Member and cut off from the Body for so doing And so much was mutual Kindness and Charity to be the distinguishing Character of Christ's Church that our Saviour declar'd Joh. 13.35 That by this should all men know his Disciples that they had love one for another â—hurch 〈◊〉 into â—â—dy â—esus â—its suâ— Head And now Lastly It only remains to compleat this my Explication of Christ's Church to shew you That this whole Society of Men call'd forth out of the World to such Duties and Priviledges as has been spoke is to be United into one Body as has been declar'd under Jesus Christ its supreme Head Every Society of Men must have some supreme Head to keep it both in Being and Order and Christ is so much to all Intents and Purposes the Head of the Church that there is no respect in which any thing is the Head of the Body in which Christ is not in like manner the Head of the Church 〈◊〉 Poâ— Head â—â—urch And First There is the Political Head in every Kingdom which is the Prince that gives Laws to his People and Heads and Protects them against their Enemies And such a Head is Christ in that Spiritual Kingdom the Church of God Whom the Father having Raised from the Dead did put all things under his Feet and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church which is his Body Eph. 1.20 21 22 23. And therefore pursuant to this Power which was Given him in Heaven and in Earth to give Laws to Mankind did he Commission his Disciples and send them forth into the World to Proclaim his Laws to Teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever he had Commanded them assuring them withal that Lo he would be with them always even unto the End of the World Matth. 28.18 19 20. that is That he would be ever with 'em to Head and Protect 'em against their Adversaries Secondly There is also a Domestick Head viz. the Husband in respect of the Wife and so likewise is Christ the Head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the Body Eph. 5.23 And indeed the Holy Spirit does love to Represent him as such a Head as also by the Title of a Shepherd over the Flock to signify the Gentleness of his Government and the Sweetness and Goodness of his Laws tending all for the Good of those he Governs And Thirdly There is the Natural Head of the Body which is the Fountain of Life and Spirit from whence it is deriv'd into all the Parts of the Body to enable and enliven all the Members thereof to discharge their several Offices and Duties And in Allusion to this â—ist the â—al 〈◊〉 of the â—h is Christ said to be the Mystical Head of the Church from whom all the Body by Joynts and Bands having Nourishment ministred increaseth with the Increase of God Col. 2.19 And thus I have at length sufficiently in order to my Design of Explaining this Article Wherein I was made a Member of Christ shew'd you What kind of Body the of Church of Christ is And by the By from what has been said it does appear That the Church of Christ is a Spiritual Kingdom put up in the World by God The Church of Christ a spiritual Kingdom on purpose to reduce Man to his due Allegiance to his Maker and to destroy the Dominion of Satan which he had so long Usurpt over Mankind It is a Kingdom as it consists of inferior Governours and Subjects combined together by special Laws of Allegiance to the Sovereign King of Kings and Lord of Lords and by Priviledges granted by that Supreme Head and Governour to such his Subjects and therefore it is so often in the Scripture call'd a Kingdom But you see withal it is a Spiritual Kingdom by the Nature and Design of which God is to Rule in the Hearts and Spirits of Men and therefore it is all over the New Testament call'd the Kingdom of God the Kingdom of Christ For Christ does Reign and Rule therein by his Gospel as the Laws of that Kingdom over the Spirits of Men and those are the People or Subjects of this Kingdom who own him for their King and his Gospel for the Laws of this Kingdom and who do give themselves up wholly both Body Soul and Spirit to be Governed by those Laws And the Church is also often call'd in the Holy Scripture the Kingdom of Heaven for indeed it is not a Kingdom of this World supported with outward State and armed Forces in order to promote and to secure from those who would Invade 'em our temporal Interests If my Kingdom were of this World then would my Servants fight that I should not be deliver'd to the Jews Joh. 18.36 but it is a Kingdom or Society of Men associated together and Listed to Fight under Christ the Great Captain of our Salvation against much more formidable Enemies than any Earthly Potentates Even against Principalities and Powers against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World against spiritual Wickedness in high Places Eph. â— 12 that is against the Devil and his wicked Angels who would despoil us of our Heavenly Inheritance Listed I say to fight under Jesus Christ the Great Captain of our Salvation for so he is call'd Heb. 2.10 and to our Comfort who are to fight under him he has already Spoiled these Principalities and Powers and has made a shew of them openly upon the Cross triumphing over them in it Col. 2.15 So that our Work is in a great measure already done under his Conduct for he himself has divested the Devils of much of their Power he has thrown 'em out of their Temples silenc'd their Oracles and does daily by his Assistances enable us to Foil ' em So that the Church of Christ you see is a Spiritual Kingdom But yet notwithstanding that this Society the Church But yet notwithstanding a Visible Society is a Spiritual Kingdom both as its Laws are Spiritual reaching to the Government of the Inward Man and also as it is a Body Listed under a Spiritual King to fight against Spiritual Enemies Yet however from what has been said it does appear that the Church or Kingdom of Christ is a Visible Society of Men consisting of such who make an Outward and Visible Profession of Allegiance to Christ having visibly by an Outward Sacrament Enter'd into Covenant with him and being such as do visibly Communicate together in his Holy Ordinances And therefore it is not only of such who by an inward real and true Faith are United to Christ that the Church and Kingdom of God in this World does consist but of all those outward Professors of Christianity who by the Sacrament of Baptism have Enter'd into Covenant with God Such indeed as besides an outward Covenanting which is certainly necessary are Renew'd withal to
mystical Head and convey'd by those his Ordinances to Enable us to conform to his Religion and Obey those Laws And the first Great Priviledge I. A most excellent Body of Religion Laws and Ordinances which does peculiarly belong to all the Members of Christ's visible Church as they are the Members of such a Society Is a most reasonable and excellent Body of Religion and Laws together with most profitable and edifying Institutions and Ordinances given and appointed us by him our supreme Head and Governour to Conduct us to Heaven We do enjoy I say thereby The Christian Religion and Laws far exceed the Pagan Mahometan or Jewish The Priviledge of a most reasonable and excellent Body of Religion and Laws far exceeding what any other People have ever enjoy'd to Conduct us to Heaven This is clearly to be seen Heb. 8.8 9 10 11. where God himself finding Fault with the Jewish Covenant and Laws as what could not make the Comers thereunto Perfect saith Behold the days come when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt for this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their Minds and write them in their Hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People And they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest which remarkable Words spoke first by the Prophet Jeremy as a Prophecy of the most happy State of the Christian Church by reason of the most excellent Covenant and Laws that would be given it beyond what was the State of the Jewish do import that even the Jewish Covenant was not in it self Perfect and such as could not be better'd and improv'd tho' it had God for its Author and sure then those Superstitions which derive themselves from no better Authors than the Devil and wicked Impostors must be very bad but that the Christian Covenant and Laws have such an inward essential Goodness in them that a Man 's own Reason would prompt him to Approve 'em as Best and most Excellent there being none of its Doctrines but what are highly agreeable to the best Reason of Man and all its Precepts being no other than the Law written in every Man 's own Heart And indeed the Christian Religion whether we consider it as compar'd with the Pagan or Mahometan Superstition and Jewish Dispensation or in its own Nature it is a most singular Institution and Body of Laws and such as we ought to Esteem it our very great Happiness and Advantage above other Men that we are under the Government of ' em And First consider the whole Body of the Pagan Superstition The Pagan Superstition â—d to noâ— but to 〈◊〉 humane â—â—re and what else did it tend to but to debase Mankind infinitely below the Dignity of their Nature and to Defile 'em much more than the very Brutes The Gods which the Pagans worship were at best the most Vile and Infamous of Humane Race viz. An Adulterous Jupiter a Revengeful Juno a Drunken Bacchus a Wanton Venus a Thievish Mercury and a Cruel Mars not to mention how they Bowed themselves before and gave Divine Worship to the most poor and contemptible â—he Gods 〈◊〉 Pagans â—iped 〈◊〉 at best â—ost inâ—us Men 〈◊〉 Women senseless Creatures And when they Worship'd Adulterers and Whores and Thieves and Drunkards what can be expected but that the Rites whereby they serv'd 'em should be accompany'd with the vilest Practices such as were answerable to the Nature and Temper of such Deities Which was the occasion of those Words of St. Peter 1 Epist 4.3 telling those who had been lately Converted from Paganism to Christianity that The time past of their lives was sufficient to have wrought the Will of the Gentiles when they walked in Laciviousness Lusts Excess of Wine Revellings Banquetings and abominable Idolatries wherein is more than intimated that the Idolatries of the Heathens were usually accompany'd with such villanous Practices And indeed from the Pagan Authors themselves we know they were so â—y times 〈◊〉 worshipâ—â—he very â—ls themâ—s But it was not only the vilest of Men and Women but the Devils themselves whom the Pagans worship'd and whom they were wont to serve not only with abominable Idolatries accompany'd with most lewd Practices which however hateful to right Reason might be grateful to some sensual Spirits but they were forc'd to commit many times the greatest Violences possible to Humane Nature in their Worship to those barbarous and cruel Devils they Ador'd â—nd that 〈◊〉 lewd â—arous 〈◊〉 cruel 〈◊〉 Thus it was the manner of the Worshipers of Baal to cut themselves with Knives and Lancers till the Blood gushed out upon them 1 King 18.28 Nay They sacrificed their Sons and their Daughters unto Devils and shed innocent Blood even the blood of their Sons and of their Daughters whom they sacrificed unto the Idols of Canaan Psal 106.37 38. Which was a Barbarity so horrid to Humane Nature that they were forc'd to make use of loud Instruments at the time of Sacrifice to drown the Noise of the shrieking Infants And at this Day the Idol Vitsiputsi amongst the Indians is said to have many Thousands slain in one of his solemn Processions it being usual for his Worshipers to throw themselves under the Wheels of his Massy Charriot on purpose to be crush'd in Pieces by the Weight thereof going over ' em Such are the lewd and barbarous Rites of the Pagan Religion not to mention any thing of those intolerable slavish Fears which always possess Idolatrous and Superstitious Religionists who are always in dread lest they should ncense the angry and peevish Daemon by eâ—ery lâ—ttle Accident and are ever upon the Rack studying to please him by innumerable little insignificant Observances â—â—e Mahoâ—â—n Reliâ— is a vile â—â—sture Nor Secondly As to the Mahometan Religion is there any thing in it worthy of God whereby we should judge him to be its Author First it is a plain Imposture and Cheat pretending to be Reveal'd by God to his Prophet Mahomet after the Jewish and Christian Religion as a more perfect Institution than either whereas indeed look into the whole Matter and inward Frame thereof and we shall find nothing in it as One observes but a Mass of foolish Opinions odd Stories uncouth Ceremonies compounded chiefly of the Dregs of Christian Heresies together with some Ingredients of Judaism and Paganism confusedly jumbled or unskilfully mixt one with the other But as to that great Principle of it which promises in Paradise a Thousand Years satisfaction arising from sensual Pleasures and the
approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy Courts he shall be sasisfy'd in the goodness of thy house even of thy holy Temple Alas the inestimable Priviledges and Advantages of Divine Ordinances as the Benefit of the Heat and Light and all other common Mercies are never sufficiently valued till most wanted They are seldom sufficiently valued till most wanted In the abundance of 'em we slight 'em but when depriv'd of 'em we see we cannot live the spiritual Life without ' em This is most significantly Express'd Amos 8.11 12. Behold the days come saith the Lord God that I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from Sea to Sea and from the North even to the East they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it You see here that the Famine of Bread is nothing in comparison with the Famine of the Word and Ordinances I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread nor a thirst of water but of hearing the words of the Lord which is a much sorer Famine for it is a Famine which will starve the Soul And when they are deprived of the Word and Ordinances then shall they wander from Sea to Sea and from the North even to the East thâ—y shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it And accordingly we may always observe this Difference in Men's Esteem of those excellent Advantages In the outward Peace and Prosperity of the Church when the Church Doors are always open and Prayers and Sacraments constantly Administred then how many that live near the House of God shall seldom come at it and how will others Profanely pasâ— by it even in time of Divine Service And how do People when it is Plentiful loath this Heavenly Manna But when Persecution at any time arises and the Church Doors are shut up and Divine Ordinances are forbid upon Pain of Death how then shall you see those very same Persons go many Miles and with the utmost hazard of their Lives Assemble themselves together and take the greatest Comfort imaginable in Enjoying ' em This the Experience of all Ages does Confirm And God grant our present Neglect of his Holy Institutions and Ordinances may not provoke him to teach us also how to Value and Esteem the Priviledges and Advantages of 'em by depriving us thereof And thus I have at length shew'd you how that the First Great Priviledge which does peculiarly belong to all the Members of Christ's visible Church as they are the Members of such a Society is a most Reasonable and Excellent Body of Religion and Laws together with most Profitable and Edifying Institutions and Ordinances given and appointed us by Him our supreme Head and Governour to Conduct us to to Heaven And now it is time to proceed and to shew you how that Secondly The Second general Prâ—viledge bein to Members Christ's â—rch is a â—cient meaâ— of divine â—â—ce and â—stance â—ved from 〈◊〉 the Head and Convey'd by his Ordinances to Enable us to Conform our selves to his â—gion and to Obey his Laws We enjoy thereby a great Measure of Divine Grace and Assistance derived down from him our Head and Convey'd by those his Ordinances to Enable us to Conform to his Religion and to Obey his Laws The mystical Body of Christ is often compar'd in Scripture to the natural Body of Man and that as for many others so for this very good Reason that as in the natural Body every Part partakes of Life and Sense and Motion from the Head so do we by being Baptized Members of Christ of Grace and Help from him our Head From whom all the Body by Joints and Bands having Nourishment ministred Increaseth with the Increase of God Col. 2.19 〈◊〉 the same â—ns that â—â—st is Vâ—d to his â—â—bers is â—ce Conâ—d down 〈◊〉 him as â—â—d to â—â—e Memâ—â— Now it is easy to conceive how Christ as a Political Head should give Laws to his Spiritual Kingdom the Church and how as such he should Head and Protect it and every Member thereof against its Enemies But the difficulty with some is to conceive how as from a Mystical Head Divine Grace and Assistance should be Convey'd down from him to us his Members But it is but to consider what those Joints and Bands are which Unite us to Christ as our Head and we may then easily conceive how we shall have Nourishment ministred unto us till we Increase with the Increase of God For whatever are the means of Uniting us to him the same are the means also of Conveying the Influences of his Holy Spirit down upon us 〈◊〉 first Meâ—n of Vâ— betwixt â—ist and Members 〈◊〉 be each â—â—ber's Vâ— to the â—â—olick â—â—ch And the First great means of Uniting cach Member to Christ must be its Union to the Catholick Church the Body of Christ not Cutting himself off from it either by Renouncing his Covenant with God or by causlessly separating from the Communion of that Sound and Orthodox Part of the Church whereof he is an immediate Member and by not giving just Occasion to the Officers of Christ's spiritual Kingdom the Church to Excommunicate or Cut him off for so doing For it is Just with the Mystical Body the Church as it is with the natural Body of Man If a Leg or an Arm should be Cut off from the Body by a Man 's own Hand or by the King's Officers it cannot receive Nourishment from the Head and for lack thereof must soon Die And so in the Church of Christ a Heretick that for denying the Faith and Sacraments and a Schismatick who for breaking the Communion shall be Cut off from the Church cannot ordinarily expect to receive Supplies of Grace from Christ the mystical Head which by Keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace he might But it is not sufficient in order to its deriving Life from the Head that a Member be United to the Body only and to any of its Parts but it is moreover particularly necessary that it should be United also to those principal Parts of the Body where the Blood and Spirits are form'd and from whence they are Convey'd to every single Member And therefore II. Vnion to 〈◊〉 Lawful â—ernours 〈◊〉 Teachâ— of the â—â—ch A Second means of Uniting each Member to Christ the Head and so of Conveying spiritual Supplies of Grace down from him to such a Member is its Unity to those Lawful Governours and Teachers which Christ has Appointed in the Church by Joining with 'em in the same Fundamental Doctrines of Christianity and by holding Communion with 'em in the same Holy Worship of God The Lawful Governours and Teachers in the Church of Christ are the principal Parts in the Mystical Body as the Heart the Liver and
the Brain are in the Natural For as in the Natural from these principal Parts are sent forth that Portion of Blood and Spirits which give Life and Strength to every single Member so from Christ's Ministers is Communicated to all the Members of the Mystical Body that Nourishment which maintains the spiritual Life in them All this may be fairly gather'd from Eph. 4.11 12 13. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come into the unity of the Faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ In which Words the Ministers of Christ's Church whether Extraordinary as Apostles and Evangelists or Ordinary as Pastors and Teachers are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Holding and Knitting together the Church and that from them each Member does immediately receive that Nourishment of sound Doctrine whereby he grows up to be a Perfect Man in the Knowledge and Practice of true Religion And indeed the Graces of the Holy Spirit are Convey'd by those Ordinances which they only have power to Administer which brings me Lastly To shew how III. The use of Christ's Institutions and Ordinances that next to the being United to the Church and its principal Parts the Ministers of Christ therein the great Bonds of Union to the Head and means of Conveying his Grace to the Members are the Sacraments and other Holy Offices and Ordinances appointed for that Purpose and of which the Ministers of Religion are the only Dispensers For just again as in the Body Natural there are Nerves that Branch from the Head through the Body conveying the Animal Spirits to every Member thereof so in the Mystical Body the Church there are the Ordinances of Sacraments Preaching Publick and Common Prayers and such like Holy Offices Administred by Persons set apart for that Purpose to be the Conveyances of those ordinary Supplies of his Holy Spirit which he thinks necessary to preserve that Member in Health and Vigour So that thus at length you see how that in keeping in Union with the mystical Body of Christ his Church and with its Lawful Governours and Teachers and in the use of Sacraments and other Divine Ordinances those Conduits and Conveyances of of his Holy Spirit to us we shall have spiritual Life and Strength and Vigour derived down to us from Christ our spiritual Head in like manner as in the natural Body of Man the Animal Life and Strength and Vigour is derived down to all the parts of the Body from the natural Head And this is a most singular Priviledge if compar'd with that little or nothing of this Nature which others who are not Members of Christ's Church do enjoy and also it will pear to be a most exceeding great Advantage if consider'd in it self And First If we compare our Happiness with Others I. Divine Grace a most singular Priviledge if compared we shall find it the peculiar Advantage of Christianity which no other Law nor Doctrine so much as pretends to that it not only clearly teacheth us and strongly perswadeth us to so excellent a Way of Life but provideth also Divine Help and Assistance to Enable us to Practice it If God would have Ordinarily 〈◊〉 what oâ— enjoy of Nature and in the way of a Constant Dispensation imparted so excellent a Gift to any to be sure it would have been to the Jewish Church but we are told Joh. 1.17 That the Law was given by Moses but that Grace came by Jesus Christ that is the Graces and Gifts of his Holy Spirit as well as other Mercies and Favours so that tho' Moses deliver'd Legal Precepts it is by Jesus Christ we shall have the Assistance whereby we shall be Enabled to attain unto Holiness And as to that Measure of Grace afforded to Holy Men under the Law whatsoever it were it was through him the Promised Messiah and in Vertue of that Covevenant of Grace Confirmed with Abraham before the Law but the more constant Influences of the Holy Spirit and the fuller Measures thereof are derived from him down upon us now under the Gospel And because of that more plentiful Measure of Grace and Spirit Communicated unto us from Christ under the Gospel does the Apostle call the Gospel the Ministration of the Spirit in Opposition to the Law which he styles the Ministration of Death 2 Cor. 3.8 9. And does therefore so assuredly promise himself Success in his Ministry ver 5 6. Such trust have we in Christ to Godward not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament or Covenant not of the Letter but of the Spirit where the Gospel is styl'd the Spirit as for other Reasons so for this in the Judgment of the Learned Dr. Hammond that Grace which is the Gift of the Spirit is now join'd to the Gospel which was not to the Law In a word and to speak in the Words of a Learned Author Other Laws for want of this are in effect Ministeries of Condemnation Racks of Conscience Parents of Guilt and of Regret Reading hard Lessons but not Asss isting to do after them Imposing heavy Burthens but not Enabling to bear them But our Law of the Gospel is not such it is not a dead Letter but hath a quickning Spirit accompanying it it not only soundeth through the Ear but stampeth it self upon the Heart of him that sincerely doth Embrace it it always carrieth with it a sure Guide to all Good and a safe Guard from all Evil. II. exceedâ—â—dvanâ—â—â—nsiderâ—◠〈◊〉 self And this Advantage as it is proper to our Religion So it is exceeding considerable in it self The Advantage is that every Member in Christ's Body in what Station soever he be shall have sufficient Supplies of Grace derived down from Christ our Head proportionable to his Necessities by those moans of Conveying it which Christ has appointed for that Purpose I say every Member in Christ's Body â—e Memâ—â— Christ Supplies â—tionaâ—â— their â—n in â—hurch in what Station soever he be For As we have many Members in one Body and all Members have not the same Office so we being many are one Body in Christ and every one Members one of another Rom. 12.4 5. that is there are different Members in the Church of Christ some are to be Governours and Teachers of Others and accordingly must be Endow'd with a Spirit of Government and Gift of Teaching and others are of a more private Capacity in the Church of Christ whatever they may in other Respects and their Business is to keep a Conscience void of Offence both towards God and Man and faithfully to discharge their Duties to God
11 Catechism necessary First To the solemn Ratifying of our Covenant with God pag. 12 Secondly To the Receiving Benefit by the Episcopal Benediction Prayers and laying on of Hands pag. 13 LECT II. Catechizing requisite to prepare Persons to be worthy Communicants pag. 15 The want thereof the occasion of People's Ignorance concerning the Sacrament and consequently First of Receiving Unworthily Secondly of not Receiving at all pag. 16 Thirdly Catechizing is requisite to Persons being Edify'd by Preaching pag. 17 Fourthly Catechizing necessary to prevent being seduc'd into dangerous Errors pag. 18 Lastly Catechizing is exceedingly necessary First to preserve Youth from ever falling into an Ungodly way of living pag. 19 Secondly To recover out of it when fallen therein pag. 20 LECT III. The reason wherefore the Catechism begins with asking the Catechumen his Christian Name is to put him in mind of his Christian Profession The Force there is in a Christian Name to make a Man lead a Christian Life as under that Name having Listed himself First a Disciple of a most holy and excellent Religion pag. 24 Secondly a Servant of a most Holy and Just God Thirdly to fight against the World the Flesh and the Devil Fourthly as under that Name he professes to believe such Articles as are the most powerful Motives to deny all Ungodliness Fifthly to obey the most Righteous Laws Lastly as having under that Name received Promises of most powerful Assistances to do all this pag. 25 The bad Lives of Nominal Christians do an infinite Prejudice and Dishonour to Christianity It hinders the Conversion of Infidels It puts bitter Reproaches in the mouths of Atheists especially when Wickedness is committed under the guise of Religion Few Men will endure their worldly Calling to be put at naught and Reproacht pag. 26 An Exhortation therefore to Christians to stand upon the Dignity of their Christian Name and Profession First as that which is more considerable than Titles of Honour Secondly because of that near Alliance there is between the Christian Name and Profession Thirdly Because the primitive Christians did in vertue of the Christian Name resist the fiercest Temptations pag. 27 Fourthly because of the Indecency of living unsuitable to the Christian Name and Profession Fifthly That to quite other Purposes we gave up our Names to be Christians Sixthly most Christian Names afford some Examples of Vertue which should prompt Christians to an Imitation of those who were Eminent under those Names pag. 28 And therefore Parents are advis'd to choose for their Children the Names of Persons Eminent for Vertue not Infamous for Vice pag. 29 LECT IV. Our Catechism gives an entire Instruction in the Covenant of Grace both generally and particularly First Generally in the Three first Questions and Answers pag. 32 The Notion of a Covenant It is a mutual Agreement pag. 33 As there are Conditions therein on our side so express Promises on the other A View of the Covenant of Grace God having made Man upright and in a capacity never to have violated his Covenant did engage him to a perfect exact and unsinning Obedience Man did violate it pag. 34 The Divine Justice Wisdom and Holiness requir'd Satisfaction Man being himself uncapable to make it by less than suffering an everlasting Punishment The Son of God undertook First to satisfy for the Breach of the First Secondly to Cancel it and in its stead to make a Covenant of Grace consisting of Conditions performable in our fallen State Wherein Repentance Faith and a sincere Obedience is accepted instead of a perfect exact and unsinning Obedience pag. 35 It resembles Articles of Accommodation made thro' the Intercession of a Prince's Eldest Son betwixt him and his Rebellious Subjects pag. 36 Little more f universal Concernment to be known but the Articles of this Covenant The Catechetical Method most useful to that Purpose pag. 37 LECT V. A Member of Christ is a Member of Christ's Church pag. 39 A Definition of Christ's Church The Church of Christ a well-order'd Society wherein some are Governours some Governed pag. 40 An Episcopal Clergy undoubtedly such pag. 41 The Church is the universal Society of Christians taking in Men of all Nations as well of the Gentiles as of the Jews It consists of such who are call'd out of the World by the Preaching of the Gospel to a holy Profession and Calling pag. 42 First Repentance from Dead Works Secondly to the Knowledge Belief and Service of the One True God Father Son and Holy Ghost pag. 43 Thirdly to enjoy the Priviledges of the Gospel The Church are such who to the End of being Incorporated into one Society and of having God to be their God and they themselves his People have Enter'd into Covenant with him pag. 44 First in Baptism Secondly to renew it at the Lord's Supper The Church one Body pag. 45 Subdivided into several particular Bodies and Churches First for the convenience of Government into Diocesan Churches Secondly for the convenience of Worship into particular Congregations pag. 46 But however United by one Covenant into one Body As also by holding Communion with each other in hearing the Word in Common-Prayers Sacraments and in affording to each other mutual Assistances pag. 47 The Church united into one Body under Jesus Christ its supreme Head Christ a Political Head of the Church Christ the Mystical Head of the Church pag. 48 The Church of Christ a Spiritual Kingdom But yet notwithstanding a visible Society pag. 49 What it is to be a Member of Christ's Church pag. 50 Every Baptized Person is a Member of the Visible Church And shall continue such till cut off by the just Sentence of those who have the power of the Keys to Receive in or shut out pag. 51 Or till he cuts himself off by a causless Schism and Separation from any of its sound Parts pag. 52 LECT VI. The Priviledges of our being Members of Christ's Church First a most excellent Body of Religion Laws and Ordinances The Christian Religion and Laws far exceed the Pagan Mahometan or Jewish The Pagan Superstition tended to nothing but to defile humane Nature pag. 55 The Gods the Pagans worshiped were at best the most Infamous Men and Women Many times they worshiped the very Devils themselves And that with lewd barbarous and cruel Rites The Mahometan Religion is a vile Imposture pag. 56 Its Principles tend to Lust and Cruelty Judaism was an imperfect and unfinished Draught of Religion Christianity a most excellent Religion pag. 57 It gives a most excellent Representation of God It gives an honourable account of his proceedings with Mankind with reference both to his Creation and Redemption of us pag. 58 Its Laws are excellently contrived for the good Order and Happiness of Mankind And are Enforc'd by most powerful Principles and Motives Another Branch of this first Part of a Christian's Priviledge are most edifying and comfortable Institutions and Ordinances pag. 59 First Publick Ordinances the Priviledge of every Member
to be well Instructed in and to be consider'd by you None of you shall be able to perform a Bargain except you know what you have bargain'd and agreed to do No One can discharge a Bond except he knows distinctly what he is oblig'd to pay no more can any of you be able to perform the Covenant of Grace except you do well understand the Nature Terms and Conditions of it And indeed Little more of universal Concernment to be known but the Articles of this Covenant there is perhaps but little necessary to be known in Religion besides the Articles of this Covenant We may without Prejudice to our Salvation doubtless be ignorant of many Points that are Canvast with Heat enough in the Controversies of Men of all Perswasions but to know what inestimable Blessings God has Promis'd and Ensur'd to us and what we are to perform to make our selves Inheritours of those Blessings is what every Body who believes a future State and the Immortality of his Soul and that it is worth his while to study the Salvation of his Soul must think it necessary except he can imagine it safe to take his Journey to Heaven blindfold when he cannot think of getting but to his short Home here on Earth without his Eyes open A distinct and clear Understanding of the Nature Terms and Conditions and of all that pertains to the Covenant of Grace is without doubt of all things in the World the most necessary The Catechetical Method most useful to that Purpose And there is no Method of Instruction whereby it can be so distinctly and clearly known as the Catechetical way For not to say that Preaching now upon one Head and immediately after upon another without any dependance and coherence of the several parts of Christianity together is not so likely to give Persons a clear understanding of the whole Nature and Design of Christianity as may be requisite The Catechetical way by treating orderly on all the Parts of our most Holy Religion and by giving thereby a distinct View of their natural Connection with and Dependance one upon another has this Excellency in it no doubt that thereby Persons shall be better able to judge of the beautiful Contexture and admirable Contrivance of the whole and shall easily discern what End it is that Christianity aims at and how admirably every Part of it is fitted to carry on that great End It is without all doubt a most useful Method of Instruction and it would soon appear to be so in its happy Effects would all Persons but lay aside their unhappy Prejudices against it as if it were proper only for Children to be Hearers thereof Whereas indeed it is no ways unbecoming the Eldest and most Knowing Persons to hear the great and fundamental Doctrines of Religion explain'd and handled distinctly and clearly and separated from all unnecessary Mixtures But where all the Means and Methods of Instruction are little enough to give Men a sufficient Understanding in all that is necessary to Salvation instead of comparing 'em one with another we had better to make use of all and to Pray to God to give a Blessing to all his Ordinances that every one may be useful to the Edification and Salvation of every Christian which that they may all prove may God Almighty grant of his infinite Goodness thro' Jesus Christ our Lord To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all Honour and Glory now and for ever Amen THE Fifth Lecture Wherein I was made a Member of Christ THE Preliminary Questions and Answers of your Catechism do give you a general Account of all the Terms and Conditions of the Covenant of Grace both of the Priviledges made over to us by God and of the Conditions to be perform'd by us And these Words Wherein I was made a Member of Christ expressing the First of those invaluable Priviledges made over unto us in this Covenant on God's Part I shall therefore endeavour as well as I can to Explain and open to you what they do Import Christ is in Scripture often styl'd The Head of the Church as particularly Col. 1.8 And he is the Head of the Body the Church it is there said and we are also styl'd Members of this Body the Church Thus Eph. 5.30 We are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones so that to be a Member of Christ is to be a Member A Member of Christ is a Member of Christ's Church or Part of that Body of which he is the Head or to be a Member of Christ's Church And to make it appear to you how happy a Thing it is to be a Member of Christ's Church First I will shew you What kind of Body the Church of Christ is Secondly What it is to be a Member of it And then Thirdly What exceeding great and invaluable Priviledges do belong to a Member of Christ's Church And First let us see What kind of Body that is which is call'd the Church of Christ And tho' it does not belong to this Part of your Catechism to give you a full account of all that is Necessary to be known concerning Christ's Church which may more properly be refer'd to that Article of our Creed I believe the Holy Catholick Church However since the High Priviledge and Dignity of any Member as a Member cannot be sufficiently understood nor valued without knowing the Nature and Excellency of that Body of which it is a Member I do therefore think my self obliged in order to let you into a through Understanding of what is meant by A Member of Christ's Church and of the greatness of that Priviledge to speak something largely in this Place concerning the Nature and Constitution of the Church it self and I shall therefore Define it and also Explain and prove each Part of the Definition I shall give of it as follows â—â—nition â—â—ist's â—o The Church of Christ is the universal Society of Christians consisting both of Lawful Governours and Pastors and also of the People of God committed to their Charge and who are call'd forth out of the wicked World by the Preaching of the Gospel to a holy Profession and Calling Namely To Repentance from dead Works to the Knowledge Belief and Service of the One True God Father Son and Holy Ghost and to the Enjoyment of those inestimable Priviledges of the Gospel viz. Most reasonable and excellent Laws to Conduct 'em to Heaven Divine Grace and Assistance to Enable 'em to Obey those Laws Pardon of Sins upon Repentance for the Violation of 'em and Eternal Life and Happiness upon sincere Obedience to ' em And who to the End of being Incorporated into one Society and of having God to be their God and they themselves his People have Enter'd into Covenant with him at Baptism and do often Renew the same in the Lord's Supper and are Incorporated thereby into one Body subdivided indeed into several particular Bodies
the Image of God in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness are the only Persons of which the Invisible Church as it is call'd does consist in this World these perhaps being meant by the Little Flock Luk. 12.32 and of such only will the whole Church in the World to come be made up being of The many that are Called the few that are Chosen Matth. 20.16 But if we consider the Church of Christ in its full Latitude and in that imperfect State wherein it now is on this side Heaven many Hypocrites and bad Men as well as truly sincere and good Christians do belong to it for the Church of Christ here on Earth is compar'd Matth. 13.24 25. to a Field which contains Wheat and Tares growing up together and to a Net ver 47. wherein there are Fish both good and bad Such you see is the Nature and Temper of that Body of Christ his Church concerning which I thought it requisite to give you a more than ordinary full account even in this place before we come to the Article I Believe the Holy Catholick Church because that otherwise it cannot be so well Apprehended â—t it is to 〈◊〉 Member â—hrist's â—rch Secondly What it is to be a Member of Christ's Church which now the way being so far clear'd I shall in few words shew you And from what his been said it does easily now appear that a true Member of the Church of Christ is one who belongs to that Society of Christians which consists of Lawful Governours and Pastors and of the People of God committed to their Charge the one Ministring in Holy Things and the other Partaking thereof at their Hands He is not a Member of that narrow and enclos'd Society of Worshipers the Jewish Synagogue who by their peculiar Rites and Ways of Worship were confin'd to one Nation and Place no more than he is one of the Gentile World at large but he is one who either himself was call'd or is descended of those who were call'd from out of the wicked World of Jews and Gentiles to a Holy Profession and Calling viz. To the Belief of the One True God Father Son and Holy Ghost as also to Repentance from dead Works to serve Him the only Living and True God And he is call'd as to Faith and Repentance so to enjoy the Priviledges of the Gospel and the Rewards of such Faith and Repentance namely Most Reasonable and Excellent Laws and Ordinances to Conduct him to Heaven with a plentiful measure of Divine Grace and Assistance also convey'd by those Ordinances to Enable him to Obey those Laws and he is one who to the End of being of that Society of Men the Christian Church and of having God a Friend to him and he himself a Servant of God's has solemnly Enter'd into Covenant with God in his Baptism and continues often to Renew the same in the Lord's Supper because the Divine Goodness does in both Vouchsafe to make over and ensure to him those exceeding Great and Invaluable Priviledges and most singular Benefits as well as he on the other side does solemnly Engage to yield himself up to the Service and Obedience of God Farther yet a Member of Christ's Church is one who is not only United to the Catholick Church in and by one Covenant that is in the Profession of the same Faith and Repentance and in the Enjoyment of the same Priviledges and in the use of the same Sacraments But also he maintains this Union therewith by Communicating with that particular Part of the Catholick Church where he lives and whereof he is a Member in particular by communicating I say therewith in Hearing together with the rest of the Body the same Doctrine in Joyning in the same common Prayers and receiving the same Holy Sacraments and Lastly in Receiving from and Administring mutual Assistances to the Members of that Body wherever dispers'd or however distress'd over the Face of the whole World as there shall be occasion And lastly a Member of Christ's Church is One who belongs to that universal Society of Men call'd out of the World to such Duties and Priviledges as has been spoke and is United into one Body by the same means as has been declar'd under Jesus Christ its supreme Head And if you consider him as a Member of the Kingdom of Christ he is one who is Delivered by God from the power of Darkness and is translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 that is he is one of those who is deliver'd by the Gospel from under the Tyranny of Satan under which the whole World was held Captive and is made a Subject to the Gracious Government of the Son of God From what has been said it does plainly appear I think that such and such a One only is a true Member of Christ's Church And in the Sence of your Catechism which teaches all to Answer That in their Baptism they are made Members of Christ every Person who has been admitted into the Church by Baptism is a Member of Christ and shall continue such till he is cut off by the just Sentence of those Governours in the Church who have the Power of the Keys to Receive in or Shut out or till he cuts off himself from that mystical Body by a causless Schism and Separation from any of its sound Parts Every Baptized Person I say is a Member of the Visible Church Every Baptized Person is a Member of the Visible Church So the Apostle expresly speaks Gal. 3.27 assuring us that As many as have been Baptized into Christ that is the Christian Church have put on Christ or have put on that Relation to Christ that Members have to the Body True it is amongst those that are Incorporated by Baptism into the Church many do prove but very unsound and unfruitful Members such as tho' they are admitted into that Holy Society in order to their Edification and through Conversion by the means of those Holy Ordinances which Christ has appointed in in his Church do yet continue to be very bad Men both in their Principles and Practices Hence it is said Matth. 22.10 that of those who are called into the Wedding that is the Church by the Servants or Officers of the Bridegroom that is Christ there are as well Bad as Good Yet as appears from that and many the like Parables of our Saviour concerning the Materials and Constitution of his Church even such bad Men when once Baptized into it are Members of it And shall continue to be Members of it And shall continue such 〈◊〉 off by â—st Senâ—◠〈◊〉 those â—ave the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 to Reâ—â—n or â—â—ut till such time as they are cut off by the just Sentence of those who have the Power of the Keys to Receive in or Shut out For this you are to know that Christ has given his Apostles and their Successors in the Government of the Church a Church Authority consisting in
Receiving in or Shutting out of the Church To Receive into the Church is to Admit such as make a Profession of Christianity to Admit 'em I say by the Sacrament of Baptism to all the outward Acts of Communion To shut or cast out of the Church is by Excommunication to Exclude unworthy Persons from that Priviledge of Church-Communion to deny 'em the Liberty to Pray or Receive the Sacrament or perform any Religious Office in the Publick Assemblies of the Church And now accordingly has Christ appointed the Bishops and Governours of his Church to be as Shepherds to Oversee the Flock as you will find Act. 20.28 and has given 'em The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 16.19 that is Authority as to Admit into the Church by Baptism all who make a Profession of Christianity so to Expel out of it by Excommunication all those scabbed Members thereof who contrary to such their Holy Profession either by their pestilent Heresies or by their scandalous Ill Lives are Unworthy of it and in danger to Infect it If they Preach or any-wise propagate any pestilent Heresy contrary to the fundamental Truths of Christianity let their Persons be never so acceptable upon the account of some shining Vertues of Charity or their Doctrines never so Plausible as pretending to Reason they ought not to be spared Tho' we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be Accursed that is Excommunicated and cut off from Church-Communion Gal. 1.8 So far was this Blessed Apostle so Zealous for the Glory of his Saviour from sparing others that he would not have himself be suffer'd to continue in the Communion of the Church were it possible he should be guilty of propagating Heresy And so likewise is any Person guilty of a notorious and scandalous Ill Life Why then also are the Governours of Christ's Church commanded To put away from 'em that wicked person 1 Cor. 5.13 And all the Members of the mystical Body are so far bound to take notice of such an Excommunication as to disown and discard such a Person and to have no Society with him so 1 Corinthians 5.11 If any man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner with such a one after Excommunication they were not to Eat In such Cases as these indeed an Evil Member becomes no Member and is to be to the rest as a Heathen Man and a Publican that is one that is out of the Church Matth. 18.17 â—ll he cuts â—elf off 〈◊〉 causless â—m and â—ation 〈◊〉 any of â—bund 〈◊〉 And so likewise is he who cuts himself off from that mystical Body the Church by a causless Schism and Separation from any of its sound Parts I say any of its sound Parts for wherever there is a true Church if there be nothing in its Doctrine nor Worship that is sinful every Person is bound to Continue stedfastly in the Doctrine Prayers and Sacraments and Fellowship of that Church as in the Apostle's times they did Act. 2.42 and to reject the Communion of all other Parties and Sects of Christians or otherwise he will cut off himself from the Church and will cease to be a real Member of it as the Finger ceases to be of the Body when it is cut off from the Arm. Thus in either of these cases indeed shall a Person dis-continue to be a Member of Christ's Church when either he is Cut off by the just Sentence of those Governours in the Church who have the Power of the Keys to Receive in or Shut out or when he Cuts himself off by a causless Separation and Schism from any of its sound Parts But otherwise all Persons who have Enter'd into Covenant with God and have been Admitted into it by Baptism are Members of Christ's Church as has been already sufficiently prov'd and need not again be repeated And so shall Partake of those exceeding great Priviledges which belong to the Members of it which what and how great they are I come next to declare unto you THE Sixth Lecture Wherein I was made a Member of Christ BY the Church of Christ as has been shew'd is meant a Visible Society of Men call'd forth of the World to the Knowledge Belief and Service of the One True God Father Son and Holy Ghost and Professing the same in Opposition to the Service of Satan and all false Gods whatsoever and also to all those vicious and immoral Practices which did so notoriously accompany the Pagan Worship and indeed professing an utter Hatred to all Sin of any kind And it is a Society as has been shew'd you combin'd into one Covenant with God by outward Sacraments and holding Communion with each other under Jesus Christ its Head And a Member of Christ's Church you have also seen is every One who has been Enter'd into this visible Society of Holy Men and into this Covenant with God by Baptism and who holds a constant Communion without swerving aside into separate Assemblies with that Particular True and Orthodox Church whereof he is a Member and in whose Verge he lives Every such Person I have shew'd you is a Member of Christ's Church and will continue such except his Lawful Governours therein should cut him off by a just Excommunication or he should cut off himself by a sinful and unnecessary Separation And now having sufficiently made it appear in the former Discourse to this purpose First what kind of Body that is which is call'd the Church of Christ and also Secondly having shew'd you what it is to be a Member of it it will be now requisite that I should also Demonstrate to you in order to make you sufficiently sensible of which the Two former Points have been so largely treated of Thirdly what vast and invaluable Priviledges do accordingly belong to every Member of Christ's visible Church I say to Every Member of Christ's visible Church for it is not my Business here to Enlarge on the more peculiar Priviledges of those who are styl'd Members of the Invisible Church who are the sincere Part only of Christ's visible Church Those perhaps I may also declare in few words by the By. But the Priviledges which I am here concern'd to Treat upon and to Acquaint you with are such as belong to every Member of the Church I have been speaking of And these Priviledges The Priviledges of our being Members of Christs Church which do peculiarly belong to all the Members of Christ's Church as they are the Members of such a Body whereof he is the Head are these Two First a most reasonable and excellent Body of Religion and Laws together with most profitable and edifying Institutions and Ordinances appointed by Him our supreme Head and Governour to conduct us to Heaven Secondly a sufficient measure of Divine Grace and Assistance deriv'd down upon us from Him our
their Neighbour and Themselves And whatever I say those several Duties are which arise from their several Stations in the Church they shall have a competent measure of Divine Grace Enabling them to discharge ' em They shall not have Gifts that are necessary to the Discharge of other's Offices but not of their own that is a private Christian call'd to no Office in the Church is not to expect nor ought to pretend to have received Gifts of Government and Teaching in a publick Ministerial way For God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 But every Member of the mystical Body by keeping himself United to the Head in such ways as has been shew'd shall have such Graces and Assistances derived down to him from Christ who is that Head as are necessary and proper for him And that too in such Measures and Proportions And also in such Measures as according to different Times and Occasions in the Church are wanting as according to the different Times and Occasions in the Church are wanting Thus in the first Plantation of the Gospel when the Work was so Extraordinary that there was need of Miracles to convince the Jews of the Insufficiency of Moses's Law and the Gentiles of the Falshood of the Pagan Superstition then did Christ bestow upon his Apostles divers Extraordinary Gifts viz. Of Miracles Prophecy discerning of Spirits divers kind of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues 1 Cor. 12.10 And as to all Christians in general as the Malice of Satan did then most violently rage against the Church Persecuting to the Death those who would not Renounce Christ and his Religion so all the Christians in those Times were very extraordinarily Strengthen'd no doubt to Resist such strong Temptations But now that the Church is Establish'd and the Truth of Christianity already Prov'd and Believ'd God does assist the Ministers of Religion only with the ordinary Graces of his Spirit in the discharge of their Ministry And as to Lay Christians therefore except it be when the Orthodox are call'd out in any Part of the World as sometimes they are to this Day to suffer for the Truth they receive no other than ordinary Assistances But this both Ministers and People are sure to do in the use of those Means that Christ has Appointed in his Church for that Purpose so very considerable on many accounts are the Priviledges that do belong to the Members of Christ's Church THE Seventh Lecture Wherein I was made a Child of God THE Preliminary Questions and Answers of your Church Catechism as I have already told you do give you a general Account of the whole Covenant of Grace And these Words Wherein I was made a Member of Christ being the First of those invaluable Priviledges made over to us in this Covenant on God's Part I have already explain'd and open'd to you what they do Import The next of those Priviledges made over to us in the Covenant of Grace is exprest in these Words Wherein I was made a Child of God in order to make you sensible of the Vastness of which Priviledge also First I will shew you what is meant in Scripture and here in your Catechism by a Child of God Secondly What an inestimable Priviledge accordingly it is to be a Child of God â—hat is â—â—t in the â—chism by â—hild of 〈◊〉 And first let us Enquire What is meant both in Scripture and here in your Catechism by a Child of God To understand which we must Enquire into the several meanings of this Phrase in the Holy Scriptures and then in which of those Sences it is to be understood here in your Catechism when every Catechumen is taught to Answer that In his Baptism he was made a Child of God And as to the several Acceptations of this Phrase in the Holy Scriptures I. 〈◊〉 the Son â—od by an â—nal Geâ—â—ion First In the highest most natural and most proper meaning of the Word there is He who is the Son or Child of God by an Eternal Generation viz. Our Saviour Jesus Christ who being Begotten of God the Father from all Eternity in a peculiar inconceivable and inexpressible manner so as to be Co-equal Co-eternal with the Father himself is call'd the Onely Begotten Son of God Joh. 3.16 But then being he is in so peculiar and high a manner the Son of God as infinitely to exceed that wherein any one else whether Angels or Men can be call'd his Sons he cannot in any measure be meant here by a Child of God which signifies a Priviledge common to many as will be presently shew'd â—ot every â—by Temâ—â— Creaâ—â— which is â—ence too 〈◊〉 Secondly There are those who are the Sons of God by a Temporal Creation and such are Reasonable Creatures both Angels and Men both being call'd the Sons of God as you will see Job 1.6 and Luk. 3.38 And that both upon the account of the manner of their Production which was by the immediate Power of God and because of their Spiritual and Immortal Natures in which both do so immediately resemble God But this is an Acceptation too wide That which is meant here by a Child of God is a Priviledge which all Men in the World do not enjoy but is the Favour which is granted to a selected Body of Men who are separated from the rest of the World Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we shoould be called the Sons of God 1 Joh. 3.1 Thirdly III. Nor such only who are Children of God by spiritual Regeneration which is a Sence too narrow There are those who are the Children of God by Spiritual Regeneration by being renew'd in the Spirit of their Minds and by being Created anew in Righteousness and true Holiness And these are such Who have put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and who have put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.22 23 24. They are such who are Born not only of Water but also of the Spirit that is who have not only been Baptized into the Christian Church but have been Sanctify'd by the Holy Spirit and have their whole Natures and Dispositions so altered for the Better that from Vicious and Ungodly they are chang'd to Vertuous and Holy Dispositions and Inclinations And such a vast Change wrought in our Natures by the Word and Spirit of God may very justly give those who Enjoy it the Title of the Children of God for if in the way of Natural Generation the Communicating of a Principle of Life and of suitable Operations does found the Relation and Title of a Father there is as good Reason why in Regeneration the deriving such Holy and Heavenly Dispositions and Powers from the Word and the Spirit of God to the Soul as give to a Man a
in the way of Duty so great which he may not overcome by the Strength thereof Whereas the best of the Moral Heathens had but uncertain Conjectures to ground their Expectations of future Happiness upon and their Hopes thereof being so Weak they presently yielded to the Assault of every great Temptation But besides whatever certainly an honest Pagan And whatever certainly an honest Pagan might have that God would reward his Vertue yet depending only on the Vncovenanted Goodness of God he could promise himself no greater a measure of Happiness than what his good Deeds did of themselves deserve which must fallvastly short of what is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven that liv'd up to the Light of Nature and the Dictates of Right Reason if any of 'em can be suppos'd to have done so might have that the good God would reward his Vertue Yet having only the Equity and Vncovenanted goodness of God to depend upon he could promise himself no greater a Measure of Happiness than what his good Deeds did of themselves deserve which considering the Imperfection of the best Actions of the best of Men whoever liv'd how short must that fall of what is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven * But a Christian to whom God has Covenanted to make sure a Crown of Glory may without Presumption rely upon him to make good the same But the Christian whom God has Covenanted withal and to whom he has condescended to Oblige himself to make sure a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 may without Presumption rely upon God's both Truth and Goodness to make good to him the same notwithstanding when he does all that he can consider'd in himself he is but an Vnprofitable Servant as the best are I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith henceforth says the Apostle and so may every good Christian say the same there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judge shall give me at that Day and not to me only but to all them who love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Such is the Christian's Priviledge above a Pagan in being made an Inheritour of the Kingdom of Heaven in that it is his Inheritance he may assure himself of it tho' his imperfect Vertues consider'd in themselves could never Entitle him to such an Eternal and Exceeding weight of Glory In short It is Jesus Christ alone who hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 As Life and Immortality is brought to light through the Gospel so by Embracing it and by coming into Covenant alone Salvation can be expected And as he only has brought it to light that is made a clear Revelation of that Life and Immortal Happiness laid up for Righteous Men in Heaven which was not before so certainly Reveal'd so it is only through him and by Believing and Embracing and Coming into his Covenant the Gospel that Salvation must now be hop'd for by any for so we are also Assur'd Acts 4.12 and that there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men but Jesus only whereby we must be saved so that this Invaluable Priviledge this exceeding great Advantage of being made Inheritours of the Kingdom of Heaven is made over and certainly Ensur'd to such only who are in the Covenant of Grace and is the Third and Last of those Excellent Priviledges and Advantages contain'd and held forth therein But then the Kingdom of Heaven is the certain Inheritance of the sincere Christian who in the Exercise of Mercy Meekness Piety and all other Christian Vertues And to a sincere Chrstian who is faithful in the Covenant the Heavenly Inheritance is certain which he has Covenanted with God to perform does faithfully discharge his Part of the Covenant as is most solemnly declar'd Matth. 25.31 32 33 34.46 with which I shall conclude this Point Says our Blessed Saviour there When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory And before him shall be gather'd all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth the Sheep from the Goats and he shall set the Sheep on his right hand but the Goats on the left Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand to his Charitable and Pious and Faithful Servants Come ye Blessed of my Father Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World And as the Wicked shall go into everlasting Punishment so the Righteous into Life Eternal A summ of â—hose invaluâ—ble Priviâ—edges made â—ver to us â—n God's â—art in the Covenant of Grace And now to summ up those infinitely Gracious and Invaluable Priviledges made over to us on God's Part in the Covenant of Grace hereby we are made First Members of Christ that is are made Members of that Body of which Christ is the Head viz. The Church and so have together with a most excellent Body of Religion and Laws all necessary Grace and Assistance Convey'd and Communicated to us Members from Him the Head to Enliven Support and Enable us to go through all our Task of Religious Duties and Christian Performances requir'd at our hands The Second Priviledge is That we are also hereby made Children of God that is having Embrac'd Christianity and being Incorporated into the Church of Christ we are thereby Adopted and Chosen out of the rest of the World by God to enjoy this grand Priviledge of Sons to have Pardon granted us when with the Prodigal Son we return Home to him to our Offended but Gracious Father by Repentance And we shall find him not over-severe in respect of our lesser Failings and the unavoidable Infirmities of our Nature but shall always have him ready to hear our Prayers for Mercy both in respect of our greater and lesser Transgressions And Lastly The Third Priviledge you have been now told is this that to compleat All We are made Inheritours of the Kingdom of Heaven that is have secur'd to us a Right and Title to the unspeakable Joys and Glories of Heaven A Priviledge which consider'd in it self is exceeding Great and as all the rest if compar'd with what Others enjoy is a very singular One These now are the inestimable Priviledges made over to us in the Covenant of Grace Priviledges which as they are of infinite Advantage to us so we shall never fail of obtaining 'em if we will but take care to perform the Conditions requir'd on our Parts and so First Renounce the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful lusts of the Flesh on Condition Secondly That we will Believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith And Thirdly Obey God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of our Lives Which Conditions and what they
from him and that in infinitely lower Degrees we must by no means suffer the Riches of this Life to have an equal share in our Esteem and Affections with God and Heavenly Things No Mammon is too base a Competitor that we should divide the Empire of our Hearts betwixt God and him No man can faithfully serve two Masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other Ye cannot serve God and Mammon says our Saviour Mat. 6.24 And Nor must he labour after 'em with immoderate Care so as to neglect the great Duties of Religion Devotion You must by no means labour after the Riches of this World with immoderate Care so as to neglect the great Duties of Religion and Devotion Martha you know was much troubled about her Houshold Affairs at a Time and Opportunity given her to hear our Saviour's Heavenly Discourses and Divine Instructions and our Saviour rebuked her for it telling her that Mary had chosen the better Part in laying aside her worldly Business to attend that more important Affair the Enriching of her Soul Matth. 10.41 42. And you must take care lest you also Incurr that and a worse Rebuke by spending the Lord's Day set apart by Divine Appointment wholly to the Service of God lest you spend it I say in worldly Business and in Projects of Gain Or indeed any Day in immoderate Carkings so as to omit either your Family or Private Devotion And must Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these other things shall be added unto you in such measures as shall be needful for you and you must therefore after lawful Endeavours leaving the Success to God Take no further Thought for the Morrow Mat. 6.33 34. But above all in your Pursuits after this World's Wealth Especially he must beware of Enriching himself by unjust Means You must beware of Enriching your selves by any unjust Means This is called by the Wise-man A making hast to be Rich because that those who are bent upon unlawful Gain think plain and honest Dealing too slow a way of encreasing their Substance But he withal tells 'em that They who do so shall not be Innocent Prov. 28.20 that is shall Involve themselves in great and terrible Guilt as has been shew'd you And let me tell you withal whenever you shall come to Cast up your Accounts between God and your own Souls a Thorn will not prick your Flesh with half that Anguish as the Reflection upon an Ill-gotten Estate will pierce your Consciences So that above all things it does concern you to Renounce all false and deceitful ways of getting Riches remembring how the Prophet pronounces a fearful Woe to him who buildeth his House by unrighteousness and his Chambers by wrong that useth his Neighbours service without wages and giveth him not for his work Jer. 22.13 And especially you must beware of getting by Defrauding those â—â—â—ticularly by Sacriâ—â—ge who Minister about Holy Things The Generality of the World do now a-days seem to value no Gain like this but as it is declar'd by the Prophet Malachi 3.8 to be the worst sort of Robbery so it is the certain way to bring a Curse upon all a Man's Substance As on the contrary a very free and liberal Payment of Tythes to the full Value will bring a certain Blessing All which you have fully declar'd from the Eighth to the Thirteenth Verses So that in a word all unlawful Gain whether by Robbing God or Man you must take care of â—oever has â—ustly gainâ— any thing â—â—st renounce by makeâ— Restituâ—n thereof But if it has been your sad Misfortune to have brought such a Guilt upon your Consciences you must then Renounce those Riches in the most proper and immediate Sence of the word that is by Restoring speedily to the full and rather more than less to all those whom you have any ways Injured as Good Zacheus did Behold Lord if I have taken any thing from any man by false Accusation that is Wrongfully I here restore him Four-fold Luk. 19.8 Thus far you must Renounce the Riches of this World with respect to the Getting of them II. â—â—â—ches conâ—â—â—er'd in the â—ssession are â—be renouncâ— by paring those Suâ—â—â—fluities â—ich tempt â—leness and â—uxury â—ide and Inâ—â—â—ence and 〈◊〉 Idolarrous â—ust in Riâ—â—es and by â—â—stowing it Pious and â—haritable â—es Secondly Riches consider'd in the Possession are to be renounced by paring off those Superfluities which tempt to Idleness and Luxury to Pride and Insolence and an Idolatrous Trust in Riches by paring off that Super-abundance I say and bestowing it to Pious and Charitable uses Idleness is a Life for which no Man Living can give an account to God or Man there being no Man so Great or so Rich as that he can pretend to have been Born to live Idlely and to be exempt from that Use and Service which every Person owes both to Church and State as he is a Member of both those Bodies The Eye cannot say unto the Hand I have no need of thee nor again the Head to the Feet I have no need of you God having so temper'd the Body together that all the Members both Comely and Uncomely Honourable and Dishonourable Parts should have the same Care one of another 1 Cor. 12.21.24 25. And as Idleness so is Luxury a Crying Sin as will appear by considering the fearful Doom pronounc'd by St. James to such Rich Ones as wanton it in nothing but Pleasure Go to now ye Rich men weep and howl for your Miseries that shall come upon you ye have lived in pleasure on the Earth and been wanton ye have nourished your Hearts as in a day of Slaughter Jam. 5.1.5 And as to Pride For any Person be he never so Wealthy to be pufft up by his Estate to carry it Proudly and Insolently towards other Men of lower Fortunes the usual Effect of Riches this also is a thing severely Threaten'd in the now cited place of St. James viz. Chap. 5. ver 1.5 6. But as to that Exalting themselves against God in an utter Defiance of his Laws which so many Rich and Great Men are subject to Who when God has fed them to the full do then commit Adultery and assemble themselves by Troops in the Harlots houses and are as fed Horses in the Morning every One Neighing after his Neighbour's Wife shall I not Visit for these things saith the Lord shall not my Soul be Avenged on such a People as this Says God by his Prophet Jeremy 5.7 8 9. Sure such an insolent Contempt of God's Laws and haughty Pride against him will most terribly provoke his Indignation at the last And so Lastly will a Profane and Idolatrous Trust in Riches to which the wealthy Ones are so extreamly liable God shall likewise destroy thee for ever says the Psalmist Psal 52.5 He shall take thee away and
and Churches for the convenience of Government and Worship but holding Communion with one another in One and the same necessary and fundamental Points of Christianity necessary to constitute the Church under Jesus Christ their superiour Head â—hurch â—ist a â—der'd 〈◊〉 â—n some â—overâ— some â—ed And First The Church of Christ is the Society of Christians consisting both of Lawful Governours and Pastors and of the People of God committed to their Charge The Church of Christ is not a Confus'd an Undigested Headless Multitude but a Regular and well-order'd Society Hence it is so often in the New Testament call'd The Kingdom of God as Matth. 21.31 The Kingdom of Christ as Rev. 11.15 and The Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 11.12 and the Members of it Children of the Kingdom Matth. 13.38 And Eph. 2.19 20 21. The Members therefore are styl'd Fellow-Citizens Members of a Houshold and Parts of a Temple all which Expressions speak the Church of Christ to be a Regular Society of Men combin'd and knit together by Laws derived from some supreme Head and Governour A Society I say wherein some are Superiours some are Inferiours some Governours some Governed and who altogether make up a well-compacted Body of Men. This last cited place out of the Ephesians speaks the Thing out Now therefore saith he to those who are call'd into the Church ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets that is Governours and Teachers Jesus Christ being the the chief Corner-stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth up into an Holy Temple in the Lord. Here in this Description of the Church you have Jesus Christ the chief Corner-stone or Head of the Building and Body the Apostles and Prophets Foundation-stones next unto him and all the rest of Christians Fellow-Citizens depending upon Jesus Christ their supreme Head and Others his subordinate Governours and Teachers next under him and the Whole represented a well-compacted Building Or to make it yet more clear to you Eph. 4.11 12. it is said that He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry for the Edifying of the Body of Christ So that upon the whole Matter you see that the Church of Christ is a well-order'd Society of Men. And I do withal say that in the Constitution of Christ's Church it is requir'd that the Governours and Pastors thereof be Lawful Ones that is such as Christ has Commission'd to those Offices because if they Usurp the sacred Offices of the Church without being lawfully Ordain'd to the same by the Successors of Christ and his Apostles there will be very great danger of a Nullity in all their Ministerial Acts and Offices You must all needs understand this That those who shall pretend to act in any Office by the King's Authority without a true Commission the King will be so far from reckoning himself Oblig'd to Confirm what they shall pretend to do in his Name that he will punish the Presumption of such Officers and those that adhere to ' em And what reason have those to expect better Treatment from the King of Heaven who shall either take upon themselves the Ministry or recieve an Ordination to it from those Hands who have no Power to Confer it or shall Adhere to such Usurping Ministers To put the case as Favourably as possibly we can it does not appear that God is under any Promise or Engagement to hear the Prayers that such Ministers shall put for the People to convey the Graces of his Holy Spirit by the Sacraments they shall Administer or to Ratify the Pardon of those Penitents whom they shall Absolve whereas he has assured the Church with respect to his lawful Ministers that whatsoever of this Nature they shall do on Earth shall be Establish'd in Heaven Matth. 16.19 And we are farther told by St. Paul Heb. 5.4 That under the Old Law No Man took the Honour of the Priesthood unto himself but those who were called of God as was Aaron And as to the Ministers of the Gospel St. Paul does sharply demand Rom 10.15 How any shall Preach the Gospel except they be sent So that it does extreamly concern all Christian People that the Governours and Pastors of the Church be lawful Ones such as are Sent Ordain'd and Commission'd thereunto And now if you would be well satisfy'd who are certainly Sent An Episcopal Clergy undoubtedly such Ordain'd and Commission'd to Govern and Teach in the Church it is beyond all doubt that Bishops are lawful Governours in the Church of Christ and that those who are Ordain'd by their Hands have Commission to Preach the Gospel and Administer the Sacraments because they do undoubtedly derive their Power by an uninterrupted Succession from Christ and his Apostles for our Saviour when he sent forth his Disciples into the World to Preach the Gospel and to gather a Church he told 'em Mat. 28.20 He would be with them or stand by 'em in giving Authority and Success to their Ministry to the end of the World and yet for certain for 1500 Years he did Authorize no other than those Episcopally Ordain'd as the Histories of all Ages of the Church do testify so that it concerns you who have not that Necessity to plead for not Enjoying Bishops and an Episcopal Clergy as our Sister Churches Beyond-Sea think they have It concerns you I say as you would be secure of being within the Pale of a right Constituted Gospel-Church not to separate your selves from this wherein you are undoubtedly under a true Gospel Ministry But to proceed â—e Church â—he univerâ— Society of â—istians â—ng in men â—all Natiâ— as well of 〈◊〉 Gentiles 〈◊〉 of the â—â—s Secondly The Church of Christ is the Vniversal Society of Christians The Christian Church is not now confin'd to one particular Place or Nation as the Jewish was but is Catholick and Universal spread over all the Face of the Earth and taking in all Nations of Men as well those who were Gentiles as those who were Jews For Christ is our Peace and hath made both One and hath broken down the middle Wall of Partition between us Eph. 2.14 The Synagogue of the Jews consisted of one Nation and the more solemn Parts of their publick Worship were confin'd to one Place as you will see Deut. 12.5 6. So that it was rightly said Joh. 4.20 Tho' the Woman of Samaria did Schismatically question it That Jerusalem was the place wherein men ought to Worship For the Temple was the only place in which the Sacrifices could be Offer'd and wherein the Priests could perform their daily Ministration so that the Church under the Law was an Inclosure divided from all the World besides But our Saviour at the opening of the Christian Church assures the Woman who demanded of him Whether in
Enjoyment of Women to those who shall slay the Unbelievers that is Christians for so they do call us especially because we believe not in their Mahomet This one Principle of their Religion I say is enough to debauch Humane Nature to the lowest Degree of Naughtiness by giving Encouragement to the Two worst of Sins Lust and Cruelty Its Principles tend to Lust and Cruelty and accordingly the Effects of it are That they give an unbounded Range to their Lusts amongst themselves and are Cruel and Blood-thirsty to all the World besides being Instigated by their very Religion to fill the whole Earth with War Desolations and Misery so that this is another Religion also which Tends instead of Improving to deprave Humane Nature and to make it much worse And Thirdly As to the Jewish Religion Judaism was an imperfect and unfinisht Draught of Religion tho' that indeed was of a Divine Original yet whether it were that the Infancy of the World was not ripe for a more deep and manly Instruction or whether that particular Nation however to whose Disposition and Capacity those Laws and Constitutions were suited was unfit for the highest and hardest Lessons so it was that St. Paul calls their Ordinances Poor and Beggarly Elements Gal. 4.9.3 And indeed as to the Ritual Part of their Law the Ceremonies and Sacrifices thereof were for the most part Types and Shadows of good things to come Heb. 10.1 And as to the Moral Part Moses for the hardness of their Hearts was forc'd to Indulge 'em what the Perfection and Purity of the Christian Religion will by no means allow of as may be seen in the Case of Putting away a Wife for every Cause Luke 19.8 But above all it is to be consider'd that universal Love and Charity to Enemies to all Mankind of what Nation and Religion soever they be which does so nearly resemble us to God himself Who maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and on the Good Matt. 5.45 was as it were a New Commandment to them Joh. 13.34 And yet such an unbounded Charity and Kindness as this is the great and necessary Duty of Christianity So that Judaism at the best and before that it was Corrupted by the false Interpretations put upon the Law by the Scribes and Pharisees was but an imperfect Draught of Religion begun by Moses but left to be finished by the more perfect Stroaks of our Saviour's Pencil afterwards who is therefore said to have Come not to destroy the Law or the Prophets but to fill 'em up Matth. 5.17 Thus Imperfect at best was the Jewish Law But now consider Fourthly The whole Body of that Religion Christianity a most excellent Religion which Christ our supreme Head and Governour has given us and under whose Guidance we have the Happiness to be as we are the Members of Christ's Church and nothing can represent God in more Noble Characters and Glorious Perfections nothing can give a more Honourable and Rational Account of his Proceedings with Man both in his Creation and Redemption of him than it does And as his Laws are infinitely beyond what the Wisdom of any Humane Law-givers did ever yet contrive for the good Order of Man in this World and his real Happiness both in this and the World to come so no Motives nor Reasons can possibly be more Powerful than those which Christianity does give us to Obey those Laws 〈◊〉 Gives a excellent â—esentatiâ—â—f God As to the Nature of God Christianity does plainly Represent him as a Being that has no manner of Imperfection in his Nature but as One that is Adorn'd with all the most Glorious Attributes and highest Perfections possible It represents him to us so infinitely Wise Just and Holy and yet so wonderfully beyond all Comparison Good and Merciful and to add to all this so intimately Present to all we say or do so Omniscient in discerning the very Thoughts and Intents of our Hearts and withal so absolutely Powerful in doing whatsover he pleases in Heaven and in Earth that Shall not this his Excellency make us afraid Job 13.11 〈◊〉 gives an â—ourable â—â—nt of his â—eedings 〈◊〉 Manâ— with reâ—ce both â—s Creaâ—â— and Reâ—tion of 〈◊〉 And then as to his Proceedings with Man both in his Creation and Redemption of him Christianity gives us the most Plain and rational Account thereof in the World It gives us to know how that God made Man Upright and being so we were at perfect Agreement with him but that afterwards we fell by Transgression from him and must have suffered the Doom of Rebels for so doing It lets us then know That God taking Pity of us in this miserable Case sent his own Son to Preach Repentance and to offer Terms of Reconciliation to us And moreover because it was not consistent with God's Holiness nor with his Wisdom and Justice as Governour of the World to let Sin go unpunish'd or to accept of a Sacrifice and Satisfaction less infinite in Value than he was in Majesty who was Offended that he therefore gave this his only Begotten Son also to Dye for us and accepted of his infinitely Meritorious Sufferings here instead of our suffering Eternally hereafter and as a sufficient Satisfaction to his injur'd Justice which we in our own Persons could not pay without perishing Everlastingly Christianity does withal Reveal to us that this our High-Priest after having Offer'd himself for us here on Earth a Sacrifice for our Sins he is now gone into Heaven to Intercede with the Father in the Merit thereof that it may be accepted to the Pardon of ' em And it also Informs us that being Ascended to his Father which is in Heaven in order fully to Reconcile him to Man he has substituted his Holy Spirit here on Earth to perfect the Reconciliation and Conformity of our Natures to God by moving and moulding our Hearts to true Repentance and Faith in him This is in short that account which Christianity gives us both of our Creation and of our Redemption And so every way Rational it is in it self and so exceedingly agreeable to the wisest Methods of Government in the World that tho' it was beyond the reach of our Reasons before this whole Mystery of Redemption was Reveal'd to us in the Gospel to think of such an extraordinary way for our Recovery out of a lost and undone Condition and of Reconciliation to God yet now since it is Revealed all the reason of Mankind whose Vnderstandings the God of this world hath not blinded must own that there is no method of Proceeding in such a Case could be more worthy of the Holiness Justice Mercy and Wisdom of God nor so likely to work Repentance in Man nor consequently more agreeable to the wise Governour of the World to take than this So agreeable to the best improved reason of Mankind are the Doctrinal and even the most mysterious Parts of the Christian Religion that Religion which it
Mechanicks and the lower Rank of Mankind but also that mixt Multitude or Herd of Men as well High as Low Rich as well as Poor all of what Rank or Degree soever who have little or no Principles of Religion or Vertue all whose Apprehensions of Divine and Religious Matters are mean and low and not lifted above the common Pitch and to those Heights and Improvements given us by true Philosophy and the Christian Doctrine Truly all such are accounted the Vulgar and shall be Herded amongst the Croud for me whether they be clad in Silks or Furs and fare Deliciously every day or whether they work at the Anvil or follow the Plow or beg at our Doors And by their Applauses I do mean that Vogue and Suffrage that Approbation and whatever other Expressions of good liking which they do commonly give to bad Actions and sinful Practices as Swearing Drinking Whoring Fighting Duelling and the like And these Applauses of theirs are as common and great a Temptation to most of those Sins which are committed as any thing whatsoever and must therefore be utterly Renounc'd This sort of Honour must be utterly and absolutely renounced Detested and Abhorr'd by us So that if ever it should so happen that you shall unhappily commit any of those scandalous Sins which God avert and any of those profane and unthinking Creatures who make a Mock a meer Jest of Sin shall Applaud you for the same instead of being pleas'd thereat you must take Shame to your self and let 'em know you are too much griev'd and troubled at your having committed such Folly and Madness to be pleas'd at their Recital and Plaudits given it No sure A Repentance consisting in Sorrow and Shame is what ought to follow Sin but to Glory in it and to receive Applauses for it is infinitely to Aggravate it And know this for certain that Except you Repent ye shall all likewise perish as many other Sinners triumphing like Mad-men in their Impieties have done before you Luk. 13.3 And now Lastly it only remains that I lay before you In what sence and how far you are bound to Renounce those outward Expressions and Significations of Respect either by Word or Deed which are usually given upon the account of any of the foremention'd Honours Lastly in what Sence and how far we must Renounce those outward Expressions of Respect either by Word or Deed which are usually given upon the account of any of the foremention'd Honours Hitherto we have consider'd Honour in its internal Parts only as Birth and Quality Authority and Dignity Reputation and Esteem either for good or bad Qualities and Performances and have shew'd you in what Sence either of these are to be Renounc'd And now I am to do the like as to that outward part of Honour whereby is exprest and signify'd to the Senses the Eyes and Ears of men the Respect which is born to Persons upon the account of any of the fore-mention'd Honours And as to these outward Significations of Honour they are made either by Word or by Deed. By Word and they are either Divine Expressions of our Veneration and Honour viz. Those Names and Attributes peculiarly belonging to God or Humane Ones as Titles of Honour when we call a Person Lord most Gracious most Excellent most Noble or the like or Titles of Respect as when we call a Person Father Master c. Also as to the outward Significations of Honour by Deed these are again either Divine as Adoration or Religious Worship Prostrating our selves on the Ground before God and such other Significations of our most excessive Self-abasement in respect of him and our infinite Distance from him or they are Humane such as may be also us'd to Men as bowing of the Body bending of the Knee baring of the Head c. All which are Lawful Innocent and Dutiful ways of expressing our Respects and are also necessary according as they are apply'd to Persons to whom by the Laws of God and right Reason they are due And now the Question will be In what Sence and how far any Person is bound to Renounce these Honours and Respects when conferr'd upon ' em And First No Created Being either Men or Angels must suffer those Respects to be given them whether by Word or Deed which are proper and peculiar to signify our sence of God's Majesty and Perfections I. No Created â—eing either Men or Anâ—els must sufâ—er those Reâ—â—ects to be â—iven them â—hether by â—ord or deed â—hich are â—roper and peâ—uliar to sigâ—ify our sence â—f God's Maâ—esty and Perâ—ections Thus you 'll see when Paul and Barnabas had miraculously Heal'd A Creeple at Lystra who had never walked the people would have done Sacrifice unto them as if they were Gods but those Good Men no sooner perceiv'd it but in the Abhorrence of the Blasphemy Rent their Garments and ran in upon them to restrain them crying out and saying Sirs Why do ye these things We also are Men of like Passions with your selves and preach unto you that you should turn from these Vanities to serve the living God Act. 14.14 15. And no doubt but as the Angel also refused the Worship which John offer'd him Rev. 22.9 So both the Blessed Saints and Angels above do now with the utmost Indignation Renounce that Divine Worship given 'em by their Superstitious Votaries the Papists Nor must any Humane Creature forbear to Renounce so as to express the utmost Detestation and Abhorrence thereof when any of the Divine Attributes and Perfections are ascribed to 'em by the Flattery of sinful Men for the want of which Renunciation Herod you 'll see Act. 12.21 22 23. was the most signally punisht by the Hand of God It happened that upon a set Day Herod arrayed in Royal Apparel sat upon his Throne and made an Oration unto the People And they gave a shout saying It is the voice of a God and not of a Man and immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the Glory and he was eaten up of Worms and gave up the Ghost that is because he disclaimed not that Blasphemous Flattery of the People God Executed that remarkable Vengeance upon him And this ought to be a Warning to those vain and inconsiderate Women who in the Courtships that are paid 'em and the Complements which are usually made 'em do suffer even Divine Attributes and Perfections to be ascribed to ' em Women therefore must with Detestation renounce those Blasphemous Complements wherein Divine Perfections are usually ascrib'd to them Nay and these they receive not only without rebuking those that presume to offer 'em but with all the Complacence and Satisfaction in ' em But surely this will be required not only at their Hands who do so Blasphemously Complement 'em but at theirs also who do patiently suffer God to be so much Blasphemed in their Praises and the same Vengeance which overtook Herod will not