An Advertisement to the Reader

There are (Christian Reader) certain principles in Church affairs, generally consented to by all men, aiming at reformation; 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: among 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 person 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 all believers of one place, are bound to 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 the guilt of Schism.

These principles, evident in the Scripture, clear in themselves, and owned in the main by all pretending to regular Church-reformation, were supposed and taken for granted, at the collection of these ensuing rules.

The apostolical direction and precept in such cases is, that whereunto we have attained, we should walk according to the same rule; to whose performance the promise annexed is, that if any one be otherwise minded, God will also reveal that to him. The remaining differences about Church order and discipline, are for continuance so ancient, and by the disputes of men, made so involved and intricate; the parties at variance so prejudiced and engaged, that although all things of concernment appear to me, as to others, both consenting with me, and dissenting from me, clear in the Scriptures; yet I have little hopes of the accomplishment of the promise in revelation of the truth, as yet contested about in men differently minded; until the obedience of walking suitably and answerably to the same rules agreed on, be more sincerely accomplished.

This persuasion is the more firmly fixed on me every day, because I see men, for the most part, to spend their strength and time, more in the opposing of those things wherein others differ from them, than in the practice of those which by themselves and others are owned, as of the most necessary concernment; so that, though the Lord has enabled me with some pains and difficulty, to compose an Irenicum in the theory of ecclesiastical discipline; yet persuaded by my own judgment, I willingly lay it aside, lest it should prove with others, a wandering Raven, and choose rather to send forth this Dove, to direct the poor of the flock in the practice of those Christian duties, which are answerable to the rules by all agreed upon, aiming in the first place at the edification of the flock committed to my own care; and in the next, to allure all lovers of Christ in sincerity, to walk in those ways which are attended with mercy and peace, not wanting a promise of the revelation of hidden truths; and in this I am fully resolved, that the practice of any one duty here mentioned, by any one soul before neglected, shall be an abundant recompense for the publishing my name with these papers, savoring so little of those ornaments of art or learning, which in things that come to public view, men desire to hold out.