A SHORT TREATISE Describing the true CHURCH of CHRIST And the Evills of Schisme ANABAPTISM and LIBERTINISM Wherein is proved that Society is the genus of a Church not Congregations A National Church under the New-Testament The visible Church is Gods Temple The infallible note of a true Church 1. Schismaticks defile the Temple of God 2. Usurpers of the Ministery Temple-defilers Learning is needfull for the discharge of the Ministery Toleration of all religions contrary to Gods Word No communion with the wicked in their sinne Tyrants and Persecutors are Temple-defilers Temple-defilers shall be surely punished We must make triall of the Spirits Delivered in two SERMONS by Mr. RICHARD BYFIELD LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the signe of the Bible neer the Royall Exchange 1653. Temple Defilers Destroyed 1 COR. 3. 17. If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy THE circumstantials of this Text may profitably serve for our Exordium or entrance they are three who speaks how he speakes and to whom 1. Who speaks Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ therefore it is a Gospel sentence Paul the Doctor of the Gentiles therefore you Gentiles ought to hear him Paul the mouth of Christ the Pen-man of the Holy Ghost and therefore he that despiseth this word despiseth not man but Christ but the Spirit but God 2. How he speaks First by way of denunciation of judgement The Gospel hath fire in it the Preachers threaten destruction yet the Preachers thereof no legall Preachers for our God is a consuming Fire it is true life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel and it is no lesse true then Hell fire and Damnation is Language peculiar to the Gospel never any Preached in so frequent and plain termes the flames of Hell and that unquenchable fire as did our Lord Jesus who was sent of God Anointed with the spirit that oyle of gladnesse to preach the Gospel to the poor to heal and binde up the broken hearted that meek Lambe of God whose office it was to speak a word in season to the weary soul How often hath he Hell and Hell fire in his mouth in one Sermon Mat. 5. 22. 29 30. Three times in one breath with amazing illustrations Mar. 9. 43. 45. 47. At another time all his discourse almost beset as Paradise with a flaming sword with as sore as plain and equivalent expressions utter darknesse where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth the Prison out of which there is no coming by any means till they have paid the utmost farthing the losse of the soul cutting asunder and appointing them their portion with hypocrites in no case any entry into the Kingdom of heaven no reward of their Father which is in Heaven Will any dare to deny that Iesus Christ was an Evangelicall Preacher And it stands with all reason that such Preaching should be for Gospel times for the greater and more glorious are the manifestations of Gods grace the greater and more glorious are the manifestations of Gods grace the greater is the sin and the heavier the wrath and condemnation due to the refusers Heb. 12. 25. 29. the abusers the turners of such grace into lasciviousnesse and wantonnesse No marvell then if that Ministry of the New Testament that is as a mirrour to shew us the glory of grace with open face do with as great plainnesse of speech set Hell before us in open view Heaven is the more Heaven to them that see what Hell is It is not unbeseeming an Apostle a Teacher of Grace and of the Gospel to denounce the judgements of God Paul here speaks by way of threatning Secondly he speaks by way of Argumentation 1. Against building up the Church with wood hay and stubble ver 12. By which is meant not Doctrine Hereticall blasphemous and impious though that be worse that ruines the foundation but vain curious unnecessary doubtfull tending to jangling strife and divisions perhaps true but unprofitable like the Genealogies in the which the Jewes were curious or else erroneous and of ill consequence though not in it self impious Such in a word as suites not with the foundation such as is not like gold silver and precious stones these only are fit for this building suitable to Christ the foundation the Apostle reasons against their bringing such stuffe to Gods building and in this verse bringeth his Argument from the greatnesse of the sin and the certainty of the punishment Their sin is the defiling of Gods Temple their punishment shall be destruction 2. Again his Argument against such all Church works lyeth also against Schisme Divisions and Factions in the Church as appeareth to the diligent and intelligent Reader by that in the chapâ—â— ver 10. 12. and in this chap. 3. ver 3 4 5. The Apostle is still about the cure of this one disease and this verse we are upon argues against it as a Temple-polluter and destructive to those that are guilty of it 3. To whom he speaks 1. To the Church of Corinth called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Consider it 1. He speaks not to them without there were within the Church too many defilers of Gods Temple 1. He speaks not to a party in that Church the house of Cloe a choice party separating from the faulty party making up a new Church lest they should be polluted in holding Church Fellowship with them that were such sinners The house of Cloe knew how tostand free from partaking with them in their sins and yet retain Gospel Union to seek a Medicine and not make a rupture The Apostle guided by the spirit of Vnion love and a sound minde breathes forth nothing to make Rents but what ever might be to make up breaches He directs not the Epistle to the house of Cloe that stood sound and untoucht though they gave him notice of the evils that infested the Church at Corinth But 1. To the whole company of Professors of Christianity in that great City to the whole society of Christians there 2. And that also to such a society as were enriched in gifts and graces so that he first breaks out in the mention of them with solemne Thanksgiving to God they were enriched in every thing by Christ in all utterance in all knowledge they came behinde in no gift as in chap. 1. ver 4. 5. 7. Yet many of these fell into this sin of Schisme these must take heed how they walk on in that sin for they may fall under this destroying judgement of God 2. To the Whole and Universall Church of God ver 2. of chap. 1. All in every place that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours One Lord in common of one visible Church in all the world which is one body under that one head particular visible Churches are not so many Independant Churches those that so teach make Jesus Christ monstrous The Papists make Christs Church a Monster in that they hold that Christ
the only Iehovah and on him that is on him as he hath named revealed himself in his holy word are they built 2. The Temple had goodly foundations so the Church is built on Christ the Foundation-stone elect and precious tryed and sure on whom whosoever beleeveth shall never be confounded It is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Apostles are the highest Office and Calling that ever was in the Church and therefore named first not upon their Persons but upon their Doctrine called the foundation because it layeth Christ the Foundation and layeth him out and sets him in his proper place to the full in two sorts of fundamentall truths the Law and Gospel or as it is in Revel 14. 12. The Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus The Church is the Communion of Saints that keepeth these two This is the Zion of God opposed to Antichristian Babylon There is not a clearer Text in all the Bible nor more lively distinguishing it concerns our dayes well is this Book of Prophesies called the Revelation not onely because it opens and reveals the Prophesies of things to come all Prophesies but also because it carries such beams and rayes of lightsome doctrinall truth wherewith it is bespangled and shines in severall parts of it to enlighten the times which the Prophesies concern 3. The walls of the Temple were conjoyned by corner-stones Christ Iesus is the chief corner stone that holds both parts of this spirituall building both Iews and Gentiles that are called fast together so that they do concorporate Eph. 3. 6. 4. The severall stones in this Temple or curtains with tapes and loops and tenons posts and sockets are the severall members variously gifted and yet united in the unity of profession and of the spirit and of faith and of Baptisme and in the bond of Peace 5. The outer and inner coverings are the double condition of the Church the inward Psal 45. 14. comely and glorious the outward black and tann'd with afflictions and persecutions Cant. 1. 5. 6. The Temple had pillars and walls and the visible Church in respect of the Ministery of it is the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3. 17. Gal. 2. 9. Col. 2. 19. The Officers and Members in the Church are the sustainers of the fabrick and the body 3. But for the Furniture chiefly is the Church of God his holy Temple For. 1. There being retained held and held forth the Doctrine of Reconciliation by Christ alone that one Mediatour that God is onely to be found gracious to a sinner in Christ fully satisfied in his blood which is belonging to no sinner but to him that beleeveth here is the true Mercy-seat God in Christ We need not say O thou that dwellest between the Cherubimsâ— but know and pray to God as the God Father of our Lord Iesus Here being taught that Christ is true God and true Man in one Person here is the Ark over laid with gold the true flesh of Christ under which his God-head was covered is the Vail between the Holy-place and the Holy of Holies 2. The Doctrine of Christs sacrifice on the Crosse and of his intercession in heaven is both the Altars the Altar of whole burntâ— offering and the Altar of incense 3. The Tables of the Covenant in the Ark the Manna and Aarons rod by it this is in the Church that sets up Christ the Bread of Life the onely Prophet that teacheth to profit and the high Priest over the house of God whom we ought to obey 4. The Candlestick is the light of the Word the Law and Gospel that all in Gods house may walk in the light of the Lord and see to do his work 5. The Laver is the Doctrine of Regeneration and Iustification by Christs blood and spirit 6. The Golden Instruments and vessels for Incense-offering and sprinkling with the rest are the gifted Ministers gifted with pastorall and teaching aptnesse and abilities and sanctified for the applying of Christ and his benefits by their Ministery which gifts Christ giveth but the Church upon due triall acknowledgeth owneth receiveth confirmeth with her testimony and honoureth 4. For the glory inhabiting there God in Christ is there giving the blessing and life The name of that City is Iehovah-Shammah Ezek. 48. 35. or The Lord is there 5. For the cover on it all There is over every such assembly and over the whole Zion of God Isa 4. 5 6. a speciall Protection a speciall Direction and a speciall safety to them that shrowd there from the heat and from the storm This is the defence upon all the glory Now from this branch of the Doctrine and from this true and plain explication of the same we may describe or direct to the infallible note of the true Church on earth and of a true particular visible Church 1. Where ever Iesus Christ is held for the foundation and corner-stone and the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles touching the faith of Iesus and the Commandments of God that concern holinesse and righteousnesse there is the true Church Ephes 2. 19 20. What ever Society of men associating in a religious way do hold Christ and the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine for faith and holinesse that Society is a particular visible Church Ephes 2. 22. 2. In what ever particular Society religious there is to be found all the furniture of the Temple all the glory the Mercy-seat the two Altars the Table of Shewbread the Candlestick the Laver that is a true particular visible Church It is the Temple of God therefore the Church of God Who can deny that that is Zion where it can be truly said the Tabernacle of God is with these men Behold he dwelleth with you you of Kingstone for of you it may truely be said Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men And to remove all things that may mislead your judgements let us looke upon that Prophesie in Rev. 11. 1. and forwards to v. 14. It concernes the state of the Church during the reigne of Antichrist in which Prophesie so farre as pertaineth to our present purpose two things are beyond all doubt and the more to be heeded First that the outer Court and the Holy City that is the Church visible is given to the Gentiles even the Antichristian or Popish Gentiles and they shall tread it under foot forty and two moneths which is one thousand two hundred and sixty daies Propheticall that is so many yeares this is the time of Antichrists reigne Secondly that this is the time and space in which the two witnesses that is the small but sufficient number for testimony to confirme any truth I say the small number of Christs faithfull Ministers for these two witnesses are expresly called two Prophets v. 10. and their worke is expresly and precisely named to be Prophecying v. 3. Now the Magistrate and his worke by the sword and Edicts is never in all the Bible called by these names
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
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
defile the House of God that take Ordination away that take it out of the hands of the Presbytery and put it into the hands of the People of any other that take away this Presbytery that set up Ministers or run into the Ministery and will not submit themselves to the tryall of the Assembly and estate of the Teaching-Elders the Ministers that are opposite to the Government by the Presbytery these are the everters of the Lords owne Canons 2. Subverting the Lords owns Ordinance for the Ministery that those that Preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. they would have them get their livings by the Plow or by Trades The Apostle chargeth Timothy and in him all Timothies all Ministers of the Gospell to give themselves wholly to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrine that their profiting may appeare to all and to contemne in them who can doe so and drive a trade and follow another calling the Apostles called to be Fishers of men left their Nets and applyed not themselves to catch Fish If the Ministers be doing this they need take care of no more nay this is that deed to which the Promise is He shall both save himselfe and them that heare him 1 Tim. 4. 13 15 16. They Object the Apostles did worke with their hands Sol. 1. They had immediate and infallible assistance of the Holy Ghost in their Ministery 1. So have none now 2. But that is not all they wrought not ordinarily but in a case as it appeares in the 2 Cor. 11. 9. 12. to cut off occasion from them which desired occasion 2 Cor. 12. 13 14. and in that place where he saith I robbed other Churches to doe you service that is he took maintenance of others while he Preached to them what ever he did it is evident he had power to have lived wholly of the Gospell and that is the Lords Ordinance which the Church must stand to and be bound by 1 Cor. 9. 14 15. they would have the Ministers maintenance by Almes and Contributions Mat. 10. 10. Luk. 10. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 18. but it is hire not Almes can you make Wages and Almes to be the same It is a due and as truely earned as whatsoever any laborer gets at his fingers ends They cry down Tythes as Popish and Iewish but that way of maintenance is neither Popish nor Iewish which was before the Law Melchisedech took Tythes of Abraham and of Levi in Abrahams loynes and Melchisedech was not a Priest of Aarons Order our Lord Jesus is the Priest after Melchisedechs order Iacob promised maintenance of Gods Publique Worship by paying Tythes 3. Confounding the Lords order who hath instituted a Ministery to Preach the Gospell Mark 16. and to teach Mat. 28. 19 20 21. and they give power to every Member to Preach abusing that Text in 1 Cor. 14. 31. yee may all Prophesie one by one it speakes of the Prophets in that Church not the Members read the Text v. 29. let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other judge v. 32. and the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets yee may all Prophesie that is all the Members that were Prophets not all the members as members those that had the gift of Prophesying not those that had not the gift Now the truth of the place is there were then in the Church extraordinary gifts as of Healing of Miracles of Tongues of interpretation of Tongues and so of Prophesying that is either fore-telling things to come or of unfolding the Prophesie of Scripture that concerned the present times of the Church with a speciall gift of dextrous application and accommodation of the Exposition of the Prophesie to the estate of the Church for comfort for exhortation and for edification those that had these gifts ought to use them for the good of the Church but with order and with submission to the tryall and judgement of the Assembly of the Prophets in the Church These gifts are ceased now yet if any say they have them let them shew their gift according to the Apostles Rule yeeld to the tryall of the same and if they have any such gift we will blesse God that now also gives such gifts to the children of men we will open our Pulpits for you but because they can bring forth no such thing but raise from the Dead and from Hell old Heresies and errours and trouble the people with trifles and endlesse Disputes that tend not to edification in the Faith we reject them and yeeld not to them any Authority to meddle with the worke of the Ministery but observe while they pervert this Text perusing the words let the other Prophets judge the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets ere ever we are aware we are faln upon a Judicatory a Presbytery an Assembly of Prophets 4. Destroying the provision for an able Ministery debasing Learning and Universities under the Old Testament there were the Schooles of the Prophets 2 King 2. 3. 7. which some think took their beginning in the times of Eli and Samuel The Levites had their Schooles instituted by Moses and Aaron preserved by the Iudges and Kings continued in the Babylonish Captivity propagated to the daies of our Saviour and an end put to them by the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Out of these Schooles came their learned Rabbies and their Scribes and others 1. Paul was brought up at the feete of Gamaliel Christ had his Schoole in which were the Apostles and seventy two Disciples The Apostles opposed the Schooles of the Libertines Cyrenians and Alexandrians Act. 6. 9. they instituted Schooles in Antioch and Alexandria and other Provinces These opinionative persons say that the Apostles were unlearned Fisher-men We answer that part of that power from on high which the Apostles were commanded to expect and to tarry at Ierusalem till they were indued with it Luk. 24. 49. was the gift of the Holy Ghost inabling them to speak all Languages Act. 2. this supplied abundantly from heaven that defect of learning and did make them learned above all that can be attained in Schooles and Universities they had their Commission before to go and teach all Nations but were not to set out upon the execution of their Commission untill they were fitted in this manner he that can shew the like gift of the holy Ghost we say no Schools are required for the help of such but if from Heaven the Holy Ghost be not thus given let them use the ordinary helpes which God affordeth if any refuse shew such gifts and we shall blesse God The Languages the Greek and Hebrew are needed to understand the originall text and derive our Doctrine from the fresh and pure fountaines the Latine is also needfull that we may not only the better receive the benefit of the gifts given to the Fathers and Writers of former ages for all gifts are given of God to profit the Church withall
notorious Hereticall Doctrine these are threatned in this Text by the Apostle 2. We should be exhorted and perswaded to our duty even those duties which are to be pressed unto that we may escape this sin and punishment they respect our selves and others 1. For our selves let us see how far in any kinde we are guilty and be humbled for the same in confessions and godly sorrow and then do as Paul who preached the Faith which once he destroyed Gal. 1. 23 24. Build up the Temple which once we destroyed that all the gracious that see or hear of it may glorifie God in us 2. For others these duties lie charged upon us to escape pollution and destruction 1. We must try the spirits the Doctrine of those Teachers that say they teach by the spirit they bring the doctrine of Gods spirit not of their own spirit we must not receive what they say upon trust but try it 1 Joh. 4. 1. 2. We must marke those that cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine received and avoid them Rom. 16. 17. Ob. They seek to set up the Lord Iesus Christ Sol. v. 18. They serve their own bellies observe them well and you will finde it again they seek to draw away disciples after them and not to bring men to be disciples to Iesus Christ Act. 20. 30. Quest But may we not hear them in their separated meetings Ans That is not to avoid them you are by the command of the Apostle to avoid and decline them but by this you incourage them and â—eed their proud humour who glory in having their meetings frequented 3. We must place all in their due place Ministers in their place fathers let them be fathers and evil workers and dogs in their due place that is without Rev. 22. 15. Let no man corrupt your mindes from the Gospel and its Simplicity 4. We must hold the unity of Faith and love that we may with one minde and mouth glorifie God The Father of our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 15. 5. 6. 7. If we have bitter strifes and envyings the never failing fruits of erroneous opinions and divisions let us not glory that we are true Christians and lie against the truth as we do in saying so to persist in such evils proveth that we are no true Christians Iam. 3. 14 15 16 17. Parâ—â—â— in Loc. Quâ—â— graviâ—â— bodie ecclesium aâ—â—â—igâ— eursam evangelij magis remoratur quam Schismaticae doctorum contentionâ—â— Viderâ—â—t isti quid se maâ—cat nos discamâ—â— tempâ—â—m Deâ— reverenter in pace â—xorâ—â—re Doctrinae fide vitâ— purâ— Vt enim sui temple vastâ—â—â—res tyrannos Haereticos Schismaticos deus destruat Ita fideles Architectes cultores defensores gratiae benedictione cumulabit juxta promissionem Egâ— me diligentes diligâ— Honorantes me honorabe What is there in the world that doth more heavily afflict the Church at this day that doth more retard the course of the Gospel than the Schismaticall contentions of Teachers Let these men see what abides them as for as let us learne with fear and trembling and in all peaceablenesse to adorne the Temple of God with â—ound doctrine the power of Faith and the purity of an holy life For as the Lord will destroy the destroyers of his Temple Tyrants Heretiques Schismatiques and the rest of the Litter of all the Foxes the little Foxes So he will Crown with his Grace and blessing all Masters builders Repairers Beautifiers faithfull Labourers and Defenders thereof according to his Promise Those that love me I ever love and those that honour me I will honour FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉