, to eat the Bread and drink the Blood, which 〈…〉〈…〉y that are there, partake o••, Ezek. 44. 7, 9.

A hard saying, and w••o can ••ear it. The Text is here mangled, and the principal things left out. What God has joyned, our Reverend Author has seperated, to drive on his design. The Text saith Uncircumcised in heart, and uncir∣cumcised in flesh: but here we have it only uncircumcise in hea••t, interpreted unregenerate persons. What a rebuke is this to the best of Ministers because (forsooth) they are not heart searchers, and dare not invade the prerogative of God. Did the Re∣verend Author or the Church with him, never admit any un〈…〉〈…〉∣••erate

Person to communion with them? He will not dare to pre∣tend to it, and therefore the rebuke is to himself. We know our Lord Jesus Christ admitted Judas uncircumcised in heart, an unregenerate Person to holy things; and in the purest Ages of the Church there were Hypocrites crept in, many of whom turned Apostates. Nay, our Author is so sensible of this, that p. 19. he quotes the opinion of the Reverend M. Co••ton, That its better to admit diverse Hypocrites than to keep out one sincere Child of God. It is obvious then that Hypocrites may be admitted, and yet the Mi∣nister incur neither the rebukes of Conscience, or of this Scripture: nay, he may be approved of God, as doing his Duty, though Hy∣pocrisie may too well consist with sufficient Knowledge found belief, a blameless Life, a credible Profession, &c. To conclude, Its very observeable, the Reverend Author closes this first Enquiry, by saying, That the Churches here are free to admit those into their com∣munion, who are thus qualified. We marvel then his Zeal is not stirred to rebuke them afresh.

But what will the Reader think if we should make an Apology after all for the Reverend Author, and assure him he means no more, than that Ministers ought not to admit known Infidels or Prophane; for, for his part, he pretends not to know mens hearts. We only can intreat the Reader not to rebuke the Author too severely for his inconsistency, for he may mean well, and all parties are agreed. Unless he should imagine himself at∣tacqued by the Reverend Author of the Doctrine of instituted Churches.