forcible compelling persons into and violent keeping them in its communion and fellowship If you 'l not be one with them then Fines Imprisonment Bonds attend you Penal Laws and Statutes are Enacted for this end and by these are men brought into and kept in the Antichristian-church And were these weapons of its warfare taken away 't would soon become as a garden of Cucumbers or perish with its own weight The attempts of the Papacy to reduce persons into their Communion by Fire and Sword their labours to preserve the Uninity of their Church this way is known Is there any thing like it owned by or to be found amongst the present Churches Do they not with one mouth affirm that 't is a voluntary departure from the worlds way and a spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk with him in a subjection to his institutions wherein the form of the Churches lies Herein is a most Evident difference betwixt Them and the Antichristian-Church They talk of no compulsions but those of the Spirit and Love that make a people Volunteers in the day of the Lord's Power Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio is their Motto as is known 3. The Foundation of the Antichristian-Church is not Jesus Christ but the Sons of men one or other of them their Laws Canons Decretals upon which it is built Is this the case of the present Churches Do they not all of them with full consent proclaim their abhorrency of such a Foundation Is not CHRIST in their account the alone Foundation of all the True Churches in the world and they practise accordingly Their debates touching this matter with the Papelins about Mat. 16.18 from whence these endeavour to prove Peter and consequentially as they 'd have it the Pope to be the Rock upon which the Church is built is known to all that look upon themselves concern'd in these matters 4. The Doctrine of the Anti-christian-Church is a Doctrine of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the doctrines of Daemons so the learned Mede renders it Some carry it thus doctrines which devils are the Authors of There 's a great deal of truth in that all the doctrines of the Anti-christian-church that are peculiarly hers are the doctrines of Devils But I rather think with that learned person that by doctrines of Daemons is meant those doctrines that have the Daemons for their Object Now these Daemons that were worshipped by the Pagans were 1. For their nature and degree supposed by the Gentiles an inferior and middle sort of divine powers between the soveraign and heavenly Gods and mortal Men. 2. For their Office to be as mediators and agents between these soveraign Gods and Men. 3. For their original either Angels or the Deified-souls of Worthy-men after death 4. For the way of Worshipping them to find and receive benefits from them 't was by Consecrated-Images and Pillars 5. Their very Reliques were adored and brought into Temples They that desire to see more touching this matter may at their leasure consult the famous Medes Apostasie of the latter times The Doctrines of Daemons then are the Doctrines of the Apostatick Roman-Antichristian-Synagogue touching the worshipping of Saints and Angels in imitation of the Pagan Daemon Worship But take the words in the largest Sense as comprehensive of all those Doctrines that are not of Christ have the devil for their Author Some whereof are mention'd by the Apostle afterwards v. 3. Forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats the Doctrines of Justification by Works or inherent Sanctification of Purgatory or a state of Purifying after this life any Principles Opinions contrary to sound Doctrine the form of wholesom words or the Doctrine which is according to Godliness which of the Churches can be justly charged with holding maintaining any such Principles 'T is true perhaps amongst some of them there may be found one or other that speak perverse things as there was of old in the Church of Corinth and some other Churches in the Apostolick times but are they countenanc't therein Can their corrupt Doctrines be charged as the Doctrines of the Churches What more evidently notoriously false can be suggested or fixed on 5. The Worship of the Antichristian-Church is a Worship of devils idols of gold silver wood stone the work of men's hands Rev. 9.20 'T is an idolatrous whorish adulterous superstitious Worship Rev. 17.1 2 4 5. whose whole substratum foundation is the Commandments of men Mat. 15.9 Traditions c. 'T is formal sapless lifeless It 's managery in the Spirit is not at all attended to His Assistance is contemned reviled blasphemed as that which is phantastick whimsical heretical schismatical for any to talk of or pretend to Is the Worship of the Churches such a Worship Who hath the forehead to aver it They witness against all such Worship and Worshipper's both in Word and Writing as is known Are studious to walk by Scripture-rule in their Worship both with respect to the matter and manner thereof 6. The nature characters properties of the Antichristian-Church are amply described by the Apostles of our Lord. They are such as receive not the love of the Truth that they might be saved upon whom God hath sent strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. That give heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Daemons speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience sear'd with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. covetous boasters of themselves blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false Accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Such as Worship the Dragon gave power unto the Beast and Worship the Beast Rev. 13.4 5 8. Receiving his mark in their right hand or in their foreheads his Name or the number of his Name which whosoever did not might neither buy nor sell v. 16 17. The great Whore that sits upon many waters with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her Fornication A Woman sitting upon a scarlet-colour'd Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns The Woman arrayed in Purple and scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stone and Pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of Abominations and filthiness of her Fornication upon whose forhead is a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth The Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the Bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.1 2 3 4 5 6.
Conscientiously be atended to CHAP. VII The Gospel-Church-State with the Institutions Ordinances thereunto appertaining is annex'd unto and bottomed upon the New-Covenant Demonstrated from Scripture-Prophesie Isa 59.21 Ezek. 11.19 20. and 36.25 26 27. at large explained From several places in the New-Testament wherein 't is clearly asserted so to be Luk. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Heb. 10.16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. Considered That they belong not to the Old Covenant proved The donation of the Spirit Faith Peace Joy c. From the New-Covenant these Communicated as we are found attending on the Lord in Gospel-Institutions These are given forth to the Saints for the trial of their Love Loyalty as they stand related are betrothed to him in the New-Covenant Jer. 3.14 15. Explained Demonstration VII THE Gospel-Church-state with the Institutions Ordinances thereunto appertaining is annexed unto bottom'd upon the New-Covenant Therefore it 's perpetual abiding The consequence is evident what is annext to bottom'd upon that which is permanent cannot be it self otherwise it must abide continue as that to which it 's affixt on which it 's bottom'd does The whole Judaick-Church-State with all its Ordinances Institutions was built upon that Covenant God of Old took Israel into Heb. 9.1 This Covenant was mutable changeble a time was fixt by the Lord for it's abolition Represented at first in the breaking of the Tables of Stone in which the Law or Covenant was writ Exod. 32.19 Yet so long as that abode the Institutions thereunto appertaining were in force therefore the Apostle being to prove the cessation of the Jewish-Church-state amongst other mediums makes use of this as one that the Covenant God took that people into was perioded abolished Heb. 8.6 7 8 9 10 13. So then if the Gospel-Church-state Ordinances are annext to the New-Covenant they are cannot but be permanent except that Covenant also be supposed and can be proved to be otherwise That the Gospel-Church-state and all the Ordinances thereof are annext to and bottom'd upon the New-Covenant is evident from 1. Scripture-Prophesie declaring that so it shall be Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and My Words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed's Seed saith the Lord from hence-forth and for ever 'T is the Covenant that God takes believers into the Gospel-Covenant that he speaks of This is my Covenant with them these are call'd Christ's Seed So Chap. 53.10 Concerning them he saith that the words which he puts into the mouth of Christ i. e. whatever he gave Christ as the great Prophet of the Church in charge to communicate to them all the Laws Institutions given forth by Christ were part of Gods words he put into his mouth Shall not depart out of their mouths i. e. they shall be found in the practice of subjecting to them whilst there are any Saints in this World they shall be so And this as a branch part of that Covenant God takes them into Ezek. 11.19 20. And I will give them one heart and I will put a new Spirit within you and I will take the stony-heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh that they may walk in my Statutes and keep mine Ordinances and do them and they shall be My People and I will be their GOD. The former part of the words I will give them one heart and the latter they shall be my People and I will be their GOD are the sum and substance of the New-Covenant Jer. 32.29 Unto this then the Statutes and Ordinances do evidently appertain for the Lord takes them to be his People gives himself to them to be their GOD gives them one heart puts a new Spirit within them that they may walk in his Statutes keep his Ordinances and do them If there be any Saints under the New-Covenant if a new Spirit be put within them then are there also Statutes and Ordinances Gospel-Institutions for them to walk in and in their doing so they discover themselves to be Gods People as he is their God Ezek. 36.25 26 27. is fully to the same purpose Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthyness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you A new Heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the Stony-heart out of your flesh and I will give you an Heart of Flesh And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to Walk in in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgements to do them If the donation of the Spirit Regeneration Sanctification be a part branch of the New-Covenant the Statutes and Judgments of the LORD are so too and these such a part of it that there 's at least ground of Jealousie whether any are really made partakers of the former who are found except under the power of temptation in the total neglect rejection of these for the Spirit c. is given to cause them to Walk in Gods Statutes and to keep his Judgments And it 's worthy observation that God hath equally obliged himself to cause his People to walk in the wayes of his Institution as to give the Spirit c. to them So that evidently there must be a continuation of Churches Ordinances or there are no Saints there 's an end of the New-Covenant 2. And as it 's fore-prophesied of that in the dayes of the New-Covenant-oeconomy thus it should be so it 's evidently declared that upon the Introduction of that Ministration so it was Gospel-Institutions and Ordinances are plainly asserted to be annexed to the New-Covenant Christ himself intimates as much Luke 22.19 20. And he took Bread and gave Thanks and break it and gave unto them saying This is my Body which was given for you This do in remembrance of me likewise also the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood which is shed for you As circumcision was call'd the Covenant as upon other acounts so because 't was a part or branch of it so is this institution of Christ call'd the New-Testament because a part or branch thereof And if it be Objected That this is only asserted of the Cup one part of one institution not of the whole much less of all Gospel-Institutions The Answer is easie what 's asserted of any one part is true of the whole and if the Cup be the New-Testament the Bread is so and if one institution be so every one is so too At the same rate the Apostle speaks after he had seen the Lord and convers'd with him 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. And most evidently fully Heb. 10.16 to 26. where he tells us that our drawing nigh viz. to God in wayes of Gospel-Institutions the
whilest that Priest-hood oeconomy stood in force 't was the duty of all the Saints to attend diligently to the commands of the Lord relating to them not to have done so had been Rebellion High-treason against him Till a Prophet greater than Moses a Priest greater than Aaron even Jesus the Son of God came and put a Period to the whole of that Ministration and erected a new one by that Authority that was given to him of the Father as Mediator of the New-Covenant every tittle of that Law contained in Ordinances they were obliged to Whilest that Church-state continued they were concerned in them And so by a parity of reason are the Saints with all the Laws given by Jesus Christ in the New-Testament 'till either a greater than he come which can never be or he by his own Soveraign Authority supersede them by his second personal glorious coming introducing a New State of things without any Institutions or Ordinances put a Period to them Demonstration XI IF there be not a continuation of the Church-state with Institutions thereunto belonging 't is either because Christ could not or would not continue it The first connot be asserted All power is given unto him in Heaven and in Earth Matth. 28.18 He is King of Kings Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 17.14 19.16 The Almighty Rev. 1.8 Is above Principality Power Eph. 1.21 Hath all Angels and men at his foot can order dispose of them as he pleases Nor the second for he hath promised its continuance engaged his presence with it for that end These are all the visible ensigns he hath in the world of his Authority Soveraignty not a relation he stands in to them his concern in point of honour and glory in their preservation the prophetick discoveries of his resolution that they should Continue of which we have already treated amply discover that his will is their continuation They then that oppose advance themselves against the Churches of CHRIST resist his will and are found fighters against G0D Demonstration XII THe Lord hath both under the Old-oeconomy and the New made special promises to his people as they attend him wait upon him as a Church in the Observation of Institutions and Ordinances So in the Old-Testament Exod. 20.24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me thou shalt sacrifice thereon thy Burnt-Offerings and thy Peace-Offerings thy Sheep and thine Oxen In all places where I record my Name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee The latter words are variously rendred In every place in which shall be the memory of my Name V.L. Where ye remember my Name Sy. Ar. Wheresoever I shall name my Name Seventy Where I shall cause my Glory to dwell Ch. Where I shall make my Name to be remembred Pi. Where I shall make the memorial of my Name or cause the remembrance of my Name to be or make you to remember my Name Ainsworth The meaning is in every place in every institution of mine where I command you to Attend me as a Church in publick Worship and Service as at the Tabernacle Temple c. there I l'e come to thee meet thee manifest my gracious presence to thee assuredly bless thee Exod. 29.42 43 44 45. This shall be a continual burnt-Offering throughout your Generations at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation before the Lord where I will meet with you to speak there unto thee And there I will meet with the Children of Israel and shall be sanctified by my Glory the Tabernacle is not in the Hebrew some render it Israel others the Place or the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my Glory And I will sanctify the Tabernacle of the Congregation And I will dwell amongst the Children of Israel and I will be their God That the Tabernacle was at that day the place that Jehovah had appointed for the Church of Israel as a Church to Worship him is known As you do so saith the Lord I le meet with you or as the Greek translateth will be known unto thee to speak there unto thee c. 'T is the special presence of God with them that is intended by those Expressions And the Tabernacle is call'd the Tabernacle of the Congregation Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tabernacle of Assembly or Convention because there God and his people met together he to Instruct them by his Word they to Worship Him and to receive His Oracles See Exod. 40.34 Lev. 1.1 and 9.23 24. Num. 1.1 and 7.89 and 12.4 5. and 14.10 and 16.19 42 44. So also in the Gospel-day Isa 4.5 6. The Lord will Create upon every dwelling-place of mount Sion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of the flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat and for a place of refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain The word translated the dwelling-place is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an ordinary dwelling-place or common Habitation but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a prepared place of and for God They are the Church-assemblies he intends by it To these he promises his Presence Favour Direction Guidance Defence Protection under the notion of the Cloud Pillar Tabernacle which were the signal visible Ensigns of these to his people of old Zach. 2.10 sing and rejoyce O daughter of Sion for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee saith Jehovah And many nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day and shall be my people 'T is evidently of the Conversion of the Gentiles and their walking together in Gospel-fellowship that he speaks and I will dwell in the midst of thee Mat. 18.20 where two or three a few Saints walking together in the fellowship of the Gospel for these two or three are call'd the Church v. 17. are gathered together in my Name or Authority there am I in the midst of them 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye the Church of God at Corinth v. 1. are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Rev. 3.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth The words are a promise made to the Church in Philadelphia and so to all Gospel-churches especially to such as are the Antitype to the Philadelphian-Church of preservation from the temptations snares distresses that are coming upon Professors others shall fall by them sink under them she shall be kept because she kept the words of Christ's patience i. e. the Doctrine Precepts Institutions of CHRIST he deliver'd in the day of his patience when he Tabernacled amongst men and endured the contradiction of Sinners The sum is as
out every accursed thing that may be in the midst of you cast it away with loathing abhorrency bemoan your selves for the sins iniquities are with you be conscientious in filling up the relation you stand in each to other as members of the same Body cry to God to fill you with Presence Glory to communicate the suitable grace to you that you may be able to glorify him in the Fires Oh Watch and Pray that you may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are to come to pass and stand before the son of man Oh! Wait look for his Coming as those that are indeed ready for it And if you meet with any spiritual good and advantage by the serious perusal of the ensuing Treatise let God have the Glory and pray for him who accounts it his honour to be A Servant of Christ and the meanest of his Children R.B. THE PREFACE To the ensuing Discourse OF the Creation of Man Divine Institutions in the State of Innocency Man's fall A New-state of things thereupon introduced Christ the Foundation of Instituted Worship and Mans Communion with God therein A Church-state in Adam's Family Cain Excommunicated The Church-state preserved pure till about the dayes of Enosh Separation from carnal Worshippers in his dayes Gen. 4.26 Explained The Church-state preserved in a great measure of purity for about a thousand Years A grand Apostasie there-from in the dayes of Noah The purity of Worship preserved in his Family Apostates destroyed by the Waters of the Flood A solemn Covenant made by the Lord with Noah upon his coming out of the Ark. The Statutes God gave to him The purity of Worship continues uninterrupted for about forty Years Ham excommunicated A dredaful Apostasie about the thousandth Year after the Flood A remnant kept pure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who they are The general defection Idolatry that overspread all in Abraham's time His call The erection of the pure Worship of God in his Family Corruptions in Jacob's Family before their going into Egypt whilst there Jehovah's bringing them out from thence giving the Law at Mount Sinai Their Idolatry The ten Tribes led captive beyond Assyria the two Tribes into Babylon God looks after them there brings them from thence A new Reformation begun by Ezra Nehemiah c. Their Apostacy afterwards yet they are not totally rejected till they had refused rejected crucified the Son of God Then their Church-state is vertually dissolved A new-Church-state set up by Christ What a Gospel-Church is That 't is of the Institution of Christ together with the Ordinances thereunto belonging Proved BEfore I come to that which is the main design of this Treatise viz. A plain Scripture-Demonstration of the Continuance of Gospel-Churches to the next Personal Glorious coming and Kingdom of Christ 't will not be altogether unprofitable nor impertinent to take a view of the Churches of God that have from the beginning been in the World so far at least as any foot-steps of them remain in the sacred Scriptures the alone unerring guide in this matter First Then that God made Adam upright in his own likeness after his own Image and gave him a Law to walk by with promises of a higher state of Glory if he continued in his integrity figured forth by the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God and threatning of death in case of defection therefrom is evident Gen. 2.16 17. That in this state of Innocency Adam offered Sacrifices to God and that the skins wherewith he was afterward cloathed were the skins of the sacrificed Beasts as some affirm seems to be an un-scriptural foolish figment This is certain that upon mans disobedience a New-state of things was introduced 1. He that could converse with God as a friend now flies from him as an enemy Gen. 3.8 9 10. Nor 2. Can he any longer treat with God upon the terms of the first Covenant nor draw nigh to him as formerly immediately by himself in his original created Righteousness He had quickly by his disobedience forfeited all his primitive Glory Priviledges with which in the day of his Creation he was invested and brought miseries deaths of all kinds Temporal Spiritual Eternal both upon himself and all his Posterity that sprang from him by a natural generation So that in him All sinned and came short of the Glory of God Rom. 3.23 3. As an immediate discovery of Jehovahs displeasure against him for his rebellion he drives him out of Paradise and guards the Tree of Life with Cherubims and a Flaming Sword that he come not at or eat of the fruit of it Gen. 3.24 4. It was therefore necessary that another Foundation be laid for fallen-mans drawing nigh to God from whom he had thus dreadfully Apostatized which being provided in the eternal counsel of God and agreed upon in a Solemn-Covenant betwixt the Father and the Son is immediately of the inconceivable Grace of GOD revealed to Adam viz. the Seed of the Woman the Lord Jesus the only Way to the Father Gen. 3.15 Joh. 14.4 6. 5. That upon this Revelation of Jesus Christ mankind multiplying exceedingly by the Power of that word of God Gen. 1.28 there was a Church-state erected by the Authority and Command of God in Adams Family where solemn Worship was managed as Praying Preaching offering Sacrifices Gen. 4.3 4. And out of this Church were open notorious offenders Excommunicated So was Cain Gen. 4.12 14. By whose ejection the Church was kept pure till about the Age of Enosh 6. Much about that time degeneracy in Worship had so far prevailed that the Rigteous Seed saw a necessity of separating from the generality of the Worshippers of that day and gather themselves together as a distinct People for the solemn carrying on Divine service amongst themselves Gen. 4.26 The words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are variously rendred He began to invocate the Name of Lord so the Vulgar Latine and Syriac He hoped to invocate the Name of the Lord so the Seventy Then in his dayes the Sons of men ceased from calling upon the Name of the Lord so the Chaldee Then the Name of God began to be called upon so the Samaritan Arabick Translations renders it I know there are some who will have the words to poynt at a great degeneracy in Worship a sad lapse into Idolatry But that a defection in Worship cannot be intended is evident for there had been long before a great degeneracy a total Apostasie there-from in the Cainites but somewhat that men began to do which hitherto had not been attempted is intimated thereby which can be nothing else then that Segregation and aggregation in order to purity of Worship before intimated For men had before called on the Name of the Lord but there was never tell now so visible a separation from the rest of the World for the solemn management of Religious Worship amongst themselves And as they began now to
call upon the Name of the Lord or to call themselves by the Name of the Lord as the margin reads so are they upon the account of this act of theirs Stiled The Sons of God Gen. 6.2 7. About one thousand Years after all which time there was in a great measure purity preserved amongst them great corruption invades the Church The nature of it together with its occasion and spring we have an account at large of Gen. 6. And yet even now the Lord leaves not himself without a Witness The truth and purity of Worship together with practick-godlinesss being maintained in Noahs Family Gen. 6.8 9. 7.1 who are ensafed in a fluctuating Ark whilst the whole body of Apostates are swallowed up with the Waters of the Flood of which Peter speaks 2 Pet. 3.6 8. When Noah and his Family are brought out of the Ark the Waters of the Flood being gone from off the face of the Earth Jehovah enters into a solemn Covenant with him gives him several Statutes and Judgments to Conform to Gen. 9. These are generally said to be seven 1. The First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against extraneous Worship or Idolatry the Worshipping the Stars or Images 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Blaspheming the Name of God 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against shedding Blood 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against unjust carnal Copulations 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Rapine or Robbery 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Judgments or Punishments against Malefactors 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against eating any member or flesh of a Beast taken from it alive A special blessing as to propagation is given to him Gen. 9.7 So that the Church in his Family soon enlarged its borders The purity of worship continues amongst them uninterrupted for fourty years or thereabout When the Wickedness of Ham committed against the light of Nature in discovering the nakedness of his Father breakes forth by whom he 's Cursed Excommunicated so the purity of the Church-state is preserved Gen. 9.25 Cursed be the Father of Canaan so the Arabick reads is About the Hundredth year after the Flood many Apostatized from the pure wayes of God rose up in rebellion against him in defiance of him will build a Tower the top whereof might reach to Heaven But yet even in this grand defection there were some at least of the posterity of Shem that kept pure with whom therefore the Hebrew language remained entire as Genebrardus Chron. lib. 1. tells us The truth is as the learned Bochartus saith in his Geographia Sacra l. 1. c. 10. It cannot be imagined that either Noah or Shem or Arphaxad or Sala or Heber with whom 't is groundedly to be thought not a few continued were in this mad attempt The Spirit of the Lord seems to intimate the contrary they which were engaged in it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of Men Gen. 11.5 viz. an apostate vile crew who stand in direct opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of God as the faithful were called in the dayes of Enosh as was before said How long the purity of Worship remained after this is uncertain This is most certain that when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees Superstition Idolatry overspread all At that time both his Father and he were Idolaters Jos 24.2 9. This call of God to Abraham was effectual he obeyes it separates from the degenerate Idolatrous World constitutes a New-Church sets up the pure Worship of God in his Family Enjoyes more clear full openings of Divine Mysteries than any before him God enters into Covenant with him institutes circumcision See Gen. 12.3 7 8. 13.15 16. 15.1 5 6. 17.1 2 9. 22.17 18. So that the Church of God in Abraham's Family growes up in to greater glory visibility than before Several corruptions are not long after amongst them in Jacobs Family before their going into Aegypt which he reforms Gen. 35.1 2 3 4. They polluted themselves with Idolatry in the Land of Aegypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23.2 3. brought their Whordoms from thence ver 8. which they practised in the Wilderness Exod. 32. and never totally left till they were carried captive into Babylon Nevertheless the Lord casts them not off but oh the wonder of Love brings them from under their bonds leads them to Mount Sinai makes a Covenant with them gives them good Statutes and Judgments to walk by And now that Church becomes as a City on a Hill visible conspicuous unto the Nations round about is decked adorned with visible excellency and glory that her renown goes forth through the Nations Ezek. 16.14 But wo and alas after all the grace of the Lord shewed to her his wonders wrought for her she quickly forgets departs from him Is more notorious for spiritual Whordoms Wickedness than all the Nations round about her Yet God gives her not up woes allures her to return to him But all to no purpose Israel or the ten Tribes is led Captive by Salmanassur Judah or the two Tribes is not betterd by it but though now and then under the conduct of some good Kings a reformation is introduced yet anon all 's spoyled marr'd again Jehovah call's to return but their ear is deaf their hearts hardned none obey his voice He professes for all this he knows not how to give them up his bowels turn within him towards them repentings are enkindled for them Yet this affects them not so that at last he is forced to send them into Babylon yet doth not take off his love care for them there nor disregards them as a People unchurcht looks upon them as his own in Covenant with him brings them from thence to their own Land again Then is a new most absolute reformation begun by Ezra Nehemiah c. The Temple is rebuilt the men of the great Synagogue instituted A most diligent consideration of the exemplars of the Holy Scriptures is set upon The word of God is sedulously Preached Neh. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. The wicked are excomunicated Ezr. 4.2 3. From the mixt People there 's a perfect separation Ezr. chapters 9.10 Neh. ch ult So that the Church seems to be again comely through the comeliness that God put upon her But long abides not firm with him pollutes his Worship with the inventions traditions of men departs from the Doctrine he had delivered to her particularly the Doctrine of the free Justification of a sinner before God in opposition to which they introduce justification by the works of the Law In a word they become as filthy and abominable every way as a people can well be Nevertheless God bears with them their Church-state is not dissolved they have their Temple Ordinances and even the most holy amongst them attend there as Zachary Elizabeth Simeon The Lord sends a Prophet to them John Elias in spirit to reform bring them back from their Apostasie At last he sends his Son to
are also intended by these Gates The armoury of the City was over the gates of it But in this forcible attaque of the Church he hath also fail'd He did his uttermost by bloody cruelty during the first Persecutions But what was the issue The executioners of his wrath the Roman-Pagan-Emperors had Torments within them perpetually gnawing them whilst the Holy Ones that kept the Commandements of Jesus were fill'd with Peace and Joy and triumph'd over them in the Spirit and Power of Jesus both living and dying The vengeance of God eminently wrought on their notorious Persecutors whil'st the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was with these and the more they were Persecuted the more they grew So that it became a Maxim Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae The Blood of the Martyrs the seed of the Church And Satan not being able to hold it in the Roman-Pagan-State enters into the Papal-Antichristian-Monarchy and hath therein hector'd and ranted breathing forth nothing but threatnings and slaughters against the Saints of the Most-High who have the Commandments of God and Testimony of Jesus Millions of the Lords poor People have been destroyed by this Roman-AntiChristian-Beast in days past of late not a few In the Massacres of Paris Ireland and the Vallies of Piedmont c. Not to mention the Bonfires they made of the bodies of our Brethren in the bloody Mary's days Which notwithstanding their haughty confidence they 'l shortly pay dearly for The judgements of the Lord God Almighty will speedily come upon the great Whore for these cruelties his Wrath will consume Her utterly But what 's the Issue The number of the Lambs-followers are multiplied their faith confidence and courage heightned And let the Pope and that bloody Crew know that they are ready to withstand him in his next attaque and advance against them being encourag'd thereunto by that great Cloud of worthy Witnesses they are encompas'd about with and that plerophory of assurance that in this last Attempt he with his whole Party will stumble fall go into Perdition never to appear more The sum is 1. The Church is built upon a Rock who then is able to evert overturn it What winds blasts storms what ragings of Waves Seas can over-whelm destroy it Satan hath fail'd in all his Attempts hitherto against it and prov'd in-successful 2. Christ hath engaged that it shall continue un-shaken immovable notwithstanding all attaques by fraud or force Is he not faithful Will he not make good his Word Can he depart from it Wants he Will or Power to accomplish what he hath promised What more derogatory to Christ impious wicked can be Asserted Object But Churches may Apostatize and so dis-Church themselves They may provoke the Lord by his judgments to do so The first is notoriously Evident in the Church of Rome The latter manifestly true with respect to other Churches Answ Both the first and second is granted But 1. The promise of Christ cannot fail Therefore 2. The defection of this or that particular Church the removing the Candlestick from it the taking away its Church-state was never denyed by us Such a dispensation is not in the least contrary to the promises of Christ Mat. 16. But 3. A total Apostasy of all the Churches of Christ in the World with the suspension cessation of the Ordinances of the Gospel-thereupon is what is impleded by us as diametrically opposite to this promise of our Lord. Two things are also heedfully to be attended to 1. That we un-Church not a Church when that is not to be found upon it for which the Lord hath declared they are un-Churched nor before he doth un-Church them Some Errors in doctrine formallity luke-warmness departure from first-love doth not un-Church a Church rightly Constituted These things were found in the Churches of Corinth Ephesus Laodicea c. yet at the same time true Churches of Christ The latter are own'd writ to by Christ as such as the former was by the Apostle of the Gentiles when yet these evils were found amongst them 1 Cor. 1. 2 Cor. 2. Rev. ch 23. 2. That 't is the Duty of particular Believers upon the un-Churching a Church to joyn themselves to some other Church or if a number sufficient of themselves so to do to form themselves into a body or Church of Christ for otherwise they disobey and offer an open affront to the authority of Christ in that great Gospel-appointment of his and so indeed lift up themselves against his Kingly Soveraignty over them Thirdly This Church-state is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Kingdom of Heavens Mat. 13.24 31 33 44 45 47. 25.1 The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likned unto ten Virgins c. And it wants not its weight that this Kingdom of Heaven or Gospel-Church-State notwithstanding the declension drowsiness sleepiness of the subjects of it or Virgin-professors visibly Espoused to Christ in respect of their subjection to his Institutions 2 Cor. 11.2 is expresly affirm'd to continue unto the coming of our Lord v. 6 7 10. And at midnight there was a Cry made Behold the Bridegroom Christ cometh go ye out to meet Him Then all those Virgins arose and trimmed their Lamps c. And while they went to buy the Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut I. Why the Gospel-Church-State is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven must a little be enquir'd into 'T is so upon the account 1. Of its Original from thence 'T is not of man but from Heaven as was John's Doctrin Baptism Ministry 2. Of its supereminent Glory whatever persons account of it 't is of Heaven heavenly beautiful glorious 3. Of the design of God in the Institution Erection of it viz. to lead Persons to Heaven Eternal Life 4. Of its Stability Duration Heavenly things are stable abiding The Kingdoms of this world are changing mutable the Kingdom of Heaven fixed permanent II. That none but He who dwells in Heaven is higher than the Highest who is the alone Supreme Soveraign of this Kingdom hath Power to alter the Frame of it put a Period to it The Devil hath no Power or Authority in it He 's indeed styl'd the Prince of this World Joh. 14.30 the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 The whole World is said to be in subto him 1 Joh. 5.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He hath a Presidency Authority in the Anti-christian Kingdom is the Head of it is Worshipt in it The Devil gave him the Beast the Pope his Power Rev. 13.2 4. And the Anti-Christians are expresly said to Worship Devils Rev. 9.20 because they Worship Idols of Gold Silver c. A Worship Instituted introduced at first by them But with respect to the Kingdom of Heaven he hath nothing to do nor can he by any of his Wiles Strength cause it to
to them is obliged by Virtue of that relation that he hath taken them unto himself into to care for watch over them should when in some singleness of spirit they are testifying their love to him though with many infirmities weaknesses in subjecting to his appointments so holding fast his name and bearing a testimony to him in the World I say can it be imagined that he should at once reject cast them off unchurch them credat Apella Is this the manner of Husbands poor mortals of weak love finite bowels to those whom they take as Brides to themselves Hath not this Lord said that 'T is not lawful for a man to put away his Wife but in case of Fornication Mat. 5.32 and shall it be supposed that he who is infinite in bowels choicest love will reject his when they are not to be charged with such wickedness God once took Israel for a People unto himself and though actually guilty of spiritual adultery worshipping in a way that never entred into his heart to prescribe serving Idols offering their Children to Moloch persecuting also the Servants of the Lord that labour'd to recall them to primitive institutions yet how long did he bear with them He woe 's them after they had committed whoredom with many lovers to return again to him with promises of pardon reception new embraces as if they had never so offended him Jer. 3. 1 12 22. 4.1 And when he hath thoughts of giving them up with what seeming regret is it Hos 11.8 Nor did he totally do so till he had sent his Son whom they by wicked hands took cast out slew Mat. 21.37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45. And are the bowels of the Lord dried up Hath he forgotten to be gracious Is not his Covenant-Relation with his People in a Gospel-Day as strong efficacious as in the times of the Law Besides hath he any where in all the Scriptures given us the least Iota or syllable upon which we may conclude That this his relation with at least some particular Churches should cease or expire En tabulas let the Scriptures Prophecies thereof be consulted Object God took Israel into such a relation to himself Call's himself their Husband Jer. 31.32 saith he is married to them Jer. 3.14 Yet afterwards rejects them Answ 1. This Objection is in part obviated already and enough said to an intelligent Reader 2. Let it be granted that God calls himself their Husband Jer. 31.32 Though a better Translator renders the words otherwise then we read them viz. Paul Heb. 8.9 Because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord That which we translate although I was an Husband to them the Apostle renders and I regarded them not And the learned Pocock in his Miscellanies Cap. 1. p. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. at large demonstrates that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baalti which we read I was an Husband signifies not to regard to neglect refuse despise so also the Greek and Syriac render it But I say let it be granted as indeed the Lord doth own himself to be the Husband to be Married to them though in the place instanc'd in he doth not do so Let a few things further be considered and the impertinency of what is objected with respect to that we are pleading for will soon appear For 1. He himself by signal providences breaking to pieces destroying their Church-state and that Temple to which their solemn Worship as a Church was affix'd apotomized cut them off no such act of God with respect to his Gospel-Churches can be instanc'd in 2. He bare long with them before he cast them off and actually continued with them in that relation for about two thousand years Nor 3. Did he reject them till they had for many years rejected Him despised his Institutions Ordinances committed adultery with many lovers Jer. 3.1 In that matter did worse than the Nations round about them Ezek. 5.6 7. If this can be charged upon any of the Churches let them plead their own cause I 'll be no advocate for them nor is it necessary with respect to our present controversy since there are Churches to whom nothing like it can be imputed Though this I must say I know none of the Churches of Christ at this day but are pure and unchargeable as to any such guilt Oject 2. The Church of Rome was a true Church had Christ for her Husband Bridegroom Is it thus with her now Is not her Church-state perioded Is she not the apostatick Synagogue No Bride of Christ but the Whore the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the Earth Answ 1. God forbid that I should plead for that filthy Strumpet Synagogue of Satan the generation of God's curse against whom he hath indignation for ever 2. The Church of Rome so call'd that now is is in nothing like the Church of Rome that then was as to its Constitution Matter Form Worship Ordinances That was a particular-Church of Christ this pretends to be Catholick Universal That was constituted according to the Mind of Christ its matter visible Saints its form their free spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another according to the Will of God This constituted by the cunning subtilty lying Miracles of the man of Sin by the Lusts Laws Compulsions of an arm of Flesh It s Worship Ordinances had for their Substratum the Law Commandment Authority of Jesus Christ the Worship of Rome is bottom'd upon the Authority Canons Laws Traditions of Popes sinful men false pretences to the personal appearance of Christ the Virgin Mary c. to them giving them in charge to practise this and that as his Worship Appointment not found in the Scriptures contrary to them So that the Church of Rome so call'd that now is was never a Church of Christ but a Synagogue of Satan set up in opposition to his True Churches 3. Had it been never so much a True Church of Christ it hath actually dis-church'd it self by its horrid Idolatry worse than the Heathen Worshiping Idols of Gold Silver Wood Stone with the same Worship that is due to them whom they set these up to represent so as that their Worship as Bellarmin tells us is terminated in these which scarce ever entred into the heart of an ingenuous Heathen to affirm upon the account whereof they are call'd Gentiles Rev. 11.2 Her persecution also bloody cruelty against Christ in his members sufficiently bespeaks her to be deserted rejected by the Lord actuated by another Spirit than the Spirit of the Gospel which is pure peaceable gentle meek so far from having any resemblance of the Churches of Christ that it 's the very shambles of Satan by whom as his butcherly bloody instruments they have destroyed poured forth the blood of millions of the meek innocent Lambs of the Lord Jesus 4. Let the argument be considered There was a Gospel-Church of Christ at
by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declar'd him Heb. 1.1 2. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son 4. That all Persons whatsoever are obliged bound under the severest penalties to attend to whatever was revealed by this Prophet This is also enforc'd by a voice from the excellent Glory Mat. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him So then the Scriptures of the New-Testament are our Directory whatever Christ hath enjoyn'd therein all Saints are to have regard to For what he declared from the Father is therein contain'd and no where else But II. There 's not the least intimation given by God the Father or this great Prophet of the Church of any other way or means of instruction in his Worship or Service but only the Scriptures 'T is true the Popelings talk of Traditions as did do the Jews before them and much of their Worship many of their orders is bottom'd upon receives its Original from pretended Visions Revelations the personal Appearance of the Virgin Mary yea of Christ himself as they vainly pretend and perhaps Satan might appear to them as an Angel of Light and avouch himself to be the Lord Christ As touching the Carthusians 't is acknowledg'd that Hugo who joyn'd with Bruno in laying the Foundations of that Order had a vision of Gods Building an House with seven Stars conducting them to a place call'd La grand Chartreuse from whence the whole Order hath taken its name The Order of the Carmelites was from a Vision that Simon Stock had wherein the blessed Virgin appear'd with the Habit in her Hand which she would have them wear with a Promise that whoever dyed in that Habit should not perish by everlasting Flames Innocent the third hath a Vision of St. Francis and St. Dominic supporting the Lateran Church whence the Franciscan and Dominican Orders sprang As for the Jesuits their Grandsire Ignatius was full of Visions Sometimes Peter appear'd to him sometimes the Virgin Mary with a great deal of Glory and her Child in her lap whereby he was greatly strengthned and incouraged But above all the strangest Vision he had was a Vision of the Blessed Trinity plainly under a corporeal Representation which fill'd him so full of Joy that he could not hold weeping before all the People and was so strangly enlightned by it that he began to write a Book of the glory of the Blessed Trinity In one of his Exstasies he continued eight dayes in which it's probable saith Orlandinus he saw the frame and model of the Society of the Jesuits Christ appeared to him once and again sometimes he was lift up from the ground the room where he was being fill'd with a great Light In a Vision he saw God the Father commending himself and his Brethren to his Son Jesus bearing his Cross whom he very kindly received and with a smile said to Ignatius I will be favourable to you at Rome which greatly comforted him and his Companions And in the issue it fell out accordingly his order being confirm'd by P. Paul the third his Bull dated Octob. 3. 1540. As were their Orders so their Festivals were instituted upon the bottom of pretended Visions and Revelations The Festival of Corpus Christi was instituted by Vrban the fourth in honour of Transubstantiation by the Revelation of a famous Virgin call'd Juliana which had many raptures and so prophetick a Spirit as to discern the thoughts and intentions of her neighbours hearts she wrestled with Devils discoursed with the Apostles and wrought many Miracles Bullar Rom. Tom. 1 p. 147. Paul the Hermite was Canonized for a Saint upon the Authority of a Vision and Revelation The Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel upon a Revelation to the Bishop of Siponto and a few Drovers upon the Mountain Garganus To which many more might be added These are the wayes Satan hath used to establish his Kingdom by and to introduce his false superstitious idolatrous Orders and Worship destructive to the bodyes and souls of Men. But in Christ's Doctrine Gospel there is a deep silence touching any such matter He himself and his Apostles after him introduce nothing upon the account of such Revelations but appeal to the Scriptures and prove their Doctrine from thence Not the least intimation is there of any way or means of instruction in his Worship but only the Scriptures If there be let the place be produced and we are satisfied If there be not as most certain there is not to hearken attend to Visions Revelations is to say no more unsafe dangerous Nor can it be consistent with the Love of the Father to his Church had he intended any other way of Instruction not to give the least notice of it to them nor with his Wisdom to make that discovery of his mind and will in the Scriptures to give it forth as our Rule when upon this supposition 't is a most imperfect one But III. God sends us to the Scripture for direction in this matter Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word whatever their pretentions are of the morning or the breaking forth of a more glorious day it is because there is no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 morning in them They have not the Light of the Glorious morning they speak of Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets i. e. the writings of Moses and the Prophets let them hear them John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal life and they are they which testify of me IV. Jehovah himself in and under each Ministration hath commanded his People to observe whatever he hath appointed in the Scripture without Addition or Substraction Deut. 4.2 Ye shall not add to the word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keep the Commandments of the Lord your God which I command you Chap. 12.32 What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Josh 1.7 That thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law which Moses my Servant commanded thee turn not from it to the right hand or to the left Prov. 30.5 6. Every word of God is pure Add thou not unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a Liar Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Book
synchronize the effects of the one and the other are the same viz. the total destruction of Antichrist and introduction exaltment of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus But the Stone hath yet not begun to smite for when it begins so to do it shall never cease till the Image be wholly destroyed and it the Stone become a great Mountain filling the whole Earth Dan. 2.34 35. Therefore none of the Vials are yet poured out But of this matter we must not now speak at large That there are particular Churches upon the rise of the Witnesses and the pouring out of the Vials will receive a speedy dispatch 1. Now the Witnesses which we have proved to be particular Churches stand upon their feet Begin openly with their wonted and perhaps greater courage and boldness to assert and give Witness to the Wayes and Institutions of Christ which all the time of their Prophesying they were publickly and in the time of their slaughter they were privately found in the practice of Rev. 11.11 2. Now the Woman that had fled into the Wilderness and was nourisht there all the time of the Witnesses slaughter comes out from thence and shews her self as the true Loyal Spouse of Christ in her visible subjection to him in all his glorious Institutions and Appointments To which time that prophesie seems to have respect Cant. 8.5 3. Now the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven is open'd Rev. 15.5 A few things must be enquired into 1. What we are to understand by the Temple 2. Why 't is call'd The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony 3. In what sense it 's said to be opened 1. By the Temple we are to understand the Gospel-Church-state the Churches Ordinances Institutions of CHRIST which hath been before proved are represented under that notion with the Reasons thereof 2. 'T is call'd The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony because the presence of God his Laws Statutes Ordinances were with them amongst them in a special peculiar manner The Tabernacle of Old was a Type of his special presence with his people then Exod. 25.8 and 29.45 46. Levit. 26.11 12. Therefore God is said to dwell in the Tabernacle it s call'd his Habitation 2 Sam. 15.25 There he promised to meet with and speak to his People Exod. 29.42 43. This Tabernacle is call'd the Tabernacle of Testimony Exod. 38.21 Acts 7.44 because in it was the Ark wherein was the Law or Testimony 'T was at last brought into the Temple at Jerusalem 1 Chron. 8.4 2 Chron. 5.5 This here is said to be in Heaven or appertaining to the Gospel-Ministration perhaps on purpose to obviate any mistake the Jews might have of the restitution of their Temple-Worship q. d. Though I speak of the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony don't think that I intend that which was built by Moses Solomon and that your Old-Worship thereto affixed shall be restored no I am treating of another kind of Temple under another Ministration viz. an Heavenly which he that speaks from Heaven hath introduced To which appertains the Testimony Laws Institutions he hath given forth wherein he hath promised to meet his People bless them fill them with his Company Presence Glory 3. By the Opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle in Heaven we are not to understand the introduction of a New-Gospel-Ministration The vanity emptiness ridicule of such an interpretation is from hence manifest that John saith not that there shall be a New-Temple built but only that the Temple shall be opened i. e. the Old Temple of the Tabernacle that was standing all the times of the Pagan-Antichristian persecutions And this very Scripture is of it self evidence sufficient that at least all the times of Antichrist there was an abiding Temple or Gospel-Church-state Worship Worshippers therein For at the rise of Antichrist we find a Temple Rev. 11.1 and now at the going forth of the Vial-Angels this very Temple is open'd not the least tittle syllable of the constituting a new one but the opening the old The word is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to build no nor so much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to restore or repair but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to open that which was already built and sufficiently beautified by the Lord. The words are perhaps an allusion to 2 Chron. 28.24 29.3 The first Scripture tells us that Ahaz had shut up the doors of the House of the Lord the latter that good Hezekiah open'd them 'T was the same House the same doors not others that was shut up and opened The meaning is Gospel-Churches that a little before were Worshipping more retiredly privately are now again brought to publick view returned from their Wilderness retired-state to an open profession owning of the Laws Wayes of JESVS 4. The Vial-Angels come out of this Temple thus opened Rev. 15.6 For they are some of the most Spiritual principal of the Temple-Worshippers or members of these Churches as is evident from their Priestly-array they are clothed in pure and White-linnen having their breasts girded with Golden-Girdles The attire of the Priests Exod. 28.6 8. Temple-Worshippers are a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 5. During the whole time of the pouring out of the Vials at the close of which as is generally granted Christ comes we find the continuance of this Temple ver 8. And the Temple was filled with Smoak from the Glory of God and from his Power i. e. there was a more than ordinary presence of God with these Temple-Worshippers and no man was able to enter into the Temple viz. to interrupt disturb the Worshippers there as formerly they had done till the seven Plagues of the seven-Angels were fulfilled i. e. till they were all pour'd out Antichrist by them perfectly destroyed the Glorious Kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOVR introduced CHAP. V. Gospel-Churches part of that Ministration set on foot by Christ The whole of that Ministration permanent to continue to the end of the World Mat. 28.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.26 Explained An Objection Answered 1 Tim. 6.13 14. Explained Heb. 1.1 2. Considered opened The Excellency of the discovery God the Father made of his Will by his Son above all other discoveries he had before made nothing new to be added to it Dan. 9.24 Explained The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who Vision and Prophesie what it is The sealing it up what it imports There 's no ground left for any New-Ministration or any alteration in that set on foot by Christ The reasons of the alteration of the Old Testament-Ministration with the Institutions thereto belonging The Gospel-Ministration Ordinances must continue except a greater than Christ come Demonstration V. THe Gospel-Church-state with the Churches Institutions Ordinances thereunto belonging is part of that Ministration that was set on foot by the Lord Jesus when he Tabernacled amongst men as hath already been demonstrated Now the whole of that Ministration that was then set on foot by him is permanent and
Revelation then made by him with respect to Institutions Worship is in every day to be attended to by the Saints A Church-state is then bottomed upon the Prophetick-office of Christ and to continue from the time of its erection by him to the consummation of all things II. As 't is bottomed upon the Prophetick-Office of Christ so 't is upon his Sacerdotal or Priestly The Apostle argues from the change of the Levitical priest-hood to the change of the whole of that Church-polity its Laws and Institutions Heb. 7.12 For the Priest-hood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the Law If this be a cogent Argument it follows strongly on the contrary If there be no change of the priest-hood as the Melchizedekian Priest-hood or the priest-hood of Christ after the order of Melchizedeck abides for ever as the same Apostle tells us then there is no change of the Law or institutions appertaining thereunto That the whole of Gospel-institutions have a dependance upon the Priestly-Office of Christ is manifest 1. That the legal Ministration or Worship was affixt to had a dependance upon the Aaronick Priest-hood the Apostle plainly enough declares in the forecited place Heb. 7.12 Now if the Worship of that day had such dependance upon that Priesthood that it liv'd and dyed stood and fell with it the Gospel-ministration and Worship must have the same dependance upon the real Eternal Priesthood of CHRIST for that was Typick of this throughout 2. Christ by his Death or the Oblation of himself which was a principal part of his Priestly-Office vertually put a period to the Law of Commandments contain'd in Mosaick-Ordinances Eph. 2.15 And so by the removing of them made way for the erection of the Gospel-church-state with the Institutions appertaining thereunto This the Apostle fully declares v. 18 19 20 21 22. For through him as our High-Priest for as such he 's discoursing of him as is Evident from v. 13 14 15 16 we both viz. Jewes and Gentiles have an access in Gospel-institutions by one Spirit unto the Father Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forreinners but Fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the building fitly joyn'd together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. In whom you are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Nothing could be more Evident if written with the beams of the Sun than this that Gospel-churches call'd the Houshold the Building of GOD with all the Institutions of CHRIST through which they have access to God are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ 'T is through him as our Priest that we have access in Worship to the Father and equally in and through him as such that we are of the houshold of God his Habitation Temple 3. All the fittings preparings of Souls as fit materials for this Spiritual-Temple Building and the management of the Ordinances thereof are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ That men in their natural state are altogether unfit for such a building or work will be granted otherwise Arguments enough lie near at hand for it's confirmation Our Lord hath solemnly determin'd this Controversy if with any it be a Controversy Joh. 3.3 5. That persons fitness lies in the communication of the Spirit a divine principle of Life the participation of the grace of the Covenant that therein also lies their meetness ability for the work and service of this Temple will not be denied Now whence flowes all this but from the Oblation Intercession of Christ the two signal parts of his Priestly-Office Nay 4. The Saints comming to God with their Temple-Worship all of it hath its Foundation here were it not for the Priest-hood of Christ they must stand off at an eternal distance Jehovah would be a terror consuming fire to them This all know who have a sight of themselves in their lapsed corrupt depraved state and of the infinite purity and righteousness of God This the Apostle treats of Heb. 4.14 15 16. and 7.19 Yea 5. All the acceptance of their Persons and all their Temple-worship with the Father of Spirits is bottomed here Were not Christ our High-priest had he not as such made an Attonement Reconciliation for us did he not make Intercession as such for us both we and our most solemn performances would be loathed rejected by the Lord. 6. Their encouragement to come to God with boldness the great motive to abide in their Temple-Worship and not to forsake the Assembling themselves together to be diligent in the discharge of the duties they are obliged to perform to one another in their Church-relation is fixed here Heb. 10.20 21 22 23 24 25. Their rejection of Gospel-communion is accounted an undervaluing of the Priestly-Office of Christ v. 28 29. To which add 7. That the preservation of Gospel-churches Ordinances is a fruit of the Priestly-Office of Christ bottomed upon his Oblation Intercession Why are they not dispersed scattered Why have not their Adversaries ruin'd destroyed them Whence is it that they have liberty to tread the Lords Court and Worship before the footstool of his Throne in Peace yea whence is it That the Devil with all his power policy hath not been able to ruin destroy the Churches of Christ It 's Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who ever lives to make Intercession Rom. 8.34 so that in this matter hear's full measure of Demonstration pressed down running over that Gospel-Churches Institutions appertaining to them are bottomed upon the Priestly-Office of Christ If he continue our High-priest if there be any vertue in his death energie power in his Intercession they must continue also And when these fail we are content to sink perish Maluimus cum Christo perire quam cum Caesare regnare III. Gospel-churches Institutions are also bottomed upon the Kingly-Office of Christ whence their perennity perpetuity is Evident That Christ is a King hath his Subjects Laws by which he governs them cannot be denied That he hath yet doth exercised his Kingly-soveraignty over them will be granted if he do not do so he is not King his despotick authority is at an end Who are his Subjects Those that dwell in Sion his Church his Body his House his Kingdom which hath been demonstrated to be Saints embodied and worshipping him in a Gospel-church-state to these he is a Head Lord King What are the Laws he Rules them by gives forth for the tryal of their Faith Love Obedience They are Gospel-Ordinances of his own institution and appointment And as of old the people of the Jewes that Church of God when they rejected his Ordinances are said to reject him cast off his Soveraignty Ruledom So because of their pertinacious adherence to the Laws of Moses when Christ had perioded that Ministration had left the World and was gone to his
Father with a rejection of him and the Ministration introduced by him they are said to be Citizens that hated him and send a message after him saying We will not have this man Reign over us Luk. 19.14 'T is true Christ as King rules in the Saints by his Spirit Grace but visibly by his Word and Gospel-institutions doth he Reign over them These are his Chariot or Throne of State wherein he shew's himself publickly in Majesty and Glory They are his insignia regalia or Kinglyarms or Ensigns none can offer despite affront to these but they affront him and are guilty of high-treason against him We justly condemn the Papists as opposers of the Kingly-Office of Christ because contrary to his Precept they have taken away one part of the Institution of Christ viz. the Cup from the Laity and what is to be thought of those who turn their backs upon all and attempt the pulling down of that house of the appointment of Christ wherein they are to be ministred If Christ be King he hath his Churches over whom as such he doth preside and his Laws as royal Ensigns in the midst of them for them to conform to CHAP. X. A Tenth Demonstration of the Continuation of Churches Ordinances otherwise a great part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament have been are of little use to the Saints An Eleventh A Twelfth evidence to the same thing Christ hath power to preserve his Churches and 't is his will so to do There are special promises both under the Old oeconomy and the New to Saints as they attend upon Jehovah as a Church in the Observation of Ordinances Exod. 20.24 Explained And 29.42 43 44 45. at large Why the Tabernacle is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 4.5 6. Opened Zach. 2.10 Mat. 18.20 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 3.10 Considered A Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Sixteenth Demonstration of the continuation of Churches and Ordinances 'T is the duty of Saints in every generation to confess Christ Gal. 3.27 Opened Subjection to the Institutions of Christ one signal way of confessing him Saints are charged to hold fast whatever they have received from Christ till he comes Much of the Glory of Christ as Mediator of the New-Covenant lies in his Churches Many evil and absurb consequences of the denial of the Continuation of Gospel-Churches Ordinances remarked Demonstration X. IF there have not been be not a continuation of Gospel-Churches Ordinances a great part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament have been are of little use to the Saints Now it cannot be imagined that the Lord Jesus out of his special love to and care of his People should appoint the Scriptures to be written and yet no small part of them to be of no concern in this World to them Of this kind are all those Scriptures which contain rules of direction to the Saints touching their embodying together in order to their becoming a Church of Christ discovering who are fit matter their Power for the Election setting apart of Officers to minister in the name of Christ amongst them the qualification of such as are to be chosen by them their Office Work Duty in and to the Church the Churche's duty to them the way and manner of the management of the Institutions of the Gospel amongst them the mutual duties of Church-members each to other as they stand in a Covenant-relation together How great a part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament and particularly the Epistles to the Churches is taken up in these things is known to enumerate particulars is almost endless See Matth. 28.19 20. Act. 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 12. Matth. 18.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 4.17 7.17 Act. 14.23 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 3.15 2.1 Act. 6.4 13.2 3. Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.3 Act. 6.2 Heb. 13.7 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 Rom. 12.6 7 8. Rev. 2.3 Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 14.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Act. 20.17 18. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 Phil. 1. 1 Tim. 3.1 2. 5.17 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.1 Eph. 4.8.13 Tit. 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Act. 13.2 1 Tim. 5.22 4.14 3.10 11 13. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 Col. 1.24 Phil. 2.17 3.17 Heb. 13.17 Act. 20.28 2 Tim. 2.15 4.2 Rom. 12.6 7 8. 1 Tim. 6.20 Jude 3. 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.15 4.14 15 16. Act. 20.18 19 20 25 26. 1 Thes 3.5 2 Tim. 2.24 25. Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 3.5 Col. 4.17 2 Cor. 10.4 8. 1 Tim. 4.11 Tit. 2.15 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Cor. 16.16 Eph. 6.18 19. Col. 4.3 2 Thes 3.1 Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.14 16.10 2 Tim. 1.16 17 18. 2 Tim. 4.16 Rom. 12.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 6.3 5 6. Phil. 1.1 1 Tim. 3.8 9 10 11 12 13. Phil. 2.15 16. 4.8 9. 1 Thes 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Act. 2.38 39 46. 16.33 1 Cor. 1.16 11.20 21 22 26 28 29 33. Act. 20.7 Mat. 16.19 Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. Rev. 2.2 20. Mat. 24.45 Eph. 4.13 14. 1 Tim. 3.5 5.17 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 2.3 1 Thes 5.12 Gal. 6.1 2. 1 Cor. 4.14 5.2 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. 2 Tim. 4.2 Mat. 18.15 1 Thes 5.14 Tit. 1.13 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Tim. 5.19 20. Mat. 18.16 17. Tit. 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 1 Cor. 5.5 Gal. 5.12 6.1 2 Cor. 2.7 2 Thes 3.15 Gal. 6.2 1 Cor. 5.2 4 5 12. 1 Cor. 6.2 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. Phil. 2.10 2.15 1 Cor. 10.32 1 Thes 2. 11.12 Tit. 2.10 Joh. 6.15 Act. 26.18 1 Pet. 2.9 2 Cor. 4.3 4 6. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 2 Tim. 4.3 4. Tit. 1.13 Jude 3. Eph. 4.20 21 22 23 24. 2 Cor. 8.5 Act. 8.20 23. Tit. 1.10 Rev. 2.2 Act. 18.26 1 Thes 2.7 8 11. Act. 9.26 27. Rom. 14.1 1 Cor. 13. throughout 10.32 Eph. 6.18 1 Tim. 2.1 2 Cor. 8.4 6. Act. 11.29 30. Rom. 15.26 27. 16.1 2. 3 Joh. 8.9 Act. 15.2 1 Tim. 3.15 Cum multis aliis Are all these Scriptures with many more of no use to the Saints Are they not at all concern'd in them Credat Apella And yet this must be asserted upon the supposition that there are no Churches of the Institution of Christ for as such are the Saints alone concerned in them Object If it be Objected that a great part of the Old-Testament is of little or no use to the Saints now therefore the argument is invalid of no weight Answ The Answer is easie 'T is readily granted that whatever is spoken in the Old-Testament touching Circumcision Priests Altar Temple Sacrifices Vestments c. We are not under the Gospel-Ministration at all concerned with an introduction of these things is a plain practick-denial of Christ come in the flesh But
understanding so far blinded as to think there 's any weight to be laid upon such Puerile Ludicrous arguments Object 3. But you have no Wise-master-builder which the Apostle saith he was 1 Cor. 3.10 therefore you have no true Churches Answ This Objection is the same with the first To it we will nevertheless speak a few words which will abundantly evince the emptyness of it 1. Paul asserts himself to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Chief-Bulder not with respect to Christ for so he was not but an under-work-man but with respect to others who afterwards built upon that Foundation CHRIST he had laid Nor doth he 2. Assert himself to be the Chief-builder with relation to all the Churches but with respect to that particular Church at Corinth Were all the rest of the Churches that had not this Master-Builder false Churches This will not be asserted Yet we hear of no Wise-master-builder with respect to any other of the Churches The word is only used here But 3. Paul as wise a Master-builder as he was was sure a Work-man under Christ who is the Builder of the House or Churches as hath been proved and he was indispensibly bound to walk by rule the rule of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus This he tells us he did 1 Cor. 11.23 Now 4. The Saints have this Rule and they have the Spirit of the Lord with them in them to open it and explain it to them For if they have him not and for this end to lead them into all truth they are not Saints Rom. 8.9 what hinders then but that Saints having the same Rule the Apostle walked by and the Spirit to instruct them in it they may conform to it and so constitute Churches of Christ If they have but so much Wisdom as to understand the rule constitutive of Churches and so much Conscience and honesty as to apply themselves to it and they are poor Saints that are devoid of the one or the other they cannot but do so The very truth is Paul none of the Apostles were Builders or Wise-master-builders but with respect to the Rule of Christ To have Built in their own Wisdom with a neglect thereof had been folly and madness So that any that attend to this Rule in Church-Work may be as well said to be Builders and if they lay the Foundation of a Church afterward built upon by others as truely said with respect to such a Church to be Wise-master-builders as Paul c. 'T would hardly be an effectual argument to a man under the sense of inconveniencies almost to starving to death by winds and stormes for want of an habitation to dwell in to tell him 't is true here are Materials for a House and here is a Rule to build it by which if you attend to you cannot build amiss but the Truth is the Wise-master-builder who acted by the same Rule in building all the strong and beautiful Houses in the Country is thousands of miles off and perhaps may not come hither again till you are dead and rotten in your grave therefore you had best not attempt the work till he come Nay stay will the poor man say I have the Rule that he walked by and I 'le up and be doing as well as I can and I hope the Lord will be with me Christ commands as hath been proved to build an House gives us rules to walk by in such a work but hath no where said he will send us such Wise-master-builders in every respect as Paul was nor told us the Work must cease till they come but the contrary Object 4. But you have not the gifts of the Primitive-Churches therefore you are no true Churches of Christ Answ 1. 'T is Grace not extraordinary Gifts that is the qualification of Church-members that constitute a Church When the Apostles speak of Church-members they decypher them as Sanctified ones partakers of the Grace of God Christ requires no other qualification of a Church-member than being born again of God John 3.3 5. which persons may be without those extraordinary Gifts Nay the truth is the Churches that have most excelled in these have not been the most comely or beautiful Churches For instance the Church at Corinth who perhaps in these Gifts excell'd other Churches but I am sure came short of some of them in Divine graces 2. 'T is most evident that the Primitive-Churches were constituted converted believers added to them without any immediate participation of these gifts Act. 2.40 41 42. We have an account of Three Thousand Soules added to the Church but not a tittle of their partaking of these extraordinary Gifts The Church at Antioch was a true Church of Christ before the Apostles any of them came to them or they had received the Holy Spirit i. e. were made partakers of the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit Act. 8.12 14 15 16 17. The like may be said of other Churches 3. The Apostle having discoursed at large of these Gifts 1 Cor. 12. at the close v. 31. tells them that he shews unto them a more excellent way or the most excellent way as the Greek reads it viz. the way of love of which he discourses at large chap. 13. And this not the Gifts mentioned is that which Christ makes the badge of his Disciples Joh. 13.35 Were there more of this there would not be so much talk of the nullity of Churches as there is amongst some at this day nor that undue withdrawment from them 4. These Gifts are so far from being essential to a Church that the Apostle tells us persons may have them all and yet not be fit matter for a Church for they that have them may nevertheless be nothing devoid of true grace 1 Cor. 13.1 2. Object 5. But the Churches have only the Form of things and deny the Power and from such we are commanded to turn away 2 Tim. 3.5 Answ 1. I must crave leave to say that the framers of this Objection are ascended not only to the height of censorious uncharitableness but invade the Throne of God himself and will become Judges of the secrets of hearts For who told them that they deny the Power did any of the Churches themselves Do any principles owned by them any practices found amongst them declare as much Let the individuals hereof Guilty plead for themselves I 'le not be their advocate Though I must add I know no such Churches and yet they are not a few I am acquainted with 2. It had been severe enough for the Objectors to have that They have the Form but not the Power therefore are not true Churches But this perhaps they thought would not have served their purpose Inasmuch as the Lord himself saith concerning the Church of Sardis Rev. 3.1 Thou hast a Name to live and art dead and of Laodicea v. 15. Thou art neither cold nor hot v. 17. Wretched Poor Miserable Blind Naked yet even these are owned by Christ for his Churches Rev. 3.1