Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A87350
|
The Covenant to be the Lord's people, and to walk after the Lord signed by the meeting at Horsly-Down in Southwark.
|
Jacob, Joseph, 1667?-1722.
|
1700
(1700)
|
Wing J100; ESTC R43655
|
29,029
|
66
|
is the Heresie of the Papists and their Followers to say that the good old righteous Law of God is taken away to make room for a new Gospel Law by our sincere Obedience whereto any can be sav'd for if Righteousness comes by our Obedience to any Law Christ is dead in vain Question 15. But are not Faith Repentance and New Obedience reckoned for our Gospel Righteousness Answer Gal. 2.16 Rom. 3.20 21 22. Jer. 23.6 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 7.11 Eph. 4.22 24. The only Righteousness for which a Sinner is sav'd is the Righteousness of Christ receiv'd by Faith and imputed to us the Act of Faith doth not justifie but Christ the Object by Faith apprehended and rested upon and this Faith is ever accompanied with true Repentance and new Obedience Question 16. Then those that receive the Gospel are to do good Works Answer Tit. 2.11 12.3.8 14. 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Tim. 1.5 8 9. Rom. 7.12 22. 1 Cor. 9.21 Mat. 5.19 Those that receive the Gospel should be careful to maintain good Works done from a Principle of Faith unto God's Glory but all Commands for all good Works with all Threatnings for the neglect thereof are from the Law which is the Rule of Life to all Question 17. How shall we walk according to this Rule that we may glorifie God Answer Christ hath set up his Churches 1 Pet. 2.3 5 9 12. Luke 1.6 in which we should walk blameless in all the Ordinances and Commands of God Mat. 12.50 Acts 2.42 11.26 Gal. 6.16 Mal. 4.4 2 Cor. 9.13 not being partial in his Law but esteeming the Commands as highly in the Old Testament as in the New both being our Rule and such only are call'd Christians in the Scripture and to be accounted visible Believers who profess their Subjection to Christ in his Church The Seventh Lesson About Glorifying God in his Churches Question I. WHat is the Church of Christ Answer The Church of Christ is either 1st The Catholick Church Eph. 1.22 23.5.25 27. 2 Thes 2.1 consisting of all and only the Elect which is and will be invisible till the Judgment-Day Or 2dly The visible Church which consisted first in Families Gen. 17.7 10. Acts 7.38 Rev. 1.11 then in the whole Nation of the Jews and since Christ ascended it consists in particular Congregations Question 2. What makes a Congregation a true Church of Christ Answer More generally and briefly two Things go to the due Constitution of every Church of Christ Scripture Faith Col. 2.5 6. and Order without both which there can be no true Church But more largely and particularly to the regular Constitution of every true Church these * Prov. 9.1 These are the Churches Seven Pillars Seven things are necessary Right Foundation Matter Form Officers Ordinances Order and Ends. SECT I. Of the Right Foundation of a Church Question 3. What is the Right Foundation of a Church of Christ Answer The right Foundation of every true Church Mat. 16.18 Isa 26.4 Marg. Eph. 2.20 2 Pet. 3.2 Ps 18.22 Col. 2.19 1 Pet. 2.4 5. 1 Cor. 3.11 is the Person of Christ the Rock of Ages on whom the Church is built according to the Precepts and Practices of the Apostles and Prophets Christ himself being the only Support and Head thereof on whom the Faith of the Church stands and all other Foundations of Money Power and Policy not being of God will fall SECT II. Of the right Matter of a Church Question 4. What is the right Matter of a Church of Christ Rom. 10.9 10. 1 Cor. 1.10.7.14 Jer. 32.39 Deut. 29.10 12. 1 Cor. 14.23 and 11.20 Deut. 4.37 Psal 102.27 28. Ezek. 16.20 21. Luke 18.16 Answer So many professing Believers of one Mind and one Judgment with their immediate Infant-Seed as can conveniently assemble together to worship in one place and no more are the only right Matter of a visible Church of God who loving the Fathers chose their Children after them therefore the Infant-Seed with Believers stand in a Relation to God in his Church for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven SECT III. Of the Right Form of a Church Quest 5. What is the right Form of a Church of Christ Answer Psal 50.5 Deut. 29.1 9 15. 2 Cor. 8.5 with 2 Chron. 23.16 and 34.31 The only right forming of a Church is by Covenant in which all do give up themselves and their Children to the Lord and to each other by his Will to be the Lord's People and to walk after him in all his ways by such a Covenant were the Churches both in the Old and in the New Testament form'd Neh. 10.1 29. with Act 11.23 Jer. 50.5 with Act. 9.26 Heb. 8.6.13 Eph. 4.3 with Ezek. 20.37 Neh. 9.38 Ezek. 43.11 call'd in God's Word the First and Second Covenant and this being the Bond of the Churches Peace it is most expedient to have written in our sight that we may keep it and do it SECT IV. Of the right Officers of a Church Quest 6. Who are the right Officers of a Church of Christ Answer Christ hath appointed for each Church only two sorts of Officers Phil. 1.1 A Pastor and Deacon 1st Eph. 4.11 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Acts 20.28 1 Cor. 12.28 A Pastor or Bishop not to Lord over but to feed teach and rule that Flock to which he is related assisted in his Work by Elders if need be 2d Acts 6.2 3. 1 Tim. 3. all Deacons to take Care of the outward Affairs of the Church These Officers to be chosen by the Church from among themselves Acts 14.23 and by them to be ordain'd or set a part to their Work with Fasting and Praying without laying on of Hands Profit not 1 Cor. 12.7 Edifie not 1 Cor. 14.12 26 that Ceremony being no more to be us'd than washing of Feet or anointing with Oyl because the glorious Gifts that once attended it are long since ceas'd SECT V. Of the Right Ordinances of a Church Question 7. What are the Right Ordinances of a Church of Christ Answer Typify'd Ezek. 40.39 40 41 42. chap. 46.3 Ezek. 47.12 The Right Ordinances for the Worship of GOD in the Church are Eight Four being more general to be dispens'd every first day of the Week in which all may join And four more special to be confin'd to or kept within the pale of the Church and dispens'd according to the Months Question 8. What are the Four general Ordinances in which all may join Answer The Four general Ordinances are Praise Prayer Preaching And Contribution 1st Praise Psal 150.6 Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 By singing only the Psalms Hymns and Songs indited by the Spirit and contain'd in the Scripture 2. Prayer By the help of the Spirit Psalm 65.2 Rom. 8.26 Matth. 6.7 9. without humane forms according to the Pattern given by our Lord to his Disciples 3. Preaching By rightly dividing 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 28.23 expounding and applying