the cenſures carried. It had been better, had there been more days of humiliation in Afſemblies, Synods, Preſbyteries, Congregations, Families, and far leſs adjourned commiſſions, new peremptory ſummons, and new drawn up proceſſes. And if the meekneſs and gentleneſs of our Maſter had got ſo much place in our hearts, that we night have waited on gainſayers and parties contrary minded; and we might have driven gently, as our Maſter Chriſt, who loves not to over-drive, but carries the lambs in his boſom.
If the word of truth in the Old and New Teſtament be a ſufficient rule, holding forth what is a Chriſtian army, whether offenſive or defenſive; whether clean, or ſinfully mixed,———then muſt we leave the queſtion betwixt our public brethren and is to be determined by that rule: But if there be no ſuch rule in the word, then the confederacies and aſſociations of the people of God with the idolatrons, apoſtate Iſraelites, with the Egyptains and Aſſyrians, as that of Jehoſaphat with Ahab, and theſe of Iſrael and Judah with Egypt and Aſſyria, ſhall not be condemned; but they are often reproved and condemned in ſcripture. To deny the ſcripture to be a ſufficient rule in this caſe, were to accuſe it of being imperfect dad defective:———an high and unjuſt reflection on the holy word of God! Beyond all queſtion, the written word doth teach, what is a right conſtituted court, and what not, Pſal. x; what is a right conſtituted houſe, and what not, Joſh. xxiv. 15; what is a true church, and what is a ſynagogue of Satan, Rev. ii; what is a clean camp, and what is an unclean. We are not for an army of Saints, and free of all mixture of ill affected men: But it ſeems an high prevarication for churchmen to counſel and teach, That the weight and truſt of the affairs of Chriſt, and his kingdom, ſhould be laid upon the whole party
