the strong Delusion that begin to abate shall expire they will easily see the direct Opposition that is between these two Heads and two Churches namely Christ and the Pope the Catholick Church and that of Rome I KNOW well enough all the Evasions and Distinctions that are invented to countenance this Anti-christianism As that there is a double Head one of internal influence of Grace which Christ is and the Pope is not the other of Rule and Authority which the Pope is But this also is two-fold Supream and Remote or Immediate and Subordinate the first is Christ the latter is the Pope And there is yet farther a two-fold Head of the Church the one invisible which is Christ the other visible which is the Pope NOT to insist on these gross and horrible Figments of a twofold Head of the Catholick Church in any sence which are foreign to the Scripture foreign to Antiquity whereof never one word was heard in the Church for Six hundred Years after Christ deforming the beautiful Spouse of Christ into a Monster we will allow at present that the Pope is only the immediate visible subordinate Head of all Rule and Authority to their Church which is what they plead for Then I say that the Church whereof he is the Head is his Body that it holds him as its Head that it is compacted together by the Officers and Orders that depend on him and receive all their influence of Church-Power and Order from him which though he communicates not by an internal influence of Grace and Gifts alas poor wretch yet he doth it by Officers Offices Orders and Laws so giving Union and Communion unto the whole Body by the effectual working of every joint and part of the Hierarchy under him for its Union Communion and Edification This I say is the Anti-christ and the Anti-christian Church-State as I shall be at any time ready to maintain LET any Man take a due prospect of this Head and this Body as related and united by the Bond of their own Rules Constitutions and Laws acting in worldly Pomp Splendor and Power with horrid bloody Cruelties against all that oppose it and he will not fail of an open view of all the Scriptural Lineaments of the Apostate Anti-christian State of the Church I SAY again This assigning of the original of all Church Order Union and Communion unto the Pope of Rome investing him therewith as an Article of Faith constituting him thereby the Head of the Church and the Church thereon his Body as it must be if he be its Head so as that from him all power of Order and for all Acts of Communion should be derived returning all in Obedience and Subjection unto him doth set up a visible conspicuous Anti-christian Church State in opposition unto Christ and the Catholick Church But with this sort of Men we deal not at present THERE is a pretence unto an â—nion of Churches not derived from the Papal Headship And this consists in the Canonical subjection of particular Churches unto a Diocesan Bishop and of such Bishops to Metropolitans which though de facto it be at present terminated and stated within the bounds of a Nation yet de jure it ought to be extended unto the whole Catholick Church ACCORDING unto this Principle the Vnion of the Catholick Church consists in that Order whereby particular Churches are distributed into Deanaries Arch-Deaconries Exempt Peculiars under Officials Diocesses Provinces under Metropolitans and so by or without Patriarchs to avoid the Rock of the Papacy issuing in a General-Council as I suppose But 1. TO confine the Vnion and Communion of the Catholick Church hereunto is at present absolutely destructive both of the Church and its Communion For all particular Churches when they are by a coalescency extended unto those which are Provincial or National have both Politically and Ecclesiastically such bounds fixed unto them as they cannot pass to carry on Communion unto and with the Church as Catholick by any Acts and Duties belonging unto their Order And hereby the Union and Communion of the Church is utterly lost For the Union of the Catholick Church as such doth always equally exist and the Communion of it is always equally in exercise and can consist in nothing but what doth so exist and is so exercised Where-ever is the Catholick Church there is the Communion of Saints But nothing of this can be obtained by virtue of this Order 2. WE enquire at present after such an Vnion as gives particular Churches Communion among themselves which this Order doth not but absolutely overthrows it leaving nothing unto them but subjection to Officers set over them who are not of them according to Rules and Laws of their appointment which is foreign to the Scripture and Antiquity 3. THIS Order it self the only bond of the pretended Union having no Divine Institution especially as to its extent unto the whole Catholick Church nor any intimation in the Scripture and being utterly impossible to be put in execution or actual exercise no Man can declare what is the Original or Center of it whence it is deduced and wherein it rests HAVING removed these pretences out of our way we may easily discern wherein the Vnion and consequently the Communion of â—ll particular Churches doth consist and in the due observation whereof all that Church-Order which the Lord Christ hath appointed and doth accept is preserved I SAY then that the true and only Vnion of all particular Churches consists in that which gives Form Life and Being unto the Church Catholick with the Addition of what belongs unto them as they are particular And this is that they have all one and the same God and Father one Lord Jesus Christ one Faith and one Doctrine of Faith one hope of their calling or the promised Inheritance one Regeneration one Baptism one Bread and Wine united unto God and Christ in one Spirit through the bond of Faith and Love. THIS Description with what is suited thereunto and explanatory of it is all the account which is given us in the Scripture of the constituting form of the Catholick Church and of the Vnion of particular Churches among themselves What Church soever fails in the essential parts of this Description or any of them it is separated from the Catholick Church nor hath either Union or Communion with any true Churches of Christ. TWO things concurr unto the compleating of this Vnion of Churches 1. Their Vnion or Relation unto Christ. 2. That which they have among themselves 1. THE Lord Christ himself is the Original and Spring of this Vnion and every particular Church is united unto him as its Head besides which with or under which it hath none This Relation of the Church unto Christ as its Head the Apostle expresly affirms to be the foundation and cause of its Union Ephes. 4.15 16. Col. 2.19 the places before quoted Hereby it is also in God the Father 2 Thes. 1.1 Or hath God as its Father
THE TRUE NATURE OF A Gospel Church AND ITS GOVERNMENT WHEREIN These following particulars are distinctly handled I. The subject Matter of the Church II. The formal Cause of a particular Church III. Of the Polity Rule or Discipline of the Church in general IV. The Officers of the Church V. The Duty of Pastors of Churches VI. The Office of Teachers in the Church VII Of the Rule of the Church or of Ruling Elders VIII The nature of Church Polity or Rule with the Duty of Elders IX Of Deacons X. Of Excommunication XI Of the Communion of Churches The Publishing whereof was mentioned by the Author in his Answer to the Vnreasonableness of Separation By the late Pious and Learned Minister of the Gospel JOHN OWEN D. D. LICENSED June 10. 1688. LONDON Printed for William Marshall at the Bible in Newgate street MDCLXXXIX THE PREFACE TO THE READER THE Church of Christ according as it is represented unto us or described by the holy Spirit of God in the Old and New Testament hath but a twofold Consideration as Catholick and Mystical or as Visible and Organized in particular Congregations The Catholick Church is the whole Mystical Body of Christ consisting of all the Elect which are purchased and redeemed by his Blood whether already called or uncalled Militant or Triumphant and this is the Church that God gave him to be head unto which is his Body and his Fullness and by union with him Christ Mystical Ephes. 1.22 23. and this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only word most fully expressing the Catholick Church used in Scripture the Church of the First-born whose Names are written in Heaven Heb. 12.23 i. e. in the Lamb's Book of Life and shall all appear one Day gathered together to their Head in the perfection and fullness of the New Jerusalem-state where they will make a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrincle or any such thing but Holy and without Blemish The day of Grace which the Saints have passed in the respective Ages of the Church was but the days of its Espousals wherein the Bride hath made her self ready but then will be her full married state unto Christ then will be the perfection not only of every particular Member of Christ but of the whole Body of Christ called a perfect Man and the measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ to which we are called Edifying and building up by the Ministry and Ordinances of Christ whilst we are in Via in our passage unto this Country a City with a more durable fixed Foundation which we seek In order therefore unto the compleating this great and mystical Body Christ hath his particular Visible Churches and Assemblies in this World wherein he hath ordained Ordinances and appointed Officers for the glorious forementioned Ends and Purposes There is no other sort of Visible Church of Christ Organized the subject of the aforesaid Institutions spoken of but a particular Church or Congregation either in the Old or New Testament where all the Members thereof do ordinarily meet together in one place to hold Communion one with another in some one or more great Ordinances of Christ. The first Churches were Oeconomick when the Worship of God was solemnly performed in the large Families of the Antidiluvian and Postdiluvian Patriarchs where no doubt all frequently assembled to the Sacrifices as then offered and other parts of Worship then in use After the descent of a numerous Progeny from Abraham's Loins God takes them to himself in one Visible Body a National but Congregational Church to which he forms them Four hundred and thirty Years after the Promise in the Wilderness and although all Abraham's Natural Posterity according to the External part of the Promise made to him were taken into visible Church-Fellowship so that it became a National Church yet it was such a National Church always in the Wilderness and in the Holy Land as was Congregational for it was but one Congregation during the Tabernacle or Temple-state first or second they were always bound to assemble to the Tabernacle or Temple thrice at least every Year hence the Tabernacle was still called the Tabernacle of the Congregation They were to have but one Altar for Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices what others were at any time elsewhere called High-Places were condemned by God as Sin. Lastly when Christ had Divorced this People Abolished their Mosaical Constitution by breaking their Staff of Beauty and their Staff of Bonds he erects his Gospel Church calls in Disciples by his Ministry forms them into a Body furnisheth them with Officers and Ordinances and after he had suffered rose again and continued here Forty days in which time he frequently appeared to them and acquainted them with his Will ascends unto his Father sends his Spirit in a plentiful manner at Pentecost whereby most of them were furnished with all necessary miraculous Gifts to the promoting the Glory and Interest of Christ among Jews and Gentiles Hence the whole Evangelical Ministry was first placed in the Church of Jerusalem so far as extraordinary or such a part of it as was to descend to Churches of after Ages neither were they placed as abiding or standing Officers in any other Church as we find In this Church they acted as the Elders thereof and from this Church they were it 's very likely solemnly sent by Fasting and Prayer to the Exercise of their Apostolick Function in Preaching Healing and working Miracles gathering Churches and setling Officers in them even so as Barnabas and Paul were sent forth by the Church of Antioch Their distinguishing Apostolick Office and Charge from which the Evangelist differed but little was to take care of all the Churches not to sit down as standing Pastors to all or any particular Congregation but at the first planting to gather to direct and confirm them in practice of their Doctrine Fellowship breaking Bread and in Prayer Wherefore this Apostolick Care committed to them proves nothing either of the Catholick Authority claimed by an Oecumenick Pastor or that charge of many Congregations claimed by Diocesan Bishops Whence it 's most evident That all Church Officers so far as they had any Pastoral or Episcopal Office was given to a particular Congregation as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We read of no Pastors of many Congregations nor of no Church made up of many Congregations to which Officers were annexed nor of any representative Church as some would have That Apostolick Power did descend to Successors we utterly deny it being not derivable for none after them could say They had been Eye Witnesses of our Lord before or after his Resurrection none since so qualified by an extraordinary measure of the Spirit for Preaching and working Miracles and none but the Pope challenges such an extensive Care for and Power over all Churches That which descends from them to the ordinary Ministry is a Commission to Preach and Baptize and why not to Head it being always in the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is such Prophecy as is to be regulated by the Scripture it self which gives the Proportion of Faith. And there is not any thing in any or both of these Prophecy and Ministry but it belongs unto Office in the Church Neither is there any thing belonging unto Office in the Church but may be reduced unto one of these as they are all of them here by the Apostle 2. THE Gifts spoken of are in general referred unto all them who are intended Now these are either the whole Church and all the Members of it or all the Officers of the Church only Hence it is expressed in the Plural number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we having that is all we that are concerned herein This cannot be all of the Church for all the Church have not received the Gifts of Prophecy and Ministry Nor can any distinction be made of who doth receive them and who doth not but with respect unto Office. And therefore 3. IN the Distribution which ensues of Prophecy into Exhorting and Teaching and of Ministry into Shewing Mercy Rule and Giving having stated these Gifts in general in the Officers in general making distinct Application of them unto distinct Officers he speaks in the Singular number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that Teacheth he that Exhorteth he that Ruleth 6. IT is then evident that Offices are intended and it is no less evident that distinct Offices are so which was to be proved in the Second place For 1. The distributive Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the indicative Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prefixed unto each Office in particular do shew them distinct so far as Words can do it As by the Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whether they are distinguished in their nature whether they be of this or that kind so by the Article prefixed to each of them in exercise they are distinguished in their Subjects 2. The Operations Work and Effects ascribed unto these Gifts require distinct Offices and Functions in their exercise And if the Distribution be made unto all promiscuously without respect unto distinct Offices it were the only way to bring confusion into the Church whereas indeed here is an accurate Order in all Church Administrations represented to us And it is farther evident that distinct Offices are intended 1. From the comparison made unto the Members of the Body ver 4. All the Members have not the same Office the eye hath one the ear hath another 2. Each of the Duties mentioned and given in charge is sufficient for a distinct Officer as is declared Act. 6. 7. IN particular He that Ruleth is a distinct Officer An Officer because Rule is an Act of Office or Office-Power And he is expresly distinguished from all others But say some he that Ruleth is he that doth so be who he will that is the Pastor or Teacher the Teaching Elder But the contrary is evident 1. He that says He that Exhorteth and then adds He that Ruleth having distinguished before between Prophecy whereunto Exhortation doth belong and Ministry whereof Rule is a part and prefixing the Prepositive Indicative Article to each of them doth as plainly put a difference between them as can be done by Words 2. Rule is the principal Work of him that Ruleth For he is to attend unto it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Diligence that is such as is peculiar unto Rule in contradistinction unto what is principally required in other Administrations But Rule is not the principal Work of the Pastor requiring constant and continual attendance For his labour in the Word and Doctrine is ordinarily sufficient for the utmost of his Diligence and Abilities 8. WE have therefore in this Context the beautiful Order of things in and of the Church All the Duties of it with respect unto its Edification derived from distinct differing Spiritual Gifts exercised in and by distinct Officers unto their peculiar ends The distinction that is in the nature of those Gifts their use and end being provided for in distinct Subjects The mind of no One Man at least ordinarily is meet to be the seat and subject of all those differing Gifts in any eminent degree the Person of no Man being sufficient meet or able to exercise them in a way of Office towards the whole Church especially those who labour in the Word and Doctrine being obliged to give themselves wholly thereunto and those that Rule to attend thereto with diligence so many distinct Works Duties and Operations with the Qualifications required in their discharge being inconsistent in the same Subject all things are here distributed into their proper Order and Tendency unto the Edification of the Church Every distinct Gift required to be exercised in a peculiar manner unto the publick Edification of the Church is distributed unto peculiar Officers unto whom an especial Work is assigned to be discharged by virtue of the Gifts received unto the Edification of the whole Body No Man alive is able to fix on any thing which is necessary unto the Edification of the Church that is not contained in these Distributions under some of the Heads of them Nor can any Man find out any thing in these Assignations of distinct Duties unto distinct Offices that is superfluous redundant or not directly necessary unto the Edification of the whole with all the Parts and Members of it nor do I know any wise and sober Man who knows any thing how the Duties enjoined are to be performed with what Care Diligence Circumspection Prayer and Wisdom suited unto the nature ends and objects of them can ever imagine that they can all of them belong unto one and the same Office or be discharged by one and the same Person LET Men advance any other Church Order in the room of that here declared so suited unto the principles of Natural Light Operations and Duties of diverse natures being distributed and assigned to such distinct Gifts acted in distinct Offices as renders those unto whom they are prescribed meet and able for them so correspondent to all Institutions Rules and Examples of Church-Order in other places of Scripture so suited unto the Edification of the Church wherein nothing which is necessary thereunto is omitted nor any thing added above what is necessary and it shall be cheerfully embraced THE Truth is the ground of the different Interpretations and Applications of this Context of the Apostle ariseth meerly from the prejudicate Apprehensions that Men have concerning the State of the Church and its Rule For if the State of it be National or Diocesan if the Rule of it be by Arbitrary Rules and Canons from an Authority exerting it self in Courts Ecclesiastical Legal or Illegal the Order of things here described by the Apostle doth no way belong nor can be accommodated thereunto To suppose that we have a full Description and Account in these Words of all the Offices and Officers of the Church of their Duty and Authority of all they
And unless this Union be dissolved unless a Church be disunited from Christ it cannot be so from the Catholick Church nor any true Church of Christ in particular however it may be dealt withal by others in the World. FROM Christ as the Head and Spring of Union there proceedeth unto all particular Churches a bond of Vnion which is his Holy Spirit acting it self in them by Faith and Love in and by the ways and means and for the ends of his appointment THIS is the Kingly Royal Beautiful Vnion of the Church Christ as the only head of Influence and Rule bringing it into a Relation unto himself as his Body communicating of his Spirit unto it governing it by the Law of his Word enabling it unto all the Duties of Faith Love and Holiness FOR unto the compleating of this Vnion on the part of the Church these things are required 1. Faith in him or holding him as the Head in the sincere belief of all things concerning his Person Office and Doctrine in the Gospel with whatever belongs thereunto 2. Love unto him and all that is his 3. That especial Holiness whose foundation is Repentance and Effectual Vocation 4. The Observance of his Commands as unto all Duties of Divine Worship These things are essentially requisite unto this Union on the part of the Church The Reality and Power of them is the internal form of the Church and the profession of them is its external form 2. THERE concurreth hereunto an Vnion among themselves I mean all particular Churches throughout the World in whom the Church Catholick doth Act its Power and Duty And the Relation that is between these Churches is that which is termed Relatio aequiparentiae wherein neither of the Relata is the first foundation of it but they are equal It doth not arise from the Subordination of one unto another they being all equal as unto what concerns their Essence and Power And the bond hereof is that especial Love which Christ requireth among all his Disciples acting it self unto all the ends of the Edification of the whole Body TAKE in the whole and the Union of Churches consists in their Relation unto God as their Father and unto Christ as their only immediate Head of Influence and Rule with a participation of the same Spirit in the same Faith and Doctrine of Truth the same kind of Holiness the same Duties of Divine Worship especially the same Mysteries of Baptism and the Supper the observance of the same Rules or Commands of Christ in all Church-Order with mutual Love effectual unto all the ends of their Being and Constitution or the Edification of the Church Catholick THERE may be failures in them or some of them as unto sundry of these things there may be differences among them about them arising from the Infirmities Ignorance and Prejudices of them of whom they do consist the best knowing here but in part but whilst the substance of them is preserved the Union of all Churches and so of the Catholick Church is preserved THIS is that blessed oneness which the Lord Christ prayed for so earnestly for his Disciples that they might be one in the Father and the Son one among themselves and made perfect in one Joh. 17.20 21 22 23. without any respect unto that horrid Image of it which was set up in the latter days of the Church which all Men were compelled to bow down unto and Worship with the fire of Nebuchadnezzars Furnance Of any other Union there is not the least mention in the Scripture THIS Union of the Catholick Church in all particular Churches is always the same inviolable unchangeable comprehending all the Churches in the World at all times not confinable unto any State or Party not interruptible by any external form nor to be prevailed against by the Gates of Hell and all such Disputes about a Catholick Church and its Vnion as can be so much as questionable among them that profess to believe the Gospel are in direct opposition unto the Prayers and Promises of Jesus Christ. Whilst Evangelical Faith Holiness Obedience unto the Commands of Christ and Mutual Love abide in any on the Earth there is the Catholick Church and whilst they are professed that Catholick Church is visible other Catholick Church upon the Earth I believe none nor any that needs other things unto its Constitution THESE things being premised I proceed unto that which is our present Enquiry namely Wherein the Communion of particular Churches among themselves doth consist THE Communion of Churches is their joint actings in the same Gospel Duties towards God in Christ with their mutual actings towards each other with respect unto the end of their Institution and Being which is the Glory of Christ in the Edification of the whole Catholick Church AS unto the actings of the first sort the ground of them is Faith and therein is the first Act of the Communion of Churches And this Communion in Faith among all the Churches of Christ is two-fold 1. General in the belief of the same Doctrine of Truth which is according unto Godliness the same Articles of Faith and the publick profession thereof so that every one of them is the Ground and Pillar of the same Truth This the Primitive Church provided for in Creeds and Symbols or Confessions of Faith as is known But as never any one of them was expresly owned by all Churches so in process of time they came to be abused as expressing the sence of the present Church whether true or false Hence we have as many Arian Creeds yet extant as those that are Orthodox But unto the Communion of all particular Churches in the World there is nothing required but a belief of the Scripture to be the Word of God with a professed assent unto all Divine Revelations therein contained provided that no Error be avowed that is contrary to the principal or fundamental Doctrines of it For although any Society of Men should profess the Scripture to be the Word of God and avow an Assent unto the Revelations made therein yet by the conceptions of their Minds and misunderstanding of the sence of the Holy Spirit therein they may embrace and adhere unto such Errors as may cut them off from all Communion with the Catholick Church in Faith. Such are the denial of the holy Trinity the Incarnation of the Son of God His Divine Person or Office the Redemption of the Church by his Blood the necessity of Regeneration by his Spirit and the like And they may also add that of their own unto their professed Belief as shall exclude them from Communion with the Catholick Church Such are the Assertion of Traditions as equal with the written Word of another Head of the Church besides the Lord Christ of another Sacrifice besides what he once offered for all and the like But where any are preserved from such Heresies on the one hand and the other there is no more required unto Communion with
in the knowledge of the Truth revealed by him The knowledge required in the Members of the Judaical Church that they might be Translated into the Christian was principally if not solely that of his Person and the acknowledgment of him to be the true Messiah the Son of God. For as on their unbelief thereof their Eternal ruine did depend as he told them if you believe not that I am he you shall die in your sins so the confession of him was sufficient on their part unto their Admission into the Gospel Church State. And the Reasons of it are apparent With others an Instruction in all the Mysteries of Religion especially in those that are fundamental is necessary unto the Profession we enquire after So Justin Martyr tells us what pains they took in those Primitive Times to instruct those in the Mysteries of Religion who upon a general Conviction of its Truth were willing to adhere unto the Profession of it And what was their judgment herein is sufficiently known from the keeping a multitude in the state of Catechumens before they would admit them into the Fellowship of the Church They are not therefore to be blamed they do but discharge their Duty who refuse to receive into Church-Communion such as are ignorant of the fundamental Doctrines and Mysteries of the Gospel or if they have learned any thing of them from a form of words yet really understand nothing of them The promiscuous driving of all sorts of persons who have been Baptized in their Infancy unto a participation of all Church privileges is a profanation of the holy Institutions of Christ. This knowledge therefore belonging unto profession is it self to be professed 2. There is required unto it a professed subjection of Soul and Conscience unto the Authority of Christ in the Church This in general is performed by all that are Baptized when they are Adult as being by their own actual consent Baptized in the Name of Christ. And it is required of all them who are Baptized in their Infancy when they are able with Faith and Understanding to profess their consent unto and abiding in that Covenant whereinto they were initiated 3. An Instruction in and consent unto the Doctrine of Self-denial and bearing of the Cross in a particular manner For this is made indispensably necessary by our Saviour himself unto all that will be his Disciples And it hath been a great disadvantage unto the Glory of Christian Religion that Men have not been more and better instructed therein It is commonly thought that who ever will may be a Christian at an easie rate it will cost him nothing But the Gospel gives us another account of these things For it not only warns us that Reproaches Hatred Sufferings of all sorts oft-times to Death it self are the common lot of all its Professors who will live Godly in Christ Jesus but also requires that at our initiation into the Profession of it we consider aright the dread of them all and engage cheerfully to undergo them Hence in the Primitive Times whilst all sorts of miseries were continually presented unto them who Embraced the Christian Religion their willing engagement to undergo them who were Converted was a firm Evidence of the sincerity of their Faith as it ought to be unto us also in times of Difficulty and Persecution Some may suppose that the Faith and Confession of this Doctrine of Self-denial and readiness for the Cross is of use only in time of Persecution and so doth not belong unto them who have continually the countenance and favour of publick Authority I say it is at least as they judge well for them with others it is not so whose outward state makes the publick avowing of this Duty indispensably necessary unto them And I may add it as my own thoughts though they are not my own alone That notwithstanding all the Countenance that is given unto any Church by the publick Magistracy yet whilst we are in this World those who will faithfully discharge their Duty as Ministers of the Gospel especially shall have need to be prepared for sufferings To escape sufferings and enjoy worldly advantages by sinful compliances or bearing with Men in their Sins is no Gospel Direction 4. Conviction and Confession of Sin with the way of deliverance by Jesus Christ is that answer of a good Conscience that is required in the Baptism of them that are Adult 1 Pet. 3. 5. Unto this Profession is required the constant performance of all known Duties of Religion both of Piety in the publick and private Worship of God as also of Charity with respect unto others Shew me thy Faith by thy Works 6. A careful Abstinence from all known Sins giving scandal or offence either unto the World or unto the Church of God. And the Gospel requires that this Confession be made with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation against 1. Fear 2. Shame 3. The Course of the World 4. The Opposition of all Enemies whatever Hence it appears that there are none excluded from an Entrance into the Church State but such as are either 1. grosly Ignorant or 2. Persecutors or reproachers of those that are Good or of the ways of God wherein they walk or 3. Idolaters or 4. Men scandalous in their Lives in the Commission of Sins or Omission of Duties through vitious Habits or Inclinations or 5. such as would partake of Gospel-Privileges and Ordinances yet openly avow that they will not submit unto the Law and Commands of Christ in the Gospel concerning whom and the like the Scripture Rule is peremptory From such turn away And herein we are remote from exceeding the example and care of the Primitive Churches Yea there are but few if any that arrive unto it Their endeavour was to Preach unto all they could and rejoiced in the multitudes that came to hear the Word But if any did essay to join themselves unto the Church their diligence in their Examination and Instruction their severe Enquiries into their Conversation their disposing of them for a long time into a state of Expectation for their Trial before their Admittance were remarkable And some of the Ancients complain that their promiscuous Admittance of all sorts of persons that would profess the Christian Religion into Church Membership which took place afterwards ruined all the Beauty Order and Discipline of the Church The things ascribed unto those who are to be esteemed the proper Subject Matter of a Visible Church are such as in the judgment of Charity entitle them unto all the Appellations of Saints Called Sanctified that is Visibly and by Profession which are given unto the Members of all the Churches in the New Testament and which must be answered in those who are admitted into that Privilege if we do not wholly neglect our only Patterns By these things although they should any of them not be real living Members of the Mystical Body of Christ unto whom he is
an Head of spiritual and vital influence yet are they meet Members of that Body of Christ unto which he is an Head of Rule and Government as also meet to be esteemed Subjects of his Kingdom And none are excluded but such as concerning whom Rules are given either to withdraw from them or to cast them out of Church Society or are expresly excluded by God himself from any share in the Privileges of his Covenant Psal. 50.16 17. Divines of all sorts do dispute from the Scripture and the Testimonies of the Ancients that Hypocrites and persons unregenerate may be true Members of Visible Churches And it is a matter very easie to be proved nor do I know any by whom it is denied But the only Question is That whereas undoubtedly Profession is necessary unto all Church Communion whether if Men do profess themselves Hypocrites in State and Unregenerate in Mind that Profession do sufficiently qualify them for Church Communion And whereas there is a double Profession one by Words the other by Works as the Apostle declares Tit. 1.16 Whether the latter be not as interpretative of the Mind and state of Men as the former other contest we have with none in this matter Belarmine de Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 2. gives an account out of Augustine and that truly from Brevec Collat. Col. 3. of the state of the Church It doth saith he consist of a Soul and Body The Soul is the internal Graces of the Spirit The Body is the Profession of them with the Sacraments All true Believers making Profession belong to the Soul and Body of the Church Some as believing Catechumens belong to the Soul but not to the Body Others are of the Body but not of the Soul namely such as have no internal Grace or true Faith and they are like the Hair or the Nails or evil Humours in the Body And thereunto adds That his Definition of the Church comprizeth this last sort only which is all one as if we should define a Man to be a Thing constituted and made up of Hair Nails and ill Humours and let others take heed that they have not such Churches There is nothing more certain in matter of Fact than that Evangelical Churches at their first constitution were made up and did consist of such Members as we have described and no other Nor is there one Word in the whole Scripture intimating any Concession or Permission of Christ to receive into his Church those who are not so Qualified Others have nothing to plead for themselves but Possession which being malae fidei ill obtained and ill continued will afford them no real advantage when the time of trial shall come Wherefore it is certain that such they ought to be No Man as I suppose is come unto that profligate sense of Spiritual things as to deny That the Members of the Church ought to be visibly Holy. For if so they may affirm that all the promises and privileges made and granted to the Church do belong unto them who visibly live and die in their Sins which is to overthrow the Gospel And if they ought so to be and were so at first when they are not so openly and visibly there is a declension from the Original Constitution of Churches and a Sinful Deviation in them from the Rule of Christ. This Original Constitution of Churches with respect unto their Members was for the substance of it as we observed preferred in the Primitive Times whilst Persecution from without was continued and Discipline preserved within I have in part declared before what great care and circumspection the Church then used in the Admission of any into their Fellowship and Order and what trial they were to undergo before they were received and it is known also with what severe Discipline they watched over the Faith walking conversation and manners of all their Members Indeed such was their care and diligence herein that there is scarce left in some Churches at present the least Resemblance or Appearance of what was their State and manner of Rule Wherefore some think it meet to Ascend no higher in the imitation of the Primitive Churches than the times of the Christian Emperours when all things began to rush into the fatal Apostasie which I shall here speak a little farther unto For Upon the Roman Emperours Embracing Christian Religion whereby not only outward Peace and Tranquility was secured unto the Church but the Profession of Christian Religion was countenanced encouraged honoured and rewarded the Rule Care and Diligence of the Churches about the Admission of Members were in a great measure relinquished and forsaken The Rulers of the Church began to think that the Glory of it consisted in its numbers finding both their own Power Veneration and Revenue encreased thereby In a short time the Inhabitants of whole Cities and Provinces upon a bare outward Profession were admitted into Churches And then began the outward Court that is all that which belongs unto the outward Worship and Order of the Church to be trampled on by the Gentiles not kept any more to the measure of Scripture Rule which thenceforth was applied only to the Temple of God and them that Worshipped therein For this corruption of the Church as to the matter of it was the occasion and means of introducing all that corruption in Doctrine Worship Order and Rule which ensued and ended in the great Apostacy For whatever belonged unto any of these things especially these that consist in practice were accommodated unto the state of the Members of the Churches And such they were as stood in need of superstitious Rites to be mixed with their Worship as not understanding the Power and Glory of that which is Spiritual such as no interest in Church Order could be committed unto seeing they were not qualified to bear any share in it such as stood in need of a Rule over them with Grandeur and Power like unto that among the Gentiles Wherefore the Accommodation of all Church concerns unto the state and condition of such corrupt Members as Churches were filled with and at length made up of proved the Ruine of the Church in all its Order and Beauty But so it fell out that in the Protestant Reformation of the Church very little regard was had thereunto Those great and worthy Persons who were called unto that Work did set themselves principally yea solely for the most part against the false Doctrine and Idolatrous Worship of the Church of Rome as judging that if they were removed and taken away the people by the Efficacy of Truth and Order of Worship would be retrived from the evil of their ways and Primitive Holiness be again reduced among them For they thought it was the Doctrine and Worship of that Church which had filled the people with Darkness and corrupted their Conversations Nor did they absolutely judge amiss therein For although they were themselves at first introduced in compliance with the ignorance and wickedness