Member is under the Head's care and shall at last be fully happy in and with Christ Jesus To be a Door-keeper in the House of God was look'd upon as an honour and Priviledg by a King of Israel Psal 84. 10. The least degree of true Grace is more worth than all the Gold and Silver that God has made Saints are to be blamed when discontented because they are not of the highest rank for all Saints are Children all are Heirs all are first-born therefore the Church is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Church of the first-born Heb. 12. 23. nay they are all even the meanest of them advanced to Kingly Dignity Rev. 1. 5 6. To him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever 3. Let the Members of the Church be sensible of the need they stand in one of another How much are the higher Members of the Body beholding to the Feet which are the lowest of all the Body could not go without them but only lame and a Cripple God has ordered it so in his Church that as the Members are to have their main and principal dependance upon Christ their Head so they are to have some kind of dependance upon one another and the reason is that those two excellent Graces of Humility and Love may flourish among them Though the Hand by the Philosopher be fitly stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most useful Member yet it cannot do every thing It cannot see like the Eye nor speak like the Tongue and if a man should attempt to go upon his Hands he would walk after a sorry and odd fashion The strongest Saints nay the ablest Ministers are beholding to the meanest Believers the stronger are encouraged when the meaner do their Duty A word sometimes from a weak Christian may be much to the edification of a Christian more grown The Apostle says he lived if the Thessalonians stood fast in the Lord 1 Thes 3. 1. And a beggar could not beg more heartily for an Alms than he did for the Prayers of the Saints at Rome Rom. 15. 30. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and the love of the Spirit that you strive together with me in your Prayers to God for me 4. Let the Members of the Church have the same care one of another that they have of themselves 1 Cor. 12. 25. In the natural body it is thus if the Face be struck at the Arm endeavours to ward off the blow if the Body be in danger in one place the feet are ready to carry it to a place of greater strength and safety Christians should be concerned for their fellow Christians as for their fellow Members and mind that of the Apostle more 1 Cor. 10. 24. Let no man seek his own that is his own only but every man anothers wealth 5. Let the members of the Church sympathize with suffering members We are commanded to weep with those that weep Rom. 12. 15. The sorrows of afflicted Christians should be ours and we should feel their burthens 'T is the glass eye that sheds no tears 't is the wooden Arm and Leg that feels nothing Every Member of Christ should be full of Bowels The Injunction is plain Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves also in the body Those were upbraided and threatned severely for their carnal security and hardness of heart who were at ease when Zion was in trouble and were not at all grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph Amos 6. 6. 6. Let the members of the Church be concerned about such fellow members that are sinfully distempered If any part of the body natural aile any thing all the other parts are ready to afford the utmost relief and assistance they are able And why should Christians be careless of Christians as if they were of Cains temper who said Am I my Brothers keeper If a beast be fallen we pity him and are ready to help unto the lifting him up again and should not a member of Christ who has fallen into sin and hurt himself so much by his fall move our compassions We are indeed carefully to avoid infection by those that are lapsed yet 't is our duty to restore them in the Spirit of meekness considering our selves lest we also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. 7. If one member of the Church be honoured all the members should rejoice with it Is the hand envious at the eyes quickness or the ear envious at the hands activity Envy is as unreasonable in the body mystical as in the body natural We ought to rejoice in the gifts of others and in their graces and in their usefulness else the Spirit of God who has given these gifts and graces and has made them thus useful will be grieved and we shall hinder our selves of that profit which we our selves might reap from them 8. Let there be no discord among the members of the Church but they should perfectly agree together By that Apologue concerning the unreasonableness of the Members falling out with the Body Menenius Agrippa did put an end to a contention that was likely to prove fatal between the Roman Senate and the common people How unreasonable would it be that the hand should envy the eyes and endeavour to put them out that the feet should take it amiss that they are lowermost and should fall a kicking all the parts which are within their reach Discord among Saints is such a kind of unnatural and foolish contention If Abraham the Father of the faithful said unto Lot Let there be no strife between Me and Thee for we be Brethren Gen. 13. 8. surely Christians à fortiori may argue with one another Let there be no strife among us for we are Members 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 12. 5. USE III. Let the World take heed how they deal with the Church which is the Body of Christ 'T is Luthers observation That if any part of the Body be hurt and pained the signs of feeling appear in the Head the Brows are contracted the Tongue cryes Oh! the Visage is altered Christ the Head knowes all the sorrows of his Church nay in all her Afflictions he is afflicted When Saul made havock of the Body on Earth the Head in Heaven cryes out as having felt his fury Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 4. Let the world be wise and the highest and greatest in it for whatsoever injuries are done to Christians for Christs sake he accounts them as done to himself in hurting his Body they strike him there where he is most tender most sensible and such blows without Repentance will be dreadfully revenged Christ who is the Churches Head is to be the Worlds Judge and if when the Lord comes with ten thousands of his Saints hard speeches
Church in a flame Some place Purity and all Religion in being for the Liturgy established as if the Compilers of it had been tantum non divinely inspired and all other Prayer were but meer Enthusiasm and contemptible babbling On the other hand some place purity and all Religion in declaiming against the Liturgy as Mass-english the mark of the Beast and the very voice of the Whore of Babylon But neither the one nor the other place purity and Religion right The Scripture no where commands that we should only pray by a form neither does it forbid a form to be used But it requires that our very Hearts and Souls should be in our prayers and faith and holy desires and other graces exercised in our duties and here lies the purity of them Love therefore refuses to be quarrelsome about smaller matters for it knows that peaceableness cements the Church and closes her breaches and it justly fears lest while men are so contentious about ceremonies the substance of Religion be lost in the quarrel 3. Love makes Christians condescending and yielding one to another that hereby edification may be promoted To be Magisterial and self-willed is not to be the Servants of Christ who are employed in building of his Church We are not to be Dictators but all alike to hearken to the voice and command of Christ our Lord and to be mild and gentle one towards another The Apostle Peter charges the Younger to submit themselves to the Elder but withal adds yea all of you be subject one to another 1 Pet. 5. 5. and hereby intimates that to be Lordly and imposing is contrary to the Spirit of Christianity It was love that made the Apostle Paul a Servant to all that he might gain the more 1 Cor. 9. 19. To the Jewes he became as a Jew that he might gain the Jewes to the weak he became as weak that he might gain the weak he did not hereby manifest a carnal compliance through fear but a condescension of love He was not to be charged with Levity or Apostacy he was not to be censured as a Turn-coat as an Hypocrite as a Mungrel minister or a Linsey Wolsey Brother nor to be called Dough-baked a Cake not turned No no the Apostle loved the Gospel and had a mind to spread it he loved Souls and was desirous to save them and understood how far he might yield in indifferent things for the Churches peace and edification Love makes us patient and self-denying hinders us from pursuing petty designs or private revenges The pleasing of God and profiting his Church swallow up such things as these Love will hinder us from minding high things and move us to condescend to men of low estate Rom. 12. 16. Indeed to apply our selves to all the best and most probable ways for their benefit we shall endeavour to help the weak we shall pity the fallen we shall labour to reduce the straying we shall encourage the diligent and honour the stronger Saints and all this is hugely for Edification 4. Love makes Christians highly to esteem the Pastours and Builders of the Church for their works sake and hereby Edification is promoted The Ministry of the Gospel is a special gift which Christ bestowed upon his Church for her unconceivable advantage Eph. 4. 8 11 12 13. Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men And he gave some Prophets and some Apostles and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man And since the Ministry is such a gift and token of the Royal bounty of Christ who is ascended far above all Heavens certainly the flock of Christ are to love and encourage their Pastours and the more they do this the more likely 't is that the end of the Ministry's institution should be attained namely the edifying and perfecting of the Church of Christ The Apostle though he might have commanded yet uses intreaties for Ministers sake 1 Thes 5. 12 13. He had bid them just before v. 11. to edifie one another but knowing the work of Edification would go on but lamely without a Gospel-ministry he therefore adds And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake and bâ— at peace among your selves 6. Love will constrain the Pastours and builders of the Church to mind their work to purpose A Minister that is full of love to Christ and Souls cannot be a Loyterer If indeed he does design preferment and to fill his baggs with wealth be his great aim then he will grudge Souls his pains He will not be concerned though Hell fill never so fast and though himself be going apace thither But if holy love to the Church of Christ does rule in his heart it will constrain him to be a Labourer and to do his work diligently he will watch and pray he will search and study and aboâ—â— all books the Bible He will take heed to himself and to all his flock that he may save himself and them that hear him Nay love will make a Minister labour and suffer also for the Churches Edification Abundant love to the Corinthians made the Apostle say I will very gladly spend and be spent for you 2 Cor. 12 15. And 't is very plain that he did not think much of suffering Phil. 2. 17. Yea and if I be offered upon the Sacrifice and Service of your faith I joy and rejoyce with you all These reasons plainly demonstrate how much Love tends to edifie But a great many reasons more I find all together even a whole cluster of them 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 6 7. which I shall enlarge upon because they are both a trial of our love and a demonstration most evident that love is for Edification The Apostles words are very searching very piercing he reads a kind of Anatomy-Lecture upon this grace of Love and Charity and lays the inside of it open to the view of others He seems to speak a strange word Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and have not Charity it profiteth me nothing v. 3. What is Charity and Love may some say if feeding the poor be not These outward acts a Pharisee may do meerly out of oftentation Mat. 6. a Papist may do ignorantly hoping hereby to satisfy for his sins and merit Heaven I grant that love without these outward acts of mercy is vain and useless 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Love in deed is love in truth 1 Joh. 3. 18. But though love produce such deeds many outward acts of mercy may be where love is not The Apostle in
a great many particulars discovers true love and Charity and I shall make it evident how in every particular 't is much for edification 1. Love suffers long and is kind God is long suffering and so is Love It enables us to rule our own spirits which argues true greatness and strength of Soul Prov. 16. 32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a City Love is so far from revenging injuries already done that it will bear new ones and that 's the meaning of our Lords Injunction Mat. 5. 39. I say unto you that ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek turn to him the other also Nay Love though it suffers long is kind notwithstanding 'T is much to put up an injury but much more to be kind to the Injurer This love in Churches how would it unite them and the more they are united the more they are strengthened Provocations to wrath would be turned into provocations to love and evil would be overcome by goodness and the World hereby is likely to be convinced and converted The Proto-Martyr Stephen was kind to those that stoned him How does he pray that their sin might not be laid to their charge but that their Souls might be saved though they thirsted after his blood and took away his life from him This Prayer was heard and Saul at length is converted and proves a Master-builder of the Church of God 2. Love envies not It is not grieved and troubled at anothers excellency neither does it grudge at the comfort or prosperity of another How much of Hell is there in the temper of an envious man The happiness of another is his misery the good of another is his affliction He looks upon the vertue of another with an evil eye and is as sorry at the praise of another as if that praise were taken away from himself Envy makes him an hater of his Neighbour and his own Tormenter Love flies from Envy as extreamly diabolical for the root of it is pride and ill will is its Concomitant What sad work has Envy made in Churches not to speak of the mischief it has done all the World over When Christians have been desirous of vain-glory provoking one another envying one another which the Apostle so much dehorts from Gal. 5. ult When Pastors have been envious at one anothers Parts Gifts Preferments Success and Estimation the poor Church has suffered and its Edification has gone on like Pauls work but very slowly Envy makes the builders to fall out to weaken one anothers hands to hinder one another in the work of God Where envying and strife is is there Edification No such matter but there is confusion and every evil work Jam. 3. 16. Love instead of being troubled at the grace or usefulness or esteem of another rejoyces therein and the more there are that honour God and adorn the Gospel and benefit the Church it rejoyces the more 3. Love vaunteth not it self neither is it puffed up The word which the Holy Ghost uses for vaunting is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Greek word of a Latine derivation coming from perperan which signifies amiss An ancient Greek Father St. Basil propounds this question What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and returns this answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Love is against doing things for shew and ostentation and excludes vain-glorious boasting Puffing up relates to the Heart vaunting to the words and actions Love refuses to do either It makes a man not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think but to think soberly Rom. 12. 3. those Precepts are much minded Rom. 12. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another and Phil. 2. 3. Let each esteem other better than themselves And as Love hinders the heart from being puff'd up so the tongue from vaunting it self or debasing another It will not defame or disparage others as if its own reputation were to be built upon the ruine of theirs Now this kind of temper is very subservient to the Churches interest For while Christians are thus low in their own eyes and are ready both in word and deed to honour and encourage one another great grace a shining lustre is upon them all and God himself delights in them to make them flourish and encrease 4. Love does not behave it self unseemly What more unseemly than a lofty look than an haughty carriage as if others were not good enough to unloose the latchet of our shoes but Love does banish pride and scornfulness and makes us humble in our converse which is the most seemly behaviour in the world The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies any unseemly behaviour So that Love studies exactness of carriage that Religion may be the more commended unto all When Professors do that which is unseemly the Church and Religion suffer by it but a conversation without rebuke which manifests a love both to God and Man is the way to win many a man to God that before was estranged from him An unseemly behaviour opens many a mouth against the Gospel creates new prejudices and confirms the World in their natural enmity against it But a seemly conversation makes Religion amiable well-doing puts ill tongues to silence and forces them to give glory to God 1 Pet. 2. 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation 5. Love seeketh not her own and consequently inclines us to edify and to seek the good of others The Apostles meaning is not that Love causes us to cast off all care and regard of our selves but only that which is immoderate and which proceeding from a blind self-love makes us disregard what becomes of others Christ himself is a pattern to Love in this respect and Love follows him He was humbled that we might be exalted He was condemned that we might be justified He became poor that we through his poverty might be rich He was made a curse that we might receive the blessing even life for evermore Love will make a Christian seek the wealth of another the reputation and especially the Salvation of another Nay Charity will prevail with us to suffer reproach loss imprisonment nay death it self when God calls us to it for the Churches good 1 Joh. 3. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God because he layed down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren And Col. 1. 24. Who now rejoyce in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the Church Hence 't is apparent sayes Calvin Quam non sit ingenita nobis à natura charieas that true Charity is
shall be remembred Surely the Worlds hard usage of his members shall not be forgotten shall not pass unpunished If at the great day the not feeding and cloathing of hungry and naked Saints will be punished with everlasting fire oh what a sin will it be found to take away their food and rayment from them if Christ will be so angry with those who visited not believers in Prison Mat. 25. 42 43. where shall they appear that were the Imprisoners of them The World should not be cruel to Christians since Christ will quickly appear to judge the World in Righteousness So much for the first Proposition That the Church of Christ is compared to a Body Proposit II. The second Proposition is this That this Body of Christ is imperfect in this World and therefore continually should be encreasing Hence it is that Christians are exhorted to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 18. and not only to be stedfast and unmoveable but always to abound in the work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. In the handling of this Proposition I shall first shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on earth is imperfect Secondly In what sense the Church should be continually increasing Thirdly I shall produce several Reasons for this Increase of the Church Lastly I shall give you the Vses that may be made of it I begin with the first of these and shall shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on Earth is imperfect Two things are here to be considered First The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated Secondly Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World 1. The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated There are more still to be called out of the World and brought home to Jesus All are not gathered which the Father has designed to give him Joh. 10. 16. And other sheep I have who are not of this Fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall he one Fold and one Shepherd 1. Many 't is to be hoped who have heard the Gospel shall be converted though as yet they are not Though they have hitherto resisted the Holy Ghost yet at last they shall yield unto his Call and striving When once the day of power and the time of love is come they shall be made willing to receive a Saviour to be the Lords and to serve the Lord though now never so great an obstinacy and unwillingness is discovered Psal 110. 3. 2. Many who are in the loyns both of Believers and Unbelievers shall in due time be born and born again The Church shall never quite discontinue it may indeed sometimes be less visible but it always has a Being God will have a Seed to serve him in every future Generation Psal 22. 30. 3. The Natural Branches are to be graffed in again to their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. For if thou wer 't cut out of the Olive-tree which is wild by nature and wer 't graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive-tree how much more shall these that is the Israelites which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive-tree Blindness in part is happened to Israel but they are still beloved for their Fathers sake and at length the veil which is upon their Hearts shall be taken away and they shall look unto him whom their Fathers crucified and be saved by him For he is the Messiah the deliverer that is come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. Now when Israel shall be added to the Christian Church how will this Church be encreased it will be a very glorious augmentation like a Resurrection from the dead Rom. 11. 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead 4. The Kingdoms of the world are to become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. I grant this is in part already the Gentiles have been preached to and have obeyed the Gospel Christ according to the Fathers Promise has had the Heathen given to him for his Inheritance and some of the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession but we may rationally conclude after the destruction of Antichrist and the utter overthrow of his power and usurpation that many more Kingdoms of the world will submit unto the Lord Jesus and his Church hereby will have a vast increase We find Rev. 18. Babylon destroyed the Kings of the earth and the Merchants that committed Fornication with her crying Alas alas and lamenting her sudden and utter downfall The Heavens and the holy Apostles and Prophets rejoycing over her because God had avenged them upon her And then it follows Rev. 19. 12. that upon the head of Christ were many Crowns which shews the subjection of many Kings to him and v. 6. there is a voice of a great multitude as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundrings as if all the World did joyn together in saying Alleluia for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth From all this it appears that the Church as yet is incompleat and that greater numbers of Converts are to be expected and how should the Promises of the Churches enlargement in the latter dayes be thought upon with joy and how earnestly should we pray that those Promises may be accomplished 2. Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World How plainly does the Wise man speak Eccl. 7. 20. There is not a just man upon Earth that doeth good and sinneth not There is many a just man upon earth and every just man his practice is to do good but there is not one that so does good as not to be chargeable with the least evil The Apostle James that is so much for joyning good works with faith yet acknowledges in many things we offend all Jam. 3. 2. And the Apostle Paul that great Saint and Preacher speaks thus of himself and surely he would not tell a lye through abundance of humility Phil. 3. 12 13. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but forgetting the things which are behind and reaeching forth to those things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God The imperfection of the Saints and Members of the Church on Earth will be evident in several respects 1. The Knowledge of the Saints is imperfect He that knew as much as any sayes We know in part and prophesy in part and now we see through a glass darkly 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. David who was wiser than his enemies who had more understanding than all his Teachers than the Ancients yet prays still
whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and therein I do rejoyce yea and will rejoyce 4. The avoiding of Scandal is much for the Churches Increase The Scandalous and loose lives of Professors make the World conclude the Gospel but a cunningly devised Fable and harden the men of it in Irreligion and a profane contempt of God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent The evil works of such as are called Christians for many of these latter Ages has been a great impediment to the spreading of Christianity Our Lord sayes Woe to the World because of offences Mat. 18. 7. for the World hereby is confirmed in prejudice and Wickedness and at last more certainly ruined But when the Members of the Church do work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling and shew a vehement desire after the Worlds Salvation also this is the way to gain the World to Christ and to turn it unto righteousness 5. The Church is mightily increased by the exemplary conversation of her Members When Believers are zealous of good Works and without rebuke and blame When they are patterns of Piety Justice Mercy Meekness Patience Self-denial when they go about doing good and by the heavenliness of their discourse and carriage declare plainly that they seek a better countrey than is to be found in this World hereby they adorn the Gospel and render it more lovely in the Worlds eye and more likely to be entertained the ignorance of wicked and foolish men is silenced by well doing 1 Pet. 2. 15. nay they be forced to a confession that God is in his Church of a truth and may at length consent and desire to be Members of that Church where there is so much of God and of his presence visible and apparent 2. As the Church should increase in numbers so all the Members of the Church should strive to increase more and more in grace and goodness They should strongly be induced to this because of their own imperfection in Grace which imperfection fills them many times with inward trouble and tormenting doubts and fears and makes outward affliction but highly necessary Besides Holiness is of such an excellent nature and so perfective of the Nature of man that the strongest desires are to be justified the most diligent endeavours after it to be commended Grace is increased in the Members of Christ several wayes 1. By a Serious and frequent engaging in those Ordinances which he has instituted He that has instituted these has promised his blessing and adds the efficacy Prayer Fasting giving of thanks receiving the Supper of the Lord attending upon the Word preached and searching the Scriptures and the like means of Grace when seriously used do exceedingly promote the growth of a Christian making him to become strong in Spirit The Church is the Garden of God the Saints are planted there the Word and Ordinances of Christ are like the showers from Heaven and the Husbandmans pains which makes these Plants to thrive and flourish Psal 92. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God But still it must be remembred though means are to be used yet we must look beyond them unto him that has appointed them else they will never attain their end 1 Cor. 3. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing nor he that watereth but God that giveth the increase 2. Grace is increased by the improving of Providences The Dispensations of Providence were various towards David he was exercised with great Severity and likewise with great Goodness we read Psal 116. 3. That the sorrows of Death compassed him and the pains of Hell gat hold upon him he found trouble and sorrow and v. 10. He was greatly afflicted in this distress he calls upon that God who is merciful and gracious for deliverance and his calling is heard and his Soul is delivered from Death his Eyes from Tears and his Feet from Falling And now how is his Heart affected his Graces strengthned He is filled with Love he is resolved to give himself to Prayer as long as he lived his Soul is at rest in God who had dealt bountifully with him he offers the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and he cryes out Oh Lord I am thy Servant truly I am thy Servant v. 16. as if he should say Lord thou art a Master beyond all comparison and as it is my firm resolution so 't is my Happiness and Honour as well as Duty to be a Servant to thee 3. The Covenant of Grace is to be Studied and the Promises applyed in order to a Christians increase God has assured his People that he will perfect that which concerns them and that he will not forsake the work of his own hands He has said that his Servants shall Spring up as among the Grass and as Willows by the Water-courses Isa 44. 4. That the Righteous shall hold on his way and they that have clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger Job 17. 9. That they shall bring forth fruit even in Old Age and even then be flourishing and this shall be to shew that the Lord is upright Psal 92. 14 15. Such Promises being prized and applyed will make the New Creature full of vigour and perseverance will be certain Heark to the Apostle Phil. r. 6 7. Being confident of this very thing that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ even as it is meet for me to think this of you all 4. Grace is increased by Having recourse unto that fulness which dwells in Christ Therefore growing in Grace and growing in the Knowledge of Christ are joyned together for Christ is full of Grace and Truth and out of his fulness sayes St. John We all have received and Grace for Grace Joh. 1. 14 16. that is Grace answerable to that Grace which is in him Grace is his purchase he has it in Possession he gives it to all that have it and every new degree is from the same hand He is the Object the Author and the Finisher of Faith Heb. 12. 2. They are the most growing and established Saints that are least taken with the World that have least confidence in themselves that do best understand and most look unto Jesus 5. All impediments of increase must be carefully shunn'd as Pride and sloth and earthliness carnal and corrupt affections if these or things of like nature prevail they will prove to the Soul what Diseases are to the Body and make the Members of Christ to be feeble and languish depriving them both of their Strength and Beauty These are like peccant humours which must be Purged if we would have our Souls healthy and prosperous These are like weights which must be laid aside if we will run the Race that is set before us so as to obtain the Prize Heb. 12. 1. In the third place I am to produce several reasons why the Church
should be continually increasing 1. This increase is for the Fathers glory the more Saints there are God is honoured by the more and the more any are Saints he has still the more glory from them The stronger the members of Christ grow their Faith in God is firmer their fear more filial they love him more with their heart and Soul and strength they walk more humbly with him all which shews what right apprehensions they have of him and that they glorifie him as God believing his presence power mercy truth and righteousness That our Lord might perswade unto fruitfulness and increase he sayes Joh. 15. 8. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples 2. This increase of the Church is for the honour of Christ the Churches Head The largeness of a Dominion and the multitude of Subjects is the honour of a Prince The more sincere Christians there are the Kingdom of our Lord is the more enlarged and He himself is magnified the more The Redeemer is glorified when the Everlasting Gospel runs when his word which is the Scepter of his Kingdom is believed and obeyed when Souls by whole multitudes come flocking to him to be justified by his blood sanctified and healed by his grace and saved to the uttermost How was Christ honoured when after the ten first Persecutions the Roman Empire submitted to the Faith the Eagle gave way to the Cross and Constantine the Great threw down his Crown at the feet of the Lamb of God Then was that Scripture signally fulfilled though a further accomplishment is still to be expected Isa 55. 5. Behold thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the Holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee 3. In this increase of the Church the operaetion of the Spirit is very illustrious He wrought the miracles for the confirmation of the Gospel and made it at first to be entertained in the world Wherever there is true Faith it is of his bestowing Those that are regenerated are said to be born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 6. The renewing of a Soul is of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. All spiritual gifts all true grace all solid comforts are from the Spirit The more therefore Light is spread the more largely gifts are distributed the more plentiful communication there is of grace the more peace and joy abounds the greater is the Spirits glory The Nicene Creed calls the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord and Giver of life Quot Membrae tot Miracula So many members as Christ has so many miracles there are of the Spirits working for he has raised them all to life who were once dead in sins and trespasses as well as others 4. This Increase is for the Churches advantage therefore it should be endeavoured 'T is matter of joy and praise to Saints to behold sinners converted and sanctified to see Prodigals coming to themselves and coming home to their Fathers House to see strangers and forreigners made fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Eph. 2. 19. And when these Saints perceive that more of light is imparted to themselves and that they are filled fuller with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Glory and praise of God they must needs apprehend this to be for their profit if the truest riches may be called gains and Pearls of the greatest price be of any value 5. The World is benefited by the Churches increase Not a Soul gathered out of the World but something is secured of greater value than the World If a City were on fire and burning apace to the ground the more persons are saved the more Goods are secured the greater kindness is done to that City because these Persons these Goods escape the fury of the flames Sin is ruining the World apace but all that in time come out from the World and touch not the unclean thing and are incorporated into the Church of Christ are safe as in a Sanctuary shall be delivered from the common destruction and scape the vengeance of eternal fire in which all the wicked must burn for ever 6. The Angels themselves are concerned at the increase of the Church The Apostate Ones are confounded when by all their subtilty and strength they are not able to hinder the increase of Christs Government nay that they are so over-ruled that they are made to promote his Kingdom by those very means which were designed to overthrow it And the Elect Angels are affirmed to rejoyce at the Repentance and Conversion of a Sinner Luk. 15. 10. Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth And if they are so glad at the Conversion of one what an accession would it be to their joy to behold thousands and millions added to the Church of Christ 'T is pleasing to the Angels to behold peace on Earth and Gods good-will expressing it self in the Salvation of Men Luk. 2. 14. and upon this account they cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glory be to God in the highest The Application follows USE 1. Of Reproof to them that hinder the Churches increase The furtherers of it I am sure are few the hinderers many therefore the more are concerned in the Reprehension 1. Enemies without endeavour with might and main to hinder the increase of the Body of Christ They hate the light and would fain hinder it from shining they are grieved that Jesus is preached are angry as well as grieved for they are unwilling his Subjects should become numerous The World upon this account raises Persecution and how many at such a time do fall away Mat. 13. 21. Cyprian laments the pressure of that Persecution which had so wofully wasted the Flock he was over and sayes that positi erant inter plangentium ruinas timentium reliqutas inter numerosam languentium stragem exiguam stantium paucitatem L. 4. Ep. 4. Many were ruined the rest feared the Church languished and few did stand against so furious an assault We have large Martyrologies but if all Apostates were registred how vast would be the Catalogues of them 'T is well Tribulation lasts but ten dayes a short time else the World might tread the Church under But the Worlds rage is without reason against the Church of Christ which will do no harm and desires to do the World the greatest kindness 2. Hypocrites within are to be reproved for they hinder the Churches increase fitly compared to Vipers which are said to eat the bowels in which they were bred Our Lords anger is very hot and his words sharp against Hypocrites Mat. 23. 13. For they shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men they refuse to go in themselves neither suffer they them that are entring to go in They profess high but when
his love to others He must not have persons in admiration because of advantage nor allow of any Hypocrisy which Conscience cannot chuse if tender but condemn Therefore sayes the Apostle Let love be without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Conscience observes whether our inward affection answers our speeches our shews and our pretences and should be able to bear witness of our integrity Our love to our neighbours should be for Christs sake and should make us to pursue the ends for which Christ died on their account 3. Love must flow from faith unfeigned In that fore-cited place 1 Tim. 1. 5. Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned There must be a firm belief of Gods good-will towards men of Christs love to his Church so as to give himself for its Redemption and Salvation and that he much insists upon this Command that Christians should love one another and when love is the product of this belief then 't is right then 't is acceptable The Apostle gave thanks without ceasing in the behalf of the Ephesians when he heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the Saints Eph. 1. 15 16. How can he refuse to love any one Saint who unfeignedly believes that Christ died for all especially if withall he be upon good grounds perswaded that Christ loved him und gave himself for him 4. Love must be fervent 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the Brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 'T is ill with the Body if the natural heat abates it argues a dangerous decay in the new Creature if Love wax cold If Christians Love one towards another languish proportionably there will be also a languishing of their love to Christ himself and this is very perillous When there was not a fervency but lukewarmness in Laodicea Christ threatens to spue her out of his mouth Rev. 3. 16. When Ephesus had left her first love he sayes I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent Rev. 2. 4 5. The great love of God in Christ his frequent injunctions that love may continue the excellency sweetness usefulness and even absolute necessity of love for the Churches conservation all this should be as perpetual fewel to maintain this holy fire 5. Christians Love must be Brotherly Christ sayes to his Disciples All ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8. The whole Body of Believers is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. Christians are all Children of the same heavenly Father who by one Spirit according to his abundant mercy has begotten them again to a lively hope all of them have Christ to be their Elder Brother and are born again of the same seed which is incorruptible how reasonable then are those injunctions Love as Brethren 1 Pet. 3. 8. And let Brotherly love continue Heb. 13. 1. Alas for woe that the sinful Defects and Passions of Brethren are to be found among Professors but not the Affection Multitudes at this day resemble the Brother spoken of by Solomon Prov. 18. 19. A Brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their Contentions are like the bars of a Castle 6. Love should be extended so as to become Catholick and the more extensive 't is the more it makes a Man resemble God himself 1. Love is to be extended to the whole Church to all Saints When Love is limited to a party 't is Imprisoned as it were which ought to enjoy the greatest Liberty 'T is common and needful to distinguish between Conversion to a party and Conversion to God There is a distinction likewise to be made between Love to a party and Love to the Church of God 'T is but too apparent that men place too much in being of such a party and Perswasion and therefore all Receeding though done with a clear Conscience and for the Churches Peace is nick-named Apostacy And though a man walks as closely with God lives as well as ever loves more Saints and Saints more than ever yet because he is not rigidly of such a way he is censur'd belyed reproacht and shunn'd as if he were an Heathen man or Publican Oh Love why sleepest thou awake awake wherever thou art planted revive and flourish and bring forth the fruits of kindness peaceableness tenderness and moderation All true Saints of all Perswasions are beloved of God and purchased with his blood and nothing shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord Rom. 8. ult Disaffections therefore and distances one from another are very unseemly very sinful Though God does love all his Children freely yet they are all worthy of one anothers love and this love is a just Debt which they owe one to another If Saints are loved as Saints all Saints will be loved à quatenùs ad omne valet consequentia And if we love not all 't is but too plain that we love none at all truly 2. Love is to be extended to the Jews if they are beloved for their Fathers sakes Rom. 11. 28. Christians should love them and express that love by Prayer that they may not still abide in their Unbelief but look unto Jesus whom they have pierced and obtain Mercy 3. Love is to reach unto the uncalled Gentiles The worlds blindness and wickedness should move our Compassion and since the Mercy of our God is so unconceivably large we should desire that more may partake of it and since Christ is a Propitiation sufficient for the sins of the whole World 1 Joh. 2. 22. We should pity the millions of Souls that never heard of him and beg that the sound of the Gospel may come to their ears and that through this Jesus they may be reconciled and saved 4. Love is to be extended even to enemies and Persecutors Christians must not render evil for evil reproach for reproach cursing for cursing but if they are reviled they are to bless if they are defamed they are to intreat and they must endeavour the Worlds benefit though they are made the filth of the World and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4. 12 13. A Saints Patience should alwayes be greater than the Passion of a Persecutor a Saints love than a Persecutors hatred 'T is an excellent Spirit and the right Spirit of Christian charity to be meek and kind to those that are most bitter against us to speak the best of those who speak the worst of us to Pray that our most spightful Enemies may be forgiven and that the injuries which are done us being Pardon'd may not do an eternal harm unto the Injurers 7. Love should never fail but more and more increase It must be a constant fire never to be extinguished nay it
argue an healing Spirit to call every thing we dislike Egyptian and Babylonish This uncharitable Censuring if it be not the mark of the Beast 't is the mark of one as bad you know who is styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Accuser of the Brethren 5. Others say That many who pretend to Religion and Conscience are Schismatical and Rebellious and Love and Countenance does but harden and encourage them in their pernicious wayes to the Prejudice both of Church and State I Answer Particular persons who are culpable let them hear the blame but why should all Dissenters be judged Rebels how peaceably have they carried themselves for these many Years how fervently do they Pray for the Kings Life and Prosperity To Assassinate his Majesty or the Duke of York they look upon as an action most abominable and are perswaded that every one that names the Name of Christ should utterly abhor such a Villanous Iniquity They look upon Solomon not as speaking like a politick Prince but as declaring the mind of thâ— Holy Ghost when he sayes My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change Prov. 24. 21. They are sensible that the false Teachers in the latter dayes have this Character that they despise Government that They are presumptuous and self-willed and are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities 2 Pet. 2. 10. Let those who are full of bitter Invectives against Dissenters as if they were Enemies to Government consider what the Assembly of Divines at Wesiminster have declared and the Congregational Divines at the Savoy say the same Confession of Faith Chap. of the Civil Magistrate It is the Duty of People to Pray for Magistrates to honour their Persons to pay them Tribute and other Dues to obey their lawful Commands and to be subject to their Authority for Conscience sake Infidelity or Difference in Religion does not make void the Magistrates just and legal Authority nor free the People from their due Obedience to him from which Ecclesiastical persons are not exempted much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their Dominions or over any of their People and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or Lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever And as for the Charge of Schism the Dissenters wish there were no such thing in the Churches of Christ that Terms of Communion might be only Scriptural and that all occasions of Division might be taken away They Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that she may have more True Lovers and That all may prosper who Love her I come in the last place to the Application USE I. Of Information If Love be for the Churches Edification then 1. Hence we may be informed that Hatred Variance Emulations Wraths Strifes and such works of the Flesh tend to the Churches Ruine they that harbour such sins as these and are not concerned about the mortification of them they are frantick Christians who cast Fire-brands and Arrows and Death doing much mischief to others but most to themselves 2. No wonder that Satan who labours to destroy Churches endeavours to kill Love He is the envious one that sows ill Weeds he is the Father of Lies and Errors he knows Errour tends to Division he sets an Edge on the Passions of men and makes them more sharp and keen he is the grand incendiaâ—y in Churches setting all in a flame and he hopes this flame will consume all before it nay burn at last to the lowest Hell 3. Those Principles are truest and best that tend to the begetting and increasing of Love The Church of Christ is little beholding to those who are of narrow Principles that mind only a part but not the whole The Apostle blamed the Corinthians for being of such a narrow Spirit 1 Cor. 1. 12. Now this I say that every one of you saith I am of Paul and I of Apollo and I of Cephas whereas all true Believers should reckon themselves one in God and Christ and consequently should be for one another 4. Hence we may be informed that Love is the more excellent way Rigour and Fury may force men to a dissembled Compliance but Love is the way indeed to win them I don't think it a Credit to the Alcoran that it must be seconded with the knocking argument of an iron Mace the Spanish Inquisition shews the weakness of that Religion which cannot stand unless it has the help of such Cruelty to support it Certainly that Church which is fullest of Love is the truest and wisest and most likely to be enlarged The Apostle preferrs Charity before the Faith of Miracles though these Miracles mightily confirmed the Authority and Verity of the Gospel nay he preferrs it before the Gift of Prophesie though Prophesie was the most Edifying of all the Gifts of the Spirit 1 Cor. 14. 1. He was indeed a Prince among Preachers and supposes himself better than he was and to speak with the Tongue of an Angel yet sayes he Without Charity I am become as sounding Brass or a tinkling Cymbal nay If I have not Charity I am nothing 1 Cor. 13. 1 2. USE II. Of Caution in several particulars 1. Take heed of what is contrary to Love as that which is contrary to Edification Unmercifulness Cruelty Rage Revenge Bitterness are so far from becoming Christianity that they are against Humanity it self When first sinful Passion begins to stir in thy Heart obsta principiis quench the spark for behold how great a matter a little fire kindles Jam. 3. 5. What is contrary to Love is contrary to thy own Peace and may make thee a Disturber of the Churches Peace 2. Take heed of sinful Self-love This causes perilous times to overtake the Church of Christ 2 Tim. 3. 182. This know also that in the last dayes perilous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves Self-love turns Godliness into a Form argues a want of the Power it makes Religion to be subservient unto base and selfish designs and hereby the Gospel comes to be suspected Atheism grows rampant and the Church must needs languish Self-love will make you unconcerned for the Honour of God for the good of man it will produce a carelesness in you of others welfare and hinder you from truly minding your own He that loves no body but himself and matters not what harms befall others so himself can but scape is a pest of the World unfit for Christian nay for humane Society Antiquity has censured that Speech as infamous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If I were dead no matter though the World were all a fire The Self-lover is of the same temper if he can but keep what he has and sleep in a whole Skin he is not at all affected with others Calamities and Afflictions 3. Take heed of scandalizing any 'T is the great work of Satan to cause