Apostles furnished with the gift of Tongues though secondary to them in their power for the dispensing the Gospel to all Nations and therefore upon the scattering the Church of Jerusalem after Stephens Persecution these Prophets mostly began the Churches of the Gentiles by their Ministry at first My Reasons for it are 1. That its evident all the Brethren as well as the Apostles were extraordinarily furnished for the Ministry Act. 2.4 They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues c. Now this was for special ends that they were capacitated to speak to all Nations in their own Languages 2. We find upon Stevens Persecution Act. 8.1 that they were all scattered except the Apostles not the whole Church for we read often of that Church still but all the Brethren of the 120 were scattered throughout the Regions of Judea Samaria by whole means Churches of the Jews were gathered as it appears verse 14. and Acts 9.31 After God had taken off that great Informer Saul then had all the Churches rest throughout all Judea Galilee and Samaria Likewise we find that the Church of Antioch the first among the Gentiles that we read of was Planted by their Ministry see Acts 11.19 20 22. compare with ch 13. 1. More might be said on this point but I must keep to the present design only naming the several Offices 11 The third kind of extraordidary Officers were Evangelists such as Steven Phillip Luke Mark Timothy c. they were men no doubt extraordinarily qualified and were called Evangelists as being Assistants to the Apostles and travelled with them and sometimes alone as Philip It may be doubted whether the seven Deacons were of that 120 Brethren for they were men full of the Holy Ghost ch 6. 3. and afterward being pitched upon for eminent Service to the Church were called now Evangelists but being not of the number that were together at our Saviours Ascention and Pentecost and though their work might be the same with the Prophets yet their dignity was inferiour to the Apostles and Prophets as Eph. 4. Some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists but we need not lay much stress now upon the differences of those Offices ceased those Officers especially Apostles and Prophets are irrecoverably ceased from the very nature of them for an Apostle it were requisite to be one who had seen the Lord and a Prophet according to what we endeavour to prove one of those that were baptized with the Ghost and Fire at Pentecost As for an Evangelist it 's most probable to remain if any because the work still remains necessary to the encrease of the Church viz. Preaching to Unconverted people and gathering of Churches tho' none can be expected since the Primitive Times with any more then ordinary qualifications which any stated Church-officer hath such Evangelists such Deacons cannot be had But to supply those Offices necessary now in the Church those that are to be mentioned are sufficient 12. The Ordinary Officers remaining in the Church now may be reduced to these two heads Elders and Deacons Elders for Ministry and Government Deacons to serve Tables to look after the necessary charges for the Ministry Ordinances Assemblies Poor c. I shall not enlarge here it being evident to every one acquainted with Scripture 13. The Ordinances of Ordinary Communion are Prayer Preaching the Word Sacraments Acts 2. Collections The Lords Supper is still spoken of as the most eminent Ordinance of Communion 1 Cor. 10.16 14. If we enquire for the ground and end of Communion in these Ordinances it is That this is the way appointed by Christ for the edifying his Body for the encrease of Faith and Love in the Members of Christ those Ordinances being designed indeed as to the Church for edification for it s not to be supposed that a Church-Member should be an unconverted person if a hypocrite creep in he hath nothing of true end and design of Communion So that by Communion the Body of Christ is nourished strengthened and perfected towards its fullness of stature in Christ 15. If it be enquired where Church Communion is and between what kind of persons I answer Church Communion in Ornances can be but in one particular Congregation at the same time where all may meet for edification in one place we read of no other in the Primitive Church tho some would have that of Jerusalem to be greater then so after the addition of 3000 but it s expresly said that they were all together in Fellowship and met together still before the dispersion Acts 2.42.44 also chap. 5.12 and other places but this great Church was scattered afterwards by Gods Providence ordering it for the great advantage of the Gospel and propagation of Churches 16. If it be inquired between whom Church-Communion is exercised The answer is easy It 's between particular Members that ordinarily have fellowship in the same particular Congregations as likewise between one particular Church and another all Churches comunicating in this that they are of the same universal Body have the same Head Bond of Union Graces Ordinances Priviledges as in the one intire Catholick Body as every individual person in fellowship is a Member in particular so every individual Church is a part of that Integrum compacted by that vvhich every joynt supplyeth Ephes 4.16 according to the effectual working in the measure of every part c. 17. Communion we have said as it stands in copartnership in some common good so in communication between Member and Member what of peculiar good is in any part is communicable to the rest or fellow-feeling of the Sufferings of each other As there is a common design carri'd on by every part for the good of the whole so by all parts for each other The Apostle tells us this at large 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 18. The mutual communication that is visible in order to spiritual advantage stands in giving and receiving by the exercise of spiritual gifts and graces in the Word and Prayer by mutual advice and counsel by admonition and Church-censures where required by contributions to the wants and necessities of each other any way arising Spiritual or Temporal This Communion is practicable between Church and Church also not only by occasional participation in the Word and Ordinances with each other but in the matters before mentioned of advice and supply of each others wants In the former case we have the example of the Church of Antioch advising with the Church of Jerusalem in the latter that 1 Cor. 16.5 2 Cor. 9.3 4. Gal. 6.6 c. CHAP. XI The Conclusion BEing not minded to enlarge this discourse any further at this time I shall only lay down a few Corolary Assertions briefly to obviate some objections that may rise in some mens minds against what hath been spoken which we shall be ready to defend if occasion requires 1. That that only is a true constituted Church of Christ which is a house of Gods Building it 's not mans fancy or pretentions that renders any thing so 2. That a Christians actual Communion with any one true Visible Church of Christ makes him a Member in Communion with all the Churches of Christ though he doth not at present nor hath occasion to communicate with any Congregated Body besides what he is actually and immediately in Communion with 3. Hence barely Non-Communion as to immediate Participation in Ordinances with this or that Church doth not Unchurch them as some men phrase it i. e. condemn their standing neither is it any part of Schism or culpable Separation 4. There is a Separation that is absolutely necessary to every True Visible Church of Christ there can be none without it and it is the duty of True Churches and Members to practice it 5. This Separation is from the World Flesh and Devil and therefore from all the children of these and from all false Churches whatsoever 6. That all Antichristian Churches as well as absolutely Heathen are Idol-temples and therefore Communion with them is fellowship with Belial and his Idols 1 Cor. 6. 7. That Christ hath had his true Worshippers and Churches during the whole time of the Antichristian Reign and Rage but in a Wilderness especially as to Visible Form and Constitution yea trodden down by the Gentiles for the most part preserved notwithstanding by Christ in some times and places in its essential mystical state at least without any visible lustre in Externals as the Church of Old in Egypt and Babylon in other times and places he hath secured them in some retirements so far as to have opportunity to erect Tabernacles of true Gospel constitutions in form and fashion as he primitively appointed 8. And thus the true Churches of Christ hath stood during the time of the Womans militating in the Wilderness under its several Scatterings Deformations and Reformations under which God hath owned them all the dayes of their wanderings in the Wilderness 9. God hath had his degrees of Reformation and Purity of his Church especially during the last part of the Beasts Reign and that all such degrees have been progresses in Separation as to Purity of Ordinances and Worship till at last there shall be a perfect full and clear Redemption of Zion from all her Captivity in this Spiritual Egypt and Babylon 10. Schism is a thing talked more of then understood we only affirm this concerning it 1. That Separation from a manifestly false Church is no Schism 2. Non-communion with a suspected Church is no Schism but a duty 3. That all Schism spoken of in Scripture is actually and immediately in some particular Congregation being a Visible Politick Body and those there mentioned are not all amputations or rentings asunder most of them are but divisions in some matters of judgment and affection without a destruction of the whole as in the Church of Corinth though there may be some tendency thereunto 11. Manifest Corruptions in Worship persisted in especially if such as are taken up again after they have been abundantly witnessed against and purged out by former degrees of Reformation are to be separated from and witnessed against and such Churches as maintain them Yea such Separation is so far from a just charge of Schism that it is a necessary Duty of all those whose Minds and Consciences are informed in the truth of the Gospel FINIS
Ceconomy Nationality being the form of its constitution Having Officers Members Assemblies and Ordinances suited to its Nature The Aaronick Priesthood was National a Type of Christs Priesthood relating to his universal Church this Priesthood with all the appertaining Sacrifices Ordinances Ceremonies the Manifestation of the Antitype abolished yea that kind of Church Membership was utterly abolished viz. that none could be a Member of that Church but a Jew born or one Proselyted to that Nation it being the only Nation in the Earth that God had chosen with Exclusion of all other till Christ came and brake down the Partition-Wall between Jew and Gentile after which no man was any longer to be reckoned ever the more a Church-member because he was a Native of this or that Country Col. 3.11 But in the conforming to Christs likeness There is neither Greek nor Jew Circumcision nor Vncircumcision Barbarian Scythian Bond or Free but Christ is all in all and therefore of whatever Nation a man be of if he believe on the Lord Jesus Christ he shall be saved and becomes a capable Member of the visible Church and where-ever he is born without Faith in Christ he cannot be saved neither is without a visible credible Profession thereof capable of communion with the Visible Church in all Ordinances Moreover Christ Jesus abolished all the National Church Assemblies and Ordinances for the Jews as they were one Organized Church so they were to be but one Congregation which is not known now of any one Nation assembling together for the Worship of God in one place where their Ark of the Covenant was and therefore the Tabernacle of Publick Worship was called the Tabernacle of the Congregation where all the Males were required to appear before the Lord thrice a year Exod. 14.23 24. whereby they shewed themselves assembled and a Congregated Nation all in actual communion in the same Church-Administrations and in one place all which was duly to be observed during the time of the Tabernacle and standing of the Temple and though they corruptly retained their high places for offering some Sacrifices during most of that time till the full Reformation in Hezekiahs and Josiahs days yet the Lord still charged it on them as their great sin and witnessed against it by his Messengers the Prophets as such And though they had their several Synagogues they were but for reading of the Law not for Sacrifice or Burnt-offering which were National Services and were to be dispensed only at the Tabernacle of the Congregation or at the Temple yea all Sacrifices Expiations Purifications c. appertaining to particular Levitical Uncleannesses or moral transgressions were there to be performed Now our Lord Jesus Christ never erected such a Gospel-worship after this was abolished either for matter or form neither a National Congregation nor a National Pastor as Aaron nor Ordinances adapted to a National communion as the Sacrifices of old were he never intended in this way or manner to edify his Gospel-Church Besides As Christ established the Church of the Gospel it was not capable of such a constitution such being impossible to be sustained without the countenance if not the compulsive power of civil powers and we see that de facto it came into the ruines when ever in the Jewish Nation Wicked Kings swayed the Scepter we well enough are assured that our Saviour and his Apostles formed the Gospel-Churches every where under Heathen Princes and Governours who were for the most part severe Persecutors of them witness their Sufferings in the Apostles days and during the Christians bloody Persecutions till Constantines time for 300 years at which time of prosperity this National or then rather Provincial corrupt grandeur of Church-constitution began to enter proceeding from the corrupted minds of Church Officers aspiring to the accumulation of riches honours Soon after they fell under the Arrian Heresy under which the same Church pomp continued and proceeded to grow with much Persecution and confusion and distraction in the world with the daily increase of all manner of corruptions in doctrine and worship even to the introduction of Heathenish Abominations in the worship of God till the mortal wound was given to one of the seven heads of the Romish Empire and was healed by the eighth which was the false Prophet the Grand Church Imposter under which the great Apostacy hath so manifestly prevailed and during whose Usurpation the true Church of Christ hath been in the Wilderness and the Witnesses Prophesying in Sackcloth So that our Blessed Lord and Saviour seeing the present state of his little Flock when he ascended and foreseeing their future Suffering State for so many Ages to come under Rome Heathen and after pretendedly Christian constituted such a frame of Gospel churches that were capable of being Spiritual Polities under Heathen and Antichristian Princes and Governours and fitted Officers and Ordinances for their communion and edification suited to such a state which constitution was to last by his commission to the end of the world not alterable to another kind by the will of man in the ensuing prosperous estate that the Church might he blessed withal in after ages which hath been very rare hitherto nor much to be prejudiced as to its truly intended Oeconomy by the afflictions and sufferings that it was destined by faith and patience to encounter withal Hence it will appear there being a Politick Impossibility that the Church-constitution Established by Christ and his Apostles could be National because of the Power of the Dragon raging so much against it in Governours and Rulers of the Earth during the time of the first Ages of it and afterward for the most part by reason of the Tyranny and Usurpation of the false Prophet And when that any time in any Nations it was favoured with the countenance of Christian Kings and Princes had it been National it must have been subject to all the Alterations Additions and Diminutions in Form and Worship which the corrupt and changeable minds of men in Power would invent and impose especially upon change of Governours and Governments though Christian yet divers in their Tempers Understandings and Opinions concerning Gods true Worship as also in their Interests and carriages towards the Church that it would be the most difficult thing in the World to have known the manner and Fashion of Christs house Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb. 3.1 Holy Brethren Partakers of the Heavenly calling Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus vers 2. Who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithful in all his house i. e. in all things appertaining to the Worship of God in his Church vers 3. For this man was counted worthy of more Glory then Moses in as much as he who builded the house hath more Honour then the house vers 5. Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a Servant for a Testimony of those things that were to be spoken
after vers 6. But Christ as a Son over his own house in which he is a chief corner stone and hath a greater Propriety then Moses had upon all respects whose house are we c. i. e. The faithful in the times of the Gospel are the house and Church of Christ and not this or that Nation or Province lying continually at the mercy and dispositions of the wills of Princes guided by carnal interests and acted by corrupt minds to the modelling of it by mutable Laws as they shall correspond most with their State-designs and purposes which had been a great ground to have suspected the faithfulness of Christ if he had left his Church under such a Proteus-like form and constitution as to be lyable to all the models changes and alterations of future ages that the powers of the world would form them into under a pretence of profession of Christianity when as very few of them if they were duely weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary will prove to be much more then almost Christians Lastly The purpose and design of the Lord Jesus Christ by his Incarnation Sufferings Miracles wrought and Doctrine Preached by himself and Apostles was the gathering both Jews and Gentiles Elect into one Body his Church where-ever scattered or dispersed not respecting one Nation or people more then another any further then in respect of the Elect Ones among them nor designing any Kingdom as yet in this world with External Pomp and Grandeur but rather a continuation of a Suffering State with very little intermission under the powers of the Earth exercising the rage and cruelty of the Dragon against the Church and afterward the Tyranny and Usurpation of the Seven Headed Romish Beast and False Prophet neither designed he the calling of many wife men after the Flesh not many mighty not many noble 1 Cor. 1.26 otherwise then which he would certainly have done had he designed National Provincial Churches he would have said I design a Church that may top at least give check to earthly Kings Princes I will turn their heart make them mine both they and their Subjects Therefore I will call many wise men after the Flesh many mighty and many noble persons who shall rule manage and defend my Church which may be in after-ages but we see it quite contrary yet Ver. 27. God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty and base things of this world and things that are despis'd to cary on his spiritual rule Believe it this matter cannot constitute a National Church it must be another sort of men Whatever men therefore may confidently assert and however they make a boast and vaunt themselves of National Churches Officers Members yea and National Jurisdiction and Judicature exerted in Spiritual Courts so called none of which were of Christ's Appointment and Institution but were the meer products of Humane Policies and meer Antichristian Shams put upon the poor carnal blind world whereby that Wicked One endeavours to carry away the eyes and hearts of the children of men from the true plain and Spiritual Spouse of Christ and go a whoring after Harlots that are agreeable to the fashions of this world in Pride Pomp Pleasures Covetousness c. And I say though such Ecclesiastical Powers as also Civil may deal very hardly upon this account with the true Followers of the Lamb and Deluding Pulpiteers may terrify and fright some more weak and less grounded Christians with ambiguous words mis-interpretation and false application of the Scriptures of Truth calling light darkness and darkness light calling what they please Church Charity Communion Uniformity Schism Separation Rebellion Disobedience to Laws Governments c. Yet through the mercy of the most High there are some that have bought the Truth in these latter dayes of light at dear rates of Sufferings with expence of Estates Liberties and Lives under the Antichristian Tyranny and tasted so much of the sweetness and excellency of it that they will not sell it so as to part with it for worldly interest or be affrighted from it by the open mouths of Roaring Lyons nor jugaled out of it by the Sham-Divinity of the slie Foxes that spoil the Vines We have nothing to say to such men but as Hannah spake 1 Sam. 2.3 Talk no more so proudly let not arrogancy come out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of Knowledge and by him Actions are weighed And as for some good old Ely's who are too much blinded with prejudice passion and interest keep a great sputter against Schism Separation from the Church c. and do not seldom grieve the hearts of Christs Members by their unwarrantable doctrines and practices in the great concerns of Gods Worship and but gently rebuke Hophni and Phineas we are very well assured that however they may have laid a a good foundation in some people yet their superstructure is but hay and rubbish which shall certainly be burnt and the day shall make it manifest what it is The only Plea that is made for a National Church that is worth our Observation is from the Prophesies of Old of calling in the Nations Sprinkling many Nations c. Isa 5.26 chap. 52.15 chap. 45.1 This Argument hath little in it to prove a Gospel National Church for these and such like Prophesies reser to the calling of the Gentiles the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is indifferently rendred Gentiles and Nations and it intends no more then the Conversion of the elect Gentiles scattered up and down in all Nations and if it be to be understood of some whole Nations becoming Christian it argues nothing of the necessity that the Nation should become one Church Organized but that the Gospel-Profession of Christianity and the Gospel-churches should overspread the most of a Nation or prevail upon the ruling part of it though very seldom to be brought in Subjection to the Crown Scepter and Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ Erected in visible Churches planted there And it s no hinderance but that christian and religious Magistrates have Scope enough to Exert that power which Christ hath entrusted them withal as such for his Honour and Interest in making and Executing Laws for Restraint of Sin and Encouragement of Vertue in all matters touching Natural Religion as likewise in taking care for the effectual Propagation as much as may be in a due way and manner of the Revealed Religion and by being Nursing Fathers to the Churches countenancing and encouraging them in all strict Observation of the commands of Christ and Exemplary conversation both as Churches and particular Christians defending them from the the Rage Malice and Persecution of the Professed Enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ But know that a christian Magistrate rightly informed in his Duty as Christian and Magistrate hath a Heart and Opportunity to use both those
and obscure and so will be until such time as this Babylonish cheat be perfectly discovered to the minds of men and that whole fabrick destroyed Among all the Mists and Foggs that this Mistress of Sorceries hath raised to lose the true Spouse of Christ in it there 's not many hath been greater then the confusion of Languages and especially about the word Church and Schism that all Enquirers spake of the Church but no two meant the same thing men generally agreed there was a Church and a true one excluding Rome but could not tell what a kind of thing it should be and great contentions have been and are to this day about it Some say Here is the Church and others that it is there and every one cries up his Church and calls others Schismaticks and they that get power into their hands deal with others as such Now it would be worth our while to search after many who have found for confirmation of those that will be perswaded of the Truth and to examine every Church that pretends to that Name by the Test of the Gospel that we may be fully resolved what metal each is made of I know all Christians of what mould or size whatever do pretend to lay no other Foundation then Jesus Christ and it s well if it were true of all professing themselves Protestants for that Foundadation is a Rock and they are so far wise that lay Christ as such in their writings and doctrine but yet that will not bear an ill Superstructure as a good one will not long stand on a bad foundation so a good foundation will not long bear up an ill Superstructure 1 Cor. 3.11 12. Other Foundation can no man lay then that is laid which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this Foundation Gold Silver Precious-stones Wood Hay Stubble Every mans work shall be manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is verse 14. If any mans work abide which he hath â—uilt thereupon he shall receive a reward verse 15. If any mans work shall be burnt he shall suffer loss but he himself shall be saved provided he lay a good foundation yet so as by fire I doubt not but many good mens and Ministers Church-works will be burnt and they will suffer loss it will be manifest one day to be the great blemish of the Reformation that so many good men that have Preached Christ clearly as to his Sonship Natures Offices Merits and Satisfaction for Justification and Sanctifâ—cation have from interest prejudice or ignorance extreamly fumbled in most of the concerns of his Gospel-Church I have much admired to hear some mens Pulpit-zeal against sin in general and for the advancement of holiness even to a justifying condition and when we come to enquire of the particular cases for the practice of it in Gospel and revealed Religion in duties toward God they can tell you of nothing but moral natural Religion and reduce all the Service of God under the Gospel thereto saying they have no other Rule to direct us there but such as this Let every soul be subject to the Higher Powers Rom. 13.1 So as for revealed Religion under the Gospel our judgments and practice must be wholly regulated by and resolved into the wills laws and commands of men But to come to the matter we intend seeing the word Church is cloathed with so great ambiguity and so much dust raised about it to the perplexing of mens minds and Consciences we shall principally fix our Enquiries for the true sence and notion of the word upon the tenure of the Gospel and the meaning of the Spirit of God there knowing that it is That hath the greatest power upon the Consciences of men when it comes with evidence and demonstration to convince us of Truth and whereas fire and sword yea mens great words and looks may terrify flesh and blood yea Pulpit Thunder-Claps discharged on the behalf of Error and Nonsense do keep many weak judgments and consciences in bondage and thraldom afrighting them from an impartial search for truth by hard names equivocating words passionate and zealous ways of expression yet a Conscience truly enlightened by Divine Testimony is very little concern'd at such things any more than to pity such passionate Soul-confounding blind guides and much more their poor deluded enslaved Followers I shall handle this word Church two ways for our more distinct understanding its true Gospel meaning 1. Shew in what sence it is not usually taken 2. In what sence it is CHAP. II. Shewing that a place of Meeting is no where taken in the New Testament for a Church of Christ IT 's necessary to intimate concerning the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in General that tho' it be taken for a Congregation or Assembly of people yet it 's not alwayes limited to a religious one but is used by Classick Authors for any Assembly prophane civil or religious and so it 's used expresly Acts 19. for a prophane and tumultuous assembly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and for a civil lawful Court or Assembly ver 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first of which was dismissed ver 40. But in the proper and usual sence of the Spirit of God in the New Testament it 's every where except in the place above mentioned taken for a Church of Christ in one sence or another and therefore that we may be assured in what sences it is understood it 's necessary to winnow the Chaff from the Wheat and set aside such things as through the mistakes of men error custom and carnal interest are usually called so and imposed as such upon erring or unthinking judgments when Christ and his Gospel never called them so First there is nothing more frequent among us then to call a place of meeting for Publick-Worship a Church I affirm there is no just reason of understanding it so in the New Testament no not in a Metonymy-sence though Learned Mr. Joseph Mede takes a great deal of pains to prove that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.22 Have ye not houses to eat and drink in but despise you the Church of God is there to be understood for the material place of ordinary assembling together for the Worship of God and saith that their Oratories where they frequently met were called Churches and yet in the begining of his discourse he saith It is taken for granted in a manner by the most of our Reformed Writers and affirmed by some of the other side that in the Apostles times and ages next after them whilst the Church lived under Pagan and Persecuting Emperours Christians had no Oratories or places set apart for Divine Worship but that they assembled here and there promiscuously and uncertainly as they pleased or the occasion served in places of common use and not otherwise which thing undoubtedly is justly enough and
upon grounds more evident believed then any reasons brought to prove the contrary by that worthy person wherein he acknowledgeth himself almost singular in this undertaking and lays his first and greatest stress on that expression 1 Cor. 11.22 Here saith he I take the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Church to note not the Assembly but the place appointed for sacred duties and that from the opposition thereof to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their own houses these are places proper for common and ordinary repast and not the Church or housâ— of God This is the only argument which he brings besides some obscure passages of some Fathers whose opinions will not sway here but as in other things so far as we see them consonant to the truth manifest in Scriptures compared together and it seems strange that the word should have a tropical meaning in this place and every where else a proper one and besides the reason from the opposition will not hold especially if we consider what Mr. Mede understands those Oratories or Churches of theirs to be It is not to be imagined that in the first three hundred years before Constantines time that they were such goodly and stately structures as the Church had after the Empire became Christian At the first some capable and convenient Room within the walls or dwelling of some pious Disciple dedicated by the religious bounty of the owner to the use of the Church and that usually an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upper room or Caenaculum It 's very probable that all the Disciples houses were at the service of the Churches but that any one house or room in a house was dedicated so to that religious use as to be separated for it from common uses when the Church met not is not probable at all for in times and places of Persecution if Churches meet in any certain house or place though in a private house they shall be sure to be interrupted and broken in upon by Persecuting Officers and Informers The only place met in for some time considerable that we read of was Pauls own hired house at Rome but we find not that it was consecrated or called a Church I am sure consecrated Barns Garrets Cellars or Dining Rooms would be esteemed by our devout Ecclesiasticks a great Abomination But how will the Opposition hold if the Room called the Church was in the same house they eat and drank ordinarily in He should have rather said Have ye not Kitchens or Parlours of common use to eat and drink in but you must despise or put a Prophanation on the Garret which is the Church of God Besides if that Addition had not been made to the Church I should much rather have enclined to Mr. Mâ—des sence if he had said only despise ye the Church But I take it that it would be a very audacious and highly abusive Expression to say Tâ—at a Meeting-house is a Church of God or a Church of Christ And why is not the Opposition as full thus Have you not houses to eat and drink in or Families for so the word is used But you must do it in the Church-Assemblies for they made their Love-feasts in their Assemblies It is evident enough that the Apostle takes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Assembling of the Church together as vers 18. where its used when you meet together in Assembly i. e. when you are Congregated together I hear that there have been Divisions or Schisms among you and those he means had the Divisions who were the Church for the Gospel ascribes culpable Schismes no where but to Body Politicks or Assemblies not to Houses But if we grant Mr. Mede all that he so industriously labours to squeeze out of the Text only to favour the Relative Holiness of such places it s not to be supposed that he intended that they were real and proper Churches but only Metonymical Churches by a Trope and improperly so named no otherwise allowable names putting the Continens pro contento to distinguish places allotted to convenient assembling in Religious Worship from Town-halls and other houses of meeting together for publick concerns or more private Society and Conversation And so we lose nothing by it if such a place be called improperly a Church it s not the Church of Christ intended in the Gospel which Christ purchased with his blood nor built of living stones nor such as Christ is the Head of nor such as Paul wrote his Epistles too nor the Church of Corinth which he exhorts rebukes and commends in the Epistles that he wrote And therefore we may with the greatest assurance conclude that no place where Religious Assemblies frequently use to be is a Church of Christ or may properly be so called They that plead the Expression in the Ephesian Town-Clerks Speech Act. 19.37 Ye have brought hither these which are neither Robbers of Churches Shew their little skill in the Original Text the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Robbers of Temples such as were dedicated to the Heathen Gods and Godesses to which they ascribed not only Relative but inherent Holiness and therefore adapted that name to them CHAP. III. Of a National and Provincial CHURCH CHrist never instituted any such Church under the Gospel Administration as a National and Provincial or Diocesan there is as much for one as for the other there 's no seeming pretence can be made for any of them from any Gospel Expression when I say this I mean not a Church in a Nation Province or Diocess nor all the particular Churches in such place collectively and co-ordinately considered But I mean in the usual acceptation of such Churches in our day as of France of Spain of Denmark c. and in the sence that a National Church was taken in under the Old Testament viz. an Organized National Provincial or Diocesan Church that have Officers or Members suited to their respective Natures and Constitution as Pastors and other Officers Exercising National Provincial or Diocesan Jurisdiction in Ecclesiastical Courts or elsewhere and Members quatenus Natives of such places being therefore said to be born within the Pale of the Church or by vertue of such Nativity have immediate right to baptism and made so I say that that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no where signifies such a Church in the New Testament except when there is mention made of the Church of the Jews and the word is but once used in Application to them Act. 7.38 This was he who was in the Church in the Wilderness this we own was a National Church but elsewhere in the New Testament I know not of one place where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can with any fair pretence be understood of a National Church Besides it may be argued from undeniable reasons that Christ instituted or intended not such a Church for the days of the Gospel If it be duely weighed that Christ by his Death put a full Period to the whole Jewish
as hath been shewed being his design mostly to shew the Beauty Glory and Mystery of Christ Mystical c. He directs his Epistle to Philippi Church of Philippi in the same manner and mentions the word Church but twice the first is where he speaks of his Zeal in Persecuting the Church i. e. of Jerusalem Philip. 3.6 and 4.15 where he saith No Church communicated with me as to giving and receiving but ye only So that the Saints at Philippi were the Church The Epistle to Coloss is directed to the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ who are at Coloss Church of Coloss chap. i 2. i. e. the Congregation of the faithful there where this Epistle was to be first read and then in the Church of Laodicea chap. 4.16 He mentions also the Church in the House of Nymphas every where else the word relates to the Catholick Church in this Epistle as hath been shewed The Apostle directs his second Epistle to the Thessalonians verse 1. To the Church of the Thessalonians Church of Thessalonica and such a Church as took their pattern from the Churches of God in Judea 1 Thess 2.14 and therefore he saith 2 Thess 1.4 We our selves glory in the Churches of God for their Patience and Faith in all our Persecutions The Epistle to Timothy speaks of particular Churches 1 Tim. 3.5 If a man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take care of the Church of God i. e. such a one as falls under a Pastoral care in a mans capacity of Government as a Family doth and 1 Tim. 5.16 Let not the Church be charged that is the particular Congregation where Church charges arise as the Context shews In the Epistle to Philemon he speaks of the Church in his House i. e. that did usually assemble there as indeed all the Church-Assemblies were in those times in private Houses and this is the third Church in a private Family that is expresly mentioned by Paul there was Aquila's Nymphas's and Philemon's The Epistle to the Hebrews hath the word Church but twice the first is chap. 2.12 I will declare thy Name unto my Brethren in the midst of the Church I will sing Praise unto thee a place taken out of the Psalms where in the next and Primary Signification the Psalmist so far as he means himself it s to be understood of a particular Congregation where God is praised and so far as it s Prophetically applyed to Christ it s meant of the Catholick Church in the fore-going verse saying He that sanctifieth and who they are sanctified are all one for which sake he is not ashamed to call them brethren saying c. And chap. 12.23 He speaks expresly of the Catholick without dispute The Apostle James speaks of the Elders of a particular Church expresly James 5.14 So John's third Epistle verse 6 9 10. John in the Revelations makes mention of the Word in the singular and plural number no less then nineteen or twenty times and always to be understood of particular Churches I will only name the Texts that the Reader may inspect at his Leisure Revel 1.4 11 20. Chap. 2.1 7 8 12 17 18 23 29. Chap. 3.1 6 7 13 14 22. Chap. 22.16 I find the word Church used in the New Testament about 85 times in this sence viz. of a particular Congregation and cannot by any candid Reader be supposed to have any other meaning nor with the least shew of reason be understood of any Meeting-house National Provincial Diocesan or Parochial constitution but only of a Congregation of Saints by mutual consent ordinarily assembling together for Attendance on Christ in all his Ordinances CHAP. VIII Of the Inferences necessary from the Fore-going Chapter IT being discovered in what sences the word Church is taken in the New Testament it s an idle and vain thing for Christians to trouble and concern their heads and Consciences about humorsome conceipts and imaginations of mens brains managed for the most part to serve their carnal Interests or darken the Truth Let men give up themselves and Understandings impartially to the plain and genuine Sence and meaning of the Spirit of God without squeezing or wresting it to a design or prejudicate Opinion or favouring any beloved Lust and the truth of the Gospel would shine with full Evidence and Demonstration And therefore notwithstanding mens great swelling and words of Vanity from Pulpit and Press in matters of this nature we shall make bold to lay down these following Assertions as undeniable plain Conclusions from what hath been spoken 1. That the Gospel Church Established by our Lord Jesus Christ in the dayes of the New Testament is or can be no where understood of any other Church then the Catholick Church or particular Congregations of faithful men c. and that there is no one place that can have any fair pretence to be understood of any other constitution of Churches 2. That where-ever the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used it always signifies a Congregation or Assembly of men met together at least occasionally upon some civil spiritual or sinful Account and that we need not be beholding to any Tropical Sences or ungrounded supposal of things and meanings of Words so remote when in the plain and ordinary way of Understanding things present themselves to our Reasons and Senses If we be not blinded with Pride Passion Prejudice and Estrangement from the true way of Spiritual Understanding by comparing Scripture with Scripture and consonacy of things to the Analogy of Faith 3. We infer That a Congregation of faithful men is the generical material part of a Church because it comprehends all the matter that is ever found in any Gospel Church of any kind all fit matter for such a Congregation are such as are really so or visibly in foro mundi or both And also because there is no Church of Christ spoken of or mentioned in Old or New Testament but is so called under the Notion of being a Congregation to be sometime or other Assembled all together the Catholick Church is so under that Notion as being all gathered together actually and mystically in Christ and shall all appear one day in a glorious Congregation Heb. 12.22 23. Where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be understood as R. St. renders it Publicus conventus a general Publick Assembly likewise wherever the Spirit of God speaks of a Church of his own constituting it s always so The Old Testament Church was called so under that notion though National yet was required to be still Congregational all the Males being required thrice a year to appear before the Lord in a Visible Congregation at the Tabernacle therefore called the Tabernacle of the Congregation or at the Temple where it was in standing and it is so often called the Congregation of the children of Israel the Reader may turn to these places at leisure Exod. 16.2.10 Levit. 4.13 ch 14.2 20.1 22. Jos
Body is not one Member but many c. and vers 24. God hath tempered the Body together viz. with this diversity of Gifts of Parts of Knowledg For what end To make a Schism No but that the deficient parts should have the more honour verse 24. and not be trampled upon abused and exposed to shame and verse 25. That there should be no Schism in the Body but that the Members should have the same care one of another yea a sympathy and fellow-feeling should be established among all Parts verse 26. much less any hatred detestation and enmity betwixt them We argue then That which works all Gifts and Graces and knits together all the Members diversifyes all the Parts and brings them into an harmonious office and agreement for the good of the whole Mystical Body of Christ under the Old and New Testament is the Bond of Union of that Body but it appears the Spirit of Christ doth this Ergo it's the Catholick Bond. I might mention many other places I 'll only name two or three more Eph. 4.1 The Apostle exhorts to walk worthy of their vocation and mentioning many Christian Graces he tells them in the exercise of them they should keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Unity notwithstanding all diversities is the ground-work of all Uniformity among Christians There is one Body one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling c. and remarkable is Ephes 2. from the 13th verse to the end where he tells us that Christ having abolished in his Flesh all enmity between God and us and between Jews and Gentiles those that were a far off are made nigh he hath made in himself being the common Head of twain i. e. Jew and Gentile one new man i. e. Christ Mystical so making Peace c. see verse 17. and ver 18. For through him we both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit unto the Father and then he goes on to tell them that they are no more Strangers c. but made a Spiritual Building upon the best Foundation fitly framed together growing up into an holy Temple in the Lord in whom also ye are builded together i. e. the whole Catholick Body for a habitation of God through the Spirit which is the great Cement of this Spiritual Building that unites all the parts together and every particular part to the Head 5. The eminent uniting Graces which are wrought by the Spirit is Faith and Love Faith to our Lord Jesus Christ and Love to one another Love indeed is the most extensive Union-Grace because it reacheth the whole Mystical Body both the Church Militant and Triumphant Faith is an Eminent Grace of unspeakable use to Saints but it 's only for their Militant State 1 Cor. 13. But by Love both Saints Militant and Triumphant dwell in God and God in them 1 John 4.7 16. And hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit verse 13. But whilst we are here Faith must be primum movens as to our Love we must see him some way or other that we love nay we must be made nigh reconciled in our minds and embrace him and this closing yea first tasting of Christ is by Faith hence the Gospel Ministry and Ministration Eph. 4.12 is for the building up the Body of Christ further and further till all that do belong to him do come verse 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the one-ness of Faith or full agreement in the Faith of Jesus to the knowledge of the Son of God the Head to a perfect man i. e. to make up the perfection of the Mystical Manhood of Christ as Paul speaks elsewhere of filling up in his Body the Sufferings of Christ that remain the calling in the Elect is the perfecting the Mystical Body of Christ that henceforth ye be no more Children c. But speaking the Truth in love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truthing it away in love or walking sincerely in love doth grow up towards him or upon him in all things who is the Head even Christ verse 16. From whom i. e. from the indwelling of whose Spirit the whole Body is fitly articulated conjoyned and compacted together so the words signify by the supply of every Member receiving of the distributions of the Spirit for the particular Shape Use Dignity and Office of each part determined according to the effectual working 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Energy or in-operation viz. of the Spirit in every part We have also here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the same word Philip. 1.19 This shall turn to my Salvation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the influence or supply of the Spirit this influential supply is the cause of that excellency and beauty that appears in every part for the good of the whole 6. Having proved the Spirit of Christ to be the common Nexus or Bond of Union in the Mystical Body or Catholick Church it is not hard to evince a bond of Union also in every particular Church As the totum contains all the parts and the parts make up the whole So the Catholick Church contains all particular Churches and the same Bond that tyes the whole together tyes and limits each part but as the Catholick Church is yet Mystical and not Visible because its Bond of Union is such so when ever any part of this Church becomes visible there must be a manifestation and discovery as much as is possible of this Bond of the Spirit working by Faith and Love 7. For conveniency of edification Christ hath instituted several Congregations or Apartments in his Church with a power of choosing their own Officers and enjoyment of all Ordinances according to Christs Will and Appointment These particular Congregations must each of them as they are parts of the Catholick have a manifestation of the Bond of the Spirit uniting them to Christ and to his Body which manifestation is the visible form of a particular Church and Church Membership 8. This manifestation if it proceed so far as to be a Bond of Union in a particular Spiritual Body Politick it must be first A probable Profession of this inward Bond of the Spirit working by Faith and Love that the person or persons so professing may rationally according to the Rules of Charity be esteemed of the number of the Faithful which Professing Faithful Ones are the only matter of a Particular Church of Christ this is doing as Christians in the same manner as Paul did as a Minister 2 Cor. 4.2 Renouncing the hidden things of darkness c. by manifestation of the Truth commending our selves to every mans Conscience in the sight of God but of this before viz. That the true matter of a Particular Visible Church is visible Saints 2. There must be something or other to determine a man a Member of this or that Congregation more