Sect. IV. Of the Officers and Rulers of severall Congregations, and their association.

THe Officers of every Congregation are under a twofold re∣lation of unitie to each other: First, as they are Professors:Page  50Secondly, as they are Officers, that is, specially intrusted with a charge in the profession: As they are Professors, they are neerer in Bro∣therhood then as they are Officers. For their profession doth give them an immediate interest into Christ, and to one ano∣ther in him: but their Office doth give them no interest either in him or in each other, further then they are true to the professi∣on: whence it followeth that except they bee associated in the mysticall body of Christ, they cannot be associated in the mini∣stery thereof. It followeth also further, that the relation where∣in they stand to each other as Christians, being the onely foun∣dation of their Brotherhood; all the other relations, which are ministeriall, must yeeld and bee subordinate thereunto So that all the bonds, which may settle their association in the ministe∣ry, must be intended no further then they serve to advance and confirme the brotherhood and association, which is setled upon the truth of Christianitie. For if any combination of Mini∣sters bee framed otherwise, or to any other end, then to streng∣then the fundamentalls of Faith, and to increase the fruits of true Christianitie in holinesse and love: it will beget nothing else but a Papacie, because the root of the Papall Hierarchie, and the foundation whereupon that mystery of iniquitie was raised in the Church, was nothing else but the aime of an asso∣ciation of Church Officers subordinating the profession to their places, and making use of the fundamentals of truth, to set up themselves above others: for it may bee evidenced, that all the superstitious devi∣ces and politick practises of Popery to blind men, and by an implicit faith to keepe them in subjection, resolve themselves at last into this principle and aime, of setting up themselves above Christianitie in the hearts of men, which is properly the Tem∣ple of God. Therefore it cannot bee deni d, that they spring originally from hence, seeing every thing is ultimately resolved into that, whereof it was first begotten. From all which I draw this conclusion in brief, that all associations of Church-Officers or of any other publick Officers of what kind soever, who subordinate not themselves, and the interest which they have in each other by their Offi∣ces and by their associations, unto the ends of Christianitie, to exalt the unitie thereof, that Christ may bee seene above all therein; but seeke to make the way of Christianitie, or the association of Christians subor∣dinate to the advantage of their places above others, are Papall and An∣tichristian.

Let then all parties looke to their aimes in their associations, whether they bee called Independent or Presbyteriall Associati∣ons, and whether they bee setled upon Episcopall or Erastian principles; and let all Magistrates looke to their interests and wayes of prosecuting the same by their associations; whether they bee Democraticall, Aristocraticall, Parliamentary or Mo∣narchicall, whatsoever their character, frame, or modell is, as to the matter of circumstantials, which is all that ordinarily men as men looke after: Let (I say) all these Officers of each kind, or such as out of the mixt multitude, upon the ruines of others, doe thrust themselves into places of trust and profit, and seeke to strengthen themselves by combinations of their owne framing; (I say againe) let all these looke well to it, every one in his particular association, if their whole aime and the frame of their society bee not, to subordinate themselves and their combinations and confederacies to the setting up of that union, which is essentiall unto the profession of Christianity, and which alone shall last eternally; they shall bee utterly bro∣ken to pieces without all remedy. For the Word of God by the Prophet Isaiah cannot faile, Isa. 8, 9, 10. which saith, Associate your selves ye people, and ye shall bee broken in peeces, gird your selves and ye shall bee broken in pieces, gird your selves and ye shall bee broken in pieces: take counsell together and it shall come to nought, speake the word and it shall not stand. For God is with us.

Here the Prophet speaking in the name of the Church doth provoke the whole world, and bids the people thereof a defi∣ance, that though they joyne all in one, and gird themselves with all their strength and all their counsells and resolutions bee brought to full maturitie, yet that they shall be without effect, that they shall bee broken to pieces in their associations, and disappointed in their counsels, and resolutions, because God is with his Church, as the head of their association. Thus wee see that the Spirit of God doth blow upon all the designes of men so farre as they are not subordinate unto God: for where∣in men are not subordinate, they are opposit unto him, and hee will certainly be stronger then his opposits.

And if the Question bee made concerning the Church, and those that belong thereunto, what their dutie is in times of trouble and feare when all the world is providing for their Page  52safetie, with confederacies, strength and counsell? (I say) if such a question bee made, the answer will bee found in the following words of the Prophet from vers. 11. till the end of the Chapter, whereof this is the summe.

First, that they should take heed lest they bee drawne and en∣gaged into worldly confederacies, for humane feares; but that they should sanctifie God alone in their hearts, and make him their feare, vers. 11, 12, 13. because the Lord will bee to all those that doe so, a sanctuary, but to others a rock of offence, vers. 14, 15.

Secondly, that they should bind up the testimony and seale the Law amongst the Disciples of the Lord; that is to say, that they who are taught of God (for these are his Disciples) should make the testimony of Jesus the onely bond of their unitie, and that the seale of this bond should bee their obedientiall submis∣sion unto the Law of God, vers. 16.

Thirdly, that they should arme themselves with patience to waite for the Lords comming, who is hid from the eyes of the world, and with resolution to appeare before him, although the world doth wonder at them, vers. 17.18.

Fourthly and lastly, when in cases of difficultie men shall bee destitute of counsell, and not know what to doe; then to con∣sult onely with the Law and the Testimony, and not to betake themselves to any other Oracle, vers. 19, 20. and whosoever doth not follow this advice shall bee driven into utter despaire, vers. 21, 22.

Thus wee see what the counsell of God is concerning humane associations; what the issues thereof will bee, and what the way is to preserve our soules from that despaire which doth attend those that forsake God, and subordinate not their counsels and associations to his will.

This then will bee our wisedome to take this warning, whe∣ther wee bee Professors or Officers: but chiefly this must bee the ground of the ministeriall association, in reference to their charges; to make use thereof onely for the furtherance of holy Communion in the profession of Christianitie. And although I cannot say that it is so amongst the Combinations which now are on foot, yet I am sure that these grounds will bee assented unto by all that are taught of God; and that their practise may bee answerable thereunto, I shall offer that whereunto both sides doe agree, and which without contradiction will be suffici∣ent Page  53to enter them upon a Ministeriall correspondencie both for the advancement of true Brotherhood in Christianity amongst themselves, as also for the preservation of themselves and of their flocks, from partaking of other mens sinnes.

For to these two heads, the matters of agreement in the point of association may be referred.

Of the first I shall offer these Propositions.

1 The Officers of Sister Churches, making profession of their bro∣therhood in Christ, should desire to advance each other to perfection; and to that effect should have frequent meetings for brotherly conferences, 2 Cor. 13.9. Malach. 3.16.

2 The chief ends of their meetings and conferences should bee, to main∣taine the unitie of the Spirit whereunto they have attained; to make it more compleat in love, and to gaine others to concurre with them by the truth therein.

3 They should for these ends set themselves in a way to make their con∣ferences effectually conscionable, constant, without interruption and dis∣orderlinesse; which way may bee setled upon these grounds.

First, upon a voluntary engagement, freely entered into, which should containe these heads: that seeing they acknowledge one another fellow-members of the body of Christ, and fellow-ser∣vants of the same Master, in the same houshold of Faith, for the accomplishment of his will; that therefore they are resol∣ved to give to each other the right hand of fellowship in doing the worke of their Ministery,* that they will entertaine bro∣therly meetings and conferences to that end: and that they will never suffer any circumstantiall differences of opinions or pra∣ctises, to breake their association or hinder their ordinarily ap∣pointed meetings and conferences.

Secondly, upon some rules and orders which in like manner every one should assent unto freely, and expresly, so farre as hee doth finde himself convicted of the justice and equitie thereof, the substance of which orders may bee this. That in their conferences confusion shall bee avoyded, that an equall and orderly freedome of speech shall bee yeelded unto all, and that a libertie of dissenting unpartially upon reasons alledged shall bee given unto every one.

Thirdly, upon the meanes of some correspondency betweene severall associations: for seeing all that are willing to associate, cannot Page  54possibly meet at the same conference•, by reason of the distan∣ces of places and mens different occasions, therefore severall knots and companies of associats will arise, and lest they being unacquainted with one anothers wayes, take disagreeing reso∣lutions and mistake one anothers meanings therein; for this cause, some meanes of correspondencie between distant associati∣ons, is to bee agreed upon for the communication of matters be∣longing to the advancement of truth in love between them.

Hitherto wee have looked upon the first head wherein there is an agreement in the Rules by which the association is to be framed for mutuall edification; now follow the matters of agreement be∣longing to the second head, which is the use of their association for the preservation of themselves and of their flocks from partaking in other mens sinnes. Of which I shall set downe almost word by word that which I finde granted by Mr. Burroughs in his Ironicum or Heart Divisions, pag. 43. which I conceive the Brethren of the other side will fully assent unto, and ought to lay as a sufficient ground of associating in a brotherly way: His words are these.

1 They (viz. the dissenting Brethren) acknowledge that Synods of other Ministers and Elders about them, are an Ordinance of Jesus Christ, for the helping of the Church against Errors, Schismes and Scandals.

2 That these Synods may by the power they have from Christ admonish men or Churches in his name, when they see evills continuing in or grow∣ing upon the Church, and their admonitions carry with them the autho∣rity of Jesus Christ.

3 As there shall because they may declare men or Churches to be sub∣verters of the Faith; or otherwise according to the nature of the offence; to shame them before all the Churches about them.

4 They may by a solemne act in the name of Jesus Christ, refuse any further communion with them till they repent.

5 They may declare, and that also in the name of Christ, that these erring people or Churches, are not to bee received into followship with any the Churches of Christ; nor to have communion one with another in the Ordinances of Christ.

To these Propositions, if a full assent bee given, as by many no doubt there is; I cannot imagine what should hinder, or may obstruct the profession of their unitie and a concurrence to settle their associations for a joynt and mutuall assistance in the Page  55worke of brotherly preservation of each other, from the guilt of other mens sinnes.

Thus then wee see that the termes of our brotherly unity are full and satisfactory in all these respects, and if notwithstan∣ding all this we are divided in our wayes, and in our affections unwilling to practise any thing joyntly, which is sutable to these acknowledged principles; are wee not guilty before God and men of the neglect of a fundamentall dutie in Christianitie, and that inexcusably? surely wee will be found so, if wee set not our selves in another way then hitherto wee have walked in one towards another.