beseech you Brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not shaken in mind neither by Spirit i. e. by any that shall pretend to Revelations by the Spirit To mention what of this kind was in after dayes is endless somewhat is spoken to it chap. 3. Of the ensuing Treatise 5. Pretensions to a more than Ordinary Authority Power False-Prophets Pseudo-Apostles there were even in the Apostles dayes 2 Cor. 11.13 Such are False-Apostles Transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ See Mat. 24.5 11. Rev. 2.2 and many have risen up since whereby the Faith of some have been perverted and they have been drawn off from the wayes of Christ 6. False Miracles Lying Signs and Wonders Of this we have an account Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders Mar. 13.22 2 Thes 2.9 Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signes and lying wonders Rev. 13.13 14. And he doth great wonders so that he maketh fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of men and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those Miracles Antichrists Kingdom hath been full of such lying signs and wonders whereby the Faith of some hath been Shaken and they drawn off from the pure Worship of Christ 7. Open avowed oppositions to Gospel-Institutions of this device of Satan to ruine the Churches of Christ we might give a distinct and large account some there were of old that opposed denied some particular Ordinances others refused communion with the Churches as no Churches of Christ In the third Century the Manichees denyed baptism with Water August l. 2. de mor. Manich. and l. 6. Contra Faust The Meletians in the fourth century refused communion with the Churches saith Theodoret. And Augustine ad quod vult c. tells us that they would not so much as Pray with the Saints The Audaeans or Anthropomorphites who held that God had a humane form or shape as a man denied communion with the Churches in the same Century Epiphan in Anacephal August ad quod vult c. Theodoret l. 4. c. 10. The Donatists held in the same century that the Church of God was wholly lost and to be restored by them amongst whom in Africa 't was only preserved August l. 2. Cont. lit Petil. c. 15. l. 2. Cont. Cres c. 37. for which they pretended Miracles Visions Dreams What open avowed oppositions have been are in our dayes made to the Churches Institutions of Christ is known and ought to be bewayled by us These things might have been more at large spoken to but I am sensible how far I have transcended the due bounds of an Epistle to so small a Treatise and shall only add That 1. I plead not for the Continuance of This or That particular Church of Christ Many such have been dis-churched and may be so God may be so far provoked against This or That Church as to Write Lo-ammi Lo-ruhamah upon it to disown his relation to it or its relation to him Where is the Church of Ephesus Pergamos Laodicea c. but only argue that God doth will continue the Gospel-Church-state Ordinances in some particular Church or Churches in the World to the next personal coming of Christ Much less 2. Do I plead for the corruptions of Churches which indeed are too many and great perhaps amongst the best purest Churches at this day and in some at that height as the synagogue of Rome that there is no communion to be held with them without God-provoking iniquity that will without Repentance bring his Wrath Vengeance upon us Rev. 18.4 3. That persons had need take heed how they speak evil of slight oppose persecute the Churches of CHRIST his Worship Institutions Ordinances The Judge stands before the door the Lord of the Vineyards is ready to be revealed and in flaming fire to take Vengeance on them that know him not and obey not his Gospel Nor will it be a sufficient plea at that day for any to say we accounted them not thy Churches Ordinances therefore we so managed our selves towards them a despising rejecting these is one way of casting off the Authority of Christ as we afterward demonstrate 4. That it highly concerns all that know the Lord who are either separated from or were never adjoyned to any Church of Christ to testify their love and subjection to him by subjecting to his Commandements in this matter lest not being found where Christ expects them they be blamed shamed at his day 5. That the utmost care should be taken industry used to keep those Iniquities out of particular Churches as may provoke the Lord to spew them out of his mouth as he did Laodicea of old Particularly 1. Schisms amongst themselves Which as they are an Argument of Carnality 1 Cor. 3.3 so they distast greatly provoke the Lord. 2. Formality Lukewarmness 3. Pride both inwardly in Heart Spirit outwardly in Apparel Garb God resisteth the Proud sets himself in battel-array against them 4. Covetousness which is Idolatry A wretched spirit that hath too much overspread prevailed upon the body of Professors Such as are Baptized into it are Enemies to the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 19. 5. Sinful complyance with and Conformity to this World 6. Carelesness as to sanctifying the Name of God in every part of Worship The nature of this great work is opened in the following Treatise with many other things of which we must not now speak 6. That particular Churches ought to be much often considering their ways get a sense of their miscarriages upon them pollutions amongst them to remember from whence they are fallen repent do their first works And if ever 't were the duty of the Churches of Christ to attend carefully to these things it 's much more now What languishing dying Churches have we How is Jehovah by word providential Dispensations crying aloud to them to be zealous Repent return What little attendment to his Voice amongst many How doth he discover his unwillingness to leave them How doth he seem to hover over them How many ways hath he been alluring drawing by cords of Love unto himself and if after all he should pull down these Tabernacles and erect others for himself in some remote part of the World leave poor England suffer Papal Darkness Superstition Idolatry to overspread the Land must we not say he is Holy we reap the fruit of our own doings He is faithful to his Word Churches Ordinances He will have in the world to bear his Name though we are reduced to Rubbish Ruins I have been am trembling within my self lest he should at last be provoked to leave us at least for a season Wo wo wo unto us if he depart from us Repent oh England Awake awake Churches awake awake Professors lay hold on God renew your Covenant with him labour to find
Europe is made a shambles wherein the Blood of millions of the Innocent Lambs of Christ hath been poured forth for which they shall be plagued destroyed in the time appointed by the Lord These things are known to all who have thought it their concern in the least to turn aside to consider of them The boody cruelties of the Antichristian Party against the Bohemians in Holland also the Massacre of Paris Ireland the Valleys of Piedmont c. wherein many thousands of the Lord 's Innocent Ones have been barbarously murder'd for no other reason in the World but because they laboured according to their Light to maintain and be found in the Doctrine and Worship of Christ is yet recent in the memory of most What heart so rocky as to read the Histories of the deep suffeings of those worthy witnesses of our Lord the Waldenses without pouring forth floods of tears What treacheries clandestine Plots breach of Covenants Oaths have the Antichristians been found guilty of pursuant to that bloody principle Nulla fides No Faith is to be kept with Haereticks and all are such in their account that embrace not their heresie abomnable Idolatries that they might obtain their end to waste destroy root out the Heritage of God Another way Satan hath taken to accomplish this his design is 2. Schisme amongst the Churches of Christ This was early set on foot even in the Apostles dayes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 When ye come together in the Church I hear that there be divisions Schisms among you and I partly believe it and hath been more or less with cunning heat violence managed ever since by Satan to the disturbing breaking crumbling into nothing some Churches of Christ The frequent charging and recharging of Schism upon each other by those that truely fear the Lord and agree in the fundamentals of Christianity hath been no small machine of the wicked one to weaken destroy them A work he 's still managing and we are too too little awakened to see his design and to study in the right Spirit to prevent it 'T would make ones heart to bleed to see hear with what keenness acrimony bitterness some Protestants are acted against others who are not of the same mind in all things whilst the Devil in the Papacy stands laughing to think what an easie prey hereby he shall make of them all Ah! alas where is the Christian simplicity amity How little respect have some to the great Commandment of Christ to Love one another who yet would be accounted his Disciples Were it not for a hasty Spirit bitter envying that is upon some one would think they had no concern for Religion at all and yet even this discovers that they are too little impregnated with the Spirit of the true Religion of Jesus Christ which engages to love meekness condescention mutual forbearance amongst Saints 3. False Doctrine Worship This also had an early entrance amongst the Churches The denial of the Resurrection of the dead substituting in the room thereof a metaphorick Resurrection betimes infected some at least of the Church at Corinth 1 Cor. 15. with 2 Tim. 2.18 Justification by the Law by Works was introduced into many of them as the Churches at Rome Galatia c. against whom the Apostle of the Gentiles Paul smartly disputes in his Epistles directed to them Into the pure Worship of God the inventions traditions of men were at last so introduced that God could no longer own it as his Worship at all And in respect of both these none ever were so degenerate corrupt as the Synagogue of Rome To enumerate particulars were endless what more contrary to Truth sound Doctrine than their assertions that the Original Hebrew and Greek of the Old and New-Testament is corrupt That the Scripture is not perspicuous cleer That to one Man the Pope the interpretation of Scripture doth belong who is Infallible and Judgment Conscience all is to be subjected to him That he is the alone Judge of Controversies who hath the Spirit of God given to him above others for his so doing That the Pope can dispense with the Law of God That he is Universal Head of the Church That he is not to be questioned for his Doctrine or Actions Si Papa infinitas animas in infernum traheret tamen nemo debet ei dicere quid facis If the Pope should carry an infinite number of Souls headlong to Hell none ought to say to him what doest thou For the will of the Pope stands for reason Glossa By his own Authority he can make Laws to bind the Consciences of the faithful He hath Power Authority over Princes can crown un-crown set up depose as he pleases That the Scriptures are not a sufficient Canon or rule of Faith and Manners but Traditions written and un-written are also necessary That Traditions are sufficient without the Scriptures but the Scriptures are not sufficient without Traditions That Christ is mediator only according to his humane Nature That 't is unlawful for Priests to marry That there is a certain place in which as in a prison after this life souls are purged who were not here perfectly purged that being so purg'd they might enter into Heaven That Saints are to be Worshipped That Images are to be Worshipped with the same Worship that is due to those whose Images they are as the Image of God Christ yea so that the Worship be terminated in the Image That the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato That they justify That there are seven Sacraments That the Church hath power to Institute new Ceremonies for spiritual ends That persons un-Baptiz'd are damn'd there 's no salvation without it That Baptism takes away all sin That the Bread and Wine is converted into the Body and Blood of CHRIST That the Priest offers up Christ a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and dead to God the Father That there are sins in their own nature Venial That Concupiscence in those that are renued is no sin That men may be sav'd if they will 't is in their own power to believe c. That men are not justified by Faith without Works That inherent Righteousness justifies That none can be certain in this Life either of their Election Justification Perseverance to the end or Eternal Life That we are justified by Works that we merit Eternal Life by them And these are some of those pure streams that too many have a great mind to return to drink of and would by force bloody cruelty compel others to drink and be poysoned with them 4. False Visions lying Revelations upon which many times false Doctrine Worship hath been built supported Somwhat of these was also in the Apostles times Divine Visions Revelations there were many see Act. 10.11 16.9 18.9 10. 23.11 27.23 24. Gal. 1.12 2.1 2. 2 Cor. 12.4 Act. 7.55 10.3 Some also there were who were full of their false Visions Revelations 2 Thes 2.2 Now we
reclaim them Who would have gathered them as a Chicken under his wings but they would not Him they refused thrust away by wicked hands took condemned crucified slew him and now the measure of their Fathers iniquity being filled up and the time appointed by Jehovah to take down that Tabernacle being fully come and to set up another in the room of it by the Messiah CHRIST he puts a full period to it apotomizes cuts them off perfectly unchurches them and at last layes waste destroyes their City Temple with an utter Destruction Now was the total ruin of that Apostatick Judaick Church And to purpose in capital letters is Lo-ammi and Loruhamah written upon them viz. Ye are not my People I have no mercy for you and not so plainly at any time as now 'T were easie to make many remarks to the advantage of the present truth we are risen up in the defence of from the foregoing discourse The prudent Reader can do it himself To whom we leave it The whole Church-politie of the Jews being vertually dissolved at the death of Christ a New-Church-state is introduced by him New Churches formed according to his rule model new-institutions appointed by him which 't is the duty of those Churches to conform to Two things must here briefly be enquired into 1. What a Gospel-Church or an Instituted-Church of Christ is 2. That such a Church is of the Institution of Christ As touching the first A Cospel-Church is a Society of Believers once dead in trespasses and sins but now quickned by the Spirit sanctified justified by the Free-Grace of God in Christ illuminated by the same Spirit in the knowledge of his Will separated from the World and voluntarily joyned together for the exercise of the Communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Institutions Ordinances of Christ This description of a gospel-Gospel-Church is proved in every part of it from the ensuing Scriptures Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins ver 5. When we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are washed sanctified justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 1.2 Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints 2 Cor. 6.16 17. What agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God Wherefore come out from amongst them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you Heb. 3.1 Holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly calling Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us by the word of Truth Rev. 1.20 The seven Golden Candlesticks which thou sawest are seven Churches 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. As touching the second that such a Church was instituted by Christ is evident 1. From Christs appointment and approbation of such a Church Mat. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. 2. Christ charges his Apostles Mat. 28. to teach those who should be converted by their Ministry to observe whatever he commanded them In pursuance of which charge we finde that as soon as any were converted to the Faith by the direction of the Apostles they were gathered into Church-Societies Acts 2.41 42 47. 8.1 11.26 14.23 27. 3. These are called the Churches of God of Christ Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 1.2 10.32 11.22 15.9 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.13 1 Tim. 3.5 Rom. 16.16 because of their institution establishment by him 4. The Apostles in the Name Authority of Christ direct their Epistles to them as such 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.2 4.16 1 Thes 1.1 2 Thes 1.1 Eph. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions touching their carriage deportment and duty towards them 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 5. Christ calls them his Churches Rev. 1.20 6. Own 's himself to be their Head Husband Lord King they his Body Bride House Family of which afterwards 7. A great part of the Apostolick-writings consists in giving Precepts Exhortations Counsels to guide lead them in their duties to each other in such a relation and for their preservation in Purity and Order Of which we shall have occasion particularly to make mention in the ensuing Discourse 8. His special care of them 9. The particular notice he takes of them in the book of the Revelations sending particular Epistles to them Exhorting reproving counselling incouraging them taking no notice of any that did not appertain to them Rev. chapters 2. and 3. with much more that might be said doth abundantly demonstrate that the Church described was of the institution of Jesus Christ That the Ordinances practised in and amongst those Churches such as Preaching the Word Prayer Baptism breaking Bread c. were of the Appointment of Christ will not be denied se Act. 2.42 and 6.2 1 Cor. 14.3 2 Tim. 4.2 Heb. 13.7 Act. 6.4 and 13.2 3. 1 Tim. 2.1 Mat. 28.19 and 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 ERRATA Reader Some few mistakes in Printing are here remarked the rest being inconsiderable are left to thee to amend IN the Epistle to the Reader p. 10. l. 21. r. bloody l. 36. abominable p. 13. l. 3. hath In the body of the Book p. 7. l. 2. r. it 's l. 3. this p. 16. l. 10. blot out the. p. 17. l. 11. r. letter p. 20. l. 34. persons p. 21. l. 15 inasmuch l. 17. that p. 30. l. 14. their p. 39. l. 5. blot out are p. 54. l. 8. r 1 Job p. 56. l. 32. apostacy p. 63. l. 15. women p. 66. l. 33. after much r. as p. 73. l. 30. tu es p. 77. l. 19. increase p. 79 l. 30 throughout p. 85. l. 28. for have r. are p. 114. l. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 117. l. 22. after have add said Gospel-Churches A Standing ORDINANCE OF Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Gospel-Churches an Institution of Christ to continue to his next coming demonstrated from the Appellations given in Scripture to such Churches They are call'd 1. The Kingdom of God Why they are so call'd open'd Mark 9.1 Acts 1.3 and 19.8 9. Explained Several inferences from hence A two-fold Kingdom viz. of God and of the Devil and Antichrist Several wayes Satan takes for the support of the Antichristian Kingdom An Objection Answered 2. A House built upon a Rock Matth. 16.18 opened at large Peter not the Rock but Christ proved The Gates of Hell what they import Satan's attempts by subtlety and power to destroy the Church invalid An Objection Answered 3. The Kingdom of Heaven Why the Gospel-Church-State is so call'd An Objection Answered 4. A Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.27 28. explained 5. The Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.7 8. opened at large 6. The Body of Christ Gospel-Churches hereby intended proved Vpon what accounts they are so call'd shewn Several inferences from hence
so the great controversy of Antichrist against the Lord's Children hath been is and will be till he be destroy'd upon the account of their abiding by the institutions of Christ Rev. 12.17 The Dragon or Devil was wroth with the Woman the Church and went to make War with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandments of God Commandments What Commandments Such as relate to what is obvious to the eye of the Devils Instruments viz. Gospel-Institutions of which afterwards Sixthly Gospel-Churches are said to be the Body of Christ Rom. 12.4 5. But as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same Office So we being many are one body in Christ and every one members of another 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ Christ the head and Saints the members make but one Christ Mystick v. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in Particular Eph. 4.15 16. The Head Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyn'd together maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in Love In which places the Church is called a Body the Body of Christ Two things are briefly to be enquired into 1. What we are to understand by the Church 2. Upon what account it 's called the Body of Christ I. As touching the first I shall not run over the various acceptions of the word Church in the Scripture I have done it elsewhere That in every one of the places instanc'd in a particular instituted Church of Christ is intended is evident For 1. Paul directs his Epistles to them as such Those whom he stiles the Church in the beginning of his Epistles 1 Cor. 1.2 or beloved of God call'd to be Saints Rom. 1.7 i. e. the particular Church at Rome Rom. 16.1 21. Or the Saints which are at Ephesus the Faithful in Christ Jesus Eph. 1.1 i. e. that particular Church there Rev. 2.1 He afterwards calls the Body of Christ in the places fore-quoted 2. Such a Church is intended amongst which a Schism may be 1 Cor. 12.25 but Schism is entirely in one Church among the members of one particular Society 3. 'T is such a Church as hath Officers set and placed among them 1 Cor. 12.28 29. see Act. 18.8 9 10. 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. These are placed of God in particular Churches relate to them as such Act. 14.23 and 15.2 4 6 22 23. and 16.4 and 20.17 and 21.18 Tit. 1.5 Jam. 5.14 Act. 20.28 II. Upon what account this Church is called the Body of Christ must nextly be considered 'T is so called because 1. Of the forming fashioning of Christ Particular Churches whatever is pretended may not be modified formed fashioned according to the wills humors or lusts of men but according to the Type or Pattern of them given forth by Jesus He shall build the Temple of the Lord Zach. 6.12 2. Of their Union with relation to the Lord Jesus The Union betwixt Head and Body is a real near Union cannot be separated but by the Destruction of the whole 3. Of Christ's Love to care of defence over it The Head is careful of the Body Nor can it be supposed without the highest advance against the Faithfulness Wisdom Love of the Lord Jesus that he should not be so to his Church Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That Christ is obliged to preserve his Gospel-Church-state in some particular Churches who may glorifie him in their professed subjection thereto They are his Body now every one will nourish cherish his own Body 2. That therefore this Church-state in some particular Churches is preserved by Jesus Christ If it be not he 's unfaithful fills not up that relation he stands in to his Body the Church Besides if he preserve it not 't is either for want of Love or Power so to do The first cannot be asserted for no man yet hated his own flesh but loves nourisheth cherishes it nor the second for all power in Heaven and Earth is given to Him 3. If the Church-state be not continued then Christ hath now no body is a head without a body For they are Saints as walking in such a state viz. the Order and fellowship of the Gospel that are so called as I have proved Seventhly Gospel-Churches are stiled The Temple Tabernacle House Building of the Lord. 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of the Living God 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye are the Temple of the Living God Rev. 13.6 And he opened his mouth in Blasphemies against God to Blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle Prov. 9.1 Wisdom hath builded her House i. e. Christ hath done so Builded Planted his Churches She hath hewen out her seven Pillars Christ's House or Churches is said to be built upon seven Pillars to point out its sure and stable Foundation Heb. 3.6 Whose House are we 1 Cor. 3.9 Ye are God's Building 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual House Saints are the House building of Christ saith a reverend and learned Author upon a treble account 1. Of their peusons In them he dwells really by his Spirit Eph. 2.20 21 22. 2 Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 John 14.17 2. Of their being compact together in Church-Order according to his institution whereby they are built up cemented united and become an House like the Tabernacle or Temple of God Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 3. Of their Joynt-Worship performed in that order wherein and whereby he also dwells among them or is present with them unto the Consummation of all things Rev. 21.3 Mat. 28.20 This must be a little further considered Saints Congregated together in the Fellowship of the Gospel are his Temple Tabernacle House Building in a scattered divided state they cannot strictly be so call'd and so denominated in Scripture with respect to the Tabernacle Temple of Old that were the Lords Building viz. Built by his Command express direction in every part of them These were Types of Gospel-Churches Now insomuch as the Temple of Old was the most considerable type hereof Let 's a little consider upon what accounts Gospel-Churches are so call'd with respect to the Building They are so upon various accounts 1. The Temple of Old was built of precious hewen-stone ready prepared for the building 1 King 5.17 18. and 6.7 Gospel-Churches are made up of Living-stones formed prepared as fit materials for this Royal Building 1 Pet. 2.4 5. 2. That was built by Solomon an Eminent Type of Christ These by Christ himself Zach. 6.12 of which afterward 3. That was renowned for its Magnificence Excellency and Glory These however debased reproached by one and another shall be so Isa 60.13 4. That had in it the Ark the Mercy-Seat all Types of Christ and the special presence of Jehovah These have most eminently the presence of the Lord with them Mat. 18.20 2. Cor. 6.16
profession of our Faith which lies eminently in our subjection to him therein the assembling our selves together to exhort one another which he would not have us forget is annext to bottomed upon the New-Covenant of which he is ex professo treating And a wilful rejection of these in open despight of Christ and contempt of his Authority he calls v. 29. A treading under foot the Son of God because it 's a high affront to his Soveraign Authority an accounting the Blood of the Covenant an unholy thing not only because these Institutions are annext to that Covenant which was ratified by the blood of Christ but also because they have all their Foundation in that Blood our approximation to God in them our advantage by them is the issue of its effusion and a doing despite unto the Spirit of Grace because as hath been proved they are all the Ministration of that Spirit should God immediately by himself speak from Heaven to us and declare in so many words These Gospel-Institutions establisht by My Son are all of them bottomed upon annext to the New-Covenant we could not have a greater certainty that they are so than what is in that Scripture-evidence we have hitherto been discoursing of But 3. They belong to the Old-Covenant or the New There 's no medium To the Old-Covenant it 's most certain they appertain not Other manner of Ordinances which were only to continue to the Gospel-day as Circumcision Sacrifices appertained thereunto not the least notice under that Covenant as any part of the oeconomy thereof of particular Churches Baptism Breaking-Bread Christ came to put a Period to that Paedagogie and all the Laws Institutions thereunto appertaining and vertually did so by his Death actually by providential dispensations taking out of the way destroying that Temple to which they were peculiarly affixt And becoming a Mediator of a better Covenant established uppon better Promises as such he gives forth the Laws and Institutions we are pleading for of which afterwards 4. The Communications of Divine Life the Royal manifestations of the Love of GOD to us the bestowment of the Spirit upon us Divine peace comfort support upholdment with whatever Grace we are made partakers of are all conveyed in the way of the New-Covenant Now whatever any talk the communication of these as 't is promised to us as we have found attending upon the Lord in his own Institutions of which more anon so the Saints in every day at this day through wonderful riches of Grace are under the enjoyment of The Spirit is received Faith communicated Peace and Joy shed abroad upon the hearts of Believers as they conscientiously attend on these appointments of Christ Such as know not these things or having known them through the power of temptation slight undervalue them are to be pitied not attended to or regarded in their present apprehensions touching them 5. That God hath a people that he hath in the New and everlasting Covenant taken unto himself for a peculiar People will not be denied To these God gives himself as their GOD he betroths marries them to himself and they give up themselves spontaneously unto him as a People to own subject to his Authority Soveraignty and to profess their so doing by a conformity to whatever Commands Injunctions he shall lay upon them Gospel-Institutions he gives forth for the trial of their Love Loyalty to him charges them to be found in the practice of them as hath been proved Their obedience subjection hereunto he looks upon as a great part of their Loyalty to him in the Conjugal-Covenant he hath taken them into with himself Jer. 3.14 15. Turn O back-sliding Children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and I will take you one of a City and two of a Family and I will bring you to Zion And I will give you Pastors according to mine Heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Where coming unto Zion or our attendment on God in wayes of his own Appointment is asserted to be that wherein our Marriage-relation to him stands Hence departing from these is call'd Whoredom Adultery and those that do so The great Whore the Mother of Harlots and fornications of the Earth The sum is Gospel-Churches Institutions are bottomed upon the New-Covenant therefore abiding CHAP. VIII The Churches that have been are are the Churches of Christ or Antichrist They are not the Churches of Antichrist proved The matter of Antichristian-Churches and of the present Churches The Form Foundation Doctrine Worship Nature Characters Properties of the one and the other considered 1 Tim. 4.1 The Daemons there mentioned what they are Their Original Office manner of Worshipping them the Doctrines of Daemon's the Doctrine of the Apostatick-Synagogue of Rome Demonstration VIII THat there have been persons under the profession of the Name of Christ congregated together for the solemnization of Ordinances from the first-times of the Gospel hitherto hath been before proved That there are so still cannot be denied Now these Churches must be either the Churches of Christ or the Churches of Antichrist There 's no medium A Church that was neither of Christ nor Antichrist was never yet heard of in the world since the first-dawning of the Gospel-day So then if we demonstrate that the present Churches are not Antichristian-churches we evince them to be the Churches of Christ and a continuation of the Gospel-Church-State at least hitherto is evidently discover'd That they are not Churches of Antichrist is easily demonstrated They wholly differ from the Antichristian-Church in respect of matter form foundation doctrine worship nature characters properties Touchching which it 's needful that we particularly discourse First then the Matter of the Antichristian-church is whoever own 's the Christian Faith make 's a Profession of it though never so deboysh vile wicked to every good work reprobate Notwithstanding all their pompous shews of Religion Forms of Godliness they are really such as have pleasure in Unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.12 Is this the matter constitutive of the present Churches Do they admit persons of so black a character into their Communion If any such spots are found amongst them do they tollerate indulge them Are not the rules of Christ prosecuted till they appearing to be persons of a reprobate mind are rejected out of their fellowship Is it not the avowed principles of all the Churches that such as these are not fit matter for any Church of Christ Can they be charged with walking contrary to their principles in this matter Who hath the confidence impudence thus to charge any one of them 'T is true now and then some scandalous persons are found amongst them and so there were in the Primitive Churches as in the Church of Corinth c. that crept in unawares but they are matter of grief humbling to them and they do not dare not cannot suffer them in their Communion 2. The Form if it may be so call'd of the antichristian-Antichristian-Church lie's in a
forcible compelling persons into and violent keeping them in its communion and fellowship If you 'l not be one with them then Fines Imprisonment Bonds attend you Penal Laws and Statutes are Enacted for this end and by these are men brought into and kept in the antichristian-Antichristian-church And were these weapons of its warfare taken away 't would soon become as a garden of Cucumbers or perish with its own weight The attempts of the Papacy to reduce persons into their Communion by Fire and Sword their labours to preserve the Uninity of their Church this way is known Is there any thing like it owned by or to be found amongst the present Churches Do they not with one mouth affirm that 't is a voluntary departure from the worlds way and a spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk with him in a subjection to his institutions wherein the form of the Churches lies Herein is a most Evident difference betwixt Them and the Antichristian-Church They talk of no compulsions but those of the Spirit and Love that make a people Volunteers in the day of the Lord's Power Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio is their Motto as is known 3. The Foundation of the Antichristian-Church is not Jesus Christ but the Sons of men one or other of them their Laws Canons Decretals upon which it is built Is this the case of the present Churches Do they not all of them with full consent proclaim their abhorrency of such a Foundation Is not CHRIST in their account the alone Foundation of all the True Churches in the world and they practise accordingly Their debates touching this matter with the Papelins about Mat. 16.18 from whence these endeavour to prove Peter and consequentially as they 'd have it the Pope to be the Rock upon which the Church is built is known to all that look upon themselves concern'd in these matters 4. The Doctrine of the Anti-christian-Church is a Doctrine of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the doctrines of Daemons so the learned Mede renders it Some carry it thus doctrines which devils are the Authors of There 's a great deal of truth in that all the doctrines of the Anti-christian-church that are peculiarly hers are the doctrines of Devils But I rather think with that learned person that by doctrines of Daemons is meant those doctrines that have the Daemons for their Object Now these Daemons that were worshipped by the Pagans were 1. For their nature and degree supposed by the Gentiles an inferior and middle sort of divine powers between the soveraign and heavenly Gods and mortal Men. 2. For their Office to be as mediators and agents between these soveraign Gods and Men. 3. For their original either Angels or the Deified-souls of Worthy-men after death 4. For the way of Worshipping them to find and receive benefits from them 't was by Consecrated-Images and Pillars 5. Their very Reliques were adored and brought into Temples They that desire to see more touching this matter may at their leasure consult the famous Medes Apostasie of the latter times The Doctrines of Daemons then are the Doctrines of the Apostatick Roman-Antichristian-Synagogue touching the worshipping of Saints and Angels in imitation of the Pagan Daemon Worship But take the words in the largest Sense as comprehensive of all those Doctrines that are not of Christ have the devil for their Author Some whereof are mention'd by the Apostle afterwards v. 3. Forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats the Doctrines of Justification by Works or inherent Sanctification of Purgatory or a state of Purifying after this life any Principles Opinions contrary to sound Doctrine the form of wholesom words or the Doctrine which is according to Godliness which of the Churches can be justly charged with holding maintaining any such Principles 'T is true perhaps amongst some of them there may be found one or other that speak perverse things as there was of old in the Church of Corinth and some other Churches in the Apostolick times but are they countenanc't therein Can their corrupt Doctrines be charged as the Doctrines of the Churches What more evidently notoriously false can be suggested or fixed on 5. The Worship of the Antichristian-Church is a Worship of devils idols of gold silver wood stone the work of men's hands Rev. 9.20 'T is an idolatrous whorish adulterous superstitious Worship Rev. 17.1 2 4 5. whose whole substratum foundation is the Commandments of men Mat. 15.9 Traditions c. 'T is formal sapless lifeless It 's managery in the Spirit is not at all attended to His Assistance is contemned reviled blasphemed as that which is phantastick whimsical heretical schismatical for any to talk of or pretend to Is the Worship of the Churches such a Worship Who hath the forehead to aver it They witness against all such Worship and Worshipper's both in Word and Writing as is known Are studious to walk by Scripture-rule in their Worship both with respect to the matter and manner thereof 6. The nature characters properties of the Antichristian-Church are amply described by the Apostles of our Lord. They are such as receive not the love of the Truth that they might be saved upon whom God hath sent strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. That give heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Daemons speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience sear'd with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. covetous boasters of themselves blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false Accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Such as Worship the Dragon gave power unto the Beast and Worship the Beast Rev. 13.4 5 8. Receiving his mark in their right hand or in their foreheads his Name or the number of his Name which whosoever did not might neither buy nor sell v. 16 17. The great Whore that sits upon many waters with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her Fornication A Woman sitting upon a scarlet-colour'd Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns The Woman arrayed in Purple and scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stone and Pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of Abominations and filthiness of her Fornication upon whose forhead is a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth The Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the Bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.1 2 3 4 5 6.