medy to cure, or means to prevent this evil. For the close of all, we may observe, that those who are most, offended, and afraid, lest others should encroach upon their callings, are for the most part such, as have almost deserted it themselves, neglecting their own employment, when they are the busiest of mortals in things of this world. To conclude, then, for what I have delivered in this particular, I conceive that I have the judgment and practice of the whole church of Scotland, agreeable to the word of God, for my warrant; witness the act of their assembly at Edinburgh, An. 1641. wherewith the learned Rutherford concludes his defence of their discipline, with whose words I will shut up this discourse; Our assembly also, commandeth godly conference at all occasional meetings, or as God's providence shall dispose, as the word of God commandeth, providing none invade the pastor's office, to preach the word, who are not called thereunto by God and his church.' Τῷ θεῷ αριστομεγίστω δόξα. ESHCOL; A CLUSTER OF THE FRUIT OF CANAAN; BROUGHT TO THE BORDERS, FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE SAINTS, TRAVELLING THITHERWARD, WITH THEIR FACES TOWARDS ZION. OR, RULES OF DIRECTION, FOR THE WALKING OF THE SAINTS IN FELLOWSHIP, For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.-1 PET. ii. 15. TO THE READER. THERE are, Christian reader, certain principles in church affairs, generally consented unto by all men aiming at reformation, and the furtherance of the power of godliness therein, however diversified among themselves by singular persuasions, or distinguished by imposed and assumed names and titles; some of these, though not here mentioned, are the bottom and foundation of this following collection of rules for our walking in the fellowship of the gospel: amongst which, these four are the principal: First, That particular congregations or assemblies of believers, gathered into one body, for a participation of the ordinances of Jesus Christ, under officers of their own, are of divine institution. Secondly, That every faithful believer is bound by virtue of positive precepts, to join himself to some such single congregation, having the notes and marks whereby a true church may be known and discerned. Thirdly, That every man's own voluntary consent and submission to the ordinances of Christ in that church whereunto he is joined, is required for his union therewith, and fellowship therein. Fourthly, That it is convenient that all believers of one place should join themselves in one congregation, unless through their being too numerous, they are by common consent distinguished into more; which order cannot be disturbed without danger, strife, emulation, and breach of love. These principles, evident in the word, clear in them |