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.

Q. 4. Whether is it necessary t••at Persons at their admission into the Church should make a publick relation of the time and manner of their Conversion?

The Reverend Author answers in the Negative, and adds, that the Churches of N. E▪ do not impose it, ••or ought it to be re∣quired or desired. He gives four substantial reasons why it ought not And had he stopt here, he had done well, or had he added more reasons to those four, as he could have done, it had been an accept∣able performance.

But about he wheels again, and seems to plead hard for it, or something like it, which he calls the Practice of the Churches of New England.

This he would recommend from a story receiv'd from the Re∣verend Mr. Eliot, but we have heard another story from the same Reverend Person, how when one of the Brethren was highly com∣mending his neighbours Relation, and prefer••••••g it to others, the said Mr. Eliot turned upon him, and said, A•• Brother! don't be so much taken with fine words, but look to the mans conversation. The Author relates another story from the Reverend Mr. Ho••, of one who through importunity was brought to make a relation, and made the Congregation weep, when he did it; but whether for joy or grief, we are left in the dark.

The Author gives us his arguments, but they do not reach his end. He pleads for them in that they are edifying; but we have known some that have been no ways so; or granting they were always so, can that justifie the instituting and imposing them? would it ••ot be

edifying if every Sabbath day evening, some well disposed (talk∣ative) Brethren should stand up and relate the experiences of the week past? yet shall we make it a law or custom? will not some people assure you, they have been wonderfully edified by a womans preaching in Publick? and yet will our Reverend Author be induced to prostitute his Pulpit to them, or part with a Sallary to cherish their zeal.

Again, the Relation of Experiences is pleaded for, in that God may be Honoured by them. But we have known some to Gods dishonour, being in••••pid, sensless things, to use our Authors own words, meer formalities, too scandalous and superstitious. He saith, they are a means to gain love with the Children of God. But we have known some that have lost love and credit by them.

But the Question is, Whether they are an instituted means for any of these ends? Whether appointed by God, to promote his glory, edisie the Congregation, or gain love? If not, they are but the Institutions of men, and therefore to be rejected, as the before quo∣ted Mr. Willard instructs us.

God has appointed the preaching the Gospel, the Sacraments, &c. for edification, and the promoting Christian love among his people; but we read nothing of these imposed relations, neither when Christ himself, nor when his Apostles after him, administred this holy Sacrament. Nor is there any appearance of such a Custom in the primitive Church.

Indeed, there are some occasions, as our Author observes, on which a Person who has had a remarkable Conversion, may declare it: but there's neither precept nor rule in the Word of God, that it should be done at this set time, and in publick. And with what sace can we impose it, when our Fathers fled from the impositions of men? whether arbitrary Impositions are insufferable in themselves, or not; yet certainly they are ••old and insolent in New-England, where the greatest out-cry is made against them in others.

But it would make a man smile, were he never so serious or dis∣pleased, to read the Texts that are brought for this Custom; as that Psal. ••0 10. I have not concealed thy Truth from the great Congre∣gation. And indeed the Royal Prophet had been inexcusable if he had, as a Minister would now, that should not declare to his flock the

whole counsel of God.

Again, Psal. 66. 16. he says, Come and hear all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul. We imagine the Reve∣rend Author supposes the Psalmist thus calling aloud in some vast re∣ligious Concourse, and that in order to his partaking of the privi∣ledges of the Jewish Church. But should we grant a supposal so ri∣diculous and extravagant, yet this makes nothing for imposing Relations, for then it should have been spoken and challenged by the People. Do you come, and stand forth, Sir, and tell us what God has done for your soul, and then we admit you to all the priviledges of the Temple. Another Text strangely perverted to scare some good people is, that, Mat. 10. 33. Whosoever denyeth me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in Heaven. As if there were no confessing Christ, without making formal speeches in the Church.

And as if a credible profession of our faith in Christ, the taking his Name upon us in Baptism, and the renewal of our Baptismal Vow, and a devout attendance on the Ordinances of the Gospel, were not the true confession our Lord expects! Wo be to the world, if all were to be rated, denyers of Christ; who whether from in∣ability, modesty or a just indignation, refuse to make a quaint Speech in the Church. The last Scripture we shall name, which has been equally abused with the rest is that in 1 Pet. 3. 15. That Christians should be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in them, to everyone that asketh it, to wit, in a proper place and time, for a fit end, and on sufficient Reasons, where there is Authority to command, or it is desired with modesty. The sense indeed is, that we should be ready to defend our Faith against the scoffs and cavils of Infidels and Perse∣cutors: and that it is a shame to Christians not to be able to argue for their Religion, and confute gain-sayers. So that if you would infer hence any publick Speech in the Church, it must be rather an Apology for the Christian Religion, or a Sermon to prove its reason∣ableness and evidence; but neither is it in the least intimated that this should be made a stated term of Communion; and we are sure the Church has no more power to debar the resuser from any Christian priviledge then to require Oaths, Subscriptions, and Conformity to a Thousand more Ceremonies.

We have but one Remark more to make here, and that is, the Apostle requires this reason of our hope to be given with meekness & fear. The true sense whereof is, that which we are contending even with Infidels, yet we must not argue with an intemperate Passion or Zeal. Or if we construe it, as in opposition to Pride and Presump∣tion of a mans own g••f••s and abilities; It is a severe Rebuke to many of our bold and forward Zealots, who have been famed for their promptness to speak in the Church, and the first that have fallen un∣der its deserved ••ash. We should indeed be better reconciled to this custom of Relations, were this prescribed meekness and fear more visible in them. But this is the misery, the more meek and fearful are hereby kept out of Gods House, while the more conceited and pre∣sum••tuous never boggle at this, o•• any thing else.

But it seems there is a gross Corruption of this laudable practice which the Author does well to cen••ure; and that is, when some, who have no good intention of their own, get others to devise a Relation for them. The Author may be satisfied there is something of truth in such reports; neither Charity nor Interest should make us too incre∣du••••us. But then he passes a severe sentence on such Lyars to the holy Ghost. Which they truly deserve, i•• in their relations they pre∣tended to tell the time and manner of their Conversion, or if they so much as suggested it to be their own devising; but if it be only a pro∣fession of their Faith & Repentance, it is not material who composes it, if they can conscientiously subscribe to it. And indeed a general. form might be best of all in the case, if they must needs be made us. To sum up all, we not only believe (with our Author) that such as delude the Church, by bringing relations not of their own devising, do exceedingly provoke the Lord; but also that the imposers of them as a term of Communion, do so too.