them are 1. That constant Difference be put between the Good and the Bad in all Church Administrations 2. That Persons openly or flâ—gitiously wicked be not admitted into the Society of the Church or a participation of its Priviledges 3. That Holiness Love and Usefulness be openly avowed as the Design and interest of the Church But they are all so comprized in the General Head of Discipline as that I shall not in particular insist upon them From what hath been thus declared it will appear on the other hand what Church it is that a Disciple of Christ who takes due care of his own Edification and Salvation ought in duty to joyn himself unto in compleat Communion To ansâ—er this Enquiry is the end of all those Discourses and Controversies which have been about the Notes of the true Church I shall briefly determine concerning it according to the Principles before Evincâ—d 1. IT must be such a Church as wherein all the Fundamental Truths of the Gospel are believed owned and professed without Controversie and those not born withal by whom they are denied or opposed Without this a Church is not the Ground and Pillar of Truth it doth not hold the Head it is not built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Neither is it sufficient that those things are generally professed or not denied A Church that is filled with wranglings and contentions about fundamental or important Truths of the Gospel is not of choice to be joyned unto For these things subvert the Souls of Men and greatly impede their Edification And although both among distinct Churches and among the Members of the same Church mutual Forbearance be to be exercised with respect unto a variety in Apprehensions in some Doctrines of lesser Moment Yet the Incursion that hath been made into sundry Protestant Churches in the last and present Age of Novel Doctrines and Opinions with Differences Divisions and endless Disputes which have ensued thereon have rendered it very difficult to determine how to engage in compleat Communion with them For I do not judge that any man is or can be obliged unto constant total Communion with any Church or to give up himself absolutely unto the conduct thereof wherein there are incurable dissensions about important Doctrines of the Gospel And if any Church shall publickly avow countenance or approve of Doctrines contrary unto those which were the Foundation of its first Communion the Members of it are at Liberty to refrain the Communion of it and to provide otherwise for their own Edification 2. IT must be such a Church as wherein the Divine Worship Instituted or approved by Christ himself is diligently observed without any Addition made thereunto In the Observation of this Worship as unto all external occasional Incidencies and Circumstances of the Acts wherein it doth consist it is left unto the Prudence of the Church it self according to the Light of Nature and general Rules of Scripture and it must be so unless we shall suppose that the Lord Jesus Christ by making men his Disciples doth unmake them from being rational Creaâ—ures or refuseth the Exercise of the rational Faculties of our Souls in his service But this is so remote from Truth that on the contrary he gives them an improvement for this very end that we may know how to deport our selves aright in the Observance of his Commands as unto the outward discharge of them in his Worship and the Circumstances of it And this he doth by that Gift of Spiritual Wisdom wheâ—eof we shall treat afterwards But if Men if Churches will make Additions in or unto the Rites of religious Worship unto what is appointed by Christ himself and require their Observance in their Communion on the force and efficacy of their being so by them appointed no Disciple of Christ is or can be obliged by vertue of any Divine Institution or Command to joyn in total absolute Communion with any such Church He may be induced on various considerations to judge that something of that Nature at some season may not be evil and sinful unto him which therefore he will bear with or comply withal yet he is not he cannot be obliged by vertue of any Divine Rule or Command to joyn himself with or continue in the Communion of such a Church If any shall suppose that hereby too much Liberty is granted unto Believers in the choice of their Communion and shall thereon make severe Declamations about the Inconveniences and Evils which will ensue I desire they would remember the Principle I proceed upon which is that Churches are not such sacred Machines as some suppose erected and acted for the outward Interest and Advantages of any sort of men but only means of the Edification of Believers which they are bound to make use of in Obedience unto the Commands of Christ and no otherwise Whereas therefore the Disciples of Christ have not only a Divine warranty justifying them in the doing of it but an express command making it their indispensible Duty to joyn in the Celebâ—ation of all that Religious Worship which the Lord Christ the only Law giver of the Church and who was faithful both in and over the House of God as the Son â—ath Instituted and commanded but have no such warranty or command for any thing else it is their Duty to stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free And if by the same â—reath in the same Rule Law or Canon they are commanded and obliged to observe in the Worship of God what the Lord Christ hath appointed and what he hath not appointed both on the same Grounds namely the Authority of the Church and on the sâ—â—e Penalties of their Omission no man can be divinely obliged to embrace the Communion of any Church on such Terms 3. IT is required that the Ministry of a Church so to be joyned with is not defective in any of those things which according to the Rule of the Gospel are fundamental thereunto What these are hath been declared And because Edification which is the end of Church Communion doth so eminently depend on the Ministry of the Church there is not any thing which we ought to have a more diligent consideration of in the joyning of our selves unto any such Communion And where the Ministry of any Church be the Church of what sort or size it will is incurably Ignorant or Negligent or thro' a defect in Gifts Grace or conscientious attendance unto their Duty is insufficient unto the due Edification of the Souls of them that believe no man can account himself obliged unto the Communion of the Church but he that can be satisfied with a Shadow and the Names of things for the Substance and Reality of them If therefore it be granted as I think it is that Edification is the principal End of all Church Communion it is not intelligible how a Man should be obliged unto that Communion and that alone wherein due Edification
render them visible which it becomes their indispensible Duty to do when outward Impediments are not absolutely insuperable But of these things thus far 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CHAP. IV. What sort of Churches the Disciples of Christ may and ought to joyn themselves unto as unto Entire Communion WE have proved before that it is the Duty of all individual Christians to give themselves up unto the Conduct Fellowstip and Communion of some particular Church or Congregation Our present Enquiry heâ—eon is that whereas there is a great Diversity among professing Societies in the World concerning each whereof it is said Lâ— here is Christ and Lo there is Christ what Church of what Constitution and Order any one that takes care of his own Edification and Salvation ought to joyn himself unto This I shall speak unto first in General and then in the Examination of one particular Case or Instance wherein many at this day are concerned And â—ome things must be premised unto the right stating of the Subject of our Enquiry 1. The Diversities anâ— Divisions among Churches which respect is to be had unto in the choice of any which we will or ought to joyn unto are of two sorts 1. Such as are â—ccasiâ—ned by the remaining Weaknesses Infirmities and Ignorance of the best of Men whereby they know but in parâ— and Prophesie only in part wherein our Edification is concerned but our Salvation not endangered 2. Such as are in and about things Fundamental in Faith Worship and Obedience We shall speak to both of them 2. All Christians were Originally of one Mind in all things needful unto Joynt-Communion so as that there might be among them all Love without Dissimulation Howbeit there was great Variety not only in the Measure of their apprehensions of the Doctrines of Truth but in some Doctrines themselves as about the continuance of the observations of the Law or at least of some of them as also Oppositions from without unto the Truth by Hereticks and Apostates neither of which hindred the Church Communion of true Believers But the Diversity Difference and Divisions that are now among Churches in the World is the effect of the great Aâ—ostasie which befel them all in the latter Ages as unto the Spirit Rule and Practice of those which were planted by the Apostles and will not be healed until that Apostasie be Abolished 3. Sâ—tan having possessed himself of the Advantage of these Divisions whereâ—f he was the Author he makâ—s use of them to act his Malice and Râ—ge in stirring up and iâ—stigating one Party to Persecute Oppress and Devour anothâ—r until the Life Power and Glory of Christian Religion is almost lost in the World It requireâ— therefore great Wisdom to depart our selves aright among these Divisions so as to conâ—ribute nothing unto the Ends of Malice designed by Satan iâ— them 4. In this staâ—e of things until it may be cured which it â—ill never be by any of the ways yet proposed and insisted on the Enquiry is concerning the Duty of any one who takes care of his own Soul as unto a Conjunction with some Church or other And on the Negative Part I say 1. Such an one is bounâ— not to joyn with any Church or Society where any Fundamental Article of Faith is rejected or corrupted There may be a Fundamental Error in a true Church for a season when the Church erreth not Fundamentally 1 Cor. 15. 2 Tim. 2.18 But I suppose the Error in or against the Foundation is part of the Profession of the Church or Society to be joyned unto For thereby the Nature of the Church is destroyed it doth not hold the Head nor abide on the Foundation nor is the Ground and Pillar of Truth Wherefore althâ—ugh the Soâ—iâ—iâ—â—s under a Pretence of Love Forbearance and Mutual Toleration do offer us the Communion of their Churches wherein there is somewhat of Order and Discipline commendible yet it is unlawful to joyn in Church Fellowship or Communion with them For their Errors about the Trinity the Incarnation of Christ and his Satiâ—faction are destructive of the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles and Idolotry in the Divine Worship of a meer Creature is introduced by them 2. Where there is any Church taught or allowed a Mixture of Doctrines or Opinions that are prejuâ—icial unto Gospel Holiness or Obedience no man that takes due care of his Salvation can joyn himself unto iâ— For the Original Rule and Measure of all Church Communion is agreement in the Doctrine of Truth Where therefore there is either not a stable Profession of the sâ—me Doctrine in all substantial Truths of the Gospel but an uncertain sâ—uâ—d is given some sâ—ying one thing some anothâ—r or that Opposition is made unto any Truths of the Importance before mentioned None can be bound or obliged to hold Communion with it nor can incur any blame by refraining from it For it is the Duty of a Christian in all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And to joyn with such a Church would 1. Stain their Profession 2. Hinder their Edification 3. Establish a new Rule of Communion unknown to the Scriptures namely besides Truth as might easily be manifested 3. Where the Fundamentals of Religious Worship are corrupted or overthrown it is absolutely unlawful to joyn unto or abide in any Church So is it with the Church of Rome The various ways whereby the Foundations of Divine Religious Worship are overthrown in that Church by Superstition and Idolatry have been sufficiently declared These render the Communion of that Church pernitious 4. Nor can any Man be obliged to joyn himself with any Church nor can it be his Duty so to do where the Eternally fixed Rule and Measure of Religious Worship namely that it be of Divine Institution is varied or change by any Additions unto it or Substractions from it For whereas one principal end of all â—hurches is the joynt celebration of Divine VVorship if there be not a certain stable Rule thereof in any Church of Divine Prescription no Man can be obliged unto Communion therewith 5. Where the Fundamentals of Church Order Practice and Discipline are destroyed it is not lawful for any man to joyn in Church Communion These Fundamâ—ntals are of two sorts 1. Such as concern the Ministry of the Church 2. Such as concern the Church it self There are four things that are necessary Fundamentals unto the Order of the Church on the part of the Ministry 1. That all the Ministers or Officers of it be duly chosen by the Church it self and solemnly set apart in the Church unto their Office according unto the Rule and Law of Christ. This is Fundamental unto Church Order the Root of it from whence all other parts of it do Spring And it is that which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or expresly provided for in the Scripture as we shall see If there be a neglect herein and no other Relation required between Ministers Elders Rulers Bishops and
Covenant unto him They are the Way means and Instruments appointed of God for this end and other end they have none And hereon it follows that if it be not in the power of Men to appoint any thing that shall be a means of Communication between God and his People as unto the Grace of the Covenant on the one Hand or the Duties of Obedience which it requires on the otherâ— they have no power to erect any new Church-state or enact any thing in Divine Worship not of his Institution This being the state of Churches and their Ordinances they cannot be altered they cannot be liable unto any decay unless the Covenant whereunto they are annexed be altered or decayed And therefore the Apostle to put finally and absolutely his Argument unto an Issue to prove that the Mosaical Church-State and Ordinances were changed because useless and ineffectual doth it on this ground that the Covenant whereunto they were annexed was changed and become useless This I suppose at present will not said concerning the New Covenant whereunto all Ordinances of Divine Worship are inseparably annexed Men might at a cheaper Rate as unto the Eternal interest of their own Souls provide another Covering for their sloth negligence unbelief and indulgence unto proud foolish imaginations whereby they render the Churches and Ordinances of the Gospel useless and ineffectual unto themselves thereby charging them with a decay and uselesness and so reflâ—cting on the honour and faithfulness of Christ himself 2. THEY do not cease because there is at present or at least there is shortly to be expected such an effusion of the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit as to render all these external Institutions needless and consequently useless This also is falsely pretended For 1. The greatest and most plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit in his Gifts and Graces was in the days of the Apostles and of the first Churches planted by them nor is any thing beyond it or indeed equal unto it any more to be expected in this World But yet then was the Gâ—spel Church-state erected and the use of all its Ordinances of Worship enjoyned 2. The Ministry of the Gospel which comprizeth all the Ordinances of Church worship as its object and end is the Ministration of the Spirit and therefore no supplies or Communication of him can render it useleless 3. One of the principal ends for which the Communication of the Spirit is promised unto the Church is to make and render all the Institutions of Christ effectual unto its edification 4. 1 Joh. 2.20 27. is usually pleaded as giving countenance unto this fond pretence But 1. The Vnction mentioned by the Apostle was then upon all Believers Yet 2. It is known that then they all walked in Church-Order and the sacred observation of all the Institutions of Christ. 3 If it takes away any thing it is the Preaching of the Woâ—d or all manner of Teaching and Instruction which is to overthrow the whole Scripture and to reduce Religion into Barbarism 4 Nothing is inâ—â—nded in these words buâ— the dâ—fâ—â—rent way of Teaching and degrees of Success betwâ—en that under the Law and tâ—aâ— now established in the Gospâ—â— by the 〈◊〉 effusion of the Spiâ—it a◠〈◊〉 been 〈◊〉 at large elsewhere Nor 3. Do they cease in their Administration for want either of Authority or Ability in dispense them which is pleaded unto the same end But neither is thiâ— preâ—enâ—â— of any force it only begs the thing in Question The Auâ—hority of Office for the Administration of all other Ordinances is an Institution And to say that all Institutions cease bâ—cause none have Authority to administer them is to say they must all cease because they are ceased 2. The Office of the Ministâ—y for the continuation of the Church-state and Administration of all Ordinances of Worship unto the end of the World is sufficiently secured 1. By the Law constitution and appointment of our Lord Jesus Christ erecting that Office and giving waranty for its continuance to the Comsumation of all things Matt. 28.20 Ephes. 4.13 2. By his continuance according unto his promise to communicate Spiritual Gifts unto Men for the Ministerial Edification of the Church That this he doth so continue to do that is is the principal external Evidence of his abiding in the discharge of his Mâ—diatory Office and of what nature these gifts are I have declared at large in a peculiar Discourse on that subject 3. On the duty of Believers or of the Church which is to choose call and soâ—emnly set apart unto the Office of the Ministry such as the Lord Christ by his Spirit hath made meet for it according unto the rule of his word If all these or any of them do fail I acknowledge that all Ministerial Authority and Ability for the dispensation of Gospel-Ordinances must fail also and consequently the state of the Church And those who plead for the continuation of a successive Ministry without respect unto these things without resolving both the Authority and Office of it unto them do but erect a dead Image or embrace a dead carcase instead of the living and life giving Institutions of Christ. They take away the living Creature and set up a skin stuffed with straw But if these things do unalterably continue if the Law of Christ can neither be changed abrogated or disannulled if his dispensation of Spiritual gifts according unto his promise cannot be impeded if Believers through his grace will continue in obâ—dience unto his commands it is not possible there should be an utter failure in this Office and Office-power of this Ministry It may fail in this or that place in this or that Church when the Lord Christ will remove his Candlâ—stick But it hath a living root whence it will spring again in other places and Churches whiâ—st this world doth endure Neither 4. Do they cease because they have been all of them corrupted abused and defiled in the Apostacy which fell out among all the Châ—rches in the latter Ages as it was fully foretold in the Scripture For 1. This supposition would make the whole Kingdom of Christ in the world to depend on the corrupt Lusts and wills of men which have got by any mâ—â—ns the outward possession of the Administration of his Laws and Ordinances This is all one as if we should say that if a pack of wicked Judges should for a season pâ—rvert Justice Righteousness and Judgment that the being of the Kingdom is so overthrown thereby as that it can never be restored 2. It would make all the dâ—â—ies and all the priviledges of all true Believers to depend on the wills of wicked Apostares For if they may not make use of what they hrve abused they can never yield Obedience to the câ—mmands of Christ nor enjoy the priviledges which he hath annexed unto his Church and Worship 3. On this supposition all Reformation of an Apostarized Church is utterly impossible But it is our duty to