A survey of the Survey of that summe of church-discipline penned by Mr. Thomas Hooker ... wherein the way of the churches of N. England is now re-examined ... / by Samuel Rutherfurd ...

Christian READER,

IT were good there were more believing and less disputing in the world; and that all, especially the Ambassadors of the Prince of Peace, would listen to that 1 Tim. 4. 4. not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which mi∣nister questions, rather then godly edifying which is in faith: as also to consider, that the holy Ghost states an oppo∣sition betwixt questions of perverse disputers, and god∣liness, 1 Tim. 6. 4, 5.

In this Piece, which the violence of requests in some, the importunity of chiding in others, and the less modest triumphing in not a few hath ex∣torted, rather than willingly brought forth, the question of the prefe∣rence of humble believing above all factious disputing, even though the subject were the form, the going out and the coming of the house of the Lord, is with me, and (which is of infinite more weight) with the truly godly soon determined: for, Blessed is the servant whom the Master when he cometh shall finde watching, praying, believing, not tossing and raising the dust of debating and multiplied Replies and Duplies, since the peace and joy of believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost, is of great price with those in whom the meekness and gentleness of Christ hath place. For it were desireable, not to be in bondage to either Engine or Pen; and it would appear that there is less of Christ and more of Self in our sickness of over-loving these truths, which suffer most bruising and grinding (might I be licensed so to speak) between the Milstones of Sides, Opinions and Contradictions of Parties, as if that were the choicest verity which the mans own engine hath taken out of an Adversaries hand (in a manner) with his bowe and his sword. But O how more precious were it, if the holy Ghost had perswaded the man of the sweetness of it from the fountain of holy Scripture! for it is beyond doubting, that syllogisms, and haply thirty two or fourty Arguments have not such leading and captiva∣ting influences upon the heart, as the convincing light of the Spirit acting upon the supernatural instinct of the new birth, to bring the thoughts ca∣ptive to the obedience of Christ. For when the head is filled with topicks, and none of the flamings of Christs love in the heart, how dry are all di∣sputes? for too often, servou••of dispute in the head weakens love in the heart. And what can our Paper-industry adde to the spotless truth of our Lord Iesus? O that Opinions were down, and the Gospel up; and Sides and Parties might fall, and Christ stand; and that all Names, Sects and Ways were low, and the Lord alone exalted! and that we could both dispute for Iehovah, and in the same act worship Iehovah! There is too much fire stricken out of the letter in our debates: it were good that the Spirit with fire from heaven did animate and inliven the letter and word of our Pole∣micks; it were good that the Ministers of the Gospel in the Isle of Britain

were well studied and read in that celebrious and noble Text, Iesus Christ and him crucified, that we might contend for his high interests, and had the Key of David to open Christ, to commend him in all his loveliness, and peo∣ple would come and see, and wonder; then should we know how choiser it were to act in our selves the love of Christ, being warmed and inflamed therewith, than to write the letters of his love in ink and paper, and to de∣claim of it to others.

Neither is this spoken to deny but many precious and savoury truths, as Christ himself, have endured contradiction of sinners; but the witnesses both sealed these truths with their blood, and were in their debatings shined upon by the out-lettings and emanations of the Spirit of Christ.

It were safer to lie in the dust and be humbled before the Lord for the breach of Covenant, the vast toleration of false Religions, our vanity of apparel, when we busk and adorn our selves in filks, even in our state of ca∣ptivity; for intemperance, execrable swearing, lying, mocking and perse∣cuting of godliness, lothing and hating the godly, covetousness, the bar∣renness of our profession; and which is the root of all, Atheism, gross ig∣norance of God and of Jesus Christ, the abounding of many other iniqui∣ties, as if we would make it appear, that three Englands are scarce suffici∣ent to humble one Scotland. Which is not spoken to justifie the Author, or a party from deep accession to these sins, or to clear and acquit the mem∣bers of our Church from the charge put on them by Mr. Hooker. Its true, we judge it not warrantable to say, that the servants are to call and invite none to the marriage-banquet, but such as they look on as regenerate, and clothed with the wedding-garment; nor to teach, that the Lord of Hosts shall make a feast of fat things, a seast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, unto, and for a visible society, of which Magus the Sorcerer, Iu∣das the Traitor are priviledged members; and that the Lord in them shall destroy the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all na∣tions; * 1.1 and that in the members of that Church-frame of which we now dispute, its verified which the Prophet saith, Isa. 30. 26. Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven∣••old, as the ••••ght of seven days, as Mr. H. cited: for without the salvo and ••enitive of a figure, the part for the whole, his Congregational visible Church can never stand under the weight of such glorious Prophesies as are fulfilled in the onely really gracious and chosen of God, visible or in∣visible.

Yet should the desire of our soul be, that there be upon the bells of the horses Holiness unto the Lord, and the pots in the Lords house may be like bowls before the altar; yea, that every pot in Ierusalem and in Iudah may be holiness to the Lord of Hosts, Zech. 20. 21. We pray for the coming of his Kingdom, and praise him that the number of those that seek the Lord in Scotland are not diminished, but grow even under evil shepherds and lazy feeders; which is the lilly among the thorns, though we go under the name of Protesters, Separatists, hypocrites, unpeaceable, implacable spirits, are made as the filth of the world, and the off-scourings of all things: yea, troubled on every side (in the streets, Pulpits, in divers Synods, Presbyteries, &c. more

then under prelacy) yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecu∣ted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. We desire to believe our cry shall come up before the Lord, though we be afflicted and helpless; and look on the right hand, and behold now man knows us, refuge falls us. Its wonder if there be a power now on earth, who saith in reality as Iob did, when the secret of God was on his Tabernacle, Job 29. 11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me; because I delivered the poor that cryed, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him: the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widows heart to sing for joy; I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgement was as a Robe and a Diadem; I was as eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; I was a father to the poor, and the cause that I knew not I searched out, &c. And now to other snares this is added:

That our Brethren have framed and defend one engagement which e∣very Intrant to the Ministry must take and subscribe, otherwise there is no maintenance for him, that he is resolved to live peaceably, and unoffen∣sively under the present government; and how far we are from siding with any seditious, unpeaceable, treacherous, and malignant way, and from raising tumults, is well known; but we dare not deceive our souls, and deal doubly with the Lord, and with the present powers, to make a difference betwixt a resolution to do a duty, and a promise or engagement to do a duty, as our brethren do, when the resolution is declared and subscri∣bed. 2. When it is judicially declared to understanding, and wise men, who cannot take the sense to be, he is resolved for the present, but hath pow∣er to alter his resolution to morrow, and judges in conscience he may al∣ter without equivocating. For when the resolution is declared. 2. Judi∣cially infor••, declared. 3. When it is declared ad modum compacti, by way of covenant: if the present powers shall give order for his enjoying the stipend, he is resolved to do such a duty. Let any say whether he doth not covenant & promise; and if he speak sincerely as a Minister of Christ, he may not swear the same. This we disown, as no lawful act of a Presby∣tery, though it be said to be done by a surreptitious meeting of Correspon∣dents from the Synods of this Church, without the knowledg and consent of some and of hundreds of godly Ministers.

2. As we desire not Presbyterial government to be reproched for such judging, so neither are Prelatical acts of Synods for debarring from the holy ministry men of an holy and unblamable conversation, and for the grace of God in them, and their knowledge and utterance, able and fit to preach the Gospel, upon this account, because they are unpeaceable, and hold up de∣bates, that is, because they will not be satisfied with the publick resoluti∣ons for taking in to places in the Church, Parliament, Army, Committee of Estates, all the malignant party in the land, or will not promise silence in their matters.

3. Nor doth it belong to the essence of Presbyterial Government, that all members of this Church, and inferiour Judicatures, should so submit to the superiour respective Judicatures, that if they be grieved with the sentence, they ought to acquiesce thereunto, and not to contra-act, but

onely appeal, until there shall be a general assembly to determine the matter. This never was, and I trust, nor shall ever be their mind who are for Presbyterial government; nor do our brethren justly father it up∣on the general Assembly, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1648. Sess. 30. For our Church acknow∣ledgeth no subjection nor subordination of inferiour Judicatures unto su∣periours, but in the Lord, and so to submit to any sentence, and to forbear a duty of preaching the Gospel, praying, visiting, exhorting, catechising pastorally in families, to abstain from the Lords Supper, and from acts of due censure necessary for the flock upon the known unjust sentence of a Synod, until a general Assembly (which possibly cannot be convened in an age to determine) is to 1. obey men unjustly forbidding a called Mi∣nister of Christ to preach in season, and out of season, rather then God; for they unjustly forbid, and the Lord justly commands; therefore the called Minister must act and contra-act to their unjust sentence, and not forbear for an hour, as the Scripture clears, 2. Tim. 4. 1, 2. Act. 20. 31. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 9. 16. Isa. 58. 1. Ier. 1. 17. Ezek. 2. 3, 4, 5. & 3. 10, 17. Act. 5. 28, 29. and so this is unjust. 2. It is to make Synods and Ecclesiastical Judica∣tures Lords of our faith, which the Reformed Churches detest in popish Councels; for all men and Councels most lawful can challenge only li∣mited obedience and submission in the Lord to their determinations, if they speak and command according to the Law and the Testimony, Isa. 8. 20. otherwise there is no sight in them. And so it is popish. 3. We conceive in performing acts of that government which Christ owns in his Word, we do not sin; for no authority of a Judicature can make that to be the word of God, and obedience to God, which was not, as to the matter, obedience to God before that authority, nor on the contrary. Now to abstain from preaching, praying, eating and drinking as the Lords Supper in a called minister, and in a visible professor, duly called and fitted, is sin; then cannot the authority of the Church, fat less their known unjust sen••ence make it lawful. 4. Suppose the general Assembly should ratifie and con∣firm the unjust sentence of the inferiour Judicature, or annull their just sentence, the people of God are not obliged to stand to either the one or the other. So we disown the point which our Brethren delivered to us in their papers for union sought by us, as nothing belonging to the essence of Presbyterial government, but reject it as unsound, tyrannical and po∣pish.

4. As we desire to be humbled for our accession to the sins of the Land, so its no part of Presbyterial government owned by us, that many unsuffi∣cient, ignorant and wickedly weak, not a few, yea, too many scandalous, malignant, and prophane Ministers and Elders are in office; and oh if they had not lu••ked and strengthned themselves in the shadow of such as carry on the publick resolutions, and how a purging of the Church is pos∣sible (except to him to whom nothing is impossible) is hard to divine, when the body of the Ministry, of whom many are malignant, were prelatical, Arminian (and diverted into us for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉) are ignorant of God, la••y, such as extrude out of their sessions, out of their hearts, godly praying Elders, and call into their place scandalous men, and persecute the godly.

When such, I say, are incorporate with the chief leading men of the pub∣lick Resolutions, and that in opinion, judgement, way, and common coun∣sels and actings, for furnishing Commissions, publick Messages to Court, and carrying on the course of desection, and their followers ex∣pect they shall not be deserted by their Patrons; and the body of people in congregations are ignorant, prophane, and loose, and yet have suffra∣ges in the election of Ministers and Elders, contrary to the word of God, and acts of our Church; and when its now as it was in the prelatical times, the people love to have it so; and when our Brethren and other opposers have that Catholick advantage known in all ages, to wit, the multitude for them, and against us; and Pulpits have sounded against us in the prelatical language, casting into our bosome that Isa. 65. 5. stand by thy self, come not near me, for I am holier then thou.

5. Nor look we on the receiving to Church-fellowship men known e∣nemies to the covenant and cause of God, who again and again had bro∣ken their engagement, and of many like unto them, any otherwise then as a taking of the name of God in vain, and as an heinous abuse of the or∣dinance of Church-pardoning and readmitting of penitents.

6. The admitting of many known unsufficient, and unqualified, and scandalous Ministers and Elders to office in the house of God, and the pol∣luting of the ordinance of the Lords Supper, by admitting thereunto many ignorant and scandalous persons, is to us no part of this Government. Since we earnestly desire the laudable way of the provincial Synod at London for promoving of godliness, and examining of such as are to be ad∣mitted to the Lords Supper, and wait to see what the Lord will do for the help of a suffering people, for the gathering of the dispersed of Zion, and building among us the old waste places; nor do we so faint, but we look toward such refreshing words, Isa. 27. 2. In that day sing ye unto her, a vine∣yard of red wine; I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it. What is spoken to the whole, the faith of an afflicted part may own it. Isa. 60. 18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting, nor destruction within thy borders, but thou shalt call thy walls salvation, and thy gates praise. Isa. 62. 12. And they shall call them the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord; and thou shalt be called, Sought out, a City not forsaken. Isa. 66. 13. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comsort you, and ye shall be com∣forted in Ierusalem, and when ye see this your heart shall rejoyce, and your bones shall stourish like an herb. Isa. 58. 11. And the Lord shall guide thee con∣tinually, and satisfie thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. It were not the wisedom of any to disoblige Christ, by either neglecting, or hurting of such as desire to be owned by the Lord Jesus, as his own hid∣den ones. The Lord was not in the debt of Cyrus for his favour toward his people. He can be angry at all who will not kiss the Son; and better heaven in the length & latitude of it were turned in a mass or web of fie∣ry anger (so it were but creature-wrath) & I were folded in that web, then that I should lie under the Gospel-indignation and anger of the Son of God. But no matter of a despicable handful of such as we are; we are not

the godly in Scotland, nor did we ever say we was the onely, or all the godly in Scotland; but sure we was either looked on as of the same way, An. 1648. With all that owned Christ, and the godly in the Isle of Bri∣tain, or then some did much dissemble with us, though some with whom we took sweet counsel then, do now say we was in an error, An. 1648.

As I intend to darken the reputation of no man, so far less to underva∣lue the authority and name of the servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker, yea, the Commandment of God layes laws on me to give testi∣monie to his Learning, his dexterous Eloquence and Accuracy in Disputes, and as Christian report bears, to judge him one who walked with God, and preached Christ not with the enticing words of mans wisedom, but in demon∣stration of the spirit, and of power. Yet, as I hugely differ from his esteem of these against whom he disputes, in putting them all to the worth of a straw, and every Pen to a nihil dicit, he sayes nothing; and ranking us a∣mong the opposers of Christs Kingdom, Cerinthus, Ebion, Gnosticks, Va∣lentinians, whom godly Fathers did oppose, and with Boniface, Hildebrand, Papists, against whom the Waldenses, Wicliff, Hush, Ierom of Prague did witness; and with Prelates, Primates, Metropolitans, as if we were the Prelates successors, who would keep a dominion in the hands of Elders, so in the particulars in the following disputes; I have apprel ensions far contrary to this man, whose name is savoury in the Churches, concerning the government of Christs visible Kingdom: and should desire that ho∣liness may shine more eminently in the Churches of Christ; for the first declining of Churches hath its beginning from a loose and prophane walk of officers; nor can Assemblies have any other issue then that of which Nazianzene complains, when Pastors are ungodly, then the Sun at noon day goes down upon the Prophets, and Stars fall from Heaven, and the glory of the Lord departs from the Temple. And were our practice more concentrick with, and suitable unto our rule, the question of the constitution of visible Churches should be a huge deal narrower. The God of power lead us in all truth.

Yours in the Lord Iesus, SAMUEL RUTHERFURD.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isa. 15. 6, 7.