The churches and ministery of England, true churches and true ministery. Cleared, and proved, in a sermon / preach'd the 4th of May at Wiviliscombe; before a numerous congregation assembled together to hear the opposition, which had been long threatned to be made that day, by Mr Collier and others of his party, who, with the greatest strength the West would afford them, were present at the sermon. Wherein were these five things undeniably proved: 1. That a mixture of prophane and scandalous persons with reall saints, is not inconsistent with the Church of God or a true church. ... 5. And then, they also must needs be guilty, who forsake true churches and a lawfull ministry, to follow and hear unsent preachers. By Francis Fullwood minister of the Gospel at Staple Fitzpane in the county of Somerset. Before it there is an epistle and preface, shewing the manner, and a narrative subjoyned shewing the substance of the dispute after the sermon, (both which lasted nine hours.) Set forth by the ministers that were at the dispute, and attested under their hands.

CAP. VI. That the People who leave the true Ministers to follow such as have no Calling, are guilty of a very great sin.

WE are now attained to the last Conclusion, which is, That if for men to preach in a true Church, where there is a lawful Ministrie setled, be so great a sinne; then doubt∣lesse, for any to forsake a true Church and a lawfull Ministerie, to follow and hear such sinfull Teachers, is a very great sinne too; Though alas! poor ignorant deluded wretches think not so; they that offer thus to preach, are deeply guilty, as I have told you, this very action of theirs bringing so much disorder with it, and coming from such dangerous principles, endeavours the subversion, and utter over-throw of all the Churches of Christ in the world, and Chargeth Apostacy upon all the Churches that have been in the world since the dayes of the Apostles: of so deep a nature is their sinne; and you by following of them, do plainly become partakers of their sinne; be it never so great or dangerous: and when Judgement comes, 'tis speciall Mer∣cie, if the Congregation that joyned with them be spared, while Corah and his company are swallowed up.

Many, in a sort, that are not approvers of the men and ways * 1.1 we now speak of, are yet partakers of these mens sinnes, be∣cause they do not what God requires and in them lies, to pre∣vent the same: But how much more are they that approve of, and joyn with them! as many hundreds of ignorant Creatures doe.

Besides, you are not partakers with them in their sins onely

hereby; but you directly sinne your selves many wayes. I * 1.2 cannot tell you how many sinnes you commit in this one, of following these unsent Preachers, nor indeed how sore judge∣ments belong unto you for it. Sins of omission, in that you neglect to attend on the publick Ordinances to which you are called: in that you cease to own, respect and countenance the Over-seers Christ hath given you: of Commission, in that you rent your selves by unlawfull Schism from the Church of Christ, and his Ministry: in that you doe thereby what in you lies to break and ruine all the Churches and Ministers of Christ in the world: in that you against expresse command, hear those Prophets that God never sent; and have, to conclude, a very great stroak in all these Confusions, Errors and Heresies, that now swarm within our Churches.

Consider, O consider, I beseech you dearly beloved, and lay these things to heart: I perswade my self, that could you be se∣rious and patient in weighing these things a while, you would be at a stand, if not face about.

1. Consider, what good can you get (though you pro∣mise much) while you lie under that heavy curse, They shall * 1.3 not profit—you: That is, they doe you much hurt, and spiri∣tuall damage. And doe you not find it by daily experi∣ence? Whom among you, but at his very entrance upon these wayes, hath the foundation of his whole Religion shaken im∣mediately? I have wondred often at the frequent truth of this Observation, untill I considered this Text and Curse, They shall not profit this people at all. Oh that you would consider it also.

2. Consider what good you may doe us too, by leaving them at last, and returning again to the Fold and Shepherds of Jesus Christ. For as your itching ears have heaped up such a multitude of Teachers; so your eares well bored a∣gain would throw them down as fast. Alas! what doth up∣hold them but the pleasant Aire of your Encouragement; would you withdraw, they fall immediately with shame and sorrow: were there no Hearers, there would be no such Teachers. For as we cannot hear without Preachers, so they will not preach without Hearers: and now will you not recom∣pense

your former prejudice to the Church and them, and your selves besides, while so fair an advantage remains in your hands? However, if love cannot win and prevail, let the terror and fear of the Lord perswade, whose strict com∣mand I reade unto you, and leave upon you; Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the Prophets that pro∣phesie * 1.4 to you, they make you vain. And why? I have not sent these Prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hearers are partakers of the sin of un∣sent Preachers.
• * 1.2

  Sin in hearing of them direct∣ly too.
• * 1.3

  Jer. 23. 32.
• * 1.4

  Jer. 23. 16. with 21.