that Minister that begot you you cast off he continuing in his integrity and you heap to you instructers yet I thinke not so many as yet that we should reckon them by the thousands 5. By over-valuing themselves Ch. 4. 8. 10. in their owne conceit they were full rich and reigned as Kings without their faithfull Teachers they were wise strong and honourable now they were in the right now their joyes and light abounded but without us saith the Apostle I would saith he yee did reigne this their happy estate was but in their conceit These things made them be puffed up one against another 1 Corinthians 4. 6. Of this sin are they also guilty that fall under that admonition in Rom. 16. 17. that make divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles the Greek Preposition signifieth both contrary and besides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Significat praeter contra the peace of the Church and the putity of Doctrine is sinfully violated by those that divide and lay stumbling blocks in the waies of Christians by contending for any thing that is against or besides Scripture-truth The Scripture is the Rule by which we discerne of Division and offence-makers Schisme is a sin that stickes fast the Apostle spends in one Letter foure Chapters upon it for this discourse begun in the first is continued to the fifth Chapter The greatnesse of this sin the Apostle sheweth many wayes 1. Schismes divide Christ so this sin is parricide Is Christ divided 2. Schisme giveth Christs honour to another so it is Sacriledge Was Paul crucified for you 3. It breakes our faith in Baptisme so it is perfidiousnesse Were yee Baptized in the name of Paul Chap. 1. v. 13. 4. It is a glorying in men Chap. 3. 21. and to glory in men that first proves men carnall for it fills men with envying and strife and divisions and that is to walk as men not as christians Ch. 3. v. 3 4. Ob. Some of them were ready to say Why spend you your time about this matter why come you not to us with meat we are strong we are spirituall teach us some deep Mysteries and higher Doctrines Sol. The Apostle prevents this and layes it upon themselves their Rudity their rawnesse required his plainesse they kept him to be laying of the Principles his faithfulnesse and Pastorall discretion and wisdome kept him fast to this way of dispensing the Truth to them Were they spirituall that thus strove and stood divided They were carnall they were babes the spoone was fitter for them then the knife they were not fit to be their owne carvers v. 1 2 3. Secondly this glorying in men makes as if the Ministers were Lords of our Faith whereas they are but Ministers v. 5. Thirdly it makes as if our profiting did depend on the Ministers whereas they are only planters and waterers it is Gods giving the increase that doth the deed v. 6 7. Fourthly all Ministers are but one though some are gifted above others some labour more than others they are all but Servants in one Worke imployed in Tilling Gods Field in building Gods House v. 8 9. 5. Schismes are of our owne spirit the Spirit of God is not factious Ch. 3. v. 16. 6. They wrong Gods Temple as in the text in hand dividing it when it is but one prophaning it when it is holy 7. Schisme is the bad effect of two evill causes 1. Self-confidence Anthadie and boasting as the Apostles words shew Let no man deceive himselfe if any man thinke he is wise Acts 8 9. 2. Vaine admiration upon vaine wisedome ver 18. every one with Simon Magus would faine be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some great one 8. It is derogatory both to the Christians honour and to Gods order v. 21. All is the Christians he is Christs and Christ is Gods Thus Paul here sets out the greatnesse of the sin of Schisme and Divisions to which I shall adde but that one word of the same Paul in Gal. 5. 19 20. that it is a manifest worke of the flesh the workes of the flesh are manifest which are divisions Their waies of deceit in sowing divisions are excellently deciphered in Rom. 16. v. 18. they are not easily discerned for they paint with two colours 1. They glory they are the Servants of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. They use good words and faire speeches their tongues meere sugar blessing Grace goodnesse in their lips with such sobernesse gentlenesse meeknesse lowlinesse insinuations of faire speech as one would not thinke but God and goodnesse were confined to that sort of people these catch the simple but indeed they serve their owne bellies they have the teeth of Lions with those Locusts Rev. 9. 8. though they have the hair of women Now this schismaticall spirit is in all things most dangerous because it agrees every way and takes wonderfully with corrupt nature which is full of self-love pride and dotage 3. All Hereticks these ruine the foundation those before mentioned make rents in the walls and fabrick of the Church Heresie is worse than Schisme that of our Apostle imports so much where he saith 1 Cor 11. 18 19. I heare that there be divisions among you and I partly beleeve it for there must be also Heresies among you Also sheweth that Heresie is a greater evill than Schisme when he saith there must be also or even Heresies he speakes of somewhat more than that was signified by the word Schismes Heresie is an election or chusing to ones selfe an opinion not only contrary to the Doctrine delivered in Scripture but also contrary to that Doctrine which is of the substance of faith and holinesse Heresie is a perverse Doctrine Schisme in the deed of a perverse separation he that denyeth or teacheth contrary to any Article of Faith and yet will hold communion with a Church professing the truth faith he is guilty of Heresie but not of Schisme he that beleeveth all the Articles of Faith and holds a pure confession and yet will not communicate with a true Church in holy duties he is guilty of Schisme though not of Heresie in the Epistle to the Galathians Gal. 5. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these are two distinct workes of the flesh Divisions and Heresies The foundation-truthes on which Zion Rev. 14. 12. is laid are the Commandements of God and the faith of Iesus Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots who is to be destroyed opposeth the Keepers of these labours to demolish these Papisme or Popery it is not any one lone Heresie but a body of many Heresies the sinke of Heresies A Mystery of iniquity Heresies therefore in a Mystery a cunning serpentine invasion of Christ and his Faith and Worship under the name and title of the Church of Christ his Faith his Spirit his Honour his Worship therefore for this man of sinne I shall set him by himselfe next after these Temple-violaters these Hereticks not as not guilty of Heresie but as
tolerations of opinions of divers mindednesse in faith is not the conversation becoming the Gospel especially in times of terrible Adversaries and is not an evident token of the Adversaries perdition and of our salvation and that of God What is it then It is an evident token of the Adversaries prevalency and of our succumbency under the present judgement as yet And of the further wrath of the Almighty and that from a just God I have heard of some that say this is that which can never be that all Christians should be of one heart and way let such believe in him that is faithfull and hath promised and not dishonour and weary God by unbelief God hath heretofore made good this Article of his Covenant In the first primitive Christian Church they were all the multitude of them that believed of one heart and of one soul Act. 4. 32. they continued stedfastly in this holy unity Act. 2. 42. 44. 46. There were two glorious fruits and concomitants hereof Fear came upon every soul Act 2. 43. and great grace was upon them all Act. 4. 33. Now the same God that hath thus powred out his owne holy and one spirit the spirit of unity by the Preaching of the Gospel can do the same again His Covenant is the same The great God delights to do great things the fruits would be alike excellent nothing more full of Grace and amiablenesse or of terrour and dread Hence also ariseth a strong Argument that no Christian should plead for toleration for all ought to seek for Gods Church in the Reformation of it the utmost conformity to the first purest Primitive Church of Christ when she was as a heap of Wheat set about with Lillies True liberty of Conscience lieth in sweet communion in the unity of faith and in the perfect bond of love the souls of believers knit together and cleaving one to another as Ionathans did to David unanimously subject to Gods Law all other Liberty is the Liberty of lust 10. There are also that will not joyn in Prayer with any other though they be Christians unlesse they know them to be godly and that they be of their judgement and way they refuse to pray with us not only in our publique Congregations but in our private or occasionall meetings The Lords Prayer directs us to Pray Our Father Our respects the whole community of Professors of Christs name and not any Segregated part It taketh in all that call on the name of our Lord Iesus Christ What spirit are they of that can deny to pray with those that say Za. 8. 21. Come let us go seek the Lord pray before him Not of the spirit of one that is a Iew inwardly Holy Paul among Sea-men and Mariners who are none of the best among souldiers prisoners for severall sorts of wicked deeds Heathens of severall Nations and Religions prayed as the mouth of them all or with them all beseeching them all to take meat he took bread and solemnly prayed as the Text saith He gave thanks to God in the presence of them all Act. 27. 35. Christ hath broken down the partition Wall and now none are to be called common Act. 10. 11 12 14 15. or unclean The Gospel is to be preached to every creature to all Nations therefore prayer is to be made with every creature with all Nations to whom we may preach with them we may pray and ought yea prayer to God is not only an instituted worship but naturall or of the Law of Nature These Doctrines of division rent and tear the Church of Christ and this now mentioned is a pricking Bryar and grieving Thorne 11. Like to these also are those that make up Churches of those of their own opinion and separate from others that do hold the unity of Faith and the Rule of righteousnesse But who can separate from those that are of the same Faith and not break fellowship with the Lord Iesus Differences in opinions should not dissunder us in affections much lesse make divisions separate us into Church-wayes against Church-wayes the same Faith and the same Commandments for holinesse should be more powerfull to cement us in one Church then difference in opinions through petulancy to put every opinion into practice note this should be of force to loose us in the building or lay us in a frame whose cement and morter whose mould and fashion is from a conspiring in an opinion these conspiracies in opinion joyned with separation from other Churches that hold the faith of Iesus and the Commandments of God are no right gathering of Churches they are Conventions sinfull and Schismaticall and unlawfull carnall and proud separations they that hold one Faith ought in lowlinesse of minde and forbearance of one another in love to indeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4. 2 3. 12. In like manner it is a violating of Gods Temple to separate because some wicked livers are not cast out of the Church the place abused is that in 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 17. To separate to come out from among them is not to separate or come out from the Church and Temple of God but from Idols from Belial from Infidels from Darknesse from Unrighteousnesse that they from whom we ought to separate are Idolaters Infidels Belialists Heathens of whom it is said ye were once Darknesse Unrighteous ones and they are not the Church and Temple of God to separate in the Apostles sense is not to touch the unclean thing that is to have no communion with them in their Idolatry in their unrighteousnesse of any kinde but other communion with them is not condemned and if he will come to the Ordinances of worship of the true God with the Church we may and ought to admit him to Communion with us in all Ordinances that are for conversion and this is not to touch the unclean thing Idolatry and unrighteousnesse is the unclean thing which we may not touch but the man is not the unclean thing the separation commanded and the coming out from them is not to be unequally yoked together with them the Greek is elegant lively significant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is a Simile taken from the Plough where the Teeme that drawes the same plough is by yokes and paires of Draught-cattell Oxen or horses or the like which are yoked in the same yoke and so do draw each his part of the same Plough to be yoked together is to draw one part in the same Draught which is in the sense of the Apostle to be joyned in the same communion and counsell of the wicked in which they draw the Plough of their wickednesse be the wickednesse Idolatry unrighteousnesse drunkennesse or any other to have Communion with an Idolater in his Idolatrous worship counsell to uphold that worship or such leagues of nearest conjunction voluntarily chosen and run into which may be a temptation to entice one to Idolatry this is to
sacrifices 4. The Table of shew bread on which were set new every Sabbath weekly twelve Cakes with pure incense representing the twelve Tribes of Israel which stood on the Table continually before the Mercy-seat in the presence of God which as it signified the gracious favour and the eyes of God in Christ over the righteous so also how the Christian liveth continually as in the presence of God reconciled and reconciling him to him through Christ his heart saith with David Thy loving kindnesse is before mine eyes Psa 26. 3. and I have walked in thy truth And this constant presence as before God reconciled only through the blood of his Son raiseth the incense and sweet odours of holy motions presented also before God in Christ continually and look as God feedeth him with Christ the bread of life and furnisheth a Table before him so the Believer keeps a furnished Table Cant. 1. 12. 7. 12. 8. 2. of the fruits of the Spirit in which God in Christ is delighted this Table stood on the North-side in the Tabernacle 5. The Candlestick of pure Gold with seven Lampes burning was on the South-side right against the Table of Shew bread This is the Word of God written in the heart of the true Christian burning and shining in saving knowledge with the seven lampes of his spirit even manifold gifts and graces in the light of this Word ingrafted by which the Holy Ghost dwels in them they serve God in Christ with their spirits in the Gospel 6. The Brazen Laver to wash in is the very fountaine of godly sorrow and of renewing grace Esa 1. 16. Psal 26. 6. Act. 26. 18. the spirit of sanctification which is opened in the heart of a beleever it is the sanctification in them by faith which is in Iesus Christ whereby their soules are sprinkled from an evill conscience and their bodies washed with cleane water that so they may draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith Heb. 10. 20. This is the furniture of Gods house 3. For the Glory The Glory that fills this house of God is God in the presence of his Grace as the Apostle saith Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2 Cor. 6. 16. 4. For the Ministers The Ministers that serve in this house they are beleevers they are both the Temple and the Priests as the Apostle Peter saith coming unto Christ Ye are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. In these foure respects is the beleever the Temple of God and every one that is called though but outwardly is called that he might be a partaker of this heavenly honour of which honour unbeliefe and impenitency doe deprive him Who can sufficiently expresse the Dignity of the true beleever who can sufficiently bewaile the state of the Christian that is so only in profession who while he seemes to give himself to God in words keepes his heart a stye for Satan keeps open house for the Devill Thus we see how every Christian is Gods Temple The Church is also Gods Temple even the Church visible It is true that as the Temple and Tabernacle had three parts the outer Court for the people the Holy Place where the Priests did their Office and the Holy of Holies into which the High Priest only entred so they did type out the visible Church as the outer Court where are good and bad the Holy Place the true Saints and Beleevers and Heaven the Holy of Holies But here the visible Church in the whole and in every particular visible Church is called the Temple of God 1. For the generall qualities or adjuncts 1. Vnity There was but one Temple so the Church is one Cant. 6. 9. There is but one body 1 Cor. 12. 12. though there be diversities of gifts of operations and of administrations though there be divers members this diversity makes for Unity for if they were all one member where were the body 1 Cor. 12. 19. unto every one is given some measure of Grace from Christ the Head which being improved in our fit and proper place in the body according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it selfe in love Ephes 4. 7. 16. Diversity of gifts makes for growth as well as for unity if love with lowlinesse and meeknesse doe act and carry us 2. Sanctity The Temple of God is holy so the Church are a society or community separated from the world they are without we have nothing to doe to judge them that is to proceed with them that are the fornicators of this world or the covetous or the like with Church-censures These are within these that are called Brethren and are yet fornicators or covetous or Idolaters or drunkards or such like these that are fornicators of the Church these we judge If we doe neglect this Discipline the Apostle doth not say separate you that are Saints indeed set up a new Church but blames us saying Doe not ye judge them that are within 1 Cor. 5. 12. and injoynes reformation not a separation for such a fault saying Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked Person It is a lamentable thing to read in the Church of Corinth the Temple of God which is holy this mixture brother Fornicator brother Drunkard brother Idolater c. yet so it was Aug. Tom 7. cont Ep. Parmen l. 2. c. 1. Qusquis vel quod potest arguendo corrigit vel quod corrigere non potest salvo pacis vinculo excludit vel quod salvo pacis vinculo excludere non potest aequitate improbat firmitate supportat bic est pacificus ab isto maledicto immunis quod Scriptura dicit vae his qui dicunt quod nequam est bonum quod bonum est nequam so it hath been in the Primitive purest times if it be so now be not so offended as to run out of your little wit while you are running from pollution run not from Gods Temple while you flee the touching of the unclean thing rather let your holinesse be accompanied with love your love with severity your severity with tolerance and longanimity your long-suffering with zeal your zeal with compassion and all with meeknesse of wisdome 2. For the Structure 1. The Temple was built on mount Zion which was first a strong hold of the Jebusites but conquered and taken by David was called the city of David and because a mountain therefore strong and steddy So Christ hath no Church but what he gets by spiritual conquest they were before calling a Fort of Jebusites but our David subduing the strong holds of Satan brings them to God the Rock of Ages I. 26. 4. Jer. 17. 5. 7.
be unequally yoked with the Idolater It is to have fellowship with them Hoc nou est consentire male facientibus esse cum cis in ecclesia sed mala facta â—orum approbarc atque laudare Aug. Tom. 7. Contra. Epist Parmen l. 1. c. 3. in the unfruitfull works of darknesse that the Apostle disswadeth us from and not from the fellowship with Christ in his fruitfull Ordinances and with his people in duties of publique worship of the true God because an incestuous brother is there present and through none of thy approbation of his wickednesse or of his presence but through neglect of the Church and those officers in whom the power and execution of the power lyeth for excommunication of such scandalous brethren is suffered to be there Lastly he truly in the Apostles sense doth separate from the unclean thing that cleanseth himself from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. That is purifying from all his sins inward and outward and not he that to avoid communion with the world shuts himself up in a Monastery lives an Hermite in a wildernesse nor he that to avoid Communion with Swearers and Drunkards forsaketh the Assemblies of Orthodox Christians using Christs own Ordinances of the Word and Sacraments to hold fellowship with Swearers and Drunkards in their Swearing and Drunkennesse and drunken meetings is to go to plough with them and to tumble with them in the filth but to hold the fellowship of the Gospel if these come to the same assemblies with us and sit there as Gods people is to hold Communion with Christ and they have fellowship with us outwardly in Christs Plough and yoak we have none with them but with Christ and his Saints and with them in the Profession and duty of Saints 13. But now the same Text doth condemne as Temple-Defilers those that are unequally â—oked together with unbelievers in Idolatrous worship and Idolatrous feasts 2 Cor. 6. 17. that have communion with them in the Idol-service What fellowship hath the Temple of God with Idols Those that separate not from such that is from the assemblies of Idolaters they partake of the table of Devils 1 Cor. 10. 21. and cannot partake of the Lords Table Those that separate not from the Popish assemblies and that separate not from their false Catholick Church do also touch the unclean thing and sin against the Apostles command for separation We must separate from them that hold not Christ in all things wherein they hold not Christ and no farther 14. It is a â—ore pollution of the house of God to set up mens Commandements and inventions for Doctrine Matth. 15. 9. Col. 2. 18. 20 21 22. These be the births of mens fleshly mindes which are begotten and quickned by a spirit of Whoredomes These are heathens brought into Gods holy Temple 15. The prophanation pollution or contempt of Gods Ordinances Discipline or Government is the defiling and wasting of Gods Temple hitherto you may referre the prophanations of the Lords Supper in divided Communions and in comming without examination and selfe-judging 1 Cor. 11. 16. Ranke with these such as disgrace the publique and solemn Assemblies either troubling them by barbarous confusion 1 Cor. 14. 26. Every one hath a Psalm un interpretation a Doctrine a Revelation Our new disturbers boast of a falâ— gift in these particulars though they have not yet they will have an Interpretation a Psalm a Doctrine a revelation they cannot have the face yet to say a Tongue and if they may not have liberty to speak in the publick Assemblies having no such gift they will deny their presence to the Publick fling dishonour upon them all they can or else despising the Church 1 Cor. 11. 22. or place of the Publick assemblies like unto these are such also as puldown Churches and set up their Chamber-meetings David complaineth they have burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land Psal 74. 8. It was the Centurions Luk. 7. 4 5. high commendations to our Lord Iesus he is worthy for he â—â—veth our Nation and hath built us a Synagogue Such also as deny the maintenance Neh. 13. 10 11. of the publick Ministery solemn worship and places for publick worship such as devour things Holy and Consecrated or convert them to private ases Abhorrest thou Idols Rom. 2. 22. and yet 〈◊〉 thou sacriledge Why should any Tobiah live in the chambers of the Temple Neh. 13. 5. and eate up the Tythes all which belonged to Gods instituted Ministery There yet remaine foure notorious Temple-Defilers that make Gods house their prey it shall suffice to name them 17. Persecutors Tyrants and oppressours of Gods Heritage of whom we have that mournfull complaint Psal 79. 1 2 3. O God! the Heathen are come into thine inheritance thy holy Temple have they defiled they have laid Ierusalem on heapes the dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the Fowles of the Heaven the flesh of thy Saints unto the beasts of the earth their blond have they shed like water round about Ierusalem and there was none to bury them This is exemplified in the Antichristian rage of Papists and other our enemies at this day in these three Kingdomes especially in Ireland 18. Hinderers of Reformation and of the Reformers God raiseth up these like Iannes and Iambres withstand our Mosesses I meane all the Sticklers for any errour and the resisters of that blessed worke of the Nationall Covenant whereby these three Kingdomes may become one according to Christ Iesus Shall Hell that now opens her mouth wide shall Satan that can make use of a Peter and make him a Satan Mat. 16. 23. shall heights or depthes of white or black Devills swallow up that Covenant or dead that Covenant-care which cannot but make Rome and its Conclave to shake Why is not our Covenant prosecuted 19. Sensuall Separatists Iâ—de 19. that walke after their lusts Mockers that jugling with the Scriptures broach bruitish-damnable Tenets such as that that the soule dyeth with the body whereas it goeth to God that gave it and is either as Dives's was presently sent to Hell and is there in torments or else as Lazarus's in Abrahams bosome as Pauls with Christ as the beleeving Thiefes in Paradice as all beleevers present with the Lord cloathed upon with their house from Heaven possessed of an house not made with hands eternall in the Heavens 2 Corinthians 5. 1 3 6 8. Scoffers 2 Pet. 3. 3 4 12. that by their impostures would illude the Doctrine of the last Iudgement and say where is the Promise of his coming and take off from the hearts of the unwary and unstable the terrour of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. and the looking for and hastning unto the coming of the day of God Diseased fancifull minds that have itching eares and will not endure sound Doctrine but heape teachers to themselves 2 Tim. 4. 3 4. 20. The Machiavilian Politicians in a Christian State