THE CHVRCH The proper subject of the new COVENANT Delivered first in Three Sermons at Rochester Afterwards contracted into two and delivered againe at Gravesend Together with a Covenant to walke with God By WILL SANDBROOKE LL B Ox. and Minister of Margrets Rochester LONDON Printed by W. Wilson for Philemon Stephens 1646. TO THE HONORABLE Committee of the County of Kâ—nt Honored GIve mee leave to bespeake you in a word of an Apologetick preface for this my intrusioÌ„ upon your goodnesse After sixteene yeares residence in Oxford and many yeares forraigne travells upon my returne in these tumultuous times not being able to enjoy my owne charge in Oxford I betooke my selfe to sea imployment under the Right Honorable the Earle of VVarwick and after two voyages my lot for residence fell into Rochester and called to Saint Margarets have there two yeares exercised my ministery comfortably Here after my dispatch of the whole doctrine of the new Covenant I let fall some conclusions in satisfaction to doubts now agitated in the world whereof the first was the subject of this new Covenant to wit the Church which unexpectedly were not so cleare to some as I intended and wisht for After I contracted their largeness into this modell and delivered them in Graves-end Exceptions were taken by such as heard them not delivered but by report and the Author thereof defamed with what bitternesse let others that heard it judge I was therefore required for my owne vindication and such noble Friends as had cast a gracious aspect upon mee to publish them which here I now humbly present to your censure and patronage who now blessed bee God are the happy instruments of the peace of the County I have not to my best memory omitted nor added a materiall passage or sentence except the examination of the termes in Scripture signifying a Church as V. T. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Septuagint for the most part render by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though sometimes the various readings of Aquila Symachus and Theodorus gives that by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The N. T. use still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Syriack translation expresse by the former word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 familiar also in the very same sense with all the Orientals so that I inferred as a generall issue from the Etymon of the word A Church was a collected body called together in the businesse of the Lord. This is the substance of all was omitted from the first delivery which I have not inserted in this Copy because I did beleeve the excepter would not trouble himselfe with any examination of the cryticisme My spirit I confesse hath ever been averse to publish or to have beene taken notice of this way I am too conscious of my owne weakenesse and insufficiencies to seek to make a noyse my inclination to obscurity and retirednesse is wel knowne and a meane condition if a setled one in privacy to apply my thoughts to study hath beene always my strongest intentions Other things of greater importance in literature I meane I have prepared which did providence see good to give me a setled condition wherein I might compose my thoughts to a setled sixtnesse and center my selfe in some rest to follow my study the greatest outward mercy I long for and value in this life I should humbly begge your patronage and protection In the interim untill Divine providence shall effect so great mercy to mee giue mee leave to beg your patronage protection of this rude draught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the nature of a Church and let mee subscribe my selfe to bee ever really found Your most humble and faithful servant in the Lord Will Sandbrooke From my study in Rochester Nov. 20. 1646. To the Right Worshipshipfull the Major Jurats and Inhabitants of Graves-end Brethren YOu may remember I was engaged to your reverend Pastor for an exchange upon necessary occasions these conclusions I then delivered for substance to you I know not a materiall word varied You know how it was calumnized and with what bitternesse interpreted by him who heard it not upon what grounds hee proceeded I leave it to his owne serious thoughts As they are and were I commend them to you to judge whether the things are censurable or no. I must acknowledge your patience and candid acceptance of them then and engage my selfe now and ever Your servant in the work of the Lord Will Sandbrooke Rochester Novemb. 20. 1646. A Breife Summary of Three Sermons preached at St. Margarets RoCHESTER EPHES. 1.22 23. HAving you know at severall times declared unto you the whole doctrine of the new covenant my next businesse I acquainted you should be the examination of 3. grand Quaeries And these I digested into this order thus 1. What is the proper adequate and formall subject of all this great mercy of the Covenant The Church 2. What persons are capeable to come within this condition of the Church 1. Beleevers internally called 2. Infants by the outward seale of Baptisme 3. What law or rule the Church is regulated and walkes by whether the Law or the Gospel or both These things beeing dispatcht I shall proceede to satisfie two doubts to wit 1. How the conversation of a beleever or a member of a Church may be steered to an holy evennesse 2. What are the manifold impediments and hindrances from 1. Our owne deceitfull spirits 2. The stratagems of hell SECT I. THe first grand Quaerie I began with to wit The nature of a Church Wherein because I found the businesse in these tumultuous dayes sorely perplext with contentions and difficulties on the contrary parties I proceeded in a middle course if it were possible to take off the violence of both 1. The one party running violently against the other condemning its adversary of formality superstition and almost idolatry in tying up their devotions to saying of prayers set formes and places running circle of stinted duties without life and power and without expectation of any such things from Christ together with a mixture of prophane and godly A speckled Bird. 2. The other party running as strongly in a violent contrary channell condemning the other for schisme hereses sedition faction novelty seperation and division makeing breaches and fomenting discords opening a way to the unsetling of the peace and unitie of the Church In this so sad a condition I steared a course as neare as I could betwixt these two desperate rocke and yet unexpectedly struck upon each till I had almost splitt againe 1. The one charging me with too much liberty given to schisme private conventicles 2. The other accusing me with too much binding up and streigthning them in the Priviledges of Believers granted to the Church by Christ himselfe In this unexpected exigent finding a storme comming and we have tumults enough already though I was warned by a faithfull freind that it would not
be seasonable my improvidence left me in a snare I must acquaint you my resolution is to desist from the prosecution untill the wisedome of the State shall set up a way which is Vniforme and then I hope I may prosecute without disturbance In the interim because what hath beene delivered is snuffed at by some whom I scarce believe understood if heard it I shall therefore acquaint you with two things 1. The conclusions prosecuted already in this businesse 2. The conclusions remaining yet behind in the nature of a Church which I will only name These I will lay down as principles which must be as a firme basis to all deductive conclusions in the businesse of a Church so that 1. I shall adhere to them as of eternall verity 2. I shall yet willingly submitt to a full conviction of any error deduceable from them if cleared to me and humbly correct it These things being supposed by way of Appology I come now to my businesse EPHES. 1.22 23. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to bee the head over all things to the Church Which is his body the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all AFter a short Analycitall resolution of the body of the Text I inferred divers conclusions whereof the first was God the Father hath given to Christ by speciall donation Thes 1. priviledge and grants the power interest and propriety and in succession of time the Actuall possession of a Church This proposition I laid downe as leaving the rest to the expository way for forenoones in my exercise onely to cleare it I laid downe some concluosins which were the same in substance and run paralell to this in this forme 1. Isa 32.1 Psal 2.6 God the Father hath invested Christ in the propriety and possession of a Kingdome 2. Rom. 8.2 This kingdome in order to its subjects was endowed with 3. grand priviledges 1. Rom. 8.12 Exemption from the curse of any Law 2. From the Tyranny of any power to enthrall or engage them to obedience except of Christ 3. Col. 2.21 From observation of any ordinances in point of absolute subjection but what himselfe hath instituted to them Whence I called in to aide one cleare and confessed conclusion The Kingdome of Christ and the Church of Christ are in substance the same thing So that in issue if Christ hath beene enthroned and established in a kingdome ergo also in a Church But Christ hath beene enthroned and established in a Kingdome by the conclusions ergo the sequell is easie from the last conclusion thus the Kingdome of Christ and his Church are the same in substance ergo If Christ have a Kingdom he must have a Church also The maine quaeriethen to be examined thus What this Church of Christ is After examination of the Termes incident to this businesse in the old and new Testament I concluded A Church or the kingdom of Christ is a combination or confaederacy of faithfull persons meeting together in a joynt consent to walke with Christ and to enjoy communion with him and amongst themselves in all his ordinances I cannot see but this discription of a Church agreeth with the Nationall Provinciall Parochiall Church of England unlesse we suppose intended and studied hypocrisie in receiving the Gospell In this I observed these distinct conclusions fully to cleare the businesse The members of this combination are faithfull persons Concl. 1. or actuall beleevers by profession This was made cleare in reason thus Christ being a living head all that come to him are also quickned for the cause being put the effect must follow and we live by faith in Christ ergo The members of a Church are living members or beleevers Thus reason gave attestation fully clearly 19. Art of the church of Eng. Agni 3. q. 8. Ar. 3. ad 3. Bell. to 2 c. 2. p. 271. so Scripture also Esay 26.2.6 Acts. 2.40.41 This first conclusion made good the 2o. is 2. These beleeving persons joyne together in a mutuall combination or joynt consent to bee a Church The reason is from proportion a common wealth joynes together by consent under one head to make a body politique and the members of a naturall body by one Spirit of animation constitutes the whole But the Church is in proportion a naturall and politique bodie Bell. ibid. Act. 19. Ergo. Iere. 50.4 Acts. 11.21.22 Thus this 2. conclusion cleared the 3d. was 3. This voluntary and joynt combination of Beleevers is to give themselves up wholly to walke with Christ The reason I assigned was because in this combination they joyned themselves wholly to Christ and gave themselves totally to him Ergo. Live walke with him Iere. 50.5 Acts. 2 42. And here the starting of one doubt hath caused all this dust and made such a misconstrued interpretation of things Is this combination by joynt consent Quest so necessary to a Church that it is not sufficient for every particular beleeuer to give himselfe up to Christ to walke with him but a society must joyne in it Because herein the businesse did pinch give me leave to give you a a breife account of what propositions I laid down in the same words and then I le to the rest 1. Every beleever after calling is engaged to bring over his Spirit to an universall resolution and answerable execution of walking with Christ The reason was given because every member is or ought to be at the whole disposition of the head and subordinat to it But c. Ergo. 1 Cor. 6.20 Psal 119.106 This first particular conclusion the second was 2. This particular resignation of any beleever thus to Christ makes him an actuall member of the Catholike Church of Christ which is onely one The reason given in this case it made them of the bodie of Christ as by a speciall act of faith Rom. 12.5 1. Cor. 10.16 1. Cor. 10.12.17 The second particular proposition thus done 3. There followes after this an actuall vnion and visible combination of the same person with other members which collected bodie make up a visible society of beleevers This is properly joyning to a particular visible Church and the reason is from the very construction of the Termes and the manifold places of Scripture Acts. 9.28 5.13 20.17 And this is the same with our parishes or parochiall congregations and combinations to worship Christ and to walke with him Art 19. Prop. 2. Preface to the Catechisme in the Common-Prayer B. So that hence it will be safe I suppose to inferr 1. Such a collected body or congregation so vnited is a particular visible Church And from thence also I inferred as a second conclusion necessary to the businesse 2. 1 Cor. 1.2 Though the catholike Church of Christ be but one yet there are divers particular Churches as Parochiall Nationall Provinciall or the like 3. Act. 16. p. 2. Rom. 16.4 Gal. 1.2 Every person so joyning himselfe to that combination is properly a member of that particular visible Church distinct
from other Churches From whence the maine businesse wherein the difficulty seemed highest and caused the most violence was in a third maine conclusion 3. The members of a Church or a certaine number of Beleevers may further confaederat amongst themselves by a bond or covenant to a close walking with Christ And yet not breake fellowship or communion with the bodie congregation or particular parrish or Church whereof they are members This because I observed it offended both sides against my intention to either I did explaine it and deliuer the same thus SECT I. I Meane it thus It is a lawfull and in some sense a necessary act for beleevers of acquaintance or relation to joyne in a compact or agreement amongst thēselves by way of covenant to walke with Christ and to build up each other in a mutuall communication of their experience and guifts in the way of Christ Heb. 3.13 for mutuall consolation in the Gospell SECT 2. YET I added further to explaine my self that such confaederacie compact and agreement should not cause them to seperate or to breake fellowship with the whole congregation for indeed the whole congregation should joyne but hold a correspondency with the rest in the publique ordinances in such places as is appointed by authority for such assemble that so they may walke in order and peaceablenesse The reason of this my assertion was removing that which is the grand argument which caused the seperation and division A mixture of beleevers and unbeleevers say they in any ordinance pollutes the ordinance To this I then answered in sum to the argument 1 The vnfitnesse of any person in an ordinance doth not necessarily prejudice the same ordinance to a beleever 2. Nor doth it altogether detract the effectuall presence of Christ from beleevers I meane thus that for as much as that infallible Spirit of discerning doth not now abide in the Church who is positively anunbeleever that we may unreservedly conclude such a person though professing with his mouth to beleeve is yet in the truth and reality of things is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it doth not I say prejudice the ordinance to a beleever For indeed I grant where there is such an absolute inspection into and unreserved conjunction of the spirits of men that we know their hearts frame of their Spirits it were utterly unlawfull to hold fellowship with them that are unbeleevers But now where no such infallibility can be supposed as is our case I conceive the ordinance is not prejudised for in the former case of manifest conviction we are partakers of other mens sinnes in this not And I conceive the case of Alexander Hymeneus and Philetus cunning Hypocrites in an Apostolicall Church 2. Tim. 2.15 did not disband the congregation nor did Christ deny his Church to them So that however it be true that Christ walkes amongst the Seven Golden Candelsticks all of pure Gold yet even in those Churches there were Hereticall Doctrines unbeleevers yet the Church disbanded not but a command was given to the Angell in the name of the Church for an ejection Once more for Dependance upon the Congregation I conceive those Churches spoken of in severall houses to be but members of some full and compleate congregation or Church in Rome or else where My reason I laied downe thus forasmuch as 1. In so small a company as a family all the ordinances of Christ could not have a full course which is essentiall to a Church in the very resolution of Episcopall Presbyteriall and Congregationall Churches 2. Every officer could not have a compleate and entire place and power to execute that authority Christ had bequeathed to a Church So that in issue I did conclude in this from first to last in these two propositions 1 Though one or more Families or divers Persons may joyne in confederacy to walke with Christ 2. Yet their conjunction and fellowship with that congregation or Church into which they are admitted whether you 'le call it parochiall or congregationall ought to be inviolable where the ordinances of Christ have cheerefull latitude of extention This was the summe of what was then delivered in these things in which I did understand the exception did arise on both sides and now let wisemen judge The third conclusion in the desmition being dispatcht the Fourth followed thus 4. Con. 4. The end of this confederacie of beleevers into a Church in giving themselves entirely up to Christ SECT 1. TO enjoye a speciall and effectuall communion with Christ For for this purpose they give themselves up to him and are joyned with him now to what purpose is union and fellowship except it be for communion and participation see 1 Cor. 1.9 Now to this I added as a consectary and issue SECT II. THis fellowship and Communion was also a spirituall and reciprocall communion with the members of the Church amongst themselves The ground of this conclusion I told you was because 1. they every one sympathize in breathing as it were the same life of Christ and 2. they have the same spirit of Christ ergo spiritual communion must be sensibly raised in their spirits when each Act amongst them is nothing but a beam of the same glory of CHRIST dwelling in them Esay 44.5 Acts 2.46 Now as a medium by which all the efficacy of this communion should be poured out upon them and enjoy an effectuall and special energy in Christs communion with them I laid downe 3. This fellowship and Communion in its true spiritual vigour efficacy with Christ amongst themselves is in the exercise use and power of his owne holy Ordinances The reason is John 14.22 Cant. 1.7.8 he intending thus to manifest himself to them and not to the world sets out limits and bounds where he wil shew himselfe Isa 56.7 Acts 9.31 Isa 25.6 And thus was that fourth conclusion finished and with it the work of that time Ther was yet a fifth conclusion in this description of a Church which I did omit for want of time only naming of it and reserving its prosecution for this occasion But being prevented loving my own peace I shall only name it again 5. This communion that a Church enjoyeth with Christ and Beleevers amongst themselves in his Ordinances Is maintained by assembling themselves together to communicate in such ordinances as Christ will shew his glory upon them 1 Cor. 14.23 16.1.2 Art Ch. En. 19. And see now how it fel out in this very point rests all the difficulty as it must bee explained which in the generall is confest as true on all hands yet what my particular thoughts and judgement was I never yet spake word yet these men on both sides would needes tell mee what I would say when in truth I knew not fully my selfe Yet Brethren for quietnesse and peace sake I 'le lay down some things in generall
waving difficulties that you may ghesse which way my thoughts tend 1. All Beleevers and every member ought to frequent and assemble to that place which is appointed for the meeting of the congregation in the use of Divine Ordinauces publiquely This only I name as confest on all hands and therefore in the next place 2. Every family of Beleevers ought after publike ordinances in the Church or congregation to assemble together for recognition conference mutual assistance in what hath been publikely done and the use of such Ordinances as are proper to them These two propositions no man I know if taken in this generall sense so much as stickes at Onely if I should adde one glance more it may be it would startle yet I hope not offend especially if taken as 't is intended by mee I 'le venture upon good natures and lay it downe in sum thus Many grand sticklers and contenders for an universall outward conformity which I shal for ever supplicate the throne of grace for us comming nearest to a state of glory Are the most peccant and defective in the main businesse to wit sensible quickening communion with Christ which is the maine end of those Ordinances and the Saints or Beleevers generall conformity to them Brethren I would demand from these eager spirits whether it hath not been the practice of this and former ages to terminate their devotion in a circular course of comming to Church reading or hearing a chapter with the Minister turning downe leaves at Chapter and verse things I know good and ought to bee done yet when 't is manifestly apparant this terminates all and they look no further but only to the exercise of the body which profits not nor see any thing of the power of Christ shining out in strength in their Ordinances I would demand whether 1. These things are not uselesse in our relation to Christ in them 2. This be not to profane pollute that which he hath ordained to communicate and shew himselfe by to his people 3. Condemnation will not be advanced hereby Brethren these things I only propose without reflexion upoÌ„ any mans particular let his owne conscience judge Whether this method had not in the dayes of yore eaten out the power of godlinesse and left the body of religion an empty carkasse But I doe but name this doubt obiter and by the bye I must yet crave leave a little patience to insert a third conclusion in this businesse of assembling or meeting least I should be accused of bauking or dissembling the maine For I expect to heare of it on both sides the head take it thus 3. It is lawfull for Christians or Believers of severall families in a Towne Parish or Countrey to meete together to conferre and examine truths delivered to communicate each others experience for mutual consolation and edification in the way of Christ This Brethren I would have rightly understood and that wil prevent a carping take then these two cautions in 1. Such assembling or meeting ought not to prejudice the publike Ordinance and Assembies 2. Such assembling or meeting ought not to disturb or violate the peace or quiet of the State or Kingdome These two cautions observed I 'le justifie the conclusion to bee warrantable It is an expresse injunction of the Apostle and nothing can come in for a supersedeas where hee commands Thus I have declared briefly to you as well as I could the nature of a Church under the Gospell What it is in the sense of other men either for the place of meeting or in that relation it stands to the Kingdome or Nation as protected and in some cases bound by Lawes and Edicts I have not medled as leaving it to the Lawyers and Magistrates to determine my errand was never so far as I know to preach penall Statutes but obedience to the KING and other his subordinate Governours which I shall ever bee diligent in both in word and practice What I have done amisse herein I shall submit to censure and errour I shall bee convict of Thus farre may suffice for the nature of a true Church The next thing I did propose to my self in the businesse of a Church is SECT 2. THe Priviledges of Beleevers mett in the way of a Church or Congregation in the use of the Ordinances of Christ And these I did resolve to reduce in distinct conclusions in these few heads SECT 1. generall THe great Priviledge of Beleevers joyned in fellowship in the Gospell and met together in the use of any Divine Ordinances is To have an intimate tender and prevailing effectuall presence of Christ himselfe with them This both Scripture and reason abundantly testifie for Christ being a living head and appointing his Church to be his body it must follow the body must find the influence from the head in every channell and vessell ordained for that purpose Matth. 28.19 20. Thus much in generall now again in SECT 2. Speciall AS severall branches arising from this common stocke they are to bee reduced to a two-fold head SECT 1. Internal ANnd these againe admit a distinction 1. Generall A constant quickning influence and power of spirituall refreshing from this presence of Christ This is cleare in the former demonstration and made mention in former places of Scripâ—ure SECT 2. Speciall ANd that again shold be dispatcht in these things 1. A sensible active spirituall taste of Divine love or of God himselfe in his Ordinances by this presence of Christ For by this comming to him wee come to and see the Father by him And hence also followes in the use of the Ordinances by this presence of Christ these three things 1. Peace with and spirituall joy in God 2. A strength communicated to walke with Christ and in his power with God 3. A sealed assurance of eternall communion with God in glory These are those internall Priviledges of the Church to be powred out and communicated to the Saints in their assembling in the use of divine ordinances SECT 2. Externall Priviledges ANd these I should refer to these three conclusions 1. A free use of all the Ordinances of Christ belongs to the church 2. A power of establishing of Officers for the governement of the Church 3. A power of exercising of all censures or the power of the Keyes for the matter of Discipline Whence I would had I prosecuted infer red one thing as a most necessary corollary All these Priviledges are made truly efficacious and effectuall by the prevailing and actuall presence of CHRIST with them One thing more I added to be heeded Cautions to wit thus 1. Whether you 'le call a Church thus invested with these great priviledges made efficacious by Christs reall presence to be A Church 1. Nationall 2. Provincial 3. Classicall 4. Parochiall 5. IndependeÌ„t or Congregationall Let others dispute the question I will not I conceive all are 2. Whether the government bee invested in an Episcopacy Classicall Parochiall or Congregational Eldership from the donation of the Church for 't is her inheritance I will not determine let the King State determine I can with peace submit so farre as my conscience yet beares mee witness will so soone as the hand is put to execution The other two points of the use of the 1. Law 2. Baptisme I touched not FINIS