I Read in the Book of Nehemiah, that when the wall of Jerusalem was in building, the builders met with so much opposition, that they were forced to build with their weapons in one hand, and with their working tools in the other. They had enemies from without, and they had secret enemies amongst themselves. They met with many discouragements; but God carried them through all, and at last they finished the wall to the confusion of their enemies, and the rejoicing of their friends. Nehemiah's condition is our condition. The Discipline and Government of the Church, is to the Church as a wall is to a City. A City without walls is exposed to every enemy: so is the Church without a Government. This wall is now in building: the Parliament (blessed be God) hath contributed very much to this building; but yet we meet with mountains of opposition, and with many discouragements. Our enemies say, What do these feeble Presbyterians mean? will they fortify themselves? will they make an end in a day? will they revive ⟨image 3⟩the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt? Even that which they build, if a Fox go up, he shall even break down their stone-wall. Our enemies also raise false reports to weaken the hands of the builders, and to make us afraid, as they did, Neh. 6. 6. 10. They say, that the Presbyterian Government (which is the Government that comes nearest the Word, and the Government of the best Reformed Churches) will prove Tyrannical, and Episcopal. And that it is better to be under one Bishop then under a hundred. But we answer, as Nehemiah did, Neh. 4. 4. Hear ô our God, for we are despised; and turn their reproach upon their own head. And as Neh. 6. 9. Now therefore, ô our God, strengthen our hands. But that which is worser then this, is; that our seeming friends seek to undermine us, and to terrify us, and say, as Neh. 4. 11. They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. And others are ready to discourage us, and say as it is, Neh. 4. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build the wall. It is impossible (say some) to purge our Churches according to the rule, they are so full of rubbish, and therefore it is better and safer to study Separation from, rather then Reformation of our Churches.
I Read in the Book of Nehemiah, that when the wall of Jerusalem was in building, the builders met with so much opposition, that they were forced to build with their weapons in one hand, and with their working tools in the other. They had enemies from without, and they had secret enemies amongst themselves. They met with many discouragements; but God carried them through all, and at last they finished the wall to the confusion of their enemies, and the rejoycing of their friends. Nehemiah's condition is our condition. The Discipline and Government of the Church, is to the Church as a wall is to a City. A City without wals is exposed to every enemy: so is the Church without a Government. This wall is now in building: the Parliament (blessed be God) hath contributed very much to this building; but yet we meet with mountains of opposition, and with many discouragements. Our enemies say, What doe these feeble Presbyterians meane? will they fortifie themselves? will they make an end in a day? will they revive ⟨image 3⟩the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt? Even that which they build, if a Fox goe up, he shall even break down their stone-wall. Our enemies also raise false reports to weaken the hands of the builders, and to make us afraid, as they did, Neh. 6. 6. 10. They say, that the Presbyterian Government (which is the Government that comes neerest the Word, and the Government of the best Reformed Churches) will prove Tyrannicall, and Episcopall. And that it is better to be under one Bishop then under a hundred. But we answer, as Nehemiah did, Neh. 4. 4. Hear ô our God, for we are despised; and turn their reproach upon their own head. And as Neh. 6. 9. Now therefore, ô our God, strengthen our hands. But that which is worser then this, is; that our seeming friends seek to undermine us, and to terrifie us, and say, as Neh. 4. 11. They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. And others are ready to discourage us, and say as it is, Neh. 4. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so that wee are not able to build the wall. It is impossible (say some) to purge our Churches according to the rule, they are so full of rubbish, and therefore it is better and safer to study Separation from, rather then Reformation of our Churches.
