unto the end of the World This promised presence respects only the observance of his commands Some men are apt to look on this authority of Christ as that which hath the least influence into what they do If in any of his institutions they find any thing that is suited or agreeable unto the light of nature as Ecclesiastical societies government of the Church and the like they say are they suppose and contend that that is the ground on which they are to be attended unto and so are to be regulated accordingly The interposition of his authority they will allow only in the Sacraments which have no light in reason or nature so desirous are some to have as little to do with Christ as they can even in the things that concern the worship of God But it would be somewhat strange that if what the Lord Christ hath appointed in his Church to be observed in particular in an especial manner for especial ends of his own hath in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct unto that therefore his authority is not to be considered as the sole immediate reason of our performance of it But it is evident First That our Lord Jesus Christ being the King and Head of his Church the Lord over the house of God nothing is to be done therein but with respect unto his authority Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Ephes. 4.15 Speaking the truth in love grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Eph. 2.20 21. Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit Secondly And that therefore the suitableness of any thing to right reason or the light of nature is no ground for a Church observation of it unless it be also appointed and commanded in especial by Jesus Christ. Thirdly That being so appointed and commanded it becomes an especial institution of his and as such is to be observed so that in all things that are done or to be done with respect unto the worship of God in the Church the authority of Christ is alwayes principally to be considered and every thing to be observed as commanded by him without which consideration it hath no place in the Worship of God Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel Answ. A society of Persons called out of the World or their natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the knowledge and Worship of God in Christ â—oyned together in an holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3 1. James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Peter 2.5 Ephes. 2.21.22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Explication The Church whose nature is here inquired after is not the Catholick Church of elect Believers of all ages and seasons from the beginning of the World unto the end thereof nor of any one age nor the universality of professors of the Gospel but a particular Church wherein by the appointment of Christ all the Ordinances of the Worship of God are to be observed and attended unto according to his Will For although it be required of them of whom a particular Church is constituted that they be true Believers seeing that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God and so on that account they be members of the Church Catholick as also that they make visible profession of faith and obedience unto Jesus Christ yet moreover it is the will command and appointment of Christ that they should be joyned together in particular societies or Churches for the due observation of the Ordinances of the Gospel which can alone be done in such Assemblies For as the members of the Catholick Church are not known unto one another meerly on the account of that faith and union with Christ which makes them so whence the whole society of them is as such invisible to the World and themselves visible only on the account of their profession and therefore cannot meerly as such observe the Ordinances of the Gospel which observation is their profession so the visible Professors that are in the World in any age cannot at any time assemble together which from the nature of the thing it self and the institution of Christ is indispensably necessary for the celebration of sundry parts of that worship which he requires in his Church and therefore particular Churches are themselves an Ordinance of the New Testament as the National Church of the Jews was of old For when God of old erected his Worship and enjoyned the solemn observation of it he also appointed a Church as his institution for the due celebration of it That was the people of Israel solemnly taken into a Church relation with him by covenant wherein they took upon themselves to observe all the laws and ordinances and institutions of his worship Exod. 20.19 Speak thou with us and we will hear Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the People all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said we will do Deut. 5.27 All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee we will hear it and do it And God accordingly appointed them Ordinances to be observed by the whole congregation of them together at the same time in the same place Exod. 23.17 Three times in the year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God Deut. 16.16 Three times in a year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose Neither would God allow any stranger any one not of the Church so instituted by him to celebrate any part of his instituted worship untill he was solemnly admitted into that Church as a member thereof Exod. 12.47 48. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover to the Lord let all his Males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and he shall be as one that is born in the Land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof To the same end and purpose when the knowledge of God was to be diffused all the World over by the preaching of the Gospel
for therein through Christ we have an access in one spirit unto the Father Eph. 2.18 as it is expressed Heb. 10.19 20 21. having therefore boldness to enter into the holyest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his flesh and having an High-Priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water This is the glory of Gospel worship and the beauty of it whose consideration whilest the minds of men are diverted from to look for beauty in the outward preparation of ceremonies they lose the priviledge purchased for Believers by the blood of Christ. Instead then of farthering the beauty and comeliness of Gospel worship they are apt to lead men into a dangerous errour and mistake namely that the beauty and excellency of it consists in such things as upon a due consideration will appear to be mean and carnal and far beneath those ceremonies and ordinances of the Old Testament which yet in comparison of the Worship of the Gospel are called Worldly carnal beggarly and are said to have no glory Thirdly They do not in the least tend unto the preservation of due order in the celebration of divine Worship All order consists in the due observation of rule The rules of actions are either natural or of his special appointment Both these take place in religious worship the institutions or commands of Christ containing the substance thereof in their observation principally consists the order of it Whatever is of circumstance in the manner of its performance not capable of especial determination as emerging or arising only occasionally upon the doing of that which is appointed at this or that time in this or that place and the like is left unto the rule of moral prudence in whose observation their order doth consist But the super-addition of ceremonies necessarily belonging neither to the institutions of worship nor unto those circumstances whose disposal falls under the rule of moral prudence neither doth nor can add any thing unto the due order of Gospel Worship So that they are altogether needless and useless in the Worship of God Neither is this the whole of the inconvenience wherewith their observance is attended for although they are not in particular and expresly in the Scripture forbidden for it was simply impossible that all instances wherein the wit of man might exercise its invention in such things should be reckoned up and condemned yet they fall directly under those severe prohibitions which God hath recorded to secure his worship from all such additions unto it of what sort soever Yea the main design of the second precept is to forbid all making unto our selves any such things in the worship of God to add unto what he hath appointed whereof an instance is given in that of making and worshiping Images the most common way that the sons of men were then prone to trangess by against the institutions of God And this sense and understanding of the commandment is secured by those ensuing prohibitions against the adding any thing at all unto the commands of God in his worship Deut. 4.2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you neither shall ye diminish ought from it that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God Chap. 12.32 what things soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Chap. 17.3 to the same purpose were the places before mentioned Matth 15.9 as also is that severe rule applyed by our Saviour unto the additions of the Pharisees Verse 13. Every plant which my Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up And there is yet farther evidence contributed unto this intention of the command from those places where such evils and corruptions as were particularly forbidden in the worship of God are condemned not on the special account of their being so forbidden but on that more general of being introduced without any warrant from Gods Institutions or commands Jer. 7.31 they have built the high places of Topheâ— which is in the valley of the Son of Hinnom to burn their Sons and their Daughters in the fire which I commanded not neither came it into my heart Chap. 19.5 they have also built the high plâ—ces of Baal to burn their Sons with fire for burnt-offerings unto Baal which I commanded not nor spake neither came it into my mind These things were particularly forbidden but yet God here condemns them as coming under the general evil of making additions unto his commands doing that which he commanded not nor did it ever enter into his heart The Papists say indeed that all additions corrupting the worship of God are forbidden but such as farther adorn and preserve it are not so which implyes a contradictâ—on for whereas every addition is principally a corruption because it is an addition under which notion it is forbidden and that in the worship of God which is forbidden is a corruption of it there can be no such preserving adorning addition unless we will allow a preserving and adorning corruption Neither is it of more force which is pleaded by them that the additions which they make belong not unto the substance of the worship of God but unto the circumstances of it for every circumstance observed religiously or to be observed in the worship of God is of the substance of it as were all those ceremonious observances of the Law which had the same respect in the prohibitions of adding with the most weighty things whatsoever Qu. 15. Whence may it appear that the right and due observation of Instituted worship is of great importance unto the glory of God and of high concernment unto the Souls of Men Answ. This is fully taught in the Scriptures as 1 God would never accept in any state of the Church before or since the fall moral Obedience without the observation of some institutions as tryals tokens and pledges of that obedience And 2 in their use and signification by his appointment they nearly concern the principal mysteries of his will and grace And 3 By their celebration is he glorified in the World And therefore 4 As he hath made blessed promises to his people to grant them his presence and to bless them in their use So 5 Being the tokens of the mariage relation that is between him and them with respect unto them alone he calls himself a jealous God And 6 hath actually exercised signal severity towards the neglecters corrupters or abusers of them 1 Gen. 2.16 17. Gen. 4.3 4. Gen. 17.9 10 11. Exod. 12.24 Exod. 20. Math. 28.19 20. Math. 26.26 27. Eph. 4.11 12. Rev. 1.13 Rev. 21.3 2 Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12.23 24. Rom. 6.3 4 5. Math. 26.27 1 Cor. 11.25 26 27. 3 See question the eighth and ninth 4 Exod. 29.42
26.16 19. these are sufficient intimations of what care and diligence we ought to use in attending unto what God hath appointed in his worship and although now under the new Testament he doth not ordinarily proceed to the inflicting of temporal judgements in thâ— like cases of neglect yâ—â— he hath not wholly left us without instances of his putting forth tokens of his displeasure in temporal visitations on such miscarriages in his Church 1 Cor. 11.30 For this cause saith the Apostle many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep From all which it appeares of what concernment it is unto the glory of God and the salvation of our own souls to attend diligently unto our duty in the strict and sincere observation of the worship of the Gospel for he lets us know that now a more severe punishment is substituted against such transgressions in the room of that which he so visibly inflicted under the old Testament Heb. 10.25 26 27 28 29. Qu. 16. Is there yet any other consideration that may stir up Beleivers to an holy and religious care about the due observation of the institutions of the Gospel Answ. Yea namely that the great apostacy of the Church in the last dayes foretold in the Scripture and which God threatneth to punish and revenge consists principally in false worship and a departure from the institutions of Christ. Rev. 14.4 5. Chap. 17.1 2 3 5. Explication That there is an Apostacy of the Church foretold in the book of the Revelations is acknowledged by all who with sincerity have inquired into the minde of God therein The state of things at this day and for many ages past in the World sufficiently confirm that perswasion And herein sundry things in general are obvious unto every sober consideration thereof First the horrible evils troubles and confusions that are to be brought into and upon the World thereby Secondly the high guilt and provocation of God that is contained in it and doth accompany it Thirdly the dreadful vengeance that God in his appointed time will take upon all the promoters and obstinate maintainers of it These things are at large all of them foretold in the Revelation and therein also the Apostacy it self is set forth as the cause of all the plagues and destructions that by the righteous judgement of God are to be brought upon the World in these latter dayes Now as God doth earnestly call upon all that fear him not to intermeddle nor partake in the sins of the Apostates lest they should also partake in their judgements Chap. 18.4 I heard a voice from Heaven saying come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues So he doth plainly declare wherein the apostacy and sin it self should principally consist and that is in the corrupting and contaminating of the Ordinances of his worship or the introduction of false worship joyned with the persecution of them who refused to submit thereunto For this cause is the sin it self set out under the name of fornication and whoredome and the Church that maintains it is called the Mother of Harlots Chap. 17.5 That by fornication and whoredome in the Church the adulterating of the worship of God and the admission of false self-invented worship in the room thereof whereof God is jealous is intended the Scripture every where declares It is easie then to gather of how great concernment unto us it is especially in these latter dayes wherein this so hainous and provoking sin is prevalent in the World carefully to attend unto the safe unerring rule of Worship and diligently to perform the duties that are required therein Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God Answ. 1. The calling gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship 2. Prayer with thanksgiving 3. Singing of Psalms 4. Preaching the word 5. Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. 6. Discipline and rule of the Church collected and setled most of which have also sundry particular duties relating unto them and subservient unto their due observation 1. Matth. 28.19 20. Acts 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes. 4.11 12. Matth. 18.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 4.17 1 Cor. 7.17 Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 1 Tim. 3.15 2. 1 Tim. 2.1 Acts 6.4 Acts 13.2 3. 3. Ephes. 5.19 Colos. 3.16 4. 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 14.3 Acts 6.2 Heb. 13.7 5. Matth. 28.19 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 6. Matth. 18.17 18 19. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Rev. 2.3 Explication These things being all of them afterwards to be spoken unto severally and apart need not here any particular Explication They are the principal heads wherein Gospel-worship consisteth and whereunto the particular duties of it may be reduced Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature as requisite unto all solemn worship and are moreover commanded in the moral Law and explications of it in the Old Testament how do you look upon them as Evangelical institutions to be observed principally on the authority of Jesus Christ Answ. Neither their general suitableness unto the principles of right reason and the dictates of the light and law of nature nor the practice of them in the worship of God under the Old Testament do at all hinder them from depending on the meer institution of Iesus Christ as to those especial ends of the â—â—â—ry of God in and by himself and the edification of his Church in the faith which is in him whereunto he hath appointed them Nor as unto that especial manner of their performance which he requireth in which respects they are to be observed on â—he account of his authority and command only Matth. 17.5 Matth. 28. â—0 John 16.23 24. Heb. 3.4 5 6. Ephes. 1.22 Chap. 2.20 21 22. Heb. 12.25 Explication The principal thing we are to aim at in the whole worship of God is the discharge of that duty which we owe to Jesus Christ the King and head of the Church Heb. 3.6 Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God This we cannot do unless we consider his authority as the formal reason and cause of our observance of all that we do therein If we perform any thing in the worship of God on any other account it is no part of our obedience unto him and so we can neither expect his grace to assist us nor have we his promise to accept us therein for that he hath annexed unto our doing and observing whatever he hath commanded and that because he hath commanded us Matth. 28 20. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you alwayes even
he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3 requiring regeneration as an indispensable condition in a Member of his Church a subject of his Kingdom For his Temple is now to be built of living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Men spiritually and savingly quickened from their death in sin and by the Holy-Ghost whereof they are partakers made a meet habitation for God Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 which receiving vital supplyes from Christ its head increaseth in faith and holiness edifying it self in love Ephes. 4.15 16. And as the Apostles in their writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a participation in this effectual vocation affirming that they are Saints called sanctified justified and accepted with God in Christ Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 4.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 6.11 So many of the duties that are required of them in that relation and condition are such as none can perform unto the glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the ends of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes. 4.16 Add hereunto that these Churches and the members of them are not only commanded to separate themselves as to their Worship of God from the World that is men in their worldly state and condition but are also required when any amongst them trasgress against the rules and laws of this holy calling above described to cast them out of their society and communion 1 Cor. 5.13 from all which it appears who are the subject matter of these Churches of Christ as also secondly the means whereby they come to be so namely the administration of the spirit and word of Christ and Thirdly the general ends of their calling which are all spoken to in this answer Quest. 20. By what means do persons so called become a Church of Christ Answ. They are constituted a Church and interested in the rights power and priviledges of a Gospel-Church by the will promise authority and law of Iesus Christ upon their own voluntary consent and engagement to walk together in the due subiection of their Souls and Consciences unto his authority as their King Priest and Prophet and in an holy observation of all his commands ordinances and appointments Matth. 18.20 Chap. 28.18 19. Acts 2.41 42. Exod. 24.3 Deut. 5.27 Psalm 110.3 Isa. 44.5 Chap. 59.21 Ephes. 4.7 8 9 10. 2. Cor. 8.5 Explication That the Lord Christ hath constituted such a Church-state as that which we enquire about hath been proved already Unto a Church so constituted he hath also by his word and promise annexed all those priviledges and powers which we find a Church to be entrusted withall This he hath done by the standing and unalterable Law of the Gospel which is the Charter of their spiritual society and incorporation Neither are nor can any persons be interested in the rights of a Church any otherwise but by virtue of this Law and constitution This therefore is first to be laid down that the sole moral foundation of that Church-state which we enquire after is laid in the Word Law and appointment of Christ. He alone hath authority to erect such a society he is the builder of this house as well as the Lord over it Heb. 3.3 6. neither without it can all the authority of men in the World appoint such a state or erect a Church and all acceptable actings of men herein are no other but acts of pure obedience unto Christ. Farthermore We have declared that the Lord Christ by the dispensation of his word and spirit doth prepare and fit men to be subjects of his Kingdom Members of his Church the work of sending forth the means of the conversion of the souls of men of translating them from the power of darkness into light he hath taken upon himself and doth effectually accomplish it in every generation And by this means he builds his Church Matth. 18.20 For unto all persons so called he gives command that they shall do and observe whatever he hath appointed them to do Mat. 28.20 in particular that they profess their subjection to him and their obedience in joyning themselves in that state wherein they may be enabled to observe all his other laws and institutions with the whole worship of God required therein Being converted unto God by his Word and Spirit they are to consider how they may now obey the Lord Christ in all things Amongst his commands this of joyning themselves in Church societies wherein he hath promised his presence with them Matth. 18.20 that is to dwell amongst them by his word and spirit Isa. 59.21 is the very first This by virtue of that command and promise of his they are warranted and enabled to do nor do they need any other warrant The authority of Christ is sufficient to beare men out in the discharge of their duty to him Being then made willing and ready in the day of his power Psalm 110.3 they consent choose and agree to walk together in the observation of all his commands And hereby do they become a Church For their becoming a Church is an act of their willing obedience unto Christ. This obedience is an act of their wills guided by rule for this also is necessary that they proceed herein according to the rules of his appointment afterwards to be unfolded And herein upon their obedience unto the commands of Christ and faith in his promises do Believers by virtue of his Law and constitution become a Gospel Church and are really and truly interested in all the power rights and priviledges that are granted unto any Church of Christ. For in this obedience they do these two things which alone he requires in any persons for the obtaining of an interest in these priviledges First They confess him his person his authority his law his grace Secondly They take upon themselves the observance of all his commands Thus did God take the children of Israel into a Church-state of old He proposed unto them the Church obedience that he required of them and they voluntarily and freely took upon themselves the performance of it Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said will we do So Deut. 5.7 and hereby they had their solemn admission into their Church-state and relation unto God And the like course they took when ever there was need of renewing their engagements Josh. 24.18 21 22. And the people said we will serve the Lord for he is our God and Joshua said unto the people ye are witnesses against your selves that ye have chosen the Lord to serve him and they said we are witnesses This was the covenant that was between God and that people which was solemnly renewed so often as the
observance which is to be kept entire according to the primitive institution of Christ 1 Cor. 11.23 I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you not admitting of any corruptions in it to avoid the greatest trouble Gal. 5.11 And I Brethren if I yet preach circumcision why do I yet suffer Persecution Qu. 9. How do we in our Observation profess our subjection unto the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel Answ. In that being all of them 1. Appointed by him as the head Law-giver King of his Church And 2. Made by him the ensignes and tokens of his Kingdom and Subjects in their due observation principally consists that profession of him and his name which be so often calleth us unto and so indispensably requireth at our hands Mat. 28.18 19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 Heb. 3.6 Heb. 12.25 John 8.31 Chap. 13.13 Chap. 14.15 21 23. Chap. 15. 14 17. Chap. 13.35 Chap. 15.14 Luke 9.26 Rom. 10.10 1 John 2.3 4. Explication The ground and reason of this Duty is evident The Lord Jesus Christ streightly enjoyns all his Disciples the profession of his name and layes it on them as indispensable unto Salvation Rom. 10.10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness with the mouth confession or profession is made unto salvation John 12.42 43 44 45. Now this profession of the name of Christ which is so much abused and mistaken in the World consists in the keeping of his commandments John 15.14 ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you So also Mat. 28.20 his Disciples are to be taught to do and observe whatever he commandeth Now whereas he is the head and King of the Church the next immediate and special Law-giver of it appointing unto it all his Ordinances and its whole worship as it becomes him who is Lord of the house the institutions of the Gospel worship are his most especial commands And in their observation consists that profession of him which he requires of us Therein doth he call them out of the world by profession whom he hath redeemed out of it by his blood 1 Cor. 6.15 16 17. Rev. 5.9 in these he exerciseth his Kingly or Lordly power over his Church Heb. 3.6 and in the willing obedience of his people gathering themselves unto the Ensigns of his Rule he is glorified in the World Qu. 10. How do we in and by them build up our selves in our most holy faith Answ. By the exercise of that communion with God in Christ Iesus which in their due Observation he graciously invites and admits us unto for the increase of his grace in us and the testification of his love and good will towards us Gen. 17.10 Levit. 26.11 12. Prov. 9.5 6. Ezek. 26.27 28. Zach. 14.16 17. Mat. 26.27 28. Rom. 6.3 Explication The next and principall ends of all instituted worship in respect of Believers are the increase of the Grace of God in them their edification in their most holy faith and the testification of the good will of God unto them Ephes. 4.11 12 13 14 15. And 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 Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carryed about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Whence also is that prayer of the Apostle for the blessing of God upon the Church in the use of them Ephes. 3.16 17 18. That he will grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth the length and depth and heighth and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God For these ends and with a design to have them accomplished in and upon their souls ought they to attend unto them James 1.21 Receive with meekness the ingrafted word of God which is able to save your souls 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby Unto the effecting of these ends especially the increase and establishment of our faith are they suiâ—ed and appointed of God whereon all their efficacy doth depend In their due observation doth God give out that supply of Grace which he hath promised Ephes. 1.16 17 18 19. and thus also is faith exercised in an especial manner which iâ— the only ordinary means of its growth and increase Habits both acquired and infused are increased and strengthened by frequent acts on suitable objects Hos. 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. In the celebration of Gospel Ordinances God in Christ proposeth himself in an intimate manner to the believing soul as his God and reward and his love in Christ in an especiall manner in some Ordinances So doth Christ also exhibit himself thereunto Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will supp with him and he with me Faith therefore directed by the word to rest in God to receive the Lord Christ in the observation of his Ordinances is excited increased strengthened and that in answer unto the appointment and promises of God Qu. 11. How are mutuall love and communion among Believers testified and confirmed in their Observation Answ. In that they are appointed by the Lord Christ for that end and in their own nature as attended unto in their Assemblies are in an especiall manner suited unto that purpose John 13.35 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 11.18 19. Ephes. 4.4 5 6. Explication The principles of mutual spirituall love among Believers arise from their relation unto one Father Matth. 23.9 One is your Father which is in Heaven who giveth unto all them that believe in Christ Power to become the sons of God John 1.12 And their being all Children of the same Family that family in Heaven and Earth which is called after the name of God the Father of it as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 3.14 15. and unto Christ Jesus as their elder Brother who
and Believers of all nations under Heaven were to be admitted unto the priviledge of his worship Eph. 2.15 16 17 18. the national Church of the Jewes with all the Ordinances of it being removed and taken away the Lord Christ hath appointed particular Churches or united Assemblies of Believers amongst and by whom he will have all his holy Ordinances of worship celebrated And this institution of his at the First preaching of the Gospel was invariably and inviolably observed by all that took on them to be his Disciples without any one instance of questioning it to the contrary in the whole World or of the celebration of any Ordinances of his worship amongst any Persons but only in such societies or particular Churches And there is sufficient evidence and warranty of this institution given us in the Scripture For First they are appointed and approved by Christ. Matth. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. If thy Brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear then tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in Heaven again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven for where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Such a Church he supposeth and approveth as his Disciples had relation unto and as any one of them could have recourse unto as a Brother in obedience to his commands and directions This could not be the Church of the Jews neither in its whole body nor in any of its Judicatories For as at that time there was a solemn decree of excommunication against all and every one that should profess his Name John 9.22 The Jews had already agreed that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue which was executed accordingly upon the man that was born blind Verse the 34. which utterly disabled them from making any use of this direction command or Institution of his for the present So afterwards the chief business of the Rulers of those Assemblies from the highest court of their Sanhedrim to the meanest Judicatory in their Synagogues was to persecute them and bring them unto death Math. 10.17 They will deliver ye up to the Councills and they will scourge you in their Synagogues John 15.21 And it is not likely that the Lord Christ would send his Disciples for direction and satisfaction in the weighty matters of their obedience unto him and mutual love towards one another unto them with whom they neither had nor could nor ought to have any thing to do withal and if they were intended they were all already made as heathens and Publicans being cast out by them for refusing to hear them in their blasphemies and persecutions of Christ himself Such a society also is plainly intended as whereunto Christ promiseth his presence by his spirit and whose righteous sentences he takes upon himself to ratifie and confirm in Heaven Moreover such a Church doth he direct unto as wiâ—h which his Disciples were to have familiar Brotherly constant converse and communion with whom they were so to be joyned in society as to be owned or rejected by them according to their judgement as is apparent in the practice enjoyned unto them and without relation whereunto no duty here appointed could be performed As therefore the very name of the Church and nature of the thing bespeaks a society so it is evident that no society but that of a particular Church of the Gospel can be here intended Secondly these Churches he calls his Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 In allusion unto the Candlesticks of the Temple which being an institution of the old Testament doth directly declare these Churches to be so under the New And this he speakes in reference unto those seven principal Churches of Asia every one of which was a Candlestick or an institution of his own Thirdly In pursuit of this appointment of Christ and by his authority the Apostles so soon as any were converted unto the faith at Jerusalem although the old National Church state of the Jewes was yet continued gathered them into a Church or society for celebration of the ordinances of the Gospel Acts. 2.41 42. they that gladly received the word were baptised and they continued stedfastly together in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers verse 47 the Lord adding unto this Church dayly such as should be saved And this company is expresly called the Church at Jerusalem Acts. 8.1 This Church thus called and collected out of the Church of the Jewes was the rule and pattern of the disposing of all the Disciples of Christ into Church societyes in obedience unto his command throughout the World Acts 11.26 Acts 14.23 27. Fourthly they took care for the forming compleating and establishing them in order according to his will under the rule of them given and granted unto them by himself for that purpose all in a stâ—ddy pursuit of the commands of Christ. Acts 14.23 they ordained them Elders in every Church Titus 1.5 For this cause left I thee in Creet that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Fifthly they do every where in the Name and authority of Christ give unto these Churches rules directions and precepts for the due ordering of all things relating to the worship of God according to his minde as we shall see afterwards in particular For First there is no charge given unto the Officers Ministers Guides or Overseers that he hath appointed but it is in reference unto the discharge of their duty in such Churches That Ministers or Officers are of Christs appointment is expresly declared Ephes. 4.11.12 He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifâ—ing of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set in his Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers These are of Christs institution but to what end why as they were ordained in every Church Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 So their whole charge is limited to the Churches Acts 20.17 He sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church and said to them Verse the 28. take heed
power consists in a relation unto the Church that they are set over so they are commanded to attend unto the service of the Churches wherein and whereunto they are so ordained Act. 20.28 1 Peter 1.2 And that with all diligence care and watchfulness as those that must give an account Heb. 13.17 which no man is able to do towards more Churches than one the same duty being at all times to be performed towards all And because the whole authority of the Elders Pastors or Bâ—shops of Churches is ministerial â— Cor. 4.1 consisting in a power of acting upon the command of Christ they are bound in their own persons to the discharge of their duty and Office without the least pretence of authority to delegate another or others to act their part or to do their duty which would be an effect of autocratorical authority and not of obedience or Ministry The latter way also of relation unto many Churches is unwarrantable For 1 It hath no warrant in the Scripture no Law nor constitution of Christ or his Apostles can be produced to give it countenance but Elders were ordained to their own Churches and commanded to attend unto them 2 No rule is given unto any Elders how they should behave themselves in reference unto more Churches than one in the exercise of their ministerial power as there are rules given unto every one for the discharge of that duty in the Church whereunto he is related 3 There is no example to give it countenance recorded in the Scripture 4 The authority to be put forth hath no foundation 1 Not in the gifts they have received for the ministerial power is not an absolute ability or faculty of doing what a man is able but a right whereby a man hath power to do that rightly and lawfully which before he could not do This gifts will not give to any for if they did they would do it to all that have received them 2 Not in their election for they are chosen in and by that Church whereunto they stand in especial relation whose choice cannot give ministerial power over any but themselves 3 Not in their setting apart by fasting prayer and imposition of hands for this is only unto that office work and power whereunto they are chosen They are not chosen for one end and set apart for another 4 Not from the Communion of Churches for that gives no new power but only a due exercise of that which was before received Qu. 27. What are the principal duties of the Pastors or Teachers of the Church An. 1 To be examples unto the flock in faith love knowledge méekness patience readiness to suffer for the name and Gospel of Christ with constancy therein 2 To watch for the souls and take care of all the spiritual concernments of the whole flock committed to them 3 To preach the word diligently dividing it aright 4 To preserve and contend for the truth 5 To administer all the Ordinances of the Gospel duly and orderly 6 To stir up and exercise the gifts they have received in the discharge of their whole work and administration of all Ordinances 7 To instruct admonish cherish and comfort all the Members of the Church as their conditions occasions and necessities do require 8 To attend with diligence skill and wisdome unto the discharge of that authority which in the rule of the Church is committed unto them 1 1 Tim. 3.10 11 13. Chap. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 Coloss. 1.24 Phil. 2.17 Chap. 3.17 2 Heb. 13.17 Acts 20.28 3 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 Rom. 12.6 7 8. 4 1 Tim. 6.20 Acts 20.28 Jude 3. 5 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.15 6 1 Tim. 4.14 15 16. 7 Acts 20.18 19 20 25 26. 1 Thes. 3.5 2 Tim. 2.24 25. 8 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 The answer is full and plain Qu. 28. Wherein principally doth the authority of the Elders of the Church consist An. 1 In that the Rule of the Church and the guidance thereof in things appertaining unto the worship of God is committed unto them And therefore 2 Whatever they do as Elders in the Church according unto rule they do it not in the name or authority of the Church by which their power is derived unto them nor as Members only of the Church by their own consent or covenant but in the name and authority of Iesus Christ from whom by virtue of his Law and Ordinance their ministerial office and power is received so that 3 In the exercise of any act of Church power by and with the consent of the Church there is an obligation thence procéeding which ariseth immediately from that authority which they have received of Iesus Christ which is the spring of all rule and authority in the Church 1 Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Cor. 12.28 2 1 Tim. 3.5 Coloss. 4.17 2 Cor. 10.4 8. 3 1 Tim. 4.11 Titus 2.15 1 Peter 1.2 3 4 5. Explication The answer unto this Question explains the power or authority of the Elders of the Church from whom they do receive it and how it is exercised by them the right stating whereof is of great importance in the whole discipline of the Church and must therefore here be farther explained to this end we may consider First that all Church power is originally vested in Jesus Christ the sole head and Monarch thereof God the Father hath committed it unto him and intrusted him with it for the accomplishment of his work of mediation Matth. 28.18 Secondly that he doth communicate of this authority by way of trust to be exercised by them in his name unto persons by him appointed so much as is needful for the ordering and disposing of all things in his Churches unto the blessed ends for which he hath instituted and appointed them For no man can have any power in his Church for any end whatever but by delegation from him What is not received from him is meer usurpation And whoever takes upon himself the exercise of any Rule or Authority or power in the Church not granted unto them by him or not rightly derived from him is an oppressor a thief and a Robber this necessarily follows upon the absolute investiture of all power in him alone 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Thirdly the means whereby the Lord Christ communicates this power unto men is by his Law and constitution whereby he hath granted ordained and appointed that such and such powers shall be exercised in his Church and that by such and such persons to be derived unto them in such a way and manner so that the word of the Gospel or the Laws and constitutions of the Lord Christ therein are the first recipient seat and subject morally of all Church power whatever Matth. 16.19 Matth. 18.18 19 20. Fourthly the way and means whereby any persons come to a participation of this power regularly according to the mind of Christ is by the obedience unto and due observation of his laws and commands
in them unto whom they are prescribed As when an Office with the power of it is constituted and limited by the law of the Land there is no more required to invest any man in that office or to give him that power than the due observance of the means and way prescribed in the law to that end The way then whereby the Elders of the Church do come to participate of the power and authority which Christ hath appointed to be exercised in his Church is by their and the Churches due observance of the Rules and Laws given by him for their election and setting apart unto that office Heb. 4.3 Acts 14.24 Fifthly on this account they receive their power from Christ himself alone and that immediately for the means used for their participation of it are not recipient of the power it self formally nor do authoritatively collate or conferr it only the laws of Christ are executed in a way of obedience So that though they are chosen and set apart to their office by the Church yet they are made Overseers by the holy-Ghost Acts 20.28 Though they have their power by the Church yet they have it not from the Church nor was that power whereof they are made partakers as was said formally resident in the body of the Church before their participation of it but really in Christ himself alone and morally in his word or law And thence is the rule and guidance of the Church committed unto them by Christ Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Tim. 3.5 Sixthly this authority and power thus received from Christ is that which they exert and put forth in all their ministerial administrations in all which they do as ministers in the house of God either in his worship or in the rule of the Church it self They exercise that authority of Christ which he hath in his law appointed to be exercised in his Church and from that authority is due order given unto the administration of all the ordinances of worship and an obligation unto obedience to acts of rule doth thence also ensue so that they which despise them despise the authority of Christ. Seventhly when as Elders they do or declare any thing in the name of the Church they do not as such put forth any authority committed unto them from and by the Church but only declare the consent and determination of the Church in the exercise of their own liberty and priviledge but the authority which they act by and which they put forth is that which is committed to themselves as such by Jesus Christ. Eighthly this authority is comprised in the Law and constitution of Christ which themselves exert only ministerially and therefore when ever they act any thing authoritatively which they are not enabled for or warranted in by the word of the Gospel or do any thing without or contrary unto rule all such actings as to any spiritual effect of the Gospel or obligation on the consciences of Men are Ipso facto null and are no way ratified in Heaven where all their orderly actings are made valid that is by Christ himself in his Word Ninthly The reason therefore why the consent of the Church is required unto the authoritative acting of the Elders therein is not because from thence any authority doth accrew unto them anew which virtually and radically they had not before but because by the rule of the Gospel this is required to the orderly acting of their power which without it would be contrary to rule and therefore ineffectual as also it must needs be from the nature of the thing it self for no act can take place in the Church without or against its own consent whilest its obedience is voluntary and of choice But if it be asked what then shall the Elders do in case the Church refuse to consent unto such acts as are indeed according to rule and warranted by the institution of Christ it is answered that they are First diligently to instruct them from the word in their duty making known the mind of Christ unto them in the matter under consideration 2 To declare unto them the danger of their dissent in obstructing the edification of the Body to the dishonour of the Lord Christ and their own spiritual disadvantage 3 To wait patiently for the concurrence of the grace of God with their Ministry in giving light and obedience unto the Church and 4 In case of the Churches continuance in any failure of duty to seek for advice and counsel from the Elders and Brethren of other Churches all which particulars might be enlarged would the nature of our present design and work permit it Quest. 29. What is the duty of the Church towards their Elders Pastors or Teachers Answ. 1 To have them in reverence and honour for their office and works sake 2 To obey them conscientiously in all things wherein they speak unto them in the name of the Lord. 2 To pray earnestly for them that they may and to exhort them if need require to fulfill the work of the Ministry 4 To communicate unto them of their temporals for their comfortable subsistance in the World and usefulness unto others 5 Wisely to order things by their direction so as that they may be amongst them without fear 6 To abide with and stand by them in their sufferings for the Gospel and service of Christ among them 1 1 Thes. § 12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 2 Heb. 13.17 1 Cor. 16.16 3 Ephes. 6.18 19. Colos. 4.3 2 Thes. 3.1 Colos. 4.17 4 Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.14 5 1 Cor. 16.10 6 2 Tim. 1.16 17 18. 2 Tim. 4.16 Quest. 30. Are there any differences in the Office or Offices of the Guides Rulers Elders or Ministers of the Church Answ. The Office of them that are Teachers is one and the same among them all but where there are many in the same Church it is the will of Christ that they should be peculiarly assigned unto such especial work in the discharge of their office power as their gifts received from him do peculiarly fit them for and the necessities of the Church require Rom. 12.4 5 6 7 8 1 Cor. 8.11 1 Pet. 4.10 Chap. 5.2 Explication The Office of them that are to instruct the Church in the name and authority of Christ is one and the same as hath been shewed before And there are many names that are equally accommodated unto all that are partakers of it as Elders Bishops Guides They are all alike Elders alike Bishops alike Guides have the one office in common amongst them and every one the whole intire unto himself But there are names also given unto them whereby they are distinguisht not as to Office but as to their work and employment in the discharge of that office such are Pastors and Teachers Ephes. 4.11 Which are placed as distinct persons in their work partakers of the same Office Now the foundation of this distinction and difference lyes First In the different gifts that they have
received For although it be required in them all that they have received all those gifts abilities and qualifications which are necessary for the work of the Ministry yet as to the degrees of their participation of their gifts some may more excell in one others in another 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. There are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit c. and all these gifts are bestowed upon them to be exercised and laid out for the profit and benefit of the Church Verse the 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall And therefore every one is in aâ— especial manner to attend unto the exercise and use of that gift wherein he doth excell or which tends most to the edification of the Church every man being to minister according as he hath received 1 Pet. 4.10 Secondly It lyes in the nature of the work of the Ministry in the Church which in general may be referred unto two heads or ends First The instruction of it in the knowledge of God in Christ and the mysteries of the Gospel that it might grow in grace wisdom saving light and knowledge Secondly The exhortation of it to walk answerable unto light received in holiness and universal obedience Now though these several ends of the Ministry cannot be divided or separated yet they may be distinguished and so carryed on distinctly that in the one knowledge or light may be firstly and principally intended so as to lead unto obedience in the other holiness may be firstly designed as springing from Gospel light or knowledge Hence therefore are the Elders of the Church principally to attend unto that work or that end of the Ministry which by the Holy-Ghost they 〈◊〉 most suited unto And therefore the Church following the intimations of the Holy-Ghost in communicating his gifts in variety as he pleaseth and attending their own edification may and ought amongst those whom they choose to the Office of Elders or Ministers withall design them in Particular unto that especial work which they are especially fitted and prepared for and this upon their being chosen and set apart they are accordingly to attend unto He that teacheth on teaching he that exhorteth on exhortation Rom. 12.7 8. Their Office then is the same but their teaching work and employment on the grounds mentioned distinct and different Quest. 31. Are there appointed any Elders in the Church whose office and duty consist in rule and government only Answ. Elders not called to teach ordinarily or administer the Sacraments but to assist and help in the rule and government of the Church are mentioned in the Scripture Rom. 1â— 8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 Explication This Office of ruling Elders in the Church is much opposed by some and in especial by them who have least reaâ—son so to do For First They object against them that they are lay Elders when those with whom they have to do deny that distinction of the Church into the Clergy and Layity For although they allow the distribution of 〈◊〉 into Officers and the multitude of the Brethren yet they maintain that the whole Church is Gods Clergy his lot and portion 1. Pet. 5.3 Again they affirm them to be Elders and therein not meerly of the members of the Church but Officers set apart unto their Office according to rule or the appointment of Christ. And if by Layity the people distinct from the Officers of the Church are to be understood the very term of a lay Elder implyes a contradiction as designing one who is and is not a Church Officer Besides themselves do principally govern the Church by such whom they esteem Lay-men as not in holy-Orders to whom the principal part of its rule at least in the execution of it is committed which renders their objection to this sort of Church-Officers unreasonable Others also have given advantage by making this Office annual or biennial in them that are chosen unto it which though they plead the necessity of their Churches for as not having Persons meet for this work and duty who are willing to undertake in constantly during their lives without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do and wish it remedied But this hinders not but that such Church-Officers are indeed designed in the Scripture and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers and footsteps also yet remain in most Churches of their institution though wofully corrupted For besides that some light in this matter may be taken from the Church of the Jews wherein the Elders of the People were joyned in Rule with the Priests both in the Sanhedrim and all lesser Assemblies there is in the Gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for Rule and Government in the Church as 1 Cor. 12.28 And it is in vain pretended that those words helps governments do denote gifts only seeing the Apostle expresly enumerates the persons in Office or Officers which the Lord Christ then used in the foundation and Rule of the Churches as then planted He that ruleth also is distinguisht from him that teacheth and him that exhorteth Rom. 12.8 and is prescribed diligence as his principal qualification in the discharge of his duty And the words of the Apostle to this purpose are express 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially those who labour in the word and doctrine For the words expresly assign two sorts of Elders whereof some only attend unto rule others moreover labour in the word and doctrine Neither doth that word as some would have it labour in the Word intend any other labour but what is incumbent on all the Pastors and Teachers of their Church as their constant duty see Rom. 6.12 Acts 20.35 1 Thes. 5.12 Now can we suppose that the Apostle would affirm them to be worthy of double honour whom comparing with others he notes as remiss and negligent in their work For it seems that others were more diligent in the discharge of that duty which was no less theirs if only one sort of Elders be here intended The Scripture is not wont to commend such persons as worthy of double honour but rather to propose them as meet for double shame and punishment Jer. 48.10 1 Cor. 9.16 And they are unmindful of their own interest who would have Bishops that attend to the rule of the Church to be distinctly intended by the Elders that rule well seeing the Apostle expresly preferreth before and above them those that attend constantly to the Word and Doctrine And besides what is thus expresly
acquaint themselves with the outward condition of those that appear to be poor and needy in the Church whether by the addresses of such poor ones who are bound to make known their wants occasions and necessities unto them or by the information of others or their own observation Secondly to acquaint the Elders and the Church as occasion requireth with the necessities of the poor under their care that those who are able may be stirred up by the Elders to a free supply and contribution Thirdly To dispose what they are entrusted with faithfully cheerfully tenderly with partiality or preferring one before another for any outward respect whatever Fourthly To keep and give an account unto the Church when called for of what they have received and how they have disposed of it that so they may be known to have well discharged their Office that is with care wisdom and tenderness whereby they procure to themselves a good degree with boldness in the faith and the Church is encouraged to entrust them farther with this sacrifice of their almes which is so acceptable unto God Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church and every member thereof in their proper station and condition Answ. In performing doing and kéeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Iesus Christ walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World holding forth the Word of truth and glorifying the Lord Christ in and by the profession of his name and kéeping his testimony unto the end Matth. 28.20 Acts 2.42 Phil 2.15 16. Chap. 4.8 9. 1 Thes. 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Explication Besides the general duties of Christianity incumbent on all Believers or Disciples of Christ as such there are sundry especial duties required of them as gathered into Church societies upon the account of an especial trust committed unto them in that state and condition For First the Church being appointed as the seat and subject of all the institutions of Christ and ordinances of Gospel worship it is its duty that is of the whole body and every member in his proper place to use all care watchfulness and diligence that all the commands of Christ be kept inviolate and all his institutions observed according to his mind and will Thus those added to the Church Acts 2.42 Together with the whole Church continued stedfastly which argues care circumspection and diligence in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers Which principal duties are enumerated to express their respect towards all This is their standing fast in the Lord which was a matter of such joy to the Apostle when he found it in the Thessalonians 1 Ephe. 3.8 For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. That order and stedfastness which he rejoyced over in the Colossians Chap. 2.5 For though I am absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and boholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. And where this duty is despised men contenting themselves with what is done by others there is a great neglect of that faithfulness in obedience which the Church owes unto Jesus Christ. Secondly the Glory of the Lord Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel to be manifested in and by the power of an holy exemplary conversation is committed unto the Church and all the members of it This is one end wherefore the Lord Christ calls them out of the World separates them to be a peculiar people unto himself brings them forth unto a visible profession and puts his name upon them namely that in their walking and conversation he may shew forth the holiness of his doctrine and power of his spirit grace and example to effect in them all holiness godlyness righteousness and honesty in the World Hence are they earnestly exhorted unto these things Phil. 4.8.9 Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if their be any praise think on these things and that to this end that the doctrine of the Gospel may be adorned and Christ glorified in all things Tit. 2.10 And those who fail herein are said to be Enemies of the cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 As hindring the progress of the doctrine thereof by representing it undesirable in their conversation This also therefore even the dutie of universal holiness with an especial regard unto the honour of Christ and the Gospel which they are called and designed to testifie and express in the World is incumbent on the Church and every member of it namely as the Apostle speaks that they be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebukes in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they are to shine as lights in the World Phil. 2.15 Thirdly the care of declaring and manifesting the truth is also committed unto them Christ hath made the Church to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 where the truth of the Gospel is so firmly seated founded fixed established and then lifted up in the wayes of Christs appointment to be seen discerned and known by others And as this is done principally in the preaching of the Gospel by the Elders of the Church and in their contending for the truth once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. So it is also the duty of the whole Church to hold forth the word of life Phill. 2.16 by ministring of the gift that every man hath received 1 Peter 4.10 In the way of Christs appointment In these and the like instances doth our Lord Jesus require of his Church that they express in the World their subjection unto him and his authority and that they abide therein unto the end against all opposition whatever The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein was one great means of that Apostacy from the rule of the Gospel which they generally of old fell into When the members of them began to think that they had no advantage by their state and condition but only the outward participation of some Ordinance of worship and no duty incumbent on them but only to attend and follow the motions and actings of their Guides the whole societies quickly became corrupt and fit to be disposed of according to the carnal interest of those that had by their neglect and sin gotten dominion over them And at all times as the people were negligent in their duty the Leaders of them were apt to usurp undue authority When the one sort will not do that which they ought the other are ready to take upon them what they ought not It is a circumspect performance of duty on all hands alone that will keep all sorts of persons in the Church within those bounds and limits and up to those rights and priviledges which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them
are his people and God himself is with them to be their God Other wayes of communion with him of obedience unto him of enjoyment of him on this side Heaven and Glory he hath not appointed nor revealed Now this is the Covenant that God hath made with his people That he will put his Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and will be to them a God and they shall be to him a people and he will be mercifull to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will he remember no more Heb. 8.9 10 11 12. And what ever Men attain unto it is by vertue of the grace of that Covenant nor is there any Grace promised in the Covenant to lead men in this life or to give them up unto a state of perfection short of glory Unto this Covenant are the institutions of Gospel Worship annexed and unto that administration of it which is granted unto the Church upon the coming and death of Christ. Without a renunciation and relinquishment of that Covenant and the grace of it these institutions cannot be omitted or deserted If Men suppose that they have attained to an estate wherein they need neither the grace of God nor the mercy of God nor the blood of Christ nor the Spirit of Christ it is not much materialâ— what they think of the Ordinances of worship Their pride and folly without that mercy which is taught promised and exhibited in those Ordinances will speedily be their ruine Besides the Lord Christ is the absolute Lord over his own house Heb. 3.4 5 6. And he hath given out the Laws whereby he will have it guided and ruled whilest it is in this World In and by these Laws are his Ordinances of Worship established for any persons on what pretence soever to plead an exemption from the obligation of those Laws it is nothing but to cast of the Lordship and dominion of Christ himself And yet farther to secure our obedience in this matter he hath expresly commanded the continuance of them untill his comeing unto Judgement as in the places above quoted will appear Qu. 7. What are the chief things that we ought to aim at in our observation of the institutions of Christ in the Gospel Answ. 1. To sanctifie the name of God 2. To own and avow our professed subjection to the Lord Iesus Christ. 3. To build up our selves in our most holy faith And 4. To testifie and confirm our mutuall love as we are Believers 1. Levit. 10.3 Heb. 12.28 29. 2. Deut. 26.17 Josh. 24.22 2 Cor. 8 5. 3. Ephes. 4.12 13 14 15 16. Jude 20. 4. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. Explication That we may profitably and comfortably unto the glory of God and our own edification be exercised in the observation of the Institutions and Worship of God we are alwayes to consider what are the ends for which God hath appointed them and commanded our attendance unto them that so our observance of them may be the obedience of faith For what ends soever God hath appointed them unto for that end are they usefull and effectuall and to no other If we come to them for any other end if we use them for any other purpose or with any other design if we look for any thing in them or by them but what God hath appointed them to communicate unto us we dishonour God and deceive our own souls This we ought diligently to enquire into to know not only what God requires of us but wherefore also he requires it and what he aims at therein Some of the principall things whereof are enumerated in this Answer And it is well known how horribly many of the institutions of the Gospel have been by some especially the Papists abused by a neglect of the ends of God in them and imposing new ends of their own upon them unto Superstition and Idolatry Grace is ascribed unto the outward observance of them whereas all Grace is of the promise and the promise in the Covenant is given only to the faith of the right observers The elements in the Sacrament of the Eucharist are turned into a God first worshipped and then devoured with many the like abominations Qu. 8. How many we sanctifie the name of God in the use of Gospell Institutions Answ. 1. By an holy reverence of his Soveraign Authority appointing of them 2. An holy regard unto his speciall presence in them 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them 4. Delight in his Will Wisdome Love and Grace manifested in them 5. Constancy and perseverance in obedience unto him in their due Observation 1. Levit. 10.3 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 4.11 Exod. 20.6 7. James 4.12 2. Mat. 28.20 Isaiah 59.21 Exod. 29.43 44 45. 3. Gen. 15.6 Heb. 4.2.6 Exod. 12.27 28. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. chap. 7.1 4. Psal. 88.1 2 4 10. Psal. 65.4 Psal. 36.7 8. 5. Psalm 23.6 Psal. 27.4 Rev. 2.3 10. Gâ—l 6.9 Heb. 10.23 24 25. Heb. 12.3 Explication This is the first thing that God requireth us to attend unto in the celebration of the Ordinances of his worship namely that we therein sanctifie his name the greatest duty that we are called unto in this world This he layes down as the generall rule of all we do herein Levit. 10.3 I will saith he be sanctified in them that come nigh unto me and before all the people I will be glorified Whatever we do in his worship we must do it that he may be sanctified or whatever we do is an abomination to him Now the principall wayes how we may herein sanctifie the name of God are expressed As First When in every Ordinance we consider his appointment of it and submit our souls and consciences unto his authority therein which if we observe any thing in his worship but what he hath appointed we cannot do it Not formality not custome not the precepts of Men not any thing but the authority and command of God is to be respected in this obedience This is the First thing that Faith regards in Divine Worship it rests not in any thing closeth nor with any thing but what It discerns that God hath commanded and therein it eyes his Authority as he requireth it Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is mine honour if I be Master where is my fear Rom. 14.11 As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God Reverence then unto the authority of God appointing his worship is a principal means of sanctifying the name of God therein This was the solemn sanction of all his institutions of old Deut. 6.4 5 6 7. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might and these words which I command thee this Day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children And the observation of them he presseth on this
account that the people might fear that glorious and dreadfull name the Lord thy God Deut. 28.58 which name he had so often engaged in his commands saying thou shalt do it I am the Lord. And in the New Testament our Lord Jesus Christ proposeth his authority as the foundation of his commanding and our observation of all the institutions of the Gospel Mat. 28.18 19 20. Jesus came and spake unto them saying all power is given me in heaven and earth go ye therefore and 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 I have commanded you And he is to be considered in all our obedience as the great and only Law-giver of his Church as the one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy James 4.12 the Soveraign Lord over his house Heb. 3.4 5 6. unto whom every knee is to bow and every conscience to be in subjection and he who heareth not his voice is to be cut off from the people of God Acts 3.23 It shall come to pass that every soul which will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people Secondly God hath frequently promised his speciall presence in and with his instituted Ordinances Of old both unto the things themselves and the places wherein they were according to his appointment to be celebrated those of places being also of his speciall institution Under the New Testament all difference of and respect unto place is taken away John 4.21 The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father but the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him And we are commanded in all places equally to make our prayers and supplications but his presence is promised and continued with the due celebration of the things themselves by him appointed for his service Maâ— 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you even to the end of the world In them is the Tabernacle of God with men and he dwells among them and they are his people Rev. 21.3 the promise of Christ being that where two or three are assembled in his name there he will be in midst of them Mat. 8.18 20. And this promised presence of God or Christ consisteth 1. In the power and efficacy which he by his Spirit implants upon his Ordinances to communicate his Grace and mercy unto his Church it being his Covenant that his Spirit shall accompany his word for ever unto that purpose Isa. 59.21 2. In the special blessing which he gives his people in those duties both in the acceptance of them and testifying his good will unto them Exod. 29.42 43 45. At the Tabernacle of the Congregation will I meet with the People saith the Lord there will I meet with the children of Israel And the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory and I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God Zech. 2.10 11. Ezek. 20.40 41. I will accept you with your sweet savour Ezek. 43.27 in both giving them intimate communion with himself by Jesus Christ John 1.3 By all these he gives that special presence which he requires an especiall reverence and regard of faith unto whereby his name is yet farther sanctified 3. God hath given special promises or promises of his speciall grace unto them that attend upon him in his worship in a due manner and hereunto also belongs that sacred Relation which by vertue of divine institution is between the sacramentall elements and the especial Graces of the Covenant which they exhibit and confirm and the mixing of these promises with faith according as they are appropriated unto any particular institution belongs also to the right sanctification of the name of God So also 4. doth our delight in them now this delight in the worship of God so much commended in the Scripture and proposed unto our example consists not in any carnall self-pleasing or satisfaction in the outward modes or manner of the performance of Divine Worship but it is an holy soul-refreshing contemplation on the will Wisdom Grace and Condescention of God in that he is pleased of his own Soveraign meer will and grace so to manifest himself unto such poor sinfull creatures as we are so to condescend unto out weakness so to communicate himself unto us so to excite and draw forth our souls unto himself and to give us such pledges of his gracious intercourse with us by Jesus Christ by the contemplation of these things is the soul drawn forth to delight in God Lastly Whereas great opposition lyes oftentimes against the Churches obedience unto God in this matter and much persecution befalls it on that account great weariness also being apt from the remainders of unbelief carnall wisdom indwelling sin weakness of the flesh in Believers themselves to arise in the course thereof and many temptations also beset them on every hand to turn them aside from the way of truth and holiness constancy and perseverance in the due and orderly celebration of all the Ordinances of the Gospel belongs unto this duty And this perseverance respecteth both the things themselves and the manner of their performance both which are of the highest concernment for us diligently to attend unto First As to the things themselves herein do we principally glorifie God and give due honour unto Jesus Christ when we abide in our professed subjection unto him and observance of his commands against difficulties oppositions and persecutions This he taketh notice of Rev. 2.13 Thou holdest fast my name and hast not denyed my faith even in those dayes wherein Antipas was my faithfull Martyr who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth And this he requireth of us indispensably if we will be his Disciples or ever hope to obtain the reward Mat. 10.38 39. He that taketh not his Cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me and it is he who endureth unto the end that shall be saved Matth. 24.13 And unto them who are faithfull unto the death and them alone doth he give the Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 giving us caution not to lose those things which we have wrought that we may receive a full reward 2 John 8. And as to the manner of their performance two things are to be regarded in this duty of perseverance and the sanctification of the name of God therein First The inward principle of our obedience our faith and love which are to be preserved from decay Rev 2. 4 5. I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works Chap. 3.3 Remember how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent Secondly The outward manner of